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Ashghal signed contracts Qatar Exchange is likely Roi De Vitesse relied on worth over QR1.2bn with to see firms from GCC an explosive late surge Qatari companies to and Mena region listing to win the Qatar 2022 build 17 new schools and on it. Dual listing is Cup at the Qatar Racing six kindergartens. under discussion. and Equestrian Club.

WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 • 6 Jumada I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6352 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Qatar committed to peace: Emir Emir, Obama meet in Washington; US President praises Qatar as a strong partner in fight against terrorism

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has conveyed Qatar’s readiness to work with the US to address the growing threat of terror- ism in the Middle East but said “inclusive” solutions to regional disputes are necessary for such efforts to succeed. US President Barack Obama praised Qatar as a “strong part- ner” in the fight against the Islamic State militants as he hosted the Emir in the Oval Office yesterday. “Qatar is a strong partner in our coalition to degrade and ulti- mately defeat ISIL,” news agen- cies quoted Obama as saying. “We are both committed to making sure that ISIL is defeated, to making sure that in Iraq there is an opportunity for all people to live together in peace,” Obama said. Speaking after the meeting, the Emir also praised the strong bilateral relationship and urged efforts to advance the Middle East peace process. “We have to find a solution for Palestine. And Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC yesterday. RIGHT: Emir with US Vice-President Joe Biden. I’m happy to learn, to hear from you Mr President, that you’re The Emir cautioned against hopelessness that abounds in the to address if we are to stem the inclusive, power-sharing solutions Middle East where human dig- committed,” he said. Libya and attempts to deepen the sectarian Syrian and Palestinian refugee tide of terrorism. This is not to regional disputes. And it will nity is respected and justice is fair Yemen were also discussed. divisions in the region and exploit camps, and in war-weary towns meant as an excuse for terrorism, require that tyrants be held to and true. But their hopes will not In an article in New York Times the Sunni-Shia divide for politi- and villages in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, because it is not,” he added. account”. endure if we don’t act, as we must, titled “Qatar’s message to Obama” cal ends. Libya and Gaza,” said the Emir. The Emir said addressing the The Emir said despite all of the to win back their trust and support published shortly before his meet- He said the problem behind the “It’s the hopelessness we see root causes of terrorism will pessimism generated by the forces by renewing our commitment to ing with Obama, the Emir con- terrorist threat is not Islam as in the poorer neighbourhoods of require “a deeper, longer-term, of violence and repression, the the values they marched for in the veyed Qatar’s readiness to work perceived by many in the West. Europe’s great cities, and, yes, and more strategic approach youth of the Arab world remain Arab Spring,” said the Emir. together with the US “to pull the “But as a Muslim, I can tell you even in the United States. And it to the problem. It will require steadfast and committed to a bet- THE PENINSULA Middle East back from the brink that the problem isn’t Islam — is this hopelessness, which knows political leaders to have the ter future. Full NYT interview on page 2 of collapse”. it’s hopelessness. It’s the kind of no state or religion, that we need courage to negotiate pluralistic, “They continue to hope for a See also pages 2 & 3

Sons of Emir win in camel race Banks closed on Mar 1 FIFA group calls for Nov-Dec 2022 DOHA: Qatar Central Bank has announced that Sunday (March DOHA: A FIFA World Cup by the FIFA executive commit- AFC head and taskforce chair- 1) will be an official holiday taskforce yesterday called for tee at their meeting in Zurich, man, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim for banks and financial insti- the 2022 World Cup in Qatar Switzerland, on March 19-20 Al Khalifa, said there was also a tutions under its jurisdiction. to be shortened and held in and looks likely to be approved. recommendation for a shorter The closure of banks, exchange November-December. If the move goes ahead, it will be competition. outlets, investment companies A tournament from the end of the first time the World Cup has The move to shift the tournament and financing firms on that November to the end of December been played in these months and was backed by the Qataris. “We date comes in line with Cabinet was “the most viable period” for the away from its traditional north- have always committed ourselves Decision No. 33 of 2009. QNA World Cup, the taskforce decided, ern hemisphere summer format. to what the football community according to a FIFA statement. “There is one solution, decides,” said the country’s World INSIDE A source later said that the dates November-December,” said FIFA Cup chief, Hassan Al Thawadi. “We proposed would see the tourna- Secretary-General Jerome Valcke are onboard whatever the executive ment begin on November 26 with after a meeting of the taskforce in committee decides.” Page 8 the final held on December 23. Doha. “It is clear there are pros Officials from football’s global “The proposed event dates have and cons for all but there is one governing body, top leagues and Katara aims to build a the full support of all six confed- solution coming out from this players’ representatives attended creative global society erations,” said a FIFA statement. discussion, which is November- the crucial meeting in Doha. of arts and culture A final decision will be made December 2022,” said Valcke. AFP Page 11

H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani awarded yesterday trophies Sisi regime exporting to winners of the fourth day of the Camel Racing Festival, held in Al Two Qatar varsities crises, falling at home Shahaniya. H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad awarded H E Sheikh Hamad Chamber comes to rescue By Jaber Al Harami bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and H E Sheikh Jassim bin Tamim bin among top 30 Hamad Al Thani, the sons of the Emir, with golden daggers for the win. of schools over rent rise in Mena rankings Why the heightened DOHA: The Qatar Chamber the private sector, said it hoped activity in the Gulf? BY FAZEENA SALEEM has come to the rescue of private the rent dispute settlement panel By Dr. Mohammed schools that are operating from would take action against the err- Saleh Al Misfer More lanes may be added DOHA: Two universities in Qatar rented premises and whose land- ing landlords. has scored high in a preview of lords have been increasing rents As a first step, the complaints new ranking of universities in the in violation of the law. of the schools against the land- to February 22 Road Middle East and North Africa, to The law permits the owners lords are being referred to the be announced next year. of properties that house private Chamber’s legal committee. The DOHA: There is a possibility number of lanes on either side of Texas A&M University at Qatar schools to raise rents by only five committee is being asked to make more lanes may be added to the the February 22 Road to seven. stood first and Qatar University percent annually. But there are a strong case for the school man- arterial February 22 Road so as Five of the seven proposed came fourth in a pilot ranking of some landlords who have been agements for the central rent dis- to broaden it and prevent traffic lanes will be for light vehicles 30 universities released by Times flouting the rule and raising rents pute settlement panel to look into. snarls during peak hours. while the remaining two would Higher Education (THE) at their by as much as 30 to 50 percent, The Chamber’s education com- The Ministry of Municipality be reserved for heavy vehicles, inaugural Mena summit held here according to the Chamber. mittee met yesterday presided over and Urban Planning is mull- including trucks and trailers. yesterday. A comprehensive rank- The complaints of all the by Mohamed bin Ahmed Tawar Al ing easing traffic congestions Plans are also afoot to convert ing will be released in February 2016. aggrieved schools are being col- Kuwari, and took the above deci- TODAY’S EDITION on this major thoroughfare by Al Thumama Roundabout into a Lebanese American University is lected by the Chamber. sion. The committee also raised INCLUDES A 4-PAGE SPECIAL adding several more lanes on traffic signals intersection. placed second, while King Abdulaziz They will be forwarded to the the issue of fees being increased by its either side. There will also be a tunnel and University is in the third position Central Rent Dispute Settlement some schools and said that the fee SUPPLEMENT ON The planning department for a flyover there to help reduce according to THE ranking which Committee of the Ministry of hike should not be done for profit- transport and road infrastruc- traffic jams. measures research impact mainly. Municipality and Urban Planning. making by school managements. Doha Jewellery and ture at the Ministry has disclosed Continued on page 6 Continued on page 3 The education committee of the Continued on page 4 Watches Exhibition that it is mulling to increase the THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Chamber, representative body of THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar’s message to Obama

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US Vice-President Joe Biden discussed ways to strengthen relations, during a working breakfast hosted by Biden at his residence. They also reviewed international situation and latest Middle East developments. The Emir’s delegation and several US officials were present.

I know that many in the West condemnation of the barbaric acts must avoid deepening the sectar- look at the terrorist threat and perpetrated by these ex tremist ian divisions that have weakened say that the problem is Islam. groups, and steadfast in its sup- governments and nations, and But as a Muslim, I can tell you port for a whole host of regional fueled the fires of violent extrem- that the problem isn’t Islam — and international counterterror- ism. This should begin with a it’s hopelessness. It’s the kind ism initiatives. But bullets and conscious effort to combat cynical of hopelessness that abounds in bombs alone will not win the war attempts to deepen and exploit the the Syrian and Palestinian ref- on terror. Sunni-Shiite divide for political ugee camps, and in war-weary Addressing the root causes of ends. towns and villages in Syria, Iraq, terror ism will require a deeper, We must also find diplomatic Yemen, Libya and Gaza. It’s the longer-term, and more strategic solu tions to the protracted con- hope lessness we see in the poorer approach to the problem. It will flicts that deepen distrust and neighborhoods of Europe’s great require political leaders to have feed the frustration that breeds cities, and, yes, even in the United the courage to negotiate plural- extremism. The decades-long mili- States. And it is this hopelessness, istic, inclusive, power-sharing tary occupation of Palestine must which knows no state or religion, solutions to regional disputes. And end, and an independent sover eign Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with President Barack Obama in the White House yesterday. that we need to address if we are it will require that tyrants be held state of Palestine must be cre- to stem the tide of terrorism. to account. ated. It would be easy to dismiss This is not meant as an excuse Unfortunately, our war against the pros pects for resolution of this The Middle East is bad now instabil ity and violence. bedrock of stability in a sea of tur- for terrorism, because it is not. terrorism is, in some cases, help- seemingly intractable conflict, but and will almost certainly dete- When I meet with President moil, we are part and parcel of the Qatar has been forceful in its ing to preserve the bloodstained as the siege of Gaza last year made riorate further if the peace-lov- Obama on Tuesday in Washington, region, and we care deeply about dictatorships that contributed to clear, the status quo is no longer ing nations of the world don’t as part of an official visit to the its wellbeing. We have joined the its rise. We believe that the bat- an option. act quickly to rein in the forces United States, my message will be United States-led interna tional tle against violent extremism will Over the past three years, the of instability and violence, Emir straightforward: We must work coalition against terrorism, and succeed only if the people of the inter national community has H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad together to pull the Middle East we are united with our partners region are convinced that we are stood idly by as the yearning of Al Thani writes in an article in back from the brink of collapse. in the Gulf to combat violent committed to ending the tyran- the young people of the Arab New York Times before his meet- This will require a bold commit- extremism in all its forms. In nical rule of the likes of Bashar world for freedom, justice and ing with President Obama in ment based on a long-term vision keeping with our role as media- al-Assad of Syria, who is carry- economic security was eclipsed Washington DC. The full text of of justice, security and peace for tors between regional adversaries, ing out genocide against his own by con temptuous power politics. the article: all the people of the region. And we have also been active in diplo- people. But the responsibility for But despite all of the pessimism we in Qatar are ready to do what- matic efforts to solve protracted doing this should not be borne generated by the forces of vio- DOHA: The Middle East is ever it takes to help achieve this con flicts in conflict-ridden places Looking forward to by the United States alone. Arab lence and repression, the youth expe riencing perilous times. vision. such as Sudan, Lebanon and President Obama hosting countries must work together to of the Arab world remain stead- The ongoing violence in Syria To that end, our strong bilat- Yemen. H H the Emir Sheikh Tamim create a political solution for Syria. fast and committed to a better and Iraq has now been joined by eral rela tionship will provide In his recent remarks on the bin Hamad Al Thani @ We must also prepare ourselves future. They continue to hope new crises in Libya and Yemen, a solid foundation for coopera- challenges posed by the terrorist WhiteHouse Feb 24 to for the long term in order to avoid for a Middle East where human while the Israeli-Palestinian tion between the United States threat, President Obama stated discuss US#Qatar the kinds of catastrophic failures dignity is respected and justice conflict continues unabated. and Qatar, both in the region that military solutions are insuffi- partnership we witnessed in Iraq after the is fair and true. But their hopes But as bad as the situation and beyond. Indeed, our stra- cient to defeat ter rorism and con- fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. will not endure if we don’t act, as is now, it will almost certainly tegic partnership has deepened front the monumental strategic Dana Shell Smith Our postwar efforts in Syria and we must, to win back their trust deteriorate further if the peace- in recent years, in spite of the challenges facing the Middle East US Ambassador to Qatar elsewhere must focus on uniting and support by renewing our loving nations of the world don’t regional unrest. and the world. In Qatar, we have people as equal citizens within sov- commitment to the values they act quickly to rein in the forces of Although Qatar has been a long agreed with this position. ereign states. At the same time, we marched for in the Arab Spring. WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir meets CIA director in Washington DC

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is greeted by CIA Director, John O Brennan, in Washington DC. With them are Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Chief of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee. Collecting information ‘big challenge’ QTA to mark Arab Tourism Day Continued from page 1 together with teaching and to share more institutional Phil Baty, Editor-in-Large learning environment, interna- data,” said Baty. DOHA: Qatar Tourism and Instagram. It will also start countries to support tourism sec- of the THE World University tional outlook and mission. THE - MENA Universities Authority (QTA) is organis- today a three-day cultural compe- tors in the Arab world and the Rankings, said, “The top 30 “We have a very wide range of Summit, the first such in the ing activities and events from tition on its social media channels importance of developing tourist ranking is fascinating insight metrics, we would like to extend region and in Qatar, was organ- today to mark Arab Tourism on the question: “If you were Ibn destinations and connecting them into the research strengths of this internationally tried and ized by Qatar University (QU) Day being celebrated under Battuta, why would you visit Qatar in such a way that makes Arab the MENA region... (but) just a trusted formula to the Mena and THE magazine. the theme ‘Towards Integrated nowadays?” cities preferred tourist destina- snapshot to stimulate wider dis- region. The event includes a consul- Arab Tourism’. Participants have to send tions for Arab and international cussions about the most appro- “But we just like to recalibrate tation on proposals for a full February 25 coincides with the response in video messages visitors,” said Saif Al Kuwari, priate metrics for ranking the and modify the system with the THE ranking for the region, birth of Arab explorer Ibn Battuta or writing. The winner, to be Director, Public Relations and region’s universities.” priorities of universities in this building on the flagship World whose work and writings have announced on Saturday, will win Communications, QTA. “We will release a comprehen- region,” said Baty. University Rankings. contributed to highlighting tour- a free three-day trip to Qatar. “By celebrating the day, we sive MENA university ranking However gathering informa- “We see the summit is ism in the Arab world. A special commemorative aim to highlight the importance in February, at the next THE tion from the universities in the part of the process to really QTA represented Qatar in the stamp will be issued in cooperation of promoting tourism in Qatar MENA summit we are hosting region is seen as a big challenge encourage institutions to share 17th session of Arab Ministerial with General Postal Corporation and Arab countries, particularly at the University of United Arab in reaching a comprehensive information. Council on Tourism held at Arab (Q-Post) to mark the day on that we recently opened a repre- Emirates,” he told this daily on ranking system. “We are really involved in League General Secretariat head- February 25 each year. The stamp sentative office in Saudi Arabia the sidelines of THE MENA “I think the biggest issue is working in partnership with quarters in Cairo during which the will be available for customers in to attract visitors from GCC and Universities Summit. information, we have wide range all the universities and explain day was officially endorsed. all the selling points affiliated with Arab countries,” he added. Arab THE university world rank- of public information from pub- them the benefits (or ranking) QTA will post information Q-Post. Tourism Organisation’s choice of ings has 13 performance indica- lications, we gather reputational and encourage them to share about the day, its significance and “QTA celebrates the day out the theme reflects its belief in the tors with a range of university data, but what we really want to information,” said Baty. objectives on its social media chan- of its belief in the importance of need for integrated efforts to boost activities, mainly research, do is encourage the universities THE PENINSULA nels, including Facebook, Twitter cooperation initiatives with Arab Arab tourism. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Emir sends message to Essebsi DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday Innovative coloured solar sent a written message to Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on relations and issues of joint interest. Qatari Ambassador Abdullah bin Nasser Al Humaidi presented it during a meeting with Essebsi. QNA panels to hit Qatar market FM: Palestinian cause BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB DOHA: The standard black and blue solar panels that clash a struggle of right with design aesthetics of build- ings in Qatar, will soon give way to coloured solar glass. The off-the-grid in style pan- against falsehood els capable of generating energy would hit the local market soon. The first-of-its kind coloured GAZA: Foreign Minister violations of all international solar glass will be introduced in H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed conventions reached with the two iconic buildings. Al Attiyah has underlined Palestinians and relevant inter- “Both buildings will cover about that the Palestinian issue is national legitimacy resolutions, 7,000 to 8,000 square metres the struggle of right against along with gross irregularities area of façade producing about falsehood, stressing that the and violations of international 1,000 kilowatt (kW) of solar continued Israeli occupation humanitarian law in the occu- power,” Rafic Hanbali (pictured), has moral, humanitarian and pied territories. Managing Partner, Emirates because of their poor aesthetics, political repercussions on the He said the absence of inter- Insolaire, a subsidiary of Dubai cannot be put on façades. The new coloured solar panel. world, and reveals Israel’s defi- national community efforts for Investments, told this daily. “Our patented multi-coloured ance of the will of the interna- ending the Israeli occupation Qatari construction sector solar panels named Kromatix tional community. was clear in the past when it is showing lot of interest in the have been developed over nine to 50 percent of its daily energy come with a replacement guar- His recorded speech was tended to settle the dispute breakthrough concept. Our inno- years. It is the top level archi- needs. However, the ratio may antee for 25 years, costs about broadcast yesterday at First over interim and transitional vative product has received an tectural solar integration called vary from building to building 10-12 percent higher compared International Scientific adjustments. overwhelming response, especially Building Integrated Photovoltaic depending on its type and energy to conventional ones, but given Conference of the Faculty of “... But despite all contradic- in Qatar, the UAE, Europe and (BIPV),” he said. requirements. the fact that it saves up to 50 Rabat University in Gaza under tions of the current scene, the Brazil. Some of our prospective Each coloured panel with Hanbali said: “Our products percent of electricity bills for the the theme ‘Palestine: Reasons future would be for peace as his- clients in Qatar are looking for- Kromatix technology can gener- are tailor-made and bears low owner of a building during its life, of Occupation and Victory tory has taught that the forces ward to installing the technology ate above 150 watts per square maintenance cost. During the the product is becoming increas- Factors’. of aggression would vanish,” he in their upcoming entrepreneurial metre on roofs, or above 110 watts manufacturing process, panels ingly popular. “Our breakthrough He said an end of Israeli said. and industrial buildings, he said. per square meter on façades. are specially treated so that they glass is optimised for photovoltaic occupation of Palestinian ter- The Foreign Minister stressed Until today all existing solar About 2,000 panels on one accumulate or stick less dust. As modules and solar thermal collec- ritories is a collective respon- the need for joint Arab action to panels in the world were either building, roof and facades are a result they need to be cleaned tors and we see a massive growth sibility of the international pressure the international com- black or dark blue, where one capable of generating above after a about two months, which potential in the Gulf. We expect community, adding “the age of munity to force Israel to end can apparently see bus-bars and 350kW. is much less frequent compared to sales in excess of 50,000 square this issue has now exceeded occupation of the Palestinian cells on the panels and had very A standard size building conventional panels that require metres for coloured panels and more than 65 years which were territories, based on specific limited applications in buildings. equipped with the technology, cleaning every two weeks.” photovoltaic models during 2015.” filled with grief and displace- time frames according to the Such transparent solar panels, according to Hanbali, can meet up The Kromatix façades that THE PENINSULA ment of the Palestinian people, principle of two-state solution who have suffered the ravages agreed upon by the interna- of brutal Israeli aggression and tional community. illegal practices through con- Dr Al Attiyah stressed that tinuing settlement activities, the peace process should not house demolitions, destruction start from scratch, but from of infrastructure, prevention of the international legitimacy, Jewellery & watches expo draws crowds reconstruction as well as the including resolutions of Madrid suffocating and unjust siege of 1991, Arab Peace Initiative 2002 DOHA: The 12th Doha Swiss luxury Audemars Piguet Collection by Pasquale Bruni and Bentley, Rochas, Saint Honore, the Gaza Strip.” and resolutions of international Jewellery and Watches exhi- displayed its latest novelties; a limited edition series of ‘Qatar Cover, Charles Jourdan, Grovana, Dr Al Attiyah said the legitimacy in the light of the bition saw renowned inter- Officine Panerai presented for dedicated’ calibration cufflink by Seculus, Westend, Domaskenos, Palestinian issue had passed principle of two-state solution. national brands unveil their the first time in the region a Roland Iten. Cabestan, Al Bidaa Swords & through several stages which He reiterated Qatar’s firm collection of novelty pieces selection of timepieces from its Other premium and luxury Gifts, Valbray, Dietrich, Golden revealed the international com- position for providing all sup- attracting many jewellery and 2015 collection. jewellery and watches brands Dreams Geneva , Dust Kreations, munity’s failure to win the right, port to the Palestinian people watch aficionados yesterday. Rolex charmed visitors with acknowledged for their mastery AKM Mehrasons, Al Khudairy adding, “We are experiencing to get all their legitimate rights The glittering event witnessed designs, including Datejust of design present at the exhibi- Jewellery, Al Tawash, Brusco, international legitimacy crisis and establish their independent Chanel showcase its iconic jew- Pearlmaster 34, Sky-Dweller, tion include Cartier, Christian Cvstos, Hafner, Hodel, KGK, and double standards”. state on the borders of June 1967 ellery creations, including the Sea-Dweller 4000, the new- Dior, Faberge, David Morris, Lithos, Mattia Cielo, Malpani, He said the issue was occu- with East Jerusalem as its capi- ‘1932’ collection, which cele- est version of Oyster Perpetual Panerai, Van Cleef & Arpels, Manufacture Royale, Maitres pation of land and then became tal through international law. brates the 80th anniversary of GMT-Master II and the Cellini Jaeger Lecoulture, Hublot, du Temps, Schoeffel, Speake the issue of the West Bank, Gaza He called on Palestinian par- the ‘Bijoux de Diamants’, the collection; Bremont exhibited the Parmigiani, Patek Philippe, Marine, Vacheron Constantin, and Jerusalem then became ties to implement agreements first and only high jewellery much anticipated Boeing collec- ChronoSwiss, Korloff, Ferre Yeprem, Yessayan, Suzanne road maps, then became ways of reconciliation, which were collection created by Gabrielle tion and Breva showed off its lat- Milano, Chatila, Royal Diamond, Kalan, Rosy Blue, Dar Al Majid without maps and aggression concluded in Doha and Cairo to Chanel. est scientific instrument watch. Montegrappa, Al Zain Jewellery, Fine Jewellery, Breva, Brioni, and blockade on Gaza, and unify the Palestinian ranks to Another highlight is the ‘Sous Jewellery lovers also got a Matis Jewellery, David Webb, Jean Paul Menucci, Laviere, negotiations for more than two achieve the aspirations of the le Signe du Lion’ collection, with chance to catch a glimpse of and Versailles Jewellery, among Roaln Iten and Yvan Tufenkjian. decades without a final solution Palestinian people for freedom the magnificent ‘Constellation du the Rivage necklace by Maison others. Hosted by Qatar Tourism to the occupation — a matter and independence. Lion’ brooch. Boucheron which holds a special Among the reputable inter- Authority, q.media Events and which reflects tremendous ina- The invitation to Dr Al Some of Chanel’s watch-mak- place in the Maison’s heart, being national and regional brands Fira Barcelona at Qatar National bility of the international com- Attiyah to participate in the ing creations are also showcased. the last piece of high jewellery debuting at the expo are Jaipur Convention Centre, the exhibi- munity and the arrogance of conference came in recognition Graff revealed the most fabu- made by the longest serving of Gems, Altinbas, Jean Paul tion runs until Saturday from Israel that prevent the achieve- of Qatar’s efforts towards to the lous jewels in the world, along Boucheron’s master jewellers. Gaultier, Davidoff, Fendi, Phillipe noon to 10pm and on Friday ment of peace and ending the Palestinian people and their just with its latest innovations of Visitors were charmed by Royal, Shenoy, Tellus, Swarovski, from 4pm to 10pm. occupation through Israeli cause. QNA high-end timepieces. Lotus Flower of the Mandala Lamborghini, Aston Martin, THE PENINSULA

Justice Minister meets UK royal judiciary chief

LONDON: Minister Minister to London to of Justice H E Hassan participate in Global Law bin Lahdan Hassan Al Summit. Mohannadi met Lord During the meeting, Thomas Roger Edward, they discussed coopera- Head, British Royal tion between Qatar and the Judiciary, and Chairman, United Kingdom, particu- Supreme Court of larly in the areas of law. England and Wales in They also reviewed London yesterday. cooperation and coordina- The meeting was held tion in the legal field. during the visit of the QNA Crowding in school to be discussed

Continued from page 1 while most schools had If the schools raise their more than 2,500 students fee they must also ensure on their rolls, at least one that they improve the school had over 10,000 stu- quality of their education, dents on its campus. too, said the committee A report is being pre- members. pared on the matter which A panel member said would likely be discussed that earlier there was a at the next meeting of the rule that schools could committee. raise the fee by five percent After this the commit- only in three years or when tee will take up the issue there is the need for it for with the authorities con- valid reasons. cerned in the government The committee later so the problem of crowding talked about Indian in this particular school is schools in particular and resolved. noted with concern that THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QR1.2bn deals to build 17 schools, six KGs one in Al Karaana. schools in Mesaieed and one in includes six KGs in Nuaija, Hazm A QR199.3m contract has been Mesaimeer. Al Markhiya, Al Messila, Umm awarded to Al Jaber Trading and A QR168.4m contract has been Ghuwailina, Al Dhakira, and Wadi Contracting Company for one awarded to Al Huda Engineering Al Banat. school in Al Shahaniya, one in Works for three schools in Umm Work on all projects starts in Onaiza and one in Al Ruwais. Al Saneem. the first quarter of 2015 and is A QR187.8m contract has been A QR158.4m contract has been due to be completed by the third awarded to Al Sraiya Trading and awarded to Galfar Al Misnad quarter of 2016. Contracting Company for two Engineering and Contracting and THE PENINSULA

Officials at the signing of one of the agreements.

