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Tuesday 23 December 2014 • 1 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6288 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Napoli win Italian Super Cup Oman to start Rising prices issuing GCC driving licences

DOHA: Oman will start imple- push Qataris to menting the proposed unified driving licence for GCC states from January 1 next year, the Times of Oman has reported. shop in Saudi Citing a circular issued by the Royal Oman Police, the daily said that the move was based on a decision in this regard taken Issue hotly debated on social media by the interior ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council countries. DOHA: Rising prices are a he wanted to open a vegetable The new licences would carry burning social issue and being shop in Qatar since profit margins the GCC logo, said the circular. hotly debated in the living are high as Qataris don’t bother rooms of Qatari families as well about prices. Shura nod for as on the local social media. “Increasing salaries or making How an increasing number of the CPD active to fight inflation law to change Qataris are making frequent vis- is not the solution. The solution is its to towns in Saudi Arabia on to collectively escape to Al Hessa fiscal year weekends to buy household items and other towns in eastern Saudi because prices are high in Qatar, Arabia,” wrote one man. DOHA: The Advisory Council is a subject of mockery by some Among the items Qataris buy The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani presents the yesterday unanimously approved social media commentators. in the neighbouring country are Italian Super Cup Trophy to Napoli Captain Marek Hamsik after his team beat Juventus FC in the title match a draft public finance law that, “People leave their countries to home furniture, furnishings, car at Al Sadd Club’s Jassim bin Hamad Stadium last evening. See also pages 27 & 28 once implemented, would see escape war, famine and instabil- spare parts and things for brides. the state’s fiscal year run from ity, but we are leaving our country The problem in Qatar, accord- January to December, following (to visit towns in a neighbouring ing to some social media partici- the Gregorian calendar, instead country) due to the ‘fire’ of price pants, is that the market is not of April to March, as at present. rise,” said a commentator who monitored by consumer rights Pakistan to The aim of the change is to gave his name as Nasser Al Ali. watchdog officials closely and laws Al Jazeera suspends ensure that Qatar maintains its “A handful of traders are holding are not strictly enforced. “When execute 500 top ratings by international rat- people to ransom,” he said. the cat is away the mice are at ing agencies and its financial year The Consumer Protection play,” wrote one. terror convicts its Egypt channel corresponds to those of major Department (CPD) (under Earlier, the justification given economies. the Ministry of Economy and for price rise in Qatar was global ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans DOHA: Al Jazeera Mubasher The new service, named Al Commerce) has come in for criti- inflation, but now when commod- to execute around 500 militants Misr (AJMM), broadcasting Jazeera Mubasher Al-‘Amma Essebsi is new cism by a number of tweeters. ity prices are falling worldwide the in coming weeks, officials said live from Egypt, has temporar- (General) is set to coalesce both “It (the CPD) must instead be rate of inflation still remains high. yesterday, after the government ily ceased service, the channel experiments into one. It will be Tunisia president renamed as Traders’ Protection Some commentators attributed lifted a moratorium on the said yesterday. broadcast on the frequencies of Department,” said a commentator, the price rise to what they said death penalty in terror cases. The channel will resume opera- both AJM and AJMM. TUNIS: Veteran Tunisian poli- poking fun at the state consumer were skyrocketing rents of shops, “Interior ministry has finalised tion when the necessary permits It will report live on events all tician Beji Caid Essebsi yester- rights watchdog. which average between QR20,000 the cases of 500 convicts who have are issued by Egyptian authorities over the globe simultaneously day won the country’s first free “Don’t look at our luxury cars and QR40,000 a month. exhausted all the appeals, their for its return to Cairo. with round-the-clock analy- presidential election. Essebsi and palatial homes,” another com- “Demolition of old buildings is mercy petitions have been turned Meanwhile, Al Jazeera Media sis. The output will rely much beat rival Moncef Marzouki with mentator wrote. “These are all still going on,” said the commen- down by the president and their Network said that it is launching on viewer suggestions rather 55.68 percent of the vote against thanks to debt.” tator. Prices are lower in Saudi executions will take place in com- a new Arabic-language TV serv- than the traditional pattern of a 44.32 percent in Sunday’s run- Yet another man said that he Arabia because shop rents are low, ing weeks,” a senior government ice based on the successful expe- fixed transmission grid, said the off ballot. once met a vegetable trader from he added, Arabic daily Al Watan official said. AFP rience of Al Jazeera Mubasher network. See also page 7 an Arab country and he said that reported. THE PENINSULA See also page 11 (AJM) and AJMM. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA & AFP

TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Premier meets French official Deputy PM receives Algerian envoy Aljazeera to stop using satellites Badr-4 and Badr-5 from January 1 DOHA: Aljazeera Media Network said yesterday that it will perma- nently terminate broadcasting via satellites Badr-4 and Badr-5 starting from January 1 next year. New chan- nel bundles will be broadcast through satellite Es’hailSat 1. The move is part of the network’s The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin efforts to provide its viewers in the Middle East and North Africa region The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud yesterday met outgoing Algerian Ambassador Abdel with the best coverage with latest tech- Thani yesterday met Maurice Leroy, Head, French-Qatari Friendship Society, and his Fattah Ziani and reviewed relations in all fields. Al Mahmoud wished Ziani success in delegation. nologies in uninterrupted satellite TV his future assignments. broadcasting, said a statement. Aljazeera channels have seen deliber- ate jamming in the wake of its coverage of the Arab uprisings. Ibrahim Nassar, Manager, RF & Katara to launch Dhad Teleport Engineering, Aljazeera, said: GCC ‘must invest in “Aljazeera has investigated and con- sidered the intentional jamming of its magazine tomorrow signal in recent years. The jamming is part of an orchestrated and multifac- DOHA: Katara will tomorrow Khalid Al Sayyed, General eted campaign to block the network’s launch Dhad, a monthly maga- Supervisor, Dhad events, said the signal and Internet websites from its zine for children and adults. competitions will be under the human resources’ viewers.” The event at Katara Drama theme ‘Spreading Arabic language Es’hailSat covers the same geo- Theatre will also see the launch of is the responsibility of all’. DOHA: Amid a 50 percent departments. Research by OSC more cost-effective than across graphic area as Arabsat and provides two Arabic writing competitions — The illustrated story contest reduction in oil prices, the GCC suggests that world-class HR the board funding of entrepre- viewers with secure and uninterrupted illustrated story and lyric poetry will include words and photos and countries might be tempted to departments would yield an neurial projects. transmission with more powerful abili- contests — and the annual Dhad aims to make the reading of Arabic cut non-critical investment extra $14bn in GCC-listed com- Third, embrace organisa- ties to hold off signal interference Week. language attractive to readers, he such as spending on human pany profits per year. tional models that work. Family attempts. Dr Khalid Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, said. Entries should present an resource (HR) development, According to OSC’s ‘HRM in firms, which account for 75 per- Nassar said the move to Es’hailSat General Manager, Katara, said original idea on teaching Arabic. but they must continue to the GCC’ report, a world-class cent of the GCC’s private sector does not require viewers to adjust the launch of Dhad events is in It should use standard Arabic lan- invest in HR to achieve sus- HR team adds 12 percent to a economy, are critical for growth their satellite dish location or satellite line with Katara’s aim to highlight guage complying with grammatical tainable development, accord- firm’s profit or effectiveness. and represent a proven advan- receiver. All it takes is to set the receiver Arabic culture and identity. rules. Photos and graphics should ing to a statement released by More effective HR departments tage for the GCC. Nearly 50 to Es’hailSat 1 with Txp Frequency: He said it is important for be attractive, clear, and match with Oxford Strategic Consulting will also help GCC professionals percent of these firms operate 11604; Polarization: Horizontal; FEC: Katara to promote Arabic lan- the aims and religious and social (OSC), an Oxford and GCC- contribute to the achievement in more than five sectors, which 3/4; Symbol Rate: 27500. A video that guage because of the role it plays in values. Entry should not be less based consultancy. of national and organisational means that they spread risk, are demonstrates the process is available social and cultural cohesion among than six pages and more than 10, “Depending on your view- goals. more resilient to downturns in on the link: sat.aljazeera.net. Arabs. with not less than 24 illustrations. point, some people might see Second, encourage entre- one sector, and can rapidly move Nilesat viewers can still watch He said the Dhad events also Entries for lyric poetry con- investing in people and skills preneurs who contribute to job into growth markets. Moreover, Aljazeera channels in the GCC, Iraq, aim to strengthen the linguis- test should be original, written in as non-critical. OSC research growth. Many GCC countries family firms tend to outperform Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, tic ability of children and adults, standard Arabic language comply- shows that investing in national promote entrepreneurism and non-family ones by 15 percent. Yemen, Sudan and Djibouti via Nilesat make them recognise the beauty of ing with grammatical rules and talent, a more sustainable SME development as part of The most proactive GCC (EAST) 11636 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol Arabic language, encourage think- aim to teach Arabic. The content resource than oil and gas, can diversification strategies, but countries and organisations have Rate 27500; and in Morocco, Algeria, ing and innovation, and develop should go with religious and social achieve huge returns at rela- more can be done to identify made great strides in developing Tunisia and Mauritania via Nilesat deeper understanding of syntactic values and the entry should have tively low costs and create a which entrepreneurs are most national talent and improving (WEST) 10992 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol and morphological rules. not less than 10 verses. stable economic future for the likely to succeed. OSC research human resource capabilities, yet Rate 27500. Learning Arabic, he said, is not Deadline is May 24, 2015. GCC,” it said. found, for example, that only 6 more can be done. The move to Es’hailSat includes only an educational matter but it Entries will be evaluated by a com- OSC has launched three steps percent of entrepreneurs con- With natural resources like Aljazeera Arabic, Aljazeera also has religious aspect since it mittee who will choose five winners countries and firms can take tribute to employment growth. oil proving less and less valu- English, Aljazeera Mubasher, is the language of the Holy Quran for each contest to receive $5,000 to quickly and efficiently build This means that support to able, the value of quality human Aljazeera Mubhaser-Misr, Aljazeera and a significant part of the foun- each and five runners-up to receive human resource capacities. high-potential entrepreneurs, resources is soaring. Documentary Channel and Aljazeera dation of Islamic identity. $2,500 each. THE PENINSULA First, build better HR known as ‘gazelles’, would be THE PENINSULA America. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME QA takes delivery of its first A350 XWB CEO Akbar Al Baker highlights expansion plans in Toulouse

DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) Orchestra National du Capitole yesterday received the first of de Toulouse under the direction its 80 A350 XWB aircraft on of Pierre Bleuse. order at Airbus Delivery Centre Renowned calligraphy artist in Toulouse, France. Faouzia Hilmy captivated guests This was announced by Akbar with sand artistry and poetry Al Baker, QA’s Group Chief about friendship by Al Buhtari, a Executive in a press conference famous Arabic poet from the 9th attended by over 150 members century. of international media who had Hiba Al Kawas, Grand Dame of travelled from all corners of the Arabic opera singing and compos- globe to witness the delivery of ing, performed a popular Arabic the Airbus’ most modern and fuel folk song that mirrors the high efficient extra-wide-body airliner regard for culture and classical (A350 XWB) to its global launch music Qatar has supported for customer, QA. years. Present at the ceremony were The media team was taken on a Fabrice Bregier, President and short flight on board A350, over- Akbar Al Baker (centre), Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, with Fabrice Bregier (third left), President and CEO, Airbus, Tony Wood (sixth left), President CEO, Airbus, and Tony Wood, looking the Pyrenees mountains - Aerospace from Rolls Royce, Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani (second left), Qatari Ambassador to France, and Louis Gallois, former president and President - Aerospace from Rolls in southwestern France. CEO, EADS, at the event. Royce, and Qatari Ambassador Al Baker said: “Today marks a to France Sheikh Mishaal bin momentous occasion in the his- an aircraft that not only consid- aircraft design with regard to needs. Economy Class will comprise Hamad Al Thani, witnessing the tory of our airline. Not only are ers every aspect of passenger technological advancements and “The A350 XWB is the latest 247 seats, each 18-inch wide in a arrival of QA’s first A350 XWB we welcoming a new aircraft type comfort, but also features the the passenger journey.” Airbus aircraft to join the skies, 3-3-3 configuration, with up to a aircraft, a statement said. into the QA fleet, but as global cutting-edge light-weight carbon Bregier said: “Handing over revolutionising our industry and 32-inch pitch. Al Baker highlighted QA’s rapid launch customer for A350 XWB, composite design, which allows the first A350 XWB represents redefining the way people fly.” Each individual seat will fea- expansion plans, boosted by the we are receiving the newest and fuel consumption and noise to be a significant step in Airbus and The A350 XWB will comprise ture a 10.6-inch in-flight enter- arrival of this latest aircraft type. most modern aircraft the world reduced, along with many leading aviation history. The A350 XWB a two-class configuration with 36 tainment screen, and more space The day was filled with cul- will see for at least another features. becomes the most modern air- Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 at shoulder level for passengers in tural high notes. The audience decade. “I am confident that with our craft in service, developed with configuration, featuring 80-inch window seats, thanks to a vertical was swept away by a special per- “Our order for 80 of this air- passenger insight, the aircraft our excellence established over 45 fully flat beds and 17-inch HD in- side wall panel design. formance by musicians from the craft has enabled Airbus to create will be the footprint for all future years in meeting our customers’ flight entertainment screens. THE PENINSULA

HMC to host 2 orthopaedic surgeons QA most ‘liked’ global airline on Facebook DOHA: Two top orthopaedic surgeons from the Outpatient Clinic at Hamad General Hospital DOHA: Qatar Airways (QA) Bangkok. Popular online com- QA Senior Vice-President, UK and France will visit the Orthopaedic Surgery (HGH). reached another milestone petitions, including Safarigram Marketing and Corporate Department at Hamad Medical Corporation Dr Marius Scarlat, Consultant Shoulder and when it became the most ‘liked’ and FCB Join the Club and tar- Communications, Salam Al (HMC) to conduct patient consultations and Elbow Surgeon from Clinique St. Michel in Toulon, global airline on Facebook. geting fans in their language Shawa, said: “We are proud of surgeries. France, will conduct surgery and give a lecture to QA overtook its nearest com- have also helped increase fan the fact that we have grown Scoliosis expert Dr Colin Nnadi from the UK will medical residents. He will be available for consulta- petitor and claimed first posi- growth and interaction. from 49th place to first in less visit from December 27 to 30. He is a Consultant tions on February 1 and 2 at Outpatient Clinic. tion last week, reaching eight QA Group Chief Executive than 18 months. Spine Surgeon from the Oxford University Hospitals Patients interested in booking appointments with million fans on its global page Akbar Al Baker said: “QA has “During this time we have NHS Trust. either physician should visit Bone and Joint Centre from four million six months long recognised the importance attracted over 8,000,000 fans by He is scheduled to conduct surgery on December at the HGH Outpatient Department Annex between ago. of digital media in our day-to- adapting to the growing signifi- 27 and will be available for consultations from 7am and 3pm. It has managed to increase day business. cance of social media versus tra- December 28 until 30 at Bone and Joint Centre’s THE PENINSULA its Facebook fan base by about “Using new and creative ways ditional media and focusing on 2,560 percent in two years. to engage with our fans, while creating quality content while The steady climb has been a increasing the level of engage- engaging with our followers,” he result of QA’s increasing online ment, helps us stay at the fore- added. engagement with fans, includ- front of customer service while Including Pinterest, where ing region-specific promotions keeping in touch with our pas- it is also ranked No. 1 air- and global partnership with FC sengers’ needs and constantly line, Instagram (ranked sec- Barcelona. adapting to them. ond) and Linkedin (fifth), QA In addition to winning fans “Our quick rise to most liked uses 13 social media outlets to with its new route launches, QA airline on Facebook reaffirms assist, inform and engage with has been followed as it launched that our passengers support its passengers. its A380 to London, Paris and this.” THE PENINSULA

Workshop on human rights

The National Human Rights Committee yesterday organised a regional training workshop on legal perspective of refugees, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Experts discussed laws and international agreements on the rights of refugees and government efforts towards establishing a national body for implementing rules related to human rights. Volunteer Awards deadline December 28

DOHA: The Social and encourage involvement in secondary and university level, Development Center (SDC), a volunteer work; starting from where applicants are required to member of Qatar Foundation, the involvement of school stu- submit works on a chosen topic said yesterday that applica- dents to major institutions. to be eligible for the award. tions for Volunteer Awards for The awards are in four cat- Manar Rashid Al Dossari, 2014/2015 are open and will egories: Honorary Volunteer Marketing and Public Relations close on December 28. Award nominated by members Manager, SDC, said, “So far, The awards were launched of the executive committee of SDC has honoured a large in 1999 and was officially finest representatives of volun- number of individual and insti- announced in 2004. teers in the local community; tutional volunteers. Since then, the centre has Individuals Volunteer Award, “We look forward to receiv- regularly held the ceremony to including citizens and residents ing nominations for creative honour individuals, groups and who are leading figures in vol- and unique initiatives that institutions in Qatar for volun- unteer work; Project Award for have brought about a positive teer work and humanitarian Institutions, which acknowl- change in our community and efforts. edges volunteering projects have the potential to achieve The awards also aim to raise from different institutions; further success in the future,” awareness about the role of and Research Category, which Al Dossari added. volunteerism in modern society is addressed to students on THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Radiation tests Qatar Charity ranked first in world for its relief projects UN report recognises efforts in Syria, Palestine and Somalia

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has been named first in the world in terms of relief projects for Syria, Palestine and Somalia. The announcement came in a Financial Tracking of International Relief Report of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and refers to QC’s performance over the last three years. QC relief projects valued at over QR185m were carried out for the benefit of around 2,128,000 displaced and refugee Syrians. This include QR62.5m on food The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, for the benefit of around 1,353,000 is setting up devices at border check-points to monitor illegal imports Syrians, QR45m on shelter and and exports of radioactive and chemical materials. It has conducted non-food items, QR60m on health training for the employees at check-points to make them aware about projects and QR17.6m in the field radioactive and nuclear radiation materials. They were also trained in the of education. Over half of these projects were use of devices to measure radiations and protect themselves and others. directed inside Syria. QC projects in Palestine amounted to around QR170m, of which QR145m went towards Ooredoo offers 50pc cut on projects in the Gaza Strip, while in Somalia QC spent QR25m on projects which benefited around Shahry Smart subscriptions 680,000 people. The projects focused on ensur- DOHA: Ooredoo’s Shahry during the period. ing the most basic necessities Smart yesterday introduced a Shahry Smart packs are the such as food, medicine and shel- new offer for all new Shahry cus- biggest and best post-paid in ter, besides providing job opportu- tomers to enable them to benefit Qatar, and offer local and inter- nities for the unemployed, orphan from a 50 percent discount on national minutes/SMS, data and sponsorship and disaster relief, Shahry Smart subscriptions. free access to the 4G network for QC said in a statement yesterday. The promotion offers the best superfast mobile data speeds. The Financial Tracking Service prices for newcomers to Qatar Packs come in denominations (FTS) is a global database man- and a more accessible oppor- of QR15, QR35, QR55, QR100, aged by OCHA which records all Women drawing drinking water from a tube well in a village in Somalia. Qatar Charity has spent about QR25m on tunity for customers looking to QR150, QR250, QR450 and contributions to international projects benefiting around 680,000 people in the country. transition from Ooredoo’s prepaid QR750, as well as Ooredoo’s VIP humanitarian aid, including non- (Hala) to postpaid services. service Al Nokhba. governmental organisations and QC is characterised by a large international organisations, where it operates. With the offer, existing cus- Shahry Smart pack 250 and their contributions, and bilat- number of international partner- specialised organisations and QC works in 60 countries in tomers who upgrade to a higher onward customers can enjoy eral and in-kind aid and private ships and a wide field presence charities, including 25 non-inter- three continents through its Shahry Smart pack will also be unlimited local calls and SMS as donations. made possible due to its 18 offices governmental and three banks offices or partners in the coun- eligible to avail themselves of 50 well as at least 1GB of monthly FTS is managed by OCHA in three continents. and development funds, minis- tries where it does not have percent discounted rates until data for their phone. using data provided by donors and The partnerships include tries and technical interests of offices. Mar 21, 2015, saving up to QR1,125 THE PENINSULA beneficiary organisations. eight with the UN and other QC subsidiaries in the countries THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME / MIDDLE EAST

Sheikh Jassem Pope receives Qatari envoy’s credentials Leaders greet new bin Thani dead Tunisia President DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh DOHA: Sheikh Jassem bin Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Thani bin Jassem Al Thani sent a cable of congratula- (pictured) died yesterday, aged tions to Beji Caid Essebsi on 97. He was the grandson of the his election as the President of Founder of Qatar, Sheikh Jassem Tunisia, wishing him success. bin Mohammed bin Thani. The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Funeral prayer will be held Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani today after Asr prayer, and also sent a cable of congratula- condolences will be received at tions to Essebsi. his home in Azghawi, Al Sharq The Prime Minister and reports. THE PENINSULA Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani sent a similar cable to the President. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed Qatar’s aspi- Hospital honours head of rations that the victory would contribute to building a state of institutions and maintaining South Security Department Tunisia’s security, stability and prosperity in a way that fulfils DOHA: Al Wakra Hospital has Executive Director, Corporate Pope Francis received the credentials of Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Thani as Non-resident Ambassador the aspirations of the Tunisian honoured the South Security Communications Department, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vatican. She conveyed to the Pope greetings of the Emir H H Sheikh people. Department for its role in Hamad Medical Corporation Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wishes of good health and happiness and further progress and prosperity It stressed Qatar’s full support watching over residents in the (HMC), Mohamed Al Dosari, to the government and people of the Vatican. to the government and people area. Acting Head, Public Relations, and its aspiration for new pros- Ali Al Muftah, Head of the Al Wakra Hospital, said the pects of cooperation. Engineering Department at the award was presented to the hospital, and Charlotte Hamilton, South Security Department to Condolences sent Assistant Executive Director for show gratitude for its role in Business Development at the safeguarding the entire Al Wakra to Emir of Kuwait hospital, presented an apprecia- community. HMC stroke service DOHA: tion plaque to Brigadier Mohamed He said the award demon- The Deputy Emir Jassim Al Sulaiti, Head, South strated the importance of coop- H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Security Department, and Major eration among the community. Hamad Al Thani yesterday Yousuf Mohamed Al Obaidly, Brigadier Al Sulaiti thanked sent a cable of condolences Assistant Head of the depart- the administration team for the to the Emir of Kuwait H H ment, during a reception hosted award and praised HMC for its gets accreditation Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al in their honour in the hospital. efforts towards providing the best Jaber Al Sabah following the Many doctors and other staff and most compassionate care to death of Sheikha Sheikha were present. the people of Qatar. Sabah Nasser Al Sabah. On behalf of Ali Al Khater, THE PENINSULA First in Middle East to be recognised by JCI The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh DOHA: Hamad Medical recent improvements in care for nature of the care being given. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Corporation’s (HMC) stroke stroke patients, with the open- The percentage of patients Al Thani sent a similar cable to service has become the first ing of a stroke ward at Hamad receiving thrombolysis treat- Sheikh Sabah. of its kind in the Middle East General Hospital in March ment has significantly increased Year-end productivity to be accredited by Joint 2014 playing a key role in the since 2013. This is an important Premier meets Commission International improvements. improvement in stroke care (JCI). The multi-disciplinary nature as thrombolysis is an effec- ambassadors The accreditation is based of care has contributed to ensur- tive treatment that can greatly in Mena ‘all time high’ on quality and safety across all ing stroke patients in Qatar increase a patient’s chances of DOHA: The Prime Minister clinical and management func- receive the safest, most effective full recovery, but it must be given and Interior Minister H E DOHA: The Bayt.com ‘Holidays respondents said it is “an all- tions and is considered the gold and compassionate care. within 4.5 hours of the onset of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser in the Middle East and North time high” compared to the rest standard in global healthcare. The team involved in the treat- symptoms. bin Khalifa Al Thani yester- Africa’ poll, recently con- of the year. All of HMC’s network hos- ment for each stroke patient is Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, day met Swedish Ambassador ducted by Bayt.com, revealed Employee morale is also higher pitals, Ambulance Service and central to the multi-disciplinary Managing Director, HMC, said, Ewa Bjorling and discussed that employees in the Middle now than the rest of the year, Home Healthcare Service have care patients receive. Stroke neu- “Everyone involved with the cooperation and matters of East and North Africa (Mena) according to 58.9 percent of been accredited by JCI. rologists, rehabilitation physi- delivery of stroke care at HMC mutual concern. region consider office produc- respondents. About 38.7 percent Stroke is one of the lead- cians, stroke nurses, allied health is proud to be accredited by JCI. The Premier also met Eritrean tivity to be higher than usual at participants claimed it’s “an all- ing causes of mortality and the professionals, stroke coordina- It recognises our stroke service Ambassador Ali Ibrahim Ahmed year-end. time high”. number one cause of chronic dis- tors and clinical nurse specialists as being among the best in the and reviewed matters of mutual Around 27.7 percent THE PENINSULA ability in the world. Due to the provide expertise to shape the world. concern and means of bolstering high prevalence in Qatar’s popu- treatment plan according to each Improvements in care for cooperation. In a separate meet- lation of many risk factors for patient’s needs. stroke patients have been made ing, the Premier held talks with stroke, including diabetes, obes- Improvements in care include possible through teamwork and outgoing Spanish Ambassador ity, high cholesterol, hyperten- a reduction in the average length commitment of staff across serv- Carmen De La Pena and wished sion and inactivity, the incidence of stay (LOS) for stroke patients ices and are perfect examples of the envoy success in future post- Marine shooting practice warning of stroke is high. throughout this year. A shorter collaborative work.” ing. QNA DOHA: The General Command of the Armed Forces has announced The accreditation follows LOS demonstrates the effective THE PENINSULA that the marine field of shooting marine/OBD 28 towards the east from Mesaieed in a distance of about 40km and an angle of 105 degrees from the port of Mesaieed and next to Fasht Alhadid will be effective from December 25 until 31 for use of live ammunition from 6am to 1pm according to the coordinates: ((A:24 5900N 52 1600E) (B: 25 00 50 N 52 10 60 E)) ((C:24 57 40 N 51 51 40 E)) ((D:24 Ooredoo unveils initiatives to boost employees’ skills 56 40N 51 50 00E) (E:24 47 60N 51 50 00E) (F:24 52 50N 52 14 40 E) (G:24 53 80N 52 16 00E)) . DOHA: Ooredoo’s Human Resources Management Compass — to support The launch at W Hotel e-Tatweer is a learning The General Command urged those who frequent the area to be Department has launched two new employees’ developmental needs and in Doha was attended by portal to provide employ- cautious for their safety. QNA initiatives — e-Tatweer and Ooredoo help them better serve customers. senior department heads ees with a convenient and Ooredoo employees way to access learning looking to enhance the resources and development services they offer. planning tools. It can be Mohammed Jassim Al accessed at work or from Kuwari, Chief Corporate home or any location via Services Officer, Ooredoo, mobile Internet. Ooredoo said: “We believe in invest- has partnered with leading ing in our employees to online learning organisa- improve their skill-sets, tions such as Chartered enhance their motivation Institute of Management and ensure that they can in the UK to facilitate provide the best experience access. for customers in every field The Ooredoo they operate in.” Management Compass is Bothaina Hassan Al a management competency Ansari, Senior Director, framework to provide HR, Ooredoo, said, “By managers with clear direc- launching these two tools, tions to achieve Ooredoo’s we aim to provide Qatar vision in Qatar. with business leaders and It works as a desktop managers who can map out tool and visual aid. For which skills they and their details on working for employees need to develop, Ooredoo, people can visit so as to enhance our per- www.Ooredoo.qa formance at every level.” THE PENINSULA

