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Monday 12 January 2015 • 21 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6308 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 PM sets up Qatar’s massive three groups winter aid for for projects DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani has issued Syrian refugees decisions to set up three minis- terial groups to ensure effective completion of strategic devel- opment projects and stimulate Charities donate QR145m private sector participation in the local economy. DOHA: Funds and assistance years, has provided financial sup- The decision, which is also aimed continue to flow from Qatar for port worth QR2.2m to refugees at fighting price increase in the Syrian refugees who are hit by and other needy people through local market, is in line with the harsh winter currently sweep- various charity organisations in earlier directives made by the Emir ing the region. Qatar. H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Two planes carrying Qatar’s Qatar Charity’s QR 36m relief Thani. The formation of the groups relief aid to Syrian refugees for Syrian refugees included the is expected to remove bottlenecks headed to Beirut Airport yester- distribution of stoves and fuel, in the implantation of projects and day while leading charities in the blankets and winter clothing for will give a boost to both public and country pledged assistance worth refugees in Arsal and Shebaa and private sector. The first ministe- a total of over QR145m to support on the Syrian-Turkish border. It rial group will coordinate and fol- the displaced Syrians. is in conjunction with the alloca- low up major projects of strategic Qatar Charity (QC) has allo- tion of emergency aid for Syrian importance. The panel’s tasks cated QR36m while Qatar refugees in Lebanon and on the French President Francois Hollande observes a minute of silence surrounded by heads of state including (from include developing plans and pro- Development Fund has offered a Turkish-Syrian border of QAR left to right) Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Germany’s grammes for the effective imple- grant of $30m (QR109m). 2 million for the benefit of over Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Donald Tusk, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, mentation of major projects and Qatar’s emergency relief aid, 73,000 people in order to help King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan as they attend the solidarity march on the streets of Paris yesterday. suggest priorities in line with the dispatched upon directives of the them to face the ‘Huda’ storm Qatar National Vision 2030. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin On Friday and Saturday, QC This group will review the costs Hamad Al Thani included food, sent the first batch of urgent aid of major projects, and also propose blankets, winter clothes, medi- for distribution to Syrian refugees World leaders march against terror funding methods and tools and fol- cines, among other items. across Lebanon, particularly the low up their implementation proc- The permanent emergency, res- areas of Arsal, the Shebaa Farms PARIS: More than a million with world leaders, including the Emotions ran high in the griev- ess. It will also identify mechanisms cue, relief and humanitarian aid and the Syrian-Turkish border. people thronged the streets Israeli prime minister and the ing City of Light, with many of for giving contracts and prepare committee headed by the Internal The distribution included heaters of Paris yesterday in the big- Palestinian president, in an his- those marching in tears as they models of contracts and agreements Security Force (Lekhwiya) oversaw and heating fuel, blankets, car- gest rally in French history, toric display of unity. came together under the ban- for companies to follow. the preparation of the relief mate- pets, tents, mattresses, pillows led by dozens of world leaders A sea of humanity flowed ner of freedom of speech after The first group will also prepare rials and coordinated with authori- and warm clothing and medicines walking arm-in-arm as cries of through Paris’ iconic streets to France’s worst terrorist blood- a detailed plan to run projects after ties concerned to dispatch the aid. for children, and came in addition “Freedom” and “Charlie” rang mourn the victims of the three bath in half a century. their completion. This will include Dar Al Sharq has joined the to the running of mobile clinics, out across the country. days of terror that began with a The crowd brandished ban- determining the annual budget drive by donating QR250,000 at a cost of around QR2m, out of The interior ministry said 3.7 slaughter at the offices of satiri- ners saying: “I’m French and I’m for running the projects, and pre- for the relief of Syrian refugees. a total QR4m of emergency aid million people took to the streets cal magazine Charlie Hebdo and not scared” and, in tribute to the paring plans to manage human The company has handed over projects to address the current nationwide, with Paris alone see- ended with 17 dead. murdered cartoonists, “Make fun, resources, and identify the owner the cheque to Sheikh Thani bin cold winter, which will be carried ing an “unprecedented” 1.5 million The vast crowd chanted not war” and “Ink should flow, not and operator of the projects, and Abdullah Al Thani Foundation for out over the coming days. demonstrators. “Charlie, Charlie”, in honour of blood.” follow up on their implementation. Humanitarian Services (RAF). Continued on page 2 In the capital, President the cartoonists and journalists See also page 9 Continued on page 6 The company, in the last three THE PENINSULA Francois Hollande linked arms killed at Charlie Hebdo. AFP THE PENINSULA CMC polls: 1,240 register on first day DOHA: The forthcoming The Supervising Committee constituencies are open from 4 pm deletion of the names which will Central Municipal Council for the elections has allowed the until 7 pm every day. Registration be followed by an appeal period. (CMC) elections has evoked voters to register online through will continue until January 22. The final voters list will be pub- great interest among the citi- Metrash 2. Despite that a number Qataris who have completed 18 lished on March 3, said Brig. Majid zens especially women, with of voters preferred to register years on 5/2/2015 or those who Ibrahim Al Khulaifi, director of 1,240 voters registering on the manually leading to a huge turn- have completed 15 years after the Elections Department and the first day. Voters registration out at many registration booths. getting the Qatari nationality head of the supervising committee. started at 29 centers across the Of the total voters registered are eligible to register.The vot- The Supervising Committee has country yesterday. yesterday a high number — 525 ers who took part in the previ- announced the polling stations at “Constituencies are getting — were women, according to fig- ous elections have been asked to 29 constituencies and the rules overwhelming response for reg- ures released by the Ministry reregister because of the changes and procedures for the elections. istration in the voters list, espe- of Interior last evening. A total in some constituencies following Independent schools have been cially from female voters,” the of 715 male voters also regis- a restructuring. converted to polling stations, with Qatar’s aid for Syrian refugees at the Hamad International Airport before Ministry of Interior said in a tered yesterday. The registra- After registration closes, seven one center in each constituency. being airlifted to Beirut yesterday. statement yesterday. tion centers spread across the 29 days are given for addition or THE PENINSULA Sailiyah becomes a graveyard for birds Egypt frees ailing Mursi aide CAIRO: Egypt yesterday freed an ailing former aide to ousted Islamist president Mohamed Mursi following 18 months in jail BY RAYNALD C RIVERA cormorants, were spotted lifeless, without charge, his Canada-based family said. floating in the pond or left rotting “On Monday December 29, 2014 the attorney general issued an order DOHA: Some birdwatchers on the ground. for Khaled Al Qazzaz’s release. Today, Khaled was released from his have voiced concern over indis- The remains of the birds reveal hospital room,” the family said in a statement. criminate shooting of birds by the extent and span of hunting in Qazzaz, an adviser to Mursi on foreign affairs, was arrested along hunters for the sake of cheap the area. with hundreds of other aides and members of his Muslim Brotherhood thrill in Sailiyah, a famous bird- Another birdwatcher who on July 3, 2013, the same day the army deposed the former president. ing site in Qatar. spoke to this daily has expressed “He has a problem with his spinal cord,” his brother-in-law Ahmad Located around 20km west of concern that this hobby of shoot- Attia said from Toronto where the family is based. Doha, the area has been a favour- ing birds could pose potential “He has shifted his disk. There is a risk of permanent paralysis,” he ite spot for photographers and danger to other people visiting said in the English-language statement. birdwatchers who come to see the site. In November, Qazzaz was transferred from prison to a private hos- abundant species of birds, but “It would be acceptable if they pital and has since undergone surgery, the family said. lately has become a favourite site hunt birds for food as in the past, for hunters who have turned to but the problem is they just leave Wave of suicide bombings in Nigeria shooting birds as a new hobby. the dead bodies of birds around “I have seen carcasses of the place,” he added. KANO: Four people were killed in suicide attacks by two female birds scattered in the place in The hunters who are not bombers yesterday in the latest deadly violence in northeast Nigeria the last three months,” a bird- knowledgeable about ornithol- after the military appealed for support to help fight Boko Haram. ing enthusiast who has been a ogy, he added, might also shoot The two women targeted a crowded market in Potiskum, Yobe State, frequent visitor to the area told endemic and endangered birds. The carcass of a bird seen in Sailiyah. SYED OMAR a day after 19 people were killed in a similar attack in neighbouring this daily. The site in Sailiyah is one of Borno State, by a girl thought to be aged just 10. A visit by this reporter to the the locations where hundreds and egrets roost. first recorded in the country. Potiskum — a repeated target for the militants — was also hit on area revealed a heartbreaking of birds such as herons, har- It is also a place where a Continued on page 4 Saturday, when a car exploded outside a police station, killing the driver scene as dozens of birds, mostly riers, cormorants, kingfishers number of bird types have been THE PENINSULA and an officer. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QC to provide food in Bekaa Valley camps

FROM LEFT: Lekhwiya personnel loading relief in one of the planes; a QRC team taking relief materials to a refugee camp and Syrian children watch over supplies.

Continued from page 1 widows. QC will also establish urgent interventions for Syrian Blankets were distributed in of supervising the programme 120,000 blankets, 120,000 hygiene QC will provide food in the a charity market in Al Ashiqaa IDPs and refugees. In southern the Zaatari refugee camp and and delivering assistance to ben- kits, 48,000 tarpaulins, 24,000 camps in Bekaa Valley and the Camp in Bekaa. In Iraq, QC will Syria, they distributed $150,000 surrounding neighbourhoods, eficiaries from the $30m grant heaters and 12,000,000 heating oil. north, with an estimated 500 soon begin distributing heat- worth of assistance to 3,000 ref- where the tents were drained by Qatar Development Fund for So far, 21,512 families have been Syrian families in Lebanon ers and blankets to hundreds of ugees in Al Amal, Breiqa, Beer and water-proofed. QRC staff Syrian refugees. covered throughout Lebanon, and expected to benefit over the next Syrian refugees to alleviate the Ajam and Seed refugee camps. distributed wood and heating oil The programme will distrib- distribution continues for more six months. effects of the bitter cold. The assistance included 6,000 to beneficiaries in Syria and on ute urgent winter assistance families, with the number reach- The projects also include spon- Under the Warm Winter cam- blankets, 2,000 mattresses and the Syrian-Turkish borders. to Syrian refugees in Lebanon, ing 58,044. soring 50 families, orphans or paign, QRC teams have initiated pillows, and 1,000 mats. QRC is assigned with the task including 120,000 mattresses, THE PENINSULA

CMC poll registration begins Qatar pre-paid mobile Al Sada attends book signing DOHA: The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr service lowest in GCC Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada yesterday attended the signing of three books published by Wayak, a mental DOHA: Pre-paid mobile service in Qatar is health association. The event took place on the side- the lowest in the GCC, says an International lines of the 25th Doha International Book Fair. The Telecommunication Union (ITU) report. books were written by Dr Hassan bin Salem Al Buraiki The monthly pre-paid mobile phone service and Dr Al Arabi Atallah Al Quaderi. The Minister in Qatar costs 0.26 percent of the gross national congratulated the association on the new publications per capita income (GNI). In the index of most and thanked them for their keenness to provide quality affordable countries, Qatar ranks fifth among mental health services for all segments of society. 166 countries. The UAE ranks sixth where monthly pre-paid mobile phone service costs Ceremony held for outgoing envoy 0.28 percent of GNI. Kuwait (0.39 percent), Oman (0.43 percent), Saudi Arabia (0.65 per- DOHA: The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs cent) and Bahrain (0.73 percent) also were in H E Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi yesterday the top 26 countries. The lowest mobile costs hosted a ceremony at Diplomatic Club in honour of in the world were in Sri Lanka, at 95 cents, outgoing Algerian Ambassador Abdul Fattah Zayyani. Candidates registering for the Central Municipal Council elections yesterday. while the most affordable, according to GNI Several heads of diplomatic missions and directors at per capita, was in Macau. THE PENINSULA the Foreign Ministry attended. QNA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

PM meets IHF President Venezuelan President arrives

The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met Dr Hassan Mustafa, President, International Handball Federation (IHF), and discussed topics of joint interest. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday arrived on an official visit to Qatar. He and his delegation were Dr Mustafa is in Doha to attend the opening of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship (Qatar 2015) on welcomed by the Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and Venezuelan Charge Thursday. d’Affaires Felix Alberto Moreno Martinez at Hamad International Airport. See also page 18 Four more enter Hudud Inspection of outlets goes online Al Tahaddi final round DOHA: The Ministry of DOHA: Four more emerged exciting to visitors, Said Al Municipality and Urban Planning winners as the sixth round of Naimi, member of the organ- has started using the proposed Hudud Al Tahaddi Challenge ising committee, said, “The electronic system for inspections ended yesterday at Sabkhat panel is working hard for at eateries, markets and com- Marmi near Sealine. organising events, receiving mercial establishments. Despite the drop in tem- spectators and participants, In the initial phase, the system perature, many people came providing booklets on the fes- will be used in health control for to watch the event, a popular tival and detailing events in inspecting barber shops, beauty and important highlight of the English and Arabic, which can salons, laundries, restaurants, food sixth edition of Qatar Falcons be a great help to those new outlets, slaughter houses, among and Hunting Festival. to this aspect of our cultural others, said a statement yesterday. Salman Saleh Al Ghanem, heritage.” Inspectors have been provided Meshlesh Issa Al Msaifri, He said organisers distrib- with forms to be filled electroni- Saleh Jaber Al Qashouti Al uted souvenirs to visitors and cally and endorsed by them and vio- Marri and Ali Said Al Marri would continue to do so, as lators, without the need for paper won QR100,000 and a chance this could serve as a reminder forms. The system was developed to win a Lexus in the final of their experiences they and tested by Information Systems round. could share with friends and Centre in collaboration with Dr “I also participated in the families. Ahmed Abu Mustafa, Legal Adviser challenge last year and quali- He said the number of resi- at the ministry. fied for the final round,” said dents and tourists visiting the In the next phase, it will be Al Ghanem. festival was high, especially implemented in the technical con- Al Marri said he was during the weekend, when trol sections of the municipalities delighted that his falcon they flock to the venue in their to monitor buildings, excavation Inspectors filling up forms with the help of the new electronic system at an outlet. was able to corner the hom- spare time. works, workers’ accommodation ing pigeon in the challenge, Visitors from Qatar and and state properties. and banners. In the fourth phase, of sections and the directors of the for all municipalities and inspec- thereby progressing to the other GCC states also turned The third phase will include an electronic link will be created control departments track inspec- tors. The erring outlets will be final round. out in large numbers to watch the general control sections of between ministries and depart- tions and enable inspectors to work informed about their violations On measures taken by the events. the municipalities to monitor ments concerned. in better conditions. It will also help through email or text messages. organisers to make the festival THE PENINSULA general hygiene, advertisements The system will help the heads unify implementation procedures THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Offensive perfume bottles seized DFI to screen Special occupational Where The Wild Things Are health clinics planned on Friday BY FAZEENA SALEEM general practitioners and other occupational health capacity DOHA: Doha Film Institute speciality physicians on basic by training primary care phy- (DFI) will screen the fantasy DOHA: Public health authori- occupational and environmental sicians, or more accurately, adventure film Where The Wild ties plan to open special health services’ yesterday. physicians of first contact for Things Are on Friday at 7pm at clinics for occupational and The SCH, in collaboration with expanding and improving occu- Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) environment health services World Health Organisation’s pational health services to pro- Park. at upcoming three major hos- Regional Office for Eastern tect, promote and maintain It is part of the DFI’s Pop-up pitals that would cater to low- Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO) health of the large population Cinema — a series of free outdoor income single foreign workers. holds five training modules for of expatriate male labourers, screenings throughout the cooler The Supreme Council of occupational and environment primarily in the construction months — and the feature film Health (SCH) will operate the health services for general prac- industry, who have limited adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s clinics with physicians trained titioners and general practition- access to healthcare services classic children’s book. in occupational and environment ers at primary health centres and may operate in hazardous Directed by Spike Jonze (Being health services. They will iden- and Qatar Red Crescent. environments,” he added. John Malkovich, Adaptation, Her), tify work-related health prob- The training programme However, Dr Al Thani said the film follows the adventure of lems of patients and educate scheduled to end within the occupational health problems Max, a mischievous young boy them on workplace risks. year is being conducted as the are common for blue collar and sent to his room after rebelling The clinics will open once hos- expatriate labour population white collar workers. against his mother. However, pitals for workers in Industrial is expected to significantly “It’s not about labourers, even Max’s imagination is free to roam, Area, Ras Laffan and Mesaieed increase to work in infrastruc- a doctor may have to be pro- and it soon transports him to a start functioning, said Dr Sheikh ture projects ahead of Qatar’s tected from infections, engineers thriving forest bordering a vast Mohammed bin Hamad Al hosting of FIFA World Cup 2022. from accidents and if drivers sea. Delighted, he sets sail for the Thani, Director, Public Health, “By training doctors, we hope have a poor vision, it’s related land of the Wild Things, where SCH. to provide proper treatment for to their work and will have to mischief reigns and Max rules. “We hope to open big clinics problems faced by people due to take care about it,” he said. The film is a magical combina- for occupational and environ- their daily work. Initially, 30 physicians will tion of live-action, animatron- ment health services in the new “With this, we aim to lower be trained in occupational and ics and computer generated single male labour hospitals. deaths, accidents, injuries and environment health services by imagery. It stars Max Records and It will help identify workplace chronic diseases,” said Dr Al WHO/EMRO. Later, these phy- Catherine Keener and features the risks,” he said on the sidelines Thani. sicians will train colleagues. voices of James Gandolfini, Paul of a workshop on ‘Training of “The SCH is looking to build THE PENINSULA Dano, Lauren Ambrose, Forest Whitaker, Catherine O’Hara and Chris Cooper. The film is in English with Arabic subtitles. Seating is on the first-come first- Inspectors from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce seized some served basis. THE PENINSULA Qatari women read more than men: Survey perfume bottles from a shopping centre because their names were against social values, traditions and religion. DOHA: Qatari women read more than men, and schools were surveyed. a survey conducted by the Cultural Creativity The study also found people having preparatory Center has found. certificates and those above 60 also read more. The findings, released coinciding with the 25th The survey was conducted for five months Sailiyah main site of deliberate bird shooting Qatar International Book Fair, also showed Qataris by Professor Rima Mohamed Muhsain, who is a prefer non-fiction books. Teaching Assistant, College of Education, Qatar Continued from page 1 consequences,” said a com- aware about and educated About 1,035 people in different age groups and edu- University. “Because the area is not a protected site, munity source. on the importance of birds cational qualifications from government institutions THE PENINSULA hunters practise their hobby unafraid of the There are at least five and the dangers of shoot- ‘Important Bird Areas’ in ing them. the country, including Al Qatar has several bird Dhakhira mangrove area watching sites, including in the northeast, Al Alyah in Abu Nakla, Al Thakira, Island, Sharawh Island, Al Khor, Fuwairit Beach, Al Shat Island, all off the Irkaya Farm, Khor Al eastern coast, and Khor Al Udait, Sealine, Umm Bab Udaid. and Mekainees Farm, “They should use their among others, but it is only cameras, not guns to Sailiyah where deliberate shoot birds,” said a con- bird shooting has been cerned resident, adding noticed. the young should be made THE PENINSULA

The carcass of a bird. SYED OMAR

PHCC: Over 3,800 calls on Hayyak in December

DOHA: Increased if needed, will be referred number of people have to physicians at healthcare sought assistance centres. through ‘Hayyak’ hel- The helpline was intro- pline introduced at pri- duced as part of the mary healthcare centres national strategy for pri- since last June. mary healthcare. Primary Health Care Patients can book Corporation (PHCC) yes- appointments at five health terday said over 3,800 calls centres through the hel- were received through pline — Abu Nakhla, Al the helpline (107) last Daayen, West Bay, Omar December, up 47 percent Bin Khattab and Al comparing to October and Gharafah — from 7am to a great overall improve- 2pm, and 4pm to 11pm. ment since the service The service will be started. extended to all health The service allows peo- centres. ple to obtain information, Hayyak 107 allows the provide feedback about the possibility of directing peo- service they received and ple to the most appropriate make appointments at services, where booking is some health centres. automatically done at the The helpline is the first counselling centre or in the stage in implementing a specialist clinic, informing communication project patients that they can reg- to provide easier access ister for appointments. If to services for patients the assessment requires and serve as a tool for transferring the patient convenience. to the emergency depart- Via the call centre, visi- ment, ambulance services tors will be first exam- will be provided by PHCC. ined through phone and, THE PENINSULA HOME MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Directorate of Coasts starts building firefighter boats DOHA: The General Directorate floating office to register the entry Instructions are issued to the of Coasts and Border Security of boats — and as ambulance. nearest patrolling boat to rush to has started manufacturing fire- Major violations being detected the site of an accident, for example. fighter boats. by Coast Guards are committed by If an accident is critical and needs “They will be stationed along fishermen venturing into Qatar’s more help, then other boats are the Doha coast close to Marriott, territorial waters. deployed as needed. Pearl Qatar and Four Seasons,” “They infiltrate into restricted Al Badid said the directorate Ali Ahmad Al Badid, Head of the areas of offshore petrol and gas has first-aid facilities for drown- directorate told Al Watan. platforms. This is the only notable ings and fires. “We immediately The directorate started manu- violation being caught by coast and contact to the emergency unit of facturing boats some seven years boarder security guards, said Al Hamad General Hospital and the ago when it needed speedy boats to Badid. Other violations are minors control room, he added. respond immediately to accidents such as boats not complying with To maintain security and safety offshore, he added. The first boat safety and security measures and along the coast, the directorate had the capacity of 45 knots and speed limits, he added. is doing its best with regard to later the speed was upgraded to 65 The directorate receives calls its duties and responsibilities. knots. Now the latter boat is help- for help from Doha’s coastal areas “Whenever we see a suspected ing us in patrolling on and offshore mostly in summer. People call boat, it is immediately asked to to maintain security in our territo- authorities when their boats stop stop. Then inspection starts. We rial waters, he added. working, or to inform cases of inspect equipment, safety and Other boats manufactured by drowning and fires. Very few calls security measures. We also check the directorate are for divers, are received in the winter months the licence and papers of the work- monitoring and control. as people prefer to go to desert for ers on board to ascertain whether The control boat could be used camping, he added. they are wanted by security agen- as a multi-purpose facility — a Calls are responded immediately. cies or not.” THE PENINSULA

Mowasalat Medical Center staff donate blood DOHA: Mowasalat Medical Center (MMC), in associa- tion with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), organised a blood donation campaign for its employees. MMC said it is preparing to hold regular campaigns from next month to meet the demand. Managed by Dr Emad Mohammed Bahlool, MMC is going through major develop- ment and expansion in terms of intensive healthcare provided to its staff and drivers. MMC’s services include peri- odic and annual medical exami- nations, regular follow-up, driver vaccinations against infectious diseases prior to employment, A Mowasalat Medical Center employee donating blood. and ensuring they have certifi- cates for such vaccinations. Healthcare Corporation been set up at Al Khor bus sta- MMC works in collaboration (PHCC). tion and in Karwa City. with HMC and the Primary In addition, first aid units have THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Panel to spur Open 1015 winner Ferrer congratulated role of private

DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA), The Open 2015 is part of the support, and enable fans to enjoy sector in the official airline sponsor, and ATP World Tour and the first this great sporting spectacle.” Qatar Duty Free (QDF), the tournament of the season. QDF also set up a pavilion economy official retail sponsor of the QA invited spectators to its in the public village within the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2015, pavilion and offered them the complex, and showcased items, Continued from page 1 congratulate David Ferrer, win- opportunity to have their photo- including apparel, bags, jewellery, Any other tasks assigned ner of the annual men’s interna- graphs taken against the Doha sunglasses, confectionery, souve- by the Premier will also be tional tennis tournament held skyline, or the Airbus A350 XWB nirs and electronics at duty-free carried out by this group. at Khalifa International Tennis or the Airbus A380 and gave a prices. Customers who purchased The second ministerial and Squash Complex. print of the photographs as a gift. goods worth QR350 or more group is to stimulate par- Reprising its position as the Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief received a gift. ticipation of the private official airline partner of the tour- Executive, QA, said: “QA was “QDF was again excited to be sector in economic devel- nament, QA has had the privi- proud to continue its role as a part of the event, as we welcomed opment projects. lege to bring many top names in key sponsor of the event, bringing leading players on the men’s cir- Its tasks include iden- tennis to Doha. Besides Ferrer, world-class players to Qatar for cuit to battle it out with some tifying areas and projects Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and another season of dynamic ten- entertaining tennis,” said Keith for participation of the Tomas Berdych were among the nis, and this year’s tournament Hunter, Senior Vice-President, government and private star players at the Open (January was just as thrilling. “As the event QDF. “The tournament always sectors. 5-10), enticing thousands to watch goes from strength to strength, brings in fans from Qatar and The group will adopt as they competed for the title. we are delighted to continue our overseas and is a highlight on the policies, standards, con- trols and programmes to stimulate the private sec- tor and its participation in David Ferrer, winner of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2015 men’s international tennis the economy and propose tournament, with Qatar Airways cabin crew. solutions to possible hur- dles that might come in QDF annual calendar of events. We when shopping at QDF in Hamad the way in achieving the were delighted to provide fans and International Airport.” Thousands objectives. our customers with an opportunity turned out to watch the final match The group is also to purchase great products at fan- on Saturday where Ferrer beat expected to develop mod- tastic prices they would usually get Berdych. THE PENINSULA els for contracts and agreements related to par- ticipation of the govern- ment and private sectors, taking into account legal provisions. It will also develop time frame for operations of projects put forward for the private sector to achieve the target to attract investments; and additional tasks assigned by the Premier. The third group will strike a balance in the allo- cation and reclamation of new lands. It will prepare estimates of actual needs of a par- ticular area for various sectors after assessing the requirements of authori- ties. It will review public facilities and services pro- posed by authorities and suggest priorities of imple- mentation in the light of actual needs and available resources. It will propose terms, ways and mechanisms for allocation of state lands in coordination with authorities and follow up implementation. The panel is also expected to prepare a five- year plan and an annual budget for land allocation and reclamation. It will also take up addi- tional tasks assigned by the Premier. Mars products safe: SCH

DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has denied reports cir- culating on social media about contaminated Mars chocolate drinks being sold in the market. The SCH said yester- day an old news was still spreading through social media. Last August Mars had recalled thousands of bottles of chocolate milk over fears that they could cause food poisoning. Mars Milk, Snickers Shake and Galaxy Smooth Milk were among the products recalled after ‘elevated levels’ of a type of bacteria were found. The SCH said, in collab- oration with other bodies concerned, it had inspected the market again to ensure it is free from any contam- inated Mars products. Recently, it took sam- ples of Mars products from the market for laboratory tests following reports on social media. Results show that the products are safe for consumption and free from any potential health hazards. THE PENINSULA

The caption of the photo which appeared on the front page of this paper yesterday says “Qatar Air Force person- nel sky diving...” is incor- rect. It was the “Qatar National Sky Diving Team of Qatar Armed Forces” in the photo. The error is regretted. MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 PLO faces US trial over Israel attacks Policeman kidnapped in Sinai CAIRO: Gunmen kidnapped an Ansar is Egypt’s most lethal militant NEW YORK: More than a are extremely complex,” said Authority have denied the extend the Daimler reasoning Egyptian police officer yesterday group, which used to be called Ansar decade after a series of shoot- Bruce Zagaris, a partner at claims, including that they vio- to organisations such as the in the Sinai Peninsula, home to Bayt Al Maqdis before recently chang- ings and bombings in the Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe in lated the US Anti-Terrorism PLO. Islamist militants seeking to top- ing its name to Sinai Province. It has Jerusalem area, a trial is slated Washington, DC, specialising in Act. US District Judge George Another issue is that if it ple the country’s government, the sworn allegiance to Islamic State. No this week in New York to deter- international law. Daniels in Manhattan will over- loses, the PLO could drag out state news agency said. group has claimed responsibility for mine whether the Palestine The case concerns seven see the trial. appeals for years, or be unable The policeman was travelling in a the Sinai kidnapping. Liberation Organisation and shootings and bombings from Last month, Judge Daniels to pay a big judgement to begin bus from the north Sinai city of Rafah Any signs that militants are kid- Palestinian Authority should 2001 to 2004 that killed 33 peo- rejected the PLO’s bid to throw with. “The Palestinians are to Al Arish when the gunmen stopped napping as a new tactic are likely pay up to $1bn to victims. ple and wounded more than 450. out the lawsuit seeking $1bn — broke,” said Zagaris. the vehicle and took him away. “This to raise fresh security concerns in Jury selection begins tomor- Victims and their fami- a sum the plaintiffs want tripled Plaintiffs in similar prior seems like a terrorist operation, not a Egypt, where the vital tourism indus- row for the civil trial, which lies claim that the defendants — on the ground that he lacked cases, including against Iran, criminal one, but we are not sure if it try and economy have suffered from is expected to last 12 weeks helped carry out and finance jurisdiction. have also struggled to recover is Ansar yet,” a security official said. violence. REUTERS and adds a new dimension to the attacks, in part through Peter Margulies, a professor big awards because the defend- the long-running Middle East support for Hamas and the Al at Roger Williams University ants have few or no US assets, conflict and tensions among Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which School of Law in Bristol, Rhode he said. The plaintiffs say the Palestinians, Israel and their the US government has labelled Island, said Daniels may have Palestinians have plenty of respective allies. terrorist organisations. been “too hasty,” given that money to pay any judgement. “The political considerations The PLO and the Palestinian higher courts might ultimately REUTERS

Salehi insists on increased enrichment ahead of talks TEHRAN: Iran’s atomic agency chief insisted yes- terday on Tehran’s demands for increased uranium enrichment, days before the resumption of thorny talks with world powers in Geneva. Ali Akbar Salehi, a former foreign minister and ex- nuclear negotiator for the Islamic republic, said that within eight years the country would need 12 times more enriched uranium than at present. Iran’s level of uranium enrichment — the process that produces atomic fuel — has been a key stumbling block in reaching a deal with the P5+1 powers (Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States plus Germany) on Tehran’s contentious nuclear programme. “We currently produce 2.5 tonnes but will need 30 tonnes eventually,” Salehi, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation, was quoted as saying by official news agency IRNA. “They refuse... and ask that we reduce the number of centrifuges (the machines that enrich uranium),” Salehi said. “We must have that right in eight years... we are ready to do this in stages. They can set the first step but we want to set the last step.” With a comprehensive nuclear deal at stake by a June 30 deadline, the negotiations have stalled on key issues. Big gaps remain on uranium enrichment and the time it will take to lift extensive international sanctions imposed on Iran as punishment for its nuclear activities. Following a preliminary agreement in November 2013, two deadlines for a final deal have been missed with talks failing to pin down hard details on what an approved Iranian nuclear programme would look like. Under the interim deal, Iran’s stock of fissile mate- rial has been diluted from 20 percent enriched uranium to five percent in exchange for limited sanctions relief. This would push back the “breakout capacity” to make an atomic weapon, which Iran denies pursuing. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST 4 Jews killed Sudan’s Bashir launches re-election bid in Paris to be Opposition likely to boycott vote buried in Israel

KHARTOUM: Sudan’s International Criminal Court for President Omar Hassan Al alleged war crimes in the nearly tomorrow Bashir launched his bid for re- 12-year-old conflict in Sudan’s election yesterday, facing little western Darfur region. JERUSALEM: Four French threat to his quarter century In 2011, he oversaw a separa- Jews killed during an Islamist in power despite an ailing econ- tion from South Sudan, after it attack on a kosher supermarket omy, multiple insurgencies and voted to split following a 22-year in Paris are to be buried in Israel allegations of war crimes. civil war. The president hinted tomorrow, community sources Bashir’s supporters view him last year he might not stand for and the Israeli premier said. as a strong hand capable of hold- re-election, raising fears of a suc- “The four families decided to ing the chaotic country together, cession struggle within his ruling bury their dead in Israel. The while his opponents are hounded National Congress Party, but in funerals will be held on Tuesday by the security forces, margin- October, the NCP announced he at 10am at the Mount of Olives alised inside Sudan and riven by would seek another term. cemetery” in Jerusalem, a Jewish personal rivalries. “Bashir is in a strong position community source said in Paris. It is unclear whether anyone internally within government,” The bodies of the four victims will challenge Bashir to lead said Ahmed Soliman, Horn of — Yoav Hattab, Philippe Braham, the country of nearly 39 mil- Africa research assistant at Yohan Cohen and Francois- lion people that covers an area Chatham House. Michel Saada — will be taken almost one-fifth the size of the He consolidated power ear- from the forensic institute in United States. Formal applica- lier this month when parliament Paris on Monday and flown to tions to register for the April 13 granted him the right to appoint Israel, the source said. vote opened yesterday, and the state governors, who were previ- Israeli Prime Minister electoral commission said it had ously elected. Netanyahu’s office confirmed received Bashir’s nomination. Bashir has worked to shed his he had agreed to the families’ The opposition looks set to image as an international pariah, request they be buried in Israel boycott the vote, with Mariam travelling to Egypt and Saudi and ordered government officials Al Mahdi, deputy leader of the Arabia last year and welcoming to help with the burial arrange- Umma Party, sharply criticising Russian Foreign Minister Sergei ments. Officials were to meet the move and saying her party Lavrov to Sudan. China’s foreign Members of the Sudan’s National Electoral Commission review the applications from potential candidates in to discuss preparations for the would not take part in the April minister also visited Khartoum Khartoum yesterday as formal applications for the April 13 presidential and legislative poll opened. funeral at Netanyahu’s office election. “We believe it is a total yesterday for talks about boost- later, it said. waste not only of the time and ing relations and the conflict in will still be left,” Tubiana added. a national dialogue to address Call” document demanding a The four were shot dead on resources of Sudan but also the neighbouring South Sudan. Sudan faces major economic chal- the problems, inviting opposition transitional government to pave Friday after being taken hostage hopes of the people,” she said. The ICC’s decision to shelve lenges with nearly half of the coun- groups, including rebels, to par- the way for free and fair elections. with a group of other shoppers at The opposition also boycotted investigations into allegations of try’s population living in poverty, ticipate. But the talks have yet to Sudan’s powerful National a kosher supermarket in eastern elections in 2010, the first con- war crimes in Darfur over UN according to World Bank figures. materialise, and critics view the Intelligence and Security Service Paris by jihadist Amedy Coulibaly, tested vote since Bashir seized inaction gave him a further boost. When South Sudan broke away, invitations as a bid by Bashir to has kept up the pressure on oppo- who was later killed during a power in a 1989 coup. In 2010, “The ICC’s announcement that it took with it 75 percent of the buy time before the elections. sition parties, arresting two sig- police raid. opposition leaders accused the it was suspending its investiga- formerly united country’s oil pro- Opponents to Bashir’s rule are natories to Sudan Call. Israeli national carrier El Al president’s loyalists of rigging tions was seen as a victory by duction. Insurgents are still bat- more united than they have been NISS has also shown it will announced it would be flying the ballots. President Bashir,” said Jerome tling government troops in Darfur for years but are still expected brook no dissent from protesters. bodies from Paris. El Al said the But Bashir has proven to be Tubiana, senior analyst for the as well as in Blue Nile and South to struggle to challenge him. In Its forces gunned down dozens of families of the deceased would a political survivor. Since 2009, International Crisis Group. Kordofan states on the South December, the Umma Party joined Sudanese who protested against also be on board the flight from the 71-year-old incumbent has “The NCP should win without Sudan border. other opposition parties and civil the lifting of fuel subsidies in Paris due to land in Israel at 0205 defied an arrest warrant from the difficulty but all the problems Last January, Bashir announced society groups to sign the “Sudan September 2013. AFP GMT tomorrow. AFP Islamic State carried out Lebanon cafe attack, says minister BEIRUT: A double suicide attack — an attack Lebanese leaders said aimed has seized wide areas of Syria and Iraq. Machnouk said: “Naturally, we expect feed used by Nusra Front’s media arm that killed eight people at a cafe in to ignite communal strife in a predomi- Lebanese security officials have warned that all the while the fire in Syria contin- had said the attack was in revenge for the Lebanese city of Tripoli was car- nantly Sunni Muslim city where long- of plans by Islamic State and the Nusra ues, the escalation will increase more and Sunnis in Lebanon and Syria, where the ried out by the Islamic State group, the standing sectarian tensions have been Front to further destabilise Lebanon. more.” Lebanese flags covered the coffins Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah is fight- interior minister said yesterday, con- inflamed by the Syrian conflict. Tripoli, historically a stronghold for of eight victims at their funeral and lead- ing alongside Syrian government forces. tradicting a claim of responsibility by Machnouk said investigators were Sunnis, is seen as particularly vulnerable. ers from across the political spectrum Hezbollah says it is fighting in Syria the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. questioning men who belonged to the The last major flare-up in the city, have called for unity, warning that the to stop jihadists reaching Lebanon. But Nohad Machnouk also said he expected same organisation as the two bombers, Lebanon’s second biggest, was in October, attack aimed to ignite strife. Lebanese critics say its role there has led more instability linked to the Syrian both of whom have been identified as men when 11 soldiers and at least 22 militants The families of the two bombers con- to attacks by Sunni Islamist groups in civil war that has been at the heart of from Tripoli. were killed. That followed an August demned the attack. “Crime has no reli- Lebanon. Lebanon’s own sectarian rival- repeated violence in Lebanon over the “The initial information so far says attack by militants affiliated to the gion, creed, neighbourhood or family,” ries have been inflamed by the Syrian last four years. that criminal state of Daesh was the one Nusra Front and Islamic State in Arsal a spokesman for the families said, add- war that pits the state led by President The Nusra Front said on Saturday behind the bombing,” Machnouk told a town on the border with Syria. The ing there would be no mourning for the Bashar Al Assad, an Alawite, against an that it was behind the bombing in the journalists in Tripoli, using an pejora- militants are still holding some two dozen bombers. insurgency dominated by Sunni Islamists. Alawite neighbourhood of Jabal Mohsen tive Arabic acronym for the group that members of the security forces. A statement issued on a Twitter REUTERS Snowstorm in Amman HRW urges probe into Yemen separatist killing

DUBAI: Human Rights Watch yesterday urged the Yemeni gov- ernment to “credibly” investigate the killing of a prominent south- ern separatist while he was being arrested during a protest. Khaled Al Junaidi, a well- known figure in the Southern Movement, was shot in the chest when security forces opened fire while trying to arrest him on December 15, activists said at the time. “Yemeni authorities should credibly and impartially investigate the apparent extrajudicial execu- tion of a leading political activist,” New York-based HRW said. HRW noted that authorities A man uses a bulldozer to remove snow after a heavy snowstorm in Amman yesterday. A storm buf- had announced the establish- feted the Middle East with blizzards, rain and strong winds, keeping people at home across much of ment of a committee to investi- the region and raising concerns for Syrian refugees facing freezing temperatures in flimsy shelters. gate the killing but pointed out that no arrests had been made. “The Yemeni government has an abysmal record of holding security force members accountable for serious rights abuses,” said Sarah Turkey renames state channel ‘Kurdish TV’ Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at HRW. ISTANBUL: Turkey yesterday unexpectedly to be imminently remained TRT Kurdi (TRT “Failing to seek justice in the renamed its six-year-old state television chan- Kurdish), saying that “maybe this will be a sur- killing of Khaled Al Junaidi will nel broadcasting in the Kurdish language as prise”. By yesterday, the channel, its radio station, only fuel anti-government resent- “TRT Kurdish”, in an unprecedented move website had all been renamed. “To much has been ment and send a message that the that would once have been unthinkable. destroyed by not acknowledging our differences,” security forces are beyond the The channel was until now known just as Turkish media quoted him as saying. “It is good reach of law,” she said. Junaidi, 42, TRT 6, as the sixth channel of state broadcaster to accept them to the smallest detail and reach was killed on a day of civil diso- Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). the widest audience in this way.” bedience by secessionists in Aden, It was launched in 2009 in a major develop- The government is seeking to end the 30 year the capital of formerly independ- ment after years when Kurdish language had separatist insurgency waged by the Kurdistan ent South Yemen. been strictly banned in Turkish broadcasting and Workers Party which has claimed tens of thou- Junaidi was released from prison education and the use of Kurdish in a federal sands of lives. It also has a keen eye on the votes of in December after serving five channel would have seemed impossible. Turkey’s Kurdish community, its biggest minority months for separatist activities The launch and now renaming of the chan- accounting for an estimated 20 percent of the and had been preparing to take nel are part of reforms by the ruling Justice and population, ahead of legislative elections in June. part in the day of action. Amnesty Development Party (AKP) co-founded by President The channel, which broadcasts on both the International has called on authori- Recep Tayyip Erdogan to end a three decade sepa- main Kurmanji and Sorani dialects of Kurdish, ties to investigate Junaidi’s killing, ratist insurgency in Turkey’s southeast. aims to counter the sometimes pro-PKK stance describing it also as an “extrajudi- TRT’s general manager Senol Goka announced of Kurdish channels broadcasting from outside cial execution”. AFP at a ceremony on Saturday that the channel was of Turkey. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

US to hold global German paper security summit on February 18 PARIS: US President Barack that ran Hebdo Obama will invite allies to a February 18 security summit in Washington to try and prevent violent extremism, US Attorney cartoon bombed General Eric Holder said yester- day after meeting his European counterparts in Paris. The gathering of justice and Police arrest two suspects interior chiefs came as France mourned 17 victims of Islamist BERLIN: A German tabloid offered regular updates on the gunmen this week in the worst that paid tribute to those killed firebombing on its website. assault on its homeland security at Charlie Hebdo by reprint- “Thick smoke is still hanging in decades. ing cartoons from the French in the air, the police are look- “We will bring together all of satirical paper was firebombed ing for clues,” it said in its initial our allies to discuss ways in which yesterday, police said. story, under the headline “Arson we can counteract this violent With security services on high attack on the MOPO — Due to extremism that exists around the alert after a jihadist killing spree the ‘Charlie Hebdo’ cartoons?”. world,” Holder told reporters. in Paris, police in the northern Later Sunday it had removed French Interior Minister German port city of Hamburg any reference to Charlie Hebdo Bernard Cazeneuve said after the said no one was at the head- but quoted the regional repre- meeting that European interior quarters of the regional daily sentative body for the media as ministers had agreed to boost Hamburger Morgenpost at the time calling the attack a “cowardly cooperation in an effort to thwart of the attack, which caused only and insidious act of terror against further jihadist attacks. slight damage. press freedom”. Burnt and damaged files are seen in the courtyard of German regional newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost editorial “We all agree that we need to Hamburg police said it was Editor-in-chief Frank office in Hamburg, northern Germany, yesterday. put in place better control on cer- “too soon” to tell whether there Niggemeier said in a statement tain passengers, on the basis of was a connection between the said his team was “shocked that objective criteria and with respect Charlie Hebdo tribute and the something like this could happen Lone wolf attacks feared in US for fundamental liberties and firebombing, which would be in a cosmopolitan and liberal city without disrupting cross-border the first attack against the car- like Hamburg”. travel,” he said. toons since Wednesday’s mas- He declined to speculate about WASHINGTON: US Attorney attacks exists in the United in a video declaring his allegiance He said Europe needed sacre of 12 people at the French a motive and said the Monday edi- General Eric Holder said yes- States,” Holder said. to the Islamic State group. urgent progress in establishing weekly. tion would go to press as planned. terday he is concerned about “It is something that, frankly, Holder, who appeared on sev- a European Passenger Name “Rocks and then a burning Hamburg is Germany’s second so-called lone wolf attacks in keeps me up at night worrying eral US television shows on Record database, which would object were thrown through the city, with a population of around the United States by Islamist about the lone wolf or a very small Sunday morning, said the United facilitate the exchange of data window,” a police spokesman said. 2.4 million. militants inspired by Al Qaeda group of people who decide to get States and its allies need to do about passengers between mem- “Two rooms on lower floors Several European newspapers affiliates. arms on their own and do what a better job sharing information ber states. were damaged but the fire was ran the cartoons featuring the Holder met with his European we saw in France this week,” he about possible threats. “We are convinced of the need put out quickly.” Prophet Mohammed on their counterparts in Paris yesterday said. “One nation cannot by itself for such a tool, to follow those The Hamburger Morgenpost, front pages in a gesture of soli- to discuss ways to prevent violent Holder said authorities have hope to forestall the possibility who travel to terrorist operat- known locally as the MOPO, had darity with the murdered French extremism, after Islamist mili- not determined if AQAP or a of terrorism even within its own ing theatres or who return from splashed the Charlie Hebdo car- cartoonists and in defence of free tants killed 17 people in several group like Islamic State, which borders,” he told ABC’s “This there,” he said, adding that this toons on its front page after the speech. attacks in the French capital. has declared a caliphate and Week” program. database would also be useful in massacre at the Paris publication Yesterday the offices of a Holder said on CBS’s “Face seized large areas of Iraq and President Barack Obama will the fight against other serious with the headline “This much Belgian newspaper that published the Nation” program that the Syria, is responsible for the Paris hold a global security meeting in crimes. freedom must be possible!”. the cartoons were evacuated after “decimation” of core Al Qaeda attacks. Washington in February to dis- Cazeneuve said the Internet Police said the attack had it received an anonymous bomb has reduced or eliminated that The two brothers who carried cuss domestic and international needs to remain a space for free occurred at about 0120 GMT and threat, its staff said. group’s ability to carry out a 9/11- out the attack in Paris on a satiri- efforts to counteract violent expression, but that Europe that two men, aged 35 and 39, The Hamburg firebomb- style attack, but he said affiliates cal weekly newspaper travelled in extremism. should fight against abusive use seen acting suspiciously near the ing comes at a time of height- like Al Qaeda in the Arabian 2011 to Yemen, where AQAP is Holder said Americans should of the web to spread hate speech, scene were detained and are being ened tensions over the rise of a Peninsula (AQAP) have stepped based, for weapons training, two feel secure with US officials’ anti-Semitic messages and the questioned. new anti-Islamic movement in in to try to inspire people to carry senior Yemeni sources said on efforts to prevent attacks by recruiting vulnerable young peo- The newspaper, which has Germany. out smaller attacks. Sunday. The gunman who staged Islamist militants. ple for violence. a circulation of around 91,000, AFP “I think the possibility of such an attack on a Paris deli appeared REUTERS REUTERS Labour seeks energy price cut

LONDON: Britain’s opposition Democrats to support the new have felt their living standards Labour party said it would try law. Prime Minister David squeezed by inflation outstripping to introduce a law to compel the Cameron has balked at similar wages until recently, before what country’s energy regulator to force ideas before, portraying them as is shaping up to be one of the clos- firms to cut prices in response to meddling in the free market. est elections in decades. any fall in wholesale costs, a move “We’ve seen wholesale costs A sharp drop in oil prices has led it hopes will boost it four months go down 20 percent in gas prices to a fall in petrol prices in Britain before a national election. over the last year and no reduc- and politicians are seeking to court The plan, announced yesterday tion in bills,” Miliband said. voters by competing to sound by Ed Miliband, the party’s leader, “We’ll give the regulator the tougher on firms perceived to be will see Labour bring forward a power to cut prices to bring not cutting their prices fast enough. vote on a motion to fast-track immediate relief,” Miliband told A 2013 proposal by Miliband to such legislation before parliament BBC TV’s Andrew Marr Show, freeze gas and electricity prices for on Wednesday. referring to Ofgem. 20 months gave his party a tempo- Miliband called on the govern- Labour’s move is meant to rary lift in opinion polls. ing Conservatives and Liberal appeal to voters, many of whom REUTERS Croatia holds tight presidential run-off

