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Monday 30 December 2013 26 Safar 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5929 Price: QR2

Bait Al Mashura, Giroud sends World Bank Arsenal back to sign agreement top of league

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Suicide attack in Russia Kuwait daily names Father Used car prices Emir Person of the Year

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti daily Al Wassat has named the Father Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani the Person of the Year for plummet on 2013. The paper, describing him as “the builder of modern Qatar”, enlisted the achievements by the country during his reign. The newspaper yesterday carried a large photograph of the Father Emir on the front page with an article by the Chief Editor that lauded rising supply the decision of the Father Emir to pass the baton to the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It said his decision to abdicate in favour of his son “has set a good precedent as he wanted to convey a clear message that passion for the people and the nation is greater Need for cash ahead of mega IPO than remaining in power. QNA

DOHA: Used cars are selling 20 constraints, he said. to 25 percent cheaper thanks to According to a used car dealer Schumacher injured an increasing number of citizens in the Industrial Area, Hamad offering their vehicles for sale to Mohsin, more car-sellers were source cash for the mega state- coming to the market than buy- sponsored initial public offering ers in the past two weeks. during skiing in France (IPO) being launched tomorrow, “There are not many buy- dealers said yesterday. ers while the market is literally LYON: Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is receiving treat- According to dealers, most citi- flooded with cars due to a selling ment in hospital for head injuries after a ski accident at Meribel zens are selling off their expensive spree among the citizens,” said yesterday, officials at the French ski resort reported. cars and buying the ones avail- another dealer, Ameer Mustafa. The seven time German world champion, who reportedly owns able at a lower price to pocket The used cars market has property at the resort, was skiing off-piste with other skiers when he the difference for subscribing to turned into a buyer’s market. sustained a knock to the head in a fall. The 44-year-old was hospital- the primary issue of Mesaieed “The prices are, thus, down at ised at the nearby town of Moutiers, officials said, before being taken Petrochemical Holding Company least 20 to 25 percent in just a to hospital in Grenoble. The extent of his injuries was unclear but (MPHC). little while,” said Mustafa. according to Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte, director of the Meribel Supplies are abundant while “The situation is such that resort, he was not seriously injured. AFP the takers aren’t as many, accord- people who could easily sell a car See also page 24 ing to dealers. “Just about every- for QR100,000 are offering it for one who is coming here wants QR80,000,” Murad said. to sell,” Hani Murad, director of Meanwhile, IPO subscription Bomb attack outside sales at a used cars agency, said. forms have already been distrib- He said, as he understood, the uted in the tens of thousands to IPO that opens for subscription various banks, which are setting for the Qatari community tomor- up special teams to help the eld- army building in Cairo row was the trigger. Although the erly and women to fill up forms. size of the IPO is relatively small Banks might also give away CAIRO: A bomb exploded outside an Egyptian army building at less than 324 million, people special short-term loans to citi- north of Cairo yesterday, wounding four soldiers, the army said, in can apply for every member of zens at competitive rates to apply the second bomb attack on security forces in the Nile Delta in less the family, community sources for the primary issue. than a week. The bomb partly destroyed the back wall of the mili- said. There is likelihood that loans tary intelligence building in the village of Anshas, 100km north of Qatari families are usually big could be disbursed for up to A combination image taken from CCTV footage shows a fire breaking out the capital. The army described the bombing as a terrorist attack. and in most cases the bread-win- 65 percent of the subscription after an explosion (top) and smoke adrift later at a railway station in the Its statement referred to “groups of darkness” and did not name ner is just the father. Such fami- amount with an undertaking Russian city of Volgograd, yesterday. A female suicide bomber blew her- the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group it declared a terrorist lies need a lot of money to apply,” that they be repaid a month after self up at the main train station, killing 16 people weeks ahead of the Winter organisation last week. That decision was a response to a suicide said the source. Nuclear families allotment with the allotted shares Olympics in the Russian port city of Sochi. Qatar condemned the blast. bomb attack on Tuesday on a police compound in the Nile Delta city that have lately been increasing in as collateral. of Mansoura, north of the site of yesterday’s explosion. REUTERS Report on page 10 number do not face such financial THE PENINSULA See also page 7 MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 HOME 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com B u i l d e r s i n t r o d u c e HMC issues Trauma Manual to innovative safety, unify surgery, care standards security system Manual first regionally developed medical reference on trauma care DOHA: Hamad Medical would be recognised and approved DOHA: Safety and security comprehensive solution pro- Corporation (HMC) has issued as a medical reference for trauma technology experts are intro- vider,” said Foad Fanaei, a Trauma Manual to unify surgery by all trauma units in the ducing an innovative ‘inte- Managing Partner, Reign trauma surgery and care stand- region. grated security system’ to Engineering LLC. ards at its hospitals. Developed “The manual represents over Qatar’s building industry. The new system has been by the Trauma Department, the two years of work. We formed The new system is not only tried and proven in firefighting manual is first of its kind in the work groups, each comprising capable of monitoring and con- segment. region. three consultants and special- trolling the safety and security Equipped with a video surveil- “The purpose of the manual ists, who reviewed every chapter of buildings in a better way, but lance technology, the system is is to provide all surgeons and according to their specialities and also helping save energy con- capable of detecting the source healthcare professionals work- expertise,” Dr Al Thani added. sumption in a bigger way. point of any possible fire break- ing in trauma care with accu- The manual is the result of The Qatar-based Reign out in no time. rate instructions and a useful efforts of doctors in the vascu- Engineering, a major building “Our technology will provide a introduction to trauma care to lar and trauma surgery sections, security solution provider with new level of user experience for unify standards of trauma care including Dr Al Thani, Dr Rifat the support of Finnish technol- builders, facility managers, and services in Qatar and the Gulf,” Latifi, Dr Ayman Al Munir, Dr ogy, is in consultation with some security and safety service pro- said Dr Hassan Al Thani, Senior Ahmad Zarour and Dr Hisham of the major projects in Qatar. viders and, of course, occupants,” Consultant and Head of Trauma, Abdulrahman, as well as medi- With Qatari authorities tight- Fanaei said. Vascular and General Surgery cal staff. ening their building security With SIMPLYCITY solution, Sections at HMC’s Trauma It has undergone five revisions norms, builders need to upgrade we can specify new level user Centre. and will be reviewed every three their system. experience for different stake- “In addition to international years to ensure it contains the “With our SIMPLYCITY solu- holders, he added. medical references currently in latest information. tion, we can specify new level of Recently, Reign Engineering use, the manual is the first region- “The manual is a valuable book user experience for different made a presentation on its tech- ally developed medical reference A representative of Medical Education Department receives a copy of the that meets international stand- stakeholders. nology for leading builders in on trauma care and surgery. manual during the launch. ards and can be compared with “Potential clients are show- Qatar. “That is why it was met with international medical references,” ing great interest in our THE PENINSULA great satisfaction by doctors in Arabia and Bahrain,” he said. provides outcome of multiple sci- said Dr Al Thani. Gulf countries such as Saudi Dr Al Thani said the manual entific reviews and wished that it THE PENINSULA

India to phase out non-machine readable passports Many surprises at falcon festival; DOHA: Indian citizens holding handwritten From November 25, 2015, foreign governments passports and 20-year passports with valid- may deny visa or entry to any person travelling with ity beyond November 24, 2015, should get their non-machine readable passports. bigger participant turnout likely passports re-issued and obtain machine readable All handwritten passports with pasted photos ear- passports (MRPs) before the deadline, the Indian lier issued by the Indian government are considered DOHA: Organisers of the fifth every year,” said Al Misned, also Association website for details,” Embassy said in a statement yesterday. non-MRPs. annual Qatar International Vice Chairman of the festival he said. The embassy said this is to avoid any inconven- All 20-year validity passports also fall in this Falcon and Hunting Festival organising committee. Under the Mohammad Al Baridi, Head of ience in obtaining foreign visa or immigration prob- category. say they are anticipating a big- patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan Finance and Administration at lem after the deadline. The government started issuing machine readable ger number of participants com- bin Hamad Al Thani, this year’s the organising committee, said The International Civil Aviation Organisation passports in 2001. pared to the previous edition. festival, whose aim is in line with they had developed a guide on (ICAO) has set November 24, 2015 as deadline All new Indian passports are ICAO-compliant “This year we are expecting the Qatar National Vision 2030, will contests and registration for par- for globally phasing out all non-machine readable machine readable ones. number of participants will be have many surprises. ticipants. Those interested to join Passports. THE PENINSULA much higher than the last edition Al Misned urged Qatari youth competitions should fill out a form because the weather is encour- to preserve the country’s nature, indicating information such as the aging and we are giving enough including falcons and other birds. type of falcon and the contest it time for registration, because last He also called on them to invest is going to join. They should also year many lost the chance to reg- their free time positively by hon- show the falcon to the committee ister,” said Mohammed Abdulatif ing their talents and innovations to see if it fulfils requirements and Al Misned, Vice Chairman of the in falconry and hunting, and is eligible for participation. Board of Directors of Al Gannas pass this significant aspect of the Participants from other coun- Association. Qatari heritage onto the next tries can contact the committee by Registration starts on generation. phone, fax or email. They should Wednesday and continues until The festival is a chance for par- provide their name, nationality, January 5, from 4pm to 8pm at ticipants to forge ties with other contact number, passport number, Al Burkah Hall, Building 33 at falcon owners, exchange experi- the type of falcon and contest, its Katara. ences and raise awareness about photo and permit for the falcon “Competitions and activi- taking care of the environment, authenticated by customs and ties have been divided into pro- he said. “After a careful study, environment authorities. Those grammes based on the expected we set terms and conditions for who want to participate in Al number of participants, taking the contests and participants Mazain competition may register into account the number of par- are required to be aware of while the festival continues. ticipants has been increasing these. They can visit Al Gannas THE PENINSULA Calligrafitti welcomes mall visitors

Artworks on one of the walls of basement 1 of The Gate Mall.

DOHA: The Gate Mall has cre- precious part of who we are. working on one art piece. ated calligrafitti on the walls of And the third artwork is Workshops were conducted its parking space in basement 1. ‘Illusion vs Reality’ and revolves between students and El Seed to The project is a street art around Pablo Picasso’s quote that accomplish the work. initiative between the mall ‘everything you can imagine is El Seed said he was surprised and Virginia Commonwealth real.’ The project was directed at the quality of work and how University of Qatar, supported by and supervised by well-known students created the exact art- Qatar Museum Authority (QMA). French calligrafitti artist El Seed work on the wall as it was in their The first artwork is ‘Welcome of Tunisian origin. presentation. ‘&’ Park the Car.’ El Seed introduced Arabic cal- The project taught students Traditional words used in ligrafitti, creating a new trend. new skills in spray painting in Qatari culture depict the genuine Among his most recent and terms of colours and techniques hospitality and generosity. A fit- popular works in Doha were cal- and encouraged them to express ting statement in a parking space ligrafitti frescos on Salwa Road their opinions in style. embraces shoppers as soon as tunnels, sponsored by QMA. The students showed talent and they get down from their vehicles. The judging panel chose the creativity and all works were very The second artwork is ‘Old three works out of many pre- artistic, each carrying a message is Gold’ — a traditional proverb sented by students who were for shoppers passing by. that expresses how our past is a divided into three groups, each THE PENINSULA

MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Stereotypes ‘leading Pakistani, Lankan Medical Commission opens community teams to bias against visit Interior Ministry DOHA: Members of the Sri mental patients’ Lankan and Pakistan com- branch in Industrial Area munities met officials at the DOHA: Negative assumptions and stere- Human Rights Department of otypes about mental illnesses have resulted in Ministry of Interior. discrimination of mental patients. However, New facility can cater to 500 male expatriate labourers everyday The Director of the depart- stigma can be defeated by bridging the gap ment, Colonel Abdullah Saqar between attitude change and behaviour DOHA: The first branch Al Mohanadi, received George change, says an expert. of Medical Commission, Bandula, President of Sri Lankan Psychiatry expert Professor Norman Sartorius which conducts the man- Coordination Committee, Lalith shared his expertise in combating stigmatisa- datory health check-up for Jayasekera, President of Sri tion of people affected with mental illnesses at newly recruited workers, Lankan Relief Fund, Lianan Gian, the Third International Psychiatry Symposium, opened in Industrial Area Vice-President of Sri Lankan organised by Hamad Medical Corporation yesterday. Coordination Committee and (HMC). The event brought together the world’s The facility attached to the Tariq Qasim, Representative of leading psychiatry experts and HMC healthcare Industrial Area health cen- Sri Lankan Muslim Council. professionals to discuss mental health services tre, will cater to male expat They discussed means of intro- in the region. labourers and has a capacity ducing Qatari and Arab norms Prof Sartorius is President of the Association of 400 to 500 visitors daily, and values to the community. The for the Improvement of Mental Health Programs Supreme Council of Health Pakistani team included commu- and was president of the Association of European (SCH) said yesterday. nity leader Habibullah Sheikh and Psychiatrists (EAP). This is the first satel- Pashto community leader Jenan. He was director of the Division of Mental lite unit of the commission, Talks covered Pakistani labourers Health of World Health Organisation (WHO) based in Abu Hamour. The and safeguarding the rights of the from 1977 until 1993. commission is responsible for community members. He said stigma is an age-old phenomenon and conducting mandatory medi- each individual should play a role to fight it to cal tests for newcomers to the Al Aween, Aman create a better and more inclusive society. country to prevent the spread “Stigma means that a person is marked by a of infectious diseases. likely to merge mental illness and is wrongly considered to be Tests focus on HIV/Aids, of no value; he is thought to be incurable and tuberculosis and hepatitis B DOHA: The Social dangerous and this is what makes people reject and C. Only those who pass Rehabilitation Center (Al him,” he said. the tests will be eligible for a Aween) and the Qatar “This is the chief obstacle to any development Qatari residence permit. Foundation for Child and in the field of psychiatry when it comes to the The commission had ear- Women Protection (Aman) reduction and elimination of stigma that people lier allowed three private are likely to be merged as one with mental illnesses face.” hospitals to conduct tests for institution next year, an Arabic Many individuals who have recently had men- certain segments of expat The Medical Commission’s first branch which was opened in Industrial Area yesterday. daily has reported. tal illnesses, or are experiencing a mental health workers. However, the integration proc- condition, struggle to function in society as they The new unit was set up Hamour, that sees up to 3,000 that is expected to be ready Dr Abdussalam Al Qahtani, ess would require a long time, are often made to feel worthless, ashamed and by SCH in collaboration with visitors daily, Al Shaar said it next year. a member of QRC’s board of according to Dr Yousef Al Mulla, guilty, and this impedes their diagnosis and the Ministry of Energy and was too early to say. “The idea is to build a directors and Engineer Yousuf CEO, Al Aween. treatment process, Prof Sartorius said. Industry. Qatar Red Crescent “There may be a positive health centre for workers in Ahmed Al Emadi, Director Discussions are being held on “The first thing you should do in the fight (QRC) will manage it. impact in terms of waiting Mesaimeer, with a separate of the Industrial Areas the possibility of merging both, against stigma of mental illnesses is to ask your- Dr Ibrahim Al Shaar, time since labourers form the section for commission serv- Department at the ministry, with a focus on agreements signed self, ‘Am I also stigmatising?” he said. Director of the commission, major chunk of our visitors,” ices,” said Al Shaar. among other officials. by them, their programmes and The significance of communicating with indi- said the new facility is the he said. The Mesaimeer unit will SCH said the new branch the staff and their responsibili- viduals affected by mental health conditions was first of satellite units planned He said the new branch have a capacity of 10,000 visi- is well-equipped to conduct ties. If the process succeeds, they also emphasized. in the coming years. had only a few visitors on the tors monthly, SCH said in a tests and deliver results. A may merge by April next year. Prof Sartorius shared findings from several “It will help expand our first day but the number is separate statement yesterday. team of medical and admin- Al Aween, which treats addic- international studies that revealed that social services and make them expected to increase by next Al Shaar, along with Dr istrative staff from different tion to alcohol, drug and Internet contact has been paramount in bringing about faster and easily accessible,” week. Online registration for Saleh bin Ali Al Merri, nationalities has been hired use, was founded in 2006. Aman societal behavioural change. he said. workers begins today. Assistant General Secretary for the facility, which will deals with children and women “When patients are provided with the oppor- Asked if the new facility He said there is a plan to for Medical Affairs at SCH, function from 7am to 9pm suffering from abuses, negligence tunity to speak about their mental illnesses to would help reduce the rush set up another branch of the toured the facility yesterday. daily. and family and marital disputes. other people they feel happy and useful and that at the main facility in Abu commission in Mesaimeer, They were accompanied by THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA is the best way to learn about their illnesses,” he said. THE PENINSULA Stenden University Qatar’s new graduates urged to serve nation Bank offers bonus points to credit card customers

DOHA: Commercialbank has launched winter holiday credit card spend cam- paign for its customers. Customers can earn double reward points when they use their credit cards in Qatar and triple reward points Officials with graduates during the ceremony. on international spending between December 18 and DOHA: Stenden University The graduates were urged to students — 64 of whom gradu- January 31. Qatar celebrated the successes unleash their potential to serve ated in international business and The reward points of its 70 new graduates during a Qatar and beyond. management studies (BA) and six can be redeemed against graduation ceremony attended Family, friends and the uni- with a bachelor’s degree in inter- either Accolades or by the university’s patron versity community were at the national hospitality management. FlyMiles, as part of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Renaissance Doha City Centre The university also officially Qatar’s largest and Thani and Dutch Ambassador Hotel to congratulate the 44 launched its Alumni Association. most flexible loyalty Yvette Van Eechoud. female and 26 male Class of 2013 THE PENINSULA programme. With FlyMiles, custom- ers can book flights to any destination on any airline with no blackout dates and no hidden charges or taxes. This loyalty pro- gramme is all online allowing customers to take control of their travel arrangements at their own convenience.

OPTIONS With Accolades, cus- tomers can redeem their bonus points against a wide variety of retail, hotel and dining options to suite their lifestyle needs. “Our festive promotion rewards Commercialbank credit card customers by helping them acceler- ate their reward points earnings,” said Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, CEO, Commercial Bank. “This is our way of saying thank you to our customers for choosing to use Commercialbank Credit Cards in Qatar or when they travel, which they can do securely,” Al Raisi added. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Nan, Aptamil baby milk safe: SCH

Doha Port improving operations DOHA: The Supreme Council of Following complaints, SCH col- Health (SCH) has revoked a tem- lected samples of both products porary recall of Nan and Aptamil, from different outlets and ordered Online cargo clearance system launched; new building for offices soon two popular infant milk formula, a temporary suspension of sales as a saying they do not pose any proven precautionary measure, said an SCH DOHA: The Doha Port is than two days and loading and health hazards. statement. busy improving operations unloading are done faster. Laboratory tests on samples of SCH said it has been working to cope with rising imports “We seek information from the products have shown that they closely with other departments con- as the national economy has shipping agents beforehand are safe for consumption and meet cerned to ensure the safety of food been booming and there is about ships that are on their Qatari health standards, SCH said in the local market, especially those time for the new port to be way to Doha, so we make prep- yesterday. meant for children. commissioned. arations to berth them at the SCH ordered a temporary recall of It urged the public to immediately A two-storey building is port in advance,” Al Khayyat the products from the market after contact authorities on the following under way in the port premises said. it received complaints from several telephone numbers if they have any that will have the Customs He said an online cargo clear- customers of an unpleasant smell. doubts about the quality of food they Department, offices of the port ance system has been launched Tests have shown that the smell buy from the market. as well as shipping agencies. which can be considered an was caused by a chemical reaction The Department of Food Safety The building is expected to initial step towards putting a when water is added to the vitamin and Environmental Health — be ready by mid-2014 follow- single-window clearance system contents in Aptamil. 44070250, 44070247. ing which the port’s opera- in place. As for Nan, one of the additives, The Department of Pharmacy and tions would likely become more He told Al Sharq in an inter- fish oil, is the source of the unpleas- Drug Control — 44313900, 44317226, efficient. view published yesterday that ant smell, SCH said. 44410041. “We have improved our oper- once the new port is ready, It indicated that those ingredients The Environmental Health Section ations substantially in the past which is being built at a cost of do not pose any hazards to children’s — 44070160, 44070009. few years,” the Director of the QR27bn ($7.41bn) over an area health. THE PENINSULA port, Captain Umer Al Khayyat, A ship docked at the port ... waiting time reduced. of 26 square kilometres, bigger said. vessels will be able to come to He said there was a time vessel took days. were hardly any empty berths. Doha directly instead of unload- not too long ago when locating Ships used to wait, anchored The situation today is that ing at Jabel Ali Port in Dubai. a container unloaded from a in the high seas for days as there no ship has to wait for more THE PENINSULA Qatar’s initiatives on stem cell research highlighted in US

DOHA: Qatar’s initiatives on stem post-doctoral researcher, had their post- cell research and genomic medicine ers accepted for the event. were highlighted at the first World The posters highlighted molecular Stem Cell Summit in the US recently. mechanisms behind the functions of A delegation from Qatar Biomedical different stem cells. “This is the first Research Institute (QBRI) including time QBRI has presented outcome of two scientists who presented research its research at a major stem cell confer- posters and the Executive Director Dr ence,” said Dr Haoudi. “It demonstrates Abdelali Haoudi who spoke in a panel that QBRI is becoming a productive discussion on ‘Strategic Partnerships for member of the international stem cell Successful Research, Commercialisation community, and producing research with and Economic Development — An global impact. International Perspective.’ “QBRI is taking an integrated QBRI, a member of Qatar Foundation approach to biomedical research,” Dr Research and Development, made new Haoudi told an audience of about 150 in contacts for collaboration and recruit- his panel discussion. “For example, we ment at its exhibition booth and was the are combining stem cell research and only institute from the Gulf invited to genomic medicine to address diabetes, give a panel presentation. and bringing together stem cell research Dr Prasanna Kolatkar, senior scientist and biomedical engineering to address with QBRI, and Dr Essam Abdelalim, cancer.” THE PENINSULA Ooredoo unveils monthly bill in new format DOHA: Ooredoo yes- terday launched a new design of its standard monthly bill to improve customer experience and ensure people have a clear understanding of their communication costs. The new format enables residential and business customers to see services they’ve used and their set- tlement options in their monthly bills. The sim- plified design was devel- oped based on customer feedback, which enabled Ooredoo to remove visual clutter and unnecessary information from the format. The new bill will be sent out in one language — Arabic or English. Customers who have not yet selected a language will automatically be sent the bill in English. Customers wishing to change their default language can send an SMS with ‘AD’ to 114 for Arabic and ‘ED’ to 114 for English. Ooredoo is also working on new features for the bill such as the ‘Best Plan for You’ option which will inform customers which Shahry plan would be the best for them based on their usage history. Ooredoo has been the pioneer in providing cus- tomers with the widest range of billing and infor- mation options. It moved towards providing e-bills in 2011, cutting down on paper wastage and making it easier for customers to store and access bills any time. The move to improve bills is part of Ooredoo’s wider customer experience revamp, which has seen the company re-visit every part of its operations in Qatar that touch the cus- tomer, and look for ways to enhance and improve the experience for all. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Bahrain frees Saudi to give Lebanese army $3bn opposition chief but bans French president in Riyadh, will meet Syrian and Lebanese oppn chiefs him from travel DUBAI: Bahrain freed oppo- BEIRUT/RIYADH: Saudi best-armed and trained organisa- sition leader Ali Salman yes- Arabia has pledged $3bn for the tion however, and its arsenal has terday, a day after his arrest, Lebanese army to buy equip- drawn domestic criticism, includ- although it slapped a travel ban ment from France, Lebanese ing from former prime minister on the head of the Shia Al Wefaq President Michel Sleiman Saad Hariri and the so-called bloc, the prosecution said. announced yesterday. March 14 coalition. Salman, head of the opposi- The kingdom “decided to Hariri, whose father was assas- tion Al Wefaq bloc, had been provide generous assistance to sinated in an attack blamed on questioned over accusations of Lebanon in the form of $3bn for Hezbollah, welcomed the Saudi “incitement to religious hatred the Lebanese army to strengthen pledge and said it came as part of and spreading false news likely to its capabilities,” Sleiman said, a project to impose state control. harm national security,” attorney adding that it was the largest Sleiman “announced an excep- general Abdul Rahman Al Said assistance provided in Lebanon’s tional step in the transition to a was quoted as saying by the offi- history. real state whose authority pre- cial BNA news agency. French President Francois vails over any other authority and The prosecution had ordered Hollande, on a visit to Saudi whose army is not exceeded by the release of the Al Wefaq sec- Arabia, said his country would any other army,” Hariri said in a retary general but “forbade him “meet” any requests from statement. Sleiman visited Saudi from any travel for the purposes Lebanon. Arabia last month. of the investigation,” he added. The aid pledge comes amid Meanwhile, Hollande arrived in During his detention, Salman mounting sectarian tension in Saudi Arabia yesterday for a visit had been asked about the content Lebanon related to the war in aimed at boosting prospects of of a speech he gave on Friday. neighbouring Syria. commercial cooperation between The attorney general said Lebanon’s powerful Shia the countries and addressing Salman was suspected of “inciting Hezbollah movement is fighting escalating tensions in the Middle hatred against a religious commu- alongside President Bashar Al East. nity” in the Sunni-ruled country Assad’s forces against an upris- Hollande held talks with during the address. ing that many Lebanese Sunnis the Custodian of the Two Holy He was also alleged to have support. Mosques King Abdullah bin “accused institutions of the state Saudi Arabia is a leading Abdulaziz and will meet former of engaging in illegal practices”. backer of the rebels battling Lebanese premier Saad Hariri The speech was followed by Assad’s regime, which has relied and Syrian opposition leader “disturbances, acts of violence on strong support from Shia Iran. Ahmed Jarba in the kingdom, said The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia with French President and aggression against the secu- Sleiman’s announcement comes a member of his entourage. Crown Francois Hollande in Riyadh yesterday. rity forces that caused injuries in two days after a bombing that tar- Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz met their ranks,” the chief prosecutor geted a leading critic of Hezbollah Hollande upon his arrival in the The Sunni Muslim leader is in Switzerland on January 22 is fighting extremists. added. and the Syrian regime, though the capital Riyadh. The French leader also a strong critic of the Iran- “desirable”, according to Fabius. Assad said this week that his Six opposition groups including Saudi aid pledge did not appear to is scheduled to meet the king at backed Shia Hezbollah move- The US-Russian backed country was being confronted Al Wefaq have issued a statement be directly related. his Rawdat Khurayim farm, 60km ment, which is fighting alongside Geneva talks are aimed at reach- by a major offensive by Islamist denouncing Salman’s detention as He said the money would be northeast of the capital. President Bashar Al Assad’s ing an agreement on a transition extremists. Radical Islamist an “attack on freedom of expres- used to buy weapons from France, Four ministers and 30 top forces in Syria’s civil war. to end the war, which has claimed groups have taken on an increas- sion in Bahrain”. pointing to the “historical ties figures in French business have In his interview with Al Hayat, an estimated 126,000 lives since ingly prominent role in the Syrian Al Wefaq, the most important that link it to Lebanon and the accompanied Hollande on the Hollande called for the respect March 2011 and displaced mil- conflict. opposition grouping in Shia- depth of the military cooperation visit. France and Saudi Arabia of “constitutional deadlines” in lions. Syria’s increasingly frac- On the commercial front, majority Bahrain, wants a con- between the two countries”. share the “will to work for peace, Lebanon, starting with “hold- tured opposition has said Assad Hollande said in his interview that stitutional monarchy in the Gulf Sleiman did not specify what security and stability in the ing presidential elections in May must step down as part of any Saudi Arabia has become France’s nation ruled by the Al Khalifa weapons would be purchased. Middle East,” Hollande said in an 2014”. French Foreign Minister deal, which Damascus rejects. “top client in the Middle East” dynasty. It repeatedly says it Lebanon’s armed forces are interview published in the Saudi- Laurent Fabius said Hollande France intends to support the with trade exchange exceeding rejects violence, but the authori- woefully under-equipped and face owned daily Al Hayat published would deliver a “special message” “moderate opposition and in no ¤8bn ($11bn) in 2013, including ties in turn blame its supporters multiplying security challenges, yesterday. to Hariri reiterating that France way the terrorist movements French exports worth three bil- for the trouble that has shaken underlined by the bomb attack Hollande’s meeting with Hariri, is “a friend of the Lebanese and that are paradoxically serving the lion euros. the country. on Friday and rockets fired from a staunch critic of the Syrian Lebanon, (and) calls for the integ- interests of Bashar, said Fabius. The balance remains in Saudi A month-long protest that Lebanon into Israel on Sunday regime, comes amid heightened rity and independence,” of the In the interview with Al-Hayat, Arabia’s favour on the back of its erupted on February 14, 2011, was that prompted return fire from tensions in Lebanon after the kill- country. Hollande reiterated that there oil exports to France. dispersed in a mid-March deadly the Jewish state. ing of his close aide, ex-minister France “rejects the conta- cannot be a “political solution He noted “good results” that crackdown helped by security The armed forces are respon- Mohammad Chatah, in a car gion that some want to impose with Bashar Al Assad staying” in marked commercial relations forces from neighbouring Saudi sible for domestic security as well bomb on Friday in Beirut. between the conflict in Syria power. between the two countries in Arabia. as national defence, and contain Hariri, the son of former pre- and Lebanon,” he said on the He accused Assad of using 2013, citing contracts won by At least 89 people have been members from across Lebanon’s mier Rafiq who was also assas- presidential plane. As for Syria, the threat of fundamentalist French companies in the king- killed in Bahrain since the Arab multi-sectarian population. sinated in a massive car bomb Hollande will tell Jarba that the fighters “to put pressure on the dom, including French Alstom Spring-inspired protests erupted, The powerful Hezbollah move- in February 2005, lives outside participation of the opposition in moderate opposition,” insisting winning Riyadh metro contract. according to the International ment remains the country’s Lebanon due to security concerns. the proposed peace conference the embattled president is not AFP Federation for Human Rights. Saudi police warn Three senior against New Year Lebanon mourns former celebrations army officers minister killed in blast RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s reli- gious police have warned against among 16 BEIRUT: Lebanese mourn- and burial. Chatah was buried celebrating the New Year’s Eve ers in Beirut yesterday buried at the mausoleum of Hariri’s in the ultra-conservative Gulf Mohammad Chatah, a promi- father Rafiq, who was also killed kingdom, the local Okaz daily killed in Iraq nent critic of the Syrian regime in a huge suicide bombing on the said yesterday. killed in a car bombing that Beirut seafront on February 14, The Commission of the BAGHDAD: Attacks in Iraq revived painful memories of 2005 that supporters blame on Promotion of Virtue and the mainly targeting members of political assassinations. Syria and Hezbollah. Prevention of Vice, known unof- the security forces killed at Angry citizens chanted slogans Hundreds of mourners gath- ficially as Mutawaa, based its least 16 people yesterday, among against the powerful Lebanese ered, including distraught mem- warning on a religious edict from them three senior army officers, Shia Hezbollah movement, an bers of Chatah’s family and the top committee of Saudi cler- security and medical officials ally of the Syrian regime, which political dignitaries. ics banning such celebrations, the said. The attacks come as Iraq has been accused of killing Chatah His coffin was brought into newspaper said. suffers its worst violence since and other critics in recent years. the mosque draped in a green Saudi Arabia follows the 2008, when the country was just Chatah, 62, a Sunni Muslim and cream-striped material with Muslim lunar calendar, unlike emerging from a brutal period former finance minister and close religious verses on it, alongside all other Gulf states that use the of sectarian tit-for-tat killings. aide to ex-prime minister Saad that of his bodyguard Badr. Gregorian calendar. In the northern city of Mosul, Hariri, was killed on Friday along Inside the mosque, the coffins Members of the commission a suicide bomber detonated an with seven other people in a blast were laid side by side, and one of enforce the kingdom’s rule of explosives-rigged vehicle near a in the heart of Beirut. Chatah’s sons gripped a relative strict segregation between sexes, military convoy, killing four sol- The bombing raised fears about of Badr’s, embracing him as they and have traditionally forced diers, among them a brigadier the fragile situation in Lebanon, both wept. Outside, mourners women to cover from head to toe general, a colonel and a lieuten- which has seen the war in neigh- in black watched the proceed- when in public. ant colonel. bouring Syria regularly spill over. ings on a large screen, one wav- They also go around shops to The blast also wounded 10 peo- Heavy security was in place as ing a Lebanese flag. Behind them make sure they are shuttered ple, including six soldiers. the bodies of Chatah and his bod- stood a lit Christmas tree and a during prayer times. Earlier yesterday, a car bomb Family and friends of former Lebanese finance minister Mohammad Chatah yguard Tarek Badr were trans- newly erected billboard declaring The religious police have been exploded near an army check- mourn during his funeral at the Mohammed Al Amin mosque in downtown ported from western Beirut to Chatah a “martyr for modera- accused of abusing their powers. point in Mosul, killing four more Beirut yesterday. a mosque downtown for prayers tion”. AFP AFP soldiers, among them an officer, while a roadside bomb in the city killed a child and wounded three people. The attacks on the soldiers come after five senior officers, including a divisional commander, and 10 other soldiers were killed during a December 21 South Sudan forces battle ‘White Army’ operation against militants in the western province of Anbar. JUBA: South Sudan’s army destabilise fragile East Africa. advance near Bor, Aguer said. Rebel spokesman Moses Ruai General Hilde Johnson, said in In Abu Ghraib, west of fought yesterday with the The feared White Army — “They then dispersed and Lat said that rather than being a statement. Machar made no Baghdad, gunmen killed at least “White Army” ethnic militia, made up largely of Nuer youths returned back,” the Sudan under Machar’s control, the immediate comment on the rebel four Sahwa anti-Al Qaeda militia- accusing rebels of mobilising who dust their bodies with ash — People’s Liberation Army spokes- armed Nuer youth were an “inde- force or on the government’s offer men and wounded at least three the force despite its offer of a clashed with government troops man said by phone from South pendently organised force”. of a ceasefire on Friday. at a checkpoint on Sunday. truce to end the conflict in the near the town of Bor five days Sudan’s capital, Juba, 190km The United Nations said the Witnesses spoke of panicked The Sahwa are made up of new country. after rebels were driven out, army south of Bor by road. involvement of the White Army civilians fleeing Bor to escape fighters who joined forces with Two weeks of fighting have spokesman Philip Aguer said. The White Army are recog- brought another volatile ingredi- another round of bloodletting. the United States against jihadists left at least 1,000 dead and split A rebel spokesman denied the nised by the ash, prepared from ent. “South Sudan does not need The scene of a massacre of from late 2006, helping to bring the oil-producing country barely White Army was controlled by burnt cow dung, with which another escalation of the crisis Dinka in 1991 by Nuer fight- about a significant reduction in two years after it won independ- Riek Machar, a Nuer, the former they cover themselves to ward involving armed youth, pitching ers loyal to Machar, Bor was violence. They are frequently ence from Sudan. It has also vice president whose followers off insects. They are armed with communities against communi- retaken by government troops targeted by Sunni militants, who raised fears of an all-out civil oppose President Salva Kiir, a machetes, sticks and guns. The ties. This can end in a vicious last Tuesday after several days consider them traitors. war between the main Dinka and Dinka. The army used helicopter army estimated their number at cycle of violence,” UN Special of heavy fighting. AFP Nuer ethnic groups which could gunships against the White Army 25,000. Representative of the Secretary REUTERS MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Another blast at Egyptian army building Army says violence won’t derail political transition; police and Cairo students clash for third day

CAIRO: A bomb exploded outside an Security forces killed hundreds of Egyptian army building north of Cairo Poll within 6 months Mursi’s supporters in the months after yesterday, wounding four soldiers, the his removal and have arrested thousands army said, in the second bomb attack after constitution more. Three security sources said yester- on security forces in the Nile Delta day’s explosion came from a bomb near in less than a week. The bomb partly approval: President the building, but did not specify where destroyed the back wall of the military it was planted. State-run Nile News TV intelligence building in the village of CAIRO: Egypt’s interim president station said it was a car bomb. Anshas, 100km north of the capital. said yesterday that the government Five people were wounded by a bomb The army described the bombing as a is committed to holding parlia- that went off near a bus in Cairo on terrorist attack. Its statement referred mentary and presidential elections Thursday. That bomb appeared to be to “groups of darkness” and did not name within six months of approval of the first targeting civilians, though there the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist the new constitution, to be voted on was no claim of responsibility saying what group it declared a terrorist organisation next month. had been targeted. The authorities say last week. That decision was a response The timetable means Egypt would they have defused several other bombs to a suicide bomb attack on Tuesday on a have an elected government by next in recent days, including one in a bag left police compound in the Nile Delta city of summer to replace that installed outside a university building in the Nile Mansoura, north of the site of yesterday’s by the army after it ousted elected Delta city of Damietta on Sunday. explosion. Islamist President Mohamed Mursi Already high political tensions have The army-backed government has used in July. escalated since last week’s suicide attack. the new classification to detain hundreds Adly Mansour also said that it Some analysts say Egypt faces the risk of the movement’s supporters and thou- would not be unconstitutional for of a protracted spell of Islamist attacks, sands more are already in jail. Some of presidential elections to be held before as well as civil strife fuelled by friction those detained in recent days are stu- parliamentary elections. between supporters and opponents of the dents, who have continued daily protests The initial plan unveiled in July Muslim Brotherhood: street clashes have in spite of the increased penalties for loy- required parliamentary elections to killed seven people in the past three days. alty to the Brotherhood. The government be held first, but the constitution to Student protesters battled police for a had accused the Brotherhood of carrying be voted on in a referendum on Jan. 14 third day at Al-Azhar University, where out last week’s suicide bombing, which and 15 would allow presidential elec- the Brotherhood has rallied support in killed 16 people and for which a radical tions first. REUTERS recent months, putting the prestigious Sinai-based group called Ansar Bayt Al institution at the heart of its struggle to Maqdis claimed responsibility. keep its cause alive. In Anshas, some residents were quick constitution, which it has said the vio- Egyptian soldiers stand next to the destroyed headquarters of the military intelligence for Students allied to the Brotherhood say to blame the Brotherhood for yesterday’s lence will not derail. the eastern Sharqiya region in the town of Anshas, East of Cairo, yesterday. they are boycotting end-of-term exams attack: “The Brotherhood want to scare But the two latest explosions point to to protest the killing of classmates by people so they don’t come out for the the widening reach of militant attacks security forces. Security sources said 35 referendum,” said Ahmed Salah, wear- that have become commonplace since downfall, including a failed attempt since Mursi was deposed, most of them students were treated for the effects of ing a dusty tracksuit and standing near the army deposed Islamist President to assassinate the interior minister in in the Sinai Peninsula, where Islamist tear gas fired by police during protests the damaged building. The next step in Mohamed Mursi in July. September. radicals expanded into a security vacuum at Al-Azhar’s campus in the Delta city of the government’s political transition plan Ansar Bayt Al Maqdis has claimed Around 350 police and soldiers have left by the Hosni Mubarak’s downfall in Zagazig. Fifteen were hospitalised. is a mid-January referendum on a new other major attacks since Mursi’s been killed in bombings and shootings early 2011. REUTERS

Iran MP urges Israel endorses opposition legislation to annex leaders be tried TEHRAN: An influential Iranian lawmaker yesterday- part of West Bank urged the judiciary to end the house arrests of opposition fig- ures Mir Hossein Mousavi and JERUSALEM: A panel of Jordan Valley was “a critical Mehdi Karroubi and to put Israeli cabinet ministers threading of a needle that has them on trial. endorsed proposed legislation to happen in order to achieve an “The protracted house arrests yesterday to annex an area of agreement”. He said he was coor- without trial lack legal or reli- the occupied West Bank likely dinating with Jordan as well. gious justification,” conservative to be the eastern border of a The Israeli proposal to incor- MP Ali Motahari told parliament future Palestinian state. porate the Jordan Valley within in remarks carried by the Isna The move, pushed by far-right its borders, endorsed by the cabi- news agency. members of Prime Minister net’s legislative committee, was Mousavi and Karroubi have Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud the first Israeli step in years to been held incommunicado under party, could weigh on troubled annex any territory captured in separate house arrests since A man swings a doner kebab knife at anti-government protesters in Istanbul yesterday. US-brokered peace negotiations 1967. February 2011 for orchestrating several days before another visit Shortly after that war, in a massive, unprecedented street to the region by Secretary of move not recognised interna- protests sparked by a disputed State John Kerry. tionally, Israel annexed East presidential election two years Defiant Erdogan says graft But centrist Justice Minister Jerusalem and added some adjoin- earlier. The protests turned Tzipi Livni, who also heads ing West Bank land to the city, deadly when authorities resorted Israel’s negotiations with the which it regards as its capital. to a heavy-handed crackdown in Palestinians, immediately chal- The last time Israel annexed which thousands of protesters, affair will fail to topple him lenged the motion, and said she any land captured in the 1967 war reformist activists and journal- would use her powers to block the was in 1981 when it applied its law ists were arrested. ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime stoked the controversy. On Friday, Manisa province. “Their concern legislation from being voted on in to Syria’s Golan Heights, a strate- Motahari slammed the judici- Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan thousands of Turks demanding is not corruption, law or justice. Parliament. gic plateau that lies to the north. ary for not having resolved the swore yesterday he would sur- Erdogan step down clashed with Their only concern is damaging Peace talks have shown few The proposed legislation came issue already, more than four vive a corruption crisis circling riot police in central Istanbul. The this nation’s power.” signs of progress since Kerry up two days before Israel said it years after the 2009 election his cabinet, saying those seek- trouble recalled protests in mid- Erdogan’s government has oversaw their renewal in July would free 26 Palestinian pris- of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as ing his overthrow would fail just 2013 which began over develop- purged about 70 police inves- after a three-year deadlock. oners, the third of four groups president for a second term that like mass anti-government pro- ment plans for the city’s Gezi park tigators involved in the case, The target is to reach an agree- of prisoners being released as Mousavi and Karroubi claimed tests last summer. but broadened into complaints of while financial markets have ment by April towards achieving an agreed confidence-building was rigged. Erdogan accused his oppo- authoritarianism under Erdogan’s taken fright and one AK official a “two-state solution” in which measure since peace negotiations nents of trying to sap the power Islamist-rooted AK party. said national elections could be Israel and a new Palestinian state resumed. of Turkey, which has seen rapid Erdogan, who is touring Turkey brought forward from 2015 if the would co-exist side by side. The prisoners had been jailed Ex-Gaddafi aide economic growth and assertive to drum up support before local crisis persists. The Jordan Valley region of the for deadly violence committed foreign policies under his 11-year elections in March, defied his Although 7 protesters and a West Bank which Israel captured before a 1993 Israeli-Palestinian killed in Benghazi leadership, in the service of an accusers over the detention for policeman were killed in last sum- in a 1967 war and Palestinians interim peace accord. international plot cloaked as suspected graft of three minis- mer’s protests, Erdogan’s popu- seek as part of their future state, Also expected to weigh on BENGHAZI: Gunmen yes- criminal proceedings. ters’ sons and the head of state- larity was almost unaffected in has been a focus of recent disa- Kerry’s visit this week is an terday killed a former security Yet striking a somewhat milder run Halkbank on December 17. opinion polls. Analysts say this greement. Palestinians reject Israeli plan to build 1,400 homes officer who served under slain tone, Foreign Minister Ahmet “They said ‘Gezi’ and smashed was due to his strong support Israel’s demand to maintain a in Jewish settlements, which dictator Muamer Gaddafi in the Davutoglu appeared to seek com- windows. Now they say ‘corrup- among pious Turks and wealthy security presence there. Palestinian negotiator Saeb violence-ridden eastern city of mon ground with a US-based tion’ and smash windows. These elites, as well as the diffuse nature Kerry said in Washington ear- Erekat said would “destroy the Benghazi, security and medical Turkish cleric whose rivalry with conspiracies will not succeed,” he of those demonstrations. lier this month that the need peace process” and could be met sources said. Erdogan is widely seen as having told a cheering crowd in western REUTERS to resolve the dispute over the with retaliation. REUTERS “Retired colonel Muftah Najem was shot dead,” said a spokes- woman for Al Jala hospital where the body was taken. A security source said uniden- tified men fired from a vehicle as Najem was driving in Al Sabri Saudi royal faces death penalty for murder district, “killing him on the spot”. Benghazi, cradle of the 2011 DUBAI: A Saudi prince who a Saudi citizen”. are encouraged by authorities to also deputy prime minister and Members of the ruling family uprising that toppled Gaddafi murdered a fellow Saudi may In a message about the case accept blood money instead of minister of defence. are only rarely known to be exe- and led to his killing by rebels in be executed, a newspaper to Interior Minister Prince insisting on execution. The kingdom, which follows cuted. One of the most promi- October that year, has suffered a reported yesterday, in a rare Mohammed bin Nayef, Prince The paper quoted Crown Shariah has been criticised in nent cases was Faisal bin Musaid wave of attacks. example of a member of the Salman said: “Shariah (Islamic Prince Salman’s message as the West for its high number of Al Saud, who assassinated his Both security forces and for- kingdom’s ruling family facing law) shall be applied to all saying: “There is no difference executions, inconsistencies in the uncle, King Faisal, in 1975. eign missions have been targeted, the death penalty. without exception”, the daily between big and small, rich application of the law, and its use The family is estimated to including a September 2012 The English-language Arab reported. and poor ... Nobody is allowed of public beheading to carry out number several thousand. While assault on the US consulate that News did not name the prince Prince Salman’s message fol- to interfere with the judiciary’s death sentences. members receive monthly sti- killed the ambassador and three or his victim, but said a sen- lowed a statement from the decision. This is the tradition of Saudi Arabia had executed pends, and the most senior other Americans. The govern- ior member of the family and victim’s father that he was not this state. We are committed to at least 47 people as of May princes command great wealth ment has struggled to consolidate government, Crown Prince ready to pardon the killer and he following the Shariah.” 2013, according to Amnesty and political power, only a few in control in the vast and mostly Salman, had “cleared the way was not happy with the amount The Arab News is part of a International’s website, com- the family hold nationally impor- desert country, which is effec- for the possible execution of a offered as blood money. media group chaired by a son pared to 82 in all of 2011 and a tant government posts. tively ruled by a patchwork of prince convicted of murdering The families of murder victims of Crown Prince Salman, who is similar number in 2012. REUTERS local militias and awash in heavy weapons looted from Gaddafi’s arsenals. AFP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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N DIPLOMACY and international relations, a country is always expected to refrain from doing things that will antagonize its allies. Another rule is that when tensions It won’t be long before the climate Iare already running high in a region, any action that will exacerbate the situation should be scrupulously avoided. On both counts, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe erred last week and it caused a huge furore in the region. change victims make the west pay He paid the first visit by a Japanese prime minister in seven years to the Yasukuni memorial in Tokyo, where, among BY CHRIS HUHNE others, war criminals from World War II are enshrined. The growing ability to highlight the blame ahead then was that the scientific case move provoked outrage in China and South Korea. Yasukuni for particular extreme events, and not is strengthening by the month. A later Shrine is believed to be the repository of around 2.5 million OULD you enjoy the cosiness just in the Sahel. case will be even stronger. souls of Japan’s war dead, most of them common soldiers, and warmth of Christmas For instance, a recent paper by “There will definitely be a case in Wwith your children or grand- Fraser C Lott and colleagues examined my lifetime and probably within five to but also including several high-level officials executed for children just that little bit less if you the increased probability that the 2011 10 years,” says Philippe Sands QC, the war crimes after World War II. South Korea and China see knew that other people’s children were East African drought in Somalia and UCL professor of international law, who it as a symbol of Tokyo’s lack of repentance for the horrors dying because of it? More than four mil- Kenya can be attributed to human- has advised many endangered nations, of last century and say it downplays the country’s brutal lion children under five years old are induced climate change. Pardeep Pal including Bangladesh. “It is going to past. now at risk of acute malnutrition in the and others investigated the impact of happen. The only questions now are Sahel, an area of the world that is one of climate change on the £1.3bn insured where, how and to what purpose.” The fact that Abe’s visit is the first by a prime minister the clearest victims of the rich world’s losses from the flooding in the UK in The UN framework may not be ideal, in seven years shows that previous prime ministers had addiction to fossil fuels. 2000. Peter A Stott and others looked precisely because it is dominated by the carefully stayed away from an action that could inflame About 18 million people in the Sahel at the hot European summer of 2003, historic five powers, all of whom have passions. Abe described his visit, which came days after he – the vulnerable pan-African strip of and its heatwave-related deaths. their own interests. But the Hamburg- gave Japan’s military its second consecutive annual budget land that runs from Senegal to Sudan Richard Washington, the professor of based International Tribunal for the bump, as a pledge against war and along the southern edge of the Sahara climate science at Oxford, rightly high- Law of the Sea may be a forum that – faced famine last year. Life has never lights the importance of this scientific would hear the matter. said it was not aimed at hurting been easy there. Its land is poor. Its work for its ability to change the global Sands points out that climate change feelings in China or South Korea. people are often political and legal game. We saw how is already entering indirectly into cases Abe’s visit to But that explanation is unlikely semi-nomadic, high feelings run with the walk-out by such as the dispute between India and the Yasukuni to assuage hurt feelings. moving their ani- 132 developing countries at the Warsaw Bangladesh over territorial waters: as The most important fallout mals between the climate-change talks last month when land disappears, so the projection of of the visit is that it can weaken grasslands. But the new Australian government tried to the line into the sea, dividing territo- shrine will only The scientific science is increas- block all talk of loss and compensation rial waters, will change. weaken his the anti-China sentiment in ingly pointing a until after 2015. It is not a defence that we did not the region. Beijing had united case is hard finger at The more certain is the attribution know what we were doing, nor does a international its neighbors last month when strengthening: those to blame for for blame, the more justified many case have to target everyone who might it unilaterally declared an air- the persistence of developing countries will feel in pro- have historic responsibility: countries standing. defence zone in the East China developed Sahelian drought testing about the impact of rising sea are jointly and severally liable, which – and it is us. levels on small island states such as the may help to deal with the problem that Sea, covering territory claimed by countries are to This is an Maldives and Fiji or low-lying delta cul- the United States is often not a signa- Japan and South Korea. That act blame for global ineluctable con- tures such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. tory and hence denies international prompted a show of support from the United States to its sequence of Moreover, fair-minded democracies will jurisdiction. allies, which dispatched B-52s through the new zone without warming – and improving the find the call for compensation hard to Paradoxically, one of the strongest notice to Beijing. It also set the stage for closer security there will soon be computer models resist at home. cards that the historic emitters can relations between Japan and the US, and gave hopes of an of climate change. The science also opens up the possi- play is to highlight the international a legal reckoning. Of course, there bility that the victims of climate change effort to tackle climate change. Legally, improvement in strained relations between Japan and South are still large could begin to take international legal they can argue that the global process Korea. uncertainties. action against the countries responsible, under way since 1992 through the Kyoto Also, the visit caused embarrassment to Washington, But what has particularly the early industrialisers, Protocol and the countless meetings of which criticized the action. A statement issued by the US long persuaded me of the strength of such as Britain, Belgium and Germany, the “convention of the parties”, is itself Embassy in Tokyo said that Washington was disappointed the scientific case for human-induced whose carbon continues to warm the a response to the need for action, and that ‘Japan’s leadership had taken an action that will climate change is that climate-sceptic planet a century after it was emitted. displaces the need for lawsuits. scientists have not managed to build Legal action is not a substitute for poli- But that implies that the global politi- exacerbate tensions with Japan’s neighbours.’ In China, the a model that explains global warming tics, but it could highlight the evidence cal process must hold out – as it can and visit was used by the state media to whip up anti-Japan without human-induced effects. The in an uncomfortable way. should – a real possibility of delivering sentiment to new heights. human hand is indispensable in under- This year a group of small island change. If it fails, the historic emitters Abe is known for his different version of history and is standing what has happened. states threatened by rising sea levels, may want to consider some of the conse- following a more aggressive strategy to win support at home There are legitimate doubts about the led by Palau, came close to asking the quences, not least of which is the possi- scale of the impact, and about other off- International Court of Justice for an bility that embarrassing legal cases will for his plans to boost defence spending. But he has to refrain setting factors that may reduce human- advisory opinion on the responsibility display the increasingly strong scientific from actions that will weaken his international standing and induced global warming. But what of historic emitters for global warm- evidence about who is to blame. Japan’s security • should be a wake-up call is science’s ing. The main reason they did not press THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Rural reforms dig deeper the day

MPROVING the living standards of agriculture and rural development, At the same time, it was made clear rural development and different geo- rural villagers is key to building a but also to the country’s economic that greater efforts will be made to graphical conditions in different rural well-off society by the year 2020. development and social progress as change the traditional mode of agricul- areas, it will be no easy job turning IThis is how important rural work is, a whole. tural production and also the rural way this rosy picture of rural develop- as described at the Party’s conference Making agricultural production a of life. In this process, rural villagers’ ment into reality. What will be badly There is no difference on rural work, and this points to what lucrative and attractive business is contracts to the land they farm will be needed is the capability to solve one improving the lives of rural residents the goal of the reforms that the central protected, but they will have the right problem after another in an effective between big and means to the future of this country. authorities will carry out in a down-to- to lease their land use rights to others. manner. small, rich and poor Despite 10 consecutive years of earth manner. In this way, modern agriculture Another factor, related to this one, bumper harvests, agriculture will Still, one of the topics discussed on the basis of family farms and will be properly coordinating the gov- ... Nobody is allowed hardly have a solid basis for sustain- at the two-day conference which large-scale rural cooperatives and ernment’s role and the function of the to interfere with the able development if rural villagers con- concluded on Tuesday was turning specialized agricultural production market, especially for labor and farm tinue to be poor without any chance of the 100 million or so villagers-turned- households can be developed to raise produce. judiciary’s decision. Prince Salman bin becoming rich by working in the fields. workers permanently working in cities production efficiency and increase the How to let each tap its potential We are committed to Abdul Aziz This explains why solving the problem into real urban residents, and doing incomes of those engaged in agricul- remains a challenging task to be car- of “who will farm in fields” is consid- the same for a similar number of such tural production. ried out efficiently. following the Shariah. Crown Prince of ered strategically relevant not only to workers in western China by 2020. However, given the unbalanced China Daily Saudi Arabia MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 How Hollywood cloaked South Sudan

development — even though this The headlong was rarely matched by any action. “You can’t do that if the elites pursuit of are arguing and trying not to kill each other,” said the senior UN separation at all official, on condition of anonymity. “A lot of people who knew about state building in Africa were costs made it screaming bloody murder.” When Kiir sacked his entire harder to admit government to pre-empt a political power grab by his vice- president, Riek Machar, an eth- certain truths nic Nuer, South Sudan’s second most populous group, the inter- such as ethnic national community chided him half-heartedly. When fighting divisions and finally broke out on December 15 July 2011: South and elements of the presidential guard went house to house in the created the need Sudan gains fledgling capital, Juba, murdering independence. Nuer civilians, the talk was still of for the “big lie”, a political, not an ethnic conflict. 15 December 2013: When Nuer youths who mobilise as one senior UN under the banner of the civil war- fighting erupts after era White Army overran a UN gunmen fire at the outpost, killing two peacekeepers official calls it. and murdering Dinka officials, presidential palace. it was blamed by some on media President Salva Kiir inciting tit-for-tat attacks. BY DANIEL HOWDEN blames his former Jok Madut Jok, an academic and former culture minister, who hen violence deputy, Riek Machar, had been one of the most passion- erupted two weeks for attempting a coup. ate exponents of South Sudan, ago in the world’s was among many intellectuals youngest country who railed against international W A wounded child received medical treatment at the general military hospital in the South Sudanese capital Juba. 24 December: the one of the first voices to speak reporting of the ethnic slaughter RIGHT: Hollywood star George Clooney. out, before the US president or UN finds three mass as irresponsible and lacking in the head of the United Nations, graves in two regions of context. was that of the Hollywood actor narrative was the regime in Christian and African underdogs problem in South Sudan. There After visiting Nuer colleagues George Clooney. There was noth- Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, against a more powerful Muslim is a political problem.” South Sudan. A senior among the 63,000 South Sudanese ing particularly objectionable which would seek to undermine and Arab foe. The fact that reli- The midwife to the state-build- official claims the death who had gone into hiding in UN about his counsel, which in any its southern breakaway, or march gious and geographical lines were ing was the UN peacekeeping toll has run “into the bases around the country, he case was more likely authored back to war to reclaim some of its never remotely this clear and mission — now known as Unmiss described in an open letter how by the American activist John lost oilfields. clean-cut was routinely ignored. — a sprawling operation costing thousands”. he had wept by the roadside: “My Prendergast, with whom he It was a seductive story that The Sudan People’s Liberation roughly $1bn a year. A further Nuer friends are very scared and shared a byline. It spoke of the could be well told by handsome Army (SPLA), under the lead- $1bn in development aid was 27 December: South will not even fathom returning need for a robust UN response movie stars against the lav- ership of the charismatic John pumped in annually by donors to their homes, given what they and, even as tens of thousands of ish backdrop supplied by South Garang, was not fighting for an such as the US and Britain. As it Sudan commits to a saw during the fighting in Juba. civilians fled ethnically motivated Sudan’s superheated swamps and independent south but a demo- was believed that there were no ceasefire after two But their present circumstance death squads, of the “opportuni- deserts and often beautiful people. cratic “new Sudan”. entrenched ethnic issues to over- weeks of clashes that is humiliating to them, big army ties” present in South Sudan. But the narrative — part truth, Much of the fighting and dying come, the mandate for Unmiss — officers, senior government offi- This is a country, not yet two part wilful misunderstanding — took place in the south, often with when it was drafted by the UN have caused more than cials and university students who and a half years old, whose birth was deeply flawed. This would funding and encouragement from security council — framed the 120,000 people to flee feel they cannot be safe in their has been soaked in celebrity like have mattered less if it had only the north. This meant that a new challenges for the new country their homes. own capital city in which they no other. As well as Clooney, Matt informed public opinion, but country would have to be built in as purely developmental. The have lived for many years.” Dillon and Don Cheadle have been instead it found its way into the what had been the main theatre choice of Hilde Johnson, a former Much trumpeted peace efforts occasional visitors who have tried building of a state. of the war, with a nation drawn Norwegian minister of interna- hails from the south’s biggest remain just “talks about talks”, to use their star power to place Sudan, the former British col- from opposing sides in much of tional development, to head the ethnic group, the Dinka, began according to diplomats involved. the international public firmly in ony which became Africa’s larg- that conflict. No serious effort mission reflected this. to entrench its power at the Both sides are dusting off veter- the corner of this plucky upstart est state, has been in a condition was made by any side in the While demobilisation and expense of other communities, ans from the 1990s — the era of nation. of slow-burning internal conflict post-2005 cooling-off period to disarmament schemes were creating what people called a the most deadly fighting. A bat- Unsurprisingly, the actors were almost since independence in the reconcile the north and south. announced, for much of the time Dinkocracy, the UN said noth- tle looms for the oilfields of the highly effective at communicating 1950s. The second instalment The US, Europe, the UN and the between 2005 and the referen- ing. In the meantime Johnson, ironically named Unity State, cur- a narrative about the new coun- of civil war was ended by the south’s near-neighbours, Ethiopia, dum, governing consisted of farm- who is criticised by her own staff rently held by rebels under the try which borrowed from a sim- comprehensive peace agreement Uganda and Kenya, all pushed for ing out oil and aid money to civil in private for being too close to former vice-president. ple script. The south had fought signed in 2005. The deal provided the country to be broken up. This war-era military commanders in the president, trumpeted the need After years of denial from the a bloody two-decade battle for its for a cooling-off period of six effort was formalised in a refer- order to keep the peace. for “service delivery”, even as a international community, the independence with the north. The years before a loosely geographi- endum in 2011. The complete dysfunction of vicious power struggle raged in only way out of a repeat of past cost of that war, regularly touted cally defined south would be given The headlong pursuit of sepa- South Sudan’s government since the ruling party. wars will be another round of as two million lives, meant that the chance to vote on secession ration at all costs made it harder independence in 2011 was largely While critics argue that the payoffs to military commanders the south would need huge devel- from the north. to admit certain truths such as ignored. When the president, prime focus should have been and a reluctant return to square opment support to lift it from the The war had been brought to ethnic divisions and created the Salva Kiir, accused his own gov- security instruments (the army) one on the state-building board, impoverished floor of every qual- life in the US by broadcast evan- need for the “big lie”, as one sen- ernment of looting $4bn in state and executive instruments (the accompanied by an admission of ity of life index published. gelicals such as Billy Graham, ior UN official calls it. “The big assets and foreign aid money, government), all the talk was of past failures. The great threat in this who cast it as a heroic battle by lie is that there was no ethnic little was said. When Kiir, who democracy, human rights and THE GUARDIAN Between doing good and ‘avoiding bad’ The tweet BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT Accordingly, CSR is linked with the predominantly on “doing good” and Thus, CSR entails both “doing good” idea of “doing good.” However, beyond almost totally neglects the issue of and “avoiding bad.” Therefore, “avoid- on colleges eing the continuing commit- “doing good,” corporations also have corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) ing bad” is a central precondition for ment by companies to behave the responsibility for “avoiding bad” “doing bad”. Examples of CSI include being able to benefit from “doing good” BY GRACE ISFORD ethically and contribute to in order to prevent corporate social the violation of human rights, price- in the long run. This asymmetry effect Bsustainable development irresponsibility (CSI), such as cheating fixing, child labour, and the provision implies that the negative effects of CSI while improving the quality of life of customers, violating human rights, or of inaccurate product information cannot simply be offset by “doing good.” he college hype machine is overwhelming. the employees, the local community damaging the environment. Thus, CSR to consumers. “Avoiding bad” con- Even the best “doing good” strategy So I decided to bypass the sugar-coated and the welfare of society, as well as encompasses both “doing good” and stitutes an indispensable part of the does not lead to a responsible image Tinformation of tour guides, review books meeting the expectations of the stake- “avoiding bad.” Nonetheless, the issue social responsibility of corporations. if, at the same time, a corporation acts and even adults seeking to help — and instead holders, corporate social responsibility of CSI and, accordingly, the responsi- “Avoiding bad” aims at preventing CSI irresponsibly. Thus, the prevention of harness social media to slice through the conven- (CSR) has nowadays become increas- bility for “avoiding bad” are not suf- and thus delivers CSR. Preventing CSI CSI constitutes the bottom line of CSR. tional wisdom. ingly important and indispensable for ficiently addressed in the discussion is a central precondition for corpora- Without the ability to prevent CSI, As a tour guide at my high school, I know that any organisation’s success, corporate of CSR. The negligence of the issue of tions to engage in CSR. CSR cannot realize its full economic tours convey only surface information. Adults image and reputation. Successful CSI constitutes a serious shortcoming The current debate of CSR is potential or may even be completely exacerbate the problem by telling students which companies are those that value CSR in the current debate. Corporations predominantly concerned with the ineffective. On an almost daily basis, the schools are best despite having limited information and integrate it in their programmes should focus on the relevance of “avoid- additional contributions that cor- media report small and large examples and relying primarily on institutions’ reputations. and activities. In fact, there is a high ing bad” while performing their social porations make to the wellbeing of of irresponsible behaviour from various Twitter is a good way to get a sense of what the affinity between the principles of qual- responsibility; because doing “good” society. Indeed, CSR in the sense of corporations. This situation shows that, general public thinks about a particular topic. So ity management and CSR. On a wide and “bad” at the same time harms “doing good” can contribute to a fruit- on the one hand, the prevention of CSI I searched tweets about a number of well-known range of issues corporations have more than it helps in fostering a good ful interaction between business and poses enormous challenges in practice schools and divided the results into three general to behave socially and responsibly. corporate image and a good corporate society. In addition, “doing good” offer and hence, constitutes a complex man- categories: positive, negative and neutral. Corporate Social Responsibility is a reputation . corporations a variety of opportuni- agement exercise. On the other hand, The results were surprising. duty of every corporate body towards By linking the social responsibility ties to benefit from CSR — ranging the recurrent involvement of corpora- I compiled a pool of 100 unique tweets from pub- protecting the interests of the society of corporations with the idea of “doing from enhanced customer loyalty to the tions in CSI suggests that corporations lic personal accounts mentioning each university. at large. Even though the main motive good,” researchers frequently view penetration of new markets, to image frequently lack the CSR competencies The University of Chicago is often said to be of business is to earn profit, corpora- CSR as the requirement for corpora- building and corporate reputation. that are required to prevent CSI. In a school “where fun goes to die.” Yet my College tions should take initiative for the tions to make additional contributions Before doing any good (CSR), cor- light of the occasionally severe nega- Twitter Happiness Index registered 70 percent welfare of society, and should perform to the well-being of society. Examples porations should think ethically and tive economic effects of CSI, there are happy for the university. I found a similarly unex- their activities within the framework of “doing good” activities include the systematically about avoiding any good reasons to devote more atten- pected outcome at Cornell University, which has of environmental norms. They should development of eco-friendly technolo- kind of irresponsible behaviour such tion to the management of “avoiding a reputation for exceedingly pressured students integrate social, environmental and gies, community engagement, and the as exploiting employees, children, cus- bad.”Corporations should concentrate and was the subject of media attention in 2010 for economic concerns into their values, promotion of education, arts, health, tomers, harming others, polluting the more on behaving ethically and respon- student suicides. Yet my calculations pegged the culture, decision making, strategy and sports. The discussion of CSR has environment, malicious statements sibly, hence developing a strategy to school’s happiness index at a robust 58 percent. and operations to create wealth and created a variety of valuable impulses and relations with the media, …etc. avoid corporate social irresponsibility My calculations for the Massachusetts Institute improve society. for promoting a fruitful relation- So, before doing good, organisations (CSI) before engaging in CSR activi- of Technology, a school often stereotyped to have a Corporate social responsibil- ship between business and society. should think twice about “avoiding ties and setting up their CSR strategy less-than-vibrant social life, found the student hap- ity (CSR) is a prominent topic. Nevertheless, the debate is too one- bad” and refraining from any activity and programmes. piness index to be 67 percent. Teenagers shouldn’t Researchers frequently understand sided to adequately grasp the social that may harm people, institutions and The writer is a professor of Public let the influence of the college hype machine dic- CSR as the requirement for corpo- responsibility of corporations. The society in general; consequently corpo- Relations and Mass Communication in tate where they apply. It’s better to make decisions rations to make additional contri- one-sidedness stems from the fact that rations have the social responsibility the Department of Mass Communication, based on where students actually are happiest. butions to the well-being of society. the current discussion of CSR focuses of avoiding being irresponsible (CSI). Qatar University. Party on! WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 INTERNATIONAL 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Woman bomber kills 16 at Russia station Putin orders tighter security

MOSCOW: A female suicide targeting Russian civilians. bomber killed 16 people yester- The city of Volgograd — known day in a strike on the main train as Stalingrad in the Soviet era — station of the southern Russian was already attacked in October city of Volgograd that height- by a female suicide bomber with ened security fears just six weeks links to Islamists in the nearby before the Sochi Olympic Games. volatile North Caucasus. Investigators said the unidenti- The October 21 strike killed fied woman set off her charge after six people aboard a crowded bus being stopped by a police officer at and immediately raised security the metal detectors of the central fears ahead of the February 7-23 entrance to the station when it Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. was packed with people travelling President Vladimir Putin, who to celebrate the New Year. has staked his personal reputa- Footage captured by a nearby tion on the Games’ success, was camera showed a huge orange “immediately” informed of the fireball blow out the heavy front attack, the Kremlin said. doors and windows from the grey “Vladimir Putin ordered min- stone three-storey building. Thick isters and the heads of security This image taken by passenger Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com yesterday shows Barbara Tucker, a passenger aboard the ‘stuck’ billows of smoke then poured out agencies to take all measures ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, watching as an adelie penguin parades by on the ice off East Antarctica, as the ship waits to be rescued. as people scattered along the necessary to establish the causes rain-soaked street. and circumstances of this act of Russia’s Investigative terror, catching and bringing to Committee spokesman Vladimir justice those who stand behind Icebound Antarctic passengers face air rescue Markin said officials had launched it,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry an inquiry into a suspected “act Peskov told reporters. SYDNEY: Passengers aboard the Akademik which is like a bathtub with a big engine inside “The pressure at this point in time is one of of terror”—the deadliest attack in Militant attacks have become Shokalskiy, the ship stuck in ice off the coast it — it can push over the ice and lay down on time — that artificial contrivance of, well, we Russia for almost three years. part of daily life in the mainly of Antarctica since Christmas Day, were told top and work its way like that.” must get out of this situation as quickly as we “A suicide bomber who was Muslim North Caucasus but the yesterday morning that they would have to be Until the ship gets into position, it is can. But we don’t have to, we’re OK.” approaching a metal detector saw Volgograd blast will be a particular evacuated by air if icebreaker ships could not unknown whether it will be strong enough to That would change, he said, if an iceberg a law enforcement official and, concern to the authorities as the get to them within 48 hours. crack through the ice — which is four to five began moving towards the ship. The closest after growing nervous, set off an bomber struck a city of over one The Russian-operated ship has about 50 metres thick in places after storms in the area icebergs are several nautical miles away at explosive device,” Markin said. million in the Russian heartland. passengers — including scientists and pay- last week — and make it to the Shokalskiy. present. If one came close, the Shokalskiy Doctors and police said 16 Yesterday’s strike is Russia’s ing members of the public — and 20 crew on If that proves impossible, the only option would have a day or two’s notice to carry out people were killed and nearly 45 deadliest since a suicide bombing board. It became stuck in the ice near Cape would be air evacuation. “We’re always mak- any necessary evacuation. injured by the explosive equiva- at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport de la Motte in east Antarctica, abouit 1,500 ing contingency plans,” Mortimer said. “That When it got stuck the Shokalskiy was just lent of more than 10kg of TNT. killed 37 people in January 2011. nautical miles from Hobart in Tasmania, after would happen by the Chinese vessel sending over two weeks into its month-long expedition, The lifenews.ru website pub- Russia’s interior ministry said strong blizzards hit the vessel on Christmas their helicopter to us, us preparing a helipad from Bluff in New Zealand to Commonwealth lished a picture of what it said separately that it was immedi- Eve. Surrounding pack ice was pushed by on the ice next to the ship and flying pas- Bay in east Antarctica. The passengers on was the head of the young female ately stepping up security at all the strong winds against the Antarctic landmass, sengers from that ice onto the other vessels. board are following in the footsteps of the bomber lying amid a pile of debris nation’s main train stations and pinning the Shokalskiy in place. Then taking them home via the Ross Sea great Antarctic explorer and scientist Douglas with her long brown hair spread airports. “These measures involve On Friday, the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long or [Australian Antarctic base] Casey base Mawson, leader of the original AAE of 1911, across the floor. a greater police presence and more tried to battle through the thick ice towards the by ship.” repeating his wildlife, ocean and weather The website identified the detailed passenger checks,” an inte- Shokalskiy but had to turn back after 12 hours Those on board the Shokalskiy will know observations to build a picture of changes over bomber as a woman named rior ministry spokesman told the and within 8.5 nautical miles of the Russian within 12 hours of the arrival of the Aurora the past 100 years. Oksana Aslanova who had been Interfax news agency. vessel, because the going was too difficult. The Australis whether the ice-breaking mission Over the weekend, members of the AAE married to two different Islamists Female suicide bombers have Aurora Australis will arrive at the edge of the is likely to be successful. Mortimer said the were allowed off the vessel to take scientific killed in battles with federal repeatedly struck Russian tar- sea ice, which is about 20 nautical miles from decision to evacuate would be in the hands of samples of the ice, build igloos in the fresh forces in the North Caucasus. gets during Putin’s 14-year rule. the Russian ship, in the early hours today. the captains of the icebreakers. snow or just stretch their legs and take pic- Female suicide bombers are Umrarov dispatched two women “What we’re depending on is the extra grunt Yesterday afternoon, the Xue Long sent tures in the sunshine. The mood on board has often referred to in Russia as to set off blasts at a pair of Moscow of the Aurora Australis,” said Greg Mortimer, a helicopter to the Shokalskiy to survey the remained calm, with expedition leaders regu- “black widows” — women who metro stations in March 2010 that co-leader of the Australasian Antarctic sea ice around the ship and look for any open larly briefing the rest of the passengers about seek to avenge the deaths of their killed more than 35 people. Expedition (AAE), which has chartered the water in the area. Mortimer said the ship was the various options to get them out of the ice. family members in the fighting by AFP ship. “It’s a more traditional icebreaker hull, safe and there was no threat to life or limb. THE GUARDIAN

Last Greenpeace activist leaves Russia NSA ‘spying’ on Ukrainians take protest Europe-Asia undersea to president’s residence telecom cables KIEV: Thousands of by bicycle, car and minibuses Ukrainians, yesterday for the adorned with Ukrainian flags, first time, staged a major protest witnesses at the scene said. BERLIN: The US National outside the private residence of They were kept at a distance of Security Agency has collected President Viktor Yanukovych around 300 metres from the heav- sensitive data on key telecom- which has become a symbol of ily guarded residence by a vast munications cables between alleged corruption by the elite. cordon of anti-riot officers who Europe, north Africa and Asia, Opposition leaders vowed that blocked the path of the protesters German news magazine Der protests outside the residence with police buses and trucks. Spiegel reported yesterday cit- would become a regular feature The protesters carried a cof- ing classified documents. of their campaign against the fin to symbolise what they hope Spiegel quoted NSA papers dat- president over his rejection of a is the end of Yanukovych’s politi- ing from February and labelled “top pact with the European Union cal career and chanted “Kiev rise secret” and “not for foreigners” which sparked mass protests in up!” and “Get Out Yanukovych”. describing the agency’s success in the capital Kiev. Ukraine’s opposition and media spying on the so-called Sea-Me-We A crowd of more than 50,000 have long accused Yanukovych of 4 undersea cable system. had earlier packed Independence financing Mezhygirya with funds The massive bundle of fibre Square in central Kiev amid obtained improperly by him and optic cables originates near the swelling anger over the brutal his family, and said its luxury is southern French city of Marseille beating of a reporter who exposed wholly inappropriate in a country and links Europe with north the lavish lifestyles of Yanukovych going through an economic crisis. Greenpeace activist Tomasz Dziemianczuk of Poland arrives at Warsaw Okecie airport yesterday. Tomasz is Africa and the Gulf states, con- and his ruling elite. Investigations into the financ- the final foreign member of the ‘Arctic 30’ to leave Russia. tinuing through Pakistan and Some 5,000 protesters then ing and construction of the India to Malaysia and Thailand. made their way to Yanukovych’s residence were a prime part of “Among the companies that residence known as Mezhygirya the work of journalist Tetyana hold ownership stakes in it are on the banks of the Dnipro Chornovol, who is in hospital after France Telecom, now known as river some 15km outside of Kiev being beaten last week. AFP Orange and still partly govern- Thousands flood camp at Bangui airport ment-owned, and Telecom Italia Sparkle,” Spiegel said. BANGUI: More than 100,000 MSF said the airport camp, to airport, which is patrolled by It said NSA specialists had people displaced by inter- which stretches for kilometres Burundian soldiers from the hacked an internal website religious violence in Central beside the runway, lacked proper African Union peacekeeping force belonging to the operator con- Row in Germany over feared African Republic are sheltering sanitation as well as supplies of and lies next to a French military sortium to mine documents about at a makeshift camp at Bangui food and water as UN agencies base. French troops in armoured technical infrastructure includ- airport, a medical charity said have failed to keep pace with the vehicles guard the main gates. ing circuit mapping and network influx from eastern Europe yesterday, calling for urgent aid. scale of the problem. “We are short of everything management information. BERLIN: German deputies yesterday criticised calls by Chancellor Medecins Sans Frontiers “If nothing is done in the next here. Food is scarce,” said Samuel “More operations are planned Angela Merkel’s Bavarian allies to toughen social welfare laws (MSF) said it was receiving two weeks there is a risk of an Degoto, 49, a teacher, who fled from in the future to collect more infor- after immigration restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nation- between 15 and 20 wounded a epidemic breaking out,” said his home in northern Bangui with mation about this and other cable als are lifted on January 1. Anticipating an influx of Bulgarians day at the site from fighting in Lindis Hurum, MSF coordinator his wife and seven children, carry- systems,” Spiegel quoted the NSA and Romanians, the Christian Social Union (CSU), sister party to the riverside capital, where the at the airport camp. ing only a few bags. “If nothing is documents as saying. Der Spiegel Merkel’s Christian Democrats, drew up a list of proposals to make it deployment of French and African Without proper infrastructure done before the next crisis strikes, has over the last several months more difficult for poor newcomers to draw state benefits. peacekeepers in early December at the camp, thousands of families there will be a catastrophe.” reported on mass NSA spying on Included in the measures to be discussed at a party meeting in early has failed to halt violence. are sheltering from the tropical The United Nations launched targets in the United States and January are bids to restrict all welfare payments for the first three Attacks by Muslim Seleka sun under cardboard boxes or an appeal on Friday for $152m to abroad. A White House-picked months after arriving in Germany and tougher penalties for fraud rebels, who seized power in makeshift tents made of blankets help meet emergency humanitar- panel this month recommended including deportation and refusal of future re-entry. March, and Christian militias tied to sticks. ian needs such as drinking water curbing the secretive powers of The state-run Research Institute for the Federal Employment have killed more than 1,000 peo- Despite the conditions, a spike and sanitation in makeshift camps the NSA, warning that its spying Agency estimates that the number of Romanians and Bulgarians in ple and displaced an estimated in violence in recent weeks has in the former French colony. sweeps in the “war on terror” had Germany could rise to between 470,000 and 550,000 from 370,000 today 400,000 in Bangui this month. driven tens of thousands of people REUTERS gone too far. AFP with the new rules. AFP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Obama beset by fits, starts in year 5 Increasing numbers of Americans saying they no longer consider the President to be honest or trustworthy

WASHINGTON: It was a moment been such a stark choice,” he’d said. job approval and personal favourability the Internal Revenue Service was apply- year, many of which are stagnant. for Barack Obama to savour. His sec- Instead, great expectations disappeared ratings are near the lowest point of his ing extra scrutiny to conservative groups. Foreign policy could be an oasis for ond inaugural address over, Obama in fumbles and failures. Obama’s critics presidency, with increasing numbers of But others threatened long-term damage the struggling second-term president. paused as he strode from the podium doubled down. Fractured Republicans, Americans saying they no longer consider to his presidency: The National Security With Russia’s help, he turned his public last January, turning back for one tugged to the right by the tea party, swore him to be honest or trustworthy. Abroad, Agency disclosures and the disastrous indecision over attacking Syria into an last glance across the expanse of the off compromise. The president’s outreach too, positive views of Obama have slipped, rollout of the “Obamacare” health law. unexpected agreement to strip President National Mall, where a supportive to Congress was somewhere between with confidence in him doing the right And plenty of Obama’s woes were of Bashar Al Assad of his chemical weapons, throng stood in the winter chill to wit- lacking and non-existent. Obama’s team thing in world affairs dropping. his own making, raising questions about though the success of the effort won’t be ness the launch of his new term. dropped the ball — calamitously — on his But as Obama embarked on his second his competence and management of the known for some time and the civil war in “I want to take a look, one more healthcare law. term, some of his closest outside advis- White House. How could he not have Syria rages on. Obama also authorised dar- time,” Obama said quietly. “I’m not Snowden’s revelations had Democrats ers warned him that the next four years known that his government was spy- ing secret negotiations with Iran, resulting going to see this again.” There was so and Republicans alike calling for tighter would have to be different. All Obama ing on the private communications of in an interim nuclear agreement. But even much Obama could not — or did not — surveillance rules. Foreign leaders were needed to do was look to his predecessors friendly world leaders? Why didn’t he the president says the prospects of getting see then, as he opened his second term in a huff — Brazil’s president snubbing to see how quickly trouble can consume know his healthcare website wouldn’t a final deal are only 50-50. with a confident call to arms and an the offer of a White House state din- a second term. Richard Nixon resigned. work? How could he have promised over In a year-end news conference, the expansive liberal agenda. ner, Germany’s Angela Merkel incensed Ronald Reagan got ensnarled in the Iran- and over again that Americans could president optimistically predicted that He’d never heard of Edward Snowden, that her cellphone calls had been inter- Contra affair. Bill Clinton was impeached keep their health insurance if they liked 2014 would be “a breakthrough year for who would lay bare the government’s cepted. The president’s misplaced pledge for lying about his dalliances with Monica it when his own advisers knew it wasn’t America”. But Obama’s dismal standings massive surveillance programme. Large- that people who liked their health plans Lewinsky. And George W Bush lost the that simple? As a result, the president is in the polls suggest he can’t count on a scale use of chemical weapons in Syria would be able to keep them ran into a public’s trust through his botched han- ending his fifth year in office in a “defen- public groundswell to propel his agenda. was only a threat. A government shut- harsh reality as millions saw their cover- dling of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath sive crouch”, says presidential historian The heady days of 2009 when aides down and second debt crisis seemed age cancelled. and the unpopular Iraq war. Douglas Brinkley. boasted of Obama as “the best brand on improbable. His healthcare law, the sig- The year ended with a small-bore Obama’s team thought it had a strat- The president’s agenda for his sixth earth” are long gone. nature achievement of his presidency, budget deal that was welcomed as breath egy for overcoming the second-term curse. year in office is a stark reminder of how “We all wear thin with the American seemed poised to make the leap from of fresh air, a telling sign of how wildly They would make a quick play for stricter little he accomplished in 2013. Obama people after a while,” says Sen John theory to reality. things had veered off course in 2013. gun control measures, then capitalise on plans to make another run at immi- McCain, the Arizona Republican, though Obama had campaigned for re-elec- White House communications direc- the GOP’s post-election anxiety by pressing gration reform. He’ll seek to increase he warns against counting out any presi- tion on the hope that a second term tor Jennifer Palmieri called it a year of for an immigration overhaul and floating the minimum wage and expand access dent with three years left to govern — would bring with it a new spirit of com- “fits and starts” for the president — and the possibility of a big budget deal. to early childhood education, propos- particularly this one. “To count a man promise after years of partisan rancour predicted better days ahead. Each of those efforts failed and Obama als he first outlined in his 2013 State of that talent out at this point in time on Capitol Hill. “My expectation is that Yet Obama’s agenda of gun control, quickly found himself consumed by an of the Union address. And he’ll look to in his administration would be a huge there will be some popping of the blister immigration reform, a grand budget bar- unending series of distractions. Some implement key elements of the climate mistake,” he says. after this election, because it will have gain and more sits unfulfilled. Obama’s were fleeting, like the revelations that change speech he delivered earlier this AP

Hacker took over BBC US govt urged to name CEO to computer server, run health cover tried to ‘sell’ access marketplace WASHINGTON: The White BOSTON: A hacker secretly controlled it, Holden said. So far House is coming under pressure took over a computer server at Hold Security researchers have from some of its closest allies the BBC, Britain’s public broad- found no evidence the conversa- on healthcare reform to name a caster, and then launched a tions led to a deal or that data was chief executive to run its federal Christmas Day campaign to con- stolen from the BBC, Holden said. health insurance marketplace vince other cyber criminals to It is common for hackers to buy and allay the concerns of insur- pay him for access to the system. and sell access to compromised ers after the rocky rollout of While it is not known if the servers on underground forums. Obamacare. hacker found any buyers, the Buyers view the access as a com- Advocates have been quietly BBC’s security team responded to modity that grants them the pushing the idea of a CEO who the issue on Saturday and believes chance to further penetrate the would set marketplace rules, it has secured the site, accord- victim organization. They can also coordinate with insurers and ing to a person familiar with the use compromised servers to set state regulators on the health cleanup effort. A BBC spokesman up command-and-control centres plans offered for sale, supervise declined to discuss the incident. for cyber-crime operations known enrolment campaigns and oversee “We do not comment on security as botnets, run spam campaigns technology, according to several issues,” he said. or launch denial of service attacks sources familiar with discus- Reuters could not determine to knock websites off line. sions between advocates and the whether the hackers stole data or The BBC offer stands out Obama administration. caused any damage in the attack, because the media company is Supporters of the idea say it which compromised a server that such a high-profile organisation, A man runs through Regents Park in central London yesterday. could help regain the trust of manages an obscure password- Holden said. “It’s definitely a notch insurers and others whose confi- protected website. in someone’s belt.” BBC has some dence in the healthcare overhaul It was not clear how the BBC, 23,000 staff and is funded largely has been shaken by the techno- the world’s oldest and largest by licence fees paid by every British More storms on the way in Britain logical woes that crippled the broadcaster, uses that site, ftp.bbc. household with a television. federal HealthCare.gov insurance co.uk, though ftp systems are typi- Justin Clarke, a principal con- LONDON: Forecasters have damage in several of the worst- Street spokesman said ministers shopping website and the flurry of cally used to manage the transfer sultant for the cyber security warned of more wind and heavy affected parts of Britain. Some had held a meeting of Cobra, the sometimes-confusing administra- of large data files over the Internet. firm Cylance Inc, said that while rain to hit much of Britain 105 flood alerts and 33 more seri- government’s emergency response tion rule changes that followed. The attack was first identified “HASH” was only offering access before the new year as efforts ous flood warnings remained in committee, as part of “ongo- The advocates include former by Hold Security LLC, a cyber- to an obscure ftp server, some continue to clear up the damage place on Saturday morning, the ing work to deal with the severe White House adviser Ezekiel security firm in Milwaukee that buyers might see it as a stepping caused by last week’s storms. Environment Agency said. weather and floods”. Emanuel, the brother of President monitors underground cyber- stone to more prized assets within Winds of 60-70mph are Large rivers such as the Meanwhile, the Energy Barack Obama’s former chief crime forums in search of stolen the BBC. expected to hit Wales and parts of Thames, the Severn and the Great Networks Association reported of staff Rahm Emanuel, and the information. “Accessing that server estab- south-west and southern England, Ouse in Cambridgeshire would that about 4,000 properties were Centre for American Progress, the The firm’s researchers observed lishes a foothold within BBC’s net- while exposed areas such as the remain particularly high over the still without power after high Washington think-tank founded by a notorious Russian hacker work which may allow an attacker Isles of Scilly, west Cornwall and next few days, it added. In Kent, winds. A spokesman said most of John Podesta, the president’s newly known by the monikers “HASH” to pivot and gain further access to west Wales could see gales of up continued flooding of the rivers the affected homes in the south- appointed senior counselor. and “Rev0lver,” attempting to sell internal BBC resources,” he said. to 80mph. Scotland is also braced Medway and Stour was expected east of England had now been The White House is not access to the BBC server on Dec. Media companies, including the for more heavy rain, with as much to cause travel disruption. reconnected. However, some homes embracing the idea of creating 25, the company’s founder and BBC, have repeatedly been tar- as 50-60mm over high ground. David Cameron, the Prime in Cumbria, north Wales and a CEO, administration officials chief information security officer, geted by the Syrian Electronic “With ground already satu- Minister, who visited flooded Cheshire remained without elec- said. “This isn’t happening. It’s Alex Holden, said. Army, which supports Syrian rated over much of this region, parts of Kent on Friday, said on tricity. More than 300,000 people not being considered,” a senior “HASH” sought to convince President Bashar Al Assad, and the public should be aware of the Twitter: “I’ve asked the Dept for were affected by Tuesday’s storms. administration official said. high-profile hackers that he other hacker activist groups that risk of further local flooding,” the Communities & Local Govt to Rail passengers have expressed Some healthcare reform allies had infiltrated the site by show- deface websites and take over Met Office said. ensure councils have robust plans anger about the length of time it say the complexity of the federal ing them files that could only be Twitter accounts. The bad weather is likely to in case of bad weather and flood- has taken for damaged lines to be marketplace requires a CEO-type accessed by somebody who really REUTERS hamper efforts to repair flood ing over New Year.” A Downing repaired. THE GUARDIAN figure with clear authority and knowledge of how insurance mar- kets work. Obama’s healthcare overhaul aims to provide health Two arrested over North Sea ferry fire coverage to millions of uninsured or under-insured Americans by N Ireland talks resume offering private insurance at fed- erally subsidised rates through DUBLIN: Negotiations over and dealing with the past, and so new online health insurance mar- outstanding issues hanging we’re determined to try and close ketplaces in all 50 states and in over the political settlement in the gap if we can,” Donaldson said. Washington, DC. Northern Ireland have resumed Haass and the co-chair, Meghan Only 14 states opted to create under the chairmanship of US O’Sullivan, a Harvard academic, and operate their own exchanges, diplomat Richard Haass. have crossed the Atlantic twice leaving the Obama administra- Four of the five main par- since before Christmas Eve in tion to operate a federal market- ties sharing power at Stormont search of a breakthrough in the place for the remaining 36 states will restart discussions on flags, talks. Haass said he was back that can be accessed through parades and mechanisms to deal “for one final effort to help reach HealthCare.gov. The marketplace with the legacy of the Troubles. agreement”. is now officially the responsibility The Democratic Unionist Martin McGuinness, the Sinn of the US Centres for Medicare party, the biggest in the Northern Féin deputy first minister, said: and Medicaid Services (CMS) Ireland assembly, does not nego- “For Richard Haass and Meghan and its administrator, Marilyn tiate on Sundays because of its O’Sullivan to leave here without Tavenner. Healthcare experts say strong evangelical Christian making an agreement would be there is no specific official dedi- The MS King Seaways, operated by DFDS Seaways, is docked at the Port of Tyne in North Sheilds near base. But the DUP negotiator a terrible embarrassment for cated to running the operation. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, northeast England, yesterday after a fire on board the vessel sparked a rescue opera- and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey politicians, for the process, and A CMS spokesman said exchange tion. British police arrested two men for the suspected arson attack. Seven people were airlifted to hospital Donaldson said he hoped a deal would clearly show a lack of functions overlap across different could be secured tonight. leadership qualities in terms of groups within the agency’s Centre suffering from smoke inhalation. In all, 946 passengers and 127 crew were on board the ship travelling from “There are a number of sig- facing up to these very difficult for Consumer Information and Newcastle to Amsterdam. nificant issues that need to be challenges.” Insurance Oversight. resolved, particularly on parades THE GUARDIAN REUTERS MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA/PHILIPPINES

Manila appeals for patience in identifying victims

MANILA: The Philippine government asked the pub- lic for patience yesterday it takes time for authorities to identify the bodies placed in mass graves in the Visayas region in the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda. Herminio Coloma Jr, the Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary, made the statement amid reported complaints by resi- dents in Tacloban City in cen- tral province of Leyte, one of the worst hit areas, that some 1,000 bodies are rotting in the city alone and may pose a A youth sets fire to a motorbike during a protest by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Dhaka yesterday. RIGHT: Lawyers loyal to BNP shout slogans as policemen use water cannons on them. health hazard. “It might take some time (to identify the cadavers) because of the huge number of those who perished,” he said over a state-run radio station. Deadly clashes erupt in Bangladesh He said that the primary interest of the government is to ensure the health and safety Police prevent Khaleda Zia from joining march, fearing her presence would inflame unrest of the public.

DHAKA: Police barred Zia, who is under de facto house neighbourhood, officers fired has already been the deadliest year residence before the march, appar- Myanmar eases visa Bangladesh’s opposition leader arrest, harangued the rows of shotguns at more than 200 bomb- for political violence since inde- ently to prevent her leaving. from leaving home yesterday to officers barricading her front gate, throwing demonstrators in clashes pendence in 1971. The government has described rules for Filipinos lead a banned march in protest as she again urged her supporters that left one person dead. A secu- Protests, strikes and transport the march as undemocratic, with MANILA: Filipinos can at an upcoming election, as two to converge in the capital for the rity guard at Dhaka’s Kamalapur blockades called by the opposi- the deputy law minister Quamrul visit Myanmar without a visa people died in battles between so-called “March of Democracy”. Railway Station was killed by a tion throughout the country since Islam urging ruling party support- starting early next year when her supporters and security “You’re supposed to be on the small bomb thrown by protesters, October have left more than 100 ers to resist the protests “with the agreement between the forces. streets, why are you now in my a senior police officer said. dead and crippled the impover- sticks”. Philippines and Myanmar on Police fired water cannon and gate? Don’t touch me!” Zia told “We fired shotguns to disperse ished nation’s economy. The strikes and blockades have visa-free entry takes effect, shotguns during clashes through- the officers, footage on private the protesters who exploded doz- Police detained more than further damaged the economy, the Philippines’ Department out the capital with hundreds of Channel 24 television showed. ens of small bombs (in Rampura),” 1,000 opposition supporters as already reeling from the impact of Foreign Affairs said. demonstrators, some of whom “This government is illegal. assistant police commissioner Nur a “preventive measure” before on the crucial garment sector of With the pact, Filipino threw home-made bombs. Democracy is now dead,” she told Alam Siddiqui said, adding that the latest march, while authori- a factory collapse in April which nationals holding ordinary Scores of officers blocked reporters gathered at her house. one protester later died in hospi- ties suspended Dhaka-bound bus, sparked widespread industrial passports may now enter Khaleda Zia from leaving her The march is the latest tactic tal. Ruling party activists armed ferry and train services — virtually unrest. Hasina has refused to yield Myanmar without a visa and home in an upscale neighbour- by the main opposition Bangladesh with sticks and rocks also attacked cutting off the city from the rest to demands to step down. But the stay there for up to 14 days hood in Dhaka in her car for the Nationalist Party (BNP) and pro-opposition lawyers and dem- of the country. Police spokesman credibility of the upcoming polls beginning January 4 next year, march, fearing her presence would its allies in a campaign to force onstrators outside the country’s Rahman said the arrests were has been further undermined by the department said. inflame unrest in the build-up to Hasina to quit and make way for top court and at the press club. made before the march “to pre- the refusal of foreign countries and “The visa-free entry agree- the January 5 election. a neutral caretaker government to Some 11,000 police and elite vent acts of violence and sabotage”. organisations to send observers. ment is expected to boost tour- Zia, a two-time former premier, oversee the polls. Rapid Action Battalion officers “We’ve not approved the BNP With Hasina’s Awami League ism, trade and investment had been scheduled to address Police battled protesters who were patrolling the capital to try protests. So anyone trying to certain of victory, the elections are between the Philippines and supporters converging in Dhaka tried to gather at the opposition’s to halt the march, Dhaka police gather outside the BNP office will seen as likely to further widen the Myanmar,” it said. for the march that she called to headquarters, the national press spokesman Masudur Rahman face arrest,” he said. political divide in a country which During Myanmar President try to force Prime Minister Sheikh club and other places through- said. Police fear the rally will pro- Five sand-laden trucks were has endured nearly two dozen U Thein Sein’s state visit to Hasina to quit and halt the poll. out Dhaka. In the Rampura voke more bloodshed after what parked outside the gate of Zia’s coups in its short history. AFP the Philippines last Dec. 5, the two governments signed the Visa Exemption for Holders of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Ordinary Passports. Plane suffers glitch at Kalibo Airport KALIBO, Philippines: A plane from the Philippine Airlines Express (PAL Express) suffered a glitch from the Kalibo International Airport (KIA), a main gate- way to Central Philippines’ world-famous resort of Boracay Island, on Thursday night, authorities said. Initial report from local officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the plane coming from Metro Manila to KIA was about to taxi its way to the departure area when the pilot decided to stop the plane at the middle of the runway. CAAP officials said the front wheel of the plane got stuck on the runway, which prompted the pilot to call for an emer- gency. CAAP authorities then assisted the plane as it taxied its way to the departure area. CAAP officials will continue Over 200 singers perform Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to investigate the incident, the Fourth movement at a stairwell in the Mitsukoshi department store in agency added. Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. THE PHILIPPINE STAR Cambodians rally to demand PM’s exit PHNOM PENH: Tens of thou- the park since December 15. Hun show of defiance that would have sands of Cambodian opposition Sen’s long-dominant Cambodian been almost unthinkable before supporters, backed by strik- People’s Party won a July elec- the election. Cambodia’s garment ing garment-factory workers, tion but with a reduced majority. manufacturers, meanwhile, have rallied yesterday to demand It has rejected opposition com- for years enjoyed low wages and long-serving Prime Minister plaints of vote-rigging. relaxed labour conditions. Hun Sen step down and call an Hun Sen, who has been in But Chea Mony, president election. power for 28 years, has ignored of the country’s biggest labour The garment workers have in opposition demands for an inves- union, the Free Trade Union, told recent days joined the opposition tigation into the election and says Reuters that more than 200 of protests to press their demand that he will not resign or call a 600 factories had closed because that the government raise the new election. Under Hun Sen, of the strike for higher pay. minimum wage to $160 a month Cambodia has been transformed “The new minimum wage is not from $95, as recommended on from a backwater scarred by the acceptable to workers so there December 24. “Hun Sen and his “Killing Fields” rule of the Khmer must be talks on the demand for illegal government can hear us, Rouge, into one of Southeast $160,” Chea Mony said. they can’t ignore us, the people Asia’s fastest growing economies, Garment and shoe factory rep- show their will for change,” Sam helped by a burgeoning garment resentative said the strike was Rainsy, leader of the main opposi- industry and growing political damaging the industry. tion Cambodia National Rescue and investment ties with China. “The Garment Manufacturers Party, told the rally in a Phnom But his authoritarian rule Association in Cambodia would Penh park. has earned the condemnation of like to inform all stakeholders “We demand that Hun Sen rights groups and that, along with that our industry is unable to con- steps down and a new election,” widespread corruption, has alien- tinue operations given the current Sam Rainsy, a former finance ated many voters. situation,” association Secretary minister, told the crowd, some of Many of them have now come General Ken Loo said in a state- whom have been camping out in out onto the street in a sustained ment. AFP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Over 6.3m Pakistanis Musharraf says army backing him working overseas ISLAMABAD: Over 6.3 million Pakistanis are liv- ing and working across the Treason claims are the latest and most serious against the former ruler globe while there are 18 countries where the figure is ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s “I have no doubt with the the military. He said that while above 30,000 each, according former military ruler feedback that I received that the some elements might be sympa- to an official of Ministry of Pervez Musharraf yesterday whole army is... totally with me thetic, to say that the whole army Overseas Pakistanis. denounced treason charges on this issue.” was behind Musharraf was an He said the Overseas against him as a “vendetta”, The treason charges relate “inflated assessment”. Pakistanis had sent remit- and said he had the backing of to Musharraf’s imposition of “The army has already given tances $55.01bn from the finan- the country’s powerful army in emergency rule in November its nod as far as the trial is con- cial year 2008 to 2013. the case. 2007, and if found guilty he could cerned,” Masood said. The remittances had shown The 70-year-old said the “whole face the death penalty or life “Some who have not recon- a growth ratio of 5.56 percent army” was upset with the treason imprisonment. ciled with this reality will have to during the financial year 2012- allegations, in his first comments An initial hearing in the case, accept it later. Army has already 13 compared with 2011-12. to international media since he being heard by a special tribunal, accepted the reality.” The remittances during was put under house arrest in was halted on December 24 after Musharraf returned to July 2012 to June 2013 were April. explosives were found along the Pakistan to run in May’s gen- $13,920.26m compared to The treason claims are the lat- route Musharraf was to take to eral election — won by Sharif — $13,186.62m during the fiscal est and potentially most serious court. but it proved to be a disastrous year 2011-12. in a flurry of criminal cases relat- The case is due to resume on homecoming. Giving the break-up of ing to Musharraf’s nine-year rule Wednesday, but Musharraf said He was barred from running $55.01bn, he said that $7.81bn that he has faced since returning he had not yet decided whether for office and hit with a series of had been remitted in 2008-09, to Pakistan in March. he would attend. serious criminal allegations dat- $8.90bn in 2009-10, $11.20bn The case could put the govern- “The way this tribunal was ing back to his time in power, in 2010-11, $13.18bn in 2011- ment on course for a clash with formed, which involved the prime which ended in 2008. 12 and $13.92bn in 2012-13 the army, threatening further minister and the ex-chief justice, These include murder charges Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf addresses foreign media respectively. instability at a time when the this itself smacks a little bit of a over the assassination in late representatives at his farmhouse in Islamabad yesterday. nuclear-armed country is strug- vendetta,” he said. 2007 of former prime minister gling with a homegrown Taliban He said he had no objection to Benazir Bhutto, as well as charges former army chief in Pakistan. trying to prove that not even sen- Govt fails to bring insurgency, a chronic energy cri- defending himself before a “fair over the death of a rebel leader, He has now been granted bail ior officers are above the law. sis and a stagnant economy. tribunal or court” but admitted a deadly military raid on a radi- in all of the cases against him As the treason case has drawn rich into tax net The military, which has ruled he was not optimistic about the cal mosque and the detention of and is technically a free man, but closer, Musharraf’s team have ISLAMABAD: The PML-N Pakistan for more than half of special panel convened to hear judges. Taliban threats to kill him mean stepped up their media campaign government’s talk of bringing its 66-year history, has not made his case. Musharraf’s tribulations rep- he lives under heavy guard. to try to enlist international the rich into the tax net has any direct public comment on His lawyers have dismissed resent a dramatic change in Nothing has come so far of support. At a press confer- failed to produce any notice- the case. But it is thought to be the charges as an attempt by the fortunes for the man who led persistent rumours that a deal ence in London last week, his able results as only 230 peo- reluctant to have its former chief government of Prime Minister Pakistan into its alliance with would be struck to let him leave British lawyers urged the United ple have declared their gross suffer the indignity of trial by a Nawaz Sharif, whom Musharraf Washington’s “war on terror” and Pakistan before facing the courts Nations to intervene in what income of over Rs100m in a civilian court. ousted in a coup in 1999, to settle who was a staunch ally of then- to avoid a clash between the army they called a “stage-managed population of over 180m. “I would say the whole army old scores through the courts. US president George W Bush. and government. show trial” and asked London What is particularly shock- is upset. I have led the army Analyst Talat Masood, himself To add to the former comman- Masood the analyst said he and Washington to “repay their ing is that the number of tax- from the front,” Musharraf told a retired general, voiced scepti- do’s humiliation, in April he was felt the case was a watershed debt” for Musharraf’s support payers who filed under the reporters at his farmhouse on the cism about Musharraf’s claims placed under house arrest — an in civilian-military relations in in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. highest income bracket (gross edge of Islamabad. of widespread support among unprecedented move against a Pakistan, with the government AFP income over Rs100m) this year has fallen drastically; over 11,000 people had filed in tax year 2012. The aver- Vaccinating against polio age tax paid in this category ranges between Rs22m up to a Bleak future for Afghanistan, maximum of Rs77m. Overall, the total number of people who filed their tax returns in says US intelligence report 2013 stood at over 800,000, as against 711,940 people in 2012. WASHINGTON: Progress The Washington Post, cit- The data submitted by tax- in Afghanistan over the past ing officials who have seen the payers online with the Federal three years is likely to be seri- intelligence report, said that Board of Revenue (FBR) for ously eroded by 2017 even if Afghanistan will likely plunge tax year 2013. This data does Western powers continue to into chaos if the security agree- not include those returns filed support Kabul financially, the ment is not signed. manually by taxpayers. Washington Post reported, cit- “In the absence of a continuing ing an intelligence assessment. presence and continuing finan- A new National Intelligence cial support,” the intelligence Colleges need more Estimate — which includes input assessment “suggests the situa- from 16 US intelligence agen- tion would deteriorate very rap- science teachers cies — predicts that the Taliban idly,” a US official familiar with ISLAMABAD: There is and other powerbrokers will the report told the Washington an acute shortage of expe- increase their influence even if Post, speaking on condition of rienced and qualified female the US leaves behind a few thou- anonymity. science teachers in postgrad- sand troops and continues to However, one official told the uate and degree colleges for fund authorities in Kabul, the Post that the assessment was too women and their principals Washington Post said in its Sunday pessimistic, and that there were are considering hiring serv- edition. too many variables to accurately ices of male PhD teachers. US-led Nato forces are with- predict Afghanistan’s future. But the principals are in drawing from Afghanistan after Some officials also believe that trouble as whenever they try more than a decade of fighting Afghanistan’s security forces are to take the step, they face criti- the Taliban, but negotiations have better prepared than the report cism from within the education stalled on a security accord that states. department and outside. would allow some US and Nato “I think what we’re going to The critics claim that males troops to stay after 2014. see is a recalibration of political should not teach girl students. An Afghan health worker administers polio vaccine drops to a child during the first day of a vaccination cam- President Hamid Karzai first power, territory and that kind of It may be noted that there paign in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, yesterday. Polio, once a worldwide scourge, is endemic in just three endorsed the deal — which lays thing. It’s not going to be an inev- are over 50 colleges offering countries now — Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. out rules for US troops, and itable rise of the Taliban,” a US intermediate, graduate and would be the basis for other official who thought the report postgraduate level courses in Nato forces — but later said it was too negative told the Post. the federal capital. might not be signed until after The previous National Out of these colleges, 10 are the April election that will choose Intelligence Estimate on federal government colleges, 20 Deportees become victims at home his successor. Afghanistan came out three years Islamabad model colleges and Signing the agreement is a pre- ago, in December 2010. Such 20 higher secondary schools condition for the delivery of bil- reports are typically produced offering intermediate courses. LAHORE: Sent home from form detailing his stay in Greece. However, the FIA no more applies lions of dollars in Western aid for ahead of major policy decisions. INTERNEWS Greece on board a special flight, But they were more interested it to all deported persons. Afghanistan over the next years. AFP Ishtiaq Ahmed was faced with to know about the human smug- Only the deported people a deportee’s second nightmare: gler who had overseen his illegal who are found in possession of “Will they put me behind bars?” transportation to Greece. doctored travel documents are After the flight landed in They brusquely asked him if he arrested and tried under the ordi- Protest rally Lahore, Ahmed felt so weak in was willing to testify against the nance. Those who travel without the knees that he could barely smuggler if he was ever caught any papers whatsoever sneak- stand up. and then they did something ing away by the land route are He feared being pounced upon totally against the run of play: set free as also those found with by the officers of the Federal They told the unsuccessful chaser emergency travel documents on Investigation Agency (FIA) and of the European dream that he them. put in jail for eternity. was free to go home — in Mandi The bearers of emergency doc- “Finally, I mustered up the Bahauddin. uments are often those who had courage and walked up to the Pakistan is a signatory to the gone out on fake papers and had immigration counter,” he says and International Organisation for destroyed their forged passports recalls the horror befalling him Migration (IOM) document which etc after reaching the destination. as he heard the dreaded words. “ makes it mandatory to “treat The policy may appear a bit ‘You — you step aside’. deported persons as victims”. strange, given that those caught “The immigration official Ahmed’s freedom upon his attempting to leave the country then looked at my passport and return home was thanks to that on fake documents are given no remarked: ‘You are deportee, wait document but there are still com- concession. here’.” plaints that Pakistan is far from Only at the Allama Iqbal That was the start of a long fully meeting its obligations. International Airport in Lahore, ordeal, Ahmed thought. “I was Recently the FIA headquarters some 200 passengers were ready to be humiliated. Another issued a circular to the immigra- arrested this year for attempting official now called me in a rasping tion staff at all airports of the to board flights on doctored docu- voice. It was like a police station country. It said the FIA person- ments. It seems that because no and I was there begging them to nel were to ensure that deported papers means no easy evidence, let me go; I felt that they had the persons were treated as victims the FIA is more inclined to extend power to do so. and were not detained. to this type of deported people the “I begged them for my free- Before Pakistan signed the status of victims to avoid compli- dom as I had already suffered a IOM document a few years ago cated legalities. lot before getting deported for my FIR could be registered against Greece is the favourite destina- illegal entry into Greece.” all deportees under Immigration tion for Pakistanis. Only Lahore Pakistan Awami Tehreek activists participate in a protest rally in Lahore yesterday. Hundreds of workers gath- What Ahmed got in return Ordinance. Under the law, a airport received over 2,000 ered on the call of Islamic cleric Tahirul Qadri to protest against inflation, corruption, unemployment, law and was a series of tough questions. deported person faces imprison- deported persons (victims) this order situation in the country. The FIA men made him fill in a ment of up to 10 years and fine. year. INTERNEWS MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 INDIA 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Leh and Kargil AAP tunes up in Goa, signs up Remo towns coldest Pop singer backs party’s policies and ideologies Give me up to 10 days to in Kashmir SRINAGAR: Leh and PANAJI: If singer, musician Kargil towns in Jammu and Kailash Kher lent his melody SP leader Farooqui may join AAP settle down, says Kejriwal Kashmir recorded the coldest for Aam Aadmi Party’s stun- temperatures of the season ning march to power in New GHAZIABAD: Kamal Farooqui, once a leading light of the GHAZIABAD/NEW DELHI: given by people could be read and yesterday at minus 17.3 and Delhi, in Goa, Remo could per- Samajwadi Party, yesterday hinted after meeting Delhi’s Chief It was his first Sunday after acted upon. minus 16.4 degrees Celsius haps do the trick for India’s Minister Arvind Kejriwal that he may join the Aam Aadmi Party. becoming Delhi’s chief minister, “Please give me a week to 10 days respectively, officials said. most talked about political Farooqui, a former Samajwadi Party national secretary, met but it was like a normal working time to settle down. We have just Light snowfall has been fore- outfit in recent times. Kejriwal at his residence here for about an hour. Asked if he day for Arvind Kejriwal. The Aam assumed power. I will accept your cast on New Year eve here. Goa’s most popular folk and wanted to join the AAP, Farooqui smiled and told the media: “The Aadmi Party leader had his hands applications when we have a system Sonam Lotus, director of pop singer Remo Fernandes has whole country wants to join the AAP. I am sure you also want to full after an unending stream of in place to resolve the problems,” the Met office here, said the temporarily shed his guitar and join the AAP.” He said there “is a pro-AAP wave in the country” people called on him at his modest he said. The DTC crew appeared Kashmir Valley will see light will use AAP election symbol- and added that he had a discussion with Kejriwal. Farooqui did middle-class residence. pleased with the response. snowfall with or without rain the broom- to make music. Remo not give details of his meeting. The crowd that came to meet After the DTC employees, came on December 31 and January made the announcement via his AAP sources, however, quoted Kejriwal as telling Farooqui that he the 45-year-old AAP leader tak- ‘safai karmcharis’ (sanitation 1. The minimum tempera- Facebook page on Saturday. will discuss his request for AAP membership with his party colleagues ing charge of Delhi included some workers) to demand regularisation ture was minus 3.7 degrees Wearing the customary white and take a decision. AAP leader Sanjay Singh said that Kejriwal had 500 drivers and conductors of of employment. Later, employees of Celsius in Srinagar. It was ‘topi’, Remo photographed him- told Farooqui that the party “will first make sure that Farooqui doesn’t the Delhi Transport Corporation power ultlity BSES and represent- minus 7.4 degrees Celsius self with a receipt in his left hand have any criminal or corruption charges against him”. (DTC) and municipal workers. atives of a teachers’ association also in Pahalgam and minus 9.6 and his right gripping the broom, Sanjay Singh quickly added that Farooqui was a leader of high The controversy created by came to meet him. AAP member degrees Celsius in Gulmarg. which swept the party to power in calibre and his presence in the AAP would definitely help the party. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sanjay Singh held a “janta durbar” Jammu recorded a minimum the recent Delhi election. “But it is very important to make sure that he does not have any leader Nitin Gadkari’s remarks for the people for a hour. of 3.5 degrees Celsius, four “Yesterday was a historic day criminal or corruption charges against him,” he said. IANS of a “deal” between the Congress Kejriwal, usually an early riser, degrees below normal, Lotus for me: for the very first time in and AAP on forming the Delhi got up around 8am and after said. Icy winds blowing from my life, I joined a political party. government refused to die down breakfast started meeting people, snow-clad mountains into the Because, for the first time in my debut in politics. But he is cau- Remo as an ambassador by then yesterday with both parties ask- who had begun thronging outside plains of the Kashmir Valley life, I believe in a political party. tious enough to add a rider too. Chief Election Commissioner ing Gadkari to provide evidence. his house from 7am The Girnar have added to the intensity of The AAM AADMI PARTY, Remo “Before those of you who are S.Y Quraishi to lure youngsters Kejriwal, who has been suffer- Tower in Kaushambi township the cold wave. The traditional said on his wall on Saturday, a politically ignorant (like me!) to come out and vote. Quraishi ing from a bad cough for days, was where Kejriwal lives with his 40-day period of harsh win- post which clocked 1,000 likes and think this means I’ve ‘joined pol- an avid guitarist himself had con- not well enough to attend a morn- wife, two schoolgoing children and ter cold known as the ‘Chila around 170 comments. itics and am standing for elec- fessed that he had been a fan of ing “havan” his father Govind parents, has been attracting large Kalan’ started on December Goan by origin, Remo, who lives tions’, let me clarify this only Remo’s music. Ram Kejriwal had organised at a crowds since it became known 21. Doctors have asked elders in the idyllic village of Siolim, means that, like lakhs of people Remo now believes that con- nearby temple. An AAP member that the former income tax offi- and children in particular to 25km from here, is best known for have done in Delhi, I have become ventional and mainstream politi- said that Kejriwal had fever and cial would be the chief minister. wear adequate woollens to his several foot-tapping Bollywood a party worker/member by pay- cal parties had short-changed the also had his blood samples taken. With crowds thronging escape cold-triggered respi- numbers. He is a cult-figure in ing a Rs10 fee and acquiring a voters once in power and that it The DTC crew, holding applica- Kejriwal’s residence, Uttar ratory diseases. Goa who first rose to fame in the receipt,” he said in his post, add- was time to switch gears. tions for making their jobs per- Pradesh Police personnel have 1970s and 1980s by lending his ing that his signing up for APP “I’ve had enough of voting for manent, poured out their woes to been deployed at the entrance Delhi minister music and songs to several popu- means that he agrees with the different parties and different Kejriwal — and begged that they and a metal detector placed at lar movements which dealt with party’s policies and ideologies and leaders and expecting change, but be given permanent jobs in the the entrance to the apartment loses cellphone social issues like making Konkani is “ready to work to implement being short-changed each time. bus fleet. Kejriwal heard them out block. Ten Uttar Pradesh poli- Goa’s official language. them to the best of my ability”. Like the saying goes, if I want and told them to give him a week ceme would be stationed round NEW DELHI: Delhi’s new By signing up as a member The Election Commission of change, I have to BE the change,” or 10 days so that a system can the clock for security. Transport Minister Saurabh of the AAP, Remo now makes a India (ECI) in 2012 had roped in the musician said. IANS be set up where representations IANS Bharadwaj lost his mobile telephone at the Ramlila Maidan where he was sworn in on Saturday. “Lost my BJP rally in Ranchi micromax mobile at Ramlila Maidan,” Bharadwaj tweeted. Diplomat spat: Special group to meet His younger brother Gaurav Bharadwaj said: “He lost his phone yesterday and is now NEW DELHI: With India law, finance, human resource, Khobragade and tender an apol- without one. He has not filed determined not to relent on its and international organisations, ogy. While the US maintained a police complaint as it is not demand for the US to formally among others. They would fol- that she was a consular official a case of theft.” Tens of thou- apologise on the handcuffing and low up on all Khobragade related and not under diplomatic immu- sands of people thronged the strip-search of its envoy Devyani developments. nity, India has said Khobragade sprawling Ramlila Maidan Khobragade, a special group of The group would also scru- was concurrently an advisor to in the heart of the capital experts, including in interna- tinise the information on the India’s Permanent Mission at the on Saturday to see Arvind tional law, would be meeting wages being paid by US diplomats UN from April this year, which Kejriwal take oath as Delhi today to discuss the case. in India to their Indian staff to gave her full diplomatic immunity. chief minister along with The US has been quiet on the see if was on par with the US India has sought details from six ministers, Bharadwaj matter for the past few days on standards. the US embassy and its consulates included. account of most senior officials Khobragade, India’s deputy on the number of Indian staff on going on end-of-year leave for consul general in New York, was their rolls and the wages paid to Weapons haul Christmas and New Year. arrested for alleged visa fraud and them. The meeting of the group underpaying her nanny, Sangeeta India has already withdrawn near LoC of experts, set up by Foreign Richard - charges she has denied. the airport passes given to US Secretary Sujatha Singh, is indic- Khobragade was handcuffed and diplomats in India and the special SRINAGAR: The Indian ative of India’s firm resolve to strip-searched, a development diplomatic identity cards issued to Army yesterday said it had pursue the matter to the end, said which has caused outrage in India. them as part of reciprocal meas- recovered a major haul of sources. The group would com- India has demanded that the ures after the arrest of the envoy. arms and ammunition from prise of experts in international US take back charges against IANS near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. “Based on a tip-off from reliable intel- ligence sources, a search operation was launched by Families wait for Doctor fined Rs4 lakh for negligence the vigilant troops deployed NEW DELHI: The National Consumer Disputes Redressal along the LoC in the Farkian bodies of loved Commission (NCDRC) has held a doctor guilty of medical negli- Gali area of the frontier gence and directed him to pay Rs4 lakh to a man who lost his Kupwara district yesterday ones in train fire hand due to his treatment. The national commission was hearing a (Saturday) resulting in the revision petition filed by a Bihar resident, Jai Prakash Mehta, chal- recovery of a major haul of NEW DELHI: Families faced lenging an order of the Bihar State Consumer Disputes Redressal weapons. “A total of 40 weap- an agonising wait yesterday for Commission, which dismissed his plea for compensation. ons including 20 AK-47 rifles, the bodies of their loved ones Mehta sustained serious burn injuries on his right arm after he got 20 pistols, magazines and after a fire raced through a train an electric shock while working on a railway line as a contract labourer ammunition hidden one kilo- carriage and claimed 26 lives. June 26, 1998. He was under medical treatment from an ENT (ear, nose metre inside the LoC were The blaze swept through the and throat) specialist B N Rai in Rohtas, Bihar for over two weeks. recovered,” a defence spokes- packed carriage on Saturday Later, he was referred to the Institute of Medical Sciences and S S man said. Inputs were being while passengers were sleeping Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, where he was informed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat received over last few days as the train was travelling from that gangrene had set in, which could not be reversed and his arm had Chief Minister Narendra Modi (left) and BJP President Rajnath Singh from sources about likely bids the southern city of Bangalore to to be amputated. The NCDRC held Rai guilty of medical negligence. for infiltration or pushing the wave to supporters during a party rally in Ranchi yesterday. Modi is the city of Nanded. IANS arms across the LoC, he said. the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections. Some 20 charred bodies have so far been identified but only eight Kerala leader for of them have been handed over to relatives, an Indian Railways offi- Modi as PM cial, N Ramesh, said at the scene KOTTAYAM: Velapally at the tragedy. Natesan, leader of the Ezhava DNA tests were being con- Can Antony come to UDF’s rescue? community of Kerala, yester- ducted on the bodies for formal day backed BJP prime min- identification, with all of those THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Defence said that Antony is one of the top-most leaders Janata Democratic Party, which split from the isterial candidate Narendra killed taken to a local hospital in Minister A K Antony has been assigned of the party at the national level, so it was quite Left opposition soon after the 2009 Lok Sabha Modi. “In general, there is Andhra Pradesh state, he told the the task of strengthening the alliance of the natural that cutting across party lines, political polls, has also staked claim to one seat. a feeling among the people Press Trust of India news agency. Congress with regional and local parties leaders call on him each time he visits. Antony’s visit assumes significance as the here that the Congress-led “These tests take a minimum of in states across the country. Will he also “Don’t you know, Antony does not engage first probable list of candidates will be drawn UPA government has been a 48 hours or more, depending upon strengthen the ruling Congress-led coali- in state-level politicking, and he makes that up ahead of the upcoming All India Congress failure. It’s most likely that in doctors. We request the families tion in Kerala? quite clear. Unlike in other states, in Kerala, Committee meet. A broad consensus is expected the forthcoming Lok Sabha of the deceased to come forward The soft-spoken and respected politician the United Democratic Front functions sys- to be arrived at while Antony is in the state. polls, the Congress will have for (help with) identifying the will be keenly observed as he arrives in his tematically. The chief minister and the state “If Antony wants, all issues can be solved to pay a heavy price,” Natesan bodies charred in the train mis- home state today, for he comes with the prom- Congress president, along with leaders of amicably. We are all keen that issues in the said. Speaking to reporters, hap,” he said. ise of bringing solace to warring groups in the allies, take up all issues first. The UDF UDF find amicable resolution. If not, things he said: “The country will not Some passengers were able to his party and its allies. Congress allies in the is meeting on January 3. In case we are not could be in a bad shape, as the Lok Sabha go to the dogs if Modi rules. break the toilet windows of the state have been clamouring for more seats to able to reach a consensus, the issue will go to polls are round the corner,” chief whip of the Gone are the days when the train on Saturday, but other vic- contest in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. the next level,” Chennithala said. ruling coalition and vice chairman of Kerala BJP was considered to ride tims were overcome by the thick, Antony, who celebrated his 73rd birthday Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha seats. Congress (Mani) P.C. George told IANS. on the Hindutva platform. swirling smoke. Bodies were found on Saturday, will arrive in Kerala today after Over the past few Lok Sabha polls, a pat- “This time, we are hopeful that selection of Today they are consider- at the windows and doors, reports a month away. He is expected to begin explor- tern has emerged in seat-sharing between the candidates will be done only on merit, with no ate towards minorities also.” said. The carriage was gutted by atory talks with his party leaders and also parties that form the ruling coalition, with the sharing of seats between factions of the party. I The Ezhavas are tradition- the inferno and was a mass of Congress allies to see that dirty linen is not Congress contesting 17 seats, the Indian Union am sure more than anyone else, Antony knows ally engaged in agricultural twisted metal and melted plastic washed in public this time. Muslim League (IUML) contesting two seats, that any goof-up will only be detrimental to labour, toddy tapping and seats. Adjacent coaches also bore Ahead of every election in the state, wran- and the Kerala Congress (Mani), one. him too,” said a Congress leader who did not ayurvedic medicine. scorch marks, testifying to the gling is common, as grouses are aired publicly. Incidentally, this time, both allies of the wish to be identified. IANS ferocity of the fire. AFP State Congress president Ramesh Chennithala Congress want an additional seat. The Socialist IANS

MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Italian woman News in Numbers     defies animal CHART: 1 31 5 Fajr (Dawn) 4:57 3 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:19 rights militants Zuhr (Noon) 11:36 after online abuse Asr (Afternoon) 2:34 ROME: An Italian woman who Maghrib (Sunset) 4:55 declared in an Internet posting Isha (Night) 6:25 that she owed her life to medi- cines developed from testing on laboratory mice has gone on national television to answer WEATHER abuse from animal rights militants. Caterina Simonsen, 25, received Today Tuesday Weather Wednesday Conditions: insults and abuse, which politi- Clear Clear Clear cians rushed to condemn, after Pics, VP Kammutty Hazy/misty posting a defence of animal test- becoming fine ing on Facebook. “Without it, I Cession rates in the GCC countries tend to be highest, at an average of 40pc. This would have died when I was nine,” High: 22° to partly cloudy. High: 23° High: 22° wrote Simonsen, whose story has reliance on reinsurance reflects the dominance of a direct insurance business Low: 13° Low: 16° Low: 16° dominated Italian newspapers model based on commission and investment income which, in turn, is driven and television reports. One anti- vivisection activist responded on by abundant reinsurance capacity and a general lack of technical expertise Facebook. “You could die tomor- needed to retain more risk. Even though cession rates in the GCC have been DOHA - SUN & SEA row. I wouldn’t sacrifice my gold- declining, they remain high compared with other countries of similar wealth fish for you.” Another commented: SUN TIDE SEA “If you had died as a child, no-one and the global average of about 10pc. The declining trend in the GCC region is SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND would have given a damn.” primarily attributable to above-average growth in personal lines such as motor Shocked by the tone of the mes- and medical insurance. 06:19 16:55 03:45 & 13:45 10:30 & 20:45 03-10/15 KT sages, Simonsen, who has a respi- ratory illness requiring her to be THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW attached to oxygen tubes, made Premiums ceded to reinsurers a video that was played repeat- HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER edly on national media yesterday. (2011, in pc) “I want to get a degree so that I MUSCAT 23/15 Partly cloudy 22/15 Partly cloudy can help save animals,” she said, KUWAIT 22/17 Partly cloudy 21/12 Partly cloudy speaking while wearing an oxygen  BAHRAIN 21/16 Partly cloudy 21/17 Partly cloudy mask. She has several dogs and is Total MENA reinsurance SANAA 22/04 Partly cloudy 21/05 Partly cloudy studying to be a veterinarian at  cessions are estimated RIYADH 24/11 Clear 26/11 Partly cloudy the University of Bologna. 63 at about US$ 12bn. DUBAI 23/15 Clear 23/15 Clear “I have received messages say-  BAGHDAD 17/10 Chance of rain 18/06 Chance of storm ing that the lives of 10 rats are more important than mine. I  47 THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW don’t know what planet these 45 45 44 people live on and who raised HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER them,” she said, breaking into  34 tears. 32 30 ATHENS 16/09 Clear 12/08 Cloudy “I am alive thanks to doctors,  26 WASHINGTON 04/01 Mostly cloudy 06/02 Mostly cloudy to medicines and to animals who SYDNEY 26/18 Clear 28/23 Mostly cloudy had to be sacrificed.”  LONDON 09/04 Rain 09/06 Chance of rain Her mother told an Italian 14 PARIS 09/07 Rain 10/07 Chance of rain newspaper she had received mes-  ISTANBUL 12/06 Chance of rain 10/03 Fog sages of support on Facebook and MANILA 31/23 Partly cloudy 30/23 Clear Twitter from around the world,  DHAKA 24/14 Clear 24/14 Clear including one from Matteo Renzi, Oman UAEEgypt Kuwait Qatar Saudi Bahrain Iran Turkey Morroco DELHI 17/11 Clear 17/10 Chance of rain the popular centre-left leader Arabia ISLAMABAD 17/03 Clear 10/01 Chance of rain widely expected to be a future prime minister. AFP Source : http://www.qfc.com.qa Hollywood’s exciting lineup Bill Gates has no ego, 10 good reasons for Indian film buffs to throng theatres in 2014 says head of Skype CHANDIGARH: Microsoft CHENNAI: From the Robocop founder Bill Gates, one of the reboot to the lightning-fast richest men in the world, as also martial arts moves in The Raid one of the most powerful in the 2, Hollywood, with its exciting field of technology, has no ego, lineup of films in 2014, will offer says Gurdeep Singh Pall (pic- several reasons for film buffs to tured), global head of Sky pe, the throng theatres. popular and free international IANS lists the 10 most-awaited voice and messaging service. Hollywood films that will hit Chandigarh-born software Indian screens in the New Year: engineer Pall, who was named as Robocop: While Paul Skype’s global head in October Verhoeven’s Robocop is still this year, said: “The richest man are only a handful of them in soft- regarded by many as one of the in the world, who is among the ware and outside — who has tech- best films of the 1980s, its reboot, most powerful people in technol- nology, business and strategy all featuring Joel Kinnaman in the ogy, has no ego.” worked out. And anybody who can lead, has already created enough “Bill would debate you purely operate across these three dimen- buzz. Brazilian director Jose on the merit of the idea and he sions has incredible impact,” said Padilha, who has an impressive would expect you as his peer to Pall, who has worked closely with resume of films like Bus 174, Elite engage with him and let the best Gates in the past 10 years. Squad and The Enemy Within, is idea win,” Pall, who is also vice The first Sikh to reach the top helming this project and his pres- president, corporate at Microsoft, management of Microsoft, Pall ence has already raised the expec- said in an interview on Fair & joined Microsoft in January 1990 tations from the reboot. Square show on Chandigarh- as a software design engineer. Godzilla: The trailer of the based satellite television news He has worked on many break- new Godzilla, which teases us channel, Day & Night News, tel- through products in his tenure, with a glimpse of the creature, ecast last evening. starting with LAN Manager has already left millions in awe. If Talking about future things and Remote Access Service. the trailer is so intimidating, one how technology will transform Part of the Windows NT can possibly imagine what the film lives globally, Pall said: “Put on development team and having will be like. Coming from director your seat belts and get ready for led design and implementation Gareth Edwards, who proved his a ride. The next decade of trans- of core networking technologies, mettle with his extremely success- formation in computer science is Pall has worked on some defin- ful low-budget directorial debut going to come through artificial ing projects in technology like Monsters, expectations are, quite intelligence and machine learning. Windows 95, Windows XP, TCPIP naturally, high. The promise of wearable comput- protocol, Wi-Fi and Bing which The LEGO Movie: Amidst the In a crime-ridden city, a fatally wounded cop (Joel Kinnaman), returns to the force as a powerful cyborg. ing is actually very, very power- transformed lives of individuals buzz for star-studded and big- ful and it is already emerging in and business corporations. budget outings, there’s always areas like healthcare.” Named one of the “15 room for animated films! One such the Persians and the Greeks, is Caesar, will return in the highly attention of his fans to his upcom- Pall, 47, who studied in Innovators & Influencers Who highly anticipated film is The Lego based on a script by Zack Snyder, ambitious sequel to the Rise of the ing sci-fi film Interstellar, which Chandigarh’s upscale St John’s Will Make A Difference” in 2008 Movie, which features an ensem- who was originally supposed to Planet of the Apes, which will focus is the story of a team of space High School before completing his by Information Week, Pall co- ble cast from DC comics in LEGO direct it. Noam Murro is the on the war between humanity and travellers who travel through a engineering degree in computer authored Institutional Memory form. There’s Batman, Wonder director. the apes. wormhole. science from the Birla Institute of Goes Digital, which was published Woman, Superman and Green The Monuments Men: After Guardians of the Galaxy: The X-Men: Days of Future Past: Technology and Science (BITS), by Harvard Business Review as Lantern playing pivotal roles and Clint Eastwood, if there’s one tenth instalment in the Marvel After helming the first two parts was visiting his parents here for part of Breakthrough Ideas for the movie also features the voices actor who turned out to be an Cinematic Universe will be the in the X-Men franchise, Bryan the first time after taking over as 2009 and subsequently presented of Chris Patt, Jonah Hill, Channing excellent filmmaker then it must superhero film Guardians of the Singer returns to continue what the Skype global head in London. at the World Economic Forum Tatum, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson be George Clooney. He will return Galaxy, which features a legion of he had originally started. With He also holds a master’s degree 2009 in Davos. and Morgan Freeman. What more in his latest directorial effort characters from the Marvel com- the phenomenal success of the in computer science from the As head of Skype, which has do you want? The Monuments Men soon with ics. With an ensemble cast of Lee last outing X-Men: The First Class University of Oregon. over 300 million active users, Pall 300: Rise of an Empire: The a powerful cast featuring John Pace, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and on the basis of the first trailer Heading the information plat- said: “One-third of all long-dis- Spartans are back with a venge- Goodman, Matt Damon and Bill Zoe Saldana, John C Reilly and of this film, we should be in for a form and experience team in tance calling in the world happens ance in the sequel to 300, which Murray. Set against the back- Benicio Del Toro, this film is going real treat! Microsoft’s new applications and on Skype. Wherever I go, people doesn’t star any members of the drop of World War II, the film will to be a visual treat for not just The Raid 2: In 2011, Indonesian services division, Pall has more tell me a personal story about principal cast, but it does possess narrate the story of a battalion fans of comic books but for every martial arts film The Raid: than 20 patents (approved or in Skype.” a story that runs parallel to the that went behind enemy lines to film lover. Redemption struck gold at the box process) in networking, VoIP and Pall says that India needs to events which happened in the last recover artistic masterpieces. Interstellar: After Inception office, raking in over $15m world- collaboration areas. move in the fast-forward mode to part. The film, loosely inspired by Dawn of the Planet of the and The Dark Knight Rises, wide on an investment of a little “Bill Gates is one of the few ensure that it does not lag other the Battle of Artemisium between Apes: The leader of the apes, Christopher Nolan has drawn the over $1. IANS people in the world — and there countries. IANS Monday 30 December 2013 26 Safar 1435 Volume 18 Number 5929 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QPI gets $246m Pro-gas interests decry Fixed deposits of Qatar finance facility from Barwa Bank NY inaction on fracking

and Doha Bank ALBANY, New York: Born of the energy crisis of the 1970s, gas banks surge by 71pc driller Lenape Resources flourished in western New York for DOHA: Doha Bank and Barwa more than three decades — until the revolutionary technology Bank, in two separate state- that sparked the nation’s shale gas boom brought the industry to a Demand deposits jump by 102 percent in five years ments, announced their respec- screeching halt in New York under a moratorium now in its sixth tive decisions to participate in year. BY SACHIN KUMAR is steadily flowing into the fixed a Finance Facility for Qatar Today, Lenape has just five employees, down from 100 in years past. deposits. In 2009 when stock mar- Petroleum International (QPI) “Those five, we’re trying to give them work in Pennsylvania,” said DOHA: Fixed deposits of banks kets crashed, individuals rushed Upstream OPC, a fully owned John Holko, the company’s president. “We’re not going to be here in Qatar have surged 71 percent to banks to park their money and subsidiary of QPI. much longer.” in the last five years reflecting fixed deposits increased by 20 per- Barwa Bank, Qatar’s fast- As another year closes with a moratorium on hydraulic fractur- that individuals turned to safety The jump in fixed cent to QR51.07bon at the end est growing Shari’ah compli- ing for natural gas in New York and no timetable for Gov. Andrew of their hard earned money when deposits shows of 2009 from QR42.58bn in 2008. ant banking service provider Cuomo to decide whether to lift it, drilling interests have all but stock market turned volatile. The rush continued the following has announced its participa- given up on the state, and environmental groups are pressing for a According to the Qatar Central the flight of capital year also as fixed deposit grew by tion of $123mn in the Facility permanent ban. Bank data fixed deposit of banks towards safety after 27 percent to QR64.89bn in 2010. for QPI. Advancements in horizontal drilling and fracking — which releases in Qatar surged to QR72.87bn at the crash in stock After that the deposits grew by 5 The Bank said this Facility gas from rock by injecting a well with a mix of water, sand and chemi- the end of 2012 from QR42.58bn percent to QR68.27bn in 2011 and will be utilised to part finance cals at high pressure — have yielded so much gas from the Marcellus at the end of 2008. market in 2008 due then by 6.7 percent to QR72.87 bn QPI Upstream OPC for its Shale underlying much of the Mid-Atlantic region that gas prices have The jump in fixed deposits shows to global meltdown. in 2012. investment in Total’s operations plummeted. As a result, the less productive vertical wells still allowed the flight of capital towards safety Apart from the fixed deposits, in the Republic of Congo. The in New York are no longer in demand, Holko said. after the crash in stock market in money has also gone into the sav- investment is through a share While other states have allowed shale development even as they 2008 due to global meltdown. ing accounts or demand depos- capital increase in Total E&P scramble to draft regulations, New York has had deep shale drilling on Investors burnt their fingers in remained volatile keeping inves- its. In the last five years, saving Congo resulting in QPI hold- hold since it started developing new rules in 2008. Amid intense pres- 2008 when Qatar stock market tors on their toes. Qatar Exchange deposits have jumped 102 percent ing a 15 percent share of the sure from anti-fracking groups, Cuomo has said he wants his health fell sharply following the crash in has also been unable to live up to to QR37.17bn at the end of 2012 company. and environmental commissioners to take all the time they need to stock markets around the world. the expectations of investors in from QR18.43bn showing that In a filing to Qatar Exchange, decide whether fracking can be done safely. Qatar Exchange index, which providing returns. The index has individuals kept more money to Doha Bank announced its partici- Critics of fracking cite potential air and water contamination and crossed 12000 mark in 2008 and not been able to cross the peak of meet their routing expenditure. pation of $ 123m in a Loan deal disruptive industrial activity near population centers, while supporters touched the peak of 12433 on June 12433 seen during June 2009 and Rising savings is good news as the for QPI Upstream OPC. say state regulations mitigate the risks. 9, fell sharply to 4335.85 the same is trading at 10360. recent Saving Index Report revealed This loan will also be utilized At the same time, dozens of towns have enacted their own bans or year following the sell-off in major Due to the volatility in the stock that 72 percent respondents from to part finance QPI Upstream moratoriums in case the state does approve fracking — although most global financial markets. market, investors are putting their Qatar said that they could not save OPC for its investment in Total’s are outside the region along the Pennsylvania border considered most After that stock market has money in fixed deposits of banks as much as they had planned. operations in Congo. profitable for gas exploration. gradually moved up but it has for safety. In the past years, money THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA AP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

GDI to become Shipments log wholly-owned subsidiary of GIS DOHA: Gulf International Services (GIS) has entered double-digit into discussions with the for- eign partner in its joint venture, Gulf Drilling International, to acquire its 30 percent stake growth in India in GDI to make GDI a wholly- owned subsidiary of Gulf International Services. Gulf International Services has Export turnaround from July interests in a broad cross-section of industries, ranging from insur- NEW DELHI: Indian ship- considerably ease the pressure on ance, re-insurance, fund man- ments logged double-digit the current account deficit and in agement, onshore and offshore growth in the second half of turn make the rupee more stable,” drilling, accommodation barge, 2013, lowering substantially said FICCI President Naina Lal helicopter transportation, and the current account deficit, a Kidwai. catering services. GIS has issued a big worry for the Indian poli- The value of India’s merchan- brief statement to Qatar Exchange cymakers, and boosted hopes of dise exports was $203.98 billion confirming the development. revival in the economy. in the April-November period of Due to sluggishness in the 2013, as compared to $191.95bn Japanese auto global economy, notably Europe in the corresponding period last and the US, India’s merchandise year, registering a year-on-year Officials during the signing ceremony. makers to boost exports growth was mostly in the growth of 6.27 percent. negative zone in the first half the However, imports in the first domestic output year. eight months of the current Bait Al Mashura signs cooperation TOKYO: Japanese auto makers However, since July it has seen fiscal declined by 5.39 percent will ramp up production early a significant turnaround and to $303.89bn as compared to next year because they expect registered a healthy double-digit $321.19bn recorded in the same a big increase in car purchases growth, except in November, period last year. agreement with World Bank before a sales tax hike in April, when the shipments were affected The lower trade deficit has media reported yesterday. by strikes at ports. helped curb the current account DOHA: Bait Al Mashura concerns and challenges of Islamic the initiatives of the World Bank Toyota Motor Corp will increase In July, exports jumped 11.64 deficit that had spiralled to a Finance Consultations has finance industry. and its efforts towards the devel- domestic output in January- percent after declining by 4.56 record high of $88.2bn or 4.8 per- signed an agreement with the In addition to cementing coop- opment of Islamic finance. He also March by about 10 percent com- percent In the previous month cent of the country’s GDP in the World Bank in order to rein- eration between the two institu- shed light over the areas of inter- pared with this month, the Nikkei year-on-year. financial year ended March 2013. force cooperation in host of tions in the field of Islamic finance est for the World Bank related business daily reported. The good show continued and The current account deficit areas, including research and for establishing research cent- to the further development of Toyota has already told its the growth surged to a two-year dropped to $5.2bn or 1.2 percent knowledge sharing in the field ers, the agreement will reinforce Islamic finance. parts suppliers that daily out- high of 13.47 percent in October. A of GDP in the July-September of Islamic finance, said a press cooperation for exchanging schol- Dr Khalid Al Sulaity, Vice put in January-March will total sharp depreciation in the value of quarter of the current year, 75 statement yesterday. arly visits and conducting lectures chairman of Bait Al Mahsura around 14,000 vehicles, the Nikkei the rupee during that time helped percent lower from $21bn or five According to Al Mashura, in Qatar and elsewhere. Board of Directors said that the said without citing the source of in growth in shipments, which percent of GDP, recorded in the this cooperation agreement is Under the agreement, the par- cooperation agreement comes as a its information. helped the sluggish economy. corresponding quarter of last the first of its kind in favour of ties have also agreed to extend result of the company’s eagerness For December the automaker The country’s gross domestic year. a consultancy firm in Qatar and invitations to the executive to strengthen the cooperation had planned to produce about product (GDP) expanded by 4.8 Soumya Kanti Ghosh, chief the region. management of the company with various national, regional 12,500 cars per day, the newspa- percent in The July-September economic adviser at the State Bait Al Mashura is a specialised to deliver lectures and present and international organisations per said. quarter as compared to 4.4 per- Bank of India, said India’s cur- consulting firm providing Shariah papers at workshops organized to take advantages of the differ- In January, Honda Motor Co cent growth posted in the previ- rent account deficit is expected to compliant consultation to Islamic by the World Bank. ent experiences and contribute will operate two of its domestic ous quarter. come down to $40bn or 2.2 per- as well as conventional financial The agreement was inked to the further development of plants two days longer than origi- “Indian exports is leading the cent of the GDP in the financial institutions. It also provides audit, on the sidelines of the visit of Islamic finance industry in Qatar nally scheduled to meet demand economy from the front contrib- year 2013-14. supervision, training and develop- Washington based Abayomi A as well as at the regional and glo- for one of its smaller models, the uting to 70 percent of the growth “The momentum in export ment services to promote Islamic Alawode, a practice manager bal levels. Nikkei said. Mitsubishi Motors of GDP in the July-September growth is an encouraging sign, Banking in Qatar and overseas. and head of Islamic finance at the Bait Al Mashura has launched Corp and Suzuki Motor Corp will quarter,” Federation of Indian and we believe that this trend It organises conferences related World Bank’s Financial Systems the diploma in Islamic finance also keep domestic production Export Organisation (FIEO) will be maintained, going forward, to the field of Islamic finance, Global Practice, as a representa- (CIMA), the first professional lines running three days longer President M Rafeeque Ahmed partly aided by a lower base and such as the Doha Islamic Finance tive of the World Bank to the certification from British insti- than originally planned in January said. seasonal impact in the last quar- Conference which is regularly company. tution pertaining to the Islamic to meet demand for newly intro- Also, the country’s trade defi- ter,” Ghosh said. held here and has become a sig- During his visit to Bait Al finance in Qatar. duced sub-compact models. cit came down significantly in the Anupam Shah, head of the nificant platform to discuss issues, Mashura, Abayomi introduced THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA/REUTERS second half of the year helped by Engineering Export Promotion higher exports and lower imports. Council (EEPC), Said while the The trade deficit, difference fall in trade deficit is a good devel- between exports and imports, opment for the Indian economy, declined to $6.8bn in September it is largely a result of a steep from the high of $20.1bn regis- import compression rather than Middle income countries key to future growth tered in May. a smart rise in exports. Going For the first eight months of forward, he said, the focus should the current financial year, the be on boosting exports, instead of LONDON: As 2013 draws to a Having previously outstripped GDP now 46 percent higher than they expire in 2015 are emerging as a deficit declined to $99.9bn from putting a curb on imports. close, the outlook on globalisa- growth for 30 years, trade has were in 1990, and the International key indicator of what the future $129.2bn recorded in the corre- “We must reverse this trend tion and sustainability suggests expanded more slowly since 2011. Energy Agency estimates that holds. And it’s middle-income sponding period of last year. and focus more on export growth a tentative balance between two About 1,500 “stealth protectionist existing policies will result in long- countries — a group that includes Ahmed said the deficit is than import compression. The alternative futures: one of inten- measures” have been introduced term warming of between 3.6C and not just the emerging economies expected to remain in the range India story should be led by export sifying zero-sum competition by G20 members since 2008, when 5.3C — well into the zone where of Brazil, Russia, India, China and of $140-150bn for the financial drive, and not reduced consump- — a scenario that would be disas- they promised to eschew such prac- catastrophic climate tipping points South Africa, but also players like year ending March 2014 as com- tion at home,” the engineering trous for the world’s poor — and tices. And amid stagnant wages, could be triggered, potentially wip- Indonesia, Turkey, and a range of pared to $190.90bn registered in export body chief said. one of increasing co-operation in high unemployment, and anaemic ing out progress made on poverty highly influential Latin American the previous year. Imports have come down a revitalised, rules-based order. growth, support for globalisation is reduction over the past 15 years. countries, including Mexico and “The first eight months of this largely due to a series of steps Globalisation, the engine of waning in advanced economies. Efforts to formulate new inter- Colombia - that could have the fiscal has witnessed a nearly 23 taken by the government to lower emerging economies’ growth over Meanwhile, the world remains national development targets to casting vote on which of these percent decline in the cumu- gold and oil demands. the past 15 years, appears to be way off track for sustainability. succeed the millennium develop- scenarios we end up heading into. lative trade deficit, which will IANS entering a period of increased stress. Global greenhouse gas emissions are ment goals (MDGs) when they THE GUARDIAN Delay in releasing inflation report angers Venezuelans

CARACAS: There’s one burn- it was late by only a few days. refrigerators did fall by more than ing question among economists Intrigue about the delay began to half after the government offen- in Venezuela these days: What build after the bank abruptly can- sive, appliances carry around a happened to the November celled a December 19 news confer- 2 percent weighting in the con- inflation report? ence to release the report. sumer price index, making it It’s been more than two weeks To date, nobody has offered an impossible to swing the gauge at a since the deadline passed for the explanation, even in the face of a time prices for food, clothing and central bank to publish its closely- public letter of protest signed by services are rising by more than watched consumer price index and 20 recognized local economists. five percent a month. so far authorities have been mum The bank declined to comment Economists also depend on the about when it will be released. when contacted. inflation report to monitor another Economists and opposition The only official who has ill battering the South America’s politicians say the delay is a sign defended the bank, Elias Eljuri, largest oil economy: record levels the government is trying to hide president of the national statis- of shortages. The October report’s its embarrassing record control- tics institute, said the delay is due so-called scarcity index showed ling inflation, now running at 54 to “atypical” factors stemming that out of 100 products measured, percent, after President Nicolas from the government’s slash- 22 were out of stock. Maduro last month delivered a ing of prices of home appliances It’s not just the inflation report rare rebuke of the way the bank last month after it seized several that has economists concerned measures prices. They warn retail chains accused of charging the bank is losing its autonomy. of more interference to come, speculative prices. In recent years, the monetary undermining an institution that Under no circumstances are the authority has stopped publishing until now has been a redoubt of numbers being cooked, he said. data on private investment and balance and credibility amid a Maduro last month questioned expansion of the money supply, one decade-long socialist push that the reliability of the central bank’s of the main drivers of inflation. It’s has divided Venezuelans. data, saying that internal calcula- also followed through on orders to “The most extreme way of tions he had seen showed prices transfer part of its dollar reserves manipulating the data is not pub- fell five percent in November as a to fund government spending. lishing it,” Victor Olivo, a former result of the government’s actions. The fear, says Olivo, is that manager of macroeconomics anal- Are the statisticians at the Venezuela will follow in the foot- ysis at the central bank, told The bank able to “see what’s happen- steps of Argentina, which this Associated Press. ing beyond the technocracy?” year became the first country cen- The central bank’s bylaws Maduro asked in a nationally tele- sured by the Washington-based require it to publish inflation data vised Cabinet meeting on Nov. 23. International Monetary Fund for within the first 10 days of each Economists say Maduro’s producing unreliable data that month. On the rare occasions when forecast has no basis. While the wildly underreports inflation. it has missed the cutoff date before, prices of televisions, stoves and AP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Services sector South Korean workers strike pushes Qatari index down Margin calls weigh on Dubai

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index desk at brokerage firm MENA lost 31.15 points, or 0.30 percent, Corp. “There will probably be sell- to reach 10,360.02 points yester- ing to equalise positions because day from the previous closing of most of the trading recently was 10,391.17 points on Thursday. on margin.” The volume of traded shares Investors trade on margin, or fell to 7,830,646 from Thursday leverage to increase profit margin 11,016,813 and the value of shares and have to close their positions, decreased to QR289,446,816.37 or sell, to reduce their leverage from QR337,670,116.15 on back to zero. Thursday. Shares in small-caps drove a Among the top losers were rally in December, the typical tar- Electricity and Water whose share get for short-term bets. down 1.11 percent to QR178.00, Gulf Navigation, one such Doha Bank lost 0.86 percent to stock, fell 3.6 percent as inves- QR57.50, Salam International tors booked recent gains. Union fell 2.70 percent to QR12.99 and Properties shed 1.7 percent. Masraf Al Rayan decreased by Abu Dhabi’s benchmark 1.25 percent to QR31.55. climbed 0.6 percent, a new five- The Ban lost 0.18 percent year high, and extending 2013 Police buses block a road leading to the Presidential Blue House as South Korean workers demonstrate during a general strike in central Seoul. points while Consumer Goods gains to 60 percent. About 30,000 South Korean workers attend the rally against government decision to set up a unit to run a high-speed bullet train which they say and Services sector index dropped Lagging banks helped boost will lead to privatisation and layoffs. 0.03 percent. The industrial sec- the bourse; National Bank of Abu tor fell 0.25 percent while insur- Dhabi climbed 2.7 percent to take ance sector lost 0.19 percent. the year’s gains to 40 percent. Meanwhile, other regional Dana Gas rose 2.3 percent to its shares were mixed yesterday highest since January 2010. The Hyundai America operations CEO steps down with some margin calls weighing stock extends gains since saying on Dubai’s bourse and investors it received a $53m payment out shifting funds from banks to pet- of the total of $330m owed to it NEW YORK: John Krafcik, the and fuel efficiency improve- used their cars as personal living years of his tenure. Last year, rochemical stocks helping Saudi by Egypt. president and CEO of Hyundai ments to help drive up sales. spaces. the US Environmental Protection Arabia’s measure snap a three- In Saudi Arabia, petrochemical Motor America, is stepping Hyundai Sonata midsize cars “Finding room for people’s stuff Agency’s determined that that session losing streak. shares helped lift the market. The down next week after five and Elantra compacts became is one of our priority focal points,” Hyundai and Kia overstated gas Dubai’s measure retreated 0.6 sector’s index gained 0.5 percent years at the helm, the company top sellers and multiple models he told The Associated Press in mileage claims on window stick- percent, slipping off Thursday’s and agriculture and food sector announced. He will be replaced garnered the Insurance Institute a 2012 interview. “Let me give ers of 900,000 vehicles in the past five-year high and trimming rose 1.1 percent. Banking shares by David Zuchowski, the cur- for Highway Safety’s Top Safety you a great example. Cup holders three years. December’s gains to 11.4 percent. meanwhile, weighed with the sec- rent executive vice president of Pick designation. and bottle holders. This is a great And the automaker has had Traders expect the trend to be tor falling 0.5 percent, its fifth sales who joined the company in Hyundai had already started success for Hyundai, and it took trouble in the last couple of years weak until the new year, with little straight drop since it hit a five- February 2007. to change before Krafcik arrived, some time to convince the engi- keeping up with demand. As news flow to trigger fresh buying. year high last week. When Krafcik became CEO offering a 10-year, 100,000 mile neers that this is what we needed Hyundai dealers complained that “Most brokerage companies are Aside from profit-taking, weak of American operations in 2008, warranty with its cars. But the to do (because) cup holders cost they could sell more cars if only asking clients for margin calls fourth-quarter outlook and unat- the South Korean automaker’s transformation from joke to jug- money.” they could get them, the company towards the year-end to close tractive dividends for banks earnings cars were ugly and often broke gernaut accelerated under his While the company’s cars tried to add more capacity to its their books,” said Hisham Khairy, triggered investors to sell shares. down. During his tenure, he watch. Krafcik didn’t just focus found success, Krafcik has faced US assembly plant. head of trading for institutional AGENCIES pushed through quality, style on the engine but how people serious challenges in the latter AP Ma’aden restarts aluminium plant Nasdaq to compensate production line firms on botched IPO

AL KHOBAR: Saudi Arabian NEW YORK: Nasdaq OMX Exchange Commission, the larg- Mining Company (Ma’aden) has Group Inc will compensate firms est fine ever for an exchange, the restarted one of the two potlines on December 31 for qualifying snafu was just one of a raft of at its new aluminium smelter in claims related to Facebook Inc’s high-profile technology glitches Saudi Arabia, the company said botched May 2012 initial public that have plagued exchanges in yesterday. offering, the exchange operator recent years. The $10.8bn aluminium plant said in a note to traders. In August a software bug at Ras Al Khair, a joint venture Nasdaq said previously it paralyzed thousands of Nasdaq- between Ma’aden and US-based would pay up to $41.6m in claims listed stocks marketwide for Alcoa, shut one of its smelting to market participants that lost three hours. That happened just lines in mid October due to prob- money when a glitch in Nasdaq’s days after a technical problem lems encountered during a ramp system during the IPO prevented at Goldman Sachs sent a flood of up of production. timely order confirmations for erroneous orders to the US equity “The ramp up and increase many traders, leaving them options markets. of the first potline production unsure about their exposure for After the Nasdaq outage, the is expected to reach production hours and, in some cases, for days US Securities and Exchange capacity within the second quarter afterwards. Nasdaq said a total Commission called the heads of all of 2014,” Ma’aden said in a Saudi of $41.6m in claims qualified for of the exchanges to Washington stock market statement. It did not compensation, even though mar- to discuss ways to strengthen say when production resumed. ket makers estimated they lost critical market infrastructure The other potline, a series of $500m collectively. and improve its resilience when containers used to smelt alumin- Firms that qualified for com- technology fails. ium, did not have to shut dur- pensation had until December 23 Other major glitches include ing its initial ramp up. The two to agree not to sue Nasdaq over BATS Global Markets’ botching lines have a combined production the IPO in order to be eligible for of its own market debut, which capacity of 740,000 tonnes a year a one-time voluntary payout. it had to abandon, just months of aluminium. While Nasdaq was fined $10 before Facebook’s IPO. REUTERS million by the US Securities and REUTERS

Greeks protest against bailout

Demonstrators gathering in front of the parliament in Athens. Greek trade unions staged a protest ahead of a parliament vote on a bill that would spur unprecedented public sector job cuts to meet conditions set by Greece’s creditors for billions in bailout loans. MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

US budget deal resolves Big year ends with Wall some fiscal worries

BY DEREK WALLBANK and HEIDI PRZYBYLA Street hopeful for 2014 BY RYAN VLASTELICA AWMAKERS promised their budget deal would mark an while consumer discretionary led the year Jake Dollarhide, chief executive of Longbow end to Washington’s cycle of fiscal showdowns. There’s one with a gain of 40 percent. Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Lstep left: writing an encyclopedic spending bill funding every S WALL Street’s best year in One of the market’s biggest boosts this However, Dollarhide said the names were agency in the government, even the ones they don’t like. Congress more than 15 draws to a close, year — the Federal Reserve’s stimulus pro- “priced for perfection” and vulnerable to has less than a month to do it before a January 15 deadline, one few are expecting a repeat per- gram — will not be as strong a factor after pullbacks next year. final test of whether bipartisanship will last when Democrats and formance in 2014, though trad- the central bank announced a slowing of “There won’t be a sudden ‘let’s sell Micron Republicans get to the fine print. ers have plenty of reasons to the program in December. The Fed begin- and Netflix’ movement, but if profit growth “The Congress has been dysfunctional,” said Scott Lilly, a former Afeel optimistic. ning in January will buy $75bn in Treasuries slows or a conference call doesn’t go well, staff director of the House Appropriations Committee. “I’m not While the market will likely enter and mortgage-backed bonds per month, absolutely you could see a 20 to 30 percent sure that applies to the appropriations committees. It may. This January quietly, with many traders still down from $85bn, and Fed Chairman Ben selloff after doubling this year,” he said. is going to be a test to find out.” out for the holidays and few major catalysts, Bernanke, whose term expires on January The fourth-quarter earnings season won’t That’s particularly true in 2014, a midterm election year. Many the upward trend is seen continuing next 31, suggested the US central bank could start in earnest until the second week of of those spending provisions, from funding the Environmental week, especially in some of 2013’s high-flying continue to slowly reduce that stimulus January, but there will be a few clues into Protection Agency’s regulatory oversight to cutting defence spend- names. throughout 2014. the economy’s strength coming out next ing that could cost local jobs, will be ripe for attack ads from House Economic growth is expected to accel- The latest Reuters poll showed analysts week, with data on consumer confidence and Senate primary challengers. erate next year, boosting employment and expect the S&P 500 to rise to 1,925 points and manufacturing. Even as lawmakers hailed budget negotiators’ agreement ear- consumer purchasing power. But with mar- by the end of 2014, which represents a rise Next week will also see reads on the hous- lier this month, that deal reached by Senator Patty Murray and kets repeatedly notching all-time highs, that of 4.5 percent from current levels. ing market with November pending home Republican Representative Paul Ryan only sets spending priori- may not translate to market gains as dra- Subscription video company Netflix Inc sales on tap for Monday and the Case/Shiller ties. The bill lawmakers are now negotiating would actually spend matically as in 2013. was the S&P’s strongest performer in 2013, report on October home prices on Tuesday. money. “There’s a pervasive feeling that the econ- with a jump of almost 300 percent, followed by The housing sector has been in focus as U.S. “It’s probably too early to declare an outbreak of bipartisanship,” omy is getting better, and the Fed is still electronics retailer Best Buy Co Inc and semi- benchmark Treasury yields rose to two-year President Barack Obama said in a December 20 press conference. on the market’s side after saying it would conductor maker Micron Tech, both of which highs, which could put pressure on mort- “But it’s also fair to say that we’re not condemned to endless keep rates low,” said Donald Selkin, chief climbed nearly 240 percent. Tesla Motors was gage rates, which are typically driven by the gridlock.” market strategist at National Securities in another standout, soaring 346 percent, while yield on the 10-year Treasury note. Lawmakers, whose disputes led to the first government shut- New York. Facebook Inc more than doubled. “If yields stay this high, I would consider down in 17 years in October, will “put together bills that can “However, while new money will still be These names could see further upside that both a technical and psychological reflect the best we can do under the circumstances,” said Murray. flowing into stocks next year, probably we’ll next week thanks to “window dressing,” a negative for markets,” said Mark Grant, Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Murray also leads see less money come in. There’s little chance practice in which investors buy securities managing director at Southwest Securities the appropriations panel that controls spending on roads, bridges of another 30 percent gain or so next year.” with big gains to improve the appearance in Fort Lauderdale. and affordable housing programs. The S&P 500 has risen 29 percent so far of their holdings before presenting the Pending home sales, or sales which are in The goal is to allocate funds for the entire federal government in 2013, its best annual performance since results to clients. The 2013 year will close contract but not yet closed, are seen rising 1 by January 6, when Congress returns after a holiday break. The 1997. The Dow Jones industrial average is out on Tuesday, with the market closed on percent while the October home prices are measure has to be passed and signed into law by January 15 to up 26 percent while the Nasdaq is up nearly Wednesday for the New Year’s Day holiday. expected to rise 0.8 percent. In the latest avert a second government shutdown in four months. 38 percent. “Consumer discretionary and tech names week, the Dow rose 1.6 percent while the “The biggest challenge is probably just time,” said Keith Kennedy, The gains have been widespread, with all have driven the market over the past 12 S&P was up 1.3 percent and the Nasdaq a former Senate Appropriations Committee staff director. 10 S&P 500 sectors higher on the year. The months, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see rose 1.3 percent. Appropriators will work on 12 separate bills directing funds to weakest group, telecoms, rose 6.5 percent continued upside on them next week,” said REUTERS federal agencies and programs. Former senior appropriations aides such as Lilly cited bills funding the Labor and Health and Human Services Departments, and the Interior Department and EPA as the most likely to upset the bill-writing process. Among the greatest challenges will be resolving funding for implementing Obama’s health-care law. A number of Republicans plan to oppose any funds for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, said a House aide who spoke on condition of anonymity. Even so, Senator Rob Portman said in a December 20 interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt” that he’s “very optimistic” lawmakers will succeed. “I’m sure it’ll come up as an issue again,” the Ohio Republican said of the Obamacare funding. “But I don’t think it’ll derail the appropriations process.” The Labor and Health bill covers about 30 percent of US dis- cretionary spending and includes about 50 percent of the most contentious issues, said Lilly, currently a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a Washington policy research group aligned with Democrats. In addition to much of the Affordable Care Act, these include money for family planning, which Republicans often oppose, as well as workplace health and safety programs. The National Labor Relations Board is also funded through the same bill. The Republican chairman of the House Labor and Health sub- committee, Jack Kingston, is running for an open Senate seat in Georgia next year. He’s positioning himself as the most conserva- tive candidate in a primary likely to include at least six candidates, including other House members. If Kingston balks at some of the funding line items, Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers and Maryland Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski, his Senate counterpart, may have to work around him, said Lilly. “Kingston’s been telling people he didn’t think they could do a bill,” he said. House Republicans had also planned to slice funding to the Internal Revenue Service by $2.8bn, a 24 percent reduction, as a way of blocking implementation of the health- care law. The IRS oversees tax provisions in the 2010 law. That cut could have reduced spending to top IRS contractors Accenture and IBM Corp, according to Bloomberg Industries analysts Melissa Avstreih and Brian Friel. Rogers has said some policy riders, though not all those Republicans wanted, will have to be included in the final bill. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Thin trading triggers high volatility in forex markets

HE holiday season week, closing sessions at 80.338. Consumer Sentiment Index figure has exceeded economists’ 5-year high against the Japanese quietness continued On the other hand, the euro surged to a 5-month high this forecasts of 0.3 percent. This Yen as markets bet on a diver- as most of the major was supported by thin-trading month, signalling that Americans increase was mainly due to a gence in monetary policy with global markets were and stayed almost flat going into are confident in the US economy, decrease in expenditure on energy the US Federal Reserve paring off duty most of last the break before gaining some and spending will continue to rise. products. Expenditure on engi- stimulus while the BoJ continues Tweek due to the Christmas break. strength on Friday, aided by low The consumer confidence climbed Weekly Money Market Review neered goods has been increasing unprecedented easing. The Prime However, the Fed’s announcement liquidity. The Euro started the to 82.5 in December from 75.1 continuously since June. Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has to taper its QE programme con- week at 1.3669, gaining dramati- recorded the previous month. As the housing recovery was gain- UK Mortgage approvals in said that “the Japanese economy tinues to be the most important cally on Friday to touch a high employment picks up and housing ing momentum even as mort- Britain remained more than a is making progress toward escap- topic on the table amid signs of 1.3892. The 17-nation currency outperforms, household wealth gage rates climbed. The ramp third higher in November than a ing deflation and that economic that economic growth is gaining managed to trade upwards sup- and sentiment increases. This was up in home purchases came as a year earlier as government sup- improvement is broadening.” He momentum. Market expectations ported by a better-than-estimated the highest reading for the index response to the higher demand ports for home buyers helped the also mentioned that the country that the Federal Reserve will French consumer spending and since July, but came slightly under caused by employment gains and property recovery gather pace. was out of deflation for the first continue to reduce its monetary tiny liquidity. The single currency economists’ expectations of 83. record-high stock prices. Figures from the British Bankers’ time in four years. Bank of Japan stimulus after tapering quantita- ended the week at 1.3741. US durable goods orders Fewer Americans filed applica- Association showed that gross Governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, said tive easing this month as the US The Sterling Pound followed climbed 3.5 percent in November, tions for unemployment benefits home loan borrowing last month “consumer inflation will exceed economy becomes stronger. Policy suit, climbing at the end of the exceeding market expectations than expected, indicating that the stood at £10.3bn, jumped 37 per- one percent in the first half of makers will possibly reduce bond week after the holiday in a very of a 0.9 percent increase, after US labour market is in a better cent on the same month in 2012. next year and help the central purchases in $10bn increments thin market. Cable opened the falling 0.7 percent in October. shape. Jobless claims dropped by bank achieve its goal of changing over the next seven meetings week at 1.6329 levels, and reached Excluding demand for transpor- 42,000 to 338,000. The four-week Asia the public’s perception that defla- before ending the programme in a high of 1.6577 on Friday. Finally, tation equipment, orders for long- moving average was 348,000, an The Bank of Japan meeting tion will persist”. December 2014. Based on a lim- the currency closed at 1.6478. lasting goods such as computers increase of 4,250 from the pre- minutes showed that one board ited trading session last week The Japanese yen was the big- and machinery increased last vious week’s revised average of member has stated that a slow- Gold Price due to the holidays, the US dollar gest loser last week, as it weak- months by the biggest advance in 343,750. The year-end holidays is down in growth could represent a Gold fell 3.2 percent in had a mixed performance stay- ened against the greenback. The 10-months, signalling a solid eco- a time where jobless claims vola- downward shift in trend. The BoJ December for a fourth monthly ing relatively weak against most currency opened the week trad- nomic expansion going into 2014 tility are high, making it difficult is buying more than 7 trillion yen loss after the US Federal Reserve of its counterparts except for the ing at 104.08 and going as high for the American economy. to adjust for fluctuations. ($66.9bn) of government bonds stated to taper its quantitative Japanese yen. This is shown in the as 105.18 on Friday. The Japanese The number of new home sales each month in an attempt to end easing programme. The metal performance of the Dollar Index, yen ended the session high at dropped 2.1 percent to an annual Europe 15 years of deflation. BoJ officials climbed to $1,215.95 on Thursday, which opened the week trading at 105.15. The Japanese yen fell 15 rate of 464,000 in November from French household expenditure see significant scope to boost bond the highest since December 19, 80.53 levels, and stayed flat in the percent this year, the most among a revised 474,000 in October, on goods increased by 1.4 per- purchases if necessary to achieve and declined nine percent since Asian session during the holiday 10 developed-market currencies. holding near a five-year high. cent in November, coming after their two percent inflation tar- the end of September. before falling at the end of a short The University Michigan The slight drop indicates that 0.1 percnet drop in October. The get. The dollar rose toward a THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Festive-season shopping British bond yields Lack of clients at highest since 2011 as economic outlook improves dooms many LONDON: British government bonds tumbled on Friday, push- ing yields to their highest level since mid-2011 as a brighter economic outlook encouraged Cuban firms investors into dump fixed- income assets for equities. Thin trading conditions ampli- No financial support for private sector fied the move, lifting the 10-year yield to 3.083 percent, more than HAVANA: The dented metal islanders, four are now out of double the record low touched in pizza trays are packed away, so business, their owners in more 2012 and a full percentage point too the old blender that never dire financial straits than when above where it started the year. worked when it was needed. they started. But the three enter- US Treasury yields also rose to Gone is the sweet smell of ris- prises that cater to well-heeled their highest since 2011, reflect- ing dough that infused Julio foreigners, and to the minority of ing strong data that has fuelled Cesar Hidalgo’s Havana apart- well-paid Cubans who work for expectations of a steady reduction ment when he and his girlfriend foreign businesses, are still going in bond-buying by the Federal were in business for themselves, and in some cases thriving. Reserve next year. churning out cheesy pies for While the sample size is small, Britain’s economic turnaround hungry costumers. the numbers point to a basic prob- has been even more dramatic. The Two years on the front lines of lem that economists who follow economy — which at the start of Cuba’s experiment with limited Cuba have noted from the start: the year looked headed for a triple- free market capitalism has left There simply isn’t enough money dip recession — is now one of the Hidalgo broke, out of work and to support a thriving private sec- fastest-expanding in the industr- facing a possible crushing fine. tor on an island where salaries A woman shops for garments at a Kohl’s department store which opened at 5am a day after Christmas in ialised world with annual growth But the 33-year-old known for his average $20 a month. Alhambra, California, in an effort to lure more shoppers to help clear the shelves with further discounts geared of more than three percent. wide smile and sunny disposition “Clearly, there is a macroeco- toward the after-Christmas shopping surge. Expectations that the Bank of says the biggest loss is harder to nomic environment that does not England will be the first major define. favour the private sector or the central bank to raise interest “I feel frustrated and let down,” expansion of demand that the pri- rates has sent the spread over Hidalgo said, slumped in a rock- vate sector requires,” said Pavel Bunds to its widest since 2005 ing chair one recent December Vidal, a former Cuban Central Mitsubishi evaluating US turbine plant and gilt investors bracing for one afternoon, shrugging his shoul- Bank economist. of their worst performances on ders as he described the pizzeria’s Vidal has long called on record. collapse. “The business didn’t turn Communist authorities to adopt FORT SMITH: Mitsubishi is “(Mitsubishi) is considering first wind turbine plant. On a total return basis, gilt out as I had hoped.” a huge stimulus package or more evaluating its completed but its options for the future use of Ivy Owen, Fort Chaffee investors have lost more than The Associated Press recently aggressively seek capital from for- unopened $100m wind turbine the Fort Smith facility,” company Redevelopment Authority’s four percent this year compared checked in with nine small busi- eign investors. Now a professor at factory in Fort Smith now that spokeswoman Sonia Williams said executive director, said he had to losses of three percent for US ness owners whose fortunes it Colombia’s Javeriana University, the company has settled a tech- Arkansas heavily recruited no information from the company Treasuries and less than two per- first reported in 2011 as they set he says one has only to look at nology lawsuit with General wind energy companies but the about its plans. He has said in cent for Bunds, according to Citi up shop amid the excitement the trends since 2011 to see the Electric Co. sector has struggled without long- the past that he was “confident” data. With no fresh data to give of President Raul Castro’s sur- private sector economy is nearly Mitsubishi Power Systems term tax incentives for windmill- Mitsubishi would find a use for direction, traders took their cue prising embrace of some free tapped out. After a surge of Americas Inc had been in a dis- produced electricity. Nordex USA the factory. from a slew of upbeat indicators enterprise. enthusiasm, the number of island- pute with GE since 2009 over ele- recently ended production at its Fort Smith spokeswoman released in the run-up to Christmas Among them were restaurant ers working for themselves has ments of the wind turbine designs, turbine plant in Jonesboro. LM Tracy Winchell said city officials and from moves in other markets. and cafeteria owners, a seam- stalled for the past two years at but the Japan-based company has Windpower in Little Rock, which are eager to help Mitsubishi start Britain’s top share index got a stress and taekwondo instructor, about 444,000 — or 9 percent of not yet announced any plans for makes windmill blades, went production. boost from fresh all-time highs a vendor of bootleg DVDs and a the workforce. the Fort Smith factory. through a round of layoffs in 2013. “We’ve done everything we on Wall Street and notched up a woman renting her rooms out to Even in developed countries The Arkansas Democrat- Federal tax credits for wind- can,” Winchell said. “We’ve done sixth straight day of gains. well-heeled tourists. where entrepreneurs have access Gazette reported that a turbine manufacturers expired everything they asked for. It’s Gilt prices fell from the Their fates tell a story of to capital, loans and a wide pool Mitsubishi spokesman said the Dec. 31, 2012. been in the court system. Business open, reacting to losses in US divided fortunes. of paying customers, startups are company is prohibited from pub- The 200,000-square-foot plant models change. Hopefully it will Treasuries on Boxing Day when Of the six ventures that relied risky ventures. licly discussing terms of the GE was projected to employ 400 peo- all work out.” British markets were shut. on revenue from cash-strapped AP settlement. ple and was to be Mitsubishi’s AP REUTERS Italy delays Internet tax until July, okays funds for business, welfare

ROME: Italy delayed the start tax presence in the country, has maintenance of historic sites. of its planned Internet tax until been criticized by the European It also extended provisions, July 2014, approved billions Commission, which expressed which would have otherwise of euros in business and wel- doubts on its legality before it was expired, forbidding newspa- fare measures and extended a approved in parliament. per publishers from operating ban on media cross-ownership The delay was contained in the national broadcasters. This is in a final package of year-end so-called “Milleproroghe” (“thou- a highly sensitive political issue legislation. sand extensions”), a catch-all given centre-right leader Silvio The launch of an Internet tax, decree used by Italian govern- Berlusconi’s extensive television sometimes dubbed the “Google ments to pack in miscellaneous interests. tax”, passed this week by par- pieces of legislation that must be The package also contained liament, will be postponed until approved before the start of the measures to shore up the July, 1, 2014, Prime Minister new year. finances of the city of Rome Enrico Letta’s office said in a The package announced and allow the cancellation of statement. The delay should after Friday’s cabinet meet- a number of expensive rental ensure it can be more closely ing included measures to contracts on buildings used coordinated with other European allow Italy to use ¤6.2bn in by parliament and the public countries. European Union funds, which service, an issue on which the The tax, designed to ensure have already been approved, government has been attacked that companies that advertise to help small businesses, fight by the opposition 5-Star and sell online in Italy do so youth unemployment and help Movement. only through companies with a local economies by funding the REUTERS

Work on passenger ferry

Employees work inside the passenger area of a ferry being built for Washington State Ferries at Vigor Industrial’s Harbor Island centre in Seattle, Washington. MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 10,360.02 0.30 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 14,802.09 0.30 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,037.66 0.78 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,584.38 0.19 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,446.85 0.18 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5325.45 33.917 0.64 5453.1 4610.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,955.03 0.03 % QR141.5461 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4218.41 3.12 0.07 4356.28 3575.17 QE All Share Industrials 3,468.78 0.25 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9303 QR 6.0137 QE All Share Insurance 2,326.31 0.19 % Dj Indu Average 16357.55 62.94 0.39 16360.6 12883.9 Euro ...... QR 4.9572 QR 5.0593 QE All Share Real Estate 1,957.12 0.22 % QR 2.2921 CA$ ...... QR 3.3999 QR 3.4674 QE All Share Telecoms 1,457.64 0.11 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,870.22 0.26 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0402 QR 4.0983 Hang Seng Inde/D 23179.55 257.99 1.13 24111.55 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0345 QR 0.0351 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2078 QR 3.2719 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4474.29 -16.03 -0.36 4527.83 3396.67 CRUDE OIL 29-12-2013 26-12-2013 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0581 QR 0.0592 Index 10,360.02 10,391.17 Karachi 100 In/D 25370.03 3.34 0.01 25711.23 16036.31 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0349 Change 31.15 71.37 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 16174.44 164.45 1.03 16029.65 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0832 % 0.30 0.68 $ 111.63 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 23.94 24.31 S&P 500 Index/D 1833.32 5.33 0.29 1833.32 1398.11 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0477 Volume 7,830,646 11,016,813 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 289,446,816.37 337,670,116.15 Straits Times/D 3134.36 7.07 0.23 3464.79 2990.68 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3468 QR 0.3570 Trades 6,275 5,589 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 109.18 Up 16 | Down 20 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 29-12-2013

Will growth bring a strong January for commodities once again?

HIN holiday markets again become one of the key With growth expectations This level corresponds with trend have yielded a surprise drivers as 2014 begins. The table Weekly Commodity Update receiving some attention, silver line support going back to April strong performance by below shows the strong January may once again enjoy a better 2011 when it reached a low of 31.7 the metal sector, not performances among some of the than expected January and on as the price of silver was push- T BY OLE HANSEN least silver and platinum. The key commodities during the past this basis the gold/silver ratio ing towards USD 50/oz. A break move came during a week where three years. All showed positive (Head of Commodity trade could receive some atten- below support could trigger some US stock indices extended their returns in all three years with Strategy, Saxo Bank) tion. As the chart above shows the additional relative buying inter- gains to new all-time highs and platinum and RBOB Gasoline recent outperformance of silver est for silver against gold so it is ten-year bond yields climbed back the strongest performers followed has brought the ratio down to 60.9 something worth keeping an eye towards three percent. All of this by industrial metals and Brent Even gold has managed to than 25 percent on the year but which is the cost of one ounce of on over the coming days. indicates that the market is gear- crude with silver also joining in. shrug of the taper announce- actually up by one percent over gold measured in ounces of silver. THE PENINSULA ing up for a strong beginning to The energy sector was also sup- ment from the US Federal the past six months which gives 2014 as optimism, especially about ported by strong first quarter ral- Reserve on December 18 and an indication about how the sell- US growth, has been rising. lies driven by geopolitical worries climbed back above USD 1,200/ ing was concentrated during the A word of caution before we in both 2012 and 2013 but overall oz. which if maintained into the early part of the year. As we begin proceed: Trading this time of growth expectations were raised early parts of January may trig- 2014 headwinds will still present year is very thin and market leaving macro funds with a fairly ger some rethinking about its themselves with investors being moves can quickly be undone once easy decision to make. near-term outlook. Note that bearish bonds and bullish stocks liquidity returns in early January. Silver has been the best per- the precious metal has man- on raised growth expectations Established trends are normally forming commodity during this aged to rally despite ten-year US and the continued normalisation also supported as traders seeks to shortened week but overall bond yields rising to a 30-month of interest rates. December will protect and book as much profit remains at the bottom of the per- high and stocks reaching a new show a fourth month in a row as possible before once again formance table having lost more record together with the con- of negative returns momentum starting from scratch on January than 34 percent in 2013. Platinum tinued reductions of holdings in and trend following investors will the first. So without reading to came second after it jumped the Exchange Traded Products. As of not be changing their outlook or much into it we can nevertheless most in ten weeks on speculation December 26, some 70 tons had positioning unless we see a much try to draw some conclusions as that a global economic recovery been pulled from gold backed stronger move to the upside. to what will happen into early would boost demand for the metal ETPs according to Bloomberg, the Traders will continue to favour January. at a time of lower than expected biggest monthly reduction since selling into rallies until we see a In a repeat scenario from production in South Africa, the July when the reduction was 74 potential break back above the the previous three years, raised world’s largest producer. tons. December high at 1268/oz. growth expectations could once Gold is currently down by more MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Schild secures Bosh leads Heat to place in slalom history

LIENZ,Austria:Austria’s Marlies Schild became the all- win over Blazers time leader of World Cup slalom victories with her 35th success secured on home snow in Lienz Griffin scores 40 as Clippers beat Jazz yesterday. The former world champion, who overtook the 34 wins of PORTLAND: Chris Bosh Wade added 16 points and Swiss Vreni Schneider, followed scored 37 points, including a NBA Results seven assists for Miami, 23-7, up her victory in Courchevel on last-second 3-pointer for the Boston 103 Cleveland 100 while Michael Beasley added December 17 by topping a podium winning basket, and grabbed Indiana 105 Brooklyn 91 12 points and Norris Cole came comprising the very best slalom 10 rebounds yesterday to lead Toronto 115 NY Knicks 100 off the bench to score 11. Mario specialists of the decade. reigning NBA champion Miami Chalmers had nine points, nine American Mikaela Schiffrin, Washington 106 Detroit 82 over Portland 108-107. rebounds and nine assists for the who dethroned Schild at the world The Heat were playing with- Atlanta 118 Charlotte 116 Heat. championships in Schladming last out superstar playmaker LeBron Dallas 105 Chicago 83 Meanwhile, Blake Griffin’s season, was second 0.41 seconds James, the reigning NBA Most Houston 107 New Orleans 98 dramatic improvement with his adrift, while Olympic champion Valuable Player, who was benched Memphis 120 Denver 99 free throw shooting has added Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany for the night by coach Erik Minnesota 117 Milwaukee 95 an important dynamic to the Los was third. Spoelstra due to nagging right Phoenix 115 Philadelphia 101 Angeles Clippers’ offense - partic- “It’s hard to believe but now for groin and left ankle injuries. ularly in the fourth quarter, when sure the record is mine,” Schild Miami 108 Portland 107 James had not missed a prior teams used to intentionally send said. game of the season but Bosh LA Clippers 98 Utah 90 him to the line because he missed “I must admit I felt relieved stepped up to the challenge of Aldridge followed with a layup more often than not. after Courchevel. I needed to his absence, hitting 15-of-26 shots and Portland reclaimed the lead Griffin scored a season-high break the jinx. It was making me and going 3-for-3 from 3-point after Miami guard Dwyane 40 points, overcoming early foul nervous in the end. Everybody range, making them all from Wade fouled Nicolas Batum as trouble and a career-worst eight was talking about the record. beyond the arc in the last 4:05. he attempted a 3-pointer and turnovers to lead the Clippers to “I even noticed in training The only other game this year the French forward sank all three a 98-90 victory over the Utah Jazz that there was a before and in which Bosh netted more than free throws. yesterday. after Courchevel. I’m much more 30 points was last February at After Wade pulled Miami level “I looked at the stat sheet after relaxed now.” Miami, also against the Trail with a dunk, it was Ray Allen who the game and I said, ‘Wow, he had Schild signalled her return Blazers. was whistled for a foul on Batum, 40.’ I think his confidence right to form in the French resort of A showdown of two of the who put the Trail Blazers ahead now is pretty high, and rightfully Courchevel - her first victory in NBA’s winningest teams came 107-105 on two free throws with so,’’ teammate Chris Paul said. nearly two years. down to the last seconds after seven seconds remaining, set- “It’s great to see how he’s domi- The Austrian, who tore knee Bosh sank a 3-pointer to give the ting the stage for Bosh’s decisive nated games, whether he’s taking Miami Heat’s shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) and Portland Trail ligaments in December 2012 in Heat a 101-98 edge and followed 3-pointer with less than a second jump shots, posting up or going Blazers’ power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) scramble for a loose Are, had been usurped at the top two LaMarcus Aldridge free to play. to the free throw line. It’s fun to ball during the fourth quarter of their NBA game at the Moda Center, of her sport by Shiffrin, who took throws with a layup for a 103-100 Aldridge missed a desperation watch. I wouldn’t know how to yesterday. The Heat won the game 108-107. advantage of her absence to win Miami edge. tip-in attempt at the final buzzer. guard him.’’ AGENCIES the world title and the slalom World Cup globe. The 18-year-old again led the way after the morning run while Schild, her visibility hampered by the rain, had to settle for sixth. NHL: Ducks extend winning streak to ten But experience, and the knowl- edge of the Lienz course on which ANAHEIM, California: With goalie Thomas Greiss she had won three times previ- Although the Anaheim Ducks NHL Results pulled, Yandle scored the game- ously, made the difference in the blew a two-goal lead in the final Ottawa 4 Boston 3 tying goal with 44 seconds left. afternoon when the Austrian minutes of their return from the Montreal 2 Tampa Bay 1 “It shows that we don’t give up,” clocked the fastest time by far. holiday break, Saku Koivu made Detroit 4 Florida 3 Yandle said. “Lienz is a special place for sure their franchise-record win- New Jersey 2 NY Islanders 1 Hiller stopped 23 shots and me. I lived strong times of my ning streak kept rolling along. improved to 17-4-4, matching life here like my first victory after St Louis 6 Chicago 5 Koivu scored two goals, includ- Viktor Fasth’s franchise record my injury in 2008. And now this ing the game-winner 51 seconds Nashville 3 Los Angeles 2 with his eighth straight victory. record ” into overtime, to lift the Ducks Anaheim 3 Phoenix 2 Anaheim has held its opponents Olympic gold is the only gong to their 10th straight victory, Philadelphia 4 Edmonton 3 to two or fewer goals in nine of still eluding the best slalom spe- 3-2 over the Phoenix Coyotes the 10 victories during the streak. cialist of all time but at 32, with yesterday. club record. “Any time you can be After yielding the first goal in 12 seasons behind her, Schild is Anaheim improved its NHL- a part of something nobody else each of their past five games, the taking nothing for granted. leading record to 28-7-5 and went has done, I think it’s a special Ducks got on the board first on a “There is still one month to go to 14-0-2 at Honda Center this occasion.” short-handed goal by Koivu in the before the Olympics, and even season, but only after Martin Andrew Cogliano gave the first period. though it is an important stage Hanzal and Keith Yandle scored Ducks a 2-0 lead with his 11th goal The veteran Finnish center in the season, it’s useless thinking late goals to earn a point for the of the season on a deflected shot skated into the Coyotes’ zone and about it now. Coyotes. in front early in the third period, blasted a slap shot from the left “Only a week ago, I wasn’t even “We try to forget what hap- with Koivu getting an assist. faceoff circle past Greiss. sure I would go!”, she said. pened,” said Koivu, who had three “For 55 minutes we were really Greiss stopped 16 shots in the A fierce battle is looming points. good and we felt we weren’t giving scoreless second period, including between her, Hoefl-Riesch and “We had a 2-0 lead and they got them much,” Cogliano said. multiple Anaheim shots on two Shiffrin in Sochi but Schild, who a lucky bounce on the first goal. “Then they got the odd goal and power play opportunities. won the slalom bronze in Turin It’s one of those things where you we let down a bit, but the bottom “We just kept at it, worked and the silver in Vancouver, is try and regroup as quick as you line is we got the win.” really hard and just kept coming definitely back, ready to fight can. You knew there was a good The Coyotes have lost all four and never gave up,” Greiss said. and with nothing much left to chance there would be overtime, meetings with Anaheim this sea- Cory Schneider has to make prove. so you start, so you start thinking son, but they made a furious late the most of his opportunities to “For me a girl like Shiffrin is about that.” run at the Ducks. guard the New Jersey Devils net a great motivation. I must keep The Ducks are the only team Hanzal cut the lead to 2-1 with to earn more playing time. up with the younger skiers and in the NHL this season not to 4:34 left after the puck caromed It doesn’t come easily in a goalie I’m aware that time is not on Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane just misses a goal and the out- lose at home in regulation, and off the boards behind Jonas Hiller. split with Martin Brodeur, but he my side. stretched arms of St Louis Blues’ goaltender Brian Elliott during a they’re seven points ahead of Los “We got a break off the glass made a good case for himself in “But I give it my all in every shoot-out of their NHL game at the Scottrade Center in St Louis, yes- Angeles atop the Pacific Division. and it was nice to see us capital- a 2-1 victory over the New York race and I can promise you that terday. St Louis won the game 6-5. They also have a 13-game points ize on it,” Phoenix coach Dave Islanders. I’m not going to take it easy,” she streak (11-0-2), three shy of the Tippett said. AGENCIES said. AFP QAPCO to sponsor indoor five-a-side football tournament DOHA: Aspire Zone Foundation companies, banks, ministries as (AZF) yesterday sealed a part- well as embassies. nership with QAPCO (Qatar “We are all proud of QAPCO’s Petrochemical Company) that achievements, especially those will see it become the official in the sports and social arenas sponsor of Aspire Zone’s five-a- which have set the standard for side indoor tournament. constructive social responsibility The tournament will begin on programmes, and I am honored January 10, with final due to take to welcome one of Qatar’s key place on February 8, ahead of national manufacturers to the Qatar’s National Sports Day. host of organisations supporting The partnership agreement thistournament,” Al Sulaiteen was signed at a press conference said. attended by Khaled Al Sulaiteen, “The tournament is one of Acting President of Aspire Zone many initiatives undertaken by Foundation, Dr Mohammed AZF in its mission to offer unique Yousef Al Mulla, Vice Chairman activities that promote a healthy and CEO of QAPCO, Abdullah lifestyle among all sectors in the Al Muhannadi President of community, as it involves teams the Futsal and Beach Soccer representing everyone from gov- Committee at the Qatar Football ernment entities to NGOs and Khaled Al Sulaiteen, Acting President of Aspire Zone Foundation and Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, Vice Chairman and CEO of (Qatar Petrochemical Association, and retired indoor charities. We have looked to be Company) QAPCO, during an agreement signing ceremony at Aspire Academy yesterday. QAPCO will be the official sponsor of Aspire Zone’s five-a- football player Mohammed Eissa as inclusive as possible, especially side indoor tournament which will begin on January 10 and will end on February 8. RIGHT: Former indoor football player Mohammed Eissa Al Kubaisi. Al Kubaisi, who now serves as as we come closer to celebrating coach of the Al Sadd Indoor Qatar National Sports Day 2014,” Team. he added. effort to promote healthy life- a range of sporting facilities for The opening match will hon- The winning team is set to receive The tournament will see the QAPCO official Al Mulla said: styles by encouraging residents the local community. This football our Al Kubaisi, former captain of a monetary award of QR75,000 participation of 48 teams repre- “It’s an honour to be sponsoring to play sports. For example, this tournament further demonstrates Al Sadd and the Qatari National while the first and second runners senting a myriad of organisations Aspire Zone’s five-a-side cham- year we launched the QAPCO QAPCO’s ongoing mission of pro- Indoor Team, who thanked AZF up are set to receive awards of QR from all over Qatar including pionship. For the last eight years, Sports Club in Messaieed. A dedi- moting sports to all members of and QAPCO for their support of 50,000 and QR25,000 respectively. major public entities, private we have made a concentrated cated recreational area, it boasts the community,” he added. the increasingly popular sport. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Yasar maintains lead in Qatar Qatar Optimist Cup: Turkish teenager in command; Shahrin in second

DOHA: Overnight leader Qatar Optimist Cup Standings Rasim Yasar of Turkey contin- Rasim Yasar (M) (TUR) 4pts ued to dominate on the second Marsha Shahrin (F) (SIN) 16 day of the Qatar Optimist Cup Nicholas Rolaz (M) (SUI) 18 Luca Schaefer (M) (SUI) 26 2013 here yesterday. Mohammed Kebaili (M) (ALG) 34 Two other sailors Marsha Walter Wahlroos (M) (FIN) 35 Shahrin of Singapore and Nicolas Richard C Falke (M) (GER) 39 Rolaz of Switzerland were also Okyanus Arikan (F) (TUR) 40 able to hold to their second and Florine Bramervaer (F) (NED) 41 third positions at the end of four Aniketh Rajaram (M) (IND) 46 Zofia Burska (F) (CZE) 48 Schumacher in races in the 12-race event. Fares Abdelfettah (M) (ALG) 51 On a day where light winds Mathew Hardie (M) (GBR) 52 lashed Qatar Yasar maintained Navyn Prabhakar (M) (IND) 55 hospital after his perfect record while talk- Zakari Hichem Mokhtari(M) (ALG) 63 ing his net score to four points Abdullah Al-Raeesi (M) (UAE) 64 and in the process widen the gap Natalie Wahlroos (F) (FIN) 64 ski accident Can Ertürk (M) (TUR) 67 between second-placed Shahrin Nouha El Alia Akil (F) (ALG) 81 LYON: to 12 points. Ghanim Al Sewaidi (M) (QAT) 84 Formula One legend Rolaz is in the third place with Seifeldin Fahmy (M) (EGY) 86 Michael Schumacher (pictured) 18 points at the event organised Aly Nabil Badawi (M) (EGY) 90 is receiving treatment in hospi- by Qatar Sailing and Rowing Anis Messaoudene (M) (ALG) 92 tal for head injuries after a ski Federation (QSRF). Kheireddine Bouchema (M) (QAT) 93 accident at Meribel yesterday, Around 44 sailors, born in 1998 Maissa Abdelfettah (F) (ALG) 107 officials at the French ski resort Mohamed Baio (M) (LBA) 121 or after, from 14 countries are Jassim Al-Mohannadi (QAT) 124 reported. taking part in the championship. Abdurahman Al Nasr (M) (QAT) 125 The seven time German world Sailors from Algeria, the Czech Lara Cindoglu (F) (TUR) 126 champion, who reportedly owns Republic, Egypt, Spain, Finland, Zaid Awamleh (M) (QAT) 137 property at the resort, was skiing Germany, India, Lebanon, Adham Ehab Fahmy (M) (EGY) 144 off-piste with other skiers when the Netherlands, Singapore, Abdulaziz Al-Raeesi (M) (UAE) 145 he sustained a knock to the head Ali Benghazi (M) (LBA) 151 Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, besides Hussain Al-Burki (M) (LBA) 153 in a fall. Qatar in the competition which Saeed Almheiri (M) (UAE) 160 The 44-year-old was hospi- will end on January 2. Aaron Schlinck (M) (TUR) 173 talised at the nearby town of The first three place winners Yacine Benzarti (M) (QAT) 173 Moutiers, officials said, before will get cash prizes. Jorge Gayoso (M) (ESP) 185 being taken to hospital in The overall champion in the Mohammed Jalil (M) (QAT) 189 Grenoble. Mohamed Brico (M) (LBA) 190 boy’s and girl’s section will get Melis Erturk (F) (TUR) 191 The extent of his injuries QR4,000 each. Isra Al Sulaiti (F) (QAT) 192 was unclear but according to Prize money will also be Mayed Rahimah (M) (UAE) 194 Christophe Gernigon-Lecomte, awarded to podium winners in Action from the second day of the Qatar Optimist Cup organised by Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) at Zayed Rahimah (M) (UAE) 195 director of the Meribel resort, he Ali Al Sharshani (M) (QAT) 204 the Optimist Team Racing event. Corniche yesterday. Around 44 sailors, born in 1998 or after, from 14 countries are taking part in the championship. was not seriously injured. THE PENINSULA Ali Al Mahroon (M) (QAT) 204 Gernigon-Lecomte told Radio Monte Carlo Sport: “He was shocked, a little shaken but conscious. “It may be a head injury but it Saracens is not very serious.” Golf: European Tour chief points He added: “He was wearing a helmet and banged (his head) tighten grip against a rock.” “The accident occurred around with victory 1100 (1000GMT) between the to Royal Trophy differences slopes of Georges Mauduit and la Biche,” the Meribel resort’s press LONDON: English Premiership office disclosed. SINGAPORE: European Tour 27-29, 2014. sanctioned by The “The EurAsia Cup sees these two leaders Saracens made it 10 wins Two medical officers attended chief executive George O’Grady “Our relations European Tour and great continents playing against from 11 games with a 26-8 suc- Schumacher at the scene before (pictured) has rebuffed calls with players from the Asian Tour, each other, which Seve would cess at bottom club Worcester he was airlifted by helicopter to to back the Royal Trophy team Malaysia, China, both of whom are have cherished. yesterday that nudged their hospital within 10 minutes. event, citing “fundamental dif- India, Thailand, full members of “And we are pleased that the opponents closer towards “He was conscious but upset,” ferences of policy with the Korea and Japan the International inaugural EurAsia Cup carries relegation. Gernigon-Lecomte said. promoters”. have been impor- Federation of PGA with it the support of Seve’s Wing David Strettle, South Schumacher’s spokeswoman The European Tour has tant to us for Tours. family and The Seve Ballesteros African hooker Schalk Brits, Sabine Kahn confirmed the launched a rival match play many years,” “While we sanc- Foundation.” full-back Alex Goode and fly- accident. tournament between the players O’Grady said in an tioned the Royal Entertainment Group half Charlie Hodgson each “He was taken to hospital and of Europe and Asia, despite the email interview. Trophy for the first Limited’s co-managing directors claimed a try, with Hodgson is receiving professional medi- established “Ryder Cup-style” The Royal two editions, we are Lincoln Venancio and Ivan adding three conversions at cal attention. We ask for under- Royal Trophy having recently Trophy is backed had fundamental Ballesteros, nephew of the late Sixways Stadium. standing that we cannot give out concluded its seventh edition. by the Japan Golf differences of policy Seve Ballesteros. Worcester scored first through continuous information about his In the wake of Europe’s dra- Tour, the China with the promot- Olazabal, a close friend of an Ignacio Mieres penalty and health,” she said. matic victory over Asia at Golf Association ers,” said O’Grady. Ballesteros with whom he forged saw Leonardo Senatore cross for “No one else was involved in China’s Dragon Lake Golf Club and the OneAsia “The European a formidable playing partner- a 37th-minute try, but they could the fall.” last weekend, triumphant cap- Tour, who have a Tour is officially ship at the Ryder Cup during the make no inroads on the visitors’ Authorities at the hospital in tain Jose Maria Olazabal called bitter rivalry with involved with the 1990s, said: “I would call on both lead in a scoreless second period. Grenoble refused to comment on the European Tour to sanc- the Asian Tour. Ryder Cup (Europe v US) and sides to sit down and sort this The defeat left Worcester nine on Schumacher’s condition say- tion the annual match play event “We see the development of the Seve Trophy (UK/Ireland v thing out. points adrift at the foot of the ing only they planned to issue a that was founded by the late Seve EurAsia Cup as a further com- Continental Europe) and the “We do not need another Asia table. statement later on. Ballesteros. mitment by us to assist in the EurAsia Cup will see Europe v Europe match involving a “We scored four wonderful tries Schumacher, who won the last O’Grady has responded by development of golf throughout competing against Asia in an offi- maximum of 20 players when we in the first 30 minutes and fought of his world titles in 2004, retired reiterating his commitment to the region and to strengthening cially sanctioned event.” already have a well established for each other in the second half. from the sport he had towered the EurAsia Cup, which will be one of The European Tour’s most In further remarks that could Royal Trophy. It is a very satisfying result for over since making his debut in co-sanctioned with the Asian important partnerships,” added inflame feelings among Royal “But we do need more full field us,” said Saracens director of Belgium in 1991 after finishing Tour and inaugurated in Kuala O’Grady. Trophy promoters Entertainment events, and I know other players rugby Mark McCall. seventh in the 2012 Brazilian Lumpur, Malaysia, from March “The EurAsia Cup is officially Group Limited, O’Grady said: feel the same way.” AFP Grand Prix. AFP

Qatar Basketball League: Al Arabi edge Al Khor

The coach of Al Arabi team during their Qatar Basketball League match against Al Khor at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. CENTRE: Action from the match between Al Arabi and Al Khor. Al Arabi won 67-57. RIGHT: The coach of Al Khor team. In another match, Al Sadd defeated Al Wakra 91-82. PICTURES BY: WASFY MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Kallis farewell century Kallis scores hundred as emphasises standing among greats South Africa take control DURBAN: A century by Jacques Kallis yesterday in what is likely to be his last Test Hosts take lead of 166 and then grab 2 key Indian wickets in Durban innings emphasised his status among the cricketing greats and ensured a fitting farewell DURBAN: Jacques Kallis hit a after the South African’s sud- century in his final Test match India’s Zaheer den decision to end his 18-year and steered South Africa into Khan (left) shakes Test career. a strong position on the fourth hands with South His 115 in South Africa’s first day of the second and final Test Africa’s Jacques innings against India moved him against India at Kingsmead Kallis on day four up to third place on the list of yesterday. of the second Test run scorers and helped his South Africa took a first and final cricket country to a 166-run lead on the innings lead of 166, then put India Test match at the fourth day of the second Test at under pressure as the tourists Sahara Stadium Kingsmead. reached 68 for two at the close, Kingsmead in The innings characterised the still trailing by 98 runs. Durban yesterday. qualities of the beefy 38-year-old Kallis made 115, his 45th Test - understated, stoic and deter- RIGHT: Kallis gets century. A sixth wicket partner- mined, but also saw a brief display kissed on the head ship of 86 with nightwatchman of emotion from a player better Dale Steyn (44) was achieved by team-mate and known for his dour demeanour. with largely cautious batting captain Graeme He allowed himself a brief teary but set the foundation for a bat- Smith after he got moment as the Durban crowd ting assault by Faf du Plessis out in his last Test handed him a lengthy standing and Robin Peterson after lunch appearance. ovation as he reached his 45th as South Africa reached a total Test ton - a figure bettered only by of 500. Du Plessis and Peterson the 51 scored by the also recently hammered 102 runs in the 14.1 falling. Rain brought an early tea Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar ago. Among those who applauded bowled unchanged for 21 overs retired Sachin Tendulkar. overs of play that was possible but the weather cleared in the Dhawan dug in before the latter, him was Indian coach Duncan from the start of play. He had fig- Kallis, soon after, passed Rahul between lunch and tea. late afternoon and South Africa after batting for two hours and Fletcher, who was one of his early ures of six for 138 from 58 overs. Dravid on the list of Test run Peterson was particularly bowled 36 overs before bad light facing 87 balls while scoring 19, mentors as coach of the Western Dhoni finally took the new ball scorers but the moment went aggressive, hitting 61 off 52 balls, finally stopped play. fell to a sensational catch when Province team when Kallis set out after 146 overs but it could not unrecognised at the stadium. before he was caught going for Murali Vijay was caught at he tried to hit left-arm spinner on his first-class career. stop the flow of runs, with 66 Kallis, who went out to skyed a big hit just after rain started first slip off Vernon Philander but Peterson over midwicket. There were rare signs of emo- runs scored off 8.1 overs before top edge off spinner Ravindra Du Plessis, fielding about 12 tion from Kallis after he com- the early tea. Jadeja, is a single run ahead of Scoreboard metres from the bat, leapt at full pleted the single off Ravindra Kallis needed treatment for Dravid’s career tally of 13,288 runs stretch to hold a full-blooded shot Jadeja which took him to his hun- cramp during a drinks break and now third behind Tendulkar India (I innings) ...... 334 5-298, 6-384, 7-387, 8-497, 9-500 with his right hand. dred. He was hugged by batting shortly after reaching his century (15,921 runs) and Ricky Ponting South Africa (I innings) Bowling: Zaheer Khan 28-4-97-2 (1nb, 1w), Kallis is second on the all- partner Dale Steyn and removed and his innings ended when he (13,378) in the list of top Test G Smith c Dhawan b Jadeja ...... 47 Mohammed Shami 27-2-104-1, I Sharma 31- time list of Test century-makers his helmet as he acknowledged went for a big hit against Jadeja batsmen. A Petersen c Vijay b Jadeja ...... 62 7-114-0 (2nb, 1w), Jadeja 58.2-15-138-6, R behind Sachin Tendulkar, who hit the applause, seemingly wiping and top-edged the ball into the air The South African’s Test fig- H Amla b Mohammed Shami ...... 3 Sharma 11-1-29-0 51 hundreds before retiring at the away a tear. to present an easy catch to Dhoni. ures - including 292 wickets and J Kallis c Dhoni b Jadeja ...... 115 India (II innings) end of India’s series against the It was one of his slower centu- The Indian players stood to 200 catches - stand him out as A de Villiers c Kohli b Jadeja ...... 74 S Dhawan c Du Plessis b Peterson ...... 19 West Indies last month. ries, ground out over 334 minutes applaud him back to the dressing the best all-rounder of all time J Duminy lbw b Jadeja ...... 28 M Vijay c Smith b Philander ...... 6 He moved into third place and 273 balls, but it was a vital room after a 393-minute, 316-ball although Gary Sobers of the West D Steyn c Dhoni b Zaheer Khan ...... 44 C Pujara (batting) ...... 32 on the Test run-scorers list on innings on a slow, turning pitch innings. He hit 13 fours. Indies remains the sentimental F du Plessis run out (R Sharma) ...... 43 V Kohli (batting) ...... 11 13,289, one run ahead of India’s on which a first innings lead could Kallis is the first batsman to choice of most affectionados. R Peterson c Vijay b Zaheer Khan ...... 61 Extras ...... 0 Rahul Dravid and behind only prove crucial. score a century in his final Test That has much to do with the V Philander (not out) ...... 0 Total (2 wkts, 36 overs) ...... 68 Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting of Indian captain Mahendra before retirement since Nasser fact Kallis lacked a demonstrative M Morkel c and b Jadeja ...... 0 Fall of wicket: 1-8, 2-53 Australia. Singh Dhoni persisted with the Hussain hit 103 not out for personality to go with his fullsome Extras (B3, LB15, NB3, W2) ...... 23 Bowling: Steyn 7-5-5-0, Philander 6-2-9-1, A prolonged standing ova- tactics he employed on Saturday, England against New Zealand array of stroke play and ability Total (155.2 overs) ...... 500 Morkel 6-2-11-0, Peterson 9-2-23-1, Duminy tion greeted his century on the declining to take the second new at Lord’s in May 2003 and to dictate the course of a match. Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-113, 3-113, 4-240, 8-2-20-0 ground where he made his Test ball and continuing with defensive announced his retirement after His Test career started slowly debut against England 18 years fields. Left-arm spinner Jadeja the match. REUTERS and it was only in the winter of his career that his own country’s supporters seemed to warm to him. “There were times when I could Cook wants to stay England captain have dominated more. But for years I tried to bat through an MELBOURNE: Under-fire big call on his post-Ashes future innings. When our batting line- Alastair Cook says he wants to to the England selectors. up became stronger, I had the carry on as England captain but “I’m totally responsible as cap- opportunity to be more aggres- if the selectors think there is a tain for the team and if, at the sive, especially in Test cricket,” he better man for the job then he end of the series, the selectors told the authors Ali Bacher and would take it on the chin. decide I’m not the best man for David Williams in a new book on England are on the brink the job, then so be it,” Cook told South African cricket. of a humiliating series white- reporters after England’s dispirit- Kallis surprised with his wash after Australia cruised to ing loss. Christmas Day decision to end an eight-wicket victory in the “It would hurt and I’ve got no his career after 166 Tests and fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne plans of going anywhere. I’m des- ahead of a three-test home series on Sunday with a day to spare. perately trying to use as much of with Australia in February, where Somehow the demoralised my experience of playing 100 Tests South Africa seek to emphasise tourists, who gave up the Ashes to help turn this team around. their status as the top ranked in 14 playing days, have to find a “I know that it starts with a lot This combination photo shows England’s captain Alastair Cook dropping the ball in the slips cordon to miss Test nation against the Ashes way to stop the Australian jugger- of hard work and it starts with a the chance to dismiss Australia’s David Warner during the fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne winners. naut in this week’s final Sydney performance or two that we jump Cricket Ground yesterday. Kallis now turns his focus to Test from repeating the 5-0 rout on the back of. the limited overs game, with his of the 2006-07 series Down Under. “I’m 100 percent wanting to only remaining ambition being Cook’s position is under scru- carry on. If someone makes that it’s in the present, hurts quite a some pressure on Australia: 100- We’ve some very good players in success in the one-day World Cup, tiny given England’s woeful series, decision, and says ‘We think lot, especially as I’m captain as odd ahead and no wickets down our dressing room. We’ve some where South Africa have often and he ratcheted up the pressure there’s a better man’ or ‘You’re well, it probably hurts even more,” in the second innings. record-breaking players who will been among the favourites but by dropping two crucial catches not good enough to do it’, then he said. “When we left England “I suppose that might be where have some fantastic days left in picked up a tag of ‘chokers’ after in the first half-hour of yester- I have to take that on the chin we had high hopes of doing some- we are as a side. When you’re an England shirt, I know that for several dramatic failures. day’s play which could have put because as a captain, you’re thing very special. I did say at winning games of cricket you get sure. We need that coming out “I still have a lot of hunger to the Australians under pressure. responsible for the team.” the time we’d have to play some yourself in a good situation like of us now, I think that’s what we push South Africa to that World It has been a dramatic turna- Cook was in the England team very good cricket if we wanted to that and you really take advan- need in Sydney now: we need an Cup in 2015 if I am fit and per- round from England’s last tour in that was crushed 5-0 by Australia achieve that and we haven’t done tage of it. But when the confi- outstanding 100 or an outstanding forming,” Kallis said in his retire- Australia in 2010-11 when Cook seven years ago and may face a that. dence isn’t there and you lose a 5-for and then everyone jumping ment statement amassed 766 runs at 127.66. Three repeat performance at the Sydney “The bottom line is we haven’t couple of wickets, you don’t.” on the back of that. That’s what “The last two years specifically years later he has scored 232 runs Cricket Ground in the final Test been good enough. The part of Asked if England had players turns around a team that is strug- have been a memorable journey in eight innings at 29.00. starting Friday. this game that makes it even who were no longer good enough gling like we are at the moment to with an exceptional group of But Cook insists he wants to “It’s quite a long time ago now. more frustrating is that we got for Test cricket, Cook said: “I put in a good performance.” cricketers,” he added. continue as captain, leaving the I think this one obviously, because ourselves into a good place to put think that’s a very big shout. REUTERS REUTERS Pakistan trust in bowlers to overcome Sri Lanka

