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Home | 3 Business | 17 Sport | 28 The Doha Metro Qatar is expected Revenge on will save 2m km to lead IT spending mind as Atletico of travel by car in the region face Real in per day. through 2018. quarter-final.

TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 • 25 Jumada II 1436 • Volume 20 Number 6400 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

OPINION Emir meets Saad Al Hariri From Cairo Qatar plans to the Gulf n the to overhaul Ipast few months, the MENA region has witnessed many criminal law events which have an Laws older than 10 years to change impact on Dr Khalid Al-Jaber the Gulf. DOHA: Qatar is planning a members of the public are encour- This is especially important major overhaul of its criminal aged to participate. after a cold spell in relations laws to ensure their sustain- The Minister hinted that between some Gulf states, ability in future and their focus Qatar planned to review its penal caused by differences in for- will be on prevention of crime and criminal laws with a view eign policies that led to the rather than punishment. to exploring the possibility of pullout of three ambassadors The Minister of Justice said amending them so they are com- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday former prime minister of Lebanon Saad Al Hariri at from Doha. But today the yesterday plans were afoot to patible with the changing times. the Emiri Diwan. They reviewed issues of common interest. Gulf states are united as is review all criminal and penal He said that for Qatar holding evident from the considerable laws that are older than 10 years the UN Congress is a great oppor- number of mutual and con- in close coordination with the tunity to learn from the experi- secutive visits of GCC leaders. authorities concerned. ences of other countries. It also is One result of this unity has A criminal law is the body of an opportunity to share our expe- been the decision to carry out penal laws that are about impos- riences with the world, said the Call to speed up ‘motor city’ a joint military operation in ing penalties for various crimes. minister. Yemen. The revision will be done Al Mohannadi added that these DOHA: The Advisory Council Council earlier told one of its key parking and sale of heavy vehi- At the same time, relations in close coordination with the laws will be reviewed in collabora- has asked the government to committees that they wanted to cles and machineries and equip- between the GCC and some Ministry of Interior, Public tion with the ministry of interior, expedite the construction of a control the sale of cars in public ment in towns like Dukhan, in the Arab countries, especially Prosecution, judiciary and the public prosecutors and the judici- motor city proposed to be built places because it spoils the image Industrial Area and in Shamal, with Egypt, are undergoing a community as a whole. ary along with the community to in Rawdat Rashid for used car of Qatar. among other places. change with the identification A vision for the future will be examine their appropriateness for showrooms and auctions and So many high-profile guests The Council yesterday approved of new priorities and risks. made and its aim will be to help the future as well as their role in garages. keep coming to Qatar from coun- the draft law unanimously that The GCC states are currently prevent crime (before it is com- crime reduction, and to develop The Council has asked the tries across the world to attend carries amendments to several focusing on unification, on mitted), said H E Dr Hassan a future vision to prevent crimes Traffic Department to provide global conferences so the sale of provisions of Law No 19 of 2007 developing a clear strategy Lahdan Saqr Al Mohannadi. before they occur. alternative facilities for used cars in open places would leave a with its recommendations. and strong alliance to con- He didn’t give further details. He The Qatari legal system aims car showrooms and automobile wrong impression in their minds The traffic officials had, how- front the rising influence of was talking to Qatar News Agency at achieving the security and auctioneers before restricting about Qatar. ever, appeared before the inter- Iran in the region, with the on the sidelines of the ongoing 13th justice for all members of society the sale of used vehicles in open The Advisory Council said that nal and external committee of the latter managing to reach UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Qatar has made great strides grounds and roadside. the government should provide Council earlier. four historic Arab capitals — and Criminal Justice here. in the fight against cybercrime. The traffic department has enough space to used car busi- The Council has also recom- Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut The minister said the focus of About electronic crimes, Dr Al proposed in a draft law to ban nesses in the proposed mini-city mended that those towing a car and Sana’a. The Saudi- led the justice ministry is on rais- Mohannadi said that a centre for the sale of vehicles in open in Rawdat Rashid so that they must be warned to be careful intervention is an effort to ing social awareness about vari- the electronic security has been grounds or roadside without its carry out their business activi- and not damage a car. If proved curb Iran’s influence. ous laws to ensure prevention approved and will be launched permission. ties with ease. that they were ignorant they Continued on page 4 of crime. Awareness is raised soon and that e-security project Senior traffic department offi- The traffic officials also told the should be held responsible for THE PENINSULA through workshops, seminars is implemented. cials who were invited to discuss Council’s committee that the gov- repair. and training programs in which THE PENINSULA the draft law with the Advisory ernment was building facilities for THE PENINSULA

Russia lifts ban Dusty weather delays, on supplying disrupts Doha flights missiles to Iran MOSCOW: President Vladimir DOHA: Qatar Airways’ flight at speeds ranging from 20 to 30 Putin yesterday lifted a ban on to Paris was delayed by five knots (56km) an hour and at times supplying Iran with sophisti- hours yesterday and sev- at 65km an hour, a routine forecast cated S-300 air defence mis- eral Doha-bound flights were issued by the weather bureau for sile systems after Tehran’s diverted elsewhere, including today said. However, as night falls landmark framework deal Dubai, due to windy and dusty the wind would slow down to 20 with the West over its nuclear weather yesterday. knots an hour and later, to 12 knots. programme. The Doha-Paris flight was “There will be poor visibility A decree signed by Putin scheduled to leave at 8.25am but it due to blowing dust,” the forecast removed a ban on “the shipment actually took off at 1.20pm, accord- said. The sea will be choppy due from Russia to Iran” of the S-300 ing to Al Sharq. A flight coming to high winds accompanied with missiles. The move was swiftly in from London hovered over light dust. Offshore, wind can criticised by Israel and the US Doha for two hours and was later move at a speed of 74km an hour military. diverted to Dubai, the daily said. at times, the bureau has warned. “Our opposition to these sales Meanwhile, the dusty and windy “We hope that by tomorrow is long and public. We believe it’s conditions are forecast to continue the weather would be normal,” unhelpful,” Pentagon spokesman at least until later this evening Abdullah Al Mannai, researcher Colonel Steve Warren told report- with the day expected to be a lit- and analyst at the weather ers in Washington. Vehicles moving on Al Wakrah road near the Barwa Village Intersection during a dust storm yesterday. tle cooler today than yesterday. bureau, told this newspaper. REUTERS (SALIM MATRAMKOT) Northwesterly wind may be moving THE PENINSULA See also page 7

INSIDE Anti-doping commission Nigerian turnout baffles community Page 9 US protection helped DOHA: Organisers of a vote was placed at the polling 8,000 presently. Nigerians then seizes banned substances Nigerian community election venue, but the entire exercise were mostly employed in Qatar’s the regime destroy Syria were in for a shock and had to had to be aborted due to a larger- vibrant oil and gas industry. By Dr Faisal Ai DOHA: Four separate shipments of substances prohibited in put off the poll exercise when than-expected voter turnout. But after Qatar won the 2022 Qassem sports were seized during March 2015 by the Customs Authority in some 1,500 community mem- Presidential hopeful O J Millar, FIFA World Cup bid and the Hamad International Airport, according to Dr Nasser Al Ansari, bers turned up to vote instead seeking another term, confirmed launch of a slew of development Iran’s designs must Vice-Chairman of the Qatar National Anti-Doping Commission of 376 registered voters. that instead of 376 registered projects, Nigerians began coming be thwarted (QNADC). The election to pick up some voters, some 1,500 community here in growing numbers to work By Dr Ibrahim Al The latest shipment of seized substances consisted of growth hor- 16 members of the commu- members, many of them women, in the booming construction sector. Sheikh mones, anabolic agents, and testosterone – substances banned by the nity organisation, Nigerians In descended on the polling venue, The Nigerian community World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in a variety of sports. This ship- Diaspora (NIDO)-Qatar, was creating chaos. organization here was ear- Gulf suffers ment in particular is likely to be used by amateur bodybuilders who slated to be held at a hotel — Community sources said that lier known as Doha Naija and demographic shocks often organise small tournaments amongst themselves, said Dr Al Crown Plaza—on April 10 with the number of Nigerians in Qatar was rechristened in 2010 as from regional wars Ansari. much fanfare. has multiplied almost four- NIDO-Qatar. Continued on page 3 Ballots were ready and a box fold in the past decade — from Continued on page 4 By Dr Zafeer THE PENINSULA where voters would cast their an estimated 2,000 in 2005 to THE PENINSULA Mohammed Al Ajmi TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

PRIME MINISTER MEETS HEADS OF DELEGATIONS: Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met with heads of delegations participating in the 13th United Nations Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The Prime Minister met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica Dacic, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman, Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Bam dev Gautam, Moroccan Minister of Justice and Liberties Mustafa Ramid, Tunisian minister of justice Mohammed Saleh bin Isa, Pakistan’s Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nicaragua Samuel Santos Lopez. Govts urged to prevent exploitation of workers Call to monitor the recruitment process to curb abuse and exploitations

DOHA: Guidelines to pre- United Nations (HEUNI). vent abusive recruitment, The four main sections of the exploitation and trafficking guidelines are structured for the of migrant workers were dis- states, businesses, trade unions cussed by experts yesterday and civil society and multidisci- at the 13th Crime Congress on plinary cooperation and coordina- Crime Prevention and Criminal tion at international level. Justice in Doha. It suggests that countries They called upon govern- should take measures such as ments to play an active role regulate labour providers like in preventing any form of employment agencies, ensure exploitation against migrant that workers are not charged workers during a workshop on fees for recruitment, monitor and ‘Prevention of labour traffick- enforce standards of recruitment ing and exploitation of migrant and employment in order to curb workers.’ abuse and exploitations and pro- “Exploitation of migrant work- mote transparency. ers is not preventive when there “If a worker has problems with is lack of control and action. The the employer, there should be abil- prime obligation of prevention ity to change jobs,” said Liliana, is on the states. They have the an Independent Expert who did power to control the situations,” her presentation on ‘guidelines said Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, to prevent abusive recruitment, UN Special Rapporteur on exploitation and trafficking of Trafficking. migrant workers in the Baltic The discussion also highlighted Sea region. on the importance of raising However, she said that exploi- awareness among the workers tation of migrant workers has Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah at the 13th Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha yesterday. about their rights. common features in elsewhere in The guidelines prepared by the world as well. the ADSTRINGO ‘Addressing Also Anniina Jokinen, from Rule of law key to face global challenges: FM Trafficking in Human Beings the European Institute for for Labour Exploitation through Crime Prevention and Control, DOHA: Foreign Minister H He added that in addition to to reach a society enjoying strong peaceful resolution to political cri- Improved Partnerships, Enhanced affiliated with the United E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al the rule of law, human rights and development, social and economic ses. He expressed his delight that Diagnostics and Intensified Nations (HEUNI) presented Attiyah said yesterday that development should be the pillars justice and protection of human the Doha Declaration, which was Organisational Approaches’ a findings of a study done about enhancing the rule of law will for joint work between members rights. accredited yesterday, reflects the transnational project that has exploitation of migrant work- have an important impact of international community. Foreign Minister noted that responsibility of Qatar towards been coordinated by the European ers in Finland, Sweden, Estonia on the challenges currently Al Attiyah said that those three Qatar is participating in enhanc- sustainable development and the Institute for Crime Prevention and Lithuania. facing the international factors were reflected in Qatar ing the rule of law regionally and rule of law. and Control , affiliated with the THE PENINSULA community. National Vision 2030, which aims internationally by promoting the QNA Conference highlights destructive nature of wildlife and forest crime

DOHA: The United Nations five Member States together lesser known species. Office on Drugs and Crime with the five agencies com- Yury Fedotov, UNODC (UNODC) and the Secretariat of prising ICCWC, namely the Executive Director, highlighted the Convention on International CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the destructive nature of wild- Trade in Endangered Species of UNODC, the World Bank and life crime, “Wildlife and forest Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) the World Customs Organization crime is profoundly destructive, co-hosted an International (WCO), all actively participated with far-reaching consequences Consortium on Combating in the event, alongside a number – undermining development and Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) high- of other organizations. stability, threatening biodiversity level side event on ‘Wildlife and The event provided a unique and endangered species, and con- Forest Crime: A Serious Crime’ opportunity to raise awareness tributing to climate change. And on the sidelines of the 13th about the scale and nature of yet, too often the punishment United Nations Congress on wildlife and forest crime, which does not fit the crime. Inadequate Crime Prevention and Criminal has escalated to unprecedented legislative frameworks remain far Justice in Doha. levels in recent years as a result too commonplace.” The event was opened by the of the increased involvement of John E. Scanlon, CITES President of the 69th Session transnational organized crime Secretary-General, said, “ Well of the United Nations General groups and on some occasions organized and well-resourced FROM LEFT: Peter Van Hauwermeiren, Ministry of Social Security- Directorate Social Inspectorate, Belgium; Assembly, Sam Kutesa, and co- rebel militia. Wildlife poaching transnational organized crime Anniina Jokinen, European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, Finland; Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, UN chaired by the UNODC Executive and trafficking now poses a seri- groups are driving industrial Special Rapporteur on Trafficking; and Liliana Sorrentino, Independent Expert, attending a workshop on ‘Preventing Director, Yury Fedotov, and ous threat to the survival of some scale illegal trade in wildlife. Labour Trafficking and Exploitation of Migrant Workers’ on the sidelines of the 13th United Nations Congress on CITES Secretary-General, John of the world’s most charismatic Combatting these groups requires Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, at the QNCC yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT E. Scanlon. Representatives of species, as well as many other wildlife crime to be recognized as a serious crime across source, transit and destination States and for States to deploy the same Doha Declaration focuses on accountable criminal justice system enforcement tools, techniques and penalties to fight illegal trade in DOHA: ‘Doha Declaration’ at the 13th Throughout the declaration emphasis of the Doha Youth Forum that fed into the negotiations. In all these deliberations, the wildlife as those used to combat Crime Congress on Crime Prevention and is placed on fair, effective, humane and declaration are given the necessary sup- Qatari government never turned from the other domestic and transnational Criminal Justice can power rule of law- accountable criminal justice systems. port by Member States. Each of these path of creating not just wise words, but organized crimes.” development alliance for years to come, Nations are invited to uphold human recommendations has been crafted with the firm foundation for action. “This week’s Congress in Doha said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director dignity, human rights and fundamental the intent of creating a powerful point of The result is a declaration that has on Crime Prevention and Criminal of UN Office on Drugs and Crime freedoms and to prevent corruption and departure for turning these principles into energized the 60-year legacy of Crime Justice is where such matters (UNODC), in a statement yesterday. to enhance transparency and integrity. solutions that assist the victims of crime. Congresses and given it the power to must be discussed. For the first Passed by acclamation at the 13th UN The declaration states that interna- The Doha Declaration would not have shape how we tackle crime and promote time, wildlife crime is on the Crime Congress, the Doha Declaration con- tional cooperation is the cornerstone been possible without the wisdom of the development for years to come. I offer Congress agenda and we warmly tains recommendations on how the rule of efforts to enhance crime prevention. Qatari government which—from the my wholehearted congratulations to the welcome the adoption of the Doha of law can protect and promote sustain- Eradication of illiteracy is also viewed as moment the venue of the 13th Crime Qatari government and people for their Declaration”, added Scanlon. able development. The organizing princi- fundamental to the prevention of crime Congress was announced—has set out with generous support for the Crime Congress. The Doha Declaration adopted ples of the declaration are that sustainable and corruption. single-minded resolve to achieve agreement I pledge UNODC’s enduring engagement at the Congress provides a further development and the rule of law are mutu- Child and youth related issues sit at the on the Doha Declaration. Their diplomatic in the coming years to ensure that these strong basis for States to put an ally reinforcing and crime prevention and heart of the recommendations and should industry led to bilateral missions to capitals recommendations are fully implemented end to the current high levels of criminal justice should be integrated into be fully integrated into criminal reform to discuss crucial elements of the declara- throughout the world, ended the statement. illicit trafficking of wild fauna and the wider UN system, said the statement. efforts. It is also important that the results tion, as well as support for pre-congress THE PENINSULA flora. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir receives FIFA delegation Advisory Council debates traffic law changes DOHA: The Advisory Council held its weekly regular meeting of the 43rd ordi- nary session yesterday under the chair- manship of its Speaker H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi. The Advisory Council discussed a report by the Interior and External Affairs Committee on amending some of the pro- visions of traffic law No. 19 of 2007. The council decided to raise its recommenda- tions to the Cabinet.

Qatar, Somalia discuss ties MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Abdiweli Ibrahim Sheikh Mudeey met Charge d’affaires of Qatar’s Embassy in Somalia Hassan bin Hamza Assad Mohammed. They discussed Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with FIFA delegation led by President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Eissa Hayato, Vice-President Almamy Kabele bilateral relations and ways of enhancing Camara, Secretary-General Hicham El Amrani and members of the FIFA Executive Committee Hany Abo Rida and Tarek Bouchamaoui at the Emiri Diwan office yesterday. them. QNA They discussed bilateral relations and reviewed issues of joint interest. The Personal Representative of the Emir H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the meeting. Metro to save 2m km car travel per day Project will also help reduce carbon emission: Top official

BY SACHIN KUMAR said Al Subaie while addressing prove to be a major step forward the fourth Annual Arab Future for the nation in accomplishing DOHA: The Doha Metro Cities Summit Qatar 2015. every aspect of the ‘National project will play crucial role in The Doha Metro is an inte- Vision 2030’,” said Al Subaie. Qatar’s economic development gral part of the Qatar Rail Experts said that develop- and help in reducing carbon Development Programme. ment of smart cities will also emission. The metro project Consisting of four lines, the Metro increase the demand for telecom will save 2 million kilometers network will cover the Greater services. “Population growth of travel by cars per day, said Doha area and will include con- due to development of new cit- Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie, nections to town centres and vital ies such as Lusail will increase Managing Director, Qatar Rail commercial and residential areas telecom demand by 20-30 per- yesterday. throughout the city. In central cent,” Dr Rainer Schnepfleitner, “On the economic front, GDP Doha, the Metro will be under- Department Manager Regulation (Gross Domestic Product) will ground, whilst at the outskirts; and Competition Affairs, benefit from reduced time lost in it will mainly be at ground level Communications Regulatory traffic. From a social perspective, or elevated. Authority (CRA) a better environment will mean “The rail projects are expected On the first day, the summit a better quality of life for citi- to bring reduction by 258,000 focused on the regulator’s role in zens. The Metro will save 2 mil- tonnes of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) facilitating smart cities, enabling lion kilometers of travel by car per year. Additionally, the metro smarter cities through Internet per day which means less CO2,” will provide jobs for many, and of Things (IoT), sustainabil- ity strategies and requirements in Lusail City and enabling the Abdulla Abdulaziz Al Subaie, Managing Director, Qatar Rail, cutting the ribbon to mark the opening of the 4th urban information economy Annual Arab Future Cities Summit Qatar 2015 at Ritz-Carlton Hotel yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P Ooredoo is Smart Telecom through smart cities. Experts discussed about the role of com- Partner of the summit munications providers in enabling a smart country, moving towards DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday announced it is the official Smart a future connected society and Telecom Partner for the Arab Future Cities Summit. Ooredoo is securing smart cities, and ways a Global Lead Partner at the Smart Cities Council (SCC), a coa- to design, implement and operate lition of industry thought leaders, innovators and practitioners safe and resilient infrastructure. dedicated to improving the liveability, workability and sustain- Also on the agenda were sessions ability of the world’s cities. on smart living solutions, urban “Ooredoo supports this event as it enables senior level delegates energy management, ICT inno- and stakeholders to have a platform to exchange knowledge on vation, people-first approach to smart and sustainable cities. This is truly an exciting time to be in, smart city innovation, initia- when we can all have a part and play an active role in pushing our tives taken up by Qatar Rail, and country into the global forefront and providing the framework of a research into smart city disci- “Smarter country” for the rest of the world to emulate,” said Sheikh plines such as urban planning and Nasser bin Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, Chief New Business Officer, transportation. Ooredoo in his keynote presentation. The two-day summit saw This is the fourth edition of the event, and Ooredoo as both a participation from companies partner and leading Smart City enabler, will be showcasing its such as Huawei, Accenture, growing portfolio of smart living projects for delegates. Ooredoo, Cisco, Intel, Alfardan Ooredoo is displaying a host of next generation technology at Properties, Schneider Electric, the event, from smart infrastructure (5G and Fibre), smart enter- Microsoft, EMC, Qatar Cool, tainment, connected cars, next generation education, health and B+B SmartWorx, Proteco LLC workplace solutions, to mega-city and municipality services manage- (Al Nasr Holding) and Esri. The ment, intelligent transport and smart stadiums, demonstrating the Future Cities Lounge saw over 30 company’s leadership in driving the latest and the best technology exhibitors showcasing innovative for businesses and consumers. THE PENINSULA solutions for building smart cities. THE PENINSULA

Anti-Doping Lab seeks full accreditation Continued from page 1 According to Executive Director of the Commission, Dr Fatima Al Malki, the Commission usually receives eight to nine seized shipments a year from the Customs Authority, so this year’s number of shipments of prohib- ited substances already indicates a marked increase from previous years. “The first step in seiz- ing these substances is the Customs Authority in Hamad International,” Dr Al Malki said, adding, “Customs then turn these shipments over to the Pharmacy and Drug Control unit of the Supreme Council of Health who then transfer the substances to the QNADC headquarters in the Dr Nasser Al Ansari, Vice-Chairman, Qatar National Anti-Doping Commission. Olympic Tower where they are stored for eight months should Lab Qatar (ADLQ) was founded them.” said Dr Al Malki. they be needed as evidence.” in December 2007 and is expected The draft law, which is due to Founded by the Qatar Olympic to attain full WADA accreditation be submitted to Qatar’s Cabinet Committee (QOC) in March 2007, in 2015. of Ministers, will ban athletes, the Commission is a crucial part “We’ve already completed coaches and technical staff caught of Qatar’s sporting infrastructure. drafting a law that will ban the using or importing prohibited The QNADC’s role is to carry out importation by individuals of pro- substances. This ban will be from the anti-doping function on behalf hibited substances such as the all aspects of sports so that, for of the QOC and act as the inde- ones we have received today. The example, technical staff banned pendent anti-doping organization law will also penalize the use of from one sport cannot work in for Qatar. In an effort to further these substances and will enact another sport, explained Dr Al augment Qatar’s commitment harsher sanctions against sport Malki. to anti-doping, the Anti-Doping staff caught using or importing THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

School’s request 120 exhibitors to attend IWED 2015 for readmission Eighth edition of the event at Doha Exhibition Centre expects around 13,000 visitors fees rejected DOHA: The Supreme Education BY RAYNALD C RIVERA of the expo are 20 fashion shows Council (SEC) has forced a pri- featuring new creations of famous vate school to cancel its decision DOHA: The eighth edition designers to be held daily as well to impose “re-registration” fee of the International Wedding as entertainment and perform- on students, a local Arabic daily Exhibition and Fashion Show ances courtesy of DNA Records. reported yesterday. in Doha (IWED 2015) has seen Qatari celebrity and founder of The SEC has clarified that no an increase in the number of DNA Records, Dana Al Fardan school is permitted to impose participants with a total of 120 will inaugurate IWED 2015. registration fee more than once. exhibitors when it opens on Ali added they are also looking The fee is charged while enrolling April 29 at the Doha Exhibition into men’s fashion “because when the student for the first time and Centre. we talk about wedding, we talk it should not be repeated at any The exhibitors which come about the bride and the groom. excuse, said the daily. from Qatar, Italy, India, UAE, Next year we hope we get very The school reportedly asked stu- Bahrain, Lebanon, Kuwait, KSA good brands offering products and dents who are already on its rolls to and United Kingdom include services for the groom, not just pay QR2887 as fee for “re-registra- some of the top names and labels for the bride.” tion” for the coming academic year in the wedding planning, hospital- Organised by Qatar Expo, (2015-2016). It sent text messages ity, fashion and related industries. the event has Royal Events as to the parents in this regard. “There is a five percent increase Pearl sponsor, Isadora as exclu- Several parents lodged com- in the number of participants. We sive make up sponsor, Frames as plaints with the SEC seeking a have a total of 120 participants official hair stylist sponsor and reversal of the decision. The SEC this year,” Hadi Al Zain Ali, Chief Melia Doha as the official hotel promptly responded and asked the Executive Officer of Qatar Expo, partner. school to cancel its decision within organizers of IWED, told this Other sponsors include Elegant 24 hours and inform the parents daily yesterday. Events, YaHala Events and Royal accordingly, said the daily. As per “We wanted to expand the Flowers as event management the SEC rules, all private schools exhibition size to 7,500 sqm but establishments offering com- are required to take permission unfortunately the size of the prehensive wedding planning from the SEC before announcing existing hall right now did not services, in addition to Ludica any fee hike or imposing any addi- allow us to increase the number. Antiqua and Trinity Talent Qatar, tional fee. THE PENINSULA We have a long waiting list of par- a leading talent agency providing ticipants,” said Ali. wedding and event staffing as well FROM LEFT: Nanci Hall, Co-founder Trinity Talent Qatar, Reem Zuhri, Assistant General Manager, Melia Doha This year’s IWED spans a total as models for designers and pho- Relations with exhibition space of 5,000 sqm of tographic services to exhibitors Hotel, Hadi AlZain Ali, CEO Qatar Expo, Dan Brown, Business Development Manager, DNA Records, Hissa Al the DEC, of which 2,4000 sqm is and organisers. Marwani, Owner and Executive Director, Frames GRP Frames Salon and Elie Selfani, Head of Photography and Moscow tense the net exhibition area. Other partners include Videography Elegant Events during IWED 2015 press conference at Melia Doha Hotel yesterday. BAHER AMIN Continued from page 1 “Most probably next year, we Ohlala official luxury fashion can accommodate more exhibitors magazine, Glam official fash- exhibition industry has subse- exchange while shifting the focus wedding show to provide an oppor- However, differences exist as we are planning to hold it at ion magazine, E-Start offi- quently flourished as a platform to quality and customer service in tunity for brides-to-be and grooms- between the GCC and other Arab the new Doha Exhibition Centre cial social media partner, Al for retailers and market players this very competitive arena. to-be to find a complete array of states in their policies on crises in which is close to the City Centre,” Muftah Group, BCC as official to remain at the forefront of all In this same breadth, IWED the finest and latest products and Syria and Libya. The GCC believes he added. Around 13,000 visitors freight forwarder and Seqlia new developments and showcase continues to be one of the wedding services for their most special day, that Bashar Al Assad should have are expected to throng the four- official stand contractor. their best products and services sector’s key events in the region and for service providers, vendors no role in any political solution day exhibition set to offer top of “With Qatar emerging as a to end users and other corpo- and a strategic appointment for the and manufacturers to showcase to the conflict in Syria because the line wedding products and leading destination for both busi- rate entities, therefore enrich- luxury market in the Middle East their products and services,” said he is the root cause of the disas- services. Among the highlights ness and pleasure seekers, the ing business networking and as it goes beyond the traditional Ali. THE PENINSULA ter the country is going through. On Libya, the GCC believes in a political solution, not a military one as suggested by Cairo, which is for establishing an Arab joint force to intervene in Libya. HMC to create radiation safety division There are also differences in creating partnerships and coali- tions, both regional and interna- DOHA: Hamad Medical The two-day conference, measures that can be taken and non-ionizing radia- tional, especially with Turkey and Corporation (HMC) has which gathered as many to prevent harm. tion (electromagnetic Russia. Despite disputes between decided to create a divi- as 200 participants from “We live in an environ- radiation). Ankara and Cairo, the GCC states sion specialized in radia- HMC, was the first such ment full of all types of Other related topics announced plans to make $600bn tion safety to ensure that summit to take place in radiation. Some of this discussed at the confer- in investment in Turkey in the radiation doses are kept Qatar. Experts in occupa- radiation comes from natu- ence included the use of next 20 years. within the internationally tional safety and radiation ral sources, such as radon radiation in the industrial, Relations with Moscow are still approved thresholds, said physicists from the United gas that naturally exists in agricultural and research tense as Russia vetoed two resolu- a senior official. States, Egypt, Saudi Arabia the atmosphere comprising domains. tions on Yemen at the UN Security The new division will be and Jordan presented on 37 percent of the ambient Speakers at the con- Council which were meant to put created in order to pro- related topics during the gases, and others are of ference also reviewed the Yemen under Chapter Seven. This tect patients, technicians conference. non-natural origin, which peaceful use of atomic happened after a strongly-worded and physicians against Dr Al Naemi stated that occur as a result of the energy as a clean source attack on Russian President the potential hazards of the conference aimed to increasing use of radiation of energy, but stressed Vladimir Putin by the Saudi exposure to radiation, boost awareness and shed in medical diagnosis,” she the importance of safety foreign minister, who accused said Dr Huda Al Naemi, light on precautions against explained. requirements that should Moscow of encouraging instability Executive Director of radiation use in healthcare. Among other topics, be put in place in nuclear in the Arab region with its sup- Occupational Health and Experts at the event also the conference featured reactors spread all over port for Assad. The question is Safety Department (OHS) engaged in discussions and the negative impact of the world to avoid possible whether these changes will make speaking at a conference shared insights about the over-exposure to ionizing human errors that could the GCC states the new centre of on ‘Summit on Radiation latest developments in the radiation (x-rays, gamma lead to long-term damage Arab power and influence, displac- Dr Huda Al Naemi, Executive Director of Occupational Health Safety for Healthcare field of radiation safety rays) which may lead to to the environment. ing the traditional Arab capitals, and Safety Department (OHS). Providers.’ and the precautionary eye cataract and cancer, THE PENINSULA on top of which is Cairo. New President Buhari expected to visit Qatar Continued from page 1 The last elec- tion to pick its executive com- mittee was held in 2005, with Millar emerg- ing president. The execu- tive panel was dissolved last November to make way for fresh elections and a committee O J Millar was set up that would supervise the electoral process. However, the poll committee had little idea that Doha Naija-turned NIDO-Qatar had become extremely popular in the community because of its achievements like suc- cessfully lobbying for Nigeria’s embassy to be set up in Doha and Qatar Airways’ starting direct flights to the country. The poll supervisory panel had, after screening, cleared 17 candidates to fill up 16 positions in the executive com- mittee of NIDO-Qatar. But the panel had to put off the election and it will now be held either by this month-end of early in May. In the interim, candidates vying for the 16 executive committee slots are expected to get many of those who turned up at Crown Plaza on April 10 in the hope of cast- ing their vote, to register as voters. Community sources said that in fact these candidates canvassed for their win so vociferously that so many Nigerians turned up at the polling venue on April 10. It is said that some of them even brought their sup- porters along. The electoral process of the Nigerian com- munity organization was made to coincide with the win of Nigeria’s new president, Muhammadu Buhari, who has been here once on a private visit a few years ago, and can be expected again, this year or early the next. THE PENINSULA

TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Rotten meat Dust storm lashes the city video triggers concern SCH inspects meat sections of Al Meera