DOHA: The Public Works The new schools are designed a library, classrooms, and outdoor Authority (Ashghal) yesterday according to the standard design spaces that include shaded park- signed contracts worth over model for schools. The total con- ing lots, green spaces and service QR1.2bn with Qatari companies struction area of each school is buildings. to build 17 new schools and six 9,159sqm and each consists of a The school designs comply kindergartens. two-storey building that accom- with Qatari construction code so This takes the total number of modates around 650 students in that people with disabilities and schools and KGs being built by 25 classes. special needs can access ramps, Ashghal to 69 at a cost of QR3bn. The schools’ main buildings rest rooms and other amenities. The contracts were signed are equipped with a multipur- The school buildings are also in the presence of Minister of pose hall, chemistry, physics and eco-friendly with special materi- Education and Higher Education biology labs, two computer rooms, als and equipment to help con- H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed two arts studios, a language room serve energy and decrease water Ali Al Hammadi, Nasser bin Ali and an administrative office. consumption. Al Mawlawi, President, Ashghal, The main buildings are also Contract for four schools in and senior officials of the Supreme surrounded by external buildings, Doha and surrounding areas Education Council and Ashghal. covered parking lots, outdoor worth QR260m has been awarded Work is under way on 38 football, handball and volleyball to Amana Qatar Contracting schools and KGs with an esti- courts. Company. One school will be in Al mated cost of over QR1.737m. Of The KGs 12 classrooms will Rayyan and three in Al Wajbah. these, 33 schools and KGs will be accommodate up to 240 children Another contract worth delivered to the SEC before the and include shaded playgrounds, QR272m has been awarded to the beginning of the 2015-2016 aca- special rooms for music, language same company for two schools in demic year. and computer. They will also have Al Kaaban, one in Al Dhakira and

Dr Jamil Salmi, Global tertiary education expert and former World Bank tertiary education coordinator, delivers a keynote speech during the opening of The Mena University Summit at Qatar University yesterday. ABDUL BASIT New varsity ranking system for region soon

DOHA: The Times the ranking in partnership Higher Education (THE) with university leaders in MENA Universities the region so the summit Summit yesterday laid is an excellent opportunity down the base to develop to make history,” said Baty. a new ranking system for Dr Al Misnad said, the region. “The ranking journey is The event, the first one that involves internal in the region and Qatar, investment, negotiations, was organised by Qatar prioritisation and com- University (QU) and THE promise. It is true that magazine. rankings play an influen- It drew over 180 partici- tial role in recruiting the pants, including university best students and faculty, leaders, higher education securing donor funds, and experts, educators, and generally achieving pres- business and industry tige among peers, but we organisations from 21 would be remiss if we did countries to advance dis- not acknowledge inherent cussion on the issue of tensions between answer- MENA university ranking. ing local needs and expec- The opening ceremony tations and looking to meet included speeches by QU international standards of President Prof Sheikha success.” Abdulla Al Misnad and An opening panel dis- THE magazine Editor- cussion on university- at-Large Phil Baty with industry collaboration keynote presentations by brought together Qatar global tertiary education Petrochemical Company expert Dr Jamil Salmi on Vice-Chair and CEO Dr how to build a world class Mohammed Youssef Al university, lessons from Mulla, Commercial Bank of the world’s fastest rising Qatar CEO Abdulla Saleh universities, and implica- Al Raisi and Silatech CEO tions for emerging econo- Dr Tareq Youssef. mies, and King Abdullah Discussion sessions University of Science and were also held on ‘Social Technology President Dr and Economic Impact of Jean-Lou Chameau on Universities: Emerging ‘From Startup to Maturity’ New Metrics’; ‘Strengths detailing his university aca- and Weaknesses of demic and research initia- HE in MENA’; and tives and accomplishments. ‘Satellite Campuses and “We are starting to shape Transnational Education’. a brand new THE ranking The second conference in Qatar, a new MENA will be held in the UAE in Universities Ranking,” he February 2016. said. “We want to create THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Kuwait National Day marked QRC launches QR1m project in Afghanistan

Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hamadi, Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Deputy Speaker of Advisory Council, Issa bin Rabia Al Rabia Al Kuwari, Minister of Economy and Trade H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani cut a cake to mark the 54th anniversary of National Day and 24th anniversary of Liberation Day of Kuwait, hosted by Kuwaiti Ambassador, Muteb Saleh Al Mutoteh, at Doha Sheraton Hotel yesterday. Minister of Culture Art and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Director of Protocol, Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhroo, diplomats and businessmen were also present. SALIM MATRAMKOT Complete transport system solution to jams

Continued from page 1 The solution for jams is to network in outer areas. The department has also come implement a complete transport However, in downtown areas of up with permanent solutions system which is to rely on pub- Doha, the dependence on public to ease congestions on roads in lic transport to the extent of 20 transport would be 40 percent downtown Doha and outer areas. percent and 80 percent on road and on road network 60 percent, said the department. The Metro railway system can save enough time of the commuters in downtown Doha when it is ready. This was disclosed at a meeting yesterday. It was chaired by Saud bin A development project under way in Nangarhar. Abdullah Al Hanzab, Chairman, Central DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent in Goshta and Bihsud using local Another campaign will be ini- Municipal Council (CMC). (QRC) has launched a multi-sec- patterns and materials. tiated, involving distribution of Expansion of roads by tor development project worth Each home will comprise two informative brochures, guidelines, acquiring parking areas QR1,606,530 for the people of rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen, posters, and illustrations at a cost is an appropriate solu- Goshta and Bihsud districts at an estimated cost of $3,000. of $1,250 per campaign. tion to get rid of crowded and social care home inmates in In Goshta, 20 water wells will The power network in part roads, said Lieutenant Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, be dug about 40-60 metres deep of Bihsud will be repaired by Mohammad Khalifa Al eastern Afghanistan. depending on the distance from a specialist. The dysfunctional Muhaiza, Head, Traffic In partnership with Afghan the river. They will be equipped equipment will be replaced and Section, Ministry of Red Crescent Society (ARCS), with tanks, filters and manual maintained at an expected cost Interior ministry. the project is expected to serve pumps at a cost of $3,500-$6,500 of $12,000. The Planning 7,635 families including 53,445 per well. Hadji Seddiquallah, Mayor, Department of the people. Seventy 4sqm toilets will be Bihsud, said, “We thank QRC and Ministry of Municipality They aim to improve living built in Goshta and Bihsud at an its staff who delivered on their and Urban Planning and standards in the eastern prov- estimated cost of $650 per toilet. promises to plan and execute the Ashghal (Public Works inces deprived of basic needs The human waste can be turned project for the poor. Afghanistan Authority) are putting in as a result of 35 years of wars later into fertiliser. needs a lot of assistance in many place a mid-range plan and natural disasters such as Four environmental and aspects, particularly homes for (five to 10 years) to solve drought, floods, earthquakes and health awareness campaigns the poor, clean water, mosques jams until implementation landslides. will be launched in both dis- and schools for the Afghans of national development All of this have weighed heav- tricts. Volunteers will be trained who have suffered the atrocities plan. ily on the torn-out infrastructure as health awareness campaign- of war and conflict.” Mohamed The fast-growing popu- and displaced hundreds of thou- ers who will initiate campaigns Iqbal Said, Head, ARCS office in lation has forced authori- sands of Afghans, together with at schools, mosques, and public Eastern Afghanistan, said, “The ties to think of solutions in malnutrition, high infant mortal- places to urge cleanliness and launch of the project is a new this regard, he added. ity rates and low-income. avoidance of the causes of vari- form of assistance from Qatar.” THE PENINSULA The project includes 40 homes ous diseases. THE PENINSULA Exchange houses to adopt wage protection system DOHA: Some exchange houses have begun He said when the system was introduced required by the law, and transfer their wages. making preparations to be part of the pro- in the UAE some years ago, exchange houses And they could return their employers posed wage protection system (WPS). were not made part of the WPS network, but the cash immediately after, said a ‘free visa’ The system, which is yet to be implemented, later they were included. worker. This is happening in the case of expa- would make sure all private sector workers Asked what happens to foreign workers who triates whose salaries are low and they want are paid salaries through electronic transfer. are here on ‘free visas’, or to runaway workers, to show bigger salary transfers to be eligible Although the new labour law (No 1 of 2015) once WPS comes into force, Al Zaman said to sponsor their families. issued recently makes the system mandatory the aim of the new labour law is to protect the “Their sponsors transfer extra sums as part for the companies covered under it, it allows right of the workers to be paid in time. “To of their salary and that sum is returned to sufficient grace period for implementation. what extent this law helps fight irregularities them.” A ‘free visa’ is a work visa for sale on Banks and financial institutions like like payments to free visa and runway workers which a foreign worker arrives after buying exchange houses are to be made part of WPS by their illegal employers could only be seen it and takes up work elsewhere illegally. In network since the number of beneficiary work- over time,” he said. most cases, as per rule, a worker’s sponsor- ers is large. An official of an exchange house However, the new rule doesn’t seem to ship is officially transferred from ‘free visa’ told this newspaper yesterday that although bother some illegal workers as they think their to a regular visa after a year. As for runaway they had not yet been officially intimated, they original sponsors could open salary accounts workers, they can be paid wages by their illegal were developing the “new product”. for them with financial institutions, as employers in cash. THE PENINSULA QA deepens code-share deal with Bangkok Airways DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) has tion of further code-share routes. the globe, with the addition and complement QA’s strengthened relationship with The new code-shares come after a of 12 new destinations last current code-shares from Bangkok Airways with the addi- year of rapid expansion for QA across year, with frequency and Bangkok to Chiang Mai, capacity increases. Phuket, Krabi, Lampang, QA Group Chief Trat, Sukhothai, Samui, Executive, Akbar Al Baker, Mandalay, Yangon and said: “It has been a period Phnom Penh. of rapid expansion for QA, Passengers travelling with new route launches onto code-share destina- around the globe. The tions from Bangkok will addition of these code- also benefit from a supe- share routes with Bangkok rior travel experience on Airways further enhances board QA’s A380 aircraft, our competitive offering, which commenced service providing our passengers to the city last December. with an unrivalled global Complementing the network among the leading airline’s four-times daily airlines.” service to Bangkok, the The expansion of the aircraft allows passengers agreement with Bangkok the opportunity to experi- Airways will enhance ence the latest aircraft to QA’s passengers’ options join the QA fleet. as it adds 10 additional Those travelling sectors from Bangkok to onwards from Phuket will Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, also benefit from the air- Luang Prabang, Vientiane, line’s direct daily sched- Nay Pyi Taw and Siem uled service from Doha, Reap, with Koh Samui to which commenced last Singapore, Phuket and year. The route was previ- Kuala Lumpur and Phuket ously served from Doha via to Chiang Mai. Kuala Lumpur. This will strengthen THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Ooredoo backs World Cancer Day

DOHA: Ooredoo will provide International Agency for Cancer enhanced support to Qatar Research says cancer cases in World Cancer Day 2015, being Qatar may rise by up to 218 per- organised by Qatar Cancer cent by 2030. Society (QCS) at Katara Ooredoo has a history of sup- Corniche on Friday. porting health CSR initiatives The event aims to raise aware- in Qatar, and began a five-year ness of the disease and provide partnership with QCS to build family entertainment and oppor- Ooredoo Cancer Awareness tunities for people to raise money Centre last year. for efforts to support research Ooredoo sponsors and sup- and cancer awareness. ports events and programmes to Ooredoo’s Alrabaa mascots will promote healthy living, including take part in the event, posing for building and operating Fahad Bin pictures, meeting fans and giving Jassim Kidney Centre. a special performance. Officials at a press conference. Working towards Qatar Other highlights include a per- National Vision 2030, Ooredoo’s formance by Qatari singer Fahad Fatima Al Kuwari, Community impacts families around the main CSR goals are focused on Al Kubaisi, a show by Police and Public Relations Director, world, so we hope this event can health, education and fitness, Sports Association, and a stand- Ooredoo, said: “Ooredoo is proud raise awareness and contribute to working with the community to up comedy routine. to join hands with QCS and Qatar’s efforts to protect future enrich people’s lives and raise The event will run from 4pm Katara in the battle against generations.” awareness on these issues. Sheikh Yusuf Estes delivering a lecture at Ezdan Mall Al Gharafa. to 8pm. cancer. This is a disease that A recent report by THE PENINSULA Ezdan hosts US preacher Sheikh Yusuf Estes French Minister visits HEC Paris in Qatar DOHA: As part of its partici- Islam and call followers of dif- pation in religious activities, ferent religions to know about DOHA: HEC Paris School of Ezdan Mall hosted famous Islamic virtues. Management hosted a confer- American lecturer Sheikh Estes spares no effort to partic- ence by Matthias Fekl, French Yusuf Estes, in collaboration ipate in seminars, debates and TV Minister for Foreign Trade, with RAF Foundation. programmes that address Islam Promotion of Tourism and Estes delivered a lecture and promote it. French Nationals Abroad, dur- ‘Family, Friends and Faith’ in Although he has a promi- ing his recent official visit to which he spoke about the impor- nent presence in the West, he Qatar. tance of the family system in enjoys outstanding reputation in Fekl reviewed economic rela- building the Muslim community. Arab countries and the Muslim tionship between France and On the sidelines, recreational world. He was named the Islamic Qatar and stressed the strength, and entertainment activities Personality of 2012 at the 16th trust and long-term prospects were held for children, with the Dubai International Holy Quran of what he described as a strong participation of Nasheed band. Award for his preaching about partnership. He discussed the Competitions were organised and the true image of Islam in the current economic situation in the prizes offered to the winners. West. France and ongoing reforms Estes (Joseph Edward Estes) is Malik Qaiser, General Manager, to reduce unemployment and an American preacher who was Ezdan Mall, said Ezdan is always increase competitiveness. born in Texas in 1944 and con- keen to support religious activi- He said the reform agenda verted to Islam in 1991. ties and events and spares no is comprehensive and had been He is renowned for his frequent effort to promote cultural activi- praised by Organisation for presence in advocacy events and ties for the public, adding that Economic Co-operation and activities. this was not the first time Ezdan Development in its last report. Matthias Fekl, French Minister for Foreign Trade, Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, addresses Throughout his permanent organised such activity in collabo- Fekl said reforms were yielding the forum. tours around the world, he deliv- ration with RAF Foundation. initial results with important fur- ered lectures and made signifi- The event was held in Ezdan ther gains and momentum this investment plays a key role. of research and development and more Qatari projects. Top offi- cant accomplishments. Mall Al Gharafa, which was year. Foreign companies in the French one-third of French exports. He cials, executives of public and pri- His openness to other religions opened in mid-April 2013. Fekl explained that France is economy represent 30 percent of said France welcomes Qatari vate firms and HEC Paris alumni enabled him to fruitfully define THE PENINSULA an open economy where foreign industrial investment, 30 percent investors and is seeking to attract were present. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Katara: A global cultural village of diverse identities In a short span of time, Katara has achieved many successes that have contributed to the enrichment of local and regional culture, making it an international platform and incubator of cultural events, Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti says.

DOHA: Katara has become a centre for cultural and intellectual develop- ment in the region due to the unlim- ited support it receives from the country’s leadership. Its aim, anchored on Qatar National Vision 2030, is to make Doha an international capital of culture while maintaining its distinct local and Gulf identity, and to offer regional organisations such as the Arab and marine heritage of the Qatari and an ideal model of Arab culture to the Publishers Association, Arab Writers Gulf societies. This includes art, songs, world. Union and Arab League Educational, sayings, customs, folklore, traditional With regard to the achievements Cultural and Scientific Organisation. industries and handicraft. This forum of Katara, Al Sulaiti said Katara was In an interview with The Peninsula, was launched in response to efforts to steadily moving towards accomplish- Dr Al Sulaiti said the launch of multi- revive the natural heritage of Qatar ing the remaining components of the cultural events via Katara Cultural and carry it to the global level by shed- project, such as Katara Hills, a health Forum was set to enhance cultural and ding light on the values, traditions and and fitness club, fountains and a com- intellectual events in Katara and create customs of our ancestors and to pass mercial and entertainment complex a bridge between Katara and society. them on to the new generation using which will feature some renowned The Forum is run by competent creative methods in line with contem- names, international brands, cinemas Qatari figures in line with Katara’s porary life in Qatar and the GCC and What can you say about youth and other entertainment facilities. strategy. He explained that the Forum Arab countries. Katara is implementing a and social media activists? “I can say that we are in the final would play an influential role in enrich- It is of utmost importance to revive promising five-year strategy The new media forum has been stage of finalising all the project com- ing the local, Gulf and Arab cultural and promote traditional culture because which seeks to provide launched to deal with the electronic ponents, which will soon see the light scene while encouraging talent and it mirrors the society’s cultural identity, information revolution and to give of day according to the schedule, which innovation. which is the accumulation of human support in different areas more attention to various social media is by 2017 and 2018. This project will Katara, he said, had always been keen interactions with environmental, cul- relevant to culture, arts and such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram add value to Katara, turning it into an to keep in touch with intellectuals and tural and social variables which alto- and YouTube. Also, the launch of this international cultural destination,” Al Qatari writers to provide them support gether make up cultural heritage. heritage. forum shows how Katara appreciates Sulaiti said. in their journey and nurture artists and Heritage is invaluable as it is life’s the role of these activists in differ- He said work was under way on a innovative individuals as a way to pro- memory which links the past with the ent social media, especially the youth, new project that occupies a vast area mote culture in the country. Katara is present. This is explained by the fact a promising five-year strategy which because they are the most active in in Katara. The health and fitness club also keen to promote fine arts in Qatar that understanding historical events seeks to provide support in different this area. The forum’s aim is give will be located in the coastal area facing by helping the artists tackle the difficul- would not be possible without studying areas relevant to culture, arts and her- attention to this segment and improve The Pearl Qatar, while the commercial ties they face. heritage, therefore I can say history is itage and the artistes and critics forum their vital role, which has notably complex is being built in the west and He added that the traditional herit- the memory of the nation and cultural is one of the platforms from which we been seen during the past years in has an open yard with a fountain, in age forum was a contribution to reviv- heritage is its spirit. have high hopes of building cultural, different Arab countries. The forum addition to underground parking. ing national heritage and pushing it artistic, intellectual and literary move- will focus on the new generation of Regarding Katara Hills, he said it towards globalisation, and Katara Are artists being given enough ments. It will be a link between differ- talented youth by exploring their cul- will include some of the most stunning would give priority to handicrafts and attention in the activities of Katara ent projects sponsored by Katara, to tural and artistic potential, and we projects of Katara, including invest- traditional professions. Katara will also Cultural Forum? realise its noble aims, and this will ben- create for them the platform to show- ment, entertainment and commercial pay attention to different section of the We have launched the artistes and efit all people because literature, culture case their abilities. projects. electronic media due to the influence critics forum with the aim of bring- and art are daily needs of human beings Today we are witnessing a wave of On upcoming projects, he said, “We they wield. ing together actors, singers and drama and are no more luxuries. change taking place in the electronic are soon going to launch the Katara The Katara Prize for Arabic Novel, producers within the Katara Cultural Katara is trying to convey the mes- media, which is expanding its capacity, Cultural Market on the seaside accord- the largest in the Arab world, recog- Forum. The launch of the artistes and sage that it is a supporter of different penetrating and becoming a part of our ing to plan. It will be an area dedicated nises innovative work and cultural critics forum is a step towards realising segments of society, including artists daily lives. The search for information to books built according to Qatari archi- diversity and is meant to enhance cul- the Katara strategy and we hope this and innovators who play a leading role is linked to modern media and the way tecture. It will comprise a permanent tural dialogue and openness to different forum achieves its aims and becomes a in raising social issues and reflecting people are connected, and the area of book exhibition where books will be cultures, he said. beacon for people working in this area the society’s concerns through cinema, information exchange has become very sold at nominal prices, and libraries for to develop their innovative works. theatre, television, radio and other wide, therefore it is important to give Arabic books, foreign titles, periodicals Katara Cultural Forum has taken As you know, Katara is implementing forums. In this regard, I would like to attention to this area. and children’s books.” the initiative of launching a number emphasise that Katara is keen to keep Katara is highly concerned with new Katara will have a centre for Arabic of sub-forums in specific areas. in touch with this segment and put media for their power and influence, novels which will house a vast collection Could you explain that? What are all its capacities and facilities at their which challenges traditional media. of Arabic novels and a photo exhibition the main forums? Katara will spare no effort service to encourage innovative work Because of new media the world has on famous Arab novelists. It will also The first initiative was the cultural in achieving excellence and artistic endeavours in Qatar to become one village; they are crossing depict the history of the Arabic novel. forum for Qatari writers and authors. enhance the cultural identity of Qatar. borders and barriers and establishing Entry to the centre will be free. This forum is a platform for Qatari through cultural, artistic and Katara will spare no effort in achieving new concepts within the limitless elec- There will also be an exhibition writers to discuss their intellectual intellectual programmes it is excellence through cultural, artistic and tronic space. We are speaking about devoted to Arabic calligraphy and and creative work and the influence of hosting as part of its vision intellectual programmes it is hosting as a virtual world of education and elec- paintings, an audiovisual library that other cultures on their work. In addi- part of its vision to build an intellectual tronic governance because real power will buy and sell audiovisual material, a tion, it is a venue to explore experiences to build an intellectual and and creative society. lies with those who control knowledge readers’ club and an open area for free and cultural issues in areas of concern creative society. and information. reading events. for Qatari writers and Arabs living in He explained that the project will Qatar and to discuss to what extent What distinguishes Katara Prize have two phases. During Ramadan, a they have been influenced by Qatari for Arabic Novel from others and dialogue will be held on one day every culture and environment and how this what is its aim? week, and every Friday a storyteller is reflected in their work. As of now this is the biggest prize (‘hakawati’) will present a story in The forum is also a platform for devoted to Arabic novels and it is aimed Qatari style. After Ramadan, there will intellectuals and Qatari writers to get at all Arab novelists in the GCC and be regular heritage events every week, support in their journey of innovation Arab countries because our vision is such as a traditional handicraft week, as Katara is keen to keep communicat- that as Arabs we have more things in an Arab poetry week, and a week for ing with them and put all its resources common than differences, and if the fine arts and photography. Intellectuals, at their service in order to improve political situation has made us disu- writers, photographers, artists, crafts- the cultural environment in the coun- nited for a while, many things will men and hobbyists will be given the try and enhance the cultural identity remain common and among these are opportunity to exhibit their products of Qatar. art and literature, which have common and innovations in the market. It is our ambition to build a society of aims. This project will be under the Katara creative individuals, foremost of them Our mission is make Arab novels a Cultural Forum because the forum is the writers, for whom Katara is con- platform for unity and give a chance to meant to transform the experience of cerned, and it is showing its apprecia- young and professional writers bywhich culture into an enterprise in which there tion for their efforts. we want to tell them that we appre- will be meetings between Katara Prize I want to emphasise that Qatar has ciate their work. Our aim is to bring for Arabic Novels and international and become a leading centre for Arab cul- novelists from different Arab countries ture due to the key role it is playing in together and support them in publish- promoting cultural exchange between ing their novels. nations since it was named the Capital The Prize includes translation of The forum is also a platform of Arab Culture in 2010. the winning novel into English and the Due to its geographical location, selection of the best novel to be turned for intellectuals and Qatari Qatar has historical links with the into a film and drama. The importance writers to get support in civilisations of neighbouring countries, of the prize lies not only in the financial their innovative journey influencing and being influenced by value, although it is the largest in the other cultures. Arab region. It is important that there as Katara is keen to keep is an institution which greatly appreci- communicating with them Where does traditional heritage ates innovative literary works by Arab figure in the concerns of Katara writers, telling them we are concerned and put all its resources Cultural Forum? with your cultural products, we recog- at their service in order We did not miss the importance nise their value and we will take them to improve the cultural of traditional heritage of our society, to the world through translation and that’s why we launched the public her- by turning them into drama and film. environment. itage forum, which focuses on the land THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Lights up for National Day Twin bombs kill Anti-terror law 22 in Baghdad BAGHDAD: Two bomb blasts killed at least 22 people and wounded 43 others on the main grants Egypt street of a suburb of the Iraqi capital yesterday, security sources said. At least one of the explosions in the Jisr Diyala neighbourhood on the south- wide powers eastern edge of Baghdad was caused by a car bomb, an inte- rior ministry source said. Police said the blasts went off Sisi targets Islamists and dissidents near a fire station and as a group of young men were leaving a CAIRO: Egyptian President army chief Sisi in July 2013 after nearby football ground. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi has mass street protests against his At least nine other people were granted sweeping powers to one-year rule. killed in smaller blasts caused by authorities to crack down on Hundreds of his supporters improvised explosive devices, a individuals or groups deemed have been killed in street clashes car bomb and sticky bombs in as threats to national secu- with police, while thousands have Baghdad and in restive areas rity, in an anti-terrorism law been jailed after sweeping raids. north and south of the capital announced yesterday. Dozens of youth activists, yesterday, the same sources said. The new law comes on the including several prominent At least 32 people were killed in back of a brutal government symbols of the 2011 uprising Kuwait City’s banking complex decorated with lights resembling the colours of national flag ahead of 54th attacks in Baghdad on February 8 crackdown targeting Islamist which toppled longtime presi- National Day today and 24th Liberation Day tomorrow. The first date commemorates the creation of Kuwait as but the frequency of bombings in and secular dissidents that has dent Hosni Mubarak, have also a nation in 1961 while Liberation Day marks the end of Iraq’s occupation in 1991. the capital has slowed this year. left hundreds dead and thousands been jailed. imprisoned. Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood, The law, published in the offi- which swept elections after Saudi court jails cial gazette, allows authorities Mubarak’s ouster, has already to ban activities and meetings, been designated a “terrorist US will ‘know soon’ if Iran Qaeda recruiters and to freeze funds of individuals group”. identified as “terrorists”. Egypt yesterday rejected accu- DUBAI: A Saudi court has It also stipulates that “any sations of blame in the death of jailed at least 13 men on counts organisation ...or gathering that seven civilians killed in Libya willing to make N-deal: Kerry including the recruitment of sows terror among individuals or last week when Cairo’s military Al Qaeda militants for the endangers their lives, freedoms bombed suspected Islamic State WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: at the start of two days of intense would prevent Tehran from devel- September 11, 2001 attacks on and rights, or undermines targets after the beheading of 21 The United States will know congressional foreign policy oping a nuclear bomb. the United States and shel- national unity, peace or national Egyptian Christians. soon if Iran is willing to seal budget hearings. “And we expect Israeli Prime Minister tering Osama bin Laden in security, will be considered as a A report from Amnesty a deal to assure the world it is to know soon whether or not Benjamin Netanyahu said yes- Pakistan, Saudi newspapers terrorist entity”. International in London said the not seeking to develop a nuclear Iran is willing to put together an terday he would do “everything said yesterday. And any group that “hinders Egyptian air force had “failed to bomb, Secretary of State John acceptable, verifiable plan.” I can” to prevent a nuclear deal Most of the 19 hijackers in the public or private transport or take the necessary precautions” Kerry said. He stressed again that US policy between world powers and Iran, September 11 attacks that killed prevents public and educational during the attack and had “joined But fresh from talks in Geneva was that Tehran would not acquire a week ahead of travelling to nearly 3,000 people, and some of institutions from performing the ranks of those placing civil- with his Iranian counterpart, a nuclear weapon. Taking aim at Washington. Netanyahu’s gov- the victims’ families are pursuing their duties will be listed as a ter- ians at risk in Libya”. Kerry sounded a note of caution, critics, such as Israel, that are ernment has always opposed a a lawsuit accusing Saudi Arabia ror group.” “The latest report issued by telling US lawmakers he was not opposed to the agreement, Kerry deal with Tehran over its nuclear of providing material support to This passage appears to tar- Amnesty International on the sure yet whether a comprehensive said they did not “know what the programme, and he is to address Al Qaeda, a charge which Riyadh get Islamist protesters who have Egyptian air strike on the sites agreement was within reach. deal is.” “I caution people to wait the US Congress on March 3 on denies. The Arabic-language frequently demonstrated on uni- of the terrorist organisation of World powers grouped under and see what these negotiations the subject, in a move that has newspaper Asharq Al Awsat said versity campuses and blocked off (ISIL) includes false and incor- the so-called P5+1 “had made produce. Since 2013, we have been angered the White House. one of the defendants confessed in roads. Promoting any such listed rect information,” the Mena news inroads” since reaching an interim testing whether or we can achieve “The information which has court that he had met Al Qaeda group would also be punishable agency quoted foreign ministry deal with Iran in November 2013 that goal diplomatically — I don’t reached me in recent days greatly founder Osama bin Laden after by law. spokesman Badr Abdelatty as on reining in its suspect nuclear know yet,” Kerry insisted. strengthens our concerns regard- the September 11 attacks and A government crackdown has saying yesterday. He expressed program, Kerry said. The so-called P5+1 group of ing the agreement being formu- helped him shelter at the home of mainly targeted Islamist sup- Egypt’s “deep surprise and “We’ve gained unprecedented Britain, China, France, Russia, lated between the major powers a Saudi citizen living in Pakistan porters of president Mohamed resentment at the report”, the insight into it,” Kerry told the the United States and Germany and Iran,” said a Netanyahu state- after he fled the US-led invasion Mursi, who was toppled by then agency added. AFP Senate appropriations committee are trying to strike an accord that ment. AFP of Afghanistan. AGENCIES Hadi is a fugitive: Houthis

SANA’A: Yemen’s dominant Hadi in Aden casts more doubt President Hadi that he is the Houthi group said yester- on United Nations-sponsored elected and internationally rec- day that President Abdrabuh talks to resolve Yemen’s crisis ognised leader. Mansour Hadi had lost his peacefully, and exacerbates sec- “We are seeing a Libyaization legitimacy as head of state and tarian and regional splits which in Yemen. It’s polarised between he was being sought as a fugi- may plunge the country into two competing governments. tive from justice. civil war. Thankfully unlike Libya, the Houthi militiamen seized the Both sides have been racing to competition hasn’t descended capital Sana’a in September and consolidate their claim to power. into fighting - yet,” said Farea Al laid siege to Hadi’s residence last The Houthis say their push Muslimi, a researcher with the month, prompting his resignation was a revolution which swept Carnegie Middle East Centre. and leading to a political vacuum. aside a corrupt government and REUTERS But Hadi escaped to Aden in southern Yemen last week after a month under house arrest and yesterday he officially recanted French woman kidnapped his resignation. He now holds court guarded by ADEN: A French woman working in Yemen was kidnapped yes- thousands of tribesmen and army terday as President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi struggled to reas- loyalists from the mainly Sunni sert his authority in the crisis-hit Arabian Peninsula nation. Muslim south. US Secretary of State John Kerry said meanwhile that Iran had “The higher revolutionary com- contributed to the collapse of the government’s authority in Yemen, mittee is following the suspicious where a Shia militia has seized the capital Sana’a. moves by Hadi, who lost his legiti- The French woman, who was working for an international organisa- macy to act as president of the tion in Sana’a, was abducted last morning, France’s foreign ministry Republic of Yemen, and whose said, urging all French citizens “to leave the country as fast as possible”. reckless acts harmed the Yemeni Western nations including Britain, France and the United States people,” the Houthi group said in closed their embassies in Yemen this month and urged their citizens a statement, its first official reac- to leave over security concerns. President Francois Hollande called tion since Hadi fled. for the woman to be released “as soon as possible”, saying she was The power struggle between a 30-year-old working with the World Bank. AFP the Shia Houthis in Sana’a and Border surveillance

