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Thursday 1 January 2015 • 10 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6297 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

The Peninsula Doing business to become easier wishes all our readers Draft law to enable single-window clearance system gets cabinet nod

DOHA: A single-window clear- be a highlight of the simplified view to increasing the listing on requirement for a listed entity, ance system in the offing is rules. A draft law incorporat- the Qatari bourse and attracting will be incorporated into the law likely to make doing business in ing the necessary amendments more foreign investment. that is on the anvil. Qatar easier. to make company formation and The draft extensively deals “The draft has been prepared To improve its ranking on the monitoring rules much easier was with terms of establishment of to cope with latest developments global ‘Ease of Doing Business’ approved by the State Cabinet public shareholding companies, in the realm of business and Index, Qatar is simplifying the yesterday, Qatar News Agency the launch of initial public offer- investment and to simplify com- law that regulates formation (QNA) reports. The draft has ings (IPOs), formation of com- pany formation procedures,” QNA and supervision of commercial been forwarded to the Advisory pany’s board of directors and said quoting the Cabinet. companies. Council, which will study and give remuneration of board members. The draft takes into consid- A single-window system where its recommendations. Above all, rules govern- eration international standards, all clearances — including civic The focus of the draft, accord- ing annual general meetings according to which countries are and environmental ones — needed ing to QNA, is mainly on easing (AGMs) of listed companies, ranked in terms of ‘Ease of Doing to establish a business could be rules regulating the setting up of called in Qatar as general assem- Business’, the news agency added. obtained in a short time, will publicly-traded entities with a bly, their powers and the capital THE PENINSULA

Palestinians Don’t tamper with khubz weight: Ministry turn to ICC DOHA: The government has warned bakeries of millions of riyals a year to bakeries that make against breaching weight-related specifications these breads. The flour for ‘khubz’ is made available RAMALLAH: President set for the traditional Arabic bread ‘khubz’ or face by the government to the bakeries at much cheaper Mahmoud Abbas yesterday action. rates. The other kinds of bread and bakery products signed a Palestinian request to ‘Khubz’ is a dietary staple and a popular append- are sold by the bakeries at uncontrolled prices. join the International Criminal age to many Arab and Asian meals and being priced The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said Court, seeking a new avenue at QR1 per packet, it is a favourite food of the com- it has adopted a tough stance against the bakeries for action against Israel after a mon man. after a massive crackdown on sales outlets, including failed UN resolution to end the The price of the traditional ‘khubz’ that are sold sweet shops and grocery stores, revealed violations occupation. packed in polythene wraps for QR1 a pack, has been of weight-related specifications of the traditional The Palestinians hope ICC controlled by the government for decades. Arabic bread. THE PENINSULA membership will pave the way for It is because the state provides subsidy to the tune Continued on page 7 war crimes prosecutions against Israeli officials for their actions in the occupied territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly hit back, saying the Palestinians have Car showroom shut down for violation “more to fear” than Israel from the Hague-based tribunal. DOHA: In less than three weeks, the Ministry the dealer’s outlets revealed that they were repairing He cited the Palestinian leader- of Economy and Commerce has shut down the and repainting damaged cars and passing them off as ship’s links to Hamas, the militant showroom of yet another major foreign car dealer new to customers. The Ministry said its inspectors Dubai celebrated the New Year with a midnight light and sound group Israel describes as a terror- here for taking customers for a ride. have found many such cars in the company’s show- extravaganza at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower yesterday. ist organisation, which is part of The main showroom of Domasco Honda, local rooms after customer complaints. As punitive action, The 828-metre tower was lit up with coloured panels as the clock a unity government with Abbas’s dealers of Japanese Honda cars, was ordered shut for the ministry said, it has shut down the agency’s main counted down to 2015. Fatah movement. AFP a month for violating the consumer protection law. showroom for a month. THE PENINSULA See also page 10 In a statement, the Ministry said surprise raids on Continued on page 6 THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

New Year greetings Cabinet okays new fiscal year plan sent to leaders DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh DOHA: Qatar will likely have to QNA, the Cabinet exam- The Prime Minister and final account, borrowing, loaning to Qatari employees of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani a new fiscal year that will fol- ined a report of the National Interior Minister H E Sheikh and investment. Business Incubation Centre. sent New Year congratulation low the Gregorian calendar Committee for Traffic Safety and Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa The draft law that abolishes It also examined a letter by cables to the leaders of friendly (January to December) from its suggestions. Al Thani chaired the Cabinet Law No. 14 of 1987 on imposing the minister of economy and countries, wishing them the 2016. The recommendations of the meeting at Emiri Diwan. fees to obtain certificates issued commerce on the outcome of the best of health and happiness and The Cabinet yesterday cleared Advisory Council on this report According to the provisions of by the Ministry of Education, is 30th session of the Organization their people further progress a draft law for approval by the were also taken into account by the draft law that seeks to change to be referred to the Advisory of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing and prosperity. higher-ups for implementation to the Cabinet. the fiscal year, its provisions Council. Committee for Economic and The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh change the financial year from the Also, the Cabinet approved a would apply to all the government The cabinet also ratified the Commercial Cooperation, which Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani present April to March to follow draft law that seeks to replace an financial units. The Ministry of minister of education and higher was held last month in Istanbul. sent similar cables to the lead- the Gregorian calendar. existing law (Number 14 of 1987) Finance would be responsible for education’s draft decision on Finally, the cabinet reviewed a ers, deputies and crown princes The draft has already been that regulates the fee structures the management of public funds determining fees of some serv- letter by the minister of labour of friendly countries. The Prime approved by the Advisory of the Ministry of Education and and the execution of the state’s ices provided by the Supreme and social affairs on the outcome Minister and Interior Minister Council which also gave its Higher Education. monetary policy. Education Council (SEC). of the 31st session of the GCC H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser recommendations. The draft law basically doubles The bill also featured provisions According to the draft decision, a council for ministers of devel- bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent At its weekly session yester- the fee to QR10 for various cer- related to the preparation and fee of QR10 is to be paid to obtain opment and social affairs and congratulation cables to the day, the Council of Ministers also tificates issued by the Supreme implementation of the state’s gen- certificates issued by the SEC. the GCC council for ministers leaders of friendly countries and raised the issue of traffic jams on Education Council, and fixes eral budget, government accounts, The meeting approved the of labour, which took place last heads of governments. Doha roads. the fees for the Council’s other overseeing the implementation of application of Law No. 24 of month in Kuwait. In this context, according services. the fiscal system and the state’s 2002, on retirement and pensions, THE PENINSULA Premier receives message from Iran

DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Woqod to open 13 new petrol stations this year Khalifa Al Thani received a writ- ten message from Iran’s First DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) is technical inspection services time and efforts for our clients.” Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri gearing up to open 13 new petrol (Fahes) for vehicles, Bitumen, Additionally, there are four new on means to enhancing rela- stations across the country this LPG, Marine Services, retail technical inspection centres to be tions in various fields. Iranian year, including one at Hamad stores (Sidra) and projects out- constructed in Al Shihaniyah, Al Ambassador Mohammed Jawad International Airport. side Qatar. Shemal City, Al Khour and Al Asayish delivered it. This was announced yesterday About the projects in design Wakra. These centres are cur- by Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari, and tendering stages, he said rently in the design and approval UAE ties reviewed CEO, Woqod. seven new petrol stations will phases, and are projected to be “Work is in progress on 13 be developed at Smeismah, Al fully operational during the DOHA: The Prime Minister new petrol stations in Al Wakra, Thameid, Al Thamamah (Al period 2015-2016. and Interior Minister H E Al Wajba, Al Jmayliyyah, Al Hadarmah), New Mesaimeer, the On retails stores, the CEO Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Aqla (Lusail), Al Thakhirah, Educational City (Bani Hajar), said that efforts are underway bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday Al Qotayfah, Al Mesahabiyah, the Educational City (North) and for the construction of four new met UAE Ambassador Salih bin Al Shemal City, New Rayyan, Umm Qarn. These projects are Sidra convenient stores at Hamad Mohamed Al Ameri and dis- Sodanthel, Fulayhah, Bin Derham, expected to be completed by the Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari, CEO, Woqod, addressing a press conference at Hospital, Ascott Tower, Barwa cussed relations. HIA in addition to Woqod fuel end of 2016. the Woqod headquarters in West Bay yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Commercial Center and Barwa station in Saudi Arabia,” Al WOQOD is also coordinating City Complex. These projects Charity builds 433 Kuwari told a press conference with the Educational City and most convenient and comprehen- while the remaining are expected are currently in the design and at the company’s headquarters. Lusail City on the establishment sive coverage for the majority of to be completed during the year approval phases and are expected mosques abroad He said some of the projects of two new petrol stations in the areas within the country, with 2015. to be completed during this year. were almost complete, while oth- each location, in addition to new special emphasis on Doha City, Commenting on technical As part of a long-tern strategy, DOHA: The Sheikh Eid Charity ers are in the construction phase; stations in the Economic Zones, Al Madari Road, the East-North inspection centres, he added: Woqod has announced an expan- built 433 mosques in several however they are expected to be where discussions and coordina- Road, and other highways,” Al “Most recently, we have inaugu- sion plan to establish a network countries all over the world in inaugurated this year. tion are currently underway. Kuwari said. rated Fahes centre in Wadi Al of 100 fuel stations, given the pro- 2014, at a cost of QR31m donated The press conference was held “We are also coordinating with He also said that expansion Banat area and completed the vision of suitable locations, and by Qataris. Ali bin Khaled Al to providing update on Woqod’s the Ministry of Municipalities and works at ten existing fuel stations works at a Mesaimeer Fahes its network of FAHES inspection Hajri, Head, Project and Foreign current and future projects and Urban Planning for the comple- namely Ain Khaled, Mouayther, inspection center, which is to centres for vehicles through the Aid Department, Eid Charity, plan for 2015-2019. tion of procedural requirements Al Tha’ayen, Al Hilal, Bu Faseilah, be inaugurated very soon. These construction of new inspection said they built 80 mosques in The company has wide areas in the designation of 25 new loca- Al Seiliyah, West Bay, Wadi Al centres are among the most lines at existing stations that are Sudan and Nigeria besides of operations, including market- tions that are suitable for the con- Banat, Mesaimeer East, and Al advanced centres in the deployed roomy enough to accommodate Mauritania, Pakistan, Yemen, ing, transporting and storing of struction of petrol stations, with Gharafa are progressing. Some of technologies and one-window such lines. Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Palestine, petroleum products and jet fuels, the aim of providing the best and these works have been completed, service, which conveniently saves THE PENINSULA Somalia, Niger and Togo. QNA

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME PM receives Omani minister Premier to open Banana Island resort today First-of-its-kind resort will be operated by Anantara

DOHA: The Prime Minister by Anantara. The resort is pool and poolside cabana. surfing techniques than at sea. and Interior Minister H E on a Qatari crescent-shape The eight two-bedroom Over Guests can energise them- Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser island in the Arabian Gulf, Water Villas and trio of three- selves with laps or a leisurely Al Thani will today inau- about a 20-minute journey by bedroom Anantara Over Water dip in the 100-metre-long gurate the ‘Banana Island luxury ferry from Al Shyoukh Villas offer 360 square metres lagoon pool or enjoy the fun The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Resort Doha by Anantara’, Terminal in the city’s downtown of luxurious space and a 62sqm at the children’s pool complete Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met Oman’s Minister of Civil Services Sheikh Khalid on a Qatari crescent-shape area or a 10-minute helicop- personal pool ideal for families with water slides. bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon and his delegation. Talks dealt with means of island. ter ride directly from Hamad and friends. Guests looking for recreation enhancing relations. The resort will be the first International Airport. The resort has a marina with options on dry land are also of its kind to be operated by The crescent shape of the 30 berths and a fully equipped spoilt for choice, from tennis, Anantara, the company special- island provides a natural har- dive centre with a practice pool beach volleyball and a fitness ised in resorts and hotels man- bour framed by an 800-metre- ideal for beginners. centre to an entertainment agement, and developed by Al long private beach where guests Water sports range from centre with a nine-hole putting Condolences sent to Malaysia, Indonesia Rayyan Hospitality which has can relax and swim in the calm, the relaxing pace of kayaking, golf course, eight-pin bowling DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yester- developed hospitality projects, safe waters of the turquoise sea. pedalos and stand up paddle alley and a VIP cinema theatre. day sent cables of condolence to King Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin including Souq Waqif, London’s The 141 luxury guest rooms, boarding, thrills of wakeboard- Eight dining options offer Tuanku Al Haj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah of Malaysia and President Orya Hotel, Salwa Resort, and suites and villas are designed ing, banana boat, triple tube and a choice of Middle Eastern, of Indonesia Joko Widodo for the victims of the Malaysian plane that the hotel and spa at Masila. in Arabian style with signature donut rides, water skiing and jet Italian and international cui- crashed in Java Sea. The ceremony will be Anantara touches, including 54 skiing to luxury yacht cruises sines at spectacular locations The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani sent similar attended by Mohammed Premier Sea View Rooms, 16 and fishing trips. around the island from the cables to King Almu’tasimu and President Widodo. Al Qahtani, President, Al Deluxe Sea View Rooms, eight In the resort’s two-lane surf marina, poolside, by the shore- The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Rayyan Hospitality, and Sami Sea View Suites, 18 Anantara pool, the waves can be control- line and on over water decks Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also sent cables of condolence to President Ayari, General Manager, Suites and 34 spacious Sea View led to suit different skill lev- with tranquil views and soft Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. QNA Banana Island Resort Doha Pool Villas featuring a personal els, making it easier to master sea breezes. THE PENINSULA Qatar, Oman sign deals

DOHA: Qatar and Oman yester- ation in the field of training, devel- day signed two memorandums of opment and quality. understanding to enhance cooper- The Minister of Administrative

The Minister of Administrative Development H E Dr Issa Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi and Oman’s Minister of Civil Service Sheikh Khalid bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon at the event.

Development H E Dr Issa of expertise, trainers and Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi trainees as well as human and Oman’s Minister resources development, of Civil Service Sheikh civil services, training and Khalid bin Omar bin rehabilitation of employees Said Al Marhoon signed in both countries. the agreements deal to He said Al Mahroon enhance cooperation in the will have a first-hand exchange of expertise and look at activities of the knowledge through visits Ministry of Administrative and projects. Development related to the The ministers hailed the exchange of expertise. distinguished ties which Al Marhoon said that are experiencing rapid the deals underline the development, thanks to keenness of both countries both countries’ keenness to activate and develop ties to further develop them. on all fronts, particularly The ministers said the in the field of civil serv- deals are a step in that ices and administrative direction to benefit both development. peoples. Omani Ambassador Dr Al Nuaimi said both Mohammed bin Nasser Al memorandums were in Wihaibi and other officials line with cooperation and were present. deal with the exchange QNA THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Experts welcome property price quotations in square foot

DOHA: Since last month, the Real Estate Registration Department of the Ministry of Justice has begun citing prices in square foot of properties sold in a week. The department announces details of deals concluded on a weekly basis and its practice has been to give the value of a deal in riyals. And the area of a property involved, whether a plot of land or a house or building, used to be cited in square metres. Some of the winners with officials at the concluding ceremony of the contest. While that practice continues, the department has started giving Ahmed Al Oruqui and Khalifa Al Muslemani. the price of a transacted piece of property per square foot. Transaction details announced The twin plot, each admeasur- Asked for comment, real estate for the week (December 21 to 25) ing 600sqm and their rates were expert and government-approved suggest that a commercial prop- cited in square feet (QR123.87). QU names winners of evaluator, Khalifa Al Muslemani, erty admeasuring barely 1,545sqm The second most expensive said the move was welcome. in Old Ghanem was sold for property sold was in the Pearl- He said that according to the QR135m (about $37m). Qatar. Its value was QR95m. law which regulates the real The rate per square foot of A residence admeasuring estate sector, land prices must the property worked out to over 75sqm in Ummghuwailina, domi- innovation contest always be quoted in square feet. QR8,117 ($2,229), the highest nated by the expatriate working On the other hand, the rates of among those details of which were class, was sold for QR1.1m — at a apartments, buildings — whether made available by the ministry for rate of QR1,362 per square foot. 102 students submit 50 business ideas in five categories commercial, residential or mixed the week. This is the smallest property use — and villas are to be quoted As reported earlier, land has sold in Qatar so far. DOHA: Winners of Qatar (10 percent). It covered five Engineering is committed to pro- in square metres. This is the become scarce and very expensive During the week, the total University’s (QU) innovation tracks -- Health Sciences; ICT viding its students with a forum practice all over the GCC and not in Old Ghanem in the heart of number of deals was 102 with and entrepreneurship contest and Technology-based Projects; to develop skills and competencies typical to Qatar, Al Muslemani Doha because of its proximity to their collective value being over were announced at the closing Energy and Environment; to become the next leaders and said in remarks to this newspaper. prime tourist and business areas. QR900m, up about 60 percent ceremony recently. Social Enterprises; and Business drivers of change in the world of Commenting on the above Old Ghanem has been declared over the previous week. First-place winners were Services. business. development, another real state a mixed-use prime locality and Doha Municipality topped the Kariem A Fahmi and Abdelrazek The contest was designed to “Having the benefit of train- expert, Ahmed Al Oruqui, said that additionally makes it a desir- list of property trading with a Ibrahim (CENG) – Technology; trigger entrepreneurial skills of ing opportunities with Vodafone rent is always quoted in Qatar in able area, according to real estate share of 69.6 percent in the total Hend Abdulla Jamali and Wafa students, spread awareness about Qatar in the contest boosted square metres. According to the and urban development experts. value, according to an analysis Ahmad Aljaal (CENG) – Business the importance of entrepreneurial students’ enthusiasm to develop law, the rent of all kinds of prop- The lowest price quoted for released by Ezdan Holding. Al Services while College of Arts and activities and highlight how to creative and innovative business erties, including residential and a property in the week was Wakra ranked second, account- Sciences students Sana Iftikhar develop sound business plans. ideas which will add value to their commercial, must be quoted per for a plot of land in Al Khor — ing for an 11. 1 percent share in Khan, Sameera Shanawaz Shaikh Teams were required to pre- engineering education.” square metre, he said. QR123.87 per square foot. the total. THE PENINSULA and Sarah Malik won in the pare and present their pitches CBE Dean Dr Nitham Hindi Energy and Environment track. outlining the essence of their said, “The contest gave CBE stu- Ali Al Zubairi, Husam business ideas to a panel of judges. dents an invaluable opportunity to Abdalwahab Rohy, Abdul Quddoos A total of 102 students partici- learn from experts from Vodafone Abdul Basith and Mohammed pated in the contest which drew Qatar in very specialised areas of European expat hangs himself in Umm Salal Atallah (CBE) were placed second 50 business ideas -- Technology business. in the Technology track. 60 percent, Business Services 22 “We are delighted to have the DOHA: A resident from a European country Department. They found the body of the European The contest, sponsored by percent, Social Enterprises and company’s support for our efforts has committed suicide by hanging himself from man hanging from a top apartment. Vodafone Qatar, included stu- Health Sciences each 8 percent to advance our students’ knowl- a rope in a building in Umm Salal, officials have Officials cordoned off the building and shifted the dents from College of Engineering and Energy and Environment 2 edge and experience towards their confirmed. body to Hamad General Hospital Morgue after col- (CENG – 70 percent), College of percent. future success as entrepreneurs,” The Emergency Service Department received a lecting evidence. An investigation has been launched Business and Economics (CBE CENG Dean Dr Rashid he added. call regarding the incident and a team rushed to to ascertain the circumstances that led the man to – 20 percent) and other colleges Alammarri said, “The College of THE PENINSULA the scene with ambulances from the Civil Defence take his life. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Key stretch of C-Ring Road opens to ease traffic chaos

DOHA: Traffic congestions on C-Ring road could ease from today with the opening of an important stretch of the road after renovation works. Motorists can expect smoother traffic from New Slata to Al Kinana intersections and from Centre Roundabout until Participants attending a briefing on competitions. before Al Asiri Interchange. The Public Works Authority — Ashghal — said yesterday 1,406 register for sixth Qatar that it had completed all works on the road extending from Centre Roundabout until before Falconry and Hunting Festival Al Asiri Interchange as part of the fourth phase of the C-Ring DOHA: A total of 1,406 people have best facilities for competitions. Road Development Project. registered for the Qatar Falconry There is a sophisticated system for Works included widening the and Hunting Festival which begins communication between members of road from two lanes to three on January 5, organisers said committees supervising the compe- in each direction, converting yesterday. titions to ensure accurate results, Centre Roundabout to a signal- The organising committee said it which will be announced directly to controlled intersection and pro- had completed preparations for the the public in attendance. viding access from Ibn Seena sixth edition to be held in Sabkhat The committee praised efforts of Street to Centre Intersection Marmi near Sealine, Mesaieed, under the supporting agencies participating through a U-turn. the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan in the event and welcomed partici- Parts of Al Kinana Street bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. pants from other GCC countries. and Qatari Bin Al Fujaah The final draw for competitions This demonstrates that the festival Street, extending for around was held at Gannas Society’s head- has become a destination for falcon- 350 metres in both directions quarters in Katara Building No. 33 on ers, especially the elite, and those of the two streets branching Wednesday following the completion who have a long history in the sport from C-Ring Road at Al Kinana of registration, said the panel. so important to the countries and the Signal were opened earlier this Ashghal has opened the Centre Intersection on C-Ring Road to traffic. The committee said the festival region’s heritage, said the committee. month. ground has been equipped with the THE PENINSULA Ashghal has also completed to four in each direction. The fourth phase involves the service road that extends works on the road extend- This marks the comple- a 6.3km stretch from C-Ring for about 120 meters from TV ing from Jabor Bin Ahmed tion of the fourth phase of the Road’s intersection with Roundabout to Al Markhiya (Ramada Intersection) to the C-Ring Road Development Salwa Road (Jabor Bin Intersection (in front of Paris Kulluna posts online tips middle point between New Project. This included mainte- Ahmed Intersection) to Umm Bakery until Al Moghrabi Slata and Rawdat Al Khail nance and repaving works as Ghuwailina Roundabout. Optics) from tomorrow until intersections. well as constructing signalised The project aims to enhance January 10 to replace the decay- On November 11, Ashghal pedestrian crossings at the new road capacity to accommodate ing water pipes in the area. to keep children safe announced the opening of part intersection. current and future traffic. All People visiting shops on the of C-Ring Road to traffic, from Pedestrian safety barriers four phases of the project are closed part of the road will need DOHA: In a social media cam- Kulluna has formed a collaborative Ramada Intersection to Al will be installed on the median expected to be completed in the to use internal roads and park paign, Kulluna, the national safety agreement with the internationally Kinana Intersection, after wid- along the main street, without second quarter of 2015. cars at the backside during the initiative, has posted instructions recognised, not-for-profit organisa- ening the road from three lanes disturbing traffic. Ashghal will close part of closure. THE PENINSULA to keep children safe. tion, Safe Kids Worldwide. Safe Kids They mainly focus on prevent- has acted as adviser to the Kulluna ing children from chocking and Child Safety Team, Kulluna said in a drowning. statement. Kulluna also advises parents and With regard to water safety, Notices people who take care of children to Kulluna says: “Don’t let children learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation play in a swimming pool without put up on (CPR), a lifesaving technique useful adult supervision… Teach children in emergencies. that swimming in open water is not showroom About choking, it says: “Many as swimming in pool.” infants and children die each year Drowning is the most common entrances from choking. These deaths can be cause of accidental deaths in Qatar prevented if parents and care givers among children aged up to four years. Continued from page 1 watch the children closely, especially The number of child deaths from The ministry said it when they are playing.” drowning is rising annually and 90 put up closure notices Children under four years are at percent of cases involve children aged at the entrances of the particular risk from choking. 10 years and under and 70 percent of showroom. The notices Kulluna was launched in the children are under four. have been printed and September 2012 with a child safety Most drowning accidents occur pasted at the expense campaign that consists of three parts: in and around the home, not in of the company. Water safety, home safety and car swimming pools and children have People can use safety. drowned in swimming pools, baths, a toll-free phone Each part covers specific safety fish tanks, buckets, on building sites number of the minis- issues responsible for children dying, and in the sea. Kulluna also focuses try (8005000) or email or being severely injured in Qatar. on keeping children safe at home at [email protected] to While ConocoPhillips is our key from burns and scalds, falls and poi- file complaints about sponsor, for this particular campaign soning. THE PENINSULA suspected breach of the provisions of the consumer protection law or report their Notices announcing the closure for a month of Domasco’s main showroom can be seen pasted on its entrances observations, said the ministry. yesterday. THE PENINSULA Jazz maestro Madfai arrives in Doha

Elham Madfai, Iraqi guitarist, singer and composer, with officials.

DOHA: The ‘Godfather to make a special appear- of Arabic jazz’, Elham ance on the New Year Madfai, arrived in Doha eve at the restaurant to to attend the launch of sing and play many of his classy Lebanese restau- superhit songs, including rant Aziza in Marriot Khuttar. Marquis. He will also perform The Iraqi guitarist, tonight at the restaurant. singer and composer who Aziza is ready to serve synthesises Western guitar our valued customers, the stylings with traditional management said. Iraqi music, was scheduled THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Katara Hospitality achieves 30-property goal Hotel developer and operator eyes 60 by 2026 DOHA: Katara Hospitality, Rome to its portfolio. “As we enter 2015, Katara the Qatar-based leading glo- It has also expanded its foot- Hospitality is well positioned for bal hotel developer and opera- print into the London market another successful year ahead tor, yesterday announced that this year with an investment in with several new hotel openings it had achieved the goal of 30 The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed and developments planned over properties by 2016 two years Hotel. the coming months.” ahead of schedule. Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin The past year has also wit- The company is now focusing Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, Katara nessed several hotel openings for on its next strategic target of Hospitality, said: “Achieving our Katara Hospitality. The Peninsula expanding its portfolio of iconic goal of 30 properties two years Paris opened after four years of hotels to 60 properties by 2026. ahead of target is a major achieve- meticulous restoration that cel- According to a statement, the ment which has earned us global ebrated its outstanding architec- achievement of the goal has been recognition as one of the world’s tural heritage while discreetly complemented by the accomplish- leading hospitality companies. modernising it to become a con- ment of milestones in acquisitions, “As we continue our journey temporary hotel. investment and development in of expansion in Qatar and inter- The Sheraton Doha Resort & 2014. Over the past year, Katara nationally, Katara Hospitality is Convention Hotel re-opened in Hospitality has added six interna- focusing on its next strategic tar- November, following an exten- tional properties to its collection get of expanding its portfolio of sive renovation that upgraded the of iconic hotels. iconic hotels to 60 properties by property’s facilities. The Excelsior In June, it acquired five prop- 2026,” he added. Hotel Gallia, a Luxury Collection The Excelsior Hotel Gallia erties in key European cities, “The year 2014 has marked suc- Hotel, Milan, also welcomed its adding InterContinental Carlton cesses for Katara Hospitality with first guests following a soft re- Katara Hospitality has received Travel Awards for the second year the World’s Leading Hospitality Cannes, InterContinental Amstel the addition of new properties, opening in December. It will offi- several awards this year, fur- running. Company in December 2013 and Amsterdam, InterContinental new investments and new mar- cially re-open in February 2015, ther propelling it into the glo- The award capped off pre- again named it the Middle East’s Madrid, InterContinental kets,” added Hamad Abdulla Al once the full four-year renovation bal spotlight. It was recently vious recognition at World Leading Hospitality Development Frankfurt, and leasehold interest Mulla, CEO and Board Member, is completed by Milanese archi- named the ‘World’s Leading Travel Awards, which had rec- Company in May 2014. in InterContinental De La Ville Katara Hospitality. tect Marco Piva. Hospitality Company’ by World ognised Katara Hospitality as THE PENINSULA Omani minister visits expo Three months of free subscription DOHA: Oman’s Minister of Civil Service Sheikh for Hala International Saver Key Khalid bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon praised the DOHA: Ooredoo launched a On top of these rates, new months from the date of activa- role of Qatar Museums promotion for customers buy- Hala SIM users will get a bundle tion. After three months, new in maintaining Gulf and ing a new Hala Sim card in of preloaded 250 local call min- Hala users will be charged QR1 Qatari heritage through Qatar yesterday, offering three utes to call Ooredoo numbers and per week. Mal Lawal Biennale 2 months of free subscription to 250MB mobile data for QR25. To activate International Saver exhibition taking place at Hala International Saver Key. The promotion which run until Key free, customers can send Doha Exhibition Centre. The offer available for three March 31 offers users the chance SMS ‘ISK’ to 121. The key will After a tour, he said the months has been launched to to stay connected locally and with renew automatically every week exhibition will pass on to unlock the rates available with friends and family overseas. so customers can continue to save. next generations informa- International Saver Key for new Once the Sim card is activated, Among the countries covered tion about the history of Hala users in Qatar. the 250 local Ooredoo minutes by the key are popular call des- the region. With International Saver Key, and data will be valid for seven tinations such as India, Egypt, “I was pleased with the customers can take advantage of days. Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, showcase of collections calling rates of 10 dirhams per After this, users will need to the UAE, Pakistan, the UK, the that represent a historic minute to all local Ooredoo num- add credit to their account to US, the Philippines and South era in Qatar and the GCC bers, and 45 dirhams per minute keep the Sim card activated. Africa. A full list of countries can countries and some Arab to 121 countries on Qatar’s biggest International Saver Key free be viewed at www.ooredoo.qa countries,” he said, who and fastest network. subscription will be valid for three THE PENINSULA was briefed on Qatari and Gulf citizens’ private col- lections at the expo. QNA Ministry provides specifications for ‘khubz’ Continued from page 1 “Our inspectors con- ducted raids on some 217 shops in Doha, Al Wakra and Al Khor in a recent swoop and found some four violating rules,” said the ministry. The ministry said it is warning the bakeries to stick to weight-linked specifications for ‘khubz’. “We are continuing with the crackdown on the bak- eries and other outlets to ensure they follow health, safety and other rules,” said the ministry. Describing specifica- tions, it said the small ‘khubz’ must weigh at least 71.5 grammes per piece and there should be a minimum 10 pieces in a packet costing QR1. The diameter of the small ‘khubz’ must be at least 17cm. At least 14 pieces make a kg. The medium ‘khubz’ should not be less than 25cm in diameter. The bigger one must weigh 143 grammes each and its diameter should not be less than 26cm. A packet costing QR1 must have at least seven pieces. The other, somewhat bigger, must be 30cm in diameter and five pieces must be wrapped in a packet whose retail price is QR1. All ‘khubz’ (the term meaning bread in Arabic) whose packs are avail- able at the subsidised rate of QR1 each, must be round and must not be overcooked. The Ministry said it is watching and will launch crackdowns to catch and punish violators. ‘Khubz’ is perhaps the only com- modity whose price has remained unchanged over decades due to the state subsidy. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Editorial Happy 2015

T’S that time of the year when we look back and look ahead with a mix of nostalgia and enthusiasm. It’s a ritual that is followed religiously Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Iby everybody, especially the media -- the ritual of dissecting the year that has just passed and mouthing expectations of the year that’s upon us. Every year has its share of disasters and excitements. Every year also witnesses the ignominious fall of some leaders and the emergence of some others. Companies, Escaping America’s wealth gap nations, individuals and organizations have their ups and downs. BY RAY BOSHARA and effects of historical discrimination Indeed, studies by Thomas Shapiro of WILLIAM EMMONS According to a survey, topping the list of “Top 10 on the wealth gap, our research sug- Brandeis and others show that even International News Stories” selected by readers of the gests three factors. First, African small amounts of wealth at the right T’S HARD for anyone who lives Americans have 40 percent less moments in life can have a trans- Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun was the in St. Louis to not reflect on the income than whites and appear to formative effect on the course of a life. declaration of a state of emergency made by the World issues underlying the situation have fewer options to convert that One of the best of those moments is Health Organization over the Ebola epidemic. The Iin nearby Ferguson, Mo. The diminished income into wealth (due, when a child is born or enters school. epidemic killed more than 7,500 people in three West challenges are many and complex. As perhaps, to differing rates of access to Examples abound: Every child enroll- researchers, we wrestle with the ques- homeownership, employer-sponsored ing in kindergarten in the Normandy African nations, including Liberia, and spread to the tion: Is the current state of household retirement plans and inheritances). School District of St. Louis County United States and Europe. Russia annexed the Crimean wealth in the United States position- Second, already large educational gaps — Michael Brown’s alma mater — Peninsula in southern Ukraine, which has caused a ing enough young people, families and are growing larger: Although degree automatically receives a $500 deposit serious confrontation between Moscow and the US and communities to thrive? attainment is rising across the board, in Missouri’s 529 college savings pro- other European countries, which is still continuing. For Probably not. But a look at the blacks and Hispanics are earning high gram, thanks to the nonprofit Beyond Federal Reserve’s recent Survey of school, college and graduate degrees at Housing. San Francisco (using public the Middle East, the year will go down as one of more Consumer Finances on the wealth significantly slower rates than whites funds) and Nevada (using non-public chaos and instability. The emergence of Islamic State and income of African American and, especially, Asians. resources) automatically open col- created tremors of shock, bringing agony to Iraq and (and other) families could offer some Third, African Americans consist- lege savings accounts for every child some other states. Syria and Libya continue to burn, insights to help millions of economi- ently ranked lowest among all races entering a public school kindergar- cally disadvan- and ethnicities in financial health, ten. Other states start even earlier: while Tunisia has set an example for the rest of the taged Americans according to a scorecard we con- Maine and Rhode Island, both using region with democratic elections. The crash of three — regardless of structed from 38,000 responses to non-public funds, automatically estab- Malaysia-linked airlines is another highlight of the year. their race or eth- the Survey of Consumer Finances lish a 529 account for every child at 2014 was a significant year for Qatar too. This tiny nicity — to move since 1992. Survey questions included birth. In addition to serving as a plat- state made global headlines during the year for worthy forward. whether a family saved, missed pay- form for teaching financial basics, The numbers The numbers ments, carried a credit card balance, many such programs nationwide offer and unworthy reasons. 2014 saw a continuation of the are stark. One in had sufficient liquid assets and had matching deposits for lower-income policies of the previous year, with Doha continuing are stark. One in three blacks has manageable levels of debt relative to kids, disproportionately benefiting to play its seminal role in regional and international three blacks has less than $1,000 their incomes. We found that scores African American and other minor- affairs through mediations, positive interventions and in wealth (assets strongly correlated with wealth. ity populations. less than $1,000 minus debts). For African Americans scored the lowest Another great moment is tax time, humanitarian help etc. Relations with some of the Gulf whites, it’s one — even when comparing those with when earned-income tax credit refunds neighbours touched a nadir, which spilled over to the in wealth (assets in nine; Asians, graduate and professional degrees, averaging more than $2,400 can be social media where people directed acerbic comments one in eight; and suggesting that higher education alone converted to savings, such as in the against each other. But all’s well that ends well. minus debts). For Hispanics, one in will not narrow large gaps in wealth. “Refund to Savings” and “SaveUSA” Everything ended on a happy note with the leaders four. At the top Nor will only having a good job; projects. Similarly, there is the oppor- whites, it’s one end of the distri- families need savings and wealth as tunity to leverage the employment choosing to patch up their differences, and citizens in nine; Asians, bution, the odds well. Without wealth, there’s no cush- moment by expanding retirement sav- followed suit. It was an exciting year for us in sports of having $1 mil- ion when a job is lost, a health emer- ings options to the millions of work- too, as usual, with Doha consolidating its eminent one in eight; and lion in wealth are gency arises or a car breaks down. ers lacking 401(k)s; in this regard, the position on the global sports map by winning the bid to one in eight for Without wealth, there are fewer bank- Treasury Department’s new “myRA” Hispanics, one in whites and one in ing choices beyond payday lenders and product holds promise. Finally, home- host the international athletics championships in 2019. nine for Asians check-cashers. Without wealth, there ownership, carefully pursued as part 2014 was also the year Qatar was unfairly excoriated by four. but about one in are fewer opportunities to start a busi- of a broader financial wealth strategy, sections of the international media over the treatment 100 for those who ness, buy a first home or pursue college remains an alternative. of migrant workers engaged in World Cup 2022 are Hispanic or without debt. Without wealth, people With some vision among lead- black. Not sur- must rely on Social Security and their ers and policymakers, in addition to projects. prisingly, median (or typical) wealth families to live with dignity in old age. well-designed economic interventions, The New Year will be one of supreme hope, especially levels mirror these disparities: And without wealth, there’s nothing to more financially fragile Americans for expatriates, who are keenly awaiting reforms in the $134,000 for whites, $91,000 for Asians, pass on to future generations. could have a reasonable shot at the sponsorship law. The changes are likely to be announced $14,000 for Hispanics and $11,000 for What can be done? Research sug- American dream. Wealth begets this year and can bring smiles to many faces. blacks. gests that policies and programs wealth; the challenge is to have some What’s driving this? While other that build savings and wealth at in the first place. Happy 2015. researchers have documented the “milestone moments” have promise. THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Fire tragedy compounded the day NOTHER inquiry committee The causes have yet to be ascer- Reportedly, there was just a sin- is a lesson to be drawn, too, about has been constituted, tained, but the lessons remain the gle entry-exit door at the multistorey systems of governance. When the compensation announced, same. Coordination among civic Alkareem Market Plaza which housed latter is remote, as is the case in the Aand good intentions agencies such as the fire depart- dozens of shops. The fact that most absence of local government sys- expressed. Is there any hope, though, ment and rescue squads needs of the deaths occurred as a result of tems, there is risk of a huge distance We want to of the root causes of the problem urgent improvement; tight alleyways suffocation tells its own tragic tale. between intentions and the effect on actually being addressed? and multifarious encroachments that On paper, the solution is simple the ground — such as the prepared- complain. There’s The fire that broke out in Lahore’s characterise Anarkali, Timber Market and in some cases, already required: ness of firefighting departments or the congested Anarkali Bazaar on and other such venues across the fire exits, multiple entrances, the avail- will to remove encroachments. aggression against Monday evening rapidly engulfed the country pose a formidable challenge ability of firefighting equipment, etc. Local governments, however, put Alkareem Market Plaza, leading to the of access to firefighting and rescue In reality, though, the efforts made by administrators in close proximity with us, against loss of at least 13 lives and consid- teams; and most importantly, the toothless civic bodies are often nulli- the people — they are accessible and our land. The erable damage to merchandise and need for public buildings to be con- fied by a citizenry that refuses to see accountable. The path to correction infrastructure. This occurred just a day structed to at least some modicum of safety regulations as protections that must be taken at multiple levels, top- security council after Karachi’s Timber Market area safety standards, with much stricter benefit primarily itself. down and bottom-up. was similarly burnt to ashes. regulation. From both recent tragedies, there DAWN disappointed us. Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian President THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Qatar’s resilience during crises

economy, the growth of business exert more efforts to deal with ALI BEHZAD and development activities. enormous government and bank Manifestations of the crisis, debts, which continue to nega- as described by the IMF, are tively impact growth rates and rafting a law to cut budgets in terms of spending low economic and export growth, undermine the stability of finan- regulate the state’s and expenses to keep pace with unemployment, lack of produc- cial systems. financial policy will new developments. tive work, inflation, high inter- It is also due to the delay in help develop an The financial system is a est rates and gold and oil price the growth that was agreed upon integrated frame- strong pillar and foundation for fluctuations. in 2010, but was never imple- Dwork of legal work, including the state revenue, which will Economic analyses split the mented due to the time factor clauses related to funds that enhance the capacity of the state global economy into two: The that is no longer feasible and unite applicable financial sys- in all institutions to implement first includes the US, Europe and there is nothing that can be done tems in all sectors. giant projects. Japan, which are suffering from at the moment. I have followed the recent Perhaps the most notable heavy debts that increased to 46 This was the warning issued announcement of the approval focus of the fiscal policy is pub- percent in 2007 and 70 percent by the IMF recently because of of the draft law by stakeholders, lic funds spent on economic in 2011, and predicted to reach the failure of the European coun- including the Cabinet, Advisory activities, including projects 80 percent in 2016. tries to formulate financial solu- Council, the Ministry of Finance and programmes implemented The second includes the devel- tions to rescue smaller banks, and others, to come up with a by government agencies. It is an oping countries such as China, at a time when the US is facing public financial system to direct organised, systematic and accu- which contributed to 66 per- increased investment risks, diffi- the development policy towards rate process to meet the needs cent increase in global output culties that hinder the economies the objectives of Qatar National based on the development policy. between 2007 and 2011, while its of the developing nations, and Vision 2030. This will set a limit Observers of the global econ- debt didn’t exceed 28 percent in the massive spending on infra- on spending, expenditures and omy find that the financial melt- 2007 and is expected to drop to structure and reforms projects. revenues in all areas. down in many industries and 21 percent in 2016. The IMF said no actions were The unified financial vision exchange, stock and capital mar- The IMF has said that taken despite decisionmakers has come at a critical time of kets can be described as a new European countries have failed in Europe and America asking today’s global economy that gap and an imbalance in global to achieve an adequate growth for the most profound reforms is facing financial crisis, price systems that caused the fluc- model because of the inaction in their labour markets, such fluctuations and conflicts in the tuations in exchange rates and of rich countries to take deci- as rules and regulations that Middle East, which have nega- the fall of the financial markets, sive action and provide financial restrict the movement of trade tively impacted all expenditures when improvements in social fragile recovery in its economies, the fragile growth of emerging support for the less fortunate to develop an agenda that stimu- related to development. reforms, unemployment, poverty lack of investor confidence and markets, which has reflected countries. lates growth and creates more Qatar’s financial strategy has and political conflicts in many the widening conflict in the negatively in Western societies, Europe suffers from depres- jobs. focused on drawing up a realistic countries became prominent. Middle East which curbed the leading to a wave of discontent sion, unemployment, poverty and I would like to point out that vision that could be implemented We all follow the repercus- desire of investors to develop that swept the markets. the collapse of its stock markets Qatar was keen to take life- in the industry, energy, infra- sions of the global financial new projects and halted exports The current situation in the and financial systems. saving steps during the 2008 structure and services sectors. markets and fears of a collapse in many countries where the Middle East — aggravated politi- There is no doubt that the crisis. It has worked to support It also responds to public fund or financial crisis that may be unrest is widespread. cal turmoil, discouraging inves- growing influence of capital mar- and assist banks and financial demands, operational and extra more severe than the 2008 crisis, IMF also warned of rising tors from implementing new kets will affect political decisions institutions in the state to avoid budgets and determining invest- which some governments avoided interest rates in many coun- projects, decline in the growth of eurozone, which is a bigger economic gap risks experienced ments to direct spending in an and others still suffer. tries, which coincides with the of existing projects, fluctuations pressure on governments to act by many countries. This is due optimal way. The International Monetary untimely recovery for Europe’s in oil prices and currencies, and and save its crumbling financial to confidence, resilience and effi- I emphasise that the new finan- Fund (IMF) said in a report that awakening out of its slum- lack of political and social sta- systems. ciency provided by our govern- cial system will systematically Europe is still suffering from the ber. This is accompanied by bility — affected primarily the IMF said the world needs to ment to the financial sector.

KHALID AL JABER Hard work should mark National Day

very year at this time we repeat private and public parties Arab modernity! review with pride the MUHAMMAD ALI KUBAISI in the name of National Day. Some Etransformation process of brag about how much they spent here are the Arabs in terms with the era of moder- our modern state of Qatar. It is on 25/2, Saudi Arabia 23/9, Oman tradition of Prophet Muhammad out of public funds — the money nity and its challenges, particularly those with a cherished occasion for all of us 18/11, Emirates 2/12, Bahrain 16/12 (PBUH) when he passed by one of the people. Wregard to philosophy, the mind and the intellect? when we feel joy and contentment and Qatar on 18/12). I have discov- of his companions while perform- It would be a good thing if All indicators show that the Arab world has not reached the because it reminds us the unity ered wonders in these countries, ing ablution and said to him: that spending came from private modern stage and is still living in the era before the enlighten- of our tribes and families under including Qatar, from the way citi- “Why all this waste O Saad? He funds of those responsible for such ment in Europe, despite Arab revolutions optimists dubbed one flag. zens express their joy and pride. replied: Is there wastage in ablu- expenditures. What we are look- ‘Arab Spring? I wish that celebrating National The affiliation to one’s coun- tion? He said: Yes, even if you were ing for is more of the initiatives What is enlightenment? Day is not limited to only a live try is not by repeating slogans or next to a flowing river, use water the Prime Minister has launched German philosopher Kant described it in his famous quote: broadcast on TV, singing the going out in car rallies or danc- adequately.” concerning storage areas to enable “Enlightenment is the human’s out of state guardianship, national anthem, writing arti- ing on the Corniche. Its meaning However, we waste the water the private sector to better par- which makes him incapable of using his mind without guid- cles in local newspapers, holding is wider, deeper and higher than the government provides for our ticipate in the national economy, ance from others.” the Qatari flag or displaying it on the external appearances we prac- homes by spending billions. the opening of wedding halls that The concept of modernity emerged during the European buildings and towers, or dancing tise or show. Our affiliation to our • We buy what we need and will be made available to citizens Renaissance, beginning specifically with Descartes who inau- on the Corniche rather I hope all country is deep rooted in our souls, do not need excessively, which for free, and many others, which gurated the enlightenment age with Kant’s theses — a cultural of our society marks the anniver- which requires from us in the first increases imports and the money boost Qatar’s status and citizens’ and social movement that represented the emergence of a new sary with hard work to achieve place to be thankful to our Creator we pay, impacting our economy loyalty to it. social class — the bourgeoisie. more, ensure the meaning and for making us enjoy peace, secu- devastatingly and changing our I hope patriotism is not reduced This social category tried to establish a new culture focused value of the day and reflect our rity and prosperity He favoured us consumption traditions. to manifestations of joy, although on justice, freedom and equality as opposed to the old feudal commitment to and love for our with over many of His creations. These are only four aspects they are required. It is important values. dear country. I feel we are not showing our and there are dozens that put us to instil hard work in the hearts of It declared war on the National Day is the anniversary gratefulness to Allah in the best among those who do not have any future generations because nations feudal lords who made up For the Arab and of the founding of Qatar within its way possible. Unfortunately, many real affiliation to this good land. To are built by their citizens. Former the ancient guard who con- internationally recognised geo- of us, including me, and I’m one of be loyal to our country, we must US president John F Kennedy trolled “religious and politi- Islamic world, graphical borders. However, what all, we have no proper affiliation respect its regulations, maintain said, “Do not ask what the coun- cal powers”, culminated in brings Qataris together are not to this generous country because its facilities, work diligently and try has given to you, but ask what the French Revolution. modernisation only the borders, but also Islam, of the simple reason that we are make serious efforts to guarantee you have given to your homeland.” The concept of moder- which is the common denominator not thankful for what we have. As the quality of output in various I take this opportunity to nity differs from moderni- is simply the among its citizens, as well as the individuals, we do not respect what fields. express my congratulations to the sation, which is the depth of spirit of unity, affection and seren- our country offers through serv- There are practices on National Emir, the Father Emir and all the the Arab misunderstanding introduction of ity that prevails between urban ices. For example: Day, or at least attributed to it, dear people of Qatar on National since the Renaissance! and Bedouin people, not forgetting • We boldly throw trash in which must be stopped — hang- Day. I would like to say I am not Modernity, according to technology and continuous collaboration on right- public places while the state has ing out on the streets, riding cars happy with some practices I have the Algerian scholar and eousness and piety by all members provided bins; it has placed special while sagging out of them, block- seen during this year’s celebrations thinker Mohammed Arkoun, modern inventions of society. waste baskets in isolated areas in ing streets and roads and causing but as our Prophet said, “Treat the is a situation where there I have wandered the Gulf region the wilderness. accidents that could be avoided, people in accordance with their is a ‘spirit stance’ in front with the vision of through YouTube to find out how • We waste a lot of electricity at unjustified extravagance by many status.” of the dilemma of knowl- introducing Western these countries celebrate their home and in the office by operat- government agencies and compa- I request you to be kind to the edge, and in front of all National Days, or “the National ing devices we really do not use. nies which sometimes cover entire people of the North, they are from approaches used by the mind consumption Eid” as it is called by some (Kuwait • We have forgotten the towers with posters and flags and you and you are from them. to reach concrete knowledge about the reality. products that For the Arab and Islamic world, modernisation is require formal or simply the introduction of technology and modern external changes not Chaos in recruitment of domestic helps inventions, with the vision accompanied by any of introducing Western consumption products that radical change in the ecruitment of domestic KHALID ABDULLAH AL ZIYARA to stop hiring domestic workers require formal or external workers for Gulf countries from some Asian countries and changes not accompanied Arab-Muslim view Rhas led to crises. turn to others. by any radical change in the There had been tension between interfering with details of its The cost of hiring some maids Not allowing some Asian and Arab-Muslim view about the about the universe Saudi Arabia and Indonesia for a citizens. has reached QR18,000 because African countries to export universe and the life. long time until an agreement was The Saudi boycott hit the some brokers and labour offices domestic labour to Qatar and Gaber Asfour, Egyptian and the life. reached. Indonesian labour market hard. manipulate the market. other countries in the region is Professor at Cairo A memorandum of under- Recruitment offices and firms They prompt maids to flee after arm-twisting. University, says modernity standing was signed by them in declared bankruptcy, some laid off the guarantee period and create a Why don’t we stop visas to cer- is a continuous research to get to know the secrets of the 2011 to resolve the issue after employees and some gave their problem with the guarantor. tain countries to end exploitation universe through in-depth discovery of nature by controlling Saudi Arabia rejected Indonesia’s staff time until an agreement was This facilitates brokers to rake by unlicensed brokers who bring and developing knowledge concerning it, and then constantly recruitment conditions, saying reached and relations between in huge amounts by sending these workers at fancy prices as these enhancing the status of man on Earth. they are exaggerated and imprac- both countries were restored. maids to other families in addi- countries have raised hiring costs However, politically and socially, modernity means drafting tical and could not be met. The boycott also caused tion to other dishonest ways of and salaries after realising that new principles and regulations that transform social relations Riyadh had banned recruit- Indonesia to lose an important earning a buck or two. Gulf citizens need these workers? from necessities to liberty, from exploitation to justice, from ment after Jakarta laid down source of income which had been Why Gulf authorities don’t The New Year is expected to colonisation to independence, from consumption to production, conditions, including photos of supporting its economy. agree with their counterparts witness an increase in the costs from imitation to creativity (activating the mind instead of all members of the hiring fam- We in Qatar also face prob- in labour-exporting countries to of hiring domestic workers by 15 effortless copying), from the influence of the tribe, family or ily, accredited certificate of good lems in the domestic labour unify salaries, recruitment costs percent compared to 2014. Are we society to a unified modern country, and from the authoritar- conduct with a clean criminal market that witnesses continu- and work contracts and counter ready to cope with more chaos? ian state to a democratic state. record and an illustrative map of ous increase in recruitment costs illegal labour offices and external All that is unfortunately far from what Arabs experience the house. due to weak government super- brokers? nowadays even after 300 years since the spread of modernity The Saudi Labour Ministry vision and non-activation of the The Saudi experience is impor- The views expressed in the articles on this and its effects on the world — East and West! page do not reflect the viewpoint of the considered the conditions as labour law. tant for us to realise that we need newspaper. THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Palestinians turn to ICC after UN bid fails US and Australia voted against Palestine resolution at the Security Council

