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Sunday 14 December 2014 • 22 Safar 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6279 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

PM attends falcon championship Qataris urged Two top car to register via Metrash 2 for showrooms CMC elections DOHA: The committee super- vising preparations for the forthcoming Central Municipal Council (CMC) elections has closed down called on all potential Qatari voters to register their names through Metrash 2, the mobile Repaired cars being sold as new application of the Ministry of Interior. DOHA: Two famous car show- of 2008), the Ministry said. All Qatari men and women rooms here have been closed The Ministry has urged people who are eligible to vote have down by the government for a to use its free hotline (8005000) been urged to register as early as month for trying to cheat buy- to report suspected malpractices possible, as the committee plans ers by passing off some repaired by car dealers. to finalise the first voters list by vehicles as brand new. Meanwhile, reports of the next month, Al Sharq reported. These cars were actually dam- crackdown and closure of the The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani attending the Elections to the Council are aged in road accidents and were two showrooms became viral on finals of the Second Labrtha Championship for Falcon, organised by Al Thakira Youth Centre, yesterday. scheduled for May next year. allegedly decked up after exten- local social networking sites with More than 487 participants are competing in 12 games. Citizens who had registered sive repairs and painting to look most people lauding the move. in the previous elections are new. They were then passed off to A commentator who sounded required to reregister, due to a buyers as brand new, the Ministry a little sceptic said he hoped the restructuring of the constituen- of Economy and Commerce which closure of the outlets was not cies, the daily said quoting a sen- has a consumer rights watchdog, meant for mere publicity of the ior official of the committee. Some said yesterday. Consumer Protection Department constituencies have been merged The two showrooms belong to (CPD) of the economy ministry. Bus crash victims identified with others while some have been the local dealers of famous world “Has the Ministry also imposed expanded adding new localities. auto brands: Saleh Al Hamad Al any fine on the outlets? Is there DOHA: The two Filipinos (Number 156 that was bound for the bus station is small and the Metrash 2 provides an easy and Mana and United Cars-Al Mana. any assurance the outlets who were killed in the freaky Al Gharafa) when its driver lost crowds are large particularly on fast option for the voters to reg- One locked showroom is wouldn’t repeat the crime? The bus crash at Al Ghanem main control and ran over the waiting Thursdays and Fridays. The sta- ister their names, he added. located at Salwa Road while the minister should personally take station early on Friday after- crowds. tion needs to be shifted to larger After registration, the citizens other is the Airport Road branch interest in such matters,” said the noon were identified as Acasar Details about the Filipinos premises. are required to visit the authorized of the car dealership. “We found commentator. Barabay Arato, male, 50, and could not be immediately known. A member of the Central registration centres and produce out that these showrooms were Now, people buying brand new Marescia Mendoza Tanaid, a The bodies of all the deceased Municipal Council (CMC), proof for their residency, identifica- selling cars damaged in accidents cars must be careful and make 30-year-old woman. were at the mortuary of Hamad Mohamed Hammoud Al Shafi, tion, locality among other personal after extensive repairs and paint- sure they are not being cheated The other two who were General Hospital (HGH). meanwhile, told this newspaper details, said the daily. ing,” the Ministry said in a press as they spend tens of thousands crushed to death were Indians. The driver of the ill-fated that state-run transport com- THE PENINSULA statement. of riyals, he added. They were Mobin Mohamed bus was reportedly a Nepalese pany Mowasalat which owns The showrooms were sealed off Another commentator said the Khan, 33 and Sanjay Kumar and was earlier driving a school and runs Karwa buses should for a month in a crackdown. They Ministry must make the identity Jaiswal, 35. bus. He was shifted to the pub- regularly check the residential Foggy morning were selling several damaged cars of the showrooms known for the The two hailed from the north lic transport sector about four quarters of bus drivers to make — of an American and a Japanese benefit of the people. Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP). months ago. sure they don’t drink. forecast today brand. Yet another said that manu- Jaiswal was from Raebareli district Some regular commuters this He said the licensing proce- Inspectors from the Ministry facturers of the car brands in central UP, while Khan was from newspaper spoke to yesterday dures for bus drivers should also DOHA: The weather bureau were keeping an eye on the out- should intervene in the matter Deoria district in east UP. said Al Ghanem bus terminal be made stricter and the traffic has forecast a foggy morning lets following public complaints. and take action. The Indian embassy did not being the main one was small department should make sure today and said visibility will be Then, a sudden raid was con- Still another said he lauded the respond despite several calls for and incapable of handling large they are given rigorous train- poor. It will be misty to foggy ducted on the showrooms and it economy ministry’s move. “It is a details of the deceased. crowds of commuters. ing before being issued driver’s at places in the morning at first was found that they were indeed brave decision,” he said. The Indians were working in There are 38 routes and some licences. and then the weather will clear violating the consumer protec- THE PENINSULA one company and were together 400 buses deployed on these THE PENINSULA as the day progresses. tion law (Article 7 of Law No 8 Picture on page 2 waiting for the ill-fated bus routes on a single day, while Continued on page 8 Visibility could be as low as 1km early in the morning at places and later improve to 4km-8km, said the bureau. Day temperatures Africa’s tallest March against US police forecast are between 26 and 27 degrees C while the night will be Climate talks risk collapse cold with the mercury dropping to 16 to 18 degrees C. In Doha, LIMA: UN talks on slowing to agree the foundation of a UN the night temperature will be 16 climate change were threatened climate deal to be completed in degrees C. THE PENINSULA with collapse yesterday after Paris in a year’s time. China clashed with the United US Climate Change Envoy States and led emerging nations Todd Stern urged all to accept Militias battle in to reject a compromise outline the compromise text, saying fail- of an agreement. ure in Lima would be viewed as central Libya With talks already in overtime a “major breakdown” that would TRIPOLI: Islamist-allied mili- because of deadlock after the threaten the Paris summit and tias from the western city of December 1-12 meeting, China the credibility of the UN system Misrata clashed with an east- said a draft text put too much to address climate change. ern militia that holds a major oil burden on the poor to limit green- The clash between the two terminal yesterday, in violence house-gas emissions compared top emitters of greenhouse gases that killed at least two people. with the rich nations whose citi- underscored that an agree- Libyan officials said the Tripoli- zens have burnt most fossil fuels. ment jointly announced by US based government — backed by “We need a Lima consensus, President Barack Obama and Misrata militias and Islamist but given the current station we China’s President Xi Jinping last People take part in a march against police violence in New York yester- factions — ordered its forces to have deadlock,” Deputy Foreign month to combat climate change day. Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington for a march ‘liberate’ the Sidra terminal. Minister Liu Zhenmin told del- did not translate into a new, com- to protest the killings of unarmed black men by law enforcement offic- AP egates from 190 nations seeking mon approach. REUTERS See also page 9 ers and to urge Congress to do more to protect African-Americans.

A computer generated image of the 114-storey tower which will Hukoomi gets popular with residents and expats be built in the Moroccan city BY SACHIN KUMAR (ictQATAR) data. The portal apply for business visas, renew and applications to applying for during 2013 and nearly 1.55m of Casablanca by Dubai-based hosted record 3.2m transactions health cards and commercial visas and permits to checking applications for exit permits, in Middle East Development LLC, DOHA: The trend of availing in 2013 much higher than 2.7m in registrations. fines and making online payments addition to 522,290 transactions owned by Saudi businessman government services online is 2012. Around 3.4m transactions Hukoomi now offers around - with one integrated log-in,” said for visit visas and 338,020 applica- Sheikh Tarek Binladen. The gaining ground in Qatar. The were completed on Hukoomi in 400 services of which companies, a senior official of ictQATAR. tions for new residence permits. skyscraper will be 540 metres number of visitors to Hukoomi, the first 10 months of current year. nationals, residents and visitors “Hukoomi also engages with In 2013, the portal processed (1,782 feet) high, taller than Qatar government’s portal for This online platform provides can complete more than 150 elec- the end users through its SMS more than 125,690 applications the 223-metre Carlton Centre providing different services, has easy access to information, e-serv- tronically from start to finish. The gateways for any new announce- for smart identity cards and in Johannesburg which cur- almost doubled to 1.5m in 2013 ices, events and contact informa- rising popularity of the government ments, services and information 125,010 for sponsorship transfer rently holds the title for tallest from 776,379 in 2012. tion for various public services, portal is the result of convenience as well as through its social media applications. The past year also building on the African con- Over the first 10 months of entities and agencies. Through it gives to the users, say officials. channels allowing visitors to learn saw the issuance of 101,230 tour- tinent. The tower will cost an 2014, the portal has received Hukoomi users can access serv- “Hukoomi offers paperless sin- about new government services, ist visas and 62,950 commercial estimated $1bn and is due for more than 1.6m visitors, accord- ices related to residency permits, gle sign in access, which allows news or upcoming event,” he said. registration certificates through completion in June 2018. ing to the Ministry of Information can renew driving licences, pay users to connect to all the services Visitors completed 1.7m trans- the portal. and Communications Technology utility bills and traffic violations, online - from completing forms actions for residence renewal THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Illumination for National Day Commercial Expats line up Bank launches credit card festivities for shopping offer DOHA: Commercial Bank yes- terday announced the launch of its Credit Card shopping National Day offer on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day for Credit Card holders, according to a press Schoolchildren to stage cultural shows statement. Customers using their DOHA: A number of expatri- and folklore shows of the Nepalese Commercial Bank Credit Cards ate communities in Qatar have community and Al Khor residential will not only continue earn- named the activities they will be community teams and the perform- ing rewards points, but are now involved in as part of National Day ances of the MES Indian School, rewarded with either bonus celebrations. Bright Future, Birla, DPS-MIS and rewards points or gift vouchers The Qatar National Day National KG will take place at Al for all their Credit Card spending Celebrations Organizing Committee Khor sports club. up to January 31, 2015. in association with Ministry of The grand cultural fiesta at each of The Bank recognises this is Interior is organising the “Associated the 4 venues will start with the Qatar an important time of year when Activities of Qatar National Day National anthem at 8am to be fol- people travel overseas for vaca- Celebrations 2014’’ in cooperation lowed by a colourful thematic parade tion, celebrate holidays with their with Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, Sri on Qatar by participating schools. families and shop for groceries Lankan, Bangladeshi, Malaysian, The morning session of the pro- and gifts. Indonesian and Filipino communities, gram will include cultural competi- The Qatar National Day and according to the Ministry of Interior tion by schools whereas the schools holiday season offer means that statement yesterday. will perform group songs and a the- Commercial Bank Credit Card Students from 18 Asian schools matic Qatar show followed by songs holders will now be awarded in the country will participate in and performances of participating bonus rewards points above Industrial Area, Wakra, Rayyan and communities. what they would normally earn, Al Khor sports clubs on National Day Tug of war and races will be held equivalent to a maximum of 7 — December 18 — from 8am to 10pm. during the break between 12pm percent cashback, in certain By holding the programme at four to 3pm. Community teams, school instances. locations, the Organizing Committee teams and various company teams Customers can redeem their aims at providing a joyous atmos- will participate in these contests. rewards points with “FlyMiles”, phere for the expatriate community A football tourney will be held at Commercial Bank’s innovative members in Qatar to take part in cel- Wakra, Rayyan and Al Khor sports loyalty and rewards programme ebrating the National Day at a place clubs between company teams, com- where customers can book flights closer to them. munity teams and school teams while with points to any destination, on Indian and Sri Lankan com- the cricket match will be held at any date and any airline of their munity teams and students of West End Park. The winning school choice with no blackout dates and Ideal, Pak Shama, Sri Lankan and teams will be awarded QR7,000 while no hidden fees or charges. Scholars Schools and Pakistani and QR5,000, 3,000, and 2,000 will be given Alternatively, customers Bangladeshi communities along with for the second, third and fourth places can also redeem their rewards the students of the PEC, Bangladesh respectively. Football match winners points with Commercial Bank’s School, Bhavans, Shanti Niketan and and runners up will be given a prize “Accolades” loyalty programme TNG will be holding cultural shows money of QR3,000 and 2,000 each. for free gift vouchers at a wide at West End Park in the Industrial The entry is free for nationals range of retail outlets includ- Area amphitheatre and Wakra of all countries and special seat- ing jewellery, fashion, elec- Sports Club respectively. ing arrangements will be made for tronics, home furnishing and The Indonesian, Malaysian and families at all venues. Similarly, Al much more. Filipino community teams and the Khor stadium will see a variety of Palm trees along the Doha Corniche are festooned with lights for Qatar National Day celebrations. The THE PENINSULA students of the Philippines School, festivities, entertainment shows and country marks National Day on December 18. (KAMMUTTY VP) Doha Philippines International activities by Nepalese and Al Khor School, Noble and Doha Modern community teams and school stu- Indian School will be hosted at dents on December 18, according to Rayyan Sports Club’s indoor sta- a Ministry of Interior statement. dium while the traditional, cultural THE PENINSULA Govt preparing national heritage strategy

DOHA: The Ministry of use and zoning requirements Information Systems (GIS) to second phases of commercial Municipality and Urban and regulations, and prepared include information related sites and regulatory list for Al Planning said yesterday that updated maps and identified the to 2022 Qatar world cup and Furjan markets inside residen- it has prepared a feasibility requirements of areas by the Qatar Rail as well as the 2010 tial areas. study for bus rapid transit municipalities. census outcome. It also offered Last fiscal year, the ministry project, and a draft strategy Within the framework of GIS data viewer that enables approved the allocation of 5,540 for labour accommodation, the comprehensive urban plan, departments to view data such plots of land and completed design guidelines and regula- the Ministry updated national as incident infrastructure. 4,663 plots of land designated for tory standards. development framework in light In urban planning, the projects as well as 4,780 plots of In a statement issued ahead of new statistics and the census Ministry accomplished several land for the implementation of of the National Day on its outcome. Moreover, it prepared projects and studies including a projects for health and educa- achievements over the past year, a draft assessment of population land zoning project (future and tion sector and Woqod stations. the Ministry said it is currently growth scenario and another approved projects), a study on In transport and infrastruc- preparing a national heritage draft appraisal of alternative developing government park- ture, the Ministry finalised a strategy in collaboration with decentralised distribution of ing in areas in Doha city, and statistical study on the levels Qatar Museums. population. approval of land use plan and of rainwater (phase 1-2) and Students of Japanese School in Doha at National Day celebrations yesterday. The Ministry initiated a The Ministry also expanded regulatory list for Nejada area, Qatar guide for public utilities new national system of land the database of the Geographic as well as approval of first and and services. THE PENINSULA

Nailing the culprit Qatar, Vietnam to explore business opportunities

DOHA: Qatar Chamber, in col- laboration with the Vietnam Embassy, is organising a meet- ing of Qatari and Vietnamese businessmen at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 7pm today. The Minister of Economy and Commerce, H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, and the vis- iting Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan, are expected to attend the meeting. The aim of this meeting is to strengthen commercial relations between the two countries and explore investment opportunities in energy, banking and real estate, among other sectors in the two An inspector from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce is seen pasting a notification of closure on countries. a car showroom in Doha. The Ministry has, in a crackdown, closed two car showrooms for a month THE PENINSULA for trying to cheat buyers. Payroll service on Ooredoo Mobile Money launched DOHA: Ooredoo and QNB ate channel for payments. social issues, ensuring that safely, all via their mobile phone. yesterday launched the QNB and Ooredoo will begin employees are paid directly and “Ooredoo Mobile Money has region’s first-ever payroll to provide Payroll via the reducing concerns relating to provided an important service service on Ooredoo Mobile Ooredoo Mobile Money Service payments by cash and cheques, for the under-banked in Qatar Money. With the Payroll serv- in December for selected com- particularly for migrant and around the world, and the ice, companies in Qatar will be panies and roll-out the service workers. addition of the Payroll option able to pay workers’ salaries across Qatar in 2015. Employees will be able to see provides an important new directly to employees’ Mobile The launch of Payroll services immediately when payments service for businesses and for Money accounts, providing a on Ooredoo Mobile Money will have been made, and be able to employees. safe, convenient and immedi- address a range of important transfer the money quickly and THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Reach Out To Asia trains youth on leadership skills DOHA: Reach Out To Asia local, regional and international at international and regional which are helping to mobilise and vision to build a knowledge- began in November 2013 and (ROTA), in partnership with levels. forums. This project also sup- the youth of the country through based society. We look forward to will continue until March 2015. Qatar Foundation (QF) member Essa Al Mannai, Executive ports the Ministry of Youth and programmes such as ROTA Youth seeing innovative ideas borne out Participants were divided into six Msheireb Properties, recently Director of ROTA, said, “The aim Sports’ strategy through youth Challenges. of this initiative that address the groups for developing innovative organised a leadership training of this initiative is to empower empowerment.” “We believe that developing the current and future needs of our project ideas that would serve programme for youth in Qatar. the youth and help them in their Eng Abdulla Hassan Al capabilities, expertise and skills community.” Qatari society. ROTA Youth Challenges sup- careers to be the ambassadors of Mehshadi, CEO of Msheireb of the young people of Qatar is The programme aims to They got the chance to partici- ports QF’s mission to create Qatar in the future. We recognise Properties, said, “At Msheireb critical to realising the country’s train 45 young men and women pate in ROTA’s highly anticipated future leaders by encouraging the importance of creating a new Properties we aim to partner full potential. This training sup- between 16 to 26 years, on key EMPOWER Conference in 2015. them to develop their abilities at generation to represent Qatar with organisations like ROTA ports Qatar’s development goals leadership skills. The initiative THE PENINSULA HBKU’s energy programme Situation training to help nurture talent: Expert DOHA: Enabling Qatari profes- of executives, Professor Antoine for UCQ students sionals understand the complex- Hyafil, Academic Director, of ity of energy and sustainability Hamad bin Khalifa University’s issues will allow Qatar to main- Executive Master in Energy DOHA: University room care, to hospital tain and improve its competitive and Resources (E&R) told this of Calgary in Qatar admission, to the discharge situation and improve the quality newspaper. (UCQ) nursing instruc- plan.” of life of its citizens, according to HBKU’s Executive Master in tors recently created “We believe that this is an expert. E&R is the first of interdiscipli- a situation to “foster a very effective strategy in There is a need for a signifi- nary programs. It’s offered in interprofessional educa- teaching students about cant number of Qataris to estab- partnership with Georgetown tion between students complex problems,” says lish a bridge between managerial University-Qatar, Texas A&M in various healthcare Zohra Hasnani-Samnani, and technological approach in the Qatar University and HEC Paris. disciplines”. UCQ Nursing Instructor. present and future generation THE PENINSULA In the situation, a Understanding what woman brings her hus- other healthcare profes- band to the hospital’s sions have to offer is very Emergency Department. important to nursing, says He has Type 1 diabetes nursing instructor Merry and has been taking insulin Jo Levers. UCQ student shots regularly for the past Mihi Chandrarante agrees. year. This week he came “I know more now about down with a stomach flu, the different roles of phar- and a couple of days ago macy and nursing students stopped taking insulin. and how we can work Now, he is confused and together, and that helps upset and needs medical me to be a better nurse,” care. A team of 72 nursing she says. and pharmacy students go At the same time, fel- to work on assessing him low student Mohammed and prescribing treatment. Mustafa points out, “In their real working “While our professions are lives, nurses collaborate 99pc the same, as nurses with other healthcare we focus more on direct professionals in the deliv- patient care.” ery of patient care,” says “And pharmacy focuses Roxanne Zeifflie, UCQ more on how medications nursing instructor. affect the patient’s body,” “During this workshop, our adds Gahryman Mayhano. nursing students and phar- Hebatallah Deghady, macy students go through Teaching assistant at QU all the stages they would go appreciated the training. through from emergency THE PENINSULA

Course on human rights for Kuwaiti diplomats

DOHA: A regional train- ing course on human rights concepts and mechanisms for Kuwaiti diplomats in GCC countries started here yesterday. The five-day course is being co-organised by Qatari National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and Geneva Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) and is aimed at establishing and promoting the concept of human rights within the diplomatic corps. Addressing the open- ing session of the training course , Deputy Chairman of the NHRC, Dr Yousuf Obaidan, said that human rights and relevant basic freedoms are of local, regional and international significance. The better the State respects and safeguards human rights, the bet- ter it is placed on both regional and world maps, he noted, stressing that it is shared responsibility of the international society to promote and safeguard human rights. Eight Kuwaiti diplomats working at US embas- sies in GCC countries are attending the course. The Kuwaiti Ambassador in Doha, Meteb Saleh Al Mutotah, underscored that human rights issue is significantand is the top priority of Kuwait. He said the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to promote and establish the concept of human rights within the diplomatic corps. The ministry has devel- oped an ambitious plan meant to promote the role and effort of Kuwait in the domain of human rights, he added. QNA HOME SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 QU presentation on AIDS awareness

DOHA: Qatar University’s Commission joined DHS fac- regionally, and locally in terms of Department of Health Sciences ulty members and students to number of people affected. He also (DHS) recently organised a hear lectures by HMC Infectious outlined the difference between presentation on AIDS aware- Diseases Senior Consultant and HIV infection and AIDS, the ness for its students. ‘Focus, Chairman of Alkhor Hospital stages of HIV infection and the Partner and Achieve: An AIDS- Infection Control Committee Dr “window period”, as well as pre- free generation’ discussed major Yasser el Deeb, and the Medical vention and treatment. issues related to the disease. Commission’s Chief of Laboratory Dr Ismail also discussed guide- Participants from Hamad Services, Dr Ahmed Ismail. lines and laboratory screening for Medical Corporation (HMC) Dr el Deeb gave an insight HIV at the Commission. and the Qatar General Medical into the HIV epidemic globally, THE PENINSULA

Oman to host GCC rail and metro conference

MUSCAT: Omani Ministry of Transport and Communications will host the GCC Rail and Metro Conference 2015 on January 11 and 12. The conference is the first joint event that endeavours to unite GCC efforts in the rail and metro sectors and serv- ices towards sustainable development for the bloc economies through max- imising the benefit from investment in this sector. The conference will present the manufactur- ing, service and training opportunities available for investors and the private sector including SMEs in all GCC projects, Oman news agency (ONA) reported. The conference will also look to tackle challenges facing the private sector to effectively participate in the railways sector. It will also discuss developing policies and plans to over- come such impediments and encourage the private sector’s participation. QNA SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Qatar wants to QA recruits Shafallah Center members enhance ties Airline signs agreement with special needs association; at least 25 employed with carrier with US, says

DOHA: Qatar Airways has entered into ambassador partnership with The Shafallah Center, Qatar’s special needs association, to pro- WASHINGTON: Qatar’s vide special needs adults with employ- Ambassador to the United ment opportunities. A memorandum States Mohammad Jaham of understanding was signed recently Al Kuwari stressed yester- in the presence of Prime Minister and day that Qatar was looking to Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah enhance its partnership with bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. the United States. Under the partnership, Qatar Airways The envoy, who was giv- will employ members from The Shafallah ing a speech at The Panhandle Center to be part of the airline team. Tiger Bay Club, discussed the Al least 25 new employees from The role of Qatar in contributing to Shafallah Center have recently joined the the international community in airline. establishing peace, development Qatar Airways began the partnership and security in the Arab region. as an initial ‘pilot project’, employing five Al Kuwari added that Qatar members from The Shafallah Center in hasn’t just become a hub for Qatar Aircraft Catering Company as gen- trade and business, but also for eral clerks carrying out aircraft prepara- dialogue. tion and customer delivery readiness tasks. He added that Aljazeera net- “Qatar Airways has been a long-standing work has become the voice of the contributor to social responsibility and this voiceless, enhancing dialogue over partnership is especially close to the airline, important matters. being a Qatar-based centre that is commit- He added that Aljazeera’s cov- ted to the development of contributing mem- erage of the 2011 revolts played a bers of our society,” said Akbar Al Baker, role in ending a number of auto- Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways. cratic regimes. “In Qatar Airways, our new team The ambassador also high- members from The Shafallah Center lighted Qatar’s role in the human- are provided with the same benefits and itarian field. He highlighted the opportunities to learn, work and grow state’s establishment of Qatar their careers as we do with our existing Haiti fund and the Qatar Katrina employees. They are provided with training Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani (third right), Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker Fund which contributed $120m in and development, with the commitment to (second right) and other officials at the signing ceremony. aid to those affected by the two growing their professional work experi- natural disasters. ence,” he said. Shafallah members who are currently about having a united society and involving Vice President Employee Services, Nabeela Al Kuwari concluded by con- “We look forward to employing even Qatar Airways employees are familiarised everyone in the development of our coun- Fakhri. The Shafallah Center is the first firming that Qatar and the US more ladies and gentlemen from The with the working place and its facilities, try. Our young adults from The Shafallah facility of its kind in the Arab and Muslim have always maintained a strong Shafallah Center and broadening the job and trained on a daily basis on the tasks Center are highly committed to their jobs, world that provides comprehensive services partnership in the field of sustain- opportunities, and further integrating our they are assigned to do. take great pride in their work, and are for children with disabilities. able development. two organisations,” he added. “It is everyone’s responsibility to care talented and skilled,” said Qatar Airways THE PENINSULA QNA $9.16m for Texas A&M University research projects

DOHA: Two proposals from Dr Hassan S Bazzi, Assistant Bazzi said. “The novelty of the the conversion of CO2, into value “Our research project is focused at College Station and Qatar Texas A&M University at Qatar Dean of Research and Graduate concept is the development of added chemicals and clean fuels, on developing novel catalysts and University, as well as local and have been awarded a total of Studies and Professor of environmentally benign synthetic which could significantly impact processes for CO2 conversion in international industry partners $9.16m funding from the sixth Chemistry at Texas A&M at procedures and technologies for gas processing technology and presence of methane to lower such as Total Qatar and Total National Priorities Research Qatar, in collaboration with Dr the production of new, sustain- CO2 conversion not only in Qatar, Qatar’s CO2 emission while diver- Refining and Petrochemicals and Program — Exceptional Robert Grubbs, a 2005 Nobel able, high-performance linear, but worldwide. sifying the monetisation of Qatar’s supported by Qatar Petroleum. Proposals (NPRP–EP). Laureate in Chemistry from the cyclic polymers and elastomers This project is led by Dr Nimir resources to produce ultra-clean The NPRP-EP programme The project, “Synthesis of Novel California Institute of Technology. that can be utilised in tyres, as Elbashir, director of the Gas and fuels and value-added chemicals,” is an extension of QNRF’s flag- and Sustainable Functionalized Grubbs is also the holder of the food packaging materials, medical Fuels Research Center and asso- Elbashir said. ship National Priorities Research Linear and Cyclic Polymers via QAPCO Chair in Polymer Science implants or drug delivery materi- ciate professor of chemical engi- “Qatar-based students and jun- Program (NPRP) that offers a Olefin Metathesis,” seeks to and Engineering at Texas A&M als from CP and their derivatives.” neering at Texas A&M at Qatar, ior researchers will work on a glo- maximum budget of $5m for a develop novel and environmen- at Qatar. The project, “Design of Novel in collaboration with Total E&P bal research collaboration model period of up to five years to pro- tally friendly ways in which to “With the widely accepted drive Catalysts and Processes for Qatar, Northwestern University in conjunction with academic posals of exceptional scientific synthesise polymers that, like towards more sustainable tech- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Conversion main campus and involves build- institutions and world-leading merit requiring resources in polyolefins, are produced on an nologies, there is an urgent need from Micro- to Macroscale,” ing the infrastructure necessary scientists from Northwestern excess of the normal level of fund- immense scale in Qatar. for developing cleaner sustainable seeks to develop new catalysts to support large-scale catalyst University, Texas A&M University ing available under the NPRP. The project is led by concepts in olefin metathesis,” and novel technologies that scale synthesis in Qatar. at Qatar and main campus THE PENINSULA

DOHA: The Prime Minister Al Thakira Youth Centre. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E The Prime Minister gave the Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser start signal for the competi- attends falcon bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday tion. He also went around an attended the final qualifications exhibition held on the sidelines of championship of the second Labrtha champi- the event. onship for falcons, organised by QNA

Galfar Al Misnad’s safe driving campaign DOHA: Galfar Al Misnad conducted a Safe Driving Campaign focus- ing on defensive driv- ing with the theme ‘Let us together develop a Safe Driving Culture’, as the traffic in Doha is expected to increase in the coming days. Executive Director of Galfar Al Misnad inau- gurated the safe driving campaign on December 2. A pledge on safe driving was taken by every vehi- cle user and followed by endorsement of signature. Satish G Pillai, Executive Director, said, “As part of our corporate social responsibility, we take this opportunity to spread awareness on safe driv- ing among the employees. Through this campaign, the company wants to remind employees about how to be safe on the road.” Galfar Al Misnad conducted a ‘Training Awareness Program’ to educate all vehicle and equipment users. This was followed by a quiz compe- tition after which winners walked away with prizes. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 HOME / MIDEAST 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Far-left group QRC appeals for $1.5m to behind Israel help storm-hit Philippines embassy attack ATHENS: Greek police said a far-left group was likely respon- Houses, water and sanitation top priorities sible for a night-time gun attack on the Israeli embassy in Athens DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent that saw the building sprayed (QRC) issued an emergency with gunfire but no one hurt. appeal to raise approximately Two Kalashnikov assault rifles $1.5m in Relief for 1,300 used in the attack had been used families (6,500 people) hit in a similar attack on the resi- by Typhoon Hagupit in the dence of the German ambassa- Philipines. dor last December by the People’s QRC’s mission in the Fighter Group, a police source Philippines is closely examin- said. ing the situation and commu- A gunman riding on the back nicating with the Philippine of motorcycle raked the embassy Red Cross, International with at least 54 rounds from a Federation of Red Cross and Kalashnikov rifle, police said, as Red Crescent (IFRC), and the it passed the embassy, which sits www.swiss-belhotel.com International Committee of the on the corner of a busy road in Red Cross (ICRC) to identify the affluent northern suburbs of Tel the urgent needs and coordi- the Greek capital. Fax nate the humanitarian assist- Television footage showed ance for hundreds of thousands bullet holes on the side of the of displaced people, according embassy building. to a release from the charity “There were two bursts of gun- Tel yesterday. fire...they must have emptied an Fax The toll of the typhoon Qatar Red Crescent workers in the Philippines. entire clip,” the attendant of a included 16,500 destroyed neighbouring petrol station told houses, 33,100 damaged houses, expected to worsen the comprising 3,150 blankets, 592 reporters. AFP 1.7 million displaced people now humanitarian situation in the rainproof tarpaulins, 594 tents, in 7,786 sheltering centers in Philippines, as it is still dealing 3,390 water tanks, and 4,488 Tel Samar Island, with 98,147 dis- with the aftermaths of Typhoon mattresses. Review of driving Fax placed people still outside the Haiyan and the current threats Another project is already sheltering centers. of Mayon Volcano eruption. under way to build 650 hous- skills urged The disaster left behind The preparedness meas- ing units, seven classrooms, and continued from page 1 28 killed, 157 injured, and ures helped avoid the disas- a warehouse at a total cost of Tel + 974 44298888 four missing; damaged roads, trous impacts of the typhoon, $2,162,847. Many bus drivers carry driving transportation networks, and including timely evacuation, The Qatari Alliance was licences from their home coun- Fax power supply; caused floods in early warning systems, and formed as a result of the tries which are allegedly “bought”. 17 areas, which restricts access prepositioning of emergency Qatar Day of Solidarity with They are given a bit of training to the affected area to conduct response teams. QRC’s mis- the People of Somalia and the here and issued licenses to drive Tel the assessment. sion in the Philippines is still Philippines, held on November buses, said Al Shafi. Based on the currently conducting relief and shelter- 19, 2013, in response to the call The CMC has already discussed Fax available information, the top ing projects for the victims of of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim the issue of bad behavior of school priorities for humanitarian Haiyan, with funding from the bin Hamad Al Thani. and public transport Karwa bus intervention are sheltering; Qatari Charity Alliance to Help The alliance has already drivers and lack of driving skills Tel nonfood items; water, sanita- the Peoples of Somalia and the organised many events to mobi- of some of them. “I will be talking Fax tion, and hygiene; and food Philippines, the latest of which lise financial and nonfinancial to my CMC colleagues and raise security. was distributing a new batch of support for the campaign. the issue in the House again,” said The recent typhoon is nonfood items to 1,548 families, THE PENINSULA Al Shafi. THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax www.doha.hilton.com Design show touches on Istanbul trauma Tel 44233333 974+ Fax 44233000 974+ ISTANBUL: Far from aiming there are other projects that together these great state- battle obesity, aim to address for utopia, the second Istanbul are altering Istanbul’s skyline ments and visions that were pressing manmade quandaries. Design Biennial confronts a and tearing its social fabric. very utopic,” Ryan said in an Dutch graphic designer darker side by touching on “OccupyGezi Architecture” is interview. Christian Boer, who is dyslexic, the city’s recent trauma with one of 53 projects in the show “Now we are living through devised a font to help others technical drawings, meant for that challenges designers to the fallout of the dreams that with the disorder. His Dyslexie future protesters, of struc- address personal, as well as were never realised ... The typeface lengthens some letters, tures built during the occupa- the ethical and environmental, projects show design is inextri- slants others or thickens bases tion of Istanbul’s Gezi Park. issues of our time. cably linked to everyday life and to respond to how dyslexics see Istanbul’s non-profit Europe’s biggest city is in the issues with social implications.” the alphabet. For a future of Tel Architecture for All docu- throes of a building boom and “The future is not what it potential disasters, the Chicago- mented the ephemeral libraries, explosive social change, making used to be,” French philoso- based duo Jessica Charlesworth Fax meeting points and shelters that Istanbul the right venue to re- pher Paul Valery said in 1937, and Tim Parsons designed a popped up when mass protests examine design’s underpinnings, and that is the theme of the lat- “New Survivalism” pack, which erupted last year over a scheme said curator Zoe Ryan, chair of est international biannual exhi- includes a portable bio-energy to raze the park to make way for architecture and design at the bition, which has drawn more kit and electronic equipment to Tel a shopping mall. Art Institute of Chicago. than 80,000 people since open- pick up signs of alien life. Fax Authorities violently put down “The manifestos that were ing on Nov. 1. “It is a future time capsule, the demonstrations and knocked typically written in the first Many of the projects, such as when you may not know what down the structures. The gov- part of the last century were slugs that can eat toxic waste you’ll need but at that moment ernment eventually dropped how architects, artists, design- or a “workout computer” to in time, this is what you value,” Tel Gezi Park’s redevelopment, but ers responded to change: pulling counter sedentary lifestyles and said Charlesworth. REUTERS Fax Iron Christmas tree Tel Fax