WHO gets green light to deliver medicine to Aleppo

GENEVA: Syria has would depend on the secu- agreed to allow deliver- rity situation. The Syrian ies of desperately needed government and other par- medical supplies to oppo- ties to the conflict agreed sition-held parts of Aleppo to allow deliveries of medi- and two other hard- cine for chronic diseases, to-reach areas, World vaccines, intravenous flu- Health Organisation said ids and surgical supplies to yesterday. opposition-controlled areas “We have got all in Aleppo governorate, the approval letters, we are besieged Damascus district ready to deliver,” the UN of Muadamiya and the agency’s Syria representa- flashpoint Eastern Ghouta tive Elizabeth Hoff said. region near the capital. Stressing the deliveries AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Gaza ripe for new explosion: Analysts Israel’s blocking of reconstruction angers Palestinians

GAZA CITY: Barely four be consequences for the enemy, of reconstruction, war will be the months after a bloody conflict its people and its leaders.” only option. Hamas will have no battered Gaza, experts warn The glacial pace of reconstruc- choice,” he said. that a new war could be in the tion is the most immediate con- Figures cited by international offing if reconstruction is not cern for Gaza, where UN figures aid charity Oxfam indicate 287 accelerated and Palestinian show more than 96,000 homes truckloads — each carrying divisions remain. were damaged or destroyed in around 40 tonnes of essential Since the end of the deadly the war, leaving 100,000 people building materials — entered 50-day war between Israel and homeless. Gaza in November. Hamas, which killed nearly 2,200 Over the past eight years, Gaza But officials say that if Gaza is Palestinians and 73 in Israel, lit- has been subjected to an Israeli to be rebuilt within three years, it tle has changed on the ground in blockade which has effectively would need to be receiving at least Gaza. barred the entry of most con- 7,000 tonnes — or 175 truckloads Nidaa Tounes (Call of Tunisia) party supporters wave flags and shout slogans as they celebrate after their party’s Swathes of the territory lie in struction materials on grounds — every day. veteran Beji Caid Essebsi won the country’s first free presidential election, in Tunis yesterday. ruins and tens of thousands of that militants could use them for “The options are few and very people remain homeless. other purposes. difficult, ranging from bad to With reconstruction still After the war, the UN brokered worse. As Israel slows the entry conspicuous by its absence and a mechanism which would allow of building materials, Egypt closes Veteran Essebsi wins Tunisia’s talks to bolster the August truce such goods in while ensuring they the (Rafah) border and reconcili- repeatedly postponed, frustration do not fall into the wrong hands. ation fails to be implemented,” is growing in Gaza — and with it Palestinian officials say Israel Mudallal said. the danger of a new outbreak of has effectively blocked recon- Reconstruction aside, analysts first free presidential vote violence. struction by limiting supplies say the conditions which led to This weekend, for the first time entering Gaza, but diplomatic the deadly summer conflict are TUNIS: Veteran anti-Islamist spokesman said on Facebook the of hope to all the people who, like since the war ended on August 26, sources say the UN-brokered largely still in place. politician Beji Caid Essebsi was outgoing president had congratu- them, aspire to a future that’s Israeli warplanes struck southern mechanism has taken longer than “Gaza, almost four months declared the winner of Tunisia’s lated his rival. more peaceful, democratic and Gaza after militants fired a rocket expected to get up and running. after the war, remains a pressure first free presidential elec- A first round of voting on prosperous”. over the border, the third time The process has also been cooker at boiling point,” wrote tion yesterday, capping off the November 23 had seen Essebsi in The vote was seen as a landmark this has happened in four months. slowed by infighting between Amos Harel in Israel’s Haaretz transition to democracy in the the lead with 39 percent of the in Tunisia, which sparked the Arab Although nobody was hurt on Hamas and Fatah, its West Bank- newspaper, saying the situation birthplace of the Arab Spring. vote, six points ahead of Marzouki. Spring mass revolutions with the either side, the exchange of fire based rival which dominates was similar to before the fighting But in a sign of the challenges Participation in the second 2011 ouster of longtime strongman raised concerns that the fragile the Palestinian Authority and that began on July 8. ahead, police fired tear gas to round was 60.1 percent, electoral Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. truce could deteriorate rapidly. has been tasked with managing Before the war, Hamas — disperse hundreds of youths who commission chief Chafik Sarsar However, the campaign was Last week, as Hamas paraded reconstruction. already struggling under the burned tyres in protest at the said, after authorities had urged bitter and divisive, with Marzouki through Gaza with rocket launch- “The circumstances are as they Israeli blockade — found itself result. a high turnout. insisting an Essebsi win would ers and missiles in a show of force were before the war,” Israeli com- under increasing pressure from Essebsi, an 88-year-old former US President Barack Obama mark the return of Tunisia’s old to mark the 27th anniversary of mentator Avi Issacharoff said. Egypt which dealt Gaza a harsh official in previous Tunisian congratulated Essebsi and hailed guard. the Islamist group’s founding, “If the blockade continues, the blow by destroying a network of regimes, took 55.68 percent of the the vote as “a vital step toward Essebsi in turn accused his they were quick to warn that the borders remain closed and build- cross-border smuggling tunnels vote to defeat incumbent Moncef the completion of Tunisia’s rival of representing the moder- situation was unsustainable. ing is slow in the next six months, and closing the Rafah crossing, Marzouki in Sunday’s run-off, the momentous transition to democ- ately Islamist party Ennahda that “If there is no reconstruc- Hamas will move towards escalation, triggering a major financial crisis. electoral commission said. racy”, a White House statement ruled after the revolution and tion of what Israel destroyed, and depending on Israel’s response, In a bid to ease the pressure, Essebsi had claimed victory said. which installed him as president. we warn you that there will it could turn into a new war.” Hamas signed a unity agreement shortly after polls closed but Foreign policy chief Federica Continued divisions were be an explosion,” warned the Gaza-based analyst Walid Al with Fatah in the hope that the Marzouki, a long-exiled 69-year- Mogherini of the European clear as some 300-400 protesters Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, Mudallal agreed that Hamas was Palestinian Authority would facil- old rights activist, refused initially Union, which sent an observer clashed with police in El Hamma Hamas’ military wing. “If our under increasing pressure. itate payment of its Gaza employ- to concede defeat. mission for the election, praised in the south, where Marzouki had demands are ignored, there will “If it remains frozen in terms ees. AFP Yesterday, however, Marzouki’s Tunisians for sending “a message widespread support. AFP Erdogan slams birth control as treason

ISTANBUL: Turkish President of Turkey’s ambition to make and spiritually. I have faith in you,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan itself a flourishing nation with he said in comments reported by described efforts to promote an expanding young population. the Dogan news agency, which also birth control as “treason”, say- “One or two children is not posted a video of his speech. ing contraception risked caus- enough. To make our nation “Marriage is a long journey. ing a whole generation to “dry stronger, we need a more dynamic There are good days and bad days. up”, reports said yesterday. and younger population. We need Good days become more frequent Erdogan made the comments, this to take Turkey above the level as we share them and bad days directly addressing the bride and of modern civilisations,” Erdogan finally bring happiness if we are groom at the Istanbul wedding said. “In this country, they (oppo- patient,” said Erdogan. He added: ceremony of the son of business- nents) have been engaged in the “One (child) means loneliness, man Mustafa Kefeli, who is one treason of birth control for years two means rivalry, three means of his close allies. and sought to dry up our genera- balance and four means abun- He told the newly-weds that tion,” Erdogan said. “Lineage is dance. And God takes care of the using birth control was a betrayal very important both economically rest,” he added. AFP

Child rapist latest prisoner executed in Saudi RIYADH: Saudi Arabia yesterday beheaded a child rapist, adding to what activists say is one of the world’s high- est execution tolls. The Interior Ministry said Suleiman bin Abdullah had been found guilty of kidnapping a male child, tying him up “and per- forming the obscene” act. Authorities carried out the sentence against him in Buraydah city, north- west of Riyadh, the min- istry said in a statement.

US Navy chopper crashes in Kuwait DUBAI: A US Navy helicopter has crashed during a training mis- sion in the Gulf state of Kuwait, slightly injur- ing three crew members, the Bahrain-based Naval Forces Central Command said yesterday. The MH-60S helicop- ter went down on Sunday morning during the over- land training flight at Camp Buehring, it said. All six personnel aboard the helicopter survived the crash and were trans- ported to nearby medical facilities. AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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S THE churn over relations between West and Russia gets murkier, a number of factors are making the pull and shove between erstwhile Cold War adversaries an Ainteresting tale. The Kremlin yesterday included US President Barack Obama’s name on its list of invitees for 70th Kurds inching closer to anniversary celebrations of the Second World War on May 9 next year. At the same time, an unrelenting Russian President Vladimir Putin is coming under a fusillade of criticism for letting the economy slip into an abyss after US-led sanctions. getting state of their own In the wake of western sanctions after Moscow’s adventurism in Ukraine, the Russian currency has almost lost BY ELI LAKE Shia-led government and refused to Even though Kurdistan is landlocked, half of its value since June but the strongman in Putin is telling send promised equipment and weapons it’s no longer such a stretch to imagine him not to budge. While his economy minister has, in intrepid ITH Cuba and North directly to Kurdish fighters. When the it being independent. Kurdish customs remarks, said that riling Europe by annexing Crimea and Korea dominating the Kurds tried to fend for themselves by officials already stamp your passport at pushing eastern Ukraine into a virtual civil war have led to the headlines, Americans selling oil on the international market, its airports. The Kurds have their dip- economic crisis, Putin has been left alone with his nationalistic Wmay have missed the good US diplomats warned oil companies not lomats and lobbyists in foreign capitals. news from a corner of the world that has to purchase it. And now, thanks to an oil deal reached hubris. Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev recently talked of provided very little: Iraq. Kurdish pesh- But then came the Islamic State. early this month with Baghdad, they a “perfect storm” of plunging oil prices and Ukraine-related merga fighters have inflicted a series of After Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, have staved off financial collapse and sanctions hitting the economy. defeats on Islamic State forces, freeing fell in June to jihadists using vehicles and gotten Baghdad to agree to pay the sal- Former Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin yesterday a broad swath of northern Iraq from the weapons the US had provided to Iraq’s aries of their Peshmerga fighters. Over said the country is in the throes of a full-fledged economic jihadists’ control. These battlefield victo- army, Obama realized that the Kurds the summer, Israel’s prime minister crisis. “Today, I can say that we have entered or are entering ries underline an equally striking change are America’s only competent friends Benjamin Netanyahu came out for an in US policy: Starting in 2015, the US left in Iraq. Indeed, last week Kurdish independent Iraqi Kurdistan. a real, full-fledged economic crisis. Next year, we will feel military will be training three brigades forces finally broke the Islamic State’s The one thing the Kurds do not have, it clearly,” he said at a press conference. He criticised the of peshmerga and spending more than siege of Sinjar near the Syrian border. however, is a modern army. The pesh- government for not being quick enough in addressing the $350m equipping them for battle with This dependence on the Kurds to merga own some tanks, some rifles and situation. the fanatics tearing Iraq apart. While stop the jihadists complicates US for- have in the past worked very closely with Belarus and Howsoever intransigent, Putin the Kurds have been semi-independent eign policy tremendously. Since the fall American special-operations forces in has to face the West. In telephone since 1991, with of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Presidents Iraq. But they are still organised like their own gov- George W Bush and Obama have sup- a militia, with various commanders Kazakhstan’s talks with the leaders of Germany, ernment, militias ported a “one Iraq” policy that commits more loyal to local Kurdish political pivot towards France and Ukraine, the former and foreign policy, the US to discouraging Iraq’s Kurds leaders than to the Kurdistan Regional KGB spy agreed that the ceasefire Since the fall this is the biggest from declaring themselves an inde- Government, or KRG. Between 1994 Ukraine points in eastern Ukraine has been step yet toward pendent country. Militarily, this meant and 1997, forces loyal to the two major holding. of Saddam, Washington the US was committed to standing up Kurdish parties fought one another in a allowing them to a national Iraqi Army, not a regional civil war. On a visit to Washington last to the growing A momentous change taking place Presidents have a state of militia that could challenge Baghdad’s month, Fuad Hussein, Barzani’s chief distance after the Russian economy has been their own. monopoly of power. of staff, told reporters that his govern- jolted shouldn’t escape the attention George Bush To understand “The unity of Iraq is absolutely ment was now beginning the process of between of the international community. and Obama have the significance, essential both for longstanding US creating a centralised Kurdish army. Moscow and Staunch Russian allies Belarus and recall that for policy and for regional stability; for And this is where US training of three Kazakhstan are pivoting to Ukraine supported a “one almost the entire American credibility and predictability Kurdish brigades could make a major Barack Obama with other partners; and for defeating difference. If the peshmerga transforms its allies. in what can be seen as the resetting Iraq” policy that presidency, the IS,” James Jeffrey, the US ambassador from a localised guerrilla militia into a of ties in eastern Europe. On Sunday, Kurds and the to Iraq between 2010 and 2012 told me modern army, then one of the remaining Belarussian President Alexander commits the US United States last week. Current US officials work- pieces necessary for Kurdish independ- Lukashenko met Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev. to discouraging have been at ing on the Iraq file echo this view. In ence will fall into place. The body language of the two leaders, who were once considered odds. In Obama’s short, Washington cannot be perceived The Pentagon plays this down — the not-so-close, showed that a lot has changed in very little time. Iraq’s Kurds first term, the by Iraq’s neighbours to be encouraging budget justification for the training of White House the dissolution of the country. For one peshmerga fighters for example says Belarus is going to host peace talks on Ukraine in its capital from declaring asked the high- thing, it could very well spur Turkey that arming them “will provide them Minsk. Once dubbed the last dictator of Europe by former US est-ranking Kurd and the Gulf States to defect from the needed capability and will provide inter- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Lukashenko hosted talks on themselves an in Iraq’s govern- international campaign against IS. Yet operability with the Iraqi Army.” Ukraine in September. independent ment, President the question of a Kurdish state is get- For now, the Kurds are partners What could be seen as turning the tide against Moscow to a Jalal Talabani, to ting harder to avoid. In July, Massoud in helping to destroy the makeshift resign his post Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Caliphate that has effectively erased the larger extent is the visit yesterday to Kiev of Kazakh President country. in favour of Iyad region, came out in support of a refer- border between Syria and Iraq. For this Nursultan Nazarbayev. Though Kazakhstan is not linked to the Allawi, the secu- endum on Kurdish independence from the world owes them a debt of grati- Ukrainian conflict, Nazarbayev may be pivoting to the West as lar Arab whose party won the most par- Iraq. The month before, Kurdish fight- tude. But by training and equipping a the Russian economy weakens. Belarus and Kazakhstan’s pivot liamentary seats in the 2010 election. ers had taken up posts abandoned by modern Kurdish army to achieve this towards Ukraine and apparent loosening of ties with Moscow (Talabani declined.) the Iraqi army in Kirkuk, a strategic task, Obama may find that he is helping are signals to Putin that sanctions have hurt more than the Obama’s diplomats consistently city at the heart of disputes between destroy Iraq in order to save it. acceded to the sensitivities of Iraq’s Baghdad and the Kurdish region. WP-BLOOMBERG economy. The other side Quote of Fault lines in Lima the day

HE product of that delay is a (inasmuch as it can be called an agree- fifteenth edition (held in Copenhagen, to be looked for and reached during the ‘Lima Call for Climate Action’ ment) will also compare emission reduc- Denmark, and considered a procedural next such meeting (in Paris, in 2015) has as the outcome of the two tions among countries and examine how watershed in the UNFCCC talks) gov- already become a contentious matter. Tweeks of climate talks formally the collective contributions limit global ernments continue to voice the same For the large group of less developed known as the twentieth session of the warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius. arguments on emission reductions and countries, overall, the Lima outcome Conference of Parties (COP20) of the This is the process which a new financing the steps necessary to adapt represents a ‘business as usual’ out- United Nations Framework Convention agreement is to be concluded next year to the effects and consequences of liv- look and is considered to be not even I see no signs of on Climate Change (UNFCCC). under the UNFCCC, which is to take ing with a changing climate. Old fault a second best option. Through the The ‘Lima Call for Climate Action’, effect in 2020. What this twentieth edi- lines between rich and poor nations second week of COP20 in Lima, most any wrongdoing released at the long drawn-out con- tion of climate talks had in common with persist, and because they do, the value developing countries had rejected the clusion of the talks held in Lima, Peru, its predecessors is that the final decision of the ‘Lima Call for Climate Action’ is prepared texts of draft agreements by the current finds all countries agreed to make came after much argumentation and itself called into question. as being imbalanced and not reflect- cuts to their fossil fuel emissions and disagreement, with several iterations of Likewise, whether there has been ing key issues such as distinguishing Petrobras submit what are called their ‘Intended key texts needing to be prepared before genuine progress in the years between between developed and developing executive board. Nationally Determined Contributions’ to countries adopted them. COP15 and COP20 (Lima) is now seen countries, principles of equity and what the UN body in the second quarter of Considered objectively, the result is as doubtful by those critical of the is called ‘common but differentiated Dilma Rousseff 2015. Moreover, the Lima agreement not encouraging. Five years after the UNFCCC process itself. Thus the ‘deal’ responsibility’. Khaleej Times Brazil’s President TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 New leadership seeks to rebuild EU

confidence. EU leaders endorsed the plan Tusk and Juncker intended to plough €315bn into transport, energy, research and small business, but some demanded a say on which projects have won plaudits are funded. Brussels, in agreement with investors, wants to keep decisions in the hands of European Investment Bank in their first experts to avoid financing national poli- ticians’ pet schemes. weeks in office, This may be a first test of whether Europe’s new leadership can resist pres- sure to renationalise decision making. but the real ordeal The eurozone crisis of 2010-2013 changed the balance of power in the EU, giving more say to national governments is still to come that hold the purse strings and less to the Commission, which has seen its sole BY PAUL TAYLOR right to initiate EU legislation gradually eroded. Juncker has bent to the prevailing hort, snappy and focussed on Eurosceptic winds, announcing a work two priorities — reviving sag- programme last week that will withdraw ging investment in Europe and 80 pieces of planned regulation, including standing firm towards Russia, clean air and waste management rules, the first European Union sum- and propose only 25 new initiatives next Smit under new leadership was a demon- year. He and Tusk have opted to take strative break with the past. issues off the table where they perceive Donald Tusk, the former Polish prime there is little chance of agreement. minister who took over the chairmanship But centrifugal forces are still hard at of the 28-nation European Council this work, now tugging at the Commission’s month, put his briskly opinionated stamp core competences of policing competition, on the meeting of EU leaders, sending upholding single market rules and nego- them home a day early after a show of tiating trade deals. unity and purpose. To be sure, it’s not all one-way traf- In his first month, he has shown he fic. The Commission has gained more intends to be a major player in EU for- oversight over national budget deficits, eign policy, driving an Atlanticist agenda although its powers are being tested by of free trade with the United States, defiance from Paris and Rome. partnership with NATO, toughness The European Central Bank, the fed- with Russia and cautious cooperation Newly nominated European Council President Donald Tusk (right) welcomes new European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker eral institution in charge of the 18-nation with China. German Chancellor Angela at the EU council headquarters in Brussels. euro single currency, has acquired more Merkel, the most powerful EU leader, power during the crisis, not just as the de was delighted with the first steps of firm line on maintaining economic sanc- morning to review the new summit Tusk’s clear line on Russia masked facto backstop for the eurozone but also her protege, a fellow conservative from tions on Russia, which he called “our format, there was unanimous praise differences between hawks who want to by gaining control of banking supervision. a country which like her native East strategic problem”. The former Solidarity for Tusk’s strict chairmanship, which maintain or step up sanctions, and doves Yet the ECB too faces a backlash from Germany cast off Soviet Communist student union activist and anti-commu- returned the European Council to its such as France and Italy, keen to ease some governments and national cen- domination in 1989. nist political organiser said Europeans intended role of giving strategic guid- them at the first sign of Russian coopera- tral banks, notably in Germany and the She praised “a shorter, more succinct, should regain their self-confidence and ance to the EU on a handful of key issues tion to stabilise eastern Ukraine. Netherlands, which are trying to clip its well organised Council meeting under realise their own strengths. “The biggest instead of a laundry list of problems. Those divergences may widen in mid- wings and inhibit it printing money to our new president Donald Tusk”. Indeed challenge today is the Russian approach, He prevented leaders making long 2015 when the EU has to review the curbs buy government bonds in its effort to Tusk opened the summit without Merkel not only to Ukraine but also to the EU,” speeches or getting involved in rewrit- on finance, arms sales and technology revive inflation. and French President Francois Hollande he said. ing the final statement, as often happens. transfer imposed initially for 12 months. Europe’s new start will be put to the after they kept other leaders waiting One EU official described the contrast “They were happy the drafting was left Tusk was careful not to oversell the ini- test in 2015 by monetary controversy, while they met in private, participants between Van Rompuy and Tusk as “old to civil servants and they weren’t asked tiative to stimulate private investment potential political upheaval and eco- said. Departing from the self-effacing, school versus business school”, although to get involved,” an EU diplomat said. in Europe’s stalled economy proposed nomic stagnation. Tusk and Juncker consensual style of his Belgian predeces- the Pole is a political bruiser rather than Whether that discipline will hold when by new European Commission President have won plaudits in their first weeks in sor Herman Van Rompuy, Tusk made an economist. serious issues of money and power are at Jean-Claude Juncker, saying it was “no office, but the real ordeal is still to come. clear publicly in advance he wanted a When ambassadors met the next stake remains to be seen. silver bullet” but a first step to restore REUTERS Young Cuban-American groups Can the blood of Ebola survivors create a cure?

BY JULIE STEENHUYSEN emerge as new allies of Obama University that is being assembled by Department of Defense. or months, Vanderbilt The push is part of the race to BY DAVID ADAMS Apple to improve digital services in Cuba, University researcher Dr develop drugs to address the ongoing where the Internet is strictly limited by James Crowe has been des- outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia or a handful of Cuban-Americans, the Cuban government. It was, for example, Fperately seeking access to and Guinea. Canada’s Tekmira President Barack Obama’s new Cuba instrumental in helping Google win US per- the blood of US Ebola survivors, Pharmaceuticals Corp is also test- Fpolicy wasn’t much of a shocker. For mission in August to make its Chrome browser hoping to extract the proteins that ing a treatment, while drugmakers months, they quietly advised the White House available to users in Cuba. “In order to be able helped them overcome the deadly including GlaxoSmithKline Plc and in hopes of shaping a new policy towards the to advance you have to be able to engage,” virus for use in new, potent drugs. Merck & Co, in partnership with communist-run nation. said Gorordo, 31, a former White House fel- His efforts finally paid off in NewLink Genetics Corp, are work- “A lot of what the president announced low in 2011-12 who is also chief executive of mid-November with a donation ing on vaccines. is what we, and others in Miami, have been Clearpath, a tech company for online immi- from Dr Rick Sacra, a University Last month, a group of promi- doing for a long time,” said Felice Gorordo, gration filings. of Massachusetts physician who nent scientists including three co-founder of Roots of Hope, a non-partisan The Obama administration confirmed its contracted Ebola while working in Nobel laureates, urged the US gov- group of Cuban-American university students involvement with Roots of Hope. It has con- Liberia. The donation puts Crowe ernment to accelerate the antibod- and young professionals. Their mission: closer sulted with the organisation on “the kinds at the forefront of a new model for ies push, Reuters reported. contact with the island to build mutual under- of action they thought might contribute to fighting the virus, now responsible “We’ve moving night and day standing — a point of view that’s often at odds greater openings in Cuba,” said Bernadette for the worst known outbreak in around this,” Crowe said. with their parents and grandparents. Meehan, spokesperson for the National West Africa that has killed nearly Antibodies are immune-system But they offer much more than policy Security Council, the president’s advisory body 7,000 people. proteins that seek and destroy advice. Obama is counting on this organisa- on foreign policy. “They can take antibodies they foreign invaders, such as viruses tion, and others like them, to help pave the Roots of Hope, as far as young Cuban- find in my blood and map them or bacteria. Crowe, who directs way for his new policy that includes measures Americans are concerned, aren’t the only game out,” Sacra said in an interview. the Vaccine Center at Vanderbilt, from promoting private sector entrepreneur- in Miami. In an email Meehan also credited “They are looking for the ones that is working with Sacra’s B cells — ship, to modernising the island’s telecommu- another Miami-based group, CubaNow, with are most important in neutralising white blood cells that form antibod- nications infrastructure and restoring access urging the White House “to focus on help- the virus.” ies. They will synthesise genes from to US banking services. ing improve conditions for Cuban citizens,” Sacra, a medical missionary for the most potent of these antibodies, “There is a clear understanding in the while continuing to promote human rights and Christian group SIM USA, said which can be made into treatments. White House that politically they are going to democracy. he made the blood donation with Drugs created this way are called have to focus on and cultivate the younger gen- CubaNow, launched in April, is backed “no strings attached,” and does not monoclonal antibodies, a manufac- eration of Cuban-Americans who are mobi- by a handful of deep-pocketed benefactors, stand to gain financially if a prod- tured protein that attacks a specific lised and out there supporting the president’s including Ralph Patino, a Miami lawyer and uct based on his antibodies reaches target, in this case a receptor on the decision,” said Frank Mora, a Cuba scholar Democratic party fundraiser who contributed the market. Crowe is working with Ebola virus. at Miami’s Florida International University, $78,800 to the Obama campaign in 2012. privately-held drugmaker Mapp The current version of ZMapp and a former top Pentagon official for Latin “We have to do everything possible to ensure Biopharmaceutical Inc, which he was developed in mouse blood America in the Obama administration. Raul Moas and Felice Gorordo stand on a street these gains survive the next election and work said will manufacture the anti- cells that were exposed to samples Obama is going to need that support as he in Miami Beach, Florida. with Congress to see how we can continue bodies for further testing under a containing Ebola virus fragments faces opposition from his Republican rivals updating our policy to Cuba,” said Ric Herrero, National Institutes of Health grant. from the 1995 Kikwik outbreak in and the Cuban-American political establish- We are seeking to be a platform for anyone 36, CubaNow’s director. The group describes Mapp is currently testing its own the Democratic Republic of Congo. ment that opposes closer ties with Cuba. who cares about a better future in Cuba,” said itself as a political advocacy organization led by drug ZMapp, a cocktail of three These cells were genetically modi- Gorordo co-founded Roots of Hope in Raul Moas, the group’s director. young Cuban-Americans. It has urged Obama antibodies that has shown prom- fied to make them more human. 2002 while studying government affairs at Still, while respectful of their parent’s bitter to use his executive authority to refocus Cuba ise in treating a handful of Ebola “They may or may not work. We Georgetown University after a visit to Cuba memories, they say it’s time to move on. “The policy away from punishing the Cuban govern- patients. don’t know that yet,” Crowe said where he was inspired by the number of edu- pain is real,” said Gorordo. “We inherit this ment to empowering the Cuban people. Crowe’s hope is to improve on of ZMapp. The next-generation cated youths hungry for change. The group baggage and carry it like a backpack. It gives The White House outreach began shortly ZMapp by isolating the human product Crowe is working on will be first gained notice in Miami in 2009 when it us the ability to empathise with our parents’ after Obama visited Miami in November antibodies of actual survivors and fully human, using antibodies gen- got behind a controversial peace concert in struggle, and we also know when to take off last year for a fundraiser at which he said create a drug effective against all erated by Ebola survivors, making Havana by Colombian rocker Juanes who lives that backpack in order to see the change we US Cuba policy might need an “update.” But strains of Ebola. it less likely to cause side effects. in Miami. Now, it says, there are some 9,000 all desire.” Wednesday’s announcement was met with Several leading scientists have Mapp would not comment about its members, a Miami office and three staffers. Roots of Hope’s main focus is what they scorn from many older Cuban exile leaders embraced the idea of using survi- drug development plans. As far as politics is concerned, the organi- call “people-to-people connectivity” with who strongly oppose relaxing pressure on the vors’ antibodies as the most prom- All of the antibodies generated in sation said it is bipartisan. Indeed, its leaders the island. It sends smart phones to Cuba. Cuban government which they believe is on ising approach in the fight against this work will be tested against live added, not all its members support normalisa- It encourages Cuban-Americans to visit the its last legs. Ebola. Crowe is also part of a large Ebola virus samples in a high-secu- tion of relations with Cuba. Members include country and reconnect with lost relatives and In addition, the new groups are largely consortium of academic and corpo- rity laboratory run by Dr Thomas second-generation Cuban-Americans born in discover their heritage. dismissed as bit-players by the well-heeled, rate partners working to develop Geisbert at the University of Texas Miami, as well as recent arrivals from Cuba. They have also worked with Silicon Valley conservative Cuban-American political estab- and test human antibodies from Medical Branch in Galveston. “We are not here to push political agendas. executives at Google, Twitter, Facebook and lishment. REUTERS Ebola survivors treated at Emory REUTERS TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 INTERNATIONAL 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

