ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

Business heads eye expansions in Qatar Business | 17

Sunday 25 January 2015 • 5 Rabial II 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6321 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 World leaders heading to Riyadh Barack Obama to arrive on Tuesday • King Salman calls for unity and solidarity among Muslims

RIYADH: World leaders headed to Saudi Arabia yester- day to offer condolences follow- ing the death of King Abdullah, with US President Barack Obama cutting short a trip to India to pay respects. Obama had been scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal but can- celled that following the death of King Abdullah and will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet the new Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the White House said. Since King Abdullah took the throne in 2005, Saudi Arabia has been a prime Arab ally of Washington, and last year joined the coalition carrying out air strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group. Other dignitaries arrived in Riyadh to pay respects, includ- ing Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on a rare visit to the regional rival. British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Charles and French President Francois The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani visited Saudi Arabia yesterday. Hollande were among other leaders expected to fly in to offer criticised his rights record and also represented, with Sudanese headgear. The body was quickly On Friday evening hundreds Washington and Riyadh would condolences. urged King Salman to do more President Omar Hassan Al Bashir moved to nearby Al-Od public of Saudis queued to enter a royal continue. King Abdullah was a cautious to protect freedom of speech and and Ethiopian Prime Minister cemetery and buried, in a grave palace where they rubbed cheeks In his first public statement reformer who led the Gulf state women’s rights. Hailemariam Desalegn. marked only by a book-sized plain and kissed the hands of their new as king, King Salman, 79, vowed through a turbulent decade in a Gulf rulers, and leaders includ- President Ali Bongo Ondimba grey stone. Palestinian President leaders, in a symbolic pledge of to “remain, with God’s strength, region shaken by the Arab Spring ing Turkish President Recep of Gabon and other leaders from Mahmoud Abbas and Malaysia’s allegiance. attached to the straight path uprisings and Islamist extremism. Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani the continent arrived yesterday Prime Minister Najib Razak Mourning ceremonies were that this state has walked since He died on Friday at the age Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to pay respects. arrived later to deliver condo- planned for yesterday and today its establishment”. He called for of about 90 after being hospi- were among those who attended On Friday the late king’s body, lences, as did Iraqi President evenings at another palace, official “unity and solidarity” among talised with pneumonia. World King Abdullah’s tradition- wrapped in a cream-coloured Fuad Masum. Masum had met media said. Obama paid tribute Muslims and vowed to work in leaders have praised the king as ally simple funeral at Riyadh’s shroud, was borne on a litter with Abdullah last November, to King Abdullah as a “valued” “the defence of the causes of our a key mediator between Muslims Imam Turki bin Abdullah by members of the royal family helping to repair long-strained ally as the State Department nation”. AFP and the West, but campaigners mosque on Friday. Africa was wearing red-and-white checked relations between the neighbours. indicated cooperation between See also page 6

OPINION Temperatures likely to rise Oil slump won’t hit 2022 plans: Minister Crisis of DOHA: Qatar has said that H E Sheikh Ahmed bin liquefied natural gas (LNG), increasing demand from Europe legitimacy from Tuesday lower world oil price would not Jassim Al Thani, the Minister of Sheikh Ahmed said. Qatar is an fuelled by economic stimulus pro- in any way hinder its plans to Economy and Commerce, told the Opec member. vided by the European Central DOHA: The cold weather in the host the coveted 2022 FIFA World Economic Forum in Davos, Al Sharq reported yesterday Bank (ECB). in Yemen country is not likely to last long World Cup. Switzerland on Friday: “Our plans that according to Sheikh Ahmed, The minister, however, noted vents in Yemen have as the Meteorology Department Surplus revenue in recent for infrastructure development Qatar Petroleum’s (QP) recent that for the world crude rates to Ebecome unpredictable has forecast a gradual rise in years, when global crude rates and investments are going as decision with Royal Dutch Shell touch $100 a barrel it should take and everyone is convinced temperature from Tuesday. averaged at $100 a barrel, has planned”. “It (the plans) will not Plc to cancel a $6.5bn petrochem- at least two years. that this country is head- Some parts of the country are generated enough reserves for be affected by the oil price going ical project is due to lower than He added that Qatar’s cur- ing fast towards failure or expected to witness heavy fog in the country. down, thanks to the conservative expected demand and not because rent budget (April 2014-March Somalisation. The state’s pub- the early hours today and in the This will allow the nation to numbers that we have”, the min- of lower global crude price. QP is 2015) is based on an oil price of lic institutions are collapsing, following days, according to the keep spending on development ister said. Qatar’s state energy arm. $65 a barrel. The next budget the presi- Department. projects, including infrastruc- Qatar’s revenue is less affected Talking about the world oil beginning in April will be dent has There would be a gradual rise ture to host the 2022 World than other Opec nations by the prices, Sheikh Ahmed said that based on a lower crude price, resigned, in temperature starting from Cup, according to the Economy price drop because it is also they should rise to an average he said. THE PENINSULA armed Tuesday, with the maximum tem- Minister. the world’s largest exporter of $60 per barrel by 2015-end due to See also page 17 groups perature reaching over 29 degrees have Celsius in some parts of the coun- invaded try during the weekend. the presi- This increase has been attrib- Yemen unrest dential uted to an extension of low palace, Dr Khalid Al Jaber pressure associated with the Govt may review office the mili- Southwesterly to Southeasterly tary is divided and there is no winds. Temperature will shoot authority at all in the country. up further by Thursday reaching The scenes from Yemen a maximum on Saturday, said hours for leaner traffic being transmitted by the Arab the Department. The maximum and global media are all about temperature during this period is DOHA: The Ministry of Administrative Development may review conflict, chaos and death like expected to be between 26 to 29 the working hours of ministries and government offices to help ease in other Arab cities. The coun- degrees Celsius in Doha while it traffic congestion on Doha roads. try has entered a dark tunnel would be higher by 4 to 7 degrees All government offices have about the same working hours and most that will lead to the demoli- in western parts of the country. of them are located in one part of the city. tion of its unity and divide the The minimum temperature would This causes chaos on Doha roads in the mornings and early after- country into the South and settle between 15 to 18 degrees noons on weekdays. North, the southern parts Celsius. Starting from Saturday School hours also clash with office hours of government departments, most likely to be taken over night, the country might be according to recommendations of a road safety panel. by rebels and armed groups. affected by high pressure associ- The recommendations were recently discussed by the Advisory The strategic location of ated with strong Northwesterly Council. The Council has decided to forward the recommendations to Yemen on the coast that winds, said the Department. the government. They include suggestions for building multi-storey oversees the most important According to a weather forecast parking facilities at different locations in the city. marine traffic linking East issued yesterday, temperature in The recommendations ask the government to further restrict some and West makes its stability Doha is expected to be between categories of expatriates from acquiring driver’s licence. a global necessity. This view 13 degrees and 22 degrees Celsius Already, there is a ban on expatriates in several occupations on is shared by regional and today. Other areas like Al Khor applying for and obtaining driving licence. However, the ban is not international parties whose and Abu Samra would be colder, working effectively. Companies might be asked to provide transport interests are jeopardised by where the mercury could plum- Yemenis clash with a Houthi holding a knife during an anti-Houthi dem- to their employees to come to work and go back home. the instability in the country. met to eight degrees Celsius by onstration in Sana’a yesterday. See also page 10 THE PENINSULA Continued on page 4 evening. THE PENINSULA Continued on page 6 SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Kahramaa begins survey 19,396 voters register for on drinking water quality DOHA: Qatar General Electricity initiative, the corporation said, urg- and Water Corporation ing users to participate and make it CMC poll in 29 constituencies (Kahramaa), in cooperation with a success as it is a tool to measure the Ministry of Development customers’ trust in the water pro- Planning and Statistics, yesterday vided by the corporation. Ministry to invite nominations after release of final list in March launched an opinion poll on the Our customers are the target of quality of its drinking water. the survey as they always back our DOHA: Some 19,396 voters The poll is part of efforts to campaigns and initiatives, the state- have registered for the forth- improve and maintain high stand- ment said. coming Central Municipal ards of utility services under ‘Mayna It said ‘customer-centricity’ is Council (CMC) elections due Zain’ (our good water), an initia- one of Kahramaa’s corporate values this May. tive to assess the level of customer which places customers at the heart Of the total, 10,612 (54.74 per- satisfaction. of decisionmaking to focus on their cent) are men and 8,780 (45.26 Kahramaa said in a statement needs. percent) women, according that the poll is one of the activities The two-week survey comprises to a statement issued by the of ‘Mayna Zain’ undertaken under an eQuestionnaire with 12 queries Ministry of Interior. the patronage of the corporation’s through which participants can Al Murrah, constituency No. President Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari report their trust in Kahramaa’s 13, recorded the highest reg- to highlight the high quality of drink- water and the purpose of using it. istration (2,787), followed by ing water. It is available on Kahramaa’s web- Muaither (constituency No. 12) It comes within Kahramaa’s objec- site www.km.com.qa and the minis- with 2,399. tive to excel in customer services try’s website www.qsa.gov.qa In Old Airport area, which is and provide high quality water and Participants can enter their email constituency No. 8, some 1,507 electricity. or phone number to start answering voters registered, said the state- The poll is the first step in the the questions. THE PENINSULA ment, quoting the Supervising Committee of the fifth civic election. The 29-member CMC has a four-year term. It first went to the polls in early 1999. Election HMC specialist nominated for the second term was held in 2003 and for the last, in 2011. Al Wakra (constituency No. 20) ranked next with 1,153 reg- for Arab health award istering for the election. DOHA: Dr Tariq Abbas, Paediatric HMC’s Enaya Specialised Care The voter list for each of 29 Surgical Specialist at Hamad Centre in Medical City has been constituencies is being prepared Medical Corporation (HMC), has shortlisted in the Excellence in and will be announced soon, the been nominated for Arab Health Patient Centred Care category. committee said. Awards 2015 to become the Young This builds on Enaya’s success This is not the final list as A voter registering his name in a constituency. Surgeon of the Year. in the 2014 Hospital Build Awards deletions and additions of names Three entries from HMC have for the Best Hospital Design in the will continue from January 28 Late last year, the ministry The lowest voter registration The voter turnout was 52.3 been shortlisted for the awards, HMC Middle East and the Best Healing until February 5. re-demarcated the constituen- was 21,995 in the first CMC elec- percent in 2007 and dropped to said yesterday. Environment, said an HMC state- The panel has again urged eli- cies due to demographic changes tion. The highest was recorded 43.3 percent in the 2011 election, Dr Abbas has published articles in ment. Enaya offers patients gible voters who haven’t come in various areas following demo- in 2011, at 32,662. official figures suggest. a large number of medical journals multi-disciplinary care within state- forward and registered yet to litions and ongoing development For the 2003 election, 24,178 For the upcoming election, and participated in many ongoing of-the-art facilities and amenities, do so. works. voters had registered and in registration began on January 11 research projects on child health. providing a calmer environment for The final list will be Some constituencies, partic- 2007, the number reached 28,139. and ended on January 22. It was He has also worked in the war-torn more therapeutic healing. announced on March 3 and after ularly in Doha, were left with The highest voter turnout was done in all 29 constituencies. Darfur region of Sudan on an inter- HMC’s MRI-guided brachytherapy this the next phase of the elec- fewer Qatari families as they recorded in 1999 (79.7 percent) Voters also apply through the nationally-funded health project. has been nominated in the Excellence toral process will begin — invit- shifted to the suburbs, and this and the lowest in the second poll ministry’s Metrash2 service. The awards recognise outstand- in Radiology category. ing nominations of candidates. necessitated re-demarcation. in 2003 (37.7 percent). THE PENINSULA ing achievements by individuals and The project has led to significantly organisations that have contributed improved probability of cure com- to the growth and development of pared to conventional brachytherapy the healthcare industry in the Middle by enabling individualised application East. The shortlisted HMC submis- technique and treatment planning sions are in the Excellence in Patient for cervical cancer, one of the most Centred Care; Young Surgeon of the common female malignancies and the QC projects benefit 680,000 in Somalia Year; and Excellence in Radiology world’s second cause of female cancer categories. mortality. THE PENINSULA

Seminar to discuss draft law on real estate brokerage

DOHA: The Ministry of Justice offices on the draft law and discuss will hold today a seminar on proposals, ideas and opinions of the new draft law on real estate stakeholders to serve the profession, brokerage. adjust the real estate market, and The seminar, organised by the Real eliminate random offices and unau- Estate Registration Department, thorised brokers and abuses commit- aims to inform authorised brokerage ted by outsiders. QNA

Some of the beneficiaries outside the QRC office in Somalia.

DOHA: Continuing its long- Relief and other programmes among the native and displaced projects for the needy. standing commitment to have benefited more than communities. Income-generating projects the people of Somalia, Qatar 680,000 people in Somalia. Other project interventions included donation of 40 mod- Charity (QC) has provided More than 40 water wells included free food distributions, ern fishing boats to the federal QR25.5m worth of life-saving were drilled in the regions rehabilitation of health centres government and 1,500 other relief, recovery and reha- of Hiran, Lower Shabelle and schools, sponsorship of more programmes, many of which bilitation programmes and and Middle Shabelle where than 7,000 orphans and Shariah- focused on animal husbandry. activities. demand for water is highest compliant income-generating THE PENINSULA

Ooredoo offers free Cricket World Cup access

DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday OSN Sports Cricket, Ten With Next Generation Next Generation Mozaic TV announced that Mozaic TV Cricket, OSN Sports 4, ITV Mozaic, cricket games can be customers can subscribe to the will offer access to the OSN Choice HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, watched at preferred time, with OSN Pehla Spice Variety pack- Sports Cricket channel for Nat Geo HD, Nat Geo People features including series record- age by pressing the blue button free for all Pehla Variety cus- HD and Star Movies. ing, live pause and catch-up TV, on their remote when watch- tomers until April 1, allowing The offer is being extended to meaning they won’t miss any of ing OSN Sports Cricket channel cricket fans to enjoy 2015 ICC new and existing customers who the action even on games at 634. To subscribe to Mozaic TV, Cricket World Cup. subscribe to Mozaic TV together night. cricket fans can dial 111 or visit With the offer, subscribers to with a subscription to the Pehla The 12th World Cup hosted any Ooredoo Shop. For terms the Mozaic Pehla Variety pack- Variety Package priced at QR70 by Australia and New Zealand and conditions of the competi- age will receive the higher tier per month, saving customers starts next month. There will tion or details about Ooredoo’s package — OSN Pehla Spice more than QR40 compared to be 49 matches across 14 venues, Mozaic TV services, go to www. Plus for free, which includes OSN Pehla Spice Plus. all available in HD via Mozaic. ooredoo.qa THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Greetings sent to Saudi Arabia DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Boost for neuroscience research Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday sent a cable of con- gratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Qatar to host International Brain Research Organisation’s sub-regional headquarters Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud after Saudis pledged allegiance DOHA: Giving a further boost symposia, conferences or any across the Mena region under- to the new monarch. to medical research in the other research and educational took theoretical and practical The Emir also sent cables country, Qatar will be hosting activities throughout the Mena studies in neurogenetics. of congratulations to Prince the sub-regional headquarters region. It also encourages devel- Dr Lashuel said: “The stra- Muqrin bin Abdulaziz on becom- of the prestigious International opment of partnership and net- tegic partnership complements ing the new Crown Price and Brain Research Organisation working opportunities between and extends ongoing QBRI neu- Deputy Prime Minister and (IBRO). regional stakeholder groups, roscience activities and offers Prince Mohammed bin Nayef The Qatar Biomedical including academia, industry, opportunities for young scientists bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on being Research Institute (QBRI) at non-governmental organisations in Qatar and the Mena region. appointed as Deputy Crown Qatar Foundation (QF) Research and government agencies, said a “It aims to create and sup- Prince, Second Deputy Prime and Development and IBRO have statement yesterday. port education and training Minister and Minister of Interior. signed a memorandum of under- As part of the MoU, IBRO will programmes suited to local The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh standing (MoU) to set up the provide annual funding for IBRO- needs and promote neuroscience Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani IBRO-Middle East/North Africa MENA Committee activities. careers for young researchers in also sent cables of congratulations (Mena) sub-regional headquar- The panel’s objective is to sup- the region.” to King Salman bin Abdulaziz ters in Qatar and designated port and promote neuroscience Pierre J Magistretti, President, Al Saud, Prince Muqrin bin QBRI as the host. suited to the needs of the Mena IBRO, said: “We look forward to Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed IBRO is one of the world’s region. this collaboration with QBRI bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. leading global scientific, educa- Dr Hilal A Lashuel, Executive to promote neuroscience in the The Prime Minister and tion and advocacy organisations Director, QBRI, has been named region. IBRO appreciates QBRI’s Interior Minister H E Sheikh in neuroscience. Chair and Dr Omar El Agnaf commitment to host the MENA Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Improved healthcare diag- of QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa -IBRO office, a commitment that Al Thani sent similar cables to nosis, treatment and preventa- University chosen to serve as is a guarantee for success for the King Salman, Prince Muqrin and tive approaches for disorders, Co-chair. initiative” Prince Mohammed. including illness relating to the Last month, QBRI hosted the As part of its activities, QBRI brain, are a key area of focus of IBRO-MENA Neurogenetics also has a research programme Deputy PM returns healthcare research conducted School, ‘Genetic Basis of on the understanding of the by QBRI. Neurologic and Psychiatric genetic causes of diseases and from Bolivia visit The MoU supports planning, Disease’, with the support of conditions in Qatar, with a focus organisation and management of IBRO funding. on autism, intellectual disability Officials at the agreement signing ceremony. DOHA: The Deputy Prime high-level neuroscience schools, Students from Qatar and and epilepsy. THE PENINSULA Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud and his delegation returned home yesterday after attending the inauguration of Envoy presents Bolivian President Evo Morales More homes likely for police personnel for a third term. They were bid credentials in farewell by Qatari Ambassador to Peru Jamal Nasser Al Badr at DOHA: The Ministry of daily quoted Captain Bander employees’ job contracts with to grade and salaries. Azerbaijan the airport in capital La Paz. Interior is considering a pro- Farhan Ruwaili, Head, Housing the ministry, all police officials He said the problem is because posal to build more housing Department, as saying in an in grades 1 to 7 are entitled to many occupants with a basic sal- BAKU: Azerbaijan’s President US ties reviewed units for its officials, including interview with Al Shurta Ma’ak furnished accommodations. ary of QR30,000 and above and Ilham Aliyev yesterday police personnel, as it is facing (police with you), magazine pub- But there is a shortage of having one child are occupying received the credentials of DOHA: The Minister of State shortage of adequate number lished by the ministry. appropriate housing units, whole villas, leaving big portions Qatari Ambassador Sayar bin for Defence Affairs H E Major of accommodation facilities, Captain Rwaili said there Captain Rwaili said. unutilised. Abdulrahman Al Mauda. General Hamad bin Ali Al according to a senior offi- are several vacant plots near He said currently there are “This is not permissible The envoy conveyed greetings Attiyah yesterday met US cial of the ministry’s Housing the ministry’s offices along nearly 300 senior officials on because housing allowances of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim Central Command Commander Department. Salwa Road and Al Shimaal the waiting list for government are provided based on the total bin Hamad Al Thani. General Lloyd J Austin III and “The ministry has a proposal Road which can be utilised for accommodations. number of family members. President Aliyev asked the his delegation. Talks dealt with to build barracks for police offi- building homes for officials and Captain Rwaili said housing “The Housing Department is ambassador to convey his greet- regional developments, and cials entitled for accommoda- police personnel working in these units will be allotted according to going through a crisis for hous- ings to the Emir. Talks also means of strengthening rela- tions but are in the waiting for offices. the size of the family (number of ing units,” he added. dealt with relations and issues of tions. QNA housing units,” a local Arabic He said according to children) and not only according THE PENINSULA mutual interest. QNA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME VCU-Q delegation fascinated by Kochi art expo

KOCHI: The cosmopoli- evolved in the community. tan nature of Kochi-Muziris “These students are the Biennale (KMB) 2014 has fas- future of art in Qatar. So, we cinated a group from Virginia were keen to bring them here Commonwealth University at to ask how they saw themselves Qatar (VCU-Q) which spe- in these roles,” Bangdel added. cialises in art-related courses. “It is good to come with the The 25-member visiting group students and talk and reflect on said that the ongoing interna- the works,” said Jochen Sokoly, tional exhibition of contempo- the German director of the uni- rary art here could be a perfect versity’s gallery and art history,” opportunity to view the con- Bangdel said. tinuity of history and cultural “In this space, the installa- exchange due to trade between tions seem more tangible. It is Qatar and India. on a very human scale unlike Dina Bangdel, an associate galleries, which seem distant,” professor and director of art said Sokoly. history at the university, said Riyas Komu, the KMB ‘14 the group enjoyed the idea of director of programmes, noted Students of Philippine International School taking part in the campaign. looking beyond Euro-centric that there were “no strong models. cultural relationships in con- “This was a good opportunity temporary art, or in fact other to undo the stereotype of the arenas”. exotic and study the confluences “We hope to build ties and of culture and cosmopolitanism start residency programmes No-smoking campaign launched here. This biennale is a perfect and exchanges, particularly with microcosm of the issue,” Bangdel Mathaf, the museum of modern said. and contemporary art in Qatari The visiting students of art capital, Doha,” he said. in schools and universities history, painting and print- Qatar has a very vibrant art making and fashion design, scene with several galleries and DOHA: Qatar Cancer Society Qatar can help kick the habit lung cancer. She said smoking can smoking and said the smoker were keen to look at the poten- generous patronage, marked by (QCS) launched an anti-smok- through medical service. affect all members of the commu- also harms the health of others tial of replicating this dynamic a significant annual spending on ing awareness campaign for The Health Education nity, especially children as they around him who are subjected to production of art and how art art. IANS students in schools and uni- Department at QCS organised a always seek to imitate parents, passive smoking that makes them versities to highlight adverse lecture by Dr Maha Othman in which increases the chance of susceptible to respiratory diseases effects of smoking on the health Philippine International School, their smoking in the future and such as asthma, allergies and lung of smokers and people around attended by about 700 students, their vulnerability to cancer more cancer. them. teachers and administrators. than others. She said children She stressed that it is neces- QCS began the campaign in Dr Othman talked about can- who mingled with smokers may sary to highlight the seriousness College of North Atlantic with a cer in general and lung cancer start smoking in the early stages of smoking, its effects and dis- Rule of law best lecture by Dr Mahasen Okasha and its causes in particular and of life, making them always sus- eases that may be caused by it to for about 30 students. said smoking cigarettes and ceptible to various diseases. encourage students to quit smok- He talked about negative effects other types of tobacco products Dr Okasha stressed that the ing and contribute to developing of smoking and diseases that can such as cigars, pipes and shisha community needed to be edu- healthy and educated generations. solution for Yemen caused by it and said clinics in increases the chance of developing cated on the harmful effects of THE PENINSULA Continued from page 1 also called for the withdrawal No one would want to see this of armed groups from Sana’a. country turning into a haven for All Yemeni groups must unite extremists and violent groups behind a legitimate government like Houthis or ISIS or Al to defend the gains, and should Qaeda. not allow smaller parties to Vodafone unveils Falla Club, plans for youth The best solution for Yemen kidnap the country, destroy its is to return to the rule of law, future and expose it to regional DOHA: Vodafone Qatar yes- in and offers member benefits. Like the club, the new plans “Vodafone recognises that the and all disagreements should and international conspiracies, terday launched Vodafone Falla Benefits include a 10GB free are only for customers under 24. needs of youth are different and be expressed and sorted out war and chaos. Club and Falla plans for cus- data bonus valid for the first Postpaid Vodafone Falla cus- feels that there is an opportu- through proper, legal means and The international commu- tomers under 24. month after joining, a buy-one tomers get to choose between two nity to offer something unique to dialogue. nity must also work to stop the Both are packed with data, local get-one free cinema ticket and plans. Vodafone Falla M offering them that is fun while providing The Gulf initiative on Yemen country from destroying what calling and discounts on lifestyle standard snack combo (popcorn 1,000 local minutes plus 2GB of them with the chance to stay con- that was put forward by the remains, and prevent instability benefits. Falla is a Qatari expres- and beverage) on every Vodafone local data at QR70 per month and nected with families and friends. GCC countries provided a in a region which day after day sion that means enjoying the Tuesday offer and exclusive Vodafone Falla Postpaid L offer- “The youth in Qatar have a golden opportunity to restore is becoming worse! moment. deals on food delivery through ing 5,000 local minutes plus 5GB greater use for local data and stability and legitimacy and it THE PENINSULA The club is free for youth to opt Qatar’s leading food delivery App, of local data at QR140 per month. calling, hence we decided to Foodonclick. Anyone buying or upgrading upgrade our existing proposi- Club members will get to enjoy to a Vodafone Falla postpaid plan tions to offer a lot more on that favourite tunes with a free mem- will be offered a QR1,000 discount front and ensure exclusive ben- bership to Anghami+. on star number of their choice. efits to our young customers for Vodafone also launched new Vodafone Falla prepaid plan what they love doing such as cin- Falla prepaid and postpaid plans offers customers 100 minutes ema, food, and the Internet,” said offering data and local calling plus 1GB of local data for QR20 Luke Longney, Head, Consumer bundles. per week. Marketing. THE PENINSULA Al Emadi Hospital staff take flu vaccination DOHA: A total of 400 employees, including healthcare practition- ers and administrative personnel at Al Emadi Hospital, took vaccina- tion against seasonal flu. The campaign was organised by The Infection Control Department for the first time this year and the hospital plans to hold it on an annual basis. Dr Mohamed Al Emadi, Chairman and General Manager of the hospital, said the programme is part of the hospital’s commit- ment to health promotion and disease prevention to ensure a safe environment for all staff, patients, visi- tors and the community. According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, over 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, flu-associated deaths in the US were about 3,000 to 49,000. During a regular flu season, about 90 per- cent of deaths occur among people aged 65 and above. CDC and the Supreme Council of Health recom- mend vaccination for eve- ryone aged six months and above. THE PENINSULA

SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Deputy Emir, Premier offer condolences

The Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday visited Riyadh and offered his condolences to the family of late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He was accompanied by the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and several Cabinet members who also offered condolences. Qatar highlights efforts to improve competitiveness

DOHA: Qatar’s high-level del- of civil society. level of prosperity that can be egation participating in World The session under the theme earned by an economy. Economic Forum reviewed ‘The New Global Context’ was The forum also publishes the steps taken by the country in attended by over 300 heads of Global Enabling Trade Report the areas of entrepreneurship states and governments and every two years, which assesses establishment and competi- ministers, in addition to more the quality of institutions, poli- tiveness improvement, during than 2,500 senior economists cies and services facilitating the the 45th session which ended from more than 140 countries, free flow of goods over borders in the Swiss city of Davos officials and experts from inter- and their destinations. yesterday. national and civil society organi- At the core of the report, the The delegation comprising sations, academics and experts. Enabling Trade Index bench- the Minister of Finance H E Ali The forum discussed political, marks the performance of 138 Sherif Al Emadi, the Minister economic, social and technologi- economies in four critical areas: of Economy and Commerce cal changes worldwide. market access; border admin- H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim It is an important platform istration; transport and com- Al Thani, the Governor of Qatar to discuss global concerns and munications infrastructure; Central Bank Sheikh Abdullah problems and is a significant and regulatory and business A physician attending to a patient at Al Shifaa Hospital in Gaza. bin Saoud Al Thani and the reference for economic reports. environment. CEO of Qatar Investment Qatar has assumed a promi- The report helps economies Authority Sheikh Abdullah bin nent place in the reports issued integrate global value chains Mohamed bin Saud Al Thani, by the forum and ranked high and companies into their invest- reviewed with Professor Klaus in the competitiveness report ment decisions. It informs policy QRC builds specialised Schwab, Executive Chairman which is one of the most impor- dialogue and provides a tool to of the forum, the importance of tant issued by the forum. Qatar monitor progress in certain the forum and challenges facing ranked 16th among 144 partici- aspects of global trade. the global and Arab economies. pating states last year. In the 2014 Global Enabling He stressed the significance The Global Competitiveness Trade Report, access to mar- surgical facility in Gaza of Qatar’s regular participation Report 2014-2015 assesses the kets was divided for the first in the forum, especially after competitiveness landscape of time into two parts — domes- DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) is fin- He hoped that the new to be treated at the depart- the remarkable growth of the 144 economies, providing insight tic and foreign markets — and ishing work on a $12m specialised surgical facility will improve the ment. The procedure was Qatari economy hailed by the into the drivers of productivity highlighted the positive aspect building at Gaza Al Shifaa Medical Complex, quality of medical services successful, thanks to God forum’s competitiveness report and prosperity. of Qatar — facilitation of the officials said yesterday. in line with QRC’s prior- and proficient doctors of Al which highlighted the country’s It is the most comprehensive entry of goods into its markets The project is co-funded by QRC and the GCC ity of developing health Shifaa Hospital. balanced performance and the assessment of national competi- thus fulfilling its commitment Programme for the Reconstruction of Gaza, infrastructure amid tragic “QRC provided many efficiency of the goods and serv- tiveness worldwide, providing a to World Trade Organisation. under the supervision of Islamic Development conditions in Gaza in the surgical specialities to help ices market. platform for dialogue between The report praised the qual- Bank. The building is being furnished and aftermath of Israeli war patients and reduce the The forum, which lasted four government, business and civil ity and availability of trans- equipped, with a budget of $18m and is expected and siege. number of those who have days, is the biggest global eco- society on actions to improve port infrastructure which to be fully ready by 2015-end. Fadhel Salim, a ware- to travel abroad,” Salim nomic conference, attended by a economic prosperity. rose 10 positions because of “QRC staff have completed the 250-bed build- houseman at the complex, said. large number of heads of states Competitiveness is defined as the availability of adequate ing, which will offer cardiovascular, neurological is responsible for storing Dr Mohamed Habib, and governments from across a set of institutions, policies and transport services and Qatar’s and cardiothoracic surgeries, catheterisation medical supplies provided Head, Cardiology the world, decisionmakers from factors that determine the level infrastructure projects under and computed tomography (CT) scans, among by relief agencies. He Department, said that since the public and private sectors, of productivity of a country. The implementation. others,” Said Dr Akram Nassar, Director, QRC received the latest delivery its opening last May, it has academics and representatives level of productivity sets the QNA Office, Gaza. of medical equipment for conducted 120 diagnostic the complex’s Cardiology and therapeutic cardiac Department established and peripheral catheteri- QRC and became the first sation operations and patient to undergo cardiac implanted artificial pace- catheterisation at the new maker on many patients. department. “This small number of “I had been receiving treated cases is attributed medical equipment and largely to the scarcity of supplies for the depart- medical consumables due ment. I felt fatigue and to blockade and the recent when I took an electrocar- 50-day war on Gaza, which diogram, it was found that halted everything.” He said I needed urgent cardiac the department plans to catheterisation. perform eight to 10 cathe- “My family told me to terisation operations every travel abroad, but I chose day. THE PENINSULA Public transport may be mandatory for staff of big companies Continued from page 1 Municipality and Urban Based on the recom- Planning, to the Advisory mendations, it may be Council. The Council, at its made mandatory for the weekly meeting on January employees of bigger com- 19 approved them for being panies to use public trans- referred to the government port to commute to work for implementation, Al place and back home. Sharq reports. It has been suggested One of the recommen- that commercial activities dations of the committee that remain concentrated is to encourage the use in Doha, should be taken of school transport. This outside the city limits. would help ease congestion The road safety panel on city roads on weekdays, was asked by the Cabinet the panel said. Suggestions in late 2013 to prepare a of the panel for long-term study on traffic snarls on implementation include Doha roads. diverse geographical loca- Its recommendations tion of schools and assign- were forwarded by the ing the work of road design Cabinet in the form of a to Qatar Engineering memorandum addressed Association. to the Ministry of THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Palestinian protest Mauritanian prison siege ends; hostages freed NOUAKCHOTT: A hostage The prisoners at Nouakchott’s terms. A prison source said the crisis sparked when Islamist central penitentary had kidnapped group had “accepted a government death row inmates in Mauritania the wardens on Friday during a proposal to release those among seized two prison guards ended violent protest against the refusal them who are entitled to leave yesterday after the captives of the authorities to release those and to improve the conditions of were freed. who had completed their jail detention of others”. AFP

