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Sunday 18 January 2015 • 27 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6314 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Range Rover Emir meets US senators outlet shut for a month Crackdown on violations continues

DOHA: In its ongoing crack- the showrooms were closed for a down on erring vehicle deal- month. ers, the Ministry of Economy In the last week of December, and Commerce shuttered yet the ministry slapped closure another popular car showroom notice on another showroom that yesterday. The Ministry closed sells a popular brand on a similar down the Range Rover show- charge. This showroom was also The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah with US Senators John room of Al Fardan Premier ordered to close for a month for McCain, Lindsey Graham, Joe Donnelly, Angus King and Tim Kaine at Al Bahr Palace yesterday. Motors in Al Sadd area for violating the consumer law. allegedly trying to dupe cus- Angry customers are venting tomers by selling ‘dented and their ire against the erring com- painted’ vehicles as new. panies on social media: “When This is the fourth showroom to you go for buying a new car, the OPINION be closed down in less than two dealers never disclose the details Shia militia seizes Yemen months on similar charges. The of a pre-registered car to the cus- news has evoked angry reaction tomer until it is registered in a The suffering of among people who have called for customer’s name. How does the curtailing monopolies in the auto- customer know whether it is new president’s chief of staff Syrian refugees mobile market who they said are or a used one? The ministry can taking the customers for a ride. open a website for allowing cus- SANA’A: Shia militiamen in responsibility for the January 7 stopped by militiamen in Houthi he cold wave sweeping The Ministry of Economy and tomers to check car chassis and control of Yemen’s capital seized attack on French satirical maga- tribal clothes in the southern parts of Middle East Commerce announced the Al engine number so that they can President Abdrabuh Mansur zine Charlie Hebdo that killed Hada district, a witness said. Tshould remind us of Fardan showroom will be closed identify whether a car is new or a Hadi’s chief of staff yesterday 12 people. He was seized and driven to an the warmth and stability we for one month from yesterday, for used one and when it was imported in a new challenge to his lead- Yemeni authorities said yes- unknown location, an official from are enjoying, and it should trying to dupe customers. “The into Qatar. If required, the minis- ership of the violence-plagued terday they had arrested two the national dialogue secretariat also remind us of our duty reason for the closure is that the try can charge a nominal fee.” country. Frenchmen for questioning over told AFP. Ahmadi said talks were towards car dealers tried to cheat buyers “It is surprising to see such a The abduction of Ahmed suspected Al Qaeda links. under way to secure his release. our broth- for trying to sell repaired vehicles giant auto dealer doing the nasty Awad bin Mubarak, who heads The Charlie Hebdo attack was In a statement, the militia said ers who as new. The closure decision is in things to their customer”, read a a “national dialogue” on Yemen’s carried out by French brothers Mubarak’s detention was neces- are freez- line with Article 18 of Law No 8, post on a popular social media site. political transition, came shortly Said and Cherif Kouachi saying sary to prevent a UN-brokered ing in 2008”, the Ministry said yesterday. On the decision to close down the before he was to attend a meeting they acted on behalf of AQAP. agreement between the presi- refugee In December 2014, the minis- showroom, a customer said: “The on a proposed new constitution The former visited Yemen in dency and them in September camps, try closed down three popular car closure of Range Rover showroom opposed by the Huthi militia. 2011, according to Yemeni security “from being broken,” without after showrooms for allegedly trying means that no one is above the law”. Yemen has been dogged by sources, while Cherif himself told clarifying Mubarak’s role. being dis- sell damaged cars as new. During Another customer said: “It’s instability since the ouster in 2012 French media he also travelled to The “national peace and part- placed by Dr Khalid Al Jaber the second week of December, shocking to know that major of strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh, the country that same year. nership agreement” was signed in wars and the Consumer Protection car dealers are law-breakers. In with the Houthis and Al Qaeda “There are around 1,000 September as the Houthis over- persecution of their rulers. Department under the Ministry fact, Qatar should throw open its battling to fill the power vacuum. Al Qaeda militants in Yemen from ran Sanaa. Forced to leave their sealed showrooms of two popular automobile market and let the The Houthis are widely believed 11 Arab and non-Arab countries,” It called for forming a new gov- homes, they are living in tents car dealers for allegedly cheat- customers enjoy the benefits of a to be backed by Saleh. national security service chief ernment and appointing Houthi in open air in the chilling ing customers. According to the competitive market rather than Al Qaeda in the Arabian General Mohammed Al Ahmadi advisors to Hadi, and demanded weather in Jordan, Lebanon, Ministry, the cars the company allowing monopolists to take peo- Peninsula (AQAP) also has a told reporters yesterday. the Shia militiamen withdraw Turkey and Iraq. Reports say tried to sell as new were actually ple for a ride”. THE PENINSULA record of acting well beyond Mubarak and several compan- from key state institutions they around 100,000 Syrian refu- damaged in road accidents. Both Pictures on page 2 its Yemeni base, and claimed ions in his armoured car were had seized. AFP gees in Lebanon are victims of harsh winter and making it worse, they are facing an acute shortage of food, medi- Attiyah car-ries the day cines, clothes and heating fuel. US and UK Three killed in road accident It’s reprehensible that the suffering of these refugees DOHA: Three expatriates were burnt to death and three injured in over the past four years hasn’t disagree on a road accident in Industrial Area Friday evening. moved the global conscience The accident took place on Street No 2 when the car carrying to rescue the distressed chil- surveillance the victims hit a divider and caught fire after overturning, a local dren, women and elders. Malayalam daily reported. The victims were not identified. Assad’s war against his LONDON: Barack Obama and THE PENINSULA people, attacks of terrorist David Cameron struck differ- groups, and the trauma of ent notes on surveillance pow- ordinary Syrians have gone ers after the president conceded More rains forecast today unnoticed while the global that there is an important leaders quickly gathered in balance to be struck between DOHA: Some parts of the country received scattered rains last Paris to condemn the kill- monitoring terror suspects and evening. The Meteorology Department has forecast more rains ing of 12 journalists, which protecting civil liberties. today. “Thunderstorms are expected at places, accompanied by strong is of course an atrocious As Cameron warned the inter- winds and poor visibility,” the department said yesterday. and condemnable act, but net giants that they must do more Temperature in Doha would hover between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius the same world is turning a to ensure they do not become while it could dip to 14 degrees Celsius in the outer areas. The north- blind eye and is not reacting platforms for terrorist commu- westerly winds would blow at speeds ranging from three to 12 knots to the daily killings by poi- nications, the US president said in the early part of the day. sonous gases, explosions and he welcomed the way in which The winds would gather momentum by evening with missiles. civil liberties groups hold them a speed of 16 to 22 knots reaching 30 knots at places. Continued on page 2 to account by tapping them on the THE PENINSULA shoulder. Obama agreed with the prime minister that there could be no spaces on the internet for terror- Five killed in Charlie Hebdo protests ists to communicate that could not be monitored by the intelli- NIAMEY: At least five people were killed yester- President Mahamadou Issoufou said all five of the gences agencies, subject to proper day in protests in Niger against Charlie Hebdo’s dead were civilians, with four of them killed inside oversight. cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), burned churches or bars. He said an enquiry would But, unlike Cameron, the presi- authorities said, bringing the death toll from two be opened and those responsible for organising the dent encouraged groups to ensure days of violence in the country to 10. violence would be punished. that he and other leaders do not Police fired tear gas at crowds of stone-throwing “Those who pillage religious sites and profane abandon civil liberties. Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar, winner of the 2015 Dakar Rally auto category, Muslim youths who set fire to churches and looted them, those who persecute and kill their Christian The prime minister adopted holds the country’s flag while celebrating on the podium in Buenos Aires shops in the capital Niamey after authorities banned compatriots or foreigners who live on our soil, have a harder stance on the need yesterday. Al Attiyah clinched his second Dakar Rally car title to give a meeting called by local Islamic leaders. A police understood nothing of Islam,” he said in a televised for internet companies such as British marque Mini their fourth consecutive success in the gruelling station was attacked and at least two police cars address. The president added that he shared the Facebook and Twitter to do more event. The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani congratulated burned. disgust of Muslims who felt offended by the cari- to cooperate with the surveillance Al Attiyah on winning the title after nearly two weeks of domination of “They offended our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), catures and that freedom of expression should not of terror suspects. the event. See also page 28 that’s what we didn’t like,” said Amadou Abdoul mean liberty to insult religious beliefs. REUTERS THE GUARDIAN Ouahab, who took part in the demonstrations. See also page 10 SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME UN urged to implement PM meets US senators Palestine resolutions NEW YORK: Qatar has reiter- right of the Palestinian people to said it is a humanitarian duty ated its call for the UN Security national unity and to establish an of the international community Council to implement its reso- independent state but such steps to increase financial and moral lutions and international con- require support from the interna- support. sensus by adopting a binding tional community by taking steps The humanitarian situation decision that obliges Israel to to end the Israeli occupation of should be a motivation to cope end occupation of Palestinian Arab lands, build Palestinian state with the original causes of the and Arab territories, stop set- institutions, end unjust siege on crisis, she said, adding that Qatar tlement activities and prac- the Gaza Strip and rebuild it and responded to UN appeals and tices that violate international provide opportunities for a decent continued to provide urgent aid law and take action based on life for its residents. and became the top contributor a time-bound plan to achieve She said regional security, sta- to the UN Emergency Response the two-state solution based on bility and peace, including those Fund for Syria. well-known foundations, includ- of Israel, necessitate steps to The Syrian crisis, in its fifth ing the Arab peace initiative. establish a Palestinian state based year, obliges everyone to work to The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday met US Qatar’s Permanent on the 1967 borders, with East end terrible crimes perpetrated senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Joe Donnelly, Angus King and Tim Kaine and discussed cooperation Representative to the UN, Jerusalem as its capital that lives by the regime, which destabilised and means of enhancing it and topics of mutual interest. Ambassador Sheikha Alya peacefully side by side with Israel the region and led to the spread of Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, made to ensure Palestinians’ rights. terrorism, she said, point out that the remarks as she addressed a Sheikha Alya called for an end everyone agrees that the solu- Security Council session on the to violation of the freedom of wor- tion lies in a political transition situation in the Middle East, ship by Israel which tries to break based on the Geneva declaration Father Emir including the Palestinian issue. into Al Aqsa Mosque and prevent to achieve the legitimate aspira- Qatar envoy highlights She said Qatar has always people from entering it. tions of the Syrian people. visits 25th Doha tried to play a positive and active She said Qatar condemns such The diplomat said non-com- role in achieving a permanent, violations that threaten chances pliance with Security Council US women’s role Book Fair just and sustainable settlement of peace in the Middle East. resolutions, including Resolution to the Palestinian issue and was A few months after a donors No. 2118, is alarming as the latest WASHINGTON: Qatari He said the Qatari plan includes DOHA: The Father Emir H among the first to take steps to conference on Gaza reconstruc- report of a fact-finding mission of Ambassador to the US four objectives to be achieved by H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa enhance chances of reaching a tion in Cairo, the enclave still Organisation for the Prohibition Mohamed Jaham Al Kuwari 2030 — economic development Al Thani yesterday visited peaceful solution. She said Qatar awaits efforts after infrastructure, of Chemical Weapons had con- yesterday met American women which will transform Qatar to the 25th Doha International is part of the international con- residential buildings and public firmed allegations of systematic experts in political affairs. business hub in the Middle East; Book Fair at Qatar National sensus on backing the rights of facilities were damaged by the use of prohibited chemical weap- During the meeting organised social development which will Conference Centre. He toured the Palestinian people, especially Israeli aggression, she said, add- ons such as chlorine gas in Syria. by the Women’s Foreign Policy focus on building a large network pavilions where he was briefed their right to self-determination, a ing that Qatar addressed the huge Sheikha Alya reiterated Qatar’s Group, Al Kuwari highlighted of social institutions and sup- on publishing houses partici- consensus that was obvious in UN humanitarian needs by pledging support for the Syrian people the group’s activities in the fields porting infrastructure; human pating in the expo. He was General Assembly’s decisions and $1bn during the conference. to end violence and crimes and of education, foreign and training development which will pro- accompanied by Sheikha Al the recognition by the majority of Referring to the cold wave in achieve their legitimate aspira- and these were a fine example not vide outstanding higher educa- Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, countries of a Palestinian state. the region and the suffering of tions to preserve the sovereignty, only for young women in the US tion and opportunities to apply Chairperson, Board of Trustees, She said Arabs and Palestinians millions of Syrian and Iraqi ref- independence and unity of Syria. but also girls worldwide. it effectively and productively; Qatar Museums. took steps in line with the basic ugees and displaced people, she QNA He referred to similar and environmental development QNA groups in Qatar such as Qatari which will promote investment in Businesswomen Association clean technology. Syrian refugees founded as an economic organi- Dr Al Kuwari also talked about Courts hear 1,777 cases in nine months zation focussing on the advance- investment in the infrastructure need urgent aid ment of women and appreciation of Qatar, explaining that Doha DOHA: A total of 1,777 cases Khalid Abdullah Al Zara, Head, and 19 against it in civil cases. Of of their contributions to the is expected to spend more than Continued from page 1 were heard by courts from Cases Department, the Ministry administrative claims, 55 percent community. He said the asso- $65bn on housing, roads, water The inability of the interna- October 2013 to June 2014. of Justice. verdicts were in favour of the gov- ciation had launched initiatives systems, airports and shipping tional community to act has Of these, about 68 percent He was speaking in a popular ernment and 41 percent against such as Qatari Businesswomen facilities. On the long-term turned the Syrian issue into a were claims against the govern- programme Tarahib (Welcomes) it, Al Sharq reports. Only four Award, Corporate Ambassadors strategy of Qatar with respect huge humanitarian crisis. ment and 32 percent filed by aired by Al Rayan TV Channel. percent cases were solved ami- Programme and Qatar to investment, he said Qatar will The world, including Arab the government against private Some 81 percent of the cases cably, Al Zara said. International Businesswomen invest in many countries. countries and the GCC, failed to companies and individuals, said were ruled in favour of the state THE PENINSULA Forum. “However we welcome foreign deliver relief supplies, at least on Al Kuwari said, “We value investment, notably from the US,” time, to help refugees face the and encourage the role played by he said, stressing the importance winter and rescue them from organisations such as association of Qatari-US partnership. slow death. at the local, regional and inter- He also shed light on Qatari Syrian refugees need urgent national levels as women are an projects in the US, noting that support to survive and preserve essential element in all sectors — Qatar donated $100m for relief their dignity, and they are not business, education, sports and efforts in New Orleans and interested in recriminations economy.” He also highlighted the Gulf of Mexico to help vic- between the East and West. economic cooperation between tims of Hurricane Katrina and It is a common responsibility, Qatar and the US, noting that recently launched in downtown but Arabs and Muslims have a Doha sought to diversify its econ- Washington the ‘City Centre’ duty to remain in the forefront of omy to shift from reliance on the project, a $1.5bn pilot develop- rescue and humanitarian efforts. energy sector. ment. QNA THE PENINSULA

Range Rover showroom closed

An official (top) from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce closing Al Fardan’s showroom in Al Sadd and (above) a closure notice seen on the doors of the premises. MINISTRY & KAMMUTTY VP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

IOC president arrives

Top officials with members of the judges panel at the event. 67 nominations received for International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach arrived yesterday to attend the 24th World Men’s Handball Championship. He and his delegation were welcomed at Hamad International Airport by the Chairman of the organising committee for the championship H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary- Qatari Entrepreneur Awards General Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Al Bidaa Satellite Channel Panel of 14 judges begins evaluation, winners to be honoured in March DOHA: The Social ventures in Qatar. They aim a leading entrepreneurship to entrepreneurship for compa- Development Centre (SDC), a to honour the owners of pilot programme. nies and individuals who sup- member of Qatar Foundation projects and supporters through “As a result, Reyada has port the owners of pilot projects available on Es’hail 1 for Social Action, has received recognition and monetary attracted entrepreneurs to nomi- and contribute to national DOHA: Es’hailSat, Qatar Al Bidaa Satellite TV, in soft 67 applications for its third edi- rewards. nate promising projects that will development. Satellite Company, has launch, is available in HD and tion of Reyada — the Qatari The initiative also aims to contribute to economic diversi- Reyada aims to be transparent announced that Al Bidaa adds to the attractive line-up of Entrepreneur Awards. encourage people to develop fication we aspire and promote throughout the programme and Satellite TV is now available via TV content broadcast on Es’hail The deadline for applications entrepreneurial skills and com- a business/entrepreneurship the winners are selected through the Es’hail 1 satellite located 1 satellite. ended last December 28 and petencies, in addition to enhanc- environment.” strict criteria. The judges are at the 25.5 east hotspot neigh- Es’hailSat’s CEO, Ali Ahmed preparations for the evaluation ing the business environment. The awards are divided into experienced entrepreneurship bourhood covering the Middle Al Kuwari, said: “We are of applications have started by Munther Al Dawood, Projects three categories — the New leaders and their evaluation will East and North Africa (Mena) delighted that Al Rayaan Media a judges’ panel of 14 represent- & Investment Manager, SDC, Venture Challenge Award for be documented and aired during region. & Marketing has chosen Es’hail ing the entrepreneurial sector in said, “The quality of applications distinctive and advanced busi- the ceremony. Al Bidaa is part of Al Rayaan 1 satellite. With premium news Qatar and not affiliated to SDC. and projects have improved this ness ideas, whether imple- Hamad Al Safar, Head, Arabic Satellite TV channels and sports channels and a grow- The awards are open to Qataris year, which reflects the strength mented or in the ideation phase; Entrepreneurship Support launched in 2012 to focus on ing bouquet of content, we believe who have new plans or existing and competitiveness of awards the Entrepreneur Achiever Section, SDC, said, “Since its Qatari culture and national that we have the optimum solu- start-ups and institutions sup- compared to the previous edi- Award for entrepreneurs who inception, SDC has played a identity. tion for broadcasters and viewers port entrepreneurs. tions. This year, Reyada was have succeeded in the develop- vital role in developing the To make the authentic Qatar in Mena. Winners will be announced also promoted on social media, ment of small and medium busi- Qatari economy by planting the known to the rest of the world “Choosing Es’hailSat further and celebrated in a ceremony in which saw excellent turnout of nesses which contribute to the spirit of initiative and opening and highlight Qatari aspects, the demonstrates the value of our March. ambitious Qatari youth. The achievement of Qatar National opportunities for young people channel supports Qatar National broadcasting independence, qual- The awards were launched motivation and support given to Vision 2030; and the Outstanding through comprehensive training Vision 2030 and is seen as a ity of service and our market pen- in 2011 to encourage entrepre- participants in previous years Entrepreneurial Support Award and development programmes.” guardian of Qatari culture. etration.” QNA neurship start-ups and scaled-up has positioned the awards as for the best community support THE PENINSULA

Specialised training programme for food inspectors begins today

DOHA: A specialised train- ministry said yesterday. information required for report- As part of the practical ses- health and safety of food, con- Legal Adviser, Majdi Abdullah, ing programme for food The theoretical aspect will ing violations. sion, inspectors will visit food taminants, fundamentals of risk Head, Health Control Section, inspectors at the Ministry include the legal framework for Technical training covers the establishments, factories and collection and control of critical Al Rayyan Municipality, Amal of Municipality and Urban the inspection process, ways for principles of public health and enterprises in the food indus- points system, modern methods Al Muhannadi, Acting Head, Planning begins today at the settling food violations, sampling health requirements for food try to train them in the proce- of inspection and control of food, Training Section, Dr Abir Saad, ministry premises. method and the procedure for establishments, the general dures for reporting violations, principles of biochemistry and training expert, Dr Essam Al Participants will receive theo- communicating with the cen- methods of food inspection and methods of virtual screening food quality control. Ashri, Legal Adviser, and Dr retical and practical training to tral laboratory, violations that causes of food contamination and sensory assessment of food The programme will be super- Shady Ziyada and Dr Hassan increase their efficiency in food might be reported or settled such as germinal pollution and during inspections. The course vised by a ministry team com- Albeyrome, food experts. monitoring and inspections, the otherwise, and the mandatory toxic pollution. includes introduction to the prising Dr Ahmed Abu Mustafa, THE PENINSULA QA’s A350 flight welcomed in Frankfurt DOHA: Qatar Airways’ (QA) implemented with this aircraft inaugural A350 XWB flight type: passengers, airlines, air- was welcomed at Germany’s ports and their surrounding Frankfurt Airport on regions. The significant reduc- Thursday, marking the start of tion in noise emissions achieved the A350 XWB service between by the A350 will help contribute Frankfurt and Doha, with the to quieter flying at Frankfurt,” new aircraft’s equipment and said Anke Giesen, Fraport AG innovative technology deliv- Executive Board Member for ering an unparalleled travel Operations (COO). experience to passengers. The A350 XWB is operating QA is the global launch cus- QA’s one of the two daily services tomer of A350 XWB, the most to Frankfurt, the airline’s first fuel efficient and ultra-modern destination for this aircraft on aircraft by Airbus. its network of 146 destinations. It was delivered to QA last QA is the only airline in the December 22 in Toulouse, France. world to operate every fam- QA’s second A350 XWB is Akbar Al Baker (centre), Group Chief Executive, QA, with other officials ily of Airbus’ modern portfolio. expected to join its fleet next at Frankfurt Airport. In addition to 80 A350s it has month, which will also begin ordered, QA has a current Airbus commercial operations on the first commercial flight of the aircraft, it will be a good neigh- fleet of the A320, A330 Freighter, Frankfurt route on March 1. A350 XWB for nearly a decade. bour at every airport,” added A319LR, A321, A330, A340 and The Fraport Executive Board It filled me with pride and satis- Brégier. A380 families. The daily flight on and representatives of Qatar faction to see the first passengers “The inauguration of the Doha-Frankfurt route with A350 Airways Europe welcomed QA, enjoy the comfort and quietness A350 XWB route from Doha from January 15: Departure from the A350 XWB flight, Akbar Al of the aircraft. The A350 XWB to Frankfurt marks another Doha QR67 at 07.40, arriving in Baker, Group Chief Executive, delivers a 25 percent improve- milestone in aviation, which Frankfurt at 12.30, and depar- QA, and Fabrice Brégier, ment in fuel efficiency to its Frankfurt Airport is proud to ture from Frankfurt QR68 15.25, President and CEO. operators and being the world’s share. We will all benefit from arriving in Doha at 23.25. “This is an important mile- quietest twin-engine widebody the latest technology being THE PENINSULA stone for QA, and our first com- mercial A350 flight was filled with passengers enjoying the inaugural and exclusive travel experience this new aircraft has to offer. The A350 XWB changes the travel experience and we are pleased to put it on our route to Frankfurt; an important desti- nation we started servicing in 2002,” said Al Baker. Qatar Airways’ first A350 flight from Doha arrives in Frankfurt. “We had worked towards this SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Al Wakra Hospital visitors up 77pc in a year

DOHA: Al Wakra Hospital, for- care and a full range of services, increased bed capacity, trained mally opened in December 2012, including paediatrics, dentistry, burns experts and other special- is attracting more and more citi- dermatology, burns, diabetes and ist services at the hospital. zens and residents, with its mas- surgery. Diabetic patients can receive sive infrastructure and specialised “The local community has benefit- the care they need closer to services, reveals data released ted greatly since the opening of the home thanks to the opening of by Hamad Medical Corporation hospital as they are able to access the National Diabetes Centre in (HMC). a full range of secondary and ter- October 2014. Visitors to the Emergency tiary healthcare services close to The centre on the ground Department at the hospital increased home and no longer need to travel floor of the Outpatient by 77 percent in one year while its to Doha for much of their hospital Department provides access to Outpatient Department saw an care,” said Wilson Ross, Acting CEO specialised care in one location. increase of 48 percent between 2013 of the hospital. About 800 patient visits per and 2014. Dr Mahmoud Al Heidous, Acting month are expected at the facil- The hospital also reported a 77 Medical Director of the hospi- ity modelled on the National percent increase in child births dur- tal, said: “We have seen extensive Diabetes Centre at Hamad ing the same period, with 3,673 in growth across many areas, includ- General Hospital, which opened 2014 compared to 2,077 in 2013. ing an increase in the number of last March. Visitors to the Outpatient patients we care for and an expan- In May 2014, Al Wakra Department increased from 80,052 sion of the range of services we offer. Hospital achieved accredita- in 2013 to 118,660 in 2014, up 48 Several key services have also been tion from Joint Commission percent. established at the hospital, includ- International (JCI), which rec- The Emergency Department ing HMC’s Burns Unit and a new ognises high-quality healthcare received 302,325 visitors in 2014 National Diabetes Centre.” organisations around the world. compared to 170,667 in 2013, up 77 The Burns Unit previously at The achievement means all percent. Rumailah Hospital was relocated HMC hospitals, Ambulance With nearly 3,000 staff, including to a state-of-the-art facility at Al Service and Home Healthcare 217 doctors working across a wide Wakra Hospital in February 2014. Service have been accredited variety of specialities, the hospital Patients benefit by having access to by JCI. Al Wakra Hospital is attracting more and more citizens and residents since its opening in December 2012. offers patients dedicated, specialised a modern, purpose-built facility with THE PENINSULA Mixed reaction to ban on overloaded cars at check post DOHA: Citizens and expatri- stop all cars with passengers with them and leave others at to visit Qatar? ates have given mixed reac- above the permissible capacity home, she added. “They have also big families tion to the decision of the from exiting or entering the Regarding safety of motor- like we have. They will be sent Ministry of Interior to send border post for the safety of the ists and commuters, she said, back from the check post. Is it back the cars overloaded with passengers. “The safety can be maintained reasonable? They will be turned passengers from Abu Samra “The ministry did not con- through other measures and back because they will be car- check post. sider Qatari families most of not by reducing the number of rying more children more than The decision will impact local which have several children, passengers.” permitted. It is strange.” tourism since some visitors housemaids and elderly parents The decision can also However, Al Juri Saeed wel- from neighbouring countries and relatives. They wanted to adversely affect local tourism as comed the decision and argued may avoid Qatar, according to take entire families for Omrah tourists from other GCC coun- that it was taken for the safety some people. or other neighbouring countries tries arrive in Qatar by road, of the passengers. Some motor- And those with one car and for fun,” a Qatari woman told especially at this time, she said. ists carrying too many passen- big families may cancel plans Al Arab. “GCC tourists are flooding gers pose danger to themselves to visit Saudi Arabia and other The decision will force them Qatar. We were surprised when and others and breach safety neighbouring states, they said. to cancel trips because they can- we heard about the decision. and security measures, he The ministry has decided to not take some family members What about tourists who want added. THE PENINSULA QRC provides winter aid for Syrian refugees DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) staff are working to provid- ing assistance under its Warm Winter Programme for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan and Syria. As the temperature dropped to minus eight degrees Celsius in some areas amid Huda snow- storm, Rashid bin Saad Al Mohannadi, Director, Social Development Department, QRC, and Aiham Al Sukhni, Head, Disaster Management, Relief and International QRC staff distribute winter aid to Syrian refugees in Zaatari Camp.

Development Department, the camp’s ground was QRC, went to Lebanon paved with gravel to pre- with a QRC risk reduc- vent water pools. tion team to supervise the QRC social facilities programme and coordi- were opened to accommo- nate with local authori- date refugees whose tents ties and the international or caravans were damaged organisations. by snow. In Turkey, the QRC mis- Globally recognised as a sion was early in place to member of International avoid last year’s inconven- Red Cross and Red ience for Syrian refugees Crescent Movement, and due to delayed interna- thanks to the protection tional relief interventions. of its emblem, staff, and They secured 22,400 vehicles under interna- family blankets, 5,000 tional laws and conven- children’s wool garments, tions, which gives it access 6,000 tarpaulins, and heat- to hot zones and the abil- ing oil. ity to help the vulnerable, In Lebanon, where the the QRC mission in Jordan numbers of Syrian refugees reached out to internally registered with the Office displaced people (IDP) of the United Nations camps in southern Syria High Commissioner for (Al Amal, Al Breiqa, Seed, Refugees (UNHCR) and Beer Ajam) and dis- totalled 1,160,021, in addi- tributed 6,000 blankets, tion to 29,587 unregistered 2,000 mattresses and pil- ones, the QRC mission lows and 1,000 mats. prepared in the run-up to The ground of Bab Al the winter a 500-blanket Salamah refugee camp distribution campaign to was paved with gravel to help refugees survive the prevent rain from mixing cold snap. with the soil and form- A focus was on refugee ing mud pools, which can camps in Arsal, which are cause diseases among the poorly designed to pro- camp’s 2,000 Syrian fami- tect against the freezing lies. QRC staff are distrib- weather. uting 24,000 blankets and In Jordan, reported by 350,000kg of heating wood UNHCR to have received to 4,000 families in the 618,086 Syrians, relief aid blockaded Eastern Ghouta. was distributed at the In Iraqi Kurdistan, Zaatari refugee camp, which hosts 623,000 Syrian including 160 winter cov- refugees and 400,000 Iraqi ers and 1,000 parcels of IDPs, the QRC office dis- clothes and family covers. tributed 6,000 blankets in The tents were drained Al Anbar and Mosul. and proofed against water, THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 HMC seeks patent rights Strict IP laws urged to attract for cardiac surgical instrument Q-Stent investments and technology DOHA: Hamad Medical according to HMC’s website. Corporation (HMC) has filed its Qatar has been investing heav- New laws will boost confidence of multinational entities entering Qatar first patent application seeking ily in research and development international rights for an inno- in several fields, including sci- BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB and time and again authorities vative device ‘Q-Stent’. ence and technology, info-tech, have taken measures against The device will be used in heart medical, healthcare, space sci- DOHA: Although Qatar’s intel- counterfeiting,” he added. surgery, according to a senior offi- ence and others, to transform lectual property (IP) laws and “The General Directorate of cial of a local firm dealing with the energy-rich economy into a regulations are on a par with Customs, the Consumer Protection intellectual property (IP) rights. knowledge-based society. Over other countries of the region, Department at the Ministry of The patent right entitled the past several years, Qatar has it needs to enact stricter laws Economy and Commerce, in coop- ‘Sternotomy Spacing Device’ developed many innovative prod- to attract foreign investments eration with IP offices conduct (Q-Stent) has been filed under ucts in several fields, including a and technology, according to a survey, raid shops and people sell- the Patent Cooperation Treaty patented solar panel design. senior official of a local consul- ing counterfeit products and seize (PCT) in the name of Dr Rashid Al Obaidly said: “We are in the tancy specialising in IP-related and destroy them. Mazhar Mohammed who has process of filing five more patent matters. “Our firm Alpha is one of the invented the device and is asso- applications seeking IP rights for New laws will also meet chal- first in the region to establish an ciated with Heart Hospital. new inventions. These applica- lenges faced by the owners of anti-counterfeiting unit that has “We have filed a patent on tions will also be filed under PCT.” industrial properties, said Hussain helped us assist international behalf of HMC for ‘Sternotomy However, he did not provide Al Obaidly, Managing Director, brands in enforcing their IP rights Spacing Device’ on November details of the inventions for the Alpha & Co IP. effectively.” 5, 2014 under PCT (No. PCT/ obvious reason that the applica- “Qatar being the host 2022 He said the existing law stipu- IB2014/002337), said Hussain tions are yet to be filed, which, FIFA World Cup, there is a huge lates hefty fine on those dealing in Mohammed Al Obaidly, Managing according to him, are in the draft- inflow of investments and those counterfeit products, and impris- Director, Alpha & Co IP, one of ing stage. intending to establish business in onment for habitual offenders. Qatar’s oldest patent firms with Filing international patent the country would want that their According to Al Obaidly, operations across the region. applications under the PCT, the IP rights are protected to the full- Qatar is party to almost all lead- Q-Stent is the first cardiac sur- owners of patented products can est,” Al Obaidly said. Hussain Al Obaidly, Managing Director, Alpha & Co IP. ing IP conventions and trea- gical instrument to be developed simultaneously be granted protec- In an interview with this news- ties such as Paris Convention in Qatar. The device is designed, tion for an invention in 148 coun- paper, he said: “This is the right for the Protection of Industrial developed and implemented by tries across the world. time for Qatar to implement new Qatar has a separate law for the of IP rights, and it obliges the Property, Berne Convention for HMC for clinical use in adult and Dr Rashid works with Heart IP laws to boost the morale and protection of copyrights, a law for customs (department) to take the Protection of Literary and paediatric cardiac surgery. Hospital and according to sources, confidence of business houses trademarks, trade names, geo- measures to prevent the entry of Artistic Works, WIPO Copyright The effort has led to the first Q-Stent had support from and multinational entities enter- graphical indications and indus- counterfeit products, when there Treaty, GCC Patent Law, Patent IP filing in the GCC by HMC, HMC’s Academic Health System ing Qatar.” Qatar has a history trial designs and models, a law for is prima facie evidence that the Cooperation Treaty, Nairobi and the clinical experience with Programme of HMC. of forming and implementing IP the protection of trade secrets, a products are an infringement.” Treaty on the Protection of the the successful use of the device, THE PENINSULA laws that have helped the owners law for the protection of layout Al Obaidly said the law pro- Olympic Symbol and others. of industrial properties protect designs for integrated circuits and vides for a mechanism for IP He said the level of awareness and enforce their IP rights here. a law for the protection of patents. right holders to stop the release of about IP rights and enforcements Minister congratulates Al Attiyah on win Qatar is affiliated to World Asked how he sees the current imported products that constitute is low among the general public. Intellectual Property Organisation and future trends of IP laws vio- an infringement of their rights. “People should learn about their DOHA: The Minister of Youth and Sports H E Salah bin Ghanem and is signatory to major IP con- lations, especially with regard to “However, we cannot deny the IP rights and register innovations bin Nasser Al Ali said Nasser Al Attiyah’s win in Dakar Rally was ventions and treaties, thus ena- counterfeit goods in the local mar- presence of counterfeit goods in and products before getting into the latest addition to Qatar’s achievements in the sports field. He bling owners of trademarks and ket, Al Obaidly said: “Qatar has a large scale in Qatar market. Most business to be always on the right congratulated Al Attiyah and said the ministry will continue to patents to exercise and enforce law in place with respect to the major cosmetics, electronics and side of the law in conducting busi- support distinguished Qatari athletes. QNA their IP rights to the maximum. border measures for the protection clothing brands are counterfeited ness,” he said. THE PENINSULA 700,000 people visit Doha International Book Fair

Visitors at one of the stalls at the fair which concluded at Qatar National Convention Centre yesterday.

DOHA: More than 700,000 people vis- ited the 25th Doha International Book Fair which closed yesterday. Abdullah Al Ansari, Director of the fair and Head, Public Libraries, Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, said that on Thursday and Friday and the week before, the fair saw an unprecedented turnout from across Qatar and outside. He said the fair was held for the first time at Qatar National Convention Center which also contributed to increasing the number of visitors. The 26th edition of the fair will be held from December 2 to 12 and will not coincide with exami- nations at Independent schools, he added. Al Ansari expressed pleasure over the suc- cess of the silver jubilee of the fair held under the patronage of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He praised support of the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari which also con- tributed to the success of the fair. QNA SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qataris indifferent to QC to set up largest internal gold price fluctuations DOHA: Qataris are indiffer- Qassim Al Yafei, Director, medicine building in Gaza ent to fluctuations in gold prices Qatar Jewellery, said price fluc- when it comes to buying the yel- tuations deter customers, mostly low metal. Asians, from buying gold. DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) According to traders, the Gold has seen volatility in the will establish the largest health recent rise in the prices did not past two years. The prices have building in Gaza over an area have significant impact on sale as been falling consistently since of 20,000sqm, with a capacity demand for gold is still strong, Al 2012 due to international factors. of 432 beds. The QR582,000 Raya reports. After touching the peak in the project is the first of its kind, The prices have increased in second half of 2011, the prices of supported by local and interna- the past week due to international 24 carat gold showed some sign tional consultants. factors. Prices went up by QR5 of moderation and hovered in the It is part of QC’s relief and per gramme and 21 carat gold is range of QR180 to QR200 until development plans in Gaza, par- trading at around QR120-127 per September 2012. ticularly its interest in the devel- gramme. It went up to QR210 again in opment of health infrastructure. The recent rise in the prices is October 2012 but started declin- QC has signed an agreement in contrast to the declining trend ing since then, a trend still to prepare designs of the inter- in the past two years. continuing. nal medicine hospital compound Abdur Rahman, a gold trader, The prices in Qatar are linked in Gaza. It was signed Mohamed said sale has increased despite to international markets, mainly Abu Halloub, Deputy Director, the recent rise in prices and that the London bullion market. QC’s Office in Gaza, and Engineer there is strong demand from After enjoying a bull-run until Rifaat Diab on behalf of the coa- Qataris. 2012, the prices have started fall- lition of consulting firms and Gold traders say after Qataris, ing since expectation of recovery Dektis Consultant Engineers Ltd, other Arab nationals are the sec- in the US economy. Greece. ond biggest buyers followed by The US economy has started The ceremony was attended Asians. Among Arabs, Sudanees showing signs of revival which is by representatives from the Officials at the agreement signing ceremony. are the top buyers while Indians likely to prompt its central bank Palestinian Ministry of Health, top the list among Asians. to raise interest rates. including Dr Mohammed Kashif, kidney dialysis, an intensive care supporting the Palestinian people current internal medicine build- Asians are sensitive to price The prospects of rising inter- Director-General, International unit, general internal medi- in various sectors and its atten- ing, built some 60 years ago and movements. They buy gold when est rates and strengthening of Cooperation, Ministry of Health, cine, departments of neurology, tion to the needs of the health no longer met the requirements of prices fall and stay away from the the dollar have dented demand and Mohamed Abu Hamda, endoscopy, heart, haematology, sector over the past two years. patients. The replacement was a market when prices rise. for gold. Instead of buying gold, Director, Engineering Office at oncology, among others, and a He praised QC’s efforts to mobi- top priority in the five-year health According to traders, Qataris global investors have started buy- the ministry. laboratory, pharmacy and other lise and support to provide funds plan of the ministry prepared half mostly buy gold jewellery in tra- ing US bonds and dollar. “The building will host internal ancillary services,” said Halloub. to implement key projects and way through last year. ditional designs. THE PENINSULA medicine departments, including Kashif thanked QC for the new project will replace the THE PENINSULA

Citrus and Nuts & Berries festivals at Lulu SEC to recruit 1,000 teachers overseas DOHA: A total of 3,500 Qatari teachers — an Independent school is put in the seventh grade male and female — are employed in state-run with a monthly basic salary of QR14,400 along with Independent schools, a senior official of the allowances according to the Independent school Supreme Education Council (SEC) has disclosed. regulations. There is a social allowance of QR6,400 However, there are 5,000 Qataris on administra- besides housing allowance which depends on the tive jobs at Independent schools, Ibrahim Rajab Al employment of the spouse and a transport allowance Kuwari, Director, Human Resource, SEC, told Al of QR1,500. After three years, the teacher is pro- Sharq in an interview. moted to a higher grade based on annual evaluation “We are keen to attract more Qatari talents. of performance. Al Kuwari said SEC plans to recruit Qataris are recruited directly from the university about 1,000 teachers this year from other Arab and as teachers, without tests or interview. They only GCC countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, need to complete a bachelor’s degree from College Tunisia and Oman. A team will visit these countries of Education at Qatar University,” Al Kuwari said. to choose candidates and interviews are scheduled A fresh Qatari graduate joining as teacher in for March. THE PENINSULA

Lulu Hypermarket Group has welcomed New Year with Citrus Fest 2015 and Nuts & Berries Festival 2015. Both were inaugurated by Indian singers M G Sreekumar and Rimmy Tomy who cut a huge cake on Thursday evening at Lulu Hypermarket, Barwa City. Shanavas P M, Regional Manager, and Chacko K Samuel, Commercial Manager, other officials and customers were present. The Citrus Fest continues until January 23. SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

IS frees over 200 Yazidi captives IS claims bomb N-deal possible attack on Algerian embassy in Libya TRIPOLI: Assailants lobbed with US ‘good explosives at Algeria’s embassy in the Libyan capital yesterday, wounding three people, a secu- rity official said, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State will’, says Iran jihadist group. The IS Libya branch said “sol- diers of the caliphate” attacked the empty mission in a message Talks with P5+1 group today posted on Twitter, together with a photograph of a tree-lined street GENEVA: A top Iranian nego- substantial reduction of their with a fire in the background. tiator voiced optimism yesterday residual (uranium) enrichment The security official, who works that talks with the United States capacity, so we collectively can be for the unit, said the attack in seeking to nail down a complex assured they don’t have the tech- central Tripoli seriously wounded nuclear deal could succeed if nical capacity to rapidly develop a guard and that two passers-by Washington showed “good will”. a nuclear bomb,” he said. were lightly hurt. The assailants “We remain hopeful and I think If the global powers go along threw “a bag full of explosives from that if the other side has the nec- with “a weak deal, that would a passing car at a police car parked essary good will and determina- send a disastrous signal to the near a guard post”, he said, adding tion, it will be possible to reach a rest of the world on the issue of Yazidi families await help after more than 200 captive members were freed by Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, that the attack caused damage to deal,” Iran’s deputy foreign minis- proliferation,” he said. Iran insists southwest of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, yesterday. the building and parked cars. AFP ter Abbas Araghchi told the Fars it is only interested in nuclear news agency. energy and adamantly denies it His comments came on a is pursuing atomic weapons. Iran bans paper third day of talks with senior Among issues complicating US officials in Geneva aimed at negotiations are hardliners on both for ‘I am Charlie’ accelerating progress towards a sides who appear willing to torpedo comprehensive deal which would the efforts. The new Republican- Kurds battle with Assad’s forces headline rein in Iran’s nuclear programme controlled US Congress is consid- TEHRAN: Iran has banned a in exchange for relief from a tight ering a fresh sanctions bill, despite DIYARBAKIR/BEIRUT: (the political wing of the YPG) areas said to be taken from gov- reformist newspaper for publish- network of global sanctions. strong opposition from President Syrian Kurds battled yesterday arrested 10 soldiers and Baath ernment forces. ing on its front page the headline Iranian negotiators were also Barack Obama, who has threat- with forces loyal to President party gunmen,” Observatory head Syrian officials were not imme- “I am Charlie”, state news agency set to meet with Russian officials ened to veto any such legislation Bashar Al Assad, Kurdish Rami Abdulrahman said. “There diately available for comment and IRNA reported yesterday. later, before full negotiations today that lands on his desk If a sanc- sources and a monitoring group is now fighting in many areas of state media did not mention the Mardom-e Emrouz published with the so-called P5+1 group — tions bill does go through, some said, breaking a long-standing Hassakeh.” The YPG and the gov- clashes. A spokesman for the YPG the slogan next to a picture of the United States, Britain, China, Iranian lawmakers hinted they tacit agreement between the ernment had divided Hassakeh was not available. Hollywood star George Clooney France, Russia and Germany. could push to resume unlimited two sides to focus on other ene- into zones in a power sharing Damascus has promoted its who had said it at the weekend’s Following an interim accord in uranium enrichment. mies in a complex civil war. agreement, the Observatory said. ties with the Kurds, saying that Golden Globes. “The court in November 2013, two deadlines for There has been a flurry of dip- In Syria’s predominantly The army shelled three it provides military support to charge of cultural affairs and the a final deal have been missed, and lomatic activity in the lead-up to Kurdish northeast, Assad’s forces Kurdish-majority areas on the Kurdish forces to help them battle media imposed the ban on the now a third one is looming on July today’s talks in a bid to break the and Kurdish militia, mainly the edges of Hassakeh city, and fight- Islamic State, although the PYD newspaper for publishing a head- 1. “The negotiations are continu- stalemate. US Secretary of State Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection ers from YPG clashed with Syrian denies that it cooperates with the line and a picture which it deemed ing in a completely serious atmos- John Kerry met his Iranian coun- Units (YPG), have for the most forces inside the city through- central government. insulting,” Mardom-e Emrouz direc- phere and both parties want to terpart Mohammad Javad Zarif part coexisted without clashing, out the day, the YPG said on its During the three-year war in tor Ahmad Sattari told IRNA. reach an agreement, but prob- for a marathon six-hour round in focusing their firepower on the website. Syria, Kurds have asserted con- “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie), lems, chasms and differences also Geneva on Wednesday, and again Islamic State insurgent group. Syrian Kurds, who say they trol in parts of the northeast Clooney told the audience at the exist,” Araghchi acknowledged. in Paris on Friday. However, violence broke out suffered years of marginalisation where their community predom- Golden Globes on January 12. A source close to the talks said Zarif also went to Berlin to meet when army soldiers and allied under Assad, had on occasion inates. Islamic State and other Mardom-e Emrouz, which in Farsi they did not seem to be moving German Foreign Minister Frank- militiamen took control of build- fought with the president’s loy- hardline groups consider Kurds means “Today’s People”, published forward significantly and that the Walter Steinmeier, who stressed ings in an area that both sides had alists in territorial disputes, but heretics and have fought to take on its front page a picture of biggest stumbling block was on that the negotiations had entered agreed would stay demilitarised, never in sustained clashes. areas they control. Clooney and above it the headline: the Iranian side. “The Iranians a “decisive phase” and urged all the Syrian Observatory for Human Kurdish activists posted pho- There were smaller scale “Clooney: I am Charlie”. The paper have not yet made enough ges- parties to “leave nothing undone to Rights monitoring group said. tos showing smoking rising from clashes in May between Assad triggered the ire of several dailies tures to enable us to reach a reach the solution that has eluded “There has been some seri- buildings and YPG fighters rais- loyalists and Kurds in Hassakeh who urged the prosecution to take good deal that would ensure a us in recent years”. AFP ous fighting today. The PYD ing the Syrian Kurdistan flag in that were contained. REUTERS action against it. AFP Somalia PM Hamas welcomes ICC probe dissolves GAZA: The Palestinian Islamist this direction and we are ready to group Hamas said yesterday that provide (the court) with thousands new cabinet it welcomed a decision by the of reports and documents that con- International Criminal Court to firm the Zionist enemy has commit- MOGADISHU: launch an inquiry into possible war ted horrible crimes against Gaza and Somalia’s new prime min- crimes in the Palestinian territories. against our people,” he said. ister yesterday dissolved ICC prosecutors said on Friday Israel rejected the court’s Friday his cabinet because of the preliminary examination would decision as hypocrisy and the US stiff opposition from par- scrutinise “in full independence and State Department said it was “a liament to the mammoth impartiality” crimes that may have tragic irony that Israel, which has list unveiled less than a occurred since June 13 last year, withstood thousands of terrorist week ago, officials said. opening a path to possible charges rockets fired at its civilians and its Prime Minister Omar against Israelis or Palestinians. The neighbourhoods, is now being scru- Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, decision came after Palestinian tinized by the ICC”. appointed last month after President Mahmoud Abbas requested Prosecutors will assess evidence of a damaging spat between ICC membership, against strong alleged crimes and determine if they his predecessor and opposition from Israel and the US. are of sufficient gravity and scale to internationally-backed Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for warrant charges against individuals President Hassan Sheikh Hamas which rules the Gaza Strip, on either side. Israel in 2005 pulled Mohamud, was given said that the Islamist group appreci- its settlers and troops out of Gaza. another two weeks to come ated the move. “What is needed now Palestinians seek statehood in Gaza up with a new cabinet list. is to quickly take practical steps in and the West Bank. REUTERS “The prime minister has dissolved the new cabi- net list he has announced recently and is asking for fourteen more days to form another government,” par- liament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari told deputies. In a letter to parliament that was read out by Jawari, the new premier said he had taken into account the “feel- ings and emotions of the lawmakers”. His decision to retract the list means he avoids what would be a no- confidence vote. Last week Sharmarke presented a giant cabinet of 60 people, including 26 ministers, 25 deputies and nine state ministers, and an increase of five posts from the previous cabinet. Winning parliamentary approval, however, means overcoming the country’s complex clan politics, in which each group expects its share of power. Somalia is due to vote on a new con- stitution next year ahead of elections in 2016, but Al Qaeda-affiliated Shebab fighters remain a threat and stage regular attacks. The Somali govern- ment, which took power in August 2012, was the first to be given global recog- nition since the collapse of Siad Barre’s hardline regime in 1991. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate ibya’s warring factions have at last reached an accord on creating a roadmap for unity government. The move has been widely welcomed, Lboth in the country and abroad, though there is still a long way to go before a final agreement becomes a reality. An Islamist-backed militia alliance announced Obama and Cameron’s ‘solutions’ the ceasefire on Friday, following an agreement at UN-brokered peace talks between warring factions. Libya is yet to enjoy the fruits of its uprising. Hopes will make the internet worse were high after the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled the country with an iron grip for a long time. After his exit, the militias took control of the country, the same BY TREVOR TIMM allowing for a ten-year jail sentence for Part of the Obama administration’s militias who had fought fiercely against the dictator, and sharing your HBO GO password — all to proposal would dramatically expand looted and took possession of the country’s arms after he current state of the US supposedly target foreign hackers that the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, killing Gaddafi. As a result, the country has been wracked and UK governments’ ass- the law would likely never reach. the oft-abused and notorious statute by a series of conflicts since 2011, with rival governments backwards approach to Less than 24 hours before Cameron- that the Justice Department used to and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and cybersecurity was on full Obama the meeting, the Guardian threaten the late Internet activist display this week — cul- published a secret report based on Aaron Swartz with 35 years in jail. the country’s vast oil riches. The internationally-recognised Tminating with British Prime Minister previously unreleased Snowden docu- (Aaron later took his own life while government and elected parliament in Tripoli ran away last David Cameron and President Obama ments showing that the US government awaiting trial.) The CFAA already has summer to the country’s far east after Fajr Libya seized meeting to discuss the issue at the is fully aware that encryption is vital incredibly harsh penalties, so much so the capital and set up its own administration. The militia White House on Friday. When it comes for security, and that the government that there’s been a movement for years alliance also holds the third city, Misrata, and it launched to cybersecurity, it seems the UK and risked leaving themselves vulnerable to reduce them. And how the admin- a bloody offensive in December to seize control of key oil US want to embrace every crazy idea if they didn’t start implementing it on istration thinks increasing CFAA pen- except what we know actually works. their own systems quicker. The British alties is going to worry either North terminals but was repelled by the army. The UN special The UK’s Cameron suggested earlier government likely knows this too: many Korean hackers or ISIS sympathiSers envoy to Libya, Bernardino in the week he wants to outlaw certain of their employees use email encryption; (or more likely pranksters) who take Leon, warned at the start of the forms of encryption, which could poten- and UK even recommend citizens use advantage of negligent password prac- Geneva talks that they were a tially lead to some encryption to protect their data on a tices is anyone’s guess. last-ditch effort to prevent all- of the world’s government website. It would also would put countless The UN out chaos. most popular At the press conference after the security researchers at further risk of messaging apps meeting, Obama commendably didn’t prosecution, the exact type of people deserves There was no federal (like iMessage embrace Cameron’s proposal when the government should consulting with government in Tripoli powerful Drafting and Whats App) asked about it, and even Cameron before making these ill-thought propos- praise for enough to disarm the militias, policies to being banned in seemed to at least appear to back off als, not driving underground. who had taken control of regions the UK. That his own anti-encryption proclamation, At the same time, Congress has re- brokering a and started imposing their will. imprison speech had been saying he’s “not trying to enunciate introduced their annual “info-sharing” ridiculed from some new doctrine.” cybersecurity bill, which is really just The latest ceasefire is a result of ceasefire in people who all angles for the But just because Cameron’s been a thinly-veiled way to siphon off more the realization that the country past few days, proven to be technically illiterate of Americans’ private data without faces the threat of splintering share an HBO with various and may be attempting to publicly court oversight. As EFF put it, the bill Libya. if the warring factions keep experts labeling back away from his most radical pro- “offered new authorities that could be fighting. GO password? it a nightmare for posal, that doesn’t mean that he won’t abused by companies to spy on users, The ceasefire is Internet security later push forward. FBI director Jim and offered broad legal immunity for Eliminating — on par with Comey proposed similar legislation disclosing the information obtained comprehensive. The Fajr Libya authoritarian to Cameron’s just a few months ago, with the government. Sometimes they (Libya Dawn) alliance announced that it’s “a ceasefire end-to- regimes such as and Cameron used eerily similar talk- even granted companies the ability to on all fronts” as long as “the other parties respect the Russia and China ing points in Washington on Friday as ‘hack back’ ...a perfect storm threaten- truce”. The alliance, which had not taken part in the first end data — and economi- Comey did in late 2014. Plus. the rest of ing our online privacy.” The President’s round of the Geneva talks, also called on the international encryption? cally devastating Cameron’s plan is downright scary for alternative bill is a bit less sweeping, but community to step up efforts to prevent “foreign fighters for the British Internet privacy even without a formal not by much. They can’t be information tech- encryption ban. So, Congress and Obama seem to be from flooding” into Libya. nology industry. And then there’s the White House’s finally on the same page about some- At least during the period of the truce, Libyans will be serious. Meanwhile, the so-called solution to the cybersecurity thing: harsher penalties that won’t able to see peace in their country. The parties have agreed White House has problem, which they unveiled earlier reach the hackers were worried about to work towards the release of abducted people, provide proposed a huge this week. President Obama introduced and invasive “info-sharing” that doesn’t and allow humanitarian aid to reach affected regions, open expansion of penalties under the highly- it saying we had to do something about come close to solving existing problems. controversial law that was used to pros- incidents like the headline-grabbing God forbid there be a full rebirth of the airports and secure land and maritime navigation. The ecute Reddit co-founder and privacy Sony hack, or the juvenile hijacking US-UK relationship, or that both sides delegates will return to Geneva for a fresh round of talks rights advocate Aaron Swartz. If passed, of US Central Command’s twitter of the Atlantic seek a full, two-state ban next week after consultations. the administration’s proposal could account– but what he didn’t say was on encryption. Even full government The UN deserves praise for brokering the current deal further criminalise mundane Internet that those proposals wouldn’t have gridlock would be better than that. and it comes after months of intense negotiations.• activity — for example, potentially stopped those attacks at all. THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Evening shifts in government departments the day t is being suggested that given to what civil servants them- it is hard to think of a move more likely The trouble is that organisations which government offices should stay selves will be thinking about the plan, to boost absenteeism and more certain are overstaffed are often the last to real- open in the evenings. This, it is which was put forward in a study by to wreck staff morale. ise it. As Parkinson’s Law states so said, will provide a better service the Control and Investigation Board. Therefore if the idea of evening shifts accurately: “Work expands to fill the I There are tensions to the public. The cries of delight with The idea, says the board, is to improve in government departments does take time available for its completion.” Busy which the idea has been greeted by efficiency and staff performance. off, it is going to require a great deal of offices can be found everywhere. But abroad where people businessmen, suggest that it would be Yet, as currently proposed, the thought. It may even result in more hir- what is keeping these workers busy? a highly popular move. evening shifts would not attract any ings for a governmental machine which, Are they just shuffling papers as part of don’t understand our During the day time, people are significant extra pay. This lends a touch many would argue, is already seriously a meaningless system designed to give attachment to the busy in works and this will help them of unreality to the board’s other stated overstaffed. people something to do? freedom of speech. get things done after office hours. aims. These are to fight rising work- If there is already a problem getting Even in private companies, Although many government services place absenteeism and boost employee a full day’s work out of civil servants, Parkinson’s Law frequently applies. And We’ve seen the protests, have been made available online but morale. No one, in either public or pri- extending their hours, even if they are the bigger the company the greater the and I would say that in there is a great need for streamlining vate employment is ever going to take paid more, seems unlikely to be effec- tendency to create makeweight work. procedures and this move may be a happily to being told that they must tive unless properly planned. Instead, This is especially true of firms that find France all beliefs are step in the right direction. work longer hours for pretty well the it might make the problem of slipping themselves growing ever more levels of respected. Francois Hollande However, less thought has been same amount of money. Furthermore, away from the workplace even greater. middle management. ARAB NEWS French President SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 The true French immigration story The years 1955-1974 were mainly good for immigrants. In France after the war, labour was scarce, economic growth strong and there was plenty of work. Tensions didn’t flare in earnest until the 1970s oil crisis triggered recession, and then things went quickly downhill. Today, once again, economic crisis is exacerbating resentments on all sides.

BY MARC CHAMPION warmly embraced. reads much like what one might Larger waves of Italian labour- hear today from a supporter HE National Museum ers were less welcome. Their of Marine Le Pen’s hard-right of Immigration devout Catholicism seemed dis- National Front. Under a bigger History in Paris is a turbingly ostentatious to a rela- story about a terrorist attack in fascinating place to tively new Republic founded on Algeria, the headline reads: “A visit at the moment, militant secularism. On one occa- belt of bidon-villes around Paris.” Tagainst the backdrop of fierce sion in 1893, dozens of Italian Bidonville is the French word debates over whether to clamp workers were killed in an anti- for slum, first used to describe down on new arrivals. The tale immigrant riot. urban settlements around cities told here about the experience of Later, during the First World in North Africa. modern immigration to France War, about 140,000 Chinese “We don’t dare go out at night is rather different from the one workers were shipped in to help anymore,” said a (presumably told at Ellis Island — and dif- in the war effort, after which white) resident of the equiva- Migrants exit a tent after receiving hot food from the association “La Vie Active” in Calais, at the site where a new ferent, too, from the one told by came Armenians escaping geno- lent of today’s banlieues (the day centre for migrants was opened. France’s more alarmist immi- cide in Ottoman Anatolia and high-rise suburbs where poorer gration opponents. The museum White Russians fleeing from the North African families tend to on all sides. weeks ago — the only one in with North African features, wear- is notably housed in the former Bolshevik revolution, Spaniards live). Yet the immigrants prob- The difference in 2015 is that France not officially inaugurated, ing a headscarf and a tracksuit, Palace of the Colonies, which was from General Franco, Portuguese ably had more cause for fear. In the young Frenchmen from North despite being open for business stares at a vending machine that constructed for the 1931 Paris from Prime Minister Antonio 1961, when some 30,000 of Paris’s African families who bristle at since 2007. That says something offers botox and credit cards, Colonial Exposition — a huge, Salazar, and Hungarians from new citizens from Algeria dem- Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons are about the ambivalence and sen- North African snacks made by the unironic celebration of the won- the Soviets. onstrated in favour of independ- no longer immigrants. They’re sitivity France has often had German food conglomerate Maggi, ders of colonialism that lasted six North African Muslims — ence, police arrested 11,000 and wholly French, but don’t see much toward immigration. and several books with titles such months, sold 33 million tickets the Italian Catholics of today — killed at least 40, according to the of a future for themselves. For a It also makes Hollande’s inau- as “How to lose your banlieue and included a “human zoo.” started arriving toward the end long-classified and still-disputed few — like the two Kouachi broth- guration speech last month rather accent in three days.” The permanent exhibit begins of the 19th century, supposedly official figure. This kind of history ers who carried out the attack on impressive. In it, the president This week, French Prime its story around 1851, when tens as guest workers, but in larger leaves scars. Charlie Hebdo — jihadists offer spelled out the benefits that Minister Manuel Valls said that of thousands of skilled work- numbers once Algeria’s eight-year Even so, the years 1955-1974 of a new identity as warriors in immigrants have brought to the without its Jewish population, ers and managers came from war of independence began in were mainly good for immigrants. a global Muslim struggle against country, and the data showing France wouldn’t be France, and Britain to help France industri- 1954. Some brought along brutal In France after the war, labour the infidel West and Israel. that France — contrary to the that’s true. It’s true of France’s alize. Then came labourers from memories of their French colonial was scarce, economic growth Cutting off new immigration scare-mongering of the National other immigrants, as well -- from Belgium, to man the new facto- masters. The French themselves strong and there was plenty of wouldn’t change that. But some Front — currently has one of the those once-pesky Italian Catholics ries; Jews from Tsarist Russia, in weren’t happy about the guer- work. Tensions didn’t flare in politicians nevertheless claim lowest per capita immigration to Algerians -- however difficult flight from pogroms; and Polish rilla-style war that forced almost earnest until the 1970s oil cri- that last week’s attacks prove levels of any European nation. the integration process. elites, after their so-called Cadet one million European settlers in sis triggered recession, and then the inflow of foreigners must stop. At the end of the immigration Marc Champion writes edito- Revolution against Russian rule North Africa to return home. things went quickly downhill. The immigration museum itself museum’s exhibit is a telling instal- rials on international affairs for was crushed. Most of these people The front page of the October Today, once again, economic cri- was — until President Francois lation called Dream Machine, by Bloomberg View. were, according to the curators, 23, 1957, edition of France Soir sis is exacerbating resentments Hollande made the effort a few the artist Kader Attia: A manikin WP-BLOOMBERG Pakistani tribesmen fear losing guns Northern overexposure:

BY TIM CRAIG to fully conquer Pakistan’s tribal Scandinavia is no utopia Over the decades, both Pakistan areas. EVEN months after And it was during that era that BY MICHAEL BOOTH Is Always in Season,” it gushed in Pakistan’s army launched and foreign governments, including large quantities of weapons from a piece on Denmark (the latest Sa massive operation to oust foreign sources began flowing HAT’S there not Gallup polls indicate that’s less true militants from the country’s the United States, have dumped into northwestern Pakistan, said to love?” actor Will than it once was), and last month loosely regulated tribal areas, it Nizam Khan Dawar, chairman of ‘WFerrell enthuses the Times assured us that “A Big is preparing to allow more than the Tribal Development Network. in the second episode of NBC’s Safety Net and Strong Job Market one million displaced residents to arms into the area to try to In the 1930s, local tribal leader expat-comedy Welcome to Sweden. Can Coexist. Just Ask Scandinavia.” return home. Mirza Ali Khan, also known as “Picking blueberries, outhouses, a (unemployment is 5.6 percent in the But it is telling them there may the Faqir of Ipi, led a rebellion year off if you have a baby — even US, vs 8.1 percent in Sweden, 8.9pc be one condition: Giving up some influence the near continual war in against the British from North if you don’t have a baby, just a in Finland and 6.4pc in Denmark.) of their weapons. Waziristan. Khan received weap- year off. Your family around con- I live in Denmark, and although For generations, the Pashtun neighbouring Afghanistan. ons and support from Germany, stantly. Lagom — not too much, it appears to have been surpassed tribesmen who populate the area at the time ruled by Adolf Hitler. not too little. I mean, they’re as the happiest country in the say they have considered carrying men in the region common to own weapons to settle land disputes, To this day, German-made weap- doing it right over here.” world by Panama, Costa Rica or a weapon outside as important as not only assault rifles but also battle rival tribes and to serve as a ons from that era are on display Ferrell is in character, but his fer- Fiji (depending on which list you wearing sandals — and Pakistan’s rocket launchers and grenades. front-line militia to help Pakistan in a local museum, Dawar said. vour is all too familiar. The United believe), it is still a pretty great government has made little effort Some tribesmen even claim to protect its western border. Following the Soviet invasion of States is in the midst of an episode country, especially in which to raise to stop them. Unlike in most of possess antiaircraft weapons. Now, they say they fear weap- Afghanistan in1979, the US also of Scandimania, brought on in part kids. But Scandinavia is not the Pakistan, where there are gun Those men say going home ons they left behind won’t be there worked with Pakistan to arm and by the habitually high placing of utopia that American liberals or licensing requirements, the tribal without a gun would be like going when they return. Pakistan’s train the Afghan rebels. After the Sweden and its similarly prosper- the 11 million Americans of Nordic belt is semi-autonomous, and res- home without their wives. Many military often displays caches of Soviet Army withdrew in 1989, ous, egalitarian, collectivist neiagh- descent often make it out to be, just idents say that has given them a doubt Pakistan’s army can pro- seized guns and ammunition to Afghanistan slipped into two suc- bors — Denmark, Norway, Iceland as it is not the quasi-commie, sta- right to keep an array of weapons. vide protection against Islamist showcase the apparent success cessive civil wars. In the 1990s, and Finland — in global rankings of tist gulag that those on the right Now, though, the army vows it militants, drug-runners and other of their operation. The tribesmen Pakistan shipped weapons and everything from happiness to lack of would often have us believe. will keep the area clear of mili- criminals. suspect many of those weapons explosives through tribal areas corruption, gender equality and con- Plummeting oil prices have tants and bring more order to the “Without weapons, we have came from their properties, not to help the Taliban seize control sumption of organic root vegetables. made the Norwegians jumpy, for famously unruly region. no protection,” said Babu Khan, from terrorists. of the Afghan government. It is true, the old Viking tribes instance. The oil boom that began Whether Pakistani security a 42-year trader from Khyber Before he fled, 66-year-old Gula More recently, weapons stolen excel in many of these areas, but in the early 1970s transformed forces succeed will be a key test Agency who is now living in a Khan said soldiers showed up and from Nato forces in Afghanistan I fear, lately, we non-Scandis have them from the butt of country- of the government’s long-term refugee camp on the outskirts of ransacked his home. often ended up on the black mar- become rather blinded by the bumpkin jokes to the Beverly strategy for curbing terrorist Peshawar. “How would I defend “Three hundred rounds and 12 ket in northwestern Pakistan. Northern Lights. Hillbillies of the north. But now attacks. Many analysts are scep- myself and defend my family?” hand grenades were taken from The area is also home to a lucra- Consider the glowing reports on that revenue is declining, and tical that anything close to true The army declined to comment my home,” Khan said. “And now tive bootleg weapons manufactur- Finnish schools (the best in the their economy is stuttering for order can ever be established in on the conditions they plan to set they are saying: We will pro- ing industry. world, says Smithsonian Magazine, the first time in decades. North Waziristan and Khyber before the refugees can return tect you and the country when Even the Taliban, which gained though the latest rankings show Meanwhile, the Norwegians Agency, and the tribesmen say home. But army chief General you go back, and you don’t need effective control over North they are slipping), Norwegian pris- seem to have lost their parsimoni- that is why they are not likely to Raheel Sharif has given assur- weapons.” Waziristan in the mid 2000s, didn’t ons (“superior” claims the Atlantic ous, workaholic, Lutheran mojo. disarm. ances to US officials that the mil- A military official, who spoke mess with residents’ guns, the tribes- — it helps that Norway barely has Norwegians treat Friday as a “free “We have been keeping arms itary will maintain a long-term on the condition of anonymity men said. “There was no music. No any criminals) and Swedish road day” and take more sick leave than to protect our tribes, protect presence in the region. This week, because he was not authorised to dancing. We weren’t allowed cel- safety (New York Mayor Bill de anyone else in Europe, if not the our people,” said Shah Jahan, a Secretary of State John Kerry speak to the media, acknowledged ebrations, or sports or festivals, but Blasio wants to borrow the model, world — a law enshrines their right to 50-year-old tribal elder from announced $250m in US aid to that the army seized some weap- we were allowed to carry our guns,” though I suspect that speeding fines claim sick days even while on holiday. Khyber Agency. “But the govern- help rebuild and modernise North ons from tribesmen. But, the offi- said Sayed Hamid Shah. that rise with income wouldn’t be Sweden, too, has its problems. ment is asking us to go back with- Waziristan. cial added, “the weapons collected Men from both North popular in Manhattan). And there’s It is struggling with increasing out arms. How could we protect “We understand that the from displaced tribesmen are no Waziristan and Khyber Agency the adulation of Nordic cuisine (is racial tension — as evidenced by our honour and our dignity?” weapon is part and parcel of the match to the huge cache of arms admit that, at times, they did there a US publication that hasn’t the firebombing of a mosque in Here in northwestern Pakistan, culture, so it may be a difficult and ammunition recovered from turn over some of their guns to gone foraging with René Redzepi? Eskilstunaon on Christmas Day. the culture of gun ownership can thing, but we do need to regulate militants’ hideouts.” militants. Said Nabi, 35, said when Car and Driver, maybe). It has also seen the rise of a be traced to what the mostly things,” said Nasir Khan Durrani, Whatever the case, Pakistan’s the Taliban controlled his village The Washington Post is not hitherto gagged right wing. The Pashtun tribesmen call their head of the police department in military is battling history as it in Khyber Agency he and other immune to Scandinavia’s charms, Sweden Democrats party, which “warrior instinct” combined with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, seeks to clean up the area. shopkeepers were forced to pay recently marvelling at how Danish has its roots in the neo-Nazi move- fact they rarely had to look far to which borders the tribal areas. Northwestern Pakistan is dom- them a monthly bounty of either branches of McDonald’s manage ment, won 13 percent of the vote find a weapon. Over the decades, Residents of both Khyber inated by Pashtuns, who for cen- cash or one weapon. to pay their employees 2.5 times in September’s general election. both Pakistan and foreign gov- Agency and North Waziristan turies have been resisting foreign But Nabi said he and other US McDonald’s workers’ wages Some credit its rise to Sweden’s ernments, including the United argue that the 1948 agreement invaders along a major trading displaced residents are eager (clue: When about 75 percent of “open door” immigration policy; States, have dumped arms into that made those areas part of route linking Asia and Europe. to return home to protect the earnings disappear as income and others point to the poor integra- the area to try to influence the Pakistan left it up to individual Even as British forces colonised Pakistan army’s gains. Nabi said consumption taxes, higher wages tion of those immigrants and their near continual war in neighbour- tribes and councils to regulate the rest of modern-day Pakistan that won’t be possible if he’s are more necessity than choice). resulting overrepresentation in ing Afghanistan. weapons ownership. They say and neighbouring India in the disarmed. The New York Times also seems crime and unemployment figures. As a result, it is common for they were expected to stockpile late 1880s, they were never able WP-BLOOMBERG to have a crush on the Nordics. “Joy WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Guantánamo Diary exposes brutality of US rendition, torture

LONDON: The groundbreaking mem- his torturers would go after his mother. to hallucinate and hear voices as clear In 2004 a military lawyer refused to oir of a current Guantánamo inmate After enduring this, he was subjected as crystal. I heard my family in a casual play any further part in the prosecution that lays bare the harrowing details to “additional interrogation techniques” familial conversation … I heard Qur’an on the grounds that the evidence against of the US rendition and torture pro- personally approved by the then US readings in a heavenly voice. I heard him was the product of torture. The chief gramme from the perspective of one of defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld. music from my country. Later on the military commissions prosecutor in the its victims is to be published next week He was blindfolded, forced to drink salt guards used these hallucinations and mid-2000s, Air Force colonel Morris after a six-year battle for the manu- water, and then taken out to sea on a started talking with funny voices through Davis, later said he could not find any script to be declassified. high-speed boat where he was beaten for the plumbing, encouraging me to hurt the offence with which to charge Slahi. Guantánamo Diary, the first book writ- three hours while immersed in ice. guard and plot an escape. But I wasn’t The detainee’s lawyer, Nancy ten by a still imprisoned detainee, is being The end product of the torture, he misled by them, even though I played Hollander, said: “Mohamedou has never published in 20 countries and has been writes, was lies. Slahi made a number of along.” ‘We heard somebody – maybe a been charged with anything. The US has serialised by the Guardian amid renewed false confessions in an attempt to end the genie!’ they used to say. ‘Yeah, but I ain’t never charged him with a crime. There is calls by civil liberty campaigners for its torment, telling interrogators he planned listening to him,’ I responded … I was on no crime to charge him with. It’s not that author’s release. to blow up the CN Tower in Toronto. Asked the edge of losing my mind.” they haven’t found the evidence against Mohamedou Ould Slahi describes a if he was telling the truth, he replied: “I The American Civil Liberties Union him – there isn’t evidence against him. world tour of torture and humiliation don’t care as long as you are pleased. So if has launched an online petition calling He’s in what I would consider a horrible that began in his native Mauritania you want to buy, I am selling.” Mohamedou Ould Slahi remains in for Slahi’s release. The 44-year-old trav- legal limbo, and it’s just tragic: He needs more than 13 years ago and progressed Slahi’s manuscript was subjected to Guantánamo despite having never been elled twice to Afghanistan in the early to go home. through Jordan and Afghanistan before more than 2,500 redactions before declas- charged with a crime. 1990s. There, he swore allegiance to Al The US insists it has legal justifica- he was consigned to US detention in sification, ostensibly to protect classified Qaida and joined the fight against the tion to deprive the Mauritanian of his Guantánamo, Cuba, in August 2002 as information, but with the effect of prevent- his release on the grounds that the evi- Soviet Union-backed regime in Kabul. freedom. Lt Col Myles Caggins, a defence prisoner number 760. ing readers from learning the full story of dence against him is thin and tainted by He says he severed all connection with department spokesman, said: “We con- US military officials told the Guardian his ordeal. torture, Slahi has been languishing in a the group in 1992. tinue to detain Mohamedou Slahi under that despite never being prosecuted and The book is being published with all the form of legal limbo since December 2012 But after 9/11 he was detained on sus- the Authorisation for the Use of Military being cleared for release by a judge in censor’s marks in place, and the publishers after the justice department entangled picion of being involved in an unsuccessful Force of 2001 (AUMF) as informed by 2010, he is unlikely to be released in the – Canongate in the UK and Little, Brown the case in an unresolved appeal. Several plot to bomb Los Angeles international the laws of war. He has full access to fed- next year. The journal, which Slahi hand- in the US – hope they will be able to pub- US officials have indicated that he is airport while living in Canada in 1999. eral court for review of his detention by wrote in English, details how he was sub- lish an uncensored edition when Slahi is unlikely to be released this year. No evidence has been found to support United States district court via petition jected to sleep deprivation, death threats, eventually released. Slahi describes the toll the abuse has the allegation, other than his own forced for writ of habeas corpus.” sexual humiliation and intimations that Although one federal court has ordered taken on his body and mind: “I started confessions. THE GUARDIAN

Two US teens Security stepped up across Europe on the run in Soldiers to guard Belgian Jewish sites as Europol warns of further attacks cross-country BRUSSELS/LONDON: time we have a very strong deter- crime spree Europe remained on high alert mination to maximise our capa- as soldiers were deployed along- bility to keep our citizens safe.” WASHINGTON: Two US side police in Belgium to protect Authorities in Yemen said that teens are on the run after they Jewish buildings and the head two Frenchmen suspected of links allegedly blazed a trail of crime of Europol warned that fur- to Al Qaida have been detained. across several states, stealing ther terrorist attacks could not Al Qaida in the Arabian multiple cars and dashing from be ruled out in the wake of the Peninsula (AQAP) claimed the police. murder of 17 people in Paris by responsibility for the January 7 Police in the southern state Islamist gunmen last week. attacks at the offices of satirical of Kentucky said on Friday that The move to guard potential magazine Charlie Hebdo in which they are looking for 18-year-old targets in Antwerp’s Jewish quar- 12 people were murdered by Dalton Hayes and his 13-year-old ter yesterday was the first time in French brothers Saïd and Chérif girlfriend Cheyenne Phillips after three decades that Belgian troops Kouachi. The pair are known to they stole as many as three cars, have been used to bolster police have trained with Al Qaida in some with firearms in them. ranks. It follows the deployment Yemen. “There are around 1,000 Phillips was reported missing of French soldiers following the Al Qaida militants in Yemen from on January 3 by her father in attacks in Paris. 11 Arab and non-Arab countries,” Grayson, Kentucky, and was spot- Thirteen jihadi suspects were the country’s national security ted with Hayes nine days later in arrested in Belgium on Thursday service chief, Gen Mohammed Al a Walmart in Manning, South night in an operation that foiled Ahmadi said. Carolina, about 750km away. a sophisticated plot to murder The terror threat against The Bonnie and Clyde-like duo police, authorities said. Belgium British police has been raised to left the scene in a stolen red 2006 has increased its terror warn- severe, the highest level yet, with Toyota Tacoma, which had a gun ing to three, the second highest, police chiefs considering the more inside it when it was taken. Police following the raids in which two widespread deployment of Taser said they were next seen some suspects were killed. stun guns as an additional secu- 250 miles away in Henry County, Rob Wainwright, director of rity measure. Georgia, where they ditched the Europol, said that fully contain- Police patrols of Jewish com- A Belgian paratrooper stands guard outside the US Embassy in Brussels, near the Belgian Parliament, yesterday. Tacoma and stole another car, ing the threat posed by terrorism munities in Britain are also to be which was carrying two handguns. in Europe was challenging, adding stepped up amid heightened con- terrorists no longer had a coher- Friday in Reims, eastern France, Flasaquier. His brother Chérif It is not clear when they might there was no guarantee further cern about the risk of an attack fol- ent, identifiable command and where he lived for about two years, was expected to be buried soon in have picked up a third car, but attacks could be prevented. lowing the Paris atrocity, Britain’s control structure. “But over those under heavy police protection, the Paris suburb of Gennevilliers. police officials said they were sus- He told Sky News: “No, there top counter-terror officer said. 10 years, the sophistication of the according to a source. Plans to bury Amédy Coulibaly, pects in three separate car thefts. can’t be, otherwise what happened Extra security measures will be police response has also increased.” His grave was unmarked and who murdered five people at a Hayes — six years older than in Paris wouldn’t have happened. I taken at Jewish schools. It emerged yesterday that Saïd the name of the cemetery was kosher supermarket in Paris Phillips — is also wanted for cus- think there is a realisation across The scale of the jihadi threat Kouachi, who was killed by security not released. His wife did not before being killed by police, todial interference. Police warned the police and security commu- has increased over the past dec- forces in a siege, has been buried to attend the burial to keep it remained unclear. the couple could be dangerous and nity in Europe. But at the same ade, Wainwright said, because in secret. His funeral happened on secret, said her lawyer Antoine THE GUARDIAN said they were becoming more daring as they made their way across the country. “It is imperative that these two be located and apprehended as their behavior is becoming Nigeria’s neighbours join increasingly brazen and danger- Shelling rocks east Ukraine airport ous,” the Grayson County Sheriff’s office said in a statement. DONETSK: Clashes between least nine dead since Thursday. for their service before walking hands to fight Boko Haram “Both have managed to flee Ukraine’s army and pro-Rus- At least eight civilians have been away, said Moskal. The jar later police on at least two occasions sian rebels for control of a reported killed over the same exploded, killing one soldier and LIBREVILLE: Cameroon, in the face of Boko Haram. On and are certainly considered battered airport intensified period, including one yesterday seriously wounding three others Chad and Niger have launched a Friday, after Chad’s parliament flight risks if stopped by anyone.” yesterday, with explosions and when rebels were accused of fir- in the highly unusual attack. regional bid to combat the Boko voted to send armed forces to Grayson County Sheriff heavy gunfire shaking the area ing Grad rockets in the city of As fighting rocked the area Haram Islamists, as their attacks Cameroon and Nigeria to help Norman Chaffins told AFP that throughout much of the day and Popasna in the Lugansk region. A around the airport, Lysenko spread beyond Nigeria and con- fight the Islamists, Chadian army a credible tip indicated they were at least six more people killed. rebel official in Donetsk said that alleged that Russia was increas- cern mounts over the Nigerians’ vehicles headed south out of the last spotted in Florida, and that The battle for Donetsk airport another two civilians were killed ing its military presence along failure to regain control. capital N’Djamena. people across the United States in eastern Ukraine saw Kiev rush and five wounded in shellings that the Ukraine border. He said arms The three neighbours have The move comes after the had called in to help. Some tip- reinforcements to the snowy front he blamed on Ukrainian forces. including TOS-1 flamethrowers, opted for a joint military response Islamists seized Baga town on sters had called in from as far lines, while soldiers in the area An elderly man identifying C300 missile systems and Smerch to the cross-border threat from the Nigerian shore of Lake Chad away as the West Coast. AFP spoke of some of the worst shell- himself as a local resident in and Hurricane rocket launch- Boko Haram fighters and have early this month. Satellite pictures ing yet in the nine-month war. Stanicya Luganska handed sol- ers had been spotted near the made veiled criticisms of Nigeria, released by Amnesty and Human Fire halts traffic Fighting has flared in the region diers at a checkpoint a three-litre Russian city of Rostov-on-Don whose armed forces appear no Rights Watch showed widespread in recent days, with peace talks jar of honey and thanked them close to the border. AFP match for the Islamist group that destruction with around 3,700 in Channel Tunnel having stalled and a September emerged in 2009. buildings in Baga and nearby truce in shreds. “We try to hold on Brutal raids, massacres, suicide Doron Baga damaged or destroyed. LILLE: Traffic was suspended and to reciprocate,” one Ukrainian bomb attacks and kidnappings Eyre said as many as 2,000 civil- in both directions in the Channel soldier in Pisky, said. “A lot of guys by Boko Haram have claimed at ians may have been massacred, Tunnel between Britain and have already died. We have to end least 13,000 lives and driven an but Nigeria’s army objected to the France after a lorry fire, authori- it all already, to stop it.” estimated 1.5 million people from “sensational” claims and said that ties said. The Eurostar passenger The blackened and wrecked their homes, mainly in arid north- the death toll in Baga was about train service said on its website shell of the airport has been east Nigeria. 150. The Islamists detained “over that all services had been can- repeatedly hit by heavy artillery Officially, all four states, whose 500 women and hundreds of chil- celled for the day. in months of on-and-off clashes. borders converge in remote ter- dren” in a school, one woman who “We are sorry but we are It however remains of symbolic ritory at Lake Chad, formed a escaped the area said, adding that unable to run any further trains and strategic importance, and military alliance that was due to she had seen “decomposing bodies today because Eurotunnel has Ukraine’s military maintained take shape last November to bat- scattered all over”. been closed due to smoke detected that it was defending its positions tle Boko Haram. But building a The battle against Boko Haram in the north tunnel,” the firm said despite rebel claims that they had combined Lake Chad force seems comes as the stakes are mounting on its website. All trains already taken control of the site. to have dropped off the agenda. ahead of a presidential election on en route were forced to turn back “The situation there is really Now the urgency of the situa- February 14. Incumbent Goodluck to their stations of origin. difficult,” military spokesman tion is such that Nigeria’s part- Jonathan, who is seeking re-elec- Police in southern England said Andriy Lysenko said and added ners appear to have finally lost tion, paid a surprise visit to Boko the fire was “at the French end that three Ukrainian soldiers An aerial footage shot by a drone shows the terminal building of the Sergey patience and decided to act. Haram’s heartland, proffering hope of the tunnel and is being dealt had been killed and 18 oth- Prokofiev International Airport damaged by shelling during fighting between Cameroon in particular has less than a month before polls — with by the French authorities.” ers wounded over the past day, pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces, in Donetsk. been critical of what it sees as but whether he can back that up “There are no reported injuries,” bringing the military’s toll to at the Nigerian authorities’ passivity remains uncertain. AFP added police. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 ASIA / PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Abe pledges $2.5bn in Mideast aid Funds for states hosting refugees

CAIRO: Japanese Prime power grid. The United Nations Minister Shinzo Abe pledged has warned that the number of $2.5bn in humanitarian and Syrian refugees could shoot up development aid for the Middle to 4.27 million by December from East yesterday as he launched a the current figure of more than Bystanders and airport staff rush to offer help after a plane accident next to the tarmac of the international airport in Tacloban yesterday. The plane regional tour. three million. carrying top aides of Philippine President Benigno Aquino that was following Pope Francis overshot a runway as it tried to take off in stormy weather. In a speech in Cairo, Abe pledged Dozens of Japanese company $200m in non-military assist- executives are accompanying Abe ance for countries affected by on his trip. Since taking office in Pope comforts typhoon victims the Islamic State group’s bloody December 2012, Abe has worked expansion in Iraq and Syria, to boost Japan’s profile in glo- which spurred an exodus of refu- bal affairs. He has visited more TACLOBAN: Pope Francis, wearing a plas- the feelings” of those who felt they had been gees to neighbouring countries. than 50 countries including Gulf tic poncho against gusting winds and driving let down by God because of the disaster but “Japan will newly carry out nations — but not Japan’s neigh- rain, kept a promise yesterday to comfort implored them to move forward in their faith. assistance of $2.5bn in non-mil- bours China and South Korea, survivors of a devastating 2013 typhoon but a “Many of you have asked the Lord, ‘Why?’ itary fields including humanitar- with which Tokyo is at odds over new storm forced him to leave early. And to each of you the Lord is responding to ian assistance and infrastructure territory and history. The last The Pope flew to Tacloban, ground zero of your hearts from his heart ... so many of you development, intended for the time a Japanese leader visited Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the area have lost everything. I don’t know what to say entire region,” Abe said, accord- Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian around Leyte Island 14 months ago, killing to you but the Lord does know what to say to ing to an official transcript. territories was in 2006 when at least 6,300 people, leaving a million others you,” he said. Speaking to Egyptian politi- Junichiro Koizumi was in office. homeless and displacing four million. He asked the crowd to hold a moment of cians and businessmen, he said Abe was the last premier to The strong wind blew the white skull cap silence and thanked those who helped in the Japan would “provide assist- visit Egypt during his brief first from Francis’ head and rippled his white cas- rescue effort after the worst recorded storm ance for refugees and displaced stint in the top job in 2007. He sock as he disembarked from his plane. At a ever to make landfall. “This is what comes Pope Francis arrives at the Palo Cathedral near persons from Iraq and Syria”. “I said Japan had contributed $2.2bn Mass near the airport, he delivered a very from my heart and forgive me if I have no Tacloban airport. Storms greeted the Pope when will pledge assistance of a total of to the Middle East in 2012 which personal, emotional message of comfort to sur- other words to express,” Francis said. he arrived in Tacloban to pray for the dead and about $200m for those countries had “already been put into execu- vivors, who stood amid puddles in mud-soaked The papal Mass was accelerated and the comfort survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. contending with IS, to help build tion.” Abe met Egyptian President fields and along roadsides. remainder of the programme — a visit to a their human capacities, infra- Abdel Fattah Al Sisi before He told them that he had vowed to make the nearby cathedral, lunch with survivors and after the Mass. Minutes after the Pope’s plane structure, and so on,” he added. departing to Jordan and then trip in November 2013 when he saw reports the blessing of a new centre for the poor — left for Manila, a jet carrying 11 people, includ- A Japanese foreign ministry offi- Israel and the Palestinian West of the devastation Haiyan had caused. “I felt was compacted so he could leave four hours ing Philippine Cabinet members, overshot the cial said that much of those funds Bank. Abe urged Israel and the that I had to be here ... I am here to be with early because of worsening conditions. In the runway at Tacloban because of the storm. No would go towards assisting neigh- Palestinians to resume negotia- you, perhaps a little late, I have to say, but I cathedral, he apologised for leaving early. “I’m one was hurt but authorities closed the air- bouring states hosting refugees. tions. “Japan believes that the day am here,” he said. sad about this, truly saddened,” he said. port. A 21-year-old volunteer was killed when The money is included in the will come in the near future when The Pope, speaking through an interpreter The Vatican said he blessed the centre from a scaffolding holding huge speakers was blown $2.5bn figure, she said, which also we can recognise Palestine as a who translated his comments into English his car. He also stopped briefly at the home of over by the wind, Leyte health officials said. includes loans to improve Egypt’s state,” he said. AFP from his native Spanish, said he “respected a poor fisherman on his way into Tacloban city REUTERS

Tugboat sinking kills 22 in China Sri Lankan Airlines to stop flights to Two die of bird flu in Fujian Rajapaksa airport BEIJING: Two people have died of Jiangxi on Friday, Xinhua including 132 deaths. Another of the H7N9 strain of avian flu said, while both the municipality death was recorded on December COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s in China’s eastern province of of Shanghai and neighbouring 29. In 2013, the country recorded national airline yesterday Fujian, state media said yester- Zhejiang province have reported 46 deaths and 144 cases since the announced it will stop all flights day, quoting local health officials. cases “this winter”. outbreak started in March of that to the country’s second interna- Fujian has confirmed 15 cases Cases of the virus accelerated year. tional airport built and named since the start of 2015, Xinhua in China in 2014, with statistics The virus ignited fears that after Mahinda Rajapaksa, after news agency reported. It did not compiled by health authorities it could mutate to become eas- he was defeated in last week’s say when the two patients died. in Beijing showing 310 cases ily transmissible between people, presidential elections. Another human infection was were diagnosed on the mainland threatening a global pandemic. Sri Lankan Airlines said that reported in the adjacent province from January until December 10, AFP operating flights via the Rajapakse International airport in the former president’s home constituency of Hambantota was a huge drain on the already heavily debt-laden Indonesia carrier. The state-owned airline — Relatives of missing people react on the bank during search and rescue executes six under new management after new operations of an overturned tugboat in the Yangtze River, Jingjiang city, President Maithripala Sirisena Jiangsu province, China, yesterday. Twenty-two people including eight assumed office last week — has drug convicts foreigners have been confirmed dead. decided to cut back uneconomical flights, including operations via JAKARTA: Indonesia Rajapakse International. yesterday executed six “This translates to an annual people convicted of drugs bottom line improvement of offences, including five approximately $18m,” the airline Lanka’s top judge urged to quit foreigners, a spokesman said. The airline is weighed down for the attorney general’s with debts of nearly $650m. COLOMBO: Sri Lankan lawyers yesterday demanded the resigna- office said. The foreign- Rajapaksa opened his pet- tion of the country’s chief justice over allegations that he tried to ers were from Brazil, the project airport in March 2013, help ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa remain in office despite last Netherlands, Vietnam, hoping it would become a new week’s election defeat. Malawi and Nigeria. All economic hub and act as a gate- The influential Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which includes the convicts were exe- way to the island’s southeast. the vast majority of lawyers in the country, said it wanted Mohan cuted by firing squad But the former government said Peiris to resign over his role in an alleged coup bid. Police this week shortly after midnight. in parliament that the airport announced the launch of a criminal probe into a complaint by Foreign He said five were exe- earned Rs16,000 ($125) in the Minister Mangala Samaraweera that defeated strongman Rajapaksa cuted on Nusakambangan month of May last year, record- tried to use military force to stay on. Island, off the south coast ing a turnover less than that of a President Maithripala Sirisena’s top aides say Rajapakse had the chief of the archipelago’s main corner grocery store. justice poised to legitimise a state of emergency after the strongman island of Java and home to The only foreign airlines which attempted to sabotage the vote count in the early hours of January 9. a high-security prison. operate services through the air- Rajapakse is also accused of urging the island’s army and police chiefs to The sixth was executed port are UAE-based Fly Dubai deploy the security forces. There has been no reaction from judge Peiris in Boyolali district in cen- and Rotana Jet Aviation. AFP to the allegations against him, but the BASL said he should go. AFP tral Java. AFP

Taiwan’s ruling party looks to new leader to turn tide TAIPEI: Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly ruling election was announced, a KMT statement — by force if necessary. Voters feel that trade party appointed a new leader yesterday in said. “I hope our two parties will continue to deals with Beijing have been agreed in secret the hope of reversing its fortunes after its expand exchanges in the future development and have not benefited ordinary Taiwanese, worst-ever local election setback reflected of cross-strait ties to create mutual benefits with mass protests against a trade pact last growing fears over Chinese influence. and win-win situations, and to promote last- year leading to a three-week occupation of President Ma Ying-jeou resigned as ing peace and prosperity between the two the island’s parliament by students. chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) over sides,” Chu said in a reply telegram to Xi. A stuttering economy and a string of food the election defeat in November, seen as The 53-year-old former accounting profes- safety scandals also contributed to the dis- a public backlash over warming ties with sor is seen as a safe pair of hands to strike astrous local elections, seen as a key barom- China since he took power in 2008. the delicate balance of building relations with eter ahead of the 2016 presidential race. Rising star Eric Chu, the mayor of New China and appeasing a frustrated electorate. Chu was the only KMT politician who Taipei city, stood unopposed for the party “The KMT will not be destroyed. The KMT won in Taiwan’s six large municipalities to leadership yesterday and was elected with will rise again as long as we... always stand maintain his position as New Taipei mayor. 196,065 votes, or 99.61 percent of the total by the people’s side,” Chu said last week at a The victory propelled him forward as the cast by party members, the KMT said. party event surrounded by supporters. party’s next leader — and possible presi- He will formally take the reins tomor- Taiwan and China split in 1949 at the end dential candidate. He has ruled out running row. China’s President Xi Jinping sent his of a civil war but Beijing still claims the island for president in 2016, but is seen as a strong congratulations to Chu shortly after his as part of its territory awaiting reunification contender for future leadership. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Urban Pakistanis rising against extremism Liberal citizens speak out against fanaticism as movement spreads through social media ISLAMABAD: One month on from a parties — must do more to tackle those read on it, I research on it to an extent. Taliban school massacre in Peshawar Islamist groups that have traditionally I can’t seem to reconcile the preachings that left 150 dead a new movement is received official backing. In an effort to of my imam and the teachings of the growing among marginalised urban highlight the discrepancy, Nasir, who Quran,” he says. liberals rallying to “Reclaim Pakistan” happened to be visiting Islamabad at The movement has spread over social from violent extremism. the time of the Peshawar assault, led media, particularly Facebook, with like- Carrying placards and candles, their like-minded activists to protest outside minded groups in the major cities of stand against religious fanaticism is an the radical Red Mosque, whose imam is Lahore and Karachi coordinating their unusual sight in a country more used to known for his pro-Taliban views and who protests and condemning local militant mass demonstrations by Islamist groups has refused to condemn the attack on groups that operate in those areas. filled with chants against the West the school. Analysts believe some militant groups or India. Maulana Abdul Aziz led an armed receive backing from the state because Muhammad Jibran Nasir, a 27-year- insurrection against the military in 2007, they can be used as assets by Pakistan to old lawyer who has played a key role in but was acquitted of all charges against exert influence in India and Afghanistan organising demonstrations, said he and him by 2013 in a case which analysts — a strategy which progressives are keen others felt they could no longer stand by say highlights weaknesses in Pakistan’s to see ended. following the brutal killings of school- judicial system and sympathies for “We are basically people who are con- children in the country’s northwest on militants among parts of the security cerned for our own humanity. If we do December 16. establishment. not take some kind of stance we may “I never felt so overwhelmed. I The “Reclaim” movement’s first small very well stay alive but we lose our own felt pathetic as a human being, as a victory was the re-opening of an investi- humanity by being lazy. It makes us com- Muslim, as a Pakistani. I felt very, very gation against Aziz, said Nasir. plicit,” said 36-year-old Taimur Khan, an small,” he said. “There’s an arrest warrant out, police A Pakistani protester carries a placard with pictures of students who died in the Peshawar entrepreneur who is part of the Reclaim While Pakistan’s military has been say they are doing their own investiga- attack on an army-run school during a protest by civil society activists in Islamabad. movement in Islamabad. engaged in heavy offensives in the tion,” he told AFP, adding he was hope- Progressives remain a relatively small country’s northwestern tribal areas, ful that more pressure could result in Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the Pakistani Muslim, he felt he could no longer see his minority, confined to the educated upper progressive critics believe the state — firm action. He now says he has been Taliban over the phone. But, as some- faith hijacked. and middle-classes — a fact bemoaned including both the army and political threatened not just by Aziz but by the one who considers himself an observant “I’ve got some views on my religion, I by Nasir. AFP Pakistan hangs 19th Lensman recovering after attack militant after carnage KARACHI: AFP photogra- AFP since 2005, mainly from LAHORE: Pakistan yes- pardoned my client, but the court pher Asif Hassan was recover- the sprawling port city of 18 mil- terday hanged a sectarian rejected it and while we were ing in hospital yesterday after lion people. The New York-based militant whose execution was appealing against the decision, my being shot while covering an Committee to Protect Journalists cancelled but later reinstated client was hanged,” Mangan said. anti-Charlie Hebdo protest out- demanded the culprits behind after a court rejected a pardon Murder can be forgiven under side the French consulate in Friday’s incident be brought to from his victim’s family, offi- Pakistani law in exchange for Karachi. justice. cials said. blood money, while rival militant The protest by the student wing “We call on authorities to The hanging brings to 19 the groups may choose to pardon of the Jamaat-e-Islami religious quickly and thoroughly inves- number of executions Pakistan each others’ convicted killers. party was one of several staged tigate the shooting of Agence has carried out since it lifted The United Nations, the across Pakistan by Islamist groups France-Presse photographer a six-year moratorium on the European Union, Amnesty after Friday prayers against the Asif Hassan and to hold the per- death penalty in terror cases International and Human Rights French magazine’s depiction of petrators to account,” said Bob following a school massacre last Watch have called on Pakistan the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme month. Ikramul Haq, a member to re-impose its moratorium on Hassan was stable and con- coordinator. of banned Sunni militant outfit the death penalty, which ran scious after the bullet entered “Journalists in Pakistan must Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, was hanged from 2008 until December 2014. his back and exited through his be able to safely cover newswor- in the central city of Lahore early Rights campaigners say chest via a lung, medics at the thy events.” Fourteen journalists yesterday morning. He had been Pakistan overuses its anti-ter- Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan died in 2014, according sentenced to death by an anti- ror laws and courts to prosecute and relatives said. to the International Federation of terror court in 2004 for killing a ordinary crimes. Police and witnesses at the Journalism, making it the deadli- Shia Muslim three years earlier. There are also concerns that scene blamed the protesters for est country in the world for the Police, prison officials and death row convicts from non- the violence, saying they opened profession. defence lawyer Ghulam Mustafa terror related cases could be fire on the police when they Protests against Charlie Hebdo, Mangan confirmed the execu- executed. were blocked from reaching the which published a new cartoon of tion. The victim’s family had Taliban gunmen stormed an consulate. the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) pardoned him on January 8 just army-run school in the north- Two others, a policeman and a week after 12 people were killed before his scheduled hanging, western city of Peshawar last a local TV cameraman, received at its offices by Islamist gunmen, but a court later rejected the month, killing 150 people, mostly minor wounds and were dis- also shook other parts of the French news agency Agence France-Press photographer Asif Hassan in a compromise. children, in the country’s dead- charged from hospital after first Muslim world on Friday. police vehicle after being shot on Friday. “The victim’s family had liest ever militant attack. AFP aid. Hassan, 38, has worked for AFP

Man gets death sentence for killing Ahmadis

LAHORE: A Pakistani anti- Ahmadis were declared Rai Asif Mehmood told AFP. clients could appeal against the terror court yesterday sen- non-Muslims by the Pakistani The court gave life imprison- verdicts. tenced a man to death and government in 1974. They are ment to Muaviya’s co-accused The attacks sparked more his accomplice to life impris- frequent victims of discrimina- Abdullah, 21, on nine counts of than two hours of gun battles onment in the first convic- tion and violent assaults, but it terrorism and use of explosives, with police and commandos. tions for an attack on the is rare for militants to be con- Mehmood said. Muaviya and Abdullah were persecuted Ahmadi religious victed for attacks against them. The men were fined Rs3m detained at the scene and two minority that left 82 dead. “Accused Muaviya (who uses ($30,000) each, Mehmood other suspects remain at large, In May 2010, gun and suicide one name), 27, has been given added. according to officials. attackers stormed into two the death sentence on seven A second prosecution official Gunmen later attacked the Ahmadi prayer halls in the city counts of murder and terrorism confirmed the sentences. hospital where victims were of Lahore, slaughtering dozens for the attack on the Ahmadi The pair’s defence lawyer being treated, killing another of worshippers. places of worship,” prosecutor Rana Arif told AFP that his 12 people. AFP

Afghanistan arrests five over school attack KABUL: Afghan security forces have arrested five men suspected of involvement in last month’s massacre at a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, an Afghan security source said yesterday. Several Taliban gunmen stormed the school in Peshawar last month, killing 150 peo- ple, mostly children, in the country’s deadliest ever militant attack. The December 16 attack on the Army Public School prompted a bout of national soul-searching even in a country used to high levels of violence. Yesterday, an Afghan security source con- firmed that his force had recently made five arrests, after Pakistan supplied information to Kabul. The official said the men, who Members of the Afghan National Army test their weapons during an operation against suspected militants were not Afghan nationals, in the Dangam district of Kunar province, Afghanistan, yesterday. were arrested in the troubled border areas. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

President Mass resignations hit Censor Board launches polio Punjab bans MSG; Jaitley dismisses allegations of interference by government immunisation

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: for the seven songs in the film, films under the provisions of the Rahim’s film, Samson said on relationship with CBFC is being programme The Censor Board was yesterday including one called Love Charger. Cinematograph Act 1952”. Friday: “That is not the reason.” twisted by BJP ministers into a hit by mass resignations a day It is yet to be officially released. Jaitley, in a scathing Facebook Clarifying the legal regime NDA vs UPA issue”. “If BJP felt after board chairperson Leela Yesterday saw eight of the post titled “Rebels Without a with regard to the board’s func- UPA had politicised CBFC appoint- NEW DELHI: President Samson quit citing coercion and CBFC members quitting. Ira Cause”, dismissed allegations of tioning, Jaitley said: “If an Appeal ments, they should have sacked the Pranab Mukherjee yesterday corruption even as Information Bhaskar, Lora Prabhu, Pankaj “alleged interference by the gov- Tribunal disagrees with the board,” said the Congress leader, launched a pulse polio immuni- and Broadcasting Minister Arun Sharma, Rajeev Masand, ernment and corruption in the board, it is a part of the due proc- noting that the government says sation programme by adminis- Jaitley hit out at those quitting, Sekharbabu Kancherla, Shaji board” cited by Samson and the ess of law and not an onslaught on the board was politicised but also tering polio drops to children at calling them “UPA appointees” Karun, Shubhra Gupta and T G others, noting he and Rathore have board’s autonomy. hold that they are not vindictive. Rashtrapati Bhavan here. who had themselves to blame for Thyagarajan sent a joint resig- neither communicated with any “Can a subordinate judicial author- The board members in their Children of less than five any corruption. nation letter to Minister of State board member and never desired ity ever cry foul if its decision is upset letter said they had tried to make years will be given polio drops on Amidst the drama, the Punjab for Information and Broadcasting that any bureaucrat do the same. by an appellate authority? The NDA the film certification process more National Immunisation Day on government yesterday banned Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. “If there is any corruption, government maintains arms length uniform, transparent, consistent January 18, as part of the gov- the screening of controversial By evening, two other members the UPA appointees have them- distance in all matters relating to and sensitive to the freedom of ernment’s drive to sustain polio film MSG - The Messenger Of God, Mamang Dai and Arundhati Nag selves to blame. I only wished that film certification,” he said, accus- filmmakers’ right to expression eradication, an official release which features Dera Sacha Sauda had quit too, Samson said. the fact of corruption had been ing the UPA government of having with responsibility but their said. sect chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim In their letter, the members communicated even once by the “politicised the Censor Board”. struggle “has been extremely India has been implementing Singh, in wake of a central advi- said the events that led to Samson chairperson of the censor board to Jaitley noted that in 2004, frustrating and disappointing”. the Pulse Polio Programme since sory and intelligence reports that quitting were “merely the prover- me. The non-functional chairper- the UPA dismissed the existing “It is our firm position that given 1995 and the last case of wild polio it could lead to tension. bial last straw” and also protested son never did so,” Jaitley added. Censor Board headed by eminent the cavalier and dismissive manner was reported in January 2011. The film was cleared by the the “cavalier and dismissive man- He said the charge that meet- film actor Anupam Kher merely in which the CBFC is treated by A country is declared polio-free Certification Appellate Tribunal’s ner” in which the board is treated ings of the censor board are not because he was appointed by the the government, it is impossible to by the World Health Organisation (FCAT) despite not getting clear- by the government. being held “is a self-condemna- earlier government. “We did not perform this duty with even a mod- (WHO), if no case is reported for ance from the Central Board of The CBFC, which has 23 tion. The meetings are to be con- wish to do that. It is regrettable icum of efficacy or autonomy,” they three consecutive years. Film Certification (CBFC) and its members on its board besides vened not by the minister or the that the UPA appointees have said, adding they also objected to India and seven other Asian revising committee. The film, writ- the chairperson, is a statutory secretary, but by the chairperson”. decided to politicise routine issues.” the way the chairperson has been countries were declared polio-free ten, produced and directed by Ram body under the information and While many have claimed that However, his UPA predecessor treated by the ministry “which we by the WHO March 27, 2014. Rahim also has him in the lead role. broadcasting ministry “regu- Samson’s resignation was trig- Manish Tewari retorted that the feel has been humiliating for us all”. Apart from India, the other He has also written and given music lating the public exhibition of gered by clearance given to Ram government’s “inability to finesse IANS countries which were given polio- free certificates were Bangladesh, Bhutan, North Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Maldives and Japanese foreign minister arrives Myanmar. Speaking at the function, Saradha scam: Sudipta union Health Minister J P Nadda applauded the sustained hard work of nearly 23 lakh volunteers and 1.5 lakh supervisors, along Sen’s advisor arrested with donor partners for eradicat- ing polio from India. KOLKATA: The CBI yes- advised Sen to launch a ponzi The health minister said efforts terday arrested Shivnarayan scheme and attract depositors by to keep the country polio free are Das, said to be an advisor of promising huge returns. In turn, being sustained. Saradha scam purported king- Sen had made Das a director and pin Sudipta Sen, in connection shareholder of Saradha Realty NIA gets four-day with the multi-billion chit fund after starting the business. scandal. A fully loaded revolver Meanwhile, CBI personnel custody of Bodo was also seized from him. searched nine locations in West “Shivnarayan Das has been Bengal including the office and militants arrested today by the CBI for his residences of Win Realcon in the involvement in the case against chit fund scam case, an agency GUWAHATI: Three top Bodo Saradha Realty India Ltd and oth- official said. militants, who were arrested ers. A notice was earlier served “Searches are being conducted from Nagaland capital Kohima, at his residence but he did not at nine locations in West Bengal were yesterday produced in a respond and was neither avail- in the residential as well as official court which sent them to four- able nor did he join investigation premises of Win Realcon and its day custody of the National till date,” said a Central Bureau directors,” the official said. Investigation Agency (NIA). of Information spokesperson. “He Many teams of CBI officers The NIA is probing the was on the run and CBI was track- conducted the searches across December 23 massacre in three ing him incessantly,” she said. Barrackpore, Khardaha, Sodepur districts of Assam that left over Acting on a tip off, the CBI and Habra in North 24 Parganas 75 people dead and displaced over sleuths detained Das, and arrested district and seized several two lakh people. him after a through interroga- documents. Although the NIA sought tion. “When he was arrested, he Win Realcon is one of the sev- 10-day custody, the special NIA was also carrying an imported 0.38 eral non-Saradha group compa- court granted only four days for fully-loaded revolver along with nies against which the CBI has the three National Democratic ammunition which were also seized registered cases while probing the Fumio Kishida (left), Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, greets Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, Front of Bodoland (NDFB) under due procedure,” she said. multi-crore-rupee chit fund scam. yesterday. The two-day official visit is Kishida’s first overseas trip after being appointed as Japan’s Foreign Minister. militants. Sources said Das had allegedly IANS AGENCIES Acid attack survivor among bravery award winners

NEW DELHI: A 16-year-old acid attack abductor. The ‘Sanjay Chopra Award’ has Ughade (Maharashtra), L Brainson survivor is among the 24 children who been given to Devesh Kumar, 16, of Uttar Singh and G Tooldev Sharma (Manipur), would be conferred this year’s National Pradesh for displaying outstanding courage Ripa Das (Tripura), Balram Dansena Bravery Award, it was announced while confronting two chain snatchers. (Chhattisgarh), Rajdeep Das (Jharkhand), yesterday. Rumoh Meto, 13, of Arunachal Pradesh, Anjith P, Master Aqil Mohammad NK Resham Fatma will receive the coveted Late Riya Chaudhary, 15, of Uttar Pradesh and Midhun PP (Kerala), Stevenson ‘Bharat Award’ for showing exceptional gal- and Late Monika, 16, of Uttarakhand have Lawriniang (Meghalaya), Late Mesak K lantry while fighting off her tormentor. been given the ‘Bapu Gaidhani Award’. Remnalalnghaka (Mizoram), Mhonbeni “Eight girls and 16 boys have been selected Meto saved a person from electrocution, Equng (Nagaland) and Labhanshu for the National Bravery Awards for the Chaudhary sacrificed her life while trying (Uttarakhand). year 2014,” an official statement said. Four to save her father when some miscreants The children will receive the awards from children are being given the award posthu- attacked her family. Monika lost her life Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 24 mously, it said. while trying to save a child from drowning. at a special function and will participate in the The prestigious ‘Geeta Chopra Award’ The other recipients are Jitendra Republic Day parade on January 26. President has been conferred on Assam’s Gunjan Marathe, Hiral Jitubhai Halpati and Pranab Mukherjee and several other dignitar- Sharma, 13, who displayed exemplary valour Late Gaurav Kumar Bharti (Gujarat), ies will also host receptions in their honour. in saving her friends from the clutches of an Sahanesh R (Karnataka), Ashwini Bandu IANS

Poll panel issues notice Parrikar hands over Tejas to IAF BANGALORE: Defence Minister Manohar Noting that LCA was the need of the hour, to Kejriwal Parrikar yesterday handed over the first given the operational requirements of the IAF, indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft Raha said the fourth-generation fighter would be NEW DELHI: The Election (LCA) Tejas to Indian Air Force (IAF) chief inducted into the fleet along with other aircraft Commission yesterday issued Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha here. to form the first Tejas squadron. a notice to AAP leader Arvind Marking the formal handing over of the multi- Admitting that Tejas was only 60 percent Kejriwal for violating the role fighter built by the state-run Hindustan indigenous till date, Tyagi said the company model code of conduct by mak- Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under the limited series would roll out six aircraft in the ensuing fiscal ing “unverified” allegations production of 20 aircraft (Mark-1 version), the (2015-16). As a single-engine multi-role super- against Delhi BJP chief Satish minister presented technical documents to Raha sonic fighter, Tejas is set to replace the IAF’s Upadhyay. in the presence of HAL chairman R.K. Tyagi. ageing Russian-made MiG-21 fleet when inducted The notice said that the com- The media was, however, not allowed to cover in six squadrons after defence regulator -- Centre mission has received a complaint the event, which took place during Parrikar’s for Military Airworthiness and Certification from Upadhyay alleging that maiden official visit here after he took over as (Cemilac) certifies it for Final Operational Kejriwal levelled “false, baseless defence minister on November 10 last year. Clearance (FOC) later this year. and unverified allegations against Calling upon HAL and the Defence Research The homegrown fighter received the initial him and Asish Sood, general sec- and Development Oraganisation (DRDO), whose operational clearance (IOC-2) in December retary of the Bharatiya Janata aeronautics agencies took over three decades in 2013 for evaluation by IAF ace pilots on various Party’s Delhi unit”. developing the LCA, to think out of the box to parameters. Weighing 8.5 tonnes, Tejas can carry The commission said that it meet the timeline challenges for delivering the three tonnes of weapons, including air-to-air has also received a report from aircraft to IAF, Parrikar told officials to give missiles, laser guided bombs, guns, conventional/ Delhi’s chief electoral officer in more thrust on research and technology. retarded bombs and beyond visual range missiles. the matter and asked Kejriwal to “Although one does not achieve everything Tejas is also fitted with digital fly-by-wire sys- give his explanation by 3pm on overnight, we can achieve the results better by tem, flight control systems and open architecture Tuesday. modifying our work culture and adopting latest computer. IANS technology and tools,” Parrikar said. IANS

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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High: 24° High: 17° High: 19° cloudy to with Low: 18° Low: 13° Low: 14° scattered rain may be thundery at times.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:21 17:08 03:45 & 14:00 10:45 & 20:45 8-18/ 18-25/30 KT

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MUSCAT 24/20 Clear 23/18 Chance of storm MAKKAH 28/17 Clear 30/18 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 16/05 Clear 18/06 Chance of showers Chase Outlaw takes a fall off the bull “Lite Em Up” during the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) contest at the Madison Square Garden in New York yesterday. BAHRAIN 20/12 Chance of rain 17/12 Partly cloudy SANAA 23/07 Partly cloudy 23/04 Partly cloudy RIYADH 18/07 Partly cloudy 17/05 Clear DUBAI 26/17 Partly cloudy 19/15 Rain BAGHDAD 14/06 Partly cloudy 17/06 Clear Bjork to play at New York classical halls

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW NEW YORK: Bjork plans a dance performances. The singer, on social media, Bjork revealed a is still unknown, Bjork has said HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER series of intimate concerts at who has not released an album songlist that seemed to indicate that she is working with Arca, New York classical halls as the for four years, will also be the that the album will return to her the Venezuelan DJ known for experimental Icelandic singer focus of a previously announced frequent themes of nature, with producing rapper Kanye West ATHENS 16/12 Partly cloudy 16/12 Partly cloudy releases her new album in retrospective in March at New tracks entitled “Black Lake,” and the rising British trip-hop WASHINGTON 08/01 Rain 07/02 Partly cloudy March. York’s Museum of Modern Art, “Quicksand” and “Stonemilker.” artist FKA twigs. SYDNEY 22/19 Cloudy 26/19 Partly cloudy Bjork on her website and she is scheduled to play the Bjork’s last album, 2011’s Bjork, who turns 50 later this LONDON 04/-1 Partly cloudy 03/-1 Rain announced shows on March city’s Governors Ball festival in “Biophilia,” was a wildly ambi- year, sang in the 1980s with the PARIS 08/02 Chance of rain 04/00 Snow 7 and 14 at Carnegie Hall, one June. tious production that used mul- pop group The Sugarcubes before ISTANBUL 09/06 Clear 11/08 Partly cloudy of the world’s premier classical Bjork recently announced that timedia including smartphone her soaring vocal range and inno- MANILA 30/23 Partly cloudy 29/23 Partly cloudy venues, followed by four con- her upcoming album will be enti- apps to explore the links between vative musical concepts led her to DHAKA 25/15 Clear 25/14 Clear certs at the nearby New York tled “Vulnicura.” technology, music and nature. a successful solo career. DELHI 17/08 Partly cloudy 17/09 Partly cloudy City Center, which is home to In a handwritten note released While the sound of “Vulnicura” AFP ISLAMABAD 18/06 Clear 18/08 Partly cloudy

Faten Hamama, Tokyo split over Zaha Hadid’s Olympic stadium Arab film icon, WASHINGTON: In a little over five years, Tokyo will host the dies aged 83 world’s greatest athletes for the first time in half a century. But before a single foundation stone CAIRO: Egyptian actress has been laid, the Japanese capi- Faten Hamama, an Arab film tal, host of the 2020 Olympics, icon and Omar Sharif’s former has become the arena for a ver- wife, died Saturday at the age bal duel over what will be, or of 83, their son Tarek Sharif should be, the Games’ defining said. monument. Hamama, who was less than 10 The celebrations that greeted when she made her screen debut, the city’s selection as host almost appeared in almost 100 films and two years ago – it last hosted the worked with masters of Egypt’s summer Olympics in 1964 – have massive film industry, includ- given way to public bickering over ing Youssef Chahine. She often the size and design of the event’s starred with Omar Sharif. Born a showpiece: the sleek, futuristic Christian, he converted to Islam main stadium designed by Iraqi- to marry Hamama and described British architect Zaha Hadid. her as the only love of his life. Far from embracing her blue- The couple appeared together print, some of Hadid’s fellow in the 1961 movie “River of Love” architects have denounced the based on Leon Tolstoy’s “Anna 80,000-seat structure as a mon- Karenina.” strosity that stands out only The couple divorced in 1974 because of its incongruity with its when Omar Sharif, then already An artist’s impression of the new Olympic stadium. RIGHT: Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid designed the futuristic stadium. surroundings. The most wither- famous in his homeland, launched ing criticism has come from the theme and the absence of a grand damage to the environment and aside, campaigners say that important is that as design archi- a career in Hollywood. Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, vision makes Hadid’s stadium an landscape of the Jingu outer gar- replacing the existing stadium tects we take this project though “The Lady of the Arabic who designed the Palau Sant easy target. den, which is an oasis for Tokyo with Hadid’s behemoth will mean from beginning to end, and we’re screen,” as she was known, suf- Jordi used in the 1992 Barcelona The stadium’s size and loca- residents,” said Shimizu. evicting 300 households from the capable of doing that.” fered “a sudden health problem Olympics. In a long open letter tion, rather than its cost, is what She conceded that the national nearby Kasumigaoka apartments, As contractors prepare to which led to her death,” Egypt’s sent to the Japan Sports Council really riles many Tokyoites. It will stadium in its current form would as well as a handful of home- demolish the national stadium, official news agency MENA (JSC) in November, the 83-year- be in the outer garden of the Meiji not offer much comfort to spec- less men who sleep in the park. already shorn of its seats, later reported. Tarek Sharif did not old said Hadid’s design looked like shrine, built in the early 1900s tators, but noted that successful Campaigners accuse the Tokyo this month, a major rethink of give a cause of death, while “a turtle waiting for Japan to sink to honour the emperor of that refurbishments had been made metropolitan government, which the stadium plans is unlikely. In MENA said she had been hospi- so that it can swim away”. name. The structure will dwarf to the Olympiastadion in Berlin, has arranged new accommoda- the aftermath of Isozaki’s letter, talised weeks earlier due to ill- “The sight left me in despair,” nearby buildings, including the host of the 1936 Games, and to the tion for the residents, of threat- however, it is still open season on ness but had returned home. he wrote. “If the stadium gets built Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, ening to destroy a long-established its controversial replacement. A figure of the golden age the way it is, Tokyo will surely be an officially recognised cultural Olympic host in 1932 and 1984. community. The Japan Times said the struc- of Egyptian cinema, Faten burdened with a gigantic white asset built in 1926 to honour the There are mounting calls for the “Lots of elderly people live in ture would “drastically alter the Hamama’s career reached its elephant.” emperor and empress dowager JSC, which is overseeing construc- the apartment blocks, and the landscape in an abhorrent manner”. pinnacle in the 1940s and 1950s. Isozaki’s reproof came after Shoken. For all its energy and tion, to scrap Hadid’s design and stress of moving to a new place The paper noted that building regu- She starred in romantic mov- Japanese officials said they would charm, Tokyo is in most parts a instead refurbish the 54,000-seat will be too much for them,” said lations had been altered to accom- ies alongside the famed Arab scale back the building’s size, bow- sprawling collection of modern national stadium, which hosted Tetsuo Ogawa, a member of pres- modate the 70-metre stadium, even crooner Abdel Halim Hafez as ing to growing criticism that it buildings that are at best aes- athletics and the football final at sure group People Against the though other buildings in the area well as in films advocating wom- was too big and costly. The venue thetically challenged and, in many the 1964 Olympics. Olympics. “There is a real sense must not exceed 20 metres. en’s rights and condemning social will now be 70 metres (230 feet) cases, downright ugly. Rising costs have already forced of community where they are now, “The stadium’s supporters do injustices. in height, five metres lower than The new stadium, critics say, Tokyo’s governor, Yoichi Masuzoe, but that will be destroyed when not have the right to leave the Faten Hamama also had a envisaged, and will cost about will deprive the city’s people of one to scrap three new venues – for they move out.” nation with a legacy that will be daughter, Nadia, from a first $1.7bn, compared with the previ- of the few remaining green spaces basketball, badminton and sailing Satoshi Ohashi, a senior asso- a blight on Japan’s first officially marriage and tied the knot ous estimate of $3bn. in an area of historical value. – but officials say that a similar ciate at Zaha Hadid Architects, designated scenic area,” it said for a third time with a doctor, Unfortunately for Hadid, a Building the stadium in such an fate does not await Hadid’s sta- defended the stadium’s design. in a recent editorial. “The design Mohamed Abdel Wahab. AFP Pritzker prizewinner, Japan’s important historical setting would dium. “We are aware that there “We have been developing the should be reviewed and down- modern history has played into the also insult the memory of those are various opinions, but we would design in various stages and opti- sized in a manner that addresses hands of her detractors. The 1964 who donated money to buy the like to implement the current plan mising the design and responding financial, safety and aesthetic Games coincided with the start land after the emperor’s death for building a world-class stadium,” to various requirements,” he said. concerns.” of Japan’s economic miracle and in 1912, said Nobuko Shimizu, said Tomoko Mashimo, a spokes- “As architects we’re often in With demolition work immi- heralded its acceptance as a mem- co-chairwoman of the pressure woman for the JSC, which is this situation. When something is nent, campaigners are seeking a ber of the international commu- group Custodians of the National responsible for the stadium project. very public and attention gather- compromise that would allow two nity after the country’s disastrous Stadium. “We do not think the design ing, you always have people with of the 10 ageing apartment blocks military adventures in Asia. Half “The present national stadium will damage the landscape of the criticisms, and in this case there’s to remain for residents who want a century on, the 2020 organisers is still usable, with renovations, stadium’s surroundings,” Mashimo been criticism that has maybe to stay. are struggling to find a unifying while the new one will cause huge added. Environmental concerns clouded the process. But what is THE GUARDIAN Sunday 18 January 2015 27 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6314 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Fiat Chrysler to Gulf Warehousing profit jumps 38pc boost spending Total revenues up 28 percent to touch QR673.3m during 2014 with 20 new models by 2016 DOHA: Gulf Warehousing Company client needs are part of an overarching (GWC), Qatar’s leading logistics pro- strategy to ensure that our stakehold- vider, has recorded a strong 38 percent ers see constant returns on their invest- ROME: Fiat Chyrsler will increase in net profits throughout the ment,” said GWC Chairman Sheikh boost spending in the next year, achieving QR140.3m by the end Abdulla Fahad JJ Al Thani (pictured). two years as the carmaker of the fiscal year 2014, as compared to “Our long-term strategies will see plans to sell 20 new mod- QR101.6m at the close of 2013. us continue to develop on our current els by 2016, including the This was largely attributed to strong assets while exploring new avenues and Maserati Alfieri sportscar revenue streams, with total revenues markets ready for expansion and explo- and two new Alfa Romeos. peaking at QR673.3m during 2014, a ration,” he added. The carmaker’s investments remarkable increase from QR527.3m for The company’s investments have “increases to a peak in 2016 to the year 2013, or up 28 percent. shown strong dividends, and have made support the heavy cadence of Earnings per share rose to QR 2.95 at remarkable gains in all departments of the new and refreshed prod- the end of 2014, a remarkable increase the company, including contract logistics uct program,” Fiat Chrysler of 38 percent compared with the 2013 and freight forwarding, earning major Automobiles NV said yester- results of QR 2.14. contracts with clients in the oil and gas day in a presentation made to GWC’s assets also saw exponential field as well as other sectors. investors at Bank am Bellevue growth in 2014, rising to QR2.102bn in The RMS market continues to domi- seminar in Flims, Switzerland, total assets, a growth of 11.8 percent nate the market, serving nearly all posted on its website. in comparison to its holdings in 2013, financial institutions in the country and Chief Executive Officer which amounted to QR1.879bn. GWC entering the medical records field just Sergio Marchionne targets to approached its assets strategically, this year with two major contracts with boost sales by 60 percent to 7 making expansion decisions that would national health providers. million cars in 2018 as the car- best benefit the market and its clien- International Moves and Relocations maker plans to invest €48bn to tele. Therefore, the Bu Sulba Logistics supplement its one-stop shop immedi- continued to expand its operation, and expand Alfa Romeo, Maserati Hub has immediately formed one of the ately operational with fully integrated continues to maintain a 98 percent sat- and Jeep into nameplates that company’s biggest achievements in 2014, logistics infrastructure through a fifth isfaction rate on all moves, which have can attract customers from winning the contract for the 517,376 sqm expansion phase that is at the tender- included full-office tower moves. Beijing to Berlin to Boston. In site, making it one of the company’s big- ing stage. Fine Art Logistics has taken steps doing so, Marchionne is seek- gest sites constructed to date, second GWC also expanded on its industry to ensure its position as the country’s ing to forge an automaker only to the Logistics Village Qatar. specific assets, working to add nearly preferred fine art movers, and have that’s big enough to chal- Additionally, the Logistics Village 65,000 sqm of facilities at its Ras Laffan therefore gained several national art lenge General Motors Co and Qatar (LVQ) developed a further 81,000 Industrial City (RLIC) site, which will installation and movement contracts. Volkswagen AG. sqm, adding to an already impressive provide a new temperature controlled The transport department, meanwhile, Marchionne is boosting array of warehousing and distribution warehouse, a new open yard, and one of added to its assets by establishing a con- spending as FCA sees “posi- infrastructure during its fourth phase the first ISO tanks in the nation. tainer repair service offered directly to tive industry outlook” in every expansion during last year’s third quar- “This constant development of our its clients through the LVQ site. region next year, including ter. The company intends to further assets as well as seeking to meet our THE PENINSULA an increase of Brazilian and European markets, accord- ing to the presentation. The carmaker expects industry deliveries of cars and light commercial vehicle in Europe, India to talk Iran sanctions, LNG imports during Obama visit Middle East and Africa to increase to 21.7 million next year from 21.3 in 2014. Fiat NEW DELHI: India will use The US Government activity in 2007, the GAO said. programme is solely for peaceful lift 6 million tonnes a year of LNG sees an expansion of the an upcoming visit by Barack Accountability Office (GAO) “This (mention in the list) purposes. from two projects in the United EMEA market by 2.9 per- Obama to press the United listed three Indian companies could hit Indian companies’ plans Separately, Oil Ministry States. cent a year to 2018. The out- States to remove Indian oil as having commercial activity in to invest in other countries, par- sources said India will seek pref- US oil and gas production has look is also positive for North companies from a list naming Iran’s energy sector in a report ticularly in America,” said one of erential access to US exports of shot up in recent years as new America and Asia. firms doing business in Iran, last week, potentially making it the sources. liquefied natural gas (LNG), even technology has allowed the world’s The carmaker, created last and to seek priority access to difficult for them to do business The United States has imposed though India does not have a free- largest oil consumer to exploit year by the merger of Fiat SpA US LNG exports, sources in the with other countries, mainly the sanctions on Iran’s energy sector trade agreement (FTA) with the reserves in shale formations. with its US unit, plans to boost Oil Ministry said. United States. to put pressure on the Islamic United States. “We want them to But exports are tightly sales to over 5 million cars The US president will arrive Oil and Natural Gas Corp republic to halt its nuclear pro- give us the freedom to lift LNG restricted and LNG shipments in 2015, Marchionne said in in New Delhi on January 25 (ONGC), Oil India Ltd and Indian gramme, which the West suspects from any of their projects on a must be approved by Washington. Detroit. It’s adding over 1,000 and hold discussions with Prime Oil Corp (IOC), which have been may seek to develop atomic weap- priority basis, including the ones Exports of crude oil are banned new workers at the Italian Minister Narendra Modi, who on the list since 2010, cited inter- ons. Companies doing business in that are meant for FTA nations,” outright, a legacy of the recent plant which builds the Jeep visited Washington in September. ests in Iran’s Farsi concession in the sector face exclusion from the an official said. past when the United States Renegade to meet demand for An official agenda has not been their 2013-14 annual reports but US financial system. State-owned gas firm GAIL consumed far more oil than it the small SUV. BLOOMBERG released. told the GAO they had ceased Iran says its nuclear (India) Ltd has an agreement to produced. REUTERS

Goldman Sachs earnings hit by Inflation to rise in 2015: QNB DOHA: Inflation in Qatar these lower international food weak trading remained moderate in 2014, prices are likely to continue push- thanks in part to lower interna- ing Qatar’s food inflation lower, tional food prices, a QNB weekly albeit with a lag. NEW YORK: Goldman Sachs analysis said yesterday. The other components of for- reported a dip in quarterly prof- According to the Ministry eign inflation (clothing and foot- its as a weak performance in of Development Planning and wear; and furniture, textiles and bond trading and some other Statistics (MDPS), consumer price home appliances), however, came segments offset lower expenses. index (CPI) inflation remained in stronger than expected in 2014. Quarterly earnings at the US roughly stable at 3 percent in 2014, As such, foreign inflation did not investment bank were $2.17bn, from 3.1 percent in 2013. Key driv- come down as much as expected. down 7.1 percent from the year- ers of inflation in 2014 were higher Looking ahead, the IMF is fore- ago period. Revenues dropped 12.5 rent inflation offsetting lower casting international food prices to percent to $7.69bn. Like other big international food prices. fall by 10.8 percent in 2015. “As a Wall Street banks, Goldman suf- Going forward, the QNB anal- result, we forecast foreign inflation fered from a fall in trading activ- ysis expects domestic inflation to turn negative (-0.5 percent) in ity in fixed income, currency and to accelerate, pushing inflation 2015 before rebounding somewhat commodities. higher to 3.5 percent in 2015 and (1.8 percent) in 2016.” Revenues in this segment 4.4 percent in 2016. “Looking ahead, we forecast declined 29 percent as the bank The combination of rapid popu- 3.3 percent. This is likely to con- overall inflation to rise from 3 per- pointed to an “environment gen- lation growth (estimated to have tinue over the coming years in line cent in 2014 to 3.5 percent in 2015 erally characterised by difficult risen by 10.1 percent in 2014) and with the favourable outlook for the and 4.4 percent in 2016 on rising market-making conditions and higher GDP per capita led to a Qatar economy. “Accordingly, we rent inflation. However, there is a continued low levels of activity.” strong increase in land prices. project domestic inflation to rise to risk that large investment spend- The fourth quarter was very According to the latest Ministry of 5 percent in 2015 and 5.3 percent ing and the growing population volatile across financial markets, Justice data, land prices increased in 2016,” the report said. could lead to supply bottlenecks with the dollar gaining unexpect- 92.7 percent year-on-year in Counterbalancing this, foreign owing to limited domestic capac- edly and oil prices crashing, lead- December 2014. As a result, real inflation fell slightly to 2 percent ity. This could potentially push ing some investors to pull back estate developers raised rents in in 2014 as international food prices up domestic prices more than from the market. Another weak order to recoup higher land prices. fell on record global food harvests, expected and lead to overall infla- spot was underwriting, with rev- Accordingly, rent inflation rose to large US stockpiles and weak tion rising above our baseline fore- enues for this segment slumping Goldman Sachs Manhattan headquarters in New York City. an average 7 percent in 2014, lead- demand. Given that Qatar has casts,” the QNB weekly analysis 34 percent. AFP ing to overall domestic inflation of limited domestic food production, said. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS ‘Raise wages to reflect gains from low oil price’ British PM Cameron calls for action from firms

LONDON: Companies benefit- ing from lower oil prices should pass on gains to their employees 2015 pivotal year for talks on by raising wages, British Prime Minister David Cameron said. EU-US trade agreement: PM A glut in global oil supplies has caused Brent crude prices WASHINGTON: British Prime Minister David Cameron said to more than halve in little more that he and US President Barack Obama believe this year will be than six months. pivotal for a trade pact between Europe and the United States. Britain’s political parties are “We agreed that 2015 should be a pivotal year for an ambitious competing to try to show they can and comprehensive EU-US trade deal, which could benefit the best help voters benefit from the average household in Britain by 400 pounds a year,” Cameron said fall, as a national election looms at a news conference with the American president. REUTERS in May. Cameron, on a trip to the United States, was asked whether he wanted businesses to pass any Cheaper oil has handed the UK, but the main opposition higher profits from lower oil Cameron and his ruling Labour Party argues that, in real prices on to workers. Conservative Party a political gift terms, workers are worse off now “I want to see companies’ suc- ahead of the election by helping to than they were five years ago. cess passed through in terms of lower prices for everything from Labour had wanted to give wage increases,” he was quoted petrol to food and thereby blunt- energy regulators the power to as saying by the BBC yesterday. ing rival Labour’s attack over a force utility firms to lower prices “It has to be done in a way that’s “cost of living crisis”. when wholesale costs fall, but affordable, and in a way that com- Sliding oil prices have driven their bid was rejected in a vote by British Prime Minister David Cameron (right) talks to members at 1776, a business incubator, during a visit in panies can continue to grow. We down inflation, so that wages are British lawmakers on Wednesday. Washington, DC. Cameron is on a two-day visit to Washington. need to see productivity increase.” finally rising faster than prices in REUTERS Nigeria disputes Troika inspections to change after ruling

PARIS: The “troika” formula removed a hurdle to the bank’s troika as we know it today should The EU/ECB/IMF troika of of European Commission, ECB plans to buy government bonds not have a bright future,” Jean- inspectors, which have also been JPMorgan on naira and IMF inspectors that have to bolster the eurozone economy. Claude Juncker told a conference instrumental in the Irish and presided over the bailouts of But the opinion on the “OMT” in Paris. “The European Court Portuguese bailouts, has been LONDON: Nigeria’s central for 70 percent of government rev- countries including Greece bond-buying blueprint, put for- of Justice’s advocate general... particularly unpopular in Greece, bank Governor Godwin Emefiele enue and almost all export earn- will likely change after rec- ward by the advocate general to seemed to want to ban the ECB where it has pushed for spending disputed JPMorgan Chase & ings, has been battered by crude ommendations by a top EU the European Court of Justice, from remaining a member of the cuts and austerity reforms. When Co’s assertion that there is a prices plunging more than 50 per- court adviser, the European said that if such a bond-buy- troika.” asked about the general elec- lack of liquidity in the foreign cent since June. The rout sparked Commission chief said. ing plan was launched, the The court adviser said noth- tion in Greece, Juncker said he exchange market and said the capital outflows that policy makers The European Central ECB should stop being directly ing would prevent the ECB from would not interfere with domes- naira is correctly valued. “There have tried to stem by devaluing the Bank won effective backing on involved in the monitoring of being kept informed of financial tic politics, but added that any is no truth in the assertion by naira and raising interest rates to Wednesday for its pledge to do financial assistance programmes assistance programmes, but that past commitment made by pre- the index team that they do not a record 13 percent. The currency whatever it takes to support the such as the bailouts. it should not be directly involved vious governments must be kept. see the liquidity,” Emefiele said weakened 11 percent over the past euro, when a top EU legal adviser “It is an indication that the in the monitoring. REUTERS in an interview from the capital, three months, the most among 24 Abuja. African currencies tracked. “There’s no reason to begin to Patrick Burton, a spokesman for take a look at” the naira’s value JPMorgan in London, declined to after the central bank devalued comment. Gulf Air increases the currency in November, he said. The central bank makes its AT&T to record $10bn Venezuela Nigeria was placed on Index next interest and exchange rate Watch Negative for JPMorgan’s decision on January 20. At its last Larnaca service local currency emerging market meeting on November 25, it deval- indexes on Friday after central ued the mid-point at which it sells DOHA: Gulf Air, the national in charges for Q4 seeks oil bank measures in December naira at twice-weekly auctions to carrier of the Kingdom of reduced foreign exchange and 168 per dollar from 155 and wid- Bahrain, will increase effective NEW YORK: AT&T Inc said are announced. Leaving out one- bond trading, making it difficult ened its band to 5 percent either from January 23 its Bahrain– its fourth-quarter results will time items such as the pension talks with for foreign investors to replicate side of that rate, from 3 percent. Larnaca service to six weekly include a pretax loss of $7.9bn to loss and asset charge, profit will the gauge, the New-York based The bank last month told banks services, consisting of three direct account for changes in its pen- be 56 cents a share, up from 53 lender said in an e-mailed state- to clear foreign exchange positions and three weekly operations via sion and retiree benefit plans. cents a year earlier, on revenue of ment. The regulator intervened daily, having previously allowed Kuwait International Airport. The results will also include a $34.2bn, according to the average Mexico after the naira fell to a record them net open positions of 1 per- The service will have three $2.1bn noncash charge because of analysts’ estimates compiled. low soon after the announcement, cent of shareholder funds. direct weekly flights operat- certain copper assets are no AT&T shares fell as much as MEXICO CITY: Venezuelan according to Guaranty Trust Emefiele described the open- ing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and longer needed as customer 1.3 percent to $33.37 after US President Nicolas Maduro wants Bank Plc. position rule as “a moving target Saturdays alongside three weekly demand declines for older voice markets closed in New York. The to meet with his Mexican coun- “We are very surprised at this based on our view of the liquidity connections via Kuwait (origi- and data products, the Dallas- company is scheduled to report terpart Enrique Pena Nieto action by the JPMorgan index and macro situation. It’s not cast nating from Bahrain) that will based company said in a regula- earnings results on January 27. to discuss a slump in crude oil team,” Emefiele said, adding that in iron.” operate on Wednesdays, Fridays tory filing on Friday. AT&T said On December 31, AT&T reduced prices when they attend a sum- the central bank wasn’t consulted. The central bank will “meet and Sundays. Gulf Air flights are its units’ operating results and its assumed discount rates for the mit in Costa Rica at the end of “We want to stay in the index and legitimate foreign-exchange operated by an A320-ER aircraft margins won’t be affected. pension to 4.3 percent and for the January, a diplomatic source said. we’re doing everything to make demand in the market, not in a two-class configuration of 14 The pension adjustments have retiree benefits to 4.2 percent, Maduro is wrapping up a tour sure we do.” spurious or speculative demand,” Falcon Gold seats and 96 seats in become a regular January event resulting in an actuarial loss of that took him to China, Russia Nigeria, which depends on oil he said. BLOOMBERG Economy. THE PENINSULA before fourth-quarter results about $7.9bn. BLOOMBERG Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Algeria, in what Opec delegates described as a diplomatic push by Venezuela and Iran for an Opec oil output cut. The diplomatic source said Need to close development gaps, says Doha Bank CEO Maduro has proposed a meeting with Pena Nieto at a summit of Latin American and Caribbean DOHA: With the growing inte- not only in politics and economics, leaders in Costa Rica on January gration of the world economy, but as individuals and societies. 28 and 29. governments across the world The world is full of opportunities A Mexican government spokes- must focus on the need to close if we recognise that it is border- man said Pena Nieto planned to development gaps by promoting less. We have challenges of food attend the summit, but had no equitable and inclusive growth security as the global population details on whether the pair would for achieving sustainable devel- is expected to grow in future. meet. “I am asking for a meeting opment, said Dr R Seetharaman, Gender equality, Child health with the president of Mexico,” Group CEO of Doha Bank, in a care and education are also areas Maduro said on Thursday after conference here recently. which require attention. Taking meeting with Russian President “When the 2008 crisis surfaced, into the current situation the Vladimir Putin, without specify- governments thought they could Global citizen-ship is the solution.” ing a date or place for the meeting. fix the issue by improving liquid- Top corporate and community Earlier in the tour, Maduro said ity. As a result, billions of dollars leaders participated at the event in Qatar that he was working to were pumped into the market to to discuss the challenges and build a “new consensus for this stimulate growth and lift global opportunities presented by global new situation in the oil market, economies out of the doldrums. economic integration and examine for the stabilisation of the market What happened instead was, strategies for inclusive growth at a and prices.” the liquidity crisis moved into a conference hosted by Doha Bank. Mexican government officials funding crisis, the funding crisis The conference, titled “Economic have said privately that Mexico, became a solvency issue, which Integration Towards A Borderless the world’s tenth-biggest crude oil then turned into a sovereign issue. World”, was attended by Sheikh producer, is not in a position to cut And six years since, we are realiz- Abdul Rehman bin Mohammad its own output. ing that sustainable growth is still bin Jabor Al Thani, Managing Major oil producers including not visible,” said Dr Seetharaman, Director of Doha Bank. Doha Bank MD Sheikh Abdul Rehman bin Mohammad bin Jabor Al Thani (left) receiving a book from UN High Russia and Venezuela have been in his opening keynote address at The cross-industry conference Representative Nassir Abdul Aziz Al Nasser as Doha Bank Group CEO R Seetharaman looks on. Kammutty VP pushing for output cuts to boost a conference organised under the was presided over by Dr Nassir prices, but Opec has shown no signs auspice of Global Citizen Forum Abdul Aziz Al Nasser, UN High giving the first copy to Sheikh frontiers, foster stronger eco- fields such as education and health of reversing its November decision (GCF). Representative for the Alliance of Abdul Rehman. nomic development and advance and increase its financial profits. to maintain production levels and He added: “If we are to sustain Civilizations and former President Following the official launch of enhanced social standards.” When businesses value their instead allow the market to bal- global growth, we have to define of the United Nations General his book, Al Nasser stressed on Pointing to Doha Bank’s success impact through a strong culture ance itself. Oil prices have dropped ways and means of building glo- Assembly (UNGA). the strong correlation between in promoting sustainable devel- of corporate social responsibil- by nearly 60 percent since June as bal partnerships, and must proac- Al Nasser’s new book “A Year socio-economic development and opment and social transparency ity, they contribute to economic production around the world has tively realign — in the currency at the Helm of the United Nations economic integration. “Economic and ethics, he said: “The example development while improving the soared, outstripping demand at a market, in trade, in banking, in General Assembly”, was officially integration can bridge the gap of Doha Bank demonstrates that quality of life for men, women and time of lackluster global economic finance. We must come together, unveiled during the event by between artificial and geographical the private sector can invest in communities.”THE PENINSULA growth. REUTERS SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Citigroup lost SNB defends shock move on franc $150m after Jordan says reaction overdone franc turmoil

GENEVA: Switzerland’s cen- main SMI index has plunged more NEW YORK: Citigroup Inc, tral bank yesterday defended its than 14 percent since Thursday’s the world’s biggest curren- shock decision to let the franc announcement. cies dealer, lost more than soar, insisting that the subse- The decision is also expected to $150m after the Swiss cen- quent turbulence rocking global deliver a severe blow to the Swiss tral bank’s surprise decision markets and the Swiss economy economy, with banking giant UBS to let the franc trade freely since the move would eventually slashing its growth forecast for against the euro, according subside. this year to just 0.5 percent from to a person briefed on the “This was not an easy deci- its previous estimate of 1.8 per- matter. sion... (but) we are convinced it cent. The yield on Swiss 10-year The losses occurred on the is the right one,” Swiss National bonds has meanwhile entered neg- New York-based bank’s trad- Bank (SNB) chief Thomas Jordan ative territory for the first time, ing desks and aren’t tied to its said in an interview published in with the result that lenders will relationships with FXCM Inc Swiss dailies Le Temps and NZZ now have to pay to lend money to and other retail trading plat- yesterday. the country. “The strong franc is forms, said the person, who The head of the SNB has faced threatening the entire Swiss sys- asked for anonymity because widespread criticism both at home tem,” the Tribune de Geneve daily the information hasn’t been and abroad after the bank’s bomb- said Saturday, adding: “The future disclosed publicly. Citigroup’s shell announcement on Thursday looks dark.” head of European investor that it was abandoning the mini- Jordan said Switzerland’s cen- sales, foreign exchange and mum rate of 1.20 francs against tral bankers had unanimously local markets, Alex Jackson, the euro that it had been defend- agreed to scrap their long cam- left the firm this week. ing for more than three years. paign to hold down the franc after Deutsche Bank AG and The Swiss franc has since determining that continuing put Barclays Plc also incurred gained around 20 percent against the bank at risk of “losing con- losses after the Swiss National other currencies and is now trad- trol of its monetary policy in the A cashier displays Swiss bank notes at a currency exchange office in Warsaw. Bank scrapped its three-year- ing at near parity with the euro. long term.” “We were aware that old policy of capping its cur- “The franc is significantly over- this decision could have a major rency against the euro. The valued compared to the dollar and impact on markets,” he said, while on the franc. Jordan insisted that policy. It is not all-powerful.” are sold to people outside of franc soared as much as 41 the euro,” Jordan acknowledged, adding that “the markets should the efforts to rein in the franc His comments were unlikely to Switzerland, and the first retail- percent versus the euro, while noting that the bank had intro- gradually stabilise — (although) it were no longer justified since win over Swiss businesses brac- ers called the same day to cancel climbing more than 15 per- duced negative interest rates that, could take time.” the Swiss economy was far more ing to see exports plunge and orders,” Edouard Meylan wrote. cent against all of the more in time, would help drive the value The SNB had been defend- robust than in 2011. shoppers at home flood across Switzerland’s tourism industry, than 150 currencies tracked. of the overheated currency back ing the exchange rate floor since “We gave the Swiss economy to neighbouring eurozone coun- already hit by a lack of snow, was Deutsche Bank lost $150m and down. He hinted that the bank September 2011 in an effort to time to adapt to the new situa- tries for cheaper goods. “Making also bracing for mass cancellations Barclays less than $100m. might consider future “inter- protect the country’s vital export tion,” he said, stressing that “the products in Switzerland and sell- as already pricy ski resorts sud- For Citigroup, a loss of $150m ventions” if the situation did not and tourism industries. currency cap from the beginning ing them abroad is currently the denly became far more expensive equates to about 7.5 percent of stabilise. It has bought massive quanti- was supposed to be an exceptional worst possible scenario,” Syz ana- for foreign visitors. the $1.99bn the bank generated In the meantime, the soaring ties of foreign currencies to do and temporary measure. It was lyst Jerome Schupp told TDG. Tourists arriving in Switzerland from fixed- income markets in franc has caused panic on glo- so, allowing its euro reserves to always meant to be abandoned.” The boss of a small watch- were less than thrilled. the fourth quarter. Financial bal markets, bankrupted foreign balloon tenfold in just four years. Now that the cap was gone, making company, H Moser & “With an exchange rate like results at firms across Wall exchange traders as far away as The rate was introduced as Jordan acknowledged that “the Cie, underlined the impact of the that, we won’t be coming back Street this week disappointed New Zealand, and was seen as a the eurozone crisis sent investors economic situation in Switzerland SNB’s move in an open letter to to Switzerland anytime soon,” a investors as earnings from that significant threat to Switzerland’s scurrying to the safe haven cur- is more difficult.” Jordan, warning that he may have Scottish tourist said as he arrived business fell short of estimates. export-dependant economy. rency. More recently, the Russian But, he noted, “SNB cannot to move his business to Germany. at the Geneva airport on Friday BLOOMBERG The Swiss stock exchange’s rouble crisis put renewed pressure fulfil all wishes with its monetary “Over 95 percent of our watches for a week’s holiday. AFP Everest’s largest hedge fund Shoppers run to German border in bargain hunt

closing after franc losses FRANKFURT: Swiss shop- spokesman Christian Ginsig said. against the franc since the com- is expecting the visitors to keep pers flocked to German border- “It’s big bags that are being mon currency’s 1999 inception, coming, especially with winter NEW YORK: Marko Dimitrijevic, the hedge fund manager who town Constance yesterday as a filled with groceries, toiletries, roiling markets. vacations soon. survived at least five emerging market debt crises, is closing his more valuable franc turned eve- pharmaceuticals, clothes,” said The Lago shopping centre, He estimates that the extra largest hedge fund after losing virtually all its money when the rything from shoes to iPads into Herrmann, who’s managed Lago which is less than 100 metres shoppers will boost sales in the Swiss National Bank unexpectedly let the franc trade freely an instant bargain. Konstanz since it’s opening in away from the Swiss border, has one-digit percentage range. against the euro, according to a person familiar with the firm. One of the biggest shopping 2004. “It was noticeable on Friday 70 stores and sells brands such “In some cantons the ski holi- Everest Capital’s Global Fund had about $830m in assets as of centres on the Swiss-German too. Fridays, which are usually as Apple, Tommy Hilfiger and days are coming up and I can the end of December, according to a client report. The Miami-based border Lago Konstanz will see rather quiet for retail, was sig- Massimo Dutti. imagine that some of them will firm, which specialises in emerging markets, still manages seven about 5,000 more shoppers today, nificantly busier.” With the current exchange want to buy skiing equipment,” funds with about $2.2bn in assets. The global fund, the firm’s old- an increase of about 13 percent, The franc gained against every rate and a return of your value- Herrmann said. est, was betting the Swiss franc would decline, said the person, who said Peter Herrmann, manager currency on earth after the Swiss added-tax, the Swiss are paying “Often holidays mean more asked not to be named because the information is private. of the centre. National Bank’s unexpected deci- almost half of what they would shopping anyway. But people are Armel Leslie, a spokesman for Everest Capital with Peppercomm, Swiss rail company SBB sion two days ago to abandon the pay on their own side of the bor- really aware that they pay almost declined to comment on the losses. BLOOMBERG AG added extra wagons on the currency’s cap verses the euro. der, Herrmann said. half the price in here.” line from Zurich to Constance, The euro dropped the most The shopping-centre manager BLOOMBERG QBA, QC heads meet Slovenian President

FROM LEFT: AleT Cantarutti, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian President Borut Pahor, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Chamber, and Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, the Chairman of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), at a business meeting in Doha yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP

DOHA: Sheikh Faisal improving bilateral relations it exports around 74-75 percent between the two countries, bin Qassim Al Thani, the between the two countries, and of its goods to the eurozone which would constitute a solid Chairman of the Qatari to study the needs of the Qatari countries. basis for cooperation, which will Businessmen Association market. During the meeting the Sheikh Faisal expressed the allow companies in both coun- (QBA), held a private business President displayed the advan- interest of Qatari business- tries to grow and develop. meeting with Borut Pahor, the tages that his country has, which men to explore the available The president invited Sheikh President of the Republic of would make it a good invest- investment opportunities in Faisal to visit Slovenia and have Slovenia here yesterday. ment destination, including Slovenia, and the possibility of a closer look at the investment The meeting, held on the its position in Europe, and the establishing different projects opportunities available in the sideline of “opportunities in strong relations that Slovenia in various sectors especially the country. Slovenia and Qatar” event, was has with its neighbouring coun- tourism sector, and invited Sheikh Faisal thanked the also attended by Sheikh Khalifa tries in the eurozone, in addition Slovenian businessmen to president for the invitation, and bin Jassim Al Thani, chairman to non-eurozone countries. explore the business and invest- expressed his interest to lead a of Qatar Chamber. Slovenia is also one of the ment opportunities available delegation of Qatari business- The President of Slovenia rare European countries that in different sectors of Qatar’s men to Slovenia and study the noted that the aim of this visit enjoyed a solid economic growth economy. available investment opportuni- is to discuss ways of increas- after the economic crises, due to Sheikh Faisal also mentioned ties on ground. ing trade cooperation, and its export-driven economy, were that there are some similarities THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Moody’s cuts Fitch lowers Greece credit outlook Russia debt Outlook down to negative from stable rating one

WASHINGTON: Rating firm most likely outcome, but pointed Fitch lowered Greece’s credit to “strong incentives” for a new notch down outlook to negative from stable, Greek government and the citing rising political uncer- troika to reach an agreement. WASHINGTON: Moody’s cut tainty, but kept the country’s “Nevertheless, there is a wide Russia’s credit rating to one step credit rating unchanged at ‘B’, gap between the policy proposals above junk level and warned the indicating highly speculative. of both sides, such that negotia- country was under review for a “The current period of politi- tions would be complicated and further downgrade. cal uncertainty has increased subject to risks,” it said. Moody’s said that the plunge in the risks to Greece’s creditwor- The company noted that oil prices and in the ruble would thiness as official financing, and Syriza had moderated its policy further erode Russia’s economic any potential reopening of mar- stance since 2012, and advocates growth potential and that it had ket access, could be delayed for keeping Greece in the eurozone concerns about the government’s some months,” Fitch said in a and honouring the embattled financial strength. statement. country’s obligations to the IMF The grade was cut by one “Early elections to be held on and private creditors. notch to Baa3 from Baa2. Baa3 is January 25, have made the direc- “However, the privatisation the lowest level for “investment tion of Greek policymaking more programme would most likely grade” sovereign bonds; another uncertain.” stall under a Syriza-led govern- cut would take it into “specula- Greece had been expected to ment and there would be upward tive” or junk bond grade. exit recession after six years of pressure on the public sector “The severe — and likely to be economic distress, with the help wage bill,” it said. People are seen outside a Eurobank branch in Athens as two lenders applied to tap the emergency funding. sustained — oil price shock, along- of two international financial Fitch said it had maintained side Russian borrowers’ highly rescues. Greece’s ‘B’ credit rating in part restricted international market But the government called the because the government’s budget access due to ongoing sanctions, January 25 snap general election is on track to meet its 2014 objec- Greece seeks bank shield if needed is undermining economic funda- amid political gridlock, raising tive, “underscoring a remarkable mentals and increasing financial concerns that a victory by the budgetary adjustment in recent ATHENS: Greece’s central major banks to have a shield for their banks’ requests for an ELA stresses on both the public and leftist Syriza party will force years in the face of severe cycli- bank has moved to protect its the banking system,” the official funding line were precautionary private sectors,” Moody’s said. Greece to renegotiate its bail- cal headwinds.” banks from any fallout from the said, declining to be named. and partly related to their expo- It forecast the Russian econ- out with the so-called “troika”: Fitch forecast gross domestic coming general election, asking “It is up to each bank to decide sure to Swiss franc mortgages. omy would contract this year the European Commission, the product growth of 0.5 percent the European Central Bank to whether it will use the funding National Bank, the country’s by 5.5 percent and another 3.0 European Central bank and the for Greece in 2014, accelerating approve a stand-by domestic line,” the official added without biggest lender by assets, has no percent in 2016, “bringing real International Monetary Fund. to 1.5 percent in 2015, a tenth emergency funding line, a Bank providing further details. plans to tap ELA as it has suf- growth over the 10 years through “Prolonged political deadlock point lower than its November of Greece official said yesterday. Under ELA, national central ficient collateral to draw cheaper 2018 to virtually zero.” until the summer is not Fitch’s forecast, citing domestic politi- The move comes after two banks can lend to commercial funding from the ECB if needed, It also cited “nearer-term con- expectation, but would increase cal uncertainty and a weaker major banks applied to be able to banks but have to get approval its spokesman said. cerns over the negative impact the risk of financing difficulties growth outlook in the eurozone. tap an emergency liquidity assist- from the ECB to do so. Greek Second-largest lender Piraeus on the government’s financial and a return to recession,” the The ‘B’ rating reflects weak ance (ELA) window on Friday as banks relied on it heavily at the Bank does not expect it will need strength of the erosion in official agency said. “standalone” creditworthiness, Greeks withdraw cash before the peak of the debt crisis in 2012 but to do so either, a senior execu- foreign exchange buffers and fis- Fitch acknowledged that as Greek banks are well-capi- snap election on January 25. had repaid it by early last year. tive at the bank said. “We are not cal revenues.” opinion polls show that a Syriza talised but their asset quality is “We have sent a request to the On Friday, executives at planning to use ELA funding,” the “Russia’s nominal FX reserves victory in the election was the weak, the company said. AFP ECB on ELA approval for all four Eurobank and Alpha Bank said senior executive said. REUTERS could fall by at least as much this year as they did in 2014, when they declined by around $125bn,” it noted. “Added to that,” Moody’s said, “the risk of politically motivated actions which either directly or indirectly raise risks to ECB compromises with Germany over QE plan: FT creditors is rising in the context of current geopolitical tensions.” LONDON: The European fiscal support for profligate states, willing to buy in large scale in order The central bank widely reported The agency said it was already Central Bank (ECB) will this taking away the pressure to push to raise inflation expectations.” to be considering purchases worth embarking on another review week announce plans to directly through tough economic reforms. German news magazine Der at least €500bn or to pledge to which could lead to another rat- buy government bonds, creating Conscious of German objections, Spiegel reported on Friday that buy sovereign debt until inflation ing cut. new money to fight off possible the bonds will be underwritten by national central banks would only approaches two percent. It explained that the govern- deflation despite German objec- individual states in order to reas- be allowed to buy the sovereign Eurozone inflation fell into neg- ment’s ability to remain financially tions, according to FT. sure German taxpayers that they debt of their respective countries, ative territory in December, with solid rested on a large number of The ECB holds its first pol- will not be on the hook in the event to ensure they alone carried the consumer prices down 0.2 percent. assumptions, each one of which icy meeting of the year on of a default, according to the FT, risk of a possible default by their On a year-over-year basis, inflation could deteriorate: the oil price, Thursday and is widely expected raising separate issues about the government. was the weakest since September the longevity of sanctions over to announce some sort of pro- principle of risk sharing. The weekly said that ECB 2009, at 0.8 percent well below the Moscow’s support for Ukraine gramme of sovereign bond pur- “There are a series of trade- chief Mario Draghi (pictured) ECB’s target of close to 2.0 percent. rebels, the impact of recession, chases — or Quantitive Easing offs involved in (designing QE) had presented the scheme to Falling prices could prove dam- and the policy response from the — to try to kick-start the euro- and whatever is announced will German Chancellor Angela aging for EU firms as consumers government to the challenges. If zone’s sluggish economy. probably not satisfy everyone,” impact stemming from a reluctance Merkel and Finance Minister put off purchasing goods and for oil prices stay low through 2016, Germany is concerned such a Ken Wattret, economist at BNP to mutualise risk could be offset Wolfgang Schaeuble in a meeting governments ladened with fixed- it said, the recession will persist programme amounts to direct Paribas, told the FT. “Any adverse by a strong signal that the ECB is on Wednesday. rate debt. AFP for more than two years. AFP Oil slump puts at risk clean energy push

ABU DHABI: Falling oil prices Deputy Minister for Economic relies on solar, wind and other 2014, $50bn more than the previ- could have a negative impact on Development Claudio Vincenti sources, is essential for meeting ous year. At the meeting, the Abu global efforts to develop renew- told the two-day meeting. global CO2 emission targets. Dhabi Fund for Development, in able energy sources, experts Oil price rises in the past Delegates from more than 150 partnership with IRENA, will warned yesterday at a confer- encouraged clean energy invest- countries attended the opening announce a series of loans for ence in Abu Dhabi. ments, said Vincenti, adding that session of the IRENA conference, five renewable energy projects Oil prices have fallen by almost a long-term fall in prices could including Israel with has no dip- in developing countries, organ- 60 percent since June, crashing shift the balance among vari- lomatic ties with the UAE. isers said. on worries over global oversupply ous energy sources. He did not Representatives from more Abu Dhabi-based IRENA, and weak demand in a faltering elaborate. Salem Al Hajraf, rep- than 110 international organisa- with 137 member states and the world economy. resenting oil-rich Kuwait at the tions are also taking part in the European Union, aims to pro- Participants at the conference, agreed that falling meeting. “The story of renewa- mote the sustainable use of all International Renewable Energy oil prices posed a “major chal- bles is rapidly evolving and as forms of renewable energy. Agency (IRENA) conference that lenge” this year as was the case the importance of renewable The conference coincides opened yesterday in the oil-rich two decades ago. “The fall of oil energy grows, so does the rel- with a series of events organised United Arab Emirates (UAE) prices in the 80s was a main rea- evance of the agency’s work,” under the banner of Abu Dhabi said the trend could spell doom son behind the collapse of many IRENA director general Adnan Sustainability Week, including for plans to shift to clean energy. renewable energy projects,” he Amin said. He said that total Future Energy Summit and an The fall in oil prices could told participants. world investments in renewable International Water Summit, be a “game changer”, Italy’s Renewable energy, which energies had reached $264bn in both tomorrow. AFP

FROM LEFT: Adnan Amin, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency; Yasuhide Nakayama, Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs and co-President of the IRENA Assembly; Yoichi Miyazawa, Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister and co-President of the Assembly take part in IRENA’s fifth Assembly yesterday in Abu Dhabi, UAE. SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Swiss franc’s staggering Why cheap petrol can’t ascent to be felt far and wide

BY PAN PYLAS

30 percent swing in a blink of an eye is not uncommon in stall the electric car the stock market. In the world of currencies, it can seem A as rare as Halley’s Comet. But that’s what happened to the Swiss franc on Thursday — a BY LEVI M TILLEMANN York, Maryland, Massachusetts, effectively crushed the early predates the oil shocks by more stunning move that is likely to hurt the Swiss economy, inject Vermont, Rhode Island and electric car. By 1927, half of all than two decades. After the uncertainty in financial markets and even darken the global outlook. ROM 2010 to 2014, Connecticut) has created mar- American families owned an oil- Second World War, a mysteri- Within minutes of the Swiss National Bank’s announcement it US electric car sales ket-based mandates that set a fuelled car. Electric cars were no ous pall of smog strangled Los was ditching a policy to limit the rise of the currency, the franc surged from almost floor under the electric-vehicle longer serious contenders. Angeles. California’s response had rocketed by about a third against the euro and the dollar. nothing to about market. In other words, they’re But between 1969 and 1979, was to build a potent archi- Unprecedented, said analysts. 120,000 per year. But forcing automakers to sell elec- oil prices spiked, reviving inter- tecture for researching and Though it has since shed some of those gains, the Swiss franc Fthe haters and doubters persist. tric cars. The goal is to have 3.3 est in electric cars. In 1975, regulating air pollution. This remains sharply higher and that spells a host of problems. Analysts and investing forums million of them on their roads Congress took up a bill called eventually became the California The stock market said it all. Shares on the Zurich exchange are buzzing about a coming by 2025. Thanks to clever pol- the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Air Resources Board (CARB), have fallen another 6 percent Friday following the previous day’s 9 stagnation. After all, in the past icy design, the survival of elec- Research, Development and a body that rapidly outpaced percent slump. That’s a clear indication investors have taken fright seven months the price of oil has tric cars doesn’t depend on the Demonstration Act, which the federal government in the at the worsening outlook for Switzerland’s exporters and economy. collapsed from $115 a barrel to vagaries of the global oil market. included $30m for studies science and policy of pollution The higher franc makes Swiss products, like chocolate, phar- below $50. Petorl prices have For more than a century, elec- and deployment. A year later, control. maceuticals, and watches more expensive in the international plummeted, too, fast approach- tric cars have repeatedly lost Congress overrode a presidential By 1970, California’s regu- marketplace. ing $2 per gallon nationally, out to oil. As early as the 1890s, veto to authorise $160m for elec- latory infrastructure was so According to Morgan Stanley, 85 percent of Swiss company sales and commuters are rejoicing. electric taxi fleets were steal- tric-vehicle research and testing developed that the national come from outside Switzerland. Corporate giants like food maker That means a key selling point ing market share from horse- over a five-year period. But when Clean Air Act allowed the Nestle and drug maker Novartis make almost all their money in for electric vehicles — low fuel and-buggy drivers in New York, oil prices plummeted in the state to set its own standards foreign markets. costs — is gone. The electric car Philadelphia and Atlantic City. 1980s, policymakers retreated, for emissions — and gave other A stronger franc also makes the country, which features some appears to be in trouble. Even Thomas Edison was in on halting funding for research. states the option to follow its of the world’s finest ski slopes, more expensive to visit. It’s unlikely, Surprisingly, it is not. This the game, spending more than Today, pessimists see a strict guidelines in lieu of those however, to dent the plans of the world’s executives and government past week, the floor of the North a decade — and $1m of his own depressingly familiar pattern: set by the federal government. leaders as they gather next week at the World Economic Forum American International Auto fortune — developing a battery Energy prices spike; huge sums If automakers wanted to sell in the ski resort of Davos. Show in Detroit was stacked with technology aimed at electric of capital flow from the govern- cars in California — or in other The picture is potentially bleak on another economic front. As glitzy new electric cars, from the cars. ment and the private sector into states with similar regulations in the eurozone, prices in Switzerland are already falling modestly BMW i3 to the Chevrolet Bolt Electric cars, however, oil alternatives; energy markets — their vehicles had to adhere to and there are fears that may turn into a sustained decline, so- to SUVs and micro-cars. That’s couldn’t keep pace with the crash; those funds vanish and California’s emissions standards. called deflation, as a stronger currency makes imports cheaper because today’s electric car boom fast-improving internal com- industries wither. And, of course, These efforts accelerated in 1975 and depresses economic activity. isn’t really about oil prices at bustion engine. Its range, power the electric car dies. when Gov. Jerry Brown installed Falling prices may sound good in principle, but when sustained all; it’s about clean air. Under and portability were all supe- What makes California dif- a new, aggressive chairman, they can choke the life out of an economy by encouraging consum- the leadership of California, a rior, thanks to oil. By 1910, ferent is that its electric-car Tom Quinn, at the state Air ers and businesses to delay spending in the hope of bargains down group of environmentally pro- Henry Ford (a former Edison programme isn’t tied to oil Resources Board. the line. gressive states (Oregon, New Illuminating Co employee) had prices — because the project WP-BLOOMBERG Thursday’s staggering rise in the Swiss franc had an immediate impact on trading around the globe. Holders of Swiss francs made heaps of money. Many investors and brokerage firms, though, have been knocked sideways. Already two brokerage firms, London-based Alpari and New Zealand’s Global Brokers NZ, have announced they have suffered cata- strophic losses and will have to close down. FXCM, a New York- based currency broker, has also warned that it “may be in breach of some regulatory capital requirements” after its clients experi- enced significant losses. On Friday, FXCM said it was getting a $300m rescue loan from financial firm Leucadia National Corp. Whatever else happens, for many in the markets Switzerland’s move belies its image of a safe and reliable place to invest money. “The once-assumed ‘safety’ of the Swiss franc is eradicated,” said James Stanton, head of foreign exchange at deVere Group, which has 80,000 clients globally. The primary reason behind the Swiss National Bank’s decision to stop keeping a lid on the franc against the euro is that the European Central Bank is widely tipped to next week back a big stimulus program. That will put more euros in circulation, further diluting their value. To maintain its cap on the franc, the Swiss National Bank would likely have to splash out more to defend the franc. As a result of the Swiss bank’s decision, the euro has lost one of its main buyers. Many analysts think that could further pres- sure Europe’s single currency, which is already near decade-lows against the dollar. “Surrendering its commitment toward the cause has provided yet another indication to the markets that the euro is going to continue the decline,” said Jameel Ahmad, chief market analyst at FXTM. The 19-country eurozone economy, plodding along with anemic levels of growth, is likely to welcome that with open arms. The falling euro would help eurozone exporters and potentially nudge inflation back up from dangerous lows. The Swiss franc’s move is the latest in a string of market develop- ments, such as the collapse of the Russian ruble and the dramatic fall in oil prices, that have fueled concerns over the outlook for the world economy. Volatile markets make it more difficult for businesses, politi- cians and investors to plan ahead. A global company that wants to do business with a Swiss company, for example, will have seen the value of its contracts swing sharply this week. In the face of such market jitters, business leaders and policymakers are left scratching their heads trying to work out what all the wild moves are saying. There’s a lot to discuss in Davos next week. AP Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Gas jobs are a golden ticket, but some curbs apply

BY LYDIA DEPILLIS University and majoring in biology, father, Tim Kreger, couldn’t be hap- boom, gas companies couldn’t find jobs in the oil and gas industry. With the federal money nearly didn’t work out. After losing his pier about Ryan’s decision. “They skilled people locally. Those they did Over time, the college hopes gone, ShaleTEC has gotten some VERY morning for the grants and loans when his grades say we’re sitting on top of one of the hire to train tended to wash out, as to build up the cultural under- funding from the counties’ impact past few weeks, Ryan slipped, he couldn’t afford to fin- biggest deposits in the world, right soon as they learned how harsh the standing of what it means to fees, which are supposed to pay Kreger has been get- ish, and he dropped out last fall. here (and) there’s a lot of money to conditions really are. Often, they work in oil and gas, which will tuition just for people from those ting up at 5am and The gas fields are a much better be made,” says Tom. pulled people from other manufac- make recruiting easier down counties. Meanwhile, Penn College driving an hour from financial proposition. Kreger has Of course, he’s under no illu- turing jobs, which drove up wages the line. “If we train people, and is developing curriculum for more Ethe little white house he grew up been told he’ll start at $13.50 an sions about how hard the industry — but didn’t necessarily help more they see that their parents are “downstream” occupations in gas in a few miles south of Wellsboro hour — but that quickly becomes will be on his son — he worked in locals find employment. working in that industry, that’s refining and distribution, which to Montgomery, Pennsylvania, nearly $20 an hour for overtime; Tioga County’s coal mines when In 2010, Penn College, a public where Pennsylvania is able to get might stick around after the where the oil field services giant the average yearly pay for an oil that industry was still going technical school based just south some of that generational legacy “upstream” drilling jobs dry up. Halliburton has a training facility. and gas worker is $36,170. Kreger strong. “They don’t know what of Tioga County in Williamsport, that we’ve not had like Texas or Ryan knows that gas prices influ- So far, it’s been easy — just has also heard that the gas indus- holidays are. They don’t know stepped up to fill the gap. With Oklahoma,” says Tracy Brundage, ence his ability to stay employed. safety stuff and working in the try is a fluid one: If you stick what Sundays are,” Tim Kreger funding from the Department of Penn College’s associate vice presi- Already, Halliburton is cutting “pump shop,” where new recruits around for a while and do well, says. “The only thing that stops Labor and donations of equipment dent for workforce development. costs, he says; they’re not working rehearse checking all the pipes you could end up getting promoted those machines is lightning. from companies active in the area, So far, the ShaleTEC program long hours in training to avoid the that connect to a wellhead to make through a few pay grades within Sometimes not even that.” it essentially trains people to order has graduated a few thousand peo- cost of overtime. That won’t last, sure sand doesn’t get stuck, caus- months — and maybe even make His son nods agreement. He for the industry, with an entire ple in classes of 20 or 30. But it’s though, once they’re out in the field ing a dangerous explosion. But that a career out of it. Getting his first knows the risks. “Everything you mock gas field — complete with already running into a boom-bust and work has to be done. “When stops once they get to the gas fields paycheck, though small, felt like a work with is a bomb,” Ryan says. an almost-working drill rig, stor- problem of its own. Short-term, you’re on the field, the demand is — working 12-hour days on drilling victory and an enticement. The fact that Ryan has a job — age tanks for fracking fluid and non-credit programs for jobs that there, so they don’t cut the hours rigs in all kinds of weather is one “It’s almost like it’s teasing,” and knows what he’s getting into steel tubes for practice connect- don’t need a college degree — for that,” he says, confidently. of the most physically demanding Kreger says. “Like here’s a piece — is a victory for the state work- ing and disconnecting. Students increasingly seen as essential for But here’s the catch: That job is jobs he could take. of what’s to come.” force development system, which of the program, ShaleTEC, come feeding people quickly into high- only stable as long as he’s willing “It’s like the military,” says That’s the promise and the peril created the three-week course he from everywhere — fresh out of demand fields — are hard enough to move where the industry does. Kreger, 25. “You’re just not get- of energy jobs: They tempt people took to learn the basics. And it’s a high school or the army, or unem- to finance as it is, since students Much of the drilling activity has ting shot at.” away from other fields with the huge help for Halliburton, which ployment or dead-end desk jobs. generally can’t take out loans to pay already migrated west to the more It’s Kreger’s first career job, allure of good salaries, but they otherwise would have had to find Armed with a basket of certifica- for them. It becomes even more dif- profitable “wet gas” shale forma- but it wasn’t his first choice. He leave people without the education and train him itself. tions and introductions to com- ficult, however, when the demand tions, taking newly employed only turned to the gas industry to take other jobs if the industry It took a while to make that hap- panies that are hiring, they shoot for its graduates goes up and down Tioga County residents with it. after Plan A, going to Millersville shrinks away. Nevertheless, Kreger’s pen, though. At the outset of the like rockets into decent-paying with the price of a commodity. WP-BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

QREC holds auction for thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses

Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) organised the auction for both thoroughbred and purebred Arabian horses at the Horse Parade Ring of the QREC racecourse on Friday. The two-day auction, which concluded yesterday, got a big response from horse owners, trainers and breeders. Ali out of hospital in Leonard returns to time for 73rd birthday

LOUISVILLE: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was released from hospital on Friday after receiving treatment for a severe spark Spurs victory urinary tract infection, a family spokesman said. Bob Gunnell of Louisville-based Westbrook shines as Oklahoma roll over Golden State Boxcar PR said Ali was looking forward to celebrating his 73rd birthday on Saturday at home SAN ANTONIO: Reigning with family and friends. play-off MVP Kawhi Leonard “The Ali family greatly appre- made the most of his return to ciates the outpouring of sup- the San Antonio lineup, scor- port and continued well wishes,” ing a team high 20 points as the Gunnell said in a statement. Spurs beat Portland 110-96 on Ali’s hospital stay of several Friday. days this week was his second in Leonard showed no signs of rust the last month. against the Trail Blazers despite The three-time former heavy- missing 15 games because of a weight world champ was released Muhammad Ali’s daughter torn ligament in his right hand. from hospital on January 7 after a Maryum posted this photo on His last game was on December two-week stay for what was then Twitter, saying: “My father, aka. 15. thought to be pneumonia. Muhammad Ali, is at home and “I felt good tonight,” said But doctors ultimately deter- looking forward to celebrating his Leonard, who was named MVP mined he had a urinary tract 73rd birthday tomorrow.” of the 2014 NBA finals. “It was infection. fun out there, especially with us Ali, an Olympic gold medalist, ring and verbally spar out of it. getting the win. has suffered from Parkinson’s dis- Ali was rarely afraid to spark “It took me a while to get my ease for decades. political controversy, and his legs under me and get some of the In recent years, he has made heyday coincided with the US excitement out. fewer public appearances as civil rights movement and the “Hopefully I can carry it on.” Parkinson’s has increasingly Vietnam War. Leonard said after the game taken its toll. He converted to Islam in 1964, that the hand felt fine and that’s He was seen in September changing his name from Cassius good news for the defending NBA when he attended the Muhammad Clay. Ali refused to join the champion Spurs who went 7-8 Ali Humanitarian Awards in armed forces in 1967 on religious with him sidelined. Louisville. grounds. “Right now it feels good. Came He also attended his grandson’s After his refusal he was con- out great. We will see how it feels state championship football game victed of draft dodging and tomorrow,” he said. Oklahoma City Thunder player Russell Westbrook goes in for a dunk against the Golden State Warriors in the in Las Vegas in December. banned from boxing for years. In Danny Green tallied 19 points second half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City on Friday night. Ali had a storied career as a 1971 the US Supreme Court over- and Patty Mills came off the professional boxer from 1960 to turned the conviction. bench to score 18 points for San Spurs guard Tony Parker said of and cruised to the win in the ends, our crowd was great, and it 1981. It has been claimed that the Antonio, which has won four of Leonard. fourth. was a good win for us.” He dazzled the boxing world punches to the head the boxing its last five contests. LaMarcus Aldridge paced the Russell Westbrook exploded for Klay Thompson led the with slick moves in the ring and great took in the ring during his “He’s going to play aggres- Portland attack with 24 points a triple-double and Kevin Durant Warriors with 32 points in the enamored the public with his wit 21-year career contributed to his sive and create stuff for us,” and eight rebounds while Damian scored 36 points as the Oklahoma loss. They were beaten handily on and engaging personality. Parkinson’s disease, although not Lillard finished with 23 points and City Thunder dominated the the glass 54-43 en route to having He beat George Foreman in all doctors agree. NBA Results five assists in the loss. Golden State Warriors 127-115 at their eight-game winning streak one of the greatest fights of all Ali has been paid dozens of Detroit 98 Indiana 96 “We didn’t do a good job keep- home on Friday. snapped. Golden State played time dubbed “The Rumble in The tributes to his stature as a global Memphis 106 Orlando 96 ing them off the boards,” said Westbrook finished with 17 without stars Andrew Bogut and Jungle”, held in 1974 in Zaire, now icon, lighting the Olympic torch Philadelphia 96 New Orleans 81 Aldridge. “We didn’t do a good points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds Andre Iguodala. the Democratic Republic of the in 1996 and being named a UN job of finding bodies. We’ll learn and Serge Ibaka scored 27 for “They were great tonight,” said Congo. messenger of peace in 1998. He Brooklyn 102 Washington 80 from it.” the Thunder, who bounced back Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “We Ali also had a thrilling rivalry received the highest US civilian Chicago 119 Boston 103 Mills scored 10 points off nicely from Thursday’s NBA loss knew they were going to come with heavyweight Joe Frazier that honor, the Presidential Medal of Atlanta 110 Toronto 89 the bench in the first quarter in Houston. after us. They needed this win, saw the two men slug it out in the Freedom in 2005. AFP Oklahoma City 127 Golden State 115 to help the Spurs grab a The Thunder led the entire and they deserved it. They were Dallas 97 Denver 89 35-28 lead after the opening second half in front of a crowd of brilliant.” San Antonio 110 Portland 96 quarter. 18,200 at the Chesapeake Energy Both teams shot over 60 per- San Antonio led by as many as Arena. cent in a 68-point opening quar- Phoenix 110 Minnesota 99 a dozen points in the second quar- “Our mindset was a little dif- ter. Thompson led all scorers with Utah 94 LA Lakers 85 ter before taking a 60-52 lead at ferent. We didn’t take losing as an 13, and the Warriors held a 35-33 John Legend to Miami 95 Sacramento 83 halftime. option,” said Durant. “We came lead after 12 minutes. Cleveland 126 LA Clippers 121 Then it took over in the third out with a lot of energy on both AGENCIES sing at Super Bowl

NEW YORK: Soul star John the Beautiful alongside singer Legend will sing the patriotic Jennifer Hudson. Devils routed 5-1 by first-placed Ducks hymn America the Beautiful at The Broadway actress Idina the Super Bowl, generally the Menzel will also be at the Super ANAHEIM: Jacob Silfverberg couple tonight,” helping the Ducks other club. There are chances for most-watched event of the year Bowl to sing the national anthem, ended a long drought with said Silfverberg, NHL Results remain tied with mistakes, and when you make on US television, the National the NFL and network NBC said. his first two goals in almost a who had gone 12 NY Islanders 6 Pittsburgh 3 Nashville atop them, usually they’re in the back Football League said on Friday. Menzel is a Broadway, film and month, and Patrick Maroon straight games Vancouver 3 Carolina 0 the overall NHL of your net.” The Grammy-winning singer, television star known for her snapped an even longer one to without a goal. NY Rangers 2 Columbus 1 standings follow- Ilya Bryzgalov faced only 15 who topped the charts with his powerful singing who recently help lead the Anaheim Ducks “I’ve been strug- ing the Predators’ shots while earning his first vic- 2013 piano ballad All of Me, will appeared in hit Disney film Nashville 4 Washington 3 to their second straight decisive gling a bit lately 4-3 win over tory in three starts since return- perform the hymn before kick- Frozen. win after half a season of mostly with getting off Winnipeg 4 Chicago 2 Washington. ing to the Ducks on Dec. 9 as a off at the American football Her latest Broadway musical, narrow victories. shots and get- Anaheim 5 New Jersey 1 Maroon’s goal free agent. He was the backup championship game to be held If/Then, will go dark for one week Hampus Lindholm and ting good shots snapped a to Jean-Sebastien Giguere dur- on February 1 in the suburbs of to accommodate her Super Bowl Silfverberg scored 1:52 apart on the net. That’s the strength I 17-game drought since Dec. 3. ing Anaheim’s 2007 Stanley Cup Phoenix, Arizona. trip, the producer said. early in the second period after think I have in my game, and it’s “When we play for 60 minutes championship season. Last year, the Super Bowl The NFL previously announced New Jersey changed goalies due to something I’ve been looking to get and we all play together, it’s a Playing their second straight invited 26 children from Sandy that pop superstar Katy Perry Cory Schneider’s injury, and Corey back to. Hopefully I can build off sense of what we can do,” coach game without Jaromir Jagr and Hook Elementary School in would perform at the Super Bowl Perry got his team-high 19th goal this and start scoring goals more Bruce Boudreau said. “When we Tuomo Ruutu, both of whom were Newtown, Connecticut — where halftime show. Perry recently said in a 5-1 victory on Friday night. frequently.” follow game plans and do the right back home with the flu, the Devils a gunman weeks earlier had killed that she would be joined on stage “Obviously, it’s been a long Silfverberg and Maroon com- things, we’re a good hockey club. got their only goal from Martin an equal number of children and by rock singer and songwriter time, and it felt good to get a pleted the scoring in the final 3:33, When we don’t, we’re just like any Havlat. AGENCIES teachers — to perform America Lenny Kravitz. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Webb Dominant Kaymer takes Simpson plays his shot from the 16th tee during the second round of the clear lead in Abu Dhabi Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae German secures six-shot lead, Mcllroy falls far behind Country Club on Friday in ABU DHABI: An imperious Kaymer looked in danger of drop- Honolulu, Martin Kaymer almost galloped ping at least one shot on the par-5 Hawaii. out of sight of world number 10th hole, where his second shot one Rory McIlroy and the chas- got stuck into bushes. ing pack, opening up a six-shot He took a drop and hit his lead at the Abu Dhabi Golf fourth into the greenside bunker. Championship yesterday. The German then calmly holed The German world number 12, his bunker shot for a par, much Rookie Thomas tied winner in Abu Dhabi on three like he did on Friday from the previous occasions and holder of same place for a birdie. the tournament record tally of Several times in the past, 24-under par, shot a bogey-free including as recently as last year’s for Sony Open lead seven-under par third round of US Open, Kaymer has opened up 65 to reach 20-under par total for huge lead going into the final day, HONOLULU: Justin Thomas Robert Streb (69) at eight-under 54 holes. and he said he would take those rolled in a 17-foot eagle putt to 132. Belgian 22-year-old Thomas experience into today’s fourth cap a dynamic finish at the PGA Thomas started on the back Pieters started the day in second round. Tour’s Sony Open, leaving the nine with six straight pars. The place one behind Kaymer and “I enjoy it. I’m not scared of tour rookie in a three-way tie birdies then started to fall and by was still in the same position. But leading a golf tournament. I really for the lead. the time he reached No. 7 on his despite a steady two-under par 70 enjoy the challenge, because it’s a The 21-year-old American back nine he was at eight-under round, the gap between him and challenge against yourself. vaulted up the leaderboard with for the tournament. the leader increased to six shots. “You challenge yourself all a nine-under 61 but it was his He drained a 12-foot birdie putt One behind Pieters at 13-under day long and it’s about trying final three holes – where he went on the par-three seven and fol- par were Austrian Bernd to minimise the mistakes and birdie, birdie, eagle – that had the lowed it up with another birdie Wiesberger (66) and Frenchman the bogeys,” said the 28-year-old Waialae Country Club buzzing on on No. 8. On the par-five ninth, Alexander Levy (67), while German. Friday. he reached the green in two and McIlroy, despite hitting the ball “On 10, that was a big, big “I’m excited. It’s a position I then rolled in the long eagle putt great from tee to green, could bonus. It was a long bunker shot, haven’t been in before and I think to pull even with playing partners only manage a one-under par too. Got the right spin, the right that kind of comes with the ter- Simpson and Kuchar. 71 and slipped to tied fifth place yardage, and I think it was more ritory of being a rookie,” said World number 11 Kuchar at 12-under par alongside South luck than skill. Thomas. “I’m going to hopefully sandwiched a birdie on the 16th Africa’s Charl Schwartzel (65) “After the second shot, I found find myself in a lot of positions in between four pars to finish up and Gary Stal (67) of France. myself in a bush, and needed to this year.” his round. After being flawless and mak- drop. And from the bunker, holed First round co-leader Webb US Open champ Simpson had ing five birdies on the front nine, the bunker shot to make a five. Simpson shot a four-under 66 three birdies over his final five That was big for momentum and Matt Kuchar carded a seven- holes. AFP Abu Dhabi Scores where easily you can get a bogey, under 63 to join Thomas at the 196 Martin Kaymer (GER) 64-67-65 double?bogey.” Martin Kaymer of Germany tees off on the 10th hole during the third round top of the leaderboard with a As for his plans today, and if 12-under 128. Sony Open Scores 202 Thomas Pieters (BEL) 65-67-70 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2015 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club 128 Matt Kuchar 65-63, Webb Simpson it included him trying to break in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. They have a two-stroke lead 203 Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 72-65-66, his winning record of 24-under on Troy Merritt (64) and Tim 62-66, Justin Thomas 67-61 Alexander Levy (FRA) 66-70-67 par, Kaymer added: “You have to Clark (65) who are both tied for 130 Tim Clark (RSA) 65-65, Troy Merritt 204 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-68-65, Gary really take care of not making tournament; if it’s by one shot or I did yesterday. Gave myself so third at 10-under 130. Scotland’s 66-64 Stal (FRA) 68-69-67, Rory McIlroy (NIR) bogeys. by six shots or by ten shots, I don’t many chances and didn’t convert Russell Knox (65) and Rory 131 Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 64-67, Russell Knox 67-66-71 “I know that that sounds a lit- really care as long as I win.” After any, really. Sabbatini of South Africa (67) (SCO) 66-65 205 Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 69-72-64, Jamie tle bit negative, but it shouldn’t hitting 17 greens in regulation and “I am now trying to win the are at nine-under. 132 J.J. Henry 65-67, Paul Casey (ENG) Donaldson (WAL) 73-67-65, Dawie van sound negative. It’s more like that yet finishing on one-under par other tournament. Martin’s play- Paul Casey, who was tied with 62-70, Jimmy Walker 66-66, Ryan der Walt (RSA) 70-70-65, Peter Uihlein you play smart and wait for your 71, McIlroy conceded defeat to ing in something a little different Simpson after round one, man- Palmer 69-63, Marc Leishman (AUS) (USA) 67-68-70 chance and not try to force it and Kaymer as far as the champion- than everyone else. I think I’m aged to shoot an even-par 70 and 70-62, Robert Streb 63-69 206 Gregory Bourdy (FRA) 66-74-66, Miguel not force to get to that record. ship was concerned. two behind Thomas and I will try he is tied for eighth with defend- 133 Kevin Na 66-67, Brian Harman 66-67, Angel Jimenez (ESP) 72-67-67, Eddie “The record is not that inter- “I just didn’t putt well at all. and catch him. It’s obviously very ing champion Jimmy Walker Camilo Villegas (COL) 63-70, James Pepperell (ENG) 70-68-68, Morten Orum esting for me tomorrow. To me it Very disappointed,” he said. unrealistic that I’m going to catch (66), Marc Leishman (62), Ryan Hahn 69-64, Chris Kirk 66-67, Daniel Madsen (DEN) 68-69-69 is important that I win the golf “I hit the ball just as well as Martin tomorrow.” AFP Palmer (63), JJ Henry (67) and Summerhays 66-67 Starc expects intense Rain washes out Auckland game tri-series ODI with India AUCKLAND: The third sent an inside edge across the One-Day International (ODI) front of his stumps, before con- MELBOURNE: Left-arm Saturday predicted another tough between New Zealand and Sri fidently accumulating runs. paceman Mitchell Starc said battle between the number one Lanka was abandoned yester- McCullum again blazed away in he expects Australia’s tri- and two ranked sides in the world day after frequent interruptions trademark fashion at the head of series one-dayer with India in one-day standings. because of rain. the innings, racing to 28 off 22 Melbourne today to continue “It’s been a pretty intense Test The players were forced from deliveries before mistiming a pull where the recent niggling Test series,” Starc told reporters. “Two the field for the third and final shot off Mathews’s first delivery series left off. great teams going hard at it and it time with New Zealand, batting and edging the ball to Kulasekara Starc was the chief destroyer will be much the same on Sunday. first, 145-3 after 28.5 overs. at fine leg. in the opening game of the series “There will be two sets of guys More than three hours later, Tom Latham, another top order against England on Friday, fin- doing their best to play their best the umpires ruled there was no New Zealand batsman in need of ishing with figures of 4-42 in and trying their hardest for their likelihood of the weather clearing confidence-boosting runs, proved Australia’s bonus point three- countries. enough for play to resume and the an able lieutenant for Guptill. wicket victory at the Sydney “It was a fantastic Test series match was abandoned. He put on 42 in a 99-run stand Cricket Ground. to watch and to be a part of and For New Zealand Martin for the second wicket before being He ripped through the tourists’ it will be no different on Sunday.” Guptill was not out 66, while for bowled by Mathews when trying top order with two wickets in the Starc’s four wickets against Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews had to settle in after the second rain opening over of the match on his England took him past the 50 three for 21. break. way to being named Man of the mark in his 29th one-day inter- New Zealand were rocked early Ross Taylor became Mathews’s Match. national and he is averaging an when batting mainstay Brendon third victim when trapped leg The 24-year-old left-arm quick impressive 21.58 with the white McCullum was removed by before wicket for three. He was reprimanded by the ICC dur- ball. Mathews for 28, putting pres- appealed the dismissal but replays ing the fourth Test in Sydney for He was publicly criticised by sure on Guptill to repay the faith supported the bowler. his exaggerated send-off in the Test spin great and now televi- the selectors had in him after he Taylor left the field as the rain face of Murali Vijay after dismiss- sion commentator Shane Warne failed in the first two games. swept in for the final time. ing the opener. It was one of sev- during the India Test series and He overcame a shaky start, The seven-match series is eral flashpoints from both sides in he admits he needs to transfer Groundsmen cover grass as rain interrupts play during the third One-Day offering a caught and bowled locked at 1-1 with the fourth game a highly-competitive series won his one-day form to Test matches International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Auckland yesterday. chance that fell just short of to be played in Nelson on Tuesday. 2-0 by Australia, and Starc on more consistently. AFP Nuwan Kulasekara and twice AFP We have firepower to surprise at Cup, says Waqar

KARACHI: Pakistan’s prepa- Hafeez, also suspended, will also the pressure on players because of rations for the World Cup have undergo an assessment before the the high expectations from them.” not been ideal but coach Waqar World Cup to find out if he can Pakistan were not among the Younis believes his team still bowl. favourites for the last World have the firepower to surprise “We had fitness issues with Cup but surprisingly reached the at the tournament. our pace bowlers for the last few semi-finals. Pakistan coach Leading off-spinner Saeed months and it has unsettled us “We also have plenty of expe- Waqar Younis (right) Ajmal, Pakistan’s leading wicket- but those selected must now put rience in the side and I am delivers a ball during taker in recent years, will be their hands up,” Waqar added. expecting seniors like captain a practice session at missing because of suspension Fast bowler Junaid Khan suf- Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi the Galle International due to his suspect bowling action. fered a hamstring injury during and Younus Khan to perform well Cricket Stadium in “Not having Saeed Ajmal is a training but MRI scans showed and show the way to the younger Galle, Sri Lanka in big blow while some of our bowl- he had escaped serious injury and players,” Waqar said. this August 2014 file ers have faced fitness issues in the will travel with the squad to New Waqar did not enjoy World Cup photo. run up to the World Cup,” Waqar Zealand on Tuesday. success as a player. told a news conference yesterday. “I am happy our team is not He missed out with stress frac- “It affected our preparations tagged as favourites in the event ture injury in 1992 when Pakistan but no team should write us off,” it will help take the pressure off won the trophy and, as captain, he warned. the players,” Waqar said. his team were eliminated in the All-rounder Mohammad “Being favorites only adds to first round in 2003. REUTERS SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Qatari athletes ready for Color Run

DOHA: The Color Run con- something totally different for lasting memories. In addition to WCMC-Q in association with tinues to gather support from Qatar,” said the 16-year-old Farid, being tons of fun, The Color Run the Supreme Council of Health all corners of the community who won silver medals in the also focuses on promoting healthy and the campaign’s strategic in Qatar, this time from some West Asian Championships and living. partners, Qatar Foundation, of the nation’s most promising the GCC Championships. Over 60% of Color Runners are Supreme Education Council, young athletes who have signed She added, “What’s really cool first-time 5K participants and the Qatar Petroleum, Occidental Top Qatari up for the original five-kilome- about it is that it’s meant to be event hopes to further Qatar’s Petroleum Qatar, ExxonMobil, athletes tre color powder race. totally fun! There’s no stress, no commitment to improving health and Qatar Olympic Committee. have With the help of Sahtak worrying about the competition and wellness across the country. The five-year educational health voiced their Awalan: Your Health First - the or the time you get like athletes Two-time World Junior campaign, which was launched excitement health campaign run by Weill normally do when we are running. Hammer Throw Champion in 2012, focuses on encouraging in taking Cornell Medical College in Qatar We can just enjoy being outdoors ElSeify said, “You don’t need to young people between the ages of part in the (WCMC-Q) - the “Happiest 5K with friends, family and the rest be a star athlete or a member of 10 and 25 to make healthy lifestyle upcoming on the Planet” will come to Doha of The Color Run community.” the Qatar Athletics Federation to choices. Color Run. on January 24, and star ath- Less about a 10-minute mile enjoy The Color Run and that’s The event is being held on a letes from the Qatar Athletics and more about having the time what’s so great about it – literally course around Qatar National Federation (QAF) cannot wait of your life, The Color Run is a anyone can do it. As athletes we Convention Center (QNCC). to join in the fun. five-kilometre, un-timed fun run want to help everyone in Qatar Online entry is now closed but Rising stars from QAF, includ- where participants – or ‘Color live a healthy and active lifestyle a limited number of entries will ing hammer thrower Ashraf Runners’ – can run, jog, walk, or and The Color Run is a perfect be available for sale by cash only ElSeify and runner Mariam even push their children in stroll- opportunity for everyone to take at QNCC January 21, 3pm – Farid, have voiced their excite- ers around the course under a a step in the right direction in a 8pm. These will be available on a ment in taking part in the event shower of colored powder. fun and relaxed way.” first-come-first-served basis and as a way to relax and have fun. The fun continues at the finish The Color Run Qatar is pre- organisers are urging hopefuls to “I’m really looking forward line with a gigantic Finish Festival sented by Sahtak Awalan: Your arrive early to avoid missing out. to The Color Run because it’s designed to create happiness and Health First, an initiative of THE PENINSULA

A handout picture made Troicki pips Kukushkin available by Tennis Australia of Britain’s Heather Watson posing with her trophy to claim Sydney crown after winning the Hobart International in Hobart, Qualifier takes second career ATP title with 6-2, 6-3 win yesterday.

SYDNEY: Serbian Viktor Troicki took a big step on his comeback trail after a dop- ing ban by ruthlessly disman- Watson wins Hobart tling fellow qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin 6-2, 6-3 to win the Sydney International yesterday. The 28-year-old righthander, Viktor Troicki International final who returned to action last July of Serbia after serving a one-year ban for celebrates his HOBART: England’s Heather she fought her way out of qualify- missing a dope test, took just over win against Watson won her second WTA ing to knock out seventh seed and an hour to claim his second career Mikhail title with victory over Madison former Hobart champion Mona ATP title. Kukushkin of Brengle in the final of the Barthel. A rampant Troicki won the last Kazakhstan Hobart International yesterday. Brengle came from a set and four games of the first set and in the men’s The top-ranked Briton and 4-1 down to defeat the German was 4-1 up in the second when singles final world number 49 downed the in a third set tiebreaker. Kukushkin took a medical time- American qualifier 6-3, 6-4 in 89 Meanwhile, unheralded Jiri on day seven out to have treatment on his left minutes and completed the tour- Vesely, the 63rd ranked player in of the Sydney thigh. nament without dropping a set. the world, won his maiden ATP The Kazakh had made his way International Watson, 22, who won in Japan title yesterday when he beat to the final without losing a set, in Sydney, in 2012, is the first British Frenchman Adrian Mannarino including in his quarter-final vic- yesterday. woman with two WTA trophies 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the tory over Juan Martin Del Potro, since Anne Hobbs, who won at Auckland Open. but his mobility had been key to Auckland in 1985 and Indianapolis The 21-year-old Czech has his progress. in 1983. proved a giant killer since win- The world number 66 rallied to Watson fought off 12 of 14 ning through the qualifying win the next two games for his break points she faced and won rounds to make the tournament only break of serve in the contest her last seven service games to proper and then advancing to an and offered hope of an extended win the final. ATP final for the first time. contest to the neutrals on Ken Unseeded Watson knocked out Along the way he knocked out Rosewall Arena. receiving the trophy from 50 from his current ranking of 92. he underwent three years ago and three seeded players en route top seed and world number 13 Troicki, however, was just too Australian tennis great Rosewall. He has made it clear this week was not certain he would be able to the final -- fifth seed Sloane Ernests Gulbis as well as tourna- strong and, roared on by vocal “There’s no stopping.” that he believes his doping ban to face Malek Jaziri at Melbourne Stephens, ninth seed Roberta ment fourth seed Kevin Anderson. support from Sydney’s ethnic Troicki will take a big boost in was unfair and paid tribute to his Park on Monday. Vinci and eighth seed Alison Against Mannarino, Vesely Serb community, broke back confidence into his first round tie Australian coach Jack Reader and “Tough to say,” he told report- Riske. quickly recovered from dropping before serving out the match to at the Australian Open against the rest of his team for sticking ers. “Of course I hope I will be Watson heads to next week’s the opening serve of the match love, sealing victory with his 13th Czech Jiri Vesely, who also won an with him. able to recover. Of course when I Australian Open in Melbourne to break the 44th ranked player ace. ATP title as a qualifier on Sunday “They were with me throughout play eight days in a row it’s tough. where she will meet Bulgaria’s twice in each set. “We both came through the at the Auckland Open. the hardest time that is behind “But I will have day off tomor- Tsvetana Pironkova in the first With a power game that proved qualis so it was a tough week Once ranked 12th in the world, me,” he said. “They stood by me row and fly to Melbourne. I will round. too much for the 26-year-old and we’re heading to straight Troicki’s victory in his second and I really appreciate that.” have a match already on Monday. It was the 84th-ranked Frenchman, Vesely raced through to Melbourne where we play Sydney International final will Kukushkin said his injury had I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t Brengle’s first WTA final and each set in little more than half on Monday,” Troicki said after send him back towards the top been a hangover from hip surgery know.” REUTERS capped a successful week when an hour. AGENCIES Murray unperturbed by Serena issues Aussie Open challenge tough Melbourne draw MELBOURNE: World number the WTA Tour Championship. one Serena Williams yesterday Another Australian title would MELBOURNE: The draw you’re playing in each round declared that none of her rivals take her to clear second on the has done few favours for because it doesn’t always work could match her desire to win all-time Grand Slam winners list Andy Murray (pictured) at out as simply as that. the Australian Open and if they behind Steffi Graf’s 22, having Melbourne Park, but the Briton “I’m sure Rafa (Nadal) just wanted the title they would have joined Chris Evert and Martina Top seeded believes he has put in the off- now, if you said to him, ‘Give me to fight her for it. Navratilova on 18 with her win Serena season work to be rewarded at a semi-final spot’, he’d be very The 18-time Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows. Williams from the Australian Open. happy with that coming off a champion won the last of her five Williams, 33, said it was excit- the US speaks Murray will be seeded sixth at tough injury. Australian crowns in 2010 and ing but also daunting to contem- during a press the year’s first Grand “But it will be expressed frustration that a sixth plate reaching the German great’s conference Slam starting tomor- interesting to see had eluded her for so long. benchmark. “Twenty two is so far prior to the row, bunched on the how it goes. But defi- With an ignominious round away from 18 -- when you’re 18 Australian same half of the draw nitely with the names four exit at last year’s tournament years old you look at someone Open Grand as Roger Federer you mentioned, it’s clearly still rankling, Williams that’s 21 and you think they’re Slam in and Rafa Nadal, and very challenging,” he said her determination to claim old,” she said. with a possible fourth added. a “special” win was stronger than “So it’s a really big distance to Melbourne, round match against A three-times run- any other player in the 128-strong get to 22. I can’t think that far yesterday. Bulgarian danger-man ner-up at Melbourne field. ahead. I just have to think about Grigor Dimitrov. Park, Murray was “I’ve been going for number six 2015 at the Australian Open in “Obviously, (a) very unable to add to his for a number of years now -- it particular.” Williams displayed tough draw. Very dif- two Grand Slam titles would be really special for me, I’d some erratic form in the Hopman ficult draw,” the Scot in 2014 after coming be really happy,” said Williams, Cup this month and admitted told reporters. back from a major who is the short-priced book- feeling “a little off” heading into “It’s very hard to comment back surgery and parting ways makers’ favourite to win the the opening Grand Slam of the amazing on the court,” she said. day I can see something coming on it. If you have to play all of with coach Ivan Lendl. tournament. “I want it, I think, season. “This year I feel a little off. But through, so there’s light at the those players, obviously it’s going Since appointing Frenchwoman more than anyone else here. That But she said that was not a I feel off in every Grand Slam, end of the tunnel.” to be extremely difficult to come Amelie Mauresmo as Lendl’s doesn’t mean I’m going to get it bad thing considering she went except for last year. That didn’t Williams plays Alison Van through that. replacement, his team has had so I’ll have to fight hard to get it.” into last year’s event convinced work out for me, so maybe this Uytvanck of Belgium in the open- “I’m aware of that. That’s fine. further changes with assistant The American held on to the she was in amazing form, only to is different. ing round and faces a potential But, yeah, often in these events, coach Dani Vallverdu and fitness top ranking for the entire 2014 crash out early to Ana Ivanovic. “I still want to improve some rematch of her US Open final there are upsets. And then you trainer Jez Green departing in season, ending the year with a “Last year I felt really good, things. I feel like I should be doing against Caroline Wozniacki in the just have to wait and see who November. REUTERS flourish to take the US Open and was playing well. I was feeling some things better, but every quarters. AFP SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Double win for West Top stars to feature at in QSBK fourth round

DOHA: Australian rider Anthony West won both races QSBK Results 2015 Qatar Total Open of the day during the fourth 1. Anthony West round of Qatar SuperBike 2. Alex Cudlin Championship (QSBK) at Losail Five players from top-10 club confirmed for Doha event International Circuit here 3. Mishal Al Naimi yesterday. QCH Results “Both races were good. In the 1. Mark James Holroyd DOHA: The acceptance list of Championships as well among first race I felt better and the con- 2. Luc Mathern players for the 2015 Qatar Total many other great results,” he ditions were better because it was 3. Shady El Mohandes Open has been confirmed and it added. “Venus Williams is another a bit dark in the second race and is an exceptional array of play- Simona great player to come to the event, I went with the dark visor. So it third position. But this result is ers who will take to the courts Halep of we know she’ll be popular and was quite hard to see when the good for the championship as I at the Khalifa International Romania having a current Wimbledon sun was behind the clouds so it am still leading,” Mishal stated. Tennis and Squash Complex holds up champion in Petra Kvitova grace was difficult to match the same In the other categories, Saudi next month. her trophy our courts is fantastic. There are times I was doing in the first race. rider Abdulaziz Binladin won both The tournament will feature after also so many different countries I am happy because I was much races in the Supersport category five players ranked in the top 10 defeating with players entered it highlights faster than my last time here and on his Kawasaki bike and Fahad and 14 in the top 20 as well as Angelique how important this tournament the bike was getting better and it Al Sowaidi, riding a Honda bike, four current or former Grand is on the WTA Calendar in 2015,” was also a fun race for me,” West came in second position in both Kerber of Slam winners. said Al Mohannadi. said after the races. races. In the first race Mahmmod Germany Defending champion and world There are 14 nations repre- Alex Cudlin finished in second Tannir from Lebanon finished No.3 Simona Halep of Romania in their sented in the 20 players direct position in both races. third and in the second race, heads the field with current singles final entry list making the tournament “I am happy this weekend. Two Jassim Al Thani got the third Wimbledon champion Petra match at a truly international event where second-place finishes were nice place. Kvitova set to be the second seed the Qatar members of the public will almost and also it was nice to be on pole For the Losail Asian Road at No.4 in the world. Open, certainly find a player they can position. I didn’t have the speed Racing Series, Hungarian female Next is the popular Polish in this support as their own. The tourna- of Anthony, he was too strong for rider Victoria Kis won the first player Agnieszka Radwanska February ment will be held from February me. The second race was more race of the day and Shelina ranked sixth, followed by German 2014 file 23 to 28 while the qualifying will difficult than the first with the Moreda from the United States Angelique Kerber, the beaten photo. take place on February 21 and 22. feeling with the bike and also it of America won the second race. finalist last year and Russian Halep Tickets are available from 22nd was difficult to see as I had the The next round for QSBK will Ekaterina Makarova at nine and will be Landmark, Lagoona, Villaggio, on- wrong visor. I am happy to come be held on March 6 and 7. ten respectively. defending site at the Khalifa International second because I cut points on In the third round of the Qatar Former world No.1 Jelena her title Tennis and Squash Complex and Mishal but he is still a long way Challenge (QCH), which was on Jankovic is one of many nota- next month. from www.qatartennis.org. in front in the championship, held yesterday, Mark Holroyd ble competitors in the 20-player THE PENINSULA so every point I can get is good. grabbed the pole position and direct entries for the US$731,000 It’s been a successful weekend,” win. The second position went to tournament. Cudlin said. French driver Luc Mathern and Alongside her is Venus Williams Top Ranked Players The third position went to third position went to Shady El who is a former world No.1 and two-time former Grand Slam at the US Open in what was an 1. Simona Halep (Romania) ...... 3 Mishal Al Naimi. “I made a bad Mohandes from Egypt. a great of the game as well as winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova exceptional year, something which 2. Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) ...... 4 start and I lost some positions and The next round for Qatar a seven-time Grand Slam win- of Russia with a ranking of 27. Tournament Director Saad Al 3. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) ...... 6 I tried to catch the riders in front Challenge will be next week- ner. Williams started 2015 with Kuznetsova has twice been a final- Mohannadi says was a big factor 4. Angelique Kerber (Germany)...... 9 and overtake them. After I over- end together with the Porsche a title at the Auckland tourna- ist in Doha. in getting Halep to return. took them I felt something was GT3 CUP Challenge at Losail 5. Ekaterina Makarova(Russia) ...... 10 ment beating Caroline Wozniacki With Halep returning to defend “The QTF is very pleased with wrong with my brake and I slowed International Circuit. in three sets. her title the tournament has a the players entered for the Qatar 6. Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) ...... 11 down and I could finish only in THE PENINSULA Australian Sam Stosur won the worthy leading player, especially Total Open, “ he said. 7. Flavia Pennetta (Italy) ...... 12 US Open in 2011 and is currently after she made the quarter-finals “It is a quality field and we are 8. Andrea Petkovic (Germany) ...... 13 ranked 20th. Stosur will make of the Australian Open in 2014 very happy to have our defend- Other notable direct entrants her fifth appearance in Doha. and the final at Roland Garros ing champion Simona Halep Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) ...... 15 Her best appearance was in 2012 where she was eventually beaten returning. She had a great year Venus Williams (USA) ...... 18 where she was a beaten finalist to by Maria Sharapova in three sets. coming so close to winning the Sam Stosur (Australia) ...... 20 Victoria Azarenka. She also made the semis at French Open and she also beat Rounding out the field is Wimbledon and the third round Serena Williams at the Year-End Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) ...... 27 Clinical South Korea stun Australia BRISBANE: A razor-sharp meeting a penetrating cross from finish from rookie striker Lee Asian Cup Results Lee Keun-Ho to flick the ball past Jeong-Hyeop in the first-half Mathew Ryan. Group A gave South Korea a 1-0 win over Juric blew a great chance Australia yesterday, ensuring Australia 0 South Korea 1 (Lee Jeong-Hyeop before Burns went close in the they topped their Asian Cup 32); Oman 1 (Al Maqbali 69) Kuwait 0 70th minute after a mazy run, group. Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. only for his shot to be tipped onto Lee, playing in only his second Australia coach Ange the bar by Kim Jin-Hyeon. match for the Taeguk Warriors, Postecoglou made four changes Postecoglou finally threw on struck after 32 minutes to stun from the 4-0 win over Oman, Cahill and Kruse with 20 minutes the Australians, who had domi- opting to leave Tim Cahill and to go, but it was too little too late nated up until then and who Robbie Kruse on the bench, while and the Koreans held on, the final created the lion’s share of the his South Korea counterpart Uli whistle triggering a chorus of boos chances in a blockbuster clash in Stielike made six to the side that from a crowd of 48,000. Brisbane. beat Kuwait. Meanwhile in Newcastle, Abdul QMMF President and FIM Vice-president Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah The Socceroos should have at In a match played in stifling Al Maqbali buried a second-half (second from left) presents an award to a young rider at Losail International least salvaged a draw, but waste- heat, humidity and a plague of header as Oman beat Kuwait Circuit in Doha yesterday. The QMMF is promoting environmental fulness in front of goal scuppered moths, the Socceroos missed the 1-0 in a dead rubber between consciousness with its FIM Ride Green programme. their hopes of topping Group firepower of Cahill, Austalia’s two teams who had already been A and puts them on a collision record goal scorer. eliminated. course with holders Japan if the They had a string of good A scrappy encounter between teams make the semi-finals. chances through stikers Tomi the Gulf rivals appeared to be South Korea’s Lee Jeong-Hyeop The hosts now face the tourna- Juric and Nathan Burns but were meandering towards the tour- Losail MX victories dives during a Asian Cup Group ment’s surprise package China in unable to break through. nament’s first draw before Al A match against Australia at the a quarter-final, also in Brisbane, The Koreans caught Australia Maqbali pounced with a superb Brisbane Stadium yesterday. on Thursday, while South Korea against the run of play when Lee header to earn Oman their first will take on either Uzbekistan or timed his lunge to perfection, Asian Cup win since 2004. AFP for Shipton, Blair

DOHA: With participation of 31 In the MX1 category, the first riders and the new MX Junior three riders in both races were Chelsea shine, subs save Man United category, the fourth round of the Shipton, Preston and Jaffar Losail MX Championship took respectively.. “Both races were LONDON: Oscar and Diego from Federico United start- time, finishing at the second place yesterday at the Losail really good. I made some changes Costa each scored twice as Fernandez to English Premier ing XI at QPR attempt after his initial shot was MX track. in the bike in the second race, Chelsea established a provi- claim his 17th after being repelled by Green. In the qualifying sessions, the suspension and handle bars to sional five-point lead at the goal of the cam- League Results dropped against “When I changed the shape, I best lap time was set by British mainly feel more comfortable. I Premier League summit with a paign in the 34th Southampton, wanted speed or pace also in the rider Jake Shipton in the MX1 am really happy with my wins crushing 5-0 success at Swansea minute and two Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 2 (Borini 24, Lambert but spurned a attacking line,” Van Gaal said. “It’s category followed by Jake Preston, and hope to continue like this,” City yesterday. minutes later he 79); Burnley 2 (Mee 12, Ings 16) Crystal good early chance a change in attack that brings a also from Great Britain. Shipton said after the races. The one-sided victory, which teed up Oscar to Palace 3 (Gayle 28, 87, Puncheon 48); to score when lot of risk, but we have won 2-0 The leader of the standings, In the MX2 category, Ryan saw Chelsea go 4-0 up inside the finish with the Leicester 0 Stoke 1 (Bojan 63); Newcastle 1 he was denied and I think it was deserved.” Kuwaiti rider Mohammed Jaffar, Blair won both races. He twisted first 36 minutes, enabled Jose inside of his right (Gouffran 29) Southampton 2 (Elia 14, 62); by a Rob Green Christian Eriksen claimed an made the third best time in the his wrist in the second race. “Race Mourinho’s side to pull clear of foot. QPR 0 Manchester United 2 (Fellaini 58, double-save. 88th-minute winner as Tottenham MX1 qualifying. 1 was good, I made a decent start second-place Manchester City, A dominant Wilson 90); Swansea 0 Chelsea 5 (Oscar 1, United man- Hotspur closed to within two In the MX2 qualifying, Ryan even though I struggled at the who host Arsenal today. first-half show- 36, Costa 20, 34, Schurrle 79); Tottenham ager Louis van points of the top four by win- Blair got the best time and gate…In race 2, I had an accident Manchester United climbed ing also saw 2 (Vertonghen 3, Eriksen 88) Sunderland 1 Gaal persisted ning 2-1 at home to Sunderland. Moaath Al Ansari came second. and I hurt my wrist but I man- (Larsson 31) to third place after winning Willian hit the with a three-man Sebastian Larsson appeared to In the new category, MX Junior, aged to win and stay in one piece,” 2-0 at second-bottom Queens woodwork twice, defence and with have earned Sunderland a point Italian rider Eugenio Barbaglia Blair said. Park Rangers, with substitutes and although Chelsea took their the visitors toiling, their fans with a curling free-kick after Jan made the best lap time. In the first MX2 race, the Marouane Fellaini and James foot off the pedal after the change made their dissent plain at half- Vertonghen’s deflected shot had However, 13-year-old second position went to Barak Wilson finding the target after a of ends, Andre Schuerrle added a time by chanting: “4-4-2!” put Spurs ahead, only for Eriksen Australian Nicholas Kefford won Al Jasmi and Moaath Al Ansari lacklustre first-half display. late fifth from Branislav Ivanovic’s Fellaini replaced Juan Mata to poach a winner from Andros both races in the MX Junior cat- came in third. In the second Chelsea had lost two and won cross. at the interval before Van Gaal Townsend’s cross. egory. “It is a new track and I am race, Mooath Al Ansari finished only one of their previous four “It was a perfect performance. introduced 19-year-old striker Improving Liverpool climbed to used to race on sand so I am just in second position and Sultan Al away games, but they went ahead The way everything went our way Wilson for centre-back Jonny seventh place, four points below trying to adapt as quickly as I can. Balooshi was third. inside a minute at Swansea, with was just perfect,” Mourinho said. Evans, tweaking United’s shape, the Champions League places, Even though the track is a bit The trophies were presented by Oscar drilling a shot into the “However, I keep saying that and within seconds they were in after winning 2-0 at Aston Villa. difficult it is really nice. QMMF Qatar Motor and Motorcycling bottom-left corner after Gylfi if you play fantastically well, but front. With Steven Gerrard rested, did a lot of work in the track and Federation (QMMF) President Sigurdsson conceded possession. don’t win cups, in 20 years time Antonio Valencia motored to Liverpool took a 24th-minute were very helpful today and I will and FIM Vice-president Nasser Chelsea doubled their lead nobody will remember you. Yes, the byline on the right and cut the lead when Fabio Borini slid in to train very hard to come the next bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, Ali in the 20th minute when Cesc we are playing well, but we have ball back for Fellaini, who took a convert Jordan Henderson’s deli- time. The second race was bet- Dhager, FIM Asia Vice-president, Fabregas teed up Costa to slot to win competitions.” touch before languidly lashing a cate cross before Rickie Lambert ter, I felt more comfortable on the and Sheikh Mohammad Al Sabah home. On-loan striker Radamel Falcao shot past Green from 12 yards. added a second with 11 minutes to bike and thanks to KTM for the from Kuwait. Costa punished a mistake returned to the Manchester Wilson sealed victory in injury play. AFP support,” Kefford said. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Handball fever grips Doha FUN FACTS ABOUT THE 24TH MEN’S HANDBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Croat Kopljar tops them all as diminutive Saudis bank on skill All 24 participating teams of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship in Qatar announced their final squad lists. On a closer look, here are the facts and figures on all 384 players in terms of height. The tallest and the smallest players: 40 players are over two metres ( six-foot six-inches approximately) tall, topped by Croatian right-back Marko Kopljar at 2.10m and Czech player Michal Kasal at 2.09m. The Croatian team can count on six players over two metres tall. Germany, Poland and Belarus have five players each over two metres. Only 11 players are smaller than 1.80m (five-foot-nine), and this rank- ing is clearly “topped” by Saudi players: Mohamed Allabas (1.65m), Abdullah Alabbas (1.68m) and Aboullah Alhulaili (1.68m). Tallest players at Qatar 2015 2.10m: Marko Kopljar (CRO) 2.09m: Michal Kasal (CZE) 2.08m: Kamil Syprzak (POL) 2.06m: Borja Vidal (QAT) 2.04m: Janko Bozovic (AUT), Marco Oneto (CHI), Jakov Gojun (CRO), Erik Schmidt (GER) 2.03m: Viascheslau Shumak (BLR), Luka Stepanic (CRO), Igor Vori (CRO), Henrik Pekeler (GER), jens Schöngarth (GER), Piotr Chrapkowski (POL) 2.02m: Nikola Prce (BIH), Vladimir Vranjes (BIH) Smallest players at Qatar 2015: 1.65m: Mohamed Allabas (KSA) 1.68m: Abdullah Alabbas (KSA), Aboullah Alhulaili (KSA) 1.70m: Benjamin Callejas (CHI), 1.75m: Sebastian Ceballos (CHI) 1.76m: Ehsan Abouei (IRI) Qatari supporters cheer for their team during a Group A match of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship against Chile at the Lusail Sports 1,77m: Ahmed Hazazi (KSA), Abdulla Al-Karbi (QAT), Arena near Doha yesterday. 1.78m: Ayatallah Hamoud (ALG), Ivan Brouka (BLR), Ivan Cupic (CRO), Omar Elwakil (EGY), Guillaume Joli (FRA), Eldar Memisevic (QAT), Hamad Madadi (QAT), Lukas Karlsson (SWE) 1.79m: Robert Weber (AUT), Zlatko Horvat (CRO), Anders Eggert (DEN), Abbas Alsaffar (KSA), Jaleledinne Touati (TUN) The tallest and the smallest teams at Qatar 2015: Germany and Poland have the tallest squads on average (1.95m), while Argentina, Chile, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the only teams with an average height of under 1.90m. By far the smallest players on average are from Saudi Arabia (1.80m). Average height of the teams at Qatar 2015: 1.95m: Germany, Poland 1.94m: Croatia 1.93m: Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Belarus 1.92m: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Spain, France, Iceland 1.91m: Algeria, Brazil, Russia, Tunisia 1.90m: Slovenia, FYRO Macedonia, 1.89m: Argentina, Iran, Qatar 1.88m: Egypt 1.86m: Chile 1.80m: Saudi Arabia Austrian youngsters versus oldies in goal Here are the facts and figures on all 384 players in terms of age. Twelve of the 17 oldest nominated players of the World Championship are goalkeepers, including the two 40-year-olds “Methusalems” Mohamed Bakir (EGY) and Igor Levshin (RUS). The oldest field player is Renato Vugrinec (MKD). In contrast, only three players are younger than 20 years, the young- est one is Austrian Mykola Bilyk (18). The oldest players at Qatar 2015: 40 years: Mohamed Bakir (EGY), Igor Levshin (RUS), 39 years: Renato Vugrinec (MKD) 38 years: Nikola Marinovic (AUT), Peter Stochl (CZE), Thierry Omeyer (FRA) 37 years: Jerome Fernandez (FRA), Robert Gunnarsson (ISL), Croatian supporters cheer for Petre Angelov (MKD), Danijel Saric (QAT), Goran Stojanovic (QAT), their team during a Qatar 2015 Gorazd Skof (SLO), Heykel Megannem (TUN) 24th Men’s Handball World 36 years: Viktor Szilagyi (AUT), Jose Manuel Sierra (ESP), Slawomir Championship match against Szmal (POL), Mattias Andersson (SWE), Tunisia at the Duhail Handball 35 years: Gonzalo Carou (ARG), Vytautas Ziura (AUT), Martin Sports Hall in Doha yesterday. Galia (CZE), Bo Spellerberg (DEN), Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson TOP LEFT: Two capoeira (ISL), Snorri Steinn Gudjohnsson (ISL), Bartosz Jurecki (POL), dancers perform during the Uros Zorman (SLO), Issam Tej (TUN) break between the Croatia- 34 years: Tarek Boukhemis (ALG), Pablo Portela (ARG), Sergio Tunisia match. TOP RIGHT: The Crevatin (ARG), Nikola Prce (BIH), Ivan Brouka (BLR), Mikhail Qatar 2015 mascot, Fahed, Niazhura (BLR), Igor Vori (CRO), Jesper Noddesbo (DEN), Carsten Lichtlein (GER), Vignir Svarasson (ISL), Kiril Lazarov (MKD), Ace waves to supporters at Duhail Jonoski (MKD), Vlado Nedanovski (MKD), Adam Wisniewski (POL), Handball Sports Hall. BOTTOM Luka Zvizej (SLO) LEFT: Miha Zvizej of Slovenia The youngest players at Qatar 2015: in action against Belarus at 18 years: Mykola Bilyk (AUT) the Lusail Multipurpose Hall 19 years: Yehia Elderaa (EGY), Paul Drux (GER) yesterday. BOTTOM RIGHT: A 20 years: Joao Silva (BRA), Jose Toledo (BRA), Michal Kasal (CZE), Spanish supporter arrives at Aboullah Alhulaili (KSA), Mojtaba Alsalem (KSA), Ameen Zakar Duhail Handball Sports Hall. (QAT) PICTURES: SALIM MATRAMKOT AND 21 years: Arthur Patrianova (BRA), Cristian Moll (CHI), Afshin AGENCIES Sadeghi (IRI), Abbas Alsaffar (KSA) 22 years: Pablo Simonet (ARG), Raul Santos (AUT), Josip Peric (BIH), Stefan Jankovic (BIH), Dejan Malinovic (BIH), Sebastian Ceballos (CHI), Diego Reyes (CHI), Esteban Salinas (CHI), Francisco Salazar (CHI), Filip Ivic (CRO), Alex Dujshebaev (ESP), Erik Schmidt (GER), Abdullah Alabbas (KSA), Mohamed Alabas (KSA), Michal Daszek (POL), Hadi Hamdoon (QAT), Alexander Dereven (RUS), Viktor Östlund (SWE) The oldest and the youngest teams at Qatar 2015 The Macedonian players with an average age of 30.2 are the oldest and most experienced team in Doha. The Saudis are not only the smallest, but also the youngest of all participating teams with an average age of 24.4 years. Average age of the teams at Qatar 2015: 30.2: FYRO Macedonia 29.6: Spain 29.2: Slovenia, Poland 29.0: Denmark 28.9: Iceland 28.8: Russia, Algeria 28.7: Tunisia 28.6: Argentina, France 28.4: Austria 28.3: Belarus 28.1: Czech Republic 28.0: Sweden 27.7: Qatar 27.4: Croatia 26.8: Egypt 26.7: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany 26.1: Brazil 25.4: Chile, Iran 24.4: Saudi Arabia SUNDAY 18 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Qatar down Chile for second win Hosts win 27-20, defending champions Spain edge Brazil to maintain winning run BY ARMSTRONG VAS Macedonia DOHA: Hosts Qatar, Slovenia and defending champions Spain registered their second succes- overcome Iran sive wins in Group A to inch closer to booking a place in the pre-quarter-finals of the after tough 24th Men’s Handball World Championship. fight Yesterday at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall, Qatar down by an early goal rallied to script a DOHA: FYRO Macedonia cel- 27-20 comfortable win over Chile. ebrated their second win at the The hosts, who won their first 24th Men’s World Championship match against Brazil, now have in Qatar. two wins from the same number Even though Kiril Lazarov of matches in the six-team group. and his team-mates weren’t on For Chile, it was their second the same level as they were in defeat in a row, having lost their their opener against Tunisia last opening match 36-23 to Slovenia. night, a solid performance was Yesterday, Slovenia also main- enough to beat Iran 33-31 in Ali tained a perfect record by defeat- Bin Hamad Al Atiyya Arena in ing Belarus 34-29 to join the hosts Al Sadd. and defending champions, as the Four easy goals zipped by three teams with a perfect record solid Iranian goalkeeper Saeid in the group. Barkhordari after just 180 sec- In the other Group A match, onds - enough reason for coach the Spaniards were stretched to Borut Macek to call time-out 4-1. the limits by neighbours Brazil, That was a turning point of the but managed to wriggle free from first half as Iran began to play the tight spot with a hard fought Qatari player Hassan Alla M (centre) attacks Chile’s goal during their game at the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship, yesterday at the Lusail much better, scoring easy goals 29-27. Multipurpose Hall. RIGHT: Action during the match between Spain and Brazil at Duhail Handball Sports Hall. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT/SALIM MATRAMKOT after a powerful shooting per- For the 2013 winners, it was formance from the backline led their second win, having won by right back Sajad Nadri and the their first match against Belarus, Qatar have a very strong goal- Araya said playing a host nation brothers Sajad and Allahkaram while Brazil crashed to their sec- keeping duo. After Danijel Saric Today’s Order of Play before a vociferous crowd is Esteki. ond defeat. performed well against Brazil Group C: Algeria, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Iceland, Sweden always difficult. Iranian shooters easily found Yesterday at Lusail, the South 28-23 in the opening match of the “It will always be difficult themselves in the “gun and run” Day Time Match Venue Americans scored an early goal tournament, his colleague Goran against the home team, but we first half with the Macedonians, against Qatar to gain an early Stojanovic did just as well against 7.00pm Iceland vs Algeria Al Attiyah are here to learn, and we realise who weren’t on the level from advantage and managed to hold Chile. January 18 9.00pm Czech Republic vs Sweden Al Attiyah that we are still pretty far away previous night, when they had on to a one-goal lead for the first From the start of the second 9.00pm Egypt vs France Duhail from the European level.” blown away Tunisia. ten minutes. half, Stojanovic continued his fine Group D: Argentina, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia In the Brazil-Spain clash, after Macedonian coach Ivica Obrvan Qatar, who rested a few key performance in the Qatari goal, 7.00pm Argentina vs Poland Duhail a tough keenly contested first was forced to call a time-out after players to give them rest to and he even improved his level at half, the Brazilians managed to his team went two goals down in January 18 7.00pm Germany vs Russia Lusail recover from injuries ahead of key times. turn the game and take the lead 16th minute – 11-9. Group A matches, bounced back “It is a nice felling that we 9.00pm Saudi Arabia vs Denmark Lusail in the second half. The effects were immediately to equalise in the 12th minute at have won two games out of two. From there onwards the battle visible as the Macedonians scored three-all. We must play well to win the tournament. I was positively our second victory.” Chile coach became very tight. Yet the Spain three consecutive unanswered With the first quarter of the remaining five games. We shall surprised by Chile, though. They Fernando Capurro said although team managed to keep the com- goals to regain the lead 12-11 in match gone, Qatar gained a strong go step by step and try to win played very well, particularly after they lost it was a much better posure and remain organised in the game. foothold over the proceedings and the next game,” said goalkeeper their time-out in the second half. performance compared to the both attack and defense, winning But Iran continued to fly on there was no looking back as the Stojanovic, who brought off a “We played really well in the last match this very tight game at the very the wings of a good goalkeeping Valero Riveira boys galloped to number of saves. “For me, this first half and our defence was “Compared to our first match, end. performance and strong shooters increase the lead. was my first game. I’m satisfied also good. We continued play- where we played bad in the sec- Spain’s top scorer was Canellas until five minutes before the half- Chile tried practically every- with my performance. I gave away ing well for the first 10 minutes ond half, my team delivered a with nine goals. Joint top scorers time buzzer when Lazarov began thing in the defence to stop the only 20 goals. This is the world of the second half. After that we good performance for the entire for the Brazil team were Felipe with his show. marauding Qatar scorers, but championship and I feel that we slowed down a bit, but as I said, I game. We lost 27-20 and that was Ribeiro and Jose Guilherme The goal-scoring record none of the formations were really can always improve. I’m looking am happy with our second win.” not so bad. Toledo with five goals each. holder from the 2009 World enough to put a stop to attacking forward to next match now,” he Qatar left back Ameen Zakkar “We came to this tournament In the Group B matches, Championship came from the combinations. added. said: “Fortunately, we scored to learn. Our normal competi- Croatia and Macedonia won bench and scored four goals in The hosts took a six-goal lead Qatar coach Riveira was satis- well again in this match. We tion is in South America, not at their respective matches against the last nine minutes of the first with them into the dressing room fied with the win. had injured players who needed the World Championship, but we Tunisia and Iran. Croatia wining half, providing his team a two- 15-9. They continued from where “Obviously I am very con- to be replaced, but fortunately, strive to play better every time.” 28-25, and Macedonia overcoming goal advantage at the break lead- they left in the second half and tent with our second win in the that did not stop us from taking Chilean centre back Guillermo Iran 33-31. THE PENINSULA ing by 19-17. the ever-changing defense for- Contrary to their opening clash mations from their opponents with Bosnia and Herzegovina, did not hamper Qatar’s cause as Iran stayed fired up in the sec- they continued to break open the ond half, even when they were five rival defense at regular intervals goals down after the 45th minute, to increase the lead Qatar players 27-22. as Qatar were able to continually The Asian debutants had an increase their lead at 20-10. answer to Lazarov’s outstanding In the end, Chile managed to nine-goal performance. reduce the gap with Qatar book- That was the gunners’ duo of ing a seven-goal win. Allahkaram Esteki and Sajad Right back Zarko Markovic Nadri who kept their team in the was the top scorer for Qatar with game almost through to the end 11 goals, while Marco Oneto hit (30:28, 53rd minute). the net five times for Chile. Esteki ended the game with The match confirmed that nine goals as Iran’s top scorer in the match. th However, a few mistakes by the 24 Men’s Handball Iranian attack gave Macedonian winger Vlado Nedanovski a World Championship chance to score two important goals which put his team four Results goals ahead 32-28 with five min- Slovenia 34 Belarus 29 utes remaining. Spain 29 Brazil 27 It was enough for Lazarov and Qatar 27 Chile 20 his team-mates to routinely finish Macedonia 33 Iran 31 Slovenia’s Spiler D (right) attacks Belarus goal during their Men’s Handball World the job, which has almost secured the Macedonians a place in the Croatia 28 Tunisia 25 Championship match at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall, yesterday. LEFT: A Spanish player attacks during the match against Brazil at Duhail Handball Sports Hall. quarter-finals. Austria 23 Bosnia-Herzegovina 21 THE PENINSULA Qatar 2015 signs Ali Bin Ali Beverages as official partner Salah Al Saadi DOHA: The Qatar 2015 popular beverages from the Pepsi a part of 24th Men’s Handball (right), Head of Organising Committee line for the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship. Game Services has announced Ali Bin Ali World Championship that runs “We started as a producer and Committee, Qatar Beverages as an official part- until February 1. distributor of beverages in Qatar 2015 Organising ner of the 24th Men’s Handball Al Saadi said: “With the sup- in 1961 and have been steadily Committee and World Championship tourna- port of Dr Thani Abdulrahman increasing our operations as the Antesh Bakshi, ment at a signing ceremony Al Kuwari, Director General, market here continues to grow. General Sales held in Doha. Qatar 2015, we are pleased to The championship is a prestigious Manager, Ali Bin Ali Salah Al Saadi, Head of Game work with Ali Bin Ali Beverages event for the State of Qatar and Beverages gesture Services Committee, Qatar 2015 to ensure that people have access we are proud to able to contribute Organising Committee and to the drinks of their choice when to its success.” at the signing Antesh Bakshi, General Sales they attend the Championship As an official partner of the ceremony in Doha. Manager, Ali Bin Ali Beverages matches,” he said. 24th Men’s Handball World signed the contract of mutual “We have signed agreements Championship, Ali Bin Ali agreement which makes it the with high profile partners to Beverages is also building excite- official soft drink supplier of the cover every area of the spectator ment around the championship championship. experience, so we can ensure that through several promotional cam- Ali Bin Ali Beverages is sup- people have a great time.” paigns in Qatar. plying Lipton Ice Tea and other Bakshi expressed delight to be THE PENINSULA Sunday 18 January 2015 27 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6314 Sport Price: QR2 Leading newspaper from Nepal Ali released Kaymer takes from hospital six-shot lead in

      on birthday Abu Dhabi

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Al Attiyah regains Dakar Rally title Qatari wins after dominating race from start to finish, Coma claims bike contest

BARADERO, Argentina: job with Mathieu (Baumel, his In the bikes race, Coma, the stage. Coma opened his Dakar Nasser Al Attiyah and Marc co-driver). I reckon experience 38-year-old from Catalonia, account in Africa in 2006, he then Coma avoided any last minute helped in this second title, and equalled the number of titles won again in 2009, the first time it drama to claim the car and bike training.” held by French duo Cyril Neveu was held in South America, add- titles in the 2015 Dakar Rally Al Attiyah, who has also and Cyril Despres, who now ing the 2011, 2014 and now this which after 9,000 gruelling kilo- enjoyed success in the Olympic competes in the car category year’s title. metres concluded in Baradero Games, winning bronze in skeet for Peugeot, and one behind Finishing in ninth place overall yesterday. shooting at the 2012 Games in another Frenchman, Stephane came Laia Sanz, the 29-year-old For both it was a case of London, dominated from start to Peterhansel. Spaniard who betterred by one Nasser renewed glory in the notoriously finish. Coma was joined on the final place the highest ever finish for a Al Attiyah tough event described as ral- He set down his marker for the podium by Paulo Goncalves, riding woman rider. of Qatar lying’s Everest, with Qatari Al title when posting the quickest a Honda and almost 17 minutes Russian Airat Mardeev won raises the Attiyah having won the 2011 title time in the opening stage leaving adrift with Australia’s Toby Price, the trucks race and Rafal Sonik of trophy and defending champion Coma Buenos Aires a fortnight ago. on another KTM, finishing third Poland came out on top in quads. on the claiming his fifth victory in the He was subsequently stripped in the overall standings. Over half the 406 competitors podium two-wheel category. of the first stage for speeding, but Yesterday’s closing 393 kilome- that set out two weeks ago com- of the And for Al Attiyah’s Mini team did not let that hiccup distract tre (101km timed) stage between pleted the rally. 2015 Rally it was a fourth successive Dakar him as he bounced back to take Rosario and Baradero was won by This year’s edition cost one Dakar in title and for Coma’s KTM outfit the second stage, and ended with Ivan Jakes of Slovakia. competitor his life - Buenos a 14th victory overall. five stage wins in all. He was followed across the line Polish motorbike rider Michal “The key was to remain in front Assisted by Baumel of France by his compatriot Stefan Svitko Hernik dying as a result of hyper- Aires, each day, and that wasn’t easy,” he dealt masterfully with all the with Price taking third for a thermia and dehydration during Argentina, said the 44-year-old Al Attiyah Dakar could throw at him, from KTM 1-2-3. the third vstage from San Juan yesterday. who became only the seventh crossing the Andes to coping with Organisers were forced to to Chilecito. multiple car winner with sixth Chile’s Atacama desert to Bolivia’s shorten the stage as heavy rain Hernik, 39, was found dead a in the 13th stage from Rosario to salt flats. In the curtailed closing had rendered sections of the road few hundred metres from the Bardero north of Buenos Aires stage, Robby Gordon came out too dangerous. track after a helicopter had been which was shortened to only 34 on top, the American crossing Coma, who came in fifth on sent out to look for him when he kilometres due to heavy rain. the line over half a minute clear Saturday, inherited the lead in the failed to turn up at the finish and He added: “We had to work of Leeroy Poulter. Argentina’s overall standings from Honda’s his tracker stopped sending a sig- day after day, but we did a great Emiliano Spataro crossed in third. Joan Barreda after the eighth nal. AFP