RAMALLAH: The of Nigeria which had assured will to hold Israel accountable and Palestinians moved yester- the Palestinians it would sup- to act in accordance with the glo- day to join the International port their resolution but which bal rule of law and international Criminal Court as a new ave- ended up abstaining after lob- humanitarian law,” she said refer- nue for action against Israel bying efforts by both Israel and ring to Britain, Lithuania, Nigeria, after the UN Security Council Washington. Rwanda and South Korea. rejected a resolution on ending Speaking early yesterday, The Islamist Hamas move- the occupation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ment, the de facto rulers of Gaza, President Mahmoud Abbas Netanyahu hailed Sydney and blamed Abbas for the setback, yesterday signed a Palestinian Washington for their support demanding he now make good on request to join the International and extended special thanks to threats to cut security coopera- Criminal Court, seeking a new Nigeria and Rwanda, both of tion with Israel and join the ICC. avenue for action against Israel whom abstained. “This is what “This was a unilateral decision after a failed UN resolution on tipped the scales,” he said. taken by Abu Mazen (Abbas) ending the occupation. Foreign Minister Avigdor who has taken the Palestinian Abbas signed the request along Lieberman said: “The failure decision-making process hostage,” with applications to join 20 other of the Palestinian vote at the spokesman Fawzi Barhum said. international conventions dur- Security Council should teach “He is now facing two choices ing a meeting broadcast live on the Palestinians that provoca- after this failure... he must make Palestinian television. tions and attempts to force Israel good on his threats to end secu- The Palestinians hope that ICC into unilateral processes will not rity cooperation with the occu- membership will pave the way for achieve anything — quite the pier, and sign the Rome Statute,” war crimes prosecutions against opposite.” he said, referring to the court’s Israeli officials for their actions in But Russia expressed regret founding treaty. the occupied territories. over the council’s failure to pass Based in The Hague, the ICC But Israel said it would be the resolution, describing it as “a can prosecute individuals accused Palestinian crimes which would strategic error”. of genocide, crimes against be exposed to the judgment of the Moscow’s UN envoy Vitaly humanity and war crimes, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signs more than 20 international treaties, including the Rome Statute of Hague-based court. Churkin accused Washington of Palestinian plans to become a Tuesday’s vote at the 15-mem- the International Criminal Court, during a special leadership meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday. “monopolising” decades of Israeli- party to the court have been ber Security Council came after Palestinian peace talks and lead- strongly opposed by Israel and a three-month campaign by the the failure of the text to win the France and Russia were among Washington from having to wield ing them “to a dead end.” the United States. Palestinians to win support for a necessary nine votes to pass as eight countries voting in favour, its veto, which would have caused The Palestinians reacted furi- Abbas was to discuss the next resolution that would have set a “outrageously shameful”. while the United States and it embarrassment with key Arab ously to the vote and pledged to steps in the statehood campaign timeframe for ending the Israeli The resolution would have set Australia voted against. Five allies. immediately press ahead with an at a leadership meeting in the occupation. a 12-month deadline for Israel to others abstained, among them But it was also a diplomatic application for ICC membership. West Bank city of Ramallah at Israel hailed its rejection as reach a final peace deal with the Britain, but also Nigeria which blow for the Palestinians who had “The UN Security Council 1630 GMT. a victory, saying the vote dealt Palestinians and called for a full had been expected to support the counted on the symbolic victory of vote is outrageously shameful,” Israel warned that joining a blow to Palestinian efforts to withdrawal of Israeli troops from resolution. nine votes, even though the reso- said senior PLO official Hanan the court would also expose diplomatically “embarrass and the Palestinian territories by the The failure to win the nine lution would in all likelihood have Ashrawi. the Palestinians themselves to isolate” the Jewish state. end of 2017. “yes” votes necessary for the been blocked by a US veto. “Those countries that abstained prosecution. But the Palestinians denounced Council heavyweights China, resolution to be adopted spared The missing vote was that demonstrated a lack of political AFP 23 killed in Yemen bombing Ailing Saudi king admitted to hospital SANA’A: A suicide bomber killed at least 23 people in central Yemen yes- terday when he blew himself up at a cultural centre where students were RIYADH: The cusotodian of Abdul Aziz. Salman has been operations in October 2011 celebrating the Prophet Mohammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday, state the Two Holy Mosques King representing the king at most and November 2012 to correct news agency Saba said. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (pic- public events, including the lat- “ligament slackening” in the At least 48 people were also injured, including many women and children tured), of Saudi Arabia was est Gulf summit in Qatar this upper back. and women, the deputy director of the provincial health department said, admitted to hospital yes- month, owing to the monarch’s Since the death in 1952 of according to Saba. The celebration, in the city of Ibb, was organised by the terday for “medical checks,” ailing health. King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Houthis, the group that controls most of Yemen. the royal court said, with The king’s latest hospitali- the founder of modern Saudi No one claimed responsibility for attack, but it resembles bombings car- the country’s stock market sation comes as Saudi Arabia Arabia, the throne has system- ried out by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which operates in falling sharply following the holds a high-profile position in atically passed from one of his Yemen. AQAP regards Shi’ites, the sect of Islam to which the Houthis belong, news. the US-led fight against the sons to another, brothers and as heretics. The king, whose age and Islamic State group, which has half-brothers. Tensions have increased in Yemen since the Houthis captured Sanaa in frequent hospitalisation have seized swathes of neighbouring But many of Abdul Aziz’s September and expanded south and west of the capital. The Western-allied raised concerns about the Iraq and Syria. sons are old or have died. country, which shares a long border with the world’s top oil exporter, Saudi future leadership of the key oil Saudi warplanes have joined Abdullah’s former crown Arabia, had been trying to overcome an al Qaeda threat before the Houthi producer, was admitted to the in coalition air strikes against princes Sultan and Nayef advance. Medics and residents earlier put yesterday’s death toll at 33, saying King Abdulaziz Medical City in the jihadists in Syria, although died in 2011 and 2012 that 20 bodies were transferred to Al Thawra hospital and 13 others were Riyadh, a court statement car- to finish the day 1.8 percent the kingdom has faced calls respectively. taken to another hospital. REUTERS ried by the official SPA news lower. to do more to halt the flow of In March 2014, King agency said. Markets around the region funds and fighters to IS from Abdullah named his half- The king is believed to be had already been depressed by among its own citizens. brother Prince Moqren as a around 90. sharp falls in world oil prices. The king’s absence from the second crown prince, in an The Saudi stock market Abdullah’s half-brother public gaze for some time last unprecedented move aimed at dropped by about five percent Salman, 77, is next in line to the year prompted rumours on smoothing succession hurdles. at one point following the royal throne. He was named crown social media networks that his Moqren is the youngest of court’s announcement, before prince in June 2012 following health was deteriorating. Abdul Aziz’s sons. clawing back some of its losses the death of Prince Nayef bin He underwent two AFP Israel PM faces Hamas govt employees on strike party vote ahead GAZA CITY: Hamas civil of snap polls servants went on strike yes- terday after the Palestinian JERUSALEM: Members of government said it would Israel’s ruling rightwing Likud rehire thousands of Gaza began voting yesterday for staff who were laid off when their party leader with Prime the Islamist movement seized Minister Benjamin Netanyahu power in 2007. seeking another term at the Hundreds blocked the helm ahead of snap elections in entrance to the Gaza City head- March. The primary, in which quarters of the consensus gov- 96,651 members are eligible to ernment, a day after it pledged vote, is the first electoral hurdle to rehire tens of thousands of for Netanyahu who is hoping to workers laid off seven years ago, secure a third consecutive term potentially threatening the live- in office. lihood of the 50,000 or so people Political analysts say Netanyahu Hamas hired to replace them. is expected to win the party vote Government spokesman in the face of a single challenger, Ihab Bseiso said an unspecified Danny Danon, a former deputy number of the Hamas govern- defence minister and outspoken ment’s employees would also member of Likud party’s far-right be taken on but only in case of fringe. Members were also voting ministerial “need”. Palestinians hold posters as part of a general strike by civil servants to to determine the frontrunners on The protest took place as protest against the latest statements by the national unity government the party list for Israel’s March 17 ministers from the West Bank- outside the cabinet headquarters of Gaza’s Hamas rulers yesterday. general election. based government were on a The primary polls opened at working visit in Gaza in only in the air since the government in Gaza, has demanded that 9:00 am (0700 GMT) with voters their second trip to the war- was sworn in. Of their number, the government take respon- casting their ballots at 115 loca- torn territory since taking around 24,000 are civil servants sibility for its employees. But tions across Israel and settle- office in June. while the rest are employed in they have not been paid in ments in the occupied West Bank “The government is renewing security functions. seven months. and annexed east Jerusalem. its commitment to reintegrate Their fate has been at By contrast, the 70,000 Halfway through the day, its former employees,” Bseiso the heart of a bitter dispute workers laid off in 2007 have turnout stood at 20 percent, offi- said on Tuesday, referring to between Hamas and the new remained on the Palestinian cials said, with polling stations 70,000 people who had worked government of prime minister Authority’s payroll, despite expected to close at 10:00 pm for the government prior to Rami Hamdallah, which was set being unemployed. (2000 GMT). Results are not due June 2007 when Hamas forced up as a result of a spring rec- Standing outside the govern- out before 0300 GMT today. out its rivals in Fatah, the onciliation agreement between ment’s temporary headquar- Casting his ballot at a polling movement of Palestinian presi- the Islamist movement and its ters, protesters held up banners station in Jerusalem, Netanyahu dent Mahmoud Abbas. Fatah rivals. reading “Puppet government” said the party must unify in the After Hamas took over, it Hamas, which technically and “Enough of the lies and the face of threats from the left. hired more than 50,000 new stepped down in June but has procrastination.” AFP people, whose fate have been up remained the de facto power AFP THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Crash averted as runaway ship stopped Vessel had 768 people on board GALLIPOLI, ITALY: Italy’s 768, revising downwards their ear- coastguard said yesterday it had lier estimates of more than 900. narrowly averted a catastro- The migrants were said by local phe by intercepting a runaway officials to be almost all Syrians freighter that was on a colli- and their number included a sion course with the country’s heavily pregnant woman whose rocky shoreline with 768 people waters broke during the drama on board. and some 40 children. In the second major maritime As they were being processed drama of recent days, officers in the port of Gallipoli, an inquest revealed that the huge cargo ship’s began into how the alarming inci- engine had been locked on with dent had occurred. the steering set on a direction It was unclear where the that would have led to it crash- Syrians had boarded the boat ing ashore in the Puglia region on but its last port of call was at the “heel” of Italy. Korfez in Turkey on December The coastguard, already 14, according to tracking website working flat out because of the www.marinetraffic.com. Norman Atlantic ferry disaster, Greece’s coastguard had on scrambled two helicopters over- Tuesday received a distress call Migrants wait early yesterday aboard the Moldovan-flagged ship Blue SKy M in the port of Gallipoli in southeastern Italy. night after realising that the from someone on board the Blue Moldovan-registered Blue Sky M, Sky M who reported that it travelling from Greece to Croatia disaster, which has left at least Doubts over the accuracy of by witnesses to have made it was headed for the rocks. was being navigated by heavily but it remained unclear where the 13 people dead and dozens more the passenger list have hampered into a lifeboat have not been Six officers boarded the vessel armed men. migrants had been unaccounted for. attempts to establish the true accounted for. Italy’s coastguard and, after some frantic moments A navy frigate, a helicopter Italian officials suspect the The Italian-owned, Greek- scale of the tragedy. has vast experience in rescu- on the bridge, were able to unlock and two patrol vessels were dis- “captain” who reassured the operated ferry remained off The prosecutor in charge of ing boat people fleeing conflict the engines and bring the boat patched to intercept the boat off Greeks nothing was amiss was in Albania yesterday with continu- the Italian investigation has said or poverty in the Middle East, under control just eight kilome- the island of Corfu. fact the leader of a group of peo- ing bad weather preventing it he expects to find more bodies Africa and Asia. tres from the coast. But Greek officials admitted ple smugglers who later jumped being towed back to Italy. aboard the burnt-out ferry, which More than 170,000 have landed “It was a real race against the yesterday that the checking of the ship, as they frequently do in The cause of a killer blaze was carrying an unknown number in Italy this year and hundreds, clock,” coastguard spokesman vessel had been cursory at best. the knowledge that their human that erupted on the ferry on of stowaways and more than 400 possibly thousands, more have Filippo Marini said. “Unlocking “The coastguard contacted cargo will be picked up by navy or Sunday remained unknown. passengers and crew. perished at sea while attempting the engines was a difficult and the captain of the ship, who said merchant ships. Criminal probes into what hap- Three stowaways who were res- the crossing. delicate operation, but they man- there was no problem on board,” a One man suspected of involve- pened have been opened in Italy cued, two Afghans and a Syrian, With the onset of winter, traf- aged to do it.” coastguard source told AFP. ment with the traffickers was and Greece. have requested political asylum. fickers have switched to using In a tweet from its official “A navy frigate escorted the arrested after the boat arrived Survivors who waited up to It is feared some passengers bigger boats like the Blue Sky M, account, the coastguard said a vessel briefly in Greek waters in Gallipoli. 24 hours to be rescued from the may have died in cabins that rather than the converted fishing “massacre” had been avoided. until it reached international The drama came as Italy and burning ship have highlighted were engulfed in smoke early in boats and dinghies they previously The coastguard later put the waters and headed for Italy.” Greece were coping with the major shortcomings in the crew’s the incident. deployed. number of migrants on board at Officially the boat was aftermath of the Norman Atlantic response to the emergency. An unknown number reported AFP

New Year in Berlin Niger fugitive Boy accidentally shoots set to go on trial tomorrow mother dead in US LOS ANGELES: The acci- child. “He has a two-year-old “Every day as parents, we NIAMEY: A fugitive arch- dental fatal shooting of a US boy right now who doesn’t know make rational choices regarding rival of Niger’s President woman by her own two-year- where his mom is and he’ll have our family’s safety — we buckle Mahamadou Issoufou goes on old son at a Walmart store has to explain why his mom isn’t our children’s seatbelts, make trial in absentia tomorrow over left her family devastated and coming home,” he said. them wear bicycle helmets, and a baby trafficking case which he again raised questions about “And then, later on his life, as teach them to look both ways claims is part of a political plot gun safety in America. he questions it more, he’ll again before crossing the street,” it to discredit him. Veronica Rutledge was out have to explain what happened, said yesterday. Former parliament speaker shopping with her son and three so we’ll have to relive this several “But when it comes to gun Hama Amadou and his wife are nieces Tuesday in Hayden, Idaho, times over.” safety, many parents do not among some 20 people accused when the child unzipped her Veronica Rutledge was a sci- take the same logical approach,” of involvement in the trafficking handbag — specially designed to entist at the Idaho National added the Washington-based of dozens of babies from Niger’s carry a concealed weapon — and Laboratory, a federal research group in a statement. more populous southern neigh- the gun went off. facility in the east of the state, Walmart closed its Hayden bour, Nigeria. The 29-year-old nuclear and co-authored a number of location — normally open 24 Amadou, who fled to France in research scientist, who held a published papers. hours a day — after Tuesday’s August after parliament gave the concealed-carry permit, got the She and her husband — the shooting, which occurred in the green light for him to be ques- bag last week as a Christmas gift couple married in 2009 — shared electronics department. tioned by the authorities, says from her husband Colt Rutledge, a keen interest in guns, spend- It was to reopen yesterday the case is part of a smear cam- with whom she shared a passion ing time at shooting ranges and morning. paign in the run-up to the next for guns. going out hunting. Coincidentally, the retail chain presidential election in 2016. “No “An inquisitive two-year-old Around 30,000 deaths a year is the biggest gun retailer in the evidence have been provided to boy reached into the purse, in the United States involve fire- United States, which has seen an substantiate these allegations of unzipped the compartment, arms. The majority are suicides; uptick in gun-buying in recent child trafficking,” Amadou said found the gun and shot his many others are murders. But years among women looking for recently, calling it a “political case mother in the head,” her father- some involve children laying greater personal protection. like all the rest”. in-law Terry Rutledge told the their hands on loaded weapons. Fifteen percent of American Authorities in Nigeria regularly Washington Post newspaper. In 2011 alone, 140 children and women own a gun, according to raid private clinics, where women “It’s a terrible, terrible teenagers died as a result of an a Gallup poll analysis. come to give birth to babies that incident.” unintentional shooting, more Largely rural Idaho has one of are sold to childless couples. AFP He added that his son, the vic- often than not inside a home, the highest gun ownership rates tim’s husband, now is grappling according to a study from the in the United States, as well as A woman uses an umbrella to protect herself from rain during New with how to break the news to Brady Center to Prevent Gun a rate of violent crime that is Year celebrations at the Brandenburg gate in Berlin yesterday. Latvia takes EU the youngster, the couple’s only Violence. below the national average. AFP helm from today

RIGA: Latvia takes over the rotating EU presidency today, putting the tiny Baltic state Russian courts jail many after protests over Kremlin critic in the front line of EU efforts to tackle issues ranging from MOSCOW: Russian courts yes- 15 days of detention. Navalny, 38, Greek political uncertainty terday ordered several people Putin hails Crimea himself defied his house arrest to to Russia’s intervention in to spend New Year’s Eve in jail join the protest. Ukraine. after a protest in support of top annexation Policemen grabbed him off Its half-year stint at the helm Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, the street and put him in a van of the 28-nation bloc begins today, who was convicted of fraud in a MOSCOW: Russian before he could reach the pro- but the main launch event will controversial trial. President Vladimir Putin test on Manezhnaya square near take place a week later, when the About 250 people were detained said in a televised New the Kremlin but took him home European Commission gathers in at a Moscow protest called by Year’s address yesterday rather than to the police station. the capital Riga. Navalny on Tuesday after a judge that the “return home” of He later wrote on his Twitter Latvian schoolchildren will sentenced him and his younger Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula blog that five policemen remain take part in a simulation game brother Oleg to three and a half to Moscow’s control would on the stairwell outside his apart- on January 5 to test out facilities years in prison. forever remain an important ment and that the drive to his at the National Library — host His sentence was suspended chapter in Russia’s history. apartment building has been to dozens of high-level meetings, while Oleg Navalny was ordered Putin is facing the biggest blocked. summits and conferences in the to serve his term in a penal col- challenge of his rule as the The Navalny brothers were coming months. ony, infuriating the prominent Russian economy slides sharply convicted of defrauding French Presiding over the EU is opposition leader. into recession. REUTERS cosmetics company Yves Rocher expected to cost Latvia ¤70m Most of those detained were and embezzling 27 million rubles ($85m). Its turn as president will released after several hours but unauthorised rally, rights organi- (more than half a million dollars culminate with the Riga Eastern about 70 spent the night in police sation OVD-Info said. at the exchange rate at the time), Partnership Summit on May cells and have to face the courts RIA-Novosti news agency although the firm has said that it Supporters of Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption blogger Alexei 21-22. on charges of resisting police reported from one court that suffered no damages. Navalny at a rally in protest against court verdict at Manezhnaya Square AFP demands and participating in an two activists were sentenced to AFP in Moscow. THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Grieving kin First AirAsia bodies arrive at airport ‘surrender’ Bad weather hampers search operations; victims’ relatives give DNA for body identification to fate of SURABAYA, Indonesia: In Indonesia’s second-biggest local hospital, to which the crisis AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes commander of the Bung Tomo Soldiers acting as pall bearers city Surabaya, where the plane centre is also being shifted. denied reports that sonar images warship, Colonel Yayan, told a loved ones yesterday carried coffins con- had departed for Singapore early Seven bodies have been recov- had located the aircraft on the local news channel, referring taining the first two bodies from on Sunday, drained and emo- ered from the sea so far, officials seabed. to the 28 items that had been SURABAYA: Raising their AirAsia Flight QZ8501 into tional relatives of the 162 people said, and all of them were due “There is no sonar, noth- retrieved. hands in the air and closing Surabaya airport, from where on board gathered at a crisis cen- to reach Surabaya by yesterday ing, some visual identification According to search and rescue their eyes, dozens of griev- the ill-fated plane departed, tre to hand over documents and night. but nothing confirmed,” he told officials, none of the victims found ing relatives sang yesterday of as sombre relatives gave their medical records. Storms delayed the start of reporters. so far was wearing a lifejacket. their “surrender” to God, wip- DNA to help identify loved ones. Among them was Hadi Widjaja, operations yesterday and helicop- He said however that the The hunt is now on for the ing away tears as they came The bodies were taken from 60, who was preparing a Muslim ters were later forced to return to search team was “feeling more plane’s black boxes, which are to terms with the loss of loved an air force plane to a military funeral for his son Andreas and the base in Pangkalan Bun, the comfortable. They are beginning key to determining the cause of ones on AirAsia Flight QZ8501. ambulance to be transported daughter-in-law Enny Wahyuni. town with the nearest airstrip to to know where it is”. the crash. “We have concerns They prayed and listened to a to a hospital for examination “I am anxious to know if the the crash site. During Tuesday’s searches, an to secure the flight recorders, priest who gave them words of and identification — but many rescuers have found their bodies. “For the safety reasons, we air force plane saw a “shadow” on believed to be with parts of encouragement in their grief, a exhausted families were left wait- The president has said that they turned back,” helicopter pilot the seabed believed to be the miss- the plane we haven’t found,” day after the discovery of debris ing for news as bad weather ham- will do the best they can to find Tatang Onne Setiawan said. ing plane, where search efforts said National Search and and some bodies extinguished pered search efforts. them,” Widjaja said. “Besides the evacuation of the have since been concentrated. Rescue Agency chief Bambang their last faint hopes. Officials had hoped to recover “But if they really cannot find bodies, we also planned to search Debris found from the aircraft, Soelistyo. “Our God is not evil. One most of the bodies but rough con- them, I will scatter flowers in the for bigger parts of the plane.” which crashed into the Java Sea Britain’s Air Accidents day slowly we will understand. ditions made it difficult for heli- sea here as a way to say goodbye.” Boat-based teams called off the southwest of the island of Borneo Investigation Branch has sent an Something beautiful can still copters to fly over the area in the Police in Surabaya said they search for bodies as night fell, but during a storm, included an exit investigator carrying “specialist come out of this,” the priest told Java Sea where several corpses had taken DNA from 30 immedi- ships with sonar equipment were door and several suitcases. technical equipment” that can them. and debris from the Airbus A320- ate family members to assist with continuing their search for the “There were snacks, instant help to locate flight recorders. “There are many tests in this 200 were found a day earlier. the identification of bodies at a plane’s fuselage. porridge, and three umbrellas,” world. We must keep our faith in Jesus.” They then sang hymns accom- Unbelievably steep climb panied by a guitar. Some broke down and had to be comforted while others wiped tears away and sang even louder. before crash: Radar data More than 50 had gathered for the brief mass at the crisis centre SURABAYA: Radar data more commonly known as black in Surabaya, the city from where being examined by investigators boxes, was vital to complement the ill-fated plane departed on appeared to show that AirAsia the radar data already available. Sunday. Flight QZ8501 made an “unbe- “With the CVR and FDR, we Outside, flower-wreathed con- lievably” steep climb before it can establish what went on in dolence signboards read “May you crashed, possibly pushing it the cockpit and what was going be given strength and fortitude”. beyond the Airbus A320’s lim- on with the aircraft. We can con- As exhausted relatives prayed its, said a source familiar with clude if the radar information is and awaited news about efforts the probe’s initial findings. accurate,” added the source. to retrieve more bodies, others The data was transmitted At 6.12am on Sunday, 36 started to prepare funerals for before the aircraft disappeared minutes after taking off from loved ones. from the screens of air traffic Surabaya’s Juanda Airport on They appeared drained, with controllers in Jakarta on Sunday, a flight to Singapore, the pilot eyes red from days of crying. added the source, who declined to asked for permission to climb to But in contrast with hysterical be identified. “So far, the numbers 38,000ft from 32,000ft and deviate scenes a day earlier in the crisis taken by the radar are unbelieva- to the left to avoid bad weather. centre when television footage bly high. This rate of climb is very Two minutes later, Jakarta showed a half-naked body floating high, too high. It appears to be responded by asking QZ8501 to in the sea, they appeared resigned beyond the performance envelope go left seven miles and climb to to the fact that their loved ones of the aircraft,” he said. 34,000ft. There was no response were dead. The source added that the from the cockpit. The aircraft was Aris Siswanto, 41, who lost data on which those assumptions still detected by the ATC’s radar his wife of six years, Susiyah, had been made were incomplete. before disappearing at 6.18am. 40, was one of five family repre- Colleagues and friends of the An image that was reportedly sentatives aboard a military air- Indonesian captain on board have leaked from AirNav Indonesia, craft Tuesday which found some Indonesian military personnel carry two coffins with the remains of bodies recovered from the AirAsia crash site described him as an experienced which manages the country’s air wreckage and a body. and professional pilot. space, and shared on several web- at Juanda Airport, in Surabaya, Indonesia, yesterday. “I spotted the debris and my The preliminary findings sites, appeared to show QZ8501 at heart beat really fast. And then sharpen the focus on the role bad an altitude of 36,300ft and climb- to the fact that the aircraft may into roughly 516 knots. lose speed, you will stall.” I saw the floating body. Those weather and the crew’s reaction ing at a speed of 353 knots. have climbed suddenly and then “If you encounter turbulence, The source close to the probe were clear signs my wife was no to storms and clouds in the area The source declined to confirm lost speed. This can result in the you go slower at what we call the said other aircraft in the area at more in this world. I couldn’t stop had to play in the plane’s crash if that image was accurate. aircraft stalling in mid-air before turbulence penetration speed to the time of the crash were fly- the tears from flowing,” he said, into the Java Sea which killed all Officials from AirNav Indonesia plunging to the sea, they said. get through it. If you climb to avoid ing at higher altitudes. Aircraft weeping as he spoke of his wife, 162 people on board. declined to comment. One pilot explained that an turbulence, you slow down to have tracking website flightradar24. a babysitter who was travelling Finding the six-year-old plane’s Two veteran pilots said that, A320 would cruise at a speed of a better climb rate. That could be com said that they were at to Singapore with her Indonesian cockpit voice recorder (CVR) if accurate, the image and infor- around Mach 0.78 while at an alti- around Mach 0.76,” he said. “But between 34,000 and 39,000 feet. employers and their two-year-old. and flight data recorder (FDR), mation released so far pointed tude of 32,000ft. That translates if you climb suddenly and start to REUTERS AFP Korean Air One more minister ditches Rajapaksa boss’ daughter COLOMBO: The key defender of Sri Lanka’s Mustapha’s defection brought to 24 the detained in controversial casino policy quit the govern- number of ruling party lawmakers who have ment yesterday to support the opposition joined the opposition to Rajapaksa, who is South presidential candidate, despite his promise to Asia’s longest serving leader. ‘nut rage’ case end tax holidays for gambling. Rajapaksa called the election two years ahead Faizer Mustapha, a President’s Counsel and of schedule before his popularity waned further SEOUL: The daughter of the deputy minister of investment, switched alle- after his party suffered a 21-point decline in chairman of Korean Air Lines, giance before next week’s presidential election September local polls. whose outburst over the way in which Maithripala Sirisena is challenging Parties representing Tamils, the country’s she was served nuts in first incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa. largest minority ethnic community, as well as the class prompted widespread out- Sirisena, who himself defected last month to group representing Muslims, the second largest rage and ridicule, was in cus- take on Rajapakse, has vowed to withdraw gen- minority, have supported Sirisena. tody yesterday facing charges of erous tax concessions granted to foreign-funded He has also secured the support of the main violating aviation safety. casinos. political party of Buddhists monks. Heather Cho, 40, former head Mustapha has been a strong proponent of After crushing Tamil guerrillas and ending a of in-flight service, had demanded three mega “integrated resorts”, a government 37-year separatist war in May 2009, Rajapakse the chief steward be removed euphemism for plush casinos, and has been the abolished the two-term limit on the presidency, from the flight at John F Kennedy public face of Rajapaksa’s controversial policy tightened his grip on the police, the judiciary airport in New York on December both in and outside parliament. and the civil service and also legalised casinos 5 after another flight attendant in “When I was in the government I supported and other forms of gambling. first class served her macadamia integrated resorts, but now that I want Mr Sri Lanka’s influential Buddhist clergy had nuts in a bag, not a dish. Sirisena to be the president, I will abide by his opposed casinos, including one with investment In what media dubbed the policies (against gambling),” Mustapha told from Australia’s gambling mogul James Packer. “nut rage” incident, the Airbus reporters. AFP A380, which had pushed back from its gate, returned for the chief attendant to disembark, arriving in South Korea 11 min- utes late. “The necessity for detention Parents of wrongfully executed is recognized as the case is grave and there has been an attempt to systematically cover up charges from the beginning,” Lee Kwang- teenager to get $330,000 woo, a judge at Seoul Western District Court, said in a text BEIJING: The parents of a Chinese teenager punishment. They come as the government has message. executed 18 years ago for the rape and murder embarked on legal reforms, including banning She can be held for up to 20 of a woman he did not commit will get 2.05m the use of torture to extract confessions. days before prosecutors bring yuan ($330,491) in compensation, a court and Huugjilt’s father, Li Sanren, said the compen- charges. his father said yesterday. sation was “all right”, adding that he and his wife The Transport Ministry had This month, a court exonerated Huugjilt, say- “respect the decision of the law and the state”. concluded that Cho abused flight ing he was wrongly convicted in 1996 of raping “Our main consideration was his vindication,” attendants and that airline offi- and killing a woman in a public restroom. He was Li told Reuters by telephone. “As for how much cials may have tried to cover up executed in the same year. He was 18. we should be compensated, that’s a decision by the episode. Huugjilt is the latest wrongfully convicted the state.” Li said he would use the money to Another airline official was death-row inmate exonerated in the past year. In find a good cemetery plot for his son. detained over allegations that August, Nian Bin, a former death row prisoner, The Inner Mongolia High Court said it he abetted perjury and obtained was freed after a court said there was insuf- was compensating Huugjilt’s parents for the information on the ministry’s ficient evidence against him. “extremely serious mental damage” that has probe to update Cho. These cases, which have sparked an outcry, been inflicted on them. REUTERS have added to public discontent over wrongful REUTERS THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Three policemen Lawyers may challenge military courts shot dead in January 5 meeting to discuss strategy; Bill to set up courts to be tabled in Parliament soon northwest

ISLAMABAD: Lawyers are Courts for two years. The legisla- for establishment of military President Mamnoon Hussain has The decision to set up military Pakistan likely to challenge the consti- tion would amend Article 212-B courts then it means that there summoned the next session of the courts was taken unanimously by tution of military courts in the of ‘Twelfth Amendment (1991)’ was no space for this act in the National Assembly at 4pm today. almost all parliamentary parties ISLAMABAD: Militants Supreme Court stating that any of the Constitution. Constitution. An official announcement at an emergency meeting called have shot dead three police- such step was not only against Justice Wajeehuddin Ahmad He said former Prime Minister issued from the Presidency said: by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif men who went missing during the spirit of the Constitution, told this correspondent that ZuIfikar Ali Bhutto constituted “On a summary initiated by on December 24 to discuss the an overnight search in north- but also indicative of no-confi- Parliament could make any military courts in 1977 but they Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, situation in the aftermath of the west Pakistan, police said dence in the judiciary. amendment to the Constitution were declared illegal by the Lahore the president has approved the Peshawar school massacre by yesterday. Talking to The News here yes- but it could be challenged and High Court in Darvesh Arbi case. advice of the prime minister and Taliban, which left more than 140 The incident took place in the terday, eminent lawyer Asma struck down in the court. Tariq Mehmood said when the signed the summoning of the next schoolchildren and teachers dead. mountainous town of Ailam in Jehangir said they had called a “Keeping in view the past expe- PML-N led government estab- session of the National Assembly Meanwhile, President the district of Malakand, where meeting of lawyers on January riences, the government should lished military courts in its past on Thursday January 1, 2015, at Mamnoon has approved appoint- Taliban militants are active. 5 in which a strategy would be avoid setting up military courts as era, these were declared unconsti- 4pm in the Parliament House.” ment of Aamer Farooq, an “Last night militants fired at a finalised about how to oppose the it is against the spirit of the 1973 tutional by the Supreme Court on The session will discuss the Advocate of the Supreme Court, police patrol vehicle, after which a establishment of military courts. Constitution made unanimously by February 17, 1999 and their cases issue of proposed formation of as the Additional Judge of the search operation was launched in “We are likely to challenge the all the political parties,” he said. were transferred to anti-terror- military courts. The govern- Islamabad High Court (IHC) for which four policemen went miss- establishment of military courts He said the establishment of ism courts (ATCs). ment is likely to table the bill a period of one year. ing,” senior police official Asif in the Supreme Court because military courts indicated no- He said the PML-N gov- for setting up of the courts and He has also approved the nomi- Iqbal said. there is a consensus among the confidence in the existing judi- ernment also added to the to make suitable amendments in nation of Advocate Muzaffar Said, Police found the bullet-riddled lawyers that they would oppose it cial system on the part of the Constitution Article 212-B enti- the Constitution for the purpose. Minister for Finance, Khyber bodies of three officers yesterday at every forum,” she said. government. tled ‘Establishment of Special Pakistan People’s Party Aitzaz Pakhtunkhwa, as the Member of morning, he added. A police sta- Asma Jehangir said lawyers “Everyone should do whatever Courts for the trial of hei- Ahsan told media that he had the National Economic Council. tion chief was wounded. would not tolerate military courts they are supposed to do. We can- nous offences’ through the 12th learnt that the next session of The president also approved On December 8 unidentified and it was their legal right to not expect judges to carry guns Amendment in 1991. the National Assembly had been the appointment of Dr Rana gunmen shot dead two policemen resist this unconstitutional move. and start fighting on the borders.” “The PML-N government also summoned only to table the bill. Muhammad Shamim, an who were on their way to protect According to reports, the gov- When contacted, Justice promulgated the Special Courts “I have learnt that the draft bill Advocate of Supreme Court of a polio vaccination team in the ernment would introduce the ‘21st (Rtd) Tariq Mehmood said if for Speedy Trial Ordinance and of proposed military courts will Pakistan, as Chairman, Press neighbouring town of Buner. amendment’ to the Constitution the government wanted to intro- then enacted the Special Courts be presented in the house in the Council of Pakistan (PCP). The area where the latest for the establishment of Special duce constitutional amendment for Speedy Trial Act 1992,” he said. coming session,” he said. INTERNEWS killings took place is close to the Swat Valley. The army in 2009 sent 30,000 troops there to battle Taliban fighters Protest against school attack controlled by cleric Maulana Fazlullah, who in 2007 took Man hanged for attack control of the valley and waged a campaign of violence includ- ing beheadings and attacks on on Musharraf girls’ schools.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan yes- however, and no one was injured. Prank message terday hanged a man convicted Pakistan earlier this month of attempting to assassinate lifted a six-year moratorium lands boy in jail former military ruler Pervez on the death penalty in terror Musharraf, the seventh execu- cases, a decision that came amid ISLAMABAD: A text mes- tion since the country lifted a public outrage over a Taliban sage sent by a 17-year-old boy moratorium on capital punish- massacre at a school in the as a joke landed him in jail yes- ment after its bloodiest-ever northwestern city of Peshawar terday in Taxila, a city near terror attack, officials said. which killed 150 people, includ- Islamabad. “Niaz Mohammad, 40, was ing 134 children. Hasnat Hashmi, a student executed today and his body was Of the seven people hanged so at a private school, sent a text handed over to relatives,” an offi- far, six were involved in the failed message to his principal posing cial at Peshawar’s high-security attempt to assassinate Musharraf to be a terrorist and threatening Central Jail said. in Rawalpindi in 2003, while one to blow up the institution. Police Mohammad was convicted was involved in a 2009 attack on managed to trace the sender of of attacking Musharraf in the army headquarters. the text through mobile data Rawalpindi, the official said on Pakistani officials have said and registered a case against condition of anonymity as he was they plan to hang 500 convicts in him. not authorised to speak to media. the coming weeks, drawing pro- During preliminary interroga- Another prison official con- test from international human tion, the boy told police that he firmed the execution. rights campaigners. had sent the text ‘just for fun’ and The attack, which took place Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was hoping to scare the admin- in December 2003, involved a has also announced the estab- istration into extending winter powerful explosion targeting the lishment of military courts for vacation. former president’s motorcade as terror-related cases in order to Police has put him behind bars it was passing over a bridge in accelerate trials, describing them and charged him with Section 56 Rawalpindi. as “an extraordinary solution to Local residents gather beside burning tyres as they block a street during a protest in Peshawar yesterday, of the Criminal Procedure Code The motorcade escaped the an extraordinary problem.” held against the Taliban militant attack on an army-run school. and 25D of telegraph act. explosion by a matter of seconds, AFP AGENCIES France ends Afghan combat mission Vacation for schools KABUL: The last French troops in the international military presence declines. Afghanistan held a ceremony in Kabul yester- “The threat is still present, insurgents continue day to mark the end of their deployment after to be active, but what has been accomplished in extended till Nato combat operations closed down and as a 13 years is considerable in terms of governance, new “train and support” mission takes over. development, security,” said General Gratien January 12 About 150 French soldiers who had been help- Maire, second in command of the French military. ing run the military airport handed over respon- The soldiers could leave with “the satisfaction ISLAMABAD: The sibility to a Turkish unit which will operate under of a duty well done” he said. The foreign force Capital Administration and the new Nato mission. next year will consist of the 12,500-strong Nato Development Division (CADD) Nato’s war in Afghanistan formally ended mission, most of them US troops, and a US coun- in Islamabad on Wednesday on Sunday, when the International Security ter-terrorism operation outside the Nato remit, extended winter vacations for Assistance Force (ISAF) was replaced by the though final numbers remain unclear. all government and private US-led follow-up mission “Resolute Support”. The Taliban issued another statement on schools till January 12. France, which withdrew all its combat troops Wednesday celebrating the end of Nato’s combat After observing 10-day holi- from the country two years ago, lost 89 soldiers mission, adding that no peace talks could happen days, schools were supposed to and saw 700 injured in the war since 2001. before all foreign troops leave. “Today, they are reopen on January 1, but due to The conflict against the Taliban still rages evacuating their invading forces from Afghanistan the security concerns, CADD across Afghanistan, and an estimated 17,000 while they are bitterly defeated by the just and has extended the vacations foreign soldiers will stay on to assist the local pious Afghan resistance,” the group said. for another 11 days. “All edu- police and army, who face a major challenge as AFP cational institutions will now open on January 12,” said Tahir Bhatti, a spokesman for Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The government had also extended summer vacations for schools till September 3 following protests. However in 25 schools, edu- cation activities remained sus- pended till September 15 as they remained occupied by Punjab and AJK police personnel called in the capital to handle the protests. “Under the prevailing situation, the government took the right decision of extending the vaca- tions. But it should also note that students have suffered consider- able loss this year so the upcom- ing matriculation exam should be delayed for one month,” said Malik Ameer, a schoolteacher. “Like government-run schools, private schools will also reopen on January 12. But this year it will be difficult for us to cover the course. Therefore, we request the author- ities concerned to delay matricu- lation examinations for at least a The last French troops in Afghanistan stand during their end of Nato mission ceremony at Kabul International month,” said Dr Afzal Babur. Airport yesterday. INTERNEWS THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA PDP hints at alliance govt in Kashmir Mufti tells Governor that her party has support of 55 legislators; BJP to react today

SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The Minister and ailing BJP leader Madhav said: “We appreci- People’s Conference of Sajjad Lone Peoples Democratic Party Atal Bihari Vajpayee. ate Mehbooba Mufiti’s gesture has two members in the house (PDP) yesterday gave enough The PDP leader met the through the media. We await a and he had met Prime Minister hints that it was ready to form a Governor for about 90 minutes at formal invitation to dialogue.” Narendra Modi. coalition government in Jammu Raj Bhavan in the winter capital, Another BJP leader, Arun The National Conference, and Kashmir, while the BJP, Jammu, official sources said. Gupta, said his party would react which was voted out, won 15 seats the PDP’s likely ally, said it will Mehbooba Mufti later told the formally today and added that no and the Congress, its estranged react formally today. media: “We have the support of government would be possible in ally, has 12. Seven seats went to Peoples Democratic Party 55 MLAs. It is our intention that the state minus the BJP. independents and smaller parties. President Mehbooba Mufti told a stable government is formed to The PDP and the BJP together Amid the political uncertainty Governor N.N. Vohra that her address the huge problems faced command 53 legislators. The BJP that followed the hung verdict, party had the support of 55 by the people in the state. won all its seats in the Hindu- the BJP held discussions with legislators in the 87-seat hung “We want that the agenda of majority Jammu region and the the National Conference but assembly. development and peace should be PDP won all but two seats in the there was opposition to part- Though she did not specify if carried forward. We want Atal overwhelmingly Muslim-majority nering with the BJP within the the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bihari Vajpayee’s peace process Kashmir valley. National Conference. Vohra had Peoples Democratic Party President with 25 legislators, was support- (with Pakistan) to be carried to It was not clear which two sent separate letters to the PDP BJP state General Secretary Ram Mehbooba Mufti. ing her, she made a pointed lauda- its logical conclusion.” other legislators propose to back and the BJP for discussions on Madhav tory reference to former Prime BJP General Secretary Ram the PDP-BJP government. The government formation. IANS

PK tax free in No salary UP, Akhilesh Five killed in J&K cross-border firing JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Four evening,” BSF Inspector General There were also reports of fir- for many says film a Pakistani rangers were killed in (IG), Jammu Frontier, Rakesh ing in other areas in Kathua and BSF’s strong retaliation after Sharma said in Jammu. Samba district. a jawan of the Indian force lost As Pakistani rangers suffered Union Home Minister Rajnath SpiceJet ‘must watch’ his life in heavy firing from the casualties, they waved white flags Singh asked the BSF to give a other side on a patrol yesterday asking the BSF to stop the firing befitting reply when the para- employees LUCKNOW: The Uttar along the International Border so that they could lift the bodies military force’s Director General Pradesh government yesterday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba of its dead men, he said. D K Pathak briefed him about NEW DELHI: Beleaguered announced that Aamir Khan’s district. “Honouring their request we the prevailing situation in Jammu carrier SpiceJet defaulted a movie PK will be exempted from The retaliation which forced stopped the firing and allowed frontier. second time on salary pay- tax, as Chief Minister Akhilesh the rangers to wave white flags them to come to the border line “The Home Minister asked the ments in last two months but Yadav said it was a “very nice” came on a day when the govern- and lift the bodies,” he said add- DG, BSF to provide a suitable and got a reprieve yesterday from film. ment asked the Border Security ing, “firing along the border line appropriate reply for any such the Airports Authority of India Yadav announced the govern- Force (BSF) to provide a “suitable has now stopped”. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh unprovoked firing,” an official (AAI), which extended the two- ment’s decision before the media and appropriate reply” for any In the morning, Pakistan statement released in Delhi said. week credit payment facility to at his official residence, and said unprovoked firing from across Rangers targetted a BSF patrol on routine patrol when they were Pathak gave a detailed pres- it by another 14 days. he watched the film on Tuesday the Indo-Pak border. party by resorting to firing along attacked. entation to the Home Minister “The airline today paid salary night. Yesterday’s firing by Pakistan in the IB in Samba district. The deceased jawan has been about the ceasefire violations by to a section of its employees but He said the film “was a very which one jawan was also injured There was heavy firing by identified as Constable Sri Ram Pakistan Rangers in the Samba one section remained unpaid,” nice one” and urged the media was the second ceasefire violation Pakistan on a patrolling party of Gowria, the IG said. Another sector. airline sources said. persons to go and watch it. along the IB in the past 24 hours. BSF along the IB in Suchtegarh jawan suffered minor injuries, Earlier in the day, defence min- Those who were not paid were Yadav criticised people and “We have retaliated effectively forward belt in Samba sector, reports said. ister Manohar Parrikar said the middle management employees, organisations for protesting to the Pakistani firing, in which Sharma said. Sharma, who has rushed to Indian security forces should not they said, adding, “Mostly general against the film, saying they were four Pakistani rangers have been In the heavy firing, one BSF the spot and supervising the hold back in the face of firing and manager and above rank execu- doing it without any valid reason. killed (opposite to Regal post) jawan was killed, the IG said, operation, said BSF troops took must retaliate with “double the tives have not yet been paid their He said the protesters would along the IB in Samba sector this adding that the BSF troops were positions, gave a befitting reply. force”. AGENCIES December salary.” also laud the film’s story after Over 15 percent had not they watch it. received their salary on time last “I regret not watching the film A new year blossoms month as well and they were paid earlier as I was busy with other by the airline only late last week, engagements,” he said. that too after the intervention of The Bharatiya Janata Party the Directorate General of Civil (BJP) hit out at Yadav, and said Aviation. he was trying to incite certain A SpiceJet spokesperson groups by his announcement. refused to comment on the issue. “Any government should try However, providing a much- and douse protests. Here, the needed relief to the airline, AAI chief minister himself is becoming extended the two-weeks credit a party to the controversy,” BJP facility to it following directions state spokesman Vijay Bahadur from the civil aviation ministry to Pathak said. do so, official sources said. He said that when some Hindu An AAI official had said yester- groups were opposing the film for day that AAI will have to put the hurting Hindu sentiments, the airline on ‘pay-as-you-fly’ mode chief minister should have avoided if no direction comes from the the decision. government to extend the relief Some groups Wednesday pro- period. tested against the tax free status SpiceJet owes Rs 200 crore to to PK in Lucknow, Rae Bareli and the state-run AAI towards land- Kanpur. IANS ing, parking and route navigation charges. This is the second time the ministry has come to the rescue of the cash-strapped airline, which India to track remained grounded almost for an Schoolteachers arrange flower petals at a school in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on New Year’s Eve yesterday. entire day early this month due to toilet use with the paucity of funds. AGENCIES tablets NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is launching a nationwide online Congress comes down hard Mantry was drunk, programme to check whether people are using toilets as part of his cleanliness drive. insists Goa minister From next month, officials will on ‘anti-farmer’ ordinance head out with mobile phones, tablets and iPads to report on NEW DELHI: Describing the Act - passed by the Congress-led PANAJI: Even as forensic She was partying at the Vh1 whether toilets are being used in ordinance as “anti-farmer”, the UPA in 2013 - for its basic tenets experts are conducting a post- Supersonic EDM event held rural India, with results uploaded Congress yesterday strongly that stand diluted now. mortem on the body of 27-year- at Candolim beach when she onto a website in real time. condemned the temporary leg- The ordinance removes the old Isha Mantry (pictured), fainted on Monday night and was India’s shortage of toilets costs islation approved by the Cabinet consent clause and the social who died under mysterious cir- declared dead on arrival at a local the country more than $50bn a to amend the Land Acquisition impact assessment that were cumstances at a music festival hospital. year, mostly through premature Act. incorporated in the 2013 act as a on Monday night, Goa Tourism While the police, quoting her deaths and hygiene-related dis- “It (the ordinance) has neither crucial provision to improve the Minister Dilip Parulekar yes- friends, claim she was under eases, according to a World Bank the soul, nor the essence or the archaic Land Acquisition Act of terday repeatedly insisted that medication, the opposition has study. substance. This is very serious. 1894. the Bollywood designer demanded a CBI probe. About 626m Indians defecate in We condemn it; unequivocally “No need to take the farmer’s was “drunk” way after “The local police are the open compared with 14 mil- criticise it,” Congress spokesper- consent anymore. It has been the event wound up. hand-in-glove with the lion in China. son Abhishek Manu Singhvi told removed by coercion and there Speaking to report- drug dealers. We want a Since taking office in May, the media here. is now no need to prove public ers here, Parulekar, CBI probe into Mantry’s Modi has repeatedly lamented Coining a new acronym FAIL purpose in land acquisition. It’s who in the recent past unfortunate death,” the poor state of sanitation and to describe the current govern- Congress spokesperson Abhishek unfortunate and anti-farmer,” he had threatened to ban NCP state vice presi- public cleanliness in India, vowing ment — Singhvi said the govern- Manu Singhvi said. Electronic Dance Music dent Trajano D’Mello to solve the problems within the ment failed on all accounts. FAIL A perplexed Singhvi questioned (EDM) festivals if any told a press conference next five years. where ‘F’ is for Anti-farmer, ‘A’ spokesperson said may benefit the urgency of passing this ordi- trace of drugs was yesterday. The government has doubled for Anti-accountability, ‘I’ for rich land owners and affect farm- nance, especially when the origi- found onsite said: “The Parulekar said spending on a toilet building pro- intolerant and divisive regime, ers who do not own the land they nal act was duly discussed in Supersonic event shut down at Mantry’s death is linked to alco- gramme and requested financial and ‘L’ for land acquisition. cultivate. parliament and was approved by 10pm. The incident happened hol consumption, something he donations from some of the coun- Referring to the current dis- “Ordinance bypasses parlia- the BJP that sat in the opposition at 11.30pm. What I know is that believes will be clear once the post try’s largest companies to help. pensation at the Centre as “the ment, so it bypasses accountabil- at that time. the girl was drinking alcohol till mortem report is out. “Earlier, the monitoring was government of ordinance”, the ity. It negates both parliament “If they supported the act a 11pm.” “From what I know the girl done only about the construction Congress accused it of bypass- and democracy by going the ordi- year and a half ago, what was Mantry, who was the costume was drunk, it will be clear after of toilets, but now the actual use ing accountability as it did not nance route,” Singhvi said. the hurry to change it now? It’s a designer for Priyanka Chopra- the post-mortem. Based on this of toilets will be ascertained,” the consult parliament, which was He said the ordinance would spectacular U-turn as what you starrer Mary Kom, had landed in (report) Goa government and government said in a statement in session until a week ago, on weaken the Land Acquisition, (BJP) support, you oppose later,” Goa along with more than a dozen Goa Tourism will take action,” on yesterday. REUTERS a critical matter that the party Rehabilitation and Resettlement the Congress leader said. IANS friends on December 26. Parulekar said. IANS

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Happy New Year!

Fajr (Dawn) 4:58 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:19 Zuhr (Noon) 11:37 Asr (Afternoon) 2:35 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:56 Isha (Night) 6:26

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Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: Clear Clear Clear Hazy at places become moderate High: 26° High: 23° High: 24° temperature during Low: 17° Low: 17° Low: 16° day with some clouds and and relatively cold by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:19 16:56 03:00 & 12:45 09:00 & 20:00 08-16/20 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 26/17 Clear 27/17 Clear A view of the midnight fireworks above the Sydney Opera House (left) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, seen from Mrs Macquarie’s Point in Sydney MAKKAH 34/22 Partly cloudy 34/21 Clear yesterday. KUWAIT 22/08 Clear 24/08 Clear BAHRAIN 23/14 Clear 22/16 Clear SANAA 23/04 Clear 22/03 Clear RIYADH 23/09 Clear 26/11 Clear DUBAI 27/17 Clear 26/17 Clear How the world brought in 2015 BAGHDAD 19/08 Partly cloudy 20/08 Partly cloudy SYDNEY: A dazzling display of But the fireworks display went up large offertory boxes as it pre- years ago. Dubai dazzled again THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW fireworks lit up Sydney Harbour ahead without incident. pared to welcome a huge wave of with a pyrotechnic and lights HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER yesterday as Australia’s biggest Brilliant bursts of colour lit worshippers overnight. The huge show at the Burj Khalifa, the city welcomed the New Year in up the harbour in spectacular shrine expects three million visi- world’s tallest tower. ATHENS 06/04 Chance of rain 07/03 Partly cloudy spectacular style, defying ter- fashion in the midnight show- tors in the first three days of the In Paris, the Champs-Elysees WASHINGTON 05/02 Clear 08/00 Partly cloudy rorist fears days after a deadly piece, with fireworks cascading New Year. was reserved for pedestrians to siege. off the Harbour Bridge, shooting But in Malaysia, a sombre let them watch a visual spec- SYDNEY 29/19 Chance of storm 32/20 Partly cloudy From Hong Kong to London off the Opera House and stream- mood prevailed after the crash tacle projected onto the Arc de LONDON 10/10 Chance of rain 12/04 Partly cloudy and New York to Rio, millions ing across the sky in one of the of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 carry- Triomphe 15 minutes before the PARIS 04/02 Partly cloudy 09/03 Chance of rain around the world celebrated when world’s first major celebrations to ing 162 people in Indonesia and start of the New Year. ISTANBUL 04/03 Chance of rain 04/02 Partly cloudy the clock ticked past midnight, ring in 2015. flooding in the country’s north- The ticking of the clock past MANILA 26/22 Partly cloudy 22/23 Partly cloudy ringing in 2015 with massive fire- Across Asia, millions were par- east which has displaced almost midnight was significant for DHAKA 23/18 Mostly cloudy 25/19 Chance of rain works displays, concerts and light tying. Hong Kong’s dazzling sky- 250,000 people. Lithuania as it adopted the euro. DELHI 21/11 Chance of rain 21/10 Partly cloudy shows. line along Victoria Harbour lit up Year-end countdown celebra- Another Baltic state, Latvia, took ISLAMABAD 19/06 Clear 17/05 Clear In Sydney, rocked by deadly during an eight-minute pyrotech- tions were cancelled, with many over the rotating presidency of drama just before Christmas nic display. companies instead launching the European Union, putting it when an Iranian-born gunman In China, Beijing’s bid to stage fundraising campaigns for flood on the front line of negotiations with a history of violence and the 2022 Winter Olympics was victims. with neighbouring Russia over the extremism took 17 hostages in the the theme of celebrations. Concert In Indonesia, Surabaya was crisis in Ukraine. Apple Pay: Why city’s financial hub, tonnes of fire- pianist Lang Lang was the star holding a candlelight vigil in the In Spain, millions of revellers works exploded over the harbour performer at an extravaganza at hours leading up till midnight descended on Madrid’s Puerta del watched by a crowd estimated at Olympic Park. to remember the people on the Sol while in Barcelona a massive more than 1m. The Chinese capital had held plane which departed that city on fireworks display was held. shopping may be “We are celebrating that we New Year countdowns at the his- Sunday. London staged New Year’s Eve are a multicultural, harmonious toric Temple of Heaven since 2011, In Afghanistan, the last French fireworks along the Thames and community but we will be think- but had moved the event to the troops in the country held a cer- Edinburgh held its traditional ing about what happened,” Lord site of the 2008 summer games emony in Kabul to mark the end Hogmanay street party. different in 2015 Mayor Clover Moore said in ref- to raise the profile of its winter of their deployment after NATO Marking 2015 on Copacabana erence to the incident in which Olympics bid. combat operations closed down as beach in Rio de Janeiro, more LONDON: Evolving technology two hostages and the gunman In Taiwan the landmark sky- a new “train and support” mission than 2m people were expected to has fired up the race to bring died. scraper Taipei 101 was the centre takes over. attend a huge fireworks show that in contactless mobile payments In the aftermath of the siege, of celebrations, with perform- The end of another era was would open celebrations marking services for Britain — with Prime Minister Tony Abbott said ances by pop singers and a fire- remembered in Berlin with 450 years since the founding of Apple out in front security agencies had picked up work display at midnight that “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff the city. Europe is oddly hampered a heightened level of “terrorist attracted hundreds of thousands. joining a huge open air concert in And in New York about 1m rev- when it comes to payment tech- chatter” and warned that “the And in Japan, the Meiji Jingu front of the Brandenburg Gate, ellers were expected to descend nology. In sensibly upgrading to terror threat remains high and... shrine in Tokyo brought out where he famously sang for free- on Times Square to watch the chip-and-pin payments, and then at this level, an attack is likely”. stocks of lucky charms and set dom after the Berlin Wall fell 25 New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. AFP contactless cards, Europe freed itself from the low-tech, easily hackable swipe-and-sign cards still widely used in the US. But Russia’s Putin it also made it harder for inno- Welcome refugees, Merkel vative start-ups, by raising the sends greetings cost of building something com- patible with the secure payment to Obama terminals. urges in New Year speech The Apple Pay mobile payment This is why Britain is in the system, already in use in the US. MOSCOW: Russian President odd situation where it sometimes BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Vladimir Putin yesterday sent a seems as if the biggest innova- speaking to Apple’s demographics, Merkel urged Germans to turn New Year’s greeting to US coun- tion to hit its wallets in 2014 was the former camp included Wal- their backs on a growing grass- terpart Barack Obama, saying Barclaycard’s bizarre “PayTag”. Mart, while the latter was led by roots movement of anti-Muslim the two countries share mutual Advertised as a “handy little WholeFoods). protesters, calling them racists responsibility to ensure world sticker that can turn any mobile But the technology does rep- full of hatred, and said Europe’s peace. phone into a new way to make resent a step change in how we biggest economy must welcome In a statement showing Putin’s contactless payments in seconds”, will be paying in 2015, albeit an people fleeing conflict and war. New Year’s messages to heads it’s little more than the circuitry evolution rather than revolu- In an unusually strongly of state across the world, the of a contactless payment card tion. Mobile wallets have been worded New Year address that Russian leader addressed Obama attached to a bit of sticky-backed around for years, but have failed also condemned Russia for its despite the crisis in US-Russian plastic. to take off due to a combination actions in Ukraine, Merkel said relations over Ukraine, saying Enter Apple. of network intransigence, hand- it was essential for Germany to the “Russian-American partner- The company’s Apple Pay tech- set fragmentation and simple lack help the children of persecuted ship could have been developing nology launched in the US last of awareness of what is possible. people to grow up without fear. successfully.” autumn, and with the company Apple, in its trademark manner, Many Germans are worried Putin said the coming year advertising for a London-based simply steamrollered through about a flood of asylum seekers, will mark 70 years since the end “Apply Pay intern”, you can be those problems. If you have an many from Syria, pouring into of World War II when countries sure a European launch isn’t far iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, you’ll be able the country. A new movement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel records her New Year’s speech at the united against Adolf Hitler. off. In America, it immediately to use Apple Pay from the day it’s Patriotic Europeans Against Chancellery in Berlin on Tuesday night. “This historic date is a sparked a proxy war between turned on in the UK, your phone the Islamisation of the West reminder of the responsibilities of the credit card companies and network can’t say a word against (PEGIDA), is holding weekly ral- past, German asylum rules are Growing support for PEGIDA’s Russia and the US for supporting retailers, with almost as many it, and you can be sure that Apple lies in the eastern city of Dresden. among the most liberal in the marches — a week ago more peace and international stability, big-name retailers swearing won’t let you forget it. After all, Referring to protests that world. Asylum granted elsewhere than 17,000 attended — and the their unique role in countering blind they would never accept it gets a cut every time you buy took place before the fall of the had helped many opponents of the popularity of the Alternative for global challenges and threats,” the technology as there were something. Berlin Wall, Merkel said, “Today Nazi regime to survive. Germany (AfD) party since it the statement said. signed up on launch (perhaps The tech has already sparked many people are again shouting The number of asylum-seekers shifted its focus from euro-scep- Obama in recent interviews an arms race, with Samsung on Mondays: ‘We are the people’. arriving in Germany has surged ticism to immigration is causing has said that while many believed rumoured to be developing a But in fact they mean: You do not to about 200,000 this year, four shockwaves in Berlin. Putin fooled the world with his response to Apple Pay, and a belong — because of the colour of times the numbers in 2012. Net Merkel, who grew up in East quick Crimea annexation, he is Walmart-led coalition leading its your skin or your religion. immigration has hit a two-decade Germany, also reiterated that in fact looking weak now that the own mobile-led payments service. “So I say to everyone who goes high. Russia had questioned the foun- Russian economy is suffering the Whether any of them can take to such demonstrations: Do not Consequently, immigration has dation of Europe’s peaceful order consequences of sanctions. on Tim Cook’s charge remains to follow those who are appealing moved up on the political agenda. — self-determination — with “I’d sense that at least outside be seen, but whoever wins, 2015 to you! Because too often there is Some members of Merkel’s con- its actions in Ukraine. She said of Russia, maybe some people are could be the year we change the prejudice, coldness, even hatred, servative bloc worry that they Europe would not allow Russia to thinking what Putin did wasn’t so way we buy things. in their hearts.” risk losing support if they do not abuse human rights. smart,” Obama told US radio NPR THE GUARDIAN Partly in response to its Nazi respond to voter fears. REUTERS this week. AFP Thursday 1 January 2015 10 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6297 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil prices Unloading containers hit fresh 5-year low Rebound likely in 2015: Analyst

LONDON: Benchmark oil con- growth in China and emerging- tract Brent North Sea crude market economies, a recession slid to its lowest level since in Japan and a near-stall in the mid-2009 yesterday, having lost eurozone. about half of its value since the Daniel Ang, investment analyst middle of the year. at Phillip Futures in Singapore, Brent North Sea crude for said there are expectations for a delivery in February hit $55.81 a rebound in prices in 2015. barrel on the final trading day of He said the global supply glut Ships load and unload containers at the Tanjong Pagar Container Terminal in Singapore yesterday. the year, the lowest point since could likely be alleviated by cur- May 7, 2009. rent low oil prices affecting “exist- It later recovered slightly ing shale oil rigs, causing them to stand at $56.08, down $1.82 to shut off, keeping US crude oil compared with the close on production in check”. Trade surplus in Nov stands at QR24.9bn Tuesday. The Opec oil-producing cartel US benchmark West Texas last month said it would main- DOHA: Qatar’s trade balance of goods, value recorded in the same month last year. In November 2014, Japan topped the export Intermediate for February deliv- tain output levels despite ample which represents the difference between The import of motor cars and other passen- destination with QR8bn, with a share of 22.6 ery was down $1.33 at $52.79, global supplies caused in part by total exports and imports, in November ger vehicles in November valued QR1bn was at percent of total exports, South Korea with close to 5.5-year lows and also cheaper oil extracted from North 2014 showed a surplus of QR24.9bn the top of the imported group of commodities, QR5.9bn (16.8 percent), and India with having shed around half its value American shale rock. ($6.84bn), showing a decrease of QR5.4bn, showing an increase of 38.5 percent compared QR4.7bn (13.5 percent). in 2014. But stimulus measures by major or 17.9 percent compared to November 2013, to November 2013. In second and third place were imports of The bulk of crude’s losses have economies could boost growth, according to preliminary figures released The year-on-year decrease in total exports Aircraft Spare Parts with QR700m, decreased occurred since June, triggered by and in turn, crude demand, Ang by the Ministry of Development Planning was attributed to mainly due to lower exports by 6.2 percent, and Electrical Apparatus for strong US stockpiles of oil and said in a commentary. and Statistics. of Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydro- Line Telephony/Telegraphy, telephone sets and added to by Opec’s decision not “In 2015 we believe that crude Qatar’s total exports of goods (including carbons (LNG, condensates, propane, butane, other; parts thereof with QR.300, increased to cut output to offset high global demand would be linked to how exports of domestic origin and re-exports) in and others) reaching QR22.4bn in November by 30.8 percent. supplies. China, Japan and the eurozone November, 2014 stood at QR35bn ($9.61bn), 2014, witnessing a decline of 6.3 percent com- In November 2014, USA was the lead- Prices have been hit also by a perform. If we start to see the showing a decrease of 10.7 percent compared pared to November 2013, and Petroleum oils ing country of origin of Qatar’s imports stronger dollar, making commodi- situation for these countries to the figures of corresponding month of 2013. and oils from bituminous minerals (crude) with QR1.3bn, a share of 13.2 percent of the ties such as oil priced in the US improve, a reversal from the While the imports of goods in November stood at QR5.5bn (27.1 percent), and Petroleum imports, followed by China with QR1bn (9.5 unit more expensive for holders demand side could happen.” 2014 amounted to QR10.1bn ($2.94bn), wit- oils and oils from bituminous minerals (not percent), and Germany with QR800m (7.8 of rival currencies, and by slowing AFP nessing an increase of 13.8 percent over the crude) reached QR1.3bn (45.9 percent). percent). THE PENINSULA Woqod to start engine oil production unit in Mesaieed

BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB

DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) to establish an engine oil pro- duction factory in Mesaieed Industrial City, according to a senior official. The company supplies a wide range of lubricants under differ- ent brand names such as Ghaf, the range of gasoline engine oils, and Qorm, the range of diesel engine oils. But currently it sources the products from other companies “Woqod is set to establish a factory for the production of engine oils on its own, and the Woqod’s lubricant products. company has already completed a feasibility study for the pro- use of CNG in buses and trucks the Authority with large amounts posed project, said Ibrahim that commute long distances, of bitumen and modified bitumen Jaham Al Kuwari, CEO of under the supervision of Qatar for its various projects. A Saudi jeweller shows a customer gold bangles in a jewellery shop in Riyadh yesterday. Qatar’s leading distributor of Petroleum, and in cooperation “Towards this end, Woqod petroleum products. with Mowasalat (public trans- has purchased a 3450-metric Its lubricants comprise high port company) as a first phase. tonnes vessel and completed quality fully synthetic, semi syn- The use of CNG is to be later the design and research stages Gold down on higher shares thetic and mineral engine oils for expanded as well to include new in the construction of new tanks all types of cars, trucks and off areas, with the projected con- at Mesaieed area with an addi- LONDON: Gold edged down on the dollar and stock markets. stocks rose, keeping most regional road equipment. In addition to struction of seven new CNG gas tional estimated capacity of up higher shares yesterday, but was Prices have been relatively indexes on track to end a tumul- the premium range of engine oils, stations during the coming few to 15 thousand metric tonnes for poised to end 2014 steady around less volatile in 2014 compared tuous year with modest gains there is a complete range of ancil- years, in addition to the existing the year 2015,” Al Kuwari said. $1,200 an ounce as the impact with last year’s 28 percent slide after a late rebound. lary products including gear oils, station,” he said. Woqod currently supplies of a strong dollar was offset by and $500 trading range. Despite “Considering the strong dol- coolants, brake fluids, hydraulic He said there are also new many points and centres of dis- demand from investors worried falling to a 4-1/2-year-low in lar performance in 2014, gold’s and industrial oils and Greases. projects for Q-jet company in tribution for butane gas cylin- about tensions in Russia and November, gold has traded in a downside this year has been a Al Kuwari, during a press the areas of jet fuels and logis- ders, especially Shafaf, that is set political uncertainty in Greece. $260 range for the year. little bit protected by interna- conference, also announced that tic facilities at the Hamad to replace the more traditional Bullion was on track for a 0.5 Gold’s main driver in 2014 has tional political events that have the company is also in the proc- International Airport, in coop- metal cylinders through a care- percent fall this year after a tur- been a buoyant dollar, which was attracted some safe-haven buy- ess of establishing seven new eration with Qatar Airways. fully planned approach without bulent 2013, when prices fell by a poised to post its biggest yearly ing, especially in the first half,” Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Commenting on its commit- disrupting the local market. third after 12 years of gains. gain since 2005, and anticipated ABN Amro commodity strategist stations as part of efforts to pro- ment to ensuring uninterrupted On the issue of replacing Spot gold was down 0.3 per- U.S. interest rate hikes may Georgette Boele said. “But a new mote the use of CNG, one of the supply of bitumen for various metal cylinders with Shafaf, he cent at $1,196.90 an ounce by 1257 strengthen its appeal in the com- drop in gold prices driven by a cleanest forms of fossil fuels, at infrastructure projects in Qatar, said that efforts are currently GMT. On Tuesday, it climbed to ing year. Higher rates weigh on stronger dollar and higher U.S. least for heavy vehicles. he said that Woqod has inked on to establish a factory for pro- a near two-week high of $1,209.90 non-interest-bearing bullion. interest rate expectations is likely “Woqod is to emphasis dur- an MoU with Public Works ducing Shafaf cylinders in Qatar. as concerns over tension between Yesterday, the dollar was in 2015, when we see prices aver- ing the upcoming period, the Authority (Ashghal) to provide THE PENINSULA Russia and the West weakened unchanged, while European age $1,000 an ounce.” AFP THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS US jobless US oil export opens global battle claims rise

WASHINGTON: Initial claims Lifting of four-decade ban will help domestic drillers and foreign trade partners for US unemployment insurance rose last week but remained at WASHINGTON: The Obama move can open up the floodgates to withstand the slump in oil mar- did not give details about what it read as encouraging shippers to a level signaling a firming labor administration has opened a to substantial increases in exports kets. Morse said US condensate had approved. “self-classify” their condensate, as market, official data released new front in the global battle by end 2015,” Ed Morse, global exports could rise from 200,000 Two energy companies, driller Reuters reported earlier. yesterday showed. for oil market share, effectively head of commodities research at bpd to as much as 1 million bpd Pioneer Natural Resources and With global oil markets in New jobless claims, a sign of the clearing the way for the ship- Citigroup in New York said in a by the end of next year. mid-stream firm Enterprise flux, it is far from clear how pace of layoffs, totaled 298,000 in ment of as much as a million research note. “This has an interesting impact Products Partners , have been much US condensate will find the week ending December 27, an barrels per day of ultra-light US The action comes at a critical on the current confrontation regularly exporting processed a market overseas. Drillers increase of 17,000 from the previ- crude to the rest of the world. juncture for the global oil mar- between Saudi Arabia and shale,” condensate since the summer are already slashing billions of ous week’s revised level, the Labor The Department of Commerce ket. World prices have halved to he said. after receiving a private permit dollars off their 2015 budgets Department said. on Tuesday ended a year-long less than $60 a barrel since the Among those most at risk from from the BIS. But several dozen because of lower prices, actions Economists had expected a silence on a contentious, four- summer as top exporter Saudi the US shale exports is Nigeria, other companies that also raced likely to slow growth in output smaller increase in claims to decade ban on oil exports, saying Arabia, once a staunch defender which pumps similarly light, to file similar requests were left next year and push forward the 290,000, after five consecutive it had begun approving a back- of $100 oil, refused to cut pro- sweet oil. The Opec member has waiting, with no timeline for point at which supply overtakes weeks of declines. log of requests to sell processed duction in the face of surging already lost the US market to action. demand. The four-week moving average, light oil abroad. It also issued a US shale output and tempered shale, with its exports falling from One administration official said which smooths out week-over- long-awaited document outlining global demand. more than 1 million barrels per QUESTIONS AHEAD the question of exports would ulti- week volatility, edged up by 250 exactly what kinds of oil other By opening the door to US day to next to nothing; now it will The agency also released mately be left to the market, and claims to 290,750. With claims would-be exporters can ship. crude exports, the administra- face US competition in Europe its first ever written guidance that the agency was simply seek- holding below 300,000 for some The administration’s first seri- tion is offering a bit of relief to and Asia, too. on the rules themselves in the ing to “make the boundary line time, layoffs appeared to be stabil- ous effort to clarify an issue that some domestic drillers that have The Bureau of Industry and form of frequently asked ques- clearer.” ising as the economy churns out has caused confusion and con- said that they are forced to sell Security (BIS), which regulates tions (FAQs), clarifying a series Even so, with no changes to the solid job growth. A year ago the sternation in energy markets for their shale oil at a discount of US export controls, has come of detailed questions that had core US law that bans raw crude average stood at 352,250. more than a year will likely please as much as $15 a barrel versus under enormous scrutiny over clouded efforts to move forward exports, even slower growth will The world’s largest economy domestic oil drillers, foreign trade global markets as fast-rising the past year because of grow- with substantial exports. eventually stretch refiners’ limits, pumped out its best monthly job partners and some Republicans domestic supplies overwhelm ing pressure to clarify confus- The document gives “consider- forcing tougher questions in years growth in nearly three years in who have urged Obama to loosen local demand. ing regulations on exporting able discretion” that could allow ahead. November, adding a solid 321,000 the export ban, which they see as But the impending swell of US crude. for rising export volumes in the “Whether to allow crude oil jobs, and the unemployment rate an outdated holdover from the petroleum into global markets While untreated crude oil is future, measures that could nar- exports directly because the pro- held steady at a six-year low of 1970s Arab oil embargo. may intensify what many ana- generally banned from being row the price gap between US duction of light crude overwhelms 5.8 percent. The latest measures were lysts say is a pivotal oil market exported, refined fuels such as benchmark WTI crude and global the domestic refining system still The Labor Department reports wrapped in regulatory jargon war, with Saudi Arabia and the gasoline and diesel can be freely marker Brent, said Kevin Book, remains a live issue that may need December numbers next week and couched by some as a basic Organization of the Petroleum sold abroad. The question that has managing director at ClearView to be addressed in the future in that are expected to show job clarification of existing rules, but Exporting Countries (Opec) bedeviled US. producers is how Energy Partners LLC. response to changing market con- growth slowed to 250,000 and the analysts said the message was unwilling to yield ground. Now the rules apply to “processed con- On Tuesday, the Brent/WTI ditions,” said Jason Bordoff, the jobless rate fell to 5.7 percent. unambiguous: a green light for they will face even greater com- densate,” ultra-light oil that has spread narrowed by more than founding director of Columbia any company willing and able to petition beyond US shores. been heated through a very basic 50 cents to around $3.70 a barrel. University’s Center on Global Rosneft signs deal process their light condensate If they can boost selling prices refining unit. In its guidelines, the BIS said Energy Policy and a former crude through a distillation tower, by even a dollar or two, oil pro- On Tuesday, the BIS said it had that most goods can be shipped energy adviser to the Obama for 160 copters a simple piece of oilfield kit. ducers in places such as the Eagle given permission to “some” com- abroad “without a license” - a White House. “In practice this long-awaited Ford of Texas will be better able panies to ship treated light oil but reminder that some analysts REUTERS with Italian firm MOSCOW: Russian oil giant Rosneft said yesterday it has Money transfer facility reached a deal with Italian group Finmeccanica to produce Old BlackBerrys came 160 helicopters in Russia. Finmeccanica’s Anglo-Italian subsidiary AgustaWestland will form a joint venture with Russian to Sony’s rescue after Helicopters, a unit of public hold- ing company Rostec, to assemble the AW189 helicopters designed systems hacked for offshore operations. Rosneft “will be the first cli- ent” for these aircraft and plans to buy 160 of them between WASHINGTON: If there’s one a CNBC interview on December now and 2025, the group said company that’s gotten a bit of 19. He declined to comment on in a statement. The deal signed good press from the Sony Corp. whether Sony would have been on Monday comes as sanctions hacking scandal, it’s BlackBerry protected against the hackers if imposed by the United States and Ltd. it had been using BlackBerry’s the European Union have slowed The beleaguered entertainment services because he didn’t know or frozen many joint projects company dug up old BlackBerrys the specifics of the attacks. between Western multinational to use after Sony’s computers and Lisette Kwong, a spokeswoman companies and Russia. landlines went down and com- for BlackBerry, declined to com- Both Rosneft and Rostec, two pany e-mail was unusable after ment on whether BlackBerry is powerful public groups headed by a cyber-attack that began last working with Sony to bolster close allies of President Vladimir month, the Wall Street Journal security. Putin, have been targeted by the reported. Data on a BlackBerry is Western sanctions. The AW189 The emergence of the old encrypted and secured on helicopter, especially adapted devices as a haven for Sony exec- the device, and the Waterloo, for offshore operations including utives has served as a free adver- Ontario-based company operates search and rescue missions, can tisement of sorts and bolstered a network of servers on behalf of carry 16 passengers and has a fly- BlackBerry Chief Executive its clients. ing range of 600 nautical miles. Officer John Chen’s focus on secu- The cyber-attack that crip- rity to win government and busi- pled the computers at Sony’s ness customers. entertainment division stemmed Abraaj pulls out of The fact that Sony had to from the studio’s film “The unearth devices long relegated Interview” — a farcical com- bidding for Egypt’s to storage also highlighted that edy about a US TV crew that is BlackBerry’s share of the global recruited to kill North Korean Bisco Misr smartphone market has fallen to leader Kim Jong Un. less than 1 percent as iPhones While it’s not completely clear DUBAI: Emerging markets and Android devices have gained who carried out the attacks or private equity firm Abraaj ground. how they gained entry to Sony’s Group will pull out of the bid- “It’s proven that BlackBerry confidential documents and cor- ding process for the acquisition devices and the server are a respondence, the FBI has linked of Egypt’s Bisco Misr, Abraaj An M-Pesa till number is displayed at a petrol station for customers using the money transfer facility in Kenya’s lot more secure than any other the hacking group to North said yesterday. capital Nairobi yesterday. Safaricom, Kenya’s biggest telecoms firm, is a model of how technology can be used solutions out there commer- Korea. The company had been involved to financially include millions of people with mobile telephones but without access to traditional infrastructure cially available,” Chen said in BLOOMBERG in a bidding war with Kellogg such as the banks that are available to the wealthy or those living in cities. Co, the world’s largest breakfast cereal maker, for the purchase of as much as 100 percent of the Egyptian snack maker. Abraaj did not give a reason for Turkey unit of KFH secures its withdrawal from the bidding Russia adds Gazprombank process, but said the orderly and transparent process had under- $350m Islamic loan lined growing investor interest DUBAI: The Turkish subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House (KFH) in Egypt. Its latest offer of 88.09 has secured a $350m syndicated Islamic loan, Kuwait’s largest lender Egyptian pounds per share had said yesterday. The dual-currency murabaha transaction for Kuveyt to its bank bailouts amounted to a total purchase Turk was arranged in two tranches, one maturing after two years for price for Bisco Misr of about $300m, and the other including one- and two-year terms for a com- $142m, but Kellogg subsequently bined total of ¤40m ($48.63m), KFH said in a statement. Murabaha is MOSCOW: Russia’s third activities,” the state-control- Russia made billions of dollars increased its bid to 89.86 pounds, a common cost-plus sale arrangement in Islamic finance. biggest bank Gazprombank, led group said. through its energy exports. Abraaj said. ABC Islamic Bank, the Islamic unit of Bahrain-based Arab Banking weakened by the falling rouble The latest infusion of money But this year Russia has been Corporation, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Barwa Bank, Emirates and Western sanctions over to support Russian banks tar- hard hit by the double blow of oil NBD Capital, the Saudi Arabian subsidiary of Emirates NBD, Noor the Ukraine crisis, said yes- geted by sanctions imposed prices plunging to a five-year low Takween to buy Bank and Qatar Islamic Bank were the initial mandated lead arrangers terday it has received more by the United States and the and Western sanctions. and bookrunners to the deal, KFH said. The participating banks were than half a billion dollars European Union over Russia’s Its currency the rouble lost 41 Savola unit Boubyan Bank, Kuwait International Bank, Saudi British Bank, Ahli in state aid, part of efforts involvement in the Ukraine percent of its value against the United Bank, United Arab Bank and Commerzbank. to recapitalise the country’s conflict came the day after the dollar in 2014, and the economy DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s battered banks. country’s second biggest bank shrank in November for the first Takween Advanced Industries The bank founded in 1990 by oil VTB was backed up. time in five years and is expected said yesterday it had agreed Emaar names Amit Jain as group COO giant Gazprom, which still holds VTB on Tuesday revealed to enter recession in the first to buy a packaging unit of the a 35 percent stake, received 40bn that it has received 100bn rou- quarter of 2015. region’s largest food firm Savola DUBAI: Dubai’s largest developer Emaar Properties has named roubles ($678m, ¤560m) from the bles ($1.8bn, ¤1.4bn) — the The swift fall of the ruble Group for SR910m ($242.5m). Amit Jain as group chief operating officer and chief executive of state in the form of purchase of first tranche of a 250bn rouble pressed the central bank ear- The firms reached agreement Emaar’s Dubai operations, it said in a statement yesterday. preferred stock, Gazprombank deposit planned by the govern- lier this month to sharply hike the price for Savola Packaging Co Jain was previously executive director of finance and group chief said in a statement. ment from Russia’s national its key rate and parliament to (Target) after due diligence but financial officer at Emaar, according to the company’s website. He will The aid will serve to “rein- welfare fund. approve a plan to recapitalise the purchase remains conditional continue to be responsible for financial matters at the group. force the capital” of the bank The fund is a mammoth pile the banking system in order to on regulatory approval, Takween Mohamed El Dahan and Ozan Balaban would become regional chief and enable it “to have the nec- of money accumulated over the continue lending in the troubled said in a bourse statement. executive officers (CEO) at Emaar Properties. REUTERS essary resources to extend its years of high oil prices, when economy. AFP AGENCIES THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Oil price slump erases Gulf stocks 2014 gains Qatar Exchange top gainer, Kuwait biggest loser

KUWAIT CITY: Stock mar- “The fall in the fourth quarter During the year, TASI had kets in the energy-rich Gulf was a direct result to the sharp surged by over 30 percent but was states dived in the fourth quar- drop in oil prices,” said Humoud pulled down mainly by the lead- ter due to the slump in oil prices Al Sabah, senior analyst at Kuwait ing petrochemicals sector, which after posting strong gains in the Financial Center (Markaz). dived 33.7 percent in the fourth first nine months of 2014. “Most of the Gulf bourses quarter. All the seven bourses ended the ended the first three quarters The drop came despite the king- October to December period in with strong gains but shed most dom issuing a highly expansionary the red amid a wave of panic sell- of it due to the impact of oil budget for 2015 but which pro- offs after oil lost about 50 per- prices,” Sabah said. jected a deficit of around $39 bn. cent of its value because of weak He said Gulf shares performed Dubai Financial Market (DFM) demand, a glut in production and well in the first three quarters Index, which has increased stead- a strong US dollar. despite turbulent geopoliti- ily for the past three years, was In the fourth quarter, the Saudi cal developments especially the the most volatile in 2014, surging stock market slumped 23.2 per- expansion of Islamist State jihad- by about 60 percent in the year cent, Dubai dived 23 percent, ists in Iraq and Syria and the before losing most of the gains in Oman dropped 15.2 percent and start of the US-led air campaign the fourth quarter. Kuwait by 14.3 percent. Abu against them. The DFM Index ended the year Dhabi dipped 11.2 percent, Qatar The capitalisation of the seven up 12 percent at 3,774.00 points lost 10.5 percent and Bahrain was bourses, however, rose by around after dipping below the 2013 close 3.4 percent down. $70bn to $1.04 trillion at the end in December. But by the end of 2014, four of 2014 from $970bn a year ago. Its neighbouring Abu Dhabi markets — Qatar, Dubai, Abu But they shed around $131bn Securities Exchange also relin- Dhabi and Bahrain — posted from their value on September 30. quished most of the year’s gains annual gains while the Saudi, but ended 2014 up 5.6 percent on Kuwaiti and Omani bourses DUBAI MOST VOLATILE 4,528.93 points. Traders following the stock market at the Kuwaiti Stock Exchange (KSE) in Kuwait City yesterday. Stock markets recorded dips. The Saudi Tadawul All-Shares Qatar Exchange, the second in the Gulf states dived in the fourth quarter due to the slump in oil prices after posting strong gains in the first Oil income makes up around Index (TASI), the largest bourse largest in the Gulf, emerged as nine months of 2014. 90 percent of revenues of most of in the region, closed the year the top gainer with 18.4 percent the Gulf states which are forecast down 2.4 percent at 8,333.30 on 12,285.78, after surging close Exchange was the biggest loser, ended 2014 down 7.2 percent at year up a healthy 14.2 percent at to lose half of their oil revenues, points after repeatedly dipping to the 14,000-point mark on dropping 13.4 percent to 6,535.72 6,343.22 points, while the tiny 1,426.57 points. which stood at $729bn in 2013. below the 8,000-point mark. several occasions. Kuwait Stock points. Muscat Securities Market Bahrain bourse finished the AFP China’s stock market goes from bear to bull in 2014

SHANGHAI: China’s stock economy, where growth hit a expectations for a flood of incom- market to “revitalise” the domes- heightened stocks’ appeal. collateral for short-term financ- market is set to finish 2014 as five-year low of 7.3 percent in the ing capital. tic economy and deepen economic “The heat has built up in the ing — a move that could curb the second-best performer in third quarter and the slowdown In December the market broke reforms. market and that’s what the poli- investors’ ability to trade on mar- the world after soaring more is seen persisting in 2015. above the key 3,000-point level — Authorities are looking to use cymakers want to see,” said Shen gin -- and moved to inspect bro- than 50 percent in a borrow- “This rally runs contrary to and also recorded its biggest sin- the stock market to funnel funds of BOC International. kerages’ fast-expanding margin ing-fuelled, government-backed macro-economic fundamentals,” gle-day decline in more than five to cash-hungry companies, espe- But the abrupt turnaround trading business for irregularities. rally following four years in the said BOC International analyst years, of 5.43 percent. It rallied cially private firms that often in market sentiment now has But retail investors could stay doldrums. Shen Jun. “It’s driven by financial 2.18 percent yesterday to close at have difficulties securing loans regulators warning of risk, and for the ride for fear they will miss The benchmark Shanghai leverage and encouraged by gov- 3,234.68. as state banks prefer to lend to some analysts question how long out on further gains, analysts said. Composite Index closed up 52.87 ernment policies.” A survey of five major domestic state-owned enterprises, accord- the rally can be sustained, while For 2015, Haitong Securities percent for the year yesterday, The surge was triggered by an brokerages showed most expect ing to analysts. Xinhua has reversed its previous forecasts the Shanghai index will putting it behind only Argentina interest rate cut in November and the Shanghai index to carry on The government wants to stance. peak at around 3,500 before eas- among global markets, according powered by liquidity, with a boom rising in 2015 and peak between turn the exchange “into a financ- “Beware of the mad bull stop- ing gradually to end the year at to figures from the Wall Street in margin trading — investors 3,500 and 3,600 points, although ing platform to breathe life into ping on the way for a rest and the 3,200 level, and its analyst Journal’s Market Data Center. using borrowed funds to trade they expect it to fall back to 3,200 China’s economy”, said Central weigh the risks lurking behind the Zhang Qi saidtold AFP: “It may By contrast, in recent years stocks with only a small portion to 3,300 by year-end. China Securities strategist Zhang rapid rise of A-shares,” it said in be that an advancing market will it has slumped even while other of money put down as deposit — Earlier this year the govern- Gang. a commentary this month, refer- bring in more funds.” bourses around the world gained, after authorities loosened con- ment sought to talk up the mar- Officials also realise that rising ring to stocks denominated in Experts say they expect greater losing more than 35 percent trols on the practice. ket, with China’s official Xinhua stock markets are popular, with Chinese yuan and traded on the volatility in the coming year. between 2010 and 2013. A long-awaited move to news agency publishing nine most investors being individu- mainland. UBS Securities strategist Chen This year’s transformation link trading on the Shanghai articles in four days in August als rather than big institutional December’s one-day correction Li wrote in a research report: came despite weakening momen- and Hong Kong exchanges highlighting low stock valuations players, while a downturn in the came after authorities tightened “Fasten your seat belts for a tum in the world’s second largest in November also raised and the need to reinvigorate the domestic property market has the use of corporate bonds as bumpy road ahead.” AFP

Offshore platform Wall Street edges lower

NEW YORK: US stocks were have easily derailed a multi-year little changed yesterday, putting bull market.” major indexes on track to close NephroGenex Inc soared 197.5 out 2014 just off record levels, as percent to $13.83 a day after it crude oil prices continued their said its lead drug was found to descent. be safe in patients with diabetic While the market’s seasonal nephropathy in a cardiac safety trend of modest moves and low study. More than 4.2 million volume continued, there was shares traded, by far the stock’s heavier action in the energy most active day. space. US Crude oil lost 2.1 per- Jobless claims rose more than cent, the fourth drop of at least 2 expected in the latest week, percent in the past five sessions, snapping four straight weeks of putting the commodity at its low- declines, though the rise was not est since May 2009. Brent shed 1.7 enough to change views of sus- percent to $56.88. tained labor market strength. The S&P Energy index, easily Separately, U.S. Midwest busi- the worst performing sector of ness activity slowed more than the year with a decline of more expected in December, while that 9 percent, edged down 0.1 November pending home sales percent Wednesday. Diamond were stronger than forecast. Offshore fell 2.6 percent to $37.08 The Dow Jones industrial and Noble Corp was off 2.3 per- average fell 18.32 points, or 0.1 cent at $16.65. percent, to 17,964.75, the S&P Equities have lost steam head- 500 lost 4.06 points, or 0.2 per- ing into the New Year after ral- cent, to 2,076.29 and the Nasdaq Mexico’s state-run oil company Pemex’s KU-S platform, part of the vast Ku Maloob Zaap oil field, off the Bay of Campeche. The field produces lying nearly 6 percent over eight Composite dropped 1.83 points, or about a third of country’s overall output including some of its extra light Olmeca crude. sessions, sparked by the U.S. 0.04 percent, to 4,775.61. Federal Reserve’s commitment to be “patient” about raising interest QATAR EXCHANGE DOWN rates and positive economic data. The Qatar Exchange was down Still, the S&P 500 has risen in yesterday by 41.84 points or 0.34 seven of the past nine sessions, percent to 12,285.78 points from Customers sue Apple over storage space hitting a series of intraday and the previous closing of 12,327.62. closing records, and is up more Among the top losers were NEW YORK: Apple Inc. mis- be consumed by iOS 8,” the two said in their complaint. The men applications to crash more fre- than 12 percent for the year. Industries Qatar whose share leads consumers about the Florida men claimed in a suit filed seek to recover millions of dollars quently than the previous sys- The stock market will be closed dropped 2.50 percent to QR amount of storage space used yesterday in San Jose, California, on behalf of a nationwide class of tem. Apple pulled the update and Thursday. 168.00, Gulf International lost by its iOS 8 operating system federal court. Apple uses the Apple’s mobile-devices users. replaced it on September 25. “I don’t think investors, trad- 1.82 to QR97.10, Ezdan Holding in iPhones, iPods and iPads, two space shortage to drive consum- Apple touted record sales of 10 Apple apologized for the early ers, markets have much in the fell 1.58 percent to QR14.92, and users claimed in a suit target- ers to its fee-based iCloud storage million iPhones during the open- iOS glitches and said that fewer way of energy left to price in any- Qatar Islamic Bank down 0.87 ing the software, adding a new system, they said. ing weekend release of the lat- than 40,000 iPhone 6 and 6 Plus thing that is dramatically going percent to QR 102.20. wrinkle to a product introduc- Apple “gives less storage capac- est models in September but the devices were affected by the iOS to alter our year-end trade,” said The Banking and financial tion that has been riddled with ity than advertised, only to offer celebration was cut short by an 8.0.1 problem that caused users to Peter Kenny, chief market strat- sector fell by 0.35 points while hiccups, snafus and missteps. to sell that capacity in a desperate iOS software update that disa- lose cellular reception. egist at Clearpool Group in New the Insurance sector added 0.01 Apple, the world’s most valu- moment, e.g., when a consumer is bled cellular service. Users also Cupertino, California-based Yo rk . points. The industrial sector lost able technology company, doesn’t trying to record or take photos at complained a fingerprint- read- Apple didn’t immediately respond “The fact of the matter is, mar- 1.06 points while consumer good tell users that “as much as 23.1 a child’s or grandchild’s recital, ing feature didn’t work after the to phone and e-mail messages kets put in a solid year in spite of and service sector up 0.48 points. percent of the advertised stor- basketball game or wedding,” Paul update and the operating sys- seeking comment on the suit. significant headwinds that could AGENCIES age capacity of the devices will Orshan and Christopher Endara tem was found to cause popular BLOOMBERG THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Lithuania joins eurozone to seal ties with West Last Baltic nation and 19th member in European Union to adopt single currency VILNIUS: Lithuania switches from the litas to the euro, public making it dependent on the over to the euro, becoming support has wavered. European Central Bank. Vilnius the last Baltic nation to adopt Fifty-three percent of the pop- had hoped to adopt the euro in Europe’s single currency, as it ulation of three million backed the 2007 but failed to meet the infla- hopes to boost stability despite euro and 39 percent were against, tion criteria. fears of inflation and eurozone according to a November survey The global financial crisis put debt woes. released by the central bank. the goal on hold in 2009, when Baltic leaders will withdraw “I support the euro because it Lithuania suffered a deep reces- their first euros from a Vilnius leads to greater integration into sion. Biting austerity measures bank machine just after mid- the EU and makes travelling in far exceeding any applied in night, as the eurozone gains its the EU easier,” said 26-year-old Western Europe turned the econ- 19th member and fireworks sign lawyer Karolis Turcinavicius. omy around, resulting in recent off a year marked by alarm over But pensioner Danute growth of around three percent. Russia’s role in the Ukraine con- Petkeviciene remained skeptical. But social security cuts and flict and its economic crisis. “The euro will not increase other slashed public spending For a nation scarred by dec- pensions or wages, it will only also encouraged record emigra- ades of Soviet occupation, euro- increase prices. But they have tion to richer European nations zone entry is an important step already decided,” she said. such as Britain. Most analysts and symbol of “deeper economic Vilnius resident Teresa said she say eurozone entry will foster and political integration with regretted losing a symbol of the export growth and encourage the West”, Lithuanian President country’s statehood. investment. Dalia Grybauskaite said in a “But it’s part of globalisation,” “Government, businesses and statement. she added. Lithuania’s member- households will benefit from Other countries once behind ship comes as political uncer- lower borrowing costs,” said Vaiva the Iron Curtain are now enjoy- tainty in Greece is once again Seckute, a senior economist at ing top positions in the European stoking fears that the eurozone’s Swedbank Macro Research. Union: former Polish premier debt crisis could flare up. Lithuania brought in 132 mil- Donald Tusk took over as presi- Vilnius has already commit- lion individual banknotes — dent of the European Council in ted hundreds of millions of euros standard across the bloc — from December, while Latvia assumes to the eurozone’s rescue fund for the German Bundesbank but the rotating EU presidency on struggling members. minted its own euro coins. January 1. The three Baltics “Financial commitments are They include the national coat Chocolate in the shape of Euro coins is pictured in a shop in Vilnius yesterday. Lithuania switches over to the broke free from the Soviet Union a huge burden and increase the of arms, a knight on horseback euro this morning. in 1990-1991 before joining the EU country’s debt. I think we should with sword and shield, which has and Nato in 2004. Estonia and have delayed entry,” financial ana- appeared on the national cur- dual pricing will remain in shops for New Year festivities in case over its Brussels headquarters: Latvia became eurozone members lyst Valdemaras Katkus said. rency since the 14th century. until June. of technical disruptions. “Welcome to the euro area, in 2011 and 2014. The litas has actually been The two currencies will circu- The central bank warned resi- The European Commission Lithuania!” But in the run-up to the change pegged to the euro since 2002, late together for two weeks, while dents to take out enough cash meanwhile draped a huge banner AFP

City Link axes over 2,300 jobs

LONDON: The British parcel disgraceful and cynical betrayal” could receive on Christmas Day,” delivery firm City Link, which and accused the company of “leav- Cash said then. went into administration on ing a trail of human misery”. “It is absolutely shocking Christmas Eve, announced on “The City Link Christmas that the company have sprung New Year’s Eve that it would be destruction is an act of industrial this announcement once all the cutting 2,356 jobs. vandalism that shames our nation Christmas deliveries have been The company’s administrators while the government looked on completed,” he said. from Ernst & Young also said in and offered nothing but hollow The company’s website said it a statement that 371 employees words,” said RMT general secre- began delivering parcels in 1969 would be kept on to deal with tary Mick Cash. The administra- and had an annual turnover of remaining parcels, help sell off tors said earlier that the company £300m (¤382m, $467m). assets and wind down operations. had been hit by intense competition But Kelly said it had suffered Dashing trade union hopes of a on the postal delivery market, as “substantial losses over several last-minute rescue bid, they also well as changing client needs and years” and had “all but used up” said a consortium wanting to difficulties in reducing its costs. a £40m investment made in 2013. buy the company had “offered no The announcement of the bank- The founder of City Link’s par- money up front and significantly ruptcy came on Christmas Day, ent company, Better Capital, has undervalued the assets to be prompting angry reactions from apologised for the firm’s collapse acquired”. The RMT union said trade unions. “This is the bitter- but said it was “not mishandled”. A City Link van parked at a depot in south London. the failure to secure jobs was “a est blow any group of workers AFP

Hyundai India Kenya’s technology push clocks record leaves investors cold sales in 2014 NEW DELHI: Automobile NAIROBI: Kenya’s tech- survey contacted more than 230 Kenya provides one of sub- manufacturer Hyundai Motor nology rush gave hope that start-ups across Kenya. Major Saharan Africa’s most appeal- India yesterday reported a new ideas would help mil- exceptions include Wananchi ing environments for tech record domestic sales at over lions of Africans use their Group, one of east Africa’s big- entrepreneurs. 4.10 lakh units in 2014 from 3.80 mobile phones to circumvent gest cable and internet-based Kenyan farmers receive lakh units sold during 2013. poor infrastructure but local phone companies, which is updates on the latest crop The company’s yearly domestic start-ups are failing to draw valued at over $100 million. prices via text messages, while sales increased by 7.89 percent to major investors or create prof- Another is Craft Silicon, a soft- coffee-sipping urbanites can 410,000 units. its. Lack of talent, problems ware firm believed to be worth shop and hail taxis through According to the company, in attaining seed capital and tens of millions. smartphone apps. Yet critics the yearly performance led to ideas that cannot be sold to a Safaricom, Kenya’s biggest say only a small percentage of its highest market share of 21.6 mass market or easily mon- telecoms firm, is a model of Kenya’s 44 million people use percent in the 16 years since the etized have so far held back how technology can be used to these services. company has been operating in hundreds of Kenyan start ups. financially include millions of Forced to play catch up India. “We surpassed our targets Many were drawn to the people with mobile telephones on development issues, engi- of selling four lakh vehicles in the tech sector by the Kenyan but without access to tradi- neers hope Africa can jump domestic market by adding new government’s push for a “dig- tional infrastructure such as to the front of the technology products like Xcent, Elite i20 and ital future”, plentiful Western the banks that are available to revolution. Santa Fe to our robust product donor funding and foreign the wealthy or those living in But Barnwell said talent portfolio,” said B S Seo, manag- media coverage about “Africa’s cities. tends to move into real estate ing director and chief executive, Silicon Savannah”. Safaricom in 2007 pioneered or banking, sectors which offer Hyundai Motor India. “From co-founders of its M-Pesa mobile money huge rewards with less risk, “All our products have wit- Facebook to the biggest tech transfer technology, now used particularly since many African nessed a stunning success in the funds you can find in Silicon across Africa, Asia and Europe. investors have little under- respective segments, setting mod- Valley, they’ve all been here to It proved that money can be standing of technology. ern style and technology leader- look and they have all gone home made from people who earn a “Tech is very risky and ship benchmarks.” shaking their heads,” said Nikolai few dollars a day. It generated there are so many other low Barnwell, a Nairobi-based direc- revenues worth 27bn shillings lying fruit for investment, why tor of 88mph, a tech seed fund. ($300m) in the last financial take the risk with tech,” said Vietnam’s economy His fund, which has seeded year. But similar ideas to har- Dorothy Gordon director gen- almost 20 companies in east ness that economic power have eral of the Kofi Annan centre of expands 5.98pc Africa’s biggest economy, is tak- been elusive. Safaricom’s chief technology excellence in Accra, ing a break from investing in executive, Bob Collymore, has Ghana. Jeremy Gordon, founder HANOI: Vietnam’s economy Kenyan start-ups to focus on urged entrepreneurs to inno- of Nairobi-based Echo Mobile, grew 5.98 percent in 2014, the Nigeria where he believes the vate to solve Africa’s inher- said recruiting is tough and tech highest for three years, despite tech ecosystem is more profit- ent problems: access to water, start-ups spend a large amount a festering banking crisis and focused and there is less “fluff”. healthcare and education. of capital on engineering tal- damaging anti-China riots, At least 70 percent of start- “There’s no shortage of inno- ent. “Equity is less attractive authorities said. ups in Kenya are “not earning vation, there’s just a shortage to engineers in Kenya when The figure — higher than last enough to maintain business of useful innovation that meets weighed against salary, which is year’s increase of 5.42 percent and living expenses for a small need,” he said in a recent GE not surprising given the nature and 5.25 percent in 2012 — marks team,” according to a recent Look Ahead interview. of the start-up space, availabil- “a positive sign,” according to a “Digital Entrepreneurship” With mobile phone use near- ity of funding, and the Kenyan statement on the website of the survey by GSMA, a global asso- ing 80 percent, cheap data and economy,” he said. General Statistics Office. ciation of mobile operators. It’s soaring smartphone uptake, REUTERS AGENCIES THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

US yields drop as Greek Petrobras scandal sparks turmoil stokes demand BY SUSANNE WALKER hopes for reform REASURIES advanced, with the 10-year note yield falling the most in almost two weeks, as a renewal of political tur- BY MAC MARGOLIS investors, turning yesterday’s and queueing an arsenal of anti- Exchange, Petrobras is no longer a Tmoil in Greece increased the refuge appeal of US government emerging market promise into a corruption mechanisms that monster in a bell jar. The Securities securities. HEN a major Latin American sinkhole. are working with extraordinary and Exchange Commission is The benchmark note’s yield advantage over its Group of Seven political pay- It’s easy to look at the spread- rigor and competence. probing the oil major’s misdeeds, peers approached the most in eight years, fuelling demand on ola scandal ing stain in Brazil and shrug. Start with Operation and some 10 US law firms have concern a Greek election next month may reawaken the nation’s hit Brazil After all, the pillage at Petrobras Carwash, the intensifying cross- filed class-action suits on behalf sovereign-debt crisis. Treasuries fell last week when data showed a few years came to light almost by accident, border corruption probe into of minority shareholders. the US economy grew the fastest in 11 years, and Wall Street Wback, a colleague and I had a when federal police looked into Petrobras. Federal police have Corruption-busting in Brazil forecasters said bonds will drop further next year. The rate on friendly falling-out over which some fishy money-changers seized assets and jailed culprits. has a long way to go. Opaque three-month Treasury bills reached a 15-month low. scam was the country’s worst. I’d operating out of a gas station. Prosecutors have flipped a dozen budgets and discretionary bidding “It’s a sympathy uptrade with what’s going on in Europe,” said picked the mensalao, a congres- Only then did investigators dis- confessed crooks into state wit- help camouflage theft of public Ian Lyngen, a government-bond strategist at CRT Capital Group sional payola scheme that saw cover the wonderland of fraud, nesses. The Finance Ministry’s money. State giants Petrobras and in Stamford, Connecticut. “It’s thematically consistent with the the conviction of 25 moguls and graft, and money-laundering, financial crimes unit is chasing the national development bank, reach for yield from overseas buyers.” government higher-ups and the where crooked high rollers the electronic money trail from BNDES, are still largely exempt US 10-year yields sank four basis points, or 0.04 percentage near-unseating of President Luiz swapped their purloined reais the corner offices of Brazil’s from the scrutiny of the spend- point, to 2.21 percent at 4.27pm. New York time. They slid as much Inacio Lula da Silva. My friend for dollars and spirited the loot biggest contractors to banks in ing authority, SIAFI, and did their as six basis points, the most since December 16, after touching a went for the pork-for-votes off to Swiss bank accounts. Bern. And the newest idols in a best to stonewall Brazil’s Freedom two-week high of 2.30 percent on December 24. The price of the scheme that Lula’s predecessor Likewise, the mensalao of mid land in thrall to heroes in cleats of Information law. “State com- 2.25 percent note due in November 2024 gained 3/8, or $3.75 per had run to buy re-election. 2005-06 broke thanks not to dili- are a federal judge specialis- panies are the politicians’ $1,000 face amount, to 100 3/8. Nothing in Brazil compares gent sleuths, but to a junior ally ing in organised crime and the Disneyland,” says Castello Branco. German 10-year yields dropped five basis points to 0.544 percent to the looting of Petrobras. The in Lula’s congressional coali- Supreme Court. “They have plenty of money, are and reached a record-low 0.541 percent. US 10-year debt yielded damage goes well beyond the tion who sounded off when his Another tool is the witness prey to political manipulation and 99 basis points more than the average of its Group of Seven peers. hundreds of millions of dol- cabal got shafted in the votes- security program, by which peni- lack transparency.” The gap reached 101 basis points on December 23, the widest since lars that bent officials skimmed for-campaign-cash deal. “None tent criminals can be induced to A rigorous anticorruption law November 2006. from at least $23bn of supply of the political scandals of the turn coat against accomplices in has been in force since January US three-month rates touched negative 0.0101 percent, matching contracts with Brazil’s state-run last 10 years came as result exchange for reduced sentences. — under which crooked com- a September 2013 low, before trading at 0.0051 percent. oil company, which doubled as a of Brazil’s corruption control Created in 1990, and tailored panies can face scorching fines The volume of treasuries traded through ICAP, the largest inter- cash machine for campaign slush mechanisms,” said Gil Castello since to organized crime, the and be banned from bidding on dealer broker of US government debt, by 4pm in New York was funds. With the multinational’s Branco, an economist who runs statute flickered to life during public contracts — Rousseff has $158bn, up from a full-day low of $42bn on December 26, the least reputation in tatters, 39 execu- the government watchdog group, the mensalao scandal, when the yet to issue regulations imple- in two years. The 2014 daily average is $329bn. tives and former public officials Contas Abertas (Open Books). Supreme Court showed that not menting the bill. Until that Treasuries were also supported by buying for month-end exten- are on trial for overbilling, kick- The upside is that the carni- even Brazil’s mightiest were “too happens, clever lawyers will sions of duration, which calculates how much prices change when backs and money laundering. The val of crime belatedly has jolted big to jail,” as political journalist find wormholes for bandits to yields rise or fall. so-called petrolao scandal nearly Brazil’s drowsy democracy to Elio Gaspari put it. slither through. And Brazil has Fixed-income funds that manage portfolios against benchmark cost President Dilma Rousseff life, stoking public opinion, With assets abroad and shares seen enough of them. indexes, including Barclays’ US aggregate index, typically buy re-election and has spooked engaging a battle-worthy press, traded on the New York Stock WP-BLOOMBERG longer-term treasuries as a month ends to align the interest-rate sensitivity of their holdings with the gauges. The Barclays index will extend its duration by 0.08 year on January 1, compared with 0.11 year for December 1. US government securities have returned 5.7 percent this year, according to the Bloomberg US treasury bond index, set for the biggest annual gain since 2011. The performance defied predictions made a year ago, when strategists forecast a selloff as the Federal Reserve ended a bond- purchase program amid economic gains and discussed when to raise interest rates for the first time since 2006. Instead, persistent global turmoil, higher yields relative to other sovereign borrowers and low US inflation stoked demand. The yield on Treasury 10-year securities has fallen 85 basis points in 2014, while the yield on 30-year bonds has dropped 120 basis points. The scene will be different in 2015, forecasters say. With the economy accelerating and Fed Chair Janet Yellen poised to raise interest rates from virtually zero, calls for higher yields are the most aggressive since 2009, when US debt securities suffered record losses, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “Next year should be the break-out year finally,” Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, said by phone from New York on December 23. “The market is ignoring the rhetoric that Yellen and the FOMC is getting closer and closer to tightening. The market has it wrong.” The yield on the 10-year note is projected to rise to 3.01 percent at the end of 2015, while the 30-year bond yield is estimated to reach 3.7 percent, according to the median forecasts in Bloomberg surveys. The two-year yield is forecast to 1.53 percent. Treasuries with maturities of 10-plus years have returned 23.4 percent this year, while treasuries with maturities of one to five years have gained 1.1 percent, according to Bloomberg US treasury bond indexes. The yield curve, the difference between yields on two- and 30-year treasuries, has flattened from the steepest in two years in November 2013 as shorter-term securities have fallen amid speculation on a rate increase. Shorter maturities are more sensi- tive to changes in central-bank policy, while longer-dated tenors are more sensitive to inflation, which erodes returns. The Fed’s preferred gauge of inflation, a measure tied to personal consumption expenditures, has stayed below the central bank’s 2 percent target for 31 months even as US economy surged. Gross domestic product grew an annualised 5 percent in the third quarter, the most since 2003, a Decermber 23 report showed. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate The mainland’s colonisation of Hong Kong’s economy

BY CLARE BALDWIN, business sector, that China is occupancy of 25 key Grade A to see that there are many more business ties would expand after the renminbi. YIMOU LEE and CLARE JIM inexorably tightening its grip on office buildings, or prime office Chinese enterprises represented,” the 1997 handover, Beijing has New transport links from the former British colony. Even space, in the districts of Central, property analyst Nicole Wong, an made it clear that economic inte- Hong Kong now under construc- HEN Xi Jinping as Beijing struggles to tame Hong Admiralty, Sheung Wan and Wan author of the CLSA report, said. gration is central to reinforcing tion, including a high speed rail wanted to deliver Kong politically, Chinese companies Chai increased from 13 percent In a market accustomed to its sovereignty over Hong Kong, to Guangzhou and a bridge across a political mes- are consuming ever bigger chunks in 2008 to 21 percent earlier this stratospheric land prices, state- which is ruled under the one the Pearl River Delta to the main- sage to Hong of the city’s key sectors including year, according to commercial real owned Chinese developers this country, two systems model that land city of Zhuhai near Macau, Kong as protest- real estate, finance, power, con- estate services firm CBRE. year stunned long-established affords the city’s 7.2 million resi- would allow the rapid movement Wers demanding free elections were struction and the stock market. “We do expect more mainland local property giants with win- dents broad personal freedoms. of commuters and visitors. threatening to take to the streets, Many of these industries have for financial firms moving into Hong ning bids exceeding auction fore- Part of Beijing’s vision is to draw “It will be like New York he summoned the tycoons who decades been dominated by the busi- Kong,” said Simon Smith, senior casts by up to 20 per cent. Of the Hong Kong into a Pearl River where you have people working dominate the city’s economy. The ness titans who attended the meet- director of research and consul- six available plots sold since the Delta mega-economy that would in Manhattan and living on Long words from the Chinese leader ing with Xi. Men like Li Ka-shing, tancy at real estate services pro- middle of last year in Kai Tak also include the giant southern Island or in New Jersey and com- at the September 22 meeting in Asia’s richest man, casino and hos- vider Savills Plc in Hong Kong. district, one of Hong Kong’s larg- Chinese cities of Shenzhen and muting in to work every day,” said Beijing were uncompromising but pitality billionaire Lui Che-woo and “They like landmark properties, est developments of residential Guangzhou just across the border. Hong Kong entrepreneur Allan not surprising. He would not enter- palm oil magnate Robert Kuok. Now high-profile buildings. They often and commercial complexes, two In 2011, a chapter was dedicated Zeman, who developed the Lan tain any demand for full universal they are witnessing a mainland like naming rights if it’s available.” went to China Overseas Land & to Hong Kong for the first time Kwai Fong pub and restaurant suffrage in Hong Kong, according business invasion of the city. The office directory at Hong Investment (COLI) and one to in China’s five-year blueprint for area popular with expatriates. to two people who attended. One of the most telling signs Kong’s 88-floor International Poly Property Group. national economic development. “People who can’t have a home Just six days later, pro-democ- of change is the space mainland Finance Centre has a growing “Price is not an issue for them,” The 12th Five-Year plan, covering here (in Hong Kong) will live in racy activists made good on their Chinese companies lease in Central number of mainland companies said a former senior executive of the years from 2011 to 2015, lays Shenzhen and be able to come threat, unleashing more than two district, the heart of Hong Kong’s on the list. Among them is China a Hong Kong-listed developer who out how Beijing wants to connect here in 10 minutes.” months of street demonstrations. financial centre. These firms now Development Bank International was responsible for bidding at land Hong Kong with the Pearl River While mainland Chinese compa- But while Xi’s message that day account for over 50 percent of Holdings Ltd, which held its open- auctions before he left the com- Delta’s increasingly prosperous nies are rapidly expanding into Hong in the Great Hall of the People new leases signed for offices there, ing ceremony in 2011 and serves pany in June. “That’s why they middle class consumers. Kong, Western banking and finan- failed to deter the protesters, in according to a September report as the offshore investment firm offered prices that surprised eve- Under the plan, Hong Kong cial institutions still have a strong speaking directly to the city’s busi- from Hong Kong-based brokerage of China Development Bank, the ryone.” A spokesperson for Poly would be a leader for the region presence in the city. Global bank ness and professional elite he was CLSA. That’s up from 20 percent country’s biggest policy lender. said the company had no comment. in shipping, trade, services and HSBC Holdings Plc , for instance, showing where Beijing believes in 2012, the report said. “If you go to the International COLI did not respond to ques- distribution. In finance, Hong employed more than 28,000 people real power in Hong Kong resides. The trend is the same in all Finance Centre now and compare tions sent by email. Kong would serve as an offshore in Hong Kong at the end of 2013. And it is here, in the city’s major business districts. Mainland it to five years ago, it’s very easy While it was predictable market for the mainland currency, REUTERS THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,285.78 0.34 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,324.12 0.34 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,101.39 0.38 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,151 0.23 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,203.99 0.35 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5388.601 -3.727 -0.07 5672.3 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 4,039.63 1.06 % QR140.6013 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,318.49 2.34 % Cac 40 Index/D 4270.5 24.96 0.59 4598.65 3789.11 QE All Share Real Estate 2,244.48 1.08 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6447 QR 5.7237 QE All Share Insurance 3,958.54 0.01 % Dj Indu Average 17983.07 -55.16 -0.31 18103.4 15340.69 QR 1.8942 Euro ...... QR 4.3990 QR 4.4613 QE All Share Telecoms 1,485.62 3.31 % CA$ ...... QR 3.1164 QR 3.1771 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,907.44 0.48 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23605.04 103.94 0.44 25362.98 21137.61 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6588 QR 3.7097 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5237.1 24.47 0.47 5325.15 4275.26 Yen ...... QR 0.0302 QR 0.0308 Aus$ ...... QR 2.9595 QR 3.0172 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 32131.28 177.38 0.56 32315.56 25273.11 CRUDE OIL 31-12-2014 30-12-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0573 QR 0.0584 Index 12,285.78 12,327.62 Nikkei 225 Index 17450.77 -279.07 -1.57 18030.83 13885.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0359 QR 0.0366 Change 41.84 243.97 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0805 QR 0.0823 S&P 500 Index/D 2080.35 -10.22 -0.49 2093.55 1737.92 % 0.34 1.94 $ 56.38 SL Re ...... QR 0.0275 QR 0.0281 YTD% 18.36 18.77 Straits Times/D 3365.15 -0.96 -0.03 3387.84 2953.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0463 QR 0.0473 Volume 13,368,051 23,357,532 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0358 QR 0.0365 Value (QAR) 528,284,348.13 1,050,108,511.54 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3118 QR 0.3179 Trades 6,884 10,596 $ 52.62 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01 Up 20 | Down 21 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 31-12-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 133 11.5 19453 Cipla-A/D 625.8 0.25 38017 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 18.15 0.2 917961 Kg Denim-B/D 17.7 0.65 44809 Radico Khait-B/D 86.95 0.75 78132 Legal & Genera/D 249.1693 1.9 1214719 A C C-A/D 1397.1 -3.75 17670 City Union Bk-/D 94.15 0.9 66116 Himat Seide-B/D 88.65 1.35 33434 Kilburnengg-T/D 41.05 0.45 6446 Rallis India-A/D 215.05 4.6 27247 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 75.774876 0.48 7449846 Aarti Drugs-B/D 852.55 63.35 13452 Colgate-A/D 1782 3.35 6297 Hind Motors-T/D 7.88 0.15 62180 Kopran-B/D 51.2 0.3 68506 Reliance Indus/D 481.65 -10.25 109722 Marks & Sp./D 478.4 0.9 187734 Aban Offs-A/D 501.45 -5.5 539927 Container Cor-/D 1354 14.25 8578 Hind Org Chem-/D 21 -0.25 27710 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 455.6 8.95 3852 Ruchi Soya-B/D 36.05 -0.1 50719 Next/D 6730.75 5 123744 Aegis Logis-B/D 449.85 6.85 38530 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 159.9 9.25 35435 Hind Unilever-/D 759.5 -0.1 41330 Lgb Broth-B/D 664.35 51.75 13432 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 657.35 -1.1 48303 Pearson/D 1188 19 147624 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 343.6 16.75 148777 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 107.2 2.2 4320 Hind.Petrol-A/D 547.45 -2.1 86092 Lloyd Metal-B/D 10.47 -0.43 5000 Samtel-T/D 6.75 0.32 6201 Prudential/D 1499.5 7.5 244405 Alembic-B/D 38.95 0.6 140744 Dhampur Sugar-/D 42.65 0.1 30405 Hindalco-A/D 157.7 1.45 507115 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 12.4 0.11 6905 Saur.Cem-B/D 42.3 -1.75 56793 Rank Group/D 160 -1.2 3263 Alok Indus-A/D 10.08 0.04 1569101 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3244.95 64.4 17677 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1135 3.65 51528 Lumax Ind-B/D 412 -3.95 6192 Thirumalai-B/D 95.95 -0.3 2800 Rentokil Initi/D 121.18 0.4 176257 Apollo Tyre-A/D 223.1 0.55 117536 E I H-B/D 127.5 4.3 42343 I F C I-A/D 37.85 0.15 359735 Lupin-A/D 1427.55 -1.15 29408 Timexgroup-T/D 12.6 0.05 54445 Rolls Royce Pl/D 871.15 12.5 170355 Asahi I Glass-/D 121.45 5.35 21254 E.I.D Parry-A/D 200.95 3.2 21155 Idbi-A/D 73.15 0.15 291914 Lyka Labs-T/D 25.65 -0.85 60958 Tinplate-B/D 61.7 -0.55 36304 Rsa Insrance G/D 435.7 -0.5 246793 Ashok Leyland-/D 51.35 -0.2 1471560 Eicher Motor-A/D 15103.5 -250.35 3384 Ifb Agro-B/D 391.1 42.75 19656 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 148 0.05 3445 Ucal Fuel-B/D 137.3 0.1 22358 Sainsbury(J)/D 245.715 1.4 1461473 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.5 0.15 428737 Electrosteel-B/D 17.9 0.05 69960 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 483.05 -3.55 29257 Mangalam Cem-B/D 311.6 0.75 29222 Ucal Fuel-B/D 137.3 0.1 22358 Schroders/D 2704 40 22182 Bata India-A/D 1305.7 3.4 6861 Emco-B/D 40.65 -0.95 81107 India Cement-A/D 85.4 1.1 103071 Maral Overs-B/D 19.35 0.25 10000 Ultramarine-B/D 67.6 -0.15 13057 Severn Trent/D 2004 13 60797 Beml Ltd-A/D 793.2 42.8 558532 Escorts Fin-B/D 5.37 -0.16 24353 India Glycol-B/D 101.6 2.2 11975 Mastek-B/D 395.65 0.9 155191 Unitech P -A/D 16.6 0.7 7205479 Smith&Nephew/D 1178 -11 240818 Bh Electronic-/D 2933.3 125.6 68095 Escorts-A/D 128.45 -1.25 103812 Indian Hotel-A/D 125.5 1.55 163367 Max India L-A/D 394.9 7.5 45902 Smiths Group/D 1091 -1 74530 Bhansali Eng-T/D 14.55 0.55 21594 Essar Oil-T/D 106.45 0.65 64465 Indo-Tcount-T/D 345.4 -14.55 24565 Mrpl-A/D 47.2 0.2 49287 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 963.59 4.3 389725 Bharat Bijle-B/D 706 -14.4 18951 Eveready Indu-/D 179.75 0.35 85033 Indusind-A/D 802.55 10.8 72105 Nahar Spg.-B/D 96 1 32689 Tate & Lyle/D 599.5 -9.5 151360 Bhartiya Int-B/D 401 -3 15791 F D C-B/D 160.1 2.05 8567 J.B.Chemical-B/D 201.45 0.95 11781 Nation Alum -A/D 53.55 0.05 375237 3I Group/D 449.62 6.4 113003 Tesco/D 189.35 2.45 3458808 Bhel-A/D 265.2 6.85 481734 Federal Bank-A/D 151.6 1 119416 Jagson Phar-B/D 36.85 -1.7 51613 Navneet Edu-B/D 105.2 -3.4 44096 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3166 20 120662 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bom.Burmah-B/D 367.9 -2.75 128941 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.47 -0.29 81344 Jbf Indu-B/D 249.8 11.75 497608 Nepc India-T/D 2.5 -0.03 20757 Barclays/D 243.5 2.1 2394890 Unilever/D 2622.07 0 512362 Bombay Dyeing-/D 66.95 1.1 235076 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.44 0.11 2300 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.64 0.02 35978 Neuland Lab-B/D 490.5 2.3 5507 Bg Group/D 865.4 -3.2 772909 United Util Gr/D 917 7 155227 Camph.& All-B/D 278 3 5418 Finolex-A/D 261.9 4.35 7860 Jct Ltd-B/D 4.05 0.11 290320 Nrb Bearings-B/D 132 6.25 24212 Bp/D 408.2 -1.1 3138850 Vodafone Group/D 222.3979 1.25 2494669 Canfin Homes-B/D 501 3.75 7495 Gail-A/D 444.95 1.4 105877 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 4.6 -0.07 8743 O N G C-A/D 341.2 -0.3 214015 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3515 25 132852 Whitbread/D 4752 37 25577 Caprihans-B/D 85.4 -0.5 10441 Galada Power-T/D 12.89 -0.06 2250 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 130 -2.35 557517 Ocl India-B/D 442.2 -1.7 6700 Bt Group/D 402.544 0.2 651807 Cast.Bo/D 501.4 7.55 45153 Gammon India-T/D 27.25 1.4 124542 Jmc Projects-T/D 183.05 1.4 3010 Orchid Chem-B/D 64.95 0.1 161425 Centrica/D 278.6 0.1 1997617 Century Text-A/D 523.85 6.8 63281 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.41 -0.07 12215 Kabra Extr-B/D 81.4 -0.5 9849 Orient Hotel-T/D 23.05 -0.05 2507 Gkn/D 344.5 -1.5 477428 Chambal Fert-B/D 60.6 0.1 28399 Garden P -B/D 30.65 0.65 5521 Kajaria Cer-A/D 588.85 22.75 30790 Orient.Carb.-T/D 367 7.3 7042 Hsbc Holdings/D 607.4 -1.8 1521563 Chola Invest-B/D 473.7 -5.8 52725 Goodricke-B/D 158 -1.6 4431 Kalpat Power-B/D 215.35 1.7 78887 Orient.Carb.-T/D 367 7.3 7042 Imperial Tobac/D 2834 8 133204 Chowgule St-T/D 23.1 1.1 23577 Goodyear I -B/D 627.3 -5.05 4854 Kalyani Stel-T/D 157.25 5.65 73868 Oudh Sugar-B/D 19 0 10880 Kingfisher/D 335.9 3.5 1344080 Cimmco-B/D 79.5 -3.5 76264 Hcl Infosys-B/D 52 -0.45 460199 Kanoria Chem-B/D 35 -0.7 6769 Punjab Chem.-B/D 116 4.5 8467 Land Secs Grou/D 1169 20 152937 THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 NBA: Hawks hunt down Cavs in absence of unfit James Milsap stars for Atlanta in 109-101 win, Irving’s 35 points go in vain

NEW YORK: Forward Paul lost six of seven before beating Milsap scored 10 of his 26 Denver. Marin Cilic points in the fourth quarter to Pistons 109, Magic 86 help the Atlanta Hawks ease by Reserve guard Jodie Meeks a LeBron James-less Cleveland hit nine of his 11 three-point Cavaliers 109-101. attempts and scored a season- Injured Cilic James missed the game with high 34 points to lead Detroit to soreness in his left knee and his a victory over Orlando. Kyrie Irving absence left guard Kyrie Irving to Centre Andre Drummond had (right) of the pulls out of pick up the slack. 17 points and 22 rebounds and Cleveland Irving, who had missed the reserve guard D.J. Augustin added Cavaliers Brisbane last two games with a sore knee, 11 points for Detroit, who out- drives against scored 35 points with nine assists rebounded Orlando, 54-42. DeMarre and six rebounds for the Cavs. Nets 96, Bulls 82 Carroll of event Atlanta also got 23 points and Centre Brook Lopez scored 29 the Atlanta 11 assists from guard Jeff Teague points as Brooklyn rolled to a win Hawks at LONDON: US Open cham- and 19 points and eight rebounds over Chicago. pion Marin Cilic has withdrawn Philips Arena, from guard Kyle Korver. Forward Forward Joe Johnson added 20 from next week’s Brisbane yesterday Mike Scott came off the bench to points and 11 rebounds for the International with a right add 12 points and five rebounds. Nets, who earned their fifth win in Atlanta, shoulder injury, the Croat opt- Cleveland got 18 points and 13 in six games. Guards Jarrett Jack Georgia. ing to sit out the Australian rebounds from center Tristan and Alan Anderson notched 11 Open warm-up event to recover Thompson and 13 points from points apiece for Brooklyn. fully ahead of the season’s first rookie guard Joe Harris. Pelicans 110, Suns 106 Grand Slam. Grizzlies 95, Spurs 87 Guard Tyreke Evans scored Despite the world number Mike Conley carried Memphis 24 points and forward Anthony nine’s withdrawal, a strong field early, then buried San Antonio Davis grabbed 18 rebounds to lift is expected for the event, includ- late in the Grizzlies’ victory over New Orleans to a victory over ing Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori, the Spurs before a sellout crowd Phoenix, ending the Suns’ six- Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov at FedExForum. game winning streak. and Juan Martin del Potro, The veteran point guard scored The Suns were led by Goran who have all confirmed their a game-high 30 points and hit a Dragic with 22 points and Eric participation. key three-pointer with 3:10 left to Bledsoe with 21. Cilic’s no-show has opened help Memphis close out 2014 with Mavericks 114, Wizards 87 the way for Australian world its second win over the Spurs in Six Mavericks scored in double number 75 Marinko Matosevic to three meetings this month. figures, led by guard Monta Ellis join compatriots Lleyton Hewitt, Lakers 111, Nuggets 103 with 20 points, in Dallas’ third who beat Federer in this year’s Guard Kobe Bryant had 23 consecutive victory. final, Bernard Tomic and Thanasi points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, Washington, coming off a Kokkinakis in the men’s draw. as Los Angeles held on to beat big 104-103 win at Houston on “Very sad I had to withdraw Denver. It was the second triple- Monday, could not get anything from @BrisbaneTennis tour- double of the season for Bryant going and was exceedingly sloppy nament. At least happy for my and 21st of his career. with 23 turnovers. friend #matosevic who got in Forward Carlos Boozer had The Mavs earned a 10th con- instead of me,” Cilic, 26, tweeted 19 points and nine rebounds and secutive win in the series with the upon announcing his withdrawal. guard Ronnie Price scored 18 Wizards, their longest winning “It’s unfortunate Marin won’t points for the Lakers, who had streak against any team. be fit to compete in Brisbane Jazz 100, Timberwolves 94 and we wish him all the best for Forward Gordon Hayward and his recovery,” tournament direc- NBA Results guard Trey Burke each scored 26 tor Cameron Pearson said in a Detroit 109 Orlando 86 points to help Utah rally for vic- statement. Atlanta 109 Cleveland 101 tory over Minnesota. “(But) with a strong local con- Brooklyn 96 Chicago 82 Forward Derrick Favors tingent and some of the biggest Memphis 95 San Antonio 87 chipped in 15 points and eight international stars all coming to New Orleans 110 Phoenix 106 boards, while center Enes Kanter Brisbane, it’s certainly shaping up added 14 points and 12 rebounds to be another great tournament.” Dallas 114 Washington 87 to help the Jazz win for the fifth The Australian Open starts in LA Lakers 111 Denver 103 Rajon Rondo (right) of the Dallas Mavericks takes a shot against Rasual Butler of the Washington Wizards during time in the last seven games. their NBA game at American Airlines Center on Tuesday in Dallas, Texas. Melbourne on January 19. Utah 100 Minnesota 94 AGENCIES REUTERS

NFL: Suh wins appeal, to play against Dallas

NEW YORK: Detroit Lions the second step and push off with defensive tackle Ndamukong your left foot, clearly could have Suh (pictured) won his appeal been avoided.” Suh’s return bol- yesterday of a one-game sus- sters a Lions defensive unit that pension by the National Football will face the challenge from NFL League and will compete in rushing champion DeMarco Sunday’s first-round playoff Murray and star quarterback game at Dallas. Tony Romo. League appeals officer Ted Meanwhile, Jedd Fisch is out Cottrell overturned the one-game as Jacksonville Jaguars offensive ban imposed Monday by NFL vice coordinator after the offense fin- president of football operations ished last and next-to-last in the Nashville Predators defenceman Shea Weber (left) celebrates with Merton Hanks, instead imposing NFL in total yards the past two team-mates after scoring a goal during the first period of the NHL a $70,000 fine upon the Detroit seasons. game against the St. Louis Blues at Bridgestone Arena, yesterday. defender. The Jaguars (3-13) averaged Suh was punished 15.6 points and 290 after stepping twice yards per game this on the injured leg of season. The 38-year- Weber’s goal hands Green Bay quarter- old Fisch was pri- back Aaron Rodgers vately criticised by in a victory by the some players for his Packers over the play-calling and also Predators close win Lions on Sunday at for his handling of Green Bay. rookie quarterback NEW YORK: Shea Weber’s Montreal edged Florida at the Suh, whose mother Blake Bortles. short-handed goal with 10:58 BB&T Center. is from Jamaica and According to insid- left earned Nashville a 3-2 Montreal right winger whose father is from ers, fired Chicago win over St Louis in a battle Brendan Gallagher and Cameroon, backed Bears coach Marc of Central Division powers. Florida center Nick Bjugstad into Rodgers and knocked him Trestman could be a candidate Weber, who also scored scored the goals in regulation. to the ground during a pass play for the offensive coordinator job. early in the game, got loose Montreal’s Dustin Tokarski in the fourth quarter. Jaguars coach Gus Bradley and on a two-on-one breakaway made 36 saves for the win, After stepping backwards Trestman are close friends. before firing a wrist shot that outdueling Florida’s Roberto once onto Rodgers leg, Suh made Also, Ben Tate joined his beat Blues goalie Brian Elliott Luongo, who stopped 33. another step backwards onto the third team in seven weeks when high to the stick side. Meanwhile, Patrick Kane area between Rodgers’ ankle and he signed with the running Elliott, who was activated and Jonathan Toews, each a calf, an area which was injured in back-needy Pittsburgh Steelers from injured reserve earlier in National Hockey League play- the second quarter so badly that yesterday. the day after being out since off Most Valuable Player, lead Rodgers had to be helped off the The Steelers are hurting at the Nov. 25 with a sprained right the Chicago Blackhawks into field. position with Pro Bowl featured knee, looked sharp as he made Washington for today’s annual “You did not respond in the back Le’Veon Bell expected to 44 saves. New Year’s Day outdoor manner of someone who had lost miss Sunday’s wild-card game Nashville goaltender Pekka Winter Classic contest. Sunny his balance and accidentally con- with a hyperextended knee. Rinne was not as busy as he and chilly conditions are fore- tacted another player who was Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made 25 saves for his 24th win. cast for the NHL’s 14th reg- lying on the ground,” Hanks told confirmed that Bell has no struc- In other match, right winger ular-season stadium contest Suh in a letter explaining the tural damage to the knee and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau at the home ballpark of Major now-overturned ban. went on to say he’s not ruling Bell scored the game-winner in the League Baseball’s Washington “This illegal contact, specifically out this weekend. AGENCIES third round of the shootout as Nationals. REUTERS THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

The podium Adored Afridi winners cele- brate their Qatar leaves vacuum Derby win dur- ing the awards for fans ceremony at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian KARACHI: If fan following Club (QREC) was a yardstick of greatness in yesterday. cricket, Pakistan’s colourful all- Also seen is rounder Shahid Afridi would probably be ranked his country’s QREC General greatest ever player. Manager Sami Ever since he hit a 37-ball hun- Jassim Al dred in only his second one-day Boenain (third international -- against Sri Lanka right). in Nairobi in 1996 -- Afridi has PICTURES been a cult figure in Pakistan. BY: JUHAIM His announcement last week that he was quitting one-day cricket after next year’s World Cup has left his millions of fans pondering: who to watch after Results: him? P/A Handicap Rated 70 - 100 No cricketer in Pakistan has 1600M had the persona and the box office Roman Legend storms Running Time: 1:44:61 pull of the hyperactive, big-hit- ting Afridi, who filled stadiums Thunder Struck, A. de Mieulle, P. Convertino throughout his career -- and Thawi, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley often emptied them when he was Zahi, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert out. P/A Fillies Championship The fervour for watching him bat was such that when he was 2000M to Qatar Derby victory dismissed first ball by an unknown Running Time: 2:16:57 Zimbabwe bowler in Peshawar a Mayasa, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley few days after his world record Kampanule De Ghazal, J. Smart, T. O’Shea hundred, the crowd chanted: “Try Jockey Avranche guides three-year-old to top honours Al Koufa, J. Smart, B.Doyle ball, let Afridi bat again!” Girls swooned for a glimpse of Qatar Nursery Stakes - Thoroughbreds him and many wanted to marry DOHA: Jassim Al Ghazali- 1400M him. In 2004 two women came trained Roman Legend was the Running Time: 1:22:63 in bridal dress to a ground and talk of the town yesterday as Izzthatright, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley were only convinced to leave after the three-year-old stormed to meeting him face to face. Crescent, Ahmed Kobeissi, S. Golam a spectacular Qatar Derby win Afridi won hearts with his at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Beach Samba, I. Al Malki, Gary Carter unorthodox, buccaneering style (QREC) Club. Qatar Local Thoroughbred Derby -- ignoring the coaching manual Ridden by Gerald Avranche, 1850M to rely on swagger and raw talent. Roman Legend edged Debbie Running Time: 1:56:46 It was an approach tailor- Mountain-trained Ponfeigh - who made for TV and Afridi’s career Footprintinthesand, Ahmed Kobeissi, S. had Gary Carter in the saddle - to coincided with the explosion of claim the top prize of QR855,000. Golam Pakistani media that followed Rosso Corsa - ridden Pier Al Hareth, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley General Pervez Musharraf’s lib- Convertino - finished the 2000m Al Dabor, M. Al Attiya, Alberto Sanna eralisation of the sector in 2002. race in third place, some three Doha L/B P/A Oaks Pakistani cricket writer and lengths behind Roman Legend. historian Osman Samiuddin 1600M Minutes earlier, Abhar battled said the exposure meant Afridi’s all the way for the win when the Running Time: 1:45:26 popularity become virtually Julian Smart-trained four-year- Al Fakhamah, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry unmatched, in any era. old ride clinched the issue in the Bentley “He has played in the right age Qatar Pure Arabian Derby. AJS Intifadah, M. Al Yaqout, T. O’Shea for sure, when a booming elec- Ridden by Alberto Sanna, Naamah, M. Salama, Cedric Segeon tronic media has made him a Abhar won with a time of 2:14.04 bigger public presence than pre- for the top prize of QR456,000. Doha P/A Oaks vious stars such as Imran Khan, B Doyle guided Al Majh’Hoor 1600M Wasim Akram or Waqar Younis,” to second spot while Lucky Sand Running Time: 1:44:38 Samiuddin said. - who had Marco Monteriso in Gidwa, J. Smart, T. O’Shea The Afridi effect can be seen the saddle - finished in third spot. in any street game in Pakistan, Bayalina, Jassim Al Ghazali, Stephan Ladjadj In the Qatar Local Bred Pure where millions of children copy Arabian Derby, Majeed galloped Kimfalah, Jassim Al Ghazali, J.P Guillambert his style -- trying to smash every to win while Masnoon - trained Qatar L/B P/A Derby other ball out of the park. by Al Ghazali - finished second. 2000M Afridi’s superstardom on Taraf, ridden by Doyle, finished Running Time: 2:12:75 the field made him the face of third. Owners Umm Qarn picked Pakistan off it, and his likeness up the top prize of QR285,000. Majeed, A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Faucon is plastered across billboards Earlier, popular British jockey Masnoon, Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley and TV ads everywhere in the Bentley combined with trained Al Taraf, J. Smart B.Doyle country. Jockey Gerald Ghazali to seal three wins includ- Qatar P/A Derby (Gr 2 PA) Even now, in the twilight of his ing clinching the honours in the Avranche rides career, Afridi advertises every- 2000M Doha Oaks. Roman Legend to thing from shampoo, banking and Bentley won the 1600m race victory at QREC Running Time: 2:14:04 skin cream to chewing gum, with astride Al Fakhamah with a time yesterday. RIGHT: Abhar, J. Smart, Alberto Sanna a ubiquity surpassed perhaps only of 1:45.26. Avranche receives Al Majh’Hoor, J. Smart, B.Doyle by Sachin Tendulkar in India. his trophy from an AJS Intifadah - ridden by Lucky Sand, D Al Marri Marco Monteriso “Afridi may not always be the T O’Shea - was second while official. star performer but he remains Naamah finished third. Qatar Thoroughbred Derby (Gr 1) a star,” said Kamil Ahmed, who For the ownership Seail bin 2000M works for a top advertising agency Khalifa Al Kuwari, the prize was Running Time: 2:00:18 in Karachi. worth QR 171,000. Roman Legend, Jassim Al Ghazali, Gerald “His name can lift a product, Races will continue at QREC Avranche especially those for young people, on January 7 when riders contest who are mad for him.” Ponfeigh, Debbie Mountain, Gary Carter for honours in the Al Karana Cup. Afridi, now 34, has had ups and THE PENINSULA Rosso Corsa, Majid Safedeen, P. Convertino downs in his career but his sup- port reached new heights when he became captain in 2010. Qatar International Show Jumping Championship 2015 kicks off today at Al Rayyan “I am lucky in the sense that people loved me more than any- one else,” Afridi said. “It’s a great blessing and I always wanted to play for my country and for my fans.” With age catching up and form sliding, Afridi’s fan following started to diminish two years ago. He was dropped from the one- day side for the tour of India in December 2012 and then for the Champions Trophy a year later. But in typical style, he won back hearts with a blistering 18-ball 34 against India to help Pakistan reach the final of the Asia Cup in March. Two sixes off Ravichandran Ashwin in the last over against arch-rivals India silenced the critics. “When Afridi wins a game in that manner it feels much more than just an ordinary win,” said Samiuddin, author of “The Unquiet Ones”, a new history of Pakistani cricket. There are those who became exasperated with Afridi in recent years, seeing a player whose love for the spectacular often came at the expense of his teammates. But Samiuddin says that for all his occasional failures, Afridi would be remembered as “a very A horse is being taken for a veterinary check up on the eve of the Qatar International Show Jumping Championship 2015 which begins at the Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) in Al Rayyan very good limited overs player, today. The three-day event will end on January 3. The Qatar International Championship is one of the Arab League qualification rounds for the World Cup. among the greatest Pakistan has seen. AFP THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Dhoni’s abrupt Test retirement shocks India

NEW DELHI: India captain left eyebrows raised all around,” “Given his recent poor run, it playing under,” Dravid told the Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s sud- wrote the Times of India. is clear Dhoni is past his shelf life Cricinfo website. “One of the den decision to quit Test cricket Former captain Sourav as captain,” the Hindustan Times things I liked about MS was that caught the country’s media and Ganguly (pictured), who is in wrote. “(But) by walking out at what you saw was what you got. former players by surprise yes- Australia as a television com- such a juncture, he has not solved Very uncomplicated, always led by terday, even though many felt mentator, also appeared stunned a problem, but seems to have cre- example.” his time at the top was over. by Dhoni’s retirement before the ated one. Dhoni finished as India’s most Dhoni’s retirement from the final Test had been “Losing a player successful Test captain with 27 longer format on Tuesday soon played in Sydney. during the heat of wins in 60 matches, but not eve- after the drawn third Test in “I am surprised by battle can unset- ryone was convinced he was the Melbourne had handed Australia the decision in the tle any team. Here, right man for the job. the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, was middle of the series,” India have lost their Former Test batsman Mohinder the lead front-page story in most Ganguly wrote in commander-in- Amarnath, who was sacked as newspapers. the Hindustan Times. chief.” selector in 2012 after demanding But headlines like ‘Dhoni takes “Three Tests are over Dhoni will con- that Dhoni be removed as Test the highway, Mahi (Dhoni’s nick- and it was a question tinue to lead in lim- captain, said the player had taken name) way’, ‘Dhoni drops a bomb’ of one more. He could ited-overs cricket the right decision. and ‘Dhoni retires Dhoni style’ have finished it off. starting with the “It was in the last two years indicated how the media-wary “The decision to give up the defence of the World Cup in that I felt that Dhoni was sim- skipper had managed to fool the captaincy was right, though I Australia and New Zealand from ply not doing enough justice to usually alert press pack. think the decision not to play Test February 14. Former team-mate his talent and was not adding “Dhoni’s Test career came to cricket is an incorrect one.” Rahul Dravid called Dhoni an enough value to the Test team,” an end in the same way that he The same paper said Dhoni may “inspiration”, saying he was a Amarnath wrote in the Times of In this photograph taken on January 15, 2012, Indian cricket captain has often played his cricket -- have created more trouble for the captain who led “more by exam- India. “Gradually, his captaincy Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on after Australia won the third cricket Test with a quirky, inscrutable move touring team even though he was ple than by rhetoric or by words”. lost all flair and aggression, espe- match by an innings and 37 runs at the WACA ground in Perth. that seemed to defy logic and “past his shelf life as captain”. “He was a captain I enjoyed cially abroad.” AFP Unhappy Lehman calls SA seek series triumph for improved catching

MELBOURNE: Australia’s in the field were not down to a sloppy catching is down to a lack of practice under fielding lack of confidence, coach Darren coach Greg Blewett, but rather Lehmann (pictured) said yes- confidence. against WI at Newlands terday, calling for better at next “It’s not volume or practice, week’s final Test against India in they’re very good at that,” he said. Sydney. “It’s probably more confidence We have a lot of positives to take in next match: Amla The hosts drew the third Test in to be honest, I’ve been really Melbourne on Tuesday to reclaim pleased with the work ethic. the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but They’re catching brilliantly in CAPE TOWN: South Africa Lehmann said dropped catches in practice.” Lehmann said former will literally be trying to make India’s first innings cost his team Test batsman Blewett had been up for lost time when they take dearly. working the players hard in field- on the West Indies in the third Australia set the tourists a ing drills to get an improvement. and final Test at Newlands 384-run victory target off just 70 “He’s done a really good job. tomorrow. overs, but India hung on to be 174 (Injured skipper) Michael Clarke Although the West Indies put for six when both captains called said he’s worked the boys as hard up an improved performance, the match off with four overs left as we’ve ever seen anyone work South African captain Hashim on the day. them before,” the coach said. Amla stopped short of acknowl- Lehmann “We missed a edging their credentials in his was upset by a couple of run- post-match comments after the series of spilled outs we should rain-hit second Test in Port catches in India’s have taken as Elizabeth ended in a draw. first innings well,” he added. Amla suggested that South which enabled Lehmann said Africa’s first innings total of 417 the tourists to the addition of for eight could have been bigger restrict the first Ashton Agar to had his team not been trying to innings deficit to the squad for force the pace after most of the 65 runs. the Sydney Test second day’s play was washed out. Australia was to give more He also pointed out that the dropped three spinning options West Indian reply of 275 for nine catches with if needed. was largely due to a third wicket spinner Nathan “He’s a left- partnership of 176 between Kraigg Lyon bungling a arm spinner Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels, regulation two- to take it away who both hit centuries. The next handed head-high chance off from the right-handers and highest West Indian score was 22 his own bowling when Ajinkya depending on what we get in by Devon Smith. Rahane was on 70. He went on Sydney,” he said. According to Amla, the South to make 147. “Traditionally the SCG has African bowlers performed well Shane Watson put down Virat spun, last year it seamed, so just on an unresponsive pitch in Port South Africa’s captain Hashim Amla (centre) warms up with his team-mates during the 4th day of the second Kohli (88) at first slip off Mitchell to give us some cover really. Elizabeth. Test against the West Indies in Port Elizabeth, in this December 29, 2014 file photo. Johnson and the vice-captain “If it spins then we want the “I think on a different surface went on to score 169, while substi- two options for the captain and we may have picked up a lot more tute fielder Peter Siddle dropped then we’ll have to work out what wickets a lot quicker. We did very South Africa, who lead the franchise, is also a useful batsman. batsman Jermaine Blackwood and a two-handed chance off Lokesh we do with the bowling attack well to take seven wickets in 35 series 1-0 after an innings win If he plays he could possibly picked all-rounder Jason Holder. Rahul, although the debutant was from there. But we’ve got to get overs (on day four) so we have a in the first Test in Centurion, replace one of the seven special- It led to an improved bowling out off Lyon’s next ball. 20 wickets.” lot of positives to take into the added uncapped off-spinner ist batsmen who played in Port performance but the lower order “Shoddy at best,” Lehmann told Agar, who scored a memora- next game,” he said. Simon Harmer to their squad for Elizabeth if he is not picked ahead batsmen, including Holder, crum- reporters. “We’ve done a lot of ble 98 in his Test debut against Amla clearly felt that South Newlands. of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who bled against the pace of Morne work and I can’t complain about England, could possibly bowl in Africa would have been favourites “We would like to have the took three wickets but was expen- Morkel and spin of Tahir. the work ethic from the lads, but tandem with front-line spinner to win if the weather had not cut option of a second spinner,” said sive at St George’s Park. West Indian coach Stuart the big ones that cost us were the Lyon at the SCG. more than half the playing time selection convener Andrew The West Indies will have to Williams said his team was a first innings. The Australia squad is other- from the second Test. Hudson. choose between bolstering a frag- “work in progress” and the players “We dropped Kohli and Rahane wise unchanged, with all-rounder The South African bowlers It would be unusual for South ile batting line-up or go in with were looking forward to playing and that cost us dearly in the Mitchell Marsh still ruled out can expect more pace, bounce Africa to include two spin bowl- the same bowling line-up that at Newlands in what is tradition- back end of the game. Catches with a hamstring injury. The and possibly seam movement at ers in the same team but Harmer, played in Port Elizabeth. ally South African cricket’s big- win matches.” Sydney Test gets under way on Newlands. from the Eastern Cape Warriors After Centurion, they dropped gest occasion. AFP Lehmann said Australia’s drops Tuesday, January 6. AFP QBF Men’s League

Al Rayyan player Davon James Dominic (left) attempts to break through Al Ahli’s defence during the QBF Men’s League game at the Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Al Rayyan player Hassan Mohamed (right) jumps to score a point during the match. Al Rayyan won the match 87-71. PICTURES BY: BAHER AMIN THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Celtic determined to bounce back Griffiths confident ahead of Glasgow derby

GLASGOW: Celtic striker act as the inspiration to kick start Leigh Griffiths says his side Scottish Premier their season again. need to take their chances as “I don’t think you should need they aim to get back to winning League Fixtures motivated for a game like this,” ways against Partick Thistle in Hartley said. the Glasgow derby today. (1500 unless otherwise stated) “It’s a derby with a full house After an eight-match win- Dundee United vs Dundee (1215) and it’s on TV. It’s a game where ning run, the Hoops have failed Aberdeen vs St Johnstone you want to go and do well in. to record a victory in their past Hamilton vs Motherwell “Sometimes the form goes out two matches following a defeat to Ross County vs Inverness CT the window in derby games. Qatar’s Masoud Al Athba in action during the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association Cup at Losail Shooting Dundee United and Sunday’s frus- “It’s a match where the players St Mirren vs Kilmarnock Range in this October 19, 2014 file picture. trating goalless draw at home to are focused on doing well in. bottom of the table Ross County. Partick Thistle vs Celtic (1730) “We know we let ourselves The Glasgow giants passed up down on Saturday and I don’t a host of chances in both matches place at the right time, but he think there’s a better game for and Griffiths is backing the club’s just put the ball wide when nine us now.” strikers to find their form as times out of 10 he would score, so Hamilton host a revitalised Qatar Cup: Shooting and they aim to remedy their failings hopefully on Thursday we can put Motherwell in the Lanarkshire against Thistle. things right. derby at New Douglas Park. After “We dominated the game and “It’s a Glasgow derby and a poor start to the season, new when we are dominant like that Partick will be up for it and so manager Ian Baraclough has led we need to win,” Griffiths said of will we. We will take a massive Motherwell to two successive vic- archery begins today the draw with Ross County. travelling support and hopefully tories with the Fir Park side eager “They came here to frustrate us we can get the right result.” to avenge the 4-0 thrashing they DOHA: Qatar Cup for shoot- Running Target Slow Run, 10m Laporte throwing machines; elec- and did that, but we will bounce Elsewhere today, Dundee suffered at Hamilton’s hands back ing and archery will begin from Running Target Fast Run, 25m tronic scoreboards and phonopull back and will look forward to United host Dundee at Tannadice in September. today at the Losail Shooting Pistol, 50m Rifle Prone, 25m system from Elettronica Progetti. Partick Thistle away. in the Dundee derby. Bottom of the table Ross Range, the organisers of the Center Fire Pistol, 10M running The Qatar Cup will end on “We can’t keep controlling After a good start to their cam- County welcome Inverness event said here yesterday. Target Mix, Double Trap 150 tar- January 10. The event will serve games and not win them but we paign, newly-promoted Dundee Caledonian Thistle to Victoria The event will be held in the gets, Skeet 50 targets, Trap 50 as an ideal preparation for the are back in training and looking have failed to record a win in the Park for the Highland derby. both the men’s and women’s targets, Skeet 75 targets. local shooters ahead of the Qatar forward to Thursday league since 1 November. Twenty-two points and seven section. The archery events will take Open 2015, which will be held “We were just unlucky on And despite losing the two positions separate the sides but Shooters and archers will of the place on January 9 and 10. from February 11 to 20. Saturday - Callum McGregor previous matches against United County will take a boost from junior category will compete in Archers will compete in the Some of the top shooters will had the shot that came off the bar this season, Dundee manager Paul the point they picked up at Celtic the boys and girls section, Qatar Recurve 70m x 2 and Compound be seen in action. and John Guidetti was in the right Hartley is hoping the derby can Park on Sunday. AFP Shooting and Archery Association 50M The event will be held in the informed. Lusail Shooting Range, which is Skeet, Double Trap and Trap. Shooters will compete in 50m situated at a distance of 18 kms Competitors will be vying for Pistol, 50m Rifle prone, 10M Air from Doha, consists of six com- top honours in the Men’s and Pistol, 50m Rifle 3 Positions, bined Trap, Double Trap and Women’s section and also in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, 10m Air Skeet layouts. junior section, both boys and girls. Rifle, 25m Standard Pistol, 10m The layouts are equipped with THE PENINSULA

Second round of Aqua Bike Drag Race on Jan 5

A file picture of the Qatar Aqua Bike drag racing at Pearl Qatar in Doha. The second round of the Qatar Aqua FC Inter Milano’s defender Marco Andreolli (left) vies for the ball with PSG’s forward Ibrahimovic Zlatan in Bike Drag Race will be held on January 5 at the Pearl Qatar, organisers of the event Qatar Marine Sports Marrakesh on Tuesday night during a friendly. PSG won 1-0. Federation (QMSF) said yesterday. Races will be held in three categories: Stock, Super Stock and Open. Sailing: Yasar on course to another title in Doha

DOHA: Overnight leader Rasim Yasar of Turkey over- Action came tough weather conditions from the to maintain his position at the Qatar top of the summit in the Qatar Optimist Optimist Cup 2014. Cup 2014 Yesterday at Katara Beach at Katara’s on the fourth day of racing, the defending champion produced Cultural yet another perfect display in Village the three races, which were com- in Doha pleted in steady 15-17 knots wind, yesterday. to take his nett score to eight. Today two The fourth race of the day and races will the 11th of the 12-race series be held was cancelled on account of bad followed weather conditions. by team “Race Officer Alen Kustic real- racing. ised that sailors are getting tired The six- after three very competitive races day event and decided to call it a day,” said will end Captain A R Arshad, Technical tomorrow. Advisor at Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) said. With ten races have been com- pleted sailors will see action in the Okyanua Arikan of Turkey, Besides hosts Qatar, sailors competing in the event. The two races today. who shared the lead with Yasar from Algeria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Qatari squad includes Khairadin After completion of the 12 race at the end of three races on the China, Denmark, Germany, India, Bu Shama, Zeyad Al Awalma, series sailors will take part in the first day of racing, is now in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Yasin Benzarti, Ali Al Sharshani, team racing event. third spot with 28 nett score. Turkey are taking part in the Abdullah Al Sharshani, Moshin Five teams have entered in the Jann Schupbach of Switzerland championship. Al Sharshani, Mohammad Al Team Racing which will be held is in fourth place with a score of Qatar is one of the four coun- Sharshani, Ali Al Marhoun, under the Round Robin format 32, while Ghanim Al Sewaidi of tries which is fielding sailors in Rashid Al Awalma, Abdulrahman for the Qatar Optimist Cup Team Qatar is in fifth position with a both the boys and girls categories. Al Nasr, Ghanim Al Sulait and Racing Trophy. score of 40 nett. Turkey, India and Netherlands Rashid Talfat. Florine Bramervaer of Around 31 sailors from eleven have one girl competitor each in The Qatar sailors will also take Netherlands is in second posi- countries are competing in 12 the event. The six-day event will part in the next month’s GCC tion and is ten points behind the races. The event is open for com- end on January 2. championship in Oman. leader. petitors born in 1999 or after. Hosts Qatar have 13 sailors THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 1 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 United’s Van Relegation dread heralds Gaal wants away wins in Premier League’s New Year 2015 STOKE-ON-TRENT, UK: Louis van Gaal has challenged his Manchester United play- Chelsea’s Drogba says three-point lead ‘not enough’, City eye top spot ers to replicate their impressive home form on the road ahead of a testing New Year’s Day visit to LONDON: The chill winds of Stoke City. relegation anxiety have blown Since losing at home to across the Premier League Swansea City on the opening day ahead of today’s New Year’s Day of the season, United have turned programme, with a burst of Old Trafford into a fortress, win- managerial comings and goings ning seven and drawing one of the ushering in 2015. subsequent eight games on their A week ago, all 20 manag- home turf. ers who had started the season But they have won just twice were still in place, but two clubs Liverpool’s on their travels – victories at approach the new year without a Adam Lallana Arsenal and Southampton that manager, while Newcastle United celebrates after the demanding Van Gaal con- are poised to lose Alan Pardew. scoring against cedes were fortunate – and the Crystal Palace were the first Swansea at Dutchman is demanding an club to press the panic button, the Anfield in improvement in 2015. firing Neil Warnock the day after Liverpool, in this “When I’m saying that every a Boxing Day defeat at home to December 29, week we are improving, then we Southampton that saw the south 2014 file photo. have to show that against Stoke London club slip into the relega- RIGHT: Swansea City,” said the United manager, tion zone. whose side start the year in third City’s Polish Pardew is in line to return to place in the table. goalkeeper Palace, where he spent four years “We have to do it in an away as a player, after being given per- Lukasz Fabianski match. We have to dominate in mission to speak to his former gestures during away matches because we have club by Newcastle. the match. won everything except Swansea Palace visit Aston Villa today City at home, the first match. and Keith Millen, who has been “In away matches, (we have placed in charge on a caretaker beaten) only Arsenal and basis, has called on the club to Southampton; then, we were the appoint a successor to Warnock lucky team. I have said that also. swiftly. “We have to dominate in away “You’d think that it would cause matches, and I hear from (assist- a lot of unrest among the players, ant coach) Ryan (Giggs) that but they have coped unbelievably Stoke City is a very difficult pitch. well,” said Millen. We have to show that in spite of “But you wouldn’t want it Manchester City last weekend. that Chelsea preserved their they won the league. So eight weekend takes place at St Mary’s, it being very difficult at Stoke. to continue for weeks on end, With Pardew apparently head- three-point lead at the summit points or nine points – I don’t where fourth-place Southampton Maybe we can show that.” because that’s when I think the ing for the exit, assistant coaches despite being held to a 1-1 draw at know how many points we had host fifth-place Arsenal with a From their long injury list, lads want some guidance on John Carver and Steve Stone will Southampton on Sunday. on top of Man City – I think it is berth in the top four at stake. United have defenders Chris where the club’s going. So hope- take charge for Burnley game. But Jose Mourinho’s side face not enough. Arsenal gained ground on the Smalling, Luke Shaw and Rafael fully this can get solved pretty Bottom club Leicester City a taxing trip to a Tottenham “At that time of the season, it teams above them with a 2-1 win da Silva back at full fitness, quickly.” kickstarted their fight to beat the Hotspur team who have moved was too early, but I think now we at West Ham at the weekend, but although winger Angel di Maria Two days after Warnock’s drop by winning 1-0 at Hull City to within two points of the start again a new championship,” Southampton, who they trail on is still out with a pelvic problem. sacking, West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, which left them three Champions League places after a he added. City will also be seek- goal difference, have now gone Midfielder Ander Herrera and announced the dismissal of Alan points from safety. five-game unbeaten run. ing to return to winning ways three games unbeaten following winger Adnan Januzaj, mean- Irvine following a return of one Leicester visit improving “I think it’s going to be tough. when they host Sunderland, while a run of poor results. while, are edging ever closer to win from nine games that has Liverpool today, while Hull, who We knew it was not over,” said third-place Manchester United, “You give your best and if there returns. left the Midlands club just a point are above third-bottom Palace Chelsea striker Didier Drogba of who drew 0-0 at Spurs on Sunday, is a weakness in front of you, you “Herrera has trained with us above the bottom three. on goal difference alone, host the title race. “A few years ago, raise the curtain on 2015 with a want to take advantage of it,” said for the first time, but he does not West Brom, who have report- out-of-form Everton. City’s I think we were 11 or 12 points match at Stoke City. Perhaps the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger have much rhythm,” Van Gaal edly opened talks with Tony Pulis slip-up against Burnley meant in front of Man United and then most intriguing contest of the on the match. AFP said. and Tim Sherwood, travel to West “Januzaj has also trained for Ham United on Thursday. two sessions, but he was ill and While Palace and West you have to recover from illness.” Brom are desperate for points, Knowhow gives us title edge: Nasri Meanwhile, Van Gaal has paid Newcastle are in a position of rel- tribute to the backing his team ative prosperity, having climbed have been shown by the club’s to 10th place in the table after MANCHESTER: Manchester “We were aware of the Chelsea supporters despite their slow Sunday’s 3-2 win over Everton. City midfielder Samir Nasri result and it was a great chance start to the campaign. But although many Newcastle has warned rivals Chelsea that for us to be just one point behind,” “The fans are fantastic,” he fans will not mourn Pardew’s his side have the experience to Manchester said the midfielder. said. “We were at a moment with exit, they will be wary of a down- chase them down in the race for City’s “Nobody talks about that 10 matches and 13 points. That’s turn in fortunes ahead of a home the Premier League title. Samir Nasri record of 10 consecutive wins. not good. In spite of that, the fans game against Burnley, who fought Manuel Pellegrini’s City trail controls the That doesn’t matter. The most have supported us always, and in back to draw 2-2 at champions Jose Mourinho’s league leaders ball during important thing was to finish the the right way. by three points as they prepare their English year at home with a win, with 45 “I want to thank the fans for to host mid-table Sunderland on Premier points from the first half (of the that. They always have belief in New Year’s Day. season). the players and their manager. I English Premier League City won the title last sea- “That would have been a good think the main reason that they match against son despite having trailed both thing, but we didn’t do it. All we have supported us is because of League Fixtures Arsenal and Liverpool for long Burnley at want to do is win. We couldn’t the fighting spirit of my team. Today’s English Premier League periods during the campaign and the Etihad do that, so let’s be focused for “We were not always ahead in matches. Nasri believes that knowhow gives Stadium in Sunderland.” matches, but they have fought (All times in GMT) City an advantage in the current Manchester, City striker Stevan Jovetic is until the end and, a lot of times, Stoke City vs Manchester United (1245) title race. in this expected to be fit enough to start with good success.” December 28 Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace (1500) “Everyone is stronger,” said the the match against Gus Poyet’s Stoke manager Mark Hughes Frenchman. “We get older, we file photo. team, having appeared as a sub- knows United better than most Hull City vs Everton (1500) get more mature and stronger stitute against Burnley. following his successful playing Liverpool vs Leicester City (1500) mentally. James Milner has been used as days at Old Trafford and believes Manchester City vs Sunderland (1500) “You learn to deal with differ- a makeshift striker in the absence they made the right call by Newcastle United vs Burnley (1500) ent situations. At this club we’ve of Jovetic and Sergio Aguero and appointing Van Gaal as the suc- Queens Park Rangers vs Swansea City been through all the different and we are ready for it.” City Southampton. It also meant Edin Dezko, both of whom remain cessor to David Moyes. (1500) situations. We know how to deal spurned a good opportunity to Pellegrini’s men missed out on the out through injury. “Suddenly he seems to be the Southampton vs Arsenal (1500) with the pressure. cut Chelsea’s lead to one point on chance to register a club-record Fernando is unavailable after right figurehead for the club,” said “We know we are good at being Sunday when they squandered a 10th successive victory, but Nasri collecting his fifth yellow card the Welshman. “He’s the guy you West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion second and chasing someone. 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with strug- says the main focus now is on of the season, meaning Frank sense they need, given that last (1500) We’ve done it before. We know gling Burnley after the London adding to their points total. Lampard could start in midfield year was a time of transition for Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea (1730) how to deal with every situation club were held to a 1-1 draw at “We’re frustrated,” he said. in the game. AFP them.” AFP Qatar ExxonMobil Open: Brown

Flamboyant gets direct entry into main round Dustin Brown of DOHA: An illness to rising came through qualifying to reach clay and on grass in Halle where the tournament,” added Alami. Germany will Austrian tennis star, Dominic the quarter-finals where he was he beat Rafael Nadal in the sec- Meanwhile, Qualifying for the bee seen in Thiem has seen a popular visi- eventually defeated in a third set ond round. Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the action in the tor to the Qatar ExxonMobil tiebreak by countryman Peter “It’s unfortunate for Dominic Khalifa International Tennis & main rounds Open as Germany’s Dustin Gojowczyk. that he has had to pull out,” Squash Complex will start on of Qatar Brown moves into the main Brown is known as ‘Dreddy said Karim Alami Tournament Saturday and will continue till the ExxonMobil draw players’ list of the coveted Tennis’ as a result of his long Director of the Qatar ExxonMobil following day. Fans can grab the Open, starting event. dreadlocks. Open. action of the stage for free. from January Thiem will not make the tour- He also has a flamboyant style “He’s a talented player who I’m The main draw singles and 5 in Doha. nament in Doha due to illness. on and off the court and is a popu- sure we will hear a lot more about doubles commences on January His place will be taken by Brown, lar player around the world. He and hopefully see again. Dustin 5 with the finals to be played on who is of Jamaican decent, but reached three ATP World Tour is an entertaining player and January 10. Tickets are selling German by nationality. quarter-finals in 2014, all on dif- showed in 2014 his real poten- fast with the finals, semis and Brown is currently ranked 89th ferent surfaces. tial on the court. He’s a popular quarterfinals already sold out. in the world and at the 2014 event Doha on hardcourt, Houston on player and a great addition to THE PENINSULA Thursday 1 January 2015 10 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6297 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Australia gears up for Asian Cup extravaganza

SINGAPORE: The Asian Cup Postecoglou was in charge heads to Australia for the first for the predictable three World 2015 Asian Cup time next month with the scars Cup defeats in Brazil, where the of a woeful 2014 World Cup for Socceroos, Japan, Iran and South Schedule the continent and the recurring Korea all finished bottom of their Following is the schedule of the 2015 Asian problems of match-fixing and groups as Asia failed to earn a Cup. All times in GMT: swift sackings leaving the tour- single victory for the first time Group A nament wide open. since 1990. Australia, South Korea, Kuwait, Oman Holders Japan are favourites to He kept his job with the Asian Jan. 09: 0900: Australia v Kuwait, win a record extending fifth con- showpiece in mind but a failure on Melbourne tinental title but dark clouds hang home soil is sure to spell the end over their coach Javier Aguirre of his tenure. Jan. 10: 0500: South Korea v Oman, after he became embroiled in a His task is not helped by a Canberra; Jan. 13: 0700: Kuwait v South Spanish match-fixing case dating tough Group A including a show- Korea, Canberra; Jan. 13: 0900: Oman v back to his time as Real Zaragoza down against South Korea, who Australia, Sydney; Jan. 17: 0900: Australia boss. are now under the guidance of v South Korea, Brisbane; Jan. 17: 0900: The Mexican has long denied German Uli Stielike, one of 11 Oman v Kuwait, Newcastle Group B Qatar’s Meshal Abdullah (left) celebrates his goal with Ismail (centre) and another team-mate at Australian any wrongdoing but the negative coaches appointed by the 16 final- Institute of Sport pitch in Canberra yesterday. Qatar secure a fighting 2-2 draw against Oman. attention has not helped confi- ists last year as flagging teams Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, dence in Japan, where a mixed eyed a fresh start. North Korea, China start and the exclusion of form Bahrain and Jordan have gone Jan. 10: 0700: Uzbekistan v North Korea, players, like Gamba Osaka for- through a combined six manag- Sydney; Jan. 10: 0900: Saudi Arabia v ward Takashi Usami, have raised ers since last year, while Saudi China, Brisbane; Jan. 14: 0700: North questions about his suitability. Arabia and Iraq have loaned Korea v Saudi Arabia, Melbourne; Jan. Qatar secure gutsy The pressure on Aguirre, coaches from club sides for the 14: 0900: China v Uzbekistan, Brisbane; though, is nothing like what Ange January 9 to 31 tournament in Jan. 18: 0900: Uzbekistan v Saudi Arabia, Postecoglou is under as the hosts a glaring example of the short- Melbourne; Jan. 18: 0900: China v North welcome Asia’s biggest tourna- sightedness in the region’s Korea, Canberra ment for the first time since join- administrations. Group C ing the confederation in 2006. “The coach doesn’t have time UAE, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar Australia, runners up to Japan to impose his style on the team draw against Oman in 2011, won only one match in and quite often he will have very Jan. 11: 0700: UAE v Qatar, Canberra; Jan. 2014, a friendly triumph over little input into selecting the 11: 0900: Iran v Bahrain, Melbourne; Jan. Saudi Arabia in September, with squad,” former Australia boss 15: 0700: Bahrain v UAE, Canberra; Jan. Abdullah scores brace in Canberra friendly defensive lapses in the young side Pim Verbeek said of the constant 15: 0900: Qatar v Iran, Sydney; Jan. 19: a glaring issue as the coach strug- chopping and changing. 0900: Iran v UAE, Brisbane; Jan. 19: 0900: gles to replace a golden generation Carlos Queiroz is the longest Qatar v Bahrain, Sydney CANBERRA: A second half which qualified for three consecu- serving boss in the tournament Group D double from Meshal Abdullah tive World Cups. but a lack of adequate warm-up Japan, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq yesterday helped Qatar secure a “Things haven’t been going well matches leave his defensive Iran Jan. 12: 0700: Japan v Palestine, fighting 2-2 draw against Oman prior to this tournament, we have side short of quality action as they Newcastle; Jan. 12: 0900: Jordan v Iraq, in a friendly match played at to be brutally honest. We’ve prob- seek an attacking dimension in Brisbane; Jan. 16: 0700: Palestine v Australian Institute of Sport ably gone a little bit backwards,” order to lift a fourth Asian Cup. Jordan, Melbourne; Jan. 16: 0900: Iraq v pitch ahead of next week’s Asian former Australia goalkeeper While they look forward to a Japan, Brisbane; Jan. 20: 0900: Japan v Cup. Mark Bosnich told Reuters.. 13th Asian Cup. REUTERS Jordan, Melbourne; Jan. 20: 0900: Iraq v Coached by Paul Le Guen, Palestine, Canberra Oman roared to a 2-0 lead after Quarter-finals goals from Abdulazzi Mubqbali (11th minute) and Jaber Al Jan. 22 Obaisi (27) but Qatar - coached 1st QF: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group by Djamel Belmadi - rallied after B, Melbourne (0730); 2nd QF: Winner Group a double strike in the second half B v Runner-up Group A, Brisbane (1030) by Abdullah (54 and 58). Jan. 23 Belmadi played Qatar’s first 3rd QF: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group choice XI that included goal- Action from the Qatar and Oman friendly at Australian Institute of Sport D, Canberra (0630); 4th QF: Winner Gorup keeper Qassim Burhan, Bilal pitch yesterday in Canberra, Australia. D v Runner-up Group C, Sydney (0930) Mohammed, Abdul Rehman, Semi-finals Khalid Muftah, Khalfan Ibrahim, Jan. 26 Hassan Al Haidos and Abdullah. Canberra following their 3-0 win in Group C include Bahrain and For striker Ibrahim it was over Estonia on Saturday. The Iran. 1st semi: Winner of 1st QF v Winner of 3rd an impressive return to fitness Omani team arrived in Australia’s Qatar, who have appeared in QF, Sydney (0900) after the Al Sadd forward missed capital on Sunday. the quarter-finals of the Asian Jan. 27 national duty for more than two Qatar underwent rigorous Cup twice, are aiming for their 2nd semi: Winner of 2nd QF v Winner of months. training sessions in preparation maiden title at this level when 4th QF, Newcastle (0900) And he troubled the rival for their two scheduled friendly they compete at the 2015 Asian Jan. 30 defence as one of his shot struck matches ahead of the January Cup. Third-Fourth place the Omani crossbar at the end of 9-31 AFC Asian Cup. Qatar take Having appeared at the Asian Loser of 1st semi v Loser of 2nd semi, the first half but he failed to score. on New Zealand in their second Cup eight times previously, Qatar Newcastle (0900) Both teams substituted most of friendly on January 5. will be hoping to go better than Final their regulars at the hour-mark. Al Anabi take on the UAE on their 7th place finish in 2011 when Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano poses with the Asian Cup ahead Jan. 31: Belmadi’s squad that won the January 11 in their opening Asian the event was held in Doha. of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 which will be held from January 9 to 31. Gulf Cup in November landed in Cup match. The other two sides THE PENINSULA Sydney (0900) Australia braces for emotional Sydney Test

MELBOURNE: Australia doubt that emotion will run high I’m thinking about nothing but may have sealed the four-Test as they return to Sydney for the that. We’ve got to keep pushing series against India but the final fourth test starting on Tuesday. on. He’d want us to do that.” match in Sydney could prove “I’m sure it’s in the back of Apart from being in control the most emotionally taxing for their minds and everyone’s minds of their emotions, Lehmann also Australian paceman the hosts as they return to the around Australia,” Lehmann said. wants his team to improve their Mitchell Johnson (left) venue where Phillip Hughes was “For us we’ve just got to get on fielding, especially catching, in celebrates after dis- fatally struck by a bouncer last with playing the game as best we Sydney. missing Indian batsman month. can. The butter-fingered hosts Cheteshwar Pujara Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, “I actually don’t know how dropped both Virat Kohli and (on the final day of the Shane Watson and David Warner they’ll react, we have to see how Ajinkya Rahane in India’s first third Test played at were fielding at the Sydney we react. innings in Melbourne, allowing Cricket Ground when Hughes “We’ve got to have a couple days them to post career-best scores the Melbourne Cricket sustained the sickening blow to off now and try to get through in a 262-run partnership. Ground (MCG), in his neck, never regaining con- that over the next few days.” “(The fielding was) shoddy at Melbourne on Tuesday. sciousness and eventually passing Warner said Hughes’ passing best. We’ve done a lot of work and away three days before his 26th continued to impact his life. I can’t complain about the work birthday. Australia coped well “It’s going to be in the back of ethic from the lads, but the big with the tragedy to take an unas- my mind every time I play,” the one’s that cost us were the first sailable 2-0 lead against India and hard-hitting opener said. innings,” Lehmann said. coach Darren Lehmann is in no “Every time I sit at home and REUTERS