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MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 • 24 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6399 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 UN call to fight international crime 13th UN Crime Congress opens; PM urges comprehensive approach

BY FAZEENA SALEEM Qatar sets up fund DOHA: The 13th United Nations Congress on Crime for displaced kids Prevention and Criminal Justice DOHA: Qatar revealed a (UN Crime Congress) began new education initiative yes- here yesterday with a fresh call terday to support children on the international community and youth displaced due to to fight together against tran- conflicts in the Middle East. snational organised crime and The initiative is aimed at terrorism. saving a generation of dis- The conference, opened at placed children and youth at the Qatar national Convention the regional level by establish- Centre (QNCC) in the presence ing a fund for education and of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim professional development for bin Hamad Al Thani and UN the benefit of displaced per- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sons and refugees who are vic- explores the best ways to integrate tims of conflicts in the Middle crime prevention and criminal jus- East, said Prime Minister tice into the wider UN agenda. and Minister of Interior H E The Prime Minister and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Minister of Interior H E Sheikh bin Khalifa Al Thani, who was Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa speaking at the 13th United Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Deputy Al Thani, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Nations Congress on Crime Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the UN General Assembly President, Prevention and Criminal 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday. Martin Sajdik, President of UN Justice (UN Crime Congress) Economic and Social Council were yesterday in Doha. present at the opening session. The meet has delegations UN seeks end to military escalation in Yemen In his opening address, the from more than 100 countries. Prime Minister called for Continued on page 3 strengthening regional and inter- THE PENINSULA BY SIDI MOHAMED the security of GCC states. The other goal The Premier said about Doha Declaration national cooperation in dealing is to fight the deposed Yemeni president Ali that the participants have agreed in principle with the phenomenon of crime hotbeds of conflict, tension, inse- DOHA: The United Nations yesterday Abdullah Saleh because he violated the UN to guarantee the recommendations as part of from a comprehensive perspec- curity and instability as well as called for an end to military escalation in Security Council’s resolutions. the declaration. Ban Ki-moon had strongly tive that takes into account all its the lack of development in many Yemen and said UN-brokered talks were “On top of which was to restore legitimate objected to the Houthis attempting to control social, economic, political causes areas of the world which led to the best way to resolve the long-drawn cri- rule in the country,” said Prime Minister and Yemen by force. “This is unacceptable, but I and dimensions. the escalation of violence, ter- sis. “I strongly support the efforts of my Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin am also deeply concerned about the military “This congress is being held in rorism and corruption,” said the Special Envoy Jamal Benomar,” said UN Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani in reply to ques- escalation. Civilian casualties are mount- the light of the increasing preva- Prime Minister. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. tions. He and Ban Ki-moon were addressing a ing and vital public infrastructure is being lence of all types of crimes and Continued on page 3 Qatar, meanwhile, said the main aim of joint press conference after a UN anti-crime destroyed.” Continued on page 2 the continued existence of the THE PENINSULA Operation Decisive Storm was to ensure conference here yesterday. THE PENINSULA

Sheikh Khalid Pakistan slams UAE over Yemen criticism attends first ISLAMABAD: Islamabad yes- Pakistani troops, ships and war- Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan hit back terday hit out at the United planes inside Yemen. last night in an unusually strongly Arab Emirates for condemn- Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s worded statement, accusing the meet of varsity ing a parliamentary vote by minister of state for foreign UAE of “making threats”. Pakistani lawmakers to stay affairs, lashed out at Pakistan’s “This is not only ironic but a DOHA: Qatar’s leading busi- out of the conflict in Yemen, in a vote on his Twitter account thought-provoking moment that ness mind and the chairman of rare display of discord between Saturday, terming it “contradic- a minister of UAE is hurling Ezdan Holding Group, Sheikh the two allies. tory and dangerous and unex- threats at Pakistan. The state- Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, Pakistan’s parliament on Friday pected”, and accusing Islamabad ment of the UAE minister is in attended the first meeting of passed a unanimous resolution of siding with Iran, which is stark violation of all diplomatic Advisory Board of the Business, backing the government’s com- accused of backing the rebels. norms prevalent according to the Society and Public Policy mitment to protect Saudi Arabia’s He added Pakistan’s stand principals of international rela- Initiative of the Georgetown territory from Shia Houthi rebels, would come at a high cost. tions,” he said. University’s McDonough School but declined Riyadh’s request for Pakistan’s interior minister AFP of Business, in his capacity as the Board member, in Washington. Georgetown University named Sheikh Dr Khalid a member of the Advisory Board in October, School student 2014. The Advisory Board con- Health centre facility sists of world leaders in business, government, and various strata stabbed after of public life. Sheikh Dr Khalid is the first Arab to become a mem- for patient queries heated argument ber of the Advisory Board of the institution. DOHA: Primary health centres health centres of late have helped Among the topics discussed in Qatar have started setting up reduce the pressure on pharma- DOHA: A student of an Asian in the first board meeting at special rooms in their premises cies and minimise errors by phar- community school was hospital- Georgetown University are initia- to answer patients’ queries and macists in reading hand-written ised in a critical condition after tives in strengthening the relation- clarify doubts related to medi- prescriptions. being stabbed by a schoolmate ship between students and faculty. cal prescriptions , an official has Health centres are now intro- last Thursday. Continued on page 2 The Chairman of Ezdan Holding Group, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, disclosed. ducing an online system in phar- The student was involved in a THE PENINSULA with other members of Georgetown’s Advisory Board in Washington. These rooms apparently have macies, which enables them to heated exchange with his attacker trained staff to explain to patients access the prescriptions online. over a monetary dispute, local the use of medicines. The phar- In health centres where this serv- Arabic daily Al Raya reported macy staff may not have enough ice is not yet available, patients yesterday. time for this since they will be are required to carry the pre- The daily didn’t give the nation- busy dispensing medicines. scriptions with them, explained ality of the high school students This is the latest and most Al Mahmoud. PHCC recently but said they were Asians. The Dusty weather forecast today important initiative of the launched a campaign to rational- attacker also suffered minor inju- Primary Healthcare Corporation ise the use of medicines. He said ries in the scuffle and was recu- DOHA: Qatar’s weather bureau Saudi authorities have In Qatar, weather forecasters (PHCC) with regard to raising this is an international initiative perating in a hospital. has forecast strong winds today announced closure of schools in said northwesterly wind will move public awareness about medicines, which has already been imple- The victim’s condition and poor visibility due to dusty Al Sharqiya area and Al Ahsa from 31.5km to 65km per hour at Dr Mahmoud Ali Al Mahmoud, mented in countries like the US remained serious as the injuries conditions, while meteorology province which is close to Qatar times at places today. head of medicine purchasing and and France. Studies show that are critical. departments of Saudi Arabia and which are likely to be affected And although it will be a hot import section at PHCC told local about 25 per cent of patients Al Fazaa caught the stabber and Kuwait have warned people by the dust storm. day the maximum temperature Arabic daily Al Arab. worldwide do not use the medi- and law-enforcement agencies are to be cautious due to a brewing Kuwait is witnessing bad expected is 34 degrees Celsius in He said the service will soon cines properly and about 80 per investigating the incident which, dust storm. weather but universities and Doha, 29 degrees in Al Ruwais, 32 be expanded to all newly opened cent of patients are not using arguably, is the first of its kind to Saudi Arabia’s weather bureau colleges and schools will not be degrees in Al Khor and 30 degrees health centres. antibiotics in the proper way. be reported in a school in Qatar has forecast dust storm in areas closed today, the country’s news in Dukhan. He said the electronic pre- Continued on page 3 in recent years. bordering Qatar. agency, Kuna said yesterday. THE PENINSULA scriptions introduced by several THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Yemen peace talks urgently needed: Ban

Continued from page 1 Ban Ki-moon said de-escalation and a return to peaceful negotia- tions were urgently needed. Life-saving humanitarian assistance in Yemen is continu- ing to the extent possible through national staff and a network of local partners, the UN chief said. “One of the biggest security threats we face is the rise of the Islamic State,” he added. The international community has to address the conditions that allow groups like IS to emerge and grow. On April 21 and 22 there will be a high-level UN General Assembly thematic debate on tol- erance and reconciliation organ- ized in cooperation with the Alliance of Civilization Initiative. The UN chief said that later in the year he planned to present a comprehensive plan of action on preventing violent extremism, including through good govern- ance, rule of law, engaging women and youth and all those alienated from our societies. Alleged violations or abuses of human rights must be inves- tigated in Iraq and perpetrators must be held to account. Over 2.5 million people have now been displaced in Iraq. Ban Ki-moon lauded Qatar for its support for rebuilding efforts Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Prime Minister, Interior Minister and President of the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice H E Sheikh Abdullah in Gaza and said he urged all bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon along with other officials and delegates at the opening session of the Congress yesterday. donors to fully meet the commit- ments they made in Cairo last October. About Doha Declaration at the Libya. A journalist specifically rights and dignity”. extremism, especially to stop “Like never before, terrorists Finally, on Iran, the recent end of the UN anti-crime confer- asked about death verdicts in Earlier at the conference, Ban either from becoming attractive and criminals around the world political framework achieved by ence, Ban Ki-moon said it will Egypt with Ban Ki-moon evading Ki-moon has warned of the grow- options for young people. are coming together and feeding the P5 Plus 1 and Iran is a signifi- be reported to the UN General it and simply saying: “We sincerely ing links between organised crime “We must address the grow- off each other. cant development. Assembly and added he hoped it hope that Egyptian government and extremist violence, saying ing links between organised “They are funding terror “It paves the way for a com- would be adopted with consensus. and people will also address the they are feeding off each other crime and terrorism,” he said at through criminal networks and prehensive joint plan of action by At the press briefing he fielded people’s views and aspiration and “like never before”. the opening of the 13th United growing rich through the suffer- June 30 as agreed by the negotiat- many questions on Somali refu- make a move towards mature He said more needed to be Nations Congress on Crime ing of entire populations.” ing parties.” gees in Kenya, Egypt, Syria and democracy respecting human done to tackle both crime and Prevention and Criminal Justice. THE PENINSULA PM, Ban open UN Crime Congress expo

DOHA: Prime Minister, Proceeds from it will go out Interior Minister and to humanitarian causes to President of the 13th reflect the commitment to United Nations Congress establish a safe and stable on Crime Prevention international community. and Criminal Justice The Premier and Ban H E Sheikh Abdullah bin toured sections of the Nasser bin Khalifa Al exhibition. Thani and UN Secretary- Around 60 exhibitors, General Ban Ki-moon including the Saudi Ministry yesterday inaugurated of Interior, Qatari Ministry an exhibition on the side- of Justice, Qatar Internal lines of the Congress at Security Force (Lekhwiya), Qatar National Convention Qatar Lawyer Society, Centre. Thailand Institute of Justice, The expo over an area of UN Knowledge Centre and 10,000 square metres pro- legal and human rights Prime Minister, Interior Minister and President of the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin vides all information about organisations and establish- the main event to partici- ments are participating. Khalifa Al Thani and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon inaugurate the exhibition at Qatar National Convention Centre. pants in different languages. THE PENINSULA Ban visits Katara, Al Gannas Association HQ DOHA: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is in Doha for the 13th United Nations Crime Congress, visited Katara yesterday. He was received by Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti. They toured facilities at Cultural Village and Dr Al Sulaiti briefed Ban on its activities, events and future projects. Ban also visited Al Gannas Association headquarters at Katara where he was briefed about the national heritage of falconry and the association’s activities and initiatives. He also toured shops in the Katara UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon holds a falcon as Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim cultural market. Al Sulaiti looks on during a visit to Cultural Village yesterday. THE PENINSULA Sheikh Dr Khalid praises Georgetown University initiative Continued from page 1 with future leaders and listened to their ideas and Public Policy Initiative in the McDonough The Georgetown Business, Society, and and opinions as well as aspirations, in line School of Business at Georgetown University. Public Policy Initiative is a rigorous and lead- with the initiative’s objective. It’s a unique world initiative aimed at groom- ing academic catalyst, locally and globally, at The initiative aims at providing to each ing future global leaders and policy experts, the intersection of business, society, and pub- graduate of the McDonough School of he said. lic policy in the 21st century. The initiative Business an understanding of the fundamen- The Advisory Board members include provides students, business and political lead- tal impact that decision-makers can have on towering personalities like former European ers and the public, a greater understanding the business dynamics, thus, the profound Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, of the challenges facing corporations. More impact of business on society. Aleksander Kwasniewski, former President broadly, it will provide a nonpartisan, global On Qatar’s partnership with the US in the of Poland, Vicente Fox, former President of venue to address critical business issues of educational field, Sheikh Dr Khalid noted the Mexico, Senator Tom Daschle, Thomas W the day. active presence of Georgetown University’s Farley, Carly Fiorina, Robert J Flanagan, The meeting was an opportunity for the campus in Qatar. The Qatar campus is pro- Lady Barbara Judge, James P Moore, Jr, board members to converse directly with viding benefits to students of different nation- Robert A Mosbacher, Jr, Morgan O’Brien, members of the Georgetown administration, alities, and in particular to students from the Eric Trump, Ann M Veneman and Mayor faculty, and students through discussions in GCC region. Sheikh Dr Khalid commended Anthony “Tony” Williams. which they shared experiences and expertise efforts of those in charge of Business, Society, THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Emir holds talks with UN chief PM launches Emergency Call Service (Aunek) DOHA: Prime Minister and connected with NCC. The Technical Interior Minister H E Sheikh Affairs explained that the centre is Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa working through two systems. The Al Thani launched the Emergency first is voice communication system Call Service (Aunek) presented by that ensures voice complaints reach the Technical Affairs of National Operation Room through 999. It is Command Centre (NCC) at the the first service of its kind in the Ministry of Interior. region. The service aims to provide assist- The second is Unified Geographical ance to the elderly, people with spe- System (Najm) which receives com- cial needs and those with chronic plaints and directs them to the diseases in emergency situations concerned agencies to take action through the use of a special device directly. equipped with high-tech features. Najm won the best developed sys- Through the service people who tem during the Middle East Forum in cannot use the emergency contact 2012 and won the Geographical Data number (999) can use the device and Excellence Award from American and data can be identified with Systems Research Institute in 2013. location by the use of Najm service THE PENINSULA

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hold talks in the presence of Prime Minister and Interior HIA to charge for Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Chairman of the UN Congress.

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Ban thanked the Emir for Qatar’s role Assembly Sam Kutesa discussed issues of long-term parking Hamad Al Thani yesterday met UN and efforts towards regional stability. common interest. They also reviewed coop- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the Talks also dealt with cooperation between eration between Qatar and the UN as well DOHA: Hamad International Customers will get a fully secured sidelines of the 13th UN Congress on Qatar and the UN and topics on the agenda as topics on the agenda of the congress. Airport (HIA) yesterday parking area with space for 2,540 Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. of the congress. Prime Minister and Interior The Emir also met Turkey’s Interior announced that it will charge fee vehicles, with parking staff to assist They discussed regional and international Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Minister Sebahattin Ozturk. for long-term parking by month- users and a regular shuttle service issues, especially the situation in Palestine, bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the Chairman of Talks dealt with cooperation between the end. The airport did not give details to the main terminal every 15-20 Libya, Syria and Yemen. the UN Congress were present. two countries and ways of developing it as about the proposed fee structure. minutes. They also exchanged views on efforts to In a separate meeting, the Emir and well as topics on the agenda of the congress. Vehicles in the long-term car park Further amenities will also be improve stability in these countries. President of the 69th session of UN General QNA before paid parking is activated will introduced in the coming months, not be subject to fees. HIA said and advised passengers to Vehicle owners will be able to pay arrive early to avoid any incident or by cash or credit card upon exit at delay. Premier urges one of the payment kiosks at the car The airport management has Rule of ‘law key guarantee park. advised its customers to refrain from world community With the introduction of parking parking for more than 60 days, which fees, HIA will increase services in will lead to legal action. to back initiative for development and justice’ Long-Term Car Park. THE PENINSULA Continued from page 1 The Prime Minister, who is also the Continued from page 1 the suffering of entire general of the UN during the president of the 13th UN Crime Congress “The rule of law on the populations”. ceremony. called upon international community to local, regional and interna- “We must take a compre- On the agenda the 13th extend their support for the new initia- tional levels is among the hensive approach to address UN Crime Congress will Qatar hails appointment of tive. “To popularize the initiative later at most important guarantees extremism, trafficking, extensively discuss about , the international level, we urge all gov- for achieving development money laundering, corrup- successes and challenges in ernments, international organizations, and justice, adding that it tion and a range of related implementing comprehensive Khalid Bahah as Yemen VP donor agencies, civil society organizations provides the appropriate issues. There will always crime prevention and crimi- and non-governmental organizations for environment for the promo- be crime and there will nal justice policies and strat- DOHA: Qatar welcomed the legitimacy and upholding Yemen’s partnership and coordination and coop- tion and protection of human always be extremists. But egies to promote the rule of appointment of Khalid Bahah security and stability. eration to support this initiative,” he said. rights, and ensures that citi- we must work to stop crime law nationally and inter- as Vice-President of Yemen, the It wished Bahah success in his The initiative focuses on providing the zens do their duties towards and extremism being seen nationally and to support Foreign Ministry said in a state- mission, particularly in view of the students and youth affected by conflicts in society,” he added. as attractive or necessary sustainable development; ment yesterday. difficult circumstances Yemen is countries within the Middle East region He warned that double options – especially by youth. International cooperation, The ministry hoped this would witnessing. with school education and vocational standards in implementa- That is why we are focused on including regionally, to com- be a step towards maintaining the QNA training to help them to build a better tion of international law equitable, sustainable devel- bat transnational organized future. “It will build schools in refugee standards represents the opment. It is why the United crime; Comprehensive and camps in coordination with refugee- major challenges faced by Nations supports rule of law balanced approaches to pre- host countries which have spared no crime prevention and crimi- assistance and security sec- vent and adequately respond effort to receive and accommodate the nal justice and constitutes a tor reform in peacekeeping to new and emerging forms of huge number of them (refugee students) major obstacle to achieve the and peacebuilding,” he added. transnational crime; National Morocco, Thailand ties reviewed in their schools, despite their limited desired development. This September, member approaches to public par- resources,” he said. THE PENINSULA He said Qatar has taken States will consider a post- ticipation in strengthening RABAT: Morocco’s High eral relations and topics of mutual the necessary measures on 2015 development agenda crime prevention and crimi- Commissioner for Water, Forests interest. Meanwhile, in Bangkok, various legislative and insti- that can pave the way to a nal justice. and Combating Desertification Thai Minister of Justice General Call for awareness tutional levels and in various better future for billions of Before the opening cere- Abdulazim Al Hafi met Qatari Paiboon Khumchaya met Qataris sectors for good governance people. Success requires that mony, the procedural session Ambassador Abdullah bin Falah Ambassador Jabor bin Ali Al to prevent waste and anti-corruption. the new agenda and sustaina- was held where the Premier bin Abdullah Al Dosari and dis- Dosari. Talks dealt with relations Ban Ki-moon in his key ble development goals reflect was elected president of the cussed ways of developing bilat- between the two countries. QNA of medicines note speech urged all UN the centrality of the rule of Congress. Members of the member states to ratify law, said Ban Ki- Moon. Congress office as well as Continued from page 1 agreements and implement Development and human the documentation commit- “It is important to raise awareness them to combat crime, ter- rights depend on legal frame- tee were also elected. about waste of medicines to reduce rorism and drugs. works that promote equal- Three students who par- financial losses and protect people’s “You have come to Doha ity and on governance that ticipated in the Doha Youth health,” said Al Mahmoud. to share your successes, your upholds those laws. All socie- Forum that held as part of Last year, more than 2 million peo- challenges and your experi- ties need fair criminal justice the UN Crime Congress ple visited pharmacies at 22 health cen- ence in preventing crime systems, effective, account- which concluded on last tres across the country. Waiting time and promoting the rule of able institutions, and access Thursday presented the rec- at PHCC pharmacies has now been law to support sustainable to justice for all. ommendations of the forum reduced to 15 to 20 minutes, he added. development. International Accountable security serv- and these recommendations Each health centre has a pharmacy. cooperation and coordina- ices can go a long way toward were handed over officially to By 2019, there will be 35 pharmacies at tion are critical, particularly ending cycles of violence. the secretary general of the 35 health centres. There are about 300 in areas such as combat- Strengthening legal rights UN during the ceremony. pharmacists and assistants working at ting transnational organized helps to address inequalities, More than 5000 delegates these facilities. In 2014, more than 700 crime and terrorism,” said he pointed out. from around 142 countries types of medicines were available at the Ban Ki-moon. During the opening cer- are attending the seven-day PHCC pharmacies. “We must address the emony, three students who conference, held under the He said there was no shortage growing links between organ- participated in the Doha theme ‘Integrating crime pre- of medicines in these pharmacies. ized crime and terrorism. Youth Forum that held vention and criminal justice However, there could be temporary Like never before, terrorists as part of the UN Crime into the wider UN agenda to shortage of some medicines for which and criminals around the Congress which concluded address social and economic alternatives are available. Some patients world are coming together on last Thursday presented challenges and promote the are not willing to take the alternatives and feeding off each other. the recommendations of the rule of law at the national because they think they are different They are funding terror forum and these recommen- and international levels, and from what their doctor has prescribed, through criminal networks dations were handed over public participation.” said Al Mahmoud. THE PENINSULA and growing rich through officially to the secretary THE PENINSULA

GCC man fined QR768,000, Snakes invade Al Khisa home jailed for liquor smuggling DOHA: A house owner in Al Khisa colours and species attacked his house, DOHA: A criminal court has sentenced a GCC neighbourhood off Shamal Road has he added. national to seven months in jail and fined him claimed that he found his home sud- The man said he saw snakes in his QR768,000 for trying to smuggle large quanti- denly invaded by snakes of different house for the first time and called the ties of liquor into the country. species and colours, making him and municipality to provide an appropriate The man was drunk when he was caught car- his family members panic and fear for solution to curb the spread of snakes. rying liquor. He was sentenced to a month in jail their lives. But so far efforts of the municipality for consuming alcohol and six months in jail and The house is behind Al Khisa Petrol have not borne fruit. fined QR768,000 for trying to smuggle stocks. Station. “So I have taken the matter in my He was carrying three brands of liquor, local “We are shocked to see so many hand and killed a lot of snakes. Arabic daily Al Raya said. snakes in the yard of my house,” the “Now it has become like a job for me Customs officials at Abu Samra check-post on houseowner told local Arabic daily Al to look for snakes in their possible hide- Qatar-Saudi border seized the stocks and took Raya. outs and get rid of them,” he added. the GCC national in custody. THE PENINSULA A large number of snakes in different THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QDA unveils fifth regional Community College of Qatar, youth diabetes camp DOHA: Qatar Diabetes Association its damage through educational and (QDA), a member of Qatar moral support. “We want them to DePaul University sign deal Foundation for Education, Science understand the importance of their and Community Development (QF), role in society and encourage them to is hosting its fifth ‘Youth Diabetes engage with others and develop their Al Tahadi’ Camp for young people personalities. Camp programmes CCQ students will be able to complete degree at Chicago-based varsity living with type 1 diabetes. combine sports and fun along with The camp is taking place this week education and support for teenagers DOHA: Community College at Al Shaqab Hotel at Education City with diabetes, and will provide them of Qatar (CCQ) has signed where 40 participants aged between with tools they need to live happy, an agreement with DePaul 12 and 16 years from Qatar and other healthy, balanced lives. We plan to University to provide its stu- GCC nations will gather. take the camp to the next level in dents with opportunities to The camp is the latest initiative the future by hosting participants complete college degrees at supported by QF to address immedi- from across the region and around the US university. ate social needs in the community by the world.” It was signed under the raising awareness about management Mohamed Al Saadi, Manager of the patronage of Sheikh Faisal bin and prevention of diabetes. camp, said: “Such camps help young Qassim Al Thani, Chairman, Throughout the week-long camp, people with diabetes integrate into Al Faisal Without Borders the young people will take part in society. People with diabetes usually Foundation as part of an sports, educational, religious and do not acknowledge their problem, agreement between ALF and leisure activities and attend special however, once they see how well oth- DePaul University in Chicago to workshops for self-empowerment ers cope with the disease; a change enhance educational opportu- and talent development. begins and they start to look at their nities and link Qatari students A team of experts, coaches, nutri- condition from a new and more posi- with top institutes in the world. tionists and educators are on hand tive perspective.” The signing took place on to enhance participants’ skills in Dr Al Hamaq praised Al Shaqab April 9 at Marriot Marquis self-care and diabetes management. Hotel for cooperation in hosting the Doha, in the presence of Sheikh Lekhwiya, Qatar’s Internal Security camp, GCC participants for their Faisal, the Rev. Dennis H Force, is providing participants with presence and parents for recognising Holtschneider, C.M., President, self-defence training techniques. the importance of educating children DePaul University, a delega- The deal signing ceremony in Doha. Dr Abdullah Al Hamaq, Executive about diabetes and benefits of healthy tion of senior leaders from Director, QDA, said: “Our aim for the and productive lives. He also thanked the university and Dr Abdulla people by improving their edu- “We are pleased to sign the in Chicago. We welcome students camp this week is to empower young Lekhwiya and Student Centre and Hazaimeh, Dean, CCQ. cation so they develop their memorandum of understand- from 130 countries each year people affected by diabetes, help Recreation Centre at QF for support. Sheikh Faisal said: “We are potential. Today’s signing will ing with DePaul to articulate and look forward to welcoming them control the disease and limit THE PENINSULA delighted to have this agree- ensure that these students have CCQ courses with DePaul’s so CCQ students into our commu- ment signed with DePaul for the the opportunity to have a uni- students take advantage of this nity.” The agreement strength- benefit of CCQ students so that versity degree that will open opportunity to complete studies ens ALF’s partnership with they can complete their degrees. doors to a successful career and in one of the most prestigious DePaul with whom ALF devel- “As a pioneering humanitar- working life.” universities in the US.” oped Sheikh Faisal Centre for ian global foundation, AlF pro- Dr Ibrahim said: “CCQ is Father Holtschneider said: Entrepreneurship in the Middle Sotheby’s Contemporary motes sustainable development working very hard towards pro- “DePaul has great respect for East and a Young Entrepreneur and improved quality of life for viding choices for its graduates CCQ and is delighted and hon- Academy to develop new gener- people around the world. to continue studies at prestig- oured to be able to offer qualified ations of Qatari and American Art auction on April 21 “Our foundation’s vision seeks ious institutions of higher edu- students at CCQ the possibility to entrepreneurs. to support and empower young cation throughout the world. complete undergraduate degrees THE PENINSULA DOHA: Sotheby’s is showcasing auction price for a work from this works by leading Arab, Iranian and series by Kapoor (est. $800,000/1.2m, international contemporary art- above). ists at an exhibition which opens Kapoor’s acclaimed work will be tomorrow at Katara Art Centre shown at the pre-sale exhibition along Building No. 5. with works by renowned artists such Artworks including paintings, as Untitled (est. $600,000/800,000) by Ooredoo App launches new promotion installation art, photography, and Rudolf Stingel, El Anatsui’s Introvert sculptures are some of the highlights (est. $700,000/1m) and Christopher DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday with the Ooredoo App. Ooredoo’s self-services Ooredoo plans to launch new of the Contemporary Art auction to Wool’s Untitled (est. $1/1.5m). launched a new promotion on With the promotion, cus- offerings. services for the app this year, be held on April 21 at the same venue. Among other works that will its Ooredoo App, giving an tomers will receive a minimum Hala customers can also as it works to cater for its large This is the third time Sotheby’s be on display are Ali Banisadr’s extra 10 percent bonus top- of QR3 worth of free bonus remotely subscribe and unsub- customer base that uses their will be holding a Contemporary The Shrines ($100/150,000), Chant up credit to customers who credit which can be used to scribe to prepaid services on mobile devices as an integral Art sale in Doha. At its auction last Avedissian’s Icons of the Nile (est. top up their Hala accounts make local or international the mobile app, such as the part of their smart lifestyles. October at Katara, Sotheby’s sold 53 $150/200,000) Ayman Baalbaki’s Al by QR30 and above using the calls or for data browsing on 4G Key, Hala Smart, Mobile The Ooredoo App top-up lots for a total of $8,006,625 and set Mulatham (est. $80/120,000), Farid service. Ooredoo’s bigger and faster Internet Packs, Ooredoo offer will be available until July 13 records. Belkahia’s Untitled (est. $40/60,000), The promotion has been network. The app, which Passport and the company’s 5. All bonus credit redeemed A highlight of the upcoming sale Farhad Moshiri’s I’ve got Sunshine launched to reward the was launched in 2013, allows host of international services. will be valid for 30 days. The is Anish Kapoor’s Untitled from the (est. $120/180,000) and Abdulnasser increasing number of custom- Shahry and Hala customers The Ooredoo App was mobile app is available for artist’s Pixelated Disk series, another Gharem’s Men At Work (Time ers choosing to securely and to pay and view their bills, designed to give customers free download on iTunes one of which sold at Sotheby’s Doha Magazine Person Of The Year quickly top up their accounts manage Nojoom rewards and direct control over their serv- Store (iOS) and Google Play in October 2014 to great acclaim, set- 2003: The American Soldier) (est. from anywhere in the world block spam SMSs, enhancing ices from their smartphones. (Android). THE PENINSULA ting the highest price for the artist $20/30,000). in the Middle East and the highest THE PENINSULA Qatar attends World Water Forum in South Korea SEOUL: Minister of Energy and continues until April 17, along with Ministerial Water Council, related to water. Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, President, Dr Al Sada underscored Serving as a stepping- Saleh Al Sada led Qatar’s delega- Qatar General Electricity & Water the importance of inter- stone towards global col- tion to the opening of the 7th World Corporation (Kahramaa), and a del- connections between water, laboration to cope with Water Forum in South Korea. egation comprising officials from energy and food, pointing water challenges, the The forum is being held under the Kahramaa and the Ministry of to challenges facing the forum is a multistake- theme ‘Water for Our Future.’ Environment. Arab countries, and solu- holder platform where Dr Al Sada attended a ministerial In his speech at the forum in tions, opportunities and the water community and meeting, which began yesterday and his capacity as the Head of Arab practical applications to policy and decisionmak- cope with the impact of cli- ers from all regions of the mate change in the water world work together to find and agriculture sectors. joint solutions. It is the Every three years, the largest international event forum mobilises creativity, which seeks to advance the innovation and know-how cause of water. QNA

Crash at QIB branch

An Asian motorist crashed his car into the building of Al Rayan branch of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) on Al Shafi Street yesterday afternoon. No one was injured. Police arrived at the site and began an investigation. Details could not be ascertained immediately. MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Medication therapy Qatar, Italy sign agreement service for patients Al Wakra Hospital offers consultancy on chronic diseases

Qatar and Italy yesterday signed an agreement for cooperation in the legal and judicial fields. Attorney General Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri inked the deal with Italian Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando. It aims to exchange expertise in the legal and judiciary fields. Ooredoo unveils Samsung Galaxy S6, edge DOHA: Ooredoo has witnessed customers can enjoy the latest S6 edge are crafted from the fin- strong interest in the new devices and guaranteed, author- est materials, making these the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy ised products. thinnest smartphones Samsung S6 edge, which have been The company is offering Galaxy has ever created. launched at selected Ooredoo S6 (32GB) in white or black for Featuring a 5.1-inch screen The team cuts a cake to celebrate the opening of the Medication Therapy Management Clinic. shops and on its online store — QR2,599 and Galaxy S6 edge and the ability to fast charge its the Ooredoo eShop. (32GB) for QR3,099. battery, letting users watch two DOHA: Al Wakra Hospital “The clinic is dedicated to offer- Department’s commitment to The devices have seen a high To take advantage of the 4G+ hours of HD video from just 10 (AWH) of Hamad Medical ing patients improved support offer the best possible care to demand across the region, and to network, Ooredoo is offering new minutes charging, S6 and S6 edge Corporation (HMC) has started not only by providing medical patients. In recent years, AWH ensure customers can purchase customers who activate a new are set to become one of the most to offer medication consultancy prescriptions but also by work- has utilised latest technologies S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge without SIM (Hala or Shahry) three 3GB popular phones in the country. services to patients, especially ing closely with doctors to assist to offer better care to patients, waiting for further stock delivery data cards for free. Existing cus- This is the latest in a surge of those on long-term care plans in the management of medication. including the introduction of a dates, Ooredoo has secured a high tomers will get a 3GB data card device launches for Ooredoo in for chronic diseases. “This is done in a way that robot called ‘ROWA’ that dis- quantity of devices this week. with every device purchase. 2015, as the operator continues to Introduced for the first time in negative influence of medication is penses medication to patients in Ooredoo is an official partner With their slim, seamless, full expand its portfolio and ensures Qatar, the ‘Medication Therapy minimised and patients are edu- the Out-Patient Clinic Pharmacy, of Samsung phones in Qatar, and metal and glass construction, the bigger, faster and better technolo- Management Clinic’ aims to cated and guided carefully. and another robot in the labo- the strong connection between sleek, ultra-thin edged Galaxy S6 gies are available for its custom- obtain the best medication results “The clinic is led by clinical ratory for the preparation of the two companies means that and unique, dual curved Galaxy ers. THE PENINSULA for patients and minimise side pharmacists who are highly- intravenous medication for in- effects of medicines. qualified specialists that assess patients,” he added. The clinic provides support to and review prescriptions’ Dr Hani Abdul Aziz, Head of patients by encouraging them to “In addition, they will take the the clinic, said: “The clinic caters commit to their medication regi- patients through the process of to the needs of chronic patients men or other treatment through risk assessment of medication by who struggle in adhering to their Court acquits man of using indecent emails regular follow-ups. informing them of the side effects medication plan. DOHA: A criminal court has acquitted a GCC fake email ID to mail her threatening and vulgar Dr Rasha Al Anany, Director of of the medication in comparison “Pharmacists at the clinic national accused by an Arab woman expatriate of communication. Pharmacy, AWH, said, “The clinic to laboratory tests for optimum review all patients’ medicines and sending her indecent emails with vulgar photo- His personal computers and mobile phones were is a unique concept in Qatar. It is health results,” she added. guide them more efficiently, while graphs and threatening to defame her and make checked by law enforcement agencies to confirm if it focused on improving the quality Dr Tamir Nabil, Head, at the same time addressing their sure that she was deported. was he who was sending those mails but no evidence of healthcare in the country and Pharmacy Informatics and concerns and solving any prob- The woman said in her lawsuit that since she was found, so the court acquitted him, a local Arabic offer enhanced pharmaceutical Projects, AWH, said “The lems related to their medication.” had an argument with the man and they were not daily reported yesterday. care to our patients. clinic follows the Pharmacy THE PENINSULA on good terms, she suspected that he was using a THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Civil war anniversary Jordan raises Don’t interfere in Iran concerns over Israeli talks, Kerry to Congress airport

Tehran had complied with interim deal: Top US official AMMAN: Jordan expressed concerns over air WASHINGTON: Secretary from the Iranians’ understanding the Iranians wouldn’t say much traffic safety yesterday as it of State John Kerry will this of what had been agreed. about it.” Kerry refused to be restated its opposition to the week defend an emerging deal Iran’s Supreme leader drawn into a tit-for-tat argument construction of an Israeli intended to curb Iran’s nuclear Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who with McCain. international airport near ambitions, urging skeptical US will have the final say on any deal, “What we’re looking for is not the coastal city of Aqaba. lawmakers not to put up obsta- plunged the accord into doubt last to have Congress interfere with Transport ministry spokes- cles that could scupper the week suggesting that “nothing is our ability, inappropriately, by man Ali Odaibat told the offi- tough negotiations. binding” while President Hassan stepping on the prerogatives of cial Petra news agency Jordan “I’ll lay out the facts,” Kerry Rowhani demanded that sanc- the executive department of the had notified the International told CBS’s “Face the Nation” yes- tions be immediately lifted when president, and putting in place Civil Aviation Organisation terday when asked about a dif- any deal is signed. conditions and terms that are about its concerns over the ferent narrative emerging from Global powers — Britain, , going to get in the way of the Israeli project and to “stress Iranian leaders about the outlines France, Germany, Russia and the limitation of a plan,” Kerry told Jordan’s keenness to protect of a deal agreed in Lausanne, United States — have said sanc- NBC’s “Meet the Press.” its airspace”. Switzerland earlier this month. tions will only be gradually eased But President Barack Obama Jordanian officials have “Everything I have laid out is a and want a mechanism to ensure on Saturday lept to Kerry’s repeatedly raised issue with fact. And I’ll stand by them.” they can be swiftly reimposed if defense. the Timna airport, which is The Lausanne framework Iran breaks its word. Suggesting America’s top diplo- under construction just 10km marked a major breakthrough in “We had this same duelling mat was “somehow less trustwor- from the Red Sea Jordanian a 12-year standoff between Iran narratives, discrepancies, spin, thy in the interpretation of what’s resort town of Aqaba and and the West, which disputes whatever you want to call it with in a political agreement than the King Hussein airport. Tehran’s denial that it is seeking respect to the interim agreement” supreme leader of Iran — that’s Officials have said it is too to acquire nuclear bomb. reached in November 2013, Kerry an indication of the degree to close and will affect take- Global powers must resolve a said. But he insisted that Iran had which partisanship has crossed all offs and landings at Aqaba’s series of difficult technical issues complied with the interim deal boundaries,” Obama told report- airport. by a June 30 deadline for a final freezing parts of its nuclear pro- ers in Panama. Odaibat said the ICAO deal, including the steps for lifting gramme in exchange for limited Obama said he could under- would consider Jordan’s com- global sanctions imposed on Iran, sanctions relief. stand that people might not trust plaint and “make a decision on and lingering questions over the Kerry, however, has come under Iran, which has not had diplo- the (Timna) airport in terms possible military dimensions of its fire from US lawmakers, includ- matic ties with the United States of its impact on Jordan’s avi- nuclear program. ing his former Republican Senate since the 1979 storming of the US ation sovereignty and public “I think people need to hold friend and adversary John McCain embassy in Tehran. safety.” their fire and let us negoti- who last week said America’s top But “actively communicating The new airport — being ate without interference and be diplomat was “delusional.” that the United States govern- built at a cost of more than able to complete the job over “I think you’re going to find ment and our secretary of state is $470m (¤443m) — would the course of the two-and-a-half out that they never agreed to the somehow spinning presentations be located northeast of the months,” Kerry said. things that John Kerry claimed in a negotiation with a foreign Israeli resort town of Eilat, in The State Department angered they had,” McCain told a radio power, particularly one that you the southern Aravah region of Lebanese Christian and Muslim clergy pray next to the Martyr’s statue in Iran when it released a fact sheet show on Thursday, adding that say is your enemy, that’s a prob- the Negev desert. downtown Beirut, yesterday. The group gathered to mark the 40th anni- on April 2 about the Lausanne Kerry was now trying to “sell a lem. It needs to stop.” AFP versary of the outbreak of the Lebanese civil war (1975 to 1990) which outlines, which appeared to differ bill of goods hoping that maybe AFP claimed some 150,000 lives with many more wounded and missing.

Egypt to punish tunnel diggers 12 killed in IS bombings in Egypt’s Sinai with life in jail CAIRO: Two bomb attacks tar- establish a province of the self- CAIRO: Egypt’s President geting security forces in Egypt’s declared IS “caliphate”. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi yesterday restive Sinai Peninsula yester- Also yesterday, an army captain Brotherhood verdicts blatantly issued a decree making the dig- day killed at least 12 people, and two soldiers were wounded in ging or use of illegal tunnels in including six soldiers and five an attack on a checkpoint near border areas punishable by life policemen, officials said. the town of Rafah that borders in jail. Ansar Beit Al Maqdis, which the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Ansar unjust: Human Rights Watch The army has intensified efforts has pledged allegiance to the Beit Al Maqdis said one of its to destroy such underground tun- extremist Islamic State group, snipers shot at them. CAIRO: An Egyptian court’s decision to sen- protesters the opportunity to leave peacefully and nels connecting the restive Sinai claimed responsibility for both The army has sent troops and tence 14 men to death and jail 37 others accused that armed elements within the Brotherhood initi- Peninsula to the Palestinian Gaza attacks. armour to fight a dogged insur- of ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood was ated the violence. Strip, since the ouster of Islamist The group has carried out a gency in the Sinai that has grown “politically motivated” and “blatantly unjust”, “It appears that the case against Muslim president Mohamed Mursi in July slew of attacks in Sinai since the since then army chief and now Human Rights Watch (HRW) said yesterday. Brotherhood members leading to death sen- 2013. army’s ouster of Islamist presi- President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi The court condemned Muslim Brotherhood tences of 14 men is politically motivated,” Sarah It says hundreds have already dent Mohamed Mursi in July ousted his Islamist predecessor leader Mohamed Badie and 13 other senior Leah Whitson, HRW’s executive director for the been destroyed and a one-kil- 2013. Mursi. Ansar Beit Al Maqdis says members of the group to death on Saturday. Midddle East and North Africa, calling it a “a sham ometre buffer zone built across A roadside bomb attack on an attacks on the security forces are American-Egyptian Mohamed Soltan, the son proceeding”. the border with Gaza to prevent army vehicle killed six soldiers in retaliation for a government of a Brotherhood preacher who received a death “The fact that those who publicised the mass the infiltration of militants, and and wounded two near the North crackdown on Morsi’s supporters sentence at the same hearing, was among those killings of 2013 could go to prison for life while smuggling of goods and weapons. Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid, a that has left hundreds dead. sentenced to life in jail. those who did the killings receive official accolades “Anyone who digs or prepares militant stronghold. Thousands more have been The men were among thousands of people perfectly symbolises the abject failure of transi- or uses a road, a passage, or an “An armoured personnel car- imprisoned and dozens sentenced detained after freely elected Islamist president tional justice in Egypt,” she said. underground tunnel in the coun- rier for the army of the apos- to death. Mohamed Mursi was toppled in 2013 by the mili- The verdicts can be appealed in Egypt’s highest try’s border areas with the pur- tates was destroyed... killing Yesterday’s attacks came a day tary under Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, who is now presi- civilian court. pose of connecting with a foreign and wounding all aboard,” Ansar after a Cairo court confirmed dent. Sisi describes the Brotherhood as a major Officials in Egypt’s foreign ministry were not entity or state, its citizens or res- Beit Al Madqis said on a Twitter death sentences against Muslim security threat. The White House has condemned immediately available for comment. idents... will face life in prison,” account attributed to it. Brotherhood leader Mohamed the verdict against Soltan, who was found guilty An online campaign to free US-educated Soltan said the decree published in the The military confirmed that six Badie and 13 others for protest of supporting the veteran Islamist movement and says he was not a member of the Brotherhood and official gazette. soldiers were killed in the attack. violence. Militant attacks in Sinai transmitting false news. that he had spoken to international media in 2013 The decree says people who “Their vehicle was targeted have left scores of soldiers and Saturday’s case was known in local media as because of his ability to converse in fluent English are aware of such illegal routes by an explosive device placed by policemen dead. “The Rabaa Operations Room” trial in reference to and Arabic. and fail to inform the authorities the extremist terrorist elements On April 2, Ansar Beit Al a sit-in at Rabaa square in 2013 in which hundreds HRW also criticised a recent US decision to end about them will face the same which left an officer, a sergeant, Maqdis militants launched simul- of people protesting at the overthrow of Islamist a freeze on military aid to Cairo at the same time punishment. Life imprisonment and four soldiers martyred, and taneous attacks on five check- President Mohamed Mursi were killed when secu- as the Egypt judiciary had been passing sentences in Egypt amounts to 25 years in two other soldiers wounded,” it points in the region that killed 15 rity forces tried to clear the area by force. against journalists and the political opposition. jail. said on its Facebook page. soldiers and two civilians. Cairo defended its actions, saying it had given REUTERS Hours later a suicide car bomb targeting a police station in North HIGH SECURITY 2 dead in attack Sinai’s provincial capital of El In January, a combined rocket Arish killed five policemen and a and car bomb attack on a military civilian, the interior ministry said base, a nearby police headquar- at South Korea in a statement. ters and a residential complex Medics said the attack left for army and police officers killed embassy in Libya another 44 people wounded, at least 24 people, most of them including at least 15 policemen. soldiers. TRIPOLI: Gunmen killed two The interior ministry said The attacks came despite strin- people and wounded a third in security forces fired at the vehi- gent security measures imposed an attack at the South Korean cle before it was able to ram the by the army in the province. embassy in the Libyan capital police station. After a late October attack on Tripoli yesterday which was “Security forces fired at the a military base near El Arish, claimed by the Islamic State vehicle which exploded, killing the army imposed a night-time group. five policemen and a civilian, and curfew and state of emergency in The gunmen opened fire on wounding several other police- parts of the region. the embassy compound from a men,” it said. The army has also established a passing car, killing two people A police officer said the truck buffer zone along the border with and wounding a third, a Libyan was loaded with explosives but the Gaza Strip to prevent mili- interior ministry spokesman said. covered with straw, and blew up tants infiltrating from Palestinian A security source at the loca- close to the police station. territory. tion said the two dead were both “A den of the apostate police Egypt is also facing a threat on Libyan guards, adding that while was targeted in El Arish by a car its western border from a chaotic the embassy had been closed for bomb driven by a martyr,” Ansar Libya where the influence of IS — several months, South Korean Beit Al Maqdis said as it claimed which has seized chunks of Syria officials were continuing to use it. the second attack. and Iraq — is growing. But Mabruk Abu Zaheir, Ansar Beit Al Maqdis changed Arab leaders agreed at a sum- another official at the interior its name last year to the Sinai mit in March to form a joint ministry, told the LANA news Province after pledging allegiance military force to fight “terrorist agency that one guard and a civil- to IS. groups” in the region, after Sisi ian at the scene were killed and a It has claimed several sophis- insisted for months on the crea- second guard seriously wounded. ticated attacks in Sinai and the tion of such a move to contain of An Egyptian man stands in an armoured vehicle as residents gather outside a police station in North Sinai’s AGENCIES Nile valley and now wants to IS. REUTERS provincial capital of El Arish after it was targeted by a car bomb yesterday. MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Saudi rejects Iran’s call to stop Yemen strikes We are not at war with Iran, says foreign minister

SANA’A: Riyadh yesterday fighting has flared in 15 of Yemen’s demanded Tehran stop back- 22 provinces. ing Shia rebels in Yemen but The coalition said on Saturday insisted it is “not at war with it had conducted 1,200 strikes Iran”, as a Saudi-led warplanes since March 26 and neutralised launched fresh strikes on rebel the air and missile capabilities of forces. the anti-government forces in the In the third week of the air air war which is accompanied by strikes mounted by Saudi Arabia a naval blockade. and its allies, the International The campaign was launched Organization for Migration said as the rebels closed in on Hadi’s it flew a first plane-load of 143 refuge in Aden, but when fighting foreigners out of Yemen. encroached on the city, the presi- At a gathering in Doha, dent escaped to Saudi Arabia. Qatar, UN Secretary General Air strikes yesterday targeted a Ban Ki-moon appealed for the presidential palace in Aden, kill- resumption of Yemeni peace talks ing six Houthis. and for “a cessation of military Raids were also conducted moves as soon as possible”. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince around Sana’a, and Houthi gath- French Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal speaking at a news erings were targeted in both the Laurent Fabius voiced support conference in Riyadh yesterday. central province of Ibb and far- for Saudi efforts, saying in Riyadh ther east in Marib. that his country “has expressed The Houthis have won support its readiness to find a solution” have remained loyal to ex-presi- from renegade soldiers loyal to for Yemen. dent Ali Abdullah Saleh after he ex-president Saleh, but yester- Saudi Arabia heads a coalition was forced from power in 2012 day soldiers from two brigades in A member of the Houthi militia walks amid the ruins of a stadium, destroyed by a Saudi airstrike on Sana’a, of nine Arab countries which following a year of nationwide Marib joined the ranks of the pro- since March 26 has carried out protests against his three-decade Hadi fighters, a tribal chief said. yesterday. According to reports, at least three Yemenis were killed and 14 others injured in the airstrike. air strikes against the Houthi rule. The anti-government forces In Shabwa, tribesmen seized Shia rebels who overran Sana’a have been locked in battles against the base and arms of a rebel bri- in September. Riyadh feared the forces loyal to fugitive President gade, before clashing with other rebels would take over the entire Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. renegade troops and forcing them Hadi appoints conciliatory country and move it into the orbit Since the air campaign began, to surrender their weapons. of Shia Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia’s Al Qaeda militants have taken regional rival. advantage of the insecurity to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince seize Mukalla, the capital of figure as deputy president Saud Al Faisal urged Tehran not Tehran denies Hadramawt province. to “assist the criminal activities” capture of its Humanitarian agencies have ADEN/RIYADH: Yemeni There are no signs that the war Republic denies. of the Houthis “against the legit- managed to deliver more aid. President Abdrabuh Mansur will let up anytime soon. Tehran says it has given no imate order of Yemen and (to) military advisers On Saturday, the International Hadi appointed his former Saudi Arabia and its Sunni military support to the Houthis stop the delivery of weapons and Committee of the Red Cross flew prime minister as vice presi- Arab allies have been bombing and on Sunday denied a claim aid” to the rebels. DUBAI: Iran has denied more than 35 tonnes of medical dent yesterday, a move appar- Yemen for over two weeks, hoping by militiamen in Aden that they “How can Iran call for us to stop reports that Iranian military aid and equipment into Sanaa. ently aimed at improving the to slow the advance of Iranian- had captured two Iranian military the fighting in Yemen?” Saud Al advisers were captured in the It followed two flights on Friday chances of a peaceful settlement allied Houthi militias towards the officers advising the rebels. Faisal said at a news conference Yemeni city of Aden, state organised by the Red Cross and to the civil war that forced Hadi southern port city of Aden. “Iran has no kind of military in Riyadh. “We came to Yemen to news agency Irna reported UN, each carrying 16 tonnes of to flee to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia dismissed Iranian force in Yemen,” state news help the legitimate authority, and yesterday. the first aid deliveries since the “The president issued an order calls to end air strikes and hit a agency Irna quoted Deputy Iran is not in charge of Yemen.” “Iran has no kind of military air war began. Russia said its navy today appointing Khaled Bahah as military camp in Taiz yesterday Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Iran’s Supreme Leader force in Yemen,” Irna quoted evacuated 308 people of various his deputy,” a presidential adviser killing eight civilians, according Abdollahian as saying. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Deputy Foreign Minister nationalities from Aden. said. to a medical source. Suspected militants from Al Thursday that the air strikes Hossein Amir Abdollahian as The UN said at least 900 people Bahah is popular across The air raids on the cen- Qaeda, the Sunni militant group were a “crime and genocide” and saying. had arrived in the Horn of Africa Yemen’s spectrum of feuding tral Yemeni city targeted a site that has used the chaos to press President Hassan Rouhani called Local militiamen in Aden from the conflict-riven country parties and may be seen as a fig- held by soldiers loyal to former its own advantage, killed an army for a ceasefire and dialogue among said on Saturday they had in the past 10 days, most of them ure who could calm tensions and President Ali Abdullah Saleh who colonel in the central Shabwa Yemen’s factions. captured two Iranian mili- Somalis, but also Yemenis. bring warring parties to the nego- have joined up with Houthi fight- province yesterday, a local offi- But he insisted “we are not tary officers advising Houthi Coalition spokesman Brigadier tiating table. ers against local militias in the cial said. at war with Iran,” which denies rebels, whose rapid advances in General Ahmed al-Assiri accused “The appointment of Bahah south, the source said. Separately, an al Qaeda leader arming the rebels and whose Yemen have drawn air strikes the rebels of “trying to take the may help in finding a politi- Saudi Arabia and its Sunni was killed in an apparent U.S. supreme leader Ayatollah Ali from Tehran’s regional rival battle into Saudi territory... to cal solution as part of efforts to Arab allies fear that Shi’ite Iran drone strike on a group of mili- Khamenei has described the coa- Saudi Arabia. ease pressure on their leaders.” revive the dialogue process spon- seeks greater regional influence tants west of the port city of lition’s involvement as “criminal”. REUTERS But he downplayed the security sored by the United Nations,” the by backing armed Shi’ite groups Mukalla on the Arabian Sea, resi- The rebels include forces who threat to Saudi borders. AFP Hadi aide said. in the region, a charge the Islamic dents said. REUTERS

Strike on Aleppo school kills five Turkey recalls Vatican envoy over Pope’s remarks ANKARA: Turkey yester- It accused the pope of a “selec- one-sided way is inappropriate for his recent attitude,” he said. in the Middle East in exchange for children day said it was recalling its tive overview” of World War I and the pope and the authority that When Francis visited Turkey, the Church tackling Islamophobia ambassador to the Vatican for “ignoring the atrocities suffered he holds,” Davutoglu said in tel- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the West, Allen said — describ- BEIRUT: A Syrian regime air consultations in an escalat- by the Turkish and Muslim peo- evised comments as a diplomatic offered the pontiff a pact under ing it as “a potential game- strike hit a school in the main ing diplomatic row over Pope ples who lost their lives” in favour row escalated between Turkey which he would defend Christians changer”. AFP northern city of Aleppo yes- Francis’ use of the word “gen- of concentrating on Christians and the Vatican. He added: terday killing five children and ocide” to describe the massa- and above all Armenians. “We’d expect the religious four other civilians, a monitor- cres of Armenians by Ottoman Pope Francis uttered the word leaders to call for peace. ing group said. “Military air- forces during World War I. “genocide” yesterday to describe Opening archives for those craft struck a school in east “Our ambassador to the the mass murder of Armenians whose hearts are sealed Aleppo city and killed five chil- Vatican Mehmet Pacaci is being 100 years ago, sparking fury from serves no purpose.” dren, three female teachers recalled back to Turkey for con- Turkey which slammed the term Davutoglu lamented and one man,” said Rami Abdel sultations,” the foreign ministry as “far from historical reality”. that the pope’s comments Rahman, head of the Syrian said in a statement after earlier Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet were not in line with Observatory for Human Rights. summoning the Vatican’s envoy to Davutoglu also lashed out at statements by Francis in Bloodstains marked the school’s Ankara to the ministry. Pope Francis for “inappropri- favour of reconciliation entrance, and shattered glass and Reaffirming similar comments ate” and “one-sided” comments during his visit to Turkey broken desks were strewn on earlier by Foreign Minister after he used the word “geno- in November. classroom floors, in images cap- Mevlut Cavusoglu, the foreign cide” to describe the massacres “I hope the pope stands tured by AFP. ministry said that the pope’s com- of Armenians by Ottoman forces behinds his opinions he As people cleared debris around ments were “incompatible with during World War I. expressed (to us) when he the school, a Syrian man walked the legal and historical facts”. “To read these sorrows in a came to Turkey and revises past carrying a wounded child wrapped in a bloodied bandage. Abdel Rahman said a number of people were seriously wounded Green area and that the death toll from the attack was likely to rise. One child and two other civil- ians were killed, and several people were wounded, in sepa- rate air strikes on east Aleppo, the Britain-based Observatory reported. The strikes come after a day after government forces and rebel fighters exchanged fire in the northern city, leaving at least 35 civilians dead. Many schools in Aleppo city have been forced to close, while others hold classes in basements because of the violence in the city. Once Syria’s commercial hub, Aleppo has largely become a city in ruins, split between regime forces in the west and opposition fighters in the east. Government forces frequently bomb rebel-held neighbourhoods, and the rebels often retaliate with rocket and mortar fire. Both sides have been criticised by human rights groups for firing indis- criminately on civilians. AFP Egyptians buy plants at the Orman botanical garden in the southern Cairo’s Giza district yesterday. MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Historic handshake Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE historic handshake between US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro at the Summit of the Americas Tin Panama City on Saturday has got the global media attention it deserves. It was indeed a historic Does anyone care about Syria? event. The last time American and Cuban leaders met was in 1956, three years before Fidel Castro came to BY VALERIE AMOS the efforts of the U.N. secretary gen- Council resolutions on humanitarian power. This means both countries are in a handshake eral’s three special envoys to chart a access and protection of civilians in after 50 years, which is enough to earn it a place in PREPARE to leave the United way out of the crisis. Our demands to Syria, but here we cannot claim signifi- history. “Over time, it is possible for us to turn the Nations at the end of May, I am the Syrian government — which claims cant progress. Why not? Because in a page and develop a new relationship between our two haunted by the crisis that has that its priority is the protection of its war zone, without incentives to de-esca- defined my tenure: the breathtak- people — to stop targeting civilians and late violence and without agreement on countries,” Obama said, and Raul Castro agreed. A I ingly savage war in Syria, now in its discontinue the use of so-called “barrel the mechanisms needed to protect civil- full normalization of ties will not be easy, and nor is it fifth year. bombs” have fallen on deaf ears. ians — the establishment of no-fly zones expected to be easy after decades of estrangement. But At last month’s pledging conference So what has gone wrong, and what and safe areas, for example — civilians the foundation has been laid. The early steps to be taken in Kuwait, many countries promised more can be done? will continue to be targeted. include the opening of embassies in capitals and the millions of dollars for aid to Syrians in What strikes me every day is our It is an extremely difficult problem, need. We are grateful for these funds, inability to protect people — not just in but we cannot allow ourselves to see it removal of Havana from a US list of state sponsors of which mean humanitarian agencies Syria but in other countries. A total of as impossible to solve, because it is not. terrorism. can continue to deliver life-saving food, 193 governments of the United Nations To make progress, we must focus the Both countries stand to benefit immensely from water, shelter and health care. But I have signed on to international con- attention of member states and use the the détente. But Cuba stands to benefit more. The still cannot believe that the world has ventions and laws aimed at protecting U.N.’s extensive experience and exper- restoration of diplomatic relations will improve political looked on as this crisis and its devastat- basic human rights. Even war has rules. tise, including public and private diplo- and economic conditions for average Cubans and remove ing human consequences have unfolded. But the laws and standards we have to macy, to reach agreement on a political More than 220,000 people have been protect people in conflict are not being transition in Syria and on mechanisms an irritant in US relations with other Latin American killed and about 8 million displaced. respected. to de-escalate violence. Countries fund- nations. Cubans have missed out on a plethora of In recent weeks, more than 100,000 Modern wars are less likely to involve ing terrorist organizations need to be opportunities to improve their lives due to the restrictive people have been on the move in Idlib national armed forces fighting each called to account. Countries with influ- policies of their leaders and and surrounding parts of northwest- other than those in the past. They often ence need to use it in a coordinated and they are eager to seize the new ern Syria, attempting to escape the occur between state forces and non- structured way. opportunities that will come violence while state armed groups with complex and Above all, protecting basic human schools, hospitals shifting allegiances. rights must be at the heart of the US-Cuba their way with the restart of and shops close This poses challenges for interna- agenda. We need to break down the relations. around them. tional humanitarian and human rights elements and responsibilities under détente is It’s interesting how the wheel In the Yarmouk laws. Non-state actors, armed groups, international humanitarian and human good news of history is turning and making During every refugee camp in terrorist groups and sometimes gov- rights laws and seek consensus on pri- the past look ridiculously weird. Damascus, 18,000 ernments, under the guise of fighting ority actions — for example, protecting Palestinian refu- terrorism, often show disregard for the safety and security of health facili- Speaking at the summit, Castro visit to Syria I for the entire gees are trapped international human rights and human- ties and workers, ending the recruit- region and recounted the history of what he was asked the by fighting. itarian law and contempt for human ment of child soldiers, and protecting called US oppression and abuse same thing: Why It is ordinary life. They act with impunity. women and girls. And we must establish the world. of Cuba, from early military Syrians who In Syria, the government and the practical mechanisms to enforce these incursions and occupation to has the world are suffering. armed and terrorist groups have pre- laws. the Bay of Pigs invasion and the They have been vented food and medical supplies from Breaking the political impasse will abandoned us? bombed out of reaching people in desperate need. They require a shift in the calculus — to put US-sponsored terrorist attacks their homes, tor- have attacked residential areas, schools the needs of ordinary people at the on the island. “President Obama Why does nobody tured, abused and and hospitals. They have denied water heart of decision-making. has no responsibility for this. There were 10 presidents denied food, water and electricity to people in areas not Countries look to the United Nations before him,” he said. What Obama and Castro have care? and health care. under their control — clear infringe- to exercise moral authority. Time after done is disassociate themselves from an unsavoury past. Families have ments of international humanitarian time, they are disappointed. They Both leaders have no record of mutual acrimony and been torn apart. and human rights law. want an international system that is Communities have been destroyed. I This has had a devastating impact just, promotes equality, champions the distrust; they have no reason to carry the baggage of have visited Syria seven times and have on civilians. It also has undermined vulnerable and oppressed, protects their predecessors and fight their battle. They are clearly talked to Syrian refugees on numer- the credibility of the United Nations, human rights and holds its members focused on the present, and the future, and that requires ous trips to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and despite the heroic efforts of humanitar- to account. In the modern world, with a divorce from the past. And having begun, they need to Turkey. During every visit I was asked ian workers risking their lives to help the complexity of the challenges facing take this forward resolutely and bring the ties to a sturdy the same thing: Why has the world the most vulnerable. us, this is becoming harder and harder. abandoned us? Why does nobody care? The Security Council works best But it is possible. It is a challenge, but stage, from where there will be no going back. It will These questions were not directed when there is agreement on the steps one that, with determination and com- not be easy; but they will be rewarded by history with a at the humanitarian community, but needed to deal with a specific issue. mitment, we can overcome. special mention of their names. at our leaders, perhaps particularly at We saw this in the successful, unified Amos is UN undersecretary general Especially for Obama, this is a personal achievement, the permanent members of the Security approach to tackling the removal of for humanitarian affairs and emergency a potential legacy issue to his presidency alongside a Council. People spoke of how nar- chemical weapons from Syria — a goal relief coordinator. nuclear deal with Iran, assuming he is able to achieve it row national interests are overriding many thought was impossible. WASHINGTON POST . broader global responsibilities, despite There have been three Security The other side Quote of Slipping in social progress the day ANKING 64th among 133 While economic indicators take a all human development indicators. of the conditional cash transfer who countries isn’t too bad. But backseat in the index, it is no coinci- Even in personal freedoms where a are graduating from high school. The dipping from the previous dence that advanced economies rank democratic society should rate high, Department of Social Welfare and Ryear’s ranking of 56th in the high, with this year’s top three being the Philippines obtained poor rat- Development reported that 333,673 Social Progress Index indicates that Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. ings in press freedom in the Social student beneficiaries of the 4Ps or I’m running more effort is needed to improve the Economic prosperity allows states Progress Index. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program overall quality of life for the average to provide better services to citizens, The country also scored low in would be assisted in pursuing voca- for president. Filipino. from health care and education to violent crime and political terror, with tional courses or seeking college The Washington-based Social public safety. weak prospects for improvement in scholarships. Everyday Progress Imperative measures a soci- The Philippines’ ranking is just the the coming year as the general elec- The 4Ps is for the extremely poor. ety’s wellbeing based on the provision latest reminder that the country needs tions approach. For millions of other Filipinos, more Americans need of basic human needs and opportu- to work harder to recover its place of Sustained economic growth has investments are needed in human a champion. I nity to progress. The 52 indicators eminence half a century ago in Asia. allowed the Philippines to invest more development and other measures include health and wellness, sanita- In the past decades, the country has in human development. This month, that will open opportunities for want to be that Hillary Clinton tion, personal safety, sustainability of progressively fallen behind its bet- commencement exercises are being progress. ecosystems, and personal freedoms. ter performing neighbors in almost held for the first batch of beneficiaries The Philippine Star champion. Former US Secretary of State MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Iran deal better than no deal Le Pens’ clash drives debate BY MARK JOHN and him with the words “racist”, “old” GÉRARD BON and “trouble-maker”. Moreover a separate study by he daughter accuses the Odoxa found nearly nine out of 10 father of political suicide; of FN supporters think it is time Tthe father publicly suspects for him to quit politics. she would like him dead anyway; Yet ejecting him against his and the grand-daughter watches will would be another matter: in the wings, ready to pick up the As a shrewd strategist Marine pieces. Le Pen will recall the brief but The feud within the Le Pen sharp decline in the party’s for- dynasty that has ruled France’s tunes after the messy 1998 split National Front (FN) for four with its former number 2, Bruno decades is teetering between high Megret. drama and a low farce that could In a brief telephone call with emerge as the biggest threat yet Reuters on Tuesday, Jean-Marie to the far-right party’s quest for Le Pen warned: “In times like BY DR ANDREAS KRIEG mainstream power. these you should expect every- Party founder Jean-Marie Le thing”. In other words, he will lot has been written in Pen’s defence this week of his not go quietly. recent days about the view that Nazi gas chambers “It’s possible that Marine Le nuclear deal between were a mere “detail” of war has Pen wants me dead and gone — Athe P5+1 and Iran. prompted Marine Le Pen, FN but she shouldn’t bank on me Reactions ranged from celebra- leader since 2011, to demand his going along with that,” he told tory in Iran, cautious optimism role in the party be discussed at a French radio two days later, warn- in the West over deep concerns meeting of FN executives Friday. ing the party would “implode” if in the Arab world to full-out fear The blood line linking the two, she kicked him out. in Israel. plus the family talent for invec- While such an implosion is Iranians celebrate the agree- tive, make this no ordinary politi- unlikely given the declining per- ment as an important step out of cal row — to the glee of rivals who sonal support for Le Pen within international isolation – a step Iranian President Hassan Rowhani speaking during a ceremony marking the national day of nuclear technology have seen the FN gain from the the party he created in 1972, far- that promises Iran to break free in Tehran, Iran. rise in support for populist parties right watchers believe a move to from the burden of international in a Europe just emerging from eject him would hurt his daugh- sanctions. The West regards the Islamic regime heavily invested states of the region vulnerable to international community could recession. ter’s image with grass-root mem- agreement as a victory of diplo- into expanding its nuclear pro- covert intervention. have reached at this point. It is “A father and daughter are bers vital to her 2017 bid. macy over the hawkish calls for gramme. New facilities were built Thus, for the international for the P5+1 to establish a moni- ripping each other to shreds in Marine Le Pen, who last week military action from conserva- — many without the approval or community in general and the toring regime that can ensure public — the masters of Greek described her father’s behaviour tives. The Arab world remains supervision of the International West in particular, the Iranian Iran’s compliance before start- tragedy couldn’t have staged it as “somewhere between scorched sceptical about the agreement Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). nuclear threat did not rank high ing to gradually lift sanctions. better,” veteran leftist Daniel earth tactics and political suicide”, to say the least; many are con- Amid the changing regional secu- on the priority list until the late Whatever the nature of this Cohn-Bendit, now a political pun- told Reuters Thursday she had no cerned that Iran’s apparent will- rity environment the pretext 2000s. By that time much of monitoring and enforcement dit, said this week. plans to eject him. Moreover, his ingness to make concessions is a for Iran’s nuclear programme Iran’s nuclear programme had regime, there is no absolute guar- “Let’s hope this runs and runs.” honorary title cannot be removed. deception plan allowing Iran to changed. already moved underground antee that Iran will not use its Marine Le Pen has sought to rid She will instead oppose his bid continue militarising its nuclear By 2003 Iran saw itself con- putting it out of reach of Western already acquired material and the FN of its anti-Semitic image to lead the party’s election list programme under the cloak of fronted with an increased US military power. While military knowhow to develop a military and position it as an anti-immi- in December’s local polls in the purported cooperation. For Israel presence in the Middle East intervention could and can still nuclear capability. grant, Eurosceptic force offering southern Provence-Alpes-Côte the agreement is seen as a deal from Iraq over the Arabian disrupt the programme, it would Looking forward then, the protectionist economic policies to d’Azur region and back his grand- with the devil — a deal with a Gulf to Afghanistan. As a conse- be unable to destroy it. Thus, as international community has to shelter ordinary French from the daughter Marion Maréchal-Le country that is regarded by the quence, the nuclear programme there is no viable military option, balance trust-building efforts vagaries of globalisation. Pen, the latest member of the public and policy makers alike, as was no longer just a means of diplomatic engagement facili- with the establishment of a At some point she was always dynasty, for the ticket. determined to develop a nuclear developing alternative sources tated by the coercive nature of rigid monitoring and enforce- going to have to find a way of Yet even that would carry risks: device to annihilate the Jewish of energy but regarded by the a sanctions regime, remains the ment regime in cooperation with silencing her maverick father, at 25, Maréchal-Le Pen remains a state. Thus, the assessment of the ayatollahs as a potential means only option. the IAEA. who at 86 uses his title of hon- political novice despite her seat in nuclear agreement is shaped by of deterrence. The current agreement is the The easing of sanctions has orary president of the party to the national parliament. Her career individual subjective perceptions Despite allegations from Israeli result of such a diplomatic ini- to be made conditional on the lob regular stink bombs into the could be ruined if her grandfather of Iran’s intentions and objectives. and Western hawks that Iran was tiative. So far the agreement is unrestricted access to all Iranian French political debate. chose to run a dissident list against So what does Iran want? trying to develop an offensive a mere interim understanding to nuclear facilities, including those The tougher question is: How? her in a region he knows well. The roots of Iran’s nuclear nuclear capability targetting the scale back Iran’s nuclear ambi- under the patronage of the The trained lawyer, unani- Quoted by the Journal du programme date back to the United States and its clients in tions — a limited understand- Revolutionary Guard. Losing the mously re-confirmed as FN leader Dimanche weekly yesterday, Jean- 1970s. At the time the inten- the region, the military dimension ing merely between Iran and the trust and tacit approval of the at a congress last November, has Marie Le Pen hinted he might tions of the Shah were to prepare of the nuclear programme was Great Powers. Under the agree- religious establishment in Tehran a firm grip on the party as she step aside for Marion in what Iran’s energy sector with the help and still is defensive in nature. ment, Iran is allowed to continue would be bad. Losing the ability prepares for a 2017 presidential would be a possible olive branch. of the West, for the post-hydro- And this is where the risks lie: to enrich uranium, keep a signif- to coerce an Iran with a first- election in which she is tipped to It is a dilemma that should carbon era, diversifying energy a nuclear Iran would render icant number of its centrifuges, strike capability would be even make the second-round run-off if come as no surprise to Marine Le sources away from hydrocar- the Islamic Republic untouch- and retain 300 kg of its highly worse. not win outright. Pen. The first line of her official bons to nuclear power. After the able when pursuing its agenda of enriched uranium stockpiles. Dr Andreas Krieg is an assist- A survey by pollster Harris biography is a remark her father Islamic Revolution international exporting the Islamic Revolution All this, with a limited ability ant professor at the Defence Studies Interactive found 99 percent once famously made to her and sanctions made it increasingly regionally through irregular prox- of the international community Department of King’s College of FN supporters believe she her two sisters: “You are Le Pen difficult for the new regime to ies. Thus, a nuclear Iran primarily to really enforce the agreement. London working at the Jooan Bin “embodies” party values against girls for life. It’s not going to be advance its nuclear ambitions. It poses a threat to regional play- But although this deal favours Jassim Joint Command and Staff 28 percent for her father. Harris easy, so you might as well get used was not until the 2000s that the ers; predominately to the weaker Iran, this is the best deal the College in Doha, Qatar. found the French most associate to it fast.” REUTERS For Republicans, Stop Hillary drive begins in earnest

Clinton’s 2016 Republican chal- Library, is preparing a series of stories “Republicans need to be careful about Political reporters lengers, some appearing Friday at the mixing investigative angles and scalding seeming condescending toward a female National Rifle Association’s convention in humour, according to its founder, Michael candidate when we talk about compe- will be mailed flash Tennessee, also assailed the Democratic Goldfarb. One headline Thursday read, tence. If we’re not careful, it’ll bring out frontrunner in speeches and interviews “It’s time for Hillary to Take a Stand on even more of the women vote for her and ahead of her entry. Hitler.” that’d be devastating,” Fein said. drives, labelled The barrage has a familiar feel. More “As long as there is breath in our bod- “I’d advise to never talk about her age than 14 years after Bill Clinton left the ies,” Goldfarb said in an email, when or her health. Rather, the focal point “Clinton E-mail White House, Republicans are stepping asked whether the outlet is aggressively should be on her fitness to serve,” said back onto a battlefield in which they have pursuing Clinton, calling her time at the Kellyanne Conway, a Republican pollster toiled for decades, reviving Clinton con- State Department a “gold mine” for con- who advises male GOP candidates run- Files,” stocked troversies old and new as they seek to servatives. “Imelda Marcos didn’t have ning against Democratic women. counter the formal return of a longtime this many shoes to drop.” “There probably will be an errant com- with documents, adversary to presidential politics. Sean Spicer, the RNC’s chief political ment here or there by a bit player, of Reince Priebus, the combative adviser, said top Republicans decided over course forcing every Republican to say chairman of the Republican National a year ago to build their Clinton strat- whether they disagree or agree,” she videos and research Committee who has become the party’s egy with an array of digital marketing added. “Clinton’s allies will look at every most prominent Clinton critic, is lead- tools and to start a general-election-style comment through a gender lens.” material. ing the blitz. In recent days, the RNC “Hillary: The Movie,” an anti-Clinton film campaign as soon as possible, rather than Speaking Friday at his organisation’s has heavily promoted its “Stop Hillary” that was released before the 2008 cam- wait for the completion of the presiden- gathering in Nashville, NRA executive BY ROBERT COSTA initiative with a Web ad that raises ques- paign, when Hillary Clinton first sought tial primaries. vice-president Wayne LaPierre provided tions about foreign donations to her fam- the presidency. It was not a box office “The Democratic Party has chosen to an example of how GOP leaders may he deluge of derision this week- ily’s foundation and her use of a private hit but led to the landmark Supreme coronate Clinton and we’ve been singu- struggle to keep control of the tone and end from Republicans respond- email account at the State Department. Court case on campaign finance, Citizens larly focused on her. That doesn’t mean approach. LaPierre sounded apocalyptic. Ting to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Priebus — who habitually describes United v Federal Election Commission. we’re taking our eye off the ball with “Hillary Rodham Clinton will bring a (pictured) presidential launch is the start Clinton as a cold, Nixonian liberal mil- Unlike the previous production, which respect to Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb, permanent darkness of deceit and despair of a highly coordinated effort by national lionaire — has approved a six-figure focused on Clinton’s time in Arkansas or Lincoln Chafee,” Spicer said Saturday, forced upon the American people to GOP leaders and conservative groups advertising campaign targetting voters in and as First Lady, Bossie said in an inter- referring to potential Democratic presi- endure,” LaPierre said. to effectively begin the general-elec- swing states, according to Allison Moore, view that the upcoming documentary dential candidates. “But it’s a question of Clinton has an army of defenders. tion campaign against the Democratic a spokeswoman for the RNC. will “dive into her time as secretary of math, and you’d have to be from another Priorities USA Action, a super PAC nominee. But a galaxy of other conservative state and then what I call Clinton Global planet to think Lincoln Chaffee is going managed by former Obama aides, is lin- Acknowledging Clinton’s political power brokers, rabble-rousers and advo- Inc, the crony capitalism of her and to be a viable contender.” ing up pledges of support and hoping to strength, many Republican officials and cacy organisations are involved, including her husband.” This week, political reporters will be eclipse the millions it spent on ads dur- strategists on the right are determined to right-wing websites and super PACs that “Look for it in March or April of 2016,” mailed flash drives, labelled “Clinton ing the 2012 election; American Bridge is get a head start on attacking her record can accept millions of dollars in unlimited he said. E-mail Files,” stocked with documents, the Democratic counterpart to America as secretary of state and highlighting donations from the party’s biggest donors. Bruce Fein, a Republican attorney who videos and research material, Spicer said. Rising and employs its own trackers; lib- what they see as her vulnerabilities, GOP consultant Roger Stone, in an served in the Reagan administration, is Meanwhile, Priebus will be ubiquitous, eral provocateur David Brock’s Correct almost ignoring her lesser-known rivals. interview Saturday said he is finishing a readying HillaryWatch.com, a partisan jumping between rev-up-the-base chats the Record responds to Republicans’ The early onslaught — a battery of book — tentatively titled “The Clintons’ website that will catalogue Clinton’s on conservative radio and mainstream Clinton accusations. opposition research, snarky videos, and ” and expected out this policy positions and provide fodder for television networks. But anti-tax activist Grover Norquist, even an upcoming feature film — reflects summer — about the Clintons’ han- detractors. Still, some Republicans are wary of who has long run a weekly meeting of Republicans’ desire to use a common dling of episodes that have clouded Bill And the Washington Free Beacon, conservative activists and operatives conservative players in Washington, said opponent to unite their ranks, which have Clinton’s personal life. a hard-charging online magazine that becoming overzealous with their barbs the mood on the right is different this fractured as the GOP has stumbled in the David Bossie, president of Citizens has sent reporters to pour through and potentially damaging the party’s time around. “She bores me a little bit,” past two presidential elections. United, is in pre-production on a sequel to archives at the Clinton Presidential standing with women. Norquist said. WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE Italy picks Armenian massacre ‘genocide’: Pope up 700 boat Murders ‘widely considered ‘the first genocide of the 20th century’: Francis; Turkey enraged migrants VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis Cavusoglu said on Twitter. to “honour their memory, for Turks died in civil strife when Francis said the other two uttered the word “genocide” “Religious authorities are not the whenever memory fades, it means Armenians rose up against their genocides of the 20th century ROME: Italian ships have yesterday to describe the mass places to incite resentment and that evil allows wounds to fester.” Ottoman rulers and sided with were “perpetrated by Nazism picked up almost 700 migrants murder of Armenians 100 years hatred with baseless allegations,” The 78-year-old head of the invading Russian troops. and Stalinism”, before pointing in seven inflatable boats and ago, sparking fury from Turkey he added. Roman Catholic Church had been More than 20 nations, includ- to more recent mass killings in further rescue operations are which slammed the term as “far The foreign ministry, which under pressure to use the term ing France and Russia, recognise Cambodia, Rwanda, Burundi and under way as calm seas favoured from historical reality”. had summoned the Vatican envoy “genocide” publicly to describe the killings as genocide. Bosnia. “It seems that humanity departures from Libya for the In a solemn mass in Saint to Ankara to explain, accused the the slaughter, despite the risk of Vatican expert John Allen said is incapable of putting a halt to Italian coast, the coast guard Peter’s Basilica to mark the cen- pontiff of engaging in a “one-sided alienating an important ally in ahead of the mass that the “truly the shedding of innocent blood,” said yesterday. tenary of the Ottoman killings narrative” that ignored the suf- the fight against radical Islam. bold” thing for Francis to do was he said. Italian navy and coast guard of Armenians, Francis said the fering of Muslims and other reli- Before becoming Pope, Jorge “show restraint” — something the The Armenian victims a cen- vessels and one merchant ship murders were “widely considered gious groups at that time. Bergoglio used the word several pope may feel he has achieved tury ago were Christian and rescued the migrants from dan- ‘the first genocide of the 20th While Francis did not use his times in events marking the mass by uttering the word “genocide” although the killings were not gerously overcrowded boats on century’,” quoting a statement own words to describe the killings murders, calling on Turkey to but only while quoting his Polish openly driven by religious motives, Saturday, a coast guard spokes- signed by Pope John Paul II and as genocide, it was the first time recognise the killings as such. predecessor. the pontiff drew comparisons man said, adding that other boats the Armenian patriarch in 2001. the term was spoken aloud in con- As Pope, Francis is said to When Francis visited Turkey, with modern Christian refugees had been identified on Sunday and Many historians describe the nection with Armenia by a head have used it once during a pri- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fleeing Islamist militants. operations continued. World War I slaughter as the of the Roman Catholic Church in vate audience in 2013 — but even offered the pontiff a pact He referred once again to the On Friday, around 1,000 20th century’s first genocide, but Saint Peter’s Basilica. that sparked an outraged reac- under which he would defend modern day as “a time of war, a migrants were rescued, with Turkey hotly denies the accusa- “It was a very courageous act to tion from Turkey. Armenians say Christians in the Middle East in third world war which is being more than 500 reaching Porto tions. Shortly after the Pope’s repeat clearly that it was a geno- up to 1.5 million of their kin were exchange for the Church tackling fought piecemeal”, and evoked Empedocle in Sicily on Sunday. speech, a furious Ankara said it cide,” Vatican expert Marco Tosatti killed between 1915 and 1917 as Islamophobia in the West, Allen the “muffled and forgotten cry” Most of the migrants who disem- was recalling its ambassador to said. “By quoting John Paul II, he the Ottoman Empire was falling said — describing it as “a potential of those “decapitated, crucified, barked were Eritrean and Somali, the Vatican, Mehmet Pacaci, for strengthened the Church’s position, apart, and have long sought to win game-changer”. burned alive, or forced to leave said a port official. consultations. making it clear where it stands on international recognition of the In 2014, Erdogan, then premier, their homeland.” “Today too we There were dozens of women “The Pope’s statement, which the issue,” he added. massacres as genocide. offered condolences for the mass are experiencing a sort of geno- among them wearing colourful is far from the legal and histori- The Argentine Pope described But Turkey rejects the killings for the first time, but the cide created by general and collec- headscarves, and they brought cal reality, cannot be accepted,” the “immense and senseless claims, arguing that 300,000 to country still blames unrest and tive indifference,” he said. several children with them. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut slaughter” and spoke of the duty 500,000 Armenians and as many famine for many of the deaths. AFP Many of the migrants were bare- foot. Another 600 migrants were expected to arrive in the port of Reggio Calabria soon. Refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa regu- EU beneficiaries speak larly risk the hazardous journey across the Mediterranean, often between Libya and Sicily, to reach out ahead of UK polls the European Union. The number of migrant boats has picked up in the past two weeks as the spring FALMOUTH: Students at unique and the Times recently weather has made the attempted Falmouth University have a published an open letter from crossing safer. AFP lot riding on May’s general some of the country’s leading aca- election, which if won by the demics warning against the risk Conservatives will trigger a ref- of “Brexit” (“British Exit”). Russia ‘busts erendum on Britain’s member- They noted that “the UK ben- ship of the European Union and efits directly from £1.2bn annually satellite spy ring’ threaten their funding. in European research funding and The university’s giant bay win- is the largest beneficiary of EU MOSCOW: Russia has uncov- dows open out on to the idyllic research funds to universities.” ered a group of spy satellites, rolling valleys of Cornwall, south- But Britain has never com- the head of its space command west England, but inside its mod- pletely fallen for Brussels’ said in a film broadcast yester- ernist buildings, the university is charms, and eurosceptics point to day, which warned of “enemy” a hub of hi-tech activity. London’s bill for EU membership, satellites that could masquer- In the video games department, which has risen from ¤1.9bn in ade as space junk. a student hones the settings on 2009 to ¤8.6bn in 2013, taking into “Very recently, specialists of the a pair of virtual reality gog- account what the country receives department of space intelligence gles in front of a table crammed in subsidies. centre uncovered a newly created with cables and joysticks. On the “However, the net balance does group of space satellites... made shelves, piles of programming not accurately reflect the many for radio-technical reconnais- manuals lie next to models from benefits of EU membership,” sance of equipment on Russian the game Assassin’s Creed. argues the European Commission Liberal Democratic Party leader Nick Clegg (left) and David Laws, Minister of State for Schools in the Department territory,” said the commander “The EU has been incred- in an official document. for Education, launch their party’s manifesto in London yesterday. of Russian Space Command, Oleg ibly important to Falmouth “Many of them, such as peace, Maidanovich. University,” professor Anne political stability, security and member state since 1973. Ed Miliband, leader of the eventually appear in an original Space Command is a division Carlisle, vice-chancellor at freedom to live, work, study and Having secured changes, the opposition Labour Party, has video game. of the military responsible for the institution, said, joking travel anywhere in the Union British public would then be asked ruled out a referendum if he wins Despite his university’s stance, warning of missile and air strikes that they hoped to create a cannot be measured,” it added. “do you want to stay in Europe on on May 7, saying Britain’s future the 21-year-old believes Britain and controlling Russia’s defence “Falmouthfornia” tech-zone mod- Conservative Prime Minister this reform basis or leave?” in a “lies inside and not outside the should be asked the question. satellites. elled on Silicon Valley. David Cameron supports EU referendum to be held by 2017. European Union”. “We joined the EU many years Maidanovich declined to say “Over a 14-year period, over membership but has promised an “Leaving will save the taxpayer “We won’t condemn this coun- ago, I think it’s fair enough to ask which country or countries the £100m ($146m) has been invested in-out referendum as he attempts billions of pounds,” said Robert try to years of uncertainty, years the current generation whether satellites belonged to. into Cornwall higher education to to counter the rise of UKIP, the Oulds, director of the right-wing of insecurity, by threatening our it’s working.” But a look around The film — called “Space improve infrastructure.” anti-EU and anti-mass immi- Bruges Group think-tank. European future,” he added. his gleaming workspace reveals Special Forces” — was shown on “The idea that might not exist gration party that won the 2014 “But the biggest prize... is the Meanwhile, in Falmouth, stu- which way he would vote. defence ministry channel Zvezda in the future through some kind European elections. restoration of self-government dent Thomas Brown is busy “Obviously I work here, all as Russia marked “Space Day”, of closing of borders is absolutely If re-elected for a second term, and having decisions made by incorporating animations into 3D this is funded by EU money,” he commemorating the space flight horrifying,” she added. Cameron has promised to “nego- people that we can elect and dis- programming software, creating explained. “It’s a good thing to of Yury Gagarin on April 12, 1961. Falmouth’s position is not tiate a better deal” for the UK, a miss,” he added. realistic combat scenes that will stay in the EU.” AFP AFP

Tree of Life Estonia president urges Nato to Catalan statehood bid off course send more troops BARCELONA: Leaders seek- party with whom he shares power debate,” he told AFP. “In that ing independence for Spain’s in the regional parliament have sense it is more in line with the LONDON: Estonia’s President Catalonia region had the wind agreed a “road map” for inde- interests of the Spanish state than Toomas Hendrik Ilves has in their sails four months pendence by 2017 which they with the demands of Catalonia.” called for Nato to send more ago, but the change sweeping vow to implement if they retain Mas told the Wall Street troops to his country to counter Spanish politics has blown them a majority in September’s vote. Journal in a recent interview: “For the threat posed by increasingly off course. The plan threatens to hurt Catalonia, the underlying prob- assertive neighbour Russia, a Politicians warn that surg- Mas, however, as it was rejected lem isn’t the left-right axis, but report said yesterday. ing left-wing party Podemos is by parties including the UCD, rather the relationship between Ilves told Britain’s Daily a “Trojan horse” disrupting the which forms part of his CiU Catalonia and the Spanish state.” Telegraph newspaper that independence drive, while centre- grouping. Catalonia is home to 7.5 million Estonia was “part of a group of right Ciudadanos vows to sink the Overall, the pro-independence people and accounts for a fifth of countries who are mentioned in secessionists. majority looks in danger. Spain’s economy. a threatening way” by Russia and Many in the rich industrial For the first time since June Proud of their distinct language that the military alliance, which region, including its conservative 2011, the Catalan regional gov- and culture, many Catalans say Estonia joined 11 years ago, should leader Artur Mas, want to create ernment’s own opinion survey in they get a raw deal from the way set up permanent combat units in a new state in Europe in defiance February indicated a majority of their taxes are redistributed to his country. of the Spanish government. Mas Catalans saying “No” to independ- the rest of Spain. Tensions between Nato and got a boost when nearly two million ence — 48 percent against 44 per- The powerful pro-independence Russia have spiked to Cold War- Catalans backed independence in a cent saying “Yes”. civil groups behind a series of mass era levels since Moscow’s March symbolic poll in November. The poll indicated that due demonstrations in recent years 2014 annexation of Crimea from Banned by Spanish courts from to the rise of Podemos and have been quiet since the November Ukraine and the ongoing conflict holding a full referendum, Mas Ciudadanos, the two Catalan poll, but are now gearing up again in eastern Ukraine between pro- later called a regional election governing parties between them to mobilise their supporters. Russia rebels and the government. for next September to serve as a could fall short of an absolute Ahead of the May local council Russian military manoeuvres plebiscite on independence. majority for the first time since elections, they are planning a rally on Estonia’s border have triggered But national politics have got in 1980. Polls show Podemos and on April 24 in Barcelona’s Sant concern in Europe that Moscow his way, with the rise of the two Ciudadanos are drawing votes Jordi Palace, where the 15,000 could attempt to destabilise coun- upstart political parties, on top of away from Spain’s two big old seats have already been booked tries that were in its orbit during Mas’s disagreements with fellow parties, the governing conserva- out. The anti-independence group Soviet times. As a result, Nato is pro-independence groups. tive Popular Party and the main Sociedad Civil Catalana is also boosting defences on Europe’s “In the coming months we will opposition Socialists. canvassing. eastern flank with a “readiness” The 37-metre “The Tree of Life” at the Expo 2015 work site near Milan. see the collapse of the secession- Jordi Turull, spokesman for “If the pro-independence bub- task force of 5,000 troops and Three weeks before the Milan Expo opens on May 1, the site of the ist plan,” said Matias Alonso, the Mas’s CiU coalition in the Catalan ble bursts but the anti-seces- command centres in six formerly showpiece event is still a mass of trucks raising dust and workers in deputy leader of Ciudadanos. parliament, branded Podemos a sionists do not respond by going communist members of the alli- “In the elections in September “Trojan horse” against the inde- to vote, things will be the same hard hats racing to finish building after delays, graft and cost overruns. ance, including one in Estonia. we will see a substantial change.” pendence movement. as ever,” said its vice-president AFP Mas and the Republican Left “Podemos could sidetrack the Susana Beltran. AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Hillary launches White House bid Campaign starts with video and social media announcement; Republicans launch pre-emptive attacks

NEW YORK: Hillary Clinton promised to be a champion for everyday Americans yesterday as she kicked off a long-awaited second run for the White House as the commanding Democratic front runner. “Everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that champion,” Clinton said in a video released on the internet that announced her run. “Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times, but the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top,” she said. Clinton, who lost a bruising Democratic nominating battle to Barack Obama in 2008, was expected to travel soon to Iowa, the state that holds the kickoff nominating contest in early 2016. “It’s official: Hillary’s running for president,” John Podesta, a top aide to Clinton, said in an email sent to supporters of her failed 2008 bid. “She is hitting the road to Iowa to start talking directly with voters. There will be a for- A March 23, 2015 picture shows former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton during a discussion on “our nation’s urban centres”, and “challenges from housing and transportation to education mal kickoff event next month.” and workforce accessibility” at the Centre for American Progress in Washington. RIGHT: Supporters take part in the “Ready for Hillary” rally in Manhattan yesterday. Clinton’s campaign will empha- sise her plans to address eco- and fight for every vote we can nomic inequality and will tout win,” he said in the campaign the historic nature of her effort memo, titled “We Are Hillary for Scandals and gaffes could haunt campaign to become the first woman US America.” president, aides said. Even before the much-antici- WASHINGTON: Hillary Clinton looks But the truly explosive scandal was the and a seven-bedroom manor in Washington One of her biggest challenges pated announcement on Sunday, ahead to 2016 as the year Americans may relationship Bill had with White House a year later for $2.85m. They both have made will be to show a more down-to- potential Republican opponents finally elect their first-ever female presi- intern Monica Lewinsky, and the subsequent millions in speaking fees since, and Hillary earth side while connecting with took swings at Clinton. Former dent, but her past is freighted with blem- December 1998 impeachment of Clinton by quickly clarified later that she has had “ter- ordinary voters. Critics, includ- Florida Governor Jeb Bush criti- ishes and gaffes that could compromise if the House of Representatives for perjury and rific” opportunities in life. But Republicans ing liberals in her own party, say cized her guidance of US foreign not sink her campaign. obstructing a federal investigation. He was could still aim to paint her as out of touch. she has grown out of touch after policy as secretary of state. Clinton intends to draw on her wealth of acquitted by the Senate, but the episode is BENGHAZI: Perhaps Clinton’s chief fail- decades as the wife of former “We must do better than the experience as first lady, US senator and globe- a scab that might be peeled back over the ure while top diplomat was the response to the President Bill Clinton, a U.S. Obama-Clinton foreign policy trotting secretary of state to convince voters next 18 months. attacks on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya on senator and secretary of state. that has damaged relationships she is the best person for the job. But the RICH WOMAN, POOR WOMAN: The September 11, 2012. Republicans hammer her In a memo made public on with our allies and emboldened Republican National Committee is already Clintons are wealthy by any measure, but that for not doing enough, and accuse the adminis- Saturday, Clinton’s campaign our enemies,” Bush said in a video labelling her past as a “decades-long record has not always been the case. In Arkansas they tration of changing the “talking points” issued by manager, Robby Mook, told released by the political action of secrecy and scandal.” Here’s a look: lived in relative modesty. Although that changed the administration into downplaying the assault. staff that while the goal was for committee Right to Rise. THE LEWINSKY AFFAIR: President Bill in Washington, Clinton blurted out to ABC tel- But what might live on through the 2016 cam- Clinton to win the presidency, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul Clinton’s sexual indiscretions have long dogged evision last year that the Clintons were “dead paign is Clinton’s exasperated response when the campaign was not about her made the rounds of talk shows to the superstar Democratic couple. Arkansas broke” when they left the White House. questioned by Republicans over what prompted but about “everyday Americans.” slam Clinton’s handling of a 2012 employee Paula Jones sued Clinton for sexual They were indeed saddled with Bill Clinton’s the assault that killed four Americans. “What “We are humble: we take nothing attack on a US diplomatic com- harassment. The president testified in 1998 huge legal fees from the Lewinsky scandal. difference, at this point does it make?” Clinton for granted, we are never afraid pound in Benghazi, Libya. that he had intimate relations with former But they nonetheless purchased a reported boomed in a 2013 Senate hearing, in comments to lose, we always out-compete REUTERS reporter Gennifer Flowers. $1.7m home in Chappaqua, New York in 1999, that quickly went viral. AFP

Obama to decide on Cuba’s terror Obama and Maduro listing soon meet for first time WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will decide in PANAMA CITY: US President to ease tensions before the sum- “the next days” whether to Barack Obama spoke with mit, saying it did not really remove Cuba from a blacklist of Venezuelan President Nicolas believe that Venezuela posed a US state sponsors of terrorism, top Maduro for the first time national security threat, as stated diplomat John Kerry said yes- on Saturday, telling him in the sanctions document. terday, refusing to divulge what Washington was not seeking In his brief moment with he had recommended. to threaten Caracas amid sky- Maduro, Obama voiced his support Obama held historic talks on high tensions. for a peaceful dialogue between Saturday with Cuban President US officials said the two lead- Venezuela’s government and the Raul Castro, meeting for more ers met for a few minutes on the opposition, said Katherine Vargas, than an hour on the sidelines of a margins of the Summit of the a White House spokeswoman. Panama summit as the two coun- Americas in Panama City, where The US leader also “reiter- tries seek to bury decades of Cold Maduro used the stage to air his ated that our interest is not in War-era hostility. grievances about US sanctions threatening Venezuela, but in But despite rampant specula- against Venezuelan officials. supporting democracy, stability tion, Obama made no announce- The brief encounter hap- and prosperity in Venezuela and ment about whether he had pened the same day that Obama the region,” Vargas said. decided to meet Havana’s demand held historic talks with Cuban Maduro came to the 35-nation to be struck from the blacklist. President Raul Castro as part summit to demand that Obama Cuba was first put on the list, of their efforts to end decades of lift sanctions executive order, say- Hundreds of people take part in a demonstration against the government of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff which also includes Syria, Sudan Cold War-era hostility. ing he had garnered more than 13 at Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia yesterday. and Iran, in 1982 for harboring In the run-up to the summit, million signatured against it. ETA Basque separatist militants Maduro was seen as a wild card “I respect you, but I don’t trust and Colombian FARC rebels. in a gathering meant to showcase you, President Obama,” Maduro Protests against Rousseff, graft Secretary of State Kerry a new era in US relations with told the summit, though Obama acknowledged Sunday that after Latin America following the had already left to hold bilateral a lengthy review his department US-Cuba detente. talks with Colombia’s president. BRASÍLIA: Tens of thousands attend marches held in some 400 polling organization Datafolha has made a recommendation to Maduro told the summit that Fellow leftist leaders from of Brazilians took to the streets cities. Rio hosted two modest questioned what it deemed inflated the president. he respected but did not trust Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador yesterday, venting anger over protests at the tourist magnet of figures in Sao Paulo. “I’m going to allow the presi- Obama, and that it was the US rallied behind Maduro. “I am will- government corruption and Copacabana beach, where media Although Sunday’s numbers dent the latitude which he president who had threatened ing to talk with President Obama economic drift just one month put participants at some 10,000, appeared modest, organizers said deserves... to be able to make Venezuela. Obama had left the about this issue with respect and after widespread protests drew while another march was sched- it was not the size of rallies that his decision based on the recom- summit room before he spoke. sincerity whenever he wants,” more than a million people. uled for early afternoon in busi- counts, but the message. mendation we made,” Kerry told The White House had sought Maduro said. AFP By early afternoon, organisers ness hub Sao Paulo. “We don’t have an estimate CBS’s “Face the Nation.” said some 190,000 people across “We have come to show what is for how many people there are. “He will make his decision in the country had answered the call going on in Brazil — this govern- We want all Brazil to come out the next days, as the inter-agency to protest, driven in large part ment is doing nothing. The people into the streets (but) we are process works through what we by the widening scandal at state- must show their unsatisfaction,” not here to break records,” have evaluated,” Kerry said. owned oil giant Petrobras. Dianara Loubet, a 75-year-old said Rizzia Arreiro, a 35-year- The United States and com- Protesters also expressed their yoga instructor, said as marchers old Rio protester from the Vem munist-run Cuba broke relations displeasure over rising inflation converged on the capital Brasilia, Pra Rua (take to the streets) in 1961, the year Obama was and soaring utility bills. where some protesters hung a protest group. born. More than a half-century Those pocket-book issues — banner calling for the army to “The main objective is to get later, Castro and Obama stunned as well as the perceived erosion intervene. Rousseff’s dismissal or resigna- the world when they announced of workers’ rights — have fueled “Dilma out” and “corrupt gov- tion,” Fabio Ostermann, an oppo- on December 17 that they would growing opposition to leftist ernment” were just two slogans sition leader organizing the rally, seek to restore diplomatic ties, President Dilma Rousseff, re- borne on giant banners held aloft said on Saturday. the culmination of 18 months of elected just last October. by marchers. Many protesters wore Public confidence in Brazil’s secret negotiations. Turnout across the nation the canary yellow of the Brazilian political class has slumped with Kerry’s department is leading included some 25,000 in the soccer team as they called for the detention or questioning of the negotiations with Cuban dip- capital Brasilia, although police Rousseff to be impeached — though dozens of lawmakers and offi- lomats on paving the way towards put the overall figure at nearer most commentators believe that is cials, including the treasurer of restoring diplomatic ties. But 100,000, media conglomerate unlikely to happen. the ruling Workers Party over an despite three rounds of talks since Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro (left) reacts as his wife Cilia Flores Globo reported on its website. Similar protests on March 15 alleged multi-billion dollar kick- January, no announcement or vis- looks on, at the end of the forum of the People’s Summit, a parallel event Organisers had hoped more brought out more than 1.7 million back scheme at Petrobras. ible progress has been made. of the Seventh Summit of the Americas, in Panama City, yesterday. than one million people would people according to police, although AFP AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Voting extended Bangladesh in Rivers state as Nigeria ups security awaits results PORT HARCOURT: Voting in Nigeria’s key regional elections extended into yesterday in res- tive Rivers state after irregu- after hanging larities at some polling stations, as the nation anxiously awaited results for governorship and local assembly polls. Jamaat calls for strike today Rivers, a southern oil-produc- ing hub, has emerged as flashpoint DHAKA: Bangladesh tight- pre-planned murder” by the secu- through Nigeria’s historic 2015 ened security nationwide yes- lar government. election cycle, and security forces terday after a senior Islamist The hanging is expected to were deployed heavily around the was hanged for war crimes deepen a months-long political capital Port Harcourt in anticipa- during the 1971 independence crisis that has seen the Islamists tion of disputes over the results. conflict, a move that triggered and the main opposition party A total of 29 governorship and anger among his opposition launch nationwide protests to try deputy governorship positions supporters but celebrations to topple Prime Minister Sheikh from Nigeria’s 36 states are up for elsewhere. Hasina. grabs as well as seats in all of the Police said extra officers were But the execution is unlikely states’ legislatures, with results deployed in the capital and to trigger the widespread deadly expected to trickle in yesterday. other major cities hours after violence which followed the first Governors are influential fig- Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, war crimes execution in 2013 — ures in Africa’s most populous the third most senior leader of also involving an Islamist. nation, with near-total control of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, was Hundreds of Jamaat activists Police officers escort ambulances, one of them carrying the body of Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, a top Islamist their states and collective power executed in a Dhaka prison late were killed that year when the leader convicted of war crimes, after he was executed in Dhaka on Saturday. at a national level to bolster or yesterday. party held a series of nation- check the presidency. The 62-year-old was only the wide protests against trials of Supporters of Hasina’s ruling his gravesite yesterday to offer emotive of all the war crimes The main opposition All second person to be hanged for its leaders by the tribunal, which Awami League party also cel- prayers, local online news por- trials. Progressives Congress (APC) is war crimes following his convic- was established by Hasina’s ebrated yesterday with proces- tals said. “All 32 widows who are still seeking to build on its current tion in 2013 by a controversial government. sions in Dhaka and other cities Prosecutors said alive are happy the notorious control of 14 states after its can- tribunal, set up to investigate Security forces have since and by distributing sweets, police Kamaruzzaman presided over the killer has been hanged. Finally didate Muhammadu Buhari won atrocities during the conflict. rounded up thousands of Jamaat said. massacre of at least 120 unarmed we got justice,” said Mohammad the presidential race two weeks “We’re alert against any bid supporters in a massive crack- “It’s an Eid day for us,” a sup- farmers who were lined up and Jalal Uddin, a Sohagpur farmer ago, in the first democratic trans- to create anarchy or violence,” a down on the unrest. porter in the northeastern city gunned down in the northern vil- who lost seven members of his fer of power in Nigeria’s history. police spokesman said. No major Bangladesh went ahead with of Sylhet told television station lage of Sohagpur. extended family in the killing. President Goodluck Jonathan’s incidents had been reported as of the execution despite last- Channel 24, referring to the major The 1971 war between At least five other Jamaat lead- ruling Peoples Democratic Party early evening. minute pleas by the United Muslim festival. Bangladeshi nationalists, assisted ers have been sentenced to death. currently controls 21 states. Kamaruzzaman lost his final Nations, the European Union After meeting his fam- by Indian troops, and Pakistani Their appeals are being heard in appeal last week against a death and human rights organisations. ily one last time on Saturday, forces led to the creation of inde- the Supreme Court. Two dead in knife sentence for carrying out a mas- The UN has said the trial did Kamaruzzaman was taken by pendent Bangladesh from what Jamaat and other critics say sacre at a village as head of a pro- not meet “fair international” specially trained convicts to a was then East Pakistan. the war crimes trials are mainly attack aboard ship Pakistan militia. standards. makeshift gallows for the execu- Kamaruzzaman’s lawyers aimed at silencing Hasina’s oppo- Jamaat, the largest Islamist Hundreds of secular activ- tion about 10.30pm (1700 GMT). argued that he was only 19 when nents rather than delivering in Philippines party, called a nationwide ists and supporters of the tri- His body was returned to his the nine-month war broke out justice. “prayer day” for yesterday als gathered in central Dhaka home village in the north where and was too young to have led Hasina’s government says the ZAMBOANGA: A crewman on and a strike today in protest on Saturday night to cheer and he was buried in a ceremony any militia. trials — which lack any interna- a Chinese vessel in Philippine at Kamaruzzaman’s “heinous flash ‘V for victory’ signs over the attended by about 100 people, Three women who lost their tional oversight — are needed to waters has killed two of his col- killing”. The party branded death of a man they called a “war local police chief Mazharul Karim husbands testified against heal the wounds of the conflict. leagues with a knife, a coast it an act of “revenge and butcher”. said Scores of supporters visited Kamaruzzaman in one of the most AFP guard official said yesterday. One other crew member was wounded in the attack aboard the Liberian-flagged Quing May and has been taken to hospital. The suspect is believed to still be hiding aboard the massive trans- Kenya asks UN to repatriate Somali refugees port ship, which is docked at the southern port city of Zamboanga, NAIROBI: Kenya said it has Shebab insurgents from and that includes no forceful legally obliged to protect them a joint deal to back the voluntary said regional coast guard chief asked the UN refugee agency Somalia claimed responsibility repatriation to the country of until they can go home safely — repatriation of Somalis. Lieutenant Jimmy Verbo. to repatriate hundreds of thou- for the April 2 attack on the uni- origin.” should find and prosecute those On Wednesday, Kenya shut The vessel, operated by China’s sands of Somali refugees by versity in the east of the country Somali refugees in Kenya responsible for the Garissa mas- down 14 money transfer com- Foremost group, was transporting July in the wake of the Garissa which left nearly 150 people dead. number around 450,000, most of sacre,” said Leslie Lefkow, the panies, vital for impoverished iron ore from Australia to China University massacre. Garissa is around 100km from them at Dadaab, the world’s larg- rights group’s Africa deputy Somalia, over their suspected when one crewman attacked the “We have asked the UNHCR the sprawling Dadaab refu- est refugee camp, the UNHCR director. links to Shebab. But aid agen- others with a knife on Saturday to relocate the refugees in three gee camp near the border with said. The Kenyan government had cies warned that the closure while they were off the southern months” or “we shall relocate Somalia. The camp opened in 1991 after already sought the closure of would mainly affect the poorest Philippine islands of Jolo, said them ourselves”, a government UNHCR spokesman Emmanuel the collapse of Somalia’s hard- Dadaab after the September 2013 Somalis who depended on finan- Verbo. statement quoted Vice President Nyabera said in Nairobi: “We have line Siad Barre regime when the Shebab attack on the Westgate cial aid from relatives living in Two ship’s officers were killed William Ruto as saying in a not received any formal commu- country plunged into chaos. shopping mall in Nairobi that left Kenya. and an engineer was wounded, speech on Saturday. nication or formal request from Human Rights Watch said that at least 67 people dead, saying the Authorities have detained five prompting the captain to call the The UNHCR said yesterday the Kenyan government along sending the refugees back would camp was a breeding ground for Kenyans and a Tanzanian sus- coast guard for help, he said. it had not received the Kenyan this line.” be “illegal”. Islamist militants. pected of connections to the uni- The motive for the attack is request but added that refugees “Kenya has an international “Instead of making refugees In November that year, Kenya, versity massacre. still unclear. cannot be forcibly repatriated. obligation to protect the refugees scapegoats, Kenya—which is Somalia and the UNHCR signed AFP AGENCIES

Street nap Hundreds protest against China coal Anger runs deep a year plant pollution after ferry tragedy : Hundreds of people in China’s southern Guangdong SEOUL: South Koreans mark The Sewol was carrying 476 province protested against the the first anniversary this week people when it sank off the coun- expansion of a coal-fired power of the Sewol ferry disaster which try’s southwest. plant yesterday, state media scarred the national psyche and The shock accident — which reported, the latest sign of pub- left a lasting legacy of bitter- plunged the whole nation into a lic discontent over pollution. ness, mistrust and division. months-long period of intense Residents had complained For the relatives of the 304 vic- mourning — was largely blamed of smog in Heyuan city since tims, especially the families of the on the ship’s illegal redesign and the power plant there began 250 high school children who died, overloading. operations in 2008, and officials the past 12 months have done lit- But it also laid bare deeper- recently approved a second phase tle to numb the pain and grief—or rooted problems of corruption, lax for the project, the official Xinhua the anger. safety standards and regulatory news agency reported. “Don’t you ever say it has failings attributed to the coun- “There has been a strong police already been a year. Don’t you try’s relentless push for economic presence, though no reports of ever say we should move on. We growth. violence since the protest began are still living that day,” said Lee Hopes that the tragedy would at around 10am,” Xinhua said. Street children sleep on a discarded mattress on a centre island near a road crossing in Manila on International Keum-Hui, who lost her 16-year- prompt an overhaul that would Residents had collected more Day for Street Children yesterday. old daughter when the Sewol tackle issues like unhealthy ties than 10,000 signatures in March went down on April 16. between businesses and regula- on a petition opposing the plant’s For Lee’s family, the past year tors have largely been dashed. expansion, it added. has been especially wrenching, as “We have been out on the street Xinhua did not give other details her daughter was one of the nine for the past year, trying every- about the incident, but photos cir- Parents’ plea for China feminists’ release victims whose bodies were never thing we can... but nothing has culating on Chinese social media recovered — depriving them of the changed,” said Yoo Kyung-Geun, showed hundreds of people march- BEIJING: The parents of five trouble” has been increasingly a day ahead of International closure of a funeral. who lost his teenage daughter on ing in the street, some holding Chinese feminists detained for used by Chinese police under Women’s Day on March 8 as they In deeply Confucian South the ferry. banners denouncing the project as more than a month have issued President Xi Jinping to detain and were preparing to hand out leaf- Korea, a proper funeral is essen- Families and their supporters damaging to health and blue skies. an eleventh-hour plea to author- jail protestors for holding small- lets about . tial to show respect for the dead have repeatedly staged street pro- A source at the Heyuan govern- ities for their release, as a lawyer scale demonstrations. The activists are “young, kind- and allow their souls to rest in tests and sit-ins, urging President ment’s publicity office said only for the activists said prosecutors The five women — , hearted, and full of a sense of peace. Park Geun-Hye to deliver on her about 200 people had joined the have until today to charge them. 25, Wei Tingting, 26, Wang Man, responsibility to society,” 10 of These days much of Lee’s time promise of a thorough, independ- protest. “There was no conflict. We The young women face being 32, , 25, and Wu their parents and spouses wrote in is spent petitioning or taking part ent inquiry and to salvage the ship. are having a meeting right now to charged with “picking quarrels Rongrong, 30 — had in recent a letter to Beijing prosecutors that in protests with her husband to After months of political bick- study the issue. City government and provoking trouble”, which years been linked to several was posted online. “These five girls, push the government to bring the ering, Seoul lawmakers finally leaders have gone to see protesters could see them jailed for up to five stunts aiming to highlight issues who we care for and love deeply, 6,825-tonne vessel to the surface. passed a bill in November creat- and communicate with them,” the years after they were detained by such as domestic violence and the have not made a mistake, let alone “My whole family is broken ing a 17-member committee to man said, declining to give his name. police in early March. poor provision of women’s toilets. committed a crime,” they said. apart... all we feel now is despair,” probe the disaster. REUTERS The vague charge of “provoking They were taken into custody AFP Lee said. AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Shopping spree in Mazar-i-Sharif Sharif to visit PTI poll tribunal Indonesia on April 21 ISLAMABAD: Prime summons Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Jakarta in the last week of April where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Imran Khan Iranian President Dr Hasan Rouhani will have meeting with him separately. The prime minister will attend Tribunal already dissolved, says party 60th commemoration of the Asian- African Conference that will be ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan with Justice Wajih in person, attended by 109 world leaders. Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) inter- ostensibly to pacify the latter who Indonesian Ambassador to nal party rift once again reared is now asserting his position as Pakistan Burhan Muhammad its head yesterday when a the head of the tribunal. said that Prime Minister Nawaz two-member election tribu- “While the tribunal has been Sharif would travel to Jakarta nal, headed by retired Justice passing vocal and [spoken] orders, on April 21 and would leave for Wajihuddin Ahmed, summoned it is apprehended that the chair- London on April 24. party Chairman Imran Khan man PTI has not been explained The conference has been organ- to appear before it on April 21 the finer aspects of such orders. ised to celebrate establishment of to explain why he had not com- Indeed, [when] the chairman Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) plied with its earlier orders. was in Karachi on April 8-9 and way back in April 1955 in Bandung, The summons came as a sur- desired to see the tribunal, the capital of West Java province of prise for many in the PTI as Khan tribunal could not accede to a Indonesia. The function to com- had already dissolved the tribu- private meeting, since the same memorate the NAM establish- nal last month after it issued a would have been contrary to judi- ment would also take place in detailed judgement on March 18, cial norms,” says the order. Bandung but Sharif wouldn’t visit recommending fresh intra-party “Anyway, because the chair- Afghan customers walk through a crowded market in the evening in Mazar-i-sharif. the West Java capital. polls due to serious irregularities man PTI needs to be apprised of in the intra-party election process the intricacies involved, we have and called for the dissolution of all thought fit to fix April 21 Gabol 10 militants party offices at the organisational House for his appearance. On level. such date only the parties, their PIA takes 5 French aircraft on lease killed on Yousuf Malik Gabol is the other counsel and PTI leaders, together member of the tribunal. The par- with those specifically allowed by Afghan border ty’s Information Secretary, Dr the tribunal, would be permitted KARACHI: Pakistan PIA Managing Director Shah number of aircraft in the PIA Shireen Mazari said the tribunal to attend,” it adds. International Airlines (PIA) Nawaz Rehman and other senior fleet, the airline will be in a posi- PESHAWAR: Pakistani offi- had already been dissolved, “but On the other hand, the tribu- has acquired five French-built officials were also present on the tion to offer additional flights and cials yesterday claimed to have Khan has decided on his own to nal “cannot overlook the fact that, ATR-72 aircraft, each with a occasion. also increase flight frequency on killed at least 10 Taliban mili- go before Justice Wajihuddin and pursuant to the tribunal’s orders, capacity of 66 seats, on dry lease Jaffer said the PIA would now existing profitable routes, he tants trying to cross into the other members to answer all their instead of genuine caretakers for a period of eight years, PIA be in a better position to offer added. country’s restive tribal areas queries because we are a demo- being appointed, the same office- Spokesman Muhammad Aamir more flights. The Board of Directors of the from Afghanistan. cratic party and Khan believes in bearers, against many of whom Memon said. The fuel-efficient ATR aircraft airline had approved the purchase Security forces caught the mili- leading by example”. serious electoral irregularities The first of the batch arrived at were planned for deployment on of five ATR-72 aircraft in October tants in the Shumkari area of the In its latest order on April surfaced, have been permitted to the Jinnah International Airport domestic / feeder routes, as well 2014 and it was to be delivered by Mohmand tribal district close to 10, the tribunal has also shown continue.” on Sunday. as some international short-haul December the same year. the border with Afghanistan try- concern over the PTI chairman’s “This is claimed to be till the The remaining four ATRs will sectors, he said. According to PIA officials, ing to “sneak into Pakistan terri- decision to allow former office- election schedule recommended join the PIA fleet by the end of He instructed the officials con- the airline will have 11 ATRs, 13 tory,” a military spokesman said bearers - some of whom have been by the [party’s] election commis- May, he said, adding, with the cerned to speed up the necessary A320s and nine 777s during 2015. in a statement. accused of committing irregulari- sion. The fact of the matter is that induction of the aircraft, the total formalities so that the aircraft An official said efforts are being “At about 0130 hours (Saturday ties in the intra-party elections this tribunal has itself promul- number of ATR aircraft in the could be deployed for operation made to improve the air carrier’s night) a group of about 10-15 ter- - to continue as caretakers until gated electoral parameters. PIA fleet will rise to 11. without any delay. finances and the airline manage- rorists tried to sneak into Pakistan fresh elections are held. In this unfortunate situation, PIA is in the process of under- The PIA chairman thanked ment during the first six months territory. Pakistan troops observed Party sources said that the if the continuing office-bearers taking a revival plan and is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and of the current calendar year had and surrounded them. Intense tribunal had actually summoned are deemed to be caretakers, all inducting latest, state-of-the-art Special Assistant to the Prime managed to slash PIA losses by exchange of fire took place for Khan after the latter made an of them, in terms of the tribunal’s aircraft to its fleet, the spokes- Minister on Aviation Shujaat Rs10bn (44 percent) as compared about an hour,” the statement says. attempt to meet Wajihuddin dur- order, may stand disqualified from man said, adding the fuel-efficient Azeem for their cooperation in to the losses in the corresponding A local administration official ing his recent trip to Karachi. the intra-party elections,” says aircraft will greatly benefit the the induction of the aircraft in period last fiscal year. confirmed the incident and said They said that Khan had tried to the order. However, instead of airline in terms of fuel efficiency the PIA fleet. “The losses for the first six that the bodies of the militants were call on Justice Wajih at his resi- passing any direct order against and savings. The PIA spokesman said the months stand at Rs8bn, while later brought to a local hospital for dence, but was unable to meet these appointments, the tribunal Meanwhile, PIA Chairman ATR has a capacity of 70 seats we have gained an operational autopsy. The area is out of bounds for him. has decided to allow them to func- Nasser NS Jaffer inspected the and will be operated with an all- profit of Rs338m so far,” the offi- journalists, making independent con- The tribunal’s latest order con- tion until April 21. ATR-72 aircraft on its arrival at economy class configuration. cial said. firmation of the events impossible. firms that Khan did try to meet INTERNEWS the Jinnah International Airport. With the increase in the INTERNEWS AGENCIES

Overloaded with books, Chinese-run Gwadar Port to begin operation this month ISLAMABAD: The Chinese- at the beginning of the year from infrastructure development at present, the shipping containers go number of national and interna- students lack run Gwadar deep-sea port will Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Coast the port was in final stages, while from Gwadar via Uttal, Karachi, tional companies had shown inter- commence operation formally Guard for establishing free-trade work was in full swing to establish Hyderabad and then to Sukkur. est in establishing their business from this month, starting with zones. free-trade zones, where a large According to Jamaldini, centres at the free-trade zones. “A creativity fish exports to Gulf countries, The ECC also approved a number of national and interna- Chinese authorities were almost Memorandum of Understanding said Gwadar Port Managing 23-year tax holiday for Gwadar tional companies have started set- done with their planning exercise has been signed between the ISLAMABAD: More than Director (MD) Dostain Khan Port in an attempt to make it ting up business centres. and had shared their plan with Gwadar Port Authority and the a dozen book companies are Jamaldini. a commercial hub by attracting “After the completion of the port authorities. mayor of Chinese city Zhuhai. present in the market, offering “The first commercial ship will investors. northern portion of the M-8, ship- “Exhibition and expo-centres The two parties will shortly quality stuff to inspire creativity dock at the port and a new ship Chinese President Xi Jinping, ping containers will not come to will be established at the free-trade sign another agreement to use among the students in Pakistan. lane will be in operation thereaf- who is scheduled to visit Pakistan Karachi from Gwadar, but would zones to display national and inter- each other’s ports for commercial Private publishers and own- ter,” said the MD. “Our target is this month, is also expected to go directly to the northern parts national products. The companies purposes for ten years,” he said. ers of book companies make tall to make the port fully operational discuss port-related issues and of the country via Uttal, Khuzdar showcasing their products at these “Besides using the port, Zhuhai claims that their books would this year.” sign a number of agreements in and Sukkur,” he said. centres will be bound to use the port port authorities would also train enhance critical thinking of the The port authorities acquired this regard. The construction of this route to export their products,” he added. the Gwadar port staff.” students. Some book companies possession of 2,231 acres of land Jamaldini further informed that will save 400km distance, since at He also informed that a large INTERNEWS provide even training facility to teachers on how to teach the books designed by them for vari- ous levels and school grades. Vaisakhi festival in Afghanistan Despite being loaded with piles of books, if not all, many students still are unable to expand a sim- Ministry splurging ple outline into a meaningful and sequential story. Large number of them cannot on rented building write even simple applications and letters. Students sit for board examination most often are in the ISLAMABAD: The Ministry the C Block of Pak Secretariat. habit of rote memorising around of National Health Services However, the ministry faced pres- 15 each stories, applications and (NHS) is spending over Rs80m sure to shift the DRAP offices from letters given in their so-called on the renovation of a rented the Secretariat as only ministries ‘Grammar and Composition’ book. building in which the offices of were allowed to have offices there. Students are unable to do any- the Drug Regulatory Authority An official of the health minis- thing set outside their syllabus of Pakistan (DRAP) will be try on the condition of anonym- books prepared by school admin- shifted just for 14 months. ity said that the acquisition of istration. Reading habit is not In July 2014, the ministry the 30,000 square-foot building at encouraged at any level. Having decided to shift the DRAP offices Sector G-9 on a rent of Rs4.65m a library in school has become a to the rented building at Sector per month did not go well with the far-fetched idea around most edu- G-9 for two years during which it National Assembly standing com- cational institutions. was to construct a separate build- mittee on national health services. Most schools run short of ade- ing for DRAP at the National Moreover, according to docu- quate funds, others may suffer Institute of Health (NIH). ments, the health ministry also from lack of space, yet many others However, DRAP and the min- decided to spend Rs137m on would not prefer extra reading out- istry officials believed that with the purchase of physical assets, side course books as they consider such a huge amount the regula- including Rs50m for furniture it wastage of both time and money. tory body could have constructed and fixture, Rs51m for vehicles, Most students missed out to a building of its own. Rs13m for machinery and equip- attempt a question, asking can- After the 18th Amendment, ment and Rs12m for software etc. didates to write a story with the health became a provincial sub- The documents showed that help of a given outline in the 9th ject and as a result the Drug the policy board of the ministry grade English paper of Board Members of the Afghan Sikh minority celebrate the Vaisakhi festival in Sarhood in the Nangarhar district of Registration Board became inef- had serious reservations over the of Intermediate and Secondary, Afghanistan yesterday. Vaisakhi is an important harvest and religious festival for Sikhs, marking the beginning fective. But in 2012, the board was allocations for the purchase of the Peshawar (BISE) this year. of the solar year. established again under the DRAP furniture and other items. INTERNEWS Act and its offices were opened at INTERNEWS MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Unseasonal Revoke Muslims’ voting right: Shiv Sena rain lashes Move will stop vote bank politics, Raut writes in Saamna; govt spreading hatred: Congress Telangana, MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: as Muslim votes are for sale, the Akbaruddin Owaisi, in a rally leader (Owaisi),” Raut said. reporters in New Delhi yesterday. Voting rights of Muslims community will remain backward in Mumbai earlier this week, had “As long as this vote bank poli- Congress leader Anand Sharma should be revoked to stop vote- and its leaders will become rich.” targeted Shiv Sena and dared tics continues, Muslims will be asked why communal com- three killed bank politics, Shiv Sena leader In the article written in Shiv Sena president Uddhav away from the main stream. So ments keep pouring in despite of Sanjay Raut has said in an arti- Marathi, he said it was because Thackeray to come to Hyderabad. Balasaheb said for social devel- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s HYDERABAD: Three peo- cle slamming AIMIM leaders of this that Shiv Sena founder Defending his comments later, opment of Muslims, they should assurances.”It is very clear you ple were killed as unseasonal Asaduddin and Akbaruddin Balasaheb Thackeray had said Raut said vote bank politics has be kept away from politics for a have elements who are out to rain lashed several parts of Owaisi for polarising the “voting rights for Muslims should taken Muslims away from the while,” he said. create conflict and division in Telangana since Saturday, offi- community. be taken away”. mainstream. The Congress slammed the rul- the society and inflame passion. cials said yesterday. Reacting sharply, Congress “Owaisi bhai is doing politics of “This vote bank politics has ing NDA government yesterday Despite the prime minister’s The rain has thrown normal slammed the ruling alliance for Muslim votes and we don’t know kept Muslims away from the main for spreading hatred, after the repeated assurances in parlia- life out of gear and caused wide- spreading hatred. if it will benefit him or the com- stream. Go and see in what condi- article in Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece ment, senior (BJP) leaders and spread damage to the standing In the article published in the munity, but it will harm the coun- tion Muslims live... what did their Saamna sought revoking voting members of Sangh Parivar keep crops, they said. latest issue of the Shiv Sena’s try,” Raut said in the write-up. leaders do for the community in rights of Muslims. making such statements,” Sharma A woman was killed in a wall mouth-piece Saamna, Raut, also The Shiv Sena leader also said 50 years. They made Pakistan... “The Saamna thinks it lives in told reporters in the national cap- collapse in Nizamabad district a Rajya Sabha member, addressed that earlier the Imam of Jama (Muhammad Ali) Jinnah did vote some Talibanised land and not in ital. “It is time they realise, they while a couple was electrocuted in All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Masjid had assumed the right to bank politics, Jama Masjid Imam a democratic country like India. have been elected to provide gov- Warangal town when a live wire Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader guide Muslim votes, now Owaisi tried to polarise votes, Mulayam The Saamna has no place in cul- ernance not to create daily com- snapped due to gale force winds Owaisi as “Owaisi bhai from is doing that, and added that it is Singh and Lalu Prasad did the ture like ours,” Congress leader motion,” he said. and fell on their house. Hyderabad” and said: “As long an “alarm bell” for Muslims. same... and now we have this new Abhishek Manu Singhvi told IANS A government school build- ing collapsed in Atmakur in Sadashivpet mandal of Naglonda district, damaging 15 comput- ers. A tragedy was averted as the building collapsed on Saturday UNSC seat not a favour, night. Heavy rainfail has inundated low-lying areas in Nizamabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, but a right, says Modi Warangal, Khammam, Medak, Mahabubnagar districts. PARIS: Prime Minister raised the pitch from soliciting The rain accompanied by Narendra Modi made a strong support from other countries to strong winds uprooted trees, pitch for India to be given a demanding what it thinks is its damaged standing crops and dis- permanent seat at the UN right to be a permanent member rupted traffic. Electricity supply Security Council, saying that it of the United Nations Security was also affected in some dis- is not asking for it as a favour Council, the high table of nations. tricts, officials said. but as a “right” — having sacri- Modi said that 2015 is the cen- The state has been receiving ficed the lives of 75,000 soldiers tenary year of the First World rain since Saturday under the in the First World War, being War, and India gave 1.4 million impact of low pressure area and the largest contributor to the soldiers to fight in a war that was the Met Office has forecast more UN Peacekeeping Mission, and not its, and lost 75,000 men. He rains over the next two to three being a land of the Buddha and said 11 of them won the Victoria days. Mahatma Gandhi. Cross for their valour. The unseasonal rainfall has Addressing an enthusiastic “I went to get blessings from dealt a huge blow to mango farm- civic reception by the Indian com- them,” he said, referring to his ers. The crop over hundreds of munity in the French capital on visit to the Neuve Chapelle earlier acres in Nalgonda district has Saturday evening, Modi said: “I in the day to pay tribute to the been damaged. appeal to the world that in the thousands of Indians who were Hyderabad and adjoining year that the world is observing killed in the WWI. Ranga Reddy district are also the centenary of WWI, it is the “I want to give the message to receiving incessant rain since time to give the ‘haq’ (right) to world, that they should view India Saturday night. the land of Mahatma Gandhi and differently; that this is a country Low-lying areas were inun- Buddha. The time is over when that makes sacrifice not just for dated. Stagnated rain water India would ask for a favour; today itself but for others,” he said. and choked drains disrupted India is asking for its rights,” He said India is the largest traffic at many places in he said to loud cheers from the contributor to the UN peacekeep- Hyderabad. packed audience. ing forces in conflict situations Roads in busy areas like “India is a country that is for around the world and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in front of the Maritim Hotel in Hannover, Germany, yesterday. He opened Lakdi ka pul, Abids, Nampally, peace, and helps bring peace to the soldiers are known for their dis- the industrial fair Hannover Messe later in the evening. Koti, Amberper, Secunderabad, world, and yet we are struggling cipline, valour, intelligence. India Tarnaka and Uppal were inun- to get a seat in the UNSC,” Modi is the largest contributor to UN Modi had during his speech US President Barack Obama Hollande during his meeting dated. Workers of Greater said at the Carrousel du Louvre peacekeeping missions with 8,000 at the UN General Assembly in reiterated the US’ support for with Modi on Friday also voiced Hyderabad Municipal Corporation here in his final engagement of personnel, deployed in 10 of the 16 September last year raised the India’s membership of a reformed his country’s support for India’s were attending the waterlogging his two-day visit to France where countries where the UN peace- issue of India’s bid for a perma- UN Security Council on April 10, membership. problem, civic officials said. India tactically appeared to have keeping operations are on. nent seat on the Council. while French President Francois IANS IANS

Illegal colonies to be regularised: Kejriwal Cong wants documents

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief unauthorised colonies in Delhi fixation, mapping and asking the Rs.10,000 crore for the complete Minister Arvind Kejriwal said had already begun. municipal authorities to prepare regularisation of all the unauthor- on Netaji declassified yesterday that his government “We have started mapping of layout plans for such colonies. ised colonies,” he said. will regularise unauthorised four unauthorised colonies and Kejriwal also noted that the He also dwelt on the poll NEW DELHI: The Congress Anuj Dhar for his book show that colonies and provide perma- this process will be completed state will need funds to regular- promises fulfilled in the last two yesterday termed the news Nehru, in a letter to then foreign nent houses to slum dwellers, in a week. The mapping of other ise all the unauthorised colonies months. “We had promised that reports suggesting snoop- secretary Subimal Dutt in 1957, and will seek more funds from 895 unauthorised colonies will also in the city and “for this purpose we will reduce electricity bills by ing of family of Netaji Subhas sought to know what Amiya Nath the central government for the be completed in a year,” he said. we will approach the central half, we have fulfilled this prom- Chandra Bose “motivated news Bose was doing in Tokyo. It said purpose. “Registry of such colonies would government”. ise. We said that we will make plants based on selected and that India’s ambassador replied “We will regularise all the begin after the process of mapping “Every year, residents of the Delhi corruption-free, we have mischievous leaks” and dared that Amiya Nath Bose had not unauthorised colonies in Delhi. is completed,” Kejriwal added. national capital pay Rs.65,000 launched anti-corruption helpline Prime Minister Narendra Modi indulged in any undesirable We will provide permanent The Aam Aadmi Party govern- crore as tax to the central gov- numbers,” he said. to declassify all documents activities. houses to slum dwellers,” he said ment had earlier announced it ernment. Delhi is given only He also appealed to the people relating to the freedom fighter. Sharma also referred to Netaji’s while addressing a public rally at would work towards the regular- Rs.325 crore fund by the central not to be misled by allegations In a statement, party leader grandnephew Sugato Bose and Karawal Nagar in east Delhi. isation of unauthorised colonies government. We will demand that made by opposition parties. Anand Sharma accused the said the Trinamool Congress He said the work to regularise by initiating steps like boundary the central government give us AFP Bharatiya Janata Party-led gov- MP had “already rubbished and ernment of running “a sinister rejected the BJP-floated theo- campaign” aimed at maligning ries of Netaji’s alleged return national icons. causing a political challenge Music on swings “News reports suggesting to Nehru, Vallabbhai Patel, Andhra CM begins snooping of family of Netaji C Rajagopalachari, Shri Lal Subhas Chandra Bose are moti- Bahadur Shastri and others”. China visit, 13 vated news plants based on selec- He also said Sugato Bose has tive and mischievous leaks. BJP been quoted as saying that there MoUs to be signed and government are running a was no evidence to suggest that sinister campaign of innuendoes, the alleged snooping was ordered HYDERABAD: Andhra insinuations and selective leaks by Nehru. Pradesh will sign 13 memo- aimed at maligning national icons Terming the entire exercise randa of understanding (MoUs) and our founding fathers includ- was “a diversionary tactic and with various Chinese compa- ing Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabbhai gimmick” by BJP, Sharma, the nies during Chief Minister N Patel, Lal Bahadur Shastri, deputy leader of the Congress in Chandrababu Naidu’s six-day Govind Ballabh Pant and others,” the Rajya Sabha, said that “moti- visit to China, which began Sharma said. vated half truths and untruths” yesterday. Referring to the news report were being floated in the media A high-level delegation led by which said that Nehru had by Modi government with the sole Naidu reached Beijing yesterday. sought information about Netaji’s aim of diverting the attention of The delegation, which includes nephew Amiya Nath Bose’s visit people of India “from miserable two ministers and senior officials, to Japan, Sharma said that “the performance, betrayal of mandate will sign six government-to-busi- news plant contradicts the earlier and failed promises”. ness (G2B) MoUs during the visit. media story of IB surveillance”. He said the Congress, rejected These include a MoU with “One is forced to wonder as the “vitriolic and diabolical design Camel Group Co Ltd, which is to how and why an enquiry by a of Modi government to defame engaged in the research and prime minister — in most trans- national icons and dare the prime development, manufacture, dis- parent manner and vide written minister to declassify all docu- tribution and recycling of storage note sent through the proper ments, put them in public domain batteries. Another agreement will channel of foreign secretary and debate the issue on the floor be inked with China Council for and ambassador — about a close of parliament”. the Promotion of International associate of a family can be con- He said the party also appealed Trade, an industry body that pro- strued as snooping or espionage,” to the media to refrain from push- motes China’s international eco- Members of a wedding band gather on swings as they wait for a religious procession at a garden in Amritsar he said. ing forward the BJP’s “insinua- nomic and commercial interests. yesterday. The news report said that tion-driven diversionary agenda”. IANS documents accessed by author IANS

MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Octopus-shaped kite

Fajr (Dawn) 3:55 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:14 Zuhr (Noon) 11:35 Asr (Afternoon) 3:04 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:56 Isha (Night) 7:26

WEATHER

Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: Sunny Cloudy Suuny Relatively hot during day and

High: 34° High: 29° High: 33° blowing dust to Low: 26° Low: 21° Low: 24° dusty at places with some clouds.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:14 17:56 11:45 & 00:00 07:30 & 16:45 20-28/35 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW An octopus-shaped kite is flown at the beach of Las Arenas during the second day of International Festival of the Winds ‘City of Valencia’, in Valencia, HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER eastern Spain, yesterday. More than 100 kite pilots from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium and other countries took part in the 18th edi- MUSCAT 38/29 Sunny 37/29 Sunny tion of the event. MAKKAH 38/29 Sunny 37/28 Sunny KUWAIT 28/15 Sunny 29/18 Sunny BAHRAIN 26/22 Cloudy 25/21 Cloudy SANAA 29/12 Mostly sunny 29/11 Mostly sunny RIYADH 26/16 Partly cloudy 28/16 Sunny ‘Game of DUBAI 38/22 Cloudy 32/21 Sunny German woman pregnant BAGHDAD 24/13 Mostly sunny 27/13 Sunny

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Thrones’ HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER with quadruplets — at 65 Sunny episodes ATHENS 22/13 22/13 Mostly sunny WASHINGTON 25/16 Partly cloudy 20/09 Rain BERLIN: A 65-year-old Berlin woman who already has 13 children is pregnant again with SYDNEY 21/14 Partly cloudy 21/16 Partly cloudy quadruplets, Germany’s RTL broadcaster Cloudy leak on Net LONDON 17/07 23/08 Partly cloudy reported yesterday. PARIS 21/09 Mostly sunny 24/11 Mostly sunny The Russian and English teacher’s pregnancy fol- WASHINGTON: Already the ISTANBUL 16/08 Sunny 16/07 Mostly sunny lows several attempts abroad at artificial insemina- most pirated show in televi- MANILA 33/24 Partly cloudy 33/24 Partly cloudy tion over the last year-and-a-half, according to the sion history, HBO’s fantasy epic DHAKA 31/24 Scattered T-storms 33/25 Partly cloudy private TV channel. Games of Thrones was hit by DELHI 32/22 Sunny 33/22 Sunny The woman, Annegret Raunigk, decided to try to a new leak Sunday just hours ISLAMABAD 31/18 Sunny 32/19 Sunny have another child because her youngest daughter, before the premiere of its hotly- who is nine, wanted a little brother or sister, the anticipated fifth season. channel said on its website. With the start of the new series It said it would broadcast an interview with the due to air simultaneously at 0100 expectant mother, who has seven grandchildren, on GMT today in 170 countries, eager Furious 7 outpaces box office Monday evening and plans to track her through the but unscrupulous fans were already pregnancy and afterwards. downloading four leaked episodes. It said the pregnancy had so far been without “Sadly, it seems the leaked four rivals for the second week any major complications and that if everything episodes of the upcoming season of LOS ANGELES: Fast and Furious 7 easily outpaced the competi- went well, the babies were due in the summer and Game of Thrones originated from tion to claim the top North American box office spot for a second that Raunigk would be the world’s oldest mother within a group approved by HBO to straight week, selling nearly $61m in tickets, industry estimates of quadruplets. receive them. We’re actively assess- showed yesterday. The seventh in the street-racing and stunt- Mass circulation newspaper Bild am Sonntag ing how this breach occurred,” the filled franchise has pulled in more than $252m over two weekends, reported the four-baby pregnancy on its front-page, cable TV network said. according to box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. quoting the prospective mother-of-17, whose oldest HBO had decided on the unu- In second place was animated children’s film Home, about an unpopular daughter is reportedly 44, recalling the moment sual simultaneous global release space alien forced to flee his own kind. It earned $19m in its third week doctors broke the news. schedule because the series’ fer- of release. The Longest Ride, an onscreen rendering of Nicholas Sparks’ “Certainly that was a shock for me. After the doc- vent following has made it a hot romantic novel of the same name, debuted in third place, earning $13.5m. tor discovered there were four, I had to give it some property. The movie stars Scott Eastwood, the son of actor-director Clint Eastwood. thought to begin with. On the scan it was just clear The 2014 season was illegally Fourth place went to buddy comedy Get Hard, about a prison-bound to see,” Bild quoted her as saying, adding however A November 3, 2005 picture of 55-year-old Annegret downloaded more than eight mil- white investment banker (Will Ferrell) who hires a black car washer she had not considered it an option to reduce the Raunigk posing with her daughter Leila in Berlin. lion times, making it the most (Kevin Hart) for lessons on surviving the slammer. It earned $8.6m. number of embryos. pirated show in the world for the Disney’s live action Cinderella was in fifth place, earning $7.2m, with At a time when other women her age are prepar- website ahead of today’s broadcast as saying that fourth year running, according to Downton Abbey star Lily James as the enchanted scullery maid-turned- ing to slow down and take things easier, Raunigk quadruple pregnancies were always a strain but that specialist news site TorrentFreak. princess and Cate Blanchett as her wicked stepmother. Dystopian action indicated she had no reservations about the chal- everything was currently going well. Based on American novelist thriller Insurgent, the second big-screen instalment based on Veronica lenges ahead. “I’m not actually afraid. I simply The biggest risk for the babies is being born pre- George R R Martin’s fantasy Roth’s best-selling Divergent book series, came in sixth place with $6.85m. assume I’ll remain healthy and fit. In matters of maturely and doctors are doing all they can to pre- series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” Woman in Gold, which tells the true story of an elderly Holocaust organisation I have enough experience, that’s not vent that, the gynaecologist added. Raunigk made the saga is a feast of blood, sex survivor trying to get her Nazi-looted artwork back from the Austrian new for me,” she said. headlines 10 years ago too, when she gave birth to and betrayal. government, held onto seventh place with a $5.85m haul. Indie horror flick Asked about moral doubts, RTL quoted her as her 13th child, Lelia, at the age of 55. It recounts the implacable fight It Follows, took eighth place, grossing $2m. Ninth place went to dramedy asking: “How does one have to be at 65? One must “At first, I only wanted one child,” Bild quoted her for power among several families Danny Collins. It earned $1.6m. Rounding out the top 10, with $1.38m in apparently always fit some cliches which I find as saying at the time. “Not all were planned. But in an imaginary landscape of receipts, is While We’re Young, a wry comedy starring Ben Stiller and rather tiring. then things happen. I’m not a planner but rather kingdoms and continents inspired Naomi Watts about a couple in the early throes of mid-life crisis. “I think, one must decide that for oneself.” Her spontaneous. And children keep me young.” by the history of the Middle Ages. AFP gynaecologist, Kai Hertwig, was quoted on the RTL AFP AFP

Virginia student earns admission to all eight Ivy League schools

WASHINGTON: Even at the Duke, the University of Virginia, since each school has its own college admissions is really unpre- Thomas Jefferson High School the University of Michigan and personality, strengths and weak- dictable.” “They are all fantastic for Science and Technology, a Georgia Tech, going 14 for 14. nesses, Hamblin said. “They share schools, so I couldn’t discount top-ranked magnet school in Earning an acceptance letter a football league in common, and any of them,” she said. “I wanted Alexandria, Virginia, senior from one Ivy League school is a that’s about it.” to make sure I could get into a Pooja Chandrashekar stands rare achievement for most high Born in Potomac Falls, Virginia, really good school and have more out among her brainiac peers. school students. It is extremely Pooja is the only child of two engi- choices.” She’s got a 4.57 grade-point rare for a student to gain admis- neers who immigrated to the She’s narrowed her list to average, scored a 2390 (out of sion to all eight, though a few United States from Bangalore, Harvard, Stanford and Brown, 2400) on the SAT, and aced all each year manage to do so. This India. Pooja spent her summers where she got into a programme 13 of her Advanced Placement year, Long Island student Harold attending programmes in robot- that guarantees her admission to exams. She also founded a national Ekeh announced he, too, had been ics. She tinkered in Web design the university’s medical school. nonprofit that encourages middle- accepted to all the Ivies. and game programming. In mid- Pooja provided The Washington school girls to participate in sci- Pooja’s guidance counselor, dle school, she built a windmill to Post with digital copies of her ence, technology, engineering and Kerry Hamblin, said that the sen- explore the prospects of renew- acceptance letters to all 14 schools. math programmes. ior is dedicated to pushing herself able energy. WP-BLOOMBERG She’s also developed a mobile in the classroom, which helped She attended the private app that analyzes speech patterns her to stand out. “She’s taking Nysmith School in Herndon, and predicts with 96 percent accu- the hardest courses, the most Virginia, before enrolling at TJ, racy if a person has Parkinson’s challenging that we offer, and has where she has taken classes in disease. Oh, and she’s 17. exceeded anyone’s expectations in computing, artificial intelligence, College admissions offices all of them,” Hamblin said. and DNA science. She hopes one took notice. She can now add Hamblin added that it is “very day to pursue a career in medi- another bullet to her résumé: atypical to get into all eight ivies,” cine and bio-engineering. Pooja earned admission to all though some of the elite magnet Pooja said that she decided to Pooja Chandrashekar, 17, earned admission to all eight Ivy League schools. eight Ivy League schools. She also school’s students each year try. apply to all eight ivies hoping to was accepted at Stanford, MIT, “It’s not typically what we advise,” get into just one of them, “because Monday 13 April 2015 24 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6399 Price: QR2

Commercial Bank plans 40th celebration

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil price drop: Building raw GDI client to ‘release’ materials to be jack-up rigs

DOHA: The Gulf International Services cheaper soon (GIS), the largest service group in Qatar with inter- ests in a broad cross-sec- tion of industries, yesterday Price fall due to stiff competition announced one of the cli- ents of its subsidiary Gulf BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB the new port (in Mesaieed) things Drilling International (GDI) will improve significantly.” will “release” one of its jack- DOHA: The basic building raw He told The Peninsula on the up rigs currently working materials such as gabbro and sidelines of an event at the QC under contract, in early next limestone in the local market headquarters. The event was held month. are likely to become cheaper to discuss the business oppor- The decision is due to the in the near future due to stiff tunities with a visiting Omani sharp decline of oil prices, GIS competition among importers, business delegation representing said in a statement here yes- says a senior official of Qatar the Mineral and Raw Material Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber (QC), Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, with Chairman of the Al terday. “Release” is a techni- Chamber (QC) who has knowl- Committee at Oman Chamber Buraimi branch of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Butti bin Mohamed Al Neyadi, and other cal term used for the shifting edge about the industry. of Commerce. The business mis- officials from the QC and delegates from Oman attending a meeting at the QC yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT of the rig if there are no jobs “Qatar is an open market for sion was here to explore busi- ready for them. the import of primary raw mate- ness opportunities, especially to even triple.” He also said that vision needs to be pursued both in capacity to 10 million tonnes in In addition, GDI have rials. And I am aware that there enhance the export capacity of the companies which are work- terms of time and investments”, the-run-up-to 2022 Fifa World entered into negotiations to is a huge competition among dif- gabbro to Qatar. ing in the sector have already he added. Cup. “This was the initial visit to reduce the current rigs day ferent importers, especially the He said: “We already import started storing the materials in A senior member of the Omani QC, but we have got other private rates of another client at suppliers of gabbro and limestone. primary raw materials (aggre- big quantities to meet the growing business delegation, Hamed bin meetings with Qatari business- that client’s request. Despite Therefore, I expect the prices of gates) from Oman. But this demand fuelled by Qatar’s boom- Nasser, on behalf Sheikh Butti bin men and hope something positive the excellent results of Q1, these materials to go down fur- meeting is all about enhancing ing construction sector. Mohamed Al Neyadi, the head of will come out during the visit,” 2015, these reductions will ther to more reasonable levels,” the capacity. And I think this is a The prices of imports of aggre- the mission, said that the main he said. negatively impact GDI’s 2015 said Mohamed bin Ahmed bin good opportunity for Qatari busi- gates in Qatar have been fluctu- purpose of the visit to Qatar is He also noted that the mineral- financial year end results, GIS Towar Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman nessmen as well who specialise in ating between QR55 and QR140 enhancing economic cooperation rich Oman, due to its strategic said. The company is working of QC. importing the raw materials.” per tonne, according to an indus- of private businesses between geographical location, topog- with other potential clients to Al Kuwari added that the Asked about the estimated try expert. The expert, who did the two countries, especially to raphy and high quality product secure a work contract for the difference in the prices of raw peak demand for the aggregates not wish to be named, said that meet Qatar’s growing appetite for specifications enjoys compara- released rig. Qatar Exchange materials in Qatar and source in Qatar, he said: “I don’t have the Qatar needs to explore new sup- minerals. He said that Oman has tive advantage in the market. So will be informed accordingly of countries is largely due to the high exact numbers, but with many ply sources in the neighbour- exported nearly 500,000 tonnes the Sultanate is well positioned any impacts to the company’s transpiration costs. “We have lim- upcoming mega infrastructure ing region such as Oman, Iran, to one million tonnes of gabbro to supply all types of minerals to financials. ited capacity to receive materials projects in the coming years, the Pakistan and Yemen to stabilise so far, and trying to explore fur- Qatar in adequate quantities. THE PENINSULA at ports, but with the opening of number is expected to double or the volatile prices. “A long term ther opportunities to enhance the THE PENINSULA QFC expands IEA sees no jump in Iran oil output in five years framework NEW DELHI: World oil markets will stronger (oil production) growth coming Global economic growth mainly in Asia said. IEA sees a big chunk of the 20 per- not see a significant rise in Iranian from Iran assuming Iran and global powers and Europe and investment in boost- cent investment drop in the United States, supplies for up to five years even if the strike a final deal in June,” Fatih Birol, who ing oil output will be important factors Canada and Brazil. rules for Opec member and world powers clinch will head the IEA from September, said in determining movement in future global oil “This means production growth in the a final nuclear deal by end-June, Fatih an interview in New Delhi. prices. “We see a very sluggish economic United States may well slow down and Birol chief economist and future head He said there may not be a big growth growth prospects in Europe which is very this is of course an important input for oil diversification of International Energy Agency (IEA) in Iranian oil production immediately as important to determine the demand of oil markets in next quarters to come ... It is said. While the likelihood of an immedi- Tehran’s huge and geological complex fields growth,” he said. difficult to give a number but there may be ate jump in Iranian supplies looks slim, have not been maintained “in the best way” While lower oil prices have taken $100bn a slowdown which may have an effect on DOHA: The Qatar Financial Centre the chance of a steep fall in deliveries due to the sanctions. Western sanctions of investment from the oil sector in 2015, oil coming from the US in 2016,” he said. (QFC) Authority has introduced leg- from other regions is rising as IEA esti- have cut Iran’s oil exports by more than geopolitical tensions in the Middle East Birol wants to build stronger ties with islative expansions to its Companies mates companies will cut investments by half to around 1.1 million bpd from a pre- have raised questions over the security economies such as India, China, Indonesia Regulations and Rules. as much as $100bn in 2015 in oil explora- 2012 level of 2.5 million bpd, with the loss of investments by global oil companies in and Mexico and if possible bring these The update aims to further diversify tion and production due to lower prices. of oil income making it difficult to invest the region, he said. “We have never seen countries into any joint IEA emergency the QFC platform to welcome Companies Iran and six world powers reached a in new development and pay for the equip- such a big cut even at the time of financial supply response. IEA’s 29 member nations Limited by Guarantee (LLC(G)); a new framework nuclear agreement on April ment and services needed to keep its pro- crisis,” he said, referring to a 20 percent jointly accounted for some 70 percent of legal entity that will broaden the QFC 2, spurring hopes for a final deal by end- duction operating smoothly. cut in investment by global oil firms in global oil demand when it was formed 41 environment and facilitate a wider range June that would lift economic sanctions Birol sees a limited impact of the lifting 2015 over 2014. “If the slowing down of years ago. Now the group accounts for of business activities. imposed by the West against Tehran’s dis- of sanctions on Iran on global oil prices, production and strong growth of demand about 50 percent of overall demand as The latest alteration to the QFC com- puted nuclear programme. which have been halved since June on sup- come together, this may well put upward new consumption centers such as India panies regulations and rules will enable “In three to five years we may see ply glut mainly from the United States. pressure on oil (prices) in the future,” he and China have emerged. REUTERS structures such as social enterprises, non-profits and non-governmental organisations to set up in Qatar’s rap- idly growing and diversifying economy. Hannover trade fair The introduction of Companies Limited by Guarantee (LLC(G)) will also help Barwa buys Saudi residential broaden the QFC platform to facilitate private sector activities where a tradi- compound in SR300m deal tional company limited by shares would not be appropriate. DOHA: The First Investor (TFI), the investment bank- The newest addition to the QFC’s ing division of Barwa Bank Group (BBG), announced Companies Regulations follow a 30 day the acquisition of a residential compound in Riyadh by public consultation period on the pro- Manazel Compounds Real Estate LLC, in a deal worth posed amendments in which several QFC SR300m. The compound which is strategically located and non-QFC entities participated. The in Riyadh within the vicinity of two major landmarks — expansion was later approved by the QFC the upcoming Metro station that directly leads to Amir Authority Board and enacted by H E Ali Khalid Airport and the University of Amira Noora. Shareef Al Emadi, Minister of Finance, Manazel Compounds has been able to lease the compound in accordance with QFC Law. to Saudi Arabia Airlines which is currently accommodating Yousuf Mohammed Al Jaida, Deputy over 1,000 cabin crew staff in the compound. QNA Chief Executive Officer of the QFC Authority, welcomed the expanded QFC mandate, saying: “Tasked with ensur- Milaha in talks with United ing the consistent diversification of the Qatari private sector, the QFC has Arab Chemical Carriers endeavoured to enlarge its offering to best address the key private sectors needs DOHA: Qatar Navigation (Milaha) said it is initiating of the Qatari economy. We will continue talks with United Arab Chemical Carriers Ltd in the UAE to strategically explore new entities and regarding a possible combination of their respective prod- structures that will positively impact A machine is shown on a tablet in augmented reality at the stand of Bosch Rexroth at Hannover Messe trade uct and chemical tanker businesses. If successful, this Qatar’s diverse economic plans and pur- fair in Hannover, Germany, yesterday. The virtual presentation allows to test and add components of the move is expected to result in a larger and stronger busi- sue their implementation in Qatar”. machine. The fair runs from today until Friday. ness, provide better financial returns, and strengthen the THE PENINSULA combined business market position. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Commercial Bank to celebrate 40th year Bank announces anniversary plans, public concert at MIA

DOHA: Commercial Bank, anniversary logo and corporate and Commercial Bank Chairman Qatar’s first private bank which anthem, and spoke of the Bank’s Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali bin Jabor is all set to celebrate its 40th plans to share their anniversary Al Thani, who is continuing the anniversary, will continue to celebrations with the public. legacy of his father, Sheikh Ali come out with innovative prod- Al Raisi said: “2015 is a special bin Jabor Al Thani, who was the ucts in line with its legacy of year for Commercial Bank as it Bank’s first Chairman. introducing many “firsts” to marks our 40th year as the oldest Rana Salatt, played a recording Qatari market. and largest private sector bank of Commercial Bank’s corporate Announcing the Bank’s 40th in Qatar. From entrepreneurial anthem specially commissioned anniversary celebration plans at a beginnings, Commercial Bank has for the Bank’s 40th anniversary. media roundtable here yesterday, gone from strength to strength This unique anthem was com- Commercial Bank CEO Abdulla driven by the spirit of ambition.” posed for Commercial Bank by Saleh Al Raisi said entrepre- Reflecting on Commercial the famous Qatari composer, Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi (third left), CEO of Commercial Bank and other officials during the media roundtable neurship and innovation that the Bank’s history, Al Raisi explained Wael Hassan Ali bin Ali, and announcing the 40th year anniversary celebrations at the Commercial Bank Plaza yesterday. BAHER AMIN bank’s founders believed in are that Commercial Bank was recorded in Doha by the Qatar still at the core of its business. incorporated in 1974 as Qatar’s Philharmonic Orchestra. “We will remain wholly com- first private bank and opened its Commercial Bank EGM, as well as images and profiles of Bank’s founders, directors, key a specially constructed area in the mitted to Qatar and would come doors for business on April 10, Strategic Clients, Abduljalil prominent members in Qatari customers and around 300 high Museum of Islamic Art Park. out with lot of projects in the near 1975. The Bank was established Borhani, revealed that culture. A mobile anniversary profile dignitaries. On May 2, Commercial Bank future…..We are optimistic about by the visionary leadership of Commercial Bank has commis- exhibition displaying Commercial Commercial Bank EGM, Chief will host a public concert at the the future, and look forward to eight founders from prominent sioned a commemorative book Bank’s historic growth will also Human Capital Officer, Sharoq Al Museum of Islamic Art Park continuing to serve our loyal cus- Qatari families who laid the for the 40th anniversary titled: be travelling to five Commercial Malki, stated that Commercial with the Qatar Philharmonic tomers over the next 40 years and foundations for ongoing suc- “Commercial Bank and the Rise Bank branches throughout Qatar Bank’s staff have always played Orchestra. The public will be able beyond.”, he said without going cess. Three of the original direc- of Qatar.” Printed in two parts, from 21st April. a very important role in the suc- to enjoy the world-class Qatar into the details for the Bank’s tors are still connected with the the book is a photographic cel- Commercial Bank EGM, cess of Commercial Bank over the Philharmonic Orchestra in the future products. Board, including Vice Chairman ebration of Qatar today, with mix- Government Relations, Khalifa past 40 years. As a reward for spectacular setting of the MIA The Bank revealed a series and Managing Director Hussain ture of both written and visual Al Rayes announced that their outstanding contributions, Park free of charge in a family- of special celebratory events Alfardan, Board Member Jassim historical records of Commercial Commercial Bank will host an Commercial Bank will host a fun friendly environment . and activities, unveiled a unique Mohammed Jabor Al Mosallam Bank’s achievements since 1975, exclusive VIP Dinner for the day for staff and their families at THE PENINSULA

Italy pins hopes on Milan Expo for revival Qatar stocks close lower

MILAN: Three weeks before 20 million visitors to the six an exploration of new approaches A defendant who opened fire DOHA: Qatar Stock Exchange 0.42 percent, while industries index the Milan Expo opens on May 1, month-long exhibition of products to sustainable food, the event has in a Milan court last week, kill- (QSE) index dropped slightly dropped 0.16 percent and transport the site of the showpiece event and technologies from around the so far stood out for the chronic ing three people including a judge, by 5.06 points, or 0.04 percent, dropped 0.14 percent and real estate is still a mass of trucks raising world. They hope it will bring in corruption and waste that have also underlined the potential when the bourse closed trading at dropped 0.13 percent. From the 43 dust and workers in hard hats €10bn, half of it from foreign visi- blighted public works projects in security problems around a major 11,982.65 points yesterday. listed companies on QSE, shares racing to finish building after tors. Some 9 million tickets have Italy for decades. event of this size. Indices of three sectors made of 41 saw trading. From these 20 delays, graft and cost overruns. already been sold, a third of them Several top officials, including Buffeted by the scandals and gains while four declined. The advanced, 19 went down, and two Italy has had four different outside Italy, for an event seeking the Expo’s former public procure- facing disputes with architects market capitalisation decreased remained unchanged. governments in the seven years to broaden its appeal with inter- ment manager, were arrested last and building contractors, Expo to QR642.87bn from QR643.85 Meanwhile, most Gulf stock since Milan was chosen to fol- active exhibits such as a super- year and the whole event was Commissioner Giuseppe Sala says bn registered last Thursday. The markets were narrowly mixed yes- low the 2010 Shanghai Expo and market of the future, cultural placed under the oversight of the construction work at the 272 acre traded value fell to QR306.20m terday, influenced by a mixed set has undergone its most severe events and shows at an arena and national anti-bribery authority in greenfield site on the outskirts of with a volume of 9,002,006 shares of earnings and corporate news, economic crisis since World War an artificial lake. a bid to ensure transparency. Milan will be essentially complete from 3,848 transactions compared though Dubai rose on the back of Two. But 40-year-old Prime “Expo will be the litmus test The Italian pavilion, a centre- by opening day. to QR454.53m with a volume of real estate-related stocks. Minister Matteo Renzi is count- for the great ambitions which piece of the event, was originally “I am realistically confident 13,461,091 shares from 5,979 trans- Brent crude oil rose 2.3 percent ing on the event to reinforce Italy has,” Renzi said last month expected to cost €63m ($67.69m) about the work we’re doing but I actions last Thursday. on Friday and posted a 5.3 percent fragile signs of recovery and help to promote the event. “With the but will end up costing €92m and am surprised and sometimes a bit Telecoms index gained 1.58 per- weekly gain on lowered expecta- his drive to put a more modern Expo, we’ll be able to see what may not be completed in time. disconcerted by the climate which cent, while insurance gained 1.36 tions that an agreement on Iran’s face on Italy after the years of Italy will be in the coming years.” A number of transport projects has developed,” he told reporters percent and consumer goods and nuclear programme would result in recession. Intended as a celebration of planned to accompany Expo will in Milan earlier this month. services gained 0.57 percent. Banks a rapid return of more Iranian oil Officials are counting on some Milan’s openness to the world and also not be ready. REUTERS and financial services index dropped to the market. QNA/REUTERS

Cayan plans Call for new $1bn of Dubai, regulations for real estate Saudi real estate marketing DUBAI: Marketing of Dubai developments property to overseas inves- tors needs new regulation to prevent damage to “Brand DUBAI: Cayan Group is planning to spend Dubai” from gimmicks being almost $1bn on three property projects in Dubai offered to coerce buyers and Saudi Arabia, according to the chairman of including yachts and luxury the Saudi real estate developer. cars, the chairman of Emaar The privately-owned company will start selling Properties was quoted as properties in a planned twin-tower development in saying yesterday. Dubai and will work on two projects in the Saudi The property market has Arabian capital Riyadh that include residences recovered strongly since the and offices, Chairman Ahmed Alhatti said in an crash, aided by cash from for- interview yesterday. eign investors, many of whom “We are believers in Dubai and the Saudi mar- have invested as they perceive kets,” Alhatti said by phone. “This is the best time the emirate as a safe haven in to invest as 2015 will be a time of growth and 2018 a region impacted by political will be the peak of the market. Prices are now very tensions. However Mohamed competitive and the market is mature.” A general view shows Dubai’s cityscape. Alabbar, Emaar chairman, Cayan, which built the landmark 1,007-feet said there needed to be addi- twisted skyscraper in Dubai Marina, already has tional controls on local prop- projects in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon. It’s erty companies when it came considering “several development opportunities” Alabbar says remain committed to Emaar to attracting foreign investors. for homes and hotels in London and Paris, the “Instead of focusing on the chairman said, without being more specific. DUBAI: The chairman of Emaar new for me, that’s what I’m good at,” he chairman insisted many of the projects fundamentals, what we see In Dubai, Cayan will build a 38-story hotel- Properties has insisted he remains was quoted as saying by the outlet. “But of companies in which he’s involved don’t today are marketing gim- apartment complex and a 42-story residential committed to the Dubai-based devel- while I am doing that, what do the num- clash with Emaar’s strategy. micks. It is alright to have an tower costing Dh1bn ($273m), Alhatti said. The oper in the face of concern about the bers say? How is the company doing? “The Emaar board decided some time aggressive marketing strat- buildings on Dubai’s Umm Suqeim road are set for number of roles he has taken on at Let’s just talk about numbers. Look at ago that markets such as Serbia were egy but there is a red line,” completion by mid-2018. other real estate companies. the profits we deliver, because that is ones it did not wish to participate in,” Alabbar was quoted as saying. Cayan Group, established in 2004, will be the Shareholders are expected to raise what matters,” he added, pointing to the Alabbar said of Eagle Hills, in which he Some Dubai developers majority shareholder in a fund to be managed by questions about Mohamed Alabbar’s role company’s profits in 2014, which rose 28 is a founding shareholder. It is develop- enticed customers with Aston Shuaa Capital PSC that will provide financing for at the company’s annual general meet- percent. ing a project in Belgrade which obtained Martins or Lamborghinis upon the Dubai project. Funding will be split equally ing on April 15, after a year in which he Alabbar has emerged as the public face Serbian government approval on Friday the sale of a luxury unit dur- between equity, property pre-sales and bank loans, has emerged as a figurehead for other of a number of other real estate developers in the face of some local opposition. ing the worst of the previous the chairman said. real estate companies, many of which in the past year, including the company As for conflicts of interest and whether downturn to maintain sales. In its home market, Cayan will spend about are stocked with former senior Emaar which will build the new administrative his participation in other real estate firms The measure isn’t restricted SR2.5bn ($666m) on two projects in Riyadh. It executives. However, in an interview with capital city in Egypt — a development raised corporate governance questions, to Dubai: in Ajman, one of the will sell serviced-land plots to “select” buyers who Arabian Business published yesterday, expected to cost upwards of $45bn. Alabbar insisted it was better for him to smaller emirates which make can then build the homes themselves, Alhatti said. Alabbar said his commitment to the com- The firm, Capital City Partners, com- be involved in other property companies up the United Arab Emirates, The company is also planning to build about 250 pany which he has lead since its inception prises a group of investors “that I lead as that was where his expertise was. one developer in 2014 offered homes on part of the 1 million square-metre plot in 1997 remained intact. and who trust me”, Alabbar said. “These are all companies in real estate, citizenship of Antigua and near the Diplomatic Quarter in the next three “For the past 20 years I have sat on Alabbar said he believed the furore had a field in which I believe I have something Barbuda in the Caribbean, in years, he said. boards in the real estate business and I emerged now because of the high profile to contribute and offer. I am not on the exchange for buying a four- Cayan will construct a 15-story office tower on continue to sit on boards from Bahrain of many of these developments. While board of a technology or media or tel- bedroom villa. King Fahad Road to serve as its new headquarters, to Malaysia, Singapore, the United States Emaar has an Egyptian business, which ecom company. It is strictly real estate,” REUTERS Alhatti said. BLOOMBERG and many other countries. That’s nothing is expected to go public this year, the he said. REUTERS MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Citi sees Gulf China-led AIIB will be banks increase lean, clean borrowings and green BEIJING: The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Oil price slump prompts debt sales Bank (AIIB) will be lean, clean and green, its interim chief said, DUBAI: Citigroup Inc sees debt up from eighth last year. It’s also playing down concerns over sales by Gulf financial institu- the ninth-largest arranger of syn- transparency and standards tions increasing as the slump in dicated loans, up from 22nd in governing the institution. crude prices prompts banks to 2014, according to data compiled The $50bn bank, expected to make up for falling government by Bloomberg. start operations by the end of the deposits. Of the six bond deals Citigroup year, is attracting a growing list “We expect debt capital mar- has worked on, five of them have of countries, from Britain to India ket and syndicated loan activity to been for banks including Emirates to New Zealand. be better this year given lower oil NBD PJSC and National Bank of The Asian Infrastructure prices,” Atiq Ur Rehman, the New Abu Dhabi PJSC, according to the Officials at the meet. Investment Bank is seen as a York-based bank’s chief executive data. potential rival to established lend- officer for the Middle East and Citigroup, based in New York, ers the World Bank and Asian North Africa, said in an interview is exiting its consumer-banking Development Bank, which are in Dubai. “Increased activity is business in 11 countries to focus dominated by the United States coming from financial institu- on markets where it has the Aamal expands retail centre and Japan. tions as they shore up liquidity greatest scale and growth poten- “Lean is cost effective; clean, and capacity for future needs.” tial. The lender received bids from this bank will have zero-tolerance Banks in the oil-rich region banks including Emirates NBD on corruption; green means it’s are raising funds through bonds and Mashreqbank PSC for its management business going to promote the economy,” and loans as liquidity falls and consumer-banking business in China’s Xinhua news agency countries park less cash with Egypt, people with knowledge of quoted Jin Liqun, secretary gen- local lenders. Governments, the matter said in January. The DOHA: Aamal Company QSC, for the portfolio of shopping cen- already proved to be an effective eral of the bank’s multilateral related entities and national oil bank has said it expects to com- one of the GCC’s fastest growing tres owned by Aamal and those partner for us, creating value and interim secretariat, telling a companies are among the largest plete most of those sales this year. diversified companies, yesterday owned outside the Group both in contributing to the success of our forum in Singapore on Saturday. depositors in the region’s lenders, Ur Rehman also expects ini- announced a new joint venture Qatar and the Mena region. Aamal flagship City Center shopping mall The bank would not be run providing between 10 percent and tial public offerings to return agreement with German retail will own 51 percent of the venture while under its management by politically, Jin said. 35 percent of non-equity bank this year in the Middle East “on mall and shopping centre opera- and ECE the remaining 49 percent improving our tenant mix, enhanc- “AIIB is a bank, not a political funding, according to a report last the back of lower oil prices as an tor ECE Projektmanagement. holding. The new company will con- ing the customer experience, and organisation or political alliance. month from Moody’s Investors alternative form of finance,” he Aamal and ECE already have a tinue to manage City Center mall. co-ordinating the mall’s success- This guaranteed that it would Service. said. long-established track record of Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal Al ful redevelopment. We now look to be impossible to operate it in an Banks in the Gulf Cooperation Some companies are reconsid- successful collaboration with ECE Thani, Vice Chairman of Aamal, offer the benefit of this expertise to untransparent way,” he said. Council have raised $5.3bn ering share sales after the plunge acting as manager of Aamal’s flag- said: “We are delighted to have enhance the performance of other More than 40 countries have through bond sales this year, up in oil prices in the second half of ship City Centre retail mall in West the opportunity to build on our retail centres both within and out- applied to join the AIIB, with the from $4.4bn a year earlier, while 2014 sparked a selloff in equity Bay, Doha, for the past 10 years. strong relationship with ECE, one side the Group.” United States and Japan being overall sales were little changed markets and halted deals. Under the new agreement, Aamal of the most respected and experi- Joanna Fisher, Managing notable absentees. at about $8.1bn, according to data. Senaat, which owns Abu Dhabi and ECE have extended their part- enced international operators in Director, Centre Management of The United States, worried Brent crude, a benchmark for companies including National nership by creating a new company, retail property management. The ECE, said: “We have been active about China’s growing diplo- half of the global oil trade, has Petroleum Construction Co and Aamal ECE WLL, which will lev- underlying economic strength of in Doha for ten years and we are matic clout, suffered a diplomatic declined about 45 percent in the Emirates Steel, last month said erage the parent companies’ com- Qatar and the GCC is continuing proud and very pleased that our reverse after trying to dissuade last 12 months and gained 2.3 per- it plans to sell shares in a unit bined expertise and capabilities to to drive the expansion of shopping work has been rewarded. We are its allies from joining the Chinese cent to $57.87 as of the close of this year after postponing its own meet the growing demand for com- centre development in both local looking forward to intensifying initiative. trading April 10. IPO in 2014. prehensive property management and regional markets…” our co-operation with Aamal by Washington has questioned Citigroup is the third-largest Qatar Exchange is also consid- of shopping centres both in Qatar Tarek M El Sayed, Managing building up the Joint Venture and whether the Asian Infrastructure bond underwriter in the Gulf ering a stock sale, chief executive and across the wider Mena region. Director of Aamal, said: “This new through that to continue the suc- Investment Bank will have suf- region this year, trailing HSBC officer Rashid Al Mansoori said The new JV will offer property JV reflects the success of Aamal’s cessful partnership in the field of ficient standards of governance Holdings Plc and National Bank in March. management together with related strategy to build profitable long- Shopping Center Management in and environmental and social of Abu Dhabi PJSC, though it’s BLOOMBERG consultancy and letting services term partnerships. ECE has the future.” THE PENINSULA safeguards. REUTERS MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Spotify eyes ECB policymakers set financing to to meet on Wednesday value music site at $8bn

First meet after successful debut of bond-buying spree LOS ANGELES: Spotify Ltd is in the process of rais- BERLIN: The European meeting in Frankfurt this week. and Ireland in particular have ing new financing that would Central Bank’s decision makers Launched on March 9, the also benefited. The fall in the value the largest subscrip- meet on Wednesday buoyed by strategy behind the ECB’s QE euro’s value against the dollar, tion music- streaming serv- the successful debut of a mass programme is akin to those of also a consequence of QE, sits well ice at about $8bn, according bond-buying spree designed to the US Federal Reserve and the with the ECB’s goals. A weak euro to people familiar with the kickstart growth and will likely Bank of England to pump money favours exports by eurozone com- matter. quash talk of it wrapping up into the eurozone with massive panies, thus encouraging growth, That valuation is dou- early. purchases of debt to bring down and makes the cost of buying ble what the company was Analysts say ECB chief Mario borrowing costs and in turn foster goods abroad more expensive, worth when it raised money Draghi is expected to give short easier credit. driving up inflation. in November 2013. The latest shrift to any suggestion of a pre- “A success,” remarked Since the start of the year, the round totals about $400m, mature end to the quantitative Berenberg bank economist single currency has lost 11 per- according to one of the indi- easing (QE) programme, the Christian Schulz after nearly 61 cent of its value. Some have begun viduals, and comes from a long-awaited and controversial billion euros in government and to fear however that the euro’s group that includes Goldman gambit launched by the central corporate debt was purchased in weakness could propel infla- Sachs Group and an Abu bank last month. the first round, despite fears of a tion higher than 2.0 percent, or Dhabi sovereign wealth Amid ongoing uncertainty possible shortage of assets to buy. slightly beyond the ECB’s target. fund, the Wall Street Journal about cash-strapped Greece, the “The operational implemen- “When does the exit begin?” reported on Friday. first volley of the ECB’s €1.1 tril- tation has been smooth and the asked Germany’s Handelsblatt Spotify continues to raise lion ($1.2 trillion) scheme offered policy effectiveness probably business daily on Thursday. money as it tries to build a some good news, getting off to a exceeded the ECB’s own expec- ECB executive board mem- global subscription music solid start by meeting its target. tations,” he said. ber Yves Mersch addressed the service before Apple Inc or That has fed speculation that Jennifer McKeown, analyst issue of a possible “overdosing” Google Inc, which are both the anti-deflationary policy of at Capital Economics, said she on QE this week. He insisted pursuing the same market. buying around €60bn of public believed that a “premature taper- that if inflation expectations grew Spotify has more than 60 mil- and private bonds each month ing”, or phase-out of the bond- above the ECB’s current forecast lion users, a quarter of whom could be stopped before its buying programme, was not the of 1.8 percent in 2017, “it would, pay $9.99 for a monthly, ad- planned September 2016 end date. way to go. “We still think that the of course, be appropriate to con- free version. But RBS economist Richard policy is sorely needed,” she said, sider whether we need to adjust Like Pandora Media Inc, Barwell said he doubted Draghi voicing expectations that Draghi our plan”. a public company valued at would follow such a course as would stress this week that most The latest data, however, shows Police set up barbed wire beside the new ECB headquarters in Frankfurt. $3.55bn, Spotify pays a large confidence in the ECB’s future of the ECB’s governing council that risk is still far off. percentage of its revenue to actions was so crucial to the members still wanted to apply it Prices in the 19-nation single Economics, the eurozone will further structural reforms”, a record labels and publishers current markets. “We should in full. currency bloc were down 0.1 per- probably need more QE rather message Draghi is likely to reit- for the right to license their therefore expect the driver’s A measure of its success has cent in March, less than the drop than less to reboot the economy. erate at Wednesday’s meeting. music. With sales of both determination to complete the been a decline in government in January and February but still “In short, the ECB still has a lot The meeting is being held a CDs and digital downloads journey to be a central theme in borrowing rates, with the biggest a long way from the ECB’s target more work to do,” he said. day earlier than normal to enable in decline, the three major the ECB’s communication strat- drop for France and Germany of just under 2 percent annual And Berenberg’s Schulz said it central bankers to attend an IMF record labels — Vivendi SA’s egy,” he said, ahead of the regular whose costs were already rela- inflation. was up to eurozone governments gathering in Washington starting Universal Music Group, policy-setting governing council’s tively low, while Belgium, Portugal For Jonathan Loynes, of Capital “to underpin the upswing with Friday. AFP Sony Corp.’s Sony Music Entertainment and Access Industries’ Warner Music Group — view streaming as the key to future growth. Though the labels own a stake in Spotify, they have VW chairman appears isolated after CEO criticism complained about the money they receive from the com- pany and pushed for greater BERLIN/STUTTGART: of Piech and a member of VW’s struggling to forge a long-planned restrictions to its free serv- Volkswagen Chairman Ferdinand supervisory board. alliance of truck brands and to ice. Spotify has resisted those Piech is facing growing resistance The state of Lower Saxony, revive operations in the United overtures, arguing that an within the supervisory board to where VW is based and which States. While the reasons for appealing free service is the his criticism of Chief Executive owns one fifth of VW’s voting Piech’s campaign remain unclear, best way to lure custom- Martin Winterkorn, deepening a shares, as well as the carmaker’s a senior labour representative ers who will then subscribe. leadership crisis at a time when labour leaders who represent half said the chairman had criticised Listeners must have a sub- Europe’s largest carmaker is of the 20 members on VW’s super- Winterkorn at past board meet- scription to access the full struggling to revive profits. visory board on Friday gave their ings, particularly with regard to offering on a mobile phone. Piech on Friday publicly with- backing to Winterkorn. the weak US operations. Music companies aren’t the drew his confidence in Winterkorn Winterkorn, who in his eight- VW’s $1bn plant in Chattanooga only ones to complain about who has been at the helm of the year reign has overseen VW’s has been underutilised for more Spotify. Singer Taylor Swift automaker since 2007, telling transformation from a struggling than a year after demand dried up pulled her entire song cata- German magazine Der Spiegel he German group saddled with high for the locally-built Passat saloon, log from the service after it has “distanced” himself from the labour costs into one of the world’s a model that Winterkorn had refused to restrict her new CEO. Piech’s remark, exposing most successful automakers, will personally lobbied for, a company album, “1989,” to its subscrip- unusual dissent between VW’s two Wolfgang Porsche (right) and Ferdinand Piech in Paris. fight for his job and feels embold- source said. tion service. top leaders, undermines the CEO’s ened by support from strong allies, “This falling-out is destabilis- Spotify is about to face a new prospects of extending his contract company sources said on Saturday. ing VW at a critical time,” said challenge from Apple, which beyond 2016 or to become chair- controls 51 percent of VW common labour leaders. “The comment from Piech’s remark has plunged London-based Evercore ISI analyst is revamping the subscription man himself when Piech retires, stock, yesterday threw his backing Dr Piech represents his personal VW into turmoil at a time when Arndt Ellinghorst. “The top-level service it acquired in its $3bn most likely in 2017, analysts said. behind Winterkorn, siding with opinion which has in substance and it is seeking to cut billions of euros succession is the biggest challenge purchase of Beats Electronics Wolfgang Porsche, chairman of the the state of Lower Saxony, VW’s factually not been coordinated with of costs to boost profitability at the carmaker has been facing in LLC. BLOOMBERG Porsche SE holding company which second largest shareholder and its the family,” said Porsche, a cousin its troubled core division while the past 20-30 years.” REUTERS Istanbul’s financial hub goal hampered by lightweight stock market

ISTANBUL: Turkish President growth and nagging political wor- “There has been a significant Tayyip Erdogan dreams of trans- ries ahead of June parliamentary increase in fees that have hit both forming Istanbul into a finan- elections. “Right now, Turkey is — brokerages and investors,” said cial hub that can rival Dubai or without much doubt — not one of Metin Ayisik, the head of Turkey’s Singapore, but first he needs to the favourite emerging markets,” brokerage industry group. win over would-be investors like said Mike Harris, Turkish strate- Last year, Istanbul’s investor Ali Bahcuvan. gist at Renaissance Capital. “That base shrank by 5 percent to around “I’d rather stay away from the also enhances the challenge for 1 million investors, he said, adding stock market these days,” said the Istanbul to be perceived as a finan- the bourse needs around five times 41-year-old Internet entrepreneur. cial centre because the economy that to ensure liquidity. “The cost of trading has increased is going through these doldrums.” Istanbul is also hobbled by a and that has hurt liquidity. The Ankara needs to encourage buy-side industry which is small, stocks I want to trade are all more public listings, more equity even by emerging market stand- illiquid.” issuance and more “truly public” ards. By contrast, South Africa has Market participants say inter- companies, analysts say, especially scores of money managers centred est from small investors is on the since many listed firms are still in Cape Town. wane, thanks to higher fees and controlled by the government or Oliver Wyman said Turkey as new flotations fail to spark their founding families. could build up the buy-side indus- interest. That’s bad news for an Erdogan has hardly helped try by encouraging the engines of exchange that relies on retail investor sentiment, fulminating the economy — small and medium- investors for much of its liquidity. against high interest rates in com- sized companies — to go public. It also raises questions about the ments which have raised concerns There have been some positive viability of the government’s drive about the independence of the cen- signs, such as recent government to make Istanbul a global top-10 tral bank. incentives for retirement savings, financial hub. “Valuations are attractive but which have boosted demand for Years of solid growth have there are uncertainties regarding A visitor takes picture of the Levent district, which comprises of leading Turkish companies’ headquarters and private pension funds. But the turned Turkey into a major emerg- the management of the economy popular shopping malls, in Istanbul. government still needs to do more ing economy, but its equity market after the elections,” said Didem to encourage savings. has not kept up. Gordon, chief executive of Ashmore “A lot needs to change in terms The government has already Portfoy, an asset manager. well behind some emerging market its capital markets,” consultancy draw investors. of creating a strong domestic pool introduced some regulatory This year should have been rivals. The Johannesburg market Oliver Wyman said in a 2014 Retail investors account for of assets, because then companies changes to make Istanbul more “spectacularly positive” for Turkey is worth more than four times report, adding that the equity 80 percent of the trade on Borsa come to where the savings are, attractive for foreign capital, because of the lower oil prices, that, even though South Africa’s market could easily double in size. Istanbul, but their numbers have assuming the regulation is sup- including an ambitious plan to Gordon said, but emerging mar- economy is less than half the size Trade is concentrated on just thinned after the bourse — which portive,” said Renaissance Capital’s build a $2.6bn “International ket volatility and domestic politics of Turkey’s. a handful of companies, with just plans to list by next year — hiked Harris. “The perception of Turkey Finance Centre”. have weighed on the markets. At “There is a mismatch between ten stocks accounting for 70 per- its fees. Brokerages are also charg- can change on a dime if the policy But investors say more needs to around $220bn, Istanbul’s stock the complexity and size of the cent of transactions. Many smaller ing more to offset new capital makers aggressively embraced be done, especially given flagging market is the world’s 29th largest, Turkish economy and the size of companies aren’t liquid enough to requirements. reforms.” REUTERS MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,982.65 0.04 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,620.1 0.04 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,467.47 0.00 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,195.44 0.06 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,180.35 0.42 % Services GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 3,974.63 0.16 % All Ordinaries 5901.506 -26.807 -0.45 5962 5248.5 QR140.7985 QE All Share Transportation 2,433.84 0.14 % US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Real Estate 2,564.94 0.13 % Cac 40 Index/D 5182.13 45.27 0.88 5168.03 4076.16 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.3609 QR 5.4364 QE All Share Insurance 4,109.12 1.36 % Dj Indu Average 17902.51 0 0 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.8969 QR 3.9522 QE All Share Telecoms 1,357.6 1.58 % QR 1.9130 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8792 QR 2.9367 7,112.16 0.57 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 26944.39 707.53 2.7 26247.63 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7335 QR 3.7858 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6192.03 35.11 0.57 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0307 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7894 QR 2.8450 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32013.91 126.61 0.4 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 12-04-2015 09-04-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0592 Index 11,982.65 11,987.71 Nikkei 225 Index 19937.72 147.91 0.75 19845.53 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 5.06 40.26 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0829 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 0.04 0.34 $ 57.87 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 2.47 2.43 Straits Times/D 3460.3 -0.38 -0.01 3476.2 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 9,002,006 13,461,091 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0363 QR 0.0370 Value (QAR) 306,201,635.54 454,538,951.18 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3059 QR 0.3120 Trades 3,848 5,979 $ 55.05 Up 20 | Down 19 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 12-04-2015

Commodities: Oil prices rebound; gold firms LONDON: Oil prices rebounded a hike until later in the year, France and Russia plus Germany Exchange, West Texas China’s consumer inflation held in May gained to $366.10 from and gold firmed this week as while “a couple” said liftoff would paves the way for the Islamic Intermediate or light sweet crude steady at 1.4 percent in March, the $361.10 a week earlier. On ICE markets reacted to geopoliti- remain unlikely until 2016. republic to curtail its nuclear for May climbed to $50.80 com- government said Friday, amid a Futures US, unrefined sugar for cal concerns and the outlook While last week’s US jobs data activity in exchange for relief from pared with $49.29. broad slowdown in the world’s May increased to 12.81 US cents a for interest rates in the United “was a big disappointment, the punishing economic sanctions, PRECIOUS METALS: Gold second-largest economy. pound from 12.46 US cents. States. minutes from the Fed’s last meet- including on oil investment. rose slightly, with support coming Earlier this year the central COCOA: Futures rebounded. A strong dollar meanwhile ing suggests that they remain in In volatile trading, oil prices from the fact that it is regarded People’s Bank of China cut bench- “Ideas of at least a little bit of capped gains for certain com- hiking mode and may hike rates sank on Wednesday after the US by investors as a safe bet in times mark interest rates for the sec- economic recovery provided some modities priced in the US unit at some point this year, even if Department of Energy said com- of geopolitical and economic ond time in three months, citing support as did signs of better and caused others to drop June now seems like a long shot”, mercial inventories in the world’s uncertainty. “historically low inflation”, as the demand” from Europe, said Jack week-on-week. said Forex.com analyst Kathleen biggest economy hit a record high “Gold is putting up some resist- country’s economy grows at is Scoville, analyst at Price Futures The dollar has fought back Brooks. last week. ance against the surging dollar,” slowest annual pace in nearly a Group. against the euro in recent weeks OIL: Crude prices rose, sup- That came after Saudi Arabia’s said analysts at PVM brokers in quarter of a century. By Friday on LIFFE, cocoa for as markets bet on rises to US ported by concerns over Iran’s Oil Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al a note to clients. By Friday on the London Metal delivery in July climbed to £1,974 interest rates later this year nuclear deal that helped to offset Nuaimi said his country’s pro- By Friday on the London Exchange, copper for delivery in a tonne from £1,931 on Thursday despite a clouded outlook. This worries about a US supply glut duction had hit an all-time high Bullion Market, the price of gold three months rose to $6,025.50 a of the previous week. has made dollar-denominated raw according to analysts. of 10.3 million barrels a day in firmed to $1,207.35 an ounce from tonne from $5,993 on Thursday of On the ICE Futures US materials like oil and gold more “Geopolitical factors remain a March. $1,198.50 on Thursday of the pre- the previous week. exchange, cocoa for July rose to expensive for holders of rival cur- constant worry for investors with But Phil Flynn, an analyst at vious week. Three-month aluminium fell to $2,804 a tonne from $2,749. rencies, denting demand. concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear Price Futures Group, this week Silver fell to $16.55 an ounce $1,766.50 a tonne from $1,774.50. COFFEE: Prices edged higher Minutes of the US central programme potentially leading to said that rising imports of US from $16.84. On the London Three-month lead increased to over the week. bank’s last policy meeting showed ongoing volatility in the crude oil crude oil could indicate improved Platinum and Palladium Market, $1,998.50 a tonne from $1,870. By Friday on ICE Futures, a split over when interest rates market,” said Kash Kamal, sen- demand prospects in the world’s platinum rose to $1,171 an ounce Three-month tin dropped to Arabica for delivery in May should again start rising in the ior research analyst at Sucden largest oil consumer or concerns from $1,154. Palladium increased $16,570 a tonne from $16,750. rose to 136.70 US cents a pound world’s biggest economy. brokerage. about supply tightening. to $777 an ounce from $751. Three-month nickel retreated from 134.80 cents on Thursday Minutes from the March meet- Analysts attributed steep gains By Friday on London’s BASE METALS: Base or to $12,680 a tonne from $12,935. of the previous week. On LIFFE, ing published earlier this week at the start of the week to inves- Intercontinental Exchange, Brent industrial metals diverged as trad- Three-month zinc edged higher Robusta for May gained to $1,799 showed that “several (Fed) par- tors concluding that the nuclear North Sea crude for delivery in ers assessed the growth outlook to $2,107.50 a tonne from $2,081.50. a tonne from $1,751. ticipants” thought conditions were framework agreed between Iran May jumped to $56.84 a bar- for China. SUGAR: Prices firmed after RUBBER: Prices fell on weak right for a June hike in the federal and international powers will have rel from $54.80 on Thursday of “The lack of clarity on China’s recently trading close to near six- demand. By Friday, the Malaysian funds rate, which has been stuck a minimal near-term effect on glo- the previous week when trading future demand appears to be year lows. Rubber Board’s benchmark near zero since late 2008. bal crude supplies. stopped earlier than usual for leading to swings in investor sen- By Thursday on LIFFE, SMR20 dropped to 136.90 US Others deemed the economy The deal Tehran agreed with Easter. timent,” said Capital Economics London’s futures exchange, a cents a kilo from 140.75 US cents would not be able to weather the United States, Britain, China, On the New York Mercantile research group. tonne of white sugar for delivery a week earlier. AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

NBA: DeRozan, Williams star in Spieth stumbles but stays Toronto triumph

NEW YORK: Guards DeMar DeRozan and Lou Williams combined for 53 points to help in front at Augusta Masters Toronto beat the Heat in Miami. While Toronto was clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, the Heat’s Texan leads by 4 shots despite round of 70; McIlroy faces uphill task chance of making the postseason have just about vanished. Despite not being mathemati- AUGUSTA, US: Jordan Spieth times out of the five attempts. cally eliminated, the odds are stumbled under the weight of “It was huge just to see one go in stacked against Miami extend- leading the Masters, but sal- after the disappointment there on ing their season beyond next week vaged par with a clutch clos- 17, where I probably should have as the Heat (35-45) slipped 2-1/2 ing 10-foot putt to set a 54-hole just hit 3-wood off the tee,” Spieth games out of the eighth and final record and maintain a four- said. spot in the Eastern Conference. stroke lead. Spieth, who set a 36-hole The four-time defending con- The 21-year-old Texan’s dra- Masters record of 14-under 130, ference champions must win matic finish to a two-under par lost only one stroke off his half- their remaining two games while 70 third round on Saturday way lead, but finds 2013 US Open the Brooklyn Nets and Boston at Augusta National gave him winner Justin Rose alongside him Celtics, who are tied for seventh a 54-hole Masters record of in the final pairing after a clos- and eighth in the East, must lose 16-under 200 and partly eased ing run of five birdies in six holes their remaining three games. the sting of a double bogey at 17. and five-time major winner Phil Clippers 94, Grizzlies 86 “It was really big. It was huge. Mickelson only five shots back Forward Blake Griffin and It was one of the bigger putts I’ve after matching Rose with a 67 shooting guard JJ Redick scored ever hit,” Spieth said. Saturday. 18 points apiece, and Los Angeles “I was very frustrated.” “They are going to bring their defeated short-handed Memphis Speith, who settled for second game and I’ve got to have a rela- at Staples Centre. last year in his Masters debut tively stress-free round going, I Centre DeAndre Jordan fin- after leading on the front nine, mean give myself some tap-in ished with 16 points and 16 made four birdies in five holes pars and not have to make so rebounds as the Clippers moved to reach 18-under and led by six many putts,” Spieth said. into a three-way tie with the with two holes to play. “I had to make a lot of putts. I Grizzlies and the San Antonio But a poor tee shot led to his can’t rely on the putter that much Spurs for the No. 2 spot in the setback at 17 and an approach to save me with two major cham- Western Conference playoff well right of the green at 18 forced pions right behind.” race. Point guard Chris Paul had an aggressive chip that Spieth Spieth made seven birdies on 15 points and 14 assists for Los admitted would likely fail four Saturday and has made a Masters Angeles. record 22 birdies in 54 holes, one Warriors 110, Timberwolves more than the old mark of Tiger 101 Masters Third Woods from his 2005 victory. Point guard Stephen Curry Spieth also eclipsed the old padded the statistics in his Most Round Scores 54-hole low score of 201 shared Valuable Player candidacy with 200 Jordan Spieth (USA) 64-66-70 by Woods in 1997 and Ray Floyd his 17th 30-point game of the in 1976. season, pouring in 34 in Golden 204 Justin Rose (ENG) 67-70-67 Woods, a 14-time major cham- Jordan Spieth of the US reacts after he chips during the third round of 2015 Masters in Augusta, Georgia on State’s win. The win was the pion, and world number one Rory Saturday. RIGHT: Tiger Woods of the US watches his approach shot on the 11th hole during the third round. Warriors’ 16th straight at home 205 Phil Mickelson (USA) 70-68-67 McIlroy, seeking his third major and a franchise-record 37th at 206 Charley Hoffman (USA) 67-68-71 win in a row to complete a career Oracle Arena this season, break- Grand Slam, lurk 10 shots back, is hungry to don a green jacket. “A little anxious, but I actu- “Would have liked to have fin- ing the old mark of 36 set in 210 Kevin Streelman (USA) 70-70-70, but they would need to eclipse “Last year definitely left a bad ally felt more comfortable than I ished the round a little bit better, 1975-76. Kevin Na (USA) 74-66-70, Tiger the greatest last-day comeback taste in my mouth,” Spieth said. thought I would. It’s just so hard,” but also could have been worse,” Jazz 111, Blazers 105 Woods (USA) 73-69-68, Rory in Masters history, Jack Burke’s “I’ve been looking to get back, Spieth said. he added. Forward Trevor Booker scored McIlroy (NIR) 71-71-68, Dustin 1956 rally of eight strokes, to win. looking at trying to get some “That’s a long time to sit Spieth could become only the a career-high 36 points and Johnson (USA) 70-67-73 “It’s about setting a goal and revenge. I’ve got a long way to go on a lead like that. Out on the fifth wire-to-wire winner in grabbed nine rebounds to pace being patient with the opportu- still.” course it felt a little bit different. Masters history, joining Craig Utah past Portland at the Moda 211 Paul Casey (ENG) 69-68-74, Hideki nities that are going to come my Spieth said the 24-hour wait And maybe got a little anxious Wood in 1941, Arnold Palmer in Center. Guard Rodney Hood Matsuyama (JPN) 71-70-70 way,” Spieth said. between the second and third at times. But all-in-all kept it 1960, Jack Nicklaus in 1972 and scored 21 points with eight assists After his 2014 near miss, Spieth rounds added to his tensions. together with the putter. Floyd in 1976. AFP for the Jazz, who won for the sixth time in eight games. Bulls 114, Sixers 107 Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds and was one of six Chicago players to score in double figures in win over Philadelphia. United down City as Chelsea extend lead Bulls point guard Derrick Rose, playing for the first time at home MANCHESTER: Manchester since Feb. 23, had 22 points and United put the boot into eight assists to help pace the Manchester City and restored Bulls, who also got productive red ascendancy in the city nights from swingman Jimmy thanks to a crushing 4-2 derby Butler (15 points). AGENCIES victory at Old Trafford yester- day that moved them four points clear of their ailing rivals. NBA Results Chelsea look too far ahead for Chelsea’s Cesc Ny Knicks 80 Orlando 79 third-placed United’s late charge Fabregas cel- Toronto 107 Miami 104 and took another step towards the ebrates his Chicago 114 Philadelphia 107 goal (right) dur- title by moving seven points clear La Clippers 94 Memphis 86 at the top after Cesc Fabregas’s ing the English Utah 111 Portland 105 88th minute winner snatched Premier League a 1-0 win at lowly Queens Park match against Golden State 110 Minnesota 101 Rangers. Queens Park United had lost the last four Rangers at Loftus Premier League derbies against road in West Baseball Results City but their tails were up ahead London, England, Boston 8 NY Yankees 4 of the 169th edition after a run yesterday. St Louis 4 Cincinnati 1 of five straight league wins, while Chicago White Sox 5 Minnesota 4 rivals City were low on confidence following four wins from 11 league Seattle 5 Oakland 4 games. Detroit 9 Cleveland 6 City looked to wash away mem- Tampa Bay 2 Miami 0 ories of Monday’s defeat against Baltimore 7 Toronto 1 Crystal Palace at a wet and blustery Old Trafford as Sergio Philadelphia 3 Washington 2 Aguero put them ahead on eight Milwaukee 6 Pittsburgh 0 minutes after an explosive start not Manchester United, we were Remy, failed to register a shot on Meanwhile Pellegrini said he Atlanta 5 NY Mets 3 to the match. very nervous. I don’t know why,” target until Green’s error eventu- could not explain his team’s disin- But the visitors failed to build United boss Louis van Gaal told ally led to Spain’s Fabregas dis- tegration after seeing them blown English Premier Texas 6 Houston 2 on their early dominance and the BBC. patching Eden Hazard’s lay-off to away 4-2 by Manchester United. League Results Chicago Cubs 9 Colorado 5 Ashley Young bundled in an “We had no pressure on the seal victory. The defeat, City’s sixth in London: Collated English Premier League Arizona 6 LA Dodgers 0 equaliser before towering Belgian ball. I don’t know why. But when QPR, embroiled in relegation eight games in all competitions, result yesterday: San Diego 10 San Francisco 2 Marouane Fellaini thumped in we scored the goal, from that battle, had been the more danger- left last season’s champions 12 Young’s cross with a powerful moment we had more confidence. ous team throughout and created points behind leaders Chelsea Manchester United 4 (Young 14, Fellaini 27, Kansas City 6 LA Angels 4 header after 27 minutes. “We are four points ahead of a number of chances but were having played a game more and Mata 67, Smalling 73) Manchester City 2 Juan Mata’s cool finish fourth in the table and I am very thwarted by visiting goalkeeper four points adrift of third-place (Aguero 8, 89) NHL Results extended the lead in the second happy for the fans. I have seen Thibault Courtois. United in the contest for an auto- QPR 0 Chelsea 1 (Fabregas 88) Ottawa 3 Philadelphia 1 Playing today period and Chris Smalling capi- what it means for them. They Chelsea have 73 points from 31 matic Champions League qualify- NY Rangers 4 Washington 2 talised on some slack marking to always supported us when the games and next play United and ing berth. Liverpool vs Newcastle (1900 GMT) Winnipeg 5 Calgary 1 head home Wayne Rooney’s free results were not good.” Arsenal. It is likely to increase specula- Played on Saturday Los Angeles 4 San Jose 1 kick as United began to remem- United will feel they now have a “I think it was a vital (result),” tion about Pellegrini’s position at Burnley 0 Arsenal 1 (Ramsey 12) ber what glory feels like after a Champions League spot in the bag Fabregas, who had seen a drop in the Etihad Stadium, a year after St. Louis 4 Minnesota 2 Southampton 2 poor season last term. and Chelsea fans must believe the form since the turn of the year, he led City to a league and League (Ward-Prowse 56-pen, Pelle 81) Hull 0 Pittsburgh 2 Buffalo 0 With United fans chanting title is theirs given the luck they told Sky Sports. “We are playing Cup double, and he was at a loss Montreal 4 Toronto 3 “you’re getting sacked in the have had in the last two games for the most important trophy to explain his side’s shortcomings. Sunderland 1 (Wickham 90) Crystal Palace morning” at City boss Manuel and the fact they still have a game of the season and we’ve been up “We dominated, created 4 (Murray 48, Bolasie 51, 53, 62) Florida 3 New Jersey 2 Pellegrini, Aguero added a late in hand. there since the first day so we chances, we had the ball. At 1-1 Swansea 1 (Shelvey 69-pen) Everton 1 Columbus 5 NY Islanders 4 goal that did nothing to ease the For a second straight match, want to continue like this. United started growing and their (Lennon 41) Detroit 2 Carolina 0 visitors’ pain, an error from an opposing goal- “We know that some teams are third goal gave them the confi- Tottenham 0 Aston Villa 1 (Benteke 35) Tampa Bay 3 Boston 2 United have 65 points from keeper led to their winner, with putting pressure from the back dence they did not have before. West Brom 2 (Fletcher 8, Gardner 26) Dallas 4 Nashville 1 32 matches, one behind second- Robert Green at fault for a poor but we want to be solid and we “It is not just one problem. The Leicester 3 (Nugent 20, placed Arsenal but four more clearance. want to win important games and same team played well for 20 min- Huth 80, Vardy 90+1) Colorado 3 Chicago 2 than champions City with six Chelsea dominated possession that showed the character of this utes. Maybe it’s a lack of class at West Ham 1 (Cresswell 7) Stoke 1 Anaheim 2 Arizona 1 matches remaining. but, in the absence of injured team. It was a fantastic time to this moment. I don’t know.” (Arnautovic 90+5) Vancouver 6 Edmonton 5 “We started very badly. It was forwards Diego Costa and Loic score.” AGENCIES MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 ‘Selfish’ Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in China Rosberg accuses team-mate of selfish driving

SHANGHAI: Lewis Hamilton Chinese Grand Prix shrugged off accusations of self- ish driving from beaten team results mate Nico Rosberg yesterday epsol Honda team rider Marc Marquez of Spain rides during MotoGP Shanghai, China: Results from the Formula qualifying two at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, USA, 11 April after the Formula One world One Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai 2015. Marquez finished in first position and will start in the pole position. champion led Mercedes to a yesterday: Chinese Grand Prix one-two 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) finish. If the race ended in anti-cli- 305.066 km in 1hr 39min 42.008 sec max, with the safety car deployed (average speed: 183.590 kph) Marquez grabs Austin for the last two laps, the sparks 2. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) at 0.714 flew afterwards when a seething 3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 2.988 Rosberg said Hamilton had com- 4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) at 3.835 promised his race by driving too pole in stunning style 5. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) at 8.544 slow.. 6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams) at 9.885 The flare up of tensions AUSTIN: Reigning world right at the cut-off point to put 7. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus) at 19.008 between the two, so evident last champion Marc Marquez cap- in a final lap, which worked out 8. Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber AG) at 22.625 year, sent Mercedes bosses into tured pole position for the well for us.” fire-fighting mode when they 9. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) at 32.117 MotoGP Grand Prix of the “With the second bike the setup might have hoped to have cel- 10. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber AG) at 1 lap Americas for the third straight was not perfect, but I did 100 per- ebrated reasserting their domi- 11. Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India) at 1 lap year in dramatic style yesterday. cent -- also had a big moment,” nance over Ferrari. 12. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren) at 1 lap The Spaniard, gunning for a he said. The team’s non-executive 13. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren) at 1 lap third straight win in the Texas Italian Ducati rider Andrea chairman and former triple 14. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso) at 1 lap state capital, was stranded on the Dovizioso was second in 2:02.474 British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG GP champion Niki Lauda made clear 15. Will Stevens (GBR/Marussia) at 2 laps track when a warning light on his -- and stunned by Marquez’s pole whose side he was on. celebrates after winning the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Honda came on with three min- effort. 16. Roberto Merhi (ESP/Marussia) at 2 laps “Sure, everyone drives selfish,” Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, yesterday. utes left in qualifying. “I was watching him, and commented the Austrian. “What 17. Max Verstappen (NED/Toro Rosso) at 4 laps He had to sprint for his second I couldn’t believe my eyes,” do you think these guys are here being outfoxed by the Italians as bike, even as his rivals were pro- Dovizioso said. to do? I call them egocentric stunned Mercedes with a brilliant Briton surged ahead of his team they had been in Malaysia. ducing their fastest laps. Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo of bastards. victory in the previous round in mate with Mercedes, Ferrari and Williams, replaced by Ferrari He had been knocked down to Spain was third-quickest in “That is the only way to win Malaysia, threatened again but Williams then running in pairs. as Mercedes’ closest challengers, seventh-fastest by the time he 2:02:540 and Lorenzo’s team- and the only way to win the his challenge faded in the second Raikkonen, who was left ruing had Massa and Bottas finish fifth roared back onto the track on mate Valentino Rossi, winner of championship.” stint on the medium-compound another missed opportunity and sixth respectively. his spare machine, beating the the season-opening race in Qatar Hamilton, who led from pole tyres. after qualifying sixth, surged Romain Grosjean had a steady deadline with seconds to spare two weeks ago, was fourth-fastest position and controlled the race A third podium in as many past Williams’ Felipe Massa and drive to claim the first points and delivering a stunning flying in 2:02.573. pace to Rosberg’s discomfort, was races since joining from Red Bull Valtteri Bottas off the line to slot of the season for Lotus in sev- lap. Britons Cal Crutchlow unrepentant after celebrating a was still a great result for the into fourth behind Vettel. enth while Sauber claimed a It wasn’t perfect -- his pole (2:02.613) and Scott Redding 35th career win -- and fourth in four-times champion. Although Mercedes were double points finish with Felipe lap included a big late slide -- (2:02.674) were fifth and China -- that left him 13 points Vettel would have been as expected to regain their dominant Nasr claiming eighth and Swede but Marquez kept it together to sixth-fastest. clear at the top after three races. relieved as any when engine fail- stride in the cooler conditions, Marcus Ericsson rounding out the return to the front of the grid Marquez is seeking to rebound “It’s not my job to look after ure on Max Verstappen’s Toro Ferrari kept the Silver Arrows top 10. with a Circuit of the Americas after an early mistake in Qatar Nico’s race,” said the Briton, who Rosso brought out the safety car honest for most of the early run- Daniel Ricciardo, who endured track-record of 2min 2.135sec. dropped him to the back of the could point also to the fact that and thwarted any chance of Kimi ning when the track was at his another frustrating race in his “I’m happy, because after hav- field, leading to an eventual fifth- he ended the day with the fastest Raikkonen overtaking his Ferrari hottest and the cars fitted with underperforming Red Bull, was ing a problem we were able to place finish. lap of the race. team mate. soft tyres. ninth with engine partners come back and set the fastest He said gaining pole on Hamilton’s second win in three Hamilton started the race They lurked within striking Renault holding up their hands time,” Marquez said. Saturday was key in view of the races left him on 68 points with with his car aggressively angled distance throughout the opening and taking the blame. “It was rather different to what fact that the area could be in for Vettel on 55 and Rosberg a fur- towards the inside on the grid, runs and at one point after the McLaren continued their early we are used to, because when I stormy weather on Sunday. ther four points adrift. seemingly to cover any attack first pit stops, seemed like genuine season struggles with Fernando crossed the line for the first time “It’s important, because tomor- “Great stuff, Lewis, great stuff, from Rosberg, although he contenders. Alonso finishing a lap down in with the second tyre I saw a warn- row we are expecting an eventful stellar weekend mate, it’s a full explained that was a simple Vettel closed to within two sec- 12th, while Jenson Button dropped ing light on the bike. When that race with the unstable weather house,” Hamilton’s race engineer mistake. onds of Rosberg but fell behind to 14th after picking up a time happens, we are normally advised conditions,” said Marquez, whose told him over the radio after he “You can’t reverse and park after switching to the harder penalty for causing a collision to shut off the engine,” he added. victory in the inaugural race in took the chequered flag. back up,” he said. compound tyres as Mercedes with Lotus’s Pastor Maldonado. “I was able to get out again on Austin two years ago was his first Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who Once the lights went out, the shadowed Ferrari’s tactics to avoid the second bike and cross the line MotoGP triumph. AFP

Sock to face Querrey in final Murray weds

HOUSTON: Jack Sock reached “I served pretty well today, Querrey ranked 42nd in the his first ATP final yesterday was holding pretty comfortably world, is back in an ATP final for with a straight-sets win over throughout the match. I was the first time since he lifted the third-seeded Kevin Anderson able to scrap out a few more trophy in Los Angeles in 2012. in Houston, setting up an all- points in the second set to get “I’m stoked,” he said. American title clash with Sam the break and that was enough “It was a great match, and I Querrey. today.” served well. I’m just really happy Sock needed one hour and The 22-year-old, ranked 46th in to be out here tomorrow. 33 minutes to dispatch South the world, has come back strong “It’s going to be a tough one, Africa’s Anderson 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. from a pelvic injury that sidelined a fun one, against Jack,” added Eighth-seeded Querrey shook him in January and February. Querrey, who has never played off a rain delay to defeat defend- His victory over 16th-ranked Sock in a match but has practised ing champion and sixth seed Anderson marked the third Top with him often. Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. 20 win of his 2015 campaign and Querrey fired 16 aces against Although Sock was able to con- second this week. He toppled 30th-ranked Verdasco, who vert only one of his nine break second-seeded Spaniard Roberto was denied a 20th ATP finals opportunities it was enough as Bautista Agut in the second appearance. he fired seven aces and won 77 round. The American had broken for percent of his total service points. Although he will be contesting 2-1 in the third set and was trail- “Kevin is not easy to play on his first ATP singles final he’s no ing 0-15 when rain stopped play any surface,” Sock said. “I really stranger to the game’s big stages. for more than an hour. enjoy playing on clay. I thought it His four doubles titles include a He dropped the first point gave me a little more time today Wimbledon triumph with Vasek when play resumed to fall into a against such a big server and big Pospisil last year over Bob and dangerous 0-30 hole, but held on hitter. Mike Bryan. to win the game. AFP Bossel wins the 2nd Qatar ITF Futures 2015

Adrien Bossel from British tennis player Andy Murray and his wife Kim Sears smile as they are showered in confetti after being Switzerland, winner married at Dunblane Cathedral on Sunday. Murray married his long-term girlfriend Sears at Dunblane’s 12th of the 2nd Qatar ITF century cathedral on Sunday bringing his Scottish hometown to a standstill. Future 2015, poses with the trophy at Khalifa International ATP Houston Tennis and Squash Kerber, Keys vie for Complex. Bossel Results defeated Rui Houston: Results on Saturday from the Machado of Portugal ATP US Men’s Clay Court Championship in WTA Charleston final Houston (x-denotes seeding): in the final. Tariq Semi-finals Zeinal, Secretary CHARLESTON, United of the next 14 games en route to General of Qatar Sam Querrey (USA x8) bt Fernando Verdasco (ESP x6) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 States: Angelique Kerber a 6-4, 6-4 triumph. Tennis Federation spoiled Andrea Petkovic’s per- Trailing 6-4, 5-1, Petkovic Jack Sock (USA) bt Kevin Anderson (RSA (QTF) and Saad fect record in Charleston yes- didn’t go down without a final x3) 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 Al Mohannadi terday, beating the defending fight. WTA Charleston Results Tournament Director, champion in an all-German She won three games on the Ehab Awad, the Charleston, United States: Results yesterday semi-final to set up a title clash trot to narrow the gap to 5-4 in the WTA claycourt tournament at Administrative with Madison Keys. in the second set before Kerber Charleston (x-denotes seeding): Supervisor, Sultan Third-seeded Petkovic brought served out the match with a love Semi-finals Khalfan, Local a perfect 11-0 record on the green game. Madison Keys (USA x7) bt Lucie Hradecka clay courts of Charleston into the “I’m so close with Andrea. Tournaments Director (CZE) 6-1, 6-4 were present during meeting with her fifth-seeded We’re really good friends. It’s Angelique Kerber (GER x5) bt Andrea countrywoman. always tough to play against the awards ceremony. Petkovic (GER x3) 6-4, 6-4 Petkovic seized an early break someone like that,” Petkovic said. for a 2-0 lead, but Kerber won 11 AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Qatar Basketball Cup: El Jaish, Al Shamal earn wins

DOHA: Taggart Shawn Larell fired 26 points to help El Jaish claimed a resounding 98-77 victory over Qatar Club at the Qatar Basketball Cup, yester- day at the Al Gharafa Stadium. It appeared a mismatch as both teams competed, with El Jaish taking the commanding position right from the beginning. They led the first quarter 28-16 and led 56-34 till the match reached half-time. They were leading the third quarter by 74-55 before sealing a comprehensive victory. Apart from Larell, Macklin Vernon Leon was the other main scorer for the winning side with a tally of 20 points. Later, Al Shamal also regis- tered victory when they overcame Al Khor by 71-77. Hunter Vincent Leron, who scored 23 points in the game was the star or the winning team. White Malcom (19) and Kosar Al Kader (12) were the other main scorers. Al Shamal player Kosar Al Kader (left) in action against Al Khor’s Alhabsi Abdulaziz Salim during their Qatar Basketball But, Al Khor’s Coleman Shavon Cup match at Al Gharafa Club, yesterday. RIGHT: El Jaish’s Watson Boney scores a point against Qatar Club during was the top scorer of match with their match at the same venue. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP 25 points. THE PENINSULA

Family turns West Indies, England seek down offer of state funeral for Benaud SYDNEY: The family of reconstruction and rehab cricket icon Richie Benaud has declined the offer of a state funeral, Australia’s Sides face off in first Test today, Gayle prefers IPL over national team Prime Minister Tony Abbott said yesterday. Abbott said the offer was a NORTH SOUND, Antigua While the West Indies were at mark of respect for a man who and Barbuda: West Indies and least able to qualify out of their meant so much to millions of England face off in the first Test preliminary group at the World people in Australia and around of a three-match series on at the Cup in Australia and New Zealand the world. Sir Vivian Richards Stadium last month, England failed to But he said the former Test in Antigua today, with both advance beyond the group stage, captain and renowned com- sides involved in reconstruction inviting widespread condemna- mentator, who died aged 84 on and rehabilitation following a tion at home and at the same Friday after fighting skin can- wretched few months. time fuelling speculation over the cer, wanted a quiet and private Facing the wrath of the Indian possible return of controversial funeral. authorities following an unprec- batsman Kevin Pietersen for the “My understanding is that edented abandonment of the tour Ashes series against arch-rivals Richie’s own wishes was for there last October and with sev- Australia in three months’ time. something very, very quiet and eral of their star players either One batsman who is expected very, very private,” Abbott told overlooked by the selectors to make a return in Antigua is reporters. or unwilling to represent the Jonathan Trott. Benaud’s widow, Daphne, regional team, there is consider- Seemingly lost to the game England captain Alastair Cook phoned the Prime Minister’s able trepidation over the pros- when leaving the last Ashes series speaks to the media during office on Saturday to kindly pects of the West Indies in the in Australia after struggling to nets at the Sir Vivian Richards decline the offer of a state opening fixture, notwithstanding cope with the pace of Mitchell Stadium, on the eve of the funeral, he said. the ground’s reputation as a bat- Johnson in the first Test in opening Test against the West Benaud instead will be ting paradise. Brisbane, the 33-year-old South Indies in Antigua. LEFT: West remembered this week with a Chris Gayle, who led the West African-born player looks set to Indies wicketkeeper Denes private gathering attended only Indies to an upset 1-0 triumph open the batting in his 50th Test by his immediate family. Ramdin (right) is seen during the last time the English played with captain Alastair Cook. Overall Benaud played in or the training session, yesterday. a Test series in the Caribbean Without a century for his coun- commentated on approximately in 2009, announced his una- try in more than a year-and-a- 500 Test matches and has been vailability for the assignment, half, Cook is likely to attract lauded as the most influential although he is turning out for almost forensic attention, both Australian cricketer and broad- the Royal Challengers Bangalore for his leadership and form with most by an England cricketer in Gibson’s full-time replacement. comprising both Bishoo and left- caster of his era. AFP in the lucrative Twenty20 Indian the bat, as England embark on an Tests. Simmons has been preparing the armer Sulieman Benn. Premier League. arduous campaign of 17 Tests over Ironically, Anderson and the squad in Antigua where the con- That would leave Kemar Roach Dwayne Bravo, captain of the a nine-month period. rest of the England pace attack tinuing good form of Devendra and Jerome Taylor, the destroyer squad who walked out of the However the game unfolds, are being mentored on this tour by Bishoo looks certain to result in of England in the decisive first Sohail ruled out Indian campaign, appears to be England and their army of travel- fast bowling coach Ottis Gibson, the return of the leg-spinner to Test in Jamaica in 2009, as the paying the price for his role in ling supporters are anticipating at who was surprisingly removed as the Test fold three years after his twin spearheads of a bowling of Bangladesh that fiasco, although the official least one moment of celebration head coach of the West Indies just last match against Australia in attack that will be seeking to line from the selectors, headed by as experienced seam and swing a couple days before. Barbados. exploit and magnify any self- outstanding former captain Clive bowler James Anderson needs Former hard-hitting West Home captain Denesh Ramdin doubt among opponents who series Lloyd, is that they are looking to four wickets in his 100th Test to Indies opener Phil Simmons, pre- has spoken of relying on spinners inevitably have one eye on their younger players to try to take the surpass celebrated all-rounder viously in charge of Ireland, was to win the series for him, rais- impending home duel with the KARACHI: Pakistan spear- team forward. Ian Botham’s tally of 383 – the only announced two weeks ago as ing the prospect of a final XI Australians. AFP head Sohail Khan yesterday was ruled out of the tour of Bangladesh after suffering a back injury and was replaced by Rajasthan inflict 11th successive loss on Delhi Junaid Khan. Sohail, 31, suffered the injury on last day of team’s training ses- NEW DELHI: Deepak Hooda’s Scoreboard Scoreboard sion after breaking down in his 24-ball 54 and Ajinkya Rahane fourth over of a practice match. (47) helped Rajasthan Royals KINGS XI PUNJAB AJ Finch b Johnson ...... 8 DELHI DAREDEVILS SPD Smith* c Agarwal b Mishra ...... 10 Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inflict the 11th consecutive said Sohail was advised to rest for M Vijay c Suchith b Harbhajan Singh ...... 35 AP Tare c Vijay b Anureet Singh ...... 7 MA Agarwal c & b Tambe ...... 37 KK Nair st Jadhav b Mishra ...... 20 loss on Delhi Daredevils in two to three weeks. V Sehwag c Pollard b Harbhajan Singh ...... 36 AT Rayudu c Saha b Johnson ...... 13 SS Iyer c Southee b Morris ...... 40 STR Binny lbw b Imran Tahir ...... 1 the Indian Premier League “Sohail suffered a back injury GJ Maxwell c Rayudu b Suchith ...... 6 CJ Anderson st Saha b Patel ...... 5 JP Duminy* (not out) ...... 44 DJ Hooda c Mathews b Imran Tahir ...... 54 (IPL) with a three-wicket win at the training camp, precisely DA Miller c Tare b Malinga ...... 24 KA Pollard c Miller b Patel ...... 20 Yuvraj Singh c Nair b Morris ...... 27 JP Faulkner b Imran Tahir ...... 17 at the Ferozeshah Kotla here GJ Bailey (not out) ...... 61 J Suchith (not out) ...... 34 reporting pain during the prac- yesterday. AD Mathews (not out) ...... 27 CH Morris (not out) ...... 13 tice match, and post MRI scan he R Dhawan c Vinay Kumar b Malinga ...... 6 Harbhajan Singh c S Sharma b A Singh .....64 Extras (LB 2, W 7) ...... 9 TG Southee (not out) ...... 7 Daredevils, who had lost nine MG Johnson (not out) ...... 3 R Vinay Kumar (not out) ...... 0 was advised recuperation for 2-3 Total (3 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 184 Extras (LB 1, W 5) ...... 6 consecutive matches in the last Extras (B 1, LB 2, W 3) ...... 6 Extras (LB 3, W 3, NB 2) ...... 8 weeks,” a PCB release said. Did not bat: MK Tiwary, KM Jadhav, NM Coul- Total (7 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 186 edition and the first match of Total (5 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 177 Total (7 wkts; 20 overs) ...... 159 Sohail staged a surprise come- ter-Nile, A Mishra, Imran Tahir, JD Unadkat Did not bat: DS Kulkarni, PV Tambe this edition, scored 184/3 in 20 Did not bat: WP Saha, AR Patel, Anureet Singh, Did not bat: SL Malinga, P Suyal back after a four-year hiatus and overs. They got the bulk of their Sandeep Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-15, 3-17, 4-25, 5-46, Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-93, 3-138 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-50, 3-74, 4-78, impressed with his five-wicket in runs through openers Mayank Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-68, 3-88, 4-134, 5-150 6-59, 7-159 Bowling: TG Southee 4 -0-36-0 (1w), CH Mor- 5-130, 6-166, 7-173 the key match against India in the Agarwal (37 in 21 deliveries) and Bowling: R Vinay Kumar 4-0-46-0; P Suyal Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 4-1-12-1; Anureet ris 4-0-35-2 (2w), DS Kulkarni 1-0-18-0, Bowling: JD Unadkat 3-0-30- 0, NM Coulter- World Cup held in Australia and Shreyas Iyer (40 in 30 balls). 3-0-22-0 (1w); SL Malinga 4-0-34- 2 (1w); Singh 4-0-41-2 (1nb, 1w); MG Johnson 4 -1- PV Tambe 3-0 -18-1, DJ Hooda 4-0-20-0 (3w), Nile 4-0-42-0 (1w), AD Mathews 4-0-42-1 New Zealand in February-March. Skipper Jean-Paul Duminy (not Harbhajan Singh 4-0-20-2-0; J Suchith 4-0- 23-2; AR Patel 4-0-30-2; R Dhawan 4- 0 -50-0 JP Faulkner 4 -0-55-0 (1w) (1w), A Mishra 4-0-32-2 (2w), Imran Tahir 4-0- Pakistan chief selector Haroon out 44), Yuvraj Singh (27 runs in 41-1 (1w); KA Pollard 1-0 -11-0 (1nb, 2w) RAJASTHAN ROYALS 28-4 (1w), Yuvraj Singh 1-0-11-0 Rashid has named Junaid as 17 balls) and Angelo Mathews MUMBAI INDIANS Player-of-the-match: GJ Bailey (Kings XI AM Rahane b Imran Tahir ...... 47 Player-of-the-match: DJ Hooda (Rajasthan Sohail’s replacement for the one- (not out 27 in 14 balls) provided RG Sharma* lbw b Sandeep Sharma 0 Punjab) SV Samson c Yuvraj Singh b Mathews ...... 11 Royals) day squad. Junaid was already a late spark. part of T20 and Test squads. In reply to the big target, three wickets in hand. Rahane Binny (1) departed without any desperate knock of 64 runs (24). Indians. In reply, Mumbai could Pakistan will open the tour with Royals struggled till the 19-year- held the innings together but major contributions. Kings XI Punjab rode on a score 159-7 in the allotted overs. the first of three one-day interna- old Hooda came and hit four sixes Sanju Samson (11), stand-in skip- In Mumbai, Mumbai Indians good start and late fireworks by Royal Challengers Bangalore tionals in Dhaka on Friday. They and three fours. per Steven Smith (10), Karun lost to Kings XI Punjab by 18 skipper George Bailey to post an will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad also play a Twenty20 and two They achieved the target with Nair (12-ball 20) and Stuart runs despite Harbhajan Singh’s imposing 177/5 against Mumbai in today’s match. AGENCIES Tests on the tour. AFP MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Doha preparing for test event Qatar Boxing Federation plans May 19-24 tournament ahead of worlds in October

DOHA: Qatar Boxing address to the newly-formed Federation (QBF) will stage a Organizing Committee. test event next month ahead Qatar will feature eight boxers of this year’s AIBA World at the World Championships, Al Championships to be held Kazim said. in October, it was confirmed “We are looking forward to the yesterday. visit of AIBA officials in the first The May 19 to 24 test event to week of May,” the QBF President be held at the state-of-the-art Ali said. Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Stadium The meeting, which was headed A view of the will feature more than 100 boxers by Al Kazim, was attended by Ali Bin Hamad from across Asia, QBF said. Ahmed Ismail, Hassan Abdullah Al Attiyah The AIBA 2015 World Boxing Al Mohammadi, Khaled Youssef, Multipurpose Championships will be held from Abdulrahman Saud, Akram Sports Hall in October 8 to 18, officials had Ibrahim Hammad, Colonel Jassim Doha. This venue, announced last year. Alhail, Dr Rashid Bouras, Saleh which hosted “We have our organizing com- Al Yafei, Yusuf Rashid Al Suwaidi, a number of mittee working round the clock to Khalifa Abdullah Ibrahim and games during complete our preparations for the Ebeid Siddiqi at QBF headquar- the 2015 World test event,” QBF President Yusuf ters in Doha. Men’s handball Ali Kazim said. “We thank Ministry of Youth Championship, is “The test event will be a and Sports and QOC for their set to welcome dress rehearsal for the World stupendous support in helping us Championships to be held later prepare for the two events men- boxing fans for a in October. We are making plans tioned,” Al Kazim said. test event to be to attract youth to our test event,” In February this year, Qatar staged from May he added. unveiled the AIBA World Boxing 19 to 24. QBF in conjunction with Championships logo at the Sports Ministry of Youth and Sports and Village on Corniche, almost eight Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) months before the 11-day tourna- is also making final arrangements ment kicks off in Doha. to welcome a working delegation QOC Secretary-General from world governing body AIBA Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman in the first week of May, QBF said Al Thani joined QBF President yesterday. Al Kazim in unveiling the World The October World Championships logo. Championships will offer inter- Al Kazim said the hosts can national boxers an opportunity confirm that 65 countries will be to grab 23 spots at the Rio de represented at the event. Janeiro Games’ boxing competi- Al Kazim said he is confident tions, officials said. the number will see a gradual “Given that the 2015 World increase with final tally to be Championships will be beamed announced in August. live to over 20 international TV “Normally there are 196 coun- channels, we expect to see a high tries that feature at an event like Qatar Boxing Federation (QBF) level of competition in October,” this. However, we will know more President Yusuf Ali Kazim and Al Kazim said. about the exact number of coun- “As we see it, for many box- tries represented at our event in members of the Organizing ers their road for Brazil for the due course of time,” Kazim said. Committee of the 2015 AIBA Olympic Games starts in Doha,” “I think we will get record World Boxing Championships he added. number of entries.” following a meeting at QBF “Since the World “Competitions will be held in 10 headquarters at Al Bidda Championships have come to our categories,” Al Kazim said. Tower in Doha. QBF will stage region for the first time, Qatari Al Kazim said the logo was a test event next month in boxers also stand to gain a lot,” designed by QOC in conjunction the build-up to the 2015 AIBA he said. with QBF. World Boxing Championships “It is exciting time for all “This will be the first time that to be held in Doha in October those associated with the test an AIBA World Championships this year. event in May and the World will be held in the Middle East,” Championships in October,” Al Al Kazim said. Kazim added. “We will be approaching BeIN “From the organizational part and Al Kass Sports Channel to of the show, we are preparing to see who will cover our event live,” put our best step forward. he said. “We are confident we’d add a “Boxing has huge following sparkle to Qatar’s sports calen- around the world and we expect dar,” he said. the World Championships to go “I have urged my team to all over the world.” “It is very exciting for AIBA to “We are delighted with the “We have no doubt that will be set in this brand new ensure that we do a fantastic job Two years ago, Doha beat explore new horizons and we are trust and confidence of the AIBA the AIBA World Boxing region for AIBA,” he added. “The during the test event and dur- Thailand in the race bid to looking forward to visit Doha in Executive Committee,” Al Kazim Championships Doha 2015 will be AIBA EC Members know that we ing the World Championships,” host this year’s premier boxing 2015,” AIBA President C K Wu said after event was awarded to one of the best in the history of will not let them down,” he said Al Kazim said during his first championships. said at the time. the Qatari capital. the sport and that new standards at the time. THE PENINSULA QFA, Qatar Airways sign new sponsorship deal

DOHA: Qatar Airways and Al Ansari, QFA Secretary is widely popular in Qatar. The Qatar Football Association General, said: “Qatar Airways is final will take place in Thani (QFA) have signed a partner- considered a key partner in con- Bin Jassim Stadium (Al Gharafa ship agreement naming the tinuously providing high quality Sports Club), accommodating Mansoor national carrier as the official service by always exceeding our 22,000 spectators. Mohammed airline of the Emir Cup for the expectations. We would like to The Emir Cup matches this Al Ansari, next three years. thank the airline for its support year will take place in five sta- Qatar Football The Emir Cup is an annual of sports associations, in general, diums: Grand Hamad Stadium Association national competition among local and football, in particular.” at Al Arabi Sports Club; Suheim (QFA), football teams in Qatar, and the Al Ansari added that he was Bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar agreement was signed on April pleased with the renewal of the Sports Club; Abdullah Bin Khalifa Secretary 8, in the presence of Mansoor partnership with Qatar Airways Stadium at Lekhwiya Club; General, and Mohammed Al Ansari, Qatar for three additional years to spon- Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium at Ehab Amin, Football Association Secretary sor the first national team, which Al Sadd Sports Club and Thani Senior Vice General, and Ehab Amin, Senior is also the official carrier of the Bin Jassim Stadium (Al Gharafa President Vice President Commercial – Emir Cup. Sports Club). Commercial Qatar at Qatar Airways. “The renewal of the partner- Qatar Airways celebrated its – Qatar at “We are proud to be the official ship was ideal, as the first team first anniversary, in October 2014, Qatar Airways, airline of the Emir Cup champi- prepares for its participation in of joining the oneworld global shake hands onship. Qatar Airways’ interest in World Cup 2018 and Asia Cup alliance. after signing this event stems from its signifi- 2019. The 43rd edition of the Emir Qatar Airways was the first a sponsorship cance of the Cup both locally and Cup is also ready to kick-off on Gulf carrier to join this global deal in Doha regionally, andengaging in sport April 24, 2015,” he said. airline alliance, enabling its pas- yesterday. activities has become a major Al Ansari said QFA’s vision sengers to benefit from almost focus in contributing to Qatar’s of hosting the Qatar 2022 FIFA 1,000 airports in more than 2022 vision,” Amin said in a state- World Cup, requires QFA to take 150 countries, with 14,250 daily ment released yesterday. full advantage of the current departures. “Qatar Airways will organise ‘training period’. The award-winning oneworld several parallel activities to pro- The organisers of the Emir Cup alliance was named the World’s mote the Emir Cup and achieve said that the public in Qatar can Best Airline Alliance 2014 by further success based on the high- expect exciting and entertaining Skytrax for the second year est international standards. We events in parallel with the Emir running. believe that investment in sport Cup, noting new and creative At the Farnborough Air Show, events in Qatar is extremely promotional methods in conven- the airline placed an order for important, and we hope that the tional media and on social media 100 Boeing 777X aircraft, taking 43rd edition of the Emir Cup platforms. Qatar Airways’ orders to more will be one of the most exciting The Emir Cup marks the end than 335 aircraft with a value of tournaments.” of the QFA sport season which $70bn. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Champions since 1980-81 1980-81 Al Sadd 1981-82 Al Rayyan 1982-83 Al Arabi 1983-84 Al Rayyan 1984-85 Al Arabi 1985-86 Al Rayyan 1986-87 Al Sadd 1987-88 Al Sadd 1988-89 Al Sadd 1989-90 Al Rayyan 1990-91 Al Arabi 1991-92 Al Ittihad 1992-93 Al Arabi 1993-94 Al Arabi 1994-95 Al Rayyan 1995-96 Al Arabi 1996-97 Al Arabi 1997-98 Al Ittihad 1998-99 Al Wakrah 1999-2000 Al Sadd 2000-01 Al Wakrah 2001-02 Al Ittihad 2002-03 Qatar SC 2003-04 Al Sadd 2004-05 Al Gharafa 2005-06 Al Sadd 2006-07 Al Sadd 2007-08 Al Gharafa 2008-09 Al Gharafa 2009-10 Al Gharafa 2010-11 Lekhwiya 2011-12 Lekhwiya 2012-13 Al Sadd 2013-14 Lekhwiya 2014-15 Lekhwiya

QSL Standings 1 Lekhwiya 25 18 2 5 29 59 2 Al Sadd 25 16 3 6 31 54 3 El Jaish 25 14 9 2 20 44 Courageous Lekhwiya seal 4 Qatar SC 25 13 8 4 10 43 5 Al Gharafa 25 11 11 3 -5 36 6 Al Ahli 25 10 10 5 6 35 7 Al Arabi 25 9 8 8 6 35 8 Umm Salal 25 9 9 7 5 34 9 Al Kharaitiyat 25 8 7 10 0 34 10 Al Khor 25 7 9 9 -9 30 fourth QSL title triumph 11 Al Sailiyah 25 8 12 5 -9 29 12 Al Wakrah 25 5 15 5 -19 20 13 Al Shahania 25 5 15 5 -29 20 It has been a great season so far, says team coach Michael Laudrup 14 Al Shamal 25 1 16 8 -36 11

BY RIZWAN REHMAT

DOHA: Defending champions Lekhwiya yesterday crushed Al Ahli 3-1 to seal their fourth Qatar Stars League (QSL) title with a round to spare, capping a dream start for Danish coach Michael Laudrup who stepped in at the start of the season last August. Goals by Ali Hasan Yahia (12) and Tunisian international Youseff Meskni (25 and 84) erased the effort of Al Ahli striker Meshal Abdullah (17) as football powerhouse Lekhwiya eased to a convincing win on home soil. When the referee blew the final whistle, Lekhwiya’s stal- warts Sebastian Soria and Nam Tae-Hee joined other substitutes to pull on special jerseys depicting the team’s title triumph. It was Lekhwiya’s fourth title win in five years and first under new coach Laudrup who took over the side from Belgian Eric Gerets just before the start of the season last year. Lekhwiya, who entered big- time football in the 2010-11 sea- son, won the QSL title under Djamel Belmadi the first two years but slipped behind champi- ons Al Sadd in the 2012-13 season. However, with Laudrup mar- shalling his troops, Lekhwiya Al Gharafa 3-1. After round 25, presented a muted celebration deflection after a pass from the overcame the 2012-13 hiccup by Lekhwiya have 59 points followed when Msekni fired a close-range wing. managing an unassailable lead of by Al Sadd (54) and El Jaish (44). shot into the back of Al Ahli, just- Al Ahli’s Abdullah produced 59 points with a round to spare. Qatar SC (43) and Al Gharafa minutes before the final whistle. a snap-header from close range In other matches yesterday, (36) complete the top-five in QSL Yahia opened the scoring in the to score the equaliser in the 17th Al Sadd crushed El Jaish 5-2, title race with one round to go. 12th minute with a close-range minute as Lekhwiya goalkeeper Umm Salal hammered Qatar SC Dressed in a blue shirt over shot beating Al Ahli goalkeeper Ivanildo Rodrigues failed to stop 3-0 while Al Kharaitiyat beat a pair of denims, Laudrup Amer Al Dosari with a neat the ball. In the 25th minute, Al Ahli’s Fred Dabenka committed a schoolboy error, clearing the ball as far as Msekni who was stand- ing near the Al Ahli box. Msekni picked up the ‘lucky’ Lekhwiya players celebrate (top, left) and then toss team coach Michael ball and fired a bullet for Laudrup up in the air to celebrate the team’s QSL triumph last night. It Lekhwiya’s second goal. was Lekhwiya’s fourth win in the last five QSL seasons. After a drag for most part of second half, Msekni provided a Lekhwiya’s bit of Tunisian magic as he hood- that Emir Cup and Qatar Cup League games. We have to be winked his marker and scored his events are yet to start. “We are ready for Qatar Cup and Emir coach Michael team’s third goal. still in the (AFC) Champions Cup also. There was a lot of pres- Laudrup shows Laudrup, 50, was measured League. sure since most teams want to off the Qatar with his replies when asked to “You know it was a typical start beat us. We played well as a unit. Stars League comment on the team’s success- in the AFC Champions League. That was the key actually.” (QSL) Shield ful run in the 2014-15 season. We have seven points and next Defender Ismael Mohammed after his team “It has been a great season so game is in 10 days. Maybe we will said: “It has been a memorable beat Al Ahli far,” Laudrup said. “Sometimes have an important game in Saudi season. We all worked hard. We 3-1 in round they (Al Sadd) were ahead and later on,” he added. fought well. This is the beginning. 25 of QSL then we were ahead. In the end Lekhwiya’s Khalid Muftah said: In the AFC Champions League at Lekhwiya we managed to go ahead by five “It was a tough season in the we’ve played well. I think we can Stadium points,” the popular Dane said. league. People thought that we’d carry this form into other events yesterday. “For me it’s always a nice expe- win with ease. We kept trying and remaining in the season.” PICTURES: rience to be coaching in a new kept fighting.” Qatar Football Association BAHER AMIN place,” Laudrup said. Yahia said after the match: (QFA) Vice President Saud Al “I have done coaching in nine “This triumph is important. We Mohannadi handed over the QSL countries. Playing and coaching is got good support from the fans. Shield. QFA Secretary General a fantastic experience,” Laudrup We struggled at the start of this Mansoor Al Ansari was also added. “Now I am here only one match. The performances now present. season. We still have 6 weeks to have been really good.” The 26th and final round of go so let’s see where we end,” he Tunisian striker Msekni said: matches will be played on April added “We have won this but we still 16 with all seven matches kicking- “We will try for another chal- have important events to look off at 6:15pm. lenge,” he said hinting at the fact at. We have the AFC Champions THE PENINSULA MONDAY 13 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Lekhwiya celebrate QSL title win on home soil PSG retain League Cup, next up Barcelona PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired holders Paris Saint- Germain to the first of a poten- tial four trophies this season with a 4-0 win over 10-men Bastia in the League Cup final on Saturday. In a repeat of the 1995 final, a first half brace by the Swedish star, completed by Edinson Cavani’s second half double, kept Ligue 1 leaders PSG in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple. The win teed up Laurent Blanc’s side nicely for Wednesday’s visit to Barcelona in the Champions League quarter final first leg with Auxerre awaiting them in next month’s French Cup final. “It’s our first title, it was our aim. We are very happy,” club president Nasser Al Khelaifi told France 2 television. “We are also happy because we didn’t have any new injuries. We are ready for Barca.” Paris Saint-Germain, however, must tackle Barcelona without Ibrahimovic. The tempestuous striker is suspended for the Nou Camp trip after his sending off against Chelsea in the last 16. He is also now starting a four match domestic ban following his infa- mous anti-France rant. It took Blanc’s men just 21 min- utes to find the back of the net after Bastia defender Sebastien Squillaci was harshly sent off for taking Ezequiel Lavezzi down inside the box, with Ibrahimovic converting from the spot. The Swedish forward scored his tenth goal in just five games a few minutes before half-time, con- trolling Mathieu Peybernes’ poor headed clearance before lashing a shot inside the bottom corner. Cavani added a third with a superb header, finding himself at the end of Serge Aurier’s cross. The Uruguay striker grabbed his 20th goal of the season and put the final nail in the Corsican side’s coffin in injury time thanks to a brilliantly-timed pass by Ibrahimovic that sent him through on goal. “They are a big team with big players. The referee took a major decision after just 20 minutes with the red card and the pen- alty,” Bastia defender Francois Modesto said. “It really is a pity. The sanction is harsh but Paris deserve their win. We had a good run and presented a good image of Corsica.” Against a team currently sit- ting in 14th, five points above the relegation zone, PSG secured their fifth win in the competition after lifting the trophy in 1995, 1998, 2008 and 2014. With no time for celebrations, PSG will now turn to Barcelona, whom they host at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. They can then focus on national duties as they top Ligue 1 with seven matches to play and face Auxerre in the final of the French Cup on May 30. The victory was marred when 15 policemen suffered minor injuries in skirmishes in Paris between police and Bastia fans before kick-off. Meanwhile, FIFA has warned the Indonesian government not to interfere in the running of the country’s domestic league, the sports ministry said yesterday as it rejected the accusation. FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke told sports minister Imam Nahrawi to allow the Indonesian Football Association, known by its Indonesian acronym PSSI, to manage its affairs “independ- ently and without influence of any third parties”, in an April 10 let- ter posted on the sports ministry’s website Sunday. The row is just the latest con- troversy to hit Indonesian foot- ball, which has been beset by problems in recent years includ- ing the cases of two foreign play- ers who died after they fell ill but were unable to pay for treatment because they hadn’t been paid for months. “FIFA’s statement is completely wrong, because the conditions are mandatory and are not additional criteria,” a ministry statement said. AGENCIES