Saudi border guards monitor cameras and radars on surveillance screens of the northern border with Iraq at Arar command and control centre headquarters. The double-fence system and its complementary high-tech surveillance tools have become a front line for the kingdom trying to protect itself from Islamic State extremists who have seized parts of Iraq and Syria. WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Mexico’s woes Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

exican President Pena Nieto has again grabbed international headlines for governance-related issues in the central American country. The nation, Mwhich is seeking to deflect attention, has been battling drug crime and gang-related violence for years. Illegal Climate change could lead migration to northern neighbour the United States has become a bilateral issue with Washington. This time though, Pena Nieto is under fire from the most unlikely quarters. Oscar winning Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has used words that indicate the quality to new disease outbreaks of life and governance in Mexico leave a lot to be desired. BY DOMINIC BASULTO century. In a worst-case scenario, sub- caribou in the Canadian Arctic). Inarritu’s film Birdman has won four Oscars including the tropical and tropical diseases may end Of course, there is bound to be a cer- one for best film. Pena Nieto shot back at Inarritu’s words limate change could be behind up heading to more temperate climes, tain amount of scepticism when people saying that the government is working hard to make life better more than just rising ocean such as Europe and, yes, America. (and especially scientists) claim that, for Mexicans. “As a country it brings us pride to know that levels, melting polar ice caps, “It’s not that there’s going to be one “Well, things are different this time Mexicans can triumph — here and outside Mexico — because Cand extreme weather events — ‘Andromeda Strain’ that will wipe eve- around.” There have always been vari- it could also be creating the ecological rybody out on the planet,” according to ations in climate, and there have always as a government it’s our job today to make things better,” basis for infectious diseases to spread Brooks. “There are going to be a lot of been “habitat perturbations.” So what’s the Mexican leader said in a purported reply to Inarritu’s to new places and new hosts. Writing localised outbreaks putting pressure on different this time around? The answer comments after he won the Oscar. in the Philosophical Transactions of the medical and veterinary health systems. may be that climate change is happen- The filmmaker was referring to the political situation in the Royal Society B, two prominent zoolo- It will be the death of a thousand cuts.” ing more rapidly than it has in the past, country in his comments. “I want to dedicate this award for my gists, Daniel Brooks of the University In other words, if climate change takes upsetting biodiversity dynamics in a way fellow Mexicans, the ones who live in Mexico. I pray that we of Nebraska-Lincoln and Eric Hoberg on greater intensity, localised outbreaks that has never before been possible. In of the US National Parasite Collection of Ebola could become the norm rather layman’s terms, Darwin never thought can find and build the government that we deserve.” of the USDA’s Agricultural Research than the exception. This escalation of parasites could evolve this fast. An unrelenting Inarritu yesterday hit out in fresh remarks Service, warn that outbreaks of infec- new outbreaks in places you wouldn’t Science naysayers, and there are that could lead to a war of words between a politician and a tious diseases such as West Nile virus expect would put a huge strain on the more than a few of them these days, will filmmaker. Inarritu was sober in and Ebola are just the start — global capacity of medical and health practi- no doubt refuse to believe this theory. Oscar-winning his Oscar acceptance speech. His warming could enable similar types tioners to deal with them. If they deny global warming, it’s easy comments yesterday were more of diseases to This innovative thinking about the link to see that they will deny the “climate director emerge and thrive between climate change and infectious change causes infectious diseases” the- scathing as they directly blame in places you disease overturns the current think- ory. The danger, however, is that we will Inarritu’s attack Pena Nieto’s government for the might not expect. ing on how and why diseases spread. fail to prevent infectious diseases such mess in Mexico. Vector-borne The basic The conventional wisdom (referred to as Ebola from ever starting in the first on the quality of “I think the level of underpinning as the “parasite paradox”) is that the place because we won’t understand how dissatisfaction, of injustice, of diseases” (think of this “climate host-pathogen relationship is so tightly and where they can spread. governance in change causes adapted that pathogens have a hard time So what can be done if we want corruption, of impunity have malaria) could Mexico should infectious dis- finding a new host species when things to avoid the real-life remake of reached intolerable levels. I don’t become more ease” model is go wrong. Even with ecological change “Contagion”? One obvious answer might not rattle know what the solution is. I that warming and habitat destruction, these pathogens be to provide more funding and support wouldn’t dare to say because I am and more likely, temperatures would essentially have no place to turn, to agencies that monitor and prevent President Pena not a political expert. But I do have and other forms no “back up plan” if their hosts suddenly outbreaks. This would help to prevent desires and feel that all Mexicans even as medical of “climatological disappear as the result of changing habi- or minimise human contact with poten- Nieto. variation” have tats and ecosystems. tially infected animals. “We have to feel the same despair over the researchers the potential to The new thinking, known as the admit we’re not winning the war against distressing situation we’re living fundamentally “Stockholm Paradigm” (not to be con- emerging diseases,” Brooks said. “We’re through now, Inarritu asserted. Nieto’s administration could thought they change natu- fused with the “Stockholm Syndrome”), not anticipating them. We’re not paying have to deal with more controversy if comments attributed to had figured out ral habitats. As combines four different ecological con- attention to their basic biology, where Pope Francis are proved right. The Pope has allegedly talked habitats change, cepts — ecological fitting, the geographic they might come from and the potential about preventing the “Mexicanization” of Argentina. Mexico’s how to deal with this ultimately mosaic theory of co-evolution, taxon for new pathogens to be introduced.” leads to wildlife, pulses and the oscillation hypothesis — Another approach that might be Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Meade protested saying that the most of them last crops, livestock to conjecture that pathogens may not worth adopting, says Brooks, is stud- country was being labelleda land of drug traffickers. and humans being really have as hard a time finding a new ying the evolutionary relationships Mexico has been the target of international scorn after century. exposed to new host as we thought. They may already among species, in order to predict the kidnapping of 43 students sparked outrage last year. The pathogens. In have the “ancestral genetic capabilities” which species will take over as disease- incident took place in the southern state of Guerreo where some cases, these pathogens find new to switch to new hosts that are geneti- carriers. He suggests that there should susceptible hosts and are able to spread cally close enough to the original hosts. be greater coordination between the buses carrying the college students were attacked by the quickly. Historical examples cited by the public and veterinary health commu- Guerreros Unidos gang in cahoots with the police on September If carried to an extreme, it’s an researchers, who have studied infectious nities and members of the “museum” 26. Nieto had taken over as president on a promise of reforms. unnerving scenario — “vector-borne diseases in both Arctic and tropical community who classify species. In He is saddled with the tough task of improving law and order diseases” (think malaria) could become ecosystems, include the howler mon- short, one of the best ways to prevent in a society given to high crime rates and drug violence. More more and more likely, even as medical key (which substituted nicely for the disease outbreaks such as Ebola in the than letting criticism worry him,Nieto should act hard on researchers thought they had figured spider monkey in Costa Rica) and the future is to look way, way back into our out how to deal with most of them last muskoxen (which took over from the evolutionary past. WP-BLOOMBERG crime syndicates that threaten the law and order machinery. The other side Quote of Young victims the day

OME foreigners settle in the cyberporn rings with operations in this Children not only suffer from sexual Nigeria. And so far, homegrown ter- Philippines to train terrorists. country. exploitation but are also used as mules rorists have not set up a contingent of Others come here for sex Lucrative profits from the illicit activ- by drug traffickers who are aware that child soldiers like the one shown in a I would hope that trafficking. In both activities, ity, however, have made sex rings con- minors can escape prosecution in this video supposedly of underage recruits S the European Union children are among the victims, tinue to proliferate. Human traffickers country. In conflict areas, children face undergoing training by the Islamic according to local law enforcement also find an abundance of young vic- another type of exploitation: they are State. Local governments, through the collectively would agencies and their foreign partners in tims, particularly in developing coun- recruited by armed groups as look- barangay network, can prevent various fighting transnational crimes. tries such as the Philippines, who are outs, couriers and even as soldiers. forms of child exploitation. The cam- respond very robustly A report said the US Federal Bureau offered by parents themselves for Photographs and video have shown paign against child abusers must be with new sanctions, of Investigation is monitoring several sexual exploitation. The Internet has children bearing rifles and undergo- intensified especially because young US citizens for engaging in child sex been a boon for sex traffickers, mak- ing training with adult gunmen in the victims of human traffickers and armed including so-called trafficking in the Philippines. Other ing it easier to conceal operations and jungles of Mindanao. thugs, if not rescued from exploitation, governments have also coordinated money trails. Public vigilance can alert So far, no Filipino child has been can grow up to become exploiters of (tier three) sanctions, with Philippine law enforcers in bust- law enforcers to suspicious activities deployed as a suicide bomber, like the children themselves. really hitting the ing international child prostitution and especially involving children. girl who blew herself up in a market in The Philippine Star David Cameron economy of Russia. British Prime Minister WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Sisi regime exporting crises, failing at home the execution, nor is it an Islamic views on any issue, they stand State stronglhold, so why target together during difficult times. that city, its calm neighbour- The best proof is the invasion that hoods and innocent inhabitants? Kuwait was subjected to in 1990, The reason behind the air and there are many other such strikes was simply that Derna instances one can narrate. is giving a headache to former More than once, Qatar has army general Khalifa Haftar, who affirmed that it supports people’s is a Sisi ally. The city has resisted choices and is aligned with Arabs’ Haftar’s troops, who have not desire for freedom, dignity and been able to enter it. good livelihood. Qatar will always Moreover, Haftar’s survival defend this stand. BY JABER AL HARAMI was under threat without urgent Doing that, Qatar will con- military intervention, such as the tinue supporting the will of the one that created this crisis. Egyptian people and the stabil- n the year and a half since In addition, the Egyptian ity of Egypt, without paying any the coup in Egypt, Qatar’s military intervention in Libya is attention to what the Egyptian leadership has turned a deaf against the Arab League’s char- regime, its followers, media out- Iear to insults from Egyptian ter, which stipulates that the lets, and “magicians” are trying to officials, media and decision-mak- member states must approve any do to provoke international opin- ers, who are still working hard military action by one member ion against Qatar and its lead- to come up with more verbal against another. ing role in supporting the Arab abuse directed at Qatar and its Qatar is following this charter, nation and its people. leadership. which the Egyptian regime has The Qatari people and lead- They attacked Qatar from all chosen to ignore in order to serve ership will always support sides, while searching for excuses its own interests. Egyptians. We oppose the ruling for the utter failure of their rule. Besides, the Qatari reserva- regime in Egypt now, but we are Under the current regime, tion was related to lifting the aligned with the people, who are Egypt has entered a dark tunnel ban on arms sales to Libya, which our brothers. We appreciate their the like of which the country has is based on the principle of not role and contributions to their not seen in its modern history. strengthening one party at the second homeland, Qatar. Qatar, its leaders and officials expense of another. The Qatari leadership refuses Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi is surrounded by top generals as he addresses journalists following an didn’t bother to respond to the The ban cannot be lifted before to get involved in a clash with ugly insults, which weren’t used a national unity government is emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in Cairo. this regime, while it works hard by Arabs even during the period established in the country. Only to limit its negative impact on of ignorance before the advent of it would have the right to ask for accounts. Only a small portion employed the worst kind of step. The GCC countries backed the people, who are not to be Islam. Qatar is cautious not to be the lifting of this ban on behalf of is transferred to the Egyptian oppression, persecution and its decision and all of them con- blamed since they are themselves pushed into the dirty swamp that the Libyan people. Central Bank, according to the prosecution against those oppos- demned Egypt’s allegation. oppressed by the regime. the Egyptian media, with a few I do not think that Qatar’s res- leak. ing it. It has suppressed freedom Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, the A year and half after the exceptions, is living in. ervations insulted the Egyptian Fighting terrorism is not a and unleashed tyranny. It has Secretary-General of the GCC, overthrow of elected president However, it is apparent that regime to such an extent that its logical excuse for the Egyptian resorted to the police state strat- said that the accusation was false Mohamed Mursi, the current patience doesn’t work with the leaders accused it of supporting military intervention in Libya. egy in dealing with its opponents. and it ignored the sincere efforts Egyptian regime is trying to Egyptian regime, which has terrorism. We should not mix up the neces- Arrests and assassinations are of Qatar and other GCC countries export its long list of internal cri- dared to accuse Qatar of sup- This made Qatar decide sity of fighting terrorism with the on the rise; around 40,000 activ- in fighting terrorism and support- ses and is unable to solve even the porting terrorism because it to recall its ambassador for killing and burning of innocent ists have been imprisoned since ing Arab initiatives in this regard simple problems of the Egyptian disagreed with Egyptian military consultations. people. the coup, according to civil society at the national and international citizen. intervention in Libya. The recent leak of talks between From the beginning the world organisations. This is, of course, levels. All these efforts are aimed This failure is despite the sup- Egypt launched air strikes Sisi and his officials revealed the has rejected Sisi’s proposal for besides the thousands of people at protecting the interests of the port that Egypt has received from that claimed the lives of inno- hidden agenda of that regime, and military intervention in Libya, killed in various incidents; some Arab world. Gulf countries. Instead of being cent victims, including women made it clear that it considers the which led the Egyptian foreign were even burned to death. This clearly embodies Gulf thankful, Egypt sees them only and children, in the peaceful city GCC countries as merely a source minister to rephrase the pro- Qatar’s decision to recall its unity and solidarity between its as “wealthy funders”. of Derna, which was bombarded of funds. posal and omit the items related ambassador for consultations countries. Targeting any coun- In Qatar, we are sure about with rockets at dawn even though It is unfortunate that these to military intervention after he came in reaction to the accusa- try means targeting all. These our stand, moving ahead with our it has nothing to do with the exe- funds are not meant for the saw everyone opposing them dur- tion by the Egyptian regime that six countries are united against plans, sticking to our values, sup- cution of 21 Egyptians in Libya, Egyptian people, who really ing UN Security Council sessions. Qatar supports terrorism. challenges and dangers that face porting our nation, and backing which Qatar denounced. deserve them, since the $40bn Over the past year and a This charge was the last straw the Gulf. the Egyptian people; and we will Derna was neither the site of transfers have gone into private half the Egyptian regime has that pushed Qatar to take this Even if they have different do so forever.

Greedy private Why the heightened activity in the Gulf? clinics exploiting Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Qatari media to see what it was saying intellectuals and thinkers to comment Sheikh Tamim also visited Riyadh about Egypt, and I didn’t find anything on each event, which proves the legiti- recently. that would offend Egyptians. macy of its news. health insurance Also, the King of Bahrain visited I asked an Egyptian living in Qatar “Note that there is no Qatari broad- Riyadh before the others. However, who is loyal to the Sisi regime about the casting corporation that talks nega- ollowing the launch of state health insur- Oman was absent from the Riyadh reason behind Egypt’s anger. He said: tively about Egypt and its people the ance for citizens and residents of this dialogues. “Don’t you follow Al Jazeera news?” I way Egyptian TV stations are talking Fblessed land, most private clinics, hos- All these visits indicate that a very replied positively. against us.” pitals and serious issue has arisen in the Gulf He continued: “Don’t you see the My friend was outraged, and said: “Al medical Arab political sphere; evil must be sur- plain attack on Egypt? I said: “No”. I Jazeera airs news about the criminal centres rounding us from all sides. had heard news about what is happen- activities of Islamic State (IS), such as registered Analysts say that the Saudi objective ing in Sinai, seen images of the Egyptian the burning of the Jordanian pilot, the with the is to reinforce the Gulf militarily and army attacking Egyptians on the pre- slaughter of the Japanese journalists, state have politically against any threats. text of fighting terrorism, and watched the massacre of Egyptian citizens in exploited BY DR MOHAMMED SALEH AL Others claim that the aim is to turn peaceful demonstrations rejecting the Libya, and the Egyptian air strikes on the insur- MISFER the GCC into a political and military coup against a legitimate leader — all Libyan sovereignty that killed civilians.” ance to get alliance. on Egyptian media. I said, “Don’t get angry. All news the state’s A third interpretation goes as far as He added: “Didn’t Al Jazeera air leaks agencies, including Japanese ones, aired money rince Mohammed bin Nayef was to say that it was all due to the crisis of top Egyptian leaders talking nega- images of the crimes committed by IS. through in Doha recently for talks with between Doha and Cairo. tively about the people of the Arabian This doesn’t mean that those broad- exaggerated BY DR RABIA BIN SABAH Pthe Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Everything that has been said was Gulf?” I said: “Yes, I heard those leaks casting agencies agree with the ideology bills. AL KUWARI Hamad Al Thani. based on speculation, not information. that were previously broadcast by other of the perpetrators of these crimes, so Auditors H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Regarding the crisis between Cairo television stations, so what’s wrong with how did Al Jazeera offend Egypt?” noticed that Jaber Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, and Doha, I consider myself a follower that? I added: “Doesn’t Egypt have more some clinics exaggerated the amounts that the flew to Riyadh in a recent unannounced of the Egyptian media, especially on “All media outlets race to be the first than 30 media outlets, including radio, state had to reimburse them, and presented visit. Arab and international issues. in disseminating news, whatever it may television and newspapers that are inflated and unreasonable figures. It would be Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, I was listening to media reports on be, if confirmed by the source.” venting their anger at those they dis- interesting to know the reason for this sudden Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was what was said about Qatar, its leaders, The summary of our talk was: “Al like, including Qatar; we neither pro- greed to earn money quickly by illegal means. in Riyadh some days ago for talks and its political, economic and social Jazeera news channel is broadcast- tested nor cried.” It is unfortunate, though, that the majority of with the Custodian of the Two Holy policies. At the same time, I followed the ing from Egypt and it hosts Egyptian Before each of us went his way, I said: private clinics are taking advantage of insur- “A political system that is shaken and ance in this way. frightened by a small fraction of society As a result of this greed, one of these clinics is not worthy to govern a nation.” or private hospitals collected nearly QR50m in Returning to the Gulf leaders’ visits, insurance payments in just four months. Some I am convinced that they were related have even collected two or three times that to the situations in Yemen, Iraq, Syria amount or more, though their earnings earlier and Bahrain, and not to an issue that did not amount to even 10 percent of the cur- doesn’t affect the GCC’s safety and rent figures. security. The state officials should reveal the truth King Salman and Sheikh Tamim about the health insurance money embezzled discussed a number of regional and by private clinics and hospitals. international issues, especially devel- It is the public’s right to know where these opments in Yemen, Iraq and Syria, the funds have gone over the past year, since many geographical expansion of IS, and the people are not convinced about how these mil- Iranian-American nuclear talks and lions were disbursed. The questionable bills their impact on GCC security. issued by the clinics are not only inflated but King Salman wanted to put his also invalid. brothers in Kuwait, Qatar and the Unfortunately, when anyone enquires at these United Arab Emirates in the right clinics and hospitals about the reason for such perspective on how the GCC should manipulation, they cheerfully reply that the gov- be dealing with threats facing the ernment is paying, and that is true! Gulf, and to develop a collective plan This is despite the fact that health insur- to address these threats. ance was launched by the Qatari government Last but not the least, an Egyptian to improve the quality of health services, farce: The Egyptian Arab League encourage and motivate the service providers delegate accused Qatar of sponsor- to improve the availability and quality of their ing terrorism because its delegate services through fair competition between the didn’t attend the Arab League meet- public and private sectors, regulate private ing last Wednesday that gave Egypt health insurance to ensure consumer protec- the power to carry out air strikes in tion, provide additional health services to meet Protesters shout slogans during a rally showing support for Yemen’s President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi in the southwestern city of Libya without authorisation from the the growing demand, contain healthcare costs, Taiz. The situation in Yemen was among the issues discussed by GCC leaders in recent visits to Saudi Arabia. UN Security Council, which is a viola- promote accountability, and increase the options tion of Libya’s sovereignty. available to patients. WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com EUROPE / AMERICAS Eight killed in Spain breaks up online IS recruiting network MADRID: Spain said yesterday an IS sympathiser-turned-propa- it had broken up an online net- gandist who had the profile of a work accused of recruiting young “lone wolf” who acted alone. women to join Islamic State mili- The other was said to have edited Czech shootout tants fighting in Iraq and Syria and distributed videos to recruit and arrested four suspects. potential jihadists. The authorities The arrests came as European were working to establish links nations scramble to halt a surge in between the two in Melilla and at restaurant young people wanting to travelling those in Spain’s northeast. to Iraq and Syria to fight with the Police searched the homes of all jihadists. Two of the suspects were four suspects. Officers removed arrested in Melilla, the Spanish several boxes from the home of Attack not terrorist act: Minister enclave neighbouring Morocco, one of the men detained in Sant in the latest operation by Spain’s Vicenc dels Horts about 20km PRAGUE: A man shot dead The restaurant’s owner, Pavel authorities targeting such recruit- from Barcelona. eight people in a restaurant in Karlik, said the man had walked ing networks. Relatives of the man, a 36-year- an eastern Czech town yester- in and started shooting with a The others were detained in old Moroccan who has lived in day and then killed himself, the handgun. “I immediately ran Girona and Barcelona in Spain’s Spain since he was eight, said the town’s mayor said. out through the back door, along northeastern region of Catalonia. boxes contained computers. “It’s a “I have been given information with other guests who then called Police were conducting searches lie that he is a terrorist. It’s all lies. that it was a 60-year-old local ambulance and police,” he told of the homes of all four suspects. For him, Islam is peace,” the man’s man, probably mentally unsta- news website www.idnes.cz. The two detained in Melilla were brother, Hicham Belkadar, 33, told ble,” the mayor, Patrik Kuncar, An eyewitness told the broad- said to be behind the creation journalists at the scene. told Czech television. “We can caster he had seen around 10 and operation of several Internet “They accuse him because he see that, here, probably, a lone police cars arrive and police platforms spreading propaganda, posted videos and shared photos. shooter struck with no warning.” putting on bulletproof vests. particularly for the Islamic State He published photos about Islam The attacker called a national Such shooting incidents are group, the interior ministry said in but it has nothing to do with ter- television channel before he very rare in the Czech Republic, a statement. rorism. These people who cut started the shooting, a reporter a central European country of “In line with the strategy of the heads don’t represent Islam, and who took the call said. 10.5 million. Daesh terrorist group, they focused my brother is not one of them.” “He said he was being bullied, Uhersky Brod is a town of on the recruitment of women who, Spain has dismantled several no public institutions would help 17,000 in the Moravia region, near after a process of indoctrination, similar networks, particularly in him, and that he had a gun and the border with Slovakia. would end up joining the terror- Melilla and its other north African hostages and that he would deal Interior Minister Milan ist group in conflict zones,” it said, enclave, Ceuta. with it his own way,” said Pavel Chovanec flew to the scene of referring to the IS. The two enclaves on the consti- Lebduska, head of regional broad- the attack along with police com- Private home visits were also tute the only land borders between casting at Prima channel. mander Tomas Tuhy. organised for recruiting purposes Africa and Europe and attract He said the man had given his Prime Minister Bohuslav and a number of young people had thousands of people, mostly sub- name but the station would not Sobotka said in a statement: “I begun preparations to travel to Saharan Africans, trying to reach Spanish civil guards lead a detained man suspected of using social media reveal it for the time being. He am shocked by the tragic attack war zones, the ministry said. European countries. to recruit people to violent groups like the IS in Melilla yesterday. alerted the police immediately. that happened today in Uhersky One of those arrested ran a An estimated 550 Western The Czech television said the Brod. I would like to express my “virtual community” with Islamic women are believed to have gone attacker fired about 25 rounds deepest sorrow and condolences State propaganda and more than to Syria to join the IS cause. Seven people were arrested in France on Monday announced at lunchtime in the Druzba, or to the families and relatives of the 1,000 subscribers, it said. Spanish authorities estimate Spain and Morocco in December that it had confiscated the pass- “friendship”, restaurant in a victims.” On Facebook, he had a “multi- that around 100 nationals have for allegedly recruiting young ports of six suspected would-be residential district of the town of Meanwhile, Chovanec said that tude of subscribers” outside Spain, joined the militants in Iraq and women via the Internet to join IS jihadists and would ban another Uhersky Brod, 300km southeast the attack was not a “terrorist including Latin America and coun- Syria, a lower number than those fighting in Iraq and Syria. 40 from travelling. of Prague. act”. “We can say this was not tries such as Belgium, France, from Britain, France and Germany. Britain says some 500 people Spain suffered one of Europe’s A woman injured in the inci- a terrorist act. The person who Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, In August two young Spanish have travelled from the country to worst ever peacetime attacks on dent was admitted to hospital committed this was a local citizen Tunisia, Turkey and the United women, one of them under 18, were join the groups, while France says March 11, 2004, when Al Qaeda- in the nearby town of Uherske over 60 years of age,” Chovanec States, the statement said. arrested in Melilla on suspicion of about 1,400 residents have either inspired bombings killed 191 people Hradiste, a hospital spokeswoman said in a live television broadcast One of the suspects arrested in trying to join an Islamic State cell joined the militant cause in Syria in an attack on Madrid commuter said. from the scene. REUTERS Spain’s northeast was described as in the Middle East. and Iraq or were planning to do so. trains. AFP

Senior British Religious groups back woman in US court scarf case MP resigns WASHINGTON: A Muslim should not have to ask specifi- The company denied Elauf the job an accommodation. One brief, practice, the brief said. woman denied a sales job at an cally for a religious accommo- on the grounds that wearing the filed by Jewish groups, noted that Christian organisations that over ‘cash for Abercrombie & Fitch Co cloth- dation in order to be protected scarf violated its “look policy” for one of the law’s purposes was to weighed in include the General ing store in Oklahoma because under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, members of the sales staff. protect Orthodox Jews, who can- Conference of Seventh-day she wears a head scarf has won which, among other things, bans The religious groups that have not work from sundown Friday to Adventists and the National access’ scandal the support of Christians, Jews, employment discrimination based filed court papers with the jus- nightfall on Saturday, in addition Association of Evangelicals. LONDON: A British former Sikhs and fellow Muslims as the on religious beliefs and practices. tices support the argument being to various Jewish holidays. Abercrombie has the backing foreign minister said yester- US Supreme Court prepares to The Supreme Court is due to made on Elauf’s behalf by the US In a separate brief, the of business groups, including the day he would leave parliament hear her case. hear a one-hour oral argument Equal Employment Opportunity American-Arab Anti- US Chamber of Commerce. The after a “cash for access” scan- Various religious and civil in the case today, with a ruling Commission. Discrimination Committee and company has faced other lawsuits dal exposed in an undercover rights organisations have filed due by the end of June. Elauf was A federal district judge ruled other Muslim organisations cite including one in which it agreed investigation. friend-of-the-court briefs backing wearing a head scarf, or hijab, in favour of Elauf and the gov- what they call “pervasive employ- in 2004 to pay $40m to several Malcolm Rifkind, who was first Samantha Elauf, who was denied at her job interview but did not ernment, but in an October 2013 ment discrimination” against thousand minority and female elected in 1974 and first served in a sales job at the store in Tulsa in specifically say that as a Muslim ruling the Denver-based 10th US Muslims. The wearing of hijab plaintiffs who had accused the government under Conservative 2008 when she was 17. she wanted the company to give Circuit Court of Appeals found has been recognised by the gov- company of discrimination. prime minister Margaret Thatcher, Their lawyers say employees her a religious accommodation. that she was required to ask for ernment as a protected religious REUTERS said he would not seek re-election. “I have concluded that to end the uncertainty it would be preferable... to step down at the end of this par- John Kerry testifies liament,” he said in a statement. The British parliament is being Warren makes push dissolved on March 30 ahead of a general election on May 7. Rifkind also said he was resign- ing the chairmanship of the intel- on middle-class issues ligence and security committee, which oversees Britain’s secret services. But he hit back at the in White House bid accusations levelled against him in a joint investigation by Channel WASHINGTON: US 4 and the Daily Telegraph saying Democratic Senator Elizabeth they were “contemptible”. Warren (pictured), who has Rifkind was suspended on so far brushed aside calls to Monday from the ranks of seek the presidency, launched Prime Minister David Cameron’s a campaign yesterday to tackle Conservative Party in parliament middle-class issues expected to pending an investigation of the be prominent in the 2016 elec- claims. Rifkind and fellow law- tion and promised to be a “loud” maker Jack Straw from the oppo- voice in the debate. sition Labour party, also a former Warren, a long-time consumer foreign minister, are accused of advocate who is often mentioned offering to use their positions to as a potential White House can- leading economists and other help a private company for cash. didate, said the project was aimed experts. Some of the most urgent In a sting by undercover report- at promoting policies to shift issues include boosting invest- ers, the two politicians are said to Washington away from corporate ment in schools, improving infra- have offered to act on behalf of a lobbyists and instead address edu- structure and reforming the tax fictitious Hong Kong-based com- cation, wages and consumer debt. code, they said in a column in USA pany at a price of at least £5,000 US Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on “The middle class is still just get- Today. Warren and Cummings a day. AFP State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies on the fiscal year 2016 funding request for the State Department ting hammered,” she told MSNBC’s have not unveiled legislation but yesterday in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. “Morning Joe” programme. But said they were gathering informa- the first-term Massachusetts sena- tion to guide themselves and other tor, who has repeatedly said she lawmakers. is not running for president and While the effort echoes long- has sidestepped pleas from lib- standing Democratic positions, Ukraine rebels show withdrawal of weapons eral supporters who see her as an the renewed push signals the lat- alternative to Democratic favorite est attempt by those in the party to Hillary Clinton, said the effort was counter Republican efforts in the MAKIYVKA: Pro-Russia hope that a ceasefire due to start of this year after halving during off Kiev’s supplies in two days not about her. 2016 campaign to portray them- separatists brought reporters on February 15 can finally take the whole of 2014. unless Kiev paid more money. “What I’m going to do is talk as selves as champions of the mid- yesterday to witness the with- effect after the rebels initially Dollar bonds issued by Since taking the railway hub of hard and as long and as loud as I dle class. A former Harvard Law drawal of heavy weapons from ignored it to storm a government- Ukrainian companies sold off Debaltseve in one of the worst need to, to get people galvanized School professor, Warren is still a the front line in east Ukraine held town last week. heavily after authorities tightened defeats for Kiev of the war, the around change,” she said. “This favorite among progressives and a under a ceasefire deal, but The prospect that the ceasefire currency controls. Moscow-backed rebels have indi- can’t just be about politics. It’s not persistent Wall Street antagonist. Ukraine said the rebels were will fail has fuelled a rout in the A feud over natural gas, which cated they now want to abide by just about one person.” On Monday, she appeared with using the cover of the truce to Ukrainian hryvnia, which plunged appeared to have been settled for the truce. The project, launched with President Barack Obama at a reinforce for another advance. 11 percent to close at 31.63 to the the winter by an agreement late Kiev says the rebels are still Democratic Representative Elijah White House event proposing new Fighting has eased in eastern dollar. The currency has already last year, has also resurfaced, shooting, which the rebels deny. Cummings of Maryland, includes rules aimed at protecting consumer Ukraine in recent days, raising lost half its value since the start with Moscow threatening to cut REUTERS a series of public forums with retirement accounts. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Fugitive Bangla Blasts hit Nigeria bus stations, 27 dead ex-lawmaker Attacks continue ahead of elections sentenced to life

KANO: Two blasts rocked bus 11:40am,” said a driver’s union offi- for war crimes stations in embattled north- cial at the bus station. DHAKA: Bangladesh’s war ern Nigeria yesterday, killing Potiskum was also attacked crimes tribunal yesterday at least 27 people, as relentless on Sunday, when a young girl sentenced a fugitive former attacks persist less than five detonated explosives strapped lawmaker to life in prison for weeks from general elections. to her body at a crowded mar- genocide and religious perse- The first, which killed 17 people ket. Thirteen dead and 31 injured cution of the country’s Hindu was caused by a bomb that ripped were initially brought to Potiskum minority during the 1971 inde- through a station on the out- General Hospital after yesterday’s pendence war, the prosecutor skirts of Potiskum, in northeast blast, according to a nurse at the said. Yobe state, which has been tar- facility, but she added: “Four more The 82-year-old Abdul Jabbar, geted repeatedly by Boko Haram died here. “So, we have 17 dead a member of parliament in the Islamists. and 27 people with injuries.” 1980s for the government-aligned Roughly four hours later, two The drivers’ union official said Jatiya Party, was tried in absentia, men blew themselves up after it was not immediately clear as he is thought to have fled to the getting off a bus at a busy ter- whether the man who placed United States. Enayetur Rahim, minus in Kano, the north’s larg- the bag in the boot was a suicide a war crimes tribunal judge, sen- est city and another frequent bomber, or whether the explosives tenced Jabbar to life in prison after Boko Haram target. Ten people were hidden inside it. Rescue finding him guilty of five charges were killed. The Nigerian mili- workers at the scene said that all of atrocities committed during the tant group has been blamed for 12 people on board the bus were nine-month war against Pakistan, more than 13,000 deaths since killed. the prosecutor said. 2009 and has in recent weeks The girl in Sunday’s attack “He was found guilty of all five expanded its uprising into neigh- which left seven people dead in charges including genocide, mur- bouring countries, raising fears Potiskum was thought to be as der, arson and religious persecu- of a regional crisis. young as seven, according to mul- tion,” Zahid Imam said. “He was In Niger, a mine planted by the tiple witnesses. involved in murdering 36 people insurgents killed two soldiers and The explosion at the Kano Line and forcibly converted 200 Hindus injured four others in the Diffa Station occurred at about 3:40pm Policemen at the scene of a suicide bombing at a bus station in Kano yesterday. to Islam.” Jabbar is the 18th per- region bordering Yobe, a security and sent people rushing from the son convicted by the International source said. Niger this month site of the blast, many of them Crimes Tribunal, a domestic court joined Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria covered in blood. “I was attending set up by the government. in a joint operation aimed at crush- to customers when I heard a loud Gunmen kidnap US missionary Prosecutors said Jabbar was ing Boko Haram’s uprising, and explosion that shook the build- the head of a pro-Pakistani militia many expected the Islamist rebels ing,” said one local shopkeeper, LAGOS: Masked gunmen in Our suspicion is that she was in the coastal town of Mathbaria to launch cross-border reprisals. who works opposite the terminus. central Nigeria kidnapped an picked up for ransom,” the police and collaborated with the Pakistan Nigeria had hoped the four- An orange seller inside the bus American woman doing mis- spokesman said. A statement on army during the conflict when nation offensive could contain station confirmed his account. sionary work, with ransom the the Free Methodist Church’s web- then-East Pakistan seceded from the violence before elections ini- “We rushed outside and we suspected motive for the attack, site contained similar details. Islamabad. The tribunal has mostly tially scheduled for February 14 saw plumes of black smoke com- police said yesterday. “The US Embassy has been noti- focused on the trials of Islamist but which were postponed by six ing from the Kano Line Station,” “She was whisked away at fied, and the State Department and leaders who opposed the break up weeks because of the insurgency. the shopkeeper said. “People and around 10am on Monday,” said the FBI are working with local of Pakistan and saw the liberation But with the bloodshed continu- buses were rushing out of the bus Kogi state police spokesman Sola authorities to find and rescue her,” war by Bengalis as a conspiracy by ing on a nearly daily basis, secu- station. One bus was splattered Collins Adebayo. He said the the statement attributed to Bishop majority-Hindu India. rity fears remain high ahead of with blood and human flesh.” attack took place in the Emiworo David Kendall said. Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami the March 28 vote. Kano state police spokesman village where the missionary from Foreign nationals have often party were in 2013 sentenced to The Potiskum explosion Musa Magaji Majia described the the Free Methodist Church ran a been kidnapped in Nigeria by death by the tribunal for their occurred at the Tashar Dan-Borno attack as “suicide explosions” by community organisation within local gangs who typically release roles in the conflict, plunging motor park on the outskirts of the two men after they got off a bus the premises of a school linked to hostages following a ransom pay- Bangladesh into its worst unrest city immediately after a man put from Wudil, about 40km away. her church. US missionary Reverend Phyllis ment. Such abductions are espe- since independence. Jamaat says a bag in the boot of the bus and Both bombings again under- The kidnappers were “unknown Sortor, 87, of Free Methodist Church, cially common in the southern the trials are aimed at eliminating then tried to board. “The bus had lined the severe security chal- gunmen...(who) came into the who was kidnapped yesterday. Niger Delta, where expatriates opposition leaders rather than ren- just loaded with passengers on its lenges confronting Nigeria in the school premises shooting sporadi- working with large oil companies dering justice while rights groups way to Kano when a huge explosion run-up to the March elections. cally to scare away people before bush”, Adebayo said. have been a frequent target. have said they fall short of inter- happened inside the bus at exactly AFP taking (the hostage) away into the “We are hopeful of finding her. AFP national standards. AFP SA spooks red-faced from Executions won’t be delayed South Korea, latest spy data leak US to start JOHANNESBURG: A mass leak of South African espionage secrets will cause many foreign agencies to think twice before despite mercy pleas: Widodo sharing information with Pretoria, hampering its efforts to walk military drills a delicate diplomatic tightrope between East and West, experts JAKARTA: Indonesia’s presi- The president did not say when Indonesia. Other members of the said yesterday. Britain’s Guardian paper and Al Jazeera said they dent said yesterday that the the executions would be carried group have been sentenced to long SEOUL: South Korea and the had obtained hundreds of dossiers, files and cables from the world’s planned execution of 11 convicts out. Indonesia has harsh penalties prison terms. United States will begin eight top spy agencies to and from South Africa, dubbing it “one of the on death row, most on drugs for drug trafficking and resumed Australia, which has long had weeks of joint military drills biggest spy leaks in recent times”. The biggest revelation so far is charges, would not be delayed, executions in 2013 after a five- rocky relations with its northern starting on March 2, military an assessment by Mossad that counters Israeli Prime Minister warning foreign countries not year gap. neighbour, has said it would con- officials said yesterday, an annual Benjamin Netanyahu — backed by a cartoon picture of a bomb — to intervene in his government’s Shortly before Widodo spoke, sider recalling its ambassador to exercise that typically provokes asserting at the United Nations in 2012 that Iran was a year away right to use capital punishment. a court in Jakarta threw out an Indonesia in protest if the execu- heightened rhetoric and military from making a nuclear device. Iran was “not performing the activ- President Joko Widodo has appeal by the two Australians tions are carried out. threats from North Korea. ity necessary to produce weapons”, the Israeli agency said in one denied clemency to the convicts against Widodo’s rejection of their Brazil and the Netherlands North Korea regularly protests report that outlined its understanding of Tehran’s attempts to pro- despite repeated pleas from request for presidential clemency. have already withdrawn their the annual exercises, which it says duce enriched uranium, the main ingredient for a nuclear bomb. Australia, Brazil and France, who “We plan to appeal today’s court ambassadors after Indonesia are a rehearsal for war, and has Suggestions South African spooks scoped out carpet shops in the have citizens due to be executed decision. We have two weeks to executed their citizens on drug recently stepped up its own air, belief they were a front for Iranian spies were easy fodder for news- by firing squad. file an appeal,” said Todung Mulya offences last month. sea and ground military exercises, papers, with the Times reporting the leaks under the front page “The first thing I need to say Lubis, a lawyer for the two men. Brazil took the further step of amid a period of increased ten- headline Ali Baba and the forty spies. firmly is that there shouldn’t be “If the law is respected, the execu- refusing to allow Indonesia’s new sions between the rival Koreas. any intervention towards the tion should be postponed until the ambassador to take part in a cre- “The whole course of Key Resolve Bangladesh politician abducted death penalty because it is our legal process is over.” dentials ceremony, prompting the and Foal Eagle is aimed to occupy sovereign right to exercise our Australia has been pursuing an Southeast Asian country to recall the DPRK through preemptive DHAKA: A prominent Bangladesh opposition politician was law,” Widodo told reporters. eleventh-hour campaign to save him in protest. strikes,” said an editorial in the abducted yesterday, allegedly by police, days after he appeared to He said he took calls from the the lives of Myuran Sukumaran, Indonesia was also re-evalu- ruling Workers’ Party newspaper, say he was open to seeking military intervention to end the coun- leaders of France, Brazil and the 33, and Andrew Chan, 31, two ating the purchase of fighter jets the Rodong Sinmun, referring to try’s deadly political crisis. The family of Mahmudur Rahman Netherlands about the death members of the so-called Bali and rocket launchers from Brazil the names for the exercises. Manna, 63, who has been trying to forge an alternative third penalty but made no mention of Nine group of Australians, con- because of the row, its Defence The annual US-South Korean political force in Bangladesh, said he was picked up by plain- Australia. Two Australians are victed in 2005 as the ringleaders Ministry said. drills are divided into two phases: clothed police officers from his niece’s home in the capital Dhaka. among the 11 on death row. of a plot to smuggle heroin out of REUTERS ‘Key Resolve’, which runs from “There were four to five men. They said they were from the DB March 2 to 13, and ‘Foal Eagle’, (police detective branch). They asked him to go with them,” which runs from March 2 to April Manna’s niece Shahanama Sharmin said. “They led him away 24. ‘Key Resolve’ is a computer on a micro-bus at around 3:30am,” she added. Manila protest simulated command exercise. ‘Foal Eagle’ includes actual “ground, air, Anti-Boko Haram activist wins prize naval, and special operations,” field exercises, the statement said. TOKYO: A Nigerian woman who has campaigned against Boko DPRK is short for Democratic Haram was yesterday awarded a Japanese peace prize worth People’s Republic of Korea. $170,000. Esther Ibanga, a pastor and activist in Nigeria, has The statement by the joint kept up a vocal protest against the kidnappings that Boko Haram US-South Korean Combined has made almost routine, the Niwano Peace Foundation said. Forces Command said the North The foundation said it had awarded her its 20m yen annual prize Korean army had been informed because of the way she has tirelessly pressured central and local of the dates and “non-provocative governing officials in her efforts to fight back against extremists. nature” of the exercises. “Esther has worked extensively to foster and facilitate reconcili- On Monday, North Korean ation between conflicting religious and tribal groups,” setting up leader Kim Jong Un told his an organisation that has all tribal women leaders on its member- Korean People’s Army command- ship, the Buddhist group-backed foundation said. ers to focus on “combat readiness” this year, according to state media. Anwar’s family seeks royal pardon In 2013, following its third nuclear test, North Korea declared the KUALA LUMPUR: The family of jailed Malaysian opposition armistice agreement which ended leader Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday that they had filed for a the 1950-53 war as “invalid” in royal pardon two weeks after the 67-year-old former deputy response to the exercises. prime minister was sent back to jail for five years. Malaysia’s The US responded with long- highest court on February 10 rejected an appeal by the politician, Protesters carry portraits of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III during a rally calling for his resignation range nuclear-capable B-2 bomber who long posed the greatest threat to the long-ruling coalition, outside the US Embassy in Manila yesterday. The group, a day before the 29th anniversary of commemoration flights over the Korean peninsu- against a sodomy conviction, upholding a five-year prison term. of the 1986 People Power Revolution, held a protest to condemn the US-Aquino alleged connivance over the lar in a show of force it said was Anwar, the ruling party’s rising star in the mid-1990s before he designed to show US ability to fell out with then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, denied Maguindanao clash on January 25, a police raid to arrest two terrorists that resulted in the death of 44 officers “conduct long-range, precision the charge that led to his second conviction for sodomy as a fab- in Maguindanao and 18 rebels. strikes quickly and at will”. rication aimed at ending his political career. AGENCIES REUTERS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

25 years for two Gunmen seize in plot to attack Americans in 30 Shias in Afghanistan WASHINGTON: Two men convicted of seeking to join Al Qaeda and training to carry Afghanistan out attacks on Americans in Afghanistan were sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, the US Justice Department said. Men kidnapped from two buses US District Judge Virginia Phillips sentenced Sohiel Omar KANDAHAR: Masked gun- but kidnappings for ransom Kabir, 37, and Ralph Deleon, 26, men have abducted 30 Shia by bandits, local militias and who prosecutors said trained at men who were travelling by bus Taliban insurgents are common firearms and paintball facilities through southern Afghanistan, in Afghanistan. in Southern California to prepare officials said yesterday. Interior ministry spokesman for their mission. The men, members of the Sediq Sediqqi said police were The two were found guilty in minority Hazara ethnic group, “doing everything to ensure their federal court in September of were seized on Monday evening safe release”. conspiring to provide material in Zabul province, on the road Nearly 200 Hazara Shias were support to terrorists and conspir- between the western city of Herat killed in early 2013 in two major ing to murder US military and and the capital Kabul. attacks in the Pakistani city of government personnel. Hazara Shias are often the tar- Quetta, capital of Baluchistan Deleon was also convicted of get of sectarian violence at the province which borders southern conspiracy to commit murder, hands of Sunni Muslim extrem- Afghanistan. US-led Nato forces kidnapping or maiming overseas. ists in Pakistan and Afghanistan. ended their combat mission in Prosecutors said trial evidence “Our driver saw a group of Afghanistan in late December Afghan policeman guarding a checkpoint in Kabul after gunmen dragged 30 male passengers out of two buses showed that Kabir introduced masked men in Afghan army after more than a decade fight- and took them hostage in southern Afghanistan. Deleon and another defend- uniform signalling him and he ing the Taliban, having failed fully ant, Miguel Alejandro Santana thought they were soldiers so he to quell their insurgency. begrowing in Afghanistan. end of 2015 and then pull out Nato forces in Afghanistan, said Vidriales, to militant Islamist the- stopped,” Nasir Ahmad, an official Civilian casualties rose New US Defence Secretary altogether by the time Obama the reassessment was taking ology in 2010 and, after travelling with the Ghazni Paima bus com- sharply last year as local forces Ashton Carter said Saturday leaves office in two years. into account the potential threat to Afghanistan in 2012, encour- pany, said. “The gunmen took 30 took on the task of battling the Washington was seriously consid- Afghan leaders and some law- posed by IS in the country. aged them to follow him there to Hazaras away with them.” militants, with 22 percent more ering slowing the pace of its troop makers have urged Obama to Campbell told reporters that join Al Qaeda. Ahmad said the kidnappers killed or wounded in conflict withdrawal from Afghanistan as reconsider the withdrawal time- while IS had only a “nascent” Later that year, Deleon and took only the men on the two than in 2013. the fight continues against the table, warning that an early US presence in Afghanistan, the Santana recruited a fourth buses and not the women and There have been fears recently resilient Taliban insurgency. exit could jeopardise security and risk they pose was weighing on defendant, Arifeen David Gojali, children travelling with them. that the influence of the Islamic Under the current plan, the international aid. President Ashraf Ghani’s mind to join them overseas to com- No one immediately claimed State (IS) group, which has a 10,000-strong US force is due US General John Campbell, and US forces were tracking it mit violent jihad, according to responsibility for the abduction, strongly anti-Shia agenda, could to drop to about 5,500 by the the commander of the remaining closely. AFP prosecutors. Deleon, Santana and Gojali were arrested by the FBI in November 2012 while planning to drive to Mexico, from where they would fly to Afghanistan. Kabir was taken High-yield seed into custody by US military per- IS serious threat to Pakistan: Top official sonnel in Afghanistan. varieties give Santana and Gojali pleaded ISLAMABAD: Shortly after He said the government has denied the presence of the mili- minister had quashed speculation guilty and are awaiting sentencing. hope to farmers Pakistan Interior Minister directed all authorities concerned tant group in the country. about the presence of the militant “This case demonstrates the Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to ensure that no organisation or “As of now, I can say with con- group. need for vigilance and swift LAHORE: A high-yielding denied the presence of the individual gets in contact with the fidence that the IS only exists in However, wall chalkings in action to counter the false hybrid maize seed has been Islamic State (IS) in South IS in the country. the Middle East,” Nisar said while favour of the militant group have allure of violent extremism,” US developed jointly by the Breeders Asia, particularly Pakistan, A bipartisan parliamentary speaking at the US Institute of earlier appeared in major cities, Attorney Stephanie Yonekura of Maize and Millets Research Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed panel discussed the potential Peace in Washington Thursday. including Lahore, Quetta and said in a statement. The Justice Institute of Sahiwal and the Chaudhry has said the militant threat posed by the IS to Pakistan “It absolutely has no presence Karachi. Department said the men were Punjab Seed Corporation. group poses a serious threat to amid reports that the ruthless in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” Earlier, splits within the heavily influenced by Anwar Al Minister for Agriculture the country. militant outfit was seeking a foot- He said that the terrorist space Taliban, and doubts over whether Awlaki, a US-born spokesman for Punjab Farrukh Javed said that “The government is on alert hold in the country. in South Asia was totally occu- its elusive leader is even alive, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula this is a milestone that will pro- to the IS threat in the region,” However, Chaudhry clarified pied, however, if the issues were were said to be driving a growing who was killed in a CIA drone pel the agriculture sector and Chaudhry said while briefing the Pakistan has no desire to become not addressed, a grand alliance number of militant command- strike in 2011. Kabir, who was restrict the monopoly of multi- Senate Standing Committee on part of the international coalition between different groups could ers in Afghanistan and Pakistan born in Afghanistan, is a natu- nationals in Pakistan. Foreign Affairs Monday, Pakistan against IS. not be ruled out in the future. towards the IS for inspiration. ralized US citizen. Deleon is a Javed, at a launching ceremony Today reported. The government has long Last year as well, the interior IANS Philippines citizen. REUTERS of Maize Hybrid Seed YH-1898, said that the yield potential claimed by the breeders is highly promising that is comparable to imported seed. He also praised the fact Blast kills one Diplomats react against that the price of local hybrid maize would be at least three in Balochistan times less than the imported political appointments seed, which would substantially ISLAMABAD: At least one ISLAMABAD: Pakistani government’s decision to reduce the production cost for person was killed and seven appoint non-career diplomats in key foreign missions has the farmers. injured in an explosion in drawn strong reaction from career foreign service offic- The minister said that agricul- Pakistan yesterday. ers as they are planning legal recourse against the move. ture experts, especially the breed- Explosives planted on a bicy- “The government is bypassing all the rules. It is a real ers, would be encouraged with cle on Mall Road in Chaman concern of career diplomats. We will go to the court as the rewards and national awards on in Balochistan province deto- government is continuing to give non-career diplomats top such remarkable efforts in order nated with a huge bang, Dawn diplomatic positions,” a senior Foreign Office official said. to increase the yield of major and reported. Such a preference has long frustrated the career diplo- minor crops for ensuring food The intensity of the blast mats, but what has become a renewed point of contention is security to meet the require- destroyed four vehicles the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s act of naming Dr Yousaf ments of the rapidly increasing parked in the vicinity and Junaid an officer from Commerce and Trade group for a key population. also damaged more than a diplomatic assignment in Pakistan’s High Commission in He added that implement- dozen shops. Canada. “Dr Junaid is said to be a family friend of the Sharif ing the Vision 2025 of Punjab No group immediately family,” the official said, while seeking anonymity. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a claimed responsibility for the Meanwhile, Adviser to Prime Minister on National number of projects have been ini- bombing.The blast comes two Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday also tiated which will increase exports days after an explosion in the confirmed the proposal of deputing the official to a key dip- of agriculture products through same area killed a child and lomatic post in Ottawa. promoting value-added technol- wounded nine others. “Dr Yousaf is a senior officer-brought a lot of investment ogy to meet WTO standards. Chaman is a small town in from Turkey to Pakistan,” responded Sartaj when asked by the southwestern province of a lawmaker about growing nepotism in Pakistan’s Foreign Balochistan and is one of the Service. Sartaj was attending a meeting of Senate Standing two main crossing points for Committee on Foreign Affairs. There is an unwritten agree- Poor to get supplies to American and Nato ment in foreign ministry that 20 per cent quota will be spared troops fighting the Taliban in for non-career diplomats - including retired government free healthcare Afghanistan. Members of the Pakistani security services stand at the scene of a bomb blast near the officials, diplomats, journalists, politicians and military offi- IANS Afghan border in Chaman yesterday. cials, he justified. INTERNEWS PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province govern- ment has initiated a scheme to provide free health facilities to poor, a promise made by the all main stream political parties Afghans prefer Indian investors, want to rebuild trade routes before Elections2013. The “Social Health Protection Initiative” will cater to the needs KOLKATA/KABUL: As Mohammad Abdali said on the Abdali said he has another alter- Karzai, said his country prefers several other sectors. of “marginalized people” of four part of its rebuilding exer- sidelines of an event organised native plan ready “in case the Silk Indian investment and business- “We have the potential to gen- of the 26 districts of the province, cise, Afghanistan is focusing by Bengal Chamber of Commerce Route doesn’t work out”. men for the rebuilding process. erate 300,000 MW of energy. Dr Riaz Tanoli, project manager on reviving the legendary Silk and Industries. India may have concerns as the “We have introduced three While we need 5,000 MW domes- of the new health project said. Route and build new ones pre- According to him, the country land trade route goes through years’ multiple entry visas for tically, the rest can be exported,” The four districts include ferring Indian businessmen and is in talks with its neighbours for Pakistan, he noted. Indian businessmen. We want he said. Mardan, Malakand, Chitral and investors in the process, the reviving the historic Silk Route “We are in talks with India to offer investment proposals Presently, bilateral trade Kohat. According to Dr Tanoli, war-torn country’s envoy said and building a Lapis Lazuli route. and Iran for (making use of) the (to) whom we like the most and between India and its neighbour the districts were selected not in Kolkata. “The Lapis Lazuli route involves Chabahar port (in Iran) to boost Afghanistan has perceived India account for nearly $800m which just to target the poorest of the “Afghanistan is undergoing countries including Afghanistan, trade. The investment plan has as a real friend,” he said. may scale up to $3bn once the province but, more importantly, transition since the last 13 years Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and been worked out for the three “All investment is not equal to Chabahar port deal gets through. because the target districts must and during our rebuilding period Georgia and goes out to the Baltic participating countries, and we us (emotionally). We want invest- “I am confident that the have health infrastructure in from 2014-2024, we are focus- coast,” said Abdali. are signing it up very soon,” he ment close to our heart.” Chabahar port deal will be con- place. ing on reviving the old trade With growing Indian concerns said. According to Abdali, Indians cluded soon and our bilateral The project, spread over five routes which benefited us in the about the revival of the historic Abdali, who was deputy have huge investment potential trade with India will scale up to years, will cost Rs1399.156 million. past as well as build new ones,” route used by the Chinese to national security advisor to in infrastructure, power, min- $3bn then,” said Abdali. INTERNEWS Ambassador to India Sahida export silk to Asia and Europe, former Afghan president Hamid ing, agro industries, banking and IANS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Govt accepts Finance Heat builds up over land bill Commission’s record Kejriwal joins Hazare; won’t allow forcible land takeover hike in states’ share

NEW DELHI: The NDA gov- MPs to aggressively defend the “We are opposed to the bill and NEW DELHI: With its first full budget due this ernment came in for strident land acquisition bill saying that there is no question of supporting weekend, the Narendra Modi-led government yes- criticism over the land acquisi- it is pro-farmer, sources said. it,” he said. terday accepted the recommendations of the 14th tion bill which was introduced in The prime minister said at the He said his party along with Finance Commission for a record increase of 10 the Lok Sabha yesterday, with BJP parliamentary party meeting other like-minded parties would percent in the states’ share of the divisible pool of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind yesterday morning that the bill not allow the bill to be passed central taxes, despite negative implications for the Kejriwal joining Gandhian will work in favour of farmers and in parliament without a proper fiscal deficit. activist Anna Hazare in slam- asked MPs to defend it. discussion, and accused the In a letter to all chief ministers, Modi said: “We ming the legislation as “anti- At the Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal Narendra Modi-led government have wholeheartedly accepted the recommendations farmer” and demanding its joined anti-corruption activist of working against the interests of of the 14th Finance Commission, although it puts a withdrawal. Hazare in his agitation against farmers to benefit industrialists. tremendous strain on the Centre’s finances.” The Rajya Sabha witnessed a the bill, saying he will not allow In the Rajya Sabha, the opposi- “The 14th FC has recommended a record increase ruckus as opposition members the central government to forci- tion alleged that the government of 10 percent in the devolution of the divisible pool of demanded a discussion on the bill, bly take land away from anyone was trying to bypass parliament resources to states,” he said, according to a release leading to suspension of business in the national capital under the on the bill, while the govern- from the prime minister’s office. of the house. land acquisition law. ment denied it. Congress Deputy As per the increased devolution suggested in the The Right to Fair Compensation Addressing a crowd of protes- Leader Anand Sharma alleged the report, the states will get Rs348,000cr in 2014-15 and and Transparency in Land tors, Kejriwal said: “We will use government was trying to bypass Rs526,000cr in 2015-16. Acquisition Rehabilitation and all our force to ensure that land parliament through an ordinance. “There is a shift from scheme- and grant-based Resettlement (Amendment) Bill is not taken away forcibly from “We can’t accept that the govern- support from the central government to a devolution- 2015 was introduced in the Lok anyone in Delhi.” ment will govern through ordi- based support. Hence, the devolution of 42 percent of Sabha amid an uproar by the He noted that land is a subject nances overriding the legislative divisible resources,” the PMO said. “This naturally opposition. Once passed, it will that comes under the purview of scrutiny of parliament,” he said. leaves far less money with the central government.” replace the land ordinance prom- the central government but his Leader of the House and “Beyond this 42 percent and the grants to states ulgated by the NDA government government would still make all Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, for strengthening gram panchayats and municipal on December 30, 2014. the necessary efforts to protect however, said it was unfair to say bodies, an additional amount has been allocated for In a bid to mollify the opposi- the poor. Hazare, who led an anti- the government was bypassing 11 states that will still be revenue deficit after devolu- tion, the BJP has set up an eight- corruption movement against the parliament. tion,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. “The big member committee of party MPs, previous UPA government, has Bahujan Samaj Party chief among these deficit states have been identified as headed by former union minister termed the bill as “undemocratic” Mayawati, Samajwadi Party’s Andhra Pradesh after division, Assam, Jammu and Satyapal Malik, to seek to hold and demanded its withdrawal. Ram Gopal Yadav, Trinamool Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal while discussions with farmers and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Congress leader Derek O’Brien Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (centre) waves to the the smaller ones include some northeastern states other organisations on the matter. Kumar, speaking in Patna, hit and Communist Party of India crowd as he joins the protest rally of activist Anna Hazare like Manipur and Nagaland,” he added. Prime Minister Narendra out against the bill and termed it leader D Raja attacked the gov- in New Delhi yesterday. After assessing the revenue and expenditure of Modi, meanwhile, asked his party against the interests of farmers. ernment on the bill. IANS the states for the period 2015-20, the commission has recommended a grant of Rs1.94crore to meet the deficit of these 11 states. “The higher tax devolution will allow states greater autonomy in financing and designing of schemes as per their needs and require- ments,” the report said. “The consequence of this much greater devolution Pachauri steps down as IPCC chief to the states is that the fiscal space for the centre will reduce in the same proportion,” it added. “States NEW DELHI/NAIROBI: as shown by my inability to travel to the complainant accused the scientist cannot become dependent on the Centre, while the Environmentalist RK Pachauri (pic- Nairobi to chair the plenary session of of harassing her soon after she joined command and control system of the past cannot tured) yesterday stepped down as the panel this week”. “I have, therefore, the TERI in September 2013. However, work. It is this spirit of cooperative federalism that chairman of the Intergovernmental taken the decision to step down from my Pachauri’s counsel refuted the accusa- has underpinned the constitution of the NITI Aayog,” Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fol- position,” he said. tions saying his client’s computer and Jaitley said. “In the past, when Finance Commissions lowing charges of sexual harassment. The bureau of the UN’s IPCC agreed phone were “hacked”. have recommended an increase, it has been in the Pachauri has denied the accusation. to designate Vice-Chair Ismail El Gizouli Pachauri, as the IPCC chair, was range of 1-2 percent.” Pachauri, who is also the director- as acting chair, a press release said. expected to play a prominent role in all The government has also accepted the recommen- general of New Delhi-based environment Meanwhile, TERI, in a statement, the key negotiations in the run up to dations of the commission on devolution of higher think-tank The Energy and Resources said he has also proceeded “on leave for Paris 2015. resources to the local bodies. The total grant to the Institute (TERI), has taken “leave” from the time being” and adequate internal In 2007, the IPCC was jointly awarded local bodies including panchayats and municipalities the post. arrangements have been ensured for the Nobel Peace Prize with former US for the five-year period ending March 31, 2020 works In his resignation letter to UN smooth operations in his absence. vice president Al Gore for their part in out to Rs288,000cr. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, he The 74-year-old Padma Bhushan galvanising international action against Meanwhile, the prime minister tweeted: “In my stated his inability to continue as the awardee is facing a complaint of alleged climate change. letter to CMs, wrote about the Centre accepting rec- IPCC chair on the grounds that the harassment by a woman research ana- Pachauri was elected to the first of ommendations of 14th Finance Commission, which international climate change body lyst who has also lodged a police case. two terms as chair of the IPCC in April will strengthen our federal spirit.” “Never before needed “strong leadership and dedi- Citing several texts, emails, and 2002 and had been scheduled to com- has there been a 10 percent increase in devolution cation of time” that he was unable to WhatsApp messages as evidence to plete his second term in October, said of divisible pool of resources to the states. This is commit to “under the circumstances... prove the claim of sexual harassment, the IPCC statement. IANS unprecedented & historic,” he added. IANS RSS chief’s Mother Mufti to be J&K CM in BJP-PDP govt JAMMU/NEW DELHI: The for a coalition government, with Mehbooba Mufti said the new The names of PDP leaders BJP was poised to create his- the BJP for the first time get- government will work in the doing the rounds for cabinet posts Teresa comments tory, getting a partnership ting a governance role in India’s national interest, ensuring that are Abdul Rehman Veeri, Naeem role in governing Jammu and northernmost state. “We have the people of Jammu and Kashmir Akhtar, Haseeb Drabu, Zulfiqar Kashmir for the first time as it reached an agreement on a com- get a clean, corruption-free rule. Choudhary, Abdul Haq Khan and announced a coalition with the mon minimum programme with The PDP has 28 seats, the BJP Altaf Bukhari. Those likely to be PDP after both arrived at an the PDP and we will form the 25 and the People’s Conference sworn in from the BJP are Nirmal kick up storm “agreement on a common mini- next government in Jammu and two seats in the 87-member Singh as deputy chief minister, mum programme” to govern Kashmir,” Shah told reporters state assembly. A simple major- Bali Baghat, Sham Choudhary, NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Individual organisations have the state. Peoples Democratic in New Delhi after meeting PDP ity of 44 is needed to stake claim Kavinder Gupta, Choudhary Lal Bhagwat’s comments on Mother every right to speak outside (par- Party patron Mufti Mohammad leader Mehbooba Mufti. to form the government. Jammu Singh and Abdul Gani Kohli. Teresa kicked up a furore as liament),” Parliamentary Affairs Sayeed will be sworn in as the Shah said a formal announce- and Kashmir was put under gov- Sources said Sajad Gani Lone political parties and Christian Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said. chief minister on March 1. ment will be made “in the next ernor’s rule on January 8 after no of the People’s Conference, who groups yesterday demanded that The Missionaries of Charity BJP President Amit Shah few days” after a meeting between single party or group of political announced his support to the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Bhagwat as “unin- announced that both parties Prime Minister Narendra Modi parties came forward to stake is also a contender for a ministe- show that he meant every word formed” in the light of his con- had arrived at an agreement and Sayeed. claim to form the government. rial berth. IANS of his assurance last week that version remarks. The Diocese of he would not tolerate inciting of Calcutta too termed the comments religious hatred. “unfortunate”. “His (Bhagwat) From Delhi Chief Minister comments reflect how misin- DDLJ show will go on Arvind Kejriwal, who said Mother formed he is. In Missionaries Teresa, recipient of the Nobel of Charity, there is no place for Madhya Pradesh scam: Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna, conversion. His comments are was a “noble soul” and should be unfortunate,” Teresa’s close asso- spared, to the Congress party and ciate and Missionaries of Charity Christian organisations, includ- spokesperson Sunita Kumar said. FIR against governor ing the Missionaries of Charity Sunita Kumar said the founded by Mother Teresa, all Missionaries of Charity will not termed Bhagwat’s comments press for an apology from Bhagwat. BHOPAL: A Special Task Force However, when the media asked “uninformed” and “unfortunate”. “If he realises he has done some- (STF) registered an FIR against him about an FIR against Governor A week after Modi spoke out thing wrong, he will apologise. It’s Governor Ram Naresh Yadav and Yadav, Khare only said the process strongly on religious freedom, for him to decide.” 100 others in the Madhya Pradesh was on. saying “My government will not The Delhi Catholic Archdiocese Professional Examination Board Sources said that the Raj Bhavan allow any religious group to incite said the Christian community was (MPPEB) or Vyapam scam, sources had written letters of recommen- hatred against others, overtly or in a state of shock over Bhagwat’s said. dation for two youth — Mahesh covertly. Mine will be a govern- comment and that it was time Additional Director General of and Satish, both residents of Uttar ment that gives equal respect to Modi walked the talk on his assur- Police (STF) Ashish Khare told the Pradesh — who had appeared in all religions”, there was a chorus ance on not tolerating inciting of media that the first information the examination for recruitment as of demands from all quarters that religious hatred. report (FIR) was lodged over the forest guards. Khare had also met the prime minister show that he Delhi Catholic Archdiocese recruitment of forest guards. Those Special Investigation Team (SIT) meant what he said. “I worked wid spokesperson Father Savarimuthu named in the FIR include 88 candi- chief Chandresh Bhushan in this Mother Teresa for a few months at Sankar criticised Bhagwat for dates and 11 middlemen and other connection. Nirmal Hriday ashram in Kolkata. being “ill-informed” and “narrow- people. They have been charged under The opposition Congress — which She was a noble soul. Pl spare her,” minded”. “Modi said ‘we will not relevant sections of the IT Act and had earlier submitted a document Kejriwal tweeted. tolerate religious intolerance’. But the Prevention of Corruption Act. to the SIT — yesterday handed over Bhagwat said in Rajasthan on he should also be able to reign in The manipulation in selection more papers in a sealed envelope to Monday that Mother Teresa’s these elements like the RSS.” process for government jobs, con- the probe team. Bhushan told report- service to the poor was aimed at “This incident is an opportunity ducted by Vyapam, is being probed by ers the envelope contained a pen converting them to Christianity. for the prime minister to show he A cyclist passes by the poster of Bollywood movie ‘Dilwale a Special Investigation Team (SIT). drive and some documents. The Congress raised the issue in meant those words and walk the Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ) in Mumbai yesterday. Despite a press Khare said that since the matter The sources said that Congress the Lok Sabha but the government talk. You said you would not toler- release issued on February by Yash Raj Films announcing that was being heard by the high court, he general secretary Digvijaya Singh refused to respond. ate, then show it by taking strict the movie will be discontinued at Maratha Mandir theatre, latest will not be able to name the people has also sent some documents which “The government has noth- action against Bhagwat and reign reports confirmed that the daily screening of the film continues. in the FIR. He also did not name the contain details about phone calls and ing to do with such statements. him in,” he said. IANS governor. SMSes. IANS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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High: 23° High: 27° High: 23° at night with Low: 13° Low: 17° Low: 16° haze at times at places.

