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TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 • 18 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6393 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 OPINION Board members Condolences offered in Abu Dhabi The region post-Iran likely to lose nuclear deal

s there Ia pos- lucrative perks sible change in the dec- ades-old Council approves draft companies’ law US strat- egy in the DOHA: Board members of the top 10,” a senior state official Middle listed entities may see their told the Council’s economic and East, in Dr Khalid Al-Jaber lucrative perks trimmed once a financial affairs panel. particu- new commercial companies’ law A highlight of the draft is that lar with the Mullah regime sees the light of day. it talks of a single-window licens- in Tehran? The present law is being ing system for companies (inves- The outcome of the Iran amended and an article that enti- tors!), covers Islamic sukuks and nuclear talks with P5 + 1 in tles the board member of a listed talks of facilitating family-owned Lausanne has been described company to monetary compensa- businesses to seek listing. The H E Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani conveyed condolences of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani differently by Mohammad tion at the end of his tenure is present law lacks these provisions. and Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani to Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Representative of Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign being removed. Once the new law is in force, the President of the United Arab Emirates, on the death of Mouza bint Abdullah bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba Minister, John Kerry, US The new law which is in the the Ministry of Economy and in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Secretary of State, and pipeline seeks to make all listed Commerce would install an online President Barack Obama. companies more accountable to system whereby companies would However, diplomatic manip- their shareholders. So, once the be able to get their contracts (with ulation is naturally expected law is in force, annual general their clientele) endorsed by it by the end of any negotia- meetings of shareholders, referred together with the justice ministry. Much ado about nursery sale ad tions. Obama confirmed that to as general assembly in Qatar, Banks and financial institu- Washington will remain com- will become more significant. tions, although licensed and regu- mitted to the security of its A draft law that carries amend- lated by Qatar Central Bank, will DOHA: The local social media The Family Development responsibility,” Al Obaidly said allies and, of course, on top of ments to the commercial companies’ also need licence from the econ- is poking fun at an advertise- Department of the Ministry of in comments published by local them — Israel. law (No 5 of 2002) was approved by omy ministry. Industrial units of ment that appeared in a local Labour and Social Affairs, which Arabic daily Al Raya yesterday. He also assured that his the Advisory Council yesterday. all kinds licensed by the energy Arabic daily recently saying licenses and monitors childcare “You need to check the lan- country will remain obliged The draft has 340 articles ministry will also need approval that a nursery was up for sale. facilities, has also criticised the guage before you accept an ad. with the security of the GCC divided into 13 chapters and seeks from the economy ministry to set What has made people target local newspaper for carrying an The language used in the above ad states on the principles of to allow for six types of companies, up shop and operate. criticise the ad and fun is that the advertisement that solicits buyers is an insult to humans, children Eisenhower to protect the including the most popular one — The draft talks of two types of sale offer in Arabic said that “not for a nursery. in particular.” Gulf. limited liability company (LLC). company owners: founder-own- only the nursery but its staff mem- The Department’s head, Salwa Moreover, the nurseries law Although Obama has A global consultancy was hired ers and subscriber-owners. There bers, its director and the children Al Obaidly, said after she saw com- does not allow a facility to be invited Gulf leaders to a to prepare the draft law and feed- would need to be a minimum of five in its care were all up for grabs”. ments on social media, she asked sold without the permission of her meeting in Camp David this back was also taken from various founder-members of a company while The comments caught the atten- the nursery section of her depart- department, she said. It is because spring to discuss the security state agencies, experts as well as subscribers can be in the thousands. tion of the regulator of crèches ment to see what was going on the licence issued to a nursery is of the Middle East and reas- the business community. Founders can sell their shares, and it unleashed its inspectors with this nursery in Abu Hamour. non-transferable. sured them about the nuclear The government told a panel even partly, only after two years. asking them to see what was Talking of the content of the She said that her department deal with Tehran. of the Advisory Council that the The draft bans insider trad- going on as nursery licences are advertisement which she said was will conduct thorough investi- Continued on page 5 reason for having a new com- ing and defines it extensively and non-transferable. It seems that highly objectionable, she was criti- gation and seek punitive action THE PENINSULA panies’ law was that the World makes it illegal for company offi- as some crèches are up for sale in cal of the newspaper as well. against the nursery, where it Bank placed Qatar at 81st posi- cials with privileged knowledge of the wake of tighter rules to ensure She said: “This is the height seems that the original licensee tion among 190 countries in the company’s secrets not to misuse children’s safety, the regulator is of where a newspaper can take has died and there is internecine INSIDE world in terms of this law. information for personal gain. insisting they can’t be offered for its commercial interest to and fighting in the management. “We want Qatar to rank among THE PENINSULA sale without their approval. treat it above its social or moral THE PENINSULA Page 9 Saudi action in Yemen an ‘expected’ surprise Saudi policeman By Dr Marwan Kabalan Saudi asked for warplanes, troops: Pakistan killed in shootout ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia adjunct scholar with the Middle Arabia and the strong response in the main southern city of Aden, RIYADH: A Saudi policeman What after military has asked Pakistan for military East Institute, said earlier from Pakistan?” he asked. “If the officials said. was killed in a gunfight with operation? aircraft, warships and soldiers, Pakistan was hoping to satisfy government wants to send troops More than a third of those “terrorists” in a town populated Pakistani Defence Minister Saudi expectations at a “minimal” to Yemen or Saudi Arabia, what slain in the past 24 hours — 53 by Shias in the east of the king- By Saad bin Tefla Khawaja Asif said yesterday, level. “They’re unlikely to be part will their exact mandate be?” — were killed as rebels tried to dom, the interior ministry said. Al Ajmi at the start of a parliamentary of any meaningful action inside Meanwhile, fierce clashes raged seize a port in the city. At least Three other policemen as well debate on whether Pakistan Yemen,” he said. “Maybe they will yesterday between rebels and loy- 19 Houthis and 15 pro-Hadi mili- as a Saudi and a foreign resident The axis of evil in should get involved in a Saudi- reinforce the border.” alists in southern Yemen, leaving tiamen were killed overnight in were wounded in the incident on led campaign in Yemen. In the debate yesterday, Aitzaz more than 140 dead in 24 hours, the town of Daleh, north of Aden, Sunday in Awamiya, according to the region “Saudi Arabia has asked for com- Ahsan, Senate leader of opposition, as the Red Cross faced delays to officials said, and seven other peo- a ministry statement published By Mubarak Al bat planes, warships and soldiers,” demanded Sharif clarify his com- urgently needed aid deliveries. ple died in the southern province by the official SPA news agency. Abdulhadi Asif said, without specifying where ments. “What does (defence min- The bloodiest fighting occurred of Abyan. It did not identify the foreigner. Saudi wanted them deployed. ister) Khawaja Asif mean by the between rebels and loyalists of AGENCIES The shootout erupted when Arif Rafiq, a Washington-based violation of sovereignty of Saudi President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi See also page 11 police forces launched a raid on several hideouts in the town based on “evidence they were being used by terrorists,” it said. During Conveyor belt to carry Doha Metro project debris the search, they came under fire from a nearby building. The police Nepal wants Qatar to responded and arrested four Saudis suspected of involvement. They seized ammunition, and commu- recruit skilled labour nication devices, the ministry said. Oil jumps 5pc on DOHA: Nepal has urged Qatar Kathmandu-based online to hire its skilled workforce as newspaper ekantipur.com quoted tempered Iran view well, and insists that orienta- Gurung as saying that in a meet- tion be provided to its citizens ing with H E Dr Abdullah bin NEW YORK: Oil prices jumped going there to take up unskilled Saleh Al Khulaifi, that arranging more than five percent yester- and semi-skilled jobs. for the cost charged by recruiting day as traders reassessed how Among the issues discussed with agents could lead to zero-recruit- quickly Iran might increase the visiting Qatari Minister of ment cost for Nepali workers. exports after a preliminary Labour and Social Affairs were com- The State Minister said that nuclear deal and anticipated that pulsory orientation for Nepali work- several other issues including pro- a months-long rise in US crude ers before they travel and workers’ viding 24-hour insurance to Nepali inventories may be slowing. safety, said Nepal’s Minister of State workers were also discussed with Brent crude’s rally followed for Labour and Employment. Al Khulaifi and his delegation. He Thursday’s nearly four percent Tek Bahadur Gurung was said Qatar’s Minister has said that tumble after Iran and six world quoted by Nepali media as say- he would convey the observations powers announced a framework A view of a 2.44-km ‘overhead conveyor belt’ being installed in West Bay area by Qatar Rail to transport debris ing yesterday that his country has and concerns of the Nepali side agreement on the Opec member’s from excavations being carried out by Doha Metro project. The elevated belt is meant to avoid movement of urged Qatar to make it binding for to policy-makers in his country. nuclear programme. trucks in the area carrying the debris. KAMMUTTY VP employers to bear the commission Continued on page 4 See also page 17 paid to manpower agencies. THE PENINSULA REUTERS

TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Palestine president Deputy PM meets Sudan adviser arriving today DOHA: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is arriving in Qatar today. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will meet him to discuss bilateral relations and latest developments of the Palestinian issue. 2004 Honda Jazz and City cars to be recalled DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in collaboration of Doha Marketing Services Company Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al (Domasco), Honda’s agent, is Mahmoud yesterday met Brigadier Bakhit Abdul Karim Abdullah Jumaa (Dabajo), Adviser at the Supreme recalling Jazz and City 2004 Council of Decentralised Governance in Sudan, and his delegation. Brigadier Bakhit is also Chairman due to a defect in the front pas- of the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement and Member of the Sudanese Supreme Committee for senger’s airbags. the Follow-up of Peace in Darfur. www.swiss-belhotel.com A release issued by the min- Tel istry yesterday said the recall comes within the framework of Fax ongoing coordination and follow- up by the ministry to ascertain SC to reveal new Al the extent of car dealerships’ commitment to follow up vehi- Tel cles’ defects and repair them to Fax protect consumers’ rights. The ministry also stressed Rayyan Stadium design that it will coordinate with Domasco to follow up mainte- DOHA: The Supreme stadium will also include a and its people after 2022.” nance and repair operations and Committee for Delivery & range of facilities which will The deconstruction of the Tel will communicate with custom- Legacy (SC) will reveal the cater to the needs of the people previous Al Rayyan Stadium Fax ers to ensure implementation of new design for Al Rayyan of Al Rayyan. was completed in March 2015. the procedures to fix defects. Stadium at a special cer- Yousef Al Musleh, Al Rayyan In line with the SC’s com- The ministry urged consumers emony April 22 at Ali bin Stadium Project Manager at mitment to sustainability, at to report any abuses or irregu- Abdullah Fort in Al Rayyan. the SC, said: “Al Rayyan Sports least 90% of the materials are Tel + 974 44298888 larities by communicating with The redesigned stadium will Club is closely linked with going to be reused to build the the Department of Consumer be the fifth proposed venue Qatar’s football history and is new stadium on the same site, Fax Protection and Commercial for the 2022 FIFA World Cup one of the most popular clubs in addition to other sports Fraud Combat which will Qatar to be unveiled by the SC. in Qatar. facilities. receive complaints, sugges- Al Rayyan Sports Club’s “That is why we have chosen The design launch coincides Tel tions and inquiries through the new stadium will accommo- Ali bin Abdullah Fort - one of with more positive news for Al Fax announced communication chan- date 40,000 spectators in tour- Al Rayyan’s historic landmarks Rayyan fans this week, as their nels, the ministry’s social media nament mode, with capacity - to host the design launch of Al club was promoted back into accounts, the ministry’s applica- being reduced to 20,000 in leg- Rayyan Stadium. The launch of the first division. tion on Smart phones or screens acy mode and those additional the future home of Al Rayyan The design reveal will take Tel and electronic media system in seats being sent to nations in Sports Club will highlight the place on 22 April at a VIP Fax commercial complexes. QNA need of sporting infrastructure. legacy it will leave for the club launch ceremony. The precinct surrounding the and its fans, as well as the city THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax www.doha.hilton.com Qatar Airways Privilege Club Tel 44233333 974+ unveils Globetrotter campaign Fax 44233000 974+

DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) exclusive benefits and ensuring Privilege Club, the five-star a seamless travel experience airline’s loyalty programme, across one of the world’s larg- has launched the new QA est route networks.” Globetrotter campaign for Members are required to Tel members to earn bonus travel to at least one of the des- Fax Qmiles and travel badges as tinations in each theme during they enjoy exploring the car- the campaign period and will rier’s worldwide network of earn bonus Qmiles. At the end more than 140 destinations. of every theme, they will also Club members will have the earn a special ‘travel badge’ for Tel opportunity to receive rewards participating in each theme. Fax of up to 100,000 bonus Qmiles The FFP Globetrotter cam- and a single tier upgrade on paign offers rewards on travel travel between April 1 and to many worldwide destinations. December 31, 2015, allowing Members can also earn across Tel them to discover new corners the four themes, considerable Fax of the world or revisit their Club members can earn bonus Qmiles with the launch of the Globetrotter rewards await them at the favourite leisure destinations. rewards campaign. end of the campaign, based on The campaign offers rewards the number of ‘travel badges’ on travel to many destinations destinations Paris or tour the Burj Khalifa, earned. captured through four unique • Culinary Journeys: The Big Ben or the Eiffel Tower. Members with four travel Tel themes: globetrotting experience is Rahul Kucheria, Senior badges will be rewarded with Fax • Cultural Explorations: incomplete without sampling Manager, Frequent Flyer 100,000 bonus Qmiles and a Members will be in for a memo- delectable cuisine around the Programme, QA, said: “QA single tier upgrade. rable experience as they embark globe. Indulge in the tastes of would like to express appre- Simultaneously 50,000 bonus on a discovery of fascinating cul- China, Tokyo and Spain to name ciation to club members by Qmiles will be earned by mem- Tel tures from the Great Pyramids but a few rewarding them with additional bers with three travel badges of Giza to the Taj Mahal in India • Metropolitan Excursions: Qmiles when they fly to one of and 25,000 bonus Qmiles by Fax • Adventurous Getaways: Showcasing exciting city des- our worldwide destinations as members with two travel badges. This theme offers members the tinations, members will have part of the new campaign. Club To be eligible for the cam- opportunity to discover nature the opportunity to experience members are very important paign, a one-time registration is at its best. Take an adven- any number of the world’s great to QA and our Frequent Flyer required. For registration and Tel ture and discover the airline’s cosmopolitan cities to shop until Programme is designed with our details, travellers can visit www. Fax beach, safari, nature and wildlife you drop in Dubai, London and members in mind, offering them qmiles.com THE PENINSULA Health surcharge on UK immigration Tel DOHA: Nationals from out- currently receive free medi- apply to those making applica- to the health departments in Fax side the EEA (European cal treatment under the UK’s tions for settlement and those England, Wales, Scotland and Economic Area) coming to the National Health System (NHS) who are not subject to UK Northern Ireland. UK for longer than six months in the same way as a permanent immigration control such as The statement said “the sur- will now be required to pay a resident. accredited diplomats and their charge levels are lower than Tel ‘health surcharge’ when they The changes will ensure that dependants, who will continue the cost of medical insurance Fax make their immigration appli- migrants make an appropriate to enjoy free access to the NHS. required in some of our com- cation. The rule came into financial contribution to the In setting the surcharge lev- petitor nations and, for overseas force yesterday. cost of their NHS care, added els, the UK Government has students, the surcharge repre- www.marriottmarquisdoha.com The health surcharge will be the statement. considered the wide range of sents only 1 percent of the total £200 per year and £150 per year Non-EEA nationals visit- free health services available to cost of studying in the UK for Tel + 974 44195000 for students, payable up-front ing the UK on a tourist visa or migrants alongside the valuable a three year undergraduate Fax + 974 44195100 and for the total period of time any other visit visa will not be contribution they make and the course.” for which they are given per- required to pay the health sur- need to ensure the UK remains Having paid the surcharge, mission to stay in the UK, the charge, but will continue to be attractive to the brightest and migrants will have the same British embassy said in a state- fully liable for the costs of any the best from around the world, access to the NHS as a UK ment yesterday. NHS treatment at the point said the statement. permanent resident while their Migrants coming to work, they receive it. The money collected by the stay in the UK is lawful. study or join family members The surcharge also does not UK Home Office will be passed THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Car showroom owners irked by proposed ban ‘Ban on display of second-hand cars will hit business’

DOHA: Owners of several sec- Now the situation has improved, sell the car and complete all the ond hand car showrooms across but we are worried about the new related formalities. Such comfort the Salwa Road say that they law. Most shops don’t have space is not available at the Industrial would be hit hard by the pro- to park even 10 cars,” local Arabic Area auctions, he added. posed amendments in the traf- daily Al Arab quoted a showroom Most showrooms charge a fee fic law that bans display of cars owner as saying. of QR2000 for this service. in public places for the purpose “We hope the Traffic “This amendment in the traffic of sale. Department would take this law will have a negative impact Minister of Labour and Social Affairs H E Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al Khulaifi holds talks with Nepalese Minister According to the draft law, point into consideration. The on the sale of cars. There are of Labour and Employment Tek Bahadur Gurung in Kathmandu. automobile showrooms and auc- Salwa road has now more space rumours that all used car show- tioneers will need a special per- and parking a few cars will not rooms on the Salwa Road will be mission to display cars in open obstruct traffic,” he added. shifted to a far off place in the Nepal urges workers’ wages through banking channels grounds and roadsides for sale. He said sales have improved, Industrial Area. If this is true, The Ministry of Municipality mainly with new customers com- this will affect hundreds of people Continued from page 1 already passed a law which makes yesterday continued his discussion and Urban Planning in collabora- ing from the neighbouring GCC working in these shops,” Mustafa The Nepali side also raised the it binding on all employers to pay with Gurung, and met Nepal’s tion with the Traffic Department countries. There is more demand Al Masri, another show room issue of the need to pay Nepali the wages of all their workers President Ram Baran Yadav and recently launched a campaign from customers in Qatar as well. operator was quoted as saying. workers their wages through through electronic channels. they discussed issues of mutual against used car show rooms on He said the Salwa road renova- “Earlier we used to sell 30 to banking channels. Qatar has QNA reported that Al Khulaifi interest. THE PENINSULA the Salwa Road that were using tion works had shifted the focus 40 cars per month but now it has visitors’ parking areas to display of the business to the used car come down. Some Saudis have their cars. Several show room auction area at Street 10 of the started to visit the showrooms owners and managers believe that Industrial Area. looking for cars. The shops now the new law would make the situ- “Customers who shifted to the depends on such customers,” he ation worse for them. Industrial Area are now coming said. They say that the new regula- back to our shops because they Some showroom operators Football fans travel the world, tions are proposed at a time when find it more secure and safe,” he expressed the fears that they their business has started recov- said. would end up with hefty fines ering after a long lull caused by People who want to sell their even without their knowledge thanks to Qatar Stars League the massive renovation works on cars need not have to bother about since inspectors in civil dress will the Salwa road. the procedures. They can just be able to monitor violations of “Most clients had left the hand over the car along with the the law. DOHA: The Qatar Stars League showrooms due to the road works. key to the showrooms. They will THE PENINSULA (QSL), the highest professional league in Qatari football, has awarded 10 winners with one million Qmiles each, courtesy of Qatar Airways (QA). The competition is part of QSL Football Rewards loyalty pro- Ooredoo GOAL tournament ends gramme which encourages eve- ryone in Qatar to attend their DOHA: Ooredoo’s GOAL Sports hundreds of employees took part. tournament. Fatima favourite team’s matches and Tournament finished last week, In the hotly-contested football Sultan Al Kuwari, Director, rewards fans with once in a life- with crowds gathering to watch tournament, the marketing team Community & Public time prizes in partnership with the finals of the football, cricket, emerged triumphant, with a one-nil Relations, said: “This year’s QA plus discounts from other volleyball and basketball contests. victory over the sales and services tournament was bigger partners across Qatar. Ooredoo organises the event every team. The call centre team was the and better than ever and The winners are season card year, hoping to bring employees winner in the cricket tournament, we’re grateful to everyone holders Meethale Aslam, Mark Marilyn Lilly (left), one of the winners with an official. together and encourage them to live while the chairman’s team came out who has supported the Mead, Marilyn Lilly and Ghanim a healthy lifestyle. on top in the volleyball tournament. event. Ooredoo believes in Alhamadi; Al Sadd fans Hassen Executive Director, Marketing future.” Various departments from across The new line of business team enabling our employees to Alkhayat and Samseer Arakkal, & Communications, said: “The Launched earlier this year, the the company formed teams and was the champion in the basketball live healthy and active life- Qatar Sports Club fans Amine promotion was a big success and competition was open to anyone styles and GOAL is one of Elidrissi and Michael Scallon; I am delighted that our winners purchasing a ticket online at our most important annual Merilee Patrick, an Al Wakrah can now travel the world with QA. tickets.qsl.com.qa and attending initiatives.” fan and Muharrem Dayioglu, an “QSL is going from strength a match between February and Ooredoo also organ- Umm Salal fan. to strength and initiatives such March. ised the Women’s GOAL Each winner attended games as Football Rewards play an Winners with an opportunity Tournament, which saw during the competition and hail important part in inspiring the to fly out with a friend on QA to the participation of 105 from countries, including Qatar, next generation of fans in Qatar an FC Barcelona match at Camp employees and a children’s Canada, India, Malaysia, Morocco, to support a local team. We look Nou in Barcelona were announced zone. Turkey and the UK. forward to launching more great earlier this month. THE PENINSULA Khalifa Saleh Al Haroon, opportunities like this in the THE PENINSULA SCH to launch nutrition guidelines DOHA: The Supreme of chronic non-communica- different organisations includ- According to the World Council of Health (SCH) will ble diseases such as diabetes, ing the SCH, Hamad Medical Health Organisation, about two One of the winning teams with officials. tomorrow launch its nutrition heart diseases, different types Corporation, Qatar University, million people are dying in the guidelines to promote healthy of cancer and reduce deaths Qatar Diabetes Association, world every year due to unsafe life style among citizens and caused by such illnesses, the Qatar Foundation, Aspetar, food and most of the victims expatriates. Qatar News Agency reported Sidra Medical and Research are children. The advisory includes eight yesterday. Center, Weill Cornell Medical In a statement issued in this recommendations on choos- To achieve this objective College and the Qatar National context, the SCH said that it ing healthy food and follow- some policies and programs Programme for Food Security. has imposed strict monitoring ing healthy life style in Qatar will be implemented to curb In this connection, the SCH on imported food. to reduce the risk of chronic obesity and over-weight, pro- is organizing a two- day confer- Last year it checked about diseases. mote physical activities as well ence beginning tomorrow. 1.54 billion kg of imported food The guidelines are issued in as healthy eating habits. Meanwhile, Qatar will mark of which about 2.5 million kg line with the five year National The guidelines were pre- the World Health Day which is was rejected and 1.27 million Health Strategy 2011-2016. pared by a team compris- being observed today worldwide kg destroyed. It aims to curb the prevalence ing representatives from under the slogan “food safety.” THE PENINSULA Learning, personal growth key to job satisfaction in Qatar, says survey

DOHA: The ‘Job Satisfaction and Tunisia. The most impor- “very satisfied”. 30 percent of In terms of preference, in the Middle East and North tant factor related to job satis- respondents see themselves accommodation (53 percent) Africa’ survey, recently con- faction in Qatar is “learning and working for the same company and medical insurance for fam- ducted by Bayt.com and personal growth”, according to for the next two years, while 61 ily (30 percent) and self (29 YouGov has revealed that 84 84 percent of respondents. This percent are actively trying to percent) are the most popular percent of respondents in the is followed by “pay” (81 per- move to another organization. benefits. Qatar employees also Qatar find it most important cent), and “team spirit” (80 per- And 62 percent of respond- prefer the following benefits: to work for an organisation cent). Other important factors ents strongly believe that they flexible working hours (22 per- that encourages learning and are “the sense of achievement” could easily find a similar job cent), holiday pay (26 percent), personal growth. (78 percent), “the flexibility” in another organization. A low and school fees for children (25 Data for the survey was col- (76 percent),” and “exercising base salary (67 percent) fol- percent). lected online throughout March my creativity” (74 percent). In lowed by a lack of career growth About 59 percent of respond- 2015, with 5,774 respondents, all Qatar fewer respondents (64 opportunities (63 percent) are ents believe that they use their of whom were employed men percent) believe that “contrib- the main reasons for leaving an skills and knowledge to their full and women over the age of 18 uting to the community” is a organization. potential. On the other hand, years old. matter of importance, when The benefits received in only 35 percent say that they The survey polled people from compared to their counterparts Qatar are better than the over- have a clear career path within varying nationalities including in the Middle East and North all average in the Middle East their company while 40 percent GCC Arabs, North Africans, Africa. and North Africa region. of respondents strongly think Levant, and Western and Overall, 45 percent of About 50 percent of respond- that training in their com- Asian expats from the UAE, respondents enjoy coming to ents have medical insurance for pany is not designed in a way Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, work every day; 36 percent are themselves; 60 percent have hol- that would help them grow Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, satisfied with their present job, iday pay; and over half receive professionally. Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria with 19 percent of them being sick pay. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 ‘Teach Me’ campaign to back kids worldwide EAC, QC to raise funds for educational projects and activities for out-of-school children

DOHA: Educate A Child (EAC), campaign through the donation cooperate on joint activities in tar- a programme of Education channels QC will dedicate to this geted by EAC. Mohammed Ali Al Above All (EAA) and Qatar campaign at its headquarters and Ghamdi, Director, International Charity (QC) has launched the branches in Qatar. Development, said, “The ‘Teach ‘Teach Me’ campaign to raise Donations can also be made Me’ campaign supports children’s awareness about the issue of to EAC through QC’s collection right to education as too many of millions of out-of-school chil- points in shopping malls, donation them are deprived of this right dren worldwide missing out on boxes in schools and other centres worldwide, especially in countries basic primary education as a and through QC’s website qchar- suffering from wars and natural result of poverty, conflict, natu- ity.org/eac and bank transfers. disasters. This dictates that all ral disaster and discrimination Individuals can also donate virtuous people work to change and the need to provide them by sending SMS messages via this situation.” with high-quality education as Ooredoo and Vodafone using the Fahad Al Sulaiti, Deputy CEO, one of their basic human rights. code “Edu” to 92429 to donate EAA, said,“We are delighted to be The one-year campaign will QR1,000, 92428 to donate QR500, starting this joint campaign with focus on fundraising for educa- 92642 to donate QR100, 92632 QC and grateful for their support tional projects and activities in to donate QR50 and 92133 to in raising funds for EAC’s cause countries where children suffer donate QR25. The joint cam- of providing access to quality pri- hard and extreme conditions. paign follows a memorandum mary education for out-of-school The campaign will seek to raise of understanding QC and EAA children worldwide. There are 58 QR110m, which equates to over Foundation signed last year. million children around the world 270,000 children receiving access EAC is a global initiative by not benefitting from their basic to one year’s education. H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser human right to education and we The cost of a full-year study launched to support out-of- hope that this joint initiative will for one child is QR400. Donors school children worldwide. Under be a step towards making a differ- Officials at the launch of the one-year campaign. can also give any amount to the the MoU, the two parties will ence to them.” THE PENINSULA Having a good deal is a Sidra to host breast cancer forum DOHA: Sidra Medical and highly experimental in breast Recent findings indicate Research Centre will host the cancer treatment. Other topics that there is a unique pattern way to stabilise the region first international conference on the agenda include genetic of the disease among the Arab on breast cancer immuno- risk factors of breast cancer in population. Continued from page 1 political and security concerns for and the world. It also assured therapy in Doha next week. Arab populations; breast cancer Arab women diagnosed with GCC leaders fear that what is the region. Tehran’s right to have a nuclear Led by international and local control in Qatar; the prognostic breast cancer are about 15 years going on between Iran and the US Iran will increase its politi- programme under the moni- experts, the conference will and predictive role of immune younger than those diagnosed in is something that goes beyond the cal intervention in the internal toring of International Atomic focus on immunobiology and biomarkers in response to can- Western countries (median age nuclear programme. affairs of the neighbouring coun- Energy Agency and allowed it immunotherapeutic develop- cer immunotherapy; and the at diagnosis is 48 years in Arab It is an integrated deal that tries. The statement “Baghdad is to have a number of centrifuges. ments in breast cancer. description of novel immuno- population and 63 in Europe and takes into account the security, the capital of Persian Empire” by This will delay Iran for about 20 The conference on April therapeutic approaches. the US). While in Europe and economy, oil and political inter- Ali Younesi, Adviser to President years from reaching the thresh- 13 and 14 is being held in Breast cancer represents the US, breast cancer is gener- ests of the two countries. It Hassan Rowhani, has significance. old of a nuclear bomb. Perhaps partnership with Society for almost 30 percent of all can- ally detected in early stages, in extends to include defining the On the other hand, Prince the quantity for enriched ura- Immunotherapy of Cancer cer cases diagnosed in Qatari GCC countries it is diagnosed Iranian role in the region, par- Turkey bin Faisal, former direc- nium could be enough to make (SITC), the leading society in women, and is the most com- at advanced stages in about 58 ticularly in Iraq, Syria, Yemen tor of Suadi intelligence and a bomb in less than one year if the field. mon in the country. percent of the patients, indicat- and Bahrain in addition to the former ambassador to the United the deal had failed. What I would While immunotherapy has While the incidence of breast ing that the disease seems to be situation of the Shia crescent in Kingdom and the US, has said like to emphasise here is having been effectively used in the cancer in GCC countries is lower more aggressive in the Arab the face of the Sunni crescent that allowing Iran to have nuclear a good deal is a way to stabilise treatment of melanoma and than in countries such as the US population. which extends from Suadi Arabia power will spur a nuclear arms the region and move towards prostate cancer, it is considered and Europe, it is rising fast. THE PENINSULA to Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan. race in the region. And Saudi development programmes which Many think that Iran got rid Arabia has explained that it will is much better than destabilising of the dispute with Israel and the not remain handicapped if Iran the region and giving extra doses West after the framework nuclear owned nuclear weapons. to civil wars and political disputes agreement and will be free to The nuclear talks created which will lead to oil price fluctu- deal with Arab-Iran or Sunni- a chance for Iran to establish ations and hinder developments. Shia disputes which means more new relationships with the West THE PENINSULA Safari launches 10/20/30 promotion at its outlets

Customers at one of the Safari outlets.

