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H H Sheikha Moza bint Exchange logged Qatar sports star Nasser Nasser officially opened its longest winning Saleh Al Attiyah has been Qatar Biobank’s new streak in the year by elected as a member of facility at Hamad Bin extending the rally to ISSF Athletes Committee Khalifa Medical City. eighth straight session. for a four-year period.

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 • 23 Rabial II 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6339 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 OPINION SCH warns of Emir meets Iraq President Unity against Boko Haram action against HE danger of Boko Haram is no longer con- Tfined to Nigeria as this organisation is actively involved in terror- Seha misuse ist acts in many neigh- Expats to be covered by end of 2016 bouring countries. : The Supreme Council manipulate the system. The fraud It has of Health (SCH) has warned was detected while the company become the public and health care was conducting regular audits on a threat providers against misuse of invoices. One case has already not only the national health insurance been referred to the SCH and to the Dr Khalid Al Jaber scheme (Seha) saying it has reports about the second and security detected three cases of sus- third cases are being prepared. and stability of the African pected fraud until now. If the SCH investigation con- continent but the entire world. The National Health Insurance firms a violation of the law, action Boko Haram is the African Company (NHIC) managing Seha will be taken immediately including The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with President of the Republic of Iraq, Dr Fuad Masum, at the affiliate of Al Qaeda like the has launched a campaign “Kun closure of the facility or other legal Emiri Diwan yesterday. Talks dealt with bilateral relations and ways to boost them. The meeting was attended Ansar Al Sharia in Libya, Al Ainuna” (Be Our Eyes) urging action. “We distinguish complaints by the Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani. See also page 8 Shabab in Somalia, Al Qaeda Seha beneficiaries to report any related to misuse or manipulation in the Maghreb and suspicious cases. All citizens are from those raised because of mis- and IS in Iraq and Syria. All covered by Seha in the current understanding of the health sys- of them specialise in commit- phase, which will be expanded to tem or those related to the quality ting crimes against human- expatriates in a later phase. of services,” said Faleh Hussain. ity, including children. Boko The NHIC yesterday also For instance, one may find a Haram is also known for announced a delay in implementa- doctor deliberately providing 94,289 visas for Filipinos on cards abduction of schoolgirls and tion of the scheme for expatriates health services to a person he recruiting underage people in saying the latter will be covered knows who is not covered by Seha BY RAYNALD C RIVERA Matters. “This means that many Development Authority (Tesda), grave violation of all humani- only by the end of 2016, instead of by registering him in another per- employers here prefer Filipinos while the professionals, on the tarian principles and laws. 2015 as originally scheduled. son’s file, who is a Seha member. DOHA: Thousands of jobs, in certain job categories for other hand, are experienced and Boko Haram was founded in Addressing a news conference The doctor may also provide mostly related to the country’s skilled workers and profession- licensed, he said. 2002. Boko in Hausa language yesterday, Dr Faleh Mohammed specific health services and enter preparation for World Cup als,” Labor Attache Leopoldo The Philippines has received means book and Haram is Hussain, acting CEO of NHIC the details as “other services”. 2022, await Filipinos in Qatar. B De Jesus told The Peninsula 78,426 job orders from Qatar, the from , together meaning said the company is closely moni- “There are many ways of manip- There are 94,289 visas reserved yesterday. latest figures which are based on ‘Western education is forbid- toring the scheme and has been ulating. It is easy for the supervi- for Filipino workers that Qatar Knowledge and experience as the job requests by manpower den’, which is embodied in the developing mechanisms to pre- sors to discover them by close is hoping to be deployed soon, well as English language profi- companies processed by the holy books according to the per- vent manipulation. “There are a monitoring,” said Faleh Hussain. mostly in the health sector and ciency are some of the reasons Philippine Overseas Employment ception of the group. African number of auditing procedures He said more than one million the ongoing rail project, Deputy why employers prefer Filipino Administration (POEA), he added. countries are fully aware of which can reveal any suspicious citizens have availed of the health Minister of Labour and Social workers to be part of their com- The population of Filipinos in the dangers of Boko Haram cases which immediately can be services under Seha until now at Affairs Hussein bin Youssef Al panies, said De Jesus. Qatar currently stands at 188,000, but confronting it seems to be interrogated,” said Faleh Hussain. more 180 health care facilities Mulla informed the Philippine Skilled Filipino workers who the Ministry told the Philippine beyond their ability. He said the NHIC recently included in the scheme. delegation during the recent come here have the knowledge delegation. Continued on page 8 discovered three cases that can Continued on page 8 second Philippines-Qatar Joint and right training courtesy of Continued on page 8 THE PENINSULA be considered as attempts to THE PENINSULA Committee Meeting on Labour Technical Education and Skills THE PENINSULA

INSIDE US, UK and France shut US gunman kills three Page 11 embassies in Yemen SANA’A: Yemenis in the central city of Growing violence Taiz and Sana’a held the largest protests Muslim students in Arab countries yet against a takeover by a Shia militia group yesterday after the United States, CHAPEL HILL: A gunman appeared briefly before a Durham By Dr Shafiq Al Britain and France shut their embassies who had posted anti-religious County judge who ordered him held Ghabra in Yemen over security fears. messages on Facebook and without bail pending a March 4 Armed Houthi rebels seized more than quarrelled with neighbours probable cause hearing. Police said 20 US vehicles after the ambassador and was charged with killing three a preliminary investigation showed Drying up sources of diplomats left from the airport. Embassy young Muslims in what police the motive to be a parking dispute. sympathy for terrorism workers had already destroyed weapons, said yesterday was a dispute They said Hicks turned himself in By Khalil Ali Haidar computers and documents, they added. over parking and possibly a hate and was cooperating with police. On Tuesday, the United States said it crime. The shooting sparked the hash- had stopped work at its embassy and was Craig Stephen Hicks, 46, of tag #MuslimLivesMatter on social withdrawing its diplomatic staff. France Chapel Hill, was charged with media, with many posters assailing and Britain followed suit yesterday. first-degree murder in Tuesday’s what they called a lack of news cov- Ministry to lower Employees of the German Embassy said shootings around 2200 GMT near erage and world reaction. “I guess its mission was also getting rid of sensitive the University of North Carolina that Muslims are only newsworthy fire safety documents and would close soon. campus. His Facebook page said when behind the gun, not in front,” In Taiz, which the Houthis do not con- he was studying to be a paralegal. tweeted a poster who goes by the inspection fee trol, tens of thousands carried banners The victims were newlyweds handle @biebersrivals. DOHA: The Ministry of and chanted slogans against the group. Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, a Groups including the Muslim Interior has plans to lower Houthi forces advanced far into the south University of North Carolina Public Affairs Council, the the fee it charges for inspec- on Tuesday night, according to local offi- dental student, and his wife Yusor Council on American-Islamic tion of fire safety measures in cials, continuing with their of expansion Mohammad, 21, and Yusor’s sister, Relations (CAIR) and the local buildings. of recent months which is raising fears Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19. Raleigh-based Muslims for Social The inspections are conducted of an all-out civil war. Yemeni protesters take part in anti-Houthi rally in the southern All were involved in humanitarian Justice called for a federal inves- by the ministry’s Civil Defence See also page 12 aid programmes. tigation into possible hate crimes. city of Taiz yesterday. (CD) Department. It is only REUTERS The suspect, in handcuffs, REUTERS after these inspections that the CD issues occupancy certificates for new buildings and clearances for renewal of shop, office and industrial licences. The State Cabinet yesterday approved a draft decision of the Tap water as safe as bottled water: QF study Interior Ministry that seeks to amend some provisions of DOHA: Only 30 percent of the local water to sun and extreme heat. “The real take away message is that local residents feel about Qatar’s drinking an earlier ministerial decision population regularly drink tap water, Heat and sun exposure weaken the plas- tap water in the country is just as safe as water,” explained Rowell. (Number 19 of 2007) regulating reveals a Qatar Foundation (QF) study tic bottle and can release chemicals, such bottled water, either locally produced or The answers were clear, only about 30 the fee structures of the min- that has reconfirmed the high quality of as antimony and lead, from the container imported brands,” added Candace Rowell, percent of the local population regularly istry for the various services it tap water in the country. into the drinking water. Both of these ele- a fellow researcher working on this project. drinks tap water, most people prefer to provides to the public. The “tap water versus bottled ments have been shown to have negative QEERI scientists used advanced analyti- drink bottled water. QEERI said that The idea behind the draft water” study, conducted by QF’s Qatar effects on health, including cardiovascular cal tools to study 113 tap water and 62 bot- Qatar’s tap and bottled water conform decision is to reduce the fee for Environment and Energy Research effects, if consumed over a prolonged period tled water samples collected across Qatar. to the quality guidelines established by fire safety inspections in build- Institute (QEERI) found that tap water of time. All samples were analyzed for elemental the World Health Organization (WHO) ings, including homes, offices, in Qatar is as safe as bottled water, either “The quality of Qatar’s drinking water content and volatile compounds. and the United States Environmental shops and industrial units, locally produced or imported brands. is very high, higher than many local con- “We interviewed people in their homes Protection Agency (US EPA). among others. QEERI experts have, however, cautioned sumers think,” said Nora Kuiper, a leading to get an idea of what people were drinking Continued on page 8 THE PENINSULA against the danger of exposing bottled researcher on the project at QEERI. and why. We needed to understand how THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Sheikha Moza opens Qatar Biobank facility She also visits Interim Translational Research Institute

DOHA: H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson, Qatar Foundation, officially opened Qatar Biobank’s new state- of-the-art facility at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City at Building 17. She was accompanied by Minister of Public Health and Secretary-General, Supreme Council of Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Chairperson, Qatar Biobank Board of Trustees, and Dr Asma Al Thani, Vice- Chairperson, Qatar Biobank Board of Trustees. The opening, on the second day of Qatar’s inaugural conference ‘Biobanking in the context of per- sonalised healthcare’ hosted by Qatar Biobank, comprised a com- H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser officially opens the Qatar Biobank building prehensive tour of the new facil- in Hamad Medical City. AR AL-BAKER ity to showcase services Qatar Biobank provides its participants. “Biobanking is one of the great development of new medicines, number of the population makes healthcare opportunities of our technologies and treatments for vital medical research possible for time. Thanks to the visionary better patient outcomes. scientists in Qatar, the region and leadership of H H Sheikha Moza, The inauguration of the Qatar the world. Qatar Biobank has established Biobank building follows Qatar With plans to initially collect itself as the most ambitious of Biobank’s two-year operational samples from more than 60,000 its kind in the region. Data from pilot phase, the results of which participants from the local popu- our volunteers will be used to shed light on findings relevant to lation, Qataris or people who have help understand how lifestyle, the local community, including lived in Qatar for over 15 years are the environment and genes affect the fact that 76 percent of male eligible to participate and contrib- health locally and will play a criti- and 70 percent of female partici- ute samples. Contribution involves cal role in helping develop treat- pants, from a sample of 1,200, are attending an assessment session at ments and preventing diseases for either overweight or obese. Qatar Biobank clinic that lasts less the health of future generations,” Announced by Sheikha Moza at than three hours, and comprises said Dr Al Kuwari. the World Innovation Summit for measurements, including an indi- Sheikha Moza also visited Health (WISH) in Doha 2013, the vidual’s height, weight, blood pres- Hamad Medical Corporation’s Qatar Genome Project, a genome sure, and blood, urine and saliva (HMC) Interim Translational mapping of the local population samples. The health information Research Institute (iTRI) to spearheaded by Qatar Biobank, obtained from medical records, learn more about its innovative signifies a notable change in DNA, lifestyle, and environmen- scientific and clinical research future treatment through per- tal exposures has the potential to programmes. She reviewed the sonalised healthcare. provide further insights into the importance of iTRI in nurturing Qatar Biobank’s collection of management and prevention of research and enabling translation samples and information on the debilitating diseases common in of scientific discoveries to aid the health and lifestyles of a large Qatar. THE PENINSULA HOME THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 ‘Haseen’ to raise cyber safety among students First phase to cover 25 percent of schools this year

DOHA: The Ministry comprehensive, customised and of Information and interactive information that Communications Technology sharpens schoolchildren’s criti- (ictQATAR) yesterday launched cal thinking, problem-solving and a new educational programme teamwork skills. to raise cyber safety and secu- Learning resources include ani- rity awareness among students, mations, animated quizzes, work- in cooperation with Supreme sheets, audio and video files and Education Council. Web 2.0 tools. The phased programme The programme’s learning ‘Haseen’, an Internet safety and activities will be incorporated in security awareness initiative for the Arabic and English curricula. students, tackles up to 13 cyber It will also enhance values educa- safety topics and aims to empower tion across all subjects delivered students from first to 12th grades to students. Teachers and edu- to stay safe online. cators will attend training ses- In the first phase this year, sions and workshops on the best Haseen will be applied in 25 per- “ictQATAR launched ‘Haseen’ practices. cent of Independent, international today to raise cyber safety aware- “Haseen is an addition to our and private schools. ness among students to pave the social and ethical values. I hope Based on feedback, more way for Qatar’s future ‘cyber- it will be the shield protecting schools will be covered in the ready’ workforce in harmony with our students from online risks years ahead. Qatar National Vision 2030. and threats so that they are able Developed by ictQATAR and “The Internet is part of eve- to enjoy benefits of the Internet the SEC, ‘Haseen’ teaches school- ryone’s life, every day. People use safely,” said Fawzia Al Khater children how to think critically it at work and home. It has also (pictured), Director, Education and behave online by raising their become part of our students’ daily Institute, SEC. She said ‘Haseen’ awareness and developing an lives. Being constantly connected handles cyber safety topics, informed and healthy cyber safety brings increased risks of thefts, including inappropriate content, culture across the Qatari society. frauds and abuse,” said Reem Al the Internet and game addic- Designed for male and female Mansoori, Executive Director, tion, mean behaviour and cyber students, ‘Haseen’ will educate Digital Society, ictQATAR. bullying, netiquette, plagiarism, children and youth how to use The programme has 347 protection techniques, reputation technologies safely, responsibly learning activities and 148 management and social network- and ethically. learning resources. It provides ing. THE PENINSULA Tentative CMC voter lists released DOHA: The supervisory panel for the Central is February 17. The final list will be announced on Municipal Council (CMC) due this May has dis- March 3 after which the next phase of the poll will played tentative constituency-wise voter lists in begin. all 29 constituencies and urged voters to check The supervisory committee announced tentative their names and suggest amendments, if any. voter lists for all constituencies after February 5 Committees headed by court judges in each con- (the voters totalled over 23,000) when week-long stituency will look into appeals and grievances con- deletion and addition of names had ended. veyed by voters whose names appear in the lists, The CMC will be elected for a fifth term of four- QNA reports. year tenure. It was first elected in early 1999. The last date for filing grievances and appeals THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Prime Minister meets ambassadors Leaders greet ‘Qatar e-Nature’ app president DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent a cable of honoured in Dubai congratulations to Iranian DOHA: ‘Qatar e-Nature’ application has country’s environment, including plants, President Hassan Rowhani on won the top honour in a regional com- birds and insects. his country’s National Day. petition for the Best M-Government The awards received some submissions, Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Service Award, which recognises excel- with 76 qualifying for the final phase. Over Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani lence in government service. 181 were from UAE universities and gov- sent a similar cable to Rowhani. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al ernment entities, including 96 by students Prime Minister and Interior Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime representing 20 universities, highlighting Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, their interest in the awards. bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani honoured the winners at the closing cer- Of the 80 entries from the Arab world, also sent a cable of congratula- emony of the third Government Summit excluding the UAE, Qatar submitted 12, tions to Rowhani. 2015 held under the theme ‘Shaping Future Saudi Arabia (30), (14), Governments.’ (11) and (six). Two entries each Premier meets ‘Qatar e-Nature’ won the award in the were received from , Lebanon and environment category, with DEWA’s smart Morocco and one from . Of the 150 Iraqi president phone app and MyENV from Singapore international entries, 30 percent were from winning on the UAE and international lev- EU countries and 22 percent from the US, DOHA: Prime Minister and els, respectively. while the rest were from , Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani Interior Minister H E Sheikh ‘Qatar e-Nature’ app is first-of-its-kind Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Russia yesterday held separate meetings with ambassadors Andre Dubois (Canada), Gao Youzhen Abdullah bin Nasser bin that highlights the rich diversity of the and other countries. THE PENINSULA (), Krzysztof Suprowicz () and Shingo Tsuda (Japan). Talks dealt with means of Khalifa Al Thani yesterday enhancing cooperation between Qatar and their countries and issues of mutual concern. met Iraqi President Dr Fuad Masum at Ritz-Carlton Doha. Talks dealt with cooperation and latest Arab and interna- tional developments. Foreign Minister The Premier also met Iraqi meets UN official Forum to discuss developments Interior Minister, Mohammed Salem Al Ghaban, National DOHA: Foreign Minister Security Adviser, Faleh Fayad, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al and Iraqi Republic Consultant Attiyah yesterday met visiting President, Sherwan Al Waeli and UN Under-Secretary-General in kidney stone surgeries discussed cooperation and issues for Humanitarian Affairs and of mutual interest. Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos and discussed DOHA: Latest developments in interpretation, best diagnostic Nepal, Russia, the Philippines, De La Rosette (Holland), Prof FM gets phone relations and issues of com- kidney stone surgeries will be modalities and appropriate treat- , Bangladesh, Egypt, Mahesh Dessayeh (India) and mon interest. Several Foreign discussed at the AUA Segura ment selection. Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa, Prof Jihad Tawook (US) are call from Kerry Ministry officials were present. Conference which begins today Sixteen surgical operations, Libya, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, participating. at Qatar National Convention ongoing at Hamad General Iraq and GCC countries. Dr Khalid Al Rumaihi, Head, DOHA: Foreign Minister QR779m property Centre (QNCC). Hospital’s operating theatres, Internationally renowned Urology Surgery Section, HMC, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed The event is being held by will be shown live to conference speakers are from the US, Canada and Conference Chairman, said Al Attiyah yesterday received deals in one week Hamad Medical Corporation participants. The surgeries will and Europe. Dr Adel Al Daleel this is the second time that the a telephone call from US DOHA: The total value of real (HMC), in collaboration with be conducted by international from Saudi Arabia will speak on biennial conference is being held Secretary of State John Kerry. estate sale contracts registered American Urological Association surgeons, who will apply new ‘Kidney stones in Islamic medi- outside the US. They discussed latest develop- by the Ministry of Justice’s (AUA). techniques for the first time cine history’. He said advancements in neph- ments in Yemen. Land Registry Department More than 500 physicians, worldwide. A flex robotic surgery will be rolith (related to kidney stones) reached QR779,104,479 during including participants from out- On the closing day of the con- conducted for the first time in minimal invasive surgeries at Prince Charles February 1-5. side Qatar, are attending the ference there will be a video Qatar and the region during the HMC is the reason the conference Sales were registered in Umm three-day forum, which ends on showing surgeries conducted in conference. Urology and neph- is brought to Qatar. An exhibition arriving today Salal, , Dhakira, Doha, Al Saturday. State-of-the-art pres- Qatar and abroad. rolith surgeons from the US, of latest equipment, technologies Rayyan, Al Shammal, Al Daayen entations will cover advance- In addition to participants from including Prof Arthur Smith, a and medications in the field of DOHA: Prince Charles of Wales and Al Wakra. ments in all aspects of stone HMC and Qatar’s private sector, US-based nephrolith surgeon, urolithiasis is being held on the will arrive in Qatar today. QNA management, including symptom delegates are arriving from India, Prof Tracseur (France), Prof sideline. THE PENINSULA QNA Minister gets Erring outlets fined message Ooredoo offers Pinoy Movies from Senegal DOHA: Minister of service on Mozaic TV Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday Hamad bin Abdulaziz announced ‘Pinoy Movies’ Al Kuwari yester- service on Mozaic TV, a new day received a writ- package for Filipino movie fans ten message from in Qatar, which will become Senegalese Minister available by month-end. of Culture, Mbagnick The service will offer 50 new Ndiaye. titles updated every week and It pertained to include the best of the Pinoy means of enhancing film world. cooperation during the Films will cost QR15 for regu- expected visit of Ndiaye lar titles and QR20 for premium to Qatar to attend the blockbusters. Customers can Cultural Week of the rent movies for 48 hours and Francophonie. QNA watch them as many times as they like during the period. ‘Pinoy Movies’ is launched to build upon the popularity of the recent ‘My GMA package’ which Al Rayan Municipality conducted over 1,000 inspection campaigns offers Filipinos in Qatar access to latest news, public affairs and last year and imposed QR512,900 fines on outlets and individu- One of the films on offer. als. The municipality issued 32 certificates authorising inspec- entertainment programmes for tors to destroy food unfit for human consumption, the Ministry QR99 per month. of Municipality and Urban Planning said on its website. The civic Ooredoo has predicted that the community in Qatar. body also issued 357 warnings and sent 103 food samples to the new Pinoy Movies On Demand As the most popular quality service will draw a similarly digital entertainment service in central laboratory. warm response from the Filipino the country, Mozaic TV provides access to a rich range of content, including the best and latest releases from Hollywood, Bollywood, Asia, and the Arab world. All Video On Demand content is charged directly to customers’ monthly Ooredoo bills. Mozaic TV users can access the list of movies by clicking the VOD but- ton on their remote hand- sets and selecting ‘Pinoy Movies’ to see the films available. Next Generation Mozaic TV and Mozaic GO app users can take advantage of the benefits of the service on Qatar’s fastest and biggest net- work, including high-def- inition programming and advanced features such as the ability to pause, rewind and record TV from remote control. For details on how to subscribe to the Pinoy Movies pack, custom- ers can go to Mozaic.qa. Existing Next Generation Mozaic TV customers can subscribe via their Mozaic TV remote control. THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Shriver, founder of Best QRC, Gaza Municipality honour Buddies International, to address WISH forum civic staff’s efforts during war DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent Gaza, with funding from the municipality. DOHA: The World Innovation lifestyle enrichment that can make (QRC) and Gaza Municipality Programme of the GCC for the He recognised QRC efforts Summit for Health (WISH), a glo- a difference to people with IDD is have honoured technical Reconstruction of Gaza, under to implement projects to help bal initiative of Qatar Foundation integral to WISH’s work regionally and engineering teams that the supervision of Islamic the municipality overcome for Education, Science and in Qatar and across the world. worked during the war on the Development Bank, to make a problems, by providing water Community Development (QF), has “I am excited to join the WISH conclave early last July which paradigm shift in the sector.” and sanitation pumps and announced that Anthony Kennedy community and look forward to left more than 2,200 dead and Dr Nassar praised the role equipment. Shriver will join the 2015 Summit exploring how we can share our 17,200 homes destroyed. of Gaza Municipality staff that Nehad Al Mughni, General in Doha as a keynote speaker to knowledge and work together to find Over 900 workers attended worked during the war amid Manager, Engineering and address mental health – and spe- innovative solutions that can make a the ceremony. risks and administrative and Maintenance, said civic staff cifically the universal issue of inte- difference to people’s lives.” Dr Akram Nassar (pictured), technical staff for contributing repaired water and sewage grating people with intellectual Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Head, QRC Office, Gaza, said to the success of QRC projects pipelines in several residen- and development disabilities (IDD) Executive Chair, WISH, and Director, QRC helped alleviate the suf- in Palestine. tial districts, thanks to QRC’s into our communities, relative to Institute of Global Health Innovation, fering of Gaza people during “Gaza Municipality teams urgent drinking water system enhanced socialisation and com- Imperial College of London, said, “As the war, with an urgent water achieved our mission of standing maintenance project despite the petitive employment opportunities. WISH and other initiatives propel us network maintenance project to by the community during the airs trikes. He said municipality WISH inspires and diffuses health- into a new era of global healthcare resume drinking water supply “We are working on an urgent war, protected the internal front staff continued to work though care innovation and best practice, collaboration, some of the most excit- to about 200,000 people. water and sewerage system by removing the rubble result- some of their members were remaining aligned with QF vision ing developments are taking place in “During the war, QRC imple- support project in Gaza and ing from bombardment, and martyred, and affirmed that and mission to unlock human poten- the previously neglected area of men- mented urgent relief interven- Jabalia, with funding from the continued to work despite the the municipality will continue tial and underscore Qatar’s role as tal health provision. tions, mainly in the health, Maldivians. Israeli aggression and repeated to pursue its mission by virtue an emerging centre for healthcare “Shriver is a dynamic, forward- water and sanitation sectors, to “Weeks ago, we initiated a threats to prevent them from of efforts of those who believe in innovation. thinking leader whose work has made enable them to keep providing project to build the 11th sew- fulfilling their responsibilities,” the Palestinian cause and peo- Shriver is Founder and Chairman a profound difference to hundreds of basic services. age pumping station in western said Nezar Hegazi, Head of the ple. THE PENINSULA of Best Buddies International, the thousands of people with IDD. He has non-profit organisation dedicated to championed the case for greater eco- establishing a global volunteer move- nomic and social inclusion with origi- ment that creates opportunities for nality and we are excited to welcome one-to-one friendships, integrated him into the WISH community.” employment and leadership devel- Shriver is one of prominent speak- MENA Universities Summit draws top experts opment for people with IDD. ers at the summit, where world Founded in the US in 1989, Best experts will join an influential com- Buddies has grown from one chap- munity of heads of state, government DOHA: Regional and inter- and Technology, Imperial College Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, and Dr Driss Ouaouicha (Al ter to more than 1,700 middle and ministers, academics, clinicians, poli- national university leaders, London, St Joseph’s University and THE Editor-at-Large Phil Akhawayn University) in a ses- high schools and college chapters cymakers and business leaders to representatives of leading UAE, King Fahd University Baty, and keynote speeches by sion on ‘Satellite Campuses and worldwide. Today, its eight formal discuss innovative solutions to some educational, business and of Petroleum and Minerals, Imperial College London Prof Transnational Education’. programmes (Middle Schools, High of the most pressing global health industry organisations and Sultan Qaboos University, New Alice Gast, King Abdullah A session on ‘Strengths & Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, challenges. global experts in higher edu- York University (NYU) Abu University of Science and Weaknesses of HE in MENA’ Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters) WISH will publish reports on cation will attend the MENA Dhabi, Northwestern University Technology President. Prof will be attended by experts engage participants in all 50 states of delivering affordable cancer care; Universities Summit Qatar Qatar (NU-Q), Al Akhawayn Jean-Lou Chameau, and World from Higher Education Policy the US and over 50 countries, posi- communicating complex health mes- University (QU) is co-hosting University, and Community Bank official and tertiary educa- Institute (HEPI), Qatar tively impacting the lives of more sages; diabetes; dementia; universal with Times Higher Education College Qatar (CCQ). tion expert Dr Jamil Salmi. Foundation Academy for than 800,000 people with and without health coverage; mental health and (THE) magazine. A gala dinner will open the A panel discussion on uni- Academic Leadership and disabilities. wellbeing in children; and patient The event has drawn spon- event and will be chaired by versity-industry collabora- CCQ, while representatives Shriver said, “The delivery of safety and maternal and newborn sorship support from lead- Hamad Bin Khalifa University tion will include CEOs and from QU, Higher Education enhanced healthcare practices and health. THE PENINSULA ing organisations in Qatar President and Vice-Chair, QU directors from Qatar Airways, Funding Council for England such as Qatar National Bank Board of Regents, H E Sheikh Qatar Petroleum, Amwal, and Elsevier will discuss (QNB), Commercial Bank and Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Thani Qapco, Ooredoo, Qatar ‘Social Economic Impact of Qatar Petrochemical Company who will represent Deputy Emir. General Electricity and Water Universities: Emerging New Rinfo Mobile App launched (Qapco). The agenda includes keynote Corporation, and Qatar Rail. Metrics’. The summit under the addresses, discussion sessions, QU V-P for Institutional The master class on ranking patronage of Deputy Emir a master class and an open Development, Dr Saif Al will be delivered by Phil Baty in H H Sheikh Abdullah bin consultation session on pro- Sowaidi, will join univer- which QU Scholarships Office, Hamad Al Thani will see the posals for a full THE MENA sity leaders Dr Alfred Bloom officials from MENA AIR, participation of academic insti- University Ranking. (NYU Abu Dhabi), Dr Nisrine Association of Arab Universities, tutions, including QU, King Welcoming speeches will Abiad (St Joseph’s University), and others will participate. Abdullah University of Science be delivered by QU President, Dr Everette Dennis (NU-Q) THE PENINSULA

Qatar ‘heading to new era of solar energy’

DOHA: Qatar is moving towards a new era of alter- native energy with the total installed solar capacity touch- ing 4MW, a senior official from the industry has said. Delivering the TECHtalk Series hosted by Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), GreenGulf Co-founder and CEO, Omran Al Kuwari, said, “We are seeing the beginning Abdulhameed Alyousef (left), Founder and Managing Director, Rinfo, and Saud of a new era of interest in solar Aldolaimi, Operation Manager, Rinfo, at the launch of Rinfo Mobile App at Qatar energy and are trying to use Business Incubation Center. ABDUL BASIT this moment to advance the industry and implement clean solutions in Qatar.” Al Kuwari and Dr Mohammad Khaleel, Executive Director, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), observed that Qatar Officials at the event. is entering a new era of solar technology with at least one in Qatar have become impor- with abundant solar energy advantage of solar energy at Qatari firm leading the way, tant catalysts for development and challenging environmental this moment because it does not QNA reports. of technology and innovation. conditions. require massive new infrastruc- Al Kuwari presented a brief Al Kuwari gave an update on On the promise and critical ture — just the will and hard history of Qatar’s solar energy QSTP’s and GreenGulf’s flag- importance of solar energy in work to reach what we aspire programme that saw the launch ship Solar Test Facility project. Qatar, Dr Khaleel said, “We to.” Al Kuwari said, “TECHtalk of Kahramaa’s first tender in a Since its launch in 2012, the have a great opportunity to Series has become a power- major national project last year. project has gathered data on benefit from solar energy and ful platform to discuss issues He gave insights into where how 30 solar technologies per- QEERI is committed to sup- related to development, crea- the industry is headed, in line form. It helps the industry porting Qatar’s solar journey tivity, innovation and commer- with Qatar National Vision 2030 optimise the performance of through innovation and crea- cialisation that benefit Qatar. and said firms and institutions solar technologies in a region tivity. We must work to take THE PENINSULA

Qatar Airways to participate in ITB Berlin

DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) the world’s leading travel trade Baker. “This year, QA is show- A350 flies to Frankfurt; the next will participate in ITB Berlin show with the participation of casing the A380 First Class and A350 XWB to join the fleet in for the seventh consecutive over 180 countries. A350 XWB Business Class seats March will also serve Frankfurt, year next month and will QA had a strong presence and we invite all participants enhancing the A350 XWB serv- showcase its unique A380 First at ITB 2014 and plans to make and visitors to the show to visit ice on the route to double-daily, Class seat and A350 Xtra Wide a stronger presence this year. us to have the opportunity to with the next destination for Body Business Class seat. QA will hold a press confer- experience five-star comfort and this aircraft to be the Singapore This year’s participation in ence, hosted by Group Chief hospitality. route.” He said the new XWB ITB Berlin, from March 4 to 8, Executive, Akbar Al Baker, on “By adding the world’s only aircraft means the airline oper- is also significant for QA as it the first day of ITB to discuss A350 XWB to our fleet, we ates every family of Airbus’ marks the 10-year anniversary the airline’s participation and have shown our commitment modern airliner portfolio. QA, since it commenced operations make updates on the airline’s to bringing QA’s passengers the the Airbus A350 XWB global to Berlin, the German capital. A350 XWB aircraft service. latest technology and comfort launch customer, is the only air- ITB Berlin was launched in “We are pleased to be at ITB in the skies. By 2015-end, QA line to have ordered 80 aircraft 1966 with five countries partici- again this year, sharing the air- will have five A350 XWB air- of this kind. pating, and has grown to become line’s latest updates,” said Al craft in service. Currently, our THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Iraq president praises meeting with Emir Telecom firms could DOHA: Iraqi President Dr and foreign media, Dr Masum Dr Masum said his visit repre- Fuad Masum has praised his stressed that joint committees sents the beginning of the return meeting with Emir H H Sheikh between both countries would of Iraqi-Qatari ties to normal. He Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani be activated and formed in other said he looks forward that Iraq’s and said it was cordial and areas to push forward both coun- ties with Gulf countries and the be fined for violations frank and addressed all ques- tries’ interests. region would be distinguished tions and issues that concern He said Foreign Minister based on mutual understanding both countries. H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al and common interests. During a meeting with local Attiyah will visit Iraq soon. QNA Cabinet approves draft law to amend legislation