ZAGREB: Croatians cast ballots yesterday to elect a president in a tight run- off between incumbent centre-left Ivo Josipovic and conservative Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, both pledging to help kickstart the newest EU member’s ailing economy. The two emerged prac- tically neck and neck from the first round of polling two weeks ago, with Josipovic, a 57-year-old former law pro- fessor and classical music composer, just one percent- age point ahead of Grabar- Kitarovic with 38.5 percent of the vote. The popular incumbent, the third president of the former Yugoslav republic since independence in 1991, is a member of the Social Democrats (SDP), the main force in the ruling coalition. His rival from the main opposition HDZ party, a former foreign minister and Nato assistant sec- retary general, aims to become the country’s first woman president. Turnout was 21.92 percent at 1030 GMT, four and a half hours after polling stations across the Balkan nation opened. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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FTER scouring the waters for two weeks, Indonesian authorities yesterday located the flight recorders and part of the fuselage of the AirAsia plane that crashed Ain the Java Sea on December 28. The world had been watching with silent trepidation as Indonesia struggled to Does every US president come to terms with the disaster off the island of Borneo. Flight QZ8501 was headed for Singapore from Surabaya in Indonesia in turbulent weather when the pilot of the A320-200 asked permission to increase the altitude. Before the flight controller need a library? could decide, the plane went off the radar screen. The AirAsia crash comes less than a year after probably BY JONATHAN ZIMMERMAN their legacies. Presidential libraries aren’t brief nod to Monica Lewinsky and the the most famous incident in aviation history. Malaysia Airlines mentioned in the Constitution or in any scandal that nearly ended his presi- Flight MH370 headed for Beijing from Malaysian capital Kuala n 1971, two years after leaving the of our other founding documents. They dency. And the recently opened George Lumpur disappeared under mysterious circumstances an hour White House, Lyndon Johnson date to 1938, when Franklin D Roosevelt W Bush Presidential Library in Dallas into flight. Its wreckage or even a piece of it has not been found Idedicated his sleek, windowless — midway through his second term of offers none-too-subtle defences of Bush’s till today, setting off a number of conspiracy theories including eight-story presidential library at the office — announced that he would per- most controversial decisions, especially University of Texas. But in the pages of sonally construct a public archive in his the invasion of Iraq and the interroga- those talking about geopolitical rivalries and pernicious plots. The Post, editorial cartoonist Herblock native Hyde Park, New York. tion techniques of suspected terrorists. The loss of 162 people travelling on the AirAsia plane did not depicted Johnson as an Egyptian Roosevelt was worried that the All of this historical revisionism is spark as much debate on air safety as the MH370 crash. The pharaoh opening “the Great Pyramid records of his administration — like subsidised by taxpayers, of course. The latter had an element of suspense about it which led Malaysia of Austin.” many prior presidents’ papers — would annual operating expenses of our 13 Airlines to scramble to manage a huge exercise involving a large That’s a perfect metaphor for presi- be lost, destroyed or sold off to private presidential libraries is almost $100m, number of Chinese families, an expensive search operation and dential libraries, which memorialise our bidders. He also wanted a place to write which is hardly chump change. leaders — and their often-monumental his memoirs and, most of all, to burnish But it pales next to the sums that the the glare of international media. egos — in brick, concrete and stone. Like his image as a defender of democracy. presidents themselves generate, which Aviation bodies including the UN’s International Civil the ancients, presidents start planning So when Roosevelt opened his library raise another set of concerns. George Aviation Organisation and industry grouping International Air these shrines before their rule comes in 1941, shortly after winning a third H W Bush received substantial library Transport Association have been on to an end. So early this year, President term, he contrasted American tradi- donations from foreign governments — Investigation their toes since the crash of MH370 Barack Obama will decree whether his tions of freedom to the looming threat including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait — as in southeast Asia and the shooting own library will of fascism. “This latest addition to the well as from the father of a man he had be in Chicago, archives of America is dedicated at a recently pardoned. into the crash down of MH17 over Ukraine. The New York or moment when government of the people Most notoriously, Clinton issued of Flight two incidents involving Malaysia Hawaii. by themselves is being attacked every- an 11th-hour pardon to fugitive com- Airlines was a big jolt to the carrier. If all presidential The compe- where,” he declared. modities trader Marc Rich after Rich’s QZ8501 may International Air Transport tition is fierce. In 1955, the Presidential Libraries ex-wife donated $450,000 to Clinton’s Association has been acutely aware records were It was reported Act converted Roosevelt’s precedent library foundation. And we don’t know recently that into law. Each succeeding president the full financial story of other presiden- throw new of the problem of congestion in located in one Obama’s library would raise money to construct his own tial libraries, because the libraries aren’t light on the important segments of the air space foundation was library, while the federal government required to disclose their contributors. across large swathes of continents. place — say, sceptical about would pay for its operation and upkeep. To its credit, Obama’s library founda- problem of The airline association has taken a Center for a bid from the But the act allowed the president to tion is releasing the names of everyone air space up the issue with ICAO with an University of retain legal ownership of his papers, who gives more than $200. The founda- intention of finding a solution to the Presidential Chicago because even as he deeded them to the govern- tion has also declared that it will not the university ment. That would change after Richard accept donations from foreign nationals, congestion. problem that has been threatening Research — we does not own the Nixon’s 1974 resignation, when Nixon a welcome step as well. air safety. locations where sought to retain control of secretly But it’s still worth asking whether Air traffic congestion over wouldn’t have it proposed plac- recorded conversations and other mate- Chicago investment manager Michael Europe, the Gulf and United States has been of concern to to operate 13 ing the build- rial from his scandal-tainted adminis- Sacks — who also served as one of safety experts and airlines alike. Now that the flight recorders ing. So Chicago tration. Congress responded by seizing Emanuel’s biggest campaign donors of QZ8501 have been found, investigators would likely lose of them. More mayor and Nixon’s papers, insisting that they were — expects to get something for his former Obama public rather than private property. And $250,000-to-$500,000 contribution to no time in trying to unravel the cause of the crash once the Americans would chief of staff four years later, in 1978, the Presidential the Obama library. And, most of all, we devices are retrieved from the sea bed. Rahm Emanuel Records Act confirmed that the gov- should wonder why the president should It has been said that bad weather might have contributed be able to visit swung into action, ernment retained “complete owner- have a separate library in the first place. to the plane going down with experienced pilots in the cockpit. the facility. announcing ship, possession, and control” of all If all presidential records were The pilot asked air traffic controllers permission to climb to Monday that the such materials. located in one place — say, a Center for city would help Even so, presidents would continue Presidential Research — we wouldn’t 38,000 feet from 32,000. The plane was the lowest one flying the university acquire the land it needs. to fund the libraries where the papers have to operate 13 of them. More in the region and the pilot’s request was prompted by stormy But why should each president get his would be stored. That gave them the Americans would be able to visit the weather. It has been said that congestion in the skies above own library? Multiple libraries are waste- right to determine the sites of these facility. And most of all, we would all the Java Sea may have contributed to the controllers dithering ful, costing taxpayers millions of dollars facilities and — most of all — the stories participate in telling the story of our in allowing the plane to rise above storm clouds. If this be the every year. And they’re undemocratic, that would be told in them. presidency. That’s how it should work, case, the sacrifice of 162 people may lead authorities to have a because they allow our presidents — not So Bill Clinton’s presidential library in a government of the people by them- the people who elected them — to define in Little Rock, Arkansas, gives only a selves. WP-BLOOMBERG serious look at the problem of air congestion. The other side Quote of Lanka’s supremo finally bows out the day AHINDA Rajapaksa has out to treat the Tamil minority in the north He has, however, been non-committal dynamics in South Asia though. India been such a ubiquitous, and east harshly, denying them political on accountability for war-time rights will privately welcome Mr Sirisena’s dominant figure in Sri rights and autonomy. That would have violations, post-war reconciliation, and election, especially since Mr Rajapaksa MLankan politics that it is worked to prolong his reign in power devolving power to Tamil and Muslim ignored New Delhi’s lobbying on auton- scarcely believable that he was trounced had he not tried to appropriate the areas. That Mr Sirisena cut his political omy for Tamils and developed close in presidential elections by Maithripala entire Sinhala political space by farming teeth with Sinhala nationalists, backed ties with Beijing — offering it crucial Sirisena, a friend and member of Mr out key positions to family members the 2009 war and is close to hardline infrastructure projects and allowing Rajapaksa’s Cabinet who defected and cronies. Displaying overweening Buddhist monks does not hold out its nuclear submarines to dock at Today, Paris is to the opposition a day after the two ambition, Mr Rajapaksa muzzled the much hope on issues like demilitarisa- Colombo. Mr Sirisena has said he will shared a dinner of hoppers. But lost he press, intimidated opposition figures tion in Tamil areas. The new President review some of the Chinese invest- the capital of the has, drawing to a close an era marked and weakened key institutions like the will, in any case, have his hands full ments and his manifesto says that the by a decisive victory over the LTTE judiciary. Clearly he had overplayed his tackling economic challenges and navi- “land that the imperialists took over world. The entire that subsequently prompted sustained hand. gating ties with the Buddhist clergy and by means of military strength is now international scrutiny over alleged war The victorious Mr Sirisena comes formidable players who backed him like being obtained by foreigners...” These country will rise crimes. Mr Rajapaksa was the master in with a lot of expectations. He has Ranil Wickremasinghe and Chandrika are grand claims for sure, but Sri Lanka up. of all he surveyed when the war ended promised to end the executive presi- Kumaratunga, apart from Mr Rajapaksa will be happier that the lively, non-stifling in 2009, and instead of using the victory dency, restore the power of parliament who retains sizeable support. dance of democracy can begin yet Francois Hollande for more high-minded purposes, he set and the independence of institutions. Mr Sirisena’s election changes the again. Hindustan Times French President MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 End of an era in Chinese journalism

people but would strengthen China as a Shen moved away from the journalistic Experts suspect nation. Shen’s article is best remembered frontline and onto the business side. But for his evocation of “a power capable of that was, if anything, more of a mine- that Shen has been making us weep” — a power to keep field. Corruption under then-President pursuing “justice, kind-heartedness and Hu Jintao ran rampant through every conscience.” branch of officialdom, and flourished in singled out because Yet nearly 16 years later, it was a still- the media, too. youthful-looking 43-year-old Shen who “Newspapers had tried to go out in he represented a was seen wiping away tears and wearing the market, be credible, attract readers, handcuffs as he said that he had betrayed but that was totally perverted by power,” those ideals and “broken his promise” to Bandurski said. “If you write an investi- form of reporting the profession. “I was unable to restrain gative piece about local officials, you know my own greed or resist all the lures out it won’t run. So it makes sense to take a that had long been there,” he told police. payout in advance not to run the piece. Shen, together with about 25 col- It is not very far from that to the point leagues, is accused of running “a mas- where you are doing investigative reports a thorn in the sive extortion racket,” in which reporters for profit.” would allegedly blackmail companies into At the same time, the Internet and Communist Party’s signing lucrative advertising deals in social media presented a new challenge return for dropping negative coverage. to the newspapers’ business model, just In a country where forced confessions as they have in the West. Profits were side. His fall from form the backbone of much police work, harder to come by, just as power was it is hard to evaluate Shen’s innocence or harder to confront, and corruption filled grace is another guilt. But friends and colleagues say the the gap. fact that he has been singled out for a Today, newspapers often team with attack on the idea practice that has become commonplace in public relations companies to run “paid Chinese journalism — a practice that has news” while simultaneously taking its roots in the triple pressures of censor- money for real reporting that doesn’t of a free press. ship, corruption and commercial survival run. The 21st Century Business Herald BY SIMON DENYER faced by many journalists — shows that Some 25 years ago, a group of journalists supported the pro-democracy protests in had stepped on many powerful toes in Shen simply made too many powerful Tiananmen Square. its reporting of the business dealings of enemies in his pursuit of the truth. China’s Communist elite. As Bloomberg e was an inspiration to a gen- “I was very shocked and also sad,” Bandurski, editor of the China Media 2001, when he founded the 21st Century News and the New York Times discovered eration of Chinese journal- said Hu Yong, a professor at Peking Project at the University of Hong Kong. Business Herald as part of Southern when they ran into trouble for reporting ists, a writer whose belief in University’s School of Journalism and “Part of the reason is the pressure the Media Group. on the wealth of elite families in 2012, Hthe power of truth symbolised Communication, who wrote a recent col- media is under. In the case of Shen Hao, It was an immediate success, turning a that is one of the touchiest subjects in an era of optimism and idealism in the umn lamenting Shen’s case. “A lot of my you have to ask what their other agenda profit within a year. Shen followed up by modern China. profession, an editor who helped direct a students used to regard him as an exam- is, why this case has been pursued so founding a sister paper, the 21st Century “You can’t imagine how much pres- surge of investigative reporting meant to ple. It is a heavy blow to a new generation aggressively with him made a very World Herald, in 2002, to report on events sure we were under,” Shen’s former col- defend the helpless and hold the imperi- of news reporters.” public example of.” around the world “with a global perspec- league said. Cheng put it this way in an ous to account. Shen has already been condemned China’s economic reforms saw press tive and from a Chinese viewpoint.” email: “You can say the 21st Century But that era of optimism is barely a by China Central Television and state controls relaxed in the 1990s and sub- It was a time, colleagues recall, that group became a public enemy of Chinese memory now. Shen Hao is accused of news agency Xinhua — ironic consider- sidies to newspapers withdrawn. State- seemed replete with possibilities. interest groups representing the powerful extortion for selling news coverage and ing what Hu and other experts describe run media outlets were expected to turn “At that time, a job with the Southern and the rich.” was forced to make two humiliating con- as high levels of corruption within state a profit. That meant newspapers had Media Group meant a job with dignity, a Shen insisted that the newspaper fessions, broadcast on state television late media itself. to deliver stories that people actually lot of social value and a pretty competi- would not tolerate any violation of jour- last year. His supporters see the charges Colleagues describe Shen as a serious wanted to read, including stories that tive salary,” recalled a former colleague nalistic integrity — and argued that there as a deliberate attack on one of the pio- man of few words but of quiet convic- held the government to account. who spoke on the condition of anonymity was no proof that his colleagues broke neers of independent journalism and on tion. With his shoulder-length hair and But it was not easy for journalists to for fear of retribution. “I really felt I could the law. ideals that have been ruthlessly crushed sideburns and a poster of revolutionary balance the contradictory demands of make full use of my talent, because I had But the pressure was clearly beginning by the Communist Party over the past leader Che Guevara in his office, he was profit and power. Propaganda depart- so many excellent people around me.” to tell, as his wife, Jiang Hua, later told decade. described by one colleague as a “hipster ment officials would often block stories The training, the former colleague said, a local website. “For years he had never There has not been a trial, and defend- and intellectual,” a talented poet and a or demand that offending journalists be stressed “professionalism” above all else. cried,” she said. “But on September 10 or ants have little or no rights in China’s man more interested in talking about demoted or sacked. But in 2003, even as Chinese media 11, he came home at midnight, spoke to politically controlled judicial system, so arts and literature than money. As the new era dawned, Shen, who were hitting a high-water mark with me quietly and cried. He was very wor- it may never be clear if Shen is innocent Experts suspect that Shen has been graduated with a degree in Chinese groundbreaking investigations and hard- ried about his colleagues who had been or guilty of the charges. But his televised singled out for prosecution because he language and literature from the rela- news coverage, the 21st Century World arrested. He was being interrogated by confessions show how due process has represented a form of reporting that tively liberal Peking University, joined Herald was closed down after just 41 the police constantly.” already been abused and how the party had long been a thorn in the Communist Southern Media Group in 1992 as an weekly issues. It had crossed the line in On September 25, Shen was taken has reached its own verdict in his case. Party’s side. His fall from grace, they idealistic 21-year-old. Less than seven its political coverage once too often. into custody. The following day, Jiang In 1999, Shen wrote a widely dis- argue, is just another targeted attack on years later, he was to write that famous Months later, Cheng Yizhong, a star stood in a lonely vigil outside his former seminated New Year’s editorial, the first the idea of an independent news media. editorial, only to be fired later that same editor at an affiliated paper, was jailed office, in protest. Now, in a final act of for the progressive Southern Weekend “Corruption is absolutely endemic in year because his reporting had angered along with two colleagues on charges of irony, China’s propaganda officials have newspaper, about how truth was precious Chinese media, and it has only gotten a powerful local official. corruption. banned any sympathetic reporting of and how facing it might embarrass some worse in the past five years,” said David But he bounced back spectacularly in A steady crackdown followed. Shen’s story. WP-BLOOMBERG Causes and cure for terrorism Inhofe denies religions and civilisations. Throughout systematically and scientifically. There European countries were watching climate change, history, civilisations were built in an is no solution to the phenomenon with- such activities and allowing terrorists The rise in atmosphere of diversity, tolerance and out diagnosing the causes and finding to circulate and act freely under the respect for others’ opinions, and not the right solutions to combat it. Today pretext of political asylum and freedom Islamophobia hatred and murder. Dealing with any we can find several types and forms of of action and expression. loves turtles dissenting opinion must be based on terrorism. The question here is where were the dialogue and debate, tolerance and Intellectual terrorism, for exam- European countries when 3,000 young- BY FRANCIS WILKINSON in Europe these understanding and not killing. ple, is the imposition of ideologies and sters (terrorists) left Europe for Syria, Terrorism has become a phenom- ideas on others through propaganda Iraq and Yemen. enator James Inhofe denies the importance days is a critical enon that worries every nation. It’s and technological media power. The These Europeans are going to of climate change. But personal experi- escalating and expanding very fast. media today is playing a very destruc- perpetuate terrorist acts in Middle Sence informs him that turtles are hugely Almost every single day we hear and tive role through stereotypes, propa- Eastern countries and going back significant. issue that must read about a terrorist act somewhere ganda and manipulation. Instead of to Europe to execute the plans of IS Inhofe’s belief that the general consensus among in this world. Killing of innocent peo- fostering peace, harmony and under- and Al Qaeda. Instead of condemn- global climate scientists is the product of a con- ple and the burning and destruction standing among people, civilisations, ing terrorism, European countries spiratorial hoax is easily the least defensible of the be addressed of property and infrastructure are the nations and religions, they are fab- should focus on addressing the real various brands of climate scepticism on the shelf. usual targets of terrorists. The question ricating and inventing a reality that causes that lead thousands of youth (Scepticism about science, and lots of other insti- here is what are the causes of terror- leads countries and people of the world into delinquency and to join terrorist tutions, is perfectly defensible. Childish fantasies and studied in an ism? Who is responsible? And how to to hatred, racism and misunderstand- organisations. about conspiracies — this one apparently orches- combat it. ing and antagonism. The growth of Islamophobia in trated in part by Hollywood— are merely sad.) The phenomenon is very complex Terrorism has become a global Europe these days is a critical issue Religion plays a prominent role in Inhofe’s world- effective way. and multifaceted. There are politi- phenomenon and seriously threatens that must be addressed and studied in view. Consider this passage from a profile of the BY DR MOHAMED KIRAT cal, economic, religious, cultural and the security of every country in the an effective way. These days, there is a senator, the new chairman of the Environment and historical causes that breed terror- world regardless of size and power. The serious problem of integration, toler- Public Works Committee, in the Washington Post: nce again terrorism strikes ism. Condemnation of terrorism is events of September 11 are still stuck ance and harmony in most European In his view, God created resources for man to strongly without warning and not going to put an end to this crucial in the minds of many. What happened countries where scores of minori- use, and while climate change may occur as a result Owithout mercy. Terrorists hit problem in anyway. in Paris a few days ago shows a big ties, ethnic groups and religions live of natural cycles, he does not believe human action wherever and whenever they want So far, the international commu- country being affected by international side by side. Racism, intolerance and can be the primary driver. to. Everybody and every nation is nity with its armada of organisations terrorism. Intelligence statistics show segregation lead to extremism, and “The arrogance of people to think that we, threatened and there is no difference and associations has failed to develop that there are more than 3,000 young delinquency. human beings, would be able to change what He is between the great powers and small a comprehensive, thorough and clear Europeans fighting for the Islamic Europe today, more than ever before, doing in the climate is to me outrageous,” he said countries. All are threatened and all definition of terrorism and so far it State. Fighters from France alone should bear responsibility and must in a 2012 radio interview. are helpless to avoid terrorist savagery has not been dealing with the phenom- numbered 1,300. This raises a pivotal address the real causes of terrorism. For decades, he has vacationed off the coast of and brutality. The brutal attack on the enon in an efficient way. As far as the question. Where are those responsible Addressing such causes in a profes- Texas on South Padre Island, among the few homes magazine “Charlie Hebdo” is not a sur- international community is failing to for antiterrorism operations. sional way will help a lot in getting rid to the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. prise or something new to the world eliminate and exterminate the causes The perpetrators of the terrorist of terrorism. Karl Marx once called Inhofe remembers the nights he used to volun- of terrorism. Over the past decade, of terrorism, the phenomenon is there attack on “Charlie Hebdo” have been terrorists ‘dangerous dreamers of the teer to help hatching sea turtles make their way thousands of terrorist acts have been to stay. in Yemen where they got their training absolute’. to the ocean, protecting them from predators. In perpetrated in all continents. Terrorists are human beings like the and the money to execute the attack. Religious groups often claim to 2003, Inhofe co-sponsored a bill to force shrimpers Everyone condemned the French rest of us but may differ from others History takes us back to the Algerian be in possession of absolute truth, to put turtle excluders on their boats to keep from magazine attack. Islamic associations because of so many societal problems crisis of 1990-2000 when Algerian ter- while those outside the group have accidentally catching them in their nets. in France and in the rest of the world and issues. They may be subjected to rorists were erring in Britain, France, not yet seen the ‘light’ or are part of Inhofe’s personal experience with Kemp’s ridley were among the first to denounce the injustice, marginalisation, and so on. Belgium, Germany and many other the forces of ‘darkness’. Many acts of sea turtles trumps both his anti-regulatory ideol- act and declare that Islam has nothing In many parts of the world there are European countries raising money and violence which we consider ‘immoral’ ogy and his philosophical belief in the limits of to do with it. International organisa- minorities, oppressed and marginalised collecting donations to establish the as a means to achieve an end, are, in human agency in influencing divine creation. “You tions and associations like the press people who are deprived of a decent “Islamic state” in Algeria. the view of the religious or ideologi- know, you’d really just have to see a Ridley sea and trade unions all over the world, as living and of the basic freedoms. In “Fins bury Park” mosque in cally motivated terrorist, justified by turtle to understand,” he told the Post. well as heads of state and human rights Internationally, political and eco- London, funds were collected and the absolute end for which the ter- But the elevation of Inhofe’s South Padre Island organisations from all over the globe nomic relations are characterised Fatwas were imposed by Abu Hamza rorist purports to fight. vacations, and his dismissal of the daily work expe- denounced the savagery. by a world system based on extor- Al Masri and other terror theorists to The writer is a Professor of Public rience of thousands of scientists around the world, Such acts naturally increase the tion, exploitation and inequality. The kill innocent Algerians for the sake of Relations and Mass Communication at suggests that something in the way the senator hatred and resentment and tension perfect solution to deal with terror- the Islamic state with the complicity the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar experiences the world is dangerously of whack. and discord among people and nations, ism is to study its causes carefully, of Scotland Yard. University. BLOOMBERG MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Sri Lanka to probe coup bid AirAsia aeroplane’s Rajapaksa accused of having tried to stage a coup to cling to power black box spotted

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new PANGKALAN BUN: Indon- impossible without the black box, government yesterday accused esian divers yesterday found the which should contain the pilots’ toppled strongman Mahinda crucial black box flight recorders final words as well as various Rajapaksa of having tried to of the AirAsia plane that crashed flight data. stage a coup to cling to power in the Java Sea a fortnight ago S B Supriyadi, a director with after losing last week’s presi- with 162 people aboard, the the National Search and Rescue dential election. transport ministry said. Agency, told reporters that an Rajapaksa, South Asia’s long- But they failed to retrieve it object believed to be the plane’s est-serving leader before being immediately from the seabed main body had also been detected beaten in Thursday’s polls, had because it was stuck under debris near the source of the pings. The been widely praised for conced- from the main body of the plane, search, which has involved US, ing defeat to Maithripala Sirisena the ministry added. “The navy Chinese and other international before the final results were divers in Jadayat state boat have naval ships, has recovered 48 bod- announced. succeeded in finding a very impor- ies so far. But a top aide to Sirisena told tant instrument, the black box Supriyadi said many bodies reporters that Rajapaksa had in of AirAsia QZ8501,” said Tonny were believed trapped in the fact tried to persuade the army Budiono, a senior ministry official. cabin, so reaching that part of and police chiefs to help him stay The recorders were at a depth the wreckage was also a top pri- in office with the use of force. of 30-32 metres (99-106 feet), he ority. The tail of the plane, with “People think it was a peace- said. Divers will today try to shift its red AirAsia logo, was lifted out ful transition. It was anything the position of the wreckage to of the water on Saturday using but,” Mangala Samaraweera, access the black box. “However, if giant balloons and a crane. who is expected to be named as this effort fails, then the team will It was brought by tugboat yes- Sirisena’s foreign minister, told a lift part of the main body using the terday to a port near the search press conference. “The first thing same balloon technique used ear- headquarters, at Pangkalan Bun the new cabinet will investigate is lier to lift the tail,” Budiono added. town on Borneo island. All but the coup and conspiracy by presi- After a frustrating two-week seven of those on board the flight dent Rajapaksa. search often hampered by bad were Indonesian. The bodies of a “He stepped down only Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena gestures as he arrives to address the nation from outside the Buddhist weather, officials earlier yester- South Korean couple were iden- when the army chief and the Temple of Tooth in Kandy yesterday. day raised hopes by reporting tified, but their 11-month-old police Inspector General (N K that strong ping signals had been baby remains unaccounted for, Illangakoon) refused to go along coup attempt”. released, and an independent new president as the leader of detected by three vessels involved Indonesian authorities said. with him.” Illangakoon was Samaraweera said foreign investigation probe would be their party, a move that was in the search. The other foreigners were one “very vocal and did not want to powers had also put pressure a priority. In an address to the immediately challenged by the Those signals were coming Singaporean, one Malaysian, one be a party to this coup” while on Rajapakse, who came in for nation, Sirisena appealed for a Rajapaksa camp. from the seabed less than 1km Briton and a Frenchman — co- army chief Daya Ratnayake international criticism during government of national unity to The new president yesterday from where the tail of the plane pilot Remi Plesel. Their bodies also refused to deploy troops for his near-decade in office over his carry out the political and eco- invited all parties to join his was found, Malaysian Navy chief have not been recovered. While Rajapakse to hold onto power, administration’s human rights nomic reforms he promised in his cabinet, which is expected to Abdul Aziz Jaafar said in a post on the cause of the crash is unknown, said Samaraweera. record, to cede office. election campaign. be finalised by January 19 when Twitter. Malaysia’s Navy is help- the disaster has once again placed The attorney general’s depart- Critics have also accused the Rajapaksa suffered another parliament opens. A top lieuten- ing in the search. The Indonesian Indonesia’s chaotic aviation indus- ment had also warned that there former president of increasing blow when a section of the pol- ant said Sirisena had already meteorological agency has said try under scrutiny. would be “dangerous conse- authoritarianism and a culture icy-making central committee received the backing of more than stormy weather likely caused Indonesian officials have alleged quences,” he said. The head of of nepotism and corruption. of his Sri Lanka Freedom Party 40 lawmakers previously loyal the Airbus A320-200 to crash Indonesia AirAsia did not have a the army was not immediately Samaraweera said it was (SLFP) broke away and pledged to Rajapaksa, virtually assuring as it flew from the Indonesian licence to fly the route on the day available for comment, but military important for the new adminis- support to Sirisena. Sirisena loy- approval for his programme of city of Surabaya to Singapore on of the crash, although the airline spokesman Ruwan Wanigasooriya tration to disclose what had hap- alist Duminda Dissanayake said radical constitutional reforms. December 28. rejects the claim. said he was “not aware of such a pened while results were being they had appointed the country’s AFP But a definitive answer is AFP Security measures beefed up around Khaleda Zia’s office

DHAKA: Security measures have have been set up yesterday morning, to chance as thousands of devotees are Riot police units were deployed along of anonymity said that the measures been ratcheted up once again around bdnews24.com reported. entering Dhaka after the Ijtema. with regular police forces. They created a were taken in view of the hundreds of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s office Ijtema, or Bishsho Istema in Bengali, Khaleda Zia has been spending her human-barrier on both sides of the main thousands of devotees entering Dhaka Sunday as thousands of devotees is an annual Tablighi Jamaat Islamic days at the office since the night of entrance. after the first phase of Ijtema in Tongi. entered Dhaka after the Ijtema, gath- movement congregation held at Tongi in January 3 after police surrounded Seven trucks loaded with sand and At her office, the BNP chairperson ering of Muslims. Bangladesh by the Turag river. it and stopped her from leaving the bricks are blocking both ends of the is accompanied by the party’s vice Traffic movement around Road 86 It is the world’s third largest Muslim premises. streets leading to Khaleda’s office. chairperson Selima Rahman, her advi- of Gulshan, where Khaleda’s office congregation after the Arbaeen gathering Failing to leave the offices to attend Nurul Alam, assistant police com- sor Abdul Kaiyum, special assistant is located, has been regulated by the in Kerbala, Iraq, and the Hajj in Saudi a party programme on January 5, the missioner, Gulshan, said, “Security was Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, press police. Arabia. former prime minister announced a already there. Now it has been merely secretary Maruf Kamal Khan and her Only the residents are allowed to criss- Police said the security measures countrywide nonstop blockade of high- increased.” security coordinator Abdul Majid. cross the street where police checkposts are heightened so that nothing is left ways, railways and waterways. However, a police official, on condition IANS

Nepal bureaucrat clinches ‘Integrity Idol’ crown KATHMANDU: Nepalese civil servant Gyan Mani Nepal doesn’t sing, dance or perform magic tricks — but all eyes were on the bespectacled bureaucrat yesterday when he became the country’s first Integrity Idol. The online contest, which eschewed the glitz of popular tel- evision talent shows, saw nearly 10,000 people cast their votes via text message and Facebook in a bid to encourage honesty in the nation. An education official in east- ern Panchthar district, Nepal won praise for his efforts to increase teacher attendance and boost stu- dent pass rates from 14 percent to 60 percent during his 15 years in the job. “I am very happy,” Nepal A Filipino worker paints the side of a road where Pope Francis is expected to pass, in Manila yesterday. said after clinching the title, which does not come with any prizes. “I haven’t done anything big... Rains threaten papal mass in Leyte I just try to provide education to children who need it.” In a country where teachers MANILA: The Philippines was watching contingency plans.” In a best-case scenario, the at state schools often don’t turn nervously yesterday as a tropical storm threat- low pressure area would turn northwards and up, Nepal’s initiative to share his ened a typhoon-prone central island that Pope spare the country, but there is also an equal mobile number with students Francis will visit this week on his tour of the chance it will intensify into a storm, state and parents so they could inform fervently Catholic nation. weather forecaster Alvin Pura said. him about absent tutors helped The country’s weather bureau said a low- “This may hit the Eastern Visayas and bring to raise attendance to 90 percent. pressure area currently over the Pacific Ocean rains to the pope’s events,” he said, referring to He beat four other finalists — a was on course for Leyte Island, touted as one of the island chain in which Leyte sits. Pura could social worker, a health supervisor the highlights of the pontiff’s four-day visit, and not immediately say how much rain was possible and two school principals — who could develop into a storm by the time it enters on Leyte if the storm developed and hit the island. were shortlisted after non-profit Philippine waters on Thursday. During the last week of 2014, the Eastern Visayas group Accountability Lab Nepal Leyte was the province worst-hit by Super were caught offguard when a storm bearing rela- launched a nationwide campaign Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013, and suffered tively weak winds brought heavy rains, triggering last April. “This initiative aims landslides and floods late last year wrought by flash floods and landslides that killed 54 people. to reward honest individuals and tropical storm Jangmi. “Part of contingency plan- The pontiff, who arrives in the country on inspire others to join the civil serv- ning are possible inclement scenarios.... options Thursday, will be in Leyte on Saturday to give a ice,” the charity’s Nepal represent- are being developed,” presidential spokesman mass at the airport in Tacloban, ground zero for ative Narayan Adhikari said. Herminio Coloma from the papal visit organis- Haiyan, and have lunch with storm survivors in Nepal is ranked 126th out of 175 ing committee said. Palo town. The weather disturbance was unlikely countries in anti-graft watchdog Asked if cancelling the events on Leyte island to affect another mass in Manila the day after, Transparency International’s glo- on January 17 was an option, Coloma said: “It’s where millions are expected to attend, Pura said. bal corruption perception index. best to wait until the (weather disturbance) Partly cloudy skies and cool weather are expected AFP enters the Philippines before making specific in the capital on that day, he said. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Imran’s nikah was solemnised Bus-tanker by cleric held in 1995 coup plot crash kills 62 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s Nikah ceremony was con- ducted by a cleric who in Pakistan tried to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government in 1995, London’s Daily Second major accident in two months Telegraph reported. The nikah is thought KARACHI: At least 62 people occurred. “I was sitting on top of to have taken place sev- including women and children the bus when I saw a tanker hit it, eral weeks ago, and was were killed early yesterday and a minute later it caught fire,” overseen by Mufti Saeed, in southern Pakistan when said Ikhtiyar Ali. “There were a wealthy Islamic scholar their bus collided with an oil three of us on the roof of the bus. who was arrested follow- tanker, starting a fierce blaze We jumped to the ground to save ing the failed 1995 coup which left victims burnt beyond our lives when we saw the fire.” plot by militants within the recognition. The tanker was carrying oil Pakistan Army. Initial reports said the tanker and a compressed natural gas cyl- He was later released, the was travelling on the wrong side inder was fitted in the bus, said British daily said. of the road along a dilapidated Talib Husain, a relative of one of The plot was led by Major stretch of highway, police said. the victims. general Zahirul Ismal Abbasi It was the second crash involv- “After the collision the bus and involved officers who ing major loss of life in Sindh caught fire and, as a result, the planned to kill the country’s province in less than three CNG cylinder exploded,” Husain civilian and military leaders months. Authorities transferred said. “One passenger bravely People look at the wreckage of a bus and tanker after they collided early Sunday, on the outskirts of Karachi, over their scaling down of the remains to a local morgue smashed the window from inside yesterday. support to terrorist groups after taking samples for DNA and rescued his family while the attacking Indian forces in testing in order to identify them. bus was on fire.” Aamir Shiekh said it appeared town of Khairpur in Sindh. crash between two buses and a Kashmir. Doctor Semi Jamali at Karachi’s Senior police official Rao that the poor condition of the After that crash police blamed petrol tanker left 35 dead, with Imran Khan has been Jinnah hospital said another four Muhammad Anwaar said the single-track road contributed the poor condition of the road and many burned alive when the fuel accused of being soft on ter- passengers with minor injuries bus “hit the oil tanker, which to the accident. Pakistan has an the lack of warning signs and said ignited. rorist groups for his recent have been discharged. according to initial reports was appalling record of fatal traffic they would investigate the gov- The recovery equipment avail- support for negotiations with The bodies were “completely coming in the wrong direction” accidents due to poor roads, badly ernment department responsible able to Pakistani emergency serv- Taliban leaders. burnt and stuck to each other”, and caught fire. “We are try- maintained vehicles and reckless — the first time such an investi- ices is often basic. When crashes He was also accused of she earlier said. ing to ascertain if the driver of driving. gation has been launched in the happen some distance from major being part of a plot to oust The overloaded bus was en the oil tanker was solely at fault A total of 57 people, includ- country. Last April a bus smashed towns, rescue efforts can take the Pakistan government route to the town of Shikarpur or whether the bus driver also ing 18 children, were killed in into a tractor-trailer in a high- time and the injured have less last year when thousands from the southern port city showed negligence,” Anwaar said. November last year when a bus speed collision in Sindh, killing 42 chance of survival. of his supporters occu- of Karachi when the collision Another senior police official, collided with a coal truck near the people, while in March a horrific AFP pied central Islamabad and attacked government buildings. When contacted Mufti Saeed declined to confirm or deny reports of his role in Khan’s reported mar- Drone strikes in Pakistan declined: Report riage or to comment on his links to the 1995 coup attempt. ISLAMABAD: The number Sarbaland alias Abu Khalid, July 16, killing 20 suspected mili- the Lowara Mandi area of Datta killed and two wounded in a “Khan will himself reveal of drone strikes carried out in Major Adil Abdul Qudoos, Omar tants in a compound in the Zwe Khel. A vehicle carrying arms and drone strike in Datta Khel. The it soon to the nation so why Pakistan by the United States Farooq, Abu Rehman al Kuwait Saidgai area of North Waziristan ammunition was also targeted in next attack was conducted in should I comment on it? I dropped by more than 32 per and Fayez Awda Al Khalidi. Agency. This was the deadliest this strike. On September 28, the northwestern area of Shawal don’t want to confirm it or cent in 2014 as compared with Other key targets included strike during 2014. A subsequent three suspected militants were along the Afghan border on deny it”, he said. the previous year, according militants belonging to the Punjabi drone strike on July 19 in Datta killed in a strike in Wana, South October 11 and killed at least four He has been friends with to the Pakistan Institute of Taliban, the Haqqani network and Khel area killed 15 suspected Waziristan, while four were killed militants including Sheikh Imran Khan for ten years and Peace Studies’ (PIPS) Pakistan foreign militants including Uzbeks mili¬tants, most of whom were on October 6 in the Shawal area Ali Siddiqi, a senior commander counselled him on matters Security Report 2014. A total and Arabs engaged in militant reported to be Punjabi Taliban of North Waziristan. of al Qaeda’s subcontinent branch. of faith. of 21 strikes were reported last activities in the country. Nineteen members. On October 8, two missiles On October 30, a drone fired “We have had very good year, killing an estimated 144 of these attacks took place in North Meanwhile, six suspected were fired from a drone, targeting two missiles at the house of a friendly relations for the last and wounding 29 over a period Waziristan, the report states, with militants, including four Uzbek a house in Kond Char in North local tribesman, Ashraf Wazir decade. He comes to me to of six months. strikes in Miramshah, Datta Khel nationals and two members of the Waziristan, killing four mili- near a public school in the village discuss religious issues and The report states that a and Shawal dis¬tricts of the tribal Haqqani network, were killed in a tants and injuring eight others. of Nargasi in Azam Warsak, near questions he may have”, the number of senior al-Oaeda com- belt. strike in Datta Khel on August 16. On the same day, three militants the Afghan border. Four foreign Mufti added. manders were killed in these According to the report, the On September 24, 10 suspected were killed when missiles hit a militants were reportedly among INTERNEWS attacks, including Sheikh Imran first strike of 2014 in North militants were killed when four house in Datta Khel. On October a total of six casualties. Ali Siddiqi, Tajal Makki, Dr Waziristan was carried out on missiles were fired on a hideout in 9, four suspected militants were INTERNEWS

Army parade Afghan football coach survives knife attack KABUL: Afghanistan’s celebrated national foot- ball team coach was stabbed near his resi- dence in an upscale area of the capital Kabul, and has been hospitalised, police said yesterday. Mohammad Yousuf Kargar played a central role in rebuilding the national football side after the 2001 fall of the hard- line Taliban regime that had banned almost all sports and even used the Afghan National Army personnel stand inside an army station during a ceremony at a military base in Laghman Kabul football stadium for province yesterday. executions. The motive for the attack on Kargar on Saturday evening was unclear but may have been the result of a personal dis- Video shows IS supporters pute, they said. The case is under investigation. Photographs of Kargar lying in a hospital bed were beheading Pakistani soldier posted all over Afghan social media, with condem- DERA ISMAIL KHAN, militants hiding on the Pakistani- “We want to inform you that we nations of the attack. He PAKISTAN: A group of Afghan border are acting on their have brought together the emirs led the national team to its Pakistani and Afghan militants own or on direct orders from the of 10 groups who want to pledge greatest success, winning have beheaded a Pakistani sol- IS leadership in the Middle East. their allegiance to the Caliph Abu the South Asian Football dier after pledging allegiance In the latest Arabic-language Bakr Al Baghdadi,” he said, refer- Federation (SAFF) cham- to Islamic State, according to a video, whose authenticity could ring to the IS leader. pionship by beating India new video released online, copy- not immediately be confirmed, a At the end of the 16-minute 2-0 in Kathmandu on ing execution tactics used by large group of turbaned militants, video a man wearing a helmet, a September 2013. the Middle East jihadist group. many on horseback and holding T-shirt and combat trousers, iden- The victorious young Islamic State, which controls rifles and black IS flags, are seen tified as a Pakistani soldier, is seen players were hailed as large areas of Iraq and Syria, has gathered in an undisclosed for- being beheaded with a machete. national heroes, send- gained a foothold in Pakistan and ested area. A militant identified While some fighters switched ing tens of thousands of Afghanistan in the past year, with by the SITE intelligence group as sides to declare allegiance to IS in Afghans into the streets in a number of former Taliban mili- former Pakistani Taliban spokes- the past year, most Taliban insur- Kabul cheering and danc- tants setting up a new group pur- man Shahidullah Shahid is then gents remained staunchly loyal to ing throughout the night porting to represent IS interests in seen addressing the crowd to Mullah Mohammad Omar, who with many firing AK-47 the region. Little is known about announce pledges of allegiance to has been at the helm of the move- assault rifles in celebration its activities or its size. It remains IS from leaders of various groups ment since the 1990s. across the country. unclear whether IS-inspired in Afghanistan and Pakistan. REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Tharoor likely to We are reviving be quizzed over Sunanda murder NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor yesterday economy, invest reached the national capital and is likely to be questioned by Delhi Police in connection with his wife Sunanda Pushkar’s in India: Modi murder. Tharoor arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) air- port from Kerala around 2pm Ban, Kerry attend Gujarat summit and went to his house in central Delhi’s Lodhi Estate. GANDHINAGAR: Making a urged countries, businesses and Tharoor did not reply to ques- decisive push towards generating investors to be part of India’s tions from journalists, and merely investment to see the success of growth story. “My government said: “I have already spoken with his ‘Make in India’ mantra, Prime is committed to create a policy the media (in Kerala).” Minister Narendra Modi said environment that is predictable, He drove away in a car with yesterday his government was transparent and fair.” his security staff. After reaching trying to revive the economy, and Modi, speaking dominantly in home, he consulted his lawyers told global investors that India English, went on: “We will have and discussed the case. today was a land of opportunities to change the way we have been Policemen have been deployed “In a short span of seven approaching problems. Recession outside his residence. months, we have been able to is often seen just in the context of Tharoor was undergo- change the atmosphere of despair business and industry. “Have we ing ayurvedic rejuvenation in and uncertainty,” Modi told the ever thought of recession as being Thrissur district of Kerala. Soon seventh Vibrant Gujarat summit the result of low per capita income after his discharge, he raised here attended by UN Secretary- in countries where a majority of glo- questions on the Delhi Police General Ban Ki-moon as well as bal population lives? “Have we ever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State John Kerry greet each other on the opening day of the investigation and demanded a ministers and corporate leaders thought of its solution in terms of Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, yesterday. professional probe. from 100 countries. enhancing the common man’s employ- He also said he wrote to Delhi “Since the first day, my govern- ability, income and purchasing power? Police Commissioner B S Bassi, ment is actively working to revive He said his government was Nuclear progress likely on Ombama visit assuring him full cooperation with the economy,” he told the gather- committed to changing and the investigating team. ing which included US Secretary improving the economic and Pushkar, 52, was found dead of State John Kerry and World social condition of India, includ- GANDHINAGAR: There to the home state of Indian practices and its requirements in mysterious circumstances in Bank President Jim Yong Kim. ing the quality of life. could be progress on US-India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. that foreign companies in some a luxury hotel here Jan 17, 2014. The summit, held at the “We want to promote co-opera- civil nuclear cooperation, solar “The goal is to have very con- industries ensure a given percent- On Saturday, Delhi Police said impressive Mahatma Mandir tive federalism in the country. At power and climate change when crete and tangible things that we age of local content. they will question Tharoor after convention centre, spread over a the same time, we want a compet- US President Barack Obama can show forward movement on Asked where Washington and the people who were in the hotel 55-acre complex comprising con- itive element among the states.” visits India in two weeks, US when President Obama and Prime New Delhi might make headway and in touch with Pushkar before ference venues, exhibition halls Modi said: “This event is perhaps officials said yesterday. Minister Modi meet, including on in time for Obama’s visit, the she was found murdered. and landscaped gardens, in the the biggest gathering on earth where While stressing there were climate change,” he said. senior US official also cited the A police official said Pushkar’s Gujarat capital, saw the biggest a budding entrepreneur has opportu- no guarantees that some of the Obama’s visit to India and trips solar industry and finding a way viscera samples would soon be participation from other coun- nity to see the president of the World most vexing economic issues by Kerry and other US senior to address US concerns about the sent abroad for ascertaining the tries this time. Bank. “And where a young farmer between India and the United officials aim to woo India as a liability from building nuclear poisonous substance administered Modi said there was tremen- can listen to the views of the UN States would be resolved, the offi- strategic partner and to win power plants in India. to her. dous interest in India, and “coun- secretary general on issues like food cials said some agreements were greater access to the vast Indian Under a 2010 nuclear liability law, tries were coming forward to security. “Your (world leaders’) pres- conceivable. market of 1.2 billion people for US equipment suppliers are liable for 12 Bodo militants work with us. Today, India is a ence today has enhanced the enter- “We are working on the civil companies. damages from an accident, which land of opportunities”. prising streak of 60 million Gujaratis nuclear liability issue,” a senior US officials have long argued companies say deviates from inter- arrested in Assam Modi, who till 2013 used to seek and has boosted the morale of 1.2 bil- State Department official told that Indian policies are a bar- national norms that put the onus investment for Gujarat where lion Indians,” he added. reporters travelling with US rier to US investment and trade, on the operator to maintain safety. GUWAHATI: Twelve Bodo he was then the chief minister, IANS Secretary of State John Kerry including its tariff and customs REUTERS militants were yesterday arrested from three places in Assam along the international border with Bhutan, a day after an insurgent involved in the massacre of adivasis was shot Finding candidate against Kejriwal proving difficult for BJP dead, police said. The cadres of the anti-talk fac- tion of the National Democratic NEW DELHI: Finding the Delhi constituency. “Those who he was in office for a mere 49 days, IPS officer Kiran Bedi should con- constituency as an AAP candi- Front of Bodoland (NDFB) were right candidate to take on the won last time are in no mood he has consolidated his position in test against Kejriwal. date in the December polls, later arrested in Chirang district in AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal in the to let go of their seats and even the constituency. He is again the And there are some who think rebelled against the party and operations jointly carried out by Delhi assembly polls expected other senior leaders who were AAP candidate for the upcoming that former AAP legislator Vinod accused it of not fulfilling the poll Assam Police, the Central Reserve next month appears to be a denied a ticket last time are not elections. Kumar Binny or former party promises on water and power. Police Force and the Sashastra headache for the BJP’s state too keen to contest against him While the AAP has released leader Shazia Ilmi should con- The AAP expelled him in Seema Bal. “The 12 cadres include a unit, with senior leaders refus- (Kejriwal),” a party leader from its complete list of candidates for test against Kejriwal on the BJP January 2014. Ilmi quit the party member of the outfit’s central com- ing to let go their “safe seats” the Delhi BJP said, speaking on the 70-member Delhi assembly, ticket. “All of them have worked in May 2014 citing “lack of inner mittee, a deputy commander and a and the younger ones not show- condition of anonymity. the Congress has come out with closely with Kejriwal, especially party democracy”. platoon commander,” said Inspector ing much interest in the “tough” The New Delhi seat was a its first list of 24 names — but Binny and Ilmi, and they know Sources said the BJP is also General of Police L R Bishnoi. contest. Congress bastion and former is silent on the New Delhi seat. his strengths and shortcomings,” scouting for young leaders who They were being interrogated Party sources said the chief minister Sheila Dikshit had The Congress is also looking for another party leader said. have worked in the constituency. to ascertain their links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is won it thrice-in-a-row till she a formidable candidate as Dikshit Bedi was once Kejriwal’s ally in Among the names doing the recent violence in three districts, now also looking at other options, was drubbed by the Aam Aadmi will not be contesting the polls. the anti-corruption campaign led rounds is that of Sunil Yadav, who he said. Four AK-56 rifles, five including induction of a promi- Party’s Kejriwal by over 20,000 The BJP’s first list is likely by Gandhian Anna Hazare that cap- is general secretary of the Delhi pistols, one .303 rifle, one .315 nent candidate from outside the votes in the Dec 2013 assembly to be announced on January 18, tured the imagination of the coun- unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva rifle, 12 magazines, four grenades party to contest, or persuading election. party sources said. try and led to the birth of the AAP. Morcha (BJYM) — the BJP’s and 785 rounds of ammunition a young office-bearer who has Kejriwal went on to become the Some leaders of the BJP state Binny, who was elected from youth wing. were seized from them. worked extensively in the New Delhi chief minister and, though unit are of the view that former the Laxmi Nagar assembly IANS IANS

Police number Centre to fund Sonia seeks state units’ new ayurveda research centre views on accountability NEW DELHI: Congress voice of party workers in deci- in Kerala President Sonia Gandhi has sion-making, and called on state written to party chiefs in states units to organise a series of small THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: seeking their opinion on ways to group discussions on the core The central government will increase accountability of lead- areas at state and district level extend financial support to set ers at various levels, organisa- and send a state-level report by up a new ayurvedic clinical tional reforms and way forward February-end. research centre in Kerala to to expand its base. On ideology, the state units help scientifically validate tra- In a letter written last month but have been asked to send inputs ditional systems of healing, a only made available to the media on non-negotiable elements, core union minister said yesterday. Saturday, Gandhi said that the constituencies and issues to mobi- Shripad Yesso Naik, minister inputs from states will help finalise lise them. They have also been of state for AYUSH, said this as “agenda for action” which will sub- asked to give suggestions on dis- he announced the new National sequently be ratified by the session tribution of power between the Programme of Ayurveda of All India Congress Committee. party’s state, district and block Inspired Research initiated by The Congress has been seeking committees as also between the the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for ways for its electoral revival after party and the government, as well Biotechnology (RGCB) and series of reverses. The party could on inputs on roles, responsibili- the proposed ayurveda expo win only 44 seats in the Lok Sabha ties and performance indicators National Arogya 2015 at a func- Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan (centre) dances alongside police officers during the annual ‘Umang 2015 elections and has not performed for party functionaries from block tion here. Mumbai Police Show’ in Mumbai late on Saturday. well in subsequent assembly polls. chief to the general secretaries. The RGCB will set up the Party sources said that a session They have been asked about National Centre for Excellence of AICC could be held in March. activities which constitute indis- for Ayurveda Inspired Discovery In her letter, she said that party cipline and mechanism to deal that will lead research into effi- vice president Rahul Gandhi has with it. The letter asks state units cacy mechanisms involved in Plan to speed up road projects in Maoist-hit states held a series of meetings with about mass contact programme ayurvedic therapeutics. leaders from various parts of for the next one year, potential It has also proposed two sister NEW DELHI: Union Road The conference, to be held in and highways had taken up improve- the country on three core areas nation-wide campaigns over the campuses, an ‘ayurvedic clinical Transport, Highways and Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on January 13, ment of road connectivity in the 34 - “Congress ideology, organisa- next year and structure to effec- research centre’ in Konni and a Shipping Minister Nitin is expected to be attended by chief such “affected districts” covering a tional reforms required to pro- tively use the social media. ‘high altitude discovery centre’ in Gadkari has convened a chief ministers of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand total length of 5,477 km, covering gressively devolve power and The state units have also been Munnar in Kerala. ministers’ conference of eight and Bihar and public works depart- eight states of Telangana, Bihar, increase accountability at all lev- asked to give their inputs on Naik said the central govern- states haunted by Left-wing ment (PWD) ministers of other Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya els and way forward for the party action to be taken against party ment will fund the setting up of extremism to resolve bottle- states. Senior officials of the union Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and to win confidence of all sections leaders for poor distribution of the clinical research facility in necks in speedy implementation government from the road transport Uttar Pradesh under road require- and expand its base.” tickets and role of party’s units Konni. of road projects being executed and home ministries will also attend. ment plan. She said the party intends to in ticket distribution. IANS in remote areas of these states. The ministry of road transport IANS devolve power and strengthen IANS

Monday 12 January 2015 21 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6308 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Kuwait plans Construction material demand jumps mega projects QPMC, QIMC to boost production capacity of washed sand to support local market worth $155bn

DOHA: As Qatar’s projected to more than 33,000 tonnes a day. washed sand to more than 15,000 instruction of the Government in demand for primary construc- Qatar Industrial Manufacturing tonnes a day, as well as the use of 2006 to ensure supplies of building despite oil dip tion materials is expected to hit Company (QIMC), another key strategic stockpiles to meet the materials to the local market. The a peak in next two years, two key market player, announced that needs of the market; controlling company now owns and operates KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s gov- market players have announced its sand treatment plant (Qatar the prices and shortening the strategic assets within Qatar, and ernment yesterday announced their decisions to boost produc- Sand Treatment Plant) will queuing time of hundreds of trucks provides complete solutions for plans to spend KD45.5bn tion capacity of washed sands. increase its production capacity waiting to collect sand. port management, logistics and ($155bn) on projects over the According to the Ministry up to 30,000 tonnes a day during Abdulrahman Al Ansari, CEO, supply chain, storage and delivery next five years despite the of Development Planning and the week, where the quarantine by Qatar Industrial Manufacturing of key primary materials to meet plunge in world oil prices, a law- Statistics (MDPS), the country’s the Ministry of Environment will Company, praised QPMC for its the Qatar requirements of 2022 maker said. demand for washed sand is pro- reflect positively on the availability support and contribution, “I would and beyond. The spending is slated to cover jected to jump by 106 percent this of washed sand in the market in like to thank QPMC for its invalu- A survey conducted by the 523 key projects in a five-year year. the usual way. able support in this critical time, MPDS on the ‘future demand of development plan starting in the Qatar Primary Materials This decision by QPMC to this initiative demonstrates high primary building materials’ found fiscal year which begins on April Company (QPMC) yesterday increase its production capacity of professionalism, efficiency and col- that in the run up to the 2022 1, said parliament’s financial and announced its support of the local washed sand follows the low pro- laboration. I am extremely proud World Cup event, Qatar is set to economic affairs committee sec- market by raising its washed sand duction in Qatar Sand Treatment of this partnership sharing the see a record demand of primary retary, Mohammad al-Jabri. supply to the market by 15,000 Plant, which resulted in shortages same vision to put the country’s construction materials in the com- He said the oil-rich Gulf coun- tonnes a day as well as using its in the amount of washed sand needs first and actively contribute ing few years. According to the try’s state minister for planning strategic pile by adding 18,000 production in the market. Thus, to the national development of the survey, the demand for the materi- and development, Hind al-Sabeeh, tonnes a day. This will help boost QPMC increased its production State of Qatar.” als is expected to hit a record peak discussed the draft development QPMC’s washed sand distribution capacity and raised the supply of QPMC was established on the in 2015-2016. THE PENINSULA QPMC CEO Eisa Al Hammadi plan with his panel. The committee was assured that the sharp drop in oil reve- nues would not affect the projects of Kuwait, which has a mas- sive sovereign wealth fund and invested billions of dollars in a Over $200bn to be “future generations fund”. Oil revenues in the new budget from April will be calculated on invested in GCC rail the basis of $45 a barrel, down from $75 a barrel in the current fiscal year, Jabri said. DOHA: The Gulf Cooperation political integration in the region. The price of Kuwaiti oil closed Council (GCC) member states, Dr Al Futaisi said: “Our chal- on $43.21 a barrel on Friday, including Qatar, are estimated lenge will not just be in how to compared to a price of over $110 to invest over $200bn (over ensure the success of executing a barrel in June 2014. Oil income QR728bn) in establishing a these projects from a technical makes up around 94 percent of wide-network of integrated and operational point of view, but public revenues in Kuwait. railways across the region over on how to exploit the socio-eco- The government has vowed to the next few years. nomic potential of these massive cut current spending, especially “Over $200bn will be invested investments so to ensure the mul- subsidies, which constitutes over in over 40,000km of rail across the tiplier effect into our economies.” 85 percent of total expenditures GCC. This provides a good envi- More than 500 representatives but insisted it will not reduce ronment to attract companies, from 25 countries are attending capital spending on projects. manufactures, human resources the two-day conference along The Opec member has posted a and capital to the region,” said with top executives from Qatar budget surplus in each of the past Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rail, Etihad Rail, Saudi Railways 15 fiscal years and is expected to Salim Al Futaisi, the Minister of Organisation, Saudi Railway post a surplus in the current year Transport and Communications, Company, and Oman Rail. ending March 31. But officials and Oman, at the “GCC Rail and Hamed Al Bashri, Deputy CEO, lawmakers warned that an actual Metro Conference 2015”, which Qatar Rail and many other execu- deficit is expected in the next fis- opened yesterday in Muscat. tives are also attending the meet. Officials attend the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015 in Muscat yesterday. cal year unless oil prices rise. This massive investment is not On the conference’s first day, The emirate has scrapped only expected to create scores of participants shared progress on opportunities enabling effective Resident World Bank Advisor, deepening economic social and subsidies on diesel, kerosene and additional jobs and protect envi- project development and locali- private sector participation. GCC. “It will link six member political integration, and it is aviation fuel as a first step in ronment in longer-run, but a long sation initiatives, and took part “The GCC rail project is one of states as a regional transport developed from a sustainable revising heavily-subsidised elec- network of GCC rail is also likely in dynamic panel discussions to a kind, ambitious and complex in corridor, further integrating perspective.” tricity, water and petrol. to deepen socio-economic and address key issues, challenges and nature,” said Dr Ramiz al Assar, with the national railway projects, THE PENINSULA AFP

Job seekers in Shanghai Algeria to invest Lower-than-expected IQ dividend $70bn in shale over 20 years pulls down Qatar bourse index

ALGIERS: Algeria’s state- BY SATISH KANADY already posted QR7.80 in EPS petrochemical producers around owned energy giant Sonatrach for 9M2014 (first nine months of the region; they face tougher plans to invest at least $70bn DOHA: Q at a r i b o u r s e r e t r e at e d 2014), the dividend cut could also times because of the plunge of over the next 20 years to exploit to negative territory yesterday, imply a very weak fourth quarter. crude oil prices, which has been shale gas in the southern hurt by a lower-than-expected We are currently expecting Q4, dragging down petrochemical desert, its managing director dividend announcement by 2014 net income to decline 5 per- product prices and eroding the said yesterday. Industries Qatar. The bell- cent quarter-on-quarter (+7 per- advantage which Gulf produc- The firm intends to press ahead wether plunged its daily percent cent year-on-year) to come in at ers enjoy from cheap feedstock, with its plans despite huge public limit of 10 percent, dragging the QR1.78bn. But our estimate does Reuters reported. opposition in the In Salah area of benchmark index down 2.37 not include the impact of one-off The global oil prices also the central Sahara where success- percent. items, notably potential inven- weighed on Qatari stocks yes- ful test drilling was announced Weighed by Industries Qatar, tory provisions related to the terday sending blue chips to red last month, Said Sahnoun told the industrials sector index tum- steel segment given the decline territory. state radio. bled by 5.32 percent. The stocks seen in iron ore prices in 2014.”, QNB slipped 1.41 percent. Sonatrach hopes to produce accounts for nearly 14 percent QNB analysts said yesterday. Property stocks Barwa and Ezdan some 20 billion cubic metres of of the main index, according to The stock could react negatively lost 2.10 percent and 1.09 percent, shale gas per year from 200 drill analysts. to the dividend cut. According to respectively. sites, Sahnoun said. On Thursday, Industries QNB analysts, after its significant Ooredoo was down by 1.94 Schools, businesses and public Qatar’s board of directors had dividend hike for 2013 (QR11/ percent. Energy-sensitive stocks offices in In Salah have closed recommended a dividend of QR7 share, up from QR8.50/share plus MPHC and Gulf International since the start of the year to dem- per share for 2014 against QR11 10 percent bonus shares in 2012) also ended red. onstrate their concerns about the distributed in 2013, meaning 36 — given its higher-than-industry Dubai’s bourse jumped 2.7 per- environmental consequences, the percent year-on-year decline. yield and relative dividend sta- cent in a broad rally led by prop- Liberte newspaper reported. “The 2014 dividend (of bility — IQ shares enjoyed appeal erty-related stocks. In order to extract shale gas, a Industries Qatar) implies a divi- among investors. They noted Abu Dhabi’s benchmark ended high-pressure mixture of water, dend yield of 4 percent at QR176/ Industries Qatar’s announced nearly flat. Oman’s index jumped sand and chemicals is blasted share stock price. This is much cut will likely put pressure on the 2.4 percent. Kuwait’s bourse deep underground to release lower than what we were expect- stock in the very near-term. added 1.1 percent and Egypt saw Job seekers visit booths at a job fair in Shanghai yesterday. hydrocarbons trapped between ing and is a surprise given IQ’s Industries Qatar’s dividend was a pull back. layers of rock. AFP strong net cash position. Having a potentially negative signal for THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

SunEdison, Maduro in Saudi to discuss oil slide Adani to invest Venezuelan president calls for cooperation of oil exporting countries to bring back stability $4bn in Indian RIYADH: Venezuelan giving no further details. price slide that began in the mid- reasonable price for oil in 2015,” the third quarter of last year, solar panel plant President Nicolas Maduro was Saudi Arabia is the world’s dle of the year, blamed on softer Rouhani said. ahead of Saudi Arabia, according in Opec’s leading oil producer largest crude exporter and the growth in demand and a stronger According to the offi- to the US Energy Information Saudi Arabia for talks yester- biggest producer in the 12-mem- United States dollar as well as cial remarks, Maduro echoed Administration. In such an envi- GANDHINAGAR: Solar power day, state media reported, after ber Organisation of the Petroleum oversupply. Rouhani, “calling for the coopera- ronment, “Opec as we used to firm SunEdison and Indian con- he visited Iran to discuss the Exporting Countries, to which Iran’s President Hassan tion of oil exporting countries to know it is finished, for the time glomerate Adani Enterprises impact of plummeting crude Venezuela and Iran also belong. Rouhani, his oil minister and bring back stability.” being,” said Beshr Bakheet, a plan to invest up to $4bn in what prices. He was to continue on While Saudi Arabia says it is other top officials have criticised Saudi Arabia traditionally acted Saudi investment fund manager. would be one of India’s larg- for further talks in fellow Opec financially strong enough to with- Saudi Arabia for not backing to balance demand and supply in During his two-day state visit est solar panel makers, a boost producers Qatar and Algeria. stand the drop in world oil prices, steps to bolster prices. the global oil market because it is beginning today he is to meet his for Prime Minister Narendra Maduro left Riyadh later to which fell about 50 percent last During his meeting with the only country with substantial Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Modi as he hosts an investment arrive in Qatar. He will be leav- year, the budgets of Venezuela and Maduro on Saturday, Rouhani spare production capacity. Bouteflika, said a presidential summit. ing for Algeria today. Iran are under strain. again appeared to single out But Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al statement carried by Algeria’s On the sidelines of Vibrant Maduro landed on Saturday Venezuela has said it is Riyadh, in remarks carried on Naimi has been quoted as saying APS press agency. Gujarat gathering of statesmen in Riyadh where Deputy Crown willing to cut production to the Iranian government’s website. it is unfair to expect the cartel They would hold talks about and business leaders, the two firms Prince Moqren bin Abdul Aziz support prices but Opec decided “Without doubt, coopera- to reduce output if non-mem- “the current crisis in the price of said yesterday that the new joint received him, the Saudi Press in November to maintain an out- tion of countries that are on the bers, who account for most of the oil, and on the ways and means of venture project would manufacture Agency said. “The Venezuelan put ceiling of 30 million barrels same line in Opec can neutralise world’s crude production, do not. turning it around, in the frame- low-cost photovoltaic solar panels, president was accompanied by per day. the plans of some powers who The United States was the work of an effort broadened to helping turn sunlight directly into a number of ministers,” it said, The decision intensified the are against Opec, stabilising a world’s biggest oil producer in non-Opec producers,” it said. AFP electricity at cheaper rates. Solar energy in India costs up to 50 percent more than power from sources like coal. “This Rally against Keystone XL pipeline facility will create ultra-low cost solar panels that will enable us to produce electricity so cost Egypt set to finalise effectively it can compete head to head, unsubsidised and with- out incentives, with fossil fuels,” said Ahmad Chatila, President Gazprom deal soon and Chief Executive Officer of US-based SunEdison, already a CAIRO: Egypt will complete relies heavily on gas to generate significant player in India. an agreement with Russia’s power for households and indus- The deal — though still subject Gazprom for the company to try, but has had difficulty secur- to further analysis over the com- supply it with liquefied natural ing imports because it lacks a ing months — is a boon for Modi, gas (LNG) shipments later this terminal to process LNG, which who has sought to encourage both month, Egyptian Oil Minister is natural gas chilled into a liq- alternative energy and manufac- Sharif Ismail said yesterday. uid state. turing through his “Make in India” Egypt agreed in principle last But after two years of delays, campaign. India gets twice as much April for Gazprom to supply Egypt contracted Norway’s sunshine as many European coun- seven LNG shipments to help Hoegh LNG for a floating stor- tries that use solar power. But it meet gas supplies needed to age and regasification unit, open- the clean energy source contrib- face its worst energy crisis in ing the door to LNG imports. utes less than 1 percent to India’s decades. The terminal is meant to be energy mix, while its dependence A Gazprom delegation would operational by the end of March. on erratic coal supplies causes visit Egypt in mid-January, Egypt has turned from chronic power cuts. Ismail said. If successful, the an energy exporter to a net Modi wants companies from Gazprom deal would be the sec- importer due to increasing China, Japan, Germany and the ond LNG import agreement consumption and decreasing United States to lead investments since Egypt finalised a deal for production. of $100bn over seven years to boost the necessary import infrastruc- The government has cut fuel India’s solar energy capacity by 33 ture in November. subsidies to curb consumption times to 100,000 megawatts (MW). Egypt signed an agreement and has tried to reduce its debt This plant, which is expected to with Algeria for six LNG cargoes to foreign energy companies to Activists hold a rally against government approval of the planned Keystone XL oil pipeline, in front of the White take three years to build, would in late December. encourage investment. House in Washington. The pipeline has raised new questions about the project after more than six years of review. add up to 20,000 jobs to the local The country of 86 million REUTERS economy. REUTERS MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Japan readies record Detroit auto show $800bn 2015-16 budget Abe’s govt also plans to slash borrowing for a third year

TOKYO: Japan’s government revenues as the economy recov- the national sales tax in April to will propose a record budget for ers allows the government to cut 8 percent from 5 percent, sending next fiscal year of more than bond issuance by 4.4 trillion yen the world’s third-biggest economy $800bn but cut borrowing for to 36.9 trillion, the third decrease into recession. He postponed a a third year, government offi- in a row and the lowest level in six second increase, to 10 percent, cials said yesterday, as Prime years, the officials said. by 18 months to April 2017, but Minister Shinzo Abe seeks to The improved fiscal picture the economy’s upturn under the maintain growth while curbing helps Abe trim Japan’s public premier’s easy-money policies is the heaviest debt burden in the debt, which is well over twice the set to boost tax revenues in the industrial world. country’s GDP after years of slug- coming year. The third annual budget since gish growth and huge stimulus The draft budget projects tax Abe swept to power in late 2012 spending. The budget for the com- revenues rising 4.5 trillion yen also highlights his struggle to ing year follows an extra budget of to 54.5 trillion yen, the officials contain bulging welfare costs 3.1 trillion yen for this fiscal year, said, easing somewhat the need for the fast-ageing society while approved last week. to issue more bonds. Debt will increasing discretionary spending With the budget deficit — finance about 38 percent of the in areas such as the military. excluding new bond sales and debt coming year’s budget, down from Abe’s 96.3 trillion yen ($813bn) servicing — projected at roughly 3 this year’s 43 percent. But as the draft budget for the year from percent of gross domestic product government continues to run a April, to be approved by the for the 2015-16 fiscal year, Abe will deficit, debt servicing, interest Cabinet on Wednesday and sub- meet the government’s promise of payments and redemptions, are mitted to an upcoming session halving the debt ratio from 2010- set to rise about 200bn yen to of Parliament, is up from this 11 levels. But finance ministry 23.5 trillion yen. Social-welfare fiscal year’s initial 95.9 trillion, calculations show that the goal spending, such as medical care, Workers prepare Chinese automobile company GAC Group booth for The North American International the two officials said. But spend- of balancing the budget by 2020- is set to rise 1 trillion yen to 31.5 Automobile Show in Detroit. The show expects a million visitors to descend on bone-chilling Detroit ing restraint and a surge in tax 21 remains ambitious. Abe raised trillion yen. REUTERS between January 17 and 25. GM plans fresh Volvo to sell Chinese-made Jaguar announces first move into cars in US market this year crossover to boost sales electric cars MUMBAI: Jaguar will add its Jaguar and Land Rover brands. first sport-utility vehicle with a In 2015, Jaguar will begin deliv- BEIJING: Volvo Car Group year. China bought 81,221 Volvos for China’s industry, said James production version of the C-X17 eries of the XE saloon, as the car plans to export a Chinese-made in 2014, up 33 percent. Chao, Asia-Pacific director of concept car that was first shown style is known in the UK. It will be midsize sedans this year to the More broadly, the moves are consulting and research firm IHS in 2013, extending an expansion Jaguar’s cheapest vehicle at about United States, and is starting to part of Geely’s turnaround strat- Automotive. by the British carmaking group. 27,000 pounds and rival the likes weigh the possibility of building egy for Volvo which has struggled “Volvo is not an indigenous Underpinned by new vehicles of the BMW 3- Series. The car is a vehicle factory in the United to go beyond being a brand with Chinese brand but it is wholly such as its entry-level XE sedan a critical test of Jaguar’s ability States, people familiar with the an annual volume of less than Chinese-owned. Perhaps this is and the Discovery Sport from sis- to compete for entry-level luxury Chinese-owned automaker’s a half-million vehicles. Thanks the model or strategy that finally ter brand Land Rover, the luxury buyers after halting production of plans said. to its focus on China where the works for Chinese companies try- unit of India’s Tata Motors Ltd the X-Type last decade because of Both moves would be signifi- brand expanded its distribution ing to enter the US market and targets boosting sales to a record disappointing sales. cant for the auto industry and network and product portfolio, other markets.” of more than 500,000 vehicles in Including the rollout of the Volvo’s parent, Zhejiang Geely Volvo sales volume is on the rise. Chao added Volvo’s owner, 2015. Jaguar Land Rover deliv- Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV, Holding Group Co. So far, global It sold a total of 465,866 vehicles Geely, could follow Volvo into the ered 462,678 vehicles last year, an the carmaker plans 12 “significant automakers have chosen not to globally last year, up 9 percent US market with its own products, increase of 9 percent for its fifth new product actions” this year, Mary Barra, CEO of GM ship vehicles made in China to from 2013. perhaps leveraging Volvo’s manu- straight year of growth. it said in the statement. Jaguar the US market in any significant “The S60L offers class-leading facturing and parts supply chains. The expansion will continue in Land Rover’s growth in 2014 was numbers, and efforts by Chinese rear space, something that has Geely’s purchase of Volvo from 2016, when the five-seat Jaguar lifted by a 28 percent gain in WASHINGTON: General automakers to export vehicles to been consistently demanded by Ford Motor Co five years ago sur- crossover F-PACE will go on China to 122,010 vehicles. Demand Motors Co plans to offer a new the United States have foundered. US customers. It will be made prised many in the auto indus- sale, the Whitley, England- based rose 2 percent in North America electric vehicle with a style and Volvo is also behind rivals at Volvo’s plant in Chengdu, try, who doubted that a relative manufacturer said in a statement. and 3 percent in the UK. price-point that can compete BMW and Mercedes in estab- China, and will be on show for newcomer could turn around the Jaguar Land Rover is invest- The carmaker, which opened with the forthcoming Tesla lishing production in the United the first time at this year’s North nearly 90-year-old Swedish busi- ing £3.5bn ($5.3bn) in the year its first manufacturing plant out- Model 3 car due out in two States, which insulates the American International Auto ness while protecting its famous through March to broaden its side of the UK in October, aims years, the Wall Street Journal German brands from currency Show in Detroit,” said David brand. lineup amid stiffening competi- to capture 10 percent of China’s reported on Friday. fluctuations. Ibison, a Gothenburg, Sweden- The S60L was developed origi- tion. The luxury-car maker, which premium SUV market as its first The $30,000 electric car called Volvo might also export a large based Volvo spokesman. “The nally as a China-specific model contributed 81 percent of parent local factory allows the luxury the Chevrolet Bolt, expected to “strategic, flagship” sedan based S60L forms just one part of our to cater to wealthy Chinese con- Tata’s revenue in the quarter marque to cut prices and boost debut commercially in 2017, will on a newly developed underpin- US revival plan.” sumers who prefer cars with ended Sept. 30, is looking to boost sales in the world’s largest auto be able to drive 200 miles on a ning technology, said the execu- Ibison said Volvo plans to bigger, comfortable rear seats demand with new models across market. BLOOMBERG charge and is intended to cut tives, who work for Zhejiang launch seven new products by because many of these owners into a market where Elon Musk’s Geely. That car would be shipped 2018 and increase US sales to have chauffeurs. Volvo expects to Tesla Motors Inc has been an out of China in addition to the around 100,000 cars a year in ship roughly 1,500 made-in-China investor darling. Volvo S60L, a long wheelbase ver- the medium term. He declined to S60L cars to the United States Electric car purchases badly lag sion of the S60 sedan Volvo began elaborate. this year, compared with the car’s Oman may privatise ORPIC sales of gas-powered vehicles but producing in the southwestern Exporting Chinese-produced projected volume in China this MUSCAT: Oman’s government may sell off part of oil refiner Oman the market is growing and GM China city of Chengdu more than mainstream passenger cars to year of 26,000. Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Co (ORPIC) as it revives a will show off an early model of the a year ago. the United States and other The additional car Volvo plans privatisation programme in response to weak oil prices, Oil Minister Bolt at the Detroit auto show next The moves are aimed at reviv- advanced auto markets has been to export to the United States, Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhy was quoted as saying. Rumhy week to stake a stronger claim in ing Volvo’s momentum in the US a long-standing goal of China’s those executives said, is a flagship was quoted by Azzamn newspaper as saying ORPIC, which runs oil the space. market where volume last year indigenous automakers — an large sedan that might be called refineries at Sohar and Muscat as well as aromatics and polypropyl- The Chevy Bolt will boast a fell 8 percent from 2013 to 56,371 objective that has largely eluded the S90 which uses Volvo’s new ene production plants at Sohar, and has over 1,600 employees, was stronger battery manufactured vehicles. The US market, which the industry. vehicle underpinning technology one likely privatisation target. “We might offer 15 to 20 percent of by South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd, has long been Volvo’s largest mar- “It would be a big break- called “scalable platform architec- the company to the public,” he said. REUTERS the paper reported. REUTERS ket, was replaced by China last through” not just for Geely but ture” or SPA. REUTERS AAB opens car rental counter at HIA

DOHA: Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co WLL (AAB) inaugu- rated its first car rental coun- ter at the Hamad International Airport (HIA). The counter provides a wide range of latest models of Toyota and Lexus cars aimed to meet the requirements of visitors and busi- nessmen on short stay in Doha. The offer also includes chauf- feur driven services. The event is another milestone that marks AAB’s commitment to uphold its signature Customer First Policy by providing better products and services. AAB’s RAC Division was launched in 1999 with a fleet of 15 cars. However, over the past 15 years, it has become a major car Officials opening the car rental counter at the Hamad International Airport. rental firm in Qatar with a fleet strength of 9,500 vehicle units Abdulghani, Managing Director Management Team. providing service to corporate and Acting Chief Executive Nasser said, “We are proud clients. Officer of AAB with the attend- that as part of our commitment AAB achieved this position by ance of HIA top management to improve customer service, we providing high quality services Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Mass, have been given the opportunity and products to their valuable Vice President – Commercial & to expand our client base includ- customers, as well as through Marketing Department. Together ing the newly arrived visitors to effective management and appli- at the launch were Murugan, the country. We aim to provide cation of corporate values. Chief Operating Officer – Motor them a smooth and good experi- Present at the launch was Division; Mazin Taha – RAC ence during their stay.” Dr Nasser Abdulghani Al Director and the AAB Senior THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS

Mind the gap in multi-speed Oil-driven Asian bond world economy after oil dip

BY JONATHAN SPICER and RAJESH KUMAR SINGH

obust recovery in the United States, a moribund eurozone and rally could boomerang slowing Chinese growth reflect global splits which plunging oil prices are likely to widen. On the face of it, lower energy bills should give consumers and companies more money to BY VIDYA is right now foremost in their One plausible scenario that Inflation has slowed sharply, R RANGANATHAN spend and boost economic growth, at least for oil importers. But for minds, and they are looking at a could trigger a bond market except in Indonesia and Malaysia, those countries facing stagnation or even deflation the prospect of Fed rate hike, and so I think they tumble is if lower oil costs dra- where fuel subsidies were cut late downward pressure on prices is more worrying. lunging oil prices have will remain pretty dug in,” he said. matically improve US growth last year. While consumer price The likelihood is that a near 60 percent fall in the price of oil will see sparked a big rally in The fear of a repeat of 2013’s numbers in the next couple of inflation in the Philippines is well those already growing strongly pick up further, leaving the laggards Asian government “taper tantrum”, when talk of months, leading to renewed opti- below the central bank’s expected trailing in their wake. Central bankers in the United States and Europe bond markets as the Federal Reserve withdrawing mism about global growth and 3 percent average for the year, the have clearly expressed the divide over an oil dividend in recent weeks. lower fuel costs cut monetary stimulus prompted vast a rise in Treasury yields. Far rhetoric from policymakers sug- “It is a huge plus for consumers, for businesses,” San Francisco Fed Pinflation expectations, but the sums of foreign capital to bail out from cutting rates, policymakers gests markets may at best hope President John Williams said. A drag from weak economies elsewhere rally could be built on shallow of the region, helps explain why might then have to raise rates. for rates to be on hold. in the world would not counteract that, he calculated. foundations as monetary policy- Asian central banks might err The odds of this high-growth On the other hand, Indonesia’s Williams is not alone. Minutes of the Fed’s December meeting said makers remain out of step with on the side of tighter monetary scenario playing out are perhaps inflation is running at nearly some of those present thought “the boost to domestic spending coming tumbling bond yields. policy. But there are other factors reflected in how well equity mar- double the official forecast range from lower energy prices could turn out to be quite large”. The price of oil CLc1, of which that also suggest official policy will kets have held up despite worries for this year, thanks to a jump in Compare that with European Central Bank chief economist Peter Asia is a net importer, has stay tighter than the bond mar- about disinflation, patchy eco- domestic oil prices. Praet, speaking on the last day of 2014, days before eurozone inflation halved in less than six months, kets imply. For one, a rising US nomic growth and the possibility ING’s Condon doesn’t expect turned negative for the first time since 2009. “With the recent oil driving bond yields down across dollar is pushing down all emerg- that Greece could return to the any of Asia’s central banks to prices, inflation would be even lower, even substantially lower than the region, from India to South ing market currencies, which emergency room. Despite a wob- react in a hurry to either oil or expected so far,” he said, noting that in the past the ECB would have Korea, as markets anticipate already indirectly eases monetary bly start to 2015, Asian shares slowing inflation, and instead says looked past external shocks such as this but could no longer afford to. looser monetary policy to accom- conditions for Asian policymakers are up 6 percent in the past three they might be prepared to tolerate “In an environment ... in which inflation expectations are extremely modate the resulting disinfla- and creates pressure on them to months. “We are apparently on disinflation just as the European fragile we cannot simply ‘look through’.” tion. The imminence of further keep interest rates up to prevent the edge of deflation, and yet Central Bank and Fed do. Markets are certain the ECB will launch a Fed-style government monetary easing in Europe and the flight of foreign cash. equity markets aren’t collapsing,” “There is some sort of asym- bond-buying programme with new money. Given that it may be curbed Japan builds a strong case for The market mismatch is evi- said BofA Merrill Lynch strate- metry there. It’s okay to under- in some way to meet German concerns, there is much less certainty bond yields to drop further. dent in Indonesia, where the gist Claudio Piron. “And there are shoot inflation, it’s prohibitive to that it will deliver a jolt. Most economists agree the US economy will But there is little sign yet of offi- rupiah currency has fallen 9 per- certain elements to what is going overshoot. That, I think, will be benefit from low oil, which will harden expectations of an interest rate cial rate cuts, particularly in mar- cent against the dollar in the past on which are reminiscent of the the story in Asia as well.” rise this year, but some see real stress elsewhere. kets such as Indonesia, Malaysia six months. Ten-year Indonesian Asian financial crisis — oil prices Some market participants rec- “You’ve got a handful of places that are seemingly doing very well and the Philippines, where central government bond yields, which are falling, dollar strengthening, ognise that bias, which is possi- — like the US, the UK, Canada — but it trails off pretty quickly after banks were sounding hawkish or normally significantly higher than bonds rallying strongly — which bly why short-end yields in Asian that,” said Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust. even raising rates into the final overnight policy rates to reflect all seems very ominous.” bond markets haven’t moved “It’s pretty rare that you have a price adjustment this significant in a months of 2014. “The oil price has the risk of holding bonds to term, With the exception of Thailand, much. But it is in longer-term market that is this significant and not have some corner of the market caught central banks by surprise,” are just 5 basis points above the none of Asia’s central banks has yields that investors might read a or the world really cause some instability.” said ING’s chief Asian economist 7.75 percent policy rate, having explicitly spoken of the need for warning that 2015 will hold more For the major oil producers, the price plunge is a clear negative Tim Condon. “The panic of 2013 fallen 60 bps since mid-December. easier policy. pain than gain. REUTERS although the Gulf oil nations have the reserves to ride through this unscathed. Russia’s malaise is partly due to western sanctions over Ukraine but oil is probably a bigger factor in heralding a deep reces- sion. The Kremlin needs something around $100 per barrel to make its budget work. A price of half that must mean steep tax rises and spending cuts or an alarming depletion of Moscow’s currency reserves. Norway has been more prudent. Not a cent of oil revenue is used for budget spending, it merely spends the returns on the hundreds of billions of oil wealth saved in the past. But lower returns means petroleum investments are likely to fall, cutting future state revenues. “Growth in Norway’s mainland GDP will be much lower than we’ve been used to,” central bank governor Oeystein Olsen said. “(Oil field) profitability is starting to become much more marginal.” For Japan, with a central bank pumping out money to get prices up, the story is a mixed one. As a huge fuel importer, low oil will help the economy but it may not be enough to nudge Japanese households and companies, who hoarded cash during nearly two decades of deflation, to spend. The oil rout complicates life for the Bank of Japan as it strives to get inflation from below 1 percent to a 2 percent target. But it sees more positives than negatives. “Oil price falls would weigh on overall prices in the short term. But from a somewhat long-term perspective, they will help narrow Japan’s output gap and lead to an uptrend in prices,” BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda told business leaders. Russia’s travails have highlighted the divergent fortunes of the BRIC economies. Growth in China, the world’s second biggest economy, is slowing and the authorities have already cut interest rates for the first time in two years. Brazil is battling high inflation with punitive interest rates while India is seeking to improve upon growth which is topping 5 percent annually. With oil accounting for nearly a third of India’s imports, its current account should improve and inflation fall. The oil rout allowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end gov- ernment price caps on diesel in October. That actually led to a sharp fall in pump prices for the fuel that drives rural tractors and urban SUVs, boosting personal disposable income. But insofar as low oil reflects slowing global growth, there is also a warning sign for an export-oriented economy. “The slump in world oil prices represents an estimated transfer of around $1.5 trillion from global oil producing countries to oil importing countries and Asian oil importing industrial nations are among the biggest winners,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific Chief Economist at IHS Global Insight. “These positive factors will help to mitigate some signs of growth moderation in China in the second half of 2014, as well as weak growth in Japan.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Austerity? Not for us, say rich Gulf states BY ANDREW TORCHIA are likely to be slowed or sus- business community was uncertain weeks indicate state spending may by making it harder to hire for- estimates that at an oil price of pended, especially in Bahrain and about oil prices but expected solid fall marginally in real terms this eigners, seems to be fading. $60, the assets of the four big GCC t’s a weekend morning at the Oman, the smallest and financially growth this year. year but will stay high and near “We project real GDP growth states could fund public spending at Dubai Mall, a glitzy com- weakest economies in the six- “Big infrastructure projects have record levels. in the GCC region to acceler- current levels for two to five years, plex with 1,200 stores, and nation Gulf Cooperation Council started and government spending The government of Saudi ate in the range of 5.0 to 5.5 per- or cover budget deficits for four to Ithe shoppers are pouring in. (GCC). If oil stays at current lev- is continuing... We’re not expecting Arabia, by far the largest GCC cent in 2015 from an estimated 14 years — all without recourse to A traffic jam has formed in the els for several years, the big GCC a slowdown in retail sales this year economy, plans to raise nominal 4.7 percent in 2014,” said Joannes debt, while keeping the GCC’s cur- basement parking area. With pas- economies may be forced into in Saudi or the region,” he said, 2015 spending by 0.6 percent from Mongardini, head of economics at rency pegs to the US dollar. senger arrivals at Dubai’s airport painful spending cuts. But for the adding Majid Al Futtaim saw no its 2014 plan. Dubai announced a Qatar National Bank, the country’s So far, professional investors at record highs, retailers expect a foreseeable future, it’s largely busi- reason to alter investment plans. 9 percent spending increase, and largest bank. He added: “Unless seem equally confident. GCC stock good month. ness as usual in Saudi Arabia, the The cost to the Gulf of cheaper even Oman plans a 4.5 percent rise. there is a cut in public invest- markets dominated by retail inves- The 55 percent plunge of oil United Arab Emirates, Qatar and oil is huge. Jason Tuvey at London’s Top officials of other GCC govern- ments — which is not expected tors have plunged, but many fund prices since last June might be Kuwait, which have accumulated Capital Economics estimates that ments, including Abu Dhabi, Qatar — in the region, we do not see a managers think they were over- expected to usher in an age of such large fiscal reserves that they if Brent crude averages $60 a bar- and Kuwait, have said spending on major impact on overall business valued. Bond and currency forward austerity in the Gulf, which faces can comfortably keep state spend- rel this year, GCC states will run economic development will not be sentiment” from cheaper oil. markets have moved little, show- a steep drop in its income. But ing at high levels. a combined current account defi- cut. GCC governments won’t be able ing investors don’t expect financial austerity isn’t happening. The This is sustaining consumer and cit of $60bn. If oil were at $110, as Some governments are using the to avoid big spending cuts indefi- stress in the region. economic defences which the Gulf corporate sentiment as oil slides. it was in June, they would enjoy a oil price slide as political cover to nitely if oil prices stay low. With John Sfakianakis, regional direc- states built up after the global Jarir, a top Saudi retailer, reported surplus of $300bn. raise taxes or cut subsidies, but are Brent at $50, the current level, all tor of asset manager Ashmore in financial crisis five years ago, to a 20 percent year-on-year jump in But the structure of the Gulf’s stopping well short of austerity. of them would probably run budget Riyadh, said that after a boom cope with just such a drop in oil, fourth-quarter sales. December oil industry minimises the direct Kuwait cut diesel fuel subsidies but deficits. in the past decade, the Gulf was are holding. purchasing manager surveys in impact of oil price changes on ruled out similar action for petrol; But their financial reserves entering a new era because of Consumers are still spending, Saudi Arabia and the UAE showed economies. Oil export revenues Abu Dhabi raised utility fees. are so large that they could cope cheaper oil — an era of slightly companies are investing, and gov- non-oil business growing at roughly do not flow straight to the private So growth in the region looks with such deficits for years; the more modest growth, but by no ernments are announcing record the same pace as in June. sector but to governments, which unlikely to fall much if at all this GCC’s foreign exchange reserves means a slump. budgets for 2015. Some economists Iyad Malas, chief executive of decide how much of them to spend. year, and may actually accelerate and sovereign wealth fund assets “There will still be good growth, expect growth in the six-nation Majid Al Futtaim-Holding, one That means the key factor for if other factors are favourable. For are worth over 160 percent of not necessarily a substantial fall — Gulf Cooperation Council to accel- of the Gulf’s top shopping mall economies is not the oil price but example the initial, negative impact gross domestic product, Capital rates of around 4.3 to 4.5 percent,” erate this year. and leisure operators with over state budget policy. Government of Saudi labour reforms, designed Economics calculates. he said. A number of building projects 27,000 employees, said the region’s announcements over the past two to push more local citizens into jobs Investment bank VTB Capital REUTERS MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,014.35 2.37 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 17,919.29 2.37 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,035.24 2.31 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,079.92 2.27 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,162.94 1.23 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5334.495 -11.662 -0.22 5447.6 5321.5 QE All Share Industrials 3,894.13 5.32 % QR141.6106 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,290.89 0.28 % Cac 40 Index/D 4130.6 47.1 1.15 4311 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,214.65 1.24 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.4470 QR 5.5241 QE All Share Insurance 3,719.21 2.13 % Dj Indu Average 17371.64 -130.01 -0.74 18103.4 15340.69 QR 1.9259 Euro ...... QR 4.2575 QR 4.3174 QE All Share Telecoms 1,387.83 1.87 % CA$ ...... QR 3.0554 QR 3.1155 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,981.55 0.75 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23681.26 195.85 0.83 23998.87 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.5452 QR 3.6183 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5122.23 36.04 0.71 5278.86 5086.19 Yen ...... QR 0.0301 QR 0.0307 Aus$ ...... QR 2.9252 QR 2.9837 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32835.94 167.21 0.51 32866.4 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 11-01-2015 08-01-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0576 QR 0.0587 Index 12,014.35 12,305.52 Nikkei 225 Index 16885.33 2.14 0.01 17540.92 16881.73 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0358 QR 0.0365 Change 291.17 407.34 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0802 QR 0.0818 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 2093.55 1737.92 % 2.37 3.42 $ 51.24 SL Re ...... QR 0.0274 QR 0.0280 YTD% 2.21 0.16 Straits Times/D 3298.36 16.41 0.5 3375.13 3272.4 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 9,529,158 20,781,021 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0360 QR 0.0367 Value (QAR) 611,683,150.41 999,834,295.20 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3101 QR 0.3162 Trades 6,050 10,475 $ 47.48 Up 08 | Down 32 | Unchanged 02 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 11- 01-2015

Why US inflation stays ultra-low as job growth surges

BY JOSH BOAK and inflation from spiking and the working part time who can’t find BLAME THE ROBOTS hour, about half of what longtime wages might be held down because CHRISTOPHER S RUGABER economy from overheating. Not full-time jobs, up from 4.1 million What’s happened in the auto workers earn. many lower-paid entry-level this time. Though the Fed’s record- before the recession. Each of those industry reveals much about how Roughly a quarter of Detroit’s workers are finding jobs. Their his isn’t explained in Econ 101. low rates have helped support the workers potentially competes with the economy has been trans- factory workers now make the influx cuts into average wages Month after month, US hir- economy since the 2008 financial the unemployed for full-time work, formed — and why a nearly nor- entry-level wage. Even long- while simultaneously reflecting Ting keeps rising, and unem- crisis, those low rates haven’t met thereby holding down wages. mal 5.6 percent unemployment time UAW workers haven’t had the strength of job growth. ployment keeps falling. Eventually, their other goal of raising wages And there are 2.3 million people isn’t igniting wages. an hourly pay raise since 2007, “Given that we’ve hired so pay and inflation are supposed to and inflation to normal levels. who have recently stopped looking Sales of new cars last year though they’ve received annual many people in the last two or start surging in response. As long as inflation stays con- for work, some of them because reached 16.5 million, the best profit-sharing checks equaling three months, you’re bringing They’re not happening. sistently below its target, the Fed they grew discouraged about their performance since 2006. But the about $4 an hour. Similar trends in a lot of new workers who will Last month, employers added might feel pressure to delay a rate prospects. Others chose to return gains have yet to restore every have emerged at other factories not be paid as well as experienced a healthy 252,000 jobs — end- increase beyond midyear, when to school or to care for relatives. auto job lost to the recession — and in other industries. O’Keefe workers,” Silvia said. ing the best year of hiring since most economists have predicted That’s up from 1.3 million before let alone expand the industry’s notes, for example, that retailers 1999 — and the unemployment a hike. Thanks in part to plunging the recession. employment over the past eight are selling more goods than before GLOBAL REALITY BITES rate sank to 5.6 percent from 5.8 oil prices, many economists now And a broader gauge of unem- years. The number of autowork- the recession yet still employ No matter how much the US percent. Yet inflation isn’t man- envision even less inflation this ployment, which includes the ers remains about 160,000 shy of fewer workers. economy improves, American aging to reach even the Federal year than in 2014. officially unemployed as well as pre-recession levels of more than workers still face competition Reserve’s two percent target rate. When the US economy last involuntary part-time workers one million. CHECK THE from billions of workers in China, And paychecks are barely budg- enjoyed a similar hiring binge, in and those who’ve stopped look- The reason: Companies fear DEMOGRAPHICS India, Eastern Europe and else- ing. In December, average hourly 1999, average wages climbed 3.6 ing, is 11.1 percent. That figure has returning to the days when they Seen more Uber-riding, where who weren’t part of the glo- pay actually fell. percent, compared with 1.6 percent improved since the recession, but had too much factory capacity. So Snapchatting millennials? bal economy a decade or two ago. Economists are struggling to last year, according to the govern- not as much as the official unem- they’re squeezing more produc- Since the start of graduation That most of those economies, explain the phenomenon. ment. So what explains consistently ployment rate has. tion out of less capacity. Emerging season in May, employers have as well as Japan and the rest of “I can’t find a plausible empiri- solid job growth without inflation? Jennifer Durham, a vice presi- from the recession, automakers hired an additional 1.67 million Europe, are stumbling only inten- cal or theoretical explanation for Here are four crucial factors: dent at the 800-fast-food restau- reconfigured factory floors and college graduates — nearly 60 per- sifies the competition for jobs. why hourly wages would drop rant chain Checkers, says it plans to added robots to produce more cent of all jobs added last year. Weak growth overseas has low- when for nine months we’ve been RECESSION’S LINGERING add 50 to 60 restaurants this year. vehicles from fewer plants and In the past year, the number of ered interest rates and inflation adding jobs at a robust pace,” said DAMAGE Each should employ 25 to 30 people. fewer workers. 25-to-34 year-olds with jobs has — and therefore tempered pay Patrick O’Keefe, chief economist Though the unemployment rate But Checkers hasn’t faced What’s more, the United Auto climbed a solid 2.5 percent. growth — in many of the United at consulting firm CohnReznick. is back to a nearly healthy level, much pressure to raise wages Workers union agreed to wage Because so much hiring has States’ competitors. That means Normally, with unemployment many other measures of the job for hourly workers. “There’s no cuts in an effort to help General disproportionately occurred in US workers face continued low- this low, the Fed would raise its market remain subpar. shortage of applicants,” Durham Motors, Ford and Chrysler. New recent months, Wells Fargo chief wage competition. benchmark interest rate to prevent There are still 6.8 million people said. hires started at around $16 an economist John Silvia figures that AP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT ‘New F1 Seahawks roll over Panthers super licence system is to advance in title match flawed’ BIRMINGHAM: Formula One’s new points-based super licence system for 2016 is flawed NFL: Seahawks to face Green Bay or Dallas in NFC championship and needs a rethink, according to former McLaren test driver and 2005 German Touring Car NEW YORK: The defending (DTM) champion Gary Paffett. Super Bowl champion Seattle The 33-year-old Briton said Seahawks beat the Carolina at the Autosport International Panthers 31-17 yesterday, show on Saturday that the gov- putting them one win away erning FIA was wrong to ignore from a return trip to the NFL’s the DTM in a list of recognised championship game. feeder series. The top-seeded Seahawks, who The FIA has announced that are trying to become the NFL’s from next year new applicants first repeat champion in 10 years, must be over 18 and to have used a suffocating defence and acquired at least 40 qualifying explosive fourth quarter to put points from other series in the what had been a close game out last three years to obtain the of reach. mandatory licence. “The guys played really hard The move would, if applied this tonight and played a really good year, have kept out Toro Rosso’s tough, physical game,” Seattle 17-year-old Dutch rookie Max head coach Pete Carroll told Verstappen and others with lim- reporters. ited experience or success. “Our guys hung in there tough Only five series will offer the and kept the score down and chance to acquire 40 points in one allowed for some guys to make year, and DTM – which has had things happen.” several ex-F1 drivers in its ranks With the victory, Seattle are over the years – was excluded the first defending Super Bowl entirely. champion to win a post-season “I agree with the theory,” said game the following season since Paffet of the age restriction and the 2005 New England Patriots. requirement for proven expertise. Seattle will next host the win- “But omitting certain champion- ner of game between the Green ships, and especially the DTM, Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles for yardage against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of their NFC Divisional from the super licence points in the NFC Championship game Play-offs game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, yesterday. RIGHT: Seattle Seahawks defensive unit celebrates with strong safety Kam system is quite a flaw. on January 18. Chancellor (centre) after he returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown during the game. “When I won the championship The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in 2005, that was my third year in completed 15-of-22 passes for DTM and I had a good chance of 268 yards and three touchdowns, quarter the teams looked headed stepped in front on a Cam Newton career against Seattle, completed when Newton capped an impres- getting a drive in F1 in 2006. including a team post-season for a tense finish until Seattle pass and returned it 90 yards for 23-of-36 passes for 246 yards and sive 14-play, 79-yard drive with “Now, with this system, that record 63-yard scoring pass to erupted for 17 consecutive points a touchdown that sparked wild two touchdowns but was undone a seven-yard touchdown pass to would not have happened because Jermaine Kearse in the second in a nine-minute span. celebrations at Century Link by a two interceptions and a lost Kelvin Benjamin. I’d have done three years in the quarter. After a Steven Hauschka field Field. fumble. “The difference was just missed DTM and I wouldn’t have scored Kearse made a spectacular one- goal early, the Seahawks added “It was really an extraordinary Four plays after a Newton fum- opportunities,” Newton said. any points for the super licence.” handed catch before out-running to their lead when Wilson, fac- night,” said Carroll. “The support ble in the first quarter that gave “When you are playing a great Paffett, a Mercedes driver who the Panthers defense and diving ing a third-and-10 at the Carolina and the backing and just the noise Seattle the ball at the Carolina defense you just got to take what has left McLaren now they have for the pylon at the left corner of 25-yard line, connected with Luke and craziness in the stadium is 28-yard line, Wilson found Doug they give you and a lot of times a new partnership with Honda, the end zone for a 14-7 lead before Willson for a touchdown to build just extraordinary and makes it Baldwin on a 16-yard pass for a I was kind of overlooking the said the DTM was a good step- Carolina responded with a field a 14-point lead. so much fun to be a part of.” 7-0 lead. play that needed to be made and ping stone towards F1 with strong goal on the final play of half. Seattle put the game out of Fourth-year quarterback The Panthers drew even six instead tried to make the bigger manufacturer support and high- Following a scoreless third reach when Kam Chancellor Newton, who dropped to 0-4 in his minutes into the second quarter play.” REUTERS performance cars. REUTERS Avalanche edge out Stars

NEW YORK: Centres Nathan Senators 5, Coyotes 1 Toronto Raptors’ MacKinnon and Matt Duchene NHL Results Left winger Mike Hoffman forward Patrick scored 21 seconds apart, and Boston 3 Philadelphia 1 scored his 14th goal and left Patterson (right) goaltender Semyon Varlamov Nashville 3 Minnesota 1 winger Clarke MacArthur had defends against stopped 37 shots as Colorado Colorado 4 Dallas 3 a goal and an assist as Ottawa Boston Celtics’ beat Dallas 4-3. Pittsburgh 2 Montreal 1 broke a three-game losing streak forward Brandon Defenceman Erik Johnson and Washington 3 Detroit 1 with a victory over Arizona at center John Mitchell also scored Gila River Arena. Bass (30) at the NY Islanders 5 Columbus 2 Air Canada Center, for the Avalanche, who have won Left winger Milan Michalek, five of six. Colorado is 9-3-2 since Ottawa 5 Arizona 1 defenceman Cody Ceci, left yesterday. Toronto a four-game losing streak in early St Louis 5 Carolina 4 winger Mikkel Boedker and David defeated Boston December. The Avalanche moved Calgary 1 Vancouver 0 Legwand scored for Ottawa. Craig 109-96. past Dallas into fifth place in the Winnipeg 5 Los Angeles 4 Anderson made 31 saves. Central Division. NY Rangers 3 San Jose 1 Islanders 5, Blue Jackets 2 Right wingers Alex Hemsky Left winger Nikolai Kulemin and Brett Ritchie scored and fifth time in the last six games, scored just 31 seconds into the center Colton Sceviour also had topping Minnesota. game, and the New York Islanders a goal for the Stars, who have lost Jarnkrok scored off the added three second-period goals four straight. Goaltender Kari rebound of a shot by center Olli to pull away from Columbus. Lehtonen stopped 26 shots. Jokinen to break a 1-1 tie and Left winger Matt Martin, Penguins 2, Canadiens 1 (OT) Wilson added an insurance goal center Anders Lee and defense- Centre Sidney Crosby scored after a Minnesota turnover. man Brian Strait also scored for Walker hands Charlotte huge on the power play in overtime to Center Mike Fisher also scored the Islanders, while defenseman give Pittsburgh a 2-1 win over for the Predators. Thomas Hickey and center Ryan Montreal at the Bell Centre. Bruins 3, Flyers 1 Strome each had two assists. win, Clippers crush Mavericks Goaltender Carey Price stopped Right winger David Pastrnak Capitals 3, Red Wings 1 34 shots for Montreal and net- scored the first two goals of his Right wingers Troy Brouwer minder Marc-Andre Fleury made career, goaltender Tuukka Rask and Joel Ward, and defenseman NEW YORK: Kemba Walker 18 rebounds to lead the Chicago to 27 saves for Pittsburgh. made 24 saves and Boston beat John Carlson all scored for the scored 28 points in 28 minutes NBA Results victory against Milwaukee. Predators 3, Wild 1 Philadelphia. Centre Chris Kelly Capitals, while Braden Holtby as Charlotte cruised past New Charlotte 110 NY Knicks 82 Guard Kirk Hinrich added 16 Centres Calle Jarnkrok and also scored a goal to help the turned aside 26-of-27 shots as York 110-82 at Madison Square LA Clippers 120 Dallas 100 points for the Bulls, who improved Colin Wilson scored in the third Bruins extend their points streak Washington improved to 12-1-4 Garden. Detroit 98 Brooklyn 93 to 7-4 without Derrick Rose, the period as Nashville won for the to seven games. in its last 17 games. REUTERS The third-year guard was Philadelphia 93 Indiana 92 guard sitting out because of a sore 8-of-13 from the field but did Toronto 109 Boston 96 left knee. not play in the fourth quarter 76ers 93, Pacers 92 Chicago 95 Milwaukee 87 when Charlotte led by as many Point guard Michael Carter- 40 points at 95-55. Houston 97 Utah 82 Williams hit the go-ahead The Knicks dropped their fran- San Antonio 108 Minnesota 93 layup with 9.2 seconds left as chise-worst 15th straight game Portland 103 Orlando 92 Philadelphia 76ers topped Indiana. and have lost 25 of the last 26. Guard Tony Wroten had 20 Their last win was at Boston on for the Pistons, who have won points and nine assists to lead Winnipeg Jets’ December 12. eight of their last nine games. Philadelphia, who won back-to- players celebrate Clippers 120, Mavericks 100 Centre Andre Drummond added back games for only the second a goal in the Forward Blake Griffin had 22 14 points and nine rebounds. time this season. third period of points, seven rebounds and six Raptors 109, Celtics 96 Spurs 108, Timberwolves 93 their NHL game assists, and Los Angeles used a Guard Kyle Lowry scored Forward Austin Daye scored against the Los strong second half to blow past 19 points and dished out seven a season-high 22 points as San Angeles Kings at Dallas at the Staples Center. assists as Toronto snapped a four- Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota Staples Center. All five starters reached double game losing streak with a victory a 15th straight loss. Jets won 5-4 in a figures for the Clippers in their over Boston. Fourteen of Daye’s points came fifth win in six games. Reserve guard Lou Williams in the first half, including 2-of-3 shootout. Pistons 98, Nets 93 also scored 19 points for the three-pointers. Six Spurs scored Brandon Jennings scored 20 Raptors, who avoided losing five in double figures. points, all in the second half, and in a row for the first time since Rockets 97, Jazz 82 had 11 assists to lead Detroit to a December 2013. James Harden hit two fourth- victory over a slumping Brooklyn. Bulls 95, Bucks 87 quarter three-pointers to help lift Power forward Greg Monroe Forward Pau Gasol scored a the Houston Rockets to a victory supplied 16 points and 17 rebounds career-high 46 points and tallied over Utah. REUTERS MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Williams off Federer registers 1,000th to frustrating start in 2015

PERTH: If the Hopman Cup is anything to go by, world number one Serena Williams has some win with Brisbane crown serious fine-tuning to do if she wants to claim her 19th Grand Slam title at the Australian It feels very different to any other match I’ve ever won, says Swiss Open later this month. The 33-year-old spluttered her way through the mixed- BRISBANE: Roger Federer just running away with it with team tournament in Perth, with brought up his 1,000th victory the score maybe winning 6-4, 6-4, moments of brilliance inter- at tour level in style yesterday which was looking very likely at spersed with extended periods of when he beat Canadian Milos one stage. erratic play. Raonic in three tough sets to “I guess I was much more happy Her moods matched her form win the Brisbane International. having to go three sets in the end and it culminated in a listless Federer was forced to absorb rather than winning in straight.” performance in the final, as she some superb shotmaking and blis- Raonic is one of the biggest and fellow American John Isner tering serves from the 24-year- servers in the game but in the were upset by Poland’s Agnieszka old before winning 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), final he was outserved by Federer, Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz. 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes who sent down 20 aces to Raonic’s A clearly frustrated Williams at the Pat Rafter Arena. 12. was beaten by Radwanska for the Federer’s glittering career now Federer began strongly and first time in nine outings, and the includes 83 singles titles, includ- pressured Raonic, taking advan- American also struggled, particu- ing 17 Grand Slams, since his tage of a lapse in the Canadian’s larly on her serve, in the deciding first victory over Frenchman second service game to secure the mixed doubles. Guillaume Raoux in Toulouse in only break of the first set. The sometimes feisty Williams 1998. The top seed broke Raonic at also lost her cool after a conten- The 33-year-old is third on the start of the second set then tious point during the doubles, the all-time list for matches won, held to go ahead 2-0, his tactic of appearing to call the chair umpire behind Jimmy Connors (1,253) standing well up to receive the a “liar” as the tournament referee and Ivan Lendl (1,071). Canadian’s huge serve paying was called to the court to resolve “To get to 1,000 wins in front dividends. the disagreement. of you two greats means a lot to But Raonic began to find his Minutes later she smashed a me,” Federer said, describing it as range with his punishing ground- racquet in frustration after miss- a “special day”. strokes and put the set back on ing a volley at the net. “I’ll never forget this moment,” serve when he broke back two Williams, who was denied a he added as he was presented games later. Federer jumped out record third Hopman Cup title, with his Brisbane International to a 2-0 lead in the tiebreak. But claimed she was suffering from trophy by Roy Emerson, as well Raonic then won the next seven Roger Federer of Switzerland lifts the winner’s trophy as he celebrates the 1,000th victory of his career after fatigue early in the tournament as a special award for his 1,000th points to level the match at one beating Milos Raonic of Canada in the men’s single final of the Brisbane International in Brisbane, yesterday. and said she could play “two thou- win by Rod Laver. set apiece with a succession of sand times better”. “It feels very different to superb groundstrokes and bril- Her singles form was mixed, any other match I’ve ever won, liant serves. opening the tournament with because I never thought about Raonic carried the momentum a come-from-behind win over anything reaching 500 or 800. into the third set, but Federer Raonic upbeat despite loss Flavia Pennetta after failing to “All those numbers didn’t mean absorbed the pressure then began win a game in the first set. anything to me, but for some rea- to attack. It was during that match that son 1,000 means a lot because it’s Federer had two break points BRISBANE: Milos Raonic Williams bizarrely called for a such a huge number. Just alone in the fourth game and Raonic (pictured) did everything he shot of coffee when trailing 5-0 to count to 1,000 is going to take two in the fifth, but neither was could to spoil Roger Federer’s in the first set. a while.” able to convert. 1,000 win party. She was then thrashed by world Federer’s big win was not a Federer had two more chances But in the end, the Canadian number six Eugenie Bouchard, foregone conclusion. Raonic to break in Raonic’s next service was like everyone else at the 6-2, 6-1, before edging past the played so well that for long peri- game but again the Canadian held Brisbane International yester- Milos Raonic Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova ods during the second and third on with a succession of booming day, just glad to have witnessed of Canada in three sets. sets it looked like the milestone serves over 220 kilometres an the passing of another major hits a return Williams said the heat in Perth would have to wait until next hour (140 mph). milestone. against Roger was beneficial for her Australian week’s Australian Open. However, just when it looked Federer beat Raonic 6-4, 6-7 Federer of Open preparations. But serving at 4-5 in the third like a second tiebreak would (2), 6-4 in the final to become Switzerland Williams is the defending set the Canadian faltered, giving be needed to decide the match, just the third man to reach during their US Open Champion, but has Federer championship point with Raonic stumbled and Federer 1,000 career victories, allowing men’s singles not won the Australian Open a double fault, before a forehand swooped to victory. the relieved event organisers final of the since beating Belgium’s Justine into the net ended the contest. Raonic remained upbeat after to proceed with their planned Henin in the 2010 final. She was Brisbane Federer said the nature of the the match, saying the perform- celebration. beaten by Serbian Ana Ivanovic International match made the 1,000th win even ance him great confidence leading Raonic stood by and watched in the fourth round last year in sweeter. into the Australian Open. as Federer received his awards in Brisbane, Melbourne. AFP “Looking back it’s almost nicer “I gave myself an opportunity to and all the accolades that went yesterday. winning this way through a tight be in a final here against one of with his latest accomplishment match with nerves and humid the best players in the world and but was consoled by his own conditions against a great player gave myself a pretty good oppor- performances. in a final,” Federer said. tunity to win,” said the Swiss Not only had he added to the “It means so much more than great player. AFP occasion by playing his part in an epic match but the 24-year-old Roger also proved to himself he is head- Federer ing in the right direction. Raonic believes he is playing even Ranked eighth in the world, he “It was a great tennis match. I better this season. beat US Open runner-up Kei (right) of stayed out there, competed, gave Like a lot of emerging players, Nishikori in the semi-finals and Switzerland it my all. I gave myself a chance Raonic grew up idolising Federer, said he is heading to Melbourne and Milos after being down a set and a giving him a sense of perspective full of confidence. David Ferrer Raonic of break,” he told a news conference. of what the achievement meant. “I feel like I’ve made a big men- Canada smile “I think it just shows the devel- “It’s great to see because you tal step forward,” Raonic said. during the opment I’ve been able to make know how much he’s done for “In 2012, I believe I started the prize giving over the last little while. You put tennis, the fans he’s brought, the year winning Chennai. That was Ferrer skips ceremony me in that same situation a few media attention he’s brought,” a great feeling, but I didn’t feel of the men’s months and weeks ago and I think Raonic said. “If he is if not one of like I was producing the same Auckland Open single final of I could be out of that stadium the most popular athletes now in level. the Brisbane pretty quickly.” the world, he’s definitely the most “I didn’t feel like going into the International Already regarded as one of the popular tennis player of all time.” Australian Open with the same after injury in Brisbane, brightest young prospects in the Raonic’s performance in confidence and belief that I can yesterday. sport after reaching the semi- Brisbane bodes well for his pros- really make something big happen AUCKLAND: David Ferrer finals at Wimbledon last year, pects at the Australian Open. there.” REUTERS became the third seeded player to pull out of this week’s Auckland Open when he with- drew on the eve of the tourna- ment yesterday citing a back Wawrinka seals third Chennai Open title injury. Top-seeded Ferrer, the world CHENNAI: Stanislas efforts. But his biggest gain was a first Slovenian to win an ATP number 10 and a four-time win- Wawrinka warmed up yesterday perfect tune-up for the Australian Tour title, gifted a break in the ner in Auckland, told tournament for the defence of his Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne seventh game of the second set organisers he suffered the injury Open title by winning the ATP on January 19. when he double-faulted and then in Doha where he beat Tomas Chennai Open for a second “I am very happy with my game let Wawrinka smash an easy fore- Berdych at the Qatar Open final straight year and for the third and I should have good practice hand winner. on Saturday. time since 2011. when I get to Melbourne in two Bedene had entered his first Defending champion John Isner The Swiss world number four days time and will be ready when Tour final after coming through and Gael Monfils were also late ended Slovenian qualifier Aljaz the Open starts,” he said. the qualifiers to scalp three withdrawals from the Auckland Bedene’s giant-killing feats in the The 29-year-old did not drop Spanish seeds in number two tournament, a final warm-up for season-opening $450,000 event a single set in the tournament, Feliciano Lopez, number three the Australian Open which begins with a 6-3, 6-4 win in a 69-minute seemingly beginning the new sea- Roberto Bautista-Agut and on January 19. final. son with the same zeal he showed Guillermo Garcia Lopez. Tournament director Karl Some 4,000 Indian fans at the by helping Switzerland win its Bedene, who earned $38,650 Budge said he believed Ferrer Nungambakkam tennis stadium maiden Davis Cup title last year. and 150 points for winning three would have played in Auckland if cheered wildly as the popular Wawrinka had followed his win qualifying matches and four more he had felt able. “He doesn’t have Wawrinka, making his seventh over Edouard Roger-Vasselin of in the main draw, said the tourna- a record of pulling out of events appearance in Chennai, outplayed France in last year’s Chennai ment had boosted his confidence and he wouldn’t be doing so if it Bedene. Open final by beating Rafael like never before.“This has to be wasn’t absolutely necessary this “This has been a perfect week Nadal in the Australian Open the best week of my career,” he time around,” Budge said. for me,” the genial Swiss said in final three weeks later. said. World number 13 Ernests broken English. “I served well and Wawrinka wrapped up the first Also yesterday, Jonathan Gulbis takes over as the top seed hit the ball good. It is amazing to set in 30 minutes with a break Marray of Britain and Yen-Hsun in a field. win for the third time here, but I in the sixth game in which he Lu of Taiwan won the doubles Gulbis rose to prominence at have to continue like this in (the) unleashed two lethal backhands title defeating the top-seeded pair Roland Garros last year when the future also.” down the line to leave Bedene of India’s Leander Paes and Raven Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland poses with the trophy after defeating Latvian upset Roger Federer in Wawrinka pocketed $73,400 stranded. Klassen of South Africa 6-3, 7-6 Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia to win the Chennai Open in Chennai, yesterday. the fourth round of the French and 250 ranking points for his Bedene, hoping to become the (7/4). AFP Open. AFP MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT McCullum blitz sets up NZ victory in first ODI Kiwi captain smashes 51 off just 19 balls to sink Lankans

CHRISTCHURCH: A crack- to bat on. It was a little bit two- ing half-century by Brendon paced. It wasn’t coming on to the McCullum set New Zealand up bat really well so we had to work for a comfortable three-wicket really hard,” he said. win over Sri Lanka in their first “The batters had to hang in One Day International (ODI) in there and try and rotate the Christchurch yesterday. strike but we kept losing wickets,” After McCullum’s 51 in 19 balls added the captain. New had provided his side a comfort- Sri Lanka, electing to bat Zealand’s able target well under four an first, posted 218-9 on the back of captain over as they chased 219, Corey Jayawardene’s 104 in 107 balls. Brendon Anderson stepped up with 81 to It was the 18th ODI century for McCullum ensure the job was done. the 37-year-old, the fifth highest When Anderson was dismissed run-scorer in the history of the (centre) New Zealand required a further shortened game, who was rarely plays a shot in front of 10 runs which they achieved with in trouble by the New Zealand Chris Gayle of the West Indies hits a boundary during the second T20 Sri Lanka’s seven overs remaining. attack until caught in a wicket against South Africa at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, yesterday. “I thought Corey under pres- meltdown late in the late innings. wicketkeeper sure really stepped up nicely and Although Jayawardene received Kumar got the job done,” New Zealand little support in the middle, Sri Sangakkara skipper McCullum said, add- Lanka had reason to believe (right) Gayle stars in record ing Anderson’s catch to remove their modest target was defend- during the Sri Lankan centurion Mahela able when they removed Martin first ODI at Jayawardene was also crucial. Guptill on the third ball of New the Hagley “That dismissal of Mahela Zealand’s reply. triumph for Windies Park Oval in when he was looking to pull the But for McCullum that was Christchurch, trigger at that stage, to get him a signal to open up as he blazed yesterday. JOHANNESBURG: Chris Du Plessis hit five sixes and with a very good outfield catch away to bring up his 50 in just Gayle blasted 90 off 41 balls 11 fours, while Miller’s three from Corey allowed us to get some 19 deliveries with six fours and as the West Indies achieved a sixes and four fours off 26 balls momentum.” three sixes. world record run chase in the included arguably the biggest Sri Lanka captain Angelo It was the seventh fastest half second Twenty20 international hit seen at the ground, a mighty Mathews believed the target they century of all time, and only two yesterday to beat South Africa blow over long-on which cleared set New Zealand was 30-40 runs behind the record held by Sri by four wickets. a four-tier grandstand and sailed short of what was required. Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, who South Africa captain Faf du into an adjacent golf course. “It wasn’t the easiest wicket took 17 balls to reach 50 against Plessis hit a 46-ball century in The West Indies replied with his team’s total of 231 for seven – even more brutality at the start Scoreboard Pakistan in 1996. McCullum had then added 60 in their seventh their second highest total in the of their innings. no sooner reached his 50 than wicket stand. shortest form of the game. They raced to 86 for one in the SRI LANKA NEW ZEALAND his rollicking innings was over, Tillakaratne Dilshan, who But it was overhauled with six-over power play, with Gayle D Karunaratne lbw Milne ...... 5 M Guptill c Dilshan b Kulasekara ...... 0 beaten in the air by Sachithra had Anderson leg before four balls to spare on a record- and Samuels posting a fifty part- T Dilshan st Ronchi b N McCullum ...... 19 B McCullum st Sangakkara b Senanayake ..51 Senanayake and stumped by wicket, finished with two for 28 breaking day at the Wanderers nership off 21 balls. K Sangakkara c Williamson b Milne ...... 4 K Williamson c Jayawardene b Senanayake 15 Kumar Sangakkara to trigger a while Senanayake and Nuwan with West Indies captain Darren Gayle, who hit a 17-ball half- M Jayawardene c Anderson b McClenaghan...104 T Latham st Sangakkara b Dilshan ...... 15 mini New Zealand collapse. Kulasekara both took two for 43 Sammy finishing the match with century in the first match in Cape A Mathews (run out-B McCullum/Ronchi) ...15 G Elliott b Kulasekara ...... 1 Three wickets fell for 13 runs in in the game. a six to take his team to 236 for Town on Friday, was only margin- L Thirimanne c Williamson b McClenaghan .23 C Anderson lbw Dilshan...... 81 27 balls as Kane Williamson (15) Apart from Jayawardene there six. ally slower on Sunday, reaching J Mendis c B McCullum b McClenaghan .....23 L Ronchi c Mathews b Eranga...... 17 and Grant Elliot (one) followed was little resistance in the Sri Man of the match Gayle was the mark off 20 deliveries with T Perera c Ronchi b McClenaghan ...... 0 N McCullum (not out) ...... 25 McCullum back to the pavilion. Lankan innings with Lahiru again the star for the West Indies three sixes and seven fours. N Kulasekara (not out) ...... 6 A Milne (not out) ...... 7 Williamson was snared by a Thirimanne and Jeevan Mendis, as he shared a second wicket The carnage continued, with S Senanayake c Ronchi b Anderson ...... 7 Extras (LB-5, W-2) ...... 7 remarkable catch at first slip by both 23, the only other players to stand of 152 off 75 balls with Gayle bludgeoning the bowl- S Eranga (not out) ...... 5 Total (for 7 wkts in 43 overs) ...... 219 a diving Jayawardene who jug- get past 20. Marlon Samuels, who made 60. ing, while Samuels managed to Extras (W-7) ...... 7 Did not bat: M J McClenaghan, T A Boult. gled the ball twice in his left hand Mitchell McClenaghan, who “Cricket was the winner today,” play with more classical control Total (for 9 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 218 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-63, 3-76, 4-77, 5-101, before securing the wicket. dismissed Jayawardene in a spell said Sammy. “We were dominated despite scoring his 60 off 39 balls Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-16, 3-51, 4-82, 6-149, 7-209. Tom Latham was stumped on of three wickets in four balls late in the Tests but we have different with seven fours and two sixes. 5-155, 6-200, 7-200, 8-200, 9-213. Bowling: Kulasekara 10-1-43-2 (1w); Eranga 15 and New Zealand were 101-5 in Sri Lanka’s innings, finished energy in this series.” South Africa were still in with Bowling: Boult 10-1-46-0 (4w); Milne 10-1- 6-0-49-1 (1w); Senanayake 10-0-43-2; Math- before Anderson and Ronchi with four for 36. It was astonishing batting by a chance when medium-pacer 37-2; McClenaghan 10-1-36-4 (2w); Anderson ews 2-0-17-0; Dilshan 7-0-28-2; Perera 7-0- put the innings back on course The second game in the seven- both teams in ideal conditions on David Wiese had Gayle caught 10-0-61-1 (1w); N McCullum 10-1-38-1. 29-0; Mendis 1-0-5-0. with 48 for the sixth wicket, and match series is in Hamilton next a field where the world record behind in the 14th over and fol- Anderson with Nathan McCullum Thursday. AFP 50-overs run chase was achieved lowed up with the wickets of by South Africa when they scored Samuels and Kieron Pollard, both 438 for nine against Australia in caught at long-on, in his next over. 2005/06. At that stage the West Indies still The previous T20 record chase needed 47 off 25 balls. Misbah to quit ODIs after Cup was 211 for four by India against Two more wickets fell but Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2009/10. Sammy clinched the win by hit- LAHORE: Pakistan captain one-day internationals, scoring Du Plessis said his South ting an unbeaten 20 off seven Misbah-ul Haq said yesterday 4,669 runs at an average of 42.83 African record score of 119 off 56 balls, finishing the match by slam- he will quit one-day cricket with 37 fifties, the most runs balls was “bittersweet”. ming Marchant de Lange into the after the World Cup. without a hundred in all one-day The tempo of the match was crowd beyond midwicket. The 40-year-old said he has internationals. set when Du Plessis and David South African opening bowler informed the Pakistan Cricket Misbah, who took over the Test Miller (47) put on 103 off 49 balls Kyle Abbott conceded a world Pakistani Board (PCB) of his decision captaincy in 2010, replaced Afridi for South Africa’s third wicket. record 68 in his four overs. AFP cricket team although he intends to keep play- as one-day leader in May 2011. He skipper ing Test cricket. quit Twenty20 cricket in 2012. Scoreboard Misbah-ul-Haq Misbah becomes Pakistan’s Pakistan will fly to New poses with second senior player after Shahid Zealand on January 21 to play two SOUTH AFRICA WEST INDIES ICC World Afridi to announce his one-day one-day internationals on January R Rossouw c Ramdin b Holder ...... 15 D Smith lbw De Lange ...... 17 Cup 2015 retirement after the World Cup 31 and February 3. They will play M van Wyk c Pollard b Benn ...... 4 C Gayle c Van Wyk b Wiese ...... 90 trophy during which is being staged in Australia two warm-up games on February F du Plessis c Bravo b Holder ...... 119 M Samuels c Behardien b Wiese ...... 60 a ceremony in and New Zealand from February 9 and 11 before taking on India in D Miller (run out-Russell) ...... 47 K Pollard c Behardien b Wiese ...... 7 front of Minar- 14 to March 29. their first World Cup match in J Ontong c Holder b Bravo ...... 19 A Russell c Miller b Abbott ...... 14 e-Pakistan “It’s my final decision and I Adelaide on February 15. F Behardien (not out) ...... 8 D Bravo c Ontong b Phangiso ...... 10 have informed the PCB of my Meanwhile, paceman Rubel in Lahore D Wiese c Smith b Bravo ...... 6 D Sammy (not out) ...... 20 decision,” said Misbah. Hossain will remain part of yesterday, K Abbott (run out-Ramdin) ...... 2 D Ramdin (not out) ...... 7 “It would be icing on the cake if Bangladesh’s World Cup squad, Extras (LB-2, NB-2, W-7) ...... 11 Extras (B-4, W-7) ...... 11 in this I retire with a World Cup win and the local cricket board said, after September Total (for 7 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 231 Total (for 6 wkts in 19.2 overs) ...... 236 I will do my best to do that. I’ve he got bail yesterday in a case Did not bat: M de Lange, A Phangiso, Imran Did not bat: J Holder, S Benn, S Cottrell. 2014 file thought about this for a long time. filed by an actress alleging the Tahir. Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-171, 3-178, 4-185, photo. “The World Cup is an impor- cricketer had failed to carry out Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-21, 3-126, 4-156, 5-198, 6-209. tant event and I want to finish on his promise of marriage. 5-222, 6-228, 7-231. Bowling: Abbott 4-0-68-1 (1w); De Lange 3.2- a winning note,” said Misbah, who Rubel’s participation in the Bowling: Benn 3-0-42-1; Cottrell 3-0-47-0 0-42-1 (2w); Wiese 4-0-43-3 (3w); Phangiso will be playing his second World tournament in Australia and (1nb); Holder 4-0-40-2 (2w); Russell 4-0-39-0 3-0-33-1; Imran Tahir 4-0-29-0 (1w); Ontong Cup after featuring in Pakistan’s New Zealand was in doubt after (1nb; 4w); Bravo 4-0-32-2 (1w); Sammy 1-0- 1-0-17-0. semi-final finish in 2011. a Dhaka court denied him bail on 17-0; Pollard 1-0-12-0. Result: West Indies won by four wickets. Misbah has so far played 153 Thursday. AGENCIES Clarke named Australia captain but given deadline

SYDNEY: Selectors named “He is one of the world’s best to do over the in a squad that Mitchell Johnson, Pat fifth ICC Cricket World Cup Michael Clarke (pictured) yes- batsmen and we want to give him next six weeks, contained few Cummins, Mitchell Starc and after winning the tournament terday as captain of Australia’s every chance to prove his fitness but was upbeat surprises. Josh Hazlewood form pace attack, in India in 1987, England in 1999, squad for next month’s World for a tournament as important as he will return as Selectors while Brad Haddin will keep wick- South Africa in 2003 and the Cup, with a fitness contin- this one,” he added. captain. included all- ets. Johnson, who missed the final West Indies in 2007. Australia gency should he not be able to “(By February 21) we want to “I’m confi- rounders Test in Sydney with hamstring begin their World Cup campaign play following recent hamstring be completely and utterly settled. dent I’ll be fit,” Shane Watson soreness, will be rested from the against England on February 14 surgery. What we don’t want is talk about Clarke said. and James early stages of this month’s tri- at the MCG. AFP Clarke, who missed the final people’s fitness.” “My focus is Faulkner, while series against India and England. three Tests against India follow- A standby player for Clarke has to get fully fit. the versatile David Warner and Aaron ing the surgery, has been given not been named however Marsh However long Glenn Maxwell Finch will open the batting for Australia Squad until February 21 to prove his fit- said that if he became unavailable, that takes.” gets his chance. Australia, with batsmen Steve Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Pat ness for the one-day tournament. George Bailey would captain the All-rounder Xavier Smith, in the form of his life after Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, “Captain Michael Clarke will side in his absence. Mitchell Marsh, who missed the Doherty was picked as the sole scoring 769 runs in the four-Test Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, lead our World Cup campaign Clarke, 33, who has a history recent Melbourne and Sydney recognised spinner, with Maxwell series against India, and Bailey Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn should he recover from his injury,” of chronic back/hamstring trou- Tests against India with ham- expected to provide the side’s spin rounding out the squad. Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David chief selector Rod Marsh said.” ble, admitted he has a lot of work string trouble, was also named in most games. Australia are chasing a record Warner, Shane Watson. MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Al Kuwari wins Misfer Qatar National Rally DOHA: Abdullah Al Kuwari won the Misfer Qatar National Rally, organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), on Saturday. Al Kuwari had already secured the championship in the last round but the Qatar driver pushed his Ford Fiesta R5 to the limit to finish first with a total time of 1:09:38,8. Qatar’s Rashid Al Naimi fin- ished in second place with a time of 1:10:53,7. On the same day, UAE’s Ali Al Shawi won the last round of the Qatar National Baja in a Chevrolet with a total time of 1:12:36,2. In the championship of the Qatar National Baja, the winner was Ali Al Kitbi and second classified in the championship Ahmed Al Shawi. The trophies were presented by Mohammed Saad Al Morrakhi, QMMF General Secretary, and Sultan Zaher Al Morraikhi, QMMF Qatar’s Abdullah Al Kuwari poses with his Ford Fiesta R5 after winning the Misfer Qatar National Rally, Board Member. Rashid Al Naimi, who came second in the Misfer Qatar National Rally, in organised by the QMMF, on Saturday. THE PENINSULA his Mitsubishi EVO 10 on Saturday. Els, Schwartzel, Grace to Fowler, Campbell share honours lead South Africa charge Trio to participate in Commercial Bank Qatar Masters

DOHA: Four-time major win- ner Ernie Els, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and rising star Branden Grace will lead the South African charge in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which will be held at Doha Golf Club from January 21-24. David Fowler and John Campbell emerged victorious in flight A and flight Defending champion Sergio B respectively in the golf tournament organised by Qatar Golf Lovers over Garcia and his Ryder Cup team- the weekend at Doha Golf Club. Altogether 40 golfers participated in the mates Henrik Stenson, Justin first tournament of the year which was played on a stroke-play format. Rose, Thomas Bjorn and Stephen Albert Dalton won the second prize in flight A while Dennis Oviatt was Gallacher are some of the stars the runner-up in flight B. P.K. Mathew won the longest putt award, Gavin who will also compete in the 18th Daley won the longest drive award, John Anthony won the closest to pin edition of the event. award and Pavan Singh won the closest to rope award. Els, 45, lifted the Mother of Pearl Trophy on his tourna- FROM LEFT: Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace ment debut in 2005 and “The Big Easy” is still bidding to add crowds,” said Els, who finished in a really strong field. It’s one of the most popular players at the 3X3 Clubs Tournament to that title after returning to third in 2007. the big tournaments at the begin- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Doha in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013 “It’s nice to start the year in ning of the year and always held so we’re proud to welcome back and 2014. Retief Goosen (2007) the Middle East and I always get in nice conditions, so I hope I can one of the great players in world and Darren Fichardt (2003) are a good reception in Qatar. I know play well.” golf,” Al Nuaimi said. the only other South Africans to there’s a very strong field this Grace, 26, is one of his country’s “Charl Schwartzel is another have won the title. year with many of Europe’s Ryder rising stars and last month won great major champion and One of the greats of the mod- Cup players, so Charl, Branden his fifth European Tour title at Branden Grace is one of the excit- ern game, Els captured his and myself will do our best to the Alfred Dunhill Championship ing talents in world golf, so we fourth major at the 2012 Open provide another South African in South Africa, having finished can expect a strong challenge Championship and has won 28 champion.” the 2014 season with a joint-ninth from these three great golfers European Tour titles, putting Schwartzel, who tied for finish at November’s DP World from South Africa as well as our him just one trophy behind sixth- seventh at last year’s Open Tour Championship, Dubai. five recent Ryder Cup heroes,” he placed Ian Woosnam on the all- Championship, has won nine “I’m a big fan of the Commercial said. time list. Els won his first Open times on The European Tour and Bank Qatar Masters and I’ve had Commercial Bank is mark- Championship title in 2002, hav- is the circuit’s third-most suc- a couple of good performances in ing its 10th year as title sponsor ing won the US Open in 1994 and cessful South African behind Els the last two years, so I want to of the event, which has grown 1997. and Goosen. improve on that after winning in stature and prize money to His seventh-place finish at the Schwartzel is currently his again in South Africa,” Grace become a prized fixture on The PGA Championship last August country’s top-ranked player and said. European Tour calendar. was his 35th top-10 finish in the will compete at the Commercial “Golf is all about confidence Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, CEO majors and Els is now hoping Bank Qatar Masters for the and obviously lifting a trophy of Commercial Bank, added: “As to again raise his game in Doha eighth time, but the first since again will kick-start another Commercial Bank marks a decade and join Australian Adam Scott 2010. good season on The European as title sponsor of the Commercial (2002, 2008) and Scotland’s Paul “I remember the Doha Golf Tour, so I’ll be wanting to get off Bank Qatar Masters, the return Lawrie (1999, 2012) as a two-time Club well and also how the to a fast start in Qatar against a of four-time major winner Ernie champion. Commercial Bank Qatar Masters very strong field. I’m happy that Els is another highlight in what is “It’s always fun playing on has got bigger and better over the Ernie and Charl will be among the already one of the strongest fields courses where you’ve won and years since I first played in 2003,” South Africans and hopefully one in the tournament’s history. We played well. I feel like I’m due a said Schwartzel, who recorded of us can lift the trophy.” have a cast of legends competing H E Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani gives out the prizes at the good result at the Commercial one victory and four other top- Hassan Al Nuaimi, President of in Qatar and golf and sports fans conclusion of the 3X3 Clubs Tournament for Men and Women, organised Bank Qatar Masters and the 10s on the 2014 European Tour. the Qatar Golf Association, wel- in Doha are privileged to be able by the Qatar Basketball Federation, in Doha. Altogether, 28 teams featured Doha Golf Club is a great venue, “It’ll be fun to compete there comed the three South Africans. to see these stars up close.” in the tournament that was held from Jan 8 to 10. a top golf course and attracts nice again with my compatriots and “Ernie Els is always one of THE PENINSULA Southampton stun Man United, Arsenal cruise

LONDON: Southampton complaints after a lacklustre best chance, firing just wide, as best players. He’s a fighter with a climbed above Manchester performance which condemned the hosts pressed in vain for an combination of talent and fight- United into third place in the them to their first home defeat equaliser. ing spirit which is very difficult Premier League with a shock since the opening weekend of the At the Emirates Stadium, to find. 1-0 win at Old Trafford, while season against Swansea. Sanchez delivered a majestic “He plays with passion and you Alexis Sanchez took centre- Louis van Gaal’s team are display as Arsenal kept up the want people to enjoy what they’re stage as Arsenal crushed Stoke without a win in their last three pressure in the race for a top doing on the pitch and show it 3-0 yesterday. league games and recent talk of four finish with an emphatic win as well.” Ronald Koeman’s side stole a potential title challenge is likely against Stoke. Just five weeks after Stoke’s the points in a dour encounter as to be silenced as they lie 12 points Sanchez made Laurent shock home victory over the Dusan Tadic’s 69th minute strike behind leaders Chelsea. Koscielny’s opener and then net- Gunners, Arsenal legends Thierry boosted Southampton’s bid to Southampton have the best ted his 17th and 18th goals of the Henry and Robert Pires watched qualify for the Champions League defensive away record in the top- season either side of half-time to from the stands as French via a top-four finish. flight and they easily frustrated lift Arsenal above Tottenham into defender Koscielny started the It was the Saints’ first win over United in a dull first half in which fifth spot. revenge mission with a sixth United since 2003 and their first neither side managed a shot on The battle for Champions minute header from Sanchez’s at Old Trafford since 1988. target. League qualification is hotting up, cross. AFP After a wobble in early Koeman’s side took the lead in with Arsene Wenger’s side only December, Southampton are the 69th minute when Graziano one point behind fourth placed English Premier firmly back on track having Pelle’s shot hit a post and United. beaten United and Arsenal, and rebounded to Serbian midfielder “Collectively, you’re happy League Results Southampton’s Dutch manager Ronald Koeman (right) embraces Dusan drawn with Chelsea, in their last Tadic, who swept his low shot past when you score a few goals. We three league matches. Tyler Blackett’s attempt to clear had a strong start and we knew Arsenal 3 (Koscielny 6, Sanchez 33, 49) Tadic after an English Premier League match against Manchester United Stoke 0 at Old Trafford in Manchester yesterday. United, now two points behind off the line. that was vital today,” Wenger said. Southampton, could have few Juan Mata missed United’s “Alexis Sanchez is one of the Man Utd 0 Southampton 1 (Tadic 69) MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT German giants prepare to clash with Qatar Stars Bayern Munich to face QSL side in a friendly tomorrow

BY ARMSTRONG VAS

DOHA: The Qatar Stars Team, Bayern Munich’s Sporting Director Matthias Sammer (left) and Ahmed Al set to clash with German giants Harami, QSL Director of Competitions and Football Development, attend Bayern Munich, will comprise a press conference in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: ABDUL BASIT of players representing four continents, an official of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) said yesterday. “We have eight players from QSL aims to be Qatar, three from Brazil, an equal number from Europe besides coach Michael Laudrup and another four from Africa,” Ahmed Asia’s best league Al Harami, Executive Director of Competitions and Football DOHA: The Qatar Stars Qatar league. “We have been Development of QSL, said. League (QSL) is working to studying different international The January 13 match will deliver an “attractive product” leagues, the best leagues of the take place at Lekhwiya Stadium. to draw new audiences for local world, not just their approach The local side will be coached by football matches, a QSL official to the game but the entire Lekhwiya’s Laudrup while the said yesterday. International League to see the German side will be managed by “We need to improve our difference between European coach Pep Guardiola. football side (standard). We all football and our own. We found a “Our side is a mixture of play- believe we need to improve and big gap between us (QSL) and the ers from different parts of the deliver a good product to attract top league in the world. world playing in the Qatar Stars more spectators,” Ahmed Al “For the last two years we have League. I hope our players show Harami, Executive Director been trying to narrow the gap. We their abilities and play to their full of Competitions and Football want to continue to improve so potential against Bayern Munich,” Development of QSL, said while that we can provide our fans with Al Harami said. speaking during a press confer- the highest level of football. The Bundesliga leaders will Bayern Munich players Dante (left) and Bastian Schweinsteiger in action during a training session at Aspire ence ahead of tomorrow’s friendly “The match against Bayern spend eight days in Qatar as part Academy in Doha yesterday. match between FC Bayern Munich will be a test for us to of winter break and the Doha Munich and Qatar Stars team. see exactly where we stand and friendly is one of the two the which will be an added attraction Matthias Sammer, Sporting training, along with the best Three years ago, QSL had the difference between Europe’s Bavarian club will play during for fans.” Director and Member of the training facilities.” a 10-club league which was biggest club and the Qatar Stars the stay. The QSL official said the local Executive Board, FC Bayern Meanwhile, tickets for the increased to 12 and later to 14 League club players.” The second one will be on side is giving due importance to Munchen said the facilities at match are priced at QR50 and sides. Football he said is entertain- January 17 against Al Hilal club the match and fans can expect a Aspire Academy are top-notch QR100. Online tickets are on sale The QSL official said that ment and so it is competing with in Saudi Arabia. high standard on the pitch. which made them chose Qatar as also at tickets.qsl.com.qa. Qatar football has lofty ambi- other rivals to attract fans to the “We have chosen players from “For the public it a friendly a winter training camp for the Fans can be also buy tickets at tions and one of them is to be the stadiums. different clubs of QSL. As our match. For us this is not just fifth year in succession. Al Sadd, Gate 5 ticket office, and number one league of Asia. “Football is entertainment. national team is doing duty at the a friendly match. FC Bayern “We are happy to be in Qatar Al Gharafa, ticket office between “I believe we are currently So we are competing with ongoing AFC Asian Cup and the Munich has a great legacy and its and are looking forward to the Gates 7, today from 4pm to 10pm amongst the top five leagues in cinemas, malls and with all Olympic team training elsewhere very own, special style of football.” match on Tuesday. We are very and at Qatar Sports Clubs, Gate Asia. We want to become number other entertainments. So we we have just eight players in the Al Harami said there has been focused and preparing to play 5 ticket office, today from 4pm to one in the years to come,” he said. should deliver a good product on 22 member squad. We hope next a good response to the tickets sale. at our best against Qatar Stars 10pm. Remaining tickets will be Elaborating on the QSL’s the football side to attract the year Bayern Munich will come “We have sold out around 30 League. We are here for the available on match day from 2pm plans, Al Harami said lot of time spectators,” Al Harami said in back and next year we will have per cent tickets. We hope to have fifth consecutive year because at Lekhwiya Stadium. and effort has been set aside response to a question. a full team playing against Bayern good number of spectators. we found optimal conditions for THE PENINSULA to improve the standard of the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Available every Wednesdays in 27 all leading supermarkets and shops in Qatar & Bahrain

Queiroz bares teeth as Iran floor Bahrain

MELBOURNE: Iran’s coach UAE’s Ali Carlos Queiroz let rip at Bahrain Mabkhout for their “dangerous” tackling after his side won a tempestuous (right) scores Asian Cup clash 2-0 yesterday. a goal past The Portuguese, described Qatar’s as a “rottweiler” by former goalkeeper Manchester United manager Alex Qasem Ferguson, accused Australian Burhan (left) referee Ben Williams of failing and defender to control the Group C match in Ibrahim Melbourne. Majed during “I was not happy because after their Asian nine, 10, 12 fouls, stopping the Cup Group game systematically. The referee C match at must take action,” Queiroz said. the Canberra “There were some aerial duels Stadium where especially their number 12 yesterday. (Faouzi Aaish) elbowed my play- ers, and as you know the elbow is Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz very dangerous.” gestures to his players during Ehsan Hajsafi’s sumptuous vol- their Asian Cup Group C match ley in first-half stoppage time lit against Bahrain at the Melbourne the touchpaper for Iran, who are Rectangular Stadium yesterday. seeking to end a 39-year wait for a fourth Asian Cup title, before Bahrain made it difficult for us Masoud Shojaei added a second but we deserved to win and should in the 71st minute to end brave have scored more goals.” Bahrain’s resistance. Reza Ghoochannejhad appeared But Queiroz, who had two spells to be incorrectly flagged for offside as Ferguson’s assistant at Old for a second time when through Trafford, was furious at what he on goal shortly after the interval. saw as a lack of consistency from At the other end, Okwunwanne referee Williams. almost emulated Hajsafi with a UAE thrash Qatar 4-1 in “For a referee so quick to show ferocious drive that Iran goal- a yellow card when one of my keeper Alireza Haghighi did bril- players didn’t hear the whistle, liantly to keep out. I was completely surprised that Tempers flared when Haghighi when he sees Bahrain’s negative barged into Aaish, Bahrain’s game — after 10 fouls in a row — waspish playermaker with a Gulf derby at Asian Cup he didn’t give them a single yel- menacing-looking mohican who low,” fumed the former Portugal appeared to block off the keeper and Real Madrid boss. as he attempted a quick throw. The Whites exploit goalkeeper Burhan’s poor show Asia’s top-ranked side, Iran But moments later Shojaei almost opened the scoring after popped up to steer a right-foot 20 minutes when the dangerous shot just inside the post from CANBERRA: The United Arab game and Khalfan being replaced The striker in the right place smashing home. Mabkhout added Ashkan Dejagah forced a smart another corner to trigger wild cel- Emirates (UAE) gladly made with 30 minutes to go after fading to use his tummy to deflect in a fourth on the break with a stop from Sayed Abbas in the ebrations from a crowd of 17,000 the most of a woeful perform- following a bright initial burst. from close range after his ini- minute remaining, firing in at the Bahrain goal. — most noisily supporting Team ance from Qatari goalkeeper Khalfan, the 2006 Asian Player tial header was fired back at him near post past a broken Qasem to But Bahrain had already served Melli. Qasem Burhan to rout the Gulf of the Year, showed his class in from Ibrahim Majed’s goalline complete the rout. notice that they were not about to “You saw what happened with Cup winners 4-1 in their Asian the 22nd minute by chipping a clearance. UAE will next play Bahrain simply roll over as their bulldoz- the goalkeeper,” said Queiroz, Cup opener yesterday. lob over the backtracking Majed Khalil bagged a second seven in Canberra on Thursday, while ing Nigerian-born striker Jaycee still simmering. “He tried for a The experienced custodian was Naser into the net after the minutes after the halftime inter- Qatar head to Sydney to take on Okwunwanne blazed wide during quick transition and the number at fault for two of the UAE’s goals Emirati goalkeeper had come out val when he fired a free kick from Iran the same day. REUTERS the frenetic early skirmishes. 12 stopped him. The laws of the and will have felt he could have to block an effort from striker the corner of the penalty area to Sayed Shubbar then squan- game are clear — an elbow is a done better with the third as the Mohammed Muntari. the far post. dered a golden opportunity by yellow card, no doubt about that. UAE stormed back from a goal The goal came against the run Senegal-born Qasem appeared Teams heading over as Bahrain threat- For the offsides, we all make down to open Group C with three of play but they could have had unsighted by a flurry of defend- ened to capitalise on a sluggish mistakes.” well-deserved points. a second shortly after when a ers in front of him but the Qatari QATAR start from Iran. Iran’s Asian Cup drought dates Striker Ahmed Khalil pounced mazy Khalfan dribble set up full- stopper should have been able to Qasem Burhan; Abdelkarim Hassan, Abdelaziz However, Hajsafi produced a back to 1976, when they won the with two goals and Ali Ahmed back Abdelkarim Hassan, but his get a hand to the effort from an Hatim, Ali Almahdi, Ibrahim Majed; Mohammed moment of magic with almost the third of three successive titles. Mabkhout also added a brace low powerful shot found the side acute angle. Tresor, Ahmed Mohamed El Sayed, Karim last kick of the first half, expertly AFP as they cancelled out Khalfan netting. Qasem, named goalkeeper of Boudiaf, Mohammed Muntari; Hasan Al Haydos, trapping a looping clearance with Ibrahim’s neat opening strike for The defender was part of a the tournament when Qatar won Khalfan Ibrahim his left foot before instantane- Qatar. comical defensive effort that led the Gulf Cup last month, had no UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ously smashing it past Abbas with Asian Cup Results The match had been billed as to the UAE equaliser, with Qatar excuses for the UAE’s third some Majed Naser; Walid Abbas, Mohanad Salem, the outside of his right boot from the battle of two of Asia’s finest bumbling a number of mistimed four minutes later when he fum- Hamdan Al Kamali, Abdelaziz Sanqour; just outside the box. United Arab Emirates 4 (Khalil 37, 52, Mabkhout play-makers but both had their clearances and Qasem fumbling bled with Khamis Esmaeel’s tame Mohamed Abdulrahman, Amer Abdulrahman, “It was a brilliant, fantastic 56, 89) Qatar 1 (Ibrahim 22) disappointments, with Omar to allow Khalil to equalise in the free kick straight back in front of Khamis Esmaeel, Omar Abdulrahman; Ahmed goal,” gushed Queiroz. “A goal to Iran 2 (Ehsan Hajsafi 45+2, Masoud Shojaei Abdulrahman having a quiet 36th minute. goal with Ali Ahmed Mabkhout Khalil, Ali Mabkhout grace any stadium in the world. 71) Bahrain 0 Years together Palestine praying paying off, says Coach Belmadi unhappy with for Japan miracle UAE coach side’s error-strewn defeat CANBERRA: United Arab SYDNEY: War-torn Palestine If they could somehow produce Emirates coach Mahdi Ali yes- CANBERRA: Qatar coach will have to search for the reason will attempt to bridge one of even a draw in Newcastle — itself terday said that his side were Djamel Belmadi (pictured) was for this loss.” the widest gaps in Asian football a massive ask — it would trigger finally seeing the fruits of years left fuming by his side’s numer- Next up for Qatar is a tough when they take on defending wild celebrations from the West of labour after their come-from- ous costly errors as their Asian task against World Cup finalists champions Japan at the Asian Bank to the Gaza Strip and pro- behind 4-1 thrashing of Qatar. Cup campaign begun with a dis- Iran in Sydney on Thursday. Cup today. vide a small slice of solace in their UAE have been knocked out of mal defeat by the United Arab “We are already under pressure The team from the Palestinian homeland, devastated by years of the Asian Cup at the group stage Emirates yesterday. because we lost the game today, territories has already made his- war and political turmoil. in the last three tournaments and The Gulf Cup winners, heavily so we have to make a massive tory just by reaching their first Japan, however, will be look- failed to score during the 2011 edi- touted for success in Australia, game on Thursday,” the former Asian Cup, thanks to their AFC ing to make a statement after tion in Qatar. took the lead in the 22nd minute Manchester City and Olympique Challenge Cup triumph last year. watching hosts Australia open But Ali insisted that the time through Khalfan Ibrahim but only Marseille midfielder said. But they face arguably the their campaign with a thumping was now right for his players to had themselves to blame as they “We will not give up even if it’s toughest assignment of the group 4-1 victory over Kuwait and mid- succeed after almost a decade of slumped to a 4-1 loss to fall to the a really bad start, and it is really stages with a Group D opener fielder dynamo Keisuke Honda working with them. bottom of Group C. bad no doubt about that, but we against Japan, whose star-stud- has been putting in extra hours “I have been with this group Goalkeeper Qasem Burhan, will have a good reaction.” ded lineup is targeting a record- on the training ground fine-tun- a long time, maybe around nine who was Belmadi’s star turn in UAE coach Mahdi Ali said his extending fifth Asian Cup title. ing his trademark free-kicks. years,” Ali said. last month’s Gulf Cup triumph, prepared for this game, so we side needed work prior to the It remains to be seen how Hit with little or no spin, in a “More than 16 of them have had a particularly difficult day. cannot say our defeat was due to Bahrain clash despite the eye- the Blue Samurai will react to similar fashion to Real Madrid worked with me since 2004 when His errors resulted in three of a lack of preparation or focus, we catching win. REUTERS a match-fixing scandal engulf- superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, I was an assistant coach and then the UAE’s four goals, with Ahmed ing coach Javier Aguirre, who is Honda’s technique can bamboozle since 2008 as head coach. Khalil and Ali Ahmed Mabkhout set to give evidence in court in the world’s best. “We’ve grown together, we help grabbing two each. Hopes pinned on last two games Valencia next month following For Palestine it will be impor- each other a lot, we know each “There were no positives to take allegations over a match in 2011 tant to make an impact in their other, we understand each other from this game. They were better CANBERRA: Qatar will look to the next two matches to turn when he was manager of Spanish Asian Cup debut after president and this is what I need to do my than us, showed more quality and things around following an unexpected defeat at the hands of the club Zaragoza. Mahmoud Abbas reminded the job.” more creativity,” the Algerian told UAE in their opening Asian Cup clash, coach Djamel Belmadi said “I can tell you clearly that it players that “sport is still an Ali singled out man-of-the reporters in Canberra. yesterday. has had no effect on the team,” important weapon in politics” match Khalil as an example of “If we analyse goal by goal there “We will not give up on hopes of advancing in this tournament,” Japan captain Makoto Hasese before they departed for Australia what can happen when coach were a lot of individual mistakes Belmadi said. “We have two games remaining. It was a disappointing told reporters, when asked about as the battle to achieve statehood and player work together for a for their equaliser and in the sec- show but will continue to improve,” the Algerian said. the furore. “We all believe in one continues for the territories. number of years. ond half it was two free-kicks for “When you lose 4-1 in the first game there’s nothing to take,” an another in this team, all the play- FIFA recognised the Palestine “I have been working with them that made the difference. angry Belmadi told reporters. ers and coaching staff are pulling national team in 1998 and the Ahmed since 1998, since he After that it was really difficult “Now we have to play against Iran, who qualified for the last World in the same direction.” team has made steady progress was eight years old,” Ali said of to come back in the game against Cup. We are already under pressure after the game today and we While Japan are Asia’s second- since, despite the hardship caused Sunday’s man of the match. good opponents. have to make it a massive match.” ranked side at 54 in the FIFA by the conflict with Israel, which “He always plays well in “I tried to help us come back Belmadi admitted it was going to be a challenge to turn around rankings, Palestine come in 61 makes travel to and from tour- big events and in the most into the game with some changes his side’s fortunes at the 16-nation tournament. places lower at 115, the second- naments extremely difficult and important games, he always but we didn’t do enough and it “The group is strong, the group is tough, all the teams are good,” lowest in the tournament and at times puts the players in peril. makes a difference for the team.” was too late to equalise. he said. AGENCIES above only Kuwait. AFP AFP “Our players were focused and