DOHA: The Safari 10/20/30 “Superlative quality at afford- of household items, footwear, wide promotion started yesterday able prices is our dictum and we choice of luggage, among others. across all its outlets across follow it to the core. This has Musical night is being organ- Qatar. This promotion has been resulted in loyalty by our cus- ised for three nights at the food planned with lots of surprising tomers and this motivates us to court, Safari Mall, Abu Hamour, offers with unbelievable range strive for better service to our starting from tomorrow. The of products at super value customers. Satisfying them and programme begins at 6pm and prices. exceeding their expectations multifaceted singers will be show- This time they have come out has been our top priority” said casing their talents. Entry is free. with mind boggling number of Zainul Abideen, Director and Safari has launched yet another items and customers are in for General Manager, Safari Group attractive proposition, offering a treat. A wide range of choices of Companies. the customers a chance to win is available under different cat- There is a grand display of five Nissan Patrol 2015, valid until egories and customers are spoiled more than hundred types’ of July 26 at all its outlets at Qatar. for choice. Parallel to this pro- products supermarket and Customers who purchase goods motion the special offers on high department stores, electronics, worth QR50 and above will be priced items will be going on. On readymade trousers and shirts eligible to get a raffle coupon to the spot promotion and surprise which can be procured at attrac- participate in the mega draw. promotions will be held. tive prices. There is also a display THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QMIC’s Connected Vehicles Platform tested successfully

DOHA: The Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) at the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) took part in Cooperative Mobility Services (CMS) Interoperability Testing Nasser Mohammed Al Abdulla, Deputy CEO, Ezdan Holding Group, and (Plugtest) event for the fourth Malik Qaiser, General Manager, Ezdan Shopping Malls consecutive year. It was organised by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), in partnership with ERTICO-ITS Europe from Gala Dinner, Ezdan March 17 to 27 and hosted by TASS International in Helmond, the Netherlands. Mall Retail Excellence Nearly 100 experts from over 40 organisations from all over the world gathered to test the interoperability of the Vehicle- Awards 2014 to mark to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to- Infrastructure (V2I) systems also known as Connected Vehicles. second anniversary Connected Vehicles will change intelligent transportation by enabling wireless communica- DOHA: Ezdan Mall, which in the shopping malls industry tion among vehicles and infra- Officials at the event. achieved more than 99 per- in Qatar within a short time. structure in a seamless manner cent occupancy rate in 2014, The announcement of Ezdan and using a common standard or April 2014 QMIC held the first in the Plugtest event solidifies conformance against the first is celebrating its ‘Second Retail Excellence Awards aims to language. field demo in the Middle East and our regional leadership position release of the ETSI TC ITS Anniversary’, by organising a encourage all brands to achieve This will enable the realisation North Africa region, at the QSTP in this emerging area. We look standards. Such testing events ‘Gala Dinner’ and ‘Ezdan Mall advanced rank in the retail of next generation road safety campus. forward to working with leading not only enhance the quality of Retail Excellence Awards 2014’ business.” systems and is considered a key Since then, the QMIC R&D national entities in Qatar to sup- standards prior to deployment, ceremony for its stakeholders, Malik Qaiser, General enabler for future autonomous team has added more features port our vision of making Qatar but also reduce the time to mar- said a statement yesterday. Manager, Ezdan Shopping Malls, and self-driving vehicles. and capabilities to its platform one of the leading nations in ket and support early deployment The award will be given to the added: “We are proud of what Studies by the US Department that allowed it to participate in deploying V2X systems to realise of the technology. top performing brands, based on we achieved in the last two years of Transportation show that this year’s Plugtest event. significant road safety and driving To demonstrate progress and retailers’ sales density mainly, and we would like to celebrate it Connected Vehicles, if fully Dr Adnan Abu-Dayya, convenience benefits.” maturity of standards, planned keeping into consideration dif- with our retailers. Without their implemented, could mitigate up Executive Director (CEO), The QMIC team was led by test cases reached 340 compared ferent key performance indica- performance and contribution it to 80 percent of road accidents. QMIC said: “Connected Vehicle Dr Hamid Menouar, Product to 49 in last year’s event. tors (KPIs) the mall created for would not have been possible to In the past, the main focus has (V2X) technologies represent Manager, Connected Vehicle The number of organisations its retailer to complete the per- create the perfect brand mix that been on how to survive accidents. a key element of QMIC’s lead- Programme and R&D expert. participating this year dou- fect shopping experience. These we have achieved.” Connected Vehicles aims to avoid ing and integrated road safety QMIC’s Connected Vehicles bled compared to last year’s KPIs includes retailers’ staff, cus- He said: “We were able to cre- them and enhance the daily driv- innovations portfolio. It comple- platform was successfully tested attendance which reflects the tomer service and compliance to ate a unique shopping experience ing experience. ments our leading Masarak traf- against platforms of other inter- expanding global interest in the mall’s operations policies and for our guests, by offering them To demonstrate progress in fic and telematics platform and national organisations. development and deployment of produces. high standards of services to dis- developing Connected Vehicles our Salamtek distracted driv- The intensive testing also pro- V2X systems. The award categories will tinguish ourselves by providing platforms and applications, in ing solutions. Our participation vides an early chance to validate THE PENINSULA include ‘Best Retail Group 2014’, a concierge service at our main ‘Best Retail Store’, ‘Best Retail gate, offering complementary Brand’ for the different categories apples and water in the morning, such as footwear, children, ladies, Arabic coffee and dates during restaurant and food court outlets. the evening as well as providing It will also include best perform- comfortable seating area in our WISH supports World Health Day ing anchor stores based on its lounges distributed around the footfall contribution to the mall. Mall.” The award ceremony will “We have introduced more than DOHA: The World Innovation caused by unsafe food contain- innovation. WISH and Director of Institute include outside organizations to 65 new brands out of 152 stores Summit for Health (WISH), ing harmful bacteria, parasites, Antimicrobial Resistance of Global Health Innovation receive a special award by the that are available in the Qatari a global initiative of Qatar viruses, chemical substances and (AMR) was a focus of research at Imperial College of London, management for best initiative market for the first time creating Foundation (QF), is lending its is linked to the deaths of some undertaken by WISH and pre- said,“WISH and our community serving the community such as new shopping choices and redefin- support to the World Health two million people annually, sented in Qatar in 2013. of health experts believe that good Best Social Responsibility Islamic ing the luxury, through our guest Organisation’s ‘World Health mostly children. Changes in food An area of huge medical con- health is an essential human right Initiative and Best Educational serving approach. Day’, which is commemorated production, distribution and con- cern as growing numbers of bac- and a cornerstone of sustainable initiative. “The mall’s average sales den- today. sumption; the environment; new terial and viral infections are now development and global security. Nasser Mohammed Al Abdulla, sity for year 2014 was $530 with World Health Day is a global and emerging pathogens; and resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Our WISH policy reports provide Deputy CEO, Ezdan Holding 40 percent increase compared to awareness day celebrated every antimicrobial resistance all pose Since the report was published, its recommendations for policymak- Group, said: “The mall managed 2013,” he said. year providing a vital platform challenges to food safety systems. evidence-based recommendations ers to implement much needed to achieve a prominent position THE PENINSULA for drawing attention to major WISH is spearheaded by QF have been shared widely with glo- change in how global healthcare global health concerns. This year to inspire and diffuse health- bal leaders and policy makers and is financed and delivered. WISH highlights the significance of food care innovation and best prac- in 2014, it used to contribute to an stands alongside WHO today safety, aiming to prevent the tice. It remains closely aligned to AMR Independent Review com- offering our support, we will con- many illnesses and suffering that the vision and mission of QF to missioned by UK Prime Minster, tinue working with governments can result from consuming con- unlock human potential and rein- David Cameron. worldwide to bring about change UnionPay offers cardholders taminated and ill-prepared food. forces Qatar’s pioneering role as Professor Lord Darzi of and prevent unnecessary suffer- More than 200 diseases are an emerging centre for healthcare Denham, Executive Chair of ing.” THE PENINSULA 10pc discount at QDF

DOHA: Qatar Duty Free recognise this by offering some- (QDF) has announced that thing back to our Chinese passen- UnionPay cardholders will ben- gers in the form of this exciting Msheireb Properties platinum sponsor for QGBC forum efit from a 10 percent discount promotion.” when they shop at QDF at “As China becomes the world’s DOHA: Qatar Green Building environmentally sustainable infra- Director of QGBC, said: “We Vision 2030.” Eng. Abdulla Hassan Hamad International Airport second largest source for global Council (QGBC), a member of structure towards the successful are delighted to have Msheireb Al Mehshadi, Chief Executive (HIA) until July 20. Passengers tourism, we are catering to the Qatar Foundation for Education, long-term delivery of the Qatar Properties join us as our latest and Officer of Msheireb Properties, who are holders of a UnionPay ever-increasing individual and in- Science and Community National Vision 2030. foremost sponsor for our upcom- said: “Msheireb Properties believes card can claim their discount on depth tours that have become more Development (QF), welcomed The Qatar Green Building ing conference. Leading national in a culture of partnership. We are products across QDF’s portfolio popular to continuously enrich our this week Msheireb Properties, Conference is committed to bridg- and international organisations’ fundamentally collaborative in our of more than 70 stores. global cardholder privilege sys- a real estate development com- ing the gap between theory and overwhelming support for the approach to business as experience “Following our extremely popu- tem,” said Dong Li, Chief Branding pany and a subsidiary of QF, practical implementation of sus- inaugural Qatar Green Building has taught us that only through lar Chinese New Year promotion Officer, UnionPay International. as the official platinum sponsor tainability efforts. It will address Conference is indicative of the working in collaboration with lead- at HIA, we are delighted to con- “Airport duty free shops are must- for its inaugural Qatar Green major environmental challenges wider interest and care for sus- ing organisations here at home, tinue our support for our Chinese visit shopping sites for many during Building Conference. around multiple themes, includ- tainability and a greener Qatar. and around the globe, can we truly clientele by offering UnionPay their travels, and we wish to pro- The conference at Qatar ing future sustainable cities, “These organisations are join- foster knowledge transfer around cardholders a 10 percent dis- vide our cardholders with better National Convention Centre on Passivhaus in the Middle East and ing an expansive network of QGBC topics that are close to our heart count,” said Keith Hunter, Senior card-using experiences at airports April 27-28 will support Qatar North Africa Region, and measur- stakeholders who actively further such as sustainability and innova- Vice-President, QDF. around the world by rolling out the Foundation’s commitment to ing carbon foot prints. the sustainable development goals tion in design and construction.” “China is an important mar- latest privilege programme.” promote green best practice and Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, set out in the Qatar National THE PENINSULA ket for us and we are pleased to THE PENINSULA

HMC receives over 200 kids with autism a year DOHA: Children Rehabilitation Awareness Month, HMC recently services in Qatar. skills and abilities, but they may at Hamad Medical Corporation organised activities to show sup- It is hoped that the outcomes need to be supported in a differ- (HMC) receives more than 200 port for children and families of the workshop ‘Autism Services ent way. The proper support is youngsters with autism yearly affected by autism and highlight for Children in Qatar: Challenges, invaluable to children with autism and provides various medical the need to provide a better qual- Opportunities and the Way and their families and will directly and rehabilitation services. ity and more socially integrated Forward’ will contribute to the affect how they enter adulthood. Services include occupational way of life through the develop- development of a national plan for Healthcare, education and social and speech therapy, special and ment of collaborative services. autism care in the country. services should all contribute to family education, psychiatric HMC participated in the Dr Haitham El Bashir, Senior supporting their success.” services as well as rehabilitation ‘Autism Speaks: Light it Blue’ ini- Consultant and Head of Children Raising public understanding and treatment interventions for tiative by illuminating its major Rehabilitation, HMC, said, should be a key part of any plan, children of all ages. hospital buildings in blue for two “Autism is a neuro-developmental he added. “Autism is usually evi- However, autism is often mis- nights to show support for autistic disorder directly associated with dent in a child’s life before the interpreted as bad behaviour children and their families. impaired social interaction and age of three. Parents concerned in children and the condition HMC, in partnership with communication skills. that their children are displaying is generally misunderstood and Sick Kids, the hospital for sick “Understanding and relating to signs of autism should seek medi- Dr Haitham El Bashir, Senior Consultant and Head of Children Rehabilitation, carries a social stigma, accord- children in Canada, also led a other people can be difficult for cal advice, as early detection is ing to a senior health expert. To multi-organisation workshop, someone with autism. Children linked to better outcomes.” HMC, speaks at the workshop. commemorate World Autism focusing on the future of autism with autism can have exceptional THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Key Syria oppn groups absent at Moscow talks Discussions run until April 9, little progress expected

MOSCOW: Talks between The talks follow a similar from attending the meeting rival sides in the Syrian war round of meetings between the by refusing to lift a travel ban began in Moscow yesterday but government and officially toler- imposed following his release the absence of key opposition ated opposition in Moscow in late on bail in February after three groups meant there was little January that failed to make any months in jail. hope of progress in resolving concrete progress towards resolv- Most of Syria’s opposition in the conflict. ing the deep-rooted conflict. exile has made it clear that Assad Syria’s ambassador to the The sit down is the first since must step down in any deal to United Nations, Bashar Al Jaafari, some of the key international end the conflict that began with is heading the government del- players in the crisis thrashed out demonstrations against his rule egation for the meetings with an outline deal over Iran’s nuclear in March 2011. members of the domestic “tol- programme and US Secretary of An Arab diplomat following erated” opposition, the National State John Kerry refused to rule the developments said one pro- Coordination Committee for out speaking to Syrian President posal now being floated would Democratic Change (NCCDC). Bashar Al Assad. see Assad stay in power for two But the main Western-backed But despite the seemingly or three more years to prepare exiled Syrian opposition National positive noises over the conflict a transition, particularly given Coalition stayed away, and there seemed little prospect of Russian and US fears about the another leading domestic oppo- any breakthrough at the Moscow consequences if his regime col- sition activist remains under a talks. Ahead of the meeting a lapsed suddenly. travel ban from Damascus. source close to Syrian govern- “This solution would allow The discussions, which run ment delegation said that the all the parties to save face,” one until April 9, are expected to focus delegations “will only discuss opposition member involved in on humanitarian issues and plans ‘soft’ subjects on which agreement the discussions said. The window for future talks, while also serving might be found”. for any such agreement is fairly as a way for Russia, a main backer “You cannot say that these small, with Washington report- of the Syrian regime, to build its consultations will have any major edly insisting that any deal be profile as a potential mediator in results,” Russian Middle East signed before campaigning for the the conflict. expert Boris Dolgov said. “It is 2016 presidential election begins Medics treat a critically injured boy in a field hospital after what activists said were air strikes by forces loyal to A source in the Syrian gov- just one step, albeit important, in earnest in the autumn. Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad in the Douma neighbourhood of Damascus yesterday. ernment delegation told AFP on the path towards stopping the AFP that the opposition would spend crisis in Syria.” Monday and Tuesday meeting Dolgov said that by hosting the with Russian mediators before talks Moscow was looking to boost the two sides sit down together its standing as a potential media- Insurgents kidnap and release 300 Kurds tomorrow. “The main idea this tor while also seeking to curb the time is to agree on a precise threat that radical groups such as BEIRUT: Islamist insurgents Britain, also said the Kurds had town of Afrin, which is under claimed the kidnapping. Syrian agenda for further negotiations,” Islamic State pose to its national have released 300 Kurdish men been released. However, it said Kurdish control, to the cities of state media did not report the the source said. security. in the country’s north who were around 200 had been held, taken Aleppo and the capital Damascus. incident. Kurdish militia and Russia’s Foreign Minister The opposition National taken captive on Sunday, a at several checkpoints over the “They left women and children Islamist militants have fought Sergei Lavrov played down Coalition, however, accusing Russia Kurdish official said yesterday. past two days. but they kidnapped 300 men and territorial disputes in Syria dur- hopes for any breakthrough say- of seeking to use the talks to bol- Nawaf Khalil, a spokesman Khalil and another Kurdish young people,” he said. ing the four-year civil war. Some ing Moscow was disappointed by ster Assad, has declined to attend, for the Kurdish PYD party in official reported earlier on “They captured them in Tuqad hardline Syrian Islamist militants the decision of National Coalition and finds itself increasingly side- Europe, told Reuters by phone Monday that the men were taken village, 20km west of Aleppo and consider Kurds heretics. not to attend. “We are not set- lined by powerful regional actors that the “men were released by on Sunday evening. then they moved them to Al Dana The Observatory also reported ting any final deadlines given that such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. the Islamist militant groups who Idris Nassan, an official in the town in Idlib province,” he said. yesterday that insurgents from so much blood has been shed in Another opposition figure were holding them”. Kobani canton, said they were The Nusra Front was part of an Jaish Al Mujahideen had traded Syria and that there have been so Louay Hussein, who heads the The Syrian Observatory for kidnapped by Al Qaeda’s official alliance of militant groups that 25 kidnapped women and children many false starts in this process,” Building the Syrian State party, Human Rights monitoring group, Syrian wing, the Nusra Front, captured Idlib city last month. in exchange for one of their com- Lavrov said. said that Damascus barred him which tracks the conflict from as they were travelling from the The Nusra Front has not manders. REUTERS

A general view shows destruction in Yarmuk refugee camp yesterday. PLO team to hold talks with Damascus on Yarmuk relief

RAMALLAH: A Palestinian IS. The delegation will also hold to the area including by providing official said yesterday that meetings with various Palestinian life-saving assistance,” said Jordan’s a delegation was heading to factions to discuss how to counter ambassador Dina Kawar, the coun- Damascus for talks on helping IS threats, said Majdalani, who is cil chair this month. residents inside the Yarmuk heading the group. Since the jihadist advance refugee camp, parts of which Majdalani accused IS militants began, regime forces have pounded have been overrun by the of “seeking to control the whole the camp with shells and barrel Islamic State group. camp” and to use it “as a spring- bombs, according to the Syrian Hundreds of families have board for attacks on the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, been evacuated from the camp capital Damascus because of its a Britain-based monitoring group. in a southern neighbourhood strategic location”. Dozens of Hamas and Islamic of Damascus after IS jihadists The visit came after talks with Jihad supporters meanwhile launched on attack on Wednesday. officials in several Arab countries. protested in Gaza on Monday to Palestinian forces inside “We have an Arab and inter- demand an end to the violence Yarmuk are largely surrounded national plan to stop the violence in Yarmuk. “We demand the by IS fighters who have captured perpetrated against our people,” attackers immediately stop their large parts of the camp. Ahmed Majdalani said. killing,” former Hamas justice Majdalani, an official with the In a statement, the PLO called minister Mohamed Faraj Al Ghul Palestine Liberation Organisation for “all sides to immediately agree told protesters outside the parlia- (PLO), said the delegation would to protect the camp from efforts ment building in the Gaza Strip. focus its efforts on providing secu- to turn it into a battlefield”. It also Yarmuk “must be a neutral rity and assistance to the camp. called for civilians to be granted place, far from the madness of “We will discuss with a number relief corridors and humanitarian war,” he said, urging an inter- of Syrian officials securing the and medical assistance. national intervention to “stop relief corridor opened yester- The UN Security Council yes- the killing”. Yarmuk was once a day to deliver humanitarian aid terday demanded humanitarian thriving neighbourhood home to and getting civilians out so they aid access to the refugees. The 160,000 Palestinian refugees and won’t become human shields for 15-member body called “for the Syrians but has been caught up in the terrorist Daesh group,” he protection of civilians in the camp the country’s civil unrest which said, using an Arabic acronym for for ensuring a humanitarian access began in 2011. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Editorial Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Friendly technology ECHNOLOGY has emerged as humanity’s best friend In Netanyahu’s fourth term, during natural calamity by saving lives. Advancement in technology has enabled governments to be prepared Tbefore a disaster allowing them to save lives and reduce damage to properties. Typhoon Maysak, which was what’s next for settlements? graded as a super typhoon last week, crossed the Philippines on Monday but the damage was much less than what was BY MAAYAN LUBELL contiguous territory. According to the through various stages of approval, has feared. Although one reason was that cyclone had weakened Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, slowed. before hitting the Philippines but another factor responsible in DAY before his surprise Netanyahu’s centrist predecessor But settler leader Danny Dayan said saving lives was swift precautionary steps taken in advance by election victory last month, Ehud Olmert began construction of Netanyahu will have to accommodate the government machinery. The authorities, in advance, had Israeli Prime Minister 5,120 homes in West Bank settlements the demands of the pro-settler Jewish Benjamin Netanyahu stood between 2006 and 2008. That is 241 Home party, a likely coalition partner, evacuated thousands of people from affected areas after getting A against the backdrop of a construction units more than Netanyahu’s govern- to build more if a new government is to information about severity of cyclone. The quick response saved site in Har Homa, a towering settle- ments started building between 2011 survive. Jewish Home advocates annex- many lives from wrath of nature. ment in the occupied West Bank, and and 2013. ation of most the West Bank, a policy Before hitting the Philippines, the cyclone had left a path of pledged to go on building. But in a report published in February, Netanyahu has not supported. Another destruction in Micronesia. The damage to property was huge as The next week his office ordered local Israeli anti-settlement group Peace likely ally, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu authorities to put the brakes on plans Now said 2014 may have been a turn- party, wants to trade some Arab towns the storm destroyed 830 homes by blowing down houses mostly to erect hundreds of new homes at Har ing point, with Netanyahu’s govern- in Israel for West Bank settlements. made of wood with tin roofing and displaced 6,760 residents but Homa, a settlement Netanyahu author- ment setting a 10-year record for the More than 500,000 Israelis live on the loss of lives was relatively low as only five people were killed ised in 1997 during his first term in the number of tenders issued for settlement occupied land in East Jerusalem and due to nature’s fury. face of fierce international opposition. construction — a step before actual the West Bank, among 2.8 million Last year, a very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud hit eastern It was an example of the tightrope building. Construction starts for 2014 Palestinians. In the West Bank alone, India. Severity of the cyclone can be gauged from the fact that a Netanyahu walks between his politi- increased by 40 percent over the previ- the number of settlers has more than cal allegiances and the international ous year. doubled since 1995 to over 350,000. total 4,484 villages of four districts were affected by the cyclone community, The problem, according to Peace In his election eve speech at Har and 41,269 houses were damaged. The storm killed whose faith in Now, is not just how much is built, but Homa, Netanyahu expanded on the 46 persons and injured 43 others. The loss of lives was his commitment where. Netanyahu’s predecessors had traditional arguments for settlements comparatively low because to a two-state kept construction going mostly in set- based on Jewish history and Israeli Advancement government machinery had taken Netanyahu’s solution with the tlement blocs on the edge of the West security needs, and in effect confirmed preventive measure after getting Palestinians - Bank which Israel says it intends to Palestinian accusations the enclaves are in technology predecessors had including a halt keep in any peace deal. built as a land grab. prior information. to settlement- Peace Now’s Settlement Watch direc- “There was a Palestinian attempt to has enabled Total 135,262 persons were kept construction building - is tor, Hagit Ofran, said Netanyahu had join Bethlehem, to break through into governments evacuated by the authorities to going mostly in wearing thin. significantly increased construction Jerusalem. I thought we must protect safer place after getting advance About to begin deep inside the West Bank, making the southern gateway to Jerusalem by to be prepared warning of the cyclone from the settlement blocs his fourth term, peace harder to achieve. building here. There was huge objection, likely this time “In the past few years, the govern- because this neighbourhood is in a loca- Indian Meteorological Department before a disaster on the edge of at the head of ment has been building a lot, particu- tion that prevents Palestinian contigu- (IMD), the official weather a heavily right- larly in those areas, and I expect this ity,” Netanyahu said. allowing them to forecaster of India. the West Bank leaning coali- to continue,” Ofran said. Though the West has shown a degree save lives and However, the scenario was which Israel says tion, Netanyahu It has slowly advanced plans for con- of tacit consent to Israel building in entirely different a decade earlier. will be watched struction, but not built any homes so far, blocs it might retain, Palestinians see reduce damage to In 2004, tsunami in Indian Ocean it intends to keep closely, at home in two particularly sensitive areas of the all settlement construction as cause for and abroad, for West Bank — the E1 corridor between alarm. “These deliberate and premedi- had wreaked havoc in the entire properties. in any peace deal. any moves on Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and Givat tated violations present a challenge to region. The tsunami, which resulted settlements, after Hamatos, between Jerusalem and the UN, the EU and the US if they are due to earthquake on 26 December, he ruled out any Bethlehem. Construction there could to prevent the final demise of the glo- killed around 230,000 people in 14 countries, and inundated future Palestinian potentially split the West Bank and also bal rule of law and hence the achieve- coastal communities with waves up to 30 metres high. It was state before the poll. cut Palestinians off from East Jerusalem, ment of a just peace,” Palestinian official one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. He backtracked on the pledge, but which they seek for their capital. Hanan Ashrawi said. international suspicion remains over “We have a particular view on certain In Mitzpe Kramim, a settlement Indonesia was the hardest-hit country, followed by Sri Lanka, his commitment to a two-state solu- red lines, Givat Hamatos and E1,” the perched on a hilltop overlooking the India, and Thailand. It is impossible for countries to avert tion that was at heart of US-sponsored EU diplomat said. Jordan Valley, men were praying at natural disaster but government can minimise the loss of lives peace talks that collapsed last year. What, if anything, the West would do dusk while their wives sat watching by using technology. Increasing use of mobile phones will help “There’s an increasing distrust of about building in such places remains a children play on the grass. policy makers in saving lives. Falling prices of mobile handsets him, that he might say certain things question, but the Europeans have talked “The people of Israel and Judaism and is either unable to make a decision about sanctions or retaliatory measures began here,” said Doron Leshem, 37, has resulted into extensive use of mobile phone and authorities to take things forward or isn’t really based around the EU’s trade agreement who lives there with his wife and five should take advantage of this trend. Software developers have committed,” said an EU diplomat. with Israel. Settlers say Netanyahu’s children, along with some 40 other fam- developed applications (commonly known as Apps) which give Palestinians, who want to establish reticence is tantamount to a “quiet ilies. We are here to fulfil a destiny. This information regarding weather conditions and public should a state in the occupied West Bank, freeze” — and they want that to end. is mine. Like the vines growing here, we be encouraged to use such services. There should be frequent East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials confirmed that over- cannot grow anywhere else. Judaism and regular dissemination of information by the government say the settlements — deemed illegal all, the planning process for new build- cannot thrive elsewhere,” he said. under international law — deny them ing projects in settlements, which goes REUTERS agencies to the masses regarding weather condition. The other side Quote of Pipeline moment the day ITH a framework for a Pakistan should also start by at least needs to be given to the Iran-Pakistan is no longer any reason for the gov- nuclear deal in place verbally intimating its interest in pursu- pipeline, beginning with the govern- ernment to continue to drag its feet. and with signs of ing the pipeline project energetically. ment affirming its commitment to the Whatever decision is made regarding Wrapprochement between Much has been made of the LNG project, followed by the homework Saudi Arabia’s request for troops for There was a Iran and the international community, imports. The fact that the first consign- necessary to start construction, crea- the Yemen campaign, it is important to now is the time to re-energise the Iran- ment of LNG has already landed, and tion of the relevant tariffs and policy ensure that it does not adversely impact Palestinian attempt Pakistan gas pipeline project. there has been much bragging about software to manage injections of the the Iranian pipeline project. to join Bethlehem, to Last December, the government this feat, is an indicator of the high gas into the national transmission sys- Our domestic energy security must made a half-hearted foray into the level of ownership that was given to tem, and proper agreements to govern take precedence. Thus far, the project break through into global financial markets to determine this project by the government. allocations. has been held up by one specific sanc- Jerusalem. I thought investor interest in the plan. It returned The high return on equity allowed to Diversifying our fuel mix is an impor- tions law that prevents dealings with with the gloomy report that the sanc- power producers who will use LNG is tant priority of the government, and the Iran’s central bank. we must protect the tions on Iran were making investors another signal that the government is pipeline project is the most promising That law is amongst the sanctions wary of getting involved in the project. moving fast to incentivise imports and avenue through which to pursue this that are about to be lifted. Beyond that, southern gateway to That may be about to change as create a constituency within the country goal. there is little in the sanctions regime that Jerusalem by building the world begins to eye the business for LNG. Pipeline gas is much cheaper than prevents Pakistan from moving ahead Benjamin Netanyahu opportunities that are about to open up. Similar high-level ownership now LNG and more reliable as well. There on the plan. DAWN here. Israeli Prime Minister TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Saudi action in Yemen an ‘expected’ surprise

with their opponents, who have quick to emphasise that its main a high degree of determination, concern in Yemen was its war over a tiny state like Yemen that against Al Qaeda. is a little larger than half a million The US is trying to reconcile square kilometres. two contradictory goals, the first Gulf states are often stereo- being not to provoke the Iranians typed as vulnerable, helpless and in a way that affects the nuclear reliant on Western or Arab pro- negotiations, which have reached tection in confronting Iran. The a sensitive phase, and the second United States of America, how- being not to upset the Saudis, ever, seems preoccupied with the their main ally in the war on IS, nuclear negotiations with Iran. and let them feel betrayed in the The Arabs were prompted by light of growing doubts about BY DR MARWAN the collapse of Iraq and Syria and America’s commitment to its KABALAN the erosion of Egypt’s regional role. allies. In addition, the Peninsula Shield Clearly, the Gulf Arab states, lthough a surprise, forces had intervened in Bahrain especially Saudi Arabia, are no the Saudi response to in early 2011 to support the regime longer in a position to condone Iranian activities in against an uprising backed by Iranian actions that threaten AYemen is in line with the Iran. However, Bahrain’s case is their very existence. At the same typical behaviour of countries at irrelevant because it is only as big time, they are taking deliberate times of crises, which is to resort as a small town in Saudi Arabia. steps as they face, for the first to force when they are unable to So from where did the determi- time in history, threats that can- protect their interests by other nation to launch a military opera- not be overlooked and a war that means. When a conflict develops tion in Yemen come? nobody can fight on behalf of the into a substantial threat to the The death of King Abdullah Arabs. interests of one party and indirect marked a turning point in Saudi The Gulf states should not war does not suffice, there must be policy, since the Custodian of the allow Iran and its allies in Yemen direct military intervention. Two Holy Mosques King Salman to engage them in a war of attri- That’s what Iran did in Iraq bin Abdulaziz seems more dynamic tion, as that would be a fatal mis- after the Islamic State (IS) seized and more willing than his late A Saudi border guard looks through binoculars at a post on the Saudi-Yemeni border, in southwestern Saudi Arabia. take. In this context, one need Mosul and most of the country’s brother to counter Iranian expan- only recall the experience of the northwest, and that is what Iran sion, which is about to tighten its Sudanese President Omar Hassan At this meeting, attended case political moves failed. United States in Vietnam and is also doing in Syria for nearly fist over Saudi Arabia from the Al Bashir, inviting him to a meet- by senior officials from all Gulf Saudi Arabia began mobilis- Iraq and of Russia in Afghanistan. three years. In Yemen, the threat north through Iraq and Syria, and ing a day before the launch of Arab states except Oman, a plan ing its forces along the southern Therefore, the Saudis — who was not only to the interests of the from the south through Yemen. Operation Decisive Storm against to move ahead was finalised. border with Yemen before King know very well the nature of Arab Gulf states but also to their As soon as he had finished with the Houthis. Saudi Arabia had This included giving priority to Salman launched Operation the Yemenis and put an end to very existence, and they were kind settling internal and royal fam- refused to receive Al Bashir for political and diplomatic action for Decisive Storm at midnight the Gamal Abdel Nasser’s interven- of late to react. ily matters, the new king dedi- many years because of his rela- resolving the crisis in Yemen and next day, March 26, 2015. tion in Yemen and destroyed his Certainly, if the Gulf Arab states cated himself to rearranging the tions with Iran. relaunching the dialogue. Saudi military action was image — should adhere to the goal had successfully run an indirect foreign affairs of his country, and Al Bashir’s visit to Riyadh Doha was suggested as an alter- accompanied by a remarkable of supporting Hadi and repair the war with Iran, which has eaten up re-evaluated the risks and threats yielded results as he declared a native venue to Riyadh for talks. diplomatic move, as Riyadh alliances damaged in the years their external security perimeter it faced. break in ties with former Yemeni The Houthis and former presi- announced the launch of the following the revolution and cre- piece by piece and state after state, Hence, the declared hostility president Ali Abdullah Saleh dent Saleh refused to resume the operation through its ambassa- ate a fighting force capable of they wouldn’t have had to move to towards the Muslim Brotherhood and the closure of Iranian liaison political process that was stopped dor in Washington. This aimed to countering Houthi-Iranian plans. defend themselves in the face of has been toned down, and Iran offices in Sudan. In addition, Al when the Houthis seized the show that it was coordinated with The Saudis should provide suf- Iranian encroachment in Yemen. came to top the list of threats that Bashir announced that Sudan presidential palace in Sana’a by the Obama administration. But it ficient support for the military Iran is driven by imperial dreams Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf would join the alliance formed by force last January. The alternative seems the White House was not operation by giving air cover and and missionary policies. The Saudi states faced. Saudi Arabia for military action plan was to respond to the call by informed in advance. be ready to confront any Iranian intervention came as a surprise to In less than a month, King in Yemen. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi The Obama administration interference on a large scale. many, mainly Iran and its allies in Salman regained old allies that After arranging his country’s to intervene. looked confused announcing that This should be done until the Yemen. Saudi Arabia had lost for no com- foreign relations, King Salman This plan had been proposed by it was aware of the military oper- Houthis lose hope of receiving any There is a prevailing impression pelling reason. He received in called for a meeting on March 21 Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al ation and was providing logisti- external support and respond to that Gulf states, especially Saudi Riyadh Turkish President Recep in his palace in the Auja area of Faisal, who alerted the GCC coun- cal and intelligence support for calls to accept the GCC initiative Arabia, lack the administration Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Dir’iya, the historic capital of the tries after the Auja meeting that it. However, America announced for a political solution. or the will, or both, to enter into Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Saud family on the outskirts of they needed to take steps to stop that it won’t participate in the The author is a columnist and a direct military confrontation King Salman sent a message to Riyadh. the aggression against Yemen in operation. The White House was academic researcher What after military operation? Democratic political partnership ast week, Gulf fighter jets attacked They should beware of the slip of the tongue sites of the Houthi movement in Yemen and avoid conflicting signals that create con- the solution to Yemen’s problems Lat the request of the Yemeni govern- fusion and ambiguity. ment headed by Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. These positive aspects can be used for this BY DR HASAN JAWHAR the fragility of the front of Hadi and any party even if there are reserva- Operation Decisive Storm intervention, and the hope despite the media halo given to him. tions among some Yemeni parties is still on and will probably is that the Gulf states don’t he rapid development of events A political solution is still viable; about having Riyadh, Doha, Muscat continue for many days. have to intervene directly in Yemen imposed a certain there is a role for the Gulf that can and Kuwait as alternatives to a new Military aircraft from on the ground. The Yemenis Tcourse of action to deal with be invested in. However, attempts to bridge between the GCC and Yemen. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, do not need men to fight, the country’s different political ide- turn back aggravated the complicated The obsession with Iran makes it Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar but they need air cover to ologies and turn the page on the past, situation and perhaps led the Yemeni difficult to figure out the equations are taking part in the opera- deter the Shia militias and taking into account current regional people to civil conflict. of the shift in Yemen from the Gulf tion. Oman is not participat- Ali Abdullah Saleh. and international events. The complex security situation did perspective, but Iranian expansion ing militarily, which may be But what next? The The GCC countries decided on this not prevent the continuation of the depends on the Gulf’s position. The something positive. Yemeni public is in favour course of action for reasons of utmost dialogue between the various Yemeni GCC is supposed to learn from the We need a reliable party of President Hadi. People importance. Yemen is the backyard of forces, Houthis, the People’s Congress, lessons of Iraq, which was neglected in the Gulf that can contrib- hate the reckless and the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula. the Al Eslah party affiliated to the and left prey to extremism and ter- ute to the post-war scene, bloody Houthi movement In addition, the political, tribal and Muslim Brotherhood, and the south- rorism until the announcement of since wars are waged to BY DR SAAD BIN TEFLA and Saleh, who Yemenis sectarian components of the country’s ern movement. The sooner they begin the creation of Islamic State. All this achieve political goals, and AL AJMI rebelled against and died to crisis have a regional dimension. actual partnership to clearly define happened and the Gulf didn’t lift a Oman can play that role. overthrow. Gulf States, especially Saudi the status of constitutional institu- finger. I am not one of those who There is widespread sup- Arabia, bet on a losing horse in the tions, the closer the county will get The Iraqis resorted to Iran, and dearly want “direct” military intervention. port for the Gulf intervention. But we should past months, either because they to stability and peace. now they are reaping the fruits of I used the word “direct” in a tweet. War is take into consideration the following points: didn’t look beyond the daily events Reason, logic and balance of power defeating IS. not a picnic; wars have horrors, tragedies 1. Iran and its agents in the region will or because of political calculations prevent any party from monopolising Despite Yemen’s internal contra- and consequences, especially when launched work to portray the events as a Saudi aggres- that went beyond Yemen’s borders. power, hence the democratic model dictions, IS penetration in its south between neighbouring countries. sion, invasion and occupation. Attempts are In both cases, the winds of change of political partnership is the solu- is liable to make the Gulf states the However, it seems that the Gulf’s military being made to make things harder for Saudi altered a lot of equations. Even the tion to Yemen’s problems. Asking for main supporters in its new era, which leaders and experts had seen the develop- Arabia — to isolate it from the rest of the Gulf initiative, which slowed down external military help is not accepted entails facing this organisation as one ments on the ground that pushed them to Gulf states, which is an Iranian strategy. We the transition of power under the by most Yemenis, as is clear from the of their priorities, not for the sake launch this war in self-defence. shouldn’t do or say anything that will serve auspices of the United Nations, was decisive stance of the army to sup- of the Houthis or even to stop the It is clear that patience had run out and the this goal. buried among the ruins of Aden, the port Hadi and call on him to defend Iranian influence, but to protect situation in Yemen was sliding to a point of no 2. We should hasten to end the military last stronghold of Yemen’s President, his country. themselves from the spread of IS return, with the country likely to become a action and help the legitimate government Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. Gulf states can return to the scene into their Yemeni backyard after it failed state that would be a breeding ground and the Yemeni army take the reins of power, The new reality of Yemen must through the auspices of the Yemeni is expelled from Syria and Iraq. for chaos, sectarian strife and aggressive and avoid appearing in public. This is besides be contained and sponsored, despite dialogue, not by taking sides with The author is a political analyst Iranian interference. Yemen had become a working on an economic rescue plan for dagger in the side of the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen. The Gulf military intervention in Yemen 3. Affirm that these actions are for Yemen, has the following positive results: without any airs of superiority over our 1. The Gulf countries are one unit and they brothers in Yemen. The Yemeni situation is The axis of evil in the region have a common goal and unified security poli- sensitive, and Yemenis’ dignity is the root of cies when it comes to crucial issues. Arab pride. Therefore, preserving this dig- his axis includes Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and thanks to the pilots 2. Despite the rift between some Gulf nity is important to managing this conflict, the Houthis, Islamic State and executing the operation. Cooperation Council members, they strike especially in the media. TIsrael. Each of them is playing a Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is against any danger as one hand. 4. We should neither ignore Yemen nor special role according to a plan agreed the youngest defence minister leading 3. The Arabian Peninsula will remain Arab hesitate to support it, as we did for years on under the sponsorship of Israel and the war, and this shows that young and their Gulf is Arab; interference in its until the recent events unfolded. the US to achieve the specific aim of leaders are efficient and capable of affairs is a red line that the Gulf states will 5. On the internal front, we should be care- destabilising the region. Who believes leading. I hope this move will deter not allow anyone to cross. ful not to let Iran and its agents intervene in that IS serves Hezbollah’s agenda in anyone living in the GCC countries 4. The war against the Houthis is not a Gulf affairs. Internal security should be based Syria and realises Iran’s aims in Iraq? with an agenda like that of the axis sectarian on launched by Sunni Gulf states, on rule of law and respect for human rights. The brave action taken by the GCC of evil, by driving them out of these as Iran and its followers will portray it. The Involving Gulf citizens in the management of states to confront the Houthis and countries to finish this malicious Gulf states have been conducting air strikes the conflict will make everyone feel that the end their aggression is right. The ideology. for months against the Sunni IS in Iraq and Gulf is a key decision-maker and a decisive move reflecta the solidarity of the BY MUBARAK AL Resisting such evil thoughts Syria and also facing the danger of the Sunni factor in events. Gulf, which we are proud of, and it is ABDULHADI requires from each of the GCC Al Qaeda in Yemen for years. We are fighting a war that we dislike and also good to see the GCC armies fight- countries to adopt a new strategy 5. The Arab reaction at this stage is that was imposed on us. There is no room for ing jointly with the armies of other for fighting moles planted in these this is basically a Gulf action. This is our fate assumptions, using strong words and being Arab countries a battle against the destabilising Bahrain and Syria in countries or anyone who wants to in the Gulf in this dark phase of Arab history. irresolute. We, as people of the Gulf, should evil act of the Houthis. I hope similar collaboration with other parties. destabilise our internal security, in 6. The joint Gulf military action will be an stand together as one for Yemen, our security action is taken in future against IS, All success to the armies taking particular those living among us who important step towards future coordination and our common destiny. which is destabilising the region. The part in Operation Storm Resolve, can be used as tools to achieve oth- and a unified Gulf confederation, which we We support our heroes, the Gulf troops, region will not be stable any more in which aims to destroy anyone who ers’ aims. To be more specific, some hope to achieve. since we cannot allow disintegration. Iran’s game, which has succeeded in wants to affect the security and sta- of the expatriates trying to spread 7. The Gulf states should manage the media The author is an academic and controlling Iraq and moved to other bility of any Gulf or Arab country. the ideology of their parties in their discourse about this war imposed on them. media person countries, as is the case in Yemen. Thanks to the GCC states for lining communities here must be brought Iran supported the Houthis and is up to support the operation against to account. TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Israel cuts back Gaza’s lumber imports Reconstruction of war-damaged homes delayed GAZA: Israel has cut back infrastructure. Palestinian polit- Bank-based Palestinian Authority lumber shipments to the Gaza ical in-fighting has also delayed received from Israel last week. Strip, Palestinian import- large-scale reconstruction of tens The restrictions on lumber ers said yesterday, adding to of thousands of homes damaged follow the doubling over the past restrictions that could hamper or destroyed in 50 days of fighting. several weeks of the number of housing reconstruction after According to Gaza importers, truckloads of goods that Israel last summer’s war. 200 cubic metres of lumber used allows into the Gaza Strip through Israeli authorities oversee- in the construction industry had its only commercial crossing with ing the transfer of goods to the been brought into the territory the enclave. Hamas Islamist-run enclave daily, and those shipments would A Palestinian Authority liaison were not immediately available now be banned. committee that coordinates those to comment. The number of planks used shipments said about 600 truck- Israel tightly controls the by furniture factories would loads of food, fuel and cement transfer of construction mate- be reduced from 6,000 a day to for construction projects run rial to Gaza, saying Hamas 2,400, the importers added, cit- by international agencies and a could use it to rebuild military ing directives they said the West home-building initiative by Qatar were now being transferred daily. In the past six months, Israel Spanish rescue workers carry a rescued Spanish caver to a clinic in Ouarzazate, Morocco, yesterday. Electronics bound for Gaza has allowed 68,000 tonnes of cement into the enclave, said Gaza economist Maher Al Tabbaa, a militants seized spokesman for the local chamber JERUSALEM: Israeli inspectors at a crossing point into the of commerce. He said that was a Gaza Strip stopped an attempt to smuggle in hi-tech electronics fraction of what was required to Spanish caver rescued in destined for Palestinian militants, the government said yesterday. meet reconstruction needs. Security staff at the Kerem Shalom goods crossing into southern “Gaza needs a thousand tonnes Gaza found the equipment, banned from Gaza under Israeli restric- of cement a day in order to be tions, concealed on an Israeli lorry with a permit to take in consumer able to have a real rebuilding and electronics. development process,” he said, Morocco ‘in good health’ The seizure was announced in a defence ministry statement which accusing Israel of waging “eco- did not say when the attempt took place. nomic warfare”. OUARZAZATE: The sole sur- rest before being repatriated,” an in an area where access is difficult “Among items seized were infra-red cameras, communications Israeli officials said Hamas vivor of three Spanish cavers operation which should take place and a helicopter cannot land. devices and remote-control security cameras,” it said. used cement and wood to buttress trapped for days in a deep sometime this week. Officials in Ouarzazate had said “The suspicion is that the shipment was intended for terror tunnels it dug under the border ravine in Morocco’s High Atlas Spanish media reported that the other two had been “injured” organisations.” with Israel and that the militant mountains was “in good health” Bolivar was suffering from hypo- and had received first aid ahead of The statement said that since the beginning of 2015, more than group began reconstructing and yesterday after a complicated thermia and was in a state of their planned evacuation. 100 attempts “to smuggle forbidden goods and substances” had repairing them soon after the war rescue, officials said. shock. However, the Spanish inte- been foiled. AFP ended. Twenty-seven-year-old police- Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano rior ministry announced late REUTERS man Juan Bolivar, the only man to Rajoy said yesterday that the res- on Sunday that Jose Antonio come out of the ordeal alive, was cued man was “doing well”. Martinez, 41, had also died while admitted late on Sunday to the The foreign ministry in Madrid awaiting rescue. private Chifa clinic in Ouarzazate said Bolivar’s state of health was Martinez had broken his legs Hamas arrests Salafi sheikh in Gaza in southern Morocco. being monitored, but did not indi- and suffered a head injury, his wife The bodies of his two compan- cate when he might come home. had earlier told TVE. ions have not yet been recovered It added that the recovery of Fellow cavers raised the alarm from the depths of the 400-metre the bodies of the other two men on Tuesday after the trio failed to over Islamic State ties ravine. was “in the hands of the Moroccan meet up with them in Ouarzazate Spanish public television sta- authorities”. as planned. GAZA CITY: Gaza’s Hamas- mujahedeen who belong to the claiming minor attacks that were tion TVE, quoting Moroccan res- Dr Salmi said the bodies were The three were located by run security services have Salafist movement.” signed by “the Islamic State-Gaza cue workers, said one of the three still at the scene of the accident, Moroccan search teams in the arrested a radical Salafist Hamas forces have in the past governorate” but most were dis- had possibly slipped on a patch of in an area that was extremely dif- commune of Tarmest, but heavy sheikh, accusing him of mem- cracked down hard on Salafist missed on jihadist forums. ice, dragging the other two down ficult to get to. fog on Saturday hindered the res- bership in the Islamic State (IS) groups in the coastal enclave. So far, no Gaza-based move- with him as he fell. “All teams have been mobilised cue, officials said, adding that the group, a security source said In a separate statement, ment has declared its allegiance Bolivar was evacuated from the so they can be brought out as soon men had not been accompanied by yesterday. sources close to Salafists who are with the IS movement, experts scene of the accident by police as possible,” he said. professional guides. “Adnan Khader Mayat from currently being held behind bars say, although they say such claims on Sunday night and taken into All three potholers had been Virues’s cousin Victor Rengel the Bureij refugee camp (in cen- accused the Islamist movement of show a desire on the part of local the clinic on a stretcher, his eyes initially found alive on Saturday told TVE that the dead lawyer tral Gaza) was arrested as part “continuing its raids among our factions to be included in the IS closed and legs bandaged. morning, several days after they and father-of-two was an “expe- of an investigation,” the source brothers and sons,” denouncing fold. “He has been examined by a went missing after breaking off rienced” caver who had himself said, speaking on condition of the recent arrest of their two They also point to a grow- multi-disciplinary team of spe- from a group of nine Spaniards to taken part in rescue operations. anonymity and without giving younger members. ing loss of control by the Gaza cialists, and his state of health explore different caves. Ouarzazate lies to the south of further details. “These actions will lead to an authorities and the growth is good,” regional health minis- But officials said late on the High Atlas range on the edge Sources close to the Salafists escalation which nobody wants,” of radical elements, who have try official Dr Khalid Salmi said Saturday that one man — 41-year- of the Sahara desert, about 510 said Mayat had been arrested on it warned. become increasingly visible since yesterday. old Gustavo Virues — had died as kilometres by road from the capi- Sunday “by the Hamas govern- In recent months, there have last summer’s deadly 50-day war “But after what he’s been rescue workers scrambled to reach tal Rabat. ment security services who fight been a number statements with Israel. AFP through, he needs some time to the trio at the bottom of the ravine AFP

Trial of ambush suspects adjourned Jordan military plane crash kills two TUNIS: The trial of 77 peo- Iyadh, a Tunisian jihadist chief and “The detainees in this case... are AMMAN: A Jordanian pilot elaborate on the cause of the acci- parts of Iraq and neighbouring ple in Tunisia charged with Afghanistan veteran Tunisia says virtually unknown,” Ghak said. and an Iraqi trainee were killed dent or its location. Syria. involvement in a jihadist attack has fled into neighbouring Libya. “They were trapped and did not when a light training aircraft The Jordanian military regu- In February, it extended air that killed eight soldiers was The 77 are being tried for their realise the scale of the operation crashed during a routine mili- larly trains Iraqi pilots as part of strikes against IS to Iraq after the adjourned yesterday after the alleged role in an ambush on July or the magnitude of the crime.” tary excercise yesterday, the defence agreements between the group released a video of downed defence asked for more time to 29, 2013 in which the eight soldiers Since the January 2011 revo- Jordanian army said. two countries, Amiri said. F-16 pilot Maaz Al Kassasbeh prepare. were killed on Mount Chaambi lution, Tunisia has experienced A T67 “Firefly aircraft crashed Local media reported that the being burned alive. Only six of those charged are near the border with Algeria. jihadist violence that has killed yesterday morning, killing a crash took place some 70 to 90 Last year a Jordanian air force in custody: 70 more, among them If convicted, they could be sen- dozens of members of the secu- Jordanian lieutenant colonel and kilometres north of the capital pilot was killed when his F5 air- around 50 Algerians, will be tried tenced to death, despite Tunisia rity forces. his Iraqi trainee, during a routine Amman. craft crashed in eastern Jordan in absentia. Another is not in no longer carrying out capital On March 18, tourists were tar- training excercise” said Colonel In September, Jordan joined during a training mission. detention. punishment. geted for the first time, with 21 Mamdouh Al Amiri, spokesman the US-led coalition of Arab and In 2013 a T67 Firefly crashed in “The trial was postponed until The defence argues that those foreigners and a policeman killed for the Jordanian military. Western countries carrying out the north of the kingdom because May 18 for oral arguments to be in custody are minor accomplices by two gunmen at the National He said the crash occurred air strikes against the Islamic ot technical problems, killing the heard,” said Rafik Ghak, the law- who did not realise they had ties Bardo Museum in Tunis in an over Jordanian soil but did not State group, which controls large pilot and a trainee. AFP yer for four of the defendants. with an armed group responsible attack claimed by the Islamic One high-profile defendant is for dozens of deaths in army and State group. Seif Allah Ben Hassine, alias Abou police ranks since December 2012. AFP UAE convicts 28 Two Syrians die from H1N1 swine flu

over boat party BEIRUT: Two Syrians died of H1N1 swine flu last month and six others were DUBAI: Twenty-eight the Khaleej Times said. suspected of carrying the infection, Syria’s men and women have been Nine were fined an addi- state news agency SANA said yesterday. fined or jailed for attending tional 2,000 dirhams each The World Health Organisation has warned an alcohol-fuelled party on for consuming alcohol with- that the collapse of Syria’s health system dur- a yacht in Dubai, reports out a licence at the party on ing its four-year civil war has led to the spread said yesterday. the yacht anchored in Dubai of disease. The Court of Marina in October, accord- SANA said the two men were from the Misdemeanours sentenced ing to the newspaper. southern province of Sweida, where gov- two men and three women Police raided the party ernment forces and rebels have clashed. to one year each in prison after a tip-off and seized Their deaths were reported by the head for having relations outside about 110 bottles of alcohol of Communicable and Chronic Diseases of marriage, the Khaleej as well as bedsheets and Department in Sweida, it said. Times reported. other evidence for forensic In 2009-10, swine flu spread from cen- According to the 7 Days tests, it said. tral Mexico around the world. Researchers newspaper, the two men The 15 men, aged between from the US Centers for Disease Control and were policemen. 21 and 43, were from the Prevention estimated that it killed 284,000 All the defendants were UAE, Iran and the Comoros, people in 12 months. fined 2,000 dirhams ($550) while the women, aged More than 220,000 people have been killed each for “getting together between 20 and 36, were in Syria’s conflict, which began in March Tunisian police forces stand guard in front of the court in Tunis yesterday, during the trial of nearly 80 people while unrelated in a way from the UAE, Yemen, 2011 with popular protests against President suspected of involvement in an attack on the military in July 2013. that would lure them into Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bashar Al Assad and spiralled into civil war. committing acts of sin,” Morocco. AFP REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Israel proposes Yemen fighters terms for ‘more reasonable’ attack Houthis; Iran deal

JERUSALEM: Israel’s intel- ligence minister yesterday pro- aid delayed posed terms for a final nuclear accord with Iran which he said would be an improvement on the outline drawn up last week. Southern militias get military aid Yuval Steinitz told journal- ists that US President Barack ADEN: Southern Yemeni mili- were killed in heavy fighting in the Obama’s pledge to back Israel’s tias backed by warplanes from area on Sunday, they said. security was appreciated, but it a Saudi-led coalition attacked Explosions shook Aden’s sub- did not outweigh the potential Houthi fighters across several urbs. Residents said a foreign threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. provinces in south Yemen yes- warship had shelled Houthi “If Iran will produce nuclear terday, driving the Shia rebel positions on the outskirts, but weapons, this is an existential forces from some of their posi- a spokesman for the coalition in threat to Israel,” Steinitz said. tions, witnesses and militia Riyadh said its vessels were help- “Nobody can tell us that back- sources said. ing civilian evacuations, not shell- ing and assistance are enough to The southern militias’ gains ing the Houthis. completely resist or to neutralise came on the 12th day of an air Military momentum is hard such a threat”. Tribesmen stand on a military vehicle they took from an army base in Shihr city of Yemen’s eastern Hadramawt campaign by Saudi Arabia and to judge in a conflict playing out Steinitz proposed that the mainly Gulf Arab allies trying to across hundreds of miles of moun- province yesterday. emerging deal between Iran and stem advances by the Iran-allied tains, deserts and coastal positions, world powers should incorpo- Houthis, who control the capital but in the southern provinces sur- dozens of Houthi and allied fight- pleaded Fatima, a housewife walk- to get staff by boat from Djibouti rate a total halt to reasearch and Sanaa and have advanced on the rounding Aden the Houthis’ foes ers were withdrawing north after ing through the city streets with to Aden, but fighting has compli- development on a new genera- southern city of Aden. said they had made gains. the site was bombed by coalition her young children. cated efforts. tion of centrifuges, a cut in the The fighting has killed hundreds Residents in Dhalea, north of jets. She clutched a yellow plastic “Today fighting was taking place number of existing centrifuges of people, cut off water and elec- Aden, said air strikes hit a local Saudi Arabia has taken the lead jerry can, like dozens of other resi- in Aden port so the security situa- and closure of the Fordo facility tricity supplies and led the United government compound on the in military operations against the dents on the streets and in queues tion isn’t getting any better,” said for enrichment of uranium. Nations children’s agency Unicef northern edge of the town and Houthis, backed by air forces seeking water from public wells or another ICRC spokeswoman, Sitar He also proposed that Tehran to warn that Yemen is heading a military base on its outskirts from its Gulf allies the United mosque faucets after supplies at Jabeen. detail its past nuclear arms towards a humanitarian disaster. which were both taken over by Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait home dried up. At least eight people were killed research and allow international Saudi Arabia launched the Houthis. They said buildings and Qatar. It says it also has sup- The International Committee in an air strike before dawn in inspectors to make spot checks air campaign on March 26 to were on fire and reported loud port from Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, of the Red Cross, which for days the suburbs of the northern city “anywhere, anytime”. try to contain the Shia Houthis explosions. Morocco and Pakistan. blamed the Saudi-led coalition for of Saadah, home of the Houthi If such terms were accepted, and restore President Abdrabuh Militia fighters said coalition Street fighting and heavy shell- delays, said yesterday that Saudi movement which spread from its Steinitz said, “it will not be a good Mansur Hadi, who has fled Aden planes also dropped supplies — the ing have torn through Aden for Arabia had granted permission for mountain stronghold to take over agreement but it will be a more for refuge in Riyadh. first time they had done so out- several days. The city is the last an aid shipment late on Saturday the capital Sanaa six months ago. reasonable agreement.” The International Committee side Aden — including mortars, bastion of support for the Saudi- but problems in chartering planes A Houthi spokesman said Prime Minister Benjamin of the Red Cross and Unicef plan rocket-propelled grenades, rifles, backed Hadi, though it is unclear would likely delay the aid’s arrival the dead included women and Netanyahu and his government to fly aid planes into Yemen today, ammunition, telecommunications whether the southern fighters until Tuesday. children. fiercely oppose the draft agree- but the missions have been delayed equipment and night goggles. are battling for him or for local “We are still working on get- Local officials said strikes also ment announced on Thursday as they seek clearance from Arab Southern militias reported cut- territory. ting the plane to Sana’a. It’s a bit hit air defence and coastal mili- after marathon talks in states waging the air strikes and ting off two roads in Abyan prov- Food, water and electricity difficult with the logistics because tary units near the Red Sea port Switzerland. hunt for planes prepared to fly to ince, east of Aden, leading to the shortages have mounted through- there are not that many companies of Hodaida, and targets on the “Israel will not accept an Yemen. port city, after clashes with the out the country but especially in or cargo planes willing to fly into outskirts of Aden. They also hit a agreement which allows a coun- In Aden, Houthi forces gathered Houthis. Aden, where combat has shut a conflict zone,” said Marie Claire bridge on the road south to Aden, try that vows to annihilate us to at the edge of the main port area Residents near Al Anad air ports and cut land routes from Feghali, a Red Cross spokesperson. apparently trying to block the develop nuclear weapons, period,” yesterday but pulled out of two base, once home to US military the city. The ICRC is aiming to get 48 Houthis from sending reinforce- Netanyahu said in response. residential quarters on its fringes, personnel fighting a covert drone “How are we supposed to live tonnes of medical supplies into ments to their fighters in the city. Steinitz said that since residents said. Around 60 people war with al Qaeda in Yemen, said without water and electricity?” Yemen by plane. It is also trying REUTERS Thursday’s announcement offi- cials have studied the proposals carefully. “A comprehensive analysis of the Lausanne framework reveals the extent of the irresponsible concessions given to Iran and Iraqi PM says ‘only’ 152 homes, shops burned in Tikrit makes clear how dangerous the framework is for Israel, the region ARBIL: Iraq’s prime minister said yes- State (IS) group, which overran large parts Columns of black smoke rose from burn- top Shia cleric who is revered by millions, and the entire world,” he said. terday that “only” 152 homes and shops of the country last year, but misconduct has ing homes and shops even as Abadi visited urged the forces to “preserve and guard “We are going to do an addi- were burned in Tikrit, where pro-govern- marred Baghdad’s biggest victory yet over Tikrit last Wednesday to celebrate its citizens’ properties in areas that have been tional effort to convince the ment forces have been accused of carry- the jihadists. recapture from IS. liberated”. US administration, to convince ing out abuses after retaking the city. “Only 67 houses and... around 85 stores During the visit, pro-government mili- Doing so is a “religious and national and Congress, to convince Britain and Haider Al Abadi did not specify who were burned, and it is a very small number tiamen looted and put graffiti on shops in moral duty,” Sistani said in remarks read at France and Russia not to sign this burned the structures or when the fires for a city with a population of 100,000 peo- central Tikrit while journalists looked on. Friday prayers in Karbala. bad deal, or at least to dramati- took place, but pro-government militia- ple,” Abadi told a news conference in the The premier’s office said Friday he had Additionally, “it has an important role in cally change it and fix it.” men have admitted to torching houses in Iraqi Kurdish regional capital Arbil. ordered security forces to “deal with cases of encouraging those who have not yet decided Steinitz said Israel preferred a other recaptured areas and allegedly did so He said those figures were confirmed vandalism” in Tikrit, blaming it on “gangs” to participate in liberating their areas to diplomatic solution to the issue in Tikrit as well. by top officials including the governor and seeking to tarnish the achievements of gov- decide to participate,” he said. but it reserved the right to take Security forces and allied paramilitaries police chief of Salaheddin province, of which ernment forces and their paramilitary allies. “This is an important gain for all.” military action against Iran if retook the city last week from the Islamic Tikrit is the capital. Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq’s AFP necessary. AFP

Turkey briefly blocks Facebook, Twitter Sudan rebels seize poll

ISTANBUL: Turkey yester- day blocked access to Twitter, material before vote Facebook and YouTube over the publication of images of a KHARTOUM: Rebels in Their political wing signed the Turkish prosecutor killed by Sudan’s South Kordofan said Sudan Call agreement aimed at leftist militants during a hostage on Sunday they had captured uniting the opposition in Addis stand-off last week. a lorry carrying ballot boxes to Ababa in December, along with The online sites were inacces- polling stations for nationwide political parties, civil society sible for many users in Turkey, elections due next week, vowing organisations and other armed with the Hurriyet newspaper say- to disrupt voting in the conflict- groups. ing that service providers received hit region. The group is boycotting the an order from prosecutors to block The Sudan People’s Liberation elections but several signatories those three internet giants as well Army-North “ambushed and cap- have denied the SPLA-N’s cam- as other websites. tured a vehicle loaded fully with paign to disrupt the elections is The authorities set a deadline of ballot boxes” on Saturday on the Sudan Call’s armed wing. four hours for Twitter, Facebook road linking the state capital Representatives for Sudan Call and YouTube to remove the Kadugli with the town of Dilling, had been due to meet members of offending content. spokesman Arnu Lodi said. Sudan’s ruling National Congress Facebook was initially the only The SPLA-N will press its “mil- Party (NCP) in Addis Ababa at the one to comply with the deadline itary campaign plan” to stop elec- end of March to discuss a national and access to the social network tions in South Kordofan, Lodi said dialogue promised by Bashir last was restored accordingly, Tayfur in the statement, warning civilians January. Acarer, head of country’s telecom- to avoid military sites “because The dialogue was supposed to munications authority (TIB), told they are legitimate targets”. address Sudan’s problems and Hurriyet. But army spokesman Colonel Al end the insurgencies in Blue Nile, The ban on Twitter was also Sawarmy Khaled Saad said he had South Kordofan and the western lifted later after it also gave in no information on the ambush. region of Darfur. to Turkey’s demand, said Bulent Last month the SPLA-N The NCP did not attend and Kentles, the secretary general of announced its campaign to disrupt said the pre-dialogue meeting the union of Internet service pro- presidential and legislative elec- would take place after voting. viders (BSE). tions slated for April 13. UN Secretary-General Ban However a Twitter source, who Sudan’s mainstream opposition Ki-moon voiced his “disappoint- did not confirm that the social is boycotting the elections, which ment” at the meeting’s failure. Riot police clash with demonstrators during a protest against the Turkish government in Ankara yesterday. media platform had complied are expected to extend the rule of Sudan Call sharply criticised the with Turkey’s demand, said the President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. NCP in a statement on Sunday, company planned to appeal the a total of 166 websites which circumvented as well as mocked aftermath is as sad as the incident Bashir’s government has been urging Sudanese to “escalate Turkish court order. published the images, including by many of Turkey’s almost 12 mil- itself... There is no such freedom battling the SPLA-N in South resistance to the fake elections,” Discussions with YouTube were Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. lion Twitter users. anywhere in the world,” he told a Kordofan and Blue Nile states but did not say whether they ongoing, Hurriyet quoted Kentles Publication of any material Turkey’s presidential spokes- news conference in Ankara. since 2011. would attend talks after the vote. as saying. related to the hostage standoff man Ibrahim Kalin said yester- European Parliament mem- The SPLA-N has said the Violence has risen over the past YouTube.com ran the text of amounted to “terrorist propa- day that the bans were “to do ber Marietje Schaake of the armed campaign intends to month in South Kordofan and a court ruling on its site saying ganda” inciting people to “hatred with the publishing of the pros- Netherlands took to Twitter to integrate “the various means of Blue Nile, and the government an “administration measure” had and violence” and disturbing the ecutor’s picture”, describing it as condemn the ban as “another dis- struggle, armed uprising and civil said last week fighting since the been implemented by TIB. public order, the court ruling read. “unacceptable”. proportionate response restricting disobedience, to work together to beginning of March alone had dis- Hurriyet said the order blocked The ban was widely “What happened in the press freedom.” AFP stop the elections”. placed at least 20,000. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS Cameron tells defectors to ‘come back home’ Uncertainty looms a month before UK election

LONDON: Prime Minister and lower immigration, hailed the who currently heads a coalition David Cameron tried yesterday switch as a “hammer blow” to the government, or his Labour coun- to heal a split on the right of Conservatives, who said they had terpart Ed Miliband. Those two British politics that threatens sacked Whitehead last week over points aside, the rest is about as his re-election, urging voters an internal party disagreement. murky as the River Thames. defecting for the anti-EU UK The defection is unlikely to “We are now in a de facto multi- Independence Party (UKIP) to cause a political upset, however, party system,” said Simon Hix of “come back home”. as the area is comfortably held by the London School of Economics Speaking after one of his elec- Labour. Seeking to cast itself as a (LSE). “A third vote Conservative, tion candidates announced he was challenger to Cameron’s party in a third vote Labour, a third vote switching to UKIP ahead of a May southern England and to Labour somebody else.” The BBC’s opin- 7 election, Cameron appealed to in northern England, UKIP said ion poll tracker currently puts the Conservative voters who had done Whitehead’s defection proved its centre-right Conservatives on 34 the same to return to the fold. strategy was working. percent and centre-left Labour on “We’ve heard the message loud “His move to UKIP just under- 33 percent, followed by the anti-EU and clear about the things you lines that today, the real party UKIP, junior coalition partners the want changed and we’ll change of opposition to Labour in the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and those things,” Cameron told an North is UKIP,” said Nigel Farage, a string of other parties. audience in Bristol. “But on the UKIP’s leader. As if that were not complicated key choice about who has got the Cameron said he understood enough, the election is also bring- right team ... come with us, come the frustration that voters felt ing into focus two important ways back home.” about the two issues which UKIP in which Britain’s identity could UKIP took first place in campaigns on — immigration and change in the coming decades. European elections in Britain Europe — but urged them to weigh Nationalist parties, particularly and poached two of Cameron’s their voting choice carefully. “This the pro-independence Scottish lawmakers last year. Polls show election is not a time to send a National Party (SNP), look set it siphons more voters from message or make a protest,” he to make major gains, which Cameron’s party than the oppo- said. “This election is about choos- could hasten the loosening and sition Labour party. Though ing the government of this country eventual break-up of the United Britain’s first-past-the post elec- for the next five years.” Kingdom. Support for the SNP Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Party leader Nick Clegg (right) poses with a party placard next toral system means it is unlikely In one month, Britain votes in has surged even though Scotland to local member of Parliament Ed Davey during an election campaign visit to Surbiton, west of London, yesterday. to win more than a handful of a general election likely to put voted against independence in a seats, its popularity threatens to the nail in the coffin of two party referendum last year. parties are making Europe a big predicted that Cameron would will quit if he fails to win the House split Cameron’s vote. politics and herald an uncertain It is expected to win most of issue in a campaign dominated resign as Conservative leader if of Commons seat he is contesting. Cameron was speaking after future of coalitions, alliances and Scotland’s House of Commons by the economy and the future the party loses the election, while But many Britons could be more Mike Whitehead, until last week horse-trading. seats in May and says it could be of the state-run National Health Labour would force Miliband to interested in a totally different the Conservative candidate for Neither of the two parties prepared to prop up a minority Service (NHS), polls suggest an do the same if he fails to get into celebrity come May. the seat of Hull West in northern which have dominated parliament centre-left Labour government in EU referendum could be relatively Downing Street after five years Kate, wife of heir to the England, said he was switching to since the 1920s, the Conservatives return for key concessions. close. The latest YouGov poll in of austerity. throne Prince William, is due to UKIP after a power struggle with and the Labour, is expected to win Then there is the possibility February found that support for Deputy Prime Minister Nick give birth to the couple’s second local Conservatives. the 326 House of Commons seats that Britain could end up leav- membership was at an all-time Clegg, whose centrist Liberal baby in the second half of April, His defection was a morale out of 650 needed to govern alone. ing the European Union as a high of 45 percent against 35 per- Democrats are the coalition’s jun- an event whose pageantry and boost for UKIP, whose support They will likely have to team up result of the election. Cameron cent in favour of leaving. ior partners, has seen his party’s razzmatazz threatens to eclipse in some opinion polls has dipped with a smaller party or parties has promised to hold an in-out Another consequence of the support slump to single figures anything on offer in the gloomy after a series of racism and sex- instead. vote by 2017 if the centre-right election is that some of the in government and could lose his corridors of the parliament at ism scandals. UKIP, which wants The prime minister after May 7 Conservatives win outright on biggest names in British poli- seat, according to the polls. Westminster. a British withdrawal from the EU will be one of two men — Cameron, May 7. While none of the main tics could lose their jobs. Hix Nigel Farage of UKIP has said he REUTERS/AFP

Germany to US still intercepts intimate boost security emails, warns Snowden at embassies in high-risk areas WASHINGTON: Americans press reports that put current describing in some detail how might oppose intrusive sur- anti-terror operations in jeopardy. the various intelligence gathering BERLIN: The German govern- veillance if they realised the But he also expressed sym- authorities and techniques that ment plans to spend millions of government can see their most pathy with Snowden’s efforts to he revealed in a trove of leaked euros on boosting security at intimate emailed pictures, trigger a public debate about the NSA documents could violate the its embassies and consulates in comic John Oliver suggested to balance to be struck in a free soci- private realm. crisis regions to provide greater fugitive intelligence technician ety between the security provided In June, the US Congress must protection from the threat of Edward Snowden. by blanket surveillance and the vote on whether to renew the pro- attacks by militants, Spiegel The British television host public’s right to privacy. visions of the Patriot Act, a law Online reported yesterday. scored a rare one-on-one inter- And he suggested a crude but which was passed in the after- It cited an internal paper from view in Moscow with the noto- perhaps effective way to focus math of the September 11, 2001 the foreign ministry as saying the rious former National Security public attention on the issue. attacks to boost the US govern- security situation for German rep- Agency (NSA) contractor for “This is the most visible line in ment’s security powers. resentations abroad had recently Sunday’s edition of his weekly the sand for people: ‘Can they see The law has been renewed worsened. It also said the situation US cable comedy news show John my dick?’” Oliver said, suggest- without great debate in the past, in Iraq was “dramatically” coming Oliver Tonight. ing that the NSA’s Internet sur- but in May 2013 Snowden leaked to a head and also mentioned the Oliver didn’t give the man veillance could intercept emailed a massive haul of secret NSA consulate in Erbil, the capital of A large moulded bust of Edward Snowden is seen in Fort Greene Park at behind one of the biggest leaks photographs of a private or sexual documents to journalists that Iraq’s Kurdistan region. the Brooklyn borough of New York. A group of anonymous artists erected in US intelligence history an nature. raised concerns about the scope The German foreign ministry easy ride, insisting he must take Snowden laughed but played and misuse of state surveillance did not give any immediate com- the 4-foot-tall bronze statue in a New York City park overnight. responsibility for information in along with the line of thought, at home and abroad. AFP ment when contacted by Reuters. Spiegel Online cited the docu- ment as saying that increasing dangers meant it was necessary to Daffodils in bloom adjust security arrangements and that the country’s representative offices abroad urgently needed Tsarnaev wanted to punish improved protection. It said new threats, such as attacks where suicide bombers clear the way to well-secured America, Boston trial hears buildings and are then followed by armed groups and attacks using BOSTON: Boston bomber mujahideen and they were bring- the bombings. Jurors were shown unmanned drones, had been iden- Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is a callous ing their battle to Boston,” added photographs of Tsarnaev casually tified as additional challenges that terrorist who carried out the Chakravarty. buying milk just minutes after the required immediate action. 2013 attack to wage holy war Prosecutors spent four weeks bombings, then laughing and jok- An advisory mission from the and punish America, the pros- building their case, calling 92 ing with friends. foreign ministry should quickly ecutor argued yesterday as his witnesses in an effort to paint Chakravarty read aloud from a review the safety of embassies, trial neared an end. Tsarnaev as an active and willing message he left in a boat in a sub- it said. The article said the for- Three people were killed and bomber alongside his elder brother, urban garden, the hideout where eign ministry had also asked the 264 others wounded in the twin who was killed while on the run. the defendant was arrested four police and the BKA federal crime blasts at the city’s marathon — They portrayed a cold, cal- days after the attacks This appears bureau to come up with measures the worst attack in the United lous killer — a marijuana-smok- to justify the bombings by criticiz- to provide protection from poten- States since the September ing, laid-back student who had ing the US government over the tial drone attacks. 11, 2001 attacks on New York, recently failed a number of exams wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The investment programme Washington and Pennsylvania. and become an avid reader of the “Ultimately he did what ter- to increase security is already Tsarnaev’s defense has not Islamist literature that investiga- rorists do... he wanted to tell the underway in some locations, the denied he took part in the attack, tors found on his computer. world why he did it. He wanted article said. It said the German and his fate hinges on whether it Chakravarty showed the jury to take credit,” Chakravarty said. embassy in Baghdad was being has convinced jurors he was bul- photographs and video clips, fill- Tsarnaev, wearing an open- remodelled and fitted with lied into this by his older brother, ing the court with the screams of necked button-down shirt and improved protection at a cost of or was an active plotter. victims, as the camera closed in dark blazer, sat still as the pros- ¤12m ($13.20m), while the consu- “He wanted to terrorize this on blood on the ground, the panic, ecutor faced the jury. Judge George late in Erbil was getting a more country. He wanted to punish fear and chaos after the April 15, O’Toole spent one hour, 15 minutes robust exterior wall. America for what it was doing to 2013 attacks. yesterday outlining the law to the German Foreign Minister his people,” assistant US attorney Government prosecutors say 18-person jury as part of incredibly Frank-Walter Steinmeier is also Aloke Chakravarty told the court Tsarnaev carried out the attacks detailed jury instructions. planning to provide greater pro- in an emotional closing statement to avenge the deaths of fellow He explained each element of tection for employees when they after a one-month trial. Muslims overseas after learn- 30 separate counts related to the are out and about in crisis areas, Tsarnaev, a Muslim American ing how to build pressure-cooker April 15, 2013 attacks, and the the article said, adding that new of Chechen descent who was a bombs through Al Qaeda English- subsequent murder of a police armoured vehicles for the most 19-year-old university student at language magazine Inspire. officer, a car jacking and a shoot- Daffodils in bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London. dangerous areas, such as Kabul the time, faces the death penalty Eight-year-old Martin out with police while on Tsarnaev England basked in higher than expected temperatures yesterday. and Erbil, would be paid for out of if convicted. “That day they felt Richard, Krystle Campbell, 29, was on the run. an investment fund worth around their were soldiers, that they were and Lingzi Lu, 23, were killed in AFP ¤200m. REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Monitors find Bangla Islamist Philippine police, rebels loses appeal violated truce MANILA: Malaysian-led peace monitors have found that against hanging both the Philippine police and Muslim rebels were at fault for violating a ceasefire in a January clash in which 65 people were Jamaat calls two-day nationwide strike killed, the government’s chief negotiator said yesterday. DHAKA: A Bangladeshi presidential clemency. Forty-four police commandos, Islamist leader lost his final Kamaruzzaman would be only 17 rebels and four civilians were appeal yesterday against a the second Islamist so far to be killed in the January 25 clash that death sentence for overseeing a hanged for war crimes, even has put at risk a peace process massacre during the 1971 inde- though several are under sen- with the Moro Islamic Liberation pendence war, sparking pro- tence of death. Front after lawmakers suspended tests by his supporters that left Another Jamaat leader, Abdul work on a law creating an autono- one dead. Quader Molla, was executed in mous area for Muslims. Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, December 2013, just hours after The bungled police opera- the third most senior figure in the his review petition was rejected tion has also become President Jamaat-e-Islami party, could now by the Supreme Court. Benigno Aquino’s biggest political be hanged within days or even A controversial domestic crisis with opinion polls showing hours at the so-called “Village of war crimes tribunal convicted sliding popularity ratings over his Widows”. Kamaruzzaman in May 2013 on handling of the affair. His lawyer Shishir Manir charges of torture, abduction “Both sides appeared to have said authorities have asked and mass killings in his role as a accountability,” government nego- Kamaruzzaman’s family to meet leader of the al-Badr militia dur- US and Filipino soldiers during a joint mock beachfront assault on the shore of Ulugan Bay on Palawan island in tiator Miriam Ferrer told report- him at Dhaka’s main jail later yes- ing the war. 2012. US and the Philippines will double the size of their annual war games this month. ers a day after the 60-member terday “on an emergency basis”. The conflict led to the creation International Monitoring Team “It seems the authorities are of an independent Bangladesh (IMT) reported its findings on making preparations to execute from what was then East US, Philippines to hold war games truce violations. him,” Manir said. Pakistan. The government had said In the southern coastal town Prosecutors said the clash was a mistake which of Noakhali, police opened fire on Kamaruzzaman presided over the MANILA: The United States the Philippines and its former former American airbase north occurred as police hunted for two around a dozen Jamaat support- massacre of at least 120 unarmed and the Philippines will dou- colonial ruler. of Manila. wanted Islamist militants. ers after they took to the streets farmers who were lined up and ble the size of their annual war “The higher strength of Cabunoc said the exercises The rebels said they acted in to protest at the court’s decision. gunned down in the remote games this month, with some Balikatan 2015 for this year only involved maritime security and self-defence when police entered “We fired in self-defence after northern village of Sohagpur. exercises to be staged close reflects the Philippines’ and the disaster response drills, as well their zone. Both the police and they hurled rocks at us,” local Three women who lost their to a South China Sea flash- United States’ growing commit- as civic projects. guerrilla leaders had no immedi- police chief Anwar Hossain said, husbands testified against him in point, the Filipino military said ment to enhance our capability to Spokespeople for the US and ate comment on the IMT report. saying the protester was killed one of the most emotive of all the yesterday. conduct joint military and non- Chinese embassies in Manila Malaysia has brokered peace during the live firing and another war crimes trials. The 10-day exercises between military activities,” Cabunoc said. were unavailable for comment talks between the Philippine gov- was injured. Kamaruzzaman’s lawyers had the long-time allies will be held He said the decision to expand on Monday. ernment and the MILF to end a Supreme Court Chief Justice S tried to convince the Supreme as fears grow in the Philippines the numbers involved in the The Philippines has repeat- 45-year conflict that has killed K Sinha ruled that a review peti- Court there were “serious dis- that China is seeking to take con- games was not directed at China, edly protested at China’s 120,000 people, displaced 2 million tion filed by Kamaruzzaman’s crepancies” in the witness trol of the strategically vital and which claims nearly all of the increasingly assertive actions and stunted growth in one of the lawyers had been dismissed and testimonies. resource-rich sea. South China Sea, even waters in the South China Sea and has poor and resource-rich regions in a death sentence passed in 2013 Jamaat, the country’s larg- Nearly 12,000 soldiers will and reefs close to Southeast Asian sought closer military ties with the Philippines. should stand. est Islamist party, is an ally of be involved in this year’s edi- nations and far from its nearest the United States in an effort to Aquino has called for the peace The 62-year-old’s only chance the main opposition Bangladesh tion in several locations in the major landmass. counter it. process to go ahead and has urged of avoiding the gallows will be if he Nationalist Party (BNP), whose Philippines, including a naval However, part of the exercises The US and Philippines signed legislators to push on with the law is granted clemency by President leader Khaleda Zia is trying to station directly facing the dis- will be held from Zambales naval an agreement last year that will granting Muslims autonomy in Abdul Hamid. topple Prime Minister Sheikh puted waters, military spokes- base, which is located 220km allow a larger American military part of the south of the largely But analysts say the prospect Hasina’s secular government. man Lieutenant Colonel Harold east of Scarborough Shoal in the presence in the Philippines. Christian country. “The peace of clemency is remote because the Jamaat’s members have been Cabunoc said. South China Sea. However it has not yet been deal remains, it is still in effect ruling effectively confirms alle- accused of being behind a number That number, which includes The shoal is a rich fishing implemented, as the Supreme despite the incident,” Ferrer said. gations that he was one of the of deadly firebomb attacks since 6,600 American troops, com- ground within the Philippines’ Court is hearing challenges to it Ferrer said the monitors found chief organisers of a pro-Pakistan the start of the year, including on pares with a total of 5,500 soldiers exclusive economic zone but has from anti-US groups. that the police violated the truce militia which killed thousands of buses. The party branded yester- who participated in last year’s been controlled by China since Aside from the Philippines, when they fired the first shot and people. day’s ruling a “government con- Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) 2012. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and for not coordinating their mission Law Minister Anisul Huq told spiracy to murder” its leader and exercises, Cabunoc said. The Balikatan exercises, which Taiwan also have competing with the rebels. Four sleeping rebels reporters that Kamaruzzaman called a nationwide strike today He emphasised the expanded start on April 20, will also be held claims to parts of the South China had been summarily executed, she “will be executed as soon as and tomorrow in protest. war games highlighted the deep- on the central island of Panay, Sea. said, citing the IMT report. possible” if he refuses to seek AFP ening military alliance between Palawan in the southwest and a AFP REUTERS 37 killed in Kenyan jets bomb Al Shabaab camps in Somalia

Bangladesh NAIROBI: The Kenyan air latest violence has piled pressure troops, and which is fighting Somalia to join al Shabaab. Kasyoka, is among the dead. force has bombed two Al on President Uhuru Kenyatta to the group in Somalia, carried Kenyatta said on Saturday the Opposition leader Raila Odinga, Shabaab camps in Somalia, a stop the militants’ gun and gre- out arrests and seized ammuni- planners and financiers of Islamist who was Prime Minister when storms defence force source said yes- nade attacks. tion in an Al Shabaab camp in attacks are “deeply embedded” Kenya sent troops into Somalia in DHAKA: At least 37 peo- terday, in the first major mili- Jets pounded the camps in Gondodowe last August. within Kenyan society and urged 2011 to battle Al Shabaab, said the ple were killed when powerful tary response to last week’s Gondodowe and Ismail, both in Kenya has struggled to stop the the Muslim community to do government should start thinking storms swept Bangladesh at the attack by the militant group on the Gedo region bordering Kenya, flow of Al Shabaab militants and more to root out radicalisation. about pulling out, just as the United weekend and left a trail of dev- a Kenyan university. on Sunday, the Kenyan Defence weapons across its 700km border In the capital Nairobi, where States withdrew troops after 18 sol- astation in the northwest, offi- Gunmen from the Al Qaeda- Forces source said. Cloud cover with Somalia. The violence has local media have become increas- diers were killed in the 1993 Black cials said yesterday. aligned group killed 148 people on made it difficult to establish also damaged Kenya’s economy by ingly critical of what they call a Hawk Down incident in Mogadishu. Rescuers and villagers recov- Thursday when they stormed the how much damage the bombings scaring away tourists and investors. bungled security response to the “The US used to have many ered the bodies of victims after Garissa University College cam- caused or estimate the death toll. One of the four gunmen who Garissa attack, dozens of grieving soldiers in Somalia but it the storms flattened thousands pus, some 200km from the Somali “We targeted the two areas attacked the university was a son families are still trying to identify recalled them. Kenya should also of houses, uprooted trees and border. because according to informa- of a Kenyan government official bodies at the city’s mortuary. remove its military officers from electricity poles and damaged Al Shabaab has now killed tion we have, those (Al Shabaab) from Mandera county, which “(The security services) waited Somalia,” Odinga said on Sunday, paddy fields across a large area more than 400 people on Kenyan fellows are coming from there to borders Somalia’s Gedo region. too long and the terrorists had so according to comments in yester- on Saturday night and Sunday. soil in the last two years, includ- attack Kenya,” he said. Abdirahim Abdullahi, an ethnic much time to kill our kids,” said day’s edition of Kenya’s Standard Nineteen people died in the ing 67 people at the Westgate An African Union peacekeep- Somali, was reporting missing by Isaac Mutisya, whose 23-year- newspaper. northern district of Bogra, gov- shopping mall in a 2013 siege. The ing force that includes Kenyan his father after he crossed into old daughter Risper Mutindi REUTERS ernment administrator of the dis- trict Shafiqur Reza Biswas said, adding that more than 100 people were injured. “They died mostly Fiery protest after they were hit by falling trees or collapsed houses and walls,” he Indonesian court rejects said, adding that authorities have sent emergency relief to thou- sands of villagers. In neighbouring Rajshahi dis- Australian convicts’ appeal trict, at least five people were killed and 27 injured as the storm JAKARTA: An Indonesian However, the pair’s lawyer said hit a large stretch of low-lying court rejected yesterday a they would take their case to the land, another administrator said. last-ditch challenge by two constitutional court. “They have “At least 6,960 mud and tin- Australian drug convicts facing the right to live, and the state built houses were completely execution by firing squad, but attorney knows that (the law) damaged by the storm,” said lawyers for the state and defence allows them to defend their lives,” Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury. were divided over whether legal Leonard Arpan told reporters. In the western district of Kushtia avenues remained for them to The Australians are among 10 two people died and around 100 avoid the death penalty. drug convicts due to be executed houses were flattened on Sunday. Andrew Chan and Myuran by firing squad on the prison Two died from lightning strikes as Sukumaran were convicted in island of Nusakambangan. Others the storm hit the southern port 2006 as the ringleaders of a plot to in the group include citizens of city of Chittagong yesterday, gov- smuggle heroin out of Indonesia. France, Brazil, the Philippines, ernment officials said. They had both challenged the Ghana, Nigeria and Indonesia. There were also fatalities in Jakarta administrative court’s Widodo denied clemency to the at least nine other districts, offi- decision not to hear an appeal convicts despite repeated pleas cials told local media, bringing the against President Joko Widodo’s from Australia, Brazil and France. death toll to 37. Storms known refusal to grant them clemency. Australia’s minister for foreign locally as Kalboishakhi often hit “There is no more legal affairs, Julie Bishop, voiced disap- Bangladesh during the early sum- Nepalese supporters of the 30-party alliance led by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) participate recourse,” Novarida, head of the pointment at the latest setback and mer in the lead-up to the mon- in a torch rally on the eve of a three-day nationwide general strike in Kathmandu yesterday. The government’s state lawyers team, told reporters said in a statement that Canberra soon, which usually begins about push to hold a vote on the constitution, rather than seek agreement on sections which are still in dispute, has after the verdicts were delivered would continue to use all diplomatic the first week of June. sparked protests from the opposition led by former Maoist rebels. dryly in a court packed with law- options to seek a stay of execution. AFP yers and journalists. REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Pakistani teachers recount escape from Yemen Many say life in tatters, uncertain about future

ISLAMABAD: Ruby Riaz, 28, that as soon as the fighting broke can feel in such a situation,” she and her sister Saba, 25, had left out, the women were invited to added. their homes in search of a bet- take refuge in the main school Mahwish Shahid, 26, joined the ter life for them and their fam- building in Aden where they school around one year back and ily. But war and a cruel twist remained until their evacuation was posted in Aden just before of fate has brought them full a week later. the situation there spiralled out circle, and the two sisters who “Those seven days were the of control. She said she had gone went to Yemen to earn a liv- worst days of our lives. We had to join her sister in Yemen to help ing find themselves back home, guns aimed at us and couldn’t sleep earn more for their family back empty handed. because of the incessant sound of home. Now, they were penniless From their house in the ancient bombs and gunfire,” she said. and burdened by uncertainty and city of Sarai Khola, near Taxila, The situation was fine in Aden unemployment. the two sisters recounted their until last Wednesday, when all Waseem Sadiq, vice-principal escape from the war-torn Middle hell broke loose, she said. of the Pakistan School in Sana’a, Eastern country and lamented “For many days we survived on said that Pakistanis who were that after abandoning their live- water, juices and biscuits, and the uprooted by the first Gulf War lihood abroad, they were left with Yemenis exploited our plight and were still struggling to obtain nothing and had been reduced to sold the food to us at exorbitant compensation and said that he living off scraps. prices. We were paying up to $400 was not optimistic about the pros- Their story is not unique, for water,” she recounted. pects of the government doing though. At least 17 women teach- Her husband, Asim Khan, said much to help them. ers from Taxila and Wah Cantt he went to Yemen eight months However, he urged the govern- were forced to flee the fighting ago and has had to return empty- ment to form a committee to look in Yemen, leaving behind all that handed. “I cannot sleep at night after the affairs of Pakistanis who they had worked so hard to build. because I saw death so close. A had been affected by the war in Most of them are single women bomb exploded right outside Yemen, in collaboration with the in their 20s and hail from pre- my building and we came under Overseas Pakistan Foundation dominantly middle-class families heavy fire,” he said. and provide necessary compen- who were working to support Fizza Iqbal, 23, a resident of sation and job replacement to help their relatives back home. Now, Nawababad, said she went to them deal with their trauma. People embrace their relatives who were evacuated from Yemen, as they arrive in Multan yesterday. they are even more uncertain Yemen to earn for her seven sis- INTERNEWS about the future. ters and two brothers, but the “Why do you think two young situation changed overnight and women would go abroad? We her dreams of having a better weren’t there for pleasure, we life have been shattered. She said Islamabad devising its own wish-list were working to support our she hid under her bed for many eight-member family. Now, our nights, during heavy fighting in life is in tatters; we spent all our Aden. “Now I don’t know if I will ISLAMABAD: After senior Saudi offi- it, said the sources. They said the government to take control of any single area. money on securing visas and now be able to go back,” she said. cials in Riyadh requested a high-powered would seek the approval of parliament for dis- Regarding the Special Services Group’s sup- we are left with nothing,” said the Hira, 25, said the last few days Pakistani delegation both ‘material and man- patching troops, but it would not enter the port to Saudi forces, the sources said the dura- elder sibling. were especially horrible. “I still power’ to tackle Houthi rebels attempting regional alliance without Turkey. tion of their deployment would be for a short “Even though we made it out of have nightmares of war-torn cit- to gain control of Yemen, the government of On a day-long visit to Turkey on Friday as span, between two and three years, adding Yemen safe and sound, the trag- ies. We are safe now but what is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is mulling over part of his consultations with the brotherly that if their services are required for a longer edy doesn’t end there for us,” said our future,” she said. what to ask Saudi Arabia in return. countries on the Yemen conflict, Nawaz and period of time, relevant conditions would be the younger Saba, trauma and Mahwish Shahid and Anam Pakistan’s wish list would be shared with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu incorporated in the draft that Pakistan would dejection writ large on her face. Shahid, residents of Wah Cantt, Saudi authorities in the next round of talks, said they were willing to work together for a put before the Saudi authorities. “There were 16 women from said they also went to support sources privy to the development said. peaceful resolution of the crisis. About economic benefits for the country, this area working in five different their family. “We are six mem- While the top civil-military leadership of Saudi Arabia, the biggest buyer of Al-Khalid the sources said the Pakistani authorities were branches of the Pakistan National bers of the family and my father’s Pakistan is said to have decided joining the tanks, which were jointly developed by interested in receiving sureties from Saudi English School who were stranded meagre salary from the govern- regional alliance along with Turkey to support Pakistan and China, would be offered more Arabia at the forum of the GCC on some for nearly a week and were only ment is not enough to survive on. the Saudi-led Operation Decisive Storm, the materials for sale, said the sources. The important issues. evacuated when a Chinese ship So I took up work in Yemen,” said Nawaz-led government is trying to work out Pakistan Air Force is also expected to nego- They said that if Pakistan joins the Saudi rescued them,” Abida Daud said. Anam Shahid. how the country could benefit from the alliance. tiate a deal on combat aircraft JF-17 Thunder. forces, then the GCC should ensure that when Daud is the head of the “The window panes and doors Riyadh is said to have asked for Pakistani Regarding the Saudi request of gaining con- Pakistan feels threatened by India, then the Pakistan National English School at the school were shattered by troops as well as fighter jets and navy ves- trol of a swathe of land in Yemen and holding GCC would not only slap restrictions on Indian in Yemen, which has branches in the gunfire,” she said. “One can sels for logistic support. Though the Pakistani it until peace is restored in the country, the employees working in the region but also sup- the cities of Ibb, Taiz, Hodeidah, only imagine what a girl living in authorities have not turned down the request, sources said the civil-military leadership has port Pakistan on many fronts. Aden and Mukkallah. She said a foreign land, away from family they are weighing their options for fulfilling decided to join the military operation and not INTERNEWS

Sri Lanka, Pakistan sign Nine killed in two roadside deal on atomic energy bombs targeting

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka and with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Afghan police Pakistan signed six agreements Nawaz Sharif, Sirisena said: “At including one on atomic energy critical moments in our post-inde- KABUL: At least nine people yesterday, the two countries’ pendent histories we have stood in were killed yesterday in two leaders said, as the strategically solidarity with each other,” adding separate roadside bombings important island looks to build he was “profoundly grateful for the targeting Afghan police vehi- its first nuclear plant. strong support in the fight against cles, highlighting an uptick in Details of the agreement were terrorism” by Pakistan. attacks against security forces not immediately available but it “We discussed regional and before the Taliban’s expected comes after Sri Lanka signed a international agreements and spring offensive. pact with India in February to signed six agreements in the fields In the deadlier of the attacks, build its atomic energy infra- of disaster management, sports, four policemen and two civilians structure, including training of shipping, atomic energy... and in were killed when a bomb ripped personnel. narcotics and academic coopera- through a Ford Ranger pickup Sri Lanka’s new President tion,” he added. truck north of Kabul. Maithripala Sirisena swept to Pakistan currently has three “Today morning a police patrol power in January, ending a dec- operational nuclear plants gener- vehicle hit a roadside bomb blast ade of rule by Mahinda Rajapakse, ating a total of around 740 MW of in Qarabagh district near Kabul and has moved to reduce China’s power and has begun work on two city, killing six people,” General influence in his country, which more, including a 2,200-megawatt Mohammad Farid Afzali, Kabul had irked India. station to be built with Chinese police criminal investigation chief, His arrived in Pakistan on technical assistance on the Arabian said. The interior ministry con- Sunday for a three-day state visit Sea coast at Paradise Beach, 40km firmed the attack and blamed it on has been watched by observers for west of Karachi. Earlier Sharif had the “enemies of Afghanistan and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (top right) and President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, (top centre) clues over any further changes in spoken of his desire to improve insurgents”, alluding to the Taliban. witness the signing of an agreement in Islamabad yesterday. Colombo’s foreign policy. trade and economic relations. Also, a roadside bomb detonated Speaking at a press conference AFP against another police vehicle in the northern province of Baghlan, killing three policemen and wound- ing two others, provincial police chief Aminullah Amarkhil said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, Anti-terror plan exposes cracks in ruling PML-N but roadside bombs have been a weapon of choice for the Taliban ISLAMABAD: Cracks within the the Karachi operation with full force but the body to the Prime Minister Office. failure. An expert, who was also a part in their 13-year war against for- ranks of the ruling PML-N have not Nisar also wants to take its credit. However, after assuming charge of of government’s experts’ group, said the eign and Afghan forces. only started posing a new challenge to The interior minister has also been interior ministry, Nisar introduced a few provinces had failed to devise any practical Taliban insurgents have already the Nawaz administration but have also ignored during the Senate elections and amendments to the draft and brought procedure to achieve these goals. stepped up suicide attacks on marred implementation of the National the subsequent election of chairman and back the administrative control of the Lt Gen (retd) Talat Masood, a security government targets following Action Plan (NAP), unanimously deputy chairman of the upper house. body under his ministry. Under the new and political analyst, believes that such dif- an Afghan army offensive which adopted by the national leadership in the An official in the interior ministry said draft Nacta was only to keep posted the ferences within government can hamper began in southern Helmand prov- wake of the December 16 terror attack monitoring of the key points incorporated PM office on operational side. the important national cause, adding that ince more than two months ago. on a school in Peshawar. in the NAP including madrassa reforms Meanwhile, the idea to establish a joint it is not wise to create a vacuum for others. Casualties among Afghan troops According to sources, at least two federal and allocation of funds for the counter- intelligence directorate within Nacta a “Due to such indecisiveness, military is and police soared after US-led ministers, who are key to implementing terrorism policy are a bone of contention body more visible on paper has also not apparently on the forefront in almost every troops began pulling back from the the counterterrorism policy, are not on between the interior ministry and other come to fruition. affair. The focus is key thing for success but front lines. Nato’s combat mission speaking terms while there are also signs of government organs. A senior official had earlier said that fed- our leaders have outsourced this important formally ended in December. But growing distance between Prime Minister The interior ministry puts emphasis on eral authorities have watered down their war,” he added. a small follow-up foreign force has Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister its role as a ‘captain’ in the implementation counter-terrorism strategy after quietly Recently, the PM office conveyed to the stayed on to train and support the Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. of the NAP and is not ready to delegate its excluding from the implementation process Press Information Department that the local security forces. For the last few weeks, the interior min- powers to other ministries, he said. three key points in the NAP. PM has to get preference over all ministers Afghan forces are bracing for ister has remained absent from key meet- During his last days in office, the former These points include action against pro- in matter of media coverage. what is expected to be a bloody ings, particularly those on the Karachi interior minister Rehman Malik had scribed outfits, reform of religious seminar- An official said Nisar was perturbed over summer push by the Taliban and operation, and it is learnt that he was not given approval to a pending legislation on ies and the repatriation of Afghan refugees. information ministry giving preference to the government has also raised invited to these important huddles. National Counter Terrorism Authority Experts cite absence of any practi- the instructions of the officials at PM office. the prospect of IS making inroads An official said the PM wants to continue (Nacta) and had handed over control of cal mechanism as the reason behind this INTERNEWS into Afghanistan. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 PM: Land bill in sync with environment National Air Quality Index launched

NEW DELHI: Seeking to to take the lead in fight against scotch “lies” about the contro- climate change but “people who versial land acquisition bill, lecture us on environment and the Prime Minister Narendra use of cleaner energy don’t give us Modi yesterday declared that nuclear fuel (for clean energy)”. it rather synergised India’s “These are double standards,” he growth imperative with the said, adding that India has to take need to protect the environ- lead in thinking of ways to protect ment as tribal and forest land the environment. has been kept out of its purview. “We must think of traditional Inaugurating state environ- methods to tackle environmental ment and forest ministers’ issues. There can be green solu- conference here, Modi said envi- tions in our age-old traditions,” he ronment protection and develop- said. The prime minister sought ment can go “hand in hand” but to clear the “wrong impression” expressed disappointment that of India that it was not serious on “lies” were being floated around environmental issues, saying the in this regard. country had a culture in which People carrying their luggage prepare to depart for their country during an evacuation at a sea port in Hodeidah, Yemen, yesterday. Giving the example of the land the environment was equal to the bill, he said: “The provisions of the divine. bill do not touch tribal and forest Modi urged urban bodies to land. But serious misconceptions focus on solid waste management More than 1,000 rescued from Yemen and lies are being spread about with programmes to generate it.” He urged those spreading wealth from it, adding that such NEW DELHI: Over 1,000 peo- airindiain 479 by INS Mumbai ex Djibouti.” India has evacuated citizens from Yemen. Continue such “lies” to desist from doing authorities could recycle waste ple were evacuated from strife- Al Hudaydah,” he said. over 3,000 of its nationals from your efforts!” so and added that their attempts water and send it to farmers, torn Yemen yesterday by India He also said requests for assist- Yemen so far by air and sea. “Seamless co-operation to “misguide society are harming who in turn would make use of which also received requests for ance were growing. “Requests for The 26 countries that India between organisations- MEA, the nation”. it and provide other services like assistance from 26 countries Indian assistance in evacuation has received request for assist- Navy, Air Force, Air India, The two-day conference, also growing organic vegetables, which including the US and France. from Yemen keeps growing. On ance in evacuation of their citi- Shipping, Railways & State Govts attended by union Environment would make life easier for all. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last count 26 requests received,” zens include the US, Bangladesh, greatly helped in rescue work.” Minister Prakash Javadekar, Modi also launched a National praised the coordinated efforts Akbaruddin said in another tweet. France, Germany, and Sri Lanka. “Colleagues @SushmaSwaraj seeks to focus on issues of air Air Quality Index, which will ena- by various ministries, and espe- He said one flight carry- Prime Minister Modi, in a & @Gen VKSingh (who has been pollution and confer better tech- ble people across India to track cially lauded his colleagues ing Indians was expected to series of tweets, praised the on the ground for days), have co- niques of solid waste management the quality of air they breathe Sushma Swaraj and V K Singh. land in Mumbai and another repatriation efforts as well ordinated evacuation efforts in an and sewage water treatment. with the click of a button. External affairs ministry’s was expected to land in Kochi. as that of his two ministers, exemplary manner.” It will also discuss the rec- Available on the ministry’s spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin In a tweet earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister Modi said the evacuation efforts ommendations of a report by a website after the launch in 10 tweeted that there has been a Akbaruddin had said evacuation Sushma Swaraj and Minister of in Yemen “reflect willingness to high-level committee, headed by cities in the first phase, the col- surge in evacuation efforts. The by Air India from Yemen’s capital State for External Affairs V K serve our people & readiness to former cabinet secretary T.S.R. our-coded index indicating air people were evacuated by Air Sana’a was the highest so far. Singh, for personally overseeing help others in distress, which is Subramanian. The committee quality will provide real-time India and the Indian Navy. “Surge “Exceeding previous efforts. the evacuation efforts. India’s ethos”. “I am also glad that recommended that country’s data detailing the level of pollu- in evacuation efforts. 1,000 plus Evacuation by Air India today “Salute the services of our civil- India has rescued several non- green laws be reviewed. tion in a given city. evacuated today from Yemen from Sana’a was highest thus far. ian & defence officials & organi- Indian citizens from Yemen,” the Modi also said India was ready IANS 574 by 3 flights ex Sana’a by @ 574 persons head from Yemen to sations in helping evacuate our prime minister said. IANS

First Scorpene submarine Modi discusses Muslim issue Air India grounds two pilots after with community leaders captain ‘beaten NEW DELHI: Prime Minister study their grievances related to Narendra Modi yesterday met their shrines and madrassas. up’ in cockpit a group of Muslim leaders who Modi promised his “complete voiced their concerns, including assistance” in ameliorating their NEW DELHI: Air India has the growing radicalisation of comunity’s social conditions and grounded two of its pilots after the young in the country’s larg- addressing their educational a dispute between the pair just est religious minority. requirements. The Muslim lead- before takeoff, the airline has As they sought the govern- ers expressed support of the com- said. The captain and first officer ment’s support in providing bet- munity to the prime minister in came to blows in the cockpit as ter facilities to Muslim youth meeting his objectives of ensuring they were preparing the pas- particularly in education, Modi speedy economic growth and pro- senger plane for departure from gave them a patient hearing, an moting communal harmony. Jaipur to Delhi on Sunday night. official statement said. None of those who met Modi The first officer was irritated The prime minister assured were available for comments. by his superior’s request to write the delegation his full support But other representatives of the down critical information for the to overcome the grievances of all Muslim community said they flight, such as the number of pas- sections of the Muslim society. were not very impressed by yes- sengers on board, takeoff weight “While expressing apprehen- terday’s development. and fuel uptake, the Times of India sions about increased radicali- Delhi University associate pro- reported. sation and emerging threat of fessor Wali Akhtar said: “Such “The co-pilot took offence at terrorism, the leaders under- meetings have happened even in this and reportedly beat up the lined the need for greater unity the past. I don’t see any develop- captain,” the newspaper said. “In and collective efforts to meet the ment happening from such meet- the larger interest of the airline, Employees of Mazgaon shipbuilding yard gather around the first Scorpene submarine before it is floated for sea challenge,” the release said. ings.” He said building a peaceful the commander decided to go trials in Mumbai yesterday. The submarine is due for induction into the Indian naval fleet in September 2016. The leaders brought to Modi’s atmosphere was the foremost ahead with the flight and flew to notice issues relating to the prop- demand of Muslims, and only Delhi,” the paper added. erties of Muslim shrines, mosques after that the government could The Hindustan Times also said and madrassas. think of empowering the commu- there had been a fight between the Those who met Modi included nity socially and economically. two, according to its sources. The Syed Sultan-ul-Hasan Chishti Akhtarul Wasey, a professor airline denied any violence took Motorists beat Delhi man to death Misbahi from Ajmer Sharif, of Arabic at Jamia Milia Islamia place, saying there was only an argu- Hazrat Ghulam Yasin Sahib here, agreed. “Meetings are not ment between the pair, according to (Varanasi), Sheikh Wasim Ashrafi enough. Dialogues and promises the Press Trust of India. NEW DELHI: A spat over demanding action against the According to witnesses, the inci- (Mumbai) and Allama Tasleem should be translated into action,” “There were only heated yielding space in a traffic jam accused, who they alleged were dent took place near the Turkman Raaza Sahib from Dargah Barelvi he said. “Muslims are an integral exchanges between the commander ended fatally for a middle-aged local builders. The women had Gate crossing. The five men were in Sharif in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. part of India and the government and co-pilot over some issue. We motorcyclist, who was beaten to formed a human chain in the the car which slightly bumped into Modi emphasised the need to needs to understand that what- have already de-rostered the two death by five people even as his protest area. Shahnawaz’s bike from the side on empower Muslim youth to ena- ever is in the interest of India is pilots pending an enquiry,” an Air sons, who witnessed the entire Soon after the incident on Sunday night. ble them to play a larger role in in the interest of Muslims too.” India spokesman told PTI. incident, unsuccessfully tried to Sunday night, the family mem- The witnesses said the driver of nation-building. He pledged to IANS THE GUARDIAN get police to intervene. One of the bers and relatives had gathered the car told Shahnawaz to move accused was arrested yesterday. and protested against the author- his vehicle sideways, but when the Shahnawaz, a resident of Mata ities. They also set on fire some victim said he was unable to do Sundari Road in central Delhi, vehicles near the alleged accused’s so due to heavy traffic, a heated was returning home from a fam- residence in Turkman Gate area argument ensued. The car’s occu- ily function with his two sons hours after the incident. pants then came out and started Three policemen gunned down in Kashmir on a motorbike, when it was hit Fearing escalation of tension, a beating up the victim. by a car near Turkman Gate in large posse of Delhi Police person- Shahnawaz’s sons Fahad (13) SRINAGAR: Three policemen were gunned officer in Baramulla district. The police officer had Daryaganj, police said. nel and paramilitary forces was and Kaif (9), who were riding pil- down and a policeman and a former militant were boarded a bus at Mirgund and the militants too The incident took place around deployed in the area. Police bar- lion, tried to rescue their father left critically injured in three terror attacks — the boarded the same bus. They then shot him twice. 11.30pm on Sunday. Shahnawaz ricaded the busy road, leading to but were pushed aside and also first major strike in the Valley since the Mufti The officer was supposed to alight at Parihaspur, but owned an electrical shop on Mata chaos and traffic snarls. attacked. They pleaded with other Mohammad Sayeed government came to power. the militants didn’t allow the bus to stop. Sundari Road while his parents Delhi Police Chief B S Bassi told motorists for help but no one A police officer said the guerrillas attacked a The bus finally stopped nearly 30km away, where lived near Turkman Gate in the the media that one person has came to their rescue. three-member police party at Amshipora village the militants deboarded and fled. It was then that old quarter of Delhi, barely a few been arrested. “In the Turkman Seeing their father being badly in Shopian district with automatic weapons, kill- the terrified bus passengers raised the alarm. metres from the accident spot. Gate incident, Shahnawaz was beaten up, the two rushed to the ing all of them on the spot. “A police party of three In the third incident, militants shot at and criti- Alleging police inaction, nearly beaten to death by five people. police post situated across the had gone to Amshipora village in connection with a cally injured a former militant Rafeek Ahmed Dada 300 of Shahnawaz’s family mem- One of the accused, Mohammed road. The family alleged that the crime investigation when militants attacked them outside a bank branch in Tral town of south Kashmir bers, relatives and neighbours, Wasim, has been arrested and the boys pleaded with the two police- with automatic weapons,” he said. in Pulwama district. The injured was shifted to including burkha-clad women, hunt for the remaining four is on,” men posted at the time to help The Shopian attack came barely hours after the hospital in critical condition, a police officer said. sat on protest on the busy road he told reporters. but to no avail. IANS guerrillas fired at and critically injured a police IANS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME ‘Blue flock of peace’

Fajr (Dawn) 4:02 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:20 Zuhr (Noon) 11:36 Asr (Afternoon) 3:05 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:54 Isha (Night) 7:24

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Sunny Hot during the day and slight dust

High: 32° High: 33° High: 33° with scattered Low: 22° Low: 23° Low: 25° clouds and chance of light rain at places.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:21 17:53 06:00 & 19:15 00:45 & 12:15 05-15/23 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 35/26 Sunny 36/27 Sunny Fifty sheep made of polyester resin belonging to the ‘blue flock of peace’ by German action artists Bertamaria Reetz and Rainer Bonk in the cloister MAKKAH 40/24 Sunny 41/24 Sunny of the Basel Muenster, in Basel, yesterday. The central message of the art project is: we are all the same – everybody is important. KUWAIT 37/22 Partly cloudy 37/23 Mostly sunny BAHRAIN 29/22 Partly cloudy 32/23 Partly cloudy SANAA 28/12 Mostly sunny 29/12 Mostly sunny RIYADH 33/21 Mostly sunny 37/22 Partly cloudy Breast milk sold online often contains cow’s milk DUBAI 33/23 Sunny 34/22 Sunny BAGHDAD 35/17 Sunny 37/19 Sunny MIAMI: One in 10 samples of milk for their infants. author Sarah Keim, of the Center research that more than 75 per- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW breast milk sold on the Internet They found that 11 of the sam- for Biobehavioral Health in The cent of milk samples purchased in the United States was found ples contained bovine DNA, and Research Institute at Nationwide online contained bacterial or viral HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER to be contaminated with cow’s 10 of those had enough that it Children’s Hospital in Ohio. contamination. ATHENS 18/09 Sunny 13/09 Showers milk or formula, US research- could not be considered an acci- “If a baby with cow’s milk The US Food and Drug WASHINGTON 24/13 Rain 14/08 Showers ers said yesterday. dental contamination, suggesting allergy were to drink this milk, Administration warned in 2010 The study in the journal that some sellers were adding it could be very harmful.” that unpasteurised human milk SYDNEY 19/14 Partly cloudy 21/14 Partly cloudy Pediatrics raised new safety con- cow’s milk in order to boost their The same researchers have obtained from sources other than LONDON 18/07 Partly cloudy 17/07 Partly cloudy cerns about a practice that many volume and profits. previously found that 21 percent the baby’s mother could pose PARIS 17/04 Sunny 18/06 Sunny experts already discourage over “We found that one in every of people who look for human health risks. “We were concerned ISTANBUL 09/06 Scattered showers 09/06 Scattered Showers the potential for danger to babies’ 10 samples of breast milk pur- breast milk online do so because that, because money is exchanged MANILA 32/23 Partly cloudy 32/23 Partly cloudy health. chased over the Internet had their child has a medical condi- in these transactions, there might DHAKA 33/24 Scattered T-storms 33/24 Scattered T-storms Researchers tested 102 samples significant amounts of cow’s milk tion, and 16 percent said they did be an incentive to boost milk DELHI 30/18 Partly cloudy 32/19 Sunny of breast milk advertised on milk- added, and this poses a risk to so because their infant could not volumes in order to make more ISLAMABAD 26/13 Sunny 29/15 Sunny sharing websites, frequented by infants with an allergy or intol- drink formula. money,” said Keim. mothers who want to buy breast erance to cow’s milk,” said study They also found in previous AFP Vigorous Japan mascots face exercise helps people live cull or combination TOKYO: Japan’s swollen ranks any new ones,” she said, in a move of cuddly mascots, once de local media described as “virtual longer: Study rigueur for every local govern- restructuring”. MIAMI: Vigorous exercise, the ment and commercial brand, Their choice of mascot is per- kind that makes you sweat, get are coming under increasing haps emblematic of the brutal red in the face and breathe hard, threat, with some being culled fate awaiting many yuru-kyara: may be better than moderate and others combined. Mozuyan’s head is modelled on exercise when it comes to living The move comes after the the shrike, a carnivorous bird longer, researchers said yesterday. finance ministry last year ordered known for impaling prey on The study by Australian authorities nationwide to cut thorns before consuming it, like researchers is based on more than back on the use of life-size “yuru- a medieval monarch displaying 200,000 adults over age 45, and kyara” (“laid-back characters”), the decapitated head of an enemy. is published in the Journal of the saying many of them are a waste Meanwhile, in the remote district American Medical Association of public money. of Rumoi, on northernmost Hokkaido, (JAMA) Internal Medicine. In the major metropolis of a patchwork character made up of The study participants were Osaka, officials have stamped different elements of eight extant followed for more than six years. down on the wild proliferation mascots was being rolled out. Those who did jogging, aerobics of mascots, whose number had “Ororon Robo Mebius”, which or competitive tennis — vigorous swelled to 92, including special resembles the gigantic humanoid exercise for 30 percent of their creations for everything from tax robot from the Mobile Suit Gundam weekly workouts — had a mor- payment campaigns to childcare animation franchise, has legs, arms, tality rate that was nine to 13 support services. a face and a body that all came percent lower than those who did “We have decided to select from different yuru-kyara repre- moderate exercise, like swimming, Mozuyan, our oldest one, follow- senting different communities. social tennis, or household chores. ing doubts about the public rela- “We have concluded that it’s “The benefits of vigorous activ- tions impact of having too many better to join forces rather than ity applied to men and women of all characters,” an Osaka official said. each of them working individually,” ages, and were independent of the Life-size characters “yuru-kyara” (“laid-back characters”) performing on a stage at the Yanagase shopping district “The number has now fallen to said Rumoi official Mayuko Miyaji. total amount of time spent being in Gifu. 69 and there is no plan to create AFP active,” said lead author Klaus Gebel from James Cook University’s Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention. “The results indicate that whether or not you are obese, and whether or not you have heart dis- Skype meets theatre in Syria twist on Romeo and Juliet ease or diabetes, if you can manage some vigorous activity it could offer significant benefits for longevity.” AMMAN: Mixing traditional regime in Syria after the failure family — one of what the UN says substantially to remove violence “I hope to see them one day Currently, the World Health theatre with modern technol- of humanitarian organisations to is some 440,000 civilians trapped and focus instead on the love face-to-face once the war is over,” Organisation urges adults to do ogy, a new Syrian version of send food, water and medicine in Syrian conflict zones without story. he said. at least 150 minutes of moderate Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet there,” said the play’s director, access to relief efforts. It follows a similar project For the audience, many of them activity or 75 minutes of vigorous is offering a unique twist on the acclaimed Syrian actor Nawar Juliet’s identity and exact last year that saw Bulbul pro- Syrian refugees as well, the play activity per week. But the current classic love story. Bulbul. location are kept secret, and duce King Lear with child actors has driven home how much their research suggests that given the Romeo is a young Syrian refu- “We also wanted to send a she wears a veil throughout the for his “Shakespeare in Zaatari” country has lost. choice, people should opt for some gee in Jordan, and his beloved is message to the world that the performance. project at the Zaatari camp north “There is no more love in higher intensity exercise if they trapped in the region of Homs besieged people are not ter- As the audience watches, their of Amman, where some 83,000 Syria like in this story. The war can, and if their doctor agrees, the — their only means of communi- rorists but children threat- love story unfolds with Ibrahim Syrian refugees live. destroyed all that is beautiful in study authors said. cation through Skype and other ened by shelling, death and sitting before a video feed pro- He said his plays emphasise my country,” said Mohammed AFP online tools. destruction.” jected on a white canvas. the anxiety and pain children Halima, a 24-year-old wheel- Playing out on the rooftop of The play’s Romeo is Ibrahim, The real world can intrude, face when torn away from their chair-bound refugee who is a makeshift hospital for Syrian a 12-year-old who lost his with Internet and electricity out- homes, families and countries. receiving treatment after being refugees in the Jordanian capi- mother and three of his siblings ages in Homs sometimes inter- “The aim was to humanise shot five times two years ago in tal Amman, the new production in regime shelling of Damascus rupting the show. and inspire the children through Syria. aims to highlight the plight of last year. At one performance, spectators art. To use art as an outlet for “We young men are the biggest those who have escaped Syria’s Three operations to his right had to wait an hour before the their anger, sorrow and pain,” victims of this insane war, and devastating civil war — and those leg saved it from amputation, but feed of Juliet’s balcony appeared he said. everyone had a love story with left behind. the road to recovery is long and for Romeo to declare his love. Ibrahim said that after work- someone,” Halima said. “We wanted, through this he requires two more operations. Bulbul said he believes his play ing on the production for several “But now we don’t know where unique work, to draw attention Its Juliet is a 14-year-old girl is the first to use Skype in such a months he has grown close to those they are or if they are still alive.” to the areas under siege by the cut off from help and her extended way. He has rewritten the work on the other side of the camera. AFP Tuesday 7April 2015 18 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6393 Price: QR2

Fed watching recent US weakness

Business | 18

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil drop weighs heavily on petrochem sector Petrochemicals production in GCC rises by 4.5 percent in 2014 Oil jumps 6pc on tempered Iran DOHA: One of the major industry”, Gulf Petrochemicals & Historically, the petrochemical has almost doubled between 2005 impacts of oil price drop on Chemicals Association (GPCA) industry has been cyclical and and 2013, with total production view, slower US inventory rise GCC’s petrochemical industry noted yesterday. volatile. Being predominantly capacity reaching 147 million was the decision to shelve Qatar’s “The fall in oil prices since the export-oriented, the GCC chemi- tonnes per year. NEW YORK: Oil prices jumped almost 6 percent yesterday two mega planned projects. The middle of 2014 by about 55 percent cal industry’s sales revenues and According to GPCA, petrochem- as traders reassessed how quickly Iran might increase exports sharp fall in oil prices forced the has had an impact on petrochemi- margins are increasingly linked icals production in the GCC rose after a preliminary nuclear deal and anticipated that a months- concerned entities in Qatar to cal product prices and has raised to the global economy’s health, by 4.5 percent in 2014, the second long rise in US crude inventories may be slowing. cancel the multi-billion dollar buyer uncertainty. The new reality which is beyond the producers’ highest growth region in the world. Brent crude’s rally followed Thursday’s nearly 4 percent tumble Al Sajeel and Al Karaana petro- creates new scenarios which con- control. Economic cyclicality may Regional growth in chemicals pro- after Iran and six world powers announced a framework agreement chemical projects. sequently impacted some planned affect their sales revenues mar- duction is largely attributed to a on the Opec member’s nuclear programme. But initial expectations Al Sajeel was put on hold, projects in the GCC region. One of gins. However, the GCC chemical surge in plastic production, which of a quick recovery in oil exports were tempered by views that it because the partners involved the largest impacts was the can- industry is expected to retain its grew by 6 percent in 2014, nearly could take longer than expected to roll back sanctions. are studying a new downstream cellation of two mega projects in competitiveness and will continue twice the world average. “This “People betting on Iran’s oil arriving tomorrow realise they may petrochemical project that is Qatar: Sajeel and Karaana,” GPCA to grow. The report noted that the development is a testament to have to wait up to a year,” said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures expected to yield better economic said in its annual report. region is slowly moving into the that the ambitious growth plans Group in Chicago. Brent May crude rose $3.17, or 5.77 percent, to returns. In the case of Karaana, The huge drop in oil price also next phase of product develop- of the Gulf’s chemicals industry settle at $58.12 a barrel, its biggest one-day percentage rise since its high capital costs made it forced Sabic and Shell not to ment — speciality and intermedi- is based on solid fundamentals,” surging 7.8 percent on February 13. US May crude rose $3, or 6.11 “commercially unfeasible, par- pursue the development of the ate chemicals instead of “just the said Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, percent, to settle at $52.14, the biggest percentage gain since gaining ticularly in the current economic planned polyurethane (Pu) project commodities”. The number of Secretary General, GPCA. 7 percent on February 3. REUTERS climate prevailing in the energy in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. products produced by the region THE PENINSULA

Greece reassures ‘Invest in Qatar 2015’ on crucial IMF to focus on opportunities debt payment DOHA: The Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting WASHINGTON: Greece downplayed more serious con- (GOIC) and Qatar’s Ministry has confirmed it will make a cerns. “An initial high-level of Energy and Industry yes- €460m debt payment to the meeting between the new govern- terday announced that the International Monetary Fund ment’s finance minister and the “Invest in Qatar 2015” Forum this week as it seeks to allay IMF director was expected,” the will be held between April 27 concerns over the country’s source said. and April 28 in Doha. solvency. There was speculation ahead of Addressing a press confer- IMF chief Christine Lagarde the visit that Athens might fail to ence, GOIC Secretary General said late Sunday that Greek meet the instalment if forced to Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Ageel Finance Minister Yanis choose between paying the IMF explained that the Forum will Varoufakis had pledged to make and paying government workers. shed light on the broad invest- the payment on time in a meeting Athens though wants the IMF, ment opportunities in Qatar Washington. “Minister Varoufakis the European Commission and and on the promising invest- and I exchanged views on current the European Central Bank to ment opportunities intro- developments and we both agreed recast their massive financial aid duced by GOIC in the areas of that effective cooperation is in to the country as it tries to turn pharmaceuticals, food, green everyone’s interest,” Lagarde said its economy around. building materials, recycling, in a statement. “We noted that Last month, Greek Prime petrochemicals and aluminium. continuing uncertainty is not in Minister Alexis Tsipras had Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis at the IMF office in Washington. Qatar has strong, promis- Greece’s interest and I welcomed warned German Chancellor ing and encouraging economic confirmation by the minister that Angela Merkel in a letter that prospects for the next few years. payment owing to the Fund would Athens would not be able to serv- Lagarde said she appreci- President Barack Obama. lead to the end of water torture,” In fact, Qatar is witnessing a be forthcoming on April 9th.” ice its debt without more financial ated Varoufakis’ commitment to Athens is betting on this week’s Labour Minister Panos Skourletis remarkable growth at the level Announced barely a day in help from the European Union. continued talks on its economic Euro Working Group meetings to told Greek radio yesterday. of the industrial sector in gen- advance, Varoufakis’ meeting Varoufakis’ ministry however plan in Brussels — which were give it some relief from its credi- Since 2010, Athens has received eral, in addition to the con- with Lagarde had added to spec- reiterated after his meeting with to resume yesterday — and to tors. Eurozone deputy finance two successive loans from the EU struction boom and several key ulation that Greece and its new Lagarde that the Greek govern- supporting the work of lend- ministers will meet on April 8 and the IMF totalling €240bn infrastructure projects with big hard-left government was find- ment intended to meet all its ers’ technical teams reviewing and 9 in an attempt to reach an in exchange for tough austerity investments, particularly driven ing it increasingly difficult to raise financial obligations. It also called Greece’s progress. “The Fund agreement on the Greek reforms measures and sweeping economic by the decision to host the 2022 money to pay its debts. the meeting “productive” and remains committed to work needed to unlock the last tranche reforms. The government that FIFA World Cup in Doha. A Greek government source said it was held in a “particularly together with the authorities to of its bailout package. took power in January however Director of Industrial yesterday acknowledged that “the positive atmosphere.” Greece has help Greece return to a sustain- While the tone has been more has engaged in difficult negotia- Development Department at crucial phase in which relations not received the remaining funds able path of growth and employ- conciliatory in recent days, dif- tions with European leaders to the Ministry Saeed Mubarak between Greece and its creditors in its €240n European Union- ment,” Lagarde added. ferences persist and time is not continue receiving support while Al Kuwari said the ministry find themselves” made such a IMF rescue package as Brussels Varoufakis was also due to on Athens’ side. Beyond the IMF easing the austerity require- is committed to implement meeting necessary. has demanded to first approve meet US Treasury officials as well payment, “there is a liquidity ments in order to boost economic Qatar National Vision (QNV) However, the source Greece’s revised reform plan. as Caroline Atkinson, an aide to problem and the discussions must growth. AFP 2030 aiming at supporting the industrial sector and developing investments in this key sector for the country. The ministry has opted for development strategies aiming at developing Islamic finance must address challenges to thrive: IMF a comprehensive set of elements to attract local and foreign investments. DUBAI: The Islamic finance IMF said. “These developments considered harmful to society. Although Islamic regulatory speculation suggest that it may, in He said the Forum was part system faces several key chal- indicate a need for increased The industry is also based on bodies have established stand- principle, pose less systemic risk of the ministry’s efforts jointly lenges if it is to unlock its huge regulatory clarity and harmoni- shared profit and loss, which min- ards, different interpretations of than conventional finance, it said. deployed with GOIC to intro- potential and develop safely, the sation, closer cooperation between imises risk for banks and avoids religious texts and weak imple- It may help promote macroeco- duce industrial investment International Monetary Fund Islamic and conventional finan- dealing in debt and derivatives mentation mean they lack har- nomic and financial stability, the opportunities for Qatari, Gulf, said yesterday. cial standard-setters, and further such as foreign exchange forwards monisation. The IMF said Islamic IMF said. The principles of risk- Arab and international stake- The ethical-based fast-growing enhancement of tools for effective and futures, the IMF said. finance has the potential to con- sharing and asset-based financ- holders, investors, businessmen sector, which bans speculation, supervision,” it said. The sector has doubled in size tribute to the global economy, ing can help promote better risk and entrepreneurs. It gives still lacks regulatory and super- The industry is still largely nas- over the past four years and is promising to foster greater finan- management by both financial them the opportunity to play visory frameworks catering to cent, lacking economies of scale now worth more than $2 tril- cial inclusion, especially of large institutions and their custom- an active role in the investment its unique risks, the IMF said in and operating in an environment lion as demand for its products under-served Muslim populations. ers, as well as discourage credit activities in the State of Qatar . a report. Islamic finance — the where legal and tax rules, finan- rises rapidly. Around 40 million Its emphasis on asset-backed booms. The IMF said the chal- Fahad Rashid Al Kaabi, CEO, provision of financial services in cial infrastructure and access to of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims financing and risk-sharing lenges facing Islamic finance may Manateq, said the support of accordance with Sharia’h law — financial safety nets and central are clients of the Islamic finance mean it could support small and not only be impeding its develop- Qatari government to local and has so far been governed mostly bank liquidity are either absent or industry, which has surged in medium-sized businesses, as well ment, but could also encourage foreign investment activities is by frameworks developed for con- do not take its special character- popularity since its niche market as investment in public infra- complex practices and products most encouraging, especially a t ventional finance, it said. istics into account, the IMF said. days of the early 1970s. structure, said the IMF, also not- that carry heightened risks. a time when Qatar is opting for Cross-border operations of Islamic finance bans interest, But it continues to represent ing the importance of sukuk, or Also affecting the industry are diversifying income sources and Islamic financial institutions have products with excessive uncer- less than two percent of global Islamic bonds. slow innovation and a scarcity reducing dependence on oil and expanded considerably without tainty, gambling, short sales and conventional banking assets of Islamic finance’s risk-shar- of sharia scholars with financial gas. THE PENINSULA regulatory harmonisation, the financing prohibited activities $140 trillion, it said. ing features and prohibition of expertise, the IMF said. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

UK economy Key economic indicators of Britain. Fed watching recent GDP growth rate (% change, Y/Y) Inflation (% change, Y/Y) Visible trade balance (billion GBP) 8 6 0

6 5 -2 4 4 -4 2 US weakness: Dudley 3 -6 0 2 -8 -2 Rate hike timing unclear; data reflects temporary issue -4 1 -10 Recession -6 0 -12 NEWARK: The timing of the '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike, which would be its first Unemployment rate (%) GNI per capita (thousand GBP, at current prices) Current account balance (billion GBP) 5 8 0 in nearly a decade, is unclear and for now policymakers must 4 7 -5 watch that the US economy’s -10 surprising recent weakness 3 6 does not signal a more substan- -15 tial slowdown, a top Fed official 2 5 -20 said yesterday. New York Fed President 1 4 -25 William Dudley’s (pictured) 0 3 -30 comments were the latest sign '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '02 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 that a string of disappointing Sources: Thomson Reuters; Office for National Statistics economic data, including a sharp drop in jobs growth last month, is derailing a Fed plan to tighten A permanent voting member of “relatively shallow.” 0.6 percentage point from overall monetary policy around mid-year the Fed’s policy panel and a close Dudley pointed to cheap oil and 2015 growth, he added. after more than six years of rock- ally of Fed Chair Janet Yellen, the strong dollar as key risks to Longer term, he said the Fed’s bottom rates. Dudley repeated that the rate an economy that he expects key policy rate will probably rise In relatively dovish remarks to hike would come once the labour to grow at a more than 2 per- to only about 3.5 percent, lower a business audience in Newark, market improves more and when cent pace this year, with unem- than previously thought. New Jersey, Dudley did not repeat winter in much of the United bright spot in the world’s largest policymakers are reasonably ployment falling to close to 5 Dudley has been under politi- his refrain that a rate hike could States. economy. But it has ebbed and confident that low inflation will percent from 5.5 percent now, and cal pressure for perceived regu- reasonably be expected to come But, he added, the US cen- then slowed sharply last month, return to a 2 percent goal. wages rising. latory missteps by his New York by mid-2015. He said the weak tral bank will need to “deter- reinforcing the notion the Fed “The timing of normalisa- Low oil prices and the drop Fed, with lawmakers and even March jobs report, as well as mine whether the softness in the would delay an initial rate hike tion will be data dependent and in domestic drilling will exert a one former Fed official floating softer than expected manufac- March labour market report ... until later in 2015 or even 2016. remains uncertain because the “meaningful drag” on US eco- changes. But Dudley defended the turing and retail sales data in foreshadows a more substantial Stocks rose yesterday and the future evolution of the economy nomic activity, he said. The status quo, saying his Fed bank recent months, likely reflected slowing in the labour market than dollar dipped, with some inves- cannot be fully anticipated,” strong dollar will continue to should continue to play a key role “temporary factors to a signifi- I currently anticipate.” tors pointing to Dudley’s more he said, adding he expects hurt US trade performance, and in monetary policy during periods cant degree,” including the harsh The job market had been a lone cautious tone. the path of rate hikes to be has already shaved an estimated of stress. REUTERS

Gazprom plans Vivendi offers €250m for Orange’s Dailymotion to sell stake in PARIS: Vivendi has made a preferred search for a European saying. Orange has been looking and works towards submitting about a promising start-up get- €250m offer for French online solution discourages international for a partner for over a year to to the board in due time solu- ting snapped up by a US giant. Germany’s VNG video group Dailymotion, owned companies’ participation,” PCCW help Dailymotion expand inter- tions that are being considered,” Dailymotion counts 128 million by telecoms group Orange, Le said in a statement explaining its nationally to try to compete France’s economy ministry said. unique visitors per month com- MOSCOW: Gazprom said yes- Monde reported yesterday. decision. Vivendi declined to com- with much larger rival Google’s Economy Minister Emmanuel pared with 1 billion for Google’s terday it plans to sell its 10.52 The Le Monde report followed ment and no one at Dailymotion YouTube. The French govern- Macron said last on Thursday YouTube, and achieves less than percent stake in Germany’s nat- a statement from Hong Kong was immediately available to ment, Orange’s biggest share- that Orange should look at all €100m in annual sales. ural gas supplier Verbundnetz conglomerate PCCW that it had comment. holder with a 25 percent stake, offers for Dailymotion as France Vivendi is currently facing Gas (VNG), in line with the ended talks to form an alliance Le Monde said Vivendi’s offer said it was never hostile to the was seeking to promote a strong pressure from US hedge fund P Russian company’s strategy to with Dailymotion, citing the would be discussed at a board talks but had asked Dailymotion European digital sector. Schoenfeld Asset Management to pull back from operations in French government’s desire to see meeting tomorrow. “Vivendi’s to not enter into exclusive discus- In 2013, Orange was in talks to increase the company’s planned Europe. the video-sharing site remain in ambition is to make Dailymotion sions with PCCW before contact- sell all or part of the site to Yahoo payout to shareholders from a Gazprom said the decision to European hands. a world size player,” Le Monde ing all interested parties. but the French government scup- €35bn cash pile amassed from a sell the stake was made after “The French government’s quoted an unidentified source as “Orange pursues discussions pered the deal over concerns series of disposals. REUTERS Wintershall Holding sold its stake in VNG. Gazprom and Wintershall jointly held a block- ing stake of 26.31 percent in VNG. “Now, Gazprom is unable to take real participation in man- Regulators enter Citibank Argentina Qatar stock index dips aging VNG,” Gazprom said. State-controlled Gazprom has been cutting back on its exposure DOHA: Qatar Stock Exchange most, down 0.75 percent to 2,401.03 to Europe against the background building as debt feud heats up index dipped 31.92 points, or points, industries down 0.65 per- of frosty relations between Russia 0.27 percent, when the bourse cent, banks and financial services and the European Union over BUENOS AIRES: Argentine regulators will be to monitor opera- funds better terms than the steep closed trading at 11,731.64 points dip 0.49 percent and consumer Moscow’s role in the Ukraine con- central bank regulators entered tions, not take over management of payment cuts accepted by most yesterday. goods and services down 0.22 per- flict. Last year, Gazprom scrapped Citibank Argentina’s headquar- the bank, the spokesman said. Four bondholders in 2005 and 2010. She Indices of three sectors advanced cent. From the 43 listed companies, plans to build the undersea South ters yesterday, as the battle inten- inspectors wearing central bank often derides the funds as “vul- and four declined. The market capi- shares of 42 saw trading. From Stream gas pipeline to Bulgaria, sified between the government lapel pins were later seen entering tures” who bought Argentine debt talisation decreased to QR633.78bn these nine advanced, 28 went down, choosing a route to Turkey and a group of US hedge funds the bank’s headquarters in Buenos at deeply discounted prices and are from QR635.64bn registered on and five remained unchanged. instead. who refuse to accept discounted Aires. The situation stems from a willing to bankrupt the country in Sunday. The traded value fell Elsewhere in the region, real BASF, parent of oil and gas payment terms on the country’s legal feud being played out in the US their pursuit of astronomical prof- to QR200.26m with a volume of estate-related shares led Dubai’s explorer Wintershall, said last defaulted debt. federal courts between President its. Argentina has insisted that 6,152,173 shares from 3,744 trans- stock market higher while Saudi year that Wintershall wanted to Argentina’s securities regulator Cristina Fernandez’s government Citibank Argentina, which portrays actions compared to QR264.82m Arabia rose modestly because of sell its 15.8 percent stake in VNG. says Citibank Argentina violated and New York-based hedge funds itself as an innocent party caught with a volume of 6,821,396 shares higher oil prices. Heavy profit- EWE AG, Germany’s fifth- local laws by striking a deal with over the payment terms offered in up in the legal battle, keep process- from 3,956 transactions registered taking, fuelled by weak economic largest utility by sales, has also the hedge funds. It has suspended 2005 and 2010 bond restructurings. ing payments. Citibank Argentina on Sunday. data, continued to weigh on Egypt. been in talks to sell its 63.69 per- the bank from conducting capital US Judge Thomas Griesa has agreed with the hedge funds not to Telecoms index made most gains Gulf economies will prob- cent stake in VNG, a deal that market operations and stripped awarded the hedge funds full pay- appeal a US court ruling that said with 0.71 percent gain to close at ably imitate US monetary policy could fetch €1.3bn, according to authority from its chief executive. ment on the defaulted debt and interest payments on restructured 1331.78 points, followed by real because of their currency pegs, and sources. “There will be an inspection of barred Argentina from servicing bonds could not be processed if the estate up 0.66 percent to 2,416.27 a delay to tightening is positive for Based on these valuations, Citibank Argentina today to ensure its restructured debt until it set- bank was allowed to make two one- points and insurance 0.45 percent the interest rate-sensitive real Gazprom’s stake could amount it is functioning,” a central bank tles with the creditors. off payments to help it exit its local to 4,121,96 points. estate firms which are weighted to around €200m. REUTERS spokesman said. The job of the Fernandez refuses to grant the custody business. REUTERS Transport index declined the heavily in Dubai. QNA/REUTERS Commercial Bank wins Best Retail Bank in Qatar award

DOHA: Commercial Bank, Commercial Bank CEO Abdulla received the award on behalf of the Qatar’s oldest and largest pri- Saleh Al Raisi said: “We are Bank said: “Commercial Bank has vate sector bank, won the “Best delighted to receive this award continued to lead the market in Retail Bank in Qatar” award at confirming Commercial Bank’s customer service, innovation and The Asian Banker’s Excellence position as the leading retail product offerings, together with in Retail Financial Services bank in Qatar and our commit- launching exciting initiatives for 2015 Awards ceremony, held in ment to our valued customers. our customers such as exclusive Singapore. Commercial Bank is proud to partnerships with Manchester Commercial Bank was crowned be a Qatari bank serving Qatari United and IKEA. This award is a “Best Retail Bank in Qatar” based and expatriate customers. It is an result of the dedication and com- on its wide-ranging achievements honour to be recognised by inter- mitment of my Commercial Bank Officials of the bank celebrating after winning the award. over the past three years and national organisations for our colleagues and it was a proud ambitious plans for 2015. The market leading and innovative moment to collect the award their central to Commercial Bank who first-to-market “Life in Qatar” redemption online. Asian Banker is an authoritative retail products and services that behalf. Most importantly, I would are constantly introducing solu- proposition has provided thou- This financial quarter, provider of strategic business meet the needs of our customers. like to extend sincere thanks to tions and services to both sustain sands of new-to-Qatar customers Commercial Bank is set to launch intelligence to the Asian financial I would also like to extend my all our Commercial Bank custom- and upgrade the level of service with an easy online account open- highly attractive customer offers services community. Applicants gratitude to the Board for their ers; your custom is highly valued provided to the Bank’s valued ing process and useful informa- across a whole range of products for the award were subject to a continuous support, especially and we will continue to strive to personal customers. Commercial tion for relocating. Commercial including Personal Loans, Vehicle rigorous three-month evaluation during this year in which we cel- serve your needs with distinction Bank’s Internet and Mobile Bank’s already comprehensive Loans and Mortgages, and the process involving 37 different cri- ebrate our 40th anniversary.” at all times.” Banking services are regularly rewards programme for card- Bank’s “Life in Qatar” proposi- teria, with judging conducted by Dean Proctor, Commercial Bank Creating a positive customer upgraded with new and easy to use holders has been enhanced with tion has recently been enhanced prominent global bankers, con- Executive General Manager, Chief experience and delivering excep- functionality to enable custom- the introduction of FlyMiles and through an exclusive partnership sultants and academics. Consumer & Private Banking who tional customer service remains ers to bank 24/7, and the Bank’s more recently enabled customer with Ooredoo. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Currency swings hurt global supply models Firms seek local market presence over economy of scale; Volvo, Asos, SABMiller pursuing natural hedges

LONDON: A dramatic fall in the “Natural hedges” occur when in January the European Central has long been popular in some manufacturers operate. Food and said SABMiller’s head of risk and euro has created an opportunity a business’s structure protects Bank kicked off its own pro- areas of business, “clearly with drink makers including Nestle, funding, Philip Learoyd. for European manufacturers to it from exchange rate volatility, gramme of so-called quantitative more volatility in FX markets it SABMiller and Unilever have all He added that SABMiller, the enjoy cheap production costs at such as when suppliers, factories easing in an attempt to revitalise makes even more sense now than worked to develop local suppli- world’s second-largest brewer, the bases from which they can and customers operate in the same the zone’s moribund economy. ever,” said Robert Waldschmidt, a ers, which also helps to secure would keep looking for opportuni- supply world markets. currency. As a result the dollar and euro consumer goods equity analyst at supply and make products more ties to offset exposure to currency But after months of sharp shifts That kind of model is typical currencies sharply diverged too, Liberum. affordable. volatility. The company already in foreign currencies, many of for makers of perishable food and and in the last nine months the British online fashion retailer Nestle Russia CEO Maurizio also protects against swings in these companies are simultane- drinks that need production bases cost of hedging against future vol- Asos, which has been hurt by the Patarnello cited local sourcing raw material costs with financial ously reworking strategy in the close to their delivery addresses, atility between them has roughly strong pound, said this month it as part of the reason his busi- hedges and keeps its debt denomi- hope that by the time of the next but it’s less common for manufac- tripled. While that means far more had decided to start sourcing gar- ness was only minimally impacted nated in currencies broadly pro- sudden tilt they will be operat- turers of more durable goods like players in the $5 trillion a day ments for the eurozone in euros by last year’s ban on imports of portionate to operations to avoid ing in more diverse local markets automobiles, electronics or clothing market have been actively guard- and those for the United States many Western goods in retalia- swings between amounts received around the world. that often prioritise cheap labour ing against swings in currencies, it in dollars. “Our ultimate aim here tion for sanctions over the crisis and owed. Sweden’s Volvo Cars is one such and economies of scale — at least also shows it is three times more is to capture the maximum nat- in Ukraine. “Of course there are Over at Dutch electronics firm embracing regionalisation. until recently. expensive to do so. ural hedge available to the busi- certain things that we will never firm Philips, emerging markets Last month it announced plans to In recent months their model “When an exchange rate is ness,” said Asos Chief Operating be able to localise, like coffee or account for some 35 percent of build a $500m plant in the United has been challenged by big moves particularly volatile it can become Officer Nick Beighton. “Our pana- cocoa,” Patarnello told reporters revenue but only very little pro- States, looking past the dollar’s in the euro and the dollar as the too expensive to hedge financially,” cea would be to match currency last month. “For the rest, there is duction. As a result the company’s current strength to build in a European Union and the United said Brandon Leigh, chief financial receipts, currency outflows, hold a continuous effort to develop new profit margins were squeezed last longer-term protection. States’ economic outlooks diverged officer of soap manufacturer PZ product in that currency and price suppliers.” year by adverse swings in various “We’re eliminating short-term sharply. Last October the US Cussons. Cussons’ biggest market in that currency.” Local sourcing may be driven by emerging market currencies, most currency fluctuations, which are Federal Reserve announced it is Nigeria, where the naira has lost Sourcing locally has other operational concerns but its addi- notably the Russian rouble and never good for long-term com- would halt the massive bond- 18 percent of its value over the past benefits, especially in emerging tional advantage of helping firms the Argentinean peso. “A natural mitment to customers in different buying programme launched five nine months as a result of a plunge markets like Africa, where using to circumvent foreign exchange hedge is of course the holy grail regions, and we’re creating a natu- years ago to prop up its battered in crude oil prices that hammered local suppliers can fuel economic rates makes company treasur- because then you’re less exposed,” ral hedge,” explained Volvo Chief financial system, because an eco- Africa’s biggest oil producer. development — and buying power ies “the happy beneficiaries from said Philips Chief Executive Frans Executive Hakan Samuelsson. nomic recovery was on track. But Thus, while “natural” hedging — of the communities in which a risk management perspective,” van Houten. REUTERS

Toshiba’s hydrogen venture Russian inflation fastest in 13 years after rouble crisis

MOSCOW: Russian inflation concern, according to a survey lowest since November. Russia’s accelerated in March to the published by state-run pollster economic contraction will act as fastest on an annual basis since VTsIOM on March 31. a brake on inflation, while the 2002 even as slowing weekly “The key message for the cen- impact of last year’s ruble col- readings may allow the central tral bank is that monthly infla- lapse and trade restrictions that bank to cut borrowing costs tion is slowly returning to ‘more ignited price growth will wear off further. normal’ levels,” Dmitry Polevoy, this year, the central bank said in Consumer prices rose 16.9 per- chief economist for Russia and a March 13 statement. cent from a year earlier, compared Commonwealth of Independent The Russian currency, the with 16.7 percent in February, States at ING Groep NV in best performer among emerging the Federal Statistics Service in Moscow, said by e-mail. Annual markets this year, strengthened Moscow said in a statement. The inflation may climb further to 2.6 percent to 55.15 per dollar by median estimate of 20 economists about 17.5 percent and peak in 6:49pm was 16.8 percent, according to a the second quarter, he said. The balance of risks has shifted Bloomberg survey. Prices gained Food products prices rose 1.6 toward “a more significant cooling 1.2 percent in the month. percent in March from February, of the economy,” the central bank Bank of Russia has started to the slowest in five months, said March 13, after reducing ease monetary policy this year, while non-food products prices the benchmark rate by 100 basis following six increases in the increased 1.4 percent, the weak- points to the current 14 percent. benchmark rate last year, as the est pace in four months, according The economy may continue to world’s biggest energy exporter to the Federal Statistics Service’s deteriorate until the first quar- Japan’s high-tech giant Toshiba President Hisao Tanaka (rght) and Japanese Deputy Environment enters its first recession since data. On a weekly basis, price ter of next year, according to the Minister Shigeo Kitamura cut ribbons to open the company’s newly-built hydrogen research and devel- 2009. The economy has replaced growth is easing, stabilizing at 0.2 Bank of Russia. opment centre at Toshiba’s Fuchu plant in Tokyo yesterday. Toshiba aims to increase the sales of hydro- inflation as the population’s top percent each week in March, the BLOOMBERG gen-related business to 100bn yen ($830m) by 2020.

John Lewis to Ventas buys private hospital chain India’s internet drive expand into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has pledged to Ardent Medical Services for $1.75bn lay 7,000 kilometres of broadband cable to connect India's 250,000 villages within three years. Philippines NEW YORK: Ventas Inc, a programme. The $1 trillion US Under the deal, Ventas will split healthcare real estate invest- hospital market is also benefiting Ardent’s real estate portfolio from LONDON: John Lewis ment trust, is buying Ardent from increasing emergency room its hospital operations, and sell INTERNET USERS* — AS OF JULY 1, IN MILLIONS Partnership said it planned to Medical Services Inc for $1.75bn visits and an aging population, the hospitals to a new company expand internationally by opening to expand its hospitals business Ventas said in a statement. owned by Ardent’s management 243.2 outlets in 11 branches of depart- at a time when more Americans Ventas said the Medicare and other equity sources. 250 ment stores in the Philippines. are seeking healthcare services Payment Advisory Commission Ventas will retain up to 9.9 per- The outlets, due to open this under the Affordable Care Act. has recommended a 3.25 percent cent of the new company. 200 summer, follow its establish- Ventas’ shares rose as much increase in Medicare reimburse- The deal is expected to add ment of shops in seven branches as 6 percent yesterday after the ment rates to service providers 8-10 cents to Ventas’ funds from of South Korean chain Shinsegae company also said it would spin for acute-care services for fiscal operations per share in the first 150 and an already announced plan off its portfolio of skilled nursing year 2016. Nashville, Tennessee- year after the transaction closes. to open outlets in three branches facilities. based Ardent’s 10 hospitals The deal is expected to close in of Singapore department store Privately held Ardent runs 14 in Texas, Oklahoma and New mid-2015. 100 Robinsons. The Philippines stores hospitals in the United States, Mexico are expected to account Ventas, which owns senior will be set up within branches of with most of them in Texas, for 6 percent of Ventas’ net oper- housing communities, medical SM Retail and Our Home, John Oklahoma and New Mexico — ating income after the acquisition, office buildings and hospitals, also 50 Lewis said in a statement, and will states where enrollments in fed- Chief Executive Debra Cafaro said said it would spin off its portfolio 5.5 be between 300 and 1,000 sq ft in eral health insurance programs on a call. of skilled nursing facilities. size. The success of our partnership have been high. While New Mexico expanded The spinoff, which is expected 0 with Shinsegae has given us the US hospitals are getting a its Medicaid offering to include to be completed in the second 2000 2005 2010 2014 confidence to continue our expan- stronger-than-expected benefit Affordable Care Act health ben- half of 2015, will create one of two sion in the international market,” from an influx of low-income efits, Texas and Oklahoma have healthcare real estate investment said Andy Street, managing direc- patients whose bills are paid seen higher enrollments even trusts focused on running skilled USER GROWTH — % tor at John Lewis. REUTERS by the government’s Medicaid without the expansion. nursing facilities. REUTERS

100 50 Almarai upbeat on growth after 12pc profit rise 0

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s make a net profit of SR297.5m capabilities, distribution, and the it as one of its two top picks in 2000 2005 2010 2014 Almarai, the Gulf’s largest and SR323m respectively. number of places it operates. It the health and wellbeing sector. dairy firm, said yesterday it Its earnings were boosted by did not provide a comparative The company said on March PENETRATION expected to continue its profit an 11.7 percent year-on-year figure. 26 it had received a SR250m — % OF POPULATION WITH INTERNET growth in coming quarters increase in first-quarter sales, Food companies in the king- payment from an insurer in after reporting a 12 percent which rose to SR3.04bn helped dom are attracting significant compensation for a fire at 20 rise in first-quarter net profit by strong growth in its poultry interest from investors, which one of its bakeries, which would on higher sales. and dairy and juice segments. see the sector as a way to tap be booked in its first-quarter 10 The company made a profit of “Barring unforeseen events, into the growing wealth of a earnings. SR306.5m ($81.7m) in the three the company should continue its young local population. It did not state in Monday’s 0 months to March 31, up from profitable growth for the next Bank of America-Merrill earnings statement if the pay- SR273.6m in the year-earlier quarters,” Almarai said in the Lynch said in an April 2 note ment had been booked. 2000 2005 2010 2014 period, it said in a statement. earnings statement. Almarai was strongly placed to Almarai in February hired * Internet user: An individual who can access the internet The profit was above a forecast The firm said it spent benefit from the higher growth a new chief executive after from AlJazira Capital but below SR969.4m in the first quarter on rates in the healthy foods cat- the previous CEO resigned to at home via any device type and connection. one from NCB Capital. They expanding its business, includ- egory in the Middle East and become Saudi Arabia’s agricul- Source: Internet Live Stats Note: 2013 and 2014 data are estimates. had expected the dairy firm to ing improving its production North Africa region, highlighting ture minister. REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Canon won’t Cyprus ends capital controls quietly raise Axis offer Eurozone’s first such measure lifted two years after they were imposed to halt banking crisis yet, won’t

NICOSIA: Cyprus yesterday Business leaders called the abo- such curbs. Under the restric- capital movements. In return for banking sector. All domestic back out either signalled a return to financial lition of controls of “significant tions, residents were allowed to international aid, the government capital restrictions were lifted normality in scrapping capi- importance” to the economy in transfer up to €20,000 ($21,700) in March 2013 agreed to wind up last May. TOKYO: Japan’s Canon Inc tal controls two years after allowing the free flow of capital. abroad each month, and travel- its second largest bank, Laiki, and Anastasiades on Friday said is unlikely to raise its offer they were imposed to halt a Business groups said the move lers could take up to €10,000 with impose losses on depositors in its ending capital controls “rein- for Swedish surveillance banking meltdown, the finance brought “normality to the bank- them per journey. under-capitalised largest lender, forces the positive outlook for camera maker Axis AB for ministry said. ing system and helped attract The authorities closed the Bank of Cyprus. raising investment under condi- now but won’t back out of President Nicos Anastasiades investment from overseas”. banks for two weeks in March They suffered a 47.5 percent tions of full trust and confidence”. the deal either, despite pres- said last week the last of the Now that external controls 2013 as they finalised a €10bn “bail-in” as part of the bailout “It strengthens the ability of sure from hedge fund Elliott draconian measures — imposed have been lifted, both businesses bailout by the European Union package. the banks to raise capital and Management, sources said to avoid a run on local banks — and individuals will be allowed to and International Monetary In return for the rescue, the safely finance the economy,” he yesterday. would be lifted, and the finance transfer money abroad with no Fund. When the banks reopened, government adopted swingeing added. After a three-year reces- Elliott Management said late ministry confirmed that this has restriction. Cyprus was the only they imposed a raft of measures austerity measures and radi- sion, Cyprus expects to return to last month that it had raised its now happened. eurozone member to have imposed on domestic and international cally restructured the bloated marginal growth this year. AFP stake in Axis to 10.91 percent. While it did not state its inten- tion, the move put pressure on Canon to sweeten its 23.6bn crown ($2.8bn) takeover offer. The terms of the deal allow Canon to back out if it cannot Sharp may spin acquire more than 90 percent of Axis shares. Elliott’s stake effectively ruled out a standard squeeze-out procedure in which off LCD unit, seek Canon, once it owns more than 90 percent of Axis shares, could forcibly acquire the rest. But sources familiar with the govt investments matter said Canon wants to go ahead and buy what it can from shareholders who agree to its TOKYO: Loss-making company promising restructuring original offer of 340 crowns per Japanese electronics maker in return for new funds. share, a premium of nearly 50 Sharp Corp may spin off its Sources say its main lend- percent to their closing price LCD panel business and seek ers Mizuho Bank and Bank of ahead of the announcement. funding for it from the gov- Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ are seek- It could later negotiate a ernment-backed Innovation ing a radical overhaul and an exit higher offer with Elliott, but Network Corporation of Japan from loss-making businesses. Swedish M&A law restricts (INCJ), a source familiar with Mizuho Bank is a unit of Mizuho bidders from offering a higher the plan said. Financial Group Inc and Bank of price for around six months The Nikkei business daily ear- Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ is part of without also paying more to lier reported that the LCD unit, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shareholders who accepted which supplies displays to smart- Inc. While promising to come up the original offer. The sources phone and tablet manufacturers, with restructuring measures by said Canon was happy to start will be spun off in the current May, Sharp has repeatedly denied out with a stake of less than 90 fiscal year and that INCJ could it will make moves such as selling percent and take time in nego- invest 100bn yen in the new entity. its LCD unit. tiating a full takeover. The source said Sharp, as part The unit accounts for roughly Canon’s move to fully acquire of its restructuring plan, wants to one-third of sales but has strug- Dutch print machinery maker keep a majority in the LCD unit, gled with tough price competition Oce, announced in 2009, met a and that details of an INCJ stake from Chinese manufacturers as A shopper looks at Sharp Corp’s Aquos televisions displayed at an electronics retail store in Tokyo. challenge from Orbis Portfolio have not been decided. well as domestic rival Japan Management and was only A Sharp spokesman, while con- Display, which is 35 percent completed in 2012 after a firming the company was consid- owned by INCJ. that step. Japan’s government Trade and Industry. An invest- Solutions to invest up to 30bn yen, squeeze-out. Canon said it could ering various reforms for its LCD Analysts have speculated that launched INCJ in 2009 in a bid ment by INCJ in Sharp’s LCD and for a rescue package from its not yet comment, although it is business, said no decision had Sharp could merge its display to keep the country’s technology business would fuel speculation banks. expected to announce soon how been made. business with Japan Display to sector competitive. of a future deal between Sharp Among backers of the turna- many shareholders took up its Sharp, on track for its third gain competitiveness and pricing The state provided 286bn yen and Japan Display. round fund are Mizuho, Bank offer during the March 3-April annual net loss in four years, has power, though sources at Sharp of INCJ’s capitalisation of 300bn Sources earlier said Sharp has of Tokyo-Mitsubishi and state- 1 acceptance period. been trying to negotiate its second have recently said its manage- yen, and its investments are over- also asked domestic corporate backed Development Bank of REUTERS major bailout since 2012, with the ment was not willing to take seen by the Ministry of Economy, turnaround fund Japan Industrial Japan. REUTERS

Canada jobs figures soon Cuba won’t give ShopRunner eyes China preferential treatment to with Alibaba’s support SAN MATEO: ShopRunner unclear how many of those users Inc, the e-commerce star- signed on through American US companies tup backed by Alibaba Group Express Co, an investor in Holding Ltd that styles itself ShopRunner, which also offers HAVANA: US companies can in some ways as the anti-Ama- its cardholders free membership. expect the same treatment zon, more than doubled its Beyond the numbers, as those from the rest of the users over the past year and Thompson says members are wid- world, receiving neither spe- hopes to do so again in 2015, ening their spending — in much cial benefits nor punishment, if Shoprunner’s chief executive the same way shoppers patronise there is a further commercial said in an interview. adjacent storefronts at the mall. opening between Cuba and the The five-year old online retail- Cross-shopping, when members United States, Cuba’s foreign er’s gains may allow it to win over who start out buying from one or trade minister said. more customers who prize con- two retailers evolve to shop from “US business people will enjoy venience and experience over cost more and more, grew nearly 60 the same treatment that is savings, while taking advantage percent in 2014, from just under offered to the rest of the world of its Alibaba relationship to help 20 percent previously. that has ties with the island American retailers sell to China’s “It’s that age-old tenant in the today,” Rodrigo Malmierca, the still-growing middle class. mall that draws customers in, and minister of foreign trade and ShopRunner borrows some of people around it benefit from the investment, said in an interview Amazon.com Inc’s innovations: traffic,” Thompson said. published in official Cuban media it charges $79 for two-day ship- Over the longer term, yesterday. ping to Amazon’s $99. And it has Thompson hopes to take greater “It’s true that we will view pos- an express checkout akin to its advantage of ties to Alibaba, the itively, once the US laws permit larger rival’s one-click-buying fea- Chinese e-commerce titan that A woman walks through the 2014 Spring National Job Fair and Training Expo in Toronto. Canada will release it, that they will be able to trade ture. But CEO Scott Thompson paid $202m for 39 percent of the jobs figures and the unemployment rate for March on Friday. and invest. But that does not says ShopRunner aims to be company in 2013. ShopRunner is imply a preferential treatment,” more like an online shopping one of several US e-commerce Malmierca said. mall that showcases brands than companies working with Alibaba The United States and Cuba an Amazon or eBay marketplace and affiliate Alipay to help US announced in December they where the focus is on lowest price. retailers access China. Russia’s Fridman forms $16bn fund would restore diplomatic rela- It also gives partners — rang- Through Alipay’s nascent tions and seek to normalise trade ing from Cole Haan and Under “ePass” service, which aims to and travel that were disrupted Armour to Neiman Marcus — let Chinese customers buy and more than 50 years ago during ownership of customer data and pay for goods from US retailers to invest in US, European telecoms the Cold War. relationships. “These businesses hassle-free, ShopRunner helps US President Barack Obama spend a lot of money to do the Neiman Marcus and Cole Haan MOSCOW: Russian billion- services that could be used by ex-Skype executive Russ Shaw has relaxed some parts of the US right thing with their brands,” sell to consumers in China by aire Mikhail Fridman and his its global mobile operations, the and Sir Julian Horn-Smith, one economic embargo against Cuba. Thompson said. “I want the seg- marketing their brands to buy- Russian partners have come FT quoted L1Technology’s Chief of the founding management Although he has authority to do ment of customer who says I want ers there. As Alibaba’s biggest together to create a private- Executive Alexey Reznikovich as team at Vodafone, the Financial more, he needs the Republican- to pay a fair price, but I want the single US e-commerce invest- equity-style group that will saying. Times reported. controlled Congress to remove experience to be predictable.” ment, ShopRunner will play a key invest in technology and tel- L1Technology will also act as a Fridman has been under fire the embargo definitively. ShopRunner is one of a role in Alipay’s effort, although it ecom companies in the US and holding company for the 48 per- from the British government The opening has generated number of startups nibbling also has relationships with sites Europe, the Financial Times cent that Fridman and his part- over a 5 billion euro takeo- tremendous interest from US away at Amazon’s dominance of in which Alibaba has no equity reported. ners own in VimpelCom Ltd and ver of energy firm DEA from companies looking to crack a the online arena. It remains to holding. Thompson wouldn’t give The private-equity fund 13 percent they own in Turkcell, Germany’s RWE, and had market that has long been closed, be seen whether any will make specifics but said ShopRunner’s called LetterOne Technology, the Financial Times reported. threatened to sue the govern- but even with a relaxation of the waves. The soon-to-be-launched own four-month effort to sell will utilise its $16bn in funds — The PVE fund’s board will ment if it forces his company to embargo US companies need Jet, for instance, is raising funds through Alipay was going well and stretchable up to $25bn — to buy comprise of Lastminute.com co- divest UK assets. an agreement from the Cuban from investors at a rapid clip and demonstrated the vast potential struggling telecom companies founder Brent Hoberman, Irish LetterOne Technology could government or a Cuban state hopes to carve out a niche in low- of a market in which retailers like that require fresh infusion of telecoms entrepreneur Denis not be immediately reached for company to do business on the est-price shopping. Best Buy have made little head- capital or technology companies O’Brien, former Google pay- comment outside regular busi- Caribbean island. ShopRunner membership is way despite years of effort. that make apps or streaming ments executive Osama Bedier, ness hours. REUTERS REUTERS now at 2.4 million, though it is REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Rajan credibility on inflation Once over $12 trillion, world’s wins over sceptics reserves are now shrinking BY KARTIK GOYAL and NUPUR ACHARYA

BY YE XIE and ANDREA WONG hold about two-thirds of global reserves, central banks there “need to sell euros,” he HATEVER India’s central bank governor does with spent a net $54bn of this stash in the fourth said. The euro has declined against 29 of 31 monetary policy today, global investors look likely HE decade-long surge in for- quarter, the most since the global financial major currencies this year as the European to give him the benefit of the doubt. Overseas funds eign-currency reserves held crisis in 2008. Central Bank stepped up monetary stimulus Wpoured a record $26.9bn into rupee-denominated by the world’s central banks China, the world’s largest reserve holder, to avert deflation. debt in the fiscal year ended March 31, data compiled by Bloomberg is coming to an end. Global together with commodity producers contrib- Central banks in emerging nations started show. BNP Paribas Wealth Management credits Raghuram Rajan reserves declined to $11.6 tril- uted to most of the declines, as central banks to build up reserves in the wake of the Asian with lowering inflation expectations, while UBS Global Asset lion in March from a record sold dollars to offset capital outflows and shore financial crisis in the late 1990s to safeguard Management says the Reserve Bank of India has built more cred- T$12.03 trillion in August 2014, halting a five- up their currencies. A Bloomberg gauge of their markets for periods when access to ibility under him. JPMorgan Asset Management lauds Rajan for fold increase that began in 2004, accord- emerging-market currencies has lost 15 per- foreign capital dries up. They also bought curbing swings in India’s currency. ing to data compiled by Bloomberg. While cent against the dollar over the past year. dollars to limit appreciation in their own Since taking office in September 2013, Rajan has won investors’ the drop may be overstated because the China cut its stockpile to $3.8 trillion exchange rates, quadrupling reserves from trust by leading the rupee’s turnaround from unprecedented lows, strengthening dollar reduced the value of in December from a peak of $4 trillion in 2003 and boosting their holdings of US slowing what was then Asia’s fastest consumer inflation and building other reserve currencies such as the euro, June, central bank data show. Russia’s sup- Treasuries to $4.1 trillion from $934bn, data record foreign reserves to shield local markets from external shocks. it still underlines a shift after central banks ply tumbled 25 percent over the past year to compiled by Bloomberg show. The former International Monetary Fund chief economist cut bench- — with most of them located in developing $361bn in March, while Saudi Arabia, the The reserve accumulation adds money mark interest rates twice this year, adding to the allure of bonds. nations like China and Russia — added an third-largest holder after China and Japan, supply to the financial system — each dollar “The central bank under Rajan has built in a lot of confidence among average $824bn to reserves each year over has burned through $10bn in reserves since purchase creates a corresponding amount investors and his presence has been a very big positive for Indian the past decade. August to $721bn. of new local currency — and helps stimu- markets,” Nandkumar Surti, chief executive officer at the local unit Beyond being emblematic of the dollar’s The trend is likely to continue as oil prices late the economy. Annual monetary base of JPMorgan Asset in Mumbai, said in a March 30 phone interview. return to its role as the world’s undisputed stay low and growth in emerging markets in China and Russia grew at an average 17 “If you can reasonably look at the inflation trajectory going forward, dominant currency, the drop in reserves remains weak, reducing the dollar inflows percent in the decade through 2013, data you can also possibly look into what the central bank’s action will be. has several potential implications for glo- that central banks used to build reserves, compiled by Bloomberg show. The expansion For today, there’s a 50-50 probability of a rate cut.” bal markets. It could make it harder for according to Deutsche Bank. rate tumbled to 6 percent last year. While 19 of 24 economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect emerging-market countries to boost their Such a development is detrimental to the While central banks have other ways of Rajan to leave the repurchase rate unchanged at 7.50 percent, money supply and shore up faltering eco- euro, which had benefited from purchases pumping cash into the banking system, such five expect a cut to 7.25 percent, adding to similar reductions nomic growth; it could add to declines in in recent years by central banks seeking to moves without the backing of increased for- in January and March. Rajan started easing policy as plunging the euro; and it could damp demand for US diversify their reserves, according to George eign reserves could end up weakening their crude oil prices improved the nation’s trade balance and slowed Treasury bonds. Saravelos, co-head of foreign-exchange currencies further — an outcome they may consumer-price gains to 5.37 percent in February from as high as “It’s a big challenge for emerging mar- research at Deutsche Bank. want to avoid. 8.60 percent in January 2014. He was also encouraged by the gov- kets,” Stephen Jen, a former International The euro’s share of global reserves “The swing in global foreign exchange ernment’s resolve to narrow the fiscal deficit to an eight-year low. Monetary Fund economist who’s co- dropped to 22 percent in 2014, the lowest reserves is one key measure of the global “Declining inflation, improved current account, stable-to- improving founder of SLJ Macro Partners in London, since 2002, while the dollar’s rose to a five- liquidity tap being turned on and off,” Albert fiscal deficit provide a better picture than previously,” Ashley Perrott, said by phone. They “now need more stim- year high of 63 percent, the International Edwards, a global strategist at Societe the Singapore-based head of pan- Asia fixed income at UBS Global ulus. The seed has been sowed for future Monetary Fund reported March 31. Generale SA, wrote in a note on March 6. Asset, said in a April 1 phone interview. “Also, the RBI has built pretty volatility,” he said. “The Middle East and China stand out as “When a regime of loose money suddenly solid credibility.” He is overweight on Indian government bonds. Stripping out the effect from foreign- two regions that are likely to face ongoing ends,” emerging-market asset prices “are Global funds added $6.8bn to their holdings of Indian debt in exchange fluctuations, Credit Suisse Group pressures to run down reserves over the next usually one of the first casualties,” he said. the January-March period, the second-best on record. Sovereign estimates that developing countries, which few years,” Saravelos wrote in a note. The WP-BLOOMBERG bonds capped a fifth quarterly advance on March 31, with the 10-year yield dropping 12 basis points, or 0.12 percentage point, to 7.74 percent. The rupee gained 0.9 percent in the period to 62.4975 a dollar, ending three quarters of losses. The yield fell three basis points to 7.71 percent as of 9:30am in Mumbai yesterday, the low- est since March 5, while the rupee gained 0.5 percent to 62.2050 a dollar. Local debt and currency markets were shut April 1-3. The rupee has rebounded 10 percent from a record low of 68.8450 in August 2013 as Rajan took steps to boost the supply of dollars, including a concessional currency-swap facility for banks, and raised the benchmark rate three times to rein in inflation. India’s foreign-exchange reserves climbed to an unprecedented $341bn as of March 27. Rajan also got India’s government to formally agree on an inflation target with the central bank this year, the biggest revamp of the RBI’s mandate in its 80-year history. “Because of a clear and more credible central bank, inflation expec- tations in India are coming down for the first time in a long time,” Stefan Hofer, chief investment strategist in Asia for BNP Paribas Wealth, a private bank with the equivalent of $335bn in assets at the end of 2014, said at a March 25 briefing in Hong Kong. He sees a further 25 to 50 basis-point reduction in the benchmark rate in 2015 and predicts rupee will strengthen to 60 a dollar in 12 months. An increase in US borrowing costs poses a risk to capital flows into India and will limit the RBI’s room to cut rates this year, Raj Kothari, a fixed-income trader at Sun Global Investments Ltd. in London, said in a March 31 phone interview. The rupee’s plunge to a record in 2013 was triggered by capital outflows in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s signal to end its unprecedented monetary stimulus. IMF chief Christine Lagarde said March 17 a strengthening dol- lar and normalization of U.S. monetary policy pose a challenge for India’s economy. The Fed last month indicated it will raise borrow- ing costs at a relatively slow pace. India’s foreign-exchange reserves and fiscal position make it better prepared for the Fed, Rajan said. Bond risk in India has declined in the last 12 months. Credit- default swaps insuring the notes of State Bank of India, a proxy for the sovereign, against non-payment for five years slumped 66 basis points in the period to 156 as of March 31, according to data provider CMA. “We continue to stay with our overall positive view on rupee-denominated government bonds and credit,” Neeraj Seth, the Singapore-based head of the Asian credit team of BlackRock Inc, said. “We believe that the RBI’s monetary policy will be guided by inflation data and trajectory in India over the coming months and quarters, with potential for one or two more cuts in rest of the year.” WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Iceland prepares to come in from the financial cold

BY SABINA ZAWADZKI At the low point in October 2008, in its own right so we shouldn’t be fall in the crown helped restore say ultimately rules will be imposed Officials said it was too early to Britain used anti-terrorism legisla- surprised that it is taking some Iceland’s competitiveness. Despite and not negotiated, noting it is pri- say if they would also be offered FTER more than tion against the country - forcing time,” he said. the capital controls, foreign busi- vate debt, not sovereign. physical assets, such as Iceland’s six long and lonely international bankers to pick up nesses were allowed to repatriate To keep all the funds released giant geothermal industry. The years, Iceland is hop- their bags in the middle of crisis OBJECT LESSON profits, tempting them to stay. in the settlement from leaving the government says privatisation is ing its financial isola- meetings and head to the airport. Iceland was the object lesson Iceland’s GDP exceeded pre- country at once, Iceland is con- not on the table. tion will soon be over. Now, Iceland hopes that by of the economic crisis, brought crisis levels for the first time last sidering an exit tax, or “stabilisa- Those who want to withdraw AThe North Atlantic nation, whose finally lifting capital controls it to ruin through regulatory mis- year — in crowns if not dollars. tion tax”, officials said. They hope immediately would have to sell spectacular 2008 meltdown came can draw a line under the crisis, management, wilful ignorance, Unemployment is less than 5 to make an announcement on the their crowns at a discount through to symbolise the greed and mis- restore its credit rating, lower its aggressive lending and a huge cur- percent, inflation is below a 2.5 estates of the banks within weeks, the central bank’s foreign cur- management of the global finan- borrowing costs, boost its economy rency bet. It had already begun percent target and state finances or at least before the end of May rency auctions. The bank said it cial system, is expected to begin and revive the living standards of to unravel before US investment reached a surplus last year — signs when the world’s oldest parliament, had not yet ascertained which unwinding the bankruptcies of its 330,000 people. But to do so, it bank Lehman Brothers crashed in that the time to relax capital con- which would have to approve the proportion of the $2.2 billion its three main banks and lifting must find a way to let investors September 2008, causing turmoil trols has arrived. deal, breaks for recess. would exit early. controls on the movement of capi- withdraw funds without provoking through global markets and bring That means allowing inves- A separate deal will be offered Finally, domestic institutions tal in and out of the island within a catastrophic stampede. Iceland’s financial system down. tors with assets in crowns to sell to foreign investors whose capital will be permitted to invest abroad. months. Officials say they will put rules Its three main banks, Glitnir, them for hard currency and take has been stuck in Iceland since While this comes last on the list, For Iceland, these moves will in place to ensure a managed, not Landsbanki and Kaupthing, all their money abroad. But to avoid a controls were imposed in 2008. officials say it is important to signal rehabilitation and a return free, float of the currency. The collapsed. Landsbanki had big new run on the crown, the central Foreign capital has leaked out allow institutions and the state’s to the international financial government is considering taxing retail operations abroad, accept- bank needs to act carefully. over the years via currency auc- own big pension fund to diversify community after the collapse of a the removal of cash to prevent an ing deposits particularly in Britain Officials say they will deal tions, partly in exchange for long- away from Icelandic assets. banking system which at one time exodus. And it will clip the wings and the Netherlands under the separately with three catego- term investment into Iceland, With a series of announce- held assets worth a staggering ten of domestic banks to make sure brand name “Icesave”. When it ries of investors: creditors of the and now amounts to 15 percent ments due by the end of the year, times the nation’s gross domestic a similar crisis can never happen failed, Iceland’s banking insurance estates of the three failed banks, of GDP, or around $2.2bn, from officials have painted a picture of product. again. “We’re talking here about scheme was unable to cover those other foreign investors with assets 40 percent five years ago. the kind of outcome they would The collapse infuriated some the third largest bankruptcy in the deposits, setting the stage for trapped in Iceland and domestic Investors may be offered vari- like, but are wary of committing European countries which were history of mankind being unwound years of international litigation. savers looking to invest abroad. ous schemes to keep their capital themselves to details. “We’re going left on the hook for billions of dol- in one of the smallest countries,” Since the crash, Iceland has First up will be the creditors of in Iceland, with “an option for to have a flexible exchange rate lars in compensation to deposi- the country’s central bank gover- been on a slow path to recovery. the failed banks, mostly hedge funds currency, an option for different but it doesn’t mean it will be a tors in failed Icelandic banks, and nor, Mar Gudmundsson, said in Unlike in countries in the euro that bought obligations on the sec- bonds in different currencies with free-floating exchange rate,” said left Iceland shunned by Western a recent interview in Reykjavik. zone that hit trouble and could ondary market. Iceland wants to different maturity dates”, Finance Gudmundsson, the central banker. nations in its hour of need. “That is just a huge complication not devalue their currencies, a avoid a long legal fight, but officials Minister Bjarni Benediktsson said. REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,731.64 0.27 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,230.05 0.27 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,315.06 0.28 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,137.99 0.26 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,164.05 0.49 % GOLD Services Buying Selling All Ordinaries 5869.743 36.825 0.63 5962 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 3,910.02 0.65 % QR141.4522 QE All Share Transportation 2,401.03 0.75 % US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Cac 40 Index/D 5074.14 11.92 0.24 5110.79 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,416.27 0.66 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.3601 QR 5.4360 QE All Share Insurance 4,121.96 0.45 % Dj Indu Average 17763.24 65.06 0.37 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.9219 QR 4.9768 QE All Share Telecoms 1,331.78 0.71 % QR 1.9834 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8567 QR 2.9130 6,917.42 0.22 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 25275.64 192.89 0.77 25113.2 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7693 QR 3.8229 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6025.59 7.56 0.13 6212.11 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0302 QR 0.0308 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7256 QR 2.7802 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31752.17 338.21 1.08 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 06-04-2015 05-04-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0592 Index 11,731.64 11,763.56 Nikkei 225 Index 19397.98 -37.1 -0.19 19778.6 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 31.92 64.53 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0828 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1814.36 % 0.27 0.55 $ 56.05 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 4.51 4.25 Straits Times/D 3452.91 -0.84 -0.02 3469.02 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 6,152,173 6,821,396 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0363 QR 0.0367 Value (QAR) 200,266,559.11 264,826,455.24 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3008 QR 0.3068 Trades 3,744 3,956 $ 54.72 Up 09 | Down 28 | Unchanged 05 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 06-04-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 168 4.1 1907 Chola Invest-B/D 596.75 1.6 1510 Goodricke-B/D 149.3 0.3 8770 Kajaria Cer-A/D 780 -4.85 4193 Radico Khait-B/D 89.05 -1 32039 Kingfisher/D 363.384 -5.2 10729220 A C C-A/D 1617.75 34.3 22638 Chowgule St-T/D 24.85 0.9 2810 Goodyear I -B/D 561.75 18.25 4177 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 123.4 1.8 2419 Rallis India-A/D 234 3.75 23905 Land Secs Grou/D 1259 4 1284548 Aarti Drugs-B/D 655 5.75 8059 Cimmco-B/D 99.95 4.75 45138 Hcl Infosys-B/D 54.05 0.75 525007 Kalpat Power-B/D 225.6 -2.25 22460 Rallis India-A/D 234 3.75 23905 Legal & Genera/D 281.2 0.7 9710634 Aban Offs-A/D 462.75 33.95 773146 Cipla-A/D 734.95 25.5 406442 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 14.81 0.12 1434145 Kalyani Stel-T/D 140.5 2.1 41519 Reliance Indus/D 406.6 4.75 83926 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.08 -0.31 99901518 Ador Welding-B/D 221 2.7 2363 City Union Bk-/D 96.65 -1.6 30602 Himat Seide-B/D 83.8 2.2 10534 Kanoria Chem-B/D 45 3.4 59265 Ruchi Soya-B/D 45 -0.85 93667 Marks & Sp./D 553.776 23.5 17553938 Aegis Logis-B/D 644.25 -12.25 18213 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1926.25 11.35 2016 Hind Motors-T/D 6.87 0.16 147838 Kg Denim-B/D 24 2.35 37300 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 595.5 -2.95 1331 Next/D 7055 55 322211 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 236.9 6 105207 Colgate-A/D 2050 48.1 13694 Hind Org Chem-/D 15.13 0.6 14387 Kilburnengg-T/D 55.2 0.25 22638 Salora Inter-B/D 44.75 4.05 6934 Pearson/D 1439 -7 2640163 Alembic-B/D 38.35 1.75 267820 Container Cor-/D 1611.65 28.75 7954 Hind Unilever-/D 905.1 22.7 80891 Kopran-B/D 51.9 3.95 288910 Saur.Cem-B/D 45.65 1.8 57859 Prudential/D 1680 4.5 2606552 Alkyl Amines-B/D 326 0.3 5828 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 165.5 5.5 2961 Hind.Petrol-A/D 654.9 1.85 92108 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 396.4 66 26597 Til Ltd.-T/D 498 3.3 1750 Rank Group/D 186 0 279729 Alok Indus-A/D 8.24 0.28 2065733 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.85 0.04 3246 Hindalco-A/D 134.7 2.55 403086 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 44.95 2.8 2565 Timexgroup-T/D 20.1 0.25 107100 Rentokil Initi/D 136.8 0.2 1432643 Apollo Tyre-A/D 177.3 2.75 291444 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 80 5 1634 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1327.15 -6.65 64666 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 11 0.13 29213 Tinplate-B/D 56.35 -1.2 45127 Rolls Royce Pl/D 943.5 -6.5 4994210 Asahi I Glass-/D 138.95 -3.4 5911 Dhampur Sugar-/D 37.9 1.6 7233 I F C I-A/D 33.95 -0.4 286904 Lupin-A/D 2090.9 52.6 58759 Ub Engineer-Z/D 6.56 -0.34 2051 Rsa Insrance G/D 426 1.6 3219288 Ashok Leyland-/D 73.7 -0.45 1530158 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3679.3 152.7 24645 Idbi-A/D 72.15 -0.6 394479 Lyka Labs-T/D 54 2.55 150428 Ucal Fuel-B/D 115 0.7 23846 Sainsbury(J)/D 260.4 2.3 5633516 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.25 0.33 242120 E I H-B/D 109.8 0.25 24692 Ifb Agro-B/D 272.2 9.1 2389 Mah.Seamless-B/D 212.9 3.3 9882 Ucal Fuel-B/D 115 0.7 23846 Schroders/D 3221.430763 15 270765 Bata India-A/D 1130 34.75 33036 E.I.D Parry-A/D 172.9 1.3 9513 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 649.5 24.75 34827 Maha Scooter-B/D 885 -5.25 1631 Ultramarine-B/D 67.65 2.35 16877 Severn Trent/D 2097 13 595748 Bayer Crop-A/D 3306.75 6.85 1388 Eicher Motor-A/D 15763.7 -264.7 4769 India Cement-A/D 91.2 2 223063 Mangalam Cem-B/D 281.6 1.6 2597 Unitech P -A/D 17.55 1.3 9120123 Beml Ltd-A/D 1160.45 21.55 94341 Eimco Elecon-T/D 429.9 20.4 1260 India Glycol-B/D 100.45 13.95 188674 Maral Overs-B/D 30.2 2.65 34281 Smith&Nephew/D 1147 15 2775407 Bh Electronic-/D 3591.05 94.9 39045 Electrosteel-B/D 18.75 -0.6 242172 Indian Card-B/D 105.2 -2.7 3918 Mastek-B/D 410.4 -13.3 87561 LONDON Smiths Group/D 1116 -1 1372560 Bhansali Eng-T/D 22 -0.3 4537 Emco-B/D 34.2 -0.25 39478 Indian Hotel-A/D 114 -0.6 37683 Max India L-A/D 458.6 9.4 31825 Standrd Chart /D 1076.5 -5.5 5558860 Tate & Lyle/D 626 18 2195849 Bharat Bijle-B/D 634.5 5 2975 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.39 0.08 13042 Indo-Tcount-T/D 406 13 17363 Mrpl-A/D 72.05 1.8 215472 3I Group/D 483.076 6.8 1056077 Tesco/D 242.048 1.05 20514959 Bharatgears-B/D 78.5 3 18871 Escorts-A/D 125.8 -0.9 66070 Indusind-A/D 916.2 -9.15 38278 Nahar Spg.-B/D 93.25 1.8 16289 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2866 50 584916 Unilever/D 2825 43 1884275 Bhel-A/D 235 3.2 614661 Essar Oil-T/D 110.5 0.45 37872 J.B.Chemical-B/D 214.4 7 75286 Nation Alum -A/D 47.65 0.4 54789 Barclays/D 254.7 5.45 38046988 United Util Gr/D 936.5 -1.5 1468075 Bom.Burmah-B/D 475.2 24.4 147038 Eveready Indu-/D 277.5 7.3 39436 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 38.1 -0.65 10550 Navneet Edu-B/D 104 2 15513 Bg Group/D 859.185226 1.5 9752150 Vodafone Group/D 222.173 2.15 42690525 Bombay Dyeing-/D 67.5 1.4 304624 F D C-B/D 156.45 3.05 18633 Jagson Phar-B/D 35.4 5.85 163979 Nepc India-T/D 2.55 0.12 7725 Bp/D 442.6 0.75 20899148 Camph.& All-B/D 262 -1.8 1384 Federal Bank-A/D 130.45 -2.95 151522 Jbf Indu-B/D 231.7 6.8 81539 Neuland Lab-B/D 350 3.4 6672 Whitbread/D 5255 30 302992 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3577 38.5 2238426 Canfin Homes-B/D 642.25 -0.75 18394 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.44 0.25 15735 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.39 0.01 11110 Nrb Bearings-B/D 130.3 -0.8 2250 Bt Group/D 442.9 1.5 15847806 Caprihans-B/D 73 3.7 5155 Finolex-A/D 287.6 -1.65 6050 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.52 0.43 207342 O N G C-A/D 317.1 10.65 305288 Centrica/D 253.2 -1.6 9725911 Castrol India-/D 468.85 0.05 27319 Gail-A/D 399.1 14.5 83864 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 6.76 0.32 21708 Ocl India-B/D 449.5 -6.1 1081 Gkn/D 359.025 1.9 3497068 Century Enka-B/D 157.2 -0.3 18684 Gammon India-T/D 19.35 0.2 92470 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 122.9 5.35 562836 Oil Country-B/D 33.3 1.4 9735 Hsbc Holdings/D 582.3 3.7 21648644 Century Text-A/D 687.5 10.75 262827 Garden P -B/D 26.5 0.25 3446 Jmc Projects-T/D 191.9 3.5 7586 Orchid Chem-B/D 54.75 1.5 393733 Imperial Tobac/D 3098.9 86 5145656 Chambal Fert-B/D 70.35 -1.85 92511 Godfrey Phil-B/D 453.45 9.8 1600 Kabra Extr-B/D 76 1 1910 Punjab Chem.-B/D 195.8 5.7 30896 TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Baseball: Holliday drives Clippers send Lakers to Cardinals to win over Cubs on opening club record 56th loss night NEW YORK: Matt Holliday NBA: Former champions LA Lakers continue to struggle this season drove in two runs as the St Louis Cardinals picked up a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on LOS ANGELES: Blake Griffin the Western Conference, a game the opening night of the new bagged 18 points and Chris Paul ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies. Major League Baseball season chipped in with 15 assists as the The Thunder (42-35) retained on Sunday. Los Angeles Clippers crushed the No. 8 spot in the West stand- Holliday went 2-for-4 and the hapless Los Angeles Lakers ings, but their lead over the walked once, while Matt 106-78 on Sunday. idle New Orleans Pelicans was Carpenter added an RBI single DeAndre Jordan finished with reduced to a half-game with five and scored off left-hander Jon 16 points, 11 rebounds and four remaining. The Pelicans have six Lester, making his first Cubs steals for the Clippers, who never games left. start. trailed against the Lakers and led Russell Westbrook paced the St Louis right-handed starter by as many as 43 points. Thunder with 40 points, 13 assists Adam Wainwright, coming off Wesley Johnson had 16 points and 11 rebounds for his 11th tri- a 20-9 season for the defending for the Lakers, whose downward ple-double of the season. National League Central cham- spiral continues as they set a Pacers 112, Heat 89 pions, made his fourth career franchise record with their 56th Indiana Pacers’ guard/forward season-opening start and third loss of the NBA season. Paul George, sidelined since straight. Matt Barnes helped pace the August 1 with a broken right leg, Los Angeles Lakers Wainwright (1-0) worked six Clipper attack with 14 points, made a triumphant return with guard Jordan innings and allowed five hits and while J J Redick and Hedo 13 points in 15 minutes in a vic- Clarkson (left) and struck out six while throwing 101 Turkoglu added 12 points apiece tory against the struggling Miami Los Angeles Clippers pitches. He didn’t issue a walk. in the rout. Heat. guard Austin Rivers Right-handed reliever Trevor Cavaliers 99, Bulls 94 George entered the game to fight for a rebound Rosenthal struck out the side in The Cleveland Cavaliers opened a standing ovation with 5:34 in the second half the ninth for the save. a four-game lead on Chicago in remaining in the first quarter and during their NBA Right fielder Jason Heyward, the Central Division after their made his first field goal attempt, game at the Staples new to the Cardinals this season, latest victory. a short jumper with 3:42 left in went 3-for-5 with a double to lead Center in Los With just five games remain- the period that gave Indiana a a 10-hit St. Louis attack. Angeles, California. ing for each team it will allow the 20-14 lead. The Cubs, who kicked-off the Cavaliers to start resting some Luis Scola led Indiana (34-43) The Clippers won the season with new manager Joe players for the playoffs, while with 23 points and 12 rebounds. game. Maddon and under the backdrop Chicago tries to hold off Toronto The win moved Indiana within of a major Wrigley Field con- for the third seed. a game of the eighth and final struction project, had just five hits The Cavaliers were buoyed by playoff spot in the Eastern off four Cardinals pitchers. Three LeBron James’ first triple-double Conference. were doubles, with one apiece of the season. James had 21 points, Spurs 107, Warriors 92 from centre fielder Dexter Fowler, 10 rebounds and 12 assists for the Kawhi Leonard matched his Chris Coghlan and catcher David 38th triple-double of his career. career best for the regular season Ross. Mike Dunleavy led the Bulls with 26 points and set a personal The Cardinals opened a 1-0 with 24 points. Aaron Brooks, mark with seven steals as the first-inning lead on Lester when filling in for the injured Derrick Spurs defeated Golden State for Heyward launched a one-out Rose and Kirk Hinrich, scored 17. their seventh consecutive victory. double to right and scored on Rockets 115, Thunder 112 Tim Duncan scored 19 points Holliday’s single to right on an James Harden scored 41 points for the Spurs and guard Danny 0-2 count. to lead the Houston Rockets to a Green had 18. St Louis made it 2-0 in the sec- victory over the Oklahoma City Golden State (63-14) had its ond as second baseman Kolten Thunder. 12-game winning streak snapped Wong walked and later scored on The victory (53-24) keeps the a night after Steve Kerr set an leadoff man Carpenter’s single to Rockets locked in second place in NBA record for most victories in the final five minutes, the odds of getting a higher choice. Hood scored 25 points to pace right. by a rookie coach with a win at New York Knicks defeated the Andrea Bargnani led the Knicks the Jazz who improved to 16-8 St Louis scored again in the Dallas. Stephen Curry led Golden Philadelphia 76ers. with 25 points, tied for a season since the All-Star game. fifth when Carpenter led off with NBA Results State with 24 points, converting While the Knicks (15-62) got high, with eight rebounds and DeMarcus Cousins, coming a single to right and came home Houston 115 Oklahoma City 112 five of ten 3-point attempts. the win, the 76ers (18-60) might four assists. off back-to-back triple-doubles, on Holliday’s single to right- Cleveland 99 Chicago 94 San Antonio (51-26) played just be the benefactors in the long Jazz 101, Kings 95 scored 26 points and pulled 12 center. REUTERS Indiana 112 Miami 89 without Tiago Splitter, the start- run. Sunday’s combatants possess Rodney Hood scored nine rebounds for the Kings (26-50), San Antonio 107 G State 92 ing centre who left a game against two of the three worst records in straight points during a decisive who have lost at least 50 contests Cycling: NY Knicks 101 Philadelphia 91 Denver on Friday with tightness the NBA and they will be front- 14-2 run late in the fourth quarter in six straight 82-game seasons. in his right calf. runners to gain the first overall and the Utah Jazz continued their Sacramento went 22-44 in the Utah 101 Sacramento 95 Knicks 101, 76ers 91 draft pick in the lottery. second-half surge with a victory 66-game lockout-shortened 2011- Kristoff looking LA Clippers 106 Lakers 78 Outscoring the visitors 16-6 Each loss increases the team’s over the Sacramento Kings. 12 season. REUTERS to emulate Norwegian Rugby: Tigers great Hushovd Jokinen scores winning goal roar home OUDENAARDE, BELGIUM: to down Eels Alexander Kristoff humbly played down comparisons with compatriot Thor Hushovd after as St Louis Blues post win as Thurston making history by becoming the first Norwegian to win the Tour NEW YORK: Olli Jokinen inspires of Flanders. scored the tiebreaking goal to Toronto It was Kristoff’s second vic- lead the St Louis Blues to a Maple Leafs Cowboys tory in a ‘Monument’ race follow- 2-1 win against the Chicago forward ing success at Milan San-Remo Blackhawks. SYDNEY: Wests Tigers surged last year and he is rapidly mak- Nazem Kadri David Backes also scored for home with three tries in the ing a name for himself as both a (43) checks the Blues, who earned their third final 10 minutes to down the sprinter and a Classics specialist. consecutive win. Ottawa Parramatta Eels 22-6 in the It was his third straight top St Louis (49-23-7) pulled one Senators Australia’s National Rugby five finish in Flanders while he point ahead of Nashville and defenceman League yesterday. won Milan-San Remo last year, three points ahead of Chicago in Erik The Eels led 6-4 until the final was second this year and eighth the Western Conference Central Karlsson 10 minutes when James Tedesco, in 2013. Division race with three games (65) at the Pat Richards and Luke Brooks He also won two stages at last remaining for each team. Air Canada crossed for tries to seal the two year’s Tour de France and took Kris Versteeg scored for the Centre. competition points for the joint bronze in the Olympic road race Blackhawks. The loss snapped Toronto venture club. in 2012. a four-game winning streak for defeated Richards’ bid was ruled to But he says he has a long Chicago (48-25-6), which like St. Ottawa be an eight-point try when ref- way to go to overtake Hushovd, Louis already has clinched a play- 3-2 in an eree Jared Maxwell deemed Will who in 2010 was the first ever off berth. over-time Hopoate guilty of a high tackle Scandinavian to win the World Blues goaltender Jake Allen shoot-out. during the build-up. Championships road race. stopped 38 of 39 shots to improve The experienced winger, in “Now I have won two to 21-6-4. his 100th NRL game, ignited ‘Monuments’ so I’m getting Capitals 2, Red Wings 1 his side’s late flourish with some closer, but he delivered for many The Washington Capitals Goalie Braden Holtby made 35 Penguins and received goals from two-point lead in the Atlantic great footwork to keep his feet in years,” said Kristoff, who rides for clinched a playoff berth by holding saves. Jakub Voracek, Brayden Schenn, Division over the idle Tampa Bay touch and kick over the head of Russian outfit Katusha. off the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings (41-25-13) Ryan White and defenseman Lightning with two games left for Hopoate for Tedesco to score. “If I keep putting results Washington (44-25-11), second are tied for third in the Atlantic Michael Del Zotto, as well as each team. Melbourne Storm winger together, maybe I will get closer.” in the Metropolitan Division, Division with the Boston Bruins 47 saves from goaltender Steve Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Marika Koroibete put on an awe- Hushovd retired at the end of gained official entrance into the but are in the second wild card Mason. Plekanec each scored for the some display of pace and power last year at 36 years of age hav- playoffs after the Ottawa Senators spot because Boston has the Canadiens 4, Panthers 1 Canadiens. to help set up a 30-14 win over ing set a number of records for lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs. advantage head to head. The Montreal Canadiens, who Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 the New Zealand Warriors in a Scandinavian cyclist: He was Defenseman Mike Green had Flyers 4, Penguins 1 sustained what could be a key (Shootout) Melbourne yesterday. the first winner of the World a goal and an assist and Evgeny The Pittsburgh Penguins took injury to leading scorer Max Peter Holland scored the Storm skipper Cameron Smith Championships in 2010 and won Kuznetsov scored for Washington. one more stab at solving a division Pacioretty, snapped their three- deciding goal in a shootout as the said mid-week his team’s form a record number of Grand Tour rival, but failed to do so in a loss game losing streak, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the was good enough to be sitting stages -- 14, including 10 at the to the Philadelphia Flyers. Florida Panthers. Ottawa Senators. alongside the competition front- Tour de France. NHL Results Pittsburgh (42-26-11), still Pacioretty, who entered the day Each team had a goal in the runners. Melbourne ran in five He was also the first Norwegian Philadelphia 4 Pittsburgh 1 needing to punch a playoff ticket, tied for fourth in the NHL with shootout before Holland’s clincher tries, with the Fijian winger scor- to wear the Tour’s fabled yellow Washington 2 Detroit 1 lost for the fourth time in four 37 goals, left the game in the first in the seventh round. Jonathan ing one in each half and setting jersey in 2006, wearing it again tries against Philadelphia (32-29- period after he crashed into the Bernier stopped 43 shots in the up another. Test star Johnathan in 2010. Hushovd, though, was a Montreal 4 Florida 1 18) this season and is now 3-8-1 boards, appearing to hit his head. Maple Leafs goal while Senators Thurston delivered another mas- specialist sprinter, as well as a Toronto 3 Ottawa 2 in its last 12 games. The Flyers He did not return. goalie Andrew Hammond made terclass to lead North Queensland handy time-triallist, and never St Louis 2 Chicago 1 have won eight straight over the Montreal (48-22-10) took a 36 saves. REUTERS to a 30-10 win over Penrith. AFP won a Monument race. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Augusta ace in high demand Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods get Masters sessions with 51-year-old Jeff Knox

AUGUSTA: Top-ranked Rory McIlroy and 14-time major win- Frozen ner Tiger Woods, each seeking a milestone Masters victory next Sunday, appear to have a key in time, advisor in common -- Augusta National ace Jeff Knox. Should either golf superstar Masters capture the green jacket next weekend, McIlroy to complete a conjures a career Grand Slam and win his third major in a row or Woods for a fifth time to end a seven- golf heaven year major win drought, he might just owe some thanks to 51-year- AUGUSTA: Golfers glide along old Knox, who set the Augusta as if walking on air and the National members course record crowd is polite and smiling at of 61 in 2003. Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy was famously out- where time stands still like played by non-competing marker a Norman Rockwell study of Knox in last year’s Masters third bygone days when the Masters round, the Northern Ireland star rolls around. shooting 71 to Knox’s 70. The deep green grass is per- And Woods played his prac- fectly groomed and azaleas are in tice round Friday at Augusta bloom when the first major cham- National with Knox, according pionship of the year returns to to a Golf Channel report Sunday, the Georgia pines each April for a just before announcing that he glorious reunion where more golf would play in the Masters, end- history will be made. ing a layoff that began February “The Masters is a monument 5 when he withdrew after 11 holes to everything great in golf,” Jack at Torrey Pines. Nicklaus, winner of a record six Woods, 39, has been nagged by Masters.” McIlroy said that he was among those who arrived at Masters, said of the tournament back injuries for much of the past planned to seek out Knox last Magnolia Lane early to watch the co-founded by legendary Georgia year, his quest simply to complete month when he visited Augusta Drive, Chip and Putt youth skills golfer Bobby Jones. 72 holes becoming a soap opera National for practice rounds. contest finals Sunday at Augusta TOP: The clubhouse Players are treated like roy- sideshow. “Playing with Jeff, it was a National. is seen during a alty at the tournament founded “I’m playing in the Masters,” treat for me to see how he played “You can see the passion,” practice round in 1934 and where the focus is Woods said. “I’ve worked a lot on the course, see someone that has Kaymer said. “Last year they prior to the start of strictly on golf and tradition, my game and I’m looking forward played it a lot more than me,” inspired me a little bit. They got the 2015 Masters while the memory of greats such to competing.” McIlroy said six weeks ago. me fired up. There’s a natural as Sarazen, Hogan, Snead, Palmer, Tournament at McIlroy, 25, has won last “Even though everyone said, untouched beauty about the pas- Nicklaus and Player and their Augusta National year’s British Open and PGA ‘Oh, you got beat by an amateur,’ sion. We play this every week. exploits hang in the air. Championship and has estab- not many amateurs can shoot 71 Sometimes we forget.” Golf Club in Fans, or patrons as they are lished himself as the world’s top off the Masters tee at Augusta. This year’s Masters field of Augusta, Georgia. known at Augusta, lucky enough player, but yearns for the only A lot did come out of it. I picked 99, including 54 non-US players, RIGHT: Rory McIlroy to have secured tickets, or held major crown to have eluded him. his brain a little bit on the way equals the 2011 lineup for the of Northern Ireland them through the decades or had “It’s a matter of being prepared around ... it did turn into quite a largest since 103 players teed off gestures as he them willed down to them, feel and not over-thinking it,” McIlroy positive for me.” in 1966. The Masters record of 109 putts on the first part of a civilized family outing said. Australian Jason Day hopes to players competed in 1962. hole during the first staged on a grand scale. Knox, already the envy of the find positives after near misses, Augusta National chairman practice round at The feeling is reinforced by golf world for his role as a marker the two-time US Open runner-up Billy Payne said in 2011 that the 2015 Masters throwback prices at concession if an odd number of players make having come second at the 2011 99 starters is “difficult” and “a Tournament. stands, where a pimento cheese the Masters cut, was deeply Masters and shared third two borderline to be able to present BELOW Bubba sandwich goes for $1.50, the ham praised last year by McIlroy. years ago. the kind of competition that we Watson (left) of the and cheese, $2.50, a beer for $4 “Jeff is a great player,” McIlroy “Preparation is huge on this want.” US and Adam Scott and chips or candy for $1. said at the time. “He obviously golf course and I try to do as “There is a maximum number of Australia are Former CBS sports president knows this place so well and gets much of it as I can,” Day said. “All of competitors for which we can seen sporting green Neal Pilson, who negotiated 19 of it round. I don’t think I’ve ever I’m trying to do is tune up a few give the experience that we want the one-year deals that has kept jackets yesterday. seen anyone putt the greens as things and tune them up while it them to have and do it in a way the Masters on the US TV net- well as he does. He was really is still early.” that’s manageable -- 100 pushes work from 1956 to the present impressive. He played like he Reigning US Open champion that limit quite significantly.” day, calls it “the most unique should have been playing in the Martin Kaymer of Germany REUTERS event in American sports.” Green is the colour of the Masters, from the paper cups for Houston Open Scores soft drinks and beer, to the plas- tic wrapping of the sandwiches, HOUSTON: Leading final-round scores on Sunday in the US to the jackets worn by members PGA Tour $6m Houston Open (x-won at second playoff hole, USA unless noted, par-72) of the exclusive club and draped over the shoulders of the latest 272 x-J.B. Holmes 65-70-73-64, Johnson Wagner 69-68-66-69, Jordan Spieth 69-66-67-70 champion. 274 Russell Henley 69-68-68-69 Protecting the special atmos- 275 Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 73-67-68-67, Keegan Bradley 70-66-70-69, Cameron Tringale phere with a firm hand through 68-70-69-68, Charles Howell 66-70-69-70 an unobtrusive army of security, a long of list of do’s and don’ts is 276 Paul Casey (ENG) 68-69-68-71 enforced. 277 Scott Piercy 63-74-66-74 Cell phones, beepers and other 278 Charley Hoffman 69-68-74-67, Pat Perez 71-68-72-67, Kyle Reifers 71-69-70-68, Chad electronic devices are prohib- Collins 69-69-70-70, Alex Cejka (GER) 65-72-70-71, Austin Cook 68-65-70-75 ited and grounds for dismissal. Cameras are not allowed on tour- 279 Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 67-68-78-66, John Huh 68-70-73-68, Charlie Beljan 71-69-70-69, nament days, and patrons are Chris Stroud 68-68-74-69, Jason Bohn 71-67-72-69, Phil Mickelson 66-67-75-71, Luke asked not to run, lie down on the Guthrie 66-68-73-72, Patrick Reed 68-71-67-73 grass or go barefoot. The graceful grounds of Augusta National are revealed Holmes wins Houston Open to players after an elegant drive down Magnolia Lane from the hubbub of busy Washington Road. in three-way play-off “You step off Washington Road HOUSTON: Long-hitting J B Holmes (pictured with the trophy) and you step away from modern Lincicome wins first completed a perfect Masters tune-up when he won the Houston America with its fast food, its Open in a three-way playoff on Sunday. strip malls and its pizza joints and Holmes came from six strokes behind in the final round with a siz- parking lots and you go through zling eight-under-par 64 that included nine birdies in the first 12 holes the gate and go back 100 years,” at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble. Pilson, now a sports business con- major of the season Three hours after posting a 16-under 272 total, he made a tap-in par sultant, said. at the second extra hole, the par-four 18th, to outlast fellow American “All of a sudden you’re talk- RANCHO MIRAGE, US: 69 in the final round to finish tied It was the same story on the Johnson Wagner, who missed a five-foot par putt. ing in hushed tones. There’s not Brittany Lincicome claimed her with Lewis at nine-under 279. second playoff hole. Both players Overnight leader Jordan Spieth a blade of grass that isn’t mani- second major championship by Lewis made a furious charge reached the green in three with was eliminated at the first extra cured. There’s not a piece of paper parring the third playoff hole of her own coming from behind Lewis five feet closer and on the hole. Holmes collected $1.188m for anywhere. There’s not a weed at the ANA Inspiration tourna- on the back nine to chase down same line. Lincicome’s putt nar- his fourth PGA Tour victory. The growing anywhere. The patrons ment Sunday to defeat fellow and surpass third-round leader rowly missed on the left edge. 33-year-old had already qualified for are orderly, respectful. No one American Stacy Lewis. South Korean rookie Kim Sei- Lewis, who won this event four the Masters, the first major of the runs. No one yells.” Lincicome hit a brilliant Young. Lewis shot a two-under years ago, also just missed her year starting on Thursday. He has First-time players pinch them- approach shot on the final extra 70 Sunday. Morgan Pressel fin- birdie try on the same side. played the tournament once. selves to know they have really hole then tapped in to take the ished solo third at eight-under The third time around both “It was just a great day for me arrived at the US cathedral of golf first major championship of the par while Kim tied for fourth players laid up with their second and it ended good too,” Holmes told and the patrons feel privileged to 2015 LPGA Tour season and with two others at seven-under, shots, but Lewis’ ball landed in a reporters. “I didn’t tee off expecting be there. snap an almost four-year winless two shots back of the leaders. divot. She came up short of the to win today. It’s a nice surprise. I “The Masters signifies to a drought. Lincicome and Lewis returned green with her approach then started out with five birdies. After good part of the country that “Super emotional right now,” to the tee on the par-five 18th for Lincicome dropped her approach that I thought I had a chance.” spring has arrived,” noted Pilson. Lincicome said. “I am standing the playoff, not once, but three inside 10 feet. Lewis then bungled Wagner, who played on a sponsor “First week in April, it’s still here shaking like a leaf. It is over times. Lewis, who was in the final her chip shot. exemption, needed to win to punch pretty chilly up north and in the and I am still shaking. It is just group, missed a birdie putt to win Lewis missed again as her par his ticket to Augusta, and he gave Midwest and the flowers are out how nerves get to you.” on the final hole of regulation. effort came up short. Lincicome’s himself a chance when he sank a at Augusta and all’s right with the Lincicome also won this event Both missed the fairway with birdie try slid by the edge, but she 25-foot putt at the 72nd hole to join world. It’s kind of a fairyland. It’s in 2009 for her only other major their tee shots on the first play- tapped in for par and the win. the playoff. sports as it should be.” title. She set the table for both off hole, and reached the green “You know, it starts out as dis- “Birdieing 18 to even get into the Said South African Gary Player, victories by making an eagle on with their third. Lincicome two- appointment, but it was just bad playoff was pretty incredible,” he said. winner of three green jackets: “If the 72nd hole of the tournaments putted for her par, then watched luck really. Getting into the mid- “I’m pretty bummed right now, but a there’s a golf course in heaven, I at the Mission Hills Country Club. as Lewis’ birdie effort slid by the dle of a divot there was just a hard lot of good stuff going on.” hope it’s like Augusta National.” Lincicome shot a three-under edge. lie,” Lewis said. REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Novak Djokovic (top also) of Serbia poses Djokovic overpowers at Crandon Park after winning the Final of the Miami Open presented by Itau against Andy Murray for Miami glory Murray of Great Britain at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Serbian pushes career record against the Briton to 18-8 Florida.

MIAMI: World number one over Djokovic was in his historic over, startling a nearby ball kid a little bit better in the tiebreak Novak Djokovic roared home Wimbledon final triumph of 2013, and earning a warning from the in the first set, but, yeah, that was in a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 win over started strong in a bid to end a chair umpire. it,” he said of his fast fade in the Andy Murray on Sunday to six-match skid against the Serb. But the Serb regrouped, storm- third. claim a fifth Miami Masters The two traded four breaks of ing through the third set for the Murray said he wasn’t sure title. serve in the first eight games of win. what he could do differently to Serbia’s Djokovic pushed his the tense first set in which both “Of course I go through avoid the problem. career record against the Scot struggled on serve on one sun- moments of doubt, as everybody “I’ve trained as hard as I can,” to 18-8, adding the triumph in splashed end of the court. else,” the world number one said. he said. the championship match on the “It was just very tough, bru- “But it’s important to keep those “Maybe I could have hydrated a hardcourts of Miami to victo- tal conditions for both of us,” moments short... That’s what hap- little bit better or whatever, but I ries over Murray this year in the Djokovic said. pened today. I just gathered my don’t think that I can do a whole Australian Open final and the “We tried to stay mentally thoughts and all the energy into lot more physically to get in much semi-finals of the Indian Wells tough, both of us, and kind of right direction, and that helped.” better shape. Masters. hang in there, battle, and wear Murray had a glimmer of hope “I just have to try and keep “I could not ask for a bet- down the other player physically. of avoiding the undesired “bagel” working hard and see if there ter start of the season, winning “There were lots of exchanges, with a break chance against are a few things I can do differ- three big titles,” Djokovic said. a lot of long rallies. I was expect- Djokovic in the sixth game. ently which might help. He was “Hopefully I’m able to use this for ing that coming into the match, He couldn’t convert and stronger than me at the end for the claycourt coming up. That’s but one thing is to really expect Djokovic gave himself a match sure.” extremely important for me obvi- and the other is to really experi- point with a cunning drop shot- Nevertheless, the performance ously leading up to French.” ence it and really go through it lob combination. gave Murray more to be pleased Djokovic became the first man on the court.” The Serb finished Murray off about than his loss to Djokovic in to complete the Indian Wells- Djokovic was quick to seize the on his first opportunity, pulling less than an hour and a half at Miami Masters title sweep three initiative in the tiebreaker, rac- him out wide with a serve then Indian Wells a fortnight earlier. times, having also done so in 2011 ing to a 4-0 lead, and despite a stroking a winner into the open “I felt like I did many things and 2014. double fault Djokovic had quickly court on match point. better,” Murray said. “I made the Today, Djokovic will tie Spain’s wrapped up the decider 7/3. “I just managed to play the match a lot harder for him. Rafael Nadal for the sixth-most The second set went with serve third set the way I was supposed “I felt like I was going for my weeks spent at the top of the until Djokovic, looking weary, was to.” shots a little bit more. rankings, sitting atop the summit broken in the final game, gifting Even though Murray makes “I did pretty much all of the for the 141st week in his career. Murray a double fault for 0-30 Miami his training base, he said things that I wanted to do tacti- Murray, meanwhile, is poised before the Brit belted two win- he struggled physically late in the cally on the court, so I felt like I to return to number three in the ners to force a third set. two-hour, 46-minute match. played a good match tactically,” world. A frustrated Djokovic barked “I played very well for a couple he told reporters on Sunday. The Scot, whose last victory at those in his box on the change of sets. Maybe I could have done REUTERS Murray into third in Suarez breaks into ATP rankings, Nadal top 10 as Serena slips to fifth consolidates PARIS: Beaten Miami finalist Andy Murray PARIS: Spain’s Carla Suarez for the first time moved into third spot of the ATP rankings pub- broke into the top 10 of the WTA rankings, pub- lished Monday as Rafael Nadal slipped back two lished Monday, after reaching the final of the places to fifth, his worst position in two years. Miami tournament. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, winner in Miami, con- American Serena Williams, who won the Miami solidated his place atop the rankings, more than title for an eighth time, consolidated her place atop 4,000 points (the equivalent of two Grand Slam the rankings ahead of Russian Maria Sharapova victories) ahead of Switzerland’s Roger Federer. and Romanian Simona Halep. Rankings as of April 6 Rankings as of April 6 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) ...... 13,205 1. Serena Williams (USA) ...... 9981 2. Roger Federer (SUI) ...... 8895 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS) ...... 7890 3. Andy Murray (GBR) ...... 6060 (+1) 3. Simona Halep (ROM) ...... 7571 4. Kei Nishikori (JPN) ...... 5280 (+1) 4. Petra Kvitova (CZE) ...... 6060 5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) ...... 5255 (-2) 5. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) ...... 4675 6. Milos Raonic (CAN) ...... 5070 6. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) ...... 4200 7. David Ferrer (ESP) ...... 4670 7. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) ...... 4122 8. Tomas Berdych (CZE) ...... 4510 (+1) 8. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) ...... 3420 (+1) 9. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) ...... 4405 (-1) 9. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) ...... 3385 (-1) 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) ...... 3360 10. Carla Suarez (ESP) ...... 3340 (+2) 11. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) ...... 3055 11. Andrea Petkovic (GER) ...... 3135 (-1) 12. Feliciano Lopez (ESP)...... 2380 12. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) ...... 2880 (+2) 13. Gilles Simon (FRA) ...... 2210 (+1) 13. Lucie Safarova (CZE) ...... 2870 (-2) 14. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) ...... 2135 (-1) 14. Sara Errani (ITA) ...... 2735 (-1) 15. Roberto Bautista (ESP) ...... 1940 15. Venus Williams (USA) ...... 2591 (+1) 16. Kevin Anderson (RSA) ...... 1915 (+1) 16. Angelique Kerber (GER) ...... 2500 (-1) 17. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) ...... 1910 (-1) 17. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) ...... 2420 18. Gael Monfils (FRA) ...... 1750 (+1) 18. Sabine Lisicki (GER) ...... 2127 (+3) 19. John Isner (USA) ...... 1720 (+5) 19. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) ...... 2125 20. Tommy Robredo (ESP) ...... 1720 (-2) 20. Madison Keys (USA) ...... 2075 (-2)

LEFT: Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Sania Mirza of India pose with the Butch Buchholz Trophy after defeating Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina of Russia in the doubles final at the Miami Open. Mirza achieved yet another career milestone by capturing her 25th WTA doubles title as the Indian ace continued her dream start with Hingis to win the Miami Open trophy. The top seeded Indo-Swiss pair overcame a sluggish start to take the title with a 7-5, 6-1 scoreline against second seeded Russian team of Makarova and Vesnina. TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Lekhwiya eye Al Ahli scalp to seize QSL title Al Sadd hope for miracles; ‘Golden Game’ a possibility

DOHA: After missing the chance of sealing the Qatar Stars League (QSL) title last week, Lekhwiya will look to to win the coveted trophy in their round 24 game against Al Ahli at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Sunday. Referee The defending champions failed shows red to capitalise on their opportu- nity for championship glory as card to Al Shahaniya put up a admirable Lekhwiya captain Luiz Action during the QSL match between Al Sadd and Al Gharafa at the Al fight and despite their low posi- Sadd SC on Friday. tion in the table, the Oryxes man- Martin during aged to pull-off a 3-3 draw away, the hotly- in the last round. contested It was a lucky escape for the game QSL: Interesting facts, league leaders who at one point against Al in the match were a man down Shahaniya and also trailing by a goal to the on Saturday visitors. in Doha. outcome of Round 24 Things don’t get any easier this week as they face Al Ahli a DOHA: The interesting round considered one of the goals of team who possess the league’s top 24 of the Qatar Stars League the season. The Brazilian striker scorer in Alain Dioko and a light- was held last week. bagged his 12th goal in the league, ening counter attacking style. The Peninsula looks at the with an outrageous back heeled In addition the Red Knights outcome of the round following goal which he flicked though the will be without the services of thrilling battles. legs of onrushing defender, simul- their captain Luiz Martin Junior Teams decided for Qatar Cup taneously bamboozling the goal who was sent off for a second We now know the top 4 sides keeper. book able offense in their previ- This will therefore be perhaps lost their last three games whilst Mathematically however, if who will take place in this year’s It’s a moment of true samba ous match. the Brigadier’s best chance to beat Lekhwiya won, won and drew Sadd win their last two games and Qatar Cup tournament. magic from the former Al Ahli Vladimir Weiss too will miss the league leaders. theirs. Lekwhiya lose both their matches The top two sides, Lekhwiya striker and well worth seeing. out due to one too many yel- Earlier in the season Al Ahli Ahli are currently in sixth with then Sadd would win. and Al Sadd had pretty much Al Arabi down Al Ahli low cards and central defender managed to get a draw against 35 points whilst Lekhwiya has a Additionally if Lekhwiya lose been confirmed before round 24. Al Arabi defeated Al Ahli 2-0 Chico could be a doubt as he was Lekhwiya (2-2 ) and so will have five point lead over Sadd who sit and draw and Sadd win both But with both EL Jaish and Qatar on Friday night, in the big derby pulled off late in the game against plenty of confidence that perhaps in second. their games, then the two teams SC winning, and 5th placed Al match in the QSL. Shahania. they might repeat the feat or go The league is Lekhwiya’s to would be tied on points and would Gharafa losing comprehensively Goals from Junior Dutra and Sriker Soria too is still serv- one better this time. lose; they need just two points have to play a “Golden Game” to at the hands of Al Sadd, means Paulo Sergio gave Arabi a moral ing a suspension and will miss The form guide for the greens to secure their fourth QSL decide the winner of the 2014/15 that the top four places have been boosting win against an Ahli side Sunday’s game. show that they won, drew and championship. QSLseason. THE PENINSULA confirmed for this season. who had previously been unbeaten It will now be up to the top four in five QSL matches. sides to keep up their respective Interestingly it was the nature winning steaks, and find their of the goals scored by Arabi in form ahead of the tournament, the second half which drew com- Juventus welcome back Marchisio which brings the curtain down parisons with Al Ahli’s counter on the busy Qatar Stars League attacking style. MILAN: Claudio Marchisio is Juventus were stunned by a season. The Dream Team seemed very back from injury for Juventus as Mohamed Salah brace in the first Relegation battle continues happy to soak up the pressure they bid to overturn a 2-1 first leg in Turin last month. The final relegation place in the from Ahli in the second half, being leg deficit to Fiorentina in the Allegri says he has been Juventus’ Claudio QSL has yet to be decided, and able to quickly counter attack and second-leg of the Italian Cup impressed by the Egyptian, but is Marchisio looks like it will go to the wire sucker punch their neighbours semi-final. hoping the Bianconeri keep their celebrates his between Al Shahaniya and Al with two breakaway goals. The Italy international mid- focus and score the goals that goal against Wakrah. Junior Dutra’s opener was a fielder has been sidelined with a would guarantee a first Italian Celtic during their The Oryxes arguably pulled off perfect example of Arabi’s tactics knee injury, but is back in training Cup final in three years. “Salah the result of the round holding in action, sweeping up the pitch Champions League ahead of today’s tie in Florence. is a good player, Fiorentina did champions elect Lekhwiya in a on the counter and finishing with match at Celtic “Marchisio is doing fine, he’s well in bringing him to the club,” pulsating 3-3 draw at the Abdulla a sublime effort from outside of available and today we’ll assess said Allegri. Park Stadium in Bin Khalifa Stadium. the box. whether he’s match fit or not. The “It won’t be easy to turn things Glasgow, Scotland, Whilst Wakrah couldn’t hold Hamza stars for Wolves few days of rest have helped him,” around, but we’ll go to Florence in this February on for a point against a Qatar Moroccan Alsenhaji Hamza said Juventus coach Massimiliano and try. To go through we need to 2013 file photo. SC, thanks to the head of striker was the stand out player for Al Allegri. win by two clear goals so we will Diaby. Sadd as the Wolves comprehen- Allegri will still have to do have to play things intelligently Shahaniya are now just one sively beat Al Gharafa 5-1 at the without midfield maestro Andrea and keep our focus.” point behind the Waves, and could Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Pirlo as he continues his recovery Six-time winners Fiorentina, overhaul their relegation rivals in The young midfielder has only from a hamstring injury, and the who last lifted the trophy in 2011, round 25. played 11 games for Sadd, but he coach is set to replace stalwart were outgunned by Napoli in last Shahaniya take on the already looked like a season professional Gianluigi Buffon in goal with his year’s final. relegated Al Shamal, whilst as he played a part in all three of understudy Marco Storari. Despite their advantage from Wakrah will face Al Khor in what his side’s goals in the first half. “From Wednesday Pirlo will the away leg, coach Vincenzo promises to be two promising ties First he assisted Yousef Ahmad start to train again then we’ll look Montella is taking nothing for of the round. for the opener. at his condition,” added Allegri. granted. Al Khor score memorable Then he bagged two goals, the “It will be good to have him “We have a small advantage, goal second one being a fantastic curl- back. Even if he’s not in top con- but it will count for little,” he told At first glance, Al Khor’s draw ing effort. dition his tactical intelligence is reporters yesterday. with Al Kharatiyat is hardly the The 20 year old, will be looking a plus.” “I’m expecting an open game. most inspiring game in round 24 to get some game-time towards He added: “We’ll be sending Juventus are a strong side and of the QSL. the end of the season, and could out a strong team with Storari will fancy their chances, but so Yet Julio Cesar’s 45th minute be a player to watch next season in goal.” do we.” AFP equaliser arguably has to be for Sadd. THE PENINSULA Dortmund target Europa place via Cup success

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund But Dortmund will need to aim to win this season’s German German Cup improve on their Bayern defeat Cup to keep alive their hopes which left captain Mats Hummels of European competition next Last 8 Fixtures ruing their “inefficiency” after season ahead of today’s quarter- failing to convert their 15 chances Today (All times GMT) final against Hoffenheim. as Bayern’s ex-Dortmund striker Bayern Dortmund host Hoffenheim Wolfsburg vs Freiburg (1700), Borussia Robert Lewandowski headed the Munich’s while Wolfsburg are home to Dortmund vs Hoffenheim (1830) winner against his former club. Spanish Freiburg today, then holders Tomorrow Holders Bayern have fresh midfielder Bayern are at Bayer Leverkusen injury woes for the key tie Thiago tomorrow as second-division Arminia Bielefeld vs Borussia of the round in Leverkusen Alcantara and Moenchengladbach (1700), Bayer Arminia Bielefeld host Borussia with Germany star Bastian Dortmund’s Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich (1830) Moenchengladbach in the rounds Schweinsteiger the latest on their midfielder only non-Bundesliga tie. casualty list. Sven Bender Borussia’s 1-0 league defeat at finish in the Bundesliga table. An injury to his left ankle saw (right) vie home to Bayern on Saturday left “The cup game is now very impor- Germany’s captain hobbled out of for the ball them tenth in the table and effec- tant for us. Going to Berlin is still Saturday’s 1-0 win at Dortmund. possession tively ended their hopes of a fifth a major goal for the season,” said Bayern are already missing during their year in the Champions League Dortmund’s director of sport a trio of injured stars in David German next season. Michael Zorc. Alaba, Arjen Robben and Franck Jurgen Klopp’s side are now Dortmund have to rediscover Ribery. first division 15 points from qualifying with their scoring touch at home after But Pep Guardiola’s Bavarian Bundesliga a top four finish following a dire failing to claim a single goal in giants welcomed back Spain mid- in Dortmund, set of results earlier in the sea- any of their last three games at fielder Thiago Alcantara for the western son which left them bottom of the Borussia’s Westfalenstadion in all last 20 minutes in Dortmund Germany, on Bundesliga in February. competitions. after a year out following the Saturday. But the 2012 German Cup win- “We can give ourselves a big injury. ners could yet claim a Europa boost for the rest of the season The German Cup semi-finals League berth, either by win- with a good result and perform- will be played on April 28 and ning this year’s final at Berlin’s ance against Hoffenheim,” said 29 with the final in Berlin on Olympic Stadium or a top six Germany midfielder Sven Bender. Saturday, May 30. AFP TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Emir Cup: Tickets for prestigious event go on sale

DOHA: Fans can get their Abdullah Al Kuwari, Director of tournament is a celebration that berths booked now for the Marketing and Communications has a great sentimental value for clashes of highly-anticipated at QFA said: “It is our pleasure QFA, fans, participating teams, Emir Cup 2015 as the Qatar to announce the release of the sponsors, and local organisations. Football Association (QFA) has first batch of tickets for the final We are focusing all our efforts on opened the ticket sales of coun- match of the Emir Cup on our providing a unique championship Al Sadd’s try’s top football tournament. website,” he said. at all levels.” players and Online tickets for Emir Cup “We are releasing the online It is worth mentioning that the officials 2015 final match are now on sale ticket sales for the final match Emir Cup is the last tournament celebrate on the QFA’s website www.qfa. well in advance to allow the fans of the season and is one of the becoming com.qa. to buy their tickets at an early most prestigious tournaments in the Emir Cup Online tickets were officially stage and not have to wait until the country. champions, in made available to the public yes- the last minute. Our aim is to The final match will take place this May 2014 terday so that they are readily save our fans the time consuming on May 23 and will be held at Al file photo. available for fans from across process of going to the malls to Gharafa Stadium. Qatar well before the prestigious buy their tickets like they previ- The matches of the Emir Cup championship kicks off on April ously did in the past years.” will also be played at Al Arabi 24 in Al Arabi Stadium. He added: “Our interest in the Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, Commenting on the launching tournament is increasing year Lekhwiya Stadium and Al Sadd the online ticket sales, Hamad after year, especially since this Stadium. THE PENINSULA Ramsey plays PSG edge out Marseille to down old pals’ act ahead of Villa game regain Ligue 1 top spot LONDON: Queens Park Rangers manager Chris Ramsey will put his friendship Morel’s own goal gives PSG vital win but Luiz, Motta suffer from injuries with Aston Villa counterpart Tim Sherwood on hold when the teams meet in a vital Premier PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain League relegation battle today. must now be considered favour- Ramey and Sherwood worked ites to win a third consecutive together at Tottenham Hotspur Ligue 1 title after coming from for a number of years and still behind to beat fierce enemies speak regularly. Marseille 3-2 in ‘Le Classique’ at “Tim is a good friend of mine, the Stade Velodrome on Sunday. but for 90 minutes we will be Marseille held a 2-1 lead at the going head to head,” Ramsey told interval thanks to Andre-Pierre reporters yesterday. Gignac’s brace either side of a “The game isn’t about me ver- Blaise Matuidi beauty, but two sus Tim - it’s about QPR versus goals in the first six minutes of Villa. We both know that.” the second half swung the match A 4-1 victory over West decisively in the capital club’s Bromwich Albion at the weekend favour. means 19th-placed QPR head to Marquinhos equalised and then Villa Park within three points of Jeremy Morel’s own goal in the their hosts who lost heavily 3-1 51st minute allowed PSG to claim at the Manchester United on a seventh consecutive victory Saturday. against OM in all competitions as “It will be strange as the fact Laurent Blanc’s side moved back is that we’ll probably have a pint to the top of the table, a point later on in the week, but as far above Lyon. as going into the game I’m going “Unfortunately tonight there as a representative of (Sunday), we lost two players Queens Park Rangers, and I’m which is worrying for the upcom- sure he’ll be thinking the same ing matches,” Matuidi told Canal as regards Aston Villa,” Ramsey Plus TV in reference to injuries said. picked up by David Luiz and The Rangers manager believes Thiago Motta. Villa were fortunate to secure the “Overall, we played a great Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos (centre) jubilates with team-mates at services of Sherwood who replaced match but it wasn’t easy against the end of the French L1 football match against Marseille (OM) on Sunday at the Velodrome Paul Lambert in February. a good Marseille team, but I think Stadium in Marseille, southern France. RIGHT: Paris Saint Germain Swedish forward Zlatan A win in Birmingham would the best team won. Ibrahimovic reacts during the match. move QPR above Villa, who are “It’s up to us to fight to the end in 17th place, and out of the rel- and we’ll do everything to win a egation zone. maximum of trophies,” added winding him up a bit. “He hasn’t It was Marseille who opened Salvatore Sirigu to beat. His fin- contention after winning 3-1 at Meanwhile, Queens Park Matuidi with PSG in the hunt had much success in front of the scoring on the half-hour ish for his 18th goal of the season Guingamp on Saturday. Rangers striker Eduardo Vargas for the league title, Champions goal,” added the former Marseille mark, Gignac switching the play was cool, and the home support Monaco came from behind will miss the rest of the season League, French Cup and League defender. to Dimitri Payet on the right and greeted the half-time whistle as to draw 1-1 with Saint-Etienne due to a knee ligament injury, the Cup. Marseille are now five points off then outmuscling Marquinhos to though they had won the game. on Friday, and while they have Premier League strugglers said PSG coach Laurent Blanc was top spot in third, which will surely head home his team-mate’s cross But PSG drew level on 49 min- a game in hand to play against yesterday. happy with the win but disap- prove fatal to their title chances. at the back post. utes, Marquinhos firing into the Montpellier on Tuesday, their sole The 25-year-old Chilean inter- pointed with the injuries. Not only that, but Bielsa’s When Paris lost David Luiz to roof of the net after a Zlatan focus now is on securing a top- national, who is on loan from “We’ll savour the victory but we team – who had Andre Ayew a hamstring injury, it looked like Ibrahimovic free-kick struck Rod three finish. Italian club Napoli, was hurt after paid an expensive price because red-carded after the final whis- it would not be their night, but Fanni inside the box and broke to Elsewhere on Sunday, an injury- scoring the opening goal in the 4-1 we lost two players. That is a tle – are hanging onto the third Matuidi silenced the Velodrome in the Brazilian defender. time goal by substitute Nicolas victory at West Bromwich Albion problem but we are very happy and final Champions League qual- the 35th minute with a magnifi- And two minutes after that Maurice-Belay gave Bordeaux a on Saturday. to have won here at Marseille,” ifying berth, with fourth-placed cent curling strike into the far top they scored again, Morel turning 2-1 home victory against relega- Vargas will be out for 10 to 12 said the former Bordeaux and Monaco only three points behind corner of the net on his weaker a Pastore ball from the left into tion-threatened Lens. weeks and will not be available France coach. with a game in hand. right foot. his own net under pressure from Mariano had given Bordeaux for the last seven matches of the “To have won is a very, very There was an intimidating However, Marseille reclaimed Ibrahimovic. the lead only for Pablo Chavarria season. REUTERS good job done tonight (Sunday). environment for Paris, whose the lead two minutes before the They are in pole position to equalise for the visitors, who (Blaise) Matuidi was amazing team bus was struck by mis- interval. Alaixys Romao hounded with seven games of the season are bottom. Caen moved six points with his physical game and he siles – including a golf ball that Pastore out of possession in mid- remaining, although they saw clear of the relegation zone after AC Milan players worked hard this week to try smashed a window – en route to field and suddenly Gignac found Thiago Motta limp off injured late coming from behind to win 2-1 at and score a goal because we were the ground. himself through on goal with just on and Lyon remain very much in Nantes. AFP subjected to alleged racist Hazard, Matic make Chelsea tick: Melchiot abuse

LONDON: Eden Hazard and midfielder’s role. “Cesc Fabregas is ROME: AC Milan youth play- Nemanja Matic are the two one of the architects in the middle ers were allegedly subjected to Chelsea’s players who make things tick but at this point the player who racist abuse during a tourna- for Premier League leaders is really important in midfield is Eden Hazard ment in Italy over the weekend, Chelsea, according to former Matic,” explained the 38-year-old (left) in action the Serie A club said yesterday. Stamford Bridge defender Dutchman who won 22 caps for against Stoke The incidents occurred during Mario Melchiot (pictured). his country. City’s Marko a quarter-final match against The ex-Dutch international “When the towering Peter Arnautovic Paris St Germain. right back returned to his old Crouch came on as a late substi- during their “It has been brought to our hunting ground on Saturday to tute for Stoke you could see the English attention that during yesterday’s watch the Londoners go seven job Matic was doing to protect Premier match between Milan and PSG points clear at the top of the table Chelsea. “This team depends on League that there was alleged incidents with a 2-1 victory over Stoke City. one star,” added the dread-locked his positioning and the way he match at of racism from certain people Hazard opened the scoring Dutchman in reference to the makes the team so strong defen- Stamford in the stands towards Milan’s for Jose Mourinho’s men with a former Real Madrid, Inter Milan sively. Then, going forward it’s all Bridge in black players,” the club said in a first-half penalty and the Belgium and Porto manager. about Hazard,” Melchiot said. London, on statement. playmaker also laid on the win- “If you go back through his his- “That’s why sometimes they Saturday. “We do not wish to magnify the ner for Loic Remy in the second tory he creates a star and that miss a little bit of balance because issue but truly hope these reports period. man is always very, very impor- they also need someone on the aren’t true or that it was simply “I am a big fan of Hazard,” tant and Hazard at this point is right who can create as much dif- a sporadic incident. If they were Melchiot said. the guy he has picked.” ficulty and problems for the oppo- for 20, 25 minutes and then it and they don’t get a goal in the to be confirmed then it would be “Whenever I watch Chelsea Melchiot says Hazard is sition as Hazard does on the left.” slowed down a little bit,” said first 20 to 25 minutes they can simply unacceptable.” play I always feel when he gets on Chelsea’s most creative influence Neither Chelsea nor Stoke were the Dutchman who made 165 start to struggle. Chelsea, Ajax Amsterdam, the ball they really start clicking. but the collective strength of the at their best on Saturday and appearances for the London club “I had the same problem when Inter Milan, Benfica, Juventus “If you look at the way team is underpinned by the power Melchiot identified the interna- between 1999 and 2004. I was playing. It’s something and AS Roma were among other Mourinho has always played of 6-foot-4 (1.94-metre) Serbian tional break as one of the reasons. “Sometimes when you see play- that will never go away from the teams playing in the tournament with his teams, he always has international Matic in the holding “The game started off well ers come back from internationals game.” REUTERS in northern Tuscany. REUTERS Tuesday 7 April 2015 18 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6393 Sport Price: QR2 Clippers send Tickets for the Lakers to club Emir Cup go

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A Qatari handball player takes a selfie as team celebrates their gold medal at the GCC Beach Games after their victory against Bahrain at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al Attiyah attend the proceedings of Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix on Sunday. Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed took the silver medal in the event. Qatar bag another Qatar’s Bassem wins silver medal at Miami Beach GP

MIAMI: Qatar’s Bassem Beach Games gold Hassan Mohammed took sil- ver in the Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Hosts pip Bahrain in last handball match Prix aboard his ride Palloubet D Halong. He won a prize money worth DOHA: Qatar maintained their €110,000 after a fine performance. unbeaten run at the handball H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad competition, handing another Al Thani attended competition defeat to Bahrain in the last- where Mohammed sealed second match of the event as they place. bagged another gold medal at World No.1 Scott Brash came the GCC Beach Games, under first and won the prize money way in Doha. worth €181,000. Although the hosts secured President of the Qatar gold medal with three consecu- Equestrian Federation (QEF) tive victories, they showed no sign Hamad Bin Abdul Rahman of complacency in the last match Al Attiyah congratulated to register a comfortable 2-0 win. Mohammed for his achievement, Seeking quick points, the home which he earned after strong team’s players adopted aggres- competition with the top riders sive strategy and scored in quick in the world. intervals to win the first half Al Attiyah also said that 18-12. Mohammed’s achievement added They completed their brilliant to a big list of Qatari equestrian’s show in the contest by claiming achievement. the second half 15-12. Oman took He also praised H E Sheikh silver while Bahrain had to be Khalid bin Ali Al Thani, who content with the bronze medal. came second in the five star The hosts earned their first category. gold medal in the volleyball com- Brash was victorious for the petition on Saturday. second night in a row on Miami In football, Qatar were beaten Beach on Sunday as he gal- by Oman 3-0, their second succes- loped away with the inaugu- sive defeat following a 4-1 defeat ral Longinestitle aboard Hello Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed performs at the Global Champions by Bahrain. Action during the football match between Qatar and Oman at the GCC Sanctos. This was the two-time Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix aboard his ride Palloubet D Halong. In other match of the day, Beach Games at Al Gharafa Club, yesterday. Longines GCT champ’s fifth Bassem won silver in the competition on Sunday. Kuwait routed Bahrain by 6-1. Grand Prix win in the last three Today is the rest day at the foot- seasons as he continues to domi- ball event. Abdullah Al Bishr (UAE) and competed today at the Katara nate the Tour in spectacular It is amazing the hard work that Uliano Vezzani course, including Meanwhile, in sailing, Qatar’s Marwan Al Jabri (Oman) occu- Cultural Village. fashion. goes into this.” four on 4 faults. Ghanim K Al Sewaidi finished on pied the top three positions Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain Bassem and his relatively new Having claimed a strong victory Meanwhile, Bassem set the fourth position on the first pro- respectively. and the UAE besides hosts Qatar ride put in the performance of with his new mount Hello Forever standard first to go in the jump- visional day at Optimist Class. The event of open water swim- will take part in the competition. their young partnership to take in 42nd American Invitational, off, clear in a time of 39.74s. Zakarixa Al Wahabi (Oman), ming, stretching 5kms will be THE PENINSULA silver. Brash went into the Grand Prix Second to go, Bosty risked a tight While 2014 Longines GCT of a firm favourite, but facing hot turn back to a tall upright and Shanghai Grand Prix winner competition from a stellar line-up picked up a refusal, leaving him Pieter Devos (BEL) and Candy of world-class riders from around in 4th place. Qatar finished with a worthy Bronze the globe. Brash knew what he had to do handball medal. The first round of the Grand and executed his plan with foot- team’s From the VIP Lounge, Michael Prix was a testing and technical perfect precision to stop the clock players and Bloomberg, Bruce Springsteen, H course which caught out many an in 38.57s. officials E Sheikh Joaan and Miami Beach experienced combination. Last to go, Pieter Devos pushed pose after Mayor Philip Levine watched Of the 50 Grand Prix starters, his mare, recently returned from the team world-class sport at it’s very best. 12 clears proceeded to the 2nd a long break from competition, secured Speaking from the VIP round, including Katie Dinan but lowered an early fence in the gold medal Hospitality Lounge Bloomberg (USA) and Stakorado, Margie tricky jump-off course leaving at the GCC said: “I think this is a wonder- Goldstein-Engle (USA) and Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos ful thing for Miami and for the Royce, Denis Lynch (IRE) and Ho once more unbeatable. Beach economy of Miami.” Go van de Padenborre, Luciana Scott will be back in action Games, He added: “This could become Diniz (POR) and Apollonia, Beezie in Antwerp in a few weeks once yesterday like the Formula 1 is to Monaco Madden (USA) and Simon, Kent again hot on the trail on the at the Al and places like that not just the Farrington (USA) and Voyeur, Longines GCT Championship, Gharafa people who come to watch the and Eric Lamaze (CAN) and which if he wins once again this Stadium. show, the people who support it, Rosana du Park. season, will be his 3rd in a row - a the people who work in the hotels The top 18 riders came back to truly incredible feat. where we all stay, the restaurants. try their talents against another THE PENINSULA