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MUSCAT 24/16 Sunny 27/19 Sunny Acrobatics at the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airfield in the city of Lara, southwest of Melbourne, yesterday. MAKKAH 36/23 Sunny 33/27 Sunny KUWAIT 23/10 Sunny 24/11 Sunny BAHRAIN 21/15 Sunny 21/16 Sunny SANAA 27/09 Partly cloudy 27/09 Mostly sunny RIYADH 28/15 Sunny 27/19 Sunny Oscar awards TV viewership falls 16pc DUBAI 25/16 Sunny 26/17 Sunny BAGHDAD 19/07 Partly cloudy 20/09 Sunny LOS ANGELES: TV ratings Some blamed the relative lack DeGeneres powered the show to best and whitest” — a reference to for the Oscars’ US broadcast of mass-appeal movies among a 10-year ratings high. the lack of non-white nominees at THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW fell 16 percent from last year, those nominated, while for others But critics were scathing about the show. But after that “flat set- according to figures published the predictability of the awards Harris’ stewardship of this year’s ups began crashing into flubbed HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER yesterday, amid lukewarm races this year didn’t help — three-and-a-half hour Academy punchlines with the alacrity of a reviews and criticism for its almost all of the categories went Awards show, including his strip- drunk sailor inviting the entire ATHENS 17/10 Showers 16/11 Rain first-time host Neil Patrick without surprise. ping to his briefs in a skit about pub to have a go if they think WASHINGTON 05/-4 Partly cloudy 01/-6 Partly cloudy Harris. The Oscars’ hosting job is best picture winner “Birdman.” they’re hard enough,” commented SYDNEY 28/19 Partly cloudy 29/20 Mostly sunny Sunday night’s show averaged a notoriously thankless task. Jokes which came in for par- a BBC reviewer. LONDON 12/06 Partly cloudy 12/02 Rain 36.6 million viewers, down from Previous low-points of recent ticular scorn included his “I could The New York Times called his PARIS 09/04 Showers 11/03 Rain 43.7 million in 2014, according to years include the wince-inducing eat her with her spoon” line about performance “bland,” adding: ISTANBUL 14/08 Partly cloudy 14/08 Partly cloudy Nielsen ratings cited by industry duo of James Franco and Anne Reese Witherspoon. “Oscar nights almost always drag MANILA 33/22 Mostly sunny 32/22 Mostly sunny journal Variety, which noted that Hathaway in 2011. Most liked his opening song- on too long, but this one was a slog DHAKA 33/21 Sunny 33/21 Sunny the total viewer count was the Harris also had a tough act and-dance number, and his first almost from the very beginning.” DELHI 24/09 Sunny 25/12 Sunny lowest in six years. to follow: last year’s host Ellen joke about honouring “Hollywood’s AFP ISLAMABAD 14/06 Thunderstorm 18/06 Mostly sunny

Hippo’s Lesson in Joey Mysterious Canada ancestry tunnel had rosary revealed! TORONTO: A mysterious tun- tunnel could be used to store nel discovered in Toronto near weapons or explosives, or to give PARIS: A great-great grandfa- one of the venues for this sum- attackers access to the Pan Am ther of the hippopotamus likely mer’s Pan American Games site, Toronto police Deputy Chief swam from Asia to Africa some contained a rosary with a cru- Mark Saunders was dismissive. 35 million years ago, long before cifix and poppy, and there is “I was not overly concerned the arrival of the lion, rhino, nothing to suggest the tunnel that ‘Oh my goodness this is zebra and giraffe, researchers was linked to criminal activity, going to be something horrific’,” said yesterday. police said yesterday. Saunders told a news conference. Analysis of a previously The hand-dug tunnel, which “We’ve got steps and measures unknown, long-extinct relative ran for about 10 metres and was in place to ensure this type of ... also confirmed that cetaceans — large enough for an adult to stand threat — if someone is going to the group to which whales, dol- in, was discovered January 14 in a be nefarious in this type of way phins and porpoises belong — are wooded area near Rexall Centre, a — we’ll be on top of it.” in fact the hippo’s closest living tennis stadium at York University Canada has been on height- cousins. that will be used for the Pan Am ened alert for terrorist activity “The origins of the hippopota- games in July. since a gunman attacked the mus have been a mystery until Reinforced with wooden walls Parliament Buildings in Ottawa now,” Fabrice Lihoreau, a palae- and ceiling supports, the tunnel in October after fatally shooting ontologist at France’s University had electricity supplied by a gen- a soldier at the nearby National of Montpellier and co-author of erator, a sump pump to remove War Memorial. the study, told AFP. water and a pulley system to The attack by a so-called “lone “Now we can say that hippos remove dirt. Toronto police said wolf” Canadian convert to Islam came from anthracotheres” — it likely took more than one per- came two days after another an extinct group of plant-eating, son to build. Canadian convert rammed two semi-aquatic mammals with Police found the rosary with soldiers in Quebec with his car, even-toed hooves. crucifix and a poppy nailed to one killing one. Until now, the oldest known of the wooden supports. Such syn- Saunders said there is nothing fossil of a hippo ancestor dated thetic red poppies are widely dis- to suggest the tunnel was linked from about 20 million years ago, tributed in Canada in November to criminal activity, but that while cetacean remains aged 53 Dutch Dressage rider Anky van Grunsven (centre) gives a lesson for the handlers of the life-size puppet horse as an annual symbol of remem- police are still actively trying to million years have been found. Joey from the musical ‘War Horse’ at the Anky Education Center in Erp, The Netherlands, yesterday. The ‘War brance for soldiers lost in combat. establish who built it and why. Scientists had long lumped hip- Horse’ musical which has been visited by more than six million people worldwide tells a heart-melting story of While media speculated the REUTERS pos with the Suidae family of pigs a boy, his horse Joey and their boundless friendship in the troubled times of World War I. based on palaeontological finds, but DNA later suggested they were the kin of whales instead. Yet the huge age gap between hippos and cetaceans in the fos- sil record has left the experts Genes play a part in peanut allergy, study confirms stumped. “It meant that either we have PARIS: Suspicions that genes on Chromosome 6, accounted for life-threatening. Those with a doctors identify children at risk. found that most children at never found ancestors of hip- play a part in peanut allergy about 20 percent of children with severe allergy live in constant fear The researchers added there high risk from peanut allergies pos, or we didn’t recognise them were confirmed in a study yes- peanut intolerance. of accidental exposure to peanuts. could also be non-genetic factors. — determined by pre-existing among the mammal fossils we terday that said environmental “We always suspected it, but “Over the past 20 years, FA Not everyone with the HLA-DR eczema or egg allergy — were already had,” said Lihoreau. factors may contribute to the this is the first genome-wide (food allergy) has grown from a and HLA-DQ mutations develops protected if they ate peanuts fre- Now the remains of a 28-mil- problem. association study that identified a relatively uncommon to a major peanut allergy, they found. quently, starting within the first lion-year-old animal discovered Researchers in the United genetic link,” said Xiaobin Wang, clinical and public health problem It could mean other culprits few months of life. in Kenya has provided an impor- States compared the genomes a professor at the Johns Hopkins worldwide, due to its increasing are epigenomes — the chemical “Hopefully, one day, we can tant piece of the puzzle, according of more than 1,300 children of Bloomberg School of Public prevalence, potential fatality and switches which help turn genes manage or prevent food allergies to a study in the journal Nature European ancestry, most of whom Health in Baltimore, Maryland. enormous medical and economic on and off. in a safe, simple, effective way,” Communications. had some kind of food allergy, to In the United States, about one impact,” the study said. Epigenomes are not part of Wang said. Named Epirigenys lokonen- those of their biological parents. child in 13 has a food allergy, of “FA accounts for more than DNA but are passed on as cells “We might be able to use phar- sis (“epiri” means hippo in the The team found no genetic var- which the most common by far is $20bn in overall annual health- divide. They can be influenced by maceutical treatment, but if we Turkana language and Lokone iants to explain allergies to eggs to peanuts, according to the study care costs in the United States.” environmental factors, such as can figure out whether a life- after the discovery site), it was or cow’s milk. published in the journal Nature The investigation marks a first food, tobacco smoke, toxic sub- style, nutrition or environmen- about the size of a sheep, weighing They did, however, find that Communications. step towards a fuller picture of stances and uterine fluid. tal change could reduce allergies, in at 100 kilogrammes. telltale variants in two genes, The problem ranges in genetic causes for food aller- On Monday, a paper in the that would be even better.” AFP HLA-DQ and HLA-DR, located scale from a lifestyle hassle to gies, something that would help New England Journal of Medicine AFP Wednesday 25 February 2015 6 Jumada I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6352 Price: QR2

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GCC, Mena firms listing on QE likely Oil market is stabilising, $60 is OK for now: Gulf Opec delegate

Dual listing under discussion; diversification pays well, says expert RIYADH: Oil prices have started to stabilise around current levels of $60 a barrel and demand is showing signs of improv- DOHA: Driven by Qatar (21 in Qatar, 3 in UAE and 1 in compared with the first 9 months banking because the infrastructure ing in Asia and other regions, a senior Gulf Opec delegate said Exchange’s (QE) three-phase Oman) said it remains focused of 2013. The sector continues to development plans announced by the yesterday. development programme to on Qatar because of an encourag- remain the second largest con- government are expected to support The comments indicate that the core Gulf members of the make Qatar an attractive invest- ing economic growth coupled with tributor of total profits among lending activity, from which domes- Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are showing no ment destination for global fund infrastructure spending. Robust all the Qatari listed companies. tic banks will benefit. The company’s sign of wavering in their strategy to focus on market share rather managers, the bourse is likely earnings potential and attractive The real estate sector continued banking and financial sector weight- than cutting output, despite concerns from other members about fall- to see companies from the GCC dividend yields of selected Qatari to post healthy earnings growth, ing rose from 41 percent in Q32014 ing oil revenue. “Oil prices seem to stabilise around the current level and Mena region listing on it. companies remain key drivers as its net profit increased by 37.5 to 52 percent in Q42014. Qatar ... there are a lot of indications showing that demand is growing,” the Dual listing of companies and behind the heavy Qatar exposure. percent during the period. The National Bank remains QIF’s largest senior Gulf Opec delegate said. “The market is stabilising as well as products are under discussion. QIF said it is bullish on Qatar’s largest contributor of profits, holding at 17.7 percent of net asset prices,” the delegate said, adding that $60 a barrel is “okay for now.” QE is expected to introduce Banking and Financial services Ezdan Holdings, posted a 41.4 per- value, followed by Commercial Bank Oil traded higher near $60 a barrel yesterday, up more than securities lending and borrow- stocks going forward. Banking cent rise in its earnings growth of Qatar at 9.4 percent. 30 percent from a near six-year low close of $45 on January 13. ing, margin trading and central and financial services sector net during the period, mainly on the Nicholas Wilson, chairman of Prices collapsed from $115 in June due to oversupply, in a decline counterparty in order to attract income rose 12.4 percent in the back of a strong rise achieved by QIF said: “The Qatar Exchange was that deepened after Opec refused to cut output. foreign investors and improve first 9 months of 2014, compared to the company’s rental income. the only market to achieve a posi- The delegate said oil demand was showing signs of recover- operational efficiency. The regu- a year ago. The trend is expected QIF’s Investment Adviser tive return during the six-months ing in Asia, emerging economies, Latin America and the United lator, Qatar Financial Markets to continue, as infrastructure remains focused on Qatar ending December 31, 2014 with the States. It is expected to grow more strongly in the second half Authority (QFMRA), has set the spending could keep supporting because encouraging economic Gulf Cooperation Council exchanges of 2015 as the global economy picks up, helping to absorb excess guidelines for investors looking to the lending growth. The sector growth coupled with infrastruc- falling by an average of 5.5 percent. crude supply in the market, he added. At Opec’s last meeting in undertake margin trading on the heavyweight, Qatar National Bank ture spending. Robust earnings Qatar’s positive performance in the November, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies argued that the group local bourse, the Qatar-focused posted the highest growth rate of potential and attractive dividend face of sharply falling hydrocar- needed to ride out lower prices in order to defend market share Qatar Investment Fund (QIF), 15.9 percent during that period. yields of selected Qatari compa- bon prices was due to continuing against shale oil and other competing supply sources. noted yesterday citing reports. Industrials sector profits nies remain key drivers behind diversification of the economy, with REUTERS The QIF, which had 25 hold- improved by 3.5 percent dur- the heavy Qatar exposure. infrastructure contract awards and ings at the end of December 2014 ing the first 9 months of 2014, QIF remains positive on Qatari foreign inflows”. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Rate increase unlikely before June: Fed chief Yellen sees labour market weakness

WASHINGTON: Federal is continuing to sag and could Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said decline further this quarter yesterday that the US labour before turning up. market still showed cyclical So, she said, the FOMC will not weakness and inflation contin- move on rates until it “is reason- ued to fall, making any interest ably confident that inflation will rate hike unlikely before June. move back over the medium term In testimony in Congress, toward our two percent objective.” Yellen also said that frailties in Yellen said the fall in oil prices, China and Europe continued to more than 50 percent since the pose a risk for the US economy, middle of last year, may have Guests and officials during the celebrations. supporting the need for keeping caused disruptions in the oil the extraordinarily loose mon- industry, including sizable layoffs. etary policy currently in place. But on the whole, she said, the But she said that generally the low oil price “is likely to be a sig- EMRQ celebrates fifth anniversary US economy continued to grow nificant overall plus” for the US fast enough to bring down unem- economy. On the other hand, she DOHA: ExxonMobil Qatar cel- Environment; on behalf of of ExxonMobil Qatar, welcomed conducting, will continue. Together, ployment, and the Fed expected revealed worries about economic ebrated the fifth anniversary of Qatar Foundation Research guests and highlighted EMRQ’s we have established a sound scien- that inflation would return back challenges abroad. its research centre, ExxonMobil and Development – the event’s achievements and its partner- tific research platform to address to normal over the medium term. In China, she said, growth could Research Qatar (EMRQ), patron, Dr Thomas Zacharia, ships with Qatar Petroleum, the the challenges of sustainability. The That leaves the Fed still on slow more than Beijing’s leaders recently by hosting a gala din- Executive Vice President of Ministry of Environment and future of Qatar is bright.” course to begin normalising mon- currently expect. “In the euro ner under the patronage of Research and Development; and Qatar University. In his address, Routledge etary policy later this year after area, the recovery remains slow, Qatar Foundation Research educational representatives from Announcing ExxonMobil’s con- said: “EMRQ is one of our many keeping its base interest rate at the and inflation has fallen to very and Development. Qatar University. The gala dinner tinued support for the partner- achievements in Qatar – our zero level for more than six years. low levels.” Despite the substan- In attendance were H E Dr was also attended by more than ship between EMRQ and Qatar, gracious host country. Scientists In prepared testimony on mon- tial loosening of monetary policy Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, 250 of EMRQ’s partners, key gov- Ortwein said: “It is my pleas- and researchers at EMRQ have etary policy to the Senate Banking in Europe, she said, “downside Minister of Energy and Industry; ernment officials and community ure this evening to confirm our worked since 2009 to develop key Committee, Yellen reiterated that risks to economic activity in the Dr Ibrahim Ibrahim, Economic leaders. continued commitment to this technologies that enhance safety policymakers will remain patient region remain.” Advisor, the Emiri Diwan; Ahmed Sara Ortwein, President of partnership between EMRQ and and environmental performance before tightening policy. Yellen, one year into her term Al Sada, Assistant Under- ExxonMobil Upstream Research Qatar. The scientific integra- of the oil and gas industry in She said the Federal Open as Fed chair, is tasked with nor- secretary for Environmental Company, and Alistair Routledge, tion among our researchers, and Qatar and around the world.” Market Committee, the Fed’s malizing monetary policy after Affairs, the Ministry of President and General Manager the exciting research they are THE PENINSULA policy board, still “considers it years of extraordinarily low inter- unlikely” that it will need to hike est rates to fight the drag from the federal funds rate “for at least the 2008-2009 Great Recession. the next couple of meetings.” As much as the Fed wants to Inflation is still falling, she take the step away from the zero Russia warns of said, and “room for sustainable level for the fed funds rate, she Facebook claims 2m advertisers improvements in labour market has to both weigh the strength of conditions still remains.” the US economy to withstand the gas risks to Europe The FOMC calendar has slowing effect of tighter money NEW YORK: Facebook said to help small businesses,” Levy businesses using Facebook, and upcoming meetings in mid-March and also the global economy’s tol- yesterday it has boosted the said. “They continue benefiting noted that the Ads Manager app after Ukraine and late-April, leaving the earliest erance for the volatility that could number of advertisers on the the economy for their region and for Apple devices would be avail- time for a hike on the calendar accompany tightening. social network to two million the world.” able as of Tuesday and in the next Yellen sketched out the June 16-17 The Fed particularly wants to as it launched a mobile app for Levy said the new Ads Manager two weeks worldwide. fails to pay meeting. With unemployment be sure that higher rates do not those managing their commer- app would give those advertisers “This is a moment to celebrate now having dropped to 5.7 percent stall the growth in hiring by US cial pitches. the ability to manage their ads all the incredible entrepreneurs MOSCOW/KIEV: Russia’s on a strong pace of job creation businesses. Yet it is also wary that Dan Levy, Facebook’s vice-pres- from mobile devices, as Facebook like you who are creating value for Gazprom said yesterday there since the middle of last year, the the longer it keps rate extremely ident for global marketing and becomes increasingly used on their communities,” Zuckerberg and were serious risks to gas tran- Fed’s focus is on inflation. low, the greater the chance that small business, said the number smartphones and tablets. Sandberg wrote, citing entrepre- sit to Europe via Ukraine after “A high degree of policy accom- speculative bubbles will build up of advertisers has doubled over A Facebook post signed by chief neurs using Facebook in places rang- Kiev failed to pay in advance for modation remains appropriate,” and, separately, the conditions the past year and a half. executive Mark Zuckerberg and ing from North Carolina to South supplies as a dispute between Yellen said. Even stripping out the build for a burst of inflation. “We think it’s a strong sign of Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Korea to the Brazilian Amazon. the two countries intensified. sharp fall in oil prices, inflation AFP the commitment we are making Sandberg paid tribute to the small AFP A bitter row over Russian gas supplies and pricing for Ukraine has played out throughout the past year while Ukrainian forces have battled pro-Russian separa- tists in a war that has killed more Over 100 delegates to attend Gulf Intelligence Doha Energy Forum than 5,600 people. A “winter package” between Kiev and Moscow brokered by the DOHA: Over 100 top level that will address the accelerating The forum will feature glo- people need energy,” said Alistair 2010 to 2040,” he said. European Commission appears to executives from local and inter- pace of change and competition in bal thought leaders from the Routledge, President and General Energy demand in Southeast be in jeopardy following a dispute national energy industry will the global industry and how these International Energy Agency, Manager of ExxonMobil Qatar Asia has expanded by two-and- which flared up last week over discuss and exchange high-level developments may impact Qatar. the Russian Academy of Sciences, Inc. “Over the next few decades, a-half times since 1990, its rate who would pay for gas to rebel knowledge at the upcoming ExxonMobil will sponsor the International Gas Union and population and income growth of growth among the fastest in areas. Gulf Intelligence Doha Energy fifth edition of the event, which the World Energy Policy Summit — and an unprecedented expan- the world. Economic and demo- Gazprom said in a statement Forum to be held on March was founded in 2009 under the amongst others, alongside the sion of the global middle class graphic trends point to further that Ukraine’s prepayment would 10, said a press statement patronage of HE Abdullah bin leadership of the Qatar national — are expected to create new growth, lifting the region’s energy cover just 219 million cubic metres yesterday. Hamad Al Attiyah, President energy industry. demands for energy and thus we use per capita from just half of (mcm) of gas, enough for only The fifth edition of the event of the Administrative Control “Forecasting long-term energy see global energy consumption the global average today. two days. With no new payment, will have special focus on topics and Transparency Authority. trends begins with a simple fact: rising by about 35 percent from THE PENINSULA Russia would be forced to stop supplies to Ukraine, the Russian company said. Gazprom cut off flows to Gold dips below $1,200 Ukraine between June and December last year in a dispute over pricing and Kiev’s unpaid bills. “It creates serious risks for on relief over Greece gas transit to Europe,” Gazprom said regarding the latest dispute. LONDON: Gold slid below gold as a result,” Mitsui Precious Europe gets around a third of $1,200 an ounce yesterday as Metals analyst David Jollie said. its gas needs from Russia, with news that the Eurogroup had The dollar rose on expecta- roughly half of that pumped via approved Greece’s reform plan tions that Yellen would keep Ukraine. boosted appetite for assets nudging the Fed towards US A spokeswoman for the viewed as higher-risk, such as rate increases. Speculation that European Commission said equities. the Fed is poised to increase rates, Brussels was not concerned that Dollar strength ahead of lifting the opportunity cost of the dispute would hurt supplies Federal Reserve Chair Janet holding non-yielding bullion while to Europe. Last year’s six-month Yellen’s Senate testimony added boosting the dollar, has weighed stand-off between Kiev and pressure to gold. Investors are on gold over the past year. Moscow did not affect gas for awaiting her comments for clues Expectations for a rate rise Europe piped via Ukraine. on the timing of the first US have led to months of dollar “At the moment, gas flows to interest rate hike in nearly a dec- strength, lifting it to an 11-year the EU are normal and we expect ade, slated for this year. high against a basket of curren- that the gas transit to the EU Spot gold was down 0.4 per- cies in January. will not be affected,” Commission cent at $1,196.45 an ounce by 1449 Gold rose in spite of this as con- spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa GMT, while US gold futures for cerns over the euro zone economy Itkonen told reporters. April delivery were down $4.20 grew after the anti-bailout Syriza Naftogaz accuses Gazprom of an ounce at $1,196.60. party won a snap election in failing to deliver gas that it has European shares rose early Greece. The metal is now losing already paid for, and said it could yesterday and Greek shares ground as markets digest the pros- not make further pre-payments outperformed after a list of pect of Greece gaining a financial without guarantees that Moscow proposed reforms submitted by rescue deal, which could soften would stick to the agreement Greece was received favourably by demand gold as a haven from risk. for winter supplies reached last the European Commission. The “At least in the near-term, an October in Brussels. Eurogroup later confirmed that agreement would be negative for “Naftogaz does not consider it had agreed to submit Greece’s gold,” HSBC said in a note. it possible to make an additional proposals for approval by member A number of major Asian gold advance payment for the supply of states. markets, most notably China, Russian gas until it receives suffi- “There can be little doubt that remained closed for the Lunar cient assurance of strict compliance the immediate risk over this issue New Year break, removing key with the contract by Gazprom,” has diminished and we could see support for gold, dealers said. Naftogaz said in a statement. some short-term weakness in REUTERS REUTERS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Eurozone backs Greek aid extension, reform plan Social measures to be budget-neutral, privatisation to continue; IMF chief says plan lacks specifics

BRUSSELS/BERLIN: Greece and raise the minimum wage, to do until end-April. We all want Greek financial markets, which government to have held a meet- has charged that his illusions have secured a four-month exten- vowing to consult partners before to see numbers now.” reopened for the first time since ing to prepare for a possible been punctured. sion of its financial rescue key reforms and to keep them Financial markets surged even Friday’s outline deal between “Grexit” was in non-euro Britain. In a televised address on yesterday when its eurozone budget-neutral. before confirmation of the exten- Varoufakis and eurozone finance In EU paymaster Germany, Saturday, Tsipras called the ten- partners approved a reform Both the European Commission sion of the 240 billion euro EU/ ministers, rallied strongly on Finance Minister Wolfgang tative accord a victory for Greece, plan that backed down on key and the International Monetary IMF bailout, saving Greece for relief that a meltdown had been Schaeuble, who took the tough- but participants said Athens was leftist measures and promised Fund called the Greek letter now from an imminent banking averted for now. est line in the Greek negotiations, isolated in the talks and forced that spending to alleviate social “sufficiently comprehensive to be collapse, state bankruptcy and a Government bond yields wrote to the speaker of the lower to make humiliating concessions distress would not derail its a valid starting point for a suc- possible disorderly exit from the dropped by three percentage points house of parliament requesting a because its banks were running budget. cessful conclusion of the review”. euro zone. and stocks hit a 2-1/2 month high vote this week on extending the out of cash. Finance ministers sealed In a statement, the 19-nation The country’s longer-term due even though the country’s bailout. Latvia’s central bank governor, the decision in a one-hour tel- Eurogroup urged Greece to financial future remains uncer- longer-term survival in the single Germany’s rejection of an ini- a member of the ECB’s policy- ephone conference convened develop and broaden the list of tain with Dijsselbloem telling currency remains uncertain. tial Greek request for a six-month making governing council, cast by Eurogroup chairman Jeroen reform measures, based on “the the European Parliament the Dijsselbloem, who is also loan extension forced Athens into a doubt on elements of the Greek Dijsselbloem after the new leftist- current arrangement” - a euphe- euro zone’s most heavily indebted Dutch finance minister, told the string of politically sensitive conces- reform plan, such as tackling tax led Athens government sent him mism for the bailout agreement member is likely to need further European Parliament that Athens sions, postponing or backing away evasion and smuggling, question- a detailed list of reforms it plans which leftist Prime Minister assistance after two bailouts since was likely to need a further from campaign promises to reverse ing how much extra revenue they to implement by July. Alexis Tsipras had vowed to scrap. 2010. aid programme when the four austerity, scrap the bailout and end would raise. “Those are soft meas- “Following Eurogroup telecon- In a foretaste of tough nego- The Greek letter pledged not months expires, saying: “I think cooperation with the “troika” of EU, ures, which may partly fill the ference decision, national proce- tiations to come, IMF Managing to reverse ongoing or completed we need to consider further sup- ECB and IMF inspectors. budget gaps in the short-term, dures for extension of the Greek Director Christine Lagarde said privatisations, and to ensure that port for Greece.” The letter said Greece would but (in the case of Latvia) nobody programme can begin,” Valdis the reform plan was “not very the fight against what the gov- The eurozone could consider phase in collective bargaining planned or budgeted it as perma- Dombrovskis, the European specific” and much clearer assur- ernment calls the humanitarian further debt relief measures if with a view to raising minimum nent revenues,” Ilmars Rimsevics Commission vice-president for ances would be needed on key crisis caused by austerity “has no Athens met all the criteria speci- wages “over time” but promised told state broadcaster LTV. the euro, said on Twitter. reforms of pensions, taxation and negative fiscal effects”. fied in its November 2012 second that any changes would be agreed Commenting on ongoing nego- The ministers reviewed a privatisation. The six-page document con- bailout, “which hasn’t happened with its partners. tiations with Greece, he said: “For six-page document signed by And Slovak Finance Minister tained few figures but promised yet”, he said. While Tsipras has won broad Europe, in a certain way, fatigue Marxist Finance Minister Yanis Peter Kazimir, reflecting deep to improve tax enforcement, fight Dijsselbloem insisted a Greek support in his coalition for the has set in, and this nursing and Varoufakis that watered down scepticism among northern corruption and “review and con- exit from the eurozone had not deal clinched in Brussels, some instructing all the time is also campaign promises to halt priva- European fiscal haws, said: trol spending in every area of gov- been discussed and was not on hardline leftists have criticised it very burdensome.” tisations, boost welfare spending “Greeks have lots of heavy lifting ernment spending”. the table, adding that the only and the conservative opposition REUTERS

UK offshore energy firms Wonga to slash 325 jobs in urge ‘urgent’ action cost-cutting plan

LONDON: Britain’s offshore opportunities,” the organisation LONDON: Britain’s biggest energy sector yesterday called said. It added: “This report... con- payday lender Wonga Group is for “urgent action” by govern- clusively shows that exploration to cut 325 jobs in a restructur- ment and industry to boost activity on the UKCS has collapsed.” ing to focus on its main activity North Sea exploration, which Activity was hit hard last year of short-term consumer loans hit a 50-year low last year on by rising costs, higher taxation and is also planning to scrap slumping oil prices. and inadequate regulation, the lending to small businesses. Just 14 exploration wells were organisation concluded in its Pay day lenders such as Wonga drilled in 2014, which was the low- report. grew rapidly in the past few years est number since the beginning of The sector needed to slash costs on the back of consumers’ demand the industry in the 1960s, indus- by 40 percent to combat slumping for short-term money, but now try body Oil & Gas UK said in its oil prices and prevent the further tougher regulation has begun to annual survey. collapse of North Sea exploration. put pressure on them. British finance minister George “This year’s activity survey In January, Britain’s Financial Osborne pledged to help the paints a bleak picture but also Conduct Authority moved to industry as he spoke to media identifies this region’s potential, cap interest rates on pay-day ahead of the government’s annual emphasising the importance of An Audi vehicle during the show. loans. The watchdog has also budget in March, the last one government and industry now just ordered the lenders to put before a general election in May. putting the right measures in details of their loans on at least “We will do everything we place to secure its long-term Audi holds quattro tour road show one price comparison website to can to help,” said Chancellor of future,” said Oil & Gas UK chief improve transparency. the Exchequer Osborne. “We’ve Malcolm Webb. Wonga’s job cuts at its UK already cut taxes and if we need to, “This is crucial not only for DOHA: Q-Auto, the Audi dealer quattro technology through a and obstacles designed to give consumer business are part of a we will do so again in the budget.” the energy security that domes- in Qatar organised a ‘quattro series of practical on road and participants a full off-road han- plan to reduce costs by at least He added: “The oil and gas tic oil and gas production pro- tour‘ road show at Ezdan Mall. off road driving sessions, spe- dling experience of the quattro £25bn ($38.59m) over the next industry is a vital national asset vides but also for the hundreds The show gave participants cially designed on a purpose built all-wheel drive system and to two years. and we have a plan to back it.” of thousands of highly skilled jobs, the opportunity to experience course. Participants were given demonstrate some of the tech- Wonga currently employs Exploration and production advanced technology and billions Audi’s world-renowned quat- the opportunity to experience nical features on the Audi Q around 950 people across Britain, companies operating on the UK of pounds of exports which the tro technology, through a series the technique first hand through Models such as hill descent con- Ireland, South Africa and Israel. Continental Shelf (UKCS) saw industry underpins. of specially designed test drive a range of models at the exhibit, trol. Using a ‘brake and avoid‘ As part of the restructuring plan, revenues shrink last year to just “Without sustained investment exercises. The exhibit brought including the Audi Q5, Q3, A5 exercise, participants also tested the company plans to close its Tel over £24bn ($37bn) — the lowest in new and existing fields, critical together more than 231 car and A3. Audi professional drive the difference between front Aviv office by mid-2015 and its level since 1998, it added. infrastructure will disappear, tak- enthusiasts from across the instructors introduced the dem- wheel drive and quattro cars, as Dublin office, which has a work- “The current rate of explora- ing with it important North Sea country, resulting in the most onstration with an insight into well as the safety systems fitted force of 175, by the middle of next tion drilling is the lowest since hubs, effectively sterilising areas successful ‘Land of quattro’ Audi’s advanced quattro technol- to the vehicle, such as the anti- year. 1965 and urgent action is required of the basin and leaving oil and event in the region. ogy followed by safety training for lock braking system (ABS) and “Wonga can no longer sustain to stimulate activity in the area gas in the ground.” The road show invited guests all participants. stability control. its high cost base which must be and generate future development AFP to explore Audi’s legendary The course involved structures THE PENINSULA significantly reduced to reflect our evolving business and mar- ket,” Chairman Andy Haste said. Wonga was hit by a number of scandals last year. In June, it agreed to pay 2.6 million pounds Hitachi agrees to buy Italian railway firms in global push in compensation to 45,000 cus- tomers after sending them bogus letters from non-existent TOKYO: Hitachi said yester- ¤773m ($875m) for the Italian Finmeccanica does not already government to block it “to save recession-bound economy, state law firms that threatened legal day it would buy the rail and firm’s 40 percent stake in Ansaldo own. jobs and a strategic sector for the interference with the deal is seen action. traffic signal businesses of STS, the world’s number two traf- Japanese media earlier reported country.” The Fiom-Cgil union as unlikely. Hitachi, which fell 0.77 In October, it wrote down the Italy’s Finmeccanica, in a deal fic signal company, and 36 million that the deal, which is expected to group demanded urgent talks percent to finish at 828.2 yen in debt of around 330,000 customers that could reach more than euros for struggling rail car unit close later this year, could top $2.0 with government ministers on the Tokyo, is looking to boost its global worth about 220 million pounds $2bn as it looks to take on global AnsaldoBreda. billion. decision. operations after its key nuclear after being forced to overhaul rail giants. Hitachi said it would also But the acquisition faces oppo- But with Prime Minister unit took a hit following the 2011 its lending practices by the UK The Japanese industrial con- bid for the remaining shares of sition from Italian labour unions, Matteo Renzi keen to encour- Fukushima nuclear crisis. financial regulator. glomerate said it would pay Milan-listed Ansaldo STS that who immediately urged the Italian age inward investment in a AFP REUTERS Falconflyer celebrates 20th anniversary

Gulf Air, as part of its Falconflyer programme’s 20th anniversary cel- ebrations recently awarded Inayatullah Qureshi with 20,000 complimentary Falconflyer miles. Kavita Al Jassim, Gulf Air Senior Manager Customer Experience congratu- lated Qureshi at a ceremony held at the airline’s headquarters in Manama yesterday. WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

ZSE lifts Meikles’ suspension Britain should Qatari bourse press on with austerity plans, index loses says OECD LONDON: the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development said yesterday that Britain should continue 23.37 points to cut its budget deficit after May’s national election, and might need to rethink plans to Saudi Electricity Company jumps shield healthcare and schools spending. DOHA: Qatar Stock Exchange rates. Brent crude oil hovered With May 7 shaping up to index dropped 23.37 points, or around $59 per barrel during the be one of the closest and most 0.19 percent, when it closed yes- day, swinging repeatedly between unpredictable elections in modern terday at 12,525.88 points from gains and losses and giving no British history, all main parties Monday’s position of 12,549.25 clear direction to equities. have promised to maintain spend- points. US Federal Reserve Chair ing on schools and health. But the The share market capitali- Janet Yellen was to deliver the Paris-based think tank said this sation reached QR 678.835bn central bank’s semi-annual might impose unacceptably high yesterday. Monetary Policy Report to the cuts in other areas. The traded value today Senate Banking Committee on “(Britain should) continue to increased to QR598.195m with Tuesday and it remains unclear pursue the medium-term fiscal a volume 10,923,525 share from whether she will reaffirm June as consolidation path ... and ensure 5,707 transactions compared a window for a first rate hike. consolidation efforts are fair,” the with QR431.88m with a volume Changes in US rates will not Stockbrokers trade on the floor of the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in Harare, yesterday. ZSE on Monday OECD said in a report. of 7,642,708 shares from 4,866 only affect risk appetite among lifted the suspension of hotel group Meikles Africa after the company threatened to take court action, shelve The opposition Labour party transactions yesterday. global investors, they are expected new investment and a possible listing of a subsidiary. plans to balance the government’s Indices of four sectors declined quickly to influence monetary pol- books, excluding investment yesterday. Consumer goods and icy in the Gulf countries, whose spending, within the next parlia- service dropped the most, down currencies are mostly pegged to ment. The ruling Conservative 3.58 percent to 7,297.75 points. the dollar. Party says it intends to balance Real estate dropped 0.44 per- Analysts expect the impact to be Libya pumps 30,000bpd to Hariga port the budget completely and return cent (2,518.82 points), industries especially visible for Saudi Arabian a small surplus. dropped 0.31 percent (4,016.55 banks, which are to a large extent The OECD cited research sug- points) funded by demand deposits bear- BENGHAZI/CAIRO: Libya 40,000 barrels hit on Sunday due port due to the pipeline blast a gesting that protecting areas such Transport index was up 0.41 ing no interest. A hike in US rates has resumed pumping crude to a failure of a power turbine week ago, a fraction of up to 1.3 as health and education from percnet to 2,442 points, telecom would widen their interest mar- from its southeastern Sarir and station on Monday at the Messla million barrels Libya exported spending cuts would imply aver- was up 0.20 percent to 1,426 gins and boost profits. Messla fields to Hariga port at field connected to the Sarir field. daily prior to the ousting of age spending cuts elsewhere, in points while banks and financial The impact of a rate hike will, a rate of around 30,000 barrels The turbine was being fixed, the Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. real terms, of almost 40 percent services index gained slightly by however, depend on each bank’s a day, an industry source said source said. Most Libyan oilfields have between the financial years 2010- 0.01 percent 3,314.26 points. mix of deposits and loans. Al yesterday, bolstering a poten- A pipeline blast had inter- stopped working due to the strug- 11 and 2019-20. Shares of 18 companies closed Rajhi Bank and Bank Albilad, tial recovery in exports after rupted oil flows from the Sarir gle for supremacy between the “Hence, the composition of fis- higher yesterday, 22 dropped which according to data from Zueitina port opened at the field, the country’s largest, more government in the east and a rival cal adjustment should be reviewed while two remained unchanged. Kuwait’s Global brokerage and weekend. than a week ago. Operators at administration that took control to ease pressure on public services Qatar Fuel share plummeted by Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Fransi Higher oil exports, which Hariga were forced to rely on oil of the capital Tripoli last summer. that have already contributed to QR15.60 when it closed the day Capital have above-average con- had fallen to a trickle as violent already held in storage tanks to The first tanker in almost a consolidation,” the OECD report at QR205.40. centrations of demand deposits, conflict between two rival gov- load a tanker that docked last year loaded crude from the east- said. Among the gainers were Qatar were the top gainers among the ernments and parliaments dis- week. ern port of Zueitina on Sunday, Other think tanks have disa- Investors Group, up 5.89 percent kingdom’s banks yesterday, rising rupted supplies, may bring in Hariga and Zueitina are under an oil official said, adding there greed with the austere approach (QR2.50) to close QR44.95. 1.2 and 3.2 percent respectively. badly needed revenues for the control of troops loyal to the was not enough oil held in stor- of the current government. Retailer Al Meera’s share spi- They were also among the main Opec member as it faces a grow- internationally recognized gov- age for a second loading. It was Earlier this month, a review ralled 3.55 percent (QR7.60) to supports for the stock index, ing public finance crisis. ernment, which is based in east- not immediately clear what the of the government’s record by close at QR 221.60 . which edged up 0.7 percent. Saudi “So far small volumes are flow- ern Libya. The proceeds from the export volumes from Hariga the National Institute of Social Meanwhile, most other regional Electricity Company jumped 3.2 ing,” said Omran Zwei, spokes- oil exports will go to the central would reach this week. Traders and Economic Research con- stock markets stood nearly still percent after proposing a 2014 man for state oil firm operator bank, which has sought to stay expect initial volumes to be well cluded that austerity had been yesterday as oil prices seesawed dividend of 0.7 riyal per share. It AGOCO. “The pipeline is holding.” out of the conflict. below capacity as the port ramps an unnecessary risk that had and investors waited for the US has paid the same amount for the An industry source said vol- Oil exports had fallen to less up and as supplies from Sarir fill caused significant damage to the Federal Reserve to indicate when last 10 years. umes had reached 30,000 barrels than 200,000 barrels a day with storage tanks. economy. it plans to start raising interest AGENCIES on Monday, slightly down from the closure of the eastern Hariga REUTERS REUTERS

Office Depot sales down Lebanon’s growth expected at 2.5pc Iran smuggles in $1bn for this year currency notes BEIRUT: Lebanon has issued its largest-ever Eurobond, rais- LONDON/ANKARA: At least sanctioned Iranian companies, to ing $2.2bn, and expects the $1bn in cash has been smuggled find ways to obtain US dollars, economy to grow 2.5 percent into Iran as it seeks to avoid including using front companies in 2015, Finance Minister Ali Western sanctions, a bigger fig- and their networks. They said the Hassan Khalil said yesterday. ure than previously reported, central bank had given the orders Lebanon’s economy has been hit Iranian officials and Western to the front companies abroad to by the war in Syria, which started intelligence and diplomatic buy dollars. in 2011 and has spilled over into sources say. The Central Bank of Iran the small Mediterranean country. Sanctions imposed by the West declined comment, as did gov- Political stalemate has paralysed over Iran’s nuclear programme ernment officials in Turkey. government and parliament has have shut Tehran out of the global Authorities in the United Arab been unable to elect a president. banking system, making it hard to Emirates made no immediate Khalil said Lebanon would still obtain the US dollars it needs for comment when contacted, while need to raise a further $2.2bn to international transactions. the UAE central bank declined cover financial needs for 2015 but In December, the US Treasury comment. that so far he could only issue a said the Iranian government had The extent of the smuggling further $300m of bonds before obtained hundreds of millions of has emerged as Tehran is in requiring permission from parlia- dollars in bank notes using front talks with world powers about ment for more. He said 2015 pub- companies. its nuclear programme, seeking lic debt would increase to $68.7bn Interviews by Reuters with a deal to lift the sanctions that after the latest Eurobond issu- Iranian officials and Western dip- have halved its oil exports and ance, up from $66.5bn at the end lomatic and intelligence sources hammered its economy. of 2014. He added that he expected show a bigger smuggling effort by An Iranian government official the 2015 debt to gross domestic Tehran, as well as the routes and with knowledge of how the dollars product (GDP) ratio to drop to methods used — details not previ- were obtained said front compa- between 129 and 133 percent. ously reported. These sources said nies had “mushroomed” in Dubai REUTERS A customer leaves an Office Depot store in Arlington, Virginia. The No. 2 office supply retailer, which is merg- at least $1bn in US bank notes to facilitate payments to Iran. ing with larger rival Staples Inc, also reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales. had been smuggled into Iran in The use of multiple front com- recent months, with the Iranian panies, which bought dollars central bank playing an impor- from currency traders in Dubai tant role. and Iraq, was preferred as it con- Three Western diplomatic cealed the overall size of the dollar Saudi’s Mobily to slash dividend after earnings scandal sources and three Iranian govern- purchasing operation, the Iranian ment officials, who all declined to and Western sources said. Front be identified citing the sensitivity companies operate at arm’s length DUBAI: An accounting scan- Problems at Mobily came to expected to attract a sizeable jumped by a similar margin, pro- of the issue, said Tehran had been from the Iranian government or dal at Saudi Arabia’s Mobily is a head last November when the chunk of foreign money. So its pelling its shares to an eight-year working on ways to obtain dollars state-backed organisations, the set to constrain dividend pay- company restated profits for 2013 fall from grace may give foreign high of 98.25 riyals last May. But since March last year. sources said. outs from the former stock and the first half of 2014, cut- investors pause for thought. the bumper payouts masked bal- The sources said the cash Suitcases full of dollars were market darling for the next few ting them by SR1.43bn ($381m) “The earnings restatement will ance sheet weakness — receiva- was hand-carried by couriers carried to Iran from Dubai, and years and make investors more combined. In January, it posted a weigh heavily on investor senti- bles swelled to $2.7bn by last June on flights from Dubai or Turkey, sometimes Turkey, the Iranian picky about companies in the shock fourth-quarter loss of 2.28 ment towards all Saudi companies as Mobily struggled to collect rev- or brought across the Iraq-Iran government official said. Groups kingdom. billion riyals. because Mobily was considered enues which it had booked. border. of three or four couriers would Analysts who met acting The timing is sensitive as a blue chip,” said Daniel Broby, At the same time, the compa- Before it reached Iran, the cash usually fly first or business class, Mobily Chief Executive Serkan Riyadh is preparing to open its chief executive of British-based ny’s borrowing surged, apparently was passed through money chang- the official said. Okandan a month ago came away stock market, the largest Arab Gemfonds, an emerging market to bolster dividend payouts and ers and front companies in Dubai, In return for dollars, the front with the impression that the com- bourse, to direct investment by fund specialist. bridge a cash flow shortfall caused in the United Arab Emirates, and companies were paid in United pany would not pay a dividend foreigners this year. “Restatements happen, but the by delays in collecting revenues. Iraq, they added. Arab Emirates dirhams or oil, the this year and make only modest The Saudi market has a repu- number of accounting areas that Facing a regulatory probe, the A Western diplomat who fol- Iranian and Western sources said. payouts from 2016. tation among fund managers as were addressed is where the cause firm suspended CEO Khalid al- lows Iranian affairs said the cen- A report last year by the “Mobily needs to determine one of the best regulated in the for concern lies.” Kaf last November. Okandan, tral bank was a driving force in UN Security Council’s Panel of its dividend policy based on both Middle East, on a par with many Mobily’s rise was remarkable. It who had joined as Kaf’s deputy a efforts to obtain dollars. Experts on Iran said Iran had operating free cash flows and net emerging markets around the turned profitable in 2006, a year month earlier and has a mandate Western and Iranian sources used cash and money chang- profit — this is a usual practice world. after launching operations, and to remain at the helm at least said Iran’s central bank had ers to help get around banking in telcos,” Okandan said by email But Mobily is the sort of annual profits soared 854 percent until end-March. in recent months worked with restrictions. this month. company that would have been between then and 2013. Dividends REUTERS other entities, including other REUTERS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,525.88 0.19 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,934.32 0.19 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,459.76 0.37 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,261.92 0.31 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,314.26 0.01 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5890.016 17.639 0.3 5908.3 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,016.55 0.31 % QR140.7186 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,442 0.41 % Cac 40 Index/D 4859.04 -3.26 -0.07 4875.97 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,518.82 0.44 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5882 QR 5.6668 QE All Share Insurance 4,151.69 0.01 % Dj Indu Average 18116.84 -23.6 -0.13 18144.3 15855.12 QR 1.9177 Euro ...... QR 4.0986 QR 4.1555 QE All Share Telecoms 1,426 0.20 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8587 QR 2.9158 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,297.76 3.58 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24750.07 -86.69 -0.35 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.8141 QR 3.8693 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5839.09 -33.26 -0.57 5872.35 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0302 QR 0.0308 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7999 QR 2.8553 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33895.46 -31.24 -0.09 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 24-02-2015 23-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0580 QR 0.0591 Index 12,525.88 12,549.25 Nikkei 225 Index 18603.48 136.56 0.74 18509.08 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0363 Change 23.37 23.82 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0816 QR 0.0833 S&P 500 Index/D 2109.66 -0.64 -0.03 2110.61 1814.36 % 0.19 0.19 $ 58.48 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0280 YTD% 1.95 2.14 Straits Times/D 3437.61 16.31 0.48 3458.14 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0472 Volume 10,923,525 7,642,708 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0372 Value (QAR) 598,195,141.74 431,880,750.10 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3115 QR 0.3147 Trades 5,707 4,866 $ 55.03 Up 18 | Down 22 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 24-02-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A C C-A/D 1617.5 4.25 9994 Chambal Fert-B/D 66.25 -2.1 102120 Goodyear I -B/D 624 3.5 3398 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 127.7 -2 6822 Orchid Chem-B/D 65.65 -2.45 225275 Imperial Tobac/D 3137 -1 412382 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1272.5 -27.75 1747 Chola Invest-B/D 576.25 -5.85 9090 Hcl Infosys-B/D 48.95 -1.2 289142 Kalpat Power-B/D 235.65 -4.55 16441 Orient Hotel-T/D 21.15 -0.35 24200 Kingfisher/D 340.9 -2.5 1361055 Aban Offs-A/D 476.1 -0.45 190148 Cimmco-B/D 78.7 -5.5 70095 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 16.05 -0.25 540987 Kalyani Stel-T/D 145 -2.5 48901 Orient.Carb.-T/D 443 -16.5 10594 Land Secs Grou/D 1240.1 3 1006100 Aegis Logis-B/D 414.3 -7.4 5721 Cipla-A/D 677 8.2 148696 Himat Seide-B/D 83.6 -2.05 21854 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39 0.3 5144 Radico Khait-B/D 88.35 1.35 103793 Legal & Genera/D 275.7 0 2014740 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 285.4 -4 49512 City Union Bk-/D 99.75 1.25 71347 Hind Motors-T/D 7.99 -0.14 98724 Kg Denim-B/D 22.85 0 17174 Rallis India-A/D 236.1 -4.3 16537 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.21 0.19 50990300 Alembic-B/D 40.35 -0.9 148595 Cmc Ltd-A/D 2035.1 -0.5 3551 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.8 -0.95 16543 Kilburnengg-T/D 46.65 0.65 11727 Reliance Indus/D 444.1 -5 52355 Marks & Sp./D 502.6 3.6 1109020 Alkyl Amines-B/D 315 -5 53659 Colgate-A/D 1973.7 3.65 16397 Hind Unilever-/D 913.95 27.9 146517 Kinetic Eng-B/D 42 -0.25 13613 Ruchi Soya-B/D 44.45 -2.55 557938 Next/D 7410 20 99645 Alok Indus-A/D 9.11 -0.18 1180692 Container Cor-/D 1575.5 -21.45 31643 Hind.Petrol-A/D 605.95 12.25 106425 Kopran-B/D 45.45 -1.5 71839 Saur.Cem-B/D 39.75 -0.6 58633 Pearson/D 1408 -5 521680 Apollo Tyre-A/D 176.6 1.3 636114 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 157.5 -9.9 4576 Hindalco-A/D 153.7 -1.1 451463 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 345 -9.6 5371 Sterling Tool-/D 300.2 -11.5 3460 Prudential/D 1612 -10 756651 Asahi I Glass-/D 134.95 1.95 35275 Dhampur Sugar-/D 41.2 -0.95 13879 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1309.25 -0.55 233518 Lloyd Metal-B/D 9.67 0.75 9637 Tanfac Indust-/D 22 0.75 3122 Rank Group/D 187 -2 17787 Ashok Leyland-/D 66.9 -0.7 1327827 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3369.95 -11.05 11000 I F C I-A/D 37.2 0.3 654703 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 12.91 -0.58 24860 Thirumalai-B/D 86.4 4.65 19977 Rentokil Initi/D 128.2 -0.6 209989 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1384.25 -12.5 3953 E I H-B/D 111.35 1.35 20017 Idbi-A/D 74.15 0 446697 Lumax Ind-B/D 369.1 -11.2 4890 Til Ltd.-T/D 494 -2.1 8440 Rolls Royce Pl/D 932.25 -17.5 2487459 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.8 -0.2 304837 E.I.D Parry-A/D 175.25 -2.5 16462 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 496.5 0.2 3962 Lupin-A/D 1654.6 5.9 117726 Timexgroup-T/D 16.82 -0.87 112212 Rsa Insrance G/D 449.3 -0.8 670039 Banaras Bead-B/D 40.1 0.3 18373 Eicher Motor-A/D 15813.3 -191.6 6077 India Cement-A/D 100.3 1.4 206997 Lyka Labs-T/D 43 -1.05 54814 Tinplate-B/D 61.2 -1.35 35449 Sainsbury(J)/D 268.9 -1.4 1296245 Bannari Aman-B/D 1150.5 -69.25 4008 Electrosteel-B/D 17.35 -0.65 129410 India Glycol-B/D 100 -1.3 8293 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 174.6 -9.6 5027 Ucal Fuel-B/D 121.8 -1.9 11037 Severn Trent/D 2069 12 176356 Bata India-A/D 1246.4 -27.15 10800 Emco-B/D 38.3 -0.25 172631 Indian Hotel-A/D 113.05 0.35 77069 Mah.Seamless-B/D 210.5 -2.95 7713 Ultramarine-B/D 68.2 0.6 6700 Smith&Nephew/D 1185 4 432380 Beml Ltd-A/D 985.1 -3 205895 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.35 -0.21 8551 Indo-Tcount-T/D 386.9 -9.2 13791 Mangalam Cem-B/D 273.7 -7.5 44310 Unitech P -A/D 18.3 0.6 6203869 Smiths Group/D 1167.15 -9 311680 Bh Electronic-/D 3693.75 -32.55 46809 Escorts-A/D 132.7 2.1 302096 Indusind-A/D 858.05 -11.4 46043 Maral Overs-B/D 28.75 2.05 65985 Standrd Chart /D 929.6 1.5 2969461 Bharat Bijle-B/D 668.5 -16.25 2150 Essar Oil-T/D 108.05 0.15 33641 J.B.Chemical-B/D 189.35 -0.8 5457 Mastek-B/D 432 -10.5 184929 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 587.5 -2.5 307960 Bharatgears-B/D 74.5 0.7 3214 Eveready Indu-/D 205.1 -2.2 64098 Jagson Phar-B/D 28.45 -0.55 31580 Max India L-A/D 447.45 -8.1 65922 Tesco/D 238.05 -2.35 6364886 Bhartiya Int-B/D 415.4 -1.3 1727 F D C-B/D 158.45 1.85 50827 Jamnaauto-B/D 219.8 -1.8 3541 Mrpl-A/D 65 0 607415 3I Group/D 489.7 -0.3 295833 Unilever/D 2853 11 1147395 Bhel-A/D 277.7 4.85 497390 Federal Bank-A/D 141.45 -1.2 131650 Jbf Indu-B/D 217.9 -8.1 126856 Nahar Spg.-B/D 94.9 -0.7 13410 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3020 -38 241570 United Util Gr/D 953.5 3.5 426976 Bom.Burmah-B/D 452.25 -13.6 38139 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.17 0 27153 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.62 0.01 62150 Nation Alum -A/D 47.9 0.2 85338 Barclays/D 262.35 -0.5 7749363 Vodafone Group/D 226.54 -6.15 27291673 Bombay Dyeing-/D 75.55 -2.25 367490 Finolex-A/D 273.5 -6.15 6046 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.61 -0.04 113223 Navneet Edu-B/D 112.7 -0.4 13318 Bg Group/D 974.5 13.1 2287570 Whitbread/D 5100 15 119915 Camph.& All-B/D 265 0 4391 Gail-A/D 404.65 4.75 111366 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.16 0.08 70304 Nepc India-T/D 3.15 0.03 14519 Bp/D 446.15 1.55 7537199 Canfin Homes-B/D 602.5 -11.5 5153 Galada Power-T/D 28.85 1.35 52129 Jindal Drill-B/D 184.1 -8.4 17933 Neuland Lab-B/D 324.9 -3.2 2745 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3744 16.5 917150 Caprihans-B/D 78.55 -2.85 4863 Gammon India-T/D 22 -0.6 382261 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 118.4 -1.15 200454 Nrb Bearings-B/D 140.3 2.7 16618 Bt Group/D 442.85 0.1 4788249 Castrol India-/D 474.75 -1.6 40904 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.36 -0.07 1700 Jmc Projects-T/D 165.6 1.6 8627 O N G C-A/D 315.35 -9.7 633896 Centrica/D 251.073 1.2 5688496 Century Enka-B/D 158 -0.6 3063 Godfrey Phil-B/D 485.7 -10.4 2725 Kabra Extr-B/D 83.5 1.15 3668 Ocl India-B/D 590 13.75 12786 Gkn/D 373.7 -12.3 6454715 Century Text-A/D 491.1 -17 210245 Goodricke-B/D 144.9 -4.9 27075 Kajaria Cer-A/D 784.1 33.2 8391 Oil Country-B/D 34.95 0.05 5287 Hsbc Holdings/D 578 0.8 33713215 WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Lekhwiya lose AFC Champions League opener

TEHRAN: Iran’s Persepolis second half, Lekhwiya’s striker But with Lekhwiya commit- celebrated their return to the Sebastian Soria narrowly missed ting numbers forward, they AFC Champions AFC Champions League after a with a header but the game didn’t looked vulnerable on the counter- three-year absence with a com- have any flow with both sides can- attack, and as Noori looked to Results prehensive 3-0 win over Qatari celling each other out before the take advantage of the vulnerable Group A champions Lekhwiya yesterday opener arrived on the hour mark. backline, he was hauled back by in the Group A opener at Azadi Gabriel redeemed himself for Mohamed Musa inside the pen- Persepolis (IRI) 3 (Mohsen Bengar 60, Stadium here. his first-half miss when his ven- alty area. Hadi Nouruzi 66, Mohamed Nouri 83-pen) After a goalless first half, omous free-kick into the penalty The Persepolis captain took Lekhwiya (QAT) 0 Persepolis netted twice in six area from wide on the right was the resulting spot-kick him- Group B minutes as first Mohsen Bengar met by a thumping header from self and converted emphatically, Pakhtakor (UZB) 2 (Kakha Makharadze 48, headed home on the 60th minute defender Bengar who directed it placing the ball high into the top Igor Sergeev 85) Naft Tehran (IRI) 1 (Ali before Hadi Norozi added a sec- into the right-hand corner of the right-hand corner while send- Ghorbani 59); Al Ain (UAE) 0 Al Shabab (KSA) ond shortly after. net. ing Lekhwiya goalkeeper Amine 0 Persepolis captain Mohammad And just five minutes later Lecomte the wrong way. Group E Noori then added the game’s third Persepolis doubled their And Omid Alishah could have Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) 0 Kashiwa and final goal from the penalty advantage. made it four in stoppage time as Reysol (JPN) 0; Binh Duong (VIE) 2 (Oseni 47, spot with seven minutes remain- Lekhwiya tried to claw back Gabriel’s defence-splitting pass Wang Qiang 56 OG) Shandong Luneng (CHN) ing as the Iran Pro League side into the game but found that fell perfectly into the midfielder’s 3 (Wang Yongpo 46, Yang Xu 59, 80) reaped the rewards of their sec- their attacks were reduced to path as he raced through on goal, Group F ond-half dominance. efforts from range, although but his first-time effort zipped Although Persepolis had more Korea Republic midfielder Nam narrowly wide of the far post. Gamba Osaka (JPN) 0 Guangzhou R&F (CHN) 2 (Abderrazaq Hamedallah 11, Wang Mohammad Noori of Iran’s Persepolis celebrates after scoring a goal possession in the first half, they Tae-hee’s 20-yard strike needed Today, current Qatar Stars couldn’t create too many chances a firm hand from Persepolis goal- League leaders Al Sadd will face Song 79); Buriram United (THA) 2 (Prakit against Qatar’s Lekhwiya during an Asian Champions League Group A 17, Macena 19) Seongnam FC (KOR) 1 match at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium yesterday. on goal. keeper Sousha Makani to tip the Iranian club Foolad in a Group C In the opening minutes of the ball over the crossbar. clash. THE PENINSULA (Narubodin 88 OG) Monaco reunion holds no romance for Wenger Arsenal’s manager focused on victory over his old club

LONDON: Arsenal manager win (against Palace) would have Arsene Wenger insists he hasn’t been disastrous.” Atletico Madrid strikers Mario Mandzukic (left) and Antoine Griezmann. been wasting any time on nos- While Wenger was dismissive talgic reminiscences ahead of of his own memories of Monaco, his reunion with former club the 65-year-old Frenchman is far Monaco in the Champions too astute to be as offhand about League today. his old club’s current players. Atletico duo aims to Wenger made his name as After failing to reach the quar- a manager during a success- ter-finals of Europe’s elite club ful seven-year spell at Monaco, competition since 2010, due to which included leading them to a series of tough draws against keep goals flowing the Ligue 1 title in 1988, winning the likes of Bayern Munich and the French Cup three years later Barcelona, this appears a golden LEVERKUSEN, Germany: Olympiacos were the last team and finishing as runners-up in opportunity for Arsenal to finally Atletico Madrid arrive at to score against Atletico when the 1992 European Cup Winners’ reach the last eight again. Bayer Leverkusen for today’s they enjoyed a 3-2 group stage Cup. But Wenger warned his players Champions League last 16, first win in Greece back in September. Yet, since leaving the French not to underestimate the French leg, clash hoping for a sixth Since then, Madrid have scored Riviera after being sacked in 1994, side, who are fourth in Ligue 1 straight clean-sheet in Europe, 12 goals without reply in Europe, Wenger, now in his 19th year in and advanced to the last 16 as with Mario Mandzukic and including a 5-0 thumping of charge at Arsenal, has rarely group winners thanks largely to Antoine Griezmann hunting Malmo and a 4-0 thrashing of come into contact with the team a pair of impressive victories over more goals. Olympiacos in the return leg. where he spent his formative Bayer Leverkusen. Between them the pair have Bayer have never won a last-16 years as a coach. “The last 16 in recent years has already bagged 37 goals this tie in the competition’s current The Gunners were beaten by been super tough. This is a 50/50 season as the 2014 Champions format and will have to work hard Monaco in a pre-season match game,” Wenger said. League finalists look to leave to change that statistic against an before the current campaign, “We know that Monaco are Leverkusen’s BayArena with an Atletico side who finished top of when a goal from Radamel Falcao, very tight defensively — they advantage in the hunt for a quar- Group A ahead of Juventus. now on loan at Manchester didn’t concede in the group stage ter-final place. Leverkusen are winless in their United, gave Leonardo Jardim’s against good teams. Of course it Former Bayern Munich striker last three league matches and side a 1-0 victory in the Emirates will be tricky, but a possible tie. Mandzukic has already shown have had little to cheer about at Cup. But this last 16, first leg “It is really a 50-50 because Pep Guardiola what he is miss- this stage of the competition in clash at the Emirates Stadium Monaco are in a similar position ing in Bavaria by scoring 20 goals, recent years. They were thumped will be Wenger’s first competitive to us. They came back into a good while Griezmann has hit the net 4-0 at home by Paris St Germain clash with Monaco, prompting position in the league and their 17 times for Atletico this season. last season on the way to a 6-1 questions about whether he has confidence level will be high.” French midfielder Griezmann aggregate defeat. fond memories of his time at the For much of an inconsistent says Diego Simeone’s Madrid need That came two years after Stade Louis II. campaign, Arsenal have once a good start in Leverkusen, just as Lionel Messi ran riot when Wenger’s response made it again offered more style than sub- they had in Saturday’s 3-0 home Bayer’s 3-1 defeat in Leverkusen clear romantic reflections on his stance, but Wenger is confident league win over Almeria to stay preceded a 7-1 humiliation away past relationships came a distant his side’s win at Palace proved third in the table. to Barcelona in 2012 when Messi second to keeping his players they have the mental and physi- “We need to keep working and netted five times. focused on their battle to finish cal strength required to last the enjoying the games like we are at Leverkusen are without in the Premier League’s top four pace. AFP the moment,” said the Frenchman Australia winger Robbie Kruse, had been consuming all his wak- after netting in the 20th and 29th who has an ankle injury, while ing hours. minute following Mandzukic’s defensive midfielder Sven Bender “I have enough experience to Champions League 13th-minute penalty. and defender Tin Jedvaj are know that the most important “We need to face all the games doubtful with knee and hamstring game is this one, after, you think Fixtures the same way, trying to win and injuries respectively. about the next one, so it has not coming out flying from the start.” Having dropped to sixth in the been hard,” Wenger said after Main tournament – last 16, first The only casualty for Madrid Bundesliga after Saturday’s 2-2 leg, matches today (all times in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Crystal is midfielder Koke, who will miss draw with Augsburg, qualify- Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger attends a training session GMT) at The Gunners’ training ground in London Colney, north of London, Palace lifted Arsenal to third in the first leg with a hamstring ing for next season’s Champions Arsenal (England) vs Monaco (France) (1945) yesterday, ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg the league. “We fought like mad to injury having, scored two goals League is of more pressing con- Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) vs Atletico match against AS Monaco today. come back in a strong position in and provided four assists in the cern than progressing in this sea- the (Premier League), and not to Madrid (Spain) (1945) group stages. son’s edition. AFP Conley, Memphis Grizzlies hold off LA Clippers

LOS ANGELES: Mike Conley Paul finished lead with 2:28 turned the ball over on their final had a crucial steal in the final with 30 points NBA Results to go. It was the possession. seconds then sank two free and 10 assists but Miami 119 Philadelphia 108 Grizzlies’ largest The Clippers led 22-21 at the throws with 1.5 seconds left on allowed Conley to Chicago 87 Milwaukee 71 lead of the contest. end of the first quarter and 44-38 the clock as Memphis edged the poke the ball away Los Angeles at halftime. Houston 113 Minnesota 102 Los Angeles Clippers 90-87 on from him with the went on a 7-0 Snell powers Bulls past New Orleans 100 Toronto 97 Monday. game on the line. surge to get back Bucks Conley, who finished with 18 DeAndre Jordan Brooklyn 110 Denver 82 in it. Tony Snell came off the bench points and seven assists, forced finished with 17 Boston 115 Phoenix 110 Paul sunk a pair to deliver 20 points as the Chicago Clippers star Chris Paul to turn rebounds for the Utah 90 San Antonio 81 of foul shots, J.J. Bulls posted their sixth victory the ball over with three seconds Clippers, which Memphis 90 LA Clippers 87 Redick nailed one in their last seven NBA contests remaining to seal the win for the had its four-game from beyond the with a 87-71 win over Milwaukee Grizzlies. winning streak snapped. arc and Paul hit a jump shot with on Monday. Jeff Green tallied 16 points and “We gave ourselves a chance, 70 seconds left to cut the deficit Snell recorded his third six rebounds and Marc Gasol it comes down to execution and I to 88-87. 20-point game in his last five for added 14 points, six rebounds and didn’t execute on that last play,” Zach Randolph missed a left Chicago who also dominated on three blocks for Memphis, who Paul said. wing jumper and Redick cor- the glass with a 62-41 rebound- have won four of their last five Paul made a layup to pull ralled the rebound with just over ing edge. Nikola Mirotic tallied contests. the Clippers within 83-80 with 15 seconds. 16 points and 14 rebounds off “We were sluggish in the begin- over three minutes left. Conley Paul then turned the ball the bench as he and Snell were Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) and Memphis Grizzlies guard ning, but we did a better job in the then banked in a field goal and over and Conley went on to hit given extra playing time Monday Mike Conley (11) reach for a rebound in the first half of an NBA game at second half,” said Grizzlies coach Courtney Lee drained a three two free throws to increase the because of an illness to sixth man Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday night. Dave Joerger. pointer to give Memphis an 88-80 lead to 90-87. The Clippers also Taj Gibson. AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

French rider Jordi Tixier, who will defend his title in the MX2 class, in action at last year’s championship. RIGHT: French rider Jordi Tixier, reigning MXGP champion and eight-time World Champion, Antonio Cairoli, in this file picture. The opening round for the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship will start this weekend at the Losail MX Track and It will be the third year that this exciting championship is held under the floodlights of the Losail MX track. Losail MX ready for season opener Opening round of FIM Motocross World Championship to take place on Saturday

DOHA: The opening round for the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship will start Red Bull KTM prepare this weekend at the Losail MX Track and it will be the third year that this exciting champi- onship is held under floodlights to race in Qatar of the Losail MX track. In this round, all the expec- DOHA: The Red Bull KTM between Cairoli and the American tation will be focused on the Factory Racing Team goes into Ryan Villopoto, who is racing reigning MXGP Champion and the MXGP/MX2 season with a MXGP this season after being eight-time World Champion, very strong line-up of factory the dominant rider in the US in Antonio Cairoli and the American riders who are fit, motivated recent years. The faceoff between rider Ryan Villopoto, four-time and ‘Ready to Race’ in the 2015 these two great riders is not only Supercross Champion, who will season. highly anticipated; it will also have a strong battle on the track The factory team has been a certainly inject more thrills and for the victory. powerful force in the paddock excitement into the 2015 season. Other riders of MXGP that will in past seasons and has taken Returning to racing MXGP delight the spectators with their successive word titles in MX1/ after a 2014 that was marred by riding are Jeremy Van Horebeek, MXGP since 2010, and in MX2 injury is Belgium’s Ken de Dycker Gautier Paulin and Clement since 2008. who was looking powerful and This makes them natural very confident, especially at the targets as other teams and rid- final round of the Internazionale The 2015 MXGP ers turn up the heat, hoping to d’Italia in Ottobiano. be able to put the brakes on the Following corrective surgery at Calendar President Giuseppen Wolfgang (centre), President of Youthstream, the company which organises the FIM ‘Orange Army’. the end of 2014, Ken, also a Red Feb 28 – Round 1: GP of Qatar at Losail World Motocross Championships is seen along with Nasser Khalifa bin Al Attiyah, President of Qatar Motor Heading the MXGP lineup Bull athlete has had a successful March 8 – Round 2: GP of Thailand at and Motorcycle Federation. BOTTOM: Cairoli with the trophy in this file picture of last year. is eight-times world champion preparation for the 2015 season Nakhonchaisri Antonio Cairoli, World Champion and is happy to be putting his in the senior class since 2009 (and injury problems behind him. He March 29 – Round 3: GP of Argentina at Desalle. In the MX2 class, the and MXGP action will follow and with Red Bull KTM Factory is committed to go for top MXGP Neuquen French rider Jordi Tixier will at the end of the day there will be Racing since 2010). results and will continue to rider April 19 – Round 4: GP of Trentino at Arco defend his title in front of Jeffrey the Qualifying race for MX2 and Cairoli, who is known and the KTM 450 SX0-F. di Trentino Herling, who dominated the class MXGP at 10:00pm. admired for his riding style, race Britain’s Tommy Searle com- May 6 – Round 5: GP of Europe at in 2012 and 2013 but due to an On Saturday there will be two craft, tactics and consistency pletes the MXGP factory lineup. Valkenswaard injury he lost the title last year. races for each class, starting a has kicked off his season well He raced in the MX2 factory May 10 – Round 6: GP of Spain at Talavera In the women class, the Italian 6:00pm with the first race for by securing both the MX1 and team in 2007-08, finishing sec- de la Reina rider Kiara Fontanesi will try to the women, followed by MX2 and Elite class title at Internazionale ond in the championship each May 24 – Round 7: GP of Great Britain at clinch his fourth world champi- MXGP. d’Italia Motocross, the popular time, so his return is a welcome Matterley Basin onship title with the permission The grandstand will be open for and very competitive 3-race pre- ‘homecoming’. Searle has been May 31 – Round 8: GP of France at Villars of the other tough riders such as free for all the fans and spectators season series. impressive in pre-season prepara- sous Ecot Meghan Rutledge, Livia Lancelot that want to enjoy and live this In 2015, Cairoli, a Red Bull tion according to MXGP factory June 14 – Round 9: GP of Italy at Maggiora and Nathalie Kane. championship very close. athlete, is again on the light and team boss Claudio de Carli who June 21– Round 10: GP of Germany at As in previous seasons, there Nasser Khalifa bin Al Attiyah, nimble KTM 350 SX-F and natu- says he has ‘matured as a rider Teutschenthal will be also the National MX President of Qatar Motor rally has his sights set on securing and as a person’. He finished sec- Championship. and Motorcycle Federation, another title. ond to Cairoli in the Elite class July 5 – Round 11: GP of Sweden at Uddevalla In the MX1 the Kuwaiti rider expressed his happiness at host- “I will try to do as good as I of the Internazionale d’Italia and July 12 – Round 12: GP of Latvia at Kegums Mohammed Jaffar will try to get ing yet another edition of the can and to be on the podium is very excited about riding with July 26 – Round 13: GP of Czech Republic his first championship in the MX1 championship. every weekend. I love my KTM KTM and on the 350 SX-F. at Loket as he is leading with 180 points ‘‘We are delighted to host for 350 SX-F and I am looking for- “I have made a few good races August 2 – Round 14: GP of Belgium at and the second classified is his the third time the FIM Motocross ward to the Qatar race. I like the and I have a good feeling with Lommel fellow Meshary Abou Shaibah World Championship and to see conditions there under lights. As the team and the bike,” Searle August 16 – Round 15: GP of Brazil, Trindade with 153. Barak Al Jasmi also the best MX rider from around always there are a lot of guys that said. “With this bike I have now August 30 – Round 16: GP of The Netherlands from Kuwait is heading the MX2 the world to take part in the are going to fight for the title this it gives me everything I need to at Assen category and also has a lot of Qatar Grand Prix. Also, we are season but I am very motivated. be upfront.” September 13 – Round 17: GP of Mexico options to get the title for first very happy to see the top women Riding my bike is my life. The De Carli says he has good at Leon time. Moath Al Ansari is second riders proving their ability and fun I have when riding keeps me expectations for all of his three with 149 points. skills on our world class track. motivated,” Cairoli said heading MXGP riders. Cairoli’s long time September 20 – Round 18: GP of USA at Action will start on Friday For sure that this opening round system, our night race promises into the 2015 season. personal manager is confident Glen Helen at 1.35pm with the session of of the MXGP will be another suc- to be very exciting for all the fans Meanwhile the talk around that he will be fighting for his September 27- FIM Motocross of Nations at National MX and its first race at cess and as we are the only track and spectators” Al Attiyah said. the track in the pre-season has ninth world title in 2015. Ernée, France 4:00pm. After that, WMX, MX2 in the world to have full lighting THE PENINSULA been about the upcoming battle AGENCIES Challenging desert route set for Kuwait Rally

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait: The Al Attiyah’s French co-driver manage to see a little of the recce clock is ticking to the start of Matthieu Baumel will be joined by and the pre-race formalities.” the Kuwait Rally, the second several mechanics, team manage- Kuwait Rally officials have round of the 2015 FIA Middle ment and members of the media laid on two days of desert rally- East Rally Championship, and in a tense commute across nine ing for their MERC round, with entries officially close yester- time zones from Mexico to the 250.46km of competitive action Meshari Al Thafiri day for the event being staged Middle East to be ready for the in a total route of 557.93km get- in action in Kuwait by the Basil Salem Al-Sabah start of the Kuwait Rally and pre- ting under way on Friday, March last season. Motor Racing Club (BMRC), event preparations. 13th with the first of two passes Kuwait in conjunction with the Kuwait “When you have a busy rally through the 13.82km of a stage at Rally, the second International Automobile Club programme like we do this year, Nuwaiseeb. round of the 2015 (KIAC), on March 12-14. date clashes and tight deadlines This precedes special stages at FIA Middle East Held under the chairman- to get flights are inevitable,” said Kheiran (23.25km) and Al-Zour Rally ship of Sheikh Athbi Nayef Jaber Al Attiyah. (23.47km) and the midday Championship Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the event “Rally Mexico finishes on regroup and service stop at the will be held from takes place less than a week after Sunday afternoon local time and Seashell Julai’a Hotel and Resort, the finish of Rally Mexico, round that is already around midnight south of Kuwait City. The three March 12 to 14. three of the FIA World Rally and nearly Monday morning in specials are then repeated on Championship. Kuwait. We just have to rely on Friday afternoon before crews Qatar’s regional series leader on-time flight connections and tackle a seventh Al-Basil timed Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and accurate planning to make sure test of 23.64km. rival Abdulaziz Al Kuwari and that we reach Kuwait on time and THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Bangladesh deny reports on World Cup bookie links

MELBOURNE: Bangladesh we took action because we have a “He first claimed that he went a fine. But this was a more serious yesterday rubbished media no-tolerance policy for not obey- to buy a SIM card, which raised issue, so we had no other choice reports back home that seamer ing team orders,” said Yunus. more suspicion as the player had but to send him back.” Al Amin Hossain had been “There is no truth in reports already one with him,” the paper The ACSU does not comment kicked out of the World Cup for that he was sent home because of said. on its day-to-day operations. reportedly confessing to meet- alleged links with bookies.” “Al Amin then claimed that he Bangladesh’s bowling coach ing an illegal Indian bookmaker. Media reports said the ACSU went to a nightclub but BCB offi- Heath Streak insisted Hossain Bangladesh The official statement issued had already spoken to Hossain a cials were not ready to accept this will not be missed because his cricketers on Sunday by the team man- few days earlier in Canberra when story either because they found it replacement Shafiul Islam was Taskin agement had said Hossain, the team was in the Australian hard to believe that he will visit an “experienced campaigner” Ahmed (left), 25, was being sent home for capital for their opening match a nightclub alone in bad weather. “We are obviously disappointed Al Amin breaking curfew rules ahead of against Afghanistan. “The question that spurred and sad to see a fellow team- Hossain Bangladesh’s washed-out match Hossain apparently admit- them most was why he had mate go, but it won’t affect us too stand on against Australia in Brisbane last ted knowing an unnamed Indian walked back to the hotel instead much,” the former Zimbabwe fast the field as weekend. bookmaker whom he had met in of taking a taxi and the player had bowler and captain said. rain delays But the Dhaka-based English Chennai, where he had gone to no answer to that. “Shafiul coming in is good the start of language ‘New Age’ newspaper have his bowling action tested last “In the face of repeated ques- because he is a very experienced their World and other media said Hossain had year, but the ACSU did not bring tioning he finally confessed that campaigner and has been part Cup match been under observation by the any charges against him. he went to meet a bookie who of the dressing room for a long against International Cricket Council’s However, when the seamer dropped him close to the hotel time.” Anti-Corruption and Security broke curfew rules and went out and the decision to send him Teams can only usually bring in Australia in Unit (ACSU) for some time. late at night in Brisbane, the team back was taken immediately,” the replacements at a World Cup for Brisbane, in However, the Bangladesh management decided to punish paper wrote. injured players, but the ICC said this February Cricket Board (BCB)’s head of him and send him packing from The paper quoted team man- Bangladesh’s request to call-up 21, 2015 file media, Jalal Yunus, insisted the the World Cup. ager Khaled Mahmud as saying Shafiul had been approved as an photo. only charge of indiscipline against The ‘New Age’ quoted an that Hossain had confessed to his “exceptional circumstance”. Hossain was staying out late at unnamed official as saying that misdemeanour, but did not elab- Bangladesh, who beat night and had nothing to do with Hossain gave three different ver- orate. “He confessed everything Afghanistan in their Pool A any alleged corruption. sions regarding his late-night to me,” Mahmud told the paper. opener, continue their World Cup “The ACSU has told us they outing when questioned by team “If he was simply breaking team campaign against Sri Lanka in have nothing against Hossain, but management. rules he might have got away with Melbourne tomorrow. AFP Khurram eyes Ireland seek to supplement UAE success against Ireland BRISBANE: The United Arab Emirates believe their Pool B match against Ireland West Indies win against UAE in Brisbane today offers them a “wonderful opportunity” of a World Cup win, according to batsman Khurram Khan. Victory over WI will mean nothing if we don’t beat UAE: Kevin O’Brien Both associate or non-Test nations know each other well, having played each other repeat- BRISBANE: Ireland’s Kevin edly in various lower-level O’Brien has warned his side FACTBOX Ireland International Cricket Council their World Cup win over the competitions. West Indies will “mean nothing” Ireland’s The UAE, the only amateur if they don’t see off the United Paul vs UAE side in the tournament, impressed Stirling Arab Emirates in Brisbane Factbox today’s World Cup Pool before going down by four wickets (left) listens today. B match between Ireland and to Zimbabwe first time out while Victory against their fellow to captain the United Arab Emirates in Ireland beat the West Indies by Associate nation would leave the William Brisbane: the same margin – a result no Irish on the brink of the quarter- Porterfield longer classed as an ‘upset’. IRELAND finals after they started the tour- during a Both teams will fancy their Captain: William Porterfield nament with the latest of several training chances at Brisbane’s Gabba World Cup wins over a Test team session Coach: Phil Simmons ground and Khurram said courtesy of a four-wicket triumph ahead of Squad: William Porterfield, Andrew Tuesday: “I think it’s going to be against the West Indies in Nelson their 2015 Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George a very important game, obviously. on February 16. World Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John “They’ll be targeting us. We’ve “It’s gone – as great a result Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Max played lots of games against Cup Pool as it was,” said O’Brien. “Victory Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, them,” added Khurram, who B match over the West Indies mean noth- Gary Wilson, Craig Young. made 45 against Zimbabwe. against the ing if we don’t win on Wednesday Results so far at 2015 World Cup “I think it’s a wonderful oppor- (today).” United Arab tunity because it’s a very impor- Emirates Beat West Indies by four wickets Several members of the Ireland Top performers: Paul Stirling (92 runs), tant game for us as well. So we’re side play for English county teams (UAE) at the definitely targeting this game.” Gabba in Ed Joyce (84 runs), Niall O’Brien (79 runs); and they will look to the likes of George Dockrell (3 wickets). Asked where the team needed Middlesex’s Paul Stirling, who Brisbane, to improve most on their per- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES made 92 against the West Indies, yesterday. formance against Zimbabwe, and Sussex’s Ed Joyce, who scored Captain: Mohammad Tauqir Khurram was clear. 84, to carry on from where they Coach: Aaqib Javed “Definitely I would say in the left off in a match where Somerset Squad: Mohammad Tauqir, Khurram Khan, fielding. We missed three run-out left-arm spinner George Dockrell Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Andri Berenger, chances.” Meanwhile Khurram took three for 50. good batting performances from ago when they needed two or all the more impressive given they Fahad Alhashmi, Manjula Guruge, Kamran insisted the UAE were an ama- Ireland and the UAE have Sean Williams and Craig Ervine three off the last ball but ‘TJ’ are a part-time side made up of Shazad, Krishna Chandran, Mohammad teur side in name only, saying: As met several times in lower-level that got Zimbabwe over the line,” (Trent Johnston) bowled a very mainly expat players from India Naveed, Nasir Aziz, Swapnil Patil, Rohan we’re here, we’ll enjoy our time International Cricket Council O’Brien said. good ball and denied them.” and Pakistan. Mustafa, Saqlain Haider, Shaiman Anwar and be as professional as we can. competitions in recent years “The UAE have some very UAE captain Mohammad Today’s match is another Results so far at 2015 World Cup “Obviously we have jobs back and all-rounder O’Brien was good players. Khurram Khan and Tauqir, reflecting on the chance for both sides to show Lost to Zimbabwe by four wickets home, but once you’re here you impressed by the way the Middle Swapnil Patil are two very good Zimbabwe defeat, said: “We had the strength of international completely forget about the jobs Top performers: Shaiman Anwar (67 runs); East side nearly pulled off an middle-order batsmen and their quite a few positives from the cricket below Test level, with the and what’s behind the scenes. Mohammad Tauqir (2 wickets) upset before losing to Zimbabwe bowlers have improved a lot. They game. The batters batted well and ICC under fire for their plans to We’re here to win as many games by four wickets in their opening have some useful spinners as well. the bowlers did a decent job, but reduce the number of teams at Ireland vs UAE head to head as we can.” The UAE are also Pool B match. “They really pushed “They ran us close in the World it was definitely an opportunity the World Cup from 14 to 10 come First meeting in an official One Day unusual in having two 43-year- Zimbabwe and it was only very T20 qualifiers a couple of years missed.” The UAE’s display was the 2019 edition in England. AFP International. olds in their squad in Khurram and captain Mohammad Tauqir. Not that either man was in a Pakistan’s mood for a birthday party. “We Anderson expects sledging from Aussies stopped celebrating after 40, Ajmal back with actually,” Khurram joked. AUCKLAND: New Zealand on Saturday. That prompted He added the associates needed Worcestershire all-rounder Corey Anderson Australian opener Aaron Finch more matches against higher- admits his players are braced Australia’s to declare the pressure of expec- ranked sides between World LONDON: Pakistan off-spinner for a verbal onslaught from tation will be on New Zealand as Cups, saying it was the only way David Saeed Ajmal will return for a Australia in their blockbuster they will also be playing before a to ensure they made sustained Warner third spell with Worcestershire, World Cup clash in Auckland on packed Eden Park. progress. AFP the English county announced, Saturday. (left) and But Anderson played down the yesterday. The Eden Park duel is likely to Steve pressure hype. “That might be The 37-year-old was recently decide who tops Pool A and plays Smith mind games. It’s the World Cup cleared to bowl again after under- a relatively weaker team from take part and every game is a pressure going remedial work on his action. Pool B in the quarter-finals. in fielding situation. However, he failed to satisfy As a result, Anderson feels the practice at “It’s exciting for us and we look doubts about the legality of his Black Caps will face a charged- the MCG, at it as a positive to come out in deliveries in time for the ongoing up Australia, but insists if the in this front of a packed crowd at Eden World Cup and withdrew from sledging starts, it will be one-way February Park, who hopefully will get stuck Pakistan’s squad for the show- traffic. 13, 2015 into the Aussies.” piece tournament in Australia “Their sledging tactics are file photo. The fast-rising all-rounder and New Zealand. “I am proud to well known now and something smashed a match-winning 75 and be part of Worcestershire County we haven’t involved ourselves in,” took two wickets in New Zealand’s Cricket Club and delighted to be Anderson told reporters. seven-wicket win against Sri coming back for a third spell,” “We’re fairly neutral on the Lanka and then took three more Ajmal said in a club statement. field. We stick to what we do. game day. “You can play these and stick by our blueprint.” New wickets in a lacklustre three- “I’ve had this difficult spell of We’ll be expecting a bit of heat guys without being in the interna- Zealand are in a better position wicket victory against Scotland. my career with my action, but I from them and I guess that’s part tional arena and see what they’re as they have won all their three New Zealand also hammered knew I would come through it and of their game-plan and we’ll just like. They’re not going to be for- games at this World Cup while England by eight wickets in have had the support not only of deal with it as it comes.” eign,” said Anderson, who has yet Australia have not been in action their last game, which Anderson United Arab Emirates (UAE) Pakistan but also Worcestershire Anderson, 24, said that despite to face his trans-Tasman rivals. since their convincing 111-run win believed put the Black Caps in a captain Mohammad Tauqir looks throughout,” said the spinner. the two sides not having com- “They’re our neighbours from against England in the opening winning groove. “We are on a bit up during a training session ahead “Worcestershire have all the pleted a match against each other across the ditch. They don’t have game on February 14. of a roll and it would be nice to of 2015 World Cup Pool B match time stood by me, and I can since the 2011 World Cup when guys who come out of the back Their second game against continue that. But the break will against Ireland at the Gabba assure them I will repay the faith Australia won by seven wickets, of the hand, anything like that. Bangladesh was abandoned have done everybody good so we Stadium in Brisbane, yesterday. they have shown in me.” AFP there will be few surprises come We just have to go about our work due to heavy rain in Brisbane can come back in fresh.” AFP WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Gayle’s double ton sinks Zimbabwe Windies star smashes 215 on record-shattering day, says he was in ‘a lot of pressure’

CANBERRA: Chris Gayle Scoreboard cell phone from fans. I have never smashed the highest ever indi- known so many people wanting vidual World Cup score of WEST INDIES S Williams c Smith b Holder ...... 76 Chris Gayle to do so well.” Gayle’s 215 and his first century in 20 D Smith b Panyangara ...... 0 C Ervine b Gayle ...... 52 record-shattering innings came months as the West Indies flat- C Gayle c Chigumbura b Mazakadza ...... 215 S Matsikenyeri lbw Gayle ...... 19 just days after he was inadvert- tened Zimbabwe on a record- M Samuels (not out) ...... 133 E Chigumbura c Gayle b Taylor ...... 21 ently caught up in an embar- shattering day in Canberra Extras (B-1, LB-2, W-16, NB-5) ...... 24 T Panyangara c Ramdin b Taylor ...... 4 rassing Twitter gaffe committed yesterday. Total (for 2 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 372 T Chatara b Miller...... 16 by West Indies Cricket Board The Caribbean entertainers Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-372. T Kamungozi (not out) ...... 6 (WICB) President Dave Cameron amassed 372 for two after win- Bowling: Panyangara 9-0-82-1 (2nb, 4w); Extras (LB-9, W-14, NB-2) ...... 25 who retweeted a post from a spec- ning the toss and then bowled Chatara 9.4-0-74-0 (2nb); Williams 5-0-48-0 Total (all out in 44.3 overs) ...... 289 tator calling for the batsman to be Zimbabwe out for 289 chasing (1w); Chigumbura 7-0-44-0 (1nb, 6w); Raza Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-26, 3-46, 4-126, pensioned off. a revised 363 to win the rain- 10-1-45-0 (4w); Kamungozi 3-0-37-0; Masa- 5-177, 6-226, 7-239, 8-254, 9-266, 10-289. Gayle’s knock was only the fifth reduced match by 73 runs at kadza 6.2-0-39-1. Bowling: Taylor 10-0-38-3 (5w); Holder 7-0- double century in all ODIs and Manuka Oval. ZIMBABWE 48-3 (1w); Miller 6.3-0-48-1 (2w); Samuels the first by a non-Indian, with Man-of-the-match Gayle, 35, Sikandar Raza c Simmons b Holder ...... 26 9-0-59-1; Russell 5-0-44-0 (2nb, 2w); Sammy Sharma having gone past 200 on clubbed a record-equalling 16 R Chakabva lbw b Holder ...... 2 1-0-8-0; Gayle 6-0-35-2 (2w). two occasions. “I am very happy sixes including three in a row, to H Masakadza lbw b Taylor ...... 5 Result: West Indies won by 73 runs (D/L to get this first double hundred cash in after a huge let-off on the B Taylor c Ramdin b Samuels ...... 37 method). and ever since Rohit got two, I first ball he faced and was even- have been hounded to get one as tually out off the final ball of the well,” said Gayle. innings. Kingston in June 2013. “It’s been Tinashe Panyangara had a Samuels also had a life on 27 Gayle also eclipsed his previous a lot of pressure, the runs haven’t tremendous opening over, bowl- when he was put down by Tendai highest One Day International been coming and this is the first ing Smith second ball and then Chatara at backward point off knock of 153 not out against time ever in my career,” said looking most unlucky not to get Sikandar Raza just before drinks Zimbabwe in 2003. Gayle during the mid-innings Gayle out leg before wicket with and the West Indies were 73 for Records tumbled as Gayle, who break. “So many people wanted his fourth delivery after a review. one. also went past 9,000 ODI runs, me to score runs and the mes- Replays showed the ball hitting Gayle was caught by Raza off a bettered South African Gary sages kept coming in on Twitter Gayle’s pads and he was initially no-ball by Panyangara on 121 in Kirsten’s previous highest World and in the end I am glad to have given not out by umpire Steve the 39th over as things continued Cup score of 188 not out against given them something to actually Davis, only for Zimbabwe to seek to go his way. the UAE in Rawalpindi in 1996. cheer about,” he added after his a referral. But off the last ball of the Only India’s Rohit Sharma with 22nd century in 226 ODIs. The TV umpire ruled umpire’s innings, Gayle was out after he 264 and Virender Sehwag (219) Gayle turned around the West call, adjudicating the ball was skied a catch to Zimbabwe skip- have scored more runs than the Indies innings with Samuels after going over the stumps, but Gayle per Elton Chigumbura. In total, explosive West Indian left-hander the second-ball dismissal of fellow looked fortunate to still be at the he faced 147 balls with 10 fours in an ODI innings. opener Dwayne Smith. crease. and 16 sixes. Gayle’s 372-run partnership Samuels innings was compara- “It was scary the first ball, it Zimbabwe never looked like with Marlon Samuels (133 not tively more sedate compared to was like ‘come on, you’re not seri- getting near the huge West out) was also an all-time ODI Gayle’s whirlwind knock, his 133 ous, you can’t be out first ball,’” Indian target, reduced by a rain record. The 35-year-old Gayle’s not out coming off 156 balls with Gayle said. break to 363 off 48 overs, with double-century came off just 138 11 fours and three sixes. “I needed a chance and I got a Sean Williams top-scoring with West Indies’ star Chris Gayle celebrates his double century during the balls and this innings was his But it could have all been dif- break and I made best use of it. 76 off 61 balls and Jason Holder 2015 World Cup Pool B match against Zimbabwe at the Manuka Oval in first three-figure score since he ferent had Gayle not survived a “I was under pressure to score and Jerome Taylor taking three Canberra, yesterday. made 109 against Sri Lanka at very contentious review in his runs, and I kept getting mes- wickets each and Gayle claiming his Sabina Park home ground favour off the first ball he faced. sages from Twitter and on my two wickets. AFP Gayle Double Century Rewrites Record Books CANBERRA: Chris Gayle’s stunning innings of 215 in a West Indies total of 372 for two in a World Cup Pool B match against Chappell-Hadlee trophy at stake Zimbabwe at Canberra’s Manuka Oval yesterday was a statisti- cian’s delight. Below The Peninsula picks out the landmark numbers from a match the West Indies eventually won by 73 runs on the Duckworth/ in Australia-New Zealand clash Lewis method. 372 - The second-wicket stand shared by Gayle (215) and Marlon Samuels (133 not out), AUCKLAND: Australia and after Dwayne Smith was dismissed for a duck, was a new record for any One Day International New Zealand will not only vie partnership, surpassing the 331 shared by India’s Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar against for top spot in Pool A of the New Zealand at Hyderabad (Deccan) in 1999. World Cup when they clash 215 - Gayle’s innings was the first double century at the World Cup and beat the tournament’s in Auckland on Saturday, but previous highest individual score of 188 not by South Africa’s Gary Kirsten against the United the winner will also lift the Arab Emirates at Rawalpindi in 1996. Chappell-Hadlee trophy, it was 138 - The number of balls Gayle faced as he scored the quickest ODI double century. announced yesterday. 16 - The number of sixes Gayle struck equalled the most for an individual ODI innings shared by If there was not enough hype South Africa’s AB de Villiers and India’s Rohit Sharma. around this weekend’s clash 5 - The number of double centuries now scored in the 3,612 match history of ODI cricket, with between the World Cup co-hosts, Gayle’s the first by a non-Indian batsman after Rohit Sharma (two), Virender Sehwag and Sachin New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Tendulkar. announced the Chappell-Hadlee trophy, contested by the two 3 - Gayle’s was the third-highest ODI innings behind Sharma’s 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata nations since 2004, would be up in 2014 and Sehwag’s 219 against the West Indies in Indore in 2011. for grabs. 3 - The West Indies total of 372 for two was the third-highest by one Test nation against another Australia currently hold the at the World Cup following Australia’s 377 for six against South Africa at Basseterre in 2007 and trophy by virtue of their win over India’s 373 for six against Sri Lanka at Taunton in 1999. New Zealand in a 2011 World Cup 2 - Gayle, who took two for 35 with his off-spin when Zimbabwe batted, is the only player to have match held in Nagpur, India. scored 150 or more runs and taken two wickets in the same ODI. He made 153 not out and took Remarkably, the trans-Tasman two for 21 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2003. rivals have not met in a one-day 1 - Gayle is now also the first man to score a double century and take two wickets in the same series since then. ODI. The only Australia-New Zealand ODI match in the inter- vening four years was a rain- marred no result at Edgbaston SL, Bangladesh battle injuries during the 2013 Champions Sri Lanka bowler Trophy in England. Jeevan Mendis But now two of the leading con- prepares to bowl tenders to lift the World Cup tro- phy will meet for another piece of during the Pool A silverware in front of what is set 2015 World Cup to be a packed Eden Park. against Afghanistan “The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy at University Oval brings to mind the rich history of in Dunedin, in this New Zealand’s team members celebrate after their 98-run win over Sri Lanka in their first match of the World New Zealand-Australia one-day Cup in Christchurch, in this February 14, 2015 file photo. New Zealand will meet Australia on Saturday. February 22 file contests and two of the families photo. Mendis who played such prominent roles has a hamstring in the early rivalry,” said NZC looking into ways in which the schedule to see what options brothers, Ian, Greg and Trevor, injury that could chief executive David White in a Australia and New Zealand could we have for playing each other all playing cricket for Australia – be serious enough statement. “Having it contested play more one-dayers against one in One-Day Internationals on a and the Hadlee family, with father to rule him out alongside such an important fix- another. “We are due to play Test more regular basis in the future.” Walter and his three sons Barry, of the rest of the ture as an ICC Cricket World cricket against each other next The trophy is named after the Dayle and Richard all represent- tournament, said Cup 2015 match only reflects its summer and we are examining Chappell family – with three ing New Zealand. AFP a Sri Lanka team significance for both Australians source. Meanwhile, and New Zealanders.” Mushfiqur Rahim, Cricket Australia chief execu- tive James Sutherland added: PCB recalls Moin over casino visit the former “The trophy is named after two Bangladesh of our great cricketing fami- KARACHI: Pakistan’s chief reporters in Lahore yesterday. on to be marred by controversy. captain, is also lies and so to have it at stake in selector Moin Khan has been “We probed the matter and Moin Eight players were fined for a suffering from this highly anticipated match is sent home from the World Cup admitted he went to a casino in late night out while, according injury. He was hit entirely appropriate. in Australia and New Zealand Christchurch but said he had gone to media reports, fielding coach on the right thumb “Australia and New Zealand after the former test captain there with friends to have din- Grant Luden has complained by a ball from are two of the most in-form sides visited a casino before the ner. We have told him he should about the behaviour of some of team-mate Taskin in world cricket at the moment match against West Indies. return until we further probe the the senior players. Ahmed during and matches between us have Shaharyar Khan, chairman matter. The PCB and the squad have yesterday’s net invariably produced excitement of the Pakistan Cricket Board “Manager Naved Cheema will come under attack after losing session at the MCG and drama. (PCB), said Moin behaved inap- now chair the tour selection the first two matches to fierce and was taken “I do not expect Saturday’s propriately at a time when the committee with captain Misbah- rivals India and West Indies, and for precautionary action to be any different and I team were not doing well. ul-Haq and head coach Waqar also losing a one-day series in x-rays. Both teams think everyone is looking forward “His return will not make a dif- Younis,” said Khan. New Zealand. The defeats have will clash at the to the match-up between two ference to the team’s performance Moin was removed as manager increased calls for the board MCG tomorrow. attack-minded sides.” as he was not part of the official before the start of the tournament and management to be changed. Sutherland said officials were World Cup squad,” Khan told and Pakistan’s campaign has gone REUTERS WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Horseracing Results P/A Maiden Plate 2000M Conditions: Colts & Geldings to carry 58kg, Fillies & Mares 56kg. Less WFA allowances. Running Time: 2:13:91 1st 57000.00 2nd 22000.00 3rd 11000.00 4th 6000.00 5th 4000.00 Read under as horse, trainer and jockey Rasi, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Kampanule De Ghazal, J. Smart, R. Mullen Bint Al Akaber, K. Al Ahmed, Liam Jones P/A Conditions - Fegentri Lady Riders 1400M Conditions: Open to all P/A WINNERS aged 4 years and over 1st 57000.00 2nd 22000.00 3rd 11000.00 4th 6000.00 5th 4000.00 Hariir, J. Smart, Dina Heggum Harran, J. Smart, Alice Bertiaux Shaklan, M. Al Ramzani, Azhar Al Wardi Thoroughbred Graduation Plate 2000M Horses charge towards the finish line during a race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) in Doha yesterday. Conditions: For Maidens, One & Two time winners Running Time: 2:03:68 1st 57000.00 2nd 22000.00 3rd 11000.00 4th 6000.00 Roi De Vitesse thunders to 5th 4000.00 Charlie’s Wish, S. Ibido, Marco Monteriso Damascene, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Capitan Jack, R. Al Jehani, Darren Williams P/A Handicap Rated 0 - 60 1400M Qatar 2022 Cup victory Conditions: 4 Year olds Rated 67 & BELOW may enter Running Time: 1:33:59 De Vries wins QR1m race; Bentley-Al Ghazali duo also has good day 1st 57000.00 2nd 22000.00 BY RIZWAN REHMAT 3rd 11000.00 4th 6000.00 5th 4000.00 DOHA: Roi De Vitesse relied West De Faust, M. Hussain, Marco Monteriso on an explosive late surge to win the Qatar 2022 Cup after Dutch Al Taweel, I. Al Malki, Alberto Sanna jockey Adrie De Vries posted Muhim, Jassim Al Ghazali, Yanis Aouabed one of his memorable victo- Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 55 -75 ries at the Qatar Racing and 1600M Equestrian Club (QREC) here Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 72 - 92 may yesterday. enter Trailing My Sharona — rid- Running Time: 1:36:58 den by J P Guillambert — and 1st 57000.00 Izzthatright — which had Harry Bentley in the saddle — Roi De 2nd 22000.00 Vitesse produced explosive lung 3rd 11000.00 power to storm towards the win- 4th 6000.00 ning post in the QR1m race. 5th 4000.00 Popularly known as the “Flying Sherston, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Dutchman”, De Vries cut into Substantiate, Jassim Al Ghazali, R. Mullen from the outside to first go past Go For Broke, H Al Jehani, W. J Lee My Sharona and then slipped past Izzthatright to break hearts in Today’s Schedule Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 75 - 95 trainer Jassim Al Ghazali’s camp, 1850M The Roi De Vitesse team Qatar International Day which celebrated four first-place Conditions: 3 Year Olds Rated 94 - 114 may poses on the podium with the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate 1400: 1Pm finishes earlier in the day. enter Chairman of the Qatar Racing Roi De Vitesse, trained by Ali Thoroughbred Conditions – Fegentri Lady Riders Running Time: 1:51:86 and Equestrian Club (QREC), 1200: 1.30pm Janm, clocked a time of 1:10:90 as 1st 57000.00 Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh P/A Graduation Plate 1600: 2.05pm De Vries celebrated his win with 2nd 22000.00 a huge smile on his face. Al Thani, after winning the Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 55 – 75 1200: 3rd 11000.00 “I don’t know how I did it,” De Qatar 2022 Cup yesterday. 2.35pm 4th 6000.00 Vries said. “I will have to look at RIGHT: QREC Chairman Sheikh Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 60 – 80 1400: the photo-finish, I guess. I think Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani 3.10pm 5th 4000.00 I will definitely have a look at the presents a trophy to Dutch Thoroughbred Handicap Rated 70 – 90 1600: Upholland, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley replay,” the Dutch rider said. jockey Adrie De Vries (left) 3.45pm Pupil, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon “I can’t believe I won. The horse after the Qatar 2022 Cup race P/A Conditions 1200: 4.20pm Hymenaios, Jassim Al Ghazali, R. Mullen found that extra edge at the end yesterday. Qatar International Cup (Gr 2) 1600: 5pm Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap and managed to go past the win- Qatar International Trophy (Gr 1 PA) 1600: Rated 80 - 100 ning post. I am so happy. It was 2400M unbelievable that my horse man- 5.30pm Running Time: 2:31:66 aged to get out of the pack at the billing yesterday by winning the stud-owned Al Mujahaz warded de l’Arc de Triomphe, said after Minutes after his first win of right time. Gulf Cup after a tense battle with off a tense challenge from Refaal winning the race with a time the day, Marco Monteriso made 1st 85500.00 “I don’t know how he did it,” Refaal as Bentley thrilled the Al — ridden by Richard Mullen — to of 2:31:66. Third-placed Double it two wins out of two races as he 2nd 33000.00 De Vries said. Ghazali camp for the fourth time seal yet another impressive win Look — trained by Mohammed rode West De Faust to victory in 3rd 16500.00 Roi De Vitesse’s brave effort in the day. when it mattered. Al Yaqout and ridden by Italian the 1400m run. 4th 9000.00 saw the end of an incredible One of the best Arabian horses Maazouz — ridden by Gerald racing legend Frankie Dettori Trained by M Hussain, West 5th 6000.00 run of form for Bentley and Al in the region, Al Mujahaz pro- Avranche — finished in the third — failed to impress as the four- De Faust left it really late as the Mudhish, A. de Mieulle, O.Peslier Ghazali, who combined beautifully duced his 10th win in 19 starts to spot leaving Bentley plenty to year-old finished three-and-a-half five-year-old sailed past Al Taweel Edith Cowan, I. Al Malki, Gary Carter to nail four victories, including in take the 1600m race with a time smile about. lengths behind Mudhish. and Muhim for victory. the Gulf Cup race. of 1:44:80. “Yeah, Jassim has done a great Earlier in race six, Upholland, In race three, Charlie’s Wish Double Look, M. Al Yaqout, L. Dettori Al Mujahaz lived up to his high Ridden by Bentley, Injaaz job with him,” Bentley said after ridden by Bentley, was stretched produced a late surge with jockey Gulf Cup the race. “He’s found his form and by Pupil in the 1,850m race as Monteriso to nail the win ahead 1600M rhythm and to get back into form popular trainer Al Ghazali cel- of Damascene and Capitan Jack. Conditions: For GCC Bred Arabians Only – Four is special,” the popular British ebrate win number three at a Trained by S Ibido, Charlie’s Year Olds and over jockey said. sun-bathed QREC. Wish exhibited great lung power Running Time: 1:44:80 “It is a dream to get four wins Owned by Al Ghazali and Sona, to nail the win with a time of 1st 285000.00 on the opening day of the festival. Upholland clocked a time of 1:51:86 2:03.61. Damascene — ridden by 2nd 110000.00 I call it a fantastic start. I’ve had to complete Al Ghazali’s 101st win Stephan Ladjadj — finished two a great start to this week. I defi- of the season as the four-year-old lengths behind Charlie’s Wish. 3rd 55000.00 nitely got a great chance to get topped the 16-entry race. In race two, Harir mounted a 4th 30000.00 more,” Bentley said. Pupil — ridden by Gaetan late surge past Harran to nail the 5th 20000.00 Mudhish, ridden by the expe- Faucon — finished second while win in the 1400m turf race. Harir, Al Mujahaz, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley rienced Oliveir Peslier, defied the Hymenaios, who had Mullen in ridden by Dina Heggum, initially Raedah, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon odds by beating Edith Cowan and the saddle, ended in the third went on the outside of Harran Maazouz, Majid Safedeen, Gerald Avranche Double Look to grab the hon- spot. but then quickly switched to the Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup (Gr 3) ours in the Irish Thoroughbred In race five, popular trainer Al inside to complete an easy win. Marketing race. Gahzali teamed up with Bentley Harir clocked a time of 1:31.93 1200M Trained by A de Mieulle, to celebrate his 100th win of the to complete win by a margin of Conditions: THOROUGHBREDS - 3 Years Olds Mudhish made it look easy season when Sherston topped the three lengths. Shaklan — ridden and Older though Edith Cowan — ridden field ahead of Substantiate and Go by Azhar Al Wardi — was third. Running Time: 1:10:90 by Gary Carter — provided stiff For Broke. Earlier, Al Ghazali and Bentley 1st 570000.00 resistance but couldn’t hold out in Bentley rode Sherston with kicked off proceedings with a con- 2nd 220000.00 the 2400m marathon as the Umm remarkable ease to complete his vincing win with Rasi. 3rd 110000.00 Qarn-owned four-year-old won by win ahead of Substantiate, ridden Rasi finished the 2000m race 4th 60000.00 three lengths. by Mullen, and Go For Broke, who ahead of Kampanule De Ghazal, “It’s a nice horse. It starts slow. had William Lee in the saddle. trained by Julian Smart and rid- 5th 40000.00 Roi De Vitesse, Ali Jan, Adrie De Vries British jockey Harry Bentley (left) receives an award at the QREC in Doha The track was good today. They Sherston clocked a time of 1.36.82 den by Mullen. Bint Al Akaber, Izzthatright, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley yesterday. have watered it well,” Peslier, and finished three lengths ahead ridden by Liam Jones, was third. the four-time winner of the Prix of Substantiate. THE PENINSULA My Sharona, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Fegentri Lady Riders at QREC

Riders, who took part in the Fegentri Lady Riders race, pose for a picture at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. RIGHT: Jockey J Smart rides Hariir, the Dina Heggum- trained horse, to victory at QREC yesterday. Jankovic advances with easy win Former world no.1 to take on Kvitova today, Sania ahead in doubles at Qatar Open

DOHA: Former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia Djokovic begins yesterday crushed China’s Saisai Zheng to sail into round bid for 50th title of Qatar Total Open where she will meet top seed Petra Kvitova DUBAI: Novak Djokovic of the Czech Republic today. returned to the tour after his Jankovic, winner of 13 WTA Sania Mirza (left) of India and historic triumph in Melbourne Tour titles, won 6-0, 6-2 in 96 Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese by beginning a bid for his 50th minutes for her first-round win. Taipei in action during their title with a surprisingly test- Twenty-nine-year-old Jankovic doubles match of the Qatar ing 6-4, 6-4 win over Canadian will meet Kvitova in their second- Open at Khalifa International Vacek Pospisil. round clash at Khalifa Tennis Tennis and Squash Complex The world number one was Complex today. in Doha yesterday. Mirza and twice within a point of going 2-4 Also yesterday, sixth seed Hsieh beat Spanish duo of down in the second set against Andrea Petkovic of Germany Anabel Medina Garrigues an opponent, ranked world 63, rallied from a set down to beat and Arantxa Parra Santonja who hit freely, motivated by the Belgium’s Kirsten Flipkens in chance of troubling someone 6-2, 6-1. three sets. who last month became the first BOTTOM: Andrea Petkovic Petkovic won 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in 2 man of the open era to win the hours 16 minutes. of Germany returns the Australian Open five times. Petkovic said her performance ball to Belgium’s Kirsten Djokovic also hopes to win his in the last two sets helped her win Flipkens. Petkovic won 6-7, fifth title at the Dubai Open, the match 6-3, 6-2. which would put him just one “Well, I think I played really behind Roger Federer’s record, well in the third set. I played well and may ultimately benefit from in the second,” Petkovi said. the difficulties which Pospisil “But Kirsten is not a great boldly imposed on him. match-up for me,” she added. It was not till the ninth game “I always struggle against her. I that Djokovic could break serve, don’t necessarily like the players and only then with the help of that change the rhythm a lot and Pospisil double fault, and when they play a lot of slices. Kvitova, the former Wimbledon Djokovic broke early in the sec- “I always struggle with those champion, is aiming for the top ond set, Pospisil broke back players and I always struggle with prize of $124,000 at the seven-day immediately. Kirsten. And I think she played event that started on Monday. He did that with a dashing really well, especially in the first Also on court will be former combination of attacks with had set. world number Caroline Wozniacki even the champion applauding. “I’m just very happy to get of Denmark who is the fifth seed But Djokovic knew how to win. through. I was able to step up my at the event. “I just stayed mentally tough game in second and third set,” the Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska and stayed in the rallies. Once I German added. - seeded eight in Doha - will got into the rallies I had better The sixth seed said playing con- also take to the Centre Court at chance. ditions had improved after three- Khalifa Tennis Complex where “He’s a very flashy player and four days of flying dust. the event ends on Saturday - the serves well, and when there was a “Actually today it was pretty day of the final. 15 percent drop in his first serve good with the wind. Yesterday The Qatar Total Open offers I knew I had a better chance. I (Monday) and days before, it was 470 ranking points to the win- think that decided the match.” very windy and it was difficult to ner while the losing finalist gets Djokovic has more than half an serve,” Petkovic said. richer by $66,400 and accumu- eye on the French Open, the only “But today I felt really good lates 305 ranking points. Grand Slam title he has never on my serve and I think I served The losing finalists in Doha won, even at this stage, three really well. So that was nice to take home $35,465 and 185 points months before it begins. play in. I thought timing was each. The losing quarter-finalists AFP really good for me the time of day, get $19,065 and 100 ranking points because it was really nice to play. each. THE PENINSULA “It wasn’t as cold. It was beauti- Dubai Open ful. The centre court looks really Dubai: Results from the ATP Dubai Open yes- nice. It was a pleasure to play, Qatar Open Federer’s plan to recover terday (x denotes seeding): definitely,” she added. First Round Unseeded Karolina Pliskova of Doha: Results from the second day of the WTA Novak Djokovic (SRBx1) bt the Czech Republic also moved Qatar Open yesterday (x denotes seeding): Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-4, 6-4 into round two with a win against from Australian setback Tomas Berdych (CZE x4) bt 1st round Swiss qualifier Steffanie Voegele. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) bt Jeremy Chardy (FRA) 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 Pliskova, who has bagged three DUBAI: Roger Federer has - a game plan, a tournament plan, time for practice, and I knew Saisai Zheng (CHN) 6-0, 6-2 Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt titles so far in her young career, devised a plan to help him and a short-term psychological plan. that I was hoping to come back Lukas Rosol (CZE) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 posted a 7-6, 6-4 win. Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt recover from his Australian The last, already completed, is the stronger. Marsel Ilhan (TUR) bt There was good news for fans Ons Jabeur (TUN) 6-3, 6-2 Open shock last month, a third most surprising. It caused Federer “That’s the (immediate) goal Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) of veteran Indian ace Sania Mirza Karolina Pliskova (CZE) bt round setback which had doom- to deal with the Melbourne defeat after a loss like that. All you do Simone Bolelli (ITA) bt who teamed up with Su-Wei Hsieh Stefanie Vogele (SUI) 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 mongers claiming the game’s by Andreas Seppi, an Italian outside is think how to bounce back as Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-3, 6-3 of Chinese Taipei to sail into the greatest would never win a the world’s top 30, by celebrating it. quick as possible and as strong as Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x9) bt Garbine Feliciano Lopez (ESP) bt next round in the doubles. major title again. “That night I had Champagne possible. I’ve actually been playing James Ward (GBR) 6-4, 6-4 Mirza and Hsieh beat Spanish Muguruza (ESP) 6-5 retired “The body needed some heal- with my team and said ‘this is very well in the last six months.” Borna Coric (CRO) bt duo Anabel Medina Garrigues Andrea Petkovic (GER x6) bt Kirsten Flipkens ing and the mind needed some thanks to Seppi - I got like nine During that time Federer Malek Jaziri (TUN) 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2, (BEL) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 refreshing,” the 33-year-old Grand more days off!’” Federer said. has come close to winning a Roberto Bautista (ESP x7) bt 6-1 in just 50 minutes. Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Slam record-holder admitted after “It gave me more time off, so I Wimbledon final against Novak Dominic Thiem (AUT) 6-3, 6-2 Top seed Kvitova of the Czech Daria Gavrilova (RUS) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 returning to the tour at the Dubai was actually thankful to Seppi!” Djokovic, and ended 2014 strongly Andy Murray (GBRx3) bt Republic takes to the court today Open with a reassuring 6-3, 6-1 win Federer added. as world number two after beat- Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-4, 7-5 for her first match at the 2015 Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) bt over Mikhail Youzhny. “So that’s how I see it. Nine ing Djokovic in the Shanghai final. Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) bt Qatar Total Open. Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 There are three main ingredients more days off allowed me more AFP David Goffin (BEL x8) 6-2, 7-5