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Tuesday 31 December 2013 27 Safar 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5930 Price: QR2

European stock Rustiness, a markets slip, challenge for Tokyo rises Sri Lanka

Business | 17 Sport | 25

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Karlovic beats Berdych Restrictions on Huge demand sale, transfer of MPHC shares for PSG-Real DOHA: Citizens, who are allot- ted the shares of Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Company (MPHC) via a low- priced IPO that is all set for match tickets launch today, will need permis- sion from the local bourse to sell more than 50 percent of the scrip after listing. Tickets cost QR700 on black market Qatar Exchange (QE) yes- terday reached a deal with the DOHA: Prices of tickets for Doha on December 29. Soon after MPHC to restrict successful IPO this week’s football friendly to touchdown, PSG hit the training subscribers from offloading or be played between European pitch at Aspire Academy. transferring more than half the giants France’s Paris Saint- Former World Cup winning allotted shares after the securities Germain (PSG) and Spain’s defender with France Laurent are listed on the bourse. Real Madrid in Doha have Blanc is the manager of PSG The above limit is being soared to an astronomical sum which also has the services imposed in line with the nature of QR700 on the black market, of influential striker Zlatan of the IPO that aims at helping news reports have said. Ibrahimovic. Other key play- successful Qatari subscribers The tickets are being sold at ers include Thiago Silva, Claude build wealth (capital gains and Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic returns the ball to Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych during their match in Qatar’s QR700 on the black market and Makelele. regular dividend income) over ExxonMobil Open in Doha yesterday. Karlovic beat Berdych 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7-4). See also page 26 it is expected to reach at least The French giants who reached the long-term. QR1,000 on the day of match, the Champions League quarter- The IPO is open for subscrip- reports claim. finals last season enjoyed similar tion to Qatari individuals only and The Qatar Football Association rock-star treatment from Doha Egypt arrests four a select few local institutions. (QFA) issued 50,000 tickets for fans when they undertook their Special police to deal with Anyone who wishes to offer his the public a couple of weeks ago. first winter break last January. Jazeera journalists or her shares for sale or transfer A few days ago, the organisers A little over a year ago, Doha in anyone else’s name exceeding confirmed the match was a sell- hosted World Cup champions CAIRO: Four Al Jazeera crimes against children the above limit will be required to out as football-crazy fans in the Spain and Uruguay at the same journalists have been fill up a special application form. country and the region picked up venue that attracted a packed arrested in Egypt, the sta- DOHA: Qatar hopes to take a a shelter for the victims of child And the forms will be needed to the tickets. house for the friendly. tion said yesterday, after the number of key steps to ensure abuse. And a juvenile home would be filled up in person as represen- The match is scheduled to be The Real Madrid roster Interior Ministry accused that children’s rights are pro- simultaneously exist that would tation will not be allowed. held on January 2 at the Khalifa includes Portugal’s Cristiano the channel of broadcasting tected and child abuse cases are house the perpetrators of the THE PENINSULA Stadium to celebrate the 10th Ronlado, new signing Gareth illegally from a hotel suite tried by dedicated juvenile courts. crimes against children and its Continued on page 4 anniversary of the launch of Al Bale, goalkeeper Iker Casillas, with a member of the Muslim A draft law is ready that also rec- focus would be on reform. Jazeera Sports channel. Karim Benzema and popular Brotherhood. ommends setting up a police force The State Cabinet had decided in Today’s edition Most of the tickets were bought Sergio Ramos. Influential mid- “State security received infor- that would be exclusively meant to November 2006 to set up a perma- includes a 4-page by fans by logging on to the QFA fielders Xabi Alonso and Pepe mation that a member of the deal with crimes against children. nent committee to launch studies supplement on website, Al Sharq newspaper will also feature in the high pro- (Brotherhood) used two suites If the draft law is approved and and prepare a draft law to ensure reported. The ticket prices were file match. in a Cairo hotel to hold meet- enforced, Qatar could be the first protection of children’s rights. said to be between ¤20 and ¤50, Real is the world’s richest foot- ings with other members of the country in the region to have not The draft has 120 articles and ALL MAJOR the report added. ball club in terms of revenue, with organisation and turned the only a primary and an appeals authorises the Supreme Council DOHA EVENTS IN PSG, who are the French an annual turnover of €513m, and suites into a press centre,” the court for children, but also a sepa- for Family Affairs to come out national league champions, are the most valuable sports team, ministry said. rate police force as well as pros- with executive regulations once in Qatar for their winter train- worth €3.3bn. REUTERS ecution for the juveniles. the draft is converted into a law. 2014 ing camp. The team arrived in THE PENINSULA See also page 2 The draft also talks of building THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 HOME 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

WCMC-Q expert in breakthrough Al Jazeera slams arrest cholesterol study DOHA: A researcher at of its scribes in Cairo Weill Cornell Medical College Detention follows sustained intimidation, says network in Qatar (WCMC-Q) DOHA: Al Jazeera Media An AJMN spokesperson said: in July, in which democratically has contrib- Network (AJMN) yesterday “We condemn the arbitrary arrest elected president Mohammed uted to a find- condemned the “arbitrary” of Al Jazeera English journalists Mursi was thrown out of power ing that could arrest of four of its journal- working in Cairo and demand and put behind bar. one day rival a ists by Egyptian authorities on their immediate and uncondi- The arrests are part of what drug commonly used for regu- Sunday. tional release. Reporters without Borders has lating cholesterol. The Doha-based network “Al Jazeera has been subject to called “growing hostility” towards The discovery of how a form demanded their immediate and harassment by Egyptian secu- journalists in Egypt. of microRNA helps control cho- unconditional release, said a press rity forces which have arrested There has also been a cam- lesterol could have huge implica- statement. our colleagues, confiscated our paign against Al Jazeera in par- tions, improving the quality of The journalists were working equipment and raided our offices ticular. Its offices were raided in life and preventing premature for Al Jazeera English television though we are not officially August and security forces seized deaths of tens of thousands of channel. They are Peter Greste, banned from working there.” equipment which have not yet be people every year. It is expected award-winning Nairobi-based According to AJMN, the returned. Al Jazeera called on the to rival statins as a means of correspondent; AJE Bureau Chief, arrests follow a period of sus- Egyptian authorities to imme- regulating cholesterol. Mohamed Fahmy; Cairo-based tained intimidation of Al Jazeera diately its staff unconditionally Dr Hani Najafi, (pictured) producer Baher Mohamed, and staff and targeting property and along with their belongings and Assistant Professor of Cell cameraman Mohamed Fawzy. coverage since the military coup equipment. THE PENINSULA and Development Biology at WCMC-Q, and his fellow researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School conducted the research which has been pub- lished in the Journal of Science Qatar ‘organ donation, transplant system a model’ Translational Medicine. Dr Najafi said, “The work done so far has had very signifi- DOHA: Qatar Centre for Organ Organ Donation and Transplant formulating a strategy to achieve cant results and although we’re Donation and Transplantation Research Centre. the next steps of the programme not yet at the stage of announc- (Hiba) has helped reduce the “It is the only country in the as well as training staff and shar- ing a new drug, I am hopeful number of people waiting for world to offer such support to ing publications. that the treatment will one day donors, say experts. overseas living kidney donors This year, 16,606 people were be clinically important. Hiba provide opportunities for and would certainly assist the added to the organ donor regis- “High cholesterol levels are expat patients on the waiting UK transplant waiting list if we try in Qatar, a seven-fold increase associated with heart disease, list to bring their related living had such a system for our ethnic on 2012. Prof Randhawa said diabetes and atherosclerosis donors to donate organs in Qatar. patients. Deceased organ alloca- Qatar has all successful ingredi- — some of the main causes of It investigates potential donors tion is also equitable regardless of ents for a strong organ donation premature death — and it would before bringing related matching nationality, ethnicity and gender,” programme. be very satisfying for myself, my and medically fit living donors to he added. “Qatar has well-defined laws, team and WCMC-Q to think donate organs to their relatives Prof Randhawa, a leading support from senior leadership that we have helped prevent in Qatar. expert in the field, recently vis- and a good team. Although coun- some of these deaths.” “Hiba is a world leader in devel- ited Hiba to learn more about the tries like the UK and the US have Dr Najafi said the foundation oping an equitable organ dona- growth of the organ donation pro- the oldest transplant systems in of the research was established tion system. It investigates the gramme over the last three years. the world, Qatar has managed to in 2010 when he found a novel related potential donor before He has done extensive research create a discrimination-free sys- Dr Riadh Fadhil, Director of Hiba (right), with Prof Gurch Randhawa, Director mechanism that contributes to flying him or her to Qatar. This in areas of equality in organ dona- tem within three years, which is of the UK Organ Donation and Transplant Research Centre. proper cholesterol/lipid levels in has helped reduce the waiting tion and believes that the organ a remarkable feat.” the human body. list which is common for natives donation and transplant system Dr Riadh Fadhil, Director of THE PENINSULA and expats,” says Professor Gurch in Qatar is unique because it is He believes that Qatar’s organ what a country does, but should Hiba, said: “We believe in the fair Randhawa, Director of the UK built on the foundation of equality. donation and transplant system rather see and understand the treatment of society. The vision of should be emulated by countries underlying principles and see how the leaders has given us motiva- around the world because of it fits your country,” he added. tion and zest to move forward and its pillars of equality and social Bestselling co-author of the build on a system that encourages justice. book Public Issues in Organ people to donate organs and build However, he says imitating a Donation and Transplantation, trust that when they are in need, system is not enough to succeed. Professor Randhawa will be work- we will help them.” “You should never simply copy ing in collaboration with Hiba on THE PENINSULA QDB hosts industrial training programme for entrepreneurs

One of the training sessions in progress.

DOHA: Qatar Development Qatar, Social Development presented with methods of pro- Bank (QDB) hosted the third Center, Eversheds and Moore duction schedule, planning and edition of its industrial training Stephens and experts and train- control, materials requirement, programme to educate entre- ers from Gulf Organization for capacity, shop floor and inventory preneurs on establishing and Industrial Consulting. control, product costing and pric- managing small and medium Facilitators showed how entre- ing, and feasibility studies. manufacturing projects in preneurs can accurately identify The fourth day comprised pres- Qatar. and assess potential business entations on production manage- The five-day programme opportunities through a compre- ment which included product brought together 20 entrepre- hensive evaluation of their indus- manufacturing process, plant neurs, who learned strategies for trial macro-environment. layout, procurement of necessary handling manufacturing busi- The third day of the training equipment and tools, plant engi- nesses in the country, according familiarised participants with key neering and maintenance, and to a press statement. aspects and procedures to make production programming. The sessions presented with a their proposal a success, including The last two days looked into step-by-step approach to set up industrial opportunities in Qatar, the model of the manufacturing viable and competitive manufac- commercial representation, process where QDB experts gave turing units and identify potential resources and contacts, employ- tips for developing and managing business opportunities. ment laws, credit and bankability small and medium manufactur- Abdul Aziz bin Nasser Al and contractual agreements. ing enterprises and requisites for Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said: “At “This is the third edition of the registration. QDB, we believe that our role does programme,” Al Khalifa added, Participants were provided not stop at financing. Instead, “and we were pleased to see a with an overview of QDB’s indi- we feel that our responsibility major content upgrade and an rect loan facility, Al Dhameen, includes serving as mentors for increase in the number of par- project finance and the Qatar our business community. We are ticipants as well as partnerships Business Incubator, a joint ini- proud to host this programme with working institutions in the tiative between the bank and for the third time, as we strive to country. SDC, QDB’s online advisory develop knowledge transfer and The programme provides service, SME Toolkit, as smart foster organic growth, while fos- useful knowledge for launching solutions to jump-start a busi- tering entrepreneurial growth in industrial projects and for local ness venture. line with National Vision 2030.” entrepreneurs to be familiar with QDB concluded the programme QDB experts assessed each potential requirements, opportu- by charting schedules for partici- participant’s business ideas prior nities and risks when launching a pants to avail customised mentor- to training which was conducted major industrial project.” ing and counselling sessions. in collaboration with Enterprise Participants were also THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Foggy morning, Demand up for New Year round fruits poor visibility Filipinos throng hypermarkets to buy 13 types of fruits to ring in 2014 to attain prosperity forecast today DOHA: Hypermarkets have witnessed “There is an increase in demand, espe- one piece of each type, as long as we have had been brisk. “But there won’t be much DOHA: The Weather Bureau huge demand for round fruits as Filipinos cially because it’s the end of the month 13 types of round fruits on the table,” she buyers tomorrow (today) because normally has forecast a foggy morning rush to buy various types of fruits to and people have money to buy fruits, cake added. they would be busy preparing for celebra- today, with poor visibility at place on their dining tables to usher in and ingredients for special food they would Contrary to what many think that only tions,” she added. some places, and said winds the New Year tomorrow. prepare to celebrate the New Year,” said a Filipinos follow this tradition that may For some people, effort to earn a living could be strong with high seas It is part of Filipino tradition to have 13 salesman at a leading hypermarket. sound bizarre to others, some nationali- is not enough and they resort to beliefs to offshore. types of round fruits on their table as they Ana Reyes, a Filipina, said even though ties also practise it. help them strive better even if it’s only on Visibility could be as low as ring in the New Year to attain prosperity she and her family have been living in Doha “Not only Filipinos buy round fruits, the psychological level, hence they cling two km offshore in the wee year round. for five years now, they never forget to fol- other nationalities also buy them dur- to this belief which was an influence that hours today but the situation Lots of Filipinos thronged hypermar- low their traditions in welcoming the New ing this season,” said a saleslady at a came from the Chinese. would improve considerably as kets to buy round fruits such as apples, Year, including having 13 types of round hypermarket. “I don’t believe these fruits will bring the day breaks. sweet melons, kiwis, longans, watermel- fruits on the table. Asked if they had 13 types of fruits avail- good luck, but it has been part of our tra- Al Khor is forecast to be the ons, plums, peaches, pineapples, oranges, “Since I was young, we always buy fruits able, she said, “We have more than 13 and dition,” said Carlito, “But it could bring coldest today, with the mercury guavas, grapes, grape fruits, tangerines, because they say the fruits could bring good one of the bestsellers is the pineapple.” good health eating them after the New dropping to 11 degrees Celsius chickos, mangosteens, pomegranates and luck for the entire year,” she said. She said people started purchasing round Year arrives.” at night, while in the day the berries, among others. “It does not matter whether we buy only fruits on Saturday and until yesterday sales THE PENINSULA temperature will be around 21 degrees. In Doha, the nightly tempera- ture is expected to be 15 degrees, with the day being a bit hotter, with the mercury levels rising Ooredoo facilitates Katara to open New Year with up to 23 degrees. The minimum and maximum temperatures forecast for Al instant Kahramaa Arabic musical Shams Qamar Wakrah are 13 degrees and 22 DOHA: Katara opens the of theatre and belief in intel- degrees, respectively, while those New Year with Arabic musical lectual and cultural interaction for Mesaieed 13 degrees and 22 Shams Qamar (Sun and Moon) which cannot be realised without degrees, respectively. payments on SSMs to be staged at Katara Opera theatre, and showcase Arab thea- The forecast for today said House from January 3 to 5. tre and achievements in this field. the day could be partly cloudy DOHA: Ooredoo yesterday announced an Made by renowned composer Katara’s aim is to provide peo- but might become cloudy by the upgrade of their nationwide network of self-serv- Wajdi Shaya and edited by Jihad ple with high-level experience evening with some chances of ice machines (SSMs), which will enable custom- Al Andari, the play features in theatre arts, show how Arab rain (perhaps, in the northern ers to make real-time payments to Kahramaa for famous artistes, including Assi theatre has evolved and its role areas of the country). their water and power bills. El Hallani who will play the role reflecting the noble life of soci- Wind direction will be south- Customers have been able to pay Kahramaa bills Qamar and Nadine Al Rassi as ety, and contribute to the develop- easterly with the speed being through SSMs since 2012 and the new update will Shams. The cast also include ment of Arab civilisation, Dr Al five to 15 knots. mean that payments are instantly reflected on the Faek Houmaissi, Jelibar Jalakh, Sulaiti said. It could at times reach 20 customer’s account. Tony Aad and Ali El Zein, among The title of the play portrays knots at places. “This addition to the popular service is part of our others. differences of human traits Wind speed offshore could ongoing customer experience revamp. The musical play, which runs through the Sun and Moon, which range from 12 to 22 knots, “As well as being able to purchase Ooredoo serv- for 90 minutes, tells the love story can never unite. according to the forecast. ices, gift vouchers, Nojoom points and much more of Shams and Qamar and reflects “The content has been modified About the state of the sea, the on our self-service machines, customers can now the concept of love and devotion. because scientifically, the sun and forecast said waves could be one enjoy more convenience, value, piece of mind and It illustrates human struggles the moon cannot meet, therefore foot to three feet inshore while easier access when they pay their Kahramaa bills,” afflicted by politics, where the in the past performances of the they could rise up to as high as said Mohammed Saleh Al Marri, Chief Sales and With more than 200 self-service machines segregation of the oppressed and play they didn’t meet but I will be seven feet offshore. Service Officer, Ooredoo. throughout the country, customers can now pay the free, terror and courage, pride happy for them to meet in Qatar The forecast also gives the All bill payments made via Ooredoo SSMs will be bills at the airport, Bu Samra border, drive-through and dignity are enhanced. Amid for the first time. timings of high and low tides in instantly and automatically recorded on customers’ SSMs at main highways and machines in popular all the chaos stems a love story “And I hope the audience will different places of the country, Kahramaa accounts, a useful facility particularly if malls and main shopping areas. In addition to paying between the two main characters. enjoy the musical,” said Shaya, including Messaieed, Al Wakrah, people are looking to avoid their account being sus- their Ooredoo and Kahramaa bills, customers can Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al adding he was happy that his lat- Doha, Al Khor, Ruwais, and pended or need to make a payment outside of open- also top up Hala accounts, update their accounts Sulaiti, General Manager of est work would be performed in Dukhan. ing times for Kahramaa’s customer service centres and purchase vouchers for shopping, vacationing Katara, said it is the aim of Katara. THE PENINSULA or can’t make a payment online. and dining. THE PENINSULA Katara to propagate the culture THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME 57 sporting events Woqod to open new car wash among 182 lined up centre at Al Hilal service station in Qatar for 2014 Plans to open 20 service stations from late 2014 onwards to cope with rush DOHA: A number of events, of the National Committee for some of them high-profile con- Coordinating Conferences and DOHA: There is a huge rise 25 minutes, plus 10 minutes for ferences, sporting events and Events. in demand for car wash at the valeting the inside of the vehicle. exhibitions, are lined up in The maximum numbers of service stations of Woqod and Most customers prefer a manual Qatar for 2014. A total of 182 sports events are in December this has forced the company wash and there is always excess events are scheduled for the and February. The last month of to restrict permission to leave capacity in automatic car washes year, with the sporting fixtures the year has 11 major sporting vehicles for washing for long at service stations,” said the taking the cake with 57 events. events, while February has 10. hours, Woqod said yesterday. statement. The country has got maximum In February, major sports events A new huge car wash centre at The company said, “The qual- number of events in February are H H the Emir’s Bowling Al Hilal service station with 50 ity of service and the relatively and November, followed by 2014, Qatar Total Open of tennis percent additional capacity will be attractive pricing have created March and May, whereas July and First International Women opened shortly as part of a major huge customer demand for wash- and August have very few events, Handball Championship organ- expansion plan to address the ing vehicles at Woqod. according to the new Doha ised by the Qatar Women’s Sport rush, the company said, respond- “We will encourage more cus- Events issued by the National Committee. ing to a report in The Peninsula on tomers to use automatic wash but Committee for Coordinating In December, major sport- Sunday concerning Woqod service ultimately it is the customers’ Conferences and Events. ing events such as Qatar stations. choice,” said Vidler. The second and 11th months International Handball The report quoted some cus- As a real solution to the prob- of the year with a comparatively Tournament for Men, Tennis tomers as saying service stations lem, more service stations with pleasant weather have 26 events Open, International Bowling were forcing people seeking a car additional car washing facilities lined up, while March has 25 Open and Qatar Masters Chess wash to wait at the spot until the Cars waiting to be washed at one of the service stations. will be built and opened soon, the events. Championship are lined up. service is over. Customers are company said. The surprising thing in the In November, major sports no more allowed to leave cars new licences issued by authori- Manager of Woqod, told The “A new huge car wash centre programmes calendar is the events such as International for service and take them back ties,” said the statement. Peninsula yesterday the company at Al Hilal Service Station will be huge number of events in the Swimming Championship, later at their convenience, said The company said it “will will strictly monitor whether commissioned shortly. This will hot month of May, which has 24 Swimming World Cup Arab the report. review on a site by site basis these procedures are properly increase capacity by more than events. Shooting Championship, Qatar The company said, “With lim- the opportunity to increase the implemented. 50 percent.” The Doha Events lists vari- International Volleyball Open ited parking at service stations” number of vehicles customers can He said the company is also Woqod has 20 service stations ous programmes under other Championships and Qatar it is unable to meet the demand leave but for operational reasons working on a plan to encourage in either design stage or under occasions such as Traffic Week, and Asian Junior Tennis from all customers who want to explained above it may not be able more customers to go for auto- initial construction and 17 of symposiums, charity day and Championships are held. leave vehicles for washing and in to cater to all customer demand matic wash, since it is faster and these have additional car wash environment seminars. In 2014, Doha will hold major some cases has denied permission. for it”. can help reduce the rush. facilities. Of the 182 events, 56 confer- conferences such as Seventh “In addition, to drive a custom- The statement neither denied “An automatic car wash takes The sites will open from late ences and 51 exhibitions are International Petroleum er’s vehicle even small distances nor confirmed reports that three less than six minutes and includes 2014 onwards, nearly doubling listed in the schedule for 2014. Technology conference in at service stations the staff must cars were stolen from service full body and underbody washing, the number of Woqod stations “Qatar has now become a January, Western Asia Regional have driving licences. Woqod stations recently, but said there waxing and a reverse osmosis over the next two years. Three high-profile country for hosting a Preparatory Meeting for the UN supports its employees to obtain are strict procedures in place to process on the final rinse to avoid service stations will be modified number of important events and Congress on Crime Prevention Qatari driving licences though ensure only the driver who left water marks when drying. to increase car washing capacity world conferences in the region. and Criminal Justice and this has recently become harder the vehicle take it back. “A manual wash, including during 2014, said the statement. The increasing number of confer- Seventh GCC Quality Conference with the restriction imposed on Mark Vidler, Marketing underbody wash, takes around THE PENINSULA ences of political, economic and in February. In April, it has sports are influencing the course Arab Radiology Congress and of events have gained the atten- Middle East Forum on Quality tion of intellectuals, politicians Improvement in Healthcare. In and athletes from different parts May, the major event was Arab of the world,” says Ahmad bin Water Conference. In June, it has Review of Family Law urged to prevent divorces Mohammad bin Jabar Al Thani, IATA Annual General Meeting Assistant to the Minister of and World Conference of the DOHA: Many Qatari men riages in their community, say- married at a young age and in as in many cases cheating by Foreign Affairs for International World Heritage Committee. blame the Family Law that ing it unduly favours women the event of discord with their the husband leads a marriage to Co-operation Affairs and Head THE PENINSULA regulates marriage and divorce and encourages them to seek husbands, they lack the matu- break. for a high rate of broken mar- divorce. rity to come up with an amicable “And, then, many women feel But a woman disputed the solution. ignored and some men treat their argument and said what forces They straightway think of wives simply as a piece of furni- some of their folks to take the divorce, Al Marri suggested. ture. These are also some of the extreme step is cheating by their Abdul Hakim Nasser, another major causes of divorce. husbands and being ignored and citizen, said some women exploit “How can a woman, who is just treated “simply as a piece of the law and seek divorce to claim 25, ask for divorce without any furniture”. several privileges from their valid reason?” she argued. The Family Law, according husbands. Society, according to her, should to Abdulaziz Al Marri, is heav- “But this is also true that change its attitude towards mar- ily tilted in favour of women and sometimes the families of spouses riage and not look at it as some- gives them several rights in the interfere too much in a mar- thing stigmatic. case of divorce. riage and that leads to their “Sometimes divorce is the only “A divorced woman has the estrangement.” possible solution to a troubled right to claim a separate home, Abdullah Mohamed said many marriage,” she said. with a maid and driver, as well a time a newly-married man is Lawyer Abdul Rahman Al as part of her former husband’s not able to live with his wife in a Jefairi said many a time women monthly pay,” said Al Marri. separate accommodation and that file for divorce and demand their “That calls for an extensive leads to misunderstandings and rights but do not attend court review of the provisions of the discords. proceedings just to harass their law, so women are not encouraged However, Mariam Mohamed, husbands. to seek divorce.” told local Arabic daily Al Raya According to lawyer, Yusuf Al The fact is that women get that the law shouldn’t be blamed Zaman, some of the factors for the high rate of divorce include men and women investing more time in social media than home, and marriage expenses being very high. “Often, there is hardly any compatibility between men and women and that becomes a reason for mari- tal discord and divorce,” he said. THE PENINSULA Banks to receive subscriptions from today Continued from page 1 The person who chooses to sell or transfer more than half his allotted shares will lose the oppor- tunity to earn bonus shares after five and 10 years. The bourse has also decided to freeze 50 per- cent of the shares allotted via the IPO, to those who are below 18 years of age. Shareholders (once suc- cessful subscribers to the IPO become shareholders of the MPHC) will not have the right to insist on a change to the above rules at the company’s annual general meetings, it is understood. Meanwhile, a total of 12 banks, including the lead receiving bank, QNB, have said, beginning today, they will be opening dedicated counters to receive sub- scriptions to the IPO that closes on January 21, 2014. THE PENINSULA HOME TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

CID director Al Hababi laid to rest

People attending funeral rites of the Director of Criminal Investigation Department at the Ministry of Interior, Brig Gen Misfar Ali Al Hababi, at Abu Hamour cemetery yesterday. Al Hababi died of heart attack late on Sunday in hospital where he was admitted the previous evening. ABDUL BASHIT QU department wins US panel accreditation DOHA: The Foundation four-level programme and then Director Dr Mohamed Al Naemi Programme Department of to the current one-year, two-level said: “This prestigious accredita- English at Qatar University programme. tion of the English programme is (QU) has been awarded five-year In Summer 2012, as per CEA of immense benefit to students accreditation by the Commission requirement for accreditation of and faculty alike — it adds value on English Language Teaching the new programme, the depart- to the teaching and learning envi- Accreditation (CEA), the offi- ment conducted an exhaustive ronment of the foundation pro- cial US government body for self-study into all aspects of its gramme and keeps abreast of the accrediting intensive English operations, including its mission, wider institutional mission and language programmes. curriculum, assessment, testing, vision to contribute to the goals The accreditation period for administration, appraisal sys- outlined in Qatar National Vision the newly-restructured one- tems, professional development 2030. year, two-level programme is offerings and faculty, and sub- Department Head Patrick until December 2018. A further mitted a report to the accredit- Murphy said: “This is an endorse- 10 years will be granted if the ing body. ment of the commitment of the programme continues to meet 44 A follow-up visit in late October faculty and staff to deliver a standards set by the commission. 2013 by a CEA team included high-quality, internationally- It is the second time the depart- interviews, lesson observations, recognised English programme to ment has achieved the honour. focus groups with faculty and equip undergraduate national and It was granted accreditation in students and an exhaustive doc- international students with skills 2009 to its previous two-year pro- ument review, resulting in final they need to pursue English- gramme which later underwent approval by the commission. medium degrees in science and restructuring, first to a one-year, Foundation Programme Acting engineering.” THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Tunisia arrests Iraqi troops kill 10 7 Salafists amid threat to New Year festivities gunmen in Ramadi TUNIS: Tunisian police arrested seven Salafists, or ultra-conservative Islamists, in 44 lawmakers quit as troops bring down protest site the western town of Kasserine on Sunday, local radio reported, RAMADI, IRAQ: Iraqi secu- demonstrators had gathered for are with them in this place who as authorities feared radi- rity forces killed 10 gunmen more than a year. refuse sabotage and who have cal Islamists may be plan- in clashes that broke out in Gunmen also burned two secu- legal or illegal demands... to leave ning attacks during New Year the Ramadi area as they tore rity forces vehicles and seized a these camps, and leave this place, celebrations. down a year-old Sunni Arab third. so that Al Qaeda stays alone”. Kasserine is the closest town anti-government protest camp Sporadic clashes continued, Protesters had a “very short to the remote area of Mount yesterday. and gunmen could be seen on period” in which to leave, Chambi, stormed earlier this year As the fighting raged, mosques some Ramadi streets, while secu- he added. by the army and police to try and exhorted followers to “go to jihad,” rity forces were visible at the edge The sprawling camp, on the track down more than 30 sus- or holy war, while gunmen later of the city. highway that leads to Jordan pected Al Qaeda-linked militants. replaced security forces on some The fighting also spread to the and Syria, included a stage from It is near the Algerian border. streets in the city of Ramadi, near nearby city of Fallujah, one of the which speakers could address Tunisian authorities have the protest site. hubs of the insurgency that fol- crowds, a large roofed structure stepped up checks in the region, Forty-four Iraqi MPs lowed the 2003 US-led invasion and dozens of tents. fearing militant Islamists may be announced their resignation of Iraq. Numbers of protesters there planning attacks during New Year after security forces demolished Police Captain Omar Oda said ranged from hundreds during the celebrations. the protest site and detained a militants burned military vehi- week to many thousands on some The seven Salafists arrested lawmaker. cles during clashes with secu- Fridays when the Muslim weekly on Sunday evening were distrib- The violence, which came just rity forces, in which Dr Assem main prayers are held. uting leaflets banning New Year days after a deadly raid on the Al Hamdani said 11 gunmen were Protests broke out in Sunni celebrations and threatened home of a Sunni lawmaker in wounded. Prime Minister Nouri Arab-majority areas of Iraq late bakeries selling cakes for the Ramadi, threatens to escalate Al Maliki’s spokesman, Ali last year after the arrest of guards occasion, according to two local widespread anger among Iraq’s Mussawi, said military sources of then-finance minister Rafa radio reports. Sunni Arab minority. confirmed tents at the protest Al Essawi, an influential Sunni One of those arrested was Another operation at a Sunni site had been removed and the Arab, on terrorism charges. carrying photos on his mobile protest camp outside the north- highway reopened. The arrests were seen by phone of a militant arrested in ern town of Hawijah on April 23 This was done “without any Sunnis as yet another example of Mount Chambi last May when triggered clashes in which dozens losses, after Al Qaeda and its the Shia-led government target- the Tunisian army stormed the of people died, sparking a wave members escaped from the ing one of their leaders. area, a local security source told of revenge attacks and sending camp to the city, and they are In December 2011, guards of Mosaique Radio. death tolls soaring. being pursued now,” Mussawi vice president Tareq Al-Hashemi, Mount Chambi, Tunisia’s Dr Ahmed Al Ani of Ramadi told AFP. another prominent Sunni politi- highest point, is around 220km hospital said 10 gunmen were He was repeating an assertion cian, were arrested and accused southwest of the capital Tunis killed and 30 wounded yesterday. made on December 22 by Maliki, of terrorism. Hashemi fled abroad and just a few kilometers from An AFP journalist in Ramadi who said “the sit-in site in Anbar and has since been given multiple the Algerian border. Conditions reported heavy fighting, and has turned into a headquarters death sentences in absentia for are rugged and most roads in the saw helicopters firing into the for the leadership of Al Qaeda”. charges including murder. area are unmade. area of the protest site, where Maliki called on “those who AFP Gunmen take over a police vehicle in Ramadi yesterday. The Tunisian Interior Ministry could not be reached for com- ment. New Year celebrations used to be a big event in Tunisia, the most secular country in the Arab world, but they have faded Bahrain seizes since the revolution that toppled UK lawmakers to visit Iran next week President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali boat with in early 2011, paving the way for LONDON: British parliamen- including Britain. Group on Iran, the statement lawmaker; and Jeremy Corbyn, a the moderate Islamist Ennahda explosives tarians are to visit Iran next Britain appointed a non-resi- said, saying they had accepted an Labour parliamentarian. party to take power. week to try to organise a recip- dent charge d’affaires to Iran in invitation from the Iranian par- Iran’s Press TV said on its After a recent political crisis rocal visit by Iranian lawmak- November, reviving direct ties, a liament’s British/Iran Friendship website that the British delega- over the role of Islam in poli- from Syria ers, the latest step aimed at step mirrored by Tehran. Britain’s Group. “It is hoped that whilst in tion would hold talks with Majlis tics, the Ennahda party agreed improving relations between envoy visited Tehran this month, Tehran the group will be able to Speaker Ali Larijani, Chairman to resign and will hand over to a DUBAI: Bahraini authori- the two countries. the first diplomatic visit by a make arrangements for a return of the Majlis’s National Security caretaker government by Jan 14, ties said yesterday they have Britain severed direct diplo- British official in more than two delegation from the Majlis (the and Foreign Policy Committee the third anniversary of Ben Ali’s seized a boat smuggling explo- matic relations with Iran after years. Iranian parliament) to visit the Alaeddin Boroujerdi, and other fall. Ultra-conservative Salafists sives made in Iran and Syria activists stormed its embassy in Yesterday, the office of Jack UK,” said the statement, adding Iranian officials. — keen to impose an Islamic state into the kingdom, which Tehran more than two years ago. Straw, a former British foreign that Britain’s Foreign Office had Britain downgraded its ties — returned from exile or prison quashed a Shia-led uprising However, the election of a rela- secretary, released a statement helped arrange the visit. with Iran after the embassy inci- after Ben Ali was toppled. in 2011. tive moderate, President Hassan saying he would be part of a four- The Foreign Office said it was dent because it accused Iranian Last week, Tunisian police The boat, which had two Rowhani, has paved the way for man delegation to visit Tehran aware of the trip. authorities of failing in their duty seized 60kg of gold, worth around Bahrainis aboard, was stopped a thaw in ties that has helped from January 6 to January 10. Other members of the del- to protect diplomats and their $2.3m, as they checked vehicles over the weekend at 3.7 kilo- Tehran strike a preliminary The delegation will be made up egation are Norman Lamont, a residences which were ransacked for arms and militants on one of metres off the archipelago’s agreement about its nuclear pro- of members of the British parlia- former British finance minis- and set on fire. the main road links between the coast, public security chief gramme with six world powers, ment’s All-Party Parliamentary ter; Ben Wallace, a Conservative REUTERS north and south. REUTERS Major-General Tareq Al Hasan said. He said it had been tracked over a distance of 218 kilometres northeast of the kingdom. “Fifty hand grenades made in Iran arrests tycoon over graft Iran,” as well as “295 fuses con- TEHRAN: Iran yesterday arrested on corruption charges a tycoon nected to switches labelled as who reputedly played a major role in busting sanctions imposed on made in Syria,” were found in Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme, media reports said. the 29-foot vessel, he said in a The news of Babak Zanjani’s arrest was announced by prosecutor statement carried by state news general Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, who did not provide any other agency BNA. details, the official IRNA news agency reported. Dozens of C4 and TNT explo- But IRNA said the case against Zanjani — who is said to have become sive devices were also found on rich by helping Iran to circumvent global sanctions on its vital oil the boat, he said, without provid- exports — was related to “financial crimes”. ing details about the source of the It added that Zanjani had been taken to Tehran’s notorious Evin alleged shipment. Prison. Hasan said that security The US Treasury put Zanjani on its sanctions blacklist in April after forces also discovered a cache finding he masterminded a network to move oil and money for Iran of explosives in a village outside that involved a Swiss-based company and bank in Malaysia. Manama, dismantled a car bomb The European Union had imposed sanctions on him in December last and arrested 13 wanted people, year. Zanjani oversees a conglomerate that comprises 65 companies that including a Saudi national, as bring him an annual income of $6 to $7bn, according to his website. they attempted to flee Bahrain His business empire came under scrutiny after President Hassan in a boat. Rowhani took office in August, faced with accusations of not returning Bahrain crushed an Arab billions of dollars to the government. Spring-inspired uprising led by The arrest came a day after Rouhani ordered his administration to members of its Shia majority in take measures to fight “financial corruption... particularly those who 2011. Since then demonstrations have taken advantage of economic sanctions”. have regularly been held in Shia Iran’s ailing economy has been struggling in recent years under an villages around the capital, often array of international sanctions designed to coerce it into reining in sparking clashes with security its controversial nuclear ambitions. AFP forces. At least 89 people have been Saudi warns over Syria fundraising killed in Bahrain since the pro- Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (right) with French President Francois Hollande after tests began, according to the a meeting with Saudi businessmen in Riyadh yesterday. RIYADH: The Saudi interior ministry yesterday warned citizens International Federation for against falling for unauthorised fundraising campaigns, saying Human Rights. some of those claiming to raise money for Syrian refugees are in Several bomb attacks have also fact donating to “suspicious” groups. taken place in recent months, Security authorities have orders to “arrest those who raise funds including one that targetted a Hollande wraps up Saudi visit without having permits,” ministry spokesman General Mansur Al Turki Sunni mosque close to the royal said in a statement carried by SPA state news agency. court in July but caused no RIYADH: French President France’s capabilities in the energy, successes” for French companies He urged “caution” in dealing with unauthorised campaigns, warn- casualties. Francois Hollande sought to transport, and food sectors. in the Saudi market. ing that funds “might reach suspicious parties”, without giving further Tensions escalated over the boost trade with Saudi Arabia He said current bilateral “Total has built the world’s details, or that such campaigns could be mere scams. weekend as authorities interro- yesterday as he wrapped up trade, amounting to some ¤8bn largest refinery for (Saudi oil He said Saudi Arabia “pays special attention” to Syrian refugees gated top Shia opposition leader a two-day visit to the oil-rich ($11bn) is “a lot, but not enough,” giant) Aramco, Sanofi has through a national campaign to raise aid, headed by the Saudi Red Ali Salman. kingdom. even “if this doubles in 10 years.” opened a plant to produce insu- Crescent. The head of the main Shia bloc Leading a delegation of four French exports to Saudi lin, Veolia manages water in Islamist extremists fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Wefaq was released after a day ministers and 30 top French busi- Arabia in 2013 amounted to ¤3bn Riyadh and will build a desalina- al-Assad are suspected of receiving funds from Gulf countries. of questioning, but was charged ness figures, Hollande told a joint ($4.14bn), keeping the balance tion plant,” Hollande said. The Saudi Arabia is a key backer of opposition groups in Syria. with incitement to religious business gathering that France’s tipped in favour of Saudi Arabia French leader on Sunday held The uprising that descended into a civil war after it began with hatred and spreading false news industries can meet Saudi needs. on the back of its oil exports. talks with Custodian of the Two peaceful protests in March 2011 has killed 126,000 people, and displaced endangering national security. “We can provide you with what Hollande insisted, however, Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin millions more both within the country and across its borders. AFP you want,” he said, highlighting that 2013 had been a year of ‘big Abdulaziz. AFP AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Israel set to Egypt may hold presidential vote first CAIRO: Egypt’s government is likely to call a presidential elec- tion before parliamentary polls, officials said yesterday, rear- release 26 ranging the political timetable in a way that could see army chief General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi elected head of state by April. Parliamentary elections were Palestinians supposed to happen first under the roadmap unveiled after the army deposed Islamist President Move part of US-mediated talks Mohamed Mursi in July after mass protests against his rule. JERUSALEM: Israel is set to The 26 inmates were jailed But critics have campaigned release 26 Palestinian prison- before the signing of the 1993 Oslo for a change, saying the country ers in the early hours of today accords, which formally launched needs an elected leader to direct as part of US-brokered peace the Middle East peace process, government at a time of eco- talks, after a court rejected a and have served 19 to 28 years for nomic and political crisis and to last-minute appeal by victims’ killing Israeli civilians or soldiers. forge a political alliance before a families. Besides the east Jerusalem potentially divisive parliamentary The prisoners were expected residents, 18 of the prisoners are election. to be freed just after midnight, from the occupied West Bank, Opponents say it risks creat- in the third stage of the release with another three from Gaza, ing a president with unchecked of 104 inmates that Israeli Prime according to Sivan Weizman, a power. Were that Sisi, who is Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spokesman for the Israeli prisons widely tipped to win the vote, it committed to let go when the service. would restore the army’s sway peace talks were renewed in July. Last evening, Palestinian mili- over a post controlled by military The move comes a day before tants in the Gaza Strip fired a men until Mursi was propelled US Secretary of State John Kerry rocket that struck Israel, a police to office last year by the Muslim is set to return to the region spokesman told AFP, causing no Brotherhood. in a bid to boost the faltering damage. No organisation claimed Sisi’s Islamist opponents view negotiations. responsibility. him as the mastermind of a mili- As with the two previous The Islamist Hamas movement tary coup and a crackdown that releases in August and October, that rules Gaza objects peace talks has killed hundred of Mursi’s An Egyptian police officer detains a female student of Al Azhar University during a protest at the university campus each of 26 prisoners, bereaved between the Palestinian Authority supporters and jailed thousands in Cairo yesterday. Israeli families represented by and Israel. more. The Brotherhood, which the Almagor organisation peti- In the West Bank, families of says it is committed to peaceful engaging in violent actions, pro- four meetings agreed, with a large science at Cairo University. tioned Israel’s High Court against the prisoners were eagerly wait- protest, was officially designated testing and rioting. percentage, to have the presiden- “The people who are pushing the move. ing at the Ofer military prison a terrorist group last week. A draft constitution concluded tial elections first and that means for a change are doing so because Almagor noted five of the latest from where the prisoners would In further unrest, one per- on December 1 opened the way for that most likely the presidential they would like to have him as 26 to be freed were from annexed be set free and taken to the PA son was killed and five others a change in the order of the elec- elections will be first,” said one of head of state.” Sisi, 59, has yet to east Jerusalem and considered headquarters in Ramallah, where were wounded yesterday in the tions by leaving open the question the officials. announce his candidacy. An army as residents by Israel, but should they would be received by presi- Mediterranean town of Damietta of which should come first. An army official added: official familiar with his thinking not be released without the gov- dent Mahmud Abbas. in clashes between opponents and Secular-leaning politicians “Presidential elections are most said last week he was still unde- ernment debating the issue as The Palestinians hailed them supporters of Mursi. Such inci- who want the presidential elec- likely to be held first, as it seems cided as he weighs up the mani- Netanyahu promised. as heroes imprisoned for fighting dents have taken place almost tion before the parliamentary to be the demand of most parties fold problems facing a country in But the court rejected the against the Israeli occupation. daily since Mursi was removed. polls lobbied interim head of state so far.” Holding the presidential deep economic crisis. petition, saying the five’s resi- Emotions were also high on the In Cairo, a court sentenced 139 Adly Mansour during four recent election first would “accelerate the But he may have no choice. His dency did not make the govern- Israeli side, where the jailed mili- Brotherhood members to two meetings, according to officials process of bringing Sisi as head supporters see Sisi as the only ment decision to release them tants were viewed as murderers. years in jail and a fine of 5,000 familiar with what was discussed. of state”, said Mustapha Kamel man able to restore stability after “unreasonable”. AFP Egyptian pounds ($720) each for “The forces that attended the Al-Sayid, a professor of political three years of turmoil. REUTERS

Five soldiers, three militants Hopes of ceasefire killed in Yemen attack dim in South Sudan JUBA: South Sudanese rebels reported in strategic oil-produc- can help to restore order, it’s soli- ADEN: Five soldiers and three allied to ex-vice president Riek ing areas and grim reports of darity,” Museveni added. militants were killed yesterday Machar sought to retake con- massacres, rapes and killings. The IGAD deal said only that during an attack on an army trol of a key town yesterday, the Rebels were currently reported leaders would “consider taking position in southern Yemen army said, as hopes faded that around 50 kilometres northeast further measures” if hostilities in which the assailants also an upcoming ceasefire dead- of Bor. did not cease. abducted four troops, a military line will be met in the violence- Reconnaissance flights by the Ethiopian Foreign Minister source said. wracked nation. UN Mission in South Sudan Tedros Adhanom also met with According to the source, the United Nations peacekeepers (UNMISS) on Sunday identified Kiir in Juba yesterday. attack was carried out by south- said they were concerned over armed groups but could not con- While the government has said ern secessionists, but secessionist claims that thousands of armed firm the force’s size. it was willing to observe a cease- leaders denied the accusation. youths from Machar’s Nuer tribe The gunmen, a loose ethnic fire, Machar — who was sacked as Southern Yemen is also home were readying to attack Bor, the militia force loyal to Machar and vice-president in July — has made to a powerful Al Qaeda affiliate capital of Jonglei state. dubbed the “White Army”, are demands including the release of suspected of carrying out a string International efforts have tried heavily armed — some carrying his arrested political allies before of attacks on security forces. to stop two weeks of violence, automatic rifles or spears, others committing to a truce. “Attackers from the Southern believed to have left thousands armed with rocket propelled gre- South Sudanese government Movement armed with auto- dead, from spiralling into all-out nades. They are known for smear- spokesman Makuei told AFP matic rifles and anti-tank rockets civil war. ing white ash onto their bodies as on Sunday: “I really doubt if we, launched the attack, destroying “The forces of Riek Machar war-paint and to ward off insects. the South Sudanese government, two tanks and killing five sol- are now advancing on Bor, but The world’s youngest nation will be in a position to sit with diers,” the military official told we are confident we will hold plunged into chaos on December Riek Machar... He has not even AFP on condition of anonymity. them off and protect the town,” 15 when Kiir accused his former respected the call by IGAD and “The assailants lost three men army spokesman Philip Aguer deputy of mounting a coup. the African Union to agree to the but they managed to abduct four told AFP. “The people in Bor are Regional leaders at the Inter- cessation of hostilities.” soldiers.” fearing an attack at any time.” Governmental Authority on After fighting erupted, rebels Leaders of the Southern Ugandan President Yoweri Development (IGAD) have set swiftly took over several key Movement denied the group was Museveni, speaking after meet- today as a deadline for face- regional cities including Bentiu, in involved. ing with President Salva Kiir in to-face talks between Kiir and the northern oil-producing state Tensions have soared in south- Juba, warned that Machar must Machar. of Unity, and Bor, which was later ern Yemen following deadly comply with a ceasefire deal end- If Machar doesn’t respond “we recaptured by the army. clashes a week ago in which ing tomorrow or face action by shall have to go for him” Museveni There was also heavy fighting secessionists stormed a gover- regional nations. told reporters, after meeting Kiir in the town of Malakal, state cap- nor’s office to raise the flag of the The conflict, fuelled by an old in Juba. ital of oil-producing Upper Nile, former South Yemen. The fighting rivalry between Kiir and Machar, Museveni did not clarify if his but the army said they were back left two policemen and a civilian has fanned ethnic differences threat involved military action, in full control. dead. On Friday the army shelled between Kiir’s Dinka group and but Ugandan troops deployed in A video posted by UN humani- a funeral tent for the deceased, Machar’s Nuer clan in the coun- South Sudan days after the fight- tarian chief in South Sudan Toby killing 19 people, including four try, which won independence ing began, both to support Kiir Lanzer in Malakal showed burnt children, according to activ- Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni (right) steps out of a plane as he from Sudan in 2011. and to help evacuate its citizens. and looted stores and buildings in ists and medical sources. After arrives at the Juba airport, yesterday for talks with South Sudan President Bloodshed has swept across “We sent some forces here the centre of town. British colonial rule ended in 1967, Salva Kiir over violence in South Sudan. the nation, with fierce battles under Salva Kiir to see how we AFP southern Yemen was independent until union with the north in 1990. A secession attempt four years later sparked a brief but bloody civil war that ended with north- ern forces taking over the south. Lebanon army fires on Iran, world powers resume talks Southern grievances have hindered the political transition following the 33-year rule of Ali Syria copters after raid GENEVA: Closed-door talks available immediately. for New Year, Iran’s official news Abdullah Saleh, who stepped resumed yesterday between Technical experts from Iran agency IRNA quoted deputy for- down last year following Arab BAALBEK, LEBANON: Lebanon’s army used its anti-aircraft Iran and world powers on and the EU-chaired “P5+1” group eign minister and nuclear point- Spring-inspired protests. defence systems to fire at Syrian helicopters after they carried out implementing a landmark deal — comprising the United States, man Abbas Araqchi as saying. Security forces in the south a raid in Lebanese territory yesterday, a military source told AFP. to rein in Tehran’s contro- China, Russia, Britain, France On December 22, Araqchi said have also come under repeated It was the first time the Lebanese army has responded to Syrian versial nuclear programme in and Germany — also held a ses- progress towards implementing attack by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian attacks inside Lebanese territory, which have multiplied as the conflict exchange for easing sanctions. sion two weeks ago in Geneva the November deal was proving Peninsula, which is among the in Syria spills over the border. European Union foreign policy amid efforts to fine-tune a deal slow because of differing inter- most potent of the global ter- “In accordance with the orders of the army command, anti-aircraft spokesman Michael Mann told reached by their foreign ministers pretations over its terms, but that ror network’s franchises despite guns were fired in the direction of Syrian helicopters that bombed AFP that the Geneva meeting in the Swiss city on November 24. the goal was to have it in force by repeated Yemeni military opera- Khirbet Dawud near Arsal,” in the area near the Syrian border, the began at 8.30am (0730 GMT) but The latest talks were set to the end of January. tions and US drone strikes. AFP source told AFP. AFP that no further details would be last for one day, before a break AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Putin’s problem Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE Russian city of Volgograd was hit by a second bombing yesterday in as many days, killing at least fourteen people and injuring dozens at a crowded Japan: Land of the rising Ttrolleybus, puncturing Kermlin’s claims that security is under control in a region that will host the winter Olympics in less than six weeks. The second bombing came less than 24 hours after 16 people were killed in a suicide foreign relation tensions attack at the city’s main railway station. Even for a tough president like Vladimir Putin, the bombings pose a huge BY ANDREW HAMMOND challenge and can cause tension in the coming weeks. 2.5 million other Japanese men, women Nonetheless, there is real danger Major sports events are not just sports events these and children who died in wars, is per- that the episode will make the regional days, but occasions to showcase nations’ pomp and glory. N A key announcement on Friday, ceived by many domestic and foreign atmosphere even more unpredictable. And Putin too has invested heavily, not only in financial Okinawa Governor Hirokazu critics as symbolic of the Japan’s war- Already, Seoul has cancelled a series of INakaima agreed to the relocation time excesses. proposed bilateral defence and military terms but in image-building and every other sense, to make of the US military base at Futenma Abe’s visit, the first by any sitting exchange programmes with Tokyo, while the winter games a huge and spectacular success. Sports to nearby Henoko. The move, which Japanese prime minister for seven years, Beijing has strongly condemned the trip events are hugely sensitive to threat perceptions and even comes after many years of negotiations predictably drew foreign criticism, and is under pressure to retaliate. minor incidents can create worries. The terrorists who between Washington, Tokyo, and the though Abe depicted it as an anti-war Diplomatic temperature is so high have launched the attacks are aware of this fact and this is Okinawa authorities, has been hailed as gesture intended not to hurt feelings in at the moment is, in large part, due to a “critical milestone” by US Secretary neighbouring countries. It particularly the succession of incidents in recent precisely the reason they are targeting the Sochi games. of State Chuck Hagel. infuriated Beijing and Seoul, which have weeks, including Abe’s visit to Yasukuni; The bombings have sent shockwaves in the region, and The development is valuable to the repeatedly asserted that Tokyo has done China’s unilateral declaration of an air have rippled outward, as they did after Russia’s other Obama administration as it provides a too little to atone for its wartime abuses. “self-defence identification zone”, and major terrorism incidents in Moscow (1999, 2002 and 2010), key missing piece in its pivot to Asia The Obama administration also a counter-move from South Korea; Budyonnovsk (1995) and Beslan (2004). Volgograd, formerly Pacific: a replacement base for Futenma expressed “disappointment” after previ- China’s refusal to participate in a UN known as Stalingrad, too has great which is scheduled to close within a dec- ous proclamations from US officials that arbitration process over a territorial ade. Japan and other allies are crucial visits to Yasukuni by senior Japanese conflict with the Philippines; and the symbolic importance for Russians. It to the success of this US strategy, both politicians should be avoided. Despite near-miss of a Chinese naval vessel and Volgograd is the site of the bloodiest battle of by enhancing the this relatively mild criticism, there is a US warship in the South China Sea. bombings the second world war – something country’s military no disguising Washington’s frustration These developments come in a con- that north Caucausian jihadist presence in Asia at the prime minister’s trip, especially text of significant change in the region, have created a websites were quick to point out Pacific, and by in the context of pre-existing, major including a once-in-a-generation transi- after the train station bombing. increasing bur- regional stress. tion of leadership in Beijing; Abe’s elec- climate of fear Shinzo Abe’s war den sharing of the Knowing this would be the case, it tion; and the US Asia pivot. In this fluid prior to the After the twin bombings, Putin costs of a US-led appears likely that Abe calculated that environment, the geopolitical landscape will have to struggle hard to instill shrine visit further security order in the base decision would at least par- is shifting as all countries manoeuvre Sochi Winter confidence in the international strained ties with the region. tially blunt Washington’s reprimand and for advantage. Olympics. community. He has ordered a Simultaneously, give him the political space to make the A clear danger, at this heated security crackdown, and though that the US, South Friday’s deci- visit. For the prime minister, this was moment, is therefore serious misjudge- sion represents a an important trip on the one year anni- ment by one or more parties. And this will produce results, extremists can Korea and China. political win for versary of his election, which will have point was emphasised by Hagel on 19 still strike. Volgograd lies just above the North Caucasus It will be a rocky Japanese Prime pleased many Japanese nationalists, a Decemember following the China-US region, the mainly Muslim region from which many of Minister Shinzo vital political constituency for him. near-collision at sea: the most serious Russia’s extremists come, including both Chechnya and 2014 in the Asia Abe as it under- This underlines the importance to bilateral encounter in the South China Dagestan. It is more than 400 miles from Sochi, but it is a Pacific. pins the country’s Abe’s conservative agenda of emphasiz- Sea for several years. transport hub for people travelling to the south. US alliance at a ing Japanese pride in its past, of which The US defence secretary accused moment of major his shrine visit is a part. And, relatedly, Beijing of acting in a “very incendiary Also, the Russian president has been taking steps to make tension in Asia. he also wishes to overturn the remain- [way] that could be a trigger or a spark the Sochi games successful. He recently took a series of steps Abe met person- ing legal and political underpinning of that could set off some eventual miscal- to assuage Western feelings, which include the release of ally with Nakaima only last Wednesday the country’s post-war pacifist security culation”. While China claims that its Greenpeace protestors, members of the Pussy Riot band and to discuss the base decision, which will identity, so that it can become more vessel was conducting “normal patrols” businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky. But persistent security draw considerable opposition from actively engaged internationally. and adhered to proper and “strict pro- concerns can create new headaches. people in Okinawa for whom contin- In the broader context of current tocol”, Hagel asserts it cut in front of ued US military presence is already tensions in Asia, it is also possible that the US ship. Kremlin should have foreseen these attacks. Over the controversial. Abe anticipated there was little to lose, With numerous potential flashpoints summer Russia’s chief insurgent leader, Doku Umarov, The timing of Nakaima’s announce- diplomatically, by making the visit now, in 2014, key external parties, including had given a chilling warning. In a four-minute video clip ment seems to have been choreographed especially with Beijing having recently the European Union, are understand- released in July, he announced a new, violent campaign with Abe, especially coming just 24 made provocations towards Tokyo. ably urging calm and restraint on all against Russian leaders. He even threatened to blow up hours after the prime minister’s con- From this calculus, the marginal dip- sides. Unless this caution is heeded, troversial visit to the Yasukuni shrine. lomatic costs of the shrine trip are low there is a growing possibility of an Sochi. The Chechen problem will continue to haunt Putin The shrine, where 14 high ranking mil- with bilateral relations with China (and, incident triggering an explosive further until a final solution is found, and the winter games is itary leaders convicted as war crimi- to a lesser extent, South Korea) already escalation of tension. getting caught in between • nals are honoured along with around in a deep freeze. THE GUARDIAN Letters Quote of ‘Person of the Year’ a fitting tribute to Father Emir the day PROPOS the Kuwait daily University, Northwestern University, Qatar expert Olivier Da Lage rightly reformist leaders, balancing his tiny Arab newspaper Al Wassat naming Texas A&M University and Weill Cornell said: “When he came to power in 1995, peninsula country’s traditional conserva- H H the Father Emir Sheikh Medical College. Sheikh Hamad had a goal to place Qatar tism with his vision of a technologically AHamad bin Khalifa Al Thani With a stable government, Sheikh on the world map by exploiting the gas modern and culturally diverse state. Under as the Person of the Year for 2013, by Hamad has been able to focus on turn- resources which his father Sheikh Khalifa his leadership, Qatar became the Gulf’s We gave Riek describing him as “the builder of modern ing Qatar from a small desert backwater did not develop for fear it would change second country to grant women the right Qatar”. It also praised the unprecedented into a major world power by continuing the emirate’s society.” to vote in 1997 (Iran being the first). Machar four days achievements accomplished in the State to exploit the country’s vast oil fields, and One of the state’s most successful We, the expat community, salute His to respond (to the of Qatar during his reign. discovering and tapping the world’s third business ventures, however, was to Highness for making Qatar a beautiful Under his reign, the country won largest gas reserves. develop the first pan-Arab satellite news country for us to enjoy our days. It’s an ceasefire offer) and the right to stage the 2022 FIFA World By 2010 liquefied natural gas pro- channel, Al-Jazeera. open secret that everyone of us have Cup in Doha, the first event of its kind duction had reached 77 million tonnes, The channel, which broadcasts in peace, happiness and prosperity 24x7 if he doesn’t we to occur in the Middle East. Under the making Qatar the richest county in the English as well as Arabic, is preparing during our residency here. Without the shall have to go for patronage of H H Sheikh Hamad and his world. With less than two million inhab- to launch Al-Jazeera America and is greatness of the people of Qatar, this wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, several itants - and only 250,000 of those full considered among the world’s most would have been impossible. Thank you him, all of us. That world-class academic institutions have citizens - the average income in the respected media organisations. Qatar !! is what we agreed in opened campuses in Doha, including country shot to a staggering $86,440 Truly speaking, HH the Father Emir is Rakesh Verma, Doha Yoweri Museveni Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown a year per person. one of the Middle East’s most influential, [email protected] Nairobi. Ugandan President DOHA EVENTS 2014

Pics: Kammutty VP

JANUARY FEBRUARY From To Event Organiser Type Location From To Event Organiser Type Location Doha Ministry of Social Sealine 1 1/1/2014 4/1/2014 Gallery of Excellence Exhibitions Exhibition International Ladies Endurance Affairs 8 14/2/2014 15/2/2014 Sports Endurance Center Endurance Race Committee Village Heritage Village Organise Ministry of 2 1/1/2014 30/6/2014 concerts (Thursday and Culture, Arts and Occasions Sealine Friday of each week) Heritage Qatar International Endurance 9 14/2/2014 15/2/2014 Sports Endurance Endurance Cup Committee Seventh Meeting of Village the Committee for State Audit 3 7/1/2014 9/1/2014 Conferences the Development of Bureau Gulf 7th GCC Quality institutional capacity 10 16/2/2014 16/2/2014 Development Conferences Conference Center Gallery and the Qatar Al Sawsana Doha International Conference Al Sawdaa for The first Arab regional 4 9/1/2014 9/1/2014 Exhibitions Exhibition Ministry of on Sustainable Exhibitions and exhibition for development Center 11 18/2/2014 20/2/2014 Foreign Affairs - Exhibitions Development Conferences between countries of the PCOC WAGR Qatar Open Qatar Golf Doha Golf South - (proposed) 5 9/1/2014 11/1/2014 Sports Amateur Championship Association Club Golf Qatar Sailing Qatar International Doha Sailing 2nd Operational safety 12 18/2/2014 22/2/2014 & Rowing Sports 6 14/1/2014 16/1/2014 Qatar Petroleum Conferences Four Seasons Regatta (Sail The Gulf) Club challenges Forum Federation Qatar Table Grand Prix Qatar (2014) Fencing Qatar ITTF World Tour, Qatar Tennis 13 19/2/2014 23/2/2014 Women›s Sport Sports 7 16/1/2014 19/1/2014 Epee Men - Word Cup Fencing Sports Aspire Zone Open Association Epee Qatar (2014) Women Federation Committee Seventh International Society of Qatar Doha 8 20/1/2014 22/1/2014 Petroleum Technology Petroleum Conferences National 14 20/2/2014 25/2/2014 Qatar Motor Show Q.Media Event Exhibitions Exhibition Conference Engineers Convention Center

Commercial Bank Qatar Golf Qatar Golf Doha Golf First International Women 9 23/1/2014 26/1/2014 Sports Masters Association Club Hand Ball Championship Qatar Women›s 15 20/2/2014 24/2/2014 Sports Aspire Zone Qatar Woman’s Sport Sport Committee The Ministry of Committee 10 26/1/2014 31/1/2014 Childhood Spring Festival Culture, Arts and Occasions Heritage Qatar Biliard Biliard &. West Asian Championship Gulf 16 21/2/2014 28/2/2014 &. Snooker Sports Snooker Doha for Billiard Games Qatar Organisation for Federation Federation 11 28/1/2014 30/1/2014 Green Building Expo Exhibitions Exhibition Research and Center Development Conference on the role of Tour of Qatar - Ladies - Qatar Cycling 12 28/1/2014 31/1/2014 Sports Around Qatar 17 24/2/2014 25/2/2014 entrepreneurs in economic Qatar university Conferences Cycling Federation development 2014 The Workshop on Ministry of 13 January Updating the National Conferences HH Emir›s Bowling Cup Qatar Bowling Qatar Bowling Environment 18 25/2/2014 2/3/2014 Sports Strategy for Biodiversity 2014 Center Federation Doha Qatar Tourism 14 January Doha Trade Fair Exhibitions Exhibition Social Authority Charity Dinner for Social Center 19 26/2/2014 26/2/2014 Development Occasions Development Centre Center FEBRUARY

Tour of Qatar - Men - Qatar Cycling Ministry of 1 2/2/2014 7/2/2014 Sports Around Qatar 20 26/2/2014 26/2/2014 Qatar Environment Day Occasions Cycling Federation Environment

First National Conference Qatar 2 3/2/2014 4/2/2014 on Physical Activity and ASPETAR Conferences ASPETAR EiDiabetes (Excellence in Qatar Diabetes 21 28/2/2014 2/3/2014 Conferences National Health Diabetes) Association Convention Twentieth Meeting of Ministry of the 3 3/2/2014 5/2/2014 Weapons and Explosives Conferences Symposium on the Rights Interior of Persons with Disabilities officers GCC Supreme Council 22 February Between Domestic Conferences for Family Affairs Preparatory Laws and International Western Asia Regional Committee for Conventions Preparatory Meeting for Social Justice 4 3/2/2014 5/2/2014 13th UN Congress on Conferences Sharq Hotels Conference 23 February Heels and Wheels Rota Sports Crime Prevention and 2015 - Public Criminal Justice Relations The dialogue of Rehabilitation Mqoma Civilizations and Ministry of reliance in the field of 24 February Highlighting the Arab Culture,Arts and Conferences chemical laboratories Ministry of Culture in the International Heritage 5 10/2/2014 12/2/2014 Conferences in accordance with the Environment Arena international standards ISO/IEC17025 Closing Ceremony of Permanent the Programme of the Committee 25 February Occasions Khalifa Standing Committee on on Drugs and Qatar Tennis Tennis and 6 10/2/2014 16/2/2014 Qatar Total Open Sports Drugs Alcohol Federation Squash Complex Doha Doha Jewellery and Qatar Tourism Qatar Olympic 26 February Exhibitions Exhibition 7 11/2/2014 11/2/2014 National Sports Day Occasions Qatar Watches Exhibition Authority Committee Center

Sports Conferences Exhibitions Occasions DOHA EVENTS 2014

MARCH APRIL From To Event Organiser Type Location From To Event Organiser Type Location

1 1/3/2014 1/3/2014 World Civil Defense Day Civil Defense Occasions Heir Apparent Volleyball Qatar Volleyball Al Arabi 6 12/4/2014 12/4/2014 Sports Cup Final Association Sports Club Khalifa Tennis Qatar Junior Open Squash Qatar Squash 2 1/3/2014 5/3/2014 and Squash Sports Symposium (about the Championship Federation Guards General Complex 7 14/4/2014 14/4/2014 founders of conveniently Conferences Administration performance) 3 4/3/2014 5/3/2014 QP HR Conference Conferences Fourth Annual Meeting of Supreme Council Doha 8 15/4/2014 15/4/2014 Conferences Ministry of Social Experts for Family Affairs 4 5/3/2014 12/3/2014 My Chance Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition Affairs Center Special Needs Sport Qatar Paralympic Qatar Sports 9 16/4/2014 16/4/2014 Occasions World Festival Federation Club Organisation for Intellectual Symposium the Protection 10th Aljazeera International Sheraton 10 17/4/2014 20/4/2014 Aljazeera Net Occasions 5 5/3/2014 12/3/2014 (legal protection of of Intellectual Conferences Documentary Film Festival Hotel heritage) Property Organization 7th Arab Radiology Hamad Medical (WIPO) 11 17/4/2014 22/4/2014 Conferences QNCC Congress Corporation Asian Indoor Rowing Qatar Sailing 6 6/3/2014 8/3/2014 Sports Aspire Zone Championship 2014 Federation The training program for the training and development committee Sate Audit Khalifa Tennis 12 20/4/2014 23/4/2014 Conferences Doha Junior Open - Qatar Squash for workers at the Bureau 7 6/3/2014 10/3/2014 and Squash Sports Squash Federation Bureaus of control and Complex accountability for GCC

Ministry of Ministry of Celebration of World 8 7/3/2014 15/3/2014 Caravan cultural events Culture, Arts and Occasions 13 18/4/2014 18/4/2014 Culture, Arts and Occasions Heritage Heritage Heritage

CHI Al Shaqab H H the Emir’s Basketball Qatar Basketball Al Gharrafa 9 10/3/2014 15/3/2014 Al Shaqab Sports Al Shaqab 14 19/4/2014 19/4/2014 Sports (Equestrian) Cup Final Federation Sports club

10 17/3/2014 19/3/2014 MEED Qatar Projects 2014 MEED Conferences Heights for Doha 15 20/4/2014 23/4/2014 CHRVI 2014 Exhibitions and Exhibitions Exhibition Training & Competition in 11 21/3/2014 24/3/2014 ASPETAR Conferences ASPETAR Conferences Center the Heat Conference

Qatar Petroleum 12th International Al Arabi Sports Qatar Football 16 23/4/2014 26/4/2014 Qatar Petroleum Occasions 12 21/3/2014 26/3/2014 Sports Environment Fair 2014 Friendship Tournament Club Association

Middle East Forum on Qatar Olympic Hamad Medical Committee - 17 25/4/2014 27/4/2014 Quality Improvement in Conferences QNCC 13 22/3/2014 22/3/2014 Islamic Triathlon Sports Sea Line Corporation Sports Affairs Healthcare Department Doha Binkel Events Global Forum for Nursing Hamad Medical 18 28/4/2014 30/4/2014 Interiors Qatar Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition 14 24/3/2014 28/3/2014 Conferences Company Research Corporation Center

Ministry of 11th Doha Interfaith Conference on Sports International 15 25/3/2014 27/3/2014 Foreign Affairs - Conferences Conference Medicine of the Olympic PCOC 19 30/4/2014 2/5/2014 International Olympic Committee in Conferences Aspetar Committee - a course on collaboration Qatar International Doha World Gate for the Internet with the sbitar 16 26/3/2014 28/3/2014 Exhibition for the drinks Exhibitions Exhibition exhibitions industry technology Center

College of th Aspire Academic education at 7 FIG ART Gymnastics Gymnastics Qatar Armed Ahmed bin 17 26/3/2014 28/3/2014 Sports Academy 20 April military colleges / sites Conferences Challenge Cup Federation Forces Mohammed Dome and future Military Social Doha Exhibition for Pilot 18 26/3/2014 29/3/2014 Development Exhibitions Exhibition Projects and Crafts Center Center Eighteenth Meeting of the Secretaries-General of the Shura Council, the The Advisory Ministry of 21 April Conferences 19 27/3/2014 3/4/2014 Local Theater Festival Culture, Arts and Occasions national and the nation Council Heritage Gulf Cooperation Council for GCC 4th Qatar International Ministry of 20 March Exhibitions Agricultural Exhibition Environment MAY

H H the Heir Apparent Qatar Football Ninth Meeting of the 1 4/5/2014 4/5/2014 Sports Courts Qatar Technical Committee and Football Cup Final Association Ministry of 21 March the Steering Committee Conferences Environment Conference on Advanced International for the project to develop Course for Doctors teams Olympic palm in GCC 2 4/5/2014 7/5/2014 under the supervision Committee in Conferences sbitar of the International collaboration Traffic 22 March Gulf Traffic Week Occasions Committee -2015 with the sbitar Department Strategic Management Doha Conference and Informa 3 5/5/2014 5/5/2014 Access Centre Conferences 23 March Qatar Art Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition institutional performance Exhibitions Center measurement

Doha International Exhibition Doha Children›s Elite Group of 24 March I Dream Of My Career Exhibitions Exhibition 4 5/5/2014 8/5/2014 of Hotel, Restaurant and Exhibitions Exhibition Cultural Centre Marketing Center bakery Halawani Center

Ministry of 14th Doha Forum Doha 5 12/5/2014 14/5/2014 Foreign Affairs - Conferences International Coffee Expo (proposed) 25 March Art and Art Exhibitions Exhibition PCOC (ICE Doha) Center Enriching the Middle Ministry of APRIL 6 12/5/2014 14/5/2014 East›s Economic Future Foreign Affairs - Conferences Conference (proposed) PCOC Career Fair 1 1/4/2014 5/4/2014 Qatar Career Fair Exhibitions Centre Doha 7 12/5/2014 15/5/2014 Project Qatar IFP Doha Exhibitions Exhibition Doha Maraya Public Center 2 1/4/2014 7/4/2014 Carpet Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition Relations Center Qatar Ibhar for Doha EWeek entertainment Association Qatar Sports 3 2/4/2014 5/4/2014 Exhibitions and Exhibitions Exhibition 8 14/5/2014 14/5/2014 Diamond League Sports Exhibition of Athletics Club Conferences Center Federation Qatar Olympic Committee Schools Olympic Program Doha 4 4/4/2014 5/4/2014 – Qatar Occasions Aspire Zone International Wedding (SOP) 9 15/5/2014 18/5/2014 Qatar Expo Exhibitions Exhibition School Sports Exhibition Doha (IWED) Federation Center

Doha International Doha Khalifa Sougha H H the Emir Football Qatar Football 5 6/4/2014 8/4/2014 Exhibition for Medical Exhibitions Exhibition 10 18/5/2014 18/5/2014 Sports International Advertising Cup Final Association Supplies «Maddevaas» Center Stadium

Sports Conferences Exhibitions Occasions DOHA EVENTS 2014

MAY JULY

From To Event Organiser Type Location From To Event Organiser Type Location

Heir Apparent Handball Qatar Handball Al Gharrafa 11 19/5/2014 19/5/2014 Sports Cup Final Federation Sports Club AFC U-22 Championship Qatar Football 1 15/7/2014 31/7/2014 Sports Qatar Courts Qualifications Association

The second meeting of the University of Prince Nayef Ministry of the 12 19/5/2014 21/5/2014 bin Abdul Aziz for Security Conferences Interior Research and definition Community 2 July Ramadan Events Occasions Symposium Policing (MOI)

Tenth Meeting of the Qatar General Scientific Advisory AUGUST Electricity 13 24/5/2014 26/5/2014 Technical Committee of Conferences & Water Doha the Ministerial Council of Gulf Marketing & Corporation 1 28/8/2014 30/8/2014 Qatar Camping Expo Exhibitions Exhibition the Arab Water Exhibitions Center

Doha 14 24/5/2014 28/5/2014 Made in Turkey Exhibition Turkish Embassy Exhibitions Exhibition SEPTEMBER Center

Qatar First International HH the Emir Volleyball Cup Qatar Volleyball Al Arabi Qatar basketball 15 25/5/2014 25/5/2014 Sports 1 1/9/2014 9/9/2014 Basketball Championship Sports Katara Final Federation Sports Club Association For Juniors

Procedural meeting of the Qatar General Executive Bureau of the Electricity 16 26/5/2014 26/5/2014 Conferences Arab Ministerial Council & Water for Water Corporation Qatar International Ebhar for Doha 2 17/9/2014 20/9/2014 Exhibition for Technology exhibitions and Exhibitions Exhibition flooring and wall covering conferences Center Doha Innovations Qatar Sayad 17 26/5/2014 28/5/2014 Exhibitions Exhibition Exhibition Occasions Center Qatar Sports club /Al Sadd Qatar Football 3 20/9/2014 30/9/2014 Gulf Futsal Championship Sports Sports Club Qatar General Association Sixth Session of the / Al Wakra Electricity 18 27/5/2014 27/5/2014 Ministerial Council of the Conferences Sports Club & Water Arab Water Corporation

Middle East Health, Safety, Society of 4 22/9/2014 24/9/2014 Environment & Sustainable Petroleum Conferences QNC Qatar General Conference Engineers Second Arab Water Electricity 19 27/5/2014 28/5/2014 Conferences Sheraton Conference & Water Corporation Electric and Magnetic Ministry of 5 22/9/2014 24/9/2014 Conferences Measurements Environment

Sustainability of Ministry of 20 27/5/2014 28/5/2014 construction materials and Conferences Environment Doha environmentally friendly Binkel Events 6 September Kids World Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition Company Center

Hitan for Doha International Exhibition for OCTOBER 21 29/5/2014 31/5/2014 exhibitions and Exhibitions Exhibition Glass Industry conferences Center Doha International 1 2/10/2014 4/10/2014 Exhibition for Hunting and Ahmad Group Exhibitions Equestrian HH the Emir Handball Cup Qatar Handball Al Gharrafa 22 30/5/2014 30/5/2014 Sports Final Federation Sports Club

Qatar World Taekwondo Grand 2 11/10/2014 4/10/2014 Taekwondo and Sports Aspire Zone Prix Final 23 May QITCOM 2014 ictQATAR Exhibitions Judo Federation

Doha Qatar International Professional 24 May Exhibitions Exhibition GCC U22 National Teams Qatar Football Exhibition of Packaging Creators 3 13/10/2014 23/10/2014 Sports Qatari Courts Center Football Championship Association

JUNE 31st IASP World Qatar Science & 4 19/10/2014 22/10/2014 Conference on Science & Conferences IATA Annual General Technology Park 1 1/6/2014 3/6/2014 Qatar Airways Conferences Technology Parks Meeting 2014

Conference on prevention 5 20/10/2014 21/10/2014 of sudden death in elite Aspetar Conferences World Conference of the Qatar Museums 2 15/6/2014 25/6/2014 Conferences athletes World Heritage Committee Authority

Second GCC Beach Qatar Olympic Al Gharafa Qatar Billiard 6 20/10/2014 26/10/2014 Sports World 9-Ball Games Committee Beach courts 3 16/6/2014 27/6/2014 & Snooker Sports Championship Federation

Qatar Sailing Qatar International Doha Sailing Qatar Handball Al Gharrafa 7 21/10/2014 25/10/2014 Sail Qatar Regatta and Rowing Sports 4 17/6/2014 21/6/2014 Handball Tournament for Sports Club Association Sports Club Federation Men›s Junior

GCC Sport and Qatar Olympic Doha 8 22/10/2014 24/10/2014 Environment Conference Conferences Qatar Youth International Committee Sheraton Qatar Handball Al Gharrafa (3) 5 24/6/2014 28/6/2014 Handball Tournament Sports Association Sports Club (Men)

3rd Qatar International Qatar Karate 9 24/10/2014 25/10/2014 Sports Aspire Zone Karate Championship Federation Permanent International Day Against Committee 6 26/6/2014 26/6/2014 Drug Abuse and Illicit Exhibitions on Drugs and Trafficking Alcohol International Gas 10 26/10/2014 27/10/2014 Qatar University Conferences Ritz Carelton Processing Symposium

Doha Qatar Tourism 7 June The Doha Trade Fair Exhibitions Exhibition Authority Center Ministry of Eleventh Conference of Economy & 11 October the tax authorities for Finance - Public Conferences Doha Islamic Countries Revenue and Tax Qatar Tourism 8 June Heya Abaya Fashion Exhibitions Exhibition Department Authority Center

Sports Conferences Exhibitions Occasions DOHA EVENTS 2014

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER From To Event Organiser Type Location From To Event Organiser Type Location Doha Smart Edge Doha 1 1/11/2014 7/11/2014 Made in China Trade Show Qatar Chamber Exhibitions Exhibition 21 November Lifestyle Gallery Business Exhibitions Exhibition Center Solutions Center Qatar Doha 2 3/11/2014 3/11/2014 WISE Conference Conferences Made in Switzerland Professional Foundation 22 November Exhibitions Exhibition Exhibition Creators Center Doha Maraya Public 3 3/11/2014 9/11/2014 Perfume Gallery Exhibitions Exhibition Doha conference of Ministry of Awqaf Relations Center 23 November scientific miracles in the and Islamic Conferences Holy Quran and Sunnah Affairs First Doha International Doha Hamad Exhibition of lighting Swimming World Cup Qatar Swimming 4 6/11/2014 8/11/2014 Al Ahmad Group Exhibitions Exhibition 24 November Sports Aquatics techniques, sound and Vienna Federation Center Complex image Ibhar for Doha 25 November Electrolight Qatar exhibitions and Exhibitions Exhibition conferences Center Khalifa Qatar Classic Squash Qatar Squash 5 7/11/2014 14/11/2014 Sports International Championship Federation Complex 26 November Aspire 4 Sport Conference Aspire Zone Conferences Aspire Zone

Punishment 6 8/11/2014 11/11/2014 Unified GCC guest week and reform Conferences institutions DECEMBER Qatar Shooting 11th Arab Shooting International Doha 7 8/11/2014 17/11/2014 and Archery Sports Lusail Championship 1 1/12/2014 3/12/2014 Hospitality Exhibition Exhibition Exhibitions Exhibition Federation Company Center Ministry of Doha Qatar Masters Chess Qatar Chess 8 10/11/2014 12/11/2014 Milipol Qatar Interior - Milipol Exhibitions Exhibition 2 1/12/2014 9/12/2014 Sports Championship Association Qatar Committee Center Qatar Cycling 3 1/12/2014 6/12/2014 Al Zubara Cycling Tour Sports Around Qatar Conference of the Federation Racing and 9 10/11/2014 18/11/2014 World Arabian Horse Conferences Equestrian Club Qatar Cycling Organization (WAHO) 4 1/12/2014 13/12/2014 GCC Cycling Tour Sports Around Qatar Federation Ministry of Qatar International Boat Doha International Book 10 11/11/2014 15/11/2014 Snow Comms Exhibitions Lusail Marina 5 4/12/2014 14/12/2014 Culture, Arts and Exhibitions Show Fair Heritage Hamad 6th International Qatar Swimming 6 7/12/2014 11/12/2014 ITU Telecom World 2014 Ooredoo Conferences 11 14/11/2014 16/11/2014 Sports Aquatics Swimming Championship Association 14th International Bowling Qatar Bowling Qatar Bowling Complex 7 8/12/2014 14/12/2014 Sports Open Federation Centre Doha Expo Conference and 8 9/12/2014 11/12/2014 Doha Goals Forum Emiri Diwan Sports Aspir Zone 12 22/11/2014 24/11/2014 Al Ahmad Group Exhibitions Exhibition Exhibition Middle East Qatar Sailing Center Doha Sailing 9 9/12/2014 13/12/2014 Qatar Match Racing Cup and Rowing Sports Club QF Annual Research Qatar Federation 13 23/11/2014 23/11/2014 Conferences Forum Foundation 10 12/12/2014 12/12/2014 Gala Dinner - ROTA ROTA Occasions Qatar Olympic 11 12/12/2014 12/12/2014 Olympic Day Sports Aspire Zone 2nd UITP Public Transport Committee & Large Events Summit Mowasalat And 14 23/11/2014 27/11/2014 Conferences And 2nd International Taxi UITP 12th Gulf Gymnastics Qatar Conference 12 16/12/2014 18/12/2014 Championship in Artistic Gymnastics Sports Aspire Zone Gymnastics - Men Federation

Doha Ministry of the The First Qatari Business Gulf Marketing & 13 18/12/2014 18/12/2014 Arab Police Day Occasions 15 25/11/2014 27/11/2014 Exhibitions Exhibition Interior Exhibition and Conference Exhibitions Center Ministry of the 14 18/12/2014 18/12/2014 Qatar National Day Occasions Khalifa Interior International Qatar/Asian Junior Tennis Qatar Tennis Qatar International Show 16 25/11/2014 30/11/2014 Sports Tennis and Qatar Championship Federation Jumping Championship, Qatar Equestrian Squash 15 19/12/2014 22/12/2014 Sports Equestrian Qualifying To World Cup- Federation Complex Federation Arab Tour Qatar International Qatar Volleyball Qatar International 17 25/11/2014 30/11/2014 Volleyball Open Sports Qatar Handball Al Gharrafa Association 16 27/12/2014 29/12/2014 Handball Tournament for Sports Championship Association Sports Club Men Doha Money and Investment Maraya Public Khalifa 18 26/11/2014 29/11/2014 Exhibitions Exhibition Exhibition Relations International Center Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Qatar Tennis 17 30/12/2014 4/1/2015 Sports Tennis and Open Federation Doha Squash 19 27/11/2014 30/11/2014 Cosmoprof Gallery Art and Art Co. Exhibitions Exhibition complex Center World Telecommunication Doha Exhibition (Telecom Regal Company 18 December ICT QATAR Exhibitions 20 November Chocolate World Expo Exhibitions Exhibition International for Events Center Telecommunication Union) Sports Conferences Exhibitions Occasions

2014 2014 2014 DECEMBER 18 FEBRUARY 11 JULY Qatar National Ramadan National Sports Events Day Day TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Anti-African sentiment rampant in France Most people who embraced the explicit anti-racist statement were committed to eradicating discrimination against French people of colour.

BY SYLVIE LAURENT network of grass-roots organisations, a march was launched on October 15, 1983, he year 2013 does not only modelled after the teachings of Gandhi mark the 50th anniversary of and Martin Luther King Jr. the March on Washington. It Marchers called for a 10-year carte de is also the 30th anniversary of séjour (green card) and the right to vote the March on Paris. at the local level for foreign residents, yet TThirty years ago, thousands of young their core demand was the full recogni- French of Arab descent marched from tion of their citizenship through equal the major cities of the country to the opportunities. The troubled memory of nation’s capital to protest racism and the Algerian war and its untold legacy discrimination. The movement was had plagued their parents’ life paths, and called “March for Equality and Against the young people found themselves under Racism,” but it became widely referred to a double penalty: Paying “the price of the as the “Marche des Beurs” (‘beur’ being ticket” to integration entailed a sense of slang for “Young Arab”). Police brutality estrangement from their forefathers, against the impoverished ghetto dwellers who were still bound to their native land French soldiers run a check on a civilian along a street in Central African Republic’s capital Bangui last week. of Venissieux (the suburb of the posh city across the Mediterranean Sea, yet such of Lyon) during the summer 1983 was to costly fare did not provide them with the snowball into an episode of social uprising minimal rights they were entitled to as Farida Belghoul organised another march unable to prevent internal disputes and France”; as the welfare-state safety net reminiscent of the riots that had inflamed French-born citizens. on Paris, aimed at the same goals with divisions, were left resentful. shrinks, its benefits should only be pro- the same projects two years before, catch- Departing from Marseille, where a the explicit concern that the dissenting What is more, the memory of their vided to those “entitled” to it, they say. ing the Socialist government off guard. child had just been killed in a disen- movement was being appropriated by the democratic impulse was not bequeathed France used to have “problems” with In 1981, President François Mitterrand franchised housing project, the march Socialist government, which was playing to their children, who have been facing immigration; now it has a “cultural cri- had been elected on one of the most was nevertheless joyful and filled with a games with “identity politics.” Mitterrand an ever-worsening situation in the three sis” with its inherent diversity. The stig- progressive platforms of contemporary sense of civic pride. On their way to Paris, was indeed strategically manoeuvring the decades since the march. According to matising rhetoric of the Front National, history. Liberals and North African marchers were joined by thousands of Front National, Le Pen’s party, giving it a recent data, if immigrants are twice as at an all-time high, has permeated the immigrants held great expectations, people, children of immigrants but also political space likely to divide and cripple likely to be unemployed as native French, entire political spectrum, and in the foot- which turned out to be short-lived. In sympathisers of French descent appalled right-wing coalitions. children of immigrants born in France steps of former law-and-order President January 1983, the economic agenda was by the rise of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the far- Belghoul’s insight was vindicated when, are even more exposed to unemployment Nicolas Sarkozy, the current minister of already shifting toward neoliberal ini- right-wing populist whose racist rhetoric in the wake of the second Marche des than their parents. Out of delusion for the interior, Manuel Valls, demonises tiatives. When the factory workers of was beginning to get traction. Beurs, a government-funded and -spon- Republican ideals, some have found solace the Roma (migrants from Romania) and public-owned carmaker Renault, most A sense of indignation swept the sored group named “SOS Racisme” was in radical Islam. fills his speech with nativist tropes and of them of Algerian descent, mobilised, country when an Algerian was brutally launched. Interestingly, its president, Thirty years after the Marche des references to “those who do not want to they were discounted by Prime Minister assaulted and killed on a train with- Harlem Desir, was of neither Arab nor Beurs, France’s picture is grim. There assimilate.” Pierre Mauroy as being “manipulated by out any passenger intervention. By the Muslim descent but closely tied to the is another Socialist president in office, Last month Christiane Taubira, the Islamic radicals.” time marchers reached the capital on governmental majority. François Hollande, and his austerity pol- minister of justice, who happens to be Times were ripe for either a surge of December 3, a handful of Beurs had Most people who embraced this explicit icy has been fuelling a dramatic increase a black woman, was the victim of gross violence by a whole generation of young become 100,000 strong. Mitterrand met anti-racist statement were sincerely in unemployment and, although other ele- racist depictions, an embarrassment for people whose formal French citizenship them in the Élysée Palace and promised committed to eradicating discrimination ments factor in, an unprecedented level the entire nation. did not translate into real social integra- to address their claims. The protesters against French people of colour. Behind of popular support for the Front National More than ever, France needs a civil tion (housing, employment, education) or were hopeful that racism would now be the scenes, though, the grassroots initia- and its ideas. According to recent polls, rights movement, rooted in the 1983 the peaceful voicing of their alienation. fought against at the highest level. tive was being hijacked by conventional 70 percent of the population thinks march. It is urgent — because of the fierce With the help of a Catholic priest and a But a year later, a young activist named politics, and many original marchers, that “there are too many immigrants in urgency of now. WP-BLOOMBERG Is India reinventing democratic politics? Public should know about US drone programme New Delhi is going to supply some BY HEATHER LINEBAUGH of the most exciting stories of henever I read comments by politicians defending the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Predator and Reaper pro- 2014. gramme – aka drones – I wish I could ask them a few questions. I’d start with: “How many women and children BY CHANDRAHAS W such a referendum and the claim have you seen incinerated by a Hellfire missile?” And: “How many men CHOUDHURY of “the will of the people” estab- have you seen crawl across a field, trying to make it to the nearest lished by its results. Those who compound for help while bleeding out from severed legs?” Or even more ndian democracy took a turn had voted for the AAP might be pointedly: “How many soldiers have you seen die on the side of a road toward ancient Athens last logically expected to be more will- in Afghanistan because our ever-so-accurate UAVs (unmanned aerial week after the Aam Aadmi ing than others to participate in vehicles) were unable to detect an IED (improvised explosive device) IParty (AAP or “Common such an exercise and to favour a that awaited their convoy?” Man’s Party”) went to the people yes. And so it turned out, with Few of these politicians who so brazenly proclaim the benefits of a second time in an attempt to the party declaring a 75 percent drones have a real clue of what actually goes on. resolve a political dilemma. The yes vote from individual respond- I, on the other hand, have seen these awful sights first hand. I knew Activists from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Kranti Sena, a Hindu group, hold fledgling political outfit that ear- ents and a 90 percent yes vote the names of some of the young soldiers I saw bleed to death on the lier this month won 30 percent from 280 public meetings. After placards as they are detained by police during a protest outside the side of a road. of the vote and 40 percent of the the referendum, the party’s high residence of the Telecoms and Information Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, I watched dozens of military-aged males die in Afghanistan, in empty seats in elections in the city-state command decided December 23 in New Delhi. fields, along riversides, and some right outside the compound where of Delhi brought up the notion of to form the new government of their family was waiting for them to return home from the mosque. The “direct democracy” in defence Delhi. from the spotlight — will give the in the western state of Gujarat US and British militaries insist claim that this is an expert programme, of its decision to hold a referen- Its leader, the 45-year-old AAP a chance to usher in and and rhetoric of “strong govern- but it’s curious that they feel the need to deliver faulty information, few dum in Delhi on the question of former bureaucrat and anti-cor- test the feasibility of the radi- ance” have won him a substantial or no statistics about civilian deaths and twisted technology reports whether it should make a bid to ruption activist Arvind Kejriwal, cal new programme of municipal constituency among young urban on the capabilities of our UAVs. form a minority government in will take the oath as Delhi’s sev- management and decentralisation voters — a large new following What the public needs to understand is that the video provided by a the capital. enth and youngest-ever chief min- of political power envisioned in distinct from the BJP’s traditional drone is not usually clear enough to detect someone carrying a weapon, In its manifesto, the AAP has ister on Saturday at the Ramlila its manifesto (Porto Alegre-style upper-caste, predominantly north even on a crystal-clear day with limited cloud and perfect light. This borrowed from Brazil’s Porto Maidan, a site closely associated “mohalla” or neighbourhood com- Indian vote base. makes it incredibly difficult for the best analysts to identify if someone Alegre model of local government with the party’s concerted strug- mittees to make final decisions But it’s that same Modi wave has weapons for sure. by popular consent. This makes gle over the last few years for on local administration, untied that likely led the AAP to choose It’s also important for the public to grasp that there are human it appear all of a sudden that an anti-corruption watchdog for funds disbursed by the state gov- the course of forming a minor- beings operating and analysing intelligence these UAVs. I know because the world’s emerging markets India. There was much debate, ernments to these committees ity government over a new elec- I was one of them, and nothing can prepare you for an almost daily are also emerging as the sites of however, of the wisdom of the rather than money allocated for tion in Delhi, as such an election routine of flying combat aerial surveillance missions over a war zone. new developments in democratic AAP’s move, which will involve a specific purposes, free water to would likely be tacked on to the But here’s the thing: I may not have been on the ground in thought and practice — as indeed political version of sleeping with those households consuming less national elections and might be Afghanistan, but I watched parts of the conflict in great detail on a in the practice of authoritarian- the enemy. than 700 litres a day, reduced overwhelmed by issues of national screen for days on end. I know the feeling you experience when you see ism and capitalism. Indeed, for all of the last week, power tariffs) and to appoint an significance — such as Modi’s someone die. And when you are exposed to it over and over again it New energies in India and political innocence and experience anti-corruption authority with attempt to turn it into a virtual becomes like a small video, embedded in your head, forever on repeat, Brazil are reworking forms of (to repurpose William Blake’s wide-ranging powers, called the referendum on himself. causing psychological pain and suffering that many people will hope- representative government that thought-system) could be seen Lokayukta, for which it has long But of course the AAP has its fully never experience. have settled into stasis in the jostling one other: The newest pressured the major political par- guns trained on not just the BJP UAV troops are victim to not only the haunting memories of this developed world. (It has always major Indian political party tried ties without success. but the Congress, and had made work that they carry with them, but also the guilt of always being a been a conceit of the West that to set up a government without The ascent to power and prom- a pre-election promise to inves- little unsure of how accurate their confirmations of weapons or iden- its own experience of democracy conceding the moral high ground, inence in the national capital tigate corruption in the previous tification of hostile individuals were. is somehow foundational and nor- while the oldest one offering it would allow the AAP to scale up Congress government of Delhi. Of course, we are trained to not experience these feelings, and we mative, when the reality might be a lifeline that might also yield quickly to make its presence felt Should things become too uncom- fight it, and become bitter. Some troops seek help in mental health instead that democracy moves in advantages and power to itself in the upcoming general, or Lok fortable for the Congress in Delhi, clinics provided by the military, but we are limited on who we can talk historically and culturally specific just when it had resigned itself Sabha, elections — especially, as it is certain to pull the plug on to and where, because of the secrecy of our missions. I find it interest- directions wherever it takes root.) to life in the margins. the political scientist Ashutosh the new government composed ing that the suicide statistics in this career field aren’t reported, nor The referendum itself was a A set of calculations and politi- Varshney pointed out this week exclusively of first- time politi- are the data on how many troops working in UAV positions are heavily double-pronged affair involving cal trade-offs were behind the in a perceptive piece on the “AAP cal office-holders that takes over medicated for depression, sleep disorders and anxiety. Recently, the a range of traditional and 21st- AAP’s move to form a govern- effect” on Indian politics, in the this weekend. Few expect the Guardian ran a commentary by Britain’s secretary of state for defence, century forms. It offered the citi- ment and the Congress’s decision 200 or so urban and semi-urban new government of Delhi, then, Philip Hammond. zens of Delhi the option of going to support it, involving idealism parliamentary constituencies to last its full term. Every shade I wish I could talk to him about the two friends and colleagues I to a set of public meetings that and pragmatism, and the looming among the 543 in India. and nuance of political idealism lost, within a year of leaving the military, to suicide. I am sure he has would return a single “yes” or shadow of national elections due That, the Congress antici- and realism, calculation and com- not been notified of that little bit of the secret UAV programme, or “no” answer by popular vote, or of in less than six months. pates, would enable the AAP to promise, was on view in this story, he would surely take a closer look at the full scope of the programme sending in their answers by text The installation of a govern- short-circuit the rapid rise of and what this ferment portends before defending it again. The UAVs in the Middle East are used as a message or on by phone. ment in India’s political capital Narendra Modi, the leader of is that India is going to supply weapon, not as protection, and as long as our public remains ignorant Some sceptics questioned, in and sole city-state — a territory the main opposition party, the some of the most exciting stories to this serious threat to the sanctity of human life – at home and my view wisely, the wisdom of of political significance never far BJP, whose development record of 2014. WP-BLOOMBERG abroad – will continue. THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 INTERNATIONAL 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Shots fired at Second suicide blast kills 14 in Russia German envoy’s Putin orders stepped-up security across the country after trolleybus bombing in Volgograd residence

MOSCOW: At least 14 people the two attacks are linked. It is in Athens were killed yesterday when a possible that they were prepared suicide bomber blew himself in the same place,” he added. ATHENS: Unknown attack- up on a packed trolleybus in French President Francois ers fired automatic rifle shots at Volgograd, raising new con- Hollande spoke to Putin by tel- the German ambassador’s resi- cerns about security at the ephone and both sides agreed to dence in Athens yesterday but Sochi Olympics a day after a “intensify cooperation between caused no injuries, police said. deadly attack on the southern special services in the fight The shooting happened at Russian city’s train station. against terrorism,” the Kremlin around 3.30am (0130 GMT) when President Vladimir Putin said. German Chancellor Angela German Ambassador Wolfgang ordered stepped-up security Merkel also condemned the Dold was inside the residence in across the country after the trol- attacks. the north of the Greek capital. leybus bombing at the peak of the Putin ordered security stepped There was no immediate claim morning rush and Sunday’s sui- up across Russia, with a spe- of responsibility for the attack, cide attack blamed on a suspected cial regime to be imposed in which occurred as Greece pre- female suicide bomber which Volgograd, which lies 690 kilo- pares to take over the six-month claimed 17 lives. metres (425 miles) northeast of rotating presidency of the The attacks on Volgograd, the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the European Union tomorrow. which until this year had no national anti-terror committee Anti-German sentiment has record of recent unrest, raised announced. been on the rise in Greece in alarm about whether the ongoing Federal Security Service (FSB) recent years over EU paymaster anti-Kremlin insurgency in the chief Alexander Bortnikov flew Germany’s perceived role in push- Northern Caucasus could affect to Volgograd and asked citizens ing for severe austerity measures the Sochi Winter Games which to be understanding about the in return for the country’s 2¤40bn open on February 7. extra security that may involve ($330bn) bailout. The force of yesterday’s blast spot checks. Athens “strongly condemns destroyed the number 15A trol- “It is a necessary measure,” he this cowardly terrorist act whose leybus, which was packed with said. only aim is to degrade Greece’s early morning commuters and Russia is already preparing to image abroad a few days before was turned into a tangle of impose a “limited access” secu- it takes charge of the European wreckage with only its roof and rity cordon around Sochi from Union presidency”, said a state- front remaining. January 7 which will check all ment by Greek Foreign Minister Health ministry spokesman traffic and ban all non-resident Members of the emergency services work at the site of a bomb blast on a trolleybus in Volgograd yesterday. Evangelos Venizelos. Oleg Salagai told Russian state cars from a wide area around the A police officer guarding the television that 14 people were city. the region and disrupt the Games. Year fireworks display. killed six people on a crowded bus. site said he saw a group of four killed and 28 wounded. The head of the Russian “This looks like the North Militant strikes have become Russia’s double Olympic pole people firing the shots. Russian investigators have Olympic Committee, Alexander Caucasus underground. They part of daily life in the North vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva, Another man on the scene, who opened a criminal probe into a Zhukov, said that there was no promised to stage acts in big Caucasus. But the Volgograd Volgograd’s best known current identified himself as a neighbour, suspected act of terror as well as need for extra security measures Russian cities ahead of the blasts will be a particular concern inhabitant, told Itar-Tass she felt claimed he witnessed the attack the illegal carrying of weapons, in Sochi as “everything that is Olympics. It seems they are fulfill- to the authorities as the bomber “terrible, simply terrible” after from inside his home. “There the Investigative Committee said. necessary has already been done,” ing their promise,” military affairs struck a city of more than one the attacks. were four persons, but only one “The explosives were detonated Itar-Tass reported. commentator Pavel Felgenhauer million people in the Russian The blasts are the deadliest in of them wielded a gun...it was as by a male suicide bomber, frag- The search for the perpetrators said. heartland. Russia since a suicide bombing at if he was tutoring the others on ments of whose body have been is expected to focus on Russia’s Moscow city hall’s security The city, known as Stalingrad Moscow’s Domodedovo airport how to do it,” he told reporters. found and taken for genetic analy- largely Muslim North Caucasus chief Alexei Mayarov said pre- in the Soviet era, is of huge killed 37 people in January 2011. sis to establish his identity,” said region where Islamist militants cautions would be stepped up in importance to Russians as the Investigators said the suspected Artificial heart spokesman Vladimir Markin. have for years been fighting the the capital ahead of New Year, scene of one of the key battles female suicide bomber who caused He said four kilogrammes of Russian security forces. the biggest holiday of the year in of the Second World War that Sunday’s bombing set off her patient in good TNT equivalent had been used Doku Umarov, the leader of Russia and traditionally marked led to the defeat of invading Nazi charge after being stopped by a and noted that the explosives militants seeking to impose an by mass outdoor gatherings. forces. police officer at the metal detec- condition: Hospital were identical to those used in Islamist state throughout Russia’s Reports said Russia’s second The city was already attacked tors of the central entrance to the Sunday’s train station bombing. North Caucasus, has ordered city of Saint Petersburg had on October 21 by a female suicide station. PARIS: French artificial heart “This confirms the theory that rebels to target civilians outside already cancelled its planned New bomber with links to Islamists who AFP maker Carmat’s first patient is in a “very satisfactory condi- tion” 12 days after being fitted with the device, the hospital treating him said yesterday. The 75-year-old Frenchman is eating normally and spent three Army repels attacks in Kinshasa, dozens killed hours sitting in a chair in the company of his family on Sunday, KINSHASA: Congolese sol- office in 2001 after the assassina- the assault was carried out by of people have died, mostly from attacked Mukungubila’s the team caring for him at the diers repulsed attacks on the tion of his father Laurent. poorly organised youths in civil- hunger and disease. The country church in the regional capi- Georges Pompidou European airport, a barracks and the Government spokesman ian clothing with aged military is home to a 21,000-strong United tal Lubumbashi, but calm was Hospital in Paris said. state television headquarters Lambert Mende said 40 of the 70 equipment and appeared to be Nations peacekeeping mission quickly restored. “The artificial heart is function- in Kinshasa yesterday in what assailants in the capital had been more a political statement than (MONUSCO). Gunmen had briefly seized ing normally, automatically cater- authorities said appeared to killed. “We have total control of a serious attempt to seize power Shortly after the clashes in the headquarters of state radio ing to the body’s needs without have been an assault by fol- the situation,” he said. in a city of more than nine mil- Kinshasa, Congo’s army exchanged and television in Kinshasa, tak- any manual adjustment neces- lowers of religious leader Paul “The attackers presented lion people. heavy fire with Mukungubila’s fol- ing several journalists hostage. sary,” surgeons Alain Carpentier Joseph Mukungubila. themselves as supporters of The Democratic Republic of lowers in the mining province of Witnesses also reported shoot- and Christian Latremouille said Before transmission was shut Mukungubila. We are checking Congo, a vast country at the heart Katanga, more than 2,400km to ing at the Tshatshi military camp, in a statement issued by the down at the state television, because this could be an attempt of Africa, is struggling to emerge the southeast near the border close to the Defence Ministry, and hospital. Three more patients in gunmen shouted what appeared to fool us.” He said there were no from decades of violence and with Zambia. at the international airport on the France are due to be fitted with to be a political message against civilian or troop casualties. instability, particularly in its min- Witnesses said the fight- city’s outskirts. the device. President Joseph Kabila, who took Kabila’s supporters said eral-rich east, in which millions ing erupted after soldiers REUTERS AGENCIES

Gearing up for New Year Antarctic blizzard halts bid to rescue Cyclone bears down stranded ship on western Australia SYDNEY: An Antarctic bliz- zard has halted an Australian SYDNEY: A powerful cyclone dangerous coastal inundation.” icebreaker’s attempt to reach a packing expected winds of more Residents under the red alert Russian ship trapped for a week than 200 kilometres an hour are already seeking shelter, and with 74 people onboard, rescu- was threatening Australia’s have been ordered to remain ers said yesterday. west coast yesterday, forcing indoors and shut off gas, water The Akademik Shokalskiy left towns into lockdown and shut- and electricity. New Zealand on November 28 ting iron ore operations. “It’s looking very ominous, cer- on a private expedition to com- A red alert was issued for Port tainly it’s been very grey, we have memorate the 100th anniversary Hedland and South Hedland been experiencing an increase in of an Antarctic journey led by on Western Australia state’s winds, we have been getting some Australian explorer Douglas resource-rich but sparsely-popu- strong gusts and we have been Mawson. lated Pilbara coast as the category getting a little bit of rain,” Port A first rescue attempt by a three cyclone intensified offshore, Hedland mayor Kelly Howlett Chinese icebreaker, the Snow forcing residents to batten down. told the ABC. Dragon, had to be halted because “This is a powerful system,” “We know we are expecting the ice was so thick. Neil Bennett, a spokesman for more and I guess that’s what we Now another attempt, by the the Cyclone Warning Centre in are all bracing for and being pre- Aurora Australis, has been ham- Perth said, saying that winds pared for.” pered by the weather. It has had were already building around Port Global miner BHP Billiton to return to open waters about 18 Hedland to about 70km an hour. said its port and rail operations nautical miles from the Akademik People walk near a stage set up for New Year’s Eve celebrations at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, yesterday. “Right around the eye (of the in Port Hedland had been sus- Shokalskiy because of poor vis- storm) we could see gusts of 200 pended, with tie-down activities ibility, the Australian Maritime kilometres or more.” completed. Safety Authority (AMSA), which Cyclone Christine is set to “All personnel have safely left is co-ordinating the rescue, said. make landfall between Karratha site,” it said in a statement. The Australian vessel had Former Greek minister punished and Port Hedland at about mid- Bennett said he did not expect reached as close as about 10 nautical night Monday (1300 GMT) and the cyclone to become more miles from the trapped ship before authorities are warning of damag- extreme and develop into a cat- turning back. “The weather condi- ATHENS: A wealthy Greek government’s transport minister. also bore fake license plates. ing storm surges, particularly if it egory 4 or 5 — the highest rat- tion is not safe for it to proceed, and former transport minister was The case has embarrassed the Liapis told police that like hits at high tide. ing — but said it could still cause it’s gone back to open water,” said given a suspended four-year conservative-led coalition govern- many Greeks he had been hit by “Rapid and powerful flood- significant damage, and would AMSA spokeswoman Lisa Martin. prison sentence yesterday after ment which is struggling in the the economic crisis and his car ing is likely as Severe Tropical continue well inland today. The Snow Dragon is 6.7 nautical being caught driving an unli- polls ahead of local elections in was not insured because he could Cyclone Christine approached The northwest of Western miles from the Akademik Shokalskiy censed luxury jeep, court offi- May. not afford to pay tax on it. the coast,” the Western Australia has the highest tropi- and a helicopter on board will be cials said. Liapis, a nephew of ruling But he then caused further Australian Department of Fire cal cyclone risk in Australia, used to rescue all 52 passengers Prominent conservative New Democracy party founder outrage by failing to appear in and Emergency Services said in according to the Bureau of and some crew if weather condi- Michalis Liapis, 63, was also Constantine Karamanlis, was court and flying to Asia for a an alert. Meteorology. tions permit, the Russian Foreign sentenced to a fine of ¤3,000 ousted from the movement earlier luxury vacation a few days after “Tides may rise significantly On average, two cyclones affect Ministry said yesterday. ($4,100) for flouting traffic laws this month after he was caught his arrest. above the normal high tide mark Western Australia each year. REUTERS he once vowed to uphold as the driving his uninsured car, which AFP with damaging waves and very AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 US announces Year end celebrations test sites to develop drones Some worry of a ‘spy society’

LAS VEGAS: The Federal research needs, airspace use, avia- Aviation Administration tion experience and risk. announced six states yester- In choosing Alaska, the FAA day that will develop test sites cited a diverse set of test site for drones, a critical next step locations in seven climatic for the march of the unmanned zones. New York’s site at Griffiss aircraft into US skies. International Airport will look Alaska, Nevada, New York, into integrating drones into the North Dakota, Texas and Virginia congested northeast airspace. will host the research sites, pro- Nevada offered proximity to viding diverse climates, geography military aircraft from several and air traffic environments, FAA bases. Administrator Michael Huerta The state of North Dakota said. already has committed $5m to the Drones have been mainly used venture and named a former state by the military, but govern- Air National Guard Commander ments, businesses, farmers and as its test site director. others are making plans to join “These test sites will give us val- the market. Many universities uable information about how best are starting or expanding drone to ensure the safe introduction of programmes. this advanced technology into our The FAA does not currently nation’s skies,” Transportation allow commercial use of drones, Secretary Anthony Foxx said in but it is working to develop oper- a statement. ational guidelines by the end of An industry-commissioned 2015, although officials concede study has predicted more than Balloons, in the form of the Brazilian national flag, are released into the skies above Sao Paulo downtown during year end celebrations yesterday. the project may take longer than 70,000 jobs would develop in the expected. first three years after Congress The FAA projects some 7,500 loosens drone restrictions on US commercial drones could be skies. aloft within five years of getting The same study projects widespread access to American an average salary range for a Obamacare’s new test starts tomorrow airspace. drone pilot between $85,000 and Representatives from winning $115,000. WASHINGTON: New Year’s critics of Obamacare warned in New York and Connecticut — and executives, is that some people states were jubilant about the North Dakota Senator John Day will bring a fresh test for recent days, tomorrow could rep- where response to Obamacare has who need medical care during FAA announcement and the like- Hoeven said the designation posi- President Barack Obama’s resent the beginning of another been enthusiastic, so the total the first days of 2014 will head to lihood that the testing will draw tions his state as a northern hub healthcare overhaul, as hun- debacle that fuels Republicans’ enrolment nationally is likely the doctor, only to find there is companies interested in cashing for unmanned systems and should dreds of thousands of Americans push to make dissatisfaction with more than 1.5 million. no record of their new insurance. in on the fledgling industry. attract students, researchers and will begin to use the program’s Obamacare the chief issue in the That is well short of the 3.3 That could mean patients “This is wonderful news for aerospace technology companies. new medical coverage for the November elections. million enrollees administra- would have to pay upfront and Nevada that creates a huge oppor- The growing drone industry first time. More immediately, the question tion officials were hoping for by submit a bill to their insurance tunity for our economy,” said US has critics among conservatives For the nation’s healthcare is whether the program will work now, but it represents a dramatic carriers later. And even though Senator Harry Reid. and liberals. system as well as its politics, the as advertised on January 1, after a improvement from a month ago, the Obamacare program is not The competition for a test site Giving drones greater access to stakes are huge in tomorrow’s chaotic enrollment period in which when barely 150,000 had signed directly responsible for the pri- was robust, Huerta said, as 25 US skies moves the nation closer launch of the programme known problems with the HealthCare.gov up because of a series of techni- vate insurance purchased through entities in 24 states submitted to “a surveillance society in which as Obamacare. website led to a series of deadline cal problems with the HealthCare. its online exchanges, White House proposals. our every move is monitored, For anxious Democrats with extensions and undermined public gov site. officials have acknowledged that At least one of the six sites tracked, recorded and scrutinised an eye on the 2014 congressional support for Obamacare and the Many of the newly insured any early problems with the cov- chosen will be up and running by the authorities,” the American elections, it is a chance for the president. under the Patient Protection erage are likely to reflect on the within 180 days, while the others Civil Liberties Union declared in Obama administration to rebound The White House said early and Affordable Care Act - about administration. are expected to come online in a report last December. from the disastrous rollout of on Sunday that about 1.1 million 975,000 on the federally run Some insurance executives say quick succession, he said during Huerta said his agency is sen- the website that enrols people people have enrolled in coverage exchange — signed up just ahead that even a few stories of cover- a conference call with reporters. sitive to privacy concerns involv- in private coverage through the plans through the federally run of a deadline on December 24 to age problems during the next few The designations don’t come ing drones. Test sites must have programme — and show that the HealthCare.gov, which covers 36 receive benefits on January 1, giv- weeks - which seems inevitable with a financial award from the a written plan for data use and White House’s effort to help mil- states. That figure does not include ing health insurers a tight frame- when dealing with such a mas- government. retention and will be required to lions of uninsured and underin- the latest enrolment data from 14 work to create accounts that can sive program - could damage the While selecting the sites, the conduct an annual review of pri- sured Americans is finally gaining states that run their own health- be accessed by doctors. One fear, reputations of the White House FAA considered geography, cli- vacy practices that involves public its footing. Or, as Republican con- care enrolment sites — including as expressed by administration and the healthcare overhaul. mate, ground infrastructure, comment. AP gressman Fred Upton and other California, Connecticut, Kentucky, officials and insurance industry REUTERS

Slain bank robber Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton most admired: Poll Prince William was cop killer who WASHINGTON: Americans The president’s job approval poll showed. Gallup said its data The women who finished plans to go threatened Obama named President Barack rating has dropped during came from a poll of 1,031 adults behind Hillary Clinton included Obama and former Secretary a year marked by a botched between December 5 and 8, and talk show host Oprah Winfrey, back to college JACKSON, Mississippi: A of State Hillary Clinton as healthcare rollout and stalled had a margin of error of plus or first lady Michelle Obama, man killed by police after the world’s most admired liv- legislative initiatives at the minus 4 percentage points. former Alaska Governor Sarah LONDON: Britain’s Prince robbing an Arizona bank is ing man and woman in 2013, start of his second term. Other men named to the Palin, former Secretary of State William is to become a full-time believed to be the same suspect according to a Gallup poll Clinton earned the top spot list included former US presi- Condoleezza Rice and actress student of agricultural manage- who killed a police officer in released yesterday. among most admired women dents George W Bush, Bill Angelina Jolie. ment for 10 weeks as he forges a Mississippi just five days earlier, Obama topped the annual list for the 12th consecutive year Clinton and Jimmy Carter; Also on the list were Malala life after the military, the royal authorities said on Sunday. for the sixth consecutive year, a and 18th time overall, more Pope Francis and the Reverend Yousafzai, the Pakistani teen- family announced yesterday. According to federal court typical ranking for a sitting US than any other woman in the Billy Graham; actor and direc- ager shot in the head by the William will learn about the records, the man had also served a president, the polling organisa- poll’s history. tor Clint Eastwood; Microsoft Taliban for demanding edu- issues facing rural communi- brief prison term for threatening tion said. Fifteen percent of Americans Corp co-founder and philan- cation for girls; German ties and the farming industry in to kill President Barack Obama But the percentage of those surveyed gave the former first thropist Bill Gates; US Senator Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Britain during the course, which in 2010 and had been ordered by surveyed who choose him as lady and US senator the highest Ted Cruz of Texas and former Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and begins next week at the prestig- a judge to receive mental health the most admired man fell to ranking, down from 21 percent Republican presidential candi- Duchess of Cambridge, Kate ious Cambridge University. treatment. 16 percent this year, down from who named her as the most dates Mitt Romney and Ron Middleton. The course will help the The suspect was identified on 30 percent in 2012. admired woman last year, the Paul. REUTERS 31-year-old prince in his future Sunday by police as 40-year-old role running the Duchy of Mario Edward Garnett. Cornwall, a portfolio of land, Garnett had pleaded guilty in property and investments he will federal court in his home state inherit when his father, Prince of Oklahoma in December 2010 N Ireland parties win more time to agree on deal Charles, becomes king. to threatening to kill Obama. He A royal spokesman said was released from prison on July William was “very much looking 19, according to the Bureau of LONDON: Northern Ireland’s died. About 3,000 of those killings forward to it”. Prisons website. five main parties have been remain unsolved and the Haass William, who is second in line Wearing a mask, Garnett given more time to hammer talks have been discussing the to the throne, gave up his opera- entered the bank in Phoenix on out an agreement that would creation of a new police-investi- tional career with the Royal Air Saturday morning and displayed deal with the legacy of unsolved gative body to re-examine these Force in September after com- a handgun, filled a bag with cash Troubles crimes and lay out a cases. pleting a three-year stint as a from the vault and fled, the FBI plan to solve issues such as con- Thousands more suffered inju- search and rescue helicopter pilot. said in a statement. troversial parades. ries and psychological trauma He will follow a course run He got into a gun battle with a Negotiations were scheduled to in three-and-a-half decades of by the Cambridge Programme Phoenix police detective outside continue last evening with a final violence. for Sustainability Leadership the bank and was shot and killed, session expected to start about The body that would replace (CPSL), an institution within the statement added, saying he 6.30pm. the Historical Enquiries Team Cambridge University’s School was believed to be the same sus- American diplomat Richard would have to investigate killings of Technology. His father is the pect who robbed a bank in the Haass (pictured) has sent the by the IRA, loyalist paramilitaries School’s patron. The Duke will northeastern Mississippi town parties a sixth draft of an agree- and a number of controversial have 18 to 20 hours of lectures, of Tupelo. Tupelo police Officer ment on the contentious issues incidents involving the security seminars and meetings a week. Gale Stauffer, 38, was shot and of the past, the flying of flags and forces. He is expected to live in killed at close range in the previ- marches. particularly members of the secu- secured. Meanwhile, Haass has The Ulster Unionist party Cambridge part of the time dur- ous incident. On the issues of the past, the rity forces, might be compelled described the 38-page agreement (UUP) has expressed concern ing his studies, but will still carry Another officer was wounded. document proposes creating a to give evidence about Troubles- as a “remarkable opportunity to that soldiers and police officers out royal engagements over the Before the Tupelo shootout, the trauma centre to counsel thou- related incidents over the past 40 make bold choices to address the could be treated equally with coming months. The royal spokes- FBI said it believed Garnett sands of victims who suffered years. issues that hold us back”. paramilitaries in terms of being man said the “programme of sem- had attempted to rob a bank in during the conflict. Sinn Fein’s key negotiator at One of the most controversial forced to give evidence, and face inars, lectures and meetings will Atlanta, Georgia, which is about A sticking point has been how the talks, Gerry Kelly, said he was issues has been the legacy of the possible prosecutions. draw on the strengths of academ- 300 miles east of Tupelo. AFP those engaged in the conflict, “fairly confident” a deal could be past conflict in which 3,500 people THE GUARDIAN ics across the university.” AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 ASIA/PHILIPPINES 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Cops cut off Dhaka to prevent march Authorities fear protests could lead to more unrest

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s capital The opposition and its allies around the capital while thou- was effectively cut off from the called the march in the hope that sands of officers patrolled the city’s rest of the country yesterday, up to a million people will descend streets to stop people gathering at with transport services into on central Dhaka in a last-ditch key locations for the march. Dhaka halted in a bid to thwart attempt to force Prime Minister Authorities fear the rally could the second day of a march Sheikh Hasina to quit and call off become a focal point for more against next week’s elections. January 5 elections. unrest, after what has already been Bus, ferry and train services Two people were killed at the the deadliest year for political vio- were suspended for a third day as start of the march on Sunday lence in the country’s history. authorities resumed efforts to stop during clashes between bomb- Dhaka-bound trains services thousands of people travelling to throwing opposition supporters were suspended at the country’s Dhaka for the opposition march, and police who responded with second largest city of Chittagong, Police personnel stand guard in front of the residence of main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader banned by police fearing violence. shotguns and water cannons. platform officer Omar Faruq said, Khaleda Zia in Dhaka yesterday. “We restarted Dhaka-bound bus Police also on Sunday stopped as part of transport disruptions services after Sunday afternoon. opposition leader Khaleda Zia, a that started on Saturday. Ferry But all the buses were turned back two-time former prime minister, services were also halted from the a “damp squib,” and insisted the vote could be rigged, have been strikes, protests and transport by the government authorities as from leaving her home, where main coastal city of Barisal, the polls would proceed as planned demanding that Hasina stand blockades called by the opposi- the opposition extended the march she has been under de facto private Independent Television despite a boycott by the opposi- down and allow a neutral care- tion since October in a bid to halt to Monday,” Faruq Talukdar, owner house arrest since Wednesday, to said. tion Bangladesh Nationalist Party taker government to oversee the the elections have left at least 275 of the country largest bus service, address the rally. The ruling Awami League (BNP) and its allies. polls, but she has refused to yield. people dead. Sohag Motors, said. Police maintained roadblocks party mocked Sunday’s march as The parties, fearing the A series of crippling national AFP

Two Chinese ships spotted near Senkaku Manila sets ‘minimum must’ rehabilitation targets MANILA: Presidential Included in the “minimum term interventions. That should government funds with private it will be decided upon by the next TOKYO: Two Chinese coast Assistant for Rehabilitation and must” targets are round-the-clock be finished by December 2015. funds. administration. guard ships were seen sail- Recovery (PARR) Secretary hospitals, evacuation centres, The long term will go beyond So we are trying to put up a Meanwhile, PARR Usec ing yesterday around the Panfilo Lacson yesterday vowed school facilities, round-the-clock 2016. But the political reality will fund that is managed and admin- Danilo Antonio said both local Senkaku Islands in the East to deliver “minimum must” for public facilities (such as city and tell you that we only have until istered by the private sector,” he and international funding groups China Sea just outside Japan’s residents of areas in the Visayas municipal halls, police and fire June 30, 2016 because from there said. and institutions have already territorial waters, the Japan damaged by super typhoon stations), improved livelihood and on, the new administration will Lacson stressed that the gov- expressed their desire to help Coast Guard said. Yolanda by December 30, 2015. improved agri-based projects. have to take over and decide,” ernment’s role in the rehabilita- and contribute in the rehabili- It was the second con- Lacson participated in a Lacson said the private sector Lacson said. tion work is now coordinating tation program. secutive day that Japan had forum at the Asian Institute of funded rehabilitation work for Lacson said the new structures with the different stakeholders Antonio told reporters that spotted Chinese government Management in Makati which the Yolanda affected areas under and facilities to be built should to see how the master plan will the PARR will be meeting with vessels around the Japan- was also attended by various the PARR’s coordination will take comply with the “new normal” be effectively implemented. various private sector groups on controlled islets, which are stakeholders concerned about the three phases: the critical and standards of being more resilient, “Experience will tell us that if January 7, 2014 to discuss the claimed by China and Taiwan, ongoing rehabilitation work. immediate, midterm intervention safer and better structures. the government is the one han- rehabilitation work. said the 11th Regional Coast Lacson said actual rehabilita- and long term intervention. Lacson added that the rehabili- dling the project, there is a little “We are expecting heavy sup- Guard Headquarters in Naha, tion work starts early next year “The moment SAROs are out tation work being coordinated by inefficiency and delay because of port as far as having development Okinawa Prefecture. when the Special Allotment from DBM, that is the time we the PARR is purely private sec- the red tape,” he said. sponsors. We need a lot of big Warned not to sail close to Release Orders (SAROs) will be will implement. That should come tor funded. “It’s purely private Lacson admitted that the reha- groups to support us so they could Japanese territorial waters by released by the Department of early next year. We have critical, participation. We should deline- bilitation work will definitely go take charge of particular areas. the Japan Coast Guard, the two Budget and Management (DBM). we have immediate, we have mid ate because we cannot co-mingle beyond the 2016 window and that THE PHILIPPINE STAR Chinese ships, which briefly intruded into Japanese territo- rial waters near the islets along with another ship the previous Ice Wonderland day, responded that the waters are Chinese territory, accord- China leaders refuse ing to (Kyodo) news agency. South Korea to meet Japan premier strike ends BEIJING: China said yes- important and he hoped for an SEOUL: Thousands of South terday that its leaders will not opportunity to explain to these Korean railway workers yes- meet Japanese Prime Minister countries that strengthening ties terday ended a three-week Shinzo Abe, underscoring the would be in the national interest. partial strike after lawmak- deteriorating ties between Chinese Foreign Ministry ers promised to reflect their Asia’s two biggest economies. spokesman Qin Gang said at a opinions in the government’s Abe had repeated his hopes for daily news briefing that “Abe controversial plan to reor- talks with Beijing last week, when has himself shut the door on ganise railway services. he visited the Yasukuni shrine talks with Chinese leaders. Since More than 6,000 union- where Japanese leaders convicted assuming office, Abe has miscal- ised workers of the Korea as war criminals by an Allied tri- culated on Sino-Japan ties, and Railway (Korail) -- about one bunal after World War Two are made mistake after mistake, third of the firm’s entire staff honoured along with those who especially visiting the Yasukuni -- had been on a strike since died in battle. Shrine which houses ‘Class A’ war December 9 in protest at the The visit infuriated China and criminals. These people are fas- management overhaul plan South Korea, both of which were cists, the Nazis of Asia,” he said. they feared would spark mass occupied by Japanese forces until “Of course the Chinese people layoffs and pay cuts. the end of the war, and prompted don’t welcome such a Japanese Korail union chief Kim concern from the United States leader, and Chinese leaders will not Myung-Hwan said all striking about rising tensions between the meet him.” Qin called on Abe to workers including train driv- North Asian neighbours. “admit his mistakes to the Chinese ers would return to work by Abe said then that relations government and people.” People tour the 15th Harbin Ice and Snow World in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, yesterday. Some 11:00am today. with China and South Korea were REUTERS 180,000 cubic metres of ice and 150,000 cubic metres of snow were used to build the 600,000-square-metre The move came after Seoul lawmakers promised to form ice Wonderland. a parliamentary committee to ensure that the workers’ opinions would be reflected in the controversial reorganising process. N Korea’s Unesco envoy End dictatorship: China activists The eight-member commit- tee was formally formed late GUANGZHOU: Their banners 37-year-old from central China and they organised mini-rallies yesterday. returns as part of purge have urged an end to China’s whose business card declares him perhaps dozens of times this year. “dictatorship”, scorned the a “Southern Street Movement Many have called for officials to Quake strikes SEOUL: North Korea’s dep- Pyongyang reportedly recalled regime as “rogue” and dared activist” and proclaims: “If you reveal their assets, for detained uty ambassador to Unesco some diplomats or trade officials leaders to disclose their assets see injustice and remain silent, activists to be released, and for east Indonesia returned home yesterday after overseas who were believed to as a step against graft -- all dan- you have sided with evil.” an end to one-party rule. being recalled as part of a purge have been close to Jang. gerous calls under Communist He raised a sign calling for an “We see the Southern Street JAKARTA: A shallow prompted by the execution Hong Yong, the North’s deputy Party rule. end to “one-party dictatorship” in Movement as a resistance move- undersea-quake measur- of the once-powerful uncle of permanent delegate to Unesco, The Southern Street the provincial capital Guangzhou ment having no organisation, ing 5.7 Richter scale jolted leader Kim Jong-Un, a report and his wife were spotted at Movement, a loose network of in September, earning himself a no leader and no formal pro- North Sulawesi in eastern said. Beijing airport yesterday before laymen-activists in Guangdong month in detention. gramme,” Wang said, adding that parts of Indonesia on Sunday Jang Song-Thaek, once the taking the flight to Pyongyang, province, is testing China’s lim- “Lots of friends called me to say they wanted to “inspire the rest evening, the Meteorology and North’s unofficial number two and South Korea’s Yonhap news its with overtly political demands if you pull out this banner then for of the country.” Geophysics Agency said here. Kim’s political mentor, was put to agency said. and ambitions to inspire placard- sure you’ll be arrested,” he said. “There is no one single or set The epicentre of the quake death on December 12 on an array Hong, one of Jang’s associates, waving protests nationwide. “But I had to do the right thing. I demand, but a lot of the political was located at 129km southeast of charges including treason and took the post only six months The province has a tradition told them someone has to do this. demands are aimed at one goal, Bitung of North Sulawesi with corruption. ago, it said, quoting a diplomatic of defiance -- a trade hub long “First I wanted to tell my like- which is to end this dictatorship.” the depth at 10km under sea The shock purge -- staged in source in Beijing. exposed to the outside world, it was minded friends to break through The movement has mostly bed, an official of the agency an unusually dramatic and public Yonhap said earlier this month the birthplace of Sun Yat-sen, the the fear. attracted the migrant workers told China’s (Xinhua) News fashion in the isolated communist that Jang’s nephew and the revolutionary who ended millennia “Second I wanted to tell the who have flocked to Guangdong, Agency. state -- was the biggest political North’s ambassador to Malaysia, of imperial rule in China in 1911. Communist Party that the way a manufacturing powerhouse and Indonesia is vulnerable to upheaval since the young ruler Jang Yong-Chol, had been Yet the dissent-wary govern- they are doing things cannot last. China’s most prosperous province. seismic upheaval as it lies on took power after the death of his recalled. ment has mounted a growing They have lost their legitimacy in More people were drawn in fol- the “ Pacific Ring of Fire”, an father and the former leader, Kim It said last week the North’s crackdown on activists this year the eyes of the people and the law.” lowing January protests support- arch of volcanoes and fault Jong-Il, two years ago. ambassador to Sweden, Pak and a smattering of participants The movement started in 2011 ing the liberal Guangzhou-based lines surrounding the Pacific Seoul’s spy chief earlier this Kwang-Chol, and his wife had also has been detained. with monthly protests at a park, newspaper, Southern Weekly, Ocean. AGENCIES month said two of Jang’s associ- been summoned back to Pyongy Protesters must overcome said Wang Aizhong, a closely after its New Year editorial was ates had also been executed, while ang. AFP their fear, says Xie Wenfei, a involved 37-year-old businessman, censored. AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Afghanistan rejects US intelligence report Washington sets today as deadline to sign the pact but prepares to let it slip until early January next year

KABUL: Afghanistan yester- Post on the weekend, and sug- comeback and Al Qaeda could predicted setbacks even if some said. “The Taliban can only come said at a briefing last week. day rejected as baseless a US gested there was an ulterior regain safe havens. US troops remained. back through a political process.” Karzai also denied having intelligence forecast that the motive for it. The pact must also be signed But some US officials felt the Efforts over the past couple of reached agreement with the gains the United States and “We strongly reject that as for the United States and its allies forecast was overly pessimistic, years to bring the Taliban into United States on the wording allies have made in the past baseless as they have in the past to provide billions more dollars in the Washington Post said. peace talks have come to noth- of contentious clauses in the US three years will be significantly been proved inaccurate,” Faizi aid. Without a deal, the United ing. The insurgents, fighting to security pact. But he added that rolled back by 2017. said. States could pull out all troops, LAND FOR PEACE expel foreign forces and set up an the “zero-option” was an empty The US National Intelligence Relations between Afghanistan the so-called zero option, leav- Faizi suggested the leaking of Islamist state, denounce Karzai as threat. Estimate also predicted that and the United States have grown ing Afghan forces to battle the the gloomy US intelligence report a US “puppet”. Karzai recently “The US won’t go and I have Afghanistan would fall into chaos seriously strained recently by Taliban on their own. was part of bid to press Karzai said certain foreigners had been realised that,” he said. if Washington and Kabul failed Karzai’s refusal to sign the secu- The United States has set into granting the Taliban control asking him to give up control of “Look at all those buildings and to sign a pact to keep an interna- rity pact that would permit some today as deadline for Afghanistan of some areas as part of a peace some areas to get peace talks bases they have built in Bagram, tional military contingent there US forces to stay. to sign the pact but the White moves. going. Helmand and their embassy com- beyond 2014. US officials have said that House has said it is prepared to “If it’s a design to hand over “Foreigners told us recently to pound,” Karzai said, referring to President Hamid Karzai’s unless a deal is reached to keep let the deadline slip until early parts of Afghanistan to the hand over or give away some areas a big air base north of Kabul and spokesman dismissed the US fore- perhaps 8,000 US troops, the January. Taliban, we will never allow that to the Taliban, and from where a a violence-plagued southern prov- cast, reported by the Washington Taliban might stage a major The US intelligence estimate and it will never succeed,” Faizi peace process could begin,” Karzai ince. REUTERS Money changers Rocket attack kills three Govt plans to disarm ISLAMABAD: A woman and two children were killed when a rocket fired from an militias in Balochistan unknown location hit a house yesterday, Pakistan’s Geo ISLAMABAD: Following a for political dialogue or face a News reported. meeting in Islamabad, the gov- response’. The inability to carry According to reports, a ernment has resolved to disarm weapons, according to Gilani, woman and her two children all armed groups in Balochistan, would help ‘establish peace in the were killed while her husband as part of a “smart and effec- troubled province’. and a child injured when roof tive security policy” outlined Senator Mir Hasil Bizenjo of the house collapsed after by Balochistan’s Chief Minister said the interior minister and rocket attack. Dr Abdul Malik and Interior chief minister had agreed that The dead and injured were Minister Nisar Ali Khan. those who were allowed to carry taken to the District Hospital The policy was devised as a arms to fight against militants Charsadda. counter-measure to the previ- will be asked to surrender these ous government’s move to allow weapons. The two-fold strat- Gunmen kill groups to arm themselves as egy includes a dialogue process a form of protection against with selected separatist armed two policemen militants. groups and action against other Balochistan Home Secretary separatist groups who have been RAWALPINDI: At least Asad Gilani explained that involved in sectarian and ethnic two policemen were killed political and separatist groups killings in the province. and another was injured ‘have been told to either prepare INTERNEWS along with a passer-by as Afghan money changers wait for customers at the currency exchange market in Kabul yesterday. The Afghani unknown persons opened currency stood at 56.40 against the dollar and 0.534 against the Pakistani rupee yesterday. fire near an imambargah in Dhoke Syedan area of Rawalpindi yesterday. The policemen were posted near an imambargah in Police find explosives on road near Musharraf’s home Rawalpindi’s Dhoke Syedan area where they were per- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan police The discovery was made close returned from exile in March. impounded them and begun an whole army is... totally with me forming their duties when yesterday found explosives to where five kilos of explosives “We have found five packets of investigation,” Rauf said. on this issue,” Musharraf told they came under attack from on a road close to the home of were found last Tuesday, as explosive material, each weighing Musharraf said Sunday he had reporters at his farmhouse on the unknown motorcycle-riding former military ruler Pervez Musharraf’s treason trial was half a kilo, with two detonators,” not yet decided whether to attend edge of Islamabad. gunmen. At least four persons, Musharraf, two days before he due to start. police chief for Bani Gala, Abdul Wednesday’s hearing, at which The 70-year-old returned to including three policemen and is to appear before a treason The case was adjourned to Rauf Kayani said. the charges against him are to be Pakistan to run in May’s general a passerby, were injured in the tribunal. Wednesday because of the secu- He said the material was found read out. election -- won by Sharif -- after attack who were shifted to a The 2.5 kilos (5.5 pounds) of rity alert. on the central reservation of Park On Sunday he denounced the several years of self-imposed exile. nearby hospital for treatment. explosives and two detonators The treason allegations are Road, the main road leading to case as a “vendetta” against him, But he was barred from run- Two of the wounded cops were found around two kilome- the latest in a series of seri- central Islamabad from the leafy and said he had the backing of the ning and hit with a series of crim- succumbed to their injuries tres (1.2 miles) from the retired ous criminal charges relating suburb where Musharraf lives. country’s powerful army. inal cases dating back to his time during treatment whereas general’s home on the edge of to Musharraf’s 1999-2008 rule, “It is not clear who put “I have no doubt with the in office. the condition of the other two Islamabad. brought against him since he the packets here but we have feedback that I received that the AFP wounded was reported as criti- cal by hospital sources. Expensive Border security Cyber Crime to be beefed up First female judge joins KABUL: The top Afghan Bill ready and Pakistani security offi- cials will meet in the near Pakistan Shariah Court future to discuss steps for for cabinet improving border man- KARACHI: Pakistan’s parallel to the penal code. agement between the two ISLAMABAD: The draft of national Shariah court, which “There was no bar in the con- nations. much-needed Cyber Crime hears cases under the Islamic stitution to make a woman the Sartaj Aziz, National Bill has finally been prepared legislation, yesterday appointed judge of Shariat Court and there Security and Foreign Affairs and now it would be sent to a female judge for the first time is no discrimination between men Adviser to Prime Minister Pakistan’s federal cabinet for in its 33-year history. and women,” Ahmed said. Nawaz Sharif, has said that approval in next a few days, Ashraf Jehan, 56, who was The chief justice of the Shariat Islamabad is looking to impose sources said yesterday. serving as an additional judge at Court, who rarely speaks to the great control over the country’s The sources said the Law the high court in southern Sindh media, said he was pleased to porous western borders with Ministry had thoroughly reviewed province, made history as she comment on an historic moment. Afghanistan. each and every clause of the bill took the oath in Karachi. “I took the initiative as it would Aziz said that Pakistan will and after approval from the fed- “It was a historic oath-taking send the message in the world expedite visa issuance proc- eral cabinet it would be presented ceremony today when an able lady that we are enlightened people ess and special passes will be in Parliament. judge joined the Shariat Court,” and would dispel many miscon- issued to people from the bor- “We have also approached Agha Rafiq Ahmed, the Chief ceptions,” he said. der region in a bid to facilitate International Telecom Union Justice of the Federal Shariat Sharia judicial proceedings their cross-border movements, (ITU) before giving final shape Court of Pakistan, said. have significant differences with according to the Afghan. to draft of the bill and now it can The court was established other legal traditions, including be said that it carries all neces- in 1980 during the rule of mili- those in both common law and Rescue 15 gets sary clauses that can help prevent tary dictator Ziaul Haq as part civil law. Sharia courts tradition- cyber crimes in all possible man- of a sweeping Islamisation of ally do not rely on lawyers; plain- 1.4m hoax calls ners,” an official said. Pakistan’s institutions. It exam- tiffs and defendants represent The draft of the bill focuses on ines the country’s laws to check themselves. Trials are conducted LAHORE: The perform- financial crimes, cyber terrorism, them for conformity with Islamic solely by the judge, and there is no ance review of Rescue 15 defamation, data damage, elec- injunctions and hears appeals jury system. There is no pre-trial has pointed out that police tronic fraud, intellectual prop- under religious legislation known discovery process, and no cross- received 1.413 million bogus erty crimes, email spoofing, cyber as the “Hudood Laws”, which run examination of witnesses. AFP A worker collects eggs at a poultry farm on the outskirts of Karachi yes- and meaningless calls out of stalking, forgery, unauthorised terday. Prices of poultry products have risen with demand in Pakistan’s total 1.610 million till Dec 29 access to computer systems/net- largest city. in the current year. works, theft of information con- According to a press release, tained in electronic form, virus/ a meeting held on Monday worm attacks, logic bombs, trojan with Mujahid and Mobiles attacks and password cracking. PML-N defies SC ruling in public sector appointments SP Muhammad Masoom in The new law would not only the chair decided to arrange extend to whole Pakistan but also ISLAMABAD: Violating a in the last six months without of the National Assembly, Sardar Asad Khan said that the prime awareness programmes about to all such persons who commit Supreme Court judgment that advertising the posts and fol- Ayaz Sadiq, and, ironically, with reason of his removal was that importance of Rescue 15 among an offence having detrimental a leading member of its own lowing the process laid down the patronage of the Minister for he did not promote two officers citizens and children very soon. effect on the security of Pakistan. government, Khawaja Asif, had for the appointment of heads of Water and Power Khawaja Asif. recommended by the sitting NA The decision was taken to All service providers would be sought during the caretaker public sector organisations in The post was never advertised speaker. Rather than following educate people not to dial the required to retain traffic data for administration, the PML-N the Khawaja Asif case. The most and the board of directors consist- the court order, the PML-N gov- number for unnecessary, fake a specific time period for purposes government has dismissed and glaring example of a violation is ing of mainly senior civil servants ernment has not only been dis- and obnoxious calls. Out of of providing it to the investigation appointed heads of public sector the case of the managing director had already been approached by regarding the order in its own 7,000 calls received on a daily agencies that would be authorised organisations without follow- Nespak, which appears to have government officials and told that appointments but retrospectively basis, up to 700 calls were to seek such data according to ing the laid-down appointment relatively gone undetected. Amjad Amjad Khan was to be appointed implementing it for those whom genuine. their requirements. guidelines. Khan was appointed, it is alleged, hence the unanimous decision of they want to replace with their AGENCIES INTERNEWS Many appointments were made at the behest of the now speaker the board to appoint him. own people. INTERNEWS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Anti-graft hero offers too Kejriwal delivers on free water promise much personal 20,000 litres of free water a month to all metered households; Congress questions move transparency NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief household was made in the AAP Kejriwal did not attend office per day,” Congress spokesperson being assaulted by a group of Minister Arvind Kejriwal yes- poll manifesto. as he was taken ill but had a full Sandeep Dikshit told reporters. bootleggers on the night of Dec 27 NEW DELHI: Anti- terday delivered on the Aam The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) working day at home as many In another decision, the AAP in a jungle in Ghitorni village near corruption activist Arvind Aadmi Party’s poll promise by made the announcement after party workers and people gath- government, which had assured Vasant Kunj area of south Delhi. Kejriwal swept to power announcing 20,000 litres of free a meeting with Kejriwal at his ered outside with their various to look into the problems of auto- Even as the new government last month on a promise of water a month to all metered private house in Ghaziabad near demands. rickshaw drivers, new Transport got down to work, there were greater transparency and he households. The Congress ques- Delhi. The Congress, which is offering Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj some initial glitches. began office yesterday true tioned the move, saying Kejriwal The cost of providing the free support to the minority AAP gov- decided to issue 5,500 inter- Upset at not being allowed to his word — admitting that should ensure that every citizen water would be borne by the DJB ernment, questioned the AAP’s state permits for them to com- entry into the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi belly had spoiled his of Delhi gets 700 litres of free for the first three months. free water move, saying that since mute within the National Capital journalists boycotted a press con- first day. water per day. Though Jal Board member half of Delhi does not get water at Region territory. ference by new Health Minister Kejriwal, whose pledge to The government’s decision, Sandeep Tanwar earlier said 700 all, Kejriwal should ensure that The Delhi government also Satyendra Jain. fight for India’s common man however, came with a rider that litres of water will be given to these households get water first. announced a `1 crore compensa- Later, senior AAP leader and won over voters in New Delhi those consuming over this limit each and every household that has “He had promised that all tion to the family of the 48-year- Urban Development Minister state polls, had been set to start will have to pay as per tariff, regular connections, in the final citizens of Delhi would get free old excise department constable Manish Sisodia - himself a former governing the capital yesterday enhanced by 10 percent, effective calculations yesterday, the ruling water. But around 50 percent of who died after being attacked by journalist - assured them that the after being sworn in as chief from January 1. party and board officials arrived Delhi does not get water at all. He bootleggers. government would not do any- minister over the weekend. The promise of 700 litres at the figure of 667 litres per day should ensure that every citizen of Constable Vinod Kumar died thing which would end transpar- But after weeks of rallies in of free water to every Delhi or 20,000 litres a month. Delhi gets free 700 litres of water of his injuries in a hospital after ency in its functioning. IANS a gruelling election campaign that pitted him against the two main political parties, Kejriwal said he had fallen ill with diar- rhoea and a severe fever and could not come into the office. “Running 102 fever since 70 traffic police teams deployed in Delhi for New Year yesterday. Severe loose motions. Sad that I won’t be NEW DELHI: Seventy traffic area police to check stunt mobike able to attend office today,” the police teams along with other riders, overspeeding apart from former tax official tweeted on police officers, deputed in Police reckless, zig-zag and dangerous his verified Twitter account. Control Room (PCR) vehicles, driving,” said Shukla. “It was so imp to attend will man Delhi’s roads for safe PCR vehicles would also be office today. We had planned New Year’s eve celebrations. deployed in Mehrauli, Saket, the water announcement. God, The police personnel will be Vasant Vihar, South Extension, bahut galat time par bimaar kiya. deployed Dec 31 around 7 p.m. Rajouri Garden, Pitampura, He has more than 961,000 onward till the New Year has Laxmi Nagar and Mayur Vihar followers on Twitter and regu- been ushered in and celebrations areas from this evening, he added. larly tweets to share his views. end. Special arrangements have His latest comments were “Traffic police will deploy 70 been made for the places in the an instant hit on Twitter, with teams to check drunken driving,” vicinity of Connaught Place. plenty of offers of sympathy -- said Additional Commissioner of “No private and public trans- but also some suggestions for a Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla. port vehicles shall be allowed little privacy. “Drunken drivers will be fined to proceed towards Connaught “When the Chief Minister Rs.2,000 apart from suspension Place, Mandi House, Bengali gives you minute by minute of their driving licences. The Market, Ranjit Singh flyo- update on his bowel move- defaulters may get a jail term,” ver, Minto Road, Deen Dayal ments...Hail democracy,” said Shukla said. Upadhyay Marg crossing, a Congress party spokeswoman At least 24,564 drivers have Chelmsford Road near New Delhi Priyanka Chaturvedi. been prosecuted this year for Railway Station, R K Ashram “Will Arvind Kejriwal pass drunken driving till Dec 15 while Marg, Chitragupta Marg, Gole the motion? That is the ques- 3,397 of these were jailed. Market, Patel Chowk, K G Marg, tion we are asking tonight,” Driving licences of 631 motor- Ferozshah Road crossing and Jai said television editor Ritupana ists have been suspended. Singh Road-Bangla Sahib Lane Chatterjee. AFP “Special pickets will be from 7pm onwards,” a police advi- installed in coordination with sory said. IANS

Schoolchildren light candles forming 2014 at a school in Agartala yesterday. More snow in store for Himachal

SHIMLA: Spelling good news He said there might be one or Manali in Kullu district, about for revellers who want to cele- two mild spells of snow late last 250km from here, is also wrapped brate a white New Year’s eve in evening too. under a blanket of snow. Keylong the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Singh said chances of snow in in Lahaul and Spiti district was the Met Office yesterday fore- Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Manali, the coldest place in the state at cast snow in some areas in Kalpa, Chitkul and Dalhousie are minus 8.9 degrees Celsius. the state before the next year high. It was 5.2 degrees above the dawns. Shimla yesterday recorded a freezing point in Dharamsala, “There are chances of snowfall low of 2.5 degrees Celsius. The minus 5 degrees in Kalpa, and across the state as the western town’s commercial centre the minus 3 degrees in Manali. disturbances will remain active Mall Road, the historic Ridge, the Those in the hospitality indus- in the state till December 31,” US Club and Jakhu hills received try are happy as they are expect- Manmohan Singh, director of the snowfall, the season’s first, on ing a record number of footfalls meteorological office here, said. December 22 but it melted within on the last day of the year. The term western disturbances a few hours. “Snowfall is always an added is used for storm systems origi- However, nearby destinations attraction for the tourists,” said nating from Caspian Sea in the like Kufri and Narkanda are still Clarke’s Hotel general manager Central Asia and moving across covered with snow. D P Bhatia. the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. Narkanda, the heart of the According to the Met office, it Some areas in mid and high apple belt some 65km from here, snowed in Shimla on New Year’s hills are likely to experience heavy has good accumulation of snow, eve in 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2002. snowfall, he added. said the Met office. IANS

Taj city remembers Disabled groups seek Farooque Sheikh Ansari’s support on bill

AGRA: Theatre lovers, artists, activists and NEW DELHI: An eight-member delegation of litterateurs yesterday paid tributes to actor disabled groups yesterday met Vice President Farooque Sheikh, recalling that the actor’s debut Hamid Ansari to seek his support in ensuring film and his last public performance were both in that the Disability Rights Bill is passed in parlia- Agra. ment, a statement said. Sheikh who essayed memorable roles in movies The bill was approved by the union cabinet on and on the television died on December 27 in Dubai, December 12. following a cardiac arrest. Meeting Ansari, members of the Disabled Rights His first film Garam Hawa was shot in the lanes Group (DRG) and the National Platform for the of Agra way back in 1972, recalled Indian People’s Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) met Ansari and Theatre Association national general secretary expressed their dismay over the delay in the pas- Jitendra Raghvanshi. sage of the bill. The memorial programme was held at the Taj “There has been an inordinate delay in the intro- Nature Walk, 500 metres from the Taj Mahal. The duction and passage of the bill which spells out the venue was the mound overlooking the Taj Mahal, at rights of persons with disabilities despite the draft- the vantage point where only a fortnight ago Sheikh ing process starting over four years back,” said a with Shabana Azmi performed “Tumhari Amrita,” a statement. heart-rending love story told through letters. “We sought the vice president’s support in ensur- “Who thought then that this would be his last per- ing that this extremely important piece of legislation formance. Whole of Agra laments his death. Sheikh is taken up by the government for introduction and had many plans for Agra and was particularly keen enactment,” it added. the city got a decent memorial for Mirza Ghalib According to the statement, Ansari said that he who was born here. He had promised all help for the empathised with the cause of the disabled people same,” Taj Literature Festival chairman Harvijay and was all for speedy enactment of the legislation. Bahia said. Ansari further said that since India had signed After the programme, District Forest Officer N and ratified the United Nations Convention on K Janu said: “We have taken a decision to name the Rights of Persons (UNCRPD), it is incumbent that open ground and the high rise mound after Ghalib. it harmonised its laws in consonance with it. It would be used for cultural programmes.” IANS IANS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 IAF has made major gains, says air chief Browne to relinquish command of Air Force today

NEW DELHI: The Indian “More than 41 years of memo- have afforded us unprecedented Air Force (IAF) has made sig- rable association with the finest response capabilities,” he said. nificant gains in its capability set of professional air warriors in Browne said the IAF had dem- enhancement plans, its chief N the world has indeed been a mat- onstrated its newly acquired capa- A K Browne said yesterday. ter of singular honour for me and bilities during two major exercises Air Chief Marshal Browne a unique experience which I shall — Iron Fist and Live Wire. said streamlined induction and forever cherish,” Browne said. He said competent handling of speedy operation of new assets He said the IAF had collectively major maintenance and training had afforded the force “unprec- overcome many multi-dimen- challenges and progress made in edented response capabilities”. sional transformational chal- areas like infrastructure have Browne, who is retiring from lenges over the past 29 months. already started yielding positive service today, said IAF’s prompt “Our organisational resilience, dividends. and cohesive response after the strong team work and pride in the “Our progress so far has been Air Chief Marshal Nak Browne (centre) hands over the Baton of the Chairmanship of the Chiefs of Staff Committee Uttarakhand floods helped save service were the prime determi- hard earned, hence it mandates to General Bikram Singh in New Delhi yesterday. many lives and the achieve- nants of our remarkable progress. us to relentlessly maintain the ment must serve as a matter of Operationally, we have made sig- tempo and continue raising the pride and inspiration for all its nificant gains in our capability bar even further,” he said. your collective achievements and personal growth of IAF personnel me a keen sense of reassurance in personnel. enhancement plans. “The enormous trust and am confident that as important had always remained at the very our future ahead. Continue the The IAF chief said he was “The streamlined induction and respect which our countrymen stakeholders in IAF’s growth heart of all his plans. good work with pride, integrity relinquishing command of IAF speedy operationalisation of our have for the men and women in story, you will continue to reso- “The sense of ownership and and a sense of belonging and stay with an “immense sense of pride new assets like Mi-17 v5, C-130J, blue places additional respon- lutely steer the course,” he said. pride which was so evident during grounded in our core values,” and satisfaction”. Pilatus PC-7 and C-17 aircraft sibilities on us. I am proud of Browne said professional and all my interactions with you gives Browne said. IANS

Demanding salaries Regime change Brother seeks justice over won’t affect brutal attack in Australia India-Pakistan MELBOURNE: A 20-year- with life-threatening injuries, old Indian student was seri- and has since been transferred ties, says Bashir ously injured after he was to the intensive care unit after brutally assaulted and robbed being placed in an induced coma, KOLKATA: Declining to com- in Australia’s Melbourne city, Foley said. ment on the prospect of the a media report said yesterday. His injuries are no longer BJP’s Narendra Modi becoming The student, Manriajwinder life-threatening. the prime minister, outgoing Singh of Reservoir, a suburb in The other victim suffered Pakistan High Commissioner Melbourne, was nearly beaten to swelling and abrasions to his Salman Bashir Monday said any death by a gang in a city park on face. He was treated by para- regime change in India would Sunday, The Age reported. medics at the scene. not affect bilateral ties. According to a CCTV footage Police have not been able to “We respect every leader, every released by police, Manriajwinder track down the stolen phones political party, and it being India’s Singh, standing near the footpath and are appealing to the public internal matter, we don’t have with another friend at Birrarung for information on the assault. an opinion on that. The com- Marr park, were approached by “Obviously, this was an oppor- mon denominator is the people eight men of African appearance tunistic crime. They saw two vul- of India. Therefore our reach and one fair-skinned woman on nerable victims minding their out is to the people,” Bashir told Sunday. own business, and targeted them. media persons here when asked After a brief conversation It’s just disgusting what they did, to give his views about Modi, the between the group and the two they’re just cowards,” Foley said. Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime victims, one of the attackers Meanwhile, Manriajwinder ministerial candidate. kicked Manriajwinder Singh Singh’s brother Yadwinder Singh “It is not proper for me or for in the jaw, causing him to fall said he wants the attackers to be anybody from Pakistan to be here unconscious, the report quoted “caught and punished so inno- in India and comment either on police officer Adam Foley as cent people like my brother and Indian political process or any saying. his friend don’t get bashed like situation in any other country,” A teacher appointed under Saakshar Bharat Mission shouts slogans from a police vehicle after he was Meanwhile, the others “set this”. he added. detained by police during a protest in Srinagar yesterday. Police detained dozens of these employees who upon the other victim, punching Yadwinder Singh said his With the Lok Sabha elections were demanding compensation for unpaid salaries. and kicking him” before knock- brother was studying for a bach- due in India early next year, ing him to the ground. elor of commerce degree at a Bashir said any change in the “While this was occurring, university in Melbourne, and had regime will not come in the way another man picked up a stick only been in Australia for a year. of the mutual ties which both the and beat the unconscious victim “I didn’t know how to react. I countries have been working to Four booked in Goa for ‘impersonating VIPs’ with it,” Foley said. didn’t know what to do. I didn’t improve. The attackers, aged in their want to tell my mother, as she’s “I don’t think that regime PANAJI: Four people imper- those holding high constitutional Delhi. They were riding a Tata late teens to early 20s, then not really strong of heart. I just change really matters. The rela- sonating as VIPs were arrested posts or offices. The four people Safari and a Toyota Fortuner. robbed the two victims of their couldn’t believe it — it was really tion between states are state yesterday for flaunting red bea- arrested in Goa were using red “Since they were impersonating phones and ran away, the daily’s terrible,” he said. relations. They are not personal cons on their vehicles in Goa, beacons on their vehicles, police as VIPs, we have booked them for report said. “My brother is only 20 years or party specific. It is the consid- flouting a Supreme Court rul- said. The beacons were installed cheating,” a police spokesperson A third man, a friend of old, and he’s very innocent and ered policy of Pakistan to forge ing on use of red beacons, flash- atop two high-end cars, as the said. Manriajwinder Singh, who was doesn’t speak much. He told me friendly and cooperative relations ers, sirens and blue beacons on “VIPs” hit the state’s party circuit The names of those arrested talking on the phone at the time he wanted to go out that night, with India.” vehicles. during peak tourist season. are: Yatindra Rao, Satyendra of the attack, managed to run but I said no, not today, maybe Bashir asserted that Pakistan The Supreme Court in a ruling Police said the four arrested Yadav and Bhavesh Yadav, all away and alert the police. another day. But he said he really was a firm believer in democracy. on December 10 barred use of red men, when questioned, said they from Delhi, and Gautam Rathod Manriajwinder Singh was wanted to see the city.” IANS beacons on vehicles of all except were VIPs from Haryana and from Haryana. IANS taken to The Alfred hospital IANS NRIs to retain privileges in new model of foreign investment on-resident Indians would be between portfolio and designed to overcome the short- Committee, on its part, too is (FIIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who have kept non-portfolio investments. Two comings of multiple routes that THE NR EYE learnt to have finalized a draft (NRIs), and Persons of Indian India at the top of the separate committees were set exist today. that is to be submitted to the Origin (PIOs) are allowed to Nremittance receiv- up to work out the clarifications As a ‘Harmonized Model’, the Moiz Mannan Finance Minister this month. The invest in the primary and sec- ing countries’ list, are likely and streamline the system. One Committee has recommended panel has discussed a 49 percent ondary capital markets in India to retain their privileges as an by SEBI under Former Cabinet creation of a single route for var- The Committee felt that FVCI cap on FII investment say media through the portfolio investment investor class even as Indian Secretary KM Chandrasekhar ious Foreign Portfolio Investors route has certain benefits such reports. scheme (PIS). Under this scheme, authorities are close to finalising to look at harmonising portfolio (FPI) by merging the present as non applicability of pricing The panel has discussed that FIIs/NRIs can acquire shares/ a ‘Harmonised Model’ for foreign investment routes - and another day FII, Sub Account and QFI norms and relaxation from post there should be a 49 percent cap debentures of Indian companies investment. by the finance ministry under cur- regimes where there will be com- IPO lock in requirement. These for FII and FDI tends to come through the stock exchanges in A single portfolio investment rent Economic Affairs Secretary mon market entry, limit monitor- benefits have been given to FVCI in through the portfolio route India. route and a clear distinction Arvind Mayaram to define what ing and reporting norms. route to promote Venture Capital because there are no conditions The ceiling for overall invest- between FDI and portfolio invest- distinguishes FDI from FII. However, there will be segre- Investments. on FII investment. ment for FIIs is 24 percent of the ments would make it immensely This report of the gations for applying risk based Accordingly, the Committee FII investment can go up till paid up capital of the Indian com- easier for all foreign investors Chandrashekhar’s “Committee Know Your Customer (KYC) recommended that the FVCI as the sectoral cap with just a board pany and 10 percent for NRIs/ including NRIs to participate in on Rationalization of Investment norms, Investment guidelines and an investor class would continue. resolution. PIOs. The limit is 20 percent of India’s growth story. Routes and Monitoring of Foreign restrictions. Additionally, the Committee In order to ensure that, for the paid up capital in the case of It all started earlier this year Portfolio Investments” describes The Committee felt that NRIs/ recommended that the current instance in multi brand retail, public sector banks, including the when the Union Budget pre- the various portfolio invest- PIOs presently have a liberal FVCI regime should be expanded the FDI that comes in meets with State Bank of India. sented by Finance Minister P ment routes which are currently route for accessing securities to include more sectors under its stringent conditions and the FII The ceiling of 24 percent for Chidambaram had put forth the available to foreign investors market. NRIs/PIOs should con- ambit as against the currently doesn’t. FII investment can be raised up proposal saying that FII and FDI and suggests a draft guideline tinue to be viewed as a distinct prescribed 9 sectors. In order to ensure equal treat- to sectoral cap/statutory ceiling, definition should be clarified. and regulatory framework for market participant enjoying cer- ment, there should be a 49 per- subject to the approval of the There was a view, sup- rationalisation of foreign portfolio tain privileges in terms of invest- FOREIGN PORTFOLIO cent cap on FII investment. board and the general body of the ported by the FM, that Foreign investments, keeping as a start- ment permissions not available INVESTOR However, certain operational company passing a special resolu- Institutional Investors (FIIs), ing point, the recommendations to foreign investors. Accordingly, issues still need to be addressed. tion to that effect. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) of the Working Group on Foreign the Committee recommended to The Committee recommended The committee is working on how And the ceiling of 10 percent and Foreign Venture Capital Investment in India (WGFI), for retain NRIs as a separate inves- for merging of FII, Sub Account to categorise FDI holding which for NRIs/PIOs can be raised to 24 Investors (FVCIs) should all be consideration of the Government. tor class with the same limits as and QFI into a new investor class falls below the proposed 10 per percent subject to the approval of bundled together into the cat- This report also provides currently applicable (i.e. 10% of to be termed as “Foreign Portfolio cent cap still need to be worked the general body of the company egory Qualified Foreign Investor recommendations for a harmo- the paid up capital of the investee Investor” (FPI). out. passing a resolution to that effect. (QFI). The only discrimination nized model of investment routes company). The Mayaram-Khan Foreign Institutional Investors THE PENINSULA

Tuesday 31 December 2013 27 Safar 1435 Volume 18 Number 5930 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Gulf states seek food security in Europe, US Past farmland purchases focused on Africa, developing world; Gulf investors vulnerable to policy shifts

ABU DHABI: The Gulf states are production bases, insulating them from of oil, their main source of income, briefly pound ($43) a tonne export tax, and faced the biggest investment in the country’s changing tack in their multi-billion global swings in food prices. But the tumbled by three-quarters in 2008. other problems such as labour strikes and agriculture for decades. In addition, the dollar search for food security. reality has proved difficult. Some of the At the same time, expensive pro- shortages of diesel to power machinery. Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, an With their farming projects in some of African projects have drawn accusations grammes to increase food production This has forced Jenaan to grow wheat official aid body, announced a $400m loan the poorest African nations sometimes that Arab investors are grabbing land within the Gulf were running up against instead of fodder, all for consumption to Serbia’s agriculture sector. Apart from arousing local hostility, wealthy Arab that should be used to feed local people. the region’s climate and lack of water. within Egypt, said company chairman the Serbian venture, Al Dahra has been investors are turning to those developed Bad security and weak infrastructure Saudi Arabia began to scale back a Mohammad Al Otaiba. investing elsewhere in Europe and in the countries that comfortably produce more have plagued some ventures. domestic wheat-growing programme Saudi Arabia-based billionaire Americas, while Jenaan has investments food than they consume. Although Gulf companies announced in 2008, planning to rely completely on Mohammed Al Amoudi faced problems in the United States and Spain. United Arab Emirates-based agricul- plans to spend billions of dollars, the imports by 2016. in Ethiopia after his firm Saudi Star Hassad Food, the agricultural arm of tural firm Al Dahra has chosen this path problems mean many of the projects So Gulf states encouraged their com- acquired about 10,000 hectares in the Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, set up an in March, buying eight agricultural com- have not gone ahead, at least not to the panies to buy arable land in the devel- Gambella region to grow rice. In April Australian subsidiary in 2009 with a focus panies for $400m in Serbia, a major food point of large-scale food production, said oping world. Al Dahra is typical of that 2012 an armed group ambushed Saudi on wheat, barley and livestock. exporter where public attitudes to for- Eckart Woertz, senior research fellow at drive; it is a private firm, owned mainly Star employees, leaving five people dead. In June this year Saudi Arabian-owned eign-owned farming may be less sensitive. the Barcelona Centre for International by Abu Dhabi investors, but its mission Gulf investors say they are sensitive United Farmers Holding Co acquired Projects in Europe, North America and Affairs. “Rather than greenfield invest- statement pledges to “partner with the to host nations’ needs and the projects Continental Farmers Group, a firm Australasia tend to be more expensive ments in Africa, the focus is more on UAE government in realising the strate- benefit local people by stimulating the which has farming operations in Poland and offer less scope to build vast estates putting money in already established gic food security programme”. economy. But in countries with a history and Ukraine and produces crops includ- like in Africa. But they also present agro-producers,” said Woertz, author of The last few years have demonstrated of poverty and famine, it can be hard to ing wheat and maize. United Farmers fewer political problems and less risk a book on the subject, Oil for Food. the limits of the Gulf’s strategy of throw- escape controversy. is jointly held by Saudi Agriculture and for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and ing money at the food security problem, Gulf states are therefore looking Livestock Investment Co, Saudi food Kuwait which all need to feed growing GRAIN PRICES however. Many projects abroad have more closely at projects in Europe and producer Almarai and Saudi Grain and populations. The Gulf states began investing heav- found themselves vulnerable to capricious the United States, where political and Fodder Holding. For years the Gulf states, dependent on ily in farmland overseas around 2008, policy changes and trends in local politics. policy risks — while not negligible — seem Gulf executives and officials insist they imports for 80 to 90 percent of their food, after bad weather in big food producing Abu Dhabi investment firm Jenaan has smaller. Details of some projects are not will not give up on most of their ven- poured cash into buying tens of thou- nations, growing use of biofuels and curbs since 2007 accumulated about 160,000 announced, so there is no comprehen- tures in the developing world. Jenaan’s sands of hectares of cheap farmland and on farm exports by some governments feddans (67,200 hectares) of arable land sive information on the scope of the Gulf Otaiba said he remained optimistic about other agricultural assets in the develop- sent grain futures markets soaring. in Egypt, which is a big importer of investment. nations such as Sudan. But future Gulf ing world, mainly Africa. Wealthy Gulf governments never came wheat. The company originally planned to Al Dahra’s investment in Serbia, aimed investment in food security are likely to They hoped these investments would close to facing food shortages but they did grow fodder to feed the UAE’s livestock. at developing the companies to grow and be more cautious and diversified. give them direct access to big food get a fright — especially because the price But Jenaan was hit by a 300 Egyptian process food for export, was said to be REUTERS

Qatar’s GDP grows by 6.2pc in third quarter

DOHA: Qatar’s real gross The GVA of the construction domestic product (GDP) grew sector at QR10.59bn in Q3 this by 6.2 percent year-on-year in year though slightly less than the the third quarter of 2013, from previous quarter’s level, shows a 6 percent in the second quarter. growth of 13 percent when com- The nominal GDP, the figure pared to the figure of correspond- without adjusting for inflation, ing quarter of 2012 (QR9.37bn). is up by 6.4 percent during the The trade, hotel and restau- period, Ministry of Development rants sector registered a growth Planning and Statistics (MDPS) of 11.1 percent in the third quarter said yesterday. this year over the corresponding The Q3 2013 GDP expanded 4.3 quarter of 2012. The transport percent from the previous quar- and communication sector gen- ter. The quarterly real GDP in the erated a Value Added of QR6.70bn third quarter of 2013 is estimated in Q3, 2013 against QR5.92bn at QR92.37bn compared to the estimated in Q3, 2012. It shows a estimate of Q3 of 2012 at QR87bn. growth of 13.1 percent. Compared The mining and quarrying to Q2 of 2013 revised estimate, the sector, which includes Qatar’s Value is up by 16.8 percent. oil and gas production, grew 1.8 The finance, insurance, real percent from a year ago. The non- estate and business services group mining and quarrying sectors in showed a growth of 10.5 percent Q3 2013 showed a growth of 9.5 in Q3 of 2013, compared the cor- percent reaching to an estimated responding quarter in 2012. The QR54.18bn. estimated value of this group in the The manufacturing sector, esti- third quarter of 2013 is QR10.14bn mated at QR8.35bn in the third compared to QR9.18bn in the third quarter of 2013, showed a growth quarter of 2012. On quarter-on- Employees and traders celebrate the closing of this year’s last trading day at the Korea Exchange in Seoul yesterday. The Korea Composite Stock Price of 3.1 percent over the correspond- quarter basis, the group’s value Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,011.34. ing quarter of 2012. Compared to increased by 0.7 percent. second quarter this year, there The contribution of government has been a growth of 0.1 percent services, which includes the provi- in the gross value added (GVA) sion of public health, education and European stock markets slip; Tokyo rises of this sector. The growth in this other miscellaneous services is esti- activity has resulted from the rise mated at QR10.13bn in Q3 of 2013, LONDON: European stock to remain low for most of Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2008. It later stood at 105.27 yen in the production of basic chemi- which is 9.6 percent higher than the markets slid yesterday, with this week, if not all of it, with 0.08 percent to 4,153.18. in London trade. The European cals, rubber & plastic products estimate of Q3 of 2012 (QR.9.24bn). many investors away for an another bank holiday coming on Asian equities mostly rose, with single currency rose to $1.3816 and other petrochemicals. THE PENINSULA extended festive break, but Wednesday,” said analyst Craig Tokyo cheered by the yen’s fall to from $1.3743 late in New York Frankfurt hit a new record peak Erlam at traders Alpari. a five-year low against the dollar, on Friday. The euro rose to 83.62 on optimism over the German Despite subdued deals, all which boosts exporters. Weaker pence, while the British pound economic outlook, dealers said. three main European equity currencies make a nation’s goods gained to $1.6521. At close, London’s benchmark markets have scored impressive cheaper overseas, which tends to Employees and traders celebrate FTSE 100 index ended down 0.29 gains in 2013, propelled by grow- stimulate demand. the closing of this year’s last trad- Turmoil costs Turkey $100bn percent at 6,731.27 points and the ing confidence over the global Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.69 ing day at the Korea Exchange, CAC 40 in Paris dipped 0.05 per- economy and low interest rates, percent to finish at 16,291.31 Seoul, 30 December 2013. The ANKARA: The political crisis engulfing Turkish Prime Minister cent to 4,275.71 points. dealers said. points on its final trading day of Korea Composite Stock Price Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cost the economy $100bn, a top official said And on its final trading day of This year, Frankfurt has soared the year. The benchmark index Index (KOSPI) closed at 2,011.34. yesterday, as financial markets rebounded after days in freefall. 2013, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 dropped by almost 26 percent, while has soared by nearly 57 percent Sterling had soared on Friday Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said a sweeping corruption 0.39 percent to a close of 9,552.16 Paris has gained 17 percent and over the past 12 months to regis- to $1.6578 — which was the high- probe that has shaken the core of Erdogan’s adminstration was a “plot points, after hitting a new historic London 14 percent, aided also by ter the best annual performance est level since mid-August 2011. aimed at tarnishing Turkey’s prestige at home and abroad”, a frequent high at 9,594.35 points. With the signs that the US economy — the since 1972. Elsewhere, Hong Kong The pound had rallied late government refrain since the scandal erupted. closing level, Frankfurt will have world’s biggest — was on the road ended flat and Shanghai slipped last week after research group “We are talking about damage of over $100bn,” Arinc said after risen an astonishing 25.5 percent to recovery. 0.18 percent. the Centre for Economics and Turkey’s first cabinet meeting since a major reshuffle last week forced in a year marked by a series of US stocks moved mostly lower Foreign investors piled into Business Research (CEBR) pre- by the resignation of three ministers over the probe. new record highs, having started in midday trade as investors Japanese stocks in 2013 as the dicted that the British econ- Turkey had been seen as a model of democracy in the Muslim world the year at 7,612.39 points. looked ahead to a smattering of government and central bank omy would surpass France and and an emerging economic power but the crisis sent its currency and The British and French mar- economic reports in the shortened unveiled measures aimed at Germany to become Europe’s big- shares plunging. However, the battered financial markets bounced back. kets will remain open today for week. The Dow Jones Industrial stoking the world’s third-largest gest economy by 2030. The lira rallied to 2.1239 against the dollar after hitting a record low a half-day, before a holiday shut- Average advanced 0.04 percent economy that sent the yen plum- Gold slid to $1,204.50 an ounce of 2.17 last week as Erdogan faced mass protests and growing calls to down across Europe tomorrow for to 16,485.32. The broad-based meting against the dollar. on the London Bullion Market on resign. The Istanbul stock exchange surged 6.42 percent. New Year’s Day. S&P 500 slipped 0.06 percent In Asia, the dollar hit 105.41 Monday, from $1,214.50 on Friday. AFP “Trading volumes are expected to 1,840.23, while the tech-rich yen — its highest since October AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Singapore’s developers move from best to worst Home sales likely to decline by 10pc

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s residential curbs four years developers posted the worst ago. The government of Prime performance on the bench- Minister Lee Hsien Loong inten- mark Straits Times Index this sified efforts this year as prices year after recording the biggest jumped to a record, driven by gains in 2012 as property curbs low interest rates, demand from drove home sales lower and Singaporeans to upgrade from slowed price gains. public housing, as well as pur- Property stocks in Singapore, chases by overseas buyers. ranked the most-expensive city The measures included a cap on to buy a luxury home in Asia debt at 60 percent of a borrower’s after Hong Kong, may further income. That policy and other languish next year after the gov- curbs have moderated property ernment took measures to cool transactions and housing loan prices. Home sales may decline 10 growth, the Monetary Authority percent in 2014 while prices are of Singapore said in its annual expected to drop for the first time review of financial stability earlier in two years, according to broker this month, adding that the gov- Chesterton Singapore Pte. ernment will monitor the market The property curbs, which and take further steps if needed. included stamp duties and other Prices and transaction volumes taxes on home purchases, led of Singapore residential proper- Citigroup Inc. and UBS AG to ties are expected to decline for rate the city’s residential devel- the rest of the year due to the opers underweight in the past two cumulative impact of government months. CapitaLand Ltd and City measures, CapitaLand, Southeast Developments Ltd, the nation’s Asia’s biggest developer, said. two biggest listed developers, were Developers are beginning to cut among the three worst perform- prices in existing and new projects ers on the index after being in the and take lower profit margins, top 10 last year. City Developments, Singapore’s “Singapore property develop- second-largest developer, said. ers have been out of fashion for Sales of new private homes A general view shows residential estates in Hong Kong yesterday. According to a survey by international real estate adviser Savills of 10 cities including some time,” said Tim Gibson, could drop to 15,000 units this Tokyo, London and New York, Hong Kong home prices are the world’s highest. head of Asian property equities at year from 22,197 in 2012, accord- Henderson Global Investors Ltd, ing to Desmond Sim, associ- developers to lead declines in Straits Times Index and reversing year, after surging 48 percent in The decrease “could bring some which manages about $117bn glo- ate director at CBRE Research. Singapore amid a real estate a 45 percent gain in 2012. 2012. It closed down 0.1 percent relief to developers who have bally. “We would remain cautious Higher borrowing costs, fall- slump and the prospect of higher CapitaLand declined 18 per- in Singapore trading yesterday. unlaunched residential projects or of developers with exposure to ing public housing resale prices, interest rates. The decline in cent, the third-worst on the Developers may get a reprieve projects with substantial number of the residential sector, given that slower population growth and a property stocks pushed the measure this year after a 67 as the government cut the unsold units,” said Nicholas Mak, demand for primary units have record number of apartment com- Straits Times Index 0.4 percent percent advance in 2012. Four number of sites it plans to sell in executive director of research & cooled post the numerous rounds pletions suggest that residential lower this year, the only drop of the 10 poorest performers on the first half of 2014, according consultancy at SLP in Singapore. of government measures.” demand will wane, Wilson Liew, among developed markets in 2013. the benchmark were property to SLP International Property “The reduction in land supply could The city-state, an island off an analyst at Maybank Kim Eng City Developments fell 25 companies. The property index, Consultants, citing its analy- be to prevent an oversupply in the the southern tip of the Malay Securities, wrote in a Dec. 17 note. percent this year, making it the which tracks 50 developers in sis of the data from the Urban private housing market.” Peninsula, began introducing Fund managers expect second-worst performer on the the city, slid 10 percent this Redevelopment Authority. WP-BLOOMBERG

Qatar Exchange Egypt auctions 22 closed on Jan 1 oil, gas exploration Greece will leave bailout scheme in 2014: PM DOHA: Qatar Exchange concessions ATHENS: Greece will exit its Samaras said in a nationally tel- around €130bn (£109bn) wiped off that Greece will not need fur- (QE) will remain closed on bailout programme next year evised address. “In 2014, Greece its debt pile in 2012. ther aid next year. It has still not Wednesday, January 1, 2014. CAIRO: Egypt’s General without needing a third aid will venture out to the markets Greece is expected to finally reached agreement with its inter- Trading will resume on Petroleum Corporation and package, the country’s prime again [and] start becoming a leave recession in 2014, and inves- national lenders over the size of Thursday, January 2. The Natural Gas Holding Company minister announced yesterday normal country,” he added. “In tor confidence in the country has its fiscal shortfall in next year’s decision is followed by the announced yesterday an inter- as he insisted that citizens could the new year, Greek debt will be grown through the last year. budget — with troika officials directive of Qatar Financial national auction for 22 conces- look to 2014 with confidence. officially declared viable, meaning The yield, or interest rate, on its pushing Athens to make further Markets Authority (QFMA), sions for oil and gas exploration Antonis Samaras told long- there will be no need for new loans 10-year bonds has fallen to around painful cutbacks. QE announced yesterday. in accordance with production- suffering Greeks that the end of and new bailout agreements.” 8 percent — compared with 30 Samaras was elected eight- THE PENINSULA sharing agreements. the country’s financial assistance Ireland left its own bailout pro- percent at the peak of the crisis een months ago, and much of The concessions are for areas plan was in sight, after almost gramme earlier this month, but a — as traders regained faith that his time in office has been domi- Saudi seeks bids to in the Suez Canal, Egypt’s west- four years of painful austerity, and Greek exit would be a major mile- the debt would be repaid. Greek nated by public anger created by ern desert, the Mediterranean that the new year would bring the stone in the financial crisis that government bonds were one of the the unpopular austerity measures build gas/solar plant sea and the Nile Delta, the state- prospect of normality. began to grip the eurozone in the best-performing assets in 2013, demanded in return for the coun- KHOBAR: Saudi Electricity owned firms said in an advertise- “In 2014 we will make the big spring of 2010. Greece has already returning 47 percent. try’s loans. Political instability has Co (SEC) has invited compa- ment placed under the banner step to exit the loan agreement,” received two aid packages, with Analysts, though, are sceptical been a constant threat, with his nies to build, own and operate of the Oil Ministry in state-run majority now whittled down to Saudi Arabia’s first fossil-fuel newspapers. 153 of the 300 seats in parliament. fired power plant to use solar Exploration companies have Record unemployment and energy to cut carbon emis- been hesitant to develop untapped pay cuts has pushed prices down sions, the state utility said. gas finds in Egyptian waters across the country, and this pun- The 550-megawatt (MW) partly because the amount the ishing ‘internal devaluation’ may integrated solar combined government pays them barely continue in next year. cycle (ISCC) plant will pri- covers their investment costs. “In Greece, marked deflation marily burn natural gas, but Egypt pays offshore gas pro- has been evident since March will use solar thermal energy ducers on average around $2-$3 and is likely to continue for some to increase fuel efficiency per million British thermal units, time to come,” predicted Howard at the planned facility near according to industry estimates. Archer of IHS Global Insight. Tabuk on the Red Sea coast. Comparable payments for gas in Samaras was speaking just two SEC, which said the planned Britain are currently above $10 days before Greece assumes the Duba plant must also be able and for Asian supply above $17. rotating presidency of the EU. to burn Arabian super light Egyptian officials have suggested There has been concern that crude oil as a back-up for gas, pricing arrangements should be Athens’ six-month stint could be set a January 12 deadline for changed to reflect the high costs of overshadowed by further bailout companies to express inter- offshore exploration in deep water, negotiations. est in bidding for the project. arguing that such reform would Zsolt Darvas, an economist ISCC plants reduce emissions spur new investments. and senior fellow at the Bruegel of climate-warming carbon The auction will end on May Institute in Brussels, has pre- by increasing the amount of 19, the announcement said. An dicted that the Greek presidency steam available for driving Oil Ministry spokesman said the could be a rough ride: power generation turbines, time was sufficient for companies “It will be very difficult for without having to burn more to prepare their offers but gave no Greece due to its (internal) prob- gas or oil. SEC did not say how further details. Egypt has started lems, its public administration large the solar element of the repaying some of its debt to for- inefficiency and the time pres- project was expected to be. eign oil companies, which had A man reads the necessary documents for turning in his car licence plates in a tax office in central Athens sure imposed by the European South Africa posts reached more than $6bn this year. yesterday. Greeks turned in their car licence plates in order to avoid high road taxes the coming year. Parliament elections,” Darvas said. REUTERS THE GUARDIAN trade surplus JOHANNESBURG: South Africa posted a rare trade surplus in November, official statistics showed yesterday, Libya’s Hariga port stays shut as oil deadlock drags on amid a shakeup in the way the data is calculated. Statistics South Africa said Africa’s TRIPOLI: An eastern oil port, which offi- Libya’s southern Sarir and Messla oil- for the east had failed. State news agency lift the port blockages but warned that the largest economy reached a cials had said was to open soon, remained fields were operational but could not pump Lana said a delegation of activists, civil government would not wait long before tak- 770m rand ($74m) surplus shut yesterday, as the paralysis of Libya’s crude to Hariga as tanks at the port were society figures and “wise men” met some ing unspecific measures. last month, the first in almost oil sector continued, caught in a struggle full, Harari said. of the port strikers to stress the need for Jathran’s and other militias involved in two years. Following months between Tripoli and the regions. An oil official on Friday said that the port, a “peaceful dialogue”. oil strikes in the east and other parts of of crippling auto strikes, the Hariga has been shut since August due to in Tobruk, would reopen within days in the It quoted a representative from Jathran’s the country helped topple Libyan leader sector bounced back, with an occupation by local people. The 110,000 latest in a series of announcements about movement as saying the government Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 but have kept exports of vehicles, aircraft barrels per day oil port was still closed but bringing the closure of ports to an end. needed to investigate claims of oil corrup- their weapons, fuelling concerns about and vessels up 34 percent officials were “looking forward to hearing The government has tried to negotiate tion, form a committee made up of the instability in the North African country. from October. But support good news,” National Oil Corp spokesman with protesters at Hariga and also put pres- three Libyan regions east, west and south Zeidan’s government is trying to rein in also came from the inclu- Mohamed Al Harari said. sure on tribal leaders to persuade an armed and distribute oil sales based on a law from the militias by offering financial incentives sion of Botswana, Namibia, Militias, tribesmen and civil servants autonomy group to lift the blockage of the 1958 when the country was kingdom. to join the nascent regular forces which Lesotho and Swaziland in have seized ports and oilfields to press for Ras Lanuf, Es-Sider and Zueitina ports, pre- Zeidan has refused to recognize his move- are no match for battle-hardened civil war the data, four countries with political or financial demands, drying up oil viously accounting for 600,000 b/d. ment but has said the government had inves- fighters. Some of the militias have joined which South Africa shares a output to less than 250,000 b/d from 1.4m But autonomy leader Ibrahim Jathran tigated corruptions claims in the past and the army or police but many fighters in customs union. b/d in July. Oil is the main source for the said at the last minute that talks with was willing to do so again. Zeidan said that practise report to their commanders, not AGENCIES budget and to fund food imports. Tripoli to get a greater share of oil revenues tribal leaders would make a new attempt to the weak government. REUTERS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Qatar bourse index rises by 0.08 percent UAE markets jump; Egypt up

DOHA: Qatar Exchange ended property sector acted as a in the green yesterday adding springboard for Dubai measure’s 8.18 points or 0.08 percent to performance in 2013, as has its 10,368.20 points from 10,360.02 macro outlook, which has further on Sunday. Among the top gain- improved due to the city-state ers were Qatar Islamic Bank winning rights to host the World which was up 0.43 percent to Expo 2020 and MSCI’s decision QR69.30, International Islamic to include UAE to its emerging gained 1.33 percent to QR60.80, market index. Qatar Electricity and Water In Egypt, the benchmark index added 1.63 percent to QR180.90 added 0.1 percent. It halted two and Gulf International was up sessions of losses after Egypt’s by 1.50 percent to QR60.90. interim president said on Sunday The banking and financial sec- the government will hold par- tor index fell 0.19 points while liamentary and presidential the consumer goods and serv- elections within six months of ices sector index lost 0.17 points. approval of the new constitution, The industrial sector gained 0.41 to be voted on next month. A retail shop owner speaks on his mobile phone outside his closed shop shutters painted with an advertisement for Vodafone at a market in the southern points and the insurance sector In Saudi Arabia, petrochemical Indian city of Chennai yesterday. India’s foreign investment regulator cleared a decision on Vodafone Group Plc’s $1.6bn plan to take full ownership of added 0.78 points. and cement shares helped boost its local unit, Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram said. Meanwhile, UAE markets the index, which advanced 0.3 surged in an unusual year-end percent. Positioning for earnings trend as investors bet on a bullish and dividends lifted the petro- 2014 outlook, while Egypt’s bourse chemical sector’s index 0.5 per- India clears Vodafone, Tesco investments halted a two-session decline after cent and cement’s by 0.7 percent. the government defined a time- Elsewhere, Kuwait’s measure NEW DELHI: An Indian investment panel official said. saturated domestic and other firm and Tata will have 50-50 own- frame for presidential and par- slipped 0.6 percent, slumping to panel yesterday cleared invest- The move by Vodafone to buy developed markets. ership of Trent, the retail unit of liamentary elections. its lowest close since September ment plans by British giants out its partners comes after Indian consumers are expected tea-to-steel group. Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 1.6 10. The market has been on a Tesco and Vodafone worth over India opened the telecom sector to spend ever increasing amount Trent said earlier this month percent to a fresh five-year high, downtrend since early November $1.5bn, as foreign firms show to 100 percent foreign owner- on goods from food, communica- “its understanding of the Indian taking year-to-date gains to 62.3 as investors, disappointed at the new interest in the country ship five months ago and comes tion services to cars even though market” coupled “with Tesco’s percent, in its biggest one-day government’s pace of implementing since New Delhi eased barriers despite a bitter tax row with the economy has slowed sharply. unparallelled global retail exper- gain in three-and-a-half months. development projects, cut positions. to foreign capital. the Indian government over its Analysts say Tesco’s entry tise will allow us to leverage The bourse played catch-up to The Foreign Investment Indian investment that is under could prompt other foreign the tremendous potential of the advances on neighbouring Dubai’s HIGHLIGHTS Promotion Board (FIPB) sanc- conciliation. retailers to take a plunge in the market”. bourse, which has risen 105.4 per- ABU DHABI: The index climbed tioned a proposal by the world’s Before that, foreign ownership Indian retail market, expected to Tesco has leapfrogged Walmart cent in 2013. 1.6 percent to 4,278 points. biggest mobile phone company in phone firms was capped at 74 be worth nearly $1 trillion annu- in entering the retail sector in “It’s a bit unconventional for DUBAI: The index rose 1.4 per- Vodafone to buy its joint venture percent. New Delhi moved last ally in sales by 2023, according to India. The US retailer put plans such movement at the end of the cent to 3,332 points. partners’ stakes in its Indian arm August to open up its large and industry estimates. to open up supermarkets in the year,” said Marwan Shurrab, fund EGYPT: The index gained 0.1 for Rs101bn ($1.6bn). potentially lucrative retail sector Tesco already supplies about country on hold after winding up manager and head of trading at percent to 6,782 points. Tesco, the world’s third-largest to foreign companies to try to 80 percent of the goods in Tata’s a wholesale partnership with the Vision Investments. SAUDI ARABIA: The index retailer, had applied to the board boost the slowing economy. 16 Star Bazaar and Star Daily retail arm of India’s biggest phone Dubai’s measure rose 1.4 percent, advanced 0.3 percent to 8,520 points. for permission to invest an initial “We are pleased to have stores in southern and western company Bharti Airtel. also hitting a new five-year high, KUWAIT: The index slipped 0.6 $110m in the Tata conglomerate’s obtained FIPB approval to India after signing an agreement The world’s biggest retailer is recovering from Sunday’s 0.6 per- percent to 7,542 points. retail business Trent Hypermarket. increase our stake in Vodafone in 2008. expected to stay focused on its cent dip. “Turnover was not high OMAN: The index gained 0.1 “The board gave permission India,” Ben Padovan, spokesman Until India relaxed retail owner- wholesale business, which would yesterday, which shows willingness percent to 6,816 points. to Tesco and to Vodafone. Now for the British group, said. ship laws last year, foreign multi- help to build up its supply chain to of investors to hold positions going BAHRAIN: The index climbed the applications must go to the The two British firms are seek- brand retailers had been unable to support any future store venture into 2014,” Shurrab said. 0.1 percent to 1,229 points. Cabinet Committee on Economic ing to tap growing affluence in the sell directly to consumers. If Tesco’s in India, analysts say. A strong recovery in Dubai’s REUTERS Affairs,” a senior foreign emerging market giant and offset proposal is successful, the British AFP

Blackstone to invest $200m in Crocs Egypt pound Swatch fire may hit weak at central bank auction other watchmakers

CAIRO: The Egyptian pound ZURICH: A fire that destroyed shortages for some players in the weakened at a forex auction a workshop at a Swatch Group industry already exposed to bot- yesterday, extending a series factory will affect other watch- tlenecks due to the shortage of of falls at the central bank’s makers it supplies more than firms able to make the delicate regular sale of dollars, but was the Swiss firm itself, as a break internal mechanisms of watches stronger on the black market, in production is likely to cut the as well as a lack of investment in narrowing the gap between the availability of parts to an indus- training. two valuations. try already facing bottlenecks. Hayek said third parties sup- The central bank sold $38.6 Sunday’s fire at a part of the plied by ETA would be advised million to banks, with a cut-off plant that treats metals to pro- by letter that there may be some price of 6.9386 pounds to the dol- tect them from rust could stop delays to the deliveries of certain lar, allowing it to weaken from production of some components watch components. 6.9282 at the previous sale on for several weeks, Swatch’s chief “We need to clean all the Thursday. It had offered to sell up executive said yesterday. machines and reorganise. There to $40m. On the black market, a Swatch chief Nick Hayek said will be a small delay of three or trader said the dollar was offered watchmakers that buy watch four weeks to production, maybe at 7.30 to the dollar on Monday. parts from its ETA Manufacture a bit more,” Hayek said. Thursday’s rate was 7.32. Horlogere unit, based in The Swiss watchmaker, known The central bank introduced Grenchen, western Switzerland, for its colourful plastic timepieces A sample of Crocs shoes on display in a New York City shoe store. Crocs Inc said Blackstone Group is making dollar currency sales a year ago to would be most affected, rather and the high-end Omega brand, a $200m investment that will give it preferred stock and a 13 percent stake in the US-based shoe company. help counter a run on the pound. It than Swatch itself. said it had another 150 factories has burned through at least $20bn “It is a bigger problem for them it could fall back on. — or roughly half its reserves — than for us,” Hayek said. Hayek played down the impact supporting the currency since Swatch, the world’s biggest on Swatch Group of the fire, Egypt’s 2011 revolution. watch parts supplier has a near- which gutted a 150 square metre This month, the pound weakened monopoly on “movements”, the workshop and damaged another Iran cuts gas supplies to industry against the dollar at auction for mechanisms that drive the mov- with smoke, calling it a “rela- the first time since the removal of ing parts of a watch, and counts tively minor event” for the Swiss president Mohammed Mursi. The rival luxury groups Richemont watchmaker. Shares in Swatch DUBAI: The National Iranian progress on developing its vast Britain, Europe’s biggest market, interim government has declared and LVMH among its customers. pared losses slightly on Hayek’s Gas Company (NIGC) has reserves. “The Petroleum Ministry rarely exceeds 400 mcm/d, even itself in a “war on terrorism” as The world’s biggest luxury comments and were trading down been forced to slash gas sup- has given priority to meeting gas in mid winter, data from the UK’s it prepares for a constitutional group, LVMH, which owns the 1.26 percent by 1515 GMT. plies to industrial consumers as needs of the household sector,” gas network operator shows. referendum in mid-January that Tag Heuer, Hublot and Zenith The cost of rebuilding the gal- cold weather drives up heating oil ministry news service Shana Artificially low, government-set is expected to lead to presidential watch brands, said it had no vanic workshop destroyed by the demand, a senior official said. quoted Bijan Zanganeh as telling gas prices have spurred a boom in and parliamentary elections. immediate comment, while a fire, whose cause is unknown, Iran has some of the world’s a parliamentary energy commit- energy intensive industry around The central bank has limited spokesman for Richemont could would cost around 4m to 5m Swiss largest reserves of gas but tee last week. the Gulf over the last decade, Egyptians from transferring more not be reached yesterday. francs ($4.5m-$5.6m), Hayek said. increases in production have “Therefore it has no option driving a surge in demand while than a cumulative $100,000 out of “ETA is by far the most impor- Swatch was given the go-ahead in lagged behind rapidly rising except restricting gas supply to discouraging investment in new the country since the 2011 upris- tant production site,” said Kepler October to gradually reduce com- demand over the last decade. some petrochemical plants as well gas production projects. ing unless they can demonstrate Cheuvreux analyst Jon Cox. “The ponent deliveries to rivals, a move Cold winter weather has as the industrial sector to counter Samari said Iran’s oil ministry a pressing need for the funds. In structure of the building will have which could cause supply shortages pushed Iranian demand to the gas shortage.” believes that raising the price of January, this limit will be raised to be inspected for safety reasons, for some players in the industry. around 600 million cubic metres The NIGC’s Samari said Iran gas for petrochemicals producers by another $100,000, Central Bank which means the whole complex Flames ravaged the galvanic a day (mcm/d), forcing the state is producing around 570 mcm/d should help temper its rampant governor Hisham Ramez said. will be out of action for a while, workshop of ETA in Grenchen, gas monopoly to cut supplies of gas and importing around 30 gas consumption. Depositors at banks can only so there could be shortages of Switzerland, where watch parts for power, petrochemicals and mcm/d. But with residential and The director of the National withdraw a maximum of $10,000 components.” are protected against rust, while cement producers, NIGC deputy commercial sector demand run- Iranian Oil Products Distribution in foreign currency per day under Tired of its role as the indus- another workshop had been director Abdolhosian Samari told ning at around 460 mcm/d, he said Company, told Shana that the central bank rules, but in practice try’s “supermarket”, Swatch was damaged by smoke, Swatch said. the Shana news agency. there was still not enough avail- company was delivering 135 mil- many banks restrict such with- granted the go-ahead by the Swiss Swatch said no one was harmed Iran’s energy minister has able to feed all Iranian industries lion litres of oil products per day drawals to much less and demand antitrust authority WEKO in in the fire. Police, who said on repeatedly warned over the last while keeping Iran’s population of to power plants because of the documents to show why the client October gradually to reduce its Sunday the cause of the blaze was few months that Iran faces a gas around 77 million warm. natural gas shortage. needs the funds. deliveries to rivals. unclear, did not comment further. supply crisis because of sluggish By comparison, gas demand in REUTERS REUTERS The move could cause supply REUTERS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Japan’s inflation may rise faster than wages Abe urges firms to pass some windfall to workers

TOKYO: Japanese employers the cost of living. “For us to escape profitability targets, rather than will fail in the next fiscal year deflation it is extremely impor- government directives on how fast to heed Prime Minister Shinzo tant that wages rise,” Abe said on to increase compensation. Abe’s goal of wage increases December 6. Any increase in wages depends that outpace inflation, high- Cash earnings rose 0.5 percent on a pick-up in demand, not just lighting risks that the nation’s in November from a year earlier, pleas by Abe for companies to do recovery will stall, surveys of breaking four months of decline, their part for economic recov- economists show. government data showed last ery, said Kaoru Yosano, a former Labour cash earnings, the week. Wages excluding bonuses finance minister, in October. benchmark for wages, will and overtime were unchanged, Negotiations set to take place increase 0.6 percent in the year ending a 17th-month slide. around March between trade starting April 1, according to the Consumer prices rose 1.5 percent, unions and management known median forecast in a poll of 16 the most since 2008. as “shunto” — or the spring wage economists by Bloomberg News. Corporate profits have soared offensive — will set the direction Consumer prices will climb five as Abe’s reflationary policies bol- of base pay for the coming fiscal times faster, increasing 3 percent, ster confidence and drive down year. For the first time since 2008, as Japan raises a sales tax for the the yen. Abe said yesterday at a the Keidanren business lobby will first time since 1997, a separate Tokyo Stock Exchange closing support an increase, the Yomiuri Bloomberg survey shows. ceremony that Abenomics will be newspaper reported. The squeeze on consumers from a “buy” next year as well. Japan’s jobless rate held at 4 higher prices risks undermining The prime minister has pressed percent in November, while there public support for Abenomics Japan Inc to pass some of the was one job for every applicant — and dragging on retail spending, windfall to workers through the most since 2007 — in a sign unless Abe can convince compa- higher base pay, in meetings with that a tighter labour market may nies to boost wages to cushion business and union leaders since encourage higher pay. The econ- the blow. At stake is sustaining September. The three sides said omy is set to grow 1.6 percent next a recovery in the world’s third- in a joint statement this month year, compared with an estimated biggest economy, set to expand that increased profits should be 1.8 percent in 2013, according to this year at the fastest pace since linked to wages. Bloomberg News economist polls. 2010 as Abe tries to drive an exit Japan can’t wait one or two Japan’s sales tax will rise to 8 from 15 years of deflation. years for salary gains, which are percent from 5 percent in April, “Wage increases will be slower needed sooner for the economy helping government efforts to than the rise in prices at least to enter a virtuous cycle of rising rein in the world’s heaviest debt until 2015, dealing a blow to Prime profits, wages and growth, Deputy burden, while dealing a blow to Minister Abe,” said Yoshimasa Economy Minister Yasutoshi growth. The economy may shrink Maruyama, chief economist at Nishimura said. an annualised 3.9 percent in the Itochu Corp. in Tokyo. Honda Motor Executive Vice second quarter, before return- People do last-minute New Year’s shopping in Ameyoko district in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s core consumer prices In an interview in Tokyo this President Tetsuo Iwamura said on ing to growth, according to a rose 1.2 percent in November from a year earlier, accelerating to a fresh five-year high, government data showed, month, Abe urged companies to December 13 that the carmaker Bloomberg survey. marking a steady progress towards beating 15 years of deflation. increase wages faster than gains in will set pay based on reaching WP-BLOOMBERG

EU ready to offer US pending home sales inch up in November Portugal more

WASHINGTON: US pend- 0.2 percent to 101.7 in November. “We may have reached a cyclical the best sales total in seven years.” Research said that the year-end help, says Rehn ing home sales rose slightly in The November number was much low because the positive fundamen- The November figure was the softness was due in part to the November, ending five con- weaker than the 1.5 percent aver- tals of job creation and household first gain in pending home sales jump in mortgage rates. “This LISBON: The European Union secutive months of declines, age forecast of analysts. formation are likely to foster a since May, when mortgage interest effect has been diminishing, how- is ready to offer Portugal fur- the National Association of NAR revised sharply downward fairly stable level of contract activ- rates began rising after the Federal ever, and we would expect that ther aid once its current bail- Realtors (NAR) said yesterday. the October data to a fall of 1.2 per- ity in 2014,” said Lawrence Yun, Reserve signaled a scale-back in its pending home sales will gradually out expires in May, Economics NAR said its pending home sales cent, double the prior estimate. NAR chief economist. monetary stimulus. Compared with resume their upward trend given Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn index — a contract-based indica- Pending home sales are a forward- “Although the final months of a year ago, the pending home sales the subsequent easing in financial said yesterday. tor of activity in the residential looking indicator that reflects con- 2013 are finishing on a soft note, index was down 1.6 percent. conditions,” Howes said. “Europe will keep its word” and real-estate market — edged up tracts signed but not closed. the year as a whole will end with Cooper Howes of Barclays AFP continue to help Portugal, but only on condition it “continues reforms already under way,” Rehn QATARI MARKET EADS to regroup wrote in an editorial for business Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P daily Diario Economico. Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 101.38 0.25 % Aa2 AA “The absolute priority is to suc- cessfully conclude the current Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 104.75 1.53 % Aa2 AA programme,” Rehn wrote, while Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 118.88 2.69 % Aa2 AA warning that it was “indispensa- Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 111.88 3.08 % Aa2 AA ble that Portugal maintain budg- Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 105.88 3.65 % Aa2 AA etary discipline and structural Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 152.75 5.01 % Aa2 AA reforms in the upcoming years”. Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 114.13 5.38 % Aa2 AA Portugal has been living under Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 105.00 5.40 % Aa2 AA the strict rules of a ¤78bn rescue programme agreed in May 2011 Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 103.88 0.98 % Aa2 AA with the so-called troika of the EU, Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 109.25 3.41 % Aa2 AA the IMF and the ECB. Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 103.50 1.18 % A1 A- In exchange for rescue loans, Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 103.50 2.26 % A1 A- Portugal agreed to push through QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.13 1.48 % NR NR austerity measures and deep QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.75 1.10 % Aa3 A+ reforms that have sparked reces- QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 103.63 2.17 % Aa3 A+ sion, pushed up unemployment and met with increasing resist- Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.75 2.28 % A2 A- ance from unions and voters. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.13 1.49 % A2 A While spearheading the bail- Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 122.63 3.30 % A2 A out programme, the government Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 105.00 3.94 % A2 A A Emirates A380 seen through a window with the logo of Airbus, in Hamburg, northern Germany. European of Pedro Passos Coelho has so Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 99.50 5.06 % A2 A aerospace giant EADS will regroup its military and space activities tomorrow and rename itself Airbus Group. far faced the growing opposition, Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 103.25 0.95 % Aa3 A which is often made worse by high Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.50 3.34 % Aa3 A court decisions that slap down austerity measures as illegal. Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 107.38 4.04 % Aa3 A Earlier, the constitutional court SOVEREIGNS struck down another austerity Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P proposal, this time a plan to cut Rupee on course to be one of public servant pensions above Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 101.38 0.56 % Aa2 AA Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.88 2.32 % Aa2 AA ¤600 by 10 percent, a centrepiece measure of the 2014 budget. Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.25 1.92 % NR NR Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 106.38 2.88 % NR NR Asia’s worst performers in ’13 MINISTER SHUFFLED OUT Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 119.63 4.37 % NR NR MUMBAI: The rupee fell yes- due by May, while traders said they bank report, reiterated the chal- Yesterday, the junior minister Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 111.25 4.80 % NR NR terday, hit by strong dollar would continue to monitor wind- lenge of containing inflation is tasked with defending the pension Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 103.38 0.87 % Aa2 AA demand by a state-run bank ing down of US Federal Reserve’s limiting the central bank’s ability cut, Helder Rosalino, was shuf- Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.00 3.37 % NR BBB that dealers said was intended monetary stimulus. to boost economic growth. fled out of government replaced Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 103.50 4.84 % NR BBB to meet oil refiner needs, and is “The rupee’s outlook looks bright Concerns about the current by finance official Jose Maria on course to end the year as one in 2014. Indian markets have with- account deficit have waned sub- Martins. Officially, Rosalino left Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 95.75 6.58 % Caa1 B- of Asia’s worst performers after stood the tapering by the Federal stantially, in part on the back of government for personal reasons, Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 101.75 4.20 % NR BBB- hitting a record low in August. Reserve. However, some risks strong foreign investor inflows but Portuguese media reported

*Periodic Distribution Amount Although the rupee is well remain on account of more aggres- into stocks and, lately, bonds. that the minister manoeuvred for IMPORTANT NOTE: above its all-time trough of 68.85 sive tapering in the next year and Net inflows into debt markets the exit, frustrated by the diffi- Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which hit on August 28, the currency is the outcome of the general elec- reached $872.3m in December, the culty in pushing through troika- is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services still down 11.2 percent in 2013, tions,” said Param Sarma, chief first month of purchases by for- mandated reforms. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary making it Asia’s worst performer executive at NSP Forex. eign investors since May. Foreign Rosalino had first sought to data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not after the Indonesian rupiah and The partially convertible rupee institutional investors have been leave office in July, but was per- take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds the Japanese yen. closed at 61.91/92 per dollar com- buyers for seven consecutive ses- suaded to stay after the surprise can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Traders say the outlook for the pared with 61.85/86 on Friday. sions in Indian equities, taking resignation of then-finance minis- liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not rupee has improved on the back of Large dollar buying, prima- their total to $20.1bn so far this ter Vitor Gaspar. Coelho has said a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. a sharp narrowing in the current rily by a big state-run bank, kept year, regulatory and exchange Portugal faced two scenarios as account deficit after government the rupee weak yesterday, with data showed. it exits the rescue programme: and central bank emergency meas- faltering domestic shares add- In the offshore non-deliverable accessing a short-term EU credit ures such as curbing gold imports. ing to the weakness. Markets forwards, the one-month contract line, or making a clean break like However, the country’s weak showed a muted reaction after was at 62.49, while the three- Ireland did this month, by return- growth and high inflation remain Reserve Bank of India Governor month was at 63.31. ing to the markets without addi- concerns ahead of general elections Raghuram Rajan, in a central REUTERS tional help. AFP TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Small trading can lead Double-edged gift by UK back to prosperity BY GRANT SHAPPS Annenberg to the Hopi t may not be widely known, but the gap between rich and BY MATTHEW H BIRKHOLD poor is narrowing and is now at its smallest in a generation. the right decision to restore the artefacts to This framework needs to be strengthened. But that’s not “job done” – one in six British children is the tribes, it has legitimised the very situa- In the meantime indigenous groups can fur- Istill trapped in relative poverty. And it remains too hard for he Annenberg Foundation set tion it means to criticise, making the sacred ther develop the law while making progress those children to do well at school and to get on in life. This is a an example today of how to objects seem fair game. in its shadow. This month, to avoid a burden- profound injustice. do the right thing, said Sam Moreover, the subjects of the tribes’ and some legal fight, Sotheby’s and the consignor We face substantial headwinds. The 2008 crash has rightly been Tenakhongva, a member of the the foundation’s censure — the auction house of a 10th-century statue agreed to return the tagged the “great recession”. It was our nation’s worst in 100 years, Hopi Nation, after the phil- and those participating in the art market — artefact to Cambodia. The settlement agree- shrinking our GDP by 7 percent, or £3,000 lost for every household. Tanthropic organisation was revealed as are unlikely to hear the reproach, especially ment said the decision was reached “in the To catch up economically, we must improve life chances for our the winning bidder for 24 sacred Native because the auction proved so successful. The interests of promoting cooperation and col- youngsters. The Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission American artefacts that were auctioned off auction house likely cares more about the laboration with respect to cultural heritage.” estimates the costs of child poverty at £29bn a year. Greater in Paris recently. $1.6m in sales than who bought the contested Acquiring disputed objects at auction social mobility will not stifle growth: it will propel us forward. The foundation paid $530,000 for the items or what happens to them. can hardly be said to promote this sort of The question is how to act. items and announced it would return them Maybe it would have been better for the cooperation. A more beneficial approach Strengthening education is the first step. That is why Michael to the Hopi and the San Carlos Apache tribes to have lost the objects. The tribes for the Annenberg Foundation would have Gove is returning rigour and standards to schools and channelling tribes. The artefacts, which date from the could have made a more meaningful state- been to use the money it spent in Paris to extra money to poorer children. The second step is sorting out late 19th and 20th centuries and include ment by repudiating the sale and doggedly assist indigenous groups with legal fees, our welfare system so work always pays. But it is also flourishing mask-like objects known as Katsinam that insisting on their legal claims to the items. lobbying efforts and a strategy for future businesses – the opportunity of owning, running or working in the Hopi consider imbued by divine spir- Such a response would reaffirm the tribes’ cases. Furthermore, had the Annenberg one – that ultimately help people to escape the circumstances its, were part of a larger lot of 66 Native sovereignty while rejecting the notion that a Foundation worked with the tribes to of their birth. American items that generated $1.6m at price can be put on sacred objects. However, acquire the objects through legal mecha- Look at the growing middle class in India. Small businesses the EVE auction house. the decision to make such a sacrifice — for- nisms, it could have created a model that are not just a source of jobs and prosperity: they are the driving There is hope that the foundation’s action going their cultural artefacts — has to come other tribes could follow. force of social justice too. A World Bank study has linked the rise will convince others that culturally signifi- from the tribes. The best bet for indigenous Countries need to be pushed to strengthen of small business ownership among women in India with greater cant or sacred objects don’t belong on the people to secure their cultural property is laws to curb profiteering in cultural objects. legal and political rights. The same progress is being made in parts auction block. The long-term effects of the through the legal system, where taking a Unfortunately, thanks to the generosity of of eastern Europe, where small firms are repairing the damage foundation’s generosity, however, are unclear. principled stand could pay dividends. their benefactor, the Hopi and San Carlos left by decades of socialist stagnation. The foundation’s attempt to denounce the A developing legal framework provides Apache are now less likely to put this sort The current leadership of the Labour party has a far more nega- auction as a forum for the exchange of the tools to restore cultural artefacts to of pressure on the French government. tive view of the free market. Ed Miliband routinely uses the word cultural property was compromised the their rightful owners. In addition to the The tribes have less incentive to exhaust “profit” as a term of criticism. Too often, on his watch, the left moment it silently raised a paddle to bid. 1970 United Nations Educational, Scientific resources on a case that seems to have has sneered at business people, without realising this is putting At the auction, the foundation purchased and Cultural Organization Convention, the resolved itself favourably, making the need down the aspirations of millions who have set up their own small the ability to make the decision about who UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous for legal action and reform seem less urgent. firms, many with ambitions to expand. This anti-business culture should own the cultural artefacts, notably, Peoples explicitly establishes the rights of But legal tools represent the best bet for helps explain why Labour, in office, took a flawed and short-term artefacts the tribes couldn’t — or wouldn’t indigenous peoples to maintain, control and most indigenous groups, not all of which approach to tackling poverty. — buy themselves, even after legal and diplo- protect their cultural heritage and obligates have an Annenberg Foundation to buy back The British Chambers of Commerce estimate that Labour matic efforts to delay the auction failed. And signatory states to take effective measures their cultural heritage. introduced six new regulations every working day – red tape that even though the foundation arguably made to protect their right to do so. WP-BLOOMBERG has cost UK firms £77bn since 1998, including more than £10bn in 2007-08 alone. High rates of corporation tax were pushing firms overseas, and Labour refused to make small business rate relief automatic, requiring small shops to fill out complex paperwork. Before they lost power, Labour even planned to hit every firm with a new tax on jobs. When a government is anti-business like that, fewer firms bother to start up and fewer jobs are created. Everyone suffers. Struggling to start a small business is all-encompassing. It is a 24-hour job that places constant strain on those involved. As well as worrying about your own mortgage and kids, you worry about those of your staff. When I was starting a small printing shop in Wembley, I vividly remember coming out of the cinema, realising I had spent the two hours worrying about that month’s payroll, rather than focusing on the film. Business can be hard. But we need more of it. Businesses create every penny of the wealth we need to pay for our nation’s schools, our NHS and our pensions. They are our only path to prosperity. And that is why Conservatives in government have put so much emphasis on sticking with our plan: cutting taxes, freezing fuel duty, reducing red tape, boosting apprenticeships and supporting small business loans. Steadily, this plan is working. Since the election, 400,000 new businesses have been formed. The number of British firms reg- istered at Companies House is at a record high. A staggering 1.6 million private sector jobs have been created. And the Centre For Economic And Business Research now estimates that – if we stay steadfast on this course – by 2030 Britain will have the largest economy in Europe. This turnaround is in the offing because we are unashamedly backing business. Making life easier for entrepreneurs and inven- tors who work all hours in their own garage. Or for ex-apprentices who start out with a mobile business, before finding premises and taking on staff. These are the true heroes. They are creating a jobs-led recovery to be proud of, giving us more security and more people taking home a pay packet to their families. I am fighting for a Conservative majority in 2015 because that golden future is not yet guaranteed. We have to earn it, by con- tinuing to take difficult decisions on welfare, cutting taxes and, above all, by backing British business. Conservatives don’t love business for some abstract reason. We love it because of what it offers our children. Hope. THE GUARDIAN Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

Which will be the big economies in 15 years? It’s not a done deal BY WILL HUTTON welfare and ageing populations. include economics’ new advances, from the CEBR analysis, arguing prevented from falling into the rosy: perhaps the Scots under- China is inexorably rising to take describes the state of much cur- that what differentiates countries hand of self-interested, overpaid stand better than conventional ere is a puzzle that over the top spot, but in 2028, later rent teaching and debate, exem- is the quality and effectiveness boards and ensuring that work- economists what is really going preoccupies futurolo- than the CEBR thought last year. plified by both the CEBR report of their economic and political places are inclusive too. But they on. More of what the CEBR rec- gists, business strate- India will climb to number three. and the reaction to it. institutions. Capitalism has to be do recognise, along with the IMF ommends as the route to future Hgists, economists and Russia will do well, as will Mexico For the best economics now has shaped and governed to allow the and OECD, that growing inequal- riches – placing our faith in mar- the world’s foreign offices. Who and eventually Brazil. The UK, if it much more sophisticated under- new continually to reshape and ity menaces vigorous societies. It kets and individual incentives is going to do best or worst eco- continues to shrink the state, keeps standing of what drives innova- even destroy the old: it has to allow is a proxy for how effectively an along with disregarding inequal- nomically over the next 15 years taxes low, deregulates its labour tion, investment, productivity multiple runners and riders, lots elite has constructed institutions ity and the dysfunctionality of our out of the world’s current top 10 markets, continues to be open to and growth than the simple faith of experimentation and harness that extract value from the rest institutions – could break Britain economies? In 2013, the US is immigration and disengages with in low tax and loosely regulated whole societies into accepting and of society. Professor Sam Bowles, up. comfortably number one, twice Europe, may only fall one place in markets. It criticises the refusal to taking risks. also part of the INET network, It is also reason to be scepti- the size of China and two-and- the 2028 ranking to seventh. But understand the complexity of how This happens best when eco- goes further. He argues that cal about most of its projections. half times the size of the number even though the UK and US will economies and societies create nomic and political institutions inequality pulls production away Will China, Russia and Mexico, three, Japan. After Germany at fare better than mainland Europe, and assimilate paradigm-chang- do not fall into the hands of one from value creation to protect- governed by extractive elites, fourth comes a cluster of coun- the relative decline of the west will ing technologies. Nor is there party or a group of self-interested ing and securing the wealthy’s really do so well? Is Europe such a tries with less than a trillion continue. room for assessing the quality of oligarchs who essentially extract assets: one in five of the British write-off? After all, McWilliams, dollars of GDP separating them. The problem is that the eco- a country’s entire institutional value; they need to be open and workforce, for example, works as the affable Euro-sceptic who runs France just pips Britain at sixth. nomic theory that supports nexus – from company organisa- inclusive, constantly pushing back “guard labour” – in security, polic- the CEBR, warned more than two Then follow Brazil, Russia, Italy these predictions is itself in cri- tion to the accountability of gov- against the wealth extractors. ing, law, surveillance and forms years ago that European leaders and Canada with India, hurt by sis. By prioritising the role of low ernment – in building inclusive, Acemoglu and Robinson are of IT that control and monitor. had a month to save the euro. the collapse of the rupee, just out- taxes, deregulation, the inevita- value-creating capitalism rather right, although inclusiveness and The higher inequality, the greater I also bet that the US, if the side the top 10 at 11. ble efficiency of markets and the than extractive, value-capturing accountability go well beyond the the proportion of a workforce destructive Tea Party can be held The conventional wisdom, accompanying inevitable ineffi- capitalism. The best brains in eco- democratic political institutions deployed as guard workers, who at bay, will hold on to the top spot. informed by conventional eco- ciency of the state as drivers of nomics are now working on how on which they focus – and for generate little value and lower Britain, it is true, could catch up nomics, is clear, represented growth, it assumes that the last economies work in reality, rather whose lack they doubt predictions overall productivity. with Germany, but only if it builds faithfully by the conservative- 30 years – and in particular the than as prospectuses for right- of China’s continuing inexorable The CEBR does warn that the on the effective industrial policy leaning Centre for Economics and 2008 financial crisis – had not wing politicians and newspapers. rise. It extends to the integrity break-up of the UK, if Scotland the coalition is developing and Business Research (CEBR) in its happened. These are the terms For example, in Why Nations and soundness of the financial votes for independence, would consigns small-state conserva- annual world economic league table in which UCL’s Professor Wendy Fail, MIT’s Daron Acemoglu and system, how effectively govern- qualify its optimistic predictions. tism to the dustbin. Above all, I released last week. The European Carlin, leading the programme at Harvard’s James Robinson present ments accept the risk of investing But it never asks why Scottish doubt the endless rise of Asian economies, especially France and the Institute for New Economic the results of 15 years of research in frontier technologies that pri- voters might be so disillusioned and Latin-American autocracies. Italy, will sink down the league Thinking (INET) to reframe into the rise and fall of countries vate entrepreneurs never under- if the Euro-sceptic, low-tax, low- The west is not dead yet. table, burdened by taxation, the economics curriculum to and their economies. It is a far cry take alone, how companies are regulation world it paints is so THE GUARDIAN TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary EXCHANGE QE Index 10,368.20 0.08 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER QE Total Return Index 14,813.77 0.08 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,037.59 0.00 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,585.58 0.05 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,442.09 0.19 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5325.45 33.917 0.64 5453.1 4610.6 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,945.16 0.17 % QR141.5461 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4218.41 3.12 0.07 4356.28 3575.17 QE All Share Industrials 3,482.85 0.41 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9303 QR 6.0137 QE All Share Insurance 2,344.43 0.78 % Dj Indu Average 16357.55 62.94 0.39 16360.6 12883.9 Euro ...... QR 4.9572 QR 5.0593 QE All Share Real Estate 1,959.56 0.12 % QR 2.2921 CA$ ...... QR 3.3999 QR 3.4674 QE All Share Telecoms 1,459.09 0.10 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,866.35 0.21 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0402 QR 4.0983 Hang Seng Inde/D 23179.55 257.99 1.13 24111.55 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0345 QR 0.0351 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2078 QR 3.2719 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4474.29 -16.03 -0.36 4527.83 3396.67 CRUDE OIL 30-12-2013 29-12-2013 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0581 QR 0.0592 Index 10,368.20 10,360.02 Karachi 100 In/D 25370.03 3.34 0.01 25711.23 16036.31 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0349 Change 8.18 31.15 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 16174.44 164.45 1.03 16029.65 10398.61 Peso ...... QR 0.0812 QR 0.0832 % 0.08 0.30 $ 111.63 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 24.04 23.94 S&P 500 Index/D 1833.32 5.33 0.29 1833.32 1398.11 Taka ...... QR 0.0465 QR 0.0477 Volume 7,684,447 7,830,646 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 256,696,058.52 289,446,816.37 Straits Times/D 3134.36 7.07 0.23 3464.79 2990.68 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3468 QR 0.3570 Trades 3,684 5,038 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 109.18 Up 20 | Down 19 | Unchanged 01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 30-12-2013

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED

A B G Infra-B/D 41 0 4703 Chola Invest-B/D 247.9 6.35 2404 Hind Org Chem-/D 11.64 0.33 14806 Kilburnengg-B/D 14.75 -0.25 1567 Orient.Carb.-B/D 138 7 2676 Kingfisher/D 387 3.1 487507 A C C-A/D 1109.4 -0.7 9724 Chowgule St-B/D 11.06 -0.22 4201 Hind Unilever-/D 563.75 -1.95 65340 Kinetic Eng-B/D 41.45 -0.8 2939 Orient.Carb.-B/D 138 7 2676 Land Secs Grou/D 962 5 181923 Aarti Drugs-B/D 209.15 4.4 5423 Cipla-A/D 399 -0.7 115713 Hind.Petrol-A/D 237.1 0.3 139331 Klg Systel-T/D 3.69 0.17 2310 Radico Khait-B/D 140.85 -1.55 23233 Legal & Genera/D 221.1 -0.3 2061756 Aban Offs-B/D 367.55 -5.75 632061 City Union Bk-/D 49.75 0.45 59749 Hindalco-A/D 121.3 -0.7 450986 Kopran-B/D 21.55 -0.45 40320 Rallis India-B/D 173.95 1.45 40135 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 78.2 -0.2 18438600 Ador Welding-B/D 133.55 3.05 2491 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1544 -23.4 9396 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 779.15 -1.5 90754 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2841.8 37.4 5138 Rallis India-B/D 173.95 1.45 40135 Marks & Sp./D 445.5 -1.6 380853 Aegis Logis-B/D 178.9 6.45 34587 Colgate-A/D 1295 -7.45 10571 I F C I-A/D 25.7 0.45 1717692 Lgb Broth-B/D 255 -4.8 3838 Reliance Indus/D 380.95 -4.45 191777 Next/D 5435 -10 53861 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 109.05 2.65 14742 Dhampur Sugar-/D 35.2 0.55 7604 Idbi-A/D 65.6 0.4 210931 Lloyd Metal-B/D 9.73 0.43 1802 Ruchi Soya-B/D 32.25 0.75 39769 Pearson/D 1326 8 217498 Alembic-B/D 15.13 0.31 81361 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2490 -50.15 5759 Ifb Agro-B/D 170 8 2405 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 15.46 -0.07 13031 Thirumalai-B/D 103.05 -0.15 5897 Prudential/D 1334 7 562329 Alok Indus-B/D 8.93 0.73 4443674 E I H-B/D 56.25 0.3 124854 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 80.35 0.3 21434 Lupin-A/D 907.65 -10.45 73983 Timexgroup-B/D 11.11 0.24 37904 Rank Group/D 131.9 2.2 17378 Andhra Paper-B/D 273.85 -3.35 13359 E.I.D Parry-B/D 141.95 1.65 9897 India Cement-B/D 60.2 0.3 206882 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.92 0.49 43693 Tinplate-T/D 49.35 1.45 27223 Rentokil Initi/D 113.7 -0.3 123570 Apollo Tyre-A/D 97.35 -3.55 2224525 Eimco Elecon-B/D 152.1 7.2 1816 India Glycol-B/D 106.65 7.7 395081 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 109.5 2 1396 Ub Engineer-B/D 9.52 -0.28 2407 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1255 6 452660 Asahi I Glass-/D 46.05 -0.4 1196 Electrosteel-B/D 15.85 0.2 169849 Indian Hotel-A/D 59.7 0.1 85159 Mah.Seamless-B/D 164.1 -2.1 4197 Ub Engineer-B/D 9.52 -0.28 2407 Rsa Insrance G/D 92.45 0 2455205 Ashok Leyland-/D 16.9 0.3 1449344 Emco-B/D 27.3 3.05 528936 Indo-Bcount-B/D 37.95 0.55 10398 Mangalam Cem-B/D 108.5 1.6 15528 Ucal Fuel-T/D 48.1 1.2 3666 Sainsbury(J)/D 375.004 -0.8 1185795 Bajaj Hold-A/D 898.95 -0.6 1407 Escorts-B/D 139.7 -3 852684 Indusind-A/D 419.55 -4.45 102465 Maral Overs-B/D 20 0 7710 Unitech P -A/D 15.6 -0.1 3992205 Schroders/D 2559 4 29919 Ballarpur In-B/D 12.88 0.28 1748129 Essar Oil-A/D 53.65 1.15 523413 J.B.Chemical-B/D 132 -0.45 94820 Mastek-B/D 158.35 -2.35 110879 Severn Trent/D 1687 15 107192 Bata India-A/D 1050.2 -4.65 15274 Eveready Indu-/D 35 0.55 51707 Jagson Phar-B/D 9.39 0.15 14150 Max India L-A/D 207.2 1.9 6837 LONDON Smith&Nephew/D 867.5 1.5 184026 Beml Ltd-B/D 243.85 3.7 83226 F D C-B/D 136.5 6.95 378613 Jbf Indu-B/D 80.45 1 20723 Mrpl-A/D 43.1 0.8 410390 Smiths Group/D 1476 8 103689 Bh Electronic-/D 1001.9 -1.65 4475 Federal Bank-A/D 84.05 1.9 399245 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.39 0.01 12017 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 15.3 0.15 3775 3I Group/D 383.5 -2.1 140631 Standrd Chart /D 1349 -2 861689 Bharat Bijle-B/D 378.35 14.45 4718 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.64 0.06 30414 Jct Ltd-B/D 2.09 0.03 134872 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 15.3 0.15 3775 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2463 16 143985 Tate & Lyle/D 807 8 149040 Bhartiya Int-B/D 179.95 -0.3 5231 Finolex-B/D 164.75 2.45 19603 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.44 0.09 3776 Nahar Spg.-B/D 115.1 -0.5 9383 B Sky B/D 833 20.5 2051156 Tesco/D 336.9 1.1 3955437 Bhel-A/D 174.7 2.3 632404 Gail-A/D 339.95 2.1 14739 Jik Indust-T/D 0.63 -0.02 56281 Nation Alum -A/D 37.9 -0.05 35047 Barclays/D 265.45 1.1 8077836 Unilever/D 2447 8 386580 Bom.Burmah-B/D 114.95 -0.95 18404 Gammon India-B/D 14.45 0.46 28280 Jindal Drill-B/D 195.75 -0.5 2039 Navneet Edu-B/D 56.65 -1.15 71392 Bg Group/D 1283 10 679846 United Util Gr/D 665 3.5 241428 Bombay Dyeing-/D 75.9 1.7 596577 Garden P -B/D 38.7 0.35 1514 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 161 3.45 190067 Nepc India-B/D 2.07 0.34 116855 Bp/D 486.2 1.35 4925700 Vodafone Group/D 236.4 0.25 9548934 Cable Corp.-B/D 17.8 0.2 7500 Goodricke-B/D 147.2 0.15 10792 Jmc Projects-B/D 85.35 5.5 5811 Neuland Lab-B/D 347 6.65 5257 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3213.5 -0.5 287053 Whitbread/D 3699 -5 59337 Canfin Homes-B/D 172.25 -3.15 6855 Goodyear I -B/D 368 9.75 3811 Kajaria Cer-B/D 304.85 1.5 14728 Nrb Bearings-B/D 35.5 -0.3 4308 Bt Group/D 378.4 1.9 1935772 Castrol Ind-A/D 310.45 4.3 73943 Hcl Infosys-B/D 20.45 0.3 118572 Kalpat Power-B/D 91.2 2.9 98747 O N G C-A/D 292.3 6.6 248617 Centrica/D 345.3 2.9 1523495 Century Enka-B/D 157.95 8.55 90586 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.22 0 564011 Kalyani Stel-B/D 55.75 -0.9 28793 Ocl India-B/D 157.5 3.1 5299 Gkn/D 372.9 2 442695 Century Text-A/D 292.85 -9.35 374534 Himat Seide-B/D 51.5 0.7 358192 Kanoria Chem-B/D 26.45 -0.1 38583 Oil Country-B/D 35.75 0.35 3530 Hsbc Holdings/D 661.2 0.4 2770098 Chambal Fert-B/D 39.65 0.6 110355 Hind Motors-B/D 7.93 0.14 1038184 Kg Denim-B/D 15.68 1.4 48829 Orchid Chem-B/D 71.3 2 1280828 Imperial Tobac/D 2318 2 244297 TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Sharks snap Ducks’ winning NFL: Packers, Chargers join streak in NHL

SAN JOSE, California: Bracken Kearns didn’t question his good luck. Skating from the bench, the play-off party via thrillers 32-year-old center saw the puck just sitting on the ice, and his eyes lit up. Reigning champion Ravens fail to advance; Seahawks get home edge Kearns scored his first NHL goal, Logan Couture netted his 100th, and the San Jose Sharks NEW YORK: The Denver possession and San Diego held the broke Anaheim’s 10-game win- Broncos and Seattle Seahawks NFL Results Chiefs from scoring to clinch the ning streak by beating the Ducks wrapped up top seedings while Indianapolis 30 Jacksonville 10 final AFC berth in the playoffs. 3-1 yesterday. Green Bay and San Diego won NY Jets 20 Miami 7 In Dallas, the Philadelphia Brent Burns added a goal for thrilling nail-bitters to join the Minnesota 14 Detroit 13 Eagles delivered a knockout blow the Sharks, who won their fourth play-offs party in a mad scram- Tennessee 16 Houston 10 to the Cowboys with a 24-22 win straight. Antti Niemi stopped 30 ble on the hectic final day of the Pittsburgh 20 Cleveland 7 in a showdown for the NFC East shots in his 21st win of the season. NFL regular season yesterday. NY Giants 20 Washington 6 title. “That’s a great story, isn’t it?” AFC West champions Denver Cincinnati 34 Baltimore 17 Back-up Kyle Orton, playing Sharks coach Todd McLellan blasted the Oakland Raiders 34-14 Carolina 21 Atlanta 20 for the injured Tony Romo, was asked. in a record-setting show and NFC Green Bay 33 Chicago 28 intercepted on the last Dallas “There’s also a lesson in it West winning Seattle strolled to a New England 34 Buffalo 20 drive to deny the home team. about believing in yourself and 27-9 win over the St. Louis Rams New Orleans 42 Tampa Bay 17 Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy ran persevering.” as both finished at 13-3 to ensure for 120 yards to capture the NFL Kearns, a veteran of nearly 600 Denver 34 Oakland 14 homefield advantage in their rushing crown with a season total minor league games, played in just San Francisco 23 Arizona 20 respective conferences. of 1,596 yards. his seventh NHL contest. San Diego 27 Kansas City 24 Edge-of-the-seat dramat- The New Orleans Saints (11-5) “It was just a loose puck,” Seattle 27 St Louis 9 ics were reserved for do-or-die secured the last NFC wildcard Kearns said. games on a season-ending Sunday Philadelphia 24 Dallas 22 with a 42-17 rout of the Tampa “This organization gave me an that had 10 teams vying for the in a playoffs play-in game after Bay Buccaneers. opportunity, and I just had to keep last four play-off berths with all last year’s Super Bowl winning Also earning first-round byes working at it and setting my goals four NFC division crowns still Baltimore Ravens and Miami were AFC East champions the high.” up for grabs. Green Bay’s Aaron Dolphins were defeated in ear- New England Patriots (12-4), Patrick Maroon scored for Rodgers, who had missed the pre- lier games. 34-20 winners over the Buffalo the Ducks, who lost for the first vious seven games with a broken Needing to beat the already Bills, and the Carolina Panthers time in December and missed a collarbone, heaved a 48-yard playoff-bound Kansas City Chiefs, (12-4), who claimed the NFC chance for a club-record, seven- touchdown bomb to Randall San Diego rallied to tie the score South crown by edging the game winning streak on the road. Cobb with 38 seconds left to lift 24-24 late in the fourth quarter. Atlanta Falcons 21-20. Frederik Anderson made 20 saves the visiting Packers to an enthral- A loss by the Chargers would Next weekend’s wild card but lost for the second time in 11 ling 33-28 division-title showdown have ushered the Pittsburgh round will have the Chargers games this season. victory over the Chicago Bears. Steelers into the postseason, at Cincinnati and the Chiefs at “That’s on us,” Anderson said. The victory gave the Packers after their 20-7 victory over the Indianapolis in the AFC, and the “We know they come out strong, (8-7-1) the NFC North title by Cleveland Browns. 49ers at Green Bay, and the Saints and you have to be ready from the the narrowest of margins over A Steel City celebration looked at Philadelphia in the NFC. start.” quarterback Jay Cutler and the in the offing when Chiefs kicker The Panthers were first to Anaheim, which entered the hard-fighting Bears, who dropped Ryan Succop had a 41-yard field clinch an NFC division, over- game as the NHL’s top team, to 8-8. On the game-winning play, goal try with less than 10 ticks taking the Falcons when Cam also had a 13-game point streak Rodgers dodged the pass-rushing left on the clock for a KC win. He Newton hit Greg Olsen with a stopped. Julius Peppers and scrambled to missed wide right. seven-yard touchdown pass in “This was a big game for us,” his left on a fourth-and eight San Diego summoned some the third quarter for a 21-17 lead. Ducks defenceman Cam Fowler from the 48-yard line before find- more magic on their first posses- Carolina were made to sweat said. ing Cobb deep down the middle sion of overtime when they con- as Atlanta (4-12) mounted a “Now we’ve lost one in a row. beyond Chicago’s secondary. verted a fourth-and-two from last-ditch drive with less than a Green Bay Packers’ fullback John Kuhn (left) and offensive tackle David You can’t be satisfied with that.” It was a most appropriate their own 28-yard line on a fake minute to go in hopes of a game- Bakhtiari (right) celebrate with wide receiver Randall Cobb after he The teams will meet again at Green Bay connection, as Cobb punt that at first looked like it winning field goal but after reach- caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers Anaheim on Tuesday night. was also returning to the gridi- had produced a fumble run back ing their own 43-yard line, a bad (12) during the fourth quarter of their NFL game against the Chicago “These are a huge two games ron after missing 10 games with for a Chiefs’ game-ending touch- snap led to a 16-yard loss and Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, yesterday. The Packers defeated the and a huge four points,” Sharks a broken leg. down. Nick Novak went on to Carolina got the win. Bears 33-28, clinching the NFC North Division. captain Joe Thornton said. The Chargers found themselves kick a 36-yard field goal off that AGENCIES “They’ve been kind of running away from the division, and we sort of grabbed them and pulled them back a little. The next one is going to be another huge game.” Burns opened the scoring 1:17 into the game. Joe Pavelski fol- Durant powers Thunder over Rockets lowed his blocked shot with a wraparound try that bounced OKLAHOMA CITY: NBA the first quarter and were blitzed Philadelphia coach Brett Brown Young, who added a three-point straight to Burns, who found a scoring leader Kevin Durant in the second half. NBA Results said. “Tonight it split.’’ play on the next possession. crack between Anderson and a netted 33 points and grabbed Durant produced his seventh Golden State 108 Cleveland 104 The Lakers are a shadow of Jordan Farmar’s 3-pointer Ducks defender for the goal. 13 rebounds to spark Oklahoma 30-point and 10-rebound effort of Orlando 109 Atlanta 102 their traditional selves these with 55 seconds left cut the Burns has eight points in his City past Houston 117-86 yes- the season as the Thunder won at Oklahoma City 117 Houston 86 days, with Pau Gasol joining Kobe Sixers’ lead to three points, but last seven games against the terday, giving the Thunder a home for the 14th time in 15 tries San Antonio 112 Sacramento 104 Bryant and Steve Nash on the Shawne Williams missed an Ducks. The Sharks scored in the league-best record of 25-5. in their first game of the season Philadelphia 111 LA Lakers 104 sidelines for this meeting. That open 3-pointer that could have first 90 seconds of a game for the Reggie Jackson, playing in against Houston. didn’t dampen the Sixers’ enthu- tied it, and Carter-Williams hit ninth time this season. place of the injured Thunder Westbrook is not expected to quarter, Evan Turner added 22 siasm after doubling their road two late free throws to secure AGENCIES star guard Russell Westbrook, return until after the NBA All- points, and the 76ers hung on for win total in the second game of a Philadelphia’s second straight scored 16 points and passed out Star Game in February after their first road win since Nov. 1, back-to-back set. road win over the Lakers. NHL Results a game-high eight assists and right knee surgery. beating the depleted Los Angeles Philadelphia had lost 19 of 23 “It’s definitely a great way to Buffalo 2 Washington 1 Thabo Sefolosha added 13 points Meanwhile, the postgame Lakers 111-104 yesterday. since its unlikely 4-2 start to the close out the year,’’ Young said. Florida 4 Montreal 1 for Oklahoma City. whoops and hollers from the vis- Spencer Hawes had 19 points season. “We’ve been playing hard all Pittsburgh 5 Columbus 3 The Rockets, who fell to 21-12, itors’ locker room were audible and eight rebounds, while Young “Wins from time to time help season long. Our record doesn’t St Louis 3 Dallas 2 were led by 17 points from reserve through two closed doors after and Michael Carter-Williams validate the work that everybody say we’re going out there and Toronto 5 Carolina 2 guard Aaron Brooks and 15 each the Philadelphia 76ers capital- contributed big points down the is putting in,’’ Brown said. doing the job, but we’re working Ny Rangers 4 Tampa Bay 3 from Chandler Parsons and ized on their final chance in 2013 stretch as the last-place Sixers “If there’s such a thing as to get better every time.’’ Vancouver 2 Calgary 0 reserve Omri Casspi. to end their 13-game road losing held on for just their second win deserving something, I think they Nick Young scored 26 points on Dwight Howard managed only streak. in 11 games overall. deserved it.’’ 6-for-21 shooting in the Lakers’ NY Islanders 5 Minnesota 4 nine points and nine rebounds as Thaddeus Young scored seven “You keep hammering the rock, Philadelphia went up 104-99 fifth consecutive loss. Winnipeg 2 Colorado 1 Houston fell behind 16-14 after of his 25 points in the fourth and one day it’s going to split,’’ with 1:44 to play on a layup by AGENCIES San Jose 3 Anaheim 1 Football: Al Kass International Cup from January 13

DOHA: The third annual Al “The tournament seeks to raise prize of $75,000. With prizes of Kass International Cup will see the level of competition within the up to $3,000 for the most valu- twelve junior teams from some country and provide an exciting able player and best goalkeeper of of the world’s most prestig- experience for the visiting play- the tournament also up for grabs, ious football clubs descend on ers. Additionally, it not only ful- previous tournaments have hosted the outdoor pitches at Aspire fils QFA’s own vision of becoming emerging stars such as Adrien A file picture Academy in Doha in the New a leading football entity, but fur- Rabiot-Provost. The talented Year. thers Qatar’s Nation Vision 2030 French footballer, who plays as of last year’s The teams will battle it out by helping to raise its profile on a midfielder for PSG, impressed Al Kass for prize money worth a total of the international stage.” spectators and competitors alike International $248,000. Under-16 teams from Aspire at last year’s tournament. Cup. Brazil’s From January 13 to 23, Al Kass International and Aspire The 2012 Al Kass International Fluminense will once again join forces with Qatar will once more face their Cup also saw participation from defeated Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF), International counterparts Real then junior player, Kingsley PSG to win the Qatar Football Association Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain Coman who went onto become the last year’s (QFA) and the Qatar 2022 (PSG) and Brazil’s Fluminense. youngest player in PSG’s history tournament. Supreme Committee for a 10-day Newcomers Manchester City, FC that same year. tournament aimed at contribut- Porto, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, “It is a great pleasure to wel- ing to the development of a proud Auxerre, Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol, come the youths of the footballing footballing nation. and Chicago Fire will complete world back to Doha for this inter- “By regularly hosting a range the line-up. This year also marks national club tournament as we as of elite sporting events, includ- the first time a team from the a nation gear up to host the FIFA ing the Al Kass International United States of America will World Cup 2022,” said Hassan Cup, the country has success- compete. Al Thawadi, Secretary-General country internationally, so there the Al Kass trophy from 2012 International Cup is a unique fully positioned itself as one of the The participating teams will be of the Qatar 2022 Organising is a strong possibility that some champions PSG after having beat international showcase of junior sporting capitals of the world,” divided into four groups of three, Committee. of this year’s participants will be them on penalties in a dramatic talent from some of the most said Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa with the top two teams from each “We have already seen play- back for the World Cup in 2022.” final. prestigious clubs in the football bin Ahmad Al Thani, President of group qualifying for the quarter- ers from previous Al Kass The 2013 Al Kass International With Qatar keen to invest in world. Qatar Football Association. finals to compete for the top tournaments represent their Cup saw Brazil’s Fluminense take the future of football, Al Kass THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Qatar Volleyball League Golf: Seve’s Turkey top at the brother hits back at Euro Qatar Optimist Cup Tour claims SINGAPORE: The European Tour has been accused of Algeria clinch third place in Doha “manipulating and misrepre- senting” the intentions of the late Seve Ballesteros by launch- DOHA: Turkey topped at the Mokhtari and Nouha El Alia Akil Qatar Optimistic Cup ing a rival match play event team racing event of Qatar finished third. to the Royal Trophy between Optimist Cup while a team Around 44 sailors, born in Team Racing Europe and Asia. comprising of sailors from 1998 or after, from 14 countries In the latest twist in an increas- Great Britain, Germany and are taking part in the champion- Final Standings ingly bitter war of words, Vicente Switzerland finished second ship which is also contested in the TURKEY (First Place) Ballesteros said the inauguration here yesterday. individual boys and girls section. of the EurAsia Cup was not what The Turkish team of Rasim Sailors from Algeria, the Czech Rasim Yasar (TUR) his younger brother and five-time Yasar, Okyanus Arikan, Can Republic, Egypt, Spain, Finland, Okyanus Arikan (TUR) Major champion, Seve, would have Ertürk, Lara Cindoglu and Aaron Germany, India, Lebanon, Can Erturk (TUR) wanted. Schlinck came first followed by the Netherlands, Singapore, While the seventh edition of the team consisting of Mathew Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, besides Lara Cindoglu (TUR) the Seve Ballesteros-inspired Hardie, Richard C Falke, Nicolas Qatar in the competition which Aaron Schlinck (TUR) Royal Trophy was staged at Rolaz and Luca Schaefer. will end on January 2. China’s Dragon Lake Golf Club The Algerian team compris- The first three place winners GBR/GER/SUI (Second Place) last week, the first EurAsia ing of Mohammed Kebaili, Fares will get cash prizes. Mathew Hardie (GBR) Cup is primed to tee off in the Abdelfettah, Zakari Hichem THE PENINSULA Action from the Qatar Men’s Volleyball League match between Al Alhi Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur Richard C Falke (GER) and Al Arabi at Al Arabi Indoor Stadium yesterday. from March 27-29, 2014. Nicolas Rolas (SUI) PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP This week European Tour chief executive George O’Grady Luca Schaefer (SUI) asserted that Seve “would have ALGERIA (Third Place) cherished” the EurAsia Cup and Mohammed Kebaili (ALG) that the new event “carries with it the support of Seve’s family and Fares Abdelfettah (ALG) The Seve Ballesteros Foundation”. Zakari Hichem Mokhtari (ALG) Previously, the European Tour has quoted Seve’s son Javier Nouha El Alia Akil (ALG) Ballesteros as supporting the INDIA/NED/SIN (Fourth Place) EurAsia Cup. However, Vicente Ballesteros Aniketh Rajaram (IND) and Ivan Ballesteros, Seve’s Navyn Prabhakar (IND) nephew and co-managing direc- tor of Royal Trophy promoters Florine Bramervaer (NED) Entertainment Group Limited, Marsha Shahrin (SIN) vehemently refuted O’Grady’s ALGERIA/UAE (Fifth Place) comments. In an interview Vicente said: Anis Messaoudene (ALG) “George O’Grady is saying that Maissa Abdelfettah (ALG) Seve would have cherished this new tournament they are trying Abdullah Al-Raeesi (UAE) to create to damage the history Abdullah Al-Raeesi (UAE) and heritage of the Royal Trophy. This is not true. QATAR (Sixth Place) “Seve was very emotionally Ghanim Al Sewaidi (QAT) attached to the Royal Trophy. I am certain Seve would have found Kheireddine Bouchema (QAT) this new proposal to be in bad Jassim Al Mohannadi (QAT) taste and very disrespectful. A Police player in action against Al Khor at Al Arabi Indoor Stadium in A sailor taking part in the team racing event of Qatar Optimist Cup of Abdurahman Al Nasr (QAT) “My brother was a very fair Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (QSRF) at Corniche yesterday. Doha yesterday. Police won 3-0. In another match yesterday, Eljaish man and he would never support Isra Al Sulaiti (QAT) defeated Al Shamal 3-0. this type of insincere actions. I don’t have any personal inter- est in the Royal Trophy. My only interest is respecting what Seve thought and wished. “Mr O’Grady has also said that this new proposed event is sup- Indian flag hopes on ice ahead of Sochi ported by the Ballesteros fam- ily. I wonder what he means. My NEW DELHI: He may be smashed in training just before brother Baldomero and I do not This file photograph taken on India’s main medal hope in departing for Canada. support this new proposed event.” February 10, 2010 shows India’s February’s Winter Olympics But having secured financial Ivan Ballesteros added: “What but Shiva Keshavan still doesn’t backing from Bollywood stars, the Shiva Keshavan Kannan Palan Mr O’Grady has said about Seve know if he will compete under proud patriot’s biggest worry this practising for the luge event at is completely untrue. Seve would the national flag when he hur- time is whether he will be able the Whistler Sliding Centre in not have cherished this (EurAsia tles down the ice on his luge in to represent India, given its cur- preparation for the Vancouver Cup)... I am certain he would have Sochi. rent suspension from the Olympic Winter Olympics. He may be despised it. Keshavan, a veteran of four movement. The International India’s main medal hope in the “History cannot be rewrit- previous Olympics, is well accus- Olympic Committee (IOC) froze 2014 Winter Olympics in February, ten. If the European and Asian tomed to obstacles in his career India’s membership in December but Shiva Keshavan still doesn’t Tours think we will allow them representing a country better 2012 after its national association know if he will compete under to manipulate and misrepresent known for its sun-baked cricket elected a number of tainted offi- the national flag when he hurtles Seve’s intentions in such a dis- pitches than frozen speed tracks. cials to key posts. down the ice on his luge in Sochi. tasteful manner, they are very At his first Olympics in Nagano, The officials in the row included wrong.” Japan, in 1998, the then 16-year- Indian Olympic Association The Royal Trophy, originally old competed with a borrowed (IOA) secretary-general Lalit fresh elections. But the elections has indicated that while Keshavan in the Winter Games if they qual- co-sanctioned by the European sled, an oversized jacket and ill- Bhanot who faces corruption are not due to take place until would not be barred from compe- ify,” Bach said on December 10. Tour and Asian Tour, is now sup- fitting shoes. charges linked to the chaotic February 9 -- two days after the tition, he and three fellow Indian “But if there is no election ported by the Japan Golf Tour, the And he was only able to enter 2010 Commonwealth Games in Sochi Games begin -- and the qualifiers -- all of whom are skiers before Sochi which meets the China Golf Association and the the 2010 Vancouver Games when New Delhi. IOC has already ruled out lifting -- would be officially classified “as approval of the IOC, there will be OneAsia Tour. a group of Indian lawyers clubbed The IOA did agree earlier this India’s suspension until new offi- independent athletes under the no Indian flag in the Sochi Games, The EurAsia Cup is co-sanc- together to buy him a $10,000 month to revise its constitution, cials are in place. Olympic flag”. there will be no mention of India.” tioned by the European Tour and replacement for a sled that he had keep tainted officials out, and hold IOC president Thomas Bach “Indian athletes can participate AGENCIES Asian Tour. AFP Elite Goalkeeping Summit concludes in Doha

DOHA: Aspire Academy’s Elite A range of exciting prizes were project. They underwent inten- goalkeepers were given the oppor- Goalkeeping Summit came to a on offer including a trip to the sive technical and tactical goal- tunity to talk to football legend thrilling close yesterday as par- 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil keeper training sessions in order Iker Casillas. Captain of Spain ticipants took part in the ‘Battle and tickets to the Champions to learn how to defend their posts and Real Madrid, Casillas is the of the Goalkeepers’ competition. League match later this season. through shot-stopping, one-on- most-capped Spanish player of all The tournament marked the “I am so proud of myself for one interception anticipation and time. end of the three-day training securing the chance to go and aerial play. Jeff Caldwell, a 17-year-old camp, which saw some of the watch the 2014 World Cup, live The youths also practiced goalkeeper currently contracted world’s most promising young in Brazil. I will continue to work counter-attack goalkeeping skills to North Carolina Fusion in the goalkeepers put their newly hard to improve my performance including build-up play and attack United States was pleased to take acquired skill-sets to the test. and will hopefully return to Qatar transitioning. part in the mentoring sessions. The finals saw Argentinian with the German national team,” 16-year-old Ryan Huddart from “It was fantastic being able to goalkeeper Axel Wilfredo Werner Fritz Pflug added. the United Kingdom is a goal- speak with Casillas. He is a leg- face off against Peter Fritz Pflug. The elite football training keeper for the Arsenal under-18 end and at any time, I was able to Fritz Pflug, who plays for the summit was hosted by Aspire squad. communicate with the people who FC Energie Cottbus in Germany, Academy in conjunction with Tipped for success, Huddart inspire me; who have been there beat Werner in a close 5-3 the Iker Casillas Foundation. It commented on the summit: “The and done what I aspire to do, that shootout. brought together over 20 goal- Aspire facilities are unbelievable. is really something to value.” The aspiring goalkeeper com- keepers from around the world I left the cold, wet weather in the Caldwell continued, “The FIFA mented on his win: “This chal- with players being hand-picked as UK to the sunshine of Qatar. The 2022 World Cup is what it is all lenge brought together 20 of the potential representatives of their summit has been intense but the about. Training hard every day top goalkeepers from around the national teams for the FIFA 2022 sessions have been really enjoy- and working towards represent- world so I am very excited that I World Cup finals in Qatar. able. I have also had the chance ing your national side and becom- Peter Fritz Pflug (right) of Germany, winner of the ‘Battle of the won first place. I want to thank The talented shot-stoppers to see what else is out there, and ing a professional player. I am Goalkeepers’ competition at the Aspire Academy’s Elite Goalkeeping Casillas and the Iker Casillas trained alongside representa- to meet other goalkeepers from absolutely committed to return- Summit, poses for a picture along with former Spanish international Foundation for this fantastic tives from Aspire Academy and around the world.” ing to Qatar in 2022.” and Al Sadd player Raul in Doha yesterday. opportunity.” the Aspire Football Dreams As part of the summit, the THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

England coach fights Rustiness a challenge for off questions about future

MELBOURNE: Andy Flower (pictured) revealed yester- Sri Lanka, says Mathews day he will discuss his future with his new boss this week but vowed to fight We are playing a Test match after a long time: Sri Lanka skipper on as England coach despite facing a 5-0 ABU DHABI: Sri Lankan cap- Ashes white- tain Angelo Mathews admitted Pakistan cricket wash against his team faces the challenge of team captain Australia. overcoming rustiness as they Misbah-ul-Haq Flower play their first Test for nine speaks to media at admitted to months when they line up the Sheikh Zayed self-reflection against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi Stadium in Abu after he was today. Dhabi yesterday. repeatedly Sri Lanka have not played since Sri Lanka and asked at a beating minnows Bangladesh 1-0 Pakistan are due press confer- in a two-Test series at home in to play three ence about his March and their last Test against Test matches, role and the a major opponent was in January the first starting future of cap- when they played Australia. tain Alastair today. RIGHT: Sri “We are playing a Test match Cook. Lankan cricket after a long time and that’s a “Certainly challenge for us as a team. We’ve team captain when I exam- played some four-day cricket, but Angelo Mathews ine my role in the tour I ask it’s not as good as playing a Test,” (right) and bowling myself tough questions,” he told said Mathews yesterday. coach Chaminda reporters in Melbourne. “There will be a bit of rustiness Vaas chat during a However he gave no indication - there might be.” practice session. of any immediate changes at the South Africa failed the chal- top. lenge when they played Pakistan “My focus at the moment is in October -- also their first since team will cope well against the (Jayawardene) and Prasanna Haq vowed his team will carry the top side and competitive one to the Sydney Test match,” Flower February -- and lost in Abu Dhabi Pakistani off-spinner. Jayawardene. With that experi- confidence of a 3-2 one-day series play with, so you need to be at added. by seven wickets. “Ajmal has been talked about ence we should be able play him win over Sri Lanka last week. your best to do well against them. England cricket’s new man- However, the Proteas, ranked a lot in the team and we’ve made well, give him no wickets and “Our team is in good shape and We have kind of bowlers who can aging director Paul Downton number one in Tests, went on to plans about how we are going to make big totals.” we are confident but we aren’t really challenge the opposition has arrived in Australia and the level the series 1-1 with a win in play him,” said Mathews of Ajmal Sangakkara accumulated a going to be complacent. Every and I am confident we are going embattled coach said they would the second Test in Dubai. who took 18 wickets in Pakistan’s mammoth 516 in the three Tests game is a new game and you can’t to put a good show,” said Misbah. meet in Sydney, where the final Sri Lanka’s second challenge 1-0 win in the three Tests here in 2011 and then amassed 490 in just sit and think we are in good The second Test will be played Test opens on Friday. in the three-Test series will be in 2011. “There’s good experi- three Tests when Sri Lanka beat flow so its easy to go along,” said in Dubai (January 8-12) and the “We will talk about the future to thwart wily Saeed Ajmal, and ence in the team, if you take Pakistan at home last year. Misbah, who termed Sri Lanka third in Sharjah (January 16-20). of the leadership of the national Mathews showed confidence his (Kumar) Sangakkara, Mahela Pakistan captain Misbah-ul a tough opponent. “They are a REUTERS team as regards the coach’s posi- tion,” said Flower who took the job in 2009. “But I’m very motivated to contribute to England cricket Cook calls on seniors to and that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. He went on to defend his cap- South Africa’s tain whose leadership, defensive Jacques Kallis field settings and inspirational avoid Ashes whitewash qualities have all come under fire celebrates his team’s victory since the Ashes series began in MELBOURNE: on the fifth day Alastair Cook we need an outstanding 100 or “But the bottom line is it’s the November. of the second is calling on his seniors to an outstanding five-for (wickets) same for both sides, and one side “Alastair Cook has captained and final Test pull out something special for and then everyone jumping on the has handled it a lot better than six Test series for England and England to avoid the ignominy back of that. the other side. They are playing this is the first series loss that he’s against India of an Ashes whitewash against “That’s what turns around a some better cricket now than we had,” Flower said. at Kingsmead Australia. team that is struggling like we are are. “He’s done some outstanding yesterday. The rampant Australians at the moment to put in a good “To use that as an excuse would things for England with the bat, strolled to a convincing eight- performance.” be wrong.” but he’s also done some excel- wicket victory over the belea- Cook and fellow senior batsmen Cook said England would con- lent things as a leader inside the guered tourists in Sunday’s fourth Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell have tinue to work hard in training and dressing-room and out on the Melbourne Test to lead the series far from imposed themselves in hope the rewards will come in the field. 4-0 and stand on the brink of a this series: Cook averaging 29, Sydney Test starting Friday. “We are all responsible for this 5-0 series rout in this week’s final Pietersen 35.62 and Bell 31.00. England have some selec- result, the management staff as Sydney Test. The English have only scored tion issues to work through well as the players.” Cook, whose position as captain one century in eight innings with with the positions of spinner Geoffrey Boycott led the Kallis says he knew it was looks shaky after his team has rookie Ben Stokes’s 120 in Perth, Monty Panesar, wicketkeeper assault on Cook in his column in been comprehensively outplayed while the Australians have totted Jonny Bairstow and seamer Tim Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspa- by the Australians, has defended up eight tons. Bresnan likely to come under per yesterday. time to quit Test arena his players who crumbled under While Stuart Broad has cap- discussion. “Cook does not have the right pressure after holding a 51-run tured 17 wickets, his new-ball Kent offspinner James personality or tactical aware- DURBAN: Jacques Kallis said he knew the time was right to quit innings lead only to be bowled out partner Jimmy Anderson has only Tredwell, who was added to the ness for captaincy,” the former the Test arena as he bowed out after an 18-year career with victory for 179 in their second innings. 11 victims compared to Mitchell England Test squad with leg- England opener wrote. over India at Kingsmead yesterday. “We’ve some very good players Johnson’s 31, Ryan Harris (14) spinner Scott Borthwick follow- “The captain may be a popu- The 38-year-old all-rounder, regarded as South Africa’s finest crick- in our dressing room. We’ve some and Peter Siddle (13). ing the sudden retirement of lar figure in the dressing-room eter, scored a farewell century on Sunday to help his side to a 10-wicket record-breaking players who will Pietersen said during the Graeme Swann, is being linked but when his batting fails he has win and a series triumph in the meeting between the two top-ranked have some fantastic days left in Melbourne Test that his team- with a start. nothing to fall back on.” test-playing nations. an England shirt,” Cook said in mates were “mentally fragile” Bairstow, who replaced 75-Test Flower indicated there would His 115 in South Africa’s first innings also took him into third place the wake of Melbourne trouncing. from playing in back-to-back veteran Matt Prior in the wake be changes in the England side on the list of all-time Test batsmen, with 13,289 runs from 166 Tests, “I know that for sure. And we’ll Ashes series, but Cook said of the Ashes loss, revealed some that imploded on Sunday at the behind only Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) and Ricky Ponting (13,378). be praising them when they do England would not use that technical flaws behind the stumps Melbourne Cricket Ground to Kallis surprised many with his decision to quit, catching the crick- that. as an excuse for their poor and England may be forced to go from a winning position to an eting world unawares on Christmas Day with a statement saying the “We need that coming out of us performances. recall Prior after dropping him eight-wicket defeat. second test against India would be his last but that he would continue now, in Sydney, and I think that “I think 10 back-to-back Test for the game at Melbourne. “I’d imagine there will be one or in the limited overs format. Usually it has been the other way round is what we need in Sydney now: matches is a big ask,” he said. REUTERS two changes for the Sydney Test,” for top players. he said. “It was a tough call but people say there comes a days when you “We are always looking for wake up and you realise it is time to quit,” he told reporters. change and change for the good “I felt it was the right time and to finish it off in this manner has and one of our principles is to look been incredible, the way the people have come out to support me, the Doolan called up to for constant improvement. way Cricket South Africa have made it a special game, my team-mates “This obviously is one of the have made it a special game. I couldn’t have hoped for a better exit.” tough times and sometimes Kallis was lifted briefly on the shoulders of his team-mates as he through adversity ... there will made a post-game lap of honour around Kingsmead, waving to the be change for good as well, some- crowd and at one point stopping to down a can of beer. Australian Test squad times there are great learning All his South African team mates wore a tee-shirt with his picture environments. on the front and inscribed on the back was: “The only player to score SYDNEY: Australia yesterday added batsman consideration for selection ahead of the Ashes series “This is a very challenging time 10 00 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket”. Alex Doolan (pictured right) to their squad ahead after a string of solid performances in four-day for any leader so for Alastair and Later they posed for individual pictures with him in a mark of the of the final Ashes Test against cricket for Tasmania at the start of it’s certainly in that bracket and esteem in which he is held. It was fitting he departed in Durban on the England as doubts remained over this season, but also after an excel- out of challenging times some- same ground he where he started his Test career in 1995. the fitness of some players. lent finish to last season.” times we can grow significantly.” “I sat here the day before the game and as I looked out over the field, Cricket Australia said the Despite the call-up, bowling Flower was asked if he wanted I realised an nothing much has changed (in my 18-year Test career). Tasmanian was the only addition coach Craig McDermott predicted to build a new England side on I’ve just got a little bit older. I still had the same butterflies and nerves.” to the squad which is leading the no changes to the attack for the young talent such as Ben Stokes, Kallis was greeted before he went out to bat on Saturday with a series 4-0 and firm favourite to win fifth Test. England’s sole Ashes centurion. guard of honour from the Indian fielders, similar to the one they pro- the fifth Test starting Friday at the “I fully expect we’ll have the same “I think the prospect of build- duced for Sachin Tendulkar when he finished his Test career against Sydney Cricket Ground. team, or the same bowling group in ing a new successful England the West Indies last month. Doolan is expected to be avail- Sydney,” he said. side would excite any coach,” the “Thanks to the Indian team for that guard of honour, that was really able if all-rounder Shane Watson “I’m very confident that will former Zimbabwean batsman special. I’m glad I wasn’t facing immediately because it gave me a few is ruled out after suffering a groin happen. said. seconds to gather my thoughts. It was a really emotional moment,” strain during the fourth Test win “Watto proved that (fitness) yes- “Alastair and I will work hard he added. Kallis shed a brief tear too on Sunday when he reached his in Melbourne. Fast bowler Ryan terday -- he ran between wickets to get the most out of those young 45th Test century, a figure bettered only by Tendulkar’s 51, a departure Harris is also battling chronic knee pretty well.” guys... work together for the bet- from his usually stoic and quiet demeanour. soreness. In the only other squad change, terment of England cricket.” “I suppose I’ll miss the cricket, but mostly the friendships, the win- “With some players still being paceman Doug Bollinger has been Flower added that he was dis- ning times and the tough times. All that goes on in the change room,” assessed by our medical team after released to play in the domestic appointed leading spin bowler he added. four demanding Tests, we have Twenty20 competition. Graeme Swann retired immedi- Kallis now turns his focus to the limited-overs game, with his only decided to add Alex to ensure we have sufficient Inverarity said the selection panel felt there was ately after defeat in the third Test remaining ambition being success in the one-day World Cup. cover in our batting line-up should it be required,” sufficient cover for Bollinger with James Faulkner in Perth. “I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup national selector John Inverarity said. and Nathan Coulter-Nile also in the squad. “I would have liked him to see in 2015 if I am fit and performing,” he said. REUTERS “Alex is a talented player who came under strong REUTERS the tour out,” he said. REUTERS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

World number one Rafael Nadal of Spain is seen during his first official news conference of the 2014 season at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha yesterday. PICTURES: SHAIVAL DALAL Nadal happy to start season on time BY RIZWAN REHMAT the beginning,” a visibly relieved Nadal competitive, but if not, I will keep prac- had (previously),” Nadal said. “So even Becker while Roger Federer has signed said yesterday. “So this year is a spe- ticing hard because (the next) two weeks if I was able to play very well this year, Stefan Edberg. DOHA: Despite being occasionally cial feeling, (to) start again,” Nadal said are important for me,” Nadal said. you know, that I played a lot of days with “It’s much better if you have big bothered by a dodgy knee, Rafael ahead of his first-round clash at Qatar Nadal said staying healthy was goal anti-inflammatories. But anyway, I was stars, past stars involved in our sport Nadal feels relieved to arrive for the ExxonMobil Open today. number one in the new season able to compete very well during the full like (Ivan) Lendl, Becker and Edberg. first event of the new season, saying The right-hander revealed he started “The goals are very similar all the season since I started (the treatment). They will be around the Tour much more playing doubles would make up for hitting balls only two weeks ago. time. Just staying healthy is the most That was my goal and idea so I am very often today because of the new status apparent lack of match practice at the “I started (training only) two weeks important thing. Without health, the happy about everything. that they have. So that will be great start of 2014. ago - two weeks and a half,” Nadal said. rest is impossible,” Nadal added. “I am “It is true that with that last treat- news for our Tour,” Nadal said. Last year in January, the current “And (in) the first week, I didn’t move going to try and be competitive from the ment I feel more comfortable on my knee “So (I am) happy to hear this news, world number one missed the Australian myself, just practicing from the middle. beginning,” he added. during the rest of the day. I feel that I because in the end what makes the Open due to a ‘stomach virus’ that So realistically speaking, I was playing Nadal - who added the French Open can do much more in normal life than sports big is the combination of history forced the 27-year-old to skip the first for one week. and US Open trophies to his Grand Slam what I did last year and a half, because and new events. major of the new season. The 13-time “I (am) gonna try my best. I am play- collection in 2013 - said his troublesome at the end I was playing tennis, but for “It’s great to combine the past cham- Grand Slam star only began his 2013 ing doubles also. It will help me for a knee was “feeling better”. the rest, I just relaxed,”” Nadal said. pions and they have a lot of influence season in February. little bit with more practice,” Nadal said. “I really felt that this one (new treat- Nadal backed the idea of former ten- on the Tour today with the new status. “Last year, (it) was hard not (to) have “I am trying to practice as hard as ment) really makes me feel more com- nis stars joining current top players like I think it’s great for us,” Nadal added. the chance to start the season from I can during these days. I hope to be fortable because I don”t have pain like I Novak Djokovic who has roped in Boris THE PENINSULA

Brisbane International Karlovic, Monfils Results BRISBANE: Results from the second day of the Brisbane International tennis tournament yesterday (X denotes seed): Men’s First Round: notch victories Grigor Dimitrov (BUL X5) bt Robin Haase (NED) 6-2, 6-3 Marinko Matosevic (AUS) bt Julien Qatar ExxonMobil Open: Verdasco wins Benneteau (FRA) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) DOHA: Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) bt James Duckworth Tall Croatian Ivo (AUS) 6-2, 6-3 Karlovic yesterday upset fourth seed Tomas Berdych of the Andy Murray (right) of Great Britain and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia Sam Querrey (USA) bt Dmitry Tursunov (RUS Czech Republic on the opening make their way to the court for their doubles, round-one, clash at Qatar X7) 7-5, 6-4 day of the Qatar ExxonMobil ExxonMobil Open 2014 against Daniel Brands and Florian Mayer of Open. Marin Cilic (CRO) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-7 Germany at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha yesterday. Murray/Zimonjic Karlovic, making use of his (3/7), 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 won 3-6, 7-6, 10-8 to advance to the next round. 2.08m frame, ousted Berdych 7-6 Women’s First Round: (7-6), 7-6 (7-4) at the Khalifa Tennis Complex where two-time Angelique Kerber (GER X5) bt Kristina Doha finalist Gael Monfils of Qatar ExxonMobil Qatar Open Mladenovic (FRA) 6-2, 6-2 France overcame a slight stutter Open results Order of Play in the first set to beat Santiago Maria Sharapova (RUS X3) bt Caroline DOHA: Results from the Qatar ExxonMobil Centre Court Start 2:30 Pm Giraldo of Columbia. Garcia (FRA) 6-3, 6-0 Open, Round 1, matches yesterday Karlovic, 34, fired an aston- [WC] M Zayed (QAT) vs [3] A Murray (GBR) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Alla ishing 24 aces in his straight-set Victor Hanescu (Romania) beat Joao Sousa A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [2] D Ferrer (ESP) (Portugal) 6-3, 6-2 Kudryavtseva (RUS) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3 upset of Berdych. The match [1] R Nadal (ESP) vs L Rosol (CZE) lasted 1 hour 46 minutes. 8-Fernando Verdasco (Spain) beat Filippo Dominika Cibulkova (SVK X9) bt Heather [5] R Gasquet (FRA) vs Earlier, Monfils, 27, won 7-6, Volandri (Italy) 6-3, 6-3 Watson (GBR) 6-4, 6-3 [WC] K Hossam (EGY) 6-2 to reach the second round Ivo Karlovic (Croatia) beat 4-Tomas Berdych Kaia Kanepi (EST) bt Alexandra Panova at Khalifa Tennis Complex after (Czech Republic) 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-4) Court 1 start 2:30 pm (RUS) 6-3, 6-7 (8/10), 6-2 spending just 77 minutes on the Lukasz Kubot (Poland) beat Daniel Gimeno- D Brands (GER) vs N Davydenko (RUS) centre court. Traver (Spain) 6-4, 6-3 [Q] D Evans (GBR) vs [7] E Gulbis (LAT) Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP X8) bt Hsieh Su- Also yesterday, eighth seed Gael Monfils (France) beat Santiago Giraldo P Andujar (ESP) vs [6] P Kohlschreiber (GER) Wei (TPE) 6-2, 6-1 Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat (Colombia) 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 [1] A Peya (AUT) / B Soares (BRA) vs [WC] Jelena Jankovic (SRB X4) bt Francesca Filippo Volandri of Italy. A former M Jaziri (TUN) / M Zayed (QAT) Schiavone (ITA) 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) world number seven, Verdasco won 6-3, 6-3 in 67 minutes. LEFT: Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic Court 2 start 2:30 pm Casey Dellacqua (AUS) bt Galina Lukasz Kubot of Poland also returns the ball to Czech [Q] D Brown (GER) vs I Dodig (CRO) Voskoboeva (KAZ) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 Republic’s Tomas Berdych reached the second round with M Przysiezny (POL) vs F Mayer (GER) a straight-set win over Daniel during their match at Qatar Ashleigh Barty (AUS) bt Daniela Hantuchova [3] I Dodig (CRO) / M Melo (BRA) vs L Kubot Gimeno-Traver of Spain. Kubot ExxonMobil Open in Doha (SVK) 6-3, 7-5 (POL) / M Matkowski (POL) won 6-4, 6-3 in 79 minutes. yesterday. Karlovic, making Hopman Cup It was Kubot’s fourth win over use of his 2.08m frame, ousted Court 3 start 2:30 pm Daniel in six meetings on the ATP Berdych 7-6 (7-6), 7-6 (7-4). [Q] P Gojowczyk (GER) vs [Q] D Thiem (AUT) PERTH: Results from the mixed teams Tour. O Marach (AUT) / F Mergea (ROU) vs [2] D Hopman Cup yesterday: In what would have been a Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) pleasing outing on a cool evening T Berdych (CZE) / J Hajek (CZE) vs S Giraldo United States bt Spain 3-0 yesterday, Britain’s Andy Murray (COL) / J Sousa (POR) Women’s singles: Sloane Stephens (USA) bt paired up with Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia to beat German duo of Federer insists he can Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 6-3, 6-1 Daniel Brands and Florian Mayer. Men’s singles: John Isner (USA) bt Daniel Murray/Zimonjic won 3-6, 7-6, Munoz-De La Nava (ESP) 6-3, 6-4 10-8 to advance to the next round Mixed doubles: Stephens/Isner (USA) bt of the doubles draw. Today, world number one still win a Grand Slam Medina Garrigues/Munoz-De La Nava 4-6, 6-0, 10-4 (match tiebreak) Rafael Nadal of Spain will play his first official match of the new BRISBANE: Swiss tennis “But then again, who cares? It’s dominate the men’s game again Auckland Classic season when he takes on Lukas great Roger Federer insisted up to me to show it, to prove it, in 2014. Rosol of the Czech Republic. yesterday he was still capable of and give it a try and give myself “I think Rafa and Novak are AUCKLAND: Results from day one of the Nadal, who won 10 titles in winning a Grand Slam singles opportunities like I have (had) in going to be the ones to beat this Auckland Classic tournament yesterday (x 2013, will kick off the new season crown despite a relatively poor previous years.” season, particularly in the begin- denotes seed): at Khalifa Tennis Complex hop- 2013 season which saw him slip Federer, who is playing the ning,” he said. ing to replicate his brilliant run to world number six. Brisbane International for the “Then as we move forward, you 1st round of form in the last season. The 32-year-old won only one first time in a change to his have to see if they stay injury-free Venus Williams (USA) bt Andrea Hlavackova Also in action will be second title in an injury-hit 2013, lead- Australian Open preparations, and keep on winning. I kind of (CZE) 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) seed and world number three ing many tennis fans to wonder recently added former Swedish expect them to go deep in most David Ferrer of Spain. Ferrer whether he would add to his great Stefan Edberg to his coach- of the tournaments they’ll enter, Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) bt Mona Barthel will take on Alexndr Dolgopolov record tally of 17 Slams. ing staff. Edberg was a renowned of course.” (GER x7) 6-4, 6-3 of Ukraine in their first match of However, the former world serve and volleyer, and Federer Federer said he hoped Murray Garbine Muguruza (ESP) bt Christina the new season. number one said he still had the conceded he would try and incor- had recovered well from back sur- McHale (USA) 6-4, 6-3 Wimbledon champion and ability to win one of the big four porate more of that style of play gery in September, but warned world number four Andy Murray and identified Wimbledon as his into his game. that the British world number Karolina Pliskova (CZE) bt Paula Ormaechea will have to negotiate the chal- best chance. “It’s going to be interesting to four might struggle in Melbourne (ARG) 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 lenge of Qatari wildcard Mousa “Let’s say I play my best, prob- see what he (Edberg) thinks -- if after so long out of the game. Shanan Zayed on the centre ably I always feel that Wimbledon it’s possible to play a lot of serve “It’s nice that he (Murray) Kurumi Nara (JPN) bt Alexandra Cadantu court. Murray is coming back is going to be my best chance,” and volley on the slower courts already played a few matches this (ROU) 6-1, 4-0 (retired) after a three-month lay-off. he said when asked which of the we see all around the world now, year now, even though it was an Johanna Larsson (SWE) bt Lourdes The winner in Doha picks up a four Slams he thought he could or if there are different ways for exhibition match -- it’s a big step Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France hits Dominguez Lino (ESP) 7-5, 6-0 handsome prize bag of $ 188,600 win in 2014. me to find my way to the net,” forward for him in his mind,” a return against John Isner of the while the losing finalist goes home “(Then) the US Open, Federer said. Federer said. US on day five of the Hopman Jamie Hampton (USA x5) bt Tamira Paszek $ 99, 325 richer. Australian Open, and then the Federer said he expected Rafael “I’m eager to see him again,” Cup in Perth yesterday. (AUT) 1-6, 6-0, 6-3 THE PENINSULA French Open. Nadal and Novak Djokovic to Federer said. REUTERS TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER 2013 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Ibra eyes more silverware PSG striker keen to resume rivarly with Real’s Ronaldo in Qatar friendly

BY ARMSTRONG VAS

DOHA: Paris Saint-Germain’s ace striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic Paris Saint says he is hungry for more vic- Germain (PSG) tories and titles with the Les coach Laurent Parisiens. Blanc (right) and Addressing a press conference striker Zlatan in the company of coach Laurent Ibrahimovic, of Blanc at the Aspire Academy here PSG attend a yesterday Ibrahimovic said: “I press confer- want to win more trophies with ence at the PSG. It’s my character. I’m never Aspire Academy, fully satisfied. The team has been yesterday. progressing well, the club has RIGHT: A com- made a leap in a short time, but bination of we must continue to work. We (PSG) have great success and I Ibrahimovic pic- am optimistic for the future. The tures during the victories must increase.” press conference. The French club, which is PICTURES BY: owned by Qatar Investment MOHAMED Authority, is in Doha in preparing FARAG for the second half of the season. PSG had an excellent first half of the season. The club lead Ligue 1 and has also qualified for the last-16 of the win by playing delightful football,” UEFA Champions League and the said Blanc. quarter-finals of the Coupe de la The former French interna- Ligue. During their five-day camp tional said they will take advan- in Doha the Paris club will take tage of the magnificent facilities on Real Madrid in a friendly on at the ultramodern Aspire Zone Thursday and Ibrahimovic is tak- in Doha during their stay here. ing that match very seriously. “They are very good (facilities). “Unfortunately it’s a friendly We will work under excellent match but we’ll treat it like a weather conditions and facilities competitive match. It would be are simply ideal. You could not good for our confidence to win,” have expected better prepara- the 32-year-old Swede said. tions for our second half of the He is also looking forward to season, which will be very busy,” resume his rivalry with Real said Blanc. Looking ahead of the Madrid’s Portuguese striker season Blanc said he has set cer- Cristiano Ronaldo. tain goals for the team. “It will be good to resume the “To maintain our offensive rivalry collectively with Real qualities and try to concede less Madrid and Ronaldo,” he added. number of goals, but it does not The match will be the sixth mean it is only the defenders who meeting between the two sides. have the responsibility of keeping The most recent meeting was the goals away but the the entire on July 27, 2013, a friendly match team as a unit.” during the pre-season prepara- The 48-year-old said he was tions in Gothenburg, Sweden. happy the way the team has pro- Coach Blanc also said the gressed in the first half of the match between the two giants will season. be highly competitive. “We had a very good first half of “Playing against Real Madrid the season and I think the pres- is always a matter of prestige. sure of Monaco and Lille in the This will be an interesting match, League is good for everyone. They although the objective of this win- encourage us not to slacken our ter camp is primarily to prepare efforts. We are ambitious and we the rest of the season with the had some good results and I hope PSG players attend a training session in Doha yesterday. This is the third year in succession the Paris club has idea of achieving our goals. So this they will be as good in 2014 like match will integrate our fitness in 2013,” he added. chosen to train in Doha during the winter break of Ligue 1. PSG are defending the Ligue 1 title they won in the programme, but I hope we will THE PENINSULA French League. Messi more than Striker Suarez

PSG coach Laurent a dream signing, Blanc reacts during a press conference can’t change his at Aspire Academy in says Ibrahimovic Doha yesterday. spots: Mourinho DOHA: Signing Lionel Messi “If he’s up for sale then the LONDON: Chelsea manager everything to win and Brendan (pictured) would take French whole world will be after him, not Jose Mourinho believes that Luis (Rodgers) is doing a fantastic job champions Paris Saint-Germain just PSG,” said Ibrahimovic from Suarez remains at the mercy of on him, because he’s changed. to the next level, according the French champions’ winter his “wild nature” despite the “There’s no doubt that he’s to their current star forward training camp here. Liverpool striker’s improved changed. But when the situation Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “I don’t know the situation conduct in the Premier League is like this, and you are losing, Press rumours in France sug- but I think he’s very happy at season to date. comes the nature of the player, gest the big-spending Qatari- Barcelona. Suarez was banned for 10 games the wild nature of the player or backed Parisians are in the “The press creates this but only after biting Chelsea defender the cultural nature of the player. market for a record bid for the he knows the truth. Branislav Ivanovic in a game last “Culturally, people from that Argentine wizard. “PSG’s project is to dream big- April, but he has since found the area (Uruguay), they like it. But And Ibrahimovic, who failed to ger but if you buy Messi, you don’t form of his Liverpool career to it’s not only that area -- there is a strike up a particularly successful dream bigger, you are bigger.” spearhead his side’s title chal- corner in Europe where I belong partnership with Messi during his Signings such as that of lenge. However, the Uruguayan was to (Portugal) that they also like it.” one season at Barcelona, believes Ibrahimovic, Brazilians Thiago involved in a contentious incident Liverpool manager Rodgers signing the four-time Ballon d’Or Silva and Lucas and Uruguayan towards the end of Liverpool’s 2-1 would not be drawn into a bat- winner would not just allow PSG striker Edinson Cavani have defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, when tle of words with Mourinho, with to dream of bigger and better, got many people believing PSG he went down under a challenge whom he worked as a youth coach but would make them a whole can genuinely challenge for from Samuel Eto’o after losing the during the Portuguese’s first stint new force to be reckoned with in Champions League honours this ball to Cesar Azpilicueta. at Chelsea between 2004 and 2007. European competition. season. Referee Howard Webb ignored However, he felt that Eto’o Last year they reached the his appeal for a penalty, enabling should have been sent off for a quarter-finals where they lost on Chelsea to complete a victory that knee-high early foul on Jordan away goals to Barca, while their took them to within two points Henderson, which yielded a free- best result in the competition of league leaders Arsenal and left kick from which Martin Skrtel remains their semi-final run in Liverpool six points off the pace put Liverpool ahead. 1995. in fifth. “Let’s talk about the first Eto’o And although PSG are cham- “Suarez lost the duel with incident, when he should have pions of France and leading the Azpilicueta, Azpilicueta has the been sent off,” Rodgers said. way in Ligue 1 this season too, ball, Azpilicueta is leaving the box “I know we scored from it but Ibrahimovic is determined to go with the ball, and now he (Suarez) that was a wild challenge where further. is doing an acrobatic swimming he’s come right down his knee and “I’m never satisfied, I want to pool jump to try to get a penalty,” down his shin, and didn’t even get win. We’ve progressed well and said Mourinho. a yellow card.” quickly. The team has come on “Because he’s so clever that he Skrtel’s close-range finish gave very quickly in the right direc- also knows that he’s in the area Liverpool a third-minute lead, but tion,” he said. “We play very good where he has the Liverpool sup- Chelsea’s response was swift and football, we have the ball, we cre- porters behind (him). decisive. Man-of-the-match Eden ate chances. “But Webb is only 10 metres Hazard curled home a fine goal to “There’s a high level of collec- away and I think the only mistake equalise in the 17th minute, before tive quality, our mentality is pro- Webb did was not to give him a Eto’o got a toe to a low cross from gressing. Everything’s going in the yellow card.” Oscar that Simon Mignolet could right direction and I’m delighted.” Mourinho added: “He (Suarez) only help into the net 11 minutes AFP is a very nice boy, he does before half-time. AFP Tuesday 31 December 2013 27 Safar 1435 Volume 18 Number 5930 Sport Price: QR2 Packers, Nadal happy Chargers join to start season play-off party on time

Sport | 23 Sport | 26

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Anelka Perfect send-off for Kallis agrees not South Africa crush India by 10 wickets; all-rounder bows out of Tests to repeat

DURBAN: Captain Graeme ‘quenelle’ Smith scored the winning runs as South Africa knocked off a modest 58-run target to beat India by 10 wickets in the sec- salute ond Test at Kingsmead and win South Africa’s the two-match series 1-0. cricketers pose LONDON: French striker The top-ranked nation achieved with their trophy Nicolas Anelka has agreed not victory soon after tea on the last after winning the to perform the controversial day to complete a highly satisfy- second and final ‘quenelle’ salute that has been ing result against their closest Test against India linked with anti-Semitism, his challengers in the world Test at Kingsmead, club West Bromwich Albion rankings. yesterday. announced yesterday. “India are always a big chal- BOTTOM: South Anelka, 34, sparked a media lenge and it was always going to storm on Saturday when he cel- Africa’s Jacques be important for us to do well ebrated the first of his two goals Kallis poses with against them,” Smith said at the in the 3-3 Premier League draw at post match presentation the ICC Test West Ham United by putting one It was also fitting farewell for Championship arm across his chest and straight- South Africa all-rounder Jacques Mace. ening the other. Kallis who made a century in his The gesture, popularised by final Test. South Africa were French comedian Dieudonne, 59 without loss in their second has been described by critics innings after India had been in France as an ‘inverted Nazi bowled out for 223 earlier in the salute’, but Anelka insisted on day, failing to offer much resist- Twitter that it was merely “a ance after being precariously Test century. He was the last South Africa took just 11.4 overs cricket for me,” he tweeted before dedication” to the comic. placed at 68 for two overnight. Indian wicket to fall, just after to knock off the required runs play. However, with England’s Only Ajinkya Rahane offered a lunch yesterday, swinging wildly with Alviro Petersen 31 not out “I have so many wonderful Football Association having bright spot for the Indians, com- on 96 with only the last tail-ender and Smith unbeaten on 27 after memories and stories, thanks to launched an investigation into the ing within four runs of his maiden Mohammed Shami left in support. a six and a four from the last two my family, friends, team mates matter, West Brom have asked balls of the game. and fans. Tough day.” Anelka not to repeat the gesture. Scoreboard Spinner Robin Peterson But there was more of a clini- “Upon reporting for training emerged as the unlikely match cal edge than heavy emotion on this morning (Monday), Nicolas India (I innings) ...... 334 Total (86 overs) ...... 223 hero, overshadowing his fast bowl- Monday as South Africa went was asked by sporting and tech- South Africa (I innings) ...... 500 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-53, 3-68, 4-71, 5-104, ing colleagues with a four-wicket about their task with business- nical director Richard Garlick to India (II innings) 6-146, 7-154, 8-189, 9-206 haul in India’s second innings to like efficiency to emphasis their give a full explanation about his S Dhawan c Du Plessis b Peterson ...... 19 Bowling: Steyn 21-8-47-3 (1w), Philander 16- add to brisk the 61 runs he scored status as the top-ranked Test goal celebration during which he M Vijay c Smith b Philander ...... 6 4-43-3, Morkel 16-6-34-0, Peterson 24-3-74-4 on Sunday. team. Kallis was taken by his again strongly denied intending to C Pujara b Steyn ...... 32 (1w), Duminy 8-2-20-0, Du Plessis 1-0-1-0 But nine wickets in the team mates on a lap of honour, cause offence,” read a statement V Kohli c De Villiers b Steyn ...... 11 South Africa (II innings) match for fast bowler Dale waving to the crowds and being published on the club website. R Sharma lbw b Philander ...... 25 A Petersen (not out) ...... 31 Steyn earned him the man of forced at one stage to down a can “The club fully acknowledges A Rahane b Philander ...... 96 G Smith (not out) ...... 27 the match award and he became of beer. The win ended a run of that Nicolas’s goal celebration has M Dhoni c Petersen b Peterson ...... 15 Extras (W1) ...... 1 the second fastest player to four successive Test defeats in caused offence in some quarters R Jadeja c Morkel b Peterson ...... 8 Total (0 wkts, 11.4 overs) ...... 59 reach 350 Test wickets. Durban for the hosts, who last and has asked Nicolas not to per- Zaheer Khan lbw b Peterson ...... 3 Bowling: Mohammed Shami 2-1-4-0, I Shar- On his last day of Test cricket, weekend came desperately close form the gesture again. Nicolas I Sharma c De Villiers b Steyn ...... 1 ma 5-1-29-0 (1w), Jadeja 4-0-16-0, R Sharma Kallis, regarded as South Africa’s to a world record fourth-innings immediately agreed to adhere to Mohammed Shami (not out) ...... 1 0.4-0-10-0 finest cricketer, was not troubled chase before settling for a draw this request.” Extras (B4, W2) ...... 6 Result: South Africa won by 10 wickets in the slips and did not bat in the in the first Test in Johannesburg. Dieudonne, whose full name is second innings. “Last day of Test REUTERS Dieudonne M’Bala M’Bala, has been fined seven times for defa- mation, insult, hate speech and for racial discrimination. Yesterday, prosecutors in Paris launched a probe to ascertain whether he was guilty of inciting Schumi battling for life after ski accident racial hatred when he mentioned the “gas chambers” in reference GRENOBLE, France: Seven-time Schumacher is under the care of to a Jewish journalist during a Formula One world champion Michael Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spi- performance on December 19. Schumacher was fighting for his life yes- nal injury expert who is also president of Dieudonne maintains that he is terday after suffering severe head inju- the International Automobile Federation not anti-Jewish and Anelka said ries in a skiing accident in the French (FIA) Institute. Saillant told the news con- that he considered the ‘quenelle’ Alps resort of Meribel, doctors said. ference he was there as “a friend” and gave gesture to be “anti-establishment” “We can say that his condition is life- no further details on his condition. rather than anti-Semitic. threatening,” Jean-Francois Payen, head Bild reporters said Ross Brawn, the “I do not know what religion anaesthetician at the CHU hospital in the Briton who worked with Schumacher at has to do with this story,” he eastern French city of Grenoble, told a Ferrari and Mercedes as technical direc- wrote on Twitter on Sunday. news conference. tor and team principal respectively, had “I ask people not to be duped “For the moment we cannot say what arrived in Grenoble. by the media. And of course I am Michael Schumacher’s future is,” he added. Leading names in motor racing reacted neither anti-Semite nor racist.” “We are working round the clock - we are with shock on Twitter. West Brom said it had offered trying to win time.” “If anyone can pull through, it’s him,” its “full cooperation” to the FA The retired motor racing great, 44, said Britain’s triple Indy 500 winner Dario and would continue “to make its slammed his head on a rock while ski- Franchitti, who is still walking on crutches own inquiries”, but that Anelka ing off-piste on Sunday morning in the after a crash in October that ended his would “remain under considera- French Alpine resort where he has a vaca- racing career. tion for first-team selection”. tion home. “Come on Michael, give us one of those Under new anti-discriminatory “His helmet did of course protect him race stints at pure qualifying pace to win rules introduced in May, Anelka at least partly. Someone who had suffered through, like you used to. You can do it,” faces a minimum five-match ban a similar accident without a helmet would said Schumacher’s former Benetton team- if the FA decides he is guilty of not have made it here (to the hospital),” mate Martin Brundle. discrimination. Payen said. Former Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa, Pictures have also emerged Philippe Quincy, the Albertville pub- Dario, a Ferrari local fan, displays flags in front of the entrance of the emergency services who suffered a near fatal head injury at the online of two other French play- lic prosecutor, told Reuters an inquiry 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, said he was ers, current internationals Samir at the CHU Nord hospital in Grenoble, French Alps, where retired seven-times Formula One had been launched on Sunday to identify praying for his friend. Nasri and Mamadou Sakho, per- world champion Michael Schumacher is hospitalised after a skiing accident, yesterday. the causes of the accident. Initial find- Red Bull’s quadruple world champion forming the gesture. ings indicated the blow was so hard that Sebastian Vettel, Schumacher’s friend and The photograph of Nasri shows Schumacher’s helmet had shattered. Neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes said any further interventions at this stage. compatriot, expressed his shock and sup- the Manchester City midfielder “We know that the accident took place an emergency brain scan carried out on A spokesman for German Chancellor port for the family. making the salute outside City’s in an off-piste zone where rocks were Schumacher had revealed internal bleed- Angela Merkel said she was shocked to Schumacher is the most successful training base, but he said yester- partly or totally hidden by snow,” Quincy ing and injuries including contusions and hear the news. Formula One driver of all time with a day that he considered it an anti- said, adding that Schumacher had likely lesions. He said they had operated to treat “We hope that he overcomes his injuries record 91 race victories in a career span- establishment gesture. been thrown off balance by one of them. the internal bleeding. and can recover,” the spokesman told a ning more than two decades. Writing on Twitter, Nasri Schumacher was initially conscious as Doctors said Schumacher had been regular briefing in Berlin. He won his first two titles with Benetton said: “The pose in the picture i he was transported to a local hospital in placed in an artificial coma but, contrary to In Germany, Schumacher’s accident in 1994, the year when Brazilian triple posted over 2 months ago sym- Moutiers and then to Grenoble. However, an earlier French media report, said they topped news bulletins, with the bestsell- champion Ayrton Senna died in a crash bolises being against the system. his condition deteriorated sharply had not carried out a second operation ing tabloid newspaper Bild reporting on at the San Marino Grand Prix, and 1995. Its has absolutely nothing to do afterwards. during the night and were not planning its website: “Schumi fighting for his life”. REUTERS with being anti semitic or against jewish people. AFP