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Thursday 25 December 2014 • 3 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6290 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

IS captures Jordan pilot Black teen shot GCC manpower dead in US

BERKELEY: Officials scram- bled to head off renewed anger yesterday after an armed black agencies set teenager was shot dead by a white officer in a St Louis sub- urb, insisting the use of force was justified. to form union The killing took place late Tuesday at a gas station in Berkeley, near Ferguson, Missouri — ground zero of a protest move- 300 agencies in Qatar supply maids ment over police killings of black men — and triggered immediate DOHA: Manpower agencies in for the high recruitment charges, demonstrations. the GCC states are to form a which is not true. Nationwide protests were union in a bid to have collective “That is why we have decided to sparked after unarmed black bargaining power over their form a union because not we, but teenager Michael Brown was shot counterparts in countries send- the agencies in manpower export- dead by a white officer in Ferguson, ing workers, to help reduce spi- ing countries are responsible for a mainly African American town ralling recruitment charges for raising the charges for maids’ with a mostly white police force. housemaids. recruitment.” After several weeks, demonstra- Recruitment business rep- “We hope to be able to develop tions gained momentum in reac- resentatives from the region ways and mechanisms whereby tion to several other killings of are meeting in Saudi Arabia on we are able to deal with those black suspects by police, includ- January 5 to set up the union. agencies and help reduce the ing that of Eric Garner, who The union is to be known as recruitment charges that have died in a chokehold in New York a ‘Task Force’ functioning under lately been going through the last July. Police are hunting the aegis of the Federation of roof,” Afeefa said. A still released on jihadist websites by the Islamic State group’s branch in Raqa yesterday purportedly shows for the second man who fled GCC Chambers of Commerce and There are four major maid- a Jordanian pilot (centre) captured by IS fighters after they shot down a warplane of the US-led coalition with the scene. AFP See also page 11 Industry. exporting countries to the GCC an anti-aircraft missile near Raqa city in Syria. See also page 7 The Task Force hopes to nego- states — Philippines, Indonesia, tiate with manpower agencies in Sri Lanka and India. labour-exporting countries and Manpower agencies in the GCC fix the recruitment charges for states deal with them to recruit the benefit of everyone involved maids and other domestic helpers. in the maid supply chain. Afeefa said that in Qatar alone Al Wakra Heritage Village opens to visitors “It is the manpower agencies there are about 300 licensed man- in those countries that are actu- power agencies supplying domestic ally responsible for the increasing helps. BY FAZEENA SALEEM in the area of the complex that is traditional big wooden doors and initiated seven years before. It’s recruitment charges for maids,” In Qatar, recruitment charges near the Corniche, where capsized lanterns. The ceilings of the roofs located on the left side a few said an official. for Indonesian maids range from DOHA: The much awaited her- dhows have been exhibited. are made of palm leaves. metres after the well-known “It is, therefore, necessary to QR15,000 to QR16,000 ($4,394). itage village in Al Wakra has Built to look old and tradi- The Heritage Village also shell roundabout in Al Wakra, rein them in,” said Ali Hamad For Sri Lankan maids, the charges started receiving visitors, with tional, the Heritage Village of houses a mosque with gates and while going towards Mesaieed Afeefa, who represents local are QR12,000 to QR13,000 and for the opening of some restaurants Al Wakra, dubbed the second walkway made of wood and a from Doha. manpower agencies in the Qatar Filipinos, it is QR12,000. and shops recently. Souq Waqif, gives a feeling of well symbolising the old lifestyle The official opening of the Chamber, representative body of The charges are quite low in More than ten restaurants, walking in a commercial area in Qatar. Its ample parking space complex is scheduled for January, the private sector. Qatar. In Saudi Arabia, to hire coffee shops, juice stalls and out- existing for many years. makes it convenient for the visi- according to earlier reports, In remarks published yester- a Sri Lankan maid, one needs to lets selling Arabic sweets in the Hundreds of small shops in tors unlike other high end com- although some shops in the com- day by local Arabic daily Al Raya, dole out some 22,000 to 25,000 traditional complex opened on the complex resemble tradi- mercial complexes. plex are still in the last stage of Afeefa said that people usually Saudi riyals. THE PENINSULA December 18, to coincide with the tional Qatari buildings with walls The heritage village, part of completion. THE PENINSULA blame local manpower agencies Continued on page 6 National Day. They are located built with a mud coating and the Al Wakra masterplan, was Continued on page 5 Promotion valid from 25.12.2014 to 27.12.2014

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50%UPTO HOME THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Qatar Airways takes delivery of first A350 Newest Airbus plane accompanied by QA’s fourth A380 DOHA: With the delivery of the world’s first Airbus A350 XWB (Xtra Wide Body), Qatar Airways (QA) has become the first airline to operate every family of Airbus’ modern port- folio comprising A320, A330, A340, A350 and A380. In a statement QA said it wrote another page of history as its — and the world’s — first Airbus A350 XWB and its fourth A380 arrived in Doha simultaneously yesterday, allowing the airline to further capitalise on its rapid expansion plans. The delivery of the newest members of QA’s fleet of 146 air- craft are the first of 80 A350s and the fourth of 13 A380s on order and mark another major 2014 milestone for the five-star airline. The A350, for which QA is the global launch customer, is to commence service on the Doha– Frankfurt route in January 2015. The A350 XWB aircraft flew to Doha from France, following a handover ceremony and press conference, attended by QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, senior Airbus and Rolls Royce officials, and media repre- sentatives in Toulouse. After acquiring the A380 ear- lier this year, the addition of the Qatar Airways’ first A350 XWB is followed by the airline’s fourth A380, the A350 XWB aircraft is the second superjumbo, as they take off for Doha from Toulouse, France. fleet milestone for QA in 2014. The A350 XWB features the lat- “The A350 XWB, in combina- Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines est in aerodynamics, design and tion with the recently-introduced is a perfect combination of inno- advanced technologies and will A380, will offer unprecedented vative airline product design, set new standards in passenger levels of interoperability and a environmental advances and the experience, operational efficiency highly efficient solution to meet intrinsic comfort of a new cabin and cost-effectiveness. long-haul passenger demand on set-up which are the hallmarks Al Baker said: “We take the expanding QA’s network. This of the aircraft. Passengers will immense pride in taking delivery will further strengthen our lead- benefit from a new experience of two aircraft at the same time ership position as a world-class achieved by a unique dome-design joining our modern and dynamic airline providing customers with entrance with welcome light dis- fleet that is connecting the world. a premium five-star travel experi- tribution. The aircraft also offers As 2015 commences, we are look- ence, exceptional hospitality and wide seats with generous room ing forward to a new period of seamless connectivity around the in all classes of service, thanks enhanced growth with our fleet globe.” to design developments offering setting fresh benchmarks for the Qatar Airways’ A350 XWB greater comfort to all passengers. aviation industry. powered by two new-generation THE PENINSULA

Traffic diversion on New Rayyan Road from early Saturday

DOHA: The Public Works provide access to and from Al Intersection and heading to Al Authority — Ashghal — has Qalah Street which will remain Shafi Street will have to reach announced a new traffic diver- open. Al Wajbah Roundabout, take a sion on New Rayyan (Al Rayyan Al Shafi Roundabout will U-turn, and then use the right- Al Jadeed) Road from east of also be closed and changed to a in junction leading to Al Shafi Al Wajbah Roundabout to the right-in, right-out junction, ena- Street. east of Al Qalah Roundabout bling motorists from Al Wajbah Those coming from Al Shafi from early Saturday. Roundabout to enter directly to Street and heading to Al Wajbah The dual carriageway with Al Shafi Street which will also Roundabout can use the right- two lanes in each direction will remain open, while those com- out junction leading to Al Qalah be closed and diverted to a new ing from Al Shafi Street will use Junction and then take a U-turn parallel road with the same the mandatory exit to Al Qalah to Al Wajbah Roundabout. capacity. The diversion will be Intersection, said a statement The new road will be built in place until the third quarter of issued by Ashghal. on the same alignment as the 2016 as part of upgrading works Al Wajbah Roundabout will existing one, which requires on the old road. remain open, along with Al its removal in the first place. Al Qalah Roundabout will be Wajbah Road and the road lead- The project is part of Ashghal’s closed and replaced with a sig- ing to Qatar Foundation. Expressway Programme. nal-controlled intersection to Motorists from Al Qalah THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar to host first GCC Visitors prefer public Education Ministers meeting on January 7 parks to access Internet DOHA: The Prime Minister and tax compliance for foreign accounts Interior Minister H E Sheikh between Qatar and the US was also BY SACHIN KUMAR are using the free WiFi at these Internet in parks and visitors centrally managed through one Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa endorsed. parks. “Peak usage (of WiFi) is just have to click on the link they network operations centre. We Al Thani chaired the weekly The Cabinet reviewed a draft law DOHA: Apart from taking during evenings, weekend and get after sending an SMS to a toll have achieved 99 percent service Cabinet session at the Emiri Diwan amending some provisions of law No. a breath of fresh air and long holidays,” a senior official of free digital code. availability through implementa- yesterday. 40 of 2004 concerning the guardian- walks, public parks are also ictQatar told this daily. Earlier visitors were required tion of comprehensive availability The Deputy Premier and Minister of ship of minor funds; a letter from the emerging as preferred place “WiFi is accessible through a to first connect the device and incident management proce- State for Cabinet Affairs H E Ahmed Minister of Energy and Industry and to surf the Internet. The total simple, secure registration proc- through WiFi and then had to dures,” he said. bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Chairman of the Standing Committee log-ins in parks across Qatar ess in English and Arabic and enter their mobile number on The iParks initiative to provide said the Cabinet approved a proposal of Water Resources on the third quar- have surged by 250 percent to supported by a 24/7 customer the iParks landing page. After high speed (8mbps) free Internet by the Ministry of Environment, terly report for 2014 on the panel’s 689,000 in 2013 from 195,739 in care hotline,” he said. entering the number they would access to visitors was introduced amending some provisions of the draft work. The report said the panel 2011. At an average, each user receive pin code through SMS to in 2007. decision of the Environment Minister discussed issues and took decisions, Nine parks are providing free spends about 52 minutes access- access the Internet. The nine parks with the facil- on regulating some fishing activities including the cost of the sale and use Internet access to visitors and ing free Internet service dur- “ictQatar has implemented a ity are: Sheraton Park, Rumailah to preserve fish stocks. of treated water, social and economic witnessing about 50,000-70,000 ing their visit to the park. One comprehensive WiFi network Park, Dahl Al Hamam Park, Al The session agreed to host the impacts of prohibiting the use of log-ins every month, according to of the major reasons behind the solution with secured authenti- Wakrah Public Park, Corniche Al first meeting of the GCC Education groundwater for forage production, data from the Supreme Council of increasing usage of the Internet cation mechanism for providing Khor, Simaisma Park, Dukhan Ministers and the preparatory meet- rationalising the use of desalinated Information and Communication in parks is its easy accessibility. free access in parks,” said the Park, Umm Salal and Shahaniyah ing of Education Undersecretaries in water and a study on water treatment Technology (ictQatar). This year ictQatar has intro- official. “There are over 60 out- Park. Doha on January 7 and 8. expansion plans besides requiring About 11,000 to 15,000 people duced easier way to access the door access points in parks, all THE PENINSULA It endorsed a draft memorandum authorities to use rehabilitated drink- of understanding (MoU) on training, ing water wells. development, consultancy, civil serv- The Cabinet reviewed a letter ice affairs and administrative develop- from the Minister of Justice on the ment between Qatar and Oman. outcome of 30th Session of the Arab Property deals The Cabinet also approved a Ministers of Justice Council and the draft MoU on capacity-building 55th session of the executive bureau worth QR567m of officials between the Ministry in Jeddah in April 2014; and a letter of Administrative Development from the Minister of Administrative last week and Oman’s Institute of Public Development on the outcome of the Administration. A draft conven- 13th meeting of GCC Ministers and DOHA: Trading value tion on improving tax compliance heads of civil service departments in of property deals dur- and the application of the law on Kuwait in September 2014. QNA ing December 14-17 was worth over QR567m, the Real Estate Registration and Authentication QOC’s fitness and health Department at the Ministry of Justice said in its weekly report programme begins today yesterday. The report said most DOHA: As part of its Qatar Active Campaign, the Qatar Olympic deals were in Umm Salal, Committee (QOC) will organise its annual ‘Physical Fitness and Health’ Al Khor, Al Dhakira, Doha, programme today and tomorrow on the Corniche and at Aspire Park. Al Rayyan, Al Shamal, Al The 2014 edition will be held in coordination with Weill Cornell Medical Dhayen and Al Wakra and College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) and Abbott Nutrition. properties included land It includes fitness and medical checks by using body mass index (BMI) plots, villas, flats, detached indicator and other tools to measure physical fitness, weight, length, fat and villas, homes and commer- flexibility of the muscles. It also includes aerobic fitness tests to measure the cial buildings. ability to work for longer periods, depending on the efficiency of the respira- tory system. Mohammad Essa Al Fadhala, Director, QOC Public Relations Open House at and Marketing Department, and Executive Director, Qatar Active Campaign, The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and other officials touring the second Mal Lawal Biennale said the event aims to promote health and sport awareness and make sport at Doha Exhibition Center. Indian embassy an integral part of the daily life of society. QNA DOHA: The Indian embassy will hold an FM visits Mal Lawal Biennale Open House on Tuesday to address any urgent DOHA: The Foreign Minister Dr Al Attiyah toured the expo, items, antiquities, jewellery, cloth- consular and labour prob- H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al accompanied by QM’s Acting ing, accessories and other rare lems of Indians. Attiyah yesterday visited the sec- CEO Mansour bin Ibrahim Al items. It will be held from ond Mal Lawal Biennale which Mahmoud and other officials. Spread over an 8,000sqm space, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. Written continues at Doha Exhibition Mal Lawal (meaning ‘From Mal Lawal also features new ele- information on issues pro- Center until February-end. the Old Days’ in Qatari dialect) is ments such as majilises, live video posed to be discussed with The visit comes in appreciation showcasing about 4,000 artefacts links on eight “home museums” officials could be given from of Qatar Museums (QM) for pro- collected by over 110 Qatari private and their private collections, more 5.30pm to 6pm. moting arts, linking members of collectors and 42 from the GCC than 100 “oral histories” captured This will be followed society to their history and deep- region. in mini-films, a food court serv- by meeting with officials ening ties among GCC states as Organised into nine categories, ing traditional Qatari dishes and between 6pm and 6.30pm, the exhibition features private the expo features manuscripts, a children’s area with a movable the embassy said in a state- collections from Qatar and some weapons, Islamic collections, old cinema installation. ment yesterday. GCC countries. maps, ethnographic and heritage QNA THE PENINSULA/QNA Lack of monitoring blamed for rising prices DOHA: An increasing number World food prices are down are to blame for traders taking by setting up large shop- of consumers are left wondering almost three percent in recent the hapless consumer for a ride, ping complexes that would as to why prices of commodi- times but in Qatar they have only according to a cross-section of compete with their private ties, including foodstuff, have been showing an upward trend. people interviewed. counterparts and sell com- been rising in Qatar despite a Lack of monitoring of the A Qatari woman said price rise modities at fair price. reverse trend being witnessed local market and care-a-damn was a matter of concern and that Noora Al Medadi said globally. attitude by consumers at large the government should intervene the malaise of inflation was primarily a result of consumers’ indifference. People largely remain unbothered by rising prices, she said. “Traders test the mar- ket and consumer behav- iour by raising prices slightly, say by two per- cent. When they see there is no reaction, they would suddenly increase the prices, say by 10 to 15 percent. This is a gradually process.” Businessman Mubarak Al Hajri said dealers usu- ally take advantage of the fact that most products available in the local mar- ket are imported, so they raise prices on the pre- text of high shipping and freight charges, among others. “We favour local produc- tion. If items like clothing, pharmaceuticals and food are produced locally, their prices would automatically be down in the local mar- ket,” he added. Al Hajri told Al Sharq that since consumers gen- erally do not object to price rise, outlets go on raising prices. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Visitors throng restaurants and shops in the Heritage Village Al Wakra yesterday. The Heritage Village opened on National Day on December 18. KAMMUTTY VP Heritage Village to host museum for pearls

Continued from page 1 within less than a week after its here and I’m impressed with parking area. “It’s nice to have a are open between 10am and 11pm located at the Heritage Village. These shops are supposed to doors opened to public. Many visi- the architecture. Many people place like this in the Wakrah area, daily. People had the first experi- host people involved in making tors were seen walking along the would choose to come here once so we don’t have to go to Doha. It’s “We have received good number enced the Heritage Village in handcrafts and selling traditional Corniche and at the restaurants all shops are opened because this ideal that they have built it along of customers within few days. January this year during a South instruments. on Tuesday night. will give them an escape from the the beach, this is the only place we Hope the numbers will increase Family Spring Festival organised The Heritage Village will also A Qatari visitor who introduced crowded places.” have experienced here the restau- when all shops are open and jointly by Al Wakra Municipality, host a museum for pearls. himself as Ibrahim was seen buy- A group of eight Filipino visi- rants so close to the sea.” once people get to know about South Security Department and The Heritage Village has ing traditional Arabic sweets with tors had come to the Heritage Restaurants and shops at the the place,” said an employee at Community Policing Division. started receiving many visitors his family. “This is our first visit Village seeing the lights on at its Heritage Village in Al Wakrah the branch of popular restaurant THE PENINSULA Sculptures inspired by Qatari nature, culture on display

BY RAYNALD C RIVERA Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Asmakh. “It stole my eye from Al Asmakh, Vice-President, the very beginning because of DOHA: A array of contem- Regency Group Holding, told the its concept, a traditional historic porary sculptures inspired by media at the opening of the expo warrior,” he said. Qatari nature and culture and ,yesterday that he was pleased by Caminos said her sculpture created by artists from around the quality and fine detailing of was inspired by the Arab woman the world are on display at the sculptures and was surprised, and her power. “I’m very happy Wyndham Grand Regency given the short span time and the to participate in the symposium Doha. intricacy of making the pieces out and if invited next year, I will be The exhibition marks the end of of marble. back,” she said. the first Al Asmakh International A piece, ‘The Sun Warrior’ by Omani artist Salim Omar Al Sculpture Symposium 2014 which Argentine artist Maria Trinidad Marhoon shared the same view saw 12 artists create sculptures Caminos caught the attention and said what made the sym- out of marble in one week. of many a visitor, including Al posium excellent was the venue Hassan Ibrahim Al Asmakh (centre), Vice-President, Business Development, Regency Group Holding, and Mohammed Al Atiq (sixth right), General Manager, Regency Art, with the artists at the event. KAMMUTTY VP

— Al Asmakh Farmhouse in first thing that captivated me was “We plan to collect 5,000 works Umm Salal Ali — where every- the arabesque and architectural of art until 2022,” he said, speak- thing was made available for the design,” said Marcos. ing of Regency Art’s initiative artists to turn their ideas into A sewing machine which through regularly organised sym- visual pieces of art. sews Arabesque-designed fabric, posia on various aspects of visual Although this was the first time she said, illustrates how Qatar art. for him to participate in such an has changed through time but The inaugural symposium, he event in Qatar, Al Marhoon said, remains true to its roots. said, was a prelude to a bigger “This will not be the last time “Doha has become a modern sculpture event same time next because everything here is good, city but its roots are sustained,” year. “We wanted to test our including the people.” she said, adding the sculpture is logistic capability, how to deal In his latest work, Al Marhoon a fitting tribute to women here. with artists, what equipment is delved into the story of Prophet “I’m from Argentina which is better. We have to find out the Sulaiman sending a letter to the part of Latin America, and our finer details to be able to organise Queen of Saba through his mes- customs are different. a bigger symposium,” he said. senger bird. “Our culture has its idiosyn- Other artists include Ali It was hard to rival another crasies. We have differences but Altekhais (Saudi Arabia), Gamal Argentine artist Laura Cristina I see that true freedom is within Sayed (Egypt), Mahgoub Babikir Marcos’ ‘Arabisc’, a figurative ourselves.” (Sudan), Salah Ben Amor yet realistic take on a sewing The sculptures will be part of (Tunisia), Sylviane Courgeau machine. the collection of Regency Art, (France), Stefano Sabetta (Italy), “I took my decision based on which plans to build a gallery/ Mohammed Al Atiq and Talal Al my impression of Qatar when I events centre in Lusail entertain- Dhefairi (Qatar) and Carolina arrived here. In the first two days ment city which, Al Asmakh said, Palmero (Argentina). that I was taking pictures, the could turn into a museum. THE PENINSULA FROM LEFT: Argentine artists Maria Trinidad Caminos and Laura Cristina Marcos and Regency Art General Manager Mohammed Al Atiq and Hassan Ibrahim Al Asmakh, Vice-President, Business Development, Regency Group Holding, with Marcos’ ‘Arabisc’ sculpture.

QR700,000 payout for telecom employee over wrong charges DOHA: A lower court has of the accused, said in their dep- deficit of QR24m was not in- ordered a local telecom company ositions that she was particular charge of accounting and knew to pay QR700,000 ($192,228) in about the accounting procedures little about it. damages to a Qatari woman and noted all cash transactions The case against the employee employee for wrongly accus- meticulously. was filed by the company without ing her of embezzling QR24m, She prepared a daily report of a thorough audit of its accounts. causing her trauma and harm- the transactions she handled, so While the matter was under ing her reputation. it was unlikely that a discrepancy investigation and later went to It also asked the firm to pay of QR24m would occur due to her the court, the accused was sus- court expenses to the employee fault, said the witnesses, local pended despite having pleaded who was acquitted after a panel Arabic daily Al Watan reported innocent. of audit and accounting experts yesterday. She spent 35 days in jail, hav- appointed by the court ruled that The incident occurred last ing been remanded in judicial she was innocent. May. custody, according to the daily. The employee handled the com- The court appointed a panel of Her lawyer, Naif Al Nema, pany’s cash and one day QR24m independent experts, understand- demanded from the court that was found missing from the ably from accounting and audit she be paid damages to the tune accounts. The firm referred the professions, and they concluded of QR20m by the firm for causing matter to the Public Prosecution that the accounts were perfect her trauma, harming her reputa- which filed charges and a trial and no money was embezzled. tion and making her spend time began. It emerged that the employee in jail for no fault of hers. Witnesses, who were colleagues who reported that there was a THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Al Attiyah meets Korean Ambassador Envoys bid farewell

The Assistant Foreign Minister for International Cooperation Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim The Chairman of Administrative Control and Transparency Authority H E Abdullah bin Hamad Al Al Thani yesterday hosted a farewell ceremony for ambassadors Mohammed Al Munther Al Dharif (Tunisia), Victor Manuel Attiyah yesterday met South Korean Ambassador Chung Keejong and discussed matters of mutual Pizzati (El Salvador) and Carmen de La Penia (Spain) at Diplomatic Club. Heads of diplomatic missions and offices and interest. ministry officials were present. QRC launches new welfare initiative for expat workers First phase includes distribution of meals to 10,000 labourers DOHA: The Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has launched a new welfare programme for expatriate workers, mostly in the construction sector. Titled ‘Together for Benevolence’, the programme will benefit 23,000 road, construction and cleaning workers, QRC said yesterday. Officials at the event. It is implemented in three phases. The first launched on December 15 includes distribu- tion of meals to 10,000 workers. Al Khalij holds Open An equal number of workers will receive water and juice bottles in the second phase. Hygiene kits will be distrib- Day for citizens to uted to 3,000 workers in the final phase. The programme is funded by Chevron Phillips Chemical boost Qatarisation Company Qatar. The target workers were DOHA: Al Khalij Commercial nurture the most talented indi- selected from major projects, Bank (al khaliji) hosted Open viduals as well as fresh Qatari including workers of the Supreme Day at the Ministry of Labour graduates. Committee for Delivery and QRC officials distributing meals to workers. and Social Affairs to recruit “We are thankful to the min- Legacy at Khalifa International Qataris looking for opportu- istry for support and continued Stadium and Aspire Zone, Qatar programme, which has been 40 Volunteers Section, said, “The “This is the first version of nities to work in the banking cooperation to help us achieve Rail, in Old Heritage Town in Al percent complete. programme seeks to help poor the programme, and we hope to sector. It was held under the our aim to select and empower Wakra, at Al Ahli Sports Club, in Phase One is in progress, while workers. We go to them at their repeat and expand it in the near patronage of the Minister of the next generation of banking Al Thumama, Al Khor, Industrial phases two and three will begin on workplaces to give them small future.” Labour and Social Affairs H E leaders through such opportuni- Area, Al Dafna, Msheireb and the New Year and mid-January gifts and say thank you for all She said Chevron Phillips is Dr Abdullah Saleh Mubarak Al ties,” he added. constructions in Old Salata. 2015, respectively. It will conclude that you do for constructing mod- one of the leading contributors Khulaifi. “To be the next generation A team of 25 to 35 QRC vol- by January-end. ern edifices and buildings of the to QRC’s social projects. Hussain Al Mulla, bank, we believe our employee unteers are working on the Najat Al Haidous, Head, QRC Qatari society. THE PENINSULA Undersecretary at the ministry, base should represent the com- and the bank’s Group CEO, Fahad munity we live in and work. Al Khalifa, were present. “The bank’s growth relies on A team of professionals from the extent of our commitment the bank was present to provide to being the employer of choice, guidance and conduct interviews particularly for Qataris. with applicants looking to join the “We have recognised great tal- Maids ‘prefer Qatar to other GCC states’ bank. ents among applicants and are set “The event is in line with the to offer them fantastic opportu- Continued from page 1 in general is that they prefer for maids in the GCC. The idea of Ministry took place some 45 days bank’s Qatarisation strategy and nities to tackle greater respon- Afeefa said charges for Qatar to other GCC states since it a union of GCC manpower agen- ago and it was decided to revive reinforces its commitment to sibilities in different roles, while Indonesian maids compared to is easier to lodge complaints with cies is not new. It was mooted the idea. The decision to set up Qatar National Vision 2030, in gaining experience to become maids from other nationalities are authorities in case of harassment in Bahrain some nine years ago, the ‘Task Force’ as a representa- particular the human develop- Qatar’s future banking profes- high in Qatar because their visas by employers. according to Afeefa. It was put tive of the union was taken at a ment pillar,” said Al Khalifa. sionals,” said Hamad Al Kubaisi, are not easily available. Afeefa said a key step the pro- on the back burner until a meet- meeting of key industry repre- “The bank is always on the Group Head, Human Resources. The reason for lower recruit- posed union would take is to unify ing of regional recruitment agen- sentatives in Riyadh a week ago, lookout to welcome, retain and THE PENINSULA ment charges for maids in Qatar employment agreement contracts cies convened by Kuwait’s Awqaf said Afeefa. THE PENINSULA Vodafone’s first virtual store comes to Katara

DOHA: Vodafone yesterday announced Qatar’s With the virtual store, we can take the Vodafone first virtual store, Vodafone Scan&Go, at Katara experience to places we have never been before. Cultural Village — Boulevard 19, close to the amphi- “Our virtual pop-up stores can be set up almost theatre. The virtual store’s proof of concept was anywhere. The virtual store will be available for three launched earlier at the ITU Telecom World 2014. months and we plan to take it to other locations. The virtual store takes retail convenience to newer “We wanted to bring the ultimate convenience to heights. Customers will need their smartphone and people with busy lifestyles or those who love technol- a QR Code Reader App to access a world of shop- ogy and underline our efforts to ensure a delightful ping which is in arms reach. By scanning a QR code experience for them every step of the way. linked to a Vodafone product, customers can browse “With the virtual store, we are open when we are at their convenience, shop at the press of a button, closed. What I mean is when our physical stores and have purchases delivered to their doorstep or are closed and our employees have gone home, you made available for pick up at any Vodafone store. can still shop with us. The virtual store covers a Through the virtual store, customers can buy a large portfolio of Vodafone products and services mobile phone, join Vodafone postpaid and prepaid and demonstrates our strategy to own digitisation plans, recharge prepaid credit, get mobile Internet and innovation. and international calling cards and more. “As phones get smarter, they have increased func- Users can make purchases via credit card through tionality and because Qatar has one of the highest the Vodafone Mobile Shop or pay cash on delivery. smart devices penetration levels in the world, we Khalifa Al Haroon, Head of Innovation, Vodafone decided to help customers turn their smart handset Qatar, said, “We are proud to be the first in Qatar to into a gateway to newer, exciting and convenient Visitors at the virtual store, Vodafone Scan&Go, at Katara. offer such a unique and simple shopping experience. experiences,” he added. THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Saudi women’s rights activists IS captures Jordanian pilot to appear US-led coalition warplane shot down with an anti-aircraft missile over northern Syria in court today BEIRUT: The Islamic State birth date as May 29, 1988, and group captured a Jordanian his rank of first lieutenant. The RIYADH: Two women’s rights pilot yesterday after his war- jihadists claimed to have shot activists held for more than plane from the US-led coalition down the warplane with a heat- three weeks in Saudi Arabia are was reportedly shot down while seeking missile. to appear in court today, activ- on a mission against the jihad- Images distributed by IS sup- ists said. ists over northern Syria. porters of the alleged aftermath Loujain Hathloul has been A senior Jordanian military of the crash appeared to show detained since December 1 after official confirmed the pilot was the distinctive canopy of an F-16 she tried to drive into the kingdom seized, saying his plane went down fighter jet. Experts said the mis- from neighbouring UAE in defiance in Syria’s Raqa region, a militant sile used might have been taken of a ban. Saudi Arabia is the only stronghold, early yesterday. “The from Syrian rebels or from among country in the world which does pilot was taken hostage by the IS weapons captured from Syrian not allow women to drive. terrorist organisation,” official and Iraqi troops. Maysaa Alamoudi, a UAE- news agency Petra quoted the Eliot Higgins, who posts based Saudi journalist, arrived at official as saying. detailed analyses of weapons in the border to support Hathloul Jordan did not say why the Syria and other conflicts on his and was also arrested. plane crashed, but both the jihad- blog, said IS is known to have sev- Activists did not have complete ists and the Syrian Observatory eral kinds of anti-aircraft weap- details of allegations against the for Human Rights, a Britain- ons including Chinese-made and pair but said the focus of inves- based monitoring group, said it Soviet-era missiles. tigators seemed to be on their was shot with an anti-aircraft The pilot’s father Youssef was social media activities rather than missile. quoted by Jordanian news website their driving. It was the first coalition war- Saraya as saying the family had “They can’t make a charge plane lost since air strikes on IS been informed by the Air Force against them for driving, because began in Syria in September. of his capture. they used their car in another Coalition warplanes have car- He said the military prom- country,” the UAE, one activist ried out regular strikes around ised it was “working to save his said. The Ministry of Interior Raqa, which IS has used as the life” and that Jordan’s ruler, referred enquiries to Saudi headquarters for its self-declared King Abdullah II, was following Arabia’s prosecution service. “caliphate” after seizing control events. Jordan is among a number Hathloul has 228,000 follow- of large parts of Syria and Iraq. of countries that have joined the An Islamic State group fighter collecting pieces from the remains of a Jordanian warplane after it was shot down ers on Twitter. Before her arrest The IS branch in Raqa pub- US-led alliance carrying out air in Syria’s Raqa region yesterday. she tweeted, sometimes with lished photographs on jihadist strikes against IS. humour, details of the 24 hours websites purporting to show its Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan the country’s Sunni heartland the entrenched IS militants. Arabic, date back to the height she spent waiting to cross into fighters holding the captured and Bahrain are taking part in weeks earlier in a major offensive. Some Sunni militiamen have of the US-led war in Iraq, when Saudi Arabia after border offic- pilot. One showed the pilot, the air strikes in Syria alongside The coalition announced it had joined the fight against IS and a Sunni tribesmen joined forces with ers stopped her. wearing only a white shirt, being the United States. carried out 10 strikes yesterday in attack near a military base in the the Americans to battle insurgents Alamoudi has 131,000 followers carried from a body of water by The Sunni extremist IS has Syria, including one near Raqa, Madain area targeted Sunni fight- including IS’s predecessor organi- and has also hosted a programme four men. Another showed him committed widespread atrocities where the Jordanian jet crashed, ers known as Sahwa. There was sation, the Islamic State of Iraq. on YouTube discussing the driv- on land, surrounded by almost a in areas under its control, includ- and seven in Iraq. no immediate claim of responsi- The Sahwa were key to sharply ing issue. dozen armed men. ing mass executions and public Iraqi security forces, backed by bility but suicide bombings are a reducing violence, but when Iraq’s The court hearings are to take A photograph was also beheadings. the strikes, Kurdish forces, Shia tactic almost exclusively employed government took over responsi- place in Al Ahsa, in the kingdom’s released of the pilot’s military The coalition first launched militias, and Sunni tribesmen, by Sunni extremists in Iraq, bility for their salaries they were Eastern Province, activists said. identification card, showing his strikes against IS in August in have retaken some areas, but have including IS. sometimes paid late or not at all. In early December Saudi name as Maaz Al Kassasbeh, his Iraq, where the jihadists overran been facing stiff resistance from The Sahwa, or “Awakening” in AFP authorities blocked the web- site of a regional human rights group, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, which reported the wom- en’s case. Reporters Without Borders, Nuclear deal Israel kills Hamas militant after soldier shot a watchdog, this year named Saudi Arabia as one of 19 countries where government within reach, GAZA CITY: Israel launched from the Bedouin Reconnaissance its military wing, the Ezzedine Al Hamas,” spokesman Sami Abu agencies are “enemies of the an air strike in southern Gaza Battalion suffered a severe chest Qassam Brigades. Zuhri said. Internet” for their censorship yesterday and killed a Hamas injury,” an army statement said. Israeli army spokesman Peter Prime Minister Benjamin and surveillance. says Iran FM militant after a sniper attack “In response to the firing at Lerner denounced the attack. Netanyahu warned Israel would During October, dozens of on a patrol seriously wounded a our forces, who were east of the “Hamas sniper attack is an out- “react firmly to any attempt women drove in the kingdom DUBAI: Iranian Foreign soldier, the army said. fence in the southern Gaza Strip, rageous act of aggression. IDF to call into question calm in and posted images of them- Minister Mohammad Javad It was only the second time we carried out immediate attacks will continue to protect its forces the south (of Israel) following selves doing so as part of an Zarif has warned Western pow- Israel had struck Gaza since a against the relevant targets. and the border area,” he wrote on Operation Protective Edge”, refer- online campaign supporting the ers to curb their demands on 50-day war ended with a truce on There was an air strike and one Twitter, noting the military had ring to the July-August military right to drive. limiting his country’s nuclear August 26, after witnesses reported by a tank,” it said. instructed Gazan farmers to keep offensive against rocket-firing In response, the Ministry of activities in order to guarantee a first strike on Saturday. Palestinian medical sources away from the border area “for militants in the Gaza Strip. On Interior said it would “strictly a landmark settlement, which The Israeli military said it said Tayseer Al Ismary, 33, was their own safety”. Saturday, after a rocket struck implement” measures against he said was “within reach”. acted after its troops came killed “as a result of gunfire and Hamas blamed Israel. “The southern Israel, the air force hit anyone undermining “the social Iranian newspapers said yes- under fire from a sniper while shrapnel from a tank shell” in Israeli occupation is responsi- Gaza for the first time since the cohesion”. Activists say women’s terday that Zarif had written they were on the Israeli side of the incident east of the south- ble for the tension east of Khan truce took hold. Since then, three driving is not actually illegal but separate letters to his Western the border fence. “As a result of ern city of Khan Yunis. Hamas Yunis. They tried to cross the bor- rockets have hit the Israeli south. the ban is linked to tradition and counterparts explaining Tehran’s the attack, an IDF combat soldier sources said he was a member of der, provoking a response from AFP custom in the kingdom. AFP position ahead of the next round of talks in January. “I am confident that a com- prehensive agreement is within reach,” he wrote, according to the Mehr news agency. “But we will 380 new east Jerusalem firmly resist any humiliating ille- gitimate demands.” Zarif said Iran’s goal was “a long-term comprehensive agree- settler homes approved ment guaranteeing its right to an exclusively peaceful nuclear pro- JERUSALEM: Israeli authori- that Israel would never consider gramme in return for full removal ties gave final approval yester- the building of Jewish settle- of all sanctions.” day to the construction of 380 ments in Jerusalem as “settle- Six world powers known as new settler homes in two areas ment activity”. the “P5+1” — the United States, of annexed east Jerusalem, a France, Germany, Russia, China local official said. GRAFT PROBE and Britain — reached a prelimi- “The municipal commission Meanwhile, Israeli police said nary agreement with Iran last year has given construction permits they had detained more than for it to suspend its most sensitive for 307 homes in Ramot and 73 30 serving and former public nuclear activity. Western countries in Har Homa,” Yosef Pepe Alalu, officials in an investigation into in return eased some economic a Jerusalem city councillor with alleged corruption linked to a sanctions imposed on the Islamic the opposition Meretz party, said. party in Prime Minister Benjamin republic over its past defiance in He said local officials were Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. the 12-year nuclear dispute. taking advantage of attention Israeli media identified the offi- Iran says its programme is focusing on Israeli elections due cials as being connected to Yisrael peaceful but the West fears it in March to expand settlements. Beitenu, the party of Foreign may lead to developing nuclear People take pictures outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem yesterday. “This kind of decision distances Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and weapons. Iran and the P5+1 failed us from any chance of reaching an Deputy Interior Minister Faina for the second time last month agreement with the Palestinians,” Kirshenbaum, a senior party to meet deadline for ending the he said. member, as one of the suspects. stand-off and extended the pre- Pilgrims gather in Bethlehem Despite repeated warnings Police spokeswoman Luba liminary accord until June 30. from Washington that it is fuel- Samri said some suspects had The International Atomic BETHLEHEM: Pilgrims from next to a giant green Christmas an offensive spearheaded by IS, ling tensions, Israel has approved already been brought to court Energy Agency said last week that across the world descended tree decorated with red, black and which has targeted Christians a series of plans for new settler for remand hearings. She said Iran had continued to meet com- Bethlehem yesterday to begin the silver baubles — the colours of the and other minorities. homes in east Jerusalem in recent the suspected crimes in the case mitments under an interim nuclear global celebration of Christmas Palestinian flag. In Syria, Christians in months. included fraud, breach of trust agreement with six world powers, after a violence-plagued year But for many faithful across Homs were enjoying their first Israel seized east Jerusalem and money laundering. despite failure to make “any fur- brought suffering to many the region, the festivities will Christmas in three years in the during the 1967 Six-Day War and Yisrael Beitenu issued a state- ther advances” on activities at two Middle Eastern Christians. be tinged with sadness follow- Hamidiyeh neighbourhood. later annexed it in a move never ment denying wrongdoing and said enrichment facilities and an unfin- The not-so-little West Bank ing a year of bloodshed marked Ahead of the midnight mass in recognised by the international police had deliberately targeted the ished heavy water reactor. town was bustling with activity by a surge in the persecution of Bethlehem, Palestinian President community. party ahead of a general election France and Britain, however, ahead of the biggest night of the Christians that has drawn inter- Mahmoud Abbas laid out his own It refers to the entire city as its on March 17 in which Netanyahu said around the same time that year which will culminate in mid- national condemnation. Christmas wish-list. “united, undivided capital”, and is seeking a fourth term. Iran had not demonstrated suf- night mass at the Church of the “For many of you, the music of “This Christmas we deliver a does not view construction there “We are certain of the inno- ficient flexibility in the nuclear Nativity. Scouts playing bagpipes your Christmas hymns will also be very special message to the world: as settlement activity. cence of those (suspected of talks. Western officials say Iran and drums marched to the church accompanied by tears and sighs,” All I want for Christmas is jus- The Palestinians want the city’s wrongdoing) ... and after the noise has not compromised on major in a procession led by Jerusalem’s Pope Francis wrote in a long let- tice,” he said as the Palestinians eastern sector as capital of their and media fervour dissipates, it sticking points, including the size Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal, the top ter addressed to Christians in the press a major diplomatic push promised state and vehemently will be found that there is noth- and scope of its future uranium Catholic cleric in the Holy Land. Middle East. at the United Nations to seek oppose any Israeli attempt to ing to support these publications enrichment programme and the Outside the church at Manger In Baghdad, Chaldean Patriarch an end to Israel’s decades-long expand construction there. apart from an effort to harm (the speed of ending sanctions. Square, a man dressed as Father Louis Sako said about 150,000 occupation. Foreign Minister Avigdor party), and it will fail,” part of the REUTERS Christmas handed out sweets Christians had been displaced by AFP Lieberman insisted last month statement said. AFP THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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HE Pakistani Taliban are used to seeing streams of blood spilled by their gunmen; they are used to sending hundreds of their men into martyrdom and T‘heaven’ at the slightest provocation and are used to committing savagery of the kind the world has rarely seen, American Sniper feeds hero but there is one operation since their formation that they could be repenting – the attack on the military school in Peshawar that killed 132 innocent children. The terrorists must have been horrified at the reaction to the massacre. In complex, but it’s no truth the hours and days following the carnage, they saw Pakistanis BY ALEX HORTON uniting in condemnation and horror. There were shrill Seals so adept at killing the Taliban in Yemen this month. To conceive of a that it seems their only weakness is force as infallible or mythical, then, is calls for revenge; even some mullahs who had praise for the IKE most people, I could only mercy on goat-herders. In Zero Dark to create a too-perfect solution to every terrorist outfit were seething with anger, and Prime Minister imagine what war was like Thirty and Captain Phillips, Seal teams problem, from Isis to hostage-takers Nawaz Sharif and experts spoke vociferously of the need to before I got there myself. At emerge only at the climax, with the the world over. stop differentiating between good and bad Taliban, meaning Lone point, I was outside of the long tail of logistical support from con- The best scenes in American Sniper that all Taliban are bad. In a nutshell, the little sympathy less than one percent of Americans who ventional aviation, infantry and intel- are the moments when Kyle is home served in Iraq or Afghanistan, where a ligence units obscured by the shadow with his wife Taya, when Iraq seeps which the Tehrik-e-Taliban enjoyed from some segments of minuscule fraction of that population of the elite. into quiet suburban life. Clint Eastwood the population evaporated like water. would see ground or aerial combat. The In American Sniper, Bradley Cooper does well to show Kyle’s moral injury The Peshawar massacre has emboldened the government average person has likely never met a portrays Chris Kyle, famously cred- – not the guilt of taking lives, but the to unleash every weapon to fight the militants. The shock modern combat veteran. ited as the most lethal sniper in US agony of not saving enough. It is a vital and fury which Nawaz Sharif expressed at the attack were So as my deployment to Iraq got history. Marines and Army infantry- part of countless veterans that civil- real, and he has since been working assiduously to fulfill his closer and I imagined what this war men, who took back Fallujah in brutal ians must understand. But as more and would look and feel like, I thought about house-to-house fighting during Kyle’s more movies get marketed as nonfic- promises. Addressing the nation yesterday in a televised America’s favorite storytelling medium: deployment in 2004, are relegated tion action flicks, the deeper truths are speech, Sharif said that the days of terrorists were numbered the movies. I pictured Baghdad as Black to whispers and gawks when “The in danger of being buried underneath and they would be dealt with an iron hand. “The Peshawar Hawk Down’s Mogadishu, all claustro- Legend” scores another kill from a CGI explosions. atrocity has changed Pakistan, phobic and high-contrast gun battles concealed position. If you really want to know how Iraq After the we need to eradicate the mindset with desperate men in dark alleys, In one scene, Kyle sheds his gear to was, or how Afghanistan still is, you of terrorism to defeat extremism and mostly I go help clear rooms with Marines he can seek out more stories that point to heard Ride of the feels are not trained well enough for more universal experiences. Phil Klay’s Peshawar and sectarianism. This horrendous Valkyries, that urban warfare. It’s a moment meant to book Redeployment gathers several of massacre, attack has shaken the nation… grim killing opus underscore Kyle’s lifelong commitment war’s infinite threads. Writing work- the terrorists struck the future of in Apocalypse to protect others, but the ultimate shops like Words After War bring civil- political parties this country when they murdered Real life is not Now, retrofitted message is that anyone not in Special ians and veterans together to remove those children. A strong action is for our urban Forces is sloppy or uncommitted. “Let’s inflated concepts of heroism. The assaults and coach ’em up,” he says. Telling Project and Story Corps are and people in needed to root out the menace of like the movies. nighttime raids. These films have the potential to dis- creative avenues for stories like those Pakistan have extremism from society,” he said. So why does But the stories tort how the United States views its to find an audience. Another major development I came back with own history and its troops. The eve- The late Tim Hetherington had joined hands has been the rare unity among Hollywood don’t really look ryday stories of war are background a theory that men behave in war by to root out political parties in anti-terrorism like anything in noise. We rarely see intel soldiers piec- emulating men seen in other films and fight. Political parties yesterday keep trying the new breed ing together insurgent networks, or photographs, endlessly altering the of Hollywood low-ranking officers meting out local behavior of soldiers and the concept of terrorism. reached a consensus over the to make us war films, where grievances in rural Afghanistan. soldiering. And he was right. issue of setting up military courts central truths But Hollywood has found its formula, There was a time in 2007, in between for tackling terrorism cases in believe that elite about war have and it is zero-sum. For every film or Chris Kyle’s deployments, when half my the country. The agreement was reached during a meeting commandos can all but vanished, bestseller or PlayStation blockbuster platoon was trapped behind a house of parliamentary leaders at the Prime Minister House in even though about that tiny minority of commandos, while two Iraqi insurgent machine gun- Islamabad. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which earlier they’re mostly the public misses another shot at the ners pinned us down. My team leader do anything, and based on real larger experience of soldiering in Iraq poked his head out, and in an instant, expressed reservations, agreed on the setting up of military save anyone, all life. Now tales of and Afghanistan. People under 40 no the wall above his head exploded in tribunals and the Awami National Party (ANP), Muttahida elite troops are longer ask what war is like; they ask if pieces. Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – the time? reshaping the it’s like Call of Duty. He fell to the ground. I thought he Fazl (JUI-F) have also reportedly supported the move. The public percep- The conservative fervor over was dead. But in a scene that felt more Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League tion of war, even Benghazi and its various conspiracies Office Space than Black Hawk Down, though war is carried a rarely discussed thread: the he rose after a moment, stuck his rifle – Quaid (PMLQ) too extended support. PTI Chairman Imran still a tragic grind far more complex mistaken belief that special-ops can do around the corner and fired blindly at Khan said there should be a specific time frame for these than any film of this era has shown. anything, at any time, to save or kill an enemy unseen. We’d laugh about it courts. He also stated that PTI would support all steps being American Sniper is the latest movie anyone. But real life is not like the mov- later, but at the time it was terrifying, taken for counter terrorism. to capitalize on our insatiable hunger ies, andsometimes help is too far away, partly because it was vaguely familiar. As the prime minister said, opportunities are emerging to for stories about unstoppable comman- as in the case of the late Ambassador This was combat we all had seen before, root out terrorism from the soil of Pakistan. It’s not easy, but dos. Lone Survivor, the highest gross- Chris Stevens, or hostages are killed in one movie or another. ing war film of this era, portrays Navy before they can be rescued, as we saw THE GUARDIAN the government has shown the resolve. The other side Quote of Life beyond hacking the day HE capitalist and ultra- The shock and awe are so strong Thus in simple words, Kim — who people at large lack access to Internet, developed world is wandering that even China, the all-weather compa- was written off by some Western gurus and Kim has to seriously give it a in darkness as to how an triot of the Kim dynasty, has distanced as a non-starter when he went into thought. There is no point in keeping Timpoverished nation-state can itself from the misadventure, calling for oblivion in recent months as he was it backward, fearing foreign influence turn the tables and steal all the eggs restraint — and lecturing on the eth- reportedly indisposed — has sent a as the society is hooked up to the free from their nest in such a daredevil ics of technological coexistence. But message of taking his nuclear-obses- world of information, and gets talking! manner. The hacking of Sony’s US President Barack Obama, who sive administration seriously, and that It’s high time for Kim — after having I am confident that infrastructure, which was about to castigated Sony for taking a backseat means dealing at par with the Stalinist exhibited his bad boy bravado — to a comprehensive release a film making a mockery of and refusing to release the hacked state. The saga is nothing but a call substitute Intranet with the world wide the young leader, has proved the point movie, The Interview, has nonetheless for acknowledging the very existence web. The firewall of distrust has to go agreement is within beyond doubt that Pyongyang and its warned of retaliation at a timing of its of an emerging nation-state across — and there are no two opinions on it. reach. But we reclusive establishment has always own choice. Sony’s softpedalling of the the Armistice line, which the West had Pyongyang, rather than concentrating been underestimated by the West. The incident is apparently owing to the skel- dumped as one that could either be on cyber-espionage warfare, should will firmly resist hacking has led to serious fears of the etons in its cupboard that Pyongyang bombed to Stone Age or only dealt with open itself to the West and let its enter- regime prevailing over similar sensitive now is in knowledge of, as it laid hands diplomatically through Beijing. prising society excel in an interdepend- any humiliating installations in the defence industry, and on private emails and a plethora of busi- In a different interpretation, it could ent world. Kim has a choice to make illegitimate demands. possibly paralysing the military gear at ness secrets from its erstwhile hardware be said that it is no less than a paradox and that too in real time. Mohammad Javad Zarif a strategic time. in the Hollywood studios. for North Korea. Its hi-tech facilities and Khaleej Times Iranian Foreign Minister THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 500 days of Sheikh Tamim’s rule investment to provide a decent Major achievements JABER AL HARAMI life to citizens. Qatar, led by the Emir H H The government gave special Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al hat day will remain and, in some cases, almost non- attention to the education and Thani, continues to achieve more engraved in the memory existent. This is something Qatar health sectors since they provide in the political, economic, health, of not only Qataris but all was able to avoid by making gov- indicators of social development. educational and social sectors. TArabs. It was an unfor- ernment institutions operate Budgetary allocations for these Even in sports, Qatar continues its gettable day when a leader at the systematically. sectors have increased signifi- achievements, perhaps the most peak of his achievements passed The Emir has completed 500 cantly, with the education sector recent of which is the Gulf Cup, on leadership to a young leader days in office. During this period, getting QR26. 3bn for the fiscal “Gulf 22”, that was held in Riyadh. who had trained in governance the son has followed in the foot- year 2014-15, an increase of 7.3 Before that, Qatar won the Asian and management for a decade. steps of his father while expand- percent over the previous year. Cup to qualify for the World Cup, On that day, the Emir ing the horizons to renew the will The health budget amounted to which will be held next year in H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad of the state and its institutions in QR15.7bn, 12.5 percent more than New Zealand. In addition to win- Al Thani took the reins from pursuit of more modernisation in the previous year. These alloca- ning the right to host the IAAF his father, the Father Emir various sectors. tions reflect the importance of World Championships in 2019, H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa This will allow it to move these sectors to the development Qatar topped the Arab world in Al Thani. This had never been towards a new phase through of society. Qatar tops the Arab the Asian Games in South Korea witnessed in the troubled Arab development and benefit from countries and has achieved high and won the gold medal for Asian world before. After 18 years of international experience while rankings in the Middle East in Beach Handball. great effort, Qatar had turned into reinforcing the positives and surveys related to these sectors. Internationally, Qatar has an advanced and institutionalised avoiding negativity, all in accord- Politically, our Emir has fol- achieved top positions in several state enjoying modern facilities, ance with a national vision and lowed a steady path, using the fields, ahead of all other Arab and it had gained significant politi- strategy to improve the various principles and values that gov- countries. It has also retained its cal presence at various levels and sectors of society and the state. ern Qatari policy in dealing with prominent position in vital areas in all domains. Qatar today stands on solid regional and international issues, such as human rights, govern- The step taken by the Father ground in terms of history and civ- which reaffirms that these are ance and leadership, and security Emir was aimed at continuing the ilization. “We begin with our prin- institutionalised efforts and not and peace. Qatar also came first political and developmental jour- ciples, interests, dignity, welfare the result of personal inclinations. among the least corrupt countries ney with a new vision to build the and the solemnity of our nation”, Perhaps the alignment of Qatar’s with regard to transfer of public institutions of the nation. This can the Emir has said in every speech. policy with people’s choices in the funds to companies or individuals. be achieved with a national vision The reign of the Emir has wit- Arab Spring is a good example of Qatar is also first in the qual- based on the great past, outstand- nessed many achievements at promoting justice, freedom and ity of its education system, inde- ing present and promising future, home and abroad. In the econ- human dignity. pendence of the judiciary, the with full help of the citizens, who omy, the sources of income have At the same time, the Emir quality of power supply, the qual- are the real wealth of this country. been diversified. Growth reached confirmed during his interview ity of scientific research, provi- It wasn’t an ordinary event in 6.3 percent in 2014, which is high with CNN last September that sion of research services and the turbulent Arab world, which when compared to the global level. Qatar will continue its efforts at specialised training, availability is mostly ruled by tyranny and It is expected to rise next year, mediation and reconciliation, a of scientists and engineers, the oppression, with rulers even sit- according to the IMF. task best suited to Qatar. Our quality of overall infrastructure ting on their people’s ‘skulls’ to Meanwhile, many infrastruc- national leadership has been able and transparency of the govern- remain in power. The policy of ture projects have been completed. to achieve some major break- ment’s economic policies. Qatar most Arab regimes is to remain Other projects will soon begin, all throughs in the humanitarian has the fewest cases of irregular in power, “either to rule you or according to plan. Qatar is car- area, where we look at humans payments or bribes, but ranks at kill you”. rying out major tasks that are without prejudice and try to save nationals in Syria and Fijian past few years Qatar has donated the top in protection of intellec- In this context, the Father expected to be completed with their lives, wealth and honour United Nations soldiers in the more than $500m to rebuild what tual property and measures to Emir, by an honourable gesture, the approach of 2020. The major- regardless of where they are. Golan Heights. was destroyed by prior Israeli combat counterfeiting. transferred the leadership of this ity of projects will be completed Qataris could not have suc- Politically, Qatar continued its attacks. In the reconstruction country to the Emir H H Sheikh before then. This does not mean ceeded in mediation if they had efforts to bring peace and security conference held in Cairo this year, Future in the making Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to that development will stop there; not gained international cred- and defuse crises involving differ- Qatar announced a donation of All these achievements by show the way with an approach there is a 2030 vision for Qatar ibility, won the confidence of all ent parties. Qatari mediation in $1bn, while the largest donation Qatar speak of thoughtful plan- that suits future generations. This that foresees a promising future parties by treating them equally, Darfur is the best example. from other countries did not ning for the future according to a happened after the latter had for this country. and expressed their opinions on Regarding Qatar’s position exceed $200m. clear strategy, and efforts to move acquired enough experience in various issues with transparency. on Palestine, which is the cen- This was in addition to funding steadily toward its goals. governance, leadership and man- The individual is the source Qatar gained an honourable sta- tral issue for Arabs and tops purchase of gas for Gaza’s power After the reign of the Father agement. This made him qualified of development tus in the region because of this. all other issues for Qatar, it station more than once and pay- Emir, development in Qatar to continue achieving success both The concept of development Many states that have festering maintained its lead role in deal- ing salaries of Gaza’s workers on became stable and reached all at home and abroad, and on more cannot be limited to building and disputes or whose citizens are ing with the aggression against several occasions. sectors. Nations and communi- than one level; and this has been construction; it includes human detained abroad ask for Qatar’s Gaza this year. Our Emir also Qatar does all this with the ties that advance are the ones manifested on several occasions. development, which is the pri- help to find a solution. led many efforts regionally and belief that it is its duty towards that experience a renaissance mary focus of Qatar’s vision. The Humanitarian mediation led by internationally from the start its brothers, without asking for and development in all fields. They Building state institutions major concern is to take care of Qatar has brought many to safe of the Israeli aggression against recompense or thanks. cannot have development in one From the moment he took human resources — the founda- shores, the most notable case the Palestinians. The best way “Qatar will remain the Kaaba sector without the other being charge, the Emir has emphasised tion of national growth. This was being the release of an American to reduce the suffering of people of the oppressed” — these words, involved, so we find that Qatar’s that “changing the head of state confirmed by the Emir in his first soldier detained by the Taliban in Gaza, who are under siege for uttered by the country’s founder, policies are consistent and it is does not mean that Qatar’s chal- speech before the Shura Council in exchange for five Taliban more than eight years, is to stand Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al ready to make a quantum leap in lenges and tasks have changed”. in 2013, when he said that the prisoners held in America. This by their side and repel Israeli Thani, and echoed by the Father all sectors. Therefore, we continue building country’s development goals, made the US president pay trib- aggression. Emir, will remain true. This was This growth is aimed at devel- state institutions and restructur- including Qatar Vision 2030, ute more than once to the Emir Last September, at the United reiterated by the Emir in his oping humans. All state agencies ing ministries — a process that could be summed up as: building for his role in the success of the Nations, the Emir condemned the address to the people of Qatar on and resources exist for the benefit began in the reign of the Father the homeland and citizens. negotiations and the safe return Israeli aggression against Gaza the occasion of his accession to of the community. Emir. This concern is reflected in the of the American soldier. and saluted the resistance of the power, to confirm that the state Qatar today is shaping its Qatar is unique in carrying improving living standards of the Other successful Qatari people of Gaza, calling for an end will not retreat from the path it future under a young leader who out institutional restructuring people. The income of the Qatari humanitarian initiatives resulted to Israeli occupation, which rep- has trod generation after gen- has dynamic energy and creative in the Arab world, which is often national today is the highest in in the release of Lebanese resents one of the last cases of eration. This is what makes us ideas to further its national inter- known for chaos in its institu- the world, exceeding $100,000 a hostages in Izaz, the nuns of occupation in modern history. reach out to every wronged and est. The welfare of its people has tions and administrations, which year. This is the fruit of the care Maaloula, Turkish pilots in In Gaza, actions preceded oppressed person, to offer them a always been the goal of the leader- makes governance inefficient of our national leadership and Lebanon, a number of Iranian Qatar’s words, since over the safe haven in this country. ship of this nation. KHALID AL JABER National Day: Joys and achievements

