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Swaziland King in Doha Ten more die Eateries cheat of MERS in Saudi Arabia by serving RIYADH: Saudi Arabia con- firmed 26 more cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has killed nearly a third of sufferers, and cheap fish said 10 more people have died from the disease. The confirmations fol- CPD launches crackdown low Egypt’s announcement on Saturday that it had confirmed DOHA: N ext time you sit for rights watchdog added. its first case of MERS in a man a meal at your favourite restau- Eating joints are required to who had recently returned to the rant and order fish, be careful: provide correct product informa- country from Riyadh, where he It could be a cheap variety being tion to customers according to the was working. Saudi Arabia, where passed off as an expensive one law (Consumer Protection Law, MERS was discovered around at your expense. Number 8 of 2008), and cheating two years ago and which remains The state consumer rights is a punishable offence. the country most affected, has watchdog says its inspectors The names of erring eateries now had 339 confirmed cases of have found many eateries across are to be announced in newspa- MERS, of which 102 have been the country that try to pass off pers and they are to be temporar- fatal. REUTERS cheaper variety of fish as the ily closed as punishment. more expensive type. Eateries must also store fish “We have taken legal action and other seafood items properly Rebels free one against many erring eateries and each variety must be stored (and ordered temporary closure separately, said the CPD. Ukraine monitor of many, depending on the inten- “We are launching a massive The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada with King Mswati III of Swaziland sity of violations),” a press state- crackdown on eateries to combat KUALA LUMPUR: Pro- who arrived yesterday on an official visit to Qatar. ment issued by the Consumer irregularities and cheating.” Russian rebels paraded Protection Department (CPD) Community sources, mean- European monitors they are said. The CPD, which is part of while, claim that many Asian res- holding in eastern Ukraine the Ministry of Economy and taurants try to pass off cheap fish yesterday, freeing one but say- Commerce, has hinted in the as king fish at customers’ expense. ing they had no plans to release release that it is too common a “This is the dirty secret of the another seven as the United practice with the eateries in the local food industry. It’s too com- 235 in the fray for school panel States and Europe prepared country. The Ministry, according mon a phenomenon,” a commu- new sanctions against Moscow. to the release, has intensified its nity source told this newspaper. DOHA: Some 235 teachers, coordinators and administrative problems and challenges faced by US President Barack Obama crackdown on restaurants of all Some restaurants try to pass coordinators and administra- staff members in more than a 170 academic and administrative staff called for the US and Europe to types, with an increasing number off cheaper fish as hamour, which tive staff members are seek- Independent Schools. of Independent Schools. join forces to impose stronger of CPD inspectors now on the is quite popular with cash-rich ing election to an 18-member The election being conducted The panel will also be author- measures on Moscow. The White prowl. The owners of violating Qataris, and the CPD has in the Consultative Committee for online is taking place over three ised to discuss policies and pro- House said it will add names eateries, and not workers, are to recent past actually caught one Independent Schools. days. Some voters, according to grammes aimed at improving today of people close to President be directly held responsible for restaurant doing this. Many of those in the fray are Al Sharq, are facing problems in the performance of teachers and Vladimir Putin and firms they the crime, the CPD said. Official information suggests non-Qatari as three of the 18 casting their ballot due to techni- non-teaching staff of Independent control to a list of Russians hit Violators face a jail term of that of an estimated 16,000 tonnes members of the Consultative cal glitches in the electronic vot- Schools and make suggestions by sanctions over Ukraine, and up to two years or a fine of up of fish produced in the country Committee need to be foreigners ing system. to the Supreme Education also impose new restrictions on to a million riyals or both. “We last year, 16.2pc was sheri, 13.8 pc in keeping with the law. The Consultative Committee Council (SEC) to influence its high tech exports. are determined to deal strictly mackerel fish and 7.1pc humour. There are a total of 14,000 will, obviously, have no execu- decision-making. REUTERS with the violators,” the consumer THE PENINSULA teachers, assistant teachers, tive powers, and will highlight THE PENINSULA See also page 8 MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME EAC enrols over 2m Out of School kids Doha to host high level ministerial meeting

BY FAZEENA SALEEM providing resources and support action to reduce the number of efforts around the globe that children worldwide who are miss- DOHA: Educate A Child (EAC), provide quality primary educa- ing their fundamental right to edu- a Qatari initiative to reach mar- tion. EAC also works with gov- cation. “This meeting is crucial, we ginalised children, has enrolled ernments and non-governmental have to pass through this to reach more than two million Out Of organisations as partners in coun- 10 million children,” said Barbosa. School children in primary edu- tries to prioritise the importance The high level meeting will cation programmes in 24 coun- of addressing the Out Of School bring together education ministers tries, a senior official said. children issue. and delegations from EAC prior- The initiative launched in 2012 Qatar supports 35 percent of ity countries including Algeria, has co-funded 44 projects in the cost of each project in every Angola, Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and country and 45 percent of it is Comoros, Democratic Republic South America and aims to reach contributed by partners in the of Congo, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, more countries and 10 million programme, said Marcio Barbosa, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines, FROM LEFT. Dr Mary Joy Pigozzi, Managing Director of Educate A Child (EAC), Fahad Al Sulaiti, Deputy CEO, children by end of the 2015/2016 CEO of Education Above All, South Africa, Tanzania, Yemen and Marcio Barbosa, CEO of Education Above All during the roundtable of the Second Educate a Child (EAC) at school year. speaking at a press conference held and Zanzibar. Qatar Foundation in Education City, yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP EAC is a global programme of yesterday at the Education City. The high-level ministerial the Education Above All, an ini- As a step to reach its goal, EAC meeting will see attendance from partner countries. A number of solutions available now that have association with EAC. tiative of H H Sheikha Moza bint will hold a high level meeting in countries that are presently not Qatari authorities and entities, been successful in reaching Out Of “We want to inspire countries Nasser, working to address the Doha with education ministers working with EAC but need to some existing partners of EAC, School children. It is our hope that to take up the best ideas and reasons that keep at least 57 mil- and policy makers from 15 coun- address prevailing challenges to will also attend the meeting. through this meeting, EAC can implement them where needed, lion children worldwide from their tries which have high number of bring children into the primary Dr Mary Joy Pigozzi, Managing help support, sustain and scale thereby ensuring that children right to quality primary education. Out Of School children. education system and help them Director, EAC, said: “This high- efforts in these countries as well everywhere have access to qual- The programme supports suc- The meeting will discuss sus- to implement ideas that have level meeting is an unique oppor- as provide models and insights ity primary education,” she added. cessful initiatives on the ground, tainable measures to accelerate been successful with other EAC tunity for highlighting innovative for those that are beginning their THE PENINSULA Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute to be established

DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation has and methodologies, focusing on patient safety its patients and its ongoing leadership and vision announced a plan to launch the Hamad and reviewing how teams can work together in the field of healthcare improvement of Qatar. Healthcare Quality Institute in Qatar. to improve the quality of care. It will cement This was demonstrated yesterday when The new institute will focus on healthcare HMC’s position at the forefront of healthcare HMC Managing Director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari improvement in Qatar, working closely with the improvement in Qatar and will build upon work and President and CEO for the Institute for Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) - which is already under way by Hamad’s Centre Healthcare Improvement, Maureen Bisognano, the leading organisation for healthcare improve- for Healthcare Improvement (CHI) and other signed a memorandum of understanding paving ment worldwide. teams which are proactively working to improve the way for the establishment of the new insti- The announcement was made during day two the quality of care across the organisation. tute during the Middle East Forum. of the second Middle East Forum on Quality and The Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute will “Hamad Medical Corporation is leading the Safety in Healthcare. The forum is the leading include a number of divisions spanning a range way in healthcare improvement across Qatar conference on healthcare improvement in the of priority areas in the healthcare improvement and the Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute Middle East and is visited by healthcare experts field. These will include: Health research, inno- will continue to progress our mission of provid- from across the globe. vation and improvement, implementation and ing world class healthcare. We are delighted to The Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute knowledge transfer and education. be playing such a major role in innovation and Officials pose for a group picture at the forum. builds on Hamad’s partnership with the IHI in These plans to establish new services and solu- safety in healthcare,” said Al Kuwari. helping to share international best practice tools tions highlight HMC’s continued commitment to THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Qatar Airways adds East West Corridor project work begins extra benefit to its mobile application Expressway in south Doha to connect new Orbital Highway to Hamad International Airport DOHA: Qatar Airways yes- terday said that it has added DOHA: The Public Works an extra benefit to its mobile Authority (Ashghal) has started application, with the addition work on a new expressway of a dedicated Privilege Club project, the East West Corridor function. in south Doha that will connect The new functionality, which the new Orbital Highway to the comes on the back of the success- Hamad International Airport ful launch of the Qatar Airways and provide strategic links with mobile application last year, ena- the southern part of the city. bles passenger’s lives to be con- The nearly 22km dual carriage- nected to their full and detailed way will feature five lanes in each Privilege Club membership infor- direction stretching from west mation, at the touch of a button. of Barwa City to Al Matar (Old This fully integrated applica- Airport) street, south of the Air tion will now enable customers to Force Roundabout. check their benefits and activi- Preliminary works including ties, use the Qcalculator to cal- temporary fencing and debris culate Qmiles that can be earned clearance have been going on at or required for redemption, claim the project sites. The project is any missing Qmiles, cancel any being executed by two contrac- pending award bookings, while tors Joannou & Paraskevaides also receiving tailored offers to (Overseas) Limited/J&P–Avax meet their individual needs. SA (JV) and China Harbour “We continually look for ways Engineering Company, Ashghal to bring new and exciting serv- said yesterday. ices to our customers. Mobility is The East West Corridor increasingly important in a world includes eight grade separated where people may have to change interchanges that will provide or adapt their travel plans at the new access to key roads and resi- last moment. Our mobile applica- dential areas such as Al Matar tion not only allows passengers to street, Najma street extension, have all their flight information in Barwa access road and new Al the palm of their hand, but now Wakrah bypass. enables Privilege Club members The project will include the access to a whole new level of upgrade and relocation of utilities, five-star service,” said Akbar Al new road lighting, installation of Baker, Chief Executive Officer, an Intelligent Transport System Qatar Airways. and rain water drainage. The new expressway project work in progress. This new line of service allows It will see the installation of the Doha-based carrier to 2,842 metres of drainage line and Ashghal said it had set manda- Interchange: Two-level inter- interchange with East Industrial Najma Street Extension enhance its five-star passenger over 140,000 metres of irrigation tory standards for workers’ wel- change with East Industrial Road Road at grade and Al Aziziya Interchange: Two-level over service with value added benefits, lines across the project. Interfaces fare and regular inspections are at grade and West Industrial Extension as flyover. bridge interchange with East as passengers can already search with metro rail will be accom- being conducted to ensure compli- Street as flyover connecting the Barwa Access Road Interchange: Industrial Road at grade and for, book flights and check their modated in the project to allow ance. It will implement an inte- New Industrial area with the Two-level modified semi-direc- Najma Street Extension as flyover. flight status, while following any a future long distance rail corri- grated programme for updating planned Qatar Logistics Village. tional interchange with East New Industrial Area Road relevant travel alerts. dor. More than 6,000 street lights local communities on construc- East Industrial Street Industrial Road at grade and Interchange: Two-level inter- Passengers can download the will be installed on the East West tion works. It will distribute flyers Interchange: Two-level semi- Barwa Access Road as flyover mov- change with East Industrial Road application from their respec- Corridor. in both Arabic and English to all directional interchange with ing from Barwa city to the south. at grade and New Industrial Area tive app stores or by visiting Approximately 600 trees are to residents and business owners in East Industrial Road at grade Al Wakrah Bypass Interchange: Road as flyover connecting the qatarairways.com/mobile and be moved from the construction the vicinity of the construction and East Industrial Street as Connecting Wakrah bypass with New Industrial area with a newly following the links to the iPhone, site and replanted in other loca- area. A dedicated 24-hour com- flyover, providing better connec- 22 February Street. This will be a planned logistics area. BlackBerry or Android smart- tions determined by the munici- plaints and enquiries line will be tivity between the Industrial area four-level all directional four-leg Al Matar Street Interchange: phone app stores. Customers palities concerned. The project created offering information in and the New Orbital Highway and interchange with the East West Two-level interchange with East who have already downloaded will include over 500,000 square Arabic and English. The eight Truck Route, connecting it with Corridor’s main line dropped to Industrial Road at grade and Al the application will automatically metres of landscaping with over interchanges in the East West the New Doha Port. grade-1 to allow free flowing traf- Matar Street as flyover connect- receive an update with the added 3,000 trees, 128,000 shrubs and Corridor are the following: Al Aziziya Extension fic, and Al-Wakrah bypass as a ing Al Wakrah to downtown. Privilege Club functionality. 140,000 square metres of grass. West Industrial Street Interchange: Two-level bridge at grade level. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Survey finds Qatari women satisfied with Seha 90 percent of respondents say national health insurance scheme gave them greater choice

DOHA: Majority of the Qatari on behalf of National Health the scheme. Four-fifths of the facilities at their own expense The survey was also intended of this exceptional initiative. women beneficiaries of the Insurance Company (NHIC) respondents (79 percent) rated due to the lack of insurance cover. to understand patient’s experi- However, we understand there national health insurance between July and December last the hospital experience under Seventy-nine percent of the sur- ences with the provider network is always room for improvement, scheme – Seha - say that the year. the health insurance scheme very veyed indicated that they would included within Seha, said NHIC. and this is what we are looking scheme had given them greater The survey results showed that favourably. recommend the facility they have Eight providers – HMC forward to doing over the com- choice when seeking healthcare the majority of Qatari women An overwhelming 97 percent of visited to family members and Women’s Hospital, Al Emadi ing stages of Seha,” said Dr Faleh and in the past they had been who had received treatment for respondents supported the exten- friends. Hospital, Al Ahli Hospital, Mohamed Hussain Ali, Acting paying for the services at pri- maternity and women’s health sion of Seha to all Qatari citizens, On the customer service front, Doha Clinic, Al Wakra Hospital, CEO of NHIC. vate facilities due to the lack of related issues under the scheme in the second phase. 83 percent said that the overall Al Khor Hospital, the Cuban Information and updates on insurance cover, shows a survey. since July last year were satisfied A total 84 percent of the experience when using the Seha Hospital and Al Hayat Medical the scheme are available at the The “patient experience sur- with the scheme and its service. respondents said the scheme gives call centre was either good or Centre – are currently included Seha website www.seha.qa and vey” sought opinion from Qatari Of the surveyed, 84 percent them greater freedom of choice very good while 83 percent said and an updated network for Stage through social media at facebook. women who were covered in said that the scheme had met or when seeking healthcare through that they were satisfied with the 2 will be announced prior to its com/SehaQatar and twitter.com/ the first phase of the insurance exceeded their expectation. A sig- its network of public and private information they received from launch on April 30. SehaQatar. Members can also call scheme. A total of 1,530 women nificant 90 percent of respondents providers, with 83 percent indi- the Seha information booths set “These survey results represent the Seha call centre on telephone took part in the survey, conducted rated very highly the women’s cating they had in the past cov- up at some of the providers they a positive acknowledgement of 4020 8444. by the Qatar Statistics Authority health benefits received under ered visits to private healthcare visited. our efforts to ensure the success THE PENINSULA IOE chief lauds Qatar’s efforts to enforce labour rights

DOHA: The visiting Secretary- be recognised by everyone. a lot of people would get to know General of the Geneva-based On the sidelines of his visit to the opportunities provided for the International Orgaisation of Labour City, Wilton emphasised the workers by Qatar. Employers (IOE), Brent Wilton, need for establishing more similar The IOE Secretary General has praised the efforts being made initiatives as well as closer communi- said all the indicators are telling by Qatar enforcing labour rights in cation with international bodies and that the overall situation in the the country. organisations, so it is clear for every- state is very good, but the ques- Wilton yesterday toured some of one that Qatar is on the right track tions which arise now are how the workers’ accommodations at the with regard to rights of labourers. many more buildings can be con- partially opened upcoming Labour He expressed IOE’s readiness to structed? How long will the con- City (Barwa Al Baraha) located in interact closely with the Qatari side struction process take in order to the Industrial Area. to shed light on the efforts of Qatar in refute the subjects of controversy? Officials touring Barwa Al Baraha site. Wilton said that Qatar has a story this area in order to refute the con- Abdullah Saleh Hajji, Manager to tell with regard to what they are cerns of many foreign parties. Wilton of Al Baraha project, said expa- workers and visitors. auctions, workshops and stores accommodation. Some of the doing in the area of labour rights, in said that the project (Al Baraha) is triate labour has become one of He said the project will for truck and machinery main- facilities include a hotel, enter- particular providing very good condi- a source of pride adding that more the components of Qatari society. be completed in two phases. tenance services. tainment centre, mall, laun- tions for them, and this story must similar projects must be done, so that No doubt it is steadily growing in Phase one focuses on establish- Measuring approximately dry, health centre, mosque, line with urban growth and devel- ing Qatar’s largest truck and 1.8 million square metres, Islamic centre, police station, opment, he said and added that vehicle parking space, while Barwa Al Baraha project will civil defence centre, fire-con- Barwa Al Baraha aims to provide phase two will provide worker accommodate 53,000 work- trol centre, sports facilities, an integrated workers city with and staff accommodation, ers and employees, making shops, restaurants and offices. all the facilities needed by the pre-owned car show rooms, it the GCC’s largest workers’ THE PENINSULA Tunisiana becomes Ooredoo

DOHA: Ooredoo annou- nced that Tunisiana, its Tunisian operations have fully adopted the global Ooredoo brand, as the firm continues to make progress on launching the brand across the Mena region and South East Asia. “Today is a key moment in the history of Tunisia’s communications sector. Adopting the new brand will enable Ooredoo to better leverage our glo- bal resources to promote human growth in Tunisia,” said Dr Nasser Marafih, Group CEO, Ooredoo. Ooredoo’s Tunisian opera- tions join colleagues in Qatar, Algeria, the Maldives, and Myanmar in deploying the Ooredoo brand following the global brand launch in February 2013. THE PENINSULA Chairman and members of the Board of Directors of Qatar Petroleum

Extend their sincere and heartfelt congratulations to

H E ABDULLAH BIN HAMAD AL-ATTIYAH President of The Administrative Control and Transparency Authority

On being conferred the National Order of the Legion of Honor with the rank of Grand Officer by the President of the Republic of France We wish him continued progress and success MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir and PM Cyber threats reduced: Minister greet leaders

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Ministry develops five-goal cyber-security strategy Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent cables of con- DOHA: Use of latest technol- while the third is encouraging the threats are increasing and always gratulation to King of the ogy and rising awareness about use of secure online services. complicated to deal with. This Netherlands on the occasion of data breaches in Qatar have The fourth is raising the capa- coupled with the fact that it can his country’s National Day, to helped control cyber threats, the bilities in Qatar in terms of deter- attack from anywhere across the the President of the Republic of Minister of Communications mining cyber threats and dealing globe. South Africa on the occasion of and Information Technology with them, whereas the final goal The Minister said that cyber his country’s National Day, to H E Dr Hessa Sultan Al Jaber is putting a legal framework that threats are so severe nowadays the President of the Republic said yesterday. guarantees a safe cyberspace. that people can now purchase of Togo on the occasion of the Speaking at the opening of The Minister said that ICT a software for less than $2,000 anniversary of his country’s the Information Security for the Qatar will continue to work and use it to steal banking Independence Day, and to the Financial Sector Conference, the with the Qatar Central Bank to information. President of the Republic of Minister said that the coopera- ensure a more transparent cyber A report prepared by Verizon Sierra Leone on the occasion of tion, with both the public and space, in accordance with Qatar on that matter in 2013 showed his country’s National Day. The private sector, was successful in National Vision 2030. that 40 percent of the data Prime Minister and Minister of limiting cyber threats. The Minister said that the breaches targeted the financial Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah The Ministry has developed a Qatari financial sector has always sector. Some 80 percent of those bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani cyber-security strategy that spec- been ahead of the trend and breaches took place from a for- sent similar cables. ifies five goals: The first of which incorporated the latest technol- eign country, the minister added. is protecting the country’s criti- ogy in its bid to provide a special Also according to the report, FM meets Bosnian cal infrastructure. The second is service for its customers. cyber criminals are after financial The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H E Dr Hessa ambassador applying international standards One of the challenges faced, gains three quarters of the time. Sultan Al Jaber, addressing the conference in Doha yesterday. for limiting cyber security threats, the Minister said, is that cyber THE PENINSULA DOHA: The Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah met here yesterday with the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Deputy PM chairs Qatar Najim Ritsa. The Bosnian WCMC-Q hosts Greenhouse Initiative ambassador handed the Foreign Minister a written message from DOHA: Students at 15 primary Pupils of Nosaiba Bint Kaab Girls “Our health is one of the most Bosnian Deputy Prime Minister meetings in Darfur schools across Doha were chal- Primary were found to have grown valuable gifts we have and we need and Minister of Foreign Affairs lenged to grow fresh fruits, veg- the best crops. Students at Safiya bint to take care of it. A health survey in Zlatko Lagumdzija. EL-FASHER: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister etables and salad plants in the Abdul Muttalib School and Al Quds 2012 showed that more than 90 per- of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Greenhouse Initiative by Weill Model Independent School for Boys cent of people in Qatar do not eat the Culture Minister gets Zaid Al Mahmoud chaired yesterday the second meeting Cornell Medical College in Qatar’s were second and third respectively. recommended daily amount of fruit Peru visit invite of the board of directors of reconstruction and develop- (WCMC-Q). Nesreen Al Rifai, Director of the and vegetables. The Your Health First ment in Darfur in El Fasher, the capital of Darfur State. The aim of the initiative was to teach Department of Government and campaign, along with the Greenhouse DOHA: The Minister of Al Mahmoud also chaired the second meeting of Darfur children about fresh, healthy food and Public Affairs at WCMC-Q, said the Initiative, aims to change that. We Culture, Arts and Heritage Internal Dialogue and Consultation, which was attended to encourage them to eat more fruit top three schools had done extremely wanted to teach young children the H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz by Joint Special Representative for Darfur and Head of the and vegetables. The initiative was part well but that the most important importance of eating fresh, healthy Al Kuwari met with Dr Luis African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur of WCMC-Q’s Sahtak Awalan (Your thing was that everyone who had food. By learning good habits when Jaime Castillo, the vice-minis- (UNAMID) Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union rep- Health First) campaign and saw green- taken part had learned more about young they are more likely to con- ter of culture, heritage and cul- resentative Ebrahima Camara, a number of stakeholders houses, plant pots, seeds and compost the importance of eating fresh and tinue with them as they grow older.” tural industries in the Republic and representatives of states concerned. given to the primary schools. healthy food. In all, the children were provided of Peru, who is now visiting Al Mahmoud stressed Qatar’s commitment to its pledges with seeds and growing instructions Qatar. They discussed mecha- related to projects being implemented as part of early for parsley, coriander, arugula, onions, nisms of boosting and imple- recovery programme, underlining the importance of shift- radishes, tomatoes, eggplants, pep- menting the bilateral accord on ing from depending on humanitarian grants to development pers, and cucumbers. All the schools cultural cooperation and which projects. that benefited were nominated by the was signed in February 2014 in The Deputy Premier said that Qatar met its pledges with Supreme Education Council (SEC). Doha. During the meeting, Dr regard to Darfur development and reconstruction, pointing Jaber Alshawai, Assistant Director Luis Jaime Castillo handed Dr out that many development projects were executed despite of Communications at the SEC, said: Al Kuwari an invitation from hard security challenges faced at times. “We are very pleased to work with Luis Jaime, the Minister of Qatar has allocated $88.5m for early recovery projects, he all partners in “Your Health First” Culture of Peru, to visit Peru as said, adding that this issue is expected to be discussed with campaign and will continue to sup- soon as possible. the UN Development Programme and be signed soon. He port all its initiatives. We met today added that Qatar had paid $10m of the said amount. for the Greenhouse Initiative, which QIA chief holds The implementation of housing projects and early recov- aimed to encourage school students ery in five villages in Darfur with full services such as to grow and eat healthy foods. We meetings in US schools, health centres, police stations and other services will evaluate this experience with at a cost of $31m has been completed, he said, adding that all partners and we will prepare for WASHINGTON: Qatar Invest- these projects aimed at attracting and encouraging vol- the next steps, taking into considera- ment Authority (QIA) CEO H E untary return of refugees and displaced persons. He said tion the interests of the students and Ahmad bin Mohamed Al Sayed, that these villages can accommodate around 150,000 people, the community alike.” The top three now visiting Washington, held a wishing fair distribution during the allocation process. His schools have now all received trophies series of formal meetings with Excellency said that the third meeting will be held next Pupils watering plants during the Greenhouse Initiative. to mark their achievement. senior US officials. Al Sayed met October in Khartoum. QNA THE PENINSULA with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, John Podesta, the senior adviser to the US President; Daniel Poneman, the Deputy Secretary of Energy, and Palestinian show wows crowds Ambassador Charles Rivkin, the Assistant state secretary for DOHA: A theatrical show titled “Al Ghorba” the audience of their struggles through his- Economic and Business Affairs. (Emigration) featured the fourth day of ‘The tory. “The lecture provided value information on He also met with Governor Palestinian Heritage week’, organised by Palestine in terms of history and the art of photog- of the state of Virginia, Terry Katara in collaboration with the Palestinian raphy. The Palestinian Heritage Week has a special Macaulf, Vincent Gray, mayor Qatari Friendship Association. character and was attended by a large public,” said of Washington, DC, and Michael Al Ghorba includes a folk dance performed by Hassan Al Ansari, a Qatari citizen. Nutter, the Mayor of the City of boys and girls wearing old Palestinian customs and The traditional crafts exhibition continues Philadelphia. During these sep- speeches that reflect the pain and struggle of the until tomorrow. Palestinian Historian Dr Khalil arate meetings, Al Sayed dis- Palestinian People. A large number of Palestinian Shawka will also present lecture on the history cussed a set of issues pertaining families and Katara visitors who attended the show of photography in Palestine tomorrow. The live to boosting and bolstering eco- lauded it as well as the other activities for reflecting Palestinian folklore show presented by “Ibdaa’ nomic and investment relations the Palestinian heritage and for telling the story of Band for Palestinian Folklore Dance” had massive between Qatar and the USA. their struggle and emigration. attendance of different nationalities. It was fol- H E Mohamed bin Jaaham Al Jihan from Palestine said such shows should lowed by traditional folk songs by “Aaskalan Band Kuwari attended these meetings be encouraged to introduce the young to for Traditional Songs and Palestinian Folklore”. with members of the delegation Palestinian history and culture and remind THE PENINSULA accompanying the CEO of QIA. Qatar, Grenada discuss ties DOHA: The Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah met with Grenadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Business Nickolas Steele. Bilateral relations and ways to develop them in addition to sev- eral topics of mutual interest were discussed. Court of Cassation The theatrical show “Al Ghorba” at Katara. in pact with Jordan