DOHA: A video circulating on PLEA TO PUBLIC the social media showing rotten meat allegedly sold by a lead- ing outlet has prompted the The Supreme Council of authorities to launch an exten- Health (SCH) has urged sive inspection campaign. the public to inform the The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) said yesterday that it had authorities concerned inspected the meat section at all if they come across any branches of Al Meera Consumer suspicious cases so that Goods Company following the action can be taken. report. The video showed a clear change in the colour of the meet claiming that it was bought from one of the Al Meera branches in Al Rayyan. “The SCH will not tolerate A number of slaughterhouses any violation of the law,” said the were also inspected to detect statement. the source of the rotten meat. Meanwhile, quoting sources Samples have been taken for from the Ministry of Municipality laboratory tests and results will and Urban Planning, a local be announced in three days, SCH Arabic daily reported that an said in a statement. expert team from the Al Rayyan The investigation has been con- Municipality inspected the meat ducted under instructions of the section at the Umm Al Daum Minister of Public Health H E branch of Al Meera and other Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani branches following the report. Palm trees swaying in the wind in the West Bay area yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P who has also asked to make the All the meat at the outlets was results public, added the state- found safe for human consump- ment. The SCH said that the tion, said the daily. change in the colour of the meat In a related development, Foreign Minister meets UN chief, counterparts indicates that it was damaged. the Ministry of Economy and The colour would change if the Commerce closed down a com- DOHA: Foreign Minister H Minister of Foreign Affairs and his Iraqi counterpart Dr Ibrahim relations and a number of issues meat is kept for a long time out pany in the airport street for one E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al European Integration Natalia Al Jaafari. of joint interest. of the refrigerator. month for selling expired tobacco Attiyah held a number of meet- Gherman. and Minister of The meetings were held sep- Dr Khalid bin Mohamed The ministry urged the public products. During a surprise raid, ings yesterday with Tanzanian Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica arately on the sidelines of the Al Attiyah also met with UN to inform the authorities con- 316 expired tobacco products were Minister of Foreign Affairs Dacic and Gambian Minister 13th United Nations Crime Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. cerned if they come across any seized from the facility, the min- Bernard Membe, Deputy of Foreign Affairs Neneh Congress on Crime Prevention They discussed issues of joint suspicious cases so that the latter istry said in a statement. Prime Minister, Moldovan Macdouall-Gaye. and Criminal Justice. interest during the meeting. can take the required measures. THE PENINSULA Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also met with They discussed bilateral QNA

QU’s College of QF provides training sessions to local educators Arts and Sciences DOHA: Several workshops have teachers. QF recently signed an and last month, and has organ- understanding of what it means Role of the Coordinator’. been conducted by the Qatar agreement with International ised an additional 20 workshops to be an effective teacher. By help- Furthermore, as part of QF’s outlines growth Foundation (QF)’s Education Baccalaureate (IB) to provide for next year. The workshops ing to develop young people who commitment to teachers, the Development Institute within a series of teacher training are developed and delivered by are motivated to succeed, these Education Development Institute and future plans two months for teacher training. workshops with the Education experienced IB educators from sessions are ultimately serving is set to host the second annual Throughout the year, QF Development Institute. Qatar and around the world, and as a platform to empower teach- Teaching and Learning Forum DOHA: Qatar University’s is working to provide unique Widely regarded as one of the are carefully evaluated against ers to become leaders within the on May 9, at the Qatar National College of Arts and Sciences training sessions for teachers to most popular education systems a strict global quality assurance classroom and unlock the poten- Convention Centre. (QU-CAS) progress, growth, encourage professional develop- in the world, the IB is commit- framework. tial of their learners.” The event will serve as a plat- and future plans were recently ment and lifelong learning. These ted to improving access to an The seminars are open to The training sessions held ear- form, bringing together K-12 discussed at its Advisory Board workshops are designed to equip IB education across the Middle teachers from across the coun- lier this year focused on 3 sepa- teachers from across the coun- meeting for the academic year educators with the necessary East. With eleven schools in try and are taught in both Arabic rate educational programmes: try to network, discuss, and col- 2014-2015. skills and tools to help unlock the Qatar offering one or more of its and English. Primary Years Programme, laborate. Additionally, Sir Ken The meeting, attended by Saad potential of their learners. four programmes, the system is Mehdi Benchaabane, IB Middle Years Programme, and Robinson, an internationally Alrumaihi, Secretary to H H The Education Development becoming increasingly popular in Workshops Director at the Diploma Programme. A number recognised leader in the develop- Father Emir for Pursuance Affairs, Institute, which falls under the region. Education Development Institute, of different topics were discussed ment of education, creativity and Advisory Board Chair, Sheikh Saoud QF’s Pre-University Education, As part of the partnership, the said: “The IB Professional over the course of the sessions, innovation, will be the keynote bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is one of the entities that has Education Development Institute Development workshops including ‘Play-based learning’, speaker for the event. Secretary-General and CEO, been tasked with empowering hosted 13 IB sessions in January help educators gain a deeper ‘Theory of Knowledge’, and ‘The THE PENINSULA Qatar Olympic Committee, Dr Hassan Al Mohannadi, Director of the Diplomatic Institute, Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others, was WISH announces first event in opened by QU President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad, who welcomed the members to the meeting and expressed ‘Safer Care Accelerator’ series her appreciation the attendees’ participation. DOHA: The World inspire and diffuse health- Dr Mustafawi expressed her Innovation Summit for care innovation and best appreciation to the Board for Health (WISH), a glo- practice. It remains closely their follow up of CAS’ progress bal initiative of Qatar aligned to the vision and and their willingness to provide Foundation, in part- mission of QF to unlock CAS with valuable advice and nership with Imperial human potential and rein- support. Dr Mustafawi noted College London, has forces Qatar’s pioneering that CAS has 17 undergraduate announced its first event role as an emerging centre programs, 6 graduate programs, in the Leading Health for healthcare innovation. 6209 undergraduate students, 116 Systems Network’s WISH launched graduate students and 480 aca- (LHSN) Safer Care the LHSN Safer Care demic staff. Webinar Series Accelerator Programme Dr Mustafawi presented data ‘Involving the Patient in last month to share best on the performance of the College Safer Care.’ practice and inspire health against its annual action plan. Taking place tomor- systems worldwide to pro- For most objectives, the College row, the webinar will dis- vide safer care for patients. achieved or exceeded the tar- cuss how placing patients Professor The Lord Darzi get. For example, CAS faculty at the centre of care and of Denham, Executive Chair received 25 research grants engaging them as full of WISH, said, “Healthcare valued at QR 44,378,114, an partners is essential systems globally have increase of 19 percent from for any patient safety increasingly recognised the previous year, observing effort. The featured the importance of improv- that the percentage of facul- speaker is Margaret ing patient safety , how- ty’s indexed publications was Murphy (pictured), ever, despite a century of above the expected target (68 External Lead Advisor evolving practice, technol- percent). for the World Health ogy, and trillions of dollars She also presented CAS strate- Organization’s (WHO) Patients for Patient in investment, the storyline is the same: heart- gic plan objectives, focusing on the Safety Programme, a network of 300 patient breaking stories caused by preventable harm . implementation of an integrated safety champions from 52 countries with 19 Through the Safer Care Accelerator, we hope to approach to quality recruitment collaborating organisations. provide learnings, insights and recommendations of research faculty and staff, with Following the death of her son in 1999 as a to enable healthcare leaders and policymakers the added motive of enhancing result of medical error, Margaret Murphy has to better prioritise initiatives that will improve interdisciplinary and collabo- been actively involved as a patient safety advocate. safety, experience and outcomes for patients, cru- rative research projects, while Though clinicians typically take the lead with cially saving lives and reducing the burden on enhancing research productiv- regards to patient safety, it is imperative for healthcare budgets.” ity and quality metrics, as well patients and their families to remain involved The Safer Care Accelerator Programme is part as enhancing interdisciplinary and vigilant. As stated by Margaret Murphy, “You of WISH and Imperial College London’s LHSN opportunities in CAS priority ignore at your peril the concerns of a mother.” initiative. research areas. WISH is spearheaded by Qatar Foundation to THE PENINSULA QNA TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Tehran wants Humanitarian crisis grows in Yemen ‘nuclear-free Warplanes hit rebel positions for third week; over 16,000 foreigners trapped; rival forces clash world’: Zarif

ADEN: Aid agencies warned Houthi snipers.” UN Secretary- ASTANA: Iranian Foreign yesterday of a growing humani- General Ban Ki-moon warned on Minister Mohammad Javad tarian crisis including food Sunday of a huge humanitarian Zarif yesterday insisted his coun- shortages in Yemen as Saudi-led crisis as “civilian casualties are try wants a “nuclear-free world,” warplanes hit rebel positions for mounting and public infrastruc- days after Tehran’s leadership a third week and rival forces ture is being destroyed”. Aid cast doubt on an outline deal to clashed. workers said Sana’a is also suffer- curb its nuclear programme. In Riyadh, Yemen’s Prime ing, as air strikes hit rebel posi- Zarif made the comment during Minister Khaled Bahah was tions there and supplies dwindle. a visit to ex-Soviet Kazakhstan sworn in as vice-president at The International Committee as he praised the Central Asian the country’s embassy in front of the Red Cross flew more nation for giving up its nuclear of exiled President Abdrabuh than 35 tonnes of medical aid weapons after the collapse of the Mansur Hadi. and equipment into Sana’a on USSR. Yemen’s main southern city Saturday, after Friday’s first “Kazakhstan is an important of Aden saw the heaviest fight- deliveries organised by the Red player in this field, as a country ing overnight, with medics and Cross and United Nations. firmly committed to a non-prolif- military forces saying at least 30 HRW’s UN and crisis advocacy eration regime and which volun- people were killed in clashes. director, Philippe Bolopion said tarily refused nuclear weapons,” Farther north, fierce clashes “the alarming civilian deaths and Zarif said in a meeting with the continued in Daleh where 40 rebels humanitarian crisis in Yemen head of Kazahstan’s Senate. “We and three pro-president fighters should spur the Saudi-led coali- all want a nuclear-free world.” have been killed since Sunday, a tion and the Houthis to get seri- Tehran and international local official and southern fighters ous about protecting civilians.” powers including Russia made a said. Three children were killed HRW also noted that the rebels major breakthrough on April 2 yesterday when a shell hit their have “unlawfully” deployed forces in a 12-year standoff by agreeing house in south Daleh, southern in densely populated areas. an outline deal aimed at curb- activist Saleh Binlaghbar said. Thousands of foreigners have ing Iran’s nuclear drive. Tehran’s Residents said warplanes from been trapped by the fighting, with denies Western claims that it is a Saudi-led coalition pounded the the International Organisation seeking to make a nuclear bomb. rebel-held presidential complex for Migration saying more than Saudi army artillery fire shells towards Yemen from a post close to the border yesterday. Global powers must resolve a and other positions in Aden. 16,000 are stranded. Some evac- series of difficult technical issues Human Rights Watch urged uations have taken place, with by a June 30 deadline in order to the coalition to take “neces- Russia on Sunday saying it had seal a final nuclear deal. Iran’s sary steps to minimise harm to evacuated more than 650 people, Unrest due to ‘Iran’s hunger for power’ Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali civilians”, urging the bloc and and the IOM said it had flown a Khamenei has plunged the accord the United States to investigate first planeload of 141 passengers WASHINGTON: Unrest in region.” Hadi called for “con- we will continue to urge the coali- into doubt suggesting that “noth- “alleged laws-of-war violations,” out of Sana’a. Yemen is being driven by “Iran’s tinued international support to tion to continue its military cam- ing is binding” while President including the bombing of a dis- Meanwhile, Yemeni tribes- hunger for power,” exiled ensure military might on the bat- paign against them.” Hassan Rouhani demanded that placed persons camp last month. men seized control of army bases President Abdrabuh Mansur tlefield now”. But the Western-backed presi- sanctions be immediately lifted Humanitarian groups have assigned with protecting Balhaf Hadi alleged yesterday, urging “Two weeks ago, Yemen was dent also called on the rebel mili- when any deal is signed. struggled to deliver aid and said port, location of the country’s Shia rebels to sit down at the on the brink of the abyss,” Hadi tia to come to talks about the During his visit to Kazakhstan, yesterday that the situation in only gas export terminal, tribal negotiating table. wrote. “The unprecedented level Gulf country’s future. “It is not Zarif thanked President Aden was deteriorating rapidly. and military sources said. “My country, Yemen, is under of Arab and international sup- too late to stop the devastation of Nursultan Nazarbayev for sup- “Shops are closed. We have a prob- Soldiers from two army bri- siege by radical Houthi militia port brought us back from the my nation. The Houthis belong at porting international talks over a lem of food,” said Marie-Elisabeth gades based near the port in forces whose campaign of hor- edge,” he added. the negotiating table, not on the framework deal after two rounds Ingres, Yemen representative of Shabwa province have aban- ror and destruction is fuelled “The message they are send- battlefield terrorising their fellow of nuclear talks were held in the Doctors without Borders (MSF). doned their positions, and tribes- by the political and military ing is clear: Iran cannot con- citizens,” Hadi said. country in 2013. Metaz Al Maisuri, an activ- men who had besieged the bases support of an Iranian regime tinue expanding at the expense “Their ambition should be to Nazarbayev, whose country ist in Aden, said basic services advanced and seized heavy weap- obsessed with regional domina- of the integrity and security of establish a secure and stable shares a recently-completed 930km had ceased and there had been onry, the sources said. tion,” Hadi wrote in an op-ed in other countries in the region,” Yemen.” He maintained that rail link with Iran and mutual a “mass exodus” from the city. The bases are just a few kilome- the New York Times. Hadi added. He stressed he had Yemen should press ahead with neighbour Turkmenistan, congrat- Adwaa Mubarak, a 48-year-old tres from the gas plant, in which “There is no question that the asked for the coalition’s help, and implementing a new constitution ulated Zarif on the framework deal Aden resident, said: “We are France’s Total has an almost 40 chaos in Yemen has been driven warned “if the Houthis do not and transition to a new parlia- while acknowledging that “not all unable to leave our houses to percent interest. by Iran’s hunger for power and withdraw and disarm their militia ment representing both the north issues have been solved”. buy what we need because of the AFP its ambition to control the entire and rejoin the political dialogue, and south of the country. AFP AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Nigerian model Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

OR Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and its biggest oil exporter, this is a moment of pride and celebration. Amid doubts and fears, Muhammadu FBuhari, 72, has swept into power in a free, credible and largely peaceful presidential election. This has been Why Hillary would make rightly recorded as the first peaceful transition of power between political parties in the country’s post-colonial history. For a continent which is racked by violence, vote-rigging and coups, Nigeria has become an example, and it is a huge the perfect US president victory for democracy which has the potential to transform the country. First among those who deserve praise for this BY DEBORAH ORR why, if it helps so very much simply to wrong to believe that Clinton should peaceful transition is outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan be a member of certain families, such be president “just because she’s a who allowed a free and fair election. His stature rose with his ILLARY Clinton will be the advantage hasn’t thus far managed to woman”. No doubt many feminists are concession of defeat. An incumbent president, however weak youngest woman ever to be put any woman from one such a family troubled by the way that Clinton is fol- and inefficient, has huge resources at his disposal to rig or president of the United into the White House. lowing in footsteps trodden first by her manipulate an election and the fact that Jonathan chose to HStates if she makes it to the America does have a number of husband. No doubt many people would Oval Office. She’ll be less tainted by problems with lack of accessibility to prefer a candidate less steeped in what allow people to choose their leader is an indication of his faith the scandals and mistakes of previous public life. But the biggest one is that Nick Clegg was once able to call “the in democracy and his concern for the peace and stability of the administrations than any woman ever women have historically had no actual old politics”. But sometimes you have country. has been. She’ll be the first American access to the presidency at all – rich, to concede that monopolies are hard to Building on the historic presidential win, the party of president who has experienced child- poor, black, white, young, old, expe- break and that compromise is needed president-elect Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress birth, or even admitted to wearing a rienced or fresh. This problem needs if you hope to do so. (APC), has also won the governorship elections in a majority bra. She’ll be the first spouse to have sorting more urgently than any other. I’m troubled myself by all the issues followed her partner into office. She’ll Happily, the means by which the sort- I have listed above. I’ve never been of the country’s 36 states. The APC held at least 21 governor’s be the first president to have prompted ing can start have been, since Sunday, a big Hillary fan. I don’t expect her seats following Saturday’s regional polls but could add to that the need for an answer to the question: easily to hand. Nothing would break to be the best president ever. In my tally with results from a handful of states still pending. who is that guy then, if he isn’t the the male monopoly on the US presi- book, anything more than competence The peaceful elections in Nigeria have fuelled hopes in first lady? dency quite like a female president would be a bonus. But who knows how West Africa where a number of And that’s a question that needs would. Quite clearly. many times really wonderful presi- countries are going to the polls this answering. First But the plain truth is that it has dential minds have remained entirely Nigeria is lady? Eh? No proved impossible up until now for unrecognised because the bodies that year. Guinea, Togo, Ivory Coast and title could bet- a woman to be head of the US. (Or contained them also contained some witnessing the Burkina Faso, all with a history of ter advertise the “free world”, as they like, hypo- ovaries? Men and women must feel political violence or rocky transitions, the longstanding critically, to put it.) The US may have equally able to enter public life because first peaceful are due to hold presidential elections America does structural fact been offered a choice between a Bush it doubles the possibility that splendid this year. All these countries can that the White and a Clinton before. But they’ve leaders will emerge. That’s not femi- transition of have a number House is open never been offered a choice between nism. That’s probability. learn from Nigeria’s experience and power between only to men. The a man and a woman, let alone opted Gender bias – any identity bias – is the key lessons are: a strong electoral of problems idea is that any for the latter. Some Americans are a wanton waste of human potential. political parties commission that will not succumb to with lack of American can more free than others: which, in the The US has got to start somewhere in pressure and threats, pressure from be president. land of opportunity, is catastrophi- addressing its historic problem with in the country’s both citizens and Western observers, accessibility to The truth is that cally appalling, a huge, oppressive male hegemony and Clinton is the followed by strict monitoring of the when the found- stain on the world. one appointment that could kickstart post-colonial public life. But ing fathers came And I do mean the world. How the change most quickly and strongly. electoral process, and finally, the history. up with this can America complain about the That’s why the symbolic power of willingness of Goodluck Jonathan to the biggest one is lovely idea, what treatment of women in other coun- her appointment transcends all else. concede defeat. that women have they actually tries and cultures – which it does – Anyone who doesn’t understand that, The election in Nigeria is meant was that when its own democratic system is so in this one respect, Clinton is an abso- important not only for the country and the region, but the historically had any American of manifestly inadequate in this regard? lutely perfect presidential choice, is entire world because it’s home to Boko Haram, one of the the same sex as America’s biggest problem is that it simply refusing to acknowledge reality. no actual access they were could over-idealises its own perfection, and There is no perfect female candi- deadliest terrorist groups. The world expects Buhari to address be president. therefore believes that what it has to date and there’s no more time to wait this threat and root out Boko Haram. Expectations are high for to the presidency Their institu- offer is so perfectly precious that cor- for one. God knows, anyway, that the two reasons. First, he comes to the task with a clear and huge at all. tionalised sex- ners can be cut in inducting the rest US has long enough been happy to democratic mandate and his corruption-fighting credentials are ism has proved of the world into its joys. America still overlook its propensity for anointing sound. Secondly, he is a Muslim from the north and therefore enduring. kills and tortures because it believes imperfect males. There is no choice So, it’s inter- its moral authority is impregnable. between a woman laden with baggage well-positioned to lead the fight against Boko Haram. And as esting that so many people are fret- It’s quite astounding that a country and a woman unencumbered with it. a former general he commands respect in the military. We can ting now that United States politics that still refuses to be led by a person But there is an opportunity to signal only hope he succeeds. has become too elitist, too dynastic. who is a non-man believes that its own to all women, everywhere, that “any- He also needs to pull the country out of the economic Critics may complain that it’s grim pure and refined liberal democracy is one” can mean them. Hillary Clinton morass by restoring its once-healthy growth, by creating new that again Americans may well be ready to be gifted to the rest of the is still standing after all these years. jobs, by diversifying the oil-dependent economy and by rooting deciding between a Clinton and a globe. And that is good enough. Bush. But you do have to ask yourself No doubt many people consider it THE GUARDIAN out corruption. The other side Quote of Military exercises are not cause for concern the day HINA has resolved to build a countries. Such an allegation is both media on the drills conducted by the and air force sent ships and aircraft to stronger military to meet the groundless and biased. Chinese air force is ill-intentioned and the South China Sea and south Indian needs of safeguarding its Drills and training in airspace far off- aimed at misleading the international Ocean. This week, the country redi- Cland and people, as well as shore are a normal practice for coastal community. rected military vessels on escort and its growing interests overseas. But this countries seeking to improve the com- China not only needs to improve its patrol missions in the Gulf of Aden to There is no question legitimate and reasonable choice has bat capabilities of their air forces. own defense capabilities by conduct- evacuate hundreds of Chinese nation- incurred unnecessary concerns and Japanese fighter planes and surveil- ing military training and exercises far als, as well as about 200 Pakistanis that the chaos in even finger pointing from the outside lance aircraft frequently appear in the offshore, but has also been increasingly stranded in Yemen when the situation Yemen has been world. airspace over the west Pacific and East looked upon as an important force in there worsened. As soon as China’s military China Sea, while the US military often maintaining peace and stability in the To effectively shoulder more interna- driven by Iran’s announced that the People’s Liberation breaks past its “first island chain” to region and beyond. Under such a back- tional responsibilities, as advocated by hunger for power Army Air Force had for the first time enter the East and South China seas drop, it is only natural for the Chinese the United States and other countries completed a military drill in the air- and conduct exercises, training and naval and air forces to increase their in the world, China’s navy and air force and its ambition to space above the west Pacific Ocean surveillance. activities on the high seas. need to conduct training and exercises control the entire on Monday, Japanese media claimed Japanese and Western media never Last year, in the search and rescue on the high seas. The outside world it was a show of China’s air power make a fuss about these activities. operation for the missing Malaysian should look at this from the proper per- region. Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi and was directed against neighboring Therefore, the carping of Japanese Airlines Flight MH370, China’s navy spective. China Daily Yemeni President TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 ARAB VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 US protection helped the regime destroy Syria

A fence of lies has been erected If America wanted to bring by Bashar’s regime to hide the down the regime, it could have truth that has been uncovered to created a strong opposition Syrians and Arabs. quickly, as it did against Saddam Former Egyptian president Hussein in 2003, when it gathered Hosni Mubarak was ousted, and all Iraqi opposition members who he was a person considered by were wandering the streets of many to be a strategic ally of London, Damascus and Tehran America and Israel. In Syria, the in an urgent meeting in London, president and his “resistance” despite their huge ideological have fought the Syrian people for differences. four years and he is claiming a The secular agreed with the universal conspiracy against him! agenda of the atheists and the BY DR FAISAL AL The question is, who is the Salafis with the Shias; all that QASSEM real strategic ally of Zionists and happened within days for the sake imperialism, Mubarak or Bashar? of taking control of Iraq, so much he famous British leader No wonder the Israeli media has so that Nouri Al Maliki, an under- Winston Churchill said: described Bashar as the “king of wear seller in Damascus, went on “The truth is very pre- all Israel’s kings.” to become the prime minister of Tcious, that’s why we need Without American objections, Iraq. to fence it with lies.” the Syrian regime would have Obama claims that the Syrian It is clear that the Syrian fallen in a few months. I heard a opposition fighting Assad is a regime and the so-called resist- high-level Russian official say: “Do group of farmers and dentists, as if ance managed for years to hide not blame Russia. It is not pro- the Zapatista revolution in Mexico the truth with a flood of lies. At a tecting Assad through vetoes, it was not carried out by farmers time when the world was hearing is the three American objections, and poor peasants and the Cuban noisy talk of anti-Semitism and not the four Russian vetoes that revolution against Batista was not imperialism, the Syrian regime have to be questioned.” led by doctors! was totally submissive to the The first American objection It is no longer a secret that American administration and the prevented the opposition from without American support the Zionists. getting anti-aircraft weapons that Assad regime could not have Once, a high-level American could have targeted aircraft that survived. Former US secretary People inspect a destroyed building following a reported air strike by government forces on the rebel held area official was asked: “Aren’t you have destroyed most Syrian cities of state Madeleine Albright was annoyed with the propaganda and dropped explosive barrels that in the east of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo the first international official to against America that the Syrian have killed hundreds of thousands meet the Syrian president before media promotes?” He replied: “We and displaced millions. displaced persons and refugees to war as a way to escape the truth entered Jordan? The late the official announcement of his don’t care about what the Syrian However, the American objec- around 13 million. and draw political benefits from American president Richard inauguration as a successor to his media promotes, but about what tion was not hidden behind false Almost half of the Syrian the situation. Nixon wrote in his diaries that: father Hafez Al Assad in 2000. the regime does for us. When we pretexts. America refused to pro- people have been forced to wan- The most outstanding example “During the entire week after If Bashar did not have inter- ask the regime to do something vide the Syrians with any kind of der around inside their country is that Obama has hastened to put the Syrian forces entered Jordan, national support, he would not for us, let’s say 40 percent, we weapons. What is more dangerous or in neighbouring countries. opposition groups on lists of ter- I could not sleep till I received a have committed atrocities against find the next day that it has done and far worse is that it prevented Thousands have drowned while rorist groups while at the same call from King Hussein telling me the Syrians without being held 100 percent. This means that the all countries sympathetic to the migrating by sea, been burned by time turning a blind eye to the that the Syrian forces had begun accountable. regime is always giving us more Syrian people from providing explosive barrels or tortured to other parties that engage in vio- to withdraw from Jordanian lands. History will record that all fas- than what we expect.” them weapons. death in detention camps. lence and extremism in supporting That night I played the piano and cist regimes committed unprec- One day, the Syrian president The second and the most seri- While all this was happening, the regime, like the military wing slept deeply for the first time in edented crimes and all were given was riding in his car and his ous objection was the objection of Obama, “the close friend” of the of the Lebanese party Hezbollah, a while.” the green light by America. No driver asked: “Are we going right the American administration to Syrian people, could simply have Abu Al Fadl Abbas, Asaib Al Hag, So why did America ignore the regime in the world could have or left, Mr President?” He replied, creating a green zone inside the used international laws related to and the Iranian military, political intervention of the Revolutionary done what Assad is doing if it “Go right,” but moved his hand to country that could help Syrian protection of civilians during war and financial intervention, and the Guards and Pakistani, Afghan, really opposed the US. the left. democratic forces meet in a safe to create a green zone under the militias with fighters from various Lebanese, Iraqi and Yemeni mili- The Syrian regime and its pro- Over the past four years, which environment and discuss the protection of the United Nations. countries committing atrocities tias in Syria? Isn’t it because moters have publicly attacked the is the age of the Syrian revolu- major Syrian issues. This could We all remember the green against the Syrian people. there is an American blessing to “creative American chaos” more tion, the regime gave us a head- also have helped the armed groups zones established in the 1990s in When America and Israel allow support the commander’s alleged than anyone else, but as we can ache as it complained all the time get together and unify. Such a the north and south of Iraq and Shia militias led by Iran to inter- resistance? see from the atrocities and insta- about the “universal conspiracy” green zone could have allowed other such zones established in fere in Syria and fight in their If Israel really wanted to bring bility of the entire region, it is the against it led by Zionists and millions of civilians who fled the the Balkans. tens of thousands alongside the down the Assad regime, it would de facto leader of the project of America. The regime has taken a war to live normal lives away from The third objection, and the regime’s forces on Israel’s borders, have been best to do so during the chaos. harsh stand against Syria’s peo- destruction and death. most dangerous one, too has not what can we understand from that revolution, when it has become With such contractors on the ple, claiming that this is its way But despite urgent calls from been announced. It is represented except that Israel and America very weak. This is in case it rep- ground, why would America need of fighting the “conspiracy.” many Syrian and international by Obama’s refusal to recognise want to support the regime in its resents a threat to Israel. Instead, other contractors? If there really was a “conspiracy” groups, the American objec- the revolution of the Syrian peo- fight against the opposition? Israel has left Assad untouched The author is a columnist against Bashar Al Assad’s regime, tions remained. The result was ple. Instead there has been talk Didn’t America get alerted and protected him in the deci- and presenter on Al Jazeera TV it wouldn’t have lasted long. an increase in the number of of violence, extremism and civil in 1970 when the Syrian army sion-making circles in America. channel Iran’s designs must be thwarted Gulf suffers demographic shocks from regional wars aware of what that means. Truly, our countries shouldn’t The actions of Iran and its Houthi forget that the reason behind the ll citizens, especially the poor, cherish their home- soldiers in the cities and villages of destruction of Yemen is our trust in land, but some Syrians are deprived of such a for- Yemen are meant to impose a new real- a criminal like Saleh and his support- Atune. In large areas of Syria, administrative control ity on the ground by supporting tribes, ers, which in turn emboldened the has repeatedly moved from one faction in the civil war to Yemeni parties and what remains of Houthis to turn large parts of Yemen another. At one point in time people are ruled by the Free the Yemeni army. They are meant to into a country of gangsters, looters Syrian Army, then Assad’s army takes over, and all of a form a parallel entity that can turn the and settlers of accounts. sudden it’s the Nusra Front that has control. The Al Hazm tables on its rivals. Our countries should look for real opposition party and many others are also trying to gain The Arab Gulf alliance has a lot of and stable options and then they will be power, while waiting to finalise an agreement with their tools and weapons that have not been able to control the situation and pre- big boss, the Islamic State. used yet. vent any recurrence of this miserable Many Syrians have left their homeland due to the hard- Limited intervention on the ground, experience. ships, to find shelter in Jordanian, Lebanese, Turkish and BY DR IBRAHIM AL SHIEKH marine supplies and continued military The speech of the Custodian of the Egyptian camps under the UN High Commissioner for and logistical support to Yemeni tribes Two Holy Mosques at the recent Arab Refugees (UNHCR). It seems the Syrian refugees will BY DR ZAFER re you surprised that the and parties will cut off Iran’s arm in summit was remarkable as it reflected eventually reach the Gulf countries in order to complete the MOHAMMED AL AJMI Republican Guard troops and a Yemen, which will drive the Iranian how he is aware of the threats to this list and experience all the different types of Arab regimes. Alarge part of the army of Yemen snakes back to their holes. nation. So why have the Gulf countries been added to the list of are not true Yemeni soldiers but work They will continue to rearrange their How remarkable was the speech hosts of Syrian refugees although they are not Syria’s neighbours and there are many other for ousted president Ali Abdullah front lines, and Operation Decisive of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin alternatives? Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon have built many camps for Syrians with help from Saleh? Storm must be extended to reach all Hamad Al Thani about the unjust siege UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration. We were late in addressing the situ- the Iranian arms that were involved in of Gaza! Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, warned on February 27, 2015 ation in Yemen, and I believe that will spilling the blood of Syrians and Iraqis. How remarkable was the firm that the Syrian crisis was on the edge of a whirlpool due to the harsh circumstances Syrian cost us a lot. Iran, on the other hand, It is time for our countries to start response of Saud Al Faisal to the rav- refugees were living in, in the region’s countries. has been preparing to leash us and bap- a real project to protect Arab interests ings of the Russian president on Syria! The hosting communities are exhausted, therefore Syrian refugees must be allowed to live tise Sana’a, which is the fourth Arab in Iran. There is Ahvaz, an Arab area, As a nation we can change many in the Gulf countries to relieve the pressure on Syria’s neighbours. capital to fall to them after Baghdad, with both Sunni and Shia inhabitants, unfair equations in this world if we The UN High Commissioner for Refugees doesn’t know that we are not ready for his pro- Beirut and Damascus. who are fed up with what Iran is doing want to. posal to resettle Syrians in the Gulf, and there are many reasons for that. Operation Decisive Storm was to them, from discrimination to sectar- The author is a columnist and The UN High Commissioner doesn’t know that we have experienced economic, cultural and launched to give back the pulse to ian cleansing. researcher demographic shocks during each regional war. Our Palestinian brothers have resided in the Gulf the heart of a nation that is moaning to continue their resistance and eventually return home; fighting the settlement projects the because of wounds caused either by Zionists are diligently working on to move Palestinians out of their lands into Arab countries. foreign plots, internal conspiracies or We still remember the Rafha camp built in Saudi Arabia for Iraqi refugees that hosted a shortage of trustworthy people. around 38,000 refugees between 1991 and 2008. It was one of the best camps in the world, One does not need to be reminded and the UNHCR at that time described it as a seven-star hotel compared to other camps that the air strikes have hit and will around the globe. hit many targets, such as the head- But this did not stop Iraqi intelligence agents from causing confusion and riots there, and quarters of the Houthi leadership, the they even burnt the Islamic Relief Organisation’s headquarters in the camp. forces in favour of the ousted president, The passiveness of Western militaries has led to political monotony. The West continues his rocket launchers, a large number to deceive the Arab conscience and weaken opposition to alternatives that do not serve the of weapons and Mig aircraft, ballistic Syrian people. missile stores, and other targets. This The proposal to resettle Syrians in the Gulf countries is a polite suggestion for additional will put an end to most of the firepower suffering. The Syrians to be resettled in the Gulf are Sunnis. This will empty Syria of Sunnis, of Iran’s allies. which will lead to a state of balanced minorities instead of having one majority sect, the Sunnis. One also does not need to be This step will benefit Assad at this stage, and of course benefit the Zionists, who want Shia, reminded that air strikes cannot end Christian, Kurdish and Alawite cantons in Syria that will create a balance with Sunnis. the war; therefore Operation Decisive Half solutions will block the liberation of the Syrian people and increase their suffering. The Storm is not everything. Gulf countries do their best to support the Syrians in good as well as bad times. The number It is an ongoing process to track of Syrians living in the Gulf before the crisis is the best proof of that. This should stop the and destroy the Iranian weapons that UN from presenting a bad image for the Gulf. were shipped to Sana’a day and night. I praise the decision-makers in the Gulf for taking the right measures in dealing with this This process cannot stop because that crisis. will allow the Houthis to regroup. The meeting of donors held in Kuwait on March 31, 2015 will help stabilise the situation This is what Tehran is seek- A Saudi soldier at a look-out point on Al Dokhan mountain on the Saudi-Yemeni in the countries that are receiving refugees, which will, in turn, stop moves to resettle them ing through its statements call- border, in southwestern Saudi Arabia. in the Gulf. ing for dialogue; they are fully The author is CEO of Gulf Monitoring Group TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Blast, fierce clashes rock Aleppo base Attacks force rebels to shut schools

BEIRUT: Al Qaeda’s Syrian base, but said that regime forces Earlier, the city’s rebel educa- affiliate led a fierce assault on an had “blocked the assault, and that tion authority called on schools intelligence base in Aleppo city all was quiet now”. and teaching centres in opposi- yesterday night after regime A witness living in regime-con- tion-controlled areas to suspend attacks on civilian infrastruc- trolled areas of Aleppo city said he classes until the end of the week, ture in the city forced rebels to heard a “huge boom” followed by according to a statement distrib- shut schools. sounds of gunfire. There were no uted by the Observatory. Along with other Islamist immediate reports of casualties. It said the decision was made militants, the Al Nusra Front Abdel Rahman said the mili- “out of concern for the safety set off a large tunnel explosion tants fired mortar rounds at gov- of students and teachers” after near the air force intelligence ernment forces after the blast, an air strike on a school in the headquarters in the west of the and the loyalists retaliated while city’s east on Sunday killed five northern city. regime aircraft pounded rebel children, three female teach- Rami Abdel Rahman, head positions. ers and a man. Bloodstains and of the Britain-based Syrian Just over a month ago, doz- debris marked the entrances of Observatory for Human Rights, ens of people were killed when the bombed-out school, and bro- said the “huge blast” was followed Al Nusra and other rebel groups ken desks and glass were strewn Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir casts his ballot in Khartoum yesterday. by “intense clashes” as the rebels used similar tactics to attack the across classroom floors. tried to storm the base. same intelligence headquarters, An opposition activist at the He said government forces had first detonating a tunnel explosion Aleppo Media Centre said that Sudan votes amid oppn boycott been able to prevent the rebels and then attacking regime forces. 135 schools and markets in rebel- from entering the headquarters, Setting off explosives at the end held parts of the city were closed but that the fighting was ongoing. of tunnels dug into government- “until further notice”. KHARTOUM: Sudanese vot- and killing. Thank God we have many people who do not agree with A Syrian security official con- controlled areas has become a “People are more afraid than ers headed to the polls in sparse avoided that,” said local govern- it. He is the only candidate who has firmed that there had been an favoured tactic of Syria’s rebels, usual and there are dozens of numbers yesterday at the start ment official Nadia Ahmed, 55, an opportunity to win,” he said. explosion in a tunnel near the especially in Aleppo. families who have fled to refugee of a three-day election boycotted voting in the capital. He was speaking at a polling camps in Turkey or are inter- by the main opposition parties, Those boycotting the vote say station in Khartoum where up to nally displaced in Aleppo,” the with President Omar Hassan Al a clamp down on the opposition two dozen people were waiting to activist said. Bashir on course to extend his and civil society has created an vote. Of several polling stations Regime aircraft also struck a quarter century in power. impossible environment to com- in the capital, it was the only one rebel warehouse storing baking The presidential and parlia- pete against Bashir, who has ruled with any significant activity. Bashir flour and humanitarian assistance mentary elections are the first since a 1989 Islamist and army- voted close to his residential com- in east Aleppo, the Observatory since Sudan saw its south secede backed coup. pound early on Monday, encircled said. The strike destroyed several in 2011, losing a third of its land The boycott means voters are by heavy security. He waved to sup- hundred tonnes of flour that were and nearly all of its oil production. left to choose between Bashir’s porters who shouted “God is great- to have been distributed among Bashir has cast himself as a National Congress Party and a est” as he cast his ballot. bakeries in rebel-held parts of guarantor of stability as his secu- handful of relatively new groups. “We’ve seen no posters for any- the city. rity forces tackle insurgencies in Government critics say these form one besides Bashir. We don’t even Pictures published by the the western territory of Darfur a token opposition that does not know who the rest are,” said NCP Observatory showed flour spill- and along the border with South differ from the NCP on core issues. supporter Abdelaziz Al Hasan, 72, ing out of shredded bags, mixing Sudan. He has warned against a The European Union, which at a polling station in the capital with sand and debris from the air change in government while the observed the more widely con- where there were only two other strike. wider region is embroiled in vio- tested election in 2010, criticised voters. “Why vote for someone Other regime air attacks on the lence from Libya to Yemen. the political environment ahead new and weak when this govern- city killed seven people, includ- His campaign speeches have of the polls. Sami Abdullah, an ment is going to fix relations with ing a father and his two children. also addressed improving the official in the Democratic Unionist Saudi, bring some Gulf money in?” Abdel Rahman said that the economy, in which inflation and Party, which is taking part, saw little In a move that could unlock A Syrian boy mourns in the rubble of a building following a reported air strike Syrian regime’s aerial campaign unemployment remain high. hope for Bashir’s opponents. Initial investment, Sudan has said it by government forces on the rebel held area in the east of the northern against rebel-held areas of Aleppo “The elections are better than results are expected in the days after will join a Saudi-led military cam- had intensified significantly. what is happening elsewhere in the polls shut. “President Bashir is paign against Iran-backed Houthi Syrian city of Aleppo yesterday. AFP the region. Look at the death going to win despite the fact that rebels in Yemen. REUTERS

Security boosted in Tripoli as HRW slams ‘abuse’ of Palestinian children on settler farms JERUSALEM: A rights group profiting from rights abuses pesticides with “little protection”, “If they’d show me a farmer “supplied Palestinian workers to factions seek yesterday slammed the alleged against Palestinian children,” it said. employing a child, I’d report it settlers.” HRW also called on the abuse of Palestinian children HRW’s Middle East director HRW urged Israel to ban to police immediately.” Elhayani US and Europe to exclude settle- outside help working on Israeli settlement Sarah Leah Whitson said. employment of Palestinian chil- said it was simply not worth it ment produce from the prefer- farms in the occupied West “Children from communities dren on settlements in areas the for Jordan Valley farmers to hire ential tariffs provided to Israeli TRIPOLI: Authorities in the Bank. impoverished by Israel’s discrimi- Jewish state controls. minors due to the relative complex- export products. Libyan capital vowed yester- Hundreds of children, some as nation and settlement policies are “Israeli labour laws prohibit ity of the agricultural work there. “Europe is a significant export day to boost security after twin young as 11, have been working dropping out of school and taking youth from carrying heavy loads, A farmer would also lose his market for settlement agricul- attacks on foreign embassies but for low wages and in “hazard- on dangerous work because they working in high temperatures, exporting license if he were caught tural products, and some products warned that a lack of interna- ous” conditions on settler farms feel they have no alternatives, and working with hazardous pes- employing a minor, Elhayani said. are exported to the US. “The EU tional recognition was hinder- in the Israeli-occupied sector of while Israel turns a blind eye.” ticides, but Israel has not applied He did however acknowledge has moved to exclude Israeli set- ing their fight against jihadists. the Jordan Valley, Human Rights The report, based on the these laws to protect Palestinian there are “Palestinian contractors tlement products from the prefer- The appeal came as political Watch said in a 74-page report. accounts of 38 Palestinian chil- children working in its settle- who come for very specific jobs ential tariff treatment it provides party leaders and activists gath- The head of the Jordan Valley’s dren and 12 adults working on ments,” the New York-based for a short period of time, when to Israeli goods... but (member ered in the Algerian capital for a settler community dismissed the settler farms, said that minors watchdog said. increased manpower is needed.” “If states) have not instructed busi- new round of UN-mediated peace report outright as “lies”. The sometimes worked more than 60 The head of Israel’s settler com- some child infiltrates (works on a nesses to end” trade with settle- talks aimed at reaching an accord report, entitled Ripe for Abuse, hours a week in hot temperatures munity in the Jordan Valley dis- farm through a contractor), I have ment-based entities, it said. to end the chaos and violence at added that Europe and the US picking and spraying vegetables. missed the report. “They’ve made no way of knowing,” he said, stress- “The US in practice continues home. were significant export markets Many suffered cuts and injuries up lies. The entire goal of this ing that no Jordan Valley farmers to grant preferential treatment Libya’s controversial army for agricultural produce grown on from sharp knives and machinery, organisation (HRW) is to sully directly employed minors. to Israeli settlement products chief, Khalifa Haftar, visited Israeli settlement farms. and some suffered from vomit- Israel’s image,” David Elhayani, HRW said that in at least one under the US-Israel Free Trade Jordan where King Abdullah II “Israel’s settlements are ing and dizziness after spraying himself a former farmer, said. case, a Palestinian middleman had Agreement.” AFP pledged Amman’s support in his fight against Islamist “terrorists” in the east of the country. Since a 2011 revolt that toppled Lebanon civil war anniversary dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been politically divided, with Iraq PM to ask US for two governments and two parlia- ments, as armed groups battle for its oil wealth and cities. Most of the international com- more arms deliveries munity recognises the govern- ment and parliament based in BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime decline in oil prices and the cost of the eastern city of Tobruk. A rival Minister Haider Al Abadi said its war against the Islamic State administration in Tripoli emerged yesterday that he will use a visit (IS) jihadist group. The United after Islamist-backed militias to the United States to seek States is leading an international seized the capital last August. increased air support and arms coalition waging a campaign of air Feeding on the chaos, the deliveries to aid Baghdad’s bat- strikes against IS and also provid- Islamic State jihadist group which tle against jihadists. ing arms and training for Iraqi holds chunks of Syria and Iraq “Number one is a marked security forces. has gained a foothold in the North increase in the air campaign and The jihadist group led an offen- African country, where its has the delivery of arms,” Abadi told sive that overran large parts of Iraq claimed several deadly attacks. journalists when asked what he last June. Multiple Iraqi divisions Gunmen opened fire on South wants during a visit to Washington, collapsed in the early days of the Korea’s embassy compound from where he is to meet President militant onslaught, but Iraqi forces a passing car on Sunday, kill- Barack Obama today. There has and allied paramilitaries have since ing two Libyans and wound- already been an increase, “but we succeeded in retaking significant ing a third. Hours later, a bomb want to see more”, he said before territory from IS. However, large exploded outside the Moroccan boarding his plane. parts of two provinces — Nineveh embassy, causing no casualties but Abadi also said that “we want in the north and Anbar in the west damaging cars, a security official. strict measures to stop the flow — remain under IS control. Both attacks were claimed by of foreign terrorists to Iraq”, and The latest victory came earlier the Tripolitania branch of IS. “We that international efforts are this month when Iraqi security will strike with an iron fist the needed to curb oil and antiquities and allied paramilitary forces dens of terrorists and all those smuggling, by which the jihadists retook most of Tikrit from jihad- who undermine security in the A Lebanese student writes on a wall during an event to mark the 40th anniversary of Lebanon’s civil war (1975- gain funding. ists. The operation lasted a month capital,” Mahmud Abdulaziz, a 1990) along a street of Beirut’s former green-line yesterday. The students wrote on the walls slogans expressing He is expected to ask that Iraq and was slowed by a reluctance member of the Tripoli-based par- their wishes for a bright future in Lebanon away from the tragedies of the civil war. be allowed to defer payment for among the main players in the liament, said. arms purchases, given its major anti-IS camp to work, or be seen AFP shortage of funds because of a as working, together. AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 French MPs France’s Le debate digital spying laws

Pen pulls out PARIS: More than three months after Islamist attacks in Paris that killed 17, French MPs yesterday began debating controversial new laws allow- of elections ing spies to hoover up data from suspected jihadists. The draft laws have sparked Far-right party feud snowballs a firestorm of protest from rights groups, which charge they PARIS: Jean-Marie assertion that the Nazi infringe on individuals’ privacy. Le Pen (pictured), gas chambers were a But Prime Minister Manuel founder of France’s “detail of history”. Valls said that to compare the National Front (FN), He then followed draft legislation to the “Patriot pulled out of regional that up with a defence Act” mass surveillance introduced elections yesterday of France’s World in the United States after the 9/11 and anointed his War II leader Philippe attacks was a “lie.” granddaughter in his Petain, who collabo- Valls himself presented the leg- place, after a fierce rated with the Nazis. islation in the National Assembly public spat with his This appeared to or lower house of parliament — a daughter who now be the last straw for sign of the importance the gov- leads the far-right Marine, who accused ernment attaches to the bill. party. her father of committing “politi- “It is high time that France The move promises to ease cal suicide” and said she would not had a legal framework similar to tensions both within the Le Pen support his standing in regional that which exists in most Western family and the anti-European, elections in December. countries,” said Valls. anti-immigration FN, which has After days of sniping that Firefighters search for the body of an elderly woman, who was presumably killed in the fire, amid the debris of He alluded to last week’s hack enjoyed considerable electoral have dominated the headlines in her house in the settlement of Shyra, in Khakassia region of Siberia, yesterday. of TV5Monde, when self-pro- success in recent years as Marine France, Le Pen senior appeared to claimed cyberjihadists claiming Le Pen seeks to clean up its racist fall on his sword yesterday. links to the Islamic State group and anti-Semitic image. In a statement, he said he would shut down the station and took The 86-year-old party founder not be party to a “serious crisis” over their social networks. told the Le Figaro magazine he that has hit the FN because of his Siberia wildfires claim 26 lives This attack “didn’t kill anyone would not be standing in the recent comments. but it did intend to hurt us,” said southeast of France in December The interviews “do not justify MOSCOW: Twenty-six peo- people suspected of setting dry A total of 77 people were Valls. “Freedom of information, elections even though “I think I the racket that has been set off ple died and nearly a thou- grass alight and strong winds and hospitalised, a spokeswoman of expression, of opinion — and was the best candidate for the in our ranks which could weaken sand sought medical treatment warm temperatures then causing for regional authorities, Irina therefore democracy — have been National Front”. our movement to a dangerous after wildfires blamed on reck- the fire to spread. Emelianova, told AFP earlier in attacked ... it’s a global threat we Asked who should stand in degree,” he said. less human behaviour swept “This fire would not have the day. have to face up to,” the prime his place, he anointed his grand- Jean-Marie Le Pen had previ- through Siberia, Russian happened if no one played with Eight of those hospitalised were minister stressed. daughter Marion Marechal-Le ously said that he would not go authorities said yesterday. matches,” said deputy emergencies in critical condition. The text enjoys support from Pen, a rising star in the party quietly, accusing his daughter of Some 5,000 rescue workers bat- minister Alexander Chupriyan, “We have never had this both main parties and is therefore with views considered more con- “shooting herself in the foot”. tled through the night to contain referring to the inferno that before,” Emelianova said, refer- certain to be adopted when depu- servative than Marine’s. His anointed successor Marion the blazes in the Khakassia region ripped through Khakassia on ring to the scale of the disaster. ties vote on May 5. “If she accepts, I think she had kept a studious silence on the of southeastern Siberia, where 23 Sunday, where temperatures hit More than 30 villages have been The new law allows authorities would head a very good list (of squabbles although she did voice people died, said investigators. 25 degrees Celsius. affected, she added. Some 5,000 to spy on the digital and mobile candidates). She is certainly the disagreement with her grandfa- Fires also raged in eastern “And it was adults and not chil- people had been left homeless, communications of anyone linked best,” he told the magazine. ther’s Holocaust comments. Siberia, claiming three lives dren who did this.” including 1,000 children. to a “terrorist” enquiry without Marion, a telegenic blonde In an interview with Le Figaro including that of a three-year- State television said the fires Regional authorities reported prior authorisation from a judge, 25-year-old who is France’s yesterday, she said she had not old girl, authorities in the Chita were so intense they could be seen large livestock losses as a result and forces Internet Service youngest member of parlia- wanted to add to “the escalation region told AFP. from space, on satellite images, of the blaze. Providers (ISPs) and phone ment, confirmed she would in comments I felt were harmful The Kremlin said President and that the flames reached about At least 700 cattle and some companies to give up data upon stand in the election. “She’ll go to the harmony of our movement.” Vladimir Putin was person- three meters in some places. 3,000 sheep had perished, they request. for it,” her press officer Arnaud She added she had seen her ally coordinating the emergency A senior medical official, said in a statement, expressing Intelligence services will have Stephan told AFP. Le Pen sen- grandfather on Friday, and had response. Natalya Kogan, told reporters concern that surviving cattle had the right to place cameras and ior incurred his daughter’s wrath been surprised by his move to The authorities blamed the that more than 900 people sought no grass to graze on. recording devices in private earlier this month by repeating an ease tensions. AFP fire on human carelessness, with medical help in Khakassia. AFP dwellings and install “keylogger” devices that record every key stroke on a targeted computer. The authorities will be able to keep recordings for a month, and metadata for five years. Polish ‘prince’ challenges UKIP leader to sword fight The MP who drafted the law, Jean-Jacques Urvoas, noted that France is the “only Western LONDON: A man claiming country”. “Enough is enough, Mr sure we could find one if we had Farage said: “UKIP has never said immigration, reflecting voters’ democracy” without a precisely to be a Polish prince yester- Farage,” he added. “I’m offering to. But I’m not intending to accept anyone should leave the coun- deep concerns over the issue and defined legal framework for its day challenged the leader of a duel.” London-based Zylinski, the offer.” try, so the question is entirely the rising popularity of UKIP. surveillance operations. Britain’s anti-immigration UK who said his father led a cav- “I would have thought that a baseless. The Movement Against This means French intelligence Independence Party to a sword alry charge against the Germans Polish prince with a long Polish “If there’s no British person Xenophobia group secured over agents are operating in a legal duel in London’s Hyde Park in 1939, said that if Farage was lineage would rather agree with trained to do that job, then that £54,000 through capital raising “grey zone,” opening them up to ahead of next month’s general against the idea, or if his “sword me that it’s a complete tragedy for says more about us than them.” website Crowdfunder, and hopes legal challenges, said Urvoas. election. was a bit rusty” than they could Poland that it’s lost so many of its Meanwhile, hundreds of post- to use the money to “change the A poll published on Sunday Brandishing a sabre, Yanek instead engage in a televised ver- brightest and best young people,” ers featuring immigrants in key political rhetoric” through the showed that nearly two-thirds Zylinski laid down the gaunt- bal joust. added Farage. everyday jobs appeared around poster campaign across Britain’s of French people were in favour let to Nigel Farage in a Youtube Farage, who was campaigning During his walkabout, Farage Britain yesterday as part of a transport networks. of restricting freedoms in the video, saying he had “had enough in Essex, east of London, turned met Ivan Loncsarevity, 62, a crowd-funded campaign ahead Each poster features one of 15 name of fighting terrorism. Only of discrimination against Polish down the offer. Hungarian factory worker of the May 7 vote. migrants in occupations ranging 32 percent of those surveyed in people” and that he would fight “It is an impressive sword,” he Asked whether Loncsarevity Britain’s leading parties have from firefighter to union leader. the CSA poll for Atlantico said in “defence of my people in this said. “I don’t have one but I’m should be working in the UK, recently taken a tougher line on AFP they were opposed to freedoms being reduced. AFP Ministers meet German literary GOP’s Rubio joins US presidential race amid shaky giant Gunter WASHINGTON: US interest but little else — several Ukraine truce Democrats have their 2016 pres- more Republicans are consider- Grass dies at 87 idential frontrunner in Hillary ing jumping into the fray, includ- BERLIN: The French, German, Clinton, but the Republican ing Wisconsin Governor Scott Russian and Ukranian foreign BERLIN: Germany’s Nobel- field remains wide open — and it Walker and former Texas gover- ministers met to review a shaky winning author, Gunter Grass, got even wider yesterday, with nor Rick Perry. ceasefire in separatist-held east who acted as a moral compass first-term Senator Marco Rubio Should Bush, the son and Ukraine yesterday as surging for many in the postwar nation joining the race. brother of two former presi- fighting around hotspots put but later provoked criticism Rubio — a Florida lawmaker dents, enter the race as expected, fresh pressure on the accord. over his own World War II past, and son of immigrants from Cuba his duel against fellow Floridian The four gathered in Berlin for died yesterday aged 87, his pub- who is equally at ease discussing Rubio could be one of the more evening talks to assess progress in lishers said. foreign policy, deficit reduction, compelling narratives of the 2016 the truce deal agreed in February The writer, one of Germany’s his family’s compelling narrative campaign. between the Ukraine government most influential if controversial or hip-hop music — was scheduled Rubio, who often casts his per- and pro-Russian rebels to end a intellectual figures, died in a to make a “huge announcement” sonal arc as the embodiment of conflict that has killed more than hospital in the northern city of at 6pm (2200 GMT) in Miami. the “American Dream”, wants to 6,000 people over the past year. Luebeck, the Steidl publishing But hours before he was take voters beyond the dynastic At stake for Moscow is the eas- house said. expected to officially launch his Bush-Clinton dynamic that has ing of punishing Western sanctions Grass achieved world fame with campaign and cast himself as ruled US politics for much of the introduced as separatist insur- his debut and best-known novel the next-generation candidate, last quarter century. gents, allegedly operating with “The Tin Drum” in 1959, quickly in contrast with Clinton and He and his team have tele- Russian military assistance, seized followed by “Cat and Mouse” and mentor-turned-rival Jeb Bush, graphed some of Rubio’s themes control of a swathe of territory in “Dog Years”, all dealing with the the 43-year-old Rubio told major for last night’s event in Miami, the east. German Foreign Minister rise of Nazism in his city of birth, donors on a conference call notably that he is the candidate Frank-Walter Steinmeier admitted Danzig, now Gdansk in Poland. that he is in, the Miami Herald for a “new American century.” the situation remained fragile. He pressed Germany for dec- reported. Youthful, charismatic, and He said the Berlin talks were ades to face up to its Nazi past, He joins two other Republican articulate on several issues, aimed at shoring up “a certain winning the Nobel Prize for first-term senators who are Rubio hopes to transcend the calming of eastern Ukraine” in Literature in 1999, when the already running: Ted Cruz of Republican Party’s reputation the last two months while moving Swedish Academy said his “frol- Texas, who like Rubio is Cuban- for difficulty in connecting with forward with a political process icsome black fables portray the American, and libertarian-lean- young, Hispanic or African- laid out in the agreement reached forgotten face of history”. ing Rand Paul from Kentucky. American voters. in the Belarussian capital Minsk. Chancellor Angela Merkel led While Clinton has few seri- Rubio, who is hawkish on The results of the talks in tributes to Grass, who was also a ous challengers from within her foreign policy, is a Tea Party Berlin will be discussed at a poet, playwright and sculptor, and A file picture of US Republican Senator from Florida Marco Rubio waving party — Vice President Joe Biden favourite with potential to draw meeting of G7 foreign ministers was often seen puffing on his pipe. after speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference and former Maryland governor conservative votes. in Luebeck today and tomorrow. AFP (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland, on February 27. Martin O’Malley have expressed AFP AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Chinese sea China limits reclamation damaged reefs: mainlanders’ Philippines MANILA: China has wrought widespread environmental damage in the South China Sea visit to HK with its construction of artifi- cial islands on disputed reefs, the Philippines said yesterday. Guests empty Hong Kong shops The construction works have destroyed 300 acres of coral reefs, HONG KONG: Beijing has also push up prices, increase delays resulting in an estimated $100m scrapped unlimited entry at border crossings, clog up public in annual economic losses to to Hong Kong for mainland transport, and behave badly. coastal states, Philippine foreign Chinese visitors whose vora- China’s state-run Xinhua news affairs spokesman Charles Jose cious shopping for everything agency said yesterday the policy said. from baby milk powder to arose from concerns over “grow- Three hundred acres is roughly iPhones has emptied stores and ing pressure” on the city’s bor- three times the size of Vatican stoked bitter resentment in the der due to a surging number of City. protest-hit city. travellers. “China’s massive reclamation Tension remains high in the Leung admitted the move activities are causing irreversible southern Chinese city after two would not completely end paral- and widespread damage to the months of pro-democracy street lel trading, because Hong Kong biodiversity and ecological bal- rallies were cleared in December residents may become parallel ance of the South China Sea/West with no sign of concessions from traders, adding the government Philippine Sea,” Jose said. the authorities. would continue to crack down on He also accused China of tol- An influx of millions of illegal activities. A Bangladeshi vendor sleeps at the wholesale central Kawran Bazaar in Dhaka yesterday during a strike called by erating environmentally harmful Chinese visitors to Hong Kong Hong Kong has a separate cus- Jamaat-e-Islami to protest against its leader’s execution for war crimes during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. methods among its fishermen in has become the latest source of toms jurisdiction from mainland Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing strain, prompting protests by res- China, which imposes tariffs on ground that it has controlled since idents who are hostile to China’s foreign imports. Two killed in Bangladesh protest 2012, following a tense maritime increasing influence. The protests Concern over how retailers standoff with the Philippines. have led to clashes with police and may be affected dragged some Satellite photos from the arrests. share prices down yesterday. DHAKA: Two student activ- Kamaruzzaman was convicted has seen Islamists and the main US-based Center for Strategic “Anything that increases ten- Pro-business lawmaker Jeffrey ists have been shot dead in of overseeing a massacre during opposition party launch nation- and International Studies (CSIS) sion between Hong Kong and Lam Kin-fung said plenty of Bangladesh, police said yes- the 1971 war of independence wide protests to try to topple released last week also showed a mainland society is not tolerated,” small businesses may also suffer. terday, as the largest Islamist from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. flotilla of Chinese vessels dredging city leader Leung Chun-ying said “Several thousand people may lose party tried to enforce a nation- Jamaat has condemned the In 2013 hundreds of Jamaat sand onto Mischief Reef — which yesterday as he confirmed a limit their jobs,” he said late yesterday. wide strike to protest at the execution as “political murder” activists were killed when the is claimed by Manila. on the number of visits which But a resident of Sheung Shui, execution of a senior leader. and says the government is more party held a series of nation- Jose said this highlighted the mainlanders from Shenzhen can one of the city’s border towns, There were also reports of interested in mounting a witch- wide protests against trials of speed of China’s massive recla- make. welcomes the policy: “They (par- protesters firebombing vehicles hunt against its opponents than its leaders by the tribunal, which mation which threatens to dilute Mainland authorities have now allel traders from mainland) around the country as tensions in justice. was established by Hasina’s rival claims of smaller govern- stopped visas that allow residents are always pushing their carts ran high following the execution Security was tight across the government. ments like the Philippines. from the border city of Shenzhen around. Their luggage may roll late on Saturday of Mohammad country on Monday with extra Security forces have since Yesterday he raised alarm to make unlimited trips to Hong over your feet. The policy can Kamaruzzaman, a leader of the police, other security forces and rounded up thousands of Jamaat over his Chinese counterpart, Kong, he said, restricting them to definitely reduce such nuisance,” Jamaat-e-Islami party. border guards patrolling sensitive supporters in a massive crackdown. Hua Chunying’s, comments last one visit per week. he told Cable TV news. Police said the body of a places. Police said a driver was Prosecutors said Kamaruzzaman week saying the reclamation Leung said the new restric- Some mainland netizens how- 22-year-old student supporter of critically wounded when protest- presided over the massacre of at would serve Beijing’s military and tions were suggested by the Hong ever branded the policy as unfair. the party had been found in the ers firebombed his truck in the least 120 unarmed farmers who defence needs. “Such statements Kong government and adopted by “One country two systems. western city of Rajshahi yester- eastern city of Comilla just after were lined up and gunned down in by China only serve to raise the Beijing, adding it will affect about Hong Kong people returning to day. He had been shot at least five midnight. the northern village of Sohagpur. spectre of increasing militarisa- 4.6 million travellers, or nearly 10 China should have weekly limits times. Protesters also torched a bus The 1971 war between tion and threaten peace and sta- percent of the annual 47 million to meet the requirements of equal Another student activist died just outside Dhaka and three vehi- Bangladeshi nationalists, assisted bility in the region,” he said. mainland visitors. status,” a netizen wrote. in hospital yesterday morning cles in the port city of Chittagong, by Indian troops, and Pakistani The Philippines maintains that The decision to restrict main- Another wrote: “Hong Kong after he was shot during clashes according to media reports. forces led to the creation of inde- China’s claim to almost the entire landers’ entry was aimed at curbing (people) really are hypocrites between police and protesters Bangladesh went ahead with pendent Bangladesh from what South China Sea, based on its nine- the practice of “parallel trading” in (wanting wealth while not in the northwestern district of the execution despite last-minute was then East Pakistan. dash-line map, is illegal, he added. which visitors buy up prized goods wanting tourists).” Leung also Sirajganj on Sunday night, the pleas by the European Union and Kamaruzzaman’s lawyers “We call on China to stop the rec- such as baby formula in Hong Kong warned against further protests district’s deputy police chief the United Nations, which has argued that he was only 19 when lamation activities and to be mindful and resell them in China’s border targeting mainland visitors, Faruq Ahmed said. said the trial did not meet inter- the nine-month war broke out of its responsibilities as a claimant towns to avoid tariffs. describing them as “unruly” and Ahmed said the clashes broke national standards. and was too young to have led state and an important member of Critics in the semi-autonomous “counter-productive”. out after police arrested four stu- There are fears it could deepen any militia. the international community.” city have said mainland visitors AFP dent supporters of Jamaat. a months-long political crisis that AFP AFP

Students return from Yemen Bangladesh arrests four suspected Buhari party wins most militants of Nigeria states DHAKA: Bangladesh special forces arrested four suspected LAGOS: The party of Nigeria’s northeast Gombe state, Ibrahim Islamist militants in the south- president-elect Muhammadu Dankwambo, was the only PDP ern port city of Chittagong Buhari has won governor- candidate elected in the region yesterday and seized a stash ship elections in a majority of which has been hit hard by Boko of small arms believed to be Nigeria’s 36 states, building its Haram’s Islamist uprising. destined for a nearby training strength nationwide after a his- Jonathan, a southern Christian, camp, a senior commander said. toric presidential win, official faced significant pressure to stand Lieutenant Colonel Miftah results showed yesterday. aside before the presidential vote Uddin, head of the Rapid The All Progressives Congress and throw his support behind a Action Battalion (RAB) in the (APC) claimed at least 21 gov- PDP northern governor. Chittagong region, said his forces ernor seats following Saturday’s But he insisted on running raided a hotel following a tip- closely-fought regional polls again, a decision that many off and arrested militant leader but could add to that tally with experts believe helped fuel the Mohammed Mojaher. results from a handful of states APC’s rise. Three of his accomplices were still pending. The PDP lost governorship detained separately in the city, President Goodluck Jonathan’s elections in at least seven north- and Mojaher confessed to supply- People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ern states it had previously ing weapons to a militant train- had controlled the federal and controlled. ing camp in Banshkhali, a remote, most state governments since More unexpected was a string hilly area in the Chittagong the end of military rule in 1999 of losses for Jonathan’s party in region, Miftah said. but suffered major losses during the religiously divided Middle “Now all of them will be inter- Nigeria’s gripping 2015 election Belt region, including in conflict- rogated,” he said. Indonesian Muslim students from Yemen carry their bags after arrival at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta cycle. scarred Plateau, where Jonathan REUTERS yesterday. Indonesian government started to evacuate its citizens from Yemen due to the worsening security Jonathan’s loss to Buhari in beat Buhari in the general situation in the country. the presidential vote two weeks election. ago was the first ever democratic The APC victories further high- change of power at the federal lighted widespread frustration level since Nigeria gained inde- after 16 years of PDP-dominated pendence from Britain in 1960. government, plagued by unrest Kenya ‘grass cutter’ rapists jailed for 15 years The Independent National and waves of corruption scandals, Electoral Commission (INEC) with much of the nation’s vast oil described the regional vote as wealth lost through graft. NAIROBI: A Kenyan court Worldwide outrage over the long to reach this point — and still since arrest warrants were “relatively peaceful” while lament- The regional vote also under- yesterday sentenced three punishment prompted more than faced serious obstacles despite issued. ing the 66 separate incidents of scored the stunning rise of the men to 15 years in jail for the 1.8 million people to sign an online strong national and global sup- Sentencing had been set for last violence surrounding the polls. APC, which was founded just gang rape of a schoolgirl after petition demanding justice. port — illustrates the injustices Friday but was delayed after one Governors are influential fig- two years ago in a coalition that outrage sparked when police The then 16-year-old victim, that are still suffered by survi- of the men skipped bail and failed ures in Nigeria, with near-total grouped Buhari’s northern base ordered them to cut grass as known by the pseudonym Liz, vors,” Brown added. to turn up. Police rearrested him control of their states and collec- with opposition parties that had punishment. was reportedly attacked, beaten “While Kenya boasts one of the over the weekend. tive power at a national level to support in the south. “Today’s sentencing is sure to and then raped by six men as she most progressive legal and policy The three were sentenced to bolster or check the presidency. Taraba state has not yet have a ripple effect across the returned from her grandfather’s frameworks for addressing sexual 15 years for rape and seven years The 72-year-old Buhari will returned results but remains in the nation, and hopefully the region funeral in western Kenya in June violence, Liz’s case and count- for causing grievous harm, to run be sworn in on May 29 and his spotlight because it could return a at large,” said lawyer Kimberly 2013. less others have revealed signifi- concurrently. administration will likely be female governor for the first time Brown, from the campaign group The gang dumped her, bleeding cant failures of local authorities Rape is a serious problem in helped by having a majority of loy- in Nigeria’s history in the shape of Equality Now, which supported and unconscious, in a deep sew- to adequately address sexual Kenya but is seldom taken seri- alist governors, including in the Aisha Jummai Al Hassan. the schoolgirl. age ditch. violence.” ously by the police, rights groups economic capital Lagos, where the So far, the only state the PDP The case made global headlines She suffered a broken back, The other rape suspects are say. APC was re-elected after a tough wrestled away from APC control after it emerged that three of the caused either by the beating or on the run, with the public pros- “The sheer scale of sexual vio- PDP challenge. was the southern, oil-producing six alleged rapists whom Liz iden- by being hurled down into the pit, ecutor ordering they be “appre- lence in schools, communities and The PDP was effectively wiped hub of Rivers, where tension has tified were ordered by police to as well as serious internal injuries hended and brought to justice its general acceptability in society out in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim been high throughout the election cut grass around the police sta- from the rape. without further delay”, although is astounding,” Brown added. north, Buhari’s home region. season. tion as punishment. “The fact that Liz’s case took so it has been a more than a year AFP The governor of AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Governor’s killer Pakistan to intensify Yemen diplomacy, says Sharif appeals against ISLAMABAD: Islamabad will remain neutral in the Yemen resolve the crisis,” Sharif said in risks for the entire region”. Sharif said Pakistan’s solidarity “intensify” efforts to find a dip- conflict, rebuffing long-term ally a statement delivered to television Sharif, who is personally with Gulf states was not in doubt death sentence lomatic solution to the Yemen Riyadh’s request for troops, war cameras. close to the Saudi royal fam- and the row was the result of “an conflict, Pakistan’s prime planes and ships. Saudi Arabia accuses Tehran, ily after they sheltered him apparent misinterpretation” of ISLAMABAD: The killer of a minister said yesterday, after UN chief Ban Ki-moon says the major Shia power, of back- following his 1999 overthrow, the resolution. Pakistani politician who sought parliament voted to keep the more than 600 people have been ing the rebels and has vowed to repeated earlier assurances Islamabad has found itself in reform of the country’s con- country out of the Saudi-led killed since the Saudi-led coali- bomb the fighters to pressure that Pakistan stood ready to an awkward position on Yemen. troversial blasphemy law has coalition against anti-govern- tion began air strikes against the them to surrender and prevent defend the oil-rich kingdom’s It has deep military and religious appealed to the Supreme Court ment rebels. rebels on March 26. a pro-Iran state setting up on its territorial integrity. ties to Saudi Arabia and has long against his death sentence, law- Nawaz Sharif said the res- Pakistan has pushed efforts to doorstep. He also sought to play down benefited from the kingdom’s yers said yesterday. toration of Yemeni President find a negotiated end to the fight- Iranian Foreign Minister a row with the United Arab largesse. The High Court in Islamabad Abedrabbuh Mansur Hadi’s gov- ing, holding talks last week with Mohammed Javad Zarif visited Emirates that blew up over the But it has been reluctant to last month upheld the death sen- ernment, overthrown by Houthi Iranian and Turkish officials to Islamabad for talks last week and weekend after the Gulf state’s become ensnared in a conflict that tence on Mumtaz Qadri, a former Shia rebels, would be an “impor- pursue this. Sharif said he warned him that foreign minister slammed the carries sectarian overtones, with police bodyguard who shot dead tant step forward towards estab- “Pakistan will intensify its the overthrow of Hadi’s “legiti- parliamentary resolution as violence against minority Shiites Punjab governor Salman Taseer lishing peace”. diplomatic efforts in the coming mate government in Yemen... “contradictory and dangerous on the rise at home in recent in Islamabad in 2011. The Pakistani parliament on days, in consultation with the had set a dangerous precedent and unexpected” and accused years. Rao Abdul Rahim, a mem- Friday unanimously voted to leadership of Saudi Arabia, to that was fraught with serious Islamabad of siding with Iran. AFP ber of the legal team defending Qadri, said they have appealed to the Supreme Court to have the By-election campaign sentence commuted. “We have appealed that it was not an intentional murder and was a sudden act after provoca- tion, so the Supreme Court should Taliban kill 18 acquit him,” Rahim said. Another defence layer, Muhammad Latif Khawaja, con- firmed the appeal. “He killed Taseer in sudden Afghan troops, provocation and there are prec- edents in which the courts have reduced punishments or acquitted the accused because of this ele- some beheaded ment,” he said. Qadri shot Taseer 28 times and admitted the killing, saying he objected to the politician’s calls 200 fighters storm army outposts to reform Pakistan’s strict blas- phemy laws, which can carry the KUNDUZ: Militants killed follow-up foreign force has stayed death penalty. 18 Afghan soldiers — includ- on to train and support local In high court hearings, Qadri’s ing some who were beheaded security forces. lawyers drew on Islamic texts — after storming army outposts President Barack Obama to argue that he was justified in the remote mountainous last month announced a delay in killing Taseer, saying that by northeast, officials said yester- in US troop withdrawals from criticising the blasphemy law the day, in a major attack before Afghanistan, an overture to the politician was himself guilty of the Taliban’s traditional spring country’s new reform-minded blasphemy. offensive. leader, President Ashraf Ghani. The court rejected their case, The pre-dawn raid in the Jurm Hosting Ghani at the White saying that “from whatever district of Badakhshan province House for their first presiden- Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami attend a by-election campaign in Karachi. Head of Jamaat-e-Islami, Siraj-ul-Haq, angles it is considered, neither the on Friday marks a grim setback tial face-to-face meeting, Obama Islamic law nor the law of the land visited Karachi to support his candidate for the by-election. for Afghan forces, set to face their agreed to keep the current level gives any justification to the act first fighting season in which they of 9,800 US troops until the end of the accused”. battle insurgents without full of 2015. Nato support. The Taliban, who have waged a Negotiations for The militants have stepped up deadly insurgency since they were Islamabad claims arrest of suspect attacks on government and for- ousted from power in late 2001, metro train eign targets since Washington warned that the announcement backpedalled on plans to shrink would damage any prospects of project finalised the US force in Afghanistan this peace talks as they vowed to con- in politician’s London murder year by nearly half. tinue fighting. LAHORE: Pakistani and “Eighteen Afghan soldiers were Afghanistan is bracing for what ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yes- their first arrest. in Pakistan over scores of charges Chinese authorities have com- martyred and eight of them were is expected to be a bloody summer terday announced the arrest of “Our security agencies and including torture and murder pleted negotiations on 27km beheaded” on Friday, provincial push by the Taliban. a suspect in connection with the police have been trying to arrest a related to the MQM’s activities, long Orange Line Metro Train spokesman Naweed Frotan said, The insurgents have already 2010 murder of influential poli- suspect in Imran Farooq’s murder but always claimed the accusa- project in Lahore from Ali Town adding that some 200 fighters stepped up suicide attacks on gov- tician Imran Farooq in London, for a year,” he said. tions were politically motivated. (Raiwind Road) to Dera Gujjaran stormed the posts. ernment targets, which are taking terming it a major breakthrough The suspect was arrested in He was twice elected an MP (Ring Road) via Multan Road. The Taliban attackers also took a heavy toll on security forces. in the highly-charged case. Karachi, and is due to appear in in Pakistan, but went into hid- The entire project would be seven soldiers hostage, but three A US watchdog said in a report Farooq, 50, a founding mem- court today, Khan said. ing in 1992 when the government elevated except a small stretch of them were later freed after last month that Afghan security ber of the Muttahida Qaumi “With the evidence we have, I ordered a military crackdown while crossing The Mall Road the intervention of local elders, forces were suffering heavy casu- Movement (MQM) party, was am confident that there will be against party activists in Karachi. that would be underground and acting provincial governor Shah alties on the battlefield and large stabbed and beaten to death in quick progress in this case now,” The arrest came weeks after there would be almost no land Waliullah Adeeb told local media. numbers of troops were resigning Edgware, northwest London, as he said, adding that security agen- Pakistan’s paramilitary force acquisition involved in the project “Three of those taken hostage or deserting their units. he returned home from work in cies in Britain and Pakistan were raided the MQM’s headquarters that would be completed within were martyred and one other sol- Between October 2013 and September 2010. cooperating in the investigation. in Karachi, confiscating a cache 27 months, CM’s advisor Khawaja dier remains missing,” he said. September 2014, more than 1,300 Critics of the MQM, the most A security official, speaking on of arms and arresting several Ahmad Hassan said on Monday. The defence ministry con- Afghan army soldiers were killed powerful political force in Pakistan’s condition of anonymity, named activists, including one convicted The project will be executed firmed the incident in a statement in action and 6,200 were wounded, biggest city of Karachi, have claimed the suspect as Muazam Ali, and of murdering a journalist. by the China Railway (CR) and and said the fighting left a total of the Special Inspector General that the killing of Farooq was linked said he was an immigration con- The MQM has been the Norinco, a leading joint ven- 33 Afghan soldiers dead, wounded for Afghanistan Reconstruction to an internal dispute in the party, sultant accused of making travel most powerful political party in ture sponsored by the Chinese or missing. (SIGAR) said in its report. which has been run from London arrangements for Farooq’s killers. Karachi since the 1990s, and was government. The Taliban claimed respon- Between September 2013 and by exiled leader Altaf Hussain for British police had made two once seen as close to the country’s The authorities took almost three sibility for the attack, which September 2014, more than over two decades. arrests in connection with the army, which has ruled the country to four months to finalise modalities highlights Afghanistan’s precari- 40,000 personnel were dropped The MQM has strongly denied killing but both suspects were for half its existence. related to memorandum of under- ous security situation as US-led from Afghan National Army rolls, the claims. later freed on bail. They believe But following the raid and standing (MoU), terms of reference foreign troops pull back from the it added. The Pentagon insists the Interior Minister Chaudhry that Farooq was under surveil- Monday’s arrest, some analysts (ToR) and the final agreement that frontlines after a 13-year war Afghan forces are holding their Nisar Ali Khan told reporters in lance in the days and weeks before believe the military establishment would be signed by the two govern- against the insurgents. own after the bulk of Nato com- Islamabad that intelligence agen- his murder. may now be seeking to reduce the ments during the visit of Chinese Nato’s combat mission formally bat forces withdrew last year. cies had toiled hard on the case Farooq claimed asylum in party’s influence. president this month. ended in December but a small for over a year before making Britain in 1999. He was wanted AFP AGENCIES

Cultural dare-devilry Asia’s tallest cross to come up in 13 insurgents killed in Karachi skyline restive Baluchistan KARACHI: A 140-foot-tall cross made of roller-compacted QUETTA: Pakistani paramili- killed, and another of the group’s concrete is nearly ready to dot tary forces have killed at least leaders was captured alive. the skyline of Pakistan’s south- 13 members of an insurgent Provincial home secretary ern port city of Karachi group who shot dead 20 con- Akbar Hussain Durrani con- The structure is under con- struction workers in the res- firmed the militant death toll. struction at one of the oldest tive southwestern province The group, which claimed Christian cemeteries in the city of Baluchistan, officials said Friday’s raid on the labour camp but the donors were hesitant to yesterday. in Turbat district of Baluchistan, share the exact locations. They Gunmen killed 20 labourers regularly attacks migrant work- did, however, claim that it will be at point blank range on Friday ers and government installations. the tallest cross in all of Asia. evening in Baluchistan, after The BLF gained greater interna- Donated by the Henry Gill identifying them as migrant tional recognition after kidnapping family, the construction work is workers from elsewhere in the American UNHCR worker John supervised by Parvez Henry Gill country, an attack claimed by the Solecki from Quetta on February himself. A mixture of steel and Baluch Liberation Front (BLF) 2009. Solecki was later released on concrete, the structure will be 20 separatist group. “humanitarian grounds”. feet deep. The cross is expected Immediately following the kill- Friday’s incident occurred to be completed in the next three ings, security forces launched a around 1,000 kilometres (650 months under the supervision of search operation in the barren miles) southwest of Quetta, the the architect Musa Gill. mountainous area and have so provincial capital of Baluchistan. “The image of Pakistan, as far far killed 13 militants, with the Resource-rich Baluchistan as the minorities are concerned, fighting ongoing. is the largest of Pakistan’s four is really tarnished,” said Parvez, “Security forces have killed provinces, but its roughly seven the donor. An Afghan athlete lies on the ground as a tractor is driven over his body during the second festival by the Islamic at least 13 militants who killed million inhabitants have long “We are trying to tell the world Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to celebrate Ghazni as the Capital of Islamic Culture, in Ghazni the labourers,” a spokesman for complained they do not receive a that there are good people here province yesterday. In 2013, Ghazni was officially named the Capital of Islamic Culture in Asia and the day is Pakistan’s paramilitary forces said. fair share of its gas and mineral too.” celebrated with local sports. The spokesman said one BLF wealth. INTERNEWS commander was among those AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Free treatment for acid attack victims lessens pain

NEW DELHI: Rupa Saa was just 15 Although the amount of compensation survivors face,” said Alok Dixit from the driven into debt by the multiple surger- the necessary operations and surgeries, when her stepmother poured acid over is very little, the order by the court will campaign group Stop Acid Attacks. ies she has required, costing more than accommodation and medicine costs will her face as she slept, burning her skin give us a better life and future,” Saa told “Most victims come from poor fami- Rs400,000 rupees. be taken care of by the hospitals,” she and melting her cheeks, nose, mouth the Thomson Reuters Foundation by lies and therefore cannot afford the full With help from Stop Acid Attacks told New Delhi Television (NDTV) after and chin. phone from Agra, around 200km south medical treatment and just get very basic she received some vocational training Friday’s court ruling. The attack was just the beginning of of New Delhi. treatment. Others end up selling off all and more funds for her treatment and State authorities had to take action her suffering. Acid attacks — meant to maim, disfig- their assets, including property, to pay for is now working as a designer in a small against any hospital that turned away Like many of India’s acid victims, she ure or blind — occur in many countries. these surgeries and they end up in debt.” boutique in Agra city. victims, the court had added. was shunned due to her disfigurement They are most common in Cambodia, as Rupa Saa was a bright student living In April 2013, India made acid attacks Bhat said the court also reiterated an and struggled to pay for the multiple well as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan in the town of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar an offence, adding that both medical order that those buying acid needed a reconstructive surgeries she needed — and India. Pradesh state. She had big dreams before attention and compensation must be licence and vendors had to record sales. leaving her despondent and with little According to India’s Home Ministry, the night in August 2008 when she was given to victims, but it did not specify But activists say the government needs will to live. the number of reported acid attacks has attacked by her stepmother, who she said the type of treatment or the amount of to do more to regulate the sale of locally But a recent ruling by country’s top surged. There were 309 acid attack cases did not want her to stay at home. funds to be given. produced household cleaners, which con- court could be a game changer for victims reported in 2014 compared to 66 cases the “My entire body was burning. I cried Lawyers fighting for victims said this tain highly concentrated acids, that are like Saa — providing them with free med- previous year. for help. I could not see anything. It was left gaps in the law and made it easy for easily and cheaply available in markets ical treatment and specifying a minimum Yet most victims — many of whom really horrifying for me. I thought that I hospitals to give only basic aid. across the country. compensation of Rs300,000 ($4,800). are women who have spurned sexual could die,” she said. “The judgement says that no private Acids are being used as weapons, they “I was devastated by the acid attack. I advances or rejected a marriage pro- Her father refused to support her, tak- hospital can refuse free treatment to a say, adding that there needs to be a sepa- did not want to live any more. My life was posal — do not receive any financial or ing the side of her stepmother who was victim of an acid attack,” said Aparna rate law to deal with the sale and pur- shattered. I cannot describe the pain and medical help, and endure years of mental arrested and served 18 months in prison. Bhat, a lawyer representing acid victims chase of chemicals which include neat suffering I endured,” said Saa, now 22. and physical pain. “The lack of rehabilita- Over the years, Saa’s uncle, who is a seeking better rehabilitation. hydrochloric and sulphuric acids. “It’s a good (court) judgement. tion is one of the biggest problems that barber, has supported her but has been “This means not just first aid, but all REUTERS

Modi invites SC notice to Merkel to Maharashtra govt on land HANNOVER: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Maharashtra, which has a large ordinance number of flourishing German businesses. Modi extended the invitation Petition filed by farmer groups when the two dignitaries vis- ited the ‘Magnetic Maharashtra’ NEW DELHI: The Supreme on the grounds of it being ultra stall inside the magnificent India Court yesterday issued notice vires of the Constitution and Pavilion at the Hannover Messe to the federal government on restraining the government from 2015 global trade fair underway a petition challenging the con- enforcing it. here. Maharashtra Industry stitutional validity of the man- The Bharatiya Kishan Union, Minister Subhash Desai welcomed ner in which land ordinance Delhi Grameen Samaj, Gram Sewa them in the presence of Chief was repromulgated after being Samiti and Chogama Vikas Avam Minister Devendra Fadnavis and passed by the Lok Sabha. have sought a declaration that explained the investment oppor- A bench of Justice J S Khehar “the Right to Fair Compensation tunities offered by the state. and Justice S A Bobde issued and Transparency in Land An Indo-Danish trade delega- notice, returnable in four weeks, Acquisition, Rehabilitation and tion also called on Fadnavis who on the plea by a group of farmers’ Resettlement (Amendment) assured them that foreign inves- organisations. Ordinance, 2015, is unconstitu- tors would be welcomed in the “Let the government file tional, null and void and ultra state and all bureaucratic has- response. Maybe we may not vires Articles 14 and 123 of the sles would be removed to facilitate agree with you after we hear Constitution and hence void investments. During their visit, the government,” the court said ab initio”. Fadnavis and Desai are sched- as senior counsel Indira Jaising They also sought a direction uled to meet with top executives urged the government be directed restraining the government from of Mercedes, GSB Electronics, to place before the court the “acting upon” the ordinance and Vestas Turbines, and heads of record that justified the urgency have contended that the govern- Indian companies like Kirloskar, to re-promulgate the ordinance. ment’s action in re-promulgating German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold robot ants ‘BionicANTs’ at the stand Indo-MIM Tec Pvt. Ltd, which As the court initially gave the the ordinance is mala fide, thus of the company Festo during the opening tour at the Hannover Messe trade fair in Hannover, Germany, yesterday. have operations in Germany. government six weeks to respond open to challenge. IANS to the petition, Jaising, pressing The discretionary power of for an early date, said the ordi- the president to promulgate nance itself has the life of six ordinances has to be “exercised weeks. judiciously and within the strict At this, Justice Khehar said: paradigm of the circumstances, “We may tell you after six weeks circumscribing the exercise of Ban on diesel vehicles delayed by two weeks that the ordinance has become such discretion under Article infructuous. I am telling you 123”. today that if enactment comes, it Noting the Constitution vests NEW DELHI: The Delhi gov- implement the NGT order,” federal Road Transport Minister particulates in Delhi was rising will become infructuous.” lawmaking functions in parlia- ernment yesterday heaved a Rai said. Nitin Gadkari in a few days to manifold. “The order has been Jaising told the court that it ment, the petitioners contended sigh of relief as the National Earlier in the day, the minister chalk out an effective plan. partially modified today largely was perhaps for the first time that “if the executive was permit- Green Tribunal decided to defer met the transport commission- Keeping in view the transpor- because of essential services being that the Rajya Sabha, which was ted to continue the provisions of by two weeks the implementa- ers of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar tation needs of “essential serv- hit,” Sanjay Upadhyay, lawyer for in budget session, was prorogued an ordinance by issuing successive tion of its order to impound over Pradesh to finalise a joint action ices”, the NGT yesterday deferred applicant Kaushik, told IANS. so that the ordinance could be ordinances without submitting 10-year-old diesel vehicles ply- plan to implement the order. its order barring the entry of over He said a bench headed by NGT re-promulgated. the same to the voice of parlia- ing here. “As most diesel vehicles enter- 10-year-old diesel vehicles into Chairperson Justice Swatanter A group of farmers’ organisa- ment, it is nothing but usurpation Arguing that the implementa- ing Delhi come from Uttar Delhi. Kumar said there shall be no tions on April 9 moved the apex by the executive of the lawmaking tion was not possible in such a Pradesh and Haryana, thus, the Noting that diesel was the impounding of vehicles for two court seeking the quashing of the powers of the legislature”. short time, Transport Minister role of neighbouring states is cru- prime source of air pollution weeks. They also made it clear re-promulgated land ordinance IANS Gopal Rai said all main entry and cial to implement the NGT order,” in Delhi, the tribunal on April that the order was being deferred exit points in Delhi would have Rai said. However, Rai as well 7 ordered that all diesel vehi- only for two weeks. witnessed major traffic snarls as as the transport commissioners cles which were more than 10 It also asked the city govern- trucks coming from others states argued that the Central Motor years old will not be permitted ment to submit suggestions on Jaitley meets Australia FM would not have been able to turn Vehicles Act 1988 needs to be rati- to ply in Delhi and the National providing incentives to those back due to lack of adequate fied to successfully implement the Capital Region. transferring/scrapping old, pollut- U-turns. NGT order. The tribunal’s direction ing diesel vehicles and on fixing a “The 15-day time that we have Rai further said he along came while hearing a petition cap on the number of vehicles to got will help us in chalking out with the two transport depart- of Vardhaman Kaushik who be registered in the capital. an effective plan to effectively ment commissioners would meet had contended that the level of IANS

Nitish, Lalu slam article on Muslims Net neutrality report in May: Minister PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister NEW DELHI: Amid a huge to it without any discrimination. counter-arguments need to be Nitish Kumar and his ally, hue and cry in social media over The entire process of a com- submitted by May 8. RJD chief Lalu Prasad yester- net neutrality, Communications mittee of experts going into the Internet users have created day criticised Shiv Sena leader and IT Minister Ravi Shankar pros and cons of the issue will an uproar on social media about Sanjay Raut for demanding in Prasad said yesterday that a benefit the government in making protecting net neutrality in the an article that voting rights of panel examining the issue will comprehensive decisions, he said. country. Muslims should be revoked to submit its report by the sec- “This is the reason we are doing An e-mail campaign has been stop vote-bank politics. ond week of May to help the it independent of TRAI (Telecom launched to protect net neutrality Nitish Kumar criticised Sanjay government take a comprehen- Regulatory Authority of India),” through savetheinternet.in web- Raut for his article in Shiv Sena’s sive decision on the contentious Prasad added. site. The home page of the website mouthpiece Saamna. issue. The six-member panel, which says: “This page was created as a “What was said in the arti- Net neutrality means govern- will conduct the study and submit collection of the best arguments cle was very objectionable and ments and internet service pro- its report, has been set up by the that may be made in favour of net wrong,” he told media here. viders should treat all data on the department of telecommunica- neutrality, in the framework of Nitish Kumar said the country internet equally — therefore, not tions (DoT). the TRAI consultation paper. was run by the Constitution, and charging users, content, platform, In March, telecom regulator “The purpose is to assist sup- it could not be run by a view or a site, application or mode of com- TRAI released a paper inviting porters of strong net neutrality remark of anyone. munication differentially. comments from users and compa- in articulating their own views Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (right) shakes hands with Lalu Prasad was also displeased Prasad told media persons here nies on how over-the-top services on the matter in a legally precise Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before the start of their meeting in New with Raut’s article. “It is highly that since internet has been cre- should be regulated in the coun- manner.” The deadline for sub- Delhi yesterday. condemnable and dangerous ated by human beings, the com- try. It has asked stakeholders to mission of views is on April 24, stand,” he said. IANS mon man should be having access send suggestions by April 24 and 2015. IANS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Maoist attacks Untouchables no more kill five in Chhattisgarh IED used to blow up vehicle

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh was the spot. Vij said a rebel also died hit by twin Maoist attacks yes- at the attack site and three IEDs terday when four policemen of 20kg each were recovered dur- were killed and seven were left ing the combing operation near bloodied in a massive blast while the camp. a trooper was fatally shot by A few hours later, four police- rebels who launched an attack men were killed and seven on a BSF camp — barely two injured when Maoists triggered a days after seven policemen were massive explosion in Dantewada gunned down by Maoists. district. Chhattisgarh has witnessed Four Chhattisgarh Armed a string of Maoist attacks since Forces (CAF) personnel were April 11. The rebels had gunned killed and seven wounded in the down seven policemen in Sukma deafening blast that targeted on Saturday and a day later they their anti-landmine vehicle. burnt down 11 vehicles in Kanker. The attack took place near Yesterday, Maoists launched Cholnar camp of the CAF in an audacious attack on a Border Dantewada district, some 400km Security Force (BSF) camp in south of state capital Raipur. Kanker in which a trooper was “It’s a massive blast. I guess killed. Just hours later, four it could be about 50kg IED A scavenger offers food to Home Minister Rajnath Singh during the inauguration of the ‘Untouchability No More’ campaign in New Delhi yesterday. policemen out on an area domi- (Improvised Explosive Device) The campaign was launched to create awareness against the practice of untouchability that is still deep-rooted in Indian society. nation drive were killed when used to trigger a blast near a the rebels exploded a landmine bridge. The anti-landmine vehi- in Dantewada. cle was shaken up by the blast All the attacks have been and 4 CAF jawans succumbed to Evacuation after reported from the sprawling injuries,” Kamal Lochan Kashyap, NRI voting in the works, top court told Bastar region which is made up superintendent of police, of seven districts covering over Dantewada, told reporters at the aircraft snag 40,000 sq kms where the Maoists attack site. NEW DELHI: The federal are. He said that a cabinet note pleas by the petitioners Nagender run a de facto government in the The policemen were returning NEW DELHI: The 59 pas- government yesterday told the has been circulated to the depart- Chindam, Naresh Kumar forested interiors. to the Cholnar camp after an area sengers and eight crew mem- Supreme Court that it was in ment concerned inviting their Hanchate and Shamsheer VP. Maoists struck early yesterday domination drive. bers of a Jet Airways flight the process of making a law to comments. However, the issue of Seeking to expdedite the entire in Kanker district. The deafening explosion was so from Varanasi faced a major permit NRIs the right to exer- granting similar voting rights to matter, senior counsel Dushyant Officials at police headquar- strong that their vehicle keeled scare yesterday and were sub- cise their vote from wherever migrant workers within the coun- Dave appearing for the petition- ters here said that a few insur- over on its side. Security person- ject to emergency evacuation they are by e-voting instead of try appears to have run into rough ers said that 20 percent of the gents tried to sneak into a BSF nel rushed to help their wounded when their aircraft developed a flying back to India to vote dur- weather with Election Commission voters from Kerala are NRIs and camp in the Chhotebetiya forests colleagues. The injured policemen technical snag while landing at ing elections. resisting it on grounds including their contribution to the national in Kanker district’s Pakhanjoor were taken to the NMDC Ltd- Khajuraho. Additional Solicitor General that of logistics. economy was immense. area. owned hospital at Bacheli. Jet Airways said in a statement P S Narsimha told a bench of Chief As the government said that it “NRIs from Kerala contribute “The alert BSF jawans opened Chhattisgarh’s BJP government that flight 9W2423, a B737-800, Justice H L Dattu and Justice was on the course of amending so much for India,” he said. fire on rebels when they tried to was left stunned following the experienced a technical problem Arun Mishra that they needed the law, the court adjourned the The apex court on January 12 storm the camp,” R K Vij, the repeated high-intensity attacks in the landing gear after landing time as the government has hearing by eight weeks. had asked the federal government state’s head of anti-Naxal opera- and the opposition Congress has at Khajuraho — a World Heritage already embarked on the course The court was told of the steps to take steps for the implementa- tions, told IANS. He added that accused it of being a sitting duck. site in the central Indian state of to make a law paving the way for being taken by the government tion of e-voting by NRIs. trooper R P Solanki was killed on IANS Madhya Pradesh. IANS NRIs to vote from wherever they in the course of the hearing of IANS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME

Fajr (Dawn) 3:54 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:13 Zuhr (Noon) 11:34 Asr (Afternoon) 3:04 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:57 Isha (Night) 7:27

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Sunny Cloudy Suuny Windy and dusty to

High: 31° High: 34° High: 35° blowing Low: 23° Low: 23° Low: 26° dust with some clouds becomes slight dust by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:13 17:57 00:45 & 13:30 08:15 & 18:15 25-35/40 KT A badly damaged Lamborghini car (centre) and debris in a tunnel after a crash involving a Ferrari (behind right) in Beijing. The two cars crashed late on THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW April 11 in a high-speed road race in Beijing as the seventh stunt-filled ‘Fast and the Furious’ movie opened in China. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 37/28 Sunny 36/28 Sunny MAKKAH 36/21 Sunny 37/21 Sunny Lamborghini, Ferrari in Beijing crash KUWAIT 29/18 Mostly sunny 32/21 Mostly sunny BAHRAIN 29/18 Mostly sunny 32/21 Mostly sunny BEIJING: Online specula- Ferrari, while a man surnamed The incident added to public Beijing’s emblematic Bird’s Nest SANAA 29/11 Sunny 29/11 Sunny tion mounted in China yes- Tang, aged 21, from Beijing, was perceptions in China of corrupt stadium. RIYADH 28/16 Sunny 33/21 Sunny terday as police detained in the Lamborghini, police said, and high-living officials, and Ling Beijing police earlier drew DUBAI 32/22 Sunny 36/23 Sunny the “unemployed” drivers of adding that both were jobless. has since been investigated for derision online for referring to BAGHDAD 27/12 Sunny 29/16 Partly cloudy a Lamborghini and Ferrari “Socialism is so good that it graft and dismissed from his post. the cars involved as green and that crashed in Beijing as the allows unemployed people to drive The latest crash happened red “small passenger-carrying THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW seventh stunt-filled Fast and supercars,” one posting said on Sina at about 10pm, police said, dur- vehicles” in a statement released Furious movie opened. Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, ing heavy rain. It occurred two Sunday. “These sure are valuable HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Pictures of the mangled wreck- mocking the country’s authoritar- hours before Furious 7 broke the vehicles,” said one posting. ATHENS 23/13 Mostly sunny 20/11 Partly cloudy age of a lime-green Lamborghini, ian system of Communist rule. record for midnight screenings on But yesterday’s police state- WASHINGTON 17/10 Rain 20/11 Mostly cloudy a damaged red Ferrari and other “What are their names? Who its launch in China, according to ment identified the makes of both high-performance cars in a tunnel are their fathers?” another neti- the Hollywood Reporter. the Lamborghini, which sells for SYDNEY 26/17 Mostly sunny 26/18 Showers in the Chinese capital emerged zen asked. A high-speed Ferrari “Were they in a hurry to watch around $800,000 in China, and the LONDON 23/08 Partly cloudy 24/09 Sunny online following Saturday’s crash, crash in the capital in March Fast and Furious 7?” one netizen Ferrari, which can cost around PARIS 24/11 Sunny 26/13 Mostly sunny which police said left one person 2012 killed the son of Ling Jihua, said. Earlier reports said at least $500,000. A 21-year-old driver ISTANBUL 16/07 Mostly sunny 14/08 Mostly sunny injured. a close ally of then-president Hu one of the luxury vehicles’ drivers crashed his Ferrari at high speed MANILA 33/24 Partly cloudy 34/25 Partly cloudy A 20-year-old surnamed Yu Jintao. Two women passengers, was a student, and that residents in the Chinese capital in February DHAKA 34/26 Partly cloudy 34/26 Partly cloudy from Changchun in the north- one of them naked, were both had complained about cars rac- last year, killing one passenger DELHI 34/22 Sunny 36/24 Sunny eastern province of Jilin drove the injured. ing in the tunnel, which is near and injuring another. AFP ISLAMABAD 30/18 Isolated T-storms 28/17 Thunderstorms

Pair of Japanese mangoes sold for $2,500 TOKYO: A deep pocketed Japanese department store shelled out an eye-watering 300,000 yen ($2,500) yesterday for a pair of mangoes, a record price for the second year in a row. After the hammer fell at an auction in far-southern Miyazaki, the successful bidder airlifted the fruit to its luxury shop in Fukuoka, where they went on sale at a bargain 210,000 yen, accord- ing to the Miyazaki Agricultural Economic Federation. The mangoes — top-of-the- range “Taiyo no Tamago” (Egg of the Sun)-brand — were the first to go for auction this year, an occa- sion that usually attracts inflated prices. To qualify as a “Taiyo no Tamago” mango, each fruit must weigh at least 350 grammes and Writer John Green and the cast of “The Fault with Our Stars” accept the award for Movie of the Year during the have a high sugar content. 2015 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California. While $2,500 is steep for a pair of mangoes, fruit is routinely expensive in Japan and it is not Teen tear-jerker The Fault in Our unusual for a single apple to cost upwards of $3. This year’s must-have luxury fruit is a particular brand of Stars wins big at MTV awards strawberry, with a single berry currently selling for around $415. LOS ANGELES: Teen tear- the Best Villain prize for Into the passed since the birth of MTV, However, all pale in comparison jerker The Fault in Our Stars and Woods, while other offbeat awards I’ve grown up, I’ve struggled, I’ve with the tear-inducing $25,000 A pair of mangos is auctioned off at the wholesale market in Miyazaki in American Sniper actor Bradley included Best Fight, which went failed. I’ve partied way too much,” price tag for a pair of cantaloupe Japan’s southern island of Kyushu for some 300,000 yen ($2,500) yesterday. Cooper were the big winners at to Will Poulter and Dylan O’Brien joked Downey, 50, clutching the melons auctioned in 2008. AFP the MTV Movie Awards in Los for The Maze Runner. award, which resembles a box of Angeles on Sunday. Zac Efron was honoured for popcorn. Cooper took Best Male Best Shirtless Performance in Sporting a pair of sunglasses, Performance for Sniper — Clint Neighbors at the awards, which he then turned serious, adding: Eastwood’s Iraq war drama which take a sideways look at the film “I begged for second chances was nominated for six Oscars and industry and fall outside the and literally clawed my way to was a massive hit at the North traditional Hollywood awards the top.” Hope for liquid water on Mars American box office. season. As is usual for any awards Shailene Woodley took the Efron and Dave Franco were night, many were more inter- PARIS: Research from Nasa’s “When night falls, some of the point to sedimentary deposits that honour in the female category named Best Duo for the com- ested in what the great and good Mars rover Curiosity has water vapour in the atmosphere were left in the distant past by — as well as the special MTV edy, which received decidedly of Hollywood were showcasing on strengthened hopes that liquid condenses on the planet surface flowing water. If so, the crater at Trailblazer Award — for her mixed reviews from film critics the red carpet. water may exist near the sur- as frost,” said co-author Morten the foot of Mount Sharp may have turn in The Fault in Our Stars as on release. Johansson paraded in a pink face of Mars, astrophysicists Bo Madsen of the University of been a large lake. AFP a teenager with cancer who falls Robert Downey Jr was recog- jumpsuit that matched her rosy said yesterday. Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute. in love with a fellow young cancer nized for his achievements down cheeks and lips, while Jennifer The clue comes from the pres- “But calcium perchlorate is very sufferer (Ansel Elgort) at a sup- the decades with the Generation Lopez was striking in an all- ence in the soil of calcium per- absorbent and it forms a brine with port group. Award. black tuxedo-miniskirt combo chlorate, they said. This is a type water, so the freezing point is low- The duo’s powerful on-screen The actor received the prize and high heels that left little to of salt that is highly absorbent ered and the frost can turn into a chemistry was recognised as they from Scarlett Johansson, Mark the imagination. and lowers the freezing point of liquid. “The soil is porous, so what took home the award for Best Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and Model and actress Cara water so that it remains liquid. we are seeing is that the water Kiss and the film, which had cin- Jeremy Renner, some of his fellow Delevingne also stood out in a The compound is a signature of seeps down through the soil.” ema-goers in floods of tears, was cast of The Avengers: Age of Ultron, purple minidress complete with “very salty salt water — a brine,” Curiosity also sent back close-up named Movie Of The Year. which is about to be released. lace and dramatic draping. according to the study, appearing pictures, as it crawled towards a Veteran Meryl Streep won “In the 34 years that have AFP in the scientific journal Nature. feature called Mount Sharp, that Tuesday 14 April 2015 25 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6400 Price: QR2

China exports shrink 15pc in shock fall

Business | 19

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Low oil prices Qatar IT market set for fast growth unlikely to dent Country expected to lead IT services spending in the region through 2018 most project DOHA: The IT services mar- development projects, e-govern- improved operational efficiency, spending in the country will sur- to develop and implement solu- ket of Qatar is changing at a ment initiatives, transformations reduced capital expenditure, pass Kuwait’s total by the end of tions that are capable of solving ratings: S&P rapid pace. Qatar is expected in the transportation and bank- and enhanced ICT management. this year. Qatar is also expected their specific business challenges to lead IT services spending ing and financial services sectors, And as the outsourcing services to lead IT services spending in the rather than merely meeting their DOHA: Standard & Poor’s in the region through 2018, and private sector developments offered by ICT services providers region through 2018. operational requirements. Ratings Services said yesterday according to International Data as governments in the region pur- mature over the coming years, we The competitive landscape in IT services maturity has sig- the current low price of crude Corporation (IDC). IDC is the sue diversification strategies into expect the adoption of such serv- Qatar is changing at a rapid pace. nificantly improved in the region, oil and natural gas is unlikely to premier global provider of mar- non-oil sectors. ices to increase notably.” An increasing number of global and both public and private sec- have a widespread impact on the ket intelligence and advisory “The willingness of CIOs to The IDC data shows that ICT companies are now competing tor organisations are looking at credit quality of global project services. procure outsourcing services the OGCC IT services market with local ICT providers, either implementing complex IT solu- finance debt over the next year According to IDC’s latest fore- is increasing across the OGCC reached a total value of $1.13bn directly or through partners, as tions while addressing the chal- to 18 months. However, if prices cast, the combined IT services countries,” says Eric Samuel, in 2014, up 11.7 percent on 2013. they strive to capitalise on the lenges associated with finding and remain in the $50 per barrel market of some of the countries a senior analyst for IT services Qatar presented the strong- myriad ICT opportunities present retaining experienced in-house range for a sustained period or in the region, including Qatar, at IDC Middle East, Africa, and est growth in the region, with within the country. However, this IT personnel,” said Samuel. “As a fall further than we expect, the Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, is Turkey. “And we are now at a IT services spending fuelled by increasing competition is exert- result, organisations are expected outlook may prove problematic expected to expand at a compound stage where CIOs are actively large-scale, infrastructure-driven, ing downward pressure on project to take a cautious approach to for projects with refinancing annual growth rate (CAGR) of evaluating the capabilities of ICT and government-led projects in pricing, which is impacting the CAPEX outlays when imple- risk, market exposure, or input 12.5 percent over the coming service providers to build and the transportation, healthcare, margins of many ICT providers menting ICT solutions, and this prices. years to total $1.82bn in 2018. operate their ICT environments. and education sectors. Qatar will in the region. ICT project pricing is also expected to drive spending “Many projects with the highest The global advisory services firm Some organisations are already continue to have the fastest grow- is also becoming more complex on hosting, cloud, and managed oil and gas price exposure, includ- expects this growth to be driven reaping the benefits associated ing IT services market of all the as greater numbers of organisa- services over the coming years.” ing RasGas in the Middle East, or by government-led infrastructure with these technologies, such as GCC countries, and IT services tions expect their ICT partners THE PENINSULA Phoenix Park Gas Processors oper- ating in the Caribbean, will likely remain immune to the decline because they have been structured with compellingly low break-even rates of per-barrel oil prices in the Opec urges mid-teens,” said the company in a ConocoPhillips to report released yesterday. “These deals were either financed before non-members 2008, and thus have stronger buff- launch US asset sale ers against low oil prices, or they’ve to help stabilise been more recently structured with a significant cushion against oil market NEW YORK: ConocoPhillips up for sale could not be learned, low or falling prices. Phoenix Park, is preparing the sale of non-core industry sources said they for instance, continues to have LONDON: Opec has criti- oil and gas producing acreage in expected ConocoPhillips to sell considerable liquidity, which now cised unidentified non-mem- the United States, in the latest between $1bn and $2.5bn worth offsets historically low natural gas ber countries for their refusal sign that oil majors are becom- of non-core assets in the United liquid (NGL) prices,” it said. to cooperate with the oil ing more accepting of lower States. According to S&P, some projects exporter group in propping up oil prices, according to people The sources asked not to be may see cash flow pressure over the prices and repeated its call for familiar with the matter. named because the sale process is next few years, the best structured them to do so. While the world’s oil and gas confidential. A representative of projects will be able to weather the “There is a stubborn willing- companies have been looking to ConocoPhillips declined to com- decline. RasGas’ average debt serv- ness of some non-Opec pro- buy assets on the cheap since oil ment on this specific asset sale ice coverage ratio (DSCR) is now ducers to adopt a go-it-alone prices plummeted, epitomised by but said: “It is common in the closer to 6.7x, in its view, compared attitude, with scant regard for Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s agree- energy business for companies with its forecast early last year of the consequences,” said the ment earlier this month to buy to review, readjust and optimise 8x. The project’s ability to with- commentary in the monthly BG Group Plc for $70bn, they their portfolio from time to time.” stand our downside assumptions Opec Bulletin. “In the past, Opec have been reluctant to sell assets A Wells Fargo representative for oil and gas prices (of $50 per has often shouldered the burden in case oil prices recover and they declined to comment. ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance in New York. barrel) and still achieve minimum of ensuring oil market stability can fetch more. ConocoPhillips’ asset sale DSCRs of 2.6x is a key driver for alone. In the current situation, ConocoPhillips has hired Wells would be the largest US acre- the rating outcome, along with the which should be of great con- Fargo to sell some of its non-core age sale by a major US oil and this year. Earlier, it retained Corp has put a few hundred mil- ability of the project to continue to cern to ALL, is it not time for US assets, the people said yes- gas company so far this year. It boutique investment bank Scotia lion dollars worth of East Texas maintain average ratios above 5x. this burden to be shared?” terday. These assets include oil follows a 50 percent drop in the Waterous for an asset sale in acreage up for sale with Citigroup As of March 2015, 71 percent Brent May crude was up 13 and gas properties in the Rockies, price of oil since last June, which Canada, according to Scotia Inc, according to people familiar of S&P’s 282 rated global project cents at $58 a barrel at 1625 East Texas, South Texas and halted dozens of similar asset Waterous’ website. with the matter. Anandarko and financings, including most of those GMT, having swung between Northern Louisiana, according sales. A couple of other big compa- Citigroup representatives did not for oil and gas projects, carried $57.46 and $59.54. REUTERS to one of the people. This would be the second asset nies have also started to explore respond to requests for comment. investment-grade ratings (‘BBB-’ While the value of the assets sale by ConocoPhillips launched a sale. Anadarko Petroleum REUTERS or higher). THE PENINSULA Apple to ramp up smartwatch production GIS drags down index NEW YORK: Apple Inc is likely to companies including Samsung Electronics quickly ramp up production of the Apple Co Ltd and Sony Corp were shipped in after profit warning Watch after strong pre-orders out- all of 2014, according to market research stripped limited supply, analysts said firm Canalys. yesterday. Analysts at brokerage Pacific Crest said DUBAI: Qatar’s bourse fell yes- Arab Emirates-based United Arab Apple’s website lists shipping times their checks showed that Apple appeared terday after Gulf International Chemical Carriers on a possible in June for some models, and four to six to be ordering components for the watch Services (GIS) said weak oil combination of their product and weeks for others, suggesting the company that would allow it to make well over 20 prices were starting to hurt chemical tanker businesses. is straining to meet demand. However, million this year. its drilling rig business. Most Elsewhere in the Gulf, Dubai’s analysts said Apple could sell between UBS estimates that Apple will sell other stock markets in the index dropped 0.8 percent, mov- 2.3 million and 4 million watches in the 16 million watches in fiscal 2015 ending region edged down or were little ing back below its 100-day average, quarter ending June. Apple was widely September and 40 million in fiscal 2016. changed. now at 3,789 points, after closing expected to disclose pre-orders yesterday, The watch, which allow users to check Qatar’s index lost 1.4 percent as above the average on Sunday for following its usual pattern after a product email, listen to music and make phone GIS tumbled its daily 10 percent the first time since October. launch. calls when paired with an iPhone, goes limit to QR86.20, a two-week low. Dubai-listed shares in Bahrain’s But Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster on sale officially on April 24. The company posted an 89 percent Gulf Finance House tumbled 7.7 said this may not happen this time because BofA Merrill Lynch expects Apple to increase in first-quarter profit percent after the company said it of the supply issue. “Overall we view the ship 4 million smartwatches in the quar- yesterday but said a customer would study the continuation of trends over the weekend as an indication ter, while Cowen expects 3 million. of its subsidiary Gulf Drilling its equity listings in London and of solid demand paired with very limited The watch is Chief Executive Tim International (GDI) would release Kuwait. The firm also said its share- supply, with supply being the most sig- Cook’s first new major product launch and a contracted rig in May because of holders had approved reducing its nificant limiting factor,” Munster said in the company’s first foray into the personal oil’s decline. It also said another capital to $598m from $1.49bn to a client note. luxury-goods market. customer had requested lower day eliminate accumulated losses. Munster, who thinks Apple will sell 2.3 Despite mixed reviews, which generally rates, and warned investors that The company’s Kuwait-listed million watches in the April-June quarter, praised the watch’s styling but criticized these reductions would hurt GDI’s stock dropped 2.6 percent, con- expects the company to ramp up produc- its less-than-spectacular battery life and 2015 financial results. tributing to the weakness of the tion between mid-May and June. slow-loading apps, people flocked to Apple Industries Qatar, another firm Kuwaiti index, which slipped 0.2 Estimates by shopping data firm Slice stores to get a close-up look. whose profits are linked to the oil percent. Abu Dhabi’s market Intelligence and brokerage Cowen and Co Apple booked pre-orders for about 4 price, dropped 2.3 percent. edged up 0.6 percent on the back pegged bookings on Friday, the first day million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus mod- Most other stocks in Doha of blue chip banks; Abu Dhabi of pre-orders, at about 1 million in the els when they were released in September. also fell, but shipping firm Qatar Commercial Bank, National Bank United States. A selection of Apple Watches is seen at an Apple Store Apple shares were up 0.7 percent at Navigation (Milaha) bucked the of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf For comparison, about 720,000 Android- in Palo Alto, California. $127.95 in morning trading on the Nasdaq. trend. It inched up 0.1 percent Bank rose 3.6, 2.2 and 1.0 percent powered smartwatches offered by REUTERS after announcing talks with United respectively. REUTERS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Dubai housing prices Holcim AGM fall slightly in Q1 First quarter rents also flat showing signs of weakness

DUBAI: Dubai housing prices “While this is resulting in occupancy rates edged down to fell slightly and rents were increased rental yields, this is 86 percent from 88 percent. flat in the first quarter of 2015 likely to be a temporary fac- Combined, this led to a 7 percent compared with the final three tor with more attractive yields drop in revenue per available months of last year, a report eventually increasing demand and room to $235. by property consultants JLL therefore sale prices again.” With a further 3,600 rooms showed yesterday. Nevertheless, JLL reiterated its to be added to Dubai’s current The real estate sector in Dubai January forecast that residential supply of 64,900 this year, JLL has been among the most vola- prices would fall by up to 10 per- warned that room rates could tile globally over the past decade, cent in 2015. decline further. swinging from boom to bust to Compared with the first quar- Meanwhile, Dubai’s office sec- Holcim CFO Thomas Aebischer (left) and CEO Bernard Fontana talk during the building materials and aggre- boom again. Prices recovered to ter of 2014, apartment sale prices tor features a divide between gates company’s annual general meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday. near peak values after falling by were up 7 percent in the opening buildings in prime locations, about half from their 2008 highs, three months of this year, while where demand is robust, and but are now weakening again. rental values gained 9 percent. those elsewhere. Apartment sale prices fell 2 For villas, sale and rental prices Prime location rents rose 1 percent in the first three months climbed 6 and 2 percent respec- percent year-on-year in the first Statoil could cut 2,400 jobs in May of 2015 versus the final three tively. About 730 residential quarter to an average of Dh1,880 months of 2014, JLL said. Villa units were delivered in Dubai in ($512) per square metre and the OSLO: Statoil could shed 2,400 jobs in May, or have consequences in terms of jobs but it is too early sale prices dropped 1 percent, the first quarter, JLL estimated, vacancy rate for them fell to 23 nearly 11 percent of the total workforce, as the to speculate on their number,” Statoil spokesman while rental values for both villas with an additional 22,000 to be from 26 percent. Norwegian oil giant cuts costs following the Jannik Lindbaek said. and apartments were flat. handed over by year-end. Dubai But demand for office space plunge in global oil prices, an Oslo business daily The cuts are part of a programme to generate “Sale prices normally move had 379,000 residential units as elsewhere remained weak, JLL reported. $1.7bn in annual savings from 2016 that Statoil ahead of rents and this appears of March 31. said, exerting downward pressure Dagens Naerinsliv, citing a labour representative, announced last year. In February, when it announced to be happening in the residen- In Dubai’s hotel sector, aver- on the rents which owners asked. said the cuts would hit engineering staff, particu- annual profits had been slashed in half due to tum- tial market in Dubai at present,” age daily room rates fell 5 per- “The flight to quality remains the larly those drilling and maintaining wells, as well as bling oil prices and heavy write-downs, Statoil also said Craig Plumb, regional head cent from a year earlier to $273 in trend in Dubai’s office sector.” administrative staff. “We are working on reinforcing announced a 10 percent cut in its $20bn-investment of research at JLL. the 12 months to February, while REUTERS the productivity within the company and that could budget for this year. AFP

Russia’s Lukoil likely to leave Saudi’s Empty Quarter gas search

KHOBAR/MOSCOW: Lukoil hobbled Russia’s economy, by not tight gas, this year after more to get a reasonable price for gas have pulled out from the Empty said Sadad al-Husseini, a former will likely pull out from Saudi cutting output. than a decade-long hunt for con- from the Saudi government now Quarter. senior executive of Saudi Aramco Arabia where the economics Lukoil was the last company ventional deposits that has proved when oil is so cheap,” he said. But China’s Sinopec, Italy’s and now an energy consultant. of its search for gas have been left active in the consortia of futile. Luksar was winding down, Saudi Aramco has said it plans Eni and Spain’s Repsol have all A third industry source said crushed by the collapse of the international oil firms Saudi an industry source said. to cut costs and renegotiate con- abandoned the search because Lukoil was evaluating its options oil price, three sources said. Arabia invited in 2003-2004, part “By June, six or seven people tracts as a result of the lower oil of the relatively high cost and in Saudi Arabia and that there Lukoil is Russia’s largest pri- of a high profile drive to find gas will be there, so this is not a com- prices. The slump in oil prices low returns of developing gas in was no final definitive decision vate oil company. The Russian in its southeast Empty Quarter, pany anymore,” the source said. since June is testing the ability Saudi Arabia, where sales prices taken. Talks with Saudi officials energy industry’s ventures abroad the Rub al Khali. “There are so many economic of listed oil companies to support are fixed at a fraction of probable were still ongoing but the com- often parallel Kremlin foreign It has a majority stake in issues, it is uneconomic, with the cash flows and has sparked a rush production costs. pany was “close to taking a deci- policy, which has turned cooler Luksar — a joint venture with low oil prices, the deep targets, it to cut costs across the sector. “It wasn’t a good prospect to sion... if there is no movement on towards Saudi Arabia. Some in state oil company Saudi Aramco is expensive.” None of the other companies, begin with, the economic out- improving the economics of the Moscow blame Riyadh for allow- — which was set to drill deep for A Lukoil source said the exit with the exception of Royal Dutch look has changed globally, it was project.” Saudi Aramco declined ing the oil price drop, which has the unconventional gas, called was likely. “There is no chance Shell, have said publicly they always a high risk development,” to comment. REUTERS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 HSBC, peers China exports shrink 15pc in shock fall under pressure Economy seen slowing further to exit some BEIJING: China suffered an growth. In the first quarter over- markets: UBS across-the-board decline in all prices of China’s imports fell trade in March, the govern- by 9.8 percent year-on-year, with ment said yesterday, days ahead those for key commodities iron SAO PAULO: HSBC Holdings of GDP data expected to show ore, crude oil and refined oil drop- Plc is among global lenders fac- another slowdown in the world’s ping 45 percent, 46.8 percent and ing pressure to exit underper- second-largest economy. 38.7 percent respectively, accord- forming businesses in emerging Exports fell an unexpected ing to Huang. markets nations from Brazil 15 percent year-on-year in Tomorrow China announces and Mexico to South Korea, March to $144.57bn, the General economic growth data for the first creating opportunities for local Administration of Customs said, quarter, with a survey forecast- banks to assert control of their while imports tumbled 12.7 per- ing 6.9 percent expansion. That home turf, analysts at UBS cent to $141.49bn. The monthly would be sharply down from the Securities said yesterday. trade surplus, which had hit con- 7.3 percent in October-December Besides HSBC, global banks secutive records in January and and the worst rate since January- such as Citigroup Inc and February, plummeted 60 percent February 2009, at the height of Standard Chartered Bank Plc to $3.08bn. the global financial crisis. have expressed interest in exit- Customs spokesman Huang Growth slowed to 7.4 percent ing units chiefly viewed as sub- Songping blamed the export in the whole of 2014, the weak- standard and underperforming slump on stepped-up factory est in 24 years. The deceleration businesses, UBS strategist Philip deliveries ahead of a later start appears to have continued into Finch said in a client note. for China’s Lunar New Year holi- this year as indicators including Iron ores being transported in Qingdao port in east China’s Shandong province as China suffered an across-the- In the case of HSBC, CEO days than in 2014. industrial production, consumer board decline in trade in March. Stuart Gulliver is facing pressure Factoring in seasonal effects spending and fixed asset invest- to reshape the business focus of the fall was only 4.8 percent, ment have slumped. The government last month Huang said officials were brac- severely affected. This could spark Europe’s largest bank. He recently Huang said. Still, he acknowl- “While the very weak export lowered its official economic ing for a “severe and complicated” popular discontent — a key con- told investors at a conference call edged problems. “International data in March was affected by the growth target for this year to situation. “We will have to make cern of the Communist Party. that operations in Mexico, Brazil, market demand was slack and front-loading effect owing to the about 7 percent. It also cut its great effort in order to achieve The central People’s Bank of the United States and Turkey export orders have declined,” he Chinese New Year in February, trade growth target to about 6 this year’s trade growth target,” China earlier this year cut inter- pose “the biggest problems” for told reporters. “Comprehensive the overall trade performance percent, from the 7.5 percent goal he said. est rates for the second time in HSBC. costs remained high so that the in Q1 remains quite weak,” ANZ set for last year. Beijing is trying to manage three months. It also carried out According to Finch, Canada’s traditional competitive advan- economists Liu Li-Gang and Actual trade expanded 3.4 a delicate rebalancing of the an across-the-board reduction in Bank of Nova Scotia ranks among tages were weakened.” Zhou Hao wrote after the latest percent in 2014, the third con- economy to make growth more the reserve requirement ratio — potential candidates to buy For imports, he attributed the figures. “In particular, the very secutive time the annual target consumer-driven and sustainable, the amount of money banks must HSBC’s Mexican and Brazilian weakness to commodity price weak import data suggest domes- was missed, owing to weakening but also making sure it does not keep on hand — for the first time units. Citing recent media reports, falls and a downturn in domestic tic demand has slowed further.” domestic and foreign demand. slow so much that job growth is since May 2012. AFP he added Brazil’s Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, which is the largest Latin American bank by market value, to the list after a top execu- tive expressed interest in expand- ing in Mexico late last year. The report underscores the World Bank trims 2015 East Asia growth forecast growing interest among Canadian, Mexican and Brazilian lenders to SINGAPORE: East Asia’s rate projected in October and down global growth, twice the combined through fiscal reforms aimed at 0.70 percent in 2014 as greater grow in Latin America as more developing economies led by from last year’s 7.4 percent growth. contribution of all other develop- raising revenues such as cutting political stability perks up con- restrictive capital rules make China will grow slightly slower Developing East Asia should grow ing regions,” Axel van Trotsenburg, fuel subsidies. sumer spending and investments. it harder for global lenders to this year, with higher US inter- 6.7 percent, easing from 6.9 percent World Bank East Asia and Pacific For Indonesia, 2015 growth is But the bank said growth for expand across emerging markets est rates and an appreciating in 2014, the World Bank added in regional vice president, said in a expected to come in at 5.2 percent, Malaysia — Southeast Asia’s larg- at the pace of previous years. dollar posing further risks to the latest edition of its East Asia statement. slower than the bank’s previous est oil exporter — will slow to 4.7 Likewise, as more global banks the region, the World Bank said Pacific Economic Update. Slower growth in China is likely estimate of 5.6 percent but still percent from 6 percent last year look to dispose more Latin yesterday. Under the bank’s definition, to temper the positive effects of stronger than last year’s 5 percent as the country feels the pinch from American assets that underper- In its latest forecasts for the Developing East Asia includes 14 lower oil prices and a recovery in expansion. depressed crude prices, while a form, there will be more opportu- region, the bank said China’s econ- countries. “Despite slightly slower developed countries, but the bank Thailand’s economy is likely to goods and services tax imple- nities for domestic banks to take omy should expand by 7.1 percent growth in East Asia, the region said economies should take advan- mount a strong rebound and grow mented this month will affect con- back market share and underpin in 2015, slower than the 7.2 percent will still account for one-third of tage of the oil price fall to push at 3.5 percent this year from just sumption. AFP growth, Finch noted. REUTERS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS China rejects Taiwan a place in AIIB Beijing may consider Taiwan if it meets naming condition

BEIJING: Taiwan’s bid to AIIB,” Ma said in the statement. communication with the people in China’s influence a major concern become a founding member of “The AIIB... is open and inclusive advance,” Cheng said. “The hasty China’s new regional develop- and welcomes the Taiwan side to and wishful decision was rewarded TOKYO/NEW DELHI: China could have out- (the United States and Japan) aren’t in, then China ment bank has been rejected, join under an appropriate name.” with disappointment and harm to sized influence over a new Beijing-backed inter- will have an overwhelmingly large quota and voice,” Beijing said yesterday, dashing Taiwan is not a member of the the country’s reputation.” national development bank under a proposed said one Japanese official. “No country would be able the island’s hopes of having a United Nations, World Bank or Parliamentary speaker Wang shareholding structure likely to be discussed at to challenge China. If Japan were in, it would have platform in the institution from International Monetary Fund but Jin-pyng, a member of the ruling a meeting of member nations in Washington this considerable influence.” the start. it has joined some international Kuomintang party, said Taiwan week, sources say. China’s finance ministry did not immediately Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for organisations under different would not give up, but stressed The group will meet on the sidelines of the annual respond to a request for comment. The United the Beijing-based State Council names. Reaction in Taiwan was there were limits to how far it meetings of the International Monetary Fund and States had earlier cautioned nations about joining Taiwan Affairs Office, said in a characterised by a mix of disap- would go. “We still hope we could World Bank in the US capital, said an Indian govern- the bank, citing what it called a lack of transparency statement that a Hong Kong report pointment, resignation and tenac- join as a member in the future and ment official familiar with the plan. India was one and doubts about lending and environmental safe- the island had failed to become a ity. Charles Chen, spokesman for will keep striving for this.” of the first nations to join the new bank. China has guards, and how much influence Beijing would wield. founding member of the Asian President Ma Ying-jeou, issued a “But then again, in what name proposed that Asian nations own three-quarters of But its major allies — Britain, France, Germany, Infrastructure Investment Bank brief written statement saying: we would join is important,” he the AIIB, a larger overall stake than would be war- Australia and South Korea — signed up anyway. (AIIB) was correct. But he held “Joining AIIB would be good for added, describing “Chinese Taipei” ranted were ownership decided by economic weight- Jin Liqun, secretary-general of China’s interim out the possibility of Taiwan join- Taiwan, but Taiwan would rather — the name under which Taiwan ings alone, given European heavyweights Germany, secretariat which is establishing the AIIB, said at a ing later if it meets a key naming not attend if we are not treated is referred to by the International France, Britain and Italy are also members. forum in Singapore on Saturday that although China condition. under the principle of ‘dignity and Olympic Committee — as “the bot- Each Asian member will then be allotted a share would have the biggest share in the bank, it would Beijing regards Taiwan as part equality’.”. tom line”. of that 75 percent quota based on their economic not dominate its operations. of its territory and opposes inter- But the main opposition Taiwan is known as the Separate size, two Japanese sources said — a formula that “AIIB is a bank, not a political organisation or national recognition for it, often Democratic Progressive Party Customs Territory of Taiwan, would guarantee China the largest single voice inside political alliance,” Jin was quoted as saying by China’s curtailing its involvement in global (DPP) was harshly critical. Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu at the the bank.China has outlined details of the bank to official Xinhua news agency. He said the AIIB would agreements. The two split in 1949 Spokesman Cheng Yun-peng in a World Trade Organisation. It is a Japan in an effort to get Tokyo to sign up, the sources be “clean, lean and green”. at the end of the Chinese civil war. statement accused the government member of the Asian Development said. However, Tokyo remains non-committal due to China has said it will announce the AIIB’s list of “We are willing to continue to listen in Taipei of having been in too big Bank (ADB) under the name its close relationship with the United States, which founder members on Wednesday, but it is not clear to the opinions of various parties a rush to seek membership. “Taipei, China”, while officially the has urged nations to be wary of the AIIB. “Looking if the shareholding structure will also be finalised to appropriately handle the issue “There was a lack of profes- government refers to itself as the at GDP-based contributions, if the No. 1 and No. 3 this week. REUTERS of Taiwan’s participation in the sional evaluation and sufficient Republic of China. AFP Time running out on India woos German industry at Hannover HANNOVER: A giant statue of an Indian elephant dominates Greek debt talks: EU the stand of German cable maker Lapp at this year’s Hannover ROME: Greece is not mov- unlock emergency funding to keep Fair, the world’s largest indus- ing fast enough to draw up and Greece afloat. trial trade show, which opened implement structural reforms Dombrovskis noted that April yesterday. and there is limited time to 24 was not a formal deadline to Stuttgart-based Lapp and a host prevent it running out of cash, reach a deal with Greece, but the of other German industrial com- European Commission Vice country’s financial difficulties panies are lining up to tap into the President Valdis Dombrovskis were pressing. Technical teams growth potential of India, Asia’s said yesterday. from Greece and its international third-biggest economy, which is the The mood between Greece’s lenders held a teleconference on partner country of this year’s fair newly elected leftist government Saturday to outline the agenda and is eagerly wooing foreign inves- and its eurozone partners has of talks over the next few days, tors to help modernise its industry. been tense during negotiations a Greek finance ministry official The family-run firm, with a that will determine whether the said at the weekend. workforce of 3,200, has been active cash-strapped country gets fur- Dombrovskis said eurozone on the densely populated sub-conti- ther, much-needed financial aid finance ministers had done their nent since the mid-1990s, believing from its EU/IMF lenders. “Talks best to be flexible, but Greece now that its democratic structures, pat- are very complicated. Time is also had to do more. “If the Greek ent protection laws and wide use of running out,” Dombrovskis told government does not like some English make it an easier market to said. “Greece should come up with of the programme measures it crack than, say, China, a company an ambitious reform list in line is possible to replace them with spokesman said. with its bailout programme and other measures with equal fiscal India’s Prime Minister Narendra also start to implement it.” value,” he said. Modi, on his first official visit to A meeting of deputy finance “The Eurogroup has also indi- Germany this week, jointly opened ministers — called the Euro cated at the possibility to look at the “Hannover Messe” with Working Group — on Thursday Greece’s primary surplus targets German Chancellor Angela Merkel. gave Athens a deadline of six without undermining debt sus- “We will make it easy to make busi- German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi eye the robot ‘YuMi’ at the stand working days to present a revised tainability, so there are number of ness in India,” Modi told invited economic reform plan, before steps the Eurogroup has indicated politicians, business leaders and of ABB during the opening tour at the Hannover Messe trade fair in Hannover yesterday. eurozone finance ministers meet it is willing to take to facilitate an exhibiting companies at the open- on April 24 to decide whether to agreement.” REUTERS ing ceremony on Sunday evening. in 2014, with Germany exporting development could provide the energy, but also in roads, rail and “The opportunities we offer are nearly €9bn worth of goods to India. necessary trigger to whet German shipping, BDI said. huge. For people in India, Germany The figure “could be increased companies’ appetite for the Indian Power supply was frequently is a valued partner and symbol of sharply,” according to the BDI market. unreliable, bureaucracy was heavy US on trade mission to China technology, innovation, quality,” German industry federation. As part of a massive campaign and there were also customs bar- Modi said. For now, chemicals and machine to find new investors, New Delhi riers, said DIHK. But for Erich For India, Asia’s number three tools make up the lion’s share of has come up with the slogan “Make Nesselhauf of Daimler Commercial economy after China and Japan, trade between the two countries. in India”. Vehicles India, it was primarily a Germany is already the most Germany also exports electrical With other emerging economies question of being able to adapt. “It’s important trading partner in goods to India, and imports textiles such as China and Brazil already not any more complicated than in Europe. But for Germany, Europe’s from the sub-continent. well saturated and dwindling Germany, just different,” he said. largest economy, India ranks just “For German companies, there’s investment opportunities in Russia, Daimler Chief Executive Dieter 25th on the list of countries it does massive potential in sectors such India is beginning to awaken inves- Zetsche is one of the many business business with. as energy, environment, medi- tors’ interest. leaders who was set to meet Modi Following a tour of the fair with cine, IT and services,” said Volker DIHK estimates that German during the PM’s visit to Germany. Modi yesterday, Merkel acknowl- Treier, responsible for foreign trade exports to India could grow by more And the carmaker has invested edged there was “still potential at Germany’s DIHK federation of than 10 percent after declining in €750m in assembling trucks in for German companies to grow in chambers of commerce. Modi’s recent years. India, with primarily India-made India”. In concrete terms, bilat- promises of economic growth, “One of the main stumbling parts, since 2012 and more recently eral trade between the two coun- job creation, regulatory and fis- blocks for German companies is the buses, under the brand name tries amounted to €16bn ($16.9bn) cal reform and infrastructure lack of infrastructure,” not only in “BharatBenz”. AFP India still vulnerable to shocks: S&P MUMBAI: India’s hard-won since 2011/12. from S&P, with a “stable” fiscal improvements could But it expressed concern outlook. fail to withstand an exter- that the spending plan could Last week, Moody’s raised India’s consumer nal shock, rating agency also be hit if India failed to India’s outlook to “positive”, Standard and Poor’s warned raise the amount targeted from bringing the country a step yesterday, given “less than the sale of stakes in state-run closer to a rating upgrade. inflation dips rock solid” public finances firms. Fitch reaffirmed its BBB-, “sta- MUMBAI: India’s consumer inflation that remain a concern for its “Particularly if divestment ble” outlook. fell slightly in March, the government sovereign rating profile. targets are also not met, the Major rating agencies give said, raising the prospect of a further “While the country’s budg- government could find it nec- India the lowest investment cut in interest rates. etary performances have essary to cut capital spending grade rating. Retail inflation declined to a lower strengthened in recent years, again to meet its deficit target,” The Narendra Modi govern- than expected 5.17 percent in March its hard-won fiscal improve- S&P said. ment, which took power last from 5.37 percent in February, when ments could yet unwind The government has a fis- May promising faster growth unseasonal rains pushed up food prices. because of a financial or com- cal deficit target of 3.9 percent and more jobs, has been mov- A dip in global crude oil prices and steady modity shock,” the rating of gross domestic product for ing to fast-track infrastructure food costs have helped control inflation agency said in a report, citing the current fiscal year, and projects and remove policy to around 5 percent from double digits the need to pay out costly sub- has projected divestment of uncertainty, as well as cut fuel in 2013, allowing the central bank to cut sidies and interest on govern- Rs695bn ($11.1bn) to help reach subsidies. “Together with the interest rates twice so far this year to ment debt. it, but many analysts see this resulting better growth pros- spur growth. But Reserve Bank of India US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker (center left) and Chinese The rating agency lauded income level as ambitious. pects, these potential develop- Governor Raghuram Rajan kept rates on Premier Li Keqiang (center right) hold a meeting at the Great Hall of India’s efforts to increase capi- India, constrained by a mod- ments could also bring about hold at a scheduled review last week as he the People in Beijing, yesterday. Pritzker is leading a US business tal expenditure by more than est average income level and stronger credit support for waited for commercial lenders to pass on delegation on a trade mission to China. 25 percent in 2015/16, versus the government’s weak fiscal the government,” S&P said. the two previous cuts to customers. AFP an average rise of 5.4 percent position, has a BBB- rating REUTERS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Oil firms’ profits hit by quest Futures prices point to more for crude price exposure BY TOM BERGIN balanced oil market in H2

HE drop in big oil companies’ profits in the past eight BY JOHN KEMP $3.83 per barrel, just 64 cents per month, than normal but nowhere near as distended months isn’t just a function of lower crude prices — it and is at its narrowest since early January. as crude stocks. also reflects strategic choices. A Reuters examination of ROFESSIONAL commodity Something similar has happened with the While US crude stocks are almost 125 Tcorporate filings by some of the biggest players in the traders watch spreads (differ- June-December spread in Brent, though in million barrels (35 percent) higher than the industry, including BP, Shell and France’s Total, shows the sen- ences between the prices for the case of the international oil benchmark, previous 10-year median, product stocks are sitivity of these companies’ earnings to changes in oil prices has adjacent futures contracts) the spread began to narrow from the middle only 68 million barrels (10 percent) above risen in recent years. rather than spot prices as the of February onwards. average. To put that in context, the United This means that for every dollar the oil price drops, their profits best indicator of the balance A narrowing of the contango is usually States consumes around 19 million barrels of sink more than they might have done five years ago. Pbetween supply and demand. associated with market expectations that refined products per day, with slightly more Of course, that wasn’t the plan. Choices made by several oil In crude, the narrowing spreads for both the degree of oversupply will fall in future. In in summer than in spring and autumn. majors that built more exposure to prices into their portfolio, Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) the case of crude, however, the contango has US refiners are taking advantage of the mainly through the kinds of contracts they opted to sign, was indicate a closer balance between supply and narrowed even as US commercial stockpiles wide spread between the price of domestic aimed at enjoying prices that were historically high. demand in the second half of the year than have climbed to the highest level in more crude oil and finished fuels to maximise pro- “In simple terms it (oil price sensitivity) has increased and that’s in the first. Periods of excess supply are nor- than 80 years. duction. Throughput is currently almost 16 been a deliberate choice,” Simon Henry, Chief Financial Officer at mally characterised in futures prices by a US commercial crude stocks have risen by million barrels of crude per day, more than Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Europe’s largest oil group by market value, “contango” structure, an obscure term that almost 97 million barrels, around 25 percent, 1.3 million barrels per day above the 10-year said. “We took a view that prices were going to go up and that our originated in the 19th century. since the start of 2015, according to the US average, and 600,000 barrels per day above portfolio was less exposed than it should be in that environment In contango, contracts for deferred deliv- Energy Information Administration (EIA). the level this time last year. because of the types of contracts we had in place,” he said. ery trade at a premium to the spot price Reported crude stocks increased by nearly The fact the June-December contango has Shell made the decision in the early 2000s and it took around to compensate the seller for the costs of 11 million barrels last week alone, the larg- narrowed so sharply despite the continued a decade for that to have a real impact on the company’s bottom financing, storing and insuring the product est one-week build for 14 years. It was the rise in stocks is probably the most unusual line, Henry said. In 2009, Shell’s then-CEO Peter Voser said a $1 before delivery. By the middle of February, tenth-largest build reported since the EIA feature of the market at present. move in the crude price would shift earnings up or down by around the futures market for crude was trading in began publishing weekly information on It strongly suggests traders are expecting $200m. In January, Henry estimated the impact of a dollar move a wide contango, reflecting the steady rise in crude stocks back in 1982. the degree of oversupply to fall over the sec- on earnings was around $330m and increasing. US commercial crude stockpiles and fears Yet the contango spread has continued to ond half of 2015 with a much closer balance Brent crude averaged $54 per barrel in the first quarter of 2015 onshore storage space would run out. tighten, suggesting physical traders are look- between supply and demand. — half of what it was in the same period last year. If the current The contango was particularly pronounced ing past short-term oversupply to a tighter The market could be wrong, of course. price holds, the hit to Shell’s pre-tax earnings from the increased in futures contracts linked to WTI because supply-demand balance in the second six Traders and investors wrongly assumed sensitivity alone could run to billions of dollars a year compared the rise in stocks has been concentrated in months of the year. political risk and violence in the Middle East to what it would have been if the 2009 linkage between profits and the United States, especially around the con- The number of rigs drilling for oil across would reduce supplies in the second half of oil prices had held steady. tract’s delivery point at Cushing, Oklahoma. the United States has dropped by more than 2014. When the expected disruptions failed Filings from Europe’s second and third largest oil groups, On February 26, the December futures 50 percent in the last six months, which to materialise, spot prices plunged. London-based BP and Paris-based Total, show a similar trend. contract was trading at a premium of $6.21 should cut production by several hundred The market could be making a similar In early 2013, London-based BP said a $1 change in the oil price over WTI futures for delivery in June. thousand barrels per day later in the year. mistake in 2015, overestimating the pickup would lead to a $250m change in annual pre-tax replacement cost On March 18, the June-December spread On the demand side, motorists are using in demand and fall in US supplies, in which operating profit in its oil and gas production division. In March, the was still trading at $6.16 per barrel, paying their cars more and the United States is case there will have to be a sharp adjustment company said on its website that a $1 movement in Brent would more than $1 per barrel per month to cover likely to witness the strongest summer driv- in both spot prices and the spreads. For change earnings by $300m. the cost of storing and financing oil in the ing season since 2008, boosting fuel con- now, however, the balance of market opinion Total said in 2013 that a $1 rise in Brent would lift adjusted net second half of the year. Since then, however, sumption. Stockpiles of fully refined and favours the idea that the worst of the oversup- operating income by $140m. Earlier this year, it said the impact the June-December spread has tightened to semi-finished petroleum products are higher ply situation is over. REUTERS would be $170m. The increase in sensitivity is despite the fact that production levels - the main determinant of how much oil prices hit earnings - have fallen at all three companies.

SLOW TURNAROUND Many oil companies missed out on much of the benefit of the oil price surge from 2004 to 2008. Instead governments grabbed most of the gains, in part due to the contracts the companies had signed years earlier. Historically, companies bought exploration licenses and agreed that, if they struck oil, they would pay governments a royalty — often a share of output — even if no profit was declared. During the 1990s, when oil prices were low and profit margins tight, companies signed an increasing number of Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs), which offered returns based on the cash they invested. That meant companies had a better chance of getting their money back. Shell was one of the first companies to make the shift to projects with greater oil price sensitivity. It increased investments in OECD countries, which do not typically offer PSAs, and, where it did sign PSAs, it sought to link the returns to prices rather than accept a fixed return on money invested. Others followed its lead. “It was a general trend. Companies were keen to capture the upside from oil prices,” said Tom Ellacott, at consultants Wood Mackenzie. In February 2008, Philippe Boisseau, president for Gas & Power at Total, told investors that his com- pany was reducing the share of its production that came from production-sharing contracts that only offered a fixed return. In July 2008, BP’s then-CFO Byron Grote told investors the group was accelerating its exploration programme and looking for opportunities “especially in our key tax and royalty areas, that allow us to capture price upside”. Total declined to comment on its current strategy in respect to oil price exposure. BP said the company didn’t target a specific exposure but rather managed its portfolio over time to maximize returns and balanced investments between PSAs and tax and royalty regimes. BG Group, which last week agreed a $70 billion takeover by Shell, said its oil price sensitivity increased simply because the historically gas-focused company discovered a lot of oil. ExxonMobil has seen no change in its sensitivity to oil prices in recent years, while Chevron does not publish figures. Both declined comment. Shell is unapologetic about its decisions. CFO Henry said the world’s growing energy needs would support crude prices in the years to come. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Brazil’s iPhone investment falls short on promises

BY BRAD HAYNES of nearly $1,000 for a 32-gigabyte footprint to make more electron- remains an empty expanse of dirt, facilities in the country that make years. The union wants better iPhone 5S without a contract - ics in markets where they are sold. where bulldozers have been level- products under contract for vari- working conditions and profes- HE Brazilian iPhone among the highest prices in the But navigating politics and ling the land since late last year. ous technology companies, includ- sional development for the roughly was meant to mark world and about twice what they managing expectations beyond City councilor Givanildo Soares ing just one unit producing Apple 3,000 workers at the facility. a new era. When sell for in the US. China has been tricky for Foxconn, da Silva, who helped lead the push devices in Jundiaí, about 50km Foxconn turned down a request Taiwan’s Foxconn That Brazil has so little to show whose flagship listed unit is Hon to donate nearly 100 acres of land east of Itu. to tour the plant, but said in a Technology Group for the Foxconn investment under- Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd. to Foxconn, has since turned “Foxconn continues to invest statement it worked to meet inter- Tagreed in April 2011 to make scores the shortcomings of its For instance, Indonesia’s gov- against the project. “People are in our operations in Brazil,” the national workplace standards, Apple products here, President industrial policy, defined by costly ernment has said for years that really frustrated,” Silva said. company said in a statement. cooperated with unions and listened Dilma Rousseff and her advis- tax incentives that have driven a Foxconn would invest up to $10bn, “We were expecting all these jobs “We are committed to our goal of to feedback from employees. ers promised that up to $12bn widening government budget defi- but plans remain in limbo due to by now and it’s still just empty introducing innovative technolo- When Terry Gou, the founder in investments over six years cit without spurring growth. The political snags. promises.” gies that enable our employees and chairman of Foxconn, dis- would transform the Brazilian economy currently hovers close to In Brazil as in Indonesia, poli- The Itu mayor’s office said it in Brazil to focus on high value- cussed Brazilian labor in the past, technology sector, putting it on recession and the productivity of ticians and government officials had given all the support neces- added elements.” his take was withering. the cutting edge of touch screen Brazil’s workforce is stagnant. were the ones making the big sary to bring Foxconn to the city, Workers interviewed outside “Brazilian workers’ wages are development. A new supply chain Apple Inc’s iPhone sales in forecasts after conversations with declining to comment on reasons the Jundiaí plant said they had yet very high. But Brazilians, as soon would be created, generating high- Brazil have still been rising. Foxconn, which has been more for the delay. Foxconn said the to see that skilled work. “You hear as they hear ‘soccer,’ they stop quality jobs and bringing down Wholesale shipments increased circumspect in its own public facility should be operational by ‘Foxconn’ and ‘Apple’ so you think working. And there’s all the danc- prices of the coveted gadgets. more than 40 percent to 2.9 statements and projections. the end of this year, bringing its it’s something special. But there’s ing. It’s crazy,” he told the Wall Four years later, none of that million last year, according to Still, as Foxconn ramped up Brazilian workforce to more than no glamour in there. It’s a dead- Street Journal in 2010. has come true. Foxconn has cre- research firm Gartner. assembly of iPhones and iPads 10,000, though it did not provide a end job,” said Andressa Silva, 19. Those comments made few ated only a small fraction of the Apple declined to comment for in Brazil during 2012, reaping specific number of jobs or disclose Silva tests iPhones at the plant Brazilian friends for Gou, who 100,000 jobs that the government this story. Representatives for tax benefits, the company made how many are working on Apple for about $80 a week, just $15 deftly built a manufacturing projected, and most of the work the Brazilian government and a public commitment. The com- products. above the minimum wage. She and empire in China, but the under- is in low-skill assembly. There is Foxconn declined to comment pany pledged an initial investment Apple’s official list of its top several colleagues complained of lying complaint was familiar to little sign that it has catalysed on why the investment fell so far of 1bn reais ($325m) to anchor an 200 suppliers, accounting for 97 monotonous work and a lack of business leaders here. Brazil’s technology sector or cre- short of initial projections. industrial park producing compo- percent of materials and manu- promotion opportunities. Economists consider low pro- ated much of a local supply chain. With wages rising quickly in nents locally within two years. facturing costs, includes just two Evandro Oliveira Santos, the ductivity one of the chief reasons The iPhones now rolling off an China, home to most of its 1.3 mil- The location: Itu, a sleepy companies in Brazil: Foxconn and head of the local metalworkers’ for the steep cost of consumer assembly line near São Paulo, the lion employees, Foxconn is trying tourist town in São Paulo fellow Taiwanese electronics com- union, said the union was organ- goods in Brazil, along with high only ones in the world made out- to control costs by using more state nicknamed “The City of pany Lite-On Technology Corp. ising for a strike at the factory. It tariffs and interest rates. side China, carry a retail price tag robotics and expanding its global Exaggerations”. Today the site Foxconn currently has five would be the fourth in as many REUTERS TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,819.65 1.36 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,366.82 1.36 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,413.85 1.20 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,157.6 1.18 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,170.11 0.32 % Services GOLD Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 3,879.27 2.40 % All Ordinaries 5928.058 -7.306 -0.12 5962 5248.5 QR140.9358 QE All Share Transportation 2,414.86 0.78 % US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Real Estate 2,518.84 1.80 % Cac 40 Index/D 5240.55 0.09 0 5240.65 4076.16 SILVER UK ...... QR 5.2946 QR 5.3692 QE All Share Insurance 4,072.95 0.88 % Dj Indu Average 18057.65 0 0 18288.6 15855.12 Euro ...... QR 3.8187 QR 3.8730 QE All Share Telecoms 1,339.74 1.32 % QR 1.9224 QE All Share Consumer Goods & CA$ ...... QR 2.8569 QR 2.9132 7,053.85 0.82 % Services Hang Seng Inde/D 28016.34 743.95 2.73 27922.67 23312.5 Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6796 QR 3.7354 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6252.8 20.51 0.33 6241.25 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0300 QR 0.0305 Aus$ ...... QR 2.7346 QR 2.7880 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32248.45 -102.48 -0.32 35055.94 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 13-04-2015 12-04-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0578 QR 0.0590 Index 11,819.65 11,982.65 Nikkei 225 Index 19905.46 -2.17 -0.01 20006 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0354 QR 0.0361 Change 163.00 5.06 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0808 QR 0.0824 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2119.59 1815.8 % 1.36 0.04 $ 58.63 SL Re ...... QR 0.0271 QR 0.0277 YTD% 3.79 2.47 Straits Times/D 3484.39 12.01 0.35 3480.84 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 9,788,023 9,002,006 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0363 QR 0.0370 Value (QAR) 491,570,600.36 306,201,635.54 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2969 QR 0.3029 Trades 5,790 3,848 $ 57.20 Up 04 | Down 34 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 13-04-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 260.5 43.4 45466 Century Text-A/D 785.8 20.9 456468 Goodyear I -B/D 621.25 41 398534 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 124.1 2.9 5522 Orient Hotel-T/D 20.9 0.15 17424 Hsbc Holdings/D 618.9 6.8 13517521 A C C-A/D 1594.6 -38.85 25788 Chambal Fert-B/D 71.9 -0.45 25620 Hcl Infosys-B/D 58.2 0.15 1076553 Kalpat Power-B/D 235 5.3 20133 Orient.Carb.-T/D 549.7 14.5 30297 Imperial Tobac/D 3242 -40 526302 Aarti Drugs-B/D 809.5 0.75 27844 Chola Invest-B/D 590 9.8 1204 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 15.76 0.2 1497194 Kalyani Stel-T/D 146.9 2.4 73984 Orient.Carb.-T/D 549.7 14.5 30297 Kingfisher/D 360 -4 2247196 Aban Offs-A/D 466.2 8.8 263184 Chowgule St-T/D 25.1 0.4 19129 Himat Seide-B/D 86 0.1 40363 Kanoria Chem-B/D 46.15 1.55 28900 Punjab Chem.-B/D 232 10.3 38202 Land Secs Grou/D 1301 2 699942 Aegis Logis-B/D 746.25 15 83627 Cimmco-B/D 105 4.85 34583 Hind Motors-T/D 7.26 0.06 100969 Kg Denim-B/D 25.65 1.4 49522 Radico Khait-B/D 100.2 5.65 286596 Legal & Genera/D 284.44 -2.8 2935800 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 296.95 37.1 454214 Cipla-A/D 710.6 10.55 235335 Hind Org Chem-/D 19.44 3.24 208240 Kilburnengg-T/D 61.25 3.65 143419 Reliance Indus/D 433.9 0.6 74228 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.96 -0.34 51949034 Alembic-B/D 39.65 0.45 137244 City Union Bk-/D 94.95 -0.1 73659 Hind Unilever-/D 947.3 16.2 157370 Kinetic Eng-B/D 50.55 -0.9 6403 Ruchi Soya-B/D 43.95 -0.4 39226 Marks & Sp./D 563.5 -12 1324436 Alkyl Amines-B/D 348 12.7 1280 Cmc Ltd-A/D 2022.65 -4.1 8984 Hind.Petrol-A/D 654.3 -8.5 112354 Kopran-B/D 55.6 2.15 315397 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 597.4 3.8 6032 Next/D 7050 -20 109390 Alok Indus-A/D 8.67 0 1126896 Colgate-A/D 2149.3 4.4 14207 Hindalco-A/D 136 -1.9 393062 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 482.3 -11.8 7526 Salora Inter-B/D 60.65 10.1 9620 Pearson/D 1447 -24 1193049 Apollo Tyre-A/D 187.5 7.05 433109 Container Cor-/D 1682.9 13.95 5655 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1303.9 13.6 63152 Lakshmi Mach-A/D 3971.55 -56 1060 Saur.Cem-B/D 45.5 0.8 117982 Prudential/D 1692 -24 1114351 Asahi I Glass-/D 141.2 -0.7 8631 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 220 15.6 52335 I F C I-A/D 36 0.35 601416 Lgb Broth-B/D 509 3.5 2804 Thirumalai-B/D 98.1 4.8 34355 Rank Group/D 195 5.1 204796 Ashok Leyland-/D 75.9 0.45 1023125 Dhampur Sugar-/D 38.15 0.3 3373 Idbi-A/D 75.9 -0.1 347880 Lloyd Metal-B/D 7.25 -0.45 12752 Timexgroup-T/D 23.3 3.2 539452 Rentokil Initi/D 139.8445 -0.4 352393 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1304.95 5.25 1275 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3790.95 -9.2 14484 Ifb Agro-B/D 284.9 -7.4 8313 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 12.11 0.07 19588 Tinplate-B/D 63.7 0.95 113165 Rolls Royce Pl/D 962.5 -12.5 1568295 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.65 0.53 310155 E I H-B/D 110.1 0.6 25165 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 667 -3.5 7659 Lupin-A/D 1979 14.4 68843 Ub Engineer-Z/D 6.85 0.29 3875 Rsa Insrance G/D 433.8 -1.8 738858 Banaras Bead-B/D 43.7 5.2 11797 E.I.D Parry-A/D 170.5 -1.15 20443 India Cement-A/D 108.15 0.15 261997 Lyka Labs-T/D 59.35 3.55 99888 Ucal Fuel-B/D 116 2.2 14309 Sainsbury(J)/D 273.7 -3.7 2273651 Bannari Aman-B/D 860 -35 35547 Eicher Motor-A/D 16054.1-152.25 2527 India Glycol-B/D 97 0.5 13103 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 162.4 5.5 3336 Ucal Fuel-B/D 116 2.2 14309 Schroders/D 3376 -29 62682 Bata India-A/D 1161.2 4.15 17024 Electrosteel-B/D 18.7 -0.1 305374 Indian Hotel-A/D 111.9 0 74812 Mah.Seamless-B/D 212.5 -4.25 11842 Ultramarine-B/D 68 0.4 10108 Severn Trent/D 2170 -4 221095 Bayer Crop-A/D 3949.25 623.05 31815 Emco-B/D 36.9 0.35 45328 Indo-Tcount-T/D 474 1 11913 Maral Overs-B/D 30.9 0.75 5479 Unitech P -A/D 17.85 0.25 4420841 Smith&Nephew/D 1180 -15 581003 Beml Ltd-A/D 1135.45 -16.85 44122 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.75 0.13 8230 Indusind-A/D 948.35 2.9 64021 Mastek-B/D 456.1 19.5 319777 Univcable-T/D 39.5 -1 11012 Smiths Group/D 1119 -15 361165 Bh Electronic-/D 3445.55 -178.9 43733 Escorts-A/D 138.25 4.55 439829 J.B.Chemical-B/D 226.7 2.4 61044 Max India L-A/D 482 -9.4 25914 Standrd Chart /D 1106.5 -2.5 1422739 Bhansali Eng-T/D 21 0 102625 Essar Oil-T/D 111.85 1.3 95296 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 38 -0.05 6002 Mrpl-A/D 73.5 -0.4 72369 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 654.5 3.5 317815 Bharat Bijle-B/D 691 7.75 3609 Eveready Indu-/D 305 10.3 99673 Jagson Phar-B/D 32.95 0 28858 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 22.8 -0.55 1763 Tesco/D 244.722 -6.25 9744588 Bharatgears-B/D 81.9 5 47831 F D C-B/D 165.75 -2.1 13204 Jamnaauto-B/D 226.1 3.5 26128 Nahar Spg.-B/D 103.9 0.7 15948 Unilever/D 2910 -25 718245 Bhartiya Int-B/D 445 20.8 1527 Federal Bank-A/D 129.25 0.35 151900 Jbf Indu-B/D 235.6 1 148601 Nation Alum -A/D 47.5 0.25 91162 3I Group/D 507 -2.5 333581 United Util Gr/D 977 -4.5 606324 Bhel-A/D 241.85 7 400742 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.25 0.68 100996 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.48 0.02 5200 Navneet Edu-B/D 107.8 2.05 16836 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2986.05 -31 143276 Vodafone Group/D 228.48 -0.85 11888923 Bom.Burmah-B/D 475.3 -2.15 89148 Finolex-A/D 286 0.35 18792 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.54 -0.17 258411 Nepc India-T/D 2.72 0.02 13673 Barclays/D 258.4 1.4 10066215 Whitbread/D 5355 -65 83026 Bombay Dyeing-/D 73 0.65 430746 Forbes-B/D 2118.5 -127.25 1375 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 7.53 0 59269 Neuland Lab-B/D 387.5 16.5 9014 Bg Group/D 1172 4 9967982 Camph.& All-B/D 282 13.2 4471 Gail-A/D 394.8 -4.5 178877 Jik Indust-T/D 1 0 2010 Nrb Bearings-B/D 129 0 13633 Bp/D 470.7 -1.55 10447701 Canfin Homes-B/D 739.75 10 34262 Gammon India-T/D 20.6 0 51166 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 130.8 5.65 614731 O N G C-A/D 311.7 1.95 186819 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3663.5 -52.5 805914 Caprihans-B/D 86 8.55 30061 Garden P -B/D 24.9 -0.55 54885 Jmc Projects-T/D 215.2 -5.8 14440 Ocl India-B/D 446 -9.8 1732 Bt Group/D 454.888 0.25 4871148 Castrol India-/D 468.9 -0.35 27238 Godfrey Phil-B/D 475.95 0.4 2483 Kabra Extr-B/D 79.5 3 2711 Oil Country-B/D 34.25 -0.25 3770 Centrica/D 262.6 -0.1 3335658 Century Enka-B/D 199.8 7.1 305580 Goodricke-B/D 168 -3.2 42282 Kajaria Cer-A/D 765 -3.15 15309 Orchid Chem-B/D 57.8 -0.65 87934 Gkn/D 358 -3.2 917193 TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Bucks clinch play-off Cycling: Degenkolb and Kristoff herald berth with rout of Nets changing of guard