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Children in front of a Christmas tree in Byblos, north of Beirut, yesterday. The Christmas tree, measuring about 30 metres and made up of gold-coloured iron leaves, stands at the entrance of the ancient city of Byblos. SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Darfur probe: Bashir Arbain ritual claims victory over ICC Court shelves case due to lack of support from UNSC KHARTOUM: Sudan’s The ICC has also charged He reaffirmed his refusal to President Omar Hassan Al Bashir’s defence minister, interior address Darfur alongside a sepa- Bashir claimed victory over the minister and a militia leader. rate but closely-linked insurgency, International Criminal Court None has been arrested and mounted by former civil war yesterday after it shelved fur- Sudan has been shielded from fighters left in Sudan after South ther investigation of war crimes further action at the 15-member Sudan seceded in 2011. in Darfur, and reaffirmed his Security Council by China, a veto- “There won’t be a new (peace) hard line on the rebel region. wielding permanent member. agreement in Darfur and we won’t The Hague-based court indicted Prosecutor Bensouda said on group South Kordofan and Blue Bashir in 2009 for war crimes, Friday the Council’s inaction Nile with Darfur. There is no rela- crimes against humanity and gen- would only “embolden perpetra- tionship between the two regions,” ocide in suppressing the Darfur tors to continue their brutality”. he said. revolt. “I am left with no choice but to Negotiations to end a three- But the court’s prosecutor hibernate investigative activities year-old insurgency in the Fatou Bensouda said on Friday in Darfur as I shift resources to southern provinces collapsed on she was shelving the Darfur inves- other urgent cases,” she added. Tuesday after rebels insisted talks tigation for lack of support from Darfur has been racked by con- include their allies in Darfur. the Security Council, the UN body flict since mainly non-Arab tribes Rebels said on Friday they had able to take coercive measures took up arms in 2003 against captured army outposts as near that could compel Bashir and co- the Arab-led government in as seven kilometres from South defendants to face the court. Khartoum, accusing it of discrimi- Kordofan’s capital. “They wanted us to kneel before nation. It has killed as many as The army did not return Shia pilgrims gather as they commemorate Arbain in Kerbala, southwest of Baghdad, yesterday. Iraqi officials the International Criminal Court 300,000 people and displaced two requests for comment. said millions of Shia pilgrims from across Iraq and neighbouring countries were expected in Kerbala for the but the ICC raised its hands and million, the UN says. “This year there will be no more Arbain ritual, which marks the last of 40 days of mourning for the death of Imam Hussein around 1,300 years ago. admitted that it had failed,” Bashir In his speech, Bashir lashed out rebellions. The armed forces are said in a defiant speech. at the opposition, which is largely ready,” Bashir said. “We welcome “The Sudanese people have boycotting April polls, warning those who are ready for peace, defeated the ICC and have refused those who had signed unity agree- but we will not wait indefinitely to hand over any Sudanese to the ments with rebels to stay abroad for them. Everything has a limit.” colonialist courts.” with the “traitors”. REUTERS Egypt bars entry of US scholar CAIRO: US scholar and former “Some Egyptians complain her point of view and erase, diplomat Michele Dunne, I don’t list enough to pro govt through dialogue, the wrong Sudan minister vows to defeat rebels known for her staunch criti- views. When I accept invite to ideas that she has,” he added. cism of Egypt’s authorities, said conf of pro govt group they deny In August, Human Rights KHARTOUM: Sudan’s defence Khartoum is also struggling to forces had captured two garri- she was barred from entering me entry. Go figure,” she said on Watch said Egypt banned its minister said on Friday that a quash an insurrection in Blue Nile sons less than 20 kilometres from Egypt yesterday. Twitter. head from entering the country, new army offensive would defeat and South Kordofan. South Kordofan capital Kadugli. Dunne said in an email she had An interior ministry spokes- citing “security reasons.” rebels in the war-torn Darfur, Hussein did not say if the opera- SPLM-N troops “inflicted heavy been invited to be a panellist at a man was unable to comment on HRW executive director Blue Nile and South Kordofan tion had already started. losses in men and equipment” on conference organised by the pro- why Dunne, who once served at Kenneth Roth and Middle East regions, days after peace talks Peace talks between the gov- Khartoum’s forces, Lodi said. government Egyptian Council for the US embassy in Cairo, was director Sarah Leah Whitson had in Addis Ababa ended without ernment and the Sudan Peoples He gave no indication of Foreign Affairs (ECFA). turned back. come for the release of a report result. Liberation Movement-North SPLM-N casualties, and the She arrived overnight at Cairo Dunne, a senior associate at to mark a year since the killing Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein (SPLM-N), which operates in Sudanese military could not be airport but her name was on a list the Carnegie Endowment for of an estimated 700 protesters, said the campaign “will put an end Blue Nile and South Kordofan, reached for comment Friday. of people banned by the depart- International Peace, is a former in one of the deadliest incidents to the insurgency on all fronts,” ended without result on Tuesday. Fighting erupted in Blue Nile ment of state security, and she diplomat specialised in the of its kind in decades. state news agency SUNA reported The UN Security Council said and South Kordofan in 2011 when was put on a plane to Frankfurt, Middle East. The protesters were support- him as saying. Thursday it regretted the “absence former rebels from the SPLM-N an airport official said. ECFA executive director Amin ers of deposed Islamist presi- Hussein was addressing troops of a final agreement, and urged took up arms against Khartoum, “Authorities have no reason Shalabi said the council invited dent Mohamed Mursi, deposed near the town of Nyala in the both sides to participate in further complaining of discrimination whatsoever for refusing me entry. Dunne to attend the conference a month earlier by then army Darfur region, where the govern- negotiations in January. by Sudan’s Arab-dominated I have visited several times per “despite her critical writings chief and now President Abdel ment has been battling insurgents SPLM-N spokesman Arnu Lodi government. year for more than a decade about the situation in Egypt”. Fattah Al Sisi. since 2003. said on Thursday the movement’s AFP now,” she said. The council hoped “to correct AFP Saudi nabs man for shooting at diplomats Air strikes, clashes

RIYADH: Saudi authorities Most Shias live in the oil- have arrested a man, wanted rich east, and many complain of near Libyan oil ports for a number of violent crimes, Filipino beheaded for murder marginalisation in the Sunni- including shooting at the car of RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday beheaded a Filipino convicted dominated kingdom. BENGHAZI: Forces loyal to strikes had targeted an air base German diplomats earlier this of killing one of its nationals, the interior ministry said. Earlier this month, a court Libya’s recognised government in the city. year, the interior ministry said Carletto Lana shot dead Saudi national Nasser Al Gahtani before sentenced to death a man who yesterday conducted air strikes Forces loyal to a rival gov- on Friday. running him over with a car, the SPA news agency said. opened fire numerous times on on targets near the eastern oil ernment in Tripoli launched an The two Germans escaped His execution was carried out in Riyadh. police in Awamiya. ports of Ras Lanuf and Es-Sider operation to take the oil ports and unharmed in the January 13 inci- According to an AFP tally, 80 foreigners and Saudis have now Activists say several death sen- to stop an advance by a rival fields and expel forces of former dent in Awamiya village, Eastern been executed in the country this year. tences have been handed down force, officials said. army general Khalifa Haftar allied Province. More than two-thirds of this year’s executions have been carried since 2011, when demonstrations The clashes are part of a wider to Thinni, commander Tarek At the time, the German gov- out over the past four months. began among the minority Shias. struggle in the North African Eshnaina said. ernment said it had no reason to Rape, murder, apostasy, drug trafficking and armed robbery are In October, protesters marched country between competing gov- “We are a third force com- believe the attack was politically all punishable by death under the kingdom’s strict version of Islamic there in opposition to death sen- ernments allied to armed fac- missioned by the chief of staff motivated. Shariah law. AFP tences handed to Shia religious tions over control of the vast oil Abdulsalam Jaddallah and com- Saudi Arabia’s interior min- leader Nimr Al Nimr and others, reserves, three-and-a-half years mander-in-chief Nouri Abu istry said the suspect, Salem on Thursday evening after a gun suspects in connection with the an activist said. after the ouster of Muammar Sahmain,” he said. Abu Sahman bin Abdullah bin Hussein, was battle with police in which he was January shooting. Nimr was a driving force Gaddafi. is head of the General National wanted for a number of crimes, wounded and subsequently hospi- Awamiya, just west of behind demonstrations against The recognised prime minis- Congress (GNC), a rival parlia- including shooting, armed rob- talised. His two companions were Dammam city, has been a focus the Sunni authorities that ter Abdullah Al Thinni has been ment based in Tripoli. bery and threatening the security also taken into custody. of clashes between security erupted in 2011 in the east, along- forced to work out of a rump state “We were about one km from of residents On March 23, Saudi Arabia forces and protesters from Saudi side a Shia-led protest movement in the east since a group called the main gate of Es Sider oil port He was arrested in Awamiya said it had arrested two other Arabia’s Shia Muslim minority. in neighbouring Bahrain. AFP Libya Dawn seized the capital in but we had to withdraw about August and set up its own govern- two kilometres after Haftar’s ment and parliament. warplanes carried out air strikes The oil ports Ras Lanuf and which killed two of our members Pamuk’s new book Es Sider, two of Libya’s biggest, and wounded three,” he said. accounting for more than 300,000 “The clashes are sporadic at the Algerian mayor barrels a day of exports, were moment and we are waiting for working normally, an oil official supplies from the general chief of shot dead, said. staff.” Saqer Al Joroushi, an air force Last month, Libya Dawn took throat slit by commander allied to Thinni, said over the big southern El Sharara his aircraft had attacked positions oilfield. near Sirte, a costal city in central The eastern oil ports are con- ‘terrorists’ Libya. trolled by troops led by Ibrahim He said a rival force from Jathran, who could be seen ALGIERS: The mayor of a Misrata, a coastal city west of directing troops during yester- town in Algeria was shot dead Sirte and the ports, had advanced day’s clashes, according to a video and had his throat slit by uni- towards the terminals with a large posted on websites close to his dentified “terrorists” on Friday, number of vehicles. “We bombed group. Jathran has threatened to police were quoted by the APS them to stop them from entering call for eastern secession should news agency as saying. the ports,” he said. world powers recognise the GNC The body of Benyoucef A Sirte resident said two air in Tripoli. REUTERS Chelghoum, 56, was found at his farm in Fercha, just outside Bordj El Emir Abdelkader, of which he Govt names official to run state oil firm was mayor. The town is 213 kilo- metres southwest of the capital. BENGHAZI: Libya’s recognised government has appointed a second The report gave no further official to head state-run National Oil Corp (NOC), it said yesterday details about the murder, includ- as it vies with a rival government for control of the vital oil sector. ing any explanation as to why The Opec producer has had two governments and parliaments since “terrorists” were blamed. August when a group called Libya Dawn seized Tripoli after a month- Violence blamed on Islamists long battle with a rival group, forcing the recognized Prime Minister has declined considerably in Abdullah Al Thinni to move to the east. recent years, but militants who Last month, Thinni appointed Al Mabrook Abu Seif as new NOC battled the army during a civil chairman. In a second step, he named Mohamed Al Arabi as deputy war in the 1990s and later formed chairman, according to a decree published on a government website. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb Turkish author Orhan Pamuk signs autographs after the presentation of his new book, Kafamda Bir Tuhafli (A The rival government in Tripoli has named its own oil minister still operate in the country. Strangeness In My Mind) in Istanbul yesterday. Mashallah Zwai and kept the NOC chairman Mustafa Sanallah in place. AFP REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Able Abe Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

apan is going to the polls today. And all indications are that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will return to power. When Abe decided last month to dissolve the House of JRepresentatives and call the election, two years early, CIA torture: Homeland and 24 make it was viewed at as something of a rash move, with experts even predicting that the prime minister’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) could lose dozens of seats. But those experts are likely to be proved wrong and Abe will be proved great TV, but are no way to govern right. Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior BY JONATHAN FREEDLAND partner Komeito will likely secure 317 of the 475 seats, giving for 22 hours a day, wearing nothing but 2001 remains the dominant, defining them the super-majority they need in the powerful lower a nappy. Or men kept like dogs in ken- event of our time, even a decade and a eality rushes in where fic- nels. Or the detainee so brutalised that, half later. We still live in the shadow of chamber to force through legislation, a poll published by the tion fears to tread. The at the click of an interrogator’s fingers, those two fallen towers. Asahi Shimbun newspaper said. The LDP is projected to win events of the real world he would pliantly lie down, ready to be Some of those who agitated for the between 290 and 318 of the available seats, while Komeito constantly outstrip even waterboarded yet again. Iraq war assumed that by now the pen- could bag between 29 and 35, the Asahi poll showed. Before the most creative imagi- What are we to make of this informa- dulum would have swung the other way, Rnations. As Philip Roth famously com- tion? I don’t mean practically, though that a revision of the original damning last month’s dissolution, the LDP held 295 seats and Komeito plained, “The actuality is continually on that score my preference would verdict would be underway. But it has had 31. outdoing our talents” — contriving sit- be to bring the perpetrators of these not come. On the contrary, each inves- What has changed the situation in Abe’s favour is the uations that few novelists would dare crimes to justice, no matter the practi- tigation or inquiry only combines with absence of a strong opposition that can provide an alternative offer, lest they seem outlandish and cal and political obstacles. It strikes me events on the ground to confirm what and a growing realization among the public that Abenomics far-fetched. The latest proof is the US as a counsel of despair that the head an appalling series of deadly errors the remains the best option for reviving the extremely sick Senate intelligence committee report on of the American Civil Liberties Union invasion and the wider “war on terror” economy. Secondly, he is known as a leader who can take the CIA’s use of torture in the course of has called on Barack Obama to pardon, unleashed. fighting the “war on terror”. pre-emptively, all those involved. The The senate report describes an bold decisions. And decisiveness is in stark contrast with past Even a public reared on Homeland, ACLU’s reasoning is that at least a for- agency panicked by 9/11, with next to prime ministers. 24 and Zero Dark Thirty were shocked mal pardon establishes that a crime was no experience in the interrogation of The latest opinion polls show that the conservative LDP by what they read. Viewers who had committed and sets a legal precedent terror suspects, resorting to a method and its partner, Komeito, are flinched at Jack Bauer’s brutal approach against it happening again. But a con- that throughout history has been shown set for a sweeping victory. Some to interrogation learned this week that viction, even of just one torturer or his to be not only immoral but ineffective. newspapers, including the left- that was hardly political master, would make that point Put simply, torture does not work. It Japan is going the product of more eloquently. does not get results, only bogus informa- leaning Asahi Shimbun, are even an over-active But that leaves the question of how tion offered up in a desperate attempt to the polls predicting that the LDP could Hollywood imagi- we are to process the report and its to make the torturer stop. As the report increase its current showing in nation. On the aftermath. A first reflection would dwell puts it, “the techniques failed to elicit and Shinzo the 475-seat lower house from contrary, it turns on language and the numbing power of detainee cooperation or produce accu- 294 to as many as 317 seats, giving The torture out the screen- euphemism. Note how the director of rate intelligence.” If anything, torture writers underdid the CIA would not utter the word “tor- helps the enemy, acting as a recruiting Abe is set for it the two-thirds supermajority report lays it. ture”, when he came to offer his rebuttal sergeant to those appalled by the tortur- a sweeping it needs to govern alone. If that Sure, of the report on Thursday. He referred ers’ behaviour. Witness the effect of Abu happens, Abe will be in a position bare what Homeland has instead to “enhanced interrogation tech- Ghraib in galvanising Iraqi opposition to victory. to try whatever experiment he Carrie and her niques”, or “EITs”. How much easier to the US occupation a decade ago. wants to revive the economy. Abe happens colleagues cut- speak of the merits and disadvantages Again and again, those prosecuting called the election essentially as ting corners, but of EITs, a bland acronym that might be the “war on terror” got it wrong. Martin when our they’ve never in use in a widget corporation, than of Chulov’s stunning account of the rise a referendum on his economic performed “rec- torture. This habit infected those lower of Isis, based on an exclusive interview policies, after official statistics showed that Japan has tipped deepest, tal rehydration”, down the hierarchy too. They spoke of with a senior commander, makes clear back into recession despite his efforts to stimulate growth a form of anal “attention grabs” and “cold cells” rather that the organisation could not have with much easier monetary policy and a huge injection of darkest urges rape whose ori- than of shaking a prisoner or leaving existed had its founding generation government spending. gins lie in the him standing naked in frigid tempera- not been herded together in a US-run Abe is known not only for his special economic formula, but prevail. The medieval torture tures, broken by regular dousing in ice- prison in Iraq. The Iraqi occupation, like of inflating the cold water. “Rectal rehydration” is itself the CIA’s torture programme, did not also for his special foreign policy agenda, which includes some state has to intestines with a euphemism. Like “ethnic cleansing”, fight terror: it fed it. controversial plans such as lifting some post-war constraints viscous material these are terms designed to put distance The one redeeming element to this on Japan’s military. It would also give him more freedom rise above it. for the sole pur- between the speaker and the meaning story comes not in the content of the to press ahead with other unpopular plans like restarting pose of causing of the words he is using, to drain an act senate report, but in the fact of its pub- the nuclear power plants shuttered in the wake of the 2011 extreme inter- of its evil content. lication. Dianne Feinstein could release nal pain. The 24 A second observation would start with her findings, in the face of White House Fukushima disaster. In territorial disputes with China too, audience might be able to tolerate the the calendar. It is nearly 2015, yet here opposition, because the US has true Abe has shown to be a tough leader. odd glimpse of waterboarding, but to we are, still reeling from the events at separation of powers; a legislature that However, the turnout for the polls is expected to be low. know that it was inflicted on one man the turn of this century. In this country stands apart from, and can truly check, Observers expect a poor turnout because many voters are 183 times in a month would have been we’re still awaiting the findings of the the executive. (We are a long way from unenthusiastic about a general election just half way through too much to stomach. Few television Chilcot inquiry into Britain’s involve- that in Britain.) That is not much of a the usual four-year term.• producers would have risked showing ment in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, itself comfort, but it is some. a detainee chained to an overhead bar a consequence of 9/11. 11 September, THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Circular debt yet again the day HE independent power two years. The government has report- Bank has also said in its annual report the distribution side. This is where the producers have been edly told the IPPs that so long as the that the circular debt “will be paid this bulk of the inefficiencies are piling up. persuaded to withdraw notices are hanging over its head, its fiscal year, or it could risk undermining The government’s efforts thus far have Ttheir notices to call in their ability to raise funds to properly pay the the supply chain of power”, meaning been focused on increasing genera- sovereign guarantees for now, and receivables in the power sector will be we could land up right where we were tion, because improving distribution is the government is busy trying to hampered. This shows the enormous in June 2013, with unending power out- a long and difficult road that includes Today is the first arrange the funds for another massive position of weakness that the govern- ages across many parts of the country. fundamentally reforming the distribu- retirement of the circular debt. The ment finds itself in when dealing with Certainly nobody wants to traverse tion companies and making them 24 hours for latter has once again reached historic private power producers. that territory again, but we also can- more responsive to the needs of the highs near Rs580bn. This spiralling Not that long ago, Nepra, the power not afford to keep letting the debt pile consumers and the prerogatives of the seven months... increase has happened in spite of huge regulator, had raised the prospect of up then retire it at one go every two government. increases in the power tariff. auditing the accounts of the IPPs to years. Somewhere something has to The minister for water and power when we have a This is the second time that the IPPs determine if they were properly billing change fundamentally to make sure has emphasised the importance of real ceasefire in have been forced to call in their sover- the government for sale of power. But that this problem does not keep recur- the transmission and distribution side eign guarantees, which means pushing this time round it appears all attempts ring, and endless tariff increases are not as well, saying that it is pointless to Ukraine. the government into paying up or being to push back against the IPPs’ tough accomplishing the task at hand. The arrange for more electricity since our Petro Poroshenko declared in sovereign default in the last talk have been abandoned. The State fundamental changes needed are on system cannot carry it. DAWN Ukrainian President SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Ukraine’s frozen war changing world economy

a philosophical shift that Putin To the extent that Russia remains a would welcome. What about the implications of major resource exporter, its trading a “frozen conflict” for Europe and the world? The good news is that a definitive end to the fighting in and financial strategies, as well Ukraine would remove the big- gest single obstacle to economic as its geopolitical alliances, will be recovery in Europe. The threat of all-out war in Central Europe was probably the most important redirected toward Asia. cause of last summer’s sudden slump in the eurozone, especially BY ANATOLE KALETSKY territory until 1954. Losing in Germany. If war were to break Donbass is more serious because it out again, the shock to business he “day of silence” is one of the country’s main indus- confidence would certainly over- observed this week by the trial regions. But normal economic whelm any stimulus efforts by the Ukrainian army and its relationships could soon be rees- European Central Bank. Tpro-Russian rebel oppo- tablished because Russia needs The bad news is that a frozen nents was an event of enormous to sell Donbass’ coal and steel as conflict in Ukraine will weaken economic importance for global much as Ukraine needs to buy it. the postwar assumption that economics as well as geopolitics. Because the profits from these European borders cannot be The ceasefire’s success con- activities were largely misappro- changed by force, as German firmed that the truce in Ukraine, priated by corrupt officials and Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed to on September 5, is oligarchs, it will make no great dif- lamented again this week. The fact mostly holding, despite some local ference to Ukraine if they are sto- is, however, that European bor- fighting and Western pundits’ vir- len by pro-Russian rebels instead. ders have been violently redrawn tually unanimous predictions that Meanwhile, Ukrainian national throughout the past 25 years, after the war would quickly resume. The identity has been strengthened the break-up of the Soviet Union A file photo of pro-Russian separatists from the Chechen “Death” battalion take part in a training exercise in durability of September’s truce by the conflict. Although Ukraine and Yugoslavia. suggests that relations between is unlikely ever to be admitted territory controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. The principle of national sover- Kiev and Moscow are gradually to either the European Union eignty has been breached repeat- reverting toward an uneasy form or the North Atlantic Treaty any further territorial expan- a result, Russia has succumbed and before them, South Korea and edly — not least by the United of peaceful coexistence. Organisation — given the opposi- sion, at least without some new to the classic symptoms of the Japan. States, Britain and France in If so, then last summer’s civil tion in Germany and France, as geopolitical pretext. In that case, “natural resource curse”: an over- This Asian model will mean Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria, war in Ukraine will probably well as in Russia — an EU asso- the EU sanctions against Russia valued currency, deindustrialisa- more protection for domestic as well as in Israel and Cyprus. evolve into a broadly stable “frozen ciation agreement, similar to may well expire automatically in tion, conspicuous consumption, industries, more control over Such breaches will doubtless con- conflict,” similar to the stalemates Turkey’s, could help reduce cor- March and July. They have been excessive government spending, international capital flows and less tinue from time to time, whether that have prevailed for years, even ruption and encourage economic set for a one-year term, and a weak domestic tax collection and reliance on imports — even if that or not the sanctions against Russia decades, in Georgia, Moldova, reform. A dual trading relation- consensus to extend them will be extreme vulnerability to interna- means lower quality and higher continue. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, ship with both Europe and Russia hard to muster if the fighting in tional capital flows. prices for Russian consumers. More worrying to the West Cyprus and Israel, to name just could ultimately offer Ukraine the Ukraine dies down. In response, Russia is starting To the extent that Russia than the diplomatic precedents the frozen conflicts closest to only possible route to economic Whether or not the sanctions to restructure its economy. It is remains a major resource exporter, set by a frozen conflict in Ukraine Europe. viability. This sort of relation- are lifted, Russia is already under- moving away from the classical its trading and financial strategies, should be the global implications Though nobody can be fully sat- ship should become possible once going an economic transformation. free-trade model that it adopted as well as its geopolitical alliances, of Russia moving into the Chinese isfied with this outcome, Ukraine, this year’s conflict is definitively With oil prices and the rouble in the 1990s, which encouraged will be redirected toward China geopolitical and economic orbit. Russia and Europe should all “frozen.” collapsing, Russia’s political and Moscow to export raw materi- and Asia. This strategic realign- But given the intensity of Western heave sighs of relief. So should Now consider Russia. Assuming business leaders are realising that als and import industrial goods ment will, over time, increase interactions with China, peaceful anyone concerned about the out- that Kiev and the West reluctantly the post-Soviet economic model because that was implied by the China’s economic dominance in coexistence and economic cooper- look of the global economy. accept the status quo in Crimea of full-scale financial liberalisa- Ricardian law of comparative Asia. It may also strengthen the ation should also be possible with Let us begin with Ukraine. and Donbas — and nobody seems tion and integration with the glo- advantage. The alternative devel- influence of China’s authoritarian a Russia that decides to follow the The loss of Crimea is irrelevant to have any ideas about how to bal economy has condemned them opment model, which Russia will Confucian politics as a counter- Chinese models of economic man- because much of that peninsula wrest this territory back from to overdependence on energy now favour, is the one followed by weight to the liberal democratic agement, business transparency was already leased to Russia and Moscow — President Vladimir exports and industrial imports other big emerging economies, model promoted by the United and non-democratic government. was not even part of Ukrainian Putin seems unlikely to attempt from Western Europe. Partly as including China, India and Brazil, States and the European Union, REUTERS In weird war, Iran, US bombing same foe Kim Jong-un and North BY MICHAEL WILLIAMS Korea don’t do parody