Palestinian supporters of the Islamist Tahrir Party protest in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday against the printing of satirical sketches of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) by French weekly Charlie Hebdo. Syria oppn demands ‘radical change’ Opposition groups agree on 10-point vision CAIRO: Syria’s opposition fac- according to a joint statement. a unified political vision and to tions called yesterday for “radi- They added that any political unify the opposition’s efforts,” cal democratic change” in the solution to Syria’s four-year civil said Saleh Al Nebwani, member war-torn country ahead of April war “must guarantee a radical of the regime-tolerated domestic talks aimed at unifying their democratic change that criminal- National Coordination Committee plan for a political solution to the ises violence and sectarianism”. for Democratic Change. conflict. The National Coalition was The Coalition and top opposi- In a two-day conference held in informally represented in Cairo tion figure Moaz Al Khatib had Cairo, the regime-tolerated oppo- by several members, including previously announced they will sition met members of the exiled Ahmed Jarba, a former coalition not attend talks with the Syrian National Coalition and agreed chief who is close to Saudi Arabia. regime in Moscow this month on a 10-point vision, as well as A Coalition source had earlier aimed at finding a political solu- announcing fresh talks in April. said its members were not attend- tion to the war. The groups agreed that “any ing the Cairo meet in an official But the internal opposition said negotiation process should capacity. yesterday that some invited mem- lead to... a democratic regime The next opposition general bers were expected to attend the and a sovereign civil state,” conference “aims at agreeing on meeting. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR KHALID AL-JABER [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

EDITORIAL TEL: 44557741 / 44557743 FAX: 44557746 / 44557758 P. O. BOX: 3488, DOHA, QATAR E-MAIL: [email protected]

ADVERTISING: TEL: 44557837 / 780 FAX: 44557870 CLASSIFIED: 44557857 E-MAIL: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial

IS brutalities Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

video that surfaced yesterday claims that a Japanese held captive by Islamic State has been executed. Japanese government officials said they Ahad not yet confirmed whether an image of what Who are Houthis, the group appeared to be the decapitated body of Japanese captive Haruna Yukawa, who went missing in Syria in August, was real. If it’s true, and it’s not unlikely, it sends the chilling message that the world is yet to rise up to the challenges that toppled Yemen’s govt? posed by this terrorist organisation. A US-led alliance has been engaged in a fight against IS, and it has included aerial bombardment of IS targets. But BY ADAM TAYLOR found them a broad set of allies. While widely suspected of working with the ironically, little is known about what success the anti-IS they reached a cease-fire with the gov- Houthis after losing power). operations have made, like whether these strikes have been N THURSDAY, the entire ernment in 2010, the next year large Analysts say that the popular appeal able to demolish the terror network or how many of its government of Yemen’s protests against President Saleh offered of the Houthi insurgency can’t entirely President, Abdrabuh them a new opportunity. The group be put down to sectarian factors. In a leaders have been killed. Its leaders are still elusive. In the Mansour Hadi — a key took advantage, consolidating their con- 2010 Rand Corp. report, the authors case of Al Qaeda, it had a leader — Osama bin Laden — US ally in the region — trol in the northwest and taking part in noted that “it is a conflict in which local whose past was known to the world. We don’t know much resigned.O Following the resignations, the National Dialogue Conference after material discontent and Zaydi identity about Abubakar Al Baghdadi, the self-styled leader of IS. control of the country appears to have Saleh stepped down from power. claims have intersected with the state A terrorist outfit that has made so much of solid gains on been turned over to Houthi rebels, a Hadi became president in 2012 after centre’s methods of rule and self-legit- the ground by capturing large swathes of land by giving group that is both opposed to US influ- a UN-brokered peace deal, yet he suf- imation.” That analysis was echoed last ence and is allegedly supported by Iran. fered from a variety of differing prob- year by Silvana Toska, a Middle East a tough fight to the established, well-trained armies of Yemen is a key area of concern for lems, including a southern separatist researcher, who noted that the Houthis countries should have at least a few people as its leaders, the United States, in large part due to movement, the growing threat of Al were supported by “vast numbers of or some kind of organisational structure and network that the presence of the country’s much- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and Yemenis who view them as a real oppo- must have taken a few years to form. It’s this lack of crucial feared and powerful Al Qaeda affiliate. the continuing loyalty of many military sition to the elites that is untainted by information about IS and the Yet the Houthis are little known outside officers to Saleh. Again, the Houthis, corruption.” the country. What does their success emboldened by previous successes, What role is Iran playing? inability of the Western and Arab mean? pushed on. In September, the group Saudi Arabia and other Sunni states The world media to investigate this vacuum Who are the Houthis, and where did began a dramatic new offensive, even- have accused the Houthis of being a that makes this outfit unique. they come from? tually gaining a large amount of ground proxy for Iran, the region’s Shia super- needs to know Also, the ransom which the The Houthis are a Shia insurgency from government forces, and reaching power. The Houthis themselves deny more about IS, kidnappers demanded, a whopping group that originated from north- Sana’a, the Yemeni capital. this. Some outside sources have also $200m from the Japanese western Yemen’s Saada province. Intense fighting broke out in Sana’a suggested a link, however. Last year, and until that Charles Schmitz, a professor at Towson this week. While it initially looked like Reuters spoke to officials from Saudi government, was ridiculous. University, writes that their origins a coup, Houthi leaders offered Hadi a Arabia, Yemen and Iran who all claimed happens, the It’s clear that the IS was not lie in the Shabab Al Mumanin (the power-sharing accord that would have that Tehran had supplied money, weap- interested in money and had a Believing Youth), a group that oper- allowed him to stay in power. However, ons and training to the Houthis. fight against more sinister agenda. ated in the early 1990s. The Believing Yemen’s leaders balked at the deal and One Iranian official told Reuters that In the current scenario, the Youth worked to raise awareness about resigned en masse. In a public address, there were a “few hundred” members this terror world has no option but condemn the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam, which Hadi apologised, saying that “we have of Iran’s Quds Force, the external arm had dominated Yemen for centuries reached a dead end.” of the Revolutionary Guard, training network will the latest dastardly act and but was sidelined after a civil war in Is this a sectarian conflict? Houthi fighters in Yemen and that reiterate the world’s will not to the 1960s and repressed by the Yemeni Yes and no. The Houthis are Shia, Houthi fighters had traveled to Iran to not produce surrender to terrorists. But what government. and many of the forces they are fighting train as well. The Quds Force is believed the results the is needed is a more coordinated After the US-led invasion of Iraq in are Sunni. Part of their appeal comes to have operated with a number of other action that involves both the West 2003, Hussein Al Houthi, one of the from the idea they are representing Shia groups, most notably in Lebanon leaders of the Believing Youth, began Yemen’s Shia minority, which is esti- and Iraq. It’s tough to know to what and Arabs and they must provide West wants. staging anti-American protests and mated to account for 35 percent of the extent Iran actively helps the Houthis, more effective support to those became a vocal critic of then-president country’s Muslims. if they actually do. countries fighting IS on their soil. Ali Abdullah Saleh. After Houthi’s fol- The reality, however, is more What does it mean for the United The mother of one of the two Japanese hostages held by lowers clashed with the government, complicated. States? IS made an emotional appeal on Friday for her son’s release. Yemeni forces killed him. Following his For one thing, Zaydi Shias (almost It’s hard to say. The United States’ Junko Ishido, 76, said her son, freelance journalist Kenji death, the group was renamed after entirely found in Yemen) are quite dis- major concern in Yemen is likely still him. The insurgency continued, led by tinct from the rest of Shia Islam, recog- AQAP, a Sunni extremist group. The Goto, was not an enemy of Isis, but had been motivated by a those related to Hussein Al Houthi — nising only the first five of the 12 imams Houthis are certainly no friend of Al simple humanitarian desire to report from troubled parts of 33-year-old Abdulmalik Al Houthi is (making them “fivers,” as opposed to Qaida (they have fought the group at the world. Perhaps she didn’t know that the terrorists she the current leader. the “twelvers” of mainstream Shia points), and Yemen’s drone strikes are was appealing to were enemies of the very faith they claim to How did they become so powerful? Islam). Zaydis are considered to be operated from Saudi Arabia anyway. represent. A long period of armed conflict with theologically closer to Sunni Muslims Even if the Houthis remain dead set The world needs to know more about IS, and until that the government turned the Houthis than other Shias. (It’s worth noting against US involvement in the country, from “student activists to seasoned that former president Saleh, who ruled if they can form a popular, functioning happens, the fight against this terror network will not insurgents,” Schmitz writes, and the Yemen for 12 years and was attacked by government their takeover may not be produce the results the West wants• government’s harsh tactics in the north the Houthis, is himself a Zaydi and is a bad thing. WP-BLOOMBERG The other side Quote of King Abdullah’s death the day HE passing away of Saudi king take place within the desert kingdom. square off through proxies in various first time in Saudi Arabia’s eight-decade Abdullah in the small hours of Abdullah ruled for a decade, though regional hotspots during Abdullah’s history, a grandson of founder Ibn Saud Friday comes at a time of great he had effectively been running the rule. Salman, the new Saudi sover- has officially been named in line for the Ttumult in the Middle East. government in the absolute monarchy eign, will have to steer the kingdom throne. The House of Saud will need to Across the kingdom’s southern border, 10 years before his accession to the through myriad crises. Reports indicate strike a delicate balance between dif- We are for peace Yemen is in a state of chaos while throne when the then king Fahd was the monarch, who is also of advanced ferent camps within the royal family, the across the northern frontier in Iraq, incapacitated by a stroke. He oversaw age, is in poor health. This means clerical establishment and tribal inter- but also accept the the so-called Islamic State remains a cautious reforms in the conservative that Crown Prince Muqrin — who ests — the traditional poles of power threat. Within Saudi Arabia, there are state, though perhaps the monarch was until only a few years ago a dark in Saudi Arabia — to steer the country enemy’s challenge. sporadic protests in the mainly Shia did not go far enough in expanding his horse within the House of Saud — may through choppy waters. Eastern Province, while a budget deficit subjects’ civic rights. play a greater role in governance and As the kingdom confronts numerous We will defend our looms on the horizon, brought about by The late ruler shielded his kingdom policymaking. internal and external challenges, the motherland the way low global oil prices. from the winds of change triggered by But perhaps the most important international community will be watch- The late king, who was around the Arab Spring by injecting billions into development following Abdullah’s ing to see a stable transfer of power in real patriots do — 90, had not been keeping well, while social programmes, while an unofficial death is the appointment by Salman one of the world’s leading oil producers, until a full victory. speculation had been rife about how cold war between Saudi Arabia and of Mohammed bin Nayef as deputy and the home of Islam’s two holiest cit- Petro Poroshenko the generational shift of power would Iran saw both Middle Eastern powers crown prince. This means that for the ies. DAWN Ukrainian President SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Ukraine’s ceasefire has become a farce Russia isn’t formally a party to the What the Kremlin really wants is to conflict but simply a concerned neighbour. The de facto double legitimise the leaders of the Donetsk and role of warmonger and peace- maker puts all the cards in Putin’s Luhansk “people’s republics,” whose hands. “Let us pull the veil away from Putin’s peace plan and call farcical elections in November even it for what it is — a Russian occu- pation plan,” the US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Russia couldn’t recognise. Power, said on Wednesday. BY LUCIAN KIM had been struck by a shell in the What the Kremlin really wants separatist stronghold of Donetsk, is to legitimise the leaders of the n Sunday morning I killing at least eight civilians. No Donetsk and Luhansk “people’s took part in a panel less shocking were reports that republics,” whose farcical elec- discussion on relations rebel forces had finally taken the tions in November even Russia Obetween Russia and the Donetsk airport — or what is left couldn’t recognise. “The direct European Union. More than a of it — after eight months of bitter dialogue between Kiev and repre- hundred people turned up for the fighting. The city’s rebel-control- sentatives of the proclaimed DNR event, mostly elderly Germans led administration said that in the and LNR is the key to solving the who will never forget the trauma previous 24 hours, 15 civilians had deep Ukrainian crisis,” Lavrov said and shame of World War II. One been killed and 20 wounded. The in Berlin, referring to the separa- after another, members of the Ukrainian government and the tist regions by their Russian ini- audience stood up, calling for a separatists blamed each other for tials. But if Poroshenko agreed, he return to “the politics of peace,” the bloodshed. would be condemning Ukraine to to compromise, and to dialogue. The escalation of hostili- a future dictated by the Kremlin The problem isn’t a lack of ties in eastern Ukraine comes and its proxies. words but a lack of deeds. On the after a relative lull in December Officially Russia is 100 percent issue of Ukraine, even the most after Ukrainian President Petro for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, well-intentioned diplomat cannot Poroshenko announced a “regime minus Crimea of course. In an Members of the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic drive a tank on the bridge the gulf between what the of silence” to help reduce ten- interview published earlier this Kremlin says and what it does. sions. Fighting flared up along outskirts of Donetsk. week, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry On Wednesday night, German the ceasefire line in early January, Peskov repeated the fiction that Foreign Minister Frank-Walter as Steinmeier was expecting his funds from international lenders, If that weren’t bad enough, a control over hundreds of miles of Ukraine’s problems are of its Steinmeier made his second Russian, Ukrainian, and French Ukraine could face default in the Russian news report that rebels its eastern border. In Davos, he own making and that Russia is attempt in 10 days to push for- counterparts in Berlin to set up coming months. in the Luhansk region have said that Russia had more than already doing all it can by provid- ward the peace process, host- a summit between Putin and If Poroshenko sounded desper- repaired an old L-29 training jet 9,000 troops and more than 500 ing energy deliveries and humani- ing his colleagues from Russia, Poroshenko in Kazakhstan. When ate at times, it’s because external has raised fears in Kiev that this armoured vehicles in eastern tarian convoys. “Russia can’t solve Ukraine, and France in Berlin. those preliminary talks failed and and internal pressures are coming phony “air force” could one day Ukraine. an internal Ukrainian conflict,” he “Three on Earth, one on moon,” the summit was postponed, the to a head. The rebels unsuccessfully disguise Russian air strikes — the “Our approach is very simple. said. Even as it urges Putin to be a Ukrainian diplomat tweeted in violence increased. tried to take Donetsk airport the same way that armour looted from We have nothing to negotiate. part of the solution, the West is an oblique reference to Russian Poroshenko, speaking at the day after his election in May. Since Ukrainian arsenals covers for mil- Everything is already fixed and plotting to isolate him, ruin the Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. World Economic Forum in Davos then, the tenacity of the soldiers itary hardware that crosses over signed. We have the Minsk for- Russian economy, and overthrow Afterward, Steinmeier put on a on Wednesday, made an emotional defending the ruined terminal from Russia. Mysterious explo- mat,” said Poroshenko. Turning to him, Peskov said. brave face, admitting that there plea for the world not to suc- has become symbolic of Ukraine’s sions in cities outside the war Russia, he said: “The solution is Lavrov’s job is to keep talking. had been no breakthrough but cumb to what he called “Ukraine war effort. One Ukrainian weekly zone keep the country on its toes. very simple. Stop supplying weap- Already half of the EU’s members “discernible steps” toward imple- fatigue.” Poroshenko tried to make is running a cover entitled “Our Mariupol, the largest city in the ons. Stop supplying ammunition. are leaning toward lifting eco- menting the so-called Minsk peace a link between the daily terror Stalingrad.” Although the airport Donetsk region controlled by Kiev, Withdraw the troops and close the nomic sanctions against Russia, he agreement signed in September. faced by Ukrainians and efforts is unusable because of the destruc- was cut off from the rest of the border.” said on Wednesday. The Russian Most Ukrainians probably to defeat international terrorism. tion, it played a strategic role as country earlier this week when Simple enough in theory, but foreign minister is all for continu- haven’t heard the news that The forgetfulness of the West is a Ukrainian bridgehead. Under the last rail link into the city was virtually impossible in practice. ing the dialogue, even in difficult their country has taken any no less dangerous for his coun- control of the rebels, it could now blown up. Although it is a signatory to the conditions. Politics of peace, com- steps toward peace. On Thursday try’s survival than the Russian- be rebuilt into a base to supply the Poroshenko’s biggest problem Minsk agreement and a partici- promise, whatever you call it. morning, they learned that a bus backed insurgency. Without more separatists from the air. is that his government has lost pant in Steinmeier’s Berlin talks, REUTERS Some Japanese blame victims for Why Yemen is tearing Islamic State hostage crisis itself apart BY CLIVE JONES accused the insurgents of seeking to BY PETER VAN BUREN enforce Shia religious law. The conflict emen is witnessing another bout ended in 2010, but the sectarian divi- he images always share terrifying of instability, as Shia Houthi sions have remained a dangerous fault similarities: hostages kneeling in Yrebels seized the presidential line in the country, which AQAP is keen Torange jumpsuits, a black-clad ter- palace on Tuesday in the capital Sana’a to exploit. The United States has con- rorist threatening a beheading. This time, demanding power-sharing concessions sistently focused on neutralising the however, the victims are Japanese, and the from President Abd-Rabbu Mansour group in Yemen. Without addressing response of their government and the atti- Hadi, who is being held as a virtual sectarianism in Yemen, however, these tudes of their fellow citizens expose key prisoner in his residence. In the ensu- efforts are bound to fail. The Shia-Sunni differences from the standard Western ing chaos, some worry about whether conflict — believed by some to be a proxy response. Those differences may have stra- the volatile political situation could end war between Saudi Arabia and Iran — tegic impact both for domestic politics in up strengthening Al Qaeda. along with tribal politics, will determine Japan and for support of American policy Prior to the emergence of Islamic whether Yemen will remain a safe haven in the Middle East. State, the United States believed for groups like AQAP. Without solving It is the long-stated policy of the United Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula this fundamental conflict, militants in States not to negotiate with terrorists or (AQAP), based in Yemen, posed a Yemen will only continue to flourish. pay ransom. Understood is that the United greater threat to it than any other ter- Being the country’s most powerful States will use its military resources as the rorist group. neighbour, Saudi Arabia has been the sole means of freeing its hostages. The regional Al Qaeda franchise was traditional power broker in Yemeni poli- The idea of not negotiating in a crisis is founded in 2009, after a merger between tics since the civil war of the 1960s. It alien in Japan. In contrast to the United Al Qaeda’s Yemeni and Saudi branches. was the Saudis, for example, who engi- States, the Japanese government has gone The threat posed by AQAP was high- neered the removal of former President out of its way to signal a willingness to lighted by the January 7 attack on the Ali Abdullah Saleh, a member of the negotiate, both to the hostage takers and to offices of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical Zaidi Shia sect, in November 2011. its own public. Government spokesperson magazine, in Paris. According to Yemeni Equally, during the Houthi rebellion, Yoshihide Suga reiterated on Friday that intelligence, both Cherif Kouachi and Saudi Air Force jets are alleged to have Junko Ishido, mother of Kenji Goto, a Japanese journalist being held captive by Islamic State Japan was trying all possible channels to Said Kouachi, the two brothers who bombed Houthi targets in Sada prov- reach those holding the hostages. militants along with another Japanese citizen, reacts during a news conference in Tokyo. carried out the attack, were trained ince, close to the Saudi border. The 2004 The Japanese government has con- in camps run by AQAP. This has once Shia insurgency was seen in Riyadh as spicuously avoided the question of paying UN mandate since WWII. That deploy- hostages’ mothers, that her son went to more drawn attention to the militant a threat to the stability of Yemen itself ransom; Suga dodged the issue at a news ment took place in the context of the return Syria to rescue his colleague, Haruna organisation’s territorial base: Yemen. and the security of the Saudi state with conference. Ransom payments are not off- a Japanese hostage from North Korea. Yukawa, with the plan “that if he could The Nigerian-born Umar Farouk its own large Shia minority. limits; Japan is known to have paid for the She was freed along with her husband, an speak directly to the Islamic State he could Abdulmutallab, also known as the Given the strategic position of Yemen, release of hostages held in Kyrgyzstan in American citizen and US Army deserter, make them understand,” underscores the “underwear bomber,” was linked to Saudi Arabia remains sensitive to any 1999. The public generally accepts ransoms whom the United States then allowed to concern many Japanese have about why AQAP. Major Nidal Hasan, who killed Iranian encroachment. Given the have been paid for the return of kidnap vic- live in Japan without facing military justice. their nation is now embroiled in a global 13 people in his November 2009 attack Houthi’s religious affinity with the Shias tims in places like the Philippines, and that Some saw it as a quid pro quo. event based on such a naive individual act. at Fort Hood, was also linked to the of Iran, the Saudis have long suspected some form of financial deal was involved in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bases his It would be hard for some Japanese to avoid group. He is said to have had a long cor- Tehran’s help as integral to power that the return of Japanese citizens abducted foreign policy on Japan assuming a more the word “selfish” when speaking in private. respondence with the radical preacher the Houthi militants — said to number years ago by North Korea. active global role. Abe was in the Middle Indeed, apologizing publicly for the trouble Anwar Al Awlaki, when the latter was several thousand — now wield. Unlike the view held by many Americans East pledging $200m in non-lethal aid to her son caused the nation, Junko Ishido, in Yemen, before the attack. In a reflection of the sectarian and that ransom means giving in to terrorists, countries battling the Islamic State when the mother of hostage Kenji Goto, said she There are many reasons why Yemen religious divisions across the wider the exchange of money for lives fits squarely the hostage crisis struck. That the ransom accepted that some people believe her son has become a haven for Al Qaeda. Middle East, the Sunni AQAP declared within the Japanese ethos of compromise. demanded is identical to the amount of aid acted foolishly. Yemen has been in a state of turmoil a “holy war” against the Shia Houthi in The complication in the current situation being offered is not lost on the Japanese Memories in Japan are long; most people since the unification between north and 2011. Clashes between Houthi militia- is pressure from the United States for its people. This prompted the government to remember the case of three young Japanese south in 1990, and much of the latest men and elements of AQAP have been ally to stick to the American script. announce that the militants’ demand was freelance journalists held in Iraq in 2004 unrest stems from sectarianism and reported in central and southern Yemen The horror concerning beheading is based on a “misunderstanding,” underlining by a militant group protesting the coun- endemic tribalism. As many as 35 to 45 as the Houthi attempt to extend their shared fully by the American and Japanese that the aid would be used only for human- try’s involvement in the war. They were percent of Yemenis belong to the Zaidi reach. public. The follow-on emotions, however, itarian purposes. “We are absolutely not released under unspecified conditions (ran- Shia sect, which ruled the country for It is this sectarian violence, rather can differ. Unlike in the United States, trying to kill people in the Muslim world,” som was suspected), only to return home to 1,000 years until 1962. The south of the than the singular challenge of AQAP in where much of the public reacts with said a spokesperson. Handling the hostage face public criticism for bringing shame on country, however, is largely Sunni. the south of the country, that will now renewed resolution, many Japanese are crisis and managing the aftermath poses their country. The 2004 beheading in Iraq In 2004, a Shia insurgency in Yemen shape the immediate future of Yemen. at odds with their government’s desire to a serious political challenge for the prime of another Japanese hostage brought about saw the northern Zaidis, who belong to The West would be well advised not engage in the Middle East. Rather than minister. similar reactions. the Houthi tribe, seek to confront what to let concern over AQAP obscure the seeing themselves as players on the world On a more personal level, there remains A tragedy is a tragedy. But the reaction of they regarded as the growing power of wider sectarian and religious challenges stage, many blame Japan’s involvement on a conflicting view of hostages in Japan, with a government and its people to such events Sunni Islam and, with it, the power of facing the country. The best way to stop American manipulation, dragging their greater sympathy reserved for those seen as can influence broader policy. How Japan Saudi Arabia. The Houthi also claim Yemen from being a safe haven for mili- nation into matters not really its business. “more victim” than others. At one extreme, deals with the outcome of the current crisis that religious discrimination against the tant groups is not drone strikes. The key The issue was raised first in 2003, when for example, are those Japanese abducted to has implications for its prime minister, and Shia tribe is rampant, and is reflected is to restore effective governance in the at the insistence of George W. Bush, Japan North Korea through no fault of their own. for how much support for American goals in what they describe as the unequal country — it is the only strategy that joined the “coalition of the willing” in Iraq In the current instance, there are quiet the nation can offer in future. distribution of state resources. will diminish the presence of AQAP and and sent its first troops abroad without a questions. The statement by one of the REUTERS By contrast, the Yemeni government work in the long term. REUTERS SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Yemenis protest Houthi control of capital Separatists seize police checkpoints in south SANA’A: Thousands of by the militia for two days. took part in protests in Sana’a Yemenis took to the streets of But the protesters changed and Ibb, according to families and Sana’a yesterday in the biggest their route and marched toward witnesses. protest yet against a Shia mili- the home of embattled President Meanwhile, armed tribes- tia takeover of the capital that Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to men arrived in Sana’a to force has plunged the country into express their “rejection of his res- the release of Defence Minister turmoil. ignation,” according to organisers. Mahmud Al Subaihi and other top The demonstration came as Hadi, a key US ally in the fight officials whose residences have regions in the formerly independ- against Al Qaeda, tendered his been surrounded, tribal sources ent south stepped up their defi- resignation along with Bahah said. ance after the Shia militiamen, on Thursday, saying he could no Representatives of tribes from who hail from Yemen’s north- longer stay in office as the country Marib and Jawf provinces, joined ern highlands and are known as was in “total deadlock”. by tribes from Sana’a, arrived in Houthis, tightened their grip on Those who took to Sana’a’s dozens of vehicles carrying armed Sana’a. streets yesterday also demanded men near the house of Subaihi, a “Down, down with the Houthis’ that Hadi “impose the authority tribal source said. rule,” chanted protesters who of the state” in face of the pow- The tribesmen have threat- rallied following a call by the erful Houthis, said the protest ened to use force if necessary, and Yemeni protesters shout slogans during a rally against the control of the capital Sana’a by Shia Houthi rebels. Rejection Movement — a group organisers. both they and the Houthis have recently formed in provincial Houthi gunmen backed by brought reinforcements to the support for Hadi’s continued rule. draft constitution they oppose areas surrounding the residences areas to challenge the militia. armoured vehicles were deployed neighbourhood around Subaihi’s The European Union warned because it would divide Yemen of Hadi and Bahah, and abandon Women and children joined along Sittin Street, where the house. the events put the “remarkable into six federal regions. checkpoints across the capital. angry young men on the streets, president lives, but they only Parliament is set to hold an promises of the Yemeni transi- |The Houthis still hold In the south, separatists yes- waving signs that called for “a watched on as the protesters extraordinary meeting today to tion in jeopardy,” referring to the Mubarak and maintain a tight terday seized police checkpoints real government” and burning marched. discuss Hadi’s resignation offer, political process that followed a grip on the capital despite a deal in Ataq, the provincial capital of portraits of the militia leader The protest ended with the which needs to be approved by year of bloody protests that drove struck late on Wednesday to end Shabwa, as other regions declared Abdulmalek Al Houthi. return of demonstrators to lawmakers to take effect. former autocratic president Ali what authorities called a coup they would defy Sana’a following Demonstrators gathered at Change Square. After heavy fighting between Abdullah Saleh out of office. attempt. the resignation of Hadi, who is a Change Square before heading to Large demonstrations also took government forces and the The situation escalated on In return for concessions over southerner. the Republican Palace, the resi- place in the cities of Taez, Ibb and Houthis this week that killed January 17 when the militiamen the disputed draft constitu- Gunmen in Ataq raised the dence of Prime Minister Khalid Hudaida, organisers said. at least 35 people, the UN seized Hadi’s chief of staff, Ahmed tion, the Houthis had pledged to flags of the formerly independ- Bahah, who fled it on Wednesday Houthi gunmen, however, later Security Council and Yemen’s Awad bin Mubarak, in an appar- vacate the presidential palace, ent South Yemen on the seized after a being surrounded rounded up dozens of youths who Gulf neighbours had all voiced ent bid to extract changes to a free Mubarak, withdraw from checkpoints. AFP Protester killed on eve of Egypt anniversary UN accuses Israel

CAIRO: A female demonstra- army chief Sisi in July 2013. tor was killed in clashes with Retrial for 152 Islamists Mursi’s supporters often hold Egyptian police during a rare CAIRO: An Egyptian appeals court yesterday ordered a retrial small rallies that police quickly of razing homes left-wing protest in central of 152 Islamists, including 37 sentenced to death in a mass trial disperse. Cairo yesterday, the eve of the that had sparked international outrage, judicial officials said. Yesterday’s central Cairo pro- anniversary of the 2011 uprising Last March, a lower court in the southern province of Minya test was organised by the Socialist against Hosni Mubarak, an offi- sentenced to death 529 Islamist supporters of ousted president Popular Alliance party. of 77 Palestinians cial said. Mohamed Mursi, including the 152 who were in custody, for attack- “The party decided to hold a JERUSALEM: The United Bank under full Israeli control A health ministry spokesman ing a police station and killing an officer in August 2013. symbolic protest to commemorate Nations has accused Israel of known as Area C. said Shaima Al Sabbagh died of The lower court later commuted the death sentences to life in the anniversary of the January 25 illegally demolishing the homes “In 2014, according to OCHA birdshot wounds. Fellow protest- prison in the case of 492 defendants, while 37 were ordered sent revolution,” said member Adel El of 77 Palestinians, mostly chil- figures, the Israeli authorities ers said she was hit with birdshot to the gallows. Meligy. dren, this week in annexed east destroyed 590 Palestinian-owned fired by police to disperse the The 152 defendants in custody appealed the lower court’s verdict, Police “fired tear gas, birdshot Jerusalem and the occupied structures in Area C and east march. which the Court of Cassation overturned, ordering a retrial. AFP and arrested the party’s secretary West Bank. Jerusalem, displacing 1,177 people Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab general and five other young mem- “In the past three days, 77 — the highest level of displacement said her death was being investi- fourth anniversary of the popular over the death of former Saudi bers,” he said. Palestinians, over half of them in the West Bank since OCHA gated and vowed in a statement uprising. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Sabbagh, a member of the party, children, have been made home- began systematically monitoring that “whoever committed a mis- “I salute all our martyrs, from Islamists have called for pro- was hit in the head with birdshot, less,” the UN Office for the the issue in 2008.” take will be punished, whoever he the beginning of January 25 (2011) tests today in a bid to revive and was taken to a hospital where Coordination of Humanitarian Israel says such demolitions may be.” until now,” said Sisi. what they say was the “revolu- she was declared dead. Affairs (OCHA) said in a state- are carried out because the struc- The clash took place hours The speech appears to have tion” that overthrew Mubarak The interior ministry said it ment issued on Friday evening. tures have been built without the before state television aired a been taped in the presidential and briefly brought to power was investigating the death, and “Some of the demolished struc- required construction permits. pre-recorded speech by President palace before Sisi left for Saudi Islamist president Mohamed suggested Islamist “infiltrators” tures were provided by the inter- Palestinians and rights groups Abdel Fattah Al Sisi to mark the Arabia to offer his condolences Mursi, toppled by the then were to blame. AFP national community to support say such authorisation is routinely vulnerable families. denied. “Demolitions that result in “The planning policies applied forced evictions and displacement by Israel in Area C and east run counter to Israel’s obligations Jerusalem discriminate against under international law and create Palestinians, making it extremely Libya’s Ansar Al Sharia chief killed in clashes unnecessary suffering and tension. difficult for them to obtain build- They must stop immediately,” said ing permits,” said OCHA. BENGHAZI: The head of A source at the shura council of from an “Ansar Al Sharia militant counter-offensive against OCHA. “As a result, many Palestinians Libya’s Ansar Al Sharia jihad- Benghazi rebels also confirmed his who was made prisoner and who Islamists who had overrun much The demolitions took place in build without permits to meet ist group, whose fate has been death, saying “Zehawi was killed confirmed the news.” of Benghazi, one battle took place east Jerusalem and the districts their housing needs and risk hav- a mystery since fighting in in the Benina clashes on October Islamist websites have also in Al Majouri, a central district of Ramallah, Jericho and Hebron, ing their structures demolished. October, was mortally wounded 11. posted pictures allegedly show- and Zehawi’s home. it added. “Palestinians must have the then, Islamist websites and an “He was buried in Sirte (west ing Zehawi dead and another one Medical sources reported more OCHA said that during 2014 opportunity to participate in a army officer said yesterday. of the city) after efforts to save purported of him in a shroud. than 20 dead on October 17 alone, Israel carried out a record fair and equitable planning system Mohamed Al Zehawi “was his life failed because he had Zehawi’s fate has been a mostly soldiers and civilian back- number of demolitions in east that ensures their needs are met,” killed in Benina clashes near received a direct hit in the chest mystery since October clashes ers, but the Islamists, as always, Jerusalem and a zone of the West it said. AFP the Benghazi airport, southeast and was suffering from diabetes,” between pro-government forces did not reveal any toll. of the city,” the Islamist mili- the source added. and Islamist militias in the east- Ansar Al Sharia is classified by tias February 17 Martyrs and An army officer, who did not ern city of Benghazi killed dozens. the United States and the United Rafallah Al Sahati Brigades said wish to be named, said the mili- In mid-October, dur- Nations as a terrorist organisa- on Facebook. tary learned of Zehawi’s death ing a government-backed tion. AFP Iran lawmakers drafting law on nuclear enrichment Three more TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament “This bill will allow the govern- has started to draft a law that ment to continue enrichment, Lebanese would allow the country’s using new generation centrifuges,” nuclear scientists to intensify he said, referring to more mod- soldiers killed their uranium enrichment, a ern machines that would speed up BEIRUT: The Lebanese army step that could complicate ongo- production. said yesterday three more sol- ing talks with world powers. “The parliament’s nuclear com- diers were killed in fighting The move, announced yesterday mittee is working on the technical on Friday between troops and by parliament’s National Security issues and details of this draft,” militants who attacked an army and Foreign Policy Committee, he added. post near the border with Syria. comes after US lawmakers said A stumbling block in any final The army said on Friday it lost they were planning legislation that deal is thought to be the amount five soldiers in an attack near the could place new sanctions on Iran. of uranium Iran would be allowed village of Ras Baalbek in an area The negotiations between Iran to enrich and the number and type that has seen regular incursions and the permanent members of centrifuges Tehran can retain. by Islamist militants fighting in of the UN Security Council — Under an interim deal, Iran’s Syria. Britain, China, France, Russia stock of fissile material has A Lebanese security official, and the United States — plus been diluted from 20 percent who asked to remain anonymous, Germany, face a June 30 deadline enriched uranium to five percent said dozens of militants were killed for a final deal. in exchange for limited sanctions in fighting that ensued. But with two deadlines already relief. The army said it repelled the missed last year both sides have Experts say such measures attack on its post and its units admitted big differences remain pushed back the “breakout capac- were chasing the remaining fight- on the hard detail of what a com- ity” to make an atomic weapon, ers who fled to the mountainous prehensive agreement would look which Iran denies pursuing. areas around the village. like. Tehran insists its nuclear pro- It was not immediately clear Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, com- gramme is for energy production which group the attackers mittee spokesman in Tehran, told and that more modern centrifuges Lebanese soldiers gesture while riding on an armoured vehicle as they leave the mountainous border town of belonged to. the ISNA news agency that draft are necessary to make fuel for Ras Baalbek yesterday. REUTERS legislation was under way. reactors it is yet to build. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

UK marks 50th Ukraine rebels in new offensive anniversary of Churchill’s death Rocket fire kills at least thirty LONDON: Britain yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of MARIUPOL: Pro-Kremlin “We are for peace but also the death of Winston Churchill, rebels announced a major new accept the enemy’s challenge. We the iconic cigar-chomping prime offensive yesterday after Grad will defend our motherland the minister who led his nation in rocket fire killed at least 30 peo- way real patriots do — until a full defying Nazi Germany during ple in a strategic government- victory,” the pro-Western leader World War II. held Ukrainian port linking said in a statement. Churchill, who died aged 90 on rebel territory with Russian- EU foreign policy chief Federica January 24, 1965, was Britain’s occupied Crimea. Mogherini warned in Brussels prime minister through the war The local mayor’s office said 97 that the latest escalation “would years of 1940 to 1945, and again people were also wounded in the inevitably lead to a further grave in peacetime from 1951 to 1955. city of Mariupol by rockets that deterioration of relations between Prime Minister David Cameron smashed into a packed residential the EU and Russia.” led tributes, describing Churchill district early in the morning and The southeastern Sea of Azov as Britain’s “greatest ever prime then again shortly after noon. city of nearly 500,000 provides a minister” in a video tribute in “Obviously, everyone in the city land bridge between guerrilla-held which he called on people to share is very scared. The rebels have regions to the east and the Black their favourite Churchill quota- already seized the airport. And Sea peninsula of Crimea that tions on social media. now they are starting to destroy Russia annexed from Ukraine “Churchill was our greatest Mariupol itself,” city native last March. ever prime minister and we owe Eduard told AFP. A rebel assault on the port in him everything. In May 1940, A towering cloud of grey smoke August saw Kiev repel the attack that crucial decision to fight on billowed over homes and a row at a heavy cost that prompted against Hitler saved our country of high-rise apartment buildings President Poroshenko to agree and arguably saved the world.” while fire brigades scrambled to to a September 5 ceasefire. “I think this year we should put out blazes sparked by the That truce was followed by still also all remember the many great heavy shells. more clashes that killed at least things that he said.” “Today, we launched an offen- 1,500 people and was ultimately Cameron quoted from sive against Mariupol,” Russia’s rejected by the rebels on Friday. Churchill’s “we shall never sur- RIA Novosti news agency quoted The separatist leader of Ukrainian servicemen patrol near a damaged building after shelling in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol render” speech. Donetsk separatist leader Donetsk said on Friday he was yesterday. “My favourite quotation from Alexander Zakharchenko as ripping up the September agree- Churchill is the one he made saying. ment and launching an offensive that exports Donetsk coal and “Most regional exports and that in recent weeks the average shortly after that momentous His deputy earlier denied aimed at seizing eastern lands steel — coincided with the release imports go through Mariupol. daily death toll was nearly 30 — a decision in May 1940: ‘We shall responsibility for the civilian still controlled by the pro-West- of Nato satellite imagery purport- And it has two of Ukraine’s larg- level last seen at the very height defend our island, whatever the deaths and Zakharchenko did not ern authorities in Kiev. ing to show Russian tanks and est smelters that underpin the of a nine-month war that has cost may be. refer directly to the rocket fire. His announcement came just forces crossing into the war zone. entire economy of the south- claimed more than 5,000 lives. “We shall fight them on the But he called the potential cap- a day after his men scored their Moscow denied ever dispatch- east,” said Oleksandr Sushko of Moscow concedes that mili- beaches, we shall fight them ture of the industrial port “the most symbolic victory to date by ing its units and called Russian Kiev’s Institute for Euro-Atlantic tias have recently gained more on the landing grounds, we best tribute possible for all our flushing out Ukrainian troops soldiers in the area volunteers Cooperation. ground than allowed under the shall fight them on the streets dead.” Ukrainian Prime Minister from a long-disputed airport in or troops who were on leave and “This attack is designed to sow September truce terms. and in our fields, we shall fight Arseniy Yatsenyuk immediately Donetsk that Kiev had clung on fighting to protect locals from fear and panic across Ukraine,” Russian Foreign Minister them in the hills. We shall never asked the UN Security Council to since May. alleged persecution by national- said the analyst. Sergei Lavrov promised during surrender’.” to censure Russia for alleg- Western diplomats linked that ists in the new Kiev government. Putin on Friday rejected the tense talks with his Ukrainian To mark his passing, per- edly spearheading the militants’ advance to a new infusion of Ukraine claimed on Monday charges and blamed Kiev for the counterpart this week to use sonal items from Churchill’s advance on the biggest pro-Kiev Russian troops — firmly denied that Moscow had poured nearly latest surge in deaths. Moscow’s leverage with the insur- family, including the last pho- city left standing in the shattered by the Kremlin — designed to 1,000 more Russian soldiers and “Artillery is being used, rocket gents to rein in their attacks. tograph of the wartime leader, war zone. expand separatist holdings before dozens of tanks into the south- launchers and aviation, and it Moscow has not yet responded have gone on public display Ukrainian President Petro the signing of a final truce and east in order to secure control is used indiscriminantly and to Zakharchenko’s decision to dis- for the first time at his former Poroshenko vowed in a separate land demarcation agreement. over factories and coal mines that over densely populated areas,” card peace talks completely and residence Chartwell in Kent, statement to deliver a “full vic- The August push on Mariupol could help the rebels build their Putin said. to launch a new campaign. southeastern England. tory” over the rebels. — an important industrial port own state. International monitors said AFP AFP

Blessing goods British nurse discharged from Nigeria president challenges hospital after Boko Haram in its hub

Ebola cure MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA: his first stop there since March Nigerian President Goodluck 2013. The visit earlier this month LONDON: A British nurse who Jonathan held an election rally was shrouded in secrecy. Boko contracted Ebola while working yesterday at the epicentre of Haram was founded in Maiduguri as a volunteer in Sierra Leone Boko Haram’s insurgency, vow- in 2002 and remained largely said she was “happy to be alive” ing to defeat the Islamist fight- peaceful until a police and mili- as she was discharged from hos- ers as locals mourned another tary crackdown against its then- pital yesterday having made a 15 deaths. leader Mohammed Yusuf and his full recovery. The president’s visit to followers in 2009. Scottish nurse Pauline Maiduguri, the capital of north- Brutal raids, massacres, suicide Cafferkey was diagnosed in east Nigeria’s restive Borno state, bomb attacks and kidnappings Glasgow on December 29 before came the day after Boko Haram by Boko Haram have claimed at being transferred to Britain’s only militants killed 15 villagers in least 13,000 lives and driven an isolation ward for Ebola patients nearby Kambari. estimated 1.5 million people from at London’s Royal Free Hospital. “What I can assure you is their homes, mainly in arid north- While there, her condition that if reelected as president, east Nigeria. became critical but she later the problem of insecurity will Nigeria’s military has been showed signs of improvement and be addressed,” Jonathan, who is criticised for failing to crush the was taken off the danger list on seeking a second four-year term rebellion but soldiers complain January 12. in the February 14 vote, told his they lack the arms and ammuni- “Ms Cafferkey has made a com- supporters at the rally. tion to fight the better-equipped plete recovery and is now free of “I am deeply disturbed by the militants. the virus,” said a statement from number of people who lost their Nigeria’s neighbours Cameroon, the London hospital yesterday. lives due to activities of some irre- Chad and Niger have launched a In her first public comments sponsible people,” he added. A presidential campaign poster joint bid to combat the militants since contracting the disease, the Jonathan said he had assured of Nigerian President Goodluck and halt their advance, and offi- nurse revealed she still “did not local traditional and Islamic lead- Jonathan and Vice President Namadi cials from Nigeria and those three feel 100 percent”, but that she was ers of his resolve to end the insur- countries met this week to thrash Sambo (left), in Lagos yesterday. “just happy to be alive”. gency. The president ordered a out details of a new regional force “I feel quite weak, but I’m look- minute’s silence in respect of the series of campaign stops across to counter the Islamists. ing forward to going home,” she A Yatiris, Aymara shaman, blesses tiny goods during the inauguration victims of the protracted Boko Nigeria, with hundreds of armed In one of their most-high pro- added. of the Alasitas — a festivity in honour of the Ekeko, the Aymara deity of Haram violence. police and sniffer dogs deployed file raids, Boko Haram jihadists Cafferkey thanked the hospi- Abundance — in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday. During Alasitas — “buy from There was a heavy security at strategic points. last year kidnapped more than tal staff who “saved my life” and me” in native language — Bolivians buy miniatures of material things presence before and during The president visited 200 schoolgirls from the Borno credited her recovery on music Jonathan’s visit, the latest in a Maiduguri briefly on January 15, town of Chibok. AFP they wish for the upcoming year and offer them to Ekeko. and Irn Bru, a fizzy drink popular in Scotland. The hospital’s infectious dis- eases team leader Michael Jacobs said: “We are delighted that Expert barred from Pauline has recovered and is now Republicans gather in Iowa with eye on presidency well enough to go home. leaving Argentina “I am very proud of the staff DES MOINES: For stage today?” King asked in an the afternoon. Christie is viewed also speak along with former who have been caring for her. It Republicans, the long road to introductory speech. “As do I,” sceptically by many conserva- Hewlett-Packard Co Chief BUENOS AIRES: A colleague is because of the skill and hard the 2016 presidential election he agreed when the audience tives, and how he crafts his mes- Executive Officer Carly Fiorina, who says he gave a gun to an work of the entire team that she began in earnest yesterday in clapped. sage here could be critical. Many physician Ben Carson and former Argentine prosecutor found is now able to go home.” Iowa when a group of potential Early speakers were Republicans see Walker as a Pennsylvania Senator Rick fatally shot has been barred She had contracted the disease candidates competed for sup- Republicans who do not harbour person to watch in spite of the Santorum. from leaving the country. while working as a volunteer at port among conservatives in the 2016 ambitions. They criticised early attention on the potential Steering clear of the event were Authorities said Diego a British-built Ebola treatment state that will hold the coun- Democratic President Barack candidacies of Mitt Romney, the Bush, Romney, Florida Senator Lagomarsino, a computer expert centre in Sierra Leone. The Ebola try’s first nominating contest. Obama, accusing him of bungling 2012 nominee, and former Florida Marco Rubio and Kentucky who said he brought prosecutor outbreak in West Africa has killed As many as eight possible the fight against Islamic State Governor Jeb Bush. Senator Rand Paul. Alberto Nisman a handgun at his nearly 9,000 people, according candidates are to take part in and violating the Constitution by There are a variety of other Iowa holds the first nominating request, has been barred from to World Health Organization the Iowa Freedom Summit, a unilaterally easing US immigra- people who will be at the event contest of 2016 when Republicans leaving Argentina. Nisman was (WHO) figures. The vast major- marathon day of back-to-back tion policy. and who could emerge as major and Democrats gather early next found dead with a bullet to the ity of cases have been in Sierra speeches organised by Iowa’s “The president is not above the 2016 players, such as former Texas year for caucuses. Republicans head in his Buenos Aires home Leone, Liberia and Guinea. conservative Republican Steve Constitution,” said Iowa Senator Governor Rick Perry, who ran for here have not picked the even- last Sunday, just before he was to However, it appears the disease King, a member of the US House Chuck Grassley. the nomination and lost in 2012, tual nominee since they went for go before a congressional hear- is now on the retreat with the of Representatives. The key names to watch are a and former Arkansas Governor George W Bush in 2004. But the ing to accuse President Cristina United Nations saying yesterday “Do you believe that the next pair of governors, Chris Christie Mike Huckabee, who won Iowa caucuses do serve a valuable role Kirchner of shielding Iranian offi- that Liberia was dealing with just president of the United States of New Jersey and Scott Walker of in 2008 but lost the nomination. in winnowing the field. cials implicated in a bomb attack five remaining cases. AFP is going to be speaking from this Wisconsin, who were speaking in Texas Senator Ted Cruz will REUTERS in 1994 that left 85 dead. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Sri Lanka scraps Hong Kong military training for teachers, protest leaders students COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new government said yesterday it is scrapping compulsory military arrested, freed training for schoolteachers and undergraduates. The three-week army training, mandatory under ousted leader Police chief defends investigation Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administra- tion, had resulted in at least three HONG KONG: The original “The police made the arrange- deaths in recent years and was founders of Hong Kong’s pro- ments (for the arrests) in private deeply unpopular among student democracy Occupy movement and it was never made public. and teacher unions. were arrested and released yes- How can you say it’s a PR show? The new government that came terday as the city’s police chief Who told you they would go to to power following the January defended the investigation into a police station? We should be 8 presidential election, won by mass protests, saying it was not clear whose show it is,” he told Maithripala Sirisena, has vowed “a show”. reporters, confirming that those to reduce the role of the military A number of protest leaders released may be asked back as the in Sri Lankan society. have been arrested and released investigation was ongoing. Education Minister Akila Viraj without charge, with some calling While other protest leaders Kariyawasam said the govern- the investigation harassment. have questioned police motives, ment had “concluded that mili- Occupy founder Benny Tai Tai said he “trusted” the rule of tary training is not necessary for said that he, Chan Kin-man and law. “I still trust the police and school teachers”. Chu Yiu-ming had been for- the prosecution... will strictly The government has decided to mally arrested on accusations of follow the requirements of Hong remove the military ranks given organising and participating in Kong laws in any investigation. One of the three conveners of the pro-democracy ‘Umbrella Movement’ academic Chan Kin-man is greeted by to school principals, the minister an illegal assembly, but were not “The public can make their own supporters in front of the Wanchai Police station in Hong Kong yesterday. told reporters. charged. They were released after judgement on whether there are Sri Lanka’s security forces three hours. any political motives behind their Chinese city since the street Both Chow and Wong ques- on the group faded into the back- wielded huge influence in civil “Three of us were showed some investigation,” he said. blockades which brought parts tioned the process, saying police ground as students took over. Tai society after they crushed Tamil videos and articles... we were Dozens of supporters outside of the city to a standstill. should charge them if they had has said it would now take a differ- rebels in May 2009 and declared released unconditionally,” he said. the station, including lawmak- They were sparked after the evidence. The Occupy found- ent approach to promoting democ- an end to decades of ethnic con- More than two months of street ers, held up banners and yellow Beijing said that candidates for ers first turned themselves in at racy, including through education. flict that had claimed 100,000 lives rallies calling for fully free leader- umbrellas — the symbol of the the 2017 vote would be vetted by the beginning of December in a He confirmed Saturday that he between 1972 and 2009. ship elections ended in December democracy movement. a loyalist committee. move to get the protests off the would join a pro-democracy rally After the war ended, the mili- when protest camps were cleared, “I absolutely believe that Hong Pro-democracy media tycoon streets after violent clashes, but through the city on February 1 — tary was deployed to run even but police have vowed to investi- Kongers will not give up,” Tai said Jimmy Lai and prominent stu- were not arrested. the first major march since the the country’s main performing gate the “principal instigators”. in a speech to the crowd before he dent leaders including Joshua The Occupy movement was protest camps were cleared— arts centre, while army officers Police chief Andy Tsang went in to the station. Wong and Alex Chow have also the first to galvanise support for which organisers expect to draw replaced civil servants at key defended the investigation earlier Tension remains high in the been arrested and released as part civil disobedience over political 50,000 people. institutions. yesterday. semi-autonomous southern of the widespread investigation. reforms, but as the protests went AFP HK police hunt young girl over Families plead for lives of Australians on death row in Jakarta diamond heist HONG KONG: Hong Kong police say they are hunting a SYDNEY: The families of two told the Australian Broadcasting diplomatic storm as Brazil and though he conceded “to know that have a real chance of obtaining girl aged between 12 and 14 Australian drug convicts facing Corporation. the Netherlands condemned the we’re sort of nearing the end of a result of a jail sentence rather years old over the theft of a execution in Indonesia pleaded “He’s done something stupid, he execution of their citizens. the road is heartbreaking”. than execution.” diamond necklace worth more for their lives in an emotional made a mistake, he’s apologised for Both Raji Sukumaran and “We need to save the boys. They McMahon said the men were than HK$36m ($4.6m) from a interview yesterday, and said that and he’s rehabilitated. Now I’ve Chan’s brother Michael Chan deserve a second chance,” he said. holding up well, despite their luxury jewellery store. they would not give up on them. been told he could just be given 72 said they had confidence that the Earlier Saturday a lawyer for appeals for presidential clemency Police say she helped carry Andrew Chan and Myuran hours and he’ll be taken out and Australian government would do the two Australians said a legal being rejected. out the audacious theft with Sukumaran, members of an shot.” Australian Prime Minister everything it could to prevent the team was preparing a bid for a “I’ve had quite a number of long two women and a man, all aged Australian group dubbed the Tony Abbott on Friday urged executions. judicial review for the pair involv- talks with them in the last few between 30 and 40. “Bali Nine” who were arrested on Indonesia to show mercy to the “I’m not giving up, and I know ing “very serious, meritorious legal days and they’re coping pretty The adults “pretended to be the Indonesia island of the same pair who were sentenced to death the Australian government will options”. “This is not some kind of well but, you know, like anybody customers choosing items from name in 2005, have lost their final in 2006 for attempting to smuggle do everything it can to bring the scramble to gain a few weeks of who has been told that they can the shop” police said, while the appeals for clemency. eight kilograms of heroin out of Bali. boys home, or even to stop the life, or something like that,” Julian expect to be taken out and shot girl stole the necklace. The neck- “I’ve been told that my son Last weekend, Indonesia put execution,” Sukumaran said. McMahon told the ABC. pretty soon, they’re obviously, you lace was 100-carat gold embedded will be taken out and shot at to death five foreigners and Michael Chan, who will soon “These are serious applica- know, challenged by the whole with more than 30 diamonds, the any time. I don’t know what to one local woman convicted of travel to Bali to visit his brother, tions which, if they’re able to thing. But they’re doing very well.” South China Morning Post said. do,” mother Raji Sukumaran drugs offences, unleashing a said he too was hopeful, even be argued in the courts, would AFP AGENCIES Indonesian search teams fail to float AirAsia fuselage

JAKARTA: Indonesian sal- The operation to lift the main wires and seats floating inside vage teams failed to raise the body will resume today. the fuselage prevented the divers fuselage of AirAsia Flight The rescue agency official also from entering further to find QZ8501 from the sea bed yes- said a sonar scan had detected an more bodies. terday, but recovered four more object “suspected to be the cock- “The divers said it was dark bodies from the wreckage of the pit” of the plane about 500 metres inside, the seats were floating crashed jet. away from the fuselage. about and the wires were like a The bid to raise the fuselage But the search teams will prior- tangled yarn,” Supriyadi said. came a day after divers were able itise floating the main body before The rescuers hope that once to enter the main section of the verifying the object suspected to the fuselage is lifted, it will be plane, which crashed in the Java be the cockpit, Supriyadi added. easier to inspect the inside of the Sea last month, for the first time. Just after dawn Saturday, main section, he added. Difficult weather conditions divers began descending to the sea The jet’s black boxes — the for the past week had stopped floor to tie floatation bags to the cockpit voice recorder and flight rescuers reaching the main part fuselage, said Rasyid Kacong, the data recorder — were recovered of the Airbus A320-200 since it navy official overseeing the lift- last week, and investigators are was spotted on the seabed by a ing operation from onboard the analysing them. military vessel earlier this month. Banda Aceh warship. Flight QZ8501 went down “We were not successful today. Four bodies believed to have on December 28 in stormy The sling snapped off so the main come from inside the fuselage weather, during what was sup- body fell back to the sea floor,” S B were retrieved as the team tried posed to be a short trip from Supriyadi, a rescue agency official, to lift the main section, bringing the Indonesian city of Surabaya said, adding several bodies fell the total number of bodies recov- to Singapore. There were 162 Indonesian rescue personnel unload bags containing bodies, recovered from the underwater wreckage of ill-fated from the fuselage when the piece ered to 69, officials said. people on board. AirAsia flight QZ8501, from a search and rescue helicopter in Pangkalan Bun, in Central Kalimantan, yesterday. of wreckage sunk once again. The previous day, a jumble of AFP

More than 400 child soldiers freed from Myanmar army in 2014: UN

BANGKOK: Myanmar’s mili- as porters or even human mine Government of Myanmar and decried the fact that Myanmar’s known to recruit child soldiers. Most recently violence has tary freed more than 400 child detectors. the Tatmadaw to put an end to military has yet to completely halt The country’s quasi-civilian raged in Kachin state, after a soldiers last year, the United Since the pact was signed, a the harmful practice of recruit- their use. government is struggling to ink 17-year ceasefire between rebels Nations has confirmed, a record total of 595 children have been ing and using children,” Renata In October, US President a nationwide ceasefire deal as and the government splintered in number since the “tatmadaw” freed, with 70 percent of the Lok-Dessallien, UN resident Barack Obama decided to keep part of its reform drive since 2011, driving almost 100,000 civil- army signed a 2012 pact with releases — 418 — taking place coordinator in Myanmar, said Myanmar on a list of nations sub- replacing outright military rule ians from their homes and into the UN on the issue. in the last twelve months, in a statement. ject to US sanctions over its use in 2011. displacement camps. There are no verifiable fig- including 42 on Friday, the All those released by the mili- of child soldiers. But decades under the iron- On Friday, thousands of mourn- ures on how many children are UN said. tary so far were under the age of The law prevents US mili- fisted junta and years of bloody ers gathered for the funerals of currently serving in Myanmar’s “Within a one year period of 18 when the pact with the UN tary assistance to or the sale of conflict in the country’s border- two young teachers in Kachin who huge military, which has faced a time, this is a record number was signed in June 2012. licences for commercial military lands have left a legacy of deep activists allege were murdered by slew of accusations over rights of children coming out of While human rights groups sales to cited nations. distrust of the military, which tatmadaw soldiers during a recent abuses, including the forced the Armed Forces, reflecting have welcomed the gradual release The UN says at least seven was long accused of committing uptick in fighting there. recruitment of children to work the accelerated efforts of the of child soldiers, many have rebel groups in Myanmar are also abuses with impunity. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Charlie Hebdo protest Envoy to US Counter-terror may get 2-year extension ISLAMABAD: The federal training for government of Pakistan is likely to give a two-year extension to Pakistan’s current Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is scheduled to retire students soon next month after reaching the age of superannuation. A government official said on Plan for light weapons training Saturday that Jilani, who recently visited Islamabad, was given the LAHORE: Pakistan’s Punjab is working to build Standard green signal by Prime Minister government, in the wake of ter- Operation Procedure (SOP) for Nawaz Sharif to continue as rorist attack at army-run public schools and colleges. Pakistan’s envoy for another two school, has decided to prepare “We are considering civil years. The official, who didn’t want students to counter terrorism defence training, first aid activ- to be named, said the formal notifi- by resuming scouting in schools ity, skills to deal with emergency cation would be issued soon. and National Cadet Corps situation and how to operate light Jilani, a career diplomat, was (NCC) Training, light military weapons in the worst circum- appointed for the key diplomatic training, in colleges, Punjab stances as mandatory measures,” post in 2013. He is set to reach Government officials said. said Mashood. the superannuation in February. National Cadet Corps (NCC) “For this, we need gigantic The official said the govern- used to be a kind of military exer- financial resources for more than ment initially considered Maleeha cise in which students of colleges 700 colleges and much more if we Lodhi to replace Jilani, but the and universities would get trained take private sector on board. It current envoy to the US suc- in first aid activities, use of light means we will be providing facili- Pakistanis burn tyres during a protest against controversial French magazine, Charlie Hebdo in Peshawar cessfully managed to lobby for an weapons and to tackle war-like ties to around 3000 colleges only,” yesterday. According to local reports Pakistanis rallied for a fifth day in major cities, burning the French flag extension in service. situation. It continued till 2002 he added. and effigies, calling for a ban on the magazine. Maleeha was then appointed when General Musharaff called Special Secretary Higher Pakistan’s permanent representa- it off. Education Nayyar Iqbal said that tive to the UN in New York. She “This workout was essential along with NCC, government was will replace Masood Khan. for both male and female under also considering to restart scout- National Defence Service Law ing courses in public and private KP province seeks 1986. Pakistan and Israel are the schools. Govt to form committee for two countries where this training “Apparently it looks very dif- centre’s help is obligatory for women,” ficult as a first step because there Mian Imran Masood, the are more than eighty six thou- for health plan former Punjab education minis- sands schools in private sector uniform education system ter, said that the prime objective across the country,” Iqbal said. ISLAMABAD: The Khyber of the exercise was to establish Some parents are not satis- ISLAMABAD: The federal gov- students of madaris (seminaries) English medium schools have lit- Pakhtunkhwa province gov- second line of defence. fied with this plan. They think ernment of Pakistan has decided lacked basic knowledge about tle or no awareness of their reli- ernment provided the federal Sometimes training about Civil it’s a non-serious solution to to constitute a committee that modern subjects in contrast to gion and culture whereas those departments concerned yes- Defence was also imparted to the fight terrorism. Kashif Shahzad would submit proposals for the students of prominent schools passing out from Urdu medium terday details of the ‘Sehat Ka students. The knowledge concern- Chaudhry, Secretary General introduction of a uniform edu- operating in the private sector. schools are usually destined to Ittehad’ programme and asked ing heavy artillery was also part Punjab Teachers Association said. cation system to bridge the gap The sources said the committee work in lower level positions. the Ministry of National Health of a 40-day training course. He said that some parents between the students of high- to be announced for introducing Religious madaris churn out yet Services (NHS) and Prime Punjab education minister looked frightened. “It is natural profile educational institutions uniform education system would another class that are usually Minister’s Polio Eradication Cell said that Punjab government has on parents’ part because we have and seminaries in the context of focus on four basic goals includ- unaware of the world outside and to cooperate in its plan aimed at decided to train youth to face allied NCC training to combat ter- growing extremism in the soci- ing removal of colonial appara- are also monumental at times in preventing children from falling menace of terrorism at this cru- rorism. But our colleges’ admin- ety, sources said yesterday. tus, elimination of class concept, spreading sectarianism.” victim to the poliovirus. cial juncture of Pakistan’s history. istration is trying to address the “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif encouraging public-private part- When contacted, Minister In the first letter sent by the “The civilian army could be concerns of parents,” he said. has approved the formation of nership and promotion of sustain- for Religious Affairs Sardar province to the federal gov- very useful in war on terror. It Punjab government is also con- a committee in a meeting held able education that is necessary Muhammad Yusuf said that the ernment after the launch of would help build youth’s confi- sidering the idea of giving addi- recently at the Prime Minister’s for socio-economic development government would introduce the programme, KP Health dence to fight against the trained tional twenty marks to students House. It would comprise minister in all parts of the country. a uniform education system in Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai terrorists,” Mashood said. who will be part of NCC training. for religious affairs and minister of “Religious education is likely which both schools operating in expressed the hope that the min- Private education sector is also This will help them get admis- state for education and professional to be incorporated in the main- public and private sector and reli- istry, World Health Organisation, demanding NCC and Scout train- sion in graduation. It used to be training. Minister for interior is stream education and Arabic gious madaris would have some- Unicef and other partners would ing for schools and colleges. a practice in the past too. also expected to be included due to language may be introduced as a what similar curriculum and cooperate in delivering opera- Muzammil Iqbal Siddiqui, On the instructions of Punjab his crucial role in the war against second language at an appropriate medium of education. tional plans for the polio eradi- President of Progressive Private Home Department, police officers terrorism,” the sources said. stage,” the sources said. “I attended the meeting in which cation campaign. Schools Association, said “More have started delivering lectures The sources said relevant offi- An official document presented the decision was taken to formu- In the letter Tarakai said that than 10 million students would be to students about tackling emer- cials were sorting out modalities to the prime minister said, “There late a committee to introduce at a meeting of the apex commit- deprived of this training if govern- gency situation. A Superintendent after which the formation of the are many systems working here, a uniform education system in tee he had emphasised the need ment overlooked the private sec- of Police in Lahore Asad Sarfraz committee to introduce uni- resulting in not synergy but social Pakistan. The provinces would also for a joint plan and monitoring tor.” Siddiqui said though, private Khan said that senior police offic- form education system would be division and conflict. For example have a vital role to translate it into of polio campaigns in Khyber sector doesn’t acquire enough facil- ers were visiting different colleges announced by the prime minister. we have English medium schools, reality as education has become a Pakhtunkhwa and Federally ities for this training but a policy, and universities to deliver lec- The prime minister was Urdu medium schools, and reli- provincial subject after passage of Administered Tribal Areas at least, must be formulated. tures on security measures. informed by the officials of reli- gious madaris.” the 18th Amendment,” he said. (Fata). At the moment, government INTERNEWS gious affairs ministry that the “The students coming out of INTERNEWS AGENCIES Punjab leads in anti-terror efforts ISLAMABAD: In its report on imple- letter and spirit in order to eradicate the in Balochistan and 484 in Islamabad. mentation of the National Action Plan menace of terrorism and extremism from Law-enforcement agencies, then, arrested (NAP) for countering terrorism, the the country”, the statement said. 958 suspects from Punjab, 244 from Sindh, Prime Minister’s Office has projected According to the data available so far, 234 from KP, 188 from Balochistan and 235 that the ruling party’s own province Punjab has higher figures on NAP imple- from Islamabad. of Punjab was leading the pack, with a mentation than all other provinces and Punjab has put up a good show, the press higher number of arrests by law-enforce- Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and release said, in identifying and arresting ment agencies. Kashmir. people involved in hate speech. “436 people Punjab is also the only province where, as According to official figures, 39 con- were identified for hate speech in Punjab and noted in the press statement issued by the victed criminals have been executed; 14 in 17 in KP. Of these, 329 have been arrested PM’s Office, consultations with the media Punjab, five in Sindh and one in Khyber in Punjab and 10 were picked up from KP.” have been initiated to prepare a code of eth- Pakhtunkhwa, while other areas have yet Over misuse of loudspeakers, 2,837 cases ics for the coverage of banned organisations to comply. were registered in Punjab and 1,471 people have and terrorist actions. In addition, 5,487 search operations been arrested in connection with these cases so Lauding the efforts of his younger brother, were conducted in Punjab, 322 in Sindh, far. In Islamabad, 14 people were arrested on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, 1,223 in KP, 12 in Balochistan and 275 in this charge. However, other provinces and areas Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has “asked Islamabad and in these raids, 33,591 people have not submitted compliance reports yet. other provinces to implement NAP in its were monitored in Punjab, 2,887 in KP, 20 INTERNEWS

Honey business Indian film Baby likely to be banned KARACHI: Akshay Kumar’s upcoming action-thriller Baby is likely to be banned in Pakistan after the SBFC recommended several cuts and edits within the film to ensure that it was appro- priate for Pakistani audiences. The film had already generated a lot of controversy in Pakistan prior to its release due to men- tions of Ajmal Kasab within the movie. Despite this, Akshay Kumar, the lead actor of the film had ear- lier clarified in an interview with the Hindustan Times that Baby is not an anti-Pakistani film say- ing, “Terrorism has no religion, and we believe that religion and country are two different things.” Baby tells the story of an An Afghan beekeeper displays his honeybees at a farm in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, yesterday. Although Indian security agent Ajay Rajput keeping bees can be difficult in Afghanistan due to low winter temperatures, many farmers produce (Kumar) who is part of the tem- honey using modern beehives either for sale or consumption at home, and to help pollinate crops. porary security agency, Baby. INTERNEWS SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Ramdev, Ravi Packed schedule for Obama in India Shankar say Seven engagements today for US president; luncheon meeting with Modi at Hyderabad House no to Padma

NEW DELHI: US President has also arrived in the capital. which Prime Minister Narendra Rashtrapati Bhavan, Obama is to At 5.30pm Obama and Modi award Barack Obama, who arrives A Cadillac limousine, The Modi would be present. head back to the hotel and meet are to address the India-US CEO here today on a three-day state Beast’s armour plating is said At 12.30pm, Obama would go the staff of the US mission here. Forum Meeting at the Shahjehan NEW DELHI: Yoga guru visit, has a packed schedule right to be eight inches thick and its to the Raj Ghat to lay a wreath On Monday, Obama would Hall of Hotel Taj Palace. Ramdev and spiritual leader from the moment the presiden- doors weigh as much as those on at the memorial of Mahatma proceed to Rajpath to attend the At 6.40pm, the two leaders are Sri Sri Ravi Shankar yester- tial plane, Air Force One, lands a Boeing 757 aircraft. It has five- Gandhi. He would also plant a Republic Day parade as chief to attend the India-US Business day declined to accept Padma in New Delhi at 10am. inch thick bulletproof windows sapling at the venue. guest at 10am. He is the first US Summit at the Durbar Hall of Taj awards, saying the honour could Obama, who will be accompa- with at least five layers to foil any At 1pm, Obama will attend a president to be chief guest at the Palace. be given to someone else. nied by his wife Michelle, and a effort by subversives. luncheon meeting with Modi at Republic Day pageantry during There have been reports that Ramdev declined the Padma high-level delegation, has seven The Beast’s trunk is reported Hyderabad House. which India’s military might and the Obamas are keen to eat at the Vibhushan — India’s second high- engagements today, includ- to contain everything from fire- At 2.15pm, the two sides are cultural diversity are showcased Bukhara restaurant. est civilian award — saying that ing talks with Prime Minister fighting equipment and oxygen to hold delegation-level talks at in a two-hour open air event. Obama had stayed at the while he was grateful for being Narendra Modi. tanks to a cache of the president’s Hyderabad House and at 3.05pm, It is not known if Obama would Maurya during his previous trip chosen for the honour it should The Air Force One would touch blood type. the two leaders would address drive to Rajpath in Mukherjee’s in 2010 and had relished an Indian be given to someone else and not down at the Air Force Station, Union Power Minister Piyush the media at the Ballroom of the black limousine or in The Beast. style dinner. a “sanyasi”. Palam, at 10am. Goyal as minister-in-waiting for venue. The US Secret Service is believed On January 27 (Tuesday), In a letter to Home Minister The presidential entourage the visit would receive Obama at At 7.30pm, Obama would call to be unwilling to allow the US Obama would address an invited Rajnath Singh, he said he was would then drive down to the the airport as well as escort and on President Pranab Mukherjee president to travel in any other gathering at the Siri Fort audi- grateful that the central gov- ITC Maurya, where the US first assist him through the visit. at Rashtrapati Bhavan and attend vehicle other than The Beast. torium at 10.30am on the subject ernment thought of his name, couple would be staying. It is not yet known if Prime the banquet hosted by the presi- At 3.49pm, Obama would attend “India and America: The future which he got to know from media The super luxury hotel has Minister Narendra Modi would dent at 8pm. the traditional “At Home” recep- we can build together”. reports, but the honour could be been made out of bounds for other go to the airport to receive the The banquet would see some tion hosted by Mukherjee on the He was to have flown to Agra given to some other great person. guests till the duration of the visit Obamas. special cuisine dished up for the expansive lawns of Rashtrapati after the event, but that leg of the “I am a ‘sanyasi’ and want to and a stringent security blanket At noon, the US president US president and formal speeches Bhavan. visit has been cancelled. At 1.50pm, serve the country without expect- thrown around the hotel and its would be accorded a ceremo- by the two presidents. The event will be attended the US president and his entou- ing anything,” he said, adding surrounding areas. nial reception at the forecourt In between the Hyderabad by senior politicians, diplomats, rage would take off for Riyadh. that a recluse must remain the The presidential car, The Beast, of Rashtrapati Bhavan, during House talks and his visit to envoys and intellectuals. IANS same while he is honoured or disrespected. “I urge you to give this honour Obama to miss Taj Mahal, to somebody doing something great. I would be grateful to you,” he said. Meanwhile, Sri Sri Ravi travel to Riyadh instead Shankar also declined to accept the Padma award, saying it could AGRA/WASHINGTON: The depart India following his speech be given to someone else. much-anticipated visit by US Tuesday to stop in Riyadh dur- The world renowned spiritual President Barack Obama and ing the return trip to meet with leader tweeted that Rajnath his wife Michelle to Agra to King Salman and other Saudi offi- Singh called him to inform about view the Taj Mahal has been cials and offer his condolences on it but he declined to accept the cancelled and the US first behalf of the American people.” award. “Rajnath Singh called to couple would instead head to The White House said Obama inform me about Padma award. I Riyadh to condole the passing “regrets that he will be unable to thank government for considering away of Saudi King Abdullah visit Agra during this trip”. me. Instead of me, I’d like them to bin Abdulaziz, the White House “The vice-president will remain honour someone else,” he posted said yesterday. in Washington,” the statement on Twitter. Obama and Michelle “will travel added. to Riyadh on Tuesday in order to On January 27, Obama will Bribe remark was pay respects to (the Custodian give a talk at Siri Fort in New of the Two Holy Mosques) King Delhi on the subject “India and to help EC curb Salman bin Abdulaziz and the America: The future we can build family of the late king Abdullah together”, before flying to Riyadh bribery: Kejriwal bin Abdulaziz”, the White House in the afternoon. said. During their 2010 visit, Obama NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Obama arrives in India today and Michelle had gone to Mumbai Party (AAP) chief Arvind on a three-day visit. He was to where the US president had also Kejriwal yesterday told the visit Agra on January 27. held a Townhall type of talk with Election Commission (EC) White House press secretary students. that by asking voters to accept Josh Earnest said in a statement Agra District Magistrate money from political parties he that Vice-President Joe Biden was Pankaj Kumar confirmed to was actually helping the poll “originally to have led a delegation reporters the cancellation of panel to curb bribery incidents. to Saudi Arabia on the president’s Obama’s visit to Agra. Replying to the EC’s notice for behalf”. An official said advance teams An army bomb detection unit leaves after carrying out a security check at Rajpath near India Gate where the allegedly inducing voters to accept “As the president’s and vice- of the US Secret Service and nation’s main Republic Day parade will take place in New Delhi yesterday. bribe, the former Delhi chief min- president’s travel schedules other officials have returned from ister said he could not dream of became clearer, we determined Agra. unable to do so in 2010, but the US Secret Service was reportedly Obamas would come calling and doing that. that the window when the vice- Obama was to fly to Agra on plan has now been cancelled,” not keen to take the two-hour electronic jammers were to be put Kejriwal, however said, that if the president would be on the ground the last day of his visit Tuesday an official privy to the visit con- long Yamuna Expressway route in operation. poll panel deemed that his appeal — in Riyadh coincided with the and spend an hour at the Taj firmed in Agra. from New Delhi to Agra. Besides the hundreds of secu- which he claimed has cleaned up president’s departure from India. Mahal before flying back to the Due to the weather, an alter- As part of the stringent secu- rity personal fanning out in the politics to a large extent — violated “Accordingly, we adjusted the US. native way via the Yamuna rity in place for the visit, the area, the authorities were also the Model Code of Conduct, he schedule in coordination with “The US first lady and the Expressway was also being Agra authorities had decided to planning to shut down schools would stop it. “This is a false alle- the Indian government so that president both were keen to visit contemplated. shut down mobile services for near the Taj on January 27. gation. I cannot even dream of it.” the president would be able to Taj... specially since they were But due to the seasonal fog, the three hours during the time the IANS AGENCIES

Fall of a vulture 50 more swine Baru not an expert on flu cases in Telangana father: Ex-PM’s daughter KOLKATA: Clarifying that her involved in any policy making, HYDERABAD: Fifty new book on her father and former any decision making... so I honestly cases of swine flu have been prime minister Manmohan don’t see how he could have got to reported in Telangana, officials Singh was not a response to the know my father as an individual as said yesterday. With this, the memoir penned by his media a prime minister particularly well. number of swine flu cases in the advisor Sanjaya Baru, author “So it wasn’t really worth my state has mounted to 290. Daman Singh yesterday said while reading the book. If some- Government-run hospitals in she doesn’t consider Baru as body who actually knew him Hyderabad have sent blood sam- an expert on Manmohan Singh had written the book, somebody ples of 100 more people for H1N1 and it “wasn’t worth” her while who actually knew how the gov- tests to the Institute of Preventive to read his book. ernment works, how the Prime Medicine (IPM) here. “The Accidental Prime Minister’s Office works... some- Nizam’s Institute of Medical Minister: The Making and body like that had written the Sciences (NIMS) director L. Unmaking of Manmohan Singh” book, I would have loved to read Narendranath yesterday told was a 2014 memoir by Indian pol- it,” she said. reporters that one woman died icy analyst Sanjaya Baru, who was Daman Singh also revealed of swine flu Friday, taking the toll Manmohan Singh’s media advisor Manmohan Singh doesn’t disclose to 21. A dead vulture lies outside the Panidihing Bird Sanctuary in the Sivasagar district of Assam yesterday. At least from May 2004 till August 2008. anything pertaining to office. Narendranath, who is also the 60 endangered vultures were found dead in the area after consuming a dead cow and samples of the dead “I did not write my book as a “My father doesn’t tell us any- government’s spokesman on swine birds and the cow would be sent to the forensic laboratory for tests to ascertain the cause, forest officials said. response to Sanjaya’s book at all. thing what goes in office so we flu, said 12 people died last month I have not read Sanjaya’s book. are dying to know... we are always and nine this month. Personally, I prefer to read a book questioning him, poking him and He said 150 beds have been written by an expert, an insider and prodding him to get something out arranged at Osmania Hospital honestly, I never considered Sanjaya of him... he never tells us anything. and NIMS to deal with the Bihar blast suspect woman identified to be an expert on my father. “So if there was a book that increasing number of cases. “I mean, after all, he was just actually explained, I would have Patients, who don’t require life a media advisor. He essentially loved to read it but I am afraid support system, are being shifted PATNA: The woman who trig- case are now trying to find out the district jail,” he said. advised the media not the prime this is not that book,” she said. from Gandhi Hospital, the nodal gered the bomb blast in the her motive and her relationship Pandey, however, denied that minister,” Daman Singh said here She also stressed it was her centre for swine flu, to other hos- premises of the Ara civil court with two undertrial prisoners who the woman, a resident of Balia during a discussion at the Tata “deliberate intention” to launch pitals so that doctors can attend in Bihar’s Bhojpur district that escaped taking advantage of the in Uttar Pradesh, was a suicide Steel Kolkata Literary Meet. her book after the Lok Sabha to critical cases. killed two people has been iden- incident,” a district police official bomber. “It was a coincidence Daman Singh is the author of elections to distance herself from The authorities have tified, police said yesterday. said. that the bomb exploded in her bag Strictly Personal: Manmohan and her father’s position. arranged sufficient number of A day after two people — a Bhojpur District Magistrate when she was trying to adjust it,” Gursharan which traces the jour- “I started writing my book in beds and medicines at major woman and a police constable — Pankaj Pal said it was not a terror he said. ney of the former prime minister 2009, before my father became government-run hospitals in were killed and more than a dozen attack but was aimed at helping Additional Director General of and his wife from the 1930s to 2004. the prime minister for the second Hyderabad, which along with injured in the explosion, police two undertrial prisoners escape. Police Gupteshwar Pandey said She said she would have read the term. I assume Sanjaya started neighbouring Ranga Reddy dis- said a middle-aged woman, Rina “This incident was a criminal that a special investigation team book if the writer was an insider around then. I worked on my book trict, account for 90 percent of Gaudh, carried the bomb and died act to help two undertrial pris- (SIT) has began probe into the and was privy to what goes in for five years. I don’t know how the cases. in the blast. oners escape when they were incident. inside the Prime Minister’s Office. long he worked on it.” IANS “The police team probing the being brought to the court from IANS “So Sanjaya was not at all IANS SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Kashmir vigil NIA gives clean Govt formation chit to Sayyed Liyaqat Shah NEW DELHI: The NIA yester- talks on with day gave a clean chit to Sayyed Liyaqat Shah alias Liyaqat Bukhari who was arrested by Delhi Police on the charge BJP: Mufti of coming to India to put into force a conspiracy and execute attacks in Delhi in March 2013 “The investigation conducted Waiting for consensus: PDP leader by the NIA has revealed that the charges against the accused were JAMMU: Peoples Democratic be in a position to connect people not proved and that he was com- Party (PDP) patron Mufti of all the regions and work for the ing into India to obtain the benefit Muhammad Sayeed yesterday welfare of the entire state”. of the surrender policy of the gov- confirmed that “informal talks” “We have the necessary mate- ernment of Jammu and Kashmir,” were on with the Bharatiya rial and capacity in the form of our the NIA said. Janata Party (BJP) to work out a leaders and policy makers to take The National Investigation common minimum programme up the challenge and do what people Agency (NIA) dropped charges (CMP) for a stable Jammu and have voted us for...we are confident against Shah in a chargesheet Kashmir government. that we will achieve the distinction filed against Sabir Khan Pathan Sayeed said the interests of to give a stable, accountable and alleging that he was responsible the state and its people alone will representative government.” for the placement of weapons and guide the party in its bid to form a Reiterating that peace was a explosives in a guest house room stable and representative govern- pre-requisite for the state’s eco- near Jama Masjid here. ment in the state. nomic viability, Sayeed said that Delhi Police has alleged that on Addressing the party’s elec- the central government will have the basis of his disclosure state- toral college that met yesterday to to address the Kashmir issue by Paramilitary soldiers stand guard outside Bakhshi Stadium, the main venue for the Republic Day celebrations in ment, the Special Cell raided the elect the PDP president, Sayeed holding a meaningful dialogue. Srinagar yesterday. Security has been beefed up in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Haji Arafat Guest House, Jama said depending upon the areas of “We have time and again reit- Masjid, Delhi and recovered arms, convergence a coalition would be erated that neighbours cannot be ammunition and explosives. formed on the basis of the CMP. changed and it was time we must The NIA has filed a chargesheet “We are in track two negotia- engage Pakistan in negotiations to against Pathan under charges tions with BJP. We may differ in ensure peace in the sub-continent. Ansari leads delegation to Saudi dealing with forgery and various our vision and priorities but an Stating that it is actually “under section of the Arms Act and the attempt is being made to find a the ambit of the prime minister’s Explosive Substances Act. Pathan common ground to evolve consen- power to decide on the foreign pol- NEW DELHI: Vice-President King Abdullah. These bonds have committed to improving bilateral is on the run. The probe agency sus on all issues to carry forward icy matters” , he said: “However, Hamid Ansari yesterday left been especially strengthened by ties with India,” it added. told the court that further inves- the peace process and political it is also clear that any hostility for Saudi Arabia at the head of the presence of the large expa- Modi described the late Saudi tigation was being conducted to and economic agenda,” he said. between India and Pakistan has an Indian government delega- triate Indian community which king as a guiding force, and said: unravel the conspiracy behind the But the former state chief min- a direct impact on Jammu and tion to pay tributes to the late has found a home in the Kingdom “In King Abdullah, we have lost placement of the weapons. ister stressed that an alliance Kashmir and its people... We want King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al of Saudi Arabia,” the statement an important voice, who left a Shah was arrested by the with any party will be principles to bridge the gap between the two Saud. added. lasting impact on his country. I Special Cell of Delhi Police March and policies-based. “I assure you neighbouring countries for ensur- The government has declared Ansari has been a former condole his demise. 20, 2013 while he was returning and the people of Jammu and ing peace in the region.” a day’s mourning yesterday and Indian ambassador to Saudi “Our thoughts are with the from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Kashmir that I will never sell my He also said that the country’s flags are being flown at half-mast. Arabia (1995-1999). people of Saudi Arabia, who to the Kashmir Valley via Nepal. mandate and will not compromise leadership has to respond and An official said from the vice- President Pranab Mukherjee have lost a guiding force in King He was later released on bail. on the basic issues on which the respect the faith reposed by the president’s residence that he left and Prime Minister Narendra Abdullah, during this hour of people have reposed trust on PDP people of Jammu and Kashmir around 12.30pm. Modi have sent messages of con- grief. A few days ago I spoke to Two Russians just for the sake of power.” in a democratic process. “The An official statement said that dolence to new King Salman bin (then) Crown Prince Salman and Once a consensus is reached best way to do that is to remove “the government and people of Abdulaziz Al Saud. enquired about King Abdullah’s held in Odisha following the “informal talks”, the impression that Jammu and India have received with deep sad- “In his passing away, Saudi health. News of King Abdullah’s Sayeed said his party will depute Kashmir is being governed by ness and shock” the news of king Arabia had lost a beloved leader, passing away is saddening,” he BHUBANESWAR: Two its senior party leaders for hold- military law,” Sayeed said while Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud India a close friend and the world added. Russian nationals have been ing a “structured dialogue” with calling for the revocation of the death from complications from an elder statesman,” a statement India’s energy security depends detained for suspicious activities the BJP. Armed Forces Special Powers pneumonia early Friday. from Rashtrapati Bhavan said. a lot on Saudi Arabia which in the state, police said yesterday. Sayeed said the PDP will take Act (AFSPA) in a time-bound “India has maintained close “King Abdullah had genuine accounts for 20 percent of the Police in Odisha’s Cuttack dis- up the challenge “only if I feel that manner. and friendly relations with Saudi warmth and affection for India country’s oil imports. trict detained them on Friday by entering into an alliance I will IANS Arabia under the leadership of and our people. He was personally IANS evening and took them to Puri for further questioning Saturday. Some villagers handed over the duo to Niali police after becom- ing suspicious about their activi- ties in the area. Vasil Lu Fair and Fringe elements orchestrating ‘gharvapsi’ reined in: Bedi Maratha Galimura stayed in Puri for four days. They had come to Puri from Mumbai with a tour- NEW DELHI: BJP’s chief has been conveyed in the party the leadership should have this officer, said. However, Bedi also you can’t ban conversions. You’ve ist visa. They had air tickets for ministerial candidate in Delhi, leadership’s own style,” Bedi said right and the PM should not said that homecoming was not a to give the right of choice.” Bangkok for January 26. Kiran Bedi has said fringe ele- when a question was posed to her speak on every issue.” crime. “Neither gharwapsi is a Fielding questions about “Preliminary investigation ments in the Sangh Parivar during Aap Ki Adalat TV show “The PM is trying to solve the crime, nor conversion is a crime. Muslims being wary of her, Bedi shows that the two youth are orchestrating the campaign for yesterday. nation’s problems seriously and he Everybody in India has the right said she has not practiced dis- engineering students and have a ‘gharvapsi’ (homecoming) by Asked about Modi’s silence speaks very carefully about what to convert from one religion to crimination in her career. “Ask genuine visa and passport. They reconverting Christians and on the homecoming issue, she to say publicly and who to say in another voluntarily, but the law any Muslim brother, whether I were staying inside a make shift Muslims, have been reined in by said: “How do you know Modiji the Sangh, in the party. Sangh, say, conversion through coercion practiced discrimination in any tent along the seashore in Puri. the party leadership. is silent? The problem is, some or sangat, is a collective. But the is crime”, she added. of my work. For me, Hindus, We are verifying other details,” “They are fringes. Fringes have things are conveyed through message is very clear, the agenda “BJP says if there is any prob- Muslims, Sikhs, Christians all said Puri Superintendent of Police been stopped, they have been media, some other things are is single — ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka lem with conversion let there be a are same. Asish Kumar Singh. given the message. The message decided within the party. I think Vikas’,” Bedi, a former police debate and a law be enacted. But IANS AGENCIES CBI can call whoever it wants to: TMC leader

KOLKATA: A Trinamool Congress leg- Reacting to the CBI summoning have been arrested in the scam. islator, going against the official party Trinamool general secretary Mukul Roy, “I am not personally against the probe. stand, yesterday said anybody can be Dutta said: “It is not about Mukul Roy. For The Supreme Court is looking after the summoned by the CBI for questioning for the sake of the probe, an agency can sum- case and if any probe agency does anything the sake of investigation in the Saradha mon whoever it wants to. As a citizen of the wrong then the court is there,” Dutta said. scam, a day after a party MP claimed country, it’s everybody’s duty to cooperate His comments come a day after that some of those arrested in the scam with the probe.” Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Debabrata were “guilty”. The Trinamool has been up in arms Bandyopadhyay Friday claimed that those Rajarhat-New Town legislator Sabyasachi against the CBI following the arrest of state arrested in the scam were guilty. Dutta said he was not opposed to the central Transport Minister Madan Mitra for his “Prima facie, it appears some of those agency’s probe into the multi-crore-rupee alleged complicity in the scam. arrested are guilty. The court will have the scam in which many leaders from the ruling After the agency summoned Roy, a last word and we must have faith in the party in West Bengal have been arrested. former railway minister, the party as well as judiciary. The best thing would have been The Mamata Banerjee government and the state government moved the Supreme to throw them out,” Bandyopadhyay said. the Trinamool have moved the Supreme Court seeking its intervention. However, Bandyopadhyay, a retired IAS Court alleging that the CBI was acting as an Besides Mitra, Trinamool Rajya Sabha officer, yesterday made a volte face claiming “instrument” of the BJP-led central govern- members Kunal Ghosh and Srinjoy Bose his comments were misinterpreted. ment and was targeting Trinamool leaders. along with party leader Rajat Majumdar IANS

BJP has put BJP govt anti-poor, anti-farmer: Cong Advani in cold NEW DELHI: Accusing the BJP-led central nobody could have done it without his permission. storage: Nitish government of “killing the purpose and intent” “This recommendation (of reducing number of of the National Food Security Act, 2013, eligible beneficiaries) was made by a committee PATNA: Former Bihar chief the Congress yesterday said it was a “crude constituted to examine the Food Security Act minister Nitish Kumar yes- attempt to make a mockery of the crores of by Modi,” he said. terday criticised the BJP for toiling poor of India by the BJP”. He criticised the government for making an putting its senior leader L K The Congress also criticised it for giving cash “anti-farmer” amendment to the Right to Fair Advani in “cold storage”. to the poor instead of subsidised food grains. Compensation and Transparency in the Land “The BJP in new avatar has put Addressing a press conference here, Congress Acquisition Act, 2013 by way of an ordinance. Advani in cold storage by placing spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the “It exposes the anti-poor and farmer face of him in ‘margdarshan mandal’,” BJP government had become anti-farmer and anti- the ruling dispensation,” Surjewala added. Nitish Kumar said. His comments poor. “The BJP government is preparing to kill The Congress leader also questioned the BJP came after BJP president Amit the purpose and intent as also soul and spirit of whether its “intent and motive behind supporting Shah blamed him for the return the Food Security Act by reducing the number of the Food Security Act, 2013 in parliament was to of “jungle raj” in the state as the eligible beneficiaries from 67 to 40 percent,” he said. subsequently kill its soul and spirit on formation Janata Dal-United leader has joined The Congress leader held Prime Minister of the BJP government”. hands with RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Narendra Modi responsible for it saying that IANS IANS SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME

Fajr (Dawn) 5:00 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:20 Zuhr (Noon) 11:46 Asr (Afternoon) 2:51 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:14 Isha (Night) 6:44

WEATHER Weather Today Monday Tuesday Conditions: Partly cloudy Clear Clear Misty to foggy at places at High: 22° High: 21° High: 21° first becomes Low: 13° Low: 14° Low: 15° moderate temperature daytime and cold by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:20 17:14 08:15 & 21:00 01:30 & 15:15 03-10 KT Syrian children play with their cameras during the opening of the ‘Lahza 2’ exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon. ‘Zakira - the Image Festival Association’ is a THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW Lebanese non-governmental organisation seeking to promote cultural activities and photography.

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 23/18 Partly cloudy 23/19 Clear MAKKAH 36/23 Clear 35/22 Clear Kids depict joy, pain in refugee camp photos KUWAIT 23/08 Clear 25/12 Clear BAHRAIN 21/13 Clear 21/13 Clear BEIRUT: The photos on dis- a muddy field. The project is a and taught the children how to me the chance to take pictures of SANAA 21/04 Clear 21/05 Clear play at a Beirut theatre show collaboration between Lebanese use the disposable cameras, told children smiling and having fun.” RIYADH 24/09 Clear 24/10 Clear Syrian refugees chopping wood, foundation Zakira and the UN AFP. Held at Beirut’s prestigious DUBAI 24/14 Clear 26/14 Clear getting married, and playing in children’s agency Unicef, and At the Thursday night opening Al Madina Theatre, the opening BAGHDAD 22/11 Partly cloudy 22/09 Partly cloudy a Lebanese field. They are the builds on a similar project done of the exhibition, entitled “Lahza of the exhibition brought together work not of professionals, but with Palestinian refugee children (Moment) 2”, 14-year-old photog- refugee children and their par- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW Syrian refugee children. in Lebanon. rapher and refugee Abdel Salam ents, Lebanese and Syrian civil HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER The exhibition is the culmina- There are more than 1.1 mil- beamed proudly. society activists, UN officials and tion of a year-long project that lion Syrian refugees in Lebanon, His photo shows a group of photography fans. ATHENS 16/08 Chance of showers 14/08 Chance of rain gave cameras to 500 Syrian refu- many living in dire conditions in refugee children huddled together The project, implemented in WASHINGTON 07/01 Chance of rain 02/-2 Snow gee children in Lebanon, allowing makeshift camps. About half of to pose for the camera, smiling 80 informal camps in Lebanon, SYDNEY 22/18 Chance of rain 22/17 Rain them to document lives turned them are children. despite the harsh conditions in was also documented in a film upside down by their country’s “Syrian children living in the Lebanon’s claustrophobic and that included interviews with LONDON 09/05 Partly cloudy 09/03 Partly cloudy nearly four-year conflict. camps have suffered war and dis- underequipped camps. child photographers and footage PARIS 07/03 Mostly cloudy 08/02 Chance of rain In many cases the children placement. They need any kind “When I grow up, I want to be of their living conditions. ISTANBUL 13/08 Clear 13/07 Mostly cloudy turned their cameras on each of help that they can get,” said a photojournalist,” Abdel Salam One girl described missing MANILA 28/21 Partly cloudy 29/22 Partly cloudy other, showing images of warm- veteran Lebanese photographer told AFP. “It’s hard to have fun her father, who was shot dead DHAKA 24/13 Clear 23/13 Clear ing hands over a fire, peeking Ramzi Haidar. “With a cam- in the camp. When we lived in in Syria. “He used to bring us DELHI 17/10 Clear 18/10 Partly cloudy through a hole in a tattered era, the children can be happy,” Syria, we lived in houses. Here, all kinds of toys. Now, we have ISLAMABAD 16/04 Clear 14/02 Partly cloudy tent and standing barefoot in Haidar, who directed the project we live in tents. This project gave no toys.” AFP

Electronica Spain in Finland! pioneer Froese Measles in Disney of Tangerine parks sparks worry passes away LOS ANGELES: The lead- The California Department ing US paediatrician group of Public Health has reported NEW YORK: Edgar Froese, has urged parents, schools and 68 confirmed measles cases whose band Tangerine Dream communities to vaccinate chil- among state residents since crafted an ambient and futuris- dren against measles in the December, most linked to an ini- tic sound that set the stage for face of an outbreak that began tial exposure at Disneyland or generations of electronic artists, at Disneyland in California in its adjacent Disney California has died, his son said on Friday. December and has spread to Adventure Park. He was 70. more than 80 people in seven Fourteen more cases linked to Trained as a sculptor, the states and Mexico. Disney parks have been reported German multi-instrumentalist The American Academy of out of state — five in Arizona, shocked the musical world in the Pediatrics said all children should three in Utah, two in Washington early 1970s by using synthesis- get the vaccine for measles, state and one each in Oregon, ers to generate a trance-like but mumps and rubella between 12 Colorado, Nevada and Mexico. minimalist atmosphere. His son and 15 months of age and again The outbreak is believed to Jerome Froese, who later joined between 4 and 6 years old. have begun when an infected him in the band, said that his “A family vacation to an amuse- person, likely from out of the father died unexpectedly from ment park — or a trip to the country, visited the resort in a pulmonary embolism while in grocery store, a football game Anaheim between December 15 Vienna on Tuesday. or school — should not result in and December 20. The Health “Edgar once said, ‘There is no children becoming sickened by Department said others with death, there is just a change of our an almost 100 percent prevent- measles are known to have visited cosmic address.’ Edgar, this is a able disease,” Errol Alden, the Disney parks in January while little comfort to us,” a statement Workers finish an ice structure in Juuka, Finland, just before its opening yesterday. The ice dome is based on group’s executive director, said infectious but did not elaborate. from the band said. the design of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and has been built by students from the Eindhoven University in a statement. REUTERS Froese was born in what is of Technology. The structure is made of a mixture of wooden fibres and ice. now the Russian city of Sovetsk on June 6, 1944 — the same day as the D-Day invasion — and has described growing up in a cosmopolitan post-World War II German cultural sphere in Animated film brings Vincent van Gogh’s art to life which he felt little attachment to national identity. GDANSK: Danuta Roman is in 2008 for the animated short for Painted Animation Work into the following frames. Froese studied art in West channelling her inner Vincent “Peter and the Wolf” based on Stations, to make the film. “Loving Vincent” is told Berlin but his formative experi- van Gogh. She applies short the story and music by Sergei “We’re basically playing at van through the eyes of van Gogh’s ence came in 1967 when he was brushstrokes of azure, turquoise Prokoviev. Gogh and we become van Gogh entourage, including Armand invited to perform with an ear- and Payne’s grey to mimic water Van Gogh, known for his bold by using these high-tech digital Roulin, a passenger on the train lier band in Spain at the villa of reflections on an oil painting by colours and rough, vibrant paint- methods,” said graphic designer whose family in the southern the painter Salvador Dali, one of the Dutch master. ing style, is considered one of the Bartosz Dluzewski. Their studio French city of Arles inspired his heroes, and became convinced “I’m trying to figure out how he most revolutionary painters of the in Gdansk, where it gets dark at many a van Gogh portrait. to take his music in a similarly created this landscape,” says the 19th century. 3pm in winter, is far from the The scenes are first shot with surreal direction. In an interview 42-year-old painter as she stud- He died young at 37, after suf- sunlight of southern France that actors in a studio in Wroclaw, in years later, Froese said that Dali ies an 1887 canvas with the Seine fering frequent bouts of mental so inspired van Gogh but “our western Poland, then the footage taught him that “nearly every- river and a scene outside Paris. illness including the infamous epi- painters are flexible,” said artist is traced and painted over in the thing is possible in art as long as She and some 70 other artists sode where he sliced off part of his Roman with a big smile. style of the Post-Impressionist. you have a strong belief in what are working on what is billed as ear. And though he sold only one “Even surrounded by halogen “The PAWS animation tech- you’re doing.” the world’s first feature-length painting during his lifetime, his light, we’re able to recreate the nique we use involves project- AFP animated film made entirely works today carry multi-million Provencal glow.” When a scene ing scenes shot with actors so through hand-painted canvasses. dollar price tags. like the one she was working on is they can be painted by brush on Entitled “Loving Vincent”, the The BreakThru artists have done, it is photographed then sent a canvas,” said graphic designer ¤4.5m production aims to bring to already toiled for six months at a to animation. On the same canvas, Dluzewski. life both van Gogh’s works and his studio in the northern port city Vincent van Gogh’s “Still Life” she then paints the next frame — “So the film becomes a canvas. tortured soul, to mark this year’s of Gdansk and are scrambling to this time shifting the boats a few The digital image is translated 125th anniversary of his death — finish by the end of the year. the equivalent of half a second millimetres to convey the sense into a painting.” often held as a suicide — from a “For every second of film, you of film.” that they’re floating. More than 100 van Gogh gunshot wound. need 12 key frames, so 12 paint- In all, the 80-minute film The van Gogh original fea- paintings were used in the film, Its creators are the Oscar- ings,” said BreakThru head Sean will require around 56,000 key tures a train crossing a bridge — said Marlena Jopyk-Misiak, winning BreakThru Productions, Bobbitt. “One artist can create frames. The studio even created but there is no sign of it yet on who supervises the painstaking which won an Academy Award six paintings a day on average, its own technique called PAWS, Roman’s canvas. It will be added artwork. AFP Sunday 25 January 2015 5 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6321 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Business heads eye expansions in Qatar Delegation meets corporate leaders at WEF in Davos

DOHA: H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Ahmed, H E Ali Shareef Al investments. The Siemens CEO Jassim Al Thani, the Minister Emadi, the Minister of Finance, discussed the company’s opera- of Economy and Commerce, Qatar Central Bank Governor tions and expressed his desire to met with corporate captains H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud expand its business in Qatar. of major international compa- Al Thani and Sheikh Abdullah Qatar’s high-level delega- nies on the sidelines of World bin Mohamed bin Saud Al Thani, tion participating in the World Economic Forum in Davos. Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Economic Forum has reviewed Many of them expressed their Investment Authority, reviewed the great positive steps taken by desire to further expand their with Executive Chairman of the Qatar in the areas of entrepre- operations in Qatar, the Ministry WEF Klaus Schwab, the chal- neurship establishment and com- said here yesterday. lenges facing the global and Arab petitiveness improvement before Richard Haythornthwaite, economies. a number of participants in the Chairman of the Board In his meeting with Sheikh Forum’s 45th session. MasterCard Inc, Nils S Andersen, Ahmed, MasterCard Chairman The World Economic Forum Group CEO, The Maersk Group, Richard Haythornthwaite hailed Executive Chairman Klaus Benoît Potier, Chairman and Qatar for the sustainable eco- Schwab praised the importance Chief Executive Officer of Air nomic development the country of the strategic partnership with Liquide and Jean-Pascal Tricoire, has been witnessing for the past Qatar and the role played by the President and Chief Executive several years. country in the global economy Officer of Schneider Electric He expressed MasterCard’s and international cooperation. It and Joe Kaeser, Chief Executive interests in Qatar to further also hailed the country’s judicious H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani (left), the Minister of Economy and Commerce, meeting a corporate chief Officer of Siemens and Ken Allen, expand its operations in Qatar. management of macroeconomic and others on the sidelines of World Economic Forum in Davos. CEO of DHL were among other The Maersk Group CEO Nils S policies. top corporate chiefs who held dis- Andersen exchanged his views on The Qatari delegation also met cussions with Sheikh Ahmed. various issues in the energy sector with US Secretary of Commerce between the two countries. Industry Dr Tawfiq Al Fawzan to develop them in the light of In a separate meeting, the high- and Maersk’s exposure in Qatar. Penny Pritzker to discuss ways of The Minister of Economy Al Rabiah in Davos and discussed the growing relations between level Qatari delegation, which Benoit of Air Liquide expressed mutual cooperation, trade facili- and Commerce met with Saudi bilateral relations in trade, eco- the two countries. comprises, apart from Sheikh his desire to deepen his company’s tation and promotion of relations Minister of Commerce and nomic and investment and ways THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Opening of Apple store IAG makes Kimberly to fresh bid for Aer Lingus take on P&G LONDON: International Airlines Group, parent of British Airways and Iberia, has tabled a higher offer for Aer Lingus after two previous bids in diaper war were rejected by the Irish car- rier, reports said yesterday. Sky News television and the Financial Times newspaper said Plans innovation, higher ad spend that IAG had presented a fresh offer, while the companies could NEW YORK: Kimberly-Clark maker is losing share, according provide details in statements to Corp is set to increase advertis- to Euromonitor International the market tomorrow. ing and promotional spending data. Huggies’ US market share IAG has made an all-cash for its diapers and launch new dropped to 8.50 percent in 2013 offer worth at least 2.50 euros a products in an escalating war from 10.2 percent in 2008. share for Aer Lingus, valuing the with bigger rival Procter and Indeed, weakening sales of Dublin-based airline at more than Gamble Co in North America. Huggies and other core products in €1.3bn, according to Sky News. Industry analysts say moms are North America is expected to lead The Financial Times, also quot- either going upscale and choosing to fall in sales in 2015, Kimberly- ing people close to the matter, Pampers or going down-market Clark said on Friday. Its shares fell said the revised bid was valued with Luvs, both P&G brands, leav- 6 percent. To claw back market at €1.34bn. Aer Lingus has since ing Kimberly-Clark’s mid-tier shares, Kimberly-Clark plans to December rejected bids of 2.40 Huggies Snug & Dry line without launch new products this year and euros and 2.30 euros a share for a real identity. spend more on advertising them. the group. AFP To compete better, Kimberly- Barclays analyst Lauren Customers gather for the opening of an Apple Store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, yesterday. Clark said on Friday it would cut Lieberman estimates the com- prices and “improve” its Snug & pany could cough up about $500m Dry line starting this quarter, for these initiatives. Kimberly- without giving details. Clark spent about $3.71bn on Huggies is the core of Kimberly- marketing and research in fiscal Clark’s baby care products busi- 2014. P&G spent nearly triple, Volkswagen to recall 80,000 Audis ness, which generates about $7bn $9.73bn, just on advertising in in annual sales. Pampers, P&G’s 2013. Lieberman said Luvs sells BEIJING: German car maker showed the world’s second-largest largest brand, alone has sales of at a roughly 20 percent discount Volkswagen AG will recall economy grew at its slowest pace over $10bn. “The consumer is to Huggies Snug & Dry, with the 80,000 cars from its luxury divi- in 24 years in 2014, even as luxury Kia recalls 86,880 Forte in US shifting downward in price and magnitude of the discount varying sion Audi due to issues with the sales have been hamstrung by a they (Kimberly-Clark) don’t have with promotional activity. fuel injection system, Audi said crackdown on official corruption WASHINGTON: Kia Motors is recalling 86,880 Forte sedans a lower-priced product,” Sanford For example, the lowest-priced yesterday, adding that around and lavish spending. in the United States because a cooling fan resistor may overheat Bernstein analyst Ali Dibadj said. Huggies Snug & Dry 44-pack for 35,000 of the affected vehicles China’s official Xinhua news and melt, increasing the risk of a fire, according to documents Dibadj said the company could a size 1 newborn baby costs $8.97, are from China. agency, citing the country’s filed by US auto safety regulators. play either end of the price spec- while P&G’s 48-pack Luvs for the The cars were made between quality watchdog, reported that The recall involves certain model year 2014 Forte compact sedans trum: introduce a lower-priced same size sells for $6.99, according April 2011 and April 2012, and “in Volkswagen’s local joint ven- and is expected to begin on February 24, according to documents brand or “a product that is of to Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s website. rare cases customers may notice ture, China FAW-Volkswagen on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. such high quality that people are Luvs has been promoted for a smell of fuel in affected vehi- Automotive Co Ltd, will begin Dealers will replace the cooling fan resistor and multifuse unit in willing to pay more for it.” almost every week this year at cles,” Audi said in an e-mailed the recall on March 20, affecting the recalled cars, and owners of vehicles with a 1.8 litre engine will P&G and Kimberly-Clark con- one of P&G’s main retail custom- statement. various Audi A4, A5, A6, A7 and also have the engine control unit software updated, the documents trol about 80 percent of the US ers, Kimberly-Clark CEO Thomas China is Audi’s biggest mar- Q7 models. said. REUTERS diaper market, but the Kleenex Falk said. REUTERS ket. But on Tuesday official data REUTERS Deflation starting to spread globally in 2015: QNB Group

DOHA: The global economy of economic commentaries last prices. The expectation is also growth suggests that expectations drop by up to 5 per- has started 2015 on the wrong year,” the report said. that both the UK and the US about future deflation are already cent, according to the foot. The sharp decline in oil Now, the reality of global defla- will experience negative inflation affecting wage setting behaviour. UK Royal Institute of prices pushed the eurozone into tion is upon us. The eurozone for at least a portion of 2015. This If this becomes entrenched, the Chartered Surveyors. deflation in December 2014 and slipped into negative inflation in would imply that more than half positive effects of lower oil prices In addition, global resulted in a significant slow- December 2014 (-0.2 percent) on of the global economy will be in on consumption will be offset by equity prices have fallen down in inflation in Japan, the lower energy prices. At the same deflation in 2015. reduced expectations of future by about 5 percent since UK and the US. time, the UK registered the low- A more worrisome develop- income, thus putting further their peak in early July More worrisome, there is grow- est inflation rate (0.5 percent) ment is that these global disin- negative pressure on an already 2014, according to the ing evidence that these disinfla- since 2000, while US inflation flationary dynamics are starting weak aggregate demand. The MSCI World Advanced tionary pressures are affecting slowed to 0.8 percent, the steepest to impact the wage setting behav- impact on growth from lower oil and Emerging Markets wages and, to a lesser extent, monthly slowdown in six years. iour across the globe. In the US, prices would therefore ultimately Index. While this is still asset prices, QNB said in its Japan’s inflation was barely average hourly earnings declined be negative, the report said. within the normal vola- weekly analysis . positive (0.7 percent) in November 0.2 percent month-on-month in There is also growing evidence tility range, it suggests This is leading global investors 2014, excluding the one-off effects December. Across the Atlantic in that disinflationary pressures are that equity markets to further hedge against defla- of the consumption tax hike in the UK, they similarly declined hitting asset prices. The latest are also pricing in the tion by buying long-term govern- April. Going forward, the expec- 0.1 percent month-on-month available data show that house impact of deflation on ment bonds, pushing yields down tation is that the eurozone will in November. Eurozone data on prices are falling in China, the global growth. to historic lows. Going forward, remain in deflation for the whole average hourly earnings is only eurozone, Japan and Singapore In summary, deflation unless this disinflationary spiral of 2015, despite the expanded available on a quarterly basis with and they are significantly slow- is starting to spread into is stopped, the world economy is Quantitative Easing adopted by a significant lag, but the latest ing down in the UK and the US. lower global consumer likely to enter a prolonged period the European Central Bank last available data show a moderate Going forward, house prices are prices, depressed wages of deflation, what we have coined Thursday. increase (1.2 percent) in Q2, 2014. likely to decline further as defla- and, to a lesser extent, softer appropriate fiscal response, this the Great Deflation. Japan is projected to fall back Japanese average hourly wages tion and lower wage growth set in. asset prices. Unless govern- disinflationary dynamics is likely “We had already warned about into deflation as lower energy were barely growing in November In London, for example, estate ments around the world prop up to continue in 2015 and possibly the dangers of deflation in a series prices feed into other consumer 2014. This weakness in wage agents expect house prices to aggregate demand through an beyond. THE PENINSULA

AAB opens new Expedia Inc acquires service centre

Travelocity for $280m DOHA: Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co (AAB), sole agent NEW YORK: Expedia Inc has Inc, which owns brands ranging for Toyota vehicles, officially acquired online travel agency from the website that carries its opened their new service centre Travelocity from technology name to Hotels.com and China’s at the Al Nayef Petrol station. company Sabre Corp for $280m eLong, said in its October quar- The opening of the new cen- in cash, the companies said in terly filing that its air ticket vol- tre brings the number of serv- a statement on Friday, as con- umes grew 29 percent for the ice centres of AAB to eight. The solidation in the online booking first three quarters of 2014, “pri- new centre was inaugurated by industry continues. marily due to volume driven by Osama Abdullah Abdulghani Al The deal follows a 2013 mar- Brand Expedia’s agreement with Abdulghani, Chairman of AAB, in keting agreement in which Travelocity along with ongoing the presence of Norihiro Yoshida, Expedia Inc’s technology pow- improvements for the Brand Project General Manager, ered platforms for Travelocity’s Expedia sites themselves.” Field Operations, Toyota US and Canadian websites, while “Evolving this relationship Motor Corporation —Bahrain Travelocity drove additional web strengthens the Expedia Inc fam- Representative Office, and other traffic to Expedia. ily’s ability to continue to inno- senior officials. The merger marks further con- vate and deliver the very best AAB, as part of their policy to solidation in the online booking travel experiences to the wid- provide best After Sales Service, space, which has seen a number est set of travelers, all over the has opened service centers in of acquisitions from Expedia Inc’s world,” Expedia Inc’s CEO Dara different parts of Qatar. AAB main competitor, The Priceline Khosrowshahi said. is having the widest service net- Group, including its $2.6bn take- Travelocity is likely to main- work in the country which include over of restaurant reservation tain its unique brand within the Industrial Area - Main Service website OpenTable last year. umbrella of Expedia Inc, accord- Centre, Falcon Petrol Station “Given the success that they’ve ing to Amobi. Sabre Corp’s CEO (D-Ring Road), Madinat Khalifa had with integrating Travelocity Tom Klein said the company’s Petrol Station, Abu Hamour into Brand Expedia (through primary focus remains to be the Osama Abdullah Abdulghani Al Abdulghani, Chairman of Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros. Co inaugurating the new Petrol Station, Al Wakrah, Al the 2013 agreement), it’s a posi- providing of “mission-critical service centre in the presence of Norihiro Yoshida, Project General Manager, Field Operations, Toyota Motor khor, Golf Club and now at tive outcome,” said S&P Capital software solutions” to its global Corporation 1 Bahrain Representative Office, along with others in Al Rayyan. Al-Nayef Petrol Station. IQ analyst Tuna Amobi. Expedia travel customers. REUTERS THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

NADA meet QIB gets awards Asean to declare single for SME plan and co-branded market by year-end credit card

Deeper integration among 10-nation bloc delayed DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has received two awards DAVOS: Asean will officially Union-style market, with tariffs wants Asean to be integrated as from Global Banking & Finance call itself a single market by abolished and free movement of one entity. The fact is that there Review. QIB has been voted “Best year’s end, but “big things” skilled workers. But there is much are border issues, customs, immi- SME Islamic Finance Provider like seamless travel within the scepticism that the targets could gration, and different regulations.” for the GCC & Mena 2014” and 10-nation bloc would only come be met, as the bloc is made up of In addition, there is little “Best Co-Branded Credit Card in 2020, Malaysia’s trade minis- countries in vastly different stages understanding among the general Qatar 2014”. ter said in an interview. of economic development. public on how a single market can Global Banking & Finance “We’re going to declare our- Myanmar, for instance, is just change their lives, said the min- Review is an online portal tar- selves as an Asean Economic opening up its economy after dec- ister. “Some fear that they would geted at key players in the banking Community,” said Mustapa ades of isolation over its outright be robbed of their jobs, that come and finance industry. It has been Mohamed, whose country holds military rule which came to an December 2015, I’ll be out of job rated as one of the most powerful the rotating presidency of the end in 2011. At the opposite end of because my Malaysian friend is internet banking websites which Southeast Asian bloc this year. the spectrum is Singapore, which coming over,” he said. “We need claims a readership that includes “We don’t have complete inte- ranks among the world’s richest to do a lot more in terms of presidents, CEOs, CFOs and sen- gration or harmonisation yet, 2015 nations. Mustapa acknowledged communication.” ior decision makers within Fortune is laying the stage for bigger things that it would only be “in 2020 that Asked if Europe’s recent eco- 500 companies. to come,” he said on the sidelines you’ll see more progress in Asean nomic woes over heavily indebted The first of the awards reflects of the World Economic Forum in economic integration” in term of member states like Greece had the launch of QIB’s Aamaly pro- Davos. “We’re going to get almost the abolishing of non-tariff bar- put off integration plans, Mustapa gramme, which was introduced to there by 2015 but the big things riers, and flow of skilled labour. said that “from day one, we know provide tailored services to SMEs, like seamless travel... would come By year’s end, there will be that we’re not going to adopt the offering them financial benefits, in 2020. What’s important is that “freer movement of goods and EU model”. A single currency or guidance and advice in line with we’re committed, I’m not saying services but not free movement a parliament were never part of the Qatar National Vision 2030. that we’re backtracking.” of goods and services.” the bloc’s plans, he said. The Aamaly programme benefits The Southeast Asian bloc, a The business community has Asean groups together SMEs with specialised relationship market of about 600 million peo- been pushing political leaders to Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, managers, dedicated SME-centric ple, had set 2015 as a deadline move faster on integration, but Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the banking centres, 24-hour banking, for integrating the region’s vast Mustapa said the Asean model is Philippines, Singapore, Thailand Former Florida governor Jeb Bush (right) and National Auto payroll services, cash and cheque economies into a single European gradual. “The business community and Vietnam. AFP Dealers Association (NADA) Chairman Forrest McConnell at the collection, overnight vaulting and 2015 NADA conference in San Francisco, California. time deposits, together with flexible financing options. QIB supports a sizeable corporate and individuals base and has a strong branch pres- ence across the country to meet all customers’ growing requirements. US seeks reversal of landmark insider trading ruling Meanwhile, the QIB-Qatar Airways Co-branded Card offer- NEW YORK: Federal prosecu- trading convictions. Prosecutors Newman’s lawyer declined to 86 people’s convictions for insider Newman, 50, and Chiasson, 41, ing value added features for its tors in New York asked a US sought a rehearing by both the comment. trading since October 2009. In were found guilty in 2012 for their holders is widely recognised as appeals court to reconsider a three-judge panel that ruled for The 2nd Circuit ruling held that its wake, several defendants have roles in a scheme prosecutors said one of the most rewarding cards landmark ruling that curtailed Newman and Chiasson as well as prosecutors need to prove a trader sought to take advantage of the reaped $72m through trading on available in the market. It offers their ability to pursue insider the full appeals court, potentially knew that the original source of a decision in their own cases. inside information about compu- bonus Qmiles every time clients use trading cases and jeopardised 15 judges under its rules. tip received a benefit in exchange On Thursday, US District Judge ter maker Dell Inc and chipmaker the cards which can be redeemed several convictions. In their petition, prosecutors for the information. Andrew Carter in Manhattan Nvidia Corp. against flights on Qatar Airways, or Prosecutors under Manhattan argued the decision broke with It also narrowed what consti- threw out the guilty pleas of four Prosecutors said both men on other redemption options from US Attorney Preet Bharara US Supreme Court precedent and tutes a benefit, saying it must men accused of engaging in insider traded on tips they received from the Qatar Airways Privilege Club. asked the 2nd US Circuit Court “threatens the effective enforce- be of “some consequence” and trading ahead of IBM Corp’s 2009 analysts working at their hedge Currently all card holders can of Appeals to grant a rehearing ment of the securities laws.” cannot be only friendship — a acquisition of SPSS Inc. funds who belonged to a “corrupt enjoy a 7 percent discount on Qatar in the case of hedge fund manag- Gregory Morvillo, Chiasson’s holding prosecutors wrote would Carter asked prosecutors to circle” of investment firm analysts Airways holiday packages and earn ers Todd Newman and Anthony lawyer, said he had “great con- “dramatically limit” their ability provide details about their evi- that traded non-public informa- double Qmiles when purchasing Chiasson, who in December fidence in the opinion” and to pursue cases. Prior to the rul- dence as he considers whether tion obtained from employees at tickets from the Qatar Airways won the reversal of their insider would await the court’s response. ing, Bharara’s office had secured to dismiss the case altogether. various companies. REUTERS website. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Eyes on US Fed after ECB, other bank stimulus moves

NEW YORK: The Federal lest US economic policy move out investors — and adding to the longer, analysts said. “It bodes well regional equity funds rose to one- Waldner, chief strategist at Invesco, Reserve could be key for Wall of sync with the rest of the world. threat of deflation. for the Fed to be patient,” said Peter year highs in the week leading up wrote in a note this week. Street this week as investors get “Global central policy is not one The Fed is expected to reiterate Cardillo, chief market economist to the ECB announcement, EPFR Next week also marks one of the to hear from the US central bank of their mandates, but I think they that those global risks have not yet at Rockwell Global Capital in New Global said. Exchange-trade funds busiest weeks for fourth-quarter US for the first time since a series of have to acknowledge it, because this put the US recovery or the Fed’s York. “There’s no inflation here; the tied to Europe rallied following the earnings, with 141 S&P 500 compa- moves by its global peers, includ- is not just global economic head- rate plans off track when it issues problem is deflation. If oil prices ECB move this week. The SPDR nies slated to report. Among them ing the European Central Bank’s winds, this is actually the moves of its policy statement at the close of were to go lower, that could create Emerging Europe ETF jumped are several top technology names massive stimulus plan. other central banks. They’ve got to its two-day meeting on Wednesday. more of a problem.” 3.7 percent this week, its big- including Apple and Microsoft. Thursday’s larger-than-expected take that into account,” said Erik The timing of the Fed’s eventual At the same time, more money gest weekly gain since September. With fourth-quarter earnings stimulus package from the ECB Davidson, chief investment officer rate move has been a top concern has been moving from the US Underpinning the argument for projected to grow 10.6 percent, tech lifted US stocks, helping indexes for Well Fargo Private Bank. for investors. Stocks rallied when market into European stocks as a US stocks, though, is the growing is expected to be a bright spot in post gains for the week after three Should the United States raise the Fed said after its December result of the ECB measures, adding strength of the US economy while an earnings season that has been straight weeks of losses. But the rates when other major developed meeting that it would take a patient to concerns for US stock investors. overseas economies have been lackluster thus far. increased stimulus measures from economies are being more expan- approach toward raising interest Sharp declines in the euro, which weakening. Profit growth expectations for the ECB and elsewhere globally, sive, that could boost the dollar, rates and gave an upbeat assess- hit an 11-year low against the dol- “European equities will likely S&P 500 companies, now at 3.3 including the Bank of Canada, may putting further pressure on com- ment of the US economy. The sharp lar on Friday, make European improve in the short term, but in percent, are down sharply since the make it tougher for the Fed to move modity prices — which because decline in oil prices that began last stocks cheaper, especially com- the medium term equity perform- start of the fourth quarter following ahead with its own plan to start they are denominated in dollars June and worries about deflation pared with US equities. Flows ance is likely to be tied to the per- a big drop in forecasts for energy raising interest rates by mid-year, become more expensive for non-US could keep the Fed on hold for into EPFR Global’s European formance of the real economy,” Rob company earnings. REUTERS

Euro zone’s long journey to QE German central After QEs, onus shifts to The Central European Bank on Thursday launched a landmark bond buying programme that runs from March this year until September next year. Here’s a look at market bank chief reactions when the U.S. implemented its quantitative easing policies.

CENTRAL BANK BALANCE SHEET - Rebased to 100 sceptical of ECB leaders to boost growth 600 Fed QE1 Fed QE2 Fed QE3 500 U.S. Fed stimulus move 400 300 Structural reforms and pro-investment policies needed 200 BERLIN: The head of 100 ECB Germany’s central bank yes- 0 DAVOS: Central banks have Thursday a massive programme bottom, but regulators were now 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 terday voiced his “scepticism” done their best to rescue the of buying government bonds with more aware of the problem and about the ECB’s decision to world economy by printing printed money over 18 months poised to respond. 10Y GOVERNMENT BOND YIELDS launch a trillion-euro bond- money and politicians must from March in a drive to raise the With doubts abounding as to % 5 buying programme in a bid to now act fast to enact structural inflation rate from the current 0.7 whether Western economies face 4 U.S. Treasury ward off deflation and boost the reforms and pro-investment percent towards its target of close long-term stagnation and pro- 3 eurozone economy. policies to boost growth, central to but just below 2 percent. longed ultra-low inflation, Carney 2 “I regard this decision with bankers said yesterday. “The political foundation of the sought to reassure British con- scepticism,” the Bundesbank 1 Two days after the European European project is being weak- sumers and savers that the BOE German Bund president Jens Weidmann told 0 Central Bank launched a bold ened,” Coeure said, pointing to low had the means and the will to get 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 the German daily Bild. bond-buying drive to revive infla- growth and high unemployment. inflation, currently at just 0.5 per- INFLATION RATE Weidmann is a member of the tion in the eurozone, a top ECB Separately, ECB President cent, back up to 2 percent within % 6 European Central Bank’s coun- official warned that Europe’s Mario Draghi, who did not attend a two-year horizon. cil of governors that approved common currency project could Davos this year, urged govern- Bank of Japan Governor 4 of the stimulus plan known as U.S. come unstuck if the bloc limped ments to redouble efforts to cre- Haruhiko Kuroda described 2 quantitative easing (QE). “Buying on with sluggish growth and mass ate a “genuine” economic union. the ECB move as “significant” sovereign debt, in a single cur- 0 unemployment. In an advance text of a contri- and predicted it would greatly Euro zone rency union, is not like any other “We can’t do everything for bution for the WirtschaftsWoche improve the world economic out- -2 (monetary) tool. It brings risks,” 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Europe, we did our part on magazine, Draghi also said look because the euro zone was Weidmann told the paper. Thursday, others have to do their reforms were needed to raise the biggest economic area on the UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Critics, particularly in part. There is nothing we can do competition, cut bureaucracy and globe, oustripping the United % 12 Germany, Europe’s biggest econ- as the ECB to lift growth in a improve labour market flexibility. States. Kuroda voiced optimism Euro zone omy, complain that the QE is 10 lasting way,” ECB executive board Other central bankers in Davos about the developed economies, a licence to print money to get meeting Benoit Coeure said. praised the ECB’s bold action, saying he expected Japan to have 8 governments out of debt and will U.S. Reviewing the global economic which comes after similar meas- 2 percent growth in the 2015 fiscal 6 lessen pressure for reform. outlook at the World Economic ures in the United States, Britain year and the United States was The ECB plan to buy €60bn 4 Forum in Davos, speakers from and Japan, designed to revive the the fastest growing region of the 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 ($69bn) of public and private the IMF, the ECB, the Bank of economy and avert deflation. industrialised world. sector bonds per month from England and the Bank of Japan Bank of England Governor However Larry Fink, chief Source: Thomson Reuters March through September 2016 said their ultra-loose monetary Mark Carney said there was a executive of BlackRock, the will mean that the central banks policy could only buy limited time greater danger of reckless risk- world’s largest money manager, 2014, when the eurozone seemed Since then, a range of geopolitical of eurozone countries will be for politicians. taking in the financial industry noted that the mood in Davos this on track to recover from its deep risks have surfaced and growth in “among the states’ biggest credi- The ECB announced on when interest rates were at rock year was more pessimistic than in financial and economic crisis. Europe has stalled. REUTERS tors”, Weidmann said. He stressed the need for debt- hit countries not to be “negli- gent” with their budgets and to continue on a path of reforms to turn around their economies, a Goldman head view also expressed by German Euro hits $1.11 in post-ECB stimulus slide Chancellor Angela Merkel. Opponents of QE are also con- urges Britain to NEW YORK: The euro fell leftist anti-austerity Syriza party underscores a growing policy months then further purchases cerned that taxpayers in stronger again against the dollar on would win, posing a new chal- divergence with the US Federal are likely as it attempts to restore economies such as Germany’s will stay in the EU Friday, hitting a new 11-year lenge to the bailout programme Reserve, which exited its QE pro- price stability over the medium- have to foot the bill should any low a day after the European from the European Union and the gramme in October and is consid- term.” But with the Fed looking country default on its debt. LONDON: The president of Central Bank unveiled a vast International Monetary Fund. ering an interest rate hike this set to raise interest rates from But the ECB says its plan has Goldman Sachs has urged bond-buying programme to The euro, which fetched $1.1359 year. “The key factor is that the near zero, where they have been been designed so that only 20 Britain to stay within the revive the eurozone. late Thursday, tumbled to $1.1115, ECB’s extension of QE is open- pegged since late 2008 amid the percent of the risk will be shared European Union, warning, The currency market also the lowest level since September ended,” said RIA Capital Markets financial crisis, in mid-2015, “the among the 19 nations using the ahead of a May general elec- nervously awaited the outcome 2003. Analysts said the euro could analyst Nick Stamenkovic. euro looks increasingly likely to euro. The rest will be shouldered tion, that an exit would put of Greece’s general elections slide further toward dollar par- “In other words, if euro area reach (dollar) parity by year-end, by the national central banks of the capital’s status as a major today, with polls showing the ity as the ECB announcement inflation fails to rise in coming if not sooner,” he said. AFP the countries concerned. AFP financial centre at risk. In an interview with the BBC, Gary Cohn said the US investment bank wanted to stay operating in London, the only financial capital to Box hits Wall Street rival New York and the home of Goldman Sachs’ European headquarters. “I think for the UK it’s with a bang after IPO imperative to keep the finan- cial services industry in NEW YORK: Cloud storage storage,” said Paul Ausick at the London,” the bank’s president startup Box soared in its Wall finance blog 24/7 Wall Street. and chief operating officer said. Street debut on Friday after a “For Box to live up to its tri- “We all want to stay in London. public share offering, pushing its umph, it will have to compete “I think that having a great market value to $2.7bn. and win against big players like financial capital of the world Trading under the symbol Microsoft and Amazon.com that staying in the UK and having “BOX,” the shares jumped 66 per- have offered cloud-based storage the UK be part of Europe is cent to close at $23.23 on the New for increasingly lower prices.” the best thing for all of us.” York Stock Exchange from the Dropbox, one of the best-known Prime Minister David offering price of $14. cloud startups, has so far kept Cameron has promised to Box along with rival Dropbox, mum on IPO plans, but has raised renegotiate the terms of was founded in 2005 by University venture capital that gives it an Britain’s European Union of Southern California student estimated value of $10bn. membership and hold an “in- Aaron Levie and collaborators. It Meanwhile, a tumble of blue- out” referendum if re-elected now claims 32 million users includ- chip stock shares on Friday failed in May, raising fears that the ing 275,000 companies. The IPO to erase another week of gains for world’s sixth-largest economy raised $175m and could increase Wall Street. US stocks managed to could quit the club it joined in to $200m if options are exercised. claw back most of the losses from 1973. Box plans to use at least half of the the beginning of 2015 buoyed by The pledge to hold a vote by capital for sales and marketing as a larger-than-expected stimulus the end of 2017 has caused par- well as developing new products, from the ECB, generally higher ticular concern in the City of but has not ruled out acquisitions. corporate earnings and a burst of London among the thousands Over the nine months ended in buying in big tech firms. of bankers, traders, money October, Box revenues were $154m, The Dow Jones Industrial managers and insurers who with a net loss of $129m. Average put on 0.9 percent to fear an exit could shut Britain “Investors appear to be uncon- end the week at 17,672.60, and the off from the 500 million-strong cerned either with the company’s broader S&P 500 rose 1.6 percent single market. Box Inc CEO and Co-Founder Aaron Levie (centre right) and CFO and Co-Founder Dylan Smith (centre left) ringing growing losses or its ability to to 2,051.82. The Nasdaq Composite REUTERS the Opening Bell along with other guests at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on Friday. succeed in what many believe is a outdid both with a 2.7 percent commodity market for cloud-based surge to 4,757.88. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Venezuela’s currency woes What’s the way forward to hurt US corporate profits BY TIM MCLAUGHLIN and SVEA HERBST-BAYLISS for WTO after 20 years? enezuela’s deepening economic troubles, and in particular the weakness of the bolivar and restrictive currency con- BY MICHAEL FROMAN trols, have hurt US corporate profits for the fourth quarter began in 2001 and haven’t kept As President Obama has made States can still envision an ambi- Vof 2014 and are set to inflict further pain this year. In a pace with tectonic shifts in the clear, the US believes that sustain- tious outcome to the Doha Round. likely sign of things to come from a number of companies this results aving marked its global economy, most notably the able development is ultimately Certainly, this is the outcome we reporting season, Ford Motor Co on Friday said it was taking a pre- 20th anniversary rise of the emerging economies. grounded in trade and investment. seek. But if the debate over the tax charge of $800m for its Venezuela business. earlier this month, Take the example of agricul- That’s why the administration is next few weeks makes it appar- It blamed Venezuelan exchange control regulations that have the World Trade ture, the subsidies for which have working hard to secure seamless ent that others will not support an restricted the ability of its operations in the country to pay divi- Organisation must proven one of the toughest issues renewal of the African Growth ambitious outcome — in opening dends and obligations in US dollars. Ford also said that it was unable Hmove quickly from celebrating to tackle. In 2008, the proposed and Opportunity Act, which is markets to manufactured goods, to maintain normal production in Venezuela with the availability of to soul-searching. Hanging in solution was that developed coun- the cornerstone of US trade policy services, as well as the full array vehicle parts constrained. the balance are negotiations that tries would cut their agricultural with sub-Saharan Africa. of agricultural issues — the time Also on Friday, diaper and tissue maker Kimberly-Clark Corp said began in 2001, and if approached subsidies while developing coun- Not everyone agrees that trade has come to deal with that reality. it took a fourth-quarter charge of $462m for its Venezuelan business. with a new perspective, could tries would not. But much has and investment are central to In that event, a more focused That was after it concluded that the appropriate rate at which it boost global growth. changed since that time. Just development, and there is a sharp and tailored agenda, one that is should be measuring its bolivar-denominated monetary assets should To be sure, there is one recent last year, a group representing debate on this issue among devel- balanced to reflect the world we be a Venezuelan government floating exchange rate — currently at achievement that is worth agriculture-exporting countries, oping countries themselves. Some all live in today, could present an around 50 bolivars to the dollar — rather than a fixed official rate of toasting: the Trade Facilitation developed and developing alike, of the most successful developing alternative path forward. While 6.3 to the dollar that it had previously been using. Kimberly-Clark Agreement. By streamlining cus- published a report listing the top economies are pursuing a range of no country should be subject to blamed increased uncertainty and lack of liquidity for the move. toms procedures, that agreement four users of trade-distorting market opening initiatives, includ- obligations without its consent, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday he was could add hundreds of billions agricultural subsidies in today’s ing reducing or eliminating their we cannot allow a small group of shaking up the complex currency controls in the socialist-run country, of dollars to the global economy, world, with India first, followed by tariffs. Others stand in staunch countries to hold back all those where dollars are sold on the black market for about 184 bolivars with developing economies gain- China, the European Union, and opposition to further liberalisation who are prepared to move for- to the US dollar instead of the country’s three-tiered exchange rate ing the most. But this is the the United States. and have even raised new barriers ward. As the Doha Round has system that has ranged from the 6.3 official rate to two other rates, first and only deal that all WTO In a global commodities mar- to trade and investment. dragged on, devolving into stale- currently at about 12 and the one at around 50. members have signed during the ket, this double-standard makes We need a debate about trade, mate, many countries have logi- Those latter two tiers of the system would be merged, he said, organisation’s two-decades of no economic sense. In reality, investment, and development cally explored alternatives for though it is not immediately known at what rate that would happen. existence. Whether it represents trade-distorting subsidies from in Geneva that is just as robust achieving results. In the absence Maduro also announced that another new rate would be introduced a brief blip or the beginning of a emerging economies have the as the debate among developing of further progress on the mul- into the system to offer dollars via private brokers to vie with the broader trend toward enhanced same impact on global commodity countries. Put simply, many of the tilateral front, the trend toward black market rate. The latest moves may catch some companies cooperation and greater gains for prices as trade-distorting subsi- Doha Round’s primary goals will bilateral, regional, and other ini- flat-footed — particularly regarding the size of the hit they may have the global economy depends on the dies from developed countries. The remain inconceivable as long as tiatives will surely intensify and, to take to their earnings as they revalue assets at a much weaker answer to three tough questions. US is willing to wade back into a subgroup of countries are dog- if done right, can add momentum bolivar exchange rate. “They may be surprised by the magnitude of First, can we update our dis- the complex thicket of agricultural matically opposed to the whole to the multilateral system itself. the move but not by the direction,” said Marc Chandler, global head cussions to reflect the realities of trade negotiations, but only if the concept of liberalisation. At a time of uneven global eco- of market strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. “But many today’s global economy? discussion reflects today’s reality. Third, can we handle the truth? nomic growth and uncertainty, we shied away from hedging in the past because it is very expensive.” The current negotiations, Second, what’s the best way to Depending on the answers to cannot afford to squander more Companies often need approval from Caracas to raise prices amid known as the “Doha Round,” support development? the questions above, the United years. REUTERS soaring inflation. Sometimes that approval is delayed or the price hikes don’t keep pace with a 12-month inflation rate currently at nearly 64 percent, threatening losses because of a mismatch between costs and revenue. Before the move by Maduro, some well known US companies, including Procter & Gamble, General Motors, Baker Hughes Inc and Brink’s had already reported financial hits related to the bolivar over the past year. “A wide swath of multinational companies with large operations in Venezuela will suffer from having to hold currency that is stuck in the country and depreciating in value,” said Erik Gordon, professor of law and business at the University of Michigan. For Ford, conditions are so tough in the South American country that it also announced that it will make an accounting change that will allow it to isolate the rest of the company from its Venezuela operations. “In future periods, our financial results will not include the operating results of our Venezuelan operations,” it said in a cor- porate filing. Bob Willens, a veteran accounting expert on Wall Street, said other companies might follow Ford’s lead. “Who wouldn’t want to deconsolidate a Venezuelan subsidiary?” he asked. Cleaning and household products maker Clorox last year decided to exit Venezuela altogether. CEO Don Knauss told analysts in October that Venezuela’s government was slow to approve price increases and when it did they were not as high as promised. “We saw no hope that we could create a sustaining business in that country,” Knauss said during an October conference call. Overall, foreign companies have an estimated $16bn in outstand- ing dividends listed on their balance sheets that they have not been able to return to headquarters, according to Caracas-based research firm Ecoanalitica. The actual value of those assets could, though, be considerably less, depending on the exchange rates. At the end of the third quarter, for example, American Airlines Group Inc, had $721m held in the Venezuelan currency, at a weighted average exchange rate of 6.41 bolivars to the dollar. Theoretically, if the airline tried to repatriate all of that money into dollars at the current black market rate of 184 bolivars per US dollar as quoted by the website dolartoday.com, it would only receive about $25m. “For a business like American Airlines, they have a bank account full of worthless monopoly money, and the only way it is worth something is if they can get an exchange,” said Russ Dallen, head of Caracas Capital Markets in Miami. “But the government doesn’t have any dollars to exchange, in size. They can’t pull out because not only will they not get the dollar at the original rate promised but the Venezuelan government said they would take the travel routes and never let them back into the country if they did.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Shale oil well tests misleading for stocks

BY BRADLEY OLSON said James Sullivan, a New York- delivered on a sustained basis.” Claysville, though, is in the misleading number,” Drillinginfo’s Corp, for instance, prefer to give based analyst with Alembic Global Still, the tests continue to be a Utica oil and gas field, a differ- Gilmer said. investors a 30-day snapshot, a bet- ests done on new wells Advisors. Skepticism, he said, “is gauge for investors. ent and emerging formation that In gas wells, the 24-hour test ter predictor of long-term produc- that boosted the fortunes only going to grow.” Last month, for instance, spans much of Appalachia, and rates correlate slightly better to tivity, according to Drillinginfo. of oil developers by bil- Drillinginfo’s results don’t stand shares of Range Resources Corp a region that’s only beginning to one-year performance, but the Apache takes a “relatively con- Tlions of dollars during the alone. Other research, including by jumped by 14 percent over three be understood. It will be months relationship still isn’t strong by servative approach” to reporting US shale boom are increasingly Australian mining and petroleum days after the Fort Worth, Texas- before it’s known whether Range’s statistical standards, according to early well results to investors, coming under scrutiny. conglomerate BHP Billiton Ltd, based driller reported results from December production test is an Drillinginfo. In the Permian Basin John Christmann, the Houston- The one-day performance tests, have yielded similar results. a one-day test that suggested one accurate reflection of the well’s and the Barnett Shale, the initial based company’s chief executive, which regularly spike company Along with the short time frame of its Pennsylvania wells had pro- potential, according to Bloomberg flow rate was only slightly better said in an e-mail. shares on their results, don’t pro- of the initial testing, developers duced enough natural gas to heat New Energy Finance. at predicting the quality of wells. A “Reporting practices tend to vide enough data to predict future use a range of procedures that can 1,000 US homes for a year. In the Utica, the location of far more accurate measure is how vary significantly from opera- potential, according to a study by boost first-day output, according The well flowed for a consecutive Range’s Claysville well, drill sites much a well produces in its first tor to operator and a number of Drillinginfo, an Austin, Texas- to Allen Gilmer, Drillinginfo’s chief 24 hours and a production-boost- on average are on pace to produce month, according to the study. variables that are critical for com- based analytics and data firm. executive officer and more than a ing pump wasn’t used, according to less than half of the 700,000 bar- “The press releases make many of parability and for assessing the Additionally, few rules or stand- dozen other analysts and com- Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella. rels of oil and gas a day that was these wells seem irresistible, but potential recovery from a well- ards govern the tests, industry pany officials interviewed about While Pitzarella declined to say originally forecast for a period some just don’t have any life to bore are frequently not disclosed observers say, making for incon- the tests. how widely the well was opened, of about two years, according to them,” said Ted Borrego, a lawyer by industry in conjunction with sistent findings at best. Some producers open flow he said pressure and other factors a review of hundreds of wells by and lecturer at the University of 24-hour test rates,” Christmann The result is that a practice that valves full blast for the tests, an were designed to match conditions Tudor Pickering Holt, a Houston- Houston, who has advised energy said. helped draw significant financing action not generally used in regu- that will exist once the well is pro- based investment bank. production companies for more “Investors need to be cautious” for drillers in an era of $100-a-bar- lar production, they said. Others ducing on a regular basis. In the Eagle Ford field in Texas, than 40 years. about using initial production tests rel oil could become a liability as install pumps to create artificial Releasing well results over a the shale boom’s most prolific for- A few producers have stopped as an indicator of the quality of the price collapse leads investors pressure, or measure just the first longer period isn’t always possi- mation, the tie between a well’s touting 24-hour tests, saying that a well, Rod Skaufel, president of to take a closer look. “Now more eight hours of flow, then multi- ble because pipelines and other 24-hour test and its 12-month per- the results are poorly understood BHP’s shale business, said in an than ever, it’s a priority for the ply that by three to represent a infrastructure aren’t set, accord- formance was found to be statisti- and figure too prominently in trad- interview. The tests “tend to get industry to be more transparent, full-day’s output. “It’s hyperbole,” ing to Pitzarella. A decade of cally insignificant in a Drillinginfo ing and speculation about company a lot of publicity, but they aren’t and do a better job at communi- Gilmer said. “There is no relation- Pennsylvania production data study by senior research ana- prospects, leading to overly sharp necessarily a good predictor of long cating what the longer-term pro- ship between those test numbers shows the company’s wells have lyst Chris Smith. The 24-hour changes in share prices. Both term performance.” ductivity of wells in basins are,” and what can be economically been prolific, he said. test is “a real number, but it’s a Apache Corp and Marathon Oil BLOOMBERG SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks passes away at 83

CHICAGO: Hall of Fame Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said. 129 RBI in 1958 and followed up the first Cub to be honored with US President infielder Ernie Banks, who was “He was a pioneer in the major the next year with 45 homers and a statue outside Wrigley Field in Barack affectionately dubbed ‘Mr Cub’ leagues. And more importantly, 143 RBI. 2008. Obama (right) by the Wrigley Field faithful, he was the warmest and most Of Banks’s 512 career home Banks’s love of baseball was leg- presents the passed away on Friday. He was sincere person I’ve ever known.” runs, 277 came at shortstop. endary. His two favorite catch- Presidential 83. Ricketts said while the world That still stands as the most in phrases were, “It’s a great day for Banks, who played shortstop had lost a “great” man, his life and the National League for a short- baseball” and also “Let’s play two” Medal of and first base, was a 14-time all- achievements would be remem- stop. He hit .274 and drove in – for his desire to play a double- Freedom to star who played for Chicago from bered fondly. 1,636 runs. header each day. baseball Hall 1953-1971. “Approachable, ever optimistic Banks broke down a lot of He remains the Cubs’ leader of Fame player He blasted 512 homers in 19 and kind-hearted, Ernie Banks major league barriers. He became in games played (2,528), at-bats Ernie Banks seasons of Major League Baseball is and always will be Mr Cub. the first African American to (9,421), plate appearances (10,395) at a ceremony before being elected to the Hall of My family and I grieve the loss manage a major league team on and extra-base hits (1,009). in the the Fame in 1977. of such a great and good-hearted May 8, 1973 when he took over Banks was also active in the White House “Words cannot express how man, but we look forward to cel- for the ejected Whitey Lockman. Chicago community during and in Washington important Ernie Banks will ebrating Ernie’s life in the days He was also the first player in after his time with the Cubs. in this file always be to the Chicago Cubs, ahead.” Cubs’ history to have his number In 2013, he received the picture taken the city of Chicago and Major He was the National League’s retired in 1982 and was voted Presidential Medal of Freedom, on November League Baseball. He was one of Most Valuable Player in 1958 and to Major League Baseball’s All- the highest honour given to 20, 2013. the greatest players of all time,” 1959. Banks hit 47 home runs with Century Team in 1999. He was American citizens. AFP

NHL: Crosby Thompson sets record as takes injection to treat injury

Warriors annihilate Kings NEW YORK: Sidney Crosby has taken an injection for a lower-body injury that will NBA: Guard fires 37 quarter points to beat previous best of 33 keep him out of this week- end’s National Hockey League All-Star Game, the team said OAKLAND, US: Klay yesterday. Thompson made history by The Penguins said Crosby, the setting a National Basketball NHL’s reigning most valuable Association (NBA) record player and face of the league, yesterday with 37 third quar- is expected to resume skating ter points as the Golden State on Tuesday in hopes of return- Warriors hammered the ing either on Wednesday in Sacramento Kings 126-101. Golden State Washington or Friday in New Thompson finished with 52 Warriors’ guard Jersey. points after leaving at the 9:28 Klay Thompson According to the Penguins, mark of the fourth quarter but (right) shoots as Crosby was hurt during a game not before he had set a league Houston Rockets against the Montreal Canadiens record for most points in a guard Jason Terry and has attempted to play through quarter. the injury the past two weeks. defends during the Thompson carried the Warriors Crosby’s absence from Sunday’s second half of their on his back in the third in front All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, of a crowd of 19,600 at the Oracle NBA game at Oracle will mark the fourth time that he Arena as he single-handedly Arena in Oakland, has been selected to the exhibition turned a Kings’ lead into a Golden California, USA, in but has not appeared. State blowout. this January 21, Meanwhile, i ce hockey fans “I never shot like that,” 2015 file photo. will get a new perspective on the Thompson said. “Every time I RIGHT: James fast-moving game when National touched the ball I was going to Harden of the Hockey League players don GoPro shoot it. Houston Rockets cameras, starting with this week- “Honestly, I was just really reacts after scoring end’s all-star fixture. focused, hitting some tough shots and drawing a foul It’s the first time that GoPro and in a great flow. Even I am against the Phoenix has struck a partnership deal shocked. That’s crazy.” Suns during the with a professional sports league, Thompson made all 13 of his second half of their the league said yesterday. shots in the third, with nine of NBA game at US “The NHL will use GoPro’s them coming from three-point Airways Center, innovative equipment and exper- range. tise to deliver hockey fans never- yesterday. The previous record was 33 before-seen perspectives of the points in a quarter by George game,” it said in a statement Gervin in 1978 and Carmelo yesterday. Anthony in 2008. Players will take to the ice with During a 5:25 span of the third, helmet-mounted GoPros – high- Thompson poured in 19 straight definition video cameras popu- Golden State points and potted lar when filming extreme sports five triples during the blitz. He – at the NHL’s all-star skills competition. outscored the Kings 37-22 in the that number. His previous career Stephen Curry added 10 points 10 rebounds as the Hawks (36-8) Going forward, regular NHL NBA Results period. highs were 41 points against the and 11 assists for Golden State, won for the 29th time in the past games will be captured on GoPro Toronto 91 Philadelphia 86 Thompson finished 16-of-25 Los Angeles Lakers in November who have won four straight and 31 games. for national and regional telecasts Atlanta 103 Oklahoma City 93 from the field overall and was and eight three-pointers last sea- 12 of its last 13 games. Russell Westbrook scored 22 as well as online streaming on Cleveland 129 Charlotte 90 11-of-15 from three point range. son in Sacramento. DeMarcus Cousins finished points for Oklahoma City, which GoPro and NHL websites, the Thompson was also just one His team-mates congratulated with 28 points and 11 rebounds had won four straight. Kevin league said. Miami 89 Indiana 87 three-pointer away from match- him by drenching him with an ice to lead the Kings, who have lost Durant added 21 points for the “On-ice footage of the best NY Knicks 113 Orlando 106 ing Kobe Bryant and Donyell cold bucket of Gatorade in the six consecutive games. Thunder (22-21) but made just players in the world is among the Chicago 102 Dallas 98 Marshall’s record of 12 triples in Warriors’ dressing room. Hawks 103, Thunder 93 eight of 22 shots from the floor. point-of-view GoPro content fans New Orleans 92 Minnesota 84 a contest. “They just kept wanting to see Oklahoma City came in with Bulls 102, Mavericks 98 can expect this season,” added San Antonio 99 LA Lakers 85 With 4.9 seconds in the third, the show. That’s what they kept a mini-streak but the Thunder Derrick Rose and Jimmy the statement. In return, GoPro Boston 100 Denver 99 Thompson hit two free throws telling me,” Thompson said of his could not stop the Atlanta Hawks Butler scored 20 points each and will enjoy what the league called that gave him 50 points for the teammates. from a team-record 15th straight the Chicago Bulls topped Dallas to “prominent brand exposure” on Houston 113 Phoenix 111 game to become the 12th player in Marreese Speights had 19 victory. earn a win in the second of back- NHL broadcast, digital and social Golden State 126 Sacramento 101 franchise history to score at least points off the bench, while Paul Millsap had 22 points and to-back games. AGENCIES media platforms. AGENCIES

Sherman, Patriots used under-inflated balls: NFL Thomas set to WASHINGTON: The NFL will be to determine the explana- New England nothing about it until Monday. said yesterday that its ongo- tion for why footballs used in the Patriots’ head Patriots owner Robert Kraft said make return ing investigation into the New game were not in compliance with coach Bill investigators spent three days at England Patriots has shown the playing rules and specifically Belichick (centre) the team’s facility during which NEW YORK: The Seattle that the team used balls that whether any noncompliance was and Tom Brady they were given access to every Seahawks’ defense got a boost were under inflated during a the result of deliberate action,” (right) stand on full- and part-time employee they after Richard Sherman and victory that clinched a Super the NFL said in a statement requested to speak with and every Earl Thomas practiced ahead the sidelines Bowl berth. yesterday. communication device that they of their Super Bowl showdown during a time But the league said it has not The Patriots built a 17-7 lead wanted to search. against New England. made any judgments and will not in the first half on Sunday’s game out in the AFC “Competitive balance and the Sherman (elbow) and Thomas do so until it concludes the inves- and outscored the Colts 28-0 in Championship integrity of the game are the (shoulder) suffered injuries in last tigation and considered all of the the second half. Game against the foundation of what makes our Sunday’s NFC Championship win relevant evidence. The growing storm over the Indianapolis Colts league so special and I have the over Green Bay but both appear After nearly 40 interviews, the team’s use of illegal balls, which is in Foxborough, in utmost respect for those princi- ready to help Seattle pursue a NFL said evidence supports the being referred to as ‘deflate-gate,’ this January 18, ples,” Kraft gave his reaction in a second straight title. conclusion that illegal balls were has dominated the buildup to the 2015 file photo. statement. Hard-hitting safety Thomas used by the Patriots in the first February 1 Super Bowl versus the The NFL said it still needed took the practice field on Friday half but were properly inflated Seattle Seahawks. once they are approved. Patriots ball could have helped. Both to obtain more information, for the first time this week. for the second half of their 45-7 Under NFL rules, game balls quarterback Tom Brady threw Brady and Patriots head coach including video and other elec- “He’s a great communicator win over the Indianapolis Colts must be inflated to between three touchdown passes during Bill Belichick have professed tronic information and physical and he sends such a message on Sunday. 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square Sunday’s game in wet conditions innocence regarding the deflated evidence, before wrapping up its about the concerns,” said coach “The goals of the investigation inch and no alteration is allowed where a firm grip on a slippery ball issue and said they knew investigation. REUTERS Carroll. AGENCIES SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Dominant Schmid shines at Losail Porsche GT3 Cup: UAE driver wins Race 2, Kuwait’s Ashkanani falls 10 points behind

DOHA: Under glorious sun- shine at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Al Nabooda Racing’s Clemens Schmid was a shining example with a perfect weekend leading from start to Al Nabooda finish in Race 2 of Round 3 in Racing’s the region’s most competitive Clemens racing series, the Porsche GT3 Schmid poses Cup Challenge Middle East. with the The second successive victory trophy after in as many days gave the UAE winning Race resident an even larger lead at 2 of Round 3 the top of the drivers’ standings, of the Porsche extending the gap to 10 points GT3 Cup from rival at the symbolic halfway Challenge stage of the series from Kuwaiti Middle East star and defending champion Zaid at the Losail Ashkanani who finished second today. International Fahad Algosaibi was third with Circuit Skydive Dubai’s Saeed Al Mehairi in Doha, fourth and his team-mate Sheikh yesterday. Hasher Al Maktoum fifth. Just as he did in Race 1, Schmid had a powerful start to Race 2 but was immediately under pressure from his closest rival Ashkanani. Despite a few anxious moments where he almost lost control of the car the UAE resident kept his Overall Championship Standings After composure to hold off the Kuwaiti in what was an exciting and close Race 2 of Round 3 – Top 6 competition. The victory sees Schmid build Name Country Team Points a healthy 10 point lead over 1st Clemens Schmid UAE Al Nabooda Racing 144 Ashkanani in the drivers’ stand- 2nd Zaid Ashkanani Kuwait BuzaidGT 134 ings with three rounds gone but 3rd Hasher Al Maktoum UAE Skydive Dubai Falcons 118 three more still to come. 4th Charlie Frijns NED Team Frijns 110 Although Schmid backed up 5th Saeed Al Mehairi UAE Skydive Dubai Falcons 107 Action during Race 2 of Round 3 of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East at the Losail International his win in the opening race with 6th Raed Raffii BAH Team Bahrain 80 Circuit in Doha, yesterday. another victory it was a lot harder to earn as the Al Nabooda driver explained: wide twice but fought had to stay at the expense of his Emirati tracks outside of Dubai.” Race 1 and fourth, with Qatari resident duo and Frijns allowed Al Harthy “That was a very tough race ahead. I could feel Ashkanani partner but with just after the of Round 3 had shown just how Charlie Frijns right on their tail. to close in from seventh and also for so many reasons but it’s the closing in but I worked hard and halfway stage was able to squeeze important a good start can be In the early laps Schmid made Raed Raffii from eighth, but the perfect result for me, but more in the end it was a sweet victory,” past and secure fourth, nearly and in Race 2 the frontrunners two slight mistakes allowing pair were unable to challenge the importantly for Al Nabooda Schmid added. capturing third. all got away from the start line Ashkanani to close the gap pil- drivers up ahead and finished as Racing as today we won for the After starting from fifth on Speaking after Race 2 Al well. Ashkanani was unable to get ing the pressure on the champi- they had started. team. the grid Al Mehairi had a sen- Mehairi commented: “That was passed Schmid on pole and settled onship leader. Despite narrowing The region’s leading drivers will “I really struggled to get tem- sational start which saw him and a really good weekend for me in tightly behind the UAE resi- Schmid’s advantage in the closing line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 perature into the front tyres his Skydive Dubai team-mate, Al personally and for the team. Not dent on turn one. laps Ashkanani couldn’t quite get Cup again as the star attractions which made the car slide and Maktoum, both jump two places only do we have confidence in the The Skydive Dubai duo of Al passed his rival and had to settle at Losail International Circuit for hard to control,” he added. to third and fourth respectively. car we have real belief that this Mehairi and Al Maktoum had for second. Race 1 and Race 2 of Round 4 on “Yesterday’s race was a lot A mistake in the early laps meant is where we belong and that we the best start as they moved Further back in the field the the February 5 and 6. easier for me. Today I drifted Al Mehairi dropped down to fifth are capable of winning even on from fifth and sixth up to third competition between the Skydive THE PENINSULA Holroyd extends lead at Qatar Challenge DOHA: Mark Holroyd intensive but in the sixth lap pushing the cars really hard,” said am also happy that my best lap extended lead in the Qatar of the race, Saif Al Naimi had Holroyd. time was the second fastest in Challenge after his third win a mechanical problem and he “If it wasn’t for the re-start I the second race. It was an amaz- of the season, yesterday at the stopped the car so the race was think that Pavel would have beat ing close race between me and Losail International Circuit. stopped. me if I am very honest, but I gave Peter’ Wehbe told after the race. Even Holroyd didn’t had the Peter De Vido was third at the in my best and I was very defen- The third position was for David pole position yesterday as the moment of the red flag. sive, it was a very good test of my Walker. fastest driver in the qualify- In the re-start of the three laps defensive skills and fortunately at In the Radical Middle East ing was Pavel Nedobity, he took race, Holroyd started in the first the end of the race I came in the Cup, the winner of both races immediately the lead of the race position on the grid and he took first position. And really looking was the Russian driver Sergey just after the start overtaking again the lead crossing the cheq- forward the next race,” he added. Shalunov from the team Arloid Pavel in the firsts turns of the uered flag in first position. The second place went to IntraHouse. race. ‘It has been the most excit- Talal Wehbe who was extremely The leader in the Porsche Holroyd and Pavel were very ing race I’ve seen in the Qatar happy after his result. “I am super GT3 Cup Middle East Challenge, Mark Holroyd in action at the Qatar Challenge at the Losail International close during the first half of the Challenge and that is thanks to excited for this result because is Clemens Schmid won the second Circuit on Friday. race and the battling was very Pavel and Peter and the guys for my first race in Group N, and I race. THE PENINSULA Leinster seal quarter-finals spot Khan eyes clash with

LONDON: Former champions “They looked much the bet- old friend Pacquiao Leinster sealed top spot in Pool ter side in the first half, but we Two and a place in the European stepped it up in the second half.” LONDON: British welter- and Manny is definitely among Champions Cup quarter-finals In a Pool Five decider later weight Amir Khan (pictured) them. “Within the next few weeks, despite letting slip a command- yesterday Northampton Saints revealed a fight against Manny who I’m fighting should be a lot ing halftime lead to draw 20-20 are at home to Racing Metro, Pacquiao could be on the cards clearer. I want to give the fans at Wasps yesterday. although they are both guaran- after a meeting with his former the most exciting and entertain- Converted tries by winger teed a quarter-final place after sparring partner on Friday. ing fights in 2015 - so watch this Harlequins Fergus McFadden and scrum the Wasps result. Both have 19 Khan trained alongside space.” Khan and Pacquiao have fullback half Isaac Boss put Leinster 20-6 points, already enough to ensure Pacquiao for several years under both spoken recently of their wish Mike ahead at the break but Wasps one of the best runners-up berths. his old mentor Freddie Roach and to fight the world’s top fighter, Brown then came alive and Matt Mullan Meanwhile, Danny Cipriani is had previously maintained they Floyd Mayweather, without went over after 61 minutes with in line to sign a new deal with would never fight. actually securing (right) Andy Goode converting from the Sale, the English Premiership side But, despite a shot with the grabs an left touchline. said yesterday. their warm rela- American. aerial ball Number eight Nathan Hughes England fly-half Cipriani has tionship, both But in the during the then dived over the maul to touch been linked with a potentially men are now meantime they European down and Goode’s trusty boot lev- lucrative move to French and open to a bout could meet each Champions elled the score with 10 minutes European champions Toulon. following their other in the ring Cup rugby remaining at the Ricoh Arena. But the decision of England get-together at after Khan, 28, union Ian Madigan missed a late pen- coach Stuart Lancaster to revive the Fitzroy Lodge delivered argu- match alty for Leinster while Goode had the 27-year-old’s stop-start Test boxing club in ably a career- against a chance with a last-gasp drop career by including him in his London. best performance Castres at goal. initial Six Nations training squad “It was great when he won a the Pierre A draw was enough for Leinster earlier this week, and so boost seeing Manny landslide deci- Antoine to book a last-eight place and Cipriani’s chances of featuring at again as it’s been sion victory over Stadium leave Wasps sweating on being the World Cup later this year, has a while since we last met up,” American Devon Alexander in in Castres, one of the three best runners-up made a move to France’s Top 14 Khan said on Friday. December. yesterday. having edged out Harlequins to less attractive. “It is not signed on “He’s a good friend and we Pacquiao, 36, seems to be past second spot in the group. the dotted line yet, but it will be chatted about the past when we his peak but remains a massive “We probably should have won over the next three to four days,” were training together, his visit draw in the sport and he too that game. We didn’t get it right Diamond told Saturday’s edition to London and also a bit about would be happy to fight Khan. in the first half,” Wasps back row of Britain’s Daily Telegraph. the future. “Yes, there’s a big possibility, James Haskell said. “We are very close to agreeing “Even though we have that nothing personal, we’re just doing “Every time we went into their terms as we speak. We are just friendship, if it makes sense then our job in the ring,” he said on Sky half we came away with points, crossing the T’s and dotting the it’s a fight that can certainly hap- Sports News. but we only went into their half I’s over Danny’s career at Sale,” pen between us. I want to fight the “It’s not difficult for us because three times. he added. AGENCIES biggest and best names out there we respect each other.” AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT USA’s Keys stuns fourth seed Kvitova Teenager upsets two-time Wimbledon champ to enter fourth round of Aussie Open

MELBOURNE: American teenager Madison Keys toppled fourth seed Petra Kvitova 6-4, Djokovic 7-5 in an impressive display of clean hitting to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open blasts into yesterday. The 19-year-old captured the decisive break at 5-5 in the sec- last 16 ond set and served out the match nervelessly under the lights of MELBOURNE: Top seed Rod Laver Arena, stunning the Novak Djokovic powered into the two-time Wimbledon champion. fourth round at the Australian “I knew I was going to have to Open on the back of a potent play my best to beat her,” said service game to oust Spain’s Keys, who is coached by former tenacious Fernando Verdasco world number one Lindsay yesterday in what he said was a Davenport. “I just tried to stay big confidence booster. solid and consistently keep doing The Serb world number one what I was trying to do. beat the 31st seeded Verdasco “This is my first time in the 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 6-4 in 2hr 21min second week of a Grand Slam. and will play Luxembourg’s “I feel good about it. I feel like Gilles Muller for a place in the I’ve made a lot of improvements quarter-final. ... but at the same time it’s one of Djokovic, who is the strength- those things where I want more. ening favourite for his fifth I want to keep doing better. Australian Open title following “So I’m not really getting ahead Roger Federer’s shock exit in of myself and letting myself get Friday’s third round, made just too excited over this. I’m just two service breaks in a tight con- treating it like another win.” test on Rod Laver Arena. Keys’ win made it four The Australian Open is his American women in the last 16 at most successful major and he said Melbourne Park, the most since he used the memories of playing five made it to the fourth round of so successfully in Melbourne to the 2003 Australian Open. his advantage. “There’s four women into the Madison Keys of the USA reacts after beating Petra Kvitova of the Czech “It’s a great confidence booster Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after beating Fernando Verdasco fourth round. That’s big. I think Republic in their third round match of the Australian Open at Melbourne if you are on the court if you have of Spain in their third round match of the Australian Open in Melbourne it’s (US tennis) doing pretty well,” Park yesterday. great memories and you won the yesterday. Keys said. “It’s going in the right tournament four times,” he said. direction.” “She was going forward for it, quarter-finals, with the 24-year- “It’s not any tournament. It’s a 10 encounters, failed to get a serv- opportunities. I think the closest Keys’ hitting against Kvitova playing real aggressive from the old Brengle, a fan of the Lord of Grand Slam, one of the four most ice break in the Serb’s 16 service he was love-40 in the second set. justified her reputation as one of first point. I think that she played the Rings films, earlier joking that important events in our sport. games. And then couple of my service the most powerful ball strikers really, really fast, aggressively,” it could be a fight for the survival “I’m always trying to have “I thought I served very well, games in the third set. in the game, something that was said Kvitova. of the name. that in the back of my mind, the allowed myself to have a lot of free “But because I served well, I proved at last year’s French Open “She didn’t make a lot of mis- “A couple weeks ago she sent great performances I had over points in the first serve,” Djokovic think that’s what helped me to when officials measured the aver- takes at all (and) I felt the pres- me one of those funny (Internet) the years. I try to use that in my said. get out of the trouble in these big age speed of the ground-strokes of sure ... from the baseline. I was memes,” Brengle told reporters. advantage.” “I didn’t give him too many of moments.” every player. The teenager’s aver- staying on the line and try to hit “It was a picture of like one Djokovic’s serving was a fea- the similar serves. I changed the The seven-time Grand Slam age speed was faster than anyone it back, but it didn’t help. It was kid holding a door over another ture, winning 82 percent of his pace, the angles. I tried to go for champion hit 43 winners and else, men included, and she used tough.” kid. We need to recreate this pic- first serves. accuracy, vary with the serve, not showed exquisite touch around that power to pressure Kvitova at Keys will now play compatriot ture. There can only be one.” Verdasco, who had beaten give him rhythm. the net while serving at a high the baseline yesterday. Madison Brengle for a place in the REUTERS Djokovic in four of their previous “He had a couple of 73 percent. AFP Serena-Venus show returns Australian Open Results MELBOURNE: The Serena Davenport coached Key provided Venus’ progress during her own and Venus show that domi- the only upset. match. Venus won her last Grand MELBOURNE: Collated nated women’s tennis for years Serena, chasing her sixth Slam at Wimbledon in 2008 but results from day six of the returned to the Australian Open Australian crown, was at a loss to boasts an 8-0 record in 2015, Australian Open at Melbourne yesterday with an unheralded explain why she zoned out for the including a title in Auckland, say- Park yesterday: American teenager joining the second time in as many matches ing she was not just in Melbourne Men’s Singles Third Round: Stan evergreen Williams sisters in against Ukrainian 26th seed Elina to make up the numbers. Wawrinka (SUI x4) bt Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) the last 16. Svitolina before storming home “I’ve won big. It’s not like 6-4, 6-2, 6-4; Feliciano Lopez (ESP x12) bt In a banner day for the Stars 4-6, 6-2, 6-0. I haven’t done it before,” said Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-6 and Stripes, top seed Serena “I’m not sure. I need to figure the American, who will be out (7/3); Milos Raonic (CAN x8) bt Benjamin advanced despite conceding that out,” said Williams, vowing to avenge consecutive losses to Becker (GER) 6-4, 6-3, 6-3; Kei Nishikori her first set of the tournament, to intensify her focus against Poland’s Radwanska in the next (JPN x5) bt Steve Johnson (USA) 6-7 (7/9), with Venus also battling through dangerous Spanish 24th seed round. 6-1, 6-2, 6-3; Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) and Florida-based 19-year-old Garbine Muguruza in the fourth “This little cat has a few tricks bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-2, 6-4, 6-4; Novak Madison Keys sending fourth seed round. left,” she said. Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Fernando Verdasco Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark reacts during her second round match Petra Kvitova home. She said the catalyst for her Radwanska, a semi-finalist last (ESP x31) 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 6-4; Gilles Muller against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open in Melbourne Serena and Venus, aged 33 and comeback was Venus’ 4-6, 7-6 year, is emerging as the tour- (LUX) bt John Isner (USA x19) 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (8/6), 6-4; David Ferrer (ESP x9) bt Gilles on Thursday. 34 respectively, have 25 Grand (7/3), 6-1 win over Italy’s Camila nament dark horse under the Slams between them but will Giorgi, the first time her older tutelage of her new coach, the Simon (FRA x18) 6-2, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4). not have it all their own way in sister has been in the last 16 of legendary Martina Navratilova Women’s Singles Third Round: Agnieszka a tough half of the draw includ- a major since 2011, when she was after downing American Varvara Radwanska (POL x6) bt Varvara Lepchenko ing comeback queen Victoria diagnosed with the energy-sap- Lepchenko 6-0, 7-5. (USA x30) 6-0, 7-5; Garbine Muguruza (ESP Wozniacki to compete Azarenka, a two-time Australian ping Sjogren’s Syndrome. The 30th seed became the x24) bt Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 6-3, 4-6, champion. “She’s been through so much Pole’s third consecutive victim 6-0; Venus Williams (USA x18) bt Camila Sixth seed Agnieszka with her illness, with everything to taste the dreaded 6-0 “bagel”, Giorgi (ITA) 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1; Serena at Qatar Total Open Radwanska and last year’s final- that she’s had to do. Gosh, if she with Radwanska, 25, attributing Williams (USA x1) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR ist Dominika Cibulkova also can do it, I’m perfectly healthy, I’m her success to the tweaks 18-time x26) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0; Dominika Cibulkova burnished their title credentials fine. I should be able to do it, too,” Slam champion Navratilova has (SVK x11) bt Alize Cornet (FRA x19) 7-5, DOHA: One of the most popu- crowd and had a strong record in with easy wins, while the Lindsay said Serena, who was monitoring made to her game. AFP 6-2; Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Barbora lar players on the women’s ten- the past 12 months performing Zahlavova Strycova (CZE x25) 6-4, 6-4; nis tour has been added to the at the top level,” said Qatar Total Madison Brengle (USA) bt Coco Vandeweghe already strong player field for Open Tournament Director Saad (USA) 6-3, 6-2; Madison Keys (USA) bt Petra the 2015 Qatar Total Open. Al Mohannadi. Total Qatar National Junior Kvitova (CZE x4) 6-4, 7-5. Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, “We now have six players who the eighth ranked player in the have entered with top 10 rank- world, has been granted a wild- ings, all of them are from differ- Order of Play card into the main draw of the ent nationalities. This alone will 2015 Tournament final today MELBOURNE: Order of play February 23-28 event to be held make for a special tournament, on the main showcourts on day at the Khalifa International plus there are other players such DOHA: The Qatar Tennis of the Qatar National Junior seven of the Australian Open Tennis and Squash Complex here. as Venus Williams and Sam Federation, in partnership with Tournament and we are proud of today (prefix denotes seeding; Former world number one Stosur who are in the top 20 and Total, is organising the Total this partnership with the Qatar play begins at 0000 GMT on Wozniacki is on a strong surge up will be title contenders,” he said. Qatar National 2015 Junior Tennis Federation. We are confi- all courts). the rankings after a powerful fin- Wozniacki has played in Doha Tournament at the Khalifa dent that Total’s sponsorship will Rod Laver Arena ish to 2014, which saw her reach five times previously with her best International Tennis and help expand the interest and pop- 7-Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) vs Irina- the final of the US Open and the result in 2011 where she reached Squash Complex here. ularity of tennis among the youth Camelia Begu (Romania); 21-Peng Shuai year-end championship. the final before falling to Vera The competition began on in Qatar. Promoting sports among (China) vs 2-Maria Sharapova (Russia); She won her 22nd career sin- Zvonareva. January 18 and today the final will the Qatari youth is a main part of 14-Kevin Anderson (South Africa) vs 3-Rafa gles title in 2014 with a victory Already confirmed for the be played at 4.30pm, followed by our corporate social responsibility Nadal (Spain). at Istanbul and was also a final- Qatar Total Open are five other the prize-distribution ceremony programme as it is a major con- ist at Tokyo. She reached the top-10 ranked players — world at 6pm on Court 3. tribution to social development, Not before 0800 semi-finals of five WTA events — number three and defending Saad Al Mohannadi, Executive which is the fourth pillar of Qatar Yanina Wickmayer (Belgium) vs 3-Simona Dubai, Monterrey, Eastbourne, champion Simona Halep, current Director at QTF and Tournament National Vision 2030.” Halep (Romania); 6-Andy Murray (Britain) vs Cincinnati and Wuhan. Wimbledon champion and world Director of the upcoming Qatar With the continued sup- 10-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria). The 24-year-old also finished number four Petra Kvitova, world Total Open, said: “The Qatar As one of the select youth port of Total, the Qatar Tennis Margaret Court Arena the year in the top 10 rankings for number six Agnieszka Radwanska Tennis Federation is proud to national tennis tournaments in Federation provides young Qatari Not before 0200 the seventh straight time. from Poland, world number nine partner once again with Total in the country, over 60 boys and girls tennis players the best resources She started 2015 with a finals Angelique Kerber of Germany holding the Total Qatar National from Qatar are participating in and opportunities available to Julia Goerges (Germany) vs 10-Ekaterina appearance at Auckland before and world number 10 Ekaterina Junior 2015 Tournament. Total the week-long event in categories reach their maximum potential Makarova (Russia). losing to Venus Williams in three Makarova of Russia. have been well-known with their including boys – under-8, under- and compete in renowned tennis Not before 0400 sets and has continued her popu- Also in the player acceptance generous initiatives in supporting 9, under-10, under-12, under-14, tournaments locally, regionally 7-Tomas Berdych (Czech) vs Bernard Tomic larity on the tennis circuit with list are seven-time Grand Slam- youth community .The future of and under-18; for girls – under-8, and internationally. In addition, (Australia) fans around the world. winner Venus Williams, former Qatari tennis is on display during under-10, under-12 and under-14. the Qatar Tennis Federation is Hisense Arena “The Qatar Tennis Federation is US Open winner Sam Stosur this event and the Qatar Tennis Guillaume Chalmin, Managing fully committed to elevate the extremely happy to have Caroline from Australia and two-time Federation takes pride in growing Director of Total E&P Qatar, level of tennis in the country and Not before 0715 Wozniacki return to Doha, she is Grand Slam winner Svetlana the game and creating the stars said: “For the past three years, produce future champions. Nick Kyrgios (Australia) vs Andreas Seppi a very well-liked player with the Kuznetsova. THE PENINSULA of tomorrow.” Total has been the main sponsor THE PENINSULA (Italy). SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Iraq hero Ronaldo sees red in Real Mahmoud dreaming of Cup repeat CANBERRA: Iraq hero Younis win as Barcelona hit six Mahmoud said he’s dreaming of an incredible repeat Asian Cup win after taking centre-stage Ballon d’Or winner apologises for ‘rash act’ as Messi makes merry once again as they reached the semi-finals in dramatic fashion. The veteran, an icon for his MADRID: Gareth Bale scored winner in the 2007 final, was on a late winner from the penalty target against arch-rivals Iran spot after Cristiano Ronaldo before starring in the penalty had been sent off for the ninth shoot-out with an audacious time in his career as Real spot-kick. Madrid came from behind to Mahmoud, 31, made light of a beat Cordoba 2-1 yesterday. cauldron atmosphere in Canberra Barcelona remain just a point to chip a “panenka” penalty past behind the European champi- Iranian ‘keeper Alireza Haghighi ons having played a game more as Iraq snatched the shoot-out as Neymar and Lionel Messi 7-6. “I did it because I wanted to both scored twice in a 6-0 win at send a message to my players not 10-man Elche. to worry, look how easy it is to Madrid got off to the worst pos- score,” said Mahmoud, who scored sible start when Sergio Ramos Iraq’s second as it finished 3-3 handled inside his own area and after extra time. Nabil Ghilas slotted home the “I think it worked because resultant penalty. afterwards everybody hit their Karim Benzema levelled from penalties hard and strong and James Rodriguez’s corner mid- scored,” he added. way through the first-half, but Friday’s upset win over the Ronaldo’s frustration at a poor three-time champions puts Iraq performance seemed to have into a semi-final against South cost his side the chance of victory Korea and tantalisingly close to a when he lashed out at Edimar second fairytale triumph in eight seven minutes from time. years. However, the numbers were Celebratory gunfire erupted levelled up when Fede Cartabia in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and was shown a second yellow card traffic jams jammed the roads as for handling Bale’s free-kick thousands of young men took to inside the area, and in Ronaldo’s the streets, chanting and waving absence, the Welshman took the national flag. responsibility from the spot to Few would have predicted Iraq’s secure all three points. progress in the face of incredible “I apologise to everyone and odds, and not just the difficul- especially to Edimar for my rash ties of the deadly Islamic State act in the game today,” the 2015 Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left) is shown the red card during a La Liga match against Cordoba at the Nuevo Arcangel insurgency. Ballon d’Or winner wrote on his Stadium yesterday. RIGHT: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi lifts his Brazilian team-mate Neymar after scoring a goal against Elche FC Iraq’s coach at the Asian Cup official Twitter account. during a La Liga game at the Martinez Valero Stadium in Elche yesterday. is Radhi Shenaishil, on tempo- “I haven’t seen it yet and I rary loan from Qatar Sports Club still haven’t spoken with him so Slowly, though, Madrid began weak shot was easily held by It was a far more comfort- second yellow card to leave the after Hakim Shakir was axed just I can’t judge,” Madrid boss Carlo to find their feet and drew level Casillas. able evening for Barcelona once hosts a man short in the final half weeks before the tournament. Ancelotti said of Ronaldo’s dis- on 27 minutes when Rodriguez’s The best chance of all fell to Gerard Pique had chested down hour. And Mahmoud has been with- missal. “We suffered in this game, corner was flicked on by Bale Florin Andone when he pounced Xavi Hernadez’s free-kick to open And it showed as Messi teed up out a club for the past year fol- but it is was important to get the and Benzema slammed home his on a poor header by Raphael the scoring 10 minutes before Neymar to sweep home the third lowing his departure from Saudi three points and we managed to 15th goal of the season from close Varane, but Casillas did just half-time. and better was to come from the Arabia’s Al Ahli. do it.” range. enough to turn his attempted lob A slick counter-attack 10 min- South American duo 19 minutes Questions were asked about The enthusiasm generated by However, Cordoba will rue on to the bar. utes after the break handed the from time when Messi’s lofted Mahmoud’s fitness given his lack Madrid’s first visit in 44 years not making the most of a host of Ronaldo’s frustrations then visitors the chance to double their pass was volleyed high into the of game-time in 2014 but the ensured there was a full house opportunities to seal a famous win boiled over when he was rightly advantage when Neymar was net by the Brazilian for his 19th number 10 has bagged two goals at the Nuevo Arcangel and the after the break. dismissed for kicking out at scythed down by Sergio Pelegrin goal of the season. along with his penalty kick. home fans had plenty to cheer Cartabia was desperately Edimar. inside the area and, unlike when Messi made it 5-0 with a classic “People had a lot of doubts within the first two minutes as unlucky to see his shot from the Yet, Ancelotti’s men still man- he missed from the spot against left-footed finish into the bottom about him but I don’t search on Manchester United reject Bebe edge of the area fly just wide aged to grind out a vital victory Atletico Madrid in midweek, corner two minutes from time social media and look for these saw his shot cannon off Ramos’s before a scintillating run by when Bale made no mistake from Messi confidently slotted home before Neymar squared for Pedro things,” said Shenaishil. “Today he arm and Ghils converted from the Bebe took him past a host the spot after Cartabia clearly the penalty. Rodriguez to round off the scoring played four halves, he was amaz- spot. of Madrid defenders but his handled his initial free-kick. Faycal Fajr was then shown a in stoppage time. AFP ing and scored two goals.” Violence plaguing swathes of the country has made training and organising friendlies diffi- Mali foiled again in Ivory Coast draw cult, but Shenaishil has moulded a young team full of spirit and fight. MALABO: Hapless Mali were of Ivorian domination until half- an awkward height to lash the Diakite went off injured and “If you look at Iraq’s history, denied a famous win over Ivory time substitute Max Gradel lev- ball emphatically into the bot- was replaced by Germain Berthe violence has been going on for Coast when they conceded a late elled with three minutes left. tom corner. midway through the second half, years, it’s normal. There is noth- equaliser for the second game It was the third straight Furious Ivory Coast coach although Mali still looked capable ing new about this situation, we in a row and were held to a 1-1 1-1 draw in Group D, where Herve Renard, who led Zambia to of holding on. are used to it as a team,” the draw in the African Nations Cameroon were facing Guinea the title in 2012, kicked water bot- In a rare attack, Mali nearly coach said. Cup yesterday. later on Saturday in the second tles on the touchline and angrily sealed the points when Sylvain Mahmoud admitted his Mali had not scored in their half of a double bill, and left Mali reprimanded his players as they Gbohouo dropped a cross and thoughts keep returning to 2007, previous six meetings against and Ivory Coast with two points. struggled to create chances Wilfried Kanon hacked the ball when Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 their more illustrious neighbours The match began dramatically against dogged opponents. off the line. in the final in Jakarta, as he faces but Bakary Sako quickly put that when Ismael Diaomonde lost The Ivorians had a penalty But the Ivorians finally up to Monday’s semi-final with right with a brilliant volley after possession in midfield and Mali, appeal turned down when Wilfried broke them down when Serge Ivory Coast’s midfielder Max the Taeguk Warriors. seven minutes. semi-finalists in the last two tour- Bony was clumsily knocked over Aurier’s pass was deflected into Gradel celebrates after scoring “South Korea are a very, very The Eagles, who had conceded naments, broke upfield. by Molla Wague and Kolo Toure’s Gradel’s path and he scored with a goal during an African Cup of strong team,” he said. “But my an 83rd minute equaliser in a The ball was swept out to header was tipped onto the bar by a low shot which went under Nations Group D match against memory keeps going back to 2007, 1-1 draw with Cameroon in their Sambou Yatabare on the right Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite Berthe’s outstretched arm. Mali in Malabo yesterday. I can’t stop thinking about it. I opening game, resisted 80 minutes and Sako met his curled cross at before halftime. REUTERS hope it happens again.” AFP Sensation as Chelsea, Man City humbled in FA Cup

LONDON: Premier League were beaten by equalised 15 min- Dhabi for a warm-weather train- title challengers Chelsea and Bradford. English FA Cup utes from time. ing camp after they were elimi- Manchester City both crashed But his words A money- nated by Middlesbrough. out of the FA Cup after being came back to spinning replay Currently second in the sensationally beaten by lower- haunt him as Results beckoned for the Championship, Middlesbrough league opponents in the fourth the League One Fourth Round team who are weathered heavy pressure in the round yesterday. team pulled off Birmingham 1 (Grounds 45) West Brom currently seventh first half before capitalising on A weakened Chelsea team an upset that 2 (Anichebe 25, 35); Blackburn 3 (Taylor in the third tier, some farcical defending to take threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at brought to mind 23, Gestede 78, Conway 89) Swansea 1 51 places below a 53rd-minute lead through home to third-tier Bradford City their stunning (Sigurdsson 21); Cardiff 1 (Jones 25) Reading Chelsea, but they on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick in one of the biggest upsets in the run to the League 2 (Norwood 64, Robson-Kanu 88); Chelsea went ahead in Bamford. competition’s recent history, while Cup final in 2 (Cahill 21, Ramires 38) Bradford 4 (Stead the 82nd minute Fernando’s back-pass sold City lost 2-0 to Championship 2013. 41, Morais 75, Halliday 82, Yeates 90); when Andy Willy Caballero short and after high-fliers Middlesbrough at the Chelsea made Derby 2 (Bent 20, Hughes 82) Chesterfield Halliday found the City goalkeeper collided with Etihad Stadium. nine changes to 0; Manchester City 0 Middlesbrough 2 the top corner Albert Adomah, Fernando slid With Southampton beaten 3-2 the team that (Bamford 53, Garcia 90); Preston 1 (Gallagher from 18 yards. in to clear, only to play the ball by Crystal Palace, it means that had drawn 1-1 19) Sheffield United 1 (De Girolamo 68); Mourinho against Bamford, whose touch none of the Premier League’s with Liverpool in Southampton 2 (Pelle 9, Dann 16-og) introduced took the ball in. top three teams will feature in Tuesday’s League Crystal Palace 3 (Chamakh 11, 39, Sanogo Willian, Cesc After Lee Tomlin had hit the Monday’s fifth-round draw, blow- Cup semi-final 21); Sunderland 0 Fulham 0; Tottenham 1 Fabregas and post for Middlesbrough, with ing the competition wide open. first leg and took (Townsend 19-pen) Leicester 2 (Ulloa 83, Eden Hazard Frank Lampard replying in kind, Manchester United, who are a 21st-minute Schlupp 90) from the bench, substitute Kike secured victory fourth in the Premier League, lead when Gary Playing later but it was for the visitors in stoppage time face a replay against fourth-divi- Cahill flicked in Liverpool vs Bolton (1730 GMT) Bradford who by finishing off a counter-attack sion Cambridge United after a Oscar’s corner. had the final say led by Bamford. 0-0 away draw against the League Ramires made it 2-0 in the as substitute Mark Yeates calmly City, who visit Chelsea in the Two club on Friday. 38th minute after a one-two with slotted home to claim his own league next weekend, have now Bradford City’s Potuguese midfielder Filipe Morais (right) celebrates with Chelsea manager Jose Mohamed Salah, but Jon Stead piece of FA Cup folklore. lost successive home games for his team-mates after scoring a goal against Chelsea during a FA Cup Mourinho had warned prior to replied for Bradford three min- City manager Manuel Pellegrini the first time in three years, hav- fourth-round match at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. kick-off at Stamford Bridge that utes later and former Chelsea was left to face questions about ing lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal it would be a “disgrace” if his side youth player Filipe Morais his side’s midweek trip to Abu last weekend. AFP SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Quote of the day “This morning, I woke up, I went through a little bit of Day of drama as amazing the previous videos of when I won just to try to get me in the right frame of mind and it worked. It was a nice way to wake up. “The Middle East is one Grace wins Qatar Masters of the places I’ve always wanted to win. I’ve thought my game suits these type of golf courses, and I play well This is definitely one of the tournaments that I wanted to win: Grace when I come here. “These are big now, so BY RIZWAN REHMAT this is one of the wins that’s really putting me back on DOHA: Branden Grace yester- the map now. I think I’ll be day became the fourth South in the top 50 or just outside African to win the $2.5m Qatar (on the Official World Golf Masters but not before pro- Ranking). ducing a bit of dramatic golf late on the fourth evening of Branden Grace after the European Tour-sanctioned winning the 2015 event. Qatar Masters Grace won his sixth European Tour title with a dramatic one- shot victory over Scotland’s Marc Qatar Masters Final Warren at the Doha Golf Club Branden Grace of (DGC). South Africa with Round Scores It was Grace’s second win the ‘Mother of Pearl DOHA:Leading scores in in four starts this season that Trophy’ after he won Doha yesterday after the final brought an additional $416,000 for the Commercial round of the Qatar Masters: his efforts over the weekend at Bank Qatar Masters 269 Branden Grace (RSA) DGC which was hosting the 18th at Doha Golf Club 67-68-68-66 edition of the event. (DGC) yesterday. For the second day in succes- Grace became the 270 Marc Warren (SCO) 71-65-67-67 sion, Grace produced magical golf fourth South African – a drive to five feet on the par to win the $2.5m 271 Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) four 16th hole setting up a decisive 69-66-68-68 Qatar Masters. It was eagle as he carded a bogey-free the 26-year-old’s 272 Eddie Pepperell (ENG) round of 66 for overall scores of 69-71-65-67 19 under par 269. sixth title win on the European Tour. 273 An Byeong-Hun (KOR) Warren, 33, could only par 18 67-69-72-65, Emiliano for after a steady but minus-the- PICTURES: EBRAHIM KUTTY Grillo (ARG) 67-69-67-70, frills 67 to secure the second spot. Grégory Bourdy (FRA) When pressure mounted, 70-68-70-65 Warren could only par the final 274 Alejandro Cañizares (ESP) hole after missing the fairway and 67-70-68-69 landing in the rough. “It was a great day, a great 275 Alexander Norén (SWE) week, and it’s another trophy to 67-71-72-65 put in the cupboard,” Grace at 276 Oliver Fisher (ENG) 65-73- the presentation ceremony. “I’m 69-69, Benjamin Hébert going to thank Callaway again – (FRA) 72-68-69-67 that driver again on 16 to four 277 George Coetzee (RSA) feet; without that it wouldn’t be 68-67-70-72 possible. 278 Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73- “That wedge on the fifth hole, 69-68, Henrik Stenson that was a shot that you want to (SWE) 70-71-71-66, hit but you don’t always man- win, so I’m proud of myself that European Tour result as he shot the lead with five other players and par putt on 17 was key. On Magnus Carlsson (SWE) age it. The form has been there, I managed to do it,” said Grace, a 65 to lie 15-under, sharing fifth before making a move with slick 18, the putt was actually a similar 71-69-70-68, Johan Carlsson I played great and I managed to who finished joint sixth in 2013 place with Gregory Bourdy (65) birdies on holes 12 and 14. distance and similar break, and I (SWE) 74-65-69-70, Soren get in on top,” he added. and tied for 13th last year. of France and young Argentine The South African shared lead told myself: ‘You just made one Kjeldsen (DEN) 73-70-67- Grace, 26, yesterday became “The Middle East is one of the Emiliano Grillo (70). with Wiesberger and Warren on 17, you can do it again,” Grace 68, Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) the fourth South African to lift places I’ve always wanted to win. World No. 2 Henrik Stenson, before powering clear with a said. “You make it, you think 70-73-67-68 the ‘Mother of Pearl Trophy’ – I’ve thought my game suits these the top-ranked player in the field, spectacular eagle on the 295-yard, you’re going to win, and if you 279 Anders Hansen (DEN) following in the footsteps of com- types of golf courses and I play carded a 66 to finish on 10-under par-four 16th, when he drove to miss, you know that pretty much 71-69-70-69, Julien Quesne patriots Darren Fichardt (2003), well when I come here. I started and was joined by Ryder Cup six feet from the flag. you’re not going to win it. I had a (FRA) 70-72-69-68, Andy Ernie Els (2005) and Retief off the season well in 2012 as well, team-mate Justin Rose (68), the After a par on the short 17th, nice putt, but then the wait starts Sullivan (ENG) 71-68-70- Goosen (2007). so hopefully it’s a good season and World No. 5. Grace laid up on the par-five 18th and I watched the television as 70, Seve Benson (ENG) The young South African – it just continues forward.” Former champion Els (71), and nailed his third shot to six Marc finished his round.” 70-71-69-69 who burst onto the world stage Earlier yesterday, Wiesberger the four-time Major champion, feet. While walking to the green, Grace started the week as 280 Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) with an impressive four European (68) finished third at 17-under a finished 8-under, while defend- Grace became aware that Warren World No.79 and was projected 73-65-74-68, Matthew Tour title wins three years ago – week after the Austria No. 1 fin- ing champion Sergio Garcia shot had birdied 16 and 17 to draw level to return to the world’s top 50 Baldwin (ENG) 70-68- was presented with the winner’s ished sixth in Abu Dhabi. his third 69 of the week to finish on 18-under, so the South African after his latest success, putting 70-72, Thongchai Jaidee cheque by Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, Playing steady golf through- four-under, with his title defence was under pressure to sink a cru- him in contention for Majors and (THA) 69-73-69-69, Ernie CEO of Commercial Bank. out the week, young Englishman undone by a horrendous 77 on cial birdie putt that ultimately WGC events. Els (RSA) 67-72-70-71, Qatar Golf Association (QGA) Eddie Pepperell (67) finished Friday. secured the title. “These are the things that we Darren Fichardt (RSA) President Hassan Al Nuaimi fourth on 16-under. Grace was a joint-leader after “I started with a nice birdie and need as golfers to push us to the 67-70-71-72, Felipe Aguilar joined Al Raisi in presenting the In a sterling performance that rounds two and three, then moved then the round didn’t go really next level – it’s just nice that I (CHI) 71-68-72-69, Álvaro winner’s trophy. would be noticed around the to 14-under after a birdie on his my way, but I just stuck to my could do it at a place like this and Quirós (ESP) 70-70-72-68 “This is definitely one of the world, rising Korean star Ben opening hole yesterday. After 10 guns and made a couple of bird- in a special way like this,” Grace 281 Ricardo González (ARG) tournaments that I wanted to An Byeong-hun enjoyed his best straight easy pars, Grace shared ies. Making that eagle putt on 16 said. THE PENINSULA 69-70-73-69, Michaël Lorenzo-Vera (FRA) 70-70- 69-72, Ross Fisher (ENG) 70-70-73-68 Spectacular scores for young Korean 282 Kristoffer Broberg (SWE) 67-71-72-72, Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 71-70- DOHA: Ben An Byeong-hun “I still pretty well today. I’m 70-71, Pablo Larrazábal finished as the highest-placed happy with it,” said An, compet- (ESP) 71-71-67-73, Rafael Asian at the Commercial Bank ing in his rookie season on The Cabrera (ESP) 66-73-70-73, Qatar Masters after a brilliant European Tour after three years European Stephen Gallacher (SCO) closing 65 and a 15-under-par on the Challenge Tour. 68-75-72-67 Tour rookie total secured a share of fifth “If I had taken all my chances, Ben An 283 Thomas Pieters (BEL) place, for his best-ever finish on I might have had a chance of win- Byeong-hun 73-68-68-74, Brett Rumford The European Tour. ning. I did have many chances, but (AUS) 69-72-73-69, Richard in action Thailand No. 1 Thongchai I missed a couple of birdie putts. Green (AUS) 70-67-76-70, Jaidee, a six-time European Tour It could have been better, but 65, at the Renato Paratore (ITA) winner, closed with a 69 to share I’ll definitely take it.” Commercial 69-69-70-75, Shiv Kapur 23rd place on eight-under, three An finished 12th in Abu Bank Qatar (IND) 70-68-72-73, Jeev shots ahead of the remainder of Dhabi last week and continued Masters. He Milkha Singh (IND) the Asian contingent at Doha Golf an excellent run of form that led the list of 70-70-73-70, Thomas Club. was kick-started by finishing Asian players Aiken (RSA) 69-73-72- Thai slugger Kiradech as the top Asian at The Open on all four 69, Kiradech Aphibarnrat Aphibarnrat shot a 69 to fin- Championship last July, before he days of the (THA) 68-71-75-69 ish five-under and was joined by became the first Korean to win on competition. 284 James Morrison (ENG) Indian duo Jeev Milkha Singh the Challenge Tour the following 68-70-75-71, Dawie Van der (70) and Shiv Kapur (73), with month. Walt (RSA) 72-69-70-73, all three finishing in a group shar- “My goal was a top 10 this week Peter Lawrie (IRL) 70-68- ing 38th place. and I did it, so I’m quite happy,” 73-73, Sergio García (ESP) An, the leading Asian on all said An, who stands almost six- 69-69-77-69, Maximilian four days of his tournament foot three-inches tall. Kieffer (GER) 71-68-73- debut, started the final round five “It’s a good start to the season, 72, Paul Lawrie (SCO) shots off the pace and partnered definitely. Last week I missed out 67-73-73-71 with former champion Darren on the top 10 by a shot, but I kept The Numbers Game at DGC 285 Michael Hoey (NIR) 71-69- Fichardt in the seventh-last the momentum going.” 66 Branden Grace’s flawless final round secured the South African a 12 Shots under par Englishman Eddie Pepperell was over the closing 74-71, Edouard Espana group of the day. Having moved to the USA a second European Tour title this season and a sixth of his career two rounds. He finished fourth. (FRA) 70-73-70-72, Mark After soaring up the leader- decade ago and claimed the 2009 26 At 26 and 248 days Grace is the second youngest South African to 57 bogey-free holes to finish for Emiliano Grillo Foster (ENG) 67-73-70-75, board with birdies at three, four US Amateur Championship at win six European Tour titles (Only Schwarztel was younger) 70 hole bogey-free streak from Alejandro Canizares came to an end Andrew Johnston (ENG) and six, the tall 23-year-old then the age of 17, An surprised many 54 Grace is now 54 under par for this season (16 rounds) on the third hole in round four 69-73-72-71, Tom Lewis challenged the leaders after an when, a year after turning pro in 54 Events between his first and most recent European Tour victories 602 days since Alex Noren last shot as low as his 65 yesterday. Welcome (ENG) 72-71-69-73, Jason Barnes (ENG) 72-70-72-71 eagle on the par-five 10th and 2011, he started to ply his trade 100 Per cent win record for the Pretorian when leading or co-leading back! a birdie on 11. Although a bogey on the Challenge Tour in Europe. heading into the final round 18 Editions now of the Qatar Masters 286 Peter Uihlein (USA) 69-73- on 15 set him back, the laid-back However, it all paid off last year, 71-73, Damien McGrane 353,257 Euros heading Grace’s way for his troubles 216 Total birdies for the week on 16. But it was an eagle that made the Korean responded with back-to- when he finished third in the (IRL) 68-72-74-72, Grégory difference for the eventual winner Grace yesterday. back birdies on 16 and 17 before a money list to earn a full European 3- Where Grace moves to in The 2015 Race to Dubai on 629,654 points Havret (FRA) 70-69-75-72, par at the last helped him set an Tour card for 2015. 6 Shots under par Marc Warren was for the final 10 holes, yet still 699 Kilometres by road from Doha to Dubai host venue for the Desert Eduardo De La Riva (ESP) early clubhouse lead. THE PENINSULA had to settle for second place Classic next week 70-69-72-75 SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Germany finish as Group D leaders Former champions to face Egypt in last-16

DOHA: Former champions even find it necessary to go for- Sellin, left wing Matthias Musche Germany finished as Group ward into their usual 5-1 defence, and line player Erik Schmidt - D leaders after a 36-19 win and their coach Dagur Sigurdsson who made a race for the position over Saudi Arabia at Lusail used the opportunity to give as top scorer. At the end, Musche Multipurpose Hall yesterday. match praxis to his substitutes. was most successful with 11 goals, Germany had already quali- This did not make the German while three players scored three fied for the quarter-finals going game any less efficient, though, each for Saudi Arabia. into the match, but they still and in between the Germans Germany will face Egypt in the needed a win to be absolutely entertained the crowd with spec- eighth-final match tomorrow. sure to win the group, while tacular goals. In another match of Group D, Saudi Arabia were sure to fin- A more aggressive Saudi Denmark defeated against Poland ish last no matter the result of defence managed to briefly 31-27 to clinch the second spot.. their last game. confuse the Germans, but still Right wing Hans Lindberg Just as expected, Germany got Germany could take a comfort- scored six goals for the winning the win they needed without any able 18:8 lead with them to half Danes, while right back Andrzej trouble. time. Rojewski scored five for Poland. With 68 goals in their first Five Saudi Arabian goals in In the pre-quarter-final four matches, Saudi Arabia was succession early in the second match-ups, Denmark will face the lowest scoring team in the half brought them within eight Iceland tomorrow at Lusail while tournament before the last match goals of Germany, but with time- Poland take on Sweden in Ali day, but in their final games in the out, Dagur Sigurdsson made sure Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena, group phase, they actually scored that they did not get any closer, also tomorrow. their second highest number of and at then, the German landed In another Group D match, goals in a match in the tourna- a 17 goal victory. Argentina defeated Russia, to join Germany’s Matthias Musche (left) in action against Ahmad Alabdulali of Saudi Arabia during the 24th Men’s ment, reaching 19 goals. As it was the day of the German Denmark, Poland and Germany Handball World Championship match at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall yesterday. RIGHT: Germany’s Musche This may partly be due to the substitutes, it was also three as the qualifiers from the group. celebrates after receiving the Man-of-the-Match award. fact that the Germans did not of those – right wing Johannes THE PENINSULA Lusail Multipurpose Hall committed to reducing carbon footprint

DOHA: The Qatar Olympic sustainable built environment Lusail is such that it can draw Also in the couple of years, Committee and its allied asso- that minimizes ecological impact water out of thin air (fog). And the stadium complex will be ciations are living by the phrase in the region. this is so clean that it can be used surrounded by a massive land- ‘Nothing is Impossible’. “You won’t believe that Lusail for drinking.” scape of 350.000 sqm, decorated The state-of-the-art Lusail had already been awarded the 3 “Apart from this feature, we with shaded trees, walking/jog- Multipurpose Hall, one of the stars on design and when evalu- are effectively utilising grey water ging and bicycling tracks, an three venues for the 24th Men’s ation of the structure was done, for optimisation of resources,” he outdoor covered gym, as well as Handball World Championship we managed to bag the fourth star added. playgrounds. isn’t just an architectural marvel, as well,” said the engineer, with a And it’s not just optimisation IHF president Dr Hassan but a ‘Green Building’ for it is not sense of pride. of water that Qatar’s pioneer- Moustafa was clearly impressed. just environmentally responsible And that’s not all for the entire ing engineers have focused on at “You can see that the standard but also resource-efficient. stadium was constructed within a Lusail, for the stadium is installed of organisation and venues here “The Lusail Multipurpose Hall very short span. with energy and power saving is more than an Olympic Games has been awarded the prestig- “We started the project in devices with automated features standard.” ious 4 GSAS stars for employing December 2012 and by the end like sensors and centralised con- “Since 2000 I have been the IHF eco-friendly construction and of 2014 it was complete,” added trolling systems. President and before that I was sustainability techniques,” said Al Mohannadi, who is also the Electro-mechanical low Chairman of the Commission of Khaled Hamad Al Mohannadi, Assistant Secretary General for voltage devices in spectators, Coaching and Methods, so I have the project director of the Lusail Technical Support at the Qatar athletes, media, VIP, VVIP, been involved with organising a Sports Arena. Olympic Committee. logistics, workforce and other lot of World Championships and Khaled Hamad Al Mohannadi, Project Director of Lusail Sports Arena The Global Sustainability Elaborating on the eco-friendly areas and bio-dryers in rest attended many Olympic Games. (centre), with Mubarak Al Boainin (left), Board Member of Sports Press Assessment System (GSAS) is a aspects of Lusail Multipurpose rooms, and other features have I can honestly say these venues Committee of Qatar Olympic Committee and Gianni Merlo, AIPS rating system developed by the Hall, Al Mohannadi said, not just added to the efficiency and infrastructure here in Doha President, near a digital wayfinder at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in Gulf Organisation for Research “Probably the most innovative of the building, it has even are the best I have seen,” added Doha yesterday. and Development (GORD), feature that has been used here reduced the carbon footprint Dr Moustafa. with an objective of creating a is ‘Fog Harvesting’. The design of of the stadium. THE PENINSULA Fans from Arab world dominate at Qatar 2015

DOHA: Sports fans from across the Arab world have electrified the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship, bringing their passionate support for national teams on their home turf. With a diverse set of countries competing against one another in a round-robin, fans from around the world, and especially from Arab nations, have been cheer- ing on their national teams with fervour, while also praising the event’s organisation and world- class arenas. Chanting songs, banging drums, and waving flags –thou- sands of Egyptian fans living in Qatar celebrated the hard-fought wins of “The Pharaohs” against North African rivals Algeria and the Czech Republic. Egypt currently stands third in Group C and drew its last match against Sweden and has quali- Handball fans from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria support national teams at the 24th fied for the pre-quarterfinals of Men’s Handball World Championship in Qatar. the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship. Handball is the second most the Middle East. Egypt has a very handball – there is strong organi- best, I’ve ever seen in my life.” The popular sport to football in Egypt good handball team, and I expect sation, many stadiums, and good Kingdom of Saudi Arabia fought and its popularity is evident from we will win the championship. hotels for fans.” hard in their opening losses in the number of Egyptian nationals Draped in their green and red Tunisia, nicknamed the “Eagles Group D but loyal fans continue coming to show their support for flag colours, Algerian fans liv- of Carthage”, had their wings to show their support for the the team. The stadia are filled with ing in Qatar and traveling from clipped in their opening match country. Handball has grown in waving flags, non-stop cheers and home pumped up the “Greens”. against Macedonia. Despite popularity significantly in the passionate reactions to every play. Ooredoo Algeria, the Algerian the loss, fans remained hope- MENA region in recent years, Anas Hazzaa, an Egyptian arm of Qatar-based communica- ful that the runners-up to the and this year’s Championship national who lives in Doha, and tions company Ooredoo, flew over 2014 African Men’s Handball provides an important platform a self-professed “ultra-fan” for more than 100 of Algeria’s most Championship would continue to compare the progress made by Cairo’s Zamalek Sporting Club, passionate fans to Qatar specifi- their success at Qatar 2015. national teams on the pitch. attends every Egyptian sporting cally for the event. Dr Abdulrahman El Qadi, a Fans from Egypt, Algeria, match in Qatar. Aidel Salima, a handball coach Tunisian national who has lived Tunisia and Saudi Arabia have “All of the Egyptians in Qatar in Algiers, was sponsored by in Qatar for 12 years, has bought come to show their support and came to the match against Ooredoo Algeria. tickets to all of Tunisia’s matches. thanks to the organizing commit- Algeria,” he said. “Algerian fans are very passion- “I wish the best for the other Arab tee, more people from across the “It’s special because there are ate and expressive about sports,” teams,” he said. “The opening cer- region are discovering the excite- many matches between the two she said. “There are a lot of pos- emony was amazing, and the Lusail ment of handball. countries; this is like a derby for sibilities in Qatar for sport and Multipurpose Hall is one of the THE PENINSULA Sunday 25 January 2015 5 Rabial II 1436 Volume 19 Number 6321 Sport Price: QR2

Thomson sets Keys stuns record as fourth seed Warriors win Kvitova

Sport | 22 Sport | 24

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Argentina, Iceland Grace reigns supreme at Qatar Masters reach last-sixteen France down Sweden to finish on top

DOHA: Argentina and Iceland was revolving around level terms clinched the last two remain- 24th Men’s Handball for most of the second half, 23-23 ing pre-quarter-final slots at in the 44th minute. the 24th Men’s World Handball World Championship At the end of the match the Championship. Argentinians were leading with In Group D, Argentina over- Results and Fixtures the 2-3 goals difference being vis- came a fighting Russia 30-27 Group C ibly the better team in the field of to book a place in the knockout Iceland 28 Egypt 25 play. The Russians look nothing stage of the championship, while France 27 Sweden 25 but tired. in Group C, Iceland got the better Czech Republic 36 Algeria 20 Shishkarev was Russia’s top of Egypt 28-25. Group D scorer with seven goals. Yesterday at Duhail Sports Pizarro was the most prolific Germany 36 Saudi Arabia 19 Hall, the Russians needed a win scorer for Argentina with 9 goals. against Argentina in order to Argentina 30 Russia 27 Argentina now move onto the progress to the next stage. Denmark 31 Poland 27 knock-out phase and they will The Argentinians could have Qualified Teams take on the winners of Group C afforded a draw which was Sixteen teams which will play in the pre- Sweden or France on Monday. enough for their appearance quarter-finals At Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah in the advanced stages of the Group A: Spain, Qatar, Slovenia, Brazil Arena in Al Sadd, Iceland beat tournament. Egypt 28-25 in their last match Group B: Croatia, Macedonia, Austria, The Gladiators opened the to secure third place in Group C. Tunisia Branden Grace (left) of South Africa receiving the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters trophy from Hassan Al scoring in the second minute Czech Republic and Algeria Group C: Sweden, France, Egypt, Iceland Nuaimi, President of Qatar Golf Association (QGA) and Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, CEO of Commercial Bank at and doubled the score a minute missed the qualification race from the Doha Golf Club. (See also page 26) later. The Russians replied Group D: Germany, Denmark, Poland, the gropp and will continue in the with one goal and from thereon Argentina President’s Cup. Argentinians started to mount Pre-quarter-final fixtures today Gudjon Valur Sigurdsson pressure on the Russians increas- At Lusail Multipurpose Hall showed his class in decisive ing their lead quite masterfully. Qatar vs Austria, 6.30pm moments for the winners and Diego Simonet, a major weapon Spain vs Tunisia, 9.00pm emerged as top scorer with 13 in the Argentinian arsenal was goals, while Mahmoud Radwan At Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena particularly active in his team’s netted five for Egypt. scoring efforts. Macedonia vs Slovenia, 6.30pm In Group C, France beat However, the Russians did Croatia vs Brazil, 9.00pm Sweden 27-25 to finish on top. not look particularly shocked The French team will play and even managed to take the This sending off kick started against Argentina at the start of lead in the middle of the first the Argentinian team’s efforts to knock-out stage on Monday, while half. Atman was instrumental in regain control in the game. Sweden will face Poland, the third Russia’s efforts to catch up with In the end the Argentinians team of Group D. the Argentinians. managed to retake the lead at the Jonas Källman showed all of One of Argentina’s key players last third of the first period due his class with a series of powerful Sebastian Simonet saw a straight to their coordinated team efforts goals, eight in total, for Sweden. red card in the 16th minute after 17-16 to Argentina. Guillaume Joli, top scored with hitting Ruissia’s Shishkarev in the Both teams started the second nine goals for France. face 9-7 to Russia. half with a frantic pace. The score THE PENINSULA

Action from the match between Iceland and Egypt at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Al Sadd, yesterday. RIGHT: Denmark’s coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson reacts during the Group D match against Poland at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall. BOTTOM: A Swedish player scores past the French keeper at Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena. PICTURES BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT