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Monday 6 January 2014 5 Rabial I 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5936 Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 New exam Emergency landing system for pharmacists First phase of programme begins

DOHA: A new examination performance of pharmacists in a system is being introduced real or simulated clinical setting. in Qatar for pharmacists and “The examinees will be required other healthcare practitioners to deal with different situations. in a clinical setting to assess For instance, a patient may have a how they would perform in a complicated prescription or medi- real-life situation. cal condition that will require The Objective Structured great skills and knowledge while Clinical Examination (OBSE) dispensing the medicines. To con- would be made mandatory for all duct the examination, we should licensed pharmacists in Qatar, the first develop the models and find SCH said yesterday. people who are ready to act as This is part of a plan to upgrade patients,” said Al Khanji. the skills of pharmacists, who will The QCPH is organising a play a bigger role with imple- three-day workshop from today at mentation of the national health the Ritz-Carlton, in collaboration insurance scheme. with the College of Pharmacy and “Currently the role of phar- the University of Toronto. A Saudi Arabian Airlines plane after an emergency landing at Madinah airport yesterday. Twenty-nine people were injured when the Boeing 767-300ER macists is limited to dispensing The workshop will have 50 made an emergency landing at Madinah airport in the west of the country early yesterday. medicines. In future, they will participants including pharma- be getting a bigger role includ- cists, students and professors of ing the right to prescribe some the Pharmacy College and rep- medicines in certain situations. resentatives of SCH and QCHP. The new examination system is to There is a plan to include assess if they are equipped with OBSE in the final examination Kerry says peace talks progressing the required skills,” Dr Jamal of the College, the SCH said in Rashid Al Khanji, acting CEO of a separate statement yesterday. JERUSALEM: US Secretary “We have had very positive — but “But I cannot tell you when, Kerry has been trying to the Qatar Council for Healthcare “The workshop will focus on of State John Kerry said yester- I have to say very serious, very particularly, the last pieces may establish what US officials call a Practitioners (QCHP) told this developing samples to assess the day the Israelis and Palestinians intensive — conversations.” decide to fall into place or may “framework” for guidelines for an daily yesterday. practical ability of the pharmacy were making some progress in Kerry said all of the major issues fall on the floor and leave the eventual peace accord. QCHP is the body responsible graduates and pharmacy practi- peace talks, though there was in the conflict — borders, security, puzzle unfinished,” added Kerry, He has previously asked Israel for licensing healthcare prac- tioners and make a comprehensive still a chance no accord would the fate of Palestinian refugees due to return to Jerusalem later to reconsider a 2002 Arab peace titioners. The official said that assessment if they are equipped be reached. and the status of Jerusalem — yesterday. plan, which it has rejected in the OBSE would be made compulsory to work as licensed pharmacists Speaking before he flew to were under discussion. Kerry appeared boosted by past. The initiative, originally pro- for pharmacists as an additional according to the rules and stand- Jordan and Saudi Arabia to brief “The path is becoming clearer. his meeting with Custodian of posed by King Abdullah, offers requirement to the written (the- ards,” said the statement. their rulers about his 10th visit The puzzle is becoming more the Two Holy Mosques King Israel full recognition in return ory) examinations. “Anyone working as a licensed to the region to see Israeli Prime defined. And it is becoming much Abdulah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi for giving up land it captured “We are in the process of devel- pharamacist will be required to Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more apparent to everybody what Arabia at his winter residence in 1967 and a “just” solution for oping the models for implement- pass this examination,” it added. and Palestinian President the remaining tough choices are,” near Riyadh. Palestinian refugees. ing the examination in Qatar. The The workshop is the first phase Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry said both he said. “Today, His Majesty was not Kerry earlier spent an hour pilot phase will involve pharma- of an implementation plan that sides had a sharper idea of the He added he would not be flying just encouraging but supported with Jordan’s King Abdullah in cists but later it will be extended will include a training programme compromises needed to secure an to meet the kings of Jordan and our efforts in (the) hopes that Amman discussing the peace to other relevant segments as for the examiners and preparation agreement. Saudi Arabia if he did not believe we can be successful in the days talks, Syria’s civil war and vio- well,” added Al Khanji. of volunteers who will be acting as “This has been a productive cou- both sides were grappling with ahead,” Kerry told reporters after lence in Iraq. OBSE tests the skills and patients. THE PENINSULA ple of days,” Kerry told reporters. the issues. meeting. REUTERS

Slipping on ice Pope Francis to Dividend news cheers Qataris visit Palestine, DOHA: State-backed Mesaieed Petrochemical (who would become its shareholders after listing) Holding Company’s decision to pay four months’ since the time the company was set up (in September Israel in May extra cash dividend to successful subscribers to 2013). its IPO just two to three months after share allot- “Legally, the shareholders should not be entitled VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis ment is aimed at encouraging people to retain the to cash dividend for any period in 2013 since the IPO is to visit biblical sites in Jordan, allotted scrip over the long-term, banking industry opened only on December 31, but it is the Emir’s Israel and the Palestinian sources say. directive to do so,” the Minister said. Territories in May, his first trip The government’s dividend payout announcement He hinted that the Initial Public Offering was to the Christian Holy Land as was quite timely and is likely to ensure that many priced so low since it was only meant for the com- pontiff and only the fourth by a Qataris apply for the primary issue and offloading mon Qatari; it would cost the MPHC a whopping pope since biblical times. of shares is minimal on listing, a banking industry QR4bn as its capital stands reduced from QR16bn The May 24-26 trip to Amman, insider said. to QR12bn. Jerusalem and Bethlehem will “The shareholders would now wait for the cash He also said parents and legal guardians of Qataris, mark the 50th anniversary of a dividend to come by so we expect that many wouldn’t who are below 18 years, would not be allowed to sell historic trip to the region by Pope exit after the company’s shares are listed on Qatar the shares allotted to the minors before they attain Paul VI. Pope John Paul II visited Exchange,” a source said. majority. in 2000 and Benedict XVI went Qataris yesterday welcomed the state’s announce- The aim of the IPO is to help promote the cul- in 2009. ment to pay cash dividend to the successful subscrib- ture of savings in the Qatari community by letting Apart from its significance ers to the issue for the last four months of 2013 the successful subscribers experience the benefit of for Roman Catholic relations sometime in March/April this year. long-term capital gains and regular dividend income, with Jews and Muslims, Francis’ Finance Minister H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi said said the minister. trip will hold major importance at a news conference on Saturday that Mesaieed Some 35,000 Qataris are believed to have applied for relations among Christians Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC) will be for the IPO so far. because it will include a meeting paying out dividend to the successful subscribers THE PENINSULA in Jerusalem with the spiritual head of the world’s Orthodox Christians, as well as Anglican and Protestant leaders. Francis, who has made many appeals for peace in the Middle More car parking lots coming up in Doha East since his election in March, announced the trip to thousands DOHA: The government seems earmarked in the towers area of among other towns. Some of of people gathered in St Peter’s all set to help end car parking the West Bay to construct multi- these may be pay-and-park facili- Square for his Sunday address. He woes in Doha and other places storey parking lots with basement ties. Meanwhile, Grand Hamad had been invited to visit by both A man falls while slipping on ice during freezing rain on Roosevelt Island, in the country and, it is believed, parking facilities. Avenue is being developed and Palestinian President Mahmoud a borough of Manhattan, New York, yesterday. New York City was in the is ready to launch a number of Likewise, huge parking spaces more parking lots may be built Abbas and Israeli President grip of sub-freezing weather yesterday morning. car parking projects. are to be built in Al Rayyan, Umm by the roads. Shimon Peres. REUTERS Areas have already been Salal, Al Wakra and Al Dayeen, THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Knowledge of family history Scattered rains, cloudy weather likely today key to avoiding eye problems DOHA: The Weather Bureau expected to be 16 degrees and has forecast partly cloudy to for Al Wakrah and Mesaieed 15 cloudy weather today and said degrees. there were chances of scat- Abu Samra would likely be HMC marks World Braille Day, expert urges people to be proactive tered rains. the coldest place today with People can expect strong the mercury level dropping to DOHA: In recognition of visual deterioration is to be occurs, which leads to poor or appropriate treatment is also winds with thunder with wind 13 degrees at night. Day tem- World Braille Day, Hamad proactive, she added decreasing vision). available at the Genetic Clinic, speed reaching up to 15 to 25 perature would be around 19 Medical Corporation (HMC) “People should not underesti- Dr Al Mahdi said, “Most dis- which can be accessed through knots, said the forecast. degrees in this place. In Al Khor, has reminded residents to mate any eye symptoms, whether eases are avoidable as causes of referral from an ophthalmologist. The wind direction is expected the mercury is expected to vary learn more about their fam- it is loss of vision, blurring of blindness if detected and treated Ophthalmological services to change to northwesterly at between 19 degrees (daytime) ily history and undergo an eye vision, or minor or major pain in in a timely manner.” are available at outpatient clin- night (from northeasterly in and 13 degrees (at night). examination as soon as any the eye,” Dr Al Mahdi advised. In recent years, HMC has ics at Hamad General Hospital the day and southeasterly by The bureau said visibility problem occurs to avoid vision “Coming to the ophthalmolo- increased services for eye care in between 7.30am and 11.30am evening). could drop to 3km or less if rains impairment. gist at the right time can save the country with specialised clin- and from 11.30am to 3pm while The northwesterly wind, as it lash the country with thunder. “If there is any disease related people from visual loss; if they ics in Hamad General Hospital. emergency services are available blows from the colder regions of Without rains, visibility to the eye in the family, such as delay then sometimes surgical These include the Glaucoma round-the-clock. Europe, will bring in some chill. could remain at four to seven glaucoma (a condition in which interventions may not guarantee Clinic that has increased surgi- World Braille Day is an annual Day temperatures are likely kilometres. the optic nerve is damaged and that they will have good vision or cal procedures, the Retina Clinic celebration held on January 4 to remain at between 19 and 21 The forecast warned seafar- a pressure builds inside the eye), normal vision later on.” and the Cornea Clinic. to mark the birthday of Louis degrees Celsius, while at night ers, saying they could expect patients should consult an oph- Some common eye diseases Other sub-speciality clinics Braille, inventor of Braille. the mercury could drop to partly cloudy to cloudy weather, thalmologist even if they do not that may lead to high visual focusing on eye services using Braille is a system of touch between 13 and 16 degrees. strong winds, and scattered have any symptoms,” HMC’s sen- impairment or even blindness high techniques include the Optic reading and writing that allows In Doha, Al Wakrah and rains accompanied with thunder ior consultant in ophthalmology, include glaucoma, diabetic retin- Clinic for patients who need vis- visually impaired and blind peo- Mesaieed, the maximum tem- at times, as a result of which the Dr Huda Al Mahdi said. opathy (a condition that occurs ual assistance with glasses and ple to read and write. perature forecast is 21 degrees, sea could be rough. “Sometimes eye diseases start due to diabetes in which blood the Low Vision Clinic to assist It also provides organisations while the minimum for Doha is THE PENINSULA and the person doesn’t have any vessels in the eye are damaged), patients to use visual aids such as and individuals with an oppor- visual problems, so it is better to and age-related macular degen- magnifiers and telescopes. tunity to highlight problems of be cautious early on.” eration (a condition in which Genetic counselling includes the visually impaired and efforts The first important step any damage to a small spot near the analysis of patient’s family his- being made to help them. Ooredoo extends Shahry individual should take to prevent centre of retina called macula tory and recommendation for THE PENINSULA Packs free promotion DOHA: Ooredoo has extended pack over the Shahry 150 offers its One Month Free Promotion unlimited free landline calls and for Shahry Packs, which offers every pack over Shahry 250 pro- Mega water plant to be ready by June 2015 customers a whole month sub- vides free BlackBerry services. scription for free when they If customers upgrade to the DOHA: Qatar’s mega water dis- The financial close which fol- construction of the plant earlier “The fast-track project dem- sign-up or upgrade to a higher Shahry 450 or 750, they can tribution system will be ready lows the signing earlier this year this year. onstrates the government’s pack. use an additional allocation of by the middle of next year. by Kahramaa and QEWC of a The Eversheds team, led by commitment to update utilities Customers who choose a new roaming receiving minutes, so The 36 MIGD (million impe- 25-year water purchase agree- partner Tim Armsby and Jennifer infrastructure across the coun- Shahry Pack, or upgrade their they can receive calls when they rial gallons per day) plant will ment, also with the legal support Westall, advised the client on the try,” Armsby added. Shahry Pack before March 10 travel abroad using their Pack deliver the first pail of water in of Eversheds, is the final stage tender for its water capacity Westall said, “Now that the will qualify for the promotion, allowance. June 2015, Eversheds, the glo- of completing the funding of the expansion project and the nego- project has reached financial close enjoying a whole month of serv- Customers who use the Shahry bal law firm that advised Qatar project. tiation of the water purchase funded entirely by domestic lend- ice at no charge as part of their International Key can convert General Electricity and Water The funders are Qatari banks. agreement and related deals for ers, we are entering a new era subscription. their local call minutes to inter- Corporation (Kahramaa) on It is the first time an IWP this plant. for the power and water sector Shahry Packs deliver great national calls. the 25-year supply deal with project in Qatar has been funded Tim said: “The project is a sig- in Qatar.” value and provide customers For details about Shahry Packs, Qatar Electricity & Water entirely by domestic lenders, nificant step forward for Qatar Energoprojekt (lead and with access to Qatar’s most reli- visit www.ooredoo.qa. Company (QEWC), announced Eversheds said. as it will ensure the country technical) and PWC (financial) able network and offers additional Existing Shahry customers who yesterday. QEWC signed an engineer- maintains a surplus capacity advised Kahramaa alongside benefits for customers on higher wish to upgrade can call 114, while The law firm also assisted ing, procurement and construc- pending the launch of the next Eversheds. plans. Hala and new customers need to Kahramaa in the financial close tion contract with a consortium Independent Water and Power HSBC (financial) and Norton Starting with the value-packed visit any Ooredoo shop with their of its $500m Independent Water of Mitsubishi Corporation and Plant (IWPP), known as Facility Rose (legal) advised QEWC. Shahry 55, each pack offers calls, QID to get started on a Shahry Plant (IWP). Toyo Thai Public Company for the D. THE PENINSULA SMS and data bundles. Every Pack. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Municipal inspectors begin training in detection, relocation of labour camps

DOHA: A workshop began at area, verify information and the Ministry of Municipality relocate the camp, prima facie, and Urban Planning yesterday appear to be cumbersome and to train civic inspectors how time-consuming. to detect labour camps in resi- Procedures stipulate that dential areas and ensure they after identifying a labour camp are relocated. suspected to be breaching the Inspectors will not only be lec- law, confirmation is necessary tured on procedures but will also that the information is correct. be taken on field trips, possibly Once it is done, a written to a model labour lodging that warning is to be issued to the was relocated. landlord of the property or the The aim is to familiarise civic camp operator. The warning inspectors with a labour camp must be sent by registered post. as only their counterparts at the Then, 30 days are allowed for Labour Ministry are visit labour the camp to be vacated. camps to check living conditions. Once this period ends, the Dr Ahmed Abu Mustafa, director of the municipal- a legal expert at the office of ity, under whose jurisdiction the Minister of Municipality the area in which the camp is and Urban Planning, told local located falls, needs to issue an The Foreign Minister H E Dr Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah (centre) with ExxonMobil Qatar and Dhreima officials at the launch of the programme. Arabic daily Al Raya that a order for forcible eviction of the labour camp to be banned from camp. a residential locality must have The landlord or the operator at least three workers living in. of the camp can challenge the Law No. 15 of 2010 that bans director’s decision at the minis- ExxonMobil supports Dhreima labour lodgings in areas where try within 15 days. families live also differentiates Within 30 days after the between labourers and single order has been challenged at workers. the ministry, the latter has to Apparently, single workers reply rejecting or accepting the students’ higher education not employed as labourers with petition (of the landlord/camp a construction company are not operator). The ministry not covered under the law. responding in 30 days is a sign The expert told the daily of rejection of the petition after Company provides QR365,000 for College Funding Programme that procedures to identify a which a camp can be relocated. labour camp in a residential THE PENINSULA DOHA: In a new partnership, Al Attiyah, Nasser bin Ghanim providing will allow our children for us,” Al Mana added. ExxonMobil Qatar will sup- Al Khelaifi, President of Qatar to continue their higher educa- As part of the company’s ongo- port students at Qatar Orphans Tennis Federation, and Andrew tion, and create a promising ing efforts to make the most of its Foundation (Dhreima) to attend Swiger, Senior Vice-President, future for themselves,” Al Emadi community outreach, ExxonMobil a college or university and con- Exxon Mobil Corporation. added. Qatar invited Dhreima children Parking ban on heavy vehicles tinue their education. “Our mission at Qatar Orphan “Dhreima is a highly regarded to attend matches at the Qatar The partnership which pro- Foundation is to provide children national institution with an ExxonMobil Open 2014 and take vides QR365,000 to Dhreima’s with proper nurturing and care,” extremely important social part in activities available through within Doha limits, suburbs College Funding Programme was said Al Emadi. development mission,” said Saleh the company stand at the tourna- DOHA: By the end of this month, trucks, truck trailers and all announced during the awards cer- “We join forces with local part- Saad Al Mana, Vice-President ment’s Public Village. types of mechanical vehicles will not be allowed to be parked emony of the Qatar ExxonMobil ners to ensure that our children and Director of Government Children also joined young within the city limits of Doha, including Airport area, Al Hilal Open 2014, by Khalid Al Emadi, receive the attention and care and Public Affairs, ExxonMobil local tennis enthusiasts and bud- and Mesaimeer, and some of its suburbs like Lusail, Al Wajba, Al General Manager, Dhreima, and they require to become well- Qatar. ding tennis players to take part Gharrafa, Muaither and Al Rayyan. Bart Cahir, President and General rounded and civically respon- “We believe in providing oppor- in a youth tennis clinic dur- However, vehicles loading and unloading goods will be exempted from Manager, ExxonMobil Qatar Inc. sible individuals, and we are tunities for all members of the ing the tournament at Khalifa the ban which takes effect on January 30, the Traffic Department said The event was attended by delighted to find such a partner local community of which we are International Tennis and Squash in an announcement published in local newspapers yesterday. The ban, the Foreign Minister H E Dr in ExxonMobil Qatar. a part, particularly with regard to Complex. according to the department, is pursuant to Law No. 19 passed in 2007 Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed “The support the company is education, which is a top priority THE PENINSULA and amendments, particularly to Article 77. THE PENINSULA Craze for non-Arabic films growing BY SACHIN KUMAR Arabic films are also drawing fans to cinema halls. The number of Arabic movies released in the past DOHA: Around 92 percent of the films released five years went up by 28 percent to 119 in 2012 from in 2012 were non-Arabic which shows that Qatar’s 93 in 2008. craze for such films is growing with every pass- “Arabic films are also crowd pullers. These films ing year. have seen the rise of many stars in the past few A total of 1,344 movies were released in 2012, and years which has increased the popularity of such 1,225 of them were non-Arabic. Only 119 were Arabic films,” said Mana Ibrahim Al Mana, Chairman, films. Qatar Property Management, which runs four cin- The number of films released in Qatar in the past ema halls in the country. five years surged by 137 percent, with non-Arabic Despite the Internet and DVDs, the charm of movies reaching 1,344 in 2012 from 516 in 2008. watching movies in cinema halls is on the rise. It is not surprising to see people queuing in cinema The number of people going to cinema halls halls showing English or Hindi movies. jumped by 34 percent to 16,03,000 in 2012 from English movies which drew crowds last year 11,98,000 in 2008. included Fast & Furious 6, Iron Man 3 and Star Trek- Keeping pace with demand for films, cinema halls Into Darkness. have increased their seating capacity. In the last five Hindi movies Ek Tha Tiger, Krish 3, Ranjhana and years, the number of cinemas rose from 25 in 2008 Dhoom 3 emerged as crowed pullers. to 38 in 2012 and the number of seats from 5,200 in Malayalam movies Drishayam and Amen also got 2009 to 7,498 in 2012. good response last year. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME ‘Tourism in Tomorrow’s World’ forum next month Focus on Qatar’s achievements, sustainability efforts

DOHA: ‘Tourism in Tomorrow’s trends in the GCC and factors in Qatar by 2030. World’, the first major inter- which can affect tourism in the As Qatar emerges as a tourism national tourism conference region. hub in the region – with 81 hotels of its kind in Qatar, will be The conference will underline in Doha and another 110 under hosted by Stenden University the importance of tourism for construction – the conference will Qatar (SUQ) in partnership Qatar and the region, focusing spotlight the importance of the with Qatar Tourism Authority on Qatar’s recent tourism growth tourism industry as a career of (QTA) next month. and showcasing its authentic cul- choice. It will be held on February ture, identity and heritage and Professor Robert Coelen, 23-24 at the Renaissance Doha focus on sustainability. Vice-President International & City Centre hotel. It will feature internation- Executive Dean of SUQ, said the Under the patronage of the ally renowned keynote speakers, conference will attract the world’s Prime Minister and Interior including United Nations World leading experts in hospitality and Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah Tourism Organisation Secretary tourism to discuss key trends and bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, General Dr Taleb Rifai, QTA the role Qatar is to play in the the event is being organised in Chairman Engineer Issa Al sector. conjunction with Al Rayyan Mohannadi and top local and “Hospitality and tourism will be Tourism Investment Company, international tourism experts, an increasingly important aspect part of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim academics and futurists. of Qatar’s economic diversification Al Thani’s Al Faisal Holding Speakers from Arab Spring and it is vital we ensure our young group, and the European Tourism areas will be invited to discuss people are properly educated and Futures Institute. challenges facing “political” tour- trained to take on meaningful The annual meet will cover ism in the region. careers in hospitality and tour- tourism and hospitality sectors, On a global scale, tourism is ism. SUQ has an unrivalled rep- FROM LEFT: Dr Robert Coelen, Vice-President International and Executive Dean, Stenden University Qatar, Hassan including “family” tourism, busi- one of the largest industries in utation for the placement of its Al Ibrahim, Director of Strategy Development at QTA, and Nicolas Frangos, Chief Operation Officer, Al Rayyan ness tourism, cultural, sun and the world and contributes nine students in some of the top tour- Tourism Investment Company, during a press conference at QTA yesterday. ABDUL BASIT beach, sports, education, health percent of the world’s GDP and ism and hospitality organisations and environmental tourism. provides 260 million jobs, with one in the world.” It will also address political in 11 being tourism-related. Hassan Al Ibrahim, Director committee, said: “QTA’s strate- stakeholder engagement and and we have developed strong tourism following the Arab Spring, QTA has predicted there will of Strategy Development and gic priorities include develop- inclusion in implementing the relationship with SUQ through new industry developments and be up to 127,000 hospitality jobs head of the tourism development ing the tourism sector through national tourism strategy 2030 initiatives.” THE PENINSULA Qataris ‘keen to join tourism sector’ BY RAYNALD C RIVERA forecast in QTA is there will be around 127,000 people working DOHA: With the burgeoning in the tourism sector by 2030.” Qatari tourism sector expected Currently, the sector has 20,000 to see a 127,000-workforce by plus workforce. As part of the 2030, there has been growing Qatar Tourism Sector Strategy interest among Qataris to join 2030, QTA focuses on human the sector. capital development with train- “Qataris are keen to join the ing and education programmes to tourism sector,” said Hassan Al be announced soon. Ibrahim, Director of Strategy “Sectorial human capital devel- Development and head of the opment is also a priority of QTA. tourism development commit- With the number of hotels and tee at Qatar Tourism Authority other tourism products and serv- (QTA). He was speaking to the ices under development, Qatar’s media on the sidelines of a press hospitality industry will be able to conference to announce the offer young people ambitious roles ‘Tourism in Tomorrow’s World’ in international groups to provide Engineer Meshal Al Shamari, QGBC Director, with Emirates Green Building Council officials at the event. conference next month. a meaningful career path for life,” “The Tour Guide Licence said Al Ibrahim. Programme has been a success; Last month Josoor Institute there were so many people who was launched, involving Qatar Qatar’s green building project showcased in Dubai applied for it so we made a short- 2022 Supreme Committee, QTA, list because we cannot provide Qatar University, Silatech and DOHA: The Qatar Green Building Passivhaus villa and a Business As at accelerating activities “We shared each country’s training to all at once.” other partners to focus on sec- Council (QGBC) showcased its Usual (BAU) villa, the project’s ini- across the building supply achievements in the hope of Launched last year in part- tors, including tourism and hos- Passivhaus ‘Baytna’ project at the tial data showed a small increase chain, and working towards finding good examples that nership with Stenden University pitality, he said. Emirates Green Building Council’s in capital cost during construction achieving a green economy could be replicated in other Qatar (SUQ), the programme Professor Robert Coelen, (EGBC) second annual congress in of the Passivhaus compared with a for sustainable development countries. We also discussed seeks to develop Qatari profes- Vice-President International & Dubai recently. BAU villa, offset against a 50 percent by sharing the latest insights legislation, subsidy, education sional guides by training them in Executive Dean of SUQ, ech- The Passivhaus study seeks to reduction in water and energy con- from local and international and financial incentives to find tourism, Qatari history and her- oed similar views and said at establish if an eco-friendly villa can sumption and CO2 emissions. experts. the one area that would ben- itage and communication skills, the moment around 240 Qatari be a viable building option. Through Under the theme, “Building a The QGBC delegation efit most from the sustainable among others. students were enrolled in the the construction and operation of a Green Future”, the Congress aimed discussed collaborations on building sector,” said Engineer “Qatar is approaching tour- university which specialises in projects and events with Saudi Meshal Al Shamari, QGBC ism more openly than before. We hospitality, tourism and business and UAE counterparts, and Director. know that tourism offers oppor- management. engaged in a roundtable on “With the UAE hosting the tunities and we are very keen to “We have around 100 to 120 the green building movement World Expo in 2020 and Qatar invest in Qatarisation,” he said. graduates each year; 50 percent of in the Middle East and North the FIFA World Cup in 2022, Besides QTA, there are many them Qataris,” Prof Coelen said. Africa region. demand for materials and a institutions in the country that SUQ is planning to expand its A summary of the current region-wide focus on infra- offer jobs in the field of tourism programme to offer a new MBA situation in each of the coun- structure make it an optimum such as Katara, Qatar Museums and Executive Hotel Management tries represented by delegates time to address green building Authority and Souq Waqif. Master’s programme in conjunc- was given in relation to other in our region,” he added. Stressing huge opportuni- tion with US universities soon. countries in the region. THE PENINSULA ties in the sector, he said, “Our THE PENINSULA Al Dhakhira, Al Khor yards to sell fresh local produce

DOHA: Products fresh from Qatari farms will be sold three days a week in Al Khor and Al Dhakhira beginning on Thursday, an announcement by the Ministry of Environment published in local dailies yesterday said. Stalls in the yard, being opened on the lines of Al Mazrouah that was opened near Umm Salal, will sell fresh vegetables, among other things. The yard in Al Khor is opposite Al Khor Hospital, and will remain open from 7am until 5pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. “Products being sold in the yards in Al Khor and Dhakhira will be 100 percent fresh from local farms,” said the ministry. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Condolence cables sent to Saudi Support for Qatari writers urged DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of condolences Katara Cultural Forum discusses high publication costs, censorship and budgetary help to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah BY MOHAMMAD OSMAN communicating with each other bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, via the Internet, have developed following the death of Prince DOHA: The first Qatari writ- a new strategy to communicate Bandar bin Mohamed bin ers’ symposium at Katara yes- in Arabic using English language. Abdulaziz Al Saud. terday put the spotlight on As the Qatari community is The Prime Minister and challenges being faced by Qatari open to cultures, it is natural for a Interior Minister H E Sheikh writers. language to be influenced by other Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa The recently launched Katara cultures and it is human nature Al Thani sent a similar cable. Cultural Forum, which will be to create and modify new things held every three months, serves using language, she said. Minister to attend as a platform for Qatari writers Katara General Manager Dr to discuss pressing issues in their Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti said GCC meet in Kuwait field. the symposium came at the start Lack of support and pro- of a five-year strategy of Katara DOHA: Qatar will take part grammes for writers, high cost of and was organised to support in a GCC Health Ministers’ publication and censorship were Qatari writers and intellectuals Conference from Tuesday in among the problems encoun- by providing them with a plat- Kuwait. The Minister of Public tered by writers, according to Dr form to discuss issues related to Health H E Abdullah bin Zakiya Malallah. arts, writing and publication and Khalid Al Qahtani will head a “The cost of printing is high FROM LEFT: Dr Moza Al Malki, Salah Ghazib and Bushra Nasser at the forum at Katara yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP enable them to play a pivotal role Qatari delegation to the meet and there are no specialised pub- in national development. where a Kuwait Document on lishing houses catering to literary and paste” trying to mimic writ- would jointly work to develop writers together to exchange He said the forum might host combatting non-communicable and intellectual works. There are ers from other countries. She plans and work for the future.” experiences and concerns. writers from other GCC and Arab diseases will be signed and an also no programmes to encour- was speaking on ‘The role of cul- He said the forum could be “I hope for the next meetings we countries to exchange experiences electronic portal for the GCC age writing such as awards for ture and innovation in society’s used as a stepping stone for laying will have new names and involve with local writers. health guide launched. The poets and authors,” Dr Malallah development’. down the foundation for writers the youth,” said Dr Al Malki who Dr Fathma Al Suwaidi spoke on two-day conference will also said as she discussed ‘Problems Speaking to The Peninsula, and intellectuals to create seminal focused on ‘Language being devel- ‘Identity Crisis and Innovations’ discuss combatting smok- and challenges facing authors in Mirza said the event had been intellectual and literary works. oped by teenagers using social and Bushra Nasser discussed ing, vocational health, expat Qatar’ based on her experience. long awaited. Dr Moza Al Malki said the media and the Internet’. ‘Innovations and change for young labour and polio, coronavi- Budget should be allocated “I’m satisfied with the outcome. event was an excellent oppor- One of her observations writers’ at the forum. rus and malaria-free Arabian to encourage writers and poets I expect after three months we tunity to bring intellectuals and was that Arab teenagers, in THE PENINSULA Peninsula. The ministers will to produce work, she said, add- discuss a unified procurement ing electronic publishing had and central pharmaceutical also affected the production of registration, the transporting books. and storage of pharmaceuti- She also highlighted the grow- cal products and pricing of ing dominance of foreign lan- medicines. It will discuss the guages such as English over listing of Dasman Centre for Arabic. Research and Treatment of Poet Ali Mirza echoed similar Diabetes and Rashid Centre views and said Qatari writers and for Diabetes and Research poets couldn’t express their cul- among Gulf reference centres. tural identity locally and region- ally through writing because Deputy Speaker nobody supported them to publish and distribute their works. meets US team In addition, there is no one to critique their writings aca- DOHA: The Advisory Council demically to produce high qual- Deputy Speaker, Issa bin Rabia ity works, he said, speaking on Al Kuwari, met yesterday a ‘Challenges facing Qatari Arts’. US congressional delegation. Dr Hind Al Muftah pointed Talks covered parliamentary out the dearth of innovation by A section of the a udience. relations. QNA writers and said many just “copy Global drugmakers fight shy of setting up facilities in Middle East

DOHA: Current uncertain- East. “This is in part due to the markets such as Southeast Asia ties such as product registra- spread of chronic diseases, as the and Africa. tion, pricing and intellectual region is experiencing epidemics In the GCC, prescription drugs property protection are among in diabetes and cardiovascular account for an average 89 percent the top issues that significantly illnesses.” of the region’s pharmaceutical curb the appetite of interna- A key challenge is the speed of sales. Within prescription drugs tional drug firms to set up registering and approving new sales, patented products account manufacturing facility or do drugs. Price controls are stringent for 90 percent. research in the Middle East, and mainly driven by the pric- Among other favourable trends including Qatar. ing mechanism set by the health in the region are continually Political instability in the ministers’ council. According to improving healthcare standards; Middle East North Africa (Mena) the report, the GCC population increasing governments’ invest- also plays the spoilsport, despite is expected to go up by 5 percent ments in technological advance- the fact that the region, espe- year-on-year, driven mainly by ments and health awareness; the cially the GCC countries, has a the influx of expats. While the growth of smaller healthcare clin- huge potential for key life sciences dominant age group is estimated ics and ambulatory centres; and a markets like the pharmaceutical, to be 30-44, the 45-65 and 65 strong medical tourism industry. biotechnology and medical tech- plus groups are expected to grow “In 2013, the life sciences sector nology, said a report by Deloitte cumulatively by an average of 6 was less impacted by the recent ‘Global life sciences outlook: percent between 2011 and 2020. global economic uncertainty than Resilience and reinvention in a There are several region-based other sectors. However, it is fac- changing marketplace’. pharmaceutical manufacturers ing reimbursement pressure from “In the GCC countries, with that produce solely generic drugs. escalating costs and overwhelmed most significant economic activity Despite efforts to promote these health systems across the world. in the Middle East, a growing and products, doctors and consumers Still, an overview of recent sec- aging population and increasing prefer international, recognised tor performance shows that it is healthcare expenditure per cap- brands over local generics. favourably positioned to achieve ita are supportive of life sciences Resident manufacturing com- success in the next few years and healthcare industry growth,” panies also face stiff competi- through increased innovation and said Hassib Jaber, life sciences tion from international firms, value delivery,” said Jaber. sector leader at Deloitte Middle forcing them to target export THE PENINSULA

Govt careers attract half of local talent DOHA: Women in Qatar prefer education sector and real estate and banking and finance (17 percent jobs, followed by healthcare and banking sectors each). According to 67 percent of respondents, the while men prefer to work in the oil, gas and petro- government is a favourable employer. chemicals industry, according to the latest Bayt. A quarter of respondents (24 percent) changed com and YouGov survey. the industry they worked in the last 24 months, with The ‘Top Industries in the Middle East and North 48 percent are considering an industry change in the Africa’ survey shows that government careers next few years. Oil, gas and petrochemicals is the attract half of the local talent, while women are industry of choice for 30 percent and banking and interested in taking up jobs in the education and finance and management consultant (nine percent medical services fields. each) jobs are also popular. Top reasons for career According to the survey, nearly 38 percent of changes are better salaries (74 percent), growth respondents (women) are attracted to education opportunities (50 percent), and better benefits (43 and academia, followed by healthcare, medical serv- percent). ices and pharmaceuticals (37 percent), banking and Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov, said: “Within finance (33 percent) and the government sector (33 Qatar, it is clear which industry is the most prefer- percent). Local talent is seen to be drawn mainly able, though interestingly the majority of regional to government, civil service and utilities jobs (47 respondents are keen to find employment in the IT, percent), oil, gas and petrochemicals (46 percent), electronics and telecommunications industry rather and military, defence, police and security services than oil, gas and petrochemicals.” In Qatar, 44 per- (28 percent). cent of employed respondents were satisfied with Respondents believed that the oil, gas and petro- the salary package in their current industry, while chemicals industry has seen the strongest growth 51 percent are satisfied with their ability to maintain (49 percent), followed by construction (39 percent), a good work-life balance. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Human body Baghdad prepares to retake Fallujah parts ‘fall from US, Iran offer help to oust Qaeda sky’ in Saudi JEDDAH: Human body FALLUJAH, IRAQ: Iraq is it was “their fight”. Kerry said parts fell from the sky in preparing a “major attack” to Washington was “very, very con- the city of Jeddah yester- retake militant-held Fallujah, cerned” about the resurgence of day, with police saying they a senior official said yesterday, ISIL but said it was not contem- could be the remains of a spelling a new assault for the plating any return of US ground person trapped in an air- city, west of Baghdad, where troops, after their withdrawal in plane’s wheel bay. US forces repeatedly battled December 2011. “Police received a telephone insurgents. “We are not obviously contem- call at 2:30 am from a witness Washington said it would help plating returning, we are not con- reporting the fall of human Baghdad in its fight against Al templating putting boots on the remains at an intersection in Qaeda-linked militants but that ground, this is their fight,” Kerry Mushrefa neighbourhood” in there would be no return of US told reporters in Jerusalem. the Red Sea city, spokesman troops. Iran’s deputy chief of staff “But we’re going to help them Nawaf bin Naser Al Bouq said General Mohammad Hejazi said in their fight... We are going to in a statement. Initial indica- yesterday the Islamic republic do everything that is possible to tions were that the remains was prepared to provide military help them.” “fell from a plan’s landing equipment and advice to Iraq to ISIL militants seized control of gear,” said Bouq, adding that help it battle Al Qaeda. the village of Bubali near Ramadi investigations were ongoing. “If the Iraqis ask, we will sup- after heavy fighting on Sunday, a In a desperate attempt to ply them with equipment and witness said. cross borders, some people advice, but they have no need of Journalists reported sporadic at poorly monitored airports manpower,” Hejazi was cited by clashes both inside Ramadi and climb inside the bays holding the official Irna news agency as on the outskirts of Fallujah. the landing gear of planes. saying. Iraqi ground forces commander Most of them freeze to death The takeover of Fallujah and Staff General Ali Ghaidan Majeed once the aircraft reach cruis- parts of Anbar provincial capi- said that security forces killed 11 ing altitude, but some survive. tal Ramadi, farther west, is the militants from countries includ- In 2010, the head of Beirut’s first time militants have exercised ing Afghanistan and various airport security resigned such open control in major cit- Arab states on the highway from after the death of a man who ies since the height of the bloody Baghdad to Fallujah. managed to sneak onto a insurgency that followed the Majeed admitted that “we do runway undetected and hide US-led invasion of 2003. not know what is happening in in the wheel bay of a Saudi- “Iraqi forces are preparing for a Fallujah,” but said the city should bound jet. major attack in Fallujah,” a senior “wait for what is coming” — a ref- The man’s body was found Iraqi official said. erence to the impending assault. by a maintenance worker in Special forces have already con- On Friday and Saturday, more Burnt out lorries are seen littering the side of the main highway of Fallujah, yesterday. Riyadh who was inspecting ducted operations inside the city, than 160 people were killed in the the landing gear of the Saudi- the official said. worst violence to hit Anbar prov- one-third of their Iraq dead in Fallujah, and the subsequent this year, taking advantage of owned Nas Air Airbus 320 The regular army has paused ince in years. Anbar, according to independent withdrawal of security forces widespread discontent among after it touched down there. on the edge of the city to allow Both Ramadi and Fallujah were website icasualties.org. from parts of both cities cleared Sunnis and the civil war in AFP residents time to leave, after insurgent strongholds in the years But two years after US forces the way for militants to seize neighbouring Syria, where it which it will launch “the attack after 2003, and Fallujah was the withdrew, the power of militants control. has become a major player in to crush the terrorists”. target of two major assaults in in the province is on the rise. Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki the nearly three-year-old con- Czech police find Fallujah is in the hands of which US forces saw some of Fighting erupted in the Ramadi had long sought the closure of the flict. Violence in Iraq last year fighters of the Al-Qaeda-linked their heaviest fighting since the area on December 30, when protest camp outside Ramadi, reached a level not seen since 12 weapons at Islamic State of Iraq and the Vietnam War. security forces cleared a year- dubbing it a “headquarters for the 2008, when the country was just Levant, a senior security official American troops eventually old protest camp where Sunni leadership of Al Qaeda”. emerging from a brutal period of Palestinian mission said on Saturday. wrested back control of Anbar Arabs demonstrated against what But its removal has caused sectarian killings. Secretary of State John Kerry from militants, with the support they see as the marginalisation a sharp decline in the security Three car bombs and a road- PRAGUE: Czech police found said on Sunday that the United of Sunni Arab tribesmen of the and targeting of their minor- situation. side bomb exploded in three areas 12 weapons, including pistols States would provide assistance Sahwa militia, who joined forces ity community by the Shia-led ISIL is the latest incarnation of Baghdad yesterday, killing at and sub-machine guns, at the to Iraqi forces in their battle with the US from late 2006. government. of Al Qaeda’s Iraq affiliate and least 15 people and wounding at Palestinian mission in Prague against the militants but that US forces suffered almost The violence then spread to has made a striking comeback least 40, officials said. AFP after an explosion killed the ambassador at his residence last week, the police chief was quoted as saying yesterday. Police said the explosion that killed ambassador Jamal al-Jamal Sharon faces ‘imminent’ death after he opened a safe might have Cairo court jails 12 activists been caused by mishandling a TEL AVIV: Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon was device meant to secure it. yesterday facing “imminent” death, the Tel Aviv hospital where CAIRO: Twelve prominent witnesses to back up the ruling After the incident, investiga- he is in critical condition said. Egyptian dissidents were given against the dozen defendants. tors found unlicensed weapons The health of the 85-year-old Sharon, who was dubbed “the one-year suspended jail terms The case was brought earlier at the complex of the Palestinian Bulldozer” both for his style and physique, has been worsening since yesterday in a case brought this year by a public prosecu- mission that includes the embassy Wednesday when he suffered serious kidney problems after surgery. over an attack on the campaign tor appointed by Mursi in what and residence. But the police had And yesterday, the director of Tel Hashomer hospital said Sharon headquarters of defeated presi- activists said at the time was an not immediately detailed the was “still in danger of imminent death” although his “heart is hold- dential candidate Ahmed Shafik attempt by his administration amount or type of weapons. ing out better than we thought”. during the 2012 election. to intimidate the pro-democracy Daily newspaper Mlada Fronta “I am more pessimistic than I was before... his vital functions, The activists include siblings movement. Since the military Dnes’ website idnes.cz reported especially renal, haven’t picked up,” Zeev Rotstein told reporters. Alaa Abdel Fattah (pictured), overthrew Mursi in July, the that 12 weapons discovered, con- “I can’t see the future, but there’s not possible way out of this.” and Mona Seif, leading figures in army-backed authorities have firming the number with national On Friday the hospital said there were traces of infection in the protest movement that trig- launched a fierce crackdown on police chief Martin Cervicek, who Sharon’s blood, and that it had not been possible for him to undergo gered the 2011 uprising against dissent that has mostly targeted declined to say how many pistols renal dialysis since his other organs were in such a fragile state. autocrat Hosni Mubarak but is Mursi’s Islamist supporters but or sub-machine guns were found. The long-time leader of the rightwing nationalist camp in Israeli now facing a widening crackdown has recently widened to include “We have to put the weapons politics, Sharon suffered a massive stroke on January 4, 2006, slip- by the army-backed authorities. members of the secular activist through genetic and ballistic test- ping into a coma from which he has never recovered. Sunday’s verdict related to an movement. ing, until then we will not release Sharon was first elected premier in February 2001, just months attack on Shafik’s campaign head- Alaa Abdel Fattah faces trial this information,” idnes.cz quoted after walking through east Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al Aqsa mosque quarters ahead of the presiden- fire to the building during the in a separate case on charges of Cervicek as saying. compound, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, in an action that tial run-off against the Muslim attack, charges they had denied. breaking a new law that makes Czech police were not inves- sparked the second Palestinian uprising. Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi “The ruling was political,” it a crime to protest without tigating the safe explosion as an In an extraordinary and controversial career stretching back in the 2012 election. Mona Seif told Reuters TV after police permission. He has been attack, although the ambassa- more than half a century, he made it his mission to safeguard The Cairo court convicted them the verdict was announced. She in custody since November 28. dor’s daughter has alleged he was national security. Sharon became convinced Israel needed to sepa- of “displaying force” and setting said there was no evidence or REUTERS “deliberately killed”. REUTERS rate from the Palestinians and unilaterally determine its own borders. While his administration was initially seen as the most hawkish in Israeli history, less than four years after his 2001 elec- tion, it withdrew troops and settlers from Gaza, Palestinian terri- tory occupied in the 1967 war. Morocco probes Salafist sheikh 30,000 African migrants protest in Israel TEL AVIV: More than 30,000 RABAT: Prosecutors in Morocco said yesterday they will open African asylum seekers who an investigation into a Salafist sheikh who accused a politician entered Israel illegally pro- of “apostasy” for calling for a ban on polygamy in the country. tested in Tel Aviv yesterday, Driss Lachgar, head of the opposition Socialist Union of Popular police said, in the biggest rally Forces, called for the ban several days ago and urged a debate on ever staged by migrants in the the share of women’s inheritance, which is half what men receive Jewish state. on the death of a relative. “More than 30,000 demonstra- In response, Salafist sheikh Abdelhamid Abounaim distributed tors marched peacefully in Tel a video in which he accused Lachgar of “apostasy”. Aviv,” police spokeswoman Lubra “After the statements of Abdelhamid Abounaim that undermine Samri said. organised bodies, an investigation will be opened,” the Casablanca Gathered in the coastal city’s prosecutor said in a statement. King Mohamed VI reformed central Rabin Square, the pro- Morocco’s family code in 2004 to make polygamy more difficult, with testers sharply criticised Israel’s the consent of other spouses and the permission of a court needed refusal to give them refugee status for a man to take another wife, but he stopped short of banning it. and the detention without trial of hundreds of asylum seekers. “We are all refugees” and “Yes Erdogan for retrial of coup-plot cases to freedom, no to prison!” they chanted in English, with Israeli ANKARA: Turkey’s embattled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip rights activists also joining the Erdogan said yesterday he would favour retrials for hundreds of march. military officers jailed for coup-plotting. Ultra-Orthodox MP Eli Yishai, “Our position on a retrial is a favourable one,” he told reporters the hardline former interior min- in Istanbul before taking off on a tour of Asia. ister who in 2012 led the govern- Erdogan had on Saturday hit out against a corruption probe ment campaign to round up and that has dragged down members of his government, calling it an deport tens of thousands of illegal Thousands of African asylum seekers who entered Israel via Egypt stage a protest in Tel Aviv yesterday. “attempted assassination” and a “judicial coup”. At a luncheon in migrants, denounced the protest. Istanbul with generally pro-government intellectuals, writers and Yishai said that the “infiltra- migrants in Israel cannot be Maariv daily that Tel Aviv, where state of Israel and judicial and law journalists, Erdogan reiterated his view that shadowy groups in tors”, as authorities call them, deported because their lives would many of the migrants live, “long enforcement authorities to apply Turkey and abroad are conspiring to oust him from power. were encouraged by “anti-Zionist be under threat if they returned ago became an African city”. all the means at their disposal to AGENCIES human rights organisations”. to their homes in Sudan and He said the demonstration was return the infiltrators to their Rights groups say most African Eritrea. Yishai told the website of “a sharp and clear cry for the countries”. AFP MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Militants kill 50 S Sudan rivals rebels in new front, Syrian in fresh battle, monitor says

BEIRUT: Militants killed at least 50 rival rebels yesterday in a new front in Syria’s brutal talks delayed war, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, citing insurgents and medics. Sudan President Bashir in Juba today The rebels were killed in fight- ing, car bombings and also sum- JUBA: Government forces Rebel spokesman Moses mary executions by forces loyal and rebels fought fresh battles Ruai, however, insisted that to the Islamic State of Iraq and across South Sudan yesterday, it was anti-government fight- the Levant. vowing to step up their offen- ers who were advancing on the ISIL, an Al Qaeda affiliate, sives as regional peace brokers capital. moved into Syria in late spring struggled to get ceasefire talks “Our forces are well organised. last year amid the armed upris- off the ground. They are not just hit and run. The ing against President Bashar Al With the nation teetering on next target is now Juba but I can- Assad. the edge of all-out civil war less not tell you exactly when they will The latest deaths come a third than three years after gaining attack Juba, but they are heading day into fighting that began independence from Khartoum, there,” he said. when rebels, including Islamists, Sudan’s President Omar Hassan The conflict in South Sudan attacked checkpoints and bases Al Bashir was expected in the erupted on December 15, pitting manned by ISIL, which is accused capital Juba today for talks with army units loyal to Kiir against US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of horrific abuses in areas where his counterpart Salva Kiir. a loose alliance of ethnic mili- Al Saud of Saudi Arabia at the King’s desert encampment in Rawdat Al Khuraim near Riyadh, yesterday. its fighters operate. After a night of heavy gunfire tia forces and mutinous army ISIL has also been accused of in Juba, more residents could be commanders nominally headed seeking hegemony by taking key seen trying to get transport south by Riek Machar, a former vice roads and checkpoints from its to Uganda, adding to the nearly president who was sacked last Iran could help on sidelines rivals, and some Assad opponents 200,000 people who have already July. have even accused it of serving been displaced by the three-week- Machar denies allegations regime interests. old conflict. that he started the conflict by At least nine ISIL fighters were Army spokesman Philip Aguer attempting a coup, and in turn of Syrian peace talks: Kerry also killed yesterday, the Britain- also reported ongoing clashes in accuses the president of orches- based Observatory said. oil-producing Unity and Upper trating a violent purge. JERUSALEM: The United killed and millions uprooted. it does not endorse the 2012 Most of the non-ISIL fatalities Nile states in the north, saying Fighting now grips much of States yesterday appeared for At a news conference in agreement. were in the northern provinces of that government forces were South Sudan, which won inde- the first time to hold out the Jerusalem, Kerry reiterated US “Now, could they contribute Aleppo and Idlib, where the fight- advancing on the two state capi- pendence only in 2011. UN offi- possibility that Iran might play opposition to Iran being a formal from the sidelines? Are there ing has been focused since Friday. tals of Bentiu and Malakal, cur- cials say they believe thousands a role on the sidelines of a Syria member of the so-called “Geneva ways for them, conceivably, to Among the dead were “seven rently in rebel hands, as well as of people have already been killed, peace conference even if Tehran 2” talks scheduled for Jan. 22 in weigh in? Can their mission that who were summarily executed by Bor, capital of Jonglei State just and both sides are alleged to have is not formally invited. Switzerland because it does not is already in Geneva ... be there in ISIL” in Harem in Idlib. north of the capital. committed atrocities. Washington, and Syrian oppo- support a 2012 international order to help the process? It may Clashes also erupted in Raqa “The SPLA (Sudan People’s UN peacekeeping bases have sition groups, have long had res- agreement on Syria. be that there are ways that could and Hama provinces on Sunday, in Liberation Army) forces are also been overwhelmed with ervations about the participation That so-called “Geneva 1” happen,” he said. a sign the fighting was spreading advancing from the northern part civilians seeking shelter, many of Iran, which they accuse of sup- accord called for the Syrian “But that has to be determined beyond the northern provinces. of Bentiu. We will try to do our of them fleeing ethnic violence porting Syrian President Bashar government and opposition to by the (UN) secretary-general, it Scores of fighters on both constitutional duty... sooner or pitting Kiir’s Dinka community Al Assad with manpower and form a transitional government has to be determined by Iranian sides have been killed in the later our target is Bentiu,” Aguer against Machar’s Nuer tribe. arms during the near three-year “by mutual consent”, a phrase intentions themselves,” he told past three days, according to the told reporters. The renewed fighting came as uprising against his rule. Washington says rules out any reporters in Jerusalem, where Observatory. “It’s a matter of time, our East African diplomats strug- Despite the improvement in role for Assad. Russia, a spon- he trying to nudge Israel and “The rebels have made sig- forces are advancing towards gled to get both sides, who have US-Iranian relations this year sor of the plan, disputes that the Palestinians toward a peace nificant gains (since Friday) in Bor,” he said, claiming that the sent negotiation teams to the with a landmark nuclear deal view. agreement. “But in terms of a the west of Aleppo province, in rebels “realise they are fighting a Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, struck in November, ties are Kerry, in a shift in tone, held formal invitation or participation the north of Idlib, and east of useless war” and saying govern- to start formal negotiations on a strained by many issues, includ- out the possibility of Iran play- - that is for those who support Maaret al-Numan (Idlib),” said ment forces were a mere 15km ceasefire. ing the Syrian civil war in which ing a constructive if limited the Geneva 1 implementation.” Observatory director Rami Abdel (nine miles) from the town. AFP at least 100,000 people have been role at the conference even if REUTERS Rahman. AFP Clashes kill Tunisia constitution debate US warns citizens against at least 23 in Lebanon travel after attacks north Yemen halted after ‘death threat’ BEIRUT: The US embassy in Beirut yesterday warned its citi- zens against travel to Lebanon after a wave of bomb attacks, SANA’A: Two days of clashes TUNIS: Debate over Tunisia’s known for controversial com- But its work was delayed by and to exercise “extreme caution” in areas Americans normally between Shia rebels and Sunni new constitution was sus- ments, Rahoui asked: “How much deep divisions between Ennahda frequent. “Following recent bombings in #Beirut & other violence tribesmen fighting alongside pended yesterday after a deputy more blood must there be before and the opposition, aggravated in recent months USG strongly urges US citizens in #Lebanon 2 hardline Salafists in northern claimed he had received death we understand that we are united by a rise in Islamist attacks and exercise extreme caution,” the embassy said on Twitter. Yemen have killed at least 23 threats because a colleague had (under Islam)? sometimes violent social unrest. US nationals should “avoid hotels, western-style shopping centers, people, sources said yesterday. accused him of being an “enemy “I tell you that I am a Muslim; The deadlock became a full- incl western-style grocery chains & public/social events where US citz Fighting has centred for of Islam”. that my father, my mother, my blown crisis when suspected normally congregate,” the embassy added. months on a Salafist mosque and The outburst came a day grandfather and my people are jihadists assassinated an opposi- “As these sites are likely targets for terrorist attacks for at least Quranic school in Dammaj, which after the National Constituent Muslims.” tion MP in July, paralysing politi- the near term... @USEmbassybeirut further urges all US citizens to has been besieged by the Shia Assembly (NCA) adopted arti- “What (Ellouze) said yesterday, cal life. avoid all travel to Lebanon due to safety and security concerns,” it said. rebels known as Huthis. cles making Islam the state reli- that I am an enemy of Islam, has Ennahda, which has been The United States has regularly warned its citizens against travel But the conflict has spread in gion but guaranteeing freedom of lead to death threats against me.” sharply criticised for failing to to Lebanon. Its latest warning comes after a series of bomb attacks the northern provinces, embroil- conscience. Ellouze had been quoted by a rein in jihadists, agreed in October targeting several areas of Beirut. ing Sunni tribes wary of the Yesterday’s row broke out after radio station on Saturday as say- to step down as part of a roadmap On Thursday, a suicide car blast killed four people in the Hezbollah power of the Huthis, who have Mongi Rahoui, a deputy from the ing Rahoui is “known for his ani- brokered by mediators. bastion. An Al Qaeda affiliate claimed responsibility for the attack repeatedly been accused of receiv- leftwing Popular Front, accused mosity towards religion”. Prime Minister Ali Larayedh Saturday. On December 27, a car bomb attack killed eight peo- ing support from Iran. Habib Ellouze, of the Islamist rul- He said his words had been has agreed to resign, turning over ple including a former minister opposed to the regime of Syria’s Yesterday, at least 10 people ing party Ennahda, of saying he misinterpreted and apologised to power to a transitional premier, President Bashar Al Assad. That attack took place in the heart of were killed in Jawf province in was an enemy of Islam. Rahoui. Mohamed Jomaa, but insists a the Lebanese capital. clashes between rebels and armed Such words are not empty in The session began at 1100 constitution and electoral law are Several prominent Lebanese politicians and media figures opposed men from the Daham tribe, a Tunisia, a country with a mili- GMT, but was suspended twice in place first to pave the way for to Syria’s regime and its ally Hezbollah have been threatened, the tribal chief said. tant Salafist minority suspected when angry protests from some elections this year. official National News Agency (NNA) reported yesterday. The NNA Seven people were killed at of assassinating two opposition deputies made work impossible. To be adopted, the constitution said Sethrida Geagea, a Christian member of parliament, March 14 Harf Sufyan, in the northern politicians last year that threw Deliberations were to resume at will need approval by two-thirds member and wife of Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea, had a series province of Amran, another the country into a grave political 1400 GMT. of the assembly’s 217 members. of threats sent to her mobile phone. tribal chief said, while two oth- crisis. Elected in October 2011, the Otherwise, it will have to be put Analysts say Lebanon is suffering an accelerating wave of violence ers died in shelling of Dammaj, in Addressing Ellouze, a mem- NCA was due to have drafted and to a referendum. that reflects the conflict in neighbouring Syria, which in nearly three Saada province, Salafist websites ber of Ennahda’s hardline wing adopted the text within one year. AFP years has killed nearly 130,000 people. AGENCIES reported. Four people died in fighting that took place in Jawf on Saturday, another tribal chief said. 29 injured in emergency landing Huthi rebels this week took over positions evacuated by Salafist gunmen in the area of Kitaf, north of Saada city, wit- nesses said, adding the rebels demolished the Salafist Dar Al Hadith religious school and 20 houses. The rebels have also warned border guards to evacuate the Bart Al Anan crossing point with Saudi Arabia, in Jawf, according to the head of the force, Colonel Qassem Thawaba. The officer said he refused to leave, insisting on waiting for orders from his command. Fighting between Huthi rebels and tribesmen, alongside fighters from the Islah Islamist party, is ongoing as well in Arhab, about 30km north of Sanaa. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi dispatched on Saturday A Saudia Boeing 767-300ER after an emergency landing at Madinah airport early yesterday. Twenty- mediators to the troubled areas. nine people were injured during the incident. AFP MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Fall of Fallujah Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

REDICTIONS that Syria’s civil war could explode into a regional conflagration and could degenerate into multiple battlefronts are coming true. Our A more liberal America will Pregion and the world received with shock the news that Al Qaeda-linked militants have taken over parts of Ramadi and Fallujah, the strategic Iraqi cities on the Euphrates river. There has been news of Al Qaeda gaining emerge, but not overnight strength in Iraq and on a daily basis Iraqis have been waking up to news of deadly attacks by these militants, but the BY MICHAEL COHEN news of their near-capture of cities is shocking and sends is leaving more than 5 million Americans American democracy: it was constructed a message to all those who have been underestimating the on the outside looking in on Obamacare. to be a bulwark against progress. influence of the militant group in our region. In another H TO be a liberal in America Emboldened by the Supreme Court deci- Whether it’s the three branches of the development, the opposition rebels in Syria are joining hands today. In New York City, a sion to overturn a key provision of the US government, the separate legislative ODemocrat has finally been elected Voting Rights Act, states across the bodies, the 50 individual state govern- to expel jihadists from their midst. Scores of people have mayor after a 24-year absence from City country are enacting new and onerous ments or a court system with the power been killed in fighting between the Syrian Revolutionaries Hall – and he’s a dyed-in-the-wool lib- voting restrictions; perhaps worst of all, to strike down laws, the number of obsta- Front and the nascent Army of Mujahedeen, on the one side, eral. Gay marriage is legal in 18 states 2013 was the culmination of a three-year cles in the American political system are the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), on including, most bizarrely, Utah, one of the period in which more state restrictions far greater than the number of glide the other side. The focus of combat has been in opposition most conservative states. The minimum on abortion were enacted than in the points. This has always given conserva- wage is going up around the country and entire previous decade. tives a political advantage – it’s much areas in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, but spread to Hama and you can even smoke a joint in Colorado. Quite simply, as the country has taken easier to stop reform (or water it down) Raqa provinces. Scores of fighters have been killed on both Obamacare, for all its speedbumps over a giant step forward on a number of pro- than it is to enact new laws. If anything, sides in battle as well as in ambushes, car bomb attacks and the past few weeks, is the law of the land; gressive goals, it has also taken a major the liberal moment may find its greatest summary executions by ISIL. the Senate filibuster just took a big hit step back. Indeed, in key regards, while opportunities in the same places it did The emergence of Al Qaeda in Iraq is a direct result of (and along with it Republican obstruc- Obamacare represents an enormous during the civil rights era – in the court the failure of the Nouri Al Maliki tionism); a nuclear deal with Iran is in victory for American progressives and system (as has been the case on the issue the works and even Obama is talking is perhaps the most important piece of of gay marriage). Although even there it government. Al Qaida’s Islamic about the scourge of income inequality. social policy in more than four decades, may have to wait for President Obama to State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) Everything, it so many liberal priorities remain unful- get his court picks through the Senate Countries in has been steadily tightening its seems, is coming filled. And nowhere is that more true before significant progress can be made. the region grip in the vast Sunni-dominated up roses. than on fiscal policy. While Democrats But liberals shouldn’t lose all hope. On Anbar province in recent months But before pro- were finally able to wring tax increases a range of issues, progressive goals have must act in in a bid to create a Sunni Muslim gressives start out of the Republican party they’ve been never been so strongly supported by the Popular opinion is donning their Che unable to get conservatives to agree to American people. From gay marriage unison to state straddling the frontier with moving towards Guevera T-shirts the sort of government spending that is and marijuana legalisation to raising Syria. This has been a direct result and popping their key not only to the country’s economic the minimum wage, immigration reform, exterminate of the rise of sectarianism in the more progressive artisanal cham- recovery but to creating new jobs and background checks for gun buyers and Al Qaeda. country. The prime minister failed policies, though pagne corks the reducing income inequality. even the specifics of government spend- to bring together Sunnis and Shias liberal moment While New York City’s new mayor, ing, public opinion is strongly in their Republicans is coming face to Bill de Blasio, ran on a platform of uni- favour. Americans are more supportive in the country, and Maliki himself won’t go down face with a diffi- versal pre-kindergarten, the president’s of activist government, populist politics was accused of favouring one side cult reality: con- own plan along these lines is dead on and socially liberal policies than at any against the other. without a fight. servatives are not arrival in Congress. The same is prob- time in recent memory. In addition, mil- Across the region, Al Qaida is surging. When the US going down with- ably true for his $50bn proposal for lennials (or those in their 20s and early withdrew from Iraq, the Sunni jihadist movement had been out a fight. infrastructure spending. At the end 30s) are decidedly liberal, even going so all but extinguished, thanks to the intense cooperation In fact, just over a year since President of December,unemployment insur- far in a recent poll to prefer socialism Obama was re-elected and it seemed the ance expired for more than a million to capitalism. between US and Iraqi forces. Also, Qaeda militants control country was moving in a more progres- Americans and there seems to be little The failure of liberalism to enact a wide swath of territory in eastern Syria that adjoins Iraq’s sive direction,Republicans have thwarted impetus in Congress to restore the fund- the types of reforms that are essen- Anbar province, where Fallujah and Ramadi are located. In much of his agenda and 2014 (as well ing. This comes only months after the tial to their vision of America does not Lebanon, too, an Al Qaeda-linked force called the Abdullah as 2015 and 2016) promises more of the Republicans ruthlessly cut food stamp come from an inability to move popu- Azzam Brigades is believed responsible for multiple attacks, same. benefits for poor Americans. lar opinion in their favour – it comes including twin bombings outside the Iranian embassy in Immigration reform, which was at the The reason for this is not surprising from their failure to find a way around forefront of Obama’s re-election bid, is on or new. Republicans have, since Obama last-gasp conservative rejectionism. But November. life support; gun control was blocked in took office in 2009, made it their number as Republicans have taken increasingly The rise of Al Qaeda in Syria and the fighting between the Senate (and never would have made one goal to obstruct practically every extreme positions on a host of issues jihadists and opposition rebels will only help strengthen it through the House anyway). The harsh piece of legislation that the president – from abortion to taxes and, most the hands of Bashar Al Assad, who has always claimed budget cuts from sequestration remain and his party supporters favour. With damagingly, immigration – they’ve mar- that those fighting against him are terrorists. And the fall largely intact as government spending is the Republicans in control of the House ginalised themselves and diminished the growing at anaemically low rates. of Representatives this year – and for appeal of conservatism, particularly to of Fallujah or any other city will weaken Nouri Al Maliki. In the states, the story isn’t much bet- the foreseeable future – that is unlikely young Americans, women and Hispanics Countries in the region need to act in unison to exterminate ter. Twenty-three of the Republican ones to change soon. (the fastest growing demographic group this terrorist scourge • have rejected Medicaid expansion, which This speaks to a larger challenge of in the country). THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Manmohan Singh regime hasn’t done that bad on economic front the day

N ECONOMIC analysis, a decade is a richest economies. The world has been the rosiest years of growth, between proof of delivery. India still has a long long enough period to fit a trend. The peering curiously at the stuff bubbling 2004-05 to 2009-10 when growth aver- way to go before it can get food into jury is still out on how historians would in the Indian manufacturing laboratory aged 8.43%, the economy generated every mouth that needs it. Ijudge the UPA decade of 2004-14. with top companies jostling against each no more than 2 million jobs for the 55 The Food Security Act, promises to We’ll set taxes … to However, some statistics stand out. other to own a slice of the market that million people who joined the workforce. achieve that. Fertiliser and fuel prices are India’s gross domestic product (GDP) should triple its size in the next decade, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in in the process of being fully decontrolled; raise revenue, not grew at an annual average of 7.6pc if not earlier. his press conference on Friday, acknowl- the Centre is in the last stage of discus- during the period, including India’s per capita is nearly Rs70,000 edged low employment generation is sions with states for a unified goods and to make a political the two latest years that have been a year. The figure gives an idea of the an aspect of performance, which the services tax, and a direct tax code is characterised by a crippling slowdown. standard of living of the people, although government is working hard to correct. nearly frozen. In the final analysis, profit point. But if I had It is an enviable achievement by any it hides a truism: the richest Indians Yet, the regime led by an economist maximisation, policy reforms and politics money in the coffers standard, particularly at a time when may have driven much of the growth PM has achieved a substantial body of should cease to be mutually exclusive the US and the European Union were in income. Besides, adjusted against work to demonstrate its intent to dispel objectives. There were signs that the I would target that reeling in recession. inflation, the jump in average income India’s image as a ‘welfare laggard’. If UPA sought to strike this equilibrium, India’s national income is within strik- may not have been as scorching over the first term of the UPA government although a lot remain unanswered on money at the lowest David Cameron ing distance of crossing the $2 trillion the last decade. was about proof of concept — growth its many methods of administrative arbi- paid. mark joining the elite group of globe’s As per government data, even during with equity, the next has been about trariness. Hindustan Times British Prime Minister MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Hope amid despair in South Sudan

pain was behind those shirts. But advocates accused Juba security In the culture of they were signs of coping. The forces of conducting “a campaign people who created them seemed of violence against civilians simply South Sudan’s to be saying: We know things are because they belonged to a dif- bad, but it will be OK. ferent ethnic group or they are macho, cattle- Humour was one way I tried to viewed as opponents of the cur- cope with the painful and seem- rent government” in a July 2013 ingly intractable realities around letter signed by Roger Winter, raising society me. The truth was, despite my a former US State Department idealistic nature, I wasn’t sure special envoy; Sudan expert where it’s highly how hopeful to be on a continent Eric Reeves; Enough Project where a ceasefire was often just a co-founder John Prendergast; chance to rearm, as my husband and Ted Dagne, who had been taboo for men once observed during a reporting the lead Africa analyst with the trip to cover Ivory Coast’s on- Congressional Research Service to cry, female again, off-again civil war. before serving for a time as an Certainly it was often difficult adviser to Kiir. mourners are to find signs of hope during the Dagne also pointed out wide- nearly 20 reporting trips I made spread graft in a recent memo to to Sudan. the Sudanese president obtained called in to In South Sudanese culture — by The Washington Post. a macho, cattle-raising society “Over the years, your patience articulate pain where it’s highly taboo for men to to abuses by some in the leader- cry — female mourners are called ship has been taken as weakness, through singing, in to articulate pain through sing- and may have opened the door to ing, wailing, fainting and guttural undermine your leadership by the sounds. They were there during same people who were appointed wailing, fainting that steaming summer of 2005 to govern,” Dagne wrote. “Unless when South Sudanese leader this trend is reversed quickly, and sounds. John Garang, one of Africa’s most these people will likely succeed revered icons, was killed in a heli- in creating a state of chaos in the BY EMILY WAX- copter crash. “Oh my people, oh country.” THIBODEAUX my country,” they sang for hours, Dagne recommended a restruc- with such anguish that nearly a turing and reshuffle that was not ith his soulful songs decade later I still think about it rushed or political but designed about injustice, his often. to lay the foundation for the next work as an activist A displaced woman sells fruit at a crowded IDP encampment within the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, I was covering Garang’s funeral generation, root out corruption Wand his penchant compound in the capital Juba. and asked the women afterward and make the cabinet more effec- for wrap-around sunglasses, if they were hopeful without their tive and reform-minded. Lam Tungwar is South Sudan’s leader. They were tough farming “There are a lot of people in homespun blend of Bono and Bob country — that it was no longer messed up again. We feel a gov- album “War Child.” “Left home women, without much educa- South Sudan and in the govern- Marley. a place where religion, tribe or ernment we had really trusted at the age of 7. One year later live tion. But they knew. They listed ment who are committed to see- Tungwar was a child soldier inherited privilege determined has just betrayed us. And it’s with an AK-47. . . . When the rest all the problems that exist today: ing their country strong, united, before he became a hip-hop success or failure. Thousands of worse than Khartoum because of the children were learning how oil money that would inevitably democratic and prosperous,” star, and his lyrics chronicle the young people came to try out, it’s our own people.” to read and write, I was learning spark corruption and greed in Dagne told me. “Unfortunately, despair of his country’s decades often traveling for days from His devastation won’t quickly how to fight.” a destitute country, aging rebel these leaders have been sidelined of violence but also the determi- rural villages, sometimes causing dissipate, even if ongoing peace The cousins’ work became pop- leaders more concerned with get- or ignored by the same obstruc- nation of South Sudan’s trium- stampedes — all for a brief shot talks in Ethiopia yield an agree- ular with DJs spinning in London ting rich than with being public tionists who are determined to phant birth 2 1/2 years ago, when at something more. ment between President Salva and Paris, and one of their songs servants, and politicians willing to die in office for the sake of power the largely Christian and African But those ideals have been Kiir and his ousted vice president, — “Baai,” meaning “my home” — exploit underlying tribal tensions and money. The Mobutus of South South split from the Muslim and upended, even for the hopelessly Riek Machar, whom Kiir accused was featured in the film “Blood for their own power. Sudan do not understand or wish Arab North, ending Africa’s long- hopeful Tungwar. of attempting a coup. Their Diamond.” I heard similar warnings from to learn what it means to be a est civil war. His three brothers were killed rivalry has touched off widespread When Jal performed for class- Jal when he came to Washington public servant.” In “Call the President,” he last month in the renewed vio- fighting between their supporters, rooms at Kakuma, some of the for the opening of South Sudan’s When I asked Tungwar this urges young South Sudanese to lence that is threatening the largely divided along ethnic lines. young students cried — huge tears Embassy in 2011. He looked scepti- past week how much hope he has embrace the possibilities of their future of South Sudan. According Kiir is from the majority Dinka that started slowly and turned cal, his eyes sad, his body language left, Jal jumped on the phone and new nation: “One day, you can to the United Nations, more than group. Machar is Nuer. into bawling as they listened to suggesting that he was hesitant to offered a haunting answer. be the new president. Show all 1,000 lives have been taken, and I first met Tungwar and his his poetry in the form of rap. join in the revelry at a huge party “When a baby is born, they the youth what our future can 180,000 villagers have been forced cousin Emmanuel Jal when I After an interview in Nairobi at a five-star Washington hotel. have diseases and are very sick, represent.” to flee their homes. was based in Nairobi, and they once, Jal gave me a copy of his CD Kiir was there, in his signature and their mother thinks they are Though he could have fled to Tungwar, who in my mind sym- were among the coolest people and a bright yellow T-shirt with a cowboy hat, as were civil-society going to die,” he said. “But some- an easier life in the United States bolised everything that was prom- in Kenya. Part of East Africa’s slogan written in magic marker: leaders, who danced for hours. how they make it.” or Europe, Tungwar committed ising about South Sudan, has been growing hip-hop scene, they often “Somebody (heart)’s me in new In a cab on the way to a second His ability to assume there is himself to the gritty and deeply emotionally gutted — both by his played at clubs and at the sprawl- Sudan.” I thanked him and said round of parties, I asked Jal if he sickness and suffering, but still be impoverished capital of Juba, personal losses and by the pros- ing Kakuma Refugee Camp, home I would add it to my collection of was OK. “It could all fall apart hopeful no matter what, is why, opening a community centre for pect of his country coming apart. to thousands of “lost boys” and ironic African T-shirts of con- if oil resources aren’t shared, if despite it all, I am still optimistic artists and launching a televised “How are we back here again? other young South Sudanese flict. I also had a Chadian dictator there’s no real development,” he about South Sudan. talent competitionin the style of We are a generation that grew who had escaped by walking for shirt and another from Liberia told me. Wax-Thibodeaux is a reporter for “American Idol.” The show pro- up with independence and hope days, arriving barely alive, just as with childlike drawings of guns There were warnings from The Washington Post and served as moted the idea that talent, merit in our hearts,” Tungwar told Tungwar and Jal had. and grenades and the endearing Americans immersed in the com- the paper’s Africa bureau chief from and hard work were what it took me over a scratchy Skype line “Voices in my brain of friends misspelling: “the Librators.” Jal plexities of Sudan’s conflict, too. 2002 to 2006. to build a new life in the new this past week. “Now we are all that were slain,” Jal raps on his laughed. We both knew how much A group of South Sudan WP-BLOOMBERG Looking back to the start of First World War

n New Year’s Day 1914, a relative calm. The Balkan wars, respected weekly liter- In Jan 1914, Europe seemed to be during which states includ- ary publication carried ing Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia Oa long article penned enjoying a period of relative calm. fought for their independence by an author referred to only as from the Turkish Ottoman A Rifleman. Entitled “Letters on empire, appeared to have drawn War” and published in The New The Balkan wars appeared to have to a close. The Peace Palace had Age, an influential radical maga- recently opened in The Hague zine in Britain, the three-page drawn to a close. “for the peaceful settlement of piece argued forcefully in favour differences between peoples” and of military conflict. of hindsight. But did those peo- vociferously opposed by Ulster Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was Success in war, argued the ple waking up on this day in Unionists. being hailed as a glorious peace- writer, “carries with it the poten- January 100 years ago actually “The year opened under the maker with 25 conflict-free years tiality of the highest form of eco- believe Britain was teetering on shadow of the Irish crisis,” of rule behind him. nomic development ...[and] the the brink of war? And what kind declared the 4 January edition Vera Brittain, who would later highest degree of physical and of world greeted them when they of the London-based Observer write the bestselling war mem- moral development”. The armed bade farewell to the old year? “At — although the main story was oir Testament of Youth, was at strength of nations was, the arti- that stage [January 1914] I don’t a heartfelt appeal for the foun- this time furiously revising for cle stated, “the highest expression think it was inevitable at all,” says dation of a repertory theatre in her Oxford scholarship exams of that physical force which is the Margaret MacMillan, professor of London. at her family home in Buxton, basis of all our moral codes”. history at Oxford University and Women were increasingly Derbyshire, in EnglandâAos East Seven months after the article the author of The War that Ended making their voices heard, too. Midlands, and only dimly aware Officers arresting Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914 in was published, the first world war Peace: The Road to 1914. “If any- The suffragette Emily Davison of “those tentative treaties in the Sarajevo moments after he assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the erupted. It was not, as A Rifleman thing, the decision-makers were had been killed throwing herself too-inflammable Balkans”. had hoped, an opportunity for rather complacent. They thought in front of the King’s horse at heir to the Empire of Austria-Hungary, while on visit to Sarajevo, triggering The British Labour politician physical and moral develop- they’d got through a bad patch in the Derby horse race, in south- the First World War. Norman Angell was enjoying best- ment but a conflict of unparal- 1912 and 1913 with wars in the east England, in June 1913. By seller status in Germany with his leled destruction. By the time the Balkans. The landscape was a lot December, Sylvia Pankhurst eight-hour workday. there had been a near-riot. But book, The Great Illusion, which armistice was signed near the calmer than usual. There were was claiming in a public speech In cultural spheres, a new MacMillan says that Social argued that “the Great War, that end of 1918, 10 million men had the usual worries and tensions, that “we will make the cabinet kind of modernism was taking Darwinism — the application of eternal threat, will never come” lost their lives on the battlefield, but I think the British were much ministers shake in their shoes hold. The Italian Futurist Filippo theories of natural selection and because of economic interdepend- with another 20 million wounded. more preoccupied with the situa- until they are afraid for their Tommaso Marinetti had visited survival of the fittest to sociology ence between nation states. H G Wells called it “the war to tion in Ireland, the Scottish inde- very lives”. London in 1910, one year after and politics — had a far wider In the US, the bestselling end war” — a grim optimism pendence movement, the labour It was a time of considerable the publication of his manifesto, appeal. American novel of 1913 had been that was to prove depressingly movement and the suffragette social change. In 1913, the Trade which declared that war was “the “You’ve got the older genera- The Inside of the Cup, a progressive unfounded. unrest.” Union Act was passed and union world’s only hygiene”. tion, those old Oxford professor work by Winston Churchill. Not This year marks the centenary It is true that in January 1914 membership was growing rapidly. According to MacMillan, types, who feel that the young are the future prime minister, but of the outbreak of the Great War the domestic front seemed to A wave of strike action had led to Marinetti’s vision appealed to decadent and soft and not like us, one of the most popular authors in July 1914. In a year that will be more unstable than the glo- “the great unrest” and, by January those like A Rifleman on the and that war does the nation good of his day who shared the same be punctuated by sober reflec- bal situation. The third home 1914, Britain was witnessing the radical left who wanted to “bust and is healthy bloodletting,” she name. The other Churchill was tion and a series of commemo- rule bill, intended to introduce rise of a mass labour movement. up the old world”. In January says. “You’ve also got this feeling then a father of two, serving rative occasions, it is tempting self-governance in Ireland, had In America, on this day 100 years 1914, Modernism remained among some young people that as First Lord of the Admiralty to assume a certain inevitability been introduced in parliament ago, the Ford Motor Company the preserve of a rarefied elite; war was rather glamorous.” under Herbert Asquith’s Liberal to events, especially when look- two years earlier and, in January announced the introduction of a when Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring Yet in January 1914 Europe government. ing at them through the prism 1914, was in the process of being daily minimum wage of $5 for an had premiered in Paris in 1913, seemed to be enjoying a period of THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Italy’s Bersani US icebreaker heads to Antarctic suffers brain Bid to free two trapped vessels haemorrhage

SYDNEY: A US icebreaker If that was not possible and ROME: Pier Luigi Bersani (pic- was dispatched yesterday to other rescue plans failed, leaving tured), the assist an icebound Russian the ship stranded “for a very long former head research ship and Chinese ves- time, which is very rare indeed, of Italy’s cen- sel trapped during a rescue bid then we’ll have to evacuate the tre-left who in Antarctica, as the leader of a people onboard and leave the ves- narrowly group airlifted to safety rejected sel there,” he added. missed out criticism of their expedition. Xue Long’s mission — China’s on the post of The US Coast Guard’s Polar 30th to the Antarctic continent premier last Star accepted an Australian — which included construction of year, suf- request to go to the aid of the a new research base, site inspec- fered a brain marooned Russian ship Akademik tion for another and a range of haemorrhage Shokalskiy which has been beset scientific work, will now have to yesterday, by ice since December 24. be revised, Qu said. the hospital treating him said. It will also aid the Chinese The Polar Star, which left the The University of Parma hospi- icebreaker Xue Long which was US in early December to clear tal said the 61-year-old had been involved in a dramatic helicopter a channel for ships resupplying brought in after suffering from rescue of the Shokalskiy’s 52 pas- McMurdo Station research base, vomiting and dizziness and was sengers on Thursday. left Sydney yesterday with provi- undergoing surgery. The Xue Long has become sions, according to the Australian Bersani was given the chance in trapped itself, with China vowing Maritime Safety Authority. March to try to form a new Italian “all-out efforts” to assist the ship The 122-metre ship is capable government after his coalition which is surrounded by ice of up of continuously breaking ice up to A file picture of Polar Star, the US Coast Guard icebreaker, completing ice drills in the Arctic. The US is sending failed to win an outright majority, to four metres thick and is stuck 1.8 metres (six feet) thick while the Polar Star to help free Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy and Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon gripped by creating a political stalemate. 21 kilometres from open water, travelling at three knots, and can Antarctic ice, the Coast Guard said. He stepped down as head of according to state news agency break ice more than six metres Italy’s Democratic Party (PD) Xinhua which has reporters on thick by ramming. It is expected France’s Astrolabe, were diverted been wiped out,” he said. fully aware of the expedition and after failing to form a govern- board. to take seven days to reach from their Antarctic missions to The Australis was forced there was even an exchange of ment, and fellow leftist Enrico China’s Antarctic division Commonwealth Bay where the assist the Shokalskiy. to suspend its resupply of the emails around it in September. Letta was appointed premier. director Qu Tanzhou said the Xue two ships are trapped, 100 nautical Yves Frenot, director of the Australian base to rush to the aid At no time did Yves indicate any Messages of support flooded in Long may attempt to chop itself miles from the French Antarctic French Polar Institute said the of the Shokalskiy, but authorities problems with the science of yesterday from across the political free of the ice today if conditions base of Dumont d’Urville. rescue saga had forced French said it was not yet known what the expedition or the expedition spectrum. Letta was reportedly in permit, with a massive iceberg The stranding of the Shokalskiy, scientists to scrap a two-week impact the incident would have itself,” Turney said. telephone contact with Bersani’s expected to move out of its path. which was carrying 22 scientists, oceanographic campaign using on scientific programmes. The Auora Australis is now family and even his long-time “Weather forecasts and ice 26 paying passengers and four the Astrolabe. Chris Turney, leader of the en route to Australia’s Casey rival from the centre-right, Silvio monitoring show favourable journalists as well as 22 crew “But we are relatively lucky. Shokalskiy’s expedition which Antarctic base to complete a Berlusconi, sent “an affectionate weather conditions may appear who remain on board, has sparked The Chinese have had to cancel repeated century-old measure- resupply run, from where it will hug to a loyal adversary”. AFP today, which may bring winds to criticism in some quarters. all their scientific programme, ments to explore environmental return to Hobart, with Turney and blow the ice floe away, providing a As well as the Xue Long and and my counterpart in Australia changes as it retraced a 1911-14 the Shokalskiy’s other passengers good opportunity for Xue Long to Polar Star two other icebreakers, is spitting tacks with anger, voyage of the Antarctic, hit back on board, later this month. Khodorkovsky sail out,” Qu told the China Daily. Australia’s Aurora Australis and because their entire summer has at Frenot’s criticism. “Yves was AFP in Switzerland BERLIN: Former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is now in Switzerland after leav- German vice-chancellor takes time off to be a dad ing Berlin, where he had been staying since his release from BERLIN: As the vice-chancellor only if you go through files in the signal a wider shift in attitudes to creating culture change”. Since a Russian prison, his spokes- of Europe’s largest economy, the car, on the train or at home,” said parenthood. 2007, German parents have been woman said yesterday. leader of Germany’s second larg- the 54-year-old so-called “super Late last year, Jörg Asmussen, entitled to up to 14 months of “He is in Switzerland where est party and the minister in minister” in charge of managing an executive board member at parental leave at 65 percent of pay, his children go to school,” said charge of one of the most pres- Germany’s nuclear phase-out. the European Central Bank, to share however they wish. The the spokeswoman, who refused to sured government departments, But he said there had to be space announced he would become an number of men using of it has been reveal which city Khodorkovsky is Sigmar Gabriel (pictured) has a for politicians to spend time with undersecretary of state in the rising, and reached more than a in. Bern said on Monday that it had full schedule in 2014 — but not on their family, “otherwise we don’t new German labour ministry — quarter last year – but most only granted a three-month visa to the Wednesday afternoons. know what normal life is like”. a demotion which meant he would do so for about two months. Kremlin critic, who was jailed for In an interview with the tab- Germany still has a reputa- lose out on an estimated €150,000 While the percentage of women 10 years for financial crimes but loid Bild this weekend, the second tion as a country where moth- (£124,000) a year. The reason? To in Angela Merkel’s new cabinet last month pardoned by Russian most powerful person in German ers are either Hausfrauen or spend more time with his family. is the same as in her last, for President Vladimir Putin. politics revealed he was planning Rabenmütter: Committed stay- “If you are constantly commut- the first time four out of the six Russia’s one-time richest man, to take off an afternoon a week at-home mums or uncaring ing, you are not a regular part female ministers have children. magazine that “I hope that I will who has said he would stay away to spend with his two-year-old career women who, like ravens, of family life. You’re out of it,” The Defence Minister, Ursula von be able to continue to steer many from his home country, has been daughter. “My wife has a job, and abandon their offspring while Asmussen, 47, told Stern maga- der Leyen, and the family minis- things from home”, while Schwesig mulling a move to Switzerland on Wednesdays it’s my turn to pick they go out to work. But if the zine. Getting men to spend more ter, Manuela Schwesig, have said said that she was planning to get where his wife Inna lives and his up our daughter from nursery. And latest reshuffle at the top of time with their children was not they aim to balance their new much of her work done from her twin sons go to school. He left I’m looking forward to it.” German politics is anything to go something that could be legis- responsibilities with family life. home in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Berlin yesterday with his wife by “Some things are achievable by, Gabriel’s announcement could lated for, but was instead “about Von der Leyen told Bunte THE GUARDIAN train, his spokeswoman said. AFP

Most Spaniards want king to More than 10,000 rally in Kiev abdicate: Poll KIEV: More than 10,000 people with the European Union under the authorities don’t want to lis- gathered in central Kiev yester- pressure from the Kremlin. ten to us.” MADRID: Almost two day for the first major opposition He then caused further anger “I am sure we will force the thirds of Spaniards want rally of the new year as protests by violently dispersing protesters, authorities to take the citizens their king to abdicate and against Ukraine’s scrapping many of them students, using tear into account,” he said. Opposition hand the crown to his of an EU pact stretched into a gas and stun grenades. At their leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk also son, according to a poll seventh week. height, the opposition protests urged the demonstrators to main- released yesterday, the Opposition leaders including drew as many as 200,000 people tain their protest camp on the monarch’s birthday, that former heavyweight boxing cham- to the Maidan. Maidan, which they have sealed also showed his popularity pion Vitali Klitschko urged the Russian President Vladimir off with improvised barricades. slumping to a record low. crowd to continue the standoff on Putin in December responded by “This year will be a very diffi- King Juan Carlos, who Independence Square, also known offering Ukraine a $15bn bailout cult one for us. We must hold onto has been on the throne as the Maidan, where protesters package and slashing the price the Maidan,” he said. Supporters for 38 years, was once one have been camped out since late Ukraine has to pay for natural at the rally expressed determina- of the world’s best-loved November. gas imports. tion to continue the protest. sovereigns, respected for “The authorities are pretending Klitschko, who leads the “I will definitely keep coming to his common touch and they cannot hear us. I know it’s UDAR (Punch)opposition party, Kiev, because the authorities are for helping guide Spain hard for us, but we have enough said that a new wave of protests just waiting for support to weaken to democracy in the 1970s strength to win,” Klitschko said. would begin after public holi- in order to disperse the Maidan. after the death of dictator Ukrainian President Viktor days. He also announced plans But people are ready to fight to Francisco Franco. Yanukovych last month triggered for a general strike, which he the end,” said teacher Olena Bilyk, But Spaniards have massive protests by deciding not said would be “first a strike who had travelled from the south- become increasingly frus- to sign an Association Agreement warning and then a real one if ern Mykolaiv region. AFP trated by a long-running corruption investigation into the king’s daughter, Princess Cristina, and her husband Inaki Urdangarin. Urdangarin has been charged with embezzling ¤6m in public funds, though both deny any wrong-doing. Sixty-two percent of those polled said they thought the king should step down, compared with 44.7 percent a year ago, according to the Sigma Dos poll published in El Mundo newspaper. Only 41.3 percent of those polled had a good or very good opinion of the king, down from more than 76 percent two years ago. Younger Spaniards, who were not alive during the Franco years, were overwhelm- ingly in favour of abdica- Pro-European protesters attend a rally on Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, yesterday. tion, the poll showed. AFP MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 ‘Life-threatening’ cold bites US Midwest Polar vortex set to bring record low temperatures; chill prompts school closures, cancellation of flights

MILWAUKEE: Residents of National Weather Service. and departing Chicago O’Hare the Midwestern United States “It’s just a dangerous cold,” International Airport had been yesterday braced for the coldest NWS meteorologist Butch Dye cancelled yesterday, according to weather in two decades, temper- said in Missouri. Snow preceded FlightAware, which tracks flight atures that forecasters warned the polar air and was expected to statistics. Nationwide, about 2,855 would be life-threatening. fall throughout from Michigan to flights had been delayed nation- Icy conditions snarled travel Kentucky. wide by midday and 2,332 had across the region and thousands Southern states are bracing been cancelled. of flights were canceled or delayed for possible record temperatures Officials in several states asked and some officials preemptively too. Meteorologists in central and residents to use extra precau- closed schools. north Georgia say temperatures tions when outdoors. Minnesota “The coldest temperatures in could drop into the single dig- Governor Mark Dayton has almost two decades will spread its fahrenheit (-17 to - 13C) by ordered all public schools in the into the northern and central US tomorrow, accompanied by wind state closed today to protect today behind an arctic cold front,” chills as low as -26C. children from dangerously cold the National Weather Service “Winter Storm Ion is spreading weather. Chicago schools will be said in an advisory posted on its a swath of heavy snow across the open today despite the cold, but website on Sunday. “Combined Midwest, and its icy tentacles will officials, in a statement, advised with gusty winds, these tempera- also bring wintry weather into parents to “use their own discre- tures will result in life-threaten- the south and parts of the east. tion in deciding whether to send ing wind chill values as low as 60 Following closely behind Ion will their child to school.” degrees below zero (Fahrenheit/ be a blast of brutally cold air,” said Between six inches and one -51 Celsius).” In weather that The Weather Channel in forecast. foot (15-30cm) of snow was pre- cold, frostbite can set in on uncov- The weather created travel dicted from Chicago to Detroit, ered skin in a matter of minutes, problems. In New York City, John AccuWeather said, while icy sleet experts warned. F Kennedy International Airport and rain was forecast for much of A “polar vortex” will affect was closed for a couple of hours the Northeast. more than half of the continen- after a Bombardier jet skidded off Chicago, Detroit and St Louis tal US with wind chill warn- a taxiway soon after landing. The all saw more snowfall overnight, ings stretching from Montana Delta Connection flight had landed while National Football League to Alabama. The vortex is an safely after arriving from Toronto playoff showdown between the anti-clockwise-rotating pool of with 35 passengers on board, and Green Bay Packers and the San cold, dense air, and is behind no injuries were reported. Francisco 49ers at the open-air A car’s windshield wipers stick out of its snow cover after a storm dropped up to 7 inches of snow in New York City. the startling forecast: -31C in In Missouri, the state Lambeau Field in Wisconsin Fargo, North Dakota, -35C in Department of Transportation looked set to be one of the cold- bring blankets and sleeping bags. many places across the country. reports said. A 71-year-old woman International Falls, Minnesota, warned that most major road- est NFL games in history. Added to the mix was freez- Among the deaths blamed on suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and -26C in Indianapolis and ways were snow-covered, it was The Packers say they will help ing rain forecast to hit the south the weather was a worker killed froze to death after walking out Chicago. The coldest temperature too cold for rock salt to be very fans battle the big freeze by hand- and east, affecting New York and on Friday when he was crushed into the cold and getting lost in reported in the lower 48 states effective and the wind was whip- ing out free coffee, hot chocolate Washington, with the extreme by a 100-foot (30-metre) pile of northern New York state, accord- yesterday was -38C in Crane ping, causing whiteout conditions. and hand warmers, while sup- weather expected to continue salt being prepared to treat roads ing to authorities. Lake, Minnesota, according to the About half of all flights arriving porters would also be allowed to into the early part of the week in in the Philadelphia area, media AGENCIES

Cameron Migrant becomes star in Britain

LONDON: The British media had interview his 19-year-old fiancee, promises warned of a flood of new Bulgarian Catalina Curcean, in what it called and Romanian migrants arriv- their “ramshackle” house outside the pension ing on January 1, but judging by village of Pelisor in Transylvania. this week’s coverage, they only A gaggle of journalists had gath- appeared to have found one. ered to greet Spirescu’s flight on protection Victor Spirescu, a 30-year-old January 1, in hopes of a story about Romanian, has become an unex- hordes of migrants arriving to seek LONDON: Britain’s Prime pected star after flying into Luton work and possibly to abuse Britain’s Minister David Cameron airport, north of London, on the day welfare system. But of the 140 pas- promised yesterday to pro- EU labour market restrictions on his sengers on board the 180-seat tect pensioners’ income nation and Bulgaria were lifted. plane from Tirgu Mures in central if his Conservative party He has become the face of the new Romania, most were already working wins the 2015 election, lay- arrivals, featuring in several newspa- in Britain and were returning from ing out his first manifesto pers — including for a double-page their Christmas holidays. spending pledge. spread in The Times — appearing on Spirescu was one of the exceptions, Coming at a time when Sky News and has been interviewed making his first trip to Britain to Britain is facing years of by the Romanian media back home. earn enough money to take home so Cars pass each other on a flooded road in the village of Yalding in Kent, southern England, yesterday. cuts to public spending, the The Daily Telegraph newspa- he and his future wife could finish promise is designed to win per even travelled to Romania to renovating their house. AFP the support of the coun- UK’s winter storms set to continue try’s elderly — who polling data show are more likely to vote in elections than LONDON: Britain remains the ground waterlogged and rivers Officials have pleaded with younger people. in the grip of the worst run of rising over their banks. people to keep away from coastal Cameron said he would winter storms for two decades. The strong winds, persistent areas, where waves up to 12 metres extend the current ‘triple Coastal areas — particularly in rain and tidal waves are predicted high have lashed the land. A man lock’ on pension payments, southern England — are most to batter the UK for at least and child were almost swept away which ensures they rise at vulnerable because of unusually another two days, as emergency by a huge wave at Mullion Cove in the pace of either inflation high tides and the arrival of a services attempt to cope with the Cornwall as they peered over the or wage increases — which- strong Atlantic storm. trail of devastation already cre- sea wall to watch the raging sea, ever rate is higher — and by The Met Office has issued yel- ated by the severe weather. and elsewhere in Cornwall vehi- a minimum of 2.5 percent low weather warnings of ice and More than 200 homes have cles driving on a coastal road were per year. rain, predicting river and surface been flooded from Cornwall to swamped and almost washed away “In a civilised society ... flooding as well as travel disrup- Scotland, with miles of coast- by a tidal surge. knowing you’re going to tion, mainly in south Wales and line affected and roads and fields In Aberystwyth, a man was have a decent state pension the south-west and south-east across the country left under rescued by lifeboat after he defied ... is, I think, a really pow- of England. Up to 40mm of rain water. Two people have already police warnings and became erful thing,” Cameron said could fall on higher ground. died in the storms: A 27-year- trapped when photographing waves in an interview with the Inland rainfall will put pres- old man from Surrey was found from a harbour jetty. Aberystwyth Sunday Times. He said the sure on rivers, endangering on Porthleven Sands beach in University has deferred the start policy was the “first plank” nearby communities including Cornwall after he was swept out of the examination period by one of his election manifesto. those along the river Medway in to sea on New Year’s Eve night, week and is advising students not The existing triple-lock Kent, the river Thames in Oxford and a woman died after being res- to travel to the coastal town until system was agreed in 2010 and Osney, and the river Severn cued from the sea in Croyde Bay, the middle of next week. with the Liberal Democrat estuary in Gloucestershire. The north Devon. Debris was strewn across the Party, the junior partner in Thames barrier will remain closed Dozens of volunteers in south town’s promenade, while rail Britain’s coalition govern- to protect land near the river. Devon have resumed their search lines in north Wales were left ment, and is also supported Matt Dobson, a forecaster for for missing 18-year-old student buckled by the power of the sea by the Labour party, but MeteoGroup, said the rain “sim- Harry Martin, who was last seen and a road collapsed in Amroth, neither have yet pledged ply has nowhere to go” because leaving his home to take photo- Pembrokeshire. to continue it after 2015. weeks of severe weather had left graphs of the weather. THE GUARDIAN AFP