ABU DHABI: Pakistan will rely on like (Kumar) Sangakkara and (Mahela) form, with three centuries in the one- will leave their jobs after the Test series. Teams (from): Pakistan: Misbah-ul- their strong bowling line-up led by off- Jayawardene, they are a dangerous side. dayers against Sri Lanka, and the expe- Pakistan have not won a Test series since Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed spinner Saeed Ajmal to tame Sri Lanka “So we need to play good cricket to rience of Younis Khan and Misbah will Whatmore joined in March 2012. Shehzad, Khurram Manzoor, Shan in the three-match Test series starting win.” boost them. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Younis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in the Misbah said the Test series was promised his team will put up a stiff Khan, Adnan Akmal, Junaid Khan, Saeed tomorrow. UAE in 2011, with Ajmal taking 18 wick- expected to be close but Pakistan had a contest. Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Rahat Pakistan won the preceding one-day ets in three Tests while Umar Gul (14 slight edge in the bowling. “With Mahela and Herath back, we Ali, Mohammad Talha. series 3-2 on the back of penetrative wickets) and Junaid Khan (12) shoul- “We do have a better bowling attack will be at full strength in the Tests and Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), bowling and strong batting, but captain dered the burden of the pace attack. but Sri Lanka also have (Rangana) we will look to be more competitive,” he Dinesh Chandimal, Kumar Sangakkara, Misbah-ul Haq warned that they need Despite the loss, Sangakkara scored Herath who is a key bowler for them, so said. “Pakistan have a very strong bowl- Mahela Jayawardene, Kaushal to be at their best to beat Sri Lanka in 516 runs including a double century in it will be a good contest,” said Misbah of ing attack but we have the batsmen to Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru the Tests. Abu Dhabi. He and Jayawardene are the the left-arm spinner who took 25 wickets handle them so we must counter-attack Thirimanne, Prasanna Jayawardene, “You have to improve day to day,” said stalwarts of the team’s batting. in the last two series between the two and be smart.” Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Misbah, who led Pakistan to a 1-1 series Sangakkara, a stylish left-hander, teams. Pakistan will not improve on their Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, draw against world number one South was also the star when Sri Lanka beat Herath and senior batsman current fifth-place world Test ranking Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Africa in their last Test series, in the Pakistan 1-0 at home last year, scoring Jayawardene both missed the one-day even if they win 3-0. But sixth-placed Sri Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Fernando. UAE in October. 490 in three Tests. series for family reasons. Lanka will replace Pakistan if they win Umpires: Bruce Oxenford (AUS) “The Tests will be a different ball game By contrast, Pakistan’s batting has Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also aim 2-0 or better. and Ravi Sundaram (IND) TV umpire: so we need to stick to the basics, because been vulnerable and they were dismissed to give their coaches a winning send-off. The second Test will be in Dubai start- Richard Kettleborough (ENG) Match we know that the Sri Lankans are good for 49 and 99 this year. Pakistan’s Dav Whatmore and his ing January 8 and the third will be in referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) in these conditions, and with players But Mohammad Hafeez’s return to Sri Lankan counterpart Graham Ford Sharjah from January 16. REUTERS MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

The top eight seeds in Qatar 1: Rafael Nadal (ESP) Murray hopes to follow 2: David Ferrer (ESP) 3: Andy Murray (GBR) 4: Tomas Berdych (CZE) 5: Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6: Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) Nadal’s recovery path 7: Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 8: Fernando Verdasco (ESP) The two kick off new season at this week’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open Venue Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha

DOHA: Record-breakers Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray could begin the new year by forg- ing another link in the chain of coincidences which have marked their careers. The eight-time French Open champion and the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years could well meet in the later LEFT: World stages of the Qatar Open which number one starts today. Rafael Nadal They also begin 2014 with of Spain during Murray’s short-term prospects a practice mirroring Nadal’s uncertain pre- session at dicament here a year ago, when Khalifa Tennis a long absence and persistent Stadium knee injuries cast a cloud over in Doha his future. yesterday. Now it is the Scot who has not competed on the ATP Tour for Nadal is the four months leaving him with top seed at this doubts and fears about how well week’s Qatar he will recover from his back ExxonMobil problem. Open. RIGHT: The Spaniard had been side- World number lined for seven months when he four and belatedly withdrew from the 2013 Wimbledon Qatar Open, triggering a fusillade champion of inaccurate predictions that he Andy Murray of might never fully recover. the Sanchez-Casal academy in be realistic and patient. “Moving Open semis of 2011 rather than Britain sticks Nadal missed the Australian Barcelona more than a decade is the most important thing. I the winning 13-5 head-to-head his tongue Open two weeks later but ago. just need to be able to do it for a record he holds. out during responded with one of the great- Predictably perhaps, Nadal now longer period. There is, however, no guarantee a training est comebacks of all time, going believes that Murray can go on to “I just felt like I hadn’t played that either of the tournament’s session. on to regain the world number further great achievements. a match for a while.” two biggest names will reach the PICTURES: one ranking in the final week of At the moment, though, the It remains to be seen whether later stages. SHAIVAL the season. only evidence comes from Murray Murray will be fit enough for the That is because the draw also Murray would love to make a having survived an exhibition Australian Open, though there included David Ferrer, the world DALAL comparable recovery, especially with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga two days seems little doubt that Nadal will number three from Spain, Tomas after having unloaded one of the ago, apparently without physical be planning a major assault on the Berdych, the former Wimbledon biggest psychological burdens in ill effects. The two-set loss was year’s first Grand Slam, a title he finalist from the Czech Republic, tennis history, and taking a bold secondary. has not won for five years. and Richard Gasquet, who last decision to have his operation only “I can’t expect to feel great for If Nadal and Murray do meet year drew attention to himself as eight weeks afterwards. long periods of matches straight during the coming week, the one of the great unfulfilled tal- The two men have enjoyed away -- it was a good workout,” world number one may be more ents with a series of fluent per- a friendship ever since they Murray said then. “You want to mindful that he has not prevailed formances which earned him the met as itinerant teenagers at play your best but you need to since their meeting in the US Qatar Open title. AFP

Qatar ExxonMobil Open Main Draw Djokovic Rafael Nadal (ESP) 1 Roger Federer of Lukas Rosol (CZE) looking Switzerland poses Malek Jaziri (TUN) with a koala during Tobias Kamke (GER) forward to life a visit to the Lone Daniel Gimeno Traver (ESP) Pine Sanctuary in Lukasz Kubot (POL) with Becker Brisbane yesterday. The former number Qualifier one is in town to take Ernests Gulbis (LAT) ABU DHABI: Novak Djokovic saw off David Ferrer 7-5, 6-2 part in the Brisbane Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4 International. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship on RIGHT (top): Qualifier Saturday and wasted no time Serena Williams of Ivan Dodig (CRO) looking forward to the season the US gestures Qualifier ahead with his new coach Boris during a press Qualifier Becker. conference on day Pablo Andujar (ESP) The world number two was just one of the Brisbane Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6 too strong for the Spanish world International while number three and stormed to vic- Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 8 Russia’s Maria Final tory in the exhibition title for the Filippo Volandri (ITA) Sharapova (right, third time in a row. below) smiles Joao Sousa (POR) It was also his fifth straight Victor Hanescu (ROU) during her press title since losing the US Open conference. Michal Przysiezny (POL) final to Rafael Nadal -- and noth- Florian Mayer (GER) ing looks likely to stop him going Mousa Shanan Zayed (QAT) into next month’s Australian Andy Murray (GBR) 3 Open, where he is aiming for a fourth consecutive title. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 5 He also has his sights set on Karim Hossam (EGY) wresting back the world number Santiago Giraldo (COL) one slot from Nadal. Federer, Serena eager to Gael Monfils (FRA) The 26-year-old Serbian hired Daniel Brands (GER) former Wimbledon champion Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) Becker to improve his game after Alexander Dolgopolov (UKR) a disappointing 2013 by his own high standards. get on a roll in Brisbane David Ferrer (ESP) 2 Becker has said he will spend SEEDED PLAYERS: Rafael Nadal (ESP), David Ferrer (ESP) , Andy Murray (GBR) , Tomas around 20 weeks per year on the BRISBANE: Roger Federer in Brisbane that he was feeling in 2012 after turning on her left Berdych (CZE), Richard Gasquet (FRA), Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER), Ernests Gulbis (LAT), ATP Tour with Djokovic and says and Serena Williams had con- fitter than he had for more than ankle in her second round tie Fernando Verdasco (ESP) his young son Amadeus and wife trasting 2013 seasons but both 18 months and was not about to before exiting the Australian Lilly will join him on occasion. kick off their new campaigns at be pushed into retirement. Open in a fourth round upset at PRIZE MONEY: Winner $188,600, Finalist $99,325, Semi-Finalist $53,800, Qualifier With Becker courtside, the Brisbane International this “People are always going to the hands of Ekaterina Makarova. Finalist $30,655, Second Round $18,060, First Round $10,700 Djokovic overcame an early deficit week showing no signs just yet jump in and say ‘this is it’, and Last year, she won the Brisbane and said: “I have to say I’m really of calling time on their illustri- that’s what happened this year,” title without losing a set but, glad to have Boris on the team. ous careers. the 32-year-old told a news hampered by another ankle twist Injured Wozniacki withdraws It’s great that it started with Born just a month apart and conference. in her first round match, was winning this trophy right here. each with 17 Grand Slam singles “Critics are a part of the game. knocked out in the Australian from Brisbane International Hopefully, we can win more.” titles to their name, Federer and But they are the last guys to push Open quarter-finals by compa- Asked what he expected Becker Williams could justifiably claim to me out of this game. Deep down triot Sloane Stephens. BRISBANE: Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki yesterday withdrew to bring to the table, Djokovic be the best tennis players of their I am doing it because I love the “I hope to be the one standing from the Brisbane International tennis tournament after succumb- laughed. “We’ll see, ask me in half generation, if not of all time. game. And now I don’t want to up in the end, and it’s for sure my ing to a shoulder injury. a year,” he was quoted as saying This year, though, it was waste any more opportunities.” next goal,” Williams said. “Seeing The former world number one hurt her shoulder during training by The National. “It’s still too early American Williams who led the Federer, top seed in the absence that I didn’t do as well as I want and decided to pull out of Brisbane to avoid the risk of further damage. to say where he is going to take way with 11 titles, including the of double defending champion to there, actually the past few Wozniacki said she was confident she would be able to play in Sydney us.” coveted trophies at the French Andy Murray, will not be joined years, so my goal is just to go a next week ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, the first major Including Davis Cup matches and US Opens, and winning 78 of by the newest member of his year in Australia without twisting of the season. and two unofficial wins in Abu 82 matches to regain the number coaching team, Stefan Edberg, an ankle.” “There is nothing wrong with the ligaments or with the tendons,” Dhabi, Djokovic has won 26 one ranking. until he reaches Melbourne. The American faces a much she said. “So that’s very positive. They just said to take it easy over matches in a row since losing to Federer slumped to sixth in the Williams had no sooner capped tougher draw than Federer, who the next few days. Nadal in the US Open final. world after winning just the one her stellar 2013 season by winning also has a first round bye, with, “I’m fine doing some things on the court as well, which is great,” she In the day’s other match, world title at Halle and failing to get to the WTA Championships than if the seedings hold up, Maria added. “It’s improving every day, so a few more days and I should be number one Rafael Nadal beat a Grand Slam final for the first started plotting what she views Sharapova and Australian Open ready. I just feel like for me it’s more important that I really get 100 Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga time since 2002. While admitting as a long overdue sixth triumph at champion Victoria Azarenka percent and make sure that it doesn’t get worse. I thought the right 7-6, 6-3 to take third place. the season had been difficult at Melbourne Park. Williams pulled standing in the way of her title decision for me was to withdraw from here.” REUTERS REUTERS times, Federer said on his arrival out of the Brisbane tournament defence. AFP MONDAY 30 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Pellegrini Giroud sends Arsenal blames fatigue as City run out back to top of league of zip LONDON: Manchester City Chelsea keep pressure on the leaders with 2-1 win over Liverpool manager Manuel Pellegrini blamed English football’s tra- ditional Christmas fixture pile- LONDON: Olivier Giroud home from close-range after up for his team’s off-colour ensured Arsenal will finish 2013 Chelsea failed to clear Phillipe performance in a 1-0 Premier on top of the Premier League as Coutinho’s inswinging free-kick. Chelsea’s League win over struggling his second half goal clinched a But Brendan Rodgers’ side Brazilian Crystal Palace on Saturday. 1-0 win against Newcastle, while also took the lead and still lost at midfielder A 66th-minute strike by Chelsea kept the pressure on Manchester City on Boxing Day Oscar and Bosnian Edin Dzeko settled a the leaders with a 2-1 win over and once again they were unable closely-fought match in which Liverpool’s title rivals Liverpool yesterday. to hold onto their advantage. England goalkeeper Joe Hart Brazilian Arsene Wenger’s side had It took the Blues just 14 min- made a string of good saves to surrendered first place after utes to equalise as Oscar’s shot midfielder help extend City’s home league Manchester City’s win over hit Mamadou Sakho and bounced Lucas Leiva record to 10 wins out of 10 and Crystal Palace on Saturday, but towards Belgian midfielder clash during send them top of the table. just 24 hours later the Gunners Hazard, who seized possession the English But after scoring 37 goals in reclaimed pole position with a and blasted an unstoppable shot Premier nine effervescent home games, it hard-fought victory at St James’ into the top corner of Simon League (EPL) was a flat display from City. Park. Mignolet’s goal. match at “I think the team that wants to Giroud’s first goal since And Chelsea struck again in Stamford win the title must have different November 23 was enough to give the 34th minute when Cameroon Bridge in faces,” Pellegrini told reporters. Arsenal their second successive striker Samuel Eto’o met Oscar’s London “We usually score lots of goals at win and move them one point low cross with a prodded strike yesterday. home, but after 45 minutes we ahead of second placed City head- that eluded Mignolet’s weak Chelsea won knew it would not be like that.” ing into the new year. attempted save. the match Pellegrini made six changes to Arsenal, who were without Liverpool twice appealed in 2-1. the side that beat Liverpool 2-1 on German playmaker Mesut Ozil, vain for a penalty when Luis Thursday and was as frustrated took the lead when France for- Suarez went down under chal- as his players and the crowd as ward Giroud bagged his 11th goal lenges from John Terry and then they struggled to break down a of the season with a glancing Eto’o and the Reds were unable to stubborn Palace defence. header from Theo Walcott’s free- avoid a second successive defeat. before smashing a dipping shot Emmanuel Adebayor’s acrobatic Dembele added the second for “Of course I was very con- kick in the 65th minute. Earlier, Everton climbed into past Everton keeper Joel Robles. shot with his arms in the penalty Spurs in the 65th minute with a cerned,” he told Sky Sports. “There is a big satisfaction the top four with a 2-1 win over But on-loan Chelsea striker area. low shot into the bottom corner. “Before the match, I said when because we surprised many peo- Southampton at Goodison Park. Lukaku struck three minutes Roberto Soldado stepped up to And Aaron Lennon delivered we finished against Liverpool, 48 ple,” Wenger said. Romelu Lukaku’s winner later to seal Everton’s third win take the penalty and the Spanish the knockout blow four minutes hours ... it is impossible to recover “We played two away games meant Roberto Martinez’s side in their last four matches. striker fired home for his fifth later, the England winger curled a for players. and got six points against West moved above Merseyside rivals Elsewhere, Tim Sherwood goal of the season and his fourth cool finish into the top corner for “We didn’t have our team fresh Ham and Newcastle and as you Liverpool into fourth place. celebrated his first victory as from the spot. his first goal since March. and it is very difficult when just can see the team is ready for a “Southampton are a very good Tottenham’s permanent man- Belgium midfielder Mousa REUTERS one team want to play and the fight. side and we knew we had to be ager as Stoke were beaten 3-0 at other just wants to defend. So, “Ozil has a shoulder problem. perfect in our performance. The White Hart Lane. that was the game we saw today. I don’t think he will be available two goals were of outstanding Sherwood had been frustrated English Premier League results That is not what we are used to for Cardiff on Wednesday, maybe quality,” Martinez said. by a 1-1 draw against West LONDON: Collated English Premier League results yesterday: do at the Etihad.” after that, we will see.” “To see the way we got the win- Bromwich Albion in his first Pellegrini also played down At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea ning goal was very satisfying and match since being handed an Chelsea 2 (Hazard 18, Eto’o 34) Liverpool 1 (Skrtel 4) fears an eye injury suffered by came from behind to win the the nature of the victory was also 18-month contract to replace the Everton 2 (Coleman 9, Lukaku 74) Southampton 1 (Ramirez 71) Hart when he came out to chal- weekend’s marquee match-up pleasing considering the players sacked Andre Villas-Boas. lenge Palace striker Cameron thanks to goals from Eden Hazard we had out.” But the former Tottenham Newcastle 0 Arsenal 1 (Giroud 65) Jerome. and Samuel Eto’o. Irish defender Seamus Coleman midfielder, who had overseen a Tottenham 3 (Soldado 37-pen, Dembele 65, Lennon 69) Stoke 0 “Yes, he has a cut in his eye, Jose Mourinho’s third placed opened the scoring for Everton win at Southampton during his but he never had any problem,” team are now two points adrift with a fine strike in the ninth brief spell as Spurs’ caretaker Played Saturday said Pellegrini, who on Friday of Arsenal and one behind City, minute. boss, got the first victory of his had declared Hart to be ‘the best Aston Villa 1 (Agbonlahor 7) Swansea 1 (Lamah 36) with Liverpool slipping down to The Toffees were rocked in the official reign in emphatic fashion. goalkeeper in England’ having fifth spot. 71st minute when Adam Lallana The north Londoners took Cardiff 2 (Mutch 6, Campbell 58) Sunderland 2 (Fletcher 83, Colback 90) dropped him two months earlier. Liverpool had made a dream picked out Gaston Ramirez and the lead in the 37th minute The Chilean also distanced start when Martin Skrtel bundled the Southampton star advanced when Ryan Shawcross blocked Hull 6 (Elmohamady 49, Koren 60, 84, Boyd 63, Huddlestone 67, Fryatt 74) Fulham 0 himself from any suggestions that Manchester City 1 (Dzeko 66) Crystal Palace 0 his team would now stroll to the title. Norwich 0 Manchester United 1 (Welbeck 57) “I repeat, there are six or seven Qatar football West Ham 3 (J.Cole 4, Maiga 65, Nolan 67) West Brom 3 (Anelka 40, 45, Berahino 69) teams that will continue fighting players are for the title to the end,” he said. seen during Leading scorers “Of the last eight games, we have won seven and drawn one a training LONDON: Leading scorers in the English Premier League after yesterday’s matches: and recovered the distance session at Al 19: Suarez (Liverpool) Arsenal had on our team, but Sadd Stadium we continue next Wednesday (at in Doha. Qatar 13: Aguero (Man City) Swansea) and the second half of take on Saudi the season will be very difficult 10: Remy (Newcastle) Arabia in for all of us.” their second 9: Lukau (Everton), Rooney (Man Utd), Sturridge (Liverpool), Y. Toure (Man City) Crystal Palace manager Tony match at the Pulis, who watched his team haul 8: Giroud (Arsenal), Hazard (Chelsea), Negredo (Man City), Ramsey (Arsenal), Rodriguez WAFF Football themselves out of the bottom (Southampton) Championship three with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa tomorrow. 7: van Persie (Man Utd) on Thursday, bemoaned the fact In their first they could not deliver a repeat. 6: Gouffran (Newcastle), Lambert (Southampton), Welbeck (Man Utd) match, Qatar “We are really disappointed not edged past 5: Cabaye (Newcastle), Coleman (Everton), Hooper (Norwich), Oscar (Chelsea), Soldado (Spurs) to have taken anything from the Palestine 1-0. game,” he said. “The difference 4: Adam (Stoke), Benteke (Aston Villa), Bony (Swansea), F. Campbell (Cardiff), Chamakh (Crystal between the teams is spending Palace), Dyer (Swansea), Dzeko (Man City), Kozak (Aston Villa), Lallana (Southampton), Lampard about 350 million (pounds).” (Chelsea), Mutch (Cardiff), Nasri (Man City), Ozil (Arsenal), Silva (Man City), Walcott (Arsenal) REUTERS

Russian football great Tsymbalar dies at 44 MOSCOW: Former Russian international and Spartak Moscow champion Ilya Tsymbalar has died of a sus- pected heart attack at the age of Action from 44 after a glittering career that Lebanon’s saw him crowned as the coun- match against try’s top player. Kuwait on day Russia’s Rossiyskaya Gazeta four of the government daily said the dimin- WAFF Football utive midfielder died on Saturday Championship evening of heart disease. at Al Sadd “Tsymbalar had a reputation Stadium as the most talented player in in Doha contemporary Russian football yesterday. history,” the state daily wrote on Kuwait won its website. 2-0. “His calling card was his ele- gant dribbling and his shot. And as any leader should, Ilya often scored vital goals,” Rossiyskaya Gazeta said. Tsymbalar was one of the stars of a glorious Spartak squad that won seven titles in the 1990s and was renowned for its skillful pass- Players of Qatar SC (in black) and Al Wakra are in action during their Qatar National League match at Al Arabi ing reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s Stadium in Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Action from Al Gharafa’s match against El Quiyada who won 3-0. present Barcelona side. PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT REUTERS Monday 30 December 2013 26 Safar 1435 Volume 18 Number 5929 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ashes: Ruthless Australia Anelka says ‘I’m march to 4-0 series lead not anti-Semite’ PARIS: French footballer Nicolas Anelka yesterday strongly defended a controversial gesture he made during a weekend Hosts cruise to eight-wicket win; Rogers scores century match, saying “I am neither anti-Semite nor racist”, even as British football authorities mulled possible punishment. The 34-year-old Frenchman was widely criticised after he cel- MELBOURNE: Chris Rogers ebrated his first goal at Upton Park by performing the ‘quenelle’ struck a sparkling century to salute made famous by French comedian Dieudonne. fire Australia to a dominant The gesture has been linked to anti-Semitism in France, although eight-wicket win in the fourth others claim it is only used to show solidarity with anti-establish- Ashes Test yesterday, leaving an ment views. insipid England staring down Thed West Bromwich Albion striker and former member of the barrel of a humiliating series France’s national team issued a series of tweets rejecting claims whitewash. that the gesture he made Saturday was anti-Semitic or a thinly The victory, completed before veiled Nazi-like salute, as many have interpreted. tea on day four, pushed Australia His response came amid growing outrage online and internation- to a 4-0 series lead and the pros- ally, and a risk that he could face match suspensions if England’s pect of sweeping England in the Football Association finds his act racially offensive. fifth and final Test in Sydney Anelka argued in his tweets that the gesture -- in which he thrust seven years after Ricky Ponting’s his straightened right arm downwards while tapping his bicep with team whitewashed the tourists in the other hand -- was merely “anti-establishment”. 2006-07. “I don’t know what religion has to do with it. Of course I’m not Needing quick wickets to have an anti-Semite or racist and (I) stand by my gesture.” any chance of salvaging pride at He also called on “people not to be duped by the media” which the Melbourne Cricket Ground, were “lumping together things and causing an argument without England were let down badly by knowing what the gesture really means”. their captain Alastair Cook, who Anelka asserts the gesture was a dedication to a friend, a French put down two catches at first slip comedian named Dieudonne M’Bala M’Bala who has made the salute in the first half-hour to reprieve -- which he calls a “quenelle”, meaning a meat or fish dumpling Rogers on 19 and his opening -- his signature. partner David Warner for 22. Dieudonne, as he is widely known, has made overtly anti-Jewish Though Warner lasted only remarks in public for years. He has been fined seven times for defa- three more runs, Rogers com- mation, insult and provocation to hate, and for racial discrimination. bined with number three batsman Diedonne claims his gesture only reflects his anti-establishment Shane Watson to flog a demoral- Australian batsman Chris Rogers celebrates scoring his century on the fourth day of the Boxing Day Ashes views, although it is widely interpreted as a Nazi-style or anti- ised attack, their carefree part- Test at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. Semitic action in France. nership of 136 putting the hosts Anelka himself has marred his career with tantrums and contro- within 31 runs of victory before versial remarks. The footballer converted to Islam in 2004. the opener succumbed for 116. a deflating weariness that allowed Having started the day need- edge whistled past the stumps and Meanwhile, the Football Association said yesterday that it would Australia captain Michael the hosts to mow through the 231 ing 201 runs for victory, Rogers beat the keeper to run for four, investigate the incident to determine if Anelka should be punished. Clarke (six not out) joined runs required for victory without added only one run before nicking but brought up the milestone with He could face a minimum five-ban match under a new anti- Watson (83 not out) to adminis- breaking sweat. a Stuart Broad delivery behind a lovely cut through the covers discriminatory disciplinary measures introduced in May. ter the last rites for England, who Watson whipped a boundary but wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, for two. He and Watson helped French authorities have already condemned Anelka’s on-field played out the final sessions with square to secure the win in style, replacement for the dropped Matt drive Australia past 100, and then gesture. and charged down the sun-bathed Prior, teamed up with Cook to opened their shoulders in the last French Sports Minister Valerie Fourneyron on Saturday called Scoreboard pitch with arms raised as a crowd make an absolute mess of the 40 minutes before lunch to smack it a “shocking, sickening provocation” and said there was “no place of more than 38,000 roared their chance. Bairstow stuck barnacle- 113 runs in the morning session. for anti-Semitism and inciting hatred on the football pitch”. England (I innings) ...... 255 approval. like to his mark rather than take Rogers gave up another nick Interior Minister Manuel Valls is considering whether to ban Australia (I innings) ...... 204 “We’ve had our ups and downs. the catch that was rightfully his, two balls after lunch off the all public appearances by Dieudonne. Valls said Dieudonne was England (II innings) ...... 179 There’s no doubt that the win- leaving a late-moving Cook to put bowling of Broad, but a sluggish “no longer a comedian” but was rather an “anti-Semite and rac- Australia (II innings) ning feeling is back in our camp,” down the ball after lunging to his Bairstow failed to get a hand on ist” who fell afoul of national laws against incitement to racial C Rogers c Bairstow b Panesar ...... 116 Clarke told reporters after his right with one hand. the half-chance. hatred. D Warner c Bairstow b Stokes ...... 25 team finished a tough year that England heads dropped further Rogers and Watson cracked AFP S Watson (not out) ...... 83 started with nine straight Tests when Cook fluffed the simplest boundaries at will, racing to 200 M Clarke (not out) ...... 6 without a win on a high. of chances shortly after, with after the 36-year-old opener Extras (NB-1) ...... 1 “Today could have went one or Warner driving recklessly at a brought up his ton with a sublime PSG train at Aspire Academy in Doha Total (two wickets; 51.5 overs) ...... 231 two ways. Ben Stokes delivery to send the off-drive for four off the bowling Did not bat: S Smith, G Bailey, B Haddin, M “We could have just got over the nick straight into the skipper’s of James Anderson. After Watson Johnson, R. Harris, P Siddle, N Lyon. line but I think because the boys lap. Mercifully for Cook, Warner raised his second half-century Fall of wickets: 1-55 2-200 just have so much confidence in was out for 25 slashing at another of the series, Rogers was finally Bowling: Anderson 11-2-26-0, Broad 10-0- their own ability and in the work Stokes ball to be snaffled by dismissed by spinner Monty 58-0, Panesar 7.5-0-41-1, Stokes 12-0-50- that they’ve been putting in, we Bairstow, but Rogers marched on. Panesar for his highest score in 1 (1-nb), Root 4-1-8-0, Bresnan 7-1-48-0 ended up winning quite convinc- He rode his luck to his half-cen- Test cricket, slashing an edge to ing today.” tury, moving to 49 when an inside Bairstow. AFP

Tennis: Nadal, Murray visit Souq Waqif Qatar Open Order of Play Centre Court start 3:30 pm S Giraldo (COL) vs G Monfils (FRA) (4) T Berdych (CZE) vs I Karlovic (CRO) (8) F Verdasco (ESP) vs F Volandri (ITA) (WC) M Jaziri (TUN) vs T Kamke (GER) Court 1 start 3:30 pm Qualifying - D Thiem (AUT) vs M Bachinger (GER) A Murray (GBR) / N Zimonjic (SRB) vs D Brands (GER) / F Mayer (GER) (WC) R Nadal (ESP) / F Roig (ESP) vs P Andujar (ESP) / L Rosol (CZE) J Sousa (POR) vs V Hanescu (ROU) Court 2 start 3:30 pm Qualifying - B Kavcic (SLO) or Vs Rudnev (RUS) vs P Gojowczyk (GER) D Gimeno-Traver (ESP) vs L Kubot (POL) D Bracciali (ITA) / J Knowle (AUT) vs C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) Court 3 start 3:30 pm Qualifying - D Evans (GBR) vs T Daniel (JPN) Laurant Blanc (back row, second left), coach of Paris Saint-Germain A Dolgopolov (UKR) / T Gabashvili (RUS) vs team, takes part in a training session along with players of his team World No.3 David Ferrer (second left) of Spain, compatriot and World No.1 Rafael Nadal (third left), 2012 [4] T Huey (PHI) / D Inglot (GBR) at Aspire Academy in Doha yesterday. The French club are in Doha for Olympic Games winner and World No.4 Andy Murray (third right) of England and Tomas Berdych (second Court 4 start 3:30 pm a five-day winter tour. As part of the tour, PSG will play an exhibition right) of Czech Republic, tennis players taking part in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open ATP Tour event, pose for an Qualifying - I Klec (SVK) vs D Brown (GER) match against Real Madrid at Khalifa Stadium on January 2. This is the official photo at the traditional Souq Waqif market in Doha yesterday. The Qatar ExxonMobil Open will begin Venue: Khalifa International Tennis and second successive year the French giants are in Qatar for the winter today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex at 3.30pm. Squash Complex Doha training camp. PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP