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‘Hey Sugar, you’re killing A newly-developed real Defending champion me’ was the title of a talk estate-based smart Simona Halep and top that marked the launch of technology ‘Rinfo’ by seed Petra Kvitova have the first registered Cafe QBIC has evoked an received first round byes Scientifique in Qatar. overwhelming response. at the Qatar Total Open.

SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 • 3 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6349 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

OPINION FM: Qatar and Cold spell back, Japan share Threat of same views on forged dusty winds to handling crises certificates DOHA: Qatar and Japan share identical views on how to han- HERE are several continue today dle crises internationally. Both problems plaguing the the countries have the ability Tlocal job market and to move swiftly to resolve any they are conflicts before they get out of compli- Chilly conditions until Wednesday hand, said Foreign Minister H E cated and Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. intercon- DOHA: A cold spell is suddenly the elderly could bear. The cold Talking about the bilateral nected. back just as people thought snap has been caused by Siberian relations between Qatar and They pose the winter was over — since high pressure associated with Japan he said they were strate- severe as recently as Wednesday the northwesterly winds (which are, gic. In an interview to Qatar TV, chal- sun had turned quite hot and obviously, moving from the colder Al Attiyah said that diplomatic lenges to scorching. regions of Europe). relations with Japan began in 1972 efforts for A sudden onset of relatively A routine forecast issued by and have never looked back since. reforms. Dr Khalid Al Jaber chilly conditions witnessed early the department for today, mean- He said the meeting held There yesterday will likely continue while, said there would be high between Emir H H Sheikh Tamim are wage disparities in the until Wednesday, the Department winds by afternoon and the sea bin Hamad Al Thani and Emperor public and mixed sectors. of Meteorology has said. would be rough due to the windy of Japan Akihito as well as his Salaries of male employees The department has cautioned conditions. Offshore as well there meeting with Japanese Prime are different from those of that there will be no reprieve could be scattered rains and the Minister Shinzo Abe saw the lead- their female colleagues in all from the dusty weather, which weather would be dusty. ers agree in their views regarding sectors. will affect visibility at least today. The wind could move inshore regional developments. Japan is one There are huge differences As a result, visibility would fall in at speeds less than eight knots of the biggest importers of energy in the salaries of citizens the morning as also later hours to an hour initially, and gradually from Qatar, in addition to having and expatriates, especially 2km within the city limits and to gather momentum and reach strong ties in other investment and A fire rages at The Torch, a residential high-rise tower, in Dubai yesterday. in the private sector. Fixing less than 1km outside. up to 28 to 30 knots an hour by economic fields such as health and working hours is another Motorists have been asked to afternoon. Offshore, too, the wind technology, reports QNA. problem. take extreme precaution particu- speed is expected to go up to 20 to Responding to a question on how But we are facing a big larly in the morning hours. It will 30 knots an hour. Blaze guts Dubai tower Qatar and Japan saw developments problem of forged certificates be a partly cloudy day today with The day temperatures fore- in the region, the foreign minister and degrees from graduates some chances of light rains. The cast today will vary from 22 to DUBAI: Hundreds of panicked residents fled one of the tallest tow- said that both had almost identical to PhDs. Fake degrees have night will be relatively cold. 27 degrees Celsius. Abu Samra, ers in Dubai early yesterday as a huge fire engulfed the skyscraper, views on how to deal with foreign literally invaded the local According to the Meteorology on the Qatar-Saudi border, will causing extensive damage to its luxury flats. crises. Both the countries have the market and hardly any sec- Department, since Friday there witness 22 degrees Celsius as the The inferno gutted the upper part of the 79-storey Torch tower. ability to move swiftly to resolve any tor is safe from this threat. has been a drop of about 8-10 maximum temperature. Amateur footage posted online showed fire engulfing the upper floors conflicts before they get out of hand. This is a threat not only degrees Celsius in the mercury In Doha, the maximum temper- of the tower — home to hundreds of expatriates — with debris falling Al Attiyah, stressing the to the job market, but to the levels. The department said on ature forecast is 26 degrees Celsius, onto the road as strong winds fanned the flames. importance of renouncing vio- safety of an individual. The its website that it has named the while the night will be colder (16 Civil defence teams cleared the building, which at 336 metres (1,105 lence in resolving crises, said action taken to curb this sudden, albeit brief cold snap, as degrees Celsius). The night will be feet) is one of the world’s tallest residential towers. Dubai police Qatar worked diligently to reach a menace has been limited ‘Bardul Ajoos’ (the cold of the the coldest in Abu Samra today said there were no fatalities but seven people were treated at the political resolution that meets the and without much impact. elderly). with the temperature forecast at scene for smoke inhalation. A civil defence department statement aspirations of the Syrian people. The issue is not being Roughly translated into 13 degrees Celsius. said the fire began on the 51st floor and swept across the tower’s Continued on page 2 addressed with the serious- English, it would mean a cold spell THE PENINSULA facade affecting 20 storeys. AFP THE PENINSULA ness it deserves, consider- ing its economic and social implications. So far, there is no clear or specific punishment for those Two jailed for highway found involved in forger- Call to prevent medicine misuse ies. There are no clear-cut rules to prosecute, imprison or deport the offenders and DOHA: In a new initiative, the a statement yesterday. The cam- the National Health Insurance robbery at gunpoint blacklist their names to ban Primary Health Care Corporation paign aims to raise public aware- Scheme (Seha) to primary health- their entry into the country (PHCC) has launched a nation- ness about the risks involved in care centers. Seha has laid down DOHA: A criminal court has judges that the main convict forever. wide campaign to promote the the irrational use of medicines. mechanisms to monitor prescrip- sentenced two GCC nationals assaulted the victim and fired in In the engineering sector, rational use of medicines and Misuse of medicines is a hot tion of medicines by healthcare to jail for robbing a person of the air to scare him and rob cash for example, there should be prevent their misuse or overuse. issue in the region forcing some providers covered by the scheme. cash at gunpoint on a highway worth QR4,500 ($1,236). a blacklist (of citizens and PHCC will use schools, sports GCC governments to bring about PHCC said that the campaign outside the city. The convict took away from expatriates) with forged clubs and social media to reach stringent rules to prevent this is in line with the World Health The court sentenced the main the victim his car keys as well, degrees and they should be out to the public with this message, practice, say medical indus- Organisation (WHO) guidelines convict to three years in jail and local Arabic daily Al Raya banned from practice. especially the citizens. PHCC said try sources. PHCC pharmacies and uses its tools and mechanisms. his accomplice got a two-year reported. A search of the victim’s Accountants caught with yesterday that the campaign aims are not permitted to dispose of “The rational use of medicine prison term. car by the police led to the dis- fake degrees should be to make sure that patients will be medicines without a prescription. is an international initiative being The accomplice told the court covery of a blank cartridge from referred to the investigat- prescribed only the essential med- However, a number of medicines adopted by all health organisations that he was taken by the main the front passenger seat. ing agencies and public pros- icines, in the required doses and are being sold over the counter such as the WHO. The PHCC is convict to where he committed The incident took place on Al ecution. The medical sector with the least possible cost. by private pharmacies and there trying to raise awareness in this the crime on the excuse that Zubara Road. The court, tak- should also have some ways “Medicines should meet the is always a possibility of misuse or regard to make it one of the prac- he needed help since one of the ing a serious view of the crime, to announce the names of patients’ treatment needs and be overuse, said the sources. tices of a healthy and prosperous tyres of his car had burst. announced the jail terms for the those involved in the forgery. administered in appropriate doses The PHCC campaign, arguably life,” added the statement. He said he had no idea that duo. They were also charged Continued on page 3 over a specific period of time, a first of its kind in the country, Continued on page 5 the main convict was going to with possessing and using unli- THE PENINSULA with the least possible cost,” said coincides with plans to expand THE PENINSULA commit a highway robbery. censed weapons. The accomplice also told the THE PENINSULA Hadi flees Sana’a, challenges Houthi coup Poverty breeds terror: Envoy DOHA: Qatar told a key con- of State John Kerry, National ADEN: Yemen’s beleaguered on parliament to meet in Aden, ference in Washington on coun- Security Adviser Susan Rice Western-backed president as powerful tribes in the south- tering extremism yesterday and United Nations Secretary- escaped house arrest and fled ern provinces of Marib, Jawaf and that its causes, and not mani- General Ban Ki-moon. the capital to friendly territory Baida urged him to declare Sana’a festations, should be addressed The most prominent aspects yesterday, labelling as a coup an “occupied city”. He said Hadi to fight the menace. of human development is the grab for power by the Sha “remains the legitimate president Poverty breeds terrorism and education. militia that had held him. and that he resigned under pres- the inability of young people Educated young people are An aide said presidential sure from Houthis”. to secure a dignified existence capable of fighting the extremist guards had sneaked Abdrabuh The president called for the pushes them into the clutches of ideology, Al Kuwari said, high- Mansur Hadi out of his resi- national commission overseeing the extremism, said Qatar’s ambas- lighting the efforts being made dence in Sana’a, and that he drafting of a new constitution to sador to the US, Mohamed by Qatar in the education sector, later made it to Aden. Hadi was create a federation to convene, say- Jaham Al Kuwari. Human and especially in terms of building staying in a presidential residence ing it should meet in Aden or Taez economic development is the key the Education City in Doha and in the port city’s Khormaksar dip- province until Sana’a “returns as a to eradicating terrorism from its the initiatives launched by the lomatic district. safe capital for all Yemenis, and the roots, said the diplomat. Qatar Foundation. In a statement, signed as presi- withdrawal of all armed militia”. He was speaking at the three- He also pointed to the role of dent, he said all measures taken Hadi demanded an end to the day Summit on Countering Qatar in hosting conferences and by the Houthis since they seized “house arrest” of Prime Minister Violent Extremism, which was discussion forums, in particular Sana’a in September and began a Khalid Bahah and other officials, inaugurated yesterday by US the Doha International Centre for push to extend their control far- urging Arab states and the UN Yemeni protesters attend a demonstration against the Houthi movement President Barack Obama and Interfaith Dialogue. Continued on page 5 ther afield were “null and illegiti- Security Council to “protect the in Sana’a. brought together more than 60 mate”. The aide said Hadi will call process in Yemen”. AFP countries along with US Secretary THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

HMC to expand Qatar Science Campus opens in Japan Al Sadd Children

SENDAI: Foreign Minister Emergency Centre H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed DOHA: Hamad Medical Al Attiyah officially inaugu- Corporation is expanding Al rated Qatar Science Campus Sadd Children Emergency at Engineering Graduate Centre, a senior official has School at Tohoku University in said. Sendai City, Japan. Work involves the construc- The campus is one of the tion of an extension building with projects funded by Qatar five new clinics and five patient Friendship Fund which was examination rooms, reports Al launched at the initiative of Sharq. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim The centre has 45 beds and 13 bin Hamad Al Thani for the more will be added, said Dr Hani Japanese people. Khalaf, Paediatric Consultant at The fund aims to support the hospital. relief efforts in the wake of the “Emergency children centres earthquake and tsunami that hit in other parts of the world rarely eastern Japan and strengthen have a large number of beds,” he friendship and cooperation said. between both countries and their Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah addresses the ceremony and (right) with university officials and guests. He said the number of medi- people to raise the spirit of hope cal staff will also be increased to for victims and aid management key to progress, as evidenced techniques that will benefit Tohoku University, launched the work to establish new industries cope with the rise in the number in a quick and efficient manner, more in Japan than anywhere humanity in the future. campus to create an advanced in the region. of patients. reports Qatar News Agency. else. “Out of Qatar’s belief in the scientific learning environment University President Susumu Children emergency centres in Speaking on the occasion, Dr He said the project aims to role of science in the sustain- for the local community and pre- Satomi praised the fund’s role in Doha have a large turnout espe- Al Attiyah said young people are develop the enormous poten- ability of local communities, pare a new generation of engi- the reconstruction of the Tohoku cially during winter. They receive the window to the future and the tial and help them discover the fund, in collaboration with neers and researchers that will region. THE PENINSULA about 2500 to 3000 patients in a day. Al Sadd Centre is among the most popular, receiving about 1,500 patients a day, followed by Al Rayyan Emergency Centre (800) and the Airport Emergency Qatar Charity donates Centre (500). HMC emergency children centres received 557,891 patients last year of whom 21,922 were QR100,000 to QRC for referred to observation rooms for further treatment. QU medical disaster control camp admissions DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent This year, the camp is expected (QRC) has received a QR100,000 to attract about 350 participants from tomorrow donation from Qatar Charity from Qatar and abroad. (QC) for the Sixth Disaster Invitations have been sent to DOHA: Qatar University’s Management Camp which seeks more than 20 national societies in Faculty of Medicine starts to enhance the culture of disas- the Middle East and North Africa, admissions for the Fall semes- ter preparedness in the Qatari in coordination with Qatari govern- ter 2015 tomorrow. Admissions society. ment and non-governmental organ- will continue until July 9, offi- This is the fourth time that QC izations, International Federation cials have said. has supported the camp financially of Red Cross and Red Crescent, About 400 students, includ- and provided some of its associates International Committee of the Some of the speakers and members of the symposium organising committee. ing 50 from Qatar, have applied as trainees, according to a QRC Red Cross, the United Nations and at the faculty and the university release yesterday. the GCC Secretariat-General. will give priority to Qataris dur- Final preparations are under way Rashid bin Saad Al Mohannadi, ing the admission process, reports for the 10-day camp to be held from Director, Social Development, Multiple sclerosis affects 64 Al Sharq. March 31 to April 9 the Marine QRC, and Camp Manager, praised Placement for residents and Scout Camp, Al Khor, under the QC’s cooperation in many pro- foreign students will be on merit. patronage of Prime Minister and grammes and activities and said in 100,000 Qataris: Expert The language of instruction Interior Minister H E Sheikh this initiative is not new for such is English while Arabic is also Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa an organisation as QC with a long taught and encouraged for stu- Al Thani. track record of charity. DOHA: Multiple sclerosis Epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis Dr Boulenouar Mesraoua, dents to be able to communicate According to the agenda of the The contribution, he said, affects about 64 in 100,000 Symposium. Symposium Chairman and effectively with local patients. camp, which is implemented by 45 strengthens partnership and coop- Qataris and the incidence “Epilepsy is also a disabling Senior Consultant Neurologist, QU is co-operating with Hamad specialised trainers, participants eration and helps build the pre- could be a bit higher in case condition which carries a HMC, and Associate Professor Medical Corporation (HMC) to will receive comprehensive infor- paredness culture in the Qatari of expatriates, according to a potential risk of mortality and of Clinical Neurology, Weill train the best medical doctors for mation about disaster manage- society to keep it ready for any senior health expert. high morbidity. Proper diagno- Cornell Medical College-Qatar. the country. ment and international concepts emergencies. Multiple sclerosis is a pro- sis and management is crucial Epilepsy is a non-communi- QU students do clinical tri- such as sphere standards, psycho- Al Mohannadi said efforts of gressive disease where the to prevent or reduce disabil- cable disorder of the nervous als at HMC hospitals across the logical support, the international QRC and participants in the camp body’s immune system attacks ity and improve the quality of system that causes recurrent country. humanitarian law, secure access contribute to national capacity healthy nerve tissue, resulting life of people with these condi- seizures. The condition affects and restoring family links. building in a systematic manner in nerve damage that affects tions,” he added. about 65 million people world- Indian embassy to They will also be trained in that aligns with the priorities of the body and causes vision, The symposium was held to wide and about one percent of assessment and coordination; Qatar National Vision 2030 to seek hearing, speech, breathing, discuss the latest knowledge on Qatar’s population or 20,000 hold open house healthcare; water and sanitation; a stable life in society and cope with balance, and coordination the management of the condi- per two million people. food and distribution; sheltering, latest developments in disaster pre- problems. tions to promote excellence in HMC has recently celebrated DOHA: The Indian embassy registration and logistics; and paredness and response all over the There is no cure for the con- neurology care and research in International Epilepsy Day will hold an Open House on media. world. THE PENINSULA dition, but treatment can help Qatar. with activities to raise aware- Thursday to address any urgent speedy recovery from attacks, “The symposium sup- ness and encourage people with consular and labour problems of manage symptoms and slow the ports ongoing development of the condition to seek profes- Indians. progression of the disease. regional knowledge and exper- sional medical care. It will be held from 5.30pm to “Epilepsy and multiple scle- tise in neurological sciences According to Dr Deleu, the 6.30pm. Written information on rosis are very prevalent con- and promotes HMC’s agenda of Neurology Department has issues proposed to be discussed ditions which need urgent providing patient care rooted completed a research on pat- with officials could be given from attention. Multiple sclero- in the most advanced research. terns, causes and effects of 5.30pm to 6pm. sis is a disabling illness and “We are pleased to be able epilepsy in the population. This will be followed by meet- treatment in the early stage to host a local and inter- Results are being analysed and ings with officials between 6pm is essential,” Dr Dirk Deleu, national panel of speakers, will be presented at American and 6.30pm, the embassy said in Head, Neurology Department, including leading clinicians Academy of Neurology in April. a statement. HMC, told the 10th Qatar and neuroscientists,” said THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Dusty weather QFF has completed 11 projects in Japan: FM Continued from page 1 strategic in nature. He said both countries There are over 20 com- signed a host of agreements panies that are 100 percent in the fields of health, tech- owned by Japanese capital nology, education and defence, operating in Qatar today. among others. There are another 30 that Both countries also signed are jointly owned by Japanese agreements to develop Metro and Qatari capital. railway and the main railway On how to benefit from systems in Qatar. Japanese expertise to aid Dr Al Attiyah said Qatar Qatar’s hosting of FIFA World Friendship Fund to finance Cup 2022, Dr Al Attiyah said projects to help the Japanese Qatar looks beyond the World people was established fol- Cup and focuses on Qatar lowing directives of Emir National Vision 2030. H H Sheikh Tamim bin On the Emir’s upcom- Hamad Al Thani to help the ing visit to Washington, people in the east of Japan he stressed that relations after the tsunami in 2011. between the US and Qatar The fund has completed 11 are strategic in nature. He projects on Japan’s eastern highlighted Qatar’s strong coast, and four are in progress. ties with the US in all fields To a question on invest- whether in education, defence, ment and economic coopera- health and investment and tion, he said Qatar and Japan added that the Emir’s visit will Very few joggers are seen on the Corniche due to the dusty weather have many joint investment reflect the strength of bilateral yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT projects in Japan that are relations. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 QC allocates over QR32m for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has allocated over QR32m for projects to support Syrian refu- gees in Lebanon. Projects will be implemented by QC and partners, including Islamic Dawa Organization and Human Appeal, in collabora- tion with Federation of Relief and Development Organisations Chinese Ambassador Youzhen Gao with Dr Amal Al Malki, Executive Director, in Lebanon. They will focus on Translation and Interpreting Institute, after signing the memorandum of health, shelter, food and emo- understanding. tional support. The announcement was made during a charity evening on the sidelines of the third conference QF institute, embassy in in Istanbul earlier this month to study the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. QC has allocated QR16.425m deal to teach Chinese for a model village as part of ‘Ray of Hope’ programme, imple- DOHA: Translation and with 35 percent of its crude oil mented by the federation. The Interpreting Institute (TII) of imports in 2013 from GCC coun- programme includes QR1.825m Hamad Bin Khalifa University tries, the Mandarin Chinese economic empowerment project (HBKU), a member of Qatar course is in line with GCC-Sino ‘Support Productive Families’ to Foundation, and the Chinese economic partnership. provide basic necessities to Syrian embassy will collaborate in the Dr Amal Al Malki, Executive refugees in Lebanon. areas of language teaching and Director, TII, said, “The deal with About QR1.825m was also pro- cultural activities for the ben- the embassy will help us explore vided to support a medical fund to efit of learners and the wider opportunities to promote Chinese provide medicines and treatment Qatari community. language and culture in Qatar and for sick and wounded Syrian refu- A memorandum of understand- Arabic language and Arab, and gees in Lebanon. QC is support- Qatar Charity officials at the event. ing (MoU) signed by both sides Qatari culture in China. ing ‘Smiles’ programme which sets the foundation for collabo- “The MoU will help realise our provides psychological support ration between Language Center vision of building linguistic capac- for children, at a cost of about about QR2m for ‘Five Fingers’ Valley, Al Hosn Valley, Atta Valley, where there are most Syrian ref- at TII and the embassy, recognis- ity in Qatar and open the door QR220,000. QC also allocated programme to develop Rabbit Babain and Wara ul Hafr in Arsal ugees. THE PENINSULA ing the importance of Arabic and for further collaborations with Chinese languages, education and Chinese institutions.” culture in the global economy. Chinese Ambassador Youzhen The centre supports the aca- Gao said, “The strategic partner- demic mission of the institute by ship between China and Qatar is offering training in five languages, continuously developing. Looking Erring expats should be deported, blacklisted including Mandarin Chinese. to the future, we will be build- Aimed to serve the needs of the ing the cooperative ‘Silk Road professional community, classes Economic Belt and 21st Century Continued from page 1 perpetrators should not be allowed to leave the Ministry of Education must take the lead in emphasise the integration of lan- Maritime Silk Road’ project and The ministries and authorities concerned country and come back with another forged this and eradicate this problem. But unfor- guage and culture and incorpo- jointly hold the 2016 China-Qatar should do their best to evaluate the degrees degree. Erring expatriates should be deported tunately, they are yet to take notice. There is rate technology in learning and Cultural Year.” The MoU is valid and formulate the necessary mechanisms to and blacklisted so that they cannot come back. no action, discussion or creation of awareness teaching. for two years after which both check the authenticity of documents. Anyone In short, much more needs to be done to on a malaise that is growing, threatening the As China is the world’s largest sides will meet to evaluate results. found guilty should be referred to the Ministry prevent those holding forged certificates and very foundation of our education. energy consumer and oil importer THE PENINSULA of Interior for appropriate action. The degrees from reaching the job market. The THE PENINSULA Café Scientifique launched

Participants debate on high-sugar diet at the forum.

DOHA: ‘Hey Sugar, you’re kill- was the real cause of increased all around the room with some ing me’ was the title of a dis- heart disease. saying a high-sugar diet is only cussion that marked the launch He published a book, Pure, related to disease because it leads of the first registered Café White and Deadly in 1972 to to obesity and others emphasising Scientifique in Qatar, hosted highlight the dangers of a high- the importance of moderation and by Anti Doping Lab Qatar sugar diet. However, because of the need to burn off the sugary (ADLQ). vested interests of the powerful intake by more exercise. Café Scientifique is a global food industry and other scientists, The increased intake of choco- forum to discuss current ques- Yudkin’s prophesies remained late being good for you was well tions in science in informal set- dormant for some 30 years until received by the audience, only tings, such as cafes, in gatherings recently researchers at University to be disappointed to learn this of friends — men and women — of California, especially Professor meant the high cocoa containing from the whole range of scientific Robert Lustig and his group, dark variety that is not sweet backgrounds, including PhD stu- spearheaded a campaign to re- enough for many people. dents, post-doctoral researchers, evaluate the dangers of high- Dr Stephen L Atkin, Professor clinicians and professors of all sugar as opposed to high-fat in of Medicine, Weill Cornell ages. our diets. Medical College Qatar, a spe- The topic was serious — of a The event was organised by cialist in diabetes and obesity, diet high in sugar leading to life Mashael Al Ansari, Director of Professor Hilal Lashuel, Executive threatening diseases, such as dia- Marketing, and her team, with Director, Qatar Biomedical betes and heart disease — hidden the café formally registered with Research Institute, Dr Hadi in the title. International Café Scientifique Abderrahim, Managing Director, The history of the debate on and the topic announced globally. Qatar Biobank, Dr Aisha Al sugar goes back to the 1960s In his inaugural address, Dr Obaildly, Research Manager, when the scientific community Mohammed Ghanim Al Ali Al Health Sciences, Qatar Science said the rise of heart diseases Maadheed, Chairman, Qatar Red and Technology Park participated was a result of high fat in the Crescent, gave a reflective and along with others in the debate. diet. The food industry produced personal perspective of the Arab Dr Mohammed Alsayrafi, and put on supermarket shelves and Muslim tradition of such General Manager, ADLQ, raised low-fat alternatives to almost all gatherings over coffee. the question of the importance of we consume. However, to make He linked it to the Japanese ethics and integrity in scientific low-fat products tasty they added tea ceremony and highlighted the research, especially when funded increasing amounts of sugar and importance of such gatherings in by industry with vested inter- sweeteners to the alternatives. the learning process. ests in the outcome of the work. This rang alarm bells and some Al Maadheed stressed that the Is this what has happened with scientists, especially Professor relaxed atmosphere can often the question of high-sugar rather John Yudkin, a nutritional scien- bring forth ideas from the most than high-fat being the real cul- tist at University of London, who unexpected corners and lead to prit when it comes to leading had been saying in the late 1960s new perspectives and discoveries. to heart disease? Have we been and in 1970s that it was high- The discussion was rich slightly misguided? sugar rather than high-fat that through contributions from THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Ministry urged to neuter stray animals Number of abandoned pets on the rise

BY YASIN ABU TAQIU “Almost on every street in the pets and neuter stray cats. Industrial Area there are stray Established about 11 years DOHA: Stray cats and dogs are dogs and sometimes you can see back, the shelter in Al Rayyan on the rise in Qatar. up to six on a street,” he said. now has over 250 animals, includ- Some are former pets aban- “The only good thing is that ing 130 dogs, 75 cats and about 50 doned by their owners who have they do not attack. Some are shy other animals like donkeys and left the country. and, when confronted, run away, sheep. Abandoned animals min- while others are friendly because Most animals at the shelter gle with strays, leading to an they were pets.” were found on the streets. Some increasing animal population on Residents empathised with were strays and others aban- the streets and raising public strays and urged authorities to doned, said Kelly Allen who man- concerns. do more and neuter them and ages the shelter. Cats can be found on almost find homes for those abandoned She said the large number of every dustbin, searching for food by their owners. strays and abandoned pets over- or to use the dustbin as shelter. “Seeing a sad or abused ani- whelm them and whenever they While people once welcomed mal can weigh on me, and this get a call for a new animal they stray cats as a defence against is a daily fact here,” said Ivan first check if they have space. rats, some now complain there Ssimbwa, a resident of Najma. “Once a dog is brought in, it are far too many abandoned cats. The Ministry of Environment first undergoes health tests before “There is a cat here, a cat there is running a ‘trap, neuter and vaccination and microchipping. A young volunteer is taking out a dog for a walk at Qatar Animals Welfare Society. ABDUL BASIT and a cat everywhere,” said Ali return’ campaign in which cats “Some animals are brought in Ahmed, a resident of Old Airport are neutered and returned to injured that require surgeries and brought in injured. People go to the shelter to take afford a pet and whether they Area their places. Residents can call since the shelter does not have Allen said volunteers often a pet but the shelter is strict have young children so that Stray dogs are also a major con- the ministry on 44560444 to an veterinary doctor, they are turn up to walk animals and have about whom to give an animal. children-friendly pets can be cern of residents in the Industrial report stray cats. taken to private doctors, which is them do exercise in the afternoon “Our screening involves ques- recommended. Area, Umm Ghuwailina, Najma, Volunteers from Qatar Animals expensive. Some surgeries on one while others donate pet food, cat tions about the prospective own- “We also check how prospec- Hillal, Bin Omran and Old Welfare Society have come animal can cost up to QR5,000.” litter, blankets and towels, among ers’ experience with animals, tive owners will take care of ani- Airport. together to re-home abandoned Most cats at the shelter were others. their income to see if they can mals.” THE PENINSULA Al Galayel ‘a tribute to GCC culture’

DOHA: Al Galayel Championship for Traditional Hunting is a venue to celebrate common culture and tradi- tion GCC citizens share, say competitors. “The good thing about this event is it gathers GCC citizens to share experiences about our ancestors’ culture and tradition. Win or lose, what is important is we are trying to fulfil a long-term Visitors at one of the stands at the expo. aim to maintain our culture and tradition,” said Badr Rashid Al Mansouri, an Emirati member of Qatar Cancer Society holds Mekaines team in second place in the ongoing fourth heat. Friday was the second day of first health exhibition the four-day competition for the fourth group and ended on a high DOHA: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) organised the first health note for Al Jaryan team main- Some of the contestants during the event. exhibition under the theme ‘My Healthy Habits: Make My Life taining lead with 310 points on More Beautiful’ at Qatar Educational Complex for Girls, with the hunting seven habaris and one them on to the next generation.” heritage and culture are similar win,” he added. participation of 11 state institutions. antelope. Mekaines garnered 140 Jassim Al Kaabi, Al Jaryan which makes it easy for everyone Hamad Al Hasbah of Mekaines The two-day exhibition aimed to raise awareness of cancer and how points and Fashakh team 120. leader, praised their team- to take part,” he said. team said “Al Galayel is not to prevent it, spread the culture of the adoption of healthy lifestyles, Al Mansouri said he valued his work which yielded good results Having watched the first three anymore a Qatari but GCC especially among youth, and encourage regular tests for early detec- participation as it was a new and because of traditional hunting heats of the competition, he said Championship, gradually becom- tion of the disease. It also aimed to highlight health services related exciting experience, for this was experience of members, includ- the three teams in the fourth ing international.” to the disease, capacity development of various age groups, especially his first time to hunt in tradi- ing a Saudi. group are very competitive. On its fourth edition, the younger age groups, to educate them on how to deal with the disease tional way. “We have a team member from “All teams in the fourth group annual championship at Al Areeq and activate the community’s role in providing physical and moral sup- Mohammed Ali Al Kaabi, Saudi Arabia and I consider him have experience in traditional Reserve south of Qatar is consid- port for patients. The expo featured workshops on how to self-examine leader of Mekaines, said, “Our important because the champi- hunting because I know the mem- ered one of the most important the breasts and the role of the psychological factor in prevention and aim is to learn the tradition and onship has gathered people from bers have participated before. All tournaments of its kind in the treatment of cancer. THE PENINSULA culture of our ancestors and pass all GCC countries because our our team members are raring to world. THE PENINSULA QA to attend Air Cargo Africa expo

DOHA: Qatar Airways fastest growing air cargo (QA) Cargo will par- markets.” ticipate in the third Air QA Cargo operates Cargo Africa exhibition freighters to six African to showcase its expand- destinations and carries ing services and latest cargo on passenger air- developments such as craft to 19 destinations Pharma Express. in the continent. Last The three-day event December, freighter serv- takes place on February ices commenced to the 25-27 at Emperors West African destinations Palace & Casino Resort of Lagos and Accra. in Johannesburg, South The Swiss city of Basel Africa. was the first QA Cargo It is an international freighter launch destina- biennial event showcasing tion this year, commenc- Africa’s air cargo poten- ing on January 28, followed tial and is attended by key by the addition of service players from the African to Ahmedabad, India, on cargo community, includ- February 3. ing manufacturers, ship- QA also started Pharma pers, airlines, airports, Express service last month, freight forwarders, charter the first of its kind in the providers and others. industry that links key Ulrich Ogiermann, QA pharma origins, Brussels Chief Officer Cargo, said: and Basel, with QA net- “Air freight in Africa has work via Doha. grown strongly in recent QR Fresh, an airfreight years and the Middle East service for perishable is positioned as an ideal products, provides a tem- distribution hub for the perature controlled envi- African continent. We have ronment during transit. plans for our growth in this With QR Fresh, perisha- region and are looking for- bles are maintained at ward to Air Cargo Africa the optimal temperature 2015 where we can present from arrival at their ori- our products and services gin airport through to final such as QR Pharma and destination. QR Fresh to one of the THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Ooredoo’s OASIS Lab marks first anniversary

DOHA: Ooredoo celebrated the Al Thani, Chief New Business Cloud Email Security Solutions, first anniversary of the launch Officer, Ooredoo, said: “The lab Smart Healthcare Solutions, of the Ooredoo Advanced Smart was designed to create space for Smart Cloud Marketplace, Innovative Solutions Lab in businesses in Qatar to come and Internet of Things, Smart City Doha, which has been accessed test ground-breaking technology Platform and M2M solutions. by over 200 businesses in Qatar on the biggest, fastest network. Many solutions that were ini- since its opening. “This milestone demonstrates tially tried in the lab have been The lab was opened to give not only Ooredoo’s leadership in commercialised and are in use by companies in Qatar an oppor- business services and technol- businesses in Qatar. tunity to review and trial key ogy, but also our dedication to One of the first of its kind in ‘Smart’ Services on Ooredoo’s ensuring that Qatar companies the region, the lab is based at bigger, faster network. remain at the cutting-edge of Ooredoo’s headquarters in West Organisations from a range of development.” Bay and equipped with a special industries are looking to deploy The lab was a breakthrough for business lounge to host events and digital services to enhance per- the smart living sector in Qatar, meetings and tele-presence tech- formance and productivity, as the leveraging power, speed and reach nology to connect visitors with country strives to become one of of Ooredoo’s core networking experts around the world. the best-connected nations. technologies. Customers wishing to experi- In developing the lab, Ooredoo Since the launch, the lab has ence Ooredoo’s portfolio of busi- leveraged its long-standing rela- hosted business events and invited ness solutions can visit the lab tionships with many of the world’s SMEs and corporations to visit during working hours via an leading technology companies to the facility. appointment with Ooredoo’s busi- bring in latest examples of next The lab includes Smart Home ness team. To contact the busi- generation smart solutions. Automation, Out of Country ness team, companies can call 800 Ooredoo executives at the launch of the lab last year. Sheikh Nasser Hamad Nasser Disaster Recovery, Cloud Security, 8000. THE PENINSULA

Regency Travel & Tours opens branch in Al Khor Good ‘governance key to economic development’

Continued from page 1 economic development The ambassador efforts needs good gov- of injustice and find a East, reports Qatar highlighted the role of ernance, he said, point- comprehensive and just News Agency. economic development ing out that the thriving solution in the Middle THE PENINSULA in warding off dangers communities enjoy civil of extremism and the society able to hold the importance of provid- government accountable. ing job opportunities for Al Kuwari said peace youth. requires to lift the peo- The success of ples of the region out Pharmacists to be educated on rational use of medicines Continued from page 1 The first phase of the drive will educate pharmacists at primary health centres on the concept of rational use of medicines, including antibiotics and drugs for common diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and asthma. Lectures involving pharmacists are being held with this objective. This will be followed by an awareness and educa- Regency Travel & Tours opened its 46th branch on the main street of Naser Bin Abdullah Al Misnad in Al Khor. tional programme on the grassroots level through It is the biggest branch of the company, spread over 465sqm area and the biggest travel agency in the north of campaigns at schools, community clubs, mass media Qatar. It is open from 8am to 10pm daily. and social media that has a good outreach to various age groups, the PHCC said. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME 70 give consent to donate their organs after death Hiba holds awareness lectures for Indian community DOHA: Qatar Organ Donation Centre (Hiba) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) organised awareness lectures on organ donation for the Indian community. Lectures were delivered by Dr Officials during the visit to Aspetar. Bahaa Uddin Al Haj from Hiba, and Davis Chiramel, a Catholic Church priest and Founder of Scottish Football Association Kidney Federation of India. Dr Al Haj highlighted Hiba’s activities and contribution to delegation visits Aspetar increasing organ donations in Qatar. He said relatives of DOHA: A high-level delegation from Scottish Football Association (SFA) patients suffering from kidney visited Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital. failure could donate their kid- The team comprised SFA President Campbell Ogilvie, Vice-President Rod neys to save them. Petrie and CEO Stewart Regan. Talks dealt with cooperation and participation Donated organs of a brain of Scotland National Team U15 in the tournament that taking place at Aspire. dead person are however nor- “I’m impressed with what we have seen. It is very encouraging that such mally allocated to patients on an organisation has state-of–the -art facilities. We are pleased with the the organ donation wait list. reception Aspetar has provided” said Ogilvie. The delegation also visited the “In pursuance of the princi- indoor pitch of Aspire Dome. THE PENINSULA ples of equality and justice laid down in Doha Donation Accord Indian community members show off their organ donor cards next to HMC officials and Priest Chiramel. and Istanbul Declaration which states that there should be no He said Hiba’s programmes native language to dissemi- registering as donors. racial or religious discrimina- have included Ramadan aware- nate information about organ On the second day of the tion in organ transplants, Hiba ness campaigns, activities donation. event, Priest Chiramel visited Call for more mobile is keen to raise awareness of launched in collaboration with “We appreciate the presence Hiba where he was briefed on organ donation in various com- some mosques and participation of Priest Chiramel who has pre- services and the mission of the munities in Qatar. in National Day celebrations of viously donated a kidney to a centre. spectrum in Arab states “This is to ensure that needy various communities. patient who was not a relative,” An agreement between Hiba patients are treated equally He said Hiba has paid visits Dr Sattar added. and the Indian community was DOHA: The GSMA and SAMENA required by 2020 to meet mobile data irrespective of their race, reli- to the Indian Church in Doha After the lectures, more made for further cooperation on (South Asia, Middle East, North traffic demand. gion or culture,” said Dr Riyadh to speak directly to Indians than 70 Indians gave consent organ donation awareness pro- Africa) Telecommunications According to Dr Nasser Marafih, Abdul Sattar, Director, Hiba. through their clerics in their to donate organs after death by grammes. THE PENINSULA Council has called on governments Group CEO, Ooredoo, and Chairman in the Arab region to work together of the council: “An international to secure more new spectrum for mobile allocation provides a national mobile to meet long-term demand regulator the flexibility to license for mobile broadband services. additional spectrum for mobile when According to Cisco1, the Middle it is required to meet local market East and Africa will have the strong- demand. Given that it can take more Doha Bank honours 11 green schools est mobile data traffic growth with than a decade to move from the iden- a 72 percent average annual growth, tification of the spectrum to licens- increasing 15-fold between 2014 and ing and launch of mobile services, we 2019. The council urged telecoms urge governments and regulators in regulatory authorities to collectively Arab states to support new mobile support the allocation of new candi- bands and plan now to meet mobile date spectrum bands2 for mobile dur- data demand for 2020 and beyond.” ing International Telecommunication At the Arab Spectrum Union (ITU) World Radio Management Group prepara- Communication Conference (WRC- tory meeting for WRC-15, GSMA 15) in November. published a report by Frontier “Decisive action by governments Economics, which highlights eco- is required to safeguard the future nomic benefits of reallocating C-band of mobile broadband and extend spectrum from satellite to mobile use Doha Bank officials with teachers, students and parents at the event. operator investment, employment in Arab states. The report says, using and public revenues into the future,” just the lower portion of the C-band said Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory (3.4-3.8GHz) for mobile could gener- DOHA: Doha Bank presented went to MES Indian School award for using AC condensate project). Certificates made from Officer, GSMA. ate at least $7.6bn for Arab econo- 11 schools in Qatar with ECO- (Campus Care Force project), to water the vegetable garden. recycled paper were distributed “Without the allocation of these mies. Economic benefits would be Schools Programme Awards Shantiniketan Indian School ECO-Star trophies to students and teachers who new spectrum bands to mobile at about 24 times higher than $316m in recognition of their commit- (Green School Garden for ‘Waste Management’ worked on the projects. WRC-15, mobile operators in the cost of migrating satellite services to ment to sustainable practices project), Pakistan Education went to Al Ahnaf Bin Qais “Environmental stewardship Arab states will not have a clear the higher portion of C-band or Ka/ and for developing innovative Centre (Solution to Improve Independent Preparatory School is one of the pillars of the bank’s investment path to support sustain- Ku bands. To access the report, visit: solutions to everyday environ- Environmental Health) and (Managing Waste project), CSR efforts. As an initiative to able growth in mobile broadband.” http://www.gsma.com/spectrum/ mental challenges. Philippine International School Birla Public School (Best Out foster environmental awareness ITU member states have agreed to the-economic-benefits-of-a-c-band- The schools propagated the Qatar (High school — Laughing of Waste project), Philippine among children and young peo- tackle this challenge at WRC-15. ITU mobile-allocation-in-the-arab-states/ concept of eco-consciousness Dove Retreat project). In ‘Energy International School Qatar ple, on whom the future of our estimates that 1340-1960 MHz will be THE PENINSULA among students and demon- Saving’ category, Bhavan’s Public (elementary — Plastic Bottle planet depends, the programme strated innovation and crea- School received a trophy for Reduction and Recycling can play a catalysing role in tivity in completing their reducing the use of electric- Programme), Al Tamakon for helping Qatar achieve the next green projects as part of the ity and water on the campus Comprehensive Education for level of environmental excel- programme. and at student homes, while in (Creative Arts from Waste lence,” said Dr R Seetharaman, ECO-Star trophies for ‘Water Management’ category, project) and Doha Modern Group CEO of the bank. ‘Environmental Health’ Philippine School Doha got the Indian School (Waste No Waste THE PENINSULA

Shuttle bus service for visitors to jewellery and watches expo DOHA: As Doha Visitors will also find Jewellery and Watches plenty of seating areas Exhibition is only a few interspersed throughout days ahead, q.media the venue so they can take Events, which is organ- a break anywhere. ising it in partnership Miquel Serrano, with Fira Barcelona, has Director of Exhibitions, stressed that special fea- Fira Barcelona, said, “the tures will be put in place exhibition has taken every to offer visitors as much care to make visitors not comfort and enjoyment only feel comfortable but as possible. also navigate their way Therefore, hospitality around the venue at their has been taken to a new own pace. level by providing a shut- “This enables them to tle bus service between enjoy the exhibition in the car park area at Qatar entirety and visit as many National Convention pavilions they want with- Centre (QNCC) and the out feeling exhausted as main entrance to the the exhibition occupies a exhibition. large area at QNCC.” The bus will operate in For more insights about about 10-minute intervals. the 12th edition of the Inside the venue, visitors exhibition, visit the official will find a fleet of electric website www.djwe.qa and golf carts at their disposal register online. to go around the premises. You can also check social This has been designed for media pages on Facebook visitors to enjoy their time - www.facebook.com/ at pavilions rather than DJWExpo, Instagram and walking from one point to Twitter -@djwexpo-. another. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 World powers Turkey protest united ahead of Iran talks Significant gaps remain: Kerry

GENEVA: The world pow- the negotiations as the clock ticks ers negotiating with Iran over down to a March 31 deadline for its nuclear programme stand agreement on the political frame- united, US Secretary of State work of a comprehensive deal. John Kerry said yesterday, a day US and Iranian negotiators before resuming talks with his have been meeting in Geneva since Iranian counterpart. Friday, and senior P5+1 negotia- “There is absolutely no diver- tors were also set to meet in the gence whatsoever in what we Swiss city today in a bid to drive believe is necessary for Iran the talks forward, the European to prove that its nuclear pro- Union said. gramme is going to be peace- As a sign the efforts were ful,” Kerry said in London before stepping up a notch, US Energy heading to Geneva today for talks Secretary Ernest Moniz flew in to with Iranian Foreign Minister Geneva yesterday to take part in Mohammad Javad Zarif. the talks for the first time, and “The P5+1 remains united on at Kerry’s request, the energy the subject of Iran,” he added. department said. There were still “significant Ali Akbar Salehi, the director Turkish men wearing skirts demonstrate in Istanbul yesterday in support of women’s rights and to protest the killing of a 20-year-old student who was gaps” in negotiations, Kerry said. of the Iranian Atomic Energy murdered after she resisted an alleged attempt to rape her in the southern city of Mersin. “President Obama has no incli- Organisation, was also taking part nation whatsoever to extend these in the negotiations. talks beyond the period that has The two officials were report- been set out.” edly meeting yesterday afternoon He added: “Our target remains, to discuss the technical aspects of as the president has said, towards the agreement under discussion. 89 children abducted by S Sudan militia the end of March and I am abso- Salehi arrived last morning with lutely confident that President Zarif and Hossein Fereydoun, the JUBA: An unidentified South to be over 12 years old. deputy, Riek Machar, of planning It was not clear which armed Obama is fully prepared to stop brother and special aid to Iranian Sudan armed group has “The recruitment and use of a coup. group was responsible for this these talks” if he feels that is President Hassan Rowhani, to abducted at least 89 boys, some children by armed forces destroys War continues despite numer- week’s mass abduction in Wau necessary. help coordinate the talks, Iranian as young as 13, from their homes families and communities,” said ous ceasefire deals and with peace Shilluk, a riverside town in gov- Iran and the P5+1 group of media reported. in the north of the country, Jonathan Veitch, the head of talks under way in the Ethiopian ernment-held territory within Britain, China, France, Russia, the Iranian officials have, mean- Unicef said yesterday. Unicef in South Sudan. capital, Addis Ababa. Upper Nile state. United States and Germany are while, voiced unhappiness with “Eighty-nine children were “Children are exposed to incom- Earlier this month, advocacy It has grown dramatically with trying to strike a deal that would separating the political and tech- abducted ...,” a statement said, prehensible levels of violence, group Human Rights Watch the arrival of tens of thousands of prevent Tehran from developing nical aspects of an agreement. adding that “the actual number they lose their families and their accused both rebel and govern- people forced from their homes a nuclear bomb in return for an “We won’t have a two-stage could be much higher.” chance to go to school.” ment forces of “actively recruit- during 14-months of war, many easing of economic sanctions. Iran deal,” deputy foreign minister The UN children’s agency said Unicef estimates there are at ing” child soldiers despite national fleeing from the nearby city of denies its nuclear programme has Abbas Araghchi said. the mass abduction happened at least 12,000 children used by both laws prohibiting it and repeated Malakal, where fighting has been military objectives. “After a year of negotiations, the start of the week in the town sides in South Sudan’s ongoing promises to stop the practice. particularly fierce. Zarif and Kerry will hold two we must tackle the details and all of Wau Shilluk. civil war. Information minister Michael The area is under the con- days of discussions in Geneva the more so as we want to have Witnesses said that unidentified Recruitment of children has Makuei dismissed the report, say- trol of government-aligned war- starting today. both the general framework and soldiers surrounded the commu- increased since fighting began in ing the government did not use lord Johnson Olony, who HRW The meeting comes amid a the details in the final agreement.” nity and went house-to-house tak- December 2013 when President children in combat as there were accused of recruiting children in heightened sense of urgency in AFP ing away by force any boys thought Salva Kiir accused his former plenty of men able to fight. its February report. AFP SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Assad clan hometown suffers first attack Four killed by car bomb blast outside hospital

DAMASCUS: Rebels took The outskirts of Qardaha have except in one house where a rebel Syria’s civil war to the ruling previously come under rocket fire, opened fire at troops before being Assad clan’s hometown for the while Latakia province — where executed along with his family.” first time yesterday, killing four the town is located — has seen The brief seizure of Rityan was people in a car bomb attack on several rounds of heavy fighting. part of an abortive army offensive a hospital, state television and a A mausoleum containing the this week to encircle the rebel- monitor said. graves of President Bashar Al held east of Aleppo and relieve The attack came as the Syrian Assad’s father and predeces- two besieged Shia villages to its Observatory for Human Rights sor, Hafez, and brother Bassil, is north. reported that troops had executed located in Qardaha. By Friday all but one of the 48 people earlier this week in a The clan has ruled Syria with villages taken by government northern village, among them 10 an iron fist for more than 40 years. forces had been recaptured by the children. Syria’s war began in March 2011 rebels, who include fighters from “A terrorist car bomb attack in as a pro-democracy revolt seek- Al Qaeda affiliate Al Nusra Front. the parking of Qardaha hospital ing Assad’s ouster. It morphed The heavy fighting claimed killed four citizens and wounded into a conflict after the regime the lives of 129 loyalists and 116 several others,” the television said unleashed a brutal crackdown on rebels, including an Al Nusra in a news flash, using the regime dissent. commander, according to an Residents look for survivors amid the rubble of collapsed buildings after air strikes by forces loyal to Syria’s term for rebels. Meanwhile, the Observatory Observatory toll. Earlier, the Britain-based said 10 children and 13 rebels were While the ground offensive President Bashar Al Assad in Arbeen, in the eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, yesterday. Observatory had reported the among 48 people executed by gov- failed, warplanes kept pounding blast, saying it was not immedi- ernment forces in the northern rebel areas of Aleppo city and regime-held areas of the city. end to sieges and indiscriminate people, said the Observatory, ately clear if it was from a car village of Rityan earlier this week. other parts of the country. The air force also killed at use of weapons in populated areas. adding that 234 of them were bomb or rocket fire. The killings took place after Yesterday, two women and two least 10 people in rebel areas The Observatory “has docu- children. The blast, the first to hit the troops entered the town on children were among eight peo- east of Damascus yesterday, the mented the killing of 5,812 civil- And 313 people died in areas heart of the western town since Tuesday, during an offensive ple killed when a barrel bomb hit Observatory said. ians, including 1,733 children, 969 under army siege in the past year, the outbreak of Syria’s civil war aimed at cutting rebel supply lines a building in an opposition-held According to the group, they women and 3,110 men in barrel as a result of food and medical in 2011, killed a nurse, a hospital to the Turkish border. area of Aleppo city, once Syria’s were the latest of more than 7,000 bombings and (other) air raids” shortages, despite the fact that employee and two soldiers, said Abdel Rahman said all the dead commercial capital. people killed across Syria since over the past year. the resolution also ordered the Observatory director Rami Abdel were from six families. Six people were also reported the UN Security Council passed Meanwhile, rebel fire on lifting of sieges. Rahman. “There was no resistance killed in rebel shelling of a resolution last year ordering an regime-held areas killed 1,102 AFP

Saudi snow Court acquits Mogadishu suicide former Egyptian bombers were Dutch oil minister of graft charges MOGADISHU: Twin suicide two explosions as nervous secu- bombings at a Mogadishu hotel rity forces searched the hotel CAIRO: An Egyptian court popular with ministers and offi- compound. acquitted former oil minister cials were carried out by Dutch “The building was badly hit, Sameh Fahmy of charges of nationals, Somali intelligence the explosion was very big,” said selling cheap gas to Israel and sources said yesterday, the day police officer Abulrahman Ali. squandering public funds and after 25 people were killed. Thick clouds of black smoke threw out his 15-year jail sen- Somali intelligence believe both were seen pouring from the hotel tence, a judicial source said suicide bombers — a man and a as the injured were rushed to yesterday. woman — were Dutch-Somali cit- hospital. Fahmy was first arrested and izens who infiltrated the Central Shebab militants quickly held in custody in April 2011. Hotel close to the presidential claimed responsibility for the Prosecutors said former president palace ahead of the attack. attack. Hosni Mubarak’s government sold Sources within the Somali “Our fighters attacked the gas at preferential rates to Israel National Intelligence and Central Hotel,” Shebab spokes- and other countries, costing Egypt Security Agency (NISA) said the man Abdulaziz Abu Musab said, billions of dollars in lost revenue. man, identified as Ismail Muse, adding that the aim had been “to The ruling is likely to raise exploded a bomb in a car parked kill the apostate officials.” fears among human rights activ- at the hotel while the woman, Abdirisak Omar Mohamed, ists that the old guard is mak- Lula Ahmed Dahir, detonated her Somalia’s Internal Security ing a comeback, especially as it explosive vest inside the hotel’s Minister, said soon after the came after a court in November prayer room. blasts it was unclear how a car dropped charges against Mubarak The woman “worked part laden with explosives managed of conspiring to kill protesters in Saudis walk in snow after a heavy snowstorm in the desert near Tabuk, northwest of Riyadh, yesterday. time in the hotel for up to four to breach hotel security to park the 2011 uprising as well as graft months,” according to an intel- inside the compound. “(National charges related to gas exports. ligence report. intelligence) are going to inter- Fahmy was sentenced in June “Her relationship to the male rogate the management of the 2012 and had successfully appealed attacker... is not yet known but hotel,” he said on Friday. his sentence in 2013. The Court Baghdad gets Iran politics soiled by thought to be very close, if not State run Radio Mogadishu of Cassation ordered a retrial and husband,” said the report. yesterday said 12 hotel staff had Fahmy was released shortly after. The attack left 25 people dead been arrested in connection with The judicial source said the woman mayor including two MPs, the deputy the attack. Cairo Criminal Court found BAGHDAD: A woman has dirty money: Minister mayor of Mogadishu, the Prime Shebab rebels have staged a Fahmy and five others innocent. been named as mayor of Minister’s private secretary and string of assaults in their fight “The verdict is the headline of Baghdad for the first time, a TEHRAN: Iran’s Interior with fighting drugs trafficking. the deputy PM’s chief of staff. to overthrow the country’s inter- the truth. The court heard the government spokesman said Minister Abdolreza Rahmani “For example, a candidate in Deputy PM Mohamed Arte, nationally-backed government. witnesses’ statements and had yesterday, amid widespread Fazli said yesterday political municipal elections spends 20 the minister of transport and They have targeted hotels, the faith that the defendants did not corruption and rampant life in the Islamic republic was billion rials ($600,000). When minister of port and marine international airport, the presi- commit any violations and there- violence. tainted by “dirty money”, includ- asked where it came from, he resources were among dozens of dential palace known as Villa fore the court issued the innocence Zekra Alwach, a civil engi- ing from drugs, the official IRNA says friends helped him. This dirty injured. Somalia, a UN compound and verdict,” Fahmy’s lawyer, Gameel neer and director general of news agency reported. money is everywhere.” Heavy gunfire followed the restaurants. AGENCIES Saeed, said. REUTERS the ministry of higher educa- “A large part of the moral cor- Rahmani Fazli cited money both tion, becomes the first female ruption in this country comes from drug trafficking and from to be given such a post in the from the introduction of dirty contraband, saying this amounted country, where international money into politics,” the minister to the equivalent of nearly $20bn No terror rights groups have condemned was quoted as saying. every year. women’s rights abuses. Iran was in 136th place out of Iran is the main transit As mayor — the most impor- 175 last year in an index of nations route for much of neighbour- tant administrative position in seen as corrupt by Transparency ing Afghanistan’s trade in illegal the capital — Alwach will deal International, a non-governmental narcotics. directly with Prime Minister organisation. Official figures say the police Haider Al Abadi and have “Part of this money is now in seize 500 tonnes of drugs annu- the prerogatives of a cabinet politics,” said Rahmani Fazli, ally and have busted 2,000 bands minister. who was speaking during a semi- of drugs smugglers in the past 11 She will begin work today, nar of police officials charged months alone. AFP according to a municipal source. “Abadi sacked the (former) mayor Naim Aboub and named Dr Zekra Alwach to replace him,” government spokesman Rafed Juburi said. Rockets fired at airport in Libya Aboub’s removal was not designed as a punishment, BENGHAZI: Attackers fired rockets at eastern Libya’s Labraq air- although he was regularly port yesterday, an airport source said, targeting one of the oil pro- accused on social media and by ducer’s few functioning air hubs in a country gripped by violence. Baghdad residents as incompe- Labraq has become the main gateway into eastern Libya since tent, the spokesman added. Benghazi airport stopped working in May due to fighting. Alwach’s appointment is a The North African nation has descended into chaos with two govern- breakthrough for gender equal- ments and parliaments vying for control, while Islamist militants exploit ity in Iraq, where rights groups a power vacuum four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. say discrimination and violence Labraq is located near Bayda, the seat of internationally recognised against women is widespread. Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni since he had to flee the capital According to a UN report Tripoli when it was taken over by an armed group in August which set last year, at least a quarter of up a rival government and parliament. Iraqi women aged over 12 are Helicopters took off from Labraq on Friday hours after the suicide illiterate and just 14 percent bombings to attack militant targets in Derna, according to a military enter the world of work. AFP source. Tunisian protesters shout slogans against Al Qaeda during an anti-terrorism rally in the capital Tunis yesterday. REUTERS

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OBERT MUGABE, one of Africa’s most controversial figures, turned 91 yesterday during times when the continent is beset with myriad social and political Rproblems. Mugabe has survived 35 years of virtually unchallenged rule in a country where he occupies a cult status. Chaos of Libya may derail The folksy Mugabe is one of those African leaders who revel in courting controversy. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has faced international criticism for not doing enough to contain the Boko Haram insurgency. He is bracing IS plan to spread footprint for elections, which were delayed after troops declared helplessness to maintain security. South African President BY TAREK EL TABLAWY Violence has battered oil output. fighter jets are conducting reconnais- Jacob Zuma frequently rails at whites in his country. On Production fell to 350,000 barrels a day sance missions to monitor the area. Thursday, he was on the defensive and declared that whites N THE slick video, the masked in January, compared with 1.6 million The group’s objectives and opera- are as much part of the nation as blacks. insurgent speaking English summed barrels a day before Gaddafi was top- tions in Libya may also be different The problems of African nations have stemmed not only Iit up before the decapitation of the pled, a spokesman for Libya’s National from that of its parent in Iraq and from the post-colonial vacuum but also from the lackadaisical Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages. Oil company said this month. Syria. The movement’s success in those “Today, we are on the south of Rome, The beheading of the 21 Coptic two countries, where it first surfaced, and often brutal approach of their leaders. on the land of Islam — Libya — sending Christians triggered Egyptian airstrikes hinged on capitalising on sectarian Political stability in many African nations has come at a another message,” he said in the video on Derna, Islamic State’s stronghold in rivalries and finding support from Sunni very high cost. Kenya has been in the news not always for the released February 15. “O Crusaders, eastern Libya. Egypt also called on the sympathisers. right reasons. Other African nations like Mali, Chad, Burkina safety for you will be only wishes.” United Nations to authorise interven- Those elements are missing in Faso, Senegal have more often than not been in the glare of The brutality and swagger combined tion in its western neighbour, an appeal Libya, where the tribal and militia international media. with the chaos of Libya have produced that resonated with Italy, Libya’s former rivalries are defined by historical concerns that Islamic State will use colonial ruler and whose oil company divides and a scramble for a share of Mugabe has ruled with an iron hand since 1980 when the its new base there to expand across Eni SpA is the country’s biggest foreign oil wealth, rather than along Sunni country gained independence from British rule. Often at North Africa and even into Europe. producer. and Shia lines. the receiving end of West-led international criticism for his Libya’s competing militias, convoluted Within Libya, the government in “There’s a myriad of local armed dictatorial approach, Mugabe politics and the fight for its oil reserves Tobruk headed by Prime Minister groups, split along a number of lines,” Zimbabwean weathered many a political storm could make it harder to achieve those Abdullah Al Thinni and its Islamist rival Howard said. “These groups will have for his controversial approach. As goals than the Al in Tripoli say they will do everything in their own interests and agendas and Qaeda breakaway their power to stop Islamic State. The will be likely to resist any widespread” leader Mugabe the Zimbabwean economy took group realises, Islamists have called on allied militias to Islamic State takeover. has survived an unprecedented beating amid analysts say. retake the central coastal city of Sirte, Libya’s chaotic post-Gaddafi transi- debilitating western sanctions, Within Libya, the “I don’t think parts of which Islamic State had seized. tion may be the determining factor in the rigours Mugabe kept blaming the West ISIS has any room Islamic State in Libya is unlikely to whether Islamic State succeeds in the for all the country’s ills. He lashed government in for expansion in make the same kinds of inroads into North African country. Libya,” Riccardo securing oil assets that it achieved in Islamists, who had secured a hold in of politics out at Western leaders, blaming Tobruk headed Fabiani, North Iraq or Syria, analysts say. Given oil’s 2012 parliamentary elections, refused despite severe them for what he said was a plot to Africa analyst importance to Libya’s battered economy, to accept defeat in elections last year. overthrow him. by Prime Minister with the Eurasia neither the Islamist government nor the While secular-leaning politicians and domestic and It was opposition leader Abdullah Al Thinni Group, said by army is likely to allow the group to seize nationalists prevailed in the latest international Morgan Tsvangirai who challenged phone from fields or exports ports. vote, the Islamists resurrected what Mugabe’s rule some years ago and and its Islamist London, using the Islamic State “would be resisted was to be the defunct General National acronym for the pretty hard by local groups if they Congress. Backing them were power- got a share in the government pressures. rival in Tripoli broader Islamic tried to take the energy infrastructure,” ful militias like those from Misrata, after paying a heavy price. State group. Geoffrey Howard, lead North Africa Libya’s third largest city, which had Amid all the setbacks, Mugabe say they will do “We’re probably analyst with Control Risk Group, said played a key role in Gaddafi’s ouster returned to power after a sweeping victory in July 2013 everything in their going to see a by phone from London. and killing. elections. Tsvangirai’s MDC or Movement for Democratic concerted action Libya’s neighbours, which had long Fighting between the Libya Dawn, Change was left severely weakened after those elections that power to stop to defeat them seen its stunted transition as a national which backs the Islamists, and forces in the next few security risk, are also stepping up. loyal to the elected government, has saw the West tone down its criticism of the leader. Islamic State. weeks.” For Egypt, the threat is perhaps left hundreds dead, thousands more Despite failing health, Mugabe has been able to rally his More than most palpable. Struggling to recover displaced. The Islamists launched their party supporters behind him. Zanu-PF members are collecting three years after from more than three years of turmoil first air strike on Zintan, the Libya money from poor Zimbabwean villagers for a grand birthday Nato-led airstrikes helped end Muammar after the 2011 uprising against Hosni Herald reported February 17, targetting bash to be held next Saturday at Victoria Falls. The birthday Al Gaddafi’s four-decade autocratic rule, Mubarak, the country is facing its own a city whose militia stands opposed to the crisis in the holder of Africa’s larg- militant threat, including groups allied the Misratans. The move could under- party for the nonagenarian leader is budgeted to cost $1m. The est oil reserves is posing a threat to its to Islamic State. cut United Nations-hosted talks aimed menu for the celebrations include two elephants, two buffaloes, neighbours as well as European inter- In Tunisia, concerns abound about at stabilising Libya. two antelopes, five impalas and a lion. ests. The turmoil has left the country allegiances between small militant Some analysts say the failure of any The dictator in Mugabe has broken all rules of civility and divided between two rival governments, movements there and the Al Qaeda single force to dominate in Libya could, political propriety in his political career. It is a wonder that he each with its own parliament and secu- breakaway group. In response, the in the end, provide Islamic State with has survived the rough political firmament of Zimbabwe for rity forces. Other militias are also com- government has deployed forces along an opportunity. peting for power and oil wealth. the border with Libya. Helicopters and WP-BLOOMBERG so long• The other side Quote of Afghan reconciliation? the day FLURRY of reports, forces suffered record losses in Taliban that in fact only an ‘Afghan-led and almost a moot point given that the predictably officially denied attacks; the Afghan army and police Afghan-owned’ reconciliation process overarching impression was that the in some quarters and forces suffer from unsustainable levels can work. The term — ‘Afghan-led and US not only had a veto over the talks Awelcomed in others, has of attrition; the government in Kabul has Afghan-owned’ — has been around for process, it was also willing to use it. suggested that the Afghan Taliban may changed the tone and style of govern- a while, but few observers were really That was enough to make a settle- There is absolutely once again be willing to return to the mental business but has yet to prove it convinced that the US would be willing ment with the Afghan Taliban all but negotiating table, either directly with can effect necessary reforms or remain to let talks truly be along those lines. impossible. If — and it is a very big if no divergence the Afghan government or indirectly a viable entity; and there is no obvious Whether because of domestic com- — the US is willing to not dictate out- whatsoever in with the US. Promisingly — and there reason why the Afghan Taliban should pulsions or national-security percep- comes, there could be a chance for a must be a great deal of caution and concede at the negotiating table what tions — and perhaps both — the US settlement. The other side is Pakistan. what we believe is circumspection here — the Pakistan they have not lost on the battlefield. has long had a habit of trying to shape Once again, it is not immediately obvi- necessary for Iran to army leadership has publicly signalled There is though one good reason what an acceptable deal in Afghanistan ous why a change in leadership in Kabul that it will support the renewed push why talks may materialise and some could look like. Whether the so-called and in Rawalpindi should automatically prove that its nuclear for talks. Is there then a chance for a kind of breakthrough may finally be red lines were rooted in good princi- mean a change in Pakistan’s policy on programme is going breakthrough? achieved: the non-Taliban powers- ples — protecting the rights of women, Afghanistan — it is after all a very old Events on the ground are not very that-be inside and outside Afghanistan access to education, status of minori- policy and an even older relationship to be peaceful. John Kerry promising: last year the Afghan security appear to be coming to the realisation ties, division of power, etc — was between the two countries. DAWN US Secretary of State SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Options narrow for Ukraine’s Poroshenko The humiliation of Debaltseve exposed again the army of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s lack of firepower to defend strategic objectives against a separatist army boosted by Russian fighters, directed by Russian intelligence and armed with modern Russian Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko shaking hands with a wounded serviceman during his visit to military hospital in Zaporizhzhya, southern Ukraine, yesterday. RIGHT: A Ukrainian weapons. woman at a shooting range as part of civil defence exercises in Bila Tserkva city, about of 60km south of Kiev, yesterday.

BY RICHARD BALMFORTH The nightmare confronting Poroshenko high price. Another heavy military defeat “Poroshenko will continue with some announcing a ceasefire deal. now is that, while Western governments would be a serious blow to his leadership. delicate balancing between the military German Chancellor Angela Merkel and he loss of the key town of want him to stick to a peace formula But his Western supporters in and political options. An adequate politi- French President Francois Hollande still Debaltseve to Russian-backed worked out at a four-power summit, the Germany and France are pressing him cal solution, which will help stop this war, see life in the Minsk agreements, which separatists, the latest in a Kremlin-backed separatists could move to give up dreams of securing US weap- has to be found.” also called for withdrawal of heavy weap- Tstring of big battlefield defeats on to take Mariupol and eventually link ons to seize back lost territory and press Poroshenko has little chance of selling ons by both sides. for Ukraine, narrows the options for up with Crimea, annexed by Russia last on with the peace deal struck in Minsk, any compromise at home that accepts But after Debaltseve, the deal lies President Poroshenko in his dealings both March. Belarus, last week. self-rule for the separatists and tacit in tatters and Kiev is braced for fresh with Moscow and with the West. And would the land-grab stop there? Meanwhile, his adversary, Russia’s acceptance of Russia’s annexation of rebel attacks. A significant part of No sooner did the strategic railway The 49-year-old confectionery tycoon, Vladimir Putin, is making Ukraine more Crimea. Poroshenko’s quandary is that he can- junction fall to the rebels on Wednesday, who took office last June expressing the and more ungovernable and less of an That is particularly so with popular not jeopardise links with the West. The with thousands of Ukrainian soldiers hope that the rebellion in the east would attractive prospect for Europe. sentiment running high on the first IMF and potential Western donor gov- withdrawing under fire, than separatists be over in weeks, has few good options. Like many in the West, Poroshenko’s anniversary of events which Ukrainians ernments are offering billions of dollars re-opened another old front, attacking The humiliation of Debaltseve exposed main hope seems to be that the threat regard as a pivotal moment in their bid to of aid but only if Ukraine reforms. government positions near Mariupol, a again his army’s lack of firepower to of further Western sanctions may make ditch their Soviet past and become part Putin appears to want to create as strategic coastal city in the south-east. defend strategic objectives against a Putin pause. Poroshenko has in the mean- of Europe. much instability as possible in Ukraine, The grim message, it seems, was: separatist army boosted by Russian fight- time said Ukraine will make an appeal for Candles were lit for the dead in with the east beyond the writ of Kiev, ‘There’s more to come. The break-up of ers, directed by Russian intelligence and a UN peacekeeping force to monitor the churches, offices and workplaces across and dooming any prospect of the coun- Ukraine does not stop here’. armed with modern Russian weapons Ukraine-Russia border. Ukraine ahead of a memorial service on try joining Nato and the European All this hit national morale as Ukraine that roll across the border with impunity. But few in Kiev believe that any Kiev’s Independence Square, where pro- Union. marked the first anniversary of pro- The fall of Debaltseve followed the peacekeeping mission — which might be testers were shot dead. The depressed industrial east has been Moscow president Viktor Yanukovich’s loss of more than 100 Ukrainian lives at blocked anyway by Russia — will change Yanukovich’s ousting, which Moscow in a downward spiral for years, with high overthrow and the killings of 100 peo- Illovaisk last August when Kiev’s troops much. calls a “fascist” coup, triggered Russia’s unemployment and many of its old coal ple protesting against his policy swerve were encircled and the seizure in January “One scenario is the introduction of annexation of Crimea and the separatist mines collapsed or operating dangerously. away from Europe back to the old of the airport complex in Donetsk, a big a peacekeeping contingent particularly rebellion, backed by Moscow, which has Leaving it as a dysfunctional, self- master, Russia. prize for the rebels. for control of the border,” said political led to a conflict in which more than 5,000 ruling oddity in Ukraine under the pro- What started as a popular revolt a year With Mariupol the separatists’ next analyst Olesya Yakhno. people have died. tection of Russian-backed forces, but for ago against a leader ready to renounce his target, Poroshenko sees more territory “The second is escalation of military Poroshenko, Putin and the leaders Kiev to support financially, fits Putin’s country’s future in Europe seems to be drifting out of Kiev’s control — knowing action. There are no peaceful options of Germany and France came out of strategy perfectly. turning into the break-up of the country. that winning it back could only come at a left,” Yakhno said. peace talks in Belarus on February 12 REUTERS What to do about creepy Joe Biden? PwC and the world of BY ALEXANDRA PETRI whole Senate full of ‘em!” “Can we lock him up somewhere?” “I had no idea it was this bad,” Oscar ballot counting hen Joe arrives, eve- Jill says. “Do something for me, ryone he knows (Jill, Michelle asks. “Can would you, Joe?” President Obama BY ZARA KESSLER personally handle the best pic- WBarack, Michelle, asks. “Just get up and greet ture vote counting.) The small- Sasha and Malia, John (Kerry), Sasha.” “Please no,” Sasha says. f you’re seeking a plot for an batch segments are then passed John (McCain) and several we just send him to “Just do it the way you think it Oscar-winning heist movie, on to the two senior partners, who women he recognises only from should be done,” President Obama Ione place to start might be add the numbers and determine having told them, once, in pass- somewhere he won’t do says. “Sorry, Sasha. For this, I’ll Oscar voting itself, which has the winners. Only Cullinan and ing “No dates ‘til you’re 30!”) is let you get Snapchat.” briefcases, memorised secrets and Ruiz know the results until the already sitting in his office in a any damage?” Joe Biden Joe Biden rises from his chair secure locations. moment each envelope is opened semicircle of folding chairs. He and goes to stand behind Sasha, This year, our two red-carpet- on Oscar night.” blinks once or twice, startled. decades now.” “Lately you’ve gone for Dracula, but, like, old creepy leaning over her and whispering, walking, briefcase-toting targets When the winners have been “Where’s the yogurt bar?” he from America’s Wacky Uncle to hunchback cloak Dracula, not the “You know, I have a lot of friends are Brian Cullinan and Martha established, envelopes are stuffed, asks. “TCBY, with all the fixins. America’s Creepy Uncle.” new Dracula with Luke Evans in your community, including Ruiz of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the number of required golden The email said. Sprinkles!” “It’s the leaning,” Malia says. that nobody saw.” a very dear colleague of mine, currently in its 81st year at the statuettes is relayed, and a whole “Joe,” President Obama says, “Yeah,” Sasha adds, “I saw it,” John McCain says. Barack America.” helm of the “Oscars balloting lot is committed to memory. “The as gently as he can, “there is no immediately. “You look like you’re trying to “THIS IS THE WORST,” Sasha process.” Cullinan and Ruiz will pair said that in order to ensure yogurt bar.” “You need to stop leaning like tempt her to join the Dark Side.” says. “DAD MAKE HIM STOP.” be the “only two people in the the names of the winners don’t fall Joe sits down on a folding chair. a creeper,” Malia says. “You look like a Dementor.” “That’s what I’m trying to do!” world” to know who the winners into the wrong hands they won’t His is, oddly enough, facing all the “Here is a slideshow that “You do look a little like a President Obama says. are before the big show. “We take even make a list,” according to other chairs. He turns it around New York Magazine’s Daily Dementor.” Malia has taken a picture. our roles very seriously,” Cullinan the Hollywood Reporter. “Instead, to face the door. “So,” he says, Intelligencer put together,” Sasha “Look at this one,” Sasha says, “Look at this,” she says. “Does told the Hollywood Reporter. they will memorise the names of in the ensuing silence, “who’re says. “You’re just lucky there isn’t flipping through the slideshow. Sasha look comfortable at all?” More than 6,000 members of the winning films in every cate- we waiting for? Looks like some a Tumblr.” “Nothing wrong with that one,” “Yes,” Joe says. “That is the face the Academy of Motion Picture gory, then quiz each other to make kind of an intervention. Is it ol’ “Joe Biden Looming Creepily Joe says. “Heh heh. Bikers. Tell a young person makes to indi- Arts and Sciences are eligible to sure they both have it down pat.” Speaker Johnny Bone? Orange Over Uncomfortable Women Dot your old man I said hello, rest his cate that she is excited to meet cast their ballots; voting closed About those envelopes: “Two Julius? I call him Orange Julius Tumblr Dot Gov,” Malia suggests. soul!” “He doesn’t even know what you. It’s like a flesh emoticon. Tuesday. “PwC tabulates the briefcases are prepared each because, heh, you get it? I get it.” “Do any of these women look he’s saying, does he?” Michelle asks, YOLO! Ha ha.” final results at a secure, undis- with a complete set of envelopes “No, Joe,” Michelle says. “This comfortable?” Sasha asks. She turning to the president. “So sad.” “Can we lock him up some- closed location, finishing just two bearing all the Oscar winners’ isn’t for _” she grimaces “_ produces the most recent picture. “Joe,” John Kerry says. “Wacky where?” Michelle asks. “Can we days before the show,” explains names,” PwC explains. Those Orange Julius.” Joe squints at the picture. “Looks Uncle is a role to which you are just send him to somewhere he Variety. (Ruiz suggested to Fox briefcases are placed in the same “Who’s it for then?” Joe gets pretty comfortable to me,” he says. generally well-suited. It’s a series won’t do any damage?” News Latino that counting the safe, in a secret location, and are up and makes his way around the “Jill, that’s a comfortable face, of recognisable tropes. The Onion “The vice presidency?” John votes and determining the win- then taken separately by Cullinan room, shaking hands and leaning right? That face says ‘I’m comfort- loves it. You can call the president McCain suggests, laughing to ners takes about three days.) and Ruiz, on Sunday to the Dolby in. “Hey there, hi! No dates ‘til able around this suave man.’” clean and articulate and people himself because he thinks this is But this is oh so much more Theatre in SUVs accompanied by you’re 30! Sorry to hear about “No,” Jill says. “But,” Joe says. will still willingly spend time a good joke and feels that the rest than a few days and a couple of armed guards, according to the your ma, God bless her.” “No,” Jill says. “No, Joe. That is with you. But you can’t overplay of the room is unlikely to appre- people counting. According to Hollywood Reporter. Variety tells Jill shudders. “You’re right,” she not a comfortable face. That is the it. And right now, you keep land- ciate it. Cullinan, it’s a nearly yearlong a slightly different story, suggest- says, turning to President Obama. face of someone who is trying to ing on just the wrong side of the “He’s been spending a lot of process. The Los Angeles Times ing that there are three sets of “It’s just as bad as you said.” get as far away as possible without line. Here is a chart.” “You called time in Iowa,” John Kerry says. indicates there’s quite a crew: sealed envelopes, with Cullinan “Joe,” the president says. being rude to the vice president that representative your buddy,” “Why don’t we just send him “For the tallying this week, and Ruiz each getting a set “We’re here to talk to you. Sit of the United States.” Sasha says. “Do you even know there and tell them not to let Cullinan and Ruiz supervise a and the third going to a secret down, please.” Joe sits. The chair “You look like you used to be a what that means?” Michelle looks him leave?” The president and team of nearly 30 members to location. is still facing the wrong way. He bird and you’re still getting used at her. “I don’t, obviously, Mom, first lady exchange a look. “That come up with the final results. What would happen if PwC sits in it backwards. “Joe, we all to your human form and are try- but, like, you definitely don’t.” could work,” Michelle says. “Just Accountants verify the votes made a mistake? We’d probably love you,” the president contin- ing to perch on her shoulder with “It means buddy,” Joe says. “But keep him off C-SPAN.” and tabulate portions of the 23 never know. What would hap- ues. “More or less. We want the your hands,” Malia says. it’s more fun to say, because in “Right,” President Obama adds. other Oscar categories, all of pen if Cullinan and Ruiz made a best for you. But lately ” “Not just “Look at this one,” Sasha says. addition to the word buddy, you “And come 2016, he’s on his own.” which are determined by popu- tweak or two? We’d also probably lately,” Michelle says. “Really for “You look like you’re auditioning get to say the word, heh heh. A WP-BLOOMBERG lar vote. (Cullinan and Ruiz never know. WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS ‘Self-censoring’ scandal at newspaper roils UK press landscape

LONDON: One of Britain’s most sto- said the paper had curbed coverage of sustains two million jobs and provides uncomfortably close ties between press expose of lawmakers’ expense claims that ried newspapers has been accused of reports that the Swiss arm of Europe’s around one in every eight pounds the bosses and those who run the country. resulted in resignations and prosecutions self-censoring for commercial gain, biggest bank HSBC helped clients avoid Exchequer raises in tax.” Conservative Prime Minister David on all sides in parliament at Westminster. raising awkward questions about a taxes. The Telegraph, he wrote, wanted to It also lashed out at rival news sources Cameron was forced to apologise for hir- However the paper, like its rivals, has centuries-old press culture which has keep the bank’s advertising. that had criticised it: “None is the para- ing as his spokesman a former News of cut staffing levels in recent years as it prided itself on its no-holds-barred “(It) amounts to a form of fraud on its gon of moral or journalistic virtue that the World editor who was later jailed. adapted to the tightened financial times. approach to truth telling. readers,” he wrote. “If major newspapers their criticisms this week might suggest,” Labour former Prime Minister Tony Blair In Oborne’s resignation letter he The 160-year-old Daily Telegraph allow corporations to influence their con- it said. “All have their own self-serving acknowledged that he had given advice to lamented what he described as a loss of strongly denied accusations in a resigna- tent for fear of losing advertising revenue, agendas, both political and commercial.” another former News of the World editor standards, saying stories were chosen for tion letter by one of its best known writ- democracy itself is in peril.” The Telegraph Both the accusation and the Telegraph’s on how to deal with the scandal. the number of online visits they bring ers, who said the paper had soft-pedalled came out fighting, denying it had pulled rebuttal are likely to sting for a news- The right-leaning Daily Telegraph, rather than the news value. The paper coverage of a banking scandal to curry punches in covering HSBC and saying it paper industry struggling to adapt nicknamed the “Torygraph” for its long- had recently run a story about a woman favour with an advertiser. had “no apologies” for journalism guided as readership declines and advertis- standing support for the Conservative — with three breasts, he complained. Britain’s press, known collectively as by a pro-business editorial line. ers move online. Fleet Street’s reputa- or Tory — Party, is chided by its critics “Telegraph readers are a pretty loyal “Fleet Street” in reference to the London “We are proud to be the champion tion was sorely damaged in 2011 when for appealing to the middle classes and bunch but in terms of the paper’s status lane where newspapers were based for of British business and enterprise,” it Rupert Murdoch shut down the News the middle aged. I think it will cause enormous, long-last- generations, is proud of its independence wrote in an editorial. “In an age of cheap of the World, a Sunday tabloid, after it But it is the biggest-selling of Britain’s ing damage,” Steven Barnett, commu- - able to make or break a political reputa- populism and corrosive cynicism about emerged that its reporters had illegally “broadsheets”, the serious-minded nications professor at the University of tion with a merciless approach. wealth-creating businesses, we have eavesdropped on voicemails of countless national newspapers that distinguish Westminster, said of Oborne’s letter. “It In his letter, Peter Oborne, known defended British industries including the celebrities and a murdered schoolgirl. themselves from the popular “tabloids” harms its ability to say ‘We stand for for caustic attacks on politicians as the financial services industry that accounts Lengthy public hearings were held traditionally printed on paper half the truth and accuracy’.” Telegraphs’s chief political commentator, for almost a tenth of the UK economy, into journalists’ ethics, revealing size. It gained stature in 2009 for an REUTERS

Anti-dam protest France seeks US threatens more Silicon Valley allies in war sanctions on Russia on terror SAN FRANCISCO: French Interior Minister Bernard Cazen- Ukraine army, pro-Russian rebels swap prisoners euve met with Apple, Facebook, Google and Twitter late on Friday ZHOLOBOK: Ukraine’s mili- the most egregious breach of the Biryukov, an aide to Poroshenko, to discuss ways to thwart terror- tary and pro-Moscow rebels UN-backed ceasefire that came on his Facebook page. If that fig- ists from using the platforms as yesterday swapped scores of into effect February 15, prompting ure is confirmed, it would repre- stages for propaganda. prisoners in rare compliance furious reaction from the US which sent one of the bloodiest losses “We had frank, rich, deep dis- with a truce so badly breached blamed Russia. “Serious sanctions” suffered by the Ukrainian side in cussion,” Cazeneuve said during over the past week that the US could be applied to Russia within the 10-month conflict. a press conference at the French warned it could escalate sanc- days, US Secretary of State John But Kiev is officially giv- consulate here. He said his mission tions on Russia within days. Kerry said in London after talks ing a much lower toll. Defence was to foster closer relationships Witnesses present in the east- with his British counterpart Philip Minister Stepan Poltorak yester- with the Silicon Valley titans so ern town of Zholobok for the Hammond. day said the government’s tally of online terrorist propaganda could exchange saw the rebels trade 139 Earlier, he slammed Moscow troop deaths in the retreat from be more swiftly removed or coun- Ukrainian soldiers for 52 separa- for “extraordinarily craven behav- Debaltseve this week was 20. He tered with opposing viewpoints. tist fighters held by the other side. iour at the expense of the sover- added that 112 soldiers had been “We don’t want to have to go Some of the released soldiers eignty and integrity of a nation”. taken prisoner, while 2,500 had through the usual government were wounded. A few had to walk “Russia’s continued support of braved rebel fire to flee to safety. channels that can take so long; it on crutches through a landscape ongoing separatist attacks in vio- Germany and France, which is important to have direct com- scarred and cratered by months of lation of the ceasefire in eastern brokered the Ukraine truce, still munication,” Cazeneuve said. “I fighting. Ukrainian President Petro Ukraine is undermining interna- stand behind it despite the many stressed the importance of coun- Poroshenko tweeted confirmation tional diplomacy and multilateral violations. They say it is the only ter-speech to contradict hate of the prisoner swap, calling the institutions — the foundations of solution towards ending a conflict messages and protect the most freed soldiers “Ukrainian heroes”. our modern global order,” US that the UN estimates has so far vulnerable citizens and prevent It was the biggest prisoner State Department spokeswoman cost the lives of 5,700 people. “ them from joining in terrorism.” exchange in the conflict since Jen Psaki said. Under the truce, both sides Apple, Facebook, Google and December. The insurgents said Moscow is under several were to observe a ceasefire, with- Twitter executives were invited their prisoners had included rounds of US and EU sanctions draw heavy weapons from the to a follow-up meeting in Paris in some of the troops seized when over the crisis, but while they frontline by March 3 and carry A police officer detains a youth taking part in clashes as part of a dem- April to delve deeper into the issue this week they overran the stra- have accelerated Russia’s slide out a prisoner exchange. If those onstration held by opponents of a proposed dam in the south-western and collaborate on a proper code of tegic town of Debaltseve, located towards recession they have thus steps could be met, they were region of Tarn, in Toulouse, southern France, yesterday. The opponents conduct. “We are clear there is no between Lugansk and the other far failed to change President then to conduct negotiations on place for terrorists on Facebook,” to the project, known as ‘Zadists’, in reference to the area they are rebel stronghold of Donetsk. Vladimir Putin’s stance. greater autonomy in rebel-held the leading social network said defending, called ‘Zone a Defendre’ in French (ZAD), have led multiple That bloody offensive — which The death toll of 179 soldiers areas, and eventually restore after meeting with Cazeneuve. “We killed 179 soldiers, according to one in the month-long battle over Ukraine’s control over all of its protests in the region in tribute to Remi Fraisse, a 21-year-old anti-dam work aggressively to ensure that Ukrainian presidential aide — was Debaltseve was given by Yuri border with Russia. AFP activist killed during clashes at the site of the proposed dam in Sivens, we do not have terrorists or terror about 50km north-east of Toulouse, in the early hours of October 26. groups using the site, and we also remove any content that praises or supports terrorism.” Cazeneuve said he wanted to work together with Internet firms Court blocks US in the fight against terrorism and Another winter storm to pummel eastern US that regulation alone wasn’t the from detaining solution to the problem. While he NEW YORK: A fresh band Weather Service (NWS) said. heavy snow this winter and it of 7 degrees set in 1950, according did not call for Internet firms to asylum seekers of winter weather was pound- In Kentucky and Tennessee, looks like they are going to get to NWS records. take on the burden of automati- ing parts of the Tennessee and forecasters warned of possi- some more,” he said. The city’s A 119-year-old record low tem- cally censoring photos, posts, WASHINGTON: A federal Ohio valleys with snow and rain ble flooding as rain fell on fro- snowfall is about 68 inches above perature for February 20 was video or other digital content court ordered the Obama yesterday as it headed toward zen ground. The system was the average yearly total of 31 broken in Washington, with a tem- uploaded to websites, Cazeneuve administration to stop detain- the US East Coast, threatening expected to bring a wintry mix inches, Oravec said. perature of 5 degrees Fahrenheit urged rapid cooperation when it ing mothers and children seek- to bring more misery to storm- of rain, sleet and snow from Another blast of Arctic air will (minus 15 degrees Celsius) recorded comes to removing terrorist prop- ing asylum in the United States, weary Boston. Washington to New York City, follow the storm system, with at Ronald Reagan Washington aganda reported to the services. a practice implemented to halt The system cut a 2,000 mile followed by another blast of well-below freezing temperatures National Airport. Since the recent terror attacks a wave of Central American path from southern Missouri bone-chilling cold. in store tomorrow for millions of At least four people have died in Paris, Internet firms have taken migrants last summer. to Maine, with a winter storm Boston, already hit by 98.7 people along the East Coast. because of the cold weather in to responding to reports of online The order by US District Judge warning in effect until today for inches (251cm) of snow this In Brooklyn on Friday, temper- Kentucky, officials said, and at terror mongering in minutes or James Boasberg in Washington parts of southern Indiana, Ohio, winter, was due more, said Bob atures hovered around 4 degrees least two people froze to death hours as opposed to months as had removes a tool US President West Virginia and Western Oravec, a meteorologist with the Fahrenheit (minus 15.6 degrees outside in Pennsylvania. previously been the case, according Barack Obama’s administration Pennsylvania, the National NWS. “Boston has had a lot of Celsius), beating the record low REUTERS to the minister. AFP had used to halt illegal immigra- tion from across its southwestern border. In his preliminary injunc- tion, Boasberg said that mothers Spacewalking ‘cable guys’ begin work at ISS and their young children coming to the United States from Guatemala, Caracas mayor to appeal Honduras or El Salvador to escape from violence there had “credible fear” and could thus reasonably ‘unfounded’ charges hope to obtain asylum. Since last summer, the Obama CARACAS: The mayor of of basic goods, the region’s high- administration had placed the Venezuela’s capital Caracas will est inflation, a recession, and sky- migrants in detention, rather than fight charges of plotting violence high crime. freeing them, while their case was against the socialist government, But Ledezma’s lawyer Omar being examined. Plaintiffs in the his lawyer said, denouncing the Estacio says he believes in case before the federal court, rep- accusations as baseless. Venezuela’s justice system and resented by the powerful American Intelligence agents seized he planned to lodge a first appeal Civil Liberties Union, had all 59-year-old mayor Antonio as early as tomorrow or Tuesday. crossed the border last year to take Ledezma, a trained lawyer, at “We’re going to appeal the judge’s refuge in the United States. his office on Thursday night. He decision,” he said. “I feel very con- But once they were stopped was indicted the next day on con- fident that the Venezuelan justice by immigration authorities, they spiracy charges against President will rectify this because these were then held to send a mes- Nicolas Maduro and is held at charges are truly unfounded.” sage that the migrants were not Venezuela’s Ramo Verde military Officials have said a public docu- welcome. Boasberg criticised that prison, where fellow hardline ment signed by Ledezma and two policy, saying the administration opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez other opposition leaders urging “presented little empirical evi- has been jailed for a year. a transition is a roadmap for an dence, moreover, that their deten- Nasa astronauts Barry Wilmore (left) and Terry Virts during a spacewalk to lay cable on the International Space The opposition said Ledezma’s uprising. They said earlier this tion policy even achieves its only Station (ISS). The two astronauts began a six-and-a-half hour spacewalk, after a spacesuit equipment failure arrest was evidence that an month he was among various poli- desired effect — i.e. that it actu- briefly delayed the mission. The duo’s next spacewalk is set for Wednesday, followed by another on Sunday, increasingly unpopular Maduro ticians supporting a new plot with ally deters potential immigrants was cracking down on dissent dissident military officers to topple with the goal of routing a total of 364 feet (110 meters) of cable. from Central America”. to hold on to power and distract the president via air strikes. AFP citizens from chronic shortages REUTERS SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Turn your back Bangla Language Movement remembrance on terrorism: Senator to MILF Rebels returned cannibalised arms

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio deliberation on the bill until the City: The Moro Islamic Philippine National Police com- Liberation Front (MILF) should pletes its investigation on the prove that it shuns terrorism if incident. it wants the Bangsamoro Basic Cayetano remains sceptical of Law (BBL) to be enacted, a sen- the MILF’s sincerity to the peace ator said yesterday. talks and insisted that the group Senator Alan Cayetano said has not been faithful to its agree- reports that an Indonesian jihad- ment with the government. ist was killed during the January “Whether it is about return- 25 encounter in Mamasapano, ing the stolen equipment (of SAF Maguindanao proves that the members) or whether it’s about MILF “continues to be in bed” the connection with the terror- with extremists. ists, the MILF should do much “The worldwide government much, much, much more to show policy is you do not negotiate with that they’re trustworthy and that terrorists so the MILF has to they are sincere,” he said. choose. You want BBL? Then you The MILF has been accused of should turn your back on terror- coddling terrorists after Marwan ism,” Cayetano told reporters on the was killed in an area inhabited by sidelines of the Philippine Military its members. Academy alumni homecoming here. The group has denied the alle- “If you don’t turn your back gation and insisted that it is com- on terrorism, you will be pul- mitted to the peace process. verised by the Republic of the “Obviously, Marwan felt safe in Philippines,” he added. that area which is controlled by Visitors lay flowers at the Bangladesh Central Language Martyrs’ Memorial monument, decorated in homage to the martyrs of the 1952 Bengali Cayetano was reacting to a the MILF. So let us not fool each Language Movement, at the Dhaka University campus yesterday. It marks 63 years since the police fired at thousands of protesters at a university in report that an Indonesian and two other,” Cayetano said. Bangladesh demanding that Bengali be declared the state language. The deaths marked the start of a nearly two-decades-long struggle for Bangladesh. other Western-looking jihadists Meanwhile, all of the 16 high- were among those killed by mem- powered firearms, part of the bers of the Special Action Force cache of weapons that MILF (SAF) during the Mamasapano took from the slain policemen in clash. Mamasapano, were cannibalised Boko Haram attacks island on Lake Chad A security official who spoke on before they were turned over to condition of anonymity said Amir the Philippine National Police Ibrahim, the slain Indonesian, had (PNP), a senior government secu- NIAMEY: Boko Haram mili- said several Boko Haram mem- the size of Belgium in the north- on Saturday as part of a 48-hour helped wanted terrorist Zulkifli rity official revealed yesterday. tants attacked an island on bers were killed in the fighting. east of the country and intensified trip to countries affected by Boko bin Hir or Marwan train the “Where is good faith there?” Niger’s side of Lake Chad but It was not immediately clear cross-border raids. Haram’s insurgency. He will travel MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic the official asked, referring to the army repelled them after which island had been attacked and But regional forces from to Cameroon and Niger next. Freedom Fighters in bomb the statement of the Moro Islamic heavy fighting, residents and whether it was inhabited, but the Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and “I came here to offer (President making. Liberation Front (MILF) that security sources said yesterday. security sources and residents said Niger have won battles against Idriss) Deby France’s support and The source said they are they were returning the firearms The Lake Chad area — a vast it was in Niger and within 50km of the group in recent weeks as they solidarity,” he told journalists, add- also verifying reports that two their fighters took from the slain maze of tiny islands and swamp- the borders with Chad and Nigeria. seek to hem them within their ing that he expected African coun- Caucasians died during the policemen as a gesture of sincerity land sheltering thousands of Last week, Boko Haram fight- heartland. tries to lead the fight against Boko encounter, which also left 44 on their part and commitment to Nigerian refugees — is thought ers aboard motorised canoes Niger, a poor desert nation, is Haram. France, the former colo- police commandos dead. the peace process. to be serving as a hideout for the attacked a fishing village in Chad, also seeking to dismantle clan- nial master, has a strong military Reports about the alleged ties The official said the returned Islamist insurgent group. killing at least five people in the destine Boko Haram networks presence in the region and pro- between the MILF and extrem- firearms, while appearing to be “There was heavy weapons group’s first known lethal attack around its southern border. The vides intelligence and logistical aid. ists came as the government is in working order, had been tam- and machine gun fire from about on that country. defence ministry on Friday raised The United States is deepening pushing for the passage of the pered with and original parts 2000 local time,” said a resident The Sunni group, which has 2bn CFA francs (£3.46m) to help its commitment to countering the BBL, a measure that will form replaced, including the bolt and of Niger’s nearby lakeside town killed thousands of people in a six- the army fight the jihadists via a group and will share communica- a new Bangsamoro region with trigger mechanism, firing pin and of N’Guigmi, which Boko Haram year insurgency in Nigeria, has telethon campaign. tions equipment and intelligence enhanced political powers. spring. attempted to seize earlier this been gaining strength in the past French Foreign Minister with African allies. Lawmakers have suspended the THE PHILIPPINE STAR month. Niger security sources year. It has carved out a territory Laurent Fabius arrived in Chad REUTERS

Myanmar border fighting Australia clears up after twin cyclones; more floods expected ROCKHAMPTON: Australia the Northern Territory, caus- Despite the destruction, that some 60,000 people were coming in.” The clean-up proc- leaves more was clearing up yesterday after ing extensive damage to remote authorities have so far not without power. “Yeppoon has suf- ess has started in Rockhampton, two severe cyclones left a trail Aboriginal communities near received reports of serious inju- fered the brunt of the cyclone and which Marcia passed directly of destruction, wrecking hun- Elcho Island, some 500km east ries, missing people, or deaths. it is going to take a lot longer for over, as fallen trees were removed than 130 dead dreds of homes and cutting of the territory’s capital Darwin. “Everyone is breathing a deep power to be restored there.” from roads. electricity to tens of thousands, Both cyclones have since eased sigh of relief that there has Queensland’s fire and emer- There were long queues for fuel NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar’s even as authorities warned of to tropical lows, but the Bureau been, to this date, no loss of life,” gency services said 200 homes in as it ran out at the two stations army yesterday said more than more flooding and gusty winds of Meteorology warned of further Queensland Premier Annastacia Yeppoon and 340 in Rockhampton with power in the town of 80,000 130 people had died in a deep- to come. flooding, heavy rains, damaging Palaszczuk told reporters. were damaged or flooded. residents, with people filling jer- ening battle with rebels in the Tropical Cyclone Marcia bar- winds and dangerous surf in Palaszczuk said the central Andrew Bennett described rycans for generators. northeast, declaring it would not relled through the northeastern southeast Queensland and north- Queensland coastal town of how his Yeppoon house was torn Some 700 soldiers and sev- rest until stability was restored state of Queensland on Friday at ern New South Wales state. Yeppoon, about 670 kilometres apart by the cyclone. “It was eral helicopters were ready to be to the border area which tens of the highest-rated category five, “Large parts of Australia, north of the capital Brisbane, incredible, it just exploded,” he deployed to help with the damage thousands have fled. ripping apart houses, uprooting including the Northern Territory and nearby Rockhampton were told Brisbane’s Courier Mail as assessment and debris removal, Fighting raged in the remote trees and bringing down power and also in Queensland, are being the worst hit. he described the “roaring” wind. Palaszczuk said, adding that Kokang region of Shan state lines. ravaged by the major cyclones,” “The cyclone has actually “The house seemed to pulsate emergency services, police and where conflict erupted on The severe system hit hours Prime Minister Tony Abbott caused quite some considerable and the wind blew out the window. energy workers were already on February 9 when insurgent after category four Tropical said yesterday in the Northern damage in both Yeppoon and Then the roof blew off. I couldn’t the ground. attacks on soldiers triggered a Cyclone Lam slammed into Territory. Rockhampton,” she said, adding believe all the rain that was AFP military onslaught, prompting at least 30,000 civilians to escape into bordering China. In the first press conference New Sri Lanka Army commander since clashes began, defence ministry spokesman Lieutenant Sri Lanka to discuss war General Mya Htun Oo said the conflict had killed 61 military and police officers and around 72 insurgents. crimes probe with UN “The fighting is strong... Because of serious fighting, COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s newly- but an official said that the new our helicopters are helping,” elected government will next Sri Lankan administration was he told reporters in the capital month look to win United Nations keen to get his backing for the Naypyidaw. “We will not retreat backing for a domestic probe into investigation. until we get stability.” alleged war crimes under former “Minister Samaraweera wants He did not provide figures on leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, an to brief the Human Rights civilian deaths in and around official said yesterday. Council about the new steps that Laukkai town, where the conflict The investigation, which the Sri Lanka wishes to take,” an offi- has centred, as efforts to evacuate new administration had prom- cial said, asking not to be named. communities remain hampered by ised after winning January elec- “Sri Lanka is looking for about an attack Tuesday on a local Red tions, comes after the previous two months to establish a new Cross convoy which wounded two regime resisted a UN inquiry into (domestic) mechanism.” aid workers. claims that up to 40,000 ethnic The government has pledged The spokesman blamed the Tamil civilians were killed under a credible, independent investi- attack on the rebels: “Our mili- Rajapaksa’s command in the final gation that may draw on foreign tary only provides protection to months of a war that ended in expertise and experience. civilian convoys... We are going to May 2009. Last week, the UN postponed take action against Kokang rebels’ Foreign Minister Mangala the publication of an eagerly- offence.” The ethnically Chinese Samaraweera will travel to awaited report on a UN-mandated Kokang rebels or National Geneva next month to meet UN war crimes probe into Sri Lanka’s Democratic Alliance Army, who Outgoing Sri Lanka Army Commander General Daya Ratnayake (right) hands over the baton to his succes- High Commissioner for Human brutal separatist war, giving the are fighting for regional autonomy, sor Major General Krishantha de Silva during the guard of honour accorded him at the Army headquarters in Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, new government time to prove its have denied attacking the convoy. Colombo, yesterday. the foreign ministry said in a bona fides. AFP statement. It gave no details, AFP SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Pentagon signals delay in Afghan troop pullout Washington rethinking details of counter-terror mission

KABUL: President Barack and other support” to ensure the exit could jeopardise security and Obama’s new Pentagon chief success of the Afghan forces, he international aid. said yesterday the United said. Carter said as part of the review States was seriously consider- Carter’s visit comes amid a of the pullout plan, Washington ing slowing the pace of a troop sharp rise in Afghan casualties was also was “rethinking the withdrawal from Afghanistan, from the 13-year conflict, with details of the counter-terrorism as the country faces a growing the UN recording a 22 percent mission” that currently targets Taliban insurgency. increase in the number of civil- Al Qaeda militants with raids by US Defence Secretary Ashton ians killed and injured in 2014 due US and Afghan special forces and Carter’s comments in Kabul to an intensification in ground drone strikes. offered the clearest sign yet that fighting between government and He said the single most impor- Washington was ready to delay insurgent forces. tant factor that had prompted the closure of some bases and It also comes as Obama faces a the review of the troop with- retain more troops after appeals decision about the timetable for a drawal timetable was the forma- by Afghanistan’s new President troop drawdown in Afghanistan. tion of a unity government last Ashraf Ghani and advice from Under the current plan, the year led by Ghani, which he said commanders. 10,000-strong US force is due to had introduced “certainty” and To safeguard “hard-won” drop to roughly 5,000 by the end “predictability”. progress, Obama “is considering of 2015 and then pull out alto- “That’s something we couldn’t a number of options to reinforce gether by the time Obama leaves have counted on a few months US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter (left) with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace in our support for President Ghani’s office in two years. ago,” he said, calling it “major Kabul yesterday. security strategy, including possi- But the Obama administration change”. ble changes to the timeline for our already has delayed the pace of On the first day of a two-day whether Taliban leaders were denied there were new plans to launched military action in drawdown of US troops,” Carter the withdrawal, allowing 1,000 visit, Carter held talks with the US now ready to enter into direct hold peace talks in Qatar, despite Afghanistan after the September said after talks with Afghan additional American forces to commander in Kabul, Campbell, negotiations with his government, claims by some militant leaders. 11, 2001 attacks, toppling the leaders. remain this year. as well as General Lloyd Austin, but he said the conditions were Asked about the presence Taliban regime that had refused “That could mean taking And the US commander on the head of US Central Command ripe for a potential breakthrough. of the Islamic State group in to break ties with Al Qaeda. another look at the timing and ground, General John Campbell, which oversees American forces “The grounds for peace have Afghanistan, Carter played A US-led Nato force eventually sequencing of base closures to has suggested he favours slowing in the Middle East and Central never been better in the last 36 down the threat, saying some swelled to 130,000 troops, but last ensure we have the right array of the drawdown further, though Asia. years,” Ghani said. Taliban insurgents were mak- year the mission wrapped up its coalition capabilities,” he said at a the details of the possible options His trip coincides with a con- He said he was “hopeful” and ing an attempt at “rebranding” combat operations against Taliban joint news conference with Ghani. before Obama remain unclear. certed effort by Ghani to promote “the direction is positive”. But he themselves. insurgents. A contingent of 12,500 Apart from troop numbers, the Afghan leaders and some law- peace talks between Kabul and added: “We cannot make prema- “The reports I’ve seen still have foreign troops has remained to United States and its allies would makers have urged Obama to the Taliban, with Pakistan voicing ture announcements.” them in small numbers and aspi- back up Afghanistan’s 350,000 need to make “long-term commit- reconsider the withdrawal time- strong support for the initiative. The United States and a rational,” he said. soldiers and police. ments in resources, equipment table, warning that an early US Ghani declined to confirm Taliban spokesman this week The United States first AFP

Afghan central Pakistan, Sri Lanka to sign civil nuclear deal next month bank staff raid ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka will dignitaries who made a phone call to sign a deal for nuclear coop- Pakistan by his former president the Chinese reactors for the pur- sign a civilian nuclear coopera- to President Maithripala Sirisena eration with Pakistan for civil- but hat couldn’t materialised. pose. Interestingly, India and Sri own bank tion deal with Pakistan next on his historic victory in polls last ian purposes under the umbrella He has also hinted at signing Lanka have seen an uneasy rela- month as the new President month. of International Atomic Energy a deal with Pakistan for civilian tionship in recent few years due to KANDAHAR: Staff at a Maithripala Sirisena will visit The prime minister also invited Agency (IAEA) in the last quarter nuclear cooperation. Diplomatic Indians clandestine interference in branch of Afghanistan’s central Pakistan in the last week of the president to visit Pakistan of the last year and for the pur- sources say Sri Lanka is main- the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka. bank in southern Kandahar March. which was accepted. Since then pose the then Sri Lankan presi- taining balance in its ties with New Delhi has been agitating province may have got away The details would be worked the two foreign offices are engaged dent had planned to visit Pakistan important countries of the region the question of human rights vio- with as much as 81m Afghanis out in due process before the visit in making arrangements for the but unfortunately Islamabad was as the president would be visiting lations in the wake of Sri Lanka ($1.4m) when they robbed their takes place. Highly-placed diplo- agreed visit. stranded by the sit-in and the important regional capitals one battle against terrorists and insur- own bank and ran, an official matic sources said on Saturday The Sri Lankan president also visit couldn’t take place. after other during the year. gents who had support from India. said yesterday. that Islamabad had received the plans to proceed to China soon Sri Lankan high commissioner Indian Prime Minister Sources reminded that Sri Security cameras showed the schedule proposed by Colombo after visiting Pakistan as he has for Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Narendra Modi is also visiting Sri Lanka and Pakistan are two bank’s vault had been cleaned out, for the visit of their president to already visited New Delhi where Jayalath Weerakkody, who was Lanka next month, but no sched- countries of the region who took but investigators were waiting to Pakistan and President Sirisena he signed an agreement with commander of Sri Lankan air- ule has yet been confirmed by the lead in signing free trade agree- gain access before confirming the could be here on 31st of March. the Indian government for civil force before assuming the dip- either sides. ment (FTA) and since then their total missing, he said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif nuclear cooperation. lomatic assignment in Pakistan, Sri Lanka is keen to initiate its trade is increasing. “Yesterday we could only open was among the first foreign Interestingly, Sri Lanka had had confirmed the plan to visit nuclear programme and it is eying INTERNEWS one of the treasury’s doors. We hope to open the next one today,” the central bank director for Afghanistan’s southwestern Railway track blown up region, Fazel Ahmad Azimi, said. Weak regulation undermines 144 left in the field for confidence in Afghanistan’s frag- ile banking system, which has yet to fully recover from a 2010 scandal over a bank that collapsed Senate elections triggering a financial crisis. An international financial ISLAMABAD: As many as approved their nomination papers. watchdog last year threatened to 144 candidates are left in the Likewise, all four nomination place Afghanistan on a blacklist field for elections to 52 seats of papers for the lone general seat and has since warned it needs to Pakistan’s Senate, scheduled in Islamabad and five papers for do more to enforce laws to regu- for March 5, after papers of 38 one reserved seat for women were late its banking sector. were rejected by the returning also cleared. The Kandahar raid is believed officers during scrutiny. In Balochistan, three of the to have been carried out by a According to the data released nomination papers filed for seven senior official at the bank, an by the Election Commission of general seats were rejected. These employee of nine years, with the Pakistan (ECP), the majority of included JUI-F spokesman Jan help of his son and brother-in-law those whose nomination papers Mohammad Achakzai. According who were also on staff, according were rejected were independent to Achakzai, his seconder could to Azimi. candidates, including 23 from the not appear before the returning Federally Administered Tribal officer at the time of scrutiny for Abducted sons of Areas (Fata). security reasons. In all, 43 nomination papers He said he would change the Gilani, Taseer in had been filed for four seats in seconder during the appeal proc- Fata, of which 23 were rejected. ess. Two others whose papers Afghanistan Pakistani security officials inspect the scene of a bomb blast that targeted the rail track in Jaffarabad, yester- Those excluded from the electoral were rejected included Faiq Ali day. The blast blew up a section of the track. race unless cleared in appeal by Jamali and Hussain Islam. LAHORE: Punjab Home the Election Commission include The rest of the data released by Minister Shuja Khanzada told former Fata parliamentary leader the commission for Balochistan is the Punjab Assembly yesterday in the National Assembly Munir quite confusing. At one place, it that the abducted sons of former Khan Orakzai, incumbent Senator shows Kulsoom Parveen a sitting slain governor Salmaan Taseer Mohammad Idrees Khan, former BNP-A senator who has managed and former Prime Minister NAB recovers huge amount MNA Akhunzada Chittan and former to get a PML-N ticket for the Yousaf Raza Gilani were in Senator Hafiz Rasheed Ahmad. upcoming elections for a reserved Afghanistan and efforts were PESHAWAR: The National MT) along with his team con- to the whole of Pakistan, includ- In Punjab, a total of 15 nomina- seat for women as a validly nomi- under way to bring them back. Accountability Bureau (NAB) of ducted the annual inspection of ing Fata and Gilgit-Baltistan. tion papers had been filed against nated candidate, while on another He said the Punjab govern- Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber NAB KP. Briefing the chairman He said NAB had its headquar- seven general seats, five of which page, she is said to be one of six ment had contacted officials in Pakhtunkhwa province recov- NAB, he highlighted the strengths ters in Islamabad while it had were rejected. The papers of candidates who are out of the race. Afghanistan for the safe recov- ered a huge amount in the year and weakness of NAB KP. seven regional bureaus in Karachi, PML-N’s Saud Majeed, whose All the nine papers filed for two ery of the two men and bring 2014 and arrested 116 accused He said that on the directions of Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, name was among the contenders seats reserved for technocrats and them back. He said Army Chief on the charges of corruption. NAB chairman a quantified grading Sukkur, Multan and Rawalpindi. for the slot of Punjab governor, ulema from Balochistan were General Raheel Sharif had taken This was disclosed at a briefing system has been devised to evaluate He opined that NAB KP was one were also rejected. approved. Two out of total eight up the issue with the Afghan lead- given to NAB Chairman Qamar the performance of NAB’s regional of the important regional bureaus According to a report submitted nominations filed for one seat for ership during his recent visit to Zaman Chaudhry, who visited bureaus. He added that NAB KP and it played a prominent role in by the Federal Board of Revenue non-Muslims were rejected. Miss Afghanistan. the NAB’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during 2014 filed 35 references and contributing towards the overall (FBR), Majeed was a tax defaulter Kanwal Wilson and A Aziz are Shahbaz Taseer was kidnapped chapter on Saturday. received 5261 complaints. performance of NAB. to the tune of Rs9.5 million. All four the two to have been thrown out from Lahore on August 26, 2011. NAB chairman’s Inspection and According to the communiqué, He pointed out that the independent candidates from the of the electoral race. He was heading towards his Monitoring Team (CI and MT) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry said NAB recent report of Transparency province are also out of the race now. In Khyber Pakhtun-khwa, only office in Gulberg when kidnap- conducted the annual inspection was Pakistan’s apex anti-corrup- International rated Pakistan’s Objections had also been raised two nomination papers, one filed for pers intercepted him. Ali Haider of NAB KP for 2014, said an offi- tion organisation assigned with the ranking in Corruption Perception against eligibility of PML-N presi- a general seat and one for a reserved Gilani was abducted from Multan cial communiqué. It was carried responsibility to eradicate corrup- Index (CPI) at 126, down from 175, dent Raja Mohammad Zafarul seats for technocrats and non-Mus- on May 9, 2013 outside a Pakistan out to review the performance of tion through a holistic approach. adding it was a great achievement Haq, Information Minister Pervaiz lims, were rejected while all the People’s Party office after attend- NAB KP on the basis of a quanti- He said NAB operated under for the country due to efforts of Rasheed and retired General seven papers filed against two seats ing a PPP corner meeting in fied grading system. the National Accountability NAB officials. Abdul Qayyum, but were rejected reserved for women were approved. Farrukh Town. The senior member (CI and Ordinance 1999 that was extended INTERNEWS by the returning officer who INTERNEWS AGENCIES SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

CPI leader BJP, PDP agree Pansare succumbs to on J&K govt; bullet wounds

MUMBAI/ KOLHAPUR: Rationalist Mufti to be CM Govind Pansare, a senior CPI leader and leading light of the anti-toll tax movement, who was shot at in Kolhapur on Consensus on Article 370, AFSPA February 16, died in Mumbai. He was 82. JAMMU: PDP patron Mufti PDP has agreed to the BJP The Communist Party of India Mohammad Sayeed will be the demand that the CMP should leader was airlifted to Mumbai’s new chief minister of Jammu accept that the problems faced Breach Candy Hospital on Friday and Kashmir two months by West Pakistan refugees should evening for further treatment, after the assembly elections, as not be politicised, but treated as but succumbed barely a couple of his party and the BJP finally a humanitarian issue that needs hours later around 11.30pm. arrived at an agreement on to be addressed on humanitarian Sir J J Group of Hospitals dean forming an alliance government grounds.” T P Lahane, who was monitoring in the state. Asked about media reports Pansare’s condition, said excessive Sources close to the Peoples that government formation in bleeding in the lungs resulted in Democratic Party (PDP) patron the state was imminent because his death. said yesterday that an agreement the PDP and the BJP had agreed Pansare’s body was airlifted had been reached on all conten- on the draft of the CMP, party to his home town where lakhs tious issues between the two chief spokesman Naeem Akhtar of people paid their last respects parties. said: “I am meeting Mufti sahib even as Kolhapur observed a “Yes, the main agreement has today (Saturday) and if anything spontaneous shutdown to protest been reached on the draft of the has been worked out, we will hold his killing. Common Minimum Programme a briefing about it during the day.” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (left) with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed at The Condemning the killing, (CMP) on contentious issues like Unlike his steady dismissal Gono Bhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister in Dhaka yesterday Governor C V Rao said the assas- Article 370, Armed Forces Special of any agreement with the BJP sination of a selfless social worker Powers Act (AFSPA) and the during the last nearly two months like Pansare was a dastardly act. plight of West Pakistan refugees,” when he maintained the “struc- Mamata assures Hasina on Teesta deal “I have no doubt in my mind a party source said. tured dialogue between the that the state government will “It has been agreed that with- BJP and the PDP had not even take every step to bring the per- out any written reference to it, started”, Akhtar sounded less DHAKA: West Bengal Chief Bangladesh for the warm hospi- bill for implementing the land petrators of the crime to justice,” both the parties would respect the circumspect Saturday about his Minister Mamata Banerjee, tality and reception. boundary agreement between Rao said. wishes of the people of the state in lack of knowledge regarding an who had blocked the Teesta The Teesta water sharing the two countries was likely to be Chief Minister Devendra consonance with the Constitution agreement on the CMP. water sharing deal between pact had been put on hold after through in the next session of the Fadnavis, several of his cabi- of the country with regard to arti- West Pakistan refugees are India and Bangladesh four years Banerjee’s strong opposition over upper house of the Indian parlia- net colleagues, top leaders cle 370,” the source added. those over 25,000 families who ago, reassured Bangladeshi fears that the treaty could spell ment starting end-February. from the Bharatiya Janata The PDP has 28 legislators came to the state after the India- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina disaster for the northern part of Banerjee had stoutly opposed Party, Shiv Sena, Congress, while the BJP has 25. Pakistan wars of 1947, 1965 and yesterday of a breakthrough on her state. both the deals since 2011 arguing Nationalist Congress Party, Sayeed returned to the win- 1971. the issue. In September 2011, Banerjee that they went against the inter- CPI, Republican Party of India ter capital Jammu Friday after Since these people were not citi- The visiting chief minister had embarrassed then Indian ests of West Bengal. However, and others visited the hospital spending a week in Mumbai. zens of the erstwhile state of Jammu raised the Teesta issue during her prime minister Manmohan Singh with changing political realities yesterday morning and paid As per the agreement, he will and Kashmir as it existed before luncheon meeting with Hasina by pulling out of his delegation to in India, her stance on both these homage to Pansare. be the chief minister for the full accession to India in 1947, they can- at the latter’s official residence Bangladesh over the water shar- issues has changed considerably. Opposition parties in the state six-year term. not vote in the assembly elections Ganabhaban during the day, said ing agreement, forcing India to On the land boundary agree- have called for a ‘Maharashtra A PDP insider, who is engaged nor buy property in the state. the prime minister’s spokesperson drop it from the agenda. ment, she had emphasised on a shutdown’ Sunday to protest with the BJP in the dialogue These refugees also cannot Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, accord- Though a solution to this vexed rehabilitation package for the Pansare’s killing and demanded process on government forma- apply for government jobs since all ing to a bdnews24.com report. issue depends on the central gov- enclave dwellers and noted that the immediate arrest of the tion on behalf of his party, said state government jobs in Jammu “Mamata Banerjee has assured ernments of the two countries, she was very positive about the culprits. that instead of accepting the and Kashmir are reserved for our prime minister to work out a the role of the chief minister of a issue being settled this time Besides the CPI and other Left demand that the AFSPA should permanent residents of the state. solution that protects the inter- border state like West Bengal is around. parties, Congress, NCP, RPI, be revoked from the entire state As an anomaly, the West ests of both West Bengal and believed to be crucial. Once the land boundary agree- Bharatiya Republican Party- within a year, it has now been Pakistan refugees can vote in the Bangladesh,” Chowdhury said. Banerjee has said that the ment (LBA) is passed, India will Bahujan Mahasangh (BRPBM) agreed by the two parties that parliament elections, but not in the Banerjee termed the parleys relations of the two Bengals cede 111 enclaves totally measur- led by Prakash Ambedkar, a a committee would be formed state elections since the state has a as a “meeting of hearts”. Sources (Bangladesh and West Bengal) ing 17,160 acres to Bangladesh and three-time MP and grandson of which would recommend gradual, constitution of its own in addition close to her said the two leaders are as “deep and durable” as receive 51 enclaves covering 7,110 B.R. Ambedkar, and other par- but timely, revocation of the Act to India’s Constitution and both discussed bilateral issues. the perennial rivers Ganga and acres. More than 51,000 people ties have declared support to the from areas in the state. apply concomitantly to the state. The chief minister thanked Yamuna. reside in these enclaves. shutdown. Sources in the BJP said: “The IANS the people and administration of She also told Hasina that the IANS IANS

VS walks out of meet, CPM tries to mollify Five in police custody

ALAPPUZHA: Former anyone. Sources said the 91-year- member belonging to a higher discipline. He never said he was Kerala chief minister V S old leader was deeply hurt after committee comes under attack going because he was upset, because after document theft Achuthanandan was yester- being criticised in a over 50 page in a meeting, he must be given an of the criticism against him,” said day pulled up at the state CPM party report which attacked him opportunity to reply to the remarks Balakrishnan, who was the home NEW DELHI: Five corporate leaked information.”Compliments conference for breaching party for his constant breach of party made against him,” he said. minister under Achuthanandan in officials, arrested in the sen- Delhi police for bursting espio- discipline, following which he discipline. The party politburo met and LDF rule 2006-11. sational petroleum ministry nage racket. During interroga- walked out of the meet and His aide Berlin Kunjananthan decided to talk to Achuthanandan, But in the same breath, document leakage case, were tions, police should try to reach revealed his intention to step Nair told reporters that who cancelled his press meeting Balakrishnan added that party yesterday sent to three days top people, who would benefit down as leader of opposition. Achuthanandan was deeply hurt. scheduled to be held at 4 p.m at discipline in a Marxist-Leninist police custody by a court here from leaked information,” he The party began a desperate “He told me that he will not his home. The CPM later said the party like the CPM was of utmost even as police raided two places tweeted yesterday. attempt to mollify him and leave the party and will attend veteran did not walk out of the importance and no one will be in the city as part of its inves- Police had on Thursday announced denied he walked out. the 22nd CPM Congress in party meeting. allowed to breach that. tigations and Home Minister arrest of five people, including two A grim-looking Achuthanandan Visakhapatnam in April. He wants Politburo member Kodiyeri Party’s state secretary Pinarayi Rajnath Singh said that no one petroleum ministry employees, for walked out of the Saturday to quit as leader of opposition in Balakrishnan Saturday Vijayan had lashed out at guilty will be spared. stealing documents from the minis- morning session of the 21st state the assembly,” said Nair, who has evening told reporters that Achuthanandan and told report- Those sent to police custody till try office located in the high-security party conference that began here been close to Achuthanandan. Achuthanandan “informed us that ers that the meeting had admon- February 24 are RIL corporate affairs Shastri Bhawan near the Parliament Friday. He was followed by a bat- A crowd gathered outside he is going out for some time”. ished the veteran for his constant manager Shailesh Saxena, Jubilant House complex, and leaking them to tery of reporters but the veteran Achuthanandan’s residence and “At 11.30 a.m., he informed us breach of party discipline in the Energy senior executive Subash corporate houses. headed for his home near here at shouted slogans in his support. he is going out, and this cannot be past few years. Chandra, Reliance ADAG DGM Saikia and Prayas Jain, a Punnapara, and did not speak to “He told me that when a party seen as an act of breaching party IANS Rishi Anand, Essar DGM Vinay and Melbourne-based energy con- Cairns India GM K K Naik. sultant, were arrested on Friday. All were arrested on Friday Later in the day, the five execu- and booked under sections dealing tives were arrested. Sarang show with criminal conspiracy and use Police yesterday raided the Jet Airways to of stolen property. Their arrest Patel Nagar office of Jain and took to 12 the number of those Chandra’s office in Noida. behind bars in the case. Police officials said that introduce mobile The court had on Friday sent Chandra’s office and some other three of the seven other accused rooms were searched to recover check-in to judicial custody for 14 days. The stolen documents. remaining four had been sent to They also said that Saxena had MUMBAI: Airlines major Jet police custody of three days. in his possession some documents Airways yesterday said it is The espionage case in the heart relating to “national importance pilot testing issuing boarding of the national capital assumed and security” and these had been passes on mobile platform and a wider dimension Friday after passed by him to his seniors. is collaborating with govern- police complaint said the papers All documents seized are “sen- ment and airport authorities in stolen included inputs for the sitive”, an official said. this regard. forthcoming union budget and a Rajnath Singh told reporters “In a first of its kind initiative in letter relating to the prime min- that strong action will be taken India, Jet Airways is collaborating ister’s office. and no guilty person would be with the Bureau of Civil Aviation The documents also related to spared. “We should be com- Security of India (BCAS) and the power and coal ministries, mended as we found out that this Bangalore International Airport police said. was happening, the culprits will Limited (BIAL) for a pilot project Former journalist Santanu be punished,” he told reporters.”If to test the use of mobile boarding Saikia, who is among the arrested, we would have not been vigilant, passes on its flights,” the company said yesterday it was a Rs10,000 this (scandal) would not have said in a statement. crore scam. been busted,” he added. The company said during “It’s a Rs10,000 crore scam Rakesh Kumar, 30, Lalta this trial phase, passengers can and it was a cover up,” Saikia Prasad, 36 - both brothers and use barcoded boarding passes told reporters outside the Crime residents of Delhi, and Raj Kumar on their mobile phones to Branch office here, while being Chaubey, 39, a resident of Uttar enter Bengaluru’s Kempegowda taken to court. Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, were held International Airport (KGIA) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind red-handed with photocopies of and clear the security check for- Crowds watch an aerial performance by Sarang (Peacock) ALH helicopters of the Indian Air Force on the Kejriwal lauded police for crack- some secret documents in Shastri malities to board the flight. penultimate day of the five-day Aero India 2015 air show at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore yesterday. ing the case and advised it to trace Bhawan February 17. IANS those who had benefited from IANS SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Pyrotechnics show

Fajr (Dawn) 4:47 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:04 Zuhr (Noon) 11:47 Asr (Afternoon) 3:05 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:33 Isha (Night) 7:03

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High: 26° High: 21° High: 22° partly cloudy with Low: 16° Low: 14° Low: 14° chance of light rain/ relatively cold at night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:04 17:33 07:15 & 19:45 00:45 & 13:45 20-25/30 KT THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

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MUSCAT 27/19 Sunny 23/18 Sunny MAKKAH 33/19 Sunny 35/21 Sunny KUWAIT 14/07 Cloudy 19/07 Sunny Fireworks from team Netherlands illuminate the sky during the 6th Philippine International Pyromusical Competition outside the Mall of Asia in Pasay BAHRAIN 18/12 Cloudy 19/13 Cloudy City, south of Manila, Philippines, yesterday. Teams specialising in pyrotechnics from Japan, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, SANAA 26/08 Clear 26/08 Mostly cloudy Canada, United Kingdom and China are participating in the event. RIYADH 18/04 Sunny 18/06 Sunny DUBAI 23/17 Partly cloudy 21/17 Cloudy BAGHDAD 17/06 Sunny 19/06 Sunny THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Emmy Awards HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER HK wishing tree draws to feature more ATHENS 15/12 Heavy rain 16/11 Heavy rain WASHINGTON 06/-4 Scattered showers -5/-13 Mostly sunny contenders in SYDNEY 28/19 Scattered showers 27/19 Scattered T-storms LONDON 08/05 Rain 08/04 Cloudy thousands of hopefuls PARIS 09/06 Mostly sunny 10/04 Showers comedy, drama ISTANBUL 11/07 Mostly sunny 10/07 Showers HONG KONG: Carnivals and elderly, with many wearing bright visit temples to make offerings to LOS ANGELES: New rules will MANILA 31/21 Partly cloudy 32/22 Partly cloudy fireworks are Hong Kong’s red for good luck, threw their protective deities and throw up expand the number of contend- DHAKA 30/20 Mostly sunny 31/20 Sunny trademark Chinese Lunar New wishes, which cost HK$25 ($3.22). wishes en route to the final tem- ers for top honours in the comedy DELHI 29/16 Mostly sunny 30/19 Partly cloudy Year celebrations — but tens of “It’s my first time here, I think ple in Lam Tsuen, Lam said. and drama categories in televi- ISLAMABAD 27/14 Partly cloudy 27/14 Mostly cloudy thousands of people also travel it’s wonderful, I think it’s tra- “They would also leave red sion’s annual Emmy Awards this to a remote village to hurl ditional — it’s real Hong Kong,” packets (containing money) year, organisers said. oranges at a tree in hopes of said Helen Friel, 27, from Ireland, attached to their wishes — when I The Television Academy said it making their wishes come true. who has worked in Hong Kong for was little I opened the red packets was making numerous revisions Flapping wings In a tradition stretching back three years as a teacher. after they left,” Lam said of the to the awards in order to reflect more than a century, visitors to “I wished for good health and fishermen’s offerings. a changing television landscape. the “wishing tree” in Lam Tsuen wealth for my family.” Over the years, the public Both the comedy and drama — a village near the city’s north- The tradition was started by adopted the fishermen’s tradition series categories will now include ern border — come from all over Chinese fishermen who would of throwing wishes, spurred on seven nominees, up from six in the city and mainland China to write their wishes onto paper by television soap operas which previous years. take part. and throw them onto trees at the made it popular in the 1990s, Comedy series will be defined Queues of hopefuls write their Lunar New Year, said Luke Lam, said Lam, adding that the village by shows that are 30 minutes or wishes on red pieces of paper, organiser of the festival, who was sees more than 10,000 people a shorter per episode, while drama attach them to oranges and throw born in Lam Tsuen and has lived day during the Lunar New Year series will be for shows over 30 the fruit at a tree in the village there most of his life. holidays. “It’s very universal to minutes. That means shows such square. If the orange lodges on a The fishermen would travel make a wish,” Lam said. as Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black branch, the wish will come true from the city’s southern ports and AFP will no longer be considered in the — or so the belief goes. comedy series category. Producers A banyan tree used for the tra- will be able to petition for eligibil- dition was replaced with a plastic ity in an alternative category, the replica after an accident in 2005, Television Academy said. which saw a branch loaded with After switching the Primetime oranges snap off and injure an Emmy awards show from a Sunday elderly man and a child. Plastic in late September to a Monday in fruit is now also used. late August last year, the Television But that has not put off the Academy is going back to its late crowds of annual visitors who September weekend slot with this started flocking to the tree from year’s awards on September 20. Thursday and will do so for The mini-series category will more than a week over the holi- be renamed “limited series,” and day period. “I wished happiness will reflect any shows that have and good health for my family. two or more episodes running for Everybody is looking for a good at least 2-1/2 hours, that tell a sign,” Frank Fung, a 26-year old “complete, non-recurring story” computer engineer, said after he and will not continue the story or landed his wish on a tree branch characters in following seasons. with one throw. This will mean shows such as “I wished to have a child last BBC America’s Luther and PBS year and now I am pregnant!” A woman wearing bright red for good luck throws her wish onto the Masterpiece’s Sherlock will not be said Xiao Xiaomei, in her 30s, who branches of a special tree in the remote village of Lam Tsuen of Hong eligible in this category, as both A wild duck (Anas platyrhynchos) emerges from the Bekas Lake in works in retail. Kong’s new territories. feature same characters in ongo- Debrecen, 226km east of Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. Children, couples and the ing seasons. REUTERS Kristen Stewart makes history, Timbuktu wins big at France’s Cesars

PARIS: Kristen Stewart award for her role alongside portion of Mali’s vast desert in meeting of civilisations,” he added. There was more American suc- (pictured) became the first Juliette Binoche in Clouds of 2012. Stewart has spoken of how cess when two-time Oscar winner American actress to win a Sils Maria. Directed by France’s Most of the film had to be made working with Binoche, one of Sean Penn — artfully dishevelled Cesar, France’s equivalent of Olivier Assayas, 24-year-old in Sissako’s native Mauritania as France’s leading ladies for three in a black suit and loosened the Oscars, while Timbuktu won Stewart plays the personal northern Mali, despite being freed decades, was a privilege and as tie — received a Cesar lifetime seven awards including best assistant to a star actress played from jihadist control by a French she mounted the stage in Paris achievement award to tumultu- film for its portrayal of north- by Binoche and follows their military intervention, remains an she shouted “I love you Juliette” ous applause from the audience ern Mali under jihadist control. intense relationship. extremely dangerous place, espe- in French. at the Chatelet theatre. Twilight star Stewart received The victory for Timbuktu could cially for foreigners. Clouds of Sils Maria marks Adele Haenel won the best the best supporting actress propel it towards greater glory In his acceptance speech, a return to art house films for actress award for romantic at the Oscars today, where it is Sissako — who became the first Stewart, who made her name as comedy Love at First Fight (“Les nominated for the best foreign black African to win the best Bella, the love interest of Robert Combattants” in French). film award. director Cesar — praised French Pattinson’s vampire in the hugely The prize for best foreign film Abderrahmane Sissako, who people for taking to the streets in successful five-film Twilight series. went to Xavier Dolan for Mommy, also won a Cesar for best direc- their millions after the Islamist The best actor category saw the 25-year-old French Canadian tor among the film’s haul of attacks in Paris last month that Pierre Niney beat Gaspard Ulliel director’s fifth feature-length awards, said he wanted to show left 17 dead. “France is a mag- in a battle between two portrayals movie. The audacious drama the residents of the ancient city nificent country because it is able of legendary fashion designer Yves laced with wicked humour stars struggling to maintain their daily to stand up to the horror and to Saint Laurent. The two biopics Anne Dorval playing a feisty lives in the face of the brutal rule the violence,” he said. “There is were released within months of mother grappling with a violent, of jihadists who seized a large no clash of civilisations. There is a each other last year. bipolar son. AFP Sunday 22 February 2015 3 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6349 Price: QR2

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Al Sulaiti is MPHC’s Consortium wins Doha Metro deal new chairman DOHA: Mesaieed Petrochemical Five-member consortium led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide system package Holding Company (MPHC), a sub- sidiary of Qatar Petroleum partially BY SATISH KANADY and tunnel ventilation. The pack- security, integrated operational many agreements that reached underground. The new metro sys- floated on the Qatar Exchange and age is also expected to include control centre and automatic a remarkable value promising tem will connect the main areas one of the region’s premier diversi- DOHA: A five-member consor- maximum 20-year maintenance fare collection systems. Hitachi to deliver the best standards of Doha, including the Hamad fied petrochemical conglomerates, tium consisting of Mitsubishi services for the metro system will perform some project man- of metro railway in the near International Airport, the Old has restructured its board of direc- Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi after its completion, Mitsubishi agement duties and also handle future. Today, with the five- City, and newly developing inner tors and executive management. Corporation, Hitachi Ltd, The Heavy Industries, the leader of the facilities maintenance, including member Japan consortium led by city areas such as West Bay and In a brief statement issued yester- Kinki Sharyo Co and Thales consortium, announced in Japan. the supply of special maintenance Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, we Lusail. Phase 1 of the network will day, MPHC named Ahmad Saif Al received a Letter of Conditional Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will vehicles that comprehensively look forward to add more value be launched in 2019. Sulaiti as its new Chairman. Mohamed Acceptance from the Qatar supply the power distribution inspect the safety of infrastruc- to our project knowing the inter- After submitting its bid in Salem Alyan Al Marri is the vice chair- Railways Company (Qatar Rail) system, platform screen doors, ture such as railway tracks and national expertise of the Japanese March 2014, the consortium man. Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi, for a systems package for the tracks and tunnel ventilation electric train lines. fellows and provide Doha with a underwent 11 months of detailed Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mannai, Doha Metro, on Friday. work, and will also undertake “The Doha Metro ongoing fully secure and automated driv- negotiations. The Letter of Abdulaziz Jassim Mohd Al Muftah, The newly accepted package overall project management and works are being done accord- erless metro system.” Conditional acceptance was Nabeel Mohammed Al Buenain and calls for turnkey construction of a system integration. ing to our timeline that we set The Doha Metro will run received after convincingly Khalid Mohamed Al Subaey (member/ fully automated driverless metro Mitsubishi Corporation and at the beginning of the project,” through the city of Doha and demonstrating to the client the managing director) are among other system. Included are 75 sets of Kinki Sharyo will jointly provide Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ will consist of four lines in two consortium’s high technical capa- members of the new board. three-car trains, platform screen the railway cars. Thales will sup- Japanese corporate website phases — Red, Green, Gold and bilities and robust track record THE PENINSULA doors, tracks, a railway yard, and ply the advanced Communications quoted Qatar Rail’s CEO Saad Blue — covering a total distance in the construction of metro sys- systems for signalling, power dis- Based Train Control (CBTC) sig- Ahmed Al Muhannadi as saying. of 241km with 106 stations, of tems, the consortium leader said. tribution, telecommunications nalling, telecommunications and “In 2013 and 2014, we signed which 123km will be constructed THE PENINSULA Sheikh Khaled is new GIS chairman DOHA: Gulf International Services (GIS), the largest service group Greece races to finalise reforms in Qatar with interests in a broad cross-section of industries, issued a statement yesterday announcing ATHENS: Greece was under Minister Alexis Tsipras insisted government would now focus on changes to its board of directors. pressure yesterday to final- that Athens had achieved an negotiating a new reform blue- GIS named Sheikh Khaled bin ise reform proposals that “important negotiating success” print with Greece’s creditors by Khalifa Al Thani (representing Qatar would keep its loan lifeline which “cancels out austerity.” June. Petroleum) as its new Chairman. open after an EU compromise In a televised address, Tsipras The new leftist government Suleiman Haidar Al Haidar is the vice deal clipped its anti-austerity said his government had foiled had asked for a six-month loan chairman. ambitions. a plan by “blind conservative assistance until it can submit its Other members are Ebrahim Ahmad The new hard-left gov- forces” in Greece and abroad four-year reform plans. Instead, Al Mannai (Managing Director/mem- ernment in Athens has until to bankrupt the country at it received a maximum of four ber-representative of QP), Khalid tomorrow to convince its scep- the end of the month, when months in which to reach an Saeed Al Rumaihi, (representative of tical European creditors that it its European bailout had been agreement with its eurozone QP), Sheikh Jassim bin Abdullah bin could piece together a credible scheduled to expire. partners, but no money to tide Mohammed Al Thani (representa- set of alternative fiscal reforms. But as fears of a disastrous it over in the meantime. tive of Zekreet Investment Company After a last-ditch negotiation Greek exit from the eurozone Markets reacted positively to 3) and Mohammed Abdullah Ali Al on Friday that saw his govern- receded, the 40-year-old pre- the deal, with Wall Street soar- Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis arrives at the parliament Mannai (representative of Qatar ment dramatically climb down mier warned that the “real dif- ing to new records as news of building with his wife Danae Stratou ahead of a cabinet meeting in Horizon). THE PENINSULA from its radical agenda, Prime ficulties” lie ahead. He said his the agreement broke. AFP Athens, yesterday. Qatari graduates’ mobile app on real estate draws huge response

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB going to emerge as the leading app in real estate market in the DOHA: A newly-developed GCC and other countries,” he real estate-based smart tech- said. nology “Rinfo”, launched by He further said that eventu- the Qatar Business Incubation ally more agencies will be feed- Centre (QBIC), has evoked an ing this app with the latest news overwhelming response. from the market which will add In less than two weeks since value to the app and the users the launch of the mobile appli- will benefit from it by know- cation, developed by two young ing the average prices in the Qatari graduates, has connected market. over 600 property seekers with Providing more information real estate agencies free of cost. about the product, he said that “Since its launch on February it took nearly 18 months to 9, more than 1,000 people have Abdulahmeed Alyousef (left) and Saud Aldolaimi. develop the product. downloaded the app. The “QBIC is the most effective groundbreaking smart technol- business incubation centre in ogy (Rinfo) has so far assisted Sharing about the journey of “I found it very useful. Seeing the region. It supported us dur- more than 600 property seekers the technology and its devel- the big potential, I immediately ing the last five months of our by connecting them with real opment with The Peninsula, decided to join the journey. This project,” he said. estate agencies directly for free,” Aldolaimi said: “Nearly two years is how we became the founder Alyousef holds Media and said Saud Aldolaimi, Operations ago, Abdulahmeed Alyousef, and the co-founder of Rinfo.” Communication degree from Manager and Co-founder of Founder and Managing Director The app, as of now, does not Qatar University. Currently he Rinfo mobile app, adding, “This of Rinfo, was looking for a prop- have option of listing of prop- works with Commercial Bank number is growing fast as we erty which took him very long erties. It only allows users to of Qatar (CBQ) as a Senior speak now.” time and effort. He realised send a property request to all Business Development Manager. Rinfo is a real estate mobile that many other people must be real estate agencies. The agency Before jointing CBQ, he worked App that provides two impor- facing the same hassle in find- gets back to the user instantly, for several other organisations, tant services to its users. First, ing desired property in Qatar and the user gets updated including Aljazeera television as it allows to find out proper- or elsewhere. So as the saying information. News Director and a Presenter. ties easily in a very short time. goes ‘if you can’t find a way, you “At the moment we are work- While Aldolaimi is an Second, it provides users with create a way’, and eventually he ing with 10 key real estate com- entrepreneur who earned an updated news about the real came up with Rinfo right away.” panies, and many others are Electrical Engineering degree estate market in Qatar. The app Aldolaimi added that after already in discussion to join. from the UK. He has over seven is free for users, which can be developing the first version of There will be some updates to years of working experience as downloaded from App Store for the App, Alyousef showed it to the app soon, and we will add project manager in a couple of iOS and Play Store for Android- him seeking his opinion, being more valuable services to users major projects in Qatar. based phone users. a best friend. and agencies. I am sure this is THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar banks loan book US Ambassador at Msheireb projects shrinks in January Public sector loans dip 7.1pc

DOHA: Qatar banks’ loan book contracted by 1.4 percent in January 2015 compared to the month of December 2014. Deposits declined by 2.2 percent on month-on-month (MoM). Public sector pushed total credit down with a decline of 7.1 percent on MoM, while public sector deposits dropped by 5.9 percent in January. The loan book is up by 13.1 percent year- on-year (YoY). QNB Financial Services (QNBFS) monthly banking sector Dana Shell Smith (centre), the US Ambassador to Qatar, visited the Msheireb Downtown Doha project and update yesterday noted the pub- Msheireb Enrichment Centre. She was welcomed by Abdulla Hassan Al Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb Properties, lic sector deposits decreased by 0.4 percent MoM (up 11.3 percent Private sector loans gained by and a group of representatives of the senior management of the company. 5.9 percent MoM for the month in FY2014). Non-resident deposits 1.0 percent (up 20.4 percent YoY of January. A segment break- grew by 4.3 percent (+43.3 per- in FY2014). Real Estate followed down indicates, the government cent in FY2014). by Contractors positively contrib- institutions’ segment declined The overall loan book posted a uted toward the loan growth. Real by 1 percent (+4.2 percent in weak performance. Total domes- Estate increased by 1.5 percent. MultaQa meet to begin on March 8 FY2014). Furthermore, the gov- tic public sector loans decreased Contractors increased by 3.9 per- ernment segment decreased by by 7.1 percent (down by 2.6 per- cent. On the other hand, Services DOHA: Over 700 senior busi- Finance Minister, H E Ali Sherif while conducting business meet- 22.9 percent (down 13.2 percent cent in FY2014). The government decreased by 0.3 percent MoM. ness and insurance market lead- Al Emadi and QCB Governor H E ings benefiting the market and in FY2014). segment’s loan book went down Overall for 2014, Consumption ers from over 30 countries will Sheikh Abdulla bin Saud Al Thani. contributing to Qatar’s regional However, the semi-government by 23.6 percent (up 14.5 percent & Others followed by General discuss and exchange ideas on Commenting on MultaQa’s thought leadership.” institutions’ segment posted a YoY in FY2014). Moreover, the Trade and Services were the big- some key challenges and oppor- impact on the region’s rapid The MultaQa will also feature modest growth of 4 percent (up government institutions’ segment gest contributors to the loan book tunities in the industry at the business development, Shashank an essay competition, organised 4.8 percent in FY2014). On the declined by only 0.2 percent, was growth. Consumption & Others upcoming 9th annual MultaQa Srivastava, CEO of the QFC by GR magazine and the QFC other hand, private sector depos- down 7.9 percent YoY in FY2014. increased by 22.2 percent in 2014. Qatar conference, which will be Authority, said: “Over the past Authority to engage with and sup- its declined by only 0.6 percent However, the semi-government General Trade grew by 34.0 per- held on March 8-9, according to nine years, MultaQa has suc- port young regional talent. The (+14.1 percent in FY2014). On the institutions’ segment declined cent in 2014. Services segment a statement yesterday. cessfully established itself as the competition invites (re)insurance private sector front, the compa- by 3.6 percent (down 7.4 percent grew by 21.3 percent in 2014. On The two-day conference, co- region’s leading risk and (re)insur- professionals to discuss issues fac- nies & institutions’ segment in FY2014). Hence, all the three the other hand, the Industry seg- hosted by the Qatar Central Bank ance platform. MultaQa is the ing the industry and to provoke decreased by 1.6 percent(+17.1 sub-segments pushed the overall ment only witnessed a 5.7 percent (QCB) and the Qatar Financial go-to conference for the region’s debate and intelligent analysis on percent in FY2014) while the loan book down for the month of YoY increase in 2014. Centre (QFC) Authority, will top insurance executives to share the future of (re)insurance in the consumer segment ticked up by January 2015. THE PENINSULA feature keynote addresses by the their knowledge and experience, region. THE PENINSULA

Commercial Bank and Volkswagen QBA host Turkish team gets nod for

DOHA: Commercial Bank such visits in strengthening the and the Qatari Businessmen economic ties between the two Thai plant Association (QBA) jointly countries, he also noted that the hosted a reception for a del- association and the Qatari busi- FRANKFURT: Germany’s egation of senior businessmen nessmen are ready to facilitate Volkswagen has won approval from Turkey. The Turkish del- and support all Turkish compa- from Thai authorities to build egation was represented by nies wishing to enter the Qatari a manufacturing plant for fuel Chairpersons, CEOs and Board market. efficient cars near Bangkok Members of major Turkish busi- Commercial Bank CEO, Abdulla after months of delays. ness groups visiting Doha. Saleh Al Raisi said: “We are A VW spokesman said yes- Also attending were dignitar- delighted to welcome the Turkish terday that it had received the ies from the board of directors business delegation to Qatar go-ahead but the carmaker of Alternatifbank (ABank) — with the Qatari Businessmen would now assess the situation Commercial Bank’s Turkish sub- Association. Commercial Bank and that no decision has been sidiary bank. has strong ties with Turkey and made yet whether to build the The discussions had its focus became the majority shareholder factory, confirming a report on sharing ideas for increased in mid-sized Turkish bank ABank in German weekly magazine business collaborations and in 2013. Turkey is a key part of WirtschaftsWoche. the strengthening of relations our regional strategy and this According to previous media between Turkey and Qatar. reception is important for building reports, the €1bn plant is Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al relationships, exploring long-term intended to build 1.4 litre petrol Thani, Board member of the growth opportunities and demon- engine cars and could turn out Qatari Businessmen Association, strating the increasing regional up to 300,000 vehicles per year welcomed the delegation, and strength of the Commercial at full capacity. The Turkish delegation with business leaders from Qatar. stressed on the importance of Bank.” THE PENINSULA The spokesman declined to provide details about any future Thai plant. Sources familiar with the matter said in April last year the company had applied to Buffett buys Layoffs spark General Motors strike in Brazil build its first plant in Thailand, seeking to take advantage of SAO PAULO: Some 3,000 staff suspended in September but temporary layoffs or the auto- voluntary redundancies which tax breaks that had already motorcycle workers at a General Motors who resumed working last week. maker would impose job cuts, was extended. The plant’s attracted investment from Ford plant in Brazil went on an “The workers reject the GM despite the company and the 5,300-strong workforce produces and General Motors. open-ended strike over planned proposal. There is no guarantee of union havingagreed last August the S10 and Trailblazer models. Volkswagen already produces gear retailer layoffs. the jobs being saved,” said union to retain the personnel concerned General Motors said the union its Passat, Polo and Jetta models The metalworkers union at the general secretary Luiz Carlos at least until the second half of had not informed it of Friday’s in Malaysia in conjunction with a plant in Sao Jose dos Campos in Prastes. this year. stoppage, a legal requirement in local partner, while a new plant NEW YORK: Warren Buffett southeastern Sao Paulo state said Prastes said the stoppage was Beyond the layoffs, GM Brazil, and that the union was in Indonesia will take advantage is getting into motorcycle gear, the strikers had downed tools to a response to the firm giving had on February 2 unveiled misrepresenting its proposals to of growing demand there. snapping up a German retailer protest the planned firing of 794 them an ultimatum to accept an initial week-long offer of shed staff. AFP REUTERS in a rare investment by his Berkshire Hathaway in Europe in recent years. The acquisition of the privately held Detlev Louis Motorrad- Vertriebs was announced on Nakilat holds staff meet Friday by the company’s legal counsel, Beiten Burkhardt. DOHA: All Qatari employees of Nakilat gathered for a day of work- The sole heir and widow of com- shop and presentations, with an emphasis on providing a profes- pany founder Detlev Louis sold all sional working environment where national employees can flourish the shares to Berkshire Hathaway and become key contributors to Qatar marine industry. after the seller approached the The meeting also included recognition for Nakilat’s marine cadets US firm, the law firm said The for their hard work and commitment. Senior management listened deal was worth $456m, according to their academic experiences and the challenges they have faced to Bloomberg News. during the learning process on board the vessel, which can take up Detlev Louis sells helmets, to four months. motorbike clothing and acces- Nakilat makes significant investments in the development of young sories in more than 70 stores in Qatari talent through the Marine Cadet Sponsorship program. Germany and Austria, as well as Nakilat’s Managing Director Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti, said: online. The company’s headquar- “We are immensely proud of our Qatari employees and of our com- ters will remain in Hamburg, the pany’s commitment to the recruitment and continued development of law firm said. Investment guru nationals. This meeting is invaluable for reinforcing the importance Buffett, the world’s second-rich- that Nakilat places on Qatarization and on our contribution to the est man, already had hinted in Qatar National Vision 2030 for the sustainable development of our early February that he had eyes economy and for the advancement of our people.” Nakilat’s annual meeting for Qatari staff. on Europe. AFP THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 US refinery strike widens Moody’s downgrades Includes nation’s Russia debt to ‘junk’ WASHINGTON: Moody’s largest refinery cut Russia’s debt rating by one notch into ‘junk’ territory, say- ‘Downgrade ing the Ukraine crisis and the HOUSTON: The US refin- fall in oil prices and the rouble had political ery strike widened as workers will further undermine Russia’s at the nation’s largest refinery economy. walked off their jobs at 12 CST Just over one month since its character’ (0600 GMT) yesterday, accord- last downgrade of Moscow’s credit ing to the United Steelworkers rating, Moody’s said Russia “is MOSCOW: Moody’s Investors union (USW). expected to experience a deep Service’s downgrade of Shortly after talks between recession in 2015 and a continued Russia’s sovereign rating was union and oil company represent- contraction in 2016. The decline based on “factors of a political atives ended on Friday night, the in confidence is likely to constrain character,” Russian Finance union notified Motiva Enterprises domestic demand and exacerbate Minister Anton Siluanov said of a strike by its members at the the Russian economy’s already yesterday. company’s 600,250 barrel per day chronic underinvestment.” Siluanov also said that (bpd) refinery in Port Arthur, Moody’s cut the rating on the the downgrade was based on Texas. country’s bonds by one step to “unrealistic” forecasts with “no The USW also gave notices on Ba1, “speculative” or junk grade. analogies”, as the agency had Friday of strikes to begin in 24 Previously it was Baa3. made pessimistic assumptions hours at Motiva’s 235,000 bpd The move also came after that went well beyond forecasts Convent, Louisiana and 238,000 Standard & Poor’s invoked by the IMF, World Bank and bpd Norco, Louisiana refineries Workers from the USW union walk a picket line outside the Lyondell-Basell refinery in Houston. Moscow’s ire on January 26 by international banks. “I con- and the Shell Oil Co chemical cutting its rating for the country sider the evaluation of Moody’s plant in Norco, the union said. capacity, will be walking picket 200,000 bpd, the sources said, agreements from previous con- to junk level. not simply extremely negative, “The industry’s refusal to lines in the largest national refin- because a 60,000 bpd hydrocrack- tracts not addressed in nego- Moody’s said that the gov- but based on extremely pes- meaningfully address safety ery strike since 1980. ing unit is shut due to a malfunc- tiations this year. In addition ernment’s fiscal strength “will simistic forecasts that have no issues through good faith bar- This is the first expansion of tion. The hydrocracker produces to the two BP-operated plants, diminish materially” in the face analogies today,” he said. gaining gave us no other option the strike since February 6, when motor fuel, primarily diesel, which workers are striking at refiner- of continuing capital flight, fur- Russian officials have but to expand our work stoppage,” workers at BP Plc-operated refin- has become a lucrative export for ies and plants owned by Lyondell ther lowering the country’s access repeatedly cast doubt upon USW International President Leo eries in Indiana and Ohio were US refiners. Basell, Marathon Petroleum Corp, to international capital markets. the impartiality of major rat- Gerard said in a statement. told to begin a work stoppage Motiva is also overhauling the and Tesoro Corp in California, Moody’s also said that, although ings agencies following recent Motiva is a 50-50 joint venture the following day. Workers are 92,000 bpd gasoline-producing Kentucky, Texas and Washington low for the moment, the risk is downgrades of Russian rat- of Royal Dutch Shell Plc and already on strike at Shell’s 327,000 fluidic catalytic cracking unit at state. rising that the government could ings, describing their motives Saudi Aramco. Shell’s US arm bpd joint-venture refinery in Deer the refinery. It is scheduled to Only one refinery has shut respond to international pressure as political in reference to the Shell Oil Co is the lead oil com- Park, Texas, and an adjoining restart in the first half of March. down due to the strike. over its role in the Ukraine cri- East-West confrontation over pany negotiator in talks with the chemical plant. The Deer Park It was shut in early January. Tesoro’s 166,000-bpd plant in sis by deciding to slow payments Ukraine. “I suppose that in USW for a national agreement on workforce walked out when the Shell and the union have been Martinez, California, was sched- on its foreign debt. Moody’s also taking the decision about low- safety, pay and benefits. strike began on February 1. meeting continuously since talks uled prior to the strike for a attached to its rating a negative ering the rating, the agency A Shell spokesman said the The strike may complicate resumed on Wednesday following partial shutdown to perform a outlook, suggesting the country was led first of all by fac- company was disappointed by the operations at the Port Arthur a week-long break for the com- planned multi-unit overhaul. faces potentially another down- tors of a political character,” Port Arthur walkout and strike refinery, which failed to restore pany to reply to an information Company officials decided to idle grade in the coming months. Siluanov said. REUTERS notices to the Louisiana plants. its second largest crude distilla- request and a counterproposal the entire plant after the walkout “It seems more likely that “We believe this move sets tion unit (CDU) to full production from the USW. began and said production would Russia will face additional sanc- On Friday, the United States, the wrong tone for both parties after restarting on Friday follow- Union negotiators rejected the not resume during the work tions than that current sanctions the leader in pressing sanctions to move forward and reach an ing a three-day shutdown to fix seventh contract offer from Shell stoppage. are lifted in the coming months. on Russia, delivered some of its agreement,” said Shell spokesman leaking piping, sources said. on Thursday night. The USW is seeking a three- The associated economic risks harshest criticism yet, accusing Ray Fisher. “We remain commit- The 195,000 bpd CDU is one of Earlier this week, the USW’s year, industrywide pact that are also biased to the downside,” Moscow of “undermining” the glo- ted to continued safe operations three at the refinery that do the lead negotiator, International Vice would cover 30,000 workers at it said. bal order by supporting the rebels. and productive negotiations.” initial refining of crude oil com- President Gary Beevers, said that 63 US refineries that together The downgrade followed a “We call upon Russia to honour If no agreement is reached ing into the plant and provide safe staffing levels at refineries account for two-thirds of domes- week of fighting in Ukraine that its commitments immediately between Shell and the USW by feedstock for all other produc- and chemical plants were a stick- tic capacity. appeared to undermine a brand- with decisive action before we see early Sunday morning, a total of tion units. ing point in the talks. Companies have called on new truce negotiated between more cities decimated and more 6,550 workers at 15 plants, includ- The refinery’s largest CDU, Another sticking point is temporary replacement workers leaders of Russia, Germany, lives lost in eastern Ukraine,” ing 12 refineries accounting for which has a rated capacity of the absence of no-retrogres- to keep plants running at nearly France, Ukraine and the pro- State Department spokeswoman 18.5 percent of US production 325,000 bpd is running at about sion language, which preserves normal levels. REUTERS Moscow rebels. Jen Psaki said. AFP

Contract negotiators for US West Coast ports reach tentative deal

LOS ANGELES: A group of at the ports, which handle nearly swiftly they would be “summoned shipping companies and a power- half of all US maritime trade to Washington to continue their ful dockworkers union clinched a and more than 70 percent of the negotiations at the White House.” tentative labour deal on Friday nation’s imports from Asia. The principal sticking point after nine months of negotia- More recently, the shipping when he first joined the talks, tions, settling a dispute that dis- companies have sharply curtailed Perez said, was the arbitration rupted the flow of cargo through operations at the marine ter- system for resolving workplace 29 US West Coast ports and minals, suspending loading and disputes under the contract. He snarled trans-Pacific maritime unloading of cargo vessels for night did not disclose how that impasse trade with Asia. shifts, holidays and weekends at was overcome but said the par- The settlement, confirmed in a the five busiest ports. ties agreed to changes that would joint statement by the two sides, Perez said that as part of improve the system while “ensur- was reached three days after US Friday’s accord, the International ing fairness to both sides. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez Longshore and Warehouse Union Perez, who had been joined at arrived in San Francisco on and the shippers’ bargaining agent, times this week by US Commerce Tuesday to broker a deal with the the Pacific Maritime Association, Secretary Penny Pritzker and help of a federal mediator who had agreed to fully restore all port oper- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, joined in the talks six weeks ear- ations starting Saturday evening. exited the talks Friday morning lier. The White House called the Perez was sent to California on after meeting one last time with deal “a huge relief” for the econ- Tuesday as an emissary for Obama, both sides. Announcement of an A container ship travels through the San Francisco Bay after leaving the Port of Oakland in California. omy, businesses and workers. who had come under mounting agreement came hours later. The President Barack Obama urged political pressure to intervene in deal is subject to ratification by have faced lag times of two weeks at three North American plants containers piled up on the docks the parties “to work together to a conflict that by some estimates the union rank-and-file and the or more as dozens of inbound due to delays in parts shipments and several months for freight traf- clear out the backlogs and con- could have ended up costing the US individual shipping lines and ter- freighters stacked up at anchor from Asia. Other car manufac- fic to return to a normal rhythm gestion in the West Coast ports as economy billions of dollars. Perez minal operators that make up the along the coast, waiting for berths turers said they were switching to once the dispute was settled. they finalise their agreement,” the said he told the union and man- PMA. No details of the terms were to open. California farmers were higher-cost air freight to minimize Besides work slowdowns the White House said in a statement. agement negotiators: “You have an immediately revealed. especially hard hit, with port dis- delivery slowdowns. companies accused the union of The 20,000 dockworkers covered obligation to resolve this matter Disruptions at the ports, blamed ruptions posing a major barrier to A longer-term concern has been staging to gain bargaining lever- by the tentative five-year labour quickly because too many people by each side on the other as pres- perishable goods headed to over- that US export business lost to age, and the curtailed operations accord have been without a con- and businesses are suffering.” sure tactics, have reverberated seas markets and export losses other countries and ports may not the union said were designed to tract since July. In a conference call with throughout the US economy, estimated to be running at hun- return once the West Coast dock squeeze its members, the West Tensions arising from the talks reporters following the agree- extending to agriculture, manufac- dreds of millions of dollars a week. worker crisis ends. Coast waterfront still faces a have played out since last fall in ment, Perez said he also had put turing, retail and transportation. One automaker, Japan’s Honda Port officials have said it would range of systemic problems cited chronic cargo backups that have leaders from both sides on notice Cargo loads that would normally Motor Co, said on Sunday it take six to eight weeks to clear by port authorities as factors in increasingly slowed freight traffic that unless they came to terms take a few days to clear the ports would slow production for a week the immediate backlog of cargo the backups. REUTERS

Azerbaijan sharply devalues national currency Yemen oil revenues drop $1bn

BAKU: Azerbaijan’s central The move “aims at creating defend the manat, and report- The plunging value of the SANA’A: Yemen suffered a drop of around $1bn, or 37 percent, in rev- bank yesterday sharply deval- additional stimuli for economic edly as much as $1bn so far this Russian ruble and falling oil enue from oil exports last year due to nosediving crude prices and the ued the energy-rich coun- diversification, boosting com- year. prices affected the national sabotage of pipelines, the central bank said yesterday. try’s currency as falling oil petitiveness and exports,” the On Monday, the central bank currencies of many ex-Soviet Revenues amounted to $1.673bn, compared with $2.662bn in 2013, Saba prices and economic turmoil regulator said in a statement. moved to abandon its currency countries. state news agency quoted the bank as saying. in Russia hit hard across the With oil and gas account- peg to the dollar in favour of a The Georgian lari fell this “The main reasons behind the decrease were the drop in Yemen’s pro- former Soviet Union. ing for 95 percent of the coun- euro-dollar basket. week to its lowest level since duction capacity and in oil prices as well as the attacks on the pipeline” The Azerbaijani manat lost 34 try’s exports and 70 percent of The central bank said that 2004. linking production fields in Marib with coastal Hudayda, it said. percent of its value against the state revenues, the Azerbaijani “the adjustment of the manat’s It has lost 22.4 percent of its Yemen is a minor producer but relies on oil and gas exports for 90 dollar and 33.8 percent against economy has been under pres- rate is also directed at neutral- value against the greenback percent of its foreign currency earnings. the euro in the cut, with new sure from falling oil prices since ising negative effects from the since November — a conse- Attacks on infrastructure cost the impoverished country $4.75 billion exchange rates set at 1.05 manat June. In December, the central devaluation of national cur- quence of shrinking remittances over the two years from March 2011 to March 2013, according to govern- and 1.195 manat respectively, the bank spent some eight percent rencies of Azerbaijan’s trading from Russia and declining ment figures. AFP central bank said. of its international reserves to partners.” exports. AFP SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS HSBC probe to overshadow anniversary RBS poised to take £4bn Bank began drawing up plans for next month’s 150th year celebrations hit on value LONDON: When HSBC’s mar- has admitted failings in its Swiss hundreds of millions of dollars reported on Friday. It said that March 1865 in Hong Kong and keting team began drawing up arm in the period up to 2007 and in illicit drug money to move will include a £1.3m bonus, down Shanghai to finance the growing plans for next month’s 150th apologised to investors and cus- through the US financial system. from £1.83m for 2013. HSBC trade between Europe, India and of Citizens anniversary celebrations, they tomers, but said the business has HSBC’s shares have fallen 2 declined to comment. China. weren’t expecting top manag- been transformed and standards percent since the Swiss tax alle- The bank is expected to report But operating costs last year LONDON: Royal Bank of ers to spend the run-up to the are now up to scratch. gations were widely reported, a pre-tax profit of $21bn for 2014, are predicted to rise 4 percent to Scotland is likely to write down event apologising to investors Geneva’s public prosecutor lagging a 4 percent rise by the down 7 percent from 2013, accord- $40.3bn, showing the challenge the value of its US bank Citizens and lawmakers. and Britain’s financial watch- European bank index in that ing to the average forecast from Gulliver faces in axing costs while by about £4bn ($6. 2bn) nex t week, Yet allegations that HSBC’s dog are investigating the bank period. 16 analysts polled by the bank. trying to improve standards and industry sources said, potentially Swiss private bank helped clients after details about how its Swiss The tax allegations and HSBC’s Revenues in its commercial add more compliance staff. wiping out much of the state- dodge taxes will cast a shadow private bank allegedly helped $618m penalty last year when it bank are growing strongly but a Losses from bad loans are pre- backed bank’s annual profit. over its anniversary plans in the wealthy clients dodge taxes were was among six banks fined for slowdown in Asian growth, the dicted to fall by $2.3bn to $3.5bn, The writedown of goodwill would first week of March and over leaked to the media and published alleged manipulation of foreign impact of tougher regulations, but that will be offset by a 23 be because the US bank is not its annual results tomorrow. Its last week. The biggest concern for exchange markets will increase subdued trading activity and geo- percent drop in revenues in its worth as much as RBS paid for it, bosses will also be grilled on the HSBC could be that US authori- scrutiny on bonuses paid to execu- political tensions will take a toll, global banking and markets divi- and serves as another reminder of issue by members of the UK par- ties may look at re-opening a 2012 tives and staff when these details analysts said. sion to $7.2bn, analysts reckon. the hefty price paid for past acqui- liament on Wednesday. deferred prosecution agreement. are also released tomorrow. Gulliver is trying to cut costs That would echo a slump in fixed sitions by former chief executive Stuart Gulliver, the chief exec- That followed a $1.9bn fine Gulliver will be paid about and simplify operations across income revenues shown by most Fred Goodwin. utive of Europe’s biggest bank, after it was found to have allowed £7.4m for 2014, Sky News the bank, which was founded in investment banks. REUTERS RBS, 80 percent owned by the UK government after being rescued in 2008, sold 29 percent of Citizens Financial Group in September and is expected to reduce its stake to about a third this year, which Britain defends would mean Citizens being decon- UK public finances solidated from RBS Group. The goodwill writedown is an response to accounting issue and will not impact RBS’s capital position. HSBC scandal improve: Osborne Indeed, the deconsolidation would boost RBS’s capital strength when LONDON: British Finance LONDON: British income tax economist at Capital Economics. it takes place. Minister George Osborne receipts jumped in January, Deficit reduction has been RBS is expected to report a defended his government’s producing the biggest monthly the key economic policy of the pre-tax profit of about £4.1bn in response to the scandal engulf- surplus in seven years, and Conservative-led government 2014, according to the average ing London-based HSBC bank, Chancellor George Osborne said since it came to power in 2010, forecast from a poll of six analysts saying the matter should be left the government was on track but progress in cutting the budget by Reuters. The bank estimated for tax officials to investigate. to meet its borrowing targets gap has been slow in most of the the goodwill it was carrying for Osborne said allegations that before May’s national election. current financial year. Citizens was £4.3bn at the end of London-based HSBC’s Swiss divi- The Office for National Borrowing for the first 10 2013, its last published estimate. sion helped clients in more than Statistics reported a January months of the tax year fell to Citizens, headquartered in 200 countries dodge taxes on public finance surplus, excluding £74n, down 7.5 percent. Providence, Rhode Island, was accounts containing €180bn were banks, of £8.8bn, up 35 percent In December, the government bought by RBS in 1988 and “very serious,” but that he should from a year earlier, but slightly forecast 2014-15 borrowing fall- expanded with 25 acquisitions, not be “directing the prosecutions.” short of a forecast surplus of £9bn ing by 6 percent to £91.3bn, including the $10.5bn purchase of “There are very serious allegations, in a poll. January is usually a sur- equivalent to 5.1 percent of gross Charter One in 2004, for which there are allegations around tax plus month due to self-assessment domestic product. Britain’s ruling Goodwin was criticised at the time evasion, which is illegal,” he said. tax return receipts. This year Conservative Party, led by Prime for overpaying. He noted political non-interfer- those figures were boosted by Minister David Cameron, is hop- RBS is selling Citizens as part of ence in legal issues “has been one delayed payments of bonuses in ing a rapid economic upturn since a retreat to its core UK retail and of the bulwarks of freedom in this the 2013-14 tax year. mid-2013 will encourage Britons commercial banking business, a country for hundreds of years.” Income tax and capital gains to return it to power. process which has involved it slash- But he also expressed his wish to tax revenues rose by 6.1 percent Separate data showed retail ing its balance sheet and quitting “see more prosecutions,” and said compared with a year earlier. sales volumes fell 0.3 percent on dozens of countries. It expects to that new international data-shar- Osborne said the figures put the month in January compared complete the Citizens sale by the ing schemes would make the fight the government on track to meet with a rise of 0.2 percent in end of 2016. UK regulators have against tax evasion easier. its borrowing forecasts. He was December. Sales were up 5.4 per- urged RBS to speed up the sale to The bank’s problems mounted also helped by a £3.5bn cut in the cent compared with a year earlier. improve its capital strength. this week when Swiss authorities estimate of total borrowing for Economists polled had expected RBS’s core capital position raided its offices as part of a money April to December. The ONS said retail sales to fall 0.2 percent on should be boosted by about 200 laundering probe. The claims in the revision reflected the inclu- the month but rise 5.9 percent basis points when Citizens is decon- the “SwissLeaks” case emerged sion of a European Union rebate on the year. Retail sales rose solidated, industry sources have after a whistleblower took files to Britain as well as higher esti- strongly in the last two months said. The 186-year-old Citizens from Europe’s biggest bank and mates of tax receipts and lower of 2014, boosted by Britain’s first provides retail and commercial passed them to French authorities. government spending. major round of US-style Black banking services to about 5 mil- Top officials from the British tax “(The figures) show that the Friday sales in November, and Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne (left) and London lion customers in the United States agency HM Revenue and Customs economic recovery is finally hav- as shoppers bought more fuel in Mayor Boris Johnson announce their Long Term Economic Plan for London, and ranks as the country’s 13th big- are also due to give evidence about ing a positive impact on the pub- December on the back of falling at the Tate Modern in London. gest retail bank holding, with about their response to the leaks. AFP lic purse,” said Samuel Tombs, oil prices. REUTERS $130bn in assets. REUTERS

Deutsche Bank debates stake in Chinese bank McDonald’s pressured

FRANKFURT: Deutsche cited supervisory board sources as according to the report. Lagging profitability made it Bank co-Chief Executive Anshu saying Jain had repeatedly called Retail and commercial banking the worst stock market performer to hike wages after Jain is arguing against holding into question Deutsche’s near-20 chief Rainer Neske, however, has among global investment banks on to a stake in Chinese bank percent stake in Shanghai-listed been a staunch defender of the in 2014. Hua Xia as Deutsche reconsid- commercial bank Hua Xia, worth investment, the magazine said. A Deutsche Bank spokesman Wal-Mart raises pay ers its near-universal range of about €1.6bn. Deutsche is examining its busi- reiterated that results of the stra- banking services, a German The Chinese bank is seen ness model as it faces huge fines tegic revision would be unveiled in CHICAGO: McDonald’s Corp locations. “They cannot afford to weekly reported. as absorbing too much capital for alleged misconduct and tough the second quarter and declined and its franchisees may have be unstaffed.” WirtschaftsWoche magazine while lacking future prospects, regulations. to comment further. REUTERS few options but to begin raising Wal-Mart, the world’s biggest hourly wages as an improving retailer, and McDonald’s have been US economy creates competition the target of frequent protests by for good workers and as mega- union-supported hourly work- employer Wal-Mart Stores Inc ers demanding that their pay be sets a higher bar on pay, accord- increased to $15 per hour from an Gulf Air crew ing to labour experts. average that is closer to the federal The pressure comes at a par- minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. get inflight sales ticularly difficult time for the While supporters of those cam- world’s biggest fast-food chain. paigns declared victory following McDonald’s and its roughly 3,000 Thursday’s Wal-Mart announce- person award US franchisees are fighting to ment, economists said it reflected break a long streak of lacklustre an improving US economy that DOHA: The Kingdom of sales that has made it virtually has added more than a million Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf impossible to boost prices on its jobs over the past three months, Air, was recently honoured for famous hamburgers and french a performance unmatched since the second consecutive year fries to cover higher labour costs. the late 1990s. “It’s finally happen- with an award at the annual McDonald’s declined com- ing. The strengthening economy is Inflight Sales Person of the ment. It referred reporters to a putting some upward pressure on Year event (ISPY 2015), held in December statement saying that wages,” said Wally Hopp, a profes- the United Kingdom. franchisees set wages for roughly sor at the University of Michigan’s Gulf Air cabin crew members 90 percent of the chain’s more than Ross School of Business. “For the Celia Jackson and Anna Jacobs 14,000 US restaurants. McDonald’s first time in five or six years you’re were recognised in the category Corp says it can increase pay only seeing ‘Now Hiring’ signs” in fast- of Team Award for Sales as a in the small number of restaurants food restaurants, said Richard Service PA on behalf of the air- it operates. Wal-Mart on Thursday Adams, a former McDonald’s fran- line in addition to being awarded said it would increase entry-level chisee who is now an adviser. a certificate for “world’s great- pay to $9 an hour, a move it esti- Adams and others said that in est selling cabin crew 2015” for Gulf Air cabin crew members with other officials after winning the awards. mated would cost $1bn and affect most parts of the United States their outstanding customer serv- some 500,000 employees. Wal-Mart tends to attract older, ice skills, product knowledge of Gary Chaison, profes- more seasoned employees than onboard duty free products and are delighted to see members our passengers’ journey. On behalf towards inflight sales. Gulf Air sor of industrial relations at McDonald’s, which mainly com- onboard sales, in a competition of our cabin crew represented of the airline and, supplementing was previously recognised at Clark University in Worcester, petes with other fast-food chains that saw almost 100 cabin crew at such competitive awards and the recognition they have already ISPY2014 when Gulf Air cabin Massachusetts, said there is sub- for younger, entry-level workers. representing 37 airlines from recognised at this industry-wide received, I thank them for their crew members Sandra Stojanovic stantial overlap between fast-food Experienced fast-food work- around the world. event. Following on from our win efforts.” and Ewa Chachlowska were both and Wal-Mart workers in smaller ers would be the most likely to Gulf Air Chief Operations in 2014, our consecutive successes The annual ISPY awards are awarded the Silver Medal for communities. see their pay rise over time as Officer, Captain Nasser Al are a testament to our customer- a one-of-a-kind international Sales Awareness and Maximising “They are going to have to employers seeking to boost pro- Salmi congratulated the win- oriented cabin crew team and event that recognises all aspects Sales Techniques. raise their wages,” Chaison said ductivity and service quality fight ning crew members saying: “We their commitment to enhancing of cabin crew’s contribution THE PENINSULA of the fast-food chains in those over them, he said. REUTERS SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Nasdaq nears all-time high as Shale producers put exuberance yields to reason

BY DAVID RANDALL

S THE technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index closes off well completions in on the all-time high it reached in March 2000, investors Aare facing a market that barely resembles the go-go era of 15 years ago. BY JOHN KEMP an estimated 750 wells that had “It’s a much more prudent For some shale wells, com- Valuations, as measured by what investors are willing to pay for been drilled but not yet completed business decision to wait. It will pletion costs now account for the last 12 months of earnings, are an eighth of what they were at OG Resources became at the end of December, accord- give us better capital returns if up to two-thirds of the total. the peak of the dot com bubble, when the Nasdaq hit an intraday the latest major shale ing to the state’s Department of we do that,” EOG’s chief execu- Postponing completions can record of 5,132 before falling more than 63 percent in 12 months. producer to state that Mineral Resources. tive told analysts, in comments defer all these costs and help Dividend investors, too, now routinely hold large positions in it would “delay a sig- Once these wells are com- reported by Fuel Fix. conserve significant cash in the technology companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Oracle, a deci- nificant number of pleted, they will increase the Postponing completions has a short term. sion unthinkable in the growth-focused days of 2000 but now com- Ecompletions” when it announced number of producing wells in double benefit — it can cut costs In other cases, producers have mon thanks to mountains of corporate cash and changes in tax fourth-quarter results. the state by more than 8 per- and cash outlays in the short contracts in place with drillers policy that have been favourable to dividends. The company plans to end cent, from the current total of term and enhance earnings in for an entire programme of work Should the Nasdaq set a new record soon, as many expect — the 2015 with 285 wells awaiting around 8,950. the medium term. cannot cancel them without pay- index remains about 4 percent below its highest point after gaining completion services, up from 200 At recent completion rates, it The cost and revenue profiles ing substantial penalty fees, but nearly 15 percent over the last 12 months — its catalyst won’t be at the end of 2014, it told inves- would take another 3-4 months for shale wells are different from they can then defer completions irrational exuberance, fund managers and analysts say. tors during an earnings call on to clear the backlog even if no conventional ones and it is these to minimise future outlays. Instead, three key factors underpin the Nasdaq’s 125 percent Thursday. new wells were drilled in the differences that shale producers Shale producers are hop- rise over the last five years: the Federal Reserve’s ongoing policy Continental Resources has meantime. are seeking to exploit by post- ing completion costs will fall in of near-zero interest rates that has made equities more attrac- also announced plans to go slow Similar backlogs have emerged poning completions. future as prices for everything tive than bonds; the maturation of technology companies; and the on well completions in response in the other shale plays. They In a conventional oil well, the from pressure pumping equip- rise of Apple Inc, a company that didn’t appear among the largest to the slump in oil prices. Apache have been a source of frustra- cost of drilling the hole (includ- ment to fracking sand fall amid 20 companies by market value in the index 15 years ago and now and Anadarko Petroleum are tion for producers and mineral ing casing and cementing) typi- the slump in the oil industry. represents more than 10 percent of its weight. among other shale producers to rights owners waiting for the oil cally accounts for almost all On the revenue side, the pro- The Fed’s policy of keeping short-term interest rates near zero announce a deliberate strategy to begin flowing and royalty pay- the cost. The aim is normally duction profile of shale wells is is credited with pushing up the prices of stocks and real estate of delaying completions. ments to start arriving. to complete the well, put it into much more front-loaded than broadly over the last five years. Yet fund managers say that they US shale producers are post- For the most part, delays in production and start recover- conventional oil wells. Initial see few signs of a bubble in technology stocks, at least for now. poning well completions to con- completing wells arose inad- ing the capital expenditure as production during the first 30-90 “Because the Federal Reserve has waited so long to get rates serve cash and defer production vertently as drilling outpaced quickly as possible. days tends to be higher but then back to normal, it’s almost set up to fuel a bubble,” said David Kelly, until prices recover. completions during the frenzied But with shale wells, the need declines faster. chief global strategist at J P Morgan Funds. “But my sense is that There are a large number of drilling boom in the first eight to bring in specialised pressure In the Bakken, for example, there’s still a nervousness about the US equity market and it’s been wells that have been drilled but months of 2014. pumping equipment and crews, a typical well will produce one- keeping a lid on valuations getting out of hand.” are awaiting the arrival of pressure But now some exploration hundreds of water tankers and third of its expected ultimate The pace of new initial public offerings has slowed considerably pumping crews to fracture them and production companies are sand to fracture the rock forma- production in the first 12 months from the 630 tech IPOs that came to market between 1999 and 2000, and service companies to link deliberately postponing comple- tion and complete the well adds and about half in the first three leading to less speculation overall. By comparison, 299 companies them up to gathering pipelines. tions to improve their financial a significant extra element to years. overall went public between the start of 2014 and the year to date, In North Dakota, there were performance. cost. REUTERS according to Renaissance Capital. Technology companies make up 43 percent of the Nasdaq. Back then, companies routinely went public with little more than a concept. Now, companies such as Uber, the popular ride-hailing service, have seen their valuations top $40bn in the private markets, in part because mutual fund firms are more willing to take stakes in early-stage companies. Facebook Inc, for instance, reached a valuation of $50 billion while still private, thanks in part to investments by fund companies such as T. Rowe Price, according to date from VentureSource. On an inflation-adjusted basis, that was larger than the market value of all but 14 companies in the Nasdaq at its record on March 10, 2000, according to data from Nasdaq OMX Group. “Companies are staying private longer to develop their businesses so that when they go public they have a better chance of success out of the gate,” said Michael Cuggino, portfolio manager of the Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund. Even if there isn’t a bubble now, investors face other con- cerns. Chief among them: some of the largest companies in the Nasdaq are showing their age, a worry that they didn’t have 15 years ago. “What you’re seeing with companies like Cisco and Qualcomm is that they have evolved to a point in their life cycle where it’s very tough to show a lot of growth. That’s the huge challenge now,” said Skip Aylesworth, the portfolio manager of the Hennessy Technology Fund. Cisco said in August it would cut 6,000 jobs, at least the third workforce reduction in about as many years for a company once synonymous with the Internet boom, but which has lately struggled to sustain growth. Semiconductor maker Qualcomm has branched into markets such as medical equipment and solar panels in recent years in order to increase its growth rate. Investors’ long memories of getting burned in the last crash has weighed on the Nasdaq, which has yet to surpass its previous highs even as the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index and Dow Jones Industrial Average have repeatedly topped new peaks over the last year, fund managers say. The rally in the shares of Apple - which has jumped nearly 68 percent over the last 12 months, including a 16.7 percent gain for the year to date - is likely to push the Nasdaq to new records, fund managers say. “You have the largest company in the world continuing to grow at above-market rates, which is incredible,” said Aylesworth, the Hennessy manager. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Low volatility ETFs bring different results

BY JESSICA TOONKEL investors from volatility in the sector has become more volatile risky stocks, then hopefully the has outperformed the other two This means that a stock that event of a market downturn. over the past few months, it has portfolios make the changes fast ETFs by more than one percent- grows in volatility may not get NVESTORS are fling- For example, the $5.7bn reduced its position to 17 percent enough,” said Todd Rosenbluth, age point, largely because technol- taken out of the iShares portfolio ing money at low-volatility PowerShares S&P 500 Low of its portfolio, down from 24 per- director of mutual fund research ogy — which makes up more than as quickly as it would the other exchange-traded funds at a Volatility Portfolio has no con- cent in August. at S&P Capital IQ. Meanwhile, nine percent of the iShares ETF two. record pace in hopes of pro- straints on what sector bets it On the other end of the spec- the much smaller $22.6m SPDR — has returned 2.7 percent this By rebalancing less often tecting their portfolios from can take, meaning that at times trum is the $4.6bn iShares MSCI Russell 1000 Low Volatility ETF year. Meanwhile, utilities, which BlackRock avoids the trading Iwild swings in equity markets, but it is heavily weighted in specific USA Minimum Volatility ETF, caps its weightings by other make up more than 17 percent of costs and turnover of rebalancing they may not get all the coverage industries. It tracks the S&P which tracks the MSCI USA factors, such as momentum the PowerShares ETF, are down more frequently, Shores said. they expect. 500 Low Volatility Index, which Minimum Volatility Index. That and liquidity. This ETF tracks 4.7 percent. The iShares ETF costs 0.15 per- That’s because there are dra- is made up of 100 stocks with index, which includes low-vol- the Russell 1000 Low Volatility “We do not have the data yet cent of assets invested annually, matic differences in the way these the least volatility over the past atility mid- and large-cap US Index. to see what happens with these compared to 0.25 percent for the ETFs — designed to dampen year. equities, limits sector exposure Performance of the three funds when the markets fall PowerShares ETF, and 0.12 per- volatility — are constructed. Currently 18 percent of its port- to within five percentage points ETFs varies widely. Since vola- sharply,” Todd Rosenbluth, direc- cent for the State Street ETF. Some of these “low-vol” funds folio is in financials and 14 percent of what the broader MSCI USA tility started trending upward in tor of mutual fund research at Advisors and ETF executives tend to make sector bets, and is in real estate. A bank or real Index owns. September, all of the funds have S&P Capital IQ, said, noting that tell investors to hold these ETFs their performance may diverge estate sell-off could hit that fund For example, if the MSCI USA outperformed their respective the funds are only a few years as part of their core portfolios to significantly. harder than others. Index has seven percent in utili- broader market indices, accord- old. offset risk. So far this year, investors have “I do worry that some of these ties, the iShares ETF can’t hold ing to Lipper. PowerShares believes that BlackRock believes allocating put $2bn into low volatility ETFs, things might have gotten a lit- more than 12 percent or less than But the PowerShares ETF by not having caps on sector 25 percent to 50 percent of the while the CBOE Volatility Index, tle top heavy,” said Dave Nadig, two percent in that sector. If the returned 10.31 percent, outper- weightings, it is able to invest in equity portion to a low volatility has jumped more than three per- chief investment officer of ETF. fund skews from that cap, it fixes forming the S&P by five percent- the least volatile securities in the strategy is reasonable, said Sara centage points over the past four com, an ETF research firm. it when it rebalances. age points and beating the iShares S&P 500, said Nick Kalivas, senior Shores, global head of smart beta and a half months, reaching 15.45 “We just came out of the big- Like the low-vol MSCI Index ETF, which returned 9.97 per- strategist in the equity group of for BlackRock. percent on February 18. Inflows gest bloodbath in financials and it tracks, the iShares ETF only cent, and the SPDR ETF, which PowerShares. However, many investors are this year in the category are real estate that the world has rebalances twice a year, which returned 7.97 percent, according And the ETF mitigates the pos- using these ETFs tactically. already more than in all of last ever seen.” means investors could get stuck to Lipper. The Russell 1000 Index sible risk of not having sector caps “If you are more willing to trade year. PowerShares said the index in securities that are increasingly returned 5.44 percent and the by rebalancing quarterly. in and out of the fund, you can It’s unclear which ETF meth- methodology it uses can flag secu- volatile for a few months. MSCI USA Index returned 5.45 The SPDR ETF rebalances play defensive with it during dif- odology will ultimately be the rities before they become volatile. “If the appeal of the prod- percent for the same period. monthly while the iShares ETF ficult times,” Kalivas said. most effective in protecting For example, since the utilities uct is that you are in the least This year, the iShares ETF rebalances in May and November. REUTERS SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Boxing world It’s on! Mayweather will abuzz over mega-fight LAS VEGAS: Fight fans rejoiced and social media exploded on Friday at the news that the long-awaited mega- fight Pacquiao on May 2 fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao would at last take place in Las Vegas Bout expected to be the biggest grossing single sports event in history on May 2. “Can’t wait to see” tweeted former boxing champion Sugar LOS ANGELES: The long most lucrative ever in boxing with Ray Leonard, who won titles in awaited mega bout between Classic Boxing Mayweather expected to have a five weight divisions. Floyd Mayweather Jr and 60-40 split advantage on revenues, Former English footballer Gary Manny Pacquiao, which has Match-ups earning a minimum of $120m and Lineker, wrote on Twitter: “Now been more than five years in the Pacquiao at least $80m. that is a fight!” making, will take place in Las Here is a list of some of the “Everyone involved, including Ring Magazine, the so- Vegas on May 2, Mayweather greatest boxing bouts of all-time: Floyd Mayweather and Manny called Bible of Boxing, said: announced on Friday. Felix Trinidad vs Oscar De La Hoya - 1999 Pacquiao, knows this fight simply “Mayweather-Pacquiao is here, A duel between the defence- Riddick Bowe vs Evander Holyfield - 1992 had to happen,” Stephen Espinoza, kiss the record book goodbye”, minded Mayweather and the Sugar Ray Leonard vs Marvin Hagler - 1987 general manager for Showtime and film actress and fight fan aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest Marvin Hagler vs. Tommy Hearns - 1985 Sports, said in a statement. Rosie Perez tweeted: “Finally! God drawcards of their generation, has “All of us are thrilled to be able Bless America, two times!” Sugar Ray Leonard vs Thomas Hearns - 1981 been savoured by boxing fans, if to deliver this event to boxing fans “What the world has been wait- only to decide the mythical title of Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard - 1980 around the world.” ing for has arrived,” American the world’s best pound-for-pound Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman - 1974 Pacquiao lost much of his Mayweather said in announcing fighter. Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier - 1971 appeal after successive defeats to the clash on the social network- Showtime and HBO will jointly Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Walcott - 1952 American Timothy Bradley and ing website Shots. “Mayweather broadcast the bout, which is one Sugar Ray Robinson vs Jake LaMotta - 1951 Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a of the most eagerly anticipated Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling - 1938 in 2012, prompting talk of his pos- done deal.” in boxing since the classic 1975 sible retirement, though he has The Filipino countered with: Jack Dempsey vs Luis Firpo - 1923 ‘Thrilla in Manila’ between since bounced back with three “I am very happy that Floyd Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. statement. “Giving the fans what impressive wins. Mayweather and I can give the However, both Mayweather, 37, they want to see is always my Five-division world cham- fans the fight they have wanted and Pacquiao, 36, are in the twi- main focus. pion Mayweather, who is known for so many years. They have light of their respective careers “This will be the biggest event for his shrewd business acu- waited long enough and they and most pundits say they have in the history of the sport. I am men, had been expected to deserve it.” lost some of their skills in the the best ever ... and this fight will meet Pacquiao in 2010 until Las Vegas was abuzz by the ring. be another opportunity to show- negotiations collapsed over the excitement of what promises to “What the world has been wait- case my skills and do what I do American’s demand for random be the biggest fight since the days ing for has arrived,” American best, which is win. drug testing. of Ali and Frazier. Mayweather, who has a perfect “Manny is going to try to do Mayweather has hinted at ille- Mayweather opened as an record of 47-0 with 26 knock- what 47 before him failed to do, gal methods by often questioning almost 3-to-1 favourite in the outs, said on the social network- but he won’t be successful. He will how Pacquiao could have won earliest lines. ing website Shots. “Mayweather be number 48.” world titles in an unprecedented The welterweight showdown vs Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a Pacquiao, who has a 57-5-2 eight weight classes. in Vegas is projected to be the done deal. record with 38 knockouts, said Mayweather announced last most lucrative ever in boxing with “I promised the fans we would in a statement: “I am very happy September, after he scored a Mayweather expected to haul in get this done, and we did. We will that Floyd Mayweather and I can dominant win over Argentine a minimum of $120m in a 60-40 make history on May 2nd. Don’t give the fans the fight they have Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas split with Pacquiao, who figures miss it!” wanted for so many years. They in his most recent bout, that he to make at least $80m. Mayweather made a late-night have waited long enough and they would retire in late 2015 when his “Outside of the Super Bowl, trip to Pacquiao’s hotel in Miami deserve it. Showtime contract ends, after two this could be the single biggest last month to discuss the pos- “It is an honour to be part of more fights. wagering event we’ve ever had,” sibility of a showdown, and the this historic event. I dedicate this HBO and Showtime have worked Jay Kornegay, Westgate Las Vegas Filipino southpaw, an eight-divi- fight to all the fans who willed this together before, teaming up in sports book director, told the Las sion world champion, signed the fight to happen and, as always, 2002 for the fight between then- Vegas Review-Journal. contract for the bout on Thursday. to bring glory to the Philippines heavyweight champion Lennox This year’s Super Bowl drew a “I am glad my decision to meet and my fellow Filipinos around Lewis, who was with HBO, and handle of almost $116m in Nevada. with Manny and discuss making the world.” former champion Mike Tyson, Mayweather, will carry a Manny Pacquiao this fight happen helped get the The welterweight showdown who was with Showtime. Floyd Mayweather Jr 47-0 record into the bout, while deal done,” Mayweather said in a in Vegas is projected to be the REUTERS Pacquiao is 57-5-2. REUTERS Warriors hand champions MLB seeks to speed up Spurs second straight loss pace of play OAKLAND: The Golden State NEW YORK: Major League Warriors burnished their NBA- Baseball is taking steps to speed leading record on Friday, rough- up the pace of play in 2015, ing up defending champions San including a clock to time breaks Antonio 110-99. between innings and pitching Stephen Curry, fresh from win- changes. ning the three-point contest dur- Other initiatives announced on ing the league’s All-Star weekend Friday include the enforcement of last Saturday, scored 25 points the batter’s box rule. and handed out 11 assists to lead “These changes represent a the Warriors. step forward in our efforts to St Louis Blues Vladimir Tarasenko of Russia (91) celebrates his second Golden State looked fresh in streamline the pace of play,” said period goal against the Boston Bruins with team-mates T.J. Oshie (74) their first game since the All- Major League Baseball commis- and Paul Stastny at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Friday night. Star break, a welcome sight for sioner Rob Manfred. coach Steve Kerr who thought all “The most fundamental start- that winning prior to the All-Star ing point for improving the pace Game had left his team in need of the average game involves get- of a rest. ting into and out of breaks seam- Bruins lose sixth Klay Thompson scored 20 lessly. In addition, the batter’s box points and Harrison Barnes con- rule will help speed up a basic tributed 16 to help the Warriors Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts at the end of his action of the game.” open the second half of the season The batter’s box rule will game on the trot NBA game against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in on a strong note. require batters to keep at least Washington DC on Friday night. The Cavaliers launched their push to the The Spurs, meanwhile, weren’t one foot in the box. It applies ST LOUIS: Right winger T.J. Flames goalie Jonas Hiller and looking as if the All-Star break NBA post-season with a 127-89 pummeling of the Wizards. Four-time NBA mostly when there is no one on Oshie capped a three-goal flurry dribbled across the line. did them much good. Most Valuable Player James scored 28 points and Kyrie Irving added 25 base. in a 4:21 span early in the second Wild 4, Oilers 0 A day after they were slug- with seven assists for the Cavaliers, who have now won 15 of their last Exceptions include a swing at a period to send the St Louis Blues The Minnesota Wild contin- gish in the second half of a loss 17 games. J.R. Smith added 15 points and Iman Shumpert scored 12 for pitch, a pitch that forces the bat- to a 5-1 win over the slumping ued their play-off charge with a to the Clippers in Los Angeles, Cleveland and James Jones chipped in 10. With the win, the Cavaliers ter out of the box, a wild pitch or Boston Bruins. 4-0 road thumping of the weary their starting back court of Tony moved a half-game ahead of the Wizards into fourth place in the Eastern passed ball, time granted by the Right winger Vladimir Edmonton Oilers. Parker and Danny Green man- Conference. It wasn’t the Cavaliers’ most lopsided victory of the season, umpire, the pitcher’s departure Tarasenko added two goals, his The Wild, 12-2-2 in their last aged just six combined points on but it was a close second to their 39-point win over Charlotte. Long-range from the dirt area of the mound 30th and 31st of the season, to 16 games, got two goals from right 1-of-8 shooting. shooting was key. The Cavaliers connected on 14 of their 33 attempts from and the catcher leaving his box extend Boston’s winless streak winger Justin Fontaine. Aron Baynes and Kawhi three-point range while the Wizards were just 1-of-16. “We’re rounding to give defensive signals. A batter to six games (0-4-2), its long- The Oilers, playing their eighth Leonard scored 12 points apiece third base going into the final stretch of the regular season,” James said. can exit the box at those times, est since going 0-6-4 during a game in 14 days and down six for the Spurs and Boris Diaw but cannot leave the dirt area 10-game span in 2010. injured players, struggled offen- chipped in 11 but San Antonio The Warriors twice led by as surrounding home plate. If the At 23, Tarasenko became the sively, getting off just 15 shots. never led by more than three in many as 22 in the fourth, when batter delays play when leaving youngest Blues player to score 30 Avalanche 4, Blackhawks 1 a back-and-forth battle that saw Spurs coach Gregg Popovich NBA Results the box, the umpire shall award a or more goals in a season since Defenseman Tyson Barrie 16 lead changes in the first half. rested his starters. Orlando 95 New Orleans 84 strike without the pitcher having Brendan Shanahan had 33 in the scored two goals to lift the After Tim Duncan’s hook shot It was a morale-building win for Indiana 106 Philadelphia 95 to deliver a pitch. The ball is dead 1991-92 season at the same age. Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 gave the visitors a 53-52 advan- the Warriors against a Western Toronto 105 Atlanta 80 and runners cannot advance. Ducks 6, Flames 3 road win against the Chicago tage late in the second quarter, Conference power. The Spurs had Detroit 100 Chicago 91 The time clock component will Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Blackhawks. REUTERS Curry took over. After Barnes hit won five straight against Golden force pitchers and batters to be Getzlaf scored on a fortunate Miami 111 NY Knicks 87 a three-pointer and Thompson State and 22 of their last 24 reg- ready once television commercial bounce, sparking the Ducks to a Minnesota 111 Phoenix 109 split a brace of free throws, Curry ular-season clashes. breaks end between innings. five-goal third period en route to NHL Results scored six straight points in less “It’s a little hump we’ve just Cleveland 127 Washington 89 Timers will count down from a 6-3 triumph over the Calgary NY Rangers 3 Buffalo 1 than a minute with a layup and got to get over,” Golden State’s Dallas 111 Houston 100 2:25 for locally televised games Flames. The Ducks trailed 2-1 New Jersey 4 Vancouver 2 four free throws. Andre Iguodala said. “I think Milwaukee 89 Denver 81 and 2:45 for national broadcasts. after 40 minutes but they tied Carolina 2 Toronto 1 Leading 62-55 at halftime, the it’ll be smart for us to just use Utah 92 Portland 76 The rules will be enforced it up about six minutes after the St Louis 5 Boston 1 Warriors opened the third quar- the regular season as that hurdle Sacramento 109 Boston 101 through a warning and fine sys- intermission and Getzlaf cele- Colorado 4 Chicago 1 ter on a 7-0 scoring run to stretch and get over it and by the time tem, although the fines won’t be brated the go-ahead goal after his Golden State 110 San Antonio 99 Anaheim 6 Calgary 3 their advantage and they closed the playoffs get here we’re at full imposed until the second month blast from the blueline bounced the frame on an 11-0 scoring run. swing.” AFP Brooklyn 114 LA Lakers 105 of the season. AFP off the boards, hit the back of Minnesota 4 Edmonton 0 SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Freitas Marcos of Portugal Simona Halep in action (left) of Romania against Li poses with her Ping of Qatar winners trophy during their next to Karolina GAC Group Pliskova of the 2015 ITTF Czech Republic World Tour with the trophy Qatar Open for second pre-quarter- place following final match their final of at Women’s the WTA Dubai Sports Duty Free Tennis Community Championships, Hall in Doha, yesterday in yesterday. Dubai. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT Seeds continue to Halep claims 10th career title with Pliskova scalp in Dubai DUBAI: Romania’s Simona Halep overcame Czech Karolina fall at Qatar Open Pliskova 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the final of the Dubai Championships Simona yesterday to claim her 10th Halep of WTA singles title. Romania Qatar’s Li Ping goes down after brave show The win ensured Halep, who returns ran her opponent ragged at the the ball to Aviation Club, would climb back Karolina DOHA: Austrian ping pong to third in the world rankings. Pliskova of players Daniel Habesohn and She converted her only break the Czech Robert Gardos shocked their point in the opener to claim the Republic higher ranked opponents to first set and shrugged off four during enter the men’s singles quar- service breaks and two fluffed their final ter-finals as seeds continued to match points to secure a second tumble at the GAC Group 2015 title of 2015 following victory in in Dubai, ITTF World Tour Qatar Open Shenzhen in January. yesterday. in Doha. Halep, 23, is seven inches Yesterday, at the Women’s shorter than Pliskova, the six- Sports Community Hall, qualifier footer with more aces than any Habesohn stunned South Korea’s, other player this year, but the Cho Eonrae, the seventh seed in Romanian’s pounding ground the Romanian held for 2-2. The with an angled serve that a lung- six games with a 11-4, 14-12, 11-7, strokes ultimately proved decisive. tattooed Pliskova rarely left the ing Pliskova scuffed into the net. 6-11, 11-8, 11-5 score-line. “She played very well - it’s hard baseline against Spaniard Garbine With the large Romanian con- The Austrian drew the confi- to explain how I feel, it’s a big title Muguruza in her semi-final, but tingent chanting her name on a dence from his performance in for me,” Halep said in a courtside ventured forward more against balmy desert evening, Halep eased the qualifying stage. interview. Halep, aware she must be braver off in the second, a wide forehand “In the second round of the “I knew she had a big serve against higher calibre foe. and a double fault gifting Pliskova preliminary stage I beat Robert (but) I believe I have a good “Even if I won the second set, a 2-0 lead. Floras in seven games, a close return. I stayed focused on every I don’t think I would have won Halep broke immediately, match; that win really gave me point.” the whole match,” Pliskova, who Pliskova shanking a forehand long confidence”, said Habesohn. Such concentration did not is expected to rise to 12th in the that led the Czech to leave court He had won a cliff-hanger; he prevent the French Open finalist rankings when the new list is for treatment on a hip injury. beat Robert Floras by the mini- from making early errors, with issued on Monday, told reporters. The final six games went mal two-point margin in the two double faults and a wayward “She’s running really well and against serve. Pliskova saved deciding seventh game (9-11, 6-11, forehand providing Pliskova with so it’s hard to kill the ball. She’s match point with a crosscourt 11-7, 14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9). a first break point. great at returning. Today, it was backhand winner and Halep dou- “Today when I woke up I felt The Czech – currently ranked more about my mistakes because ble-faulted on another as the set good but in the fourth game a career-high 18th in the world she wasn’t doing any.” went to a tiebreak, but a forehand against Cho Eonrae I started Ukraine’s Bilenko Tetyana in action against Shen Yanfei of Spain during – netted a simple return and Halep clinched the first set winner sealed it 7-4. REUTERS to feel dizzy”, explained Daniel their last-16 match, yesterday. Habesohn. “The umpire said I had to continue playing but at the end ATP/WTA Rio Open of the game I took a medical time of the recent NN Table Tennis the hands of Hong Kong’s Jiang out and I laid on the floor for five Club 2015 Europe Top 16 tourna- Huajun, the No.15 seed. Results minutes; now I feel fine.” ment and the runner up one year Defeat in their opening contest Later his compatriot, 11th seed ago in Doha, Austria’s Liu Jia, suf- in the preliminary stage one week Men Quarter-finals: Rafael Nadal (ESP Gardos defeated Hong Kong’s fered defeat in the second round. earlier in Kuwait; one week later x1) bt Pablo Cuevas (URU x6) 4-6, 7-5, 6-0; Tang Peng, the fifth seed in seven Occupying the fourth seeded in Doha it is totally different story David Ferrer (ESP x2) bt Juan Monaco (ARG) games - 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 1-11, 10-12, position in the draw, she was for Brazil’s Hugo Calderano and 6-3, 4-6, 6-2; Andreas Haider-Maurer 11-7. beaten in five games by Korea’s Gustavo Tsuboi. (AUT) bt Joao Souza (BRA) 7-6 (7/4), 1-6, The brilliant campaign by Yang Haeun, the No.10 seed (10- Occupying the No.8 seeded 6-4; Fabio Fognini (ITA x4) bt Federico Qatar’s Li Ping lasted till the last- 12, 11-9, 12-10, 12-10, 11-6). position in the draw; at the semi- Delbonis (ARG) 6-4, 6-7 (10-12), 7-6 (11/9). 16 stage as he fell against World Liu Jia was not the only nota- final stage of the men’s doubles Women Quarter-finals: Sara Errani (ITA No.10 Marcos Freitas of Portugal. ble name to experience a reverse event, they excelled expectations. x1) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 3-6, 7-6 But it was not an easy sailing for result against a lower rated They beat the combination of (7/2), 3-0 –retired; Johanna Larsson (SWE the third seed as the Qatari player player. Korea’s Seo Hyowon, Croatia’s Tan Ruiwu and Poland’s x5) bt Dinah Pfizenmaier (GER) 6-4, 6-0; put up a gallant fight before going the No.2 seed, was beaten by Wang Zengi, the No.5 seeds and Irina Begu (ROM x2) bt Julia Glushko (ISR) down 11-7, 2-11, 11-9, 9-11, 5-11, Germany’s Wu Jiaduo, the No.13 reigning European champions to 7-11 in a six-game thriller. seed 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8); book their place in the final with 6-1, 6-2; Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK Meanwhile, notable names also whilst Hong Kong’s Fu Yu, the a 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 win in straight x6) bt Veronica Cepede (PAR) 6-3, 6-1. fell in women’s singles as winner No.6 seed, experienced defeat at games. THE PENINSULA Marseille Open ITTF World Tour Results Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the quarter-final match Gael Monfils (FRA x7) bt Roberto Bautista (ESP Qatar Open Results against Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay at the Rio Open tournament in Rio de x4) 6-4, 6-2; Gilles Simon (FRA x5) bt Sergiy Janeiro, yesterday Men’s Singles Stakhovsky (UKR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Ovtcharov Dimitrij (GER) bt Gacina Andrej (CRO) 4-1; Freitas Marcos (POR) bt Li Ping (QAT) 4-2; Jung Youngsik (KOR) bt Gorak Daniel (POL) 4-0; Habesohn Daniel (AUT) bt Nadal survives to reach semis Cho Eonrae (KOR) 4-2; Samsonov Vladimir (BLR) bt Steger Bastian (GER) 4-1; Tang RIO DE JANEIRO: Claycourt (11/9) in a three-hour marathon. Club in hot sunshine. With tem- Peng (HKG) bt Gardos Robert (AUT) 4-2; king Rafael Nadal battled into Nadal had seen off fellow peratures hitting 42 degrees C Monteiro Joao (POR) bt Monteiro Joao (POR) the early hours as he reached Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (108 degrees F), both men made 4-0; Chuang Chih-Yuan (TPE) bt Tokic Bojan the semi-finals of the Rio Open and Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci to errors before Ferrer finally man- (SLO) 4-0; Ovtcharov Dimitrij (GER) bt Jung after beating Uruguayan Pablo set up his meeting with Cuevas, aged to find top gear as he gradu- Youngsik (KOR) 4-3; Habesohn Daniel (AUT) Cuevas yesterday. but the Mallorcan’s ring rustiness ally wore Monaco down, moving bt FREITAS Marcos (POR) -; Samsonov Nadal, who will bid this season showed as he conceded the open- him around the court. Vladimir (BLR) bt Monteiro Joao (POR) 4-1. for a tenth Roland Garros crown, ing set in 44 minutes. The ninth-ranked Spaniard came through 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in After trading early breaks, broke Monaco twice and pocketed Women’s Singles two hours and six minutes, after Cuevas broke in the ninth game the opening set with an ace and Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Jeon Jihee (KOR) 4-3; Cuevas was fastest out of the and although the challenger the Argentine looked out for the Jiang Huajun (HKG) bt Yu Fu (POR) 4-2; Li blocks in a contest lasting until spurned a triple set point he count after dropping serve again Xue (FRA) bt Huang Yi-Hua (TPE) 4-2; Han 3:20 am (0520 GMT). closed out the fourth opportunity at the outset in the second set of Ying (GER) bt Yang Xiaoxin (MON) 4-3; Yang The late finish infuriated the on 44 minutes. the match. Haeun (KOR) bt Liu Jia (AUT) 4-1; Samara world number three and defend- Having leveled the contest But the 30-year-old Monaco Elizabeta (ROU) bt Lee I-Chen (TPE) 4-0; ing champion, who complained of Nadal wrapped matters up in tak- broke back in the sixth game as Bilenko Tetyana (UKR) bt Shen Yanfei (ESP) having to start a match at just ing the decider in just 25 minutes. he leveled the contest. 4-2; Wu Jiaduo (GER) bt Seo Hyowon (KOR) after 1:00 am. Also advancing was second That was as good as it got, how- 4-1; Feng Tianwei (SIN) bt Li Xue (FRA) 4-1; Fognini had kept Nadal wait- seeded Spaniard David Ferrer ever, for the South American vet- Han Ying (GER) bt Jiang Huajun (HKG) 4-1; Qatar’s Li Ping plays a forehand shot during his pre-quarter-final match ing to enter the center court fray who battled past Argentine Juan eran as Ferrer upped his game Yang Haeun (KOR) bt Bilenko Tetyana (UKR) against Marcos Freitas of Portugal, yesterday. as he beat Argentine Federico Monaco 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in just over thereafter and finished his rival 4-3. Delbonis 6-4, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 two hours on court at the Jockey off with a huge serve. AFP SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Buoyant India face tough South Africa test at MCG Dhoni’s team seeks first-ever World Cup victory against Proteas FACTBOX India vs South Africa MELBOURNE: India appear runs for one wicket. It was later MELBOURNE: Factbox relaxed and refreshed, and revealed Steyn was suffering from on today’s World Cup Pool South Africa unsettled, ahead of sinusitis, which continued for so B match between India and their World Cup clash today, but long that he missed training till South Africa at the Melbourne the facade could be short-lived Wednesday, but now appears to Cricket Ground: when the two Pool B heavy- be returning to top gear. SOUTH AFRICA weights take the field. South Africa need Steyn to fire Captain: AB de Villiers Some 80,000 fans at the to contain the deep Indian bat- Coach: Russell Domingo Melbourne Cricket Ground ting, against whom he took five (MCG) are in for a treat in the for 50 the last time the two sides India’s bowler Squad: AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de day-night match that will almost met in the World Cup in Nagpur Mohammed Shami Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, certainly assure the winner a four years ago. attends a practice David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, place in the quarter-finals from Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men session at the Pool B. overcame that defeat to lift the Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Melbourne Cricket Rossouw, Dale Steyn. Both teams won their opening title a fortnight later, but they Ground (MCG), Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Beat games, defending champions India will still be wary of what awaits yesterday ahead of thrashing Pakistan by 76 runs in them at the gigantic MCG today. Zimbabwe by 62 runs. their 2015 World Cup Adelaide last Sunday and South Having extended their World Best performers so far: Jean-Paul Duminy match against South Africa beating Zimbabwe by 62 Cup domination over Pakistan to (115 runs); Imran Tahor (3 wickets); AB de runs in Hamilton earlier the same six matches in a row, India now Africa. Villiers (3 catches). day. face an adversary to whom they INDIA The margin of victories were have lost all times in the premier Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni deceptive because while India 50-overs-a-side tournament. Coach: Duncan Fletcher outplayed their arch-rivals, South The Indians spent a relaxed Squad: Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Africa were severely tested with week in Melbourne since the high- Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart both bat and ball by their lowly- profile clash against Pakistan, Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, ranked rivals. alternating between net sessions Ambati Rayudu, Akshar Patel, Ravichandran The Proteas were wobbling at and rest days without publicly Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed 83 for four before being bailed disclosing the likely line-up for Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma. out by a brilliant record stand of the big game. 256 for the fifth wicket between Media speculation of injuries to to counter the strong batting led have also hired Australian Mike Cup. “India are the current world Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Beat century-makers David Miller and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin by Virat Kohli. Kirsten is one of Hussey to provide inputs during champions and a wonderful one- Pakistan by 76 runs JP Duminy. and seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar six specialists on the coaching the tournament. The lone miss- day side,” he said. “Whatever has Best performers so far: Virat Kohli (107 Zimbabwe then made a valiant were quickly dispelled by the team staff to help South Africa over- ing link is a psychologist and happened in the past in previous runs); Mohammad Shami (4 wickets); chase of 339 for four, reaching 191 management, which announced come the unwanted tag of being Domingo said he wanted the team World Cups will count for very Mahendra Singh Dhoni (3 catches). for two in the 33rd over before the that all 15 squad members were the best team never to have won to focus on cricketing skills. “You little on Sunday. India vs South Africa head to head last eight wickets fell for 86 runs available. the World Cup. can’t be mentally strong but have “It is going to be a big stage for Total played: 70 to hand South Africa full points. India’s former World Cup- win- Besides chief coach Russell bad skills,” he said. some of our players who haven’t India won 25, Pakistan won 42; no results: 3 Leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s ning coach Gary Kirsten, who is Domingo and Kirsten, the Proteas Domingo also did not believe his experienced that type of atmos- Last match three for 36 hid a disappointing now a consultant with his native have three bowling coaches in side had a psychological advantage phere before. There’s a lot you can outing for pace spearhead Dale South Africa, will stress on Allan Donald, Charl Langeveldt over India because South Africa take out of a good result against Dec. 8, 2013: South Africa won by 134 runs Steyn, whose nine overs cost 64 exploiting India’s weak bowling and Claude Henderson and had not lost to them in the World India.” AFP in Durban. It’s India’s batting vs South Africa’s bowling: Kohli

MELBOURNE: Indian vice-captain Virat our batsmen. “The key will be to sustain the dominate me and I will try to dominate him. Kohli predicts an “exciting” tussle between momentum for the whole innings. It is not “There is a good reason why he is one of the his team’s batsmen and South Africa’s bowl- easy to clear boundaries at a big ground like best fast bowlers in the game and why AB is ers during Sunday’s World Cup blockbuster the MCG, so trying to step it up towards the a world-class batsmen. We will have plans for at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. end won’t be easy. every player. But some players have the ability “Both sides are balanced, so it all depends “We need a calculated approach to batting.” to play the opposite of what we have planned on how you play on the day,” the leading Indian The 26-year-old has prospered at the MCG, for them.” India’s batsman said ahead of the key Pool B match making 169 and 54 during the drawn Test Kohli said he was excited at the prospect of batsman Virat that will almost certainly assure the winner against Australia in December. He followed playing in front of an estimated crowd of over Kohli speaks a place in the quarter-finals. that with a match-winning 107 in the World 80,000 fans at the MCG, almost 80 percent of during a press Both teams won their opening games, Cup opener against Pakistan in Adelaide. whom were expected to be Indian fans. conference at defending champions India thrashing Pakistan Kohli and the other Indian batsmen now “I just love playing in a full stadium,” he the Melbourne by 76 runs in Adelaide last Sunday and South face the prospect of facing a formidable attack said. “It is very satisfying when one plays well Cricket Africa beating Zimbabwe by 62 runs in that includes Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and and makes people happy. It is not always that Ground (MCG), Hamilton earlier the same day. Vernon Philander, backed by Kyle Abbott and you will succeed, but if you do, others will be yesterday. Kohli, deputising for skipper Mahendra Wayne Parnell. delighted. But I am not one to look too far Singh Dhoni at Saturday’s pre-match media Kohli said it was an advantage having played ahead. It is better to take it one match at conference, said the hard pitch with extra alongside the fearsome Steyn and prolific AB a time. We just have to play well as a unit. bounce at the MCG will be a challenge for de Villers for the same Royal Challengers There is nothing to prove to anyone.” India the two teams. Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier have never beaten South Africa in the World “They have good fast bowlers and we have League. “Dale is a good friend, I get the big- Cup, losing all three times they met in 1992, the batsmen,” he said. “So it should be an gest hug from him when we meet,” he said. 1999 and 2011. But Dhoni’s men overcame the exciting contest between their bowlers and “But when we get on the field, he will look to loss four years ago to lift the title. AFP FACTBOX Sri Lanka vs Sri Lanka eye victory over Afghanistan

Afghanistan DUNEDIN: Sri Lanka get the strongly in the next few matches,” Factbox on today’s World Cup chance to atone for their first Sri Lanka batsman Lahiru Pool A match between Sri up loss to New Zealand in the Thirimanne said. Lanka and Afghanistan at the World Cup when they play tour- A bigger concern was the bat- University Oval in Dunedin: nament novices Afghanistan in ting collapse – nine wickets fell SRI LANKA Dunedin today. for 109 – and sloppy fielding with Captain: Angelo Mathews It is a game the Sri Lankans Thirimanne estimating they Coach: Marvan Atapattu – particularly bowling spearhead gifted New Zealand and extra Afghanistan Squad: Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Lasith Malinga – need to start 20-30 runs. players Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar feeling comfortable in the battle Only Thirimanne (65) and cap- celebrate Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, to sort out the pecking order of tain Angleo Mathews (46) showed after taking Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, the top four in Pool A. confidence at the crease. the wicket of Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Sachithra With Australia and New The big three – Kumar Bangladesh Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lasith Zealand likely to contest the Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene batsman Tamim Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga top two play-off berths, and and Tillakaratne Dilshan – lacked Iqbal during Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera. rankings suggest Sri Lanka are conviction and will relish the their Pool A Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to against England for the third and opportunity to play themselves in 2015 World New Zealand by 98 runs. fourth places in a group that also against a less hostile attack. Cup match in Top performers: Lahiru Thirimanne (65 includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh Cup debutants Afghanistan Canberra, in runs); Suranga Lakmal and Jeevan Mendis and Scotland. have had only a four-day turna- (2 wickets). But Ireland have already round and a flight from Australia this February AFGHANISTAN proven in Pool B that upsets are since suffering a steep 105-run 18, 2015 file Captain: Mohammad Nabi possible with their win over the loss to Bangladesh first up in photo. Coach: Andy Moles West Indies, reinforcing for Sri Canberra. Squad: Mohammad Nabi, Nawroz Mangal, Lanka that they cannot afford to Their reply to Bangladesh’s Asghar Stanikzai, Samiullah Shenwari, under-estimate Afghanistan. 267 started disastrously when Afsar Zazai, Najibullah Zadran, Nasir Jamal, Sri Lanka have had an eight- they were three for three after Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid day break to reflect on their three overs and ended in the 43rd Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, 98-run loss to New Zealand where over, although coach Andy Moles Aftab Alam, Javed Ahmadi, Usman Ghani. Malinga had a nightmare return refused to accept it was a true Results so far at 2015 World Cup: Lost to to action after a six-month injury reflection of his side’s ability. Bangladesh by 105 runs. lay off. He was disappointed that his “The issue with associate you have good days and you have over against eventual tourna- Top performers: Mohammad Nabi (44); Unable to find a consistent side put in a commendable effort cricket is at times it’s inconsist- bad days.” If Afghanistan need ment winners the West Indies Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Aftab Alam line and length, he was belted for 35 overs before concentration ency. When we’re good, we’re very any inspiration they only have to who only took 21 overs to seal a and Mirwais Ashraf (2 wickets each); Afsar all around Hagley Oval in levels began to drop. good. look at Sri Lanka’s emergence on nine-wicket win. Zazai (2 catches) Christchurch and returned his “Sri Lanka will be a step up, “Hopefully come Sri Lanka, the world stage. Two decades later Sri Lanka Only previous meeting second worst ODI figures of none but I think my biggest message is they’ll do better. It’s like a teacher In their first World Cup game, were the world champions, beat- Mar 3, 2014: Sri Lanka won by 129 runs for 84 off 10 overs. you haven’t seen Afghanistan play with children; we have to educate at Old Trafford in 1975, they ing Australia by seven wickets in in Mirpur. “We believe he’ll come back yet,” Moles said. them every day to get better, and were all out for 86 in the 38th the 1996 final at Lahore. AFP SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Windies crush hapless

Pakistan Pakistan by 150 runs fans burn an effigy of team captain Misbah’s men slump to worst batting start in ODI history Misbah- ul-Haq at a protest CHRISTCHURCH: A revital- 42 off 17 balls while Marlon following ised West Indies cashed in on a Samuels and Sammy chimed in the defeat sensational Pakistan batting col- with 38 and 30 respectively. by the West lapse to notch their first victory Bravo was unfortunate not to of the World Cup by 150 runs reach what would have been his Indies, in at Hagley Oval in Christchurch 17th ODI half-century when he Lahore, yesterday. was forced to retire hurt with a yesterday. The Caribbean cricketers pulled hamstring. scored 310-6, with 115 runs com- It was the second time he ing in a swashbuckling final 10 required medical treatment overs involving Lendl Simmons, after being dazed earlier in the Andre Russell and Darren innings when a powerful throw Sammy. from Younis Khan hit him on the Pakistan in reply crumbled to side of the helmet as he scrambled their second straight defeat when through for a single. they were all out for 160, failing to Pakistan’s reply was in trouble recover after the top four wickets when two wicket fell in their first fell in the first four overs for just over. At four down it was serious one run, the worst start in One- and at five for 25 in the 11th it was Pakistan fans stage mock Day International (ODI) history. all but over. The previous record was held by When the rout was complete, non-Test side Canada’s four for Jerome Taylor had figures of three funeral for team after loss four against Zimbabwe in 2006. for 15 and Russell three for 33 The West Indies, meanwhile, Taylor, Russell and captain blocked out memories of their Jason Holder had steamed in MULTAN: Pakistani cricket Pakistan, winners of the 1992 shock first up loss to Ireland as with an aggression that had been fans in the southeastern city of World Cup, now sit at the bot- six batsmen posted scores of 30 absent from the West Indies Multan held a mock funeral for tom of Pool B and will resume or more. armoury of late. their national cricket team yes- their faltering campaign against “In the last game things didn’t “It was a wonderful perform- terday after a record-shattering Zimbabwe in Brisbane on March go well for us, and we just turned ance,” said the West Indies skip- World Cup defeat at the hands 1. Meanwhile, former paceman up today and wanted to show per. “We batted really well. of the West Indies. Shoaib Akhtar labelled captain the world that we are not just “Jerome Taylor (3-15) was Residents of the city organised Misbah-ul-Haq “a coward” and a pushover,” said Man-of-the- excellent with the new ball.” a symbolic funeral procession, “a selfish player”. Match Russell, who hit 42 not out Back-to-back defeats to India replete with a coffin with several “I have not seen a more coward off 17 balls before claiming three and West Indies have left Pakistan cricket bats placed over it, direct- and selfish captain than Misbah,” wickets. at the bottom of Pool B while the ing their anger at the Pakistani the 39-year-old Akhtar told the Denesh Ramdin top scored with West Indies chances of making West Indies’ players celebrate after dismissing Pakistan captain Misbah- national team after a poor start Geo News TV channel. 51, Simmons added 50 to go with the top four to qualify for they ul-Haq (right) during their 2015 World Cup Group B match in Christchurch to the tournament that has also “He is not willing to bat up the his first match century, Darren play-offs improved considerably. yesterday. seen it defeated by arch-rivals order to protect the other players Bravo scored 49, Russell smashed While the West Indies batting India. at a time when he needs to show “This time we were really hop- inspiration. Scoreboard showed substance lacking in Jamshed played little part. He left ing for Pakistan to win,” said “He is happy with his own runs their recent matches, they were the field after dropping Smith in Shama Bibi, one of those taking and I don’t know what coach WEST INDIES Ahmed Shehzad c Simmons b Holder ...... 1 assisted by Pakistan having a the fifth over and took no further part. Waqar Younis wants. He has no D Smith c Haris Sohail b Sohail Khan ...... 23 Younis Khan c Ramdin b Taylor ...... 0 miserable day in the field com- part in the West Indies innings “We don’t want to watch this game plan or direction for the C Gayle c Riaz b Irfan ...... 4 Haris Sohail c (sub-Carter) b Taylor ...... 0 pounded by four dropped catches. although he was seen getting anymore.” team,” added the man known D Bravo (retd hurt) ...... 49 Misbah-ul-Haq c Gayle b Russell ...... 7 Dwayne Smith, on 12, was additional batting practice in the Another demonstrator who as the Rawalpindi Express, who M Samuels c (sub-Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail38 Sohaib Maqsood c Benn b Sammy ...... 50 dropped by Nasir Jamshed off nets. gave her name only as Rafia won 46 Test caps and played in D Ramdin c (sub-Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail 51 Umar Akmal c Smith b Russell ...... 59 Mohammad Irfan although Irfan But that was to no avail. He blamed the Pakistan Cricket 163 one-day internationals. L Simmons (run out-Umar Akmal) ...... 50 Shahid Afridi c Holder b Benn ...... 28 was immediately compensated was gone without scoring when he Board for what she said were poor Former Test captain Ramiz D Sammy c Afridi b Riaz ...... 30 Wahab Riaz c Ramdin b Russell ...... 3 with his next delivery which lobbed the second ball from Taylor selections and politicisation of the Raja also believes it is time for A Russell (not out) ...... 42 Sohail Khan c Ramdin b Benn ...... 1 removed Chris Gayle for four. to Russell at short midwicket. game. senior batsman Younus Khan Extras (B-2, LB-6, W-14, NB-1) ...... 23 Mohammad Irfan (not out) ...... 2 The West Indies icon with the Taylor finished off the opening Cricket fans elsewhere in the to step down after failing in the Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 310 Extras (LB-3, W-5, NB-1) ...... 9 “master-blaster” reputation has over with Younis Khan caught country, meanwhile, staged their opening two World Cup matches. Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-28, 3-103, 3-152, Total (all out in 39 overs) ...... 160 averaged a mere 14.42 over 19 behind for a duck and in his next own protests to show their frus- “I beg of Younus. Thank you for 4-194, 5-259, 6-310. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-25, innings in the 20 months since over dismissed Haris Sohail to tration with the national side. your services to Pakistan cricket Bowling: Irfan 10-0-44-1 (1w); Sohail Khan 6-105, 7-139, 8-155, 9-157, 10-160. his last century. have the impressive figures of two Chasing the West Indies’s first but please leave this ODI side 10-1-73-1 (1nb); Afridi 10-0-48-0 (1w); Haris Bowling: Taylor 7-1-15-3 (2w); Holder 7-2- Irfan was guilty of a dropped overs, three wickets and one run. innings total of 310 runs, Pakistan now,” said Ramiz. “I think Younus Sohail 9-0-62-2; Riaz 10-0-67-1 (4w); Sohaib 23-1 (1w); Russell 8-2-33-3 (2w); Sammy catch when he gave Simmons Holder bagged his first wicket gave up its first four wickets for should tell the management he Maqsood 1-0-8-0. 8-0-47-1; Benn 9-0-39-2 (1nb). a life on 45 while Shahid Afridi of the tournament when he had just one run – the worst start in should be rested. Our fielding has PAKISTAN Result: West Indies won by 150 runs. spilled Bravo on 46 and Samuels Ahmed Shahzad caught in the One Day International history – also been a joke but we need just Nasir Jamshed c Russell b Taylor ...... 0 on 29. gully for one in his first over of before eventually losing by 150 one good match to get back on the On a gloomy day for Pakistan, the match. AFP runs. winning track.” AGENCIES Misbah criticises all Australia-Bangladesh tie abandoned due to rain departments of team

CHRISTCHURCH: Pakistan “At the end of the day as a bats- captain Misbah-ul-Haq found man, a bowler and a fielder you A groundsman stands on fault with every department of have to perform. As a team, as the edge of the square as his team’s performance in their players we need to pick ourselves rain prevents play in the 150-run loss to West Indies on up and we need to perform.” Australia vs Bangladesh Saturday which leaves his team Pakistan’s decision to select ICC World Cup Pool A at the bottom of Pool B in the opener Nasir Jamshed ahead of World Cup. spinner Yasir Shah in a move to match at the Gabba in As Misbah suggested, Pakistan’s strengthen the batting proved a Brisbane, yesterday. faults were widely distributed. spectacular failure. That meant both sides They dismissed the West Indies Jamshed dropped West Indies collected a point apiece openers cheaply after opting to opener Dwayne Smith, left the for a no-result at the field but failed to take wickets field to nurse an injury and was Gabba ground and left in sufficient quantities thereaf- then dismissed for a second ball them on three each in ter and conceded 115 runs off the duck. Pool A, with runaway final 10 overs. Misbah conceded there were leaders New Zealand Three simple catches were problems with getting the balance topping the group with spilled and four wickets then fell of his team right. six points following three for one run when Pakistan batted, “Performances like that can straight wins. which ended any hopes of over- dent you, damage you,” he added. hauling West Indies’ 310 for six. “We need to really recover men- Asked at a news conference tally and think about our game. what had gone wrong for Pakistan, This is how World Cups are. You Misbah replied: “Everything, I have to pick yourself up, think think, in all three departments. about your strategies, think We couldn’t bowl well, a lot of about where you can improve.” dropped catches. REUTERS

Pakistan’s Brisbane washout prolongs Clarke’s wait Shahid Afridi reacts after BRISBANE: Australia cap- requirement 20-overs-a-side been be wanting the match to preparation and the work that dropping a tain Michael Clarke will have contest. “AUSvBAN is officially go ahead more than Clarke, who I’ve done over the last eight-and- catch from a to wait another week before he abandoned with incessant rain missed Australia’s 111-run drub- a-half weeks and I’m really con- West Indies can join the World Cup party making any play impossible,” the bing of England last weekend fident that I’m a hundred percent batsman after steady rain washed out International Cricket Council and has only played a warm-up fit to walk out on that field and during their the hosts’ Pool A match against (ICC) said on its Twitter feed. against the UAE since sustaining help the team have success,” he 2015 World Bangladesh at the Gabba The teams were awarded a a hamstring injury last December. said. yesterday. point each, something Bangladesh, The Bangladesh fixture was the Clarke will now hope to play Cup Group Cylone Marcia brought tor- who thumped Afghanistan in deadline issued by selectors for his first match of the tournament B match, in rential rain to the Brisbane area, their tournament opener but the batsman to prove his fitness against co-hosts New Zealand in Christchurch, where locals have been advised to were huge underdogs against the and Clarke told the pre-match Auckland next Saturday. yesterday. stock up on supplies, and the per- hosts, will welcome more than news conference he was raring Bangladesh head to Melbourne sistent downpour snuffed out any Australia. to go. for their next match against Sri hope of even playing a minimum However, nobody would have “I’ll put a lot of faith in my Lanka on Thursday. REUTERS SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Barca slump to stunning PSG beat Toulouse to go top in Ligue 1

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain went top of the Ligue 1 table home defeat by Malaga for the first time this season yesterday as teenage midfielder Adrien Rabiot scored twice in a Defeat deals huge blow to Catalans’ La Liga title hopes 3-1 win against Toulouse. Rabiot struck in each half at the Parc des Princes and Thiago MADRID: Barcelona’s La Silva added the third goal after Liga title hopes were dealt a Wissam Ben Yedder had pulled huge blow as Malaga stunned one back for the visitors. the Camp Nou with a 1-0 win The result allowed Laurent yesterday. Blanc’s side to climb from third Juanmi grabbed the only goal of place above both Marseille the game after just seven minutes and Lyon into top spot as they when he pounced on an error by extended their unbeaten run to Dani Alves. six league games and 11 matches Thereafter, the hosts failed in all competitions. to breakdown a well-organised PSG are a point clear of Lyon, Malaga defence, which also frus- although OL need just a draw at trated the Catalans in a 0-0 draw home to Nantes today to go top earlier in the season. of the table again, while Marseille Defeat leaves Barca still a point can move level on points with the adrift of Real Madrid at the top of capital club if they win at Saint- the table, but the European cham- Etienne today. pions can extend that advantage Paris had been boosted by to four points when they travel to their display in drawing 1-1 with Elche on Sunday. Chelsea in the first leg of their “We’re used to these kind of Champions League last-16 tie on games. I’d like it to be an accident Tuesday, although Blanc’s side but it is becoming habit, the oppo- were missing a host of regulars sition close up and we can’t find due to injury and suspension PSG player Adrien Rabiot a way through,” lamented Barca against Toulouse. celebrates after scoring a goal boss Luis Enrique. The injured Lucas, Thiago against Toulouse FC at the Parc des “These kind of results are Motta, Yohan Cabaye and Serge Princes Stadium in Paris yesterday. sometimes a good reminder that Aurier were joined on the side- other sides have their qualities. lines by the banned Marco However, unlike last weekend You could consider this a deserved Verratti and David Luiz. — when PSG threw away a two- defeat.” However, Javier Pastore made goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to It is the second time this season his first start since the end of Caen — the defending champions Barca have been shocked at home January after injury and Rabiot held on to their advantage and after a 1-0 reverse to Celta Vigo FC Barcelona’s defender Gerard Pique reacts during a La Liga match against Malaga at Camp Nou in Barcelona also came into the line-up. wrapped up the points on 74 min- in November. yesterday. And it was the 19-year-old, who utes when Silva headed in a Jean- However, defeat was all the had a spell on loan at Toulouse Christophe Bahebeck free-kick. more of a surprise as Barca came under-hit a backpass to Claudio devoid of ideas after the break two years ago, who brought the Elswhere yesterday, the game La Liga Results into the game in fine form hav- Bravo and Juanmi nipped in to as it was Malaga who posed the game to life after a quiet start between Evian and Lorient was ing won their last 11 games in all slot home. constant threat on the counter- with the opening goal in the 27th called off because of snow in Barcelona 0 Malaga 1 (Juanmi 7) competitions, scoring 42 goals in Barca nearly replied immedi- attack, albeit without creating minute. Annecy, in the shadow of the Alps. Cordoba 1 (Ghilas 73-pen) Valencia 2 (Andre the process. ately as a corner fell to Rafinha any clear-cut chances. Pastore’s low ball from the right Monaco warmed up for their Gomes 37, Piatti 81) Their star front three of Lionel Alcantara and his fierce drive was Luis Enrique turned to Ivan was laid off by Zlatan Ibrahimovic Champions League trip to Arsenal Scheduled to play later Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez blocked on his own goal-line by Rakitic and Pedro Rodriguez for Rabiot, who dispatched a in midweek by winning 1-0 at Atletico Madrid vs Almeria, Deportivo la were kept remarkably quiet as Weligton. from the bench in the search for beautifully controlled first-time Nice in the Cote d’Azur derby on Coruna vs Celta Vigo Malaga became the first side since Malaga could even have been a breakthrough. shot from the edge of the box into Friday night. AFP Today’s Matches Getafe in 2007/08 to keep Barca further ahead at the break, It was Pedro who had the best the left corner of the net. Real Sociedad vs Sevilla (1100 GMT), Athletic scoreless over two games in La though, had Ricardo Horta made chance to level seven minutes The hosts extended their lead Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano (1600 GMT), Liga. a better contact on two occasions from time when he was played just three minutes after the French Ligue 1 Villarreal vs Eibar (1800 GMT), Elche vs Real “They scored and shut up shop. when he was unmarked inside the in by Neymar, but the Spanish restart as Rabiot stabbed in from Madrid (2000 GMT) They let us use the ball out wide Barca area. international could only fire the close range after superb work by Results and we tried, but the final ball Messi nearly unlocked the ball into the side-netting. Pastore on the right flank. Tomorrow’s Matches Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Rabiot 27, 48, Silva wasn’t there and we didn’t cre- Malaga defence with a lovely And it wasn’t to be for Barca On a bitterly cold afternoon in Levante vs Granada (1845 GMT) 74) Toulouse 1 (Ben Yedder 51) ate clear-cut chances,” added in-swinging cross that Andres as a dipping volley from Suarez Paris, Toulouse reduced the defi- Friday’s Match midfielder Sergio Busquets. Iniesta could only head into the was clutched by Kameni before cit soon after when Ben Yedder Scheduled to play later Getafe 2 (Sarabia 33, Vazquez 57) Espanyol The opener arrived thanks to grateful arms of Carlos Kameni. the Cameroonian denied Gerard converted after Aleksandar Pesic SC Bastia vs Lille, Caen vs Lens, Rennes vs 1 (Arbilla 89) a huge defensive error as Alves However, the hosts looked Pique in stoppage time. AFP had headed on a free-kick. Bordeaux Chelsea stumble lets five-goal Man City close in Al Sadd, Al LONDON: Chelsea’s week to 14th-minute lead when Branislav I can’t go through the incidents. I Ahli record forget ended with a day to forget Ivanovic scored after a weaving am punished when I refer to these yesterday as their advantage at run from Eden Hazard. situations and I don’t want to be the Premier League summit was It was the Serbian defender’s punished.” victories trimmed to five points by resur- second goal in two matches fol- While Mourinho seethed, City gent champions Manchester lowing his equalising header set about dismantling Newcastle DOHA: Title-contenders Al City. in the 1-1 draw at Paris Saint- in a sparkling performance Sadd and Al Ahli registered Tarnished by the incident this Germain and seemed destined to that set them up perfectly for identical victories over their week that saw a group of the restore a sense of normality to Tuesday’s Champions League visit respective opponents to claim club’s fans prevent a black man Stamford Bridge. of Barcelona. winning points in the Qatar from boarding a Paris Metro But after his countryman Matic Edin Dzeko won a penalty Stars League (QSL) yester- train while chanting racist songs, was shown a 70th-minute red inside 30 seconds after being day at different venues in Chelsea were held to a frustrating card for retaliating when Barnes clipped by Vurnon Anita and Doha. 1-1 draw by lowly Burnley. caught him on the shin with an Sergio Aguero scored from the Hussain Amute’s Al Sadd Ben Mee claimed an 81st- ugly challenge, Mee headed home spot to put City ahead. scored a goal apiece in each minute equaliser for Burnley Kieran Trippier’s left-wing corner Samir Nasri stretched City’s half to overcome Al Arabi 2-1 after Nemanja Matic had been to equalise. lead before Dzeko added a glo- at their own backyard to con- sent off for lashing out at Ashley Chelsea manager Jose rious third in the 21st minute, tinue the close title-fight with Barnes and City took full advan- Mourinho felt his side should have chesting down a raking pass from rivals and defending champions tage by cruising to a 5-0 home win been awarded four penalties, tell- David Silva and steering a left- Lekhwiya. over Newcastle United. ing his post-match interviewer: foot shot past Tim Krul. Their star striker Khalfan On their pre-scheduled “There are four moments of the Silva got in on the act with a Ibrahim (pictured) gave them ‘Equality Day’, Chelsea warmed game where you can write the brilliant quick-fire brace early in the break- up in T-shirts bearing anti- story: minutes 30, 33, 43 and 69. the second half and Wilfried Bony through by discrimination logos and took a “Don’t ask me more questions. gave City’s fans further reasons to netting the cheer when he came on to make goal in 43rd his debut. minute of Meanwhile, Manchester United the match. lost momentum in the battle for Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic (left) celebrates with Eden Hazard after Al Sadd Champions League places after scoring against Burnley at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. made it 2-0 seeing a 19-game unbeaten run when Hasan come to an end in a 2-1 defeat at following up after Julian Speroni nether regions as Queens Park Khalid Haydos found target in Swansea City. had saved from Welbeck, before Rangers lost 2-1 at relegation the 65th minute. Ander Herrera put United Glenn Murray tapped in a stop- rivals Hull City. AFP Al Arabi got their conso- ahead in the 28th minute, but Ki page-time consolation for Palace. lation goal through Ahmad Sung-yueng swiftly equalised and United are also under threat Mohamed Shahi, two minutes Swansea completed a first league from fifth-place Southampton, English Premier before real time. double over their opponents when who will knock Van Gaal’s side At the Lekhwiya Stadium, Jonjo Shelvey’s shot flicked in out of the Champions League League Results Al Ahli also defeated El Jaish off Bafetimbi Gomis in the 73rd places if they avoid defeat at home with a 2-1 score-line, though Aston Villa 1 (Sinclair 20) Stoke 2 (Diouf 45, minute. to Liverpool on Sunday. they had to fight back to earn Moses 90-pen) “Today we were the unlucky Elsewhere, Tim Sherwood’s winning points after conceding team,” said United manager tenure as Aston Villa manager Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic 14) Burnley 1 (Mee 81) an early goal. Louis van Gaal. “I think we cre- began with a cruel 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace 1 (Murray 90) Arsenal 2 Wagner Renan Ribeiro put ated enough chances. We were the home to Stoke City that saw his (Cazorla 8-pen, Giroud 45) El Jaish ahead by scoring in the dominant side in both halves.” new side slip below Burnley to Hull 2 (Jelavic 16, N’Doye 89) QPR 1 (Austin fifth minute and the side con- Arsenal capitalised on United’s second-bottom. 39) tinued to lead 1-0 at the break. slip-up with a 2-1 win at Crystal Scott Sinclair headed Villa in Manchester City 5 (Aguero 2-pen, Nasri 12, Al Ahli took 16 more minutes Palace that saw Arsene Wenger’s front in the 20th minute, but Dzeko 21, Silva 51, 53) Newcastle 0 of the second half to level the side climb to third place in the Mame Biram Diouf equalised and Sunderland 0 West Brom 0 score with Alain Dioko scor- table. Victor Moses gave Stoke victory Swansea 2 (Ki 30, Gomis 73) Manchester ing in the 61st minute. Their Santi Cazorla opened the scor- with a stoppage-time penalty United 1 (Herrera 28) aggressive approach paid divi- ing with an eighth-minute penalty after Ron Vlaar was dismissed dend again as Pedro Miguel Today’s Matches after Pape Souare was adjudged for felling Diouf. Correia netted the winner in Everton vs Leicester (1405 GMT), Manchester City’s Samir Nasri celebrates after scoring a goal against to have fouled Danny Welbeck. Perennial troublemaker Joey 78th minute. Olivier Giroud added a sec- Barton was sent off for flinging a Southampton vs Liverpool (1615 GMT), THE PENINSULA Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday. Tottenham vs West Ham (1200 GMT) ond on the stroke of half-time, hand towards Tom Huddlestone’s SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Bayern run riot again to extend lead Lewandowski, Robben score twice as Bundesliga champions crush Paderborn 6-0

BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski Any hope of a sixth league Caiuby was left unmarked in the and Arjen Robben both scored a fightback by Bundesliga Results win in succes- box to poke home his first goal for twice as Bayern Munich the home side Schalke 04 1 (Meyer 62) Werder Bremen 1 sion. But they fell Augsburg after 59 minutes. stretched their lead to 11 points disappeared (Proedl 90+2) behind on 61 min- A deflected shot from Stefan at the top of the German when Hartherz Mainz 05 3 (Clemens 38, Geis 47, Malli 50) utes when Max Reinartz looked to have won it Bundesliga following a crushing was sent off Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Aigner 35) Meyer’s weak for Leverkusen but they failed to 6-0 win at 10-man Paderborn on 63 minutes. Augsburg 2 (Caiuby 59, Hitz 90+4) Bayer effort was spilled clear a corner and Hitz volleyed yesterday. The Paderborn Leverkusen 2 (Drmic 8, Reinartz 84) into the corner in from close range. The title holders were held defender had col- by goalkeeper He becomes the first goalkeeper Freiburg 1 (Hoehn 26) Hoffenheim 1 (Volland scoreless by Shakhtar Donetsk lided with Robben Raphael Wolf. to score a Bundesliga goal from 38) in the Champions League on in the area and However, open play since Frank Rost for Tuesday but they have now scored the Dutch winger Paderborn 0 Bayern Munich 6 (Lewandowski Proedl climbed Bremen in March 2002. 14 goals in two league matches picked himself up 24, 37, Robben 63-pen, 86, Ribery 72, above Schalke Elsewhere, Marvin Schmidt’s Weiser 78) after tearing apart a Paderborn to slot home from keeper Timon reign as manager of Mainz 05 got side that started the day in 13th the penalty spot. Scheduled to play later Wellenreuther off to a dream start as they came position. Ribery fired FC Cologne vs Hanover 96 (1730 GMT) to nod home from behind to beat Eintracht Lewandowski’s first-half dou- home from inside Today’s Matches from a free-kick Frankfurt 3-1 in the Rhine-Main ble on his return to the starting the box with Hamburg vs Borussia Moenchengladbach two minutes into derby. line-up got Bayern on their way, 18 minutes left (1430 GMT), VfL Wolfsburg vs Hertha Berlin stoppage time. Third bottom Freiburg were while Robben is now the league’s before substitute (1630 GMT) There was held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table top scorer after getting his 15th Weiser made it Friday’s Results late drama in Hoffenheim after a thump- and 16th goals of the season. five with a clever Augsburg too ing strike from Kevin Volland VfB Stuttgart 2 (Klein 32-pen, Niedermeier Franck Ribery and Mitchell lob over Kruse. as goalkeeper cancelled out Immanuel Hoehn’s 90+1); Borussia Dortmund 3 (Aubameyang Weiser were also on the mark as Robben com- 25, Gundogan 39, Reuss 89) Marwin Hitz goal. Bayern scored four times in the pleted the scor- stabbed home in On Friday, goals from Pierre- second half after the home team ing from another the fourth minute Emerick Aubameyang, Ilkay had Florian Hartherz sent off. Ribery cross. of injury time to salvage a 2-2 Gundogan and Marco Reus saw Lewandowski beat home Meanwhile, Werder Bremen draw against Bayer Leverkusen. Borussia Dortmund warm up for ‘keeper Lukas Kruse from are still unbeaten since the win- The visitors had dominated their Champions League clash Robben’s pass on 24 minutes and ter break after Sebastian Proedl the first half but only had Josip with Juventus by winning 3-2 at the Polish striker got his 10th got an injury-time equaliser for a Drmic’s eighth-minute goal to bottom club VfB Stuttgart. league goal of the season eight 1-1 draw at fourth-placed Schalke. show for it. Dortmund are now seven points Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben celebrates after scoring a goal against minutes before half-time when he Werder, who started the day And Leverkusen were made clear of Stuttgart following their SC Paderborn at the Benteler-Arena in Paderborn yesterday. turned home Ribery’s low centre. in eighth, had been looking for to pay when Brazilian attacker third league win in a row. AFP Second GMC TriSeries meet of the season concludes at Aspire

DOHA: The GMC TriSeries from Aspire. “We are really well as extensive support in the Doha, a triathlon series organ- pleased with the feedback from organisation of each event. We ised by TriClub Doha in part- participants and are looking for- also thank TriClub Doha and its nership with GMC and Mannai ward to concluding this season on members for their enthusiasm Auto Group, recently held its a high on April 25 when the final and passion which helped make second meet of the current meet takes place.” all of this possible.” season. Mohammed Helmy, Group GMC is the title sponsor of Ewan Cameron, CFO, Mannai General Manager, Mannai Auto, the series which is the first such Corporation and member of the official agents for GMC in Qatar, dedicated triathlon series held in Doha TriClub said: “Each race said: “We have been more than Qatar. keeps getting better and attracts impressed by the organisation of Rebecca Grace (1:08:06) topped new people. This race was the sec- each event this season. The GMC the Female Open Category while ond in the season and had about TriSeries has proven that there is Kim Crawford (1:19:45) finished a third of the participants that a definite demand for this sport atop the Female Veteran Category. didn’t take part in the first race in our country and with many of The Male Open Category saw which was held in late 2014. This the participants demonstrating Aday Alvarez (1:05:14) win, while event reached full capacity of 200 their passion by attending every in the Male Veteran Category, almost two weeks before the race single meet, we are confident Miguel Reis (1:07:11) clocked the which highlights the demand for triathlons will gain even more best overall time. Events were triathlons in Doha.” popularity. Aspire Zone has pro- also held for Juniors aged 13-17 GMC TriSeries Doha’s second meet of the current season concluded at Aspire recently. The organisers were also vided a world-class destination years and kids from ages 8-12. enthused by the support received and facilities for the athletes as THE PENINSULA

H H The Emir 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival

LEFT: Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani (second from left) with one of the winners yesterday. The hugely popular H H The Emir 24th International Equestrian Sword Festival kicked off on Thursday evening. The festival will conclude with the H H The Emir Sword Race on February 26. Yesterday, the 24th Qatar International Arabian Horse Show (QIAHS) was held at the Outdoor Arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation. PICTURES: JUHAIM

A rider in action during the Qatar International Arabian Horse Show — Ridding Class at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in Doha yesterday. Sunday 22 February 2015 3 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6349 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Kvitova, Halep set for Qatar Open Five players ranked in the top 10 to vie for top honours in the $731,000 championship BY ARMSTRONG VAS

DOHA: Defending champion Simona Halep along with top seed Petra Kvitova have received first round byes at the Qatar Total Open, it was announced here yesterday. Two other seeds, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, have also been given byes at the $731,000 tournament. Halep, the world no.4, who defeated Angelique Kerber of Germany to win the last year edi- tion in Doha, will begin the Qatar campaign against the winner of the first round match between Alize Cornet of France and a qualifier. The Romanian will defend her Doha title in good spirits as she defeated Karolina Pliskova to win the Dubai Open yesterday, the tenth title of her career. Halep has a potential matchup against Kerber, in the quarter- finals, if both of them win their Ons Jabeur (left) of Tunisia, one of the three players who have been given wildcards for the Qatar Total Open, and Angelique Kerber of Germany, last year’s runner-up, speaking to reporters respective matches. after the draw ceremony in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: A screen shot of the Qatar Total Open draw. The WTA event begins from tomorrow. PICTURES BY: SALIM MATRMAKOT Kerber, the world no.12 and one of the eight seeds of the cham- pionship, will take on Victoria match. It will be a keenly con- remarkable improvement from a Azarenka in the first round tested match, as all matches are player who had a large amount of match. at this level,” she added, about success as a junior where she won The German will be seeking to her opponent, who has two Grand the girls singles title at the 2011 reverse a small part of the 2012 Slams titles under her belt. French Open after being a finalist record when she lost all the three With two back to back titles in the previous year. matches against Belarussian, the 2012 and 2013 Azarenka returns She won three rounds in qual- only time the two have met on the to the city where she has gained ifying at 2015 Australian Open Tour and at the Olympics. so much success. before falling to former world “I do not remember the last The 25-year-old, bogged by no.2 Vera Zvonareva in the main time I met Victoria,” said the 27- numerous injuries, could not draw. She also qualified at the year-old, one of the two players make to Qatar last year but 2014 US Open and made the who was present for the draw cer- appears to have well and truly second round eventually losing emony held here yesterday. over came her injuries having put to 18th seed Andrea Petkovic in “It is nice to be back in Doha. in a quality performance at the three sets. Jabeur will face World I love coming and playing here,” recent Australian Open. no.33 Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan she added. She reached the fourth round in the first round. The match against Azarenka at the first Grand Slam of the The six-day event, which will be a tough one she said. year with classy wins over Sloane begins tomorrow at the Khalifa “I am looking forward to the Stephens, Wozniacki and Barbora International Tennis and Squash Zhalavova Strycova before being Complex will be contested by five beaten by Dominkia Cibulkova. players ranked in the top 10 and Qatar Total Open Azarenka is one of the three 14 in the top 20 as well as four Past Winners and Runners-up players who have been given wild current and former Grand Slam of Qatar Total Open cards by the organisers. winners. Year Winner Runner-up World no.8 Wozniacki and Ons Seven-time Grand Slam winner 2014 Simona Halep Angelique Kerber Jabeur of Tunisia are the other Venus Williams is one of them. 2013 Victoria Azarenka Serena Williams two. The Dane will take on the She will take on Casey Dellacqua winner of the first round match of Australia in the first round, 2012 Victoria Azarenka Samantha Stosur between Sam Stosur of Australia with Halep as a likely semi-final 2011 Vera Zvonareva Caroline Wozniacki and Lucie Safarova of Czech opponent. 2008 Maria Sharapova Vera Zvonareva Republic. Venus will have to tackle 2007 Justine Henin Svetlana Kuznetsova The Australian, US Open win- another Grand Slam winner 2006 Nadia Petrova Amelie Mauresmo ner in 2011 and currently ranked Svetlana Kuznestova in the sec- 2005 Maria Sharapova Alicia Molik 20, will make her fifth appearance ond round, if the Russian wins her 2004 Anastasia Myskina Svetlana Kuznetsova in Doha. Her best appearance was first round match against Flavia in 2012 where she was a beaten Pennetta of Italy. 2003 Anastasia Myskina Elena Likhovtseva finalist to Azarenka. Former world no.1 Jelena 2002 Monica Seles Tamarine Tanasugarn The other wildcard in the main Jankovic of Serbia, is one of the 2001 Martina Hingis Sandrine Testud draw, Jabeur, aged 20 and ranked several top names who will vie for 128 in the world has shown a top honours. THE PENINSULA

Ons Jabeur (third left) of Tunisia, and Angelique Kerber of Germany, pose for a picture with officials after the draw ceremony in Doha yesterday. Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi, Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar Managing Director and Karim Alami, were also present at the press conference.