US Senator wants light punishment for Snowden WASHINGTON: The public debate were to return to the United States from trial but that the United States should not over the fate of former National Security Russia, where he currently is living, to face offer a plea bargain to him. Agency contractor Edward Snowden trial. Schumer said a trial could help clarify several intensified yesterday with conservative Paul, a freshman senator from Kentucky issues, including whether the vast amounts of US Senator Rand Paul calling for a light and a Tea Party favourite who has his eye data being collected by the NSA actually help prison term as punishment for Snowden’s on running for president in 2016, made his the United States root out terrorists and how disclosure of information on government remarks a few days after a New York Times much damage Snowden’s leaks have done to surveillance programmes. editorial said Snowden had done the United American intelligence agents. Paul, a Republican, said in an interview States “a great service” in divulging details Last month, a federal judge criticised the on ABC’s “This Week” that Snowden does of NSA surveillance. NSA’s metadata counter-terrorism pro- not deserve the death penalty or life in The newspaper said the US government gramme, saying that he could not imagine a prison for the leaks, which have rattled the should offer Snowden “a plea bargain or more “indiscriminate” and “arbitrary inva- US intelligence community, not to mention some form of clemency that would allow sion.” The Obama administration on Friday an American public that had been unaware him to return home.” appealed that court’s ruling: that the NSA’s of the extent of NSA data collection. Senator Charles Schumer, the third- gathering of Americans’ telephone records Instead, Paul spoke favorably of “some ranking Democrat in the Senate, also on was probably unconstitutional. penalty of a few years in prison” if Snowden ABC, said Snowden should return to stand AFP MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Lanka evacuates Violence mars Bangladesh polls people as major storm nears 18 killled; 200 polling stations torched; Awami League cruises to victory amid low turnout COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has begun evacuating people liv- DHAKA: Thousands of pro- ing along the coast areas, as testers firebombed polling sta- a major storm threatened tions and at least 18 people were to create havoc in the area, killed as Bangladesh’s ruling officials said yesterday. The Awami League cruised to vic- early warning centre of the tory yesterday in an election department of meteorol- boycotted by the opposition. ogy said that strong winds Police said they had opened of speeds about 100km per fire at protesters as they torched hour and very heavy rain are more than 200 polling stations expected over the northern and stole and burnt ballot papers province and the areas adja- to try to sabotage the poll. Two of cent to northern sea, Xinhua those killed were beaten to death reported. It warned people while guarding polling stations living along the coastal areas in northern districts but most of Jaffna, Mullaitivu and of the victims were opposition Mannar to be more vigilant, supporters. as sea waves are expected The result was not in doubt to rise above three metres. since 153 Awami League candidates Officials said that people liv- or allies were declared elected ing within 100 metres from unopposed to the 300-seat parlia- the sea were evacuated as a ment before polling day. The first precautionary measure and 108 results for the remaining seats taken to safer locations. showed the Awami League winning in 81 constituencies while allied China probes 37,000 parties or nominal independents officials for graft mopped up in the other 27. But the opposition Bangladesh BEIJING: China inves- Nationalist Party (BNP) said the Activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party and Bangladesh Nationalist Party clash with activists of the Awami League in Rajshahi yesterday. tigated almost 37,000 contest was a farce and election officials suspected of cor- commission officials admitted said they had responded with live polling stations due to violence ensure no ballot-rigging, a system television that “the turnout ruption in more than 27,000 that turnout was low. fire after thousands of protesters or the threat of violence, election in force in the past. It staged doesn’t matter”. “What is impor- cases between January and Police put the overall death toll showered them with crude explo- commission secretary Mohammed weeks of deadly protests, includ- tant is that the people defied vio- November, state media said. at 18 although the opposition said sive devices. Sadique said. ing blockades and strikes, to press lence and came out to vote,” he Out of the 27,236 cases, 12,824 22 of its supporters were killed. “It was a coordinated attack. Tens of thousands of troops were its demands. said. Hasina’s government says resulted in “losses for the “We’ve seen thousands of protest- They managed to seize some bal- deployed across the country after A general strike called by the it had to hold the vote after par- people” involving a total of ers attack polling booths and our lot papers and they tried to steal around 150 people had been killed BNP, which began on Saturday, liament’s five-year term expired. 5.51bn yuan ($0.9bn), Xinhua personnel at a number of loca- our weapons,” said local police in the build-up to the election. The has now been extended until But the BNP, whose leader news agency said. Top pros- tions with petrol bombs,” Syed chief Mokbul Hossain. Awami League has accused the Wednesday morning as the party Khaleda Zia has been confined ecutor Cao Jianming told the Abu Sayem, police chief of the In the capital, whose streets BNP of orchestrating the violence tries to ratchet up the pressure. to her home for a week, said the National People’s Congress northern district of Bogra, said. were largely deserted apart from and has kept its leader under de Although there was no immediate vote was a joke. “The country has parliament in October that “The situation is extremely vol- thousands of troops, police con- facto house arrest. figure on turnout, election commis- rejected these farcical elections 200,000 people had been atile,” he added after describing firmed three petrol bombings of The opposition had demanded sion chief Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad which were meaningless, laugha- probed for embezzlement how thousands of ballot papers polling stations. Voting either did Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina acknowledged that it was “low”. ble and universally unacceptable,” or bribery between January had been ceremoniously set on fire. not take place or was suspended make way for a neutral caretaker But Information Minister said deputy leader Fakhrul Islam 2008 and last August. Police in the town of Parbatipur in at least 380 of the some 18,000 government before the election to Hasanul Haq Inu told local Alamgir. AFP Call to end harsh Mayanmar laws Hope for typhoon victims YANGON: Several thou- US envoy due sand people joined a rally in Court summons Cambodian oppn leaders Myanmar’s main city yester- PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s oppo- Cambodia National Rescue Party in Sri Lanka to day to call for the abolition of sition leaders have been summoned leader Sam Rainsy and his deputy repressive laws and an end to court on suspicion of inciting civil Kem Sokha have been summoned discuss war to politically related arrests. unrest, their party said, after the to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on The crowd gathered for about government of strongman premier January 14 for questioning “in the crimes claims two hours near Yangon City Hun Sen moved to suppress growing case of incitement to commit crimi- Hall, chanting slogans such street protests. nal offences or serious social unrest”, COLOMBO: A top US as “Give citizens full rights!” Hun Sen faces an increasing chal- according to warrants posted on the envoy will travel to Sri and “Freedom!” Myanmar lenge to his nearly three-decade rule opposition website late Saturday. Lanka today to discuss said on December 31 that it from striking garment workers as well Rainsy told reporters they were allegations of war crimes was releasing its last remain- as opposition supporters demanding ready to defend themselves at the ahead of a UN review of ing political prisoners under a that he step down and call a new elec- hearing. “We have done nothing Colombo’s human rights sweeping amnesty. But about tion because of alleged vote fraud. wrong. On the contrary, it will be an record, officials said. 35 political detainees remain Police have indefinitely banned fur- opportunity for us to help expose the US Ambassador for locked up despite the pardon, ther rallies after several demonstra- truth,” he said. Global Criminal Justice according to activist Pyone tors were shot dead on Friday. AFP Stephen Rapp will spend Cho of the 88 Generation five days in Sri Lanka group which organised the discussing rights and rec- rally. “We do not accept onciliation following the A bicycle transport driver speeding past the entrance of the $1.6m Red any kind of political arrest,” decades-long separatist Cross tent hospital in Basey town, Western Samar province, central Pyone Cho said. war, the US State depart- Philippines. A devastating typhoon that killed thousands of people in the ment said. Philippines has unexpectedly given young traffic accident victim Mario Volcano danger Rapp will meet with Renos hope that he could one day walk again. zone extended government, political and civil society officials “on JAKARTA: Authorities a range of issues focus- have extended a danger zone ing on Sri Lanka’s justice, around a rumbling volcano accountability, and recon- Thai protesters march again in western Indonesia after it ciliation processes,” the US spewed blistering gas farther State Department said in a BANGKOK: Thousands of anti-government protesters marched than expected, forcing pan- short statement. through the Thai capital yesterday, a prelude to a broader action icked residents to flee down The visit comes as the next week when they say they will shut down Bangkok in their bid the sides of the mountain. UN Human Rights Council to scuttle a February election and topple Prime Minister Yingluck Mount Sinabung’s explosion meets in March to discuss Shinawatra. just after midnight yesterday whether Sri Lanka has The protesters, who accuse Yingluck of being the puppet of her triggered a panicked evacu- shown progress towards self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, want an ation. The volcano was still reining in alleged rights appointed “people’s council” to oversee a vague reform platform, which spitting clouds of gas and abuses and investigated includes electoral reform, decentralising power, and a volunteer police lava as high as 4,000 metres suspected war crimes. force, over a 12-month period before any future election. Yingluck, her in several eruptions yester- The UN estimates that brother and their support base among the rural poor in the populous day, but no casualties were the conflict for a sepa- north and northeast are pitted against protesters who draw support from reported. Disaster mitigation rate homeland for ethnic Bangkok’s conservative, royalist elite and middle classes and the south. agency spokesman Sutopo Tamils in the Sinhalese- Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a fiery former deputy premier Purwo Nugroho said the majority nation cost at from the main opposition Democrat Party, said marches would be held danger zone south-east of the least 100,000 lives between on Tuesday and Thursday, leading up the January 13 “shutdown”. “We volcano was extended from 1972 and 2009. will keep walking, we won’t stop,” Suthep said on the march. “We will 3–4 miles from the crater’s AFP walk until we win and we won’t give up.” AFP smouldering mouth. AGENCIES Nepal reels under heavy load-shedding KATHMANDU: The state power monop- had gone up to 16 hours a day. With the crisis cannot be limited within only 12 hours oly in Nepal has extended load-shedding new schedule becoming effective, Nepalis a day in the near future,” Chettri said. “At hours from the earlier nine hours a day to will have to cope with 84 hours a week in present, there is a demand for 1,100 MW a 12 hours beginning yesterday. darkness. day while we have been able to supply only The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), “Increasing load shedding is our compul- 575 MW to 600 MW.” The NEA projected that had increased power cuts to nine hours sion,” Bhuwan Chettri, chief of NEA’s Load the demand for power to go up to 1,200 MW a day in mid-December, announced last Dispatch Centre, told Xinhua by phone. a day during this year’s dry season. Friday further extension to 12 hours a day “The power demand goes up to 100 MW Industrial consumers have been hit for domestic consumers. during the dry season as compared to the harder with the new schedule. NEA sources It is not an abnormal phenomenon for wet season and it is hard to balance the said load-shedding for industrial consumers NEA to increase the hours of power cut demand and supply chain.” have been extended to 14 hours a day. following the onset of the dry season in It has not even been a week since Nepal’s “Sadly, the 14-hour-long power cut is Nepal, a country having one of the high- Energy Minister Umakant Jha promised to arranged in a single shift. Factories that est hydropower potential in the world. The contain power cuts within 12 hours a day used to run three shifts of operation a day drop-off in electricity generation owing to this winter that Nepalis have received the have been restricted to only one shift,” the decreasing water level in rivers has been fresh load-shedding schedule equalling to Nepali industrialist Pashupati Murarka blamed for the extended rolling blackout. the same period a day. told Xinhua. Load-shedding during winter last year “This is just the beginning and the power IANS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

MQM event Govt may seek Pakistan set to reopening of cases against start big ticket Zardari

ISLAMABAD: The Nawaz Sharif government is contem- plating reviving through Swiss privatisation courts graft cases against former president Asif Ali Zardari for the return of $60m PIA, PSM among firms on the block reportedly stashed away in Swiss banks. ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Company Limited, National Sources here say that the law government is set to formally Power Construction Company, ministry is engaged in discus- start the privatisation and Heavy Electrical Complex and sions with a Geneva-based law restructuring process of various Pakistan Petroleum Limited. firm, Python and Peter, and an state-owned enterprises (SoEs) “In the first phase, we are going Islamabad-based firm, Amhurst from January 8, the newly- to get an approval for entities that Brown, to revive cases against appointed state minister and are easy to divest in a booming Zardari that Swiss authorities chairman of the Privatisation stock market scenario. closed last year due to a time bar. Commission, Mohammad After the board’s approval, we The sources said the govern- Zubair, has said. will advertise in local and inter- ment’s legal minds were confi- “We want top quality manage- national media for financial advi- dent that the Swiss cases could be ment for these entities as the gov- sors of these entities. We want reopened following a Rawalpindi ernment cannot afford to throw financial advisors with best inter- accountability court’s revival of good money after bad. We will national repute,” said Zubair. cases that had been kept pend- ensure complete transparency in “After their nomination, they Supporters of Pakistani opposition party Mutahida Qaumi Movement hold portraits of party leader Altaf Hussain ing against Zardari because he the privatisation process by giv- will provide a detailed report as they listen to his telephonic speech from London, in Karachi, yesterday. Hussain demanded a separate enjoyed presidential immunity ing these SoEs in private hands on the financial health of these province on ethnic lines, which has sparked protests from ethnic and mainstream political parties in the country. for five years. for the best interest of Pakistan entities to the commission, after “The appeal could be filed in and its people,” Zubair said in an which the bidding process will the Swiss court of appeal shortly,” interview over the weekend. begin.” said a government official. Almost Rs500bn is wasted With regard to the two main Currently, the two private law every year due to mismanage- public sector entities, PIA and firms are reviewing the judgments ment and operational flaws, he Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), he Ailing Musharraf will not appear of the accountability courts in added. said that about one-fourth PIA Rawalpindi acquitting the per- “According to official estimates, employees were in surplus and sons co-accused with Zardari eight major state-run entities same was the case for PSM. inwhat are known as the SGS and have been receiving more than “However, while carrying out in treason court, says lawyer Cotecna cases to firm up a future Rs300bn in annual support and these transactions, employee sen- course of action,” he said. bailouts from the federal govern- sitivity will be also kept in mind,” ISLAMABAD: A law- is not well, his presence should be Saudi Arabia or the UAE -- could However, Law Secretary ment,” said Zubair. he added. yer representing Pakistan’s dispensed with,” Kasuri said. be imminent. Barrister Zafarullah Khan said: “This half-a-trillion rupee bur- The government is vigor- former military ruler Pervez The ex-dictator spent his fourth Some analysts believe such “Not in my knowledge,” in an den is about one-fifth of the coun- ously working on the privatisa- Musharraf said yesterday the day in the Armed Forces Institute a move is necessary to head off SMS reply when asked if the gov- try’s total tax revenue, which may tion and restructuring of these retired general would not make of Cardiology in Rawalpindi, the a potentially destabilising clash ernment had decided to request otherwise be used for improving loss-making entities. Prime a scheduled appearance at his garrison city bordering Islamabad, between the government and the the reopening of the SGS and health and education sectors.” Minister Nawaz Sharif recon- treason trial today because of yesterday. all-powerful military. Cotecna cases in Switzerland. Zubair said the Planning stituted a six-member board of an ongoing illness. The court had adjourned its Siddiq-ul-Farooq, a spokesman The minister for law and infor- Commission board will meet on the Privatisation Commission on The 70-year-old was rushed to proceedings on Thursday and for the ruling Pakistan Muslim mation, Senator Pervez Rashid, January 8 to take important deci- December 26. a military hospital on Thursday summoned Musharraf to appear League-Noon, denied a deal was did not talk in clear terms about sions regarding the privatisation The country’s privatisation after developing what a police today, but Kasuri said he hoped it in the offing but added the gov- the issue for almost a week. When of some financial, petroleum and programme has been stalled for official called a “heart problem” would now “exempt his personal ernment would follow the court’s contacted on December 23, he aviation sector entities in the first almost seven years. In 2006, pri- while being taken to hear treason presence”. ruling. said: “Your information might be phase. vatisation of PSM was rescinded charges against him at a special “The court is not making a spe- “We neither wish to settle right, but I am not fully updated. “We might have another board by the Supreme Court based on tribunal in Islamabad. cial concession to Musharraf. It is scores nor give any undue con- I will get back with the latest situ- meeting in 10 days in which we reasons that included massive Musharraf’s team says the according to the law. Human life cession,” he said. ation tomorrow.” will consider the privatisation of irregularities and lack of scrutiny treason allegations, which relate is over and above justice,” Kasuri “No foreign pressure will be Approached two days later, he various entities belonging to the of the buying consortium. to his imposition of emergency added. entertained: let the law take said: “We have decided on oath power sector and others,” he said. Since then the state has been rule in November 2007, are politi- Doctors treating Musharraf its course. If the court allows that we will not politicise any Although, the minister did not injecting billions of rupees into cally motivated and his lawyers had sent his medical reports to Musharraf to travel abroad for issue. We will go by the book disclose the names of those enti- these entities, even though they have challenged the authority of experts in Britain, Kasuri said medical reasons then we will not and keep taking steps under the ties, an official source in the com- are incurring massive losses. the three-judge tribunal. on Saturday, to determine his try to stop it.” law. We will not try to persecute mission said that the agenda for Under new structural bench- “Everyone is aware of his sick- further treatment at home or Aside from the treason allega- anybody or try to exonerate any- the board meeting had been final- marks, Pakistan has agreed with ness. The whole world knows that abroad. tions, Musharraf also faces trial body. As you may have noticed, ised and some of the entities to the International Monetary Fund he is in the ICU (Intensive Care The ex-dictator’s sudden health over the assassination of former we have initiated the cases kept be privatised soon include Habib to initiate revenue-based load Unit) and the court also knows scare was met with scepticism prime minister Benazir Bhutto, pending. In case there is a matter Bank Limited, United Bank shedding in the power distribu- that,” lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri from some observers and fever- the death of a rebel leader, a of national interest, we will take Limited, Allied Bank Limited, tion companies and take action said by telephone. ish media speculation that his deadly raid on a radical mosque it to parliament for a decision.” Pakistan International Airlines against tax dodgers. “We just have to make an oral departure from Pakistan on medi- and the detention of judges. He did not go into the specifics. (PIA), Oil and Gas Development INTERNEWS request in the court that since he cal grounds -- possibly to either AFP INTERNEWS

Afghan govt revenues 20pc short of target KABUL: Afghanistan fell will drop,” spokesman Abdul about 123 billion Afghani, funds warlords to boost their incomes. about 20 percent short of its Qadir Jaillani said. collected rose by about 15 per- “Weaknesses in adminis- domestic revenue target in “There was tension created cent from the previous year, the tration and higher leakages, 2013 despite better tax col- by the media and investors held figures showed. particularly in customs” play lection as the economy slowed back, which brought some prob- Still, most of the govern- a significant part in weak tax ahead of this year’s planned lems in,” he said regarding 2013. ment’s budget is provided by collection, the World Bank said withdrawal of foreign troops, The government collected foreign aid and donors say cor- a recent report. the Ministry of Finance said about 100 billion Afghani (about ruption mars tax collection. Jaillani said the government yesterday. $1.8bn) toward a budget of 354 Afghanistan regularly had worked to strengthen “There’s concern that after billion. The data is preliminary ranks among the most cor- mechanisms for collecting taxes the withdrawal of international and figures are expected to be rupt in the world and divert- and that he expected further troops, Afghanistan will fall finalised this week. ing revenue is an easy way improvement this year. again and that economic growth Despite missing a target of for powerful officials and REUTERS

Winter aid 40 rooms of MPs Hostel occupied unlawfully PESHAWAR: Several ministers, advisers and parliamentary secretar- ies of the ruling coalition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province led by Imran Khan?s Pakistan Tehrik Insaf have unlawfully occupied rooms in the MPs Hostel despite get- ting handsome allowance on account of house rent. Besides, the speaker and deputy speaker have also occupied a suite and rooms in the hostel which are being used by their security guards, drivers, guests and friends while some treasury and opposi- tion members have allowed outsiders to stay in their rooms. Sources said that about 40 rooms and suites had been occupied by “unau- Afghan families receive winter assistance from a non-government organisation for the most vulnerable return- thorised” members of the ees, Internally Displaced Persons and others at risk in the cold winter weather, in Kabul yesterday. ruling parties. INTERNEWS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Polish woman Goa building collapse toll rises to 16 raped while travelling with Around 20 feared buried under the debris as rescue works continue daughter PANAJI: The toll in the build- ing collapse in Goa rose to 16 NEW DELHI: A Polish woman yesterday, as the state govern- was drugged and raped as she ment started a probe into why travelled to the Indian capital the accident took place, officials with her two-year-daughter, said. police said yesterday, the latest At least 11 people were hospi- in a string of sexual attacks on talised and around 20 were feared women in the country. still buried under the debris as res- The woman, 33, and her daugh- cue work continued on a day when ter were travelling in a taxi from politics overshadowed the gloom the city of Mathura where they caused by what was termed the big- live to New Delhi last Thursday gest building collapse in the state. when she was allegedly raped by A five-storeyed under-construc- the driver. tion building collapsed Saturday The driver drugged the woman afternoon in the coastal town of at some point during the 150-kilo- Canacona, 80km from here, trap- metre (93-mile) journey and she ping the on-site labourers. was attacked after she passed out, A day after the accident, res- Delhi police spokesman Rajan cue officials said the chances of Bhagat said. survival of those still trapped The woman woke up on a bench appeared bleak. Bodies of 14 peo- outside a railway station in New ple were retrieved from the rubble Delhi with her toddler crying by on Saturday, and two more bodies her side, the officer said, adding were found Sunday, according to that details of the attack were officials. still unknown. The Pune-based National “It is still a bit unclear, but Disaster Response Force (NDRF) prima facie, it seems she sat (in team, which arrived Sunday, was the taxi) voluntarily. But yes, also lending a helping hand in the thereafter, in the car he drugged rescue operation. her using some spray... medical An official supervising the res- report has confirmed rape,” he cue efforts told reporters that said. The woman, who cannot be it was not possible to know how named for legal reasons, reported many people were still trapped the incident to police who are under the debris, because the searching for the driver, Bhagat building contractor and site engi- said. neer who maintained attendance The woman, a devotee of the records were missing. Hindu deity Krishna, had been “We do not know how many Rescuers cut iron beams as they search for survivors at the site of a collapsed building that was under construction, in Canacona town in the western living in Mathura — believed to (people) exactly. But there was city of Goa, yesterday. be the birthplace of Krishna — in shouting and screaming from Uttar Pradesh state for the past inside yesterday (Saturday) which horizontally on some girders, cre- gas cutters and other machines, would be announced today. He to adhere to them from now on,” three years and worked in the suggested that there are around ating a space within, he said. but reaching to those trapped also said the incident has raised Parrikar said. cloth export business, he said. 20 people still inside. The number But reaching out to the work- inside is not easy,” said Chief fears that the quality of construc- Fear has now gripped the few She and her daughter had is unconfirmed,” said Acting ers was tricky as the concrete slab Minister Manohar Parrikar, tion was being compromised by occupants of a building adjoin- been waiting on a busy road in South Goa Collector Venancio threatened to cave in the moment who was personally monitor- the builders. “We are coming ing the Ruby Residency com- Mathura for a taxi to take them Furtado. The sounds came from the rescue team made efforts to ing the rescue efforts. Parrikar up with guidelines for construc- plex - the accident site - as the to the capital when the driver a large cavity within the rubble, reach out to the victims, he said. said official compensation for tion of buildings within the next impact caused by the collapse led approached. The January 2 inci- which was caused after a slab fell “They (rescue team) are using the deceased and injured people two days. All buildings will have to cracks in it. IANS dent comes barely a week after India marked the first anniver- sary of the death of a student who was gang-raped on a New Delhi bus in an attack that sent shock- waves across the nation. The gang-rape triggered mas- Season’s worst fog in Delhi, more expected today sive protests over the levels of vio- lence against women, but in the NEW DELHI: The national said: “Delhi experienced season’s clear later in the day, said an offi- average at 7.8 degrees Celsius. Northern Railway said. last 12 months there have been capital experienced the season’s worst fog in the evening after 8.30 cial of the India Meteorological The humidity was 75 percent. Saturday’s maximum and several more cases of local and worst fog last evening with the pm. The maximum visibility at Department. The maximum and A light fog enveloped the city in minimum temperatures were foreign woman being attacked. maximum temperature set- Safdarjung was 600 metres and the minimum temperatures are the morning but flights remained recorded at 18.5 degrees Celsius A judge last month sentenced tling one notch below average 50 metres at the Palam airport. likely to hover around 16 and 6 unaffected. Around 40 trains (two notches below season’s aver- three Nepalese men to 20 years at 19.3 degrees Celsius. Similar Runways at airport are likely to degrees Celsius, respectively. coming towards Delhi were run- age) and 6.4 degrees Celsius (a in jail for the gang-rape of a US weather is expected today, the become unoperational by 10pm.” Last morning was moderate ning late while 10 trains were notch below the season’s average), tourist in June in the northern Met office said. Today will start with shallow with the minimum temperature rescheduled due to fog in parts respectively. state of Himachal Pradesh. A met department official fog but the sky will be mainly settling a notch above the season’s of north India, an official of the IANS AFP Will PBD reflect aspirations of young Gulf Indians too?

xtending its role as Indian Affairs. One can say that are not eligible to apply for this who seek something. Earlier the unofficial overseas the process started several years programme. It is meant only for editions of PBDs have carried a marketing depart- back with the introduction of the PIOs (people of Indian origin), i.e. session on Gulf Indians without Ement of the Indian Know India Programme of MOIA Indians with foreign citizenship. anything substantial coming out government, the Ministry of which brings in batches of young Over a period, the precedence of them. Probably that was why Overseas Indians Affairs has overseas Indians to the country given by the ministry to the the agenda of this edition had now shifted focus on engaging each year to orient and thus wealth rather than the prob- altogether skipped this session. young diaspora that is creating involve them in matters here. lems of overseas Indians has It was only when some Gulf waves across the globe. KIP is a three-week orienta- become clear. Regardless of the NRI organisations such as the The 12th edition of the annual tion programme for diaspora rhetoric of ministers and prime Riyadh-based Tanzeem Hum diaspora conclave, the Pravasi youth conducted with a view ministers about the PBD as a Hindustani and Federation of Bharatiya Divas is set to open in to promote awareness on dif- forum to address grievances, it Kerala Associations in Saudi New Delhi on Wednesday with ferent facets of life in India and has been made into an event to Arabia protested the exclusion the theme “Engaging Diaspora: the progress made. Four to five lure investments. that the session was reinstated. Connecting Across Generations”. such programmes are conducted Only those NRIs and PIOs with MOIA Minister acknowl- But before that, all of Tuesday every year in partnership with a lot of wealth that may be diverted edged in the Rajya Sabha that is devoted to a ‘Youth Pravasi one or two state governments. to India are welcome. Union min- the Gulf session was included Bharatiya Divas’ for young istries and state governments upon the request of expat Indians living and working THE NR EYE jostle for the diaspora’s attention, organizations. Referring to the abroad. A session on issues of showcasing their potential as PBD, Ravi told the parliament Gulf Indians was included in a Moiz Mannan investment destinations. Nothing “These Conventions assist the willy-nilly manner on the last is wrong with that, except the Government of India to better day’s agenda of the main event. double standards. Seeking invest- understand the expectations of MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi About 35 Indian diaspora youth ment must not be the sole defi- the Overseas Indians from the has made public his concern in the age group of 18-26 years, nition of the word “engagement.” land of their ancestors and to that instead of strengthen- are selected for each programme. What about the poor NRIs? The acknowledge their role in India’s ing their ties, overseas Indian They are provided with full hos- blue collar workers in the Gulf all round development and its youth are losing their con- pitality in India for the duration who have been affected by a host efforts to acquire its rightful nection to the land of their of the programme and even air of problems ranging from ille- place in the comity of nations.” ancestors. “I don’t want to lose fare. The programme includes gal migration to nationalisation Gulf NRIs, particularly those them,” said the minister at a presentations on the country, drives? Should not the PBD also in Saudi Arabia, expect the recent interaction with overseas political process, developments be a forum for the country to roll PBD’s Gulf session to devise Indians in the US. The events in various sectors; interaction out its migrant labour protection strategies to rehabilitate return- planned include panels entitled, with faculty and students at pres- policies. If youth is the theme of ees. But again, just look at the Sharing a Common Heritage: tigious educational institutions, this one, what about the real topics of the sessions with which The Emotional Connect, Young visits to industries, rural areas, issues of NRI youths such as the Gulf session is juxtaposed: Achievers, Emerging India in a heritage sites and monuments, getting admission to higher and “Making India the Hub of Media Dynamically Changing World, and interactions with high level professional education institu- & Entertainment”, “Industry Aspirations of Diaspora Youth, dignitaries which may include the tions in India? What about the Innovation and Technology”, and Building the Global Youth President of India. much-hyped ‘NRI University’ “Healthcare opportunities in Diaspora Network. So far more than 25 such pro- that was proffered as a solution India,” and “Issues of NRIs in the Not surprisingly, the Ministry grammes have been organised to this problem? From the topics Gulf.” One hopes that if not the of Youth Affairs and Sports will by the ministry in which close of the convention, it is clear that Gulf returnees, the PBD addresses be the partner ministry for the to 800 young overseas Indians the attention is on young profes- at least the issues of the youth on upcoming event to organised have taken part. Interestingly sionals who have something to whom the event is supposed to be by the Ministry for Overseas Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) give and not youths in general focused. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Heavy rocket launched successfully ISRO becomes sixth space agency to launch rocket with an indigenous cryogenic engine SRIHARIKOTA, ANDHRA PRADESH: India yester- day joined the select league of space-faring nations with indig- enous cryogenic engine technol- ogy, successfully launching its rocket — endearingly called the naughty boy for its earlier way- wardness — that put a commu- nication satellite in orbit. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh termed it “yet another impor- tant step”. The successful launch of India’s heavier rocket — the Geo- synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-D5 (GSLV-D5) — not only means the indigenous cryogenic engine has performed well but would also pave way for sizeable savings for the country in future launch costs. It also opens up a window to earn foreign exchange from launching heavier foreign satellites. The communication satellite will be used for telemedicine and tele-education services. The Indian space scientists’ toil of around two decades in conceiv- ing the more efficient cryogenic engine technology, which provides more thrust for every kilogram of propellant, spending around `4bn has come to fruition with the delivery of the GSAT-14 in the outer space. At precisely 4.18pm, GSLV-D5 rocket with a deep roar rose into the sky on a tail of an orange flame, breaking away from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here. Around 17 minutes into the The Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle or GSLV-D5 lifts off carrying the advanced GSAT-14 communications satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre space port at Sriharikota, space flight, the 49.13-metre tall, Andhra Pradesh, yesterday. 414.75-tonne GSLV-D5 rocket slung the 1,982-kg GSAT-14 in cryogenic engine and stage per- The reference was two earlier space programme was sold, with He said the cost of GSLV is in yesterday’s rocket after study- the intended orbit. formed as predicted and as attempts to launch the GSLV in the help of two Maldivian women. `2.2bn. ing the past GSLV rockets and Manmohan Singh described expected for the mission and 2010, which failed. The Sunday launch success is The ISRO can send smaller the issues faced in them. it as “yet another important injected GSAT-14 in its intended As the rocket zoomed away, sweet for the Indian space fra- communication satellites — ISRO officials said that though step that the country has orbit.” a former space scientist could ternity as it comes after success- weighing around two tonnes the rocket’s rated carrying capac- taken in the area of science and “We have paid back all our barely contain his joy in Kerala. ful launch of Mars Orbiter last — till such time it gets ready ity is around 2.2 tonnes, it was technology”. debts to the country.” “I am really happy... Now the year. an advanced GSLV variant — decided to carry a sub-two tonnes The Indian Space Research Radhakrishnan said that “20 sky is the limit for India. We The GSLV is a three stage/ GSLV-Mark III — that can lug satellite with minimum number Organisation (ISRO) was to years of efforts and toil in devel- should now have an overall plan engine rocket. The core of first satellites weighing around four of transponders (receivers and launch this rocket last August but oping cryogenic engine and stage and am sure scientists are work- stage is fired with solid fuel while tonnes. transmitters of communication aborted the blast-off just hours has paid off. ing on it as this cryogenic engine the four strap-on motors by liq- While that is for the future, signals). before the deadline as fuel started The excruciating efforts of is the best of its kind,” said S uid fuel. The second is the liquid Radhakrishnan said ISRO has The cuboid shaped Rs.145 crore leaking from its second stage or the past three years has been Nambinarayanan. fuel and the third is the cryogenic lined up several satellite launches GSAT-14 is India’s 23rd geosta- engine. realised”. In 1991, it was S engine. for the current GSLV rocket tionary satellites built by ISRO. ISRO’s scientists at the mis- An ecstatic S Ramakrishnan, Nambinarayanan, one of coun- Radhakrishnan has said that version. It has a life span of 12 years. sion control centre were visibly director, Vikram Sarabhai Space try’s foremost space scientist, who the country pays around $85-90m Other than the flight testing of It carries six extended C-band happy with Sunday’s blast-off. Centre, said: “At ISRO we used was working as project director or around `5bn as launch fee for cryogenic engine, 2014 will be an and Ku-band transponders They back-slapped and hugged to call GSLV as naughty boy. But for the development of cryogenic sending up a 3.5p-tonne commu- important year for ISRO. (receivers and transmitters of sig- one another. ISRO chairman K today the naughty boy is a very technology. He was later arrested nication satellites. The cost of According to ISRO, several nals), and two Ka-band beacons. Radhakrishan said: “The Indian obedient boy.” following allegation that India’s satellite is separate. design changes were incorporated IANS

Delhi minister Rakhi Birla’s car attacked

NEW DELHI: Delhi minis- in the windscreen,” Birla told barely 50 metres, an object hit ter Rakhi Birla’s (pictured) police. the front windscreen of the car car was attacked by an uni- The 26-year-old Birla, a and it was cracked. My daugh- dentified person here last former journalist, is the young- ter is unhurt. We did not see evening, police said. The est member in Chief Minister anyone throwing any object at minister was unhurt. The Arvind Kejriwal’s cabinet. She the car, so we have no problem incident took place around holds the women and child devel- from the incident,” Singh said. 6pm in Mangolpuri area of opment and languages portfolios Birla holds a Masters degree west Delhi. and is also in charge of taking in journalism from the National Birla, a minister in the Aam special measures for the safety Broadcasting Academy in Aadmi Party government, said of women. A case has been reg- Sarojini Nagar in south Delhi. in a complaint to police that she istered, a police officer said. A Dalit, her mother is a had gone to attend a ceremony “We were returning after sweeper at a government school held in Mangolpuri’s R block to attending a function organised where Birla studied till Class 12. welcome her. near Santoshi Mata temple in She first joined Anna Hazare’s “While returning from the Mangolpuri area,” Birla’s father anti-corruption movement and ceremony, someone threw an Bhupender Singh, 55, said. later joined Kejriwal’s campaign. object at my car causing a crack “As soon as our car moved IANS

Modi gets Ramdev’s support for polls NEW DELHI: Calling himself a thorough optimist, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial candi- date Narendra Modi yesterday said the word “disappoint- ment” is not in his dictionary. He was speaking as the chief guest at the foundation day celebrations of yoga guru Ramdev’s Bharat Swabhiman Trust in New Delhi’s Talkatora Stadium. Ramdev later announced his support for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections and Modi as the prime minister. “The word disappointment is not there in my dictionary. I have seen my mother work in homes to bring us up. I never saw her being pessimistic,” he said. “When senseless allegations are levelled against me, I feel people are so great to have lifted a tea seller so high,” said Modi. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate and Gujarat Chief Taking a jibe at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi with- Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with yoga guru Baba Ramdev during out naming him, Modi said: “A person who has lived in such an event for Ramdev’s Bharat Swabhiman Trust in New Delhi, yesterday. acute poverty does not need to undertake tours to understand people’s pain.” parties and candidates. This is the first time elections are becoming a He also said the 2014 Lok Sabha polls will be a movement in people’s movement in itself and political parties are being forced to fight itself. “This will be the first election since Independence which on the agenda of development,” he said. will destroy all traditions. Usually polls are fought by political IANS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Camel in the cold

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MUSCAT 25/18 Partly cloudy 25/18 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 15/08 Thunderstorm 16/08 Clear BAHRAIN 19/14 Chance of storm 17/15 Partly cloudy A man dressed as King Melchior greets spectators while riding a camel during the Three Kings procession at Hradcanske Square, as part of a re- SANAA 24/06 Partly cloudy 23/07 Partly cloudy enactment of the Nativity scene, in Prague yesterday. RIYADH 20/09 Thunderstorm 16/06 Partly cloudy DUBAI 25/16 Mostly cloudy 22/15 Chance of rain BAGHDAD 15/06 Partly cloudy 16/04 Partly cloudy THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW French comedian rubs govt the wrong way HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER PARIS: The mayor of Paris that mocked racism, he gradually (of the comedian),” he said, ech- horrors of the Holocaust are given ATHENS 15/11 Rain 14/11 Chance of rain yesterday joined France’s inte- veered to the far-right and alien- oing recent comments made by too much focus to the exclusion WASHINGTON 10/-14 Chance of rain 06/-8 Clear rior minister in calling for ated some fans with anti-Jewish Interior Minister Manuel Valls. of other crimes, like slavery and SYDNEY 20/16 Mostly cloudy 20/16 Chance of rain comedian Dieudonne, whose comments — his latest being a Dieudonne has been fined sev- racism, and says his so-called LONDON 13/10 Rain 13/09 Chance of rain vitriolic brand of humour tar- joke about gas chambers. eral times for defamation, using “quenelle” gesture merely rep- PARIS 10/10 Rain 14/09 Chance of rain geting Jews has caused outrage, Speaking on Europe 1 radio, insulting language, hate speech resents his anti-establishment ISTANBUL 11/05 Mostly cloudy 12/07 Mostly cloudy to be banned from the stage. Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe and racial discrimination, and a views. The gesture has landed MANILA 31/23 Chance of rain 31/22 Mostly cloudy Dieudonne has been part of likened Dieudonne to a crimi- provocative arm gesture he makes several personalities in hot DHAKA 24/15 Clear 25/13 Clear France’s comedy scene for years, nal who “defends crimes against has been described as an upside water, including footballer Nicolas DELHI 17/07 Clear 16/07 Partly cloudy but while he started out with humanity”. down Nazi salute. Anelka, who used it to celebrate ISLAMABAD 18/02 Clear 16/04 Mostly cloudy a Jewish comedian in sketches “We must ban the performances Dieudonne argues that the a goal. AFP

Romney accepts Hanks, Streep and Bono MSNBC apology over adopted grandson joke

WASHINGTON: Former US Republican presidential candi- date Mitt Romney said yester- day he is ready to “move on” and has forgiven MSNBC televi- sion host Melissa Harris-Perry for a segment that joked about his adopted African-American grandson. “They apologised for it, and that’s all you can ask for,” Romney said on Fox News Sunday. He said Harris-Perry’s apology “was clearly heartfelt, and we accept that.” The comments from the 2012 presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor were his first about Harris-Perry’s emo- tional on-air apology and expla- nation on Saturday about the controversial segment. Romney said he understands From left: US actor Tom Hanks arriving for the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California, USA, yesterday. Actress Meryl Streep, who has starred public figures are fair targets for in “August: Osage County” backstage with her Icon Award at the festival. Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2, attends the festival, which runs until January 13. criticism, “but children — that’s beyond the line.” Last week, a segment appeared on MSNBC that asked a panel to humorously caption a photo from the past year. One of the photos was of Romney holding Staring at 40, Kate Moss doesn’t lose it his adopted African-American grandson alongside his wife, Ann, LOS ANGELES: She rarely talks in to insiders, the photographs will genuinely London schoolgirl to the model who has and other grandchildren. public, is appalled by the idea of join- represent Moss as a working fashion edi- appeared on the cover of British Vogue 34 Actress Pia Glenn sang “one ing Twitter and yet her sinewy bow tor rather than depicting the ghost-styling times — more than anyone else. of these things is not like the legs are instantly recognisable on their work of someone else. It is a turn of events that Moss admits others,” and comedian Dean own terms. The woman, whose mantra Alexandra Shulman, the magazine’s surprised her. She said recently: “I was, Obeidallah joked that the photo is “never complain, never explain” is editor, said: “She came in recently to go like, a child when I started. I was 14. If it “really sums up the diversity of unquestionably the most famous model through her rail for her first shoot and hadn’t happened, I don’t know what would the Republican Party.” in the world. what I realised was that when she talked have happened to me. I would be in Croydon “I recognise people make mis- Kate Moss (pictured), the daughter of a about the clothes she completely under- working in a bar probably.” Nonetheless, takes. The folks at MSNBC made barmaid and travel agent, will turn 40 on stood what it was about each item that she welcomed the opportunities the fashion a big mistake,” Romney said. “I’m January 16 and although she has been the makes it special. She could show something world afforded her. She told Tom Jones in going to move on from that.” object of our gaze for 25 years, she shows which you felt indifferent to, but when she an interview last month: “I wanted to be Harris-Perry, who is African- no sign of losing her place at the top of the talked about each item you see them in a at the centre of things. I love working with American and a political science most fickle of industries. different light. All good fashion editors can creative people and there was none of that professor at Tulane University, is Despite her immense wealth — between breathe life into a rail of clothes, but it is where I came from. As soon as I was given the third MSNBC host to apologise October 2011 and October 2012 her wages unusual for a model to be able to do that. a chance I took it.” for insensitive comments in the totalled £11.72m alone — and her recent To see that made me optimistic about what For most, 25 years in the same job is past two months. In November, accolade at the British Fashion Awards in she will be like as a stylist.” either a stunning achievement or evidence actor Alec Baldwin’s late-night recognition of her extraordinary contribu- Kate Moss wasn’t born to be a modelling of a career resting on its laurels. The fash- talk show was cancelled shortly tion to the UK fashion industry, there are legend. On paper, with her snaggle-tooth ion industry doesn’t tolerate the latter and after he apologised for using a no signs of early retirement. Moss chose to and her 1.73-metre frame, the odds on Moss has proclaimed that she doesn’t “do homophobic slur against a celeb- celebrate her 40th birthday with a shoot the 14-year-old from Croydon enjoying an boredom” but somehow she has managed rity photographer. Host Martin for a magazine’s 60th anniversary edition, unparalleled catwalk career were stacked to stay relevant. Her ability to morph with Bashir resigned last month after wearing the full bunny get-up — silky ears, to her CV and reprise her role as designer against her, particularly as ‘”Amazonian the times runs counter to the modelling being suspended by MSNBC for bob tail and cuffs — and shot by top fashion at Topshop. She will become the first model supermodel” was the aesthetic at the time careers of others whose features became so making derogatory comments photography duo Mert & Marcus. to appear on British Vogue’s masthead as she was spotted. But a chance meeting with closely linked with an era, such as Marie about former US vice presidential But 2014 will not just be about model- contributing fashion editor. Her first shoot model agent Sarah Doukas in JFK airport Helvin in the 1970s and Cindy Crawford in candidate Sarah Palin. REUTERS ling for Moss. She will add fashion editor will appear in a spring issue and, according in New York catapulted her from south the 1980s. THE GUARDIAN Monday 6 January 2014 5 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5936 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 EU deal to close Qatari banks failed banks won’t break may post poor ‘doom loop’

LONDON: The European Union’s blueprint to close failing earnings growth banks won’t be enough to break the pattern of eurozone states haemorrhaging funds by prop- ping up weak lenders, a Reuters Interest margins face pressure: SICO poll showed. Hailed as “the final pillar” for DOHA: Qatari banks are likely strong double digit y-o-y balance a banking union by Germany, to witness poor earnings grow th sheet growth. The impact on last month’s deal aims to prevent as their net interest margins earnings due to expected higher bank failures from dragging gov- (NIMs) continue to face pres- provisioning in 4Q13 should be ernments to the brink of bank- sure with the cost of funds, offset by NIM expansion related ruptcy, as happened in Ireland meaning interest rate paid by to their focus on retail operations. and Cyprus. It features a single financial institutions for the UAE banks should witness mod- resolution fund that banks will funds that they deploy in their est lending growth due to limited pay into over the next ten years, businesses, edging upwards in corporate borrowing, while provi- giving roughly ¤55bn. Until then, 2013 fourth quarter. Higher sioning is expected to remain at individual governments would be provisioning related to real elevated levels. left holding the bill. estate exposure is also likely to On the petrochemical compa- In a Reuters poll this week, 27 continue in the quarter. nies, covered by SICO, the 4Q13 of 41 economists said this struc- SICO Investment Bank’s earnings forecasts reflect a con- ture would not break the so-called quarterly result preview of GCC solidated increase of 11 percent Officials of Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar and Nakilat SvitzerWijsmuller during the keel laying ceremony. “doom loop” between banks and equities noted yesterday the bell- q-o-q and 8 percent y-o-y, respec- states. “At least for the first years, wether Industries Qatar (IQ) is tively. The sequential earnings the agreement doesn’t go far expected to deliver flat year-on- growth is supported by higher enough in terms of risk sharing,” year performance mainly due to product prices across a broad Nakilat Damen Shipyards said Kristian Toedtmann, econo- a weak fertilizer prices. based petrochemical products mist at DekaBank in Frankfurt. Commercial Bank of Qatar range, partially offset by weak “If serious problems develop in (CBQ) is expected to see higher fertilizer prices. the banking system, the sovereign provisioning charges due to rise in INVEST AD, the Abu Dhabi lays keel for two Stan Tugs will ultimately have to step in, real-estate impaired loans. Doha based Investment Company in its probably with assistance from the Bank’s higher net interest income Markets Outlook released yes- European Stability Mechanism,” he y-o-y is expected to drive earn- terday noted the fourth-quarter DOHA: Qatari shipbuilder reinforced plastic (FRP), up to that NDSQ’s shipbuilding opera- added, referring to the emergency ings. Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) earnings results are likely to be Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar 170M in length. tions are making towards Qatar’s backstop fund for eurozone states. is likely to see higher provisioning the main drivers of performance (NDSQ) yesterday announced The two twin-screw Stan Tugs industrial sector.” Eurozone governments have charges because of rise in real- of the Gulf markets in the coming that it has laid the keels (prin- have a bollard pull of 15 tonnes The NSW is a 70:30 joint ven- already spent hundreds of billions estate impaired loans. QNB’s weeks, with dividend pay-outs also cipal structural member of a and will be used for mooring ture between Nakilat and Svitzer of euros trying to stop the rot in strong balance sheet growth will important given the predominance ship) for two 16-metre long Stan vessels visiting the Port of Ras Middle East. The vessels oper- the region’s financial system, and continue, the research note said. of retail investors in the region. Tugs, part of a seven-vessel Laffan. ated by NSW include tug boats, at a huge social cost. The IQ’s revenue is projected Investors will also be closely order for marine services pro- NDSQ is also currently build- pilot boats, line boats and crew With harsh austerity a direct to grow 12 percent y-o-y and 11 watching the announcement of vider Nakilat SvitzerWijsmuller ing five other vessels for the NSW boats. result of the financial crisis, the percent on q-o-q. Net profit is federal budgets for 2014. Qatar’s (NSW). order: two 28M-long Azimuth NSW offers a range of serv- euro zone has struggled to escape projected to increase seven per- recent announcement of a series A small ceremony to mark this Stern Drive (ASD) Tugs, two ices including towing, escort- the spectre of recession over the cent y-o-y and 8 percent q-o-q. of huge infrastructure projects is step in the shipbuilding process 31M-long ASD Tugs and one ing, berthing, pilot support, line last few years, and high unem- Weaker urea prices are to offset an early sign of the likely revival was held at NDSQ’s facilities 22M-long glass reinforced plastic handling services afloat and ployment has become endemic. positive impact from rising pet- of projects in the country. located at Erhama bin Jaber Al (GRP) Pilot Boat. The Stan Tugs, ashore, emergency response, The banking union project aims rochemical prices. “The pace of the US Federal Jalahma Shipyard in Qatar’s Port the ASD Tugs and the Pilot Boat and marine maintenance to stop citizens taking the hit for GCC listed companies that Reserve’s “tapering” in the com- of Ras Laffan. will be delivered to NSW for use support. the banking sector again. covered by the Investment Bank ing year is likely o impact emerg- NDSQ is a joint venture at Ras Laffan. Nakilat is the world’s largest By setting up a system to are expected to report 22 per- ing market and frontier market between Qatar Gas Transport Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti, gas transport company with a shutter troubled lenders, Europe cent y-o-y earnings growth, while sentiment, but investors in the Company (Nakilat) and Dutch Managing Director of Nakilat and shipping fleet of 56 LNG vessels. would equip the ECB with the remaining flat on a q-o-q basis. Gulf are in a cautiously optimistic shipbuilder Damen. The company Chairman of NDSQ and NSW, It also manages and operates four means of dealing with teetering SICO expect Banks in Saudi mode for now,” INVEST AD said. began operation in 2010 and builds said: “This milestone further LPG carriers. banks. Arabia to continue to report THE PENINSULA ships in steel, aluminium and fiber confirms the strong contribution THE PENINSULA REUTERS

Protest against French ‘ecotax’ Hossein Adeli is Secretary-General Kuwait 6-month budget of the GECF surplus down 15pc

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s budget to KD15.82bn from KD16.01bn surplus narrowed in the first because of a decrease in the oil six months of its fiscal year as price. spending soared over 50 per- National Bank of Kuwait, the cent, partly thanks to increased country’s biggest commercial outlays on public sector wages, bank, said in a report that the while oil revenues fell, figures jump in spending was mostly due from the Finance Ministry to current expenditure such as showed. wages, rather than to investment. The budget surplus for April Part of the increase may be due to September was KD10.72bn to the timing of some payments ($37.9bn), a Reuters calculation rather than to any increase in based on official data showed. allocations over the full fiscal year, That was down 15 percent from so spending growth is expected to DOHA: Dr SM Hossein Adeli, KD12.65bn during the same moderate considerably by the end (pictured) an economist and period a year earlier. of 2013/2014, NBK said. diplomat with vast interna- Although Kuwait’s fiscal posi- It added that much of the first- tional experience, assumes tion is still strong because of half spending surge apparently office as Secretary-General of its oil wealth, the International involved governmental transfers the Gas Exporting Countries Monetary Fund has told the that would not affect the real level Forum (GECF) for 2014 to 2016 government that it will need to of demand in the economy, so the period. invest in infrastructure projects figures did not necessarily mean Dr Adeli is the second and control public wage growth a huge boost to economic growth. Secretary-General of the GECF to strengthen the economy and Kuwait pledged $4bn in aid since its establishment as a for- maintain a healthy balance sheet. to Egypt after the overthrow mal international governmental Kuwait’s prime minister ech- of Islamist Egyptian President organisation in 2008. oed the IMF in October when he Mohamed Mursi in July, and GECF is a gathering of the described the country’s expensive quickly began disbursing that aid. world’s leading gas producers welfare system as unsustainable Nevertheless, the spending and and was set up as international and said the government needed revenue numbers are in line with governmental organisation with A protester wearing a red cap, the symbol of protest in Brittany, displays one of the Breton regional flags dur- to cut spending and consumption the IMF’s warning that if Kuwait the objective to increase the level ing a demonstration demanding jobs to be maintained and an “ecotax” on commercial trucks to be scrapped, of natural resources. does not curb spending growth, of coordination and to strengthen in Nantes, yesterday. The “ecotax” is a new environmental tax on heavy goods vehicles which the French Six-month state expenditure government expenditure could the collaboration among member government hopes to implement, through which it aims to raise more than ($1.38bn a year to finance mostly reached KD5.10bn, up 52 percent exceed oil revenues by 2017/18, countries. rail infrastructure projects. from KD3.36bn a year earlier, raising the risk of budget deficits. THE PENINSULA the figures showed. Revenues fell REUTERS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

UAE market Qatar Exchange index hits 52-week high regulator Dubai market slips from five-year high; Saudi shares struggle to make gains changes margin

DOHA: Qatar Exchange 0.52 percent. Telecom and driving markets in the United “Today, margin trading busi- dead as supporters of the Muslim lending rules extended the rally lifting its Transportation indices appreci- Arab Emirates was tempered ness from what we can see in vol- Brotherhood clashed with police 20-stock benchmark index to a ated 1.21 percent and 1.39 percent yesterday after the regulator umes is low,” said Mohammed Ali across Egypt on Friday, defying DUBAI: The UAE stock 52-week high yesterday. Driven respectively. approved changes to margin Yasin, managing director of Abu an ever-widening state crack- market regulator has intro- by the buying interests of local Among the top gainers were lending rules and said it would Dhabi Financial Services. “This down on the movement that ruled duced new margin lending retail investors, the index The Investors, Al Ahli, Rayan, crackdown on unlicensed lending, is for the short-term as brokers the country until six months ago. rules and vowed to crack closed 1.13 percent higher at Qatar Navigation and Gulf while most other regional bourses will raise their capital to allow for “We expect to see more and down on unlicensed lending, 10,664 points with the market International. Investors advanced scaled higher. more leverage.” more violence from the support- it said in a statement on its cap growing by QR5bn to reach 9.89 percent and Al Ahli by 3.64 Dubai’s index slipped 0.2 per- Abu Dhabi’s index rose 0.6 per- ers but the market has been quite website. QR566bn from last trading ses- percent. Rayan, Qatar Navigation cent, easing off Thursday’s five- cent, in its fifth consecutive gain, resilient as people look forward to Margin lending — borrow- sion’s QR561bn. and Gulf International edged 3.38 year high. to a new five-year high. the constitutional voting in mid- ing with cash or share holdings The Trading value stood at percent, 3.43 percent and 2.95 The market gave back early- Banks supported, with Abu January,” said Mohamed Radwan, as security — has been in high QR503m compared to last ses- percent respectively. session gains as brokers told Dhabi Commercial Bank up 3.5 director of international sales at demand as investors sought to sion’s QRR330m. Of the 40 com- Doha Bank rose 2.04 percent clients to sell shares so mar- percent and Union National Pharos Securities. “The question maximise gains from a UAE mar- panies traded, 26 advanced and 11 and International Islamic was up gin limits would fall within the Bank 3.9 percent higher. Analysts is not if to buy but whether to buy ket surge, with Dubai and Abu fell yesterday. by 2.25 percent. Ezdan gained 2.35 amended regulations. expect Abu Dhabi lenders to before or after the referendum.” Dhabi’s bourses jumping 108 per- All the sector indices entered percent. Although changes to the lend- announce strong dividends in the The priority for investors is to cent and 63.1 percent respectively the green territory. The Banks Qatar German Company, ing rules aim to improve trading coming weeks. see the country move along a set last year. and Financial Services and the Vodafone Qatar, Dlala and volumes going forward, the likeli- In Egypt, Cairo’s benchmark roadmap to restore full civilian rule. Limits on such lending were Insurance indices outperformed Electricity and Water were the hood of penalties for not comply- index added 0.6 percent to 6,854 Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s introduced in 2008, but many other sectors. While the Banks top losers. ing with the set limits sent some points, heading back to the pre- measure struggled to make gains brokers ignored these and and Financial Services sector QE performance reflects the brokers scrambling to lower mar- vious peak of 6,876 points — the but closed up 0.2 percent. Oman faced few repercussions. Now, gained 1.10 percent; the Insurance renewed investor confidence in gin levels. intraday high of December 26. ticked up 0.1 percent, while on the request of brokers, the sector gained 1.42 percent. the country’s economy and mar- Most of the trading on Dubai’s The market gained despite Kuwait’s benchmark was little Securities and Commodities Industrials stocks advanced ket, analysts noted. bourse was on margin, which is fresh violence over the weekend. changed. Authority (SCA) has made 0.63 percent and real estate Menanwhile, momentum now being cut back, traders said. Thirteen people were shot THE PENINSULA/REUTERS changes to what firms can lend customers. Previously, firms could lend each client 10 percent of the Gearing up for Consumer Electronics Show capital they set aside for margin lending, but they can now lend China pledges three times that amount. The new rules are to take immedi- further support ate effect. Firms must abide by the for solar new regulations or face fines of Dh100,000 ($27,200). Repeat offenders may lose industry their licences in a promised crackdown on illicit margin SHANGHAI: China pledged lending. further support for its ailing “The SCA is doing something solar power industry as the important, which is to lower government seeks to revive a the risk to smaller companies sector struggling with overca- giving unlimited margin and pacity and falling prices. limit downward volatility,” said The State Council, China’s cab- Mohammed Ali Yasin, managing inet, said in July that the country director of Abu Dhabi Financial aimed to more than quadruple Services. solar power generating capac- The new rules may increase ity to 35 gigawatts by 2015 in an margin lending in the long apparent bid to ease a glut in the term as brokerage firms boost domestic solar power industry. their base capital to provide The State Council, in a state- more margin lending, but in ment published on its website, the short term trading volumes said the Ministry of Industry may fall as brokers comply and Information Technology was with previously-ignored lend- taking measures to “promote the ing limits. healthy development of the pho- “Brokers have to adjust posi- tovoltaic industry”. tions to bring margin levels The ministry, it said, was down,” said Hisham Khairy, implementing the July directive head of trading for institutional by supporting consolidation in desk at MENA Corp broker- the industry, drafting guidelines age firm, adding trading vol- for mergers and acquisitions and umes could drop by 30 percent promoting standardisation. initially. It said the ministry was Technicians with TCL Communication put together a display near the Toshiba booth in preparation for the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show at REUTERS encouraging technological the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday. innovation, especially related to decentralized solar power installations not connected to the power grid. It was also sup- porting research and develop- Watchdog slams Deutsche Bank for Libor probe response ment efforts for batteries that can store solar electricity. The ministry sought to improve FRANKFURT: German bank- from derivatives to mortgages and preliminary findings that the including the one being led by led by its co-chief executives standardisation and ensure ing watchdog BaFin criticised credit card loans. regulator submitted to Deutsche BaFin. “We reiterate as per the Juergen Fitschen and Anshu Jain, “orderly competition” in the Deutsche Bank’s management BaFin launched a probe last Bank in August. current status of the investiga- and as it works through a long industry, the statement said. for the way it responded to a year on which it is working with It is also still not clear “whether tions, we can say that no current list of scandals, investigations and The State Council said the probe into manipulation of the the Bundesbank and accountant senior management was involved or former member of the manage- fines that came in the wake of the solar industry had enjoyed a Libor benchmark interest rate, Ernst & Young, delving into sus- in or had knowledge of possible ment board had any inappropri- financial crisis. recovery in 2013. Total installed according to German magazine pected misconduct by individual manipulation attempts”, it said, ate involvement,” a spokeswoman According to Der Spiegel, solar power generating capac- Der Spiegel. traders and their counterparts at adding the Bundesbank’s part of the for the bank said. BaFin in its report raised doubts ity increased by around 8GW, of BaFin and other regulators other banks. probe found “grave organisational Financial sources told Reuters about how sweeping the cultural which 6GW were in power plants are investigating more than a “The Ernst & Young report shortcomings” at Deutsche Bank. last month that BaFin had deep- change really was. “As new man- and 2GW were in decentralised dozen banks and brokerages shows that insufficient efforts BaFin declined to comment on ened its probe to see how much agement, you announced cultural installations, the statement said, over allegations they manipu- were made to investigate and the Spiegel report. top managers at Deutsche Bank change... But in the case at hand citing preliminary estimates from lated benchmark interest rates clear up events in the bank,” Deutsche Bank said investiga- knew about any manipulation. it appears that you did not take the China Photovoltaic Industry such as Libor and Euribor, which weekly Der Spiegel yesterday tions were underway and reiter- The move comes as Deutsche clear action, especially in terms Alliance. are used to benchmark trillions quoted a BaFin report as saying. ated it was closely co-operating Bank pursues an ambitious plan of staff,” it said. REUTERS of dollars of financial products That BaFin report summarised with various regulatory probes to transform its corporate culture REUTERS

Google’s gigabit Internet No bonanza yet for big funds from new rules

LONDON: If pension funds, won’t rise appreciably,” said David “If anything, we saw returns from insurers and sovereign wealth Lewis, Senior-Vice President government bond lending drop a funds were hoping to cash in at Sungard’s data firm, Astec little bit. The average return from on lending “high quality” assets Analytics. a global bond lending program is to those scrambling to meet If all derivative deals are forced around 15 basis points (bps), so it’s tougher collateral requirements to go through central clearing, not a massive revenue earner yet.” in 2014, they are likely to be where both parties would be asked Assets on loan are worth disappointed. to post collateral, some industry around $1.8 trillion globally and The phasing in of the US Dodd- bodies have suggested it could lead are roughly split 40:60 between Frank Act and its European equiv- to demand for new collateral of bonds and equities, although the alent EMIR (European Markets between $800bn and $10 trillion. value on loan rises sharply during Infrastructure Regulation) over Other new rules, also aimed at the dividend season. the next 18 months is expected applying lessons from the 2007/09 Most bonds are borrowed for to boost demand for assets like financial crisis, will force banks to collateral or to help manage top rated sovereign debt to back hold buffers of government debt financing operations at banks, derivative trades. to withstand shocks unaided. while stocks are mostly lent for But for all the industry warnings That ought to be good news for market making or to proprietary of a squeeze in supply — dismissed the big funds, which tend to hold traders such as hedge funds bet- by regulators as a tactic to lobby pools of such “safe”, low-yielding ting on a price fall. for weaker rules — the amount assets and many of which wel- Low-fee assets of below 20bps of available collateral outstripped come a chance to earn more by — mostly high quality debt bor- demand last year and things are lending them out. rowed for a short time — make unlikely to change much near term. Sungard said stock lending rose up around 80 percent of total A technician picks up cones by his truck after installing Google Fiber in a residential home in Provo, Utah. “People are still expecting this around 15 percent last year. The lending by volume, while the top- Provo is one of three cities Google is currently building and installing gigabit Internet and television service demand to come but there’s plenty volume of bonds borrowed rose earning deals are largely from for business and residential use. of supply at the moment and until 20 percent, but fees earned by stock lending. that comes under pressure, fees those lending them did not rise. REUTERS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

RBI seeks to alter Nigeria market pricing method for money rebounds, but market rates MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recom- mended moving away from investors shy determining money market benchmarks through the cur- rent poll of traders towards one based on the trades Crash scares nationals away from stocks done during a set period to remove any possible scope of LAGOS: Nigeria’s financial Commission for a naira-domi- manipulation. markets posted healthy gains in nated medium-term notes pro- The draft report issued by 2013 but five years on from the gramme of one billion dollars,” the RBI recommended that the global financial meltdown, local Alogba said. overnight Mumbai Interbank investors are still wary of sink- A $1.5bn African Development Bid Rate-Mumbai Interbank ing their money into stocks. Bank facility for projects by tel- Offered Rate (Mibid-Mibor) The market capitalisation of ecoms firm MTN was also driving fixing, a key gauge in money the nearly 200 listed companies the market, he added. markets, be based on the vol- on the Nigeria Stock Exchange But despite the more optimis- ume-based weighted average of (NSE) rose by 41 percent in the tic outlook — including for the traded rates from 9 to 10 in the 12 months to December 31 to Nigerian economy as a whole — morning. around 13 trillion naira ($58bn). Nigerians remained wary of sink- That would move pricing The All-Share Index on west ing their cash into equities. away from the current sys- Africa’s leading bourse closed up “Local investors cannot forget tem based on a poll of trader nearly a third over the year, to in a hurry irrational manipulation submissions. 41,329.19 points. of share prices which stockbrok- Customers look at HTC smartphones in a mobile phone shop in Taipei. The central bank had formed The figures indicated that erage firms, in connivance with the committee to issue recom- the market appears to have banks, engaged in to cause the mendations in the aftermath rebounded well from the global market crash,” said one stocks HTC Q4 profit below expectations of regulatory investigations meltdown, which saw some eight analyst. globally into accusations that trillion naira wiped off the value Lagos businessman Soji Fadairo banks colluded to set money of stocks. would rather forget what hap- TAIPEI: Taiwanese smart- value in the last two years, is now featuring “Iron Man” star market rates such as the Industry operators said the pened five years ago. phone maker HTC reported worth about $4bn, dwarfed by Robert Downey Jr, analysts London Interbank Offered Rate market has been buoyed by “Each time I tried not to a worse than expected net rivals like Apple and Samsung remain sceptical about the firm’s (Libor). foreign investors looking for remember, my memory keeps fourth-quarter profit yesterday, Electronics Co Ltd. ability to differentiate its brand The central bank commit- bargains. recalling how I lost my entire despite aggressive cost cutting New management installed in image in a highly-saturated tee also recommended basing “Foreigners made our capital savings to stock market crisis,” and a one-time gain. the last quarter to tackle that playing field. the government securities market their investment destina- he recalled. The company reported net slide must persuade customers The company has embarked yield curve, including for illiq- tion as a lot of shares were selling “Overnight, my entire invest- profit of T$0.3bn (£6.1m), com- the brand can still stand for styl- on a cost-cutting campaign uid debt, on the basis of vol- far below their par value following ment running to several millions pared to a net loss of T$2.97bn ish, feature-loaded phones, while that includes buying its chips ume-based weighted average the 2008 financial crash,” broker of naira evaporated like air.” ($99.9m) in the previous quarter keeping a lid on development from cheaper vendors and out- rates instead of last traded Mukaila Alogba said. Fadairo’s experience forced him and profit of T$1.01bn ($34m) in costs. sourcing production. It also sold yields. Investments from offshore to sell property in the upscale the same quarter of 2012. Despite its latest flagship its stake in headphone brand Among other suggestions, the accounted for some 60 percent Ikeja neighbourhood of Nigeria’s The figure lags expected net product, the HTC One, garner- Beats Electronics LLC, book- RBI proposed banks set pricing of total transactions in the stock financial hub to offset a five-mil- profit of T$721.71m ($24.3m), ing rave reviews, the company’s ing a one-time pre-tax profit of for state development bonds at a market in 2013, he added. lion naira bank loan. according to Thomson Reuters global share of the smartphone T$2.5bn ($85m), which would spread based on the last two auc- Also, the World Bank’s “I will never put my money on I/B/E/S. market has declined to a mere be recorded in the fourth tions, instead of calculating those International Finance stocks again. Experience they say The number highlights how 2.2 percent in the third quarter quarter. bond yields at a fixed spread of Corporation, which backs pri- is the best teacher,” he said. quickly problems have piled up of 2013 from a peak of 10.3 per- Shuttered factories, a wave of 25 basis points over government vate enterprise, floated 12bn naira Funke Bello, a 45-year-old civil at a company that just over two cent in the third quarter of 2011, executive departures and top- debt. in bonds to lure investors into servant, also lost out but has now years ago supplied one in every data from research firm Gartner level reshuffling are symptoms of The central bank has asked Nigeria’s nascent capital markets, dumped stocks for bricks and 10 smartphones sold around the show. what industry insiders see as the market participants to reply he said. mortar to assure her long-term world. While the company’s recent company’s biggest problem: con- with feedback to the draft rules “The IFC also approached financial future. The company, which has lost “Here’s To Change” campaign necting with consumers. by January 17. the Securities and Exchange AFP nearly three-quarter of its market has seen an advertising revamp REUTERS REUTERS Pimco Total Return has record $41.bn outflow in 2013

NEW YORK: The Pimco Total company Allianz SE, is one of a selloff in Treasuries and other Return Fund, the world’s larg- the world’s largest bond managers bonds. “They were on the wrong est bond fund, saw its assets and had $1.97 trillion in assets as side of the direction of US inter- sink by a record $41.1bn last of September 30, 2013, according est rates,” said Todd Rosenbluth, year after a mistaken bet on to the firm’s website. director of mutual fund research US Treasuries resulted in the Investors also pulled $147m at S&P Capital IQ. fund’s worst annual perform- from the Pimco Total Return The Total Return Fund had a ance in nearly two decades. Exchange-Traded Fund in 37 percent exposure to Treasury Investors pulled $4.2bn from December, and the ETF saw net securities at the end of May, the fund in December, mark- outflows totalling $197m in 2013, according to data released on the ing the eighth straight month of Morningstar data showed. Pimco website, making Treasuries outflows and reducing the fund’s The ETF, which is actively- its largest holding. The fund assets to $237bn. The fund fell managed and designed to mimic maintained the high exposure to 1.9 percent last year, marking the strategy of the mutual fund, the debt through November. its first annual loss since 1999 fell 0.85 percent in December, The yield on the benchmark and its worst performance since marking the worst performance 10-year US Treasury meanwhile 1994, according to preliminary among its peers, according to pre- spiked about 140 basis points from Morningstar data. liminary Morningstar data. For 1.62 percent on May 2 through Pimco had outflows of $10.4bn the year, the ETF fell 1.2 percent the end of the year. Bond yields across all of the its US open-end but still beat 80 percent of peers. move inversely to their prices. mutual funds in December, resulting The Pimco Total Return Fund The benchmark Barclays US in outflows of $31.1bn for the year. had a large holding in Treasuries Aggregate bond index fell over That marked the first annual outflows last year when Federal Reserve two percent in 2013 in the wake from those funds since Morningstar Chairman Ben Bernanke told of the bond market selloff, also began tracking them in 1993. Congress on May 22 that the cen- marking its first annual loss since The fund’s status is closely tral bank could reduce its $85bn 1999 and its worst performance watched because Pimco, a unit in monthly bond-buying stimulus since 1994. of European financial services later in the year, which triggered REUTERS Sri Lanka infrastructure

A worker stands next to a light stand as another worker sleeps after an overnight shift at a road construc- tion site in Colombo. MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Words, but no action yet from ECB: Analysts Governing council to meet on Thursday

FRANKFURT: The European rates, the ECB could pump more Central Bank looks set to ring liquidity into the financial sys- in the New Year with interest tem to get credit flowing again rates on hold, but will have its between banks and businesses, work cut out for it in 2014, ana- crucial if any economic upturn is lysts say. to be sustained. The ECB’s policy-setting gov- For the moment, loans to busi- erning council is scheduled to nesses in the euro area are con- hold its first meeting of this year tinuing to decline, new ECB data on Thursday, but central bank showed on Friday. watchers are not projecting any Private sector loans dropped new measures just yet after a sur- by 2.3 percent in November in a prise rate cut in November. year-on-year comparison, after “The ECB’s governing coun- already contracting by 2.2 percent cil appears unlikely to make any in October, the ECB calculated. substantive policy changes at its The ECB already pumped more first policy meeting of the year,” than ¤1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) into said Jonathan Loynes at Capital the banking system at the end of Economics. 2011 and the beginning of 2012 “But the ongoing combination to avert a potentially disastrous of weak economic growth, a dam- credit crunch. agingly strong currency and poor But the banks preferred to use liquidity conditions will maintain the ultra-cheap cash to buy up AT&T mobile phones for sale alongside T-Mobile phones at a RadioShack electronics store in Los Angeles. the pressure on the central bank sovereign bonds rather than lend to take further action to support it on to businesses and the ECB the region’s fragile economic is considering ways of channelling AT&T tries luring T-Mobile users with credit recovery in 2014,” he said. the cash directly to businesses if it The ECB took markets by sur- decides to open the liquidity gates prise in November and pared back once again. NEW YORK: AT&T Inc churn. “Everybody’s fighting for phone customer growth. on T-Mobile’s response. its central “refi” refinancing rate “The governing council obvi- offered customers of No.4 US market share because there sim- Last summer, T-Mobile forced AT&T is seen as the most vul- by a quarter of a percentage point ously agrees that with possible mobile provider T-Mobile US ply isn’t an organic market share its bigger rivals to follow its offer nerable to T-Mobile’s promotions to a record low of 0.25 percent. further steps the ECB wants to Inc a $200 credit to switch to left to be had,” Moffett said. “The of early phone upgrades to cus- because both companies use the The reason behind the move provide targeted support to the its service, firing the first volley natural upshot to any strategy tomers who pay for their phones same network technology, mak- was an expectation that the sin- real economy. But there seem to in what may be a price war that that pays customers to change in instalment plans. Then in early ing it easier for their consumers gle currency area is facing a pro- be differences of opinion as to benefits consumers but plays service is higher churn.” December. AT&T cut service fees to switch. longed period of very low inflation. what is the most effective way to havoc with profits. On top of the battle between for customers who used its ver- T-Mobile’s outspoken Chief Area-wide inflation picked up reach this target,” said Loynes at AT&T, the No.2 US mobile pro- AT&T and T-Mobile, analysts also sion of that offer. Executive, John Legere, has been fractionally in November, but Capital Economics. vider, announced the promotion worry that Sprint, which has been While analysts have said they building up anticipation for a new analysts believe that does not Berenberg Bank’s Schmieding after months of direct market- losing customers, will unveil some expected Verizon Wireless and offering expected to announce sound the all-clear and the ECB said the weak credit data did sug- ing against it by T-Mobile, and dramatic promotions in 2014 as AT&T to shy away from very at an event on January 8 at the may have to take further action gest a possible credit crunch. in anticipation of a new competi- its 80 percent owner, SoftBank aggressive discounts in response Consumer Electronics Show in again at some point. However, “companies are — on tive offer from its smaller rival on Corp, tries to regain ground. to T-Mobile, Credit Suisse ana- Las Vegas. In a New Year’s Day There is “no immediate need to aggregate — in such a comfort- January 8. T-Mobile, 67 percent owned by lyst Joseph Mastrogiovanni said tweet, Legere listed winning over act,” said Commerzbank econo- able financial position that they The move might kick off a year Germany’s Deutsche Telekom AG, Friday’s move was a sign of pres- family plan customers as a major mist Michael Schubert. can reduce their bank loans and of discounts from US wireless has been making inroads against sure to raise the stakes. goal this year, raising speculation “ECB council members sig- increase their cash reserves at the operators, who are increasingly bigger rivals by criticizing them “While the carriers try to his company will announce a new nalled in recent weeks that they same time. On aggregate, com- dependent on price to compete and selling itself as more con- remain rational while tweak- offer for that segment at the Las currently see no need for further panies do not need credit at the because they all offer similar sumer-friendly with lower prices ing their plans and promotions, Vegas event. measures,” the expert said. moment,” Schmieding suggested. phones and any network advan- and more flexibility. there is no doubt that they feel In order for T-Mobile to keep “Against this backdrop we “The data on money and credit tages are hard to prove. It has already posted two quar- the need to get more competitive,” up its momentum, many analysts expect that at ECB President show that eurozone companies have MoffettNathanson analyst ters of subscriber growth after Mastrogiovanni said in a research say it needs to lure entire families Mario Draghi will merely empha- the financial strength to increase Craig Moffett described AT&T’s four years of losses as a result note. from rivals. AT&T has said the sise once again that the ECB is their investment. The question is move as the “early makings of a of the promotions, and trump- He estimated AT&T’s move vast majority of its customers are ready to act,” Schubert suggested. whether they will do so.” price war” that might boost cus- ing bigger rivals AT&T, Verizon could cut its earnings per share attached to family plans. In addition to changing interest AFP tomer switching, also known as Wireless and Sprint Corp in by one to two percent depending REUTERS

Libya resumes production from El Sharara oilfield Fiat assures Italy on

TRIPOLI: Libya has restarted the field’s maximum output capac- demands. They are calling for the field had sufficient storage capac- oil production at the southern ity of around 340,000bpd within two establishment of a local council ity. “We hope the government will investments: Minister El Sharara field with an initial to three days, spokesman Mohamed and the granting of national iden- solve the problem before we have to output of 60,000 barrels per day Al Harari said. “Production started tity cards for tribesmen from the decrease production,” he said. MILAN: Fiat has given Rome demand in crisis-hit Italy. (bpd) after protesters ended a last night,” he said. Tuareg minority. No more information was imme- guarantees that the automaker An industrial plan outlining blockade, the state-run National Libya remains in turmoil as The field, located in the remote diately available about the protest. will invest in plants in Italy and Fiat’s spending strategy and Oil Corp (NOC) said yesterday. the government struggles to rein and volatile south, supplies crude The pipeline feeds the Mellitah oil keep a strong presence in the models is due for release in But in a new sign of trouble, in dozens of militias that helped to the western Zawiya export ter- and gas terminal, a joint venture country where it was founded April. protesters blocked an oil pipeline topple leader Muammar Gaddafi minal and feeds the 120,000bpd operated by ENI and the NOC. 115 years ago, Industry Minister Some are sceptical after in western Libya, adding to dis- in 2011 but kept their guns and Zawiya refinery. Separately, in There is no sign of progress in Flavio Zanonato was quoted Fiat scrapped a 2010 plan to ruptions that have slashed Libya’s continue to make political and western Libya, protesters blocked eastern Libya despite reported yesterday as saying. invest up to ¤20bn ($27.23bn) oil production to 250,000bpd from financial demands. a pipeline near Nalut carrying attempts by tribal elders to help Fiat’s recent $4.35bn deal to to more than double output in 1.4 million. Last week, the protesters at El condensates from the Wafa field end a blockade of the Ras Lanuf, gain full control of No. 3 US Italy after market conditions Tribesmen calling for greater Sharara agreed to suspend their to the port of Mellitah, co-owned Es-Sider and Zuweitina ports, automaker Chrysler has raised deteriorated. local powers had blocked the El action after the defence minister by Italy’s ENI, oil officials said. which previously accounted for worries the merger could fur- Despite Fiat’s plants running Sharara field since the end of visited them and said the gov- Harari said production of con- 600,000bpd in exports. ther diminish Fiat’s presence in at well below capacity, the car- October. NOC now hopes to reach ernment would look into their densates remained normal as the REUTERS recession-hit Italy and lead to maker has repeatedly reassured job cuts. politicians and unions it does not In an interview with financial intend to close factories, unlike daily Il Sole 24 Ore, Zanonato, mass-market competitors Ford China housing controls who in the past intervened by Motor Co, General Motors Co and Honda and GM to asking Fiat “to stay in Italy”, said Peugeot SA, which have said they he would meet with Fiat CEO will close plants. develop eco-car Sergio Marchionne this month Zanonato said that his minis- to discuss the merger. try would meet with representa- batteries “In a phone conversation tives from the automotive sector on Thursday, (Marchionne) supply chain on January 10 to TOKYO: Honda Motor Co and expressed his intention to keep discuss moves that could help General Motors Co are expected strong roots in Italy,” the min- revive Italy’s car market, which to jointly develop batteries for ister said. “He confirmed he has has shrunk to levels last seen in fuel-cell vehicles, with the aim in mind a strengthening in our the 1970s. of lowering the cost of fuel-cell country. Fiat already has a plan “We are considering a series cars by improving volume effi- to increase the effort put into of measures, including possible ciency, according to sources. new models produced in Italian incentives for alternative-fuel The firms hope to take the ini- factories.” vehicles,” he said. tiative in the next-generation eco- Zanonato dismissed concerns “The resources available car market, observers said. expressed by unions, saying the are unfortunately scarce, but A fuel-cell vehicle is viewed as merger, which will combine the maybe we can do something to the “ultimate eco-car” as it does technology, dealer networks and support the sales of models in not emit exhaust gases such as cash of the two companies, could two directions: methane and carbon dioxide while in operation. only be positive for Italy. electric-hybrid.” Honda and GM plan to jointly “How can a country not be sat- The minister added that the produce a core part of a fuel-cell isfied by a deal ... which opens new government was looking at fiscal system that can create electric- perspectives (prospects) in for- measures to boost exports, but did ity through a chemical reaction eign markets? The development not give details. between hydrogen in the fuel cell of the foreign network is a smart In a separate story, the news- and oxygen in the air. choice,” he said. paper said Fiat was consider- Unlike a gasoline-fuel vehicle, Fiat has said it plans to ing the issue of a mandatory a fuel-cell car uses many special build Jeeps and a new line convertible bond of ¤1-2bn to parts, and the production cost of Alfa Romeos in Italy for boost its capital base after the will likely be about 10m yen (aout export to markets in Asia, merger. The company declined The sun sets behind a construction site in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. China will maintain controls $95,550) per unit. Latin America and the United to comment. on its property market in 2014 while increasing the land and housing supply in cities facing big home prices. REUTERS States to offset flagging REUTERS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

US tapering poses risk Selling social media clicks to world recovery

BY ROBIN EMMOTT becomes big business BY MARTHA MENDOZA HE world economy should finally overcome its hangover to $360m to date, and that fake Facebook Dhaka, Bangladesh, a city of 7 million from the global financial crisis this year as growth picks up activities bring in $200m a year. in South Asia, is an international hub for Tand house prices rise, but reduced US monetary stimulus ELEBRITIES, businesses and As a result, many firms, whose values are click farms. will pose a challenge. even the US State Department based on credibility, have entire teams dog- The CEO of Dhaka-based social media After months of angst, investors will see how the US Federal have bought bogus Facebook likes, gedly pursuing the buyers and brokers of promotion firm Unique IT World said he Reserve handles its decision to curtail its policy of easy money, Twitter followers or YouTube fake clicks. But each time they crack down has paid workers to manually click on cli- starting from this month. viewers from offshore “click on one, another, more creative scheme ents’ social media pages, making it harder US jobs data on Friday will give markets a sense of the pace Cfarms,” where workers tap, tap, tap the emerges. for Facebook, Google and others to catch at which the Fed plans to pare back its bond-buying programme, thumbs up button, view videos or retweet When software engineers wrote computer them. “Those accounts are not fake, they while minutes on Wednesday from its December 18 meeting will comments to inflate social media numbers. programs, for example, to generate lucrative were genuine,” Shaiful Islam said. throw light on the central bank’s thinking. Since Facebook launched almost 10 years fake clicks, tech giants fought back with A recent check on Facebook showed “The United States will be the main focus given the Fed has ago, users have sought to expand their social software that screens out “bot-generated” Dhaka was the most popular city for many, finally started to taper its asset purchases,” said James Knightley, networks for financial gain, winning friends, clicks and began regularly sweeping user including soccer star Leo Messi, who has 51 a senior economist at ING in London, referring to what econo- bragging rights and professional clout. And accounts. million likes; Facebook’s own security page, mists call the “tapering” of US stimulus. social media companies cite the levels of YouTube wiped out billions of music which has 7.7 million likes; and Google’s “Nonetheless, the Fed has made it clear that it will not be look- engagement to tout their value. industry video views last December after Facebook page, which has 15.2 million likes. ing to run down the size of its balance sheet anytime soon, while But an Associated Press examination has auditors found some videos apparently had In 2013, the State Department, which has rate hikes remain some way off,” he said. found a growing global marketplace for fake exaggerated numbers of views. Its parent- more than 400,000 likes and was recently The Fed’s stimulus revived the US economy after the biggest clicks, which tech companies struggle to company, Google, is also constantly battling most popular in Cairo, said it would stop crisis since the Great Depression and the US economy is leading police. Online records, industry studies and people who generate fake clicks on their ads. buying Facebook fans after its inspector the global recovery. The United States could grow by up to three interviews show companies are capitalizing And Facebook, whose most recent quar- general criticized the agency for spending percent this year, helping the global economy to expand by almost on the opportunity to make millions of dol- terly report estimated as many as 14.1 $630,000 to boost the numbers. four percent, according to the International Monetary Fund. lars by duping social media. million of its 1.18 billion active users are In one case, its fan tally rose from about The delicate job of bringing the $85bn-a-month programme For as little as a half cent each click, web- fraudulent accounts, does frequent purges. 10,000 to more than 2.5 million. gradually to an end will almost certainly fall to Janet Yellen, sites hawk everything from LinkedIn con- That’s particularly important for a such a Sometimes there are plausible explana- whose candidacy as the next Fed chair will be voted on by the nections to make members appear more company that was built on the principle that tions for click increases. US Senate today. employable to Soundcloud plays to influence users are real people. For example, Burger King’s most popular Yellen, who would become the first woman to chair the US record label interest. Twitter’s Jim Prosser said there’s no city was, for a few weeks this year, Karachi, central bank, would take the reins on February 1, the day after “Anytime there’s a monetary value added upside. “In the end, they’re accounts are Pakistan, after the chain opened several res- Ben Bernanke ends his two-term stint. to clicks, there’s going to be people going suspended, they’re out the money and they taurants there. For emerging markets — major beneficiaries of cheap money to the dark side,” said Mitul Gandhi, CEO lose the followers,” he said. While the Federal Trade Commission unleashed by Fed stimulus — a scaling back of the programme of seoClarity, a Des Plaines, Illinois, social LinkedIn spokesman Doug Madey said and several state attorney generals have will prompt investors to reduce their holdings of stocks and bonds. media marketing firm that weeds out phony buying connections “dilutes the member cracked down on fake endorsements or Short-term economic growth could suffer due to a failure to online engagements. experience,” violates their user agreement reviews, they have not weighed in on clicks. reform during the years of easy money. Italian security researchers and bloggers and can also prompt account closures. Meanwhile, hundreds of online businesses Turkey is one country that relies on foreign capital to plug holes Andrea Stroppa and Carla De Micheli esti- Google and YouTube “take action against sell clicks and social media accounts from in its balance of payments and the country will be in focus again mated in 2013 that sales of fake Twitter fol- bad actors that seek to game our systems,” around the world. in the week ahead, not least because Ankara faces its greatest lowers have the potential to bring in $40m said spokeswoman Andrea Faville. REUTERS period of political instability in a decade. Markets have calmed since the last week of 2013, when Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan dismissed police officers involved in a corruption investigation that has dragged in relatives of ministers and others with close links to the government. But a falling lira is saddling companies with higher payments U.S. jobless claims on foreign loans and pushing up inflation. Indonesia, also vulnerable in the face of reduced US stimulus New claims for unemployment fell last week to 339,000. For the week ended December 21, continuing claims fell due to its sizeable current account deficit, has been at the centre to 2.833 million. of the sell-off in emerging currencies and will hold a central bank policy meeting with the Fed firmly in mind. INITIAL CLAIMSCONTINUING CLAIMS AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT DURATION Emerging markets are becoming more of a concern for the global economy as the rich world recovers from the 2008/2009 ThousandsMillions Weeks financial crisis, while China’s slowing economy, which generates 700 7 50 more than a third of global growth, has added to the unease. 37.2 The world’s second-largest economy releases business surveys, 40 trade, inflation and lending figures in the week ahead. Europe offers good news for a change and US Treasury 30 600 6 Secretary Jack Lew should hear some of that in a visit to Berlin, 20 Paris and Lisbon for talks with senior officials. The single currency area is forecast to return to growth in 2014 10 after two years of contraction and Greece, at the centre of the bloc’s crippling banking and debt crisis, expects its first economic 500 5 0 2009 '10 '11 '12 '13 expansion in six years. Still, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will be in no mood for celebrating when the bank’s Governing Council meets LABOR MARKET PARTICIPATION RATE on Thursday. He faces the difficult task of supporting growth with Percent limited tools in a region still facing record unemployment and 400 4 66 high public and private debt levels. The ECB is banned from buying bonds directly from govern- 65 ments and cannot emulate the Fed, although it can find ways to purchase bonds from banks on the secondary market. 300 3 Draghi said last week he saw “no need for immediate 64 action” after cutting interest rates to a record low of 0.25 percent in November, and sees signs of a gradual economic 63 recovery. 63.0 “Draghi will merely emphasise once again that the ECB is ready 200 2 62 to act,” said Michael Schubert, an economist at Commerzbank 2009 '10 '11 '12 '13 2009 '10 '11 '12 '13 in Frankfurt. Source: U.S. Labor Department Before the ECB meets, eurozone inflation data on Tuesday will show how consumer prices are holding up despite deflationary S. Culp, 03/01/2014 risks in some of the weaker economies. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate A fabulous year for many mutual funds

BY STAN CHOE passports were popular. The US The dollar’s moves matter. too expensive to do so. than the rest of the market amid Many bond funds struggled. stock market surged to a record Many headlines trumpeted the Health care funds took the lead. excitement that their earnings For years, investors looked to T WAS easy to make money high in 2013, but investors put 56.7 percent surge for Japan’s Health care stock funds returned can grow faster. Smaller com- bond mutual funds for a safe with mutual funds last year, more money into funds that Nikkei 225 index last year. That an average of 48.2 percent last panies tend to get more of their way to avoid the whipsaws as long as you picked ones invest in stocks outside the US beat the 29.6 percent rise for the year. That beat everything from revenue from customers in the US of the stock market. During focused on stocks. During November alone, investors Standard & Poor’s 500 index of technology stock funds (an aver- than big multinational companies 2008, when the S&P 500 lost Stock markets around poured $1.72bn into the Vanguard US stocks. But many US investors age gain of 35.5 percent) to finan- do, and the US economy looks to 37 percent amid the financial Ithe world surged in 2013, from Total International Stock Index in Japanese stock funds didn’t feel cial stock funds (34.6 percent). be in better shape than many crisis, intermediate-term bond New York to Frankfurt to Tokyo, fund, for example. Its biggest the full benefit. That’s because To see why, look at the holdings others. The unemployment rate funds lost an average of just 4.7 and that helped lift all flavours investments include Nestle the Nikkei rose 56.7 percent in of the Franklin Biotechnology fell last month to a five-year low, percent. of stock mutual funds. The mar- of Switzerland and Samsung Japanese yen terms. When con- Discovery fund, which led the way and the Federal Reserve has seen But last year, bond funds were ket’s ascent spread across not Electronics of South Korea. verted into dollars, the perform- with a 68.6 percent surge in 2013. enough improvement that it is a big source of fear. Investors only geographies but also indus- Through the year’s first 11 ance wasn’t as good, and Japanese The fund keeps about a fifth slowing its bond-buying program yanked a net $57.92 billion from tries. That meant everything months, investors plugged a net stock mutual funds returned an of its portfolio in just two stocks: meant to stimulate the economy. bond funds through the first from high-flying technology stock $129.38bn into world stock mutual average of 26.7 percent last year, Gilead Sciences and Celgene. Both To be sure, the gains for small- 11 months of 2013. It’s a sharp funds to stereotypically dowdy funds, according to the most recent including dividends. That’s less more than doubled in 2013 amid cap stocks have been so great that turnaround from 2012, when they utility stock funds rose. As long data from the Investment Company than the S&P 500. an explosion of interest in the bio- some fund managers are worried deposited a net total of $303.6bn as investors held onto their stock Institute. That’s nearly five times It’s a result of the yen’s value tech industry. that they’ve become too expensive. into bond funds. funds through the year — and the $27.15bn that they put into dropping steadily through the Small was big. Some of the best Emerging downers. Not all Investors were worried about resisted the temptation to sell funds focused on just US stocks. year against the dollar. Japanese returns in 2013 came from mutual stock mutual funds rose. Many of the threat of rising interest rates, at each blip of concern — they The moves are part of a long- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has funds that focus on the smallest those that focus on China, Brazil which hurt bond prices. When enjoyed the best returns in a dec- term migration investors are championed big stimulus efforts stocks. Small-cap growth stock and other emerging markets fell, rates rise, it suddenly makes the ade for many funds. undertaking as they make their to jolt the world’s third-largest funds jumped an average of 40.9 with the average emerging-mar- lower yields paid by older bonds Out of nearly 3,650 stock funds portfolios look more like the economy. One dollar bought 105 percent, for example. Managers of kets stock fund down 0.1 percent. less attractive. tracked by Morningstar, 92 per- world’s: Stocks outside the US yen at the end of 2013, up from 87 these funds focus on stocks with Latin American stock funds fell That means prices for them cent rose over 2013. But funds that make up more than half the yen at the start of the year. market values closer to $300m, 12 percent. drop, hurting the returns for focus on bonds struggled, many of world’s total by market value. Some mutual funds try to like 1-800-Flowers.com, than Worries about slower economic the bond mutual funds that own them after years of solid perform- Plus, foreign stocks sometimes blunt the effect of shifting cur- those worth a total of $300bn, growth hurt, as did concerns that them. The yield on the 10-year ance. Here’s a look at some of the zig when US stocks zag. By add- rency values in a process called like Microsoft. Large-cap growth foreign investors will pull out of Treasury rose from a low of about trends that shaped the year for ing foreign stocks, the thinking hedging. But many funds don’t funds returned an average of 33.9 developing economies amid a 1.6 percent in May to 3 percent at mutual-fund investors: goes, a portfolio becomes more hedge against currency moves, percent. slowdown in stimulus from the the end of 2013. Portfolio managers with diversified. saying it’s too unpredictable or Small stocks surged more Federal Reserve. REUTERS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 10,664.16 1.13 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 15,236.64 1.13 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,151.22 1.47 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,646.32 0.91 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,498.54 1.10 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5369.819 16.74 0.31 5369.819 5369.819 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,032.93 0.06 % QR142.9133 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4256.12 -39.83 -0.93 0 0 QE All Share Industrials 3,591.13 0.63 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9857 QR 6.0691 QE All Share Insurance 2,387.27 1.42 % Dj Indu Average 16576.66 72.37 0.44 16588.3 13104.3 Euro ...... QR 4.9880 QR 5.0573 QE All Share Real Estate 2,012.5 0.52 % QR 2.3426 CA$ ...... QR 3.3999 QR 3.4674 QE All Share Telecoms 1,467.5 1.21 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,909.45 1.39 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0289 QR 4.0859 Hang Seng Inde/D 23340.05 33.66 0.14 24111.55 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0343 QR 0.0349 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.1952 QR 3.2590 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4562.11 22.68 0.5 0 0 CRUDE OIL 05-01-2014 02-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0579 QR 0.0591 Index 10,664.16 10,545.27 Karachi 100 In/D 25962.18 353.33 1.38 25628.41 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0349 Change 118.89 165.68 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 16291.31 112.37 0.69 16232.69 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0828 % 1.13 1.60 $ 111.30 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 2.74 1.60 S&P 500 Index/D 1848.36 7.29 0.4 1849.44 1426.19 Taka ...... QR 0.0462 QR 0.0477 Volume 13,077,213 7,772,124 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0364 QR 0.0371 Value (QAR) 900,467,610.60 330,708,853.44 Straits Times/D 3174.65 7.22 0.23 0 0 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3395 QR 0.3462 Trades 6,122 4,496 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 107.85 Up 26 | Down 11 | Unchanged 03

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 05-01-2014

Flying start for precious metals – not so for crude oil

HE first (and trun- keeping a lid on prices. and into relative safety. flows in Exchange Traded cated) trading week As the table below shows the Weekly Commodity Update The buying so far this year has Products have remained negative of 2014 kicked off with past week has seen rising prices been most noticeable in Asian during the first few trading days

Tgains for gold and silver, among all the precious metals trading hours which has raised of 2014. some of the biggest losers in 2013, with silver on top followed by BY OLE HANSEN expectations that demand from Platinum has kicked off the while the energy sector relin- platinum, gold and palladium. (Head of Commodity the region will remain firm again year with strong gains which has quished some of its gains from The DJ UBS precious met- Strategy, Saxo Bank) this year. The premium paid for resulted in the premium over the last few weeks of December. als index lost more than thirty taking immediate delivery of gold gold rising to 13 percent which is As we enter the New Year, growth percent in 2013 with silver and in China has risen to USD 23 an the highest level since July 2011. expectations are elevated with gold being the biggest casualties. than 50 percent of the November the continued pickup in demand ounce which is almost USD 7 A global supply deficit combined global manufacturing activity in That move last year signaled the to December rally has been given as evidenced through the drop in dollars higher than the average with the risk of labor unrest in December running at its best level abrupt halt to gold’s multi-year back. inventory levels has forced trad- during December and the lifting South Africa, the world’s largest since April 2011. rally which since 2001 had yielded Copper was one of the best per- ers to switch their focus. Having of some import restrictions on producer, and China’s attempt Will history repeat itself and an average annual return of close forming commodities in December reached a six month high some December 31 by the Reserve Bank to expand its clean air efforts by result in another strong January to 15 percent. At the bottom of as it reacted to rising growth profit taking can now be expected, of India could also spur renewed focusing on reducing vehicle emis- performance for the fourth year the table several energy futures prospects in the US and sustained not least on the expected outlook demand. Additional support has sions, could all play into the hands in a row for key commodities such can be found, especially gasoline growth prospects in China, the for increased supply over the come from stabilising bond mar- of those looking for investments as platinum, silver and copper to and the two crude oil contracts of world’s two largest consumers. coming months which will help kets after the recent sell-off which in this sector. Brent crude and gasoline? The Brent and WTI. Supporting the move has been rebuild inventory levels. resulted in US 10-year bond yields The two global crude oil bench- early signs are supportive for the Robusta coffee dropped by the the continued drop in inventories The yellow metal was on track reaching a 2.5 year high. marks of Brent and WTI ran into metals but often we have seen most in almost two years as it at warehouses monitored by the for its best weekly performance Speculative short selling by heavy selling during the first week the price direction during the continue to be sold on the expec- two major futures exchanges in since October not least helped by hedge funds increased almost of January. Key to the move lower first few trading days of the year tation of a record production London and Shanghai. reduced selling appetite as a new four-fold by 5.7 million ounces was the lack of speculative buy- turn out to be the wrong one. The from Vietnam, the world’s largest Inventories on the London trading year began. On the last during November and December ers who had been supporting the energy sector, however, could be producer of this particular bean. Metal Exchange and the Shanghai trading day of 2013 sellers went and the failed selling attempt and price in order to achieve a good the one struggling the most to Up until mid-December farmers futures exchange both fell to the looking for stops below the recent the subsequent bounce will have end of year result, together with achieve the same positive results in the country had been holding lowest in a year according to the low at USD 1,187/ounce but the rattled a few weak shorts and a rising dollar and not least the with the current lack of any major back production in the hope of most recent data from December failure to breach the 2013 low helped the rally along. Whether news from Libya that a three- geopolitical issues together with achieving higher prices but as 31. With the focus on copper at 1,180/ounce quickly attracted it will be enough to see the price month strike at the 300,000 bar- increased supply, especially from soon supplies began to be deliv- in recent months having been some buying interest and since move back above the key resist- rel per day facility of Al Sharara North America and the potential ered for export the price quickly mostly centered on the prospect then some additional buying has ance at USD 1,268/ounce remains will be lifted. resumption of Libyan exports all began to correct and so far more for increased availability of supply, moved it back above 1,200/ounce doubtful, also considering that THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Saints end play-off road drought Graham’s fourth field goal seals victory; Saints out-rush Eagles 185 yards to 80 PHILADELPHIA: The New together. This was great, coming Graham connected on his fourth Orleans Saints beat the NFC on the road, in a hostile environ- field goal to clinch victory. East champion Philadelphia ment against one of the hottest After a scoreless opening quar- Eagles 26-24 in the wild card teams in football.” ter between the two offensive- play-off round on Saturday, end- On the other side of the ball, the minded teams, the Saints got on ing a road jinx with their first Saints defence stifled the prolific the scoreboard first on a 36-yard play-off win away from home in running game of the Eagles, hold- field goal by Graham for a 3-0 lead. the history of the franchise. ing NFL rushing leader LeSean Eagles quarterback Foles hit Shayne Graham kicked a McCoy to 77 yards on 21 carries Riley Cooper with a 10-yard 32-yard field goal through the and yielding only three other touchdown strike to jump ahead middle of the uprights for the win- yards on the ground. 7-3 before a 46-yard field by ning score as the clock hit zero less New Orleans, who had lost all Graham closed the gap to 7-6 at than five minutes after the Eagles five of their previous road play-off halftime. took a 24-23 lead on a three-yard games since joining the National The Saints took charge in the touchdown pass from Nick Foles Football League in 1967, will travel third quarter. Brees connected to tight end Zach Ertz. to Seattle to play the top-seeded with Lance Moore on a 24-yard The winning drive was set up by NFC West champion Seahawks score less than five minutes after a 39-yard kickoff return by Darren next week. the intermission to put New Sproles extended by a 15-yard Despite their lack of success Orleans ahead 13-7. penalty for a horse-collar tackle away from their climate-control- Running back Ingram, carry- that put the ball on Philadelphia led Superdome home, Saints coach ing the weight with Pierre Thomas 48-yard line. Sean Payton said his team was sidelined with a back injury, bulled Drew Brees completed 20-of-30 supremely confident. into the end zone from four yards passes for 250 yards and a touch- “I think there was a resolve,” out to cap an eight-play, 66-yard down, while Mark Ingram ran for Payton said. “I think our players drive for a 20-7 lead. 97 yards on 18 carries for New thought coming in here tonight Philadelphia fought back, and Orleans, who controlled the line there was no way we were going to just before the end of the quar- of scrimmage in gaining 185 yards leave without winning this game.” ter, NFL rushing leader LeSean rushing. McCoy plunged in from one yard “We know what type of team DECENT CONDITIONS out to finish a 65-yard drive and we are,” Brees told reporters. Despite a snowstorm that cut the deficit to 20-14. “We know how good we can be. It hit the area on Friday and sub- The Eagles’ Alex Henery booted was just a matter of putting it all freezing temperatures, the lack of a 31-yard field goal to draw within wind and relatively solid footing 20-17 early in the fourth quarter, presented a fair playing field for before the Saints made it a six- NFL Results both teams. point game with a 35-yard kick “I thought the weather was New Orleans Saints player Darren Sproles (centre) runs against Philadelphia Eagles in the first half of their NFL by Graham. AMERICAN CONFERENCE pretty good all things considered,” Wildcard game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Foles gave the home crowd rea- At Indianapolis Payton added. “Hardly any wind son to roar when he sidearmed a Indianapolis 45 Kansas City 44 at all.” can come with a team that plays was a killer, but that he considered every single day. I just thanked go-ahead touchdown pass to Ertz As far as the charge against inside.’ But we travelled pretty the season a success. them for that.” with 4:54 remaining but the crowd NATIONAL CONFERENCE the Saints as a team that loses well tonight.” “I told them I was proud of of nearly 70,000 was silenced as SEE-SAW At Philadelphia big games on the road, Payton Eagles first-year coach Chip them, for us being together for the Saints marched down the field New Orleans 26 Philadelphia 24 said: “I told the players, ‘you carry Kelly said the field position gained such a short time, and how they The hard-fought contest to set up their winning field goal. your own history. That stereotype by the Saints on the last kickoff acted and how they came to work included four lead changes before REUTERS

Golf Scores 133 Zach Johnson 67-66 136 Dustin Johnson 70-66, Matt Kuchar NHL: St. Louis Blues Spurs move 68-68, Jordan Spieth 66-70 137 Webb Simpson 66-71, Michael Thompson 66-71 138 Ryan Moore 67-71, Kevin Streelman past Clippers 67-71 down Columbus Blue NEW YORK: Center Tiago Teague and forward Paul Millsap 139 Brandt Snedeker 70-69, Ken Duke NEW YORK: Center Patrik game of the second half of the Splitter scored a season high led Atlanta with 16 points each. 70-69, Jason Dufner 67-72 Berglund scored two goals as the NHL Results season. 22-points as the San Antonio Oklahoma City small forward 140 Adam Scott (AUS) 70-70 St. Louis Blues rallied from a 2-0 Krug’s goals tied him with Erik Spurs rolled to a 116-92 win over Kevin Durant scored 23 of his sea- deficit to beat the Columbus Blue Boston 4 Winnipeg 1 Karlsson of Ottawa and Shea the Los Angeles Clippers. son-high 48 points in the fourth 141 Gary Woodland 71-70, Harris English 70-71, Chris Kirk 66-75 Jackets 6-2 for their fifth con- Colorado 4 San Jose 3 Weber of Nashville for the league Splitter shot eight of 12 for quarter as the Thunder rallied secutive victory. Buffalo 2 New Jersey 1 lead among defensemen on 10 the game in 24 minutes, but left for a come-from-behind 115-111 142 Woody Austin 72-70, Patrick Reed The Blues (29-7-5), who have goals. early in the fourth quarter with victory at Minnesota. Durant’s NY Rangers 7 Toronto 1 70-72, Bae Sang-Moon (KOR) 69-73 won only five times this season Defenceman Dustin Byfuglien a sprained right shoulder and did 18-footer with four seconds to play when they gave up the first goal Ottawa 4 Montreal 3 scored his ninth for the Jets. not return. gave the Thunder a 113-111 lead. in a game, started the comeback Florida 5 Nashville 4 Center Nathan MacKinnon San Antonio had four other Minnesota had a chance to win 7:03 into the second period when Carolina 3 NY Islanders 2 scored two goals, center Paul players in double figures, includ- the game when power forward Golf: Johnson Berglund deflected a shot by St Louis 6 Columbus 2 Stastny had two assists and the ing guards Tony Parker (17) and Kevin Love was fouled on a three- defenceman Barret Jackman past Colorado Avalanche jumped out to Manu Ginobili (15). Forward point attempt with 2.2 seconds to Detroit 5 Dallas 1 goalie Curtis McElhinney. a big lead before holding on to beat Kawhi Leonard added 10 and play. Love missed the first two free grabs lead at It was Berglund’s first two-goal Minnesota 5 Washington 3 the San Jose Sharks 4-3. center Tim Duncan had 19 with throws and turned the ball over effort of the season, having scored Philadelphia 5 Phoenix 3 Left wing Jamie McGinn scored 11 rebounds. when his missed shot did not hit Hawaii event only four goals in 37 games before Los Angeles 3 Vancouver 1 against his former team and The Clippers played their first the rim. Saturday night. defenseman Erik Johnson also game without guard Chris Paul, Center Nikola Pekovic led the HONOLULU: Former St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott home stand and gained ground on scored for the Avalanche, who who suffered a separated right Timberwolves with 31 points Masters champion Zach won his 13th consecutive home the San Jose Sharks. have won three successive games. shoulder in a 119-112 win over and 11 rebounds. Love scored 30 Johnson seized a three-shot game, extending his own franchise Goaltender Roberto Luongo Center Patrick Marleau scored Dallas on Friday. points and grabbed 14 rebounds lead after firing a seven-under record. stopped 45 shots and center a goal and made two assists, and Veterans Chris Bosh and to record his 29th double-double 66 in the second round of the In Los Angeles, winger Jeff Ryan Kesler scored the lone goal centers Logan Couture and Joe Dwyane Wade both scored 20 in 32 games. PGA Tour’s Tournament of Carter scored two goals and goal- for Vancouver (23-13-7), which Pavelski also scored for the Sharks. points in leading the Miami The Brooklyn Nets suffered Champions on Saturday. tender Jonathan Quick made 27 dropped its third straight game. Centers Manny Malhotra, Heat to a 110-94 victory over the another third-quarter letdown Johnson has a 13-under 133 saves as the Los Angeles Kings Rookie defenseman Torey Jordan Staal and Brett Sutter all Orlando Magic. but survived to beat the Cleveland total at the Kapalua Resort beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1. Krug scored two goals and set up scored in the second period as the Bosh made all nine of his shots Cavaliers 89-82. course. The Kings (26-13-4) broke another with a nifty pass to lead Carolina Hurricanes hung on to and collected six rebounds. Wade Guard Deron Williams had 21 Defending champ Dustin a season-long five game losing Boston to a 4-1 victory over the beat the New York Islanders 3-2. made eight of his 15 shots and points and six assists, guard Paul Johnson also shot 66 to reach streak as they opened a five-game Winnipeg Jets in the Bruins’ first REUTERS added six rebounds and four Pierce had 17 points and five assists 10-under and grab a share of assists. and forward Andray Blatche came second place with Jordan Spieth Veteran forward Rashard Lewis, off the bench to score 12 points for (70) and Matt Kuchar (68). in a rare start, scored a season- the Nets. Michael Thompson (71) and high 18 points in 27 minutes, help- Guard Dion Waiters scored a Webb Simpson (71) are tied ing the Heat work through a below game-high 26 points, guard C.J. for fifth at nine-under, while average game by LeBron James Miles had 19 points and eight Kevin Streelman (71) and Ryan who had 15 points, eight rebounds rebounds for the Cavaliers. Moore (71) are in seventh at and eight assists, making just five After being projected to be NBA eight-under. of 13 shots. doormats this season, the surpris- Dustin Johnson drove his tee Forward Paul George scored ing Phoenix Suns got win 20 on shot on the par-three eighth to 24 points to rally the Pacers to a Saturday night, rolling to a 116-100 within six feet and then made 99-82 come-from-behind win over victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. birdie to move into the lead at the New Orleans Pelicans. Guard Guard Gerald Green shot nine- eight-under. Lance Stephenson added 19 points, for-14 for 24 points to lead the That was Johnson’s fifth 14 that helped spark the Pacers’ Suns (20-12). birdie in six holes, a stretch in second-half surge. Forward Channing Frye, who which he made two long putts. The Pacers managed to over- shot six-for-nine on three-point- Zach Johnson drained a come a dismal 35 percent shooting ers, added 22 points plus seven putt from 23 feet for his third from the field during the opening rebounds and two blocks. straight birdie at the eighth quarter with the help of its bench REUTERS to claim the outright lead at during the second quarter to 10-under. slowly start chipping away at the He took a two-shot lead after Pelicans’ 27-15 first quarter lead. NBA Results Spieth found a bunker with his Forward Mike Dunleavy scored second shot at the seventh and Indiana 99 New Orleans 82 20 points off the bench to lead the could not get up and down for Chicago Bulls to a 91-84 victory Miami 110 Orlando 94 par. over the Atlanta Hawks. Forward Brooklyn 89 Cleveland 82 Thompson moved within Luol Deng added 17 points and the Chicago 91 Atlanta 84 a shot of Zach Johnson with Bulls had three players produce Oklahoma City 115 Minnesota 111 a birdie at the eighth, but double-doubles. San Antonio 116 LA Clippers 92 Johnson quickly regained his Deng grabbed 11 rebounds, while Phoenix 116 Milwaukee 100 two-stroke cushion by rolling forward Taj Gibson and center in a shot birdie putt at the 10th. Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) scores a goal on Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo Philadelphia 101 Portland 99 (1) during the third period at Staples Center. Joakim Noah both finished with AFP 10 points and 12 boards. Guard Jeff Charlotte 113 Sacramento 103 MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Hewitt stuns Federer in Brisbane Title win number 29 for the Australian; the Swiss star eyes first Grand Slam event

BRISBANE: Australia’s Federer started the final Venus, Stephens Lleyton Hewitt stunned top seed poorly and made a staggering 22 Roger Federer of Switzerland to unforced errors in the first set, opt to rest win the Brisbane International perhaps showing the effects of Lleyton yesterday. playing both singles and doubles Hewitt of up ahead of Hewitt raced through the first in the heat and humidity of a Australia set and then held off a comeback Brisbane summer. (right) Australian Open from the world number six to However, Federer denied the poses with win 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and high workload was to blame for MELBOURNE: With next seven minutes. his performance despite looking Australian week’s Australian Open in It was Hewitt’s 29th title on the fatigued at times. tennis legend mind, a weary Venus Williams ATP tour but his first since 2010, “I feel actually pretty good con- Rod Laver has opted to skip the Hobart when he also beat Federer in the sidering playing five sets yester- (centre) after International while her final at Halle. day and coming out and playing defeating American compatriot Sloane Hewitt has been plagued by another three-setter today, (con- Roger Stephens has pulled out of the injury in recent years and under- sidering) the warmer weather the Federer Sydney International with a went surgery in 2010, 2011 and last couple of days in particular,” (left) of minor wrist injury. 2012 to fix various hip and foot he said. Switzerland Following her 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 problems. The Swiss great had not lost his after the defeat to fellow former world “I think the most pleasing thing serve all week, but he appeared final at the number one Ana Ivanovic in is what I’ve had to come through sluggish from the beginning and Brisbane the Auckland Classic final on and the tough times in terms of was broken to love in the first International Saturday, Williams withdrew surgery,” the former Wimbledon game. yesterday. from the Hobart event to recover and US Open champion said. “I really was struggling with ahead of the first grand slam of “Before the last surgery I made all sorts of rhythm,” Federer said the season beginning next week. no secret (that) there were no yesterday. “After a long week during my guarantees I would be able to play But Federer, who was using first tournament of the year, again at all. the Brisbane tournament as an my body needs time to rest and “There were still times when I Australian Open warm-up for the overly disappointed at his loss to up well, despite the amount of of what you need to work on.” recover,” the 33-year-old Williams came back from that surgery and first time, said he felt good ahead Hewitt. tennis he played and the heat in He would not make any predic- told the Hobart International played that Wimbledon straight of his bid to win the year’s first “I didn’t play great today, which Brisbane during the week. tions on how he would perform website (www.hobartinterna- after it, and I was still doubting Grand Slam for the fifth time. is a bit unfortunate,” he said. “I’m pretty pleased just that in Melbourne. tional.com.au). whether I was ever going to be “I feel pretty good, especially “But also Lleyton was the best my body is holding up good in the “I haven’t thought about it a “Unfortunately, I am not able pain-free again. having played all the matches I player I played this week -- he first week, because you don’t quite whole lot,” he said. to play this week in Hobart. I “For me that’s the most pleas- have here now, with the doubles made it toughest on me, so I have know what to expect,” he said. “I think I can play very well. It was looking forward to playing ing thing.” in particular,” he said. a clear idea what I need to work “So overall there were many depends on how I play more than in Tasmania and I sincerely do Hewitt, the world number 60, is “It’s a good thing -- I didn’t on, and I have a clear idea where good things (this week), but then anything right now. hope to play there in the coming projected to rise to 43 in the rank- quite know what to expect from my mind and body is at. also a couple of things you need “I think I was able to sort of years,” the seven-time grand slam ings as a result of the win, and myself before the tournament. “I’m very hungry and eager to to just readjust maybe, and also serve better overall, more consist- winner added. will be one of the most danger- “I played consistent, I must attack the Australian Open next get to Melbourne and see what ent this week than I have in a long Stephens, the world number 12, ous floaters when the Australian say.” week.” the court speed is down there and time. So that’s very good.” told media. “I was having some Open draw is made on January 10. The 32-year-old said he was not Federer said his body had held then you’ll have a real good idea AGENCIES pain in my wrist and the doc- tor recommended I not play this week.” Tsonga primed for Doha champion braced for ‘strange’ days Melbourne fight DOHA: Rafael Nadal sounded adapt.” Nadal nevertheless reck- The things which particularly relieved yesterday to be flying oned that what he most probably pleased the Spaniard were playing after Hopman win to Australia in better condition will have to adapt to is good for with a much higher intensity than than he might have expected his style of play -- the Melbourne previously, hitting more ground PERTH: Powerful Frenchman for the first Grand Slam event heat makes the balls quicker, and strokes from inside the baseline -- Rafael Nadal Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will head of the year and one that he it also makes them bounce more, where he can more easily attack of Spain into the Australian Open full described as “strange”. both characteristics which he -- changing direction much better hits a return of confidence as he chases his A fine two-hour final at the believes suit him. with his forehand drive. to Peter maiden Grand Slam win after Qatar Open, in which the world The Spaniard believes, how- When he does this it can leading his country to their first Gojowczyk number one beat Gael Monfils 6-1, ever, that by competing in Doha become the most potent weapon Hopman Cup triumph. of Germany 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, dragged some of rather than travelling straight to in tennis. Tsonga, who has slipped to 10th Nadal’s best tennis from him and Australia to practise or to play, “It’s important to have these during their in the rankings after an injury- gave him a physical and psycho- there are positives and negatives. feelings,” he emphasised. Qatar Open plagued 2013, teamed up with logical test he certainly needed. The final with Monfils enhanced “I played a good match. In the semi-final in Alize Cornet to win the title, beat- It will have given him confi- the positives, and still leaves him, second set I think I played only this January ing the Polish pair of Agnieszka dence that he is in good enough he believes, with enough time to two bad shots and yet Gael still 3, 2014, Radwanska and Grzegorz Panfil shape to challenge in a week’s acclimatise after the long journey. won it. file photo in Saturday’s final in Perth. time for a major title he has not “If you haven’t adapted in six “I knew that I had to go for taken in Speaking after the final, Tsonga won for five years. days it means you will never be winners and I played much more Doha. Nadal said he was well-placed for a seri- “It’s difficult because the adapted,” he said. aggressively today, and that’s won the ous tilt at the Australian Open. Australian Open is very early. It “But I don’t go thinking about important. It’s important to tournament “I have had a good preparation would be better to play it a bit adapting. I think about things I leave this tournament with these by beating and the Hopman Cup is part of later. It can be only the second want to get practising, to be com- feelings.” Gael Monfils it,” he said. tournament (of the year) that you petitive. I want to play the way He thought for a moment and of France in “Even while I have been playing are competing in, and it’s one of I did today, and if I can do that then he added: “I would rather the final on matches here I have continued to the most important, so it’s a bit more often my game will be at a prefer to arrive in Australia with Saturday. work. strange,” said Nadal after sealing higher level. these feelings. After five matches “I was bit tired for my sin- his 61st career title. “Today was the first day that here I will have positive confi- gles (in the final) but now I have “But it’s strange every year. I I did that (this year) and I want dence, but of course it doesn’t seven days to recover and to be hope to have a good week’s prepa- to go on doing it until it becomes guarantee that I will be playing ready for the Australian Open.” ration in Melbourne and try to natural and normal.” well in Australia.” REUTERS AGENCIES Sheikh Saoud meets Fifty One East – Sony to Brunei Olympic chief present WAFF awards

DOHA: Sheikh Saoud Bin DOHA: The West Asian Football Federation and will only develop it further in the region.” Fadi Abdulrahman Al Thani, (WAFF) and Local Organising Committee of the Zureikat, General Secretary of WAFF regards the Secretary-General of the Qatar 8th WAFF Championship for Men announced that allocation of $50,000 to the best player, top scorer Olympic Committee (QOC) Fifty One East – Sony will be sponsoring the cash and best goalkeeper makes the eighth edition of this met yesterday at the QOC prizes for the Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper of championship the best ever in the history of WAFF Headquarters H R H Prince Haji the championship this year. championships. Sufri Bolkiah , the President of Reaching a total of $50,000, the awards aim to add He commented: “Fifty One East – Sony’s initiative Brunei Olympic Committee and to the importance of the championship and reinforce in providing cash prizes for the 3 categories of the Football Federation who is on an the importance of the championship in the West tournament is a step towards enhancing the value official visit to Qatar. Asia region. and importance of this edition that is held in Qatar, Sheikh Saoud greeted the Fifty One East, the premium luxury retail chain and we appreciate this distinctive initiative.” Brunei senior Olympic official in Qatar, and Sony, the leading global consumer elec- Ziad Asmar, Executive Director of Darwish and stressed the importance of tronics brand will present the Best Player with prize Technology, said on behalf of Fifty One East and effective cooperation between the money of $20,000, while the Top Scorer will receive Sony, said: “We’re very happy to partake in this pres- two countries to serve their sport $15,000, and the Best Goalkeeper will receive $15,000. tigious championship. Fifty One East and Sony have development efforts. Fifty One East – Sony plays a vital role in devel- been strongly linked to prominent sports happenings Talks during the meeting oping the football scene in Qatar and is one of the in Qatar. This is symbiotic partnership with the focused on ways of expanding leading sponsors of the Qatar Football Association’s Qatar Football Association and West Asian Football common cooperation between (QFA) happenings. Federation showcases our invested effort to turn the Qatar and Brunei especially in Saoud Al Mohannadi, CEO of the Local Organising tournament into an engaging and unique experience the sport fields. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar Committee of the 8th WAFF Championship for everyone in the country. We look forward to Both sides also reviewed the Olympic Committee (QOC) is seen with H R H Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah , expressed appreciation of Fifty One East’s and Sony’ another wonderful football season which will keep possibility of Brunei to benefit the President of Brunei Olympic Committee and Football Federation who support and said: “We thank Fifty One East – Sony many on their toes till its grand finale.” from Qatar’s pioneer experi- is on an official visit to Qatar. for their immense contribution to this key champi- Kick starting on 25th December, 2013, the 8th ence in both “ Schools Olympic onship. Awarding these special prizes demonstrates WAFF Championship’s Final match will take place Program” and “National Sport that QFA and Fifty One East – Sony partake in such in Al Sadd Stadium on 7th January, 2014 at 7:00pm. Day”. especially hosting of top flight said yesterday. The meeting was partnerships to enhance the game. The support pro- \The 3rd and fourth place decider match will kick- H R H Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah international events. also attended by Fisal Saleh Al vided by Fifty One East – Sony for the championship off at 3:10pm and will take place on the same day applauded ‘Qatar’s comprehensive The visiting official also praised Mansoori, Director of the QOC is greatly valued and it will surely reflect positively at the same place. development in the sports infra- Qatar’s professional abilities Public Relations and Marketing on this significant championship.” Qatar and Jordan have qualified for the final structure and its ambitious strat- in hosting major international Department, the statement He added: “We are confident that a championship match of the top regional tournament. egy for development in all fields sport events, a QOC statement added. THE PENINSULA with this magnitude deserves these special awards THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Johnson Harris, Johnson heroes as erased all question marks in Aussie sweep Ashes series fine style, The home team cruises to 5-0 win following Sydney Test heroics says Clarke SYDNEY: Australia captain SYDNEY: Australia completed Michael Clarke paid fulsome a 5-0 Ashes clean sweep against tribute to Mitchell Johnson England yesterday as the tour- for his part in the 5-0 Ashes ists crumbled against a formi- sweep yesterday, saying dable pace attack to go down to nobody could ever again doubt a humiliating 281-run defeat in the paceman’s character. the fifth Test. Johnson was awarded the Mitchell Johnson -- described Compton-Miller medal as Man by captain Michael Clarke as one -of-the-Series after taking 37 of the modern-day pace greats -- Australia’s England wickets over the five was named Man-of-the-Series for cricketers Ryan Tests at an astonishing average his 37 wickets over the five games Harris (left) and of below 14. at 13.97. Mitchell Johnson There are few cricketers Fellow quick Ryan Harris took (centre) and more enigmatic than the qui- Man-of-the-Match for his eight Peter Siddle etly spoken and introspective wickets in the two innings in celebrate their Queenslander, whose fortunes Sydney, where a hapless England 5-0 victory in over his test career have mir- endured their fifth successive the Ashes Test rored those of his country -- in heavy defeat. his pomp from his debut in 2007 series against The demoralised tourists to 2009, with a steady decline England at capitulated after tea, losing seven and the occasional brilliant per- wickets in 52 minutes on their the Sydney formance since. way to being bundled out for 166 Cricket Ground Recalled for the current in 31.4 overs -- nowhere near the yesterday. series after more than a year 448 victory target. in the Test wilderness, he bur- It was the sixth time the belea- ied five years of ridicule from guered tourists had been skittled England fans at his sometimes for under 200 in the 10 innings of erratic bowling with a barrage the series. of deliveries in excess of 150 The crushing defeat -- with kilometres per hour. more than two days to spare -- For perhaps the first time is expected to have major rami- since the retirement of Glenn fications for English cricket just McGrath, there was fear in months after they beat Australia the eyes of the English bats- 3-0 in England. Johnson’s spells in the series Michael Carberry (43) feath- second slip to complete the bowled and start rebuilding again. men, particularly those of the Harris finished with five for “certainly match the greats, if not ered Johnson to wicketkeeper victory. And that hunger has to come tailenders. 25 in the second innings, while better”, he said. Brad Haddin just two balls after Earlier Cook, who has endured from within to do it.” “I hate to say I told you all Johnson claimed 3-40. England’s hopes vanished with tea and three balls later debutant a miserable series with the bat, Bell, who was impressive in last so, but I told you all so,” Clarke It was the third time Australia the cheap dismissals of skipper Gary Ballance was trapped plumb was caught behind off Johnson for year’s Ashes series in England, laughed. had achieved a 5-0 series clean Alastair Cook (7), Ian Bell (16) in front by Johnson for seven. seven and was followed by Bell, and Pietersen, have both averaged “Man of the Series, who sweep over England, after 1920-21 and Kevin Pietersen (6) in the Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow who was snapped up in the gully less than 30 in the series. would have thought? Except me and 2006-07, and Clarke was also middle session as England limped went for a three-ball duck off Ryan Harris. Australia were dismissed and perhaps Mitch. involved in the previous one. The to tea on 87-3. and debutant legspinner Scott Pietersen was athletically for 276 in their second innings “To be able to bowl at that Australians have now climbed to But the rout turned to carnage Borthwick was magnificently caught by Bailey close to the shortly after lunch, with Chris pace is one thing, to do it for third in the ICC rankings above after the interval as four wick- caught by Clarke off Lyon for four. bat off Harris as England’s top Rogers top-scoring with 119. five Test matches, every single England and Pakistan. ets tumbled in two overs, with Ben Stokes offered some order yet again failed to fire. The Haddin became the highest- innings to be able to back it up “Any time you win a Test match the tourists falling apart against belated resistance, punishing England skipper has scored just scoring Australian wicketkeeper is an amazing achievement. is an amazing feeling, but to win inspired Australian bowling and Lyon for 20 off one over before 246 runs at 24.60 in this series, in a Test series with his breezy 28 “Mitchell’s bowled a couple 5-0?” Clarke said. fielding. he was bowled by Harris for 32 in sharp contrast to the last tour off 40 balls. of spells in this series that are “I think with this current team, “I think today was a culmina- off 16 balls with three fours and of Australia in 2010/11 when he The keeper, the nemesis of the without doubt as good a spell as the fact that it’s been the roller- tion of being under the cosh for two sixes. amassed 766 runs at 127.66. English bowlers with his aggres- I’ve seen in my career. coaster ride, the start of 2013 four and a half games,” Cook said. Stuart Broad also went down “When you strip everything sive lower middle-order batting, “And I’ve been lucky enough didn’t go anywhere near as well “Credit to Australia, I can’t even swinging, with four sixes and down, every single player now finished the series with 493 runs to play with Glenn McGrath, as we’d have liked, I think that’s count on how many sessions we three fours in his 42 off 36 balls has to go back and have a look at at 61.62 to beat the previous best Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and what feels so satisfying at the won in the series. That’s a pretty before being bowled by Harris. themselves, have a look at their of 473 by Adam Gilchrist against Shane Warne. moment, that we’ve been able to daunting stat to take but a very Boyd Rankin was last man out, techniques,” Cook said. South Africa in 2001-02. “Mitch’s spells certainly turn things around.” realistic statistic.” caught overhead by Clarke at “Have a look at the way they’ve REUTERS match the greats, if not bet- ter. He deserves all the credit he’s received, he’s copped a lot Aussies ready for South of criticism, he’s been dropped from the team. Captain Cook desperate “No one in the world can Africa challenge: Clarke doubt Mitchell Johnson’s char- acter ever again. SYDNEY: Michael Clarke said Australia will take the greatest “He’s as tough a cricketer as bowling attack in world cricket to South Africa next month in a bid I’ve played with. to turn England around to challenge the number one Test side, after securing a 5-0 Ashes “To be able to come back from whitewash over England yesterday. the criticism he’s copped, to be SYDNEY: Alastair Cook apolo- Australia climbed above England and Pakistan from fifth to third dropped at an older age and gised to England fans for letting on the International Cricket Council world rankings, behind South have the attitude and hunger them down in the Ashes series Africa and India, after a 281-run trouncing of England to sweep the to say ‘no, I’m not going to give and said he wanted to stay on as Ashes series in Sydney. up’, credit to him. captain to help turn around the The victorious Australian skipper knows that Graeme Smith’s “He deserves the accolades,” team’s fortunes. Proteas will give his Australians an idea of where they stand in Test Clarke said. The tourists crumbled to a cricket after a lopsided series against England, which culminated in a Clarke, in his usual inclusive fifth humiliating defeat to suffer three-day final Test win. style, was quick to add that only the third 5-0 Ashes series “We have the greatest attack in the world and they’ve shown it,” the sweep had been a triumph sweep in more than a century of Clarke said. “It’s certainly going to be a challenge for us to perform born in hard work from the the rivalry at the Sydney Cricket over there and then our next Test series is in the UAE against Pakistan whole Australian set-up, includ- Ground yesterday. which is going to be extremely tough as well. ing back-room staff and even Cook was at a loss to explain “Playing away from home in international cricket seems to be hard sponsors. what had gone wrong but was to get results. We believe we have the team to have success.” The Australia captain said adamant he had no intention of Clarke said it will take more than one series win to prove Australia the aggressive assault on walking away from the captaincy are the best team in world cricket. England’s lower order batsmen role. “We are not going to win in South Africa and all of a sudden think by Johnson and his fellow quicks, “If I knew that answer, I would we’re the best team in the world,” he said. Peter Siddle and Sydney Man- be telling the guys out there “It’s not about that. It’s about consistency home and away over long of-the-Match Ryan Harris, had rather than telling you guys,” he periods of time and if you do that you will get the results you’re after.” not come about by chance. told reporters. England’s captain Alastair Cook reacts as he walks off the field past the Australia play South Africa in three Tests, starting at Centurion “We spoke at the start of the “I am desperate to try and turn board displaying the result of their fifth Ashes Test against Australia at on February 12. series and we had set plans for it around,” added the 29-year-old, the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. A rampant Australia sealed a 5-0 Clarke said it was satisfying to turn things around after a poor start individual batters,” he said. who also played in the 5-0 sweep Ashes series sweep by skittling England out for 166 to claim a 281-run to last year. “The moment numbers eight, England suffered in the 2006-07 victory with more than two days to spare in the fifth Test in Sydney. “It’s been a roller-coaster ride... the start of 2013 certainly didn’t go nine 10, 11 walked in, we knew series. anywhere near as well as we would have liked,” he said. we were going to hit them as “I feel as if I am the right man “I think that’s what feels so satisfying at the moment. We’ve been hard as we could with short to do it. If I’m not and people have two weeks and then you’re just got to go back to basics. Every able to turn things around. stuff. We planned that before higher up want a change because on your bike,” he said. player will be feeling that they “I don’t want to disrespect anyone in that 2006-07 team (last a ball was bowled in this series. they think that’s the best way, I “When you strip everything let themselves down because we Australian team to win 5-0 series) to say that this is a better win “It’s easy to have plans but have to take it on the chin. down, every single player now haven’t performed.” than then. it takes skill and courage to “I have a lot of experience as has to go back and have a look Cook said all-rounder Ben “I just think it’s a different time, different era. To me it’s as special execute it. a player. I have seen a 5-0 before at themselves, have a look at Stokes, who made his debut and probably more personal because I’m captain. “I said to the boys at the start and I’ve seen the drive and deter- their techniques. Have a look at in the second Test in Adelaide Australia coach Darren Lehmann said he took over a team which of the series that I thought they mination which that caused that the way they’ve bowled and start before scoring a century in Perth needed direction when appointed in England last year and he put his were the best attack in the team then. I know what that rebuilding again. and taking a six-wicket haul in faith in a band of experienced players to win back the urn at home world and I think they’ve shown takes to do.” “And that hunger has to come Sydney, and seamer Stuart Broad after three-straight series of Ashes failure. that in five Test matches.” Cook said he hoped coach from within to do it.” were the only England players to Australia’s Mitchell Johnson delivered in lethal fashion with a haul Johnson, still sporting the Andy Flower would also remain Cook paid tribute to Australia emerge with any credit. of 37 wickets at 13.9 to edge out veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Brad distinctive moustache he grew in charge of the side, but admit- for what he said was a “thoroughly “There’s anger in me and frus- Haddin as Man-of-the-Series. for charity in November but ted that Saturday’s backing for deserved” victory and apologised tration because for whatever rea- Lehmann admitted the extent of his team’s dominance surprised retained as a symbol of his both men from England and to England’s vocal “Barmy Army” son we haven’t played very well even him but said they still had plenty more to prove. rediscovered form, said he was Wales Cricket Board chief David band of travelling supporters. and the buck stops with me,” he “They just needed some direction on where we wanted to go and glad it was all over. Collier was no guarantee in the “As a side we’ve let the sup- said. how we wanted to go about it,” the coach said. “I’m absolutely exhausted long-term. porters down because we haven’t “Only Broady and Stokesy have “I thought we had the makings of winning the Ashes comfortably, now,” said the 32-year-old. “It’s “I was given the vote of confi- played very well. The results sug- delivered close to their potential. I but not 5-0. a huge relief to finish the Test dence from the board which usu- gest that,” he said. think everyone else will be hurt- “We need to move forward as a team and win away from home.” series.” REUTERS ally means in football terms you “The work ethic is there, we’ve ing.” REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Qatar’s Abu Issa set for Dakar challenge

DOHA: After participating in undergone an intensive program Abu Issa also has never been the cross country rally world in the United Arab Emirates’ short on the highly appreciated championship (quads) and desert, as it is one of the world’s incessant support of the Qatar being ranked first at the Abu toughest deserts for this category. Motor and Motorcycle Federation Dhabi Desert Challenge and He has also continued with fit- (QMMF), headed by Nasser bin second overall at the FIM 6 ness and readiness programs in Khalifa Al Attiyah, through all stage cross country rally world the United Kingdom to get him stages experienced in previous championship during his first geared up for high altitudes, espe- tournaments. participation in 2013, the Qatari cially in the Bolivian territory, the The QMMF has pledged to con- world champion Mohamed Issa most difficult in the race, where tinue its support for Mohamed in Abu Issa prepares for his first riders will have to face the lack future competitions. Abu Issa also participation in the Dakar Rally of oxygen and thus decrease of receives great support from his 2014 in the MAXXIS SUPER B concentration. family – mainly from his father Dakar team. Looking forward to reaching a Issa Abdul Salam Abu Issa and The Dakar race began yester- high ranking in the Dakar after his uncle Hussam Abdul Salam day and the competition runs for a year full of milestone achieve- Abu Issa. 14 consecutive days, traversing ments, Abu Issa is the first Qatari Abu Issa works relentlessly, a distance of 8,700 km in three to take part in the quads cate- aiming to reach high rankings on countries: Argentina, Bolivia and gory in the Dakar Rally and sec- the podium and proudly carry the Chile. ond in all categories to Qatar’s flag of his homeland Qatar. Abu The Dakar Rally is one of world champion Nasser Saleh Al Issa also hopes that his partici- the world’s toughest rallies, Attiyah, who generously offers pations together with the other where riders compete off-road Mohamed the much-needed Qatari athletes and champions on craggy terrains and through advice and guidance. will contribute to turning Qatar high sand dunes – not to mention Salam International is Abu into a world sports capital. the long and elevated distances Issa’s main sponsor through Issa Abdul Salam Abu Issa, inside Bolivia, which rise to 4,000 sponsorship agreement to provide Chairman of Salam International m above sea level, throwing an him with the necessary support, Investment Limited, said: “What achievements, however, would Al Thani, and His Highness the our champion will continue this extra burden on the contestants’ in addition to the logistics and Mohamed has reached and will have been impossible without the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin way in order to raise the name shoulders. technical support provided by the achieve in this global compe- support that His Highness the Khalifa Al Thani, provide for of Qatar in international arena.” For all that, Abu Issa has Dutch MAXXIS SUPER B team. tition makes us proud. Those Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad sports and athletes. We hope that THE PENINSULA Swansea City stun Manchester United FA Cup: Wilfried Bony the hero at Old Trafford

LONDON: Wilfried Bony snatched a dramatic last-minute Sanchez helps winner as Swansea City visited fresh misery on Manchester Barca return to United with a shock 2-1 suc- cess in the FA Cup third round La Liga summit yesterday. Eleven points off the pace in the BARCELONA: Alexis Sanchez Premier League, where they have hit a hat-trick as Barcelona already lost six games, United swept aside Elche 4-0 to return crashed out at the first hurdle in to the top of La Liga on goal the FA Cup to give beleaguered difference ahead of Atletico manager David Moyes even more Madrid yesterday. problems. Showing no sign of missing the To compound matters, United’s injured Lionel Messi and rested Ivan Bravo (left), Director General of Aspire Academy, welcomes tennis injury list swelled further after Neymar, Barca took an early lead star Rafael Nadal (centre) and football legend Raul at Aspire Academy Rio Ferdinand had to go off with through Sanchez and Pedro made in Doha yesterday. a knee injury, while Fabio da Silva it 2-0 after 15 minutes. was sent off shortly after coming Xavi Hernandez missed a pen- on to replace him. alty at the start of the second half In a game preceded by a before Sanchez added another and Success is all about minute’s applause for late completed his hat-trick with a Portugal great Eusebio, who died free kick. yesterday, Swansea took a 12th- “It was important to win and attitude, Nadal tells Aspire lead through Wayne Routledge, Swansea City’s Welsh defender Neil Taylor (right) tries to tackle Manchester not make mistakes at home. We who cantered onto a pass from United’s Belgian midfielder Adnan Januzaj during the English FA Cup third scored good goals and worked Academy students Alejandro Pozuelo to lob Anders round match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, yesterday. hard. “There are five tough Lindegaard. months still to go,” Pedro told DOHA: Tennis star and world number one, Rafael ‘Rafa’ Nadal, vis- The hosts equalised four min- reporters. ited Aspire Academy yesterday, fresh from his victory at the Qatar utes later, Javier Hernandez vol- making the breakthrough against dispatching a cross from Raheem Barcelona play Atletico next ExxonMobil Open, to advise students on the road to sports stardom. leying in a cross from Alexander former England manager Steve Sterling to claim his first goal for weekend. Only the second male tennis player to achieve a Career Golden Slam, Buttner, but they could not find McClaren’s side. the club. Barca and Atletico, who beat Nadal attributed his incredible record to a positive mental attitude a second goal. Eden Hazard’s trickery wide The Spaniard then hit the Malaga on Saturday, both have and a love of his chosen sport. Ferdinand had to hobble off due on the left yielded a free-kick post, but Liverpool did not secure 49 points, eight more than third- “The only advice I can give young and aspiring sportsmen is to fight to injury late on and his replace- and from Willian’s wicked, in- victory until Oldham’s James placed Real Madrid who face with a positive attitude, until the very last moment,” said Nadal. ment, Fabio, was sent off for a swinging cross, John Mikel Obi Tarkowski put through his own Celta Vigo on Monday. “On the days you’re not feeling your best and just want to go home, high challenge on Jose Canas glanced home a header to mark goal with eight minutes to play. Elche could only hold out for push through and give it all you’ve got because it is by getting through shortly after coming on. his 300th Chelsea appearance West Ham became the sec- seven minutes before the home those moments that you become a winner.” Worse was to follow at the with his fourth goal for the club. ond Premier League team to be side took the lead when Jordi Having begun playing tennis at the age of three, Nadal told the death, with Routledge lifting a Oscar got on the score-sheet eliminated by lower-league oppo- Alba’s dangerous cross from the crowded auditorium that it is with hard work that amateur players cross into the box from the left shortly afterwards, gathering a sition in this season’s competition left wing evaded the defence and will develop successful sporting careers. and Bony powering home a near- pass from Hazard and beating when they were crushed 5-0 by Chilean Sanchez fire into the roof “I believe that most of the work I’ve put into my career was between post header to add a new chapter Lee Grant at his near post with Championship side Forest at the of the net. eight and 21-years-old, because after you become professional and play of disappointment to the tale of a powerful shot. City Ground. The visitors were inches away matches every week you have less time to prepare yourself. If you United’s unravelling season. Chelsea manager Jose A day after Aston Villa fell to from equalising when Yiadom manage to maintain the right attitude on top of all the pressure, it West Ham United also fell in Mourinho highlighted the impor- third-tier Sheffield United, West Boakye crashed a drive against will be very difficult to become a successful professional but, without the third round yesterday, crash- tance of Mikel’s goal, syaing: “It Ham were undone by a 14-minute the post but it was only a brief the right attitude, it’ll be impossible,” he said. ing to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat was important for us, because we hat-trick from Forest forward respite. Recalling how he trained for up to nine hours a day in his early years, at second-tier Nottingham Forest, were dominating and dominating, Jamie Paterson, sandwiched by Barca pressed high up the pitch when asked by a student how much training he puts in these days, but Chelsea and Liverpool both creating and creating, but the goal an early Djamel Abdoun penalty and with Elche’s defence pushing Nadal said: “A sports career isn’t forever. It lasts for a short period progressed against lower-league was not arriving. It was like the and a late Andy Reid strike. up there were plenty of gaps to of time so it’s in this time where you will have to work the hardest, opponents. winning goal.” West Ham manager Sam run into. after which you will have more time to enjoy lots of different things.” Chelsea beat in-form Liverpool will visit either Allardyce made nine changes to Cesc Fabregas’ pass opened up When asked by another student how he has stayed motivated Championship side Derby County Bournemouth or Burton Albion his starting XI and gave debuts the defence and Pedro finished throughout his career, Nadal said: “It’s not going to be easy. Everybody, 2-0, with Liverpool avenging their in round four after seeing off to three young players, but he told clinically from an angle. including me, has their bad moments, and the most important thing shock defeat by third-tier Oldham Oldham, who stunned Brendan ITV: “What choice did I have? I After the break Fabregas was is to go back to basics when that does happen. Start again from the Athletic in last season’s competi- Rodgers’s side 3-2 at Boundary don’t think I had one.” brought down by Ionut Sapunaru beginning with the right attitude and then you will overcome a tough tion with a 2-0 success at Anfield. Park in the fourth round last He added: “I make the decisions and Xavi missed the penalty but situation because the happiest victories for me have been when I came Chelsea enjoyed the best of season. for the benefit of everyone at the Sanchez was more deadly, knock- from a low moment.” the first half against Derby at Iago Aspas, a close-season sign- football club. We have a huge ing home a Pedro cross from close Attributing a positive mental attitude to keeping in top form he Pride Park, but they had to wait ing from Celta Vigo, broke the amount of problems in terms of range after 63 minutes. added: “It’s important to understand that in a sporting career you until the 66th minute before deadlock in the 54th minute by available players.” He then curled home a 25-yard can’t always be on top. Sometimes you will be on the bottom, but you Sunderland overcame third- free kick to cap a great perform- have to work every day at getting back to the top. It’s a step-by-step tier Carlisle United 2-1 at the ance. REUTERS game and my experience says that if you are able to keep working with English FA Cup Results Stadium of Light to take their a positive attitude, you will get back to the top of your game.” LONDON: Collated English FA Cup third-round results yesterday: place in round four. Aspire Academy’s student-athletes were clearly enthralled by the Derby County 0 Chelsea 2 (Mikel 66, Oscar 71) Adam Johnson put Sunderland Scottish Premier presence of such an illustrious and inspirational visitor. Liverpool 2 (Aspas 54, Tarkowski 82-og) Oldham Athletic 0 ahead with a fine 34th-minute “It is an honor for us to host Rafa at Aspire to speak to our young Manchester United 1 (Hernandez 16) Swansea City 2 (Routledge 12, free-kick and then supplied the League Results athletes,” said Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy. Bony 90) cross from which Sean O’Hanlon Yesterday’s results “He represents the highest values intrinsic to sporting excellence put through his own goal after such as passion, hard work, discipline, determination, fair play, humil- Nottingham Forest 5 (Abdoun 12-pen, Paterson 65, 71, 79, Reid 90+1) Dundee United 2 Hibernian 2 Matty Robson had levelled the ity, and generosity,” Bravo said. West Ham United 0 Hearts 0 Partick Thistle 2 scores. “He is the world’s number one player, but he’s also an inspiring figure Port Vale 2 (Tomlin 15, Pope 36) Plymouth Argyle 2 (Reid 51, Kilmarnock 0 Aberdeen 1 A 90th-minute strike from St Mirren 0 Celtic 4 for millions of young sportsmen around the world. We tell our talented Purrington 73) 20-year-old French midfielder players that if there is one person they can look up to, try to learn from, Sunderland 3 (Johnson 34, O’Hanlon 50-og, Ba 90) Carlisle United El-Hadji Ba completed victory Played on Saturday and imitate, then Rafa is that person. He is a wonderful role model.” 1 (Robson 43) for Gus Poyet’s men. REUTERS Ross County 1 St Johnstone 0 THE PENINSULA MONDAY 6 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Super Australia crush England England go down by 281 runs in fifth and final Test as hosts complete Ashes sweep

SYDNEY: Australia obliter- stumbled to the break on 87 for ated England’s batting in a three chasing a highly improb- shade over 31 overs to claim a able 448 for victory. thumping 281-run fifth Test A fifth thumping victory had victory with more than two always looked on the cards after days to spare and seal only the Australia’s pace attack tore third 5-0 sweep in the long his- through England’s top order in tory of Ashes series yesterday. the first hour of day two. The triumph at a sunbaked A more spectacular collapse in Sydney Cricket Ground com- 11 balls after the second inter- pleted a remarkable turnaround val on day three made it certain for Australia, who were in disar- with Johnson dismissing opener ray after being swept themselves Michael Carberry for 43 and in India and going down 3-0 in Gary Ballance three balls later England to lose a third successive in the first over. Ashes series last year. “Mitchell’s bowled a couple of A big clue to how Australia spells in this series that are with- managed that turnaround came out doubt as good a spells as I’ve when paceman Mitchell Johnson seen in my career,” Clarke told was awarded the Compton-Miller media yesterday. medal as Man-of-the-Series after “And I’ve been lucky enough to taking 37 wickets at a shade play with Glenn McGrath, Jason under 14 apiece over the five Test Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane matches. Warne.” Johnson’s ferocious pace Spinner Nathan Lyon took again played an integral part over for the next over and he in Australia’s victory in Sydney dismissed Jonny Bairstow (zero) but it was no one man show and and Scott Borthwick (four) to his fellow quick Ryan Harris reduce the tourists to 95-7 in a won Man-of-the-Match hon- matter of minutes. ours after taking five for 25 as With England’s top order hav- England were skittled for 166 on ing failed yet again, Ben Stokes Sunday. (32) and Stuart Broad (42) “It’s very special after the provided their country’s stiff- roller-coaster ride, the ups and est resistance down the order Australian cricket players pose for a photograph after defeating England in the fifth and final Ashes Test at the SCG in Sydney, yesterday. downs of 2013,” said Australia but they could only delay the captain Michael Clarke, who also inevitable. played in the 2006-7 sweep but Harris bowled them both triumph in Melbourne. Jonathan Trott returning home Scoreboard clearly not that of 1920-21. before performing the coup de For a dispirited England, their after the defeat in the opening “It’s been a lot of work to get grace on debutant Boyd Rankin triumphs in India in 2012 and in Test to deal with stress-related Australia (I innings): ...... 326 4-1-17-0. us where we are today. I said to and the SCG, bathed in pink Australia in 2010-11 will appear a issues and Ian Bell and Kevin England (I innings): ...... 155 England (II innings): the bowlers at the start of the in honour of Glenn McGrath’s distant memory and they face an Pietersen failing to live up to Australia (II innings): A Cook c Haddin b Johnson ...... 7 series that I thought they were breast cancer charity, rose to hail immediate future of recrimina- their billing. C Rogers c&b Borthwick ...... 119 M Carberry c Haddin b Johnson ...... 43 the best attack in the world and the Australia team. tion and rebuilding. The England bowlers have lit- D Warner lbw b Anderson ...... 16 I Bell c Warner b Harris ...... 16 I think they’ve shown that in five “I think today’s batting was a Aside from criticisms of his tle more to crow about and one of S Watson c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 9 K Pietersen c Bailey b Harris ...... 6 Test matches.” culmination of being under the captaincy, Cook’s miserable the many statistics being bandied M Clarke c Bairstow b Broad...... 6 G Ballance lbw Johnson ...... 7 Johnson’s revival was even kosh for four and a half games,” series was a reflection of that of about to illustrate Australia’s S Smith c Cook b Stokes ...... 7 B Stokes b Harris ...... 32 more remarkable than that said England captain Alastair a vaunted batting line-up which supremacy in the series will G Bailey c Borthwick b Broad ...... 46 J Bairstow c Bailey b Lyon ...... 0 achieved by Australia, turning Cook. simply failed to fire in the face embarrass them. B Haddin b Borthwick ...... 28 S Borthwick c Clarke b Lyon ...... 4 him from a figure of ridicule for “Credit to Australia, I can’t of sustained pressure from the While Australia took all 100 M Johnson b Stokes ...... 4 S Broad b Harris ...... 42 England’s travelling Barmy Army even count on how many sessions Australians. wickets in a five-Test Ashes R Harris c Carberry b Borthwick ...... 13 J Anderson (not out) ...... 1 into a bowler who struck fear we won in the series. The England skipper’s seven series for the first time, England P Siddle c Bairstow b Rankin ...... 4 B Rankin c Clarke b Harris ...... 0 into the touring batsmen. “That’s a pretty daunting runs yesterday gave him 246 at failed to dismiss their opponent’s N Lyon (not out) ...... 6 Extras (B-5, LB-2, NB-1) ...... 8 It was his intervention after stat to take but a very realistic an average of 24.6 for the series, number 11 batsman, Lyon, even Extras (LB-14, W-2, NB-2) ...... 18 Total (all out) ...... 166 tea yesterday that turned what statistic.” a paltry return compared to the once. Total (all out) ...... 276 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-37, 3-57, 4-87, 5-90, had been a stately progression to Australia had already 766 runs at 127 he accumulated “It’s tough knowing you’ve Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-47, 3-72, 4-91, 6-91, 7-95, 8-139, 9-166, 10-166. victory into another humiliating reclaimed the coveted urn after on his last trip to Australia in played your five matches and lost 5-200, 6-239, 7-244, 8-255, 9-266, 10-276. Bowling: Harris 9.4-4-25-5, Johnson 9-1-40- rout for the tourists. winning the Brisbane Test by 2010-11 when he returned home them all badly,” Cook added. “We Bowling: Anderson 15-6-46-2, Broad 14-1- 3 (1nb), Siddle 4-1-24-0, Lyon 9-0-70-2. After finally dismissing Chris 381 runs, the Adelaide match a 3-1 winner. just weren’t good enough to turn 57-2 (2nb, 1w), Rankin 12.3-0-47-1, Stokes Result: Australia won by 281 runs. Rogers for 119 and bowling by 218 runs, in Perth by 150 England’s other top batsmen it around.” 10-0-62-2 (1w), Borthwick 6-0-33-3, Pietersen Series: Australia won series 5-0. Australia out for 276, England runs and taking an eight-wicket did not fare much better with REUTERS Portuguese legend Eusebio dies LISBON: Portuguese football FACT BOX Recruited aged 19 by the Lisbon legend Eusebio, who was the top club for his exceptional technical scorer in the 1966 World Cup, and physical qualities he helped died yesterday at the age of 71 INTERNATIONAL CAREER: the club win the 1962 European years, his former club Benfica Number of caps: 64 Cup against the Real Madrid confirmed. Goals: 41 of Argentine legend Alfredo Di Regarded as one of the greatest First cap: October 8, 1961 Stefano. footballers of all time, the player (Luxembourg-Portugal 2-4) “He was not only one of the known as the “Black Panther” died greatest figures of football but also Achievements: after suffering cardio-pulmonary of Portugal. Eusebio is Portugal,” arrest early last morning. World Cup: 3rd (1966) Chelsea’s Portuguese coach Jose “Eusebio showed signs of fragil- European Cup/Champions Mourinho told RTP. ity lately, but I didn’t expect this League: 1962 “I grew up with Eusebio and at all,” said Joao Malheiro, author Portuguese league titles: Amalia Rodrigues (singer who of the player’s biography, Eusebio 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, died in 1999), ... as the great sym- Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger in action during the team’s training - my story, who had spoken to him bols of Portugal. They are simply camp at Aspire Academy. last week. 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971, immortal,” he said. The player’s remains were taken 1972, 1973, 1975 “There are princes of football during the day to the Luz stadium Portuguese Cup titles: 1962, but Eusebio was in the gallery of (Stadium of Light) in Lisbon 1964, 1969, 1970, 1972 kings,” former Benfica coach Toni where Benfica fans had already North American Soccer told TSF radio. begun to flock to lay flowers and File photo of Real Madrid’s In addition to his 11 league Bayern Munich Portuguese forward Cristiano League (NASL) title: 1976 pray on front of Eusebio’s statue titles, Eusebio won five Portuguese on hearing the news. Ronaldo (right) receiving the “Golden Goals scored: 733 in 745 cups in his 15 years at Benfica and Fans will be able to pay their Boot 2011” award from Portuguese professional matches was Portugal’s top league scorer respects as his remains were to lie football legend Eusebio in Madrid. between 1964 and 1973. training in Doha in repose in the stadium’s chapel He scored 733 times in 745 pro- from 1730 GMT yesterday. Football Federation (FPF) said Fifa president Sepp Blatter wrote fessional matches. DOHA: Volkswagen Middle optimum training conditions and The funeral mass will be cel- there would be a minute’s silence on Twitter. “But Eusebio’s place Despite his scoring record, East and the sole Volkswagen fantastic sports facilities, Doha is ebrated in the Seminary Church ahead of yesterday’s Portuguese among the greats will never be however, his only appearance at dealer in Qatar, Q-Auto, are a perfect location for the team to near the stadium on today at Cup games, as tributes flowed in taken away.” a World Cup finals was in 1966 in hosting FC Bayern Munich, Fifa come together and train during 1600 GMT and the footballer will for the player. “The king! Great loss for all of England. Club World Cup 2013 champi- the winter months.” be laid to rest afterwards at the “Portugal has today lost one us! The greatest!” wrote former He helped Portugal take third ons, at the team’s annual train- While in Qatar, the team will Lumiar cemetery, in the city’s of its most beloved sons, Eusebio Portuguese international Luis place in the tournament, where ing camp in Doha from January take part in ‘friendly’ matches, northern suburbs, Benfica said in da Silva Ferreira. The country Figo, who retired in 2009 with a he was top scorer with nine goals. 5 to 14. against AI Merrlkh Sport Club a statement. mourns his death. The country is national record of 127 caps, while In total he scored 41 goals in 64 Enticed by the Qatari capital’s and Al Arabi Sporting Club. In line with Eusebio’s wishes officially in mourning,” President current Portugal captain Ronaldo appearances for Portugal. growing number of sport facili- Thomas Milz, Managing his coffin will be carried around Anibal Cavaco Silva said. wrote: “Always eternal #Eusebio, “Eusebio will always be with us,” ties and pleasant winter weather, Director of Volkswagen Middle the Luz stadium, where his fans “Everyone remembers the day rest in peace.” said Portuguese football federation the team’s top players, including East, said: It is fantastic to have can pay their final respects, before he left the field in tears, crying The Mozambique-born striker president Fernando Gomes, point- Manuel Neuer, have returned to Germany’s top team with us on the funeral ceremony, around for Portugal. Eusebio’s tears are made his name at Benfica, winning ing out that the player had passed Doha for the fourth annual train- Middle East soil, as they revel in 1330GMT. today ours,” he added referring 11 league titles and one European away during the FPF’s centenary ing camp at Aspire Academy. their recent Fifa Club World Cup The Portuguese government to Eusebio’s tears after losing Cup during a 15-year spell there. year, when a ceremony had been Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, victory alongside some of Qatar’s has decreed three days of national the 1966 World Cup semi-final to He also won two Golden Boot planned to honour the former Executive Board Chairman, FC local sports enthusiasts.” mourning, with flags in Lisbon to England. awards as Europe’s leading goal international. Bayern Munich, said: “With THE PENINSULA fly at half-mast. The Portuguese “Football has lost a legend,” scorer. AFP