10 injured after Two blasts driver ploughs into Christmas market in France kill at least PARIS: At least 10 people were injured yesterday, two seri- ously, when the driver of a van ploughed into a Christmas mar- ket in the western French city of Nantes before stabbing himself, 20 in Nigeria a source close to the investiga- tion said. The source said the driver, who was born in 1970, stabbed himself Boko Haram role suspected “at least nine times”, causing him- KANO: Two blasts rocked cri- no confirmation that a bomb was self serious injuries. sis-hit northern Nigeria yester- responsible. The motives for the attack were day, with one bombing killing “There was an explosion in unclear but did not appear to be at least 20 people and a second the market with a large number driven by religious extremism. explosion setting fire to a mar- of women traders,” said Adamu The attack in central Nantes ket, where heavy casualties were Abubakar of the Red Cross in took place at around 7 pm. feared. Bauchi. “There are heavy casu- The driver charged at a chalet The targeted cities of Bauchi alties of course, but for now we serving hot wine in front of which and Gombe have both been hit can’t do anything until the fire is several people were gathered, a previously by Boko Haram and put out.” witness said. while there was no claim of Multiple witnesses gave a Rescue services personnel walk past a refuse truck that crashed into pedestrians in George Square, Glasgow, In the eastern town of Dijon, responsibility for the latest unrest, similar account, including Ishak in Scotland, yesterday. a prosecutor said a Frenchman the Islamists were suspected. Lawan, who said firefighters were who ploughed into pedestrians on Separately, witnesses said Boko struggling to control the raging Sunday shouting “Allahu Akbar” Haram gunmen stormed the inferno. had been to psychiatric hospital northeast town of Geidam at the Boko Haram gunmen stormed 157 times and had no known links weekend, razing several govern- Geidam in Yobe state on Sunday, to jihadist groups, easing concerns ment buildings and a prison in an setting fire to several buildings Six dead as truck ploughs the attack was inspired by Islamic attack that set many inmates free. and forcing residents to flee into extremism. The first bombing hit the the bush, witnesses said. The incident had left 13 people Dukku motor park on the out- “They were chanting Allahu hurt. skirts of Gombe city, capital of Akbar and firing shots and throw- into shoppers in Glasgow The driver targeted groups of Gombe state, at roughly 10.50 am, ing bombs,” said resident Adamu passers-by at five different loca- officials said. Shehu. LONDON: Six people were what is Scotland’s biggest city. the pavement and hit the first tions in Dijon in a rampage that State secretary for the Red “We spent a night in the bush killed and at least seven injured Police superintendent Stewart pedestrian outside the Gallery of lasted around half an hour, before Cross Abubakar Yakubu Gombe but from afar we could see in the in Glasgow yesterday when a Carle told reporters at the scene Modern Art on Queen Street at being arrested. said his staff sent 20 body bags to darkness flames and smoke com- rubbish truck ploughed into that people were killed over “a about 2.30 pm, police said. Interior Minister Bernard the scene and “they have all been ing from the town,” he said. crowds of Christmas shoppers number of sites”. It struck several more as it con- Cazeneuve, who visited the town exhausted”, adding that another 18 Geidam is the hometown of in what appeared to be a tragic He said that the driver, who was tinued at speed for another two yesterday, said 13 people were people with “serious” injuries had Yobe’s governor Ibrahim Geidam accident. reported by some British media as blocks, crashing at the Millennium injured though none of the victims been taken to hospital. and his home was also razed, wit- One eyewitness described the having suffered a heart attack, was Hotel on George Square, near are critical. The bomb had been planted nesses said. vehicle knocking people down being treated in hospital. Queen Street station. Local prosecutor Marie- near a bus that was waiting to fill The attackers rampaged late “like pinballs” as it veered out of “The bin lorry just lost con- Scottish police said there was Christine Tarrare told reporters up, officials said. into the night and reportedly faced control over a distance of around trol. It went along the pavement, nothing “sinister” about the that the driver, 40, had a “long- The Islamists have claimed no resistance from the military. 300 metres, only stopping when it knocking everyone like pinballs,” Glasgow incident, calling it an lasting and severe psychological a number of attacks at bus sta- While some people fled, others crashed into a hotel. eyewitness Melanie Greg told Sky accident. disorder” and had visited psychi- tions, often targeting people who locked themselves in houses that “Sadly six people have died as a News. “It is a road traffic collision atric hospital 157 times. are heading to Nigeria’s mainly were later torched and locals were result of the George Square major “People were trying to run out with multiple fatalities,” Carle She said he told police that he Christian south. going door-to-door to see if any road incident,” read a tweet on of the way but when something said, adding: “It does not look ploughed into people due to a sud- Witness Awwalu Lame said a lives were lost. the Scottish police force’s official was coming out behind them like to be a criminal or deliberate den “outburst of empathy for the mob formed at the station shortly President Goodluck Jonathan, account. that, how can they run out of the attack.” children of Chechnya” and had after the blast went off, with locals who is running for a second term, A police spokeswoman in way?” she said. The accident happened near shouted “Allahu Akbar” to give throwing stones at the security has on several occasions claimed Glasgow confirmed the six fatali- She added: “There was noise, the Scottish city’s main shop- him courage. services. that Boko Haram’s defeat was ties and said that at least seven bangs, screams and everything. It ping hub, where shoppers filled “He was not guided by religion The second blast hit Bauchi imminent, even as the violence people were also injured. was just horrific.” the streets just three days before but because he felt that politically city, the capital of Bauchi state, has escalated. Emergency services cordoned The rubbish truck, owned by Christmas Day. he had to react,” she said. at roughly 5 pm but there was AFP off the normally bustling area in Glasgow City Council, mounted AFP AFP

Spanish princess to stand trial NY mayor calls for end to protests Fresh Ukraine MADRID: Princess Cristina, the sister of Spain’s King Felipe VI, will be the first member of the royal family ever to appear in the NEW YORK: Embattled time,” de Blasio told a police char- other better, we all need to hear dock after a judge yesterday ordered her to be tried for tax fraud. Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday ity lunch. each other better,” he said. peace talks A court on the island of Majorca ordered Cristina, 49, to stand trial urged New Yorkers to put aside “It was an attack on our democ- Police Commissioner Bill on two counts of being an accessory to tax fraud in connection with politics and protests to mourn racy, it was an attack on our values Bratton admitted earlier that de her husband’s business affairs. It ordered her to pay a court bond of two murdered police officers as and attack on every single New Blasio had lost the trust of some to be held €2.7m while a date is set for the trial. Cristina had already paid a he sought to head off furious Yorker,” he said of the murders. officers, but came swinging out in deposit of €587,000 to cover her possible liability in the case. criticism of his conduct. Police unions lashed out at de his defense. She is accused of taking part in tax evasion by her husband, the Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Blasio, accusing him of creating a He said that he doesn’t believe this week former Olympic handball player Inaki Urdangarin. He is accused of Ramos, 40, were shot in the head dangerous mood by allowing dem- “at all” that de Blasio increased KIEV: A fresh round of embezzling and laundering millions of euros in public funds. through the window of their patrol onstrators to shut down New York the threat to police officers by peace talks with Ukraine’s car in broad daylight in Brooklyn streets in protest at recent police allegedly not expressing enough pro-Russian rebels will take Italy foils neo-fascist plot, 14 held on Saturday following weeks of killings of unarmed black men. sympathy for them by siding with place in the Belarussian capi- anti-police protests. De Blasio, who has biracial demonstrators. tal on Wednesday and Friday, ROME: Italian police arrested 14 neo-fascists and placed 44 oth- Police named the shooter as children, has fended off mounting And he criticised police officers President Petro Poroshenko ers under investigation yesterday after uncovering a plot to kill Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, whom offic- criticism for wanting to reform who turned their backs on the said yesterday after speaking by politicians and attack police stations over the Christmas period. ers said had a clear anti-police bias police tactics and allegedly not mayor at the hospital where the phone with his French, Russian Police swooped after wiretaps revealed the gang, an offshoot of the and who shot himself dead on a being sympathetic enough to the two cops were pronounced dead. and German counterparts. banned far right organisation Ordine Nuovo, had begun stockpiling subway station platform just min- problems police face. “I don’t support that particular “The heads of state agreed that arms and planned to carry out attacks over the holiday period. utes after the murders. Yesterday, he praised the force activity, I don’t think it was appro- the next meetings of the trilateral Italy’s Repubblica daily said the suspects had discussed killing poli- “I think it’s a time for everyone unstintingly and called for a tem- priate, particularly in that setting contact group in Minsk will take ticians, “10, 11 at a time...”, as well as blowing up the Equitalia tax to put aside political debates, put porary lull in protests until after but it’s reflective of the anger of place on Wednesday and Friday collection agency and launching attacks on police stations. aside protests and put aside all of the funerals take place. some of them,” Bratton said. this week,” said a statement on those things we’ll talk about in due “We all need to understand each AFP the president’s website. The talks Mugabe fires more ministers will involve envoys from Kiev, Moscow and the pan-European HARARE: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has fired OSCE security body. two cabinet ministers and five deputy ministers, the presidency Fries attack The talks are meant to enforce announced late on Sunday, in an apparent purge targeting allies of a tenuous peace agreement his former deputy Joice Mujuru, who was dismissed two weeks ago. reached at negotiations in Belarus Mugabe, who is holidaying in Asia, dismissed Flora Buka, minis- in September. ter of state for presidential affairs and Sylvester Nguni, minister of The agreement produced deals state in the office of the vice president, saying “their conduct and on a truce and partial self-rule performance were below expected standards”, according to a presi- for the two Russian-speaking dency statement. regions of eastern Ukraine that Five deputy ministers were also dismissed on Sunday. rebelled against Kiev in April, but continued fighting has led to at Work begins on Panama canal rival least 1,300 more deaths since it was signed. MANAGUA: Nicaragua yesterday broke ground on its Chinese- Following yesterday’s phone led $50bn shipping canal, a massive infrastructure project that conversation, French President aims to rival Panama’s waterway and revitalise the economy of Francois Hollande’s office said the the second-poorest country in the Americas. four leaders had called for urgent Nicaragua’s government says the proposed 278km canal, due to and “concrete progress” in the be operational by around 2020, would raise annual growth to over peace efforts, “especially on the 10 percent and help end poverty in the country of six million people. matter of prisoner exchanges”. Construction of the new waterway will be run by Hong Kong-based They also called for the cease- HK Nicaragua Canal Development Investment Co Ltd. fire to be “fully respected”, the Elysee palace said in a statement. Catalan leader under investigation Rebel negotiators from the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk BARCELONA: Catalonia’s president Artur Mas was placed regions confirmed they were under investigation yesterday for holding a banned vote on ready to take part in this week’s whether his region should be independent from Spain. talks. The Catalonia High Court said that Mas was under judicial inves- The uprising by the separatists, tigation for flouting a injunction against holding the symbolic vote who oppose central rule by Kiev on November 9. and seek union with Russia, began Prosecutors have accused him of civil disobedience, abuse of power a month after Russia annexed the and embezzlement of public funds for pressing ahead with the vote. A man tries to intervene as a woman throws fries on Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in a protest action Black Sea peninsula of Crimea If charges were brought against him, Mas could risk a jail sentence by feminist activists angry at the government’s austerity plans, at the Cercle de Wallonie, in Namur, Belgium. from Ukraine in March. of several years and a ban from public office. AGENCIES AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 No hack proof against N Korea: China Beijing condemns cyberattack as Pyongyang threatens to hit back at US S Korea N-power plants BEIJING/WASHINGTON: China said yesterday it opposed all forms of cyberattacks but start cyber attack drill there was no proof that North Korea was responsible for the hacking of Sony Pictures, as the SEOUL: South Korea’s manuals for two reactors as well United States has said. nuclear power plant operator as personal information on some North Korea has denied it was launched a two-day drill yes- 10,000 KHNP workers. to blame and has vowed to hit terday, testing its ability to In a new message on Sunday, back against any US retaliation, thwart a cyber attack, after the hacker threatened to release threatening the White House and a series of online information more information unless the the Pentagon. The hackers said leaks by a suspected hacker. government shuts down three they were incensed by a Sony The drill was conducted reactors from December 25. comedy about a fictional assas- at the country’s four nuclear The message warned residents sination of North Korean leader plant complexes, said Korea in areas near the plants to stay Kim Jong Un, which the studio Hydro and Nuclear Power Co away for the next few months. has pulled. (KHNP), which operates 23 State prosecutors launched an China made no reference to nuclear reactors and supplies investigation but failed to find calls by the United States for about 30 percent of the country’s out who was responsible. joint action with it and other electricity needs. Vice energy minister Lee countries to counter any similar “The two-day drill is under Kwan-Sup confirmed yesterday cyberattacks. way through simulators to that the information leaked so “Before making any conclusions ensure the safety of our nuclear far appeared to be from the there has to be a full (account- power plants under cyber plants at Gori and Wolsong ing of) the facts and foundation,” attacks,” said KHNP spokesman southeast of Seoul. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kim Tae-Seok. The government has been Hua Chunying said. “China will Last week a suspected hacker, handling this case with “extreme handle it in accordance with rel- using an account entitled “presi- care”, although no sensitive evant international and Chinese dent of the anti-nuclear reac- information has been leaked so laws according to the facts.” tor group”, published a variety far, he said. She said Chinese Foreign South Korean employees conduct a cyberattack drill at a training centre of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant of information on a Twitter Lee said the leaks would not Minister Wang Yi “reaffirmed in Gyeongju yesterday. account. have any impact on the safety of China’s relevant position, empha- It included designs and the reactors. AFP sising China opposes all forms of Secretary of State John Kerry major ally, and would be central to such a way and there is no risk cyberattacks and cyber terror- on Sunday. any US efforts to crack down on whatsoever,” Chung Yang-ho, dep- It was the first time the United Korea is the North’s official name. ism” in a conversation with US China is North Korea’s only the isolated state. But the United uty energy minister, told Reuters States had directly accused “Our toughest counteraction States has also accused China of by telephone. another country of a cyberattack will be boldly taken against the cyber spying in the past and a He made no mention of North of such magnitude on American White House, the Pentagon and ‘North Korea hit by Internet outages’ US official has said the attack Korea and could not verify mes- soil and set up the possibility of the whole US mainland, the WASHINGTON: North US-based cybersecurity firm on Sony could have used Chinese sages posted by a Twitter user a new confrontation between cesspool of terrorism, by far Korea appeared to have been Dyn Research, Internet con- servers to mask its origin. claiming responsibility for the Washington and Pyongyang. surpassing the ‘symmetric coun- hit by Internet outages, reports nectivity between the remote South Korea, which is still attacks and demanding the shut- North Korea’s state news teraction’ declared by Obama,” said yesterday, just days after North Korea and the outside technically at war with North down of three ageing nuclear agency said it did not know who it said in a typically aggressive US President Barack Obama world, never good at the best Korea, said computer systems reactors by Thursday. had hacked Sony Pictures. commentary. warned Washington would of times, seemed to have been at its nuclear plant operator had US President Barack Obama “We do not know who or where Japan, one of Washington’s clos- retaliate for a cyber attack severely affected in recent been hacked and non-critical data and his advisers are weighing they are but we can surely say est Asian allies, said it strongly on Sony Pictures blamed on hours — suggesting it may be stolen, but there was no risk to how to punish North Korea after that they are supporters and condemned the attack on Sony, Pyongyang. under attack. nuclear installations or reactors. the FBI concluded on Friday it sympathisers with the DPRK,” but also stopped short of blaming According to respected AFP “It’s our judgment that the con- was responsible for the attack the KCNA news agency said. The North Korea. trol system itself is designed in on Sony. Democratic People’s Republic of REUTERS

Thai woman gets death sentence Beijing probes ex-aide of former president for graft BEIJING: China’s ruling investigated for “suspected seri- ties to the leadership told Reuters, chief Zhou Yongkang. “Xi is not in Malaysia Communist Party announced a ous discipline violations”, the speaking on condition of anonym- targeting a specific faction,” said corruption investigation into a usual euphemism for graft. It gave ity. “This is Xi Jinping being fair,” the second source. “Hu Jintao’s KUALA LUMPUR: A Thai one-time senior aide to former no other details. But two sources the source added, meaning that men are also being investigated.” woman was sentenced to death president Hu Jintao yesterday, with ties to the leadership said the president is keen to show his Ling Jihua was demoted in yesterday after a Malaysian as President Xi Jinping opens that Ling, who heads a party campaign will target anyone and September 2012 after sources said high court found her guilty of another front in his sweep- body charged with reaching out that nobody is safe, no matter his son was involved in a deadly trafficking drugs, Bernama ing battle against deep-rooted to non-Communists and holds a what their party affiliations. crash involving a luxury sports news agency reported. graft. rank equivalent to a vice premier, Several allies of another former car. The car, a Ferrari accord- Duangchit Khonthokhonbari, In a terse and brief statement may escape prosecution. president, Jiang Zemin, have also ing to some sources, crashed 33, who had been working in on its website, the party’s anti- “He is under investigation, but it been targeted, including former in Beijing in March 2012 in an Malaysia as a maid, was caught corruption watchdog said that does not necessarily mean he will Chongqing party boss Bo Xilai embarrassment for the ruling with 2.81 kilogrammes of meth- Ling Jihua (pictured) was being be prosecuted,” one source with and former domestic security Communist Party. REUTERS amphetamine at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in March last year. Anyone with at least 50 Don’t shoot grammes of methamphetamine Court reopens is considered a trafficker in Jailed Arroyo to be home Malaysia and subject to the death penalty. case in which Defence lawyers could not be ahead of Pope’s visit reached for immediate comment, man was executed but Duangchit is expected to MANILA: Detained She quoted a court appeal against the death sentence, former Philippines resolution saying the JINAN: The mother of a man which is carried out by hanging president Gloria leave was granted “in executed 20 years ago for a in Malaysia. Arroyo (pictured) will light of the forthcom- murder to which another per- The verdict comes just days be allowed home for ing visit of his holiness, son later confessed appeared after an Australian mother-of- Christmas after a court Pope Francis who is the in a Chinese court yesterday, four, Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto, decided to show “com- personification of mercy as pressure builds to correct was also charged with drug traf- passion” ahead of Pope and compassion”. errors of justice. ficking in Malaysia. AFP Francis’s visit to the The pontiff is due to The court’s reopening of the country next month. visit the predominantly Roman case of Nie Shubin, executed by Arroyo has been under arrest Catholic archipelago from January firing squad in 1995 at the age of China plans law since 2011 on charges of vote-rig- 15 to 17 and will attend events 20 for rape and murder, comes ging and corruption and is being that are expected to draw millions just a week after another court against NGOs held in a government hospital of people. Rosete stressed that declared innocent a teenager where she is receiving treatment Arroyo would only be allowed to executed on the same charges BEIJING: China aims to “reg- for a rare bone disease. visit her home. “Not to any other in 1996. ulate” foreign non-governmen- The 67-year-old, who was place, just there,” she said, adding The ruling Communist party tal organisations (NGOs) under president from 2001-2010, will that visitors would be permitted is trying to ease the resentment a law being discussed this week, be able to stay at her home in and that there would be a police Female members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) hold their caused by mistaken verdicts, state media said yesterday, Manila from December 23 to 26 escort. Arroyo’s lawyers had service pistols covered with tape during the sealing of the muzzles which are fuelled by police reli- which aims to step up supervi- “for humanitarian reasons”, said asked that she be granted leave of firearms at the National Capital Region Police Office in Taguig, ance on forced confessions and the sion of the fast-growing sector. special anti-graft court clerk from December 23 to January 3. lack of effective defence in crimi- Metro Manila, yesterday. All police in the country are ordered to tape China quietly began an inves- Estela Rosete. AFP nal trials. On Monday last week, their firearms to prevent the indiscriminate firing of weapons during tigation into the operations of a court in China’s Inner Mongolia NGOs several months ago, to Christmas and New Year holidays. region declared innocent Hugjiltu, prepare for tighter regulations, who had been executed at age 18 in as part of a security drive ordered 1996 for murder and rape. Doubt by a new national panel headed by was cast on the original verdict President Xi Jinping. One dead as Myanmar police fire on protesters when another man confessed to The southern city of Guangzhou the crime in 2005. put in place a regulation in Nie’s family has been cam- November to regulate NGOs with YANGON: Myanmar police person was killed during the pro- “The events leading up to her weapons manufacturer China paigning for justice without foreign funding, sparking fear fired on protesters near a mine test near the Letpadaung copper death are still unclear,” company North Industries Group Corp, success since a serial murderer among non-profit workers in the at the centre of a long-running mine in central Myanmar. spokesman Cao Desheng said in said it would “be extending its arrested in 2005 confessed to area of a crackdown. land dispute yesterday, kill- Khin San Hlaing, a parlia- a statement. “We understand the working area in the Letpadaung the killing for which their son The bill requires overseas ing one person and wounding mentarian with the opposition police were at the scene, and we copper project to comply with was convicted. The country’s NGOs to register with, and be 20 others, media reports said, National League for Democracy, hope they will start investigating requirements of its investment high court this month ordered approved by, authorities if they as the China-linked company cited witnesses as saying a woman this event.” permit”. authorities in Jinan, the capi- want to set up representative announced plans to expand died after being struck in the Local police contacted by “Construction is proceeding as tal of Shandong province, to offices or operate temporarily, the project. head by a bullet. Reuters said they had no infor- a result of broad community sup- reopen the case. Nie’s mother the official Xinhua news agency A Myanmar television station The mining company, Myanmar mation about the protests. port for the project,” the company Zhang Huanzhi, 70, entered court reported. and website, the Democratic Voice Winbao, confirmed a person was Earlier yesterday, Wanbao, said in a statement. yesterday flanked by lawyers and REUTERS of Burma (DVB), said that one killed. which is a unit of the Chinese REUTERS court officials. AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Pakistan to execute 500 terror convicts Several suspects arrested; militants planning another attack, warns interior minister ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans tough questions yesterday from Waziristan and Khyber tribal to execute around 500 mili- the relatives of those killed. agencies has been on going since tants in coming weeks, officials Angry parents accused PTI of June. said yesterday, after the gov- neglecting its duties in Khyber- But a series of fresh strikes ernment lifted a moratorium Pakhtunkhwa in favour of months since the Peshawar attack, in on the death penalty in terror of protests in Islamabad aimed which dozens of alleged militants cases following a Taliban school at bringing down the national were killed, suggest the campaign massacre. government. is being stepped up. Six militants have been hanged Shahabuddin, the father of one Police in the port city of since Friday amid rising public student killed in the attack, told Karachi said they killed 13 sus- anger over Tuesday’s slaugh- Khan: “We had voted for you to pected Al Qaeda and Taliban ter in the northwestern city of bring about a change, but you gave members last evening. Peshawar, which left 149 people us nothing but politics of dharna “The police killed 13 suspected dead including 133 children. (sit-in protest).” Al Qaeda and Taliban members in After the deadliest terror Police, troops and paramilitary an encounter at the outskirts of attack in Pakistani history, Prime rangers were deployed across the the city near Super Highway,” sen- Minister Nawaz Sharif ended the country and airports and prisons ior police official Rao Muhammad six-year moratorium on the death put on red alert during the execu- Anwar said. penalty, reinstating it for terror- tions and as troops intensify oper- The incident was confirmed ism-related cases. ations against Taliban militants. by another senior police official “Interior ministry has finalised Sharif has ordered the attorney Qamar Zaman. the cases of 500 convicts who have general’s office to “actively pur- He said a huge cache of explo- exhausted all the appeals, their sue” capital cases currently in the sives was also recovered. mercy petitions have been turned courts, a government spokesman Adding to an outcry by rights down by the president and their said. groups, UN High Commissioner executions will take place in The “prime minister has also for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad coming weeks,” a senior govern- issued directions for appropriate Al Hussein yesterday called on ment official said on condition of measures for early disposal of Pakistan to re-impose its morato- anonymity. pending cases related to terror- rium on the death penalty. A second official confirmed the ism,” the spokesman said, without “The crime rate, historically, is information. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan meets with family members of slain schoolchildren on the premises of an specifically confirming the plan to not lowered by the imposition of Of the six hanged so far, five army-run school in Peshawar yesterday. execute 500 people. capital punishment,” he said, call- were involved in a failed attempt Pakistan has described ing the resumption of executions to assassinate then military ruler confirmed the news. Peshawar school massacre. Taliban claimed responsibility Tuesday’s bloody school rampage, “very unfortunate”. Pervez Musharraf in 2003, while “We had filed a petition in the Interior Minister Chaudhry for the terrorist attack. All seven claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan began its de facto one was involved in a 2009 attack Sindh High Court and the sec- Nisar Ali Khan said the men attackers were reportedly killed. Pakistan (TTP), as its own “mini moratorium on civilian executions on the army headquarters. ond review petition is pending were “facilitators” in the attack, The Taliban said the raid was in 9/11”, calling it a game-changer in in 2008, but hanging remains on In Karachi, the Sindh High in the superior courts and till adding that intelligence indi- revenge for an army offensive in the fight against extremism. the statute books and judges con- Court suspended the death war- the decision of the petition, the cated another attack was in the the north-western region near Political and military lead- tinue to pass death sentences. rants of two terror convicts just death penalty could not be imple- planning. the border with Afghanistan. ers vowed to redouble efforts to Before Friday’s resumption, a day before they were due to go mented,” Razaq said. “We are receiving intelligence stamp out the scourge of terror only one person had been executed to the gallows. Both the accused were sen- from across the country that WRATH AT KHAN in the wake of the attack, which since 2008 — a soldier convicted “The Sindh High Court sus- tenced to death in July 2004 for the militants are getting ready Cricketer-turned-politician the TTP said was revenge for the by a court martial and hanged in pended the death warrants of killing a doctor in Karachi in July for another savage and inhuman Imran Khan, whose Pakistan killing of their families in an army November 2012. two terrorists today,” additional 2001. counter-attack,” Khan said. Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party offensive in the tribal northwest. Rights campaigners say advocate general Mustafa Mehsar Meanwhile, police have He said that he could not yet leads the government in Khyber- The offensive against long- Pakistan overuses its anti-terror said. arrested several people suspected divulge the number or identity of Pakhtunkhwa province, of which standing Taliban and other laws and courts to prosecute ordi- Defence attorney Abdul Razaq of involvement in last week’s the men. Peshawar is the capital, faced militant strongholds in North nary crimes. AFP

Afghan forces Schools asked to take strict security Chinese president to visit Pakistan launch operation ISLAMABAD: The terror- measures. A survey of 19 govern- out. It was also decided to involve barbed wire and blocks which ist attack on the Army Public ment buildings was carried out sleuths of other intelligence agen- were considered the first line of ISLAMABAD: China’s KABUL: Afghan security forces School Peshawar that killed by the Special Branch of the cies, including Intelligence Bureau, defence. Besides, the buildings President Xi Jinping is to visit have launched an operation about 140 students has woken capital police following an attack Inter-Services Intelligence and do not have security personnel Pakistan in February 2015 against militants in an eastern up the Islamabad administra- at District and Sessions Court, Military Intelligence besides deployed on the rooftops, which along with the heads of doz- province seen as a rear base for tion to the security issues of Islamabad, in March. The security Rangers in this exercise. is necessary to intercept anyone ens of companies, members of the Pakistani Taliban which car- educational institutions in the apparatus submitted a report to The Special Branch was given breaking the first line of defence a Chinese delegation has told ried out a school massacre last Pakistani federal capital. the interior ministry, identifying the focal role which coordinated - the barbed wire and blocks. the ruling Pakistan Muslim week, officials said yesterday. Inspector General of Police lacuna in their (buildings) secu- the whole exercise. After months, Walk-through gates are also League-N. Pakistan’s army chief met Islamabad Tahir Alam says a rity and recommended steps to the Special Branch compiled a important in security point of The delegation, led by Vice Afghan President Ashraf Ghani team comprising police and intel- improve it. report after analysing the rec- view but the survey found this Minister of the International in Kabul in the aftermath of the ligence agencies personnel will Following the operation Zarb- ommendations of all the agencies. facility only at 39 buildings. Department of the Committee school attack in the Pakistani city identify loopholes in the security i-Azb, there were intelligence Officials of the capital police Likewise, close circuit televi- of the Communist Party Chen of Peshawar which killed 149 peo- of schools and suggest measures reports that terrorists might said the survey identified various sion (CCTV) cameras also play Fengxiang, has called on Prime ple, mainly children. to plug them. retaliate and target Islamabad. lacunas in the security of sensi- an effective role in security but Minister Nawaz Sharif and The army chief sought Ghani’s Experts believe that like in Again, a security audit of 78 tive installations. None of the 27 buildings do not have them Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz support in defeating the Tehreek- the past this exercise too would important buildings, which were buildings has taken appropriate while the recording system of Sharif in Islamabad and Lahore, e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). produce no results unless the vulnerable to terrorism or had security measures, they said, add- the CCTVs was found faulty in respectively, official sources said TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah schools to take minimum security received threats, was carried ing 41 of them did not have even 30 buildings. INTERNEWS yesterday. INTERNEWS is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, which borders Pakistan’s restive tribal areas. Kunar has been the scene of fierce fighting between local forces and the Afghan Parties are over in Kabul as expat era fades away Taliban for the past 10 days. “Afghan security forces have KABUL: The tennis club is Now the umpire chairs have launched a joint anti-militant deserted, the pool-side French rotted to bits, and the disin- operations in several parts of restaurant is closed and picnic tegrating net is repaired with Dangam district of Kunar prov- trips are cancelled. patches of ribbon. “No one comes ince,” Dawlat Waziri, deputy The US-led war in Afghanistan any more,” said the forlorn coach, defence ministry spokesman, said. brought a flood of international who asked for his name to not be “So far in the operation, 21 aid workers, diplomats and secu- used for fear of attracting atten- armed insurgents have been killed rity contractors to Kabul, creat- tion from the Taliban. and 33 others wounded,” Waziri ing a frenetic social scene that is Small signs of the old era do said, adding that seven security now a distant memory. remain — a chic and heavily-pro- personnel were wounded. AFP A series of Taliban attacks on tected cafe selling $14 burgers. expat hang-outs shattered any Ganjina, a collection of upmar- illusions that foreign civilians ket shops, offers iPad cases sewn Prospects for judicial were safe in the city, and those by Afghan refugee women and places still open have bored wait- elegant clutch bags made out of commission brighten ers and empty tables. the same material used for the As the United States and its all-encompassing burqa. ISLAMABAD: Showing flex- allies officially end their 13-year But sales have plunged this ibility in his earlier stance on war on December 31, Afghanistan year as deadly attacks targeted certain aspects of electoral rig- appears in the grip of worsening a luxury hotel, residential com- ging, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf violence and the remaining for- pounds, vehicle convoys and (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan eign workers have retreated fur- foreign guesthouses, journal- has given approval to the rec- ther inside fortified compounds. ists and doctors. “Business is ommendations made by his par- “I used to employ 28 people a A view of a restaurant usualy patronised by foreigners at Shahr-e-Naw in Kabul. down 40 percent since January ty’s core committee that they year ago. Now I employ only eight,” and the shop is hanging on by should accept the government’s an expat restaurant manager said course, many internationals are aid contractors. Today, the site is there would be parties for hun- the skin of its teeth,” said Kerry offer of forming a judicial com- on condition of anonymity over restricted where they can visit, boarded up and abandoned. dreds of people, with guest lists Jane Wilson, director of Zardozi, mission to probe the May 2013 espresso coffee and almond cake. but some of us try to lead normal Five minutes’ drive away, the that really meant any Westerner which runs an outlet in Ganjina. general elections. “I am married to an Afghan and I lives with Afghan friends. steel doors of the Gandamack could just walk in,” said Kabul- Wahid Abdullah, owner of “There is no difference any- will stay, but we are very worried. “There are simply a lot less Lodge have been locked since based American journalist Herat Carpets on Chicken Street, more and now the only process We used to be so busy. “All the aid expats than the crazy days of April. It was perhaps the best Courtney Body. “With the troop the souvenir market since the left is use of ‘suitable words’ in groups and embassies had a list 2008 or 2010, and those who are known restaurant and hotel in surge (2010-2012), there was also hippy days of the 1970s, recalled the agreed draft,” a member of of places that their staff could go. here you don’t see out and about. Kabul, serving British favourites a civilian surge. It was hedonis- how the US war brought a sud- the core committee said. Now everywhere is off-limits,” she There is a lot of fear.” such shepherd’s pie and bread tic and we never worried about den glut of customers after 2001. The PTI’s soft stance on the said, gesturing to her deserted res- The final tipping point for pudding with custard. anything. “We used to be so busy we definition of rigging particularly taurant one lunchtime. many came last January when Old expat haunts like French “There were no rules com- didn’t have time for lunch,” said is a result of the Nawaz Sharif “The days of big parties a Taliban attack on the popu- restaurant L’Atmosphere —once pared with back home, so for- Abdullah. “The first years were government’s gesture to consti- ended long ago,” said Francesca lar Taverna du Liban restau- famed for its pool parties — eigners liked it. There was a super, and I hired extra weavers tute the commission through Recchia, the Italian author of the rant killed 21 people, including have closed, and picnic trips to sense of freedom.The tennis club in Kabul and Kunduz province. presidential ordinance, as Imran Little Book of Kabul, a new collec- 13 foreigners. Among the dead Qargha lake outside Kabul or to was one centre of the social whirl, “I know many expats are leav- Khan linked return of his party to tion of essays about the city. were senior United Nations staff, the Panjshir valley are now often where ambassadors teamed up ing. But we will keep working. the National Assembly with the “Any social life is inside peo- European Union police officers, deemed too risky. with NGO workers for mixed Selling carpets is what my family output of the commission, a PTI ple’s houses or compounds. Of American teachers and British “Every Thursday and Friday doubles in the afternoon. does.” AFP leader stated. INTERNEWS TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Despite intelligence, 26/11 attack wasn’t foiled India, US and Britain had information, says NYT report

NEW DELHI: In one of the before he went,” said Deven Bharti, by their high-tech surveillance “most devastating near-misses in a Mumbai police official who inves- and other tools, which might have spycraft”, intelligence agencies of tigated the attacks, said. allowed them to disrupt a terror India, the US and Britain failed “He (Shah) set up an Internet strike so scarring that it is often to stop the 2008 Mumbai ter- phone system to disguise his loca- called India’s 9/11.” rorist attack despite information tion by routing his calls through The reason: No one fully grasped from high-tech surveillance and New Jersey,” the report said. the developing Mumbai conspir- other tools, The New York Times “Shortly before (the) assault (on acy. “They either weren’t looking reported yesterday. Mumbai) that would kill 166 peo- or didn’t understand what it all The daily said it had pieced ple, including six Americans, Shah meant,” said one former American together the story from classified searched online for a Jewish hostel official who had access to the intel- documents, court files and dozens of and two luxury hotels, all sites of ligence and would speak only on the interviews with current and former the eventual carnage,” the report condition of anonymity. “There was Indian, British and American said. a lot more noise than signal. There officials. But he did not know that by usually is.” According to NYT, 30-year- September the British were spy- The daily quoted India’s old computer expert Zarrar Shah ing on many of his online activi- former national security adviser “roamed from outposts in the ties, tracking his Internet searches Shivshankar Menon as saying: “No northern mountains of Pakistan to and messages, according to former one put together the whole picture. safe houses near the Arabian Sea in American and Indian officials and Not the Americans, not the Brits, the fall of 2008, plotting mayhem in classified documents from former not the Indians.” Mumbai”. American security contractor Menon added that only after The lead conspirators were Edward J Snowden. the shooting started in Mumbai alleged to be Shah, another Shah also drew similar scrutiny in November 2008 that everyone Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Sajid from an Indian intelligence agency, shared what they had, largely in Mir and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, according to a former official briefed meetings between British and Students hold candles and placards for the victims of an attack at the Army Public School at Peshawar in Pakistan, reported Pro Publica, which con- on the operation, the Times said. Indian officials, and then “the pic- which killed 132 students and nine staff members, during a candlelight march in Mumbai yesterday. ducted the investigation along “The US was unaware of the two ture instantly came into focus”. with the Times. Shah, the technol- agencies’ efforts, American officials The British had access to a trove ogy chief of the Pakistani terrorist say, but had picked up signs of a of data from Shah’s communica- vessel linked to a Lashkar threat with plotters that went unnoticed Mumbai attacks reveals the vul- group, and fellow conspirators used plot through other electronic and tions but contend that the infor- against the city to Indian coun- until before his arrest in Chicago nerability as well as the strengths Google Earth to show terrorists the human sources, and warned Indian mation was not specific enough to ter-terror agencies. in late 2009. of computer surveillance and routes to their targets in the city, security officials several times in the detect the threat. “The Indians “It turned out to be Pakistani “US counterterrorism agencies intercepts as a counterterrorism it said. months before the attack,” it said. did not home in on the plot even waters, so we could not do much did not pursue reports from his weapon,” it said. Videos, maps and reconnaissance The Times said: “What happened with the alerts from the US,” the more,” a senior Indian counter- unhappy wife, who told American However, later cooperation reports had been supplied to Mir next may rank among the most dev- Times said. terror official was quoted as officials long before the killings among the spy agencies helped by David Coleman Headley, the astating near-misses in the history Pro Publica said that the CIA saying. began that he was a Pakistani analysts retrospectively piece Pakistani-American who scouted of spycraft. The intelligence agen- November 18 — eight days before The Times said that Headley, terrorist conducting mysterious together “a complete operations targets. “(Ajmal) Kasab was trained cies of the three nations did not pull the terror attack in Mumbai — who scouted targets in Mumbai, missions in Mumbai. plan for the attacks”, a top-secret to locate everything in Mumbai together all the strands gathered reported the location of a Pakistani exchanged incriminating emails “That hidden history of the NSA document said. IANS

Northern India Janata Parivar targets Modi govt Conversion continues shivers, travel on black money, conversions plans badly hit to rock parliament NEW DELHI: Leaders of the failed to fulfil its promises made Samajwadi Party chief NEW DELHI: The row over taken by the state government,” NEW DELHI: In the unre- Janata Parivar raised the issue before the (Lok Sabha) election?” Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD religious conversion continued he said. Samajwadi Party mem- lenting grip of severe cold, of black money both inside and asked JD-U leader Nitish Kumar. leader Lalu Prasad were equally in parliament yesterday, with bers also raised the issue of black north India yesterday con- outside parliament yesterday, “Where is the black money it critical. Mulayam Singh said: the Rajya Sabha being stalled money, saying the government did tinued to shiver due to icy hitting out at the NDA gov- promised to bring back (from “The BJP’s conspiracy is to engi- again, while the Congress staged not fulfill its promise of bringing winds while dense fog played ernment for failing to fulfil its abroad)?” neer riots so that attention is a walkout in the Lok Sabha. back black money stashed abroad spoilsport to travel plans as promise of bringing back illegal “The prime minister has cam- shifted away from the govern- In the Rajya Sabha, which but was backing reconversions or many trains and flights were cash stashed abroad. They also paigned across the nation. He had ment’s failures,” said the former saw the whole of last week being ‘Ghar Wapsi’. delayed or cancelled. It was accused it of fomenting commu- said that he would bring back Uttar Pradesh chief minister. washed out except for half of Opposition members continued the coldest December 22 in nal tensions. black money; what happened to “The Agra incident was just Friday, the disruptions continued. their demand for a statement by the national capital in the Political heavyweights from the the promises he made? They are a beginning. They will do such In the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a past five years. Janata Parivar, comprising the spending money on religious con- things across the country,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister . demand which was also raised in Delhiites woke up to dense Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya versions, they made false prom- Mulayam Singh said, referring Venkaiah Naidu said that neither the Lok Sabha. Samajwadi Party fog that reduced visibility to Janata Dal (RJD), the Indian ises during poll campaign, and to the conversion of 300 Muslims the government nor the Bharatiya leader Naresh Agarwal said he 50 metres. The minimum tem- National Lok Dal (INLD), the now they are diverting people’s families in his state. Janata Party (BJP) was involved has submitted a notice to suspend perature was recorded at 4.2 Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and attention,” said the former Bihar Lalu Prasad alleged that Modi in such acts and the state gov- all work and take up the debate. degrees Celsius, the Met Office the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) chief minister. was attempting to cause religious ernments should take action if Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, said. Due to poor visibility, gathered in the Jantar Mantar He accused Modi of not acting divide in the country by tacitly anyone violates the law. He said however, said the notice cannot 50 trains to the capital were area in the heart of the capital tough against right-wing Hindu encouraging religious conversions. the government does not support be admitted since the issue has delayed while 12 were resched- to address a rally denouncing groups charged with religious “The minorities have also conversion or re-conversion. already been raised once. uled and one was cancelled, a the Narendra Modi-led National conversion of Christians and fought for India’s independence “The government is nowhere Members criticised the govern- Northern Railway official said. Democratic Alliance (NDA) Muslims and said the country and the Modi government engages in the picture, the party (BJP) ment for not fulfilling its promises The fog also hit flight sched- government. should not be divided on religious in ‘ghar vapsi’ (home-coming),” is nowhere in the picture. If any but going ahead with the ‘Ghar ules — 16 departures were “Why has the NDA government grounds. he said. IANS individual does it, action has to be Wapsi’ agenda. IANS delayed, but no flights were diverted or cancelled, said an official at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. India prepares for Christmas Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung made an emotional All eyes on Kashmir Congress leader appeal to Delhiites to help the city’s nearly 60,000 homeless Venkatswamy by giving them clothes. He said displaying “yeoman kindness” as results come today was a rare opportunity in life. dead at 85 The Delhi government has SRINAGAR: Amid the uncer- seats. But the prospect of its set up 221 night shelters for tainty of what will be the elec- leader Mufti Muhammad Sayeed HYDERABAD: Congress homeless people with basic tion result today in Jammu becoming chief minister again leader and former union min- facilities such as clean drink- and Kashmir, two things are would depend on by how many ister G Venkatswamy died yes- ing water, toilets, blankets, and certain: there will be no alli- more seats his party gets this terday at a private hospital here bedding etc. ance between the BJP and the time. Sayeed says his party would following prolonged illness, party Himachal Pradesh continued Congress and none between the win as many as 44 seats but even leaders said. He was 85. to be in the grip of a cold wave, National Conference and the his well-wishers doubt that. Known as Kaka among his sup- with higher reaches of the PDP. A few other things can be With the National Conference porters, Venkatswamy served as a state experiencing more snow. said with some certainty. unlikely to get the numbers minister in the cabinets of Indira The minimum temperature in The Peoples Democratic Party, that would allow it to stake a Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Shimla was 6.2 degrees Celsius, which had 21 seats in the outgoing claim for government formation Narasimha Rao. The octogenarian while it was 5.2 degrees Celsius state assembly, may well be the even if it joins hands with the leader from Telangana was elected in Dharamsala. single largest group in the 87-seat Congress, two possible alliances to the Lok Sabha for seven terms, Keylong experienced mild house. And the Bharatiya Janata could emerge after the results are the last being in 2004. snow and was the coldest in Party will emerge as a major announced today. A key leader from the Scheduled the state at minus 4.3 degrees player in Jammu and Kashmir for The most logical alliance — Castes, he also served as a minister Celsius. the first time since independence. in the eyes of some — would in Andhra Pradesh. Venkatswamy Manali saw a low of zero The BJP is widely tipped to be the be between the PDP and the headed the Andhra Pradesh unit of degree Celsius, and Kalpa second largest party in the house. Congress but this will depend the party and also held key posts in recorded a minimum of minus The National Conference is largely on how many seats the the party at the Centre. He served 0.6 degree Celsius. likely to take a severe beating, Congress gets. If the Congress gets as a member of the Congress The Rohtang Pass (13,050 with most of its stalwarts already closer to 10 and the PDP around Working Committee and deputy feet), 51 km from Manali, and being described as losers from 35 seats, then the two would form leader of the party in the Lok the Dhauladhars, overlooking constituencies where they held the next ruling coalition. Sabha. Sulking ever since the party Dharamsala and Palampur sway in the past. If the PDP does secures around overlooked his claim for the post of towns, also experienced snow- But the worst performer, it is 35 seats but the Congress tally president of India, Venkatswamy fall. Uttar Pradesh continued feared, would be the Congress. slips to less than six, the troubles targeted Sonia Gandhi in 2011, and to shiver as the cold wave In the outgoing assembly, the for the PDP would start. But will blamed her for the mounting cor- intensified, a development that National Conference had 28 seats the National Conference support ruption and sliding fortunes of the led to the closure of all schools and the Congress 17. And they the BJP? Also, will PDP approach party. He also demanded her res- up to Class 12 in state capital formed a coalition government. the BJP or vice versa for support ignation, saying only people born Lucknow. Most opinion polls say the to cobble a ruling coalition? in India should become president Icy winds from neighbour- National Conference would find The BJP has ruled out any of the party. He is survived by two ing Uttarakhand worsened Vendors prepare decorative items for Christmas by a roadside in it very difficult to win even 15 truck with the NC or the PDP. sons and three daughters. His eld- the situation, and the fog vir- Amritsar yesterday. Although Christians make up a mere two percent seats while the Congress might But if politics is the art of the pos- est son G Vinod was a minister in tually paralysed the transport of the country’s billion plus population, Christmas has become a popu- not even get into double digits. sible, the BJP aligning with the the state cabinet, while his other system. IANS lar festival in the Indian calendar. By the same calculations, the PDP or the NC cannot be ruled son G Vivekananda served as a PDP is expected to get over 30 out. IANS parliamentarian. IANS

TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Papier-mache pandas on display

Fajr (Dawn) 4:54 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:16 Zuhr (Noon) 11:33 Asr (Afternoon) 2:30 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:51 Isha (Night) 6:21

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Clear Clear Partly cloudy Moderate temperature High: 24° High: 23° High: 22° daytime with Low: 18° Low: 17° Low: 17° some clouds and relatively cold by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:16 16:51 06:00 17:00 13:15 23:00 15-20/25 KT Malaysian women pose with some of the 1,600 papier-mache pandas displayed at Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur as part of their first THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW appearance in the city. The event, consisting of placing 1,600 papier-mache pandas in various cities around the world, was created by French artist Paulo Grangeon in collaboration with the WWF and is aimed at raising awareness of the endangered species. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 26/22 Clear 27/22 Clear MAKKAH 29/19 Partly cloudy 32/22 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 21/17 Clear 17/06 Clear BAHRAIN 22/16 Partly cloudy 22/13 Clear SANAA 22/09 Clear 22/06 Partly cloudy Guggenheim saves Spanish city RIYADH 24/12 Partly cloudy 21/09 Partly cloudy DUBAI 24/21 Clear 25/19 Clear BAGHDAD 16/05 Partly cloudy 16/05 Partly cloudy BARCELONA: Locals in There was high unemployment, Bilbao say an art museum industries had shut down, there THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW helped save their Spanish city were lots of drugs and the city HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER from decline. Now they are hadn’t been cleaned up for many glad to know their saviour, the years,” said Inaki Esteban, author

ATHENS 18/11 Clear 16/11 Clear Guggenheim, will be staying for of a book, “The Guggenheim some time. Effect”. WASHINGTON 10/09 Rain 10/11 Rain With the initial lease set to The $170m museum was part of SYDNEY 26/19 Chance of storm 31/21 Partly cloudy expire, the US-based Solomon a plan to transform the city and LONDON 13/10 Partly cloudy 13/03 Chance of showers R Guggenheim Foundation on diversify its economy, but it was PARIS 09/06 Cloudy 11/04 Chance of rain December 9 announced it was controversial at the time. “People ISTANBUL 11/09 Partly cloudy 12/09 Clear signing on to run its museum in didn’t see how a museum could be MANILA 29/24 Partly cloudy 29/24 Partly cloudy the northern port city for another an economic motor,” Esteban said. DHAKA 25/15 Clear 26/15 Clear 20 years. That was double the Now the area is brightly lit with DELHI 14/07 Clear 15/08 Clear period previously envisaged for parks and bicycle lanes woven ISLAMABAD 16/07 Partly cloudy 16/04 Partly cloudy the new contract, and for those around the ship-shaped metal- involved it was another sign that lic museum building designed the museum satellite is a winning by Canadian-born US architect formula. The northern Basque Frank Gehry. port was a run-down mess in the Seventeen million visitors have Eccentric French early 1990s before the contempo- come through its doors and hotel rary art museum ensconced itself stays in Bilbao have soared as for- there in its scaly titanium build- eigners have flocked to the city. ing, local leaders say. “It is a real The Guggenheim directly or collector turns home miracle that the Guggenheim is indirectly employs 5,000 people, in Bilbao. This was a junk yard and has brought in $4.3bn in rev- before,” said the city’s mayor Ibon enues to the region, officials say. Areso. Bilbao had historically been one into piano orphanage The Rothkos and Warhols hung of Spain’s most prosperous cities, from the museum’s walls have but it had declined along with its TOURS: Jean Jude, glasses and an 1825 square piano. The old- helped give the city new life — heavy industries and shipyards. perched on the end of his nose, is est piece in the collection dates to and others across the world are Within a year of the museum practising scales when his visitor 1782. following its example. opening, it had generated $186m arrives. But it was an 1855 Pleyel model, “This strategy was driven by for the Basque region, and its “Sorry there isn’t much room in built specially for that year’s globalisation. It was very new at unemployment rate has decreased here,” Jude says, getting up from Universal Exhibition in Paris, that the time, but now it is being rep- to one of the lowest in Spain. one piano before wending his way Jude loaned to the capital’s Grand licated,” said Lluis Bonet, a spe- “The Guggenheim was a great among countless others filling his Palais museum for a recent forum cialist in cultural management at success but it was not an iso- living room, part of a unique col- on French innovation. Barcelona University. lated initiative. It was part of lection totalling around 150. Jude “The press spoke of it in glow- Apart from their New York wider urban regeneration. They and his cat live among the pianos ing terms (in 1855). It still has a base, the Guggenheims had improved the port and built an in a four-bedroom house at the very good sound,” Jude remarks, already opened a collection in underground train system,” said end of a cul-de-sac in Saint Pierre playing a few notes on the elegant Venice and are now planning a Guillermo Dorronsoro, head of des Corps, a suburb of the central instrument made of rosewood with new museum in Abu Dhabi. the business school at Bilbao’s French city of Tours. bronze trim. Numerous other big museums Deusto University. A wooden gate opens into a yard At the Grand Palais event, it are planning their own satellites A woman passing by two sculptures of Spanish artist Eduardo Chillida, Other cities have since imitated cluttered with pianos stored in was juxtaposed with Pleyel’s latest as well, including several in Spain, outside the Guggenheim Bilbao museum in Bilbao. Locals in Bilbao say an the “Bilbao effect” though not all crates and protected from the ele- model, a futuristic creation with a country slowly recovering from art museum helped save their Spanish city from decline. have succeeded, mayor Areso said. ments with blue tarpaulins. lid and legs made of carbon fibre — recession. “There is much more to it than These are overflow instruments underscoring the venerable compa- The Louvre has branched out just putting a museum there. that the 63-year-old music teacher ny’s evolution from its beginnings from Paris to Abu Dhabi and In Russia, Saint Petersburg’s dirty, dotted with abandoned Bilbao’s transformation would cannot manage to squeeze inside or as piano maker to Frederic Chopin. to the northern French town of Hermitage museum has factories before the project have been possible even without in the garage. For Jude, the journey has been Lens. Paris’s Pompidou Centre announced plans for a branch in was launched that led to the the Guggenheim. But we wouldn’t His passion for the stately in the collecting. is planning to open a venue in Barcelona. The banks of Bilbao’s Guggenheim opening in 1997. have become so well-known inter- instruments has driven Jude to “My family couldn’t afford to buy Malaga, southern Spain. Nervion river were grotty and “We were in a terrible state. nationally.” AFP rescue scores of them from obliv- a piano. I grew up with the idea ion, sniffing out hidden treasures that obtaining such an instrument at charity shops and auctions, was taboo,” he said. then restoring them when neces- His first piano lesson from an sary. “You’re in a sort of orphan- elderly teacher in 1968 blew the age here,” Jude smiles. “In the ‘70s taboo to pieces. and ‘80s it was fashionable to turn Determined to equal her mas- Captive orangutan has right to freedom: Court pianos into furniture. Many of tery of Mozart’s “Turkish March”, those that I bought for a pittance the aspiring musician saved up his BUENOS AIRES: An oran- into captivity in Germany before would no doubt have ended up as own money to buy a piano — unbe- gutan held in an Argentine zoo being transferred to Argentina bars, bookcases or writing desks.” knownst to his parents. “I was seri- can be freed and transferred to two decades ago, deserved the People often are unaware of the ously chewed out when the delivery a sanctuary after a court recog- basic rights of a “non-human per- value of the pianos they give away men arrived, but that consuming nised the ape as a “non-human son.” “This opens the way not only or sell for a song. passion has stuck with me to this person” unlawfully deprived of its for other Great Apes, but also for Five of Jude’s pianos have been day,” he says. freedom, local media reported. other sentient beings which are recognised as national heritage: Jude is generous with his collec- Animal rights campaigners unfairly and arbitrarily deprived an upright Clementi from 1820, a tion, willingly lending instruments filed a habeas corpus petition — of their liberty in zoos, circuses, 1836 Pape grand and three Pleyels, to record companies or musicians a document more typically used water parks and scientific labora- including the first grand built by who want to record pieces on to challenge the legality of a tories,” the daily La Nacion news- the iconic French piano maker in period pianos. Among his gems person’s detention or imprison- paper quoted AFADA lawyer Paul 1820, a concert grand from 1843 is a piano that once belonged to ment — in November on behalf Buompadre as saying. French president Sadi Carnot, who of Sandra (pictured), a 29-year- Orangutan is a word from the governed from 1887 to 1894. old Sumatran orangutan at the Malay and Indonesian languages Another is a rosewood Pleyel Buenos Aires zoo. that means “forest man.” upright that once belonged to the In a landmark ruling that Sandra’s case is not the first owned in New York state, ruling SeaWorld, alleging five wild-cap- writer Honore de Balzac’s sister could pave the way for more law- time activists have sought to use the chimp was not a “person” enti- tured orca whales were treated Laure Surville. Rare pieces like suits, the Association of Officials the habeas corpus writ to secure tled to the rights and protections like slaves. A San Diego court dis- this could fetch small fortunes, but and Lawyers for Animal Rights the release of wild animals from afforded by habeas corpus. missed the case. while admitting to having received (AFADA) argued the ape had captivity. In 2011, the animal rights group The Buenos Aires zoo has 10 some tempting offers, Jude con- sufficient cognitive functions and A US court this month tossed People for the Ethical Treatment working days to seek an appeal. fesses to more than a shade of should not be treated as an object. out a similar bid for the freedom of of Animals (PETA) filed a law- A spokesman for the zoo separation anxiety. AFP The court agreed Sandra, born ‘Tommy’ the chimpanzee, privately suit against marine park operator declined to comment. REUTERS Tuesday 23 December 2014 1 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6288 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Non-hydrocarbon sector Honda unveils N-Box Slash spurs Qatar’s growth Headline inflation rising gradually, says report

DOHA: Qatar’s dynamic non- in September in the context of topped $270bn in 2014 on the hydrocarbon sector is increas- burgeoning demand and limited back of robust credit and invest- ingly driving the country’s supply. The population rate tops ment growth. The private sec- economy. Qatar’s economic 2.25 million, growing by 9.7 per- tor is increasingly driving credit growth rate rose to 5.7 per- cent year-on-year in November growth, with consumption, real cent year-on-year in the second on rising expatriate inflows. estate and trade leading the way. quarter of 2014 (2Q14) led by The country awarded contracts Private sector deposit growth, double-digit acceleration on non- worth of $26bn in 2014 as rollout of at 18 percent year-on-year, has hydrocarbon sector activity, said rail, road and public works projects also helped to offset a deceleration NBK’s December 2014 Chartbook picks up speed. Qatar posted a in public sector deposit growth. on Qatar’s macro-economy. large fiscal surplus of 42 percent of Burgeoning deposit growth and As the government proceeds GDP in 2Q14. Revenues increased debt issuance has resulted in with rolling out its develop- and expenses were down signifi- banks reducing their dependence ment plans, the country’s gross cantly. However, with gas prices on wholesale funds. investments has touched up to indexed to oil prices, revenues will Key lending and deposit rates 30 percent of the GDP. Qatar’s oil be affected by the 40 percent fall remain unchanged in the context production has declined in recent in oil prices since June. Public debt of the fixed exchange rate regime. months due to conservative man- fell to 32 percent of GDP as bonds Interbank rates have not exhib- agement of maturing oil fields. and sukuk mature. ited much volatility in 2014 and The NBK chart suggests head- Falling oil and gas prices were are down on average compared line inflation is rising gradually, evident in the drop in exports to 2013. Having topped 14,000 in spurred on by increases in rents; in 3Q14. Reserves reached a September, the index has reversed but food price inflation remains record high of $45bn in October some of its gains on concerns over A man looks at new small vehicle “N-Box Slash” of Honda Motor in front of the company’s headquarters in muted. Real estate prices are although the pace of reserve accu- the slide in oil prices. Tokyo yesterday. The Japanese carmaker released the new car equipped with 660cc petrol engine all over up by 42 percent year-on-year mulation has slowed. Bank assets THE PENINSULA the nation. ARTIC acquires Boscolo Aleph Hotel in Rome Qatar takes over OAPEC DOHA: Al Rayyan Tourism and Tarek M El Sayed, Executive Investment Company (ARTIC), Board Member, said: “ARTIC’s the international hospitality acquisition of the Boscolo Aleph presidency subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding Hotel underlines our invest- Company, one of Qatar’s larg- ment focus on properties in the est private diversified industry key cities of the world that meet ABU DHABI: The State groups, yesterday announced its our exacting standards for asset of Qatar has assumed the acquisition of the five-star Boscolo quality, location and architec- rotational presidency of the Aleph Hotel in Rome, Italy. tural design. This acquisition Organisation of Arab Petroleum The Boscolo Aleph Hotel in marks another important step Exporting Countries (OAPEC) Rome is ARTIC’s latest luxury in ARTIC’s international expan- for the year 2015. hotel acquisition, growing its sion, progressing from Mena, to A press release issued by the portfolio to 24 premium proper- Europe, and the United States. Ministry of Energy and Industry ties across Europe, the Middle We look forward to the further said Qatar’s assumption of OAPEC East, Africa and North America, enhancement of our portfolio in presidency came after OAPEC’s in line with the company’s expan- future as we pursue our ambition 93rd session, held in Abu Dhabi. sion strategy focused on high to build one of the world’s leading Qatar delegation to the meeting quality assets in prime city centre hotel investment groups.” was led by the Minister of Energy and resort locations. Rutger Smits, CEO of ARTIC, and Industry H E Dr Mohamed Located in the centre of Rome, Officials pose for a group picture. said: “ARTIC is a fast growing glo- bin Saleh Al Sada. just 100 metres from Via Veneto, bal hospitality company with long According to the decision, as the 6,500 square metre hotel com- credit house, now splendidly reno- Thani, Chairman of ARTIC, said: also expands our European foot- term investment outlook. The of the year 2015, the Minister of prises 96 rooms and suites over vated, the hotel was designed by “With its exquisite architectural print to Rome. We will continue Aleph Hotel has many appealing Energy and Industry will become six floors, a roof garden, spa and the famous architect Adam D design, historical value and prime to enhance ARTIC’s portfolio of characteristics which make it an the Chairman of the OAPEC’s a range of hospitality and dining Tihany and is a winner of the location, the Aleph Hotel is a per- premium hotels in line with the attractive investment opportunity Ministerial Council. QNA facilities. Created in 2002 from a Villegiature Awards for the best fect fit with our long term invest- company’s medium-term plans for and destination for both tourists historic palace that housed the interior design in Europe. ment strategy and is a valuable a flotation on one of the interna- and business travellers.” former offices of an illustrious Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al addition to our portfolio which tional stock exchanges.” THE PENINSULA Airbus will not scrap A380: CEO

TOULOUSE: The head of Airbus said yesterday that the Oil prices likely to rebound in the Alstom to pay $772m fine aircraft manufacturer had no intention to stop making the A380, saying the super jumbo had a “bright future” despite a second half of 2015, says survey to settle bribery charges lack of orders this year. The idea of stopping produc- LONDON: Crude oil prices average $74.00 a barrel next year shale oil producers. “The lag in oil WASHINGTON: The French its brazenness and its world- tion of the A380 is “just crazy”, are likely to bottom out in the and $80.30 in 2016. The forecast production response from exist- power and transportation com- wide consequences,” said Deputy Fabrice Bregier said. He admitted first half of 2015, until a possi- for 2015 is $8.50 below the average ing wells from the U.S. suggests pany Alstom will pay a record Attorney General James Cole at however: “Clearly our challenge ble slowdown in US shale pro- projection in the previous Reuters that only the marginal oil projects $772.3m fine and plead guilty to a press conference. is to get more customers”, while duction counters a supply glut poll. The November poll number will be discouraged at this stage,” settle US criminal charges that The Justice Department’s set- insisting that the Airbus order exacerbated by Opec’s decision was down $11.20 from October, Vyanne Lai of National Australia it funnelled million of dollars in tlement with the company marks book was “largely filled”. not to cut output, a Reuters marking the biggest downgrade in Bank said. The poll forecast US bribes through sham consultants the largest-ever fine levied against The remarks came after an monthly survey showed. average forecasts since the 2008 light crude would average $68.70 to win business around the globe. a company for violations of for- official at parent company Airbus Opec’s agreement last month economic downturn. Brent has a barrel next year, and $74.90 Using code names such as “Mr. eign bribery laws — a penalty the Group suggested that the A380 to stand pat on output meant the averaged $100.57 so far this year. in 2016. US crude has averaged Paris” and “Quiet Man,” Alstom government said is appropriate would be wound down by 2018 onus for any supply cutbacks was “In terms of the floor price, $93.99 so far in 2014. tried to conceal tens of millions because Alstom failed to self- because of a lack of orders. Airbus, now on non-Opec producers, pri- we think $60 per barrel will be Meanwhile, oil prices resumed of dollars in bribes by pretending report the violations or cooperate which aimed to sell 30 A380s and marily led by US shale oil, ana- the level at which fast-rising their downward march, doubling that the consultants it had hired with the criminal probe. deliver the same number this lysts said. “Oil prices will be lower, U.S. shale oil producers will feel back on the biggest one-day gain were legitimate, the US Justice The parent company pleaded year, met the delivery goal but making shale oil production less the pinch,” ANZ analyst Natalie in over two years, after Saudi Department said yesterday. guilty to two criminal counts and not the sales target. attractive for investments, which Rampono said. Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali bin In fact, the consultants admitted to wrongdoing in a fed- The CEO said the trend was are necessary to keep shale oil pro- “Supply cuts above this level Ibrahim Al Nuaimi said Opec were hired to bribe officials in eral court in Connecticut. towards bigger planes like the duction growing,” Commerzbank’s will be limited to other smaller, would not cut production at any Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Alstom’s Swiss unit also A380 because global air traffic is Carsten Fritsch said. high-cost US and Canadian price. US crude’s front-month Taiwan, and the Bahamas, in a pleaded guilty to criminal charges expected to double every 15 years. Oil is seen recovering in the sec- unconventional oil producers. contract was down $1.70, nearly scheme that took place over about that it conspired to violate federal He said one option for making ond half as non-Opec production Although we think it will take six 3 percent, at $55.43 barrel by 1635 11 years and involved paying more bribery laws, while Alstom’s US the plane more attractive was to responds to lower prices, while to 12 months for these supply cuts GMT after touching a session low than $75m to secure $4bn in power and grid units each entered replace the engines with more demand picks up in the course of to become apparent,” she added. at $55.37. Brent fell $1.33, or more projects, the DOJ said. into deferred prosecution agree- fuel-efficient ones such as those the year, the poll showed. Some analysts, however, were than 2 percent, to $60.05 after The DOJ also said Alstom falsi- ments and admitted to conspiring used in the mid-range A320neo The survey of 30 economists sceptical whether Opec’s stand hitting session bottom at $59.93. fied its books to mask the bribes. to violate bribery laws, the Justice (new engine option) and long- and analysts projected Brent to would serve as a deterrent to U.S. REUTERS “It was astounding in its breadth, Department said. REUTERS haul A330neo. AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar bourse index gains 391.63 points Ezdan Holding most heavily traded stock

DOHA: Qatar Exchange pur- Arabian state budget had now on Sunday, added a further 6.2 sued its upswing trend yesterday largely been factored into stocks. percent. Other major gainers adding 391.63 points or 3.26 per- The main Saudi index closed included second- or third-tier cent to close at 12,421.22 points 0.3 percent higher, after jumping stocks that had been neglected in from 12,029.59 on Sunday. 16 percent over the previous three the rally, such as Islamic insurer Among the top gainers were days. Turnover remained active Solidarity , up 5.6 percent. Qatar Islamic Bank which was up but dropped by about a fifth from The Dubai index climbed 2.3 7.46 percent to QR103.70, Qatar Sunday’s level. percent after jumping 9.9 per- Insurance gained 5.03 percent Brent crude climbed. Analysts cent on Sunday and 13 percent on to QR89.80, Gulf International said Brent had received broad Thursday. Bourse operator Dubai added 9.95 percent to QR96.10 support after testing $60 a bar- Financial Market soared 10.1 per- and Barwa Real Estate was up rel earlier this month, and that cent, a fresh sign that investors by 9.99 percent to QR42.90. a consensus was growing that believe the bruising downtrend in The banking and financial prices would likely remain above Gulf equities of recent weeks has Traders at their desks in front of the DAX board at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange yesterday. sector index was up 2.88 points that level for the rest of the year. ended and that investor activity while consumer goods and serv- This has improved sentiment will revive. ices sector index rose 1.49 points. among Gulf stock market inves- Oman’s market climbed 3.7 per- European indices enjoy ‘Santa rally’ The industrial sector gained 2.16 tors, even though the long-term cent. It has outperformed most of points while insurance sector outlook for oil prices remains the Gulf since the executive presi- added 4.96 points. murky and fresh falls cannot be dent of the State General Reserve LONDON: Europe’s main stock market closes for Christmas at Reserve will not raise interest rates Property developer Ezdan ruled out next year. Fund, the country’s largest sov- markets rose strongly yester- the end of trading today, while in the coming months helped reas- Holding was the most heavily Also, contrary to the stock ereign wealth fund, told Reuters day in a renewed “Santa rally” London and Paris will shut down sure investors and stocks returned traded stock, rising 3.4 percent. markets’ earlier fears, Saudi at the end of last week that the powered by a modest recovery at lunchtime tomorrow. to an upward trajectory. “The recent sell-off in the Gulf Arabia’s 2015 budget is not SGRF had boosted its buying of in oil prices early in the day, “As we head towards the Sydney soared 1.94 percent, has opened up opportunities expected to cut spending much shares in the local market because dealers said. Christmas break and a short Seoul gained 0.68 percent, Hong in the Qatar market, given the if at all in response to the recent prices had slid to attractive levels. London’s benchmark FTSE week, the main focus going for- Kong climbed 1.26 percent and undemanding valuations sparked slide of oil prices. The Tunisian market rose 0.6 100 index climbed 0.48 percent ward is likely to remain on the Shanghai was up 0.61 percent, by the current volatility,” Nick Saudi Finance Minister percent, bringing its gains in the to 6,576.76 points, the Paris CAC recent volatility in the oil price, while Tokyo closed flat. Wilson, chairman of London- Ibrahim Alassaf went out of his last four trading days to 3.7 per- 40 added 0.30 percent to 4,254.43, particularly if we get a fresh bout Wall Street stocks were mostly listed Qatar Investment Fund, way to reassure the markets last cent, though it closed well off its and in Frankfurt the DAX 30 rose of selling pressure,” said CMC higher ahead of a heavy day of said in a note. Wednesday when he said his gov- intra-day high. 0.81 percent to 9,865.76. Markets analyst Michael Hewson. economic data releases today. He estimated the Qatar index’s ernment would continue spending The euro rose to $1.2254 after He added there were wide- The Dow Jones Industrial prospective price/earnings ratio at strongly on development projects HIGHLIGHTS sliding as low as $1.2220 in earlier spread concerns that further oil Average was up 0.45 percent 13.7 times with a dividend yield and social benefits in the budget. DUBAI: The index rose 2.3 per- Asian deals, matching Friday’s market declines “could prompt to 17,885.33 points in midday of 4.4 percent, which he said was The budget was originally cent to 3,852 points. two-year trough that was reached instability in oil-producing coun- trading. The broad-based S&P attractive given the fact that expected to be announced yes- ABU DHABI: The index fell 0.9 as the Federal Reserve signalled tries like Venezuela, Angola, 500 edged down 0.02 percent Qatar needs a relatively low oil terday, but Saudi media reported percent to 4,478 points. it may raise US interest rates in Nigeria and Ecuador, and of to 2,070.32, while the tech-rich price to balance its budget. the release would occur later SAUDI ARABIA: The index the middle of 2015. course not forgetting Russia, Nasdaq Composite Index added But Gulf Warehousing sank 0.6 this week, after a special cabinet edged up 0.3 percent to 8,547 “For the moment many of the as these countries struggle to 0.08 percent to 4,768.99. percent to QR53 in active trade meeting. The move saw profit- points. worldwide indices have chosen to balance their books, against a Investors were looking ahead after its board proposed boosting taking in some stocks which led EGYPT: The index edged up 0.2 side with Santa, and have contin- weakening currency, and a much to today’s economic reports, the company’s capital by 25 per- the recent rally such as property percent to 8,703 points. ued to rally despite oil’s renewed weaker oil price.” which include the third estimate cent via a rights issue to share- developer Dar Al Arkan, which OMAN: The index climbed 3.7 slip,” said Spreadex trader Connor Elsewhere, Asian equities also of third-quarter gross domestic holders at QR40 per share. fell 0.8 percent and was again the percent to 6,219 points. Campbell. rose in thin trade amid the fes- product and durable goods orders Meanwhile, most Gulf equity most heavily traded Saudi stock. KUWAIT: The index rose 1.1 Trading volumes remained low tive season, tracking cues from for November. markets continued rising but On Sunday, Dar Al Arkan had percent to 6,503 points. with many investors away from Wall Street where stocks had also In deals on the London Bullion their uptrend slowed, suggesting soared 9.3 percent. BAHRAIN: The index edged their desks for the traditional surged in a Fed-fuelled “Santa Market, gold slid to $1,195.25 per the benefits of stabilising oil prices But petrochemical producer down 0.3 percent to 1,406 points. Christmas and New Year holiday Claus rally” last week. ounce from $1,195.50 on Friday. and expectations for a large Saudi Saudi Kayan, up 9.8 percent REUTERS shutdown. The Frankfurt stock Indications that the US Federal AFP Oryx Industries signs pact with Al Hodaifi Rocks Iraq to start DOHA: Oryx Industries, a greater levels of construction opening opportunities for Oryx work on final major producer of construction materials. Industries to establish lasting materials based in Fujairah, has Al Hodaifi Rocks, a renowned business relationships – as can be oil deal with signed a new takeoff agreement name in the Qatari market for seen in this agreement. Our mis- with Qatar-based Al Hodaifi its product quality, service, reli- sion has always been to become Rocks for the import, transport, ability and efficiency, with a ris- the regional leader in building Kurdish region storage and delivery of building ing capacity of materials-handling materials production, trading and materials at a signing ceremony operations has been a key build- bulk transport logistic services. ABU DHABI: Iraq’s Kurdish held in Doha. ing material trader supplying We expect to play an important region will continue to export Under the terms of the agree- the building materials needed role in laying the foundations for its own crude oil under an ini- ment, Oryx Industries will supply by Qatar’s construction industry many of the large-scale real estate tial deal with Baghdad until a Al Hodaifi Rocks with 2.6 million since 2006. and infrastructure projects antic- comprehensive deal is reached, tonnes of quarry products over Central to the future con- ipated throughout the GCC in the with work on a final agreement the course of one year commenc- struction sector boom in Qatar coming years.” he said. expected to start within weeks, ing at the signature date. Building is the upcoming World Cup 2022 Saoud Ghandour, Managing Iraqi oil minister Adel Abdel materials will be delivered to Qatar – which will see Qatar spend- Director of Al Hodaifi Rocks, said: Mehdi said yesterday. through the Port of Fujairah. ing billions of dollars on building “With the current strong pipeline Early this month, the Iraqi cen- As the second largest importer projects ahead of the tournament. of construction projects in Qatar, tral government reached a tem- globally for gabbro products in Majdi Khalaf, Vice Chairman Al Hodaifi Rocks is seeking strong porary agreement with Kurdish 2013, Qatar currently accounts for and Group CEO of Oryx partnerships to secure its escalat- regional authorities ending a almost 90 percent of the UAE’s Industries, expressed his con- ing needs for building materials. bitter dispute over oil exports gabbro exports. Furthermore, the tinued confidence in the strong Ghandour emphasised that Oryx by and budget payments to the government has recently removed recovery of the construction sec- Industries is today among the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. the importing limits of 150,000 tor in the GCC markets. “The leading names supplying these Under the deal, Kurdish fields Officials shake hands after signing the agreement. tonnes per company allowing recovery is increasing demand products in the region”. would export 250,000 barrels per Qatari businesses to import even for building materials and THE PENINSULA day through Iraq’s state oil mar- keting organisation (SOMO), while an additional 300,000 b/d from the Iraqi area of Kirkuk would be IBQ rewards winner of thanq exported via a pipeline running through Kurdish territory. Watchdog launches probe Abdel Mehdi said the initial deal was put together mainly so Baghdad could form a budget for 2015, and that a final settlement into Tesco’s accounts “should be worked out in the com- ing weeks”. LONDON: Britain’s accounting watch- very seriously and remain committed to In the meantime, the Kurdish dog yesterday launched a probe into delivering work to the highest professional region can continue exporting Tesco’s accounts after the troubled standards. We will cooperate fully with the above the 250,000 b/d limit on supermarket giant admitted overstating FRC in its enquiries.” A Tesco spokesman its own, but legal action taken by its profits earlier this year. said the group noted the probe, adding: Baghdad against Kurdish authori- The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) “We will provide support to the FRC’s ties in Arbil over oil exports will said in a brief statement that it will inves- investigation.” PwC has been Tesco’s audi- remain in place, he said. tigate the financial figures for the last tor since 1983. “We agreed for the time being three years reported by Britain’s biggest The FRC has powers to sanction things would stay as they are. retailer and audited and prepared by accounting firms and their staff for failing It means, they were producing, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). to apply book-keeping rules properly. they were exporting and we are “The FRC has launched an investiga- The Serious Fraud Office had launched putting some claims on that. This tion under the Accountancy Scheme into a criminal investigation into Tesco in is not legal, so things will continue members and a member firm in relation to October after the retailer revealed it had as they are now.” the preparation, approval and audit of the overstated its profits by £263m as a result There is now “confidence and financial statements of Tesco PLC,” it said. of accounting errors stretching back to goodwill” between the two sides, The watchdog added that the statements before 2013. The International Bank of Qatar (ibq) has declared Gez Garai as the December winner of Abdel Mehdi said. “We think we were for the retailer’s financial years end- The scandal meanwhile sparked the the bank’s monthly prize draw for the ibq loyalty programme, thanq. The winner received can sit together and settle all those ing February 2012, February 2013 and suspension of a number of Tesco exec- 100,000 thanq reward points in a ceremony held at the bank’s headquarters in the pres- pending issues like the payments February 2014. It will also probe “conduct utives, and the departure of chairman and claims from either side.” The ence of Muhanad Abu Al Wafa, Deputy Head of Branches. The rewards programme allows in relation to the matters reported in the Richard Broadbent. Tesco is the world’s minister said Iraq now produced ibq customers to accumulate points across a wide range of ibq products and services company’s interim results for the 26 weeks third-biggest supermarket group after around 3.2m b/d in the south of ended 23 August 2014”. France’s Carrefour and global leader and and then redeem them by booking flights on over 800 airlines, accommodation in 160,000 the country and expected this to Tesco’s auditor PwC added in a separate US giant Wal-Mart. hotels and car rental services worldwide. rise about 100,000 or 200,000 b/d statement: “We take our responsibilities AGENCIES next year. REUTERS TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

China’s crude Oil markets to oil imports from Iran down 2.6pc face uncertain in November

BEIJING: China’s crude oil imports from Iran fell 2.6 per- cent in November from a year future: Experts ago but were up more than half from October, customs data showed yesterday. Opec move a ‘big game changer’ November imports hit 2.13 million tonnes, or 517,560 barrels ABU DHABI: The determi- energy trade, have been feeling per day (b/d), up 53 percent from nation of powerful Gulf Opec the pressure from the emer- 338,635 bpd in October. members to stifle competition gence of shale oil. Technological As Iran’s largest oil client, from new oil producers has innovations have unlocked shale China brought in 24.9 million left the global energy market resources in North America and tonnes, or 544,100 b/d, in the first reeling and sparked unprece- raised daily US oil output by more 11 months of the year, up 29 per- dented uncertainty, officials and than 40 percent since 2006, but cent over the same period last experts say. at a production cost which can year, the highest level since 2011. Gathered in Abu Dhabi for a be three or four times that of Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO of Vistara airline, answers a question during an open media session in New Delhi yesterday. Forecasts by Thomson Reuters key conference, senior energy extracting Middle Eastern oil. Vistara will start flying from January 9, 2015, the airline said. Oil Analytics show that imports officials from Arab Gulf nations For years Opec has helped con- in December could once again top insisted they will not cut pro- trol oil prices by increasing or 2 million tonnes. China has raised duction despite the freefall in oil cutting production, but experts its crude purchases after the eas- prices. say it is now signalling that it New India airline to fly in Jan ing of Western sanctions against A supply glut, lower demand won’t bear the burden for its Iran as part of an interim deal. and the stronger US dollar have competitors. NEW DELHI: India’s newest with no-frills SpiceJet the latest carriers, Vistara’s chief insisted As for next year, China’s state- all contributed to pushing down Qatar’s Minister of Energy airline announced yesterday that casualty. there was also room for full-serv- run oil trader Zhuhai Zhenrong oil prices, which have dropped and Industry H E Dr Mohamed it will start flying next month Shares of India’s second-big- ice airlines. Corp has renewed a pact with nearly 50 percent since June to bin Saleh Al Sada told the con- and declared it was “enthusias- gest budget airline jumped 17 “We’re here to redefine the National Iranian Oil Company to around $60 a barrel. ference that Opec’s decision last tic” about the future, as shares of percent to Rs2.7 on reports that flying experience” and “create a buy the same volume of Iranian Experts say there is little doubt month to stay firm on output was troubled rival SpiceJet rocketed co-founder Ajay Singh had pre- demand for a kind of personalised crude supplies as it did this year. that Opec is looking to drive new a “big game changer” for the glo- on reports of a rescue. sented a plan to keep the carrier travel” that doesn’t exist, he said, Sources said that the Iranian oil producers with higher costs — in bal energy market. “Cycles in our The new carrier, called Vistara in the skies with help from pri- referring to the “massification” of company is also leasing storage in particular North American shale business are the norm,” Sada said. — a Sanskrit word meaning “lim- vate equity investors and possi- the Indian travel market. northeast Chinese port Dalian, and ventures — out of the market. “The decline in oil prices will have itless expanse” — said it will make bly a foreign airline — though the Vistara will operate the has made at least two deliveries of And how long the effort will a different behaviour this time... its first flight January 9. share price remains a fraction of 148-seater Airbus A320-200 crude from there to India and one continue is anyone’s guess. “We The role of swing producer (like The airline is 49-percent-owned its 2007 peak. with 16 seats in business class, to South Korea, suggesting that have to wait and see if tight Saudi Arabia) could be changing by deep-pocketed Singapore Business Standard newspaper 36 in premium economy and 96 some oil may pass through China (shale) oil can continue” after from government control to mar- Airlines, one of the world’s top- and other media reported that in economy. Once it takes off, without being recorded in customs the sharp fall in oil prices, Saudi ket dynamics.” rated carriers. Mumbai-based Singh, who sold his SpiceJet stake Vistara will be the third full- statistics. China recorded no oil Oil Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al Opec seems determined not to Tata conglomerate, one of India’s in 2010 to new owners, had submit- service carrier after state-run exports to India this year. Nuaimi, whose country pumps a interfere this time, even if the move best-respected brands, controls ted the proposal to the government Air India and Jet Airways, both Data last month showed that third of Opec’s 30 million barrels to maintain output is hitting the the other 51 percent. to revive the ailing carrier. currently in the red. Asian imports of Iranian crude per day output, told a conference pockets of some of its own mem- “We’re enthusiastic. There Aside from the general prob- The new carrier will start with had fallen below 1 million bpd to session. bers, like Nigeria and Venezuela, are no doubt challenges, but we lems facing the sector, SpiceJet’s Delhi to Mumbai flights and will a one-year low, due to seasonal “Things could need one year, who have not built up the fiscal believe in the immense potential woes stem from heavy fare dis- add routes as its current two- demand fluctuations, although two years or three. We don’t know reserves of Gulf Arab nations. of the Indian aviation market,” counting, aggressive expansion plane Airbus fleet grows. It aims shipments were still up nearly a what will happen in the future. Some reports have suggested Vistara Chief Executive Phee Teik and the dues it owes vendors, air- to have five aeroplanes in a month third from October last year. What is certain however is that the Gulf Arab nations are also Yeoh told reporters. port operators, oil firms and other and 20 Airbus planes within four Chinese imports from Saudi high-efficiency producers will rule trying to put pressure on the India’s aviation market is creditors, which total hundreds of years. IndiGo, India’s largest pas- Arabia were down 5.9 percent in the market in the future,” the economies of energy-dependent expected to be the third-largest millions of dollars. The airline was senger carrier, is a budget opera- November to 3.99 million tonnes, Saudi minister said. Russia or even fellow Opec mem- globally within a decade. But briefly grounded last week when tion and the only one among the or 970,610 b/d, while imports from Opec’s conventional producers, ber Iran, but officials have denied the sector is plagued by losses it could not pay its fuel bill. four biggest airlines to consist- Russia, China’s third-largest sup- for decades part of an oil alliance any political motives. stemming from hefty operat- While analysts say India’s avi- ently report a profit. plier, came in at 3.31 million tonnes. that has dominated the global AFP ing costs and bruising fare wars, ation future belongs to low-cost AFP REUTERS Suzuki unveils new Alto

Suzuki Motor President and Chairman Osamu Suzuki besides the new wagon Alto in Tokyo yesterday. The new Alto has 660cc economy efficiency engine of 37km per litre on the compact body.

Modi’s reform agenda to accelerate India’s growth potential: QNB report

DOHA: India’s Prime Minister reviving the power sector; intro- tighter fiscal policy. The imple- Narendra Modi’s proposed reform ducing a uniform federal sales tax mentation of reforms is expected agenda, which includes phasing and reforming the labour market. to attract additional foreign out huge food and energy subsidies The majority of the reforms investments, implying that the currently benefiting millions of are projected to be implemented financial account is likely to enjoy under-privileged people in India, during the 2015-16 budget, thus a healthy surplus. is expected to accelerate the coun- starting to pay dividends over The accumulation of interna- try’s growth in the coming years, the next two years by increasing tional reserves is projected to rise according to a QNB Group report. investments in the economy. to 7.9 months of import cover by QNB Group’s ‘India Economic The Consumer Price Index March-end, 2017, supported by Insight 2014’ report published (CPI) or inflation is forecast to smaller current account deficits recently examines latest devel- reach the target of 6 percent by and larger net capital inflows. opments and the outlook for the January 2016 set by the Reserve The double-digit growth in assets, Indian economy and the poten- Bank of India based on continued loans and deposits is expected to tially positive impact Modi gov- tight monetary policy and favour- continue at least until 2016-17, ernment’s reform policy agenda. able external conditions. reflecting further banking penetra- According to the report, the Labour market reforms are tion, higher economic activity and implementation of Modi’s reform expected to reduce inflation by reduced corporate deleveraging. agenda is expected to unleash increasing labour force par- However, the lending growth India’s growth potential. The ticipation and lowering wage is expected to rebound and non- growth of real gross domestic inflationary pressures. Falling performing loans (NPLs) to fall in product (GDP) is forecast to international oil prices and a 2016-17 as structural reforms begin accelerate to 6.3 percent in 2015- good monsoon season are likely to materialise and banks’ balance 16 and 6.8 percent in 2016-17 as to moderate energy and food price sheets are cleaned up, and bank reforms start to pay dividends. inflation (comprising half of the deposit are expected to continue The Modi administration has CPI basket) in the short term. growing robustly, despite the slow- identified a number of priority The current account deficit is down in inflation driven by a high areas for reforms including phas- projected to decline to 1.1 percent savings rate and the government’s ing out food and energy subsidies; of GDP by 2016-17 on further financial inclusion initiative. easing land acquisition laws; depreciation of Indian rupee and THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Russia curbs grain exports amid rouble crisis Wheat prices climb; traders fear export ban

MOSCOW: Russia announced by Medvedev within 24 hours, exports for half of its revenue, plans yesterday to limit grain deputy prime minister Arkady the 50 percent drop in oil prices exports as it scrambled to avoid Dvorkovich was quoted as saying these past six months has had a hike in the politically sensi- by Russian news agencies. more of a direct impact on Russia tive cost of bread during the Wheat prices climbed in than Western sanctions against holidays, the latest in a series of European trading following the Moscow for annexing Crimea and moves by Moscow to cope with announcement, after having supporting separatists in eastern the consequences of its cur- already jumped more than four Ukraine. rency crisis. percent last week on the Chicago Analysts see Russia’s economy Meanwhile China offered exchange as traders feared contracting by up to 5.0 percent unspecified help to Russia, which that Russia, usually the world’s next year and inflation shooting is dealing with a collapse of the number three grain exporter, up to 20 percent. ruble due to tumbling oil prices might impose an export ban as While the rouble rose yester- and Western sanctions that it did in 2010 when it suffered a day, returning to 67 to the euro threaten to push the country into poor harvest. and 55 to the dollar after having a severe recession and forced the “The market had already hit records of over 100 to the euro government to help banks and anticipated... informal restric- and 80 to the dollar, the economic consider supporting airlines. tions. Now they are formal,” said problems are far from over. Moscow said yesterday that the Sebastien Poncelet, an analyst Officials said they were consid- customs barrier on grain exports with the French consultancy ering supporting airlines which was aimed at ensuring its own Agritel, describing heightened are facing a squeeze on paying for food security as the currency “tension and volatility” in grain fuel and landing charges at for- crisis bites. The announcement trading. eign airports. drove global grain prices up, but Poncelet said a sharp spike Meanwhile, the central bank analysts said ample world stocks in wheat prices was not certain had to bail out the country’s 15th should keep the price of wheat because buyers could turn to corn, largest lender in terms of depos- from spiking. which is in great supply. its, while lawmakers last week The rouble has fallen nearly Russian authorities denied approved a plan to inject ¤13bn 50 percent against the dollar and last week they were considering into commercial banks. A board showing currency exchange rates in Moscow yesterday. euro this year, which has made an export ban, but there were Numerous companies have at exporting grain far more prof- indications that the government least temporarily halted busi- itable for Russian farmers and, had been trying to slow exports ness because of the swings in despite one of the best harvests by limiting train shipments and the value of the rouble, with an Country in dire straits, says Kudrin on record, domestic wheat prices export certificates in order to English-language daily The Saint have started to soar. keep the politically sensitive price Petersburg Times saying that it MOSCOW: Russia’s govern- and warned that Russia risked forecast a series of defaults among “We had a good harvest but at of bread from soaring. was ceasing publication due to ment has pushed the country seeing its debt downgraded to medium and large enterprises the same time, due to the vola- The business daily Kommersant the currency crisis. into an economic crisis by not junk status in 2015. which is likely to result in rating tility of the rouble, prices are reported recently that the price China signalled its willing- tackling its financial problems “Today, I can say that we have agencies downgrading Russia’s very advantageous and exports of bread could jump by 10 percent ness to help Russia, although it fast enough, former finance entered or are entering a real, debt to “junk” status. “Russia will have risen considerably,” Prime in the coming weeks as Russians voiced confidence Moscow that minister Alexei Kudrin said full-fledged economic crisis. Next get a downgrade,” Kudrin said. “ Minister Dmitry Medvedev said celebrate the holidays. can overcome the current crisis yesterday , warning the full year we will feel it clearly,” he It will enter the ‘junk’ territory.” at a government meeting. The rouble plunged by 10 per- on its own. “If the Russian side effects would be felt next year. said. “The government has not While the currency may sta- “We need to have minimum cent last Monday and then 20 needs, we will provide necessary Kudrin — a darling of inves- been quick enough to address bilise in the first quarter of next reserves that assure Russia’s food percent on Tuesday despite a assistance within our capacity,” tors who is credited with build- the situation ... I am yet to hear year, its decline will likely help to security. In this context I think it massive hike in interest rates as Foreign Minister Wang Yi was ing Russia’s $170bn worth of ... its clear assessment of the push inflation to a rate of 12-15 is time to reflect on administra- Russian consumers lost confi- quoted as telling reporters over sovereign wealth funds — added current situation.” percent in 2015, Kudrin said. The tive restrictions on exports,” he dence in the government’s ability the weekend by the English- that sanctions over Ukraine, not Kudrin said falling crude central bank envisages next year’s added. to grapple with the crisis. language China Daily yesterday. falling oil prices, were primarily prices only partly accounted for inflation at around 8 percent. The measures could be signed As Russia is dependent on oil AFP behind the collapse of the rouble the plunge in the rouble. Kudrin REUTERS

South Korea US existing home sales hit six-month low trims growth WASHINGTON: US home options. Sales were up 2.1 percent prices sidelined first-time buyers. trading down 0.3 percent. Prices percent in November 2013. The resales tumbled to a six-month from a year ago. But there optimism that a for US Treasury debt were little inventory of unsold homes on low in November after two “The report suggests that the broadening of job gains will trans- moved. the market fell 6.7 percent from forecast to straight months of strong housing market remains on a late into stronger wage growth in First-time buyers are wading a year ago to 2.09 million. increases, underscoring the somewhat rocky footing as data 2015 and stimulate demand for back into the market, account- At November’s sales pace, 3.8pc in 2015 uneven nature of the housing remains quite choppy,” said housing. Household formation, ing for 31 percent of transactions it would take 5.1 months to market recovery. Gennadiy Goldberg, an economist a key ingredient for a healthy last month. That was the biggest clear houses from the market, SEOUL: South Korea yes- The National Association of at TD Securities in New York. housing market, is running at share since October 2012 and was unchanged from October. A six terday trimmed its economic Realtors said yesterday that exist- Housing has struggled to shift about 500,000 a year, well below up from 29 percent in October. months’ supply is viewed as a growth forecast for 2015 to 3.8 ing home sales dropped 6.1 percent into higher gear after stagnating the more than one million that is Economists and real estate agents healthy balance between supply percent from 4.0 percent as it to an annual rate of 4.93 million in the second half of 2013 in the considered ideal. say a share of 40 percent to 45 and demand. vowed to continue expansion- units, the lowest level since May. wake of a jump in mortgage rates, Economists polled by Reuters percent is required for a strong With supply declining, house ary policies aimed at spurring November’s steep decline prob- which have since pulled back from had expected sales to fall only to housing recovery. price gains remained elevated, domestic consumption. ably does not signal the start of their peaks. a 5.20-million unit pace. Investors, who had sup- though the pace of increases The revised projection comes a weakening trend and in part It has lagged an acceleration in The dollar slipped against a ported the market, continued is slowing. The median home after the country’s central bank reflected stubbornly low inven- economic activity as tepid wage basket of currencies after the to withdraw in November. They price increased 5.0 percent in this month warned its own 3.9 tories, which touched an eight- growth, a shortage of properties report. US stocks held their gains, accounted for 15 percent of trans- November from a year ago. percent growth forecast would be month low, giving buyers limited available for sale and higher home though the housing index was actions last month, down from 19 REUTERS “difficult” to maintain as domestic demand alternated between posi- tive and negative territories and a weak yen hurt the price competi- tiveness of South Korean firms against Japanese rivals abroad. Rosneft repays The finance ministry said Rousseff stands by Monday that, in addition to the 2015 growth forecast being low- $7bn in debt ered, its estimate for this year’s economic growth was also revised MOSCOW: Russia’s top oil Petrobras CEO down to 3.4 percent from 3.7 per- producer Rosneft said yes- cent. South Korea’s economy grew terday that it had met a $7bn BRASILIA: Brazil’s President The stock has fallen about 3.0 percent last year. loan repayment, partially eas- Dilma Rousseff said yesterday 24 percent since police last “We must maintain our expan- ing fears among investors that she has no plans to replace month arrested a second former sionary macroeconomic and fis- that Western sanctions ban- the chief executive officer of Petrobras director and scores of cal policies so that people can feel ning major Russian firms from state-run oil firm Petrobras, executives from engineering and the effect of economic recovery,” access to European and US cap- saying there was no evidence construction companies accused President Park Geun-Hye said at ital could prompt mass defaults. that senior management was of paying bribes skimmed from a meeting of economic ministers Shares in the company rose 2.5 involved in a graft scandal at overpriced contracts. yesterday. percent in morning trade after the company. Petrobras shares pared gains Consumer spending has recov- Rosneft confirmed it had made Speaking at a year-end break- after Rousseff’s remarks. ered at a slower-than-expected the payment — part of a two- fast with reporters in Brasilia, The president has come under pace this year despite a gov- year $12.7bn loan it used to buy Rousseff also said she will take pressure to replace CEO Maria ernment stimulus package and oil firm TNK-BP — from its own “drastic” measures next year das Graças Foster, who has a series of cuts in the Bank of cash reserves. to get Brazil’s economy back on offered to resign. But Rousseff Korea’s key interest rate, which Rosneft, which produces more track and voiced confidence in a said she stands by Foster, despite now stands at 2.0 percent. oil than Iraq or Iran, has asked rebound, regardless of how the recent allegation by a former The ministry said domestic for 2.5 trillion roubles ($44.07bn) global economy performs. company manager that the CEO demand may pick up next year, from the government to help it She was coy about what the knew about overpriced contracts. helped by lower oil prices. “Our weather sanctions and refinance measures might entail, though “I see no signs of any wrong- economy will pick up gradually its debts. But the government is she played down speculation she doing by the current Petrobras thanks to our expansionary mac- yet to decide how much money would raise taxes to shore up gov- executive board,” Rousseff said. roeconomic policy, lower interna- to give from the National Wealth ernment finances. She rejected the suggestion that tional oil prices and an expected Fund, resulting in speculation last The widening Petrobras scan- keeping Foster on would under- global economic recovery,” Finance week — denied by Rosneft — that dal has overshadowed the debate mine Petrobras’ credibility. Minister Choi Kyung-Hwan said. it was buying foreign currency on about what economic steps Rousseff, who was chairwoman But economic weakness in the domestic forex market. Rousseff will take when she is of the Petrobras board of direc- China and Europe, as well as the Rosneft Chief Executive Igor An oil pump, owned by oil company Rosneft, seen in the Krasnodar region, sworn in for a second term on tors for seven years through US Federal Reserve’s expected Sechin said: “To service its debt southern Russia. New Year’s Day and has domi- 2010, when much of the alleged policy tightening, might weigh on the company does not need to nated the president’s agenda in corruption took place, said it was South Korea’s growth, the minis- enter the currency market, of domestic bonds — the bulk of the February. Its bridge loan provid- recent weeks. It has forced her “simplistic” to assert that the try said. because it generates enough for- company’s current planned debt ers were BNP Paribas, Bank of to vet Cabinet appointments to company’s top management knew It also said consumer prices are eign currency earnings. Surplus refinancing. “As for other com- America Merrill Lynch, Bank of avoid picking anyone implicated. about the graft scheme. Rousseff expected to rise about 2.0 percent balances are used on the market, panies, there is still concern, but I Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Barclays She said the pessimism sur- also said Petrobras remained well- next year, faster than this year’s in such a manner.” do not expect large-scale defaults Bank, Citi, Credit Agricole CIB, rounding Petroleo Brasileiro positioned to weather a drop in estimated 1.3 percent rate. The Analysts say Rosneft is too big on the public debt market,” said an ING Bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, JP SA , as the company is formally oil prices and has enough cash to country’s current-account surplus for the state to allow it to fail and analyst at a major Russian bank. Morgan, Mizuho Corporate Bank, known, was overblown and that get through 2015 without tapping for 2015 may fall to $82bn in 2015 point to its successful sale earlier Rosneft must make a second Natixis, Societe Generale and the recent plunge in its shares international capital markets. from $89bn this year, it added. this month of 625bn roubles worth loan repayment of $6.9bn in UniCredit. REUTERS was exaggerated. REUTERS AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Oil fall puts squeeze on Tesco keeps investors North Sea energy minnows

BY KAROLIN SCHAPS guessing on masterplan LUNGING oil prices have increased the strain on the many small energy firms operating in the North BY NEIL MAIDMENT Sea who were already facing diminishing returns seen by senior management at Tesco has lost its way - dis- having halved in a year, the spot- Pfrom an area that once helped power the British the firm, according to a source tracted by an expensive over- light is on what it must do to economy. HEN Phil close to the situation. In fact the seas expansion strategy when revitalise a business still the UK With fields more mature and oil harder to find, heavyweights Clarke was only member of the leadership it needed to respond to the rise market leader but now steadily such as BP and Shell turned their attention elsewhere long sacked as team to be consulted on the new of discount grocers; and wrong- losing share. However, company ago, leaving smaller independent firms to explore the more Tesco’s CEO, strategy is another newcomer to footed by a boom in convenience insiders say challenges also lie remote areas. senior execu- the firm, Chief Financial Officer stores and online shopping. much closer to Lewis at his As many as 133 companies are now active in the British part Wtives hoped his 0700 strategy Alan Stewart, the source said. Lewis has said there is no head office in Cheshunt, north of the North Sea. meetings would go with him. Key internal talks around quick fix, and favours steady of London. However, a third of those companies are deemed by experts They did — new boss Dave Lewis financials, customer issues and customer-focused improve- During Clarke’s disastrous to be too small to finance big ticket projects and a fall of around starts his at 0630. products have been kept to sepa- ments. Price cuts, major asset three-year-and-a-half year ten- 45 percent in oil prices since June has lessened the sector’s Parachuted in from Unilever rate teams, with all big decisions disposals and a cash call to fix ure, Tesco’s management talent appeal to big investors. in September, Lewis soon faced taken by Lewis and Stewart, the creaking finances are all options. pool was irresponsibly reduced, Efforts to find new oil and gas fields have slumped to the the task of making the shock former finance chief at Marks & His decision to take over tem- according to former company lowest level since exploration started in the 1970s because of announcement that a £250m Spencer. porarily the day-to-day leader- directors. Lewis now heads a reduced investment. ($391m) hole had been found in “He tends to operate keeping ship of the UK operation - whose team depleted further still by sus- That has sharply cut the amount of revenue the government Tesco’s profits, in an accounting everything compartmentalised, boss left after the accounting pensions and exits, and retaining can expect to take from the sector in taxation. scandal that led to the departure so he keeps his own counsel on scandal - is illustrative of his talent could be a difficult task. “Nothing less than radical change will prevent the premature of several senior executives. the masterplan,” said the source, hands-on approach, punctu- “Him keeping ... everyone demise of the basin, let alone maximise economic recovery,” Now the CEO — despite hav- who did not wish to be named. ated by emails fired off to staff sort of slightly in the dark feeds said Dave Blackwood, former head of BP’s North Sea business, ing no direct retail experience “He doesn’t have a core five or around the clock. uncertainty. Nobody is quite sure adding his voice to industry calls for tax cuts. — is keeping management on a six people that he discusses eve- Earlier this month, according whether they are in the gang or Britain’s finance ministry has said it is working on a reform tight rein and personally tak- rything with.” to an industry source, he person- not,” the source close to the sit- of its oil and gas tax policy but its drive to reduce the budget ing charge of key areas of the Lewis arrived in the worst cri- ally took charge of meetings with uation said. Investors will hope deficit will limit its ability to cut rates. business, sources say. And as he sis in the grocer’s 95-year history. Tesco’s top 25 suppliers, instead that in his Jan. 8 update Lewis will An election next May only adds to the political uncertainty. conducts a vast review of Tesco’s Nicknamed “Drastic Dave” after of newly promoted commercial ditch the corporate jargon which British oil companies pay a supplementary levy on top of operations to come up with a fixing units of Unilever with cost director Jason Tarry, to the sur- — despite an army of PR advisors production income tax, which will drop by 2 percentage points strategy to revive its fortunes, cuts and innovative marketing, prise of some attendees. — has proved a hindrance both to 30 percent on January 1. he is giving little away — even he will have to show similar Incorrectly booking payments internally and externally. The oil industry is crying out for steeper cuts to help dampen to insiders. resolve to improve Tesco’s com- from suppliers was at the cen- The Financial Times this the impact of surging costs. The 49-year-old has promised petitiveness and strengthen the tre of the accounting debacle, month ran a “Dave Lewis jar- “You’ve got to get the tax change right. If you put it up too to give some details on January 8 balance sheet of the firm which which is being investigated by gon-buster” to help readers deci- much, and arguably that has happened, then it strangles activ- about the measures he plans to issued its fourth profit warning Britain’s accounting watchdog pher phrases such as “rebasing ity,” Mark Routh, chief executive at small North Sea player take, but all the contents of his in five months two weeks ago. and Serious Fraud Office. relationships with suppliers”. Independent Oil and Gas, told Reuters. blueprint have not yet even been After two decades of growth, With Tesco’s share price REUTERS

RECEIPTS FALL During the early 1980s, annual tax receipts to Margaret Thatcher’s government peaked at £12bn ($18.8bn) when boom- ing North Sea oil output coincided with high oil prices, four times the 3 billion pounds predicted for 2014. Promised oil revenues were in part used to justify Scotland’s independence movement which banked on oil to underwrite a historic break for the rest of Britain, thwarted in a referendum in September. Instead, Brent crude prices fell as low as $58.5 a barrel last week and the major oil firms are shifting their focus to more promising new areas in south-east Asia, Africa and shale oil plays in North America. While Britain’s growing pool of small-scale firms, such as Parkmead, Hurricane Energy and Infrastrata, can be more nimble when it comes to adopting new technologies, many of the areas remaining to be explored are remote and therefore costly. “If they don’t have the money they can’t fund activity,” said Brian Nottage, general manager at oil and gas advisory Hannon Westwood. An example is Atlantic Petroleum, which produces oil in the UK North Sea and has cut its exploration spending for 2015 by 75 percent, arguing it needed to save cash to fund its operating fields in the current oil price environment. An increasing number of firms looking to enter new fields are now offering “farm-outs”, allowing investors including rival companies, to take a stake in the new project. “(But) not that many are successful, hence the problem that we see in exploration activity,” Nottage said. Of the 133 companies in the UK North Sea, more than a third have not developed reserves in the basin, meaning they cannot bank on any revenue from production in the short term. In the longer term, the large number of small-scale play- ers accessing the North Sea exploration market could lead to merger activity to create more robust businesses. “The UK North Sea is definitely at an inflection point. That inflection point will either send it down or have the potential to make sure it remains as a basin for another 10-15 years,” said Alison Baker, head of PwC’s UK oil and gas practice. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Banks face Basel Limits on risk models for capital BY JIM BRUNSDEN “There is a danger here in that has also said that it will ban requirements, measured as a per- banks attach to assets. For the introducing a capital floor based too much standardisation could banks from using internal mod- centage of their risk-weighted banking book, risk- weightings for on the currently revised stand- LOBAL banks face lead to the risk that bank busi- els to measure the risk of losses assets, or RWA. The risk-weight- similar assets can vary between ardized approaches. and second, limits on how far they ness models are too similar, thus on asset-backed debt held in their ing means that the amount of banks by as much as 20 percent, reducing the modeling choices in can reduce their capi- opening the entire sector to a trading books. capital they must have is linked according to a study the group determining internal model-based Gtal requirements using stability threat in the face of a Regulators “feel that the banks to the likelihood of losses on the published last year. estimates of credit, market and internal models as regulators major shock,” said Richard Reid, are just trying to game the sys- investments. “These variances undermine operational risk-weighted assets,” assert control over how lenders a research fellow for finance and tem with their internal models The latest rules, known as Basel confidence in capital ratios,” Andreas Dombret, a board mem- measure risk. regulation at the University of and are not in a sense playing III, require capital equivalent to 7 Stefan Ingves, the Basel group’s ber of Germany’s Bundesbank, The Basel Committee on Dundee in Scotland. fair,” Charles Goodhart, a former percent of RWA. chairman, said in November. said earlier this month. Banking Supervision, an interna- “The issue remains one of try- member of the Bank of England’s The ability for banks to use The draft capital floor would “Greater transparency and tional group of standard setters, ing to find the most appropriate Monetary Policy Committee and internal models was first incor- prevent bank capital requirements continued implementation published draft plans to set a capi- balance between transparency and a professor at the London School porated into the Basel rulebook in falling below a certain percent- monitoring will also help to tal floor and to reinforce standard, standardisation on the one hand of Economics, said in an interview 1996, for trading book assets only, age of what they would have been strengthen confidence in risk- regulator-set methods to measure and diversity on the other.” last month. and was extended to the banking under a standardized approach. weighted capital ratios,” said possible losses. Supervisors say Basel is working on a package of “One of the functions of the book in 2004. Today’s plans set out a draft Dombret, who is a member of the move is necessary to counter measures to overhaul banks’ risk- models that have been developed The group said at that time that blueprint for how the floor the Basel committee. the threat of banks manipulating measurement by toughening its internally is to reduce the amount the step aligned “the capital meas- would operate, without specify- The group that it would seek internal models to reduce their rules on when and how internal of capital you need for any amount urement framework with sound ing the level at which it should views on the capital floor plan capital requirements to unsafe models can be used. of risk, in other words to opti- contemporary practices in bank- be set. Further work will be until March 27, with the goal of levels. While supervisors say the step mize,” he said. ing, promotes improvements in undertaken on that next year, completing work on the measure The floor will counter “meas- is necessary to make sure that The Basel group brings together risk management, and is intended the group said. by “around the end of 2015.” urement error” by banks, the lenders can’t game the system, regulators from about 30 nations to enhance financial stability.” While current Basel rules The group is also seeking Basel group said today in a state- banks are warning that some of including the US, the UK and This means that banks can already include a floor linked to views on updated standardized ment on its website. “It would the plans would be punitive and China to coordinate rule-mak- either measure their capital standards developed in the 1980s, approaches for measuring the enhance the comparability of dim incentives for them to con- ing. Its members include the requirements using so-called implementation has differed risk of creditor default, the risk capital outcomes across banks tinue refining their approaches. US Federal Reserve, the Bank standardized approaches prepared across countries, and some banks of losing money because of mar- and also ensure that the level of of England and the European by Basel or their own risk models may lack the systems to calculate ket downturn and the possibility capital across the banking sys- ‘GAME THE SYSTEM’ Central Bank. validated by supervisors. it, the group said. of losses because of disasters and tem does not fall below a certain In addition to the measures Basel standards require Basel studies have found varia- “The Basel committee envisages other operational risks. level.” published today, the Basel group banks to meet minimum capital tions in how much risk different two main policy measures: first, BLOOMBERG TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,421.22 3.26 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,526.14 3.26 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,100.29 4.16 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,153.65 2.83 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,267.32 2.88 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5414.093 101.353 1.91 5672.3 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 4,004.78 2.16 % QR140.5133 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,227.14 0.59 % Cac 40 Index/D 4278.93 37.28 0.88 4598.65 3789.11 QE All Share Real Estate 2,274.49 5.04 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6508 QR 5.7300 QE All Share Insurance 3,833.5 4.96 % Dj Indu Average 17804.8 26.65 0.15 17991.2 15340.69 QR 1.8907 Euro ...... QR 4.4381 QR 4.5009 QE All Share Telecoms 1,430.93 1.72 % CA$ ...... QR 3.1097 QR 3.1708 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,775.91 1.49 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23408.57 291.94 1.26 25362.98 21137.61 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7548 QR 3.8074 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5172.49 3.69 0.07 5325.15 4275.26 Yen ...... QR 0.0308 QR 0.0314 Aus$ ...... QR 2.9551 QR 3.0143 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31491.62 480.47 1.55 32315.56 25273.11 CRUDE OIL 22-12-2014 21-12-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0571 QR 0.0582 Index 12,421.22 12,029.59 Nikkei 225 Index 17635.14 13.74 0.08 18030.83 13885.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0359 QR 0.0366 Change 391.63 847.94 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0808 QR 0.0825 S&P 500 Index/D 2070.65 9.42 0.46 2079.47 1737.92 % 3.26 7.58 $ 62.02 SL Re ...... QR 0.0275 QR 0.0281 YTD% 19.67 15.90 Straits Times/D 3330.96 51.43 1.57 3387.84 2953.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0466 QR 0.0477 Volume 24,720,527 26,106,586 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0362 Value (QAR) 1,004,521,961.98 1,259,977,420.41 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3112 QR 0.3174 Trades 10,931 9,437 $ 58.15 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01 Up 32 | Down 09 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 22-12-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 106.55 17.75 26867 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1904 -16.2 2929 Hind Unilever-/D 767 12.35 48420 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 443.25 -6.9 6265 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 587.85 4.25 6440 Legal & Genera/D 245 2.4 3052201 A C C-A/D 1383.8 4.05 12925 Colgate-A/D 1778.6 -1.7 7805 Hind.Petrol-A/D 572 1.15 157589 Lgb Broth-B/D 625 6.55 2467 Saur.Cem-B/D 40.5 0.85 19617 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 76.41 0.25 23543783 Aban Offs-A/D 427.6 1.7 190031 Container Cor-/D 1329.75 -8.6 17695 Hindalco-A/D 155.8 -1.85 358253 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 11.5 -0.22 12464 Tanfac Indust-/D 15.25 -0.4 7637 Marks & Sp./D 481.1 5.1 3197148 Aegis Logis-B/D 434.3 -0.35 4557 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 141.8 5.95 11938 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1146.3 31.25 57506 Lumax Ind-B/D 418 10.25 7582 Tanfac Indust-/D 15.25 -0.4 7637 Next/D 6465.9326 -20 108345 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 339.9 -13.65 73889 Dhampur Sugar-/D 42.15 -1.15 25757 I F C I-A/D 36.25 0.65 377271 Lupin-A/D 1440.85 22.55 21076 Thirumalai-B/D 100 2.55 5989 Pearson/D 1190 9 893718 Alembic-B/D 39.25 0.45 209858 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3246.4 47.75 42700 Idbi-A/D 69.4 1.4 288303 Lyka Labs-T/D 25.75 -0.85 14144 Timexgroup-T/D 13.35 -0.35 12192 Prudential/D 1518.7599 7 486368 Alok Indus-A/D 10.22 -0.16 1207796 E I H-B/D 117.35 2.15 14543 Ifb Agro-B/D 354.8 1.05 2632 Mah.Seamless-B/D 254 7.7 8152 Tinplate-B/D 61.9 -0.05 22048 Rank Group/D 160 0.5 7872 Apollo Tyre-A/D 220.35 -2.1 259736 E.I.D Parry-A/D 199.05 -1.15 17275 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 479.9 -0.3 4211 Mangalam Cem-B/D 290.85 -7.1 14802 Ub Engineer-Z/D 7.39 0 3362 Rentokil Initi/D 119.2 -0.3 339043 Asahi I Glass-/D 117.65 0.9 18443 Eicher Motor-A/D 14748.45 140.85 3071 India Cement-A/D 79.3 4.85 450593 Mastek-B/D 410.3 35 740535 Ub Engineer-Z/D 7.39 0 3362 Rolls Royce Pl/D 878.5 8 1093559 Ashok Leyland-/D 50.7 0.15 1058373 Electrosteel-B/D 16.85 -1.95 912181 India Glycol-B/D 101.35 -1.85 19559 Max India L-A/D 379.35 8.25 113912 Ucal Fuel-B/D 141.05 16 191024 Rsa Insrance G/D 446.3 -3.3 755652 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1402.8 67.55 24042 Emco-B/D 38.35 0.5 101062 Indian Hotel-A/D 117.5 2 234566 Mrpl-A/D 47.95 -0.4 63328 Ucal Fuel-B/D 141.05 16 191024 Sainsbury(J)/D 240.2 0.4 2390550 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.65 0.1 290744 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.99 0.05 21097 Indo-Tcount-T/D 320.75 17.55 38107 Nahar Spg.-B/D 95.35 -2.9 13761 Ultramarine-B/D 70 -0.55 5627 Schroders/D 2704 13 135286 Bata India-A/D 1290.5 17.35 40119 Escorts-A/D 126 2.45 266439 Indusind-A/D 777.25 7.4 41836 Nation Alum -A/D 53.8 1.2 143384 Unitech P -A/D 15.6 0.15 3687185 Severn Trent/D 2042 26 134614 Beml Ltd-A/D 692.85 4.3 47854 Essar Oil-T/D 111 1.05 102102 J.B.Chemical-B/D 195.85 -2.8 24490 Navneet Edu-B/D 100.55 -1.2 26615 Smith&Nephew/D 1108 19 633455 Bh Electronic-/D 2766.8 -22.3 12633 Eveready Indu-/D 179.45 2 54874 Jagson Phar-B/D 36.8 0.1 27021 Nepc India-T/D 2.69 0.08 11663 Smiths Group/D 1080.7349 8 212814 Bharat Bijle-B/D 652.5 -17.1 3294 F D C-B/D 156.15 3.4 11470 Jbf Indu-B/D 256.75 2.9 168568 Neuland Lab-B/D 455 0 2669 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 943.4 16.4 1251636 Bharatgears-B/D 62 -0.3 4565 Federal Bank-A/D 145.65 -0.05 153486 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.62 -0.03 19230 Nrb Bearings-B/D 127.3 4 10586 Tate & Lyle/D 602 4 191079 Bhartiya Int-B/D 404.95 2.85 22021 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.93 0.48 43597 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.48 0.15 65834 O N G C-A/D 356.9 7.6 237583 3I Group/D 450.6 1.8 361555 Tesco/D 183.64 -1.85 12992282 Bhel-A/D 265.75 6.9 348527 Finolex-A/D 264.65 -5.95 10653 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 5.33 -0.25 16200 Ocl India-B/D 440 20.65 10841 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3217 23 160086 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bom.Burmah-B/D 394.55 5.9 99382 Forbes-B/D 1837.55 -7 2751 Jik Indust-B/D 1.14 -0.11 2535 Oil Country-B/D 35 0.35 5332 Barclays/D 239.065 1.4 6621005 Unilever/D 2661 32 590037 Bombay Dyeing-/D 65.7 0.75 173111 Gail-A/D 446.5 11.5 212355 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 143.95 -9.05 970770 Onward Tech-B/D 54.4 -2.45 9190 Bg Group/D 905.3 4 2899817 United Util Gr/D 931.6489 10 423849 Camph.& All-B/D 288.45 -0.05 3954 Gammon India-T/D 25.1 0.2 74106 Jmc Projects-T/D 172.75 -1.35 8739 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.1 -0.45 135295 Bp/D 417.15 4.15 8262738 Vodafone Group/D 226.86 1.8 7540346 Caprihans-B/D 90 7.9 164576 Godfrey Phil-B/D 592 10.5 3157 Kabra Extr-B/D 82.9 0.7 8634 Orient.Carb.-T/D 362.65 -1.4 3388 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3523 22.5 432347 Whitbread/D 4720 35 75992 Cast.Bo/D 508.1 1.65 52636 Goodricke-B/D 158.8 2.1 6156 Kajaria Cer-A/D 557 -5.5 21168 Orient.Carb.-T/D 362.65 -1.4 3388 Bt Group/D 409.3 4.5 2202861 Century Enka-B/D 164.7 7.6 22518 Goodyear I -B/D 620.25 -9.8 30540 Kalpat Power-B/D 197.2 3.8 31456 Punjab Chem.-B/D 105 0.35 6210 Centrica/D 276.8 4.1 3529707 Century Text-A/D 509.15 7.85 46180 Hcl Infosys-B/D 44.45 -0.45 579620 Kalyani Stel-T/D 146.7 2.6 61301 Radico Khait-B/D 91.35 1.55 810063 Gkn/D 346.1 2.6 458676 Chambal Fert-B/D 60.85 0.2 50631 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 17.75 0.35 1123539 Kanoria Chem-B/D 34.4 0.4 26975 Rallis India-A/D 217.4 1.4 25064 Hsbc Holdings/D 612 4.5 3029051 Chowgule St-T/D 19.15 0.9 2822 Himat Seide-B/D 87.1 -0.5 43233 Kg Denim-B/D 14.95 0 16970 Rallis India-A/D 217.4 1.4 25064 Imperial Tobac/D 2894 37 343598 Cipla-A/D 618.4 0.8 66681 Hind Motors-T/D 7.79 -0.02 491806 Kilburnengg-T/D 40.9 -0.4 19352 Reliance Indus/D 442.6 6.55 51086 Kingfisher/D 331 6.8 1337566 City Union Bk-/D 92.7 2.25 109486 Hind Org Chem-/D 20.85 0.3 21890 Kopran-B/D 52.55 0.15 77678 Ruchi Soya-B/D 35 -0.45 24347 Land Secs Grou/D 1171 16 330336 TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Coach Smith Newton powers Carolina returns to All Blacks

WELLINGTON: Wayne Smith, who was part of the coaching team that guided New to victory over Cleveland Zealand to their World Cup win in 2011, will return to Steve Hansen’s staff next year to help prepare the All Blacks for their Roethlisberger helps Pittsburgh to beat Chiefs for play-off spot title defence in England. Smith, 57, will take the role LOS ANGELES: Carolina of defence coach and work with quarterback Cam Newton, who NFL Results Ian Foster, forwards coach Mike suffered two fractures in his Carolina 17 Cleveland 13 Cron and skills coach Mick Byrne back in a car crash just 12 days Detroit 20 Chicago 14 under head coach Hansen, who ago, led the Panthers to a 17-13 Houston 25 Baltimore 13 took over from Graham Henry win over the Cleveland Browns Miami 37 Minnesota 35 after the 2011 triumph on home yesterday. soil. Atlanta 30 New Orleans 14 Newton’s nine-yard touchdown “He is one of the most astute pass to Jonathan Stewart in the New England 17 NY Jets 16 rugby coaches in world rugby and final quarter put the Panthers Pittsburgh 20 Kansas City 12 having worked with him in the over the top. Green Bay 20 Tampa Bay 3 past, we know just how valuable Carolina’s win now sets the NY Giants 37 St Louis 27 he is to any team he is involved stage for a winner-take-all NFC Dallas 42 Indianapolis 7 in,” Hansen said in a team’s news South division showdown on the release. Oakland 26 Buffalo 24 final week of the National Football “‘Smithy’ will add another League’s regular season. Seattle 35 Arizona 6 dimension to what is already a Newton’s health was the big- strong coaching group in what gest concern for the Panthers trying to tell me all week he was will be a big year for us. We look heading into Sunday’s contest fine.” forward to welcoming him back with the Browns. The star quar- The winning strike to Stewart into the fold. terback was injured in a two-car capped a seven-play, 66-yard Smith, who was All Blacks head smash on December 9 near the drive and came less than three coach for 17 tests in 2000-2001, Panthers’ practice facility. minutes after the Browns took will stand down from his posi- Newton, who missed last week- their first lead on Brian Hoyer’s tion as assistant coach with the end’s game, said he was lucky 81-yard touchdown pass to tight Waikato Chiefs, who he helped to to have survived the accident. end Jordan Cameron. back-to-back Super Rugby titles Newton was out of the hospital Hoyer replaced Johnny Manziel in 2012 and 2013. and back at training just a couple late in the first half after the “I care deeply about the All of days later. rookie left the game and did not Blacks, I’m excited to be back and “We knew he was healthy return with a hamstring injury. looking forward to getting stuck enough,” Panthers coach Ron The Panthers will travel to into next year,” he said. Rivera said. Atlanta next week with the divi- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (centre) runs with the ball during the second quarter of his side’s Meanwhile, Ireland interna- “The training staff and the doc- sion on the line. The winner of NFL game against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium, yesterday. tional forward Devin Toner has tors were positive about it. He was that game will not only clinch the agreed a new two-year contract with the Irish Rugby Football NFC South, but will also host a go so we are going to treat this The Patriots secured a first- Union (IRFU) and will stay at play-off game. The Falcons beat next one like a play-off game,” round bye with a 17-16 win over Leinster until at least June 2017. New Orleans 30-14 to end the said Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, the lowly New York Jets as Tom The 28-year-old lock made his Saints’ play-off hopes. The former who last appeared in the play-offs Brady completed 23-of-35 passes Test debut against Samoa in 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Manziel in the 2011 season. for 182 yards with one touchdown. and to date he has won 20 caps was injured when he was hit hard They held the Chiefs out of the New England (12-3) will clinch for his country, the last coming in by two Panther defenders as he end zone and limited them to four the AFC’s top seed if Denver loses the 26-23 victory over Australia dove for the sidelines. Cairo Santos field goals. on Monday. in November. Manziel struggled in his first Kansas City’s play-off hopes are The Packers clinched a spot in IRFU performance director start last week and he didn’t fare slim heading into next Sunday’s the play-offs for the sixth straight David Nucifora said: “Devin has much better on Sunday, complet- home game against quarterback season behind a strong defense. developed into an international ing just three-of-eight passes for Philip Rivers and the San Diego They limited Tampa Bay to just level second-row over the last few 32 yards. Chargers. 109 yards of offence in a 20-3 win. seasons. “It felt like something I hadn’t Tony Romo threw for 218 yards About a dozen fans were “He has performed consistently experienced before and needed to with four touchdowns to lead the injured by an indirect lightning at a high level for both Ireland get checked out,” said Manziel. Dallas Cowboys to a dominating strike outside the game in Tampa, and Leinster, and is illustrat- “Pretty frustrating.” 42-7 win over the Indianapolis Florida. ing strong leadership skills in Quarterback Ben Colts, and help clinch the fran- None of the fans were believed both the provincial and national Roethlisberger threw a touch- chise’s 19th NFC East title. to be directly struck by the light- environments.” down pass as the Pittsburgh Dallas improved to 11-4 and ning but the blast was powerful Toner added: “It is great to Steelers clinched a play-off spot captured the division crown for enough to knock some of them to have signed on for another two with a 20-12 win over the Kansas the first time since 2009. the ground. years with Leinster. City Chiefs. In the night game, Marshawn Seven people were transported “I have been with the province The Steelers (10-5) secured Lynch scored a highlight reel to a hospital and four went on for almost a decade and during a wild-card berth and will host touchdown in the fourth as their own. that time the club have invested Cincinnati next Sunday for the Seattle stomped Arizona 35-6. Next week the Packers host the a lot in my development and have Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passes the ball AFC North title. The Bengals The Green Bay Packers also Detroit Lions in the final week- given me the platform to reach against the Kansas City Chiefs during first quarter of their NFL game at host AFC West-champion Denver locked up a play-off spot and the end of the regular season, and the my potential and achieve success Heinz Field, yesterday. tomorrow. New England Patriots clinched a winner of that game clinches the at both provincial and national “We still got one more game to bye earlier yesterday. NFC North title. AFP level.” AFP Williams shines in Toronto’s Colorado Avalanche defenceman Erik win; Cavs outwit Grizzlies Johnson (centre) skates with the puck NEW YORK: Guards Lou defended by Detroit Williams and Kyle Lowry each Red Wings left wing scored 22 points as Toronto Justin Abdelkader defeated the New York Knicks (left) in overtime at 118-108. Joe Louis Arena, Lowry added nine assists as the Miami Heat yesterday. Colorado Raptors extended their winning forward streak to six games to equal a Luol Deng won 2-1 season-high and gave the Knicks (left) passes their fifth loss in a row. the ball Reserve guard Greivis Vasquez over Boston added 21 points for the Raptors Celtics who, also got 18 points from guard Evan guard Terrence Ross and 10 each Turner in from forward James Johnson the second Avalanche claim shoot-out win and center Jonas Valanciunas. half of their Forward Amir Johnson had nine NBA game points and nine rebounds. NEW YORK: Centres Nate lone goal, and goaltender Cam Cavaliers 105, Grizzlies 91 at American MacKinnon, centre Matt NHL Results Talbot made 18 saves as the New Dion Waiters scored 21 points Airlines Duchene and right winger Colorado 2 Detroit 1 York Rangers defeated Carolina off the bench, guard Kyrie Irving Arena. Jarome Iginla scored in a Dallas 6 Edmonton 5 at Madison Square Garden. had 17 points while tying his nine-round shootout to give Boston 4 Buffalo 3 The Rangers (17-10-4) earned career high with 12 assists and the Colorado Avalanche a NY Rangers 1 Carolina 0 their sixth consecutive win. The the Cavaliers handed the short- 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Chicago 4 Toronto 0 Hurricanes (9-20-4) lost for the handed Grizzlies their worst loss Wingsyesterday at Joe Louis eighth time in nine games. Philadelphia 4 Winnipeg 3 of the season. Arena. Forward Patrick Kane scored a It was Detroit’s sixth consecu- goal and added two assists, while Forward LeBron James scored Boston at AmericanAirlines tive loss. Forwards Shawn Horcoff, fellow forward Patrick Sharp NBA Results 25 points and handed out 11 Arena. The skid at home was Defenceman Erik Johnson Erik Cole, Jamie Benn and Tyler added three assists and Chicago Toronto 118 NY Knicks 108 assists, guiding the Cavaliers the Heat’s longest since March scored for Colorado and goal- Seguin (twice) scored for Dallas shut out Toronto at the United Cleveland 105 Memphis 91 to an early 14-point lead while of 2008. Even with the win, the tender while Calvin Pickard made in regulation while Horcoff added Center. Sacramento 108 LA Lakers 101 center Marc Gasol compounded Heat are just 5-9 at home the cur- 34 saves in the first 65 minutes of the winner in the shootout. Backup goaltender Antti Brooklyn 110 Detroit 105 the Grizzlies’ problems by sitting rent season. the match. Edmonton left winger Taylor Raanta, spelling No. 1 goalie Nets 110, Pistons 105 Miami 100 Boston 84 much of the first quarter with foul In the worst loss of a season Hall and center Mark Arcobello Corey Crawford, stopped all 31 trouble. Centre Mason Plumlee col- that already features 27 losses scored two goals each and right of To. In other match, just when Philadelphia 96 Orlando 88 Heat 100, Celtics 84 lected 21 points and 12 rebounds in 34 games, Edmonton blew winger Ted Purcell once for their slide looked like it was going Phoenix 104 Washington 92 Forward Luol Deng had 23 and Brooklyn held on for a victory a three-goal lead on home ice Edmonton. to continue, Boston pulled out a Indiana 100 Minnesota 96 points as Miami snapped its five- over Detroit at Barclays Center, and lost to Dallas in a shootout Meawhile, defenceman Ryan dramatic win over the Buffalo New Orleans 101 Oklahoma City 99 game home losing streak, defeating in other match. AGENCIES encounter. McDonagh scored the game’s team. AGENCIES TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Australia to test India’s resolve Dhoni’s team looks to avoid 7th straight loss Down Under, hosts target another win

MELBOURNE: With all hope of a first series triumph in Factbox Australia gone after defeats in SERIES (All matches start at 0000 GMT) the first two Tests, India need First Test Adelaide: Australia won by 48 runs to draw on their reserves of Second Test Brisbane: Australia won by four pride and motivation to avoid wickets a seventh straight Test loss on Third Test Melbourne: December 26-30 Australian soil this week. Fourth Test Sydney: January 6-10 If the tourists can retain the AUSTRALIA fighting spirit that has made the Adelaide and Brisbane Tests World ranking: Second anything but one-sided contests, Captain: Steven Smith however, they could record a Coach: Darren Lehmann victory of some significance at Squad: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane the Melbourne Cricket Ground Watson, Smith, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, (MCG). Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Since they triumphed in Perth Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Ryan Harris, in January 2008, neither side has Peter Siddle. won a Test match in the other’s INDIA country with Australia suffering World ranking: Sixth 2-0, 2-0 and 4-0 defeats on the Captain: Mahendra Singh Dhoni sub-continent and India losing all four Tests on their 2011-12 tour. Coach: Duncan Fletcher There have been signs too that Squad: Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Australia, for all the confidence Murali Vijay, K L Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, that back-to-back Test victories Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, will bring to any side, have a fra- Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran gility to their batting order that Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, India’s pace attack can exploit. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Prolific opener David Warner Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron has a bruised thumb that could Previous Tests at the MCG hamper him if he is passed fit to Matches ...... 11 play, veterans Shane Watson and Australia wins ...... 8 Brad Haddin are in poor form, India wins ...... 2 while injured all-rounder Mitch Draw ...... 1 Marsh has been replaced by the 1948 Australia won by 233 runs uncapped Joe Burns. Quite how Australia will line up 1948 Australia won by an innings and 177 runs 1967-68 Australia won by an innings and four when the Test starts in front of Australia team’s players walk back towards the dressing room on the fourth day of the second Test against India at Gabba in Brisbane, in this December runs the traditional bumper crowd on 20, 2014 file photo. Friday is matter of some conjec- 1977-78 India won by 222 runs ture with coach Darren Lehmann 1981 India won by 59 runs suggesting Burns could slot in the Gabba Test. Fast bowler the two sides, though, with the Brisbane after injuring his arm can lead his team to victory, he 1985 Match drawn anywhere in the top six. Ryan Harris has recovered from fast bowlers working as unit and in the nets continues to unsettle could make a considerable addi- 1991 Australia won by eight wickets Against that instability, there a thigh strain and should return taking wickets, while the top six Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dressing tion to his legacy as skipper. His 1999 Australia won by 180 runs is the sparkling form of stand- in place of left-arm quick Mitch batsmen have all got into the runs room remains to be seen. predecessor Anil Kumble rated in skipper Steve Smith and the Starc alongside Johnson and Josh at some stage of the series. But if Dhoni, who has been the 72-run victory at the WACA 2003 Australia won by nine wickets mercurial menace of paceman Hazlewood, who took 5-68 in his Just how long the unrest caused criticised for appearing less than in 2008, when India were also 2-0 2007 Australia won by 337 runs Mitchell Johnson, whose perform- first innings in Test cricket. by opener Shikhar Dhawan’s deci- convinced of the importance of down in the series, the best of his 2011 Australia won by Australia won by 122 ances with bat and ball turned India look the more settled of sion not to bat on day four in the longest form of the game, 132-Test career. REUTERS runs. Bhuvneshwar handed Grade A Tendulkar picked as 2015 Cup Ambassador

DUBAI: The International “The excitement of the World contract, Yuvraj, Gambhir axed Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday Cup grows with every new edi- announced Sachin Tendulkar tion and this year’s host nations, NEW DELHI: Seamer (pictured) as the ICC Cricket Australia and New Zealand, are Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been Indian World Cup 2015 Ambassador. known for their sporting culture, handed a Grade A contract by cricketer It will be the second succes- great cricket facilities and knowl- the BCCI for the 2014-15 season, Bhuvneshwar sive time that the India maestro edgeable crowds. a promotion from the Grade B Kumar will be the Ambassador of ICC’s “The image of the champion contract he had last season. He celebrates pinnacle tournament, after he team lifting the World Cup joins MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, fulfilled the role in the previous inspires many youngsters around after Suresh Raina and R Ashwin in event, which was co-hosted by the world and gives them a dream dismissing the top level. Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka to chase – a dream which I ful- Mohammed Shami, Ambati Sri Lankan in 2011. filled after 22 years of relentless Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane have batsman In his role as ICC Cricket pursuit by being part of the victo- been promoted from Grade C to Mahela World Cup 2015 Ambassador, rious Indian team in 2011.” Grade B, while Gautam Gambhir, Jayawardene Tendulkar will promote and sup- ICC Chief Executive David Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik during the port a variety of ICC initiatives to Richardson said: “The ICC is and Jaydev Unadkat have been final match of enhance the profile of the tourna- delighted to once again have dropped from the contracts list. the Tri-Nation ment, which is the third biggest Sachin as an Ambassador for There are several players who series in Port sporting event in the world and its biggest and most prestigious did not have contracts last year of Spain, in will take place in Australia and tournament. Sachin is not only but have been included in Grade C this July 2013 New Zealand from February 14 an inspiration to cricketers but this time, including Varun Aaron, file photo. to March 29. to all sportspeople for his endur- Stuart Binny, Pankaj Singh, Kumar has Tendulkar ance, perseverance, Dhawal Kulkarni, Parvez Rasool, been awarded retired from inter- talent, personality Akshar Patel, Robin Uthappa, Grade A national cricket and commitment Manoj Tiwari, Karn Sharma, contract by last year after to the game.” Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav representing his The 11th edition the BCCI. and KL Rahul. country in 200 of the ICC Cricket Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Tests, 463 One- World Cup kicks M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Day Internationals off in Christchurch Yadav, Cheteshwar Pujara, and one Twenty20 on 14 February Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit BCCI Contracts International. when co-host New Sharma have been retained in Grade A: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In a career span- Zealand take on Grade B, while Amit Mishra, In: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. ning 24 years, the former champion Wriddhiman Saha, Vinay Kumar Out: Sachin Tendulkar. 41-year-old scored Sri Lanka. On and Mohit Sharma remain in Grade B: Pragyan Ojha, M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, a total of 34,357 the same day at Grade C. Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami international runs the picturesque The only players in India’s In: Mohammed Shami, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane. and 100 centuries. Melbourne Cricket 30-man probables list for the 2015 Tendulkar added Ground, four-time Out: Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh. World Cup who had not made it the missing World Cup title to world champion Australia will to the contracts list are bats- Grade C: Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Wriddhiman Saha, Stuart Binny, Pankaj Singh, Vinay Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Dhawal Kulkarni, Parvez Rasool, Akshar his long list of achievements in square-off against England, which men Manish Pandey and Kedhar Patel, Manoj Tiwary, Robin Uthappa, Karn Sharma, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul. his sixth attempt in 2011. He is reached the final the last time the Jadhav, and fast bowler Ashok In: Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Pankaj Singh, Dhawal Kulkarni, Parvez Rasool, Akshar Patel, Robin Uthappa, Manoj Tiwari, Karn Sharma, Sanju Samson, the all-time leading run-getter event was staged in Australia/ Dinda. Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul. in World Cup history with 2,278 New Zealand in 1992. Wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Out: Dinesh Karthik, Jaydev Unadkat. runs in 45 matches at an average A total of 49 matches will be Ojha, who was called up to the of 56.95. For his 673 runs in the played across 14 venues, seven India Test team as injury cover ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, he in New Zealand (Auckland, for Saha and Dhoni during the was awarded player of the tourna- Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, series in England earlier this ‘Malinga set to return from injury’ ment as India finished runner-up Napier, Nelson and Wellington) year and the ongoing series in to Australia. and seven in Australia (Adelaide, Australia, has not been given a COLOMBO: Sri Lanka pace delivered with a sling-shot action wickets in 177 ODIs, has been Commenting on his appoint- Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, contract. spearhead Lasith Malinga is at times makes him almost named in Sri Lanka’s provisional ment, Tendulkar said: “I am Melbourne, Perth and Sydney). The BCCI statement did not recovering well from his ankle unplayable, will be crucial for Sri 30-man squad for the World Cup. delighted and honoured to be The format of the tournament specify how much the players will surgery and should be back in Lanka’s chances in the 50-over Sri Lanka, who finished run- appointed ICC Cricket World Cup is the same as the ICC Cricket be paid under the fresh contracts. action during the later stages of World Cup in Australia and New ner-up to India at the 2011 World Ambassador for the second suc- World Cup 2011, i.e. two groups Last season, a Grade A contract the ODI series in New Zealand Zealand. Cup, will play seven one-dayers in cessive time. of seven sides each, quarter- came with an annual retainer of next month, according to coach “Malinga is still recovering New Zealand to warm up for the “After playing in the last six finals, semi-finals and final. All Rs 10m for Grade A players (US$ Marvan Atapattu. from surgery and everything is Feb. 14-March 29 tournament. editions, the upcoming World Cup the knock-out stage matches will 158,000 approx), Rs 5m for Grade The mercurial Malinga under- going well according to plan,” The Island nation will also play will be a different experience as I have reserve days. B players (US$ 79,000 approx), went surgery on his left ankle in former Sri Lanka batsman two warm-up matches, against will follow it from the sidelines. It Apart from the 10 Full and Rs 2.5m for Grade C play- September and missed the team’s Atapattu said. “He will return for South Africa and Zimbabwe, could probably be comparable to Members, four qualifiers – ers (US$ 39,000 approx). Gautam one-day series against India and the last two ODI games in New before their opening match of the the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh have England. Zealand.” tournament against co-hosts New where I was a ball boy, enthusias- and the UAE – will take part in been dropped. AGENCIES The 31-year-old, whose yorkers Malinga, who has taken 271 Zealand on Feb. 14. REUTERS tically cheering every ball. the tournament. AGENCIES TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

ATP Tour Singles Standings LONDON: Standings from Scandals leave cloud over the ATP Tour singles Points (previous ranking in brackets): 1 (1) Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 11360 2 (2) Roger Federer (Switzerland) 9775 3 (3) Rafa Nadal (Spain) 6835 memorable sports season 4 (4) Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 5370 5 (5) Kei Nishikori (Japan) 5025 Cricket world left heartbroken after the shock death of Phillip Hughes 6 (6) Andy Murray (Britain) 4675 SINGAPORE: A year which 7 (7) Tomas Berdych (Czech was supposed to showcase the Republic) 4600 virtues of modern sport was 8 (8) Milos Raonic (Canada) instead smeared by a series of 4440 scandals that exposed the ugly 9 (9) Marin Cilic (Croatia) 4150 underbelly of the games people 10 (10) David Ferrer (Spain) love. 4045 On the fields of play around the A giant screen 11 (11) Grigor Dimitrov world, the action in 2014 was at (Bulgaria) 3645 times breathtaking. shows an 12 (12) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga A German team, unshackled image of (France) 2740 from its pragmatic past and play- Australian ing with uninhibited flair, won a cricketer 13 (13) Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) World Cup in Brazil that exceeded Phillip 2455 everyone’s wildest expectations. Hughes 14 (14) Feliciano Lopez (Spain) Germany beat Argentina prior to 2130 1-0 in the final at the sprawl- Autumn 15 (15) Roberto Bautista (Spain) ing Maracana in Rio de Janeiro International 2110 thanks to a superb extra-time rugby union 16 (16) Kevin Anderson (South goal from baby-faced substitute Test match Africa) 2080 Mario Goetze to lift the trophy between 17 (17) Tommy Robredo (Spain) for the first time since 1990. England and 2015 The hosts buckled under the 18 (18) Gael Monfils (France) weight of expectation, finishing Australia 1900 fourth, but never had the samba in London nation shone so brightly on the in this 19 (19) John Isner (US) 1890 world stage. December 20 (20) Fabio Fognini (Italy) Magnanimous in defeat, Brazil 2014 file 1790 delivered a tournament that will photo. 21 (21) Gilles Simon (France) be remembered for its contagious 1730 carnival atmosphere, infecting 22 (22) David Goffin(Belgium) everyone from the golden sands of 1599 Copacabana Beach to the Amazon 23 (23) Alexandr Dolgopolov rainforest. (Ukraine) 1455 But the year did not end well 24 (24) Philipp Kohlschreiber for the beautiful game with FIFA, (Germany) 1415 soccer’s world governing body, 25 (25) Julien Benneteau fending of more accusations of for this year’s Winter Olympics the women’s figure skating ahead (France) 1365 bribery over its decision to award in Sochi, and prompting the of South Korea’s Kim Yuna, trig- the 2018 World Cup to Russia and International Olympic Committee gering complaints about the judg- 26 (26) Richard Gasquet 2022 to Qatar. to introduce a raft of reforms. ing in the most-watched event of (France) 1350 FIFA cleared both of any of Like Brazil’s World Cup, the Games. 27 (27) Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) wrongdoing but the former US Russia’s Olympics went better In short-track speed-skating, 1320 prosecutor who led the investi- than expected despite the inevi- Viktor Ahn won three gold med- 28 (28) Leonardo Mayer gation said it had misrepresented table collision between sport and als for his adopted Russia -- heap- (Argentina) 1299 his findings and he later quit. politics. The buildup was over- ing yet more agony on his native 29 (29) Jeremy Chardy (France) The timing of the 2022 World shadowed by threats of Islamist South Koreans. 1240 Cup is also causing problems with militant violence, an international Ahn won three golds for South 30 (30) Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) doctors warning the tournament outcry over a contentious “anti- Korea in 2006 but swapped 1222 will have to be moved from its gay propaganda” law and allega- nations after he was not selected usual summer slot to avoid the tions of corruption. for the 2010 Vancouver Games. WTA Tour singles stifling heat in Qatar. Western critics labelled the Forty-year-old Ole Einar But any change could impact on Games a wasteful extravagance to Bjoerndalen beat the odds to set a standings the European leagues and poten- show off modern Russia’s might. record of 13 Winter Games med- LONDON: Standings from tially clash with the 2022 Winter President Vladimir Putin said als by winning the biathlon sprint the WTA Tour singles Points Olympics, in either Beijing or the complaints were fuelled by and the mixed relay while Dutch (previous ranking in brackets): Almaty, the only two cities in the jealousy and reminiscent of the speed skater Irene Wust won five 1 (1) Serena Williams (US) 8485 bidding race. Cold War rhetoric that dominated medals, matching the record at a 2 (2) Maria Sharapova (Russia) The rest all dropped out, citing Olympics in the 70s and 80s. single Winter Olympics. 7050 the astronomical $51bn price tag Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova won Russia finished top of the 3 (3) Simona Halep (Romania) 6292 4 (4) Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 5966 Mercedes AMG F1’s 5 (5) Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4820 New York British driver Lewis 6 (6) Agnieszka Radwanska Yankees’ (Poland) 4810 Alex Hamilton lifts the FIA Formula One World 7 (7) Eugenie Bouchard Rodriguez (Canada) 4715 Drivers’ Championship speaks 8 (8) Caroline Wozniacki during trophy during the (Denmark) 4625 a news FIA 2014 prize- 9 (9) Angelique Kerber conference giving ceremony at (Germany) 3480 before the the Katara Cultural 10 (10) Dominika Cibulkova game against Village in Doha in this (Slovakia) 3052 the Chicago December 4, 2014, file 11 (11) Ekaterina Makarova White Sox at (Russia) 2970 US Cellular photo. 12 (12) Flavia Pennetta(Italy) Field in 2861 Chicago, in 13 (13) Andrea Petkovic this August medals table with 13 golds but the crisis when Baltimore Ravens (Germany) 2780 2013 file country’s recent surge in sport running back Ray Rice was 14 (14) Sara Errani (Italy) 2775 photo. was questioned later in the year caught on film punching his wife 15 (15) Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) with allegations of systemic dop- and Minnesota Vikings running 2675 ing by Russian athletes. back Adrian Peterson used a tree Racism, doping and domestic branch to discipline his son. 16 (16) Lucie Safarova (Czech violence dominated the American The genteel sport of cricket Republic) 2615 sporting landscape in 2014. was left heartbroken after the 17 (17) Carla Suarez Navarro Donald Sterling, the billionaire shock death of Australian bats- (Spain) 2415 Following owner of the Los Angeles Clippers man Phillip Hughes -- who was 18 (18) Venus Williams (US) the National basketball team, was banned for killed when he was hit in the head 2270 Basketball life and eventually agreed to by a ball. 19 (19) Alize Cornet (France) Association’s sell the franchise after a racist His death triggered a glo- 2255 (NBA) rant that overshadowed the San bal outpouring of grief not seen 20 (20) Garbine Muguruza announcement Antonio Spurs’ victory over the since Formula One driver Ayrton Blanco (Spain) 2043 Miami Heat in the championship Senna was killed in a high-speed of a lifetime 21 (21) Peng Shuai(China) 2005 ban for Los final. crash 20 years ago. 22 (22) Samantha Stosur Angeles Alex Rodriguez, baseball’s high- Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, (Australia) 1950 Clippers’ est-paid player, missed the entire who grew up idolising Senna, 23 (23) Karolina Pliskova (Czech owner Donald MLB season after ending a legal won his second F1 driver’s title Republic) 1830 Sterling, challenge to his record suspension while Northern Irish golfer Rory Clippers’ fans for allegedly using performance- McIlroy won the British Open 24 (24) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) 1820 protest inside enhancing drugs. and PGA championships titles. The San Francisco Giants won Serena Williams showed why the Staples 25 (25) Barbora Zahlavova the World Series for the third she remains the queen of wom- Strycova (Czech Republic) 1750 Center before time in five seasons, with ace en’s tennis, winning her sixth US the Clippers’ 26 (26) Sabine Lisicki (Germany) pitcher Madison Bumgarner play- Open and finishing the year as 1735 Game 5 against ing the starring role. the world’s oldest number one, the Golden 27 (27) Svetlana Kuznetsova The NFL, America’s richest aged 33. (Russia) 1730 State Warriors and most watched sport, played The men’s game saw some 28 (28) Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) in Los Angeles its first Super Bowl in the New new names in the Grand Slam 1655 in this file York area -- with the Seattle winners’ enclosure with Stan photo. Seahawks beating the Denver Wawrinka winning in Australia 29 (29) Casey Dellacqua Bronocs. and Marin Cilic taking the US (Australia) 1596 But the sport was plunged into Open. REUTERS 30 (30) Madison Keys (US) 1520 TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT South Korea squad for Griezmann leads Atletico Asian Cup announced

SEOUL: South Korea yesterday Leverkusen winger Son Heung- named its final 23-man squad Min, who has netted 11 goals in for next month’s Asian Cup in club competitions this season. to stunning away victory Australia, selecting a side that Defender Cha Du-Ri, who plans leans heavily on players from to retire from international play overseas leagues. after the Asian Cup, is the oldest Some 17 members of the member of the team at 34. French player scores hat-trick in 4-1 win over Bilbao national side play abroad, includ- Park Chu-Young, who has gone ing six based in Europe, while just six matches without a goal for his MADRID: France interna- one – Lee Jeong-Hyeop – has no Saudi Arabian club Al Shabab, tional Antoine Griezmann international experience. was left off the side. South Korea scored a hat-trick as Atletico Lee, a little-known forward is grouped with Australia, Oman Madrid produced a stunning for South Korea’s military club and Kuwait in the Asian Cup, second-half display to ham- Sangju Sangmu, was selected as and will take on Saudi Arabia on mer Athletic Bilbao 4-1 away on one of the three forwards, after January 4 in Sydney for a final Sunday and move to within four domestic league strikers Lee tune-up match. AFP points of La Liga leaders Real Dong-Gook and Kim Shin-Wook Madrid. were ruled out due to injuries. The Spanish champions looked Atletico Madrid’s Coach Uli Stielike said Lee Squad on course for back-to-back league French midfielder would act as the “target man” Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-Gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), defeats for the first time since Antoine on the front line despite his lack Kim Jin-Hyeon (Cerezo Osaka), Jung Sung- April 2012 when Mikel Rico gave Griezmann of experience. “My philosophy Ryong (Suwon Samsung) Athletic a deserved half-time lead. celebrates after in selecting players is that their Defenders: Jang Hyeon-Soo (Guangzhou R&F), But Griezmann levelled straight scoring a goal health comes before everything,” Kim Chang-Soo (Kashiwa Reysol), Kim Young- Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Kwak Tae-Hwi from the kick-off at the start of against Athletic said German coach, who took the second period and completed charge of team in October. (Al-Hilal FC), Kim Jin-Su (TSG Hoffenheim), Cha Bilbao during Du-Ri (FC Seoul), Park Joo-Ho (FSV Mainz 05), his hat-trick after Raul Garcia the Spanish Liga Stielike said he picked “ver- had put the visitors ahead from satile” players who could play Kim Ju-Young (FC Seoul) Primera Division the penalty spot. multiple positions, adding that Midfielders: Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea City), match played Victory moves Atletico back to some defenders like Park Joo-Ho Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers), Son within three points of Barcelona, at San Mames of Mainz 05 and Jang Hyeon-Soo Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen), Han Kook- who were 5-0 winners over Stadium in Bilbao of Guangzhou R&F will play as Young (Qatar SC), Nam Tae-Hee (Lekhwiya SC), Cordoba on Saturday, in second. on Sunday. “defensive midfielders”. Koo Ja-Cheol (Mainz 05), Kim Min-Woo (Sagan However, Real have a game in Six of the squad’s players Tosu), Han Kyo-Won (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors), hand on their two main title rivals are based in Europe, includ- Lee Myung-Joo (Al Ain) as they won their fourth trophy ing Swansea City midfielder Ki Forwards: Cho Young-Cheol (Qatar SC), of the year in the Club World Cup Sung-Yueng, Bolton Wanderers’ Lee Keun-Ho (El Jaish SC), Lee Jeong-Hyeop final against Argentine side San Lee Chung-Yong, and Bayer (Sangju Sangmu). Lorenzo in Morocco on Saturday. “This was my best match since I’ve been here. I need to keep on this path and keep working,” Griezmann said. At the new San Mames both sides were missing a number of key players with Aymeric Laporte and Ander Iturraspe banned for Atletico the hosts, while Atletico were Madrid’s without the suspended duo of Portuguese Koke and Mario Mandzukic, as midfielder well as Miranda through injury. Tiago It was the Basque outfit who Cardoso settled much quicker, and went (centre) ahead after 17 minutes when fights for Markel Susaeta’s free-kick was the ball expertly nodded into the far cor- with Unai ner by the unmarked Rico. Lopez (left) Atletico failed to create any- of Athletic thing of note in the opening 45 minutes, and could have been Bilbao even further behind at the break during the had Aritz Aduriz decided to shoot match. when he was released clear on goal by Susaeta rather than try- Liverpool players celebrate the opening goal scored by Brazilian midfielder ing to turn inside before being Philippe Coutinho during their EPL match between against Arsenal at crowded out. Anfield in Liverpool, Northwest England, on Sunday. However, the champions Once the protests from the points five minutes later when home to Depor as they recorded a emerged a different side after home fans and players had finally Griezmann pounced on a slip by seventh straight win in all com- an inspired half-time pep talk subsided, Garcia kept his cool to Carlos Gurpegi to calmly stroke petitions 3-0 thanks to Jonathan from Diego Simeone and equal- send Gorka Iraizoz the wrong way the ball past Iraizoz. dos Santos’s first goal for the club Liverpool on track for ised straight from the kick-off from the spot. The Frenchman sealed his first and two second-half strikes by the as former Real Sociedad winger If Ernesto Valverde’s men felt Atletico hat-trick nine minutes in-form Luciano Vietto. Griezmann came back to haunt hard done by at the penalty deci- from the end thanks to more gen- Malaga, meanwhile, had to his old Basque rivals once more sion, they were handed a reprieve erous officiating as he tapped into come from behind to record a top four, says Rodgers with a precise header from 22 minutes from time when Iker an empty net despite clearly being third consecutive league win after Juanfran’s cross. Muniain was extremely fortunate in an offside position after the ball falling behind to David Lomban’s LIVERPOOL: Liverpool season we went on a run of 11 Seven minutes later Atletico to escape with just a yellow card ricocheted off Garcia. header on the verge of half-time. manager Brendan Rodgers games and if we can put a run completed the comeback in con- after a reckless studs high chal- Elsewhere, Villarreal and However, second-half goals (pictured) felt his players dem- of games together, that can very troversial circumstances as the lenge into the knee of defender Malaga remained in the hunt for from Ignacio Camacho and on- onstrated the character neces- quickly move you up. referee pointed to the spot when Jose Gimenez. the top four with victories over loan Liverpool midfielder Luis sary to revitalise their challenge “The most important thing is Tiago hit the floor under mini- That decision wasn’t to Deportivo la Coruna and Elche Alberto mean they join Villarreal for a top-four Premier League the confidence and the ability mal contact between he and Mikel prove too contentious, though, respectively. It was a more com- and Sevilla on 30 points, just one finish in their last-gasp 2-2 in the team. You bring (injured San Jose inside the area. as Atletico wrapped up the fortable afternoon for Villarreal at off Valencia in fourth. AFP draw with Arsenal. striker Daniel) Sturridge back After Philippe Coutinho’s in January, then you get back to opener was swiftly cancelled out being that team we have been in by Mathieu Debuchy in first- the last few years. Serie A: Lazio secure third place half stoppage time at Anfield on “There’s a bit of work to do, but Sunday, Olivier Giroud struck in at least we’re moving in the right the 64th minute to set Arsenal up direction again, which is what we MILAN: A first-half brace player had a hand in Inter’s 80th for an opportunistic victory. want.” from Felipe Anderson was minute leveller. But having earlier required Rodgers was pleased with the enough to secure third place for Bonazzoli’s free kick found the treatment for a head wound “intensity” and “arrogance with Lazio in Serie A prior to the fes- head of Danilo D’Ambrosio in inflicted by Giroud that left him the ball” Liverpool showed, but tive break on Sunday in a hard- the box and after the ball rolled with a bandaged he was less compli- fought 2-2 draw away to Inter. into the path of Rodrigo Palacio head and led to nine mentary about his Inter only claimed their maiden the Argentinian blasted past minutes of injury side’s defending. win under Roberto Mancini, their Marchetti from close range. time, Martin Skrtel Citing the build- first in six games, last week but The draw left Inter in 11th claimed an equaliser up to Debuchy’s had the worst possible start at place at 18 points adrift of lead- with an emphatic goal, when the the San Siro where Anderson hit ers and champions Juventus, four 97th-minute header hosts were beaten the first of his goals after just two behind Milan and six behind Lazio in front of the Kop. in the air three minutes. in third and final Champions The point was times after Alexis Anderson, who broke his Serie League qualifying spot. the least Liverpool Sanchez curled a A duck last week, beat Samir But Mancini warned he will deserved after free-kick into the Handanovic with a fine angled expect improvements when Inter restricting Arsenal box, he said: “A lot strike after collecting Stefan resume after the festive break. to a 36 percent of the goals we give Radu’s assist in the box. The draw was one of six in the share of possession -- their worst away are poor goals. The Brazilian almost had his final weekend of the year, which performance in that domain since “I didn’t think it should have brace moments later when he left Juventus top of the pile with passing statistics began to be been a free-kick. I think Sanchez sprung the offside trap to fire a three-point lead on Roma, who compiled in 2003. has dived once he realised he over but made amends minutes lead Lazio by nine points. And although Liverpool trail wasn’t getting the ball, and the before half-time after collecting Earlier, Italy striker Manolo leaders Chelsea by 17 points referee fell for it. on the halfway line and carrying Gabbiadini confirmed he could Lazio’s midfilelder Felipe Anderson (right) is cheered by team-mate and lie nine points adrift of “But when it comes in, we lose the ball all the way before beating quit Sampdoria in the January Miroslav Klose after scoring the 2-0 lead during the Serie A match against the Champions League places, three one-v-one headers in the Handanovic at the keeper’s near transfer window after heading a Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy on Sunday. Rodgers is convinced that last box.” post. late equaliser to secure a share season’s runners-up are on the He also paid tribute to Inter emerged doubly deter- of the spoils in a 2-2 home draw right track. Slovakian centre-back Skrtel, mined after the break and after with Udinese. Verona 1-0 in the city derby to a late leveller as Atalanta fought Asked if Liverpool could sustain who stayed on to score the win- Mateo Kovacic and Mauro Icardi Sampdoria are 12 points behind give them some breathing space back to claim a point from a 3-3 a challenge for a top-four finish, ner despite having been left with tested Federico Marchetti in the Juventus, who will face Napoli in in the battle for relegation. draw with visitors Palermo. he told reporters: “Yes, absolutely. an ugly gash on the back of his Lazio goal it was the former who the Italian Super Cup final in Torino had defender Kamil Glik Fiorentina were sent on their “It was always going to be a big head after Giroud unintentionally reduced arrears in spectacular Doha with a chance for a double to thank for a brace of goals in a way towards a seventh win of challenge. Of course we’ve got to caught him with his studs. fashion. Christmas celebration after Roma precious 2-1 home win over Genoa the campaign after Juan Manuel make up points over the next part “He’s a real warrior, Martin,” Mancini replaced Colombian were held to a scoreless draw at which secured just their fourth Vargas struck on the stroke of of the season, but we have shown the coach said, whose side reg- Fredy Guarin with Federico home to Milan on Saturday. win of the campaign. half-time, only for Lorenzo Tonelli this is a group that can go on a istered 27 attempts on goal. “He Bonazzoli and two minutes later Alberto Paloschi struck late to Argentinian striker German to level just before hour to secure run of games (wins). showed great character and the highly-rated Inter youth secure the points as Chievo beat Denis, struck a brace including a point for visiting Empoli. AFP “In the second half of last determination to stay on.” AFP TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Italian Super Cup Final

Juventus’ Argentinian Forward Carlos Tevez (right) celebrates with team-mate Arturo Vidal after scoring a goal against Napoli during the Italian Super Cup final at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday. LEFT: Napoli’s Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain celebrates after scoring a goal against Juventus yesterday. BOTTOM LEFT: Italian dancers perform at the fan zone set up at Al Sadd Stadium. BOTTOM RIGHT: Football fans cheer for their team.

Ibrahim returns for national duty Key striker declared fit before Asian Cup

DOHA: Inspirational striker Khalfan Ibrahim has been No retirement named in the Qatari squad for next month’s Asian Cup, accord- in sight for ing to a list published by coach Djamel Belmadi yesterday. Ibrahim, who plays for QSL Socceroo Cahill club Al Sadd, missed Qatar’s successful Gulf Cup campaign in SYDNEY: Australia’s all-time Saudi Arabia last month owing to leading goal-scorer Tim Cahill is an injury. He will make his come- feeling as fit as ever and thinks back in a friendly against Estonia he could continue playing for here on Saturday. another four seasons into his The Maroons are scheduled to 40th year. leave for Canberra — which will With his weight and body fat be their base during the Asian ratio unchanged since he was 17, Cup — on Sunday. Cahill said he would be looking for But the 23-man squad did not a two or three year contract when include Qatar’s other ace forward his deal with MLS club New York Sebastian Soria, who also missed Red Bulls expires next year. last month’s Gulf Cup. The 35-year-old forward, in Ibrahim will be partnered by Australia to prepare for next striker Hassan Khalid Al Haydos month’s Asian Cup, said he could at the Asian Cup, which will fea- yet return to the English Premier ture a total of 16 teams. League, where he spent nine years Goalkeeper of the Tournament with Everton before making the at last month’s Gulf Cup, Qassim switch stateside. Burhan, has also been named in “The future’s bright,” Cahill Belmadi’s squad. said. “I’ve got another year left The Maroons are high on on my New York Red Bulls con- confidence going into the Asian tract. The main feeling for me is Cup. Not only did they win last every time I’m at a club, I like to month’s Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia, be there for a long time. Qatar have also beaten DPR “To be totally honest, I could Korea, Lebanon, Uzbekistan and have gone back to the Premier Australia in friendly matches League on loan after the World recently. Cup and I decided to stay with The 2015 AFC Asian Cup Khalfan Ibrahim Red Bulls for the remainder of will be the 16th edition of the the season and still (have) options tournament. to go back to the Premier League It is scheduled to be held in if it’s the right one for me. Australia from January 9 to 31 Qatar Squad “So when you put everything next year. Khalfan Ibrahim, Saad Abdullah Al Sheeb, into one, the decision I make Qatar will face Iran, the UAE Hassan Khalid Al Haydos, Ali Asadullah, will be a methodical one, like and Bahrain in Group C of the Almahdi Ali Mukhtar, Abddulkareem Hassan, I’ve always made it. It will take tournament. Ibrahim Magid, Mohammed Musa Ali, Kareem a month or so but I think peo- The winners of the Asian Cup Buzayef, Khalid Muftah, Ismail Mohammed, ple will be quietly impressed with will earn the right to participate Mohammed Abdullah, Mohammed Montari, what I’m trying to do.” in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Magid Mohammed, Abdulrehman Abkar, Playing for his country, for Cup, which is to be hosted by Khalid Abdul Rauf, Ahmad Sufyan, Abdulaziz whom he has scored at the last Russia. Hatem, Bualem Koukhi, Qassim Burhan, Bilal three World Cup and 36 goals in The last edition of the Asian Mohammed Rajab, Meshaal Abdullah and total, remains a key factor in his Cup was held in Doha in 2011. Ahmed Abdul Maqsood. considerations over where to play. THE PENINSULA Coach: Djamel Belmadi REUTERS Tuesday 23 December 2014 1 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6288 Sport Price: QR2

Sachin named Scandals mar World Cup memorable ambassador sports season

Sport | 24 Sport | 25

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Goodwood in Napoli clinch Italian Super Cup lucrative 10-year deal with Qatar Goalkeeper Cabral dazzles in Doha as Juventus lose thrilling contest LONDON: Goodwood race- course has announced a 10-year partnership with Qatar that the BY ARMSTRONG VAS saved the tries of Jorginho and Juve nearly doubled their lead but racecourse describes as “the sin- Dries Mertens but his efforts Tevez’s volley was punched away gle biggest sponsorship deal ever DOHA: Goalkeeper Rafael were overshadowed by Cabral. by Cabral. done for the benefit of British Cabral came up with two superb Earlier a couple of goals from Thereafter, both teams came horse racing”. saves in the penalty shootout Tevez (fourth and 106th minute) close to finding the back of the More than £2m will be invested to help Napoli defeat Juventus for Juventus and Higuain (67th net a few times but there were in eight key races at the south 6-5 and lift the Italian Super and 118th) for Napoli gave the no goals. of England track while the July Cup at Al Sadd Stadium here capacity crowd a lot to cheer In the second-half, Napoli were 28-August 1 Glorious Goodwood yesterday. about. keen on wiping off the deficit meeting is to become the Qatar In a thrilling encounter, which Juventus took the early lead and Rafael Benitez’s boys finally Goodwood Festival, with prize went down to the wire, there when Tevez capitalised on a ripped open the Juve defense in money of £4.5m. were flashes of brilliance from defensive lapse to drive in an the 67th minute with Jonathan Other races to benefit from ace strikers Carlos Tevez and adroit ground shot past Cabral. De Guzman setting up Higuian the deal include the Qatar Sussex Gonazalo Higuian, who scored two Buoyed an early goal, the Serie with the perfect cross, which he Stakes, with a prize fund of £1m goals each, but in the end it was A leaders enjoyed more ball pos- headed home. pounds, and the £600,000 Qatar Cabral’s performance which made session in the first quarter with With the teams tied one-all, at Nassau Stakes. the difference. midfielder Andrea Pirlo acting as the end of 90 minutes of play, the “Goodwood has, for more than At the end of full-time, the the fulcrum of the attacks. match went into extra-time. 200 years, been about the best two teams were locked one-all Cheered on by the pro-Juven- Juve took the lead in the racing in the most English of and the 30 minutes of extra time tus crowd, Pirlo controlled the 106th minute with Tevez again settings, accessible to everyone,” also failed to break the deadlock pace of the game with skill and finding the net with an angu- racecourse owner Lord March with the teams sharing two goals precise passes. lar drive after Paulo Pogba set told www.goodwood.com yesterday. apiece. Napoli, on the other hand, him up, sending Juve fans into a “Our partnership with In the penalty shootout, Cabral relied on hitman Higuain to cre- frenzy. Qatar will make an enormous kept out the shots of Giorgio ate ripples in the Juve defense. But Napoli fans had the last contribution to horse racing in Chiellini and Roberto Pereyra The Italian striker was a constant laugh with an equaliser two min- the UK.” to hand Napoli their first silver- threat with his quick body-feints utes from end. Hamad Al Attiyah, President of ware of the season, while Simone to the Juve defense. Higuian broke through and the Qatar Equestrian Federation, Padoin shot wide for Juventus and Napoli counter-attacked after shot home in the 118th minute to SSC Napoli players and officials celebrate after defeating Juventus FC said: “The sponsorship demon- star striker Tevez effort found the the early setback and a few set up what turned out to be a in the Italian Super Cup final at the Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday. strates Qatar’s further commit- goalpost. chances, but without success. thrilling penalty shoot-out. PICTURE: KAMMUTTY VP ment to British racing.” For Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon After a relative lull in action, THE PENINSULA REUTERS