ROUBAIX, France: John been the semi-classic Kuurne- Milwaukee bounce back after terrible season last year Degenkolb’s (pictured) victory Brussels-Kuurne last year and at Paris-Roubaix was perhaps many believe his best days are more significant than just his behind him. MILWAUKEE: The Milwaukee historic Monument double. In his place, and perhaps that Bucks completed a remarkable The 26-year-old German added of Cancellara too, Kristoff and turnaround yesterday, clinching on Sunday the Roubaix title to Degenkolb are filling the gap. an NBA play-off berth a year his Milan-San Remo success last Both started out as sprint- season after posting the league’s month, becoming only the third ers, but ones who lack the pure worst record. man to win those two prestigious straight-line speed of a Marcel The Bucks beat the Brooklyn Monument races in the same Kittel or Mark Cavendish, yet Nets 96-73 to punch their post- year. can keep pace with the punchers season ticket, becoming the first Coming a week after Norwegian if there is a lumpy run in to the team since the 2008-09 Miami Alexander Kristoff’s success at finish or slight incline in the home Heat to make the playoffs a sea- the Tour of Flanders, there was straight. son after finishing with the worst a definite feeling of the passing of They have also now both started record. a baton over the cobbles. to distinguish themselves as one- Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points, For the last decade, the two day classics specialists, proving O.J. Mayo added 17 and Khris major cobbled classics — Roubaix as adept at Milan-San Remo, the Middleton chipped in 16 for the and Flanders — had been domi- longest one-day race on the calen- Bucks, who secured the sixth seed nated by two men: Tom Boonen dar at almost 300km, as they are in the Eastern Conference. and Fabian Cancellara. on the brutal cobbles in “I think it was a team effort,” Prior to this year, Flanders and the north said Bucks head coach Jason when both missed the of France. Kidd — who ditched the Nets in two races due to injury, Degenkolb, though, July after his first season as a they had won 13 of the believes there are other head coach to take the helm in 20 editions of the two young riders also com- Milwaukee. “The third quarter we one-day classics. ing through to take came out like we have in the last Some might say that over the torch. couple games and put the ball in Degenkolb and Kristoff “We are pretty simi- the basket and got stops.” won’t truly replace lar, there will be also Brook Lopez delivered 12 points the others until they (other) races where we and 10 rebounds, while Mason beat them in the races race again against each Plumlee and Jarrett Jack each themselves, but last other,” he said about netted 11 for the Nets, who fell year Degenkolb out- Kristoff, who is a year back into a tie with the Indiana sprinted Cancellara to older at 27. Pacers for the eighth and final take second in Roubaix behind “When you are the same type of playoff spot in the East with two Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Bojan Bogdanovic Niki Terpstra. rider, you always meet each other games remaining. (44) defends in the fourth quarter of an NBA game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee on Sunday. And that same year, Kristoff again. But it’s not only Kristoff The Boston Celtics strength- had outsprinted the Swiss master and me, a lot of riders played a ened their hold on the seventh to lead seven Boston players in Westbrook poured in 54 But the Pelicans failed to gain to win Milan-San Remo — before big role (at Paris-Roubaix). spot in the East with a 117-78 win double figures against a Cavs points on 21-of-43 shooting and any ground on the Thunder, as this year being pipped to the post “Every race is new and differ- over short-handed Cleveland. team that rested starters LeBron also grabbed nine rebounds and they were beaten 121-114 by play- by Degenkolb. ent. When you look to (the other) Isaiah Thomas scored 17 points James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love passed out eight assists for the off- bound Houston. Last year, Boonen was beaten riders, there are lot of young rid- and J.R. Smith. Thunder, who remained tied with James Harden scored 30 points by Kristoff in Flanders and ers now. There was one in the NBA Results The Celtics can clinch a play-off the New Orleans Pelicans for the for the Rockets, who are tied Degenkolb at Gent-Wevelgem, breakaway at the end, a second Milwaukee 96 Brooklyn 73 berth by winning either of their eighth and final playoff spot in the with Memphis one half-game and has not won a cobbled classic year pro (Yves Lampaert) who’s last two games. “We’re not in the Western Conference. behind reigning NBA champions since his stunning 2012, when he still really young. So (that’s) very Boston 117 Cleveland 78 play-offs yet,” Boston coach Brad Making the defeat more San Antonio for the Southwest won all four: E3 Harelbeke, Gent- impressive.” Detroit 116 Charlotte 77 Stevens cautioned. “Progress has painful for Oklahoma City, Division lead and the second seed Wevelgem, Flanders and Roubaix. The German himself denied he Denver 122 Sacramento 111 been made, but we’re not where Westbrook received his 16th in the West. That was a year when Boonen is now the new star of the cob- Indiana 116 Oklahoma City 104 we’d like to be.” technical foul of the season in The Spurs won their 11th was practically unbeatable, win- bles and said he wants to face Washington 108 Atlanta 99 The Pacers stayed in the the fourth quarter. Unless it straight game on Sunday, Tim ning a host of other races, includ- Cancellara next year. hunt with a 116-104 victory over is rescinded upon review by Duncan scoring 22 points and ing the Tour of Qatar, the World “I don’t think that I am a hero. Houston 121 New Orleans 114 Oklahoma City, withstanding a the league, he will be suspended pulling down 10 rebounds in a Ports Classic and Paris-Brussels. I want to be the greatest this year San Antonio 107 Phoenix 91 career night from Thunder star for Monday’s game against 107-91 victory over Phoenix. Since then, however, his but I don’t think I am a hero now,” Dallas 120 LA Lakers 106 Russell Westbrook. Portland. AFP only success on the cobbles has he said. AFP

Toronto, Buffalo Rodriguez powers Yankees to 14-4 win over Red Sox begin end of NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez Baseball Results strong innings and pinch-hitter drove in four runs, and the Tampa Bay 8 Miami 5 Daniel Murphy had a tie-break- season sackings New York Yankees scored seven St. Louis 7 Cincinnati 5 ing sacrifice fly in the eighth as times in the top of the first Detroit 8 Cleveland 5 the New York Mets handed the TORONTO: The Toronto inning en route to a rout of the Toronto 10 Baltimore 7 Atlanta Braves their first loss. Maple Leafs have fired gen- Boston Red Sox. NY Mets 4 Atlanta 3 Jonny Gomes tied the game in eral manager David Nonis New York (2-4) third baseman Washington 4 Philadelphia 3 the seventh against Colon with and interim head coach Peter Chase Headley (3-for-5) and Pittsburgh 10 Milwaukee 2 his first homer for the Braves Horachek, while Buffalo Sabres second baseman Stephen Drew Chicago White Sox 6 Minnesota 2 before the Mets went ahead in coach Ted Nolan was also homered in the first inning, and Houston 6 Texas 4 the eighth. sacked, the National Hockey catcher Brian McCann added a Kansas City 9 LA Angels 2 Padres 6, Giants 4 League teams said on Sunday. solo home run in the eighth. Seattle 8 Oakland 7 Reserve San Diego Padres The Maple Leafs, rated as the The Red Sox fell to 4-2. Chicago Cubs 6 Colorado 5 catcher Wil Nieves hit a grand most valuable franchise in the Tigers 8, Indians 5 LA Dodgers 7 Arizona 4 slam to lead the Padres to a win NHL, have suffered their worst Miguel Cabrera had his second San Diego 6 San Francisco 4 over the San Francisco Giants. season in 18 years with their consecutive four-hit game, as he NY Yankees 14 Boston 4 Will Venable added a home run 30-44-8 record with 68 points hit two home runs and four RBIs, in the seventh inning to put the their worst 82-game season to lead the Detroit Tigers to a win City Royals to a rout of the Los game away for the Padres. record since 1996-97. over the Cleveland Indians. Angeles Angels. Cardinals 7, Reds 5 (11 innings) Three other members of the The red-hot Tigers (6-0) Ventura conceded a home run Matt Carpenter’s two-run coaching staff also were being swept the three-game series in to first baseman Albert Pujols home run off Kevin Gregg in released, Toronto said. Cleveland, outscoring the Indians but the 23-year-old Dominican the 11th inning lifted the St. While the team searches for a 25-15. finished with seven strikeouts Louis Cardinals to a victory over new general manager, assistant Royals 9, Angels 2 5-2/3 innings to help the Royals the Cincinnati Reds. Carpenter general manager Kyle Dubas and New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez hits a three run Yordano Ventura retired 12 of improve to 6-0. finished with four RBIs, while director of player personnel Mark double in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at the Yankee the first 14 batters he faced as Mets 4, Braves 3 Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run Hunter will share the duties. Stadium on Sunday. shortstop Alcides Escobar drove Bartolo Colon had an unlikely homer for St. Louis to tie the Horachek was hired as an in three runs to lead the Kansas RBI single while pitching seven score in the eighth. AGENCIES assistant coach in July and named interim head coach on January 7. He had an 9-28-5 record. The Maple Leafs have missed the Stanley Cup playoffs nine times in the past 10 seasons. ‘No tournament safe’ from fixing, says Dane The Sabres were the worst team in the NHL this season, SINGAPORE: A top Danish on, I think it will be naive to say Doping has also emerged as a been targeted at last year’s compiling a 23-51-8 record as badminton player who was that it’s not.” possible problem for badminton, Singapore Open and Thomas Cup, they finished with just 161 goals approached to fix matches has Match-fixing is a problem in one of Asia’s most popular sports, which rank among badminton’s in 82 games. said that “no tournament is many sports, including football after former world number one biggest tournaments. Nolan was appointed early in safe” from corruption and said and cricket, and Vittinghus’s com- Lee Chong Wei failed a drugs test “I don’t feel unsafe or any- the 2013-14 campaign and the he was sure some events were plaint last year rang alarm bells last year. thing because I went public with team was 40-87-17 in nearly two being rigged. for badminton. Denmark’s Mads Conrad- the story and I have never played seasons under his control. World number 11 Hans- He said he was approached Petersen said he hoped badmin- in a match where I thought my Assistant coach Danny Flynn Kristian Vittinghus (pictured), via Facebook at the Japan Open ton would pour resources into opponent was fixing or anything,” was also fired while two other who was targeted last year by a by a man he had met at previ- combating match-fixing, or risk said Vittinghus. coaches would not have their con- Malaysian man, said it would be ous tournaments, who claimed to having its integrity compromised. In an earlier statement about tracts renewed. naive to think that all badminton have fixed matches at last year’s “It’s just important to have the incident, BWF president Meanwhile, the 2015 NHL matches were clean. Singapore Open and Thomas Cup. some resources into this (match- Poul-Erik Hoyer said the world Draft Lottery, a weighted sys- “Money is growing in badmin- Vittinghus’s fellow Dane and fixing issue) so we can get it body “takes all reports of match- tem implemented to determine ton, which is a positive thing in doubles specialist Kim Astrup police for investigation. The BWF stopped,” Conrad-Petersen said fixing allegations absolutely the order of selection in the first many ways,” Vittinghus said by was also offered 2,500 to 3,000 had no further comment on the in Singapore. seriously”. round of the draft for the 14 clubs telephone from Denmark during euros (US$2,648-3,177) to throw matter when approached. “It’s in every sport, also in “It is especially important that not qualifying for the Stanley the Singapore Open, which fin- matches, as well as the chance to “I think no tournament is safe football and when there’s betting players are aware of the adverse Cup playoffs, will take place on ished on Sunday. bet on the outcomes. because of the world we live in and there’s someone who wants to effects of match-fixing and that Saturday night. “But of course money also Both players declined and with the Internet and the impli- cheat it’s important that people the only safe route is to reject any The Buffalo Sabres finished attracts other interest like reported the incident to the cations it has, so it can happen focus on (getting rid of) it.” approaches from individuals solic- 30th in the standings and cannot match-fixing, for example... I am Badminton World Federation anywhere and not only in Asia,” No details have been released iting their involvement in match- pick lower than second overall at sure (match-fixing) is still going (BWF), which handed it over to Vittinghus said. about which matches may have fixing,” he added. AFP the draft in June. AGENCIES TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Jordan Spieth of the US (right) is helped into his green jacket by Bubba Watson after winning the 2015 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday. RIGHT: Tiger Woods of the United States (left) and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shake hands on the 18th green during the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament.

Final thoughts at the Masters Some final thoughts at the Spieth claims first major title Masters after Sunday’s closing round at Augusta National: % Darren Clarke (72): I’m going tarpon fishing now for three days in the Boca Grande. That’s where I’m going. I’ve been with historic Masters victory waiting for this for a long time. % Keegan Bradley (68): I played so good today. I’m a lit- tle bummed out with my score. US golfer becomes second youngest winner in Masters history I should have been lower. But it was a fun week. I learned a lot. %Patrick Reed (70): It was an AUGUSTA, US: Jordan Spieth England’s Rose, the 2013 US Masters Final Scores okay week. I know I need work won a historic Masters tri- Open winner and Spieth’s last- on stuff. I still need to work on umph for the ages on Sunday, pair playing partner, shot 70 to 270 Jordan Spieth (USA) 64-66-70-70 consistency with the putter and the 21-year-old American deftly share second on 274 with 44-year- off the tee. It got me in so much handling the final-round ten- old US left-hander Mickelson, a 274 Phil Mickelson (USA) 70-68-67-69, trouble this week and especially sion to hold off Phil Mickelson five-time major winner who shot Justin Rose (ENG) 67-70-67-70 that driver. and Justin Rose and win his first 69. % Adam Scott (74): I’m major title by four shots. “I played a good solid round but 276 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71-71-68-66 excited to go back and spend at Writing an epic conclusion to I needed something exceptional. I 277 Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) 71-70-70-66 least a couple of weeks with my a week of domination at Augusta just didn’t quite get it,” Mickelson wife and daughter. I’ve spent National, Spieth fired a two-under said. 279 Dustin Johnson (USA) 70-67-73-69, very little time with them the par 70 to finish on 18-under 270, Top-ranked Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey (ENG) 69-68-74-68, Ian last two months. So that’s the matching the 72-hole tournament seeking a third consecutive major Poulter (ENG) 73-72-67-67 silver lining of a tough weekend. record set by Tiger Woods in 1997. win to complete his career Grand %Rickie Flower (67): Asked “This was arguably the great- Slam, was fourth on 276 after a 280 Charley Hoffman (USA) 67-68-71-74, when he would win a major: “I’m est day of my life,” Spieth said. 66, one stroke ahead of Japan’s Zach Johnson (USA) 72-72-68-68, hoping soon. The golf’s definitely “It’s incredible. “It’s a dream come Hideki Matsuyama. Hunter Mahan (USA) 75-70-68-67 good enough. My offense is on true.” Woods, a 14-time major cham- point, but I got to get rid of some Spieth claimed the green jacket pion, fired a 73 to share 17th on 282 Kevin Na (USA) 74-66-70-72, Bill Haas mistakes.” symbolic of Masters supremacy 283, his best finish since 2013 and (USA) 69-71-72-70, Kevin Streelman %Jason Day (75): To come in and the top prize of $1.8m at a sign that the worst of his physi- (USA) 70-70-70-72, Ryan Moore and have a disappointing finish the $10m event by denying two cal and shotmaking woes might be (USA) 74-66-73-69, Rickie Fowler like this is, it sucks, but obvi- ously this means that I need to of golf’s top major champions behind him. (USA) 73-72-70-67 another crown. “Considering where I was... I’m work harder. “It was very nerve-wracking really proud of it,” Woods said of 283 Tiger Woods (USA) 73-69-68-73, % Ian Poulter (67): What today,” Spieth said. “With two his effort. Sergio García (ESP) 68-74-71-70 went right? I hit lots of greens major champions right behind Spieth was a runner-up to in regulation over the weekend, 32 greens in regulation, which is me, I couldn’t let up.” Bubba Watson last year in his 284 Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 72-69-71-72, comfortably better than the field. Masters debut after squandering Henrik Stenson (SWE) 73-73-70-68 Jordan Spieth of the US reacts after sinking his final putt to win the 2015 % List of Masters Winners a front-nine lead on Sunday, but Zach Johnson (68): There’s 285 Russell Henley (USA) 68-74-72-71 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, USA, on Sunday. 2015- Jordan Spieth this time responded four times something innate, obviously, with him and those type of indi- 2014- Bubba Watson when dropping a shot to his rivals, viduals, something intangible restoring his margin each time on the youngest 18-hole leader in 13th to pull within four. But him the tournament record alone. 2013- Adam Scott (AUS) that probably a lot of athletes 2012- Bubba Watson the very next hole. Masters history answered every Spieth birdied 13 to restore a five- McIlroy went four under on the occasionally touch, but rarely 2011- Charl Schwartzel (RSA) Spieth, who will jump from stumble quickly. shot edge. back nine to surge into fourth, maintain. fourth to second in the world Three times on the front nine Mickelson eagled the par-5 his best Masters finish. “I played 2010- Phil Mickelson % Tiger Woods (73): On jar- rankings, became the second- Rose trimmed Spieth’s lead to 15th, blasting in from a green- well,” McIlroy said. “I’m happy 2009- Angel Cabrera (ARG) ring his wrist playing a shot: A youngest winner in Masters three shots and each time the side bunker, and Rose birdied 14 with how the weekend went. I’ll 2008- Trevor Immelman (RSA) bone kind of popped out and the history, five months older than Texan boosted his edge back to to join him on 14 under, both four take a lot of positives from it.” joint kind of went out of place, 2007- Zach Johnson Woods when he won his first four on the very next hole. back of Spieth with four to play. Woods missed every front-nine but I put it back in. 2006- Phil Mickelson major in 1997. When Rose made bogey at nine Again Spieth responded. He fairway and was favoring his right % Justin Rose (70): The 2005- Tiger Woods Also, Spieth became only the and Spieth followed with a 23-foot went over the green at 15 but wrist after blasting an approach atmosphere was fantastic all 2004- Phil Mickelson fifth wire-to-wire winner in birdie putt at 10, the lead was six pitched to seven feet and made off pine straw and hitting a tree day. Playing with Jordan, he’s 2003- Mike Weir (CAN) Masters history, joining Craig shots over Rose and Mickelson. the birdie putt to reach 19 under root at the ninth. going to sort of fly the flag, I 2002- Tiger Woods Wood in 1941, Arnold Palmer in Spieth’s birdie at 10 was his par, the first time any player at “A joint went out of place but think, for golf for quite a while, 2001- Tiger Woods 1960, Jack Nicklaus in 1972 and 26th of the tournament, break- any point in any Masters was so I popped it back in,” Woods said. as well. People were getting Ray Floyd in 1976. ing the Masters mark of 25 set by far below par. Woods showed at age 39 that he excited about that out there, you 2000- Vijay Singh (FIJ) “It was awfully impressive,” Mickelson in 2001, and he added Rose birdied to stay four back can contend in a major, although could tell. 1999- Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) McIlroy said of Spieth’s perform- two more at the par-5 13th and but he and Spieth parred 16 and he said of his next start, “It’s not %Jordan Spieth (70): Asked 1998- Mark O’Meara ance. Starting with a four-stroke 15th for good measure. Spieth 17 and made bogey on 18, Spieth going to be for a while.” what his career goals were: “I 1997- Tiger Woods lead after setting the 36- and dropped a shot at the par-3 12th missing a five-foot par putt at Woods has not won the Masters want to be like Bubba (Watson) 1996- Nick Faldo (ENG) 54-hole Masters scoring records, and Mickelson birdied the par-5 the last which would have given since 2005. AFP I want to win two Masters” Veteran Mickelson ready for US Open

AUGUSTA, US: Three-time Mickelson. “Jordan didn’t help golf.” Mickelson, who slipped to World Rankings champion Phil Mickelson any of us trying to catch him. He 18th in world rankings during his found his scoring touch at the played an extremely solid round.” title drought, has the 2005 PGA 1. (1) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 11.54 Masters, closing with a 69 for a Big Lefty again showed his abil- Championship to his credit and 2. (4) Jordan Spieth (US) 9.15 runner-up showing that could ity to rise at the biggest events only needs a US Open crown to herald a serious bid to complete as he registered his 10th second- complete the grand slam set and 3. (2) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 7.64 his career Grand Slam at the place in a major and 11th top-five become the sixth player to win all 4. (3) Bubba Watson (US) 7.41 US Open in June. result in the Masters. four professional majors. Mickelson, whose last win came “I feel like this is the way I’ve He has finished as U.S. Open 5. (5) Jason Day (Australia) 6.39 at the 2013 British Open, came been playing, but not scoring like runner-up an agonizing six times, 6. (7) Dustin Johnson (US) 6.28 alive at Augusta National and this. This is the first week that most recently in 2013 at Merion showed his electric potential by I’ve got the score out of myself behind winner Rose. 7. (6) Adam Scott (Australia) 6.18 holing out from the sand for eagle that I thought I should.” “I’ll spend a little bit of time at 8. (11) Justin Rose (Britain) 6.01 at the par-five 15th and finished Mickelson posted four birdies Chambers Bay,” said Mickelson of on 14-under-par 274 tied with along with his eagle, but gave back the site of this year’s Open. “I’ll go 9. (9) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 5.73 England’s Justin Rose. strokes with three bogeys, two of and see the course. I’ll spend some 10. (8) Jim Furyk (US) 5.69 Their best efforts could not them on three-putts at the ninth time there, but really I’ll be try- stem the charge of 21-year-old and 14th. ing to get my game sharp heading 11. (10) Jimmy Walker (US) 5.50 Jordan Spieth, who won his first “The fact is, I would have taken into that week. 12. (12) J.B. Holmes (US) 4.91 major with a record-tying total of 14-under at the start of the week,” “I’ll do that by playing 13. (13) Rickie Fowler (US) 4.73 18-under-par 270. he said. “I played really well to Memorial and Memphis the two Phil Mickelson of the United States watches his tee shot on the seventh “I played a solid round, but shoot 14-under and I just simply weeks prior, just like I did heading 14. (15) Patrick Reed (US) 4.58 hole during the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta I needed to play an excep- got outplayed by a young player into here playing the two weeks National Golf Club on Sunday. tional round,” said 44-year-old who just played some incredible prior.” REUTERS 15. (17) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 4.51 TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Tributes pour as India’s Mirza makes history NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Messages also poured in from top 30 in singles before a string by controversy throughout Narendra Modi yesterday led cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, of injuries made her take up dou- her career. She even faced a the accolades for Sania Mirza current Test captain Virat Kohli bles as a full-time career. She fatwa for wearing short skirts on after she became the first and badminton star said she hoped court. Indian woman to be crowned Saina Nehwal, who her rise to the Last year a member of Modi’s the world’s top-ranked doubles had briefly ranked “When you start off as a child top would inspire Hindu nationalist BJP party tennis player. as the number one playing tennis, you dream of women to believe in her home state of Andhra “An excellent accomplishment singles player ear- being No.1 in the world. It’s a in themselves. Pradesh called Mirza a “daugh- @MirzaSania! Congrats on being lier this month. dream for every person; very “I hope this ter-in-law of Pakistan” because of World Number 1 in doubles,” “Congratulations few get there. I feel extremely makes girls in her marriage to Pakistani crick- Modi, currently on a three- to @MirzaSania honoured to be No.1, it’s India believe that eter Shoaib Malik. nation European tour, tweeted on being crowned something that I’ve worked for anything is pos- Modi had to step in to defuse to his 11.6 million followers. World No. 1 in all my life,” sible; we can the situation, inviting a furious Mirza, 28, climbed to the top doubles. Terrific — Sania Mirza, after becoming achieve anything Mirza for tea in New Delhi. of the rankings after she won achievement and the world’s top-ranked doubles we want if we put Only three other Asian women the Family Circle doubles title will inspire more to tennis player. our mind and body have achieved the top WTA in Charleston, United States, on pursue the sport,” to it,” she said in a doubles ranking: Japan’s Ai Sunday while partnering Swiss Tendulkar tweeted. statement. Sugiyama, China’s Peng Shuai great Martina Hingis. Kohli wrote on his Twitter “I feel extremely honoured to and Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei. It was the third successive title page: “First Saina and now @ be No.1. It’s something that I’ve The doubles pair of Leander for the duo, also the number one MirzaSania. Indian women con- worked for all my life.” Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi In this file picture taken on March 21, Martina Hingis of Switzerland (left) doubles pair, after their victories quering the No.1 spot and making Mirza has been a trail- are the only other Indians to and India’s Sania Mirza pose with the winners’ trophy after winning the in the hard court events in Indian us proud! Congratulations!” blazer for women’s tennis in achieve number one rankings women’s doubles final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Wells and Miami. Mirza was once ranked in the India, despite being hounded in tennis. AFP Easy win for Sunrisers over Royal Challengers Warner blasts 27-ball 57 to guide Hyderabad home

BENGALURU: Skipper David Warner blasted a 27-ball 57 (6x4, 4x6) to help Sunrisers Hyderabad notch their first Sunrisers success in two outings with an Hyderabad eight-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the players Indian Premier League (IPL) celebrate T20 tournament here yesterday. the Warner and fellow-opener dismissal Shikhar Dhawan put on 82 runs of Royal in 7.2 overs as Sunrisers hunted Challengers down RCB’s total of 166 all Bangalore’s out, posting 172 for two in 17.2 Mandeep overs. Singh Dhawan played a mature during innings as he along with Lokesh match 8 of Al Rayyan’s Davon James Dominic (right) tries to score as Al Sadd’s Ali Rahul added 78 runs for the the Pepsi Saad Abdulrahman tries to block him during a Qatar Basketball Cup unfinished third wicket to carry IPL 2015, in match at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. Pictures: Abdul Basit Sunrisers over the finish line in Bengaluru style. yesterday. Warner thus justified his deci- sion of opting to field on winning the toss on a damp night follow- ing heavy rains in the evening. Fortunately, the rains stayed away, but the large partisan crowd was left disappointed by RCB’s Once the Sunrisers got rid limp performance. of Gayle who chanced his arms Scoreboard Warner’s power-packed innings once too often, it was a gradual took much the pressure off the downhill ride for the home team Royal Challengers Bangalore Bopara 3-0-31-2 (1w), KV Sharma 4-0-20-1, A chase as the visitors took con- although Kohli and de Villiers CH Gayle c Ashish Reddy b P Kumar ...... 21 Ashish Reddy 1-0-11-1 trol while Virat Kohli’s Royal raised visions of a big total. V Kohli b Bopara ...... 41 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD Challengers turned increasingly Sunrisers kept their compo- KD Karthik c Williamson b Sharma ...... 9 DA Warner lbw b Chahal ...... 57 disheartened as Sunrisers made sure to strike telling blows at AB de Villiers c Dhawan b Boult ...... 46 S Dhawan (not out) ...... 50 light of the target. vital moments with Boult claim- Mandeep Singh c Warner b Bopara ...... 0 KS Williamson st Karthik b Chahal ...... 5 The closest that RCB came ing three wickets in the 19th over DJG Sammy b Ashish Reddy ...... 6 KL Rahul (not out) ...... 44 to checking the chase was when and fellow-seamer Bhuvneshwar SA Abbott c Sharma b Boult ...... 14 Extras (LB 5, W 9, NB 2) ...... 16 leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal Kumar taking two in the 20th HV Patel c Williamson b Boult ...... 2 Total (2 wickets; 17.2 overs) ...... 172 removed Warner, who was trapped to peg RCB after Ravi Bopara, AN Ahmed b B Kumar ...... 4 Did not bat: NV Ojha†, RS Bopara, A Ashish leg-before and Kane Williamson the former England star, had VR Aaron b B Kumar ...... 6 Reddy, KV Sharma, P Kumar, B Kumar, TA Boult (5), stumped by Dinesh Karthik, removed Kohli and Mandeep YS Chahal (not out) ...... 1 Fall of wickets: 1-82, 2-94 but Dhawan dropped anchor to Singh off consecutive deliveries, Extras (Lb 4, W 12) ...... 16 Bowling: SA Abbott 2 0 21 0 (2w); HV Patel 2 guide Sunrisers home. in the 12th over. Total (all out; 19.5 overs) ...... 166 0 23 0 (1w); VR Aaron 3.2 0 36 0 (1w); AN Earlier, RCB promised a lot but RCB never quite recovered Fall of wickets: -43, 2-77, 3-93, 4-93, 5-125, Ahmed 4 0 41 0 (2nb, 1w); DJG Sammy 2 0 18 delivered little as their frontline from these body blows to crash 6-152, 7-152, 8-155, 9-165, 10-166 0; YS Chahal 4 0 28 2 batsmen, openers Chris Gayle and to their first defeat in two outings Bowling: TA Boult 4-0-36-3 (5w), B Kumar Player-of-the-match: DA Warner (Sunrisers Kohli, and South African skipper while the Sunrisers, who played 3.5-0-30-2 (1w), P Kumar 4-0-34-1, RS Hyderabad) AB de Villiers failed to build on better cricket, emerged deserving good starts. winners. IANS Root and Bell lead England recovery NORTH SOUND, Antigua batsmen struggled to cope with and Barbuda: England’s Scoreboard the raw pace of Mitchell Johnson. fourth-wicket pair of Ian Bell Here in Antigua, the issues Al Arabi’s Ngombo Tanguy (centre) scores against Al Ahli during a Qatar England (I Innings) Basketball Cup match at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. and Joe Root dominated the were more about faulty technique second session of the first Test A Cook b Roach ...... 11 and lapses in concentration, apart against the West Indies to lift J Trott c Bravo b Taylor ...... 0 from the sustained effort of the the tourists to 167 for three at G Ballance c Bravo b Holder ...... 10 West Indies bowlers in main- tea on the opening day at the I Bell (batting) ...... 69 taining a steady line under the Rayyan edge Sadd, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in J Root (batting) ...... 61 watchful eye of new head coach Antigua yesterday. Extras (B-6, LB-2, W-6, NB-2) ...... 16 Phil Simmons. Trott’s opening Bell resumes after the interval Total (3 wkts, 54 overs) ...... 167 partner, Alastair Cook, lasted on 69 alongside Root (61 not out), Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-22, 3-34. just another half-an-hour before Arabi rout Al Ahli the pair having put on 133 at a To bat: Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad, a tentative forward prod resulted run-a-minute, rescuing their side Chris Jordan, James Tredwell, James Ander- in an inside-edge off Roach onto DOHA: Al Rayyan edged out and were in the lead in the first from the considerable discomfort son. his stumps. Gary Ballance was Al Sadd 94-82 while Ngombo period, which ended 26-24 in their of 34 for three in the morning Bowling: Taylor 10-2-39-1 (1w), Roach 13- England’s other casualty of the Tanguy helped Al Arabi rout Al favour. But the remaining three after West Indies captain Denesh 4-36-1 (1nb, 1w), Holder 13-5-32-1 (1nb), morning, the attacking left- Ahli 101-81 in Qatar Basketball periods belonged to Al Arabi who Ramdin decided to bowl first on Benn 16-3-45-0, Samuels 2-0-7-0. hander drawn to chase a wide Cup matches yesterday. ran away with the game. winning the toss. West Indies: Denesh Ramdin (captain), delivery from Holder for Bravo Tanguy took the game away In the day’s other game, Al In stark contrast to the strug- Kraigg Brathwaite, Devon Smith, Darren Bra- to take his second catch, on this from Ahli, scoring a game-high Rayyan led all the way to register gles of their teammates at the top vo, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, occasion high to his left. 48 points at the Al Gharafa a win over Al Sadd. of the order, both batsmen played Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Jerome West Indies opted for a lone Stadium. Bolds Demarius Armond top- fluently on a pitch offering little Taylor, Kemar Roach, Sulieman Benn. specialist spinner in Sulieman He was capably supported by scored for Al Rayyan with a assistance to the bowlers, all of Benn ahead of leg-spinner Seck Oumar, who notched up 15 game-high 27 points while Davon whom struggled to capture the for the senior England side Devendra Bishoo, who was hop- points, and Ndoye Hassino, who James Dominic (20), Mohamed discipline and purpose of the first since leaving the Ashes tour of ing to play his first Test match earned 18 points. Hassan (15) and Ewing Jr. Patrick two hours’ play. Australia 17 months earlier at for three years following a pro- English and West Indian cricketers Jefferson Consteveous was the Aloysius (16) provided able England’s woes started in the the end of the first Test for what lific domestic season for his native observe a minute’s silence in standout performer for Al Ahli, support. very first over as Jonathan Trott, was believed to be a stress-related Guyana. honour of Richie Benaud before putting in 32 points. Soyebo Temi For Al Sadd, Woods Rashad in his 50th Test, edged a delivery illness. England’s frontline seamer, the start of play on the opening Narcellius contributed 18 points tipped in 24 points while Anderson from Jerome Taylor before he had This pitch though, bears no James Anderson, is playing in day of the first Test at the Sir while Mcneal Tyronne scored 13 Tyrone and Daoud Mousa scored scored for Darren Bravo to take a relation whatsoever to the green, his 100th Test, the 13th England Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua but it wasn’t good enough. 20 and 15 points respectively. regulation catch at first slip. fast bowler’s track in Brisbane cricketer to reach the landmark. yesterday. Al Ahli had started strong THE PENINSULA It was Trott’s first appearance where Trott and all the England AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Grand Prix of the Americas Austin: Results yestserday in the Grand Prix of the Americas, second race of the season Three in a row for at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas: MotoGP 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 21 laps (115.8 km) in 43min 47.150sec (average speed 158.6 km/h), 2. Andrea Dovizioso Marquez in Austin (ITA/Ducati) at 2.354sec, 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 3.120, 4. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/ Yamaha) 6.682, 5. Andrea Iannone (ITA/ Ducati) 7.584, 6. Bradley Smith (AUS/ Dovizioso of Ducati finishes second Yamaha) 10.557, 7. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/ Honda) 16.967, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/ Suzuki) 19.025, 9. Maverick Vinales (ESP/ AUSTIN: World champion denied and at the end of the circuit where they had previously Suzuki) 38.570, 10. Danilo Petrucci (ITA/ Marc Marquez of Spain won straight he again maneuvered failed to shine. Ducati) 41.796 the Grand Prix of the Americas past to take the lead for good. “I’m happy about the weekend, Moto2 for the third straight year on From there, Marquez was because getting onto the podium 1. Sam Lowes (GBR/Speed Up) 41min 45.565sec, 2. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) at Sunday night to get his 2015 never threatened, stretching his is a good objective when coming 1.999sec, 3. Alexs Rins (ESP/Kalex) 4.622, MotoGP campaign on track. lead to as much as four seconds here,” Rossi said. 4. Tito Rabat (ESP/Kalex) 8.975, 5. Franco After a disappointing fifth- as Rossi and Dovizioso dueled for “On paper, this track is the Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 12.976, 6. Hafizh place finish in the season-opening second behind him. worst for our bike.” Syahrin (MAL/Kalex) 14.168, 7. Anthony West race in Qatar, Marquez rebounded “I decided to keep calm in the Rossi’s teammate Jorge (AUS/Speed Up) 17.271, 8. Mika Kallio (FIN/ at the Texas track, where he early laps to try to understand the Lorenzo left it late, overtaking Kalex) 17.513, 9. Julian Simon (ESP/Speed Up) 17.689, 10. Takaaki Nakagami (JPN/Kalex) won for the first time in the elite situation well, and when I started the Ducati of Andrea Iannone 17.764 MotoGP class. to find a feeling similar to prac- with only three laps remaining Moto3 A day after capturing pole tice, I decided to push the pace a to snatch fourth place from the 1. Danny Kent (GBR/Honda) 41:32.287sec, position with dramatic late- bit,” Marquez said. Italian, with Monster Tech 3 2. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Honda) at 8.532 session heroics, the 22-year-old “That was when I was able to Yamaha’s Bradley Smith round- sec, 3. Efren Vazquez (ESP/Honda) 8.652, 4. Honda rider was in dominant open up a gap.” ing out the top six. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 8.811, 5. Brad form. Meanwhile, a fortnight after In the Moto2 race, Speed Up Binder (RSA/KTM) 9.556, 6. John McPhee He finished more than 2.3 their tense battle in Qatar, Rossi Racing’s Sam Lowes of Britain (GBR/Honda) 13.869, 7. Andrea Locatelli (ITA/ seconds ahead of Ducati rider and Dovizioso were battling for shook off the effects of big crashes Honda) 20.442, 8. Romano Fenati (ITA/KTM) 20.611, 9. Isaac Vinales (ESP/Husqvarna) Andrea Dovizioso, with nine-time second -- a contest that included in practice and qualifying to win 20.863, 10. Karel Hanika (CZE/KTM) 20.913 world champion Valentino Rossi a near-collision as Rossi made his first race at the level. Standings third on a Yamaha. a bold move to get past at the Lowes overtook Ajo MotoGP: 1. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) Rossi, the nine-time world track’s 12th turn. Motorsport’s Johann Zarco to 41 pts, 2. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 40, champion who opened the sea- “Dovi said to me that we risked lead with six laps to go. As Zarco 3. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 36, 4. Andrea son with a win in Qatar, remained a lot overtaking in Turn 12,” Rossi and Xavier Simeon tried to reel Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 27, 5. Jorge Lorenzo atop the standings with 41 points, said. him back in, they made contact, (ESP/Yamaha) 26, 6. Bradley Smith (GBR/ followed by Dovizioso on 40 and “From the bike, I didn’t feel it with the latter crashing. Yamaha) 18, 7. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Honda) 18, 8. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Suzuki) 13, 9. Marquez on 36. and I thought we had some mar- Zarco recovered to finish sec- Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 10, 10. Danilo In a race delayed as organizers gin. We passed each other very ond ahead of rookie Alex Rins Petrucci (ITA/Ducati) 10 dealt with patches of water on the closely, but there was enough on the Paginas Amarillas HP40 Moto2: 1. Alex Rins (ESP/Kalex) 29 pts, 2. track, Dovizioso seized the initia- space.” Kalex. Johann Zarco (FRA/Kalex) 28, 3. Jonas Folger tive at the start, powering to the Dovizioso wasn’t finished, how- British Honda rider Danny (GER/Kalex) 25, 4. Sam Lowes (GBR/Speed first-turn lead ahead of Rossi and ever, and as Rossi began to expe- Kent won the Moto3 race, his Up) 25, 5. Franco Morbidelli (ITA/Kalex) 22, Marquez. rience trouble with tyre wear, first win of 2015 and the third of 6. Xavier Simeon (BEL/Kalex) 20, 7. Thomas The leaders were tightly the Ducati rider regained second his career. Luthi (SUI/Kalex) 20, 8. Mika Kallio (FIN/Kalex) 18, 9. Hafizh Syahrin (MAL/Kalex) 14, 10. Tito bunched when Marquez made place. Kent, 21, started from pole and Rabat (ESP/Kalex) 13 his move heading into the back After six or seven laps of held off 15-year-old French sensa- Moto3: 1. Danny Kent (GBR/Honda) 41 pts, straight on lap four. pushing a lot, I had to ride very tion Fabio Quartararo, who was Repsol Honda team rider Marc Marquez of Spain celebrates with the 2. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Honda) 33, 3. Fabio His move past Dovizioso was smooth,” said Rossi, who was making just his second start at trophy following the MotoGP race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Quartararo (FRA/Honda) 29, 4. Efren Vazquez (ESP/Honda) 29, 5. Alexis Masbou (FRA/ quickly answered by the Ducati nevertheless pleased to put his this level. Spain’s Efren Vazquez Texas, USA, on Sunday. rider, but Marquez wouldn’t be Yamaha on the podium at a was third. AFP Honda) 25 Moto2: Top-10 finish for QMMF Racing Team riders

AUSTIN: QMMF Racing Team Kallio and those guys. Fighting celebrated a great team result at with Corsi cost me time in the the Grand Prix of the Americas, beginning, so I decided to stay with both riders battling their behind him and let him do the way to a top ten finish. work, which turned out to be the Anthony West dropped back right choice. When we finally got behind the front group of riders to the group, I managed to pass at the beginning of the race and him and also to catch some of the lost further time battling with others,” he added. over rivals, but was back in tenth “I am happy with this result and place on lap 14 and made his deci- with the way the bike is going. It is sive move when he overtook two a lot more consistent now and I’m riders in one single lap to secure confident that in the next races, we seventh place with four laps to go. will be stronger than before. I am Team-mate Julian Simon also also happy with the work the guys lost some places in an early col- are doing. Last year, we struggled lision with another competitor, a lot, but now, the bike has changed but recovered quickly and rode and we are able to go faster in qual- the entire race within the first big ifying and in the races.” group of riders. Simon who secured the ninth Missing a gear on two occa- place said: “I am happy because sions cost him an even better I rode a good race! I started well, result, but the Spaniard was still but in the first corner, Aegerter happy with his ninth place and and I touched and I lost a few looks forward to the third round places. But I still managed to stay of the championship next week in in the front group of riders. When Argentina. I tried to pass Kallio in the bat- “My start was really good, but tle for sixth, I had a wrong entry because I was on the outside going into first gear before the long into turn one, I got caught up back straight and I lost four or with some other guys that were five positions. I managed to claw on the inside and they got past my way back and catch up with me. I didn’t find a good rhythm on the group againand got back into this first lap and lost a few more seventh place. I tried to counter- positions,” West said. attack in the last corner but ran “Every time I then passed wide and finished in ninth place. somebody, they would get me But I am happy nevertheless again and eventually I lost the because the bike keeps getting QMMF Racing Team rider Anthony West (second right) in the pit area group that was in front. It took better. I am confident that we can ahead of the Grand Prix of the Americas on Sunday night. me nearly the whole race to catch do a good race again next week in QMMF Racing Team rider Julian Simon who finished ninth in Austin. up again to the group with Simon, Argentina!” THE PENINSULA Mercedes in emergency talks after Rosberg blow-up

SHANGHAI: Mercedes held emer- We have cleared Mercedes AMG Ferrari fol- repeat of his upset in tropical Sepang but gency talks with their bickering drivers that now -- Petronas F1 lowing Vettel’s he and Kimi Raikkonen showed again after Nico Rosberg furiously criticised there wasn’t any Team’s British surprise win in that the Ferraris can be a handful for Lewis Hamilton’s tactics after the animosity.” driver Lewis Malaysia, and the Silver Arrows. Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton’s vic- raises con- However, it will take something special Hamilton (right) With relations on a knife-edge before tory was an eighth cerns before to stop Hamilton in this kind of form. chats with team- this weekend’s Bahrain race, Mercedes in 10 races dating Hamilton and His 35th career victory followed a fifth team boss Toto Wolff has moved swiftly back to last sea- mate Nico Rosberg Rosberg clash pole in China, joining Ayrton Senna, to prevent things spiralling out of control son for the Briton, of Germany after again in the Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel -- as they did last year when Rosberg who dominated all Hamilton won desert. “You Fangio as the only drivers to score five drove into Hamilton in Belgium. weekend before the Formula One need to be or more poles at one track as the records World champion Hamilton powered to winning for a Chinese Grand very careful continue to tumble. his second win in three races this sea- record fourth time Prix and Rosberg half-an-hour Williams will travel to the Middle East son, but Rosberg’s outburst shattered in Shanghai. finished second after the race in high spirits after Felipe Massa and the fragile truce which existed between Once again he in Shanghai on to point the Valtteri Bottas finished fifth and sixth the rivals following their long-simmer- simply had too Sunday. finger,” Wolff respectively, while there was at least ing feud. Wolff took a dim view of the much pace for said. some light at the end of the tunnel for German’s accusation that Hamilton had Rosberg, who on myself.” “(Lewis) McLaren after their first double finish of intentionally held him up with Ferrari’s appears to be unravelling under the pres- That prompted Rosberg to snipe: was the quicker guy out there and he 2015. They have still yet to score a point Sebastian Vettel in hot pursuit. sure, berating mechanics after missing “It’s now interesting to hear from you, made the tyres last longer so we have this season, however, after Alonso fin- “It needs to be contained without out on pole position and demanding that Lewis, that you were just thinking about the right order. What we need to look ished 12th and Button 13th, only to be any escalation,” he said, flatly denying Hamilton speed up during Sunday’s race. yourself.” at is, was the race result for the team demoted one place to 14th after being Hamilton had tried to wreck Rosberg’s “It’s not my job to look after Nico’s It was an unsavoury end to the week- ever at risk?” penalised for colliding with Lotus’s Pastor chances. “Lewis didn’t do it on purpose. race,” Hamilton shrugged. “I just focused end for Mercedes after striking back at Vettel, meanwhile, failed to pull off a Maldonado. AFP TUESDAY 14 APRIL 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 NZ eyes FIFA World Cup joint host bid with Australia WELLINGTON: A potential to be examining,” he said in an with central government, New will stage the men’s U-20s from bid from New Zealand to co- interview. Zealand Football and Sports May 30 to June 20. host the FIFA World Cup in “Even if ultimately we choose New Zealand, but they were yet He acknowledged that having 2026 or 2030 could prove “a that we can’t do it, these are the to approach Australia, he added. the tournament spread across pipe dream” but the ambitious sorts of opportunities that we He envisaged if a joint bid two confederations – Australia country are pressing on with are good enough to be looking Sports went ahead, Australia would host are in FIFA’s Asian region – the bold plans, said Martin at and taking seriously.” administration 70 percent of the tournament, could be a hurdle. Snedden. Snedden, who co-helmed the guru Martin with two or three of the eight While still at this stage just The former New Zealand bid for the recently completed Snedden pools in New Zealand, with the an idea, Snedden said he would cricketer, who headed the highly cricket World Cup in Australia believes four main centres of Auckland, look to gauge interest in New successful 2011 rugby World Cup and New Zealand when he was New Zealand Wellington, Christchurch and Zealand, before he went to in the country, floated the pos- running New Zealand Cricket, could co-host Dunedin earmarked as venues. Australia to discuss a formal bid sibility of staging soccer’s global had said in the build-up to the a Fifa World Football Federation Australia, for the event. showpiece with Australia yes- 2011 rugby World Cup he hoped Cup. who lost out to Qatar to stage “What I’m trying to say to terday. Snedden said the sug- the legacy of the tournament the 2022 tournament, declined to people is ‘give it a bit of time, gestion was still very much in would be the creation of an comment when contacted. don’t make up your mind until its embryonic stages, but he felt event management industry in Snedden had been buoyed we have given it some proper it was imperative the country the country. by FIFA’s desire to spread the consideration, because you might capitalised on hosting two highly He had pointed to the skills World Cup around its confed- be surprised when you dig into successful world sporting events and intellectual property erations, with Oceania, where it’,” he said. in the last four years. in sports management that “I’m thrilled by the way in “We have a lot of capable peo- New Zealand play, having never “The best place for me to start “This is a big idea and ulti- Australia had built in their host- which New Zealand has proved its ple over New Zealand and a lot hosted the event. is New Zealand and just seed the mately it might prove to be a ing of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, capability with those two events. of goodwill. If we wait too long New Zealand has, though, conversation and encourage peo- pipe dream, but we have come which he felt was now replicated We are now on a bit of a roll. We and aren’t aspirational then hosted FIFA’s U-17 tournament ple to participate with an open so far and these are the types in New Zealand, hence the deci- have come a long way in a short that will dissipate.” A poten- for men in 1999 and the inaugu- mind and then see where it leads of things we should be prepared sion to ‘start the conversation’. time,” he said. tial bid had been broached ral women’s edition in 2008 and us.” REUTERS Mourinho sees champion Bordeaux dent Marseille quality in Chelsea

LONDON: Jose Mourinho (pic- the game with intensity,” he said. tured) believes Chelsea’s gritty “They gave us a difficult match 1-0 win at QPR had all the hall- but we kept good emotional con- title hopes with 1-0 win marks of champions-elect. trol and never lost balance. If Mourinho’s side moved seven we have to go home with 0-0 ok, points clear at the top of the but we kept going and got the Premier League after Cesc goal. One point would have been Ligue 1: Marseille fall five points behind leaders PSG Fabregas’s 88th minute goal set- fair but we played well with the tled a scrappy west London derby circumstances.” at Loftus Road. With crucial showdowns PARIS: Marseille missed the The Blues need 12 more points against Manchester United and chance to close to within two Marseille’s from their remaining seven then Arsenal looming over the points of Paris Saint-Germain at French matches to be certain of claim- next two weeks, Chelsea’s refusal the top of Ligue 1 after slipping midfiielder ing the English crown for the first to settle for a point could prove up 1-0 at Bordeaux in Sunday’s Dimitri Payet time since 2010 and, although invaluable as it gives them more late game. (right) vies with they were well below their best margin for error when they face Defender Cedric Yambere’s on Sunday, Mourinho was encour- their title rivals. Bordeaux’s 61st-minute goal, less than a aged by the way they emerged Asked if Chelsea’s victory French minute after coming off the bench, unscathed from a would be a psycho- sank Marseille, now fourth, and defender tricky test. logical blow to sec- dealt their title hopes a massive Cedric It took a poor ond placed Arsenal, blow. Yambere clearance from who had closed the In a game dominated by the during their QPR goalkeeper gap to four points visitors, Michy Batshuayi had the French L1 Robert Green, on Saturday, ball in the back of the Bordeaux match on seized on by Eden Mourinho net with 15 minutes left but the Sunday at Hazard and even- responded by young Belgium forward’s effort the Chaban- tually converted by demanding that was correctly flagged for offside. Delmas Fabregas, to give his team be given Marseille have not triumphed Stadium in Chelsea a win that respect for sitting at the Stade Chaban-Delmas Bordeaux. even Mourinho joint top or top of since 1977 and have picked up Yambere admitted was prob- the table since the just four victories in 51 attempts scored the ably more than opening day of the against Les Girondins in the top winning goal they deserved. season. flight. for home team. But it was the “I don’t know if With six games to go, the south way Chelsea kept their compo- it hurts Arsenal or not but it is coast side find themselves five sure in such a heated contest not normal for a team to be top points behind leaders PSG and that impressed Mourinho and of the table in August and arrive four adrift of second-placed Lyon, Earlier on Sunday, there was Europe-chasing Saint-Etienne. get over the disappointment of reminded him of the way his in April still top of the league,” with both teams having a game a hint of nostalgia in Ligue 1 as Between 1964 and 1983, the Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to PSG in previous title-winning teams, Mourinho said. in hand. Saint-Etienne beat Nantes 1-0, two clubs won 15 titles between the French Cup semi-finals. at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan While Mourinho was right to “We’re in an uncomfortable the two clubs having won 15 them, nine going to Saint Etienne Nantes, for their part, have re- and Real Madrid, all found a praise his players’ steely focus, the situation,” said Marseille coach league titles between them in a (Marseille and Monaco got two established themselves as a mid- way to triumph in unpromising Blues were indebted to Belgian Marcelon Bielsa. 20-year stretch up to the early each and Strasbourg the other), table side after promotion two situations. goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who “But we retain the strength to 1980’s. as they dominated French scene. seasons ago, their last French “Every time I was a champion made amends for some recent change that and we hope that our On an afternoon of glorious Saint-Etienne are currently title coming in 2001. I remember a couple of matches mistakes with two fine saves to league table position will be what sunshine, thousands of fans went fifth and eyeing Europa League French football is on something that my teams won in the last deny Charlie Austin and Matt we deserve. We will fight for every bare-chested in the stands at a qualification, but to avoid dis- of a high right now with Paris minute. It is like a little light that Phillips. point. packed and boisterous Geoffroy- ruptive early qualifying rounds hosting Barcelona tomorrow in a shines for the team that will be Courtois gifted Hull a goal in Bordeaux now sit on sixth and Guichard Stadium, where Franck in August they are targeting glamour Champions League quar- champions,” Mourinho said. Chelsea’s win at the KC Stadium are in contention to qualify for Tabanou’s thunderbolt free kick a fourth-place finish, which ter-final first-leg after a ‘genera- “It is difficult to play here, and was caught off his line by the Europa League with their on 18 minutes was enough to they also managed last season. tional’ victory over Chelsea in the the pitch is small and 1.30pm is Charlie Adam’s 65-yard wonder- fourth win in the past five games. give three precious points to Sunday’s win also helped them last-16. AFP maybe not the best time to go into goal for Stoke last week. AFP Drogba wants to play United reclaimed Manchester for one more season LONDON: Chelsea veteran spell as Chelsea manager, signed throne after derby win: Van Gaal Didier Drogba (pictured) Drogba from Marseille in 2004. insisted yesterday he intended The powerful forward scored to play for at least one more 157 goals in his initial eight-year MANCHESTER: Manchester maligned under Van Gaal’s pred- season. stint with Chelsea, including United manager Louis van Gaal ecessor David Moyes, have been The 37-year-old Ivory Coast the winning penalty in the 2012 proclaimed that his side were instrumental to United’s current forward is out of contract with Champions League final shoot-out once again the biggest team in Manchester run of six straight league wins the Premier League leaders at the victory. the city after they overwhelmed United and the Dutchman hailed both end of the current campaign, hav- However, Drogba has been Manchester City 4-2 in the manager players’ contributions. ing returned to Stamford Bridge largely a squad player this sea- derby. Louis van Gaal As well as scoring, from an after two seasons son and made just City had won the four previous reacts during Ander Herrera cross, Young set abroad. his fourth league encounters between the teams, the Premier up headed goals for Fellaini and Drogba, asked if start of the season drubbing United 4-1 and 3-0 last League Smalling, prompting Van Gaal he had decided on his in Sunday’s 1-0 west season en route to the title, but match against to describe his performance as future, said: “Yes I London derby away that sequence came to a juddering Manchester “fantastic”. have and it’s not going to Queens Park halt at Old Trafford on Sunday. “He was our best player. I am City at the to be my last season.” Rangers after inju- Victory, five months on from a very happy for him,” added the Old Trafford in Chelsea manager ries to Diego Costa 1-0 loss in the reverse fixture, left United manager, whose side visit Jose Mourinho said and Loic Remy. United four points clear of City in Manchester, leaders Chelsea next weekend. last week he had still Drogba could start third place in the Premier League, on Sunday. “Ashley has always played with to speak to Drogba against Manchester prompting Van Gaal to assert me. Fellaini also, because he was a regarding his future. United this Saturday that his men had reclaimed the lot of times injured, but he is from “We have a lot of as Chelsea look to Manchester throne. day one the player who is always talks to do,” Mourinho said. “I move one step closer to clinching “We are at this moment four doing what I ask. don’t know what he wants. the English top-flight title. points ahead, so that is a fact,” he “And now, this week especially, David Silva teed up Sergio Aguero “You can say not always very “There are people who, during “It’s difficult when you don’t said when asked if United were they can go on the streets, hat up, for a tap-in. good, but never bad.” their careers, earn the right and play and then have to go into once again the dominant team in and say, ‘We are this year the bet- But United stormed back United finished the game with the power to make decisions and these kind of games,” he said. the city. ter team, because goal average is with goals from Ashley Young, 10 men after Michael Carrick not wait for others to make deci- “But I always try to give my “You are playing for the fans in our favour (over the two derby Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata went off complaining of stiff- sions for them. best. and at the beginning of the sea- games).’” and Chris Smalling, before ness in his calf, the hosts having “What he did at this club for so “I tried to give best of my physi- son it was not so fantastic to be Just as they had done in last Aguero claimed his second goal already made their three permit- many years puts him in a great cal capacity against QPR, so if the a United fan, because we have season’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford, -- and 100th in City’s colours -- at ted substitutions, and Van Gaal position.” manager needs me against United started 11 matches with 13 points City started briskly and took the the death. said the England midfielder would Mourinho, then in his first and Arsenal, I’m ready.” AFP and still they have supported us. lead in the eighth minute when Young and Fellaini, much undergo tests. AFP Tuesday 14 April 2015 25 Jumada II 1436 Volume 20 Number 6400 Sport Price: QR2 Spieth clinches Three in a row historic for Marquez in Masters victory Austin

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Paris steps closer to 2024 Olympic bid

PARIS: Paris took a major new step yesterday to bidding for the 2024 Olympics when city lawmakers voted by an overwhelming majority to back a campaign. “Now we’re off on an Olympic adventure,” said Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo. President Francois Hollande, a strong backer of a bid, is to meet International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach in Lausanne on Thursday. A huge majority of the 163 law- makers backed a Paris bid in a vote. Only a handful of Greens and extreme left wing councillors voted against. Paris is close to entering an Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak saves a ball during a training session at Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, yesterday. Atletico Madrid will play their Champions League quarter- intense Olympic battle. The final first leg match against Real Madrid today. RIGHT: Real Madrid’s players German Toni Kross (right), Spanish Sergio Ramos, Portuguese Fabio Coentrao, Mexican Chicharito and United States has entered Spanish Alvaro Arbeloa share a light moment during a training session held at the team’s sports complex in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. Boston, Rome will lead an Italian bid. Germany will enter Hamburg if a city referendum gives support. The French Olympic commit- tee is expected to make a final decision on Paris in June. Revenge on mind as Atletico Cities have until September 15 to enter bids and the International Olympic Committee will make a decision in mid-2017. Paris is hoping to capitalise on its world famous landmarks to win support. face Real in quarter-final A feasibility study pro- posed holding beach volley- ball in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, archery on the Invalides Champions League: Spanish giants clash for seventh time this season Esplanade near the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte and fenc- ing in the historic Grand Palais MADRID: Last season’s Champions League museum. Champions League final- The Stade de France that held ists Atletico Madrid and Real Quarter-Final Fixtures Juventus’ football’s 1998 World Cup final Madrid meet for the seventh and Roland Garros, the venue for Fixtures from the Champions League players attend time this season in today’s the French Open tennis, would Quarter-final first leg matches. a training Champions League quarter- Today (all GMT times) also be used. final, first leg with revenge in session on With so many existing ven- Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs Real Madrid mind for both. the eve of ues on the draft plan, only a new (Spain) (1845) Real took the spoils in Lisbon the UEFA swimming pool and a village for last May as Sergio Ramos’s stop- Juventus (Italy) vs Monaco (France) (1845) Champions the 10,000 athletes would have to page time header denied Atletico Tomorrow League foot- be built. their first ever European Cup and Porto (Portugal) vs Bayern Munich ball match Initially, Hidalgo had doubts sent the game into extra time (Germany) (1845) against about a possible Olympic bid. when Los Blancos romped to a Paris St Germain (France) vs Barcelona Monaco at However, she said the feasibil- 4-1 win. (Spain) (1845) the Juventus ity study, Islamist attacks in the However, the tables have been Training city in January and the likely turned this season as Atletico “I don’t have any doubt that it Centre in support of 1.8bn euros ($2.0bn) have won four and drawn two will be an intense game. Vinovo from the IOC made her change of the six meetings so far this “That will be an important near Turin, her mind. season. component of the game, but there yesterday. “We have to look beyond That run has included two will also be others that we need the Olympic Games -- to the aggregate victories over two legs to utilise.” thousands of houses built, in the Spanish Supercup and the However, unlike that most improvements in transport infra- Copa del Rey. recent meeting at the Vicente structure,” Hidalgo said. Yet, it was their last encounter Calderon when they were without be available after overcoming an Allegri has called for his team to our Champions League dream.” Tony Estanguet, a three-time in La Liga in February that was five first-team regulars, Real are ankle problem which kept him out forget their shock defeat to Parma The defeat to Parma, who have Olympic canoe champion, IOC the most embarrassing for Real as at full strength for the first time of their last two games. and turn their focus on beating entered administration and failed member and probable joint head Atletico romped to their biggest in five months. James Rodriguez The Croatian has scored 20 Monaco in the first leg of their to pay their players all season, was of the bid campaign called yester- victory in a Madrid derby for 28 and Toni Kroos return from sus- goals since signing from Bayern Champions League quarter-final Juve’s second reverse of the league day’s vote a “decisive step.” years in a 4-0 rout. pension after missing Saturday’s Munich last summer, includ- today.Preparations for what is the season although Juve seemed out “There is still work to be done,” “The last result against Atletico 3-0 win over Eibar which moved ing two in three games against Italian champions’ most crucial of sorts in the absence of Buffon, he added however. is a motivating factor for us,” said Real back to within two points of Madrid at the Calderon. fixture of the season have been Tevez and defender Andrea Hidalgo has promised that Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Raul Garcia is also expected to far from perfect. Barzagli. some kind of public approval will “It will be a different game, but Meanwhile, Gareth Bale recover from an elbow problem At the Enrico Tardini stadium Buffon, who had an infection, be sought in 2016, but has not yet difficult as it always is against returned to training on Sunday meaning Diego Simeone will also on Saturday a Juventus side miss- and Tevez, who spent his rare day said whether that will mean a Atletico. and is expected to fit to start. have a fully-fit squad to choose ing Gianluigi Buffon and Carlos off at Lake Maggiore, will return referendum. “We come into the game in Atletico have received a huge from. Tevez among others failed to to Allegri’s starting line-up for A poll published on Sunday good form, we are motivated and injury boost of their own with the However, the Argentine has a convert several scoring chances Tuesday as Juve look to take a showed that nearly two-thirds we will give everything we have. news that Mario Mandzukic will number of key decisions to make, before conceding a 1-0 defeat to a first step towards securing their of French people favour an most notably in goal where the club that entered administration first semi-final appearance since Olympic bid but a small major- in-form Jan Oblak kept his place last month after being declared 2003 when they beat Barcelona ity thought that Paris would ahead of the fit again Miguel bankrupt. over two legs in the quarters. be better off hosting the 2025 Angel Moya for Saturday’s 2-2 Although Juve’s title hopes While influential Frenchman world fair. draw at Malaga and in cen- have not been affected -- they Paul Pogba is still sidelined with If the French capital wins, the tral defence where Jose Maria now lead Lazio by 12 points with injury, midfield maestro Andrea Games would be held on the 100th Gimenez and Miranda will battle eight games remaining -- Allegri Pirlo should start on the bench anniversary of the last time Paris it out to partner Diego Godin. is confident a different Juventus having recently recovered from staged the Olympics. The draw at Malaga extended will emerge today when they will injury, leaving Claudio Marchisio Paris was considered the front- Atletico’s unbeaten run in all be under pressure to seal a first with the job of orchestrating play runner for the 2012 Olympics and competitions to eight games, leg victory before the return leg towards lively Uruguayan front has never got over the disappoint- albeit with four draws along the in the Principality. man Roberto Pereyra, likely to ment of losing to London, whose way. “I hope this setback serves us play in the ‘hole’ behind Alvaro event was widely acclaimed. Most encouragingly for well, although I’m sure that we Morata and Tevez. Jean-Francois Lamour, a dou- Simeone’s men is the return will see an altogether different Doubts remain over Barzagli, ble Olympic fencing champion to goalscoring form of Antoine Juventus on Tuesday,” Allegri said who is nursing a sore calf. Indeed and sports minister when Paris Griezmann. The Frenchman after Saturday’s defeat. his availability could determine lost its bid in 2005, said this was scored twice at La Rosaleda to “We’re not used to losing. We whether Allegri deploys the 3-5-2 the last-chance saloon for the take his tally over the last three were a little listless, we lacked formation he has used sparingly City of Light. games to four and move one ahead bite and aggression. But now we this season or the 4-3-1-2 that saw “A new defeat would mean the Monaco’s head coach Leonardo Jardim during the press conference of Mandzukic at Atletico’s top have to put this display behind Juve swipe Borussia Dortmund end of France’s ambitions to host on the eve of Champions League match against Juventus. scorer this season. Meanwhile, us. It would be stupid to let a aside 5-1 on aggregate in their this magical competition,” he said. Juventus coach Massimiliano defeat like this get in the way of last 16 tie. AGENCIES AFP