DOHA: The Court of Cassation signed a twin agreement with its Jordanian counter- part with a view to enhancing Qatar to take part in meet on Al Quds ties of cooperation in various domains. The agreement was DOHA: A three-member del- the religious importance of inhabitants of Al Quds or the signed for Qatar by Chairman egation is to represent Qatar Al Aqsa Mosque and the Jerusalemites. of the Supreme Judicial Council to the first international con- Islamic and Christian sanc- The Qatari delegation com- (SJC) H E Massoud Mohamed ference on Al Quds to be held titites, means of reviving the prises of Rashid Hamad Al Al Amri who is also President in Amman, Jordan, today Arab and Islamic world and Mahdadi and Khalid Hamad of the Court of Cassation, and under the title ‘The Road to the international community Al Libdah who are members for Jordan by President of the Al Quds (Jerusalem)’. to support and champion Al of the Advisory Council and Court of Cassation Hisham Al During the three-day Quds and speeding up the Abdulrahman Darwish Al Tal who is also chairman of the event, the conferees are to delivery of support to Al Aqsa Qadi, the Legal Adviser at the Jordanian Judicial Council. discuss three axes inter-alia, and the Maqdeseen orthe Advisory Council. QNA QNA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Most Iranians back Israel cabinet nuclear deal with West, says Zarif DUBAI: Iranian Foreign divided over Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said yesterday he saw a good chance for a nuclear deal with the West because “most Iranians” were in favour of it, Palestinian deal playing down resistance from Islamic hardliners. “Some fac- tions have no interest in reach- ing an agreement due to political Peace process not over: Ministers reasons, but what counts at the end is the vote of the majority JERUSALEM: Israeli cabi- movement. “If one of those things of Iranian people,” Zarif told a net ministers yesterday dif- happened, we could get back to joint news conference in Tehran fered over the likely fallout on the peace negotiations. I hope he with visiting Austrian Foreign the battered Middle East peace renounces Hamas and gets back Minister Sebastian Kurz. He process from an intra-Palestin- to the peace table, as I’ve just said. was referring to the landslide ian reconciliation agreement. The ball is in his court,” he added. victory in last July’s presiden- Wednesday’s surprise deal, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, tial election of Hassan Rowhani, which saw Palestinian leaders Israel’s chief negotiator with the after he pledged to end sanc- from the West Bank and the Palestinians, said however, that it tions imposed on Iran by the US Hamas-run Gaza Strip agree to was crucial to wait and see what and its Western allies in order to work together after years of bitter sort of government emerged. force Tehran to open its nuclear rivalry, was denounced the next “The reconciliation agreement programme to outside scrutiny. day by the Israeli security cabinet. between Fatah and Hamas, was Demonstrators shout slogans against the government and Egypt’s former army chief Abdel Fattah Al Sisi near Al That cabinet said it would “not quite a disappointment... but we Thadiya Presidential Palace in Cairo yesterday. negotiate” with any Palestinian decided to wait and see what hap- Bahrain sentences government backed by the pens on the Palestinian side when Islamist movement. a new government is created,” she eight Shias to life In an address to PLO lead- told reporters. Egypt court jails 42 Mursi ers on Saturday, Palestinian Livni ruled out any talks with MANAMA: Bahrain’s President Mahmoud Abbas said Hamas and said the international Supreme Criminal Court has the new government, which will community must demand that sentenced eight Shias to life in be made up of political inde- the emerging Palestinian lead- backers for up to 15 years prison for their part in the kill- pendents, would recognise Israel, ership “adopt the requirements” ing of a policeman in a bomb reject violence and abide by exist- of the Middle East peacemak- CAIRO: An Egyptian court crackdown has killed more than province of Minya. The United blast in November, the prosecu- ing agreements. ing Quartet. “I shall not conduct sentenced 42 supporters of 1,400 people, mostly supporters States and European Union said tor’s office said yesterday. The But at yesterday’s weekly meet- negotiations — direct or indirect deposed president Mohamed of the deposed president, and they were “appalled” at the ruling. Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab kingdom ing of Israel’s full cabinet, Prime — with Hamas,” she said, suggest- Mursi yesterday to prison terms jailed about 15,000. At least 1,000 The trial had only one session - a and host of the US Fifth Fleet Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ing that the peace process was not ranging from three to 15 years people have been sentenced since one-hour hearing in which lawyers has struggled with unrest since again slammed the rapproche- yet over. The Quartet demands on violence-related charges, a December, all in groups of 10 or for the defence were prevented mass pro-democracy protests, ment between the Palestine that Hamas recognise Israel, judicial source said. more and in often speedy trials. from presenting arguments, and led by the majority Shia popu- Liberation Organisation (PLO) renounce violence and abide by The verdict was delivered by Mursi himself and the entire the prosecution offered no evi- lation but also included some and Hamas, whose charter calls existing agreements between Said Youssef Sabry, the same top leadership of his Muslim dence, rights groups say. Sunnis, erupted in 2011. for the destruction of Israel. Israel and the PLO. judge in the southern city of Brotherhood are also facing sev- The court will also issue ver- “Hamas denies the Holocaust Last week, a Palestinian official Minya who last month sentenced eral trials. dicts on another 683 people while attempting to carry out a in Abbas’ Fatah movement, which to death 529 alleged Islamists in Meanwhile, the court will accused of violence last year Turkey detains US second Holocaust by destroying dominates the PLO, said that a verdict that triggered interna- today pass final judgment on 529 in Minya, including Mohamed the state of Israel,” he said. the incoming government would tional outrage. Muslim Brotherhood supporters Badie, the Muslim Brotherhood’s journalist, Syrians “Abu Mazen (Abbas) must accept the Quartet conditions. Yesterday’s sentencing of 42 sentenced to death last month, in General Guide, or top leader. decide between an alliance with Finance Minister Yair Lapid Mursi supporters come a day a case that has provoked outrage He is charged with crimes ISTANBUL: Turkish security Hamas — a terrorist organisation also said it was too early to call before Sabry is expected to issue a among Western governments and including inciting violence that forces yesterday detained an which denies the Holocaust -- and time on the negotiations. verdict on another batch of nearly rights groups. The preliminary followed the army overthrow American journalist and two real peace with Israel.” “If Hamas accepts the Quartet 700 alleged Islamist defendants death sentences were issued on of Islamist president Mohamed Syrians as they tried to cross CNN later quoted Netanyahu conditions... it will not, in effect, for the murder and attempted March 24 - just two days after the Mursi last July. The session could a river flowing from Syria into saying for peace talks to Hamas be Hamas any longer and then murder of several policemen last mass trial began — and relate to mark the first major verdict southern Turkey by raft, the must recognise Israel or Abbas there’ll be a basis for discussion,” August. Since the army ousted violence in which a policeman was against any Brotherhood leader. army said. must renounce the Islamist he told public radio. AFP Mursi last July, a government killed in August in the southern AGENCIES AGENCIES MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Fire kills eight Ukraine rebels free Swedish hostage at Russian drug Seven other European monitors still in custody; Obama seeks unity against Russia rehab centre MOSCOW: Eight people died KUALA LUMPUR/ The stand-off over Ukraine, yesterday when a fire ravaged SLAVIANSK: Pro-Russian an ex-Soviet republic of about a drug rehab centre in Russia’s rebels in Ukraine freed a 45 million people, has dragged Altai region, investigators said, Swedish observer yesterday, but relations between Russia and the the latest tragedy to raise ques- said they had no plans to release West to their lowest level since tions about security standards seven other European monitors the end of the Cold War. at the country’s medical care they have been holding for three After Ukrainians overthrew institutions. days. a pro-Russian president, Putin The bodies of eight people were On the eve of an expected overturned decades of interna- found after authorities put out a announcement of a mild tighten- tional diplomacy last month by blaze that broke out at the private ing of Western sanctions against announcing the right to use mili- drug rehab centre dubbed “Chisty a targeted list of Russians, US tary force on his neighbour’s ter- List” (Clean Slate) sitting on the President Barack Obama called ritory. He has seized and annexed shores of a picturesque lake out- for the United States and Europe Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and side the city of Barnaul in the to join forces to impose stronger massed tens of thousands of Altai region, investigators said in measures to restrain Moscow. troops on the frontier. a statement. In Donetsk, where pro-Rus- Heavily armed pro-Russian Another six people from the sian rebels have proclaimed an gunmen have seized buildings in private drug and alcohol abuse independent “people’s republic”, towns and cities across eastern treatment centre in the village armed fighters seized the head- Ukraine. Kiev and its Western of Ozero Krasilovo were injured, quarters of regional television and allies say the uprising is directed said a spokesman for the regional ordered it to start broadcasting a by Russian agents. Moscow denies emergencies ministry, Andrei Russian state TV channel. it is involved and says the upris- Pozdnyakov. Washington and Brussels are ing is a spontaneous reaction to The fire left the building com- expected, possibly as early as oppression of Russian speakers pletely gutted, he said. today, to add new people and by Kiev. “Only the walls remained,” firms close to Russian President An international agreement Pozdnyakov said adding that the Vladimir Putin to a small list of reached this month calls on rest of the patients were moved those hit by punitive measures. rebels to vacate occupied build- into a local school. But they have yet to reach a con- ings, but Obama said Russia had The emergencies ministry did sensus on imposing wider sanc- not “lifted a finger” to push its not rule out negligence as a pos- tions that would hurt Russia’s allies to comply. Released Swedish military observer (second right) and OSCE representatives leave the regional administration sible cause of the fire. economy more generally. “In fact, there’s strong evidence building in the eastern Ukrainain city of Slaviansk, yesterday. Speaking during a visit to that they’ve been encouraging the Conservatives Malaysia, Obama said the impact activities in eastern and southern One of them was permitted to they were in good health. accused by their captors of spying of any decision over wider sanc- Ukraine.” leave on Sunday after OSCE nego- “We have no indication when we for NATO and using the OSCE tipped to win in tions would depend on whether The Organisation for Security tiators arrived to discuss their will be sent home to our countries,” mission as a cover. the United States and its allies and Cooperation in Europe has release. The freed man got into Colonel Axel Schneider told report- The OSCE, a European secu- Macedonia polls could find a unified position. sent unarmed monitors to try an OSCE-marked car and drove ers as armed men in camouflage rity body, includes Russia as well “We’re going to be in a stronger to encourage compliance with away. A separatist spokeswoman fatigues and balaclavas looked on. as NATO members, and its main SKOPJE: Macedonians voted position to deter Mr. Putin when the peace deal. The pro-Russian said the prisoner, a Swede, had “We wish from the bottom of our Ukraine mission was approved by yesterday to elect a new assem- he sees that the world is unified rebels seized eight European been let go on medical grounds, hearts to go back to our nations Moscow, although the Europeans bly and president, with the rul- and the United States and Europe monitors three days ago and have but there were no plans to free as soon and as quickly as possible.” held in Slaviansk were on a sepa- ing conservatives tipped to win is unified rather than this is just a been holding them at their most the rest. The observers, from Germany, rate OSCE-authorised mission that despite widespread poverty and US-Russian conflict,” Obama told heavily-fortified redoubt in the The captives were shown to Denmark, Poland and the Czech did not require Russia’s consent. a stalemate in Skopje’s bid to reporters. town of Slaviansk. reporters on Sunday and said Republic as well as Sweden, were REUTERS join the European Union. The legislative vote is being held a year ahead of schedule after the ruling VMRO-DPMNE failed to Bumper-to-bumper in Brussels agree with its ethnic Albanian coalition partner, the DUI, on a New Serbia cabinet to joint presidential candidate. Voters were also casting bal- lots in the run-off for presi- dent, a largely ceremonial post press bid to join EU with a five-year mandate, pit- ting incumbent Gjorge Ivanov BELGRADE: Serbia’s parlia- Belgrade’s bid to join the EU. of the VMRO-DPMNE against ment met yesterday to vote in The parliament, in which his Social Democrat rival Stevo a new cabinet which is expected the SNS has 158 seats in the Pendarovski. to push the country’s bid to join 250-member assembly, was “I expect those who will win the the EU and urgently tackle the expected to vote in the new cabi- elections to fulfil their promises ailing economy. net later yesterday. Vucic invited and enable prosperity for all citi- Aleksandar Vucic, leader of the his former coalition partners, the zens of Macedonia,” Ivanov said centre-right Serbian Progressive Socialists, founded by late Serbian after he voted. party (SNS), was given a mandate strongman Slobodan Milosevic, to Electoral officials said turnout after a landslide victory in the join the government. was 30.9 percent six hours before March vote called after Serbia Socialist leader and former the polling stations close at 1700 began EU membership talks in prime minister Ivica Dacic will GMT. the wake of a landmark accord hold the post of foreign minister. More than 1.7 million voters with breakaway Kosovo last year. Lazar Krstic will remain are eligible to elect a new 123- In his speech to parliament, finance minister, while former seat parliament, choosing among Vucic said the priority for his World Bank expert Dusan Vujovic 14 parties and coalitions. 19-member cabinet would be the will be economy minister, among Opinion polls have given a Cars stuck in a traffic jam on a road heading towards central Brussels. For two years running, Brussels has reform of Serbia’s outdated econ- several non-party ministers in the strong lead to both Ivanov and been named the most congested city in North America and western Europe. omy, a reduction in the budget cabinet. the VMRO-DPMNE. deficit and moves to accelerate AFP AGENCIES 1,300 Muslims quit Bangui, deepening divide

BANGUI: Some 1,300 Muslims fearing The rundown PK-12 ghetto is completely Cameroon. They are escorted by soldiers attack by mainly Christian militias left surrounded by a hostile mainly Christian from France’s Operation Sangaris and the Central African capital Bangui yes- community, and the Muslims had come troops of the multinational African mission terday under heavy guard, deepening the under frequent attack. MISCA, who together form a peacekeeping religious divide in the strife-torn country. Residents said 22 people had died since force of more than 7,000 men. Piled along with their possessions aboard December, of whom 18 were victims of vio- The sectarian violence erupted in the 18 articulated lorries, the refugees left lence. Countless others have been wounded former French colony after mainly Muslim around midday accompanied by a large con- by bullets, grenade shrapnel and machetes. rebels of the Seleka alliance seized power for tingent of African peacekeepers, headed for Just after the convoy set off, hundreds of 10 months in March last year and rogue ele- the relative safety of the north. youths could be seen pillaging the ghetto for ments carried out terrible atrocities against They had been stranded in the PK-12 items abandoned by the Muslims. civilians. area on the outskirts of Bangui for five Tens of thousands have already fled Mostly Christian communities then months as transport failed to materialise northwards, almost emptying the south of formed “anti-balaka” vigilante forces to and amid debate over whether the mass the country to join those of their own faith, wreak brutal revenge against Muslims, usu- exodus of Muslims from the capital would already strongly represented in the north. ally targeting innocent people. make peace even more elusive. Others have crossed borders into Chad and AFP

London Underground rail workers to strike work

LONDON: Millions of com- days, to a virtual standstill. limited service on some lines, with remain staffed at all times. muters face transport chaos A second walkout was averted some stations closed. Extra bus The union says the cuts risk this week as workers on the to allow the talks to take place. and river boat services will also be safety and would damage qual- London Underground rail net- Another three-day strike has added. “A lot of people are going ity of service, and has blamed work hold a two-day strike been called from May 5. to be late,” said 25-year-old archi- rail management for the failure in a dispute over planned job The strike action follows the tect Stefan Wilson, who is able to of eight weeks of talks. It said cuts. March 11 death of RMT leader walk to work in the City of London it hoped the strikes would lead Members of the Rail, Bob Crow, whose success in from his home in Wapping. them to engage in “meaningful Maritime and Transport work- extracting concessions from “If you work in an office job and serious talks”. ers’ union (RMT) will stage a employers through hard talk and it will have less impact. It is A TfL spokesman yesterday 48-hour walkout beginning on industrial disruption has set the going to be worst for people like said it hoped to hold last-minute the evening of April 28 after mould for those vying to replace nurses who cannot do their job talks with the RMT today aimed talks aimed at resolving the him, trade union experts say. from home.” at averting the walkout. British row over plans to close manned Transport for London (TfL), TfL says its modernisation Prime Minister David Cameron ticket offices broke down earlier which argues that less than plans, including cutting 953 sta- last week called the strike “unjus- this month. three percent of journeys on the tion jobs, can be achieved with- tified and unacceptable”, saying A similar strike in February 151-year-old tube network now out compulsory redundancies or it would hit millions of families brought the network, used by involve passengers using ticket any loss of pay to workers and and cause chaos for businesses. some three million people most offices, has said it will run a with the promise stations would REUTERS

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Face-off with ISI Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HOSE who wanted to silence the media in Pakistan with the brazen murder attempt on Hamid Mir, a star anchor on Geo News, the channel that pioneered Ttabloid television news in the country, have achieved exactly the opposite: a strengthening and emboldening of For US, Palestinian pact is the media. Such has been the collective anger unleashed that the perpetrators of the heinous attack on Mir had all their calculations wrong. Mir is one of the most famous journalists in Pakistan, whose incisive and bold analyses had won him not the end of peace hopes huge audiences and some powerful enemies. The attack on him wasn’t unexpected. He had spoken about it, named the people who would be behind it when it happens, and when it finally BY PATRICIA ZENGERLE happened, there was a sense of déjà vu. already faced strong criticism at home it likely would be several years before According to reports coming from Pakistan, something he unity pact between and abroad over his handling of for- another US president would throw more interesting and momentous is happening. The Inter- Palestinian President eign policy. Obama has been accused much energy into Middle East peace. Services Intelligence (ISI), the alleged perpetrators of the Mahmoud Abbas and the of neglect for Asia - where he has Efforts to end the deep-seated con- militant group Hamas dealt traveled this week - and weakness in flict are not seen as a winning issue, attack on Mir, is at the receiving end of a media backlash. T a sharp punch to US-driven peace Europe, where Russia has annexed meaning that the next inhabitant of Such reprisals could sound normal in other countries, but not negotiations with Israel, but the the Crimean Peninsula and is threat- the White House would probably not in Pakistan. For decades, ISI has been a spy agency that could Americans insisted it was not a fatal ening eastern Ukraine. tackle Israel and the Palestinians not be publicly criticised and named for its omissions and blow to the struggling talks. Months of meetings since last until he or she won a second four- excesses. That taboo has been broken. Washington was stunned by the deal summer have produced no sign of year term - which would start in 2021. For the past week, the Independent Media Corporation, announced on Wednesday between progress in the talks, aimed at creat- Obama said on Friday the Fatah, the faction that leads the West ing an independent Palestinian state Palestinian move might mean that a Pakistan’s largest media group, has used the two biggest Bank, and Hamas, which rules the on land captured by Israel in a 1967 “pause” would be needed in the talks. newspapers in the country and by far its most popular Gaza Strip and is viewed as a terror- war. Palestinians want East Jerusalem Though he called it one of a series television network to daily hammer the ISI, threatening to ist organization by the United States, to be capital of the state they seek of choices the two sides had made in further sour the already tense the European Union and Israel. Israeli in the occupied West Bank and Gaza recent weeks that had hurt chances of The attack relations between the army and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Strip, and want Israeli soldiers and achieving peace, Obama offered hope the government. There has been immediately sus- more than half a million settlers gone. the two sides might overcome their pended participa- Israeli settlement construction has mutual mistrust. on Pakistani non-stop coverage of the attempt tion in the peace been a major obstacle in the negotia- The US State Department said journalist to kill Mir and the claims by his process brokered tions. Citing security concerns and Kerry believes the peace effort is in a brother that the attack on his car For US, giving up by US Secretary historic and Biblical links to the ter- holding pattern, and it is up to Israel Hamid Mir had been directly ordered by the on achieving a of State John ritory, Israel says it intends to keep and the Palestinians to decide what ISI’s chief Zaheer-ul-Islam. Mir Kerry. large settlement blocs in any future to do next. But US nego- peace deal. Khaled Elgindy, a fellow at the has resulted had said that the spy agency was peace deal would tiators are not Netanyahu has made recognition Brookings Institution’s Saban Center in a chastising infuriated by his programmes be an unnecessary expected to give of his country as a Jewish state a for Middle East Policy and former that criticised its tactics against admission of up on the process, requirement for peace. The issue has adviser to the Palestinian negotiating of the once separatists in Balochistan province. foreign policy in which Kerry lately overshadowed other stumbling team, questioned why a Fatah-Hamas powerful spy There are enough theories doing has invested thou- blocks over borders, refugees and the accord should by definition be seen as the rounds about the attackers of defeat amid the sands of hours status of Jerusalem. Palestinians fear a blow to the peace process. and a great deal the label would lead to discrimination Abbas has told Kerry the coalition agency. Mir, with some pointing fingers Syrian civil war, of political capital. against Israel’s sizeable Arab minor- with Hamas would renounce violence at professional rivalry. Even if upheaval in Egypt There is also little ity, while Israelis say it recognizes and recognize the state of Israel. On Mir is sure about the sponsors and delicate for Washington to Jewish history and rights on the land. Saturday Abbas again signaled that of his attackers, what’s needed is an independent enquiry by lose by monitor- For the United States, giving up he remains committed to the peace the government to establish the facts. It’s the duty of the nuclear talks with ing developments, on achieving a peace deal would be talks, saying that any unity govern- government to get to the root of the conspiracy and name the Iran. while pushing the an unnecessary admission of for- ment agreed with Hamas would rec- two sides toward eign policy defeat, especially in the ognize Israel. perpetrators. If that doesn’t happen, the public and the media reconciliation. Middle East, amid the Syrian civil And a unity government - if the deal will be justified in drawing their own conclusions about the “This will probably slow things war, upheaval in Egypt and delicate held - would mean that, after years of incident. down, but it will resume at some nuclear talks with Iran. division, a single entity was negotiat- There is no doubt that the ISI has suffered seriously after point,” said Aaron David Miller, a “So far, no one has been eager to ing on behalf of all the Palestinians. the shooting of Mir. The concerted attack by the media former US State Department peace declare the patient dead,” said Ghaith Plus, Elgindy noted, bitter foes in negotiator now at the Wilson Center Al-Omari, executive director of the negotiations elsewhere have been will- indicates a weakening of the power of the spy agency. The in Washington. American Task Force on Palestine. ing to sit down together. media, the judiciary and politicians have been assertive in the “There is no need for the United “So far, everyone is talking about ‘sus- “If it’s possible for the United States recent past against a once unassailable military. That’s a good States to walk away from this, and pension,’ but no one is talking about to talk to the Taliban and even have sign because it’s for the first time that the country witnesses it would be stupid, frankly,” he said. ‘collapse,’ simply because no one wants fruitful negotiations with Iran, then unity on a sensitive issue. And the biggest beneficiary of this Washington is Israel’s closest ally, to be blamed for a collapse,” he said. obviously it’s not so insurmountable,” standoff will be democracy in the country. and President Barack Obama has If Obama were to walk away now he said. REUTERS The other side Quote of Incentive for rural finance the day HE cut in the reserve requirement growth slowed to 7.4 percent in the first lower growth rates. was quick to point out that the latest ratio for rural financial institutions quarter, the lowest expansion since the The strong growth in exports has decision will not affect the overall liquid- is a small step to facilitate the third quarter of 2012, the latest adjust- served as both a cause and a result of ity in the banking system, indicating no Tflow of credit in China’s rural ment looks like a short-term stimulus China’s rise as a leading manufacturing need for sweeping changes to the coun- areas. However, to narrow the country’s to release tens of billions yuan worth of power in the past three decades, while try’s prudent monetary policies. Some factions have no huge urban-rural development gap, liquidity into the rural economy. the property boom has contributed sig- The country’s financial sector has more such financial support is badly Yet such a targeted boost for rural nificantly to economic expansion and long been dominated by State banks, interest in reaching needed to upgrade the rural economy finance should neither be the harbin- the growth in revenue enjoyed by many which have understandably focused an agreement due to and raise farmers’ incomes. ger of an overall relaxation of monetary local governments in recent years. their businesses on profitable clients in On Tuesday, the central bank and fiscal policies to stop the economic But since urbanization and domestic major cities. However, the government political reasons, but announced a 2-percentage-point cut slowdown nor a temporary move to bol- consumption will be the driving forces has vowed to boost financial services for what counts at the in the reserve requirement ratio for ster rural development. for the country’s future long-term farmers, agriculture and the rural areas, rural commercial banks and a 0.5-per- The unexpected slump in trade so far growth, policymakers should not back- so it can be expected that the targeted end is the vote of the centage-point cut for rural cooperative this year and the signs of a cooling prop- pedal on the macroeconomic control credit policy will be further expanded to majority of Iranian unions beginning Friday. erty market have definitely added to the that is necessary to cut overcapacity tilt the financial sector so it meets the people. Amid high expectations that the gov- difficulties Chinese policymakers face in and accelerate industrial restructuring. numerous and growing financing needs Mohammad Javad Zarif ernment will ease monetary policies after rebalancing the economy at relatively It is reassuring that the central bank in rural areas. China Daily Iranian Foreign Minister MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Ahead of Iraq vote, sectarian strife looms

cities and towns, according to two The person who introduced The vote and people who attended the session. him said Abbas was from Asaib, Maliki told senior Shia politi- but he said he was just a labourer cal figures that they had formed who volunteered along with 750 the race to groups “of mujahedeen and Sons mostly Shia young men from of Iraq ... on the periphery of around western Baghdad. form a new Baghdad”; he called the fighters The men had been gathered “better than the army” at “guer- at an airport base in western rilla warfare,” according to the Baghdad, and were then given government will meeting minutes read to Reuters military fatigues, M-16s and and confirmed by a second person shipped to fight in a 750-strong be contentious, who attended. battalion around Zaidan, west of Shia lawmaker Amir Al Kinani, Baghdad, and in Latifya, south of a critic of Maliki, attended the Baghdad, he said. He and others with multiple session and said the group, which quit when the government did has been in existence for a year, not pay them after three months, Shia lists was drawn primarily from the but he spoke proudly of combat ranks of Asaib and Kata’ib. operations. “They have executed several “When we found [the terror- vying for the operations in the belt of Baghdad ists] in a house, we killed them. and Diyala. They made qualitative We burned the house or demol- premiership, operations there in Buhriz,” he ished it. We burned those houses said. “They are ... jihadists ready because we didn’t want them to to die.” Others aware of the ini- be a shelter for terrorists.” and Sunnis and tiative described it as an effort to He estimated they destroyed 25 absorb Iraq’s armed Shia hardlin- or 26 homes. Kurds looking ers within the state. When the killing in Buhriz Maliki’s spokesman denied ended, residents and the mayor of any militias were fighting for neighbouring Baquba counted at for plum posts. the government or belonged to a least 23 dead. Local Shia officials new organisation that reports to said terrorists killed any civilians. BY NED PARKER, AHMED him. “We don’t have people who But ordinary citizens — Shia as RASHEED and RAHEEM kill themselves to kill others and well as Sunni — say regular people SALMAN are considered as martyrs,” said died at the hands of the militia. Ali Mussawi. “There is nothing The lawmaker Kinani con- he Sunni militants who Iraqis living in Jordan leave after casting their ballot at a polling station in a government school in Amman yesterday. like this.” The spokesman for firmed that innocent people died seized the riverside police and military operations in in Buhriz at the hands of Sons of town of Buhriz late last pulled out the young men and incarnation of the group did in and sent fighters to battle Sunni Baghdad province also dismissed Iraq Shia paramilitaries but called Tmonth stayed for several summarily executed them.” the years following the American rebels in Syria. the accounts. “Such allegations it the cost of the need to expel ISIL hours. The next morning, after The killings turned this town invasion. Then, Sunni extrem- Asaib Ahl Al Haq and Kata’ib are baseless and wrong, launched from the area. “Yes of course civil- the Sunnis had left, Iraqi security 35 miles northeast of Baghdad ists sent multiple car bombs into Hezbollah, two groups once sup- by those who were infuriated by ians died. I am not defending the forces and dozens of Shia militia into a frontline in Iraq’s gather- Baghdad on an almost daily basis, pressed by the American military the victories achieved by our killing. ISIL is killing people, they fighters arrived and marched ing sectarian war. and killed Shias with impunity. and sponsored by the Iranians, security forces,” said Brigadier are killing the [Shias]. They are from home to home in search of In Buhriz and other villages The vote this month and the make up the bulk of the Shia mili- Saad Maan. killing even the Sunnis,” Kinani insurgents and sympathisers in and towns encircling the capi- race to form a new government tia fighters aiding the Iraqi secu- Asaib has also publicly denied said. “When the Sons of Iraq this rural community, dotted by tal, a pitched battle is underway will be contentious, with multiple rity forces. According to three any such involvement in the fight- entered the area, ... they were date palms and orange groves. between the emboldened Islamic Shia lists vying for the premier- senior Shia politicians, individual ing in Iraq. But security officers, thinking of only killing ISIL, so According to accounts by Shia State of Iraq and the Levant, the ship — Sunnis and Kurds look- Asaib and Kata’ib members and political figures and Shia and there weren’t any war prisoners.” tribal leaders, two eyewitnesses extremist Sunni group that has ing for plum posts — and Prime others now defend Baghdad as Sunni residents tell a differ- Other Shias are horrified by and politicians, what happened led a brutal insurgency around Minister Nouri Al Maliki deter- part of an organisation, attached ent story. One volunteer fighter, what happened, and feel confused next was brutal. Baghdad for more than a year, mined to stay in office. to the prime minister’s military who called himself Abbas, said about how to face the threat of “There were men in civilian and Iraqi security forces, who Moderation is a rare commod- office, called the Sons of Iraq, a he had joined the new Sons of ISIL, who they now worry will clothes on motorcycles shouting in recent months have employed ity. Some of Iraq’s Sunni politi- name formerly associated with Iraq and fought three months in over-run them. The lawmaker ‘Ali is on your side’,” one man said, Shia militias as shock troops. cians have denied ISIL’s existence Sunnis who battled Al Qaeda. Abu Ghraib. He said his battalion Kinani, other politicians and referring to a key figure in Shia On the eve of national elections in Anbar and blamed all troubles Maliki briefed senior Shia poli- reported to the prime minister’s tribal figures say the Shia para- tradition. “People started fleeing on April 30, Iraq is fast returning on Maliki, even if it means ISIL ticians about the new paramili- office of commander in chief. “We militaries are now assisting the their homes, leaving behind the to the horrors of its recent past. continues to grow. tary group in a meeting about the are all Shias, and when people army around the Baghdad belt to elders and young men and those Security officials, tribal figures In turn, militia groups have war with ISIL on April 7, where learn we are Shias there to free fight the insurgency, in part due who refused to leave. The militias and politicians fear ISIL might joined the Iraqi military’s combat he expressed frustration about the them and fight against ISIL they to desertions and the decimation then stormed the houses. They choke off the capital as an earlier missions against the insurgents, military’s performance fighting in welcomed us in,” Abbas said. of some army units. REUTERS Rule for life: The Bouteflika way At last, a ray of hope BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT Bouteflika and his entourage argue The recent presidential elections in Algeria were contrary to the for Afghanistan fter the black decade standards of democracy, trans- (1990-2000) and after the that the president needs more parency and respect for the will BY MICHAEL SEMPLE Afghanistan has four main eth- Aloss of 200,000 people and of the people. In 2008, there was a nic groups, the Pashtuns, Tajiks, material losses estimated at hun- time to finish his programmes and violation of the will of the people, rovisional results from the Hazaras and Uzbeks. Both can- dreds of billions of dollars, many there was an attack on democ- first round of Afghanistan’s didates deserve credit for cam- thought that Algeria will enter a racy when the regime amended Ppresidential election look as paigning in all regions, seeking new stage of democracy, trans- achieve development. the constitution and scrapped if they will stand the test of tortu- cross-community support and parency, good governance and Article 74. This article banned ous fraud checks and complaint articulating reform programmes. learn from mistakes and errors doors wide to presidency for life. health to the Algerian people who presidency for life and limited processes. Decisive margins make But on polling day, broadly speak- and past abuses . The reign of Bouteflika dur- still do not know the details of the it to two terms, meaning to a them robust. Although Abdullah ing, Tajiks and Hazaras backed With Bouteflika as a presi- ing the last 15 years was char- sickness of their president. maximum of 10 years. Bouteflika Abdullah, who emerged in the Abdullah and Pashtuns and dent since 1999, many thought acterised by a score of financial About the transparency of the and his entourage argue that the lead, has raised serious concerns Uzbeks backed Ghani. A run-off that Algeria will enter a new scandals and cases of corruption elections, many argue that state president needs more time to fin- about fraud, the first round should would become more divisively era of democracy and sustain- and mismanagement. The most media and even private satellite ish his programmes and achieve leave him facing Ashraf Ghani, ethnicised, with Ghani obliged to able development, given the known to the Algerian public channels and newspapers, pub- development and democracy a former finance minister, in rally the Pashtuns, undermining fact that the country enjoys opinion are the largest oil com- lic administration and the gov- for the country. Many observ- a run-off. the idea of an inclusive admin- large revenues from its oil and pany SONATRACH’s case of cor- ernors and heads of “dairas” and ers wonder what Bouteflika did Both Abdullah, a veteran of the istration with which all Afghans gas exports and has all the pre- ruption, the East West Highway municipalities were mobilised to in 15 years during which he was anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, can identify. conditions of a strong economy and Alkhalifa financial scandal ensure the victory of President in power, and why these 15 years and Ghani say they are ready for Either candidate has the right namely in the field of agricul- which cost Algeria over $7bn. Bouteflika. In Algeria, people vote were not enough to complete his the second round, as electoral law to insist on the run-off — Ghani ture, tourism, industry as well as Thanks to large oil and gas rev- every now and then, in munici- programmes. Under President requires. But a winner-takes-all because he believes he can win manpower and qualified human enues, Bouteflika was able to “buy pal, parliamentary and presiden- Bouteflika’s rule, and although contest is not the only way this or Abdullah to avoid coalition resources. Algeria experienced social peace” by giving loans to tial elections, unfortunately these the price of oil was high gener- contest could end. Abdullah set politics. Abdullah would start “Arab Spring” well before any young unemployed Algerians to elections are without democracy, ating more than $200bn, young a precedent in 2009 by pulling favourite. On a similar turnout he other Arab country. Things how- start their own businesses. He and the system is still the same university educated Algerians out of the second round. That would need under 400,000 extra ever haven’t changed that much also used the revenues to pro- since the independence of the think of immigrating, riding boats allowed Hamid Karzai to be votes, attainable by attracting the regarding power sharing with the vide social housing to the needy country in 1962. Some aesthetic of death to reach the shores of declared elected unopposed. This supporters of either the number opposition and solving socio- eco- masses. These measures, aes- changes have been made from southern Europe for a better time, many Afghans expect a deal three or number four candidates. nomic problems chiefly unemploy- thetic as they are, however, are time to time but the status-quo life since they can’t find a job in between the two leading candi- Ghani would need one million ment and housing. Even with a temporary solutions that calm the prevails over the years. their rich but poor country. These dates to form a unity govern- extra votes, equivalent to the multi party system the political pain and don’t cure the disease, Algerian masses are manipu- young doctors, engineers and ment and avoid a second round. total of both numbers three and life in Algeria remained closed as the needs and demands of the lated in a way to think that they university graduates have been This would entail Abdullah and four. For either of them and for and in the hands of a nomen- masses are increasing daily. are free to choose their represent- helpless and hopeless in a coun- his running mates taking the the country as a whole, round two clature which rules the country President Bouteflika is tak- atives in the parliament and their try that has all the ingredients of presidential and vice presidential is a gamble. in total harmony with the army. ing the oath for another five president but at the end every- success, but unfortunately lacks slots but drawing on the other Whether the election ends with Algerian opposition proved to years, meaning that he is going thing is well orchestrated and good governance, transparency, campaign teams to form the new a deal or after a run off, the six be weak, political parties lacked to rule Algeria for twenty years planned in advance. The masses democracy and a president who administration. million votes cast this month con- pragmatism and the ability to in total and maybe more, mean- are helpless and still do not wants to rule the country for life. There are powerful reasons why stitute a powerful mandate. The gain the support of the masses, ing that the country is not going understand how a country of the Although Algeria was the har- a hybrid administration might be voters’ message contrasts with and civil society couldn’t find a to experience any advances in size and wealth of Algeria is still binger of the Arab Spring, and best for Afghanistan. It would be the bigotry underpinning recent way to break the status quo and democracy and economic devel- suffering from unemployment, despite the death of 200,000 peo- a case of collectively quitting while violence. All major comunities of enter an era of real democracy. opment. During the last 15 years housing problems, corruption, ple during its civil war, things are you are ahead. The Taliban, after the country want to be repre- Single party system way of think- of Bouteflika in power, Algeria mismanagement, bureaucracy the same. President Bouteflika failing to disrupt the first round sented in the Kabul-based politi- ing and ruling still dominates didn’t take advantage of its civil and countless socio-economic had the opportunity to follow are delighted to get a replay in cal system but want it cleaned up Algerian political life after more war that lasted 10 years. The problems. into the steps of the charismatic which they can inflict more dam- and reformed. They rejected the than two decades of adopting a country still suffers from heavy Elections are held repeatedly South African president Nelson age. Countless election workers insurgents’ authoritarian alter- multi party system. bureaucratic practices, corrup- and continuously in Algeria and Mandela, and to show respect for and security personnel will pay native and showed little inter- Unfortunately, Algeria didn’t tion, and mismanagement. One the results are the same, the sharing power and democracy and with their lives if Abdullah and est in those hardline Islamists take advantage of the “Arab of the major challenges Algeria results are known in advance hand over the torch to another Ghani fail to reach a deal. who stood. They want to keep Spring” which it experienced in is going to face is the health of and the majority of people are leader. The purpose of the election was Afghanistan’s link to the west and the nineties. President Bouteflika the president who cast his vote on not interested in them anymore. However, the veteran presi- to allow Afghans to choose a legiti- an end to baiting its allies. who came to power in 1999 did his April 17 on a wheel chair. Some More than half of the Algerians dent seems to be one of those who mate successor to Karzai. If Ghani This calls for significant best since to remain in power for wonder if President Bouteflika do vote according to official sta- believe in ruling for life. endorses Abdullah, together they changes in how the country is life. He amended the constitution will be able to rule the country, tistics. In reality, we are talking Kirat is a professor of Public can claim the support of 75pc of run. But there will be tough bar- in 2008 by scrapping Article 74, if so why he didn’t run his own about 20pc who vote. With all Relations and Mass Communication voters, far more than any sole gaining within the Afghan elite which limits the terms of presi- political campaign? Why he didn’t these elections, things remain the at the College of Arts and Sciences, candidate will ever obtain. There before we see who gets to exercise dency to two, thus opening the submit a medical report about his same or move towards the worst. Qatar University. is a pluralism argument also. the mandate. THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

President Obama Manila, US to ink new military pact struggles to push trade pact Proposed 10-year pact allows enhanced rotational presence of US forces with Malaysia MANILA/KUALA LUMPUR: humanitarian aid, the officials KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian The United States and the said. Prime Minister Najib Razak Philippines will sign a new The White House said the pact said yesterday that he and US 10-year security pact today that did not specify how many US mil- President Barack Obama had will allow for a larger US mili- itary assets can be deployed but agreed to upgrade bilateral tary presence as it struggles to established a legal basis for decid- relations but suggested that his raise its defence capabilities amid ing on a mission-by-mission basis. country remains far from ready territorial disputes with China. Still, Manila’s acceptance of to sign a US-led trade pact due The agreement, which estab- an increased US military pres- to domestic “sensitivities.” lishes a framework for a beefed- ence, a politically sensitive issue Obama’s visit to Malaysia fol- up rotation of US troops, ship in the independent-minded archi- lows his swing through Japan, and warplanes through the pelago nation, reveals the scale of where he failed to clinch a trade Philippines, will be formally Philippine anxiety over China. deal key to the US “rebalancing” sealed just hours before US The Philippine Senate voted to back to Asia. Such a deal would President Barack Obama arrives evict the US military from their have injected momentum into the on a two-day visit to Manila, US bases in 1991, ending 94 years delayed 12-nation Trans-Pacific and Philippine officials said. of American military presence Partnership (TPP) trade pact. White House officials touted in the Philippines, and has only Najib’s ambition to bring the deal as part of a “rebalanc- gradually allowed the return of Malaysia into Obama’s flagship ing” of US resources toward the US forces for limited operations. trade plan has been undercut by fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. The Enhanced Defence the resurgent influence of tradi- The Philippines will be Obama’s Cooperation agreement will run tionalists within his own ruling final stop on a four-country tour for 10 years, shorter than the party following a weak election aimed at showing sometimes United States was originally showing last year. US President Barack Obama waves goodbye to the audience at the University of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, sceptical allies he is serious about asking for, two Philippine gov- Early this month, a Malaysian yesterday. Obama, the first US president to visit the predominantly Muslim country of Malaysia since 1966, is on the strategic shift. ernment officials said, asking for cabinet minister was reported as It comes as China has strength- the third leg of his Asian tour that included Japan and South Korea. Obama heads to the Philippines today. anonymity due to lack of author- saying the country was a long way ened its maritime presence in ity to reveal details. from being able to sign a TPP deal disputed areas in the South insisted the deal was aimed at China,” Evan Medeiros, Obama’s of US military bases, US officials But the deal is renewable and that the priority should be on China Sea after seizing control bringing greater stability to the top Asia adviser, told reporters. said. It will allow US forces to depending on the needs of the two economic integration within the of Scarborough Shoal in 2012. region, not at countering Beijing’s The accord allows for enhanced train and conduct exercises with oldest allies in the Asia-Pacific Association of Southeast Asian US officials accompanying growing military assertiveness. “rotational presence” of US forces Philippine forces for maritime region, one source said. Nations (ASEAN) bloc. Obama on a visit to Malaysia “We’re not doing this because of in the country — but not a return security, disaster assistance and REUTERS Najib said Malaysia was com- mitted to free trade and denied that Washington was “bullying” the Southeast Asian nation into joining the controversial pact. “We are working around the sensitivities and challenges which S Korean prime minister I alluded to in my discussions with President Obama,” Najib told a joint news conference with the US leader in the administrative capital of Putrajaya. “He fully understands quits over ferry disaster our domestic sensitivities and we will sit down and try to iron this SEOUL: South Korea’s prime responsibility and resign.” executive power vested in the out with the intention of trying to minister resigned yesterday, Parents and relatives of the presidency of Park Geun-Hye. work out a deal in the near future.” blaming corruption and “deep- missing and the dead have blasted Park has decided to accept Obama said that domestic rooted evil” for the sinking the response to the sinking, say- Chung’s resignation but only opposition to trade deals wasn’t of a passenger ferry that left ing delays in launching the rescue after the government finishes the surprising and that the United 300 people dead or missing, as had cost lives. entire rescue and salvage opera- States was willing to be flexible on anger grows over the bungled There has also been rage over tion, her spokesman said. particularly sensitive areas, such response to the tragedy. perceived corruption and lax In Jindo, the nearest island to as prices of life-saving medicines Chung Hong-won admitted he safety standards that may have the wreck, relatives of the dead that critics say will jump in coun- had not been up to the task of led to the disaster, with claims and missing were unimpressed tries like Malaysia under the TPP. overseeing rescue operations after that the ferry was overloaded and by Chung’s move. “So what?” “There’s never been a trade the Sewol capsized with 476 peo- that the passenger list was inac- snapped Ji Hyung-Soo. “My son deal in which somebody’s not ple — many of them schoolchil- curate and incomplete. is there in the sea. His resignation going to at some point object dren — on board. “Looking at the latest accident will never ease my bitterness and South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won leaves after announcing because they’re fearful of the “I offer my apology for having I came to a painful realisation sadness. his resignation at a news conference in Seoul yesterday. future or they’re invested in the been unable to prevent this acci- that there is too much deep- “Anybody responsible for status quo,” Obama said. dent from happening and unable rooted evil and corruption in our this disaster must be punished out the justice sought by rela- They seized records of radio com- Protesters briefly disrupted to properly respond to it after- society,” Chung said. severely, but the most urgent tives such as Ji yesterday raided munication with the Sewol and Obama’s talk later in the day at wards,” he said. The role of prime minister thing to do now is to recover the the offices of state sea traffic con- surveillance video footage, Yonhap a town hall-style meeting with “I believed I, as the prime is largely ceremonial in South bodies as soon as possible.” trollers in Jeju island, the ferry’s news agency said. young Malaysians at a university. minister, certainly had to take Korea, with the lion’s share of Prosecutors looking to mete intended destination, and in Jindo. AFP REUTERS China strengthens pollution laws

BEIJING: Chinese legislators the world’s second-largest environmental problems arise public health,urging prevention have passed the first amend- economy and its biggest carbon from a gap between legislation and control of pollution-related ments to the country’s envi- emitter; decades of breakneck and implementation. diseases,’’ Xinhua reported. ronmental protection law in 25 economic growth have left many ‘’If you look at China’s air pol- ‘’Local officials may be demoted years, promising greater pow- of its rivers desiccated and its cit- lution or water pollution control or sacked, if they are guilty of ers for environmental authori- ies perennially shrouded in smog. laws, they’re pretty good com- misconduct, including covering ties and harsher punishments Over the past year, the pared to global standards,’’ said up environment-related wrong- for polluters. Chinese government has begun Ma Tianjie, program director for doing,’’ the newswire reported. ‘’If The amendments, which the to emphasise environmental mainland work at Greenpeace offenders’ behaviours constitute Standing Committee of National protection in its official rhetoric. East Asia. ‘’But no matter how crimes, they will be held crimi- People’s Congress passed on The new law ‘’sets environmen- good (the laws) look on paper, nally responsible.’’ Thursday after two years of tal protection as the country’s the true test will always be the This month, Chinese environ- debate, will allow authorities basic policy, state news agency willingness of local authorities mental researchers concluded to detain company bosses for Xinhua reported. to enforce them.’’ The amended that nearly 60 percent of the 15 days if they do not complete At an annual parliamentary law will remove limits on fines country’s groundwater quality environmental impact assess- meeting in March, premier Li for polluting factories, which is either ‘’relatively poor’’ or ments or ignore warnings to Keqiang said that the govern- are currently so low that many ‘’very poor’’. A separate official stop polluting. The new law will ment will ‘’resolutely declare enterprises prefer to pay them report claimed that 16 percent come into practice on 1 January. war against pollution as we than take long-term anti-pol- of the country’s land is pol- Since China’s environmental declared war against poverty’’. lution measures. It will also luted, some of it with chemicals protection law was passed in Yet environmental groups encourage’’studies on the impact such as arsenic and mercury. 1989, the country has become say that China’s greatest environmental quality causes on GUARDIAN NEWS

Queen with children Taiwan to halt construction of fourth nuclear power plant

TAIPEI: The Taiwan government will halt construc- tion at the island’s fourth nuclear power plant, an offi- cial said yesterday, as local opposition to atomic energy continues to mount. President Ma Ying-jeou met with lawmakers from his Kuomintang Party (KMT) and reached a decision to seal off the plant’s first reactor after the completion of safety checks, KMT spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi told reporters. Construction of the second reactor will be halted immediately, the spokesman added. The move is the latest sign of pressure on Ma’s admin- istration from opposition parties and anti-nuclear activ- ists, who are concerned about the safety of such facilities in earthquake-prone regions of Taiwan following the 2011 Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is greeted by Chinese children as she attends Fukushima disaster in Japan. the factory ground breaking ceremony for LEGO Toy Manufacturing in Jiaxing, Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in downtown east China’s Zhejiang province, yesterday. Taipei over the weekend, urging the government to aban- don nuclear energy. REUTERS MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Britain launches Top contenders probe into Afghan helicopter crash

LONDON: An investigation rally supporters was under way yesterday to find out why a British military helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing five troops. ahead of run-off The Lynx helicopter crashed during a routine flight in Kandahar province on Saturday, causing the third biggest single Final Afghan poll results due next month loss of life for British troops in the country. KABUL: The two leading can- beginning then round two is Britain’s Ministry of Defence didates in the race to become the maturity of democracy and denied claims from Taliban Afghanistan’s next president an opportunity to strengthen insurgents that they shot down rallied supporters and urged national unity,” Ghani told a news the light utility helicopter, saying election officials to come clean conference. “We expect our sup- its initial investigations pointed on fraud yesterday as the coun- porters will have a widespread towards a technical fault during try readied for an expected gru- participation in the runoff.” the routine flight. elling run-off in June. The voting process, which “The investigation is now under Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf started on April 5 under the way, and the area of the crash Ghani, both ministers in the tran- threat of violence from the has been cordoned off,” an MoD sition government after US-led Taliban, is the first democratic spokeswoman said. forces drove the Taliban from transition of power in the coun- “We cannot go into further power in 2001, shared over three- try’s history. details. At this stage it is not quarters of the nearly 7 million However, uncertainty over the known how long the investigation votes cast, but neither clinched outcome risks stalling crucial for- might last or when investigators an absolute majority. eign aid and economic reform, and will deliver their report, but it will If, as expected, the final results could foment ethnic tensions and be a thorough inquiry.” due next month show no outright leave a political vacuum in which Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah (centre) walks to attend a press conference at his residence in Experts said the inquiry was winner, a second round will be the Taliban could gain ground. Kabul yesterday. likely to examine the aircraft’s log held on June 7. Washington’s relationship with books and other documentation, After decades of war and for- President Hamid Karzai has would have been different,” he contenders have already started Another kingmaker could be in addition to weather conditions eign occupation, Afghanistan is sharply deteriorated over the past said, referring to hundreds of lobbying to mop-up votes from Islamist politician Abdul Rassoul and whether the helicopter was being left to stand on its own year, exacerbated by his refusal polling stations that ran out vot- the losing candidates. Sayyaf, who finished fourth with conducting an authorised mission feet this year with the political to sign a bilateral security agree- ing papers on the polling day. Abdullah, an ophthalmologist 7.1 percent. Sayyaf presents him- in accordance with its capabilities. change-of-guard and the with- ment permitting a small force Ghani, who polled 31.5 percent who also fought Soviet forces self as a bridge between warring It is not thought that other drawal of foreign combat troops to stay for counter-terrorism in the preliminary count, also in the 1980s, has reached out to factions, and says peace can be Lynx helicopters in Afghanistan by December 31. support and training after the cried foul but said the outcome Zalmay Rassoul, a favourite of the reached with the Taliban if they will be grounded. More than 12 years after US December drawdown deadline. was clear. ethnic Pashtun majority in the renounce outside influence. troops invaded Afghanistan The two pro-Western candi- “The key thing is no one can south of Afghanistan, who won As a means to swiftly move on Judiciary urged to capture Al Qaeda militants dates say they will sign the pact. claim that the first round has pro- 11.5 percent of the vote. with the political transition and blamed for the September 11 Abdullah, who cited fraud duced a victory,” said the former Abdullah’s base of support is in to avoid the logistical and security to use contempt attacks on the United States, a as the reason for quitting in finance minister and ex-World the ethnic Tajik community and, concerns of another round, some potent Islamist insurgency is still 2009 before a scheduled run-off Bank economist. although he is half-Pashtun, he observers have suggested it might law sparingly the biggest problem confronting against Karzai, again disputed the The Election Complaints is best known for championing be in the nation’s best interests if the government. result. Karzai was constitution- Commission is scrutinising votes the causes and rights of Tajiks, Abdullah and Ghani struck a deal. ISLAMABAD: Keeping in With an eye on a run-off, the ally barred from standing for a from hundreds of polling stations. Afghanistan’s second-largest eth- But the bitter rivals ruled that view the overuse of the con- two frontrunners rallied their third term. Even if Abdullah were to win all nic group. out yesterday. tempt of court power in supporters yesterday, applauding “Our team’s victory is very of the suspect votes under inves- Rassoul’s support is believed to Taliban militants threatened Pakistan by former chief justice them for coming out in record clear,” said Abdullah, who fin- tigation he would still fall short of have the backing of the powerful to derail the first round with a Iftikhar Chaudhry, the Human numbers to vote. The turnout in ished top in the preliminary count the 50 percent-plus-one needed Karzai clan, who are also Pashtun. violent onslaught, prompting Rights Commission of Pakistan the first round was 50 percent with 44.9 percent. to win outright. Final results are Both Ghani and Abdullah have the government to deploy some (HRCP) has urged the top judi- higher than the 2009 vote. “If the problems were addressed due on May 14. promised an advisory role for the 400,000 troops for the vote. ciary that the law should be “If round one was a new on ballot shortages, the picture Behind the scenes, the top outgoing president. REUTERS used sparingly. In its annual report, the HRCP said there is a need to reinforce the principal that a judge speaks only through judgments and there is a pressing need to determine the Political parties wary of Tehreek-i-Insaf protest call principles and priorities for the use of suo motu powers. ?Taking up suo motu or giving attention to ISLAMABAD: A plan by Imran Reports that controversial non- the democratic set-up and pro- make any comment and said: “We was making hue and cry over rig- cases against the executive must Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i- resident politician Dr Tahirul vide an opportunity to undemo- will look into it when the time will ging though the PTI itself was the not come at the cost of other Insaf (PTI) to launch a street Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehrik cratic forces to take advantage of come.” biggest beneficiary of the worst pending cases,? it said. campaign from May 11 is being (PAT) may join the PTI protest the situation. PPP Secretary General Latif ever rigging in KP. He said Khan Since March 23, 2009, con- viewed with suspicion by most is the main reason for the politi- Sirajul Haq’s JI, a coalition Khosa said his party was also a was doing this to hide his party’s tempt of court proceedings of the major political parties, cal parties to believe that Khan partner of the PTI in Khyber victim of rigging but it did not ‘bad governance and corruption’ remained dominant in the apex and even its coalition partner is doing this “at the behest of Pakhtunkhwa, has not yet decided want to take any step that ‘may in the province. court, as Chaudhry initiated con- in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa undemocratic forces”. to participate in the May 11 rally. endanger the democratic setup’. PPP’s Farhatullah Babar, who tempt proceedings against judges, government seems reluctant to Though some opposition par- JI Information Secretary He said the country was already is spokesman for co-chairman politicians, journalists, civil serv- join it. ties, including Asif Zardari’s PPP Amirul Azeem said they had not in a state of anarchy and Khan Zardari, said, “both the PTI and ants and others. They consider Khan’s decision and Shujaat Hussain’s PML-Q, received a formal invitation from should avoid taking any meas- the PAT have publicly expressed The incumbent chief justice, to launch the campaign against believe that Khan’s complaints Khan to participate in the protest ure that could compound the unequivocal and unreserved sup- Tassaduq Hussain Jilani, how- the alleged rigging in the last about poll rigging are genuine campaign. situation. port for the security establish- ever, has shown restraint in this year’s elections ill-timed and and legitimate, they say the PTI When asked what would be Asfandyar Wali’s ANP ment in its standoff with a section regard and has not issued a con- suspect there is a hidden agenda should not go too far in its agita- the JI’s response if Khan sent Information Secretary Senator of the media.” tempt notice. behind it. tion as it can be detrimental to the invitation to it, he refused to Zahid Khan alleged that Khan INTERNEWS AGENCIES World with more CDA launches online monitoring system women leaders ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development “The companies have social development funds will be a better Authority (CDA) has introduced an online sys- and we approached them for a technical solution tem to monitor the working of its field staff in to the problem of ensuring monitoring of the field place: Malala Pakistani federal capital city Islamabad. staff,” CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal confirmed The move will improve the vigilance and job when contacted. The new system involves tai- ISLAMABAD: “A world with performance of the employees working with the lor-made mobile sets with SIMs which can only more women leaders will be enforcement, building control, health and munici- be used as a two-way communication with the a better world, and Hillary pal administration directorates. commuters. The same issue has been faced in Clinton is helping make that The project has been launched in collaboration the sanitation department where cleaners do not possible,” Malala Yousafzai with a cellular company and in the initial phase go to the site and the environment department said in an appreciation piece 30 mobile sets have been provided to the CDA. whose gardeners were careless in executing duties in the latest issue of Time The cellular company will provide a maximum in the peripheral areas. magazine. of 80 sets to the civic body. INTERNEWS Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “life and leadership show women what we can achieve if we believe in our own strength and if we Supporters rally for Musharraf channel our inner creativity, compassion and determination,” wrote the activist, who was in the Time’s list of 100 most influential people. She observed that “Hillary Clinton is a symbol of strength for women across the world. It was she who famously said, ‘women’s rights are human rights’. She not only spoke those words, but also dedicated her life to empowering women around the world through politics and philanthropy. She has been a source of strength for many women leaders, including myself, my family and those who stood by me after I was attacked,” said Malala. “Continue your mission, be strong, we believe in you is what she said to me, my father and the rest of the Malala Fund team Supporters of Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf demonstrate in Karachi yesterday. when we met her last year at the Musharraf, facing a battery of criminal cases, must wait a fortnight to learn if he will be given permis- Clinton Global Initiative awards,” sion to go abroad to visit his sick mother. she added. INTERNEWS MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Briton’s body New CJI favours found in plastic sack in Delhi wider dialogue NEW DELHI: The decom- posed body of a British national was found in a plastic bag out- side a shop here in the capital, police said yesterday. to select judges Earlier, police said the body appeared to be of an African national. The man was later iden- Lodha takes oath as 41st chief justice tified as British citizen Rodick Andrew Reymond, in his 40s. NEW DELHI: New Chief required under the law ministry The plastic sack containing the Justice of India (CJI) Rajendra memorandum and all the three body was spotted by passers-by in Mal Lodha yesterday said in judges of the collegium should Nizamuddin area of south Delhi the appointment of judges he be asked to give an independent yesterday. “The highly decom- favoured much wider consulta- opinion about a recommended posed body was stuffed in a plastic tions involving judges outside judge. However, he noted that sack. It had head injuries, and the the collegium and senior mem- the procedure of wider consul- hands and legs were tied,” said a bers of the bar of the respective tation may not work for smaller police officer. Reymond was iden- high courts. high courts which have just three tified on the basis of a passport Speaking to the media after judges, like in Sikkim. found in his pocket. taking oath as India’s 41st chief On judicial overreach, Chief Police said the body was taken justice, Lodha said he was writing Justice Lodha said that courts to a hospital and a case of murder to chief justices of high courts to actually refrain from touching has been registered. The British involve three more senior most the policy issues, and it is only in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati waves to supporters at an election rally in support of local embassy has also been informed judges outside the collegium and one or two matters where policies candidates, in Allahabad yesterday. about the case. three senior most lawyers of are in breach of constitutional impeccable integrity in the proc- provisions that they intervene. ess. He also addressed questions There would be no friction if all Congress leader on judicial over-reach, judicial three organs of the state operated BJP alleges graft in Vadra interference in policy matters, within their limits, he said. proposes death for appointment of judges under the On the government getting a proposed Judicial Accountability say in the appointment of judges drug smugglers Bill, and the allegations of sexual through the proposed Judges deals, Priyanka hits back harassment against retired judges. Accountability Bill, he said: PATHANKOT: Punjab “Everything that is not good “Whatever the government is NEW DELHI/RAE BARELI: unemployment and economy was deals and asked them to come Congress President Pratap for the society is not good for the doing is their job. When the law is The verbal spat between the down”. “It is a text book case clean. Singh Bajwa yesterday said that judiciary. It (sexual misconduct) framed, then we will see whether Congress and the BJP reached of corruption, crony capitalism The video said while there were he would bring in a legislation surely dents its image as it is it is in conformity with the con- new heights yesterday, the under patronage,” he said. cases of “bhai bhatijavad (nepo- proposing death penalty for expected to be perfect in its con- stitutional mandate.” BJP alleging “corruption under Terming Vadra as “damad shri tism)”, Vadra had added a new those indulging in drugs trade. duct,” he said. Defending the collegium sys- patronage” in land deals of (honoured son-in-law)”, Prasad tradition of “damadvad (son-in- Bajwa, a sitting Congress MP Chief Justice Lodha said his tem, he said there is “no another Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s claimed land acquisitions by law favouritism)”. from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat first priority is the appointment suitable system for the selection son-in-law Robert Vadra and Vadra’s firms had flouted sev- Congress spokesperson and the party’s candidate against of judges. “Appoint good judges and appointment of judges”. his wife Priyanka Gandhi hit- eral laws, including the Land Abhishek Manu Singhvi refuted BJP’s Vinod Khanna this time, and rest will follow... If you have He once again reiterated his ting back at it for “represent- Acquisition Act in Congress-ruled the BJP’s allegations, but it was said that if he got re-elected, he good judges, then in a matter of opposition to fixed tenure for the ing destructive and negative” Haryana and in Rajasthan where Priyanka Gandhi, who in Rae would move a private member’s six to seven years you will have an CJI and defended the existing politics. the party was earlier in power. Bareli came out all guns blazing bill proposing death penalty for entirely new image of judiciary.” practice of the senior-most judge Bharatiya Janata Party leader “Vadra’s land deals have the against the BJP and said she will the drug dealers, smugglers and He said he would be writing to succeeding to the post. Ravi Shankar Prasad launched blessings of Sonia Gandhi and not stay quiet. their political patrons. the chief justices of high courts. “This is an institution which one of his party’s fiercest attacks her son Rahul Gandhi,” he alleged. She accused the BJP of uneces- Ruling Shiromani Akali Dal His priority also stems from the works on discipline. If next per- on the Gandhi family, accusing The BJP released a video and sarily defaming her husband and and opposition Congress leaders fact that 2014 sees 10 apex court son does not get (to become CJI), Vadra of making “unscrupulous” a booklet — “Damad shree the said the opposition represented have openly accused each other in judges retiring, and of these three then it affects his legitimate land deals and seeking answers Vadra ‘get-rich-quick’ model” — “destructive, negative” politics. recent months of being involved — his predecessor P Sathasivam, expectations.” from Sonia Gandhi and her son on Vadra’s land deals. The video “They are behaving like scared in the multi-million dollar drugs Justice H L Gokhale and Justice “The average tenure of the Rahul Gandhi on the issue. made repeated attacks at Vadra rats. I knew they would resort to racket in Punjab. Research in Gyan Sudha Misra — have already judges in the Supreme Court is Prasad told a press conference and said the people will not for- spreading lies a few days before recent years has shown that a done so. The CJI said that wider four years or even less than that. in New Delhi that Sonia Gandhi give the Congress in the Lok polls,” she told media persons substantial population in Punjab, consultation was beyond the cri- The next seven CJIs will have an and Rahul Gandhi should explain Sabha election. The booklet posed in the constituency where her especially among youth, were teria of knowledge of law, social average tenure of less than 15 the “Robert Vadra model of devel- several queries to Sonia Gandhi mother Sonia Gandhi is contest- indulging in drugs consumption behaviour and legal acumen as months each,” he said. IANS opment” when “there is so much and Rahul Gandhi on Vadra’s land ing. IANS and were addicted. Bajwa, who has himself been accused by the Akali Dal leader- ship for allegedly being involved with the drugs mafia, said that political patronage to the drug Who is funding smuggling racket by certain Akali Blast at Farooq Abdullah’s rally hurts 14 Dal leaders was “too well known copters, CPM and corroborated” in Punjab. SRINAGAR: Fourteen peo- communal, while asking those who “The country would have to ple were injured yesterday in an vote for Narendra Modi to “drown adopt the policy of zero tolerance to asks Mamata explosion near the venue of an themselves”. drugs and this could be done only KRISHNANAGAR, election rally to be addressed by Lashing out at Modi, the by proposing strong steps on the WEST BENGAL: Targeting ruling National Conference leader Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime pattern of Singapore and Dubai,” Trinamool supremo Mamata Farooq Abdullah. This was the sec- ministerial candidate, Abdullah Bajwa said in a statement here. Banerjee, the CPI-M yesterday ond such explosion during the day told an election rally in old city’s asked her to spell out the source to disrupt the Srinagar Lok Sabha Khanyar area: “Those who say that of funds which has enabled her candidate’s rally. Abdullah was people opposing Modi should go to Delhi Metro to use a helicopter in the Lok scheduled to address the rally in Pakistan must remember that if Sabha election campaign. Magam town of central Badgam India becomes a communal country, engineers to be “We are running around as district, 30km from Srinagar. Kashmir would not remain its part. much as possible. But how is “Fourteen people were injured “Those who vote for Modi should trained in Malaysia the Trinamool affording heli- in the explosion. Of them, 10 have drown themselves in a river”. copter? Who is providing the been taken to hospital,” a police Criticising his opponents of the NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro funds?” Communist Party of official said, adding that they were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday said its engineers will India-Marxist politburo member investigating the explosion. Abdullah alleged that PDP’s open go to Malaysia to improve their Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee told Eyewitnesses said some uniden- support to BJP was a historic skills in underground tunnel- an election rally in this town of tified persons threw a hand gre- betrayal of the people of Jammu ling. Delhi Metro also plans to Nadia district. nade causing the explosion. Earlier, and Kashmir and its patron Mufti open its own tunnel training Bhattacharjee, the former chief another explosion occurred 50 metres Mohammad Sayeed should know academy here. Delhi Metro has minister, said despite being in from an election rally being addressed that there is a limit to a nation’s tied up with the Tunnel Training politics for long, his party was not by Abdullah in Khanyar area of the tolerance to gimmickry, political Academy in Kuala Lumpur, and in a position to afford a helicop- state capital. Abdullah, who was intrigues and lies. “Every single the first batch of its 10 engineers ter for the campaign, because it accompanied by other NC leaders, vote that you will cast for National will be there next month. always steered clear of “ill-gotten told the rally: “These explosions will Conference will be a vote against Delhi Metro managing director wealth”. “We don’t touch money not deter me and should also not deter the Modi-Mufti alliance and will Mangu Singh said in a statement which is made through unscru- you from coming out and voting for be a vote that will stop the march that the skills learnt in Malaysia pulous means. We don’t indulge the National Conference.” of communal forces from entering will help the engineers to tunnel in such politics. Trinammool does “You must come out in large Jammu and Kashmir. 53km of Metro line in the exist- that,” he alleged. numbers and vote for the NC on “National Conference has ing network as well as two new Refering to the Saradha chit April 30,” he said. Police said no one defended Article 370 (of the consti- lines. All this forms Phase III of fund scam, he asked where the was hurt in the Khanyar blast. No tution) and Kashmiriyat from hun- the Metro network, he said. “The money collected by the company one has so far claimed responsibil- dreds of intrigues and thousands of training is aimed at increasing the has gone. ity for the explosions. enemies and National Conference level of skills of the Delhi Metro “The Trinamool gets tense Farooq Abdullah, who is the can- will continue to be a protection engineers in underground tunnel- Paramilitary soldiers stand guard near the site of an explosion near whenever it now hears of didate in Srinagar said that Jammu shield for Jammu and Kashmir and ling,” he said. Delhi Metro ferries Saradha. But we want to know and Kashmir would not remain a its people long after I am gone,” he the venue of an election campaign rally addressed by Federal Minister about 2.3 million passengers every where the money has gone, who part of India if the country becomes said. IANS Farooq Abdullah in downtown Srinagar yesterday. day on its network. AGENCIES has pocketed it.” He demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the multi-crore rupee scan- dal under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Attacking the BJP, he said it not only divided India successfully test-fires anti-ballistic missile the people into rich and poor, but also drew a wedge between BHUBANESWAR: India suc- ballistic missile attack. “This Currently, only a small club In recent years, New Delhi has many analysts have suggested Hindus and Muslims. cessfully test-fired an anti-bal- (test) is part of the ballistic mis- of nations including the United accused China of making hun- revisiting India’s nuclear doctrine “The rich corporates are back- listic missile yesterday capable sile defence system which we are States, Russia and Israel possess dreds of intrusions along their whose central principle is that ing Modi. Openly they are say- of intercepting targets outside developing...,” said Ravi Kumar an anti-ballistic missile system. disputed border. However, China New Delhi would not be first to ing ‘we want Narendra Modi’, the earth’s atmosphere, a major Gupta, spokesman for the Defence India, China and Pakistan are denies crossing into Indian ter- use atomic weapons in a conflict. because they feel if Modi comes step in development of a missile Research and Development all nuclear powers. ritory. Adding to its worries are The Bharatiya Janata Party to power, their profit margins will defence system that is available Organisation (DRDO). India has fought three wars China’s forays into the Indian (BJP), which is widely tipped to increase.” to only a handful of nations. The system is intended to with Pakistan and came close to Ocean and its involvement in form the next government after “The country will be in flames Sharing borders with nuclear destroy an incoming missile a fourth one in 2001. It lost a brief building a string of ports stretch- ongoing national elections in May, if Modi comes to power. The armed China and Pakistan, India at a higher altitude in the exo- Himalayan border war with its ing from Pakistan’s Gwadar to has promised to revise the doc- Gujarat chief minister had is developing a two-tier missile atmosphere, and if that fails in larger neighbour China in 1962 Chittagong in Bangladesh. trine, but has ruled out the first orchestrated the riots of 2002,” defence system that aims to pro- the endo-atmospheric within the and has ever since strived to In light of changes in geo-politi- use of nuclear weapons. he said. IANS vide a multi-layered shield against earth’s atmosphere. improve its defences. cal situation in its neighbourhood, REUTERS

MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Kite surfing

Fajr (Dawn) 3:39 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:01 Zuhr (Noon) 11:31 Asr (Afternoon) 3:00 Maghrib (Sunset) 6:04 Isha (Night) 7:34

WEATHER

Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: Clear Clear Partly cloudy Hazy to misty at places with some clouds. High: 39° High: 38° High: 38° Low: 30° Low: 29° Low: 29°

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:01 18:04 03:30 & 17:00 10:00 & 23:00 03-12 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 43/30 Clear 44/31 Clear MAKKAH 40/29 Partly cloudy 40/28 Clear KUWAIT 37/28 Partly cloudy 37/29 Chance of storm Kite surfers compete during the qualifications of the PKRA kite surf World Championships as part of the “Mondial du Vent” competition in Leucate, BAHRAIN 39/27 Clear 37/29 Chance of storm France, yesterday. SANAA 29/13 Clear 27/13 Clear RIYADH 38/27 Clear 37/27 Partly cloudy DUBAI 37/28 Partly cloudy 38/29 Partly cloudy BAGHDAD 38/22 Chance of storm 36/21 Chance of storm

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW China to outlaw eating of protected species HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER BEIJING: China will jail black bears and pangolins, some gives a certain social cache. up ambiguities about buyers of ATHENS 24/15 Thunderstorm 23/15 Chance of rain people who eat rare animals or all of which are threatened by “Eating rare wild animals is prey of illegal hunting”, the report WASHINGTON 17/11 Chance of rain 15/12 Rain for 10 years or more under illegal hunting, environmental not only bad social conduct but added. SYDNEY 26/18 Partly cloudy 23/11 Chance of rain a new interpretation of the destruction and the consump- also a main reason why illegal Knowingly buying any wild ani- LONDON 17/11 Chance of rain 18/11 Chance of rain criminal law, state media tion of animal parts, includ- hunting has not been stopped mals killed by illegal hunting will PARIS 15/11 Chance of storm 17/12 Chance of storm reported, as the government ing for supposedly medicinal despite repeated crackdowns,” now be considered a crime, with a ISTANBUL 20/13 Chance of rain 22/13 Clear seeks to close a legal loophole reasons. Lang Sheng, deputy head of maximum penalty of three years MANILA 33/25 Chance of storm 33/25 Chance of storm and better protect the natural Consumption of rare ani- parliament’s Legislative Affairs in jail, Xinhua said. DHAKA 41/27 Clear 41/27 Clear environment. mals has risen as the country Commission said, the official “In fact, buyers are a major DELHI 39/25 Clear 40/25 Clear China lists 420 species as rare has become richer, with some Xinhua news agency reported late motivator of large-scale illegal ISLAMABAD 36/21 Clear 38/23 Partly cloudy or endangered, including the people believing spending thou- on Thursday. hunting,” Lang said. panda, golden monkeys, Asian sands of yuan on eating them The new interpretation “clears REUTERS Atari cartridges found in New Mexico landfill

ALBUQUERQUE, New trash after about three hours of A game enthusiast later tracked Mexico: Documentary film- digging, a Microsoft spokeswoman down the suspected burial site and makers digging in a New Mexico said, putting to rest questions spread the word about the loca- landfill unearthed hundreds of about whether the cartridges tion, said Sam Claiborn, an editor E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial car- would be found at all. at video game news site IGN. tridges, considered by some the She could not immediately pro- The approximate size of the dig worst video game ever made vide an exact count of how many site at an old Alamogordo landfill and blamed for contributing to cartridges were uncovered. measures 150 feet by 150 feetoff the downfall of the video game The game was a design and the city’s main commercial street. industry in the 1980s. marketing failure after it was “For a lot of people, it’s some- Some gamers speculate that rushed out to coincide with the thing that they’ve wondered about thousands or even millions of release of Steven Spielberg’s and it’s been rumored and talked the unwanted cartridges made 1982 hit movie E.T. the Extra- about for 30 years, and they just by Atari were buried in a landfill Terrestrial, and it contributed want an answer,” said Zak Penn, in Alamogordo, about 200 miles to a collapse of the video game the film’s director. southeast of Albuquerque. industry in its early years. When the game was first Who dumped the videos, how Atari is believed to have been released in 1982 it retailed for many they buried and why they saddled with most of the five around $29.99, but now often sells did it inspired the dig and a docu- million E.T. game cartridges on eBay for less than $5. mentary of the event by Microsoft produced. According to New York “I don’t know how much people Corp’s Xbox Entertainment Times reports at the time, the would pay for a broken ET game, Studios. game manufacturer buried the but as a piece of history, it has a The first batch of E.T. games games in the New Mexico desert much different value,” Penn said. was discovered under layers of in the middle of the night. REUTERS

Archaeologist Andrew Reinhard (right) shows off the first E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial cartridges recovered from the old Alamogordo landfill, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Monday 28 April 2014 28 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6049 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Industries Qatar Sheikh Dr Khalid addresses Harvard forum posts QR1.6bn net profit in Q1 Qatar Steel’s new unit boosts output

DOHA: Industries Qatar (IQ), one of the region’s industrial giants with interests in the pro- duction of a wide range of pet- rochemical, fertiliser and steel products, recorded a net profit of QR1.6bn for the first quarter of 2014 (Q1, 14), QR0.1bn down from the previous quarter. The drop is mainly due to major mainte- nance shut-downs. H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada (pictured), the Minister of Energy and Industry and Left: Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani addressing the Harvard University Forum yesterday. Right: Sheikh Dr Khalid with Ali Mohammed Chairman and Managing Director Al Obaidli (second left) and Dr Elsayed Elseify with a group of Harvard University faculty members. of Industries Qatar, said in a fil- ing to Qatar Exchange yesterday: DOHA: Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin context of a discussion about takaful and other University and Investment and Investor “Industries Qatar closed the first Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman, Ezdan types of cooperative financial solutions were Relations Consultant at Ezdan Holding Group quarter of 2014 with net profit of Holding Group, attended the “Eleventh among other topics debated at the Forum. chaired the second session of the conference, QR1.6bn, a marginal decrease of Harvard University Forum on Islamic Ezdan Holding Group CEO Ali Mohammed which discussed the regulatory issues and risk QR0.1bn over the fourth quarter of Finance” held at the Harvard Law School, Al Obaidli also attended the conference. aspects. 2013, as the group embarked on a US. He was one of the key speakers at the The conference offered a great platform to Al Obaidli said Ezdan Holding Group has series of extensive, planned major The group’s petrochemical seg- main session of the three-day conference exchange views on Islamic Finance. sought the support of Harvard University to maintenance shut-downs across ment revenue for the first three that concluded yesterday. A large number of international experts, host the next edition of “Doha Islamic Finance all segments. These preventive months of 2014 was QR1.5bn Sheikh Dr Khalid chaired a roundtable dis- regulatory leaders and financial analysts Conference” to be held under the aegis of the maintenance and warranty shut- against QR1.7bn for Q1, 13, a year- cussion on the concluding day, in which he attended the meet. Group. downs are an essential require- on-year decrease of 14.7 percent. spoke about the latest trends in the global “We are honoured to represent Ezdan Earlier, Ezdan Holding Group had also par- ment for large, industrial plants as This reduction followed exten- Islamic finance market. Holding Group, which is a pioneer in Islamic ticipated in the South Western Institution they can help minimise unplanned sive, planned shut-downs across The Forum discussed critical issues related finance and Takaful insurance. Our keen- Conference of Finance and Investment, held disruption, ensure product qual- all plants in the segment: Qapco’s to world Islamic finance, including alterna- ness to support Islamic funding stems from in Dallas, Texas in collaboration with the ity is maintained and, ultimately, ethylene plants lost an average of tive models and their associated challenges, the desire of the Group to spread this type Federation of Business Disciplines. The con- contribute to an extension of the 36 days per plant, versus planned investment models and profitability, Shari’ah- of financing, which goes hand in hand with ference witnessed the participation of about plants’ production life.” downtime of 35 days, LDPE units related, legal, regulatory and governance con- Islamic Shari’ah,” he said. 80 PhD students, more than 120 finance and The closing cash position across an average of 29 days per plant, cerns. Critical issues of risk sharing, mutuality, Dr Elsayed Elseify, Associate Professor, investment scientists from across the world. all group companies after the first against a plan of 34 days, and the solidarity and socio-economic welfare in the Faculty of Islamic Studies, Hamad bin Khalifa THE PENINSULA three months of operations and LLDPE facility lost 18 days, in after distributing the previous comparison to a plan of 11 days, year’s record QR6.7bn dividend, following the general shut-down. was a robust QR5.9bn. The group’s fuel additives joint “We also welcome the comple- venture, Qafac, recorded a total tion of the group’s latest major of 27 days of downtime across its UDC posts 57pc rise in Q1 results project, Qatar Steel’s EF-5 facil- methanol and MTBE plants follow- ity. The launch of Qatar Steel’s ing routine, planned maintenance, QR1.2bn green field steel melt compared to a budget of 18 days. DOHA: United Development reaching QR0.99 for Q1 2014 com- market position while we pursue shop project, EF-5, in February, The fertiliser segment closed Company (UDC), one of the lead- pared to QR0.59 in the same period our long-term strategic initiatives.” 2014 is an important milestone the first quarter with a revenue ing Qatari shareholding com- of 2013, witnessing an increase of Al Khater, who had predicted as the plant’s 1.1 million MT PA of QR1.4bn, a drop of QR0.5bn, or panies and master developer 68 percent from Q1 2013 figures. during last month’s annual general billets capacity is of strategic 26.8 percent. This negative vari- of The Pearl-Qatar, yesterday The gross profit for Q1, 2014 was assembly that the results in 2014 and financial importance to both ance was primarily attributable announced the financials for the reported at QR307m compared to will improve drastically starting Industries Qatar and the State of to a 20.4 percent decline in sales first quarter ending March 31, QR277m for the same period last with the first quarter results, added Qatar. For IQ, EF-5 is expected to volumes as Qafco’s two largest 2014 and posted a net profit of year. that the company is fortunate to boost Qatar Steel’s 2014 earnings production units, trains 5 and 6, QR360m, up 57 percent, com- Turki Al Khater (pictured), be operating in a highly visionary through increased domestic sales commenced mandatory, warranty- pared to QR229m for the corre- Chairman of UDC, said: “I am and rapidly developing country, and of billets, and improved supply to related shut-downs in the period. sponding period last year. pleased with our revenue perform- that this backdrop presents mul- the company’s wholly-owned sub- The Steel revenue was QR1.3bn, The net profit attributable to ance as we continue to invest in tiple opportunities for continuing sidiary in the UAE, Qatar Steel a decrease on the same period of owners of the company stood at our capabilities and grow our ranks the sound financial performance. FZE. More importantly, this sig- 2013 of QR0.3bn, or 20.6 percent, QR352m, with earnings per share with the aim of enhancing our THE PENINSULA nificant increase in billets produc- and marginally down on the fourth tion capacity will assist the local quarter of 2013 by QR0.07bn or 4.8 construction industry’s efforts to percent. support the State of Qatar’s ambi- Commenting on the group’s tious construction programme in net profit for the first quarter, preparation for the World Cup Abdulrahman Ahmad Al Shaibi, Battle for Alstom heats up with Siemens offer 2022,” Dr Al Sada said. Chief Coordinator, IQ, said, The group reported a revenue “Consolidated net profit in the of QR1.3bn for Q1, 14, down 20.6 first quarter was ahead of budg- PARIS: German industrial giant Siemens for Alstom following reports that GE would percent to QR 0.3 billion com- eted expectations as the 30 percent said yesterday it wanted to discuss stra- bid to buy the company’s power-generation pared with the same period of 2013. surge in urea prices noted during tegic opportunities with France’s Alstom, division, accounting for more than 70 per- However, on a like-for-like basis, the first quarter and heightened raising the prospect of a takeover tussle cent of its business with revenues of €14bn. management reporting revenue — production levels in the fertiliser with General Electric for the beleaguered He has said the government was exercis- assuming proportionate consolida- segment’s unaffected facilities firm. The offer came on the heels of reports ing “patriotic concern and vigilance” while tion — was QR4.2bn, a decrease of boosted group profits.” that the US giant wants to buy the French handling the case. QR1.1bn, or 20.9 percent. THE PENINSULA engineering group, which manufactures Although the French state has not held the country’s groundbreaking high-speed a stake in Alstom since 2006, France’s TGV trains. Socialist government wants to obtain guar- Alstom is a politically-sensitive symbol antees on “jobs, the location of activities of engineering prowess in France and a and energy independence”, according to key exporter, seen as one of the jewels of President Francois Hollande’s office. UAE eases sukuk rules French industry. GE chief Jeff Immelt was GE has 305,000 employees around the expected in Paris yesterday but a meeting world and its turnover totals $146bn. with France’s Economy Minister Arnaud Press reports have said GE was ready to DUBAI: The United Arab Arab world’s second biggest econ- Montebourg was deferred by Montebourg’s fork out €10bn for the energy division, which Emirates’ financial market omy upgraded to developed mar- office, which said the minister needed more does not comprise the unit that makes the regulator has set new rules for ket status in 2018, said Abdullah time to examine the offers following the high-speed trains. Islamic and corporate bonds to Salem Al Turifi, chief executive of Siemens announcement. But the stakes were raised yesterday when encourage trading in them, and the Securities and Commodities Montebourg’s office did not give a new Germany’s Siemens said it had “submitted amended rules on securities Authority. date or time for the meeting with Immelt. a letter to the board of Alstom to signal lending and borrowing to make UAE equity markets are According to earlier press reports, the GE its willingness to discuss future strategic it easier for foreign institutions expected to see more participa- boss could also meet with Prime Minister opportunities.” to operate. tion by foreign investors after late Manuel Valls yesterday. But informed The Siemens statement did not give any The changes are part of plans to May, when international index sources in the government said no such other details. introduce at least two new rules compiler MSCI will raise the meeting had been pencilled in as yet. When Alstom was on the brink of collapse The logos of Alstom and General Electric are pictured covering the stock exchanges country to emerging market from Montebourg, a fierce protector of French in 2003-2004, the French state strongly at the site of the companies in Belfort. every year, in an effort to have the frontier market status. REUTERS industry, has pledged to study various options opposed a takeover by Siemens. AFP MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Financial sector a model in using technology Qatar follows best international standards: QCB

DOHA: Qatar Central Bank any challenges in the field of institutions. (QCB) Governor H E Sheikh information security. H E Minister of Information Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani “QCB is using the best profes- and Communications Technology said yesterday that the finan- sionals who have rich experience Dr Hessa Al Jaber said ICT Qatar cial sector of Qatar is a model in and deep knowledge in different has, in the past, has been cooper- technology used in infrastruc- areas of information security. All ating with the financial sector to ture and systems in the field of financial institutions in Qatar counter any cyber threats. information security, are working in accordance with a She said that the cooperation, “Qatari financial sector is a common vision to realise the aim with both the public and private model in using technology in its of ensuring information security sector, was successful in limit- infrastructure and system in and implementing policies that ing cyber threats. She stressed Information security aspects, in develop the financial sector,” said on the importance of having the collaboration with international the Governor. necessary infrastructure to set specialised companies, which are He said that the central bank up a system for combating cyber applying the best practices as per has formed a joint committee with threats in the financial sector. HE the international standards,” said other banks operating in Qatar the minister added that another the Governor speaking at the con- for information security and to way of limiting cyber threats were ference on Information Security build the capabilities of the staffs through raising awareness in the for the Financial Sector. to ensure individuals and insti- banking sector and its client of H E Dr Hessa Al Jaber, the Minister of Information and Communications Technology (second left), and Qatar The Governor said that the tutions information security. The how to increase the safety of their Central Bank Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani (centre) attending the conference on Information central bank has the best profes- committee also works to ensure banking services. Security for the Financial Sector yesterday. sionals who are capable to meet the safety of emails of financial THE PENINSULA

High-flying stocks QDB identifies areas to boost QFC Regulatory Authority indirect lending for SMEs to censure IFSQ pull QE Index lower DOHA: The QFC Regulatory Authority has announced DOHA: Qatar Development Bank played a vital role in Al Dhameen’s suc- to censure International Financial Services (Qatar) DOHA: Qatar stocks dropped, slipped to 28 million shares from (QDB) yesterday held its ninth Al cess in a relatively short period of time,” LLC (IFSQ) after reaching a settlement agreement pulled lower by a sell-off in 30 million shares. Dhameen dialogue session with part- Al Kubaisi added. that addresses the QFC Regulatory Authority’s serious the high-flying banking and Of the seven sector indices, ner banks, to identify ways to enhance The session comprised of presentations concerns regarding the actions of a former approved industries stocks yesterday. four declined with the industries the indirect lending initiative for Small and discussions, during which represent- individual of IFSQ and IFSQ’s systems and controls in The bourse’s main index shedding the most by 1.35 per- and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that atives of QDB and its partners Enterprise relation to that conduct, said a statement yesterday. dropped 0.7 percent to 12,860 cent. Bellwether Industries Qatar, have a limited credit history or suffi- Qatar and Qatar Shell briefed partici- The QFC Regulatory Authority censures IFSQ under points with most stocks closing which reported a marginal drop cient guarantees to acquire finances. pating banks on governmental programs Article 58 of the Financial Services Regulations for the the day in red. in its first quarter net profit yes- The session was chaired by Hamad Al available for SMEs, and the steps taken following: IFSQ managed clients’ investments causing it Ezdan tumbled 9.94 percent. terday, edged 0.27 percent down. Kubaisi, Executive Director of Strategy to enhance Al Dhameen, highlighting the to breach the scope of its authorisation, in contraven- UDC surged 6.9 percent before Banks and financial sector was and Business Development at QDB. efforts towards further developing the tion of Article 11(2) of the Qatar Financial Centre Law; announcing a 57 percent year-on- down by 1 percent with QIB drop- Attending the event were representatives program and overcoming the challenges IFSQ’s record-keeping systems were not adequate in year increase in its net profit for ping the most by 2.94 percent. from 14 partner banks and financial insti- facing SMEs in acquiring the finances ensuring that client files contained appropriate histori- the first quarter of 2014 QNB lost 0.25 percent and Doha tutions in Qatar as well Al Dhameen part- needed for their projects. cal records of client communications and IFSQ failed to Last week, the company, which Bank dropped 1.63 percent. ners — Enterprise Qatar, Bedaya Centre, Representatives from participating keep appropriate records of client communications, as is developing The Pearl residen- Meanwhile, Dubai, lifted by Qatar Business Incubation Centre, etc. banks took part in closed discussions required under rule 6.2.6 of the General Rulebook; IFSQ’s tial complex on an artificial island property-related stocks, and “This workshop underscores QDB’s where they were able identify the cur- corporate governance processes and senior management in Doha, said it had agreed to sell Saudi Arabia, supported by food commitment to enhancing Al Dhameen’s rent challenges and customers’ feedback personnel failed to ensure that its affairs were managed 47 plots of land in the area for producer Almarai, were the only performance; and to solidify the capa- to include in future implementations. effectively, in contravention of Rule 2.1.3 of the Principles QR1.45bn ($398m). gaining share markets in an oth- bilities of participating banks to enable Al Dhameen team members also dem- Rulebook (PRIN); and IFSQ failed to ensure that it had Shares in Qatar Gas Transport erwise weak Gulf yesterday. The it to deal with SMEs in an exceptional onstrated their achievements throughout effective systems and controls in place, including risk Co (Nakilat) rose 0.5 percent main Dubai index climbed 0.6 per- form. We look forward to maximiz- the past few years, and showcased the management systems and adequate human and techno- after it reported a 16.6 percent cent, largely on the back of real ing the banks’ role from just financing program’s future strategy and the efforts logical resources, in contravention of rule 2.1.4 of PRIN. rise in first-quarter profit yester- estate developer Emaar Properties project to providing consultation serv- conducted to develop the programme. The QFC Regulatory Authority considered IFSQ’s day, in line with an estimate pub- and builder Arabtec Holding. ices as well. QDB is constantly work- Al Dhameen was established by QDB contraventions to be serious, with the potential to lished by Qatar National Bank. Saudi Arabia’s bourse edged up ing to develop Al Dhameen to support to encourage banks to finance promising undermine the confidence of current and prospective Market cap dropped to QR77bn 0.2 percent on the back of insur- the growth and prosperity of Small and SMEs held back by a limited credit his- users of the QFC. IFSQ demonstrated a commitment yesterday, from the previous ses- ance companies and food produc- Medium Enterprises in Qatar,” said Al tory and insufficient collateral. Qatar- to settle the matter and reported the conduct to the sion’s QR79.6bn. Total traded ers. The Abu Dhabi index edged Kubaisi. “We are pleased with the status based private sector companies are QFC Regulatory Authority. IFSQ cooperated with the value decreased to QR1.06bn from down 0.4 percent to 5,153 points. of Al Dhameen and the trust our part- eligible for guarantees of up to 85 percent Regulatory Authority during the course of the investiga- QR1.19bn. Total traded volume THE PENINSULA & AGENCIES ner banks have put into the program has of the loan amount. THE PENINSULA tion and undertook remedial steps. THE PENINSULA

Rolls-Royce’s new Wraith sedan at Auto China 2014 in Beijing. Rolls-Royce posts 17pc surge in sales

DOHA: Rolls-Royce Motor but also through our superior the Wraith also offers discerning Cars Doha, a part of the level of service, we are confident drivers a unique character defined Alfardan Group and the author- of achieving even better results in by power, style, drama and a hint ised dealer of Rolls-Royce the coming period,” said Mohamed of noir. Also contributing to the Motor Cars in Qatar, yesterday Kandeel, Chief Operating Officer, healthy performance was a 50 announced a 17 percent surge in Alfardan Automotive Group. percent growth in the Phantom sales of its ultra-luxury vehicles “Qatari enthusiasts have really Series II, Rolls-Royce’s flagship for the first quarter of 2014. The taken a liking to the Wraith and model, which has been thought- year-on-year growth rounds we look forward to continuing fully updated with contemporary off an impressive first quar- to meet and exceed their every yet timeless design enhancements. ter that saw exceptional sales expectation,” he said. Cutting-edge technologies sig- of the Roll-Royce Wraith and The key driver of the strong nificantly improve the car’s drive Phantom models. performance was the recently experience, ease-of-use and con- “Our success reflects the pas- launched Rolls-Royce Wraith. As nectivity. The Phantom Series II sion for luxury and automo- the most powerful and dynamic family, including Phantom Saloon, tive excellence that Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce in history, the Wraith Phantom Extended Wheelbase, shares with its distinguished cli- has proven extremely popular Phantom Drophead Coupé and entele. By delivering the kind of amongst Qatari buyers. Phantom Coupé, continue to be refinement that has been associ- Displaying hallmark Rolls- a strong driving force behind the ated with Rolls-Royce, not only Royce attributes of luxury, refine- company’s sales achievements. through the quality of our vehicles ment and hand-craftsmanship, THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Abu Dhabi govt fund for Indonesia’s inflation to ease Etisalat’s Maroc Tel buy Financing quarter of €4.2bn purchase Etisalat profit DUBAI: An Abu Dhabi state- previous expansion drives. Serkan owned fund is financing a Okandan, Etisalat’s chief financial up 11pc in Q1 quarter of Etisalat’s €4.2bn officer, said last month the deal purchase of Vivendi’s stake should complete by end-May, but DUBAI: Etisalat, the Gulf’s in Maroc Telecom, said three the three bank sources said they No. 2 telecom operator by bank sources with knowledge of expected it to be done by the end market value, reported an 11 the deal, adding it should close of April, given that Etisalat had percent rise in first-quarter this week. requested no further extensions profit yesterday as its revenue The identity of the fund is a on the committed financing. and subscriber base increased closely-guarded secret. The banks Under the terms of an acqui- and capital expenditure and that will provide the remaining sition loan, lenders allocate the taxes declined. €3.15bn of loan finance have not funds but the cash isn’t taken The former monopoly, which been told which of the emirate’s by the borrower until the buy is operates in 15 countries across state-owned entities is supply- completed. Banks have pledged the Middle East, Africa and ing the cash. The fund is most to fund Etisalat’s purchase since Asia, made a net profit of likely to be Mubadala, two of the April last year and have extended Dh2bn ($544.5m) in the three banking sources and one industry their commitments on a number months to March 31, beating An Indonesian woman walks on the street in Jakarta yesterday. Indonesia’s Central bank expects infla- source said, given that it already of occasions since then; the lat- analysts’ forecasts for Dh1.8bn. tion to ease in April for rise of 7.2 percent on the year, compared to 7.32 percent the previoius month. has telecommunications assets est expires on April 30. Etisalat Etisalat, which has agreed and an existing partnership with earmarked around $8bn of loan to buy Paris-listed Vivendi’s Etisalat in Africa. financing from around 16 banks 53 percent stake in Maroc Etisalat, Vivendi and Mubadala to back its bid. Telecom, generated quarterly Kuwait issues all declined to comment. The final facility is much smaller revenue of Dh9.9bn, up from Essar investors fight Etisalat agreed last November as that sum was to buy 100 per- Dh9.6bn a year earlier. to buy Vivendi’s 53 percent hold- cent of Maroc Telecom. Etisalat The UAE remains Etisalat’s rules for hiking ing for €3.9bn, plus a further will hold the Maroc Tel stake as core market, providing Dh6.5bn €300m in 2012 dividends from the a separate legal entity, in which of quarterly revenue, up 8 per- against buyout move Moroccan firm. the Abu Dhabi fund has bought a cent from a year earlier to company stakes The deal is a key part of 25 percent stake. The rest of the account for almost two-thirds LONDON: Minority investors director of investment affairs Vivendi’s strategy to cut its debts €3.15bn bank funding will be split of the group total. “We will in Essar Energy have appealed at the Association of British KUWAIT: Kuwait’s financial and focus on areas like music between a short-term bridge loan continue to expand our serv- to the Indian and British gov- Insurers, wrote to India’s regulator issued new rules yes- and pay-TV, which it thinks and a three-year portion, said two ice offering and geographic ernments to intervene to head High Commissioner in London terday which will allow major have greater growth potential. of the original sources, and one footprint in order to diversify off a forced takeover by its and British business minister shareholders to increase their Etisalat, meanwhile, will get other financial source. Roughly our revenue base,” Ahmad majority owner at a price they Vince Cable about the matter on ownership in listed compa- new revenue streams outside of the same number of banks will Julfar, Etisalat CEO, said in say undervalues the company. April 23. Copies of Hingley’s let- nies without having to make the domestic market which still fund the deal, the two original the statement. REUTERS Essar Energy is listed in ters were released to the media an offer for all of the shares, dominates its earnings despite sources added. REUTERS London but remains 78 percent- yesterday. a move which could help drive owned by Essar Group, an Indian Hingley said the forced delist- acquisitions. conglomerate controlled by the ing of Essar Energy would cause At present, investors wishing to Ruia family, which has offered 70 “real damage to the integrity of increase their stake in a company pence per share for the 22 percent the UK market and to the repu- to more than 30 percent must of Essar Energy it does not own. tation of Indian companies more offer to buy all of its shares under Slovakia, Ukraine Other Essar Energy sharehold- generally.” the same price and conditions. EU exit could wreck ers and independent directors say The minority shareholders have Under the new rules, sharehold- reach reverse the figure is too low, but because also hired US law firm Skadden ers with a stake of between 30 and the majority owner controls Arps to advise them. Essar Energy 49 percent can increase their hold- gas flow deal UK financial capital more than 75 percent of the and its majority owner have so far ing by up to 2 percentage points shares it is in a position to declined to comment on the moves without triggering the auto- push through the delisting taken by investors unhappy with matic offer, the Capital Markets BRATISLAVA: Slovakia and LONDON: A British exit from and jobs in the UK,” he said. regardless. Robert Hingley, the delisting plan. REUTERS Authority said. REUTERS Ukraine have reached a deal to the European Union could London dominates the $5-trillion- give Kiev access to European wreck London’s position as the a-day foreign exchange market, gas supplies and reduce its only financial centre to rival trading twice as many dollars dependence on Russia, the New York and isolate the coun- as the United States and more Slovak economy ministry said. try’s economy, research ordered than twice as many euros as the “Both countries have success- by a lobby group for banks and entire eurozone, according to the fully closed a deal that will help money managers showed. lobby group. A growing number of Ukraine get gas shipments,” econ- Prime Minister David Cameron banks, including Goldman Sachs, omy minister Tomas Malatinsky has promised to renegotiate the Citi and JPMorgan, have warned said in a statement. terms of Britain’s EU membership a “Brexit” could hurt London’s The deal, due to be inked today, and hold an “in-out” referendum position. will allow suppliers from Europe by the end of 2017 if re-elected Opponents of the EU say use Slovakia’s old, unused ‘Vojany’ in a 2015 national election. But Britain would do better to trade pipeline to pump gas to Ukraine. many of the most powerful banks, with the world from outside the Ukraine has already struck insurers and money managers in bloc. Polls show voters split. similar deals with Hungary and the City of London are increas- Law firm Clifford Chance said Poland in a bid to reduce its ingly concerned that Cameron’s its research showed that under dependence on Russian gas. gamble could allow the country’s five possible scenarios for Britain As an EU member and neigh- $2.5 trillion economy, the world’s leaving the European Union, the bour to Ukraine, Slovakia is ide- sixth largest, to slip out of the EU. financial services sector — which ally located to provide Kiev with The lobby group warned that accounts for about a 10th of European gas at a time when a Britain outside the EU would Brtain’s gross domestic product Moscow is threatening to cut off be shorn of influence, less attrac- — would be harmed. supplies. The Vojany pipeline can tive for investors and vulnerable “The success of the UK finan- be launched in October with an to regulations over which London cial services industry is to a initial capacity of 3 billion cubic had no influence. large extent built on EU Internal metres (bcm) per year, which “Continued EU member- Market legislation. To abandon could be increased to 10 bcm by ship is essential to this coun- this for some untried, unknown March 2015, Eustream spokes- try’s economic wellbeing,” said and unpredictable alternative man Vahram Chuguryam said. Gerry Grimstone, Chairman of would carry very significant “Slovakia’s gas transit opera- TheCityUK group, whose mem- risks,” said Malcolm Sweeting, a tor Eustream will make techni- bers include asset managers, senior partner of Clifford Chance. cal adjustments to the pipline in banks, insurance and accountancy “The UK is a powerful player order to allow for a speedy launch firms. “Our research clearly shows in the EU and should retain the of reverse gas flow and increase its that leaving the EU would seri- capacity to push for reform as a capacity,” Malatinsky said. AFP ously damage economic growth member,” he said. REUTERS

Hong Kong to grow faster

A man waits for a train inside a mass transit railway station in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s economy is expected to expand at its fastest pace in three years in 2014, the government said. MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Premier Oil Carmakers promise China fresh air rejects Ophir New air purifiers new selling point bid for merger

BEIJING: Air that’s cleaner members’ health.” Nissan’s Forest LONDON: Premier Oil inside your car than on the out- AC system has another selling has rejected two secret bid side — in smog-weary China it’s point in China — the nation’s approaches from Ophir Energy, an attractive sales pitch, and legions of smokers have been which wants to forge a £3bn the world’s biggest carmakers told the system can suck away ($5bn) combined oil exploration are racing to cash in. all traces of cigarette smoke and group, a person with knowledge To drive the point home, thick odour in a mere five minutes. of the matter said yesterday. smog blanketed the Chinese capi- French auto group PSA Peugeot The latest all-share merger tal when the Beijing auto show Citroen has also jumped on the proposal was unanimously turned opened to the public in the past bandwagon. Its C-Elysee model down by Premier’s board a fort- week, showcasing more than already offers an optional air night ago because it was not con- 1,000 vehicles in the globe’s larg- purifier and the company plans sidered to offer a good strategic est car market. The grey haze is a to extend the feature from 2016. fit, according to the source. familiar sight over Chinese cities, This will bring the technology Premier and Ophir declined to where an explosion of traffic in to PSA’s luxury DS range, as well comment. recent years has further wors- as additional models depending Combining Premier and Ophir ened the pollution belched out by on their market positioning and would create a firm operating booming factories and coal-fired what the competition may offer in from east Africa to Asia to the power plants. the future, according to Patrick Falklands. It would be the fifth Carmakers have long boasted of Andre, chief of PSA’s air filtration largest oil and gas explorer listed their ability to cut their vehicles’ research team. in London, behind BP, Shell, BG harmful emissions — but increas- The company’s “intelligent fil- and Tullow Oil. ingly, they are also adding in air tration” system only kicks into The Sunday Times, which first purifiers to lure China’s army of action when the vehicle enters a reported the takeover approaches, drivers. polluted environment. said the companies were likely to Volvo Cars, the Swedish subsid- A sophisticated filter blocks 90 make a statement to the stock iary of Chinese automaker Geely, percent of fine particles — those market today now that the dis- launched a publicity campaign smaller than three micrometres cussions had been publicised. last year showcasing a new air- — while a layer of activated car- Ophir, led by former Goldman Models pose next to vehicles at Auto China 2014 in Beijing yesterday. cleaning system that filters out bon, a porous form of charcoal, Sachs banker Nick Cooper, made polluting particles and pollen. can be added to “capture pollutive its first bid approach in February, And Japanese rival Nissan has gases”, said Andre. China could become a polluted similar systems in people’s cars systems, you’re going to attract days after Premier announced offered its “Forest AC” system In-car air purification may promised land for parts manufac- would be the next step. more buyers.” that its chief executive Simon since 2010 in its luxury Infiniti have been around for 30 years turers like Valeo. Especially after the now noto- And even if China is the main Lockett would be stepping down range — which besides filtering already, but the push to advance “The air quality is a gen- rious images of Chinese cities hit target for this new technology, after nine years in the role. the air, can add a hint of leafy the technology has accelerated in eral challenge in the country, by the “airpocalypse”, analysts purification systems could also Premier, which has a market aroma to help keep the driver recent years as pollution in China and Chinese drivers are more say the industry anticipates the prove a hit amongst European capitalisation of £1.72bn, was alert. reaches crisis level. and more conscious of it,” said demand for in-car air purification drivers, analysts predict. founded in Scotland in 1934 as the Wang Jiran, a visitor to the Suppliers to the manufacturing Edouard de Piray, the Shanghai- to grow. “Chinese consumers are “Pollution is also a problem in Caribbean Oil Company to look Beijing auto show, said he now giants are just as anxious to enter based president of Valeo in China. more much aware now of what is Europe — just look at the smog for oil and gas in Trinidad. takes a keen interest in whether the potentially lucrative market. Smartphone apps now allow safe and what is not in terms of that hit France in March,” said Ophir, worth £1.44bn, floated or not a car has an in-built French parts maker Valeo has people to constantly check pollu- air quality,” said Namrita Chow, Patrick Andre of Peugeot Citroen. on the London stock market only air purifier. “It is definitely an been developing a new system in tion levels, he said. “Lots of peo- Shanghai-based analyst for IHS Mass production in China, three years ago and saw its shares important index for people who China to replace its traditional ple already have particle filters at Automotive. “If you can high- meanwhile, could bring down the jump in 2012 following a signifi- are looking to buy a car,” he air filter, and says it has already home to protect their children,” light you’ve got a safer car with cost of developing the filters, he cant gas find in Tanzania. said, “for the sake of family secured a customer. de Piray added, predicting that a cleaner air and better safety added. AFP REUTERS

Citadel Capital sells stake in US, Japan unlikely to wrap up trade deal by May

Sudanese Egyptian Bank TOKYO: Japan and the United States could work out remaining issues “in a month significant compromises, with the United have found “common ground” to forge a or two”. Negotiators from the 12 TPP coun- States dropping insistence on scrapping all CAIRO: Egypt’s Citadel Capital management, plans to shed hold- two-way trade deal, but may not be able to tries are to meet in Vietnam in mid-May, tariffs and Tokyo offering bolder market said yesterday it was selling its ings gradually outside those areas resolve remaining sticking points in time followed by a gathering of Asia-Pacific trade access improvements than previously. majority stake in the Sudanese over the next few years and convert for a mid-May meeting of top negotiators ministers in China on May 17-18. Obama and But he said no deal would be reached until Egyptian Bank to the Islamic itself from a private equity firm into seeking a broad regional deal, a senior Abe will likely meet next at an Asia-Pacific all elements were in place. Solidarity bank of Sudan for $22m. a holding company. Japanese official said. summit in China in November. “Nobody is dreaming that we have con- The move is part of a programme Citadel Capital, which has hold- Marathon talks during US President Both Obama and Abe have domestic con- cluded everything,” he said. to shed non-core assets and focus on ings in dozens of companies, mainly Barack Obama’s state visit to Tokyo last stituencies keen to see their leaders stick “All professional trade negotiators know energy, transport, agrifoods, mining in Egypt, east and north Africa, has week yielded progress — hailed by the two to rival stances: a US demand that Japan that unless everything is agreed, everything and cement, Citadel said. Its stake suffered losses over the past two sides as a “key milestone” — but the two scrap all tariffs and Japan’s pledge to protect is open,” he said, adding stakeholders in both in the Sudanese Egyptian Bank was years partly due to political turmoil sides stopped short of announcing a deal politically powerful farmers in five sectors countries had to be brought on board. 66.1 percent. in the Arab world. vital to the Trans-Pacific Partnership including rice, beef and pork. Among the issues yet to be thrashed out Citadel, which has $9.5bn under REUTERS (TPP), a 12-nation bloc that would extend Yet both leaders are keen for a deal — are the period of time over which tariffs will from Asia to Latin America. Obama because TPP is central to his be reduced and what sort of steps Japan can The upbeat tone, however, was a contrast “pivot” of military, diplomatic and economic take to soften the blow on farmers. to the emphasis on “gaps” after previous resources to Asia and Abe because he has “There are a lot of uncertainties we need rounds of talks on a bilateral deal that has touted the trade deal as a key element to resolve, either technically or politically,” been stalemated by differences over access of reforms needed to generate economic the Japanese official said. to Japan’s agriculture market and both growth. Both sides expressed optimism that countries’ car markets. “What Obama’s visit Japan’s Yomiuri newspaper reported progress on a US-Japan deal will breathe produced after many lengthy negotiations over the weekend that the two sides had momentum into the push for a regional pact was a common ground on which the two in fact reached a “basic agreement” in last covering 40 percent of the world economy sides believe we can continue to work to find week’s talks, but that Tokyo wanted to avoid and creating a rule-based framework that a mutually acceptable solution,” the senior announcing it for fear of hurting the ruling could entice Asian giant China to join. Japanese official said. party’s prospects in a by-election for a seat The Japanese official echoed that view but “We no longer have to worry that the lack in parliament’s lower house. said there was no timetable set for when of a Japan-US pathway is going to block Obama faces opposition from a wary exhausted US and Japanese negotiators negotiations with other countries. This is a Congress and farm good exporters worried would meet, nor could he predict when a very important landmark Obama was able that Washington will settle for “TPP-Lite”. long-delayed broader deal would be reached. to produce,” he said. But he added he was Commenting on the Yomiuri report, the “That part is not in sight right now,” “not optimistic” that Washington and Tokyo Japanese official said both sides had offered he said. REUTERS

Protest against layoffs SBI recovers $66m from KFA

BANGALORE: India’s largest nationalised lender, the State Bank of India (SBI), has recov- ered around $66m (Rs4bn) of its overall $247,385,955.07 (Rs15bn) loan to the grounded Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), the bank’s chair- person said. The SBI Chairperson and Managing Director, Arundhati Bhattacharya, told Times of India newspaper, “Recovering the full loan given to Vijay Mallya’s airline business would take more time. We have taken necessary steps for recovery, but that will take time because there is the legal system to negotiate.” Bhattacharya is first woman chairperson in SBI’s 206-year his- tory. The bank appointed her to the top position in October 2013. A 17-bank consortium, led by SBI, is selling pledged shares in Mallya’s UB Group of compa- nies in the open market as well A man from POE-OTA union holds a banner in front of police blockade in Athens during a protest as selling other mortgaged assets of municipal workers against the austerity measures and layoffs. There have been more than 20,000 of Kingfisher Airlines the United protests or rallies in Greece since the country agreed to the terms of its first bailout in 2010. Breweries (UB) group. QNA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Fed may offer clues on Full speed ahead for some rate timing conundrum BY PHILIP BLENKINSOP UK firms, risk for others S policymakers have the chance this week to give clearer guidance on the future path of interest rates and settle BY WILLIAM SCHOMBERG compared to the number of people in work, signs that things will go smoothly. Umarkets that are uncertain over how and when a hike or their hours at work — picks up. Exports are inching up, helped by an would occur. ROM the shop floor of precision Britain has had the worst productivity easing of Europe’s debt crisis. Consumer Global financial markets are still on alert for developments in engineering firm JJ Churchill, performance among the Group of Seven spending, while still the key driver of the Ukraine, with the United States and its G7 partners preparing the return to health of Britain’s nations since 2008 as firms held on to work- recovery, is growing less quickly than before tougher sanctions against Russia. recession-damaged economy ers for when demand eventually recovered. the crisis, tempering concerns about an But investors will have much to chew over, including Federal seems to be fully on course. A rebound would help provide the extra prof- unsustainable recovery. Reserve and Bank of Japan policy meetings and data from U S FThe firm invested heavily in advanced its needed to pay higher wages and put the Earnings are about to outpace inflation growth and jobs to eurozone inflation. lathes and milling machines even as orders economy on a sound footing. after six years of falling living standards The Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee meets from plunged during the steep downturn, bet- Yet it remains unclear how much longer but a surge in pay is unlikely, given how Tuesday to Wednesday. The US central bank is likely to announce ting that when demand returned it would Britain can carry on expanding at its cur- many people still have no job or work too a further $10bn reduction of its monthly bond purchases, but be ready for it. rent pace without stirring the kind of infla- few hours. markets will read its Wednesday statement closely for clues to Now, as Britain grows faster than the world’s tion pressures that might force the BoE to Another boost could come from Britain’s when interest rates might start rising. other big rich economies, orders are flooding raise interest rates sooner and possibly recovering banks which are expected to In March, the Fed jettisoned its specific promise to keep bor- in to the plant near Birmingham from cli- higher than it has been signalling. once again prioritise lending to more prof- rowing costs low until unemployment falls below 6.5 percent — it ents such as Rolls-Royce, which buys Churchill The Bank is cautious about the chances itable firms over struggling ones, something was 6.7 percent in March. Instead, it said rates would stay low blades for its jet engines, and Siemens, parts of a long-awaited recovery in productivity that would boost productivity. for “a considerable time” after its bond-buying programme ends for its power-generating gas turbines. which it expects to grow only slowly over Potentially most significantly, companies later this year. “The amount of work we’re putting the next three years. A recent hiring surge, are starting to invest more to make their Fed Chair Janet Yellen knocked stocks and bonds in mid-March through the equipment is increasing dra- stronger even than growth in the overall operations more efficient. Business invest- by saying that period could be around six months, indicating rate matically,” said Andrew Churchill, the firm’s economy, has underscored how quickly the ment grew in each of the four quarters of hikes as early as next spring. More recently, she had the opposite managing director and grandson of its labour market is tightening. 2013, even if it remains almost 20 percent effect by reaffirming the bank’s commitment to keeping interest founder. “Machines that were used on one Inflation is at a four-year low but house below its pre-crisis peak. rates low. shift will move on two or even three shifts.” prices have leapt by about 10 percent over Some economists are hopeful that produc- Some Fed officials called this month for greater clarity on what The Bank of England hopes that many the past year. That could soon put to the tivity could pick up surprisingly quickly as economic conditions would prompt a rate hike. other British companies can respond in a test the BoE’s intention to use its new pow- demand returns. Samuel Tombs, at Capital By Wednesday, investors will know how fast the US grew in similar way to stronger growth, without ers to control the housing market without Economics, pointed to the transport and hos- the first three months of 2014, when bad weather is likely to have running into post-recession bottlenecks resorting to higher interest rates. pitality sectors, saying train operators and dragged on activity. that could fuel inflation. The International Monetary Fund restaurants, for example, could cope with more US GDP growth is seen easing to an annualised 1.3 percent from Data due tomorrow is likely to show warned this month that Britain’s recovery customers without having to invest more. 2.6 percent in the final quarter of 2013, when consumer spending that, in the first three months of this year, remained too reliant on consumer spend- Yet there are regular reminders of pres- and business investment were strong. Britain’s economy came within a whisker of ing and pointed to risks from the country’s sure growing in the labour market, some- Exceptional cold and heavy snow capped retail sales, industrial recovering its size before the 2008-09 reces- “surging” house prices. thing that could eventually reverse the output and the housing market in the first quarter, but econo- sion. Many other rich countries passed that And many firms are struggling to find recent fall in British inflation. Employers mists see a spring thaw leading to sharply stronger growth of milestone long ago. staff. Recruitment difficulties among man- are raising salaries they offer to new per- up to 4 percent in April-June. “We know that there were two But to keep the recovery on track, it is ufacturers hit a record high in late 2013 manent staff at the fastest rate in nearly months of disruption so it’s going to be hard to read this data vital that Britain’s poor productivity — a before easing a touch, the British Chambers seven years, a recent survey found. and extract meaningful signs about the underlying economy,” said measure of how much the economy produces of Commerce says. For others, there are REUTERS Laura Rosner at BNP Paribas in New York. Clearer signals should come from Thursday’s Institute for Supply Management index on national factory activity and par- ticularly Friday’s monthly jobs figures, the key driver of monetary policy. Non-farm payrolls improved from rotten levels in December and January to an increase of 197,000 in February and 192,000 in March. The figure is expected to push beyond 200,000 this month as temperatures rise and a later Easter prompts extra hiring. It will be a three-day week for many Europeans, with the May Day public holiday in much of continental Europe on Thursday extended into a long weekend. Policymakers and investors will learn on Wednesday whether euro zone inflation bounced in April from March’s 0.5 percent, its lowest level since November 2009. This year’s later Easter, bringing higher prices for holiday items such as travel, is expected to pull the consumer price index up to 0.8 percent. That would ease pressure on the European Central Bank to act at its May meeting, although the figure would still be in ECB President Mario Draghi’s “danger zone” below one percent. “It’s difficult to cut interest rates when inflation is going up again,” said Citi economist Guillaume Menuet. “I think it’s point- ing to June rather than May.” After rising in April, Menuet sees inflation falling to 0.7 percent in May and to 0.6 percent in June. Draghi gave his clearest indication yet last week that slow- ing inflation could prompt the ECB to undertake quantitative easing - printing money to buy assets — identifying a rise in the euro as a potential trigger for action. “What has changed in the past week is that we think that QE is more likely than not, in the second half of this year. Before we thought the hurdle was quite high,” Menuet said. Outside the eurozone, Britain will issue its first estimate of first quarter growth tomorrow. The economy is expected to have expanded by 0.9 percent in January-March, accelerating from 0.7 percent in the final three months of 2013 and restoring the British economy to within a whisker of its size before the global financial crisis struck. The data may also spark debate about the extent of slack within the economy and the timing of the Bank of England’s first inter- est rate rise, currently expected by markets to come in the first or second quarter of 2015. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Most developed market currencies stay range-bound

T WAS a quiet trading ECB also argued that all options expected last week, declining for a further from the target. Poloz had Draghi’s speech talking down risk week with most developed are on the table. but the increase second consec- previously confessed to being puz- of short end rates, being nuanced Imarket currencies staying On the geopolitical side, reports does not suggest utive month. zled by Canada’s lagging exports on FX, and placing emphasis on range-bound. Other than the were out that Russia had ordered a shift in labour February’s and said a recovery of the sec- inflation expectations Vs spot. geopolitical issues in Eastern new military exercises on its bor- market conditions sales were tor was a prerequisite for full It seems pretty likely that the Europe, the attention was on the der with Ukraine in response to as the underlying Weekly Money Market Review revised up to economic comeback. Higher con- ECB will be challenged by fur- Draghi speech on Thursday in an operation by Kiev against pro- trend continued to a 449,000-unit sumer energy prices should push ther EUR strength, or markedly Amsterdam. Draghi reiterated Russian separatists. Gold moved point to strength. Initial claims pace from the previously reported total inflation up in the next few weaker inflation data, but recent that in order for the ECB to ease, almost 30$ higher and equities for unemployment benefits rose 440,000-unit rate quarters but this will be transi- comments seem to be pointing there needs to be a large negative dropped one percent to end up 24,000 to 329,000 for the week Economists had forecast new tory and therefore “the downside towards a hawkish turn. An inter- surprise to inflation and that the flat on Thursday.. ended on April 19. Claims for the home sales at a 450,000 unit risks to inflation remain impor- view between ECB Governing current picture is not enough to In summary, on the foreign week ended April 12 were revised pace last month. Compared to tant, he said. The bank targets Council member Ewald Nowotny pull the trigger. He talked down exchange side, Markets closed the to show 1,000 more applications March last year, sales were down tow percent inflation. The bank’s and an Austrian newspaper, high- the need to respond to tighten- week with a weaker dollar against received than previously reported. 13.3 percent the largest decline analysis of 31 non-energy export lighted that he believes “there’s no ing in the very short-end, unless the low yielders. After reaching a Analysts expected jobless benefits since April 2011. Last month’s sectors found that the recent urgent need for the ECB to act.” transmitted to medium term part low of 1.6794 on Wednesday, the to rise to 310,000. The late Easter decline could still be reflecting depreciation of the Canadian dol- He said for now, there is no sign of of curve. His commentary on FX Pound ended the week near the this year and the timing of school some of the impact from the cold lar would help some industries, deflation expectations, and while was more nuanced, because he high of 1.6816. Euro on the other spring breaks accounted for the weather as sales plunged in the but that the majority of sectors Japan example is “a warning for argued that it has to be seen in side behaved in a more bullish miss this week as the four-week Midwest and the South. They also that had been doing well — and every central banker,” danger of context of easing of credit con- way after Draghi’s speech. After moving average for new claims, fell in the West, but rose in the which the bank says should drive Japanese-style deflation scenario ditions due to returning inflows. dropping to a low of 1.3785, the rose only 4,750 to 316,750. Northeast. the export recovery — are less is not an immediate one. In addition, he placed emphasis currency closed the week near the The claims report also showed Analysts also noted that the likely to benefit from the lower The Ifo Business Climate on the medium-term inflation high of 1.3840. the number of people still receiv- inventory of new homes still currency. Index for industry and trade in outlook and expectations rather In the commodity complex, gold ing benefits after an initial week remains historically low and could According to German newspa- Germany rose to 111.2 points in than the upcoming spot inflation continues to be supported by the of aid fell 61,000 to 2.68 million in be also one of the reasons why pers, The ECB continues to hold April from 110.7 points in March. prints. geopolitical situation in Europe. the week ended on April 12, the sales are dropping out to market pressure for eas- The overall mood came to the ECB’s Luc Coene views made After moving to a low of $1268, lowest level since December 2007. In a speech given by Stephen ier policy. Central bankers of all highest level since July 2011, the the ECB action sound more immi- the metal jumped over $30 to Sales of new US homes tum- Poloz governor of the Bank of stripes speak quietly of QE being mood for construction brightened nent than Draghi’s headlines and close the week around the $1,303 bled to their lowest level in eight Canada, the Bank is more opti- more of a “weapon of last resort”. slightly, while the mood for whole- argued the strong euro is a prob- level. months in March. The Commerce mistic over the recovery of the Draghi, they say, is welcome to sale rose significantly to the simi- lem for the ECB and April CPI The number of Americans fil- Department said on Wednesday country’s exports but if exports put it on display, but few want lar level as it was in the spring could cause the ECB to act. Vitor ing new claims for unemployment sales dropped 14.5 percent to do worse than expected, overall to see him actually fire it, and of 2012. Constancio, Vice-President of the benefits increased more than an annual rate of 384,000 units, inflation will fall again and drift this sentiment was solidified via THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,860.34 0.73 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,177.55 0.73 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,237.6 0.89 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,306.73 0.82 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,150.43 1.00 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5515.497 13.287 0.24 5515.497 5072.7 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,572.44 0.58 % QR151.1933 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4486.89 35.81 0.8 4496.54 4080.6 QE All Share Industrials 4,394.49 1.35 % SILVER UK ...... QR 6.0791 QR 6.1638 QE All Share Insurance 3,342.09 0.93 % Dj Indu Average 16501.65 -12.72 -0.08 16631.6 14551.27 Euro ...... QR 5.0043 QR 5.0738 QE All Share Real Estate 2,638.46 0.81 % QR 2.2909 CA$ ...... QR 3.2753 QR 3.3397 QE All Share Telecoms 1,703.27 1.92 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 2,388.5 0.94 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0997 QR 4.1568 QE Market Summary Comparison Hang Seng Inde/D 22562.8 53.16 0.24 23469.33 21137.61 Yen ...... QR 0.0353 QR 0.0359 Today Previous day Aus$ ...... QR 3.3461 QR 3.4121 Iseq Overall/D 4989.3 41.21 0.83 5195.97 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 27-04-2014 24-04-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0591 QR 0.0602 Index 12,860.34 12,954.93 Karachi 100 In/D 28786.74 69.55 0.24 29669.95 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0369 QR 0.0376 Change 94.59 6.63 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0806 QR 0.0823 Nikkei 225 Index 14404.99 -141.28 -0.97 16164.01 13885.11 % 0.73 0.05 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0282 YTD% 23.90 24.81 $ 109.25 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1897.28 1560.33 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0476 Volume 28,781,716 30,199,836 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0371 QR 0.0378 Value (QAR) 1,062,769,738.64 1,192,892,184.07 Straits Times/D 3283.93 25.92 0.8 3277.53 2953.01 Trades 12,158 13,406 $ 105.83 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3416 QR 0.3484 Up 11 | Down 29 | Unchanged 03 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 27-04-2014

Preoccupation with weather and Ukraine boosts commodities

HE ongoing sabre rat- week but generally managed to should restrain many from going after the surge in 2013. More tling in Ukraine remains stabilise as they recovered from Weekly Commodity Update aggressively short at the moment. worryingly for bulls relying on a key driver for com- a major round of technical selling Silver dropped through trend-line Chinese demand to offset reduced modities such as oil, gold on Thursday which particularly support at 19.30 and wiped out all demand from global institutional T BY OLE HANSEN and wheat while weather-related hit silver. the gains for the year but strong investors were the Councils esti- concerns continue to support the Both coffee futures came (Head of Commodity buying interest below resulted in mate that more than 1,000 tons agriculture sector. top once again as the extreme Strategy, Saxo Bank) a sharp recovery and the ratio to of gold may have been tied up in The broad-based DJ-UBS Brazilian drought during January gold contracted after blowing out financing deals within China’s Commodity Index is on track for and February continues to trig- to 67 the relative cheapest silver growing shadow banking sector. a fifth consecutive week of gains, ger downgrades in the estimates weather in the US Midwest. As of speculation about further Chinese level since August 2013. The government recently allowed with the index reaching the for output of Arabica coffee this April 20 only 6 percent of the corn easing and rising demand in both Improving US data, a weaker the Chinese yuan to weaken and highest level in 13 months. Once season and this will add to the crop was planted compared with US and China, the world’s two dollar and lower bond yields have some see this as a way of trying to again, the positive performance expected global supply deficit over a 14 percent five year average. A biggest consumers, as stockpiles not prevented the outflow from reign in some these rogue lending was driven by gains in agricul- the next two years. Robusta cof- continued delay could result in monitored by global exchanges in exchange traded products to con- practices where natural resources ture where coffee, sugar and corn fee which is primarily produced a larger soybean acreage due to London, New York and Shanghai tinue while hedge funds reduced such as gold and copper are used stood out. A continued recovery in Vietnam could see next seasons its later planting cycle and this fell to the lowest since 2009. net-longs for a third week during as collateral to secure offshore in industrial metals also helped output being negatively impacted combined with reduced soybean Copper is currently the only com- the week of April 15. The market US dollar loans which then gets not least copper which reached by the increased likelihood of an El demand from China which has modity out of 24 where hedge look range bound for now with the converted into yuan and invested a 10-week high while nickel, now Niño event later this year. Sugar seen South American cargoes funds maintain a net-short posi- risk of an escalation in Ukraine domestically. When the yuan up by one-third since December, was another strong performer and being diverted to the US and this tion and the supportive funda- remaining the biggest supporting slides the cost of these dollar loans has risen in 11 out of the past 12 looking ahead an El Niño event is helping reduce the upward price mental news helped trigger short factor. On the other hand we see rise and this has increased specu- weeks. could negatively impact produc- pressure that has been created covering. Further upside on the a potential negative impact from lation about liquidation of deals Small losses were seen in tion in both South Asia with too from the tightest supply situation May futures contract from con- the focus on the US economy com- and the selling of the assets sup- energy with losses in WTI crude little rain during the monsoon in decades. Wheat recovered from tinued short covering may be bined with worries that a contin- porting the loans. and natural gas more than off- season and South America where an early Easter sell-off as tensions limited above 314.5 cents/lb while ued weakening of the Chinese A geopolitical risk premium of setting gains in Brent crude and the problem would be too much in Ukraine still raises questions support is now anchored at 308 yuan may trigger some addi- between 5 and 10 US dollars con- gasoline. US crude inventories rain. about the potential output from cents/lb. tional supply from the unwinding tinue to support crude oil futures reached a new record high while The key grains markets were this key production region while Gold continue find little to cheer of financing deals where gold has and this is leaving hedge funds Brent found support from the con- mixed with gains in corn and the US winter crop on the south- about although the sharp 32 dol- been used as collateral. — which once again are holding tinued geopolitical tensions and wheat being somewhat offset by ern Plains are still short of rain to lar bounce on April 24 was a clear A report before Easter from near record net-long positions in delays in getting Libyan exports losses in soybeans. Corn jumped ensure a proper yield. sign that although long positions the World Gold Council (WGC) WTI crude oil futures — with lit- back on track. Precious metals on continued delays to spring HG copper climbed to a seven are being scaled back, the geopo- forecast that China’s 2014 demand tle interest in reducing exposure were mixed after a roller coaster planting due to wet and cold week high at 310 cents/lb on litical worries related to Ukraine for gold would likely be unchanged at this time. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Carter lifts Mavericks over Spurs The 37-year-old scores a three-pointer for Mavericks in last seconds of the game

DALLAS: Vince Carter drained a three-pointer to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-108 victory over the San Antonio Spurs NBA team owner yesterday in game three of their opening round NBA playoff series. The 37-year-old Carter caught an inbounds pass from Jose in hot water over Calderon in the left side corner and faked Manu Ginobili of the Spurs. His off-balance shot at the buzzer sailed cleanly through the racist remarks rim. Moments earlier, Ginobili had LOS ANGELES: US President Barack Obama yesterday joined given the Spurs a two-point lead leading US sports figures in condemning racist remarks allegedly with a running bank shot with 1.7 made by the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, one of the NBA’s seconds left in the fourth quarter. top basketball teams. “Sometimes you need some- The gossip website TMZ on Saturday posted an audio recording thing like that,” said Calderon. “I it says shows billionaire Clippers owner Donald Sterling telling his think we were fighting so hard for girlfriend to refrain from bringing black guests to see his team play. 48 minutes against a really good Sterling, 80, was reportedly angry about a photograph that the team. Coming up with that great woman, identified only as V. Stiviano, posted on the social media shot at the end -- it feels great.” site Instagram with retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend In the late Western Conference Magic Johnson. game, Reggie Jackson scored a “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you are playoff career high 32 points to associating with black people. Do you have to?” Sterling allegedly lead the Oklahoma City Thunder says in the nearly 10-minute recording. to a 92-89 overtime victory over “You can sleep with (black people). You can bring them in. You the host Memphis Grizzlies. can do whatever you want. The little I ask is not to promote it on The Mavericks took a 2-1 lead that ... and not to bring them to my games.” in the best-of-seven series with Later in the audio, the woman identifies herself as “black and game four set for today in Dallas. Mexican.” It marked the second straight “In your lousy ... Instagrams you don’t have to have yourself walk- win in the series for the ing with black people,” says the male voice. Mavericks, who had tied the Obama, the first African American president and a keen bas- series with a 113-92 road victory Indiana Pacers’ David West (21) passes around Atlanta Hawks’ Kyle Korver (26) and Paul Millsap (4) during the ketball player and fan, interrupted his diplomatic initiative in Asia second half of Game 4 in their Eastern Conference NBA playoff series at Philips Arena in Atlanta, yesterday. to condemn “ignorant” and “incredibly offensive” racist remarks. Indiana won 91-88 to even the series at two games apiece. “I don’t think I have to interpret those statements for you. NBA First-round They kind of speak for themselves,” said the president, speaking Wednesday to snap a 10-game los- San Antonio have won four of the 11 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies, in Malaysia. Playoff Results ing streak to the Spurs. last five games in Dallas. who had a chance to tie the “When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t WASHINGTON: Results The series could easily have Kevin Durant had 15 points game at the end but Mike Conley really have to do anything, you just let them talk.” yesterday from the opening been 3-0 for Dallas, but the and 13 rebounds and Russell missed shot from beyond the arc. Obama also made a wider point about racism in the United round of the NBA playoffs (all Mavericks squandered a double- Westbrook finished with 15 points, Game five is slated for Tuesday States, which he said is still wrestling with the legacy of slavery series best-of-seven): digit fourth-quarter lead in game nine rebounds and seven assists in Oklahoma City. and segregation. one. for the Thunder, who evened their Meanwhile, the National “We just have to be clear and steady in denouncing it, teaching EASTERN CONFERENCE Monta Ellis led Dallas with 29 series at two games apiece. Basketball Association slapped our children differently but also (remain) hopeful that part of why At Atlanta points, including 12 in the final Jackson, who was averaging Washington Wizards forward some statements like this stand out so much is because there has Indiana 91 Atlanta 88 quarter. just five points over the first three Nene with a one-game ban yes- been a shift in how we view ourselves,” he said. (Series level 2-2) Tony Parker tallied 19 points games, rose to the occasion in the terday after he head-butted a “The audio recording posted by TMZ is truly offensive and dis- At Charlotte while Kawhi Leonard scored 17 third consecutive overtime game Chicago Bulls player in game turbing,” said National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Miami 98 Charlotte 85 and Tiago Splitter chipped in 14 in the series. three of their first round playoff Silver, who promised to move “extraordinary quickly in our inves- (Heat lead series 3-0) points and 13 rebounds for the “I was just trying to attack the series. Nene, of Brazil, has been tigation” of the controversy. WESTERN CONFERENCE Spurs. basket. I am so thankful we came suspended for today’s game four Silver said the league plans to interview Sterling, the woman on At Dallas “I think we did enough,” said out with a win,” said Jackson, who of the best-of-seven series for his the tape, and possibly have the probe wrapped up before the Clippers’ Parker. “We played good defence. shot 11-of-16 from the field and tussle Bulls swingman Jimmy next home game late Tuesday. Dallas 109 San Antonio 108 We shot 54 percent on the road; grabbed nine boards. Butler. The incident took place “There are broad powers in place under the NBA constitution (Dallas lead series 2-1) that’s great. Serge Ibaka had 12 points, 14 with just over eight minutes left and by-laws that include a range of sanctions. All those will be At Memphis “You just have to keep the rebounds and five blocks for the in the fourth quarter when he considered and will depend on the findings of our investigation,” he Oklahoma City 92 Memphis 89 morale good in the locker room second-seeded Thunder. grabbed Butler by the neck and said, adding however that Sterling was owed “due process.” AFP (Series tied 2-2) and come back strong on Monday.” Marc Gasol had 23 points and head-butted him. AGENCIES NHL: MacKinnon leads Bishop wins Pretect April Monthly Mug Avalanche to victory

DENVER: Sometimes, it’s hard opener, as Stastny scored with for the Colorado Avalanche NHL Play-off 13.4 seconds remaining in regu- to remember that Nathan lation and then added the OT MacKinnon is just 18 years old Results winner. and only a rookie. Boston 4 Detroit 2 “We believe in ourselves Because he keeps coming (Boston win the best-of-seven series by 4-1) more when we’re down a goal,” through in big moments. Pittsburgh 3 Columbus 1 Landeskog said. The speedy MacKinnon (Pittsburgh lead the best-of-seven series by “It’s exciting to be a part of. It’s scored 3:27 into overtime after 3-2) not something we want to make a PA Parenteau tied the game habit of doing.” Colorado 4 Minnesota 3 late in regulation, helping the Nick Holden and Cody McLeod (Colorado lead the best-of-seven series by Avalanche rally for a 4-3 win over also added goals for the Avalanche. 3-2) the Minnesota Wild on Saturday Kyle Brodziak, Zach Parise night and a 3-2 lead in the first- San Jose 0 Los Angeles 3 and Matt Moulson scored for the (San Jose lead the best-of-seven series by Karl Bishop, winner of the April Pretect Monthly Mug, poses for a picture at Doha Golf Club yesterday. Bishop, round series. Wild. Two of Minnesota’s goals 3-2) who plays off 7 handicap, won Flight A with a score of 39 points. Jacky Tan, won Flight B with a score of 45 “The kid’s special,” Parenteau came after a Colorado defense- points. Alan Jones won Flight C on countback (19) with 43 points. Junior golfer Laila Hrindova won in the said. MacKinnon’s time in the man shattered their stick and had Ladies Division with a total of 41 points. “I know it’s cliche to say, but it’s spotlight was made possible by to play without one. pretty impressive to see. ... This Parenteau, who scored with 1:14 Parise tied the game at 2 early is the kid we want on our side.” left after Roy pulled goaltender in the third when he glided down MacKinnon is having quite the Semyon Varlamov with 2:22 the left side and beat Varlamov series, with two goals and eight remaining. The strategy worked with a shot over his glove. assists. out again, just like in Game 1. Nearly two minutes later, Kemp homers in Dodgers’ win Surprised at the poise of his No. There may have been some Brodziak gave the Wild the lead 1 pick? controversy on Parenteau’s tying after defenseman Jan Hejda broke LOS ANGELES: Don on a 1-2 pitch and Tulowitzki “We knew when we drafted goal, though, with Stastny possi- his stick and struggled to cover Mattingly had enough confi- Baseball Results whiffed on a 2-2 delivery. him what kind of player we bly being offsides on the play. anyone. dence to keep Chris Withrow on NY Yankees 4 LA Angels 3 “That’s a perfect situation for were drafting,” Avalanche coach At least, that was the Wild’s McLeod had a short-handed the mound with one out in the Washington 4 San Diego 0 me and Tulo to change the game, Patrick Roy said as the series take. goal at 8:04 of the second period, eighth inning after he walked Boston 7 Toronto 6 but it didn’t happen tonight,” switches back to Minnesota for “They missed the call and we when he redirected a pass from the bases loaded. Gonzalez said. Minnesota 5 Detroit 3 Game 6 on Monday. “ He had a paid for it,” Minnesota defense- Ryan O’Reilly past Kuemper. It paid off against two of the Adrian Gonzalez homered for solid game.” man Ryan Suter said. “ No The lead was short-lived as the toughest outs in the majors. Pittsburgh 6 St Louis 1 the third straight game and Matt A memorable one, too. After all, excuses. We have to play better Wild answered 1:13 later when Withrow struck out Carlos San Francisco 5 Cleveland 3 Kemp also went deep in support it’s not every day a rookie scores in overtime. We’ve got to get more Moulson tipped in a shot by Jared Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki to Baltimore 3 Kansas City 2 of Maholm (1-2). an OT winner in the playoffs. pressure on the kid (MacKinnon) Spurgeon from the blue line. On escape the jam and help preserve Milwaukee 5 Chicago Cubs 3 The left-hander threw 84 MacKinnon corralled the puck when he comes to the net.” the play, Maxime Talbot gave his a 6-3 victory for Paul Maholm and Atlanta 4 Cincinnati 1 pitches over seven innings, allow- and poked it past Darcy Kuemper’s Wild coach Mike Yeo is hoping stick to defenseman Andre Benoit the Los Angeles Dodgers against ing two runs and six hits in his Houston 7 Oakland 6 glove with two defenders near the breaks equal out. after his broke and then Jamie the Colorado Rockies on Saturday fourth start with the defending him. Soon after, MacKinnon was “I would say we’re due for, I McGinn passed his to Talbot, night. Miami 7 NY Mets 6 NL West champions. mobbed by team-mates. don’t want to say luck, but for leaving McGinn without a stick. “Obviously, you don’t like to see Tampa Bay 4 Chicago White Sox 0 “Everything was working,” He deflected the credit, though, stuff to go our way a little bit,” The Avalanche may soon have the bases loaded with those guys Philadelphia 6 Arizona 5 Maholm said. saying it should go to Paul Stastny Yeo said. “ I’m not going to dwell leading scorer Matt Duchene coming up,” Maholm said. Texas 6 Seattle 3 “I was able to throw breaking or Gabriel Landeskog for their on what happened in the game.” back in the lineup as he skated “But you’ve got confidence in LA Dodgers 6 Colorado 3 balls for strikes. I fell behind some roles on the play. When his team trails, Roy with the team Saturday morning. Chris because with the stuff he guys, but I was confident enough “Paulie forced the puck down has been rather liberal in pull- Duchene has been sidelined since has, he can strike out anybody relieved Maholm with a 5-2 lead in my sinker to throw it behind in in their end, Landy got it on the ing Varlamov all season long, hurting his left knee when he ran and get out of anything he gets and walked the bases loaded. But the count and get some ground- half-wall and I was screaming for preferring to send out an extra into a teammate against San Jose himself into.” Gonzalez, who has hit 15 homers balls. I felt way more in rhythm it,” MacKinnon said. “Definitely a skater with plenty of time left on on March 29. AGENCIES Withrow, a first-round draft against the Dodgers since the today than I have in any other good play by him.” the clock. It worked in the series pick by the Dodgers in 2007, start of the 2010 season, fanned outing.” AGENCIES MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Cycling: Froome pulls Klitschko hammers Leapai, out of Liege at last moment

LIEGE, BELGIUM: Tour dedicates win to country de France champion Chris Froome was forced to pull out of Sunday’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege race at the last moment due to One-sided bout as Ukrainian lands 147 punches compared to rival’s 10 illness, Team Sky said. Briton Froome has not raced since the end of March when he BERLIN: Undisputed world finished an underwhelming sixth heavyweight champion in the Tour of Catalonia. Wladimir Klitschko has dedi- “Unfortunately Chris has cated his fifth-round knock- been suffering from a mild chest out of challenger Alex Leapai infection,” said Team Sky doctor to his countrymen embroiled Richard Freeman in a statement in the ongoing political crisis in on the team’s website. Ukraine. “After an examination this Klitschko, 38, defended his Ukrainian morning (Sunday) we concluded WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts in heavyweight that the best course of action Oberhausen late Saturday night champion Wladimir would be to withdraw him from and was in complete control of Klitschko celebrates Liege-Bastogne-Liege as a pre- his 25th world title fight, putting after his heavyweight cautionary measure, which will Australia’s Leapai on the canvas world title boxing allow him the best chance of three times. fight against recovery ahead of the Tour de “It wasn’t easy, because my Australian boxer Romandie.” head was with my countrymen in Alex Leapai in the Froome was forced out of the Ukraine. What is going on in my Knig-Pilsener-ArenaJ Tirreno-Adriatico race in March home country is the concern of due to a back problem before in Oberhausen, the whole world,” said Klitschko, making his comeback in the Tour Germany. Klitschko who landed 147 punches com- of Catalonia, where he was short pared to Leapai’s mere 10. knocked out Alex of his best form. “I hope that the politicians Leapai in the fifth The 28-year-old had started in my home country will find a round. the season in fine form, winning peaceful solution, I am proud of the Tour of Oman in February for my people. the second year in a row, but his “This fight was important for season has since then been dis- my countrymen, so that it can rupted by injury and illness. distract them from the problems The Tour of Romandie, in which which we are still facing. he is the reigning champion and “I hope we can get through this which begins tomorrow, is a cru- crisis just like I got through this cial step in Froome’s preparation fight. my opponents had that type of his superior size and experience “I was trying to egg him on, to want to take my place and knock for July’s Tour de France defence. “Our dreams of living in a attitude. count. come inside (my reach), but he me off my throne, but that keeps After that he is due to race in the democratic country, where any “I think your fans back home “I feel disappointed to be hon- was fighting smart, then one of me hungry. Criterium du Dauphine in June, European will feel welcome, will can be very proud of you. est,” said Samoan-born Leapai. his rights came in and landed on “It’s a decade since I lost to where he is also the title-holder come true and most of all there “Alex was looking for the right “Wladimir did his homework the side of my head. That was Brewster and I am grateful for and which is considered one of will be peace.” moment and the right shot and and made it really hard for me that. that experience. the best gauge’s of a rider’s form Klitschko picked up the 53rd I swear if one of those shots had to land that right hand, he just “Manuel Charr and Shannon “It was a terrible loss which left before the Grand Boucle. knock-out of his career in his landed anywhere near my head I kept moving. Briggs, these are the guys I’ll be a bad after taste and a memory Briton Pete Kennaugh also 62nd victory in the 65th fight of would not be sitting here tonight. “It’s a learning experience and chasing now, I’m a puncher and I which puts me on alert for every pulled out of the Liege race, one of his career and the referee finally “This is 112kgs of pure muscle I just want to get back in the gym can take any of those guys.” new challenger I face. five ‘Monuments’ in cycling, due stepped in after two minutes, five and power and I am sure Alex will and keep going. This is not the It is now a decade since “This is all still part of the pay to an unrelated illness, Sky said. seconds of the fifth round. be able to beat a lot of boxers in end of the line. Klitschko last tasted defeat, when back for that and I am not done It left Sky with just six riders But the champion paid tribute the division.” “There were a few things I he lost to Lamon Brewster in yet.” for the Sunday’s 100th edition of to his out-classed challenger. Both fighters tipped the scales could have done differently, but Las Vegas in April 2004, and the US legend Joe Louis’ 12-year ‘La Doyenne’ (the oldest race) “You never stopped, you were at 112kgs, but Klitschko had just tonight is all about Wladimir. champion says he has no desire to record for the longest reigning instead of eight, with Australian courageous and you were bold,” over double the victories, com- “I couldn’t get through his jab. give up his titles. world heavyweight champion will Richie Porte leading the way. Klitschko told Leapai. pared to Leapai’s 24 knock-outs “He kept moving and that’s “This sport delights me and I fall if Klitschko is unbeaten for Another rider who didn’t take “You had the desire to become in 30 wins, and with a 15cm why he’s been undefeated for the love being at the top of it,” he said. the next four years having won the start was Colombian outsider a champion and not many of height advantage, he made both last 10 years. “I know there are others who his first title in 2006. REUTERS Carlos Betancur. The 24-year- old AG2R rider has been suffer- ing from illness recently, forcing Figueroa him to abandon during both the Tour of Catalonia and Tour of the retains title Basque Country. Tour of Turkey gets LOS ANGELES: Omar Keith Thurman Figueroa retained his World under way celebrates his Boxing Council belt with a win over Julio 12-round split decision win over ISTANBUL: A peloton of Diaz after their Jerry Belmontes in a lightweight 168 cyclists from around the two round title fight on Saturday. world pedalled out of the fight for the Figueroa was able to outwork Mediterranean resort town of interim WBA and outsmart Belmontes, win- Alanya yesterday on the first Welterweight ning 116-112 and 118-110 on two stage of the 50th edition of Championship of the judge’s scorecards. The Presidential Cycling Tour of other judge scored it 115-113 for Turkey. at StubHub Belmontes. Figueroa improved Riders from 21 teams, including Centre in to 23-0-1 with 17 knockouts after star sprinters Mark Cavendish Los Angeles, making his first title defence. and Elia Viviani, are compet- California. Figueroa was coming off an ing in the 1,250-kilometre (750- impressive victory over Nihito mile) tour. The cyclists will race Arakawa in July. In the main over eight districts along the event, Keith Thurman kept his Mediterranean and Aegean coasts perfect record intact by stopping Omar Figueroa Jr (right) punches Jerry Belmontes during their WBC before arriving for the finish in Julio Diaz after the third round of Lightweight World Championship title bout at StubHub Centre in Los Istanbul where they will cross the their welterweight bout. Angeles, California. Bosphorus Bridge that connects REUTERS Europe and Asia. REUTERS Phelps brings big splash back to the pool

MESA, UNITED STATES: Michael astonishing 18 of them gold. “His train- in his estimation, tens of thousands of Phelps isn’t aiming to recreate the past, ing is much different. It’s actually half golf balls, he found the water was where but his low-key return to competitive and in some cases a third of what he used he wanted to be. swimming offered a tantalising glimpse to do,” Bowman said. The welcome he received at Skyline American of how the Olympic legend could con- “He’ll never go back. Aquatic Center in suburban Phoenix was swimmer tinue shaping the sport’s future. “What we’re doing wouldn’t work for rapturous, from old rivals like Lochte as Michael “I was just kind of literally getting my 17 swims in eight days but it might work well as from rising talents like 15-year-old Phelps at feet wet again,” Phelps said of his return for six or seven swims in shorter races.” Michael Andrew, who had never expected a press to racing after a 20-month retirement. Bowman acknowledged that Phelps to stand on the same deck with his idol. conference But he electrified the modest Mesa will have to step up his training to return All sessions of the meet sold out on after Grand Prix with a runner-up finish to to the international stage. the day he announced his return and the swimming Ryan Lochte in the 100m butterfly, and He’s slated for one of Bowman’s notori- media presence was five-times that of the the 50m USA Swimming National Team Director ous altitude training camps and perhaps 2013 edition. Frank Busch is among the many who another Grand Prix meeting in Charlotte The demise of his long-time relation- freestyle believe a fifth Olympics at Rio de Janeiro next month. ship with Speedo has even sparked spec- prelims in 2016 is well within Phelps’s scope. “He has an opportunity if he wants to ulation that his marketing clout could during “I have absolutely no doubts whatso- take advantage of it,” Bowman said. pull his current apparel sponsor, Under the Arena ever,” Busch said. “He comes back after Phelps says this sequel to a storied Armour, into the swimsuit-making Grand Prix almost two years and is barely out- career is about regaining his joy in a business. at Skyline touched, swims the fourth-fastest time sport which by London had become an “He has reached superstar status in Aquatic in the world (this year) -- how freaky obligation. our society,” Busch said. Center in is that?” “I think it’s no secret that our last “He just happens to be a swimmer. It’s this April 25, While Phelps and coach Bob Bowman several years together it really wasn’t amazing for USA Swimming to have such 2014, file won’t officially confirm that Rio is on much fun for anybody,” Bowman said of a powerful figure in our sport. photo. the radar, it’s clear that a fifth Olympic the tense build-up to the 2012 Games. “What organisation doesn’t want bid would not mirror the multiple medal Phelps walked away from London to have a Tiger Woods or a Michael campaigns of Athens, Beijing and London without a backward glance, but after Jordan?,” Busch concluded with a query. that yielded a record 22 medals -- an putting on 30 pounds (14 kg) and hitting, REUTERS MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Athletics: Levy’s memorable Dix anchors US over Jamaica at day at China Open Anirban Lahiri of India poses with the trophy Penn Relays Maiden tour title win for the Frenchman after winning the Indonesian PHILADELPHIA: Walter Masters at Dix edged Oshane Bailey at the SHENZHEN, CHINA: the Royal finish line to give the United Frenchman Alexander Levy Alexander Jakarta Club States a victory over Jamaica in won the first professional tour- Levy of in Jakarta, a men’s 4x100m relay showdown nament of his fledgling career France Indonesia, Saturday at the 120th Penn yesterday, holding off a spirited poses for yesterday. Relays. charge from England’s Tommy photographs Dix, a 100m and 200m bronze Fleetwood in the $3.2m Volvo with his medalist at the 2008 Beijing China Open. trophy after Olympics and 100-200 runner-up The 23-year-old overnight winning the at the 2011 world championships, leader showed few nerves as he Volvo China brought the Americans home in plotted his way around Shenzhen’s 38.57 seconds to edge Jamaica by Open at par-72 Genzon Golf Club in 69 for .01 of a second. the Genzon a total score of 19-under-par and “Every time I come to the Penn the $530,000 winner’s cheque. Golf Club in Relays I never ran the anchor “It’s a very nice feeling and Shenzhen, leg,” Dix said. I’m very happy,” said Levy, who Guangdong “So being able to run the was showered in champagne on province anchor leg today and pulling the the 18th green by several of his yesterday. win out for my team was some- compatriots on the tour before an Levy thing special. It was definitely a overexuberant fan tried to run off overcame India’s Lahiri close race in the end, but I knew with his cap. Tommy right away that I won the race for “I didn’t feel a lot of pressure Fleetwood’s Team USA. on the golf course because I was spirited “For a race to come down to the confident,” he added. challenge wire the way this did is what you Levy, who played with a smile bags Tour title live for as an athlete. You prepare to secure throughout, had started the final his maiden for moments like this. A win like round three strokes ahead of European JAKARTA: India’s Anirban During the rain delay I was just this is huge for us. It brought us Alvaro Quiros and was soon four Tour title with Lahiri won his fourth Asian thinking that I have to get up and closer together as a team as well ahead when the Spaniard bogeyed Tour title at the CIMB Niaga down there,” Lahiri said, accord- as showed what we’re capable of a four-shot the first hole. Indonesian Masters yesterday ing to an Asian Tour press release. doing.” victory at the It quickly got worse for the with a spectacular eagle putt on “I got a bad break there but The US lineup included Charles big-hitting Quiros as he played China Open the last hole. I know (Taiwanese) Lin Wen- Silmon, 32-year-old Justin Gatlin, aggressive golf in a bid to gain yesterday. The 26-year-old, a three-time tang dropped a shot as well. Rakieen Salaam and Dix while ground on Levy but dropped fur- Asian Tour winner, sealed his Unfortunately I got a double the Jamaicans countered with ther back to go out in one-over victory with a four-under-par 68 bogey there but I am glad I came Jason Livermore, Michael Frater, par. since a sublime 62 Friday -- Alex has led from Friday, and at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club back strong.” Rasheed Dwyer and Bailey. Levy, whose previous best finish showed his first sign of nerves at that’s one of the hardest things after breaking away from the Lahiri then overtook the lead Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic 100m in a tournament was third at last the next, stumbling to a double you can do. What a performance chasing pack. of South Korea’s Baek Seuk-hyun champion and 2005 world cham- year’s BMW International Open, bogey which reduced the gap to from him.” “It’s really great to get my first at 16-under, screaming jubilantly pion, was excited about edging the picked up a shot at the sixth to just two with three holes to play. Denmark’s Anders Hansen win outside of India. I have missed as his 20-ft eagle putt sank into Jamaicans as well. complete his first nine in one- Fleetwood, chasing his second enjoyed the round of the day at out on it for a long time and I am the hole for a winning total of “It really feels good to get under 34. European Tour title, then bird- the 7,145-yard-long course, mak- so glad I managed to do it today,” 17-under-par 271. REUTERS this win,” Gatlin said. “We knew France’s world number 282 ied the 17th but Levy immediately ing nine birdies for a 63. said Lahiri, who won $750,000. from the beginning that when we was five shots ahead of Quiros matched it after hitting a stun- He finished tied 5th with world “I need the world ranking came here we wanted to make a at the turn and by now the big- ning three iron onto the green number three Henrik Stenson points so I am really happy I can CIMB Niaga Indonesian statement. gest threat was coming from from 220 metres (yards). (65) and Ian Poulter (67) on win this week.” “Charles Slimon got bumped the match in front, where the “I hit a good drive onto the 11-under. Two big names at the tourna- Masters Scores on the first leg, but he composed 23-year-old Fleetwood was mak- fairway, then saw Tommy make a PGA champion Jason Dufner ment, rising French star Victor Leading scores after round 4 of the CIMB himself and gave us the momen- ing a move. birdie to go just one shot from me. ended a miserable week with a 75, Dubuisson and former Major win- Niaga Indonesian Masters (par 72): tum we needed to win. What we The Englishman, ranked 108 in “I closed my eyes and hit one of which included an eight, to finish ner Louis Oosthuizen of South 271 Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-69-64-68 did today was special and the the standings, started with three the best shots of the week. It was tied 54th on level par. Africa, withdrew with shoulder 272 Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 71-68-68-65, beginning of something great for straight birdies before chipping an amazing shot.” Ouyang Zheng was the leading and back injuries respectively. Cameron Smith (AUS) 68-67-67-70 the upcoming Olympics.” in for another on the ninth to get Levy followed with another Chinese player at four-under. Trailing by a single shot behind 273 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 71-69-65-68 Gatlin would be 34 at the 2016 to minus 15. birdie at 18 after a Fleetwood One of yesterday’s biggest Australia’s Cameron Smith, 274 Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 71-72-67-64, Rio de Janeiro Olympics. He suffered a setback on the bogey to clinch a four-shot vic- cheers came on the 12th when Lahiri first fired three successive Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-70-69- Jamaica won the women’s par-5 13th when he drove into a tory over the Englishman, who England’s Danny Willett got a birdies starting from the second 67, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-64-72-68, 4x100 relay for the second year in hazard on his way to a bogey, his finished alone in second with hole-in-one to win a Volvo V40 hole. S.S.P Chowrasia (IND) 71-66-69-68 a row, with Carrie Russell, Kerron first since the 16th hole of round Quiros third. car. It was the second ace of the He stumbled with a bogey-five Stewart, Anneisha McLaughlin, 275 Rashid Khan (IND) 70-70-64-71 one. “It’s been a fantastic week... for day, coming after Marcel Siem on the fifth hole but recovered Trisha-Ann Hawthorne tak- Minutes later Levy made me,” Fleetwood said. “I’ve been on of Germany’s three-iron shot with another birdie on 12. 276 Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-68-72-68, ing the crown in 42.81 with the a birdie at 13 to go five shots a little bit of a dodgy stretch, so dropped in on the eighth. However a double-bogey six on Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 68-71-69-68, United States second in 43.15 ahead with five holes left before it’s nice to get myself up there The 20th edition of China’s 13 after a lengthy three-hour rain Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70-69-67-70 and Trinidad and Tobago third, Fleetwood bounced back with a again and get in the mix. national championship was co- delay saw the Indian ride out a 277 Dimitrios Papadatos (AUS) 73-72-66- another .38 of a second back. 30-foot birdie putt at the 14th. “We aim for wins, but today... sanctioned by the European Tour tense finish. 66, Chan Kim (USA) 69-69-70-69, Jyoti The Bahamas won the men’s Levy -- who had held the lead I had to play outstanding golf. and OneAsia. REUTERS “I had an awkward lie on 13. Randhawa (IND) 72-68-67-70 4x400 relay in 3:00.78 with the US squad second in 3:03.31 and Brazil third in 3:03.32. A botched final exchange helped end the Americans’ eight-meet Penn Relays win streak in the event. The American lineup of Keshia El Jaish praised for Qatar Cup win Kirtz, Monica Hargrove, DeeDee Trotter and Jessica Beard won DOHA: The Deputy CEO of Qatar Stars congratulate El Jaish and Lekhwiya for “I could feel the happiness during the the women’s 4x400 relay in 3:25.62 League (QSL) Hani Balan (pictured the optimum performance,” Balan added. final. The atmosphere in the stadium was with Nigeria second in 3:27.16, left) yesterday applauded El Jaish’s per- “I applaud their hard work during the great. I felt the passion of the two teams edging Jamaica by .16 of a second. formance after the Doha football side season, for their general professionalism,” and spirit to win was remarkable,” he Leonel Manzano passed Collis won the Qatar Cup in what was the first he added. added. Birmingham on the final lap of ever edition of the new championship. “A lot of credit should go to their man- “It has proven to be a big event and that the concluding 1,600m leg to give In the final on Saturday, El Jaish beat agement because they really built up two was the intention and it will continue to be the United States a victory in the Lekhwiya on penalties after both teams good teams that can compete on a high a highlight of the Qatari football calendar. men’s Distance Medley Relay in were level at 1-1 in regulation time. level. They were first and second in the “This is a chance to really thank every- 9:28.27, downing the Aussies by Balan said: “I was most impressed with league respectively and they are compet- one - all the employees of the QSL, every 2.47 seconds with Ireland third the high quality of the match between ing in the final of the first ever Qatar Cup member of staff who worked hard to make in 9:42.83. Lekhwiya and El Jaish, especially in the which has a precious name. El Jaish will such a great day,” Balan said. Ajee Wilson ran a 1:59.60 on her first half. I was pleased with the organisa- forever be remembered for winning the “There are people who have worked hard 800m anchor leg to edge Natalya tion of the first ever Qatar Cup.” first ever Qatar Cup,” he said. behind the scenes who are not seen but Goule in the last 50 meters to Bani also commented on the entertain- “I am very happy as the Deputy CEO of they did so much to make this event suc- give the United States a victory ment provided for the tournament final the organisation about the way the tourna- cessful. I would like to give a special thanks in the women’s sprint medley in and said that El Jaish would always be ment was presented, from the branding, to all QSL staff,” he said. 3:37.94 with Jamaica, which led remembered for winning the first edition to the design of the trophy to the launch “They should feel proud of themselves most of the race, second, .47 back, of the new Cup. and to the final and also the whole season for delivering such a great event,” Balan and the Caribbean All-Stars third “I would take this opportunity to which is still not over yet. said. THE PENINSULA and last in 3:46.95. REUTERS

Qatar Basketball IBQ supports Emir Cup Federation (QBF) officials DOHA: International Bank It brings together 10 teams aim at promoting and increasing present a of Qatar (IBQ), for the sixth to battle it out for the title the sports awareness across Qatar, cheque for consecutive year, sponsored championship bringing together and helping further develop the QR10,000 the 2013-2014 edition of the aspiring sports talents from promising national talent in the to the ‘Best Emir’s Cup, where the Bank Qatar. field of sports.” Shooter’ in the also presented a mega cheque In the final last Friday, Al Despite trailing for most of the Emir Cup final to the “Best Shooter” in the Gharafa beat El Jaish 89-87. title clash, Al Gharafa relied on held on Friday. championship. Jabra Ghandour, Managing a feisty show late in the fourth The prize was The final ceremony, attended Director of IBQ said: “We have quarter against El Jaish to win sponsored by by a representative from IBQ, been proudly sponsoring the Emir the Emir Cup title. International took place on April 25 when Al Cup for six years, and our spon- Playing on home venue, Al Gharafa beat El Jaish in the title sorship reflects our firm commit- Gharafa won 89-87 for what was Bank of clash at Al Gharafa Indoor Hall. ment to contribute to the success their third major trophy in the Qatar (IBQ), The Emir Cup is one of most of major national championships 2013-14 season. Earlier this sea- for the sixth prestigious and highly awaited that help position Qatar as a hub son, Al Gharafa won the National consecutive basketball events on Qatar’s for sports activities. By support- League title followed by the Qatar year. sports calendar. ing such important activities, we Cup trophy. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Delhi add to Mumbai woes with big win Defending champions still without a point after 4 games

SHARJAH: Indian Premier League (IPL) defending champi- ons Mumbai Indians succumbed to their fourth consecutive loss by going down to the Delhi Former Australian Roman Ramos of QMMF Racing Team in action during the official Daredevils by six wickets at the captain and qualifying for Grand Prix of Argentina. Sharjah Cricket Stadium here Test great Ricky yesterday. Ponting (left) Chasing a modest target of is seen with 126, the Daredevils comfortably discarded England reached home with seven balls Test batsman West, Ramos to spare. Though it was a match Kevin Pietersen in between the two bottom-placed Sharjah yesterday. teams, Daredevils have now lifted Ponting, who themselves to sixth position in the played 168 Tests eight-team league. and was part of happy with The Mumbai Indians did not three World Cup take off well as their top order winning sides, has completely collapsed. None of the joined Mumbai top-5 batsmen could manage to get a start and play an anchor’s Indians as their bike settings innings with the highest score adviser. Pietersen, being a mere 14, that of Ambati played 104 Tests Rayudu. for England, is the TERMAS DE RÏO HONDO, didn’t change anything on the With the Mumbai outfit strug- Delhi Daredevils ARGENTINA: QMMF setting from yesterday,” he gling at 63/5 in the 14th over, skipper. Racing Team riders Anthony added. West Indian Kieron Pollard (33 West and Roman Ramos main- “We did have a few problems not out) and wicketkeeper bats- tained their momentum on the with tyres this weekend so far, man Chidhambaram Gautam second day of practice for the but hopefully, we get good ones (22), however, tried to provide Grand Prix of Argentina and for the race. some kind of stability to up the scored promising results in the “In qualifying, it was difficult run rate. Scoreboard decisive qualifying session. to make the bike go any faster, Gautam was run out but Ponting joins After being held up by a small I think we are on the limit with Pollard provided some lusty blows MUMBAI INDIANS D Parnell 4-0-17-1 (1nb, 2w); J D Unadkat 4-0- tyre problem in the free morn- where the bike is right know. towards the end to take his team R G Sharma (run out-Mohd Shami) ...... 4 29-2; L R Shukla 1-0-5-0. Mumbai ing session, West managed to “The bike feels the best it to a below par total of 125/6 from A P Tare c de Kock b Parnell ...... 8 DELHI DAREDEVILS speed up when it counted in the has ever been, but it is still not their 20 overs. C J Anderson c de Kock b Unadkat ...... 13 Q de Kock c Hussey b Anderson ...... 16 Indians as afternoon and took 20th spot on enough to compete with the The Daredevils’ bowlers did A T Rayudu c Shukla b Nadeem ...... 14 M Vijay b Sharma ...... 40 the starting grid. Kalex as far as rear grip goes. their job in quite stringent fashion M E K Hussey b Unadkat ...... 10 J P Duminy c (sub-AV Wankhade) b Malinga 19 Even though the 32-year-old “The bike turns well and I as Shahbaz Nadeem, J P Duminy K A Pollard (not out) ...... 33 K P Pietersen (not out) ...... 26 adviser Australian had aimed at a higher can match the speed on entry and Wayne Parnell achieved fan- C M Gautam (run out-Mohd Shami) ...... 22 K D Karthik c Rayudu b Malinga ...... 2 score, he was happy with the and mid-corner, but I can’t exit tastic economy rates of under Harbhajan Singh (rtd hurt) ...... 10 K M Jadhav (not out) ...... 14 SHARJAH: Former overall set-up of his Speed Up the same as the other bikes,” the five per over in this format while Z Khan (not out) ...... 0 Extras (LB-2, W-2, PEN-5) ...... 9 Australia captain Ricky Ponting prototype and is already look- Australian added. left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat Extras (LB-6, W-4, NB-1) ...... 11 Total (for 4 wkts in 18.5 overs) ...... 126 has joined Indian Premier ing forward to further technical “My bike is not doing any- clinched two wickets from his four Total (for 6 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 125 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-79, 3-103, 4-105. League (IPL) outfit Mumbai improvements with new chassis thing strange, but it just doesn’t overs. Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-17, 3-39, 4-46, 5-63, Bowling: S L Malinga 4-0-17-2 (1w); P P Ojha Indians in an advisory role. parts that will be available right have the forward traction and it In reply, Daredevils opener 6-103, 6-124. 4-0-26-0; Z Khan 2.5-0-17-0; Harbhajan One of the best batsmen of the in time for the Spanish Grand is spinning more than the oth- Murali Vijay (40) struck two Bowling: S Nadeem 4-0-19-1 (1w); Moham- Singh 4-1-23-; C J Anderson 2-0-16-1; R G modern era, Ponting was part of Prix in Jerez next week. ers on the corner exits. That’s important partnerships in the med Shami 4-0-36-0; J P Duminy 3-0-13-0; W Sharma 2-0-20-1. the victorious Mumbai Indians Spanish team-mate Ramos, where we are losing time and beginning with South African side that lifted the IPL Trophy who is in his first full Grand why we are struggling to qual- Quinton de Kock (16) and and led the team in the first few Prix season, shone with his best ify well. We should have some Duminy (19) before being bowled outings last season before handing qualifying performance so far. new parts in Jerez and I am by Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma over the reins to current captain The 23-year-old was within really looking forward to this, (1/20). Rohit Sharma. the top 20 for most of the session because it should be the step we By the time Vijay got out, The Tasmanian will be with the and even though he dropped to are missing right now to further the damage had been done and team for the last two matches of 29th in the end, his consistency improve the bike!” it was only a matter of time Dwayne the UAE-leg. boosted his confidence enough Ramos said: “I had a lot of fun before Daredevils skipper Kevin Smith of “I am looking forward to work- to aim at a Top 20 result in the with the bike today and I had Pietersen (26 not out) guided the ing with Mumbai Indians once race. a good qualifying session. I was Chennai team home. again. I had a fantastic season last “This morning we had a big relatively close to the front and Super The Daredevils suffered a summer and understand how pas- problem with the tyre. Just after battling within the top 20 for a couple of hiccups in the mid- Kings sionate our players are towards the first four laps, the front while, which felt good.” dle when they lost Duminy and celebrates the franchise. I believe we have tyre was ripped, which is really He added: “I was comfortable wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh his half the fire in us and we will strive strange and difficult to under- on the bike and only towards the Karthik (2) but the low target century hard to put our best,” said Ponting stand, because yesterday I did end, when the others started to meant that Delhi reached home against after arriving here. AGENCIES 34 laps with the same compound push, I slipped back on the time without much trouble. Sunrisers and I had no problem with the sheet and ended up in 29th posi- Indians’ fast bowler Lasith Hyderabad front tyre at all,” West said. tion. But I am happy with what Malinga of Sri Lanka was their in Sharjah English club “I also had a hard time turn- we achieved. We have a good key as he clinched 2/17 from his yesterday. ing the bike this morning, so I rhythm for the race and I think four overs. IANS Chennai side all out for don’t know if there was some- I can battle with a few other rid- won thing wrong with the tyres or ers and get a place within the by five just three! what happened, because we top 20.” THE PENINSULA Five-wicket wickets. LONDON: England’s cricketers may have suffered the embar- victory for rassment of a World Twenty20 defeat by the Netherlands and a 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia in-form CSK but even they were never bowled out for three as happened to one SHARJAH: Riding on a fine Scoreboard club side on Saturday. show by opening batsmen Wirral, from north-west Dwayne Smith and Brendon SUNRISERS HYDERABAD CHENNAI SUPER KINGS England, were dismissed for just McCullum, Chennai Super A J Finch b Sharma ...... 44 D R Smith c Warner b Kumar ...... 66 three away to Haslington in a Kings registered a comfortable S Dhawan c Manhas b Hilfenhaus ...... 7 B B McCullum b K V Sharma ...... 40 Cheshire League Third Division five-wicket win over Sunrisers D A Warner lbw Hilfenhaus ...... 0 S K Raina c Venugopal Rao b I Sharma ...... 14 match -- with extras the top- Hyderabad in an Indian Premier K L Rahul c Pandey b Smith ...... 25 M S Dhoni (not out) ...... 13 scorer courtesy of two leg-byes. League (IPL) clash at the Y Venugopal Rao c Smith b Sharma ...... 13 F du Plessis c Rahul b Kumar ...... 0 There were 10 ducks in the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here D J G Sammy (not out) ...... 23 R A Jadeja b I Sharma ...... 6 Wirral innings, with No 11 Connor yesterday. K V Sharma (not out) ...... 17 M Manhas (not out) ...... 3 Hodson, supposedly their worst Smith struck 66 and McCullum Extras (B-5, LB-8, W-3) ...... 16 Extras (LB-4) ...... 4 batsman, the only member of the 40 as Super Kings romped home Total (for 5 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 145 Total (for 5 wkts in 19.3 overs) ...... 146 visitors’ side to score a run off the safely with three balls to spare bat. That Wirral managed three QMMF President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (fourth left) is seen with Did not bat: D W Steyn, A Mishra, B Kumar, I Did not bat: R Ashwin, B W Hilfenhaus, I C Qatar Endurance Racing Team riders Alexander Cudlin, Mashel Al Naimi while chasing a target of 146 for Sharma. Pandey, M M Sharma. was something of an achieve- and Nina Prinz at Magny Cours Circuit, France. BELOW: Anthony West their fourth win in five games. Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-15, 3-67, 4-98, Fall of wickets: 1-85, 2-114, 3-126, 4-127, ment after they were reduced of QMMF Racing Team in action at the new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit. The duo set the stage on fire 5-109. 5-138. to none for eight. Ben Istead with their 85-run stand for the Bowling: B W Hilfenhaus 4-0-32-2 (1w); I C Bowling: D W Steyn 4-0-20-0; B Kumar 4-0- took six wickets for one run and first wicket. The partnership Pandey 3-0-22-0; M M Sharma 4-0-27-2; R 23-2; K V Sharma 4-0-35-1; A Mishra 3.3-0- Tom Gledhill four for none in an proved crucial as Super Kings Ashwin 4-0-17-0 (2w); R A Jadeja 3-0-23-0; D 27-0; I Sharma 4-0-37-2. innings that lasted fewer than 10 drew level with league leaders R Smith 2-0-11-1. Player-of-the-Match: D R Smith (CSK). overs. Kings XI Punjab, who have four Haslington won the match by wins in four games. Sunrisers are 105 runs after making only 108 second from bottom now, with 33 balls and smacked three fours Dhawan blamed the dew for the themselves before, as the Stoke only one win in four games. and two sixes. loss. Sentinel newspaper reported, “the Smith went after the Sunrisers Suresh Raina made 14 and “We never knew that dew was real drama unfolded after the tea attack right from the first, hit- skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni going to come tonight, the ball got interval”. ting four fours and five sixes in remained unbeaten on 13 and fin- wet and out spinners could not Wirral’s official Twitter feed his 46-ball knock. He was also ished off things in a style by hit- grip it. It was coming nicely on saw them issue pleas to several adjudged Man of the Match. ting a four for the winning runs. to the bat. In the first innings the ex-England players, including On the other end, he found an Earlier, Aaron Finch made 44 wicket was dry and the ground former captain Michael Vaughan able ally in McCullum, who unlike and Lokesh Rahul 25 as Sunrisers was dry so the ball was stopping and popular television pundit other days had a quiet knock and managed a modest 145 for five on on the batsman, it was difficult to David Lloyd for “a few hours was happy giving the strike to board. hit the ball,” skipper Dhawan said. coaching” under the hashtag of Smith. The Kiwi batsmen took Sunrisers skipper Shikhar IANS #weneedit. REUTERS MONDAY 28 APRIL 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Battling Qatar SC, Al Wakra advance Sochaux Emir Cup: Brazilian Adriano notches hat-trick in 4-0 win over Muaither postpone DOHA: A brilliant hat-trick PSG party from Adriano Ferreira Martins helped Qatar Sports Club crush Muaither 4-0 and advance to PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s the third round of the Emir Cup hopes of wrapping up the Ligue here yesterday. 1 title for a second successive Also making it to the next season yesterday were dashed as round was Al Wakra who they were held to a 1-1 draw by notched a convincing 4-1 win over struggling Sochaux. Markhiya. Edinson Cavani put PSG in In the third round, Qatar front in the first half, but a sec- SC will take on Al Ahli at Al ond-half Thiago Silva own goal Arabi Stadium, while Al Wakra earned Sochaux a share of the will face Al Arabi at Qatar SC spoils and left Laurent Blanc’s Stadium, both matches are on side eight points clear of nearest April 30. challengers Monaco with three Yesterday at the Al Arabi games remaining. Stadium, Qatar SC was on a roll. They will now have to wait until The Sebestiao Lazaroni’s side hosting Rennes on Wednesday, started on an impressive note and May 7 for another chance to wrap dictated terms and they did not up the title. have to wait for long to open the Sochaux, meanwhile, are four goal scoring. points adrift of safety but two of Adriano opened the scoring their last three games are against in the 21st minute and added a fellow relegation candidates second one three minute later. Rennes and Evian. The Brazilian striker went on to Blanc will be concerned at how complete his hat-trick in the 60th PSG looked comfortable in the minute. first half but then played largely In the second half, substitute second fiddle to Sochaux in the Abdulla Ali Deyani scored with second period. two minutes left for the final “Sochaux played really well and whistle to complete the rout. deserved the point,” he admitted In the other match yesterday, to beIN Sports after the game. Al Wakra found the net through Match officials try to restore order during a free for all which took place during the second round match of the Emir Cup between Qatar Sports Club “In all honesty we probably the efforts of Said Boutahar in the and Muaither Sports Club at Al Arabi Stadium in Doha yesterday. Qatar SC won 4-0. RIGHT: Al Rayyan’s Hamad Mohammed Abidi (left) vies for the ball didn’t deserve to take the three 12th minute. with Al Kharaitiyat’s Abdallah Abdel Albattat during the Emir Cup match at Qatar SC yesterday. PICTURES BY SALIM MATRAMKOT/KAMMUTTY VP points today. Some people assume Thereafter, Al Wakra scored we have won the title but we still goals at regular intervals through have a little left to do so we have Michel Souza (17), Ali Abdulla 61st through Jorge Sebastian tournament came to an end yes- The winning teams Qatar The semi-finals matches will to go out and do it.” Marri (22) to go into the half time Saez to make it 4-1 and the score terday. Al Khor thrashed the next SC, Al Wakra, Al Khor and be on May 10, both at Al Sadd Sochaux coach Herve Renard, with a 3-0 lead. remained that way till the final season’s QSL promotion winning Kharaitiyat join Al Ahli, Umm Stadium. The final of the tour- whose side have now won five In the second half, Abdulla whistle. side 5-1. Salal, Al Arabi and Al Gharafa nament, which brings to close and drawn two of their last seven Adnam Aldkeel pulled one back Meanwhile, Qatar Stars Kharaitiyat also advanced into in the third round. The quarter- the football season in Qatar, will games at their own Stade Bonal, for Markhiya in the 59th minute League’s second division winners the third round with a 1-0 win finals of the tournament will be take place on May 17 at Khalifa said: “The result is satisfying. The but Wakra struck again in the Al Shamal’s successful run in the over Al Rayyan. on May 3. Stadium. THE PENINSULA shame is that we didn’t play in the first half as we did in the second, because if we had done we could have won the match.” Cavani had an early sight of Atletico edge towards La Liga title goal and the Uruguayan produced a superb right-footed shot from MADRID: Atletico Madrid relax,” insisted Atletico boss Diego League. Chelsea have a great and Villa was inches away from played clean through on goal, but the edge of the area in the 20th took another huge step towards Simeone. team as they have shown by rotat- a spectacular goal against his he delayed his shot and allowed minute which Yohann Pele had to their first La Liga title in 18 “We have to continue being ing players and still winning 2-0 former club as his shot from Vicente Guaita to save with an be at full stretch to tip over. years with a 1-0 win away to calm and take every game as it today. They are a very strong outside the box swerved just off outstretched leg. Lucas then went even closer Valencia yesterday. comes.” team that will cause us a lot of target. The league leaders then had to from the resulting corner as the Raul Garcia got the only goal of Despite the second leg of his problems.” Koke then struck a mishit vol- survive a nervous final half hour as Brazilian’s header was hacked off the game just before half-time to side’s Champions League semi- Valencia coach Juan Antonio ley over the bar when well-placed Valencia pinned them back in the the line by a Sochaux defender. secure a ninth straight league win final against Chelsea being just Pizzi also didn’t rotate his side too inside the area, while at the other search of an equaliser. However, four minutes later and move Los Rojiblancos within three days away, Simeone named much despite this game coming end Pablo Piatti’s low shot was Filipe Luis did well to divert PSG were ahead as Cavani made two more victories of sealing the a strong side with David Villa and in between the two legs of their easily collected by Courtois. Sofiane Feghouli’s header wide at no mistake, chesting down a championship with three games Tiago coming into the side that Europa League semi-final against Atletico made the vital break- the back post and the Algerian superb long ball from Thiago remaining. started the first leg against the Sevilla and he was rewarded by a through two minutes before midfielder came close again Motta and then volleying it past Victory takes Atletico six English club in midweek. bright start by the hosts. half-time when Gabi’s lofted moments later when his rasp- Pele for his 16th league goal of points clear of Real Madrid hav- However, Simeone claimed Paco Alcacer flashed a shot just ball into the area picked out the ing shot flew just wide of the far the season. The hosts came close ing played a game more and seven important victories for both past Thibaut Courtois’ right-hand run of Garcia and he cushioned post. to levelling in time added on at ahead of Barcelona, who can Atletico, and Chelsea over post in the opening minute, but a header in off the inside of the Costa had another great chance the end of the first period as cut the gap with a win away to Liverpool on Sunday, won’t make thereafter Valencia struggled to post to register his 17th goal of to seal the three points five min- Jordan Ayew’s clever lay-off found Villarreal later on Sunday. any difference at Stamford Bridge find a way through Atletico’s solid the season. utes from time, but again Guaita Sebastien Roudet who managed “We have two incredibly power- come Wednesday. defence. Diego Costa should have put did enough to deny the Spanish to get between Motta and Silva ful teams behind us that will give “The league doesn’t have any- The visitors slowly began to the game to bed six minutes into international as he tried to round only for Salvatore Sirigu to save everything and won’t allow us to thing to do with the Champions work themselves into the game the second half when he was the ‘keeper. AFP with his legs. AFP Advantage City after Chelsea stun Liverpool

LONDON: Manchester City we played like would end the climbed out of the Premier League revived their Premier League it was a final. English Premier season as cham- relegation zone with a 4-0 win at title bid after a 2-0 win away Between us, pions of England. home to 10-man fellow strugglers to Crystal Palace yesterday Liverpool and League Results “Now we can Cardiff City. Connor Wickham saw them move to within three Chelsea, it is LONDON: English Premier League results say we won both headed Sunderland, who kicked points of leaders Liverpool with tight and we yesterday: matches against off bottom of the table, into a a game in hand. need to win all Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2 (Dzeko the champions,” 26th-minute lead at the Stadium Edin Dzeko’s fourth-minute our games.” 4, Toure 43) Mourinho told of Light but the match took a header put City ahead before Yaya Shortly before Liverpool 0 Chelsea 2 (Ba 45, Willian 90) Sky Sports. “If decisive turn on the stroke of Toure doubled their lead shortly City kicked-off Sunderland 4 (Wickham 26, 86, Borini 45- it’s Liverpool, half-time. Wickham was bearing before half-time when, after a at Selhurst Park, pen, Giaccherini 76) Cardiff 0 we won both. If down on goal when his shirt was surging run, he curled a shot Chelsea kept Playing today: it’s City, we won tugged by Cardiff centre-back Juan beyond goalkeeper Julian Speroni. their hopes of Arsenal vs Newcastle (1900GMT) both. Cala. Referee Phil Dowd played an Victory also left City just an English and Played Saturday: “The champi- advantage, but when that didn’t a point behind second-placed European double Fulham 2 (Dejagah 55, Amorebieta 58) Hull ons will be City lead to a goal the referee blew for Chelsea, who beat table-toppers alive with victory 2 (Jelavic 75, Long 87) or Liverpool so a penalty and sent off Cala. Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield earlier at Anfield. Manchester United 4 (Rooney 41-pen, 48, we have nothing Fabio Borini, as he’d done in yesterday. Senegal striker Mata 63, 73) Norwich 0 to celebrate,” Sunderland’s shock 2-1 win over Significantly, Manuel Demba Ba gave Southampton 2 (Alcaraz 1-og, Coleman the Portuguese Chelsea last week, scored from Pellegrini’s City side still have Chelsea the lead 31-og) Everton 0 added after the spot. Emanuele Giaccherini three league games to play this in first-half stop- Stoke 0 Tottenham 1 (Rose 33) making seven put the result beyond doubt before season compared to Liverpool and page time when a changes to his Wickham headed in his second Swansea 4 (Bony 10, 90-pen, Shelvey 26, Chelsea’s two apiece. slip by Liverpool starting side at goal four minutes from time. Hernandez 73) Aston Villa 1 (Agbonlahor 22) If City and Liverpool win all captain Steven Anfield. Sunderland’s victory saw West Brom 1 (Berahino 11) West Ham 0 their remaining league matches Gerrard allowed Liverpool them move above Norwich, who they will both finish with 86 him to charge manager dropped into the relegation zone points. through and beat Reds goalkeeper Brendan Rodgers, a member on goal difference, and plunged However, City currently have Simon Mignolet in a one-on-one. of the backroom staff during Cardiff to the bottom. a superior goal difference of +58 Chelsea put the result beyond Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Saturday saw Ryan Giggs compared to Liverpool’s +50 and doubt in added time at the end of Bridge, bemoaned Chelsea’s launch his reign as interim Chelsea’s +43. the match when, with the hosts defensive style. Manchester United manager “To be honest, we were look- pressing for an equaliser, former “There was (were) probably following the sacking of David ing a little bit at the Liverpool- Liverpool striker Fernando Torres two buses parked today, rather Moyes with a 4-0 home thrashing Chelsea game,” Toure told Sky led a counter-attack before squar- than one,” he said. of Norwich City. Everton missed Sports. ing the ball to substitute Willian But Rodgers insisted all was the chance to go above Arsenal in “We have just three games left for a simple finish. not lost for Liverpool. the race for fourth position, and a and we want to focus on winning Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in “We are still two points ahead place in next season’s Champions those. We have Everton next. the second leg of their Champions of a team (Chelsea) that has spent League, after two own-goals con- “They are a good team and it is League semi-final at Stamford an absolute fortune. demned them to a 2-0 loss at tricky again but with our quality Bridge on Wednesday after a goal- “If we win our last two games Southampton. Arsenal will move we can deal with that,” the Ivory less initial encounter in Spain. we finish above them and then four points in front of Everton Liverpool’s Glen Johnson (left) in action with Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle Coast midfielder insisted. Despite yesterday’s success, we’ll see what happens with with two games to play if they during their English Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool, Britain, “I never want to give up. Every Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho Manchester City.” beat Newcastle United at the yesterday. game for me is crucial and today insisted either Liverpool or City Earlier yesterday, Sunderland Emirates Stadium today. AFP Monday 28 April 2014 28 Jumadal II 1435 Volume 19 Number 6049 Sport Price: QR2

Carter lifts Delhi add to Mavericks over Mumbai woes Spurs with big win

Sport | 23 Sport | 26

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Nishikori tops in Barcelona Japanese becomes first non-Spaniard to win the event since 2002

MADRID: Japan’s Kei Nishikori sealed his fifth career ATP title and first on clay yes- Stuttgart hat-trick terday with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Colombian Santiago Giraldo to claim the Barcelona Open. Nishikori, who was playing for for Sharapova the first time on clay this week under new coach and former STUTTGART, Germany: “We have seen what a great French Open champion Michael Maria Sharapova claimed a hat- player Maria is,” admitted Chang, becomes the first non- trick of Stuttgart titles yester- Ivanovic. Spaniard to win the event since day after coming from behind to Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s Grigor 2002. win a three-set battle royal with Dimitrov won his second ATP “I always love to come to Ana Ivanovic in Sunday’s final. title of the year yesterday when Barcelona and it is a pleasure and Having won the 2012 and he defeated Lukas Rosol of the honour to be here,” said the world 2013 titles here, the 27-year-old Czech Republic 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 in number 17. Sharapova was made to work the final of the Bucharest Open. “Thank you to my team, Dante hard for her 13th consecutive win Ranked 16th in the world going (Bottini) and Michael, and I hope on Stuttgart’s clay-courts for the into this week, Dimitrov, who I come back next year and defend 30th final win of her career before previously had won in Acapulco this title. over-powering Ivanovic to claim where he defeated Andy Murray 2014 Emir “It is not easy to win this title a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory in just over in the semi-finals, struggled with all the Spanish players that two hours. against the big-hitting Rosol in play here. It is one of the most dif- “That was a tough bit of work,” the first set. AGENCIES Cup: Prizes ficult ATP 500 tournaments and I said Sharapova, who has won all am very happy to win.” four Grand Slam titles. Marrakech WTA Giraldo was playing in just his “I have always believed in my worth QR3m second career final on the tour chances and the fighting spirit Results and his inexperience showed as is something that comes from MARRAKECH, Morocco: Results from the up for grabs Nishikori dictated from the off within me.” seventh day of the Marrakech WTA Grand Prix and broke three times on his way This was the first time tournament yesterday (x denotes seeding): to taking the first set. Sharapova has claimed a third Final DOHA: Fans attending the More of the same was to come title at an individual tournament upcoming Emir Cup foot- Maria Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) bt Romina in the second set as Nishikori and comes on the back of last ball matches are in with a Oprandi (SUI) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 raced out to a 5-1 lead before year’s shoulder injury. chance to win prizes that are serving out for the championship. “This time around it’s been Stuttgart WTA worth QR3m, Qatar Football However, Giraldo is hopeful extremely tough, that’s why Association (QFA) announced that his run in the Catalan capi- this win is so special,” admitted Results here yesterday. tal can spur him on for the rest Sharapova. STUTTGART, Germany: Result from Spectators will have the chance of the season. The Russian collects the win- the seventh day of the Stuttgart WTA to win new mega prizes includ- “I hope that this week can be ners cheque of 96,774 euros tournament yesterday (x denotes seeding): ing cars from Toyota, motorbikes, a new stage in my tennis at the (US$133,896) and a brand-new Final iPhones, ipads, Blackberry phones highest level.” AFP sports car. and coupons from Sony – Fifty Maria Sharapova (RUS x6) bt Ana Ivanovic “I will need to build a new One East and Al Nahdi Group. (SRB x9) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 ATP Barcelona garage to get all the cars in,” she The raffle draws will take joked as she collected her third Bucharest Open place in the upcoming matches in Open Results Porsche sports car in as many Rounds two, three, four (quarter- BARCELONA, Spain: Results from the years from the tournament Results finals), five (semi finals) and six ATP Barcelona Open yesterday (x denotes director. BUCHAREST, Romania: Results from final (final) of the tournament. seeding): It is the Russian’s first clay- day of the ATP Bucharest Open yesterday:- Fans have to buy tickets to be court tournament in her build-up eligible to enter the raffle draw Final Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori holds the trophy after beating Final to the French Open, having lost which will take place in the stadia Columbia’s Santiago Giraldo during the final of the Barcelona Open Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x1) bt Lukás Rosol Kei Nishikori (JPN x4) bt to Serena Williams in last year’s before match kick-off. tennis tournament in Barcelona, yesterday. (CZE) 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 Santiago Giraldo (COL) 6-2, 6-2 final. Fans can buy their tickets from the stadia for rounds two-five, and for the final match, fans can buy their tickets from the seven ticket outlets. Final match tickets will be sold in Villaggio, The Mall, Landmark MotoGP: Marquez extends perfect record Mall, Lagoona Mall, Souq Waqif, Fifty One East in City Centre, Argentina Grand TERMAS DE RÏO HONDO, the Spaniard roaring back and and Al Khor Mall. Argentina: MotoGP world slotting into second place after Tickets for the final match will Prix Results champion Marc Marquez won four laps when Rossi ran wide. only be sold in the evening, except TERMAS DE RïO HONDO, Argentina: the Argentine Grand Prix yes- Stalking Lorenzo, Marquez on weekends, where they will be Argentina Grand Prix results yesterday, the terday to maintain his 100 per- took the lead conclusively with sold in the morning and in the third round of the 2014 motorcycling world cent record for the season with nine of the 25 laps remaining and evening hours. championship: three wins in three races. pulled away with a string of quick Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Buainain, MotoGP The 21-year-old Spaniard, who times. Member of the Executive 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 41:39.821, fought back from a poor start at “In the beginning it was a little Committee and President of the 2. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) at 1.837, the new Termas de Rio Hondo bit difficult because many riders Supervising Committee of the 3. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 3.201, circuit, became the first rider were in front, the start was not tournament said: “QFA is keen 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 4.898, in 43 years to win all of the first so good,” the champion told BT on attracting a large number 5. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda) 15.029, 6. three races in the premier cat- Sport. of spectators for the Emir Cup Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 19.447, 7. egory from pole position. “I started on a dirty place and and allocating a huge amount of Bradley Smith (GBR/Yamaha) 24.192, 8. Pol The last to be so dominant at spun the rear a little bit. But any- prizes is a demonstration of QFA’s Espargaro (ESP/Yamaha) 29.118, 9. Andrea the start of a year was Italian way it was fun. commitment in ensuring that the Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 33.673, 10. Hiroshi great Giacomo Agostini in 1971. “I saw Jorge opened some gap most important tournament of Aoyama (JPN/Honda) 43.673 Marquez’s Repsol Honda team and thought ‘OK, stop playing’ the year is organised to the high- Moto2 mate Dani Pedrosa finished sec- and I tried to push a little bit to est f standards.” 1. Esteve Rabat (ESP/Kalex) 40:06.114, 2. ond with Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo catch Jorge. Then I stayed there “We have had numerous meet- Xavier Simeon (BEL/Suter) at 2.094, 3. Luis taking third place to complete and when there were nine laps ings during the last period in Salom (ESP/Kalex) 3.702, 4. Dominique a Spanish sweep of the podium left I started to push a little bit order to organise another suc- Aegerter (SUI/Suter) 4.868, 5. Simone places. more because I thought Dani was cessful tournament this year,” he Corsi (ITA/Kalex) 5.010, 6. Alex de Angelis Italian Valentino Rossi, who coming.” added (RSM/Suter) 8.654, 7. Mika Kallio (FIN/ won the opening three 500cc Pedrosa, who had dropped from Spanish MotoGP biker Marc Marquez celebrates on the podium of The Emir Cup is the last tour- Kalex) 13.157, 8. Sam Lowes (GBR/Speed races of the 2001 season and third to sixth on the opening lap, the MotoGP race of the Argentina Grand Prix at Termas de Rio Hondo nament of the season and is one Up) 19.756, 9. Sandro Cortese (GER/Kalex) also triumphed in the 250cc caught Lorenzo and passed him Circuit, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina yesterday. Marquez won the of the most popular tournaments 20.308, 10. Jordi Torres (ESP/Suter) 20.378 category in Argentina in 1998, on the penultimate lap for second race, Pedrosa got the second place and Lorenzo finished third. in the country. Moto3 was fourth. place. The final match will take place 1. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 38:34.451, 2. Marquez, who now has a maxi- The podium was still a first for on May 17 at Khalifa International Alex Marquez (ESP/Honda) at 0.099, 3. Jack mum 75 points with Pedrosa on 2014 for Lorenzo, the double world “Then I made a mistake on it was impossible. Dani was half a Stadium. Miller (AUS/KTM) 0.540, 4. Livio Loi (BEL/ 56 and Rossi third with 41, had champion looking happier with the first lap and Valentino and second faster and when he passed The Emir Cup 2014 runs from Kalex-KTM) 0.624, 5. Alex Rins (ESP/Honda) slipped to seventh place after his afternoon’s work. Pedrosa passed me but I did not me I couldn’t do so much.” April 21 to May 17 and matches 5.530, 6. Efren Vazquez (ESP/Honda) 5.653, being swallowed up by the field “I didn’t expect to stay so many want to stay behind so I passed The race was the first motorcy- are played at four stadia, Al Arabi 7. Isaac Vinales (ESP/KTM) 8.965, 8. Niklas at the start as Rossi and Lorenzo laps in first position,” he said. “I them very quickly and stayed very cle grand prix in Argentina since Stadium, Qatar Sports Club, Ajo (FIN/Husqvarma) 14.985, 9. Danny hit the front. thought Marquez wanted to go focused. 1999, and first at the circuit some Al Sadd Stadium and Khalifa Kent (GBR/Husqvarna) 15.043, 10. Enea His progress back through the away from the beginning but I “I kept pushing and pushing to 1,000km north of Buenos Aires. International Stadium. Bastianini (ITA/KTM) 17.310 field was relentless, however, with made a good start. try and save the second place but AFP THE PENINSULA