DOHA: The Cabinet yesterday Prime Minister and Interior The Cabinet also approved approved a draft law that seeks Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah draft agreements on aviation to amend some key provisions bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani services between Qatar and of a legislation regulating tel- chaired the weekly Cabinet meet- Somalia, trade cooperation with Al Hilal residents demand ecom services in the coun- ing at Emiri Diwan. Benin, on the encouragement and try, to empower the Telecom The Cabinet agreed that Qatar protection of investment with Regulatory Authority to fine will host a meeting of the GCC Benin and on avoidance of tax service providers for flouting ministerial committee of Awqaf duplication with Mali and Benin. rules. on April 15 and 16. It agreed a draft cooperation repair of speed-breakers The amendments would arm The session examined agreement in the field of sports the Authority with the power a report presented by the between the Ministry of Youth BY YASIN ABU TAQIU to form a committee that would Ministry of Information and and Sports and Japan. determine if a service provider Communications Technology It also approved a draft coop- DOHA: Speed-breakers in Al has breached provisions of the on latest efforts to establish eration agreement between the Hilal and many other internal law or licensing conditions. eGovernment. Supreme Education Council streets across Doha are in need Once the panel has decided The goal is to use technology and the Japanese Ministry of of urgent repair as most of them there has been a violation, the to coordinate efforts between Education, Culture, Sports, have deteriorated to potholes. service provider will be fined, ministries and other government Science and Technology in the Motorists are complaining that Qatar News Agency (QNA) authorities. field of scientific research. most internal streets are in decay, reports. The panel will be headed The report said the commit- The Cabinet endorsed the including speed-breakers, due to by a judge from a preliminary tee has been tasked with car- signing of a cooperation agree- lack of regular maintenance work. court. rying out the initiative and has ment in the field of tourism Malik Bin Dinar Street is The decision to set up the 15 finished projects related to with Japan National Tourism among the worst-hit as the once panel is to be decided by the infra-structure needed to achieve Organization and agreed a coop- elevated speed-breakers that head of the Telecom Regulatory eGovernment. eration agreement with Japanese spanned the width of the road Authority, QNA said. The committee has also pre- Ministry of Internal Affairs and are now like holes in the ground. The draft law approved by the pared the final plans of 34 gov- Communications in the field of “If you are driving and see the Cabinet is to be referred to the ernment institutions regarding information technology. speed-breakers, you reduce speed Advisory Council. electronic services. THE PENINSULA and prepare to climb them but you fall into a hole,” said a resi- One of the damaged speed-breakers on Malik Bin Dinar Street in Al Hilal. dent who preferred anonymity. The confusion of falling into are always surprised to be climb- motorists, he said. potholes instead of climbing ing an unmarked speed-breaker. “It is important that those who speed-breakers has led to sev- And many speed-breakers do wish to build speed-breakers in eral cars getting damaged in the not have phosphorous reflective front of their buildings first get UK embassy issued 85 emergency area. The holes also likely to cause light icons that warn motorists, permission and meet all required accidents as they appear before especially at night. standards,” he added. motorists unexpectedly. Another resident from Al Several streets have developed travel documents in 2014 According to the resident, most Hilal, who identified himself as cracks in the asphalt layer and speed-breakers in the area did not Mutawakir, said most speed- there are pot holes. DOHA: The British embassy when you get back to the UK as they entered on, or the passport meet specifications and there was breakers were built by families in Residents said roads in the in Doha issued 85 emergency you can only exit Qatar on an their RP is in. no regular maintenance work to front of their homes but without area which has a large number travel documents in 2014. emergency travel document, you Many British residents find ensure road users’ safety. following instructions. of schools and residential areas, Almost 50 percent of these were cannot re-enter.” Many think that themselves in difficulties when Some speed-breakers are losing Such speed-breakers are mush- needed to be maintained regularly preventable as their passports by renewing a passport before it they need to renew their resi- the painted distinctive colours of rooming in the area, distorting to cope with growing traffic. had been lost, stolen or damaged, expires they will “lose out” on dence permits and discover all the yellow and white and motorists the beauty of streets and annoying THE PENINSULA the embassy said yesterday. validity they have paid for. Any pages in their passports are full. It urged British nationals in remaining validity on an existing They will require at least one Qatar to regularly check the passport (up to a total of nine clear page to renew their resi- location, condition, validity and months) will be added to the dence permit. They cannot add number of empty pages they have applicant’s new one. pages to a British passport, they NHIC receives 549 complaints left in their passports. Her Majesty’s Passport Office must apply to renew it. Ann Munro, Vice Consul, said, can issue applicants a second Applying for a new passport is Continued from page 1 ago about the third phase and decide what kind of “When living overseas, it can be passport if they are eligible. The simple: Apply online, pay online The scheme will soon be expanded to two primary services are to be provided to expatriates and their easy to forget to renew or not applicant will need to submit and keep track on the progress health centres and five physiotherapy centres. families and means of payment by employers, he realise that your passport is filling a letter of support (on headed of the application. Implementation of the third and final phase tar- added. up with stamps and visas. If you paper) from a senior manager Supporting documentation will geting expatriates and visitors has been delayed until NHIC has so far received 549 complaints, mostly need to travel in an emergency, who employs him/her, detailing need to be sent to the passport 2016-end, said the official. related to health services provided under the scheme, getting an emergency travel docu- the necessity for a second pass- office in Liverpool for applications The delay has become necessary to improve the unjustifiable payment, refusal to provide treatment ment is costly and time-consum- port together with the application from Qatar. To apply online, go to electronic system and other technical aspects, train to some patients and eligibility of the patient for ing. This can further add to what and either the applicant’s current www.gov.uk/overseas-passports. staff and complete studies started a few months treatment. THE PENINSULA may already be a stressful situ- passport or birth certificate. For enquiries contact Passport ation. In addition, you will still Residents will only be able to Advice Line on +44 300 222 0000. need to renew your full passport exit Qatar on the same passport THE PENINSULA Overturned Recruitment transparency stressed Continued from page 1 Minister Al Mulla told the Both sides agreed to exchange The meeting was held in line Philippine delegation that the blacklists of erring recruitment with the 2008 Additional Protocol Qatari Labour Law prohibits pay- agencies and white lists of good with respect to labour coop- ment of recruitment fees. performing agencies. eration between both countries Cacdac promised to issue a cir- ‘Comprehensive information signed in 1997. Transparency in cular warning prospective OFWs and orientation programme for the recruitment process with coming to Qatar against paying migrant workers and ‘skills, devel- emphasis on ethical recruit- such fees to recruiters. opment, certification, upgrading ment practices and settlements The Philippine delegation and recognition system’ — two of disputes involving Overseas submitted a proposal in line of the project outcomes of Abu Filipino Workers (OFWs) were with enhancing the protection Dhabi Dialogue — were also dis- among the matters discussed, said of Household Service Workers cussed. The third joint committee POEA Administrator Hans Leo (HSWs). meeting will be hosted by Manila J Cacdac, who led the Philippine Qatar announced that it is later this year, to be preceded by a delegation nearing completion of the draft- technical working group meeting. During the meeting, Deputy ing of a law to protect HSWs. THE PENINSULA A truck carrying gabbro overturned at Barwa Village signal on Al Wakra road yesterday afternoon. SYED OMAR Imported ‘water has more arsenic’ Global community must Continued from page 1 values for arsenic and chromium are 10 root out Boko Haram Guidelines exist for trace elements ppb and 100 ppb, respectively. Continued from page 1 (such as lead and arsenic) and organic The QEERI team also studied how The international community must chip in and shoulder the respon- compounds (such as benzene) that people’s behaviour can influence the sibility for rooting out this terrorist outfit. may cause negative health outcomes quality of their water. Heat and UV African countries are reeling under several internal crises as many of or affect the taste or odour of water. radiation (from the sun) can have a them are fighting armed rebels at home, or opposition groups, and have All tap and bottled water in Qatar is real impact on bottled water. Plastic serious border disputes with neighbours. This is one reason they are safe to drink, but some imported water bottled water containers are safe to calling for UN intervention to fight this terrorist group. Boko Haram has higher concentrations of tested use for storing and holding your drink- is a common threat, and should be confronted collectively. Forming parameters such as arsenic (aver- ing water, but they should be protected international forces in coordination with African regional powers will age concentration in imported water from sun and extreme heat. be an opportunity to express solidarity with Africa and send a strong = 0.62 parts-per-billion (ppb)); and “Bottles should be carefully pro- message to terrorists all over the world. chromium (1.04 ppb) than the locally tected from these conditions to pro- Collective responsibility in fighting terrorism should take priority produced tap and bottled water. tect the health of the nation. This is over double standards and political bickering as we see in Iraq, Syria This is likely because imported as simple as not leaving bottled water and Yemen. THE PENINSULA water comes from natural freshwa- in a car during the summer months,” ter sources that can contain naturally said a QEERI statement. occurring elements, such as arsenic, QEERI, a member of Qatar present in different types of rock or Foundation, is leading the nation’s Rights panel chief meets ILO official sediment and can leach into the drink- efforts towards the National Water DOHA: National Human Rights Committee Chairman, Dr ing water source. Security Grand Challenge, which Ali bin Samikh Al , yesterday met Cleopatra Doumbia- However, the levels observed in includes projects related to desalina- Henry, Director, International Labour Standards Department imported water brands in Qatar are tion and treatment technologies, water at International Labour Organisation. They discussed means of still much lower than the health- based quality and exposure, among other A scientist taking water samples. enhancing cooperation in issues of mutual interest and exchanging guidelines for drinking water. Guideline research topics. THE PENINSULA expertise and experiences in the field of human rights. QNA THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Sport Day marked with fervour

Doha Bank officials receive the Crystal Trophy for 10 of its employees who secured top-place finishes in the 3km Ezdan employees at one of the events. run hosted by Qatar Central Bank in various categories.

DOHA: Government agencies management team, took part. Federation, with the support of and private firms joined hands Doha Bank was presented with police and Ambulance services. to celebrate National Sport Day the Crystal Trophy for the results Staff of International Bank (NSD) by organising and par- posted by 10 of its employees who of Qatar (ibq) took part in the ticipating in a wide range of secured top-place finishes in the annual 3km Sports Day Race activities and competitions. race across various categories. organised by QCB. Ezdan Holding Group held Qatar International Petroleum Four ibq staff were named win- sporting events for its employees Marketing Company (Tasweeq) ners in various categories of the at Ezdan Al Shamal Compound. organised activities and tour- race. Activities included football cham- naments highlighted by the Oryx Rotana Doha sponsored a pionship involving eight teams announcement of the winner of its healthy breakfast for 3,000 par- representing various departments company-wide ‘Steps Challenge’ ticipants in Doha Dash held at of the group. in which all employees tracked Losail International Circuit. Ezdan Hotels and Ezdan Mall their steps daily from January 29 It also hosted fitness activities, also organised events for the pub- until the Sport Day. including Fitness 20 and Zumba, lic. Ezdan Real Estate held open Having walked 351,716 steps, in its Fitness Centre and the hotel sport competitions for residents Capt Yasser Behiry won the lobby. of its housing complexes. challenge. The Supreme Education Doha Bank was among the top Over 100 employees and Council (SEC) prepared 11 sports participating institutions in the their families from Qatar Fuel centres for Independent schools annual 3km run hosted by Qatar Company (Woqod) and its affili- for various activities. Central Bank (QCB) to mark the ate company Qatar Jet Fuel QJet Students, parents and teaching day. participated in a fun bicycle tour. and administrative staff from the A total of 168 Doha Bank staff, The ride on Celebration Road schools took part. including members of the senior was organised by Qatar Cycling THE PENINSULA Oryx Rotana Doha holding one of the events.

International Bank of Qatar (ibq) staff take part in the annual 3km Sports Day Race organised by QCB. Four ibq Woqod organised a fun bicycle tour for its employees and their families and those of its affiliate Qatar Jet Fuel QJet. staff were named winners in various categories.

Participants in one of the events organised by Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company (Tasweeq). The Supreme Education Council organised programmes for schools and parents. THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Uncertainty in Nigeria Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

IGERIA’S decision to postpone elections for six weeks will not help solve the problems the government of President Goodluck Jonathan wants Nto. Postponement of elections in crisis-ridden The careless, astonishing countries is always viewed with suspicion because it’s seen as a ploy to implement the rulers’ agenda and subvert the democratic process. It’s true that there were plenty of reasons for the deferment. The election commission was not prepared, cruelty of Obama’s govt having failed to deliver millions of voter cards, and there were reports that both sides of the close presidential contest were preparing to violently contest the results. Most importantly, BY GEORGE MONBIOT according to a British government have tried to stop food aid; and have the dreaded Boko Haram was threatening to unleash violence report, “British Somalis saved hundreds waged war on vaccination programmes, and make voting nearly impossible. But, instead of solving ET me introduce you to the of thousands of lives by remitting money causing outbreaks of polio and measles. these problems, the vote delay threatens to endanger the world’s most powerful terror- ... reaching family members before aid Yesterday they murdered another MP. country’s weak democracy and increase the risk that Africa’s ist recruiting sergeant: a US agencies could mobilise”. Government So you take a country suffering from most populous country will collapse into civil strife. Lfederal agency called the office aid agencies then used the same infor- terrorism, massive youth unemploy- of the comptroller of the currency. mal banking system – the hawala – to ment and the threat of famine, and seek The elections commission was forced into its decision by the Its decision to cause a humanitarian send money to 1.5 million people, sav- to shut off half its earnings. You force military, which has a long history of intervening in elections. catastrophe in one of the poorest, most ing hundreds of thousands more. Today, money transfers underground where The military told the commission it could not safeguard the troubled places on Earth could resonate roughly 3 million of Somalia’s 7 million they are more likely to be captured by election process because of an offensive it was planning against around the world for decades. people are short of food. Shut off the terrorists. You destroy hope, making Boko Haram. This has created doubts because the military Last Friday, after the OCC had sent funds and the results are likely to be young men more susceptible to recruit- chiefs are appointed by incumbent President Goodluck it a cease-and-desist order, the last terrible. ment by an organisation promising loot bank in the United States still process- Money transfers from abroad also and status. Through an iniquitous mass Jonathan, who polls show in a dead heat with challenger ing money transfers to Somalia closed pay for schooling, housing, business punishment, you mobilise the anger and Muhammadu Buhari. its service. The agency, which reports start-ups and all the means by which a grievance on which terrorist organi- Jonathan is finding a powerful foe in Buhari who has been to the US treasury, reasoned that some country can lift itself out of dependency sations thrive. You help al-Shabaab to gaining momentum with promises of this money might find its way into and chaos. Yes, banking has its uses, as destroy Somalia’s economic life. of fighting corruption and Boko the hands of the Somali terrorist group well as its abuses. Compare this pointless destruction The government Haram. Jonathan has been accused al-Shabaab. It’s Somalia might be one of the poorest with the US government’s continued true that some of nations in the world, but its remittance licensing of HSBC. In 2012 the bank of Goodluck of failure in the fight against it might, just as system is widely seen as a model for was condemned by a Senate committee Jonathan should terrorists. Nigeria needs a strong some resources other nations. Shifting e-money via the for circumventing safeguards “designed government to fight the terrorists. The US, it seems, in any nation will mobile phone network, hawala brokers to block transactions involving terror- not postpone One postponement is okay, couldn’t care find their way charge only 5% interest, against a global ists, drug lords, and rogue regimes”. It but experts and people are into the hands average of 9% and an African average processed billions of dollars for Mexican of criminals (ask of 12%. In a nation held to ransom by drug barons, and provided services to elections worried that the government less if it causes HSBC). So why well-armed thugs, and lacking almost Saudi and Bangladeshi banks linked again. It can will go for another. Buhari has a humanitarian don’t we shut all infrastructure, these remarkable with the financing of terrorists. But destabilise the adopted a patient approach now down the phone people – often motivated as much by a there was no criminal prosecution by calling on his supporters to crisis in Somalia, networks to ham- desire to keep their country alive as to because, the attorney general’s office country. stay calm. But if Jonathan and one of the per terrorism? make money – supply tiny desert settle- argued, too many jobs were at stake. his military supporters go for Why don’t we ments all over the nation with scarcely The outrageous practices revealed this ban agriculture any losses. week will doubtless be treated with the another postponement, it can world’s poorest in case fertiliser Hawala is one of Africa’s great suc- same leniency. push the country into civil strife. Election officials say any countries. is used to make cess stories. But it can’t work unless So in order to protect American jobs, postponement of the vote beyond April 30 would violate the explosives? Why banks in donor nations are permit- the US government fails to take action country’s constitution, as would a presidential transition later don’t we stop all ted to transfer funds to Somalia. The over the illegal transfer of billions of than the end of May. The opposition is likely to react violently the clocks to prevent armed gangs from US treasury’s paranoid rules threaten dollars, while sentencing people in the to any such development, bringing chaos. The only beneficiary planning their next atrocity? remittances from all over the world, Horn of Africa to death because of the Ridiculous? In fact it’s not far as no bank wants to lose American illegal transfer of a few thousand. There of the subsequent instability will be Boko Haram. off. Remittances from the Somalian business. is a word for these double standards: The country has predictable voting patterns like in all diaspora amount to $1.2bn-$1.6bn No one suffers more from al-Shabaab racism. democratic countries. Buhari can expect support from large a year, which is roughly 50% of the than the Somalis. It epitomises that By contrast, the British government areas of the core north and Jonathan from southern states. country’s gross national income, and combination of menace and absurdity comes through this surprisingly well. Region and religion are the deciding factors here. Vice on which 40% of the population relies satirised in Chris Morris’s film Four While recognising that money could for survival. Over the past 10 years the Lions. In the areas these few thou- be transferred to terrorists in Somalia, presidents are carefully chosen: Buhari’s vice-president is a money known to have been transferred sand men control, they have tried to its response is not to ban the remit- southwestern Christian and Jonathan’s is a northern Muslim. to suspected terrorists in Somalia ban samosas on the grounds that their tance system but to try to make it more Jonathan should place the country’s interests above his amounts to a few thousand dollars. triangular shape invokes the holy trin- transparent. In 2014, working with peo- personal or political preferences. The country needs a strong, Cutting off remittances is likely to kill ity. They whip women for wearing bras; ple throughout the money chain, it ran stable government to fight Boko Haram. Since Boko poses a more people than terrorists will ever have pledged to prohibit the internet; a pilot project to improve the system’s threat to all of Africa, any instability in Nigeria will have an manage. have imposed fundamentalist Wahhabi security. During the 2011 famine in Somalia, doctrines on a largely Sufi population; THE GUARDIAN adverse effect on the entire continent. The other side Quote of Iran’s energy overtures the day HERE are strong grounds Agreement for that project was signed to are also becoming more evident as vigour. What helps is the fact that the for seizing the most recent before the latest sanctions came the recent petrol crisis brought home United States is itself struggling to over- Iranian offer to sell Pakistan into force. There are good reasons so clearly. Pakistan cannot muddle come formidable opposition to arrive Telectricity and feed it directly to press ahead with that project as through the energy crisis indefinitely, at an agreement that ends Iran’s isola- into our national grid. The benefits of well, especially now that American and pinning all its hopes on a massive tion from the world. President Barack If there is going to be this proposal are self-evident, even sensitivities in the region appear to be infrastructure bailout from the Chinese Obama openly sparred with the Israeli as it sidesteps all the security-related undergoing a paradigm shift. is to put too many eggs in one bas- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu peace and stability questions concerning other proposals Iran’s overtures to Pakistan present ket. Other options to carry energy — who has vowed that he would “do eve- in the region, and to import electricity. The Iran-Pakistan an opportunity that the latter can only whether in the form of natural gas or rything and will take any action to foil natural gas pipeline has also languished benefit from if it demonstrates courage electricity — from Central Asia have this bad and dangerous agreement”. terrorism is to be for too long, due in significant part to and gritty resolve. Pakistan has been too many question marks hanging The terse exchanges taking place uprooted, there is no Islamabad’s deference to American struggling with gas and electricity short- over them due to their transit through across the Atlantic between Mr Obama sensitivities in dealing with Iran. A ages that are crippling the economy Afghanistan. In fact, Iran is a natural and Mr Netanyahu are evidence that other way than with body of expert opinion, however, clearly and bringing ever-increasing distress partner for Pakistan when it comes to the US leader is determined to pursue states that Pakistan has a strong case to the population with each passing energy, gas and electricity both. talks with Iran until the deadline set for the presence of the to argue that the sanctions regime on year. The size of the circular debt is But this natural partnership will not late March, no matter what the scale of Islamic Republic of Iran does not cover the pipeline project, growing, and the vulnerabilities that it come walking in through the door on the opposition might be. Hassan Rowhani primarily because the Gas Purchase exposes other sectors of the economy its own. It will need to be pursued with DAWN Iran. Iranian President THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Growing violence in Arab countries on the concept of unity. Now IS has brought to our attention the need for borders between Arab countries. Events in the Arab world have confirmed how the strength of small groups is growing day by day in terms of their numbers and capacities. They even have the ability to challenge forces such as in south Lebanon and IS in Iraq. Following the 2011 revolu- tions, we will probably see more groups emerging. This means that a new power BY DR SHAFIQ AL could emerge, like the Houthis, GHABRA charting for itself a path that could reach major cities and east- ern Arab areas until it finally set- everal questions arise tles in Yemen, which has a large about the situation Arabs population. are passing through now; While the Houthis are taking Swill we witness the begin- control of Yemen, another hid- ning of awakening or collapse? Or den power could suddenly arise, are we witnessing the start of a with the capacity to confront the revolution, as many other coun- Houthis and counter their moves. tries have done, which includes Then the US won’t find the violence and fragmentation? national support it used to have We are in a long-term revo- before, which allows it to inter- lutionary stage that will change vene militarily. America’s capaci- our reality and teach us lessons ties and enthusiasm are declining on how to deal with differences, and the future will indeed be full political monopoly and financial of surprises. corruption. Unfortunately, the The regression of Arab regimes changes won’t come about until does not mean that they have lost we have passed through very their strength and capacity. There hard phases. is a logical history behind the While our world is shaking, the strength and weakness of states people are protesting and dream- and nations. ing, which has not happened for Weakness and disintegration Protesters wave flags while raising anti-government slogans during mass demonstrations at Tahrir Square in Cairo. a long time. Arabs have different are usually offset with initiatives views, which means they have got that show persistence, accom- rid of the carelessness they once panied by coercion and tyranny. political monopoly, denial of free- problems disappear; but how can only recently rejected the use of apart from indulging in corruption lived with. Indeed, when the Ottoman dom, oppression of opposition that happen when they have lost violence had joined these groups. and money laundering. Some of them seek stability at Empire, which was known for its parties and lack of avenues for their effectiveness and influence The Arab state that resulted The judiciary would be impar- any price, especially those who relative graciousness, regressed by peaceful protest. and their corrupt officials are not from the two world wars appears tial and not biased towards the have wealth and are afraid of los- massacring Armenians in 1915 and They have hardly understood accountable to anyone? to be facing a section of society executive branch at the expense ing it. Others want a new regime, set up gallows in Beirut’s Martyrs’ that the causes of past and future The recent drop in oil prices has that is constantly increasing in of the people, honest officials and even if this happens through vio- Square, it didn’t prevent its decline revolutions cannot be dealt with revealed the poor planning and size and seeking to get rid of the the opposition. lence, especially those who feel and eventual demise. by spreading fear, but by carrying preparation of the governments. current systems without clearly Security forces must ensure that they do not have anything to If the oppressive behaviour of out serious reforms. Every crisis, whether related defining what the next one looks justice and not infringe on human lose. Arab regimes does not change The problems of the Arab world to nature, the climate, the prices like. rights. The media should be neu- But the majority is waiting for a for the better, with initiation of are worsened by the fact that gov- of goods, wars or the needs and In the first phase of the 2011 tral and not biased towards one better, just and satisfactory demo- reconciliation and democratic ernment organisations and insti- rights of the people, reveals the Arab revolutions, the state was side at the expense of another. cratic solution and modernisation reforms, a large segment of the tutions, the judiciary and security fragility of the Arab entity and its not the target but the corrupt In the next revolutions, there and development. population will turn into the forces are mostly incompetent, unwillingness to face new devel- individuals in it, as shown by what will be revolutions of social classes, Realistically speaking, the Arab opposition. with loyalists favoured over those opments. The Arab state retains happened to presidents Zine El and revolts by the hungry and world will not regain stability any Repression is increasing in who are competent. the mentality that resulted in the Abidine Ben Ali, Hosni Mubarak, unemployed, revolutions for jus- time soon. The future has in store the Arab region, especially in The government structure is 1967 defeat. Muammar Gaddafi and Ali Saleh. tice and dignity, and revolutions long-term conflict over the prin- the light of the death sentence neither linked to a modern admin- In such a situation, the state However, things have changed coloured by religion, tribe and sect; ciples of justice and rights. It is passed against hundreds of dis- istrative, judicial or military sys- will resort to violence (repression, over the past three years: the all reflecting the need for justice hard to underestimate what has sidents in Egypt and the known tem nor derived from dynamic torture, shooting, imprisonment state, with its military, judicial and and equality. happened in Syria and Iraq, espe- and unknown abuses in various reform; it doesn’t even resemble and excessive sentences) against sovereign apparatuses, has joined So far the Arab reformist cially with Islamic State challeng- Arab countries. All this does not those found, for example, in Iran those engaging in peaceful strug- the confrontation. school, which is the quietest and ing the Sykes–Picot Agreement by reflect progression but rather or Turkey. gle. This will inevitably lead to The second intermediate wave most peaceful, has been regress- making the two countries’ borders loss of confidence and a sense of Maybe if Arabs had succeeded counter-violence by different sec- of revolutions will target many ing while the winners among the meaningless. insecurity among Arab decision- in coming up with administrative tions of society. of the state’s institutions, which masses have been extremist, reli- The emergence of an “entity” makers about the danger from any and developmental reforms, the The Arab region is full of a lot may be in some respects destruc- gious and sectarian revolutionary across the Syrian and Iraqi bor- peaceful gathering. situation would have been much of anger resulting from unemploy- tive with unforeseen circum- groups. ders that does not represent any In the current and next stage, better. Arab governments, with a ment, the arbitrariness and biases stances. There are many powers Our long era will be indisput- country or political system is a the most dangerous reaction from few exceptions, lack a vision for of government institutions such as still sitting on the fence, seeking to ably filled with anger, exclusion, sign of how weak Arab regimes Arab regimes would be to hast- development and projects of a the judiciary, army and the police, again spark a confrontation with tyranny, violence and revolutions. are, especially those established ily fight pluralism and curtail humanitarian character. The offi- and the tight control exercised by the state in order to disassemble The devolution of power and dem- after the Second World War. freedoms and public space. cial Arab administration is with- those in power. and reassemble it in a new way ocratic transition, reform and jus- Despite the belief that the eras- Until now, Arab regimes looked out a soul. We hope that it will Years before the clashes, the wherein: tice are still included in the folds ure of borders is temporary, it is at the current situation as a mat- surprise us with something differ- hidden and obvious tyranny of the The army would be turned into of this stage. This is a continuous alarming to see open borders in ter of life and death. They have ent before new volcanoes erupt. Syrian and Iraqi regimes led to the a force that guards the border, not struggle since the idea of democ- Syria and Iraq. interpreted their people’s revolts One of the reasons for the weak- emergence of many violent groups controls the economy by setting racy with all its dimensions will In the past, the Nasserists, superficially, ignoring the fact ness and vulnerability of Arab in both countries, with new fans up businesses, implementing con- not return until we pay a big price. Syrian nationalists, communists that these revolutions were the institutions is that they live with joining every day. Activists, revo- struction projects, building roads The author is an academic and and Baathists had different views result of unemployment, poverty, old tools in the hope that their lutionaries and reformists who and manufacturing kitchen tools, political analyst

South and Central America who carry a deep hatred for the US in their hearts, yet they do not carry Drying up sources of out violent acts in New York or Los Angeles. There are also Jews who are greatly supportive of the US, and Europe who could be the right sympathy for terrorism hand for and supporters of Zionism, but they do not take behind these groups are Arab and have become means of expression revenge against Arab Muslims in Western intelligence agencies. in some cities and neighbour- Israel or form local or national Such justification, which is pop- hoods in Iraq and Lebanon, used armed groups carrying black ular in our media, is used to try in response to what the other side flags with the Star of David and and reduce the horror caused by in the conflict does. Such actions some Hebrew words and mottos, the terrorist crimes, by portraying have become a way to retaliate seeking to discipline any person them as a form of jihad. against oppressive groups. or country that offends Jews or Actually, no one really knows Why not consider this vicious attacks synagogues. what the Islamists are defend- cycle as something wrong? We really need to remove any ing. Are they defending freedom Is it reasonable to have such justification of terrorism under of belief, the rights of minorities, chaotic violence everywhere as a any pretext from our cultural freedom of the press, and/or free- justified reaction to acts of violence and religious discourse and our dom of worship? And what are perpetrated by another country or media. The terrorist groups that the rights they want granted to a group? kill innocent people in Europe Muslims in the West? Are they the There are legal, political and and America are the same that BY KHALIL ALI HAIDAR same rights that Muslims grant financial measures that can be kill people in Muslim and Arab to non-Muslims living in Islamic taken — especially in the devel- countries. Such killers should ainstream Muslims, countries? oped countries — in response to not be allowed to claim that they particularly religious Is it right to consider a crime violence, instead of answering vio- are bringing justice to Muslims, researchers, are inclined an honourable act when it is com- lence with violence. no matter how just their cause M A member loyal to the Islamic State waves an IS flag in Raqa, Syria. to justify every terrorist attack by mitted in reaction to an aggres- This way of responding is the appears to be at a time when the extremist groups in Europe and sion from the other side — without most effective in drawing public foreign world is oppressing us. America. knowing the details of the conflict support and persuading enemies to apologise. However, there is a the West. Even in the wealthy Gulf Arab Muslims will become They harshly blame Western or the situation of the victims? and opponents. big challenge here represented by countries where there is no harsh stronger internationally if they countries, their politics and plots This way of thinking harms In this context, there is a how easily Muslims living in the political persecution, the youth take the initiative and dry up all against the Arab and Muslim the Arab countries themselves. group that reminds Westerners West resort to violence. They even provide financial and psychological sources of political support and world — such as the situation in Some justify the intervention in of terrorist acts carried out by direct violence at each other in the support to Al Qaeda and Islamic religious sympathy for terror- Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan — Syria because of their sectarian Christians in America and Europe, Arab and Muslim world, as is seen State plots. ists. This will happen when they for encouraging terrorism. inclination, seeing it as revenge although there is a big difference today in many countries. There is also a big difference turn against acts of violence, They forget what they are for Bahrain. As a result, Shia and between these acts and the terror- Terrorist attacks by non-Mus- between the Islamist political par- regardless of the justifications always proclaiming — that these Sunni mosques have become tar- ist attacks we witness nowadays. lims are few in number compared ties and allied groups in Pakistan terrorists give. terrorist groups do not repre- gets of attack. Of course, no one has the right to to attacks by Muslim Arab youth, and groups in India. And there The author is a researcher and sent Islam, and that the hands Suicide attacks and bombings force the followers of any religion whether in Arab countries or in are poor and oppressed people in writer THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Thousands protest against Houthi rule People take to streets in Sana’a and Taiz

SANA’A: Yemenis in the cen- its diplomatic staff. France and continuing with their of expan- tral city of Taiz and the capital Britain followed suit yesterday. sion of recent months which is Sana’a held the largest protests Employees of the German raising fears of an all-out civil yet against a takeover by a Shia Embassy said its mission was also war. militia group yesterday after getting rid of sensitive documents Leaders and Sunni tribes- the United States, Britain and and would close soon. men in the southern and eastern France shut their embassies in The Houthis, who overran regions, which the group has so Yemen over security fears. Sanaa in September and formally far not seized, are arming them- Hundreds massed in the capi- took power last week, are stri- selves against their push and are tal against the Houthi fighters, dently anti-American, and chant in some cases making common who manned checkpoints and “death to America” at rallies. cause with Yemeni Al Qaeda guarded government buildings “Recent unilateral actions dis- militants. they control. rupted the political transition Al Qaeda in the Arabian Tens of thousands of people also process in Yemen, creating the Peninsula (AQAP), one of the glo- carried banners and chanted anti- risk that renewed violence would bal militant group’s most powerful Houthi slogans in Taiz, which the threaten Yemenis and the diplo- arms, has repeatedly bombed and militants have not taken. matic community in Sanaa,” US attacked Houthi targets. The Iranian-backed Houthi State Department spokesperson Other tribes from Yemen’s for- movement has called its sei- Jen Psaki said. merly independent south, which zure of power a revolution and Houthi fighters, bedecked in has clamoured for secession for says it wants to rid the coun- tribal robes and automatic rifles, almost a decade, vowed yesterday try of corruption and economic were out in force manning check- to repel any Houthi attack. peril—though Yemen’s rich Sunni points and guarding government The Houthi forces are bolstered Muslim Gulf Arab neighbours say buildings they control in the by army units widely believed to it is a coup. capital. maintain loyalty to ex-president Yemen, which borders oil giant Gunmen shot in the air and Ali Abdullah Saleh — though he Anti-Houthi protesters take part in a demonstration marking the fourth anniversary of the 2011 uprising that toppled Saudi Arabia, had long been thrust daggers at hundreds of denies any link. former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in the southern city of Taiz yesterday. at the forefront of the US-led protesters opposing their rule. Saleh ruled the country for war against Al Qaeda, but the In Taiz, which the Houthis do thirty-three years, balancing the after “Arab Spring” protests the Houthi takeover a coup. AbdRabbu Mansour Hadi, was long-standing alliance between not control, tens of thousands competing interests for Yemen’s against his rule in 2011 under a Saleh and his former ruling party defined by gridlock among Washington and Sana’a appears carried banners and chanted slo- kaleidoscope of armed tribes, delicate transition plan drawn up have denied an attempt to settle Yemen’s array of feuding parties. to have ended for now. gans against the group. political bosses and militants - by Yemen’s rich Sunni Gulf Arab old scores and reassert its con- Hadi resigned last month along On Tuesday, the United States Houthi forces advanced far a feat he called “dancing on the neighbours - all of them oppo- trol over the country through the with his whole government after said it had stopped work at its into the south on Tuesday night, heads of snakes.” nents of the Houthis. Houthis. Houthi gunmen attacked his embassy and was withdrawing according to local officials, But he was eased out of power Those neighbours have called The tenure of Saleh’s successor, home. REUTERS

Bahrain puts off Egypt court orders retrial of 36 Brotherhood members activist’s hearing CAIRO: An Egyptian court defendants, including the said the army killed 17 suspected killed in the violence. The jailed liberal activists on charges yesterday ordered the retrial of Brotherhood’s General Guide militants in northern Sinai. Brotherhood leader was under of protesting without police to March 4 36 supporters of the outlawed Mohamed Badie, were tried in Hundreds of army and police arrest in Cairo during the trial permission. Muslim Brotherhood who were absentia. The court gave no rea- officers have been killed by mili- and was not transferred to the Critics accuse President Abdel MANAMA: Bahrain has post- sentenced to death in a mass son for the retrial. tants in the Sinai Peninsula since Minya court for security reasons. Fattah Al Sisi of reinstating poned until March 4 a hear- trial last year that included the Tough sentences against hun- Mursi’s ouster. He is serving a life sentence in a authoritarian rule in Egypt and ing by Nabeel Rajab, one of the group’s leader, judicial sources dreds of Brotherhood supporters Badie and the other defend- Cairo jail in a separate case. rolling back freedoms won in the Arab world’s most prominent said. since the army ousted Islamist ants were charged in connec- The Brotherhood has faced the 2011 uprising that toppled auto- democracy campaigners, on The 36 were among 183 sen- president Mohamed Mursi in tion with violence near Minya in toughest crackdown in its his- crat Hosni Mubarak. his appeal against a conviction tenced to death by a criminal 2013 have drawn criticism from August 2013 following Mursi’s tory since Mursi’s removal, with Sisi says he is committed to for publicly insulting two state court in the southern Minya rights groups. ouster a month earlier. hundreds killed and thousands democracy. institutions, according to his province last June. The other Also yesterday, security sources One police officer was arrested. Authorities have also REUTERS Twitter account. As founder of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Rajab took a leading role in demonstra- tions led by Bahrain’s majority Shi’ite Muslim community in 2011 Sandstorm lashes calling for reforms in the Sunni- ruled Gulf Arab kingdom. He was freed in May 2014 region, hits Suez traffic after two years in jail on charges of organising and participating in illegal protests. Last month, CAIRO: A fierce sandstorm at the northern entrance to the however, a Manama court con- lashed Egypt, Israel and canal, but it was unclear when victed and sentenced Rajab to Lebanon yesterday, forcing the they would pass, officials said. six months in jail on the insult closure of the Suez Canal and The health ministry advised charge. grounding domestic flights in Egyptians to wear masks when “My next appeal hearing will be Israel and Egypt, officials said. leaving their homes. In neigh- on 4 March,” tweeted Rajab, who The skyline of Cairo was barely bouring Israel, the domestic car- is free on bail. The hearing had visible as dust blown in from the rier Arkia said it had grounded been set for yesterday. surrounding desert hung in the flights for several hours until 1400 He added that the court had air and shrouded the Egyptian GMT because of bad weather. refused to lift a travel ban on capital for a second day. Cairo International Airport him. Rajab’s lawyer Mohammed A few incoming flights were was briefly closed to arriv- al-Jishi confirmed the postpone- diverted to other airports in the als on Tuesday as a sandstorm ment on his Twitter account. country but most air traffic was descended over the country that Bahrain, where the US Navy’s normal, an airport official said. also disrupted traffic at other air- Fifth Fleet is based as a bulwark But the Suez Canal southeast fields and seaports, officials said. against Iran, quelled the 2011 of Cairo was closed, with 52 ships The state news agency said uprising but has since strug- waiting to enter from the Red Sea Alexandria and nearby Dekheila gled to resolve political dead- as winds reached 74km per hour, ports also were closed because of lock between the government officials said. Traffic resumed wind gusts. Waves also crashed and Shi’ite opposition. Sporadic from 2000 GMT yesterday, the into the shore of the Sinai unrest has continued. officials said, with 35 vessels due Peninsula near the resort town Many Shias complain of politi- to pass and the remainder today. of Dahab, forcing lifeguards into cal and economic discrimination, Another 26 vessels were the Red Sea to rescue swimmers a charge the Manama authorities stranded in the Mediterranean and divers. AGENCIES A person walks on the seaside promenade in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv during a sandstorm yesterday. deny. REUTERS Decade after Hariri murder, Lebanon flounders in Syria’s shadow

BEIRUT: A decade after former Lebanon to shake off the influ- orbit of Damascus, Tehran and since Hariri’s assassination,” said Hariri had sought to “transform Hariri’s opposition, Syria’s Assad prime minister Rafiq Hariri ence of its larger neighbour and Hezbollah, and this axis continues a resident of Beirut’s Ain al-Mre- the country into a symbol of mod- reportedly threatened to “destroy was assassinated, hopes that its perpetual status as a pawn in to prevail,” said Daoud Al Sayegh, isse district, where Hariri and 22 eration and a safeguard against Lebanon on top of his head.” the fallout from his death would wider regional struggles. a former advisor to Hariri. others were killed by a suicide extremism.” With the support of Riyadh and free Lebanon from Syria’s influ- Yet the Lebanese public and The division is at the root of bomber in a car. “He was assassinated before he his close friend French former ence have been dashed by the analysts now see little cause for ongoing instability, including a Far from bringing together the could do that,” he said. Nicknamed president Jacques Chirac, Hariri war raging across the border. hope, with Syria’s civil war deep- string of bomb attacks that have country and freeing it of Syrian “Mr Lebanon,” Hariri was known backed a UN Security Council “Ten years, 100 years, 1,000 ening divisions that emerged targeted both sides. It has also con- influence, analysts say the decade for his patience and “represented a resolution calling on foreign years, we will stay faithful to after Hariri’s death. Lebanon is tributed to a political stalemate since Hariri’s death has served to moderate Sunni Muslim current,” troops to leave Lebanon. you” declare the billboards going fractured between Hezbollah-led that has left the country without cement the preeminence of the Khashan added. “After his murder, “The Syrians never forgave up around Beirut as the country supporters of President Bashar Al a president for eight months, the Shia movement Hezbollah, a key extremist Sunnis began to appear” him,” Khashan said. “Hariri put prepares to mark the February 14, Assad and his regional ally Iran, longest such vacuum since the end ally of Damascus. in Lebanon, he said. Hariri served Lebanon on the international 2005 murder of Hariri. and a camp that backs the Syrian of the 1975-1990 civil war. “This murder has had the as prime minister under Syrian map, and that angered them,” In the months that followed, a uprising and is allied with Saudi On the country’s borders, the effect of a coup d’etat,” said Hilal influence from 1992 to 1998 and added former advisor Sayegh. popular movement that accused Arabia and the United States. under-equipped Lebanese army is Khashan, political science profes- again from 2000 to 2004. In a first for Lebanon, the fre- Damascus of his killing forced Hariri had close links to Sunni- struggling to keep jihadists from sor at the American University He was vehemently opposed quent scene of political assas- Syrian troops out of Lebanon ruled Saudi Arabia, which vies Syria at bay, and in the streets in Beirut. Hariri “represented to Damascus’s imposed exten- sinations and intrigue, Hariri’s after a 30-year presence. with Shiite Iran for influence in residents fear the next conflict is the Saudi project, and with him sion of president Emile Lahoud’s murder is being prosecuted before Many in the country saw the the Middle East. After the assas- around the corner. gone, it’s the Iranian project that term in 2004, but was coerced the Special Tribunal for Lebanon Syrian withdrawal as a chance for sination “Lebanon entered the “The country has collapsed has taken over.” Khashan said into voting for it. Angered by at the Hague. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Obama seeks war authorisation to fight IS Democrats wary of another Middle East war while Republicans criticise president’s foreign policy

WASHINGTON: US President threat posed by ISIL.” Obama’s plan must “I’m not sure the strategy that has operations or the use of special opera- Obama’s text includes a repeal of that Barack Obama sent Congress a pro- be approved by both the US Senate and been outlined will accomplish the mission tions forces. And it allows for the use of 2002 measure. But his proposal leaves posal yesterday for authorisation to use House of Representatives. Lawmakers the president says he wants to accom- U.S. forces for intelligence collection, tar- in place a 2001 authorisation, passed military force against Islamic State said they would begin hearings quickly. plish,” he told reporters after a meeting geting operations for drone strikes and shortly after the September 11 attacks, (IS) that would limit the operation to Senate Republicans were to meet on the of Republican House members. planning and other assistance to local for a campaign against Al Qaeda and its three years and bar any large-scale issue later on Wednesday. Some predicted Obama has defended his authority to forces. affiliates. invasion by US ground troops. a vote in March. lead an international coalition against Representative Adam Schiff, the top Rights groups urged lawmakers to But the proposal faced swift resist- IS militants have killed thousands Islamic State since Aug. 8 when U.S. Democrat on the House Intelligence repeal the 2001 authorization, which did ance from Obama’s fellow Democrats while seizing territory in Iraq and Syria fighter jets began attacking the jihadists Committee, said Obama’s proposal con- not include an end date and has been wary of another Middle East war and in an attempt to establish a hub of jihad- in Iraq. But he has faced criticism for tained too few controls. He said a new invoked by the White House to carry from Republicans who criticize Obama’s ism in the heart of the Arab world. failing to seek the backing of Congress, authorization should place more specific out drone and missile strikes against foreign policy as too passive and want Republicans, who control Congress where some accused him of breaching his limits on the use of ground troops and suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen stronger measures against the militants, after November elections, criticised constitutional authority. expressed concerns that Obama’s plan and Somalia. also known as ISIL. aspects of Obama’s proposal, particu- The plan does not authorize “long- did not set geographic limits on the Obama said he remained committed “I have directed a comprehensive larly the limits it sets on using ground term, large-scale ground combat opera- campaign. to working with Congress to “refine, and and sustained strategy to degrade and troops. tions” such as those during the Iraq and If passed, the measure would be the ultimately repeal” the 2001 AUMF. He defeat ISIL,” Obama wrote in a letter to The Republican Speaker of the House Afghanistan wars. Obama said those first war authorization approved by said enacting a measure specific to the Congress calling on lawmakers to back of Representatives, John Boehner, said operations would be left to local forces. Congress since lawmakers in 2002 gave campaign against Islamic State fighters his proposal to “show the world we are the plan would face hearings and debate But it does allow for certain ground then-President George W Bush authority could serve as a model for revamping the united in our resolve to counter the “and I’m sure changes” in Congress. combat operations including rescue to wage the Iraq War. 2001 measure. REUTERS No end to Mideast strife without Iran: Rowhani

TEHRAN: Iran’s president said (Freedom) Square in Tehran to instability in Yemen and Lebanon, yesterday that the world needs hear the Iranian president com- Rowhani said Iran was playing a its help to stabilise a troubled memorate the tumultuous events leading role in the Middle East. Middle East, in remarks point- that ousted Shah Mohammad “You’ve seen in Iraq, Syria, ing to the wider ramifications of Reza Pahlavi from power 36 years Lebanon and Yemen that the a deal over its disputed nuclear ago. The fall of the shah was fol- power that could help those programme. lowed months later by the storm- nations against terrorist groups In a live televised speech ing of the US embassy in Tehran was the Islamic Republic of Iran,” marking the anniversary of the by Islamist students, culminating he said. 1979 Islamic revolution, Hassan in American diplomats being held Rowhani then raised the Rowhani implicitly linked ongoing prisoner. issue of the nuclear talks and nuclear talks with world powers The 444-day hostage crisis led the lifting of sanctions imposed to resolving bloody conflicts in to the severing of US-Iranian on Iran for pursuing its atomic Iraq and Syria. diplomatic relations and ushered programme. Significant gaps remain between in deep distrust between the two “What we are offering is to Iran and the United States and countries which persists to this reach a win-win agreement in other leading nations on specific day. This year’s anniversary was which Iran will show transpar- measures to end a 12-year standoff the second to coincide with an ency in its peaceful nuclear activi- on the nuclear issue, but both sides intense diplomatic effort to end ties,” he said. “And the other side Iranian President Hassan Rowhani waves to the crowd during a ceremony marking the 36th anniversary of the are pushing for a deal. the nuclear deadlock but the first must end its wrong, inhumane 1979 Islamic revolution, at the Azadi Square in Tehran yesterday. And although Iranian and US since militants from Islamic State and illegal sanctions. This is to officials have said the turmoil group seized large parts of Iraq as the interest of both sides. They long suspected Iran of covertly supreme leader Ayatollah Ali republic’s origins, Rowhani said gripping the Middle East falls well as Syria. too need this.” pursuing a nuclear weapons Khamenei, but hardliners in nothing could diminish its char- outside the remit of negotiations, When IS overran northern An interim agreement in capability, allegations denied by Tehran regularly argue Iran has acteristics. “The roots and prin- analysts say both governments Iraq in June, predominantly Shia November 2013 saw Iran agree Tehran, which insists its activities already conceded too much by ciples of the revolution remain acknowledge an agreement could Iran provided weapons and assist- to curb some nuclear activities in are for peaceful purposes only. accepting limits on its nuclear unchangeable,” he said. have a broader impact. ance to Kurdish fighters and sent exchange for limited relief from The interim deal and subse- programme. Zarif, also at Azadi Square, said “If there is going to be peace military advisers to Baghdad. Western sanctions but two dead- quent talks stand in stark con- Rowhani and his Foreign what was needed for an historic and stability in the region, and Iran has also backed Syrian lines for a comprehensive deal trast to eight years of stalled Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif nuclear agreement was political terrorism is to be uprooted, there President Bashar Al Assad in his have been missed. negotiations and escalating have also come under fire at home will from the major powers. “If is no other way than with the battle against rebels, including The political outline of an sanctions under Rowhani’s for their overtures to the United they have the will, we can reach presence of the Islamic Republic militants. agreement is now due by March hardline predecessor Mahmoud States, long derided as the “Great an agreement today. If not, the of Iran,” Rowhani said. Referring to the battles 31 and the final accord by June 30. Ahmadinejad. Satan”. negotiations will not succeed, even A huge crowd filled Azadi against IS as well as longstanding Western governments have Rowhani has the support of But in a nod to the Islamic in 10 years,” he said. AFP

Erdogan in Havana Rival Libyan lawmakers Most of Kuwait hit by power hold positive talks blackout TRIPOLI: Delegates from prevent further security and Libya’s rival parliaments held political deterioration and end the : A power indirect talks yesterday aimed institutional division that threat- blackout hit most of the energy- at ending months of instability ens the country’s unity.” rich Kuwait yesterday, disrupt- in the violence-plagued country The participants called on all ing traffic and a number of vital that were “positive and con- parties to “work towards mili- facilities but leaving oil installa- structive,” the UN mission said. tary de-escalation on all fronts tions unaffected. Support to allow the dialogue to proceed An hour after the outage, power Mission in Libya chief Bernardino in a positive environment.” was partially restored to several Leon, who shuttled between Libya, still awash with weap- residential areas, Electricity and the two teams, told a televised ons and armed factions follow- Water Minister Abdulaziz Al news conference the talks would ing the toppling and death of Ibrahim told state-run television. resume within days. dictator Muammar Gaddafi in a He said power would be Leon “shuttled all day between Nato-backed 2011 uprising, has restored to all areas “within the two delegations who were in two rival governments and par- hours”. The blackout came after separate rooms, and he didn’t liaments. At the same time, rival a 2,000-MW unit was knocked manage to convene them around militias are also battling for con- out at Subbiya power plant, which the same table,” a participant trol of its cities and oil wealth. produces 5,700 MW, disabling the said, asking not to be named. A round of peace talks between whole plant, he said. Subbiya is The talks, the first of their kind warring factions in last one of five power plants in Kuwait. involving Libya’s internationally month ended in a positive atmos- Lights went off at buildings, recognised government and the phere, the UN said. a number of hospitals, along rival General National Congress Participants included a range of the roads and at Kuwait Airport, (GNC), were held in the southern groups and representatives of civil according to pictures posted on oasis town of Ghadames. society, who stressed the need to Twitter. Airport officials said flights UNSMIL said participants fast-track dialogue on forming a were not affected. Police patrols were agreed on the need to reach unity government. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro review a guard of honour in mobilised to monitor roads and traf- a “speedy political solution to AFP Havana’s Revolution Palace yesterday. Erdogan is in Cuba for an official visit. fic lights, many of which went off, leading to traffic jams. Yemeni drug Palestinian official testifies in US over Israel attacks trafficker executed

NEW YORK: Top Palestinian wounded more than 450, claiming she and other leaders, including of making payments to militants Faraj had testified earlier RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yes- official Hanan Ashrawi took the defendants provided support the late , worked convicted of terrorism as a means that Barghouti escaped from terday beheaded a Yemeni drug the witness stand in New York to the militants who carried out with US and Israeli officials to of supporting their actions. Palestinian custody in 2002. trafficker, the interior ministry yesterday as the Palestinian the attacks. combat terrorism during those Faraj told the jurors the pay- Yalowitz, however, showed Faraj announced, raising to 28 the Authority and the Palestinian Lawyers for the years. ments were intended to help an Israeli police report in which number of executions in the Liberation Organization fight a have argued in US Federal court “It didn’t serve the cause of the convicted men’s families and Barghouti said the Palestinian kingdom this year. lawsuit that would force them that their government should not the Palestinian Authority or the remove economic reasons for security forces allowed him to Nayef Al Briki was found guilty to pay up to $3bn to victims of be held responsible for the actions PLO, nor the cause of freedom,” them to engage in further attacks. go free, despite his alleged role of “receiving a large amount” of attacks in Israel. of a few individuals who acted she said of the attacks. During cross-examination, in several attacks. Faraj said he hashish and attempting to sell it, Victims and their families have on their own or at the behest of Her testimony, which lasted Kent Yalowitz, a lawyer for the did not know the source of the the ministry said in a statement sued the authority and the PLO outside militant groups such as about two hours, followed that of plaintiffs, asked Faraj about police report. Barghouti was later carried by the official Saudi Press over six shootings and bomb- . Majid Faraj, the authority’s head of Abdullah Barghouti, accused of arrested by Israel and eventually Agency. He was beheaded in the ings in the Jerusalem area from Ashrawi, a member of the intelligence. Lawyers for the plain- being one of Hamas’ chief bomb- sentenced to life in prison. southwestern city of Jizan, near 2002 to 2004 that killed 33 and PLO’s executive committee, said tiffs have accused the Palestinians makers in the early 2000s. REUTERS the border with Yemen. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Ukraine talks begin, overshadowed by fighting Ukraine, Russia presidents join French, German leaders in Minsk

MINSK: The leaders of France, about 1715 GMT and were due to as well as war. Prime Minister Germany, Russia and Ukraine go into a full summit with their Arseny Yatseniuk said he hoped began peace talks in Belarus delegations later. for a loan deal within days. yesterday, while in Ukraine A Belarussian representative Kiev and Nato accuse Russia pro-Moscow separatists tight- said the four leaders meeting of supplying separatists with men ened the pressure on Kiev by alone was an unexpected break and weapons. Moscow denies it is launching some of the war’s with diplomatic procedure and it involved in fighting for territory worst fighting. was not clear whether they would Putin calls “New Russia”. The Kiev army said 19 of its sol- meet with their delegations as If the French and German diers were killed in a day of pro- planned. The four were joined by leaders were hoping their peace Russian separatist assaults near their foreign ministers but had initiative would be met by concili- the railway town of Debaltseve, not yet moved into the official atory moves on the ground, the some of the worst losses it has negotiating room. prospect of talks appears to have reported in nine months of war. On arrival, Poroshenko said triggered the opposite, with the Rebels who tore up a five- that without a de-escalation of pro-Russian rebels determined to month-old truce in January are the conflict and a ceasefire the drive home their advantage. trying to encircle government situation would get “out of con- Armoured columns of Russian- forces in Debaltseve, a strategic trol”. Russian television showed speaking soldiers with no insig- location that would let them link him shaking hands with Putin. nia have been advancing for days up their main strongholds. Hopes for a breakthrough around Debaltseve. Last week Fighting has already killed appear slim and would depend on they captured the small town of more than 5,000 people, and Ukraine making most of the con- Vuhlehirsk next to Debaltseve, Washington is now openly talking cessions, with advancing rebels and a reconnaissance unit was of arming Ukraine to defend itself unlikely to agree to halt and go there on Tuesday salvaging equip- from “Russian aggression”, rais- back to previous positions. ment from abandoned Ukrainian ing the prospect of a proxy war Still, Moscow expressed opti- trenches. in the heart of Europe between mism. A Russian diplomatic The squad’s commander said Cold War foes. source said it was 70 percent his men did not want a truce A surge in fighting in the 24 likely that an agreement would while they had government forces hours before the summit, includ- be reached. “The presidents aren’t on the run. On the Russian side ing a rocket attack that killed travelling (to Minsk) for no rea- of the border, Moscow announced 17 people deep in government- son,” the source said. war games on Tuesday on the eve held territory on Tuesday, could Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of the talks. President Vladimir Putin, Angela and Francois Hollande attend a meeting on resolving the Ukrainian crisis, with be intended to force Ukraine to said there had been progress in The United States has been Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk yesterday. accept a deal recognising the rebel the run-up to the summit but openly discussing arming the advance. Kiev could be holding back a deal Ukrainian government, a move he warned the Russian leader that Kiev military spokesman hurt when a shell hit a bus sta- The summit is being held in by insisting on control of the that is opposed by European allies the costs would rise if Moscow Vladyslav Seleznyov, briefing tion in the city of Donetsk, east- neighbouring Belarus under a Russian-Ukrainian border, part who say it would escalate the con- kept aiding the separatists. journalists on rebel attempts to ern Ukraine. Franco-German proposal to try of which is held by the separatists. flict while falling far short of giving A decision by the West to encircle government forces hold- Reuters journalists saw the to halt the fighting. Chancellor The talks are taking place Kiev the firepower needed to win. provide arms to Ukraine could ing Debaltseve, said the 19 soldiers body of a man behind the wheel Angela Merkel and President while an International Monetary President Barack Obama says prompt a rapid escalation of had been killed “in shelling, rocket of a minibus after the shell fell Francois Hollande began talks Fund mission is trying to nego- he has yet to make up his mind on Russian support for the separa- attacks and military clashes”. through the roof of the sta- with Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko tiate a bailout to save Ukraine the question of sending weapons. tists, the International Institute In separatist-held territory, tion, burning up the vehicle and and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. from bankruptcy brought on by He spoke by phone overnight to for Strategic Studies, a global rebel authorities said six people another beside it. The four leaders met alone at corruption and mismanagement Putin, and the White House said security think tank, said yesterday. were killed and eight seriously REUTERS

Concordia 300 feared drowned in new Mediterranean tragedy skipper given ROME: More than 300 migrants Cochetel said in a statement. suggest some 300 people are con- The organisation’s spokesman in said was an avoidable tragedy. were feared drowned after their Details of the new disaster firmed missing. Geneva Joel Millman said that Their small boat was hopelessly 16 years in jail overcrowded dinghies sank in emerged after nine survivors In the last year alone, sev- information was coming in about ill-equipped to cope with waves up the Mediterranean, the latest out of a group of more than 200 eral thousand people have died another stricken boat and warned to eight metres high, gale-force ROME: An Italian court con- boat disaster on the perilous packed into two dinghies were trying to cross from north that the overall toll may reach as winds and torrential rain. victed the former of the crossing from Africa to Europe. rescued by the coastguard and Africa to Europe across the many as 350. But doctors involved in the res- Costa Concordia cruise liner The victims were among taken to the Italian island of Mediterranean, on what the Di Giacomo said the latest vic- cue operation believe more would yesterday for his role in the migrants mainly from sub- Lampedusa — just days after 29 United Nations has described as tims had left from a beach near have survived if they had been 2012 shipwreck that killed 32 Saharan Africa who had left the perished in the same area. the most dangerous route in the Tripoli along with another din- rescued by a large military vessel people and sentenced him to 16 coast of Libya at the weekend in “Nine were saved after four world. The IOM said the surviv- ghy also carrying more than 100 rather than the small patrol boats years in prison. four small boats, the UN refugee days at sea. The other 203 were ing migrants from the latest dis- migrants plucked from their dis- that were sent to their aid. Francesco Schettino was com- agency said. swallowed by the waves,” UNHCR aster spoke French, so probably tressed boat by the Italian coast- The latest deaths have high- manding the vessel, a floating “This is a tragedy on an enor- spokeswoman in , Carlotta came from west Africa. guard early on Monday. lighted the limited means and hotel as long as three football mous scale and a stark reminder Sami, said on Twitter. “Because of the bad weather con- The 29 who were found scope of Triton, an EU-run mission pitches, when it came too close to that more lives could be lost if The agency later said that ditions, the two dinghies collapsed Saturday had died of expo- which took over in November from shore and hit rocks off the Tuscan those seeking safety are left at reports gathered by UNHCR and the people fell at sea. Many sure in horrific conditions in the Italian navy’s Mare Nostrum holiday island of Giglio. the mercy of the sea,” UNHCR from the Italian coastguard and drowned,” said the IOM spokes- international waters, in what search and rescue operation. Schettino was charged with Europe director Vincent the survivors in Lampedusa now man in Italy, Flavio Di Giacomo. humanitarian organisations AFP multiple manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship in one of the highest-profile shipping disasters in recent years. However it is far from certain DSK lashes out at whether he will actually go to jail before the end of Italy’s long appeals court for focus on Chad forces kill 13 Boko Haram militants process, which can take years. Earlier, claiming to be the victim sexual preferences N’DJAMENA: Chadian sol- as part of a campaign to establish battle didn’t last long. They fled,” come back to assault us at any of a plot to make him the scape- diers killed 13 fighters from a caliphate. Much of the recent one military source told Reuters moment,” a military source said goat, the 54-year-old captain urged LILLE, France: Former IMF Islamist militant group Boko fighting has taken place near Lake of the Gambaru fighting. on Wednesday, adding that schools the three judges to acquit him. chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn Haram in a battle in the Chad, which borders Nigeria, The army said 11 Chadian soldiers in the town are closed. N’Guigmi “It is difficult to call what I have yesterday lashed out at the Nigerian town of Gambaru yes- Chad, Cameroon and Niger, and were wounded, three out of 14 Boko lies near Lake Chad, around been living through a life. “All the focus on his sexual behaviour terday, the army said in a state- in northern Cameroon itself. Haram vehicles were destroyed, 100km east of Diffa, where Niger responsibility has been loaded on in a French court where he is ment, adding that one Chadian Hundreds of people have been and one was seized. Boko Haram declared a 15-day state of emer- to me with no respect for the truth charged with pimping, saying soldier was killed. killed in the incursions as well as attacked the town of N’Guigmi on gency and curfew on Tuesday. or for the memory of the victims.” he was not on trial for “deviant” Chad’s army is in Gambaru as in Nigeria, according to military Niger’s border with Nigeria late on Militant fighters were harass- Criticising prosecutors who had acts. part of a regional offensive includ- sources from the different coun- Tuesday with mortars and machine ing Niger’s army with mortars, but highlighted his lack of public remorse The 65-year-old, once seen as ing Niger and Cameroon against tries. There is no independent guns, but the attack failed, a Niger the army was able to locate the for the victims, he said: “Pain does a frontrunner for the French Boko Haram, whose militants verification of the casualty toll. military source said. source of the firing and neutralise not have to be shown in public,” presidency, said the idea that his have staged cross-border raids in “We knew they were going to “The situation is precari- the threat, said a military source. before breaking into loud sobs. preference for certain practices addition to attacks inside Nigeria attack us. We were waiting. The ous because Boko Haram could AFP AGENCIES highlighted in court, such as sod- omy, would spur him to seek out prostitutes was “absurd.” For a second day, the court in the northern city of Lille picked apart sex parties attended by Belgian Islamists jailed Strauss-Kahn in , Brussels and Washington in a bid to uncover whether he arranged for prostitutes to attend. on terror charges While prostitution in itself is legal, encouraging and organis- ANTWERP: A Belgian court Muslim convert Jejoen ing its practice is considered to be sentenced the leader of an Islamist Bontinck, 19 — whose father procuring and is punishable by up group that sent jihadist fighters brought him home from Syria in to 10 years in prison. to Syria to a 12-year jail term a celebrated case and who later Strauss-Kahn denies knowing yeserday and imprisoned several became a key prosecution witness that the women with whom he other members in one of the larg- — received a 40-month suspended engaged in “free and friendly” sex est cases of its kind in Europe. sentence. parties were prostitutes, saying Fouad Belkacem, 32, the chief “Belkacem is responsible for paying for sex would be too great of the Sharia4Belgium group, was the radicalisation of young men to a risk for a man at the head of the convicted by a court in the north- prepare them for Salafist combat, IMF, which was busy “saving the ern port city of Antwerp of radi- which has at its core no place for world from an unprecedented” calising, recruiting and dispatching democratic values,” the judge said financial crisis. young men to fight holy war. in his ruling. “Sharia4Belgium Yesterday’s proceedings began Forty-six members of the group recruited these young men for with an emotional account from originally faced charges of belong- armed combat and organised Jade, an ex-prostitute, about a ing to a terrorist organisation, but their departure for Syria.” night in a Brussels hotel where only eight were actually present The other members of the she said Strauss-Kahn sodomised during the five-month trial, with group were sentenced to between her without permission, in what one deemed medically unfit to three and five years in prison, she said was a clear sign he knew stand trial. with some of the sentences being she was paid to be there. The rest were believed to be suspended. Rosanna Rodriguez, mother of Brian De Mulder, 21, a fighter in Syria, leaves the court in Antwerp yesterday. AFP either still in Syria, or dead. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

UK police arrest man, two women UK opposition on terror suspicion LONDON: British police said yesterday they had arrested a on warpath man in northwest England on suspicion of preparing acts of terrorism and were searching five properties as part of their investigation. over HSBC “It is absolutely vital to stress — and I hope at the same time reas- sure the public —- that there is no PM accused of being soft on tax issue current threat or evidence of an imminent attack,” said Detective LONDON: British opposition Cameron’s Conservatives and Chief Superintendent Tony Mole leader Ed Miliband went on Labour. of the North West Counter the offensive yesterday over an Cameron has hit back saying Terrorism Unit (NWCTU). international scandal involv- that Labour was in power at the The NWCTU said the man, ing London-based HSBC bank, time the files were first brought 31, was in police custody after accusing Prime Minister David to the attention of French tax he was arrested on suspicion of Cameron of being soft on tax authorities in 2007 and accus- being concerned in the commis- avoidance. ing Labour of having close ties to sion, preparation or instigation of Miliband attacked Cameron Green. acts of terrorism. as “a dodgy prime minister” and “No government has been Searches at the five premises homed in on Stephen Green, the tougher than this one in chasing in St Helens and Liverpool would former chief executive and chair- down tax evasion and tax avoid- last several hours and possibly man of HSBC who later became ance,” the prime minister said, days, police said. a trade minister under Cameron pointing to thousands of tax pros- In a separate development on and was made a Lord. ecutions since he came to power HMRC chief executive Lin Homer speaking to the House of Commons Select Affairs Committee about how Britain’s Wednesday, officers from the West “Can the prime minister explain in 2010. financial regulator had no knowledge of an investigation by tax authorities into allegations that banking giant HSBC Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit the revolving door between Tory Green himself, a Church of helped wealthy customers dodge millions of dollars in taxes. said they had arrested two women party HQ and the Swiss branch England clergyman who published from Walsall in connection with of HSBC?” Miliband asked in a book on banking ethics has report in the Guardian saying Published at the weekend, the of information gleaned from the Syria-related offences. heated exchanges during prime declined to comment but is now that seven Conservative donors files claim HSBC’s Swiss division thousands of UK account holders One, aged 23, was held on sus- minister’s question time, a weekly under pressure to testify before a were among the HSBC Swiss helped clients in more than 200 listed but there has only been a picion of preparing for acts of parliament debate. parliamentary committee. account holders and gave the countries evade taxes on accounts single prosecution. terrorism and the other, aged 33, “Does the prime minister Labour’s Margaret Hodge, the party more than £5m ($7.6m). containing $119bn. Labour has pledged an immedi- is accused of failing to disclose expect us to believe that in the head of the committee, has prom- “He can’t get away from it, The files were used by the ate crackdown on tax dodging if it information. three years Stephen Green was a ised a full inquiry, saying the rev- he’s a dodgy prime minister sur- French government to track wins the general election. minister, he never had a conver- elations show “a secretive global rounded by dodgy donors,” he down tax evaders and shared with Labour’s finance spokesman Ed Florida dumpster sation with him about what was industry serving a wealthy elite”. said. other states in 2010, leading to a Balls said Cameron and finance going on at HSBC?” Labour party HSBC’s Swiss banking arm The cache of files made public series of prosecutions. minister George Osborne had sleepers end up Miliband said. has insisted it has undergone a in the so-called SwissLeaks case Several countries, though not “totally failed” on the issue over the The scandal over leaked files “radical transformation” since includes the names of celebrities, Britain, have launched investiga- past five years. Pointing to Miliband in garbage truck revealing HSBC’s Swiss account the initial revelations and now alleged arms dealers and politi- tions into HSBC in recent years and Balls, Cameron hit back saying: holders has erupted ahead of a has “strong compliance controls cians — though inclusion on the following the revelations. “Those two in the Treasury were TAMPA, Florida: A man and general election in May, spark- in place”. list does not necessarily imply British tax officials say they the friends of the tax dodgers”. a woman sleeping in a dump- ing a furious blame game between Miliband also referred to a wrongdoing. have recovered £135m as a result AFP ster after a night of drinking at a Florida casino ended up at a hospital complaining of back pain after they had to be rescued from a garbage truck, police said. The garbage truck driver was on his route in Tampa on Tuesday Brazilians hoard water, prepare for possible rationing morning when he heard yelling and banging from the back of his SAO PAULO: Brazilians are Other cities in Brazil’s heavily officials warned their next step Still, independent projections competing with each other to vehicle, police said. hoarding water in their apart- populated southeast such as Rio could be to shut off customers’ suggest that São Paulo’s main secure deliveries from large Upon pulling over, he discov- ments, drilling homemade wells de Janeiro face less dire shortages water supply for as many as five Cantareira reservoir could run water tanker trucks, which ered Donald Jordan, 37, and Lisa and taking other emergency but could also see rationing. days a week — a measure that out of water as soon as April with- have already become a common Sirbella, 49, in the back of the measures to prepare for forced Uncertainty over the drought would likely last until the next out drastic cuts to consumption. sight on São Paulo’s gridlocked truck. They had been sleeping in rationing that appears likely and its consequences on jobs, pub- rainy season starts in October, if As such, the race is on to secure streets. a dumpster beside a Tampa res- and could leave taps dry for up lic health and overall quality of life not longer. water while it lasts. “It’s like seeing 10 litres in taurant when its contents were to five days a week because of a have further darkened Brazilians’ State officials say they have Large hospitals in São Paulo your gas tank and knowing you emptied into the truck. drought. mood at a time when the economy not yet decided whether or when are installing in-house water won’t make it to the next station,” “It was originally believed that In São Paulo, the country’s is struggling and President Dilma to implement such rationing, in treatment and recycling centers, said Stefan Rohr, environmental they were homeless but it seems largest city with a metropolitan Rousseff’s popularity is at an all- part because they are still hoping among other measures, to make director for industry group Ciesp they were just really intoxicated area of 20 million people, the main time low. for heavy rains in February and sure they can still carry out sur- in Campinas, a metropolitan area after hanging out at the casino,” reservoir is at just six percent of After January rains disap- March. Indeed, thunderstorms in geries and other essential tasks if of more than three million people the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s capacity with the peak of the pointed, and incentives to cut recent days have caused lakes to regular supply stops. just north of São Paulo. Office said in a statement. rainy season now past. consumption fell short, São Paulo rise a bit. Meanwhile, companies are REUTERS AGENCIES

Scot nationalists American Sniper murder trial begins want govt to STEPHENVILLE, Texas: After opening statements, unsuccessfully to have the trial end austerity, Lawyers for an Iraqi War vet- Kyle’s widow, Taya, is expected delayed, saying that having eran plan to argue at the start to be one of the first witnesses to “American Sniper” in theaters of his trial yesterday that he take the stand. Legal experts have nationwide and basking in the boost spending was insane when he fatally said it is a tough task to obtain a award season’s glare makes it shot former Navy SEAL Chris verdict of innocence by reason of difficult for Routh to get a fair LONDON: The Scottish Kyle, whose best-selling auto- insanity in Texas. hearing. National Party would require biography was turned into the If Routh is convicted, pros- Kyle has been lionized in a future British government to hit movie “American Sniper.” ecutors said they will seek a life his home state of Texas, where end austerity and allow public Former Marine Eddie Ray sentence while the defense will he is buried at the Texas State spending to rise in return for Routh, 27, is charged with mur- argue that he was innocent due Cemetery alongside some of the its support following a general dering Kyle, who was credited to severe post traumatic stress state’s acclaimed figures. He election on May 7, the party with the most kills of any US disorder caused by Routh’s is seen by many as a symbol of leader said yesterday. sniper, and his friend Chad overseas tours of duty with the dedication to country and fellow The SNP, which opinion polls Littlefield in 2013 at a shoot- Marines. servicemen. show is set to take dozens of seats ing range about 70 miles south- Routh’s relatives have said he “American Sniper,” directed from the Labour Party in Scotland west of Fort Worth. A jury of 10 was hospitalised for treatment of by Clint Eastwood and starring to possibly emerge as Britain’s women and two men will hear mental illness in the months lead- Bradley Cooper, has grossed more third biggest party, has bounced the case. ing up to the Feb. 2, 2013, shoot- than $282m since opening in mid- back after losing an independence The hearing opened with State ing. He was taken to the range by January and has been nominated referendum last September. District Judge Jason Cashon rul- Kyle, who had been helping fellow for six Academy Awards, includ- It hopes to hold the balance of ing giving instructions to the jury. veterans heal the mental scars ing best picture. power in Britain after May and “You have now become the voice coming from combat. Routh also is accused of steal- has spoken of the possibility it and conscious of the community,” The case was being heard at a ing Kyle’s truck after the killings. might prop up a minority Labour he said. The trial is expected to court in rural Erath County. He has been jailed on $3m bond. government since both parties, take about two weeks. Routh’s lawyers tried REUTERS though fierce rivals in Scotland, are left-wing. Labour has said it wants to win outright and is not seeking such a deal. “I would certainly hope that if there was a Labour government and if it was dependant on SNP Missouri executes convicted killer support...then we could persuade and influence a Labour government WASHINGTON: A man con- to divorce him. His final appeal for Storey. In April the court is to take a more moderate approach victed of murdering a young was rejected by the nine-member scheduled to take up the issue of to deficit reduction,” SNP leader woman was executed on Supreme Court six hours before the execution by lethal injection. Nicola Sturgeon told BBC radio. Tuesday night in Missouri after execution. Storey’s argument was It could ban the use of mida- “I am not going to support govern- the US Supreme Court declined the same as those of three death zolam, a barbiturate used in ments that plough ahead with aus- to intervene, officials said. row inmates in Oklahoma whose executions and associated with terity that damages the poorest in Walter Storey, 47, died by lethal planned execution the court has in suffering by inmates, if it rules society,” she added, saying austerity injection ten minutes after mid- fact delayed and agreed to study. that it causes “cruel and unusual pushed by the current Conservative- night (0610 GMT) in the town of Storey’s attorney, Jennifer punishment” banned by the US led government had failed economi- Bonne Terre, said Mike O’Connell, Herndon, had argued that the constitution. cally and was too painful. spokesman for the state prison lethal injection technique used Midazolam is used as a sedative Labour has proposed balancing system. was illegal on grounds of the before executions in Missouri. the country’s books at a slower Storey had been convicted 25 unreasonable suffering it can Executions are sometimes pace than the Conservatives using years ago of killing a neighbour, cause to inmates. carried out in the US using it as tax rises to mitigate the need for Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (right) arrives at University College a 36-year-old social worker, by She said the reasons that the part of a lethal cocktail that also spending cuts. in London yesterday. Sturgeon was to deliver a speech entitled ‘Austerity, stabbing and beating her to death, court had agreed to study in the includes the drug pentobarbital. REUTERS inequality and the Scottish approach to economic growth’. after learning his wife wanted Oklahoma cases justified a stay AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES US, China to discuss repatriation of fugitive 150 Chinese ‘economic fugitives’ in US, says

LOS ANGELES: Senior US steps to be agreed with the United Philippines, as part of an Asia- officials will meet their Chinese States to enable the recovery of Pacific Economic Cooperation counterparts in August to dis- stolen assets, though it declined (Apec) working group, called cuss the possibility of repatriat- to comment on details of the talks ACT-NET. The group, which ing Chinese officials who have or any possible measures. involves multiple Apec countries, fled to America with billions of “We are willing to stay in including Russia, was formed in dollars of allegedly stolen govern- communication with the United Beijing in August to fight cross- ment assets, a US official said. States on this,” ministry spokes- border corruption. The issue is a thorny one, as no woman Hua Chunying said in The talks took place amid an extradition treaty exists between Beijing. intensifying and far-reaching the United States and China. Alternatives to extradition anti-corruption drive in China, That has made America, and exist, US officials say, including and a ramping up of efforts other countries such as Australia deportation for violations of US between the United States and and Canada, attractive destina- immigration law. China, including the sharing of tions for Chinese officials fleeing Canada, which has no formal criminal intelligence, to crack the country and a haven for stolen extradition treaty with China, down on cross-border corruption. assets. has recently expelled suspects It was agreed after the talks Western governments have long wanted by Beijing, including that more formal negotiations been reluctant to hand over sus- Lai Changxing. Lai, a business- within the ACT-NET forum pects because of a lack of trans- man wanted for corruption, was will take place in August in the Family members of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim hold placards during a press conference about parency and due process in China’s sent back to China from Canada Philippines, which chairs Apec for the ‘March To Freedom’ campaign in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday . judicial system. International in 2011 on the promise that he 2015. The US delegation will likely human rights groups say torture would not be executed. He was include officials from the State is used as a tool for extracting sentenced to life in prison. Department, the Department of Malaysia cartoonist held for sedition confessions in Chinese interroga- Last year, Chinese officials said Justice, and the Department of tions. Government officials con- more than 150 “economic fugi- Homeland Security, Luna said. victed of corruption have been tives”, many of them described Luna said law enforcement KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia tweet that suggested the judges opposition politicians, also on sentenced to death. as corrupt government officials, officials from both countries will has arrested a cartoonist for had been paid off by politicians. sedition grounds. Officials from both coun- were in the United States. discuss cases and possible joint sedition over a Twitter post “Profits from the lords of politics Malaysian authorities seem to tries met for two days in the Neither country has publicly investigations into Chinese fugi- that criticised the judiciary for must be lucrative,” read the tweet, be turning peaceful criticism into Philippines last month, with the provided a figure for how much tives and stolen assets. upholding a five-year jail term in part. a criminal act that threatens the US delegation led by David Luna, stolen money has been smuggled “There are alternatives to for opposition leader Anwar Prime Minister Najib Razak’s state, Phil Robertson, of rights the US State Department’s senior from China to the United States. extradition,” Luna said. He said Ibrahim, who accused the courts government has rejected any sug- group Human Rights Watch said director for National Security and But the Washington-based legal avenues being explored to of “bowing to the dictates of the gestion of interference in the case, in a statement. “All these authori- Diplomacy. Global Financial Integrity group, circumvent the lack of an extra- political masters”. saying that Malaysia had an inde- ties are accomplishing is to fur- Luna confirmed that he which tracks illegal flows, esti- dition treaty between the United The country’s highest court on pendent judiciary, and there had ther erode freedom of expression attended the meetings and said mates that between 2003 and States and China include UN con- Tuesday rejected Anwar’s appeal been many rulings against senior in Malaysia and inspire fear in talks will reconvene in August 2012, $1.25 trillion of illicit cash ventions against corruption and against a conviction for sodomy, government figures. those who wish to speak up for and will include law enforcement left China. Some of that moves on transnational organized crime. illegal in Muslim-majority Zunar, 52, is to be detained their rights,” he added. and legal experts. The countries around the world through dummy Luna said there is no formal Malaysia, so sending back to prison until Friday to allow the police In a cartoon on Zunar’s Twitter will share specific intelligence on bank accounts and other means, agreement to return stolen assets the politician who poses the greatest to investigate, official news agency feed, a black-robed figure labelled suspected corrupt Chinese offi- and once in the United States, it to China, but the issue is “part threat to the long-ruling coalition. Bernama said yesterday. “PM Najib” brings down an out- cials and stolen assets and will is often invested in real estate, of an ongoing bilateral dialogue, Zulkifli Anwar Ulhaque, better Khalid Abu Bakar, Malaysia’s size gavel on a bespectacled, and also discuss ways to send fugitives making its source hard to trace. there are ongoing cases, and it is known as Zunar, was arrested on inspector-general of police, him- startled-looking, Anwar. Nearby back to China. The preliminary talks between a priority.” He declined to divulge Tuesday night after Malaysia’s self made use of Twitter to order a wastepaper basket holds a large The Chinese Foreign Ministry US and Chinese officials were details about any investigations. police chief ordered an investi- the investigation of Zunar’s book prominently inscribed “Law”. said there was a need for new held on January 27-28 in Clark, REUTERS gation into his Malay-language tweet, as well as messages by two REUTERS

TransAsia offers $470,000 compensation to crash families Australians on Indonesia death TAIPEI: Taiwan’s TransAsia buildings before crashing into the spokeswoman said. Following the release of Taiwan’s aviation regulator said Airways announced yesterday Keeling River. She would not say if the pro- the initial crash findings the 10 of TransAsia’s 49 ATR pilots row file rare that it would pay nearly half a One person remains miss- posal had been accepted by the Taiwanese flight regulator Civil had failed oral proficiency tests million dollars in compensation ing after two more bodies were families. Some compensation Aeronautics Administration on handling the aircraft during to relatives of each of the vic- retrieved from the freezing waters claims from the July crash remain (CAA) demanded that all 71 engine failure. A further 19 pilots legal challenge tims of a dramatic plane crash on Wednesday. outstanding as each family had of TransAsia’s ATR pilots take did not take the test, due to either earlier this month. “We offered an amount of “expected a different amount”, an oral test on basic operation sickness or because they were JAKARTA: Lawyers fighting The offer of Tw$14.9m Tw$14.9m ($470,000) as compen- the spokeswoman said. and emergency procedure of the not in Taiwan, the Civil Aviation to save two Australian drug ($470,000) for each family comes sation for each person who died in Investigators are still trying to French-made aircraft. Authority (CAA) said. smugglers from the firing squad seven months after the airline the accident. We hope to reach a establish what caused last week’s Pilots who fail will be grounded The 29 pilots who failed or did in Indonesia yesterday lodged made a similar payout to the settlement with the families,” a crash, but initial reports from immediately and enrolled in a not take the test have been sus- a rare legal challenge to the families of 48 passengers killed TransAsia spokeswoman said. the black boxes found the plane’s month-long qualification training, pended, the CAA said. president’s decision to reject the in another crash last July. The compensation deal is the right engine had “flamed out” while those who pass will be sent “The result is not acceptable men’s appeals for clemency. TransAsia Airways Flight result of closed-door discussions about two minutes after take-off. abroad to take simulator training for us,” TransAsia chief executive Andrew Chan and Myuran GE235 crashed on Wednesday held in Taipei yesterday with Warning signals blared in the and further qualification tests. Peter Chen told a news confer- Sukumaran, ringleaders of the so- last week shortly after take-off representatives from some of the cockpit and the left engine was Meanwhile, the government ence. “We will definitely strengten called “Bali Nine” drug smuggling from Songshan airport in Taipei families. then shut down manually by ordered all airlines to review their training.” gang, were arrested in 2005 and with 53 passengers and five crew “We can fully understand that the crew for unknown reasons, safety protocols yesterday after Authorities ordered the tests sentenced to death the following on board, killing at least 42. it would be hard for the fami- Taiwan’s Aviation Safety Council nearly half of the pilots trained to after one of the airline’s ATR year after being caught trying to Amateur dramatic dashcam lies to accept it immediately. said on Friday. fly TransAsia’s ATR twin-engined 72-600s crashed into a river in traffick heroin out of Indonesia. images showed the ill-fated Still we hope the representatives Analysts have said the pilots aircraft were suspended follow- Taipei killing at least 42 of the The pair recently lost their final plane hitting an elevated road could take the proposal back and may have caused the crash by ing last week’s fatal crash in the 58 on board. appeals to Indonesian President as it banked steeply away from take it into consideration,” the turning off the wrong engine. capital. AGENCIES Joko Widodo for clemency despite arguing that they had rehabili- tated themselves in prison. Indonesian authorities are Cobra Gold drills pushing ahead with the planned Five Bangladesh executions, which are expected to Myanmar constitution be carried out this month. But their lawyers registered militants given one final legal bid in a Jakarta administrative court, taking death penalty referendum this year the unusual step of challenging Widodo’s decision to refuse the DHAKA: A court in Bangladesh YANGON: Myanmar’s presi- Upper house representative men a pardon. yesterday sentenced five mili- dent has given the green light Aye Maung also confirmed the Authorities have repeatedly tants from a banned Islamist to hold a referendum this year president had given approval. It said the appeal for presidential group to death for killing a on amendments to a mili- is unclear, however, what possible clemency is a death row convict’s prosecutor nearly eight years tary-drafted constitution, two changes to the constitution would final chance to avoid the firing ago, police said. lawmakers said yesterday, a be addressed in the vote. squad, but the men’s lawyers The five men, two of whom vote that could be a political The NLD submitted a petition with believe the latest move could at were tried in absentia, shot and game-changer in the fledgling nearly five million signatures last year least delay the executions. killed prosecutor Haider Hossain democracy. calling for a change to a clause that Lawyer Doly James said he in 2007 as he left a mosque after President Thein Sein gave his requires more than 75 percent house hoped that if a judge granted a evening prayers. approval late on Tuesday to hold support to amend the charter. preliminary hearing, the execu- Hossain was targeted shortly the plebiscite, which could take Critics say the 2008 constitu- tions would be postponed. after six leaders of the out- place as early as May, ahead of a tion grants what amounts to a “There is no guarantee,” he lawed Islamist group Jamayetul general election due late this year veto for the military, which has said, but added: “The attorney Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) that could see a shakeup of a polit- a 25 percent quota of legislative general’s office should respect the were executed after being con- ical system over which the mili- seats for unelected servicemen. ongoing legal process.” victed for murder in a case that tary effectively holds veto power. The NLD has criticised Indonesian authorities have he had prosecuted. A referendum is likely to be another clause that bars Suu already informed their Australian The group’s founder and welcomed by Nobel laureate Aung Kyi from becoming president counterparts they intend to supreme leader Shaikh Abdur San Suu Kyi, whose opposition because her two sons are British proceed with the executions, Rahman was among those National League for Democracy citizens, a chapter US President despite public appeals from executed. (NLD) party has been pushing Barack Obama said made “no Prime Minister Tony Abbott and “They killed Hossain to exact to change a constitution that it sense”. Suu Kyi’s late husband Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. revenge over the executions,” says grants too much political was British. Widodo has been a vocal sup- government lawyer Golam Rasul power to the military, which ruled The issue of a vote on the char- porter of capital punishment and said. Myanmar brutally from 1962-2011. ter has already sparked contro- warned Indonesia is in a state of The judge at the court in the “Now that the law has been versy, with nationalists, among emergency due to drugs, with dozens southern district of Jhalakathi enacted, the Election Commission them Buddhist monks, angered of people dying every day. The men’s ordered that all five defendants is soon expected to name a suit- at a February 2 decision by parlia- lawyers claim it is “unacceptable” for be hanged, police inspector A.K.M South Korean and Thai Marines during a joint search drill as part of the able date for the referendum in ment to grant Rohingya Muslims the president to use blanket argu- Humayun Kabir said. Cobra Gold 2015 at a Thai Marine training centre in Thailand yesterday. May,” Thein Nyunt, a lower house the right to vote in a referendum. ments to refuse the men clemency. AFP lawmaker, said by telephone. REUTERS AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17

Pakistan likely sheltered Celebrations Bin Laden: Ex-ISI chief Asad Durrani’s comments on Aljazeera channel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Asked whether it was possible the Afghan problem to an end,” main intelligence agency prob- for Bin Laden to have lived in the Durrani told Aljazeera, accord- ably knew where Osama Bin town without the powerful ISI’s ing to a transcript released by the Laden was hiding and hoped knowledge, Durrani said: “My broadcaster. to use him as a bargaining assessment... was it is quite pos- Pakistan was one of three coun- chip before he was killed by US sible that they (the ISI) did not tries that officially recognised the forces in 2011, a former spymas- know, but it was more probable Taliban government which ruled ter has said. that they did. Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, Lieutenant General Asad “And the idea was that at the and is often accused of continu- Durrani, who led the country’s right time, his location would ing to provide covert support for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) be revealed. And the right time their current insurgency. agency from 1990 to 1992, made would have been when you can get A leaked Pakistani govern- the comments while speaking on the necessary quid pro quo — if ment report in 2013 said Bin Aljazeera’s “Head to Head” inter- you have someone like Osama Bin Laden arrived in Pakistan in view show on Tuesday. Laden, you are not going to sim- the spring or summer of 2002 — The Al Qaeda chief was tracked ply hand him over to the United after the 2001 US-led invasion down after a 10-year man- States.” of Afghanistan — and settled in hunt to Abbottabad, a garrison Durrani, who emphasised that Abbottabad in August 2005. town north of Islamabad where he had no specific knowledge of The report, which coined the Pakistan’s military academy is the issue, suggested Pakistan may term “governance implosion syn- headquartered, sparking allega- have been harbouring Bin Laden drome” to explain the extent of tions authorities were colluding in the hope of getting a bigger official failures to detect him, said with the terror group. say in the future of neighbouring he was once stopped for speed- A Pakistani-government Afghanistan, where US-led forces ing and enjoyed wearing a cowboy appointed commission found officially ended a 13-year combat hat. nothing to support those claims, mission at the end of 2014. Bin Laden was shot and killed Afghan police recruits celebrate during their graduation ceremony in Jalalabad yesterday. Afghan national but also did not rule out the pos- “The quid pro quo to my mind... following a dramatic helicopter security forces took over full responsibility for the country’s security on January 1, as Nato-led coalition sibility of “’plausibly deniable’ (was) you get your Osama Bin raid by US special forces in the forces ended their 13-year-old active combat mission and started a new phase providing training, advice, support” from current or former Laden, provided that, now let’s early hours of May 2, 2011. and assistance. officials. agree, let’s agree on how to bring AFP

Chinese FM arrives today Iran offers Pakistan electricity at low tariff LAHORE: Iran has offered 3,000MW is supplying to some areas of ). generation with furnace oil, costing at over initial investment, even if $1.5 million to ISLAMABAD: Chinese electricity to Pakistan, in addition to “This is an opportunity that should be 20 cents per unit. On top of it, Pakistan a megawatt ratio is taken as a benchmark. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will 1,100MW for which the previous govern- grabbed,” says a former head of the NTDC, would neither have to invest on generation Though Iran has consistently been offer- arrive in Islamabad today on a ment had signed an agreement (100MW) who has been part of previous negotia- nor take the environmental impact,” the ing such deals, Pakistan has, so far, failed two-day visit leading an eight- and a MoU (1,000MW), and invited offi- tions. The other options, which Pakistan is former NDC chief said. to grasp them - for different international member delegation. cials of the Ministry of Water and Power exploring for import of power, are Central “In case of 100MW for Gwader Port and national reasons. It signed an agree- The Foreign Office spokesper- to visit Iran in the third week of the cur- Asia and China. contract, signed in 2007 and is still in a ment for 100MW in 2007. It signed a mem- son, in a statement here yester- rent month to firm things up. In both cases huge security risks and dif- limbo, the price per unit was only 6.25 orandum of understanding for 1,000MW day, said that Pakistan attached In a letter to the National Transmission ficult terrains make these projects almost cents,” explains another former head of the in 2012. great importance to its compre- and Dispatch Company (NTDC), the next to impossible undertakings. Under NTDC. Pakistan needs to explore its back- In 2015, Iran is inviting a Pakistan team hensive strategic partnership Iranian government has offered “to cre- the circumstances, he added, the Iranian yard before jumping across the countries to negotiate for another 3,000MW. The with China. She said such high- ate milestones (during the visit) for export option remained cheapest, quickest and and regions for import of energy. opportunities need to be fully explored and level visits were a regular feature of 1,000MW power to Pakistan and also relatively hassle-free. “Luckily, Pakistan is doing what the west grasped. of the time-tested and unshake- investigate the opportunity of supplying Pakistan was able to sign previous deal at wanted it to do on the terrorism front. It is “Had Pakistan built transmission lines able bonds of friendship between approximately 3,000MW more power”. around eight cents (around Rs8) per kilo- time to take some independent decisions on on its side of border (Iran agreed to build the governments and peoples of The letter pledges to increase Jakigur (in watt, even if OIL PRICES go up to $120 per the energy front and the rest of the world on its side and deliver power at the bor- Pakistan and China. Iran) substation from 80MVA to 125MVA barrel. With oil prices now having fallen will understand its increasing complica- der) in 2007, by now it could have easily The spokesperson said dur- for creating capacity for additional supplies almost 30 per cent of that upper limit, the tions on this front. increased supply and reduce loadshedding ing the visit, Wang Yi would to Pakistan and extend validity of the cur- deal, if properly negotiated, could perhaps “With over 4,000MW cheap electricity, by at least 50 per cent with over 4,000MW hold delegation-level talks with rent electricity sale agreement and revis- be inked at half of that price. the entire economic paradigm can change; of cheaper power,” he concluded. Adviser to the Prime Minister ing its tariff (of roughly 75MW, which it “Compare it with Pakistan’s own it will save around six billion dollars in INTERNEWS on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. He would also call on the president and prime minister. During the talks, she said, all aspects of bilateral rela- tionship, with special focus on Arms cache Kabul may become haven political, strategic and economic cooperation would be reviewed and consolidated. for IS, says ex-CIA official The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad would also co-host WASHINGTON: Afghanistan how US aircraft missed taking the launching ceremony of is in danger of turning into out Taliban leader Mullah Omar Pakistan-China “Year of Friendly a sanctuary once again for by “30 minutes” in 2001 and how Exchanges”, she added. Islamist extremists as the West Hamid Karzai was nearly killed withdraws troops and shifts its inadvertently in American bomb- attention elsewhere, a former ing raids. PTI membership senior CIA official warned He also described a last-ditch yesterday. bid to negotiate a deal with the drive from capital The country could even become Taliban’s number two leader a refuge for Islamic State jihadists in the days after 9/11, in which ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan now waging war in Syria and Iraq, Grenier tried to persuade his Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will said Robert Grenier, the former counterpart in a hotel in Pakistan start membership campaign Central Intelligence Agency to break with Omar and stage a from Islamabad on February station chief in Islamabad and coup. The attempt failed. 25. A PTI leader said that after author of a new book. His memoir, The former CIA officer said Islamabad, the drive would be “88 Days to Kandahar,” recounts he was skeptical that attempts launched across the country, his harrowing experience help- to broker peace talks with the adding that the campaign was ing to topple the Taliban regime Taliban would succeed, as the part of the intra-party elections. in Afghanistan in 2001 after the insurgents still believe they can “The campaign will continue for September 11 attacks. topple the government and take three months after which intra- “I would say if anything the back power in Kabul. He also said party elections will be held before the future threat of an Afghan safe the group was not suited to politi- local government polls in Punjab.” haven is maybe even greater than cal rule or taking part in parlia- He said the party chairman it was back before 9/11,” Grenier mentary politics. had formed a team, led by Arif said at an event organized by the Grenier, who rose to other sen- Alvi and Saifullah Khan Niazi, to New America think tank. ior posts in the CIA before leav- complete the homework for intra- The Afghan Taliban would not ing in 2006, said his book tells the party elections and membership be ready to rebuff its allies in the story of how America quickly won campaign. “There are two pro- Pakistani Taliban or other extrem- what he calls “the first American- posals under consideration of the ists — such as the Islamic State — if Afghan war” in 2001, and “how we team to expand the electoral col- Pakistani security officials display arms and ammunition recovered during an operation against smugglers they asked for sanctuary, he said. lost, or at least certainly didn’t lege of the intra-party elections. in Peshawar, the provincial capital of the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, yesterday. “There are groups within win, the second American-Afghan INTERNEWS Pakistan that are dedicated war.” to attacking the regime in And the book ends with a Islamabad. They’re not going to warning about “how the errors go away,” he said. According to of the past may yet be revisited Grenier, the Taliban tend to see when once again we may be called Huge iron ore reserves found in Punjab things in black-and-white terms, upon to fight a third American- looking at decisions through the Afghan war.” LAHORE: Pakistan yesterday estimates indicated 500 million copper and gold samples would the country get rid of the ‘begging question: “Is it dictated by Islam With a small US-led force due said it has discovered major tonnes of iron ore — a primary also be sent for testing soon. bowl’ for good,” Sharif said. or is it not?” to withdraw in two years, Grenier reserves of iron ore as well as ingredient in steelmaking — had Speaking at the site on Conflict, instability, corruption “And they won’t turn their said he fears that the United copper, silver and gold in its been discovered. Wednesday, Prime Minister and a chronic energy shortage back on people who are ideologi- States and other Western govern- central province of Punjab. He said the Chinese company Nawaz Sharif said the discovery have hampered Pakistan’s econ- cally allied with them across the ments will fail to funnel financial The reserves were found in has expressed interest in setting could help Pakistan’s stuttering omy for years. border. “Nor do I believe will they aid to Kabul after their soldiers Chiniot city in the Punjab, around up a steel mill on the site, adding economy turn a corner and end The IMF granted a $6.6bn loan turn their backs on international leave and abandon the Afghan 160km northwest of Lahore, by that the extracted iron had been its “begging bowl” culture. to Pakistan in September 2013 terrorists, if once again they come government. Chinese group the Metallurgical tested in Swiss and Canadian “It is Allah’s blessing that on the condition that it carry out back to the region in any signifi- His book offers a very grim Cooperation of China. laboratories, which found 60-65 under the lush green fields rich extensive economic reforms, par- cant numbers, as I fear they will view of the legacy of more than a A senior provincial adminis- percent of it to be high grade. deposits of copper, iron and gold ticularly in the energy and taxa- if their fortunes take a bad turn,” decade of war against the Taliban trative official said that initial The official added that silver, have been found, which will help tion sectors. AFP he said. Grenier’s book describes insurgents. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA AAP’s Kerala Shiv Sena wants repeat unit upbeat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: of Delhi in Maharashtra After lying dormant since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the stun- ning victory of the AAP in Delhi polls has given the party’s Kerala Reject BJP, party mouthpiece Saamana tells people unit a much needed boost. State convenor of AAP, award MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena failed to get even a single seat. Delhi solidly supported Kejriwal. winning novelist and short story yesterday attacked its ally The edit pointed out that the “Modi now lives in Delhi, but writer Sarah Joseph who con- BJP and asked the people of trend started three months ago his brahmastra failed to work at tested the Thrissur Lok Sabha Maharashtra “to take lessons” when the Modi ‘wave’ was halted such close quarters, even Amit seat, said their slogan is ‘Now from the results of the assem- by Maharashtra, but now the Shah’s magic didn’t work,” the Delhi, Next Kerala’ as they have bly poll in Delhi where Prime ‘tsunami’ has reached Delhi. Sena said, in a direct attack on a good support base here. “In five Minister Narendra Modi’s The Delhi assembly results the two BJP bigwigs. months time, all our functionar- “popularity” and BJP chief proved that a ‘tsunami’ is more It conceded that the BJP was ies will be elected in a democratic Amit Shah’s “election strategies powerful than a ‘wave’ and an old friend of Shiv Sena, and it manner and will pave the way for were at stake but a virtual non- emphatically reiterated Gandhian succeeded all over India, barring us to become a full-fledged politi- entity” like Arvind Kejriwal Anna Hazare’s view that it was “a the national capital where the cal party,” Joseph said. uprooted them. debacle for Modi”, it said. “The lotus failed to bloom and added In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, “Delhi has embraced ‘Paanch BJP leaders claim this is not that even US President Barack AAP had contested 15 out of the Saal, (Arvind) Kejriwal. The peo- Modi’s defeat. Kejriwal has won Obama couldn’t breath life into 20 seats and secured 2.56 lakh ple of Maharashtra must learn — then who has lost? After all, its wilted petals. votes or 1.43 percent of the total from this. They should ponder the entire elections were carried “You can’t win elections with votes polled, with Joseph getting and move ahead in that direction, out in Modi’s name without the only promises and speeches. close to 45,000 votes. She said the that is the outcome of Delhi,” the presence of any other BJP leader,” Modi’s popularity and Shah’s biggest advantage in Kerala was Shiv Sena said in a sharp edit in the edit said. election strategies were at stake that the rival fronts are voted to the party mouthpiece Saamana Not accepting the contention here, but a virtual non-entity power alternatively here and the yesterday, virtually asking the blaming BJP’s chief ministerial like Kejriwal uprooted and threw BJP is yet to open its account. people of the state to reject BJP. candidate Kiran Bedi for the them away. How was this possi- “So there’s a space to get into the The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) BJP rout, the Saamana said all ble?” the edit asked. minds of the people,” she said. bagged 67 of the 70 assembly seg- BJP leaders labeled the AAP It listed the reasons as: The The party unit in Kerala ments in Delhi, while the BJP got leader as ‘bhagoda’ (deserter) unemployed have still got no jobs, has formed Mission Vistaar just three seats. The Congress during the campaign, but entire inflation has not been curbed, Committees in all the 14 districts people without shelter continue to which will take up the responsibil- remain homeless, and poll prom- ity of strengthening the party at ises have not been fulfilled. President Pranab Mukherjee embracing Chief Minister-elect of Delhi Arvind around 25,000 wards in the state. Modi opts for silence Even the party workers were Kejriwal after a meeting in New Delhi yesterday. IANS unhappy that an outsider leader NEW DELHI: Twenty four hours after the Delhi poll results, like Bedi was thrust upon them which came as a nasty shock to the BJP and where he had put and the electorate, besides the Kejriwal holds Delhi statehood talks his own prestige on the line, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is totally negative campaign against yet to speak publicly on an outcome which he had said would be Kejriwal and Congress vice- indicative of the national mood. president Rahul Gandhi which NEW DELHI: A day after the half-an-hour meet, told reporters. role of the Delhi government in Modi did speak to Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal to rebounded on the BJP. AAP registered a historic vic- He also said that the union mobilising investments for hous- congratulate him on his victory and assured him of the central On the other hand, Kejriwal tory in the Delhi assembly polls, minister assured the AAP of ing including slum re-develop- government’s complete support in the development of Delhi but went around with folded hands chief minister-designate Arvind the central government’s “con- ment, solid waste management he has not made any public comment on the results which are and sought peoples’ forgiveness for Kejriwal yesterday sought the structive cooperation” and that and sanitation. Naidu also said seen to have wide political ramifications and have left the party past mistakes — “I only quit the centre’s cooperation to ensure full “the party line would not come that prompt action needed to be shell-shocked. Modi held a cabinet meeting on Tuesday after the government. I did not become cor- statehood for the national capital. in between working of the two taken to allot over 24,000 houses results came in and is learnt to have discussed the outcome with rupt,”, which the people accepted, Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi governments”. Earlier in the day, that were constructed under the some of his senior colleagues. the Saamana pointed out. Party’s (AAP) convenor, mean- the AAP leaders called on union Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Modi ran an aggressive campaign against Kejriwal targeting him in It said in 2014 Lok Sabha elec- while, declined to take the Z secu- urban development minister M Renewal Mission. rally after rally. But while Modi’s aggressive style reaped rich dividends tion, Modi ensured there was no rity cover accorded to him, party Venkaiah Naidu at his office and Kejriwal also met Delhi’s Lt against the previous United Progressive Alliance government which opposition left in Parliament, but sources said after he called on discussed various issues concern- Governor Najeeb Jung to apprise had been discredited due to alleged scams, such a verbal tornado did despite his presence in Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath ing the national capital. him that he had been elected the not succeed against Kejriwal who was running a positive campaign. the BJP failed to get a decent Singh at his official residence. During this meeting, issues leader of the AAP’s legislature Kejriwal’s rise poses political problems for the BJP. Apart from a strength as an opposition party in Delhi’s full statehood was one of related to granting full statehood party. Kejriwal, to be sworn-in as perception that AAP’s sweeping victory has stopped the Modi jugger- the assembly. “The people of Delhi the major poll promises of the AAP. to Delhi and giving land from the Delhi’s chief minister on Saturday naut, Kejriwal is likely to push the central government hard to fulfil have given three seats as ‘charity’ “We asked them to support Delhi Development Authority at the Ramlila Ground for a sec- the promises he has made to the people including statehood for Delhi. (daan) to BJP, and the Congress full statehood to Delhi. Both (DDA) for building schools, park- ond time, also met President An ostensibly larger aim for Modi to involve himself deeply in has been wiped out.” (AAP and BJP) the parties are ing lots and play grounds were Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati the campaign was to win the polls and increase the BJP’s numbers The Shiv Sena advised BJP that in a majority and it is the best discussed. The AAP leaders also Bhavan in the evening. The in the Rajya Sabha where the party is in a minority. Now, it will be just as it celebrated victory (in time to avail the opportunity of discussed regularisation of the President gifted Kejriwal a copy AAP which will be sending its MPs from Delhi to the Rajya Sabha. elections) till now, its must accept granting full statehood to Delhi,” city’s unauthorised colonies. of the Constitution of India and a IANS defeat too, and learn some lessons AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who At the meeting, Naidu empha- book penned by him. from it. IANS accompanied Kejriwal during the sised the need for a pro-active IANS

Swine flu kills Sahara tells SC: Deal with more than Mirach has fallen through

400 this year NEW DELHI: The Sahara Justice T S Thakur-headed Apex Group yesterday told the Court bench that the Sahara Group NEW DELHI: Swine flu has Supreme Court that its deal was in talks with another leading claimed the lives of 407 peo- with the Mirach Capital Group overseas bank to raise the money ple across India this year, the to raise a $650m loan to com- to comply with the court’s order. health ministry said yesterday. ply with the court’s order to Ganesh told this to the court after During the period from January deposit Rs5,000 crore in cash amicus curiae Shekhar Naphade 1 to February 10, the total number and bank guarantee of like told the court about the contro- of H1N1 cases was 5,157 and the amount has collapsed. versy that has surfaced between number of deaths was 407, the The Apex Court on January 9 Sahara Group and the Mirach ministry said in a statement. had permitted Sahara group to Capital Group over the deal. Most cases were from Delhi, raise a “junior loan” of $650m Naphade apprised the court Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, from Mirach Capital Group for about the allegations and coun- Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, the payment of Rs5,000 crore in ter allegations being exchanged Tamil Nadu and Telangana, cash and a bank guarantee of like between Sahara and Mirach whereas the deaths were largely amount towards part payment of Capital Group. from Maharashtra, Madhya investors money that it had raised Asking Naphade to explore Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and through the Optionally Fully the alternate means to raise the Telangana. The cases were dis- Convertible Debentures(OFCDs) money, the court wondered how cussed at a high-level meeting in 2008-2009. could Sahara Group, having expe- chaired by union health secretary The court by its March 26, rience in financial dealings, say B P Sharma. 2014 order had asked the Sahara that it was tricked. It was attended by Director Pigeons fly in front of shuttered shops as paramilitary soldiers stand guard during a shutdown in Srinagar yesterday. Group to deposit the amount in “You examine all other alter- General, Health Services (DGHS) cash. It had also asked for a bank natives for getting money” the Jagdish Prasad, representatives guarantee of like amount for part court asked Naphade as he told of leading government hos- Protesters, security forces clash in J&K payment of investors’ money — a the court that there was “much pitals such as Ram Manohar condition for the release of group more to it than meets the eye”. Lohia Hospital, Safdurjung, SRINAGAR: Clashes erupted Police later clarified that Nazir anniversary of the JKLF founder. head Subrata Roy and two direc- Telling the court that they were AIIMS, and the Indian Council between security forces and pro- Ahmad Mughal, a 32-year-old Authorities had imposed tors from custody. victims, Ganesh said they had of Medical Research (ICMR) and testers yesterday in some areas murder accused had complained restrictions in parts of Srinagar Senior counsel S Ganesh, paid $2.625m as service charges. the National Centre for Disease of the Kashmir Valley where the of chest pain Tuesday, following for the second day Wednesday to appearing for Sahara, told the IANS Control (NCDC). authorities had imposed restric- which he was taken to the district thwart separatist-called protests. The meeting discussed the tions to maintain law and order hospital for treatment. “As a preventive measure to current trends of morbidity and on the death anniversary of “The accused was treated at maintain law and order, restric- mortality, the diagnostic and test JKLF founder Maqbool Bhat. the hospital. After some time, he tions remained in force in Khanyar, algorithms being followed, availa- Stone-pelting youths came out went to the toilet from where he Nowhatta, Rainawari, M.R. Gunj, Police to question Tharoor today bility of diagnostic kits and drugs, in Maisuma area of Srinagar, and managed to escape. Safa Kadal and Maisuma areas of NEW DELHI: Delhi Police chief B S Bassi yesterday said that and other preventive measures. marched towards city centre Lal “A search was immediately the city,” a police officer said. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor would be questioned again today Based on advice given by experts, Chowk. Security forces lobbed tear launched to arrest the accused. In Shops, public transport and with regard to the murder of his wife Sunanda Pushkar in it was decided that various health gas shells to disperse the protest- the morning today, (Wednesday), other businesses remained closed January last year. institutions treating swine flu cases ers, who were demanding the mor- the body of the accused was found in Srinagar Wednesday, and “After questioning Pushkar’s son and other people, we need to be advised for vaccination against tal remains of Jammu and Kashmir near the compound wall of the attendance in banks, post offices question Tharoor again. He has been asked to appear before the SIT influenza for the concerned health Liberation Front founder Maqbool hospital. A magisterial inquest has and government offices was thin. tomorrow,” Bassi said. The police chief, however, did not disclose the workers in contact with patients, Bhat, who was hanged on this day been ordered into the incident,” a Skeletal private transport serv- time when the former union minister would be questioned. the statement said. in 1984 in Delhi’s Tihar Jail. police spokesman said here. ices and three-wheelers, however, Tharoor was earlier questioned on January 19 at the Vasant Vihar To enhance the level of pre- Clashes also took place between A police officer said barring a plied on roads in uptown Srinagar. police station in south Delhi. Police had constituted a special inves- paredness, an additional 60,000 protesters and security forces in few incidents of stone-pelting at Inter-district public trans- tigative team (SIT) to probe the murder after registering a FIR in Oseltamivir medicines and 10,000 Papchan area of Bandipora dis- some places, the overall law and port was also affected because of the case on January 1 this year. Sunanda Pushkar was found dead masks were being procured. In trict. In Kupwara district, pro- order situation remained peaceful the shutdown. All examinations in a luxury hotel room on January 17, 2014. A case of murder was addition, the NCDC has floated a tests erupted after news spread in the Kashmir Valley, where sep- scheduled for the day were can- registered against unknown people on January 1, 2015. tender for additional 10,000 diag- about the death of a murder aratists had called for a protest celled by Kashmir University. IANS nostic kits, it said. IANS accused in police custody. shutdown to observe the death IANS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Nitish, Lalu seek Bihar assembly session early Delay in floor test promoting horse-trading: Nitish

NEW DELHI/PATNA: Amid Sharad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata In a related development, the the continuing political crisis in Dal leader Lalu Prasad and Patna High Court yesterday stayed Bihar, leaders of the JD-U, RJD Congress general secretary C P Nitish Kumar’s election as the new and the Congress yesterday met Joshi were among those present. leader of the legislature party, President Pranab Mukherjee to Nitish Kumar said 130 leg- according to a government lawyer. request that Governor Keshri islators supporting him in the Hearing a petition filed by a Manjhi Nath Tripathi be instructed to 243-member Bihar assem- loyalist, legislator Rajeshwar Raj, a take an immediate decision on bly belonged to his own party, bench stayed Nitish Kumar’s elec- calling a special session of the the RJD, the Congress and the tion as the new leader of the JD-U assembly to test the majority as Communist Party of India. The legislature party. 130 legislators supported Nitish legislators were brought to Nitish Kumar, however, said Kumar. Rashtrapati Bhavan in buses. there was some misreporting of Talking to reporters outside Bihar is facing a political cri- the court’s order. The JD-U has Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar along with other leaders of ally parties arrive for a meeting with President Rashtrapati Bhavan after the sis following the JD-U’s decision 115 legislators in the assembly and Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi yesterday. meeting, Nitish Kumar said to re-elect Nitish Kumar as its most of them are reportedly with delay in the floor test was “spoil- legislature party leader and expel Nitish Kumar. He is backed by 24 majority support was with him, but without delay. He said the is injustice. It is playing with ing the atmosphere” in the state Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi legislators of the RJD, five of the told reporters outside Rashtrapati President assured them that he democracy,” Nitish Kumar added. and promoting “horse-trading.” from the party. Congress, two independents and Bhavan that there should be an would look into their demand. Lalu Prasad said the BJP had He accused the BJP of want- Manjhi, who has refused to step one from the CPI. The BJP has immediate decision on the issue. The former chief minister said been limited to three seats in the ing to impose President’ Rule down, has said the test of majority 88 legislators and is supported by “The governor is a nominee of the governor should not wait Delhi assembly “but wanted to in Bihar ahead of the assembly should be conducted on the floor three independents. the president. We came to him till the budget session for floor enter Bihar”. He said the delega- election scheduled to be held of the house through “secret bal- BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz with a prayer that the path should test. The budget session of the tion to the president was led by later this year. lot”. Manjhi was hand-picked by Hussain took dig at Nitish Kumar, be paved for formation of (an Bihar assembly will begin on Mulayam Singh Yadav. In Patna, The delegation included Nitish Kumar to replace him as saying he had broken his alliance alternative) government in Bihar February 20. JD-U legislators loyal to Manjhi Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam chief minister last year following with the BJP in Bihar to become at the earliest. We requested him “The budget should of the gov- expressed confidence about the Singh Yadav, who has been the JD-U’s rout in the Lok Sabha. the prime ministerial candidate of to give directions for immediate ernment which proves its majority. BJP’s support in a confidence authorised by parties of the erst- Meanwhile, JD-U legislators the third front but he was now a decision,” he said. The governor’s address should be of vote. “We are certain that the while Janata Parivar to work loyal to Manjhi have expressed chief minister-in-waiting. Nitish Kumar said the Manjhi the government which proves its BJP would support a Mahadalit out modalities for their merger. confidence that the BJP would Nitish Kumar, who met the government may be given a majority,” he said. “Not paving the chief minister,” said JD-U legisla- Janata Dal-United president support him in the floor test. governor to convey that the chance to prove its majority way for formation of a government tor Rajiv Ranjan. IANS

Protest against Valentine’s Day Chandy readies for 4th mass contact programme

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fourth Replying to questions on the impact of the the applications relate to financial assistance, edition of the popular mass contact pro- third edition held in 2013, Chandy said he had issuance of ration cards, status changes from gramme (MCP) is expected to start rolling an interaction with the district collectors on above poverty line category to below poverty line at all district headquarters of Kerala shortly, this. “I was told that in 10 districts, there was category. In 2013, he received the United Nations Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said. 100 percent achievement, and in two others Global Award for Public Service at a ceremony The people residing in the state’s 14 districts it touched 97 percent. We are working on the held in Bahrain for his programme. can register complaints regarding any issues next edition of the MCP,” the CM said. The mass contact programme was first they face, either at his website or go to any The highlight of the programme is that launched by Chandy in 2004, but was discon- Akshaya centre (a one-stop shop for all IT needs Chandy meets each and every person who has tinued when the V S Achuthanandan govern- that has the support of the state IT depart- registered a complaint and makes sure that the ment assumed office in 2006. When Chandy ment). In the last MCP held in 2013, a record complaint gets sorted out as officials from every returned as chief minister he held the pro- 3.19 lakh complaints were received by Chandy. department attend the programme. Most of gramme in 2011 and 2013. IANS

Rape victim’s US lawyer says Uber panic button a marketing ploy

WASHINGTON: The US-based lawyer of a Delhi woman execu- tive who was allegedly raped by an Uber cab driver in December, yesterday dismissed the addition Shiv Sena activists burn a banner and shout slogans during a protest of a panic button to the web- against Valentine’s Day in Amritsar yesterday. Protesters said the tradi- based US taxi firm’s app in India tion of observing Valentine’s Day is against Indian culture and ethics as a “marketing ploy”. “Today’s additions of a panic and it should neither be promoted nor celebrated. button and ride share notifica- tion to the Uber app in India are far cries from the safety measures riders need,” New York-based lawyer Douglas H Wigdor said in Saradha scam: Madan a statement on Twitter. “Most unfortunately, neither of these measures would have pre- vented the rape of our client and Mitra denied bail are yet another obvious market- ing ploy to garner the support of KOLKATA: West Bengal evidence to prove his complicity the people of Delhi who deserve Transport Minister Madan in the scam and also questioned more,” he said. Mitra, who is currently in cus- the way the CBI was probing the “Hopefully, our lawsuit will tody in the multi-crore-rupee scam. bring about real change so that Saradha chit fund scam, was “Mitra has been in custody others are nor needlessly placed in yesterday denied bail by a since Dec 12 but the CBI has not harm’s way,” said Wigdor, who last court here. given any direct evidence to sug- month filed a case against Uber Mitra moved the higher court gest his complicity. Not a single accusing it of focusing on profits of South 24 Parganas district and depositor or witness has deposed over the safety of its passengers. sessions judge Samaresh Prasad that they were induced to invest Uber, which had recently intro- Chowdhury seeking bail, days after in the Saradha group by Mitra,” duced enhanced background former Trinamool Congress Rajya said the defence counsel. The checks, added two new safety Sabha member and co-accused defence counsel also questioned features yesterday. The accused Srinjoy Bose was granted the relief. why the CBI has not taken any driver, Shiv Kumar Yadav, is cur- Pressing for his bail, Mitra’s steps against the SEBI or the RBI rently on trial on rape and kid- counsel Milon Mukherjee con- which failed to check the scam. napping charges in Delhi. tended that there was no direct IANS IANS

Four new fish species discovered in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: like Journal of Research in Biology lateral line scales are greater than Four new fish species have been and International Journal of Fauna its closest relatives and its dorsal found in Kerala, the college pro- and Biological Studies,” Plamoottil fin has more rays. fessor who made the discovery said. Elaborating, he said the body Systomus chryseus was dis- has said. and fins of Puntius nelsoni are covered from Keezhvaipur near The new new species have been yellowish in colour, the head is Thiruvalla. It is golden in coloured named Puntius nelsoni, Puntius deeper, the snout shorter and the and its pectoral fin is greatly elon- nigronotus, Systomus chry- mouth wider. It was discovered at gated. Systomus rufus was dis- seus and Systomus rufus, said Kallumkal in Thiruvalla, at the covered from Venpala, also near Mathews Plamoottil, a zoology place where Pamba and Manimala Thiruvalla. Its fins are red in colour. professor at Kollam’s Baby John rivers merge. The Kerala State Biodiversity Memorial Government College. The Puntius nigronotus was Board, the custodian of the state’s “Detailed articles describing discovered at Mananthavady in rich biodiversity, said Kerala is these new species have been pub- the hilly Wayanad district. Its home to 242 species of inland fish. lished in international publications dorsal fin is black in colour, the IANS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Crowned cranes

Fajr (Dawn) 4:54 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:11 Zuhr (Noon) 11:48 Asr (Afternoon) 3:01 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:26 Isha (Night) 6:56

WEATHER

Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Moderate temperature High: 29° High: 26° High: 25° daytime and slight Low: 21° Low: 180° Low: 19° dust to blowing dust at places at times and partly cloudy to cloudy.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:11 17:26 09:15 & 00:00 03:45 & 16:30 15-25/12-20 KT THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 26/23 Clear 27/24 Clear MAKKAH 28/19 Clear 29/19 Clear KUWAIT 22/07 Partly cloudy 22/09 Clear BAHRAIN 29/17 Partly cloudy 23/16 Clear SANAA 27/08 Clear 26/08 Clear A young crowned crane is seen with its mother at the Santa Fe Zoo in Medellin, Colombia. RIYADH 30/15 Clear 24/16 Partly cloudy DUBAI 33/20 Clear 32/19 Clear BAGHDAD 19/06 Clear 20/07 Clear Turning tables, THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Europe successfully zoo in Chile

ATHENS 08/04 Partly cloudy 10/06 Cloudy WASHINGTON 07/-7 Cloudy 01/-6 Chance of showers cages visitors SYDNEY 29/19 Clear 27/19 Partly cloudy RANCAGUA: As the enor- LONDON 07/03 Cloudy 09/06 Cloudy tests space plane mous lion prowls atop the roof PARIS 10/03 Clear 13/07 Partly cloudy PARIS: Europe yesterday said successes in unmanned missions, slightly rounded, providing lift of the safari vehicle, his pale ISTANBUL 05/04 Chance of rain 08/04 Chance of rain it had successfully launched and from Earth-observation satellites but less resistance than wings to pink tongue licking out from MANILA 29/23 Partly cloudy 29/24 Partly cloudy brought back to Earth a proto- and the Mars and Venus Express atmospheric molecules. his massive jaws, delighted pas- DHAKA 27/16 Clear 24/16 Clear type space plane in a strategy orbiters to the comet-chasing Manoeuvrability in space comes sengers snap pictures and reach DELHI 24/12 Clear 25/12 Clear to join an elite club of space probe Rosetta. from four thrusters, while two out to touch him. ISLAMABAD 22/10 Partly cloudy 22/11 Partly cloudy powers. But until now, its spacecraft hind steering flaps are intended This apparent violation of the In a 100-minute operation, the have been one-way affairs. to stabilise and angle the craft for number-one rule at most zoos — European Space Agency (ESA) They are either sent out into its return path. Ceramic panels don’t pet the animals — is encour- took a wedge-shaped wingless the Solar System, never to return, shield it from temperatures up to aged at Parque Safari in Chile, a robot craft on a sub-orbital flight or are deliberately destroyed at 1,700 degrees Celsius. sanctuary for mistreated circus to test re-entry technologies. the end of their mission in a sui- The research mission saw the animals that turns the traditional It marks the first step in an cide plunge, burning up in the IXV, stuffed with sensors and zoo-going experience on its head. effort to emulate the United fiery heat of atmospheric re-entry. cameras, launched by a light- The zoo puts visitors in caged States, Russia and China in mas- Nor does ESA have its own weight Vega rocket from ESA’s vehicles and drives them around tering the skill of not just launch- capacity for human flight — base in French Guiana. the two-hectare park where the ing a spacecraft but also bringing European astronauts instead have After separation, it ascended lions roam free, as the hulk- it home intact. been taken aloft and returned to to an altitude of more than 400 ing carnivores get to look at the “The mission has come to an Earth aboard the US space shut- kilometres, headed eastwards humans from up close. end according to plan... it couldn’t tle or Russia’s Soyuz. and then descended to Earth at “It’s so scary. It’s a very strange have been better,” ESA Director “Mastering re-entry will open hypersonic speeds. feeling, to be so close to them, General Jean-Jacques Dordain a new chapter,” ESA said. Slowed by parachutes, it only a few centimetres away,” said said in a live webcast. The IXV design seeks to strike splashed down about 3,000 km visitor Carolina Gonzales Baeza. Mission officials cheered after a balance between flat-bottomed west of the Galapagos Island. “I think it makes you under- the car-sized craft splashed down capsules — the tried-and-trusted With flotation balloons provid- stand what it’s like to be caged on schedule in the Pacific. return-to-Earth vehicle since the ing buoyancy, the IXV was to be for animals, they must feel like us, Programme chief Giorgio pioneering days of space — and picked up by crane by a recov- frightened to be locked in without Tumino said the operation had the US shuttle, a winged but com- ery ship and then transferred being able to get out.” been a “100-percent success.” plex and expensive system, two of to ESA’s technical centre in the The director of Parque Safari, A driverless vehicle known as a Lutz ‘Pathfinder’ Pod is pictured during a Dubbed the Intermediate which were lost before the craft Netherlands for post-mission Ivan Sanchez Lobos, said that is photocall in central London yesterday. eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), was retired. scrutiny. exactly the experience he wanted the craft aims at filling a gap in Five metres long and two The prototype cost €170m plus to create. Europe’s range of space abilities. tonnes in weight, it looks like a €40m in launch costs, according “I went to other parks, in the ESA has notched up glittering wedge whose surfaces have been to French officials. AFP US, in Mexico, some in South Britain approves testing of America and I saw that the lions were kept away by electric fences. I didn’t want that, I wanted for driverless cars on roads the lion to be active and for the LONDON: Britons will from being tested on British roads. humans to feel what it’s like to be next summer be joined on the It is now working on a code of in a cage,” he said. roads by driverless cars, after practice for driverless cars, due to Music stars honour Stevie Wonder At Parque Safari, which opened the government gave the go- be published in the spring, with LOS ANGELES: Reigning nine years ago outside the central ahead for the vehicles to be vehicles expected to be tested on stars of the music world, from city of Rancagua, most of the ani- tested on public roads in a bid to roads across the country from the Beyonce to Tony Bennett to mals are all too familiar with life encourage companies developing summer. Pharrell Williams, on Tuesday in a cage. the technology to invest in the Britain’s auto industry has been saluted Stevie Wonder, the The zoo takes in lions, bears, country. growing strongly — the value of singer, songwriter and musician monkeys and elephants from Driverless car testing will be British car exports has doubled in they called a genius and inspira- circuses where they have been restricted to vehicles with a per- the past 10 years — and lawmakers tion to their careers. abused and works to rehabilitate son present and able to take con- hope that driverless car technol- Tapping the talent that came them. trol should the need arise, Britain’s ogy could help sustain the sector to town for the Grammy Awards “The Chilean authorities have Department for Transport (DfT) in the decades to come. two nights before, the tribute rescued these animals and we said. The testing of driverless cars on opened with Beyonce belting out have brought them here because The DfT said yesterday that public roads follows a government “Fingertips,” a tune that put the they can’t be freed, they have lost after carrying out a review into investment of £19m in the technol- child prodigy from Detroit on the the ability to hunt and survive,” driverless cars, it found there were ogy in four British towns. Motown map at the age of 12. Sanchez said. no legal barriers to the technology REUTERS She then enlisted British singer Other rescued animals are too Ed Sheeran for a mix of “Master fragile to roam free and are kept Blaster” and “Higher Ground”. in cages, but in far better condi- Janelle Monae, Mary Wilson, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Hudson Wonder, now 64, holds the dis- tions than they previously knew. tinction of having won 25 Grammy join Stevie Wonder onstage at the conclusion of an event to honour Wonder In one cage, a lion named King awards, more than any other art- at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. has been nursed back to health AC/DC to tour with new drummer ist. He also won Album of the Year after having a paw amputated. He three times in the space of four public holiday. frontman of OneRepublic, and was seized from his former own- NEW YORK: AC/DC yesterday announced a tour of stadiums years, in 1973, 1974 and 1976, the Bennett called him “one of the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli per- ers after they removed his claws across North America with a replacement for drummer Phil Rudd, last one for his most famous work, greatest jazz artists who ever formed a solo of “I Just Called to in unsanitary conditions and the who is accused of making death threats. “Songs in the Key of Life.” lived” and performed “For Once Say I Love You”. paw became badly infected. The Australian hard rock elders will open the tour of the United “I see a lot of people here,” in My Life”. Annie Lennox, John Legend, In another cage, two female States and Canada on August 22 at joked Wonder, who has been blind Lady Gaga said “people throw Janelle Monae, Ariana Grande and bears sway from side to side as the New England Patriots’ Gillette since shortly after birth, when he the word genius around a lot, but Jennifer Hudson were also among they walk, a movement they Stadium near Boston, with the 13th appeared on stage in front of a Stevie Wonder you truly are a gen- the evening’s performers, many of developed in the circus that used and final date on September 28 at packed Nokia Theatre in down- ius” before pumping out an ener- whom praised his love songs. to place them atop a hot metal Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. town Los Angeles. getic rendition of “I Wish”. Even if the stars did justice to sheet, burning their paws and AC/DC—who released a new Wonder was hailed not only for Wonder’s daughter Aisha joined his music, they were ultimately making them “dance.” album, “Rock or Bust,” in November his contributions to R&B, soul, pop R&B singer Ne-Yo for “Isn’t She upstaged by the man himself who The zoo plans to take in white — previously announced 25 dates in and jazz over half a century, but Lovely,” the song he wrote at her performed a final medley that and Bengal tigers in the near Europe starting on May 5 in The also his work for civil rights, most birth, and said “I love you, Daddy”. included “Superstitious” and “You future to help them reproduce Netherlands. notably his push to get Martin Pharrell sang “Don’t Worry Are the Sunshine of My Life”. and to open another safari drive AFP Luther King Jr’s birthday made a ‘Bout a Thing” with Ryan Tedder, REUTERS with tigers. AFP Thursday 12 February 2015 23 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6339 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar index in longest winning streak in 2015 Market cap jumps by QR37bn in eight-day rally

BY SATISH KANADY transactions jumped 49.07 percent capital raising opportunities. Early from the previous week. this month, Al Rayan Investment DOHA: Qatar stock market Oil price volatility saw Qatari announced its readiness to launch logged its longest winning streak bourse’s benchmark index the country’s first Sukuk Fund. in the year, by extending the retreating from its all-time high Omar Mahmood, Partner at rally to eighth straight session of 14,350 point to reach 10,920 KPMG in Qatar and Head of the yesterday. The benchmark index point. Analysts told The Peninsula, Firm’s Financial Services division Officials at the meeting of Islamic Holding Group in Doha yesterday. BAHER AMIN surged to 12,800 levels during the the market currently seems to be in the Middle East and South Asia intraday trade before settling at on a recovery mode and is head- noted Qatar’s banking stocks were 12,689, up 0.17 percent. The index ing to the pre-oil crisis level. immune from the impact of oil is 3.28 percent up year-to-date. “Regaining above the overhead slip. QIB outperformed banking Islamic Holding general assembly After closing the month of resistance line at around 12,300 stocks by surging 48.12 percent January by 3.14 percent down, point would increase the chances on year-on-year basis. Rayan’s the benchmark index opened this of moving further up towards share prices rose by 41.21 percent. month by surging 1.37 percent on 12,8000 point and 13,000 point,” International Islamic rose by 32.41 meeting approves cash dividends blue chips. The bourse extended analysts at Global Investment percent and banking major QNB the bull run eight sessions to lift House (GIH) noted in its monthly jumped 23.78 percent. DOHA: Islamic Holding Group Board of Directors of the Islamic previous year (2013). Total earn- the main index 790 points. The GCC equity monitor last week, Islamic banks share prices have yesterday held its Annual Holding, discussed the company’s ings per share in 2014 stood at market cap surged by QR37bn dur- meaning the market is presum- on average increased by 41 per- General Assembly and approved activities and financial position for QR4.02 against QR2.26 in 2013. ing the eight-day rally. ably regaining its lost ground. cent and conventional banks share all the agenda of the meeting, the year ended December 31, 2014. The meeting also approved the The main index gained 621.03 In its annual results snapshot prices increased by 10 percent including the recommendation The meeting also discussed future lease contract for the main office points, or 5.22 percent, during for listed banks in Qatar, KPMG year-on-year. Net profit of all listed of the Board of Directors to dis- plan of the company and corporate with Mackeen Holding company, the past week, the highest weekly yesterday noted Qatar will see an banks has collectively increased tribute cash dividends of QR3 governance report for 2014. which is a board member in rise of the year. Trading value increase in capital market activ- by 12.3 percent in 2014, predomi- per share, 30 percent of its paid The group’s net profit in the Islamic Holding Group, and rati- increased by 73.36 percent and ity in 2015. Banks are looking nantly driven by higher net interest up capital. financial year 2014 amounted to fied the appointment of auditors the volume increased by 109 per- to tap into the sukuk and bond income and lower net impairment The meeting, chaired by Yousef QR16.1m, up 78.9 percent com- for the fiscal year 2014 and their cent in the week. The number of markets, while exploring possible charges. THE PENINSULA Ahmed Al Namah, Chairman of the pared to QR9m reported in the remuneration. THE PENINSULA

Rouble down before talks Banks stand firm despite New law to expedite fall in oil prices: KPMG business registration DOHA: A new Commercial individuals or juristic) to allow DOHA: Qatar’s listed banks continued KPMG in Qatar and Head of the Firm’s Registration law passed last them to carry out commercial to grow in 2014, despite declining oil Financial Services division in the Middle November aims to expedite activities in the country. prices. The banking sector witnessed East and South Asia. business registration and The amended law introduces robust asset growth; lower impairment Deposits are up, with a healthy growth renewal procedures in response a more time-efficient system charges, stronger asset quality and of 11 percent to QR67.5bn on year-on- to demands from the business in terms of accepting or reject- higher profitability last year, KPMG’s year. “This will certainly be an area of community, says a prominent ing a request for registration annual result snapshot for listed banks continued focus for banks in Qatar as law firm. and the process of appealing to in Qatar indicated yesterday. they look to reduce the reliance on large The law, Number 20 of 2014, the Ministry of Economy and “The combined net profitability for one off government deposits. In addition, hopes to achieve this in a number Commerce directly in the event all banks increased by 12 percent from the recently issued Qatar Central Bank of ways, including removing the of rejection. the year ending December 31, 2013, pre- regulations on the ‘loan to deposit’ ratio need for an applicant to challenge Under the previous law dominantly driven by higher net inter- which come into effect over the next few in court the economy ministry’s (Number 25 of 2005) appeals est income and lower net impairment years, will force banks to actively look to decision rejecting a registration were to be made in the courts. charges. Share prices for almost all banks increase their customer deposit base, and request. Under the new legislation, exhibited a positive change from the prior if not then look at restricting their bal- The new law gives the Minister the Commercial Registration period. Islamic bank share prices have ance sheet growth ambitions”, he said. of Economy and Commerce the Department of the ministry is well outperformed their conventional Looking forward, Omar added: “Given authority to hear an applica- required to respond to a registra- counterparts, with an average increase the increasing regulatory pressures, pre- tion after rejection and he must tion request on the same day (on of 41 percent compared to 10 percent for dominantly driven by Basel 3 require- decide within 15 days, says Seem the day the application is made) the conventional banks,” KPMG said. ments that the Qatar Central Bank is Maleh. provided paperwork is complete. The collective asset base of all banks has adopting, it is likely that we will see an Maleh said in a December According to Maleh, the increased by 12 percent, up by QR105.8bn, increase in capital market activity in 2015, 2014-Janaury 2015 issue of an documents needed for registra- from December 2013, which is primarily with banks looking to tap into the sukuk in-house magazine of Al Tamimi tion are trade name’s approval due to the increase in lending portfolios and bond markets while also exploring & Co titled ‘Law Update’, that by the ministry, a letter from a by QR82.6bn, or up 14 percent. This is possible capital raising opportunities”. such applications being heard by bank confirming that the mini- predominantly a result of increased public If there were to be a slowdown in gov- the economy minister will be a mum capital for the company as spending on the back of a gradual accel- ernment spending as a result of a persist- more efficient process as he must required under the Commercial eration of infrastructure projects. ent decline in oil prices, this would have decide within 15 days. Companies Law has been prop- “Strong economic growth and increased an adverse impact on the banking sector, The law regulates the process erly deposited and the approval A woman stands near a board displaying currency public sector infrastructure activity have given the significant reliance on public for Commercial Registrations and authentication of the articles exchange rates in Moscow yesterday. The rouble fell been the main drivers behind the positive sector spending and limited opportuni- at the Ministry of Economy and of association. before talks aimed at bringing an end to fighting in results,” said Omar Mahmood, Partner at ties for retail growth. THE PENINSULA Commerce for persons (whether THE PENINSULA Ukraine, with analysts predicting volatile trading. US airlines disclose details of bookings lost to Gulf carriers

WASHINGTON: US airlines have lost the airlines’ joint-venture partners, such as US airlines and their joint-venture part- carriers used to pay expenses that airlines drive ticket prices down to a point where at least five percentage points of their British Airways and Air France. ners’ share has fallen to 36 percent from typically must cover themselves, such as US airlines could not afford to stay in cer- share of flight bookings from the United In the same time, Qatar Airways, 43 percent of the market between the aircraft acquisitions. “We fully expect the tain markets, costing hundreds of jobs. States to the Indian subcontinent and Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways have eastern United States and Southeast Asia, government to act on the evidence,” Delta’s They say government subsidies enable the Southeast Asia since 2008, due to fierce surpassed them. The Gulf airlines’ share of according to the report. The region includes Hirst said, adding, “From the US airlines’ Gulf carriers to buy planes and add capacity competition from Gulf carriers, accord- that market has jumped to 40 percent from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and standpoint, we’re competing with (foreign) in excess of demand, forcing industrywide ing to a data. only 12 percent seven years ago. the Philippines. governments, not private businesses.” price cuts on certain routes. More recently, US carriers have seen an The report sheds light on the intensi- Gulf carriers, meanwhile, expanded their An official from the US State Department But advocates for travellers say that erosion in their share of bookings to Milan, fying battle between the US carriers and share of bookings to 13 percent from just said the agency was carefully reviewing the slashing prices and improving service is according to a report the US airlines sent their rivals from Qatar and the United Arab 1 percent. The US airlines are stepping up claims and coordinating with other agen- precisely what Open Skies agreements are to the White House and the departments Emirates since “Open Skies” agreements efforts to persuade the American govern- cies. “The US government takes seriously intended to do. “From the passengers’ point of State, Transportation and Commerce. authorised commercial flights between ment to alter or terminate the Open Skies the competition concerns raised by our air- of view, they want as many choices as pos- The 55-page white paper is not yet public. those countries and the United States more pacts. The white paper, citing confidential lines,” the official said in an email on con- sible,” said Erik Hansen, a senior director The report says the combined share of than a decade ago. The data shows that the financial statements from the Gulf airlines, dition of anonymity. “However, we remain at the US Travel Association, a non-profit bookings between the United States and the Gulf carriers have eroded US airlines’ mar- alleged that their rivals have received subsi- committed to the Open Skies policy, which industry group based in Washington. Indian subcontinent for Delta Air Lines, ket share even beyond the subcontinent, dies from their home governments contrary has greatly benefited the travelling public, Executives of the Gulf carriers dis- United Airlines and American Airlines has although bookings to the region resulted in to US trade policy. The report says loans, the US aviation industry, American cities, pute the US carriers’ charges that they fallen to 34 percent in 2014 from 39 per- the largest revenue hit so far, Delta Chief tax exemptions and other support totalled and the broader US economy.” have received unfair subsidies and cent in 2008. The drop includes bookings on Legal Officer Ben Hirst said. more than $40bn since 2004, which the Gulf The report says the Gulf carriers could bailouts. REUTERS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS UK may follow US lead in HSBC issue RCOM, Avaya in deal for tech US has set pace for legal action in such cases for helping American clients evade taxes upgrade of LONDON: British authorities for helping US clients evade taxes, his comments. A BBC report on for the UK’s tax authority and Ruth Wharram said. There is may follow a trail set by their have relied on the fact bankers Monday alleged that staff from financial regulator to investigate no record on the FCA register of customer care US counterparts in investigat- not only serviced clients from HSBC’s Swiss private bank trav- its business. HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA. ing allegations that HSBC’s Switzerland but travelled to the elled to the UK on at least two It is not illegal to have a Swiss Similar rules apply in the DOHA: Reliance Swiss private bank helped United States to drum up busi- occasions to advise clients on how bank account but the allegations United States where Credit Communications (RCOM), its customers dodge taxes, law- ness. The banks ended up paying to evade paying taxes. that HSBC’s Swiss private bank Suisse agreed last year to pay India’s fully-integrated telecom- yers say. billions of dollars to settle the The report was based on data helped some of its clients dodge $196m and admit wrongdoing to munications service provider, Any prosecution against the charges. leaked by former HSBC employee tax could open the parent group settle charges it violated securi- yesterday entered into a multi- bank or individuals could hinge A similar legal argument could Herve Falciani which was pub- up to prosecution by Britain’s ties laws. year, multi-million dollar mega- on whether HSBC’s Swiss private apply in the UK. lished on Sunday by news outlets financial regulator, lawyers said. Other countries are already agreement with Avaya Inc, the banking unit sent staff to the UK “If there were conversations and the International Consortium British rules require organisa- taking action against HSBC based leading provider of customer and and advised clients on how to here, in furtherance of an agree- of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). tions selling regulated financial on data leaked by Falciani and team engagement solutions, to evade British taxes and whether ment to commit dishonest tax London-based HSBC admit- advice or investment products previously obtained by tax author- transform its call centre opera- top executives were aware of any crime, then that would be enough ted failings in compliance and in the UK to be regulated by the ities. In November Argentina tions, the company said in a such advice. to give the UK jurisdiction,” said controls at HSBC Private Bank Financial Conduct Authority, or charged the bank with helping statement yesterday. The US has set the pace for Monty Raphael, a lawyer who (Suisse) SA on Sunday after to “passport in” from another more than 4,000 clients evade With more than 110 million cus- legal action in such cases, where specializes in white collar crime allegations in news outlets that European Economic Area (EEA) taxes. HSBC Argentina rejected tomers, RCOM is one of India’s prosecutions of Swiss banks, and tax cases. it helped international clients country where the institution is the charge, saying it respected largest telecom service providers. including UBS and Credit Suisse, Three other tax experts echoed hide money. This has led to calls regulated, FCA spokeswoman Argentine law. REUTERS Avaya will transform RCOM’s existing call centre operations to the most advanced digitally-ena- bled customer engagement cen- Safer Internet Day event tres. The objective is to provide an enhanced and consistent cus- tomer experience across all their customer touch points and help enhance the customer life-time value. Avaya has won the services contract to implement and manage the new centre technology for the next five years. A large number of the solutions that RCOM is investing in are born in Avaya’s R&D lab in India, the largest in the world for the glo- bal solutions provider. Avaya will invest in long-term training and support of RCOM’s technical team and its call centre agents, pro- tecting the company’s workforce, upgrading its skills and transform- ing its call centre operations into a strategic asset for growth. Gurdeep Singh, CEO, Consumer Business, RCOM, said: “We are investing in one of the best call centre technologies available in the world today to deliver a differenti- ated experience to our customers.” Nidal Abu-Ltaif, President, Avaya GGM, said: “We are proud to have been chosen by RCOM to transform its customer experience Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg speaks during a Safer Internet Day event at Facebook headquarters and even more proud that this in Menlo Park, California. The Safer Internet Day event is designed to promote safe, effective use of transformation project is leverag- the Internet and mobile technology. ing the mobile technology environ- ment.” THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Greek minister enters Greek banks’ solvency not eurozone lions’ den at risk: ECB FRANKFURT: Greek banks are not currently at risk of run- Wants debt rescheduled, transition without troika ning out of money, a member of the European Central Bank’s ATHENS/BRUSSELS: Varoufakis was accompanied by “Grexit” was on the cards, decision-making governing Greek Finance Minister Yanis Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Varoufakis told reporters on council said in an interview Varoufakis began tense talks Dragasakis. Athens’s partners arrival: “Absolutely not.” published yesterday. “At the with eurozone finance ministers warned that time was short since Economists polled this week moment, the solvency is Greek yesterday after his new leftist- the bailout programme expires estimated a one in four chance of banks is not at risk,” Bostjan led government won a parlia- at the end of this month with no Greece leaving the 19-nation sin- Jazbec, the head of Slovenia’s mentary confidence vote for its solution in sight so far. gle currency area this year — the central bank, told the German refusal to extend an interna- Spanish Finance Minister highest reading since the start of business daily Handelsblatt. tional bailout. Luis de Guindos, whose country the Greek debt crisis in late 2009. The ECB last week said it The former academic said avoided a sovereign bailout but Most analysts said the odds would restrict Greek banks’ before leaving Athens he was had to take EU aid to rescue its were on an agreement between access to a key channel of financ- ready for a clash with eurozone banks, spelt out the hard line. Greece and the eurozone emerg- ing by refusing to accept Greek paymaster Germany and its allies “Rules must be respected by all. ing later this month after lots of sovereign bonds as loan collateral. over Greece’s decision to scrap They apply to all,” he said. sound and fury. “We think that the But a day later, it also gave a austerity measures, end coop- Varoufakis had a prior meet- European community and Greek green light to the provision of eration with the “troika” of EU/ ing with International Monetary authorities will reach a compro- emergency liquidity assistance ECB/IMF officials overseeing its Fund chief , mise such that there will not be an (ELA) to any Greek bank that bailout programme and demand which both said was construc- exit of Greece from the eurozone,” needs it. One central bank source a “haircut” reducing its debt tive. Lagarde flew to Brussels to James McCormack, Global Head said that the ECB had approved burden. “If a debt can no longer join the Eurogroup meeting in a of Sovereign and Supranational the provision of up to $68bn in be paid off then that leads to a sign of the importance the IMF Group at credit ratings agency ELA funds. The ELA facility was haircut,” Varoufakis told German attaches to the Greek crisis. Fitch Ratings, said. set up precisely to help banks suf- magazine Stern in an interview “They are competent, intelli- European Union leaders fering from temporary liquidity released yesterday. “What is criti- gent, they’ve thought about their will take up the issue at their problems. And other countries’ cal is that Greece’s debt cannot be issues. We have to listen to them, first summit with Greek Prime banks had benefitted from ELA IMF’s Christine Lagarde (left) and Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis paid off in the near future.” we are starting to work together Minister Alexis Tsipras today. EU in the past, Jazbec noted. German Finance Minister and it is a process that is start- officials said they would be briefed at the start of Special Eurogroup meeting of finance ministers at EU council Asked whether there was a risk Wolfgang Schaeuble has said that ing and is going to last a certain on the talks but there would be headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. that the ECB might also switch if Greece is not willing to request time,” she told reporters. no room for debt negotiation at off the ELA channel of funding an extension of its €240bn bail- Greek bond yields rose and a summit mostly devoted to the austerity. “We are not negotiating the streets of Athens and other for Greek banks, Jazbec replied: out — the biggest in financial shares fell before the meeting, Ukraine-Russia conflict, fighting the bailout; it was cancelled by its cities yesterday to demonstrate “There is always a danger of this.” history — “then that’s it”, ruling with investors concerned that terrorism and longer-term reform own failure,” the leader of the hard support for his government in But he said: “It is therefore cru- out further assistance or debt failure to reach a deal in the next of the eurozone’s governance. left Syriza party declared before the Brussels negotiations. Smaller cial that this be monitored closely. forgiveness. couple of weeks could lead to a Tsipras, 40, struck a defiant winning the confidence vote with leftist satellite rallies were planned I’m convinced that the Greek banks Eurozone ministers said they possible Greek default and exit tone in parliament late on Tuesday, the backing of 162 lawmakers in in Brussels, outside the European and the Greek central bank will do wanted to hear Greece’s ideas at from the euro currency. saying that “little Greece” was the 300-seat chamber. Central Bank in Frankfurt and in everything to ward off any dangers a meeting in Brussels, at which Asked whether a so-called changing Europe by casting off At least 10,000 Greeks took to London. REUTERS for the financial system.” AFP Athens, OECD to draft reform programme

ATHENS: Greek Prime Co-operation and Development. count on the OECD to implement “We have aims in common with Minister Alexis Tsipras yester- Tsipras said it would also be your programme.” the OECD and we can cooperate day announced plans to work anchored in the government The Greek stock market opened closely to realise these aims,” he with the OECD to draft a pro- policies presented to parliament down yesterday and dropped said. Greece raised €1.14bn in gramme of reforms to boost on Sunday, which include a raft more than 3 percent after the EU three-month bonds yesterday, growth in the debt-laden coun- of emergency social measures snubbed a leaked 10-point plan but rates were up and demand try, which is hoping to renegoti- that would break the conditions the radical left government was was down for the second time in ate its bailout commitments. of the bailout if implemented. “I expected to present to Brussels. a row for the new government, The programme will be based will be in Paris soon to officialise Tsipras was quick to reas- after difficulties in selling six- “not on what was previously this cooperation and agree on the sure ordinary Greeks angry over month paper last week. decided but on popular mandate,” steps to take,” he said. perceived intervention from The rate was 2.5 percent, com- he told a news conference after Gurria said the OECD was Germany and the EU that “this pared with 2.15 percent secured People wave Greek flags as they demonstrate in front of Parliament to meeting Angel Gurria, head of “here to work with and for isn’t someone from abroad coming on comparable bonds issued on support their new anti-austerity government in Athens yesterday. the Organisation for Economic Greece,” adding: “Our message is, here and telling us what to do.” January 14. AFP Asiana orders Boeing restructures defence, space business 25 A321neo WASHINGTON: Boeing Co key development programmes, across Boeing to our most impor- He said the restructuring In addition to the tanker pro- yesterday announced a major just as Boeing has a separate tant development activities.” would help Boeing’s defence and gramme, BDS Development will for $2.8bn restructuring of its defence group to oversee development of Boeing said Jim O’Neill, head space business focus on four core oversee the Air Force’s pro- and space business to tighten new commercial airplanes. of the defence division’s Global missions: creating new opportuni- gramme to build a new presiden- PARIS: Asiana has placed oversight of the troubled $52bn “This BDS Development Services and Support unit, will ties, executing development of key tial aircraft; Boeing’s work on a a $2.8bn order for 25 Airbus KC-46A aerial tanker and other organisation is the next step in run the new organisation. Leanne programs, producing weapons, commercial crew vehicle to ferry A321neo aircraft, the South key development programmes, breaking the cost curve on our Caret, chief financial officer of and supporting them once fielded. astronauts to the International Korean airline and the cut costs and keep programmes programmes,” Chadwick said in Boeing defence, will take over The move comes amid growing Space Station; NASA’s Space European group said yesterday. on schedule. a statement. He said the move O’Neill’s job, and she will be suc- concern about Boeing’s ability to Lauch System rocket; Boeing’s “With the A321neo we will Chris Chadwick, president and would allow Boeing to “more effec- ceeded by Jim Zrust, Boeing’s top meet the August 2017 target for 502 small satellite effort; and the be able to look forward to even chief executive officer of Boeing’s tively apply engineering expertise, tax official. “This is a major struc- delivering 18 new KC-46A refuel- defence unit’s work on the rudder, greater levels of efficiency, with $31bn Defence, Space & Security development programme best tural change, but it’s also a major ling planes to the US Air Force folding wing tips and other com- a 20 percent reduction in fuel business, or BDS, said a new practices, and programme man- philosophical change,” said Boeing after a series of technical and ponents of the 777X commercial consumption and increased fly- organisation would oversee six agement and integration from spokesman Todd Blecher. integration challenges. airliner. REUTERS ing range,” Asiana CEO Kim Soo Cheon was quoted as saying in a statement from Airbus. Asiana Airlines said the fuel- efficient planes with a capacity for 180 passengers — worth a cata- Qatar, Japan discuss logue price total of $3.1bn — would help it to meet rising regional demand, especially from China. South Korea’s second-largest sustainable development carrier said the planes would be delivered between 2019 and 2025. DOHA: Senior government CEO of Doha Bank, emphasised Asiana said the order would officials and leading businesses, the unique and extraordinary complete the modernisation of including representatives from bilateral relationship between its overall fleet, following plans several prominent Japanese Japan and Qatar. to introduce four A380 super- companies yesterday discussed Seetharaman said: “Japan was jumbo jets by 2016 in addition to how Japanese technologies can among the first countries to rec- two that have already been deliv- help Qatar achieve the goal of ognise Qatar, and was also the first ered, followed by 30 midsize A350s sustainable development and country to identify the sizeable between 2017 and 2025. other targets in line with the market opportunities presented by The new aircraft will replace National Vision 2030, said a this small nation. Japan was the the company’s ageing A321-200s statement. first LNG buyer from Qatar and currently used on routes into The technology conference, remains one of the largest import- China and Southeast Asia. hosted by Doha Bank, was pre- ers of Qatari LNG in the world. Compared with its bigger sided over by Shingo Tsuda, Bilateral trade between Japan and domestic rival, Korean Air, Asiana Japanese Ambassador to Qatar, Qatar today is more than $38bn, has focused on short-haul routes. and Remy Rowhani, Director which reflects the strengthening The investment plan came as General of the Qatar Chamber. trade and economic bonds between airline operators seek to capitalise Titled “Japan Electronics the two nations. Japan – A friend on soaring demand from China’s Technology Forum for Sustainable Indeed for Qatar. Japanese com- Officials at the conference. increasingly affluent population Development of Qatar”, the con- panies are known for their abil- and attract more Asian pas- ference was attended by senior ity to anticipate and act upon sengers travelling to the United executives from a number of changes in market conditions and I started my professional train- on how NEC is building safe Ministry of Economy, Trade and States and Europe. leading Japanese IT and elec- requirements, and are renowned ing with the Japanese, and I’ve and secure societies around the Industry, said, “Japan and Qatar Asiana also reported a net tronics companies including worldwide for their technology always been struck by the inher- world by harnessing the power of have strong relations in the field profit of 62.7bn won ($57m) for Fujitsu, Sharp, ODELIC, NEC leadership and innovation.” ent concept of humility within the Information and Communications of energy, and we are very eager 2014, a turnaround from a loss Corporation, Terumo, Nihon Remy Rowhani in his address Japanese culture.” Technologies (ICT). to further develop our strategic of 114.7bn won a year ago, helped Kohden, Endo Lighting, Kyoritsu, recalled his long association with Mohamed Abouda, Director, Miura Takatoshi, Director of partnership by broadening our by the weak yen and falling oil and Nagase. Japan and Japanese organisa- Public Safety Business at NEC Information and Communications cooperation into newer areas.” prices. AFP Dr R Seetharaman, Group tions. “When I was a young man, Corporation, shared insights – Electronics at the Japanese THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Egypt reforms starting to spur turnaround: IMF Nation needs to find a way of creating good jobs while reducing budget deficit, says international lender

CAIRO: The International investors conference in March. for its people while at the same Egypt’s gross domestic product since the 2011 uprising dried up In its release, the IMF wel- Monetary Fund said yester- “The measures implemented so time reducing its budget deficit is expected to grow 4 percent in its two main foreign currency comed recent movements in the day that Egypt’s structural and far, along with some recovery in and maintaining foreign exchange the current financial year to the sources — tourism and foreign exchange rates “as an important monetary reforms were start- confidence, are starting to pro- reserves,” he told reporters. end of June, up from 2.2 percent investment. Finance Minister step in the right direction”. ing to produce a turnaround in duce a turnaround,” said the IMF The IMF projected growth last year, Prime Minister Ibrahim Hani Kadry Dimian said yester- The Egyptian central bank has the economy, which has been hit in a press release at the conclu- to reach 3.8 percent in 2014- Mehleb said yesterday. The IMF day however, that this was not taken several measures to curb by persistent turmoil since 2011. sion of its consultations. 15 and to rise to 5 percent over said there was a need to broaden priority. “We’re open to all types the black market. It has allowed The uprising that toppled Egypt’s finance minister the medium term. Although an tax revenues, including by enact- of collaboration with all institu- the pound to depreciate after six Hosni Mubarak four years ago described the report as “very improvement from the lows hit ing value-added tax (VAT), while tions, with all sources of financ- months of stability, giving banks hit the country’s economy hard, balanced”, adding that it was not after the turmoil began, at these the decline in oil prices reflected ing as needed. But there are no a wider band around the official discouraging investors and tour- currently planning to discuss a growth rates the country will still an opportunity to accelerate concrete plans for the time being rate in which to trade dollars and ists and slashing growth to below new loan deal with the IMF. struggle to create enough jobs for energy subsidy reforms. to talk about, or to consider, an limiting the amount of dollars 2 percent in 2010-2011. The IMF Mission Chief to its rapidly growing population. In July, Egypt slashed subsidies IMF financing package,” he said. that banks can deposit. Egypt’s current government Egypt, Chris Jarvis, stressed that The lender said it expected that have long weighed on state Jarvis said the IMF stood will- Nevertheless, the IMF said has since embarked on a series Egypt needed to create jobs, in a fiscal consolidation to bring the finances, causing energy prices to ing to help Egypt. “If Egypt asks Egypt’s exchange rate appeared of reforms, and asked the IMF country where the unemploy- budget deficit below 8 percent of rise but signalling the government for financial support, we can offer overvalued and “there is consid- to assess its financial and eco- ment rate is 13 percent. “The GDP by 2018-19. Lower fiscal defi- was ready to take tough decisions. that, together with the credibility erable scope for macroeconomic nomic condition in the hope that most important economic prior- cits will also “support the targeted The IMF and Egypt have spo- that comes with having an IMF policies and structural reforms to a positive report would boost its ity for Egypt is jobs. Egypt needs reduction in inflation to 7 percent radically discussed a loan worth programme, but I should stress improve competitiveness”. image ahead of an international to find a way of creating good jobs over the medium term”. up to $4.8bn to help the economy that this is a choice for Egypt.” REUTERS

Sigfox raises €100m Lufthansa will fly to Time Warner Panama for first time profit beats

DOHA: Passengers from the from Panama City in the early Middle East will soon have evening as a night flight and land estimates more destination choices as at Frankfurt Airport the follow- Lufthansa is further expand- ing morning. NEWYORK: Time Warner ing its route network to South “This new route is good news Inc reported a better-than- America. From November 16, for both our leisure and busi- expected quarterly profit, the airline will offer year-round ness passengers here in the helped by higher subscription flights to Panama City for the Middle East. With booming trade fees for channels offered by its first time, subject to govern- between the Qatar and Panama, Turner Broadcasting and Home ment approval, a press state- the new connection via our hub in Box Office (HBO) businesses. ment from the company said Frankfurt opens more channels Revenue from Turner yesterday. and possibilities to reach South Broadcasting, which operates Flying from Doha and arriv- America. Our passengers will also channels such as CNN, TNT and ing early morning at Frankfurt, have ample time to relax at our Cartoon Network, rose 2.3 per- an Airbus A340-300 aircraft will lounges in Frankfurt during their cent to $2.6bn in the fourth quar- fly five times a week between connecting time,” said Karsten ter ended December 31. Frankfurt and the economic Zang, General Manager, UAE The business, which accounts metropolis in Central America. and Director Gulf and Pakistan, for 34.6 percent of total revenue, Flight LH 484 will take off from Lufthansa German Airlines. was boosted by higher domestic Lufthansa’s Frankfurt hub in the On board, passengers can expect rates and growth in international morning at 10.15 and arrive in to find Lufthansa’s usual high level markets. Revenue from HBO, Panama in the afternoon at 4.40 of comfort. A total of 298 seats will which contributes about 18 per- (local time) after a flight time be available in Business, Premium cent to total revenue, rose 6.2 of 12 hours and 25 minutes. The Economy and Economy Class. French start-up Sigfox Chairman Anne Lauvergeon (left) and CEO Ludovic Le Moan attend a news conference percent to $1.3bn. The business return flight LH 485 will depart THE PENINSULA in Paris yesterday. Sigfox has raised €100m from seven heavy-weight investors to help it build new networks is home to popular programmes globally to connect everything from washing machines to smart metres to the Internet. such as “Game of Thrones” and “True Detective”. However a 4.5 percent decline in revenue in its Warner Bros movie studio business pulled Time Warner’s total revenue down 1 PepsiCo profit beats estimates; $12bn buyback planned percent to $7.53bn. The decline in revenue at the NEW YORK: PepsiCo Inc been pushing Pepsi for about two York-based Pepsi were up 2.2 in overall prices and sales of of overseas sales, but the results studio, which contributes half yesterday reported a higher- years to separate its snack divi- percent at $100.10 in morning non-carbonated drinks in North exceeded the analysts’ average of total revenue, was due to the than-expected quarterly profit, sion from its beverage business to trading. America. “We have momentum,” estimate of $19.66bn, according home entertainment releases helped by increased sales at its make two leaner and more entre- Sales in Pepsi’s North American Chief Financial Officer Hugh to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. of “Edge of Tomorrow” and Frito-Lay snack business, and preneurial companies. In January, snack business rose 3 percent in Johnston said, noting the compa- Net income attributable to “Tammy” not matching up to the said it would buy back up to Pepsi said it had elected William the fourth quarter. The business ny’s growth with retailers in the the company fell to $1.31bn from success of movies such as “Man $12bn in stock by 2018. Johnson, a Trian adviser and has been a bright spot for the United States. “We are absolutely $1.74bn. Excluding items such as of Steel”, “Pacific Rim” and “The The company also raised its former HJ Heinz Co chief execu- company, helping its stock vastly rolling right now.” restructuring charges, earnings Hangover Part III” a year earlier. annual dividend by 7.3 percent tive officer, to its board. outperform that of larger rival Johnston, however, said mac- were $1.12 per share. Analysts Time Warner is also foray- to $2.81 per share and said it In a note, Stifel Nicolaus ana- Coca-Cola Co in the past year. roeconomic conditions remained were expecting $1.08. ing into video-streaming, with a expected to return $8.5bn to $9bn lyst Mark Swartzberg said he had Sales in Pepsi’s beverage busi- tough and that the stronger dollar “Volumes and profits by seg- standalone product for HBO that to shareholders through payouts an “improved long-term outlook ness, which has been hurt by a was a challenge. ment generally came in ahead of will make the channel available and buybacks this year. (on Pepsi) from Trian’s influence long-term decline in soft drink Fourth-quarter net revenue fell expectations,” Jefferies analyst to people without cable subscrip- Activist investor Nelson Peltz’s on the board.” sales in the United States, rose about 1 percent to $19.95bn as the Kevin Grundy said in a note. tions this year. Trian Fund Management has Shares of Purchase, New 1 percent, helped by an increase stronger dollar reduced the value REUTERS REUTERS

Alpen Capital World’s biggest airport operator gets licence for new services AENA jumps in market debut

DOHA: Alpen Capital LLC has MADRID: Shares in the shareholder in Spanish infra- the first nine months to €2.39bn been granted a licence by the world’s biggest airport operator, structure group FCC in one of thanks to a rise in airport traf- Securities and Commodities Spain’s AENA, took off in their the most high profile signs of the fic as Spain’s economy picked up Authority (SCA) to provide stock market debut yesterday, a improved investor sentiment for and stronger sales from duty free Financial Consultation and fresh sign of a recovery in inves- Spain. shops. Spain, which is privatising Financial Analysis services in tor appetite for Spanish assets Strong investor interest allowed the company, has a public debt Abu Dhabi, the company said in as the nation returns to growth. AENA on Tuesday to set the price load expected to surpass 100 per- a statement yesterday. Shares in the state-owned firm for its shares in the flotation at cent of gross domestic product Alpen Capital is a regional jumped by nearly 16 percent to the very top of the range of the this year. It plans to keep a 51 per- boutique investment bank which €67.11 minutes after noon, when €53-58 per share, which valued cent controlling stake in the firm. started operations in Dubai in AENA Executive Chairman Jose the firm at €8.7bn ($9.8bn). The AENA fixed the size of the 2004. It provides advisory solu- Manuel Vargas rang the bell, to company runs 46 airports and two offering at 44.55 percent of its tions in the areas of M&A, debt, kick off Europe’s largest initial heliports in Spain and another capital, an amount that can be equity and capital markets. It has a public offering since 2011 accord- 15 in Latin America, the United raised to 49 percent if an over- wide presence in the GCC covering ing to analysts at Link Securities. States and Europe, including allotment option is exercised, the markets of UAE, Qatar, Oman, “The company generates very London’s Luton. which would raise over €4bn for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. It also strong investor interest,” he said It handled nearly 196 million the state. “AENA will continue to has offices in India. Over the last at the Madrid stock exchange. passengers last year, a 4.5 percent be a public firm,” Public Works 10 years, Alpen Capital has exe- It is the first major listing in increase over 2013, making it the Minister Ana Pastor said on the cuted several complex transactions Spain since lender Bankia’s trou- world’s biggest airport operator eve of the listing. In January 2012 and worked for some of the larg- bled flotation in 2011 which ended by passenger numbers. Spain’s new conservative govern- est business conglomerates in the with the bank needing a massive Hit hard by Spain’s economic ment shelved plans to partially GCC and India. Alpen Capital also bailout from the central govern- downturn, the operator under- privatise AENA until November provides in-depth research on GCC ment and the European Union. went a massive overhaul which 2014 due to tepid investor interest. sectors covering growth trends, But since then the Spanish included cutting jobs and hik- The original initial price offer- Jose Manuel Vargas Gomez (right), president of Spanish airports group challenges and opportunities. economy, the eurozone’s fourth ing airport fees that have helped ing plan set a price range of Aena, talks to Globalia President Juan Jose Hidalgo during Aena’s stock “Our Abu Dhabi office is now largest, has rebounded with restore it back to financial health. between €41.50 and 53.30 a share market debut at the bourse in Madrid yesterday. operational and the team is in growth of 1.4 percent in 2014 after The company reported a net but it was lifted twice since due place. The licence will enable us to five years of recession or stagna- profit of €596.7m ($689.1m) for to the company improved results. serve our Abu Dhabi clients bet- tion following the collapse of a 2013, emerging from a net loss of The Spanish government had group Ferrovial and Spanish fund operation. TCI and billionaire ter and meet their requirements,” building boom in 2008, and inves- €63.5m the previous year. envisaged the sale of 21 percent Grupo Alba. But the three firms financier George Soros bought says Rohit Walia, Executive tors have returned to the country. Results for 2014 are not yet of the operator’s shares to three had offered a lower price and the shares in the flotation, accord- Chairman, Alpen Capital Mexican billionaire Carlos available, but AENA said its rev- anchor investors — British hedge increase in AENA’s valuation ing to Spanish business daily THE PENINSULA Slim last year became the biggest enues rose 6.4 percent during fund TCI, Spanish infrastructure edged the first two out of the Expansion. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,689.28 0.17 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 19,046.2 0.17 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,439.52 0.46 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,281.08 0.21 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,288.77 0.53 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5731.72 -25.719 -0.45 5803 5248.5 QE All Share Industrials 4,056.3 0.85 % QR145.0200 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,487.52 0.63 % Cac 40 Index/D 4665.16 -30.49 -0.65 4716.49 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,604.19 0.13 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5350 QR 5.6129 QE All Share Insurance 4,016.26 1.22 % Dj Indu Average 17868.76 139.55 0.79 18103.4 15733.69 QR 1.9917 Euro ...... QR 4.0949 QR 4.1519 QE All Share Telecoms 1,448.68 0.68 % CA$ ...... QR 2.8594 QR 2.9162 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,454.41 1.16 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24315.02 -213.08 -0.87 25048.26 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9135 QR 3.9684 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5653.11 13.42 0.24 5648.13 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0302 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7923 QR 2.8476 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 34203.99 -228.9 -0.66 35055.94 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 11-02-2015 09-02-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0579 QR 0.0590 Index 12,689.28 12,667.33 Nikkei 225 Index 17652.68 -59.25 -0.33 17850.59 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0356 QR 0.0363 Change 21.95 43.40 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0813 QR 0.0829 S&P 500 Index/D 2068.59 21.85 1.07 2093.55 1791.83 % 0.17 0.34 $ 56.00 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 3.28 3.11 Straits Times/D 3444.57 10.33 0.3 3441.66 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0474 Volume 33,412,939 42,364,854 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0365 QR 0.0372 Value (QAR) 985,802,612.22 1,313,883,355.02 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3058 QR 0.3119 Trades 9,957 12,350 $ 53.58 Up 19 | Down 20 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 11- 02-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 156 12.8 1750 Chowgule St-T/D 25.5 -0.2 6263 Hcl Infosys-B/D 45.3 0.5 355226 Kalyani Stel-T/D 134.4 -3.15 54724 Punjab Chem.-B/D 115 14.1 16612 Gkn/D 368.4 -8.3 1738701 A C C-A/D 1556 -5.45 42857 Cimmco-B/D 72.7 4.75 10180 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.85 0.1 1144914 Kanoria Chem-B/D 39.5 0.1 34123 Radico Khait-B/D 85.5 -0.4 82386 Hsbc Holdings/D 591 -6.8 7366579 Aarti Drugs-B/D 1203 11.85 1798 Cipla-A/D 636.1 -3.2 471161 Himat Seide-B/D 81.95 2.05 44211 Kg Denim-B/D 22.8 -0.1 32064 Rallis India-A/D 230.6 -1.15 17889 Imperial Tobac/D 3052 -26 358253 Aban Offs-A/D 476.5 1.15 160916 City Union Bk-/D 95.55 0.3 37274 Hind Motors-T/D 7.24 -0.01 38874 Kilburnengg-T/D 45.6 2 27752 Rallis India-A/D 230.6 -1.15 17889 Kingfisher/D 338.3662 -3.1 1216199 Aegis Logis-B/D 415.5 5 2415 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1871.3 20.7 1704 Hind Org Chem-/D 18.5 0.45 19107 Kinetic Eng-B/D 42.4 0.05 3363 Reliance Indus/D 441.25 14.8 110888 Land Secs Grou/D 1263.25 -5 304734 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 308.1 10.6 84169 Colgate-A/D 1850.25 19.15 10453 Hind Unilever-/D 902.55 13.1 107506 Kopran-B/D 50.3 0.5 96290 Ruchi Soya-B/D 36.6 0.65 32972 Legal & Genera/D 268.4 -2.2 3335960 Alembic-B/D 40.4 0.55 107900 Container Cor-/D 1414.25 12.85 2912 Hind.Petrol-A/D 598.85 15.7 248596 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 355 -14.8 5028 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 621.75 9.5 2179 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 74.22 -0.79 33830264 Alkyl Amines-B/D 330 0.55 4076 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 151.9 -0.1 4722 Hindalco-A/D 149.85 0.65 610664 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 12.5 -0.08 4533 Salora Inter-B/D 36 -0.3 5718 Marks & Sp./D 492.1 -6.6 1845441 Alok Indus-A/D 9.71 0.31 1416982 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 86.5 -2.15 1860 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1247.4 2.6 89261 Lupin-A/D 1590.65 28.05 40970 Saur.Cem-B/D 41.8 0.05 85540 Next/D 7210 -40 77965 Apollo Tyre-A/D 179.5 -3.1 1121870 Dhampur Sugar-/D 38.6 -1.95 40988 I F C I-A/D 36.9 1.55 834204 Lyka Labs-T/D 41.25 1.95 215242 Savita Oil-B/D 626.9 14.95 3256 Pearson/D 1366 -18 748041 Asahi I Glass-/D 142.75 5.6 13141 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3154.45 26 16449 Idbi-A/D 66.7 1.7 310650 Mah.Seamless-B/D 205 1.1 8913 Sterling Tool-/D 320.15 -8.45 2156 Prudential/D 1601.5 -20 657068 Ashok Leyland-/D 64.35 3.55 2683215 E I H-B/D 111.05 2.65 54771 Ifb Agro-B/D 280.05 4.75 7747 Maha Scooter-B/D 854.8 -20.85 3196 Tanfac Indust-/D 20.25 0.25 3182 Rank Group/D 188.46 2.5 41408 Ballarpur In-B/D 14.9 0.3 155270 E.I.D Parry-A/D 183.05 -3.45 15779 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 475 23.95 8333 Mangalam Cem-B/D 282.3 3.75 10139 Tanfac Indust-/D 20.25 0.25 3182 Rentokil Initi/D 121.4 -0.4 233507 Bata India-A/D 1292.9 -31.85 38681 Eicher Motor-A/D 16134.6 946.15 7928 India Cement-A/D 95 3.55 407258 Maral Overs-B/D 23 0 3300 Thirumalai-B/D 80.55 2.15 4386 Rolls Royce Pl/D 909.55 -8.5 1822067 Beml Ltd-A/D 960.15 93.65 331125 Electrosteel-B/D 17.35 0.3 162618 India Glycol-B/D 103.25 3 13018 Mastek-B/D 398.15 17.7 218049 Til Ltd.-T/D 455.05 -8.15 20494 Rsa Insrance G/D 442 -2.5 613606 Bh Electronic-/D 3499.75 150.8 55307 Emco-B/D 37.75 -0.3 91960 Indian Hotel-A/D 116.7 -1.05 35318 Max India L-A/D 468.2 8.6 72287 Timexgroup-T/D 16.95 -0.05 27062 Sainsbury(J)/D 265.4 0.2 1207889 Bhansali Eng-T/D 17.1 -0.3 8778 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.37 -0.03 4546 Indo-Tcount-T/D 446.25 13.85 40302 Mrpl-A/D 54.65 -0.55 80615 Tinplate-B/D 60 1.4 25790 Severn Trent/D 2053.58 -6 158795 Bharat Bijle-B/D 646.2 21.85 11969 Escorts-A/D 116.7 4.7 587614 Indusind-A/D 854 12.05 65263 Nahar Spg.-B/D 87.9 1.2 6344 Ucal Fuel-B/D 125.5 0.75 42308 Smith&Nephew/D 1169.15 -13 566244 Bharatgears-B/D 74 1.9 5346 Essar Oil-T/D 113 -2.1 114456 J.B.Chemical-B/D 185.2 3.15 14217 Nation Alum -A/D 49.5 0 665937 Ucal Fuel-B/D 125.5 0.75 42308 Smiths Group/D 1150 -14 316529 Bhartiya Int-B/D 400.25 -2.35 1458 Eveready Indu-/D 196.2 3.2 54791 Jagson Phar-B/D 32.55 0.1 27576 Navneet Edu-B/D 105.2 0.05 12748 Ultramarine-B/D 68.2 1.2 7745 Standrd Chart /D 922.6 7.2 1970442 Bhel-A/D 255.2 -6.3 693628 F D C-B/D 154 -0.15 15733 Jbf Indu-B/D 249.75 10 73698 Nepc India-T/D 2.78 -0.07 9096 Unitech P -A/D 16.3 0.65 8478768 Tate & Lyle/D 562.9 -7.5 746914 Bom.Burmah-B/D 420.25 6.5 73212 Federal Bank-A/D 139.75 2.4 147922 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.6 0 22748 Neuland Lab-B/D 321 -5.15 5713 Tesco/D 241.1 -0.75 7333519 Bombay Dyeing-/D 77.75 2.8 774418 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.53 -0.07 45522 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.98 0.23 109341 Nrb Bearings-B/D 130.15 4.05 5046 LONDON Unilever/D 2803 -8 521738 Camph.& All-B/D 295 1.1 3438 Finolex-A/D 279 -2.35 13614 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.05 0.04 8316 O N G C-A/D 345.6 -9.35 309049 United Util Gr/D 976.5 16 819997 Canfin Homes-B/D 595 -8.65 14125 Forbes-B/D 2097.2 37.35 5018 Jindal Drill-B/D 156.95 -0.05 3885 Ocl India-B/D 580.7 6.8 6942 3I Group/D 472.2 -1.9 270612 Vodafone Group/D 229.675 -1.25 14050133 Caprihans-B/D 81.6 0.9 1832 Gail-A/D 409.75 -0.5 178436 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 120.6 -1.3 569445 Oil Country-B/D 34 -0.05 4756 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2987 -22 228104 Whitbread/D 4902 -54 209648 Castrol India-/D 491.6 14.6 67197 Galada Power-T/D 25.8 -0.1 9160 Jmc Projects-T/D 175.1 12.75 5573 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.95 1.3 165298 Barclays/D 251.225 -2 7479713 Century Enka-B/D 160.35 2.55 10319 Gammon India-T/D 19 -0.8 270311 Kabra Extr-B/D 90 -0.1 2636 Orient Hotel-T/D 23 0.5 2525 Bg Group/D 920.7 -13.6 1858930 Century Text-A/D 500.25 14.4 159873 Godfrey Phil-B/D 500 1.6 1605 Kajaria Cer-A/D 794.95 -5.1 8097 Orient.Carb.-T/D 454.4 -8.2 12460 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3617.5 -30 503722 Chambal Fert-B/D 62.15 0.6 150008 Goodricke-B/D 142.2 2.3 3802 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 111 9.35 7031 Orient.Carb.-T/D 454.4 -8.2 12460 Bt Group/D 455.525 11.8 16917503 Chola Invest-B/D 544.65 -1.1 16744 Goodyear I -B/D 582.85 6.65 14647 Kalpat Power-B/D 226.75 -1.65 23872 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19 -0.35 2211 Centrica/D 293.228 -0.1 2056020 THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Bolt eager to reclaim sprint supremacy in new season

NEW YORK: Jamaican sprint just kept his seat warm. “Justin gold to his 100 and 200 Olympic king Usain Bolt is eager to reas- Gatlin did well, he kept the sport sweeps in Beijing and London, is sert his supremacy following an exciting,” the Jamaican said. aiming for a mind-boggling triple injury-plagued season in which “He kept people wanting to see Olympic triple. American Justin Gatlin took us compete. For me it’s OK, and “Just adding to my accolades,” over as the number one ranked I’m always looking forward to he said. “That’s the key thing. sprinter. competition.” Bolt, 28, is sched- You can only keep making your- “I felt like I’d retired, the way uled to open his 2015 campaign self greater by adding great people were talking about Justin with a 400 meters in Jamaica at moments.” Gatlin,” Bolt said with a laugh at Saturday’s Camperdown Classic, Bolt would not venture to rank Jamaican sprint the launch of Puma’s Ignite line but did not sound keen. himself among the greatest ath- king Usain of running shoes. “I’m trying to get out of it,” said letes over the decades including Bolt is eyeing “I found it to be funny. Like Bolt, who finds the 400 to be a Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan a successful wow, I’m one season out and it’s chore to run. and Michael Phelps. “When comeback in the like I retired.” Bolt wants to focus on the 100 you’ve done great things, then new season. Bolt proclaimed himself fit for and 200. people say he’s one of the great- the new season, which peaks at “One of my biggest goals is to est. All you can do is add to your the August 22 to 30 world cham- go sub-19,” Bolt said about the 200 greatness until it’s time to leave pionships in Beijing on the way to meters and his world record of the sport.” the 2016 Rio Olympics, and said 19.19 seconds. Bolt said his career finish line he hoped to resume his record- “That’s one thing I want to would come at the 2017 worlds. setting ways. accomplish before I retire so I’m “They convinced me to go one A relaxed Bolt, who has ruled pushing myself. I’m working hard more year but they won’t con- the 100 and 200 meters in the and we’ll see what happens,” he vince me to do any more,” said Olympics since 2008 and holds added. Bolt. “Definitely in 2017 I’ll stop.” both world records, said Gatlin Bolt, who also added relay REUTERS

Montreal Harden hits 40 points to Canadiens’ centre Alex Galchenyuk celebrates his team’s goal against steer Rockets over Suns Philadelphia Flyers during their NHL NBA: Grizzlies, Bulls register full points with victories game at Bell Centre, yesterday. PHOENIX: NBA scoring 20 points and PJ Tucker scored 17. leader James Harden netted 40 Grizzlies 95, Nets 86 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and Zach Randolph scored 19 points passed off nine assists yesterday, and grabbed eight rebounds, and sparking the Houston Rockets center Marc Gasol added 14 points over the Phoenix Suns 127-118. and 11 rebounds as the Memphis Canadiens, Predators Harden scored half his points Grizzlies cruised to a victory over in the fourth quarter to give the the Brooklyn Nets. James Rockets their third triumph in as Brooklyn played their last game Harden of many meetings this season with before the All-Star break, and record close victories the Houston Phoenix, including last month until the last two minutes, it was Rockets when Harden’s basket at the never closer than nine points in NEW YORK: David Matt McDonald and Josh Bailey buzzer downed the Suns. the second half. reacts after Desharnais scored the over- also scored for the Islanders The Rockets improved to Memphis (39-13) gained a scoring time winner to lift the Montreal (35-18-1), who extended their 36-16, third-best in the Western 19-point advantage before the end against the Canadiens to a win over the Metropolitan Division lead over Conference behind NBA pace-set- of the first quarter and was up Phoenix Philadelphia Flyers. the idle Pittsburgh Penguins to ter Golden State and Memphis, 73-51 with 2:47 left in the third Suns during Goaltender Carey Price stopped three points. which kept a three-game lead quarter. the second 23 shots for Montreal, while Jaroslav Halak made 34 stops over Houston in the Southwest Bulls 104, Kings 86 half of Philadelphia’s netminder Ray in the win. division. Led by guard Derrick Rose and their NBA Emery made 39 saves. Rangers 5, Maple Leafs 4 The Suns fell to 29-25 with forward Pau Gasol, the Chicago game at Philadelphia’s Matt Read Mats Zuccarello scored his sec- their fifth loss in six games. Bulls beat the Sacramento Kings US Airways snapped a 25-game goal drought ond goal of the game at 14:04 of Phoenix stayed in the eighth and to win their third straight game. Center, to get the scoring started before the third period to snap a tie as final West playoff spot but only Rose scored 23 points and had yesterday. Montreal answered with two the New York Rangers defeated one game ahead of New Orleans seven assists with no turnovers. goals. the Toronto Maple Leafs. Derick and Oklahoma City. Gasol notched his NBA-leading Predators 3, Lightning 2 (OT) Brassard and defenseman Marc Josh Smith came off the bench 34th double-double with 26 points James Neal tallied his 18th goal Staal each added two assists for to score 20 points for Houston and 16 rebounds for Chicago (33- of the season at 4:27 of overtime, New York. AGENCIES while Patrick Beverley had 15 20). Rudy Gay, who missed the lifting the Nashville Predators points for the Rockets. Eric previous game with a sore left to a victory over the Tampa Bay NHL Results Bledsoe led Phoenix with 32 foot, led Sacramento (18-33) with Lightning. Dallas 5 Boston 3 points while Goran Dragic added 24 points. The Bulls led nearly the Nashville had a 2-0 lead but whole game and avoided some- Tampa Bay tied it in the third Ottawa 2 Buffalo 1 thing that has plagued them at and 12 rebounds in less than The Hornets (22-30) suited period on goals by Brett Connolly NY Islanders 3 Edmonton 2 NBA Results home. three quarters of action, and D.J. up just 10 players. They traded and Nikita Kucherov who notched NY Rangers 5 Toronto 4 Detroit 106 Charlotte 78 They beat a struggling team Augustin and Jodie Meeks scored guard Gary Neal to Minnesota his 21st of the season. Montreal 2 Philadelphia 1 Houston 127 Phoenix 118 in Chicago, after coming into the 18 each as the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday afternoon along with Islanders 3, Oilers 2 Florida 6 Anaheim 2 Chicago 104 Sacramento 86 game 7-6 at home against teams rolled to a victory over the short- a 2019 second-round pick for Casey Cizikas scored the tie- St Louis 2 Arizona 1 with sub-.500 records. handed Charlotte Hornets. guards Mo Williams and Troy breaking goal with 4:37 left as Memphis 95 Brooklyn 86 Nashville 3 Tampa Bay 2 Pistons 106, Hornets 78 Detroit (21-32) have now won Daniels, and they waived guard the New York Islanders edged the Denver 106 LA Lakers 96 Greg Monroe had 23 points four of their last six. Elliot Williams. AGENCIES Edmonton Oilers. Winnipeg 2 Minnesota 1 Rodriguez apologises to Teen wonder Ko enjoys No.1 status

Yankees for drug use SINGAPORE: New Zealand position by finishing tied seventh Lydia Ko teenager Lydia Ko yesterday of New last week in the Bahamas. NEW YORK: Disgraced Major chief owner Hal Steinbrenner, said she was comfortable in the “I got in the habit of wearing Zealand League Baseball slugger Alex president Randy Levine and gen- role of a female sporting icon my glasses and lifting them up. hits a tee Rodriguez (pictured) apologised eral manager Brian Cashman at after becoming golf’s youngest It’s definitely different,” she said to the New York Yankees in a Yankee Stadium. ever world number one. shot on of wearing contacts. 90-minute meeting yesterday “Alex initiated the meeting Seventeen-year-old Ko, who the fourth “In the Bahamas it rained on for using performance-enhanc- and apologised to the organisa- smashed Tiger Woods’ record of hole during the first day in the afternoon and ing drugs and criticising the tion for his actions over the past reaching the top ranking when round to not have to wipe the raindrops team in defending himself. several years,” Rodriguez and the he was 21, said comments from three of the off my lens it was pretty awesome, Rodriguez, 39, was among 13 Yankees said in a joint statement. aspiring golfers drove her to Pure Silk so that was probably the first time players who were sus- “There was an hon- become a better player. Bahamas I was happy it was raining. pended by the league est and frank discus- She was speaking just after LPGA “I’m getting used to contacts in connection with the sion on all of the issues. the Royal and Ancient Golf Club Classic at and trying to use my sunglasses Biogenesis doping scan- As far as the Yankees of St Andrews admitted its first the Ocean to keep the wind off so they won’t dal, the other 12 being are concerned, the next female members, a breakthrough Club dry.” hit with 50-game bans. step is to play baseball after 260 years of men-only course on A cautionary tale about life at Rodriguez initially in spring training.” membership. Sunday. number one comes in the form of received an unprec- The doping scan- “When I have kids or jun- Taiwan’s Tseng Yani, who spent edented 211-game dal, a follow on to iors come up to me and say ‘Oh two years at the top until 2013 but suspension that was Rodriguez’s 2009 you’re my idol’ it makes me feel the first seven women to join the record age of just 14, tops the then crumbled and is now ranked eventually cut to 162 admission that he also very proud,” she told a teleconfer- Scotland’s R&A, known as the rankings just a year after turning at 90. But despite the pressure, games, a ban he served took steroids while ence ahead of next month’s HSBC “home of golf”. pro and changing her clubs, spon- the laid-back Ko said she was by missing all of last playing for the Texas Women’s Champions. “I think it’s great. Women’s sor and coach. relaxed about the rankings and season. Rangers from 2001 to 2003, has “Hearing those things makes golf is getting much bigger, it just This year she has ditched her determined to keep enjoying her But “A-Rod” is set to make a tainted Rodriguez’s chase of major me feel like I need to become a shows that a lot of people are trademark glasses in favour of golf. controversial return to the club league career home run records. better player just for them and more interested in the women’s contact lenses – and the switch “It’s pretty awesome and it’s a when the 2015 campaign begins Rodriguez has smacked 654 hopefully just give more opportu- game,” said Ko. did no harm at all as she reached huge honour to be in this position. and making amends to the career home runs, fifth on the all- nities for the goals that will lead “It’s a great first step for wom- number one in the first event of I’m very proud to be here. This Yankees’ top executives was a step time list, six shy of Willie Mays in the LPGA.” en’s golf. It’s great that the R&A the season. has always been a goal to become in that process. fourth, 60 behind Babe Ruth in Britain’s Princess Anne and did that.” A share of second was enough world number one, so to be in the Third baseman Rodriguez and third and 108 off the record 762 retired greats Laura Davies and South Korean-born Ko, who to put Ko on top of the rankings ranking right now it’s awesome,” his attorney met with Yankees set by Barry Bonds. AFP Annika Sorenstam were among won her first professional event at in Orlando and she defended her she said. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Li seeks win as Laureus Murray crushes Mahut in Rotterdam

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Andy Murray rebounded nicely awards visit Shanghai from his Australian Open disap- pointment as the Scot defeated Nicolas Mahut 6-3, 6-2 yester- Ronaldo up against McIlroy and Hamilton for top honour day to reach the second round of the ATP Rotterdam World Tennis event. SHANGHAI: Recently retired The world number four who Chinese tennis star Li Na will lost the Grand Slam title bid enjoy home court advantage as 10 days ago to Novak Djokovic, she vies for sportswoman of the showed no rust as he hammered year when the premier Laureus the 109th-ranked Mahut to hand World Sports Awards take place the Frenchman a 30th career in China for the first time in defeat by a top 10 player. Britain’s Andy Murray returns the April. Murray, the 2009 champion at ball to France’s Nicolas Mahut Li Na will go up against another the Ahoy Stadium, improved to during a match in Rotterdam tennis legend, Serena Williams, in 4-1 over Mahut, who beat him in yesterday. a six-woman field, organisers said a shock on grass at Queen’s club yesterday. in a 2012 first round, fourth double-fault handed the The holding of the awards cer- “It was a high-quality match,” Frenchman a first game, to trail emony in the commercial hub of said the winner, 7-1 on the season. a set and 1-5. Shanghai comes as Beijing bids “In the second set he had a lot of Mahut pulled another game for the 2022 Winter Olympics, chances. back to make it 2-5 before Murray amid rumours that China could “We played some long games ended the uprising moments later even seek to host the 2026 football with some very good points, it with an easy volley putaway to World Cup. was a real contrast in styles, as close out the match. Although China is a Summer he likes to come to the net when- In other first-round results, Olympics powerhouse, only ever possible. Sergiy Stakhovsky beat Austrian three Chinese athletes or teams “It was a good match, a very Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-3 while have won Laureus World Sports Li Na of China, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Serena Williams of the USA. high standard. The scoreline does Italian Andreas Seppi, conqueror Awards: NBA basketball star Yao not reflect how tough it was.” of Roger Federer in Melbourne, Ming, hurdler Liu Xiang and the conference. Ronaldo’s club, Murray moved into a second- beat Holland’s Robin Haase in Chinese Olympic team for the Spain’s Real Madrid, is in the round contest against Canadian a 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3 comeback 2008 Games — which were held running for team of the year, up Germany, Real Madrid vie for Vasek Pospisil. effort. in Beijing. against another football success Fourth seed Stan Wawrinka Spaniard Guillermo Garcia- “I’m sure we are going to see story, the German men’s team team of the year award was making his start later, fac- Lopez advanced past Denis more (Chinese winners) in the which won the FIFA World Cup. ing Dutchman Jesse Huta Galung. Istomin 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. AFP years ahead. Who knows? Could Others in the running for the SHANGHAI: Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning football team Muray was never in trouble be this year,” double Olympic sportsman award are top ten- is pitted against European club football champions Real Madrid against Mahut as the 33-year-old ATP Rotterdam champion Edwin Moses told nis player Novak Djokovic and in the best team category for the 2015 Laureus awards, officials qualifier played the event for the reporters as the nominations for World MotoGP title-holder Marc announced yesterday. fourth time, as the Scottish seed 2015 were announced. Marquez, as well as France’s Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to win the FIFA World Cup held in earned a break for 4-2 as Mahut Results For the men, footballer Renaud Lavillenie, who broke a Brazil. In the same impressive manner, Real Madrid defeated city lunged and missed on a volley in Results on the third day of the Cristiano Ronaldo will test his 21-year-old world record for the rivals Atletico Madrid to win the Champions League. the first set. ATP Rotterdam World Tennis skills against number one golfer pole vault last year. Also, 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer received two Murray then ran out the set in Tournament on Wednesday (x Rory McIlroy and Formula One A selection panel of sports nominations for the part he played, along with Stanislas Wawrinka, 33 minutes, blasting down an ace denotes seeded player): motor racing champion Lewis journalists makes the initial in the first ever success by the Swiss Davis Cup team. The team has on his first set point. Second Round: Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Hamilton. selection to create a shortlist for been shortlisted for both Team of the Year and Breakthrough of the The second set was one-way Dominic Thiem (AUT) 6-1, 6-3. “He’s (Ronaldo) really, really the awards and then a 50-mem- Year awards. Severin Luthi-led Switzerland overpowered France 3-1 traffic for Murray, who went up First Round: Andy Murray (GBR x1) bt Nicolas good and playing for a fantas- ber “jury” of athletes votes to in the summit clash of the men’s tennis team championship. a treble break for 5-0. Mahut (FRA) 6-3, 6-2; Andreas Seppi (ITA) tic team,” football coach Fabio pick the winners, which this year Federer, Wawrinka, Marco Chiudinelli and Michael Lammer were But Mahut suddenly caught bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-3; Capello, now managing Russia’s will be announced on April 15. part of the victorious squad. IANS fire, forcing Murray to save two Guillermo García-Lopez (ESP) bt Denis Istomin national team, told the news AFP break points before the Scot’s (UZB) 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

Alpine skiing: MotoGP returns to Silverstone for next two years Austria defend LONDON: Silverstone circuit between August 28 and August 30. The Circuit of Wales disputed grand prix since 1949, with the a part of Silverstone’s heritage as will stage Britain’s MotoGP “We are delighted to secure that, saying they had been unwill- Isle of Man TT counting as a four-wheel racing and I am obvi- world team race for the next two years after the future of the event for the ing to provide “significant fund- round of the championship until ously delighted to be in a position Donington Park pulled out of a next two years while our circuit ing” to upgrade the Donington 1976, and Silverstone was the only to announce we are hosting both hosting agreement, organisers in Wales is under construction,” track. viable option to keep it on the cal- the F1 and MotoGP Grands Prix title said yesterday. said Circuit of Wales chief execu- Silverstone, home of Britain’s endar this year. in 2015,” he said. A joint statement from tive Michael Carrick. Formula One race, hosted last Silverstone managing director The Circuit of Wales, which VA IL , USA: Christoph Noesig Silverstone and the Circuit of Donington announced on year’s British MotoGP round Patrick Allen said it had been hopes to be ready by 2017, faces defeated Philip Trevor to ensure Wales, who have a five-year host- Tuesday the termination of an after it switched to the central “devastating” for his circuit to a public enquiry before building Austria defended its team event ing contract despite their track agreement with the Circuit of English circuit from Donington lose the race contract last year work can start on the planned crown Tuesday with a 3-1 vic- being unbuilt, said this year’s Wales because they said payment in 2009. and he welcomed the return. 250m pounds ($380.68m) facility. tory over Canada at the World race would go ahead as planned deadlines had not been met. Britain has hosted a motorcycle “Two-wheel racing is as much REUTERS Alpine Ski Championships. Noesig stormed down the slalom-style course in 22.84 sec- onds to finish 0.11 ahead of the Canadian in the lone team com- petition for national squads at the Sky pays record $6.4bn for Indonesia in row biennial global showdown. Sweden took the bronze with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. Marcel Hirscher, Michaela top English soccer rights over Olympics logo Kirchgasser and Noesig all won their head-to-head races for LONDON: Pay-TV group JAKARTA: Indonesia could right to use the logo,” he said, Austria in the final. Sky has agreed to pay £4.2bn Europe’s Key Television Rights Deals lose the right to host the 2018 adding that KONI had abandoned The team event has been staged ($6.4bn) to show 126 live English Asian Games unless its main the logo in 2007 but started using four times at the Worlds with Football television rights packages in Europe’s five key championships: Premier League matches a sea- sporting body changes a logo it again in 2014. Austria now winning three times. son from 2016 to 2019, smashing England – Premier League that includes the Olympic rings, The country’s sports ministry France won the title in 2011. analysts’ forecasts to beat fierce The Premier League announced Tuesday that the rights for the three seasons from 2016 to 2019 an official said yesterday. said the government was working Canada’s Erin Mielzynski upset rival BT to the best games. have been sold for £5.1bn ($7.8bn, 6.9 bn euros) – 2.3bn euros a season. Broadcasters Sky and The Olympic Council of Asia to try and settle the issue. technical specialist Eva-Maria After one of the most high- BT won the record breaking deal. (OCA) in September approved The 17th Asian Games took Brem by 0.26 in the opening race profile broadcast auctions of Spain – La Liga Indonesia as hosts for the games place in South Korea last year. of the finals but from there the recent times, the Premier League Unlike other countries, Spanish teams negotiate individual deals with television companies. The current after Vietnam decided to with- Pyeongchang vows test Austrians won three races in a said that Sky had won five of the deals are believed to be worth about 800m euros ($905m) a year, with about 25% coming from the draw due to rising costs. events will be held on time row. seven rights packages, including foreign market. Real Madrid and Barcelona get about 140m euros each, with Valencia, Sevilla and But the International Olympic The South Korean organis- World Cup points leader the most popular Sunday after- Atletico Madrid following on just over 40m euros. The smallest teams receive about 18m euros. A Committee sent a letter to ers of the 2018 Winter Olympics Hirscher claimed his second gold noon matches showing the likes of collective deal is expected to be negotiated for 2016-17 and could be worth one billion euros with President Joko Widodo warning insisted Wednesday they would medal of the championships after Manchester United and Arsenal. foreign rights expected to double to 400m euros. Barcelona and Real will still get the lion’s share, the Indonesian National Sports be ready to hold scheduled test having won the super-combined With BT paying £960m to show but the gap will be narrowed. Committee (KONI) could lose the events next year, despite concerns on Sunday. 42 games a season, the two com- Italy – Serie A games because of its use of the voiced by the IOC and the world Mikaela Shiffrin made her panies will shell out a combined Serie A clubs will get 915m euros ($1.035bn) for the current season under a deal with Sky and Olympic’s five interlocking rings ski body. competition debut Tuesday for £5.2bn pounds over three years, Mediaset that can be renewed each year until 2018. Rupert Murdoch’s Sky pay 572m euros and in its symbol. Rita Subowo, chair- The Games venue of the Americans. The 19-year-old well above the £4bn analysts had Silvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset rival 270m. woman of the Indonesian Olympic Pyeongchang is scheduled to host won both her races but the US expected and a 68 percent rise on Committee, said the letter warned an Alpine Skiing World Cup event team was eliminated in the quar- Germany – Bundesliga the current contract. that using the logo amounted to in February 2016, followed by bob- ter-finals by Sweden. Premier League Chief The 36 first and second division clubs in Germany signed a joint four-year contract in 2012 with a “copyright violation” and unless sleigh and short track speed skat- Austria had lost only one race Sky Germany which brings them 485.7m euros ($550m) a year with 612 matches broadcast live Executive Richard Scudamore the issue was resolved the OCA ing competitions in November entering the final. They blanked each season. said he was surprised by how may rethink its decision to award and December. Argentina and Switzerland much the matches had fetched, France – Ligue 1 the 2018 games to Indonesia. But preparations have been 4-0 and beat 3-1. The but he noted that the game was France has become the poor relation of European football despite the ambitions of Paris St Germain, Subowo said she had “reminded badly hit by financial problems, Norwegians were without their the beneficiary of the two media earning just a third of the English Premier League television revenue. The French league will earn KONI from the begining to drop construction delays and political two stars, Aksel Svindal and giants using football to draw and 607m euros ($686m) a year from 2012 to 2016. For 2016 to 2020 this will rise to 748m euros the five rings from its logo. It infighting between the organis- Kjetil Jansrud, who flew back to retain customers on their plat- in a deal with Canal Plus and BeIn Sports. But they will also get 80m euros for foreign rights from potentially violates the IOC’s ers, provincial officials and the Europe to prepare for the remain- forms for TV and broadband 2018-2024 in a deal with BeIn. intellectual property rights”. national government. der of the World Cup season. Internet. The Asian Games, the world’s In a statement yesterday, the Canada was a surprise final- “These are huge companies sports and drama to customers The 169-year-old telecoms biggest multi-sport event after organisers said preparations were ist, sneaking past Sweden in the doing huge things in a market who it seeks to tie in to com- company had already ramped the Olympics, are organised by under way to hold next year’s test semi-finals after ousting Italy in that has gone way beyond foot- bined telephony and broadband up the pressure on Sky by win- the OCA, which is recognised events “as planned”, with both the the quarter-finals and Germany ball,” Scudamore told a press packages. But it has faced a far ning the right to show all the live by the International Olympic regional and central governments in the first round. conference. greater challenge in recent years, European Champions League Committee. committed to ensuring venues The competition took place at Sky, which is 39 percent- since the deep-pocketed BT cop- matches for three years from the However, KONI deputy chief will be “ready on time”. Golden Peak Stadium in down- owned by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st ied its business model by buying 2015/16 season, forcing Sky to up Manuel Robert Inkiriwang The IOC picked the north- town Vail rather than the moun- Century Fox, has built its busi- up broadcast rights to attract its game in the English auction insisted that the body was the eastern mountain resort of tainside community of Beaver ness around offering exclusive customers to its new superfast to retain its position as a leading official holder of the five rings logo Pyeongchang as the host in 2011. Creek, which hosts all other programming such as premium broadband platform. sports broadcaster. REUTERS copyright. “KONI has the legal AGENCIES championship events. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Warm-up Games Collated Scores Misbah’s majestic 91 gives SYDNEY: Brief scores from yesterday’s World Cup warm- up matches: At Christchurch New Zealand 331-8 in 50 overs (Kane Williamson 66, Brendon McCullum 59) vs Pakistan much-needed win South Africa 197 all out in 44.2 overs (JP Duminy 80, Vernon Philander 57; Trent Boult 5-51). New Zealand won by 134 runs. Captain, Akmal share 133 runs in four- victory over England At Lincoln Sri Lanka 279-8 in 50 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 58, Jeevan Mendis 51) vs SYDNEY: Skipper Misbah-ul- Zimbabwe 281-3 in 45.2 overs (Hamilton Haq scored a majestic 91 not Masakadza 117 , Brendan Taylor 63, out to lead Pakistan to a thrill- Sean Williams 51 not out). ing four-wicket victory over England in their final World Zimbabwe won by 7 . Cup warm-up game at Sydney At Melbourne Ground yesterday. Australia 304-8 in 50 overs (Michael Clarke The 40-year-old notched up five 64, Aaron Finch 61, Steve Smith 59) vs fours and two sixes in his 99-ball 116 all out in 30.1 knock, turning the match in a overs. fourth-wicket partnership of 133 Australia won by 188 runs. with Umar Akmal. At Sydney Akmal fell for 65 to leave Sohaib England 250-8 in 50 overs (Joe Root 85, Maqsood (20) and then Shahid Gary Ballance 57) vs Pakistan 252-6 in 48.5 Afridi to help their captain guide overs (Misbah-ul-Haq 91, Umar Akmal 65). the 1992 world champions past Pakistan won by four wickets. England’s total of 250 for eight with seven balls to spare. Afridi (eight not out) scored the winning runs with successive fours but rode his luck with the decisive second, which was almost caught at mid-off. Pakistan’s batting had been far from convincing in their win over Bangladesh on Monday and they will now head to Adelaide to face reigning champions India in their tournament opener on Sunday with renewed confidence in the event. England’s bowling spearheads James Anderson and Stuart Broad took a couple of wickets apiece to keep the contest alive Dave Richardson until the last few overs but the English were punished for any- thing loose. Misbah brought up his half ICC aware of century with a thumping six into the noisy band of Pakistan fans Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal pulls a delivery away from the England bowling during their World Cup warm-up match at the Sydney Cricket Ground packed into the members’ stand (SCG), yesterday. RIGHT: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (right) celebrates victory as England bowler Stuart Broad reacts at the SCG. match-fixers: and Akmal reached the milestone in the same manner 10 overs later. Ehsan Adil had earlier set the number three with a point to It was only after he had got a grip on their innings. Joe England rested Ian Bell, Chris Richardson tone for a fine Pakistan bowling prove in his first game since departed with an ill-executed Root provided the adhesive with a Woakes, James Taylor and Steve performance in an opening over September after recovering from slog sweep and out-of-sorts skip- sparkling 85 off 89 balls and com- Finn but all should return when WELLINGTON: The which accounted for Moeen Ali a fractured finger, however, and per Eoin Morgan fell for a duck bined with Chris Jordan (31 not they open their World Cup cam- International Cricket Council (4). he steadied the ship with a well- attempting a lap sweep to a full out) to steer his side towards a paign against co-hosts Australia (ICC) had a “far better idea” of Gary Ballance came in at crafted 57. toss, however, that England really competitive tally. on Saturday. REUTERS the people involved in match- fixing and would do everything in their power to ensure the “sickness” of corruption did Zimbabwe shock Sri Lanka not affect the World Cup, Chief Executive Dave Richardson said WELLINGTON: Hamilton international cricket for 14 years four, his seventh, that brought up yesterday. Masakadza scored a run-a-ball but has never before represented his half century. The sport has been blighted by century as Zimbabwe stunned his country at a World Cup with Sri Lanka won the toss and reports of match-fixing in recent Sri Lanka with a comprehen- injury and loss of form ruling him elected to bat but while plenty years, though Richardson said the sive seven-wicket victory in a out of previous tournaments. of their batsmen got starts, only governing body’s Anti Corruption World Cup warm-up at Bert Yesterday, though, he showed Dimuth Karunaratne (58) and all and Security Unit (ACSU) had Sutcliffe Oval yesterday. he was in fine form for his maiden rounder Jeevan Mendis (51) man- been working with local authori- It was a second defeat in warm- campaign when he outshone aging to get to the half century ties to ensure it did not influence up matches for the Sri Lankans, Sri Lankan batting stalwarts mark and 279 for six was not an the February 14 March 29 event who reached the final of the last Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela imposing score. in New Zealand and Australia. two World Cups and arrived Down Jayawardene with his biggest Left-arm spinner Williams “I think the preparations the Under with hopes of a second title score outside Zimbabwe. (3-35) was the pick of the nine anti-corruption unit have put into to go with their 1996 triumph. The 31-year-old reached the bowlers used by Zimbabwe, who this tournament, far exceed pre- Masakadza, who finished 117 milestone with a single off spinner open the tournament proper vious tournaments,” Richardson not out, shared an unbroken Rangana Herath in the 41st over against neighbours South Africa told a media conference in fourth wicket partnership of 119 of the innings before ushering his in Hamilton on Sunday. Christchurch, also attended by with Sean Williams (51) to chase country to victory with just under Sri Lanka will have to pick local organising committee head down the target of 280 and claim five overs to spare. themselves up for a meeting Therese Walsh and New Zealand A Pakistani supporter holds a replica of the World Cup trophy as he a morale-boosting victory in the Masakadza hit his 117 off 119 with co-hosts New Zealand in Cricket Chief Executive David watches the warm-up match between Pakistan and England at the Sydney university town of Lincoln, south- balls with eight fours and three Christchurch on Saturday in the White. Cricket Ground, yesterday. west of Christchurch. All rounder sixes but it was Williams who opening match of the tournament. “They have a far better idea Masakadza has been playing scored the winning runs with the REUTERS who these people are that travel the world and try to influence players, umpires and curators to get some sort of benefit on the betting side.” Pakistan start again as the ‘unpredictables’ The ACSU’s head Ronnie Flanagan said last week that KARACHI: If there is one in November last year also over fans would be able to watch the team among the top eight at the Pakistan’s Cup an illegal bowling action – needs tournament “with confidence” it World Cup which could either to clear a reassessment test to would be free of corruption. crash out embarrassingly in the Record allow the right combination to Richardson, who said the first round or romp to the title, 1975 Pool Stage Misbah. ACSU had been working with it’s Pakistan. Lanky paceman Mohammad law enforcement in both Australia 1979 Semi-finals The talented yet unpredict- Irfan – the tallest man to ever and New Zealand for about able side are haunted by injuries 1983 Semi-finals play international cricket at 7 three years, added that security to their fast bowlers, the suspen- 1987 Semi-finals feet, one inch – is expected to be around teams and officials would sion of match-winning spinner 1992 Champions the X-factor in an otherwise inex- make it very hard for them to be Saeed Ajmal. 1996 Quarter-finals perienced pace attack. approached by fixers. Frontline paceman Umar Gul 1999 Runners-Up “To me the X-factor in our “I think we are in the best place was not selected in the 15-man 2003 Pool Stage team is Irfan. With his height I ever in terms of fixing,” the former squad after failing to recover think he can be dangerous,” said South Africa wicketkeeper added. 2007 Pool Stage from a knee injury while another coach Waqar Younis, who missed “We have made it very difficult for new-ball bowler Junaid Khan had 2011 Semi-finals Pakistan’s World Cup win in 1992 them to approach players.” to withdraw. with a back problem. The ICC had also noticed a Twin defeats in the warm-up recovered from a hamstring In Ajmal’s absence, leg-spin- change in attitude from play- matches to second string sides injury, is also confident of the best ner Yasir Shah, along with all- ers over the last 12 months, followed by two routs by New results. “The format of this World rounder Afridi, will handle the Richardson added, with even Zealand multiplied the enormity Cup is such that teams have a lot spin department. Pakistani players celebrate the wicket of England batsman Gary Ballance innocuous contact being reported of the task for Misbah’s men to of opportunities,” said Misbah, Afridi, who will also quit one- during their World Cup warm-up match in Sydney, yesterday. to the anti-corruption unit. match Imran Khan’s World Cup who will retire from ODIs after day cricket after the World Cup, “The players have been tre- triumph – Pakistan’s only win – the World Cup. “It would be the will be important too as a bats- mendous over the last couple of in Australia some 23 years ago. icing on the cake if I end my one- man in the slog overs as will stability to the batting, for which – in order to have an easier pas- years, indeed the last 12 months, “Despite the problems this day career with the trophy.” be Umar Akmal, Misbah and the main problem lies in playing sage into the last eight stage of in acknowledging their responsi- team has the spirit of cornered But Misbah knows his bowl- Sohaib Maqsood. Pakistan’s top- too many dot balls. the event. If not, their qualifica- bility in fighting the sickness in tigers,” said chief selector and ing will miss Ajmal, who has order problem persists as Hafeez Pakistan has the worst run- tion will rely on their last group the game,” he said. former captain Moin Khan, a key single-handedly won matches for opening the innings with Ahmed rate among the top ten teams in B match against a dangerous “They realise the threat does member of 1992 winning team. Pakistan before being suspended Shehzad doesn’t always guarantee playing dot balls from over 11 to Ireland team, the same oppo- exist. The fight is against those “If they play to their potential for an illegal bowling action last a trouble-free start. 40. Pakistan must win one of their nents who ousted them in the corrupt guys who travel the this team can surprise the world.” September. Spinning all-rounder They will hope experienced the first two matches – against arch- first round of the 2007 World Cup world rather than the players.” Captain Misbah, who has Mohammad Hafeez – suspended Younis Khan and Misbah provide rivals India and the West Indies in the Caribbean. AFP REUTERS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29 Warner seeks medical help over ‘brain snaps’

SYDNEY: Daredevil Australian He continued that form with a opener David Warner said yes- blistering 104 from 83 deliveries terday he has consulted with in a practice game against India a psychologist to prevent the at the Adelaide Oval this week. New Zealand’s captain “brain snaps” that have erupted “I think I’ve had to learn how Brendon McCullum through his playing career. to play (one-dayers) just like Test (left) celebrates after Warner said he has worked match cricket ... place it, try and South African captain hard to eliminate rash strokes hit the gaps,” he said. AB de Villiers’ wicket and impulsive decision-making “I can get myself off to a good during their World ahead of his first-ever World Cup, start, I don’t really need to take it Cup one-day warm-up starting this weekend in Australia to them. I’ve just started to learn match at Hagley Park and New Zealand. that and I’ve found my way now. Oval in Christchurch, “I’ve actually spoken to my psy- If the ball is still going to be there yesterday. chologist about it,” Warner told and I want to hit it over the top, Melbourne radio station 3AW. by all means I’ll do that. “There are thoughts that go “But still in my mind I’m say- into your head ... you try and ing to myself, ‘I can still score at premeditate, but those thought a strike rate of 100, even if I bat processes in your head, you’ve got properly’. I’ve now got that in my to try and think ‘How do I nut head and now I can play the way that out?’ I want to play.” “You’ve got to try and work Warner credited the influence out when you’re out there in the of Australia’s team psychologist heat of the moment to actually Michael Lloyd in improving the be relaxed, clear your mind and mental side of his game. say ‘Right, just get off strike now’. “He’s helped me the last six to “That’s the process that I have 12 months about getting into the to think through now in my head,” right frame of mind to prepare he said. for a game and that starts two or Warner scored 163 runs at three days before a game, just to All-round New Zealand 54.33 during the recently com- prepare mentally,” Warner said. pleted one-day tri-series against “It’s great to have him come England and India, including his away with us and he’s a great tool third limited overs century in the for not just me but for the guys to thrash SA by 134 runs series opener. use as well.” AFP Williamson, McCullum hit fifties, Boult grabs 5 wickets

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand will head into their opening cricket World Cup Australia’s encounter on Saturday oozing David Warner confidence after they completed (left) is their preparations with a 134- congratulated run victory over South Africa by team-mate yesterday. George Bailey Brendon McCullum’s side have after scoring emerged as third favourites for a century the February 14-March 29 tour- against nament, behind Australia and AB India, during de Villiers’ side, after a run of their warm good performances at home over the last month. up match in Kane Williamson top scored Adelaide on for the World Cup co-hosts with Sunday. 66 from 53 balls while McCullum blasted 59 from 45 deliveries in their score of 331 for eight off 50 overs. New Zealand’s bowl- ers then ripped through South Africa’s top order, reducing them to 31-4 in the seventh over and 62-6 in the 14th at Hagley Oval in Christchurch before JP Duminy and Vernon Philander combined for some batting practice. They put on 121 runs with Morgan in the spotlight Duminy scoring 80, while pace bowler Philander scored 57, but the pair seemed more content New Zealand’s Kane Williamson plays a shot during their World Cup one-day warm up match against South to bat out the overs rather than after another duck Africa at Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch, yesterday. Imran Tahir of South Africa ducks a bouncer by New chase down the total and South Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan during the game. Africa were eventually dismissed SYDNEY: England skipper to steer the ball to Younus Khan for 197 in 44.2 overs. Eoin Morgan will go into the in the slips. The duck might not Left-arm seamer Trent Boult Villiers for 24 and Wayne Parnell with South African spearhead will open the tournament at the World Cup desperately seeking effect his batting average – the took three of the first four wick- for four to finish with 2-29 from Dale Steyn not bowling at all. New same venue against Sri Lanka form after registering a third warm-up matches do not count ets before he finished with 5-51 seven overs. Both sides, who were Zealand’s Tom Latham took over on Saturday while South Africa duck in his last four innings in as internationals – but it will do from 9.2 overs, while wily left- allowed to use all 15 players in the wicketkeeping gloves from travel to Hamilton for their open- the four-wicket loss to Pakistan nothing for his confidence head- arm spinner Daniel Vettori dis- their squads, treated the match Luke Ronchi, who did bat in New ing clash against Zimbabwe on in a warm-up match, yesterday. ing into Saturday’s tournament missed world record holder De as a final contested training run, Zealand’s innings. New Zealand Sunday. REUTERS Morgan assumed the captaincy opener against Australia at the after Alastair Cook was dumped Melbourne Cricket Ground. for lack of form late last year but Joe Root, who high-scored for since scoring 121 against Australia England with a sparkling 85 yes- in a Tri-series match on January terday, said no one in the dress- Clarke returns as Aussies rout UAE 16, has scored zero, two, zero and ing room was concerned about zero runs. Morgan’s lack of runs. MELBOURNE: Michael The 28-year-old did at least win “He scored a hundred not long Clarke struck a half-century the toss and came to the crease ago, he’s obviously a fine player, a in an encouraging return from with his side 135 for three with fine leader,” Root told reporters. injury as Australia routed the bright late afternoon sun “One thing he’s always done, is United Arab Emirates by 188 casting shadows over the Sydney when the pressure’s on, put on big runs at the Melbourne Cricket Cricket Ground. performances and there’s no big- Ground on Wednesday in their Australia’s Three balls later and he was ger stage (than the World Cup). last warm-up match before the Michael Clarke trudging back towards a mem- “I’m sure he, as much as every- World Cup. (right) bowls bers’ stand packed with jubilant body else in the squad, is looking Leading the team after a long during the Pakistan fans having tried to lap forward to getting out there and lay-off from hamstring surgery, World Cup sweep a Yasir Shah delivery only putting on the show.” REUTERS Clarke promoted himself up the warm-up match batting order to open with Aaron against the UAE Finch and top-scored for the hosts in Melbourne, with 64 from 62 balls after win- yesterday. ning the toss on a sweltering day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Finch (61) and Steven Smith (59) also scored half-centuries as Australia put 304-8 on the board before bowling the Middle Eastern minnows out for 116 with nearly 20 overs to spare. Clarke’s knock would have “He played really well, which “We’ll sum it up tomorrow, really, down a few deliveries of his left- lasted only 20 minutes and two is nice to see after coming back (on) how he pulls up more than arm spin. He bowled two wicket- runs had not put down from the hamstring,” Lehmann anything,” said Lehmann. less overs for five runs. a diving chance at cover point and told host broadcaster Fox Sports. UAE, coached by former Fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood the 33-year-old also survived a Selectors gave Clarke a dead- Pakistan bowler who and Pat Cummins took two shout for leg before in a streaky line to be fit by the second group won a World Cup with the team top-order wickets each to con- start to his innings. match against Bangladesh on Feb. in 1992, were not disgraced in tinue their battle for a spot in After finding his range he took 21 and the captain appears in no the field and briefly threatened Australia’s pace attack, while to UAE’s bowlers with gusto and danger to miss it. Lehmann was to bowl Australia out with three middle-order batsman Swapnil though his running between the cagey as to whether Clarke might quick wickets late in the innings. Patil top-scored for UAE with 31. wickets was never explosive, it even be ready to pad up against Clarke raised warm cheers Krishna Chandran was the pick England batsman Eoin Morgan attempts a ramp shot only to be caught appeared comfortable enough to England for Australia’s World Cup from the crowd of 3,000 by taking of UAE’s bowlers with 3-50. by Pakistan during their World Cup warm-up match in Sydney, yesterday. please coach Darren Lehmann. opener at the MCG on Saturday. the ball in the 17th over to send REUTERS THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Horse Racing Results Aouabed spurs Ashkal to P/A MAIDEN PLATE Distance: 1800m Running Time: 2:09:55 (Read under as horse, trainer and jockey) Qaa’ed, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley Umm Al Zubar Cup glory Al Taweel, I. Al Malki, Gary Carter Tadmur, M. Al Yaqout, T. O’Shea THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE Trainer Al Ghazali has superb day with first-place finishes in five races Distance: 1200m Running Time: 1:11:63 Bader, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley DOHA: Ashkal produced a neat Red Connect, A. Al Qathiri, Marco Monteriso run as jockey Yanis Aouabed Nu Form Fire, Jassim Al Ghazali, R. Mullen brought delight to trainer P/A GRADUATION PLATE Jassim Al Ghazali’s camp by winning the Umm Al Zubar Distance: 1100m Cup race at the Qatar Racing Running Time: 1:11:63 and Equestrian Club (QREC) Refaal, J. Smart, R. Mullen yesterday. Ladys Sandman, Ahmed Kobeissi, Evert Pheiffer Ashkal edged Sahaba Al Uraiq Khafouqi, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj — ridden by Harry Bentley — to THOROUGHBRED GRADUATION PLATE seal the win in the 1200m feature Distance: 1200m race. Regan Bret finished in third spot. Running Time: 1:11:20 Ridden by Aouabed, Ashkal Thameen, Nasser Al Kaabi, Almotasem Al clocked a time of 1:18:87. Balushi Before nailing win in the fea- The Smart One, A. Al Qathiri, Marco Monteriso ture race, Al Ghazali grabbed Northern Water, B. Al Abid, T. O’Shea the headlines with four winners P/A HANDICAP RATED 70 - 100 to round off a memorable day of Distance: 1200m racing at the QREC. Running Time: 1:17:67 Stephan Ladjadj guided Al Ghazali-trained Three Cliffs to Hab Reeh, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley victory in race seven as Dubai Maazouz, Majid Safedeen, Alberto Sanna Sunshine — ridden by Y Al Hajri Al Khattaf, J. Smart, R. Mullen — finished second. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP RATED 60 With Almotasem Al Balushi in - 80 the saddle, Christmas Aria fin- Distance: 1800m ished third. Running Time: 1:54:50 In race six, Bentley powered Al Three Cliffs, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj Ghazali — trained Hab Reeh to victory ahead of Maazouz, which Dubai Sunshine, M. Al Mansoori, Y. Al Hajri had Alberto Sanna in the saddle. Christmas Aria, M. Al Ramzani, Almotasem Al Al Khattaf, ridden by R Mullen, Balushi finished third in the 1200m race. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP RATED 75 Earlier, too, Bentley was the - 95 centre of attention when he rode Distance: 1800m Bader to victory in race two. Running Time: 1:54:10 Bader clocked a time of 1: 11.63 Horses thunder down the track during the Umm Al Zubar Cup race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. BELOW: QREC Chairman Star Deal, B. Al Abid, Y. Al Hajri to win ahead of Red Connect rid- H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani presents a trophy to Ashkal’s jockey Yanis Aouabed yesterday. den by Marco Monteriso. Pure Amber, A. Al Qathiri, Marco Monteriso Al Gahzali-trained Nu Form Earlier on Tuesday, QREC QREC Chairman H E Sheikh Rockinante, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert Fire sealed the third place with celebrated the annual National Mohammed bin Faleh Al Thani, UMM AL ZUBAR CUP - P/A (F&M) Mullen in the saddle. Sport Day with a slew of events QREC Board members and senior Distance: 1200m In race one, a 1800m marathon, and activities. management. Running Time: 1:18:87 Bentley kicked off the day with Numerous sports and enter- Sheikh Mohammed and some Ashkal, Jassim Al Ghazali, Yanis Aouabed a win with Al Ghazali-trained tainment activities greeted visi- senior management members also Sahaba Al Uraiq, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Qaa’ed. tors who spent the day with their participated in horse riding. Bentley Qaa’ed finished with a time of families, friends and colleagues at Several QREC employees and 2:09:55. QREC. members as well as their families Reagan Bret, Ahmed Kobeissi, Gerald Avranche Al Taweel, ridden by Gary Outdoor sports such as football, were engaged in a thrilling foot- for sports. The United Nations Carter, was second while Tadmur, basketball and horse riding were a ball match. has also declared the 6th of April guided by T O’Shea, was third. big hit while children were enter- Specifying a designated day as an international day for sport. Race seven was sealed by tained with activities like face- to celebrate sports in the coun- The sports sector is one of the Star Deal, who was piloted by painting and pony riding. try was a move by the Emir, main components of the social Y Al Hajri while in race four, The children were thrilled to H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al development pillar of the National Thameen cornered glory with get a pony ride which was pro- Thani, reflecting vision in caring Development Strategy 2011-2016 jockey Almotasem Al Balushi in vided by QREC. A horse race was about the health and wellbeing of and Qatar National Vision 2030. the saddle. also conducted by the QREC to the people in Qatar. Further, it plays an important Today, the action at QREC enable the children to feel the The initiative was admired role in improving the quality of resumes with riders aiming for thrill of the contest. worldwide, as Qatar was the pio- life for all people. Marmi Cup glory. The event was attended by neer in adopting a national day THE PENINSULA

Lambert sacked Balotelli ends goal drought as Arsenal go fourth as Aston Villa LONDON: Mario Balotelli oversaw a vital result at the finally scored his first Premier Stadium of Light. manager League goal for Liverpool to They took the lead for the first seal a dramatic 3-2 win over time in an away game this sea- LONDON: Paul Lambert has Tottenham, while Arsenal son when Dutch midfielder Leroy been sacked as manager of moved up to fourth place with a Fer met Matt Phillips’ cross with Aston Villa after a run of 10 2-1 victory against Leicester on a powerful header in the 17th winless games took them into Tuesday. minute. the Premier League relegation Balotelli has endured a mis- Bobby Zamora increased QPR’s zone, the club announced. erable time at Anfield since his lead on the stroke of half-time Lambert, 45, took over at Villa pre-season move from AC Milan, with a superb strike from another Park in 2012 and led the Midlands but in his 13th league appearance Phillips cross. club to 15th-place finishes in his for the Reds he picked the perfect Hull climbed out of the relega- first two seasons, but the former moment to break his goal drought tion zone at Aston Villa’s expense Scotland midfielder had come with an 83rd minute winner after with a crucial 2-0 win at the KC under pressure from fans follow- coming off the bench. Stadium. ing a poor run of recent form. The Italian striker had only Steve Bruce’s side had the Villa recently went 11 hours scored twice previously for worst record at home in the without scoring a Premier League Liverpool, with his last coming league this season with just nine goal and supporters unveiled a against Swansea in the League points from 11 games. banner calling for Lambert to Cup in October. But they made a perfect start leave during their 2-0 loss at Balotelli’s headline-grabbing Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli (centre) celebrates with his team-mate Mamadou Sakho (left) after scoring a goal when Dame N’Doye picked out fellow strugglers Hull City on intervention provided a fit- against Tottenham Hotspur during an English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool on Tuesday night. Nikica Jelavic in the 22nd minute Tuesday. ting finale to an entertaining and the Croatian striker fired in a “The club would also like to encounter which saw Liverpool 74th minute and netted nine Crystal Palace midfielder James against Burnley on Wednesday. shot that took a big deflection off place on record its thanks to Paul lead through Lazar Markovic’s minutes later when he tapped-in McArthur around the throat on “We had some good moments Ciaran Clark and looped in. and take this opportunity to wish 15th minute goal before in-form Adam Lallana’s cross. the touchline during his side’s 1-0 in the game and a good spirit. With irate Villa fans holding him every success in the future,” Tottenham forward Harry Kane Brendan Rodgers’ side stay defeat. We dropped in the second half up a banner calling for boss Paul Villa added. continued his hot streak with a seventh but move within one But it was his Arsenal counter- and became a bit nervous. I’m Lambert to be sacked, their team “The club will announce a new 26th minute equaliser to take his point of sixth placed Tottenham part Arsene Wenger who was cel- surprised Leicester are bottom fell further behind in the 74th manager in due course. There will goal tally for the season to 23. in the battle to qualify for the ebrating when French defender of the league,” said Wenger, who minute when N’Doye scored his be no further comment from the Just hours after the Premier Champions League via a top-four Laurent Koscielny swept home admitted he was concerned by a first Hull goal after his initial club at this stage.” League announced a staggering 70 finish. from Mesut Ozil’s corner in the late “muscular” injury to Wales effort was saved. AFP The defeat at the KC Stadium per cent increase in the value of “Mario Balotelli has been work- 27th minute. midfielder Aaron Ramsey. saw Villa slip into the Premier its British television rights for the ing hard in training and for the Theo Walcott doubled Arsenal’s QPR ended their Premier League’s bottom three for the 2016-19 seasons, with Sky and BT last couple of weeks he’s been ill lead in the 41st minute when he League record run of 11 consecu- English Premier first time this season, raising the Sports paying a combined £5.1 bil- so it’s great that he scored the finished off the rebound after tive away defeats with a 2-0 win at prospect of a first relegation since lion ($7.8 billion, 6.9 billion euros) winner,” Liverpool assistant man- Leicester goalkeeper Mark Sunderland that lifted the man- League Results the 1986-87 campaign. to show games, this was a thriller ager Colin Pascoe said. Schwarzer had parried Ozil’s shot. agerless Hoops out of the bottom Collated English Premier League Villa, European champions in to justify that huge outlay. Arsenal stole a march on their Leicester’s club record sign- three. results on Tuesday: 1982, made a strong start to the Steven Gerrard’s 53rd minute top-four rivals with an edgy ing Andrej Kramaric netted in On a night when QPR chair- season, winning three and draw- Arsenal 2 (Koscielny 27, Walcott 41) Leicester penalty, awarded for Danny Rose’s success against bottom of the the 61st minute with his first man Tony Fernandes hinted that ing one of their first four league 1 (Kramaric 61) trip on Daniel Sturridge, restored table Leicester at the Emirates goal since joining the Foxes, the the search for a replacement for fixtures, but have won just two of Liverpool’s lead before Mousa Stadium. £9 million signing lashing home Harry Redknapp was reaching its Hull 2 (Jelavic 22, N’Doye 74) Aston Villa 0 their subsequent 21 matches. Dembele bundled in Kane’s cross Leicester manager Nigel from a Riyad Mahrez cross, but conclusion, with former Swansea Liverpool 3 (Markovic 15, Gerrard 53-pen, They were knocked out of the eight minutes later. Pearson remained in charge Arsenal survived late pressure to chief Michael Laudrup strongly Balotelli 83) Tottenham 2 (Kane 26, Dembele League Cup by third-tier Leyton That set the stage for Balotelli, despite reports of his dismissal on climb above Manchester United, linked with the manager’s job, 61) Orient, but have reached the fifth who replaced Sturridge in the Sunday, 24 hours after he grabbed who can reclaim fourth with a win caretaker boss Chris Ramsey Sunderland 0 QPR 2 (Fer 17, Zamora 45) round of the FA Cup. AFP THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31

Qatar’s Nasser elected to ISSF Athletes Committee

DOHA: Qatar iconic sports star Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (pictured) has been elected as a member of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Athletes Committee for a four-year period. “We welcome you as member of the ISSF Athletes Committee and look forward to a good and fruitful cooperation. In the next (few) days, you will receive the official designation letter together with the diploma,” says a letter which was released to the press here yesterday. The communiqué has been The pack rides past a truck transporting camels during the fourth stage of the 2015 , between Al Thakhira and , yesterday. jointly signed by Olegario Vazquez Rana and Franz Schreiber, President and Secretary General of ISSF respectively. India’s World and Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra has been elected as Chairman of the ISSF Athletes Committee. Confident Kristoff mounts Bindra, who specializes in rifle events, won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The other members of the com- mittee include Zorana Arunovic of Serbia, Marco De Nicola of Italy, Jongoh Jin of Korea, Henri late surge to win stage 4 Junghaenel of Germany and Zuzana Overnight leader Terpstra retains Tour of Qatar lead despite slow race Rehak Stefecekova of Slovenia. BY RIZWAN REHMAT The Cycling Results 44-year-old DOHA: Bristling with con- Nasser is fidence after his stage win and Standings Qatar’s high- on Monday, Katusha rider profile ath- yesterday Top 10 results in stage four lete thanks produced another late surge to 1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha to his suc- grab the win in stage four of the 4:15:57 cess not only Tour of Qatar where overnight 2 (Svk) -Saxo in the sport of skeet shooting but leader retained 3 (Ger) Team Giant-Alpecin also as a rally car driver. his lead despite a sluggish ride. He has represented his country 4 (GBr) Orica GreenEdge The 27-year-old Norwegian at five Olympic Games — with a 5 Stefano Pirazzi (Ita) Bardiani CSF edged Slovakia’s Peter Sagan in bronze at the 2012 London Games a photo-finish at Mesaieed after 6 (Aus) IAM Cycling his best so far. the riders completed a distance 7 Borut Bozic (Slo) Astana Pro Team His driving career is no less of 165.5km. 8 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team accomplished, having won the Nikias Arndt (Giant-Alpecin), 9 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team 2006 Production World Rally Adam Blythe (Astana) and 10 (Ita) Lampre-Merida Championship and the Dakar Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) Rally twice. He first won the General classification completed the top five after the grueling Dakar Rally in 2011 and pack reached the finish line 25 1 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step again repeated the feat this year. minutes ahead of schedule. 12:09:44 Being a two-sport athlete is a Several crashes were recorded 2 (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:06 challenging logistical exercise but much before the final sprint yes- 3 (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:12 Nasser is committed to excelling terday. Among the riders that 4 (Bel) BMC Racing at both disciplines. went down included Team 0:00:19 “It is my dream to compete in (Astana), (MTN- Norway’s Alexander Kristoff (second from right) sprints to win the fourth stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between 5 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha a sixth Olympic Games and win Qhubeka) and Al Thakhira and Mesaieed, yesterday. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT 0:00:21 gold,” Nasser had said about his (Team Sky). 6 (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:33 plans to take part in the 2016 None of the riders suffered any hit by the winds. I will try to keep really where I should be. I feel bunched without the slightest Games in Rio de Janeiro. 7 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 0:00:37 serious injury as all of them fin- the yellow jersey,” he added. good. It was a lot of headwind. It rider attempting a final attack. “I will reduce the number of ished the stage behind Kristoff “Tomorrow (Thursday) is a was quite in the pack. You get a When the time for a bunched 8 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling rally events I will be taking this who seemed pleased with his well- new day. I will try again for a lot of thrust. It could be different sprint came, Kristoff powered to 0:00:39 year. I want to spend more time timed surge at the end. stage again. I think tomorrow will tomorrow. I have to be focused the line, beating Sagan and Arndt. 9 Andriy Grivko (Ukr) Astana Pro Team with my family. I also want to do “I lost my team-mate near be a hard day as there could be a and ready to fight,” Kristoff said. Thanks to his second stage win, 0:00:41 more shooting camps and concen- the end but we managed to do lot of crosswinds. Maybe we will Earlier yesterday, the pictur- the Norwegian took command of 10 (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step trate on my goal. The goal is to good. In the last 300m I was see a small group at the end,” the esque site of Al Thakhira, just the points classification and will 0:00:42 win gold at the next Olympics in struggling. I couldn’t sprint as I Norwegian added. north of the city of Al Khor, wel- be wearing the silver jersey in Overall point classification Brazil,” he had said. was down a bit. I was leading and “I will try to win as it is a not comed the riders for the start of today’s s penultimate stage. 1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha Qualification for the Rio Games was barely able to hold off Sagan easy. I shouldn’t make a mistake. stage four. The overall leader’s golden jer- 32pts will be the first target and the who was coming fast,” Kristoff I hope I can be in the first group. After their time-trial effort on sey remains on the shoulders of upcoming March 15 to 24 ISSF 2 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo 26 said. I hope I can do it tomorrow,” he Tuesday, the 139 riders, including Terpstra, but due to a slight gap World Cup Shotgun in Acapulco, “I wasn’t sure if I won or not said. Terpstra, took off at 11.34am for a in the pack, the Dutchman loses 3 Tom Boonen (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step 21 Mexico is one of the several and that’s why I couldn’t cele- “I am very happy. I did not 165.5km ride to Messaieed. two precious seconds on his clos- 4 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 18 events which will serve as a quali- brate,” he said with a smile. “Yes, come here thinking I could win After 10km, despite a fast pace, est rival. 5 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Etixx - Quick-Step 17 fying event for the quadrennial the peloton came really fast. I was stages but now I have two. I am three riders managed to take off: Terpstra now has a 6-second 6 Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team event in 2016 to be hosted by the Jacp Venter, Dmitriy Gruzdev and lead over Maciej Bodnar and 12 17 Brazilian city. Jarl Salomein. seconds over Ian Stannard. Great 7 Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling 15 THE PENINSULA Their lead reached 3’40 as team Britain’s Luke Rowe remained the 8 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Etixx Quickstep took control of best young rider and keeps his Team 14 the chase. The first intermedi- white pearl jersey. 9 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Giant-Alpecin 13 ate sprint (at 76.5km mark) was Krsitoff said he was surprised claimed by Salomein ahead of with his early-season dominance. 10 (Swi) Trek Factory Guardiola Venter and Gruzdev while the “I am surprised I have done so Racing 12 pack remained 3’ adrift. well. Normally I am a slow starter. Overall team classification ‘crossed a line’, The pack kept good control of I did not expect this. The plan is 1 Etixx-Quick Step 36:30:32 the escapees and slowly moved to win again and I know it is going 2 Team Sky 0:00:24 says refs’ boss closer. The second bonus sprint to be hard. It has gone well two 3 Astana Pro Team 0:00:25 (at136.5-km mark) was won by times so why not,” Kristoff said. 4 BMC Racing Team 0:00:55 BERLIN: Bayern Munich Gruzdev in front of Salomein and “For me this is a training race coach Pep Guardiola “would 5 Team Katusha 0:01:31 Venter while the gap had dropped to get in better shape. I have been do well to adjust his attitude”, down to 1’15. coming here. I feel better this 6 Orica GreenEdge 0:02:27 warned Herbert Fadel, head of Eventually, the front three year. I had a good bike and good 7 Tinkoff-Saxo 0:03:02 the German FA’s referee com- were caught by the pack with training. I feel better on the bike 8 IAM Cycling 0:03:16 mission, after the Spaniard Niki Terpstra receives the overall leader’s Golden Jersey after the fourth 20km to go. Fighting against the than previous years. Such things 9 Team Giant-Alpecin 0:03:45 ran towards the fourth official stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar yesterday. strong head wind all the way to make a difference,” Kristoff said. 10 FDJ 0:05:12 in last week’s 1-1 draw against Mesaieed, the peloton remained THE PENINSULA Schalke. Guardiola is under close scru- tiny after his 45m run to protest a disallowed Robert Lewandowski USADA chief rejects Armstrong ‘witch-hunt’ claim goal. Within seconds of the decision, SINGAPORE: The US anti- others to say soundbites like he sympathy” with the seven-time his Tour titles and given a life ban main international sport appeal Guardiola stormed out of his tech- doping chief yesterday dis- said,” Tygart told reporters at the winner. from cycling by USADA in 2012 court, when the lifetime ban was nical area and was seen talking to missed accusations of a “witch sidelines of an anti-doping intel- “He was very much made a for using a cocktail of perform- imposed in 2012. and also touching the assistant at hunt” against Lance Armstrong ligence seminar in Singapore. scapegoat, there was a witch-hunt ance-enhancing drugs, having “Lance certainly had every the corner flag. On his way back, and said he was delighted with But “the evidence is telling. after Armstrong,” McQuaid said. denied for years he was a cheat. opportunity to challenge that Arjen Robben headed the corner reforms aimed at cleaning up There have been roughly 26 “USADA wanted a big name,” The cancer-survivor eventually sanction,” Tygart said. home to give Bayern the lead and cycling. athletes, coaches, team doctors McQuaid said, adding that the made a public confession in 2013. “And certainly Pat McQuaid the coach then embraced fourth Travis Tygart, Chief Executive who have been held accountable. Colorado-based agency was not But last month, he also told the could have appealed our deci- referee Robert Kempter. of the US Anti-Doping Agency Several of them have gotten life- “really interested in the smaller BBC he would cheat again if faced sion to impose the lifetime ban. “Pep Guardiola would do well (USADA), hit back at com- time bans as well,” Tygart said. riders and also they made deals with the same circumstances. If he in any way felt that was to adjust his attitude,” Fandel told ments from former International Irishman McQuaid, UCI’s with the smaller riders in order to Tygart questioned why unfair or was singling out Lance German weekly newspaper Bild. Cycling Union (UCI) President President from 2006 to 2013, said get the information they needed Armstrong and McQuaid chose Armstrong, he certainly as the “With all due respect to strong Pat McQuaid. in a British radio interview last on the big guys”. not to appeal to the Court of president of UCI had the appeal emotional reactions, he crossed a “It is easy for Pat McQuaid or month that he had a “certain Armstrong, 43, was stripped of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the rights to go to CAS.” AFP line.” AFP Thursday 12 February 2015 23 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6339 Sport Price: QR2 Most Popular Bangladeshi Newspaper Bolt eager to Li seeks win as reclaim sprint Laureus awards PROTHOM ALO WEEKLY Published every Thursday supremacy visit Shanghai Available in all leading stores in Qatar       Tel: 4465 0600 Email: [email protected] Sport | 26 Sport | 27

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar’s Nasser headlines home event A galaxy of Olympic and World champions in Doha for the Shotgun championship

DOHA: London Games bronze “We have shooters from five medallist Nasser Saleh Al continents taking part includ- Qatar Open Attiyah will lead the home chal- ing, 12 Olympic champions lenge at Qatar Open Shotgun and 15 World champions,” said Shotgun championship which will be Abdullah Ali Al Hammadi, contested by a host of Olympic General Secretary of QSAA, Championship and World champions, the while addressing a press confer- Today: Official Training Skeet M/MJ/W/WJ organisers of the event said ence here yesterday. Tomorrow: Skeet W/WJ 75 Targets; Skeet here yesterday. “Out of 250 shooters, 50 shoot- M/MJ 50 Targets The eight-day championship, ers are from Qatar, including Finals Skeet W which is hosted by Qatar Shooting Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah” added 14 Feb: Skeet M/MJ 75 Targets; Finals and Archery Association (QSAA) the Qatar official. Skeet M for the fifth successive year, will The championship, Al feature over 250 shooters from 33 Hammadi said, will help shooters 15 Feb: Official Training Double Trap M countries competing in Double from Qatar to develop their skills. 16 Feb: Double Trap M 150 Targets; Finals Trap, Skeet and Trap events at “The competition in the Double Trap the $132,600 championship. championship will be very high. 17 Feb: Official Training Trap M/MJ/W/WJ Besides Qatar’s Nasser, some of Competing against shooters from 18 Feb: Trap W/WJ 75 Targets; Trap M/ the prominent shooters who are different countries of such high MJ 50 Targets; Finals Trap W in Qatar include: Vasily Mosin of level will help shooters from 19 Feb: Trap M/MJ 75 Targets; Finals Russia, bronze medallist at the Qatar to gain a lot of experience Trap M 2012 London Games in Doubel and help develop their individual Venue: Shooting Complex Trap, Alexey Alipov, also of Russia, skills,” the QSAA official said. Tore Brovold of Norway, Fehaid The championship will be con- Shooters taking part from: Aldeehanni of Kuwait, Francesco tested in both the men’s and Algeria, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, D Aniello of Italy, Anthony Terras women’s section and also in junior Canada, Croatia, Denmark, , France, of France, Erik Varga of Slovakia, category. The Qatar event will serve Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Ireland, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan, Henrik Jansson of Sweden, Mikhail as a preparation for the world’s top Abdulla Ali Al Hammadi, General Secretary of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) speaking during a Kuwait, Lebanon, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Leybo, Vitaly Fokeev, both of shotgun shooters for the March 15 press conference ahead of the Qatar Open Shotgun Shooting championship which begins from today at the Losail Russia, Khaled Al Mudhaf, Nikolas to 24 ISSF World Cup Shotgun to Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Shooting Range. Also present for the press conference were Antonella Bartolomei (left), Tournament Director, Thailand, Tonga, Ukraine, UAE, US and Mavrommatis of Greece and be held in Acapulco, Mexico. Fatima Salem Algesaman (second left), Board Member of QSAA and Saud Al Khatani Competition Manager. Jesper Hansen of Denmark. THE PENINSULA Qatar.