Our national identity hanks God bringing joy What is remarkable is that oes national identity mean the values, ethics, customs, to our state even before FALEH HUSSEIN AL HAJIRI there are initiatives undertaken by practices and beliefs of a group of humans in an independ- Tthe annual celebration of citizens to express their joy on this Dent geographical area? Is any community today capable of its national day, which falls on occasion. For example, the great preserving its national identity without clashing with materialistic December 18 and which reminds also celebrated by other people and ambassadors were keen to poet Faleh Al Ajlan distributed the values and globalisation? us of its founder Sheikh Jassim bin in the region. We deeply believe participate in events on this occa- second part of his “Chadelya” CD, Today, the issue of national identity Mohammed Al Thani (May Allah that all are entitled to participate sion, to the point that we can say which contains his expressions of is related to continuity and existence. Are we capable be merciful to him) and his efforts in this occasion. This is what we that every event was a mini-festi- love for this country, performed by The proportion of Qataris in Qatar’s to establish Qatar and unite its felt together with journalists, who val for the “love of Qatar”. It was local and Gulf artists. Al Rayyan population rose from 28 percent in of laying people in order to gain independ- paid a visit to Darb Al Saai and also a way to express their dedi- magazine also has been covering 1993 to 31 percent in 2001, but then foundations ence and progress. observed the interaction between cation and loyalty, which flows in the National Day in a number of changes occurred. Suddenly, the popu- When the national football the veins of Qataris, who believe special documentaries featuring lation increased from 700,000 in 2004 for positive team won the 22nd Gulf Cup in that they are following in the a lot of information, articles and to 1.2 million in 2008. The population Riyadh, Qatari people and foreign footsteps of their forefathers. It interviews that are closely linked is expected to reach three million in interaction and residents throughout the country was also a way to remind them of to the occasion. the next 10 years. The percentage of were jubilant. The second great joy the promises they made to their We cannot tell people that they Qatari citizens in the whole popula- cultural exchange was the gathering of Gulf leaders predecessors, and themselves have have to celebrate collectively. It is tion decreased from 40 percent in and normalisation of relations There are those who counselled to their children and the right of everyone to celebrate 1970 to 12 percent in 2010. If the influx with the various — the return of ambassadors to believe that such grandchildren. the way that suits them, but it of expatriates continues at the cur- Doha. It was an event of great There are those who believe must be acceptable and not con- rent rate, the percentage of nationals communities that significance. The 35th GCC sum- events do not need that such events do not need to trary to the customs and tradi- will drop to five percent by 2030. coexist with our mit in Doha on December 9, 2014, to take place, and take place, and that all celebra- tions, and most importantly, to the There are several challenges that solved the political tension within that all celebrations tions must be confined to a single religion that governs us. threaten national identity at a time national culture? GCC with Qatar taking the lead by location. With due respect to all I cannot but send my deep- of change. Everyone without exception embracing dialogue to resolve dis- must be confined to that has been written about this est congratulations to the suffers feelings of alienation, social putes, as well as avoiding anything a single location. joyful occasion, it would have been Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin isolation and segregation. There are family and tribal affilia- that could cause divisions within almost impossible to gather eve- Hamad Al Thani, Father Emir tions, with the internal and external conflicts they entail, and the GCC. ryone in one place. It would have H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al allegiances to the universal identity and collective identity of the We celebrated our National Day been nice to have a location where Thani, Deputy Emir H H Sheikh society. All these are linked to the wider identity of the Gulf, with with the slogan, “Pursuing hon- different people on this occasion everyone could meet, but this does Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, its customs and traditions, and the Arab-Islamic identity, with esty, advice and refinement” It is with much appreciation. not necessarily mean that people H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser all its ups and downs and the eternal conflict between tradition a stanza from a poem by the late The most beautiful aspect, in my should not celebrate in private, bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime and modernity. Sheikh Jassim that illustrates his view, are the different ways of cel- whether at home or in public Minister and Interior Minister, The question is: What is the road map for the future to counter keenness, wisdom and the consti- ebration. Government offices get places. People cannot be forced and to all Qataris on this pre- these aggravated problems and stormy changes? Are we capable of tution that he drafted for his peo- involved as they deem appropri- from their homes or neighbour- cious occasion, which we ask God laying foundations for positive interaction and cultural exchange ple and the coming generations. ate. Private companies and insti- hoods to places dedicated for such to sustain for us for many years to with the various communities that coexist with our national cul- We now celebrate his achieve- tutions also took part and people celebrations. come, praying to God Almighty to ture, and of preserving our identity at the level of the individual, ments 100 years after his death. celebrated at the personal, family There are public spaces that are preserve the State of Qatar and to family, tribe, community, nation, and the Gulf, Arab and Islamic The celebration is a means to and tribal level, which resulted in available, such as Darb Al Saai, guide all of us to the best. world? What if we fail? Will that mean becoming like the Native remind the new generation what many activities on this occasion. which had many events tailored Americans on the Gulf shores? our forefathers sacrificed in order Members of tribes paid visits to for government agencies. Also, the The views expressed in articles on this page do not reflect the viewpoint of the newspaper. to help us lead noble lives. It is each other and sheikhs, ministers media covers such large events. THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Libya could become next Syria, says FM Call to patch up divided govt; peace talks on January 5

WASHINGTON: Libya, torn Asked whether he was worried of anonymity. “He also set out by a growing political divide that Libya was not high on the list three key issues for a roadmap that threatens to engulf its oil- of US President Barack Obama’s — a national unity government, fields, could become the next priorities, the foreign minister said, stabilizing the country through Syria if it does not patch its “I do worry about that.” He said ceasefires of militias and a new divided government and get he spoke to a United Nations ses- constitution.” help battling Islamist militants, sion in New York on Friday and Chad UN Ambassador the country’s foreign minister met with officials in Washington to Mahamat Zene Charif, council said late on Tuesday. “draw the international communi- president this month, confirmed “If we don’t do the right ty’s attention to the rising threats the January 5 date, adding that thing now, in two years’ time of international terrorism in Libya council members expressed con- we could have — hopefully not and the need to fight it”. cern about the continued fighting — a repeat of what happened in Dayri said the eastern-based and flow of weapons into Libya. Syria in 2014 because the inter- government of Prime Minister Charif noted that Leon said the national community didn’t react Abdullah Al Thinni faces what he parties had agreed on the roadmap. Family members of security officers who were fired after they conducted a massive corruption investigation that adequately,” Foreign Minister called “a serious financial crunch, A UN official said that getting the led to the resignations of four cabinet ministers last year, hold the national flag as they demonstrate outside the Mohamed Dayri said. funding crunch” and may seek various factions to meet was like Constitutional Court in Ankara yesterday. The placards read in Turkish: “No to partisan policeman”. Dayri represents the interna- international loans. “herding heavily armed cats.” tionally recognised government Al Thinni’s government does Libya has had two governments in eastern Libya, which is locked not have access to oil revenues and parliaments competing for in an increasingly violent strug- routed to the Central Bank in legitimacy since a group called Turkey’s EU bid suffers blow gle for power with a rival faction, Tripoli. “We can get loans, and Libya Dawn seized the capital known as Libya Dawn, that seized this is what we may be seeking in August, installing its cabinet control in the capital of Tripoli to achieve in the coming days and and forcing the government of Al ANKARA: Turkey’s long-run- Turkey only this month along sought to become an EU member in August. weeks,” Dayri said, adding that Thinni to the east. ning bid to join the European with two commissioners just after in 1987 but did not launch for- In an ominous turn of events, he held discussions at the World World powers fear the Libyan Union has suffered a tough blow taking office, in a sign of the new mal accession talks until 2005 -- a force allied to the self-declared Bank and International Monetary conflict will lead to civil war as amid an acrimonious dispute team’s willingness to kick-start the same time as Croatia, which Tripoli government earlier this Fund on Monday night. former rebel groups that helped over a crackdown on opposition Ankara’s bid. became EU member in May 2013. month moved to seize Libya’s two Also, the UN Special Envoy for oust the country’s former leader, media, but analysts say there “Turkish-EU relations are not Only one new chapter has been biggest oil export ports, Es Sider Libya, Bernadino Leon, informed the late Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011 still remains hope its candidacy in terminal decline, but going opened in Turkish-EU talks since and Ras Lanuf. Fighting has since the UN Security Council that the fight for power and a share of its is not yet dead in the water. through very rough storms 2010, bringing the number of pol- spread to a third oil port. rival factions in Libya have agreed vast oil reserves. Leon has said that Recent police raids on media at present,” Felix Schmidt of icy areas under negotiation to 14 Dayri repeated his govern- in principle to hold a new round of the Libya dialogue would include outlets affiliated with tough- German think-tank the Friedrich out of the 35 that need to be com- ment’s charge that forces attack- peace talks early in the new year. members of the General National talking President Recep Tayyip Ebert Foundation said. pleted. Turkey’s ruling Justice and ing the oil facilities included The world body had planned to hold Congress, the country’s previous Erdogan’s top foe, the US-based A Western diplomat said that Development Party co-founded by elements of Ansar Al Sharia. a second round of talks last week assembly reinstated by the new cleric Fethullah Gulen, sparked while the current rhetoric was Erdogan embarked on an ambi- The United States has designated to end a confrontation between two rulers in the capital Tripoli. an angry exchange with Brussels, severe “there will always be ups tious reformist agenda when it Ansar Al Sharia as a terrorist rival governments and parliaments, Hundreds of civilians in Libya which said the arrests under- and downs in Turkish-EU ties”. first came to power in 2002 with group and accuses it of involve- but it said a military escalation was have been killed in fighting since mined media freedom. “If you simply look at the rheto- the aim of closer EU integration. ment in the deadly September undermining its efforts. late August, the UN said, warn- Erdogan showed no fear on ric, it might be down for now but But there are growing fears 2012 attack on the US diplomatic The new talks have been ing commanders of armed groups cranking up the dispute further, there will be ups again,” the dip- Turkey is drifting away from compound in Benghazi, Libya. repeatedly delayed due to dif- that they could face prosecution telling the 28-nation bloc to “mind lomat added. Western-style democracy on which US officials said that while ficulties getting the parties to for possible war crimes, including their own business”, and “not to Turkey’s efforts to join the EU the modern republic is based, with they see Ansar Al Sharia as a agree to meet. UN Special Envoy executions and torture. give a democracy lesson to Turkey”. had already stalled in recent years Erdogan accused of drifting to problem, the name is sometimes Bernadino Leon briefed the The conflict has driven at least Meanwhile EU Affairs Minister at several stumbling blocks, includ- authoritarian rule after taking used loosely as a label that covers 15-nation Security Council via 120,000 people from their homes Volkan Bozkir said he did not care ing its human rights record and the presidency in August. Some other militant groups, including video link. and caused a humanitarian cri- if Turkey was admitted, prompt- objections from some EU states to commentators see the entire Islamic State and Al Qaeda in the “He (Leon) said he had agree- sis, said a joint report by the ing jokes on Twitter questioning the principle of admitting an over- Turkey-EU saga as a cynical Islamic Maghreb. Various Islamist ment ‘in principle’ that talks UN human rights office and UN the point of his ministry. whelmingly Muslim country. game with the current tense cli- militants — as well as secularist would start on the 5th,” a dip- Support Mission in Libya that The rebukes astonished EU Turkey, an associate member mate benefiting both sides and groups — are trying to take over lomat who attended the closed- also documents shelling of civil- foreign policy chief Federica of the old European Economic Turkish membership not realistic the oil facilities, the officials say. door meeting said on condition ian areas. REUTERS Mogherini, who had visited Community since 1963, first in the foreseeable future. AFP

Algeria kills Death sentence for Saudi head of group linked to 2006 Qaeda plot RIYADH: A Saudi Arabian court yesterday sentenced a man to death for links to a 2006 attack claimed by Al Qaeda on the king- that beheaded dom’s biggest oil facility. Two other Saudis were jailed for 33 and 27 years respectively, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. French tourist In February 2006, suicide bombers with explosive-laden vehi- cles attempted to penetrate the oil-processing plant at Abqaiq, ALGIERS: The Algerian army in Eastern Province, killing two security guards. The pair of said yesterday that it had killed militants also died in the attack, which failed to breach the com- the head of a militant group pound and was claimed by the Saudi branch of Al Qaeda. Saudi that beheaded a French tourist security forces later killed five men linked to the plot during an after it had pledged allegiance armed clash in the capital. The court in Riyadh convicted the to the Islamic State group. men of various charges including “participation by agreement” The body of Abdelmalek Gouri, with the Abqaiq attack, the SPA said. “One of them had been who claimed responsibility for the responsible for Al Qaeda’s media activities inside the kingdom,” beheading of Frenchman Herve it added. They were also found guilty of offences including the Gourdel in September, was iden- possession of bombs, weapons and ammunition. Authorities in tified after an operation in the 2011 established specialised tribunals to try Saudis and foreign- town of Isser “that allowed us to ers accused of belonging to Al Qaeda or of involvement in deadly eliminate three terrorists”, the attacks in the kingdom from 2003 to 2007. army said. An operation lasting three Somalia parliament okays new PM months had seen 3,000 Algerian troops mobilised to catch Artists in front of paintings during a showcase of Saudi art displayed on billboards on Tahlia street in Riyadh. MOGADISHU: Somalia’s lawmakers yesterday approved the Gourdel’s killers. The confirma- appointment of new Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali tion of Gouri’s death came after Sharmarke, who vowed to end the infighting slowing Somalia’s the Nahar private television efforts to rebuild after decades of war. Sharmarke, who served as network said soldiers had killed First outdoor art show in Saudi prime minister between 2009-2010, becomes Somalia’s third pre- him and two other militants late mier in just over a year. The previous two fell out with the presi- on Monday in Isser, about 60km RIYADH: In highly conserva- East”. Normally on Tahlia Street, drew 3,200 entries. Most of the dent over the make-up of their cabinets. The ouster of Sharmarke’s east of Algiers. tive Saudi Arabia where most the only things on show are flashy colourful works are in an abstract predecessor, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, frustrated Western pow- The army released an image of forms of entertainment are cars cruising past the boulevard’s style. They include a variety of ers that say the political paralysis encouraged Islamist al Shabaab what appeared to be Gouri’s dead forbidden, art has taken to the wide sidewalks, outdoor cafes, subjects including urban and rural rebels and paralysed the country’s fragile state institutions. “I will body. He was pictured lying on his streets. and high-end restaurants serv- landscapes, sports, Islam’s holiest soon name an all-inclusive cabinet of ministers,” Sharmarke said back wearing tracksuit bottoms Dozens of paintings are being ing Western cuisine. site the Ka’aba, a stylised camel, soon after 218 of the 224 legislators present in Mogadishu’s parlia- and a black sweater, surrounded displayed on outdoor advertising “The culture and the society and a couple in traditional dress ment approved his appointment. Most of the high-ranking politi- by blood stains. Another handout billboards in the capital and other do not encourage artists and it sitting on chairs together at the cal positions in Mogadishu are divided amongst Somalia’s clans, image showed Gouri as a clean- cities in what organisers say is the is difficult to be an artist in this seaside. which tend to compete against each other for resources and power. shaven young man with curly hair. kingdom’s first public art show. society,” said Majed Saud Al One painting shows a green “I assure you that there will be no political conflict, everything will Jund Al Khilafa, or “Soldiers of “It is something new,” said Mefareh, in front of a billboard female figure, hands on hips and be solved through consultation and discussion,’ Sharmarke added. the Caliphate”, beheaded Gourdel Mohammed Al Khereiji, dep- featuring his painting, “Story”. It head held high, emerging from a Sharmarke, 54, quit as prime minister in 2010 due to the govern- on September 24 in a gruesome uty chief executive of Al Arabia is a patchwork of abstract figures cactus in a desert landscape. ment’s failure to counter a raging Islamist insurgency. video posted online after France Outdoor, the advertising firm and images depicting Saudi life Ahlam Nassir Al Harbi, 23, said rejected the group’s demand to behind the exhibition. It opened and traditions. women are also a minority among Syria dissidents to meet in Cairo halt anti-IS air strikes in Iraq. On on Monday night along Riyadh’s Mefareh, 38, who holds a regu- the country’s artists, making up Saturday, the army said it killed glitzy Tahlia Street and runs until lar job in administration, said he perhaps 10 or 20 percent of paint- DAMASCUS: Opponents of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s three other Islamist gunmen in Saturday. “For the first time, has been a part-time painter for ers. An art student at Princess regime will meet in Cairo to try to reach a common “vision” a mountainous area near Sidi art is presented to the public,” about two decades because he Nora bint Abdulrahman University to end the nearly four-year war, an opposition source said yes- Daoud, and that one of them was although small indoor exhibitions enjoys his hobby and knows that for women, she said “it feels lovely” terday. “Several opposition groups and individuals have been a “dangerous criminal” wanted have previously taken place in the “some people in our society like to have one of her paintings exhib- in talks for more than two months, and we have been in con- since 1995. Soldiers also seized a kingdom, he said. it” too. The inaugural exhibition ited outside. The work shows two tact with them to try to reach a joint vision to solve the cri- large quantity of guns, ammuni- Sculptures have also been dis- should help more Saudis to appre- female forms alongside traditional sis,” said Munzer Khaddam of the National Democratic Body for tion and explosives during the played in the open, including a ciate the visual arts, he said. Bedouin designs. Democratic Change, which is tolerated by the regime. A “national operation. permanent display along the cor- Sultan Al Adwani, a curious The show did not, however, gathering” is planned in Cairo, followed by a second meeting in Gourdel, a 55-year-old moun- niche in Jeddah, and the country onlooker who works at the inte- generate much attention from Moscow, Khaddam said without giving a timetable. Twelve oppo- tain guide, was kidnapped in has some small galleries. rior ministry, said the outdoor the country’s religious police. sition groups as well as Kurdish officials and members of the September while hiking in a With about 3,400 billboards gallery seemed like a good idea. “The Islamic police passed by”, exiled opposition National Coalition will join the Cairo meeting, national park that was once a showing 80 paintings by Saudi “It’s better than inside the build- Khereiji said, and they had no said Khaddam. Another opposition source said the meeting was draw for tourists but became a artists, Khereiji called it “the ing,” he said. The paintings were problem with the exhibition. expected to take place in mid-January. AGENCIES sanctuary for Islamists. AFP biggest art gallery in the Middle chosen after a call for submissions AFP THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 US police kill black teen brandishing gun Tension high in St Louis suburb bordering Ferguson; police look for another suspect who fled scene

WASHINGTON: In the latest A 300-strong crowd gathered hand,” he said. “I would imagine incident to fuel tension between after the shooting, with demon- that most of us would feel like we US police and the black commu- strators lobbing bricks and three were in imminent danger of losing nity, a teenager was shot dead explosive devices, which officials our lives at that point and I think by a white officer in a suburb of said were likely fireworks. Police the officer responded with what St Louis, ground zero of a new responded with pepper spray. he thought was commensurate protest movement. A small group was seen looting force.” Some reports, however, St Louis county police chief Jon a shop close to the scene of the said some eyewitnesses disputed Belmar said an 18-year-old sus- shooting. At least one officer was that account. pect levelled a gun at an officer injured and is in hospital after the A woman who identified her- responding to a theft complaint clashes. self as the victim’s mother, Toni at a gas station, leaving him with Belmar said “bad choices” Martin, said her son was running no alternative but to shoot. were made by the suspect, and when he was shot and killed. But the death in Berkeley — defended the officer’s decision “His girlfriend told me that the a St Louis suburb immediately to shoot. “This individual could police was messing with them,” bordering Ferguson, in recent have complied with the officer, Martin said on CNN. “When he months the scene of a more con- he could have ran away, he could was trying to get up and run, they troversial police shooting and have dropped the gun... it didn’t started shooting him. They won’t subsequent riots — triggered have to end with him approaching tell me nothing. They won’t even immediate protests. the officer with an arm extended let me see my baby.” Belmar said two men and a nine-millimeter pistol in his AFP approached the officer’s car as it approached the gas station. One suspect pointed his nine-millime- Four held after policemen’s murder ter pistol at the officer, who drew NEW YORK: Four men have page with a comment threaten- his own weapon and fired three been arrested in New York for ing his local police precinct in shots. threats and false reports since Brooklyn. “The individual produced a the murder of two police offic- Shearin was arrested sepa- pistol with his arms straight out ers Saturday, police said. rately on Tuesday. pointing at the officer across the Protesters yell at police protecting the perimetre of a scene where a teenager was fatally shot by a police officer Two teenagers, Devon Coley, Also arrested Tuesday hood of the police car at that earlier at a Mobil gas station on North Hanley Road in Berkeley, Missouri, yesterday. 18, and Yasin Shearin, 16, were were Robert Bowman, 52, and point the policed officer produced charged with making “terroris- Roberto Labita, 46, charged his service weapon and fired,” he St Louis police released sur- years experience on the force — Antonio Martin. Police did not tic threats,” the police said. with making false reports over said. veillance footage from the gas was not wearing his body camera. confirm this, but said the suspect Coley, arrested Monday, telephone and on Facebook. Police are hunting for the sec- station, but said the officer — a The suspect was named in was known to police for assault posted a photo on his Facebook AFP ond man who fled the scene. 34-year-old white man with six US media reports as 18-year-old and robbery charges.

S Africa’s Zuma denies hinting at Ukraine, pro-Russia rebels resume talks in Minsk MINSK: Ukranian and rebel pro-Russian militias rose up Ukraine has remained tightly “answering the call of the heart”. issue for the rebels will be to make getting fifth wife envoys resumed intense talks against the historic shift toward centralised since independence A UN count puts the number sure that Kiev resumes the social yesterday aimed at ending a Europe that Kiev made in the and is only now considering eas- of deaths following an initial payments it suspended last month pro-Russian uprising that has wake of last winter’s ouster of ing its hold over the country’s September 5 truce deal at more in fear they were being used to JOHANNESBURG: South left the ex-Soviet republic in an unpopular Moscow-backed regions in order to stem pub- than 1,300. fund the revolt. African President Jacob Zuma ruins and upset East-West ties. president. lic resentment over the relative The overall toll since last Russia’s Kiev ambassador yesterday denied local media A successful round of pre- Separatist commanders in prosperity enjoyed in Kiev. winter from Europe’s bloodi- Mikhail Zurabov — Moscow’s reports that he has hinted he liminary negotiations in the Lugansk and Donetsk have since Such problems helped under- est conflict since the 1990s envoy at the talks who defends may be ready to take a fifth Belarussian capital Minsk would declared their own republics mine two deals reached in Minsk is more than 4,700 and has the insurgents’ stance — said wife to accompany him through pave the way for a second meeting and will settle for no less than in September that Poroshenko caused friction between many “economic” issues were one of old age. tomorrow at which a final agree- Ukraine becoming a loose federa- was forced into following a sur- of the country’s Ukrainian and the four main points on the In a statement titled “holiday ment is signed. tion in which they manage most prise rebel counteroffensive that Russian speakers that may take agenda. legends”, the presidency said a But sharply contrasting visions of their own affairs. Nato believes was backed by crack generations to heal. But a Kiev-based OSCE repre- journalist from The Star, a leading of Ukraine’s place in Europe and This solution is backed Russian forces and tanks. Yesterday’s meeting includes sentative who was also to attend newspaper, had “misunderstood” its system of government threaten firmly by Russia but rejected by Russian President Vladimir mediators from Russia and the yesterday’s meeting said the sides a Zulu idiom during the 72-year- to block a solution to the eight- Ukrainian nationalists who make Putin flatly calls soldiers who Organization for Security and will discuss humanitarian aid old Zuma’s speech. month war. up an important part of President crossed into the Ukrainian Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). deliveries, but steer clear of the The newspaper reported that The industrial east’s Petro Poroshenko’s government. war zone volunteers who are The most important immediate payments debate. AFP during a visit to a Durban town- ship in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday, Zuma had said in Zulu “Angakayakhi German Santa on a bike! indlu yokugugela... laba ngisabat- hathile nje” (I do have wives but I’m yet to marry my last one). Italy labour reform The crowd, most of them eld- erly, laughed and cheered, The Star said. relaxes firing curbs “The president joked that he did not have “indlu yokugugela” (the home in which I will age in), ROME: Italy’s government yes- have to approve other parts of the which the journalist reported as terday began drawing up the package in subsequent meetings a hint about taking another wife,” details of a reform that Prime and it must then be scrutinised by said the presidency. Minister Matteo Renzi said will parliamentary committees. Zuma, who on Sunday said he “revolutionise” the country’s A key change approved yes- was in “perfect condition” after labour market when it takes terday is that firms with more a stay in hospital in June, had effect some time next year. than 15 employees will be able to earlier made a speech about the The cabinet approved key parts fire workers for business reasons need to respect and tend for older of the so-called Jobs Act to ease without the risk of having to rein- people. firing restrictions, extend the state them even if the dismissal Before the denial was issued duration of jobless benefits and is ruled unlawful. Unjustified some South Africans had reacted introduce a new contract type dismissal will require payment of to the rumour with support. offering compensation in case of compensation but the worker will “Good for him and the wife to dismissal that gradually increases not be able to get his job back as be,” said radio presenter Sebenzile with seniority. is the case at present. The change Nkambule on Twitter. “Why are At the end of a three-hour will not affect the public sector people upset? It’s THEIR culture. Cabinet meeting, Renzi told or people already in work — only You don’t like it, don’t be polyga- reporters the measures were a new hires in the private sector. mous.” But with over 20 children, “Copernican revolution” and said The current rules allowing for and four wives currently on the the rules making firing easier reinstatement do not affect com- state’s budget, Zuma has also meant there were now “no alibis” panies with less than 16 employ- been harshly criticised for hit- to keep potential investors away ees, which account for close to ting taxpayers’ pockets with his from Italy. However the Jobs Act, half of Italy’s workers. personal life after refurbishments one of several reforms that Renzi Italy’s unions have already held to his private home — including a hopes can revive a stagnant econ- strikes against the reform plan swimming pool and amphitheatre. omy and cut record unemploy- and vowed more protests to try AFP ment, is still months away from to stop it becoming law. becoming law. The cabinet will REUTERS Mexican soldier A doll dressed as Santa Claus sits on a bike in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday. kills six kids, wife before suicide Sony Pictures releases The Interview on YouTube MEXICO CITY: A Mexican soldier is suspected of strangling LOS ANGELES: Sony Pictures agreeing to release it at some 200 the release.” The movie, which for $5.99 or buy for $14.99. No reviewers as “profane” and “raun- his six children and beating his made “The Interview” available independent theatres. stars Seth Rogen and James cable or satellite TV operator chy” — after Sony contacted the wife to death before hanging online yesterday, widening dis- “It was essential for our stu- Franco and is about a fictional has yet agreed to make “The company about a week ago about himself, authorities said yes- tribution of a comedy that trig- dio to release this movie, espe- plot to assassinate North Korean Interview” available through making it available online. terday. Authorities found the gered a massive cyberattack cially given the assault upon our leader Kim Jong-un, triggered the video on demand (VOD). “Given everything that’s hap- woman on a bed and the six chil- blamed on North Korea, after business and our employees by most destructive cyberattack ever The showing is a chance for pened, the security implications dren — four boys and two girls backtracking on a decision to those who wanted to stop free to target a US company, result- Google and Microsoft, which were very much at the front of — spread out on a mat inside the cancel the movie’s release that speech,” Sony Entertainment ing in the release of hundreds of have been big players in a VOD our minds,” Google’s chief legal house in the Mexico City suburb was criticised as self-censorship. Chief Executive Michael Lynton embarrassing emails and confi- market dominated by Apple Inc, officer, David Drummond, wrote of Ecatepec at dawn, prosecutors The film was available for said in a statement. “We chose the dential data. Amazon.com Inc and cable and in a blog post. “But after discuss- said. The man’s body was hang- rental on Google Inc’s YouTube path of digital distribution first In addition to YouTube Movies, satellite operators, to raise their ing all the issues, Sony and Google ing by a rope out a window. site as of early yesterday after- so as to reach as many people as Google Play, Microsoft’s Xbox profile. agreed that we could not sit on Police said the children died of noon. Microsoft Corp and Sony possible on opening day, and we Video, the comedy will be avail- Google said it had weighed the the sidelines and allow a handful asphyxiation and that the woman itself are also showing the com- continue to seek other partners able on a dedicated website, security implications of screen- of people to determine the limits had been beaten up. AFP edy, the studio said, a day after and platforms to further expand www.seetheinterview.com, to rent ing the movie — described by of free speech...”. REUTERS THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN

Christmas in Islamabad slum Imran’s party Govt to challenge ranks higher bail for Mumbai in democracy rankings attacks suspect ISLAMABAD: When ‘internal democracy’ among the political parties in parliament is com- pared, the ruling Pakistan Petition to be filed next week Muslim League-N (PML-N) of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani worsened dramatically after the comes in last and opposition government prosecutor said Mumbai carnage, in which 10 Jamaat-i-Islami of Sirajul Haq yesterday he would file a peti- gunmen attacked luxury hotels, tops the chart, according to an tion next week challenging a popular cafe, a train station assessment carried out by the an order granting bail to the and a Jewish centre. Pakistan Institute of Legislative alleged mastermind of the 2008 Lakhvi remains in custody in Development and Transparency terror attacks in Mumbai. the high-security Adyala prison (Pildat). A judge in an Islamabad in the garrison city of Rawalpindi However, according to the anti-terror court last week after the authorities ordered his assessment report if JI’s restricted granted bail to Zaki-ur-Rehman detention under public order system of membership and inter- Lakhvi, accused over the siege in laws following the bail decision. nal election excludes it from the India’s commercial capital that Indian Prime Minister comparison, PTI emerges as left 166 people dead and was Narendra Modi told lawmak- the party with the best internal blamed on the banned Pakistani ers last week that the bail order A girl stands in front of her house ahead of Christmas in a Christian-dominated slum in Islamabad yesterday. democracy. militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba came “as a shock to all those who The report lists the parties in (LeT). believe in humanity world over”. descending order and gives them The bail decision triggered New Delhi has long said there scores in percentage. At the top a furious response from New is evidence that “official agen- is Jamaat-i-Islami with a score Delhi and Pakistani prosecutors cies” in Pakistan were involved 786 elected unopposed in Balochistan polls of 56 per cent followed by Imran swiftly announced they would in plotting the attack. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf appeal against it. “We will file Islamabad denies the charge QUETTA: At least 786 can- candidates who had not submit- 1,482 candidates, 315 peasants at 49 per cent, Asfandyar Wali’s a petition in Islamabad High but LeT’s charitable arm Jamaat- didates, out of 1,486 reserved ted nomination papers on the and 298 workers are participat- Awami National Party at 46 per Court next week,” prosecutor ud-Dawa, seen as a front for the seats for peasants and workers 105 seats were 50 peasants and ing. “All preparations have been cent, Fazlur Rehmans’ Jamiat Mohammad Azhar Chaudhry militant group, operates openly were elected unopposed during 55 workers,” Balochistan Election completed. The last phase of the Ulema Islam (JUI) and Hasil told AFP. in the country. the second phase of local bodies Commissioner Sultan Bayazid elections, election of chairman, Bizenjo’s National Party (NP) Chaudhry had originally Seven Pakistani suspects have elections in the Pakistani prov- said. The first phase of the elec- deputy chairman and mayor of both get scores of 43 per cent. planned to file the appeal on been charged with planning and ince of Balochistan. The last tion was held on December 7, 2013. Quetta would take place at the Altaf Hussain’s Muttahida Monday, but had to delay it as he financing the attacks but the phase of elections are due to be However, due to the amended law, end of January.” Qaumi Movement (MQM) is at 42 had not received a written copy failure to advance their trials has held at the end of January. the process had been delayed. Bayazid said that 105 seats were per cent, Asif Zardari’s Pakistan of the bail ruling. been a major obstacle to better “As many as 378 peasants He added that elections for vacant in Panjgur, Turbat and Peoples Party’s (PPP) score is 34 Relations between nuclear- ties between Pakistan and India. and 390 workers have been 613 seats are scheduled to be Awaran districts. per cent and Sharif’s Pakistan armed rivals Pakistan and India AFP elected unopposed, among the held on December 31, in which AGENCIES Muslim League-N comes in last with a score of 32 per cent. Journalist Mujibur Rehman Shami, a member of the Pildat committee which assessed the constitutions and internal activi- ties of the eight parties, noted Plans for new security measures for schools that most of the political parties do not even have a list of their members. “This is the reason the ISLAMABAD: New meas- required on an immediate basis to provide the chief commissioner party which made Pakistan has ures have been taken by the improve security. with a report on details of the fragmented into groups,” he said Capital Administration and To boost the confidence of stu- number of gates and their con- Attackers used unregistered SIMs at the launch of the Pildat report. Development Division in dents and parents, it was decided dition, and the number of walls, PESHAWAR: The Army Public School and College attackers in “Most parties spend millions Islamabad and the police to beef that the Islamabad IG will set barriers, and guards. Peshawar last week used cellphones to stay in touch with each in contesting elections but bank up security at educational insti- up additional Rescue 15 lines so Furthermore, gatekeepers at other and also with two of their commanders during the brazen accounts do not show match- tutes in the twin cities. that this helpline would be imme- schools will be trained by the attack, official sources said here yesterday. ing amounts. We cannot afford In the wake of the Peshawar diately available. It was further Islamabad police to combat any The source said at least three of the attackers used cellphones political parties receiving funds massacre in which Tehreek-e- decided that CADD will call a emergency. Ibrahim said that he that were activated two days before the attack. The SIMs were from unknown sources,” he added, Taliban members attacked Army meeting of principals of all col- will personally make regular vis- probably purchased and activated in Landikotal tehsil in Khyber advising them not to emulate “the Public School, killing at least 145 leges and schools in which the IG its to monitor the steps taken to Agency, said a source from the initial investigation by the police. budgets of traders’ unions” and people including 132 students, will brief them on tactical secu- enhance security. It was also sug- The source added that the attackers called each other and their keep proper accounts. educational institutes were asked rity measures. gested that CADD hire security command several times while butchering innocent students at the PTI Member of National to enhance their security. Similarly, all schools and col- personnel if the need arises. The auditorium, classes, corridors and other places. Assembly Arif Alvi found it “encour- Minister of State for Capital leges will designate their own Islamabad police have also devised These SIMs were registered with fake names of people belong- aging” that his party “scored high” Administration and Development security officers, who will remain a strategy to improve security at ing to Punjab and Sindh. Thousands of SIMs are sold daily in the in the list. “We held elections of PTI Division (CADD) Usman Ibrahim in contact with the local admin- schools through the cooperation country without any proper procedure. Mostly unregistered SIMs for overseas Pakistanis in 2006 and has constituted a security moni- istration and law enforcement with school administrations and have been used in terrorist attacks and heinous crimes. decided to introduce electronic mail toring team, headed by sen- agencies. A CADD monitoring special briefings for students. The reports also added that two of the attackers were Afghans, to cast vote. Then in Pakistan we ior joint secretary Rukhsana team will verify the credentials “Security at schools is being another two were from Swat while at least one was from Bara. opened membership through phone Rehman, for school and colleges of all staff and security guards at improved in Islamabad after con- The report said the attackers stayed at a local mosque before and around 3.5 million people reg- in Islamabad. The team has schools to combat the threat of sultations with school administra- carrying out the assault via Bihari Colony. However, it could not istered. Another four million were been directed to submit a report an ‘inside job’. tions,” said Islamabad IG Tahir be confirmed. AGENCIES registered manually,” he said. regarding the measures that are FDE DG Aamir Khawaja will Alam Khan. AGENCIES AGENCIES Afghanistan looks for long-term sustainability

KABUL: Afghanistan has new built-to-last structures with local fatigue and the government strug- roads, sections of which many resources, but new techniques gles to shake off a reputation as one deem too dangerous to use. It has have yet to catch on. “I don’t of the world’s most corrupt. a turbine to fill electricity needs think it will be possible for them Efforts to wean the country off aid that remains in pieces. Sixteen (farmers) to do it by themselves,” have focussed on two multi-billion transport planes given to the said Amanullah Sahak, regional dollar projects to tap Afghanistan’s Air Force were scrapped having coordinator for the Commercial copper and iron ore. But both are barely flown. Horticulture and Agricultural years away from commercial pro- International aid has been the Marketing Programme. duction, limiting the government’s mainstay of the Afghan economy More than $100bn has been spent chances of reshaping the economy. since the Taliban were ousted on aid in Afghanistan, the bulk of it Afghanistan aims to raise around in 2001, and donors, chiefly the from the United States. 30 percent of its 2014 budget inter- United States, have plenty to Rebuilding security forces nally, but it is off target and had to show for tens of billions of dollars soaked up nearly two-thirds of US ask donors for an emergency bailout they poured into the war-ravaged funding, leaving tens of billions of in September to pay salaries. nation. Yet for all the success of dollars for civilian projects, which, The Afghan aid effort, one of the cities rising from the rubble and according to the US reconstruc- biggest in history, has been tar- boys and girls flocking to schools, tion watchdog, have not always nished by costly failures. US troops from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force play music for Christmas carols during a there are frequent examples of aid been spent wisely. Nearly $500m was spent on 20 poorly spent, with little regard for “Evidence strongly suggests that transport planes for the Afghan Christmas Eve celebrations at Bagram Airfield, north of Kabul, yesterday. the long-term viability of projects Afghanistan lacks the capacity — Air Force, but most of them were once money taps are turned off. financial, technical, managerial, destroyed this year and sold for led by President Ashraf Ghani, to boost the economy, which has Civilian and military casualties Take Mohammad Nasir, a farmer or otherwise — to maintain, sup- scrap because the armed forces who was appointed in September, collapsed from an average 9.4 per- from the Taliban insurgency hit in his 70s who was recommended port, and execute much of what were unable to use and maintain can maintain progress as foreign cent growth between 2003-2012 to new highs this year as NATO by the US Agency for International has been built or established dur- them. troops leave after more than a 1.5 percent this year, according to reduces its presence, threaten- Development (USAID) as an exam- ing more than a decade of inter- Electricity supply to Kandahar decade of war. “The thing that’s the World Bank. ing stability and the safety of aid ple of its success in Afghanistan. national assistance,” the Special in the south, a focal point of coun- changed in 12 years is that Afghans Not all aid money has been workers. Nasir earns over three times the Inspector General for Afghanistan ter-insurgency efforts, remains now have human capacity that they wasted. Life expectancy rose from “Clearly there are more events, national average wage of around Reconstruction (SIGAR) said. severely limited and dependent on didn’t have before,” Larry Sampler, 55 to 61 years between 2001 and and some violent events, there’s $650 a year, thanks largely to US The danger posed by militants aid as a third turbine at the Kajaki USAID’s chief for Afghanistan 2012, underlining improvements in more criminality, there have money that covered most of the cost has hampered progress. In Nasir’s dam designed to boost output has and Pakistan, said, referring to health care. been more abductions this year, of the concrete trellises on which case, the hour’s drive from the yet to be installed. progress made in education. More than nine million children than there were last year,” said his grapes grow near Kabul. capital to his farm is considered In 2008, hundreds of NATO “What Ghani has to do is capi- are registered in school, compared John Watt, Oxfam’s director for Yet once the USAID project fin- too risky for foreign USAID staff. troops transported the turbine talise on the human capacity.” with one million under Taliban Afghanistan. ishes this month, even its contrac- The problem has become more parts to the dam across dangerous But three months into his pres- rule. World Bank figures show He said he offered staff the tor says the programme may be pressing as foreign troops withdraw terrain held by the Taliban, but the idency, Ghani has yet to appoint income per capita rose from $186 opportunity to leave over security unsustainable. USAID had hoped at the end of the year, funding for hardware remains unassembled. his ministers and some question to $688 a year over the decade to concerns. Two people immediately farmers would copy the expensive, programmes drops amid donor USAID says the government whether he can deliver on promises 2012. But gains can be reversed. packed their bags. REUTERS

THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Vajpayee, Madan Mohan Malaviya named for Bharat Ratna NEW DELHI: The govern- Day. Prime Minister Narendra leaders, including party veteran decision” on the conferment. An orator par excellence, ment yesterday named former Modi hailed the announcement. LK Advani, had been demanding Union ministers Sushma Vajpayee earned much fame as prime minister Atal Bihari The Congress also welcomed it. Bharat Ratna for Vajpayee for Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and Jaitley India’s external affairs minis- Vajpayee (pictured) and late “Bharat Ratna being conferred several years. Advani had even met Vajpayee at his residence ter in Prime Minister Morarji freedom fighter-educationist on Madan Mohan Malaviya and written about the matter to then after the government announce- Desai’s government, during which Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a matter prime minister Manmohan Singh. ment. Vajpayee has not been keep- he delivered a widely acclaimed for India’s highest civilian hon- of great delight. The country’s Vajpayee will be the seventh ing well for the past few years. speech to the United Nations our, the Bharat Ratna. highest honour to these illus- prime minister to receive the Advani said that among all the General Assembly in Hindi. A Rashtrapati Bhavan com- trious stalwarts is a fitting rec- award, after Jawaharlal Nehru, 14 prime ministers since inde- The Allahabad-born Malaviya munique said: “The president ognition of their service to the Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, pendence, Vajpayee was one with was the president of the Indian has been pleased to award Bharat nation,” the prime minister said Morarji Desai, Lal Bahadur a “blemishless tenure”. National Congress for two terms Ratna to Pandit Madan Mohan in a statement. Shastri and Gulzarilal Nanda. Vajpayee had re-started the and was also among the first Malaviya (posthumously) and to The honour for Gwalior-born The Congress welcomed the Bharatiya Jan Sangh as the leaders of the right-wing Hindu Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.” Vajpayee, who was the country’s announcement. Party general Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980 Mahasabha. The announcement comes prime minister first in 1996 and secretary Ajay Maken tweeted a and was the first head of govern- Besides being a freedom fighter a day ahead of Vajpayee’s 90th then again from 1998 to 2004, congratulatory message after the ment from outside the Congress and politician, he was also an emi- birthday and coincidentally came after years of demands from Modi, during his Lok Sabha announcement was made. to serve a full five-year term. nent educationist. Malaviya’s 153rd birth anniver- people across party affiliations campaign, had promised Bharat The BJP parliamentary board He served the Lok Sabha, the The Banaras Hindu University sary on Christmas. The Narendra and the public at large. Ratna for Malviya, founder of the passed a resolution expressing its lower house of parliament, for 10 was founded by him in 1916. He Modi government is observing The announcement came in the Banaras Hindu University. “deep sense of gratitude” towards terms that began in 1957 and con- died a year before India’s inde- December 25 as Good Governance first year of the Modi government. Bharatiya Janata Party the government “for its historic cluded in 2009. pendence. IANS Assam toll rises to 71, PM reviews situation Three killed in police firing after adivasis protest

GUWAHATI: The toll in the will be withdrawn only after seriously, and we are going to deal violence unleashed by Bodo proper consultation with him with the militants firmly,” Gogoi militants rose to 71 yester- (Gogoi),” the sources said. said. “We are not going to sur- day, even as Home Minister Gogoi asked Rajnath Singh to render to them. We cannot allow Rajnath Singh, accompanied by institute a probe by the National these forces to continue.” two union ministers, reached Investigation Agency (NIA), to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Assam and reviewed the law which too the home minister expressed grief over the killings, and order situation with Chief agreed, the CMO said after the and announced an ex-gratia of Minister Tarun Gogoi and meeting. Rs2 lakh each to families of the other top officials. All the three union ministers dead and Rs50,000 to the seri- Rajnath Singh was accom- will visit the violence-affected ously injured. The Assam govern- panied by Minister of State for areas today. Three people were ment has announced ex gratia of Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and killed yesterday, when police fired Rs5 lakh to families of the dead Tribal Affairs Minister Jual at angry adivasis who took to the and Rs50,000 to those injured. Oram. streets, a day after Bodo militants The Prime Minister’s Office He reviewed the law and order massacred 65 unarmed tribals. said Rs86 lakh will be released situation with Gogoi, Director The violence, which was started to the Assam government. General of Police Khagen Sarma, Tuesday evening by the National Rijiju said: “It is very unfor- Chief Secretary Jitesh Khosla Democratic Front of Bodoland tunate this kind of violence Tribal men with their bows and arrows watch houses belonging to Bodo community people after they were set and other heads of security forces (NDFB) faction opposed to peace has taken place... If we have to on fire in retaliation in Tenganala village in Sonitpur district of Assam yesterday. in the state, the Chief Minister’s talks. In a probable retaliatory develop the northeast, peace Office (CMO) here said. attack, suspected adivasis killed must prevail.” Rajnath Singh and Gogoi both three Bodo people at a village Both Modi and Rajnath Singh district indulged in violence. Gogoi said: “The NDFB mili- parts of the three districts. said during the meeting that near Behali in Sonitpur district. telephoned Gogoi and promised The National Democratic tants have targeted innocent “Our first priority will be to there will be no compromise on This brought the death toll to all help to deal with the situation. Front of Bodoland faction people as they wanted a soft restore peace. We will take all security and stringent steps will 71. Those slaughtered include 21 The attacks in the three dis- opposed to peace talks had target to retaliate. It is barbaric measures to ensure there is no be taken to contain the situation. women and 18 children. tricts of Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and warned it would retaliate after and inhuman. They have killed escalation in the violence,” the “The chief minister requested There were also reports of Chirang began around 6.15pm on Assam Police launched an opera- minor children. There cannot chief minister said. for 55 companies of central par- burning of houses belonging to Tuesday, almost simultaneously. tion against them, particularly be any justification for such Tension has gripped the three amilitary forces and the home both communities in many parts Yesterday, three people in the area bordering Bhutan. killings.” districts, where scores of people minister agreed. The home min- of the state. Police said the vio- were killed in police firing Police had on Sunday killed He urged the electronic media have fled their homes and taken ister assured Gogoi that these 55 lence also spread to neighbouring after thousands of adiva- two Bodo militants and seized not to show graphic images of shelter in safer places fearing companies will not be withdrawn Udalguri district. “The central sis who took out a procession arms and ammunition from the dead and wounded. Officials further attacks by the militants. from the state immediately, and government has taken the matter at Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur them. said curfew has been imposed in IANS Lok Sabha records highest BJP keeps all productivity in last five years options open in Kashmir NEW DELHI: The winter session of par- according to data compiled by PRS Legislative liament that ended on Tuesday saw the Lok Research. In last five years, the closest the NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Sabha recording its highest productivity in the lower house came to this performance was in Janata Party (BJP) said yester- last five years, working more than 105 percent the budget session of 2009 reaching 104 percent. day it has kept all options open of its scheduled time. This was the first budget session after the UPA in Jammu and Kashmir fol- According to the parliamentary affairs min- government returned to power. lowing the assembly polls that istry, the Lok Sabha session saw 105.71 percent Earlier, during UPA-I, Lok Sabha had reached threw up a hung house. productivity, slightly higher than the 104 percent 110 percent productivity in 2005. Talking to reporters after a in the first budget session of the 16th Lok Sabha Marred by disruptions this winter session, the meeting of the BJP parliamen- in July-August. The reason was the absolute Rajya Sabha was the exact opposite. tary board here, Union Health majority the Narendra Modi government enjoys. It lagged with just 67.18 percent productivity, Minister and party leader JP In fact, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M as per the government. The upper house, in con- Nadda described the results of Venkiah Naidu said: “It was evident that while trast to the house of the people, has seen better assembly polls in Jharkhand and the majority in the Lok Sabha was used construc- performances reaching 106 percent productivity Jammu and Kashmir as a vic- tively, the same was used to obstruct legislation in the budget session this year during the NDA tory of Prime Minister Narendra in the Rajya Sabha.” government. In the budget session of 2009, Rajya Modi’s good governance agenda. The government is in minority in the upper Sabha reached 113 percent of its productivity. Besides, he said a meeting of house with the National Democratic Alliance The percentage of questions answered orally in its legislators in Jharkhand will having just 59 members in the 245-member the lower house is also high at 23 percent in this soon be held. house. Productivity is calculated on the basis of session. This is, however, slightly lower than the “The results of the assembly number of hours the house functions, compared July-August budget session, when 24 percent of polls were discussed and the par- to the number of scheduled hours. This stands the listed questions were answered orally, taking liamentary board expressed a in sharp contrast to the performance during the the tally to the highest since 2004 as 126 ques- great sense of satisfaction,” Nadda 15th Lok Sabha. tions were orally answered in the budget session. said. The lower house, in last winter session of 2013 The highest tally for questions answered orally Nadda said Union Finance recorded only 15 percent productivity, while the under the UPA-II government was 20 percent Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP monsoon session in 2013 had 58 percent produc- in the winter session of 2009, and 21 percent in national secretary Arun Singh, tivity and the budget session was at 49 percent, winter session of 2007 during UPA-I. IANS who will go as observers, will hold a meeting of the BJP legislature party that will elect its leader in Jammu and Kashmir. Asked about Jammu and Kejriwal to contest from New Delhi Kashmir, where the assembly polls have thrown up a fractured NEW DELHI: AAP chief and former Delhi chief mandate, he said the party was minister Arvind Kejriwal will contest the upcom- “open to all options”. ing assembly elections from his New Delhi constit- On Jharkhand, Nadda said the uency, the party said yesterday. Kejriwal defeated party will form a government but three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit in 2013 did not give any dateline. “We will in the constituency by over 26,000 votes. He then form government in Jharkhand, a headed a minority government for 49 days. meeting of the legislature party Kejriwal’s name figured in the fifth list of eight will be called soon,” said Nadda. candidates announced by the Aam Aadmi Party. “This is the first time since the It has so far declared 59 candidates for elections creation of the state (in 2000) expected to be held in February. Delhi elects that a pre-poll alliance or political 70 legislators. IANS party has won such a big major- ity,” he said. IANS ASIA THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Abe starts new term China warns against changing pacifist constitution

TOKYO: Prime Minister as defence minister after Eto “Abe and his new defence min- Shinzo Abe promised yesterday declined reappointment in the ister... need to tread carefully,” at the start of his new term to midst of a political funding scandal. China’s official Xinhua news revive Japan’s economy so he can Nakatani, 57, headed the agency said yesterday. pursue “powerful diplomacy”, defence agency — later upgraded “The two both advocate a but China’s state media warned to a ministry — in 2001-2002. stronger role for Japan’s Self- him to be wary about changing On top of trying to kick-start Defense Forces (military), and the pacifist constitution. the world’s number three econ- the international community The lower house voted to con- omy, Abe has vowed to pursue a should keep a wary eye on them firm 60-year-old Abe with 328 nationalist agenda, including per- and constantly remind them not votes, against 73 for acting oppo- suading a sceptical public of the to go too far.” sition leader Katsuya Okada. need to revise the constitution. “I’ve been saying (resurrect- That was followed by an He wants Japan’s powerful mil- ing) the economy is my top prior- upper house poll which officially itary to have the power to come to ity,” Abe said. endorsed Abe as premier follow- the aid of allies such as the United “Japan’s economy has been ing his sweeping election victory States if US forces are attacked. sluggish under more than 15 years this month. The attempt to alter the char- of deflation, which made Japan’s His new cabinet was largely ter, imposed by the US after the weight in the international com- unchanged with Taro Aso return- end of World War II, “is a his- munity decline and made Japan’s ing as deputy premier and finance toric challenge but it is difficult to diplomacy and security policy minister, Fumio Kishida as foreign do”, Abe told a news conference weak,” he said. minister and Yoichi Miyazawa in yesterday. “We can pursue powerful the industry minister post. His efforts have proved divi- diplomacy only after we obtain a The only new face was Gen sive at home and strained already strong economy.” Nakatani, replacing Akinori Eto tense relations with China. AFP

Second Christmas in ruins Arrest warrant sought for ‘nut for typhoon survivors rage’ heiress TACLOBAN: Thousands of government rebuilding plan. residents of the typhoon-weary This month Tacloban was hit SEOUL: South Korean pros- city of Tacloban in the mainly again — this time by Typhoon ecutors applied yesterday for Catholic Philippines prepared Hagupit, the most powerful to an arrest warrant for Korean yesterday to mark their second hit the country this year, which Air heiress Cho Hyun-Ah, who Christmas in ruins following destroyed more houses and tents delayed a flight with a tantrum two giant storms. provided by aid agencies to Haiyan over snacks in a “nut rage” A huge streetside Christmas survivors. incident that caused a national lantern was the sole sign of the However, prompt evacuation of uproar. nation’s most festive holiday in nearly 1.7 million people living in The prosecutors’ office said the the city’s Magallanes district, vulnerable areas in several parts 40-year-old daughter of the air- where shanties have replaced a of the country prevented more line’s boss faced charges including community flattened by tsunami- deaths. violation of the aviation safety law, like waves whipped up by Super “We already feel a lot better coercion and interference in the Typhoon Haiyan 13 months ago. compared to last year,” Magallanes execution of duty. Roughly a million people need to vegetable vendor Maria Fe Cajara, An arrest warrant is also be moved away from Magallanes 37, said. being sought for an unidentified and other coastal areas deemed “My husband and I are planning company executive on charges vulnerable to the monster waves to buy roasted chicken. Last year of destroying evidence from the generated by Haiyan, accord- we had relief goods to celebrate incident. ing to a 160-billion-peso ($3.6bn) Christmas,” she added. AFP AFP THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Merry X’mas

Fajr (Dawn) 4:55 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:17 Zuhr (Noon) 11:34 Asr (Afternoon) 2:31 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:52 Isha (Night) 6:22

WEATHER

Today Friday Saturday Weather Conditions: Clear Partly cloudy Clear Moderate temperature during High: 23° High: 23° High: 23° the day and slight Low: 17° Low: 16° Low: 15° dust at places, and relatively cold by night.

DOHA - SUN & SEA SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:17 16:52 07:30 19:00 14:45 00:00 20-25/30 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW

HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Workers in Santa Claus and reindeer costumes clean windows outside a shopping mall along Tokyo’s waterfront yesterday.

MUSCAT 27/18 Clear 27/17 Clear MAKKAH 33/22 Partly cloudy 32/23 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 18/05 Clear 19/06 Clear BAHRAIN 20/14 Partly cloudy 21/14 Clear SANAA 21/03 Clear 20/03 Clear Smartphone thumb skills altering brains RIYADH 18/08 Clear 19/10 Partly cloudy DUBAI 24/16 Clear 27/17 Clear LONDON: Frequent chat- by the scale of the changes intro- electroencephalography to record The results suggest that repeti- BAGHDAD 14/04 Clear 15/06 Partly cloudy ting with friends over touch- duced by the use of smartphones. the brain response to mechanical tive movements over the smooth screen smartphones can actually I was also struck by how much of touch on the thumb, index and touchscreen surface reshape sen- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW be brain altering, says a new the inter-individual variations in middle fingertips of touchscreen sory processing from the hand, HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER research. the fingertip-associated brain sig- phone users in comparison to peo- with daily updates in the brain’s According to Indian-origin sci- nals could be simply explained by ple who still have not given up their representation of the fingertips.

ATHENS 17/10 Clear 16/11 Clear entist Arko Ghosh from University evaluating the smartphone logs,” old-school mobile phones. “We propose that cortical sen- of Zurich, Switzerland, more said Ghosh, also working with ETH They found that the electrical sory processing in the contempo- WASHINGTON 11/03 Partly cloudy 11/02 Clear touchscreen use in the recent past Zurich in Switzerland. activity in the brains of smart- rary brain is continuously shaped SYDNEY 27/17 Chance of showers 22/18 Mostly cloudy has translated directly into greater It all started when Ghosh and phone users was enhanced when by personal digital technology,” LONDON 08/01 Clear 06/01 Chance of rain brain activity when the thumbs his colleagues realised that peo- all three fingertips were touched. Ghosh said. What exactly this PARIS 09/02 Partly cloudy 07/04 Mostly cloudy and other fingertips are touched. ple’s obsession with smartphones In fact, the amount of activity influence of digital technology ISTANBUL 13/08 Clear 13/08 Partly cloudy The news might not be so good, could be a grand opportunity in the cortex of the brain associ- means for us in other areas of MANILA 29/24 Chance of rain 29/23 Partly cloudy Ghosh and his colleagues say, not- to explore the everyday plastic- ated with the thumb and index fin- our lives is a question for another DHAKA 25/14 Clear 25/14 Clear ing the evidence linking excessive ity of the human brain. To link gertips was directly proportional day, said the authors in a report DELHI 17/08 Clear 15/06 Clear phone use with motor dysfunctions digital footprints to brain activ- to the intensity of phone use, as appeared in the Cell Press journal ISLAMABAD 18/04 Clear 18/06 Clear and pain. “I was really surprised ity, Ghosh and his team used quantified by built-in battery logs. Current Biology. IANS

Musical How Christmas Truce training can improve led to court martial kids’ brains BRUSSELS: “All the way down In one largely forgotten inci- exchanged cigars, cigarettes, etc our lines ... Scots and Huns were dent, a repeat of that first famous for quarter of an hour and when NEW YORK: Musical fraternising in the most genuine ceasefire the following year saw the time was up I blew a whistle training may help kids focus possible manner,” Lieutenant one of Hulse’s fellow officers in and both sides returned to their their attention, control their Edward Hulse wrote to his the Scots Guards put on trial at a trenches. For the rest of the day ... emotions and diminish their mother after Christmas 1914. “If court martial. Unlike Hulse, killed not a shot was fired. At night, the anxiety, factors that affect I had seen it on a cinematograph at 25 in March 1915, Captain Iain Germans put up fairy lights ... and their psychological health, film I should have sworn that it Colquhoun survived the war and their trenches were outlined for shows a study. was faked.” recorded how he faced military miles ... It was a mild looking night Termed as the largest investi- The centenary of that moment punishment for again exchanging with clouds and a full moon and gation of the association between in World War One is now being Christmas cigars with his German the prettiest sight I have ever seen. playing a musical instrument celebrated as a triumph of shared foe, and allowing both sides to bury Our machineguns played on them A resin sculpture, called “All Together Now”, by artist Andrew Edwards, and and brain development, the find- humanity over the butchery that their many dead. “The Major- and the lights were removed.” depicting the Christmas Day football match between German and British ings bolster the hypothesis of the engulfed Europe, a day when troops General (Lord Cavan) is furious After another 10 days on the soldiers fighting on the front line in World War One in 1914, is seen after researchers that a violin might along the Flanders front met after about it,” Colquhoun wrote on front line near Lille, marked in the help a child battle psychologi- four months killing each other to Boxing Day 1915. His commander diary by shelling and sniping but being unveiled in the remains of St Luke’s Church in Liverpool, northern cal disorders even better than a sing carols, exchange gifts and play wanted to know why specific also drinking and gambling with England. The centenary of that moment is now being celebrated as a bottle of pills. “We treat things football in No Man’s Land. orders had been disobeyed that fellow aristocrats of the Guards triumph of shared humanity over the butchery that engulfed Europe, a day that result from negative things, Less well known is that some there should be no repeat of the Division, Colquhoun returned to when troops along the Flanders front met after four months killing each but we never try to use positive British soldiers would later face 1914 camaraderie that so shook the a billet in the rear to find him- other to sing carols, exchange gifts and play football in No Man’s Land. things as treatment,” said James punishment for an hour of friend- general staff. self under arrest. Charged with Hudziak, professor of psychiatry ship with their enemy. On December 25, 1915, the conduct to the prejudice of good That Prime Minister Herbert The case did not blight at University of Vermont College Some of those fortunate sur- 28-year-old Colquhoun had writ- order and of military discipline Asquith was his wife’s uncle and Colquhoun’s career. He rose to of Medicine in the US. For the vivors of 1914 were to pass three ten in his diary: “A German officer for “approving of a truce with Asquith’s son was his defence coun- high rank but remained popular study, the researchers analysed more Christmases in the trenches, came forward and asked me for a the enemy”, his five-hour trial on sel may have helped. He also felt with his troops even after the war, the brain scans of 232 children observing no more broad truces as truce for Christmas. I replied that January 17, 1916, heard evidence the army understood the spirit of showing concern for the welfare of aged six to 18. horrors fostered hatreds, but also this was impossible. He then asked in person from General Douglas Christmas, writing: “Everyone who those who fought beside him like The authors found evidence because generals took pains to for three quarters of an hour to Haig, the British supreme com- knows the facts of the case all say Private Alexander Macdonald — that music playing altered stamp out what they feared as a bury his dead. I agreed. Our men mander. Found guilty, Colquhoun that it was a monstrous thing that this writer’s grandfather. the motor areas of the brain, threat to “fighting spirit”. and the Germans then talked and escaped, however, with a reprimand. the court martial ever took place.” REUTERS because the activity requires control and coordination of movement. They also observed changes in the behaviour-regu- lating areas of the brain of kids who played music. Desire to indulge comes from stress Ants favour the left, but For example, music practice influenced thickness in the part of the cortex that relates to WASHINGTON: Stressed people go to great craving for rewarding experiences, such as eating a nothing to do with ideology “executive functioning, includ- lengths to satisfy their desire to indulge, such as tasty bar of chocolate, and it can make us invest con- ing working memory, attentional running to a departmental store at midnight just siderable effort in obtaining the object of our desire,” control, as well as organisation to have a drink or sweets, shows a study. lead author Eva Pool, a doctoral student at University LONDON: Ants favour turning of Bristol. “Consistent turning and planning for the future,” the “Stress plays a critical role in many psychological of Geneva, said. “But while stress increases our desire to the left rather than the other may also help the ants to monitor authors said. IANS disorders and is one of the most important factors to indulge in rewards, it does not necessarily increase way round — but the propensity nest mates during house-hunting. determining relapses in addiction, gambling and binge the enjoyment we experience,” Pool said. is more anatomical than ideolog- So perhaps leaning left is more eating,” said one of the study authors Tobias Brosch In an experiment, researchers found that stress ical, reveals new research. shrewd than sinister,” Hunt said. from University of Geneva in Switzerland. prompted chocolate lovers to exert three times as British researchers found that The researchers studied how “Stress seems to flip a switch in our functioning: much effort to smell chocolate than unstressed choco- while exploring new nests, ants are Temnothorax albipennis ants If a stressed person encounters an image or a sound late lovers. But both groups reported about the same more likely to turn left than right explore nest cavities and negotiate associated with a pleasant object, this may drive them level of enjoyment when they got a whiff of the pleas- as they use their left eye to detect through branching mazes. to invest an inordinate amount of effort to obtain it,” ing aroma, the findings showed. predators and their right to navi- Behavioural lateralisation in Brosch aded. For the experiment, researchers recruited 36 uni- gate. “Also, their world is maze-like invertebrates is an important field But the researchers also found that stressed people versity students, of whom 19 were men, who said they and consistently turning one way of study because it may provide would not enjoy the reward more than anyone who is love chocolate. The study appeared in the Journal is a very good strategy to search insights into the early origins of not stressed and has the same treat just for pleasure. of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and and exit mazes,” said researcher lateralisation seen in a diversity of “Most of us have experienced stress that increases our Cognition. IANS Edmund Hunt from University organisms. IANS Thursday 25 December 2014 3 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6290 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil prices slide after surprise inventory jump Brent around $60; US crude $55

NEW YORK: Global oil mar- mantra of supply glut”, Flynn said kets sold off again yesterday it would be interesting to see if after a one-day pause as large US crude would test a $53 low build in US crude stockpiles before the year ended. surprised investors who had US crude’s front-month con- expected a draw, adding to wor- tract was down $1.30 to $55.82 ries about a supply glut that has a barrel by 11:11 am EST (1611 battered prices for six months. GMT), after setting a session low US crude inventories in the at $55.07. Front-month Brent was United States rose by 7.3 mil- down $1.70 at $59.59 a barrel after lion barrels last week to their a session low at $59.37. highest December level on Gold fell close to a three-week record, the Energy Information low yesterday as the latest piece Administration reported. of economic data indicating the Analysts had expected a drop of US economy is strengthening Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s (KNPC) new LPG TRAIN-4 Project which processes 800 million cubic feet of natural gas, at the Al Ahmadi 2.3 million barrels. spurred markets to bring forward refinery plant complex, 40km South of Kuwait City. Oil prices were already lower the timing of a possible hike in in extremely thin holiday volume, US interest rates. Data showed and extended losses after the EIA initial claims for state unemploy- data. Crude was down as much ment benefits dropped 9,000 to a Kuwait commissions new gas plant as $2 a barrel. Brent seesawed on seasonally adjusted 280,000, the both sides of $60 and US crude fourth straight week of declines. hovered around $55. The data followed Tuesday’s KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait has the deputy CEO of national refiner products. Kuwait already has meet an increased demand from “It’s a Christmas flood of oil report that the US economy commissioned a new natural gas Kuwait National Petroleum Co., three smaller plants with a total power stations. Azemi added that at a time when refiners and pro- grew at a 5.0 percent clip in the plant that will raise the energy- Mutlaq Al Azemi, said. capacity of 1.5 billion cubic feet, Kuwait planned to increase pro- ducers usually are letting inven- third quarter, its quickest pace in rich state’s production capacity The plant, known as LPG the majority of which is associated duction of natural gas in the near tories get lower for end-of-year 11 years. Spot gold, initially sup- to more than 2 billion cubic feet Train-4, was constructed by gas produced along with crude oil. future, he said, raising its daily out- tax reasons, but with this flood of ported by a softer dollar, gave up a day, officials said yesterday. Daelim, a South Korean firm, at All of Kuwait’s gas goes to pet- put to 4 billion cubic feet by 2030. supply there’s no place to put it,” gains after the US data to trade The new Liquefied Petroleum a cost of $900m (¤740m). rochemical manufacturing and to The emirate has signed a tech- said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price down 0.2 percent to $1,173.11 an Gas plant will be capable of process- Azemi said Train-4 would be fuel power plants, Azemi said. nical service contract with pet- Futures Group in Chicago. ounce, within reach of a three- ing 805 million cubic feet (22.8 mil- one of the Gulf’s largest LPG Although it has plentiful rochemical giant Shell to boost Describing the data as “very week low of $1,170.17 hit on lion cubic meters) of gas and 106,000 plants and would also produce domestic reserves, Kuwait has production from a number of gas bearish” and playing into “the Monday. REUTERS barrels of other gas products daily, propane, butane and other to import gas in summer to fields in its northern region. AFP

Drop in luxury spending IQ to discuss Saudi issues final warning distribution of on high-speed rail project dividend in Jan DOHA: The Board of Directors JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has bin Abdulrahman Al Muqbel discussed with them the delays in of Industries Qatar (IQ) will given a “final warning” to avoid warned that time was running some of the sites... and the delays meet on January 8, 2015 to dis- delays on an $8.2bn high-speed out, his ministry said in a state- in the supply of necessary equip- cuss the proposed dividend dis- rail project which Spanish and ment obtained yesterday. ment and trains,” stressing every tribution for the financial year Saudi firms are helping to build. After visiting the Makkah effort must be made to complete ending on December 31. The Haramain High Speed Rail station and bridges along the the work on time. The Spanish This is in line with the keen- system is to transport Muslim route, Muqbel told the contrac- consortium includes state rail ness of IQ as a listed company on pilgrims, as well as regular trav- tor — which was not named — network Adif, train manufacturer the Qatar Exchange, to abide by ellers, 450km between the holy “to present an urgent plan to Talgo, technology company Indra its obligations especially those cities of Mecca and Medina via avoid delays within the next two and rail builders OHL. related to the principles of trans- the Red Sea port of Jeddah. months,” by increasing the work- Spain has become a world parency and disclosure, and for Saudi Arabia signed a deal force and supplies. leader in high-speed rail networks the purposes of early disclosure three years ago for a Spanish “This is also considered a final and now has the longest such sys- in line with similar companies consortium to build the rail track, warning either to commit and tem in Europe, ahead of France in the region, and to serve the supply 35 high-speed trains and improve performance or face the which pioneered the technology. shareholders of the Company, handle a 12-year maintenance consequences,” the ministry said. Saudi Arabia is expanding its and with the liquidity available contract. The Saudi Bin Laden Jeddah station was “in its final railways, including with a $22.5bn to the group companies. Consortium and Saudi Oger stages” and Muqbel ordered that metro system under construction The full disclosure of the finan- Joint Venture received contracts it be delivered immediately, while in the capital Riyadh. cial statements of the aforemen- for four stations, while Al Rajhi “qualified contractors” should be A consortium involving Spain’s tioned financial period will be Alliance in 2009 won the bid to hired for the nearby bridges in FCC is part of that project. provided as soon as the financials construct bridges, culverts and order to avoid holdups. The annual Haj, which is to have been consolidated and the similar work. Work at another station, King be held in September next year, audit process is completed. A mainland Chinese visitor admires a luxury item inside a shopping But during a two-day inspec- Abdullah Economic City, was attracts about two million Muslim THE PENINSULA mall in Hong Kong yesterday. In Hong Kong luxury spending dropped tion tour last week, the kingdom’s complete. Muqbel also met with pilgrims to the Makkah region. 14.7 percent in nine months to September, compared to the same new Transport Minister Abdullah the Spanish consortium “and AFP period last year, according to a November report from Fitch Ratings. UAE studies margin lending in stock market Italy to temporarily nationalise troubled steel plant DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates central bank dis- ROME: Italy’s cabinet yes- Matteo Renzi told a press confer- million) for the Puglia region for No other offers have come in year because of weak demand and cussed margin lending at a terday said the country’s loss- ence, saying three commissioners a cancer centre dedicated par- yet to save the steelworks, which chronic overcapacity in Europe. board meeting this week and making Ilva steel plant, one of would be appointed by the govern- ticularly to children, as well as a have the biggest output capacity A report by the European ordered that all aspects of the the most polluting in Europe, ment to turn the plant around in pledge to clean up the southern of any plant in Europe. Environment Agency on Tuesday issue be studied, the central would be nationalised for up to a process he expected to take “at Italian city’s port. International steel giant named the plant as one of the bank said yesterday. three years. least 18 months, at most 36.” “Happy Christmas to the citi- ArcelorMittal and Italy’s 30 worst industrial polluters in In a brief statement describing The site in Taranto in the The plant has been under spe- zens of Taranto, a city which has Marcegaglia said at the end of Europe. discussions at the board meeting, Puglia region of southern Italy, cial administration since last year, been ignored and humiliated by November that they had sub- Renzi had been keen to secure the central bank did not elabo- which employs over 14,000 peo- when its owners, the Riva family, the political sphere. It’s our task mitted a non-bidding offer to some kind of future for Ilva rate on how the study would be ple, will be nationalised under a were accused of failing to prevent to make up for the errors of the acquire Ilva’s operations. It is against a gloomy economic back- conducted or what action might decree adopted by the cabinet, toxic emissions including carcino- past,” Renzi said. being examined by Ilva’s special drop of a contracting economy be taken in response. The Dubai with the view to then putting it genic particles from spewing out The Riva family plans to fight commissioner. and stubbornly high unemploy- stock index has swung wildly this up for sale. across the town. any move to nationalise it through The unit is currently operating ment, and had promised a solu- year, soaring as much as 60 per- “Public intervention is neces- The decree also earmarked the courts, according to Italian at roughly half of its peak produc- tion by Christmas. cent and then giving up all those sary to save it,” Prime Minister up to 30 million euros ($36.56 media reports. tion level of 11 million tonnes per AFP gains at one stage. REUTERS THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS US stocks extend records, Gulf markets rise Dollar down from highest levels in nearly nine years

NEW YORK: US equities rose, Treasury notes rose three basis US equity indexes extended stocks today was 39 percent below export revenues would prompt Thursday would break the resist- with the Russell 2000 Index of points to 2.29 percent. yesterday’s gain, when the Dow the 30-day average at this time Gulf governments to scale back ance and be technically bullish. small companies briefly topping Investors trimmed dollar posi- Jones Industrial Average surged of day. economic development projects, Dubai’s main index surged 3.0 a closing record, while the dol- tions during the Christmas holi- past 18,000 as a report showed The US annualised growth rate hurting corporate profits. But it percent, though trading volume lar weakened from a more than day lull yesterday, pulling the the economy grew an annualized was revised up from a previous has become clear in the past week dropped by a third to a moderate nine-year high. Oil fell from greenback down from its highest 5 percent. Stocks took off last estimate of 3.9 percent, and was that sharp cut-backs are unlikely, level, indicating some investors the highest close in more than point in nearly nine years after week after the Federal Reserve the biggest advance since the with the possible exception of the were withdrawing from the mar- a week on concern US growth strong US economic growth data pledged patience over interest- third quarter of 2003. Separate two smallest and fiscally weakest ket for year-end holidays. won’t boost demand enough to solidified views of coming Fed rate rate increases. Oil is heading for data showed consumer spending countries in the Gulf Cooperation The Abu Dhabi market rose sop up a glut. increases. the biggest annual decline since rose more than previously esti- Council, Bahrain and Oman. 1.4 percent, also led by property The Standard & Poor’s 500 The dollar retreated by 0.1 per- 2008 amid a global glut exacer- mated in the quarter, while orders The Saudi finance minister stocks; Eshraq Properties, the Index climbed 0.2 percent at cent to 89.924 against a basket of bated by the highest US output for US durable goods and pur- ruled out major spending cuts, most heavily traded company, 11:48 a.m. in New York, for a sixth currencies.DXY after Tuesday’s in more than three decades and chases of new homes unexpect- and the country’s Al Madina rocketed its 15 percent daily limit. straight gain in the longest streak data showed US third quarter a decision by Opec to resist sup- edly declined last month. newspaper, quoting unnamed Qatar climbed 1.4 percent since June. The Russell 2000 gross domestic product grew at ply cuts. A government report Gulf stock markets resumed sources, reported that the 2015 with Barwa Real Estate , the added 0.5 percent, rising above an annualised 5.0 percent rate. showed inventories unexpectedly rising yesterday ahead of the budget would actually contain a most heavily traded stock, up its March closing record. The The dollar index .DXY reached rose last week. release of Saudi Arabia’s 2015 marginal rise in spending, with 6.7 percent. But Islamic Holding, Stoxx Europe 600 Index closed a high not seen since March 2006, US equity markets will close state budget, which is expected the government using its huge an investment company, again lower by 0.1 percent in a holiday- while the two-year yield on US at 1 pm for Christmas Eve, while to be announced today and show fiscal reserves to cover a deficit. plunged its daily 10 percent limit shortened session. U.S. crude fell Treasuries US2YT=RR jumped financial markets in the US, the government keeping spending The main Saudi index climbed to 98.10 riyals; it has tumbled 2.7 percent, paring yesterday’s to an almost four-year high of Europe and most of Asia will be at high levels despite the plunge 1.8 percent to 8,700 points, end- from 222.70 riyals on Dec. 11 as gain. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot 0.747 percent, giving the green- closed tomorrow for Christmas of oil prices. Regional bourses ing on top of chart resistance a bubble in the stock price has index declined for the first time back a distinct advantage over its Day. Japan and mainland China collapsed in early December formed by its downtrend line apparently burst. in six days. The yield on 10-year counterparts. will be open. Trading in S&P 500 because of fears that reduced oil from September. A further rise on BLOOMBERG/AGENCIES

Dubai Celebration Chain Lulu opens 112th hypermarket

Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz inaugurating 112th Lulu Hypermarket in Riyadh in the presence of Hamid Ali Rao, India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Saud, Yusuff Ali M A, Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan books part of the historical ‘Dubai Celebration Chain’ from Dubai’s Managing Director of Lulu Group, Kamel S Al Munajjed, Chairman of Saudi-India Joint Business Council, biggest outlet Malabar Gold and Diamonds showroom in Gold Souk. Customers can also be part of this Saifee T Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group, Asharaf Ali MA, Executive Director and Shehim Mohammed Regional unique project by booking a piece of the chain by paying 10 percent of the value. Director. Lulu had recently opened its 111th hypermarket in Qatar. THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 India hikes investment US official visits BSE cap in insurance sector Ordinance raises FDI from 26pc to 49pc

NEW DELHI: India’s cabinet percent to 387.55 rupees. by illegalities. The shift to auc- yesterday approved an execu- The traditionally fractious par- tions will ensure “fair play in tive decree to hike foreign liament has been stalled by rows coal block allocations”, needed to investment in the funds-starved over alleged “forced” religious ensure more private players in insurance sector, bypassing conversions of Christians and the energy field, said Chandrajit squabbling lawmakers to push Muslims by Hindu hardliners, Banerjee, director-general of the ahead with economic reforms. many of them close to the rul- Confederation of Indian Industry, The ordinance, a rarely used ing Bharatiya Janata Party which a leading business lobby. measure, raises the foreign direct took power in May. Analysts said the sale and investment cap in insurance com- The row has left the right- development of coal blocks will panies to 49 percent from 26 per- wing government with much left help replace vast amounts of coal cent. The move must be approved by undone on its ‘to-do list’ in the now being imported by Indian both houses of parliament during last session of parliament, which energy companies. The govern- the next session to take perma- wrapped up Tuesday. ment, led by Prime Minister nent effect. “The ordinance dem- The insurance decree, one of Narendra Modi, has been seek- onstrates the firm determination the government’s big-ticket poli- ing to step up the pace of reforms of the government for reforms,” cies, “announces to the world to revive the stuttering economy Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. and investors this country can after criticism from business it Foreign investors have been no longer wait” for reforms, said was not moving swiftly enough. long eyeing the lucrative sector, Jaitley, who presents his first full India has been stuck in the which analysts say has huge poten- budget next February. longest spell of below-five-percent tial thanks to a fast-expanding The decree followed a vow by growth in a quarter-century, hit middle-class and the fact that only Jaitley last weekend not to allow by high interest rates, an invest- around four percent of the 1.25bn parliamentary protests to hold the ment slowdown and flagging con- population has insurance cover, government’s economic reforms sumer confidence. according to industry figures. hostage, saying “either we reform Economic growth in the last “Large investment is waiting to or we miss the bus once again.” financial year to March 2014 was come,” Jaitley said, with govern- The cabinet also cleared an 4.7 percent after falling to 4.5 per- ment officials saying they expect ordinance renewing approval for cent the previous year, half the billions of dollars in foreign funds the long-awaited auction of coal boom rates rate of a few years ago. to flow into the sector in the com- mining licences in India, which is This year, the government ing years. heavily dependent on the resource hopes growth will accelerate to Shares of insurers leapt on the for generating electricity. 5.5 percent and cross six percent announcement, with Max India, The sale by auction is aimed next year. But it needs near double- the local arm of Japan casu- at making transactions more digit expansion to cut massive pov- US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (right) with the bronze bull statue during her visit to the Bombay alty insurer MS&AD Insurance transparent after previous gov- erty and create jobs for its army of Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai yesterday. Gabbard is on an eight-day visit. Group, jumping nearly eight ernment allocations were dogged young workers. AFP

Turkey bank Drought hits production South Korea New tablets help Britons defies Erdogan indicts Uber go on Christmas Day to hold rates CEO, local unit ANKARA: Turkey’s central online shopping spree bank yesterday kept its main SEOUL: South Korea has interest rates unchanged, defy- indicted the chief executive ing pressure from President officer and local subsidiary of LONDON: Shoppers are set following a 32 percent rise in 2012. Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a cut Uber Technologies Inc for vio- to spend £636m online on The card provider says household to stimulate flagging growth. lating a law governing public Christmas Day when 8 million goods — from electricals and The bank said in a statement transport, becoming the latest people will be distracted from appliances to furniture and DIY after its latest monetary pol- jurisdiction to challenge the US turkey and TV by bargain- tools — saw the highest level of icy meeting that the one-week taxi service provider. hunting on their smartphones growth but sales of clothing and repurchase rate would remain at The Seoul Central District and tablets. holidays also rose strongly. 8.25 percent, the marginal fund- Prosecutors’ Office issued the As an increasing number of “The ease of shopping online ing rate at 11.25 percent and the indictment against CEO Travis retailers begin their end of year via connected devices raises the overnight borrowing rate at 7.50 Kalanick and the firm’s Korean sales online on Christmas Eve, prospect of a very large amount percent. unit for violating a law prohibiting shoppers are expected to spend of shopping activity on Christmas Its meeting came after the individuals or firms without appro- 25 percent more than last year on Day itself,” said Giles Longhurst, Turkish lira hit all time lows priate licences from providing or Christmas Day with most logging general manager of consumer in value against the dollar on facilitating transportation services, on at midday according to online insight at Experian marketing December 15 and 16 amid concerns an Uber spokeswoman said. The retailing body imrg and research services. about political instability in Turkey prosecutors’ office declined to com- firm Experian. The rise in Christmas Day and the risk of spillover from the ment. “Uber Technologies respects Christmas Day shopping has spending is part of a gradual collapse of the Russian ruble. the Korean legal system and will become increasingly popular over change in shopping habits which After several years of surging provide its full cooperation,” the the past few years with more than is making the Boxing Day sales growth, the Turkish economy has company said in a statement with- half of consumers expected to log less of a retail event. entered a phase of weakness with out detailing the charges brought on to at least browse, according to The annual discount day is meagre expansion of 1.7 percent against it. card provider Barclaycard . expected to be less valuable to recorded in the third quarter. Uber, through its apps, charges Growth is being driven by a retailers than Black Friday, the Erdogan had on Saturday made fees to play matchmaker for pas- rise in the popularity of tablet recent US import, when an esti- a new call for a rate cut from the sengers and drivers - some reg- computers, which make shop- mated £810m was spent online central bank — which is nominally istered as taxi drivers. But a ping from the sofa an attrac- alone according to Experian and independent and is well respected lack of regulation for the rela- tive pastime, while the likes of imrg. by markets — and called the high tively new business model has Marks & Spencer, Boots and Clothing bargains are expected interest rates an “atrocity”. brought Uber to the attention Currys all start their sales online to be plentiful this year after a “We need to bring down inter- of authorities worldwide. Taiwan on Christmas Eve and Amazon warm autumn and winter which est rates to encourage investors,” and the Chinese mainland city of launches its post-Christmas dis- has left retailers with piles of he said. Chongqing on Monday separately counts just after the Queen’s unwanted knitwear and coats. “Despite low interest rates A rural worker selecting arabic coffee beans at a farm near said they were investigating Uber speech at 4pm. Last week, three out of four top of around 1 percent in the US, Varginha, in Brazil’s Minas Gerais. A historic drought has affected over concerns it and its drivers Last year Christmas Day sales high street stores began offering Europe and Japan, the (Turkish) the coffee harvest this year and will also have consequences were not appropriately licensed. were up 22 percent on the year discounts averaging 45 percent. central bank’s interest rates can REUTERS before, according to Barclaycard, GUARDIAN NEWS for the 2015 production of the world’s first coffee producer and go up to around 13 percent,” he exporter. complained. “This is an atrocity. To be honest, I did my best but this is one of the areas where I failed to succeed,” added the com- bative president. In its accompanying state- ment, the central bank acknowl- Israel gas industry’s future turns murky edged the weaknesses in economic activity but indicated it remained TEL AVIV: Executives and investment by changing rules government passed new legisla- Tamar and Leviathan are Noble’s Israeli partners. concerned about inflation which analysts are questioning mid-game. ture nearly doubling the taxes on among the biggest natural gas Public rhetoric over the gas ticked up to 9.15 percent year-on- whether Israel’s energy indus- “A new and increasingly likely gas and oil profits, and capping finds in recent years and have pro- issue has been intensified by year in November. try has a future now that the scenario should be considered: the amount of fuel that could be vided Israel with enough fuel for cost-of-living concerns that have “External demand remains antitrust chief has backtracked the premature — and tragic — exported. decades of energy self-sufficiency become a prominent issue in weak, while the contribution of on letting a group led by US- death of the Israeli gas dream,” “The actions of the Antitrust and export. Noble is the only for- March 17 parliamentary elections. domestic demand to growth is at based Noble Energy Inc. develop said Gal Luft, senior adviser to Authority are another disturbing eign energy company to heavily Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin moderate levels,” it said. But it the country’s two biggest natu- the Washington DC-based United example of the uncertain regula- invest in Israeli gas, despite U.S. Netanyahu has instructed Eugene added that the “tight monetary ral gas fields. States Energy Security Council, tory environment in Israel,” Noble Geological Survey estimates that Kandel, chairman of the National policy stance will be maintained... Antitrust Commissioner David in an e-mailed note. Chairman Charles Davidson said. the Levant Basin off the country’s Economic Counsel, to examine until there is a significant improve- Gilo said yesterday he was recon- Israel’s failure “to present a “We believe this is a harmful Mediterranean coast holds about the implications of Gilo’s move. ment in the inflation outlook.” sidering his March 14 decision clear vision for the country’s precedent for Israel to set and we 122 trillion cubic feet of gas, about Lawmaker Shelly Yachimovich London-based consultancy to let the partnership retain energy sector, articulate the will vigorously defend our rights three times what has been found. of the opposition Labor party Capital Economics said it was pos- its stakes in the Leviathan and rights and responsibilities of for- relating to our assets.” “There is no additional interna- accused the Tamar and Leviathan sible that interest rate cuts could Tamar reserves if it would sell eign investors and most impor- Gilo hasn’t announced a defini- tional player in Israel other than partners of using scare tactics to start to be discussed given the smaller fields. Gilo said he was tantly set rules and stick to tive decision, and any reversal those already active, and there avoid regulation that would ben- weakness of domestic demand and weighing whether to declare the them” could “leave the gas in the could be subject to a court hear- are none on the horizon,” Gideon efit Israeli consumers. the prospect of lower oil prices consortium a monopoly, a move ground,” Luft said. ing, so it’s unclear how things will Tadmor, chief executive office of “What we have here is a ter- taking the heat out of inflation. that may require the owners, Australia’s Woodside Petroleum develop. “There are many voices Avner Oil Exploration Ltd., said rible failure of regulation,” But it added the Turkish rates including Israel’s Delek Group Ltd. already scrapped an agree- pulling in very many directions last week. “This is something the Yachimovich said on Israel’s will likely need to stay high due to Ltd., to sell one of the fields. ment in June to buy a stake because of the different inter- government must take stock of; Channel 2 news, arguing the gov- the stubborn inflation, the large While Gilo’s move is designed in Leviathan, citing concerns ests,” said Roni Biron, an analyst how come it hasn’t managed to ernment shouldn’t have allowed current account deficit and the to protect consumers from poten- over the regulatory atmosphere at UBS AG in Herzliya, Israel. “It leverage the success of the indus- a small group of companies to continued volatility of the lira. tial price collusion, critics accuse in Israel. After Tamar and remains to be seen how all of this try to an international level?” said obtain control of the fields. AFP the regulator of jeopardizing Leviathan were discovered, the will pan out.” Tadmor, whose company is one of BLOOMBERG THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Minimum wage bump at 1,400 Walmart stores The company is biggest private employer in the US with 1.3 million workers CHICAGO: Minimum wage his store. “Essentially that wage increase in South Dakota to increases across the United compression at the upper level of $8.50 to a modest rise of 2 per- States will prompt Walmart the hourly associate is going to cent to $8.05 in Arizona. They will Stores Inc to adjust base sala- help absorb that cost of the wage also impact many of Walmart’s ries at 1,434 stores, impacting increase at the lower level,” said big retail rivals, such as Target about a third of its US locations, the manager, who spoke on condi- Corp, and fast-food chains like according to an internal memo. tion of anonymity. McDonald’s Corp. The memo, which was sent A Target spokeswoman said to store managers earlier this MORE CHANGE TO COME? she could not provide details month, offers insight into the Walmart’s critics — including on how many employees might impact of minimum wage hikes in a group of its workers backed by be impacted by the changes on 21 states due to come into effect labor unions — say the retailer January 1. McDonald’s could on or around January 1, 2015. pays its hourly workers too lit- not be immediately reached for These are adjustments that tle, forcing some to seek govern- comment. Walmart and other employ- ment assistance that effectively Walmart estimates its aver- ers have to make each year, but provides the company with an age full-time hourly wage is growing attention to the issue has indirect taxpayer subsidy. Labor $12.92, and says that it pays expanded the scope of the change. groups have been calling for competitive wages and offers its Thirteen US states lifted the min- Walmart, other retailers and fast- employees ample opportunity for imum wage in 2014, up from 10 in food chains to pay at least $15 an advancement. 2013 and 8 in 2012. hour. Edward Jones analyst Brian Walmart spokeswoman Brooke Walmart has indicated it may Yarbrough said it is tough to Buchanan said the company was make more changes to its com- estimate the cost impact of the making the changes to “ensure pensation structure in 2015. minimum wage changes without our stores in the 21 states comply Chief Executive Doug McMillon knowing the number of Walmart with the law.” recently said the company would employees affected. While many For Walmart, the biggest pri- improve opportunities for work- employees might start out at the vate employer in the United ers, including getting the roughly minimum rate, they advance to States with 1.3 million workers, 6,000 people who make the federal higher pay rates over time, he minimum wage legislation is not a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour noted. small thing. Its operating model is at its stores off that rate. Walmart said last month built on keeping costs under close “In the world there is a debate that investment in wages and control as it attracts consumers over inequity, and sometimes we higher health care costs drove a with low prices and operates on get caught up in that,” he told 3.5 percent increase in operat- tight margins. A protest march for better wages outside Walmart store in Los Angeles last year.Minimum wage increases across TV presenter Charlie Rose in an ing expenses in its most recent In recent years, it has been the United States will prompt Walmart Stores Inc to adjust base salaries at 1,434 stores. interview this month. McMillon quarter. Walmart is unlikely to struggling to grow sales after said he would take steps to ensure cut staff or reduce hours to keep many lower-income Americans pay structure, including a nar- supervisors, over lower grade jobs. The changes appear in part to the company is “a meritocracy, those costs in check, given that lost jobs or income in the finan- rowing of the gap in the mini- Walmart will also combine its be an effort to offset the antici- an opportunity for people to do it has made a renewed push to cial crisis. mum premium paid to those in lowest three pay grades, which pated upswing in labor costs, more.” improve service in its stores, The Walmart memo shows higher skilled positions, such as include cashiers, cart pushers and according to a manager who was The state minimum wage Yarbrough said. that there will be changes to its deli associates and department maintenance, into one base rate. implementing the changes at changes range from a 17 percent REUTERS

Takata’s president steps BAE Systems Kellogg and Abraaj up bids wins $1.2bn down over airbag scandal in battle for Bisco Misr US contract TOKYO: The president of embattled Japanese auto parts maker Takata LONDON: British defence stepped down yesterday over an airbag scandal linked to at least five CAIRO: Kellogg Co, the scuppered its deal to snap up business and economic fore- group BAE Systems announced deaths that has sparked the recall of millions of vehicles. world’s largest breakfast the Egyptian cake and biscuit casting think-tank Signet, yesterday that it has won a con- The company also announced pay cuts for top executives, who have faced a cereal maker, once again maker. said Kellogg’s industry expe- tract potentially worth $1.2bn barrage of criticism for remaining largely silent on the brewing crisis, amid raised its bid for Egyptian Both suitors have made four rience and global reputation (¤984m) to start building claims that the firm hid evidence of the defects for years. snackmaker Bisco Misr yes- offers, and the battle has driven would boost Bisco Misr and the armoured multi-purpose vehi- Stefan Stocker resigned from his post but will stay on the company’s board, terday, topping a rival offer up the bid price by more than Egyptian economy. cles for the US Army. while Chairman Shigehisa Takada will take on the Swiss executive’s role, in from the UAE’s Abraaj in an a fifth from Abraaj’s opening “It would attract much wider “BAE Systems was awarded addition to his current job. intensifying $144m takeover gambit of 73.91 pounds per FDI (foreign direct investment) a contract ... from the US Army The apparent demotion of Stocker, who only joined the company last year, battle. share. as well as being better for the for the engineering, manufactur- was designed to “further unify the company’s handling of the airbag recall Kellogg’s latest bid, for 89.86 The bidding period, previ- company,” he said. “It will cer- ing, and development and low- problem and to accelerate and strengthen the decision-making”, it said in a Egyptian pounds ($12.57) per ously set to end on Wednesday, tainly draw other investors into rate initial production of the statement. Takata’s chairman, whose grandfather started the company, will share, followed an offer ear- was extended over the week- the market to look at Egypt much Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle take a 50 percent pay cut while Stocker’s salary will be reduced by 30 percent, lier in the day by Abraaj Asset end to December 31. Samy said more seriously than they have in (AMPV),” it said in a statement. both for four months, the company said. Three other board members will see Management for 88.09 pounds, the deadline for bids would be the past.” “The programme aims to pro- their pay temporarily reduced by 20-percent, it added. REUTERS the head of Egypt’s financial extended for five working days For its part, Abraaj has been vide the US Army with a highly regulator Sherif Samy said. with each new offer, up to a active in Egypt for almost a survivable and mobile fleet of vehi- The bidding war has shown maximum 60 days from when decade. It manages about $7.5 cles that addresses a critical need to foreign investors are return- the first offer made by Abraaj billion of assets and targets replace the Vietnam-era M113s.” ing to Egypt. It is part of in early November - then sealed high-growth sectors in emerg- The US market accounts for flurry of mergers and rights bids would be requested. ing markets. about 40 percent of BAE Systems’ issues boosting activity on Kellogg hopes acquiring Abraaj has said it would group revenues —making it the the Cairo bourse, an exchange Bisco Misr would give it a high- maintain Egyptian manage- biggest foreign supplier of mili- which has struggled to revive profile presence in the Arab ment and allocate 100m pounds tary goods to the Pentagon. investor confidence during the world’s most populous nation. worth of shares towards an The initial $382m award calls political and economic turmoil Food is seen as a potentially employee benefits scheme. for BAE to deliver 29 vehicles that followed the Arab Spring lucrative sector in Egypt, with The offers from Kellogg and in five variants in a 52-month uprisings. its population of 87 million, and Abraaj are for 100 percent of engineering, manufacturing and Abraaj - the Middle East’s Bisco Misr is an established Bisco Misr, and both have said development phase that will lead largest private equity firm - brand with three factories in they would accept no less than to a contract to replace all of the has been battling Kellogg since Cairo and Alexandria. a 51 percent controlling stake. obsolete 2,897 M113 vehicles. last month, when the US group Angus Blair, chairman of REUTERS REUTERS

Russia’s woes

A view of under construction apartment building in Podolsk, outside Moscow, yesterday. Russia’s largest lender Sberbank raised interest rates on mortgage lending to 16 percent. The Russian economy is currently suffering from low oil prices, a rouble exchange loss, sanctions by the West and geopolitical tension in Crimea. THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Mexican companies poised Trichet sees G-7 opportunity for profit on Cuba opening

BY NACHA CATTAN window for currency accord

S CRUISE lines and hoteliers aren’t the only potential BY MARK DEEN and against the yen this year — with almost both decisions as Bank of France governor beneficiaries from a thaw in relations with Cuba. Onboard SIMON KENNEDY all of that coming in the past four months. in 2000 and at the helm of the ECB in 2011. sodas and materials to build resorts could come from Against the euro, the dollar has strength- Trichet’s comment follows a suggestion UMexican providers. Coca-Cola Femsa and Cemex are ORMER European Central ened about 13 percent. The currency has this month by economists led by Stephen among the Mexican companies poised to capture a slice of the Bank President Jean-Claude increased versus all 31 major counterparts King at HSBC Holdings who said “there’s expansion of the Cuba market, according to ING Groep. Herzfeld Trichet says there is a “window tracked by Bloomberg, while an index of 20 a case for a global accord” to safeguard the Caribbean Basin Fund says that after the U.S., Mexico has the of opportunity” for the world’s emerging-market exchange rates fell this US expansion and reduce savings elsewhere. most businesses that would get a boost from the end of the Cold advanced economies to strike a month to its lowest level in more than a Under their blueprint, the US would offset War freeze. fresh accord against competi- decade. Nations from Mexico to India and a stronger dollar with monetary and finan- “Cuba is next door,” Eric Conrads, an ING money manager based Ftive devaluations. Indonesia have intervened in markets in an cial stimulus, while China would reduce in New York, said in a telephone interview. “It’s a natural market. “Almost everyone seems to be saying, ‘tak- attempt to prop up their currencies. household savings by opening up capital The Cuba Libre cocktail uses Coke. And the libre represents free- ing everything into account, if my currency Trichet, who attended Group of Seven markets and boosting consumer demand. dom, so it’s an interesting mix.” goes down it would be better — in any case meetings over the course of three decades Germany would raise its retirement age to Cuba’s possible transition into desirable Caribbean destination I would not like it to go up’,” Trichet said in starting as a French treasury official in the encourage its population to save less and from pariah status under the 1960 US trade embargo was set an interview in Paris. “Maybe we have a sort 1980s, said his suggestion is specifically for reduce a current- account surplus. in motion last week when US President Barack Obama moved of window of opportunity to go a bit further currencies that make up the Special Drawing “These measures would both support to restore diplomatic ties. Even with the embargo still in effect, than we have in the stabilization relation Rights basket at the International Monetary demand in the near term while sustainably Obama’s moves would make it easier for companies to export con- between large convertible currencies.” Fund. SDRs are currently comprised of dol- reducing the global savings glut,” the econo- struction, telecommunications and farm products. Trichet spoke out at the end of a year in lars, euros, yen and the pound. They do not mists wrote. “However, while the economic A well-developed Latin American distribution chain puts Coca- which declines in the yen and euro sparked include the Chinese yuan. logic is strong, political realities are likely Cola Femsa, the biggest franchised Coke bottler, in better position suggestions a new currency war is brewing The former ECB president said the basis to prevent such an accord being reached, to take advantage of an eventual opening to Cuba than Atlanta- as policy makers appear to be harnessing for an accord is enhanced by the “conceptual suggesting that the world economy remains based Coca-Cola, said Ryan Paylor, a Herzfeld fund senior trader. weaker exchange rates as a way of reviving convergence” of the central banks responsi- highly unstable.” Coca-Cola Femsa is set up “to easily make the transition,” Paylor inflation. At the same time, a soaring dollar ble for those currencies. They have now all Steven Barrow, an economist at Standard said in a telephone interview from Miami. As for Monterrey-based is squeezing some emerging-market econo- adopted inflation targets of about 2 percent Bank Plc in London, disagrees, saying that Cemex, Cuba’s decades-long lack of capital investment could be mies which borrowed in greenbacks or want and have increasingly similar practices on Europe and Japan show that currencies need a boost for the cement producer if US spending triggers a con- to avoid an inflationary surge. limiting financial risks, surveying banks and to move more — not less. “I don’t think the struction boom, Paylor said. “The infrastructure of Cuba is pretty “This configuration I haven’t seen since even in the way the communicate through point for countries seeking weaker cur- dilapidated since the embargo went into place,” Paylor said. the demise of the old Bretton Woods sys- press conferences. Next year marks the 30th rencies is to gain unfair trade advantage,” Consumer goods and building supplies have been an early focus tem at the beginning of the 1970s,” Trichet anniversary of the Plaza Accord, an agree- Barrow said in a telephone interview from as investors search for possible winners under a US-Cuba rap- said. “Everyone is paying much more atten- ment among the world’s richest economies to London. “Rather, it’s one way through which prochement, in part because of the potential of the island nation tion to the external value of their currency push down the value of the dollar. It was fol- countries can alleviate deflationary pressure of 11 million to flourish again as a tourist venue. than before. The Japanese, the British, the lowed two years later by the Louvre Accord when other policies aren’t open to them. In According to a November 24 Securities and Exchange Commission Americans and the Europeans as well.” aimed at supporting the greenback. some cases the exchange rate is the only filing, the Herzfeld fund’s major stakes also include Carlos Slim’s Much will depend on how the US views Since then, officials often shied away recourse and perhaps the best course.” America Movil, Wal-Mart de Mexico and the soft-drink company its currency’s rise. Treasury Secretary Jack from attempting to directly move curren- Kit Juckes, a global strategist at Societe and convenience-store operator Fomento Economico Mexicano, Lew said in Johannesburg that the strong cies because there is a limit to what they General in London, said he expects the dollar which controls Coca-Cola Femsa. dollar was a symptom of the strengthening can achieve in a market now totaling $5.3 to weaken further, as much as 10 percent, Fifty percent of the holdings of the fund, which bets on an easing economy, rather than posing a risk. Federal trillion a day. There have been limited occa- and that the theme of the global economy of US-Cuba ties, were in U.S. companies as of June 30, based on Reserve officials have differed over the chal- sional interventions, such as a 2000 effort will be further divergence between the US data compiled by Bloomberg, followed by 22 percent in Mexico and lenges posed by an ascending dollar. to rally the euro and an attempt in 2011 and other developed economies. 11 percent in Panama. Coca-Cola Femsa accounted for 6.6 percent The dollar has gained about 14 percent to weaken the yen. Trichet played a role in WP-BLOOMBERG of the fund’s assets, the No. 2 stake after Panamanian airline Copa Holdings, the data show. Paylor said Cemex accounted for about 2 percent of the Herzfeld fund. Cemex says it would be interested in Cuba if US restrictions are lifted. “We’re definitely the biggest cement producer and trader in the Caribbean,” said Maher Al-Haffar, Cemex’s vice president of inves- tor relations. “To the extent that Cuba becomes a bona fide market for our products, of course we’re going to be doing our best to participate in that growth.” America Movil could stand to benefit from the Cuban public’s lack of mobile phones, said Jose Otero, director of Latin America and the Caribbean for trade group 4G Americas. “In telecoms, the low penetration level in all types of services makes it one of the most attractive places to invest,” Otero said in a telephone inter- view. “In terms of population, it’s equivalent to a Chile, for example.” America Movil, Cemex and Coca-Cola Femsa have all rallied at least 5 percent since Obama’s announcement, part of a 6.6 per- cent advance through Monday for Mexico’s benchmark IPC Index. Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund soared 81 percent in the same period, to $12.34, and was valued at $68.7m. Walmex, America Movil and Coca-Cola Femsa declined to discuss any Cuba ties. Monterrey-based Femsa said it was focused on coun- tries with existing operations while remaining “permanently alert to opportunities and to favourable conditions that could present themselves in other markets.” With the US embargo still in place, it’s too soon to focus on Mexican companies that could benefit from the policy shift, said Luis Willard, an analyst at Corporativo GBM SAB in Mexico City. “It’s a very, very initial step,” Willard said. “Lots of time would need to pass before thinking about how this will translate into a positive impact for any specific company.” Herzfeld Fund’s Paylor said Mexican companies may be able to step in as Venezuela, Cuba’s socialist patron, struggles with plung- ing oil prices. Venezuela was the sixth-largest producer among the 11 members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in November, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In addition to serving up soft drinks, Mexico could step in to ship oil, Paylor said. Moody’s estimated in a report that Venezuela’s crude ship- ments to Cuba in exchange for medical personnel may have slumped to about 70,000 barrels a day, down 30 percent from a year earlier. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Real estate seen winning as homebuilders lose in US surge

BY JOHN GITTELSOHN perhaps not as quickly as the for- telephone interview from New Commerce Department said. The The homebuilding industry’s putting them out of reach of many and BRIAN LOUIS rent sectors,” said Chandler, who York. “Mature REITs generate 11-member Standard & Poor’s troubles date back a decade, first-time buyers. oversees about $25bn, mostly in steadier cash flows.” Supercomposite Homebuilding when loose mortgage underwrit- “The consumer has been wary NVESTORS who put their US and international commercial REITs have performed well Index is up less than 1 percent ing sparked a construction and about the housing market,” Jason money in a fund devoted to real estate. “I think that’d be for since the end of the reces- this year through Monday and land-buying spree that decimated Yablon, global portfolio manager at real estate investment trusts the next couple of years.” sion as rents and occupancy remains more than 50 percent the industry when credit dried up. New York-based Cohen & Steers have racked up gains of 65 The Vanguard REIT Exchange- rates increased for commer- below its July 2005 peak. Thirteen of the largest publicly Inc., which has about $53 billion percent, while investors in Traded Fund, which began trading cial real estate amid economic Demand for new homes has been traded homebuilders reported under management, said in a tel- Ihomebuilder stocks still haven’t on September 29, 2004, has gained growth and limited construc- sapped by tight mortgage lending inventory writedowns and impair- ephone interview. “Partially it’s recovered from the housing crash 65 percent through Monday, not tion. International and domestic standards and an unemployment ments exceeding $30bn from 2006 credit, partially it’s still some level even after the US economic including dividends. The iShares institutional investors are pour- rate that didn’t drop to its historic through the first half of this year, of uncertainty and partially it’s rebound. US Home Construction ETF, ing money into higher-returning average until this year. “Housing according to an October report by because home prices already moved The gap will probably endure which started on May 5, 2006, and investments such as office, retail had a disappointing 2014. It should Fitch Ratings Inc. quite a bit and maybe got ahead of for years as US job growth spurs includes homebuilders and home- and apartment properties, where be a much more encouraging Owners of more than 5 million some people’s affordability.” demand for office, retail and improvement retailers such as rents are rising at a time when 2015,” Moody’s Analytics Inc. Chief homes have lost property to fore- Apartment rents have been rising apartment properties faster than Home Depot Inc, fell 49 percent Treasury bonds deliver low yields. Economist Mark Zandi said in an closure since 2007, according to to records since mid-2011, reaching Americans can buy new houses. from its inception through Monday. The homebuilding industry, e-mail. “It’s not going to be gang- CoreLogic Inc. Many are still rent- $1,117 in the third quarter, accord- Almost half of institutional The gap in inflows between which gets revenue from sales busters for housing, but it should ing rather than buying houses. The ing to Reis Inc. The vacancy rate fell investors expect to increase their the Vanguard REIT and iShares rather than rents, has struggled be a lot better.” share of homes sold to first-time to 4.2 percent in the third quarter stakes in real estate over the next home-construction ETFs climbed to recover from the worst housing The housing ETF’s volatility was buyers hit its lowest level since from 8 percent at the start of 2010. 18 months, according to a survey to $17.8bn as of Monday, the great- crash since the Great Depression. evident on December 12, two days 1987, the National Association of Not all REITs have been successes. by BlackRock of 201 fund manag- est since the iShares fund’s incep- Annual residential construction after Toll Brothers, the largest US Realtors reported in November, as Single-family rental landlords, such ers. Most of that money will be tion. The net inflows were about starts have totaled less than 1 builder of luxury homes, forecast factors such as soaring student debt as Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp and in assets outside the homebuild- $18.9bn to the REIT ETF and million since 2007, according to weak growth in 2015, sinking the and delayed marriages depressed American Residential Properties ing sector that are less sensitive $1.1bn to the homebuilder fund in Commerce Department data, company’s stock by the most in purchases by younger buyers. The Inc, are trading below their initial to mortgage availability or grow- the last eight years. compared with an average of 1.45 almost two years. Outflows from US homeownership rate fell to 64.4 offering prices. That’s partly because ing consumer preferences to rent “Real estate development million in data going back to 1959. the ETF topped 84 million shares, percent in the third quarter, the they’re a new asset class still try- rather than buy property, accord- such as homebuilding is a lot New single-family homes sold the most this year, according to lowest in almost 20 years. ing to demonstrate their ability to ing to Jack Chandler, global head more volatile,” Jade Rahmani, at an annualised rate of 438,000 data compiled by Bloomberg. The Home prices, which plunged make money, according to Anthony of real estate at BlackRock. an analyst with Keefe Bruyette in November, the slowest pace in next trading day saw an influx of 35 percent below their peak from Paolone, a REIT analyst with “We’d expect the homebuilders & Woods Inc. who covers home- four months and 33 percent below almost 78 million shares, also a July 2006 to March 2012, have JPMorgan Chase & Co. to see their businesses expand, but builders and REITs, said in a the annual average since 1963, the record for the year. since climbed about 30 percent, WP-BLOOMBERG THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 12,357.62 1.43 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 18,431.28 1.43 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,111.16 1.68 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,140.57 1.40 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,229.94 1.27 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5414.093 101.353 1.91 5672.3 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 3,997.36 1.58 % QR138.2305 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,264.49 1.37 % Cac 40 Index/D 4278.93 37.28 0.88 4598.65 3789.11 QE All Share Real Estate 2,275.09 2.31 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6244 QR 5.7032 QE All Share Insurance 3,803.11 0.45 % Dj Indu Average 17804.8 26.65 0.15 17991.2 15340.69 QR 1.8567 Euro ...... QR 4.4164 QR 4.4778 QE All Share Telecoms 1,419.55 0.09 % CA$ ...... QR 3.1118 QR 3.1727 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,883.48 1.59 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23408.57 291.94 1.26 25362.98 21137.61 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6744 QR 3.7259 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5172.49 3.69 0.07 5325.15 4275.26 Yen ...... QR 0.0300 QR 0.0306 Aus$ ...... QR 2.9357 QR 2.9933 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31491.62 480.47 1.55 32315.56 25273.11 CRUDE OIL 24-12-2014 23-12-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0568 QR 0.0579 Index 12,357.62 12,183.52 Nikkei 225 Index 17635.14 13.74 0.08 18030.83 13885.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0359 QR 0.0366 Change 174.10 237.70 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0807 QR 0.0825 S&P 500 Index/D 2070.65 9.42 0.46 2079.47 1737.92 % 1.43 1.91 $ 61.42 SL Re ...... QR 0.0275 QR 0.0281 YTD% 19.06 17.38 Straits Times/D 3330.96 51.43 1.57 3387.84 2953.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0466 QR 0.0477 Volume 13,220,119 16,257,858 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0357 QR 0.0363 Value (QAR) 659,450,114.79 707,810,787.35 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3091 QR 0.3153 Trades 6,300 7,778 $ 57.29 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01 Up 09 | Down 29 | Unchanged 02

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 24-12-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 119 -2.2 5241 Chola Invest-B/D 478 10.9 2927 Goodyear I -B/D 615.05 4.85 5242 Kalpat Power-B/D 201.65 4.4 33276 Patspin India-/D 8.31 -0.14 2250 Land Secs Grou/D 1184 8 227535 A C C-A/D 1395 11.65 38085 Cimmco-B/D 65.4 5.9 57973 Hcl Infosys-B/D 43.1 -0.7 385948 Kalyani Stel-T/D 161.35 -0.9 154049 Rallis India-A/D 210.3 -3.45 20765 Legal & Genera/D 248.5 0.2 2491914 Aarti Drugs-B/D 793.9 17.1 2029 Cipla-A/D 625.3 -4.35 100753 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 18 1.05 2355162 Kanoria Chem-B/D 35.75 0.45 6580 Rallis India-A/D 210.3 -3.45 20765 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 76.8 -0.09 59760128 Aban Offs-A/D 418.8 5.8 225661 City Union Bk-/D 93.35 -1.45 42962 Himat Seide-B/D 89 1.65 81268 Kg Denim-B/D 14.95 0.3 7413 Reliance Indus/D 464.2 28.25 263094 Marks & Sp./D 483.9 -0.1 3500808 Aegis Logis-B/D 434.95 -5.75 2513 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1883.3 -12.65 3032 Hind Motors-T/D 7.7 0.05 42368 Kilburnengg-T/D 40.05 -3.1 64325 Ruchi Soya-B/D 35.4 1.35 30555 Next/D 6560 10 57280 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 338.85 3.85 80592 Colgate-A/D 1756.9 -31.4 20191 Hind Org Chem-/D 21.5 1.15 44708 Kopran-B/D 51.3 0.1 79447 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 582.15 -3.2 3713 Pearson/D 1179 -7 425827 Alembic-B/D 38.45 -0.5 106674 Container Cor-/D 1314.05 14.3 31550 Hind Unilever-/D 757.65 -8.3 67125 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 11.6 0.36 9888 Saur.Cem-B/D 41.15 0.1 112377 Prudential/D 1515.5 -11 512480 Alfred Herb-B/D 338 -6 1662 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 141.1 -0.95 4644 Hind.Petrol-A/D 550.35 -15.8 92984 Lumax Ind-B/D 412.1 -2.45 6443 Thirumalai-B/D 97.7 -0.75 1832 Rank Group/D 164.7 0.1 3069 Alok Indus-A/D 9.95 0.02 1397177 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.13 0.05 5167 Hindalco-A/D 150.95 -2.25 1546063 Lupin-A/D 1402.75 -36.75 65405 Timexgroup-T/D 12.95 -0.15 28162 Rentokil Initi/D 120.7 -0.3 251112 Apollo Tyre-A/D 218.6 0.1 380442 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 115 -2.45 5136 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1101.1 -23.25 66682 Lyka Labs-T/D 25.1 -0.4 35813 Tinplate-B/D 63.3 1.85 131078 Rolls Royce Pl/D 875 0.5 464665 Asahi I Glass-/D 115 0.75 9690 Dhampur Sugar-/D 42 -0.15 18605 I F C I-A/D 35.9 0.5 548978 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 149 3.5 3655 Ucal Fuel-B/D 137.4 -1.2 69987 Rsa Insrance G/D 448.7 2.6 6854439 Ashok Leyland-/D 49.8 0.15 1316550 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3139.15 -66.1 20806 Idbi-A/D 69.25 0.95 362608 Mah.Seamless-B/D 246.95 -1 12535 Ucal Fuel-B/D 137.4 -1.2 69987 Sainsbury(J)/D 244.7 0.6 1605433 Ballarpur In-B/D 15.4 -0.25 135572 E I H-B/D 116 -0.95 30479 Ifb Agro-B/D 360.15 12.4 7232 Mangalam Cem-B/D 312.7 -2.15 30129 Ultramarine-B/D 67.55 -1.45 6849 Schroders/D 2690 -24 81219 Bata India-A/D 1273.4 -23.25 12221 E.I.D Parry-A/D 196.1 -2.3 17668 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 466.15 -5.85 4052 Maral Overs-B/D 18.6 -0.75 1967 Unitech P -A/D 16.15 0.75 8621065 Severn Trent/D 2038 -2 55773 Bayer Crop-A/D 2912.05 18.1 21100 Eicher Motor-A/D 14859.3 55.45 2411 India Cement-A/D 82.15 1.9 368812 Mastek-B/D 410.55 5 468507 Smith&Nephew/D 1173 84 3070637 Beml Ltd-A/D 689.55 7.75 89752 Electrosteel-B/D 17.95 0.25 130539 India Glycol-B/D 100.2 0.1 18105 Max India L-A/D 387.55 7.55 302535 LONDON Smiths Group/D 1100 -8 205214 Bh Electronic-/D 2726.6 -6.35 10993 Emco-B/D 37.6 0.15 18534 Indian Hotel-A/D 118.05 -1.75 44095 Mrpl-A/D 47 -0.55 61712 Standrd Chart /D 958.4 7.4 2487705 Bharat Bijle-B/D 655 5.05 2047 Escorts Fin-B/D 6.13 0.29 28788 Indo-Tcount-T/D 334 19.65 24208 Nahar Spg.-B/D 95.65 0.1 28053 Tate & Lyle/D 596.5 -5.5 253945 Bharatgears-B/D 61.95 1.25 9106 Escorts-A/D 125.95 0.75 146503 Indusind-A/D 783.75 -2.55 51086 Nation Alum -A/D 53 0.55 223723 3I Group/D 448.4 -2.6 180700 Tesco/D 186 1.4 43554835 Bhartiya Int-B/D 397.95 -5.65 29702 Essar Oil-T/D 106.75 -2.05 55735 J.B.Chemical-B/D 199.95 0.15 22121 Navneet Edu-B/D 108.95 6 385576 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3227 17 57381 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bhel-A/D 254.95 -6.85 698656 Eveready Indu-/D 176.5 0.15 56335 Jagson Phar-B/D 35.6 -0.75 19684 Nepc India-T/D 2.5 -0.06 11551 Barclays/D 243.15 0.1 5326807 Unilever/D 2669 -2 285439 Bom.Burmah-B/D 374.35 -11.05 93585 F D C-B/D 164.1 5.25 97323 Jbf Indu-B/D 237.15 -4.15 104084 Neuland Lab-B/D 454.05 -3.1 1910 Bg Group/D 862.1 1.7 1890080 United Util Gr/D 931 -2.5 238534 Bombay Dyeing-/D 65.05 -0.35 222599 Federal Bank-A/D 147.6 1.1 127214 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.64 -0.03 28088 Nrb Bearings-B/D 124.8 1.6 2734 Bp/D 416.85 1 5998718 Vodafone Group/D 224.95 0.3 5275336 Camph.& All-B/D 280.15 -2.65 1986 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.65 0.23 21806 Jct Ltd-B/D 3.55 -0.07 322134 O N G C-A/D 344.5 -7.6 363508 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3531.5 8.5 281110 Whitbread/D 4753 -21 81643 Canfin Homes-B/D 497.2 -7.5 5763 Finolex-A/D 258.65 -4.05 8686 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 4.88 -0.19 28104 Ocl India-B/D 448.15 4.55 4646 Bt Group/D 415.2 2.6 2996446 Caprihans-B/D 88.4 1.5 28682 Gail-A/D 437.7 -9.95 1310765 Jik Indust-B/D 1.09 -0.06 4000 Oil Country-B/D 33.5 -1.15 8279 Centrica/D 284.7 2.2 2012403 Cast.Bo/D 501.35 -5.65 40644 Galada Power-T/D 12.96 0.61 2065 Jindal Drill-B/D 169 -8.4 3959 Onward Tech-B/D 52.5 -0.6 2125 Gkn/D 348.1 -0.7 594822 Century Enka-B/D 162.1 -3.9 5747 Gammon India-T/D 24.6 0.05 70386 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 138.4 0.6 967694 Orchid Chem-B/D 63.35 0.1 94047 Hsbc Holdings/D 614.2 1.6 3991941 Century Text-A/D 510.65 15.55 140984 Garden P -B/D 29.95 -0.6 2263 Kabra Extr-B/D 82.65 0.9 14871 Orient.Carb.-T/D 362.6 -0.7 5498 Imperial Tobac/D 2878 15 160206 Chambal Fert-B/D 60.25 0.15 43217 Goodricke-B/D 156.7 -1.2 7008 Kajaria Cer-A/D 559 -2.65 101435 Orient.Carb.-T/D 362.6 -0.7 5498 Kingfisher/D 333.1 -0.5 743009 THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 NBA: Cavaliers outclass Timberwolves 125-104 Irving top scorer with 29, James fires 24 points in win

NEW YORK: In their first Bulls 99, Wizards 91 meeting since headlining one Guard Derrick Rose scored of the NBA’s highest-profile off- eight of his game-high 25 points season trades, Andrew Wiggins over the final 3 1/2 minutes for a outshone Kevin Love by scoring victorious Chicago. 27 points but Cleveland took the Forward Pau Gasol had 18 spoils, pulling away late in the points for the Bulls, who earned third quarter to rout Minnesota their fourth consecutive victory 125-104. and won for the seventh time in The victory was Cleveland’s eight games. fourth in a five-game homestand Magic 100, Celtics 95 Kyrie Irving of before their eagerly anticipated Tobias Harris scored 19 points the Cleveland Christmas showdown in Miami. to help Orlando snap a four-game Cavaliers Kyrie Irving scored 17 of his losing streak. brings the game-leading 29 points in the Forward Kyle O’Quinn had ball up LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on in the second half second half for Cleveland, while 18 points and 13 rebounds, and court in the against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Quicken Loans Arena, yesterday LeBron James had 24 points, four center Nikola Vucevic had 18 second half in Cleveland, Ohio. rebounds and three assists. Love points and 12 rebounds for against the chipped in with 20 points. Orlando. The Celtics were led by Minnesota Lakers 115, Warriors 105 center Tyler Zeller, with 22 points Timberwolves One of the worst in the Western and 10 rebounds, and guard Avery at Quicken The Heat is on as James Conference beat the NBA team Bradley, who scored 20 points. Loans Arena, with the best record as the Los Suns 124, Mavericks 115 Angeles Lakers beat the Golden Guard Goran Dragic had 12 of yesterday in State Warriors, despite playing his 25 points in the second quar- Cleveland, returns to Miami today without guard and leading scorer ter as Phoenix pulled away in the Ohio. Kobe Bryant. second half to win their fourth MIAMI: LeBron James plays members are holding their own, The Lakers, who trail only straight game, beating Dallas. in Miami for the first time since with guard Dwyane Wade scoring the Minnesota Timberwolves for Eric Bledsoe added his second leaving the Heat for Cleveland 22.8 points a game and forward mediocrity in the West, snapped career triple-double, and second when the Cavaliers visit today Chris Bosh averaging 21.6. a three-game losing streak and this month, with 16 points, 10 to highlight five Christmas holi- James’ new “Big Three” part- defeated the Warriors for the first rebounds and 10 assists for the day NBA clashes being televised ners in Cleveland are faring well time in five meetings. Suns, who had lost three straight globally. also, with Australian guard Kyrie Bryant missed the game due and four of five at US Airways The schedule opens with Irving netting 19.7 points a game to fatigue, but the Lakers did not Center. Washington at New York followed and big man Kevin Love averag- miss a beat without him, build- Pacers 96, Pelicans 84 by Oklahoma City at defending ing 16.8 points and 10.5 rebounds ing a double-digit lead in the first Guard George Hill, who missed NBA champion San Antonio a night. quarter and keeping Golden State the season’s first 28 games with The 76ers received a team- Charlotte, which had won each before the latest episode in James’ Washington has become a con- at bay. a knee injury, returned to lead high 20 points from point guard of its previous three games by at city-switching saga plays out in tender behind guard John Wall, Indiana to victory over New Michael Carter-Williams en route least 18 points, pulled away with Miami, where he led the Heat who averages 17.8 points and an Orleans. to their second consecutive win. a sterling third quarter. The to the past four NBA Finals and NBA second-best 10.5 assists a NBA Results Hill scored 15 points, center Hawks 107, Clippers 104 Hornets shot just under 50 per- brought the city two NBA crowns. game. The Wizards visit a Knicks Cleveland 125 Minnesota 104 Roy Hibbert added 14, and for- Forward DeMarre Carroll cent for the game but hit 11- of-17 Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose, squad in a five-game losing slump Indiana 96 New Orleans 84 wards Solomon Hill and David scored 17 of his career-high 25 in the quarter. two injury-prone stars, could be and a 5-25 record. West each added 13. points in the second half to lead Trail Blazers 115, Thunder the focus when the Los Angeles Despite 23.7 points a game from Orlando 100 Boston 95 Nets 102, Nuggets 96 Atlanta to its fifth straight win. 111 (OT) Lakers visit Chicago in the penul- Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks – Chicago 99 Washington 91 Forward Joe Johnson scored 27 Carroll made 9-of-12 shots Damian Lillard scored 40 timate contest, with the Golden making a 50th Christmas start points as Brooklyn beat Denver. and helped Atlanta overcome a points, including a game-tying State Warriors, who have the best – are saved from the humiliation Atlanta 107 LA Clippers 104 Johnson made 11-of-19 shots 13-point second-half deficit. He three-pointer near the end of record in the NBA, visiting the of the NBA’s worst record only by Brooklyn 102 Denver 96 and hit three clutch shots in the also had 10 rebounds. regulation, to lead the Portland Los Angeles Clippers in the final Philadelphia 3-23 start. fourth quarter. It was Johnson’s Hornets 108, Bucks 101 Trail Blazers to an overtime vic- game of the 67th NBA Christmas Bryant, making a record 16th Philadelphia 91 Miami 87 eighth game with at least 20 Point guard Kemba Walker tory over Oklahoma City. calendar. Christmas Day appearance, ranks Charlotte 108 Milwaukee 101 points. scored 27 points and shooting The win pushed the Blazers to James spurned his home- fourth in the NBA with 24.6 Portland 115 Oklahoma City 111 76ers 91, Heat 87 guard Gerald Henderson added 23-7 on the season. The Thunder, region Cavaliers for the Heat in points a game but the Lakers Philadelphia, owners of the 20 as Charlotte extended its win- who let a 13-point lead with five 2010 but after winning his long- start 8-19 while the Bulls, still Phoenix 124 Dallas 115 worst record in the NBA, rallied ning streak to a season-high four minutes left in regulation slip sought after first NBA titles with easing Rose back into the lineup LA Lakers 115 Golden State 105 from a 23-point, third-quarter games with a 108-101 victory over away, dropped to 13-16 with their Miami, he returned to Cleveland after knee injuries that kept him deficit to defeat Miami. Milwaukee. third straight defeat. REUTERS vowing to bring the city a major out for almost all of the past two sports title, something not seen seasons, are 18-9 with Spanish there since the NFL’s Cleveland star Pau Gasol, who averages Browns in 1964. 18.0 points and 11.5 rebounds a Heat lose McRoberts after surgery “The schedule came out after game preparing to face his former I had decided to come back. Laker team-mates. The NBA knew something,” Golden State has the best MIAMI: Miami forward Josh Last season, McRoberts aver- James said. “They knew that I record in the NBA at 23-3 thanks McRoberts has undergone suc- aged career highs of 8.5 points, was going to go home or stay in largely to the NBA’s top-scoring cessful surgery to repair a torn 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists as a Miami, so they knew I would have backcourt duo of Stephen Curry, meniscus in his right knee but starter for Charlotte, who made to play my home team or my old with 23.5 points a game, and Klay will probably miss the remain- a surprise run into the play-offs. team-mates.” Thompson, with 21.7 a contest. der of the NBA season, the Heat Meanwhile, Derrick Rose James, who ranks second in But the Clippers, 19-9 for sixth- said yesterday. scored 25 points and the Chicago NBA scoring with 25.2 points best in the West, counter with An MRI exam last week Bulls stretched their win streak Miami a game and fifth in assists with forward Blake Griffin, averag- revealed the tear, which led to the to four games with a 99-91 victory forward 7.8 a contest, has sparked the ing 23.1 points a game, and guard 45-minute operation and several Tuesday at Washington. Josh Cavaliers to a 16-10 record, fifth Chris Paul, who has 18.1 points months of rehabilitation to come. Rose, the 2011 NBA hit 10-of-17 McRoberts in the Eastern Conference. and 9.8 assists a game. The move might allow Miami shots from the field against the has The Heat, who brought in Luol The reigning champion Spurs, to have a salary cap exception Wizards and netted six points in undergone Deng to try and ease the sting of 18-11, provide a balanced attack under NBA rules that could make a row to cap an 8-0 run. Chicago’s successful losing James, are 13-15, seventh that is difficult to silence, ignited the Heat a top bidder for forward 13-4 record in road games in the in the East. Miami fans could by French guard Tony Parker in his right Josh Smith, who was dropped by best in the Eastern Conference greet James with boos when he with 16.5 points and 5.3 assists a knee. Detroit and is now a free agent. and their 19-9 overall mark ranks takes to the court, or cheers to game, both team highs. McRoberts signed a four-year fourth behind Toronto, Atlanta acknowledge his success with the Tim Duncan provides 16 points contract with Miami before the and the Wizards, who fell to 19-8. Heat. Either way, James is looking and a club-best 11 rebounds a start of the season but the eight- Spanish big man Pau Gasol ahead not back. game while Kawhi Leonard aver- year NBA veteran has been scored 18 points and grabbed “I live in the present,” James ages 15.2 points and 7.6 rebounds slowed by injuries, averaging only nine rebounds for the Bulls, who said. “Yesterday is over with. The and both Manu Ginobili and 4.2 points and 2.6 rebounds over won for the seventh time in eight future is unknown.” Danny Green average more than 17 games. games. AFP Miami’s remaining “Big Three” 12 points a game. AFP

Justin Faulk NHL: Avalanche blank Blues 5-0 (left) of the Carolina NEW YORK: Right winger Simmonds fifth time in six Centre David Krejci scored on Hurricanes NHL Results Jarome Iginla and left winger also scored for games to ensure the power play, and center Patrice skates with Boston 5 Nashville 3 Alex Tanguay had a goal and an Philadelphia, they would keep Bergeron had three assists for the puck as assist each as Colorado blanked which has won Carolina 2 New Jersey 1 at least a share of Boston, which climbed back over he is covered St Louis 5-0. three straight Montreal 3 Ny Islanders 1 first place in the .500 at 18-14-3. by Stephen Goaltender Semyon Varlamov and five of its last Ny Rangers 4 Washington 2 Atlantic Division Rangers 4, Capitals 2 Gionta of the returned from a six-game absence seven. Philadelphia 5 Minnesota 2 with the Tampa Rick Nash maintained his hot New Jersey to make 26 saves for his second Canadiens 3, Toronto 4 Dallas 0 Bay Lightning scoring streak with two goals as Devils in shutout of the season and 15th of Islanders 1 Detroit 6 Buffalo 3 heading into the the New York Rangers outlasted the second his career. Center Ryan O’Reilly Defenceman Tampa Bay 4 Pittsburgh 3 holiday break. Washington, giving New York its period of their also had a goal and assist for the Andrei Markov Arizona 5 Edmonton 1 Bruins 5, first seven-game winning streak NHL game Avalanche, winners of three in a and right Predators 3 in more than three years. Colorado 5 St. Louis 0 at Prudential row. winger Brendan Boston hit its Right winger Martin St Louis Winnipeg 5 Chicago 1 Center, Flyers 5, Wild 2 Gallagher scored Christmas break added two power-play goals, yesterday in Centre Vincent Lecavalier less than six min- with a victory center Derick Brassard and right Newark, New scored an insurance goal in the utes apart in the second period to over Nashville, as left winger Brad winger Mats Zuccarello each had Jersey. third period as Philadelphia lift Montreal to a win over the Marchand scored his team-high two assists as the Rangers handed beat Minnesota 5-2. Centre New York Islanders. ninth and 10th goals of the season the Capitals their first loss in the Sean Couturier and right wing- Casey Price made 37 saves for and right winger Loui Eriksson last 10 games. ers Claude Giroux and Wayne the Canadiens, who won for the also scored twice. AGENCIES THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

World Sports Diary February 2015 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 More milestones for Messi; CRICKET: New Zealand v Pakistan, Napier, second ODI THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 GOLF: PGA Tour: Farmers Insurance Open, San Diego, California (to European Tour: Malaysian Open, Kuala Sharma sparkles with 264 Lumpur (to 8) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 SOCCER: French Cup last 16 2014: Spurs end two-year reign of Miami Heat as NBA champions ALPINE SKIING: World Cup: Team, mixed, Vail/Beaver Creek WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 LONDON: The year 2014 saw some remarkable individual and SOCCER teams performances in differ- Spanish Kings Cup semi-finals first legs ent fields of sports. Libertadores Cup preliminary round, second Below is the glimpse of five best leg performances of the year. CRICKET 1: Lionel Messi (SOCCER) Barcelona’s England v Pakistan, World Cup warm up Lionel Messi, who in typically Argentinian forward match, Sydney breathtaking fashion became the Lionel Messi (top) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 all-time leading scorer in La Liga is thrown into the SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 and the Champions League with air by his team- CRICKET: World Cup two hat-tricks in the space of four mates as they South Africa v Zimbabwe, Hamilton days. celebrate his new India v Pakistan, Adelaide Three goals against Sevilla took record after he RUGBY: Six Nations his La Liga total to 253, before scored during the Scotland v Wales a treble against APOEL Nicosia Spanish League NBA: All-Star Game, New York set a Champions League scoring match against ALPINE SKIING: World Cup: Men's Slalom, record of 74 goals. Sevilla FC at the Vail/Beaver Creek The four-times World Player MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 of the Year surpassed the previ- Camp Nou Stadium CRICKET: World Cup ous La Liga mark of 251 set by in Barcelona, in this West Indies v Ireland, Nelson former Athletic Bilbao striker November 2014 file TENNIS: ATP: Marseille Open, France (to Telmo Zarra in 1955 and the photo. 22) Champions League record of 71 Delray Beach International, U.S. (to 22) he jointly held with former Real Rio Open, Rio De Janeiro (to 22) Madrid striker Raul. WTA: Dubai Championships, Dubai (to 21) It was a superb way to crown a TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 year in which he won the Golden Ball award for best player at CRICKET the Brazil World Cup having led World Cup Argentina to the final. New Zealand v Scotland, Dunedin 2: Madison Bumgarner SOCCER (Baseball) Champions League last 16 first legs (to 18) San Francisco pitcher Madison WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Bumgarner saved the day and the World Series for the Giants with CRICKET a Game Seven effort that capped World Cup a record-breaking performance in Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Canberra The San Antonio Spurs the Fall Classic. SOCCER The 25-year-old country boy players and coaches pose with their NBA Libertadores Cup group stage from North Carolina put a spell CYCLING over the Kansas City Royals, Finals trophy after World Track Championships, France (to 22) pitching five shutout innings defeating the Miami of relief to preserve a deciding Heat in the NBA Finals THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 one-run win on two days rest game five at the AT&T CRICKET after winning twice as a starting Center in San Antonio, World Cup pitcher. Texas, USA, in this June Zimbabwe v UAE, Nelson The 6-foot-5 lefty was credited 2014 file photo. SOCCER with the longest save in Series Europa League last 32 first legs history and totalled 21 innings, nine hits, one run, 17 strikeouts GOLF and one walk in the best-of-seven. PGA: Northern Trust Open, Pacific In winning a third championship Palisades, California (to ring he set all-time career World European Tour: Indian Series marks for lowest ERA Open, New Delhi (to 22) (0.25) and fewest hits per nine ATHLETICS innings (3.5). XL Galan indoor meeting, Stockholm 3: Rohit Sharma (Cricket) match. The remarkable run made same dominant force in short in his drive to become short French point guard Tony Parker FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Rohit Sharma, playing his Sharma the first to register a sec- track as he skated to three gold track’s most successful Olympic and Argentine swingman Manu CRICKET first match for India in 10 weeks ond ODI double hundred, having medals at the Sochi Olympics for racer. 5. San Antonio Spurs Ginobili, won in five games, tak- after suffering a finger injury and scored 209 against Australia last Russia. Ahn took his Olympic (Basketball) ing each of their four wins by 15 World Cup shoulder strain, shattered the year. haul to a short track career With an inspiring display of points or more. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 one-day world record for a bats- Sehwag and former team- mate record six golds with wins in the teamwork and skill, relentless Kawhi Leonard, 23, was named CRICKET man with a monumental opening Sachin Tendulkar are the only 500m, 1,000m and 5,000m relay ball movement and dedicated Finals MVP after successfully World Cup knock of 264 against Sri Lanka. others to reach 200 in one-day after being a triple champion for defense, the San Antonio Spurs duelling James, who left Miami to Pakistan v West Indies, Christchurch Sharma’s boundary runs alone internationals. South Korea as Ahn Hyun-soo at ended the two-year reign of the return home to the Cavaliers after Australia v Bangladesh, Brisbane amounted to 186 as he blitzed 4: Viktor Ahn (Speed the 2006 Turin Games. Miami Heat and LeBron James the Heat’s streak of 11 straight NHL nine sixes and 33 fours from 173 Skating) The 29-year-old missed the as NBA champions with a sublime playoff series wins was snapped by deliveries in racing past the pre- Eight years after his previous 2010 Olympics due to a knee run to the title. the Spurs, whose 70-point differ- Stadium Series, Los Angeles v San Jose, vious record 219 set by compa- Olympic appearance, Viktor Ahn injury and a falling out with the The selfless Spurs, with a roster ential and 52.8 percent shooting Santa Clara, triot Virender Sehwag in 2011. Sri competed under a new name and Korean Skating Union that led full of international players led by from the field were both Finals California Lanka responded with 251 in the for a new country but was the him to switch allegiance to Russia an ageless core of Tim Duncan, records. REUTERS ALPINE SKIING World Cup: Men's downhill, Saalbach Women's Giant Slalom, Maribor SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 CRICKET World Cup Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Dunedin South Africa v India, Melbourne San Francisco MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Giants pitcher CRICKET and series World Cup MVP Madison England v Scotland, Christchurch Bumgarner TENNIS holds his MVP trophy next to the ATP: Dubai Championships, United Arab Emirates (to March 1) Commissioner’s Trophy after game Buenos Aires Open, Argentina (to March 1) 7 of the World WTA: Qatar Total Open, Doha (to March 1) Series against the TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Kansas City Royals, CRICKET in this October World Cup 2014 file photo. West Indies v Zimbabwe, Canberra RIGHT: India’s WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Rohit Sharma CRICKET (front) celebrates World Cup after scoring a Ireland v UAE, Brisbane double century THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 against Australia CRICKET in the seventh and final ODI at the World Cup M Chinnaswamy Afghanistan v Scotland, Dunedin Stadium, Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Melbourne Bangalore, in this FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 November 2014 file CRICKET photo. World Cup South Africa v West Indies, Sydney SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 CRICKET World Cup Australia v New Zealand, Auckland India v UAE, Perth THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 West Indies face tough Warner, Watson shake off injury task in second Test fears for third Test

MELBOURNE: Opener David Bavuma, South Africa’s black hope, set to make debut Warner and all-rounder Shane Watson both took part in train- ing yesterday as injury scares PORT ELIZABETH, South eased for Australia ahead of the Africa: The West Indies face a Boxing Day Test against India. daunting task when they take on The pair returned to the fray South Africa in the second Test during a Christmas Eve session at at Port Elizabeth’s St George’s the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Park on Friday. Warner, batting for the first The tourists were outplayed in time since hurting his thumb in the first Test at Centurion, where the second Test victory over India they were beaten by an innings in Brisbane last week, was soon and 220 runs, with the match driving and hooking with little ending before lunch on the fourth sign of discomfort. David Warner day. Watson, who was dazed when It was such a one-sided contest struck on the helmet by a bouncer that South Africa will again be on Tuesday, took on a bowling strong favourites, even though machine in the indoor nets before India sledging there are several factors that moving outdoors. favour the West Indians in Port The blow sparked concern ‘backfired’ in Elizabeth, where the pitches usu- Watson might have sustained ally offer minimal seam move- serious injury, coming after Brisbane, says ment and less pace than other Australian batsman Phillip South African venues. Hughes was killed by a bouncer It was in the coastal city seven on November 25. In a sure sign Hazlewood years ago that the West Indies Warner was on the mend, he gained their only win in 13 Test told reporters he would keep up MELBOURNE: India’s matches in South Africa. the “banter” against the tourists, attempts to get under Australia’s Three of the current squad despite a spate of fines. skin in the second Test “back- played significant roles, with Indians Shikhar Dhawan, Virat fired” on the way to defeat at Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104) Kohli and Ishant Sharma have all the Gabba, according to pace- and Marlon Samuels (94) the been fined for their conduct in the man Josh Hazlewood. mainstays of a strong first innings, four-Test series, as has Warner Australia head into the third while fast bowler Jerome Taylor after a heated exchange in the Test starting in Melbourne on had match figures of six for 112. Batsman Temba Bavuma is set to become only the sixth black South African to play in a Test match for the first Test in Adelaide. Friday with a 2-0 lead in the four- Chanderpaul played down the country as he makes his debut against West Indies on Friday. “If it requires a little bit of match series and looking to seal significance of conditions at St banter to get the other person victory. George’s Park when he spoke to Chanderpaul gloved a vicious Quinton de Kock, with AB de bowling hand. AGENCIES talking, that’s what is going to Hazlewood’s team-mate and journalists on Tuesday. bouncer from Dale Steyn in the Villiers keeping wickets, as he happen,” said Warner. fellow seamer Mitchell Johnson He agreed with South African second innings. did in both innings at Centurion. Australia believe they have an came in for some sledging by batsman Faf du Plessis that the Steyn, who took six for 34 in In almost 23 years of Test Teams edge over India in the sledging India’s fielders in Brisbane but West Indies tended to blow “hot the second innings at Centurion, cricket since a united cricket South Africa (likely): Hashim Amla (capt), stakes after Indian attempts to spanked an important 88 from 93 and cold” and attributed the 2007 has taken 21 wickets in four Tests board was admitted to the Alviro Petersen, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, rile Mitchell Johnson backfired balls in Australia’s second innings win to the fact that “we had a in Port Elizabeth and said that International Cricket Council in with the quick taking four wickets before setting up victory with a good match”. although the pitch was slower, he 1991, cricket officials have been AB de Villiers (wkt), Stiaan van Zyl, Temba and hitting 88 runs in a match- four-wicket haul. “We know we are much better could be effective because he was embarrassed by the scarcity of Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, winning performance in Brisbane. “It backfired at the Gabba with than we showed at Centurion,” not especially tall. Test-quality players from South Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir “I like to go at them, to try them trying to get stuck into us said Chanderpaul but he acknowl- “I’m a bit skiddier so when Africa’s largest racial group. and get them to bite back at me and Mitch fired back,” Hazlewood edged the difficulties of taking on I bowl a bouncer guys tend to At its annual meeting earlier West Indies: Denesh Ramdin (capt, wkt), when I go out there and bat. At said in Melbourne on Wednesday. what he described as “the best play a little bit more whereas at this year, Cricket South Africa Kraigg Brathwaite, Devon Smith, Leon the moment it’s working,” Warner “It was good to see him pick bowling attack in the world”. Centurion guys can get out of the identified racial transformation Johnson, Marlon Samuels, Shivnarine added. up some wickets in the second Chanderpaul and Samuels way because of the bounce.” as a high priority and all fran- Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Jerome Meanwhile, Shaun Marsh was innings and really fire up and will again be key players in what Earlier this year, Steyn pro- chise teams were required to field Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Sheldon Cottrell, struck on his left hand by a rising bowl fast. It’s a good spot to be in appears to be a fragile West duced a match-winning spell of at least two black Africans in all delivery from Josh Hazlewood in at 2-0 at this time of the year. If Indian batting order. Both will fast reverse swing bowling against games. Jason Holder, Shannon Gabriel, Narsingh training at the MCG Wednesday. we can crack them right open (at be seeking to improve on their Australia at St George’s Park. Because of the slower surface, Deonarine, Kenroy Peters, Chadwick Walton The 31-year-old was assessed by the MCG) early we can drive the performances in Centurion where South Africa are likely to make South Africa are likely to play a (wkt). team doctor Peter Brukner and game forward towards 3-0.” Samuels made 33 and 17, while two changes to their winning spin bowler, with seamer Kyle left the nets but later returned. Hazlewood, Australia’s lat- Chanderpaul was out for 21 and team. Batsman Temba Bavuma Abbott probably sitting out in Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL), Paul Reiffel India trail 2-0 in the series est young fast-bowling talent, four. is set to become only the sixth favour of leg-spinner Imran Tahir, (AUS) and must reverse a 23-year los- enjoyed a fine test debut, taking Samuels fell victim to a short black African to play in a Test who was drafted into the squad on TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK) ing streak in Melbourne to stop five wickets in the first innings delivery from Morne Morkel match for the country, in place Tuesday when left-armer Robin Australia regaining the Border- for a seven-wicket match overall in the first innings while of injured wicketkeeper-batsman Peterson suffered an injury to his Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI) Gavaskar Trophy. AFP at the Gabba. REUTERS Pakistan Cup hopeful Shah inspired by Warne

KARACHI: Pakistan leg spin- with his approach and aggression Australia and New Zealand he is He is confident of playing well Alam, Mushtaq Muhammad, Zealand recently in the UAE, tak- ner Yasir Shah (pictured) is as a spinner. I want to emulate in our World Cup plan.” in Australia, where he says the Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed ing 27 wickets. determined to make an impact him and it would be a dream come Shah, who hails extra bounce in the and Danish Kaneria, who Although the selectors called at next year’s World Cup in true if I can leave an impact in from the small town pitches will help him had to quit the game after him up for the final three ODIs Australia and New Zealand hav- Australia,” Shah, 28, said. of Swabi in Khyber a lot. getting a life ban for spot fixing against New Zealand, Shah did ing been inspired by the great Shah is in Pakistan’s 30-man Pakthunkhawa prov- “The first thing I in 2012. not get a chance to play. Shane Warne. preliminary World Cup squad and, ince, has been busy want to do on reach- “I have a good leg spinner and He said that bowlers need to “I started playing cricket with experienced off-spinners studying footage of ing Australia is to go I modeled my flipper on Warne’s adapt to the three different for- because I idolised Shane Warne. Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Warne as he pre- and spend time in the style. But I know I need to make mats of the sport but that he He has been my role model and Hafeez suspended from bowling in pares himself for a nets with Warne. I my Googly a wicket-taking deliv- would love to follow the philoso- I’m keeping my fingers crossed I international cricket, is in line to bigger role in one-day have read that he ery to be successful in the World phy of Warne to dominate the can make the World Cup squad,” spearhead Pakistan’s spin attack cricket. wants to see me bowl Cup,” Shah said. batsmen. Shah said. at the tournament. “I have watched his and give me tips. It He played one ODI and two “If my captain and coaches Warne, who finished with 708 Chief selector Moin Khan has videos and especially would be great,” Shah T20 matches against Zimbabwe in want I am ready to play the role test and 293 ODI wickets, is rated already reassured Shah about his how he used to bowl on Australian said. September 2011 without shining of attacking spinner in the World as the greatest leg spinner in prospects of making the squad, pitches. I am working very hard Shah is the latest quality leg but he made a big impact when he Cup. I want to take wickets for cricket history. saying: “Certainly after his superb on disguising my Googly and mak- spinner produced by Pakistan fol- returned to the national squad for my team not just contain,” added “Warne transformed cricket performances in the tests against ing it more effective,” Shah said. lowing in the footsteps of Intikhab tests against Australia and New Shah. REUTERS Khan offers help England’s Hartley gets Six Nations reprieve

LONDON: England hooker including eye-gouging, biting, will be a huge relief to Hartley referee Wayne Barnes during Dylan Hartley (pictured) has punching and swearing. as England head coach Stuart Northampton’s Premiership final to rebuild school been cleared to play in the Instead, Hartley will miss Lancaster had warned the player defeat to Leicester. forthcoming Six Nations tour- three Premiership games for he was in the last-chance saloon That cost the New Zealand- ISLAMABAD: British boxer the northwestern city of Peshawar nament after receiving just a Northampton -- at Harlequins as a result of his failure to main- born hooker a red card and his Amir Khan yesterday prom- last week, slaughtering 150 people three-week ban for elbowing on December 27, at tain discipline on place on the British and Irish ised help to rebuild a Pakistani including 134 children. Leicester’s Matt Smith. home to Newcastle the field. Lions tour as he was subsequently school where 150 people were The attack has shocked the The 28-year-old pleaded guilty on January 2 and at Hartley’s roll of hit with an 11-week ban, and his massacred by the Taliban in the world and 28-year-old Khan to the charge of striking Smith Sale on January 10. shame began with latest indiscretion, in the 17th country’s deadliest ever terror pledged to do what he could to while playing for Northampton “The sanction a 26-week ban minute of Northampton’s 23-19 attack. help. in their Premiership win over reflects the low in April 2007 for win at the weekend, has produced Khan, who has Pakistani roots, “I am willing to offer my help Leicester on Saturday. end entry point of gouging the eyes the fifth ban of his chequered travelled to the troubled country to the government of Pakistan It was feared the Saints captain the offence, which of Wasps forwards career. to show solidarity with the vic- and all the stakeholders, any help would be hit with a long suspen- carries a two-week James Haskell and Referee J P Doyle initially tims and their families. from my side, to rebuild the dam- sion given his poor disciplinary tariff,” RFU judi- Jonny O’Connor. seemed happy to award Hartley a “What has taken place in aged school and to help the fight record, but a Rugby Football cial officer Jeremy An eight-week yellow card, but television match Peshawar is absolutely horrific against terrorism,” he said. Union hearing, held via confer- Summers said. ban followed in official Sean Davey urged Doyle and sickening,” the WBC wel- He said he would be setting up ence call on Tuesday, opted for a “The entry point March 2012 after he to watch further replays, and he terweight world champion told Amir Khan academies for young more lenient approach. was aggravated was found to have responded by sending off Hartley. a news conference in Islamabad. people in selected Pakistani cities. A ban of six weeks or more having regard to Dylan’s previous bitten Ireland flanker Stephen Hartley, who has won 61 “After recently becoming a Through his foundation, he would would have jeopardised Hartley’s record and a week was taken off to Ferris’ finger, before receiving a England caps, recently rejected father myself, I can’t imagine support Pakistani children in the chances of appearing in the Six reflect mitigating circumstances. two-week penalty in December a big-money contract offer from how the families of these innocent health and education sectors. Nations, which gets underway “As such the sanction reflects of the same year for punching French Top 14 side Montpellier children are feeling.” Last week Khan said he plans with England’s clash against the player’s record rather than Ulster’s Rory Best. to sign a three-year deal with A team of heavily armed to auction a $45,000 pair of shorts Wales in early February, and his the seriousness of the offence Hartley’s disciplinary short- Northampton that will keep him Pakistani Taliban gunmen to raise money to help rebuild the future Test career in light of a itself.” comings reached a personal nadir at Franklin’s Gardens until 2018. stormed the army-run school in school. AFP previous disciplinary rap sheet The fairly mild punishment in May 2013 when swearing at AFP THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

GCC Beach Volleyball Championship

Qatari player Sharif Younis counters opposition’s ball on the opening day of the GCC Beach Volleyball Championship, yesterday at the Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha. CENTRE: Qatari player Abdulaziz Khallouf (right) attempts to score a point against the Saudi team. RIGHT: Bahraini player Muhammad Ali (right) launches an attack as Qatar’s Sharif Younis prepares to block the attempt, in another match of the day. As many as ten teams are taking part in the event. Oman A, Bahrain B, Saudi Arabia A, Qatar A and Qatar D have been drawn in Group A while Bahrain A, Oman B, Saudi Arabia B, Qatar B and Kuwait are in Group B. PICTURES BY: BAHER AMIN

Absent Chelsea aim to deny rivals Ronaldinho threatened with sack MEXICO CITY: Two-time Man City any festive cheer world footballer of the year Ronaldinho has been threat- ened with the sack if he doesn’t We have to focus on 3 matches we still have in this period: Mourinho return as soon as possible to his Mexican club Queretaro, the team’s president said on LONDON: The omens are good Tuesday. for a Chelsea side heading into The 34-year-old Brazilian – a Christmas top of the Premier member of the 2002 World Cup League tree but manager Jose winning side and world player of Mourinho does not want to give the year in 2004 and 2005 – has title rivals Manchester City any not returned as he said he would reason to cheer over the festive a fortnight ago for pre-season season. training having been allowed to Having beaten Stoke City 2-0 go to the United States and Brazil at the Britannia Stadium on to put his personal affairs in order Monday, the London club ensured Chelsea’s manager after the end of the previous they went into a busy fixture Jose Mourinho campaign. schedule leading the table with (centre) reacts with The first match is on January 42 points from 17 matches – so Cesc Fabregas 11 but Queretaro began their pre- far in the league. (right) and Branislav season training on December 8 The last three times Chelsea Ivanovic after the and have played several friend- have been top on Christmas Day English Premier lies without being graced by the they have gone on to win the League match against presence of the former Paris title, but with in-form City hot Saint Germain, Barcelona and Stoke City at the on their heels three points behind, AC Milan star. Britannia Stadium Mourinho is taking nothing for Club President Arturo granted with testing matches to in Stoke, Britain on Villanueva – who was credited come. Monday. with pulling off a coup for the Sam Allardyce’s fourth-placed unfashionable Mexican side by West Ham United travel to persuading the Brazilian to sign Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground for them in September – said that on Friday before Mourinho’s men if Ronaldinho does not appear in head to Southampton on Sunday the next week he would prefer ‘to and then make the short trip take on someone else’. across London to face Tottenham Joaquin Beltran. the club’s Hotspur on New Year’s Day. sporting director, said that “Now we have to focus on the Ronaldinho – who in his nine three matches we still have until games for Queretaro scored three the end of this period,” Mourinho goals and set up one other – did told reporters after the victory since day one and we are there but they are still without injured ready to strike against struggling Elsewhere on Friday, third- not enjoy special status. at Stoke. because we are playing really strikers Stevan Jovetic, Edin West Brom. “I like to play in the placed Manchester United, whose “If Ronaldinho does not come “Playing against Big Sam is a well,” he said. Dzeko and Sergio Aguero. middle, even though I can play on progress up the league was slowed back in the next week, we will hard job for us, we have to cope “Our Christmas fixtures are Captain Vincent Kompany both wings,” Silva said. with a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last take a decision,” said the club’s with it,” he said. more difficult than any other one is also missing for Manuel “When I play in the middle I weekend, host Newcastle United director. “The three-point lead we have (club).” Pellegrini’s side but midfielder get chances to score. That is why while Arsenal welcome London “He has already missed a large is a little advantage, it is a little Second-placed City travel to David Silva, having scored twice I scored the two goals. But I will rivals Queens Park Rangers to the part of the pre-season and nobody pillow we have to protect us. West Bromwich Albion in search in City’s 3-0 home win over be happy to help the team when Emirates Stadium. is above the institution,” added “We have been top of the league of a seventh straight league win Crystal Palace last weekend, is the strikers are back.” REUTERS Beltran. AFP Balotelli not suited to Liverpool’s style, says Rodgers

LONDON: Mario Balotelli will with a trip to lowly Burnley on ban. It adds another player to our return to Liverpool’s squad Friday, but suggested the former squad, which is important espe- for the festive programme but Manchester City player is not cially with Fabio (Borini) now manager Brendan Rodgers was suited to Liverpool’s style. suspended.” hardly effusive in his praise of “We’ve seen that it is not really Liverpool are 10th and though the Italy’s striker’s credentials his game, Rodgers said, referring they got one point in their last two Liverpool’s Mario yesterday. to the high-pressing approach games – a defeat at Manchester Balotelli smiles The 24-year-old Balotelli has that worked so well with Luis United and a home draw with before their English struggled to make an impact at Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in Arsenal -- they are starting to Premier League Anfield since his £16m ($24.88m) tandem last season. recapture the verve of last season match against move from AC Milan in August, “Working with Mario, we’ve when they were pipped to the title Arsenal at Anfield managing two goals in 15 games. seen that he is someone who is by Manchester City. in Liverpool, in this His off-field antics have also better in and around the box. Holiday fixtures against made the headlines and he was That level of pressing and inten- Burnley, Rodgers’ former club December 21, 2014, fined 25,000 pounds and banned sity is not part of his game. Swansea City and struggling file photo. for last weekend’s 2-2 draw with “But you try to make the best Leicester City, offer Liverpool Arsenal after posting an offensive out of the players you have, and the chance to start making up message on social media. the qualities that they have. lost ground. At his pre-match news confer- That’s something we will focus “We’ve tried to find the solution ence Rodgers welcomed mercu- on,” he said. to get back that intensity and that rial Balotelli’a return for a busy “The most important thing is tempo, and I think we’ve seen holiday programme, starting that he’s now available after his that,” Rodgers said. REUTERS THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Majd Al Uraiq gallops away with Al Khor Cup

DOHA: Jockey T. O’Shea rode Majd Al Uraiq to victory in Horse Racing Results the Al Khor Cup at the Qatar LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE THOROUGHBRED Racing and Equestrian Club Distance: 1800m HANDICAP RATED 50 - 70 (QREC) yesterday. (Read as horse, trainer, jockey) Distance: 1200m Trained by H. Al Matwi, Majd 1. Freckenham (IRE), Bustawi Ismail, Al Uraiq edged Thawi, trained 1 Daleem (QA), A. Abbas, P. Convertino Almotasem Al Balushi by Jassim Al Ghazali and ridden 2 Takfaa (QA), M. Hussain, Declan Cannon 2. Damaah (USA), I. Al Malki, P. Convertino by Harry Bentley, to the win- 3 Sattam (QA), Mohammed Hamad Al ning post in the 1800m dirt track Attiya, W. J. Lee 3. The Scuttler (IRE), M. Salama, Cedric race. Raedah, ridden by Gaetan Segeon P/A MAIDEN PLATE Faucon, came in third. THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP RATED 70 - 90 Earlier in race seven, Ahmed Distance: 1200m Distance: 1800m Kobeissi-trained TM Reagan 1. Sahab Al Naif (QA), Abdullah Al Jaber, Bret, ridden by S. Golam, galloped Marvin Suerland 1. Upholland (GB), Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley to victory. Harran, ridden by R. 2. Nazala Al Naif (QA), Y. Bentaher, Gerald Mullen, came in second in the Avranche 2. Pure Amber (IRE), A. Al Qathiri, Marco 1200m P/A Conditions race while Monteriso Jelmud, trained by Mohammed 3. Taghya (GB), Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Bentley 3. Khudoua (GB), Mohamed Riyaz, Gerald Hamad Al Attiya and ridden by Avranche Gerald Avranche, finished third. THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE P/A CONDITIONS It was another successful day Distance: 1200m Distance: 1200m for the rider-trainer duo of Al 1. Urban Dreamer (IRE), Jassim Al Ghazali, Ghazali and Bentley. They made Harry Bentley 1. TM Reagan Bret (USA), Ahmed Kobeissi, it to the podium in no less than S. Golam 2. Ballroom Blitz (GB), M. Khalid, Y. Al Hajri five races and finished on top in 2. Harran (GB), J. Smart, R. Mullen two races. 3. Nu Form Fire (IRE), Jassim Al Ghazali, First, Bentley rode Urban Marvin Suerland 3. Jelmud (GB), Mohammed Hamad Al Attiya, Gerald Avranche Dreamer to victory in the THOROUGHBRED GRADUATION PLATE Thoroughbred Maiden Plate race AL KHOR CUP - L/B P/A CONDITIONS Distance: 1200m and then propelled Upholland Distance: 1800m over the finish line to win the 1. Thameen (USA), Nasser Al Kaabi, Marco 1. Majd Al Uraiq (QA), H. Al Matwi, T. 1800m Thoroughbred Handicap Monteriso Rated 70-90 race. O’Shea In the Thoroughbred 2. Katja (GB), Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry 2. Thawi (QA), Jassim Al Ghazali, Harry Graduation Plate race, Bentley’s Bentley Bentley Katja was edged out by Marco Jockey T. O’Shea rides Majd Al Uraiq to victory during the Al Khor Cup race at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian 3. Dancing Zafeen (IRE), O. Al Dhafa, R. Monteriso’s Thameen, which came 3. Raedah (QA), A. de Mieulle, Gaetan Club (QREC) in Doha, yesterday. Mullen in first. THE PENINSULA Faucon Russian coach to sue over doping claims Qatar 2015 committee

MOSCOW: Vladimir Kazarin “This documentary came about (pictured), the coach at the due to clever editing. I did not give centre of a German TV docu- anyone banned substances. unveils ‘Go Fahed’ game mentary which made claims of “It is a really strange situation: widespread doping in Russian Yulia was disqualified for doping sport, says he is suing the pro- offences and at the same time Game for smartphones can be downloaded for free gramme maker Hajo Seppelt. says she wants the sport to be Kazarin is also filing lawsuits clean,” he added. against Russian middle-distance Kazarin will fly to Moscow DOHA: The Qatar 2015 we were keen to invite others to runner Yulia Stepanova and her on Wednesday to meet with his Organising Committee yester- share his experience. The game is husband Vitaly Stepanov, a former lawyers. day launched the ‘Go Fahed’ vir- a fun way to interact with other Russian Anti-Doping Agency offi- “I plan to visit the Russian tual game for smartphones that players internationally as it gives cial whose claims Athletics Federation, can be downloaded for free from people the chance to virtually were at the centre RUSADA (the coun- the iOS app store and Google explore each of the participat- of the programme’s try’s anti-doping Play. ing countries as they race to the claims. organisation which ‘Go Fahed’ is a race across finish.” Stepanova, a Vitaly Stepanova the 24 countries participating in She further added, “As a mas- former 800 metres worked for), as well the 24th Men’s Handball World cot, Fahed brings a sense of world champion- as getting acquainted Championship and players under- energy and enthusiasm to the ship finalist under with the legal case” take a virtual journey with the people. He has already made a her maiden name he said. “This is all game’s official mascot, Fahed, as huge impact through his inter- Rusanova, is cur- that I can say at the he makes his way to the champi- actions and participation at sev- rently serving a two- moment.” onship’s host nation, Qatar. eral events. Through a series of year doping ban. The programme The exciting multi-player gam- activities and programmes, She and her hus- was aired in three ing app allows people to choose Fahed has helped popularise band have now gone parts by German their avatars from a range of handball and also encouraged into hiding after channel ZDF/ARD six characters from around the people to live healthier and more making claims of widespread and with many of it claims denounced world. active lifestyles. The online game systematic doping, cover-ups and as “lies” by the head of Russia’s Players can compete against gives us an opportunity to intro- payoffs, particularly in athlet- Athletics Federation Valentin each other by running and jump- duce him and his values to a more ics, all of which were denied by Balakhnichev. ing their way through the 24 international audience and we are Russian officials. Balakhnichev has since stood levels of the game as they also excited about the launch of this “Together with the Russian down from his role as treasurer discover amazing landmarks in app.” athletics federation, we will be of the International Association each of the countries. The app is the second large- filing law suits against Yulia of Athletics Federations while the Sheikha Asmaa Al Thani, Head scale game to be produced in Stepanova, her husband Vitaly as allegations are investigated. of Marketing Section, Qatar 2015 Qatar and players stand a chance well as against the director of the The World Anti-doping Organising Committee, said: “On to win official merchandise of film Hajo Seppelt,” the 62-year- Association has also appointed an his mission to spread awareness the 24th Men’s Handball World old Kazarin told Reuters in a tel- independent commission to inves- Fahed, the mascot for the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship about the sport of handball, Fahed Championship. ephone interview on Tuesday. tigate the claims. REUTERS has had quite a journey so far and THE PENINSULA WADA takes 3,000 Absent Ronaldinho China names youthful Russian samples threatened with sack squad for Asian Cup MOSCOW: Russian Sports “According to my information, Minister Vitaly Mutko (pic- they took around 3,000 sam- BEIJING: China coach Alain striker one of the more estab- tured) has revealed that a World ples to be checked in a labora- MEXICO CITY: Two-time presence of the former Paris Perrin put his faith in the lished selections in the 23. Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) tory in Cologne as well as other world footballer of the year Saint Germain, Barcelona and nation’s youngsters when he REUTERS commission visited Moscow and laboratories. Ronaldinho (pictured) has AC Milan star. named his 23-man squad for took around 3,000 samples from “We will continue to work along been threatened with the sack Club president Arturo next month’s Asian Cup cam- local athletes for testing. this route and we are completely if he doesn’t return as soon as Villanueva — who was cred- paign yesterday. China Squad WADA took the samples as open,” the sports minister added. possible to his Mexican club ited with pulling off a coup for The Frenchman’s only selection Goalkeepers: Wang Dalei (Shandong part of an investiga- The programme was Queretaro, the team’s President the unfashionable Mexican side aged over 30 was captain and 2013 Luneng), Zeng Cheng (Guangzhou tion the authority is aired in three parts by said on Tuesday. by persuading the Asian Football Confederation Evergrande), Yan Junling (Shanghai SIPG) conducting in response German channel ZDF/ The 34-year-old Brazilian to sign for Player of the Year Zheng Zie. Defenders: to a German TV docu- ARD with many of Brazilian — a mem- them in September — The Guangzhou Evergrande Zhang Linpeng (Guangzhou mentary that featured its claims denounced ber of the 2002 World said that if Ronaldinho midfielder is joined by six of his Evergrande), Ren Hang (Jiangsu Sainty), what it claimed was an as “lies” by the head Cup winning side and does not appear in the club team mates in the squad Zhang Chengdong (Beijing Guoan), Jiang undercover video of of Russia’s Athletics world player of the next week he would for the Jan. 9-31 tournament, Zhipeng (Guangzhou R&F), Mei Fang Russian athletes and Federation Valentin year in 2004 and 2005 prefer ‘to take on where China have been drawn in (Guangzhou Evergrande), Ji Xiang (Jiangsu coaches admitting to Balakhnichev. — has not returned someone else’. Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Sainty), Li Ang (Jiangsu Sainty) covering up positive Balakhnichev as he said he would a Joaquin Beltran. the Uzbekistan and North Korea. Midfielders: Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou tests. has since stood fortnight ago for pre- club’s sporting director, Shandong Luneng winger Liu Evergrande), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Sainty), Hao “I wrote a letter to down from his role season training having said that Ronaldinho -- Binbin, Jiangsu Sainty defender WADA, in which I said as International been allowed to go to who in his nine games Li Ang and Guangzhou mid- Junmin (Shandong Luneng), Yu Hanchao very precisely that we Association of the United States and for Queretaro scored fielder Liao Lisheng are three (Guangzhou Evergrande), Wu Lei (Shanghai were open to receiving any com- Athletics Federations (IAAF) Brazil to put his personal affairs three goals and set up one other of the most inexperienced mem- SIPG), Yu Hai (Guizhou Renhe), Sun Ke mission and ready to show eve- treasurer while the allegations in order after the end of the pre- — did not enjoy special status. bers of the travelling party, with (Jiangsu Sainty), Liu Jianye (Jiangsu rything,” Mutko told the sports are investigated. vious campaign. “If Ronaldinho does not come the 21-year-olds notching only a Sainty), Liu Binbin (Shandong Luneng), agency R-Sport. On Tuesday, Vladimir Kazarin, The first match is on January back in the next week, we will handful of caps between them. Liao Lisheng (Guangzhou Evergrande), Cai “A commission from WADA the coach highlighted as a main 11 but Queretaro began their pre- take a decision,” said Beltran. Zheng’s Guangzhou team Huikang (Shanghai SIPG) has already been to visit us, which offender in the documentary, said season training on December 8 “He has already missed a large mate Gao Lin will be expected Forwards: Gao Lin (Guangzhou included three people who were he was suing the programme- and have played several friend- part of the pre-season and nobody to help guide the youthful lineup Evergrande), Yang Xu (Shandong Luneng) led by the director of science. maker Hajo Seppelt. REUTERS lies without being graced by the is above the institution.” AFP in Australia, with the talented Thursday 25 December 2014 3 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6290 Sport Price: QR2

Warner, Balotelli draws Watson shake criticism from off injury fears Rodgers

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ibra unhappy Clarke’s World Cup hopes alive at coming second on list of Injured skipper backs under-fire veterans Rogers, Watson and Haddin Swedish greats

SYDNEY: Australia batsman undergoing the surgery. There is no different. I wish him all the STOCKHOLM: Striker Zlatan Michael Clarke has said his no swelling and no pain when I best.” Ibrahimovic has dismissed his recovery from surgery on his walk. Clarke added that he would be second-place finish on a list torn hamstring was progressing “I can’t wait to begin stage part of the television commen- of Sweden’s all-time sporting as expected and he still hoped to two of the rehab process which tary team for the Melbourne Test, greats behind tennis master lead his country at next year’s involves starting to run again.” which begins on Friday. Bjorn Borg. World Cup. Clarke also backed his under- Australia hold a 2-0 lead in the “Thank you but to finish second The 33-year-old tore his fire veterans Chris Rogers, Shane four-match series after winning is like finishing last,” he informed hamstring during the first Test Watson and Brad Haddin, who in Adelaide by 48 runs and in the Dagens Nyheter newspaper against India and was ruled out have all battled recent batting Brisbane by four wickets. through his brand manager Mika for the series, prompting specu- slumps, and said their experience Meanwhile, Clarke will join the Lepisto. lation his latest injury could spell would be invaluable as Australia Channel Nine commentary team The 33-year-old Paris St the end of his career. look to defend the Ashes next for the Boxing Day Test between Germain striker was second in The right-hander has a chronic year in England. Australia and India. the list of 150 Swedish sports per- back problem that causes ham- “Personally, I hope all three of “I’m not sure what to expect. It sons, created by the newspaper as string injuries and had been bat- them are on the plane to England will certainly be unusual watching Australian part of their 150th-anniversary tling to make the field for the for next year’s Ashes series,” the boys from the booth rather captain celebrations. delayed first Test before suffer- Clarke added. “They bring so than being out there with them Michael Asked where he would have ing back spasms while batting and much more to the table than just on the field,” Clarke wrote. Clarke put himself in the rankings, Ibra then injured his hamstring while their batting. “Still, it has got to be an receives said: “On that list I would have fielding. “It’s crucial to have experienced improvement on the last Test, been number one, two, three, four treatment “The biggest thing for me at guys like these in a team when which I watched first from a and five, with due respect to the after being the moment is getting back on the you’re bringing through young- hospital bed and then from my others.” field for the World Cup,” Clarke sters like Joe Burns,” he said of couch,” he said. injured Instead, the newspaper jury wrote in his column for News the Queensland batsman expected There was more good news for at the selected tennis great Borg, who Ltd. newspapers yesterday ahead to make his debut in the third test Channel Nine as Bill Lawry will Adelaide won 11 grand slam tournaments in of the tournament in Australia against India at Melbourne this make a return on the mic. Oval a stellar career that Ibrahimovic and New Zealand which starts on week. “He brings that unbridled during the acknowledged. February 14. “I know how much I benefited enthusiasm that just can’t be first Test “Bjorn Borg is a cool person and “I have been told by medical over the years from the knowl- replaced,” said Brian McNamara, against a living legend,” said Ibra, who has staff that I am in as good a con- edge passed down to me by the their executive producer of India. scored 51 goals in 101 games for dition as I can be a week after seniors, and I’m sure Joe will be cricket. AGENCIES Sweden. REUTERS