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Home | 6 Business | 21 Sport | 28 2014 was hotter Qatar banks’ loan New Zealand for Doha than book fall by 0.5pc outplayed the previous and deposits by England on third year. 0.2pc in April. day at Lord’s.

SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 • 6 Shaaban 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6440 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Al Sadd win Emir Cup for football Christie’s denies Airlines raise Picasso sale to ex-Qatar PM

DOHA: Christie’s has denied fares as peak ‘rumours’ circulating in a sec- tion of the Western media that a Picasso painting was sold to former prime minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim season arrives bin Jabor Al Thani at record price. Femmes d’ Alger was sold to an anonymous telephone bidder Budget carriers also cash in on demand for $179m, breaking all records for the most expensive artwork BY FAZEENA SALEEM especially Kerala, are fully booked. ever purchased at auction. “It’s more expensive and has New York Post’s page 6 on May DOHA: Expatriates planning a high demand when it comes to 20 reported that the painting summer vacation have been hit direct flights and immediate con- was bought by Sheikh Hamad. hard by a sharp rise in air fares, nections,” a travel executive told Several leading newspapers and which industry sources put at this daily yesterday. TV channels in the West carried an average of 10 percent higher “Although tickets are paid by similar reports. compared to the peak season employers for many passengers, Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani presents Emir Cup for football to Al Sadd players at Al Sadd Stadium Responding to the report, fares last year. there is a considerable number yesterday. The team defeated El Jaish 2-1. See also pages 31 and 32 Christie’s denied the identity Tickets to popular Asian des- of people forced to buy tickets on of the buyer and said what had tinations like Colombo, Manila, their own. been reported were rumours and Kathmandu, Dhaka and the “Even if it’s QR100, it matters assumptions. The British daily Indian cities of Calicut, Chennai to them, especially when they The Telegraph and the US-based and Mumbai have particularly purchase more than one ticket,” Leisure trips on loans decried CNBC channel also denied the become dearer. she added. rumours and said Sheikh Hamad The 10 percent increase is A return trip to Calicut DOHA: As the summer months in his last sermon. taking loans and getting into debt is “definitely not” the buyer. added to the usual hike during the would cost about QR4,000 and have begun prompting families He said rising indebtedness in traps was their problem. “This is THE PENINSULA peak season, which starts from to Mumbai QR3,900, which is to plan dream overseas vaca- the community is largely due to not true. Indebtedness concerns June, which could be 75 percent to between QR300 and QR500 tions for this year, clerics and bank loans taken to fund leisure entire society. It is a social evil.” 100 percent more than the normal higher than last year, said another community elders are join- trips. “Some 80 percent of prob- She said it was unfortunate Mosque bomber was fare, say travel industry sources. a travel consultant. ing forces to raise awareness lem and un-serviced loans are that the community was fast South Asians constitute the A return trip to Colombo against people funding leisure these loans,” he said in remarks becoming addicted to consumer- linked to IS: Saudi major chunk of the expatriate would cost about QR3,300 and to trips through bank loans. published by local Arabic daily ism as people tended to splurge populations in Qatar and large Chennai QR3,800 during the sea- The situation of families strug- Al Raya yesterday. And Al Watan money on unproductive things. RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yes- numbers of them prefer to spend son. A similar trip cost an average gling to repay loans splurged on quoted a businessman as saying “What should be encouraged terday identified the suicide the Eid and school holidays home. QR300 less last year. unproductive things like lux- that it would be wiser if people is productivity, not a consumer- bomber who killed 21 worship- The sources say tickets to The travel agents this daily ury foreign trips seems to have saved from their earnings regu- ist culture in our society.” pers in a Shi’a mosque and con- top Asian destinations like the spoke to could not give a satis- become so alarming that imams larly and spent it on foreign holi- Dr Rajab A Ismail, a Qatar firmed his link to the Islamic South Indian cities of Calicut, factory explanation for the sharp have begun talking against peo- days or to buy new cars. University professor, blamed State. Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and hike, but some said it is largely ple’s indebtedness in their Friday Mohamed Abdullah Al Obaidly banks for making promotions for “His name was Salih bin Chennai and Sri Lankan capital due to the fact that airlines sermons. said people should try to save at tour loan packages during the Abdulrahman Salih Al Ghishaami, Colombo would cost eight percent change fare structures based on A cleric last Friday said some least 10-20 percent of monthly summer and said they should a Saudi national,” the Interior to 14 percent more compared to demand. families spent about QR1m earnings and these savings could raise awareness against the social Ministry said in a statement. “He last year. Fares are subject to fluctuation ($275,000) on a foreign trip and be spent on overseas trips or new dangers of indebtedness. He said was wanted by security services Even budget airlines have and depend on the season and they, thus, get caught in vicious vehicles. “This would mean they people could save money by going for belonging to a terrorist cell jacked up fares, cashing in on travel dates, they said. and never-ending debt traps. would not have to take loans.” on overseas trips in groups and as receiving directions from Daesh the huge demand, and flights to Continued on page 10 “This is socially dangerous,” Hind Al Muftah told the daily part of packages. abroad,” it said, using the Arabic most south Asian destinations, THE PENINSULA warned Sheikh Abdullah Al Sada that people usually believed that THE PENINSULA acronym for IS. AFP

HOME SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

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Sudan president arriving today HMC to honour over 400 blood donors DOHA: Sudanese President DOHA: For the fifth consecu- under the patronage of Minister of the support of some of Qatar’s most Petrochemical Company as express gratitude to volun- Field Marshall Omar Hassan tive year, Blood Donor Centre has Public Health H E Abdulla bin Khalid high-profile companies and well-wish- silver sponsors. tary blood donors helping Al Bashir will arrive in Qatar achieved 100 percent voluntary Al Qahtani to honour the donors. It ers from the community. “Blood donation helps save the lives of patients today. Emir H H Sheikh blood donation rate, the highest will be held under the universal theme The event will be sponsored by save millions of lives every with life-threatening Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the region, and over 400 donors this year ‘Thank You for Saving My Qatar Chemical Company as plati- year. It gives patients with diseases. will meet him to discuss bilat- and several local organisations will Life’. num sponsor, Al Fardan Holding life-threatening diseases “Thanks to innovative eral relations and means of be honoured by Hamad Medical Ali Al Khater, Executive Director, Company and Qatar Gas Company in need of blood transfu- blood donation awareness enhancing them as well as Corporation (HMC) on World Blood Corporate Communications as gold sponsor and Qatar Electricity sion a chance to live longer programmes we have initi- issues of joint interest. QNA Donor Day. Department, HMC, told an event on and Water Company, Qatar Steel, Al and improve the quality of ated at HMC, we are play- A ceremony will be held on June 14 Thursday that HMC was grateful for Darwish United Company and Qatar their lives,” Al Khater said. ing a vital role in nurturing “We are grateful for com- the culture of blood dona- munity support.” tion in the community and He said the centre and helping attract more vol- the department have untary donors. joined forces to promote “The blood donation World Blood Donor Day effort is helping supple- through media campaigns ment the strategic reserve and supporting events and of the blood bank and in activities. meeting the needs for safe Siddiqa Al Mahmoudi, blood and its derivatives by Medical Director of the public and private health- centre, said World Blood care facilities in Qatar.” Donor Day is celebrated to THE PENINSULA

Alfardan ‘Luxury Residential Real Estate of Qatar’ DOHA: Alfardan “The award complements Properties was named Alfardan Properties’ vision winner of ‘Luxury of maintaining a pioneer- Residential Real Estate ing role in the region of Qatar Award’ during in delivering innovative the 2015 Luxury Lifestyle lifestyle solutions that Awards at the Ritz- enrich people’s lives and Carlton Hotel in Dubai. drive community growth. The annual awards are The company comprises an international ceremony meticulously-built homes which honours companies and offices for individuals and brands in the luxury and organisations seeking segment for exemplary ini- inspired luxury living. tiatives and achievements. “The achievement was Alfardan Properties possible because of meas- was honoured for living ures we have taken to be solutions which focus on part of fulfilling goals of luxury, sophistication and Qatar’s National Vision affluence. The company 2030, such as incorporat- received a certificate of ing eco-friendly design ele- recognition and a Golden ments, integrating smart Crown Award symbolising solutions into our properties its leadership in satisfying and offering exquisite amen- sophisticated and demand- ities, facilities and services ing luxury real estate to present Qatar as a leading clients. global business, leisure and Mohamed Sleiman, lifestyle destination.” General Manager, said: THE PENINSULA

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Alliance of Civilisations panel report out DOHA: The Qatar Committee for Alliance of Civilisations yester- day issued its fifth annual report. Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin 2014 was hotter for Qatar Mohamed Al Attiyah said 2014 saw a qualitative leap in the nature of work done by the panel because it was the beginning of its 2014-2016 plan. The panel also participated in regional and international events. QNA than previous year: Reports

BY SACHIN KUMAR year — at 47.9 degrees in May experts forecast mercury to go drought waves in some areas at Doha International Airport up during the year due to El and floods in other places such DOHA: 2014 was hotter for compared to 46.3 degrees in July Nino climatic phenomenon. as southern US and southern Doha than the previous year 2013. “It is a weather cycle of “Summer is likely to be hotter America, which may cause as temperature was higher 3.4 four-five years and temperature this year than last year due to heavy rainfall affecting crops. degrees Celsius compared to and humidity move as per it. El Nino effect,” said the official. Qatar is characterised by a 2013. “2010 and 2011 were compara- El Nino will impact the hot summer starting from June The maximum average tem- tively hot while 2012 and 2013 entire region, not just Qatar, until mid-September. perature last year was 42.7 were colder than previous two as the region is likely to see a Winter is mild, with lit- degrees in July last year and the years,” said an official of Qatar prolonged summer this year tle rainfall which starts from maximum average temperature Meteorology Department. extending beyond September. December until February-end. was 39.3 degrees in July 2013, However, the official was not The El Nino phenomenon is The weather is generally according to reports of Qatar sure if Qatar is on the upside considered in its first stage. It pleasant during March, April, Meteorology Department and of the cycle and temperature is happened in 1997-1998, and the May, October and November, Civil Aviation Authority. expected to rise in coming years. last observed was in 2009-2010. attracting tourists from across The maximum temperature Qatar is unlikely to get res- Disturbances which occur the globe to Qatar. was also recorded higher last pite from high temperature as due to the phenomenon lead to THE PENINSULA QTA to hold road shows in Saudi DOHA: Qatar Tourism launched during Arabian Travel of Qatar’s hospitality offerings, which offers agents and other Authority (QTA) will lead Market in Dubai earlier this focusing on the five-star, four- tourism professionals opportu- a delegation from Qatar month. star and boutique hotel sectors nity to register and start the Airways and 11 hotels on a “The number of visitors from and hotel apartments. process of becoming accredited three-city road show in Saudi Saudi Arabia to Qatar increased “Family-orientated tourism tourism experts on Qatar by Arabia from today. by 28 percent in the first quarter from the region remains promi- giving extensive online training The road show follows the of 2015 to over 240,000. Qatar is nent and we will always ensure information to enhance their opening of QTA representative not standing still. Luxury hotel that there is a focus on activities knowledge on Qatar as a des- offices in Jeddah and Riyadh last construction continues, trans- to meet the needs of this impor- tination and better understand year and forms part of a strat- port infrastructure grows and tant target market,” he added. the offerings. egy to enhance promotional bold new developments continue He said the festival through- The programme, which has efforts in key target markets in to be planned,” said Rashed Al out August will include enter- qualified over 600 tourism pro- the GCC. Qurese, Chief Marketing and tainment and cultural activities fessionals internationally, aims In Jeddah, Riyadh and Promotions Officer, QTA. to attract an increasing number to develop an international team Dammam, QTA and partners “We will continue with new of tourists from Saudi Arabia of ‘tourism ambassadors’ for will update over 120 Saudi- promotional initiatives in the and the Gulf. Qatar, in their home markets. based travel agents and tour region and QTA, with partner QTA will also recognise The Qatari delegation will operators on tourism oppor- participants at the road show, travel agents who have com- be led by Hamad Al Abdan, tunities in Qatar and plans for will provide agents with insight pleted its online destination Director of Exhibitions, QTA. the 2015 Qatar Summer Festival into an excellent cross-section training programme, Tawash, THE PENINSULA Commercial Bank names campaign winners DOHA: Commercial ners of its exceptional summer these weeks will get the opportu- benefits of a payment holiday of Bank yesterday campaign, which offers custom- nity to participate. up to six months for Qataris and announced the first win- ers the best deals for personal, Customers can enjoy the cam- three for expatriates, same day vehicle and mortgage loans. paign until Eid Al Fitr in July approvals, and banking support Sarika Harshan and Agnes benefitting from personal loans round the clock. Marie Soriano entered the first with repayment rates as low as “Commercial Bank continues week’s prize draw by taking out a 3.99 percent reducing interest to offer exceptional value for its personal loan with the bank. rate (equivalent to 2.15 percent customers. To give customers They each won travel vouchers flat interest rate), vehicle loans more benefits over the summer worth QR15,000 to spend however as low as 1.99 percent flat inter- months we will continue to offer they choose, on any destination est rate (equivalent to 3.69 per- two customers the chance to win they desire. cent reducing interest rate) and travel vouchers worth QR15,000 There will be two winners mortgage loans with repayment every week until the end of the every week for the next 11 weeks rates starting from 3.99 percent campaign,” said Dean Proctor, throughout the campaign and all reducing interest rate (equivalent EGM Chief Consumer & Private customers who take a personal, to 2.15 percent flat interest rate). Banking of the bank. vehicle or mortgage loan during All loans come with added THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Education forum QRC begins wheat project in Syria

DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent adopts Incheon (QRC) has launched a development project to enhance the 2015 wheat season crop in northern Syria, as part of food security projects to Declaration reactivate the stalled economy. With $245,000 (QR890,881) fund- DOHA: More than 130 education ministers and ing from QRC, the project is designed over 1,500 participants have adopted the Incheon to support the growing of wheat as Declaration — Education 2030: Towards inclusive and an important crop, trying to increase equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all its production to acceptable levels. — that will mobilise countries and partners to imple- This can alleviate the everyday ment the new sustainable development goal (SDG) on suffering of the Syrian people, who education. can no longer rely on the insufficient The declaration was signed in culmination of World assistance from the international Education Forum last week, also attended by an Education community, which leaves them idle Above All (EAA) delegation, including Chairperson H H and dependent on foreign aid, QRC Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. said in a statement. The Qatari delegation was headed by Minister of The project aims to encourage Education and Higher Education Dr H E Mohammed farmers to cultivate their abandoned Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi. Marcio Barbosa, CEO, EAA, lands, increase wheat production in represented the delegation in the ‘Declaration’ session. target regions as a strategic food Dr Hamda Al Sulaiti, Qatar’s representative at the item, create work opportunities for plenary session that adopted the declaration, said, “Qatar jobless agricultural labourers, end The project will enhance the 2015 wheat season in the north, as part of food security projects to reactivate the stalled economy. fully supports the declaration and we are pleased to see wheat monopoly in farming areas, the points raised by Sheikha Moza included in the final and lighten the burden on humani- affordable for Syrians. Organisation for Seed Multiplication QRC’s office in Turkey to execute text.” The declaration is a historic commitment to trans- tarian organisations by shifting from Talks were held with World Food and 358.1 tonnes will be kept by QRC relief and development projects in form lives through a new vision for education, with bold relief to resource development. Programme to purchase the wheat to support the 2016 wheat season. Syria to help communities survive and innovative actions to coordinate, finance and monitor The project is launched through harvest instead of importing food The crop is expected to be collected the crisis, which has weighed nega- the education agenda for the next 15 years. QRC’s representative office in Turkey, from Turkey and other countries. by next month-end. tively on all aspects of their lives. With it, member states have committed to prioritise in cooperation with International Serving 108 farmers in northern A total of 2,865 donums will be It also help QRC utilise its legal access to quality basic education for 121 million children Humanitarian Relief (IHR) and Aleppo and Idlib countryside areas, cultivated, each costing $75-130 and capacity as a globally recognised and adolescents at the primary and lower secondary level Green Plan. the project is expected to produce yielding 400 kg of wheat or 390 bread humanitarian organisation whose who remain out of school. The wheat will be used to produce 1,146 tonnes of wheat of which 429.8 package. One package serves a five- vehicles, facilities and staff are pro- The commitment is a significant step towards complet- flour for bread, lowering the pro- tonnes will be retained by farmers for person family. tected under international laws and ing the unfinished goal of Millennium Development Goal duction costs and making its prices personal use, 358.1 tonnes for General The project is part of work by conventions. THE PENINSULA (MDG) 2 to achieve universal primary education. The declaration underpins education targets in SDGs to be ratified at a special United Nations summit in September. Of particular importance is the recognition of the need to build on lessons learned by MDGs and the commitment to provide meaningful education opportu- nities for the large population of out-of-school children QU’s College of Law hosts Annual Career Fair who require immediate, targeted and sustained action to ensure that all children are in school and learning. DOHA: Qatar University’s College employers that provided 10 weeks distinguished and skilled individuals they can receive training and intern- At the opening session of the multilateral international of Law (QU-LAWC) hosted Annual and 120 hours of externship experi- who will contribute to advancing the ship experience and who will be their forum, Sheikha Moza appealed to participants to embrace Career Fair that oriented about ences to more than 100 students of legal sector in Qatar. employers.” the new agenda with pragmatism and realism and focus 100 male and female students on the college this academic year. “The event highlights the college’s Melissa Joy Deehring, Director, on the 58 million children of primary school age around government and private organisa- Students had the opportunity to pursuit in providing students with Externship Programme, said: “The the world that are out of school. tions in the legal and human rights interact with employers and get opportunities to high-quality aca- event highlighted the programme’s During a panel discussion entitled ‘Providing meaning- sectors to help them choose the an insight into the labour market’s demic programmes and vocational role in developing students’ knowl- ful learning opportunities for out of school children’, Mary institution they want to train in or needs and employers’ expectations as training to strengthen professional edge, skills and experience and pre- Joy Pigozzi, Director, Educate A Child, a programme of submit résumés. well as training services and intern- experience and help them choose pare them to join the labour market EAA, said, “We are at an important juncture. Education Organised by the college’s ships they can follow to develop skills, their career path.” through training activities and ministries and education systems are adopting proven Externship Programme, the event abilities and professional experience. Dr Yassin El Shazly, Associate internships in local and international innovations developed by other partners. This is an featured around 30 booths from local Dr Mohamed bin Abdul Aziz Al Dean, Communication and institutions which reflects objectives extraordinary opportunity to improve the quality of edu- and international law firms and legal Khulaifi, Dean of the college, said: Community Service, said: “It is and values outlined in national devel- cation while ensuring access to this better education for departments. “The college continues to deliver on important for our students to start to opment strategies.” the most marginalised.” THE PENINSULA A ceremony honoured 60 legal its mission and vision to graduate network with companies from whom THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Gaza crisis Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE World Bank has said that Gaza’s economy is on the verge of collapse. Nobody would dispute the bank’s statement, and many wouldn’t need even TWorld Bank to say that. Israel has been choking this territory economically ever since Hamas came to power Clinton’s battle-tested through an election and there are no signs of an end to this suffering. Repeated rounds of conflict, internal divisions and the embargo imposed by Egypt are other reasons for Gaza’s problems. strategy of boredom World Bank has said that Gaza’s economy is in a worse state than any other in the world. Unemployment is at an BY MARGARET CARLSON of the Foundation,” she said. “I’ll let no more about it for another month. unmanageable level, output has contracted sharply and the American people make their own She was following the first rule of the long-term prospects for the economy are worrying. HIS week, Hillary Clinton judgments.” Clintonland: Wait out the first wave The territory’s 1.8 million population is facing poverty and broke her almost month-long There’s nothing to see here. Move of attacks, then say there’s nothing to destitution. “Blockades, war and poor governance have streak of avoiding the press. on. be concerned about in a frustrated, strangled Gaza’s economy and the unemployment rate is now TAfter a speech on small busi- My boring question: Is Hillary sing-song voice, as if to a group of nesses in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she took just kidding us or is she also kid- kindergartners. the highest in the world,” said the report drafted by Steen Lau six questions from reporters who have ding herself? At the very least, she The template was forged when her Jorgensen, the World Bank’s director for Gaza and the West been diligently following her around didn’t report the Foundation’s dona- husband intoned his infamous denial Bank. since she announced her presidential tions from foreign governments, as about not having sex with that woman, Gaza’s exports virtually disappeared and the manufacturing candidacy April 12. she promised the president she would then left the stage to his enemies for sector has shrunk by as much as 60 percent. Among other No surprise, the media didn’t clamor when she became secretary of state. six months, giving them time to self- shocking statistics cited in the report are that overall for her to flesh out her plan for small At worst, the Foundation took money destruct. Instead of Clinton having to businesses. Instead, she found herself from some shady characters hoping to resign for a scandalous dalliance with unemployment now stands at 43 percent, and 68 percent parrying queries about her e-mails, put a Clinton gloss on dicey businesses. an intern, Ken Starr looked pruriently among the crucial age group of 20-24; the current real GDP is the Clinton Foundation and its donors, But the thin gruel she served up has overzealous, Republicans viciously par- only a couple of percentage points higher than it was 20 years and her vote to a strategic purpose: Next time the con- tisan, and impeachment a bridge too ago while over the same period, approve the inva- troversy comes up, she can say: asked far. the population has increased by sion of Iraq in and answered, old news. Can we please If boring worked for Monica -- Bill 230 percent and last year’s war 2003. talk about the important issues the Clinton is one of the most popular men The economy What would American people care about? on the planet -- surely it’s going to between Israel and Hamas led to a have been a It works, too. The Clintons have an work for Hillary’s more mundane, sex- of Gaza is on 15 percent contraction in GDP for We should have squirm-inducing extraordinary ability to thrive amid free scandals. She’s had a lot of prac- the brink of the year. moment for any turmoil that would fell mere mortals. tice weathering flare-ups: Gennifer The current economic woes known when other candidate They -- and the rest of us -- have seen Flowers, the embarrassing tax deduc- collapse, but will have deeper consequences. was for Clinton an it all before. tion for Bill’s underwear, cattle futures, Hillary announced occasion to draw Speaking of déjà vu, Sidney the pardons, the furnishings taken As well as the economic impact, the world her candidacy on skills tem- Blumenthal, a consigliere from the (and returned) to the White House, the World Bank highlighted the pered in the fires Clinton White House and Monica nefarious friends with private jets and hasn’t noticed socioeconomic and mental toll the with a supremely of decades in poli- Lewinsky scourge, has re- emerged the list goes on. situation is tics. It provided as the author of memos on Libya There were predictions that yet. having. More than 80 percent of boring video that both a reminder that Clinton passed on to top State Hillary’s poll numbers would plummet Gazans receive some form of aid, of her past in Department aides as urgent reading. after the public learned that thou- she intended the hot seat of So how does he fit now and why was sands of e-mails spanning her tenure but 40 percent remain below the to run the most Whitewater, a political operative giving advice on at state were destroyed. It didn’t hap- poverty line. Mental health experts estimate that a third of Monica and Libya policy? Hillary played the loyalty pen. What’s more, with the passage children displayed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder even boring campaign other battles and card: “I have many, many old friends of time, Hillary was able to conflate before the 2014 conflict. a glimpse of her and I always think that it’s important two separate sets of e-mails into Gaza needs urgent help and the most important of that is ever. She’s off to future campaign when you get into politics to have one so that now it’s the darn State the lifting of blockade, first imposed by Israel in 2007 and later strategy: She will friends you had before you were in Department’s fault if anything’s miss- a good start. swat away any politics and to understand what’s on ing. All she has to do is to keep repeat- joined by Egypt. The change of government in Egypt and the unwanted ques- their mind.” ing the answer she gave Tuesday, “I ascension to power of Sisi has hit Gaza hard. The previous tions by stone- Even ABC News anchor George have said repeatedly I want those Brotherhood government had lifted the blockade which walling as long Stephanopoulos, one of the few top e-mails out.” provided a huge relief to Gaza economy. Politics should not as possible and, when that’s no longer aides to President Bill Clinton to escape Note the deft use of “repeatedly,” come in the way of economy. viable, by deflecting with responses the association seemingly unscathed, conveying the sense that these ques- designed to make the topic seem as recently found the tentacles reaching tions are getting really tiresome. The turmoil in Arab countries too is affecting Gaza. Flow boring as rain and her questioners as around his neck because of a charitable We should have known when of aid is affected because oil prices are falling and internal tedious gnats. donation to the Foundation. Hillary announced her candidacy turmoil in several Arab countries means the Palestinian issue Here’s how she handled a question But she will wriggle free of all that with a supremely boring video that has been pushed to the background. about the burgeoning scandal involv- and whatever else comes her way. In she intended to run the most boring The onus is on Palestinians to come out of this crisis. They ing questionable donations to the March, Hillary waited eight days to campaign ever. She’s off to a good start. must diplomacy and enlist the support of the global media to Clinton Foundation: “I am so proud address the missing e-mails, and said BLOOMBERG put pressure on Israel to ease its embargo. The other side Quote of Changing the light bulb the day

here in the world can you also run out of driver’s license cards. LTO to renew temporary licenses, the cropping up for the first time ever, find a mega city that’s Many motorists are also waiting for agency is stamping each provisional and the public blames government running out of vehicle vehicle registration stickers. The LTO license with the expiration date that inefficiency. Wlicense plates? Only pinned the blame for the missing would have been on the regular card The inevitable suspicion is that in the country where the agency in license cards on congestion in the – if it is ever issued. people are paying for goods that do Let us hope charge of issuing the license plates Port of Manila – but isn’t this prob- The license plate problem has not exist, so where does the money has also imposed a ban on vehicles lem supposed to have already been been blamed on a legal challenge go? Apart from arousing suspicions that Archbishop traveling without the plates. The solved? As for the license plates, brought by a long-favored sup- about ghost deliveries, the gross government recently clarified that the the LTO attributed the “critical” sup- plier. Because this case involves the inefficiency in the delivery of public Romero’s vision can ban in Metro Manila covers traveling ply situation to a supposed surge in delivery of public service, it should service is giving rise to jokes along inspire all of us to without vehicle registration. Still, vehicle registration after it imposed not be allowed to move at the usual the line of how many Poles does it vehicles without license plates tend the “no registration, no travel” policy glacial pace of Philippine justice. take to replace a light bulb? Except respect the dignity to be the first to get pulled over. earlier this year. Unfortunately, one group’s inter- now Filipinos are the butt of the joke, The Land Transportation Office, To appease drivers complaining est is causing great inconvenience and we’re not laughing. of all human beings. which is in charge of the plates, has about having to keep returning to the to the majority. These problems are The Philippine Star Barack Obama US President SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 How Muslims in Berlin are tackling jihad

with a shrug in an April interview. “The From the bombing mosque still gets so packed Fridays that people have to pray on the street.” By reclaiming Islam from the extrem- of London a ists, Sabri also hopes to dispel mispercep- tions about it among Europeans who have decade ago to come to equate the faith with Islamic State’s actions. Matar, the student, said while there is the slaughter at Islamophobia in Germany, ignorance is also to blame. He was on the subway a few months French satirical ago when a young German woman approached with some trepidation after magazine Charlie her eyes fell on the word Shariah, Islamic law, in a book on Muslim worship he was reading. The woman said the word, Hebdo in January, at least in her mind, was connected to Islamic State’s beheadings and killings. Matar said he was happy the woman home-grown talked to him because he could explain to her that Shariah isn’t a bad word. “At militants have the end she said, ‘ah, if it’s so, I have no problem,’ “ said Matar. A centre set up by the Interior long been on the Ministry to help combat radicalisation is also helping Germans better under- stand Islam. radar of security The hotline established in 2012 at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees forces. has received about 1,500 calls since then, The difference between adopting an extremist opinion and terrorist extremism is sometimes a hair’s breadth, says Mohamed Taha Sabri, about 100 of them from teachers seeking BY DONNA ABU-NASR shown in his office in Berlin. information on radicalisation and advice on dealing with students affected by it, growing animosity toward Islam in travelled to Syria, according to a senior who delivers pizzas in Hennigsdorf out- manager Florian Endres said by phone here’s a thin line separating their adopted homelands. “If I had to German security official. They’re among side Berlin. When other family members from Nuremberg. angry youth and the world of learn about Islam from the movies and an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 European heard he was planning to go to Syria, they Family members concerned about the jihadists, one that underscores the media, I would be afraid of myself,” Muslims, many with Arab immigrant went to the northwest city of Bremen to radicalisation of relatives have also been Tthe risk European countries said Mohammed Matar, 25, a university backgrounds, who have exchanged life in find him and stop him. in touch, he said. About 80 of the cases face from people they call their own. student who attends the Dar Assalam a stable country for a place where dis- “They gave him a piece of their mind, dealt with people who went to Syria, were It’s one Berlin imam Mohamed Taha Mosque. senters are killed. forced him to shave his beard and told planning to go there or had returned Sabri knows all too well. When an Arab- “They see over there people claiming to The group attracts recruits by turning him he would be harming the clan if he from the country, said Endres. born mother noticed that her 23-year-old speak for Islam. They see Muslims here them into heroes, flying the black flag went,” Al Dawood said. “Our much more important step is to German Muslim son had started using and they lump us all together.” and fighting for a cause, albeit one that About 90 percent of jihadists joining get in touch with them before they go to the words “jihad” and “infidels,” it was From the bombing of London a dec- beheads or torches hostages. Islamic State are male, with an average Syria,” said Endres. Sabri she turned to. ade ago to the slaughter at French satiri- Mosques in Germany play a role in age of 26 and rather poor education, Why do they get radicalised? “It’s an “The difference between adopting an cal magazine Charlie Hebdo in January, radicalising Muslims, said the security the security official said. Women who individual thing,” said Endres. “Maybe extremist opinion and terrorist extrem- home-grown militants have long been on official, who spoke on condition of ano- go are much younger. About 200 jihad- they feel like stars. They see themselves ism is sometimes a hair’s breadth,” the radar of security forces. The rise of nymity because of the sensitivity of the ists have come back, with returnees as elites and heroes.” Sabri, 50, said in an interview at his Dar Islamic State in Syria and Iraq means it issue. Among the perpetrators of the facing trial. At his mosque near a bar with shi- Assalam Mosque in the German capital’s takes more to combat the extremism at September 11, 2001 attacks in the US Radicalisation also occurs through sha water pipes and a store that sells Neukoelln district. its root. were Muslims who had been radical- peers and imprisonment more than Islamic literature and alcohol-free The son would talk about a duty to help The European Union last month set ised as students in the German city of the Internet, and the speed of it has perfume, Sabri said he tries to protect “our brothers” in Syria, the woman told up the European Agenda on Security to Hamburg. quickened from as long as two years the youth by explaining that Islamic Sabri. She was worried his radicalisation unite efforts. The focus is also on risks Many of the mosques are controlled to just a few months, according to State’s actions have nothing to do with would lead him to join the thousands of posed by jihadists coming back home by hardliners who pass on their loath- the official. the faith. Europeans becoming foot soldiers with from the battlefield as hardened warri- ing of the West to worshipers, according Radicals have stopped coming to To deal with the 23-year-man who’s Islamic State. ors with contacts in a global movement. to Berlin-based Islamic scholar Ralph Tunisian-born Sabri’s mosque. A wor- being lured by Syria, Sabri said, he plans Security services say it’s crucial that Places like Berlin, the largest city in Ghadban. shiper who didn’t like his moderate tone to introduce him to men his age. imams and Muslim families help com- Europe’s largest economy, are on the “They’re hiding behind religious assaulted him last year. His rejection of “These guys often need to feel they bat extremism in a way they can’t, even front line. The German government set freedoms in Germany as they release a visiting preacher’s sermon that dis- belong to a clique,” said Sabri. “It’s bet- if that means they are blamed inside up a hotline three years ago for citizens their poison,” said Ghadban. paraged women triggered calls on social ter for them to be with a good one than their communities for selling out — to report radical activity. One of those affected was a relative of media urging the faithful to avoid him. to join a bad one.” while at the same time confronted by So far more than 650 Germans have Kamal Al Dawood, 36, a native Lebanese “I don’t argue with them,” Sabri said WP-BLOOMBERG Labour has to get over its Blair problem Mursi, Samaha and BY JONATHAN FREEDLAND a clapped-out, discredited Tory opponent and operating in a world all but free of the SNP the judiciary circus or at least two decades Margaret and Ukip, where Labour had the battlefield Thatcher haunted the Conservative all to itself. But still Blair did what no Labour BY MAEN AL BAYARI Fparty. The guilt over her regicide, the leader had done before or since. It’s surely In Lebanon, former informa- fear that they would never find a leader to worth remembering how he did it. tion minister Michel Samaha match her, the urge to do her will by distanc- Of course there is much Blair got wrong, t is ironic that former was this month sentenced ing Britain from the hated European enter- with Iraq seared into place at the top of that President Mohamed Mursi to four and a half years in prise – one way or another, the Thatcher ghost list for evermore. But the mistake is to assume Ifaced the charge of “insulting prison, after confessing to refused to rest. Perhaps David Cameron’s that, say, foreign adventurism was logically the judiciary”, as fabricated by transporting explosives from unexpected success on May 7 will allow an inherent in Blairism from the beginning. It President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi’s Damascus to Lebanon in his car exorcism of sorts, but her shade still lingers. wasn’t. On the contrary, Blair’s stubborn con- administration. in 2012. The coming referendum on Europe will, for viction on Iraq came as a surprise to both his Perhaps some may find this He was apparently following many Tories, carry a spectral echo of her party and the electorate. a boring joke. The judiciary the orders of Syrian President famous battle cry: “No. No. No.” The point is, there is much in the Blair “insulted” by the imprisoned Bashar Al Assad, and Assad’s Labour is similarly haunted by its own record that can be rejected without throwing president does not need anyone security adviser, Ali Mamlouk — three-time election winner. But there’s a big out his key insights. The first was his rec- to insult it. Egypt’s civil and mili- who both wanted to assassinate difference. While Tories feel a collective guilt past or its possible future. Kendall may well be ognition, together with Gordon Brown, that tary courts are already doing so key Lebanese religious and politi- at getting rid of Thatcher, Labour can’t quite felled by this problem, the Blairite tag around Labour would not even begin to get a hearing themselves. cal figures. accept that it ever made Tony Blair (pictured) her neck choking her. until voters felt able to trust the party with Over the past two years, these The military court judge who its leader. It’s not the 2007 toppling of Blair For some, the word itself is radioactive, con- the economy. That was the sine qua non. A courts have handed down a vari- issued this ridiculously leni- that preys on its mind, but his 13 years at the taminating Kendall’s candidacy regardless of reputation for economic incompetence was ety of sentences — the latest being ent sentence was not follow- top. The Labour tribe doesn’t know what to what she actually says. In this climate of code why Labour had been exiled from 1979 to 1997 Mursi’s death sentence — that ing the ideals of the Lebanese make of Blair, whether to revere him for scal- words and presumed factional allegiances, it — and it is why Labour will remain in the cold have belittled the notions of jus- state as much as he was follow- ing the electoral mountain three times or to has come to the point that to suggest Labour from now until its reputation is restored. tice and the rule of law. ing orders from a certain key revile him for what he did once he got there. needs to win seats in the south of England is to Blair also understood that a vote is not an Those involved in this judi- international player, to whom he Labour needs to separate what Blair got identify as a Blairite and therefore as a neocon act of charity. Voters may be moved by stories cial circus remain callous and remains loyal. right from what he got wrong, to hold on to warmonger and apologist for corporate greed. of those at the sharp end — on zero hours or indifferent towards the mul- Just as Hosni Mubarak, his the one while discarding the other. The root of this problem is Blair himself, paying the bedroom tax — but the majority, tiple condemnations issued by sons, Habib Al Adly, and their The evidence is apparent in the current or rather Labour’s relationship with him. The especially those who are in work and own their international human rights associates are all now enjoying Labour leadership campaign. For one camp task now is for Labour to place itself on the own home, will vote for the party they believe organisations. their freedom, after the joke of – Chuka Umunna, Liz Kendall, Alan Johnson, couch and sort this out, once and for all. It will maintain or improve their own lives. For those who love Egypt and their brief imprisonment — and Blair himself – the election defeat prompted will require the primary task of all analysis, None of this means reheating Blair’s spe- its people, the worst thing is that while death and life imprison- an obvious conclusion. Labour had lost because which is the making of distinctions. Labour cific policy prescriptions, some of which were its judiciary, like its media and ment sentences are showering too many people rejected it in favour of the needs to separate what Blair got right from designed 20 years ago for what was a very politics, have changed. You hardly Mursi and his associates, as well Conservatives. It ought, therefore, to draw what he got wrong, to hold on to the one while different world. Too many Blairite ultras are hear any good news about Egypt as the youths of the 25 January — once again from the Blair well, and persuade discarding the other. guilty of that error, treating his programme these days. Michel Samaha and Israeli agents middle-class people with ambition that Labour That sounds straightforward, but too many as holy writ whose every detail must be fol- This idolisation of Sisi — who are receiving reduced sentences speaks for them too. in Labour can no longer even see the credit col- lowed even now. As Blair of all people under- has done nothing to benefit the for their sectarian and political But the response to that idea was telling. umn in the Blair ledger. Perhaps this month’s stood, political parties die when they become country or its people since he affiliations. Diane Abbott tweeted: “‘Labour must return defeat will make it more visible. Put simply, enslaved to a dogma. The trick is to retain the became president in June 2014 — The farcical sentences against to “aspirational Blair years”, say senior party Labour almost always loses. Over the long last underlying ethos and adapt it to today. means the people have adopted a Samaha in Lebanon and Mursi figures’ Together with illegal wars?” For Abbott, century, a Labour victory has been the rare This is Labour’s task now. Strip out what terrible mindset and won nothing (and others) in Egypt confirm the “aspiration” was code for the invasion of Iraq. exception not the rule. Only two leaders before was wrong, including what was morally wrong; in return. corrosion of Arab judiciary. Never mind that the two are unconnected. Blair had ever won a parliamentary majority. junk what is out of date; and take a cold, clear- Is the worn out, corrupt judi- However, the “post-modern” “Aspiration” has taken its place alongside Labour had never – not once – served two full eyed stare at the Blair legacy. ciary a reason why Egypt has and “post-politics” corruption in “wealth creation” or “modernisation” as a trig- consecutive terms in office. So to win three full That will include much of the New Labour fallen from its position as a lead- Egypt and Lebanon are but two ger word – one that, as my colleague Rafael terms was a staggering achievement. record – the minimum wage, the pensioners ing regional power? The answer examples where the justice sys- Behr wrote this week, instantly evokes the most When one gazes at the task confronting lifted out of poverty, the civil partnerships, is probably yes. tem is not seen as anything more despised aspects of the New Labour era: “The Labour now – the apparent impossibility of the Sure Start centres, devolution, the wind- Corrosion of the judicial sys- than an afterthought to rubber- City, privatisation and war in the Middle East winning seats in the English north and south, fall tax, the rebuilding of broken schools and tem is taking place in (at least) stamp decisions made long in – prongs on the trident of demonic ‘Blairism’.” both in the market towns and the suburbs, as rundown hospitals – all of which is too often two Arab countries: Egypt, where advance of any court hearing, This makes debate difficult. If Labour can- well as in Scotland – it is remarkable to recall forgotten. But it will also mean working out the state is powerful and central, with judges to be wheeled out and not talk about one thing without setting off that Blair made it look easy. Somehow Labour how Blair persuaded a country that doesn’t and “stateless” Lebanon, as the used when needed. psychological associations with another, then has to learn from that experience. Yes, things often vote Labour to elect three Labour gov- Lebanese poet Said Akl once The writer is a Jordanian author it cannot get to grips with either its recent were so much easier in Blair’s heyday, facing ernments on the trot. THE GUARDIAN described it. and analyst. SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Registration begins HMC lecture highlights ways for Quran contest to manage cancer pain DOHA: The Ministry of Awqaf during the contest’s 20th session two and Islamic Affairs started reg- years ago. More than 2,000 male and DOHA: Effective manage- istration for the 22nd Sheikh female contestants took part in this ment through a multi-dis- Jassim bin Muhammad bin Thani branch in 2013 and 2014. ciplinary approach can help Quran Contest (Juniors category) The contest has been expand- diminish pain and improve yesterday. ing and is witnessing a large yearly the quality of life for those liv- The contest, in third year, is open growth in the number of contestants, ing with cancer, say experts. to citizens and expatriates — males reaching 26,694 males and females National Centre for Cancer and females. since inception, the ministry said in Care and Research (NCCCR), Registration continues until a statement. in conjunction with the Thursday and people may register A new phase started when Department of Nursing and from 8am to 12.30pm and 4pm to 8pm Minister of Endowments and Islamic Midwifery Education and at Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Research at Hamad Medical Hall in Freej Kleeb. Al Kuwari issued Decision No. 24 for Corporation (HMC), hosted its Participants will compete in mem- 2013, authorising the formation of a inaugural grand round lecture orisation of one of the last five parts permanent organising committee for to highlight latest trends and of the Holy Quran. the contest. advances in pain management The contestant must be a citizen The launch the contest in its new for cancer patients. or resident of Qatar. Age must be 12 form paved the way for the addition More than 300 healthcare or below for citizens and 8 or below of new branches and provided foun- professionals, including physi- for residents. dations for expansion through soci- cians, nurses and allied health Those taking part in the Juniors etal and media partnerships, among professionals, gathered at the category are not entitled to take part the most prominent of which is an day-long event, which served in any other branch of the contest in active partnership with Holy Quran as a platform for them to the same season. Broadcasting Service through the enhance knowledge and discuss Residents who participated in the radio programme, Ahlul-Quran. the importance of collaborative contest with a part may not partici- A new branch was launched for work in achieving the best pos- pate with the same part of the Quran new converts and an international sible outcomes for patients with again. dimension was added with the launch different kinds of cancers. They are entitled to participate of a special branch for non-Arabic Catherine Gillespie, Assistant Speakers at NCCCR’s first nursing grand round lecture pose for a group photo. with another part from the last five speakers, a significant addition to Executive Director of Nursing, parts of the holy book. Quran contests. NCCCR, presented the open- shared expertise and will be able pain in patients; and the role of through a multi-disciplinary The Juniors branch was launched THE PENINSULA ing remarks and encouraged to apply some of the learning to palliative clinical nurse special- approach can result in bet- healthcare providers working their clinical practice.” ists in pain management. ter energy levels and improved across the cancer care to rec- The event featured nine pres- Representatives from Qatar sleep for patients. ognise the importance of their entations by local experts work- Cancer Society shared insights “Treatment modalities are role in delivering compassionate ing across multiple specialities about the financial support available for various cancers and care rooted in evidence-based in pain management, discussing being provided to patients it is key that healthcare profes- GCC may raise retirement knowledge and research. topics such as types and causes unable to meet their treatment sionals understand how they can “The event reflects HMC’s of cancer pain; pain assessment expenses. work together to allow optimal commitment to enhance the and barriers to effective man- Abdulqadir Nashwan, Acting integration of these modalities, quality of care offered to our agement; cognitive, behavioural Nurse Educator, NCCCR, and which will create a more posi- age to 68 for govt jobs patients in a multi-disciplinary and lifestyle change for patients one of the chief organisers of tive experience for our patients DOHA: The GCC states are look- The portal quoted Saleh bin setting. We hope that our col- with cancer pain; non-pharma- the event, said cancer treatment dealing with cancer pain and ing at the possibility to conduct a Nasser Al Uraimi, Director-General, leagues from across the organi- cological approach in pain man- can often cause ongoing pain. allow them to cope better,” he study to see if the retirement age Social Insurance, as saying that GCC sation have benefited from the agement; myths and facts about However, effective management added. THE PENINSULA for government jobs can be raised nationals want to retire early while from 60 to 68 years for citizens due their governments are consider- to increasing life expectancy in the ing conducting studies to see if the bloc. retirement age can be raised. Saudi Arabia-based business web- According to him, more GCC citi- site aliqt.com has reported quoting a zens in the age group 40-45 retire senior Omani official that since the than those in the age group 60-62. 72 hair, beauty specialists graduate average life expectancy in the GCC is Citing an example, he said the 80, the retirement age for public sec- average life expectancy in Oman was tor employments needs to be raised 74 years, while that for women 76. to 68. The figure may increase due to good More so because the birth and eating habits and advancing medical death rates have been falling in the facilities, said Al Uraimi. region and although a larger ratio There are more youth in the GCC of the population consists of youth, but the situation may change and the situation would likely change in become like that in Europe due to future due to low fertility and mor- fast declining fertility and mortality tality rates. rates, he added. THE PENINSULA

Minister visits Korea institutions

INCHEON: Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary- General of Supreme Education Council H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi and his delegation visited educational institutions in South Korea yesterday. The visit was made on the sidelines of the Minister’s participation in World Education Forum 2015 and aimed to know about South Korea’s experience in the field of developing education. He visited a university specialising in the training of primary school teach- ers, and was briefed on the curriculum and the use of technology in education. He then visited a ‘smart school’ and a class and Korea Advanced Institute Graduates with officials at the ceremony. of Science & Technology to learn about the integration of technology in the educational process. QNA DOHA: Tajmeel graduated ence of family, friends and certificates. The graduates held hair and makeup designer Jules 72 hair and beauty special- colleagues. a hair and makeup show, high- Korshoonoff shared her experi- ists who received diplomas Huda Al Ansari, Founder lighting the future of beauty by ences and achievements, espe- and certificates in a ceremony and Owner, Al Mashata Spa & using metallic pigments. It was cially in filmmaking, and gave a at HBKU Student Centre, Beauty Centre, and a pioneer of mostly inspired by nature. makeup demo. Airlines ‘remove lowest Education City in the pres- the beauty industry, presented As guest speaker, renowned THE PENINSULA price from system ILS students stage Bugsy Malone during peak season’ DOHA: International School of London’s (ILS) auditorium had a stage revival of Bugsy Continued from page 1 “Airlines make big announcements Malone, a musical set against Even if seats are available, one about promotions and say ‘Conditions the backdrop of a child- may not find a cheaper fare, because Apply’ in small letters. Most pas- friendly version of the ram- airlines keep prices high, with the sengers don’t bother to know about bunctious gangster era of New beginning of the peak season. these conditions,” said the manager York in the 1920s. “Actually, there is nothing like of a leading travel agency. Students from six year groups the current price. It always depends “Conditions may vary and include strutted, sang and stormed their on the date of travel and purchase a cancellation fee or a high penalty way through Bugsy’s story and of ticket. The earlier you book, the for date change or very low class love interest Blousey Brown in cheaper fare you get. During the peak (known as O class in the travel three performances over two season airlines remove the lowest industry) seats are included in pro- days. price from the system, so the fare motions,” she said. The audience was treated to begins at a higher price,” said a senior For example, if there are 100 seats musical scores before the stage travel executive. in the economy class, 10 will be sold was seized by one of the rival In this complicated process, a pas- at QR700 each, the next 10 at QR750, mobs armed with rapid-firing, senger would end up paying more if another 10 at QR900. foam-filled ‘splurge’ machinery. he wants to change a booking. He will “Like any other business, airlines It was an evening of dancers, be forced to pay the difference in the do not lose money in promotions. In singers and tough gangsters. fares from the date of the first book- case of refund for tickets, especially The story unfolded at an ing and the date of change and this bought in promotions, a penalty is energetic pace as the cast could amount to huge sums depend- charged. Airlines know that there roared out tunes such as My ing on the season. will be passengers who change travel Name is Tallulah; So You Wanna A scene from the play. Airlines woo customers with plans and date or cancel tickets. Most be a Boxer; and the sorrowful attractive promotions, but industry airlines now charge penalty for travel Ordinary Fool. and Fat Sam and Dandy Dan school has staged. Many pow- Director Anjie Schwartz said: sources say such offers include hid- date change,” said a source. The show reached a splurging bury the hatchet. This has been erful performances packed a “It was great to see students take den charges. THE PENINSULA climax when Bugsy gets his girl the first full-length musical the punch from beginning to end. ownership”. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Iraq claws back land from IS near Ramadi Town east of Ramadi now under government control

BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces retook neighbouring Jweibah,” a police Salaheddin,” said Ahmed Al territory from the Islamic State colonel said from the front. Assadi, spokesman of the Hashed group east of Ramadi yesterday, The area’s most prominent Al Shaabi (popular mobilisation). commanders said, in their first Sunni tribal leader, Sheikh Rafia He was referring to the deba- counterattack since the jihad- Abdelkarim Al Fahdawi, deployed cle of security forces when IS-led ists’ capture of the Anbar pro- his forces, whose knowledge of fighters swept across Iraq’s Sunni vincial capital last week. the terrain is key, alongside fight- Arab heartland in June last year, In Iraq, a mosaic of anti- ers from the Hashed Al Shaabi, bringing Iraq to the brink of IS forces have massed in the an umbrella for Shia militia and collapse. Euphrates Valley to ready for an volunteers. The jihadists, who now control offensive aimed at turning the tide The police colonel said the roughly half of Syria, reinforced on the rampant jihadists. Husaybah operation also involved their self-declared transfrontier The May 17 takeover of Ramadi local and federal police, the inte- “caliphate” by seizing Syria’s Al was Baghdad’s worst defeat in rior ministry’s rapid intervention Tanaf crossing on the Damascus- almost a year, while the capture force as well as the army. Baghdad highway late on three days later of the historic Swift action was seen as essen- Thursday. Syrian city of Palmyra has put its tial to prevent IS from laying Fabrice Balanche, a French archaeological treasures in peril booby traps across Ramadi, which expert on Syria, said “IS now and positioned IS for a possible would make any advance in the dominates central Syria, a cross- An elderly Iraqi woman who fled from the city of Ramadi after Islamic State militants tightened their siege on the drive on Damascus. city more risky and complicated. roads of primary importance” that Security officials said an oper- But government and allied could allow it to advance towards last government positions in the capital of Anbar province is pushed in a wheelbarrow as people wait to cross ation was launched early yester- forces were also keen to pre- the capital and third city Homs. Bzeibez bridge, on the southwestern edge of Baghdad, yesterday. day to retake Husaybah, a town vent further losses as IS used its In Palmyra, IS fighters have seven kilometres east of Ramadi momentum after seizing Ramadi entered the museum, Syria’s before the jihadists took over the Prominent Iraqi Sunni poli- waiting to reach safer provinces. in the Euphrates Valley, that IS to take more land to the east of antiquities director Mamoun area. tician Saleh Mutlaq echoed “The constitution does not allow had seized earlier in the week. the city. Abdulkarim said. The IS advance in both coun- calls from relief organisa- anyone to forbid a citizen from “The Husaybah area is now “What happened in Anbar is They broke some plaster stat- tries forced tens of thousands of tions for the authorities to entering any province,” he said at under full control and the forces very similar to what happened ues but most of the antiquities civilians from their homes, spark- open a bridge where thousands a conference in Jordan. are now advancing to liberate last year in Diyala, Mosul and in the museum had been moved ing humanitarian concerns. of displaced people have been AFP IS enters Palmyra museum DAMASCUS: Islamic State group fighters have entered the museum in the historic Syrian Assad pays tribute to soldiers city of Palmyra, placing guards at its doors, the country’s DAMASCUS: Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad has paid trib- antiquities director Mamoun ute to his army and a group of soldiers who escaped an almost Abdulkarim said yesterday. month-long rebel siege, in comments which follow a series of Abdulkarim also confirmed regime losses. the jihadist group had raised its Assad, quoted by state news agency SANA late on Friday, saluted flag over the ancient citadel that the “heroism” of some 150 soldiers and their families who were overlooks some of the spectacular able to escape a hospital building in the town of Jisr Al Shughur Greco-Roman ruins in the city. in northwestern Syria. Speaking at a news conference “You represent with your heroism the soldiers of the Syrian army,” in Damascus, he said some mod- Assad told their commanding officer, Colonel Mahmud Sabha. ern plaster statues in the museum “You resisted because you refused failure or capitulation,” Assad had been destroyed but he did not said. “Your life and those of the soldiers of the army and the national report any damage to antiquities defence forces (pro-regime militia) are the most important thing in the building. for us and what we try always to protect.” The jihadists on Thursday The group had been besieged inside the building in Jisr Al “entered the museum and broke Shughur since the town in Idlib province fell to rebels including some plaster statues... that were Al Qaeda’s local affiliate, on April 25. being used to represent life in On Friday, most of those inside managed to escape just as the hos- prehistoric eras.” pital was finally overrun by the rebel forces who had surrounded it. They returned on Friday, and The loss of Jisr Al Shughur came after the fall of the provincial when they left, “they closed the capital Idlib city, and has been followed by a string of other regime doors behind them and placed setbacks. AFP Saudi Shias attend the funeral of 21 people killed in a suicide attack on a Shia mosque in the village of Qudayh, their guards” at the entrance of in Qatif Province, Saudi Arabia, yesterday. the museum, Abdulkarim said, citadel that overlooks the ruins A Syrian activist who identifies citing residents still in the town. of Palmyra. himself as Mohammed Hassan Al Most of the antiquities in Earlier, a photograph purport- Homsi said “traffic was back to the museum were removed and ing to show the IS flag over the normal” yesterday in Palmyra brought to Damascus before IS citadel was circulated on social and that regime warplanes did cemented its control of Palmyra media, but it was not possible to not bombard the city. Saudi clerics urge calm as on Thursday. confirm its authenticity. He said the jihadists had “There’s almost nothing left in Both the citadel and the ruins allowed motorists to drive to the the museum. We had been pro- are on the UNESCO World IS stronghold of Raqa, further gressively transferring the antiq- Heritage list, and before the war north, to stock up on vegetables. village hit by IS seethes uities to Damascus,” he said after some 150,000 tourists a year vis- Homsi said IS fighters had used the news conference. ited Palmyra. loudspeakers at mosques to tell DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s top and encourages intolerance of But resentment was running “But there are still the large “There has been no movement government employees to return Sunni cleric yesterday branded the kingdom’s Shia minority. high in Al Qadeeh. items, like the sarcophagi, which (of IS) in the archaeological site,” to work as well as order women a deadly attack on Shia Muslims The kingdom’s top Sunni cleric, A video posted online by local weigh three or four tonnes and we Abdulkarim said, referring to the to wear the niqab — a veil that a bid to sow chaos, after villag- Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al activists showed a policeman could not move. Those are what main ruins in the city, including covers the face. ers targeted in the bombing Al Sheikh told state Al Ekhbariya standing over the limbs of the worry me.” its famed colonnaded streets and Syria’s official SANA news vented their anger at what they TV yesterday: “This totally crimi- bomber inside the stricken mosque The Roman-Byzantine sar- extensive necropolis. agency reported, meanwhile, that see as the Sunni-dominated nal plot aims to split our ranks and and apparently saying “God rest cophagi feature high-relief “I hope that they do not repeat regime warplanes carried out a government’s indifference to sow chaos in our country but, God his soul”, only to get screamed at carvings. the same destruction they com- series of raid on IS targets east their safety. be praised, it will not find a way. by residents whose white robes Abdulkarim also confirmed mitted in Iraq,” Abdulkarim said. of the central province of Homs Thousands of protesters took The nation and society are united were smeared with blood. IS fighters had raised their “We will consider measures to “killing terrorists” and destroying to the streets of Al Qadeeh town and under a wise leadership.” “Our streets are patrolled by black flag over the 13th century prevent them from destroying equipment. on Friday evening, hours after a Sheikh Mohammed Obeidan, a armoured vehicles — this makes Mamluk Fakhr Al Din Al Maani Syrian cultural heritage.” AFP suicide bomber killed 21 worship- top local Shia cleric, urged follow- people think their forces are pers in a packed Shia mosque, the ers not to give into their anger and against us,” said a local activist first attack in the conservative maintain the peace. reached by telephone. “After the kingdom to be claimed by Islamic “We’ll stand before anyone who attack yesterday they deployed State militants. thinks that our creed is a cause eight — why send these damn Syria dissidents to form new coalition Demonstrators mourning the for fear or worry ... mass prayer things? We’re peaceful people.” victims said security forces had — in a calm, orderly way with “The state curriculum tells us CAIRO: A number of Syrian The new coalition would would be ready to negotiate with left their communities unpro- self restraint — is the right way Shias aren’t real Muslims. I’m a opposition factions will gather be called the Syrian National representatives of President tected, arguing that the offi- to respond to this corrupt force Saudi citizen, why do you force me in Cairo next month to form a Opposition and would be “totally Bashar Al Assad’s government. cial Wahhabi school of Sunni and hateful darkness,” he told to study this,” he said. new coalition as an alternative different” from the National The talks would be “on the Islam inspires Sunni militants worshippers. REUTERS to an exiled West-backed alli- Coalition, he said. basis of the Geneva declaration, ance, officials said yesterday. “It will be a Syrian-Syrian which is based on the transfer of More than 200 figures from the meeting, 100 percent financed all military and civilian authori- armed and civilian opposition fac- by us, not controlled by anyone, ties... to a transitional govern- tions are to attend the June 8-9 and managed by someone with a ment,” he said. gathering and discuss a road map pure Syrian agenda,” Manna said Members of the new group aimed at ending the four-year of the June conference. would also meet with the UN Dozens killed in Somalia violence war in Syria. Egypt confirmed the meeting, mediator for Syria, Stefan MOGADISHU: Fighting in early yesterday and killed at least Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al Shebab’s The new grouping would offer saying it would be a gathering de Mistura, after the Cairo south Somalia between Al Shebab two dozen people. military operations spokesman, an alternative to the National of “broad Syrian opposition and conference. militants and government forces In two gun attacks in the capi- said. Coalition, the exiled opposition national forces”. The conference was planned killed at least 24 people, while a tal, the group, which wants to “We did not sleep last night bloc that is recognised and sup- The objective of the conference during a meeting in January that rebel attack in the capital killed topple the Western-backed gov- because they exchanged shells ported by Western and Arab was to “express a broader vision was attended by the opposition three Transport Ministry work- ernment, killed three people work- and gunfire throughout the night,” countries such as Qatar and of the Syrian opposition spec- tolerated in Damascus, as well as ers and a lawmaker, officials and ing for the Transport Ministry resident Afrah Hussein said from Saudi Arabia. trum... to work towards ending members of the exiled National the group said yesterday. and in another assault shot dead Awdigle district, adding he had “Arab, Kurdish and all faiths the Syrian crisis,” said the foreign Coalition. Al Shebab launched an attack a lawmaker, police and a parlia- counted 17 dead but could not say will attend the meeting to elect ministry. At that meeting, participants on government troops late on mentarian said. if they were soldiers or militants. a political committee to adopt a Manna said Egypt would only had said the goal of the new alli- Friday in the Awdigle district Al Shebab said it was behind Lower Shabelle Governor road map and a policy charter,” host the conference and “not ance would be “to agree on a uni- and Mubarak village in the Lower the attacks in the south and in Abdikadir Mohamed Sidi said at Haytham Manna, a veteran oppo- interfere” in it. fied political vision and to unify Shabelle region, south of the capi- Mogagishu. “We shall continue least 40 rebels died. sition figure, said. He said the new grouping the opposition’s efforts”. AFP tal Mogadishu. Clashes lasted until killing the enemies,” Sheikh REUTERS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Dispute over N-arms ban wrecks UN meet US blames Egypt for failure of NPT review conference

UNITED NATIONS: A region from moving closer to a denies the widespread assump- month-long review confer- region free of (weapons of mass tion that it controls the Middle ence on the nuclear Non- destruction).” East’s only nuclear arsenal. Israel, Proliferation Treaty ended in Egypt denied trying to wreck which has never joined the NPT, failure on Friday after its mem- the conference. agreed to take part in the review bers were unable to overcome The US concerns were echoed meeting as an observer, ending a disagreements on an atomic by Canada and Britain. Cairo’s 20-year absence. weapons ban for the Middle top delegate, Assistant Foreign The call for a 2012 conference East, which the United States Minister Hashim Badr, blamed on a regional WMD ban, approved blamed on Egypt. Washington, London and Ottawa at the 2010 NPT review meeting, After four weeks of negotia- for the failure to achieve consen- infuriated Israel. But diplomats tions at the United Nations on sus, saying it was a “sad day for said Israel eventually agreed to ways to improve compliance with the NPT.” attend planning meetings. The the pact, there was no consensus Last month, Egypt, backed 2012 conference never took place, among its 191 signatories. US by other Arab and non-aligned which annoyed Egypt and other Under Secretary of State Rose states, proposed that UN Arab states. Gottemoeller announced there Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Egypt’s proposals, Western dip- Motorcyclists wait in line to buy fuel at a petrol station amid a fuel shortage in Sana’a, yesterday. was “no agreement” and accused convene a regional conference on lomats say, were intended to focus some countries of undermining banning weapons of mass destruc- attention on Israel. Washington the negotiations. tion (WMD) as called for at the and Israel say Iran’s nuclear Gottemoeller did not say which 2010 NPT review. The conference programme is the real regional nations had tried to “cynically would be with or without Israel’s threat. Yemen military bases bombed manipulate” the conference, participation, without agreement Iran says its programme though she accused Egypt and on an agenda and with no discus- is peaceful. It is negotiating CAIRO: Saudi-led air strikes ally, ex-president Ali Abdullah other Arab states of bringing sion of regional security issues. with world powers to curb it in hit three military bases in the Saleh, should first commit to a “unrealistic and unworkable con- Those conditions are unaccept- exchange for lifting sanctions. Yemeni capital Sana’a yester- Iran aid plane UN Security Council resolution ditions” to the negotiations. able to Israel and Washington. Israel has said it would con- day and the Yemeni government demanding they withdraw from A senior Western diplomat was Decisions at NPT review con- sider joining the NPT only once in exile expressed reservations not allowed to Yemen’s main cities. more blunt: “Egypt wrecked the ferences, which are held every five at peace with its Arab neighbours about United Nations-led talks “The discussion to hold the conference. ... Egypt overshot the years, are made by consensus. and Iran. aimed at ending the eight-week land in Djibouti Geneva conference perhaps needs runway and has prevented the Israel neither confirms nor REUTERS war. TEHRAN: An Iranian Red more time and arrangements. Residents said the air raids hit Crescent plane carrying 20 The other side, the Houthi mili- a munitions store in one of the tonnes of food for war-torn tias and Saleh, have not recog- bases, setting off a large explosion Yemen was prevented from nised President Hadi’s legitimacy which sent rockets flying into the landing in Djibouti, where the ... until now they have given no air and crashing down on civilian UN has a relief hub, official explicit, clear reaction to resolu- Mursi on trial for insulting judiciary areas. media said yesterday. tion 2216,” Rajeh Badi told Saudi- There was no immediate word “Despite coordination with owned Al Arabiya TV. CAIRO: Ousted Islamist presi- on casualties. the United Nations and the A delegation of Houthi officials dent Mohamed Mursi went on An Arab alliance has been World Food Programme, the has arrived in neighbouring Oman trial yesterday alongside sev- 17 acquitted over protest bombing Yemen’s dominant group, plane was not granted permis- to discuss the conflict with the eral secular figures behind CAIRO: An Egyptian court yesterday acquitted 17 people of vio- the Iran-allied Houthi militia, sion to land in Djibouti,” the government, which has previously Egypt’s 2011 uprising, under- lating a strict protest law earlier this year at a march commemo- and have backed Yemeni fighters state run IRNA news agency relayed messages between the Shia lining a crackdown on all forms rating a 2011 uprising, judicial sources said, a rare decision since opposing the group in battlefields said quoting a Red Crescent Muslim group and Saudi Arabia. of dissent. Egypt introduced the statute in late 2013. throughout Yemen’s south. official. “I hope there is consensus to The trial for “insulting the The demonstration in January caught the world’s attention after Yemen’s exiled government The unnamed official said the stop the aggression on Yemen, judiciary” is the fifth for Mursi, the death of 32-year-old protester Shaimaa Sabbagh was caught in Saudi Arabia headed by plane was now in Shabahar, in especially ahead of the Geneva who was sentenced to death last on video. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi southeastern Iran, awaiting conference, and then a serious week on charges connected with The public prosecutor has separately charged a police officer who expressed reluctance to attend “the authorisation of the foreign Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue which a mass prison break during the allegedly fired birdshot to try to disperse the protest in connection UN-sponsored peace talks set for affairs ministry” of Djibouti. allows Yemenis to build their state uprising that toppled long-time with Sabbagh’s death. May 28 in Geneva. AFP and gain security and stability,” autocrat Hosni Mubarak. Defence lawyer Sayed Abu El Ila, who was photographed with In a letter to UN Secretary- Houthi spokesman Mohammed Mursi and other Islamist oppo- Sabbagh dying in his arms, said this was the first acquittal since General Ban Ki-moon, Hadi said Security Council Resolution 2216. Abdul-Salam told Arab TV sta- nents of President Abdel Fattah the protest law came into force in 2013. he was in favour of Thursday’s The April resolution called on tion Al Mayadeen. Al Sisi were back in the dock The statute curtailed demonstrations, a regular feature of the talks but insisted the United the Huthis to relinquish territory The group has demanded a along with several liberal and turbulent years since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, and Nations press the Houthis to pull they seized and surrender weap- ceasefire before they attend the secular opposition leaders. has landed many leaders of that initial uprising behind bars. back from regions they captured ons they took from the army and peace talks and have dismissed Twenty-five defendants — “I am not pleased by an acquittal at the expense of Shaimaa’s across Yemen, according to the other state institutions. demands to withdraw from Yemeni including even some Sisi support- blood,” Abu El Ila told reporters. “Shaimaa sacrificed her life to official Saba news agency. A spokesman for the exiled cities and the capital, which they ers — stand accused of contempt oppose an unjust law, and the law is still in place.” The embattled leader demanded government said yesterday the seized in September. of court in comments made in Separately, the public prosecutor referred 61 alleged Brotherhood the full implementation of UN Houthis and their powerful AGENCIES parliament, speeches, on social members from the Delta province of Damietta to a military pros- media or in interviews. ecutor on suspicion of violence-related offences. REUTERS The judge struck off the name of a 26th defendant. Mursi was brought to court in secular opposition as well.” am in because they did not give the blue prison uniform of a con- Among the defendants is Alaa him medical treatment,” he said, Iran may abolish fuel subsidies vict, and was separated from the Abdel Fattah, a top secular activ- referring to a senior Brotherhood other defendants in the court- ist behind the protests that led to leader who died in custody earlier DUBAI: Iran is likely to abol- likely that no ration will be set championed efforts to rationalise room, standing alone in a metal the downfall of Mubarak. this month. ish subsidised fuel allowances and private cars from now on will prices and pushed through a mod- cage. Already in prison for par- The trial was adjourned to July for motorists, an Oil Ministry get fuel at market rates,” Akbar est increase in fuel prices last year. “I refuse to be tried because ticipating in an “illegal pro- 27. adviser said yesterday, in a move Naematollahi was quoted as saying But the drive to lift subsidies this court has no jurisdiction to test” in November 2013, he has Morsi was toppled by then that will cut state spending but by the Tasnim news agency. threatens to undo efforts to curb judge me,” said Mursi, who has been charged over comments army chief Sisi in July 2013 after could also drive inflation and Eligible drivers currently inflation, which the government defiantly disputed the legitimacy on Twitter on 2011 raids on the mass street protests against his cause protests. receive 60 litres of petrol a month has brought down to about 15 of all the courts that have tried offices of foreign civil society turbulent year in power. The government is trying to at a heavy discount to market percent from highs of 35 percent him so far. groups. A sweeping crackdown over- curb subsidies that have led to prices. The introduction of the under Rouhani’s predecessor “Since November 2013, my Other defendants in court seen by Sisi has seen hundreds profligate energy consumption allowance in 2007 led to rioting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. family and my lawyers have been included Muslim Brotherhood of Mursi supporters killed in and put a strain on public finances, among motorists who could pre- Naematollahi said the move was prevented from visiting me.” leaders Mohamed Beltagy and clashes with security forces, already squeezed by international viously buy unlimited quantities intended to stop illegal fuel trad- The seven other defendants Saad Al Qatatni. thousands jailed and many more sanctions and last year’s drop in of cheap fuel. ing and smuggling, adding a final in custody — secular as well as Amr Hamzawy, a well-known sentenced to death after speedy oil prices. President Hassan Rowhani, decision would likely be taken in Islamist activists — appeared in political science professor and mass trials which the UN has “The issue of fuel rations has elected in 2013 on a platform of the coming days. a separate metal cage. former MP, and human rights said were “unprecedented in not yet been decided, but it is very better economic management, has REUTERS “The crackdown against the lawyer Amir Salem are also recent history”. opposition is only intensifying among the accused but were not Human rights groups accuse and the judiciary is very much in court. the authorities of using the judi- at the forefront of this crack- Like Abdel Fattah, they had ciary as a tool to crush all kinds Palestinian protest down,” said Shadi Hamid, a fel- called for Mursi’s ouster. of opposition — Islamist as well low at the Brookings Centre for Defendant Essam Sultan, an as secular. Middle East Policy. Islamist, said at yesterday’s hear- While Mursi and some lead- “The trial will be kind of a ing that prison authorities were ers of his blacklisted Muslim test case of what the regime is “not giving us food, medicines or Brotherhood have been sen- thinking, not just of Islamists blankets”. tenced to death in other trials, but also of the liberal and “Farid Ismail died in the cell I the judiciary has also sentenced several secular activists to long jail terms. The latest trial is an example of “political revenge”, said Abdel Fattah’s defence lawyer Gamal Eid. Defendant Mostafa Al Naggar, a former MP, is being tried for criticising a June 2012 court judgement sentencing Mubarak to life in prison over the deaths of 800 protesters during the 2011 revolt. The judgement triggered angry protests demanding the death penalty for the veteran autocrat. An appeals court overturned the ruling and ordered a retrial, which saw murder charges dropped against Mubarak. “What I said in parliament was not an insult to the judiciary, but Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi gestures during his new trial a call for judicial independence Palestinian protesters hold placards during a demonstration in the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday calling in Cairo yesterday. and reform,” Naggar said. for a boycott of Israeli-made products. AFP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Gunfight kills Murdered archbishop Romero beatified SAN SALVADOR: Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero was beatified yesterday, the final step before sainthood, 35 years after 43 in troubled he was gunned down at the altar by a right-wing death squad for denouncing the oppres- sion of the poor by the military dictatorship. Mexico region Roman Catholics from around the world mixed with former Marxist rebels from El Salvador’s brutal civil war as over 250,000 Lopsided death toll raises questions people gathered in the capital to celebrate the country priest TANHUATO DE comrades with intensity,” he said. who confronted the US-backed GUERRERO: Mexican fed- “The clash went on sporadi- government. eral forces killed at least 42 cally for about three hours, in at Cardinal Angelo Amato, sent suspected cartel members on least three points in the prop- by Pope Francis, officiated the Friday during a three-hour erty,” Rubido said, adding that ceremony that followed decades gunfight on a ranch in a vio- a federal police helicopter was of debate over whether Romero lence-torn western region, called in to back up the land had rejected Church doctrine by marking one of the drug war’s forces. embracing left-wing rebels. bloodiest battles. The suspects dispersed into The bloodied shirt he died in Only one federal police officer fields, “which complicated the was paraded through the crowd, was killed in the operation, which operation,” Rubido said, noting thousands of whom had camped authorities launched after learn- that the ranch measures 112 hec- out since Friday. Many hoped ing that “armed criminals” were tares and includes a house and a Romero’s beatification would occupying the ranch in Tanhuato, warehouse. inspire peace in El Salvador, which Michoacan state, near the neigh- The warehouse and six vehicles has been plagued by gang violence bouring state of Jalisco, officials burned during the gunfight. since the war ended in 1992. Thousands of devotees attend the beatification ceremony of Salvadorean bishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero at Salvador said. Experts are raising questions “I would take his hand and del Mundo square in San Salvador, capital of El Salvador, yesterday. “Up to now, we have counted about what really happened at embrace him every Sunday after 42 suspected criminals killed the El Sol ranch. mass,” said 87-year-old Virginia US President Barack Obama archbishop in 1977, he became a you in the name of God: stop the and three more detained,” said “It was a very uneven fight. Sanchez, once a member of said in a statement he was “deeply staunch critic of the military gov- repression,” he said in a speech to National Security Commissioner A battle where 42 die on one Romero’s congregation. “Now we moved” when he visited Romero’s ernment after it began killing, kid- government soldiers the day before Monte Alejandro Rubido. side and only one on the other are happy, because he will pray for tomb in 2011. napping and arresting priests who his death. Rubido said the death toll was is not a battle,” Raul Benitez us and this violence we are living “Let us hope that Archbishop had been organising peasants and Shortly after his death, civil war a “preliminary figure,” suggesting Manaut, a security expert at the through.” Romero’s vision can inspire all supporting workers’ rights. broke out between the govern- the number could rise as inves- National Autonomous University Romero’s path to sainthood of us to respect the dignity of all His sermons, often broadcast ment, which had financial back- tigators comb the vast property. of Mexico, said, adding that the stalled under popes John Paul human beings, and to work for jus- on radio, riled right-wing extrem- ing from Washington, and leftist While he did not name the gang appeared to have offered no II and Benedict XVI, but Pope tice and peace in our hemisphere ists. But he ignored multiple death insurgents, who are now the ruling gang by name, Rubido said it resistance. Francis restarted the process in and beyond,” Obama said. threats, remaining defiant up to party. The conflict claimed around was based in Jalisco, home of the “A lot of details are missing. We 2013 and declared him a martyr Born in 1917 in a mountain town his murder while giving mass 75,000 lives. New Generation drug cartel, a don’t know how many people par- this year. near Honduras, Romero appren- in the chapel of a San Salvador Since the conflict ended, gang powerful, heavily armed group ticipated in the police and mili- “Romero, who built peace with ticed as a carpenter as a boy before hospital. violence has killed a similar that has become the top target tary operation. We don’t know the power of love, bore witness entering the Church, where he “In the name of this suffer- number of people, with authori- of President Enrique Pena Nieto’s if the helicopter was armed,” to the faith in the extreme by rose through the ranks, appearing ing people, whose cries to heaven ties recording around 15 murders administration. Alejandro Hope, a former intel- offering his life,” Francis wrote to be a quiet conservative. become more deafening each day, a day, one of the highest murder The cartel, which has links to ligence agency official, said. in a letter published yesterday. But soon after being appointed I beg you, I beseech you, I order rates in the world. REUTERS gangs as far away as Asia and “There are still a lot of doubts. trafficks drugs to the United The number of weapons seized States, has taken Mexican doesn’t match the number of authorities head-on this year, dead and detained.” killing 20 police officers in two Explaining the lopsided death ambushes in March and April. toll, Rubido said the authorities US cop acquitted over death of two blacks On May 1, the government avoided more casualties on their launched Operation Jalisco side “thanks to the training and CLEVELAND: A Cleveland police officer, shot 15 rounds charges of voluntary manslaugh- verdict in a single criminal case,” against the cartel. That same equipment of federal forces that officer who shot several rounds standing atop the Chevy Malibu ter and acquitted him of felonious O’Donnell said. day, the gang killed seven troops participated in the actions.” through a windshield from in which Timothy Russell and assault. The case comes in the same and a policewoman when they Rubido said state and national the hood of a car, killing two Malissa Williams were killed on Prosecutors said Brelo shot 49 city where Tamir Rice, a 12-year- downed a military helicopter human rights officials were at the unarmed African Americans November 29, 2012. shots, and said the final 15 were old black boy carrying a toy gun with a rocket-propelled grenade. ranch to investigate the gunfight. in 2012, was found not guilty The African-American pair unjustified because the pair was was fatally shot in November on a Friday’s clash began when Officials seized 36 assault rifles, of voluntary manslaughter caught police attention after no longer able to flee the scene playground, in a shocking incident troops and police spotted a car- a rocket launcher and a power- yesterday. the car they were in backfired and therefore no longer posed a caught on surveillance video. load of gunmen, who shot at the ful .50-caliber rifle, along with a Michael Brelo was acquitted as it drove past Cleveland police danger. Rice is the youngest of a security forces and fled into the number of cartridges. by a judge in Ohio, who acknowl- headquarters. The judge warned that no number of African Americans ranch, Rubido told reporters. Some 500 federal police and edged that the United States is Police chased the vehicle after single case can erase tension whose deaths at the hands of law “Warned about the presence of troops were guarding the El Sol grappling with recent incidents hearing the noise, which they between the police and the public. enforcement officials has stirred federal forces, the rest of the sus- ranch following the morning of alleged police brutality and thought was a gunshot. “The suspicion and hostil- a national debate about police pected criminals who occupied clash. racial profiling. Judge John O’Donnell found ity between the police and the conduct and race relations. the property began to attack our AFP Brelo, a 31-year-old white Brelo not guilty on the two people won’t be extirpated by a AFP

Peru orders state Senate blocks extension of bulk data collection of emergency WASHINGTON: The US collection of vast amounts of tel- bulk telephone data collection and Goodlatte, the chairman of the with one lasting only until June Senate blocked a measure to ephone “metadata.” replace it with a more targeted Judiciary Committee, said the 2, to keep the Patriot Act provi- to quell deadly extend spy agencies’ bulk col- The data collection programme, programme. Senate’s failure to act risked the sions from expiring. But they were lection of Americans’ telephone in which the National Security That vote was 57-42, just short expiration of the Patriot Act provi- blocked by Republican Senator protests records early yesterday, leav- Agency sweeps up vast amounts of of the 60 needed. sions before the House returns to Rand Paul and Democratic Senator ing the fate of the programme Americans’ telephone records and President Barack Obama’s Washington late on June 1. Martin Heinrich. LIMA: Peru yesterday uncertain days before its June 1 business information, was exposed administration had pushed hard “The Senate has failed to make McConnell said the Senate instituted a 60-day state expiration. two years ago by former NSA con- for the Freedom Act. The House the important reforms necessary, would return to Washington on of emergency in a mineral- By a vote of 54-45, the Senate tractor Edward Snowden, who is of Representatives backed it by jeopardising Americans’ civil liber- Sunday, May 31, one day before rich region roiled by deadly failed to reach the 60-vote now a fugitive in Russia. an overwhelming margin, with ties and our national security,” they the scheduled end of its Memorial protests against Southern threshold needed to advance a The vote against the exten- strong support from Republicans said in a statement. Day holiday recess, to consider Copper Corp’s stalled $1.4bn bill that would have extended sion came after the Senate nar- and Democrats, on May 13. Senate Republican Majority ways to address the expiration Tia Maria project. for two months provisions of the rowly blocked the “USA Freedom Backers of the bill in the House, Leader Mitch McConnell had of the Patriot Act provisions. The emergency state in “USA Patriot Act” that allow the Act,” a bill that would end the including Representative Bob proposed short extensions, ending REUTERS nine districts in the southern region of Arequipa suspends civil liberties, allowing police and troops to enforce cur- March against Monsanto fews and order an end to two months of protests that led Santos presses for peace Southern Copper to formally put the project on hold last week. “The national police with as Farc death toll climbs the backing of the armed forces will take charge of BOGOTA: The president of bilateral ceasefire as quickly as pos- keeping public order,” Prime Colombia called yesterday for sible,” Santos said. Minister Pedro Cateriano said accelerated peace negotiations Government talks under way in a televised news conference with FARC guerrillas, as local with the Farc in Havana have car- late on Friday. media reported that seven rebels ried on for a full year “without any The announcement fol- had died in an ongoing govern- substantial advance,” he added. lowed the death of a fourth ment offensive. “People want to see that we can person in clashes between President Juan Manuel Santos move forward so that they can have protesters and police as Tia made the announcement amid a faith that we can achieve peace.” Maria opponents pushed for push by the Colombian army that The peace talks between the gov- a definitive cancellation of the began on Thursday with a govern- ernment and FARC, which began in 120,000-tonnes-per-year pro- ment air strike killing 26 guerrillas 2012, have been continually derailed posed copper mine. in southwestern Cauca department. by attacks from both sides. Opponents, mainly farmers, Yesterday’s deaths brought the In December, the Farc announced say they fear a new copper offensive’s total fatalities to 33. a ceasefire, raising hopes that the mine in the region will pol- Local media reported that negotiations were approaching a lute land and water and hurt clashes between the Revolutionary breakthrough, but tensions have their crops. Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) only spiraled since. Southern Copper, controlled and army in the northwestern town On Friday, the Farc suspended by Grupo Mexico, has said it of Segovia also wounded one more the ceasefire in response to the will use the highest standards fighter. deadly air strike, while calling for and promised to build a desali- “We have to make decisions to continued dialogue with the govern- nation plant in its revised People take part in a march against US agrochemical giant Monsanto in Santiago, Chile yesterday. People in stop this war as soon as possible ment and for both sides to lay down environmental plan, which 421 cities in 48 countries were to take part in marches against Monsanto and its Roundup herbicide. and I’m ready to accelerate negotia- their arms. was approved last year. tions to reach a final and definitive AFP REUTERS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com AMERICAS

Serviceman Ireland vote says yes to gay marriage killed in Ukraine 62 percent voters give the nod in staunchly Catholic country; turnout at 60 percent clashes despite ceasefire DUBLIN: The people of Ireland homosexuality remains taboo backed same-sex marriage by a and often illegal in many parts of KIEV: One Ukrainian service- landslide in a referendum that Africa and Asia. man was killed and five wounded marked a dramatic social shift US Vice President Joe Biden in clashes between government in a traditionally Catholic coun- tweeted: “We welcome Ireland’s forces and Russian-backed sep- try that only decriminalised support for equality. #LoveWins” aratists over the past 24 hours homosexuality two decades ago. After Irish expatriates flocked despite a ceasefire, Ukrainian After one of the largest turn- home to vote, 60 percent of regis- military spokesman Andriy outs in a referendum there, 62 tered voters cast their ballot, the Lysenko said yesterday. percent of voters said ‘Yes’, mak- highest in two decades. Violence has lessened signifi- ing Ireland the first country to “This is a big placard from the cantly in Ukraine’s east since adopt same-sex marriage via a people of Ireland to the rest of the ceasefire was brokered in popular vote. the world saying this is the way Minsk, Belarus, in mid-February, ‘Yes’ supporters crowded into forward,” said David Norris, who but both sides accuse the other the courtyard of Dublin Castle began a campaign for gay rights of violations and casualties are to watch in blistering sunshine in the late 1970s. reported almost daily. as results that trickled in from The proposal was backed by The situation was most tense around the country were shown all political parties, championed near the rebel-controlled city of on a large screen. They cheered by big employers and endorsed Donetsk, where separatists were with joy as the final tally was by celebrities, all hoping it would using heavy weapons banned announced and then burst into a mark a transformation in a coun- under the ceasefire, Lysenko said. rendition of the national anthem. try that was long regarded as one “Pro-Russian illegal groups are “We woke up today to a new of the most socially conservative firing heavily there,” he said. Ireland. The real Irish Republic in Western Europe. Russia dismisses accusa- that I have dreamed of my whole Only a third of the country tions from Ukraine, NATO and life,” said Jean Webster, a 54-year- backed the decriminalisation of Western powers that it is arm- old administrator who came out gay sex for men over 17 in 1993, ing the separatists and supporting as queer eight years ago after according to a poll at the time. them with its own troops. separating from her husband. When voters narrowly legalised Separatists accused govern- Government ministers waved divorce in 1995, only five of the ment forces of bringing heavy a rainbow flag from the stage in 30 constituencies outside Dublin weapons, including tanks, artil- front of the crowd and one queer backed the proposal. lery and fighter planes, close to senator proposed to her partner Supporters of same-sex marriage hold an inflatable ‘Yes’ sign as they wait for the announcement on the referendum This time, all bar one of the 43 the frontline in preparation for live on national television. in Dublin castle yesterday. voting areas approved the mar- an offensive, rebel press service “The answer is yes to their riage measure. DAN reported. future, yes to their love, yes to teaches that homosexual activ- the result presented a challenge. “The Church needs to do a real- “It changes everything, the This “clearly indicates Kiev’s equal marriage. That ‘Yes’ is ity is a sin, saw its dominance “It is a social revolution. It’s ity check.” worries and fears I had as a unwillingness to observe its com- heard loudly across the world as of Irish politics collapse after a very clear that if this referen- Ireland follws several Western young gay kid in Ireland, they’re mitments to the Minsk agree- a sound of pioneering leadership series of child sex abuse scandals dum is an affirmation of the European countries including all gone,” said Ger O’Keefe, 27, a ments and also that it’s stepping from our people,” Prime Minister in the early 1990s and limited its views of young people, then the Britain, France and Spain in ‘Yes’ campaigner from Waterford. up preparations for military Enda Kenny told a news confer- ‘No’ campaigning to sermons to Church has a huge task ahead of allowing gay marriage, which is “This will tell kids now that you action,” senior rebel commander ence. “Ireland, thank you.” its remaining flock. it,” Archbishop Diarmuid Martin also legal in South Africa, Brazil, don’t need to be afraid.” Eduard Basurin was quoted as The Catholic Church, which The archbishop of Dublin said told national broadcaster RTE. Canada and some US states, while REUTERS saying in a briefing. REUTERS Germany silent Putin makes law to ban ‘undesirable’ NGOs MOSCOW: Russian President local activists working with them, It also allows them to block last several years. Vladimir Putin officially the Kremlin statement said. the bank accounts of the organi- Critics have said that the vague enacted a controversial law Supporters presented the law sations until the NGOs “account wording of the law — which gives on spying rift banning “undesirable” non- as a “preventive measure”, nec- for their actions” to the Russian Russia’s general prosecutor the governmental organisations, essary after the wave of Western authorities. right to impose the “undesirable” the Kremlin said yesterday, in sanctions put in place over the Lawmakers cited the need to tag without going to court — could a move condemned by human Ukraine conflict. stop “destructive organisations” allow officials to target foreign with Washington rights groups across the board. Under the law, passed by the working in Russia, which could businesses working in Russia. The law allows authorities to Russian parliament this week, threaten the “value of the Russian Amnesty International called it BERLIN: The German govern- cooperation from Merkel’s chan- bar foreign civil society groups authorities can ban foreign NGOs state” and stir up “colour revo- “the last chapter in the unprec- ment declined to comment on cellery to the parliamentary com- seen as threatening Russia’s and go after their employees, who lutions”, the name given to pro- edented repression against non- a report that US intelligence mittee was leaked and harmed US “defence capabilities” or “consi- risk up to six years in prison or Western movements seen in some governmental organisations.” agencies were reviewing their interests. tutional foundations” and go after being barred from the country. former Soviet republics over the AFP cooperation with German coun- Clapper said Germany could no terparts and had dropped joint longer be trusted with secret doc- projects due to concerns secret uments, according to Bild, and as information was being leaked by long as that is the case US intel- Holi in Moscow lawmakers. ligence agencies should examine Bild newspaper reported yes- where to limit or cancel coopera- terday that US spy chief James tion with Germany. Clapper had ordered the review Bild quoted a US official saying because secret documents related the leaks were worse than those to the BND’s cooperation with the attributed to former NSA con- United States were being leaked tractor Edward Snowden. “What to media from a German parlia- the German government is now mentary committee. doing is more dangerous than A spokesman for the US what Snowden did,” the US offi- embassy in Berlin said it does not cial was quoted saying. comment on intelligence matters. Critics in Germany have Allegations the BND intelli- accused Merkel’s staff of allowing gence agency helped the National the BND to help the NSA spy on Security Agency (NSA) spy on European companies and officials. European companies and officials A poll last week found one in has been major news in Germany three Germans feels deceived by for weeks. It has strained Merkel regarding a row over spy- Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coali- ing on Germans. tion and damaged her popularity. Revelations by Snowden “The German government puts about wide-ranging espionage in great faith in the intelligence Germany by the United States, cooperation with the United including allegations that it States to protect our citizens,” a bugged Merkel’s mobile phone, government spokesman said when caused outrage in Germany when asked about the Bild report. they emerged two years ago. “The government doesn’t Merkel argues the BND must comment on the details of that work with the NSA to fight ter- cooperation in public but rather rorism, but privacy is a sensitive in parliament committees.” The subject in Germany after decades newspaper said it had seen docu- of snooping by the Gestapo and ments in which Clapper, director then by the Stasi secret police in of national intelligence, expressed East Germany. concern that information on the REUTERS Young people throw coloured powder at each other during Holi, the festival of colours, at Luzhniki park in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. The festival is based on the Hindu Spring festival Holi, where participants smear each other with colours. Slovakia PM launches re-election drive with wage hike BRATISLAVA: Slovakia’s cen- But opinion polls show the a rise in the minimum wage to gap to under 3 percent of gross While avoiding any big clashes firm. The government may take tre-left Prime Minister Robert combative 50-year old remains close to ¤400 ($441) per month domestic product (GDP). Debt with EU partners, Fico has joined a majority stake instead. Fico unveiled a plan yesterday the favourite to lead any future from ¤380, would cost ¤200m, but has remained below 60 percent of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Fico suffered a rare defeat last to raise the minimum wage and coalition. would not raise the budget deficit. GDP, below the euro zone average. Orban in criticising sanctions year when he lost a presidential cut the sales tax on groceries, Prime minister in 2006-2010 “If the country’s economy is But some analysts say Fico imposed on Russia by the EU for its bid to non-partisan Andrej Kiska, launching a drive for re-election and again since 2012, Fico aims doing well, the government has to missed a chance to use his strong involvement in Ukraine’s conflict. but he still controls most levers of next March for a third term at to take advantage of economic share with the people. Low defi- standing to revamp education and He has also been tough on for- power. A poll by the Focus agency the euro zone country’s helm. recovery to cement his popular- cit and debt are not tangible for healthcare, which could hurt the eign investors, pushing for more in May put support for Smer at Fico’s Smer party has ruled ity by hiking maternity benefits, them,” Fico told reporters at his economy in the long term. government control over strate- 33 percent, from 44 percent in alone since winning an absolute building kindergartens and giving party’s Saturday congress. “Fico did not use his comfort- gic industries. The government the last election. Possible coali- majority in 2012, something it is coupons to poor families for holi- The economy is expected to able position of ruling alone, not tightened its grip of the gas sec- tion partners are the conservative not expected to repeat in part days at state-owned hotels. grow about 3 percent this year. having to hassle with a coalition tor and has forced Enel to rethink Christian Democrats or a nation- due to allegations of favouritism Fico said his measures, includ- Having allowed deficits to rise partner, to make unpopular but its planned sale of a 66 percent alist party, two among seven small towards selected businessmen — ing a cut in the tax on food to in the global financial crisis, the vital reforms,” said political ana- stake in the country’s main elec- opposition parties that may make something Fico denies. 10 percent from 20 percent and government has since cut the lyst Marian Lesko. tricity utility to another private it to parliament. REUTERS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 ASIA / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Thailand China: US action in China Sea dangerous passes first US spy plane flies over the area; Pentagon calls mission routine inheritance tax BANGKOK: Thailand’s mili- BEIJING/WASHINGTON: “Such action is likely to cause 19km territorial limits that East Asia, Assistant Secretary Vietnam and Taiwan, may at some tary government has passed China said it was “strongly dis- an accident, it is very irresponsi- China claims around the artificial of State Daniel Russel, told point declare an exclusion zone the country’s first inheritance satisfied” after a US spy plane ble and dangerous and detrimen- islands but said this could happen reporters on Thursday the deci- in the sea that could limit free tax bill, as part of tax reforms flew over part of the South China tal to regional peace and stability. in the future. sion to take a TV crew on the movement of ships and aircraft. to broaden the tax base and Sea this week near where China We express our strong dissatis- “We don’t recognise those Poseidon was in the interests of US Deputy Secretary of State boost revenue in a lacklustre is building artificial islands, and faction, we urge the US to strictly islands as anything other than “transparency.” Antony Blinken said on Thursday economy. called on the United States to abide by international law and international space,” he said. “For He said the US reconnaissance that China’s land reclamation was The bill, approved by the stop such action or risk causing international rules and refrain us to fly through that, we wouldn’t flight was “entirely appropriate” and undermining freedom and stabil- National Legislative Assembly an accident. from taking any risky and pro- see that as a change in the way that US naval forces and military ity and risked provoking tension late on Friday, will require inheri- The US flight on Wednesday vocative actions,” he told a news we do business. It just so happens aircraft would “continue to fully that could lead to conflict. tors of assets worth more than was highlighted by the unusual conference. we haven’t flown over them in the exercise” the right to operate in The Global Times, a tabloid 100m baht ($3m) to pay tax above Pentagon decision to invite a “China will continue to closely last 20 years.” international waters and airspace. owned by the ruling Communist that threshold — at five percent CNN team aboard the Poseidon monitor the relevant area and The US stance reflects the fact The Pentagon believes the work Party’s People’s Daily, called the for descendants and 10 percent surveillance plane. It said the take the necessary and appropri- that while it does not recognize is aimed at cementing China’s US flights “provocative”. for others. Chinese navy issued eight warn- ate measures to prevent harm to Chinese territorial limits around claim to the vast majority of the “Washington is purposefully That compares with a previ- ings to the aircraft to move away the safety of China’s islands and reclaimed land, it wants to avoid South China Sea — an important raising tensions with China, a move ously planned threshold of 50m from the contested territory. reefs as well as any sea and air escalating the issue further than international shipping route and that has created a higher risk of baht and a tax rate of 10 percent. Chinese Foreign Ministry accidents.” necessary, he said. an area thought to have signifi- a physical confrontation,” it said The bill will be effective 180 days spokesman Hong Lei said the A Pentagon spokesman called Washington has been strug- cant energy reserves and rich in an editorial on Friday. “China after it is announced in the Royal Chinese military drove away the the mission “routine” and said gling to find a way to discour- fishing grounds. should be prepared to ramp up its Gazette. aircraft, in accordance with rel- such flights occurred “every few age what it has described as the Washington is particularly countermeasures, one notch at a Finance Minister Sommai evant regulations. He labelled days.” “unprecedented” speed and scale concerned that China, whose time, according to the degree of Phasee said last week with a tax the US action a security threat Colonel Steve Warren said the of China’s land reclamation work. claims overlap with those of provocations from the US,” it said. rate of five percent, the govern- to China’s islands and reefs. Poseidon had not gone within The senior US diplomat for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, REUTERS ment expected to collect about 3bn baht per year. The inheritance tax is among the overall tax reforms, which Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha previously said would Sri Lanka police flayed terminate benefits that favour the rich. Prayuth led an military coup in May last year to end months of over abuse in Jaffna destabilising political unrest that brought the economy to the brink COLOMBO: Sri Lankan police 37-year-long Tamil separatist of recession. came under fire yesterday for war, in which at least 100,000 Prayuth also said a general their failure to act after the people were killed between 1972 election will take in April or May gang rape and murder of a teen- and 2009. 2016 — but could be delayed by age girl in the district of Jaffna, Police reacted to the protests three months if a referendum on as tensions heightened in the by firing tear gas and arresting the constitution takes place. former war zone following angry 130 people who took part, spark- protests over the incident. ing more anger across the region, Northern rebels Children’s Affairs Minister residents said. Rosy Senanayake slammed “It is not right for people to say captured 19 police for their response to a take the law into their own hands, complaint after the 17-year-old but we cannot be satisfied with Mali soldiers student —identified as Vidya — the way the police acted in this went missing in Jaffna last week. case,” the minister added. BAMAKO: A Tuareg- Her bruised body was found a day Senanayake, whose govern- dominated rebel coalition said later near her home. ment came to power in January, yesterday it was holding pris- “When the local residents said there had been a 20 percent oner 19 Malian government sol- handed over a suspect, the police increase in the number of cases of diers captured in fighting a day were still not taking action,” violence against women and chil- earlier, amid growing violence Senanayake told reporters at a dren in the past two years. in the north that threatens press conference in Colombo. She blamed the crime wave on to derail UN-brokered peace The victim had been abducted the inefficient criminal justice Chinese President Xi Jinping (right), greets the chairman of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party’s General Council, Toshihiro efforts. by four men, later joined by five system. Nikai, during the China-Japan friendship exchange meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Army sources confirmed that more, who attacked and then “The state has failed to crimi- soldiers were missing following killed her, the minister added. nalise the criminals,” she said, clashes late on Friday that saw The case sparked outrage last adding that she was pressing the Japan friendship worth cherishing: Xi the Coordination of Movements Wednesday, with hundreds of vil- government to fast track all cases of Azawad (CMA) briefly seize lagers pelting stones at the police of violence against women and the small town of Tessit, in and a court house. children under a special police BEIJING: China’s President Xi event, attended by Japanese del- seeking to distort or beautify the Mali’s northern Gao region. They Senanayake said three senior investigative unit. Jinping struck a friendly tone egates including former economy facts of Japan’s acts of militaristic declined to give further details. policemen had since been trans- “We have (had) tight protec- on relations with Japan yes- minister Toshihiro Nikai. invasion will not be accepted by A spokesman for the CMA said ferred from their stations in tion laws since 1995, but obviously terday, but touched on disputes High-level meetings between the people of China,” he added. its fighters had withdrawn from Jaffna, pending an internal inves- the police have failed to enforce over history which still add China and Japan were suspended for His remarks came just a day Tessit by Saturday morning, tak- tigation into the police failure. the law,” she said. to tensions between the East two years amid a row over disputed after China renewed its call for ing with them captured weapons, Following the protests, police The minister said she was Asian giants. islands until Xi and Japan’s Prime Japan to “face up to” its 20th cen- ammunition and the prisoners. said they had arrested nine peo- organising a candle light vigil in Ties between Beijing and Tokyo Minister Shinzo Abe met last year. tury history after Abe’s wife vis- “They are Malian soldiers and ple — one of whom is a man of Sri the capital for Vidya today. have warmed over the past year, They held talks again last month. ited a shrine which Beijing sees as there are 19 of them,” Almou Ag Lankan origin who had recently She said there had also been but strains over territorial dis- During his Beijing visit, Nikai a symbol of Tokyo’s warring past. Mohamed said. obtained a Swiss passport. instances of infants being raped putes and attitudes towards war- delivered a personal letter to Xi from China is preparing a massive Photos from a CMA fighter But even as the minister by relatives. time history persist. Abe, Japan’s Kyodo news agency said, military parade in September to involved in the fighting in Tesssit criticised the breakdown in law “It is a shameful situation. We Xi told a forum in Beijing that without giving further details. mark the 70th anniversary, and showed at least a dozen men, most and order, police announced want our society to put a stop “peace and friendly cooperation Echoing regular pronounce- also creating a public holiday. in civilian clothing, with their they had obtained a court order to this,” she said, adding that between China and Japan is the ments from Beijing, Xi also men- China’s defence ministry said hands tied behind their backs and banning further protests in the six rapes were recorded daily common will of the people, and tioned the 70th anniversary of the that its army planes on Thursday surrounded by rebel fighters. It was peninsula. across the nation of 20 million the general trend of events”. Japanese surrender in the second for the first time flew over the not immediately possible to inde- Wednesday’s demonstrations people while many more cases go He added that “friendship” world war, and added that “the Miyako Strait, between Japan’s pendently authenticate the images marked a rare outburst of pub- unreported. between the countries “deserves facts of history cannot be dis- Miyako and Okinawa Islands. or identify the captives further. lic anger since the end of the AFP cherishing and protecting,” at the torted”. “The efforts of anyone AFP AGENCIES

Myanmar to deport migrants as UN chief urges further rescues

YANGON: A group of migrants the deluge from its shores and source said Bangladesh wanted recently rescued by Myanmar deliver urgent humanitarian relief to make sure Myanmar did not will be deported to Bangladesh, to thousands still trapped at sea. send any Rohingya. officials confirmed yesterday, as On Friday the country’s navy The rescue by the Myanmar the United Nations chief called said it had carried out its first res- navy comes as fears grow for on regional nations to prioritise cue of a migrant boat when scores migrants still stuck at sea at a time saving the lives of those still of bare-chested men were found when the dry winter months are stranded at sea. crammed into the hull of a wooden about to give way to the regional Southeast Asia is currently bat- fishing vessel and taken to shore. monsoon. UN Secretary General tling an exodus of boat people flee- Myanmar officials say all 208 Ban Ki-moon said finding and ing persecution and poverty, with men are from Bangladesh and saving the lives of those migrants up to 2,000 vulnerable migrants will soon be returned there. AFP should be a “top priority”. thought to be stranded in the Bay wasn’t able to independently ver- Speaking during a visit to of Bengal, many at the mercy of ify where the migrants were from. Hanoi, he called on regional ruthless people smugglers. “We are giving humanitarian nations to tackle the “root causes” Most are Muslim Rohingyas assistance to them. After that we of the current exodus at an from the western Rakhine state will deport them back to the rel- upcoming conference in Thailand in Myanmar, where they are not evant country,” Zaw Htay, direc- later this month. “But when peo- recognised as citizens and instead tor of the presidential office, said ple are drifting on the sea, how we referred to as “Bengalis” or illegal yesterday. “We have made contact can search and rescue them and immigrants from Bangladesh. with Bangladeshi border officials provide life saving humanitarian Bangladeshis, meanwhile, on the ground regarding the assistance, that is a top priority are also trying to escape grind- arrived persons,” he added. at this time,” he said. ing poverty. More than 3,500 Bangladesh’s border guard The Rohingya face daily dis- migrants have swum to shore force said a team would travel crimination and a raft of restric- or been rescued off the coasts of to Myanmar shortly. “Our com- tions. Many live in displacement Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and mander will go himself. The entire camps after scores were killed in Bangladesh since a Thai crackdown procedure might take up to two 2012 as violence flared between the on human-trafficking in early May or three days to complete,” Major community and local Buddhists — threw the illicit trade into chaos. Abu Russell Siddiki, a spokesman an event that caused a spike in Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh rescued by the Myanmar navy eat food at a temporary refugee camp in the Myanmar has faced increasing at the Teknaf border post, said. people trying to flee on boats. village of Aletankyaw in the Maungdaw township of northern Rakhine state, Myanmar, yesterday. international pressure to stem A separate law enforcement AFP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Pakistan seeks help Mursi supporters protest from FBI, Interpol Fake degree scam probe to be completed in 10 days ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- on the universities,” Interior former employees and analysed terday said it has decided to Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali more than 370 websites of fake ask the FBI and Interpol for Khan told reporters in capital universities, accreditation assistance with a probe into a Islamabad. bodies and other purported Karachi-based firm accused of Khan said the ministry would institutions. running a global fake degree write the letter in next two days, According to the article, the empire. adding that an initial inquiry into firm had clients from the US, Pakistan this week launched the company would be completed Britain and the United Arab an investigation against the in next 10 days. Emirates who had paid sums company Axact after it was Pakistan’s Federal Investigation ranging from thousands to hun- accused by the New York Times Agency (FIA) officers swooped on dreds of thousands of dollars for of running a network of websites the Karachi headquarters of the degrees -- with some believing the for phoney universities as part of company seizing equipment and universities were real and they an elaborate scheme that gener- records and expelling employees would soon receive coursework. ated tens of millions of dollars from the building. In a statement Axact has not annually. The company’s Rawalpindi directly addressed the allegations “The interior ministry is writ- office has also been sealed and but accused domestic media rivals ing a letter to (the) FBI to get employees questioned, an official of colluding with the US newspa- legal assistance... other than said requesting anonymity. per to plant a slanderous story in that we are also contacting The raids were sparked by order to harm its business inter- Jamat-e-Islami party supporters protest an Egyptian court decision to seek the death sentence for deposed Interpol to get some information a NYT report that quoted ests. AFP Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, Islamabad. An Egyptian court on May 16 sought the death sentence for Morsi on charges of orchestrating a mass prison break in 2011. Safety of scribes Belarus President is top priority, Drive against hate material under cloud to visit Pakistan LAHORE: The Punjab prov- The list was advertised in the The police registered a case acting blindly. They did not sepa- says minister ince government’s drive against newspapers but a board of reli- against Hannad Shakir, again rate the wheat from the chaff, the ISLAMABAD: The President of the producers of ‘hate litera- gious scholars empowered to an Urdu Bazaar book dealer, on aim apparently being to show a Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ture’ has come under a cloud identify hate material maintains January 10 after declaring that a large enough number of arrests is arriving Pakistan on a two- Federal Information and after the release of publishers it had recommended a ban on a book he possessed contained hate in quick time. day visit on May 26 at the invi- Broadcasting Minister Senator and booksellers by courts that large number of these books some material. “We run a regulated business. tation of President Mamnoon Pervaiz Rashid yesterday said were arrested by an overzealous 70 of them a decade ago. The Anti-Terrorism Court acquit- We have built our reputation Hussain. It will be the first ever safety and security of jour- police whereas questions have board says there are another 50 ted Shakir on March 9 on the over years. But while the police visit by any Belarusian president nalists was top priority of the been raised over what is ‘hate books that must be banned. ground the police had no author- pounced upon us, those who to Pakistan. government. material’ and who defines it. On the other hand, there are ity (or ability) to declare a book as are producing ‘the real’ hate The Foreign Office spokes- The minister was chairing the Some 452 hate material cases booksellers and publishers who hate material and that the com- material are untouched. We are man said the aim of the visit is to 3rd meeting of the ministerial have been registered in Punjab say they have been unfairly per- petent Muttahida Ulema Board visible. They remain hidden,” he strengthen ties between the two committee constituted by the since January this year, accord- secuted by a police force which in had not declared that the book said. countries. Prime Minister to address secu- ing to official record. turn is under pressure to deliver contained hate material. There is a Muttahida Ulema A business delegation will pre- rity related issues of the media As many as 470 people have some quick results under the Like for the others named Board which has the authority cede Lukashenko’s visit for the houses. been arrested in the specified National Action Plan (NAP). above, the experience left Shakir to declare any written or spoken first Pakistan-Belarus Business He said the present govern- period for allegedly producing Khalil Butt, 85 and a book pub- shaken. The clean chit cost him word as hate material. and Investment Forum to be held ment was determined to resolve hate material, around 260 cases lisher, was arrested on January Rs300,000 in money and he says Reconstituted by the Auqaf on May 25. The Belarusian presi- all problems of working journal- sent to the courts and 66 of them 9 this year for allegedly selling he was humiliated for three Department on April 14, 2014, it dent will attend a banquet to be ists including any threat to their decided. There have been 24 hate material. He says he did not months. He is thinking of quit- brings together religious schol- hosted by President Mamnoon life and property. convictions. know the book was banned. There ting the business. ars of the four main sects in the Hussain. He will have official talks He said the government con- Earlier this month, the Punjab had been no government notifica- The Association of Publishers country to deal with controversial with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif siders media as an important government notified a ban on 150 tion, which was what saved him and Sellers of Islamic Books matters like laws, traditions and who will also host a lunch in hon- instrument for strengthening books and CDs (compact discs) in court, along with his advanced General Secretary Jamalud Din hate material. our of the visiting dignitary. democracy and would continue for carrying hate material. age. Afghani says the police have been INTERNEWS INTERNEWS to facilitate it in performance of their professional obligations. The meeting was apprised about the status of implementa- tion on the decisions of the previ- Pakistan minister woos ous two meetings. Scorching summer expected to The minister directed the offi- cials concerned to invite the home foreign investment and information secretaries from all the provinces to attend next worsen power crisis in Sindh meeting and brief the committee KARACHI: As the power cri- power producers) in 2009, in escalate during the upcoming KARACHI: Terming Pakistan ambassadors and high commis- on their respective implementa- sis during the heat reaches its which large number of investors month of Ramzan, if the federal as one of the best invest- sioners of different countries tion status. peak, the attitude of the fed- had put their money due to low government does not respond ment destination, Minister for based in Islamabad, business The minister further directed eral government of Pakistan tariffs. positively to payment of dues” Finance Senator Ishaq Dar community leaders, senior gov- Additional Inspector General towards Sindh’s population He said these IPPs were also he said. has called upon the ambassa- ernment officials and journalists (Operations) Islamabad Police could possibly further aggra- providing electricity of up to 180 On the other hand, reliable dors and high commissioners attended the dinner. for undertaking another security vate the power load shedding megawatts to different regions source within the Sindh gov- of the friendly countries to take Highlighting the economic audit of the media houses and crisis. The impact would be in Sindh, including Hyderabad ernment say it has taken serious benefit from the investment policies of the government, Ishaq point out the deficiencies in con- most felt in areas that often and Sukkur. notice in this regard. and trade opportunities being Dar said when the present gov- nection with the internal security touch temperatures of 40 to 50 He said that the federal gov- “The provincial energy experts offered in the different sectors ernment came into power some arrangements taken by the media degree Celsius during the sum- ernment later revised the tariff are contacting the federal gov- of economy in the country. two years ago Pakistan was on houses themselves. mer month. rates and due to this conflict ernment for clearance of the The present government the verge of default as the foreign The minister also directed “Now the people, mostly in between IPPs and the federal dues of these IPPs” the source through its prudent and invest- exchange reserves were depleting Principal Information Officer of Hyderabad and Sukkur region, government, the former have said.It is pertinent to mention ment-friendly economic policies and no foreign country or donor Press Information Department to would bear a load shedding cri- decided to disconnect the 180 here that the federal govern- has opened up various sectors was ready to do business with make arrangements for holding sis of up to 22 hours daily in megawatt electricity to different ment could also not provide the of economy for investments due Pakistan. workshop in coordination with the extreme heat,” commented cities of Sindh.“Since the conflict 17 billion rupees to Sindh gov- to its unique strategic location, Dar said soon after coming National Press Club Islamabad, energy consultant, Khursheed began, the federal government ernment under NFC award. This attractive investment policies, into power, the government took media representative bodies and Jamali. He explained that the has also not paid one billion shortage of one billion rupees with lucrative incentives, huge bold decisions to stabilize the Islamabad Capital Territory federal government had intro- rupees dues of these IPPs for would be the last straw to break comparative advantage, dedicated national economy and restore police to sensitize and train the duced a policy to establish cap- the last four months” he added. the camel’s back. skilled and cheap labour force, the confidence of the investors media workers regarding vari- tive power plants (independent “The electricity crisis may INTERNEWS he said, while addressing as chief on Pakistan’s economy. ous security measures and safety guest at investment dinner hosted Now, Pakistan’s economy, he techniques to be adopted by media by Board of Investment Chairman said, had not only stabilised but in face of any threat. Dr Miftah Ismail and Secretary the foreign countries were will- INTERNEWS Child workers BOI Iftikhar Babar at local hotel ing to do business and invest- on Friday. ments in Pakistan. He added that Advisor to Prime Minister on Pakistan had successfully com- National Security and Foreign pleted the 6th and 7th reviews Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Ambassador with International Monetary Afghan district of United States of America Fund (IMF) without taking any governor killed to Pakistan Richard Olson, waivers from the fund. AFP in bomb blast Biometric attendance KABUL: A district governor was killed in a bomb blast hhh- hhhYesterday in Afghanistan’ Uruzgan province, an official system proves effective said. “The governor of Charchino PESHAWAR: It was around 7:45am - the time of day when most district, Mohammad Ismael workers arrive to start labour. As workers enter Khalid Bin Walid Haqyar was on way to office yes- Park in Peshawar cantonment area, they rush towards a huge terday morning when a bomb tree under which a biometric attendance system (BAS) device lies went off in Shah Mashad area at a desk. leaving him dead and injuring Sanitation staff, gardeners and other daily-wagers of the Cantonment another person,” the official told Board Peshawar (CBP), the civic agency of the capital city’s garrison Xinhua news agency. area, put rough thumbs on BAS device to mark attendance. Haqyar, who had served as gov- They all are supposed to mark attendance by 8:30 am other- ernor of Charchino district for wise they’re declared absent from duty. The exercise is repeated the past two years, was regarded thrice daily in all offices to ensure attendance of around 1,500 regular an important anti-Taliban figure and contractual CBP employees. The BAS has also been installed and had fought against militants in CBP offices and a hospital and two schools run by the board. alongside security forces. All employees are required to mark attendance in the morning, noon An investigation has been ini- and afternoon. The BAS has been introduced in CBP around one year tiated into the case, the official ago to address the issue of low attendance and unauthorised absence. An Afghan child labourer Hamid, 11, carries a watermelon as he works in a fruit shop in Kabul, yesterday. added. IANS INTERNEWS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 Parrikar visits forward Jayalalithaa sworn in positions on border Industrialists, film stars throng simple ceremony; Modi sends greetings JAMMU: Defence Minister troops deployed in the area who Manohar Parrikar yesterday apprised him on the prevailing CHENNAI: One of India’s visited forward positions on the security dynamics on the Line of most powerful politicians, Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu Control. Jayalalithaa Jayaram, was sworn and Kashmir’s Rajouri district. Parrikar also visited the Mata in as chief minister of the south- Defence spokesman Col. Vaishno Devi Shrine in Riasi dis- ern state of Tamil Nadu follow- S D Goswami of the army’s trict of Jammu region. ing a nine-month break, after a Udhampur-based Northern He attended an extended Puja court overturned her conviction Command told IANS: “On the session in the shrine. in a corruption case. second day of his official visit He had a luncheon interaction Jayalalithaa was forced to to the state the Raksha Mantri with officers at Usman club of resign as chief minister last year (defence minister) Manohar 26 Corp which comes under the after being convicted of holding Parrikar visited the forward areas Western Command of the Indian ` 530m ($8.3m) in unaccounted in the Rajouri Sector. Army. cash and property. But a higher “The minister was accompa- Parrikar will later leave for court scrapped the case against nied by the Army chief General Delhi in the evening. the former film star last week. Dalbir Singh and Lieutenant The minister on Friday visited Tamil Nadu Governor K General D S Hooda, the Northern the Siachen Glacier and reviewed Rosaiah administered the oath Army Commander. the security situation along the in Tamil to Jayalalithaa and 28 “During his visit to the forward line of actual control (LAC) that ministers. Defying tradition, min- posts, the minister was briefed by forms the de facto border between isters took the oath in chorus in Lieutenant General K H Singh, India and China in Jammu and two batches of 14 each in a proc- Corps Commander of the White Kashmir. ess that lasted a little less than Knight Corps on the overall secu- He also discussed the over- 30 minutes. rity situation and other important all situation in the state with A bevy of film stars and promi- issues pertaining to strategy for Governor N N Vohra and Chief nent industrialists attended the the coming months. Minister Mufti Muhammad ceremony, in which a beaming “He also interacted with Sayeed in Srinagar. Jayalalithaa was clad in a simple the local Commanders and IANS green chiffon saree. Delighted members of her All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party Over 100 dead in Andhra hailed the event as a turning point for the state. Chief of the AIADMK party Jayalalithaa Jayaram arrives for her swearing-in ceremony as the chief minister of the “It is an historic moment,” southern state of Tamil Nadu in Chennai yesterday. said AIADMK spokesman Rabi due to severe heat wave Bernard. “All through her life she celebrated. “Good times are in has overcome difficulties through store for Tamil Nadu again,” 70 HYDERABAD: More than Centre has warned that severe her hard work, perseverance and year old Y S Velusamy sang as he Truncated national anthem played 100 people have died in Andhra heat wave conditions may con- faith in God.” banged away on a native drum. CHENNAI: The swearing-in ceremony of AIADMK general sec- Pradesh due to severe heat tinue for three more days in both In the last few months, when “Our Amma is back and she retary J Jayalalithaa as chief minister and her council of ministers wave conditions this season, the states. she was out of power, political has won justice,” he sang in a ref- here yesterday caused a controversy after a very short version of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Khammam in Telangana yes- uncertainty gripped the state, erence to a 19-year-old corrup- the national anthem was played on the occasion. Naidu said here yesterday. terday sizzled at 48 degrees affecting developments such as tion case in which Jayalalithaa Before the swearing-in ceremony, it was announced that the “The toll so far due to heat Celsius, the highest temperature the inauguration of Chennai’s was acquitted on appeal earlier national anthem would be played followed by Tamizh Thai Vazhthu wave in Andhra Pradesh may be in the state this season. This also much-delayed Metro Rail project. this month. (Invocation to Mother Tamil). over 100,” Naidu said at a press broke a 68-year-old record in Prime Minister Narendra As well as a cult-like following To the surprise of many just two lines of the national anthem -- conference. Khammam when the town had Modi has been trying to boost in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa wields the first line and the last line -- were played and it was followed by Severe heat wave conditions recorded 47.2 degree Celsius in his Bharatiya Janata Party in the national influence, with AIADMK Tamizh Thai Vazhthu. have been reported in both 1947. state, which has been dominated holding the third largest number After all the ministers were sworn-in the full version of the national Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Nalgonda, Nizamabad and by film stars and scriptwriters for of seats in India’s lower house of anthem was played. Elderly people, daily wage Ramagundem also sizzled at 47 four decades, using cinema to pro- parliament. On both the occasions, when the national anthem was played peo- labourers, beggars and people degrees Celsius. Mahabubnagar mote Tamil culture and language She has endeared herself to ple present in the Madras University Centenary Auditorium stood living on footpaths have been the and Adilabad recorded 45 degrees and win support. millions of voters by giving away in silence. worst hit. and Hyderabad 44 degrees. Outside the venue, support- laptops and food processors. IANS The Hyderabad Meteorological IANS ers and fans of Jayalalithaa REUTERS

Blaze in Dharamsala IPL spot-fixing: Don’t clear anti-terror Court to give order on June 29 bill, Cong tells Pranab NEW DELHI: A court hearing NEW DELHI: The Congress BJP was playing politics over it. the 2013 Indian Premier League yesterday urged President The bill passed by the Gujarat (IPL) spot-fixing case yesterday Pranab Mukherjee not to give assembly on March 31 is a set June 29 for its order on the his assent to the controversial reworked version of the Gujarat issue of framing of charges in anti-terror law passed by the Control of Organised Crime Bill the matter. Gujarat assembly. (GUJCOC), 2003, which was ear- Additional Sessions Judge A delegation of senior Congress lier rejected twice by the then Neena Bansal Krishna deferred leaders from Gujarat called on presidents due to some of its con- the delivering order on the issue Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan tentious provisions. of framing of charges in the case and urged him not to give his The bill was passed amid strong for June 29. assent to the Gujarat Control of opposition from Congress mem- Delhi Police on July 30, 2013, Terrorism and Organised Crime bers, who staged a walk out. filed a chargesheet in the IPL Bill, 2015, which was passed by the The bill was first introduced as spot-fixing case, alleging that state assembly on March 31. the Gujarat Control of Organised absconding don Dawood Ibrahim The Congress leaders in the Crime Bill (GUJCOC) in 2003 by and his aide Chhota Shakeel were delegation included Ahmed the then chief minister Narendra behind the scam. Patel, Gujarat Congress chief Modi. The formal set of charges, Bharatsinh Solanki and senior The Anandiben Patel govern- running into 6,000 pages, named leader Shankersinh Vaghela. ment has been pitching for the cricketers S. Sreesanth, Ajit It submitted a memorandum law contending that the present Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, to the president on the contro- acts have limitations in dealing among others, in the scam that versial bill with party spokesman with organised crime and terror took place in the sixth season of Shaktisinh Gohil alleging that the activities. IANS the IPL held in 2013. Men trying to douse a pine forest fire in Upper Khoti village near Nagrota Bagwan, some 45 km from Dharamsala, The accused were charged with India, yesterday. The fire was brought under control after a few hours. As temperatures rise, chances of forest the offences of cheating and con- fires, which have already destroyed some part of precious green belt in hill states, increase rapidly. spiracy under various sections of Non-Muslims bag more the Indian Penal Code. Dawood and Shakeel were declared proclaimed offenders Teenager dies in the case after police com- Rajasthan to hold talks jobs at Muslim job fair pleted the property attachment proceedings. in school IANS MUMBAI: Nearly two-thirds of the non-Muslim candidates with protesting Gujjars swimming pool secured entry-level as well as experience-level jobs at a fair organ- ised by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) and Khidmat Seven kids hurt JAIPUR: The Rajasthan would hold talks in the evening NEW DELHI: A 13-year-old Organisation here yesterday, an organiser said. government yesterday con- with a delegation of Gujjar boy drowned in the swim- Around 1,100 young and experienced job aspirants, along with 20 stituted a three-member min- Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti, ming pool of a government big and small companies including banks, took part in the day-long in bomb blast isterial committee to hold consists of Rajasthan’s medi- school where he had gone to event in Andheri. talks with Gujjars, protesting cal & health minister Rajendra learn swimming, police said The job fair was organised through the efforts of local municipal PATNA: Seven children were in Bharatapur district for last Rathore, social welfare minister yesterday. corporator Mohsin Haider, who is also chairman of the Khidmat injured yesterday when a bomb three days for reservation in Arun Chaturvedi and food and The incident occurred around Organisation. they found in a field in Bihar’s government jobs and educa- civil supplies minister Hem Singh 6 p.m. on Friday in east Delhi’s “By this evening (yesterday), 285 applicants secured offer letters Bhagalpur district accidentally tional institutes. Bhadana. Farash Bazar at the Delhi gov- from their employers of which nearly 200 are non-Muslims. Another exploded, police said. The inci- Gujjars want reservation under The talks are likely to be held ernment-run Babu Ram school, 371 have been short-listed for further evaluation for their jobs. The dent took place in Kathalbari in SBC (special backward class) in government college in Bayana where the boy, identified as ratio of male-female aspirants and those selected stood at around Bhagalpur, about 200 km from category. town, few kilometers from the Mukul Sharma, had gone to learn 50-50,” AMP general secretary Syed Najeeb told IANS. Patna. “Some children, who “We want five percent reserva- place where Gujjars are squatting swimming. The development came close on the heels of a leading diamond export were playing in the field, found tion under the SBC category and on a railway track. Mukul Sharma, a class eight firm allegedly refusing a job to a Muslim MBA on religious grounds. a bomb. As they were not aware that should be within the upper As the days are passing by, student of DAV public school, was The Indian Union Muslim League and the All India Milli Council it was a bomb, they hit it with a limit of 50 percent reservation,” number of people staging the sit- taken out of the pool by the people have, meanwhile, decided to launch ‘Gandhigiri’ to counter the devel- brick that resulted in the explo- Himmat Singh, spokesperson of in is on the rise. swimming with him. opment by offering jobs to 10 Hindus for every Muslim candidate sion and injured seven of them,” Gujjar Arakshan Sangarsh Samiti Meanwhile, the sit-in by the “Around 30 minutes after jump- rejected henceforth. Brari police station officer-in- told IANS. Gujjars at Pilu Ka Pura area in ing in the pool, Mukul drowned,” AMP secretary Soheb Selia said the organisers came in for praise charge K K Akela said. The Samiti, led by Colonel Bharatpur district has affected said a police officer, quoting the from the participating companies, government officials present on All the injured children Kirori Singh Bainsla (retd), is the movement of at least 60 trains statement of the victim’s cousin the occasion and former union minister Gurudas Kamat who was the were admitted to a hospital for spearheading the agitation. so far. Vikash. guest of honour, for the systematic manner in which the entire exercise treatment. IANS The ministerial team that IANS IANS was conducted. IANS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA ‘Politics to revolve around BJP’ Lawyers divided over Jaitley feels BJP has achieved good coordination with people central notification NEW DELHI: The Centre’s Sodhi said: “Unlike the states NEW DELHI: Finance notification placing bureaucrats where consultation by the gover- Minister Arun Jaitley yester- under the Lt. Governor’s admin- nor with the council of minister day said the Bharatiya Janata istrative control has further is mandatory, in case of union Party (BJP) has become the intensified the turf war between territory it is a discretion which central pole of Indian politics Delhi Chief Minister Arvind the Lt. Governor may exercise or and, in future, Indian politics Kejriwal and Najeeb Jung, leav- not.” will be guided along pro or anti ing legal eagles divided on the However, beyond the legalities BJP lines. issue. of the issue, the former judge said Speaking during a press con- A section of lawyers felt there the government must function in ference here, Jaitley also said the was nothing wrong in the gov- a mature manner under the con- BJP is hopeful of winning the ernment issuing the notification stitution and “Delhi government Bihar assembly election later this with former Lok Sabha Secretary must be run in a gentlemanly way year as he termed the Rashtriya General Subhash Kashyap saying between the two (Lt. Governor Janata Dal and Janata Dal-United what the government has done is and the chief minister). coalition as “impractical”. clarify the constitutional position. “Things have to be done cor- “BJP hopes to win the polls that Others feel that it was an exer- dially instead of taking a confron- are to happen in Bihar soon. An cise of power by the government tationist course,” he added. impractical coalition is set to try which may not stand judicial Taking a contrary view, sen- and stop us. I am sure we, along scrutiny. ior counsels K.K.Venugopal and with our allies, will come to power Holding that the issuance of the Rajeev Dhavan disputed the in Bihar,” Jaitley said. notification was “absolutely justi- validity of the notification on the Stating that the BJP had fied”, jurist Shanti Bhushan said, grounds of its constitutionality. become the central pole of Indian “Only the Lt. Governor (Najeeb While Venugopal termed the politics in the last two decades, Jung) has the power to post and central government notification he said: “From now onwards the transfer the bureaucrats on the as “unconstitutional and void”, country’s polity will be guided direction of the central govern- Rajeev Dhavan said, “ These are either on pro BJP or on anti BJP ment. Delhi government has no unconstitutional. Such a change line.” power at all (in this regard).” can only be made by the parapher- “There has been a good coordi- “He (Kejriwal) should real- nalia and not by a notification.” nation between the government Jaitley addressing a press conference in Delhi yesterday. ize that Delhi is a union terri- Agreeing with Venugopal and the organisation in the last tory administered by the central and Dhavan, and describing the one year. Our party and our cadre government” and the executive Thursday notification as “illegal are proud of our performance,” situation poses a challenge to our When there was UPA in power, 31 will be observed as ‘Jan Kalyan powers of Delhi government are and unconstitutional”, former the senior BJP leader said on the economy”. government was run from outside. Parv’ under which the ministers, limited, said Bhushan who was solicitor general and senior coun- occasion of one-year of the Modi Stating that now there was We have reversed this situation,” MPs and senior functionaries a union law minister in the post sel Gopal Subramanium in his government, adding: “The last one “clarity of direction” and “policy he added. He said that despite of (BJP) will travel across the emergency Janata government in opinion to the Delhi government year has been historic for BJP.” paralysis has been fought down”, ideological differences the BJP country to highlight the welfare 1977. said that “It (notification) sin- Talking about the achievements Jaitley said: “Corruption has been formed a coalition government measures and various policies and Agreeing with Shanti Bhushan, gularly lacks propriety when the of the Modi government, Jaitley replaced by transparent govern- with the Peoples Democratic initiatives taken by it for the wel- former judge of Delhi High court President is seized of the issue.” said, “We have been able to bring ance”, and “crony capitalism has Party (PDP) in Jammu and fare of the poor, downtrodden and and now a senior counsel in the Advising the Kejriwal gov- inflation under control to a great been replaced by liberal policy.” Kashmir. This experiment with farmers,” Union Minister Anant apex court Rupinder Singh Sodhi ernment to challenge the valid- extent in the last one year since He also said the last one year the PDP would be in “the coun- Kumar said. said: “I think Lt. Governor was ity of the notification in court, international prices of crude oil has “restored the credibility, stat- try’s interest in the long term”, The party also plans to organise always right and the power of Subramanium felt that it is a have come down.” ure of PMO”. he said, adding that the verdict 200 big and 5000 small rallies. It services (posting and transfer of “fraud on the constitution or a However, he said that due to “In this government the last given by the people made this coa- will also organise 200 press con- bureaucrats) are always with the colourable exercise of authority” the global economy and domes- word belongs to the prime min- lition possible. “The government ferences across the country, he President which are delegated to by the central government. tic disturbances, the “agrarian ister and that is how it should be. has decided that May 26 to May added. IANS the Lt. Governor.” IANS

Fight for regular jobs Brothers die as Suggestions on car falls into land bill invited canal in Delhi NEW DELHI: The central “All those desirous of submit- NEW DELHI: Two brothers government yesterday invited ting their views or suggestions died here and three of their suggestions from various public to the committee may send two friends suffered injuries when bodies, organisations, individu- copies of their written memo- their car jumped a divider, hit an als as well as other stakehold- randa or suggestions either in ambulance and fell into a canal, ers on the land acquisition bill English or Hindi on the subject Delhi Police said yesterday. pending in the Lok Sabha. to Joint Secretary Lok Sabha The accident took place on The Right to Fair Compensation Secretariat by June 8,” the state- Friday night near Dharamshila and Transparency in Land ment said. Cancer Hospital and Research Acquisition, Rehabilitation The memoranda submitted to Centre in east Delhi’s New Ashok and Resettlement (Second the committee would form part of Nagar area. Amendment Bill, 2015) has been the records of the committee and Deepak, 20, Pawan, 18, Kuldeep, referred to a Joint Parliamentary would be treated as confidential 22, Ravish, 19, and Sunny, 20 left Committee of both the houses and would enjoy privilege of the their homes in a car for a joy ride, under the chairmanship of BJP committee. police said, adding that the driver MP from West Bengal S.S. The statement said those who lost control of the vehicle near the Ahluwalia. wish to appear before the com- hospital and it jumped the divider. “It has been decided to seek the mittee, besides submitting mem- “After jumping the divider, the views and suggestions from vari- oranda, are also requested to car hit an ambulance and fell into ous public bodies, organisations, specifically indicate so. a canal. Passers-by made a call to associations, individuals and other The contentious land acquisi- police,” said a police officer. stakeholders,” an official state- tion bill which sought to convert Deepak and Pawan, both broth- ment said. an ordinance into law had been ers, were declared dead after they The current as well as the ear- cleared once by the Lok Sabha were taken out of the canal while An employee of National Health Mission (NHM) shouts slogans from a police vehicle after they were detained lier 2013 bill passed by the UPA in the earlier part of the budget Kuldeep, Ravish, and Sunny were during a protest in Srinagar yesterday. Police detained dozens of NHM employees who were demanding government have been uploaded session. discharged after first aid. regularisation of their jobs. on the Lok Sabha website. IANS IANS

Guru Amardas birth anniversary Encephalitis Muslim body’s bid to counter claims first discrimination with ‘Gandhigiri’ victim in Bihar MUMBAI: Shaken by the inci- India Milli Council (AIMC) gen- PATNA: A child has died due dent of a Muslim MBA profes- eral secretary M A Khalid and to the deadly mosquito-borne sional being denied a job in a other prominent community lead- disease Acute Encephalitis Hindu-owned diamond export ers, who discussed the manner Syndrome (AES) in Bihar’s company on religious grounds, in which a Muslim youth from Muzaffarpur district - the first the Indian Union Muslim Kurla, Zeeshan Ali Khan, was in the state this year, an official League announced yesterday rejected by Hari Krishna Exports. said yesterday. that it would counter the issue The candidate, like two of his “So far one child has died at with “Gandhigiri”. friends and co-applicants, holds the Sri Krishna Medical College They said this would strengthen MBA qualification and the rejec- and Hospital due to AES in the the communal bonds within the tion was purely because he fol- district,” said Muzaffarpur civil country’s commercial capital. lowed Islam, they said. surgeon Gayan Bhusan. IUML President Pervez The company is headquartered According to him, three chil- Lakdawala said that henceforth in the Bandra-Kurla Complex dren have been admitted in the Muslim-owned companies would which is a cosmopolitan business hospital with AES symptoms. gladly offer employment to 10 hub in central Mumbai. The AES is a severe case Hindus for every Muslim candi- Lakdawala said this is not the of encephalitis characterised date rejected by a Hindu-owned first time such a thing may have by inflammation of the brain. company on any grounds. happened, but this time it has Mosquitoes transmit the infec- “Rejection of employment on come to light with evidence for tion causing high fever among religious grounds is very danger- which the media and social media children. ous to the secular fabric and the should get full credit. “Every year, encephalitis hits country’s unity and integrity,” “We follow the ideals of Muzaffarpur and other neigh- Lakdawala told media persons Mahatma Gandhi and so we bouring districts in May or June. here yesterday. shall counter this trend with But this year it seems to have hit An Indian Sikh priest carries the Sikh holy book the Guru Granth Sahib during a procession from the Sikh “It is also a major challenge to ‘Gandhigiri’. So all companies a little early,” a health depart- Shrine Gurudwara Lohgarh Sahib to Gurudwara San Sahib in Basarke, some 13 kms from Amritsar yesterday. the constitutional and religious owned by Muslims will give jobs ment official here said. Sikh devotees are marking the 536th birth anniversary of Guru Amardas, the third master of the Sikhs. Guru pillars of the world’s largest to 10 Hindus for every Muslim In the last few years, hundreds Amardas lived from May 5, 1479 to September 1, 1574, was the third of the 10 Gurus of Sikhism and was given democracy... Such things cannot rejected on religious grounds of children have died due to this the title of Sikh Guru on March 26, 1552. be tolerated.” by Hindu-owned companies,” disease. IANS He was accompanied by All Lakdawala said. IANS

SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

Prayer Timings Weather

Fajr 03.19 am Zuhr 11.31 am Maghrib 06.17 pm Minimum: 31o C Maximum: 41o C Hot during the day Shorook 04.46 am Asr 02.56 pm Isha 07.47 pm with slight dust. HIGH TIDE 09:00 - 21:45LOW TIDE 05:00 - 13:30 German woman gives birth to quadruplets at 65

BERLIN: A 65-year-old RTL said the new arrivals make quoted Raunigk, whose oldest Raunigk made headlines 10 German woman, who already her the world’s oldest mother of daughter is 44, recalling that it years ago too, when she gave birth has 13 children, has given birth quadruplets. was “a shock” when the doctors to her 13th child, Lelia, at the age to quadruplets after undergoing She became pregnant after first broke the news to her that of 55. That pregnancy was also an artificial insemination pro- undergoing several artificial she was expecting quadruplets. the subject of an exclusive cover- cedure in Ukraine, RTL televi- insemination procedures in “After the doctor discovered age deal with RTL, and Bild. sion reported early yesterday. Ukraine, said RTL. there were four, I had to give it “At first, I only wanted one Annegret Raunigk had three The channel has negotiated some thought to begin with.” child,” the tabloid quoted her as boys, named Dries, Bence and exclusive rights to the story and But she did not consider reduc- saying at the time. “Not all were Fjonn, and one girl, Neeta, who has followed the build-up to the ing the number of embryos and planned. But then things hap- were born premature at 26 weeks births, although it says no filming said she had no reservations pen. I’m not a planner but rather in a Berlin hospital but have “good was done in the hospital where about the challenge facing her. spontaneous. And children keep chances of surviving,” according the babies were born. “I’m not actually afraid. I sim- me young.” to RTL. Raunigk made headlines in ply assume I’ll remain healthy and During an interview in April, “However, the babies, in com- April when the German press fit. In matters of organisation I Raunigk dismissed critics who parison with a normal birth in first reported that her latest have enough experience, that’s not said she was acting irresponsibly the 40th week, are not completely artificial insemination attempt new for me,” she was quoted as because she would be more than developed, so eventual complica- had resulted in a quadruple saying in Bild. 70 years old when the quadruplets tions can’t be ruled out,” said the pregnancy. Asked about moral doubts, entered school. report. At the time, she said she RTL quoted her as asking: “How “You can never know what will Their mother lives in Berlin decided to try to have another does one have to be at 65? One happen. Things can also happen and is an English and Russian child because her youngest daugh- must apparently always fit some to you when you’re 20,” she said, This file photo from 2005 shows then 55-old Annegret Raunigk (1st row, teacher who is close to retire- ter, who is nine, wanted a little cliches which I find rather tiring. adding that it’s up to each individ- 2nd left), posing with her then youngest daughter Lelia and other children ment. In addition to her children, brother or sister, according to “I think, one must decide that ual to decide when they become and grandchildren in Cologne as guest in a German channel RTL show. she is grandmother to seven. RTL. The Bild am Sonntag tabloid for oneself.” a parent. AFP

Combat stress hits Macbeth at Cannes

CANNES, FRANCE: Michael this unfurls a bit like a study Fassbender is a “Macbeth” for guide version with the lines our times, suffering from post- (“Out, damned spot”, “screw traumatic stress disorder, while your courage to the stick- Marion Cotillard is a Lady ing point”) retained but much Macbeth haunted by the loss of dialogue cut. a child, in the final competition What Kurzel has opted for is entry screened yesterday for to open up the play as a psycho- the top Cannes prize. drama about the romantic rela- The main Palme d’Or prize for tionship between Macbeth and the 68th edition of the film festi- Lady Macbeth that is spiralling val will be awarded tonight. towards disaster because of the Most critics appear to think psychological trauma each has Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao- endured. Hsien’s “Nie Yinniang” (The Fassbender said Kurzel had Assassin), about a martial arts suggested in an early conversa- killer, is the most deserving. tion about the film that Macbeth, It is followed closely by shown in the midst of battle in the Hungarian director Laszlo opening scene, has nightmares Nemes’s “Saul Fia” (Son of Saul) and visions of witches because set in the Auschwitz concentra- of his battle scars, physical and tion camp and American direc- mental. tor Todd Haynes’s queer romance “The idea that he’s seeing hallu- “Carol” starring Cate Blanchett cinations, we know from soldiers and Rooney Mara. today coming back from Iraq or The screen credits for Afghanistan that describe trau- “Macbeth” directed by Australian matic stress disorder,” Fassbender Justin Kurzel (“Snowtown”) give told a news conference. fair warning that it is “based on “I think it’s kind of like a west- the play by William Shakespeare”. ern, I think it was kind of inte- Unlike some previous gral to the way we make film,” Sleeping Beauty’s castle movie adaptations of one of Kurzel said. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is pictured during Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration in Anaheim, California, yesterday. The resort is celebrating Shakespeare’s darkest plays, REUTERS the 60th anniversary with a 24-hour open day.

Cyprus leaders Eurovision share coffee Thirugnanasampanthamoorthys have casts net and cake wider this year Switzerland authorities fumbling VIENNA: A slice of Swedish NICOSIA: Leaders of rival electro-pop, Italian ‘popera’ and communities in ethnically-split BELLINZONA, SWITZERLAND: For “Immigration preoccupies voters even more of people helped me,” said Sivagala, whose a pop star from Australia, about Cyprus shared coffee and cake a family of Sri Lankans in Switzerland, than the economy and the exchange rate,” citizenship application is pending and who, as far from Europe as you can yesterday in a symbolic gesture the trials and tribulations of daily life Michael Hermann, a political scientist who unlike her husband, speaks English. “And get, are among the favourites underscoring a thaw in rela- are compounded by their surname: heads Zurich-based research institute Sotomo. slowly, slowly I learned.” for this year’s Eurovision Song tions over a conflict spanning Thirugnanasampanthamoorthy. “Because of our tradition of direct democracy, In view of the upcoming election, which will Contest in Vienna. decades. At 26 letters, there isn’t enough space for it Swiss citizenship conveys more rights than decide not only membership in both houses The annual kitsch-fest, watched Cypriot President Nicos on the doorbell at the family’s pink-coloured other countries — so the Swiss think the hur- of parliament but also ministers in the gov- by more than 195 million people Anastasiades, the Greek Cypriot apartment building flanking a busy street dles for joining must be higher.” ernment, politicians are responding to voters’ in 40 countries—more viewers leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader in Bellinzona, in the Italian-speaking Ticino Last year, the Swiss voted to cease allow- unease. The SVP, the largest in parliament, than the Superbowl—was won last Mustafa Akinci spent more than region. Fitting onto the buzzer isn’t the only ing EU citizens to take up jobs and residence is campaigning for a “marked” reduction of year by Austria’s Conchita Wurst, an hour strolling through medi- challenge the family has faced. freely, though the government has yet to immigration, less spending on foreign aid, and bringing the show to the Austrian eval streets of Nicosia, a first in “When we go to hospital, they struggle implement the change. The rules under which a clampdown on so-called crime tourists who capital better known for its clas- the history of the Cyprus dispute. to pronounce it, it’s too long,” said Sivagala, people can apply for asylum have been tight- cross the border into Switzerland to burgle sic elegance. “This is a historic day,” 31, whose husband Srikrishnan came to the ened in recent years, and the Swiss People’s houses. A newcomer must “observe law and While viewers are often puz- Akinci told reporters, clap- country as a refugee in 1992. “When he went Party, or SVP, is mulling an initiative to make order, fit in, and earn his own keep,” according zled by the inclusion of coun- ping wellwishers as he and to apply for Swiss citizenship, there wasn’t the process even more restrictive. to a campaign pamphlet. tries outside Europe — such as Anastasiades walked across a enough space on the form to enter his name.” An annual survey of Swiss vot- “The ongoing discussion among politicians is Israel, which qualifies thanks United Nations-monitored ‘green While their name is unique, the ers by Credit Suisse Group found that mainly rhetorical and aimed at winning votes to membership of the European line’ keeping Greek and Turkish Thirugnanasampanthamoorthys aren’t alone scepticism of “foreign influence” was not solving the problem,” said Dirk Lehmkuhl, Broadcasting Union (EBU) — this Cypriots apart. Cyprus was split struggling to master the intricacies of every- “very high.” Foreigners and Swiss citizens with professor of political science at the University year the net has been cast even in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after day life in Switzerland. Some 2 million for- foreign roots are at a greater risk of being of St Gallen. “Only after the elections will wider. To mark 60 years since the a brief Greek inspired coup, but eigners — nearly a quarter of the country’s poor than domestic counterparts, according actual solution-oriented policy debate start.” first Eurovision in 1955, Australia seeds of division were sown at population — must make their way in a coun- to statistics office data. Swiss with ancestors As for the Thirugnanasampanthamoorthys, has been given a wild card entry least a decade earlier. In Nicosia, try that relies on their economic contribution, born abroad are less likely to join a club or they have taken the SVP’s message to heart, and singer Guy Sebastian and his peacekeepers monitor a ‘buffer yet stresses cultural assimilation and makes association than their “home grown” coun- even though they don’t want to change their up-tempo song “Tonight Again” is zone’ slicing through the capital citizenship hard to obtain. After the country terparts, and less frequently vote on refer- surname — Switzerland’s longest, according one of the favourites. REUTERS of no-man’s land only they are voted to toughen residency rules last year, endums. That’s potentially a concern in a to a study by Tages-Anzeiger newspaper — permitted to enter. the topic is set to be a hot issue in October country whose system of direct democracy, which they say is unusual even in Sri Lanka. Relations between the sides 18 elections. with few full-time salaried politicians, is based Srikrishnan, who works as a cook, votes have taken a marked turn for The Swiss population has increased by more on grass-roots activism. actively in national referendums, according to the better since the election of than 10 percent since immigration restrictions Still, that doesn’t mean the Swiss turn the his wife, who didn’t say what stance he takes. Akinci on April 26, and peace for European Union citizens were dropped in cold shoulder to newcomers who’ve arrived. “Whoever comes to Switzerland needs to fit talks resumed on May 15. 2002 and some 35,000 people are granted a In Zurich, new residents are offered German in, keep it clean,” she said, sitting on a tiger- “We will work very hard to Swiss passport each year. Between 2010 and classes and a how-to manual for city services print sofa in a cafe adjacent to her apartment achieve a lasting peace deal 2014, Switzerland ranked fourth for asylum and local life in languages from Albanian to building. “Don’t give people the opportunity to the soonest possible,” said applications on a per capita basis, according Turkish. misuse Switzerland.” Anastasiades. REUTERS to United Nations data. “At first, I couldn’t speak Italian and a lot WP-BLOOMBERG Sunday 24 May 2015 6 Shaaban 1436 Volume 20 Number 6440 Price: QR2

New oil subsidy rules to push ONGC stake sale

Business | 22

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar banks’ loan book, deposits shrink: QNBFS Public sector pulled down total credit growth last month; private sector loans grow by 1.9 percent

DOHA: Qatar banks’ loan book for the month of April 2015 Vs government segment’s loan book Consumption & Others followed decreased by 0.5 percent and a decent growth of 1.3 percent contracted by 23.5 percent Vs a by General Trade positively con- deposits dipped by 0.2 percent in March. Delving into segment robust growth of 23.7 percent in tributed toward the loan growth. on month-on-month (MoM) in details, the government institu- March. Loans to the Consumption & April, 2015. tions’ segment, which represents On the other hand the govern- Others segment , which contrib- Public sector pulled down total an estimated 57 percent of public ment institutions’ segment, which utes 31 percent to private sector credit growth with a decline of 4.7 sector deposits, declined by 8.3 represents an estimated 64 per- loans, expanded by four percent percent MoM, down 5.9 percent percent, down 4.4 percent YTD. cent of public sector loans exhib- MoM and11.8 percent YTD, while year-to-date (YTD). Public sec- Moreover, the government seg- ited healthy performance growing General Trade increased by 5.0 tor deposits receded by 4.8 per- ment receded by 6.9 percent, down by 2.8 percent MoM after exhib- percent MoM and 8.8 percent cent, down 4.5 percent YTD, QNB 4.5 percent YTD, after surging by iting flat performance in March. YTD. Moreover, the Real Estate Financial Services (QNBFS) 50.1 percent MoM in March and Furthermore, semi-government and Contractors segments monthly banking sector update dropping by 11.4 percent and 22.9 Private sector front, the compa- 10.7 percent MoM and 45.5 per- institutions’ segment expanded increased by 1.1 percent and 1.0 noted yesterday. percent in February and January nies and institutions’ segment cent YTD. by 6.1 percent MoM. Hence, the percent, respectively on MoM. On The growth in the bank’s loan 2015, respectively. climbed up by 1.1 percent MoM, The overall loan book reversed government sub-segment pulled the other hand, Services, which book and deposits are up by 2.9 On the other hand, the semi- but down 1.3 percent YTD. The its growth trajectory and declined the overall loan book down for the contributes 18 percent to private percent and 3.1 percent, respec- government institutions’ seg- consumer segment followed suit MoM. Total domestic public sec- month of April 2015. sector loans, dipped by 2.2 per- tively on YTD basis. ment posted strong performance, and ticked up by 0.8 percent tor loans decreased by 4.7 percent Private sector loans grew by cent MoM and grew by 5.4 per- The public sector deposits expanding by 13.6 percent MoM, MoM, but up by 5.7 percent YTD. vs. a robust growth of 4.7 per- 1.9 percent MoM vs. 3.1 percent cent YTD. dropped by 4.8 percent MoM down 4.9 percent YTD. On the .Non-resident deposits grew by cent MoM in March 2015. The MoM growth in March 2015.The THE PENINSULA

SAK offers specialised services to realty sector

DOHA: SAK Holding Group, undue delays due to various one of the leading companies in reasons. the field of real estate develop- “We are looking for a part- ment in Qatar, announced the nership that allows prospective launch of an innovative indus- partners to benefit from our try solutions to real estate deep-rooted experience in the real investors and the companies estate sector”, he said. operating in the sector. On the real estate develop- Addressing a press conference ment partnership, Sheikh Thani here yesterday, Sheikh Thani bin emphasized the priorities of SAK Abdulla Al Thani, the Chairman Holding Group and explained the of the Board of Directors of SAK successful launch of a series of Holding Group, said that the prestigious urban development Group is ready to share its exper- projects that put Qatar’s name on tise to all sections of investors in a high pedestal in the region’s real developing all kinds of properties, estate industry. Sheikh Thani including lands. said the “SAK Partnerships “Under our “Partner with Company” is equipped with us” programme, we are ready to a team of highly professional share our expertise in building specialists. and developing all kinds of lands Hesham Al Sahtari, CEO of and properties, within Doha and SAK Holding Group, and Abdul beyond, to help real estate inves- Rahman Al Najjar the Deputy tors to ensure attractive returns CEO of the Group said SAK and benefit the real estate sector Partnerships Company is ready to as a whole.” offer service toprospective part- Sheikh Thani bin Abdulla Al Thani, Chairman of SAK Holding Group (third left), with other officials after the press conference. SAK Holding Group will ners, whether they own a piece reach out to landlords and of land, or an existing project, or and marketing. “With SAK the required human, practical estate sector is one of the key enhancing its readiness to fulfill property-owners and real an ailing project, or a property Partnerships Company in the and operational resources, it also drivers of Qatari economy. The the expectations in the real estate estate investors. The Group is that needs developing, or any market, they can turn to compa- offers advice and guidance derived sector is growing at an unprec- sector at all levels in the coming also ready to extend its service other type of real estate projects, nies that possess all the capabili- from studies, and would provide edented rate. years, he said. to the projects that are facing including their management ties and expertise in along with strong market intelligence.” Real SAK Holding Group is keen on THE PENINSULA

Greece bailout talks enter ‘homestretch’ Gulf producers to resist cuts

ATHENS: Greek Prime hard-left Syriza party’s central bailout. In exchange for the remain- people,” Tsipras stated. Minister Alexis Tsipras said committee, where he claimed the ing aid, creditors are demanding Greece faces a series of debt at Opec meet, say analysts yetserday he believes a bailout country is “in the homestretch of Greece accept tough reforms and repayments beginning next deal with creditors is near- a painful and difficult period.” spending cuts that anti-austerity month that are seen as all but KUWAIT CITY: Gulf oil pro- their earnings, some Opec mem- ing, yet remained adamant The Syriza-led government is Syriza pledged to reject when it was impossible to meet without the ducers, led by Saudi Arabia, bers, led by Iran and Venezuela, that there are strict limits to locked in talks with the European elected in January. blocked bailout funds. Failure to will resist attempts to cut out- have publicly called for the cartel demands Athens will accept. Union, European Central Bank and In his speech, Tsipras sought to honour those payments would put at an Opec meeting next to cut production to support prices. “We have done what we ought the International Monetary Fund appease prominent members of result in probable default, rais- month as preserving market “I don’t thing that any change to do, now it’s Europe’s turn to do to release a blocked final ¤7.2bn his party who are urging the gov- ing the spectre of a chaotic Greek share remains their top prior- will happen at OPEC’s meeting,” so,” Tsipras said in a speech to his ($7.9bn) tranche of its ¤240bn ernment to stick by its campaign exit from the euro. ity, industry analysts said. a former member of Kuwait’s pledges to combat poverty and According to reports, creditors A decision by the 12-mem- Supreme Petroleum Council, unemployment, and defy creditors’ are demanding further budget ber Organisation of Petroleum Musa Maarafi, said. demands despite Greece’s increas- cuts worth ¤5bn. Yet despite the Exporting Countries not to cut “Gulf states will continue to ingly acute liquidity problems. acrimonious atmosphere amid production in November sent defend their market share and it “The majority of Greek peo- the stalled negotiations, all sides prices crashing 60 percent before is their right to do so,” Maarafi ple ask for a viable solution not appear convinced there is no a partial recovery in recent weeks. said. “They will not accept to only an agreement,” Tsipras said, alternative to reaching a deal. Gulf and other OPEC members cut output at their own expense stressing a mutually beneficial “It would be a catastrophe for said they wanted to safeguard unless an agreement is reached deal must focus on low targets Greece to leave the eurozone,” their share of a market that has with non-Opec producers.” for Greece’s primary surplus and said French Finance Minister faced a supply glut as a result of The burden of any cut in Opec restructuring of its debt. Michel Sapin Saturday during sharp increases in the production output would likely fall on the He also accused some creditors a visit in Lisbon, adding Athens’ of shale and sand crudes. cartel’s Gulf members — Saudi of “taking advantage of (Greece’s) exit would also create a “problem “Preserving market share Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab cash asphyxiation,” and pledged the for the eurozone”. still remains a top priority for Emirates and Qatar — whose pro- government will not “budge to irra- But even as he called for a Gulf states,” Saudi economist duction has risen by around 3.5 tional demands” that involve cross- “rapid accord” to be reached, Abdulwahab Abu-Dahesh said. million barrels per day since 2011. ing his government’s “red lines”. Sapin said any deal must encom- “This time they are even Currently, they pump 16.8 mil- “We don’t discuss further pass commitments previous Greek encouraged by signs their lion bpd, or 55 percent of Opec’s deregulation of the labour system. governments made in bailout November strategy is working total, with Saudi Arabia account- We won’t accept further reduc- agreements, and also “prepare for after a drop in US shale oil pro- ing for 10.3 million bpd. They Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis looks on as Prime Minister Alexis tion of pensions. We won’t accept what comes next, because Greece duction and in the number of export around 12.5 million, almost Tsipras (not pictured) delivers a speech during a central committee of humiliating terms for ourselves, will still remain a fragile country.” rigs,” Abu-Dahesh said. two-thirds of the cartel’s total. leftist Syriza party in Athens, yesterday. for our party or for the Greek AFP In the face of the sharp drop in AFP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Gold futures New oil subsidy decline on US data, Fed rate rules to push outlook

NEW YORK: Gold futures fell ONGC stake sale as rising US consumer prices signalled an approach to the Federal Reserve’s inflation target, boosting prospects for India to ease burden on retailers the first interest-rate increase since 2006. NEW DELHI: India plans to of crude oil and refined products The cost of living excluding reform rules governing the level if global oil prices are up to $60 food and fuel rose at a faster pace of discounts upstream state oil per barrel. than expected in April, govern- firms including ONGC offer to India had to defer plans to sell ment data showed. Fed policy- retailers, a senior finance min- a five percent stake in state-run makers have indicated they are istry official said, a move that oil company ONGC last year as watching inflation and the job could expedite the sale of a investors wanted a clarity on market to help determine when stake in the company. subsidy payments, which had to lift borrowing costs. The dol- The government hopes to sell previously been set by govern- lar extended a rally against a shares in ONGC and India Oil ment decree, creating uncertainty basket of 10 currencies after Corp to raise about a third of around its earnings outlook. Fed Reserve Chairwoman Janet its budget target for asset sales Market experts said that if Yellen said she expects a rate of $11bn — and reduce its fiscal talks between the two ministries increase this year if the economy deficit to 3.9 percent of GDP in lead to the temporary subsidy meets her forecasts. the 2015/16 fiscal year. arrangement being prolonged, A technician opens a pressure gas valve inside the Oil and Natural Gas Corp group gathering station on the “Even though it was not a Currently ONGC (Oil and that would make the ONGC stake outskirts of Ahmedabad. big jump in inflation, it was Natural Gas Corp), Oil India and sale a more bankable proposition. enough to bring back the rate GAIL (India) sell crude and fuels “Investors have been asking for has unwound most of its gains a barrel this quarter. For prices prices. Currently global oil prices anxiety,” Frank Lesh, a trader at like cooking gas at discounted more clarity on ONGC’s subsidy for the year, could hurt govern- beyond $60 a barrel the compa- are hovering around $66 a barrel. FuturePath Trading in Chicago, rates to partly compensate retail- outgo, and that will be key for a ment fundraising plans. India has nies will have to give a discount of On the top of the discount, said in a telephone interview. ers for losses they incur on selling divestment to take place,” said missed its privatisation target for 85 percent of the incremental oil state-run fuel retailers - Indian “You saw an immediate reaction fuels at government-set rates. Mahesh Patil, co-chief investment the last five years in a row. prices and this discount will rise Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum in dollar, and the strength was a But the finance ministry and oil officer at Birla Sun Life Asset ONGC shares rose 1.5 percent to 90 percent for additional prices Corp and Bharat Petroleum - are headwind for gold.” ministry are in talks to work out a Management. “We still need to on Friday. They have shed 18 per- beyond $100 a barrel. compensated by the finance min- On the Comex in New York, mechanism for easing the subsidy see what the final formula is.” cent in the year since Modi’s elec- ONGC chairman D.K. Sarraf istry for selling cooking gas and gold futures fell less than 0.1 per- burden for the upstream compa- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tion victory, while the Sensex is later confirmed receiving a gov- kerosene at cheaper rates. cent to settle at $1,204 an ounce nies, Ratan P Watal, expendi- gave a bullish view on asset sales, up by 15 percent in that period, ernment order concerning the The government directly trans- at 1:49 p.m. The metal declined 1.7 ture secretary at the Ministry of telling a news conference called to according to Reuters data. subsidy formula and said the fers subsidy for cooking gas into percent this week. Finance, told reporters on Friday. mark Prime Minister Narendra Reuters reported exclusively details were in line with Reuters’ the bank accounts of consumers. Higher rates drive investors Earlier, sources said that the Modi’s first year in power that earlier that the oil ministry had set reporting. Last fiscal year domestic kero- to favor assets that pay interest, oil ministry had set a new subsidy deals worth Rs500bn ($7.9bn) interim rules to exempt upstream Last quarter, the government sene sales accounted for a third of including new bonds, curbing the formula for the April-June quar- were “in the pipeline”. state firms from giving any dis- had exempted ONGC, Oil India, overall revenue losses of Rs723bn appeal of gold, which generally ter that would exempt upstream Officials worry that a downturn counts on crude and refined fuels if and GAIL from paying any sub- ($11.4bn) of state fuel retailers. offers returns only through price companies from discounting sales in the Indian stock market, which global oil prices average up to $60 sidy after a crash in global crude REUTERS gains. Yellen spoke Friday to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in Providence, Rhode Island. She said she expects a gradual pace of tightening to fol- ExxonMobil holds four courses in Tamayoz training programme low the rate increase. “The market is still trying to understand if the remarks were DOHA: ExxonMobil experts als in Qatar’s energy industry. President and General Manager a solid foundation for Qatar’s sus- was also offered in April. This more hawkish or dovish,” Tai led four courses in April as Subject areas covered during for ExxonMobil Qatar. “Qatar’s tainable future,” he said. week-long course provided back- Wong, the director of commodity part of the Tamayoz train- the courses were commercial, transformation towards a knowl- The Commercial Power Basics ground on concepts and ter- products trading at BMO Capital ing programme, an initia- technical (surface and subsur- edge-based economy lies in its course was held in early April for minology for both surface and Markets Corp in New York, said tive launched in 2012 to share face) and project management. strongest asset- people power. a targeted group of attendees. subsurface production systems in a telephone interview. “Yellen ExxonMobil’s technical, com- More than 120 courses have ExxonMobil Qatar is provid- Kicking off with a brief review and equipment. The in-depth says that a rate increase could mercial and operational exper- been offered to ExxonMobil ing the energy that fuels human of electricity fundamentals, the Project Engineering Overview was be ‘appropriate’ this year, but tise with Qatar’s workforce. partners free of charge with potential through the professional intensive one-day program also a week-long program that falls tempers with several contingent The Tamayoz program empha- nearly 1,700 individuals receiv- and personal development of the provided an overview of the pri- under the Project Management conditions.” sizes ExxonMobil Qatar’s direct ing training since 2012 employees of Qatar Petroleum and mary power generation technolo- subject area. The course targeted Holdings in exchange-traded support for the Qatar National “ExxonMobil’s ongoing com- our joint ventures. By empower- gies, fuel types, thermal generation currently assigned project engi- funds backed by gold headed for Vision 2030 by sharing experi- mitment to the development ing the next generation of Qatari and renewable energy sources. neers and emerging project engi- the third straight weekly drop, ence, disseminating knowledge of Qatar’s national workforce business leaders so they can add In the subject area of Technical neer candidates to enhance their according to data compiled by and instilling best practices drives the Tamayoz training pro- value locally and compete globally, (Surface and Subsurface), the skills and competencies. Bloomberg. with partners and individu- gram,” said Alistair Routledge, ExxonMobil is helping to establish Production Engineering Overview THE PENINSULA BLOOMBERG

Parts Mart opens Draghi urges unity for reforms

ROME: European Central “The current situation in the take a country-specific approach, Bank President Mario Draghi euro area demonstrates that this as part of a process of “conver- has urged eurozone countries delay could be dangerous,” Draghi gence in the capacity of our econ- to unite in the task of reform- said, according to a text of the omies to resist shocks and grow ing the bloc’s economies, say- address released by the ECB, together”. ing sharing sovereignty was while acknowledging progress Thirdly, Draghi said the an opportunity and not a had been made, for example with euro zone should ask whether threat. banking union. it had done enough to safe- Draghi is pushing govern- But private risks need to be guard the possibility of using ments not to waste the time shared within the euro zone, budgetary policy to counter ECB money printing has bought with financial integration the economic cycle, conclud- them. Yesterday’s appeal to improving access to credit for ing: “I think not.” indebted countries to clean up companies and leading to a Many European countries their finances came the day after complete capital markets union, realised only after the debt cri- he warned growth would remain Draghi said. sis exploded that their sovereign low in the face of unemployment Draghi called for stricter and right to choose their own eco- and low investment. more transparent adherence to nomic policy would be limited In a message read to attend- existing budgetary rules to help in the monetary union, Draghi ees at a conference in Rome, he close the gaps among member said. said countries should act quickly states in employment, growth and But working to ensure long- on recommendations the central productivity, but said this alone term stability meant sharing bank has made to complete eco- would not be enough. control, Draghi said. “What can nomic and monetary union, many Countries should observe com- appear to be a threat is actually Chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Thamer Easa Thamir Al Thani; Muhammad Mustafa, Managing Director; Muhammed of which have not been carried mon standards when implement- an opportunity,” he said. Shamil, Business Development Manager; Muhammed Rafi, Sales Manager, and other officials during the opening out. ing structural reforms but also REUTERS of Parts Mart, a new venture of Parts Land, yesterday on Wakalat Street 29 in Industrial Area. (ABDUL BASIT) US drivers yield ‘swing’ oil demand crown to Saudis

NEW YORK: As the United winter-to-summer “swing” in oil Association predicts a 5.3 percent dependence on one of the most significance for global oil prices in winter, according to the Joint States raced over the past consumption has eclipsed that of rise in Memorial Day car travel to the costly forms of electricity. than usual, as bullish traders are Oil Data Initiative. five years toward becoming the United States, where gasoline highest level in 10 years. The boost at There is growing debate in counting on it to help drain inven- But consumption of refined a global petroleum power- consumption jumps by as much the pumps will add to already strong Saudi Arabia over higher power tories that swelled at a rate of fuels such as diesel, some of which house, the world’s biggest oil as 10 percent every summer as demand for gasoline after years of tariffs that might curb wasteful more than 1.5 million barrels per is also used in power plants, also exporter Saudi Arabia quietly millions of families take advan- diminishing use because of a switch use, and a younger generation of day in the first half of this year. surges in summer, taking the total seized a market milestone from tage of school holidays and warm to more fuel-efficient cars. Saudis are coming of age in an era In the United States, gaso- seasonal swing to around 1.2 mil- America: the largest source of weather to embark on the classic “The fall in prices is trumping of conservation, says Professor line demand is expected to grow lion bpd, a 50 percent jump in peak summer demand. American road trip. the efficiency gains for the sum- Paul Stevens, a Senior Research by about 524,000 bpd between domestic demand. From June through August, This May 23-25 Memorial Day mer,” says Amrita Sen, chief oil Fellow for Energy at Chatham the first quarter and the June- Saudi Arabia’s power challenge when temperatures in Riyadh weekend, however, that trend analyst at Energy Aspects. House who co-authored a 2011 August period, according to began a decade ago as high hopes routinely rise above 38 degrees may begin to reverse as the most Saudi Arabia is likely to main- report on the issue. the U.S. Energy Information for a booming domestic natu- Celsius, Saudi Arabia diverts as Americans in a decade will fill up tain or even extend its use of Saudi use of oil for power will Administration, although some ral gas industry began to fizzle much as a tenth of its crude out- their gas tanks and rev up their domestic crude and fuel in power be “continually growing, but not analysts expect more. just as rising oil prices fueled put to fuel power plants that run engines for highway holidays, tak- plants this summer, according to at the sort of growth rates of the Saudi Arabia’s peak crude an economic upturn, both from full tilt to meet surging demand ing advantage of lower gasoline Sen and other analysts. Yet the past 10 years,” Stevens said. oil burn rate is likely to top wealthier citizens and a small but from air conditioners. prices and a growing economy. country appears to be making The surge in summer demand 900,000bpd this summer, analysts growing industrial base. The result is that Saudi Arabia’s The American Automobile some progress toward slowing its this year will have an even greater say, up from around 350,000 bpd REUTERS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a 23

Shell CEO Japan needs policy to boost growth: IMF backs fossil Central bank should be ready for increasing stimulus, improve communication with banks fuels, climate

TOKYO: Japan needs a com- from boosting unprecedented eas- about 23 percent against the dol- The Abe administration has structural reforms. change plete set of policies to boost ing on Friday, even as a tumble in lar. While the yen’s real effective sought to stoke the recovery “Low and stable JGB yields growth and mend its finances oil has pushed its main inflation exchange rate in 2014 was broadly in the economy and inflation should not be taken for granted as that would avoid excessive measure down to a 10th of its 2 consistent with fundamentals, by encouraging companies to shifts in investor sentiment could warnings dependence on a weak yen, the percent goal. Two and a half years depreciation in the second half increase wages for workers, who happen abruptly,” the IMF said. LONDON: The world’s fossil International Monetary Fund into Abenomics, growth-boosting of the year moved it to a weaker have seen the cost of living out- The target of a primary balance fuel reserves cannot be burned said. reforms have been slow in com- level, the IMF said. pace pay. Talks between busi- budget surplus by the fiscal year unless some way is found to The central bank should stand ing and investors are waiting for Strengthening the effectiveness ness and labor leaders this year starting in April 2020 provides capture their carbon emis- ready to increase monetary stim- a fiscal plan due next month to of any additional easing via more produced some progress. “The an anchor to guide fiscal policy sions, Royal Dutch Shell Plc ulus and improve communication see how Prime Minister Shinzo explicit guidance from the BOJ authorities should make a con- in Japan, the IMF said. Chief Executive Officer Ben van with the market, while the gov- Abe contains the world’s heaviest would enhance inflation dynam- certed effort to raise all admin- Abe has ordered a medium- Beurden said. ernment needs a sound plan to debt burden. ics, while clarifying the conditions istratively controlled wages and term fiscal consolidation plan to In an interview published secure its fiscal credibility, the The IMF said the central bank that would trigger more action prices and call for a supplemen- be formulated by the end of June. in Britain’s Guardian news- IMF said in a report released should put greater emphasis on would be helpful, IMF said. tary wage round,” the IMF said. He has said the administration’s paper, Van Beurden forecast in Washington. Slower-than- achieving its goal of stable 2 per- While the central bank stands Inflation is expected to pick up basic stance is that there will be that global energy use would expected growth in China and the cent inflation. Any extra easing ready to adjust policy if needed, toward the end of 2015 and rise no fiscal consolidation without produce “zero carbon” by the United States could trip Japan’s should take the form of increased further easing isn’t required now gradually to about 1.5 percent economic revival. According to end of the century, and that his export-led recovery, the IMF said. assets purchases and lengthening because the trend in inflation over the medium term due to the government’s estimates, fiscal group would get a “very large “Without bolder structural their duration, the IMF said in its remains on track, Kuroda said rising oil prices, the yen’s decline policy on its current course will segment” of its earnings from reforms and credible fiscal con- statement, after meeting govern- on Friday. and a narrowing gap between miss the 2020 target. The primary renewable power. solidation, domestic demand could ment officials and policymakers in The IMF forecast economic demand and supply in the econ- balance deficit is estimated at 3.3 The interview came a day remain sluggish, and any further Japan for an annual review. growth will accelerate to about omy, according to the IMF. percent of nominal GDP for the after Van Beurden slammed as a monetary easing could lead to Unprecedented monetary eas- 1 percent this year and 1.25 per- The IMF said the biggest risks year through March 2016 and 1.6 “red herring” calls to divest from over-reliance on depreciation of ing that Bank of Japan Governor cent in 2016, from no growth in lie in weak domestic demand and percent in fiscal 2020, according energy companies as part of the the yen,” the IMF said. Haruhiko Kuroda introduced two 2014, on a recovery in exports and incomplete policies, particularly the Cabinet Office. fight against climate change, in The Bank of Japan refrained years ago has driven the yen down stronger consumption. fiscal stimulus measures and WP-BLOOMBERG particular the “Keep it in the Ground” campaign led by the Guardian. “We cannot burn all the hydro- African Development Bank’s 50th anniversary carbon resources we have on the planet in an unmitigated way and Venezuelans dumping not expect to have a CO2 loading in the atmosphere that is often being linked to the 2C scenario,” Van Beurden said. rapidly declining bolivars “He was referring to studies that the climate could warm CARACAS: Venezuelans are report said. by 2 degrees centigrade or dumping their rapidly depre- The administration of President more by the end of the cen- ciating currency at an ever Nicolas Maduro keeps tight con- tury if fossil fuels continue to quicker pace as the crisis- trol over the legal exchange of be burned. plagued economy edges danger- bolivars, using a Byzantine three- “I am absolutely convinced that ously close to an outbreak of tier system. The system is meant without a policy that will really hyperinflation. to subsidize crucial imports, but enable and realize CCS (carbon DolarToday, a widely followed also has led to widespread corrup- capture and storage) on a large website that tracks exchanges tion and speculation. scale, we are not going to be able made near the Colombian border, One official rate is 6.3 boli- to stay within that CO2 emission reported that the bolivar had lost vars per dollar. The weakest budget,” he added. a quarter of its value over the last official rate, which was billed as Referring to the sometimes seven days. an alternative to illegal currency emotional opposition to Shell’s Everyone in smartphone- exchanges when it was rolled out decision to drill exploration wells obsessed Caracas seemed to learn earlier their year, has inched up this summer in the Alaskan of the crash at the same time as to 200 bolivars per dollar. The fact Arctic, he said the decision was the DolarToday app, a ubiquitous many people are willing to pay taken on rational grounds and tool in the South American coun- double that on the black market that the technical risks had been try, sent out a series of messages indicates the supply of dollars is assessed. announcing the new rates under limited. Environmental activists in the headline “hyperinflation!” The Maduro administration Seattle have tried to hamper Venezuelan currency was trad- has been hoarding dollars as it the Anglo-Dutch company’s rigs ing at around 420 bolivars per dol- grapples with falling oil prices. from entering the port en route to lar Friday afternoon, according to That has contributed to shortages the Chukchi Sea off Alaska, say- the site. That was down from 300 and other economic distortions. ing drilling in the remote Arctic bolivars per dollar on May 14 and DolarToday is openly hos- Workers prepare a balloon with the logo of the African Development Bank ahead of the 50 year celebra- waters could lead to an ecological 173 at the start of the year. tile to the socialist government tions in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, yesterday. catastrophe. Many black market dealers and frequently picks up articles REUTERS paused transactions until the rate attacking the administration. But stabilized, but some Venezuelans the site insists its exchange-rate said they had changed money at reports are based on actual trades the 400 bolivar rate Friday. at the border and are not manipu- It’s not immediately clear what lated to undercut the government. $100bn Saudi city to be ready by 2035 triggered to the latest bout of panic In April, Maduro repeated his buying and selling but for many assertion that the site’s shadowy SOUTHERN SHUNEH, together is the most difficult The new city, located about with nine already operating there Venezuelans, who have lost faith managers, whose identities are Jordan: A $100bn city-from- point,” he said in an interview on 100km north of Saudi Arabia’s and 20 building facilities. in their currency, the greenback is not public, are collaborating with scratch in Saudi Arabia is to the sidelines of a regional con- current commercial hub of Jiddah, He said the target for 2020 is the best way to protect themselves the speculators and opposition be completed by 2035 and will ference of the World Economic is envisioned for two million resi- 50,000 residents and 28,000 jobs, from inflation that last year was leaders he blames for the coun- serve as the main logistics and Forum hosted by Jordan. “Once dents, with industrial parks, hos- with 25 percent of the city, or 68 percent and which economists try’s problems. He accused them manufacturing hub for coun- you figure it out, the sky is the pitals, schools and golf courses. 45 million square meters, to be estimate has now soared past the of purposely sowing chaos and tries on the Red Sea, the world’s limit, so we are in that phase Its port is currently capable of developed by then. The date for triple-digit threshold. promised to have them arrested. “largest new emerging market,” now.” handling 2.7 million containers completion is 2035, though Al A Barclay Capital Inc report “We’re going to put those peo- said the CEO of the company in He said the company has posted per year, with capacity to grow Rasheed acknowledged that it’s issued Friday pointed to govern- ple at DolarToday who are wag- charge of the mega-project. 20-30 percent growth in revenues to 20 million containers per year an ambitious deadline. ment expansion of the money ing an economic war against The business model of an entire for the past five years. “We are once completed. The city is also The project is part of Saudi supply as an underlying cause for Venezuela behind bars sooner city being built by the private sec- obviously creating a product that being linked by high-speed train Arabia’s efforts to “diversify away inflation. The bank projected the rather than later” he said. tor was so unusual that it required people want to invest in, and we to Jiddah and the holy cities of from oil” and create jobs, he said. Bolivar could dip as low as 600 to The site, which is some- adjustments in the beginning, are creating enough value that we Mecca and Medina. The country’s youth unemploy- the dollar this year. times blocked within Venezuela, said Fahd Al Rasheed, the Group can make profit,” he said. The city currently has about ment rate is more than 28 per- “We do not see any signal of responded with a cheeky video CEO of Emaar Economic City EEC’s mother company, the 3,000 residents and about 7,000 cent, on par with the regional rate change from the authorities but documenting its popularity set to (EEC), which is building the King Dubai-based Emaar Properties, non-construction jobs, Al Rasheed for the Middle East and North these risks should make them the club hit “Turn Down for What.” Abdullah Economic City. built Burj Khalifa, the world’s said. The industrial park has Africa. reconsider their policies,” the AP “Putting that first phase tallest building. attracted close to 100 companies, AP

China-Taiwan cooperation Lockheed rocket venture struggles

WASHINGTON: United bid on some of those launches. On Thursday he said Boeing Launch Alliance, a 50-50 joint That certification is expected and Lockheed were still approv- venture of Lockheed Martin next month. ing investment in the new Vulcan Corp and Boeing Co, said it ULA is also under pressure rocket only one quarter at a time would go out of business unless from a federal ban on use for given uncertainty about how it won commercial and civil sat- national security launches after Russian engines the company ellite launch orders to offset an 2019 of the Russian RD-180 can use to compete for national expected slump in US military rocket engines that power security launches. and spy launches. its Atlas 5 rockets. Congress He said the Air Force had ULA President Tory Bruno passed the law after Russia a strong argument to request said the company must attract annexed the Crimea region of a Pentagon waiver if Congress those kind of orders to remain Ukraine. continues to block use of Russian a “viable economic entity” so it Bruno said the number of US engines ordered but not paid for is scrambling to restructure and military and intelligence satel- before the Crimea invasion. develop a new rocket that in lite launches would likely drop Barring a waiver or change seven or eight years could launch in coming years to about five in the current law, ULA would satellites twice as fast at half the launches a year from 10 to 12, only be able to compete for five current cost. with the smaller number to be Air Force launches between 2019 Formed by the two largest split among two or more rivals. and 2022, when the new rocket is US weapons makers in 2006, “We have to ... access commer- expected to be certified. ULA says ULA has long been the sole cial and civil opportunities. (We) its other rocket, the Delta 4, costs company able to launch US cannot survive on two launches a too much to compete. military and intelligence satel- year,” Bruno told a lunch meeting “We must have access to the lites into orbit. It will face com- hosted by the Washington Space Atlas as a competitive platform China’s top Taiwan policy maker Zhang Zhijun (left) with Taiwan’s top China policy maker Andrew in the petition for the first time when Business Roundtable. until we have the replacement Golden Lake Hotel on Kinmen Island in theTaiwan Strait, yesterday. They will discuss Taiwan joining the the Air Force expects to certify Bruno last week announced a rocket engine. There really is no Asian Development Bank for Infrastructure and Kinmen Island buying drinking water from China. a rival, privately held Space 30-percent cut in management as Plan B,” he said. Exploration Technologies, to part of the restructuring. REUTERS SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a BUSINESS British markets fail to Finance ministers meet move on political risk Businesses not worried over Brexit referendum

LONDON: Two-thirds of the 100 points of record highs, and highest against both the dollar way through a trio of politi- while the volatility implied over and a broader basket of curren- cal earthquakes that a year the next two years by options cies since the 2008 financial crash. ago looked set to shake British markets has risen from record That unwound somewhat in business and markets, the best lows in 2014, at around 8.3 it the final month as polls swung lesson gleaned by financial remains well below the average towards the nationalists, in turn investors for part three is to since 2009. encouraging predictions that ster- hold their nerve. The risks to a UK economy that ling would fall in the run in to the Stock, currency and bond relies on inflows of investment and May 7 parliamentary elections. markets have generally ridden capital to fund its £100bn current A number of analysts at major calmly through both a Scottish account deficit are almost cer- banks also argued that the pound independence vote that almost tainly greater this time around. was several percent undervalued broke up the United Kingdom Polls on how Britons would vote as a result of concern over the last September and an election on the issue if the EU referendum election. But the only obvious that threatened months of horse were held today are also closer evidence of nerves was a jump in trading and no clear government. than they were for Scotland at prices for options hedging against Neither risk materialised and the equivalent stage. big swings in the pound - either the bounce in the pound after But with talks on EU reform up or down - around the results. Portuguese Finance Minister Maria Luis Albuquerque (third right) accompanied by his French counterpart Prime Minister David Cameron’s and legislation for the vote to be “If you look back, what you Michel Sapin (third left) leave the Portuguese Finance Ministry in Lisbon after their meeting yesterday. re-election with an unexpected settled first, the chief conclusion really find is that markets only outright majority could be viewed drawn by analysts and investors tend to focus on these things in the as a sign of investors’ faith that is that it will not be a major mar- last few weeks before the event,” he can weather the third of the ket risk until well into 2016 at the said Neil Mellor, a strategist trio — a vote on Britain’s EU earliest. Cameron has promised with Bank of New York Mellon Egypt to launch LNG purchase tender membership. a referendum by the end of 2017 in London. “The stakes may be “The market believes that but his spokesman has indicated greater this time, but it would be whether now or later on it will be it could be earlier. a surprise if that were to change.” MILAN/CAIRO: Egypt is set import terminal moored on its to import LNG shipments dur- a yes (to staying in the EU) and “I don’t think Brexit becomes a Another SocGen economist, to launch what will be a highly Red Sea coast. ing the first half of June...which is there will be no change,” said Ian real issue until well into next year,” Albert Edwards, argues that sought after tender in early A new tender to purchase addi- aimed at meeting the needs of the Winship, head of UK fundamental said Alvin Tan, a currency strategist Britain’s current account and June to buy up to $3bn of liq- tional cargoes will go towards second FSRU,” Badie said. fixed income at the world’s biggest with French bank Societe Generale budget deficits — which alone uefied natural gas (LNG) over supplying Egypt’s second planned Two traders with knowledge asset manager, Blackrock. in London. “In the Scottish referen- in the developed world stand at 2016 and 2017, senior state offi- floating import terminal, known of the matter said that Egypt “We were worried ahead of dum we had one big move following more than 10 percent of national cials and trade sources said. as a Floating Storage and will tender to purchase 96 LNG the election because we were not a poll that came out just before the output — make the economy a Egypt has emerged as a major Regasification Unit (FSRU). cargoes for delivery over the sure what would happen, but at referendum. Before then we had ticking time bomb for which the new market for LNG as it looks Work on securing that terminal 2016/2017 period. “That’s the the moment there are still a lot of almost nothing.” referendum could be the trigger. to ease its worst energy crunch in is ongoing and any delays could intention although the supply things going on elsewhere.” He was referring to the first The lobbyists tasked with pro- decades. Falling output and ris- alter the tender launch date. might start before, around Q4 Speculators have bet all year opinion poll that showed, errone- moting London as a financial cen- ing demand have transformed it The Chairman of The Egyptian 2015,” one of the traders said. on sterling falling against the dol- ously, that Scotland was close to tre say that even the threat of a from an oil and gas exporter to Gas Holding Company, or EGAS, Badie said EGAS has not lar, but at $1.56 it is now slightly backing independence. departure from the EU makes net importer. Khaled Abdel Badie told Reuters yet decided on the number of higher than on January 1 as well Far from being affected by wor- it harder to secure more of the This year it secured $2.2bn that it will close the bidding for required LNG shipments nor has as almost five percent stronger rying over the Scottish vote, in the investment needed to cover those worth of LNG largely from the new FSRU by the end of this it set a firm date for the start of against a basket of currencies. months before last September’s twin economic shortfalls. European traders in its first-ever month. deliveries. The FTSE 100 index is within referendum, sterling rose to its REUTERS tender to supply a newly installed “We aim at issuing a tender REUTERS

Pakistan cuts Luxury giant Richemont sees annual net profit plunge interest rates ZURICH: Richemont, the which owns top global brands from the pegged level of 1.20 to The amount however fell short propose for the financial year world’s second luxury goods such as Jaeger LeCoultre, Van the euro to 1.04 at 31 March 2015,” of analyst expectations that 2014/15 dishing out 1.60 Swiss to historic low group with brands like Cartier Cleef & Arpels and IWC, had Richemont Chairman Johann Richemont sales during the year francs ($1.70,) per share to and Piaget, confirmed that its warned in April of “non-cash, Rupert said. would tick in at ¤10.9bn. shareholders, up from 1.40 a year annual net profit fell by more mark-to-market losses on finan- This hit Richemont as it keeps And the company said its oper- earlier. KARACHI: Pakistan’s cen- than a third due to losses on cial instruments, which include its books in euros, he said, adding ating profit swelled 10 percent to Following the news, the com- tral bank yesterday slashed financial instruments. monetary items and derivatives.” there was a possibility that the ¤2.7bn — slightly better than ana- pany saw its share price slump the benchmark interest rates During its 2014/15 financial Multinationals often use finan- group would be impacted “on a lyst expectations—boosted espe- 1.5 percent to 85.55 Swiss francs to a 42-year low of seven year, which ended on March 31, cial instruments to try to protect longer-term basis, depending on cially by its sale of an investment in afternoon trading as the Swiss percent, hoping to stimulate the Swiss company earned ¤1.3bn themselves against changes in how exchange rates develop.” property. stock exchange’s main SMI index growth in the long dormant ($1.4bn) in net profit, down 35 exchange rates in the different Richemont however said its Richemont said its sales in slipped just 0.40 percent. Thomas economy. percent from a year earlier, it countries they operate, but unex- sales had inched up four percent April had ballooned nine percent Chauvet, an analyst at Citigroup, “The State Bank (of Pakistan) said. pected changes can lead to losses. during the year to ¤10.4bn. in actual exchange rates compared said the results were a “non- is cutting the monetary policy The drop was slightly less than The Swiss central bank in a The rise, which was only one with the same month last year, event” given the profit warning. rates by 100 basis points, aim- the 36-percent decline Richemont shock move in January ended an percent in constant exchange but that they slumped eight per- But he said the dip in April sales ing at boosting investment in signalled in a profit warning last exchange cap of the Swiss franc to rates, reflected “growth in jew- cent at constant exchange rates. at constant exchange rates com- the country,” Ashraf Mahamood month, but in line with the expec- the euro, resulting in a sharp rise ellery, haute horlogerie and steel Richemont’s board said it pared “unfavourably to flat sales Wathra told a press conference in tations of analysts polled by the in the value of the Swiss currency. watches, as well as growing would stick to its aim of gradu- (earlier) and our 2016 financial year the capital Islamabad. AWP financial news agency. “As a consequence, the Swiss demand in Europe, the Middle ally increasing the company’s sales forecast of plus five percent.” Pakistan is trying to reboot The Geneva-based company, franc dramatically appreciated East and the Americas,” it said. dividends over time, and would AFP its economy as key indicators became favourable at home, with the added support from depressed petroleum prices in the global market. Standard and Poor’s early this Nationwide predicts month revised Pakistan’s credit rating outlook from stable to positive and forecast higher GDP growth for 2015 to 2017, amid a higher house prices stint of economic reforms. In March, Moody’s upgraded LONDON: Nationwide’s Chief over the outcome of the Scottish Pakistan’s dollar bonds rating Executive Graham Beale said independence vote. by one notch from stable to he expected Britain’s housing However, he cautioned that positive. market to be stronger this year concerns over a possible British Net foreign exchange reserves after the UK’s second-biggest exit from the European Union with the central bank reached provider of home loans reported could impact the market. $12.55bn this month from just a 32 percent rise in full-year “My expectation is that it will $3.2bn in January 2014. profit. be a stronger market this year The International Monetary Nationwide also said Beale than last year. Provided that Fund (IMF) has voiced satisfac- would step down in the summer of borrowers don’t start to get con- tion with Pakistan’s progress on next year after nine years as CEO cerned about the EU referendum, reforms, which were required during which he guided the lender generally it’s a more stable envi- under a $6.6bn bailout agreed in through the 2007-9 financial cri- ronment,” he said. 2013. sis and, more recently, launched The chief executive of prop- “The low interest and infla- a revamp of its branches and dig- erty website Zoopla said earlier tion rates would entail robust The Hyundai Sonata. ital technologies to meet changing this week that he expected the investment in the country in the customer demands. Conservatives’ victory to help the next fiscal year,” said Mohammad Beale said that the Conservative housing market to grow. Sohail who heads the Topline Hyundai celebrates 30 years of Sonata party’s victory in Britain’s Beale, who joined the com- Securities, one of the leading bro- national election had removed pany in 1985 as a chartered kerage and investment house in uncertainty from the market, accountant and is 56, will leave Karachi, the country’s financial DOHA: Hyundai Motor sedan much loved by customers and Head of Hyundai Africa and particularly relating to opposi- Nationwide in a healthy state. hub. Company is celebrating the all around the world. Middle East. tion Labour’s pledge for a tax on The lender reported a 32 percent “The government is likely to 30th anniversary of one of its During its 30-year history, the National Car Company, the sole higher-value properties. rise in underlying profit to £1.2bn set an aggressive target for the best-selling models, the Sonata Sonata has been constantly rein- distributor for Hyundai vehicles in “The uncertainty of the general ($1.9bn) for the year to April 4. GDP growth (in) the next year,” mid-size sedan. vented with a fresh new look and Qatar launched the All-New Sonata election and some of the political It said its core tier 1 ratio, a key he said. The Sonata, which made its innovative technologies to ensure mid-size sedan during October last direction, particularly from the measure of its financial strength, The government of Prime debut in 1985 in Korea, has played each generation is the leader in the year and ever since the launch, the Labour party—the notion of the rose to 19.8 percent from 14.5 Minister Nawaz Sharif will a pivotal role in Hyundai’s growth class. Most recently, the Korean model has become very popular in mansion tax—it was clearly influ- percent, higher than any major announce its annual budget for and reputation, especially in the brand introduced the All-New the Qatar automotive market in encing and dampening sentiment British bank. Nationwide’s net the next fiscal early in June, its Middle East and Africa, where it Sonata, 7th Generation, to the view of the high quality and value ahead of the election,” Beale told mortgage lending during the year second budget since coming into was launched in 1988, and by April Middle East in September 2014. offered. The All-New Sonata Reuters. totaled £7.1bn, accounting for a power in 2013. 2015 it had registered sales of some “Over the past 30 years we have stays true to Hyundai’s acclaimed Beale said he expected the mar- 31.2 percent market share. Pakistan’s GDP is estimated 314,181 units in this region alone. continued to aspire to become the ‘Modern Premium’ brand direc- ket to be stronger this year than The lender’s personal current to have grown 4.2 percent in the In total, it has recorded sales world’s most beloved brand and tion, where it offers modern styling, in 2014, when a number of factors account market share grew to current fiscal year ending June of over 7.3 million units globally the ongoing success of the Sonata excellent performance, and practi- had a negative impact including 6.8 percent and it is targeting 10 30, slightly higher than four per- since its introduction 30 years has helped contribute to this goal” cal application. measures to cool the buoyant percent. cent last year. ago, ensuring its place as a family said James Kim, Vice-President THE PENINSULA London market and uncertainty REUTERS AFP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a 25 Rising inflation keeps Fed on rate hike path Core consumer price index rises by 0.3 percent, largest gain since 2013; prices for govt bonds fall

WASHINGTON: Rising shel- end of 2015. “It will give the Fed not believe that the data by June “September is still the most percent last month after increas- and trucks rose for a third ter and medical care costs greater confidence that inflation “would provide sufficient confir- likely (rate) lift-off date, but July ing 0.2 percent in March. It was straight month. Airline fares, boosted underlying US inflation will indeed make it to its target mation that the conditions” for is not out of the question, particu- held back by a 1.7 percent drop in however, fell, as did apparel pressures in April, a welcome in the next couple of years, it raising the key short-term inter- larly not if we get another couple gasoline prices and no change in prices, which recorded their first sign for the Federal Reserve as increases the odds of faster Fed est rate had been meet. of robust rises in core consumer food prices. drop since December. it contemplates raising interest action,” said Chris Rupkey, chief A recent batch of weak data, prices in May and June,” said In the 12 months through Interviews with current and rates this year. financial economist at MUFG including April industrial produc- Paul Ashworth, chief economist April, the CPI fell 0.2 percent, former Fed officials suggest that The Labour Department said Union Bank in New York. tion and retail sales, has left many at Capital Economics in Toronto. the largest decline since October policymakers do not need much on Friday its Consumer Price The dollar rose to a 3-1/2-week economists even doubting the Fed The fading dollar rally also was 2009, after dipping 0.1 percent in more evidence that the econ- Index, excluding food and energy, high against the euro, while prices will raise rates in September. seen keeping core inflation on an March. omy can withstand a modest increased 0.3 percent last month. for US government bonds fell. US Fed Chair Janet Yellen could upward trend. The dollar surged Core inflation was lifted by a 0.3 initial rate rise by September, It was the largest rise in the so- stocks traded slightly lower. give fresh clues on the rate out- about 15 percent against the cur- percent increase in shelter costs, long seen as a reasonable time called core CPI since January While slower economic growth look when she gives a speech on rencies of the United States’ main which followed a similar gain in to act. 2013 and followed a 0.2 percent in the first half of the year has the economy later on Friday. trading partners between June March. Shelter inflation is being “We have not seen a significant gain in March. diminished the chances of a mid- The central bank, which has a 2 last year and mid-March. It has driven by rising household forma- disruption on the employment Economists who had expected year rate hike, a declining unem- percent inflation target, has kept handed back some of those gains tion, which is boosting demand for side, and inflation looks like it’s core inflation to increase 0.2 per- ployment rate and rising demand overnight interest rates near zero and is now up only 10 percent. rental accommodation. pretty well contained for now,” cent last month said the increase, for housing suggest core inflation since December 2008. “If sustained that should help The medical care index rose despite the first-quarter slow- which also reflected gains in the could continue to push higher this It tracks a price measure that weakness in core goods prices 0.7 percent, the largest rise since down, said Jeffrey Fuhrer, senior prices of household furnishings year even if medical costs subside. is running below core CPI. continue to moderate,” said Ted January 2007. Household furnish- policy advisor at the Boston Fed, and new and used motor vehicles, Minutes of the Fed’s April In the 12 months through April, Wieseman, an economist at ings posted their largest gain which is among the more dovish should keep the US central bank meeting released on Wednesday core CPI advanced 1.8 percent Morgan Stanley in New York. since September 2008. Fed banks. on track to hike rates before the said “many” policymakers did after a similar gain in March. The overall CPI edged up 0.1 Prices for new and used cars REUTERS

Trade dampens German Senators urge Obama to first quarter growth block Arctic BERLIN: German business among retailers and builders oil drilling morale deteriorated slightly in picked up. May for the first time in seven The first quarter gross domes- WASHINGTON: A group of 18 months though it remained at tic product (GDP) data, con- mostly Democratic US senators a high level overall, a leading firmed at quarterly growth of urged the Obama administra- survey showed, adding to signs 0.3 percent, disappointed when tion to stop Royal Dutch Shell’s of softening in Europe’s largest compared with the euro zone as preparations for oil exploration economy. a whole, where GDP increased by in the Arctic, saying the region Although growth levels remain 0.4 percent, and was well shy of has a severely limited capacity decent, separate data showed the France’s 0.6 percent growth. to respond to accidents. slowing of the German economy But economists remained The senators, from both during the first quarter was down upbeat. coasts and several Midwestern to a drag from foreign trade, “The full effect of the weaker states, sent a letter to Interior which had propelled the economy euro on export volumes has yet Secretary Sally Jewell, urging for much of the past decade. to kick in and a growth rebound her to retire Arctic leases in the The Munich-based Ifo think in the US and other important Chukchi Sea. tank said its business climate export markets should deliver Jewell’s department earlier this index, based on a monthly survey more neutral net exports,” said month conditionally approved of 7,000 firms, edged down to 108.5 Christian Schulz, economist at Shell’s exploration plan in the in May from 108.6 in April. That Berenberg Bank. Arctic. The move means the was slightly above the Reuters “That should support solid company is likely to return to consensus forecast for 108.3, growth rates in coming quarters,” the Chukchi Sea this summer for sending the euro to a day’s high he said, adding that 1.8 percent the first time since a mishap-filled against the dollar. growth should be achievable. China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang (left) and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala (second right) during a signing drilling season in 2012. It comes after ZEW’s survey Ifo said it was sticking to it ceremony at the presidential palace in Lima. When Shell lost control of this week showed investor senti- second-quarter growth forecast a drilling rig that year it “put ment weakening and a purchasing of 0.5 percent. numerous lives at risk, including managers’ survey (PMI) showed A detailed breakdown of first those of the Coast Guard crews” private sector expansion slowing. quarter data showed domestic China, Peru agree to study and those of 18 people on the rig, “With today’s GDP data, yes- demand contributed 0.5 percentage the letter said. terday’s PMIs and now the Ifo, points to GDP growth while for- The appeal was spearheaded by new doubts about the strength eign trade subtracted 0.2 percent- transcontinental rail link Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon of the German economy could age points as imports rose almost and the letter was signed by other emerge again,” said Carsten twice as strongly as exports. liberals, including Dick Durbin Brzeski, economist at ING. Private consumption contrib- BEIJING: China and Peru Li also said the two govern- the two governments on Friday of Illinois and Bernie Sanders of “Germany is at the end of a uted 0.3 percentage points to have agreed to study the feasi- ments should cooperate on finan- also signed cooperation agree- Vermont, an independent. very positive reform-growth growth as consumer benefiting bility of a controversial 5,300km cial issues, including a method to ments on industrial capacity, The senators also said drill- cycle, which is artificially from a robust labour market, transcontinental railroad that carry out trade settlement in local energy, mining, infrastructure, ing in the Arctic contradicted extended by external tailwinds,” rising wages and low inflation will connect Peru’s Pacific coast currencies, and a currency swap quarantine, healthcare and President Barack Obama’s efforts he said, adding that in view of splashed out. with Brazil’s Atlantic coast, scheme. The proposed transcon- aerospace. to limit emissions linked to cli- the long recovery the German Gross capital investment, China’s official Xinhua News tinental railway would span the In January, Chinese President mate change. economy already has behind it, it which weighed on growth in mid- Agency reported. Andes to the Pacific and reduce Xi Jinping pledged $250bn in Shell CEO Ben van Beurden was normal that its growth rate 2014, added 0.3 percentage points. The agreement came as Chinese the cost of shipping grain and investment in Latin America vowed to keep exploring the would be weaker than the rest of On Friday the finance min- Premier Li Keqiang arrived in minerals to Asia. over the next 10 years as part of Arctic at an annual general meet- the euro zone. istry said a favourable business Peru, on the third leg of a Latin China and Latin America would a drive to boost resource-hungry ing this week in the Netherlands, The Ifo survey showed compa- environment should support the America visit. This week, Brazil each benefit from the project by China’s influence in a region long saying that new sources of oil nies were more optimistic about economic upswing for the remain- and China agreed on a feasibility upgrading infrastructure, while dominated by the United States. must be developed to keep up with the current situation than at any der of this year and the economy study for the rail link. allowing China to export its Li oversaw a raft of agree- global demand. point since June 2014 but they ministry has previously said GDP In talks with Peruvian “industrial capacity” and invest- ments during his visit to Brazil became slightly more pessimistic will keep growing at a moderate President Ollanta Humala on ment, Xinhua said. this week, ranging from a $1bn Croatia launches about their future prospects. pace, with foreign trade likely to Friday, Li called for cooperation Humala said China’s participa- purchase of passenger jets made Sentiment in the manufac- make a positive contribution in in the oil, clean energy, mining, tion in the project was “indispen- by Brazil’s Embraer to the lifting tender for turing and wholesaling sec- the spring. agriculture, forestry and fishery sable”, the news agency reported. of an export ban on Brazilian beef. tors weakened while the mood REUTERS sectors, the news agency said. Outside the rail scheme study, REUTERS major resort ZAGREB: Croatia yester- day launched an international Fire on US oil platform tender to develop a major tourist resort on former mili- Vodafone hits 14-year tary-owned property near the chic vacation spot of Dubrovnik along the southern Adriatic coast. high on merger prospects The overall investment into the Kupari complex, several kilo- LONDON: Britain’s top share that following an investor meet- metres south of Dubrovnik, has index hit its highest level in 10 ing on Thursday, it believed the been estimated at around ¤100m days, driven by a jump in net- company was considering a range ($110m). work operator Vodafone’s shares, of ways of options. “Kupari (resort) is a good which hit a 14-year high on the “There is significant indus- example how we will put former back of potential merger activity. trial logic in fixed/mobile M&A military property at attractive Markets also got a lift after on a market-by-market basis,” locations into a tourism function,” data showed Britain’s public sec- analysts at Goldman said in a Tourism Minister Darko Lorencin tor budget deficit narrowed more note, reiterating a “buy” rating said in a statement. than expected in April, giving on the stock. “(Vodafone) is will- The binding offers were to be finance minister George Osborne ing to consider both acquisitions submitted by August 25, said the a boost as he renews his push to and disposals where the financial tender published by the state fix the country’s finances. rationale makes sense.” property management adminis- “(Osborne) will be very pleased The FTSE 100 is now up 1.3 tration (DUUDI). with the good start to the fiscal percent this week, set for its big- The Kupari resort was once year,” said Howard Archer, an gest weekly gain in more than a owned by the former Yugoslav economist at IHS Global Insight. month. People’s Army and had some 1,600 Vodafone rose four percent, It is only 1 percent away from beds, but was devastated at the following upgrades from Citi and an all time high hit in April, and start of the 1990s war. Deutsche Bank. has been in a tight 350 point trad- The area involved in the ten- Both brokers cited comments ing range since late January. der covers some 13 hectares (32 earlier in the week from Liberty Precious metals miners Anglo acres), with several destroyed Global chairman John Malone American and Fresnillo both hotels. The plan is to renovate one US Coast Guard aerial photo shows a fire on board an oil production platform in Breton Sound Block 21 that Vodafone would be a “great gained around two percent, and build new four and five-star located about 32km east of the boot tip of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico. All 28 workers aboard were fit” for the company. boosted by a recovery in the gold facilities which could have up to taken from the platform onto a nearby supply vessel and taken ashore. Vodafone is up 11 percent since price from recent lows. 1,500 beds. Wednesday. Goldman Sachs said REUTERS AGENCIES SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS Crisis-scarred global banks Deutsche Bank is in urgent retreating from risky lending

BY HEATHER STEWART need of new leadership BY LEONID BERSHIDSKY yesterday extraordinary: Only how much the bank would bleed as long as they made the bank lobalisation is under attack. It was meant to be the 61 percent of shareholders voted -- but they should have. and the shareholders rich at the unstoppable economic force bringing prosperity to rich t’s a nasty feeling when to discharge Fitschen and Jain’s The Fitschen-Jain tandem same time.” and poor alike, but that was before the financial crisis you’re not wanted but management board of liability. was meant to bridge the gap Now, Jain is in control. Gripped up the rulebook. haven’t left yet. In this Legally, they’re on safe between the investment banking Fitschen is mired in a fraud trial For the past four years, international trade flows have increased sense, I have sympathy ground. Yet the co-chief execu- culture, represented by Jain, an in Munich, accused of conspiring more slowly than global GDP – “an outcome unprecedented in for Deutsche Bank co- tives have been responsible for Indian business executive who’d with other top executives to pro- postwar history”, as analyst Michael Pearce of Capital Economics Ichief executives Anshu Jain the rot that has eaten away at played his part in engineering vide false testimony in response put it in a recent note. and Juergen Fitschen, who have the bank for years. They’ve had and then overcoming the U.S. to a lawsuit filed by Leo Kirch, Crisis-scarred global banks are retreating from risky cross- just survived what, by German long careers at Deutsche and top mortgage crisis, and the tradi- the bankrupt media mogul who border lending, and multinationals are casting a sceptical eye over standards, was a nasty share- management roles since 2002. tional German banking culture, died in 2011. The biggest threats foreign opportunities as geopolitical tensions simmer. Populist holders’ meeting. It’s harder to They presided over much of the the domain of jovial corporate to the bank’s performance today politicians in a string of countries, not least the UK, are playing on condone their decision to stay wrongdoing that has resulted in banker Fitschen. Jain’s German lie in investment banking, which public fears about migrant workers undermining their pay. on: They should realize that, to the 6,000 lawsuits now pending is not good enough for important continues to generate fines and Global trade flows are still expanding: but they have never overcome the inertia of fraud against the lender. They some- conversations, and he switched litigation costs, and in retail, regained the breakneck pace of the 1990s and early 2000s. and failure that keeps dragging how missed the foreign-exchange to English during the sharehold- where a failure to make opera- In the innocent days before the Great Recession, the dismantling it down, the bank needs an out- and interest-rate manipulation ers’ meeting. Fitschen knows tions cheaper and more efficient of trade barriers between nation states often seemed inevitable. sider at the top. that have cost Deutsche billions whom to talk to in Germany has compounded the pain of low Yet more than 13 years after the Doha round of multilateral trade In Germany and a number of dollars in fines and will prob- and how. interest rates. Jain has not done talks kicked off, with the aim of binding developing countries more of other European countries, ably cost more. And, despite all It turned out to be the wrong a stellar job cleaning up the first closely into the international system, the idea of a global trade deal shareholders vote to discharge the scrutiny the bank is facing, combination of skills to fix the problem, and he lacks the back- remains locked in the deep freeze. Some analysts are starting to the management board from nasty incidents keep happening. bank. ground to solve the second one ask: has globalisation come to a halt? liability for actions they’ve taken In April, Deutsche suspended Jain is now going to manage with anything except a butcher’s The lesson many governments and companies learned from the since the last general meeting. several Moscow-based traders the latest iteration of Deutsche cleaver. turmoil that followed the collapse of Lehman Brothers was that It’s a way to recognize that the for allegedly breaking money- Bank restructuring, which The shareholders have given there are risks to being too unthinkingly exposed to the ebbs and top executives didn’t violate any laundering rules. includes radical cuts to the lend- the tandem another chance, flows of the international system. laws, contracts or shareholder Even though Fitschen and er’s retail business and a spinoff having first booed and punished “There’s quite a fundamental shift going on here,” says Professor resolutions. The shareholders Jain became co-chief executives of Postbank, acquired as recently them with an unusually close Simon Evenett, an expert on trade at the University of St Gallen also absolve them of responsibil- in 2012, they are not legally as 2010. That will give invest- vote. Patience is a virtue, but in Switzerland. “You can’t say it’s across the board, but there are ity for failure to properly super- responsible for the 7.2 billion ment banking an outsized role, the bank’s supervisory board some sectors where globalisation is in substantial retreat.” He vise others. In Germany’s polite, euros ($8 billion) in litigation which is precisely what the bank ought to spend the next year points to steel, for example, where his recent research shows that though Byzantine, corporate cul- expenses their bank incurred in tried to avoid when it decided to looking for a successor, prefer- trade flows have never returned to pre-2007 levels. “I think the ture, these votes are usually no 2012-2014 -- an amount equal divide the chief executive’s job. ably an outsider with an ability direction of travel is depressing,” he says. more than ritual. Researchers to 61 percent of the lender’s net As Gerald Braunberger put it to take a bird’s eye view of the Advertisement from the Organization for income for that period. Nor are in the Frankfurter Allgemeine, behemoth that is Deutsche Bank At the London G20 summit back in April 2009, when trade vol- Economic Cooperation and they liable for the $2.5 billion fine “The control of Deutsche Bank -- and without the baggage of umes were falling off a cliff, the fear was of a tit-for-tat protection- Development examined 750 it paid last month for the bank’s was never to fall into the hands supervisory failure. Germany’s ist battle breaking out. Seeking to avoid that disastrous outcome, directors’ discharge resolutions role in Libor manipulation. Yet of investment bankers. The biggest bank needs a strategist world leaders publicly pledged in the conference communiqué that and found that dissent amounted they were around when the investment bankers in London with an unblemished reputation they would “not repeat the historic mistakes of protectionism of to only about 3 percent. That groundwork was laid for these and New York were free to walk if it hopes to cleanse itself and previous eras”. makes what happened at the huge expenses. At the time they around in suspenders and pay move forward. But while governments have generally not resorted to blatant Deutsche Bank annual meeting were appointed, nobody knew themselves a lot of money only Bloomberg protectionist measures of the kind that characterised the inter- war years – the notorious Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in the US, for example, which slapped import taxes on more than 20,000 types of foreign goods – Evenett says they have often used quieter ways of giving domestic firms an unfair advantage. They might offer credit guarantees or tax rebates for exporters, for example – or just throw government money behind export promotion. Evenett’s recent work suggests that 90% of the exports from least-developed countries – the world’s poorest – have to compete against “some kind of subsidised rival”. And where politicians are pushing for renewed trade liberalisa- tion – in the transatlantic trade deal known as TTIP, for example – they are facing a powerful public campaign from consumers nerv- ous that multinationals will be handed too much control. Other bulwarks against globalisation are also on the agenda, from the tougher curbs on the rights of migrants being promoted by David Cameron as part of his renegotiation with the European Union, to the capital controls – albeit temporary – imposed by Cyprus after it was bailed out to prevent money flooding abroad. A recent Bank of England research paper noted that banks were retreating from cross-border lending, which is now perceived as jeopardising financial stability. Ann Pettifor, of thinktank Prime Economics, says the impact of the financial crisis has led the public to feel they need protection from the ravages of the markets – an instinct described by the economist Karl Polanyi in the 1930s and 1940s. “It has made us more inward-looking and more nationalist,” she says. “Polanyi said what people were looking for was protection from the markets – from these forces that appear to be beyond our control.” Pettifor argues that the resurgence of Scottish nationalism, rising support for the Front National in France, and the election of the radical Syriza government in Greece, can all ultimately be traced back to some version of this impulse. Professor Jagdish Bhagwati, an Indian-born economist now at Columbia University in the US and an avowed free trader, says part of globalisation’s image problem comes from the assumption that it has to mean unleashing capital flows, which he calls “the weak underbelly of globalisation”. “The freeing-up of capital flows is what led to the East Asian financial crisis [of the late 1990s], and we need to do something about that,” he says. He argues that free capital flows are not a necessary part of globalisation. “Did you expect me also to be for free love?” he jokes. “Maybe I am, but not because I’m a free trader!” Inflows of speculative “hot money” can pump up asset prices and lead to a borrowing binge by consumers and businesses – which quickly turns to bust when global investors change their minds and pull their money back home. THE GUARDIAN Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

More fund managers should join boardroom pay fight

BY NILS PRATELY managers joined a campaign that than it should be. shopfloor was surely as engaged as future that there was gross mis- Revenues were virtually flat appears to be succeeding and is Cashback at Tesco the rest of us by Tesco’s meltdown. conduct”. Such determination will last year but most of the various ominic Rossi at Fidelity definitely not fuelled by outrage There’s a revelation in Tesco’s As for CO2 reduction, wonders have to wait until the end of legal measures of profitability (there Worldwide Investment over inflation in boardroom pay? remuneration report – and it’s were performed: the “stretch” process, currently stuck with the are several) moved in the right is right: a long-term Rossi, note, is limp on the quan- not the £1.2m pay-off for former target was 38% but 41% was deliv- Serious Fraud Office inquiry. direction. The best yardstick is Dincentive plan is noth- tum of executive pay. That’s not chief executive Philip Clarke, nor ered. It could serve as an epitaph Clawback provisions are not perhaps operating profits after ing of the sort if executives can get his fight. He’s interested in bet- even his £13.7m pension pot. It’s for Tesco’s year: it was good at hot perfect. Companies can’t simply “transformation” costs, which their hands on the financial prizes ter “governance and structure” for the fact that, in Tesco’s calamitous air. apply absolute discretion; legal showed a 5% increase to £595m, after only three years. That’s no share incentives. year, Clarke and his colleagues The more serious news within challenges are possible, indeed a tribute to the group’s new ability time at all – about half the average The answer, one suspects, is met a few of their performance the pay report is that Tesco has likely. But contractual clauses to control costs. business cycle – and it introduces that many fund managers else- targets. been sufficiently shocked by the permitting clawback strengthen Amazon’s decision to deliver a lottery-style element. where feel gagged because their Naturally, the pay committee events to change directors’ con- a company’s hand. Banks have its own parcels added capacity to Rossi has been making the case overlords on the group board was obliged to award no bonuses. tracts. From now on, clawback been forced to adopt them. Others an already over-supplied market. for five-year holding periods for haven’t adopted five-year periods But the relevant table reveals provisions will apply to cash should too – and not wait for dis- But Royal Mail still managed a ages. Indeed, for the last couple of themselves. Only two FTSE 100 that bonuses, if calculated “on a bonuses and share awards. If prof- aster to strike. 1% increase in parcel revenues. years, Fidelity, with £190bn under fund management houses make formulaic approach”, could have its are “materially misstated” or Royal Mail delivers In letters, the likely departure management, has been voting Rossi’s list of compliant compa- appeared at 28% of maximum. an individual has “contributed to Still got those Royal Mail of Whistl’s posties removes one against the remuneration reports nies: Standard Life and (new this Clarke & co, you see, missed their serious reputational damage,” and shares? You should feel reason- long-term headache. Add it all up of companies that do not practise year) Aviva. profit and sales targets by a coun- so on, the company will want some ably relaxed, even at 500p versus and Royal Mail should be able to five years. As he says, he seems The firms that should hang their try mile but they cleared a few or all of the money to be returned. the 330p float price. Chief execu- keep churning out £450m of cash to be winning the argument. Two heads in shame are: Aberdeen “strategic/non-financial” hurdles. That is a stronger clause than tive Moya Greene is accurate a year, in which case the dividend years ago, only four FTSE 100 Asset Management, Legal & Internet orders were a hit. And will apply to Clarke, where Tesco in describing the trading envi- (up 5%) is solid. companies complied; last year’s General, Old Mutual, M&G-owner “colleague engagement” was a sat- will merely seek the recovery of ronment as “challenging” but George Osborne may still wish figure was 27; now the tally is 42. Prudential and Schroders. If they isfactory 66.5%, though this can’t the £1.2m termination payment Royal Mail is putting up decent to bank the state’s remaining 30% So why haven’t other fund won’t shift, progress will be slower have been hard to achieve: the “should it be determined in the resistance. stake. THE GUARDIAN SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a 27

Baseball Results Texas 10 NY Yankees 9 Washington 2 Philadelphia 1 Pittsburgh 4 NY Mets 1 Hamilton grabs maiden Seattle 4 Toronto 3 Detroit 6 Houston 2 LA Angels 12 Boston 5 Tampa Bay 5 Oakland 2 Cleveland 7 Cincinnati 3 Baltimore 8 Miami 5 Monaco pole for Mercedes Milwaukee 11 Atlanta 0 San Francisco 11 Colorado 8 Chicago White Sox 3 Minnesota 2 Rosberg to start from second on the grid in F1’s most glamorous race Kansas City 5 St. Louis 0 Arizona 5 Chicago Cubs 4 MONACO: Formula One world unscheduled gearbox change. LA Dodgers 2 San Diego 1 champion Lewis Hamilton took Button’s team-mate Fernando the first Monaco Grand Prix Alonso, who predicted earlier in pole position of his career yes- the week that McLaren could Cardinals shut terday as Mercedes team-mate score their first points of the sea- Nico Rosberg blew his own son on Sunday, qualified 15th but out again, lose hopes of a qualifying hat-trick. will also move up two places. Rosberg, winner from pole for There was disappointment for to Royals 5-0 the past two years on the twisty Mercedes-powered Williams and metal-fenced streets where pass- Finland’s Valtteri Bottas, who KANSAS CITY: The St. Louis ing is almost impossible, qualified qualified only 17th with Brazilian Cardinals are on an uncharacter- second in an overcast final session team mate Felipe Massa 14th. istic dry spell. with rain threatening. REUTERS Kendrys Morales hit two home “It’s been a long time,” said runs and had five RBIs, Chris Young an elated Hamilton, whose only Monaco Grand Prix gave up six hits in six innings and win in Monaco came in his 2008 the Kansas City Royals defeated championship year with McLaren Starting Grid the Cardinals 5-0 on Friday night. from third place on the grid. Starting grid from the Formula One Monaco St. Louis stranded 13 and went “It wasn’t an easy session...I Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco today 0 for 11 with runners in scoring didn’t have the rhythm until the 1 Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes position. The Cardinals were shut last two laps. 2 Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes out for the second straight day “This is incredibly special for 3 Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Ferrari after getting two-hit in a 5-0 loss me,” added the Monaco resident, Thursday to the New York Mets. 4 Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) RedBull - well aware the race has been won “This is not a game we should be Renault from pole for the last six years, of shut out,” Cardinals manager Mike his 14th successive front row start 5 Daniil Kvyat (Russia) RedBull - Renault Matheny. “You’re going to have and fifth pole in six races. 6 Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari those nights, but this shouldn’t Rosberg’s hopes disappeared 7 Sergio Perez (Mexico) Force India - have been one of them.” when he locked up the front Mercedes The Royals improved to 27-14, wheels at the Sainte Devote cor- Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 8 Pastor Maldonado (Venezuela) Lotus - the best record in the majors, while ner at the start of his abandoned Team’s British driver Lewis Mercedes the Cardinals dropped to 27-15, final quick lap to leave Hamilton best in the National League. Hamilton (centre) flashes the 9 Max Verstappen (Netherlands) Toro 0.342 seconds faster. Young (4-0) got 13 flyball outs ‘V’sign as he celebrates taking Rosso - Renault “I just lost touch a little bit and struck out two. In Young’s four the pole position in the Parc there towards the end. Of course 10 Jenson Button (Britain) McLaren starts, he has allowed one earned you are going for it because you Fermé next to second-placed 11 Nico Huelkenberg (Germany) Force run in 22 1-3 innings (0.40 ERA). have to...it didn’t work out, that’s German driver Nico Rosberg India - Mercedes Young’s fastball tops out in the it,” said Rosberg. (left) of Mercedes and 12 Felipe Massa (Brazil) Williams- upper 80s miles per hour. Sebastian Vettel will start third third-placed German driver Mercedes “This guy wasn’t overpowering for Ferrari on Sunday, after strug- Sebastian Vettel of Scuderia 13 Fernando Alonso (Spain) McLaren by any means,” Matt Carpenter Ferrari after the qualifying gling to get heat into his tyres, 14 Felipe Nasr (Brazil) Sauber - Ferrari said. “He was topping out at, like, with his former Red Bull team- session at the Monaco 86. There’s some deception there. 15 Romain Grosjean (France) Lotus - mate Daniel Ricciardo alongside Street Circuit in Monte Carlo He’s seven-foot tall and comes from Mercedes him on the second row. yesterday. RIGHT: Lewis a weird angle. It’s just something “Overall it was a good session Hamilton emerges from the 16 Valtteri Bottas (Finland) Williams- different to look at.” and our aim now is to have a good tunnel of the Monaco Street Mercedes Something the Cardinals were race tomorrow and try to split Circuit during qualifying 17 Marcus Ericsson (Sweden) Sauber - unable to handle. the Mercedes,” said Vettel, whose yesterday. Ferrari “We’re seeing their guys come grid place was Ferrari’s best in 18 Will Stevens (Britain) Marussia - out of the bullpen throwing 96, Monaco since 2009. rookie team-mate Carlos Sainz the first stage of qualifying. McLaren’s 2009 champion Ferrari 98, and we’re hitting them hard Dutch 17-year-old Max was ordered to start from the pit Russian Daniil Kvyat quali- Jenson Button qualified 12th but 19 Roberto Merhi (Spain) Marussia - and sharp, but we can’t seem to Verstappen qualified an impres- lane. fied fifth for Red Bull, ahead of will move up to 10th thanks to Ferrari square up what Young is throw- sive 10th for his first Monaco Sainz, who had qualified in Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and Sainz’s penalty and also a five ing,” Matheny said. “It’s not just 20 Carlos Sainz Jr (Spain) Toro Rosso - Grand Prix with Toro Rosso, and eighth place, paid the price for Mexican Sergio Perez in a Force place demotion for Frenchman us, either. It’s everybody. He’s hav- will start ninth after his Spanish failing to stop for weighing during India. Romain Grosjean who had an Renault ing a lot of success keeping guys off-balance.” Morales, who leads the American League with 37 RBIs, hit a three- run homer with two out in the first. He homered again in the third with Lundqvist strong as Rangers down Lightning Lorenzo Cain aboard for his 13th multihomer game. The five RBIs TAMPA: Henrik Lundqvist streak in the third-period against matched a Royals’ season high. Henrik returned to form with 38 saves the team that traded him to New “I wasn’t even playing this time Lundqvist while Rick Nash scored twice York a year ago. last year,” Morales said through an (right) of the as the New York Rangers Steven Stamkos had scored interpreter. New York hammered the Tampa Bay midway through the second Morales did not sign with the Rangers tends Lightning 5-1 to level their best period for the Lightning to tie the Twins until June 8 last season. goal against of seven Eastern Conference game at 1-1 before Keith Yandle Royals starters Young, Edinson the Tampa final series. and Chris Kreider scored for the Volquez, Yordano Ventura and Bay Lightning Lundqvist gave the Lightning Rangers in a space of less than Jeremy Guthrie have combined in Game Four little to work with, making 18 two minutes to take control from to throw 26 shutout innings of the Eastern saves in the second period alone. then on. while allowing 18 hits in the past Conference He had allowed a total of 12 The win squares the series four games. Young, who beat the finals at the goals in the last two games. at 2-2 and allows the Rangers Cardinals for the first time in his Amalie Arena Nash opened the scoring late in to avoid having to battle back career, gave up all singles and in Tampa on the first and also had one assist from a 3-1 series deficit, as they walked two, while stranding seven Friday night. for the Rangers, while Martin St. did in the second round against runners. He threw a season-high Louis broke an 18-game goalless Washington. REUTERS 106 pitches. AGENCIES Cavs dominate to stretch series lead over Hawks

ATLANTA: The Cleveland field and eight of his 11 assists led The winners of the series will game out of reach,” he said. Cavaliers barely missed injured to a Cavs’ three-pointer. take on either the Golden State The Hawks were also dealing Kyrie Irving on Friday night as “He sees things ahead of time,” Warriors or Houston Rockets in with injuries. DeMarre Carroll, they cruised to a 94-82 victory Cleveland coach David Blatt said. the NBA finals, which start on who endured a scary knee injury over Atlanta and a command- “He’s willing to pass the ball and June 4. late in game one, started and ing lead in the NBA Eastern he believes in his teammates.” The Warriors lead the Western played 34 minutes. Conference finals. With Irving sidelined by nag- Conference finals 2-0 after two But the Hawks saw forward Al Four-time NBA Most Valuable ging knee trouble, Australian victories over the Rockets at Horford and guard Kyle Korver Player LeBron James fuelled the guard Matthew Dellavedova home in Oakland, California. suffer injuries in the second half. win, falling one rebound shy of a delivered 11 points, six rebounds After a close first half, Horford was hampered by what triple-double with 30 points, 11 and four assists. Cleveland took control with a appeared to be a left foot injury, assists and nine rebounds. Iman Shumpert scored 16 30-17 third quarter, stretch- while Korver left with a sprained The Cavaliers notched their points, Tristan Thompson pulled ing their lead as they held the ankle and did not return. second straight victory on the down 16 rebounds and Timovey Hawks to 32 percent shooting in Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer Hawks’ home court, holding the Mozgov had 10 points and seven the period. said Carroll’s presence was a Eastern Conference top seeds to rebounds for Cleveland, who head “It’s a total 360 from our last boost for the Hawks, but in the 41.8 percent shooting from the home for games three and four in series,” James said. “We were ter- end Carroll himself said Atlanta floor. the best-of-seven series with a 2-0 rible in the third quarter versus were pulled out of the game that Atlanta connected on just six series lead. the Bulls. We understood if we brought them the best regular- of 26 from three-point range, and Blatt insisted it was too soon to want to be really good we’ve got season record in the East. James said Cleveland’s defensive start thinking about a four-game to come out with a little bit more “We’ve got to get back to play- effort was key. sweep. “This is not anywhere near sense of urgency. ing unselfish basketball,” he said. “That’s where we hang our hat,” done,” he said. “We have to con- “We have to play more pedal “Sometimes we get down and James said. “We’re the number tinue to play right.” to the metal in the third quarter. everybody tries to take over one- one defensive team in the post- But the lead heading into two Defensively we’ve been locked in on-one. At the end of the day we season and in order for us to win home games gives the Cavaliers ... We’ve been very, very in tune know we’re not moving the ball Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (right) celebrates with team- we have to defend — and that’s breathing room with regard to with the game plan and that’s like we should. We know we didn’t mate Iman Shumpert during Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals what we’re doing.” All-Star guard Irving, perhaps allowed us to get to some leads in play a great game. We know we at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday night. James was 10-of-22 from the allowing him to rest more. the third quarter and push the didn’t play a team game.” AFP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a SPORT Williamson ton puts Kiwis in charge New Zealand take 134-run lead in first innings; Cook, Bell lift England after bad start

LONDON: Kane Williamson starred for New Zealand as they Scoreboard It is all about outplayed England on the third day of the first Test at Lord’s England (I innings) ...... 389 Bowling: J Anderson 29 - 7 - 88 - 1(w-1); S one last effort, yesterday. New Zealand (I innings): Broad 26.2 - 4 - 77 - 3(w-1); M Wood 27 - 2 - Williamson’s well-constructed M Guptill c Ballance b Broad ...... 70 93 - 3(nb-1); B Stokes 21 - 2 - 105 - 0; M Ali says Rohit 132 was the centrepiece of New T Latham lbw b Ali ...... 59 26 - 4 - 94 - 3; J Root 2 - 0 - 6 - 0 Zealand’s 523 all out which gave K Williamson c Ballance b Ali ...... 132 England (II innings): KOLKATA: Mumbai Indians them a first-innings lead of 134. R Taylor c Buttler b Broad ...... 62 A Lyth c Southee b Boult ...... 12 skipper Rohit Sharma yester- The Black Caps followed-up B McCullum c Root b Wood ...... 42 A Cook (batting) ...... 32 day urged his players to make with two early wickets to reduce C Anderson c Buttler b Wood ...... 9 G Ballance b Southee ...... 0 “one last effort” on their “big- England to 25 for two in their sec- B Watling not out ...... 61 I Bell ...... 29 gest day” to emerge triumphant ond innings. M Craig lbw b Ali ...... 0 Extras (LB-1) ...... 1 at the Eden Gardens today But England captain Alastair T Southee c Wood b Anderson ...... 11 Total (for 2 wkts, 26 overs) ...... 74 when they lock horns with Cook (32 not out) and Ian Bell M Henry c Root b Wood ...... 10 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-25 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (29 not out) survived some test- T Boult c Anderson b Broad ...... 0 To bat: J Root, M Ali, B Stokes, J Buttler, M in the Indian Premier League ing overs to take the hosts to 74 Extras (B-26 LB-34 NB-1 W-6) ...... 67 Wood, S Broad, J Anderson (IPL) final. for two at stumps — a deficit of Total (all out, 131.2 overs) ...... 523 Bowling: T Boult 9 - 2 - 22 - 1; T Southee 9 - “At the end of it all, you are 60 runs. Fall of wickets: 1-148, 2-148, 3-337, 4-403, 0 - 30 - 1; Henry 5 - 0 - 15 - 0; M Craig 3 - 0 waiting for the biggest day to get Williamson’s innings was all the 5-420, 6-470, 7-470, 8-493, 9-515, 10-523. - 6 - 0 into the final and win the cup. No more impressive as he was one of matter what you have done in the several New Zealand players who Batting with impressive seren- catch to dismiss Corey Anderson past if you don’t win all your hard had only arrived in England just ity for a 24-year-old, Williamson’s off a genuine leg-glance. work goes in vain,” Rohit said at days before this match following century came in just over three “It was nice to get wickets in the pre-match media conference. stints in the Twenty20 Indian hours off 148 balls including 12 the end,” said Durham quick “We did not start off well but I Premier League. fours. Wood, who finished with three always believe there is character “It is nice to get your name on It was the talented stroke- for 93 in 27 overs. in the team, the guys had a lot of the (Lord’s honours) board but player’s 10th hundred in a mere “Once the nerves had calmed, potential. It was a matter of time at the same time I was disap- 40 Tests and the 14th by a New I showed people what I could do.” before we could put everything pointed to get out at the stage I Zealand batsman in a Test at However, Wood was in no doubt together. did,” Williamson told Sky Sports. Lord’s. about the scale of the task con- “As captain for me it is impor- “The challenge is the mental But batting in overcast condi- fronting England, adding: “There tant to say it is one last effort we transition from a shorter format tions became significantly more is a lot of hard work to do in this need. We are lucky to be in the to the longer one and make good challenging once England took game. We need two days of good final and we are really determined decisions over a longer period of the new ball. cricket to change the table and try and do time.” The extra bounce on offer Williamson, missed on 92 and our best tomorrow.” Looking ahead to the fourth proved Taylor’s undoing when he 120, was eventually out when an Rohit, who was instrumental day, Williamson added: “It is fended at a rising ball from Stuart inside edge off his pad against Ali in the Mumbai Indians’ only IPL important that we are patient and Broad and was brilliantly caught, was caught by Gary Ballance at title win at the same venue two the bowlers stick to their areas.” one-handed down the legside at backward short leg. years back, said he does not see New Zealand, bidding for just full stretch, by diving wicket- But wicket-keeper BJ Watling, any vast difference in the pitch their second Test victory at Lord’s keeper Jos Buttler. who’d spent much of England’s from what he has played before. of all time, resumed Saturday on New Zealand captain Brendon first innings off the field with a The 28-year-old believes it will 303 for two, with Williamson 92 McCullum, struck his first ball, knee injury, struck a breezy 61 not remain a good wicket till the last not out and Ross Taylor unbeaten from Broad, through cover-point out including 11 fours. ball is delivered. on 47. for four and pulled Stokes for six. England conceded a wasteful 67 “(There is) no vast difference. England with the new ball But his typically aggressive extras — the fifth-highest total in Only mentally you got to be pre- available just three overs after the knock ended when he miscued any Test innings. pared, all the Indian players have start of Saturday’s play, opened an attempted pull off debutant Adam Lyth surpassed his first played here a lot. So it won’t make proceedings with Ali. paceman Mark Wood to Root at innings score of seven but the too much of a difference for us. Williamson promptly helped third man. debutant England opener fell for “The foreign players in these himself to five runs before a three McCullum faced just 38 balls, 12 after fending Trent Boult to parts of the world playing here in to third man off James Anderson including six fours and a six. third Tim Southee at third slip. Kolkata might find it difficult, but saw the New Zealand number Wood, denied a first Test Southee then bowled Ballance then again even they have played New Zealand’s Kane Williamson acknowledges the crowd after scoring three — unlike England’s Joe Root wicket on Friday by an umpire for a duck with an excellent deliv- at the ground before. We started a century against England during the third day of the first Test at Lord’s and Ben Stokes who’d both fallen review for a marginal no-ball, saw ery that squared up Lyth’s fellow our campaign here, and I don’t in London yesterday. in the 90s in this match — to a fortune again turn in his favour Yorkshire left-hander. think it can make a lot of differ- hundred. when Buttler held another superb AFP ence,” he said. IANS Stars aligned as Djokovic chases career slam in Paris PARIS: Novak Djokovic may Today’s Order Of Play The nine-times French Open never have a better chance to Order of play on the show courts on the first day of the French Open today. champion arrives in Paris on the win a maiden French Open All times in GMT, prefix numbers denote seedings back of his worst claycourt season title and complete a rare career Court Philippe Chatrier (play starts at 0900): since he first played the tourna- Grand Slam. Evgeniya Rodina (Russia) vs 3-Simona Halep (Romania) ment in 2005. The world number one enters Alejandro Falla (Colombia) vs 2-Roger Federer (Switzerland) He remains, however, a formi- this year’s Roland Garros on a dable opponent in best-of-five-set Donna Vekic (Croatia) vs 31-Caroline Garcia (France) Serbia’s 22-match unbeaten run having matches on his favoured surface. 14-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) vs Christian Lindell (Sweden) Novak claimed the Monte Carlo and Court Suzanne Lenglen (0900): “(There) had always been a big Rome Masters titles. title on clay (for him) coming into Djokovic Louisa Chirico (US) vs 9-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) While his great rival and Roland Garros. It wasn’t the case attends 8-Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) vs Marsel Ilhan (Turkey) claycourt master Rafa Nadal is this year, so it is probably a bit a training 5-Kei Nishikori (Japan) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (France) showing signs of frailty, Serbia’s different approach for him,” said session 7-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) v Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) Djokovic, who has reached the Djokovic, who could face Briton ahead Court One (0900): final twice at Roland Garros (2012 Andy Murray in the last four and of the 19-Roberto Bautista Agut (Spain) vs Florian Mayer (Germany) and 2014), could not be in better 17-times grand slam champion Roland 21-Garbine Muguruza (Spain) vs Petra Martic (Croatia) shape. Federer in the final on June 7. 24-Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) vs Igor Sijsling (Netherlands) Garros Since last November, he has In the women’s draw, defending Oceane Dodin (France) vs Kurumi Nara (Japan) 2015 won the ATP World Tour finals, champion and second seed Maria French the Australian Open and became that amount of confidence helps,” “I just feel more complete as a Sharapova of Russia is confident Tennis the first man to win the opening he told a news conference after player in terms of ability to han- she can add to her two Roland Open three Masters tournaments of the Friday’s draw. dle the emotions on the court, Garros titles after winning the in Paris season in Indian Wells, Miami and In 2011, Djokovic arrived in to find a way to win the tough Italian Open on clay last weekend. yesterday. Monte Carlo. Paris brimming with confidence matches,” he explained. World number one Serena “It is obviously very encourag- only for Roger Federer to snap If he is to join Fred Perry, Don Williams, looking to win her 20th ing knowing that I have won all of his 43-match winning streak in Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, grand slam title, withdrew from the big events from last October, the semi-finals. Andre Agassi, Federer and Nadal Rome to rest a sore elbow, a deci- that I’ve been playing some of But the Serb believes he has as a winner at all four grand sion which the American hopes my best tennis in my life, and matured into a more level-headed slams, Djokovic may first have to will help her in Paris. coming into Roland Garros with player. beat Nadal in the quarter-finals. REUTERS Fourth Qatar International Karate Championship

Sitthiwong Praifar Aom from Thailand in action during the Senior Female Individual Kata competition at the Fourth Qatar International Karate Championship at Al Rayyan Indoor Hall in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Azerbaijan’s Atamov Shahin (right) in action against Turkey’s Sahintekin Yaser during the Senior Male Individual Kumite (84kg) contest at Al Rayyan Indoor Hall yesterday. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a 29

Chief coach G S Sandhu is seen with the Indian boxers who featured at the Doha International Boxing Tournament at Al Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha. Indian boxers picked up four gold medals at the four-day event. RIGHT: Qatar’s Sonday Qlement celebrates after winning a bronze medal. Indian boxers rock Doha event; Jordanian duo grabs two golds

Qatari boxers pick up five bronze medals as four-day event concludes Who said what “I am totally dedicated to my beat. I BY RIZWAN REHMAT love boxing. I hope to turn pro one day. It (boxing) is everything in my life. I DOHA: Manoj Kumar yester- love it. Hopefully I could be back for the day delivered on his promise of World Championships and somebody conquering the light welter field notices my performances. I want to as Indian boxers grabbed four keep doing this.” gold medals on the last day of Tunisia’s Mohamed Amine Meskini the Doha International Boxing Tournament. As Indian boxers celebrated “I think our preparations for Asian their medals glory with chief Championships and the World coach G S Sandhu, Jordanian Championships are going well. This duo Hussein Iashtsh and Ihab Al is our first major tournament in many Matloubi made a telling state- months and we have done well. You can ment in the heavyweight class. get hurt anytime without the headgear. Kumar, India’s Commonwealth The fight itself was a one-sided affair.” Games in 2010, yesterday beat Nico Magliqian of the Philippines India’s Manoj Kumar in their 64kg bout with a unani- mous points decision at Al Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. “I have decided to give my all to boxing. The experienced boxer scored I am 21. I was studying and now I 30-25, 30-27, 29-28 with the three have given everything up for boxing judges as India emerged as the and I want to make it to the Olympics “Team of the Tournament” with next year. The gold medal is a big a total of four gold medals, one achievement for us in this competition. silver and two bronze. We have had tough opponents here. Tunisians finished second fol- Three of our boxers lost their first lowed by Jordanians in third rounds but I managed a gold.” place. India’s Shiva Thapa celebrates winning gold after his bout against Egypt’s Hesham Yehia in their bantam final (56kg). RIGHT: Australia’s Daniel Lewis Earlier, India’s Laishram Australia’s Daniel Lewis Devendro Singh beat Aldren (in blue) on way to winning the gold in the middleweight (75kg) bout against Abdulridha Waheed of Iraq. PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT Moreno of the Philippines in the light fly (49kg), class while com- medals as Montassar Bouali beat India’s boxing hero Kumar said “Our next goal is Asian “Hopefully I could be back for “This was a very tough tournament. The patriot Shiva Thapa overcame India’s Gaurav Bidhuri in their he was satisfied with his perform- Championships and then the the World Championships and opponents were not easy. I had come the challenge of Egypt’s Hesham fly (52kg) class while Mohamed ance in Doha. World Championships. somebody notices my perform- here very well prepared but still the Yehia in their bantam final (56kg). Amine Meskini overpowered “I think our preparations for “I hope to get back and get into ances. I want to keep doing this,” bouts were tough. I had done well in a The fourth gold for India was Egypt’s Mohamed Sedik in their Asian Championships and the training so that I am able to return Msekini said. tournament in Algeria before coming here. won by Manish Kaushik who welter (69kg) bout. World Championships are going for the World Championships. India’s Devendro said: “This is I won a silver medal there and now I have wrapped up his week with a win Australia’s Daniel Lewis well,” Kumar said. That’s the goal,” he said. my first tournament in 2015 and won a gold medal here. I am not sure if I over Rabii Hamza of Morocco in clinched the gold in the middle “This is our first major tour- Australia’s Lewis said he had to have won gold in my first out- will be back for the World Championships. their light (60kg) class bout. (75kg) bout against Abdulridha nament in many months and we given up his studies to make a ing is a great feeling. I am satis- They (AIBA) have changed the rules. Jordan’s Iashatsh stopped Sri Waheed of Iraq while Egypt’s have done well,” he added. name for himself in Boxing. fied with my performance.” First you have to qualify for the World Lanka’s Lahiru Tharanga in their Abdulrehman Salah Orabi pro- “You can get hurt anytime “I have decided to give my all He added: “I haven’t played Championships. Hopefully I will come super heavy (91 +) class with a duced a series of left hooks to without the headgear. The fight to boxing,” Lewis said. “I am 21. I after Asian Games… first tour- back to Doha (in October).” unanimous points decision. beat Morocco’s promising boxer itself was a one-sided affair,” was studying and now I have given nament after such a long time… Tunisia’s Montassar Bouali Al Matloubi, also of Jordan, Mohamed Assaghir in the light Kumar said when asked about his everything up for boxing and I it was a good experience. I have hammered Australia’s Jason heavy (81kg). bout. “I won unanimously. It feels want to make it to the Olympics worked hard.” Whateley in their heavy (91kg) For home fans, there was good because we have reached next year. Tunisia’s Bouali, who helped his “This has been a very good event for bout. encouraging news as five boxers such a level of performance after “The gold medal is a big team finish second behind India, us on many fronts. Firstly, our boxers Tunisian boxers won two gold picked up bronze medals. quite some time. achievement for us in this com- said the competition in Doha was picked up five bronze medals. That’s a “This performance gives us petition. We have had tough oppo- ‘tough’. good effort considering we had lost our confidence and momentum to nents here,” the Australian added. “This was a very tough tour- best medal hope on the first day and perform at a higher level in the “Three of our boxers lost their nament. The opponents were not the other top boxer withdrew because coming tournaments, including first rounds but I managed a gold,” easy. I had come here very well of an injury. Secondly, the message we the Olympics,” he added. he said. prepared but still the bouts were have got from our guests at the event When asked about his future “Next for me, head back to tough,” Bouali said is we have done a great job in terms of Qatar plans, he said: “While there are Australia. There is the Oceania “I had done well in a tourna- organization and preparations for the Boxing spots available, I want to enter competition, and once there, we ment in Algeria before coming World Championships.” the World Championships with have a chance to come back here here. I won a silver medal there Federation Yusuf Ali Al Kadhim, president a gold medal at the Asian event for the World Championships,” and now I have won a gold medal and then to the Olympics with Lewis said. here,” he added. President of QBF Yusuf Ali another gold here at the Worlds.” Meskini, who speaks Arabic, India’a Kaushik was thrilled A Kadhim India’s Thapa was equally English and French fluently, was winning the gold in the light watches delighted. thrilled with his gold in the welter (60kg) class. Medals Table one of the “I am very happy and feeling class though he arrived only “It feels great to have achieved Read under as: country - gold, silver, bouts on very good about winning a gold thinking about his game.Msekini my target. When I arrived here a bronze, total medals the last day for India,” Thapa said. scored 30-26, 29-28, 30-27 with few a days ago, the goal was to win India 4 1 2 7 of the Doha “Also, my friends have also won the three judges. the gold. Now that I have won the Tunisia 2 0 1 3 International medals here, so it was a great “Look nobody can enter a tour- gold, I feel very satisfied,” Kaushik Boxing outing for us. Our team has per- nament thinking you’d win a gold said. Jordan 2 0 0 2 Tournament formed really well here,” he added. medal. At least I don’t think on “Now we will go back and pre- Egypt 1 2 4 7 in Doha. “Every competition we enter, those lines. But I came here pre- pare for the Asian Championships. Australia 1 1 0 2 we analyze our performance, pared and ready to rock,” he said If you win a medal there, then you Morocco 0 2 4 6 whether we win or lose. We yesterday. can become a member of the 6 The Philippines 0 2 0 2 focus on any weaknesses we may “I am totally dedicated to my boxer squad that will be selected Iraq 0 1 2 3 have found. We make strategies beat. I love boxing. I hope to turn for the World Championships (in Sri Lanka 0 1 2 3 accordingly for the upcoming pro one day. It (boxing) is every- October),” he added. competitions,” Thapa said. thing in my life. I love it,” he said. THE PENINSULA Qatar 0 0 5 5 SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a SPORT Atletico, Valencia secure Champions League spots Veteran Xavi bids the Camp Nou an emotional farewell

MADRID: Valencia sealed their place in next season’s Champions League as Eibar and Almeria were relegated on a dramatic final day of the La Liga season. Deportivo La Coruna came Juventus players celebrate with the Italian League trophy during a back from 2-0 down away at ceremony following the Serie A match Juventus and Napoli at the champions Barcelona to spoil a Juventus Stadium in Turin yesterday. homage to Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou and stay up with a 2-2 draw along with Granada who held Atletico Madrid 0-0 at home. That point was enough to Juve strut trophies, ensure Atletico go straight into next season’s Champions League group stages in third, whilst Valencia twice came from behind depth against Napoli to win 3-2 at Almeria and secure fourth. TURIN: League and Cup win- Mariano Andujar. Eibar’s remarkable first season ners Juventus paraded their Napoli’s defeat means Lazio, in the top flight didn’t have fairy double haul of trophies in who sit three points ahead in tale ending as they were relegated Turin on their way to a 3-1 win third place, now require only a despite just a second win in 20 over Napoli yesterday which point from the city derby against matches 3-0 at home to Cordoba left Rafael Benitez’s men walk- Roma on Monday to make sure due to their inferior head-to- ing a Champions League quali- of at least a third place fin- head record with Deportivo and fying tightrope. ish to claim the league’s final Granada. Juventus outclassed Lazio 2-1 Champions League spot. Athletic Bilbao also secured in the Cup final on Wednesday Even if the Azzurri upset pre- European football for next season to secure their first double since dictions and finish among the in the Europa League thanks to a Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez raises the La Liga trophy after his side’s match against Deportivo de la Coruna at 1995 and with two weeks to go top three, Benitez already looks 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal. the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona yesterday. until their Champions League to have planned his future else- Xavi was making his 505th final have already turned their where. He is rumoured to have and final Liga appearance after for much of the day Lionel Messi season as they and Atletico played moments later. attention towards beating already agreed in principle to announcing he will join Al Sadd headed home Rafinha’s cross to out a bore 0-0 draw that suited The visitors responded once Barcelona in Berlin. take over at Real Madrid after at the end of the season after give the hosts the lead after just both parties. more before half-time as Sofiane Coach Massimiliano Allegri Carlo Ancelotti’s failure to lead Barca face Athletic Bilbao and five minutes. Valencia’s hopes of a return to Feghouli tapped home from close rested defenders Giorgio the 10-time European champions Juventus in the Copa del Rey The Catalans dominated for the Champions League were given range and, with both teams chas- Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci into the Champions League final and Champions League finals large swaths of the game and an almighty fright by Almeria as ing the winner, Paco Alcacer coolly and Patrice Evra, midfielders following an aggregate defeat to respectively. looked to have sealed the Galicians they twice went in front in the slotted past Ruben Martinez 11 Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo Juve. On their penultimate game “I am the happiest man in the fate when Neymar unselfishly first-half. minutes from time. as well as strikers Carlos Tevez of the season, Benitez’s players world today and for the 17 sea- squared for Messi to make it 2-0 Thomas Partey’s free-kick Valencia’s victory rendered and Fernando Llorente for the looked like they had their heads son I have been here,” he told the on the hour mark. sneaked past Diego Alves at his Sevilla’s 3-2 win at Malaga champions’ final home game of elsewhere too. crowd after fighting back tears. However, Lucas Perez gave near post after nine minutes, but, meaningless as they finished a the season. Belgian international Dries “As the coach has said this Deportivo hope with a stunning as so often this season, Nicolas point back in fifth. However, Napoli travelled to Turin look- Mertens looked dangerous in the hasn’t finished. We want two more strike into the top corner seven Otamendi came to Valencia’s the Andalusians can still qual- ing for a win that would main- opening exchanges and tested titles and we want to be here with minutes later and Salomao struck rescue with a powerful header to ify for next season’s Champions tain their hopes of a top three Gianluigi Buffon twice before you all again in Barcelona on June 14 minutes from time to cap a equalise. League should they retain the finish and a possible place in Juventus found their rhythm 7 (after the Champions League remarkable fightback. Jonathan Soriano put Almeria Europa League against Dnipro next season’s Champions League. and stamped their mark on the final).” Granada also secured their top back in front and then missed Dnipropetrovsk on Wednesday. But the carrot of beating what game. Barca looked set to save Eibar flight status for a fifth consecutive a huge chance to make it 3-1 AFP was effectively a second-string It took only 13 minutes for Juventus side failed to tempt Juve to open their account, Napoli, who following a bright Pereyra smashing the ball past Munich’s start quickly looked out of their Mariano Andujar after being Bastian depth. sent thorough by Kevin Coman’s Schweinsteiger In the end, the visitors fin- delightfully-weighted chip. lifts the German ished with 10 men after Miguel Gonzalo Higuain, who like championship Britos saw red for head-butting Benitez is being rumoured to be shield after the striker Alvaro Morata. on his way out of the club, did Bundesliga Juventus opened the scoring little with his first-half chances match between through Roberto Pereyra on 13 and was replaced at half-time by FC Bayern minutes and despite David Lopez Manolo Gabbiadini. Munich and levelling for the visitors when he Allegri had given Kwadwo FSV Mainz smashed home the rebound after Asamoah his first start in sev- 05 at the Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty, eral months and shortly after Allianz Arena Juventus were unstoppable. the restart the Ghana inter- Stefano Sturaro scored a national displayed speed and in Munich great individual goal to restore impressive ball control on his yesterday. Juve’s lead on 77 minutes and at way to sending his drive from Bayern Munich the death Napoli self-imploded. distance just over. celebrated Britos saw red for a clear Paul Pogba and then Morata their 25th headbutt on Morata in the saw drives from distance saved Bundesliga title area, and second-half substi- by Andujar but Napoli upped the with a 2-0 win tute Simone Pepe stepped up to tempo late in the second half to over Mainz. smash the resulting penalty past give the hosts a scare. AFP Champions Bayern will come QSL signs MoU with J-League

DOHA: The Qatar Stars media operations, marketing etc. the world. The J-League’s dele- League signed a Memorandum Secondly on the technical and gates said they were impressed by back stronger: Guardiola of Understanding with its educational level, this includes the hospitable disposition of QSL Japanese counterpart, the issues like coaching education, personnel and the good level of MUNICH: Bayern Munich who had changed into a dry set J-League, yesterday. seminars, workshops and con- organisation of Qatar’s highest coach Pep Guardiola pledged his of clothes after being showered The agreement was signed at struction and management of professional football league. team would come back stronger with beer on the pitch after the the InterContinental Doha — sport installations. Thirdly, the Murai Mitsuru, the J-League next season after they lifted the match, told reporters. “Onwards, The City Hotel. The QSL was agreement also encompasses Chairman, said: “On behalf of the league trophy in a huge post- always onwards.” represented by its CEO Hani management and professional J-League I would like to extend match party following a 2-0 vic- “That is my goal. I want to con- Ballan and Executive Director knowledge exchange. This entails my warm and heartfelt apprecia- tory over Mainz 05 to end their gratulate my players and my staff of Competition and Football improving administration and tion to the QSL. Qatar and Japan Bundesliga campaign in style. as well as the fans who always Development Ahmed Al Harmi. staff management, the league’s are good friends, officially we have The Bavarians set a Bundesliga supported us,” added Guardiola, Ballan welcomed the Japanese regulations and statutes, club played eight times, Japan has won record by keeping a 22nd clean who had to deal with a lengthy delegation to Qatar and spoke licensing strategies as well as twice and Qatar has won twice, sheet of the season, while keeper injury list this year. about the benefits of the agree- match fixing prevention and the with four draws. As we know Manuel Neuer’s 20th league game “I hope to have the best possible ment, which would see both enti- improvement of integrity and Qatar will be hosting the 2022 without conceding a goal was also squad next season,” he said. ties share knowledge on many key moral principles in both football World Cup and Japan will host a league record. Midfielder Schweinsteiger said areas. leagues,” Ballan added. the Olympic Games. Two of the Having let in only 18 goals in the season had been a success “We have a wonderful rela- Al Harmi said: “In Japan the world biggest sporting events are their 34 games, they also equalled considering all the injuries they tionship with our friends in the clubs are largely responsible for going to happen in both countries. their own league record from had suffered. J-League; we place a high impor- their own growth and devel- So both countries share some their treble-winning 2012/13 sea- “We won our third straight tance on this agreement. The opment whereas in Qatar it is similarities in this regard. Today son for the fewest goals conceded. Bayern Munich’s Spanish head league title and that is something main idea of this signing was largely the job of the QSL. We are we will be signing this agreement Bastian Schweinsteiger was on coach Pep Guardiola holds the I had not achieved until now,” raised some months ago when we seeking to shift the main respon- and I believe it will have benefits target in his 500th competitive Bundesliga championship shield said Schweinsteiger, who has won originally visited Japan,” Ballan sibilities to the clubs. I would like for us both, especially with future game for the club after Robert at the Allianz Arena in Munich eight Bundesliga titles and a total said. to thank the kind words which football initiatives and youth Lewandowski had converted yesterday. of 20 trophies with Bayern. “There are many areas where you just said about the QSL. We development.” a penalty, with Bayern bounc- “We were also close to reaching this agreement will help us are one of the top four leagues in The J-League delegation were ing back from three consecutive Yet their run to their 25th the other two finals. Considering and the J-League improve. The the continent but we are always scheduled to visit the famous league losses. German league crown, which the injuries we had, we did really agreement will last for at least looking to improve. With this Aspire Academy and also watch Fans had hoped for more than they wrapped up last month, still well overall.” two years with the possibility agreement we believe we will the Emir Cup final between Al just the league title in coach served to confirm that domesti- Guardiola has repeatedly com- to extend it. There are three reach our objectives faster and Sadd and El Jaish later yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s second season cally they are in a class of their mitted to seeing out his contract main areas where the agree- smarter.” With this Memorandum of in charge, with the Bavarians own. that ends in 2016 and any exten- ment will help make improve- Researching the QSL is part of Understanding in place, the door eliminated in the semi-finals of “Next season we will return sion talks will take place later this ments. Firstly on the operational the J-League’s broader look at the is now open for further coopera- the German Cup as well as the even stronger in order to keep year the club and coach have said. level this agreement will help industry, to learn new methods tion between the two domestic Champions League. the fans satisfied,” Guardiola, REUTERS with regard to match operations, and best practices from around leagues. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 24 MAY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com a 31

Freeze frames from the Emir Cup Football final at Al Sadd Stadium

Al Sadd players celebrate their suc- cess in the Emir Cup at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday. Al Sadd won 2-0.

Al Sadd’s Brazilian striker Luis ‘Muriqui’ Silva cel- ebrates after scoring a goal. RIGHT: A section of the crowd during the final.

Silva celebrates his Emir Cup win with a child at Al Sadd Stadium. RIGHT: A dejected El Jaish player walks off the pitch while Al Sadd’s Kasola celebrates.

An El Jaish player reacts after the final. TOP: Al Sadd celebrate their win. RIGHT: An action from the final between Al Sadd and El Jaish. Sunday 24 May 2015 6 Shaaban 1436 Volume 20 Number 6440 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Clinical Al Sadd retain Emir Cup A brace from Brazilian striker Silva helps Amute’s boys to down El Jaish in final

DOHA: Two goals by Brazilian Luis ‘Muriqui’ Silva - one in each half - yesterday helped defending champions Al Sadd crush El Jaish 2-1 and retain the Emir Cup. Yesterday playing at the home Emir H H Sheikh stadium Al Sadd came up with a Tamim bin Hamad clinical finishes to emerge on top bin Khalifa Al in the season-ending champion- Thani and other ship of the 2014-15 season and win the Emir Cup for the 15th time. dignitaries dur- Silva, who is popularly known ing the Emir Cup as Muriqui, struck in the very final at the Al second minute for his first goal Sadd Stadium in and added the second one in the Doha yesterday. 76th minute. Al Sadd defeated El Jaish pulled one back in El Jaish 2-1 to injury time through Romarinho, win the Emir Cup. but it came too to make an impact RIGHT: Al Sadd on the final result of 2-1. captain Talal Al The final at Al Sadd Stadium, Bloushi with the watched by Emir H H Sheikh Emir Cup trophy. Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Al Sadd begin with a flourish. Hardly had the spectators taken to the seats when Al Sadd struck taking full toll on a sloppy piece of defending. El Jaish player Wisam Rizq lost ball possession to Al Sadd captain Talal Al Bloushi and the Quotes last named sped his way deep into the El Jaish territory and set up “We played a complete game. We Silva to break through the rival played as a team and we managed defense, which he did with ease to score the key goals.There was shooting past a diving El Jaish a lot of hard work. Right from the keeper. start we knew we would emerge Thereafter, El Jaish tried to triumphant. secure the equaliser and came Al Sadd striker Hassan Al Haydos close to scoring a few occasions through set pieces but could not find success. “I don’t think we made any Al Sadd on the other hand mistakes. We feel it was a flawless Al Sadd’s consolidated the lead in the 76th effort. The more mistakes you make Brazilian striker minute with Muriqui latching on the more difficult it gets. We were Luis ‘Muriqui’ the loose ball. keen on not making any mistakes. Silva celebrates his first goal. The former Brazil Under-20 Al Sadd player Abdulkarim international shot home past a Hassan helpless El Jaish keeper to score his second goal of the match. El Jaish thereafter pressed “My team worked hard and we hard but success eluded them deserved this honour. We deserved and it was only in injury time to win this trophy. The players they finally managed to get one worked as a unit. We reaped rewards past the Al Sadd keeper with for the efforts we put in. Romarinho adding his name on the scorers list. Al Sadd Secretary-General Jassim Al Sadd striker Hassan Al Al Rumaihi Haydos termed his team’s per- formance against El Jaish mem- orable, saying his team-mates played a ‘complete game’. “Thank God for this honour. Emir Cup Champions We played a complete game. There was a lot of hard work. since 2001 Right from the start we knew we 2001 Al Sadd 3-2 Qatar SC would emerge triumphant,” Al 2002 Al Ittihad 4-1 Al Sadd Haydos said yesterday. 2003 Al Sadd 2-1 Al Ahli “We played as a team and we 2004 Al Rayyan 3-2 Qatar SC managed to score the key goals,” 2005 Al Sadd 0-0 Al Wakrah (5-4 pens) Al Haydos added. “There was full support from 2006 Al Rayyan 1-1 Al Gharrafa (5-3 the backroom staff. We will try pens) and build on this success,” Al 2007 Al Sadd 0-0 Al Khor (5-4 pens) Haydos said. 2008 Umm-Salal Sports Club 2-2 Al Another Al Sadd player Gharrafa (4-1 pens) Abdulkarim Hassan said his 2009 Al Gharrafa 2-1 Al Rayyan team exhibited a ‘played a flaw- 2010 Al Rayyan 1-0 Umm-Salal less’ game to beat El Jaish in the Emir Cup final. 2011 Al Rayyan 2-1 Al Gharrafa “I don’t think we made any 2012 Al Gharrafa 0-0 Al Sadd (5-4 mistakes. We feel it was a flaw- pens) less effort,” Abdulkarim said. 2013 Al Rayyan 2-1 Al Sadd “The more mistakes you make 2014 Al Sadd 3-0 Al Sailiyah the more difficult it gets,” he said 2015 Al Sadd 2-1 Al Jaish after the final at Al Sadd Stadium. “We were keen on not making any mistakes,” the midfielder said. deserved to win this trophy,” Al “We had planned well and Rumaihi said as his team cel- every bit of detail was looked at ebrated the win. by coach Hussein Amute,” Hassan “The players worked as a unit. said. We reaped rewards for the efforts Meanwhile, Al Sadd Secretary- we put in,” he added. General Jassim Al Rumaihi said “I am sure we will build on this yesterday Al Sadd deserved to triumph. Next season we will Action from the match between Al Sadd and El Jaish. RIGHT: El Jaish win the Emir Cup trophy. come back and prove our worth striker Romarinho reacts after missing a chance in the second half of “My team worked hard and again,” he said. the final. we deserved this honour. We THE PENINSULA