he McDonnell Douglas’ F4 BY PAUL FRENCH Phantom was a workhorse Tof the United States Air t seems Kim Jong-un doesn’t like the new Seth Rogan movie, The Force during the Vietnam War Interview. Not surprising really, it’s a comedy about a fictitious plot to in the 1960s. It was retired from Iassassinate him. Now Sony Pictures has been the subject of a massive the USAF and the British Royal cyberattack disrupting the company’s communications system and leaking Air Force some 20 years ago. But upcoming movies. the vintage fighter-bomber put North Korea has, unsurprisingly, been accused of mounting the attack in a surprise performance a few and, equally unsurprisingly, denies it. But they may be on shaky ground. days ago over the skies of north- Last summer, when the movie’s plot was first announced, Pyongyang called ern Iraq. on the US government to ban the film. Iranian Air Force Phantoms The North’s ruling Kim clan has reason not to like a lot of Western purchased during the reign of movies. They weren’t very happy about the 2002 Bond flick Die Another the Shah of Iran, who was over- Day featuring North Korean prison camps and rogue DPRK generals. thrown in the revolution of 1979, Pyongyang offered a thumbs down and the tagline, “dirty and cursed,” which attacked Islamic State bases in didn’t make it to the marquee. Team America: World Police didn’t amuse Diyala province near the town of them much either with its portrayal of a puppet Kim Jong-il singing about Saadiya, on the frontline between his loneliness. But The Interview appears to have Pyongyang rather more Iraqi forces and Islamic State. outraged than usual. Pentagon officials were quick It’s rather obvious to say that the dictatorship that calls itself the to deny any coordination with “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” doesn’t really do parody. the Iranian strikes. What is Smoke rise after US-led coalition airstrike on Kobane, Syria, as seen from the Turkish side of the border, near Dictatorships rarely do. In neighbouring China, newspapers have been shut beyond any question, however, Suruc district, Sanliurfa, Turkey. down for running cartoons featuring senior communist party leaders. Just is that both the United States this week China’s state media regulators issued a new edict to copywriters and Iran are acting in the same banning “puns and irregular wordplay.” Time travel narratives have long military theatre against a com- with concern, if not anger. warehouses believed to be hold- the regime of Saddam Hussein been banned on TV – rewriting history is solidly the preserve of the Party, mon enemy. This despite the fact At the commencement of the ing Iranian missile systems des- in 2003. The removal of the not scriptwriters. Not that North Koreans themselves don’t occasionally that they have had no diplomatic US coalition attacks on Islamic tined for Hezbollah, and a second Sunni dictator and the collapse enjoy a joke or a pun. Under Kim Jong-il, a joke circulated that the country relations for more than 30 years State, several Gulf air forces par- strike near Dimas, on the high- of a strong Iraqi state led the was really called the “Cadres’ Feudal Republic of Korea,” referring to cor- and at times have seemed on the ticipated, including the United way between Damascus and the way to the empowerment of the ruption, bribery, official abuses of power and embezzlement. But that was brink of war themselves. While Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Lebanese border, hit a Hezbollah Iraqi Shia and a fast developing only ever told in whispers and after carefully checking who was listening. there appears not to have been Their participation since has been convoy heading towards Lebanon. Teheran-Baghdad axis. Following Cinema has long had a vaulted position among the arts in the North. any direct coordination between less evident. And there can be lit- The Dimas raid also hit an airbase the fall of Mosul to Islamic State, This means that the regime is unusually sensitive to movie portrayals, yet the two militaries, both air forces tle doubt that the Syrian aerial that sheltered advanced Iranian the military relationship between rarely cares about any criticisms in literature or other art forms outside almost certainly did coordinate attack on Raqqa and the Iranian drones. The pro-opposition Syrian the two capitals has deepened, the country. This elevation of the cinema is down largely to Kim Jong-il with the Iraqi defence ministry attack on Diyala will be viewed Observatory for Human Rights with both Washington and who fancied himself a film buff. He was a theorist, too, and penned the about the attack. with grave unease among the US’ said it had received information Tehran competing to assist the must-read classic Kim Jong-il’s On the Art of Cinema (Pyongyang Foreign This episode is unusual, but it allies in the Gulf especially if, in that several Hezbollah members beleaguered Iraqi regime. Iran is Languages Publishing House, 1987). In his slim volume of guidance to film- is not unprecedented. the case of Iran, an unspoken were killed in the Dimas strike. known to have supplied Russian makers, Kim asserts that, ‘The cinema is now one of the main objects on Consider that the US Air Force alliance with the United States The Beirut Asharq Al Awsat built Sukhoi 25 fighters to Iraq which efforts should be concentrated in order to conduct the revolution in and Bashar Al Assad’s Syrian Air emerges as a result. newspaper quoted unnamed and there is a common supposi- art and literature … it is a powerful ideological weapon for the revolution Force have been attacking the Cooperation between Iran Syrian opposition sources as tion that these may be flown by and construction.” It doesn’t specifically say that any movies depicting the same target — the Islamic State and the regimes in Damascus saying that the targeted area of Iranian pilots. assassination of a Supreme Leader of the DPRK are banned, but it’s implicit controlled city of Raqqa, in the and Baghdad is hardly new. In Dimas was considered a closed This series of events will if you read between the lines. east of the country. fact, the alliance between Iran military area under the control inevitably complicate US rela- So they don’t like The Interview at all. But do they hate it enough to Two weeks ago, the two air and Syria goes back more than of the Fourth battalion of the tions with its Gulf allies. Now in cyber-attack Sony Pictures? forces bombed the city — which 30 years to the time of Hafez Al government forces led by Assad’s its fourth year, the Syrian war Pyongyang says no, but there’s a lot of reasons to think yes. North Korea is the only provincial capital not Assad, the father of the current brother, Maher El Assad. The shows no sign of resolution and certainly has substantial cyber-warfare resources developed both in-house in government hands — within Syrian president. It is a crucial attacking aircraft, on both occa- the emergence of ISIS as a major and, probably, with the help of the Chinese military and helpful hackers. As days of each other. It is interest- alliance, and without it, Iran sions, used Lebanese airspace as military and political factor in the South Korea’s technical capabilities, brands and software engineering have ing to note that Syrian Air Force would not be able to support its a corridor to get close to their Middle East can at best only be become world class, so the North has had to try and keep up. The North is attacks on Raqqa have been few critically important Lebanese targets. The question now is contained. The chances of a dip- constantly prepared for war with the South and rendering Seoul electroni- and far between since it fell, on ally, Hezbollah. whether there will be any retali- lomatic breakthrough are close cally “dark” is a vital component of this. Additionally, cyber warfare suits January 12, to Islamic State. Israel’s 2006 war with ation for Sunday’s air strikes to zero in the Syrian civil war not the economically distraught DPRK – hi-tech cyber warriors with laptops Are both the Iranians and the Hezbollah, lasting more than a by Hezbollah. The organisation least because the biggest loser don’t need masses of gasoline the way tanks, warships and fighter jets do. Syrians attacks an opportunistic month, could not have been fea- has still not commented on the politically is the opposition Syrian That Sony is the American entertainment subsidiary of the Japanese par- attempt to underline the common sible without Iran’s critical arms strikes. Given its heavy military National Council. As so often in ent may well have encouraged any decision to do a little cyber mischief enemy that they share with the supplies and technical assistance involvement inside Syria sup- civil wars, the extreme parties are making – Pyongyang remains in a state of insult slinging and perpetual United States? to its Lebanese ally. porting the regime of Bashar Al dominating the stage. In 2015, the tension with Tokyo. Other members of that coa- This explains the motive Assad that would seem unlikely. Obama administration will not How you identify where a cyberattack originates from, I have absolutely lition will have concluded behind the attack inside Syria Iran’s close relationship with find a let up in pressures in the no idea. But I strongly suspect a little behind-the-scenes smirking from that they are, and will have by Israeli air force jets on Iraq is a result of the Bush Middle East. the DPRK official who, when accused of launching the attack, responded, viewed these developments Sunday. The first strike targeted Administration’s overthrow of REUTERS “we’ll have to wait and see.” REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

Oman arrests Israel livid at human rights defender Swiss plan for DUBAI: Omani authorities have arrested a human rights defender who led Arab spring- inspired protests in the sultan- ate in 2011, a regional rights rights meet group said on Friday. Security forces arrested Saed Jadad on Wednesday at his home Rights in Palestine to be discussed in the city of Salalah, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights said. JERUSALEM: Israel has con- “The decision of the Swiss gov- The GCHR said Jadad, who demned Switzerland’s plan to ernment to hold a conference of has “health issues,” was arrested host a conference on respect for signatories raises serious doubts without a warrant or specific international human rights in concerning its commitment to charge and has been held incom- the occupied Palestinian territo- these principles as Switzerland municado, without access to his ries, charging it was a deviation lends a hand to the politicisa- family or lawyer. from the country’s traditional tion of the Geneva Conventions The group described him as neutrality. in particular and the laws of war a “prominent” human rights Switzerland has announced in general,” the Israeli ministry defender, known for his active role a December 17 conference in said. in organising and leading pro- Geneva, in response to a recom- The General Assembly passed reform protests in the southern mendation from the UN General a resolution in 2009 asking A Palestinian lies on the ground during scuffles with Israeli Border Police during a protest in the West Bank town province of Dhofar in 2011. Assembly at the request of Switzerland to lead consultations He was a blogger and has also of Bethlehem yesterday against the death of Palestinian lawmaker Zaid Abu Ein in Ramallah. Palestinian authorities. on holding such a conference. signed many petitions urging But the Israeli foreign min- Permanent representatives to reform in the sultanate, said the ister said it was “gravely” con- the UN in Geneva are expected GCHR. cerned by Switzerland’s decision to attend the conference. Oman was shaken by uprisings to host the meeting, which comes The foreign ministry said Israel Palestinian minister’s death ‘disturbing’ in 2011, prompting H M Sultan amid mounting tensions between “will not take part in the confer- Qaboos bin Said to reshuffle his Palestinians and Israelis. ence” and called on other coun- GENEVA: The UN’s human if people are to have faith in its troops of a 14-year-old Palestinian government and expand the con- The Palestinians are seeking a tries to boycott the meeting. rights chief on Friday said the findings”. boy during a clash at the Jelazoun sultative assembly. UN resolution by year-end that Swiss President Didier circumstances of the death of “Peaceful protest is a human refugee camp in the West Bank. But scores of activists have would set a timetable for Israel’s Burkhalter has said he expected a Palestinian minister man- right and security forces must He drew attention to a sharp been convicted of defaming or withdrawal from the occupied “very large participation” in the handled by Israeli soldiers this exercise appropriate restraint rise in reports of excessive use of using social media networks to territories. conference. week were “disturbing” and when policing protests in accord- force by Israeli forces in the occu- insult the sultan, who has ruled “Switzerland is the deposi- “Our objective is to advance the called for a timely and impartial ance with international stand- pied territories, noting at least 50 for 44 years. tor of the Geneva Conventions... cause of international humanitar- investigation. ards,” he added. Palestinian fatalities in the West Others have been convicted The role of the depositor obliges ian law,” Burkhalter said. UN High Commissioner for “Because of the well-established Bank in such circumstances so far of, or are facing trial for, taking Switzerland to operate in a neutral “Even if Israel and the United Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al illegal nature of the Israeli settle- this year — almost double the 27 part in demonstrations calling for and apolitical manner,” the foreign States boycott the meeting, the Hussein welcomed an investiga- ments in the West Bank and East that occurred in 2013. political reform. ministry said in a statement. international community must tion launched by the Israeli mili- Jerusalem, such protests will inev- “This continuous stream of fatal Oman sits across from Iran on The conference will be devoted speak on the issue. There is no tary into the death of Ziad Abu Ein itably continue.” incidents underscores the need for the Strait of Hormuz, gateway to to the Fourth Geneva Convention, denigration of Israel planned,” he in the West Bank on Wednesday. The UN rights chief also urged effective accountability measures,” the oil-rich Gulf through which which defines humanitarian pro- said. He said the probe needed to be a “proper” investigation into the Zeid said. an estimated 40 percent of the tections for civilians in a war zone. AFP “quick and utterly transparent shooting on Wednesday by Israeli AFP world’s crude oil passes. AFP

IS storms town in Iraq, kills 19 policemen Throw books, not bombs

BAGHDAD: Islamic State from Al Wafa, said by telephone. fighters stormed a town in Iraq’s Elsewhere in western Anbar, at IS, says Nobel winner western Anbar province yes- Four beheaded for blasphemy Islamic State militants executed terday, killing at least 19 police- BEIRUT: Islamic State’s self-declared police force in western at least 21 Sunni tribal fighters on ROME: The US-led coalition of them? Unfortunately not. men and trapping others inside Syria decapitated four men after accusing them of blasphemy, a Friday after capturing them near countries involved in airstrikes “ISIS is like a branch of the their headquarters, in the lat- rights group monitoring the Syrian conflict said yesterday. Al Baghdadi town on Wednesday, against Islamic State will never Taliban. It is not only a terrorist est attack in the desert region The men were beheaded in the countryside east of the city of local officials and tribesmen bomb the jihadist group out of group, it is also an ideology and, where it controls large amounts Homs by the militant group’s “Islamic Police”, the British-based said yesterday. Islamic State has existence, a Nobel peace prize like any ideology, you have to fight of territory, officials said. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. besieged Al Baghdadi, also to the winner warned on Friday. it at its roots. When you kill the Islamic State seized the town The Observatory, which monitors the conflict using sources on west of Ramadi, since October. Shirin Ebadi was one of Iran’s roots it will not expand. of Al Wafa, 45 km west of Anbar’s the ground, reported a similar killing on Tuesday, when Islamic All the bodies had bullet wounds first female judges. She was “For me those roots are two capital Ramadi yesterday after State beheaded a man in a town square in the north of the country. to the head and chest and were demoted after the 1979 Islamic things -- illiteracy and a lack of starting its assault early on Friday. Residents and activists say Islamic State has beheaded and dumped inside an orchard near revolution and went on to become social justice. With the capture of Al Wafa, stoned to death many people in areas it controls in Syria and Iraq the Islamic-State controlled town the country’s most prominent “Instead of throwing bombs Islamic State now controls three for actions they see as violating their reading of Islamic law, such of Kubaisa. rights campaigner. She won the at them, we should be throw- major towns to the west of Ramadi, as adultery, homosexuality, stealing and blasphemy. British Defence Secretary Nobel price in 2003 and was ing books at them and building including Hit and Kubaisa. They have also killed rival fighters by similar methods off the Michael Fallon told The Daily forced into exile in 2009. schools: then you will see that fun- Islamic State and government battlefield and have set up patrols to police public behaviour in Telegraph newspaper yesterday After spending most of her damentalism will be eliminated.” forces have been bogged down in their bid to establish a caliphate. that Britain will send hundreds of adult life coping with and com- Ebadi, in Rome for a conference a months-long battle for Ramadi. The Observatory also reported yesterday that Islamic State had troops to train Iraqi and Kurdish bating the impact a fundamen- of Nobel winners, also added her Al Wafa fell in a surprise attack stoned a man and a woman to death for adultery in Manbij town forces in Iraq in a bid to step up talist interpretation of Islam has name to those who argue that the that drew fresh attention to the in northern Syria after Friday prayers. the battle against Islamic State had on herself, her family and her West must accept some respon- Iraqi government’s struggle to arm The group, which is the target of US-led air strikes in both fighters. homeland, she is convinced that siblity for a problem it is now Sunni tribes in western Iraq who countries, has also killed a smaller number of foreign captives. Fallon said troops in the “very there is no military remedy to a confronting on multiple fronts: are fighting Islamic State. The Observatory said last month that Islamic State had killed low hundreds” would be sent next problem that appears to intensify Iran’s alleged development of “Police forces have been fighting 1,432 Syrians off the battlefield since the end of June when it month. with every passing year. nuclear weapons, IS, Boko Haram Islamic State fighters since Friday, declared a caliphate in the territory under its control. He said that following air In an interview with AFP, in Nigeria, chaos in Libya and ter- but lack of ammunition forced it REUTERS strikes by US-led forces includ- Ebadi said the experience of ror attacks on the streets of west- to retreat and losing the town. ing Britain, Islamic State had Afghanistan demonstrated that ern cities. I’m frustrated because we were town, but were overwhelmed when headquarters bordering their town. changed its methods, moving the US-led campaign aimed at A history of meddling in the left alone without support,” said sleeper cells from inside open fired “We are trapped inside the away from use of large formations ousting IS from the areas of Iraq Middle East, the propping up Hussain Kassar, the town’s mayor. on them, the mayor and a police police 18th brigade. Islamic State in open space. and Syria it now controls would of corrupt dictatorships and the Police forces backed by few officer said. managed to surround us today. If “They are increasingly tucked not solve anything. mistreatment and discrimination members of government-paid Police forces and the pro- no government forces were sent to away in towns and villages. “Look at all the years and all faced by Muslims in Europe and Sunni tribal fighters tried to pre- government Sunni fight- help us then we will be extermi- That means they have got to be the money that have been put into North America are all part of a vent the militants from crossing ers were forced to retreat nated,” the mayor, who was with rooted out by ground troops. fighting the Taliban,” the 67-year- resentment-breeding cocktail, she the sand barrier surrounding the to a nearby police-brigade the police forces that withdrew REUTERS old said. “Have we eradicated argues. AFP

Man killed in Egypt Islamist protest Six Shia militiamen CAIRO: One man was killed on Friday when Islamist protest- killed in Yemen attack ers and security forces clashed in northern Egypt, a security SANA’A: Six Shia Huthi mili- in Rada, in Baida province. source said. tants were killed in an attack AFP could not confirm the “The clashes took place between in central Yemen on Friday, toll from independent sources dozens of members of the Muslim tribal sources said, as Al Qaeda or from Ansarullah, which rarely Brotherhood and security forces claimed it had killed dozens. acknowledges its casualties. who intervened to disperse them Ansarullah militiamen, also AQAP military chief Qassem with tear gas after they cut a called Huthis, have captured Al Rimi vowed in November to coast road,” the source said. many communities in western launch fierce attacks against the He spoke of “one Brotherhood and central Yemen since taking militiamen. man dead and another wounded the capital Sana’a on September “To the Huthis we say: brace by buckshot” during the protest 21. yourselves for horrors that will in the Nile Delta province of Kafr But they have been met by make the hair of children turn Al Sheikh, some 150 kilometres fierce resistance from Sunni white,” he said. north of Cairo. tribes and Al Qaeda militants. AQAP, considered by Supporters of former Islamist Tribal sources said that Washington as the most danger- president Mohamed Mursi, “unknown gunmen” killed six ous arm of the jihadist organisa- deposed last July by then army militiamen at a Huthi checkpoint tion, said several of its attacks chief and now President Abdel in the central province of Baida, targeting Huthis were only a Fattah Al Sisi, stage regular dem- the scene of deadly fighting “warm-up”. onstrations after the main weekly between the group and Al Qaeda. AQAP leader Nasser Al prayers on Friday. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Wuhayshi has accused the Huthis At least 1,400 people have been Peninsula (AQAP) said on of collaborating with the United killed and thousands imprisoned Yemeni protesters chant slogans during a protest in Sana’a against the continued presence of Shia Houthi militias Twitter on Friday that it States and Iran to destroy Sunni in a government crackdown since had killed “70” Huthi mili- Muslims. in Yemeni cities and towns, yesterday. Mursi was ousted. AFP tiamen in several attacks AFP SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Ukraine hails Man proposes, crane disposes US vote for military aid Russia outraged at legislation

KIEV: Ukraine yesterday wel- There is little appetite in Western comed a US bill that would governments for a step that could allow Washington to provide see them drawn into a proxy war lethal military assistance to the with Russia. embattled country, but Russia US lawmakers, however, expressed outrage at the “openly appeared determined to force confrontational” legislation. Obama’s hand against Russia. The bill — passed late on Senators added a clause in the bill Thursday and due to get final that would grant “major non-Nato approval in Congress before being ally” status to Ukraine, along with sent to US President Barack pro-Western Georgia and Moldova. Obama — opens the way for up to Russia is concerned at what it sees $350m worth of US military hard- as Nato’s creeping umbrella along ware to be sent to Ukraine, which its western borders. has been fighting an eight-month Ukraine and the West accuse war against Kremlin-backed sep- Russia of sending regular troops aratists in its east. to back separatists in eastern It also threatens fresh sanc- Ukraine in a conflict that has tions against Russia, whose econ- claimed more than 4,300 lives A view of the crane that fell on to the roof of a house in Ijsselstein, central Netherlands, yesterday. The incident occurred when a man tried to sur- omy is crumbling under previous since it broke out in April. Russia prise his girlfriend by proposing from the top of the crane, which then toppled on to the house. No injuries were reported. rounds of Western sanctions and denies the accusations despite a a collapse in oil prices. Russia’s wealth of evidence. foreign ministry said the new US legislation put a “powerful bomb” CEASEFIRE ‘REAL’ under US-Russia bilateral ties. Ukrainian President Petro German parties lose “The openly confrontational Poroshenko, meanwhile, said a nature of the Ukraine Freedom ceasefire put in place on Tuesday French MPs propose law to court bid to quiz Support Act approved by both — the fourth since the conflict houses of the US Congress with- began in April — was “real” but Snowden in Berlin out debate and proper voting still remained fragile. “Today is the cannot cause anything but deep first 24 hours for seven months... BERLIN: Germany’s top court regret,” said ministry spokesman when we have a real ceasefire in ease end-of-life suffering said yesterday that it rejected a Alexander Lukashevich. Ukraine,” Poroshenko said during bid by leftist opposition parties “US legislators are following a trip to Australia. “Everything is PARIS: French lawmakers the issue — said in a report. “In polls This type of sedation can also to call former NSA contractor in the footsteps of the Barack so fragile. But I pray that we should unveiled proposals yesterday for and during public debates, they have be used on patients who are not Edward Snowden as a witness Obama administration by show- continue this process.” a bill that would allow doctors expressed a desire to see their will able to make decisions, in cer- in a parliamentary probe of US ing great zeal in destroying the Underlining his concerns, there to plunge terminally-ill patients respected where the end of their tain circumstances. The debate intelligence activities. framework of cooperation,” he were reports that two volunteer into a deep sleep until they die, life is concerned and a desire to be on euthanasia regularly opposes The Federal Constitutional said. fighters with the pro-Kiev “Azov reviving the deeply divisive end- accompanied until their death.” those who say the sanctity of life Court said it did not have juris- Kiev lawmakers, though, hailed regiment” and two rebels were of-life debate. The proposals immediately must be respected at all costs and diction in the case brought by the the US move as a “historic deci- killed in Pavlopil, 70km south The bill would also make “living sparked a wave of indignation from those who believe terminally-ill Greens and Left parties in October sion”. They have long been press- of the main rebel stronghold of wills” — drafted by people who do anti- and pro-euthanasia groups patients who suffer unbearable against the government and the ing the West to provide military Donetsk. not want to be kept alive artificially alike, the former criticising them pain must be allowed to die. parliamentary committee conduct- support to their beleaguered “They were ambushed. Their if they are too ill to decide — legally as excessive and the latter saying Tugdual Derville, spokesman ing the investigation. army, but have so far received car was blown up by a landmine,” binding on doctors rather than they did not go far enough. for a major French anti-euthana- The probe, launched in March, only non-lethal equipment. Azov spokesman Oleksandr merely consultative as they are now. A 2005 French law already sia group, slammed the sedation aims to assess the extent of spying Obama, who has resisted send- Alferov said . He added that the Euthanasia is illegal in France legalises passive euthanasia, proposal, labelling it as “eutha- by the National Security Agency ing arms to Ukraine, will have to two rebels were killed in an ensu- but Francois Hollande pledged in where treatment that is neces- nasia masked behind the words and its partners on German citi- decide whether to promulgate the ing firefight. his 2012 presidential campaign to sary to maintain life is withheld ‘terminal sedation until death’.” zens and politicians, including Ukraine Freedom Support Act, Ukraine’s Defence Minister look into an issue that divides a or withdrawn. But the proposals But others were disappointed Chancellor Angela Merkel, and which allows for the delivery of Stepan Poltorak said the govern- country where heart-wrenching go a step further, allowing doctors that the proposals did not touch whether German intelligence aided anti-tank and anti-armour weap- ment plans to conscript an addi- end-of-life stories continue to to couple this with “deep and con- on assisted suicide, a practice that its activities. ons, radar, surveillance drones tional 40,000 soldiers and train make headlines. tinuous sedation” for terminally- allows a doctor to provide a patient The government and the com- and communications equipment a further 10,500 professional sol- “The French are concerned and ill patients who are conscious and with all the necessary lethal sub- mittee have blocked calls to bring to Ukraine. diers next year — taking the total are calling out,” lawmakers Alain whose treatment is not working, stances to end their life but lets Snowden to Germany from Russia It is far from certain that the number of armed forces to 250,000. Claeys and Jean Leonetti — tasked or for those who decide to stop them carry out the final act. where he has been granted tem- US president will back the bill. AFP by the prime minister to look into taking medication. AFP porary asylum. AFP Protest in Warsaw Ebola: Sierra Leone cancels festive gatherings as crisis deepens

FREETOWN: Sierra Leone said yesterday that it was ban- ning any public Christmas celebrations as the spiralling caseload of Ebola infections continues to spread alarm. Soldiers are to be deployed throughout the festive period to force people venturing onto the streets back indoors, the govern- ment’s Ebola response unit said. Palo Conteh, head of the department, told reporters in the capital Freetown there would be “no Christmas and New Year People carry Polish flags during a demonstration in Warsaw yesterday. Taking place on the anniversary celebrations this year”. “We will of the imposition of General Wojciech Jaruzelski’s 1981 martial law, the march is a protest against the ensure that everybody remains at outcome of recent local elections, which opposition leader Kaczynski described as rigged. home to reflect on Ebola,” he said. “Military personnel will be on the streets at Christmas and the New Year to stop any street cel- ebrations,” he said, without saying which areas would be targeted. While Islam is the dominant Russian arms sales soar religion in Sierra Leone, more than a quarter of the population STOCKHOLM: Sales by Russian arms manu- in sales in 2013 was Tactical Missiles Corporation, is Christian and public gatherings facturers continue to expand thanks to Moscow’s which registered a 118-percent hike, followed by and entertainment are common investments despite a downturn in global defence Almaz-Antey, with a 34 percent increase. during the holiday period. spending, a Stockholm-based think-tank said. Almaz-Antey is now the 12th-largest arms Conteh did not give the exact “The remarkable increases in Russian com- manufacturer in the world, getting closer to the dates of the crackdown or list any panies’ arms sales in both 2012 and 2013 are in top 10, “which has been exclusively populated by exceptions. During previous local large part due to uninterrupted investments in arms producers from the US or Western Europe and nationwide anti-Ebola curfews, military procurement by the Russian government since the end of the Cold War,” SIPRI said. people were allowed out to worship during the 2000s,” said Siemon Wezeman, senior The think-tank mentioned the withdrawal and for “essential business”. researcher at the Stockholm International Peace from Afghanistan and Iraq as one of the main Under current emergency Research Institute (SIPRI). reasons for a 4.5-percent decline in arms sales regulations, bars and nightspots Sales by Russian-based arms firms grew by 20 by US companies. have already been shut down and percent in 2013, according to SIPRI. However, Despite the decrease, the US still dominates public gatherings outlawed but figures for the 100 biggest arms-dealing nations the list with six companies in the top 10. US group there is no general ban on going excluding China declined for the third year in a row, Lockheed Martin is number one, with sales of outdoors or working. with a two-percent drop in sales in 2013 to $402bn. $35.5bn in 2013, followed by Boeing. As for the The WHO said that 18,188 The report does not include China due to a lack of buyers, world military expenditure fell in 2013 by cases of the deadly virus had been reliable data. China’s companies supply a military 1.9 percent, mostly dragged down by cuts in the reported across Guinea, Liberia that enjoys the world’s second-biggest budget. US and other Western countries, SIPRI said in and Sierra Leone, resulting in The Russian company with the biggest increase a previous report published in April. AFP 6,583 deaths. AFP SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL

Scottish Labour Bid to break climate talks gridlock picks new leader as UK election Conference host Peru urges negotiators to craft draft text with options for four sticking points battle looms LIMA: Negotiators scrambled started decades earlier to pollute LONDON: The opposition on the final day of UN talks their way to prosperity. Labour party has chosen former yesterday to break a deadlock But rich countries point the cabinet minister Jim Murphy between rich and developing finger at developing giants like as its leader in Scotland where countries on forging the ele- China and India furiously burning he will have the job of trying to ments of a world pact to curb coal to power their rapid growth. hold on to the seats the party climate change. Developing nations further needs to win a British national A years-old dispute over shar- demand that pledges incorporate election due in May. ing responsibility for tackling not only action on reducing car- The former Secretary of State the climate problem threatened bon emissions, but also financial for Scotland, who won 55 percent to drive the 12-day haggle into help and adaptation aid to shore of the vote, needs to rejuvenate the extra time and darken prospects up their climate defences. Scottish Labour party which faces for the most ambitious environ- On Thursday, US Secretary of a tough challenge from national- mental accord ever. State John Kerry urged develop- ists who could potentially derail After countries butted heads ing nations to realise they too have Labour’s chances of winning a over key components of the deal, to roll back pollution from fossil majority in the polls next year. conference host Peru ordered nego- fuels, even if they felt it was unfair. Murphy, who was the favour- tiators to craft a draft text with “We have to remember that today ite to win, became well-known for options for four sticking points. more than half of global emissions his soap box brand of pro-union Campaigners in Lima said they — more than half — are coming patriotism during September’s feared a weak-willed compromise. from developing nations. So it is referendum on independence. “The latest text which countries imperative that they act, too,” he His public profile rose during are working on has been stripped said during a quick stop at the the Scottish referendum cam- down to its bare bones to accom- negotiating venue. paign when he toured the streets modate the whims of the low- A format for the pledges must of 100 Scottish towns, hosting est common denominator,” said be agreed in the Peruvian capital debates standing on top of an Christian Aid’s Mohamed Adow. to allow countries to start their upturned crate of Irn-Bru, the “Right now we are facing the submissions from the first quarter bright orange fizzy drink popu- prospect of being no further for- of next year. larly referred to as “Scotland’s ward than we were when we left They will be at the core of a other national drink”. last year’s meeting in Warsaw.” global climate pact that nations Acitivists from different organisations demonstrate on the sidelines of the UN COP20 and CMP10 climate change Speaking after Saturday’s Green group WWF, also have agreed to sign in Paris in conferences being held in Lima. result, Murphy tried to reach out observing the annual negotia- December 2015, to enter into to the 45 percent of Scots who tions round, said the new draft effect by 2020, seeking to limit on key points “go from weak or Frustrated by the lack of “We have been talking over the had backed the Scottish National “contains a mixed bag of options.” average global warming to two minimal, to barely acceptable, to progress by late Thursday, last two decades,” said Ban. “We Party’s campaign for independ- “It’s crunch time for negotia- degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees OK,” said Meyer. Peruvian Environment Minister don’t have a moment to lose.” ence from Britain, which included tors here in Lima and everything Fahrenheit) over pre-Industrial And he predicted differentia- Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, who pre- Scientists say two degrees many Labour supporters tempted is still up in the air,” WWF said. Revolution levels. tion would remain a tough issue sides over the talks, called for Celsius of warming is relatively away by the nationalists. Countries disagree on how “Some key elements fell to the Friday, having been “pretty much constructive exchanges. safe but still no guarantee against “I and the Scottish Labour “differentiation” will be applied cutting room floor and are not in scrubbed out of most of the text.” “We are in a time in which we damage to the climate system. Party share so much more in in a process next year of declar- the text at all,” Union of Concerned “That may not be acceptable to should take decisions,” he said. On current carbon trends, the common with ... (the) values of ing national pledges for curbing Scientists analyst Alden Meyer some” developing countries. “We don’t want to leave Lima planet is on course for around those many hundreds of thou- Earth-warming greenhouse gas said of the latest draft. Another major blocking point with empty hands.” four degrees Celsius of warming sands who voted ‘yes’ in the ref- emissions. Dropped text included language is whether or not to have a proc- And UN Secretary General this century, dooming future gen- erendum than we do with many Developing nations insist the on absolute, economy-wide miti- ess to assess the pledges’ global Ban Ki-moon urged ministers and erations to a planet of worsening of the political leaders who cam- West must bear a bigger bur- gation targets for developed coun- impact on the two degrees Celsius officials Thursday to embark on drought, flood, storm and rising paigned for ‘no’,” he said. den for the carbon cuts, having tries. The current range of options goal — with China a key opponent. “real, serious negotiations.” seas, they say. AFP Britain’s ruling Conservatives and Liberal Democrats joined forces with Labour to oppose Scottish independence, but are now preparing for the national elections where some polls predict no party Police arrest man could end up with a majority. US rights activists voice fear over CIA report Scotland, traditionally a Labour in connection stronghold, is crucial to Labour WASHINGTON: US rights of suspected hypothermia after It’s a poignant moment for the one of its strongest advocates, for leader Ed Miliband’s chances of with Oregon high activists fear their work around being left naked and chained to a US human rights community their work against torture. winning power in May 2015. But the globe may be hampered by concrete cell floor, an incident one struggling to come to terms with “As a member of the global the party faces an uphill struggle school shooting revelations of a brutal CIA tor- rights activist said could be seen a litany of abuse from the very community, as an American to retain its 41 Scottish lawmakers ture programme, but hope con- as “murder”. country where values of freedom, citizen, as a human rights advo- who sit in the British parliament. PORTLAND, OREGON: A fronting past transgressions “There’s no question that dignity and human rights are con- cate, I feel a deep personal sense A YouGov poll published in The 22-year-old man was arrested can help America rebuild its America’s moral authority has stantly held up as an example to of shame, of shock, of horror, of Sun newspaper showed the SNP in connection with the shoot- moral authority. suffered greatly from the use others. anger in reading the details of 20 points head of Labour, meaning ing of three teenagers and a In excruciating detail, the of torture and cruel treatment “When America breaks faith some of what my government did Miliband’s party would hold onto 20-year-old who were wounded report describes crude torture after 9/11,” senior counsel for with its own ideals it diminishes in my name,” Wala said. just seven Scottish seats, a serious outside a Portland high school, methods straight from the pages the US-based non-governmental our ability to advance freedom “And there’s no question that blow to his election chances. An police said. of Medieval history books — group Human Rights First, Raha and dignity around the world, it the United States is looked at dif- October poll had shown the party The unidentified man was waterboarding, hanging people for Wala, said. “Our hope is that by provides an excuse to those who ferently around the world because would hold onto just four seats. apprehended at 1:30am local time hours from their wrists, locking publishing this report, that this would abuse human rights,” said of these abuses.” Murphy will need to help to when a vehicle he was in was them in tiny coffin-shaped boxes. might be the first step in a long Elisa Massimino, President of Some groups are now push- revitalise the Scottish party, stopped by the Portland Police One secret black site where process by which American policy Human Rights First. ing for those responsible to be which has had a tumultuous few Bureau gang unit in the western CIA officers sought to “break” makers and the American people She was speaking at a long- brought to justice — in much the months following the resignation part of the city, the department Al Qaeda suspects in the wake of themselves can come to terms planned dinner to honor Senator same way that top US officials of its leader Johann Lamont. She said in a statement. the September 11, 2001 attacks with the abuses committed after Dianne Feinstein, who as chair- systematically demand account- stepped down saying that “dino- Police said they recovered a on the United States was even 9/11 and really ... correct past mis- man of the Senate intelligence ability for those behind shocking saurs” among Labour’s leadership handgun from the vehicle and known as “the dungeon”. The takes in order to regain some of committee pushed for the report’s abuses around the world. in London were out of touch with served a search warrant at an expose tells how one man died that moral authority.” publication, and John McCain, AFP Scotland. REUTERS apartment five blocks east of Rosemary Anderson High School, near where the four victims were shot on Friday. Protest in Washington Taylor Zimmers, 16, struck by the gunfire shortly after Cuba to attend noon outside the school in north FBI to probe hanging Portland, was rushed to hospital, Summit of the where she was in critical con- dition yesterday evening, police death of black teen said. Americas: Host A 17-year-old boy and 20-year- old man were in fair condition at MIAMI: Cuba will attend the RALEIGH: The hanging death lynched?’” his mother was quoted the same hospital and a 17-year- Summit of the Americas next of a black teenager in a small as saying in an article in the US old female was treated and year for the first time in the North Carolina town will be edition of The Guardian newspa- released after being grazed in the history of the regional gather- probed by the Federal Bureau per. Reverend William Barber, foot by a bullet, police said. ing that began in Miami two of Investigation, the agency said president of the North Carolina All of the victims were affili- decades ago, Panama’s foreign yesterday, after his family ques- NAACP chapter, said in a state- ated in some way with Rosemary minister said yesterday. tioned a finding by local author- ment he hopes the FBI will be Anderson and ran to the school Panama is organising the April ities that it was suicide and his able to “crack the small-town following the shooting, where summit, which has brought lead- mother pleaded to know, “Was code” of the community as it looks they received initial treatment ers together at three- to four-year my son lynched?” into the case. as it was placed on lockdown, intervals since 1994 at different Lennon Lacy, 17, was found Barber said Lacy had a rela- police said. locations around the region. in August hanging from a swing tionship with an older white The shooting suspect fled the Panamanian Foreign Minister set in a mobile home park in woman that was well known in scene with two other males, said Isabel de Saint Malo said Cuba Bladenboro, which has a popula- the community, and that his body Pete Simpson of the Portland and several other countries had tion of about 1,700 some 240km was found in a part of town that Police Bureau. Police did not dis- confirmed they would attend the southeast of Charlotte. blacks had in years past avoided close the arrested man’s involve- summit within days of receiving a Lacy’s family and the North for fear of violence. The high ment in the incident. His identity formal invitation. It was unclear Carolina chapter of the National school football player had gone and the charges he faces will be whether Havana would be repre- Association for the Advancement out for a run the night before his released after he is booked into sented by Cuban President Raul of Coloured People (NAACP) body was found, Barber said. the Multnomah County Jail, Castro or someone else. pushed for the probe, citing con- Shelley Lynch, a Charlotte- police said. Castro skipped an Ibero- cerns about how the case was based spokeswoman for the FBI, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales American summit in Veracruz, handled and suspicions he might confirmed the agency was review- said the shooting represented a Mexico earlier this week, send- have been murdered. ing the case at the request of the “bad day” for a neighborhood that ing his number two Miguel Diaz- His mother, Claudia Lacy, said U.S. Attorney’s office in Raleigh. has worked to overcome a history Canel at the last minute instead. she did not think her son, whom The FBI investigation comes at of gang violence. “Panama is working for all she described as shy, would end a time of strained race relations Rosemary Anderson is a the heads of state and govern- his life “in such an exposed space, in the United States. Grand jury community-based alterna- ment from the 35 countries of the hanging from a swing set in plain decisions to not indict white police tive high school serving up to Americas to be present at the VII view” of trailer homes. officers in the deaths of unarmed 190 “at-risk” students, many of Summit,” Saint Malo said. “We don’t know what happened black males in Missouri and New whom are homeless or who had People gather for the start of the national Justice For All march, led Chile, Colombia, Mexico, to my son three months ago, York City have triggered demon- been expelled or dropped out of by civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton, against police violence, Guatemala, Costa Rica and El and suicide is still possible. But strations and heated debate about Portland’s public high schools, in Washington yesterday. Salvador have also said they will there are so many unanswered the way police in the United States according to its website. attend, she said. questions that I can’t help but interact with black communities. REUTERS AFP ask, ‘Was he killed? Was my son REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Ex-Chinese Lighting Festival Voters may give official stands trial in $31m unenthusiastic graft case BEIJING: A Chinese business- man who is believed to be an ally of former President Jiang yes to PM Abe Zemin stood trial in a $31m cor- ruption case, state media said. Wang Zongnan, a former offi- Japan goes to polls today cial who later became head of a huge Shanghai-based food group, TOKYO: Japan will hold a gen- Sixty-year-old Abe still had was put under investigation in eral election today that looks more than two years left on the August, reports previously said. likely to return Prime Minister clock when he called the vote last The move suggests that the Shinzo Abe to power and might month. anti-corruption drive by Chinese even give him the momentum to His two years in power have president Xi Jinping is targeting press ahead with badly-needed been characterised by a bid to the Shanghai power base of his structural changes. reinvigorate Japan’s sagging econ- predecessor — a city that has long Billed by the premier as a ref- omy with what he has called the been considered Jiang’s turf. erendum on “Abenomics” — his “three arrows” of Abenomics -- “Wang Zongnan was accused signature plan to fix the econ- monetary easing, fiscal stimulus of embezzling 190 million yuan omy — observers expect he will and structural changes. ($31m) between 2000 and barely break a sweat in an easy The first two arrows have 2006 when he was chairman of victory. largely hit their target — the Shanghai Lianhua Supermarket Opinion polls predict the ruling once-painfully high yen has Holdings Co,” a report by state The Malaysia administration office building, Palace of Justice, is illuminated with lighting and graphic during Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) plunged, sending stocks higher. news agency Xinhua said. the Putrajaya Lighting and Motion Festival 2014, in Putrajaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. and its junior partner Komeito Prices have begun rising after “He was also charged with will sweep today’s ballot, all but years of standing still, proof, say accepting 2.69 million yuan of unhindered by an unprepared and Abe’s boosters that this is the bribes,” the report added, citing underwhelming opposition. beginning of a virtuous circle of a statement from the Shanghai No signs N Korea ready for talks: US “Abe’s expected victory is the economic growth, with higher municipal No. 2 intermediate result of the self-destruction of wages soon to follow. people’s court. Wang’s parents BEIJING: The US diplomat North Korean officials have representative for North Korea the opposition,” said Shinichi But the reform arrow remains bought two villas in Shanghai for responsible for North Korea repeatedly said the secretive policy. “We are concerned that Nishikawa, professor of politics in the quiver; critics say Abe has 2.7 million yuan below the mar- said that Pyongyang is pro- regime is willing to resume the North Koreans are continuing to at Meiji University in Tokyo. not been bold enough to take ket price from a “subsidiary of a ceeding with its nuclear pro- discussions unconditionally, but pursue their nuclear programme, “For many voters, there is on the vested interests that company their son did a favour gramme and showing no clear the US and others are demanding improve their nuclear and missile no alternative but the LDP,” are the real key to reversing for”, the report said. Wang was sign of steps that would permit that it concretely demonstrate its capabilities.” Nishikawa said. nearly two decades of economic once an aide to former Shanghai the resumption of international sincerity first. Kim, a former US ambassador According to a poll published by underperformance. Communist party chief Chen talks on ending it. “There’s very strong con- to South Korea who assumed his the Asahi Shimbun on Thursday, “A victory by the LDP will Liangyu, who was sentenced to 18 The negotiations, known as the sensus among the five parties current post in early November, the coalition will secure 317 of the be regarded as a positive fac- years in prison in 2008 for bribery six-party talks, began in 2003 and that in order for us to have any spoke at the conclusion of a trip 475 seats, giving them the super- tor for the Japanese economy in and abuse of power. consist of five countries — China, chance of success in nuclear that also included stops in Tokyo majority they need in the power- the short term,” said Takahiro China’s financial capital has Japan, Russia, South Korea and negotiations we need a very and Seoul. ful lower house to force through Sekido, Japan economist at the long been seen as Jiang’s domain. the US— trying to convince North strong commitment from the In September 2005 Pyongyang legislation. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. He was once the city’s party chief Korea to drop its atomic develop- North Koreans that in fact they agreed in writing to stop the The DPJ, whose haphaz- “But painful reforms are still and his faction in the ruling party ment in exchange for aid and other would be a serious negotiating programme. But as well as the ard governance over the three ahead, including efforts to achieve is known as the “Shanghai Gang”. incentives. partner if and when negotiations nuclear test explosions it has years until 2012 left voters cold, sound public finance” and handle Communist Party authorities Pyongyang walked out of the resume,” Sung Kim told report- also conducted ballistic missile could add a couple of dozen more strong opposition from farm lob- have waged a much-publicised talks in 2009, three years after ers in Beijing. launches, developments which led seats to its tally of 62, but will bies that have stalled talks on a anti-graft campaign since Xi carrying out its first nuclear test, “And that’s what we’re waiting to a series of censures and sanc- remain ineffective, the opinion huge Pacific-wide free trade deal, ascended to the organisation’s and has subsequently detonated to see from the North Koreans,” tions by the UN Security Council. poll showed. Sekido said. AFP leadership two years ago. AFP two more devices underground. added Kim, Washington’s special AFP Sri Lanka state TV warned over election coverage bias COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s elec- independent monitors that the broadcasters have the widest President Rajapakse has been Rajapakse is facing a surprise Local election monitors have tions chief warned state-run state networks were openly cam- coverage in the nation of 20 mil- in office since 2005 and is seeking challenge from his former health also warned of massive abuse of television networks not to paigning for Rajapakse ahead of lion people. The commissioner re-election for an unprecedented minister Maithripala Sirisena, state vehicles and personnel for broadcast programmes sup- the January 8 election. also asked the stations to seek third term. who has mustered support from campaign work of Rajapakse. porting President Mahinda “This is a serious hindrance his advice before broadcasting He called the election two years all the main opposition political The opposition said it was col- Rajapakse in upcoming polls. to a free and fair election,” the politically sensitive material and ahead of schedule after his party’s parties. Successive governments lecting evidence of public officials Elections Commissioner commissioner said in a letter to warned that station bosses should popularity showed a 21 percentage have used state media to discredit engaging in ruling party election Mahinda Deshapriya said he state broadcasters. take personal responsibility for point decline at local elections in opponents and disseminate prop- propaganda and planned to take had received complaints from Sri Lanka’s two state-run any transgressions. September. aganda about the ruling party. court action. AFP

Korean Air CEO sorry for daughter’s ‘foolish act’

SEOUL: Korean Air CEO Cho Yang-Ho pub- licly apologised yesterday after his daughter trig- gered public anger and ridicule by kicking the head of cabin crew off a flight because of the way she had been served some nuts. Addressing a televised press conference, Cho apologised for his daugh- ter Cho Hyun-Ah’s “fool- ish act” and suggested he should share some of the blame for not bringing her Indonesian soldiers and rescue team members lift a cattle trapped in the mud after a landslide hit the village of up correctly. Sampang in Banjarnegara yesterday. The landslide destroyed a village, killing at least 11 people. “I am making this apol- ogy as a father and as the head of Korean Air,” Cho said. As well as being Indonesia rescuers search the boss’s daughter, Cho Hyun-Ah was a vice presi- dent of the family-run airline, but her father con- for 108 missing in landslide firmed that she was being relieved of all her official JAKARTA: A landslide common in Indonesia during the local volunteers, were using posts. Cho Hyun-Ah has destroyed a village in Indonesia, monsoon season, which usually their bare hands to search for been front-page fodder in killing at least 11 people, an offi- runs from October until April. people and clear the area but the South Korean media cial said yesterday, as rescuers Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokes- further rain was making the since forcing a New York- used their bare hands to search man for the National Disaster search difficult. Seoul Korean Air flight through the rain and mud for Mitigation Agency, said 11 people “There was a roaring sound to return to its gate last 108 missing people. had been killed and 379 people like thunder,” Imam, who lives in Friday to remove the chief Hundreds have been evacu- from the surrounding areas had a neighbouring village, told tel- purser, the most senior ated from around Jemblung been taken to temporary shelters. evision. “Then I saw trees were member of the crew. in Banjarnegara, central Java, “Jemblung village was the most flying and then the landslides. Cho, sitting in first about 450km from the capital, affected,” he said in a statement. “People here also panicked and class, took exception to the Jakarta, where media pictures “Rescuers are still trying to find fled,” he added. Delaying rescue arrival of some macadamia showed a flood of mud and water more victims. The challenge is efforts was a lack of heavy equip- nuts she had not asked for, cascading down a wooded moun- that the evacuation route is also ment, Nugroho added, while media and to the fact that they tainside. The landslide hit on damaged by the landslide.” showed power lines and houses were served in a packet Friday night. The rescue team, which buried under the mud. rather than a bowl. Landslides and mudslides are included police, military and REUTERS AFP SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Multiple attacks kill 20 in Afghanistan Taliban claim responsibility as Nato’s mission nearing end

KABUL: Taliban insurgents as the US-led military presence Ashraf Ghani condemned as killed at least 20 people in a declines. “unjustifiable and un-Islamic”. series of gun and suicide attacks Nato’s force in Afghanistan will The Taliban have targeted de- in Afghanistan yesterday, change at the end of the year from mining projects before, behead- underlining worsening security a combat mission to a support ing seven workers in the western as US-led Nato forces end their role, with troop numbers cut to province of Farah in 2011. combat mission in the country. about 12,500 — down from a peak On Thursday, a Taliban suicide A suicide blast wrecked an of 130,000 in 2010. bomber blew himself up among Afghan military bus in Kabul, A suicide bomber on foot det- the audience attending a perform- killing seven soldiers, while a sen- onated explosives next to the ance at a French cultural centre ior court official was assassinated military bus in central Kabul, in Kabul, killing one German in the city and 12 Afghan mine destroying the vehicle in one of national and wounding 15 others. clearance workers were gunned the busiest parts of the city as Other recent targets have down in the south. people left work. included foreign guesthouses, a Two Nato soldiers were also “The suicide attack on an female Afghan member of parlia- killed on Friday in an attack Afghan army bus today killed ment, a British embassy convoy in the east of Afghanistan, the seven and injured 18 more, includ- and three members of a South International Security Assistance ing some civilians,” General Ayoub African family killed when their Force (ISAF) said in a state- Salangi, the deputy interior min- compound was attacked. ment, without identifying their ister, said. The Taliban have often Kabul has been hit by at least 12 nationality. targeted buses that take govern- suicide attacks in the last month. The Taliban claimed responsi- ment and military personnel to US Defence Secretary Chuck bility for all the attacks. The lat- and from work everyday in Kabul, Hagel said on a visit to Kabul a Soldiers inspecting the scene of a suicide bomb attack on an Afghan National Army bus in Kabul yesterday. est bout of violence comes ahead despite efforts by security forces week ago that the upsurge showed of the official end of Nato’s war to provide protection for the vul- “that the international commu- jihadists after American troops suffered soaring casualties, with president after signing a power- against the Taliban on December nerable vehicles. nity must not waver in its support left the country in 2011. more than 4,600 killed in the first sharing deal with his poll rival 31 after 13 years of fighting that Earlier in the day, Taliban gun- for a stable, secure and prosper- But Afghan officials have 10 months of this year. Abdullah Abdullah. has failed to thwart the Islamist men shot dead a senior Supreme ous Afghanistan”. expressed alarm over the chal- Ghani, who came to power in The two men each claimed to insurgency. The bloodshed has Court official in the city as he left He insisted Afghanistan would lenge facing the local security September, has vowed to bring have won fraud-tainted elections wrecked claims that the insur- his home. Insurgents also killed not go the way of Iraq, where forces who must increasingly peace to Afghanistan after dec- in a prolonged stand-off that gency is weakening and has high- 12 mine clearance workers in another US-trained army vir- tackle the insurgents without ades of conflict, saying he is open caused political paralysis in Kabul lighted fears that Afghanistan the restive southern province of tually collapsed in the face of Nato military assistance. to talks with any insurgent group. and fanned instability nationwide. could trip into a spiral of violence Helmand in attack that President an onslaught by Islamic State Afghan soldiers and police have Ghani finally emerged as AFP

Tehran extends 450,000 Afghan Pakistan ready to form panel to probe rigging

ISLAMABAD: While the government would promulgate the executive, he added. from the judicial commission Shah Mahmood Qureshi is to refugees’ visas street agitation of the Pakistan an ordinance within seven days Advocate Abid Hassan Minto containing and affirmative deter- lead the PTI team while Finance Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is gain- to give mandate to the newly con- maintained that term ‘judicial mination of the ToRs shall be a Minister Ishaq Dar would be the KABUL: Iran said it had ing momentum, the federal gov- stituted commission. commission’ was incorporated in dissolution of Nation Assembly in chief negotiator from the govern- agreed to extend temporary ernment has agreed to write a Hamid Khan, legal expert and the constitution through the 18th terms of Article 58-1 and subse- ment’s side. visas for 450,000 Afghan refu- fresh letter to the top judge of central leader of the PTI said “the amendment for the appointment quently appointment of a caretaker The definition of rigging and gees for six months, lifting a the country regarding formula- letter which was written by the of judges in superior judiciary. cabinet in accordance with the impact of the final report of the threat to send them back home tion of a ‘rare judicial commis- government earlier was nothing He further said that the apex constitution in consultation with proposed judicial commission are to a country facing attacks by sion’ in the country’s history to but a piece of paper. court would not decline once the the concerned including the PTI”. two of the many points which resurgent militants. probe electoral rigging in the We want to see a commission government sends a detailed let- The PTI’s prepared ToRs need more deliberation, an official Afghanistan—struggling to May 2013 elections, insiders through fresh legislation which ter with agreed ToRs for the for- suggest: “PTI being one of the source pointed out. cope with hundreds of thou- said. could fix the problem,” adding mulation of judicial commission. complainants shall submit a pro- He also stated that the PTI had sands of people left homeless Sources said that before res- that in the past many commis- To a question, he replied that posed list of constituencies to be not agreed to an old-style com- inside its own borders by a wave toration of the negotiations the sions were constituted which executive can probe the matter included in the sample to the JC mission because its findings has of violence—this month asked government had shown its will- ended up in futility. but in trust-deficit like situation for its consideration; provided no binding effect and it is not its neighbour not to expel the ingness to send a meaningful let- However, Dr Abdul Basit, a judiciary can be requested for that the JC shall select the con- bound to conclude its ‘advisory Afghan refugees who did not have ter to the Supreme Court for the Supreme Court lawyer, opined judicial commission. stituencies for its inquiry in its work’ within any timeframe. the right documents. constitution of a judicial commis- that the constitution does not The sources also said that discretion as it deems fit in the PTI officials want to see an Kabul said 760,000 refugees sion after mutually agreed terms know any such judicial com- besides many contentious points, interest of justice.” effective body which could make were at risk and it was not imme- and references (ToRs) between mission which could probe such it was agreed on September 8 The second round of negotia- its findings public within 45 days diately clear what would happen the government and the PTI. electoral issue. Inquiry and inves- meeting’s negotiation that “the tions between the government and could fix the officials respon- to those who did not receive As per the agreement, the tigation is an exclusive domain of consequence of the final report and the PTI is likely to start soon. sible for rigging. INTERNEWS extensions. “(Temporary visas) have been extended for six months based on the brotherly relations German minister with Afghan students between our two countries,” Iran’s foreign ministry said in Pakistan to continue a statement released late on Friday. Afghanistan had agreed to come up with a plan on how to ban on You Tube help the refugees within two months, the ministry added. The United Nations expects ISLAMABAD: The govern- the IT Ministry. To a question, he 765,000 people displaced inside ment of Pakistan has decided to said the ban on YouTube will stay Afghanistan to need its help by keep the ban on YouTube for an as long as the issue of the blas- January 2015, up from 631,000 the indefinite period after a secret phemous content was unresolved. previous year. trial opening of the video- “Currently, it is not possible to There are almost 1 million sharing website in November, selectively block the blasphemous registered Afghan refugees in a top official of the Ministry content as the YouTube server is Iran, according to the United of Information Technology based in the United States,” he Nations, most of whom arrived disclosed. said. When asked why the PTA before 2001 when US-led troops The official said that the web- had failed to install filters to block toppled the Taliban Islamist site was opened for only four hours only blasphemous content from regime. in the last week of November but YouTube, Shah said there was no Those who arrived after- the ministry was flooded with such filter currently available in wards have to get their permits complaints about the availability the world. assessed on an individual basis, of blasphemous content. He said one possible solution making it harder for them to “The website was closed again to the issue was to locally host obtain the paperwork needed to immediately to prevent any YouTube in Pakistan, which was be officially registered, accord- political backlash,” explained only possible when Pakistan ing to the United Nations’ refu- Muhammad Yawar Jameel, who introduced a law on the Internet gee agency. serves the Ministry’s National intermediary liabilities. He said REUTERS German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen with Balkh University students following a discussion with Information Technology Board the government was also waiting them at the German consulate in Mazare Sharif, Afghanistan, yesterday. as the Project Manager. for the direction of the Supreme Yawar made the disclosure Court on the issue. in a roundtable discussion on But the advocates of Internet the social media organised by freedom are strongly criticising the Planning Commission on the government over its failure Gilgit-Baltistan appoints first woman police chief its premises here on Saturday. to restore YouTube, which could Yawar admitted that majority of promote education, culture and Internet users were able to access small business in the country.” ISLAMABAD: In Gilgit- University, woman to hold the position in Through a driving tutorial the YouTube through proxy serv- The ban on YouTube is an act Baltistan, the right man for the she has been Gilgit-Baltistan. programme for women intro- ers and VPNs. of criminal negligence by the gov- job is a woman. Tahira Yasub selected As DSP, Yasub’s responsibilities duced by the G-B police last The world’s largest video shar- ernment, as people are resorting (pictured), became the first twice to included streamlining the flow of year, Yasub trained more than ing website has been banned in to insecure means of accessing the woman superintendent in the represent traffic in the congested city of 60 locals. The women who passed Pakistan since September 2012 website,” said Shahzad Ahmad, region earlier this week. She Pakistan in Gilgit-a daunting task as traffic at the end of the four-week long when the then prime minister Country Director Bytes for All, was given her ranks by the UN peace- violations are a norm. programme were issued driving ordered its shutdown over its fail- an NGO working for Internet inspector general and former keeping However, she performed her licences. ure to take down a controversial freedom in Pakistan. chief minister Mehdi Shah in a missions. duties with poise and even intro- Yasub has also trained local and anti-Islam movie that sparked “In the absence of straightfor- ceremony on Thursday. In duced an effective car parking UN police in Sudan for 14 months protests around the world. ward access to YouTube, the peo- “I am thankful to the gov- December system. before returning to the country in However, when contacted, ple are using proxies and VPNs ernment,” Yasub said during a 2011, she was “I think this is the only way to 2012. She has the distinction of Pakistan Telecommunication for the purpose, which could brief chat yesterday. A gradu- promoted to the rank of traf- avoid traffic jams in the city,” she being the first woman inspector Authority (PTA) Chairman Ismail expose them to Internet frauds ate in international relations fic deputy superintendent police said “Drivers are a difficult bunch in G-B’s history. Shah said that he was not aware and malwares,” he said. from Karakoram International (DSP), again becoming the first to deal with.” INTERNEWS of the secret trial conducted by INTERNEWS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17 Hindutva upsurge threatens secularism Ruling BJP government encourages the agenda of establishing ‘Hindu nation’ NEW DELHI: The first phase in a purification ceremony for a step of this nature will mean distinction between the master these illegitimate children remain wapsi’ drama and religion, the of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s cleansing the non-Hindus. These relegating the holy books of other and the rest more vigorously than in the country (aise haramzade focus on Sanskrit has nothing to (BJP) politics was marked by are blatantly provocative acts of religions such as the Quran or the BJP minister Sadhvi Niranjan desh main hain). do with a thirst for higher edu- the targeting of mosques and political gamesmanship in line Bible or the Guru Granth Sahib Jyoti when she distinguished There is little doubt that these cation. Instead, it is motivated churches. After the advent of with the decades-old majoritar- or the Avesta of the Parsis to a between ramzadas, or the chil- vicious prejudices are far too by the belief in the RSS cabals Narendra Modi, the scene has ian philosophy of creating tension secondary status in a constitu- dren of Ram, the Hindu deity, and strongly embedded in the minds that the teaching of the ancient become quieter. In fact, the with the aim of making political tionally mandated secular nation. haramzadon or the off-springs of of the saffronities that they brook language will wean the English- Ram temple issue has been gains by targeting the minorities. If this possibility did not bother illicit unions. no sane advice, as from Modi. speaking middle classes from put on hold and even the ful- It is evident from these divi- the minister, the reason is that Even after she apologised to In keeping with this concept their Westernised ways. minations against “love jihad”, sive endeavours by organisations in the fascistic worldview of the parliament, another former min- of the innate superiority of the However, the advocates of the supposedly sinister plan of like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad saffron brotherhood, the minori- ister belonging to the BJP, Swami Hindus and Hinduism, the VHP Sanskrit will be appalled if a Muslim youths to marry Hindu (VHP) and others at the behest ties cannot be equated with the Chinmayananda, supported the has been insisting on the instal- deep knowledge of the language girls, have faded away, at least of their mentor, the Rashtriya “master race” of the Hindus. sadhvi by saying that such appel- lation of the idols of Hindus gods makes the students aware of its for the time being. Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), that No one emphasised this lations are in order as long as and goddesses in churches and links with Latin and enables them But that doesn’t mean that the the militants in the saffron camp Christian missionary schools. to peruse texts which show that votaries of Hindutva have taken are paying no heed to the prime Clearly, an insidious campaign is the ancient Hindus ate beef, as is a back seat. Instead, the xeno- minister’s call for observing a being carried on by the aggressive claimed by D N Jha in his book, phobic potion of cultural nation- 10-year moratorium on sectari- 39 tribal Christians re-converted followers of Hindutva to create The Myth of the Holy Cow. alism, or the ideology of “one anism. Instead, they have become an atmosphere where the minori- Arguably, the difficulty of the people, one nation, one culture”, more intent than before to push to Hinduism in Bastar: BJP MP ties will be browbeaten to accept Hindutva brigade is that unlike is being administered in small forward their agenda of establish- Hindu customs at the expenses of the 1990s when they succeeded doses. The latest ploy is “ghar ing their cherished Hindu ‘rash- RAIPUR: As many as 39 tribal Christians were re-converted their own cultural and religious in drumming up a wave in wapsi” or inducing Muslims and tra’ (nation) where the minorities to Hinduism in the Naxal-hit Bastar district of Chhattisgarh in distinctiveness. their favour by demolishing the Christians to “return home”, i.e., will be second class citizens. October this year, a BJP MP said. It goes without saying that Babri Masjid and targeting the to Hinduism, even if some of them A hint of this objective is dis- The event, organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal a part of this campaign is the Mathura and Varanasi mosques are untouchables in the eyes of cernible from External Affairs at Madhota Village, was attended by Bastar MP Dinesh Kashyap. attempt being made by Human for destruction, their present upper caste Hindus. Minister Sushma Swaraj’s call for “In the month of October, VHP brought back to Hinduism 39 trib- Resource Development Minister antics are unlikely to yield politi- It is no secret, however, that making the Bhagavad Gita, the als who had adopted Christianity. I attended the event,” Kashyap said Smriti Irani (who has read only cal dividends when most peo- religious fervour has little to do philosophical treatise for Hindus, over telephone. He claimed that Christian missionaries in Bastar up to Class 12) to impose Sanskrit ple have become aware of their with these exercises of offer- the “national scripture”. What district have converted a large number of tribals. IANS on the school curriculum. Like the unholy objectives. ing prayers over sacred flames the minister has ignored is that tenuous link between the ‘ghar IANS

Kashmir protest Saradha scam: Minister Mitra denied bail, sent to custody

KOLKATA: A city court yes- to evict media persons covering evidence and whatever evidence is terday denied bail to West the case. But the court refused to there is based on hearsay which Bengal Transport and Sports relent. A few of Trinamool sup- is inadmissible in the court,” said Minister Madan Mitra — porters had also come inside the the counsel. Even as a battery of arrested in connection with court trying to remove the jour- lawyers were dishing out argu- the multi-crore rupee Saradha nalists but were prevented from ments in favour of his bail , Mitra scam — and sent him to CBI doing so by police. sought the court’s permission to custody till December 16. Pressing for his bail, Mitra’s say something. Arrested Friday by the Central counsel contended the arrest was Giving details about his inter- Bureau of Investigation for “prima illegal as the minister was sum- rogation at the CBI office here facie evidence of criminal conspir- moned by the CBI as a witness. Friday, Mitra told the court that acy, cheating and misappropriation “Having summoned him as a “everything was going fine” and as well as deriving undue financial witness, the CBI acted in an arbi- a senior official told him that he benefits from the Saradha group”, trary and whimsical fashion to could go home after his statement Mitra was presented before acting arrest Mitra. They did not even was recorded. Chief Judicial Magistrate (Alipore) properly record his statement and “Everything was going fine and Kinshuk Sadhukhan amid heavy after asking only one or two ques- later joint director Rajiv Singh deployment of police personnel as tions they arrested him,” argued offered me tea. Singh said my hundreds of Trinamool Congress defence counsel Ashok Mukherjee. statement is being recorded and supporters gathered around the The counsel also submitted that once it is done, I may go home. court premises shouting anti CBI the CBI was acting in pursuance “I was having my tea when sud- slogans. of a “political conspiracy”. denly an officer came to me and There was also a brief pande- “The CBI’s charges against said we have got a call from Delhi Supporters of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) shout anti-election slogans during a protest in the monium inside the court after Mitra do not stand because they we will have to arrest you,” said Maisuma area of Srinagar yesterday. Mitra’s counsels urged the judge are yet to produce any substantive Mitra. IANS Call for India, China, US trilateral dialogue

NEW DELHI: India, China by any single country but have efforts were on for securing together comprise 35-40 per- and the US — three countries to be faced together. Minister of peace and tranquility, he said. cent of the global population that share a major chunk of State for External Affairs Gen. Chinese envoy Le Yucheng and are the three largest econo- the world population and GDP (retd) V K Singh said economic said the accord inked between mies with their combined GDP between them — should insti- dependence will dictate future China and the US on climate at 40-45 percent of the world. tutionalise their partnership relations between the countries change last month showed how He said China was the fast- and conduct a trilateral dia- over the next two decades. two big powers can cooperate est growing economy, India logue to foster deeper engage- He said the next two decades for peace and development of the fastest growing democracy ment with the world on crucial would prove exciting, with the the world. and the US the fastest growing issues like climate change and three countries assisting oth- He said the world was fac- developed country. terrorism, experts said here ers to come to higher levels of ing challenges like Ebola, the “The three have a role to yesterday. growth. On India-China rela- IS threat and the turmoil in work as a trio to address the Addressing a conference tions, the minister said there Ukraine, which no single coun- major problems of the world,” “Shaping the 21st Century: was “enough space” for both to try can deal with alone. Ramesh said. India, the US and China”, organ- grow. “Both can co-exist, the “So we cannot afford any He said the climate change ised by the Deccan Herald, the markets allow for growth. Both warfare between us. We need to accord between the US and experts said challenges like the have strong relations which are join hands to address the chal- China was an example of how Ebola virus outbreak and the growing,” he said. lenging reality of the world,” Le they can address differences threat from the Islamic State While there was “discord” said. Congress leader Jairam and agree on major issues. terror group cannot be tackled regarding the border issue, Ramesh said the three countries IANS

Mobile game launch Over 200 drunk drivers fined in Delhi NEW DELHI: Over 200 people have been fined for drunk driving in Delhi as part of a special drive by the Delhi Police, a statement said Saturday. “In a special drive Dec 12 against drunk driving in the city, traffic police issued chal- lans (fines) to 239 people for drunk driving and have impounded 193 vehicles,” said a statement from the Delhi Police. According to police, at least 106 checking teams were sta- Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani (left), producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra (second left), actors Anushka tioned at several spots in Delhi Sharma (second right) and Aamir Khan attend the launch of the official mobile game for their upcoming to reign in drunk drivers. Hindi film “PK” in Mumbai yesterday. IANS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Bangladesh Chinese opera president arrives India-Russia on Thursday NEW DELHI: With the India- Bangladesh land swap agree- ment appearing poised to be deals irk US implemented, Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid will be paying a ceremo- No change in Obama’s visit in Jan nial visit to India on December 18 at the invitation of his Indian WASHINGTON/NEW “We continue to monitor it, but we counterpart Pranab Mukherjee. DELHI: The US is unhappy haven’t looked at all the specifics According to Bangladesh High over India doing “business as of the contracts, for obvious rea- Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali, usual” with Russia, but it will sons,” Psaki said. But “We continue the president would be coming to have no effect on President to urge all countries not to conduct India on December 18 and prepa- Barack Obama’s upcoming business as usual with Russia.” rations were on in full swing for visit to India which remains an Noting that “there are already the visit. “The president is visit- “important partner.” sanctions in place” imposed on ing as he was invited by President “No. India remains an impor- Russia by the US and its Western Mukherjee to visit India,” the tant partner,” State Department allies, Psaki said it was not calling high commissioner said. spokesperson Jen Psaki told for sanctions on other countries. The presidential visit would reporters yesterday when asked “In general, though, given the be ceremonial and comes as the whether deals reached during situation, it shouldn’t be business Narendra Modi government has Russian President Vladimir Putin’s as usual,” she said. Asked if the indicated its willingness to pass just concluded visit to India would US had spoken to the Indians the Land Boundary Agreement change Obama’s plans. before Putin’s trip that it’s not (LBA) for swap of enclaves in Obama has been invited by the right time to do business with each others’ possession. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Russia, Psaki said: “Well, we’ve Chinese actors perform in the musical Kunqu opera Peony Pavilion at Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi yesterday. The LBA has been hanging to be the chief guest at Republic been engaged in that discussion.” fire since former prime min- Day parade on January 26. He will “I’d remind you India doesn’t ister Manmohan Singh signed be the first US president to get support the actions of Russia and the agreement with Bangladesh that honour and the first one to the actions — their intervention Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visit India twice while in office. into Ukraine,” she said. “They’ve in 2011. The erstwhile United “Obviously, our economic rela- been pretty outspoken about Pro-IS tweeter arrested Progressive Alliance government tionship is a big part of what that as well.” On the presence of had been very keen to pass the we continue to work on,” Psaki Sergey Aksyonov, prime minister BENGALURU/KOLKATA: asleep in a one-room tenement multinational firm ITC and constitutional amendment bill for said while repeating its caution of Crimea, the former Ukrainian In an arrest with international when our probe team knocked on according to police, earned an implementing the LBA but the to “allies and partners” that it territory annexed by Russia, in ramifications, Indian busi- his door in the early hours. He annual package of Rs.5.38 lakh. then opposition, especially the BJP, was not time for doing business Putin’s delegation to India, which ness executive Mehdi Masroor was detained, interrogated and ITC vice president Nazeeb did not allow it. On December 1, with Russian following its inter- too has upset Washington, Psaki Biswas, whose Twitter handle arrested on confessing that he Arif, confirming Biswas was an the parliamentary standing com- vention in Ukraine. The US, said: “I don’t have anything new @ShamiWitness was alleged was a radical Islamist,” Pachau employee, said the company had mittee on external affairs tabled she said had seen reports about to offer on that.” to be the most prolific for ter- said. informed police “about his employ- its “unanimous” report in both India and Russia signing agree- Asked if the US had confirmed ror group Islamic State (IS), The police team seized incrimi- ment status” and “extended all houses of parliament on the 119th ments in oil exploration, infra- if he was there or not, she said: was held from a Bengaluru sub- nating documents, Islamic litera- cooperation to the investigation”. Amendment Act, which dealt structure, defence and nuclear Asked again if there’s any urb early yesterday. His family ture and many pictures from his He also said Biswas didn’t have with the land swap, and asked the energy including construction of change in Obama’s trip to India, claimed he was not linked, but room. Biswas’ twitter handle @ access to social media from office. government to go ahead with the 12 Russia-built nuclear units in the spokesperson said emphati- his account was “hacked”. ShamiWitness has over 17,000 Biswas’ father, who was swap. IANS India over the next two decades, cally: “No. No, no.” IANS Biswas, 24, who hails from West followers, mostly from the West, employed with the West Bengal Bengal, was arrested two days and he used to aggressively tweet electricity board, refused to after Channel 4 News reported after collecting information on believe that his son has any terror from London that he was part of Middle Eastern developments. links and claimed his account was the dreaded IS’ twitter activities “Mehdi’s tweets from his hacked. N Masroor Biswas, who President undergoes angioplasty and was regularly tweeting from Twitter handle were most popu- stays in Koikhali in northeast- Bengaluru. lar among British IS supporters,” ern Kolkata, said that he had no NEW DELHI: President to the Army Hospital (Research discharged from the hospital. He was picked from his one- Channel 4 News said in its report knowledge about his son’s arrest Pranab Mukherjee yesterday and Referral) here around A doctor said: “The presi- room rented house in the north- unmasking Biswas’ activity. The as his phone was switched off. underwent an angioplasty, 2.30pm after he complained of dent underwent angioplasty in east suburbs of the city and sent twitter handle has been de-acti- “My son said he did not under- a non-surgical procedure to stomach pain. the evening. Nothing seriously to police custody after prelimi- vated a day after the news chan- stand how it has happened. He open blocked arteries, at a President’s Press Secretary wrong with Mukherjee’s health. nary interrogation, Karnataka nel unmasked his identity. said his internet account is hospital here. Venu Rajamony said Mukherjee He will be discharged tomorrow Director General of Police Lal Hailing from Gopalpur town hacked. I don’t believe that my Mukherjee, 79, was admitted is doing fine and will soon be (Sunday) evening.” IANS Rokhuma Pachau told reporters in West Bengal’s Nadia district, son has any link with IS,” said in Bengaluru. “Mehdi was found Biswas was employed in Indian the senior Biswas. IANS

World is watching Village headman killed in Kashmir

Kashmir polls: Modi SRINAGAR: The body of a village headman kidnapped KATHUA,JAMMU have come alive and you have by gunmen from his house AND KASHMIR: Prime decided to realise these. in Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister Narendra Modi “It is my good fortune that Baramulla district was found said yesterday the assem- in Jammu and Kashmir, no yesterday in a field, police said. bly elections in Jammu and leader from any other party Police said unidentified gunmen Kashmir were being closely has had the opportunity to kidnapped Ghulam Muhammad watched by the entire world see so many people as I have Mir, 62, headman of Hygam vil- following the massive turn- been able to see. lage in Baramulla Friday night. out by the people. “Whether it was Ladakh “The body of the slain headman Addressing a large or any other part of Jammu has been recovered from a field Bharatiya Janata Party and Kashmir, people of the Saturday morning away from the election rally in this border state have given so much place where he was kidnapped. district town in the Jammu love to nobody else and I will An FIR has been lodged,” a senior region, Modi said the people return this to you with inter- police officer said here. of the state have proved that est,” he said. Separatist guerrillas have been the power of democracy was “Your love for me will be targeting village headmen in far greater than the AK-47 returned through develop- Jammu and Kashmir ever since rifle. ment and prosperity. the panchayat polls were held in “The world is watch- Modi said that people who the state after 20 years in 2011. ing these elections because were making guesses on tele- While three phases of the of the massive participation vision screens about who will assembly polls have been suc- by the people,” he said. Modi form the next government in cessfully completed, polling for expressed happiness over what Jammu and Kashmir “should the fourth phase in which 18 con- he called seeing a new hope and come and see the people here stituencies will vote in Srinagar, expectation on the faces of the before doing their electoral Anantnag, Shopian and Samba people of Jammu and Kashmir. arithmetic”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to the people who lost their lives in the 2001 parliament attack, at the Parliament districts begins today. “I am happy your dreams IANS in New Delhi yesterday. IANS NRIs should be aware of tax implications

he continuing growth or accrued in India. If any income the NRIs have also been buying attributed to the same. However, exceeds the taxable limit, or to specified securities or bonds. in financial investments from business transactions and commercial and housing property if he owns two properties and claim refund if the tax deducted NRIs who pay health insurance of non-resident Indians also income generated from for the sake of investment. The both are vacant, he has to pay at source is more than the tax premium in India for dependents T(NRIs) in their home assets and investments in India rental income from property in income tax on one of the proper- payable, or to claim the amount can claim a deduction under sec- country shows not just the kind crosses the basic exemption limit India adds to their taxable income ties as if the same was rented. In set off against capital losses. tion 80D. Deductions under sec- of faith they have in the Indian of `200,000 they are required to here. In this area too there is an case of more than one property, The Indian authorities have tion 80G are also available to economy, but also that they are file their returns. Unfortunately, apparent discrimination against the NRI would also have to pay been trying to make taxation sim- NRIs donating to an approved wise enough to keep all options the higher exemption limit for NRIs. The rental income earned wealth tax at the rate of one per pler for NRIs. Already, interest charitable institution. open. women and senior citizens who in India by non resident Indians cent on the value if it is in excess earned by an NRI on the balance Some short and long term capi- While it is prudent to save are resident do not apply to non- are subject to tax withholding at of `1.5 m. in an NRE account is exempt tal gains from sale of investments and invest a part of the foreign residents in these two categories. the rate of 30 percent as opposed Similarly, there is the issue of from income tax. The Income Tax or assets are taxed in the case of earnings in India, the NRIs also Now, how and where can they to 10 percent for resident Indians. taxation on capital gains for those Department last year lowered the NRIs even if the total income is need to understand taxes so that possibly earn `200,000 or more in NRIs who have been booking prof- limit to mandatorily e-file tax below the basic exemption limit. they can make the most of their India? Recent data show that the THE NR EYE its from equity investments. returns from `1m to `500,000. These include short term capital money. Those who have recently end of March 2014, NRI deposits Thus, even middle income NRIs In certain cases where invest- gains on equity shares and equity moved out of India need to be in India were estimated at $104bn. who have invested wisely and are ments are made in specified assets mutual funds where tax rate is aware of the tax implications. Between June 2013 and June 2014, Moiz Mannan enjoying recurring income rather such as savings certificates, capi- 15 percent and long term capi- The income earned by NRIs the NRI deposits in commercial than notional long term gains, tal gains on transfer of foreign tal gains on securities and assets abroad is not subject to tax in banks in Kerala alone shot up by In case an NRI has only face the prospect of being taxed. exchange assets is not charged. where tax rate is either 20 per- India, but they are liable to pay 24 percent. one property in India and it is In such cases, income tax returns Incomes of NRIs are exempt from cent or 10 percent without index- tax for any income that is earned Other than interest on deposits, vacant, a rental value cannot be have to be filed if the income income tax interest on various ation. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Galactic light

Fajr (Dawn) 4:49 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:11 Zuhr (Noon) 11:28 Asr (Afternoon) 2:26 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:47 Isha (Night) 6:17

WEATHER

Weather Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: Clear Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Misty to foggy at first at places High: 26° High: 26° High: 25° becoming Low: 16° Low: 18° Low: 17° moderate temperature with some clouds.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:11 16:45 09:45 01:45 17:45 05-15 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW A composite Nasa image of spiral galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163, which are located about 130 million light-years from Earth, in the constellation of Canis Major. The two galaxies have produced one of the most bountiful collections of super-bright X-ray lights known. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 25/18 Clear 23/20 Mostly cloudy MAKKAH 33/23 Clear 31/22 Clear KUWAIT 27/13 Clear 27/13 Clear BAHRAIN 24/17 Clear 26/17 Partly cloudy UK falls in love with Christmas jumper SANAA 23/07 Rain 24/06 Chance of snow RIYADH 25/11 Clear 24/11 Partly cloudy LONDON: Christmas jump- Ashley Emerson, head of develop- Surfing the trend, British NGO with the rise of Scandinavian fash- DUBAI 28/18 Clear 28/17 Clear ers, once only thought stylish by ment at Beyond Retro. “Save the Children” has since 2012 ion and taste for vintage, the mass BAGHDAD 21/10 Rain 18/10 Clear knitting-needle wielding gran- Times have changed since the run a “Christmas Jumpers Day” of Christmas parties gives social- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW nies, are enjoying a renaissance 2001 smash film Bridget Jones’s on December 12, when those wear- ites the chance to show off their in Britain after being adopted Diary, in which Colin Firth’s char- ing seasonal knitwear are asked purchases all through December HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER as a festive fashion statement by acter Mark Darcy is made to look to donate a small sum for charity. and their unsophisticated designs young revellers. uncool by wearing a green woollen “Last year we were lucky appeal to Britain’s self-deprecat- ATHENS 16/08 Clear 15/11 Clear Responding to soaring demand pullover decorated with Rudolph enough to raise £1.5m with over ing sense of humour. WASHINGTON 11/02 Partly cloudy 11/03 Partly cloudy for the colourful and eccen- the Red-Nosed Reindeer. a million people taking part,” said AFP SYDNEY 25/16 Clear 27/17 Clear tric creations, vintage clothing “The novelty knit... has rock- Tanya Steele, financial director at group Beyond Retro has opened eted up the cool-o-meter this Save the Children. LONDON 09/04 Partly cloudy 07/01 Clear a temporary store selling only season,” said department store “We’re hoping to double that PARIS 06/01 Fog 07/05 Chance of showers Christmas jumpers in London’s Debenhams, which has recorded a this year. We already have well ISTANBUL 11/06 Partly cloudy 10/06 Partly cloudy trendy Old Street. 200 percent increase in sales from over a million people signed up. MANILA 29/25 Chance of storm 29/24 Partly cloudy “It isn’t just hipsters that are last Christmas. “Christmas Jumpers have been doing it now, it’s everybody, office While bargain-hunters can part of the British psyche and DHAKA 23/19 Mostly cloudy 24/17 Partly cloudy workers to mums, dads, kids buy- still snap up cheap festive jump- part of Christmas for decades,” DELHI 20/10 Thunderstorm 19/08 Clear ing them for their whole fam- ers — 100 percent acrylic — high she said, putting their resurgence ISLAMABAD 17/04 Partly cloudy 17/04 Clear ily, everyone is getting involved rollers can easily spend over £200 down to a combination of factors. and that’s what so exciting,” said on Cashmere or alpaca garments. Their traditional style chimes Sunday 14 December 2014 22 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6279 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar to remain resilient to low oil prices: QNB Impact of oil slide expected to be smaller as govt has ample resources to finance investment programmes

DOHA: Qatar’s economy is The fundamental shift that has expectations for supply. for a supply glut are being driven shale rock formations. As a result, accelerating as the government expected to remain resilient to driven the drop in oil prices in Firstly, lower expectations for by higher production from Opec total US crude oil production has implement its investment pro- lower oil prices. Oil prices are recent weeks has been an upward demand in 2015 are the result countries and stronger US output. risen by 67 percent from an aver- gramme ahead of the 2022 World widely expected to recover grad- shift in expectations for a supply of weaker than expected global According to the IEA, Opec produc- age of 5.6 million bpd in 2011 to a Cup. While lower oil prices will ually once the current supply glut glut in 2015, combined with weaker growth. Projections for demand tion increased by 0.4 million bpd in projected 9.4 million bpd in 2015. inevitably lead to lower hydrocar- is absorbed, QNB Group analysis than expected demand, particularly from OECD economies have been Q3, 2014, mainly reflecting resump- Prices are expected to recover bon exports and fiscal revenues, the noted yesterday. in China. In July, the IEA estimated revised down by 0.4 million bpd tion in Libya’s production. gradually. This is partly because government has ample resources to Qatar has ample resources to that the world oil market would be since July, reflecting the recession Meanwhile, production in the lower oil prices will stimulate finance its investment programme. continue implementing its infra- oversupplied by around 0.1 million in Japan and a weaker eurozone US has been rising faster than greater demand but also because As a result, the overall economic structure investment programme. bpd on average in 2015. However, recovery. For Emerging Markets, expected. The IEA has raised its lower prices will discourage invest- outlook remains positive amid a The sizeable investments should the IEA’s latest report increased its the slowdown in China has led expectations for overall US produc- ment in new production. continued drive to diversify the therefore continue to drive non- estimate for this supply glut to 1.3 to a downward revision in global tion by 0.5 million bpd since June. The impact on Qatar is expected economy and thus reduce reliance hydrocarbon growth and lead to million bpd, driven by both lower demand of 0.3 million bpd. Secondly, This is mainly the result of new to be small. Non-hydrocarbon real on the hydrocarbon sector. further economic diversification. expectations for demand and higher on the supply side, expectations technologies to extract oil from GDP growth is expected to continue THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS QP to host 9th edition of IPTC next year QPI showcases new technology at Kuala Lumpur meet

DOHA: Qatar Petroleum the globe. As long-term sponsors recent innovation, sources of oil will serve as the host organi- of the event, the company helped and natural gas, dismissed as une- sation for the 9th edition ensure the success of the event by conomic or inaccessible, are being of International Petroleum establishing IPTC as the largest transformed into reliable energy Technology Conference (IPTC) multi-society and multi-discipli- supplies. QPI’s continued support to be held here in December nary conference in the Eastern for platforms such as IPTC dem- 2015, according to a press state- hemisphere. onstrates our belief in the trans- ment issued by Qatar Petroleum “Our experience in the global formative power of technology International (QPI), which suc- energy market affirms that solu- towards creating safe, affordable, cessfully participated at the tions derived from leading tech- and clean energy solutions to ben- recently-concluded 8th ITPC in nologies are the means for the efit people all over the world.” Kuala Lumpur. sustainable development of our Qatar Petroleum International QPI showcased its support for industry. As the largest oil and also participated with a booth at cutting-edge technology at the gas exhibition, IPTC is the ideal the exhibition alongside other eighth edition of IPTC held with platform to showcase such pio- participating Qatar Petroleum the theme ‘Inspiring Technology, neering solutions and pave the subsidiaries including RasGas Transforming Our Future’ in way for future generations,” said Company Ltd, Qatargas QPI stand at the recently-concluded 8th ITPC in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia from December 10 to Nasser Al Jaidah, CEO of Qatar Operating Company Ltd, Qatar December 12. The three-day Petroleum International and Petroleum Industrial Cities, Qatar vision for the future and the tech- a special “IPTC Distinguished Al Jaidah, a founding member event returned to Malaysia for Co-Founder of IPTC, who was Fuel Additives Company Ltd nological support it provides to its Service Award” in January 2014. of the international conference, the first time since 2008. also honoured with the ‘IPTC (Qafac) and Qatar Petrochemical oil assets around the world. The award recognises dedicated served as an honourable adviser Over the years, QPI was instru- Distinguished Service Award’ at Company (Qapco). Earlier this year, the 7th members who have distinguished in the past seven IPTC events mental in establishing IPTC as a last year’s conference. QPI staff provided exhibition IPTC held in Doha honoured themselves in a singular and ben- since its inception. prestigious upstream event across Al Jaidah said: “Thanks to visitors with information on QPI’s QPI CEO Nasser Al Jaidah with eficial long-term service to IPTC. THE PENINSULA

Mexico unveils first phase of historic oil reforms Gulf Air takes MEXICO CITY: Mexico process. “The reform arrived on announced during a public ses- assets worth $10bn and have par- declining oil production, which part in New unveiled rules for the first time. Mexico will put an end to sion of the National Hydrocarbon ticipated in at least three explora- has fallen from 3.4 million barrels phase of its historic opening of its oil and gas decline and will Commission shown live online. tion projects in the past, Zepeda per day a decade ago to 2.4 mil- the oil sector to foreign inves- reincorporate the world energy “Mexico will conduct itself with said. “These restrictions guaran- lion today. The state oil monopoly, Zealand meet tors, pledging transparent market with more strength and the highest international stand- tee the participation of solvent Pemex, has been hit by huge losses auctions in July for 14 shallow- certainty.” ards of fairness and transpar- and healthy companies,” he said. in the past year. DOHA: Worldwide Airline water fields. Mexico has never had auctions ency,” Coldwell said. The production-sharing con- With global oil prices falling Customer Relations Association The highly-anticipated guide- for oil exploration contracts. The 14 oil fields cover an area tract will last 25 years, renew- dramatically in recent weeks, (WACRA) Chairperson and Gulf lines were made public four Before the sector’s nationalisa- of 4,222 square meters and are able for up to 10 more years. Coldwell said foreign firms will be Air Senior Manager Customer months after Congress gave final tion 76 years ago, contracts were located off the states of Tabasco, Companies will pay a 30 percent “more selective in the areas and Experience, Kavita S Al Jassim, approval to legislation allowing awarded on a discretionary basis. Veracruz and Campeche. income tax, plus 1,150 pesos ($78) countries they invest in.” along with WACRA board mem- foreign companies to drill for oil Companies will be able tomor- To qualify for a contract, a per sqkm explored in the first 60 “The current instability in bers and delegates from over fifty for the first time since 1938. row to file applications for access company must show at least $1bn months of the exploration phase. the world price of oil highlights airlines recently participated in “It represents, without a doubt, to data on the 14 oil fields in the in capital, but if it is part of a con- The government will charge 6,000 the opportunity that Mexico has the 2014 WACRA Conference the coming of a new era in energy Gulf of Mexico. sortium, the minimum for the lead pesos ($405) per sqkm where oil seized with the reform,” he said. held in Auckland, hosted by Air in our country. It will be for the They will then have six months firm is $600m, said Juan Carlos is extracted. The 14 oil fields are “Faced with this unfavorable envi- New Zealand. good of Mexico,” Energy Minister from January 15 to prepare their Zepeda, head of the National the first of 169 that will be up for ronment, the Mexican state will The theme for this year’s confer- Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said at bids, ending with an auction on Hydrocarbon Commission. auction in the first round. not be the only one taking risks.” ence was “Changing Landscapes” an event outlining the bidding July 15, when the winner will be Companies must also own The reform aims to reverse AFP and, speaking at the event, Kavita S Al Jassim discussed navigating towards new horizons in customer care, the importance of proactive management and the developments made by Bahrain’s national carrier Qatar businesswomen in that regard. “It is more critical than ever, today, to be able to lev- erage your interactions with cus- tomers, deliver customised service meet to open Tuesday solutions and thereby improve customer retention and personal- DOHA: The 5th Qatar Businesswomen Association. ize your overall service offering. International Businesswomen “This further ensures the high This is Gulf Air’s customer care Forum, jointly hosted by quality of the discussions and ena- vision and one that we aspire to the Qatari Businesswomen ble us to meet the expectations achieve by focusing on redefining Association and Interactive of participants. We are definitely best practice across all the airline’s Business Network under the looking forward to another suc- customer touch points.” patronage of H H Sheikha cessful edition of QIBWF.” The conference was attended Jawaher bint Hamad bin The forum, will honour by industry leaders and customer Suhaim Al Thani, will launch Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem Al service professionals in addition to its activities on Tuesday Thani, Chairman of the Qatar hosting Micah Solomon, a popular in Doha. Businessmen Association; Abdul speaker and consultant on building The forum aims to put for- Aziz Al Khalifa, Chief Executive bottom line growth through cus- ward and discuss key issues that Officer QDB, and Walid Al Sayed tomer service. Additionally, top- greatly affect a growing number COO of Ooredoo for their efforts ics on changing the narrative on of businesswomen in Qatar and and continuous support for the passenger rights, FFP and social Participants of the Qatar International Businesswomen Forum. beyond. These include topics such annual event and women’s sector media were presented by Chaitan as women empowerment, entre- in general. Jain who represented IATA. preneurship, human development With participants from 40 Walid Al Sayed, COO, Ooredoo – In addition, Reem Badran, Relations Manager, Potential – WACRA is a world-wide organi- and corporate social responsibility. countries expected to attend, Qatar; Sana Bardawil, Director Board Member, Amman UAE; Alla Kovanlenko, President, sation of air transport profession- “The anticipation for the start of the keynote speaker is Sare of Communication, Qatar Shell Chamber of Commerce – Jordan; Business Women Congress – als dedicated to promoting and this year’s forum has been height- Davutoglu, wife of Prime Minister Companies; Maryha Al Dafa- Munera Al Dosari, Girnass Ukraine; and Benjamin De Seille, encouraging a free exchange of ened by the participation of many Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey. President & Acting Director Developer – Qatar; Dennis Vice President MENA, Fuchs and ideas and methods to provide a distinguished women leaders of The forum will also have for Communication – Qatar Percy- Senior Lead consult- Associates – Qatar, will deliver consistently high level of customer society,” said Aisha Alfardan, many speakers throughout the Foundation; Abdul Aziz Al ant- JMJ Associates; Monika their keynote speeches. service since 1946. Vice-Chairwoman of the Qatari two-day programme, including Khalifa, CEO, QDB. Papadopoulou, Community THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Aston Martin looks to raise funds for new models

PARIS/LONDON: Aston Warwickshire village of Gaydon. did not return calls. Milan-based production models. “It will come as announced at the Geneva auto show already hinted at grander plans for Martin is preparing to raise Held back by its ageing models Investindustrial and the Kuwaitis no surprise when I say that the year in March, the sources said. the four-door Taraf sedan launched funds to expand its range of and weak investment, the com- together control 93 percent of ahead is going to be busy across the Sales of the new models will add in the Middle East in limited vol- models into new areas including pany has missed out on a luxury Aston Martin, acquired in succes- board,” Palmer told guests. to Aston’s recovery goal of 7,500 umes this year under the revived crossover SUVs, two sources with car boom that saw the global mar- sive capital raisings since Ford sold Aston may be happy to see the deliveries for the core sports cars, Lagonda brand. knowledge of the matter said, as ket almost double in five years. the company in 2007. back of 2014, which began with bringing the overall target closer to Daimler has also said it could the loss-making sports car maker Last year it delivered 4,200 cars, A further 5 percent is held by the recall of 17,590 cars to address 10,000, one source said. The push share SUV architecture with steps up its turnaround efforts far short of a pre-financial crisis Daimler, underpinning a part- defective accelerator pedals. More faces toughening competition, with Aston, a message broadly reiter- under a new boss. peak of 7,300 in 2007. nership struck last year for the recently, it won an exemption from Maserati and Bentley already mov- ated by CEO Dieter Zetsche after The British high-end marque Aston Martin is examining German firm to supply Mercedes safety rules that threatened US ing into SUVs. Besides the Maserati Palmer’s September appointment. is working on plans to issue new debt- or equity-raising options to engines and technology to Aston sales of the coupe and convertible expansion, Fiat Chrysler has said The two men became well shares or bonds and extend its finance a bigger plan, the sources Martin. Aston has already begun versions of its DB9 and Vantage Ferrari’s annual production cap of acquainted as Daimler increased current recovery strategy by three said. Further cash will be freed up updating existing models under a models. However, Palmer’s room 7,000 vehicles should increase. development and manufacturing years to 2020, the sources said, add- by more efficient management of £500m investment strategy drawn for manoeuvre remains limited by “The super-premium market is cooperation with Nissan, where ing that luxury sedans and hybrid working capital such as vehicle and up in 2012, when Investindustrial £410m of existing debt, maturing about to get pretty crowded, and Palmer, 51, served as CEO Carlos models also featured in its plans. parts inventory. The fundraising paid £150m for a 37.5 percent stake. in July 2018. Weak credit ratings the cost of competing there is high,” Ghosn’s second-ranked lieutenant “It’s an expansion from the current would generate £100m-£150m, with That plan sees a replacement for inflated financing costs to £26.9m said London-based Exane analyst until his defection. model range,” one said, speaking any new shares offered to current the £120,000 DB9 in late 2016 and a last year, when Aston recorded a Stuart Pearson. Success or failure Within his first six weeks in anonymously because the matter investors, said one of the sources, return to profitability the following £16.7m net loss. The company is may hang on “how much Aston Gaydon, Palmer hired former isn’t public. Aston Martin, James close to the strategy discussions. year. At a lavish party in London paying out 10.25 percent annually can draw on the partnership with Nissan marketing chief Simon Bond’s carmaker of choice, is the Aston Martin and its main last week, new Chief Executive on the latest $165m bond issue in Daimler and leverage its research Sproule and, in a clear sign of underdog in a British luxury auto private-equity backers, Kuwait’s Andy Palmer unveiled a DB10 con- March, whose CCC+ rating from and development,” he said. intent, created positions for three industry dominated by Tata-owned Investment Dar and Italy’s cept car that will feature in the Standard & Poor’s was closer to Palmer, who filled a CEO vacancy vehicle programme chiefs within a Jaguar Land Rover, its next-door Investindustrial, declined to com- next Bond film, Spectre, and may default than investment grade. that had been open since Ulrich new planning department. neighbour in the otherwise quiet ment. Bondholder Waddell & Reed offer design clues about future The upgraded strategy will be Bez’s retirement last year, has REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Halliburton US inaction on IMF reforms irks chief slashes 1,000 US Congress failed to ratify crucial reforms of the Fund supported by other major countries jobs in Asia, WASHINGTON: International IMF’s 2010 Quota and Governance With the White House sup- Lagarde earlier this year said world’s second largest economy Monetary Fund Managing Reforms by year end,” Lagarde portive of the reforms, the IMF IMF staff were putting together but with only 4 percent of voting Europe, Africa Director Christine Lagarde said said in a statement. had held out hopes that a ratifi- options for a “Plan B” in case US rights in the Fund — barely larger she was disappointed that the “Adoption of the reforms cation would be included in the ratification failed. She said on than Italy’s — said it was “deeply US Congress failed this week to remains critical to strengthen the huge budget bill that was passed Friday that the IMF would move disappointed” in the US inaction. NEW YORK: Halliburton, the ratify crucial IMF reforms sup- Fund’s credibility, legitimacy, and late Thursday. in that direction beginning next The 2010 reforms would have world’s second biggest oil serv- ported by other major countries. effectiveness, and to ensure it has But Republicans in Congress month. increased China’s shareholding ices company, said it is slashing She said the US inaction on the sufficient permanent resources prevented the bill from including “As requested by our mem- slightly, while leaving the US, 1,000 jobs in its eastern hemi- reforms, delayed now more than to meet its members’ needs,” she Congressional endorsement. bership, we will now proceed to Europe and Japan the dominant sphere offices amid tumbling two years by Washington, would said. “I have expressed my disap- Washington officially supported discuss alternative options for powers in the Fund. global oil prices. force the global crisis lender to pointment to the US authorities the reforms in 2010 when they advancing quota and governance “Implementing the 2010 fund- The layoffs, which are effective seek other ways to build its finan- and hope that they continue to were formulated. As the IMF’s reforms and ensuring that the ing and governance reform is immediately, represent 1.25 per- cial resources and modernise its work toward speedy ratification.” largest single shareholder by far, Fund has adequate resources, crucial for maintaining the cred- cent of Halliburton’s 80,000-per- voting structure. The IMF was left hanging this the US ratification is essential to starting with an Executive Board ibility, effectiveness and legality son workforce. The layoffs will “The IMF’s membership has week after US legislators failed to get the necessary endorsement of meeting in January 2015,” she of the IMF,” foreign ministry take place in Europe, Asia, Africa, been calling on and was expecting endorse the reforms in the final 85 percent of the membership by said. spokesman Hong Lei said. the Middle East and Australia, the United States to approve the budget legislation of the year. voting power. Earlier on Friday China, the AFP but jobs in the Americas will not be affected. The company said the decision was not an easy one, but neces- Spanish consumer prices fall sary amid tumbling oil prices. “The decision to eliminate Businesses look for jobs is never easy. Our talented workforce is the foundation of everything we accomplish,” spokesman Chevalier Mayes said. investment pledge at “Yet, we believe these job elimi- nations are necessary in order to work through this market environment.” US-China trade talks At a conference on Wednesday, Halliburton’s Chief Financial WASHINGTON: US busi- China’s offer on excluded sectors Officer Mark McCollum said the nesses are hoping for a pledge in early 2015. “We are encour- company expected a restructur- from American and Chinese aging them to ensure that that ing charge in its fourth quarter in officials at talks in Chicago list is as short and as narrowly relation to the job cuts. next week to move ahead tailored as possible,” he said. “We are right now anticipat- quickly on a planned invest- As the talks begin, Commerce ing a restructuring charge in ment pact between the two is due to announce the final rul- the quarter, probably to the tune countries. ing in a trade dispute over solar of about $75m, as we trim out Joint Commission on panel and cell imports from some headcount and activities Commerce and Trade meet- China and Taiwan. That decision around the world,” McCollum told ings on December 16 through could sour the mood by confirm- investors. 18 are aimed at smoothing out ing duties that would almost tri- Oil prices have dropped 44 per- snags ranging from beef exports ple the cost of some products. cent since June, forcing companies to currency manipulation in a But Commerce Secretary to scale back exploration activi- trade relationship worth more Penny Pritzker, speaking on ties, which has reverberated with than $600bn a year. the same call as Froman, said contractors such as Halliburton. Although there will be no she did not expect any impact The oil services company is in the formal negotiations on a bilat- on discussions, which will be led midst of finalising the acquisition eral investment treaty, lobby- on China’s side by Vice Premier of Baker Hughes, which agreed ists hope officials will build on Wang Yang. A man walks past under signs that read ‘lowest prices’ in the Andalusian capital of Seville. Spanish con- to be bought by Halliburton in leaders’ recent commitments to US officials also plan to keep sumer prices fell 0.4 percent year-on-year in November, final data from the National Statistics Institute November in a $34.6bn deal. AFP speed up talks. “We hope there is up pressure on China’s protec- showed, their fifth straight month in negative territory and accelerating from a 0.1 percent fall in October. a positive statement about their tion of trade secrets and anti- intent to continue to move those trust laws, which have been negotiations forward as quickly criticized for lacking transpar- as possible,” US-China Business ency and targeting foreign com- Council Vice President Erin panies, Froman said. WTO talks on duty-free trade in IT goods collapse Ennis said. US Agriculture Secretary Tom A treaty would help lower Vilsack will press China on slow investment barriers by limit- progress in accepting US beef 11 GENEVA: Talks on cutting duty-free trade on hundreds of Participants are expected to wanted LCD screens included in the ing the sectors in which foreign years after a mad cow disease trade tariffs on hundreds of products, adding about 200 more reconvene in 2015 to see if they can deal, participants said. But China, investment is restricted, which scare. He is also likely to raise information technology products products to the list. Several par- overcome the blockage. which wants to foster its own LCD currently range from soybean the issues of import restrictions collapsed, delaying and poten- ticipants blamed the failure on a “Manufacturers urge negotia- industry, refused, demanding that crushing to telecommunications. on US cotton and barriers to tially scuppering a deal estimated deadlock between China and South tors to come back to the table as all countries accept the same terms “Those negotiations loom large imports of some US genetically to be worth $1 trillion to global Korea over liquid crystal display early as possible in the new year that it agreed bilaterally with the in the background of the (joint modified crops. trade. “We are disappointed not (LCD) screens. to agree to a strong product list United States last month after a commission) in terms of China “They have an approval proc- to be celebrating a deal this week. “The participants have sig- in order to unlock much-needed long-standing stalemate. opening its market much wider ess to consider the safety of We missed a big opportunity,” US nificantly reduced the gaps on growth opportunities for manu- One trade official involved in the to foreign investment,” said those products, and it needs to Ambassador Michael Punke said expanding the coverage of the facturers and their workers,” said talks said South Korea had offered Jeremie Waterman, US Chamber be more responsive to the sci- at the World Trade Organisation ITA agreement in recent days, Linda Dempsey, vice president of a number of concessions, but there of Commerce executive director entific process and also more (WTO). but unfortunately it has not been international economic affairs at had been no reciprocal move by for China. timely,” said Jason Hafemeister, The talks aimed to update the possible to finalise the negotia- the US National Association of China. Other countries also offered US Trade Representative trade policy coordinator at the WTO’s 17-year-old Information tions this week,” WTO Director Manufacturers. changes to try to entice China to Michael Froman told reporters USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Technology Agreement, which General Roberto Azevedo said in South Korea, home to top LCD make the last small step needed for on Friday the next step would be Service. REUTERS guarantees zero-tariff and a statement. producer LG Display Co Ltd, a deal, the official said. REUTERS

Petrobras probe is on Question on investors’ minds on Australia budget concerns real: Fed move: Will they or won’t they? central bank NEW YORK: “Will they or “They are going to remove it; and Wednesday with a state- won’t they?” is the question on I don’t think (Fed Chair Janet ment and forecasts expected SYDNEY: Australia’s central investors’ minds as the Federal Yellen) is going to keep it in Wednesday at 1900 GMT, followed bank governor called on the Reserve policy-setting commit- there just because of what we by Yellen’s press conference half nation’s politicians to tackle tee meets this week for the last are seeing with the energy sec- an hour later. the “real issue” of the country’s time this year. tor,” said Sean McCarthy, regional Markets are pricing in a dis- growing budget deficit, saying Markets have followed Fed chief investment officer for Wells inflationary environment in the action was needed to retain speakers closely in recent weeks Fargo Private Bank in Scottsdale, next few years. Short-term infla- credibility in financial markets. for clues on whether the US Arizona. “All the other data has tion expectations as measured by Treasurer Joe Hockey is central bank will change key been strong, whether you are the yield gap between five-year expected to unveil a further blow- language in its post-meeting looking at construction, at the Treasury Inflation Protected out in the government’s federal statement regarding how long ISM numbers, and especially the Securities (TIPS) and regular deficit in his mid-year economic it will keep benchmark interest jobs data that she cares about five-year Treasuries fell to 1.16 and fiscal outlook tomorrow, with rates near zero. Some expect the most.” percent on Friday, the lowest in some estimates of a Aus$5bn Fed to remove the reference to Indeed, recent statements from nearly 4-1/2 years, Tradeweb and ($4.1bn) increase to Aus$35bn. “considerable time” when setting Fed officials suggest the language data showed. Government revenue has been a time frame for near-zero rates could be changed. Goldman Sachs, “There is no pressure out there hurt by sharp declines in com- and maybe replace it, as it did in a note, pointed to “widespread to get ahead of inflation because modity prices in a resources- ahead of the 2004-2005 monetary use of the word ‘patient’” as a there is no inflation out there,” driven economy where iron ore policy tightening cycle, with a nod signal that “some participants said Terry DuFrene, global invest- is the country’s largest export. to being “patient”. would prefer to revise the cur- ment specialist at JP Morgan Weakening demand from But that belief has been compli- rent language.” Private Bank in New Orleans. Australia’s largest trading part- cated somewhat by the slump in The lack of consensus on the Yellen is seen as erring on the ner China has also weighed on oil prices that has pulled inflation Fed’s move all but guarantees side of being too dovish rather growth. expectations lower and caused the that whatever the Federal Open than risking a move that comes “I think much of the pub- S&P stock index to post its first Market Committee’s statement in too soon and, compounded with lic debate about the fiscal posi- negative week in eight on Friday. says on Wednesday the stock the soft data out of the eurozone, tion still is carried on as though The expectation of lower infla- market will be volatile, as it usu- Japan and China, adds to the risk that reality isn’t actually real,” tion could prevent the Fed from ally is on Fed decision days. of a slowdown in the US economy. Reserve Bank of Australia chief changing its current stance. “The goal,” said the BofA/ However fed funds rate futures Glenn Stevens told The Australian Client notes from Goldman Merrill note, “will be to smooth also show that the market expects Financial Review. Sachs, Citi and Bank of America/ the market’s reaction. The Fed a rate hike at some point in the Stevens said there has been an Merrill Lynch in the week deal does not intend to signal a fun- third quarter of next year. The “over-simplification” in debates People walk past Petrobras building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. with expectations for the removal damental shift in policy, and we Fed is faced with the need to be about the government deficit, Brazilian prosecutors charged 35 businessmen in connection of the wording, roughly agreeing expect chair Yellen’s press con- slightly more hawkish in order to which saw the Tony Abbott-led with the Petrobras corruption case, the first wave of indictments that however close the call is, it ference remarks to reinforce this marginally move towards starting administration unveil a tough arising from the investigation into the scandal surrounding the is more likely than not that the point.” the tightening cycle. budget in May that seeks to cut state-owned oil giant. phrase will go away. The FOMC meets on Tuesday REUTERS back spending and welfare. AFP SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Workiva debuts at NYSE Chrysler Group EU urges leaders to expands its Takata air bag back Juncker plan recall in US DETROIT: Chrysler Group is expanding its US recall of older- New EC head revealed a €315bn investment scheme model vehicles with Takata Corp passenger-side air bags, BRUSSELS: The EU urged contributions”, he said. The cur- But with cash strapped adding a second inflator design doubtful national leaders to rent estimate is based on €21bn European governments under to the recall and more affected back Jean-Claude Juncker’s in seed money provided by the pressure from their voters about regions. Chrysler, a unit of Fiat new investment plan at a sum- Commission and the European spending by Brussels, diplomats Chrysler Automobiles, said in a mit next week after the scheme Investment Bank, money readily and officials said they were still statement that it was recalling struggled to garner enthusiasm available to Juncker, which will unclear whether that was really 208,783 vehicles by adding the from governments. act as leverage for further growth. the case. second inflator family as well as New European Commission But with no control on how the “If that’s not clear, no one is including five states and three head Juncker last month revealed money will be spent, and confu- going to be interested,” one senior territories. The company said no a €315bn investment scheme to sion on how the contributions will government official said. accidents or injuries in any of its “kickstart” the EU’s stalling be counted, member states have Spanish Finance Minister Luis vehicles have been linked to any economy, declaring it a major so far held back from adding their De Guindos said earlier last week Takata passenger-side inflators. plank of his five-year agenda. pledges. “We shouldn’t expect a that Madrid was “open” to partic- Chrysler was one of 10 auto- The EU’s 28 leaders are meet- donor’s conference,” one diplomat ipate but needed “more details”. makers who began a regional ing next week to endorse the plan, from a major member state said Details would likely include recall in June of older-model vehi- but Brussels is hoping for not only in advance of next week’s summit. more specifics on how the plan cles equipped with both driver- a greenlight but more funding as To drum up more funding, will allocate funds — and to what and passenger-side Takata air well. “The commission expects Juncker’s plan proposes to effec- projects. bags in areas with high humidity. that head of state and govern- tively deduct contributions when Despite their doubts, on Including a recent passenger- ments next week offer a strong the Commission assesses national Tuesday the member states side air bag recall involving a and unequivocal sign of political budgets, part of the EU’s new unveiled a list of 2,000 projects single pickup truck model and a endorsement,” Juncker’s spokes- powers to oversee public spend- worth €1.3 trillion. different Takata inflator design, man Margaritis Schinas said at a ing by member states. The projects range from an the total number of affected news briefing. Schinas said it would be airport expansion in Germany’s vehicles is estimated at 617,573, The €315bn figure “is only an “budget neutral” — meaning that Frankfurt, to a underwater fibre- Chrysler said. indicative target that we can it would not appear as an increase optic link between the Canary “Chrysler Group has not iden- overshoot with member states’ in spending for member states. Islands and Brazil. AFP Matthew Rizai, CEO of the data analytics company Workiva, rings a tified an inflator defect in any of bell to begin IPO trading at the New York Stock Exchange. its vehicles,” the company said. “However, the company is com- mitted — out of an abundance of caution — to replacing these components.” US safety regulators have been pushing Chrysler to Google to close engineering office in Russia expand its recall of vehicles with Takata passenger-side air bags, adding to the June regional recall. MOSCOW: Google is to close declined to comment on why it 3,000 followers to register their entrepreneur often called the thing that is predictable is that On December 3, Chrysler its engineering office in Russia was closing its engineering office. personal information with the father of the Russian Internet, it will develop for the worse. The recalled 2003 Ram pickup trucks in the wake of growing restric- “We are deeply committed to our government, a regulation that has who now runs the Internet mar- only thing we don’t know is how with passenger-side bags using tions on Internet freedoms, Russian users and customers been decried as an intimidation keting startup Fuzzy Cheese, said fast regulations limiting foreign inflators from a product family including a law that comes into and we have a dedicated team in tactic. Whereas state-controlled that besides the law requiring activities on the Russian market code-named “SPI.” Officials with effect next year targeting for- Russia working to support them,” television offers generally pro- Russia-based servers, growing will be adopted.” the National Highway Traffic eign web companies. the company said. It will retain Kremlin views, dissent has been anti-western rhetoric follow- In September, Adobe Systems Safety Administration called The law, which authorities say support and marketing staff in able to flourish on social media ing the Ukraine crisis posed a shut down its Russian office. The the move “insufficient” because will improve data protection, the country. and blogs, which played a key role threat to foreign companies such Vedomosti newspaper reported it failed to include all inflators requires foreign firms to store President Vladimir Putin is no in the opposition protests that as Google. “The changes in the that the US firm was unable to covered by Takata’s defect infor- Russian users’ personal data on fan of the Internet, calling it a swept Moscow in 2011-13. political situation make it less meet the requirements of the new mation report. The recall covers servers located in Russia. Critics CIA project, and saying he prefers Google has criticised state viable, less feasible to maintain law and had been unable to close inflators from the “PSPI” family say it is designed to make it to get his information from other restrictions on the Internet in the engineers here, and that is not several deals because of western of Takata inflators, Chrysler said. harder for US Internet compa- sources. Russian security services past. Last year, Eric Schmidt, the even counterbalanced by the sanctions against Russia. NHTSA officials could not be nies to operate in the country and have reportedly advised officials executive chairman, said he was fact that engineers get cheaper Although Google is widely used reached for a comment. will give Russia’s secret services against using Gmail, and legislation worried that Russia was begin- by the day because of the [falling in Russia, the homegrown search The latest expansion adds — which are reportedly able to was considered recently that would ning to copy China in Internet value of the] rouble,” Nossik said. engine Yandex controls 60 percent Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, monitor virtually all data trans- prohibit government employees censorship. Google closed its “There are a lot of counterpro- of the country’s search market, Mississippi, Texas, American mitted by domestic Internet serv- from discussing official informa- Internet search service in China ductive measures, not only [gov- reports say. Yandex.ru emerged as Samoa, Guam and Saipan to a ice providers — greater access to tion over non-state email accounts. in 2010 after it stopped cooperat- ernment] pressure but also the the most popular media channel list that initially included Florida, information held by foreign firms. Another law, passed this year, ing with government censors. general unpredictability of how in a recent study. Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US A Google Russia spokeswoman requires bloggers with more than Anton Nossik, a web the situation will develop. One THE GUARDIAN Virgin Islands. REUTERS

Drones need more regulation: IATA

GENEVA: The surging popu- Tyler’s concern comes amid works with 250 airlines and larity of inexpensive radio-con- growing reports of dangerous freight carriers in 117 countries, trolled airplanes and helicopters drone flights at airports, stadiums said the new rules cannot come raises risks that require a firm and military bases in the United too son. response from regulators to States and elsewhere. Drone regulations currently ensure safety, the head of a The US Federal Aviation vary widely in different coun- leading commercial aviation Administration recently docu- tries, with an effective ban on trade group said. mented more than 190 close calls commercial uses in the United “I’m not one who often calls in 2014, including instances of States in all but a few cases. But for regulation,” Tony Tyler, direc- drones flying within 50 feet of the unmanned aircraft industry tor general of the International jetliners landing in New York and is expected to generate thousands Air Transport Association, other cities. of jobs and billions of dollars of said in an interview on the The FAA is due to publish draft economic activity, as companies sidelines of the organisation’s regulations on drones later this use them for everything from global media day. month, and experts said they inspecting power lines and crops “But this is a new industry and predict the rules will put restric- to delivering packages. it will have to share airspace with tions on risky recreational fliers. “Drones are an emerging issue,” an existing established industry. The rules are part of the FAA’s Tyler said. “As they grow in With safety issues that it raises, effort to integrate unmanned number and sophistication, they there is a need for regulators to aircraft into the U.S. airspace by need to be integrated properly in grasp this one and run with it,” September 2015. the airspace. Regulators have to IATA Director General Tony Tyler in Geneva. he said. Tyler, whose organisation get involved here.” REUTERS Investors call for StanChart to plan for life after Sands

LONDON: Standard Chartered replaced, probably next year. Two that burst Standard Chartered’s if he would want either, indus- percent of shareholders voted at AXA Investment Management, is being urged to plan for life more top 30 investors told Reuters bubble after 10 straight years of try sources said. Kheraj joined against the bank’s pay plan. one of the bank’s top 30 investors. beyond Peter Sands after a that they were unhappy with its record earnings. StanChart as a non-executive “We need to have some confi- “The slides for the investor strategy update last month governance and wanted changes, A 32 percent fall in the bank’s director in January and is involved dence the issues have been picked trip showed some mea culpa, failed to restore confidence in although they did not say Sands shares this year has wiped more with the Aga Khan’s charities. up and understood by the board, they recognise recent perform- the chief executive among some had to go. The investors asked not than £10bn off its value. Shares Kheraj declined comment. and know they are doing some- ance has been disappointing. But investors. to be named. are down a quarter since Sands Some investors said manage- thing about it,” one top 20 inves- I think what is not very visible is After eight years, Sands is one StanChart disputed that major became CEO in 2006. They trade ment took on more risks with tor said. a recognition that many of the of the longest serving CEOs at a shareholders were calling for at about 0.8 times book value, loans to keep growing strongly Sands acknowledged some of issues that have arisen seem to major global bank. But a series Sands, or Chairman John Peace, compared to about 1 times book and are paying for it now that the problems during a trip to be a direct result of the strategy of problems in the last two years to leave. “There are no plans to for HSBC, and 1.3 times at Lloyds. Asian economies are stalling. Hong Kong to brief investors and execution of the previous five and a rise in bad debts have raised replace Peter or John or new suc- “What that’s saying is the mar- Bad debts in the first nine last month and laid out $400m years,” she said. questions about his ability to steer cession plans being worked on for ket has no confidence in (man- months of 2014 swelled 52 percent in annual cost cutting plans. But The turning point for Sands, the bank through a low growth either. The overwhelming view agement),” said David Fergusson, from a year earlier, partly due to some investors said that did not 52, a former McKinsey consultant era. The bank will be in the regu- of major shareholders who have chief investment officer of a big jump in loans to mining and go far enough. who grew up in Asia and advised latory spotlight for at least three spoken to us is that the bank Woodside Holdings Investment commodities firms since 2008. “If this management had taken the UK during the financial cri- more years after US prosecutors needs stability in its manage- Management, a Singapore-based Some analysts say the bank may seriously what investors were sis, came in August 2012, when on Tuesday extended a period of ment team as the bank reposi- fund management company that have to cut its dividend. saying we would have seen a real Standard Chartered was fined scrutiny to 2017, following sanc- tions for growth,” the bank said has a small stake in the bank. Investors concerned about gov- refresh of the strategy and some $667m for breaching US sanctions tion breaches for which it was first in a statement. Naguib Kheraj, formerly finance ernance said the bank’s 19-per- concrete targets on when to get on Iran. punished in 2012. It was slower growth in Asia director at Barclays, has been son board is unwieldy and may there, and we didn’t see that,” said That took executives by sur- Three of the bank’s biggest 30 and the costly US fines for breach- floated as a potential chairman not have challenged management Susan Sternglass Noble, who runs prise and rocked internal confi- shareholders said Sands should be ing sanctions on Iran in 2012 or CEO, although it is uncertain enough. In May, more than 40 AXA Framlington Financials fund dence, sources said. REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Gulf bonds diverge as oil dip separates strong from weak Wall Street scores a BY ANDREW TORCHIA

overeign bond yields in the Gulf are diverging, as investors start to differentiate between countries that can cope com- win in Washington fortably with the plunge in oil prices and those which will find the cut to their export revenues very painful. For two S BY EMILY STEPHENSON years, yields of the six oil exporting nations in the Gulf Cooperation Street banks to push out certain House Minority Leader Nancy Republicans find unworkable. Council converged as the regional economy boomed. Some investors swaps trading into isolated units. Pelosi. Further, Congress may act to even saw the GCC as a single credit. ive years after President Republicans also attached to Some Republicans were taking a exempt small banks from a pro- That trend is now reversing as Brent crude, at around $63 a barrel Barack Obama a popular terrorism insurance victory lap. “Yesterday showed the prietary trading ban known as the against $115 in June, drops below levels which most GCC members slammed Wall Street bill a Dodd-Frank provision say- first cracks in the wall for Dodd- Volcker rule, to change the way need to balance their state budgets. The spread between Bahrain’s “fat cat” bankers, some ing “end-user” businesses such Frank,” Saat Alety, a spokesman mortgage rules treat certain fees, dollar sovereign bond due March 2020 and Qatar’s January 2020 of the nation’s biggest as energy companies would not for Republican Representative Ed and to give some relief to Wall sovereign climbed to 148 basis points this week from 95 bps in June. Fbanks this week successfully lob- need to post collateral for cer- Royce of California, said about the Street banks’ international swaps Bond buyers aren’t panicking — credit default swaps are well below bied Congress to roll back a hotly tain risky trades. Lawmakers spending bill. trades. levels hit during the global financial crisis in 2008 and the Arab debated provision in the 2010 also on Wednesday gave the Bank lobbyists are taking a Democratic Senator Elizabeth Spring uprisings of 2011. Foreign exchange forwards have edged up Dodd-Frank financial reform law. Federal Reserve more flexibility more reserved view, saying it will Warren this week said a vote but aren’t near the 2008 highs that would imply pressure on Gulf The question is whether bankers in writing certain requirements be difficult to overcome Obama’s to roll back the swaps push-out currency pegs to the dollar. can keep up their winning streak. for insurance companies such as veto power for major blows to provision was “a vote for future But in investors’ eyes, the region is dividing into three classes. The early view is that Wall Street, Prudential Financial. These wins Dodd-Frank. “The battle lines, taxpayer bailouts of Wall Street.” Kuwait and Qatar are the strongest class, since they are believed to insurers, and companies that deal would have been unthinkable a few so to speak, will continue to be Others say it’s more of a sym- be able to run budget surpluses even at current oil prices; Moody’s in complex financial instruments years ago, when Obama pointed to drawn,” said James Ballentine bolic victory for Wall Street. The Investors Service estimates their break-even prices at $52 and $59. will secure targeted victories in the Occupy Wall Street protests as of the American Bankers swaps push-out provision was The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, at $71 and $84, are 2015, especially with Republicans a sign of Americans’ frustrations Association. a late addition to Dodd-Frank the second class. They may run budget deficits next year but have in control of the Senate. But with the after-effects of the 2007- Lobbyists said alterations with championed by former Democratic such huge fiscal reserves that they could easily cover deficits for years. Democrats who chafe at the idea 2009 financial crisis. bipartisan support or a thumbs-up Senator Blanche Lincoln, who was Oman and Bahrain, with much smaller reserves and oil resources, of bank handouts will block any On Thursday night, Obama from regulators could move for- in danger of losing her seat. are in the bottom class; with break-even prices of $97 and $117, they measures that could gut Dodd- was forced to lobby indignant ward. That could include chang- The idea behind the measure are likely to be deep in the red next year. Frank, one of Obama’s signature Democrats to support the fund- ing the asset threshold at which was that banks such as Citigroup Moody’s figures suggest that if oil stays at $65, Oman will also legislative accomplishments. ing bill in spite of the Dodd- banks are considered big enough and JPMorgan were conducting become the only GCC country to run a current account deficit — a “I don’t think Dodd-Frank is, Frank rollback provision, even as to destabilise markets if they fail. risky swaps trading in the same shortfall which, if sustained, could eventually put pressure on its in whole, going anywhere,” said JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive That could provide medium-sized units that enjoyed federal back- currency peg. Tony Fratto, who worked in the Jamie Dimon was also calling banks such as Regions Financial stops, and taxpayers should not “There’s definitely a divergence between the fiscally stronger econo- Bush White House and now is Democrats to support the bill. Corp relief from tough capital be on the hook if trades soured. mies and those which face higher budget break-even levels, which at Hamilton Place Strategies in “I don’t think it’s accurate to rules. But banks claimed it was more would include Bahrain and Oman,” said Doug Bitcon, head of fixed Washington. describe the president and any- There is also broad support for dangerous to push out the activ- income funds at Rasmala Investment Bank. Republicans in the US House of body from Wall Street being on changes to the bankruptcy code ity to less-regulated units. And Bahrain’s shorter-term debt is still performing relatively well Representatives included in a $1.1 the same side of this issue,” White that would be tailored to banks. the provision captures only about since it is supported by Gulf investors, many of whom tend to hold trillion federal government spend- House spokesman Josh Earnest Currently, Dodd-Frank lays out a 5 percent of banks’ derivatives until maturity, he said. Longer-dated Bahraini bonds are being hit ing package a provision easing a said, when asked if Obama was path for unwinding failing banks books instead of all swaps trading. particularly hard because they depend on support from international Dodd-Frank rule that forces Wall more aligned with big banks than that Wall Street supports but that REUTERS investors. So far, selling of GCC bonds in response to oil’s slide has almost entirely focused on Bahrain and Oman. After the last oil price plunge in 2008, the bigger GCC economies built up financial reserves and strengthened their banking systems, so investors have more confi- dence in them this time around. “We remain constructive on regional credits, as fundamentals remain very sound and market dynamics remain supportive,” said Mohieddine Kronfol, chief investment officer for regional fixed income at Franklin Templeton Investments. Because the GCC views the stability of Bahrain and Oman as geopolitically important, the weaker states could almost certainly count on aid from their neighbours in a crisis. So they may escape downgrades of their credit ratings and the Bahrain-Qatar bond spread may not snap all the way back to its 2012 levels of around 200 bps. Moody’s hasn’t yet made any changes to its GCC credit outlooks or ratings in response to the oil price slide and has no timeframe for taking any actions, said Lucio Vinhas de Souza, managing director at its sovereign risk group. Economies are strong enough that oil might stay near current levels for several years without necessarily forcing any GCC sovereign downgrades, he added. Other rating agencies may not be quite as positive. Last week Standard and Poor’s cut its outlook for Oman’s “A/A-1” ratings to negative from stable, and its outlook for Saudi Arabia’s “AA-/A-1+” ratings to stable from positive. Weak oil was one factor. Raza Agha, emerging market sovereign debt analyst at VTB Capital, predicted that if oil stayed so low, bond selling would even- tually spread from the weakest GCC countries to regional credits in general. He noted that when oil plunged in 2008 — a drop about twice the size of the current slide peak-to-trough — every $3 fall in oil caused the price of Qatar’s 2030 bond to drop by about one point. Middle East energy importers such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan could benefit greatly from cheaper oil. De Souza said this would not necessarily boost their credit ratings, which also depend heavily on political and policy risk. But it could now make sense to buy North African credits while selling GCC ones. Agha noted the spread of Bahrain’s 2022 bond above Morocco’s 2022 bond had expanded to 46 bps from 20 bps at the end of 2013; the spread could eventually climb to double its current level, he said. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate At Stanford, venture capital reaches into dorm BY SARAH MCBRIDE students, how committed the stu- by college kids. Student-run firms venture capitalists counter that investment requires approval, venture capitalist to talk about dents are, and how deeply the VC that met venture capital backers VCs provide invaluable real-world including from the vice provost what they do works,” says Tom t the end of their culture has burrowed its way onto at Stanford include Snapchat, the insights. and dean of research. Byers, an engineering profes- first year at Stanford campus. photo-sharing service. Chief exec- Stanford’s graduation rates The new policy states “The sor and director of the Stanford University, a half At Stanford now, venture capi- utive Evan Spiegel dropped out have dipped somewhat in recent strong presumption is that such Technology Ventures Program. dozen students talists are teaching, investing in two years ago to work on the ven- years. Of students who enrolled involvement would constitute a “Every instructor invites a ven- snagged an apart- students’ startups, volunteering as ture. His first VC backer, Jeremy in 2009, 90 percent had graduated significant conflict of interest that ture capitalist into their class- Ament-style dormitory on the mentors, occasionally even visiting Liew, is a Stanford alumnus. within five years, Stanford said, could not be mitigated or man- room in that vein.” third floor of Griffin House, over- the dorms. Professor-turned-VC Perhaps most famously, Google compared with a five-year gradua- aged and that it would therefore A career in venture capital looking the campus golf course. Balaji Srinivasan visited Griffin founders Larry Page and Sergey tion rate of 92.2 percent five years not be permitted.” It applies only normally follows years of entre- A little over a year later, in the House last autumn, shortly Brin were Stanford graduate stu- earlier. Some students say they to people with full-time positions. preneurial success. Barber, the autumn of 2014, just two were left before he joined top venture firm dents. They met their first inves- are quitting to start companies. A Stanford spokeswoman said young Stanford student, got into at Stanford. The others had gone Andreessen Horowitz. He was tor through an introduction from Stanford says it doesn’t track the no requests for approval have been the game early after a chance to work on their startups. invited to discuss the emerging Professor David Cheriton, who reasons students leave. made by faculty members. encounter at a conference. They had a big advantage: currency bitcoin. also ended up investing. Reuters asked Stanford Some investor-professors bristle The lanky Australian compu- Fellow roommate Chris Barber, The dedication can come with a Some on campus find the President John Hennessy whether at the notion they are buttressing ter science major had been drawn 21, was a budding venture capi- price. Last year social gatherings industry’s reach troubling. The there would be a conflict of inter- their portfolios with projects from by Stanford’s reputation as an talist, already learning about the at the suite, Griffin 304, were rare. students’ focus on doing busi- est if a Stanford instructor offered current students. The vast major- entrepreneurial hotbed. But after business of injecting funds into A small fridge held mostly soda, ness, they say, distracts from the a student an implicit incentive, in ity of junior students stick around enrolling in the autumn of 2012, promising new firms. He funded not beer. For most of the academic scholarly mission of college and the form of venture cash, to leave to earn their degrees, and most he became disenchanted with the companies run by three of his year, Barber was the only room- opens up instructors to potential school. “It’s clearly at some level a don’t start companies, they point focus on consumer companies roommates. Long one of America’s mate with a regular girlfriend. conflicts of interest. The venture conflict,” says Hennessy. “It’s not out. At the School of Engineering, he saw among fellow students. elite universities, Stanford has One of his roommates, Jesse money also provides a temptation a direct conflict, but it is a worri- the department that has done the Inventions such as smartphone grown into the leading alma Leimgruber, complained that girls to drop out. some issue.” most to welcome venture capital- apps struck him as frivolous, rel- mater, by far, for entrepreneurs drain hours in the late evening, “VCs can be a bad influence Late last year, the university ists in roles such as instructor, atively easy to get off the ground receiving early-stage funding from “the most productive time for a and are not a good role model for introduced a formal policy to gov- adviser or guest lecturer, faculty and creating uncertain value. top venture capital firms. startup.” students,” says Vivek Wadhwa, a ern faculty investments in student members say VCs serve a valuable Ideas for companies geared to What most outsiders don’t see: For VCs, the attraction of fellow at Stanford’s Rock Center companies. If a faculty member pedagogical purpose. serving businesses, by contrast, how early the investment com- academia is simple: Some of the for Corporate Governance. has direct involvement in the stu- “If someone wants to go deep, seemed to struggle to take flight. munity starts cultivating Stanford hottest tech start-ups are founded Faculty members who aren’t dent’s academic programme, the getting a practitioner like a REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com GECM & TENDERS

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday UK trade deficit narrows to China inflation hits a five-year low of 1.4pc seven-month low in October Fitch downgrades France US consumer debt rises LONDON: The Office for ratings to ‘AA’ BEIJING: China’s annual consumer $13.2 billion in October National Statistics (ONS) said inflation eased to a five-year low of 1.4 Japan’s machine orders fall PARIS: Fitch Ratings cut its ratings per cent in November from 1.6 per cent WASHINGTON: US consumers the UK’s trade deficit in goods on France to AA from AA+ on 6.4pc in October and services stood at £2bn in in October, the lowest since November increased their borrowing in Friday, saying the country’s revised TOKYO: Japan’s machinery October, compared with £2.8bn 2009, signalling persistent weakness October but at a slightly slower deficit-reduction target was not orders fell by 6.4 percent in in September. The goods trade in the world’s second-largest economy pace than in the previous month enough to avoid a downgrade. October with respect to the deficit for October also shrank Fitch noted that the government’s and giving policymakers more room to as credit card use slowed. previous month, to 778 billion to £9.6bn from £10.5bn, again budget-saving measures were not ease policy to support growth. Overall borrowing rose $13.2 yen (about 5.3 billion euros marking its lowest level for seven enough to change the credit ratings billion following a $15.4 billion or $6.6 billion), the Japanese gain in September, the Federal months, but still higher than the agency’s projections of France’s “government debt dynamics.” government reported Thursday. Reserve reported Friday. The £9.5bn expected by economists gains have pushed consumer polled by Reuters. debt excluding real estate loans India’s current account deficit to a record level of $3.28 trillion. widens to 2.1pc of GDP NEW DELHI: India’s current account deficit (CAD) widened to a five-quarter high of 2.1pc of gross domestic product SA’s current account deficit in the second quarter ended 30 narrows down to 6.0pc of GDP September, as exports growth slowed and imports increased because of a rise JOHANNESBURG: The current in demand for gold. account narrowed from a revised R234.6Bn or 6.3pc of GDP in Q2:14 to R229.7Bn or 6.0pc of GDP in Australia consumer inflation Q3:14, primarily due to a recovery in expectations fall in December nominal GDP and a narrower trade Argentine stocks fall 7.22pc SYDNEY: Australia’s consumer on oil slide balance. Net service, income and inflation expectations decreased in transfer payments rose by R3Bn December, results of a survey from RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentine stocks versus the second quarter. closed down 7.22 percent Tuesday, the Melbourne Institute showed dragged down by falling oil prices Thursday. The expected inflation that hit new five-year lows before rate fell to 3.4 percent in December from 4.1 percent in November. recovering. Oil prices have fallen more than 40 percent from their 2014 peaks in June owing to a supply glut, slowing growth in China and emerging-market economies, a recession in Japan and a near-stall in the eurozone..

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Alba, Kutxa James’ heroics in vain as advance to Euroleague Top 16

Pelicans overcome Cavs BELGRADE: Alba Berlin and Laboral Kutxa have reached the Euroleague Top 16 with a match Anderson, Evans shine to overshadow star’s season-high 41 points to spare while the race for three more places in the second group stage will go down to the wire NEW YORK: Ryan Anderson after some rip-roaring action on broke out of a long shoot- NBA Results Friday. ing slump with eight three- Chicago 115 Portland 106 Unics Kazan boosted their pointers as the New Orleans Washington 104 LA Clippers 96 hopes with a 73-60 home win over Pelicans, playing most of the Atlanta 87 Orlando 81 1999 champions Zalgiris Kaunas game without forward Anthony but their progress was put on hold NY Knicks 101 Boston 95 Davis, overcame a season-high by Nizhny Novgorod’s shock 65-61 41 points by LeBron James to Brooklyn 88 Philadelphia 70 victory at Anadolu Efes Istanbul. defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Toronto 106 Indiana 94 A three-way dogfight for two Anderson finished with 30 Memphis 113 Charlotte 107 berths in that section will be points while Tyreke Evans scored Oklahoma City 111 Minnesota 92 decided in the last round next a team-high 31 for the Pelicans New Orleans 119 Cleveland 114 week, when Nizhny host Unics in (11-11), who built an 100-81 lead Detroit 105 Phoenix 103 an all-Russian clash and Zalgiris with 8:35 remaining and with- play bottom-placed Italians Miami 100 Utah 95 stood a late rally by the Cavs. Dinamo Sassari. Cleveland fell to 13-9. LA Lakers 112 San Antonio 110 There is also one spot avail- Bulls 115, Trail Blazers 106 able in Laboral Kutxa’s group Derrick Rose scored 31 points seventh in the past eight games. where either Neptunas Klaipeda for his highest output in more Raptors 106, Pacers 94 or Galatasaray will join them, than two years to lead the Chicago Lou Williams scored 26 points Olympiakos Piraeus and Red Star Bulls to a 115-106 victory over the off the bench to lead the Toronto Belgrade. Portland Trail Blazers. Raptors to victory over the Alba reached the premier club The Bulls (14-8) won their Indiana Pacers. basketball competition’s second second home game in a row with It was the seventh straight loss group stage for the second time Rose playing like a former league for the Pacers (7-16). with a 71-65 win at French side MVP. He reached 30 points for James Johnson added 13 points Limoges after a fine perform- the first time since March 2012. for the Raptors (17-6), who were ance by American forward Jamel Portland (17-6) got 35 points in front most of the way, leading McLean, who finished with 18 each from LaMarcus Aldridge by eight after three quarters and points and seven rebounds. and Damian Lillard but their by as many as 19 in the fourth . French guard Fabien Causeur combined contribution was not Nets 88, 76ers 70 carried Laboral Kutxa to a 93-89 enough to overcome the Bulls. Mason Plumlee, getting a rare home win over Valencia, scoring Wizards 104, Clippers 96 start due to an injury to Brook New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (left) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) 21 points in a thrilling contest Bradley Beal scored a season- Lopez, scored a season-high 18 during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center, yesterday. The Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers whose outcome eliminated their high 29 points and John Wall’s points, leading the Brooklyn Nets 119-114. fellow Spanish rivals. defense stymied Chris Paul as the to victory over the Philadelphia Unics trailed Zalgiris by two Washington Wizards snapped the 76ers. points at halftime but stormed Los Angeles Clippers’ nine-game The victory enabled the Nets and rallied the Hawks back from short of Michael Jordan for third the go-ahead three-pointer with back after the break as Americans winning streak. (9-12) to snap a three-game losing a 12-point deficit in the second place on the all-time scoring list. 1:13 left as the Detroit Pistons D’Or Fischer and Keith Langford The Wizards (16-6) never streak, while the hapless Sixers, half to beat Orlando. Grizzlies 113, Hornets 107 snapped a 13-game losing streak netted 16 points apiece to keep trailed, made 9-of-16 three-point who had won two of their last four The Hawks’ (16-5) nine-game Mike Conley scored six of the with a win over Phoenix. alive their hopes of progressing. attempts and led 57-42 at halft- after losing the first 17 games of winning streak is their longest Grizzlies’ 11 points in the second Pope had 14 points and Josh Nizhny also grabbed a lifeline ime and by as many as 18 points the season, dropped to 2-20. since opening the 1997-98 season period of overtime as Memphis Smith and Greg Monroe added with a win after Trey Thompkins in the second half. Knicks 101, Celtics 95 with 11 straight victories. secured a 113-107 win over 12 each for the Pistons (4-19), who and Dimitriy Khvostov scored 14 Paul had 19 points, seven Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Lakers 112, Spurs 110 Charlotte. Zach Randolph had avoided tying the franchise record points each to sink Anadolu Efes, rebounds and six assists for the Stoudemire scored 22 and 20 Nick Young hit a long game- a team-high 20 points and 11 for consecutive losses. who visit Real Madrid, winners of Clippers (16-6), yet labored offen- points respectively and the winning three-pointer with 7.4 rebounds and Marc Gasol scored Heat 100, Jazz 95 a record eight titles, in the last sively for much of the action in Knicks held off a late charge to seconds left in overtime to give 12 of his 19 points after the third Dwyane Wade hit three of four round of the preliminary group the game. subdue the Boston Celtics and end the Los Angeles Lakers the vic- quarter for Memphis (18-4), in free throws in the final nine sec- stage. Thunder 111, T’wolves 92 a 10-game losing streak. tory over San Antonio. Manu the game. onds and finished with a game- Olympiakos, who won the title Russell Westbrook scored 34 The Knicks (5-20) let a 14-point Ginobili missed a three-pointer Kemba Walker had a game- high 29 points to send Miami back in 2012 and 2013, secured top points and was one of five players lead be trimmed down to four in that would have given the Spurs high 28 points for the Hornets home on a winning note. spot in their section thanks to a in double figures for the Oklahoma the final seconds but held on to (16-7) the victory just before time (6-16). Chris Bosh contributed 22 64-59 home win over direct rivals City Thunder in a win over the hand the Celtics (7-14) a third expired. Pistons 105, Suns 103 points and nine rebounds to help Red Star in a match marked by Minnesota Timberwolves. straight loss. Young scored a season-best 29 Andre Drummond had 23 the Heat (11-12) beat the Jazz a friendly atmosphere similar to The victory was Oklahoma Hawks 87, Magic 81 points for the Lakers while Kobe points and 14 rebounds and (6-17) in Salt Lake City for the when they met in the reverse fix- City’s (10-13) fifth straight and Paul Millsap scored 23 points Bryant had 22, leaving him eight Kentavious Caldwell-Pope nailed first time since 2010. REUTERS ture in Belgrade. REUTERS NHL: Depleted Penguins down Rudisha fears for Kenya’s reputation Flames, Canadiens thrash Kings KIMANA, Kenya: Kenya’s seriously. Rudisha, who has suf- reputation has been tarnished fered injuries since winning the by allegations that the world 800m Olympic gold medal in 2012, NEW YORK: A depleted athletics body covered up or did believes WADA and Kenya have Pittsburgh Penguins shrugged not investigate suspicious blood not done enough to combat dop- off the absence of captain Sidney tests of some Kenyan athletes, ing in the east African country Crosby to defeat the Calgary Pittsburgh said Olympic champion David famed for middle and long-dis- Flames 3-1 yesterday. Penguins left Rudisha (pictured). tance running. Blake Comeau, Kris Letang wing Blake The claims, made in a German “I think both need to do some- and Rob Klinkhammer picked up Comeau (left) TV documentary broadcast this thing because so far I’ve never the slack by scoring the goals for week by ZDF/ARD, are being seen anything to do with educat- congratulates Pittsburgh (19-6-3), who beat the investigated by the ethics com- ing athletes in Kenya about dop- left wing Rob Flames for the eighth consecu- mittee of the International ing,” he said. tive time. Klinkhammer Association of Athletics Rudisha added that Athletics Crosby missed the game with after Federations (IAAF). Kenya should be more proactive an undisclosed illness and is Klinkhammer Britain’s Telegraph to prevent Kenyan also expected to miss contest in scored a newspaper, which athletes from turn- Columbus. goal against claims to have seen ing to doping. The Flames (17-12-2) dropped the Calgary documents provided “They should be their fourth straight game. Flames to ARD by a World doing something to Canadiens 6, Kings 2 during the Anti Doping Agency create that aware- Forty-five saves from goal- third period whistle-blower, said ness and to edu- tender Carey Price and a bal- of their NHL 25 Kenyans were cate Kenyans about anced attack lifted the Montreal game at the among the 225 ath- this,” Rudisha added Canadiens to a big win over the CONSOL letes from 39 coun- ahead of “Maasai Los Angeles Kings. Energy tries whose test Olympics”, a conser- Jiri Sekac (twice) and Sven Center, results should have vation event which is Andrighetto scored for Montreal yesterday. aroused suspicion. part of efforts to root (19-10-2), along with P.K. Subban, “It’s really very sad out lion killing in the Andrei Markov and David to hear of this,” Rudisha said in Maasai culture. Desharnais. Kimana, a Maasai town in the “If your talent is not taking you Martin Jones made 14 saves for shadow of snow-capped Mount to that higher level, don’t force the Kings (15-10-5). Kilimanjaro. it and don’t cheat to get there Panthers 3, Red Wings 2 (SO) minutes. Goaltender Roberto scored goals for Edmonton (7-18- missed practice on Thursday “It’s not only damaging Kenya’s because it’s not fair even to your- Vincent Trocheck and Brandon Luongo made 23 saves in regula- 5) to trim the deficit before Nate with an unspecified illness, and reputation, it’s also ruining the self and it’s not fair to others.” Pirri scored in the shootout to tion and in overtime. Thompson put the game away the right side of his face looked rest of sport.” After dominating the 800m give the Florida Panthers a 3-2 Riley Sheahan and Gustav with a third-period goal. swollen during the Friday morn- Rudisha said the doping claims, field in 2012, including the win over the Detroit Red Wings. Nyquist got the goals for Detroit The Ducks improved their ing skate. After he underwent which have sparked one of the stunning Olympic final vic- Tomas Fleischmann and (17-6-7) in regulation. record to 20-6-5. tests, doctors thought it best that biggest crises for the sport in tory where he broke the World Jonathan Huberdeau scored for Jimmy Howard made 29 saves Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh he sit out. recent years, were also threaten- Record, Rudisha missed much Florida (12-8-7) in the first 60 in total prior to the shootout in Penguins said yesterday that “There is no indication at this ing sponsorship money coming of 2013 through injury and this the match. they do not believe centre Sidney time that this is the mumps, but into athletics. year was beaten at least twice NHL Results Ducks 4, Oilers 2 Crosby has the mumps, but he we are going to hold him out as a While Russia has hit out by Botswana’s Nijel Amos, who Pittsburgh 3 Calgary 1 The Anaheim Ducks cruised to will be held out of the next two precaution,” general manager Jim against the ARD allegations as a trailed second behind him in the Montreal 6 Los Angeles 2 a 3-0 lead and held on to defeat games as a precaution. Rutherford said. “pack of lies”, anti-doping cam- London Games. Edmonton in a match-up of the There has been a mumps out- “We’ll have additional test paigners have seized on the claims Rudisha added he was looking Florida 3 Detroit 2 best and worst teams in the NHL. break throughout the NHL dur- results in a few days,” he added. as proof that the governing body forward to 2015 and taking on Anaheim 4 Edmonton 2 Tyler Pitlick and Jeff Petry ing the past few weeks. Crosby AGENCIES has failed to tackle drugs cheats Amos when fully fit. REUTERS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Scott in three-way tie for lead at Australian PGA First round leader Weekley stays in contention for Gold Coast title

GOLD COAST, Australia: a little and there could be a few Adam Scott fired a three-under- birdies up for grabs out there.” par 69 to join Wade Ormsby and The world number three will Feng Shanshan of China poses Scott Strange in a three-way go into the final day as a heavy with her trophy after winning the tie for the lead after the third favourite to claim his sixth title Dubai Ladies Masters yesterday. round of the Australian PGA on the Australasian PGA Tour. Championship yesterday. “Whether it’s here or any other Scott started the day two shots tournament that you win... I’ve behind Ormsby and Strange but got lots of experience to go off Feng wins made up the ground after his two over my whole career,” Scott said. playing partners shot 71. “I’ve been in this position a lot. American Boo Weekley, who It’s worked out a lot of time and Dubai Ladies led after the first round, kept it hasn’t others so I’ll try and do himself in the hunt with a 69 that all the things I can to kind of give featured a chip-in for eagle on the myself the advantage.” Masters title par-five 12th. The 34-year-old Scott trailed Weekley finished the day at Strange by a stroke with two DUBAI: Shanshan Feng hardly a combined nine-under, one holes to play but got back on level needed to work up sweat as the behind the leading trio, and tied terms when the leader bogeyed world No 5 strolled to a five- for fourth with Australia’s Jason the 17th. shot victory in the Omega Dubai Scrivener, who signed for a 68. Ormsby slipped two shots Ladies Masters at Emirates Golf New Zealand’s Michael Hendry behind when he bogeyed the ninth Club yesterday. climbed to outright sixth place, at and 11th holes but pulled one back Five in front overnight, the eight under, after shooting a 67, with a birdie on the 12th then extremely-gifted golfer closed the best round of the day. drained a long birdie on the last with a two-under 70 to finish at 19 Scott, defending the title he to rejoin the lead. under in delightful conditions for won last year at the Royal Pines Ormsby and Scott played her second win in three appear- Resort on the Gold Coast near together as juniors and remain ances in the season-ending Ladies where he was raised, had four good friends with the pair stay- European Tour event. birdies and one bogey in his round ing at the world number three’s “It’s my second time to win but was unhappy with his putting. Gold Coast home during the here, and the staff just told me “The winner ends up making tournament. I’m actually one of the two peo- putts, so I need to make a few,” “He’s been a good host,” Ormsby ple that has won twice here, and he told reporters. said. “I’ll just try and play as good the other one is Annika. So it “It was tough today to go super- a golf as I can and I think hope- Australian golfer Scott Strange chips out of the rough during round three of the Australian PGA Golf Championship makes me like feel really proud low with the tricky conditions fully I’ll be somewhere at the end.” at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. of myself,” Feng said. but hopefully the wind is a down Spain’s Carlota Ciganda bird- ied the final hole to return a 69 to take solo second on 14-under, Bjerregaard blitz one ahead of Caroline Masson of Germany with Anna Nordqvist of sets up thrilling Fraser bounces back in Thailand Sweden in solo fourth one stroke back. finale at Leopard BANGKOK: Australia’s Lee Westwood (72) and surprise for three days so hopefully I can go important. If the putter is warm England’s Charley Hull sealed Marcus Fraser will take a one- halfway leader Tommy Fleetwood out and do the same tomorrow and enough then I might have a the 2014 ISPS HANDA Order of shot lead into the final round of (73). give myself plenty of chances.” chance.” Merit after tying for fifth place Creek today the Thailand Golf Championship Fraser, who has won five tour- Kaymer said he needed a good Westwood, who won the tour- with compatriots Liz Young and despite making a bogey on his naments as a professional, was start to his final round to have nament in 2011, was well placed Melissa Reid, as well as Danish CAPE TOWN: Lucas final hole yesterday. taking nothing for granted after a real chance of winning the for another run at the title after duo Nicole Broch Larsen and Bjerregaard birdied the last Fraser dropped a shot on the only recently returning to the $1m event at the Amata Spring a solid round. Malene Jorgensen. three holes to move to within par-four 18th after missing the game following an eight-month Country Club, on the outskirts of “You need a lot of patience on Reid was second overnight one shot of leader Branden fairway with his drive but still layoff caused by a wrist injury. Bangkok. this golf course. I don’t think any- after a third round 65, but she Grace going into today’s final signed for a two-under-par 70. “It’s only a one-shot lead at the “It’s very important to take one will be running away with the faded out of contention after round of the Alfred Dunhill That took him to five under, moment, which is almost irrelevant care of the first six and seven title,” He said. dropping four shots on the front Championship at Leopard Creek one shot clear of India’s Anirban with the calibre of players that are holes because you can score “If I played the way I played and nine. She did pick up three birdies Country Club. Lahiri (68) and two ahead of on the leader board,” he said. there,” he said. maximise my opportunities then coming home, but it was too late The Dane turned at level par Germany’s twice major winner “I’m excited to be in this posi- “You need to take advantage I think I can do well. I just need in the day. but blitzed the back nine as four Martin Kaymer (70), England’s tion. Feel like I’ve played really well of the par fives and that’s very to fine tune my score.” AFP It was Feng, who called the birdies and an eagle gave him a shots almost at will, though she six-under-par 66, the best round fell short of her intended target of on a difficult day when scores Fleetwood edges ahead reaching the 22-under mark shed under 70 were at a premium. needed to break her own record South African Grace, who led for the lowest under par winning by five shots going into Saturday’s in windy Thailand score she posted in 2012. round, battled with a course he Marcus Fraser Feng birdied the third, seventh had looked totally at ease with in of Australia and eighth on the Majlis course his opening two rounds as four BANGKOK: England’s Tommy one-under for the tournament to reach 20-under and was seven watches his bogeys meant he carded a level- Fleetwood took a one stroke lead were US Open champion Martin strokes clear after as many holes. chip shot on par 72. after firing a three-under 69 in Kaymer, local star Thongchai With the title firmly in her grasp, His total of 16 under par left the 11th green the second round of the $1m Jaidee and Paul Peterson of the she bogeyed the 11th and 15th him one ahead of Bjerregaard, who during the Thailand Golf Championship at US. but birdied the 17th and finished has never won on the European round three of Amata Spring Golf and Country Defending champion Sergio with a tap-in par to round off a Tour, and two in front of Briton Thailand Golf Club yesterday. Garcia suffered a double-bogey rewarding week in Dubai. Danny Willett, last weekend’s Championship For the second day running, at the 18th as he slipped back “I think if I would get to 22 Nedbank Challenge winner. at Amata gusting winds and the thick rough with a 75. under, then I didn’t think anybody Willett continued to make Spring troubled the entire field. Joint overnight leader would catch up. So I was going for scoring look easy as he sunk Country Club, Fleetwood was on four-under Thanyakon Khrongpha also had 22, but of course I didn’t. I still seven birdies in his third round, Chonburi for the tournament, with 2011 a bad day, struggling with a five- think I did well,” said Feng, add- but a double-bogey on the par- province, champion Lee Westwood and over 77. ing that she would visit Dubai’s four ninth denied him a share of Thailand, Australia’s Marcus Fraser one “My game felt good,” said malls for some retail therapy the lead. yesterday. shot behind. Fleetwood who sunk four bird- after the round. Italian Francesco Molinari A further stroke back were 24 ies and had just one bogey,” In the race for the Omega carded a 70 for a total of 13 under year-old Thai national Tirawat Khrongpha said. Rookie of the Year, Amy Boulden par with South Africa’s former Kaewsiribandit and Jonathan “I played really well and had from Wales held off the challenge British Open champion Louis Moore of the US who shot 72 and only three or four bad shots, of Sally Watson and Nicole Broch Oosthuizen lurking three shots 71 respectively. which is what you need in these Larsen to take the prestigious further back. REUTERS Lurking in joint sixth place on windy conditions.” AFP title. AGENCIES Kvitova eyes world number one spot in 2015

PRAGUE: Reigning Wimbledon third round at the French and US fitness coach, Alex Stober, whom then climb even higher, to $135m champion Petra Kvitova of the Opens and lost in the first round she inherited from Li Na after by 2018, the ATP added in a news Czech Republic has said she was of the Australian Open. the Chinese star had ended her release. looking to improve her Grand “Wimbledon was the high- career earlier this year. The figures do not include Slam performances while keep- light of the year, I won my sec- “He has a lot of experience and Grand Slam events, which are ing an eye on the world number ond Grand Slam and to have he knows what to do, he arrived not run by the ATP. Petra Kvitova one spot for 2015. two Wimbledon trophies in my with a very specific plan to make The biggest increases will be of the Czech “Next year I have some clear parents’ house means absolutely me stronger and faster on court,” in the ATP Masters events, a Republic reacts goals in my mind,” the 24-year-old everything to me,” said Kvitova, Kvitova said. series of nine tournaments which after winning left-handed world number four who also won the tournament in “The exercises we are doing are next in terms of prestige to against Maria wrote in her official blog. 2011. are very focused on tennis and the four grand slams, with prize Sharapova “I want to have better results In November, Kvitova led the on my game specifically so that I money rising 14 percent annually of Russia in at the Grand Slams and of course Czech Republic to a third Fed can play tennis the ‘Petra’ way,” through 2018. this October one day I want to be number one Cup trophy in four years after she added. “The increases at ATP events 24, 2014 file in the world.” beating Germany’s Angelique Meanwhile the prize money are a testament to the sustained “I have been close already, but Kerber in the finals in Prague on the men’s tennis tour will success of men’s professional ten- picture. I really hope that day will come,” in “a great battle and the per- reach $100m for the first time nis, as well as demonstrating the she added. fect match to end the season on in 2015, the Association of ATP’s confidence in the strength Kvitova notched up her sec- a high.” Tennis Professionals (ATP) said of its product and projected ond title win at Wimbledon this Kvitova has started train- yesterday. growth,” the ATP added. year, but she only made it to the ing for next season with a new ATP World Tour purses will AGENCIES SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29 Sri Lanka secure series after Sangakkara’s ton Hosts take unassailable 4-2 lead over England in ODI series

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka the total towards 300 with a brisk beat England by 90 runs in the 35 in the closing overs. sixth one-day international at Chris Woakes, Steven Finn Pallekele yesterday to take an and Chris Jordan captured two unbeatable 4-2 lead in their wickets each for England, who seven-match series. needed to win the game to square Kumar Sangakkara completed the series heading into Tuesday’s his 20th one-day international final match in Colombo. century to help the home team England could hardly had made England’s captain Alastair Cook reacts during the fifth ODI against Sri post a healthy total of 292 for a worse start to their innings Lanka in Pallekele, in this December 10, 2014 file photo. seven. when Cook was dismissed lbw for England could only muster 202 one in the first over. in reply, bowled out in less than 42 By the 18th over, England were overs despite a resilient 55 from in deep trouble at 84 for five and Cook’s captaincy for Joe Root. although Root completed a half- The evergreen Sangakkara century and Woakes chipped in blazed 112 off as many balls, high- with 41, the tourists never came lighted by 12 fours and two sixes, close to challenging Sri Lanka’s World Cup in doubt after the 37-year-old was dropped total as Suranga Lakmal mopped on 41 by England captain Alastair up the tail to finish with 4 for 30. LONDON: Alastair Cook’s role working hard to get out of,” he Cook. “For the first 20-odd overs we as England captain for next added. The Sri Lankans made a slow bowled really well, but it didn’t year’s World Cup was cast into Cook’s performance during start, scoring just 27 runs off the help me dropping Sangakkara,” doubt when head coach Peter England’s 90-run defeat in the first 10 overs, before Sangakkara said Cook. Moores said his position would sixth one-dayer yesterday typi- opened up, putting on 153 with “It was a real big catch to drop be reviewed after the team’s fied the form that has led to a Tillakaratne Dilshan for the sec- because we’d built up some good current one-day series in Sri growing number of critics ques- ond wicket. pressure, but credit to Kumar, Lanka. tion his captaincy and his place Dilshan made a patient 68 he made us pay today,” said the Cook was last week named as in the team. before Dinesh Chandimal pushed England captain. REUTERS skipper of a provisional 30-man He dropped a routine catch off squad for next year’s tournament Kumar Sangakkara, on 41 at the in Australia and New Zealand time, and the left-hander went Scoreboard but has continued to cut a belea- on to make a game-changing 112. SRI LANKA M Ali c Sangakkara b Dilshan ...... 34 guered figure at the helm of the The England captain scored just M Jayawardene c Taylor b Woakes ...... 5 J Taylor b Senanayake ...... 10 one-day side. one run before succumbing to the T Dilshan c Bopara b Tredwell ...... 68 J Root b Lakmal ...... 55 The 29-year-old has averaged second ball he faced. K Sangakkara c Ali b Jordan ...... 112 R Bopara c Sangakkara b Lakmal ...... 13 under 18 with the bat as the tour- Cook still believes he is the man S Prasanna c Morgan b Finn ...... 20 E Morgan c Sangakkara b Lakmal ...... 0 ists slipped to a 4-2 series defeat to lead the side for the Tri-Series A Mathews c Buttler b Finn ...... 1 J Buttler (run out-Thirimanne) ...... 22 in Sri Lanka with one game against Australia and India in D Chandimal b Jordan ...... 35 C Woakes c&b Dilshan ...... 41 remaining. January and the World Cup. T Perera c Cook b Woakes ...... 16 C Jordan c Sangakkara b Lakmal ...... 4 “We review everything at the “We came into today with some J Mendis (not out) ...... 12 J Tredwell c Dilshan b Senanayake ...... 19 end of every series, we’ve always high hopes so it’s been a frustrat- Extras (B-10, LB-4, NB-1, W-8) ...... 23 S Finn (not out) ...... 1 said that,” Moores told Sky Sports ing day all round, and days like Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 292 Extras (LB-1, W-1) ...... 2 when asked if Cook would be cap- these don’t make the job any eas- Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-161, 3-186, 4-191, Total (all out in 41.3 overs) ...... 202 tain at the World Cup. ier,” Cook said. 5-243, 6-262, 7-292. Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-36, 3-50, 4-84, 5-84, “We make no bones that we’re “Not scoring the runs I’d like is Bowling: S Finn 9-0-53-2(w-3); C Woakes 6-123, 7-169, 8-175, 9-193, 10-202. passionate to try and get our best not a great place to be as a cap- 10-1-51-2(w-1); M Ali 8-0-46-0(nb-1); J Tred- Bowling: S Senanayake 8.3-0-33-3(w-1); T side to go out and win a World tain. You want to lead from the well 10-0-37-1(w-1); C Jordan 9-0-68-2(w-3); Dilshan 10-0-55-2; S Prasanna 8-0-40-0; S Cup. Cook needs runs but he’s front and when it’s not happen- R Bopara 3-0-19-0; J Root 1-0-4-0. Lakmal 8-0-30-4; J Mendis 4-0-22-0; T Pere- also had some great times as an ing for you it’s incredibly frustrat- ENGLAND ra 3-0-21-0. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara plays a shot during the sixth ODI against England player,” he said. ing. I’m a better player than I’ve A Cook lbw Senanayake ...... 1 Result: Sri Lanka won by 90 runs. England in Pallekele, yesterday. “He’s in a tough patch at the shown at the moment and I’ve just moment but that’s something he’s got to keep going.” REUTERS Samuels, I may never play again, fears Smith confident Clarke after fresh injury ahead of Tests ADELAIDE: Australia captain Michael Clarke has raised the BENONI, South Africa: West prospect that his cricket career Indian batsmen Marlon Samuels could be over after injuring and Devon Smith both expressed his hamstring in the opening confidence after the third test against India in Adelaide and final day of the tourists’ yesterday. match against a South African Misbah-ul-Haq Clarke said he intended to keep Invitation XI at Willowmoore playing but the latest setback, Park was abandoned without a which the 33-year-old said would ball bowled because of rain. force him to miss the remaining The West Indians were in a Pakistan call three Tests of a series, had caused strong position with the Invitation him to think about his future. XI due to resume their second “There’s a chance I may never innings at 17 for no wicket, still up Shah for play again,” he told a news confer- 366 runs behind the West Indian ence at Adelaide Oval. first innings total of 508. remainder of “I hope that’s not the case and Samuels hit 203 and Smith I’ll be doing everything in my 174, with both batsmen retiring. power to get back out on the park, The pair put on 360 for the third NZ series but I have to be realistic as well.” wicket. Clarke did not finish the match, “I basically paced myself. I am KARACHI: Leg-spinner Yasir which ended with Australia confident,” said Samuels. Shah has been called into the securing a thrilling 48-run vic- “I have been batting very well Pakistan squad for the rest of tory, after he hurt himself on the and I used that momentum to the one-day series against New final day. bring me into this game. I am just Zealand in the United Arab He was sent for scans for the enjoying batting at the moment Emirates to replace injured second time in a matter of days and putting some good scores on pace bowlers Umar Gul and when he injured himself while the board.” Bilawal Bhatti. fielding in the second session, Smith, 33, who came into the Shah was added to the squad pulling up sharply after feeling Test squad as a late replacement after Gul and Bilawal were sent the hamstring go when reaching for the injured Chris Gayle, said home with tendon and hand prob- down to stop a ball. he had arrived in South Africa lems respectively. He limped off with the assist- feeling confident after shining in Young all-rounder Anwar Ali ance of the Australian team the West Indian domestic first- was also called up for the remain- physiotherapist and said later Australia’s captain Michael Clarke (left) speaks to bowler Nathan Lyon (centre) on the third day of the first Test class competition. ing three games in the important the early prognosis was not good. against India at the Adelaide Oval on December 11. “I feel good. I think I was in series. The fitness of captain “The scans are not great, they good touch for the first round of Misbah-ul-Haq is also a concern certainly showed a tear there,” the first-class season. I had the for Pakistan after he suffered a Clarke said. recommenced his innings the next With Clarke ruling himself which Australia is co-hosting with most runs before I left home so I hamstring problem during their “The experts are looking at day, scoring a century, only to suf- out of the second Test starting New Zealand in February and think this trend continued from loss in the second match. them and I can pretty confidently fer another problem yesterday. in Brisbane next week, Australia March next year. where I left off,” he said Smith. Shahid Afridi will lead team say that I won’t take part in this “I did my left hamstring (previ- selectors called up middle-order “I want to be playing in The left-hander from Grenada if Misbah is ruled out. The third test series.” ously). I’ve done my right side of batsman Shaun Marsh to a squad Brisbane, every game I miss for said he had changed his approach ODI is to be played today with the Clarke has been troubled by my back, I’ve just done my right that will be led once more by Australia is heartbreaking,” he to batting and he intended to use series level at 1-1. REUTERS hamstring and back issues since hammy... I’ve got injury concerns wicketkeeper and vice-captain said. the tour of South Africa as an he was a teenager but the prob- at the moment,” said the Aussie Brad Haddin. “Our first (World Cup) practice opportunity to cement his place lem has only worsened in recent captain. Left-arm paceman Mitchell game is eight weeks away. in the West Indies team. Pakistan Squad months. “Now I’ve got to go back and do Starc was also added with the “I’d love to take part in the tri- “I try to apply myself as long as Ahmed Shehzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Nasir He almost missed the first Test what the experts tell me, to give starting 11 to finalised next week. series, I’d love to take part in the possible to the wicket and I think Jamshed, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Younis because of a recurring hamstring myself my best chance of being The third starts in Melbourne on World Cup but I just have to wait I am a bit more selective in my Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz problem and suffered a painful fully fit. December 26 then the last is in and see. shot playing.” Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali, Shahid Afridi, back injury while batting in the “But I think I have to be honest Sydney from January 6. “Hopefully I’ll get another The first of three Tests against Muhammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah, first innings. with myself and have a good hard The main goal for Clarke opportunity to play again this South Africa starts at Centurion Sohail Tanvir. He retired hurt but think about things, definitely.” though is the 50-over World Cup, summer.” REUTERS on Wednesday. AFP SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT EPL: Chelsea and National Day Endurance Cup Man City march on Arsenal cruise to 4-1 win over Newcastle

LONDON: Chelsea and Manchester City tightened their stranglehold on the Premier League title race yes- erday, recording victories over struggling clubs to stretch fur- ther clear of their increasingly forlorn pursuers. Normal service was resumed at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea main- tained their three-point lead over City at the top with goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa sinking 10-man Hull City 2-0. Champions City maintained their ever more convincing Competitors take part in the National Day Endurance Cup on Friday. Qatar National Day is celebrated on chase, sealing their fifth succes- December 18. PICTURES BY: JUHAIM sive league win at bottom club Leicester City 1-0 courtesy of a 40th-minute goal from the ever- green Frank Lampard. City’s delight, though, was tem- pered by another injury setback Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud (right) challenges Newcastle United’s Fabricio with captain Vincent Kompany, Coloccini for the ball during their English Premier League match at the just back after being sidelined, Emirates Stadium in London yesterday. limping off again with hamstring trouble. Fourth-placed West Ham’s English Premier performance,” said the ‘Special progress was checked by a 1-1 draw One’. at Sunderland and Southampton League Results Much more had been expected lost 1-0 to an Ashley Barnes goal when Hazard headed home at Burnley. Burnley 1 Southampton 0 Oscar’s seventh minute cross but That left the chasing Chelsea 2 Hull City 0 Chelsea were initially sloppy and pack, headed by third-placed Crystal Palace 1 Stoke City 1 Steve Bruce ended up unhappy Manchester United and West Leicester City 0 Manchester City 1 that Chelsea defender Gary Ham, 11 points behind Chelsea Cahill, already on a yellow card, Sunderland 1 West Ham Utd 1 and eight adrift of the champions. was not sent off after what the It also put pressure on Louis W Bromwich Albion 1 Aston Villa 0 Hull manager felt was a blatant Van Gaal’s United before their Arsenal 4 Newcastle 1 dive. match against Liverpool today. Only after Tom Huddlestone Joining yesterday winners Chelsea, smarting about was dismissed for a nasty sec- were Arsenal as a brace apiece their first defeat of the sea- ond half stamp on Filipe Luis for Olivier Giroud and Santi son at Newcastle last weekend, did Chelsea seal the deal, Costa Cazorla was enough to give responded with a performance scoring his 12th goal of the sea- Gunners a comfortable 4-1 win which satisfied manager Jose son from a Hazard assist after 68 over Newcastle and give Arséne Mourinho. minutes to make it eight home The podium winners at the National Day Endurance Cup pose for a picture with the owners and trainers at Wenger some respite. “It was not a special wins out of eight. AFP the awards ceremony. Zaqhwan tops in ARRC practice at Losail Circuit

DOHA: SuperSports 600cc Inagaki (Akeno Speed Racing) Khairul Idham Pawi continued his title contender, Zaqhwan Zaidi surprised rivals to take fourth perfect run in the developmental continues to lead the way in while Zamri Baba came in fifth Asia Dream Cup as he dominated the Petronas Asia Road Racing with 2’05.603s and 2’05.660s the third practice session with Championship (ARRC) as he respectively. 2’31.829s. SuperSports beat rival, Satoru Iwata for Meanwhile Gupita Kresna set a While he was more than two 600cc title the fastest time in the third new benchmark in the Underbone seconds quicker on Friday, yester- contender, practise session at the Losail 130cc and replaced the previous day saw Taiwan’s Chuang An-Yu Zaqhwan International Circuit yesterday. record (2’33.497s) set by Japanese close the gap on the Malaysian Zaidi in action Zaqhwan of Musashi Boon Siew rival, Kazuki Masaki yesterday. with 2’32.249s while Reitoku during the Honda Racing who topped the The Kawasaki KYT Rextor Kurogi of Japan rounded up the practise ses- opening practice yesterday posted Manual Tech rider who only needs top three with 2’32.978s. In the sion at Losail the quickest lap in 2’05.218s in his another 20 points to secure the Asia Dream Cup (ADC), the fast- ninth tour around the 5.380 kilo- Underbone 130cc title on Sunday est rider in the FP3 was Khairul International metre circuit with Iwata (T.Pro clocked the best lap in 2’32.899s Idham Pawi from Malaysia. Circuit Yuzy Honda) closing in on the ahead of Masaki (Team Honda Today, the first race of the yesterday. 19-year old late into the session RSC) second with 2’33.752s. day will be at 4:10pm for ADC. with 2’05.420s. Third quickest for the day was Underbone 130cc Race 1 will be at Yuki Ito of Petronas Hong Ahmad Fazrul Sham (Harian 16:50 and for SuperSports 600cc it Leong Yamaha came in third with Metro Y-TEQ SCK Honda will be at 18:10. The second races 2’05.465s. Racing) with 2’34.320s. of the day will be at 8:10pm, and Seasoned contenders, Makoto Newly crowned champion, 10:10pm. THE PENINSULA Hockey: Pakistan, Germany to clash in Champions Trophy final

BHUBANESWAR: Indian the first break, in the 17th minute, and claim the contest. “We made top hockey, we are doing well,” he hopes for a Champions Trophy when Qadir scored his first goal, some mistakes in the game. We added. title were dashed as Pakistan brilliantly guiding a right-sided could not capitalise some penalty Meanwhile, Pakistan team won 4-3 in a thrilling hockey centre into the roof of the net. corners in the match leading to landed themselves into trou- semi-final match at the Kalinga The teams went into the half- defeat in the match. Besides, our ble following their wild Stadium here yesterday. time break locked at 1-1. players took forward and forward celebrations. Muhammad Arslan Qadir Pakistan took the lead twice and forget to defence,” said Indian Their wild celebrations scored the winning goal two min- after resumption of play but India coach Roelant Oltmans said. irked the International Hockey utes from time to secure victory fought back on both occasions to Captain Sardar Singh hoped Federation (FIH), which ordered for Pakistan who will go on to make it a pulsating contest. that the team could rectify their an investigation and asked the face Germany in the title round. Muhammad Waqas (32 min- mistakes and come out stronger. tournament director to probe the Germany beat defending cham- utes) neatly guided the ball into “There are ups and downs in matter before the final today. pions Australia 3-2 in the first the net to put the visitors 2-1 up matches. We will ratify our mis- After beating India 4-3, semi-final earlier in the day. only for Dharamvir Singh (33) to takes committed in the match Pakistani players celebrated Aiming to enter the final for equalise through a brilliant back- and will emerge stronger in the opening their shirts while some the first time in the tournament, handed effort. coming match,” he said. players made some unruly ges- India began the match confidently. India barely ended their cel- “It’s a great victory for us, beat- tures towards the fans. Pakistan were also determined ebration, when they conceded ing India in India in a big game, The FIH took strong excep- to score and kept goalkeeper R. again failing to stop Syed Shah a semi-final of the Champions tion to the Pakistani players’ Sreejesh busy. (34) from scoring. Trophy. It’s not just a great vic- behaviour. India took the lead through Chandanda Thimmaiah (44) tory for us but our country. The “We will investigate into the Gurjinder Singh’s superbly taken brought the home team back into whole team played very well and matter. The tournament direc- penalty corner in the 12th minute. the contest for the second time, we needed this victory for our tor will investigate and submit the India’s Akashdeep Singh (right) in action against Pakistan’s Muhammad Pakistan earned a penalty cor- netting in the 44th minute. future, said Pakistan’s Rashid report before final. Appropriate Irfan during the 2014 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy semi-final match ner in the last second of the first Just when it looked like the Mehmood. action will be taken after examin- in Bhubaneswar, India, yesterday. Pakistan won 4-3 to reach the final. In quarter, but failed to capitalise on match was headed for a tie-break, “We didn’t play in the World ing the report,” Ken Read, com- the other semi-final Germany defeated defending champions Australia the opportunity. Qadir delivered the killer blow to Cup and have missed out on top petition committee chairman of 3-2. The final will be played today. But they equalised just after score his second goal of the match hockey. Now that we are back in FIH, told reporters. IANS SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31

Robben scores Getafe hold Barca twice as Bayern roll past Augsburg 4-0 to goalless draw BERLIN: Bayern Munich steamrolled Augsburg 4-0 with four goals in 13 minutes yes- Real extend perfect record to twenty terday to increase their lead to 10 points at the top of the Bundesliga and secure top spot MADRID: Barcelona lost Liga game in September. “Almeria for the winter break later this ground on Real Madrid when La Liga Results caused problems for us through- month. they were held to a 0-0 draw out the game but in the end our Winger Arjen Robben scored at rain-lashed Getafe yesterday and Fixtures quality showed through and we twice as Bayern, undefeated in and slipped four points behind deserved the win,” Real coach the league this season, outlasted the La Liga leaders. Getafe 0 Barcelona 0 Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. Augsburg, who managed to keep Real jetted off to the Club World On Friday “We found it difficult to keep pace for almost an hour before Cup in Morocco after Friday’s 4-1 Almeria 1 Real Madrid 4 possession as we lacked the nec- running out of steam. win at Almeria extended their Today’s Fixtures essary composure on the ball and “It is not always easy after a Spanish record winning streak Espanyol vs Granada CF (1100) Almeria worked hard. Champions League game but we to 20 matches and Barca strug- Sevilla vs Eibar (1600) “We are now in good form and did it very well today,” said Bayern gled against some gritty Getafe there are a lot of positive signs coach Pep Guardiola, whose team Atletico Madrid vs Villarreal (1800) defending at the Coliseum in the ahead of the Club World Cup.” beat CSKA Moscow in midweek. Madrid suburbs. Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club (2000) Real have had to cope with The Spaniard played down Barca forward Lionel Messi On Monday injuries to Luka Modric, Sami clinching the unofficial autumn was unable to convert the few Deportivo Coruna vs Elche (1945) Khedira and James Rodriguez championship which means they chances that came his way and which have allowed Isco to enjoy are top until the season resumes add to his 13 La Liga goals this their Spanish record for consecu- an extended run and he got his in January. season although he came closest tive victories in all competitions second La Liga goal of the season. “Autumn champion only means for the visitors when he curled a to 20. The midfielder put Real ahead we have won many games. But it 52nd-minute free kick against the Ronaldo struck twice in the with a superb curling effort from means nothing more than that,” crossbar. last 10 minutes to take his league the edge of the area after 34 min- said Guardiola. The Argentina captain has tally to 25 after first-half goals utes before Almeria drew level Defender Mehdi Benatia hit the frame of the goal eight from Isco and Gareth Bale had with a sweetly struck long-range headed in his first Bundesliga goal times in Spain’s top flight this seen the visitors go in 2-1 ahead volley by Verza. Bale then nodded in the 58th after Bayern com- term, twice as many times as the at halftime. in a cross by Toni Kroos to restore pletely dominated the Bavarian next most frequent, Real’s Karim The Portugal winger had been Real’s lead. clash but wasted chance after Benzema. left frustrated for most of the Real’s Iker Casillas kept them chance. Barca goalkeeper Claudio Bravo night but he burst into life late in front with an excellent pen- Earlier, Franck Ribery fired had little to do apart from leap- on when he knocked in a Karim alty save to deny Verza mid- wide with only Alex Manninger ing superbly to his left to palm a Benzema cut back from close way through the second half, to beat and the goalkeeper also shot from Getafe forward Angel range before putting away an Isco after Marcelo had fouled Edgar denied Robben. Lafita around the post in the 33rd pass from the centre of the pen- Mendez, before Ronaldo’s late But the Dutchman, in sen- minute. alty area to wrap up the victory. double gave the visitors a more sational form throughout 2014, Real have 39 points from 15 The European champions flattering scoreline. curled in a trademark left-foot matches, four ahead of Barca in travel to Morocco next week for Almeria, who sacked Francisco shot off the post in the 59th to second. Third-placed champions the Club World Cup with two Rodriguez last Tuesday and sink Augsburg, who snapped Atletico Madrid can draw level on more wins than the previous named Juan Ignacio Martinez Bayern’s unbeaten run last season. 35 points with Barca with a win at best which was Barca’s 18 victo- to replace him following the Robert Lewandowski slotted in home to Villarreal today. ries from October 2005 to January Real game, started at a high- his seventh goal of the campaign On Friday night, Cristiano 2006. tempo unlike the display against Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being tackled by an Almeria in the 68th and Robben grabbed Ronaldo hit a late double as Real last failed to win when Eibar last Monday when a 5-2 player during their Spanish First Division match at Juegos Mediterraneos his eighth with a clever low shot La Liga leaders Real Madrid they were beaten 2-1 by city defeat cost the coach his job. Stadium in Almeria on Friday night. from the edge of the box as the thumped Almeria 4-1 to extend rivals Atletico Madrid in a La AGENCIES hosts suffered their first loss in five games after four straight wins. Bayern are on 39 points from 15 Van Gaal has sympathy games, having won 10 of their last 11 matches, with two left to play until the winter break. VfL Wolfsburg, in second on 29, meet Paderborn on Sunday while with Rodgers’ problems Augsburg stay third on 24. Last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund continued MANCHESTER, United last five matches despite our list Van Gaal confirmed Colombian their erratic season, losing 1-0 at Kingdom: Manchester United of injuries and I’m pleased by that. striker Radamel Falcao would be Hertha Berlin to drop back down manager Louis van Gaal says “You have to give as a man- available, leaving Chris Smalling, into the relegation playoff spot in he has sympathy for Liverpool ager a lot of credit to the players Angel di Maria, Luke Shaw 16th. boss Brendan Rodgers after the because it is not so easy. and Danny Blind as the main Former Dortmund striker Reds’ poor start to the season. “The Premier League is not so absentees. Julian Schieber shook off two United meet arch rivals easy. Every game that we have, Falcao is likely to be named defenders to slot in five minutes Liverpool at Old Trafford today, even against bottom of the league, among the substitutes, with before the break as Dortmund with van Gaal’s side seeking to is very difficult to beat.” Wayne Rooney and Robin van suffered their ninth loss in 15 extend their wining run to six Today will be van Gaal’s first Persie starting in attack. matches. matches. match in charge of United against Dutch striker Van Persie has Fellow Champions League club Liverpool, who finished second Liverpool - who he almost joined scored three goals in his last three Schalke 04 suffered a similar fate, in the Premier League last season, as director of football two years appearances. slumping to a 2-1 loss against visi- are currently ninth in the table ago. Michael Carrick seems certain tors Cologne to drop to sixth on and crashed out of the Champions The Dutchman revealed that to retain his place in the team - 23. Werder Bremen’s talented League on Wednesday with a 1-1 assistant manger Ryan Giggs, either in midfield or as a make- Davie Selke scored in the 88th home draw with Basel. a veteran of many clashes with shift central defender. minute to rescue a point in their Rodgers has come in for criti- Liverpool during his 24-year play- The injury to Smalling could 3-3 draw against Hanover 96. cism during Liverpool’s poor run. ing career, had played a signifi- mean Carrick drops into defence They join Dortmund and Freiburg But, like United, Liverpool cant part in preparing the team if van Gaal chooses to maintain on 14 points. REUTERS have also had to cope with inju- for the match. the 3-5-2 shape used in the 2-1 ries to key players, including los- “As an assistant manager I have victory over Southampton on ing striker Mario Balotelli to a Ryan Giggs and he presented the Monday. Bundesliga Results hamstring strain on November 8. analysis of Liverpool and he did “It’s very important that he FC Augsburg 0 Bayern Munich 4 “The last matches of Liverpool it in a marvellous way - I’m very can play in midfield and defence, Hertha Berlin 1 Borussia Dortmund 0 they were a little bit unlucky,” van pleased,” van Gaal said. especially when we have a list of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi gestures during their Spanish La LIga match Freiburg 0 Hamburg SV 0 Gaal said on Friday. “I will not tell you (what it defenders injured. Because of him against Getafe at Coliseum Alfonso Perez Stadium in Getafe, near Schalke 1 Cologne 2 Madrid, yesterday. “You have to survive that as a included) but I can assure you we have more balance,” Van Gaal manager. We have managed our that it was marvellous.” said. AFP Werder Bremen 3 Hanover 3 Italian Super Cup trophy visits Villaggio Mall

DOHA: The Italian Super Cup the Italian Super Cup Doha 2014. Napoli’s prior appearances have trophy made a spectacular stop The trophy will be making been against Juventus, beating at Villaggio Mall this weekend, its next stop today, at the Qatar them 5–1 in 1990 but losing 2–4 Fans take a giving hundreds of fans the Foundation Official Opening of after extra time in 2012. picture with opportunity to see it up close the Awsaj Recreation. Juventus currently lead the the Super over the period of two days. The excitement of the tro- Serie A standings. Cup trophy Amongst the numerous specta- phy tour resonated on social This will be the seventh time at Villaggio tors, the official Juventus Doha media where fans used the that the Super Cup has been Mall on Fan Club was also present and dedicated hashtag of the match played abroad and the first time Friday. The had the chance to take photos and #SuperCoppaQatar. in Qatar. touch this iconic trophy. The 2014 Italian Super Cup Some of the earlier editions of Italian Super “We thank the Qatar Football TIM will be the 27th edition of the Super Cup which were not Cup clash Association (QFA) for organising this prestigious football competi- held in Italy were in Washington, between the trophy tour and making it tion, which will be played at the DC in 1993, in Tripoli, Libya in reigning possible for us as well as hundreds Hamad Bin Jassim Stadium on 2002, New Jersey in 2003 and Serie A of other fans to take memorable December 22 in Doha. Beijing on three occasions - 2009, champions pictures with the trophy,” Ahmed The match will between the 2011 and 2012. Juventus Al Sayid, a member of the official reigning Serie A champions, “We are grateful and absolutely and Napoli Juventus Doha Fan Club said. Juventus, and the winners of the happy with the opportunity to will take “We are excited to see our Coppa Italia, Napoli. bring our Super Cup here to an place at favourite team in Doha next week On one hand, Juventus, who interesting and prestigious coun- Jassim bin and extend our thanks to QFA for have qualified for the knocout try such as Qatar. Our matches Hamad organising this match which gives stage of the Champions League, are well attended world wide Stadium on us the opportunity to see the foot- will be making a record 10th and a huge privilege to bring the December ball stars of Juventus,” he added. appearance seeking a record sev- Super Cup, one of the product of 22. The trophy made its first stop enth Super Cup win and a third Serie A to Qatar,” Marco Brunelli, at Aspire Academy last week dur- successive one. CEO of Serie A said recently. ing the first press conference of On the other hand, both of THE PENINSULA Sunday 14 December 2014 22 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6279 Sport Price: QR2

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claim dramatic victory India captain Virat Kohli (right) and Spinner outshines Kohli’s second ton in 48-run triumph Australia’s David Warner exchange ADELAIDE: Australia beat a career-best, and giving the words India by 48 runs in a thrilling Australians the early advantage following a end to the first Test at Adelaide in the four-match series, which confrontation Oval yesterday, with Nathan resumes in Brisbane next week. on the fourth Lyon picking up seven wick- Kohli, in his first match as day of the ets after Virat Kohli scored an Indian captain, almost won the first Test at inspired century for the visitors. match single-handledly for his A match that had begun in country. the Adelaide high emotion after the death last He scored centuries in both Australia’s Oval on month of Australian batsman innings and dominated Australia’s Nathan Lyon Friday. Phillip Hughes ended in high bowlers on a pitch favouring spin. (left) celebrates drama after an absorbing final His career-best 141 came off dismissal day in South Australia. just 175 deliveries and featured of India’s Set 364 to win after Australia 16 fours and one six. He also Wriddhiman declared on their overnight score shared a third wicket partner- Saha on the of 290-5, India seemed to be on ship of 185 with Vjay, who made fourth day of their way to an unlikely victory half-centuries in each innings but the first Test at after a brilliant 141 from Kohli fell agonisingly short of a deserved the Adelaide and a gritty 99 from opener hundred. Murali Vijay. With India seemingly in con- Oval on Friday. But Lyon, a former grounds- trol at 242-2 after tea, Vijay sud- man at Adelaide Oval, turned denly had an attack of nerves and the match the home team’s way threw his wicket away with a rash with his offspinners, as India’s tail attempt to reach triple figures, Warner, Dhawan and collapsed and the tourists were trapped lbw by Lyon after swip- bowled out for 315. ing at the ball. Lyon finished with 7-152, giv- His departure triggered a cata- ing him 12 wickets for the match, strophic batting collapse as India Kohli fined by ICC

lost their last eight wickets for 27-Test left-hander called on all ADELAIDE: Australia’s David was docked 30 per cent of his Scoreboard just 73 runs with Lyon the chief the reserves of experience, stoi- Warner and India’s Shikhar match fee after an argument with Australia (I innings): ...... 517/7 decl India (II innings): destroyer. cism and compassion that saw Dhawan and Virat Kohli have Australian bowler Steven Smith India (I innings): ...... 444 M Vijay lbw Lyon ...... 99 Kohli continued to play a lone him through the death of David been fined by the International following a rejected lbw appeal Australia (II innings): S Dhawan c Haddin b Johnson ...... 9 hand but when he mistimed a Hookes a decade earlier. Cricket Council (ICC) for ill- against Rohit Sharma. “The three C Rogers c R Sharma b K Sharma ...... 21 C Pujara c Haddin b Lyon ...... 21 pull shot and was caught in the Former Australian batsman tempered incidents during the players admitted the offences and D Warner b K Sharma ...... 102 V Kohli c M Marsh b Lyon ...... 141 deep, the end came quickly for the Hughes’ funeral was on December fourth day of the first Test in accepted the sanctions proposed S Watson b Shami...... 33 A Rahane c Rogers b Lyon ...... 0 visitors. 3 leaving head coach Lehmann Adelaide. by Jeff Crowe of the Elite Panel M Clarke c Saha b Aaron ...... 7 Ro Sharma c Warner b Lyon ...... 6 Australia’s win did come at cost, just six days to prepare an emo- Warner and Dhawan were fined of ICC Match Referees. As such, S Smith (not out) ...... 52 W Saha b Lyon ...... 13 however, with captain Michael tionally drained Test unit for 15 and 30 per cent of their respec- there was no need for a formal M Marsh c Vijay b Ro Sharma ...... 40 K Sharma (not out) ...... 4 Clarke limping off the field with the performance of their lives in tive match fees for a confronta- hearing,” the ICC said in a state- B Haddin (not out) ...... 14 M Shami c Johnson b Harris ...... 5 a hamstring problem that he said Adelaide. tion after the Australian opener ment yesterday. Extras (B-1, LB-6, NB-9, W-5) ...... 21 V Aaron lbw Johnson ...... 1 would likely keep him out for the “He has great empathy and has was bowled by a no-ball. The match was Australia’s first Total (for 5 wkts decl) ...... 290 I Sharma st Haddin b Lyon ...... 1 remainder of the series. shown enormous care for them, India paceman Varun Aaron since the death of their former Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-140, 3-168, 4-213, Extras (B-5, LB-8, W-2) ...... 15 Meanwhile, Australia coach particularly with what they’ve had celebrated after rattling batsman Phillip Hughes, who was 5-266. Total (all out) ...... 315 Darren Lehmann’s been lauded as been through in recent times,” Warner’s stumps, only for the struck on the head by a bouncer Did not bat: P Siddle, M Johnson, R Harris, N Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-57, 3-242, 4-242, the “rock” — restoring men bro- said Cricket Australia, general batsmen to retaliate towards the during a first-class match in Lyon. 5-277, 6-299, 7-304, 8-309, 9-314, 10-315. ken by Phillip Hughes’ passing to manager — high performance, Pat bowler after his let-off. Sydney two weeks ago. Bowling: M Shami 11-2-42-1; I Sharma 14-3- Bowling: M Johnson 16-2-45-2(w-2); R Harris an indomitable, first Test fighting Howard of Lehmann. Dhawan was involved in a Australia beat India by 48 runs 41-0(nb-6); K Sharma 16-2-95-2; M Vijay 19-6-49-1; N Lyon 34.1-5-152-7; P Siddle machine against India. “You could say that he has been heated exchange with the fiery on Saturday in the first game of 6-0-27-0; R Sharma 12-2-35-1; V Aaron 10-0- 9-3-21-0; S Watson 2-0-6-0; S Smith 3-0-18- Lehmann also ensured a rock for many of the group since Australian after the next deliv- the four test-series. The second 43-1(nb-2 w-1). 0; M Marsh 4-1-11-0. Australia dealt with the cold Phillip’s passing. That’s a measure ery. India captain Kohli, depu- Test starts on Wednesday in reality of Hughes’ loss. The of a great leader.” AGENCIES tising for the injured MS Dhoni, Brisbane. REUTERS Mohamad’s brace helps Lekhwiya sink Qatar SC

DOHA: Ismail Mohamad scored a brace as Lekhwiya QSL Results continued their winning run at Lekhwiya bt Qatar SC 3-1 the Qatar Stars League (QSL), Al Khor bt Al Arabi 1-0 with a 3-1 victory over Qatar SC Umm Salal bt Al Gharafa 4-3 yesterday. A total of four matches were Al Wakra bt El Jaish 2-1 played in the lucrative league Today’s Fixtures with Umm Salal, Al Khor and Al 4pm: Al Sadd vs Al Shahaniya at Al Gharafa Wakra overcoming their respec- Stadium tive opponents in other games. 6:30pm: Al Sailiya vs Al Ahli at Al Wakra Desperate to beat Qatar SC in Stadium a bid to catch-up points leaders 6:30pm: Al Khairatiyat vs Al Shamal at Al Al Sadd, the defending champions Khor Stadium dominated Qatar SC throughout to seal a commanding victory. Mardanli completed his triplet, The first ten minutes of the finding targets in 20, 46 and 63rd match saw Mohamad taking pro- minute of the match to ensure full ceedings beyond Qatar SC’s reach three points for his side. with a quick brace, netting goals Elsewhere, Al Wakra stunned in second and eighth minute. higher-ranked El Jaish 2-1, The Qatar SC never posed thanks to a pair of goals by Jorge threat to the Michael Laudrup’s Sebastian Saez who struck in 35 side as after much silence in the and 56th minute to give his side best part of the match, Vadimir a memorable win. Weiss made it 3-0 in the 77th Al Khor also claimed full points minute before Hamdi Harbaoui after edging out Al Arabi 1-0 with earned a consolation goal, five William Junior Souza being the minutes before real time. only scorer of the game. Later at the Qatar SC Stadium, Three matches will be played hat-trick hero Ismail Mahmoud in QSL today with Al Sadd to Al Gharafa’s Mustafa Abdulla (right) tackles Muhammad Sayed of Umm Salal during their Qatar Stars League (QSL) match at Qatar SC Stadium in Mardanli guided Umm Salal to an be seen in action against Al Doha, yesterday. RIGHT: Lekhwiya’s Karim Bu Daif (right) in action with Mahir Yusuf Bakur of Qatar SC in another QSL game. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT emphatic 4-3 win over Al Gharafa. Shahaniya. THE PENINSULA