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Thursday 30 January 2014 29 Rabial I 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5960 Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Rent dispute Emir attends Air Force graduation panels’ ruling may be final Appeals causing huge delays

DOHA: Soon one might not be proposal to appoint a judge from able to challenge the decision the Court of Appeals and station of a Rent Dispute Resolution him at the premises of each Rent Committee in court and drag Dispute Resolution Committee. on a dispute for months on end. The judge would hear appeals Measures are being taken to against the verdicts of the make sure that disagreements Committee and pronounce his brought to a rent dispute settle- verdict on a fast-track basis. ment committee are decided on a The heads of Rent Dispute The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the Air College’s officer cadets at Al Udeid fast-track basis — within a month Resolution Committees are Air Base yesterday. The ceremony was also attended by the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al or 45 days. appointed by the Supreme Thani, a number of ministers and armed forces officers. See also page 4 At present, as most decisions Judicial Council, while two mem- of Rent Dispute Resolution bers of each committee are from Committees are taken to the the Ministry of Municipality and Court of Appeals for review, cases Urban Planning. take several months to decide. The Court of Appeals judge to A proposal under study, if be stationed at the Rent Dispute Two more private firms to operate taxis implemented, would bar people Resolution Committees would from challenging the verdict single-handedly hear appeals DOHA: Two more private com- transportation company provid- Executive Director, Support office is taking stringent measures of a Rent Dispute Resolution and decide a case without wast- panies will soon start operating ing diverse services in the sector Services, Mohammad Al to intensify quality control,” said Committee in court. ing time. taxis under the Karwa brand, while the Profit Group has inter- Ahbabi, Chief Executive Officer the company. The five Rent Dispute “If the proposal is approved taking the total number of cabs ests in Qatar as well as other GCC of Ibin Ajayan Group, and P Profit Group is preparing to Resolution Committees in the and enforced, rent-related disa- in the country to an expected countries. Balasubramaniam, group direc- launch 300 taxis by the end of country are headed by judges greements would be resolved in 4,000 by the end of this year. The new franchisees were tor of Profit Group, among others. May and will add another 200 by from the preliminary court. 90 percent less time than they are Mowasalat has signed contracts announced at a press conference Mowasalat said the new fran- July. Ibin Ajayan Group will start The committees, thus, have presently,” said Ali Mohamed Al with the Profit Group and Ibin at the Mowasalat headquarters chisees will operate using latest with 300 taxis in August and add the legal status of a preliminary Hammadi. Ajayan Trading Group, to enable yesterday to mark 10 year of technology for auto dispatch and a another 200 taxis in three months. court, so one can move the Court Al Hammadi is in charge of the the two companies to launch 500 service by the state-backed public monitoring system under the uni- Like maroon-roofed Al Million of Appeals against their decisions. headquarters of all the five Rent taxis each by the year-end. transport company. fied call centre that is being set taxis and blue-roofed Al Ijarah This causes undue delays in Dispute Resolution Committees, The new operators join Al The event was attended by up for taxis. “This, we hope, will taxis, the new cabs will operate settling disputes between land- which was set up recently vide a Million and Al Ijarah, two private Khaled Al Hail, Chief Executive greatly benefit customers and taxi with a distinct colour for the roof. lords and tenants as the cases Cabinet decision. companies that operate about 650 Officer of Mowasalat, Ahmed Al operators to mobilise to busy loca- THE PENINSULA drag on for months. Continued on page 7 taxis each on a franchise basis. Mansoori, Executive Director, tions and meet customers’ needs. Mowasalat reviews taxi driv- Given this situation, there is a THE PENINSULA Ibin Ajayan is a local Operations, Nasser Al Khanji, The Karwa taxi management ers’ payment system — Page 6

Egypt to put Jazeera scribes on trial CAIRO: Egypt will put an In a statement, the prosecutor Two journalists from Al Jazeera Australian, two Britons and a said the four had published “lies” Arabic and Al Jazeera Mubasher Dutchwoman on trial for aid- that harmed the national interest Misr, Abdullah Al Shami and ing 16 Egyptians belonging to and had supplied money, equip- Mohamed Bader, have been in a “terrorist organisation”, the ment and information to the 16 detention for five months, accord- public prosecutor said yester- Egyptians. The foreigners were ing to Al Jazeera’s website. day, describing the four as Al also accused of using unlicensed Al Jazeera said its five detained Jazeera correspondents. broadcasting equipment. journalists had not been officially Three of the Qatar-based tel- The 16 Egyptians are to face informed of developments in their evision network’s journalists trial for belonging to a “terrorist case. “The world knows these — Peter Greste, an Australian; organisation”, an apparent refer- allegations against our journalists Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian- ence to the Muslim Brotherhood, are absurd, baseless and false,” Egyptian national; and Baher which has been protesting against the broadcaster said in a state- Mohamed — were detained in the government since the army ment. “This is a challenge to free Cairo on December 29 and remain toppled Islamist President speech, to the right of journalists in custody, Al Jazeera said. Mohamed Mursi in July. to report on all aspects of events, The identities of the other for- The government has declared and to the right of people to know eigners mentioned by the prose- the Brotherhood a “terrorist what is going on.” cutor were not immediately clear. group”. REUTERS

Ice breaking in MPHC’s equity offer Syria talks GENEVA: The ice is slowly oversubscribed 5 times breaking in peace talks between Syria’s warring sides, UN medi- DOHA: The initial public 323.2 million shares were on offer ator Lakhdar Brahimi said offering (IPO) of Mesaieed through the IPO, and restrictions yesterday, warning that no sub- Petrochemical Holding Company on its trading by citizen-owners, stantive results were expected (MPHC) that was open to non-Qataris will have access to during this round. Getting the nationals for subscription was only a small percentage of the parties talking for the first time oversubscribed five times. company’s floating shares, ana- since the conflict erupted was a The share allotment process lysts said. big step forward, Brahimi said. is successfully over, the company The MPHC, promoted by See also page 10 announced yesterday. the state’s energy arm, Qatar A maximum of 1,633 shares Petroleum (QP), is expected to be Neutral govt were allotted to individual appli- listed on the Qatari bourse (Qatar cants. Those who applied for less Exchange) by February-end. in Tunisia were allotted the number of shares Nobody seems to be sure as to they wanted. what percentage of floating shares TUNIS: A government of inde- The IPO was priced at QR10.20, would be made accessible to for- pendents, meant to steer Tunisia and financial and stock analysts eigners for trading, but some ana- to fresh elections, took the oath expect the listing price of the lysts say they hope it is up to 49 yesterday, replacing an Islamist- shares to be anywhere between percent. led administration under a deal QR20 and QR60. As for the listing price, analysts’ to end political turmoil. Foreigners will be allowed to estimates vary widely. See also page 11 trade in the shares after list- Continued on page 7 AGENCIES ing, but due to the fact that only THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 TYC to empower 50 Qatari youth

DOHA: The Youth to shape their leadership skills. QIP the module, and finally, a graduation Company (TYC) has also offers opportunities to enhance ceremony upon successful completion announced a new ini- and streamline the overall experi- of all modules. tiative, Qatarisation ences of its members. These include “QIP believes in youth as a role Integration Programme the online portal Takmeel to sustain a model in terms of economic, human (QIP) to empower 50 strong network between the members, and social development of Qatar. Qatari youth aged 18 to a survey booklet to be completed by International experiences are avail- 24. members as part of research training able to Qataris to learn and inspire To be launched in April, in the Tadreeb module, the production the world, because Qatar deserves to the six-month programme of ‘My Tabdeel Story’ by each member be the best,” said Aya Abu Issa, CEO aims at encouraging youth documenting their experiences during of TYC. THE PENINSULA to empower and develop themselves while provid- ing them with knowledge, skills and life-changing experience of learning, interacting, socialising and identifying within the glo- bal community. “As part of the learning experience with TYC and achieving Qatar’s National Vision 2030, TYC under- stands the need of devel- opment in Qatari youth in terms of soft skills. TYC provides an extensive pro- gramme for Qatari youth that not only enhances their basic skills of lead- ership, but also provides them with a platform to access world-class facili- ties and understand the concept of innovation, col- laboration, communication and active citizenship,” said Abdulrahman Sajid, Deputy CEO of TYC. QIP consists of four phases, each complement- ing the previous one, pro- viding experiences to youth. It starts with Tadreeb, an eight-week leadership training session, followed by the Tamheed module, where members learn how to start up and pre- pare their business ven- tures. The third module is Taghreed, which will equip members with tools needed for social media integra- tion in their businesses. The last phase is Tabdeel, where the members, now termed full-fledged entre- preneurs, enter a two-to three-month internship THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Emir attends Air College graduation ceremony

The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani viewing graduates’ parade and (right) honouring one of the graduates. (Below) Emiri Air Force pilots performing at the ceremony yesterday.

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh to request the Emir to review the which have introduced sophisti- knowledge, and fulfil expectations Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani parade of graduates. cated and multi-purpose planes to of your leaders,” Al Nabit told the yesterday attended the gradua- The Commander of the college their fleet”. He said the college was graduates. The Emir honoured tion ceremony of the first batch Brigadier Salim Hamad Al Nabit founded in 2009 and was part of outstanding graduates. The outgo- of the Air College’s officer cadets said it was a happy and blessed day the series of successes achieved in ing batch of graduates exchanged in Al Udeid Air Base. as “we commission a group of ‘air Qatar. The goal is to develop the flags with the incoming batch after The Prime Minister and falcons’ following the completion college as a distinctive institution, which the order for the graduates’ Interior Minister H E Sheikh of their professional air training”. he added. He advised the gradu- upgrading was read out and the Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa He said the college was estab- ates to obey the Allah and to work oath was taken. Al Thani, ministers and top offic- lished to defend the homeland and hard, saying this day was the start The Emir also attended an air ers were present. came as a result of the vision of of a path which was not easy. show performed by the Emiri Air As the Emir arrived at the the wise leadership for which “we “The homeland is expecting Force and toured the Air Base podium, the musical band played feel glory and pride. Our armed much from you as you are the facilities, including the take-off the national anthem and the forces are witnessing progress in hope and leaders of the future. area and the aircraft maintenance leader of the parade came forward all fields, especially our air forces Get fortified with religion and centre. QNA HMC wins three Arab health awards

Some of the winners posing for a group picture at the seventh Arab Health Innovation and Achievement Awards.

DOHA: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has Young Clinician Award was given to Dr Ibrahim M won three awards at the seventh Arab Health Fawzy Hassan at Hamad General Hospital. Innovation and Achievement Awards in Dubai. The judging panel comprised internationally rec- The awards honour exceptional healthcare pro- ognised experts from related sectors and disciplines. fessionals in the Middle East and the 2014 winners “The awards aim at recognising accomplishments were named on Tuesday at a gala ceremony at Dubai of healthcare professionals who continue to contrib- International Convention and Exhibition Centre. ute to the development of the Middle East healthcare The awards were celebrated during the Arab system and standards, and help create consistently Health Exhibition and Congress, the largest health- reliable and credible medical services for patients. care event in the region, which ends today. “The growth in the Middle East healthcare market Nine awards were presented to highlight the is mirrored in the increasing number of high-quality region’s growth and achievements in the healthcare submissions for the 2014 awards. The maturing yet field with Saudi Arabia and Qatar emerging as the dynamic industry brings out many best practices as front-runners taking home seven awards. reflected by the winners,” said Jan Schmitz-Huebsch, The Excellence in Radiology Award went to the Director for Business Development & Projects at Radiology Department at HMC, the Excellence in Munich Health Daman Holding in the Mena region Patient Centred Care Award was given to Cancer and former principal at Booz and Co Dubai. Transformation Team, HMC, the Cleveland Clinic THE PENINSULA QA wins Business Airline of the Year award DOHA: Qatar Airways Travel Awards, attended by won the ‘Business Airline over 1,300 industry repre- of the Year’ award at UK sentatives, was organised by Business Travel Awards the UK- based publication 2014 in London. It was also Buying Business Travel. named the ‘Best Long- Commenting on Qatar Haul Airline’ for the sec- Airways, judges said, “We ond year in a row. thought this was an out- “We are delighted to have standing entry, backed up by been recognised in two cat- glowing testimonials from egories for our high-quality leading buyers and manag- product and business class ers in the corporate sector. offering at these prestigious A dedicated business ter- awards. It is an honour to minal at its home airport, win two award categories cars that ferry first class against such strong compe- passengers from aircraft to tition,” said Paul Johannes, terminal and an impressive Vice-President Commercial corporate client retention north, south and western rate all made Qatar Airways Europe, Qatar Airways. the clear winner.” The 19th Annual Business THE PENINSULA

FROM LEFT: British stand-up comedian Omid Djalili, Qatar Airways VP Commercial Europe, Paul Johannes, QA Corporate Sales Manager UK & Ireland, Emma Deering, and Senior Vice President Diners Club International UK & Ireland, John O’Hagan, at the event. THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 HMC launches expo, contest to showcase safety achievements DOHA: Hamad Medical will gain new insights into how Corporation (HMC) has the science of improvement can announced the launch of a empower them to deliver patient regional storyboard exhibition care improvements. and competition to showcase “The forum is all about learn- achievements in quality and ing what tools and methodologies patient safety in the region. have delivered results in other The initiative will feature as organisations. Participants will part of the second Middle East enter into dialogues with inter- Forum for Quality and Safety in national experts to discuss how Healthcare in April in Doha. best these tools can be adapted The forum, ‘Empowering to local requirements to deliver Patient Care Improvement,’ is healthcare transformations that the result of HMC’s collabora- are right for local populations,” tion with Institute for Healthcare said Professor Michael Richmond, Improvement (IHI), a leading Chief of Medical, Academic and innovator in healthcare improve- Research Affairs. “Over 30 ple- ment worldwide. nary sessions, workshops and lec- The leading healthcare quality tures will provide a rich platform The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani being briefed on one of the projects. improvement conference will fea- for inter-professional and multi- ture IHI faculty and methodology, disciplinary knowledge exchange.” a quality improvement storyboard Maureen Bisognano, IHI competition and exhibition to President and CEO, will be among showcase improvement journeys six keynote speakers. They will of regional organisations by dem- enable participants to learn how PM visits Ashghal projects onstrating approaches, results, to determine and achieve patient challenges and lessons learned. safety goals, co-design improve- “We believe that there is a ment and transformation with huge benefit in sharing cultur- patients and families, cultivate Doha North Sewage Treatment Works expected to be completed by Q2 ally unique healthcare experi- quality improvement leaders and ences in the Middle East. There harness the best ideas. DOHA: The Prime Minister of infrastructure and buildings for 10 years after project delivery. are capable of pumping 680,000 is a wealth of knowledge and Gary Needle, HMC Chief of and Interior Minister H E projects being implemented by The sewage treatment plant is cubic meters per day through expertise in quality and patient Planning and Performance and Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Ashghal.” the biggest project for an inte- three main pumping lines each safety initiatives developed to Co-Chairperson of the ME Forum bin Khalifa Al Thani visited He presented a project model grated drainage system to serve 14.2km long, 40m deep, with a suit local requirements and we Planning Group, said: “The valu- projects under construction of DNSTW, highlighting sections more than 900,000 people in the diameter of 1,600mm. are excited to be able to provide a able education delivered at the by the Public Works Authority and phases, and Al Salhi gave a Doha North and West Bay areas Valued at more than QR8bn, platform to showcase some of the forum not only supports the (Ashghal), including Doha technical presentation on work in addition to Doha West, The DNSTW is part of the integrated best and most innovative ideas at proposition of Qatar’s burgeon- North Sewage Treatment areas and progress of the project. Pearl and Lusail areas. drainage programme, which our forum,” said Dr Abdullatif Al ing academic health system, but Works (DNSTW) and projects The design and construction of The drainage system includes includes similar networks vary- Khal, Deputy Chief of Medical, will inspire and empower any in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical the treatment plant costs about a sewage treating plant with a ing in size that serve all parts of Academic and Research Affairs, healthcare professional to deliver City. QR2.49bn ($684m) and the capacity of 245,000 cubic meters the country. Medical Education. better patient care solutions He was accompanied by Nasser project is expected to be com- per day, and sewage pumping sta- The Prime Minister also vis- Nearly 3,000 healthcare profes- based on applied, evidence-based bin Ali Al Mawlawi, President of pleted by the second quarter of tion for treated sewage effluent. ited the HMC project, which sionals from around the Middle practices.” Ashghal, Jalal Yousef Al Salhi, this year. The drainage system covers spans over 227,000 square East will share international Doctors, nurses and allied Infrastructure Affairs Director, DNSTW is being implemented the area from Duhail to The meters, and includes three spe- best practice in healthcare qual- health professionals will earn Lahdan Sagar Al Mohanadi, by Keppel Seghers Engineering Pearl through Umm Slal and Al cialised hospitals, a scientific ity improvement. Practising continuing healthcare educa- Building Affairs Director, and Singapore under the supervision Kharaitiyat areas. centre for medical research and physicians, nurses, quality lead- tion points. Storyboard proposal Ashghal’s department managers. of KEP International Consultant Sewage effluent reaches the a bio-bank. ers, healthcare administrators, submissions need to be received Al Mawlawi said: “The Prime and Stanley Consultant. sewage treating plant through Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Director executives, patient and family online at http://ihime2014.hamad. Minister’s visit to Ashghal’s Valued at about QR1.2bn, the sewage pumping stations. Valued of HMC, also accompanied the advisers, and students train- qa before February 28, for evalu- projects is a proof of his interest plant’s operation contract will be at about QR1.78bn, the pumping Premier during his visits. ing to be health professionals ation. THE PENINSULA and concern for the development implemented by Keppel Seghers stations have been completed and THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Camel festival ends Cabinet bars villa offices of firms in residential areas Proposal not to renew rent contracts after February 15 approved

DOHA: Legal, audit and The Cabinet also approved a Economy and Commerce on He highlighted challenges engineering consultancy draft law exempting some com- the outcome of the 29th session facing the growth of the pri- firms, veterinarians, agri- modities from customs duties of the Permanent Committee vate sector compared to the culture experts and trading and referred it to the Advisory for Economic and Trade overall growth of the national or any other companies with Council. Cooperation of the Organisation economy, including impedi- offices in villas in residential According to the draft law, of the Islamic Cooperation ments hampering businesses, areas might not be permitted these commodities are personal in Turkey in November 2013 tenders and procurements to operate from the venues use by people with special needs and a letter by the Chairman policy, requirements for ware- from February 15. and imported for the govern- of the Complaints Committee houses, land, commercial stores A proposal that the rent con- ment agencies concerned with of Qatar Financial Markets and buildings. tracts of these entities should caring for the disabled people Authority covering activities He said solutions had been not be renewed from February or societies licenced to care for during January-June 2013. provided through initiatives 15 has been approved by the them or GCC nationals having The committee was set up including the development of On behalf of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, H E Sheikh Cabinet. It was submitted by cards showing they are of spe- by Qatar Financial Markets economic zones, raising logis- Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani attended closing events of the Annual Camel Race the Ministry of Municipality cial needs. Authority under the chair- tic competence to meet mar- Festival at Al Shahaniya racing field yesterday afternoon. Sheikh Hamdan bin and Urban Planning. The Cabinet also approved manship of one of the heads of ket needs, forecasted growth Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman The Cabinet’s weekly ses- a proposal by the Minister of the Courts of Appeal, with the and low-cost warehouses in of the Executive Council of Dubai, and other dignitaries were also present. sion was chaired by the Prime Justice to form an ad-hoc com- membership of two judges from addition to Al Firjan initia- Minister and Interior Minister mittee for lawyers’ registration. the courts and two experts from tive which will provide citizens Participants contested for H H the Emir Golden Sword. H E Sheikh Abdullah bin It also endorsed a proposal by the stock exchange to rule on with services and contribute Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the Ministry of Information and complaints against penal pro- to lowering rents, along with the Emiri Diwan yesterday. Communications Technology to cedures issued by the authority. initiatives, including the open- However, some entities like form a joint panel for commu- The Minister of Economy ing of new commercial streets, Mowasalat reviews taxi nurseries, beauty salons and nications infrastructure. The and Trade then briefed the building and operating housing physicians’ clinics, among oth- panel will be formed under the Cabinet on studies, initiatives units for workers and submit- ers, might be permitted to con- chairmanship of a representa- and projects to encourage the ting them to the private sector. drivers’ payment system tinue to operate from villas in tive from the ministry, with private sector, infrastructure He also explained the goal of residential areas. members from concerned agen- projects for businesses and the state’s comprehensive logis- The civic ministry has been cies and departments. solutions to create condu- tic study, date of its completion for the past few years allowing The Cabinet took appro- cive business environment to and identified the government’s to enforce discipline consultancy firms to operate priate decisions after review- ensure the local products are role and partnership with the from villas in residential areas. ing a letter by the Minister of competitive. private sector. QNA DOHA: Mowasalat is reviewing continue. We may go for a unified sys- the payment system of taxi drivers tem for all drivers,” Nasser Al Khanji, in Qatar to introduce more disci- Mowasalat’s Executive Director for pline in the sector, a senior official Support Services, told The Peninsula of the company said yesterday. yesterday. Currently Mowasalat and other He said some drivers were upset private companies operating taxis by a new technology introduced by use two modes of payment. There the company recently that prevents are drivers working on a monthly tampering of taxi meters. salary basis and others on a daily There are different fare structures rental basis. inside and outside the city and some Recently a group of drivers of Al drivers were manipulating the sys- Million, that runs the maroon-roofed tem by charging higher amounts that taxis struck work demanding a cut are applicable to only those travelling in the daily rentals, forcing the com- outside the city, he explained. pany to announce a slight reduction. “This is no more possible, which “We are studying whether these means such drivers now earn less,” two modes of payment should said Al Khanji. THE PENINSULA

Traffic jams may continue for two to three years The President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades (third left) with the Chairman of QIB, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber AI Thani (fourth DOHA: People in Qatar may have implemented in other areas. left), the Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada (second left) and other officials at the meeting. to live with the snarling traffic at The Minister was addressing a least for two to three years. workshop organised by the Traffic “There is no quick solution to traf- Department to evaluate infrastruc- fic jams but some projects are being ture development projects. implemented that will bear fruit after The public transport system is QIB to support Cyprus in preparation of two to three years,” the Minister of being upgraded and there is a cam- Transport H E Jassim Seif Ahmed paign to raise awareness about the Al Sulaiti said yesterday. importance of public transport The projects aims at solving traf- among the younger generation. framework for Islamic financial tools fic problems permanently, he added. Proposals made by participants Separate lanes will be built for in the workshop will be taken into DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank bin Jaber Al Thani, said a financial and business commu- flow between Cypriot and public buses. The first project will be consideration to resolve traffic jams, (QIB) yesterday extended press statement. The meeting nities of Qatar and Cyprus. The Qatari companies. implemented along the Salwa Road said Brig Mohammed Saad Al Kharji support to Cyprus in pre- was attended by the Minister potential to support Cyprus Follow-up meetings will be starting from Ramada on an experi- Director of the department. paring a framework and of Energy and Industry H E in preparing the framework held in Cyprus in the near mental basis and such projects will be THE PENINSULA legislation to introduce Dr Mohamed bin Saleh Al and legislation to benefit from future to discuss opportunities. Islamic financial tools and Sada, his Cypriot counter- Islamic finance was explored Anastasiades and Sheikh instruments, such as sukuk part Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, and opportunities for col- Jassim praised productive dis- (Islamic bonds), in the island- Constantinos Petrides, Under laboration in the energy and cussions and said both sides nation, which is a member Secretary to the President of electricity sectors in Cyprus were looking forward to a close of the European Union and Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, discussed. relationship. Cyprus is the third Eurozone. Director of the President’s Sheikh Jassim confirmed the largest and third most populous The announcement came Diplomatic Office and members bank’s support to Cypriot com- island in the Mediterranean after the President of Cyprus, of QIB’s senior management. panies which have or plan to Sea. It is an advanced, high- Nicos Anastasiades, met the The meeting was described establish a presence in Qatar income economy with a very Chairman of QIB, Sheikh as highly productive promot- and said the bank is looking high human development index. Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim ing mutual benefits for the forward for further business THE PENINSULA

Spark lifestyle electronics store opens in Dar Al Salam Mall

DOHA: A new premium lifestyle elec- tronics retail store, SPARK, has opened its door at the Dar Al Salam Mall in Abu Hamour. The store, designed by an European agency, offers a visually stunning experi- William Close to play Earth Harp tonight ence through the use of innovative light- ing, customer-friendly product displays, DOHA: Musician extraordinaire Harp all over the world, from Seattle wide circulation paths and superior quality William Close (pictured) will play Space needle to temples in Vietnam, finishes. the Earth Harp, said to be the in Grand Theatre of Macau and the Spark Lifestyle Electronics is the first-of- largest stringed instrument in the Coliseum in Rome, Hong Kong, India, its-kind concept store for upscale electron- world, tonight at Katara Drama and the Kennedy Centre and Lincoln ics, IT, mobiles and appliances in Qatar. It Theatre. Centre in the US. addresses the lifestyle needs of customers Close, who creates and teaches oth- The Earth Harp was developed by looking for quality brands and products at ers to create musical instruments, will Close in 1999, as well as other musical competitive prices. play his creation which catapulted instruments. For the convenience of customers, the him to fame after being a finalist at It was inspired from the combina- store is divided into eight zones, each America’s Got Talent two years ago. tion of sculpture, music and instal- addressing a specific customer need. With The Earth Harp comprises hun- lation art that blossomed into new global best brands chosen and presented, all dreds of feet of huge strings attached genre of music making designs. products are ‘live, offering touch and try’ to Spark is the first-of-its-kind concept store for upscale brands. to the back of the theatre. Close’s work explores the connec- customers. This ensures a delightful shop- This will be Close’s first time to fea- tion between architecture and music ping experience for one and all. shopping for their needs and follow up for Lifestyle Electronics which plans to open ture in concerts in Qatar from tonight and creates musical installations that Apart from tech-savvy sales counsellors, delivery, installation of products as well as larger stores in the coming months across until Saturday. use architecture as part of the instru- Spark has customer service specialists to after sales service. Qatar. He has performed with his Earth ment. THE PENINSULA offer personal assistance to customers in This is be the first concept store of Spark THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Qatar elected chair of Arab Ministerial Rota to host Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Water Council Executive Board Fun Day at MIA Park on February 7 CAIRO: The Arab Ministerial Water Council held its executive board DOHA: A spectacular line-up of activi- Bo Shri (Kuwait), rally racer Nada Zeidan meeting at the Arab League ties and Arab celebrities will highlight (Qatar), and teenage swimming sensation headquarters yesterday and the annual Wheels ‘n’ Heels Family Fun Nada Mohamed Arakji (Qatar). elected Qatar chair and Day hosted by Reach Out To Asia (Rota). A special Kids Zone will provide non- Tunisia deputy chair for Now in its seventh year, Wheels ‘n’ stop live entertainment, bouncy castles, 2014-15. Heels, considered the largest community face painting, fun games, interactive sports, After chairing the meeting, event in Qatar, will be held on February 7 and performances by well-known sing- the Kuwaiti Minister of Public at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. ers and dancers. The Childhood Cultural Works, Electricity and Water Among the local and international celeb- Centre will be providing books and arts and Abdulaziz Al Ibrahim stressed rities and sports icons who will participate crafts materials to the event. the importance of benefiting at the event are Singer Shama Hamdan ‘Stay Active and Healthy’ will be the from experienced nations on from the UAE, Mahmoud and Abdullah message in the Active & Health Zone which the subject. Bo Shri (Kuwait), rally racer Nada Zeidan will provide knowledge on first aid, how to “Water is the base of all liv- (Qatar), and teenage swimming sensation prevent accidents, and a free health check- ing things, and can result in Nada Mohamed Arakji (Qatar). up. Aspire and Qatar Cycling Federation future wars if solutions are Popular Baraem Children’s Channel will bring fitness activities and sports fun not found (to its shortage),” presenters Ahmed Al Mulla and Jihan for the whole family. he said. Arsanious will be the masters of the cer- Action on Diabetes village will raise He urged a “common and emony of the event. awareness about the prevention and man- resilient vision” of Arab Participants may jog, walk, cycle or agement of diabetes and the promotion of nations at international podi- wheelchair the three-km Circuit along the healthy lifestyle choices. The village has ums like the World Water Doha Corniche. The social activity will help already proved very successful attracting Forum in South Korea at the Rota raise fund to provide quality educa- more than 5000 people last year through end of February - and stead- tion to 48 million disadvantaged children a successful public-private partnership fast preparation for the Gulf in Asia. between the Supreme Council of Health, Participants in last year’s event. Water Conference in Doha two The action will kick off at 2pm and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), months later. among the entertainment will be perform- Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar Child Culture Centre, Oreedoo, Qatar N Lite, and Qatar Football Association. The meeting welcomed ance by Shama Hamdan. Diabetes Association, Maersk Oil Qatar National Cancer Society, Qatar Orphan There will also be a Wheels ‘n’ Heels Saudi Arabia’s proposal to hold Additional star-studded appearances will and Novo Nordisk. Foundation-Dhreima, Qatar Olympic Food Zone which will provide tasty, healthy a joint meeting between Arab include local and international celebrities Other Rota partners will participate in Committee, Qatar University, Green Life, snacks and drinks throughout the day. and South American nations in and sports icons, Mahmoud and Abdullah Wheels ‘n’ Heels 2014, such as ASPIRE, Qatar Brazil 2014, HMC, Qatar Bikes, Slim THE PENINSULA December to discuss coordina- tion on water desalination and water technologies. It also discussed several Karwa marks 10th anniversary of studies on saving water, and Israeli breaches on Arab water sovereignty. The meeting was attended service, to list in stock market by officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, DOHA: Mowasalat (Karwa) to two years, or more,” added the past 10 years, Ahmed Al Tunisia and the UAE. marked its 10 year of serv- Nasser Al Khanji, executive Mansoori, executive director – QNA ice yesterday with a strong director – support services at Operations said: emphasis on its achievements Mowasalat addressing a press “Today, we are proud to be and unveiling major projects conference yesterday. a pioneer in the industry in Panels heard 1,834 including a decision to list The future projects of the Qatar. the company in the stock company also include launch “We have provided taxi oper- disputes, decided market. of marine services (water taxis ating licence to private com- Mowasalat officially opened and amphibious buses) and a panies meeting the growing 1,130 last year its office at Abu Hamour in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) demand in the country, taking October 2004 and launched its system. the total number of taxis to Continued from page 1 taxi service in the same year, “The rail system is a welcome 4000 taxis by end of 2014,” The official told Al Watan in with a fleet of 600 cabs. The solution, but will still require The company’s bus service an interview published yesterday company started operating decade for full realization. In has also grown with 39 routes that last year the committees public buses in the following the meantime, for cost effec- during regular working days 41 heard 1,834 disputes and decided year. tiveness and quick solution, a routes during week-ends. 1,130 of them. “With an objective of increas- strong role for higher-order Nasser Al Khanji said, Some 289 of them were not ing market share and responsi- mass transit systems in the besides the public buses, the admitted for hearing. bility, diversifying fund options, form of BRT exists. company currently oper- In 2012, some 1,675 disputes improving company profile and “Although buses will continue ates 2000 school buses under were brought to the five commit- efficiencies, Mowasalat is in the to provide mass transportation agreements with the Supreme tees and the settlement rate was process of listing its shares in and will remain important Education Council (SEC) and quite high as 1,420 of them were the stock market,” the company throughout the metro and rail will add another 700 buses by resolved. said in statement yesterday. feeders, a study to implement the next academic year. Al Hammadi said that given Khaled Al Hail, Chief BRT along Salwa Corridor and The company in collabo- the fact that the population of Executive Officer of Mowasalat, Al Waab street has been con- ration with the Ministry of the country was going up due to however, said no time-frame ducted,” said the company. Transport and the Ministry a heavier influx of foreign work- has been set for issuing IPOs The Karwa Services Unit will of Municipality and Urban ers, rent disputes were quite low (Initial Public Offering) as a soon provide vehicle recovery Planning recently launched in number. prelude to listing the company and maintenance service to the West Bay Shuttle Service The committees hear disputes in the stock market. other companies and the public to help reduce congestion and only if rent contracts are regis- “This decision has been taken in its multi-purpose workshop. overcome parking woes in the tered with them. by the government and its Highlighting the achieve- area. THE PENINSULA implementation may take one ments of the company over THE PENINSULA IPO listing price expected between QR40 and QR60 Continued from page 1 they wouldn’t be able to Some suggest it could be guess as to what percentage up to QR20 to QR25, while of the floating shares of the others see it going up to company would be available QR40 and even QR60. for foreigners to trade in. Financial analyst The Minister of Energy Abdullah Al Khater said and Industry and Chairman market operators were and Managing Director of expecting the listing price QP H E Dr Mohamed bin to range between QR40 and Saleh Al Sada expressed QR60. Legal and financial delight at the successful expert Abdullah Taher, completion of the historic who initially suggested the equity offer. maximum share allotment “The overwhelming per IPO applicant could be response to the IPO reflects 1,600, was conservative in Qatari nationals’ confidence his estimate. in the strength and durabil- “I think the listing price ity of the national economy should be between QR20 and the policies pursued by and QR25,” said Taher. the government under the Al Khater said some suc- directives of The Emir, H H cessful subscribers could Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad sell half the allotted shares Al Thani,” said the Minister. on listing to organise funds He reiterated that the so they could repay loans IPO was to encourage long- and meet other financial term investment among commitments. “But, I think, fellow Qataris. By retain- most owners would like to ing their shares for longer retain the shares over five periods of time they would to 10 years for bonus,” he reap the benefits of long- said. term investment, said Al Al Khater and Taher said Sada. THE PENINSULA QRC aid for Syrian refugees DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent has signed agreements with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Disaster and Emergency Management at the Turkish Premier’s Office and the Turkish Red Crescent to pro- vide urgent assistance worth $10m for about 700,000 Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict. QNA THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Crisis in Argentina Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

RGENTINA is again facing a financial crisis which has sent shock waves across the country and rattled emerging markets. It’s surprising that this ALatin American nation has to be again standing on the brink more than a decade after it defaulted on foreign State of the Union: Platitudes debts. Memories of those days will send a chill down the spines of all Argentines, and that’s exactly the reason why the current crisis has created a mad rush for dollars. of a post-imperial presidency On January 22, the Argentina peso, already one of the weakest currencies in the world, went from six to one to the dollar to over seven to one the next day. It’s now hovering BY SIMON TISDALL theworld’s most challenging humanitar- around eight to the dollar as foreign reserves dwindle. The ian disaster, the “absolute catastrophe” Argentina’s Central Bank has less foreign reserves today UTTERINGS about that is Syria, merited a mere couple of than it had six years ago. If the Central Bank needs to tap America’s withdrawal lines from Obama. “We will continue to Obama’s determination into those reserves to save its ever-weakening currency, then from the world, about a work with the international community Buenos Aires could be faced without enough cash to service Mnew era of isolationism to usher in the future the Syrian people that America “move and introspection, have grown ever deserve – a future free of dictatorship, its debts or import oil. louder since Barack Obama entered the terror and fear,” he declared. off a permanent war The government of President Cristina Fernandez de White House in 2009. The president’s What does this mean? What it does Kirchner has panicked and devalued the currency and state of the union address on Tuesday not mean is clearer: no intervention, footing” is welcome. relaxed some capital controls in an effort to preserve the night will likely turn those mutterings military or otherwise; no forceful country’s dwindling forex reserves. But it evident from into a roar. leaning on the Russians to act more But ceasing fire the market reaction that the government has to do more Obama offered no great global objec- responsibly; no new UN security council tives, no noble world vision. There was initiatives; no meaningful support for should not mean to address inflation and other serious problems with the no strategic foreign policy realignment the opposition (vaguely defined as those economy that have made foreign investors and ordinary or even a calibrated international rebal- who “reject the terrorist agenda”); and ceasing to care. citizens lose their faith in the currency. Inflation is at record ancing. Here instead was an abdica- no additional help, or hope, for the mil- level. According to independent tion. Here was evidence of unabashed lions of displaced Syrians and destabi- economists, consumer prices retreat from attachment to the impe- lised neighbouring countries. 2010-2011 Arab revolt never happened. jumped 28 percent last year. rious might, the Obama’s new panacea is diplomacy. Nor did Obama have much to say More than a responsibilities Listlessly listing various flashpoints in a speech dominated by nitty-gritty President Cristina must take and the ideals across the globe, he spoke of diplomacy domestic concerns on the other big decade after responsibility for the current that once made almost as if it were a new invention international issues of the day, whether defaulting on crisis and take measures to America an unri- (which, as far as George W Bush’s fol- the problem be climate change (mostly repair the damage caused by Obama’s speech valled and deserv- lowers are concerned, it is). American ignored) or China’s unprincipled rise foreign debts, her decisions to the economy. ing superpower. diplomacy had halted Iran’s attempts (skirted around). was evidence Now it’s offi- to acquire nuclear weapons, he claimed, Japan and south-east Asian coun- In the years after its disastrous Argentina is cial. America, no and caused Bashar al-Assad to sur- tries that feel increasingly threatened default in 2002, which wiped of unabashed in the throes longer on offence, render his chemical weapons. Neither by Beijing will find scant comfort in the out the savings of millions of retreat from has lurched from assertion was strictly accurate, but following: “We will continue to focus on of another people, the country was doing one extreme to Obama was on a rhetorical roll. the Asia-Pacific, where we support our well economically. Some decisions attachment the other. For pax “As we speak, American diplomacy allies, shape a future of greater security financial crisis. taken by the president are Americana read is supporting Israelis and Palestinians and prosperity, and extend a hand to to the American hustle. as they engage in difficult but neces- those devastated by disaster.” said to have cause the crisis, The post-imperial sary talks to end the conflict there; to The politics of platitude continued like the increased spending on responsibilities presidency starts achieve dignity and an independent remorselessly. In Africa, Obama was subsidies, the printing of pesos, here. state for Palestinians, and lasting peace concerned about ending “extreme pov- the problems with the private sector and investors and the of an unrivalled Obama dressed and security for the state of Israel.” erty”. In Ukraine, he favoured free nationalization of an oil company and pension funds. The superpower. up his mes- Maybe Obama really believes this. speech. In Burma, well, whatever … government might disagree on these and might provide its sage in reassur- Maybe he thinks such a deal is still This was lip-service leadership ing phrases. “As obtainable and relevant to the bigger from a president who seems largely own reasons for the crisis, but it would agree that tough commander-in- Middle East maelstrom. The secretary to have given up on the world while decisions are needed to put the economy back on track. The chief, I have used force when needed of state, John Kerry, certainly seems reserving the right to bombard it government must tread cautiously and take into confidence to protect the American people, and I to. He has visited the region 10 times remotely (through the “prudent” use of the local economists and the business community so that the will never hesitate to do so as long as I in a year, trying to push the two sides drones), spy on it responsibly (through problems don’t go out of control. hold this office,” he said. But he made together. “reformed” NSA surveillance pro- clear that this year’s withdrawal from But “scary” Kerry is caught in a gen- grammes), and exploit it economically A crisis in this Latin American nation will push the whole Afghanistan – like the inglorious exit erational timewarp. While Egypt burns, (by maximising America’s technological region and the emerging markets into a downward spiral at from Iraq, now rapidly regressing into Iraq implodes, Libya fragments, the and scientific advantages). a time when the global economy has just begun to breathe virtual civil war – will go ahead what- autocratic Gulf states jostle with Iran, Obama’s determination that America normally. The Cristina government must keep populism ever predictably bloody chaos awaits the and Turkey, and Jordan and Lebanon “move off a permanent war footing” is aside and take serious measure to instill confidence. The Afghan people. falter under the weight of the Syrian welcome. But ceasing fire should not government has already taken some remedial measures, but What the former Labour foreign crisis, Kerry remains focused on the mean ceasing to care. secretary David Miliband has termed Middle East’s great lost cause, as if the THE GUARDIAN they will not be enough. The other side Quote of Unmet development goals the day E CAN only agree with the of socio-economic development is achieve nine MDG indicators, while worth focusing on. It is strange that assessment of Haoliang nothing short of shameful. Taking the we are off track on 25. While Punjab official delegations make it a point to Xu, UNDP regional director MDGs as a benchmark, it would be is faring better than other provinces, attend international conferences on the Wfor Asia and the Pacific, interesting to see how many of our it is nevertheless true that Pakistan’s MDGs every year, yet the state has very when he says that there is no “sense MNAs, for example, could name even most populous province is off track on little to show when it comes to actual More oil produced of urgency” in Pakistan at the national a single of the eight goals. The fact is most indicators. Balochistan, which progress on the goals. Even at a soci- level to deal with this country’s socio- that the state, the politicians, much of is at the bottom of the table nation- etal level the emphasis is on charity; we at home than we economic crises. To illustrate his point, civil society and the general population ally, has miserable figures all around. are not interested in teaching men to the UN official, while speaking to this are simply not concerned about human In the province, 43pc of children are fish, we would much rather give them buy from the rest newspaper, highlighted Pakistan’s poor development. underweight (against a target of 20pc) fish, and that too in unequal measure. performance where the Millennium We are in no position to meet the while Balochistan’s infant and maternal Comparatively, others in the region, of the world – the Development Goals are concerned. MDGs by 2015. Ever since the global mortality figures are equally depressing. including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, first time that’s Instead of pushing us further into community under the aegis of the UN It is, ultimately, a matter of priorities. are making good progress in meeting despondency, such observations, bitter pledged to meet the goals back in For our state and society, goals like the goals. There is still time to act before happened in nearly as they are to digest, should prompt 2000, Pakistan has had only marginal eradicating hunger, achieving universal poverty, illiteracy, hunger and disease twenty years. us to take remedial measures. Frankly success. For example, UNDP figures primary education or ensuring environ- combine to completely paralyse the Barack Obama speaking, our performance in the field show that this country is on track to mental sustainability are evidently not functioning of the state. DAWN US President THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 QATAR PERSPECTIVE www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Even silence has a price to pay rganisers of the Geneva II ABDULAZIZ AL MAHMOUD A big explosion is seen after a Syrian Conference on aircraft bombed Ras Al Ain town on Syria have depicted the Turkish border. Geneva II as the against its opposition? Does Obest and the only solution to the Muallem want the conference to crisis. succeed? Calls and invitations to the We must admit that Iran is conference rained on everybody President Bashar Al Assad’s main as if it was a wedding party backer and the one that controls everybody must be invited to The silence of the situation in Syria. We also and they did not want to forget must admit that all the aid sent anyone. Arab leaders to the Syrian regime by Arab However, they forgot while leaders over the past 40 years they were so busy sending invita- during the contributed to crimes committed tions, booking hotels and prepar- massacre of Hama by the oppressive and sectarian ing transportation for guests the regime that ruled Syria with an day thousands of Syrians were in February 1982 iron fist. dying and millions were suffer- was to humiliate The silence of Arab leaders ing from hunger, cold and dep- during the massacre of Hama in rivation in tattered tents, trying the Syrian people. February 1982 was to humiliate to survive in every possible way. the Syrian people. The blood of The United Nations Secretary- The blood of 30,000 victims and 130,000 since General, Ban Ki-moon, sent an 30,000 victims and then is on their hands. They for- invitation to Iran to attend peace got that silence is a crime. talks, but after the Syrian coa- 130,000 since then In his interview with Al lition threatened that it would Mayadeen channel, Al Assad said boycott the conference if Iran is on their hands. the Syrian regime had experience attended, Ban revoked the They forgot that in penetrating extremist groups. invitation. He said he would do the West a He did not tell us who asked silence is a crime. favour by striking Islamist move- him to invite Iran to attend a ments in the region. conference on an Arab country This was a reminder of what he that does not share borders with had done for decades. He tried to it, nor is it linked to its people in in Geneva. overcome his rivals in the region, any way. And then Foreign Minister as his prisons were full of young weighing it down with infighting extremist groups and wahhabis. identity, no unified speeches and Iran will try to foil all efforts at Walid Muallem started listing people who had tried to enter and disintegration. The messages never changed, the disagreements within have the conference, because it wants charges during his long speech to Iraq to fight the US occupation, So the coalition’s attendance and they found ears in EU and became clear in all speeches and to send the world a message point out that the conference was people who worked in the relief was weak, unlike the Syrian dele- other countries to listen to them actions. that it is the dominant player in a failure. He charged the opposi- field and people who were sent gation smiling all over the confer- because of their abundance and The emergence of a strong the region, and there will be no tion with treason and betrayal. by the West to get tortured in ence, pointing out its successful good formulation. Syrian personality that can reu- agreement without its approval. He said no one outside Syria the cells. mission before the conference On the other hand, messages nite supporters and push away Therefore, the Syrian regime had the right to call for Assad’s Not many have realised that even started. that support revolutionaries are non-Syrians who talk so much in will act accordingly in the con- ouster and that many countries clashes between the Islamic We will not forget that the not connected. They contradict vain is an urgent requirement, ference, and that is why the first that attended the talks had blood State of Iraq and the Levant Syrian regime has allies in Russia each other, sometimes change so that everyone can realise that Syrian statement included that on their hands. and the rest of the resistance and Iran which issue messages their course, without any warn- there is a centralised authority President Assad’s ouster would What do we expect from a groups intensified before Geneva describing the opponents of the ing. The front that supports the in the conflict, not a multiplicity not be on the table for discussion regime that makes such charges II to weaken the coalition and Syrian regime as terrorists, ouster of Al Assad has a vague in leadership.

KHALID AL JABER An open letter to PM and Interior Minister The future of social ear Prime Minister and themselves and their families. Interior Minister H E BY MOHAMED SALEH AL MUSAFAR They are from countries like DSheikh Abdullah bin Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria and media in Arab world Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, leading positions but preferred numbers of Qatari consulates Mauritania. Where will they go I am writing to you this open to leave to live in dignity here, and embassies to facilitate con- if they are not allowed to con- oes the social media help form the structure of pub- letter today after I failed to having refused to continue living tact between them and official tinue to live in our country? They lic space and play a crucial role in leading democratic reach you at your office because under oppression back home. agencies when they are abroad. cannot go back home because Dmovements in the Arab world? of the too much work you have at They took Qatar as their Your Excellency, what has the situation that forced them Does it contribute to creating awareness about demand for the administrative and security destination and our leadership made me write this open let- to leave in the first place has deep political reforms and elimination of authoritarian values? levels in this country. welcomed them. Our leadership ter to you through the media is worsened. Does it have the ability to form and guide public opinion and I have preferred to write this treated them generously and a decision/law by your Interior Worse, foreign embassies do mobilise society to produce a new culture in line with modern letter, which comes from a man preserved their pride and dignity. Ministry that prevents expa- not grant visas to people who do democratic options? Or shall we consider these hypotheses a who loves this country, a man Qataris did not need a visa to triates above 60 from renewing not have residence permits for at result of fertile and dreamy imagination? who does his best to protect the visit their countries in the past, their residence permits. least one year, even if they want German philosopher Jürgen Habermas coined the term security and peace of this coun- Qatari students could find their Other people and I can under- to perform Umrah or Haj. ‘public sphere’ and introduced it in his book The Structural try, given the fact that the press places in schools and universities stand the reasons for this deci- Our country has treated these Transformation of the Public Sphere in 1962. functions as a bridge between the there without any discrimination sion/law, but you know that people generously, provided them In the public sphere, the issues of society requires a social government and citizens. or suffering. there is always an exception to with facilities and protection for and political debate in which public and private issues are inter- I am writing this letter because They could stay in these coun- the rule, particularly when it their families. Can all this end all twined, guiding public opinion towards one or the other issue. I want everybody in and outside tries as long as they wanted comes to white-collar jobs. of a sudden? Amid the debate, the criterion for legitimacy in issues Qatar to know about what our regardless of whether they were Most people I am talking about I hope our wise leadership becomes the logic, reason and justification, not the hierarchy country and wise leadership young or old. here are the ones who were exempts this category of resi- or the shadow of power. As a result, the role of power becomes offer to people suffering every- True, when they go to these subjected to injustice in their dents from this decision/law. lax due to the growing public debate and social issues. where. Our country has opened countries, our citizens do not countries. I hope you continue to treat Latest statistics shows that 88 percent of Internet users its doors wide to everyone who demand any help from authori- That is why they had to leave residents above 60 with the in the Middle East use social networking websites every day. seeks rescue from oppression in ties there thanks to the pros- to escape oppression by their rul- same generosity you did in the The Pew Research Centre wrote in its last report that most Arab countries. perity Allah has bestowed on us ers and regimes. past. The reality is that Qatar, users of social websites in Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan Your Excellency, our country is and the fact that our wise gov- They came here to live as our founded by H E Sheikh Jassem depend on them for discussion on political, social and religious home to a large number of people ernment does everything possible brothers and sisters. Most are bin Mohamed and its renaissance situations and that they are twice their Western counterparts. who had to leave their countries to meet our needs when we are qualified and some work in gov- spearheaded by the Father Emir The report said that even in the US a small percentage of because of oppression and come abroad — even on vacation. ernment agencies and research H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa the population, mostly students and educated people, use social here. Some led a dignified life The Foreign Ministry always centres. Some are nearing 60 Al Thani, has become the desti- websites. The pattern is repeated in all other places, although in their countries and occupied provides Qataris with phone or above and feel worried about nation of the oppressed. the number of Internet users, who have accounts on social websites, is higher in the US and other Western countries than in the Middle East. As we enter the fourth year of uprisings and revolutions in the Arab world, debate on the concept of public sphere has begun again. It has begun to spread in the Arab space versus the dete- Our superiority in health and education rioration and decline of the traditional official media, and the negative role played by state-run media in the Arab world, which misled, deceived and lied to the public on even basic one of the Qatari min- evaluation policy of the Supreme issues. istries has been exposed KHALED ABDULLAH AL ZIYARA Education Council has not come I do not want to be very optimistic, as experience has taught Nto criticism and obser- up to the level of an acceptable me that what looks like gold could turn into dust when it vations as the Ministry of sectors. It will also contribute to education fund has played an standard in view of parents and reaches the Arab homeland. Education and the Ministry of providing financial resources to important role in achieving this students. Will the public sphere be an exceptional case that recon- Health. support projects and their suc- result. We praise the achieve- The current policy based on structs more than it destroys? This is because both have faced cessful results. ments that gladdened specialists ensuring effective perform- so much anger and wrath from It is delightful that Qatar is and intellectuals as they realised ance by students in home work, the people and the media con- ranked first in health and edu- how much our wise leadership is exercises, exams, projects and stantly asking for improvement cation projects established last interested in achieving a qualita- passing to the next grade after in the quality of services they year across the GCC states. tive leap in both sectors. mastering the required mini- provide, because both are deeply After all, it is the first country in The fund, founded with a capi- mum skills in every subject is rooted in their activities and the the GCC to set up a permanent tal of QR360bn ($98.8bn), has still a matter of slogans that future of the generations. fund for health and education. proved triggered energies and lacks incentive and spirit for Eventually, they are obliged to This is precious news, because provided sustainable financial creativity and performance. give in to demands of the peo- both sectors need morale boost resources for health and edu- The health and education sec- ple in connection with the vital to confirm the seriousness of cation programmes, as both tors need to be re-evaluated and affairs of their lives, as there is efforts made by officials to sectors are among the main pil- their projects studied and recon- no health without education, and achieve results on local and lars of Qatar’s comprehensive sidered, however, that should not no education without health. regional levels. development. underestimate the personnel We all remember the posi- According to a study by The fund has also increased involved. tive impact the setting up of a Dynamic Management Group responsibilities for officials in We all aim for integrated permanent fund for health and that looks into activities in the both sectors and will show how education and good health for education has had on the public two sectors, Qatar ranks top much it will contribute to pro- all and that is what makes both as it takes care of the two key with completed projects worth viding better services. sectors the centre of our con- sectors and supports providing $4.6bn in the education sector Both sectors carry so much cerns. The best reward we want better services. and $1.1bn in the healthcare of responsibility to convince is incentives from both sectors The fund is expected to boost sector. citizens that their services are to show they are doing the best development plans in both Undoubtedly, the health and improving. Nevertheless, the in view of the huge investments. THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST No substantive gains in Syria talks: Mediator Brahimi not disappointed as session ends tomorrow

GENEVA: International medi- “paragraph by paragraph”. arrangements must include the ator Lakhdar Brahimi said yes- While the opposition wants to removal of Assad, which the gov- terday that he does not expect start by addressing the question ernment rejects. to achieve anything substantive of the transitional governing body Despite contradictory inter- in the first round of Syria talks that the talks aim to create, the pretations of Geneva 1 by the ending tomorrow, but hoped for government says the first step is two sides, organisers of the talks a more productive second round to discuss “terrorism”. at United Nations headquarters starting about a week later. There was still no sign of a in Geneva have made it a prior- His sombre assessment came breakthrough in attempts to ity to keep the process going and as the two sides took a first ten- relieve the suffering of thousands dissuade either side from walking tative step forward by agreeing of besieged residents of the rebel- out. The absence from the talks of to use the same 2012 roadmap as held Old City of Homs, an issue powerful Islamist groups opposed the basis of discussions to end the that had been put forward to to Assad, and of Iran, Assad’s three-year civil war, though they break the ice and build confidence main regional ally, has put a major disagreed about how talks should at the start of the talks. question mark over what can be proceed. “We also tried to see what is achieved. “We talked about the TGB happening over the humanitarian The United States and Russia, (Transitional Governing Body), issues, in particular about Homs. the joint sponsors of the confer- Palestinian children carry placards during a rally in front of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in the southern but of course it is a very, very pre- Negotiations between the United ence, agreed on Wednesday to Gaza Strip yesterday, demanding the permament and unconditional opening of the crossing. liminary discussion and more gen- Nations and the Syrian authori- increase pressure on the two sides erally of what each side expects,” ties are still ongoing,” Brahimi to reach a compromise, Russia’s Brahimi told reporters. said of the stalled UN aid convoy. state-run RIA news agency Asked his expectations for the reported, citing an unnamed dip- Israel soldiers shoot dead first week-long round expected FIRST ISSUE lomatic source. to end tomorrow, he said: “To be “Mr Brahimi said tomorrow Brahimi said he was in touch blunt, I do not expect that we will they are going to discuss terror- with both powers and hoped that Palestinian teen in West Bank achieve anything substantive. ism because stopping terrorism is they would exert greater influ- “I am very happy that we are the first issue that should be han- ence in the future. A Western still talking, but the ice is break- dled,” said Bouthaina Shaaban, diplomat said it was positive that RAMALLAH: Israeli sol- Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, explosives. Palestinian hous- ing slowly. But it is breaking,” an adviser to Syrian President the parties were still at the table. diers shot dead a 19-year-old they said. The Israeli army said ing and public works minister he said, adding that he was not Bashar Al Assad. “We don’t think this is a proc- Palestinian in the West Bank a “terrorist” had opened fire at Maher Ghneim condemned what disappointed. The Geneva communique refers ess that should last years, but it’s yesterday, with the army alleg- a military post near Ofra, and he described as the “cold-blooded Opposition and government to the government and “armed clear that after three years of civil ing he had opened fire at them troops had returned fire, hitting killing” of a labourer who was sides said they agreed to use the opposition groups”, but there is war, a week isn’t going to resolve although witnesses insisted he him. working on a project run by the “Geneva communique”, a docu- no mention of “terrorism” or “ter- it,” the diplomat said. was unarmed. “We will continue to protect ministry in coordination with ment endorsed by world powers rorists”, terms used by the Syrian “What we hope is that by the The incident, which occurred Israeli civilians from acts of USAID. at a conference in June 2012, and government to describe those end of the week there will be suffi- just past the Ofra settlement, terrorism like this,” said army Ghneim also lashed out at which sets out the stages needed fighting to overthrow Assad. cient common ground so that they north of Ramallah, was the first spokesman Peter Lerner, in Israel’s attempts to “distort the to end the fighting and agree on The opposition delegation agree to meet again and hopefully time this year that a Palestinian apparent reference to an attack story” by saying Mubarak had a political transition. wants discussion of the transi- something tangible comes out on has been killed by troops in the on settlers. The military also dis- opened fire on troops, claiming “We have agreed that Geneva 1 tional governing body to come the humanitarian side.” West Bank. tributed pictures of the weapon the youth had been “carrying a is the basis of the talks,” opposi- first, including its size and respon- The opposition wants the gov- Palestinian medical and secu- he had allegedly used. sign to direct the traffic” when tion spokesman Louay al-Safi told sibilities, Safi said. ernment to allow in a U.N. aid rity sources identified the vic- The army later said an inves- he was shot. reporters. “They seem to be more ready convoy for 2,500 people under tim as Mohammad Mubarak, 19, tigation had found that the He called for an independent The Syrian government delega- to discuss that issue, but still they siege in the Old City of Homs, but from Jalazun refugee camp and Palestinian first opened fire at inquiry into the shooting by inter- tion, which had earlier submitted are trying to push it to the back of the government has said it needs said he was working as a labourer passing cars near Ofra before national rights groups. its own document that it wanted the discussion. We told them this to be sure the food and medicine on the road connecting Ramallah shooting at Israeli soldiers. A total of 27 Palestinians were the talks to focus on, said it would has to come first, because nothing will not go to armed groups or ter- and Nablus, as part of a USAID- But eyewitnesses said that killed by the Israeli army in the use the Geneva communique, with else can be achieved unless we can rorists. “It is still stalled, as far as funded project. Mubarak was not armed, and West Bank in 2013, three times reservations. Syrian state televi- form the transitional governing I know,” said Patrick McCormick, His father is locally-elected he had been harassed by soldiers the figure from the previous year, sion said the government wanted body.” spokesman of the UN Children’s leader of the Jalazun camp and who made him lift up his shirt figures from Israeli rights watch- to discuss the text of Geneva 1 The opposition says transitional Fund (Unicef). REUTERS member of Palestinian president to ensure he was not carrying dog B’Tselem showed. AFP

Murder highlights fragile Egypt security MERS death raises Saudi toll to 59 RIYADH: Saudi health authorities announced yesterday a new MERS death, bringing to 59 the number of people who have died CAIRO: The brazen daylight “Vengeance is coming,” Ansar The Muslim Brotherhood criti- been killed in a relentless crack- from the coronavirus in the country with the most fatalities. assassination of a police general Beit Al Maqdis threatened in a cised the army’s backing for Sisi. down on Islamists, according to The Saudi national, aged 60, died in hospital in the Riyadh region, in Cairo underscores the grow- statement addressing Sisi and “Now it is evident that what Amnesty International, while said the health ministry on its website, adding that he had suffered ing insecurity in Egypt, as it interior minister Mohamed happened on July 3 was a full- scores of policemen and soldiers from chronic disease. The ministry said it has registered additional awaits an announcement from Ibrahim. In just over six months, fledged military coup,” it said in have fallen to militant attacks. cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, bringing the total its army chief to run for the Sisi has managed to win accolades a statement on Tuesday, refer- Since Thursday alone, at least number to 143, including the fatalities. presidency. from a vast section of Egyptians ring to the day when Mursi was 13 policemen have been killed The World Health Organisation said on Monday that it has been Ansar Beit Al Maqdis, an Al for leading the ouster of Islamist ousted. “The military council, across the country, while four informed of 180 cases of infection worldwide, including 77 deaths. Qaeda-inspired group from the president Mohamed Mursi and whose main mission is to protect soldiers were killed in Sinai, Experts are struggling to understand the disease, for which there restive Sinai Peninsula, said it crushing his Muslim Brotherhood and not rule, mandated its chief, according to a tally. Egyptian is no vaccine. MERS is considered a deadlier but less-transmissible shot dead General Mohamed movement. the leader of the coup, to run for newspapers condemned Saeed’s cousin of the Sars virus that erupted in Asia in 2003 and infected 8,273 Saeed outside his home in a west- Mursi, Egypt’s first elected the presidency, so the military killing. “Terrorism assassinates people, nine percent of whom died. ern neighbourhood of the capital civilian president, was toppled by can dominate political life in general,” said a front-page head- on Saturday, and threatened more Sisi after one turbulent year in Egypt when it should remain far line in state-run Al Gomhuria, such attacks. office following mass street pro- away from politics.” while Al Akhbar said “Bullet of Bahrain shuts Shia clerics’ council The killing came a day after tests, amid allegations of grabbing General Saeed’s killing and treachery assassinates general.” DUBAI: A Bahraini court shuttered yesterday a Shia clerics’ coun- Egypt’s top brass threw its weight power and ruining an already later that of a policeman outside Supporters of Sisi feel he is the cil, after authorities in the Sunni-ruled kingdom accused it of polit- behind Field Marshal Abdel deteriorating economy. a Cairo church highlights the pre- only person capable of restoring icisation and illegal operations. Fattah al-Sisi to run for the presi- A victory for Sisi would keep carious security situation across stability in Egypt. Egypt’s mili- The court ordered the closure of the Olamaa Islamic Council and the dency, which if he pitches for is alive a tradition of Egyptian Egypt since the 2011 overthrow tary-installed leaders have even liquidation of its assets following a lawsuit by the ministry of justice, expected to easily win. Sisi has presidents being drawn from the of veteran strongman Hosni altered a road map envisaging the Islamic affairs and endowment, a judicial source said. not announced his candidacy yet, armed forces, but the road ahead Mubarak, with the violence hav- country’s transition to democ- The ministry said in September that the office had been “function- but has said he would run for the is expected to be riddled with sus- ing only worsened since Mursi’s racy by announcing the holding ing outside the law”. presidency if there was “popular tained political turmoil and chal- ouster. At least 1,400 people, of presidential election ahead of The verdict came as authorities crack down on opposition action by demand”. lenges on the security front. mostly Mursi supporters, have a legislative vote. AFP Shias, who make up the majority of the population in the Gulf archi- pelago. The council led by prominent cleric Issa Qassem “violates the constitution and the laws of the kingdom,” the ministry said at the time, accusing its members of “using it to practise politics under a confessional Erdogan meets Khamenei cover”. The council also “adopted the call for the so-called revolution,” it charged, referring to Shia-led protests against the government that Israel court hears erupted in February 2011 before being dispersed a month later. appeal against S Sudan frees most rebel detainees security barrier NAIROBI: South Sudan released seven of the 11 key leaders held after an alleged coup bid last month, Kenya’s presidency said yes- JERUSALEM: Israel’s top terday as Nairobi accepted to host the group. court was considering two The seven men appeared in apparent good health at a press con- Palestinian appeals yester- ference hosted by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in the capital day against the planned route Nairobi. John Luk Jok, a former justice minister, spoke on behalf of of its West Bank security bar- those released. “We don’t feel bitter, we only feel sad that the crisis in rier, which villagers say will cut our country is happening just after our independence,” he said. them off from their land. “We don’t see our president as our enemy,” he added. During the morning, the The release of all the prisoners has been a key demand of the rebels. Supreme Court heard a case Four leaders remain in custody in South Sudan, facing trial for lodged by residents of Beit Jala, attempting to topple President Salva Kiir after fighting broke out in southwest of Jerusalem, where the capital Juba on December 15. the barrier threatens to sepa- rate them from their olive groves Iraq takes back control of western areas and divide the local Christian community. BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces yesterday wrested back control of key Later in the day, the court areas west of Baghdad that have been out of government hands began hearing an appeal lodged for weeks amid a deadly standoff between militants and security by the residents of the nearby vil- forces. The battles in Anbar province, a mostly-Sunni desert region lage of Battir, who say the barrier bordering on Syria, and a protracted surge in nationwide violence, will destroy an ancient irrigation have killed more than 850 people this month, fuelling fears Iraq is system that they rely on to grow Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in slipping back into the all-out conflict that plagued it from 2006 to crops. Both cases were adjourned Tehran yesterday. Erdogan’s visit comes as the two countries are trying to rebuild relations strained by the 2008. Washington has said it plans to sell Iraq 24 Apache attack after the hearings, with no date situation in Syria. helicopters in a $4.8bn deal to help the country fight militants. set for a final ruling. AFP AGENCIES THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Tunisia’s new govt of technocrats sworn in Islamists Ennahda cedes power to caretaker cabinet

TUNIS: Tunisia’s new techno- as a model, the ruling Islamist hard-fought political accord cratic government headed by party Ennahda and its secular reached late last year. Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa opposition set aside differences to Ennahda won the country’s was sworn in yesterday, replac- allow Jomaa’s caretaker govern- first free elections in October ing an Islamist-led adminis- ment to lead until the elections. 2011, nine months after Ben Ali’s tration under an accord to end “It’s great to see power in ouster, but was bitterly criticised political turmoil and prepare Tunisia passed on in such a by the secular opposition for pur- for fresh elections. beautiful way and with sincere suing an Islamist agenda and fail- The formal transfer of power smile,” Jomaa said referring to ing to stabilise the country. took place at the presidential pal- Larayedh, an often serious-faced The political agreement also ace after a marathon overnight premier who smiled broadly at required the adoption of a long- parliamentary session in which the moment he handed over the delayed new constitution and 149 of the country’s 193 law- government. called for parliamentary and makers finally approved Jomaa’s Both met earlier in the day to presidential elections to be held line-up. discuss government policies and by the end of 2014. The new ministers took the pressing issues facing Tunisia The swearing in of Jomaa’s oath of office in front of President three years after the revolution government of independents Moncef Marzouki at a ceremony that toppled long-time dictator comes three days after the also attended by members of the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. national assembly adopted the former cabinet. Larayedh and Jomaa, who new charter in another late- Former premier Ali Larayedh, served as industry minister night session. The constitution an Islamist who spent years in in the outgoing government, was forged during two years of prison under Ben Ali, formally highlighted “the difficulties to acrimonious debate, including handed over to Prime Minister overcome in achieving fair and on the role of Islam and women’s Tunisia’s Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa (right) with former prime minister Ali Larayedh during a handover ceremony Mehdi Jomaa, a technocrat who transparent elections” due later rights, and is regarded as the at the government palace in Tunis yesterday. asked for support to bring stabil- this year, the government said most modern in the Arab world. ity to the country that started the in a statement. The dominant The adoption of the constitu- approval of the caretaker cabinet In contrast, neighbouring Libya political deadlock three years Arab Spring. Islamist party Ennahda agreed tion was hailed as a milestone yesterday achieves another of the and nearby Egypt both remain after the start of the Arab Spring. In a transition widely praised to relinquish power under the at home and abroad and the revolution’s goals. mired in instability and crippling AFP Turkey aims to scrap special courts in battle over judiciary

ANKARA: The Turkish gov- Erdogan support from secularists thousands of police chiefs and courts could mean some cases in establishment as he deals with form new alliances and the peo- ernment plans to abolish spe- as he fends off what he calls “a more than a hundred prosecutors which military officers and oth- the perceived threat from Gulen, ple that have been harmed by cial courts which tried alleged dirty plot” by former allies, judi- since a corruption investigation ers were convicted of plotting a former ally. the Cemaat (Gulen’s movement) coup plotters, it said yesterday, cial observers say. in December that led to three coups against the government of The head of Turkey’s could be the support it is looking a move seen as part of the rul- “We will be taking a historical cabinet resignations and which Erdogan’s Islamist-roooted party Association of Judges and for,” Arslan said. ing AK Party’s efforts to coun- step that we should already have Erdogan called an attempted coup — including the 2013 Ergenekon Prosecutors (YARSAV) said the Erdogan’s AK Party is believed ter forces hostile to it in the taken, as a state of law,” Justice by a “parallel state”. case — could be retried in regular Special Authority Courts should to have relied heavily on Gulen’s judiciary. Minister Bekir Bozdag told That was a veiled reference to criminal courts. Bozdag confirmed have been abolished long ago due influence in breaking the power Closing the courts that have reporters. “There will no longer supporters of US-based Turkish that his ministry was looking into to their “anti-democratic nature”. of an army that carried out three convicted hundreds of army offic- be different criminal courts cleric Fethullah Gulen who exerts possible retrials of those cases. “The AK party used these coups between 1960 and 1980 and ers and others in recent years within the judiciary and different strong if covert influence in the Some analysts say that could be courts as a tool to redesign poli- forced an Islamist-led govern- may also be aimed at winning methods of investigation.” police and judiciary. a way for Erdogan to gain support tics,” YARSAV’s Murat Arslan ment from power in 1997. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip The government has removed The abolition of the special from more secular parts of the said. “Now they are seeking to REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Italy electoral Russia raises pressure on Ukraine reform moves Putin signals Moscow may delay implementing bailout deal; lawmakers discuss amnesty to parliament

MOSCOW/KIEV: President Russia took similar action in ROME: Italy’s main political Vladimir Putin raised the pres- August in what was seen as part parties have agreed adjustments sure on Ukraine yesterday, say- of Moscow’s campaign to dissuade to centre-left leader Matteo ing Russia would wait until it its neighbour from signing the Renzi’s electoral reform propos- forms a new government before association and trade agreements als that should clear the way for fully implementing a $15bn with the EU. the closely watched package to bailout deal that Kiev urgently Ukraine has been gripped by come before parliament today. needs. mass unrest since Yanukovich The measures, designed to pre- Putin repeated a promise to walked away from the EU deals vent the kind of messy stalemate honour the lifeline agreement last November. left by last year’s deadlocked elec- with Ukraine in full, but left open Leonid Kravchuk, the first tions, are seen as vital to allowing the timing of the next aid instal- president of independent Ukraine, the creation of stable governments ment as Kiev struggles to calm stressed the depth of the crisis capable of tackling deep reforms more than two months of turmoil yesterday. to Italy’s stagnant economy. since President Viktor Yanukovich “The state is on the brink of They would favour strong coa- walked away from a treaty with civil war. We must call what is litions or parties, setting higher the European Union. happening by its proper name. minimum thresholds for entry A day after Prime Minister What is happening is revolution into parliament and guarantee- Mykola Azarov resigned on because we are talking about an ing a solid majority to the winner Tuesday, hoping to appease the attempt to bring about a change with a run-off round if needed to opposition and street protesters, of power,” he told parliament. decide the result. Russia tightened border checks With Yanukovich and loyal- Renzi, who is not in government on imports from Ukraine in ist deputies in parliament now but who has assumed an ever what looked like a reminder to making concessions to defuse greater role as head of the largest Yanukovich not to install a govern- the crisis and with Azarov, a party in Prime Minister Enrico ment that tilts policy back towards Russian-born hardliner, gone Letta’s ruling coalition, says elec- the West. there had been speculation that tion reform would be the prelude Ukraine’s new interim prime Moscow might slow or even halt to broader economic reforms. minister promised to try to limit the stream of aid. The changes agreed by Renzi’s the economic damage inflicted by But acting prime minister Democratic Party (PD) and Silvio the sometimes violent street pro- Serhiy Arbuzov appeared to have Berlusconi’s Forza Italia would tests, and said he expected Russia been cheered by Putin’s promise make it slightly easier for smaller to disburse a further $2bn aid on Tuesday to extend the $15bn parties to enter parliament by instalment “very soon”. Anti-government protesters rally in Kiev yesterday, marking the 96th anniversary of a battle near the small city of in credits and cheaper gas. lowering the minimum entry Putin had less of a sense Kruty in which 300 students, cadets and schoolboys were killed during combat with the Red Army to protect the “We have already received the threshold from 5 percent to 4.5 of urgency. “I would ask the newborn Ukraine’s People Republic against Bolshevik aggression. first tranche of $3bn and expect percent. (Russian) government to fulfill all to receive the second tranche of At the same time, they would our financial agreements in full,” throwing the ex-Soviet state a failure to sign the EU deals. “An would need $17.44bn this year to $2bn very soon,” he said, chairing make it more likely that an elec- he said, repeating a promise made lifeline in what the opposition and association pact with Ukraine pay its foreign bills, including for his first cabinet meeting. Russia tion would require a run-off vote on Tuesday after the government the West regard as a reward for would have been a major boost Russian gas. is offering the funds by buying by raising the minimum threshold resigned in Kiev. scrapping plans to sign political to Euro-Atlantic security, I truly The EU’s foreign policy chief, Ukrainian government bonds. a party or coalition would need to However, he signalled that the and trade deals with the EU and regret that it could not be done,” Catherine Ashton, called for sin- In Kiev opposition deputies and claim outright victory in the first latest instalment was on hold promising to improve ties with he told the French newspaper cere discussion during Ukraine’s Yanukovich loyalists were in back- round from 35 percent to 37 per- in remarks he made during a Russia. le Figaro. “The reason is well- crisis. “The dialogue which has room talks over the wording of a cent. The winning group or party meeting with senior government Alarm about Ukraine is known: pressure that Russia happened from time to time draft law under which protest- would then receive a winner’s officials, extracts of which were growing in the West. German exerts on Kiev.” needs to become a real dialogue. ers detained by police would get bonus guaranteeing a majority of broadcast later on Russian TV. Chancellor Angela Merkel tele- Ukraine badly needs the We hope to see real progress in amnesties. over 50 percent. “Let’s wait for the formation phoned Putin and Yanukovich on Russian money. Figures compiled these coming days. Time is really In an unusual move, Yanukovich Dario Nardella, a PD deputy of a Ukrainian government,” he Wednesday, urging a constructive by UniCredit bank before the bail- of the essence,” she said after himself was reported to have gone close to Renzi, told reporters said, before telling the meeting: dialogue between the government out put its gross external financing meeting Yanukovich. to parliament to intervene in the that a definitive accord had been “But I ask you, even in the cur- and opposition in Kiev. “The situ- requirements at $3.8bn in the first In an apparent sign of fur- debate. Opposition leaders, quoted signed between the PD, Forza rent situation, not to lose contact ation must not be allowed to spi- three months of this year alone, ther pressure from Moscow, the by local media, said he was insist- Italia and the small New Centre with our (Ukrainian) colleagues,” ral again into violence,” a German including $2.29bn for gas which is Ukrainian association of produc- ing any amnesty law should be Right (NCD) group led by Interior adding that discussions should government spokesman quoted covered by the deal with Moscow. ers said Russia had started extra conditional on barricades being Minister Angelino Alfano. “I hope continue before a new govern- her as saying. That rises to $5.5bn in April- border checks, backed by demands removed and government offices other groups will sign up to it as ment is formed. Nato Secretary General Anders June, including repaying a $1bn for increased duties, on cargoes of occupied by protesters being well,” he said. Putin agreed the aid pack- Fogh Rasmussen was more forth- bond which matures then. food and machinery being shipped cleared. The package will now go to the age with Ukraine in December, right, blaming Russia for Kiev’s Altogether the government into the country by road and rail. REUTERS lower house on Thursday after- noon but would not be passed before April. The package was originally agreed between Renzi and centre- right leader Berlusconi over the Fresh killings objections of many on the left, who Czech president appoints centre-left cabinet resisted any deal with the media in Central billionaire banned from parlia- PRAGUE: President Milos The coalition, led by Prime Sobotka said after the appoint- member states at around 35 per- ment over a tax fraud conviction. Zeman appointed a new centre- Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, plans ment ceremony. cent of gross domestic product, to A separate law intended to end African capital left cabinet yesterday, ending to ease some fiscal restrictions “We want to pursue a socially fund increases in wages, pensions the risk of deadlock between the a seven-month power vacuum imposed by the former centre- sensible and just policy.” and welfare. two houses of parliament would BANGUI: Sporadic gunfire, that has hampered policy deci- right cabinet, bring the country Sobotka takes over from a They plan to run budget deficits reduce the Senate, which has vir- loud explosions and street mur- sions that the Czech Republic closer to the euro zone and clamp caretaker administration that under the EU’s 3 percent limit, tually equal powers to the lower ders shook Central African needs to boost recovery from its down on corruption — the elec- has governed since a centre-right abandoning previous aims to house, to a toothless regional Republic yesterday, despite the longest recession. tion’s main theme. cabinet collapsed in a sleaze scan- eliminate deficit funding and halt assembly. However that will efforts of African and French Zeman appointed ministers “I am convinced this govern- dal last June. growth of debt, low by European require a deeper constitutional peacekeepers, who are await- from three coalition parties who ment will bring the economic The Social Democrats aim to standards at around 46 percent change and is not expected to be ing reinforcements from a formed a parliamentary majority growth, prosperity and the raise taxes, below the EU average of GDP. passed for at least another year. European force. after an early election in October. stability (the country) needs,” but higher than in most new EU REUTERS REUTERS The continuing unrest came as a diplomat said that French forces had on Tuesday killed around 10 fighters from the mainly Muslim Standing tall Seleka group. Tuesday’s clash took place out- Germany, US still far Serbia to hold side a military barracks in the capital Bangui, added the source, early polls who did not wish to be identified. The French army came under apart on NSA: Merkel BELGRADE: President fire and responded with cannon Tomislav Nikolic yesterday said fire from a light armoured vehi- BERLIN: Berlin and undermine their mutual security. Serbia will hold early parlia- cle, the diplomat said, adding that Washington are still “far “Our views are today far apart,” mentary polls on March 16, as there were no losses on the French apart” in their views on the said Merkel, who has spoken with the ruling Serbian Progressive side. US National Security Agency’s US President Barack Obama Party (SNS) seeks to capitalise Violence continued yesterday, (NSA) mass surveillance of about former NSA contractor on support after starting EU with a brief outburst of automatic Germany but they remain close Edward Snowden’s revelations membership talks. gunfire late morning in the com- allies, Chancellor Angela Merkel of American and British surveil- “I have just signed the decree mercial heart of Bangui, which told parliament yesterday. lance of allies. to dissolve parliament, paving the caused the local population to flee. In the first major policy speech Obama told German TV ear- way for parliamentary elections to It was not immediately clear of her third term, the conserva- lier this month the two coun- be held on March 16,” Nikolic said whether there were casualties tive leader said nobody doubted tries’ close friendship must not during a brief ceremony broad- from the fighting between oppos- that domestic and allied foreign be damaged “through surveil- cast live on state television. ing Christian and Muslim mili- intelligence agencies helped to lance measures that obstruct our On January 21, Serbia set off tias, according to residents. protect the German people from trusting communication”. on a long road towards the EU However, fighting in other terrorism and crime. “As long as I am the President entry, which Belgrade officials parts of the city left at least two “But does that make it right for of the United States, the German hoped could come by 2020. dead. our closest allies, like the United Chancellor need not worry about On Sunday, the SNS, the senior Journalists witnessed the killing States or Britain, to access all that,” Obama said one day after partner in Serbia’s ruling coali- of a young Muslim by Christian imaginable data — arguing that announcing US security reforms tion, called for early polls to be militiamen armed with knives and it helps their own security and that banned eavesdropping on held. machetes, despite the efforts of that of their partners?” she said allied political leaders like the Analysts say the SNS wants French troops to save him. towards the end of a one-hour chancellor. to build on its growing popular- Only a few hundred metres speech to the Bundestag. The NSA is likely to be on the ity after beginning the accession away, a young Christian was killed “Can it be right that it’s not just agenda of Merkel’s meeting with talks with Brussels. by a civilian, said one witness, who about defending against terrorist US Secretary of State John Kerry “All elections, especially early identified himself as Benjamin. threats but also to gain advantage in Berlin on Friday. ones, are a blow to the economy There were also reports of over their allies, for example, in Snowden’s first revelations and the process of reforms,” looting. negotiations at G20 summits or last June caused indignation in said economic analyst Ljubomir The violence came a day after UN sessions?” Germany. The country is par- Madzar. “The only positive effect the United Nations handed “Our answer can only be: ‘No, ticularly sensitive about surveil- could be gaining of a strong politi- European troops the mandate to that cannot be right’.” lance after its painful experience cal force in power,” he added. use “all necessary force” to pro- Merkel warned that ceding of abuse by the Gestapo under The latest surveys show that tect civilians caught up between to the temptation to “do eve- the Nazis and by the Stasi in the SNS could count on the sup- Muslim and Christian groups in rything that is technically do- Communist East Germany dur- port of 48 percent of voters if A four-metre-high snowman is built in Katzhuette, Germany. A family the war-torn country. able” led to mistrust between ing the Cold War. elections were held now. used two to three tons of snow to make the figure. AFP allies which would eventually REUTERS AFP THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Venezuelan region Obama warns wins Guinness record for lightning CARACAS: It turns out there is a Guinness record Congress he for the place with the most lightning, and an area of Venezuela with 3,600 flashes of it per hour has won. The certification was handed over on Tuesday by Guinness Book will act alone of World Records representa- tive Johanna Hessling. The natural phenomenon in the Bid to bolster America’s middle class western state of Zulia is called the Catatumbo Lightning, WASHINGTON: US President Obama’s political objective in which generates myriad elec- Barack Obama vowed yesterday the address was to create a narra- trical storms from April to to bypass a divided Congress tive for Democrats to use as they November at the mouth of the and take action on his own to seek to head off Republicans eager River Catatumbo, at the south- bolster America’s middle class to wrest control of the Senate ern end of Lake Maracaibo. in a State of the Union address from Democrats in November The numbers of lightning that he used to try to breathe elections and build on their bolts are indeed staggering: an new life into his second term majority in the House. estimated 18 to 60 per minute, after a troubled year. The party in control of the up to 3,600 per hour and 1.2 Standing in the House of White House typically loses seats million a year, with each flash Representatives chamber before in these so-called mid-term elec- packing enough juice to light lawmakers, Supreme Court jus- tions, but Democrats feel they up 100 million light bulbs, tices and VIP guests, Obama stand a chance of limiting their according to the Agencia declared his independence from losses or even making some gains. Venezolana de Noticias. Congress by unveiling a series of To that end, Obama drew loud Venezuelan Vice President executive orders. applause by underscoring in par- US President Barack Obama gives a thumbs up to Army Ranger Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg, who was a Jorge Arreaza received the “I’m eager to work with all of ticular the economic plight of guest of the First Lady and was injured while serving in Afghanistan, as he delvers his State of the Union address certificate from the Guinness you,” Obama said. “But America women, who he noted make up in the House Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, yesterday. Obama was joined by Vice-President Joe people. The phenomenon was does not stand still — and neither about half the US workforce but Biden (left) and Speaker of the House John Boehner. proposed to Guinness last year will I. So wherever and whenever still earn 77 cents for every dol- by a Venezuelan environmen- I can take steps without legisla- lar a man makes. Women voters talist named Erick Quiroga, tion to expand opportunity for helped re-elect Obama in 2012. Give diplomacy a chance: President who has been monitoring the more American families, that’s “This year, let’s all come lightning for 17 years. what I’m going to do.” together — Congress, the White Obama’s orders included a wage House and businesses from Wall WASHINGTON: US President strong and principled diplomacy.” — a future free of dictatorship, Anti-kidnapping hike for federal contract work- Street to Main Street — to give Barack Obama declared yester- He warned that as commander- terror and fear”. ers, creation of a “starter savings every woman the opportunity she day that America must move in-chief he would never hesitate squad in Mexico account” to help millions of peo- deserves, because I firmly believe away from a permanent war foot- to use force when necessary to CALL TO SHUT GITMO MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s ple save for retirement, and plans when women succeed, America ing to give diplomacy a chance protect the American people. He also called on Congress government yesterday cre- to establish new fuel efficiency succeeds,” he said. to resolve some of the world’s “But I will not send our troops to end restrictions on moving ated an anti-kidnapping standards for trucks. The wage hike for federal con- toughest problems, such as the into harm’s way unless it’s truly prisoners from the US military agency after abductions “Inequality has deepened,” tract workers to $10.10 per hour, nuclear standoff with Iran. necessary,” he argued, highlight- jail in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. soared 20 percent last year Obama said. “Upward mobility for example, will mean a pay raise “The fact is, that danger ing the draw-down of US troops “With the Afghan war ending, despite President Enrique has stalled. The cold, hard fact is for only about 560,000 federal remains,” Obama warned, adding from Iraq and Afghanistan after this needs to be the year Congress Pena Nieto’s vow to reduce that even in the midst of recovery, contract workers. the United States had “to remain more than a decade of war. lifts the remaining restrictions on the crime. The new depart- too many Americans are working And on one of his biggest priori- vigilant” in face of changing global Obama called on US lawmak- detainee transfers and we close ment will answer to the coun- more than ever just to get by, let ties, immigration reform, Obama threats. “While we have put Al ers to hold off any new sanctions the prison at Guantanamo Bay,” try’s interior ministry, where alone get ahead. And too many urged Congress to work together Qaeda’s core leadership on a path on Iran for now, to allow time for Obama urged. Pena Nieto has centered his still aren’t working at all.” on an overhaul. He tempered to defeat, the threat has evolved, fledgling negotiations between the In a nod to the spying scan- anti-crime programs after his Obama drew a standing ova- his criticism of Republicans who as Al Qaeda affiliates and other Islamic republic and six global dal which has angered leaders predecessor relied on police tion from people of all political have held up the legislation, with extremists take root in differ- powers to work. around the world, Obama said and the military. Government stripes by saluting the heroism signs of possible progress emerg- ent parts of the world,” Obama “It is American diplomacy, America’s “alliance with Europe data showed that reported of Sergeant First Class Cory ing in recent days among House told US lawmakers, highlighting backed by pressure, that has halted remains the strongest the world kidnapping jumped to 1,695 Remsburg. The Army Ranger Republicans. “Let’s get immigra- hotspots like Yemen, Somalia, the progress of Iran’s nuclear pro- has ever known”. He vowed to cases last year compared with survived a roadside blast in tion reform done this year,” he said. Iraq and Mali. gramme — and rolled parts of that continue working with Congress 1,407 in 2012 in an embar- Afghanistan and has recovered A CNN poll found that 44 “But I strongly believe our lead- programme back — for the very to “reform our surveillance pro- rassment for Pena Nieto, who to the point where he attended percent of respondents viewed ership and our security cannot first time in a decade,” Obama said. grams, because the vital work said he would shift the gov- the speech, seated next to first Obama’s address very positively depend on our military alone,” he The Syrian conflict drew barely of our intelligence community ernment’s focus from hunting lady Michelle Obama. “Like the while 32 percent felt somewhat said, adding in “a world of com- a mention in the address. Obama depends on public confidence, drug lords to reducing kidnap- America he serves, Sergeant First positively about it and 22 percent plex threats, our security and said only that his administration here and abroad, that the pri- pings and extortion. Class Cory Remsburg never gives were negative toward it. leadership depends on all ele- would continue to work for a vacy of ordinary people is not up, and he does not quit,” he said. REUTERS ments of our power — including future “the Syrian people deserve being violated.” AFP Storm, cold snap paralyse US South WASHINGTON: The usu- Artwork ‘Mao’ ally balmy US South was par- alysed by a freak snowstorm Police travel to Portugal in that forced children to shelter in their schools overnight and prompted officials across the hunt for Madeleine McCann region to issue emergency dec- larations. Schools remained LONDON: British detectives British officers started to review closed in many localities investigating the 2007 disap- the case in 2011. across the South yesterday, as pearance of Madeleine McCann A spokesman from London’s authorities struggled to shake have flown to Portugal to speak Metropolitan Police confirmed that off snowfall and freezing tem- to authorities about latest Detective Chief Inspector Andy peratures. Temperatures developments in the case but no Redwood, who is leading the UK in Atlanta fell to minus 10 arrests have been made, police hunt, was in Portugal to liaise with degrees Celsius, the coldest in said yesterday. Portuguese colleagues. “Officers are memory for many residents. The team from Scotland Yard in Portugal. There have been no The wintry conditions were travelled to the Algarve after arrests,” the spokesman said. felt as far south as Texas and British authorities wrote to “Officers ... have on a number of affecting Florida, Alabama Portuguese police to ask for help occasions visited Portugal as part and South Carolina. in the hunt for the three-year-old of their ongoing investigation over who vanished while on holiday with the 18 months of the enquiry,” he ITV to launch first her family nearly seven years ago. noted. According to British media The latest visit to Portugal pay-TV channel reports, the team were seeking comes after what the widely read LONDON: ITV is launching to arrest and question three bur- Daily Mirror termed a “major its first pay-TV channel, one An employee poses with artist Andy Warhol’s artwork “Mao” at Sotheby’s auction house in London yesterday. glars who were spotted in the breakthrough” in the case, with dedicated to British drama, The work is estimated to sell for $12.5m when auctioned at Sotheby’s on February 12. area when the youngster went police unearthing mobile phone exclusively on Sky’s satellite missing. records showing the three men in and online platforms as part Madeleine disappeared from question made numerous calls to of a new four-year partner- her bedroom at the Praia da Luz each other in the hours after the ship with its pay-TV rival, the holiday resort in the Algarve youngster disappeared. UK broadcaster said yester- Murdoch arm in phone-hacking cover-up while her parents were dining Despite huge international day. ITV Encore, due to launch with friends at a nearby restau- interest and numerous reported later this year, will broadcast LONDON: A former tab- says he could not be expected to interior designer Kelly Hoppen. rant, leading to a global search sightings from around the world re-runs of shows previously loid reporter told a London know the source of every story Hoppen was alerted to the failed that gripped the world’s media. and investigations stretching as transmitted on ITV’s free-to- court yesterday that Rupert in his paper. “As far as I was con- hack and sued the paper. The Daily Mirror reported yes- far away as Australia, the girl’s air channels, ITV said, and Murdoch’s British newspaper cerned, it (phone-hacking) was Under tetchy cross-exami- terday that police were prepar- fate remains a mystery. from 2015 it will also screen arm, News International, had so widely known at the paper and nation from Timothy Langdale, ing to make the first arrests since AFP original commissions. been involved in a conspiracy covered up so extensively, there Coulson’s counsel, Evans admit- AGENCIES to cover up phone-hacking and was a widespread conspiracy ted that he had lied about try- that he had lied about his own within the organisation,” Evans ing to hack Hoppen’s phone. He role to toe “the company line”. told London’s Old Bailey Court. confirmed that when lawyers for Dan Evans said he had hacked Evans was arrested in August News International — Murdoch’s into the voicemails of dozens of 2011, a month after Murdoch UK newspaper arm — asked him British diplomat’s son held in raid celebrities during his time at closed the News of the World amid about Hoppen’s claim, he had Murdoch’s News of the World, and public anger at revelations of blamed “sticky keys” on his phone LONDON: The son of a senior British diplomat “lunacy” and suggested it was a “mix-up”. The had lied about it both to police phone-hacking which prompted for what had happened. The firm’s has been arrested in raids by counter-terror reports said the diplomat had worked in Brazil and and in a civil legal case as part of Cameron to order a broad public lawyers had taken this and used it police, according to press reports yesterday. Cuba. The police searched two neighbouring houses a widespread company cover-up. inquiry into press ethics. in the subsequent civil legal pro- Several newspapers said the 19-year-old son of in Streatham Hill, south London, on Saturday, they However, the lawyer for Andy He has admitted illegally lis- ceedings brought by Hoppen. Nicholas Sutcliffe, a first secretary — typically the said. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Coulson, the paper’s former edi- tening in to the voicemails of Asked why he had agreed to third rung below an ambassador and the deputy head an offence under anti-terrorism laws. He was bailed tor, suggested Evans was only celebrities, including James Bond their doing that, Evans said: “I of mission in an embassy — was one of two people to return to a police station in April. making the allegations about a actor Daniel Craig, in an effort to was toeing the line, the party line, arrested in the London raids at the weekend. In a search linked to the raids in Streatham conspiracy as part of a deal with find material for stories. the company line.” By late 2011, However, there were suggestions that officers Hill, officers on Sunday began searching a house in police to avoid prosecution. He told the court on Tuesday Evans was considering approach- could have raided the wrong address, the Daily Stratford, east London, which reports said was the Coulson is on trial accused of that he had stopped hacking after ing the police about seeking Telegraph reported. It quoted the teenager’s grand- home of a magistrate. conspiring to intercept voicemails the arrest of the paper’s royal edi- immunity but his lies about the mother as saying: “James has nothing to worry A 36-year-old woman was arrested later on suspi- and authorising illegal payments tor Clive Goodman in 2006 but had Hoppen affair were a stumbling about. This is nothing to do with him. “He has been cion of an offence under the same act and remained to public officials. He has denied resumed three years later when block, Langdale told the jury. told by the police that he has done nothing wrong.” in custody on Monday. any knowledge of hacking and he tried to access the voicemail of AFP Sutcliffe’s sister-in-law described the arrest as AFP THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA

Seoul probes China convicts nuke reactor malfunction

SEOUL: South Korea is two anti-graft investigating the problem that caused a nuclear reac- tor, located 330 kilometres southeast of Seoul in Uljin, to abruptly halt early yesterday campaigners morning. Yonhap news agency report, quoting Korean officials, said the reactor stopped working Crackdown sparks international criticism due to an unusual signal, but there was no immediate danger BEIJING: China convicted two and gave speeches in a busy west- of a radiation leak. anti-graft campaigners yester- ern part of the capital last March, The Reactor Unit 5 at the day for their roles in a protest urging officials to disclose their Hanul Nuclear Power Plant urging officials to reveal their assets. halted operation at 4.17am assets, the latest measures in While President Xi Jinping has after a warning signal came on, a crackdown that has sparked made battling corruption a prior- according to officials from the international criticism. ity, authorities have shown no sign Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power The government has waged of agreeing to demands for such Company. a 10-month drive on the “New disclosures by all officials and at An investigation is currently Citizens’ Movement”, which advo- least 20 activists urging the rev- under way to identify the exact cates working within the system elations have been detained. Riot police stand guard behind barricades as Thai protesters rally outside the Thai Royal Police Club yesterday. problem. Four reactors, includ- to press for change. Wary of any organised chal- ing Hanul, are currently out of Yesterday’s convictions came lenge to the Chinese Communist operation. just three days after movement Party’s rule, Xi’s administration founder Xu Zhiyong, one of has ratcheted up pressure on dis- Pilots unhurt China’s most prominent rights sent. It has clamped down on crit- Thailand to deploy 10,000 police activists, was sentenced to four ics on the Internet and tightened after jets crash years in prison. The United curbs on journalists. BANGKOK: Thailand’s gov- voting at many polling stations government under Yingluck for States, the European Union and The recent rulings are a mes- ernment will deploy 10,000 in Bangkok last Sunday. several more months. TOKYO: Three pilots rights groups condemned his sage from Xi and his government police in the capital for Sunday’s They took to the streets in The protests are taking their escaped unharmed yesterday sentence. that they regard the develop- election, which protesters have November in the latest eruption toll on the economy and even after their jet planes collided A Beijing court convicted the ment of civil society as a threat, promised to disrupt as part of of a political conflict that has major foreign investors are begin- in midair off the Japanese protesters, Hou Xin and Yuan said Joseph Cheng, a professor their drawn-out attempt to top- gripped Thailand for eight years. ning to question the merits of coast, a military spokesman Dong, on a charge of “gathering of Chinese politics at the City ple Prime Minister Yingluck The protesters accuse Yingluck ploughing any more money into said. a crowd to disturb public order.” University of Hong Kong. Shinawatra. of being a puppet of Thaksin, a their Thai operations. Two T-4 trainers belonging Yuan was sentenced to 1-1/2 “In the eyes of the reformers The government decided on man they say is a corrupt crony Protesters took to the streets to the Blue Impulse aerobatic years in prison, but Hou escaped and liberals in China, Xi Jinping Tuesday to press ahead with capitalist who used taxpayers’ of Bangkok again yesterday but display team of the Japanese a jail term because the court con- is more or less following the Putin the February 2 election, which money to buy elections with costly in a relatively small rally of about airforce made contact as they sidered her action a “less serious” model, rather than the Gorbachev the main opposition party plans populist giveaways. 500 people. practised flying in formation, crime, lawyers for the two and the model,” he said. to boycott and despite warnings Chalerm, who is in charge of a They were without their fire- with one plane damaging part court’s official microblog said. Rights groups accuse Russian that it could lead to more violence state of emergency imposed last brand leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, of its nose and the other losing “They are not only innocent, President Vladimir Putin of without resolving the country’s week, told reporters about 10,000 who was apparently deterred by a bit of a stabiliser. but they are among the best enacting repressive policies. increasingly bitter political divide. police would be dispatched on the previous day’s violence in The jets landed safely at and most outstanding people in Nobel Peace laureate Mikhail “I ask Bangkok residents to Sunday to take care of security which a protester was shot and Matsushima Air Base in north- China,” said Yuan’s lawyer, Chen Gorbachev’s reforms helped end come out and vote,” Labour at the capital’s polling stations. wounded. ern Japan after the incident Jiangang. “They are China’s the Cold War but led to the Soviet Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung Even though Yingluck’s ruling In a sign of how the legal estab- over the Pacific Ocean some conscience.” Union’s demise. told reporters yesterday. party is certain to win, not enough lishment has largely lined up 45 kilometres southeast of the Yuan, who was tried on Monday, “It seems that Xi Jinping has “The police will take care of candidates have been able to regis- against Yingluck’s government, base, the spokesman said. will definitely appeal against the no interest in promoting serious security ... Those who are think- ter to provide a quorum in the new a criminal court on Tuesday It was the first midair colli- judgment, Chen said by telephone. political reforms,” Cheng added. ing of going and shutting polling parliament after the election. rejected a government applica- sion involving the T-4, the said, “I believe they should not even The United States said it was stations in the morning should By-elections will have to be tion for an arrest warrant against adding the air force was look- sentence him to a day,” he added. “deeply disappointed” at the sen- think twice because the police will held later to fill the vacant seats, Suthep, saying there was not ing into its cause. Yuan and Hou were among four tence for Yuan. not allow them to.” which means the prospect of a enough evidence to grant it. activists who unfurled banners REUTERS Protesters prevented early caretaker, and fairly powerless, REUTERS Singapore hits social media SINGAPORE: Internet rules are necessary to restrain “pack behaviour” in Malaysia navy chief denies incursions by China ships social media and ensure civil- ity between users, Singapore KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s a ceremony in which they swore involving its newly commissioned China’s aircraft carrier, the out of its way to report on these Prime Minister Lee Hsien navy chief has denied a report to safeguard Chinese sovereignty. aircraft carrier and a submarine, Liaoning, completed its first sea routine and ordinary activities,” Loong said in remarks that three Chinese navy ships The reported activity at the took place 1,000 nautical miles trials and returned to port on she said. released yesterday. patrolled an area claimed by the southernmost tip of Beijing’s away from Malaysia’s 200 nautical January 1, according to Xinhua, an China’s Defence Ministry did Speaking at a university Southeast Asian country, saying sweeping claims over the South mile economic exclusion zone. apparent contradiction with the not immediately respond to a forum late Tuesday, Lee said the Chinese exercise took place China Sea appeared to be the lat- He said Malaysia and the Malaysian navy chief’s reported request for comment. social media raised the risk of hundreds of miles to the north est sign of its territorial assert- United States had been informed comments. A Malaysian government an overreaction from the pub- in international waters. iveness that has boosted tensions of the exercises beforehand. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said the government lic when contentious incidents Chinese state news agency with claimants such as the “There has been no act of provo- spokeswoman Hua Chunying was investigating the incident. occur in the ethnically diverse Xinhua reported that an amphibi- Philippines and Vietnam. cation on the part of the Chinese dodged a question at a news brief- Compared to the Philippines city-state, with “unrestrained, ous landing craft and two destroy- Royal Malaysian Navy chief or threat to our sovereignty as they ing on any such discrepancy, say- and Vietnam, Malaysia has taken anonymous viciousness.” ers patrolled the James Shoal on Abdul Aziz Jaafar, in comments are conducting their exercise in ing Chinese media had reported a low-key approach to its overlap- Lee, who has nearly 260,000 Sunday, 50 miles off the coast of published by the New Straits international waters,” the pro-gov- on patrols “for many years.” ping claims with China, its largest Facebook followers, referred Malaysia’s Sarawak state, and held Times, said the Chinese exercise, ernment newspaper quoted him. “We hope the media will not go trade partner. REUTERS to several local incidents that have sparked off unbri- dled web outrage, including derogatory comments against Free speech Singaporeans posted on social media by British expatriate South Korea okays $7bn plan Anton Casey last week. “Each one issue can cause a spark. Because of social media to build two nuclear plants it becomes harder to settle such problems quietly and we risk SEOUL: South Korea approved a contract in 2009 to build four having an overreaction,” Lee yesterday a $7bn project to nuclear reactors in the United told students at the Nanyang build two nuclear plants, a Arab Emirates and started con- Technological University. boost for an industry struggling struction in mid-2012. A video of his speech was to emerge from the shadow of But Seoul has faced public posted on his Facebook page Japan’s Fukushima disaster and pressure to curb its use of nuclear yesterday. the first approval since a policy power after Japan’s Fukushima review sparked by a safety scan- disaster and to rebuild confidence HK reports third dal at domestic reactors. in the industry after a scandal The green light for the plants over parts supplied using fake H7N9 death comes only two weeks after certificates. Asia’s fourth-largest economy It adopted a lower target for HONG KONG: Hong Kong announced a policy shift to cut nuclear power earlier this month, yesterday reported its third its reliance on nuclear power to but still plans to double its nuclear death from H7N9 bird flu 29 percent of total power supply capacity over the next two dec- — an elderly man who had by 2035, down from a planned 41 ades as its state-run industry visited mainland China — a percent by 2030. builds at least 16 new domestic day after authorities culled A series of nuclear reactor reactors and is pushes for over- 22,000 birds to curb the Taiwanese rights activists demonstrate in front of the Presidential Palace to demand President Ma Ying-jeou to shutdowns since late 2012 due to seas sales. disease. rescue prominent Chinese activist Xu Zhiyong, in Taipei yesterday. safety issues have raised the risk An anti-nuclear power group The 75-year-old man had of blackouts, putting pressure on said by backing more plants the previously travelled to the policy makers to maintain power government was not taking into neighbouring Chinese city of supplies in a economy relying on account worries over safety. Shenzhen and died yesterday energy intensive industries such “In this sense, it shows the morning, a Department of China decor magnate arrested for corruption as autos, steel and electronics. government is ignoring concerns Health spokesman confirmed The approvals will also triggered by the Fukushima case to AFP without elaborating. SHANGHAI: A billionaire who firm said in a statement to the percent since Monday. Zhu is the encourage South Korea’s nuclear and from civic groups urging Fears over avian flu have Chinese media say is linked to Shenzhen Stock Exchange posted company’s biggest shareholder power industry, which still aims them not to use nuclear power,” grown following the deaths of the downfall of the former mayor on Tuesday. and the firm said business was to export its expertise into a glo- said Lee Heon-seok, a representa- two men from the H7N9 strain of Nanjing has been arrested on “The company received noti- operating normally following his bal market dominated by France, tive of the Energy Justice Action of the virus in Hong Kong since suspicion of corruption, the com- fication from family on January arrest. the United States and Russia. group. December. pany he founded, Suzhou Gold 27 that Director and the person The arrest comes as China’s South Korea, which ranks fifth South Korea has 23 nuclear A 65-year-old man with Mantis Construction Decoration in actual control (of the firm) President Xi Jinping makes the globally in nuclear power genera- reactors, which generate about H7N9 died on January 14 and Co Ltd, said. Mr Zhu Xingliang was arrested fight against endemic corruption tion, has largely developed its own a third of its electricity and any an 80-year old man died on The family of Zhu Xingliang, on suspicion of bribery with the a central theme of his adminis- nuclear industry, building and move away from nuclear would Boxing Day last year. Both had who ranked No 55 on the 2013 approval of the prosecutor,” the tration. Xi has vowed to pursue operating its reactors through mean it had to spend billions of recently returned from main- Forbes China Rich List with a company filing said. both high-flying “tigers”, or senior state-run utility Korea Electric dollars to pay for extra fossil fuel land China. fortune worth $2.04bn, informed Shares in the interior decora- officials, and lower-ranking “flies.” Power Corp (Kepco). imports. AGENCIES Gold Mantis of his arrest, the tion firm have dropped about 10 REUTERS A Kepco-led consortium won REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 PHILIPPINES www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Hong Kong imposes Year of the Horse sanctions on Manila Philippines fails to apologise for deadly hostage drama

HONG KONG: Hong Kong which eight Hong Kongers were The apparent incompetence of announced yesterday it was killed and seven wounded. the Philippine police during the imposing sanctions on the They were shot after nego- hostage crisis outraged residents Philippines because of its “unac- tiations broke down between of Hong Kong, a city with low ceptable” failure to apologise for Philippine authorities and a crime rates. a deadly hostage crisis more former Philippine police officer Hong Kong has maintained a than three years ago. who hijacked a Manila tour bus travel warning to the Philippines The current visa-free arrange- in protest at his sacking. since then. ment for visiting Philippine “The Philippine side is still But the city was widely criti- diplomats and officials will be unable to meet the demand of the cised for sticking to its threat suspended from February 5, victims and the families for a for- of sanctions in November, when Hong Kong Chief Executive mal apology despite many rounds Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated Leung Chun-ying told a press of discussions,” Leung said. large parts of the Philippines. conference. “The response is unacceptable.” The Philippine consulate in Currently they are able to stay Hong Kong lawmaker James Hong Kong was not immediately 14 days without a visa. To, who also represents families available for comment. Leung described the move as of the victims, said it was the first In November a Hong Kong the “first phase of sanctions” and time the city had imposed sanc- woman who was shot in the said the government may take tions on a foreign country. face during the hostage crisis more action if it thinks it could “It sent a very clear message became the first to receive a be “effective” in securing an apol- that the government is very payout from Manila, an undis- ogy over the 2010 hostage-taking. determined to fight for justice closed sum donated by Filipino He added that every year, for Hong Kong people,” To told businessman. 700 to 800 diplomats or offi- reporters. More than 160,000 Philippine cials visit Hong Kong from the Philippine President Benigno nationals live in Hong Kong, with Philippines on the existing visa- Aquino has refused to apologise most working as domestic help- free arrangement. on behalf of his country, insisting ers. Bilateral trade totalled some Hong Kong has been demand- the deaths were mainly caused by $8.2bn in 2012. A woman inspects an ornament of leaping horses before buying it at a store in Chinatown, metro Manila, yes- ing an apology for the incident in the actions of the hostage-taker. AFP terday. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year, which welcomes the year of the horse, falls on January 31 this year. 1,000 rare sea snail 11 arrested over online child abuse Aquino pledges to destroy shells seized MANILA: Philippine authori- who had been detained. “Some The government pledge to rebels opposing peace deal MANILA: Philippine ties said yesterday they had of the computers contained child crack down on child cybersex authorities said on Tuesday detained 11 people in raids on pornography as well as adult operations came after British MANILA: Philippine President The main rebel group, the they had seized a huge haul two fake call centre businesses pornography.” and Australian police announced Benigno Aquino vowed yester- Moro Islamic Liberation Front, of more than 1,000 helmet that sold child pornography Some of the nude photographs this month they had dismantled a day to crush militants opposed has since the 1970s been fighting shells from a protected spe- online to global clients. on the computers were of uniden- paedophile ring that streamed live to an imminent deal aimed at for independence or autonomy in cies of sea snail which were The raids came after police said tified Filipino children aged about sexual abuse of Filipino children ending a decades-long Muslim the Muslim-populated south of being shipped for sale. this month the Philippines had 12-16, according to Aguto. over the Internet. separatist insurgency, as the the mainly Catholic Philippines. Police and fisheries bureau become a major source of por- He said the suspects faced Philippine police subsequently death toll from a military About 150,000 people have been personnel seized 106 boxes, nographic content in the fast- potential child pornography and said the country was one of the assault on them rose to 38. killed in the conflict. each containing at least 15 growing child cybersex industry, human trafficking charges against world’s biggest sources of live The government wrapped up Under the planned peace of the shells, on the poverty- and vowed to crack down on those the suspects, although authorities streaming of child sex abuse, with peace talks with the nation’s accord, the Milf will have con- stricken southern island of Jolo involved. still needed to investigate the case children performing acts in front biggest Muslim rebel group on trol over an autonomous Muslim on Saturday following a tip-off, The raids took place overnight further. of webcams to online paedophiles Saturday, then quickly deployed region in the southern Philippines. the fisheries bureau said. Tuesday on two Manila businesses Aguto said the business model in an industry worth billions of the military against a hard- Aquino is aiming for the peace The large shells, from the that used nude pictures of chil- involved staff chatting online with dollars. Poverty and the prom- line splinter faction called the plan to be finalised before he steps Cassidae family of sea snails, dren, as well as adults, to entice people overseas, showing them ise of easy money had seen some Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom down in mid-2016. are valued for their beauty and people online to subscribe to por- pornographic photos, in a bid to Filipino parents allowing their Fighters (BIFF). The BIFF is a breakaway group are often used as decorations nographic websites, the National lure them into buying website children to be abused online for “The armed forces... (are) going of a few hundred militants which and as fashion accessories. Bureau of Investigation said. subscriptions. the paying audience, they added. on these operations to prevent believes the 12,000-strong Milf The boxes of shells were “They were caught in fla- The businesses received a com- Aguto said yesterday authori- lawless activities from inflicting has compromised too much in just about to be shipped for grante (in the act of wrongdo- mission of $5 for each subscrip- ties had not found evidence of harm on our population, and to the peace process. It has carried sale in the major cities of ing),” Ronald Aguto, head of the tion, and together cleared more video streaming on the computers seriously degrade their abilities out many deadly attacks in recent Cebu and Manila when they bureau’s cybercrime unit, said, than $8,000 a day, according to seized in the Manila raids. to again act as (peace) spoilers,” years to try to derail peace efforts. were seized. in reference to the 11 Filipinos Aguto. AFP Aquino told reporters in Manila. AFP The fisheries bureau said it was seeking charges of illegally trading an endangered species against the trader, who was arrested for transporting the shells. Officers suspended over ‘torture’ jail If convicted, the suspect could face as many as 20 years MANILA: Ten Philippine a crime,” Commission spokes- tortures to be meted out, he in jail, the bureau added. police officers have been sus- man Mark Cebreros said. said. pended for running a secret “According to one of the One punishment, code- Actor faces prison where jailors wear- complainants, the officers wear named “Manny Pacman” after ing wigs and masks beat and wigs and masks. There is a ter- the Filipino boxing icon Manny rape charges abused inmates, the govern- ror effect,” he said. Pacquiao, has an officer contin- ment said on Tuesday. The torture had been going uously punching an inmate for MANILA: Model Deniece The Commission on Human on since February last year, 20 seconds. Cornejo filed a rape com- Rights and global rights organi- Cebreros said. Another had a prisoner hung plaint against actor Vhong sation Amnesty International The prison, which is not in upside down, like a bat, for 30 Navarro before the Taguig criticised the Philippine the official list of Philippine seconds, Cebreros said. Prosecutor’s Office yesterday. National Police and demanded police detention facilities, is Investigators have seized Filing the affidavit, Cornejo the prosecution of the suspects a converted house in a gated the painted wheel and a brown took an oath on the credibility and that the facility be shut residential community in Binan woman’s wig as evidence as of the charges against Navarro down. town just outside of Manila. they carry out a criminal inves- while accompanied by her law- “The torture happens at time It is run by an intelligence tigation, Cebreros said. yer Howard Calleja. of arrest, a few days later, and unit of the Binan police, The officers face life in Calleja said in a radio report every time the officers become Cebreros added. prison if convicted of torture, that her client experienced intoxicated, or when they are Its officers spun a “roulette” he added. “trauma” from the incident forcing the inmates to admit to wheel to pick among a list of AFP that delayed the filing of the case. Calleja said that the secu- Homeless rity footage from Forbeswood Heights where the January 22 attack occurred only presents the partial truth to the public. “What we have here are eyewitnesses that can tell you the whole story,” Calleja said, claiming that the videos may have been tampered with. He also maintained that the victim in the drama is his cli- ent, Cornejo, and not Navarro, who has been mauled by busi- nessman Cedric Lee and other companions. The filing of the rape com- plaint came after the National Bureau of Investigation filed several charges against Cornejo and Cedric Lee based on the affidavit submitted by Navarro on the mauling incident at Forbeswood Heights condo- minium building in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City last A five-year-old boy holds a pair of broken glasses while his father collects metal bars from a shanty that January 22. was taken down by a demolition crew on the third day of eviction of illegal settlers in Sitio San Roque AGENCIES along Agham Road in Quezon City, east of Manila, yesterday. THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN Karzai suspects US behind bombings Afghan president compiles a list of dozens of attacks but acknowledges no concrete proof of US role

WASHINGTON: Afghan may have been involved in, the government had no concrete the allegations, while lawmakers way for Karzai’s coming to power cash from the Central Intelligence President Hamid Karzai sus- Washington Post wrote, citing proof of a US role in any of the vented their frustration. by toppling the Taliban regime Agency. pects the United States may unnamed Afghan officials. attacks. “I think we have to get beyond in 2001 over its support of Al The Afghan leader has long have backed insurgent-style Karzai even harbours suspi- The Taliban often claim Karzai,” Senator Carl Levin, Qaeda. railed against US and Nato attacks to undermine his gov- cions that the Americans may responsibility for bombings chairman of the powerful Senate Washington and its Nato allies military operations that have ernment but has no evidence to have been behind a deadly attack employing homemade explosives Armed Services Committee, said. have since poured billions of dol- left Afghan civilians dead but it support his theory. this month on a Lebanese restau- and other assaults, including the Senate Republican Kelly Ayotte lars of aid into Afghanistan and remains unclear why the mer- Karzai, whose relations with rant frequented by foreigners in recent attack on the Lebanese said she remains “deeply con- sent tens of thousands of troops curial president would try to Washington have steadily deterio- Kabul, the newspaper said, quot- restaurant. cerned that he’s almost becoming to the country to battle the pin blame on the Americans rated over the years, has compiled ing a presidential palace official. In Kabul, Afghan officials were delusional in terms of what the Taliban. for attacks associated with a list of dozens of attacks that However, the Afghan offi- unavailable to comment. US role is there.” Karzai himself has admitted insurgents. he believes the US government cial acknowledged that the US officials privately scoffed at The United States paved the accepting regular deliveries of AFP

Pakistan may Sharif rejects speculation face shortages of vaccines

over Taliban offensive LAHORE: Pakistan may face a country-wide shortage of ISLAMABAD: Pakistani first offer of talks and distorting life-saving vaccines due to gov- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the teachings of Islam, adding: ernment’s failure to fulfil its yesterday dismissed speculation “Our very existence is endan- international co-financing lia- he would launch an offensive gered. We cannot make the bilities for the procurement of against the Taliban following a nation and the country hostage the vaccines to safeguard lives wave of bloody attacks, saying to militants.” of millions of children from peace talks deserved another He continued: “I know that seven lethal preventable dis- chance. today if (the) state wants to elimi- eases. In the related ‘embar- Sharif also called on militants nate terrorists by force, the entire rassing setback’, Pakistan has to observe a ceasefire and named nation will stand by it. However, yet again defaulted on meet- a committee that includes two when the offer of talks has come ing its global commitment leading journalists to assist in to (the) fore from the other side, and may lose a valuable global dialogue efforts. we ... want to give the peaceful donation of Rs11.68bn. The government has come solution another chance.” ‘If Pakistan remains in under fire for failing to set a To assist dialogue efforts, Sharif default for more than a year, strategy to respond to a surge said he would form a four-man the GAVI, an international in militant violence, which has committee with expertise in mat- immunization financing insti- seen 114 deaths in attacks since ters related to militancy. tution, may suspend support the start of the year, according But many observers doubt the for vaccine(s) in question Paramilitary soldiers inspect a bomb attack site close to a Rangers' checkpost in Karachi yesterday. to a tally. initiative will have an impact given until the co-financing arrears Sharif was elected last year the demands of the Taliban, which are paid in full,’ Dr Rana vowing to end a homegrown include a release of their prisoners, Muhammad Saf dar, the Taliban insurgency that has raged the Pakistan army’s withdrawal national programme manager since 2007, by engaging militants from the restive tribal areas and of the Expanded Programme Bomb attacks kill four in Karachi in meaningful dialogue. an end to US drone strikes. on Immunization Ministry of In a highly-anticipated address Rahimullah Yusufzai, a lead- NHSRC, Islamabad, said in KARACHI: Three bomb Nazimabad neighbourhood, kill- guard, and wounding another. to parliament yesterday, Sharif ing journalist named in the com- his report submitted to the blasts including a suicide ing one soldier and wounding “The suicide attacker walked paid an emotional tribute to mittee, said: “Our role will be of Lahore High Court a couple of attack targeting Pakistani three when they were detonated in and tried to enter into the gate the victims of terrorism, saying: facilitators and we will pave the days ago. security forces in the com- remotely. when he was intercepted by the “Common citizens are being tar- way for negotiations between the mercial hub of Karachi killed “These were the IEDs which security officials and he blew him- geted and our innocent children government and the Taliban.” Lahore to host at least four people yesterday, were installed in cement blocks self up,” Amir Farooqi said. are dying. Society is surrounded But he cautioned: “I am not officials said. targeting Rangers,” senior police A spokesman for the Rangers by fear.” attaching any expectations with India Show The dead included three para- officer Amir Farooqi said. confirmed the toll. “The Rangers “The acts of terrorism have to the process right now because we military Rangers and one civilian, Later, a suicide bomber blew personnel who spotted and inter- be stopped forthwith, because ter- are not aware of our mandate and LAHORE: To provide while four others were wounded. himself up at the entrance of the cepted the suicide bomber will be rorism and talks cannot go side by other details including the time- greater momentum to the In the first incident, two IEDs Rangers’ headquarters located in awarded highest Rangers gal- side,” he said. frame that will be given to the two countries’ plan of a were placed close to a Rangers’ the same area of the city, killing lantry award,” he added. He also slammed the Taliban committee.” deeper bilateral economic checkpost in the busy North two troops and a civilian security AFP for rejecting the government’s AFP relationship, the second edi- tion of the “India Show” is being organised in Pakistan’s Playing Ghursai Lahore from February 14-16. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Minister defends halt to Industry (FICCI), in collabo- ration with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Malala’s book launch Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Lahore Chamber PESHAWAR: Though The ceremony was jointly organ- of Commerce and Industry the decision of the Khyber ised by the Area Study Centre, (LCCI) and Trade Development Pakhtunkhwa government Bacha Khan Education Foundation Authority (TDA), will be to stop the launch of Malala and Strengthening Participatory organising the three-day event Yousafzai’s book shocked Organisation (SPO). The provin- that is meant to help the region Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cial government pressurised the realise its potential in terms of Chairman Imran Khan, yet a university administration and the trade and development. minister defended the move. director of Area Study Centre not “Regional trade is hostage After scathing criticism against to hold the event. to India and Pakistan tension,” PTI-led provincial government in After the director’s resistance, said South Asian Association the press and social media, Imran the campus police refused to pro- for Regional Cooperation Khan had to intervene to do dam- vide security to the gathering, (SAARC) Chamber of age control. which resulted in the cancellation Commerce President. “I am at a loss to understand of the book launch. why Malala’s book launch stopped However, the official handout Blast kills two in Peshawar. PTI believes in free- issued by the provincial Minister dom of speech/debate, not censor- for Information Shah Farman Afghan soldiers ship of ideas,” Khan’s tweet said. defended the decision instead of The two tweets were widely re- repenting it. He justified cancel- KABUL: At least two tweeted in approval and replied ling the book launch by saying it Afghan soldiers were killed to by Twitter users, appreciat- had no relevance to the university. in a roadside improvised ing Imran Khan for expressing “Unveiling the book at the explosive device (IED) explo- displeasure over the action of his Area Study Centre University of sion in southern Helmand party-led provincial government. Peshawar was not allowed because province of Afghanistan. The book launching ceremony the same book had no relevance According to authorities in of “I am Malala” was scheduled with curricular and co-curricu- eastern Ghazni province, a con- to be held last Tuesday at the lar activities of the students,” the voy of the army was hit by a Area Study Centre, University of minister said in the statement. car bomb near a military check Peshawar. INTERNEWS post, the Afghan Khaama press Children play Ghursai, a traditional boys’ game, on the outskirts of Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan, yesterday. said yesterday. Children hold one foot in one hand and then try to knock down their opponent. Deputy Provincial Governor, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi said preliminary reports suggested at least one soldier was injured. He said two suicide bombers Military operation may drive militant group into Punjab were also killed. The incident took place after the bombers WAZIRISTAN: In the wake of prominent people in Punjab after ‘They must be stopped other- refuge throughout the province. also directed the law enforcement rammed a vehicle packed with an expected military operation moving to the province. wise the province will witness These people may have links agencies to strengthen security explosives in Qarabagh district. in restive North Waziristan, it The letter further directed the more sectarian strife and several with militants, therefore the law at the entry points in the prov- The Taliban claimed respon- is feared that militants would authorities concerned to enhance incidents of terrorism,’ an official enforcement agencies are con- ince, especially on the borders of sibility and said several Afghan move to Punjab in the garb of security in their respective areas. said. cerned that the refugees may Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. army soldiers and policemen internally-displaced persons These directives especially In addition, close links assist the extremists. A separate security plan would were killed or injured. (IDPs) and carry out their apply to Rawalpindi which bor- between militants based in North According to the intelligence, be chalked out for the river cross- Ghazni is among the vol- activities. ders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Waziristan and local activists militants may target the Punjab ings from KP into Punjab, the let- atile provinces in eastern According to a letter sent the police fear that the militants in Rawalpindi is another major Assembly, take school children ter maintained. Afghanistan where Taliban by the Inspector General of would establish their abode in the concern for the law enforcement hostage and assassinate promi- Similarly, the provincial are openly operating in various Punjab Police (IGP) Khan Baig garrison city. agencies. nent political figures. police chief has directed the law districts, and frequently carry to the divisional police heads, the According to sources in the law According to the police, a Therefore, the police have been enforcement agencies to keep out attacks against the Afghan Special Branch and the Counter enforcement agencies, the mili- number of Afghanistan nation- directed to review their secu- the registration record of boats security forces and government Terrorism Department (CTD), tants might establish their camps als and militancy hit people rity strategies to cope with the and their drivers along with the officials. the militants were planning on in Punjab with the help of their from the Federally Administered situation. passengers. AGENCIES targeting various buildings and local sympathizers. Tribal Areas (Fata) have taken The inspector general of police INTERNEWS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 17

HC raps Odisha, PM faces protest at Waqf meet Delhi Police on failure to trace None of the existing government welfare schemes benefiting minorities, shouts man missing girl NEW DELHI: A conference existing welfare schemes,” Baig Minority Commission chief Singh was highlighting the steps to the way the man was ousted attended by Prime Minister shouted as Manmohan Singh, Wajahat Habibullah was also seen taken by the government for from the conference room. NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Manmohan Singh and United Sonia Gandhi and other dignitar- pacifying the agitated man. minorities. The Prime Minister Jamiat-e Millat-e Islamiya-e Court yesterday rapped a team Progressive Alliance (UPA) ies seated on the podium looked Baig, who runs a non-govern- said the UPA government has been Hind general secretary Mufti of investigating officers from chairperson Sonia Gandhi was on. “I have written 150 letters mental organisation, showed a “unwavering” in its commitment to Afroz Alam Qasmi said: “His voice Odisha and Delhi Police after disrupted here yesterday by a to you but my voice is not being file with a number of Right to the “protection and promotion of should have been heard. This is a they failed to trace a missing man who said benefits of none of heard,” Baig said before being Information (RTI) reports. These, the interest of minorities”. genuine grievance.” girl who disappeared shortly the government schemes for the gagged and escorted out of the he said, affirmed that none of the He said most of the recommen- All India Jamiat ul Quresh after being brought here from minorities were reaching them. conference hall. schemes has been implemented. dations of the Rajinder Sachar president Md Atiq Sajid said: “The Odisha under the pretext of As soon as the prime minister Security officials initially “I filed several RTI applica- Committee have been adopted. way he was gagged and pulled out, employment. concluded his speech at the launch rushed to where Baig was seated tions. They said money has been The Rajinder Sachar it is very sad. Someone can get A division bench of Chief of the National Waqf Development and asked him to sit down. But allocated for the schemes but not Committee, appointed in 2005 by hurt being handled this way.” Justice N V Ramana and Justice Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) when he refused to heed, he was spent,” said Baig. Manmohan Singh, was commis- NAWADCO is a new central Rajiv Sahai Endlaw warned the at Vigyan Bhavan here, promising pulled out of the room. “I have not done anything to sioned to prepare a report on the public sector enterprise under the probe team that “it will take not more steps to empower minori- There was a brief chaos, amidst disrespect the prime minister. I social, economic and educational minority affairs ministry and will only take action against the offi- ties, a man, later identified as M which Minister of State for just expressed my perspective. condition of Muslims in India. work towards the development of cials for failing to trace the girl, Faheem Baig, stood up and shouted Minority Affairs Ninong Ering This is what democracy is about, “The 15-point programme and the 4.9 lakh Waqf properties in but also for their lapses in han- that benefits of none of the schemes presented the vote of thanks. The isn’t it,” he said. the multi-sectoral development India, the largest in the world. dling the case”. were reaching the people. man, however, was not detained. “If I wanted to show disrespect, programmes are large initiatives The revenue generated from the “It is your duty, you are not “There is no need for a new Baig later said he was informed I would have hurled a shoe, or focused on removing the develop- assets would be used to benefit the doing it for charity,” the bench scheme when government cannot Manmohan Singh and Sonia thrown ink, I did not do that.” ment deficit,” Singh said. Muslim community. said, after the counsel appearing ensure the implementation of the Gandhi have agreed to meet him. Shortly before Baig’s protest, However, some people objected IANS for Odisha Police told the court that they were doing their best to trace the girl. The superintendent of police Rescue mission of Odisha’s Kandhamal district who was present in court admit- Telangana bill: Andhra ted that police have not been able to trace the girl despite all pos- sible efforts. The court during the last CM challenges Centre hearing had ordered the super- intendent of police to appear HYDERABAD: With the more time to expose the lacunae in person and explain why the deadline for the Andhra in the bill. girl, missing since January 2010 Pradesh legislature to send its Kiran Reddy pointed out that after being brought to Delhi by a opinion on the Telangana bill only 86 of the 280 legislators placement agency, has not been to the president ending today, expressed their views on the traced till date. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar bill. Earlier, he and ministers Expressing disappointment, the Reddy dared the central gov- from Seemandhra submitted to bench Wednesday said it was “not ernment to table the bill in the Speaker N Manohar affidavits satisfied” with the investigation same form in parliament. opposing the state’s bifurcation. conducted by the team. A belligerent chief minister For the third consecutive day, The court directed the investi- said he would quit politics if par- protests by Telangana legisla- gating team to give a detailed sta- liament admitted the bill in the tors and counter-protests by tus report within two weeks and same form as it was sent to the Seemandhra lawmakers rocked posted the matter for February state legislature. both the assembly and the council. 12. The court earlier also directed Talking to reporters after both Manohar adjourned the House Delhi Police to take action against houses of the state legislature were thrice, the third time for the day the placement agency responsible adjourned without any debate on as legislators from Telangana for bringing the girl from Odisha. the bill for the third consecutive stalled the proceedings, demand- A fact finding committee was day, Kiran Reddy alleged that the ing he cancel the notice given by also constituted to examine the Stranded civilians are rescued in a helicopter airlift following snow and cold weather conditions in remote central government deceived the the chief minister last week to trend of disappearance of minor villages in Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday. Some 203 civilians were rescued in 10 sorties president by sending an incompre- pass a resolution to reject the bill. children, particularly girls from flown in an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter in the remote Himalayan region. hensive bill to him. In the council, Telangana Odisha and other states, who are “The bill in its present form legislators urged Chairman A brought to Delhi under the pre- will not even be admitted in par- Chakrapani to turn down a simi- text of employment. liament,” said Kiran Reddy, who is lar notice given by Endowments Four girls — aged between 14 strongly opposed to formation of a Minister C Ramachandraiah. The and 18 — had been trafficked to separate Telangana state. proposed resolution will also urge Delhi from Odisha by a placement Attackers fire AAP, BJP demand SIT on ’84 With the stalemate continu- the president not to refer the bill agency. Three, who were eventually ing on the Andhra Pradesh to parliament. rescued, were found to have been at village in Reorganisation Bill, 2013, the Telugu Desam Party legislators physically and sexually abused. riots, Badal says no need chief minister justified his request from Seemandhra began a sit-in The parents of the fourth girl Assam, 10 killed to President Pranab Mukherjee to in the assembly to protest the had filed a habeas corpus plea in NEW DELHI/MUKTSAR: manifesto. “I have asked the Lt give three more weeks to the state adjournment which was continu- the Delhi High Court, alleging GUWAHATI: At least 10 peo- The AAP and BJP yesterday Governor for an SIT probe into legislature to debate the bill and ing at the time of filing the report. that Delhi and Orissa Police failed ple were killed and eight others demanded a Special Investigation the 1984 riots. The Lt Governor give its opinion. He said he sought IANS to trace the child. IANS injured when assailants fired Team (SIT) to probe the 1984 sounded positive about the issue. indiscriminately at a village in anti-Sikh riots, after Congress And it was also part of our mani- Assam yesterday evening. vice-president Rahul Gandhi said festo,” he said. Three other people report- some Congress leaders were prob- Education Minister Manish edly went missing after the firing ably involved. Akali Dal patron Sisodia said the AAP held a rally Man kills near the Behali reserve forest in Parkash Singh Badal, however, before the Delhi elections to Sonitpur district, police said. Home rejected the demand, saying there demand an SIT on the anti-Sikh nephew Commissioner G D Tripathy con- was “hardly any need”. 1984 riots. In a TV interview ear- firmed the incident and said police The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lier, Rahul Gandhi admitted that have rushed to the area bordering government in Delhi said it will “some Congress men were prob- for ransom Arunachal Pradesh. hold a cabinet meeting tomorrow ably involved” in the 1984 riots. “The victims said a group of where it will decide the param- The Bharatiya Janata Party HYDERABAD: A man attackers came from Arunachal eters of the SIT to probe the riots. (BJP) led by Harsh Vardhan also brutally murdered his Pradesh and started firing at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind met Jung yesterday. “We want six-year-old nephew for them,” police said. Police said they Kejriwal met Lt Governor Najeeb justice for the victims of 1984 and a ransom of Rs20,000, were yet to ascertain the identity Jung and submitted the request are demanding an SIT probe into police said. of the attackers and the reason for an SIT to probe the riots in the riots,” Harsh Vardhan told The body of the boy, behind the attack. which more than 3,000 people, media persons. missing since Tuesday, was Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, mostly Sikhs, were killed in the Akali Dal’s Delhi unit presi- found yesterday on the city who is in New Delhi, called up the capital in the aftermath of the dent Manjit Singh G K said that outskirts. The body of Yash police chief and chief secretary assassination of then prime min- since Rahul Gandhi acknowledged Raj Kumar was recovered over the incident and instructed ister Indira Gandhi. the role of Congress leaders in near Peeran Lake near them to rush additional forces “Najeeb Jung has assured that the riots, he should take action Narsangi. Morning walk- to the area. Officials say border Kejriwal’s request would be con- against them. ers found the body and dispute between the two states — sidered and the prime minister Manjit Singh said they “don’t informed the police. The Assam and Arunachal Pradesh will be informed,” an official said. want an apology but action boy’s school identity card — seems to be one of the main Kejriwal told the media later against the culprits in the 1984 was also found there. Yash reasons behind such clashes. that the demand for an SIT probe riots. We demand an SIT probe”. of Ghode Ki Khabar neigh- IANS was part of the AAP’s election IANS bourhood was a student of LKG at a private school. His parents had lodged a com- plaint after he did not return home from the school. By evening, police No headway in Rs7.69 crore heist arrested two people, includ- ing Vinod, the maternal uncle of the victim. Police NEW DELHI: Delhi Police have failed to make Sources also said Kalra is a friend of television actor said Vinod kidnapped any headway in the Rs7.69-crore rush-hour heist Vindoo Dara Singh, who was arrested by Mumbai the boy and demanded on an arterial road in the capital, an official said police in the 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing Rs20,000 from his parents. yesterday, adding they were also looking for the scandal. The first information report (FIR) of the heist He later panicked, fearing source of the money robbed. did not mention the money’s source. he might be arrested if the Six people robbed Rs7.69 crore in cash from the Kalra’s business partner and manager Rakesh boy opened his mouth, and business partner and manager of a Delhi-Gurgaon- Kumar Sharma, 32, who also deals in diamonds, in hence murdered him. based businessmen near the Lajpat Nagar Metro the FIR he filed stated that he usually deposited Deputy Commissioner station in south Delhi and hijacked the car in which cash of Kalra and himself at a Punjab National Bank of Police (West Zone) V he was going with four other employees on Tuesday. branch in Karol Bagh. On Tuesday morning, he along Satyanarayana told report- Police suspect involvement of some insiders in the with his employees was going to deposit the money ers they also arrested Delhi’s biggest heist and have questioned several when robbers struck them. Anup, who is suspected to staff of the businessmen. However, those questioned Police said they might inform the Enforcement have helped Vinod in the failed to give the correct source of the money. Directorate about the money. But their priority was crime. The police officer According to police sources, the money was to nab the robbers and recover the money. Police said the accused strangled unaccountable and the transaction was being done sources said the number of robbers might be more the boy to death, crushed through Hawala. During the investigation, police than six. Suspecting involvement of gangs operating his head with a boulder found businessman Rajesh Kalra was arrested in in Delhi and Haryana, police have questioned some and also tried to burn the 2000 for connection with bookies and charged in the of their members lodged in jails of the two states. body so the victim could Hansie Cronje match-fixing case. IANS not be identified. IANS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Eviction threat Beating the Retreat forced Kejriwal to end protest AAP silent on source of funds: Govt

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief around 7.45pm. A message from Minister Arvind Kejriwal Jung was conveyed to Kejriwal decided to end his protest after that he was issuing orders for the he was categorically told that two police officers to go on leave. force would be used to evict him Kejriwal announced that he was and his supporters from the pro- calling off the protest following test site, adjoining Rajpath, and the “partial victory”. that he would be solely respon- Jung’s letter had asked Kejriwal sible for the consequences. to withdraw his protest “in view Highly placed sources said of the sacrosanct occasion of the that the government decision to Republic Day and the perceived use force, if necessary, to clear security situation”. the area outside Rail Bhavan, Meanwhile, the central gov- close to the route of the Republic ernment informed the Delhi Day parade, was conveyed to High Court that the AAP has Kejriwal on January 21. not responded to questions on its The Rashtrapati Bhavan is illuminated on the occasion of Beating the Retreat in New Delhi yesterday. The ceremony that brought the curtain down Kejrwal, his cabinet colleagues source of funds. A division bench on the annual Republic Day celebrations marked a welcome break with tradition, making it more of a concert that the public could relate to rather and hundreds of Aam Admi of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog than a strictly military affair. Party (AAP) supporters had and Justice Jayant Nath asked been sitting in protest for two the petitioner, advocate M L days demanding the suspension Sharma, to include the AAP as a of policemen who had refused to respondent and posted the case listen to his cabinet colleagues. for February 5. With the Republic Day parade Appearing for the home minis- Kannur airport just days away and the impending try, Additional Solicitor General SC declines Madani bail plea arrival of the chief guest, Japanese Rajeeve Mehra told the bench Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the that the government had written NEW DELHI: Declining his The court said that authori- a meeting where an alleged con- work to begin government made up its mind to twice to the party to ascertain the bail plea for now, the Supreme ties would ensure that he gets spiracy was hatched. act on January 22, a day before source of its funds. But the AAP Court yesterday directed the required food both in jail and The court was told that Madani on Sunday the parade’s full-dress rehearsal has not responded. medical examination of 2008 the hospital, adding that Madani’s could not escape or flee as he suf- barely 100 metres away. “(The) government sent two Bangalore blasts accused Abdul wife and other close relatives fers from multiple ailments— he THIRUVANANTHA- This decision was conveyed notices to AAP... We are still wait- Nazir Madani to ascertain if he would be allowed to visit him in is confined to a wheel chair and PURAM: Defence Minister to Kejriwal who, in turn, des- ing for their response. We (will) requires medical supervision the hospital. The court said the has one leg amputated. A K Antony will inaugu- patched his close aide and senior continue our inquiry,” Mehra said. till his eye surgery is done. Karnataka government would Bhushan told the court that in rate the work on Kerala’s AAP leader Yogendra Yadav to Lt Earlier, the court had directed Ordering that Madani be bear the expenses of Madani’s the last hearing of the matter, the fourth international airport Governor Najeeb Jung. the central government to go examined by Bangalore’s Manipal hospitalisation and treatment. Kerala government had said that in Kannur on Sunday. State Jung told him of the govern- through the details of money Hospital in a week’s time, the apex Earlier appearing for Madani, while in Kerala, Madani would be Excise and Fisheries Minister ment’s decision and that Kejriwal donated to AAP since its inception court bench of Justice H L Gokhale counsel Prashant Bhushan told provided with security cover. K Babu, who is in charge of would be solely responsible for on November 26, 2012 and take and Justice Kurian Joseph said that the court that his client was in However, Bhushan’s plea the airport project, said the any violence that might erupt and action if anything was found in vio- depending on the outcome of his custody for nearly three-and- for an interim bail of two to work that begins on Sunday its consequences in the shape of lation of the Foreign Contribution medical examination, he will be half years. Earlier also, he was three months was vehemently is for construction of run- injuries to his people. (Regulation) Act (FCRA). shifted to the hospital. incarcerated for nine years in the opposed by senior counsel Raju way and related civil works. Yadav sought a face-saver in The court was hearing a pub- Madani is diagnosed with Coimbatore blast case in which he Ramachandran who appeared for “The airport near Kannur is the shape of the sacking of the lic interest litigation seeking a highly fluctuating and uncon- was acquitted later. Karnataka government. coming up on 2,000 acres and two “errant” policemen, the criminal case against Kejriwal trolled diabetes which was the Pleading that Madani be Describing Madani as “master- the tender process for the sources said, but Jung refused. and others for allegedly receiv- cause of the rapidly deteriorat- granted two to three months’ mind”, Ramachandran said that next phase, which consists As a compromise, Yadav then ing foreign funds in violation of ing condition of his eyes. Besides interim bail so that he could stay conspiracy and instigation were far of the terminal building and asked that they be sent on leave. the law. Petitioner Sharma also he suffers from hypertension, at home and get proper care, food more serious offences. He told the related infrastructure, would To which, Jung agreed, “as one sought seizure of accounts and stable coronary artery disease and medical treatment, Bhushan court that considering the nature be finalised in May this year,” of the officers was going on leave funds secured by AAP members. (heart disease) and benign pro- told the court that Madani has of his offence, Madani has been Babu said. The agreement anyway”, the sources added. The plea said the FCRA prohibits static hypertrophy (enlargement not been convicted for any offence repeatedly denied bail. The court between the state govern- The announcement finally funding from foreign countries for of the prostate gland), amongst a so far. He said the only charge directed the listing of the matter ment and Larsen and Toubro, came late on Tuesday evening a political party. IANS myriad of other illnesses. against him is that he attended on March 26 next. IANS Mumbai, who will undertake the first phase work, was completed in November. The Kerala government yester- Gandhi portrait day decided to increase its Women inviting stake in the airport from Centre to seek review of SC 26 percent to 35 percent. By attacks by clothes September 2015, the trial run of the airport is being and behaviour: verdict on mercy petition planned and by December 31, 2015, the airport would be Woman activist NEW DELHI: The Centre yes- court that while the review of the opened for service, he said. terday told the Supreme Court it verdict was under consideration, he NEW DELHI: A female politi- was considering to seek a review was seeking time so that Attorney 43kg of fake gold cian and activist has said rape of the court’s verdict holding General may lead in the matter. victims may have invited attacks that inordinate delay in deciding The court earlier ruled that offered at shrine by their clothes and behaviour, mercy petitions by the president inordinate and unexplained JAMMU: A total of 43kg fuelling a national debate over a and insanity were the grounds delay in deciding mercy peti- of gold and 57,000kg of sil- series of incidents of sexual vio- for courts to commute death sen- tions and insanity, mental ill- ver offered by devotees lence against women. tences to life imprisonment. ness, Schizophrenia could be the at the Shri Mata Vaishno Asha Mirje, a Nationalist This was stated to the bench of grounds for commuting death Devi temple in Jammu and Congress Party (NCP) leader in Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justice sentence to life imprisonment. Kashmir have been found western Maharashtra state, ques- Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Shiva As Jethmalani urged the court to be fake, an RTI applica- tioned at a meeting on Tuesday Kirti Singh by Additional Solicitor that he be allowed to start his tion has revealed. The RTI why a 23-year-old physiotherapy General Siddhartha Luthra. arguments today, the court said query elicited the informa- student who was raped on a bus in Counsel Ram Jethmalani, appear- it would prefer that the Attorney tion that 193.5kg of gold and Delhi in 2012 was out late at night. ing for V Sriharan alias Murugan, General be present when he 81,635kg of silver was offered Mirje, who is a member of the Perarivalan and Santhan, opposed advances his case on behalf of at the shrine at Katra town state women’s commission, said the deferment of the hearing of the three death row convicts. in the last five years. “Of this, in reference to the Delhi assault: petitions by the three death row Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins were 43kg of gold and 57,815kg of “Did Nirbhaya really have go to convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assas- convicted by the TADA court in silver turned out to be fake,” watch a movie at 11 in the night sination case. January 1998 and were awarded M K Bhandari, chief execu- with her friend?” Jethmalani told the court he death sentences. The sentence tive officer of the board that She also commented on the had serious apprehensions that was confirmed by the apex court manages the shrine, said. rape of a photojournalist who was the government was seeking the May 11, 1999. In August 2012, their “We send the precious metal on assignment at a disused mill postponement of the hearing as it mercy petitions were rejected and offerings to the government in Mumbai last year, asking why was planning to move a plea seek- as the date of their execution was for melting and converting the victim had gone to such an A 50-metre-high portrait of Mahatma Gandhi painted on a wall of the ing review of the court’s January fixed, the Madras High court (them) into gold and silver isolated place. “Rapes take place police headquarters in New Delhi yesterday. German street art artist 21, 2014, verdict. intervened and the execution of coins which the devotees buy also because of a woman’s clothes, Hendrik Beikirch and his Indian colleague Anpu Varley painted the As Jethmalani expressed his their death sentences was stayed. as souvenirs.” He said some her behaviour and her presence apprehension, Luthra told the IANS devotees may be buying gold huge artwork on the occasion of Gandhi’s death anniversary today. at inappropriate places,” she said. and silver without checking Women must be “careful”, she their purity. said, and think if they are invit- ing assault. Eight killed in Mirje’s party belongs to the bus blaze Congress-led national coalition SC reserves verdict on interpretation of ‘juvenile’ government and her comments THANE: Eight passengers caused an immediate stir, with were killed in their sleep several television reports pour- NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court yes- The validity of the act was also challenged offender but also to protect public safety”. and 11 others injured when ing scorn on her. “Every time terday reserved its verdict on BJP leader by the parents of the December 16 gang rape Swamy has sought the inclusion of words a private luxury sleeper bus such a statement is made by a Subramanian Swamy’s plea that a section victim. As Luthra sought the dismissal of “mental and intellectual maturity” into the rammed into a diesel oil public figure it justifies rape,” of the Juvenile Justice Act should be con- Swamy’s plea, the court gave 10 days’ time to wording of section 2(k) on the age of innocence. tanker and caught fire on the Kavita Krishnan, secretary of structed so that a juvenile under criminal all the parties to file their written submissions. He moved the apex court in the wake of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high- the All India Progressive Women’s law is not “emotionally and intellectually” Swamy has contended that though the Delhi gang rape case, seeking the trial of the way early yesterday, police Association, a lobby group, said. more than 18 years. act was made in pursuance to the 1989 UN juvenile convict under the provisions of the said. The tragedy struck the Even members of her own party The bench of Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Convention for the Rights of Child and the 1985 Indian Penal Code. Pune-Ahmedabad bus near distanced themsleves from her Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Shiva Kirti Beijing Rules for the Administration of Juvenile He said that in the Delhi gang rape, the Kuregaon village in Thane remarks. NCP member of parlia- Singh reserved the order on Swamy’s plea as Justice, the same were not fully adhered to. juvenile convict knew what he was doing district’s Manor town. ment Supriya Sule told report- Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra He said, “Article 17.1© of the Beijing Rules and what were its consequences, and thus he There were 21 passengers on ers she was sorry Mirje had made opposed the plea. Luthra said there was no states even though endeavour is to be made to should not get the shield of the Juvenile Justice the ill-fated bus, besides the them and that they reflected her need to revisit the section 2(k) of the Juvenile avoid incarceration (of juvenile), nevertheless in Act. However, Swamy’s plea was opposed by driver and conductor. personal views, not those of the Justice (Care and Protection of Children ) Act, certain situations/offences sentence of imprison- the centre which said a person could not be IANS party. REUTERS 2000, for interpreting the meaning of juvenile. ment has to be passed not only to punish the tried twice for the same offence. IANS

Thursday 30 January 2014 29 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5960 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Ooredoo and Qatari banks Telenor set to get Myanmar focus on debt licences

YANGON: Ooredoo can begin rolling out a telecommunica- tions network in Myanmar after securities its licence is formally awarded this week, a senior government official said yesterday. Reliance on inter-bank funds reduced Myanmar announced in June that Ooredoo and Norway’s BY SATISH KANADY compelling in 2014 than the last Telenor Group had won licences year. Banks are shifting their after a hotly contested bidding DOHA: Qatari banks are lending portfolios from real estate process to develop networks in increasingly reducing their reli- to construction, which is backed one of the world’s least connected ance on the short-term inter- by cash flows from public sector countries. bank funds and focusing more entities. Although risks still per- A senior government official on issuance of debt securities. sist, they have relatively moder- said the licence would be granted Investment analysts from two ated as we do not expect these to Ooredoo at a ceremony today in separate regional banks noted quasi government entities to the capital, Naypyitaw, after being yesterday that Qatari banks default in the current economic delayed by about a month while are focusing more on bonds and environment. The SICO analyst the government finished writing will continue to do so in 2014 to is also foresees a moderate, but telecommunications regulations. lower funding costs. steady, real estate price rises in “The significance of this signing A funding breakdown of Qatari Qatar. Officials exchanging documents during the signing ceremony. is it will pave the way for them to banks for the past five years shows We are seeing increasing evi- go ahead with their operation,” a jump in issuance of debt secu- dence of major Qatari banks said the official, who asked not to rities. NBK’s Qatar Chart Book focusing on different segments of Nakilat signs $669m financing be named as he was not author- for January 2014 reveals that of the market. While some banks ised to speak to media. the total funding of Qatari Banks focus on lending to the govern- Another government official (as of November 2013), debt issu- ment or quasi-government enti- who declined to be named said a ance accounted for six percent. ties, other banks are focusing deal with Qatar National Bank signing ceremony with Telenor This is compared to four percent on periphery/large contractors. would take place on February 3. and three percent in 2012 and Another group of banks, because DOHA: Nakilat, Qatar’s pre- at a ceremony held at the head enhance QNB’s reputation for Ooredoo declined comment 2011 respectively. Debt issuance of their relatively lower equity mier gas transporter, has office of QNB, with a number of delivering on large scale trans- yesterday. It said in October that accounted for just one percent of book, continues to focus on SMEs secured a $669m facility from senior officials from both sides portation projects.” once its licence was awarded, it the bank’s total funding five years and retail business. “This is in our QNB Group for the refinancing attending. Nakilat is a Qatari marine would begin rolling out a network ago. opinion is positive for banks, due of two existing LNG vessels and “This second refinancing agree- transport company providing to cover Myanmar’s four biggest As domestic debt issuance pro- to limited competition in each the purchase of two additional ment further reinforces Nakilat’s the essential transportation link cities within six months and 97 ceeded apace, government debt segment”, he said. ones by its joint venture, Maran solid relationship with our part- in Qatar’s LNG supply chain. Its percent of the population in five reached 36 percent of the GDP The SICO analyst noted that Nakilat Co Ltd. ner Maran Ventures Inc, to whom LNG shipping fleet is the largest years. in 2013, according to the chart. its earlier concerns related to This is the second refinancing we are grateful for their contin- in the world, comprising 58 LNG Telecommunications were In a note sent to The Peninsula the Qatari banks’ exposure to that Nakilat has secured for its ued collaboration. We also thank vessels. Nakilat also manages and tightly controlled under decades yesterday, the SICO Investment real estate portfolios have been joint venture in recent months. QNB for their excellent support operates four large LPG carriers. of military dictatorship, with the Bank analyst Chiradeep Ghosh partially waned, with banks low- Through the two transactions, throughout this transaction,” said Through two strategic joint government monopolising the said: “Qatari banks are using the ering their lending to the real Nakilat has arranged a combined Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti, ventures, Nakilat-Keppel sector and selling SIM cards for low interest rate environment estate sector, and replacing it $1.33bn in refinancing for Maran Managing Director of Nakilat. Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) thousands of dollars when they to issue long-tenured bonds to with public sector lending and to Nakilat. Maran Ventures Inc is a sub- and Nakilat Damen Shipyards were introduced a decade-and-a- reduce the asset-liability duration contractors who are working on With these transactions, sidiary of Angelicoussis Shipping Qatar (NDSQ), Nakilat operates half ago. mismatch on their books arising Government-backed projects. Nakilat to double the size of Group Ltd (ASGL). the ship repair and construction As a result, Myanmar had the from funding long-term projects. The SICO is bullish on Qatari Maran Nakilat Co Ltd’s fleet from Commenting on the financing facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al lowest mobile penetration rate The banks will continue to issue banks for 2014. “We expect strong four vessels to eight vessels and to agreement, Abdulla Mubarak Al Jalahma Shipyard. in the world, with Swedish tel- long-term debt in 2014 to lower domestic balance sheet growth to increase its ownership in the joint Khalifa, the Executive General Maran Nakilat Co Ltd was ecoms giant Ericsson saying in funding costs, along with increas- continue in 2014, with the aggre- venture by 10 percent. The new Manager and Chief Business established in 2005. Its original 2012 that less than four percent ing the duration of liabilities.” gate lending book growing at two vessels are currently under Officer at QNB Group, said: fleet of four LNG vessels is on of the country’s 60 million people According to Ghosh Qatari 13-14 percent… .” construction in Korea. “This milestone project will boost charter with RasGas. were connected. banks’ story will be more THE PENINSULA The agreement was signed economic growth and further THE PENINSULA REUTERS

QPI takes 23pc stake in Shell’s Brazil oilfield Vodafone posts QR1.43bn

DOHA: Qatar Petroleum ating partner and will support Since coming on-stream in 2009, production of 28,000 boe. revenue for nine months International (QPI) has entered the developments of the project. BC-10 has produced more than The agreement marks the first into an agreement with oil The transaction is subject to 80 million barrels of oil equiva- investment QPI has made in South DOHA: Vodafone Qatar’s total revenue for the nine months ended major Royal Dutch Shell to buy final approvals from the National lent (boe). Phase 2 of the project, America. Nasser Al-Jaidah, QPI’s in December 2013 reached QR1.43bn, up 31 percent compared to the 23 percent stake in the Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Agency (ANP, to tie-in the Argonauta O-North Chief Executive Officer, expressed same period last year. The company recorded a 27 percent increase oilfield Parque das Conchas Brazil’s Oil and Gas regulator) field, came online on October his great satisfaction with the in the total number of mobile customers, compared to a year ago. (BC-10) for approximately $1bn. and the Administrative Council 1st 2013, with an expected peak agreement stating “QPI’s inter- Mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) increased to QR 125, a 3.6 Shell will continue to operate for Economic Defense (CADE, production of 35,000 boe per est in Brazil’s BC-10 demonstrates percent growth year-on-year. The company’s Earnings before interest, BC-10 with a 50 percent work- Brazil’s anti-trust authority), QPI day. Final Investment Decision our commitment to expanding our tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached QR344m, an 89 ing interest and retains a signif- said here yesterday. for Phase 3 of the BC-10 project strategic and international invest- percent improvement year-on-year. The distributable profits reached icant presence in Brazil, while Currently, BC-10 is produc- was taken in July 2013 and once ments globally.” QR89m, compared to minus QR 25mn for the same period last year. QPI will be an active non-oper- ing approximately 50,000 boe/d. online is expected to reach a peak THE PENINSULA Vodafone Qatar Chairman, Sheikh DR Khalid Bin Thani Al Thani commented: “Generating positive Distributable Profits is a key target of ours and should give shareholders confidence, that the business is moving in the right direction.” THE PENINSULA Fed poised for $10bn taper as Bernanke bids adieu Kuwait oil workers plan

WASHINGTON: Turmoil in Bernanke took the Fed far US central bank was expected to keep tapering its stimulus. emerging markets and a month into uncharted territory during shave another $10bn. But other data in recent weeks, to strike over pay cut of disappointing job growth at his eight years on the job, build- “It’s clear the Fed wants to from consumer spending and con- KUWAIT CITY: Thousands of oil workers in Opec member Kuwait home are unlikely to deter the ing a $4 trillion balance sheet and taper,” said Eric Stein, portfo- fidence to industrial production, plan to go on strike over a government decision to cut their wages, Federal Reserve from trim- keeping interest rates near zero lio manager at Eaton Vance in was largely upbeat and has bol- the head of the oil workers union said yesterday. ming its bond-buying stimulus, for more than five years to pull Boston. stered the view of an improving “Trade unions of all oil companies have taken a decision to go on as Ben Bernanke wraps up his the economy from its worst down- Even so, the Fed is nowhere economy. Forecasters estimate strike and authorised me to announce the date of the strike which will last policy meeting at the helm turn in decades. near to making a decision to raise US GDP grew at an above-trend be determined within the next two days,” Abdulaziz Al Sharthan said. of the US central bank. With those efforts beginning rates. Policymakers are expected annual rate of 3.2 percent in the “After making a number of legal procedures, I will set the date of the Overall signs of improvement to pay off — and concerns grow- to stick to their promise to keep fourth quarter after notching a strike which will be within two weeks,” he said after lengthy talks on in the US economy suggest Fed ing over possible harm from so rates near zero until well after 4.1 percent advance in the prior Tuesday night with new Oil Minister Ali Al Omair and top oil executives officials will stay on track to cut much money printing — the Fed the US unemployment rate, now three months. “ended without resolving the problem.” Sharthan said the crisis was the monthly purchases of Treasuries announced plans last month to at 6.7 percent, falls to 6.5 percent. The show of strength provides a result of a decision by Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC), the national oil and mortgage-backed securities phase out the bond buying by The Fed is set to announce its welcome backdrop for Bernanke, conglomerate, to “cut some benefits and increments” from oil workers. by $5bn each, bringing the total late this year unless the econ- decision at 2pm EST (1900 GMT). who steps down on Friday after The minister and oil executives refused to scrap the decision during of their monthly asset purchases omy takes a decided turn for the A dismal employment report an unusually tumultuous and the meeting and “tried to add some cosmetic procedures to it which to $65bn. worse. for December, which showed busi- highly experimental stint atop we did not accept,” he said. The two-week period is to give the govern- The meeting is Bernanke’s last It started by trimming its nesses added far fewer jobs than the world’s most influential cen- ment a final ultimatum to withdraw the decision and then negotiate before Vice Chair Janet Yellen monthly purchases to $75bn expected, raised some doubts tral bank. the dispute with the oil trade unions, Sharthan said. moves into the top spot. from $85bn, and yesterday, the about the Fed’s commitment to REUTERS AFP THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Profit sags Bharti Airtel at Lebanon’s Byblos Bank BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Byblos Bank reported a six percent Q4 profit drop in net profit last year to $157.1m, reflecting the economic stagnation in a country marred by political paralysis and feel- ing the effects of a civil war in neighbouring Syria. leaps 115pc It said total assets stood at $18.5bn, customer depos- its increased by 10.2 percent to Internet revenue soars 105 percent $14.7bn and net customer loans rose by 9.5 percent to $4.5bn. NEW DELHI: India’s top Total revenue climbed 13.3 The bank said in a statement mobile phone firm Bharti Airtel percent in the third quarter to yesterday that it had allocated said yesterday its quarterly Rs219.4bn from Rs193.6bn a year $57.3m in provisions for credit profit leapt by 115 percent, the earlier. losses, which also accounted for first rise in four years, boosted Average revenue per user, a key some of the drop in net profit. by surging data use and an eas- industry profitability benchmark, “Despite uncertainty on the ing of price wars. jumped five percent in India. political level and an ongoing Bharti, the fourth-largest tel- Bharti operates in 20 countries stagnation of the economy, Byblos ecom firm globally, said net profit and is nearly one-third held by Bank witnessed growth in key for the third financial quarter to Singapore’s SingTel. financial areas,” the statement December climbed to Rs6.1bn India’s telecom sector was a said. rupees ($98m) from Rs2.84bn in market star before fierce tariff Violence in neighbouring Syria the same period a year earlier. competition pushed call rates has spilled over into Lebanon and The company’s focus on down to among the world’s lowest. A man holds an ipad showing the new logo of “Fiat Chrysler Automobiles” in front of Fiat headquarter at Lingotto, contributed to a sharp slowdown Internet operations “has increased But the number of major tel- in Turin, yesterday. in economic growth over the last adoption and usage” of Bharti, ecoms players has fallen, with just two years. said Indian Chief Executive Gopal three firms — Bharti, Vodafone The small Mediterranean Vittal. and Reliance — accounting for Fiat changes name; profit drops country has also been without “Data is now a huge source of nearly three-quarters of revenues. a fully functioning government revenue,” Vittal added. A 2012 Supreme Court ruling since March 2013 when Prime Data services have become scrapped the licences of various MILAN: Italian car giant decided to establish Fiat Chrysler Italy. The group said it expected Minister Najib Mikati resigned, the new battleground for Indian smaller firms over a scandal- Fiat announced yesterday it Automobiles NV, organised in the to present a long-term business and months of political bickering telecom companies as they try tainted spectrum sale. was changing its name after Netherlands, as the parent com- plan at the start of May 2014. have hampered economic growth. to boost revenues in an increas- The easing of market conges- completing the purchase of pany of the Group.” However, earlier yesterday Fiat ingly saturated domestic mobile tion has allowed companies to US automaker Chrysler to The company said shares would reported 2013 results which were EY expands market. start raising calling rates. While “Fiat Chrysler Automobiles”, be listed in New York and Milan below analysts expectations and Bharti, controlled by billionaire there is still a price battle for data but posted disappointing 2013 and Fiat shareholders would said it would be waiving dividends, advisory founder-chairman Sunil Bharti customers, that has been more results. receive one FCA common share causing shares in the group to Mittal, had clocked 15 straight than offset by the volume of new Fiat chairman John Elkann for each Fiat share they hold. plummet. leadership team quarters of profit decline before customers, analysts say. said the name change heralded FCA will be resident in the UK The carmaker reported a trad- yesterday’s rise. But the industry faces a new “a new chapter”. for tax purposes. ing profit of ¤931m ($1.27bn) DOHA/DUBAI: E Y The figures still undershot deep-pocketed rival, Reliance Jio “A journey that started over “Today is one of the most for the fourth quarter of 2013, announced the expansion of market expectations of a Rs10bn Infocomm belonging to Reliance a decade ago, as Fiat sought to important days in my career at less than the ¤1.5bn forecast by the power and utilities (P&U) profit for the three-month period Industries which is controlled ensure its place in an increas- Fiat and Chrysler,” Fiat CEO analysts. advisory leadership team in the but analysts said the quarter was by India’s richest tycoon Mukesh ingly complex marketplace, has Sergio Marchionne was quoted It also cut its 2014 forecast Middle East and North Africa positive overall. Ambani. brought together two organisa- as saying. more than expected, to between (Mena) region. “Competitive intensity is Bharti must bid to purchase tions each with a great history “We have worked tenaciously ¤3.6 to ¤4bn — down from a pre- Christian von Tschirschky, declining in India thanks to (the) new spectrum in an auction of in the automotive industry and and single-mindedly to transform vious estimate of up to ¤5.2bn . who joined E Y as a Partner in fruits of consolidation and the mobile airwaves starting February different but complementary geo- differences into strengths and Subsequently, the board of Dubai, is the new leader of EY’s data numbers give quite a bit to 3 to keep providing services in graphic strengths,” he said. break down barriers of nationalis- directors “has decided not to rec- P&U sector in Mena. Christian be excited about,” telecom analyst several areas where it already “FCA allows us to face the tic or cultural resistance,” he said. ommend a dividend payment on has over 15 years of experience Harit Shah at Mumbai’s Nirmal operates. future with a renewed sense of The FCA will “continue with Fiat shares, given the company’s in management consulting, focus- Securities said. Aggressive bidding by Reliance purpose and vigor,” he added. the same mission, including man- desire to maintain a balanced ing on strategy development and The Indian firm, with 287 mil- Industries could boost prices at The group statement said: “In ufacturing plants in Italy and level of liquidity following the transformation programmes in lion customers and operations the auction, at which the cash- order to establish a true peer elsewhere around the globe, with acquisition of the minority stake MENA, Europe and the US. in both Africa and Asia, said strapped government is hoping to to the major global automotive no impact on head-count,” said in Chrysler Group LLC,” the com- Gavin Rennie also joins the Internet revenue soared 105 per- raise at least $1.8bn, analysts say. groups, in both scale and capi- the group, calming concerns that pany said in a statement. EY Doha office as a Partner in cent year-on-year to Rs17.36bn. AFP tal market appeal, the Board has the car maker would abandon AFP P&U. Gavin has over 20 years of management consulting experi- ence in strategy, technology and transformation programmes in MENA, Europe and the US. The EY P&U team is comple- Inflation targeting adds pressure on India govt to meet deficit goals mented by Aref AbouZahr, who joined as a Director. Aref has over 10 years of experience in MUMBAI: Without explicitly proposals released last week to percent in December. “It appears challenge in a country prone to down and the Urjit Patel commit- P&U working for a GCC gov- saying so, the Reserve Bank of revamp the way monetary policy that RBI is taking the responsi- costly and inflationary spending tee gives us a glide path to bring ernment, a leading technology India has effectively begun to is conducted in India. bility head-on, saying that this is programmes. inflation down,” Rajan said in a supplier and a management target inflation based on con- The core recommendation of going to be their primary objec- “The fact that RBI actu- conference call with analysts yes- consultancy. sumer prices, a dramatic shift the central bank panel headed by tive,” said Sonal Varma, economist ally came out with an inflation terday. “And, as we examine the EY’s P&U MENA team is in approach for a central bank Deputy RBI Governor Urjit Patel at Nomura in Mumbai. number of 8 percent over the next details of the Urjit Patel commit- part of EY’s global P&U Center that has struggled to manage was ultimately to bring down CPI “It’s a game-changer,” she said. one year consistent with Urjit tee report, we will take up more of Expertise. The advisory team the balance between growth inflation to four percent, plus or RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Patel’s report in the policy review issues. And, as I said, some issues helps governments and leading and inflation. minus two percent. who took office in September with was a surprise,” said Saugata will have to be taken up with the companies to prepare for the The RBI unexpectedly raised While that would make policy- an ambitious agenda, has long Bhattacharya, chief economist at government. Some we can do on future of energy, protect them policy interest rates by a quarter making more predictable and less expressed an inclination towards Axis Bank. our own.” from major risks, improve per- percentage point to eight percent prone to government pressure, it adopting retail inflation as the Rajan stopped short of saying Although the government has formance and achieve opera- on Tuesday. also means rates would stay high main price gauge, although many the RBI had adopted the panel’s not taken an official stance on tional excellence. The team In doing so, it cited a “glide for longer as CPI inflation now bank-watchers did not expect him inflation recommendation. The the reform proposals, Economic provides solutions from strat- path” towards lowering the con- stands at nearly 10 percent — the to take up the panel’s recommen- RBI did, however, formally adopt Affairs Secretary Arvind egy to implementation, com- sumer price index (CPI) below highest among major economies. dations so quickly. the proposal to review monetary Mayaram last week said it was plimented by EY’s expertise in eight percent by next January and Annual wholesale price infla- Inflation-targeting puts pres- policy every two months, from premature to make CPI the nomi- advisory, transactions, assurance six percent a year later — targets tion, long the favoured bench- sure on the government to meet eight times a year previously. nal anchor for monetary policy. and tax. that were laid out in sweeping mark in India, stood at 6.16 its deficit-cutting targets, a “We want to bring inflation REUTERS THE PENINSULA/REUTERS

Slovenia forced to sell assets Germany loosens own pension rules while asking EU for reforms

BERLIN: Germany’s coali- pension system fiscally sustain- “I actually allowed myself a tion government presented a able in the face of a rapidly ageing brief moment to be proud when pension reform plan yesterday population. I signed this draft,” said Nahles that will cost ¤160bn to 2030 Critics warn the reform, which when asked if she felt queasy by letting some workers retire will take effect from July 1 and cost signing off on a measure that will earlier, loosening the purse about ¤11bn a year by 2030, will cost so much money. strings at home when Berlin unintentionally give firms an incen- German industry clearly had has demanded austerity from tive to sack higher-paid workers those staggering costs in mind its euro zone partners. with 45 years’ experience at age 61. when it condemned the reform. Despite criticism from indus- Merkel’s last grand coalition “We need to make work attrac- try and the pro-business wing government, which ruled from tive for seniors instead of cre- of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 2005 to 2009, raised the pension ating a new subsidy for early party, the cabinet endorsed what age in steps over several years to retirement,” said Hans Peter is likely to be the most expensive 67 to reflect demographics change. Wollseifer, president of the single measure of the legislative There are more pensioners per German Craftsmen Association. period when it moves through active employee than ever before “This is a giant step backwards.” parliament in May. and analysts say that problem will The reform was also criticised An additional 900,000 work- worsen in the decades ahead. former SPD chancellor Gerhard ers will be able to retire earlier But this time her Social Schroeder, whose “Agenda 2010” than expected aged 63 over the Democrat (SPD) allies, who lost reforms cost his party support but next two years provided they have millions of voters after pension also put Germany on a course for worked for 45 years. Some moth- ages got raised, were eager to solid economic growth. “It’s abso- ers will get pension increases. make changes to win back work- lutely the wrong signal, especially The reform, to take effect July ing-class voters. SPD Labour in view of our European partners, People shop grocery in Mercator shopping mall in Ljubljana yesterday. Having scraped together funds to bail 1, partially undermines a deci- Minister Andrea Nahles and her from whom we’ve rightly been out its banks last month, Slovenia must now sell assets once considered sacrosanct by two million Slovenians sion by the last right-left “grand party insisted on the pension demanding structural reforms,” who, unlike the rest of Eastern Europe, resisted Western capital after the end of the Cold War. coalition” to raise the retirement at age 63 despite misgivings in Schroeder wrote in a new book. age from 65 to 67 to make the Merkel’s party and industry. REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Anti-privatisation strike in Greece Sainsbury’s Turkey rate hike CEO King to stand down saves lira; may in July LONDON: Justin King will step down as chief executive of hurt growth British grocer J Sainsbury in July after a decade at the helm, with the company opting for continuity by choosing commer- Reduction in consumption expected cial director Mike Coupe as his successor. ANKARA: A massive rate consumption, higher credit costs Coupe, 53, had been favourite hike may have stalled the and secondly a lower growth to succeed the highly regarded Turkish lira’s fall and salvaged rate,” the official said, adding the King to lead a company battling the central bank’s credibility, government’s four percent target with Wal-Mart Stores’ Asda to but it stunts growth at a politi- this year looked in jeopardy. be Britain’s No. 2 player behind cally fraught time for Prime Turkey’s economy grew an esti- Tesco. Minister Tayyip Erdogan and mated 3.6 percent in 2013, but King overhauled the 145-year- may not shield Turkey from a higher inflation and the with- old retailer to achieve a 60 per- fragile global backdrop for long. drawal of cheap money by the US cent increase in sales and a The bank raised all its key Fed have dented hopes of much of near-tripling of earnings. interest rates in dramatic fashion an improvement this year. While no major surprise, his at an emergency policy meeting “Although there will be no exit raises the question of how late on Tuesday, ignoring opposi- immediate effect on politics, his successor will defend profits tion from Erdogan as it battled to approaching elections with low in the face of stagnating house- defend the lira following its fall to growth will of course have a cost,” hold incomes and a two-pronged a series of record lows. the official said. challenge from discount grocers The boldness of the actions The central bank had been A worker from Greece’s Public Power Corporation (PPC), the country’s biggest power utility, walks past Aldi and Lidl and upmarket food stunned investors, propelling the lira struggling to contain the lira’s a mock electricity pylon during a rally against the government’s plans to privatise one if its subsidiaries, retailers Waitrose and Marks & to its biggest one-day gain in more precipitous slide, with investor the Independent Power Transimssion Operator, outside the parliament in Athens, yesterday. Spencer. than five years and stirring hopes it confidence damaged by a corrup- “Coupe represents continuity would short-circuit a vicious cycle of tion scandal shaking the govern- for Sainsbury’s, something that selling in emerging markets. ment and the global impact of the may reassure investors who will But gains of almost four per- cut in US monetary stimulus. naturally be a little disconcerted cent on the day quickly faded in Reluctant until now to make by change,” said Shore Capital later trade yesterday as market an outright hike, the bank instead Troika begins Cyprus review analyst Clive Black, who main- focus switched to a later mon- tried to defend the currency by tained a ‘buy’ recommendation etary policy decision by the US burning through forex reserves NICOSIA: International lend- discussions” on the financial measures and how effective they on Sainsbury shares. Federal Reserve. and trying to squeeze up borrow- ers yesterday began their third sector. have been. The stock was down 3 percent Erdogan, keen to maintain growth ing costs on the margins before assessment of the Cyprus They will also meet in coming Cypriots have had to endure at 346 pence at 1420 GMT after ahead of an election cycle starting in biting the bullet and tightening. economy to see if Nicosia is days with officials from the major tough austerity measures which briefly falling by as much as 5.8 two months, has been a vociferous “Whatever happened yesterday, upholding its obligations under banks and the cooperative bank- have seen wages slashed in percent. It has gained 8 percent opponent of higher borrowing costs, Turkey was facing a growth slow- a bailout accord struck last ing movement, which is undergo- the private and public sectors, in the past year, while Tesco has railing against what he describes as down because it was living beyond its March. ing a ¤1.5bn ($2bn) restructuring while consumer taxes have also dropped 10 percent in the same an “interest rate lobby” of specu- means. The tightening last night is Cyprus has successfully com- process. increased such as VAT. period as it suffered a run of poor lators seeking to stifle growth and not all negative. A loss of faith would pleted two similar reviews by the In previous reviews, Cyprus In return for 10 billion euros results. undermine the economy. have been more damaging,” said Neil so-called troika of lenders. has been praised for sticking to in aid from international lend- “It’s very much business as He has yet to react to the mid- Shearing, chief emerging markets The latest examination will the harsh bailout adjustment ers, the small EU member state usual but equally we have to night rate hike. economist at Capital Economics. run two weeks and focus on bank programme it agreed last year agreed to wind down its second accept that the dynamics of the But a senior government offi- Finance Minister Mehmet restructuring, the planned priva- with the European Commission, largest bank, Laiki, and impose market are changing and, as we cial, speaking on condition of ano- Simsek played down the impact tisation of state assets and how to European Central Bank and losses on depositors in under- look forward, we may need to nymity, said the bank had made a on growth saying the economy deal with non-performing loans. International Monetary Fund. capitalised largest lender, Bank change some things,” said Coupe. tough but necessary call. would have suffered greater dam- The central bank said troika Nicosia has said it will stick of Cyprus. Depositors in Bank of Sainsbury said King would “The move will certainly age if the credibility of the central technocrats, who will be on the to the bailout agenda no matter Cyprus were hit with a 47.5 per- leave after its annual shareholder have some consequences for the bank had been undermined. island until February 12, started how unpopular it is, but the troika cent bail-in as part of the package. meeting on July 9. economy, namely a reduction in REUTERS their mission with “general will also look at revenue raising AFP REUTERS Whirlpool ties up with Tadmur for home appliance distribution

DOHA: Whirlpool, a global player in next five years,” he said. cookers, microwaves, air condi- player in the home appliance Qatar’s home appliance is esti- tioners and water purifiers. industry, aims to achieve lead- mated to be around $220m and “The partnership equips ership position in Qatar’s home a company needs to acquire at Whirlpool with broader dis- appliance market in five years. least 35 percent market share to tribution of its products and The US headquartered com- become market leader. services throughout Qatar by pany, on Tuesday, announced “We are confident that the leveraging Tadmur Trading’s partnership with Tadmur combination of our extensive supply chain expertise, exten- Trading for distribution of its infrastructure, unmatched logis- sive infrastructure and unique home appliance in Qatar. tics capabilities and the strength commitment to meet the ever Whirlpool, which is currently of our sales force will enable us changing needs of its custom- present in 170 countries, has to extend the current distribu- ers,” said Milani. charted a strategy to gradually tion network of Whirlpool Home “The partnership with Tadmur expand its presence in Qatar by Appliances Portfolio,” said Raed Trading in Qatar will create a increasing its market share to 35 Halawa, general manager, Tadmur new set of opportunities to better percent in five years. Trading. serve our consumers, while pro- “In one year we expect to Whirlpool in association with viding easier access to our innova- achieve 10 percent market share its exclusive distributer Tadmur tive home solutions; exploring the in home appliance category,” said Trading on Tuesday launched a limits of technology and taking Lorenzo Milani, general man- full range of its home appliance. an innovative approach to bring ager MEA (Middle East- Africa) Whirlpool products include built to the market the most intuitive region, Whirlpool. in kitchen appliances, washing and intelligent appliances possi- “We expect to become either machines, dryers, refrigerators, ble,” he said. a number one or a number two freezers, ice makers, dishwashers, THE PENINSULA

From left: The General Manager of Tadmur Trading, Raed Halawa, General Manager for Middle and Africa (MEA), Whirlpool Corporation, Lorenzo Milani; Senior Commercial Manager, MEA, Whirlpool, Luca Lampredi; Business Development Manager, Tadmur, Pieter W Van Herpen, and Regional Sales Manager for Middle East and East Africa, Whirlpool, Benny George, during the re-launch of Whirlpool products in Qatar on Tuesday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Barclays to QE ends losing streak, adds 73.10 points shut branches Saudi index recovers losses from the week; Abu Dhabi measure hits 65-month high as customers

DOHA: Qatar Exchange index 0.21 percent and insurance sector the losses from earlier this week recommendations. Upside seems Shurrab, fund manager and head change ended its losing streak yes- added 1.85 percent. when the market came off a five- capped at current levels, but hav- of trading at Vision Investments. terday adding 73.10 points, Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s year high. ing said that, investors remain “Up until the company LONDON: Barclays will close or 0.65 percent to advance to shares rose yesterday, buoyed by Shares in Samba Financial bullish for 2014.” announcements, you’ll see the mar- bank branches in Britain “over 11,243.35 points from 11,170.25 a recovery in global markets as Group jumped 3.4 percent to In the United Arab Emirates, ket attracting investors to build time” due to changes in tech- on Tuesday. investor focus returned to local a four-week closing high after Abu Dhabi’s measure rose 1.6 per- positions on weakness.” Dubai’s nology and customer behaviour, The volume of the shares traded fundamentals, while most other the board proposed to issue one cent to a 65-month high. First Gulf benchmark slipped 0.3 percent but has no plans for significant rose to 7,912,914 from 7,747,626 on regional markets also gained. bonus share for every three held, Bank was the main driver, gain- after a choppy session in which it closures or a target for how Tuesday and the value of shares Asian and European shares according to a bourse statement. ing 3.5 percent in buying ahead of briefly touched a five-year high. much of its network will shut, it decreased to QR450,621,814.00 rebound and Turkey’s lira saw Samba lifted sentiment across earnings and dividend announce- Profit-taking in bellwether said yesterday. from QR451,078,249.96 on its biggest jump in five years yes- the banking sector — its index ments expected later yesterday. Emaar Properties shares weighed The bank was reacting to Tuesday. terday after the central bank rose 1.1 percent, the main sup- The lender reported a 19 per- — the stock fell 1.7 percent, com- reports it would shut 400 UK Among the top gainers were stunned investors with a huge port for the market. The petro- cent rise in fourth-quarter next ing off a five-year high following branches, or a quarter of its net- Qatar National Bank which was rate hike designed to staunch and chemical sector measure added profit after the markets closed Tuesday’s 6.3 percent surge on what work, as part of more cost cuts up 1.86 percent to QR186.40, reverse a major flight from risk. 0.2 percent. and its board recommended a traders said was speculation over a that would be announced in fourth Qatar Insurance gained 2.36 per- Gulf sentiment was supported, “The market rebound is a cash dividend of one dirham per development project in Dubai. quarter results on February 11. cent to QR78.20, Industries Qatar despite there being little local spillover effect from interna- share and 30 percent in bonus Elsewhere, Oman’s Bank Barclays dismissed that, but added 0.33 percent to QR181.80 vulnerability to emerging market tional markets,” said Muhammad shares for 2013. Muscat added 0.6 percent after said it would take a £330m and Islamic Insurance was up by jitters since its external and fis- Faisal Potrik, research analyst at “What’s playing a major role saying it proposed a 40 percent ($547m) charge in its results to 0.95 percent to QR63.60. cal surpluses are independently Riyad Capital. “Valuations for is sentiment across global mar- dividend for 2013, 25 percent in cover litigation and regulation The Banking and Financial strong. many major companies are near- kets — nevertheless, Q4 numbers cash and 15 percent in mandatory penalties. sector index was up 0.92 percent Saudi Arabia’s index climbed ing target price and it’s getting and distribution are playing a convertible bonds. “We have consistently been while the industrial sector gained 0.6 percent, recovering some of harder for analysts to give stock supporting role,” said Marwan AGENCIES clear that, over time, there will be fewer traditional branches as we move to provide banking serv- ices to customers where and when First A380 lands in Ivory Coast they find it most convenient,” a spokesman said. “This will be driven by the Dubai Holding unit needs of our customers and, therefore, there is not a target for a number of branches to be closed, sells land to MAF nor a time frame for such action.” Barclays has the third biggest branch network in Britain, with DUBAI: A unit of Dubai would invest another Dh3bn over 1,593 branches, behind only Lloyds Holding, owned by the emirate’s the next five years in Dubai. and Royal Bank of Scotland. ruler, has sold a piece of land Tecom is a unit of Dubai Those three banks, and others, to fast-growing shopping mall Holding Commercial Operations are expected to pare their branch developer Majid Al Futtaim Group (DHCOG), the flagship networks as customers increas- (MAF), the latest in a series company in the ruler of Dubai’s ingly use Internet and mobile of plot sales initiated by state- business empire, Dubai Holding. platforms and lenders try to raise linked firms in the emirate to DHCOG was hit hard by profitability. raise funds. Dubai’s property market crash Barclays is trialling smaller The unit, Tecom Investments, and corporate debt troubles of sites in Asda supermarkets, sold one million square feet of 2008-2010, but the local economy which could replace some tradi- land at its International Media has been recovering since then tional branches. Production Zone (IMPZ), a devel- and the company’s 2012 profit The Sunday Telegraph this week opment that spreads across 43 surged to Dh1.2bn from Dh204m said Barclays could cut 400 UK million square feet. in 2011. The company posted branches and 40,000 staff, but “Majid Al Futtaim intends to Dh2.9bn of revenues from prop- said that would be over six years, use the land to develop a commu- erty and land sales in 2012, out citing sources at the bank. nity shopping mall as part of the of total revenues of Dh9.2bn, its “The banking industry is going company’s Dh3bn ($816m) invest- financial statement shows. through what I like to call a 100- ment plan for Dubai,” a spokes- Land sales have become a key year transformation,” Barclays man at MAF Properties said in part of revenue generation for Chief Executive Antony Jenkins a statement. Dubai’s state-linked property said last week in Davos. Tecom also confirmed the sale developers, who in the past year But any branch closures could but both firms declined to give a have announced new projects spark a political and public back- value for the deal. and revived stalled ones to take lash, especially in small communi- Privately owned MAF, builder advantage of renewed optimism ties with few banks. Barclays said of the famous indoor ski-slope at in the real estate market, after An Airbus A380 of French airline Airfrance is sprayed with water upon its arrival at Abidjan’s airport, yesterday. it “will never leave a community its flagship Mall of the Emirates, its collapse in the 2009 debt crisis. It is the first A380 to land in Ivory Coast. without the ability to transact”. said earlier this week that it REUTERS

QATARI MARKET UAE’s First Gulf Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P (0.30 %) Novartis profit dips one percent Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 101.00 Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 105.13 1.36 % Aa2 AA Bank hikes ZURICH: Swiss pharmaceu- the US Federal Drug Administration challenges from makers of Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 119.50 2.52 % Aa2 AA dividend after ticals giant Novartis yesterday had granted three products “break- cheaper generic drugs, sales of Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 112.75 2.91 % Aa2 AA announced that its net profit fell through therapy” status. which knocked $2.2bn off the Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 107.13 3.47 % Aa2 AA one percent in 2013 to $9.2bn “Our growth products con- Swiss group’s figures last year. Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 153.75 4.93 % Aa2 AA record results (¤6.8bn), blaming the impact of tinued to expand, rejuvenating Novartis said that pressure Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 115.88 5.27 % Aa2 AA unfavourable exchange rates. our portfolio and reinforcing our from generics could increase in Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 106.88 5.28 % Aa2 AA ABU DHABI: First Gulf Bank Without taking into account growth prospects,” Jimenez said. 2014, warning that its figures increased its 2013 dividend pay- rate fluctuations — notably the fall Novartis is notably banking on could be dented by $3bn if a Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 104.00 0.75 % Aa2 AA out by 20 percent after posting of the Japanese yen and emerging the continued performance of its generic version of its big-name Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 109.88 3.29 % Aa2 AA record quarterly earnings, as markets’ currencies against the new anti-diabetes drug Galvus, blood pressure drug Diovan is Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 103.25 0.87 % A1 A- the United Arab Emirates’ sec- dollar — the group said that profit which in 2013 achieved so-called launched in the United States in Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 103.75 2.16 % A1 A- ond largest lender by value prof- rose by seven percent last year. “blockbuster” status thanks to the second quarter of this year. QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.13 1.37 % NR NR its from an economic recovery “Novartis delivered strong full-year sales of $1.2bn. Novartis lost its exclusive rights QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.08 % Aa3 A+ in the region. performance in 2013, growing The blockbuster label is applied to Diovan on the US market in QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 104.00 2.02 % Aa3 A+ The Abu Dhabi lender proposed both net sales and core operat- by the pharmaceuticals trade to 2012, but has benefitted from a total dividend payout of Dh3bn ing income in constant currencies drugs that notch up annual sales delays in the launch of a generic Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.88 2.21 % A2 A- for 2013, up from Dh2.5bn in 2012, while absorbing patent expira- of more than $1bn. version there. Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.00 1.48 % A2 A it said in a statement yesterday. tions,” chief executive Joseph Novartis said that operat- Global sales of Diovan nonethe- Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 123.75 3.04 % A2 A Cash dividends for the year Jimenez said in a statement. ing profit fell by 3.0 percent to less fell by 20 percent to $3.52bn Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 105.88 3.79 % A2 A has been raised to one dirham “We maintained good momentum $10.9bn, while sales climbed two in 2013, given that the group also Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 100.88 4.90 % A2 A per share from Dh0.83 per share, in innovation,” he underlined, noting percent to $57.9bn. lost its exclusive rights in Canada Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 103.13 0.73 % Aa3 A FGB said. It also plans a 30 per- that 18 new Novartis drugs had won Like other pharmaceuticals and the European Union. Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.88 3.12 % Aa3 A cent bonus share payout for 2013. approval from regulators and that firms, Novartis faces a strong AFP Banks in the United Arab Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 107.75 3.96 % Aa3 A Emirates are reaping the ben- SOVEREIGNS efits of a recovering economy, Nintendo pays the price for Wii Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P helped mainly by an upturn in the Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 101.13 (0.71 %) Aa2 AA real estate sector together with Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.63 2.30 % Aa2 AA reduced debt worries at some state-linked entities. Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.13 1.75 % NR NR FGB, majority-owned by Abu Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.25 2.57 % NR NR Dhabi’s ruling family, made a net Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 120.63 4.18 % NR NR profit of Dh1.37bn ($373.2m) for Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.50 4.61 % NR NR the three months ended Dec. 31, Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 103.38 0.49 % Aa2 AA compared with Dh1.15bn a year Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.88 3.14 % NR BBB earlier. Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 106.38 4.31 % NR BBB Six analysts polled by Reuters had estimated an Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 99.50 5.84 % Caa1 B- average profit of Dh1.17bn. Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 103.00 3.98 % NR BBB- The quarterly net profit was its

*Periodic Distribution Amount highest ever, FGB said, driven IMPORTANT NOTE: by gains on its property port- Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which folio and increased returns on is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services its investments. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary Fourth-quarter provisions 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 were higher at Dh545.7m com- take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds pared with Dh428m a year ago, can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant taking full year provisions to liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not Dh1.82bn, up from Dh1.65bn in a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. 2012. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank posted a 40 percent jump in A shopper behind an advertisement board of Nintendo Co’s Wii U game console at an electronics retail store its quarterly net profit earlier in Tokyo yesterday. Nintendo, facing a third year of losses, is getting lots of unsolicited advice on how to in the week, beating analysts’ squeeze more out of its Mario franchise and revive its fortunes after admitting that its Wii U game console forecasts. has been a flop. REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

ECB might be the most Britain’s economy is effective big central bank BY EDWARD HADAS growing again – finally f the world’s three most important central banks, which one is doing the best job? Of course, it’s too early to tell – BY JONATHAN PORTES Moreover, while policy was supposed to Looking forward, how much should we the distinguished economist Alan Blinder may now regret boost confidence, and spur private sector worry about the unbalanced nature of Odescribing Alan Greenspan as “the greatest central banker oes the return of the UK investment to fill the gap, business was the recovery, reliant as it has been so far who ever lived” in 2005. But there’s a good case that the European economy to growth vindicate understandably reluctant to invest in a cli- on consumer spending and the housing Central Bank under Mario Draghi deserves the prize. the government’s economic mate of uncertainty about demand. market? The conventional wisdom holds otherwise. Like the US Federal strategy? Fortunately, the UK’s flexible labour mar- In the short term, any recovery is wel- Reserve and the Bank of Japan, the ECB has been using low inter- To argue that it does, you ket – the result of three decades of largely come at this point, and we are a long way est rates and targeted support of troubled financial markets to Ddon’t just have to move the goalposts – you successful reforms – has meant that unem- from “bubble” territory. stimulate depressed economies. But the euro zone central bank have to claim that you were playing cricket ployment rose far less than was feared, and Paradoxically, the underperformance of is widely criticised for having been too slow to respond and being not football all along. has come down much more quickly than the recent past means that, in the short insufficiently aggressive in its policies. In particular, it has avoided When the government announced its many dared hope. term, the potential for rapid expansion quantitative easing (QE), the injection of newly created money fiscal consolidation plan in June 2010, And the government did get one big call exists. into the financial system. it predicted that, by now, the economy right. As the Office for Budget Responsibility Unemployment and underemployment In contrast, while the Fed under Greenspan’s successor Ben would be about 8 percent larger, driven has pointed out, deficit reduction stalled in are still very high. Bernanke is unpopular in some circles, economists often praise by a sharp rise in business investment and 2012. If sustained, growing confidence among it for having understood the challenges of financial crisis, very an improvement in the current account The government was faced with a choice: business and consumers, combined with a low inflation and quite moderate growth. Even the Bank of Japan, balance. when in a hole, should it, as its original fiscal strengthening global economy, should yield long considered a policy laggard, seems to be better at easing than As a result of this strong, sustained and plan suggested, keep digging? some recovery in business investment and the euro zone’s monetary authority. balanced recovery, the deficit would have To its credit, the answer was no; the our trade balance. The conventional case for the Fed and against the ECB has been reduced by two-thirds. timetable for debt and deficit reduction was Looking forward, the dismal experience two parts, monetary and economic. They are both subject to In fact, even after today’s figures, GDP allowed to stretch. of the past few years has obscured the UK’s serious doubt. The monetary argument is over the effectiveness has only grown at about half that rate; as So why recovery now? As Adam Smith very real economic strengths: as well as our of QE. The thinkers at the Fed, the Bank of Japan and the Bank a consequence, the deficit is still twice as said, “there is a great deal of ruin in a flexible labour market, we have success- of England – as well as most economists at investment banks – large as predicted. nation”. ful industries ranging from cars to higher have few doubts. They say that central banks have reduced long Meanwhile, business investment has Poor policy delayed, but didn’t kill, the education. term interest rates and improved market liquidity by using zero- fallen and the current account deficit has economy’s capacity to grow. But equally, none of our underlying prob- maturity cash to purchase long-term securities. As a result, say worsened. As for wages – well, if things had Most of the factors described above have lems – a dysfunctional housing market, sys- the QE-ists, GDP growth is stronger. turned out as planned, average earnings now turned positive: the OBR calculates tematic underinvestment, both public and It is impossible to tell if that is what has happened. Bernanke’s would be almost £2,000 higher. that we’ve now worked through the nega- private, and a failure to provide all of our joking comment – “The problem with QE is it works in practice Now this is by no means all the govern- tive impact of fiscal consolidation on growth, young people with the skills they need for but it doesn’t work in theory” – is only half right: the theory is ment’s fault. Growth was derailed by a com- while the eurozone and global environment today’s labour market – have gone away. indeed weak. It takes several leaps of faith to believe that tempo- bination of bad luck and bad macroeconomic is much more benign. And over the longer term, we still need to rary central bank manipulation of the bond market has increased policy, not just here but in the eurozone. Aggressive monetary policy, while slow work out how to finance high quality public investment or consumption in a sustainable way. Spending was cut too quickly; in par- to work through, has also helped; and has services for an ageing population. But the practical claim is also at best controversial. Even if part ticular, the very large cuts in public sector been combined with increasingly aggressive, The focus of the economic debate should of the improvement in the US economy could be clearly traced to investment are now universally recognised some would say reckless, action to pump up be on these challenges. monetary policy, which it cannot, there are other serious issues. as a mistake. the housing market. THE GUARDIAN QE seems to have pumped up some financial markets, perhaps to unhealthy levels. Also, this is an unprecedented experiment. There could be severe problems when monetary policy returns to what used to be considered normal. For now, QE offers nothing better than doubtful rewards and high risks. The ECB may have avoided QE mostly for political reasons – it might violate its mandate. And the central bank could yet suc- cumb to the near-equivalent of bond buying, perhaps by purchas- ing bank loans. However, if it stays the course, discretion could well prove economically wise in the long run. The economic argument for the Fed’s approach is crude but apparently compelling. Its defenders say the US central bank must be doing better because the US, the home of the 2008 financial crisis, is doing better than either Europe or Japan. The growth numbers support that assertion, but Fed fans put too much weight on monetary policy. Differences in bank reor- ganisations, not to mention labour markets, industrial structures, fiscal policies and natural resource production, had more effect on the economic trajectory than differences in rates and QE. Meanwhile, the ECB has taken a more active role in economic policy than either the Fed or the BoJ. The bankers of Frankfurt have used their power and prestige to encourage – even force – the bureaucrats of Brussels and the governments of weaker euro zone members to change their ways. If unified banks, more competi- tive wages and reformed labour markets lead to a stronger euro zone a decade from now, the ECB will deserve some of the credit. The ECB has not dealt well with every problem. In particular, its unwillingness or inability to spawn inflation sits poorly with its reluctance to countenance writing down the value of exces- sive sovereign debts. Even now, it much prefers to support debtor nations than to help them with the tricky task of restructuring their obligations without disrupting the financial system. Still, within these limits the ECB has tried to find euro zone solutions for the problems of overly indebted members. Even if the American and Japanese central banks escape unscathed from QE, they are not far ahead of the ECB in deal- ing with sovereign debt overloads. Inflation, which erodes the value of these debts, is still uncomfortably low in both countries. Radical solutions such as monetisation or write-downs are not under consideration. If the ECB can find a low-pain way to clean up the residue of past government excesses, then its standing at the top of the pack will be indisputable. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Turkey bank chief seen bucking Erdogan to save reeling lira

BY ALEXANDRA HUDSON holding rates and offering some graft case engulfed figures close crisis and faced dizzying growth would leave a higher rate in place. scarf, possibly one of the reasons complex tinkering instead. In one to Turkey’s government, hasten- rates and a rush of speculative hot “I don’t believe for one second why he didn’t get the governor- orn between an angry of the world’s most unorthodox ing an exit that followed curbs in money. that the central bank will fully ship in 2006 when he was vetoed prime minister railing policy mixes, the bank has been US monetary stimulus. Highly respected for his pro- jettison its unorthodox monetary by Turkey’s staunchly secular against an interest rate battling to support the weak lira Erdogan has launched a purge digious command of academic policy,” Nicholas Spiro, head then-president. Thike and punitive mar- with forex auctions, liquidity of the judiciary and police in theory, he viewed himself as a of Spiro Sovereign Strategy in Basci taught in Turkey and kets baying for a rise, Turkish adjustments and verbal interven- response to the corruption probe, maverick central banker experi- London, said of Tuesday’s late- Britain before becoming central Central Bank Governor Erdem tion while avoiding outright rate testing investors’ faith in the menting with policy tools often night policy meeting. bank deputy governor in 2003. Basci seemed a model of stoic hikes. independence of state institutions untested by more orthodox peers, “This is not a central bank In January 2013, the London- reserve on Tuesday, arguably the Erdogan’s government has con- and adding to pressure on Basci according to those who have which is prepared to give inves- based magazine The Banker toughest day of his tenure. demned rate increases as pander- to show that the bank does not worked closely with him. tors everything they’ve been named him central bank governor Facing him in the morning was ing to an “interest rate lobby” of bow to politicians. To deter destabilising flows of clamouring for: conventional and of the year, saying the bank “had a front-page headline “Stand firm, foreign investors and harmful to Former academic Basci has seen speculative money into Turkey, aggressive rate hikes, a transpar- moved ahead of other emerging don’t raise” in Yeni Safak, a paper economic growth, creating a polit- his name become so synonymous Basci created a wide “corridor” ent and credible monetary policy markets” in designing steps to close to the government, ahead of ical climate in which those calling with opaque, elaborate monetary between the rates at which the and, crucially, a firm commitment cope with volatile international an emergency policy meeting on for rate hikes are left feeling like policy since taking the helm in 2011 central bank borrows and lends in to mount an interest rate defence capital flows. Tuesday night, called as the lira enemies of the state. that some analysts speculated the the overnight money market, and of the lira come what may.” His policies have been a radi- plunged to unprecedented lows. “It is the same sort of script. midnight-hour announcement manipulated funding costs inside Central bank insiders describe cal response to the boom-bust Pressure of a different kind The central bank sees rate hikes heralded yet more monetary black the corridor. a highly centralised decision- cycles that plagued Turkey in past came a few hours later as he as the last resort and drags its magic. But during a presentation The result has been one of the making process around Ankara- decades, but have removed some calmly and politely fielded ques- feet,” Murat Ucer, an analyst at of the bank’s quarterly inflation world’s most complex monetary born Basci, who is surrounded of the traditional certainties of tions from critical international Istanbul-based investment consul- report earlier on Tuesday, Basci policy mixes, often to the frus- by monetary policy committee central banking, such as the idea analysts and the press, insist- tancy Global Source Partners, told made clear he would take decisive tration of economists who have members also largely from aca- that rising inflation should be met ing the central bank had the Reuters. “This is the right move action to fight rising inflation and at times accused him of trying to demic backgrounds and reluctant by higher rates. “Basci was over- resources and strategy to over- now - belatedly.” The results of the a tumbling lira. do too much in too complex a way. to challenge him. confident and experimental but come the biggest bout of volatility bank’s emergency meeting will be “Actually I think this is about a The bank is now expected to Ideologically close to Erdogan’s Turkey has not solved its inflation in Turkey’s markets in a decade. announced at midnight. Basci’s return to orthodoxy for now. Basci raise its lending rate - the cost Islamist AK party, he was a child- and current account problems. It A rate hike appears exactly reputation hinges on whether he is not planning anything spooky of its overnight loans to Turkish hood friend of Deputy Prime was not ready for such experi- what the 47-year-old, his back can do enough to halt a rout of the tonight. He made his life easier by lenders - by 225 basis points to 10 Minister Ali Babacan, seen by mental policies. On the contrary against the wall, will be forced to lira and restore some faith in the saying he is hiking and he won’t percent, according to the median international investors as one of it needed a more orthodox hand,” do, risking Prime Minister Recep bank. impose any capital controls,” Ucer forecast in a Reuters poll of 31 the more trusted members of the said Ugur Gurses, a former cen- Tayyip Erdogan’s wrath just a Alarmed investors have fled said. Basci took charge as Turkey economists taken on Monday. Yet government’s economic team. tral banker and newspaper col- week after winning his praise by Turkish assets as a high-level emerged from the global financial questions remain about how long it His wife wears the Islamic head umnist. REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,243.35 0.65 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 16,064.17 0.65 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,232.97 0.37 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,778.31 0.62 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,648.65 0.92 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5240.608 52.569 1.01 5383.4 5174.4 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,036.11 0.00 % QR147.8344 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4185.28 -0.01 0 4351.21 4137.96 QE All Share Industrials 3,749.71 0.21 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9907 QR 6.0750 QE All Share Insurance 2,621.84 1.85 % Dj Indu Average 15928.56 90.68 0.57 16588.3 13784 Euro ...... QR 4.9377 QR 5.0066 QE All Share Real Estate 2,043.02 0.30 % QR 2.3109 CA$ ...... QR 3.2374 QR 3.3004 QE All Share Telecoms 1,587.02 0.57 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,953.86 0.56 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0249 QR 4.0814 Hang Seng Inde/D 22141.61 180.97 0.82 23469.33 21880.73 Yen ...... QR 0.0351 QR 0.0358 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.1606 QR 3.2222 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4738.58 17.11 0.36 4873.52 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 29-01-2014 28-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0578 QR 0.0590 Index 11,243.35 11,170.25 Karachi 100 In/D 26595.63 -58.1 -0.22 27213.21 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0343 QR 0.0349 Change 73.10 75.61 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 15383.91 403.75 2.7 16164.01 14933.55 Peso ...... QR 0.0797 QR 0.0813 % 0.65 0.67 $ 107.46 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 8.32 7.62 S&P 500 Index/D 0 0 0 1850.84 1485.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0475 Volume 7,912,914 7,747,626 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0363 QR 0.0370 Value (QAR) 450,621,814.00 451,078,249.96 Straits Times/D 3047.93 -14.48 -0.47 3187.8 3025.15 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3238 QR 0.3311 Trades 4,224 4,347 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 103.97 Up 23 | Down 13 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 29-01-2014

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 C C-A/D 989.9 -5.3 18701 Cipla-A/D 414.9 5.3 51881 Hindalco-A/D 111.85 -2.05 328748 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 13.3 -0.1 3654 Reliance Indus/D 322.25 -2.8 36891 Land Secs Grou/D 1052 1 614049 Aarti Drugs-B/D 234.85 11.7 14880 City Union Bk-/D 49.25 -0.6 30018 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 825.2 -7.7 384490 Lupin-A/D 865.9 -9.95 53857 Ruchi Soya-B/D 33.3 1.75 186254 Legal & Genera/D 216.9 -0.5 3313770 Aban Offs-B/D 386.6 1.4 200196 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1414 5.05 4490 I F C I-A/D 22.4 -0.45 907338 Lyka Labs-B/D 10.75 -0.13 6680 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 303.15 -0.65 1796 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 83.47 0.62 56616984 Aegis Logis-B/D 155.85 1.5 10697 Colgate-A/D 1313.95 8.4 4972 Idbi-A/D 54.4 -1.95 477144 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 133.25 -0.1 6799 Thirumalai-B/D 95.75 -3.05 6820 Marks & Sp./D 474.1 0.6 1511259 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 98.95 0.5 1839 Dhampur Sugar-/D 30.5 0.35 10814 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 70.45 1.05 1986 Mah.Seamless-B/D 170.9 1 1458 Til Ltd.-B/D 127.55 -1.05 1316 Next/D 6215 45 145390 Alembic-B/D 12.96 -0.79 65789 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2651 1.45 3054 India Cement-B/D 47.7 -2 123169 Mangalam Cem-B/D 102.5 0.55 1879 Timexgroup-B/D 9.29 -0.11 20425 Pearson/D 1121 -4 1069384 Alok Indus-B/D 6.93 -0.21 715909 E I H-B/D 55.85 -0.15 15760 India Glycol-B/D 91.5 -5.9 30978 Maral Overs-B/D 19.2 0.2 3841 Tinplate-T/D 45.6 -2.25 32448 Prudential/D 1269 -5 2074685 Apollo Tyre-A/D 107.55 -2.55 733213 E.I.D Parry-B/D 128.65 -2.35 1112 Indian Hotel-A/D 57.35 -0.55 27370 Mastek-B/D 176.6 1.65 28713 Ub Engineer-T/D 11.16 -0.24 2145 Rank Group/D 132.5 0 4513 Asahi I Glass-/D 43.4 -0.15 2975 Electrosteel-B/D 13.46 -0.11 20048 Indo-Bcount-B/D 39.85 0 7028 Max India L-A/D 192 0.3 3912 Ucal Fuel-T/D 41.1 -0.05 1238 Rentokil Initi/D 122.6 0.7 841017 Ashok Leyland-/D 16.3 -0.15 658464 Emco-B/D 28.2 -0.5 186016 Indusind-A/D 380.35 -9.3 203020 Mrpl-A/D 40.7 0.05 32923 Ultramarine-B/D 42.45 0.65 1850 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1209.5 0 1571641 Bajaj Hold-A/D 931 1.4 1083 Escorts-B/D 122.85 0.2 270835 J.B.Chemical-B/D 122.4 -1.05 13888 Nahar Spg.-B/D 103.15 -0.85 5718 Unitech P -A/D 12.45 -0.15 3857271 Rsa Insrance G/D 99.886 -1 10280719 Ballarpur In-B/D 11.98 -0.12 81540 Essar Oil-A/D 50.1 0.75 296071 Jagatjit Ind-T/D 41.6 -2.15 3549 Nath Seeds-B/D 4.53 -0.23 5182 Sainsbury(J)/D 351.8 -4.9 15539607 Bata India-A/D 930.45 0.8 8981 Eveready Indu-/D 35.7 0.7 15210 Jagson Phar-B/D 11.08 -0.26 2773 Nation Alum -A/D 36.5 1.05 64943 LONDON Schroders/D 2491 -1 83532 Beml Ltd-B/D 198 3.45 26941 F D C-B/D 124.9 1.9 11597 Jbf Indu-B/D 73.55 0.5 4692 Navneet Edu-B/D 53.75 -0.15 12060 Severn Trent/D 1770 -8 572538 Bh Electronic-/D 943 -9.3 1163 Federal Bank-A/D 78.7 -1.25 183570 Jct Elect P -T/D 0.46 -0.02 3000 Nepc India-B/D 3.5 -0.06 50872 3I Group/D 381.4 4.1 253230 Smith&Nephew/D 883.5 -3.5 1007528 Bharat Bijle-B/D 358.2 3.8 1728 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.3 -0.15 17263 Jct Ltd-B/D 1.87 -0.02 64052 Neuland Lab-B/D 301.15 5.3 1003 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2717 7 228013 Smiths Group/D 1458 7 328829 Bharatgears-B/D 48.6 0.85 22016 Finolex-B/D 155.6 -0.7 35821 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.37 -0.12 1355 Nrb Bearings-B/D 37.9 0.4 10353 B Sky B/D 851 -16 1331785 Standrd Chart /D 1294 -6.5 1974205 Bhel-A/D 170.7 6.35 614579 Gail-A/D 346.3 1.2 134983 Jik Indust-T/D 1.12 0.05 62502 O N G C-A/D 276.35 0.85 214026 Barclays/D 277.75 4.45 37312460 Tate & Lyle/D 762.5 1 285253 Bom.Burmah-B/D 99.6 0.35 23113 Gammon India-B/D 12.84 -0.25 23749 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 146.55 -3.6 33001 Oil Country-B/D 31.4 -0.9 2804 Bg Group/D 1051.5 -2 3793110 Tesco/D 323.5 3.25 7118085 Bombay Dyeing-/D 56.3 -0.2 148953 Goodricke-B/D 133.5 3.1 3280 Kajaria Cer-B/D 313 -0.3 1612 Onward Tech-T/D 48.5 0.85 3480 Bp/D 476.7 -0.15 7382904 Unilever/D 2415 3 1020138 Canfin Homes-B/D 165 1.75 2077 Hcl Infosys-B/D 23.9 -0.05 398248 Kalpat Power-B/D 77.4 -0.05 9521 Orchid Chem-T/D 46.2 -0.4 48013 Brit Am Tobacc/D 2961 -24 1423510 United Util Gr/D 726.8839 -10.5 1520824 Castrol Ind-A/D 294 3.7 33322 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 8.79 0.13 465584 Kalyani Stel-B/D 50.85 -0.7 46701 Orient Hotel-B/D 15.2 0.2 2100 Bt Group/D 376.1595 -1 5710004 Vodafone Group/D 225.411 2.15 47649983 Century Enka-B/D 137.15 -2.2 14268 Himat Seide-B/D 55.65 0.7 15980 Kanoria Chem-B/D 24.15 -0.3 2111 Orient.Carb.-B/D 114.25 1.7 1629 Centrica/D 315.1 1 3502423 Whitbread/D 3788.7068 -5 179582 Century Text-A/D 288.2 -1.05 286635 Hind Motors-B/D 7.21 -0.05 130916 Kg Denim-B/D 14.95 0.05 2874 Orient.Carb.-B/D 114.25 1.7 1629 Gkn/D 392.777 0.2 1411661 Chambal Fert-B/D 38.3 -0.15 110437 Hind Org Chem-/D 9.58 0.18 15902 Kilburnengg-T/D 17.9 -0.4 25133 Radico Khait-B/D 150.1 -4 201037 Hsbc Holdings/D 628.875 -5.1 14358268 Chola Invest-B/D 258 -1.3 1077 Hind Unilever-/D 569.95 -0.2 128242 Kopran-B/D 23.6 -0.4 40223 Rallis India-B/D 158.1 -0.75 6408 Imperial Tobac/D 2200 -17 646647 Chowgule St-T/D 11.49 0.24 2285 Hind.Petrol-A/D 240.2 12.75 227896 Lloyd Metal-B/D 8.66 -0.45 502450 Rallis India-B/D 158.1 -0.75 6408 Kingfisher/D 369.3 -0.8 2005792 THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Howard’s Rockets stun the Spurs Memphis Grizzlies score eighth win

HOUSTON: Dwight Howard Brandon Jennings scored 20 loss to beat the Los Angeles helped overcome the loss of points — the fourth straight game Lakers. leading scorer James Harden as he has reached the 20-point mark Six Indiana players scored in the Houston Rockets posted a — and the Detroit Pistons snapped double figures, led by forward 97-90 win over San Antonio to a four-game losing streak with a David West, who had 19 points sweep the season series from romp past the Orlando Magic. and eight rebounds as the Pacers the Spurs. Josh Smith contributed 16 (35-9) recovered from their Howard shook off a slow start points for the Pistons (18-27) 109-96 road loss to the Denver yesterday to finish with 23 points while guard Victor Oladipo’s haul Nuggets on Saturday. and 16 rebounds for the Rockets of 19 led the Magic (12-34). The Lakers (16-30) suffered who also won the previous two The Memphis Grizzlies led to their fifth consecutive defeat Matt Stajan of the Calgary Flames scores against the Chicago Blackhawks during an NHL game at Scotiabank contests against the Spurs this from start to finish in a pound- despite 21 points apiece from Pau Saddledome in Calgary, Canada, yesterday.The Flames defeated the Blackhawks 5-4 in overtime. season. ing of the Portland Trail Blazers. Gasol and guard Jodie Meeks. Houston had to play without Forward Zach Randolph had Washington point guard John top gun Harden who was out with 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Wall hit a tie-breaking three- a thumb injury. Like Howard, guard Mike Conley contributed pointer with 1:28 to go and the Terrence Jones also stepped up 19 points and seven assists for the Wizards watched as the Golden with 21 points and nine rebounds Grizzlies (23-20). State Warriors missed three long- Brodie leads Flames and Jeremy Lin added 18 points Memphis won for the eighth range attempts down the stretch, and eight assists in front of a time in the past nine contests. allowing the Eastern Conference crowd of 18,314 at Toyota Center LaMarcus Aldridge collected visitors to pull out a victory. arena. 27 points and 16 rebounds for the Beal led Washington (22-22) The Rockets took the series Trail Blazers (33-13). Portland with 20 points. Stephen Curry from San Antonio this season for lost its second consecutive game. led the Warriors (27-19) with 23 over Blackhawks the first time since 1996-97. Tim The Indiana Pacers bounced points but missed a three-pointer Duncan started with the Spurs a back from a disappointing road as time expired. AGENCIES CALGARY: T J Brodie and with his 20th shutout as a mem- Granlund had a goal and an assist year later. the Calgary Flames gave ber of the Blues and the 29th of and goaltender Darcy Kuemper Anthony Davis led all scorers the Chicago Blackhawks yet his NHL career. Scott Hartnell made 31 saves as the Minnesota with 30 points, seven rebounds another overtime loss. Brodie scored two goals, goaltender Steve Wild defeated the Anaheim Ducks. and eight blocks in the New scored at 2:26 of the extra ses- Mason stopped 33 shots and the The Wild (29-20-6) extended Orleans Pelicans’ victory over the sion last night to lead Flames Philadelphia Flyers snapped a their record in January to 9-3-1 Cleveland Cavaliers. to a 5-4 win over the slumping four-game winless streak by with the victory and jumped Eric Gordon added 20 points, Blackhawks, whose overtime defeating the Detroit Red Wings. ahead of the Vancouver Canucks seven rebounds and a game-high record fell to 0-6 this season. The undermanned Red Wings into the top wild-card spot in the nine assists for the Pelicans (19- Brodie picked up a rebound (23-19-11) played without three Western Conference. 25), who have now won three in in front of Chicago goalie Corey of their top five scorers: cent- Phoenix defenseman Oliver a row. Guard Kyrie Irving paced Crawford before scoring a wrapa- ers Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Ekman-Larsson had the third the Cavaliers (16-29) with 23 round goal. Datsyuk, and right winger Johan two-goal game of his career and points and five assists. James van Riemsdyk scored Franzen. Alex Ovechkin tallied center Antoine Vermette scored Boston (15-32) defeated the with a little more than four two goals and two assists, setting his seventh goal in his last seven Knicks by 41 points, 114-73, on minutes left in the game as the up defenseman Mike Green with a games to lead the Coyotes to vic- December 8. Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the perfect feed on the game-winner, tory over the Los Angeles Kings. In the rematch, Carmelo Tampa Bay Lightning. to lead Washington past Buffalo. AGENCIES Anthony led the Knicks with 24 With their first win in three Ovechkin passed Mike Gartner points, despite sitting out the games, the Maple Leafs (28-21- for second place on the Capitals’ fourth quarter of the blowout, and 6) snapped a three-game winning franchise points list with 790 NHL Results the Knicks (18-27) evened their streak by the Lightning (31-17-5). career points, and now has a Boston 6 Florida 2 eight-game homestand at 3-3. The Boston Bruins spoiled Tim league-leading 38 goals. Toronto 3 Tampa Bay 2 Thomas’s homecoming as they Washington improved to 24-21- Philadelphia 5 Detroit 0 NBA Results peppered their former goaltender 8. Cody Hodgson had two goals for in a victory over Florida. the Sabres (14-30-8). Ottawa 3 Columbus 2 New Orleans 100 Cleveland 89 Jaroslav Halak recorded his Stephane Da Costa scored Washington 5 Buffalo 4 Detroit 103 Orlando 87 fourth shutout of the season and his first two goals of the sea- Montreal 3 Carolina 0 NY Knicks 114 Boston 88 the St Louis Blues got goals from son, and had the first two-goal St Louis 3 New Jersey 0 Houston 97 San Antonio 90 left wings Alexander Steen and game of his career, leading the Nashville 4 Winnipeg 3 Brenden Morrow in a victory over Ottawa Senators to a win over Memphis 98 Portland 81 Indiana Pacers’ point guard George Hill (left) in action against Los Phoenix 3 Los Angeles 0 the New Jersey Devils. the Columbus Blue Jackets. Washington 88 Golden State 85 Angeles Lakers’ Kendall Marshall in the second half of their NBA game Calgary 5 Chicago 4 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, yesterday. Halak stopped 23 shots in Zach Parise scored a goal and Indiana 104 LA Lakers 92 extending his franchise record added two assists, center Mikael Minnesota 4 Anaheim 2

ITTF World Tour Manning ready for more looking to break Super Bowl magic at 37

all records NEW YORK: Peyton Manning (pic- tured), who could become the first DOHA: The GAC Group 2014 ITTF World starting quarterback to win Super Tour, which kicks off today in Hungary, is Bowls with two different teams, isn’t looking to be the best in history. ready to write the final word on his The GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour prom- gridiron legacy just yet. ises to be bigger and better than 2013 with more The 37-year-old Denver Broncos prize money, more events, more players, more star, who rewrote the National Football spectators and more TV exposure than ever League record book this season, will try before. The world’s best table tennis players will to claim his second crown on Sunday be playing for a record $2,739,700 of prize money when his club takes on the Seattle over 22 events in 22 countries. Seahawks. “I’ve been asked about my $500,000 will be the prize purse at the Qatar legacy since I was 25,” Manning said. Open in February, which makes it the highest “I’m not sure you can have a legacy prize money for a World Tour event in history when you are 25 or even 37. I thought outside the World Tour Grand Finals, which will you had to be 70 to have a legacy. I’m again be $1,000,000 in 2014. not 100 percent sure what the word even ITTF’s CEO Judit FARAGO stated: “With the means. help of our title partner GAC Group, we are very “I’m down the homestretch of my happy to break our record for prize money in 2014. career, but I’m still in it. It’s not over Our goal is to also beat the record of 1,392 players yet. It’s still playing out. This has been from 83 associations playing in the 2013 Tour.” the second chapter of my career and it is New World Tour stops in 2014 include an exciting chapter. I’m certainly excited Chile, Australia, Nigeria, Argentina and the to be back in the Super Bowl.” an NFL record 606 points. Philippines, which means that the GAC Group Manning led the Indianapolis Colts Manning is the only player in Sunday’s 2014 World Tour will touch all corners of the to victory over Chicago in the 2007 game to have ever won a Super Bowl globe in 2014, making it a truly international Super Bowl but lost in 2010 against New and among only a handful — all on the tour. As was the case in 2013, the GAC Group Orleans when a late-game interception Broncos — who have even played in the 2014 ITTF World Tour will be split up into three return for a touchdown doomed his championship spectacle. tiers (highest first): Super (6 events), Major (4 repeat dream. Manning’s younger brother Eli, who events), Challenge (11 events). The higher the “It’s equally disappointing not to win is quarterback for the New York Giants, series, the more prize money, World ranking as it is gratifying to win it,” Manning has won two Super Bowl titles. He says points, World Tour ranking points and higher said. The Colts released Manning after Peyton is just hitting his stride. quality of competition on offer. he had four neck operations and the “Peyton has already cemented his The top 16 singles and top 8 doubles pairs from star passer joined the Broncos, helping legacy,” Eli Manning said. “At 37, hav- the GAC Group 2014 World Tour will then be keep the spark in his game with new ing the greatest year of his career is invited to the prestigious 1 million dollar World challenges. pretty impressive. “He has played at an Tour Grand Finals at the end of the year, a loca- “If you ever stop learning, that’s when extrenmely high level for a long period tion to be announced later. you’re in trouble,” Manning said. “I’ve of time. It has been pretty incredible to ITTF’s 530,000 social media followers on learned a lot these past two years that watch. I don’t think he’s done. I hope Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and has helped me stay stimulated and stay he’s not done.” Sina and Tenent Weibo will be in a prime posi- excited about the game of football.” Retirement is not on the elder tion to receive exclusive content from what will This season, Manning threw for an Manning’s mind.“I feel a little bit better be the most social #ITTFWorldTour in history. NFL one-season passing record 5,477 than I thought I would coming off that THE PENINSULA yards and a record 55 passing touch- surgery a couple of years ago,” Manning downs for a Denver attack that scored said. AFP THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 28 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

FROM LEFT: Tiger Woods of the US, Rory Mcllroy of Northern Ireland and defending champion Stephen Gallacher of Scotland speak during a news conference of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai yesterday. False start not a worry for Tiger Twice major winner McIlroy aims to continue his form in the Middle East

DUBAI: Fractions count in he said ahead of today’s start to number one. Since making his in June. A good showing at Dubai reserved for par-3s, trying to torrid 2013, the former world golf according to Tiger Woods, the European Tour’s Dubai desert first visit to the brash Emirate in this week would set him off on the land one on a par-4 is not with- number one has begun to find and it was fractions that led to Classic. 2001, Woods has won the Desert right track en route to Augusta out risks. But, with such a tempt- his form in recent weeks, secur- his downfall at Torrey Pines “I was just a fraction off though Classic twice (2006, 2008) and National at the start of April. ing prize on offer, the Northern ing the Australian Open title in last week when he shot a 79 to and a fraction off on a golf course finished no worse than tied for “These four venues are four Irishman is unlikely to be the only December before finishing joint- match his second worst score as set up that hard. It bit a lot of us 20th. He is a whopping 86-under- venues that I’ve played well at. one willing to take a chance. second at the Abu Dhabi HSBC a professional. and unfortunately it bit me pretty par for the 24 rounds that he has Three I’ve won at, one I’m trend- “There are not many chances Golf Championship earlier this That Saturday slump in his sea- hard. I think the average score played during his six previous ing in the right way. I’m looking you have to win $2.5 million in one month. son opener meant that he missed was just over 73 on Saturday and appearances in the European forard to these major champion- shot, so I’ll give it a go,” McIlroy McIlroy has also achieved plenty the secondary cut for Sunday play I shot 79.” Tour event. All the portents are ships and this season in general. told a news conference yesterday. of success in the past in Dubai — on one of his favourite courses Since, then Woods said that there for a much improved show- Rory McIlroy will happily Asked if he would risk such his first ever pro tournament win where he has multiple wins and he had used the unscheduled day ing from Woods compared to his chance his arm to bag a $2.5m an attempt if he was three shots was the 2009 Desert Classic, while raised question marks over his off on Sunday to work on “a few last tournament in the Gulf when prize pot with one swing of his clear in the final round, McIlroy his last victory on the European form going into what is looming slight adjustments”. he missed the cut in nearby Abu club at tthe Dubai Desert Classic, replied: “I mean, if you’re con- Tour came in November 2012 at as a key year in his career. “I then came out here (Dubai) Dhabi a little over a year ago. as the twice major winner aims to fident enough with your driver, the DP World Tour Championships Marooned on 14 major titles and just wanted to improve every The year looks ideally set up for continue his encouraging form in yeah, why not. “It mightn’t even in the emirate. since winning the US Open at day. Tuesday was better than Woods to finally add to his haul of the Middle East. be a driver, that’s the thing. If they “Yeah, I’m playing well. I played Torrey Pines in 2008, time is Monday and Wednesday was major title wins. Organisers in the Arab city- move the tee up, it’s only going well in Abu Dhabi and feel like my running out on the 38-year-old better than Tuesday. Hopefully He has prior major wins state, which has a penchant for to play 295 or 300 yards. It’s a game has came on a little bit since American in his lifelong quest to tomorrow (Thursday) will be at three of this year’s major extravagance such as breaking 3-wood. Yeah, why not?” Whether then as well,” he said when asked match and then better the all- even better than today. The courses — Augusta National for the world record for the largest the 24-year-old would actually about his chances this weekend. time record of 18 major victories Majlis course in the heart of one the Masters, Valhalla for the fireworks display to mark the take such a gamble remains open “It’s always good to get a win set down in 1986 by Jack Nicklaus. of Dubai’s spectacular skyscraper PGA Championship and Royal start of 2014, are offering the sum to debate but McIlroy’s confi- early on in the season, and it “There’s no doubt about it — my skyline developments, like Torrey Liverpool for the British Open for a hole-in-one at the Emirates dence will have been boosted by would be nice to be up there at game certainly was not as sharp Pines, is a favoured stomping — and a second and third at Golf Club’s 17th. Given hole-in- his recent showings. least and challenging for the tro- as I would have liked it last week,” ground for the American world Pinehurst, site of the US Open one opportunities are normally Having endured a pretty phy on Sunday.” AGENCIES

Tour of Trentino organisers lure Sky, BMC MILAN: Tour of Trentino organisers said they are hop- ing for an opening day battle between cycling’s team time trial giants Sky and BMC when a “pancake-flat” race in the event opens this year’s edition in late April. The four-day race, held on April 22-25, is con- sidered one of several crucial warm-ups for the three-week Giro d’Italia (May 9-June 1). The remainder of the 38th edi- tion has yet to be revealed due to delays caused by regional govern- Elite group of 34 young footballers with officials during a gala dinner event at the Aspire Academy. ment elections, although organis- ers said they hoped to finalise the route in the coming days. “We could not move forward without consulting the new administration first,” said race Aspire lines up young football stars president Giacomo Santini. “But we are pressing forward to make sure we finalise things in DOHA: The global football selection process will see the opportunity to celebrate their international Funsho Bamgboye, examinations will also ensure that a few days.” stars of tomorrow gathered group whittled down to the final arrival in Doha and a potentially who was awarded Most only the players with the highest For the third year in succes- under the spotlight at a prestig- 20. exciting future ahead.” Valuable Player at the Al Kass possible potential are accepted sion the race will begin with a ious gala dinner held in Doha on This select band of players, to Now into its seventh edition, International Cup. He said, into the final squad. flat team time trial and according Tuesday as part of the Aspire be revealed next week, will be the Football Dreams project has “The Football Dreams project Joseph Colomor, Aspire Football to organisers “looks just like the 2014 Football Dreams project, offered the chance to train like enjoyed unprecedented success is an unrivalled opportunity for Dreams Director explained the 14.3km team time trial from Riva the world’s largest scouting professionals at Aspire Academy in recent times, vividly illus- all young footballers around the selection process. “Our Football del Garda to Arco in 2012 won by programme. Hand-picked from as part of the Aspire International trated last week when the Aspire world like myself. Dreams project is not just about BMC”, who were led over the finish over 490,000 applicants across squad. Aspire Director General International team was crowned “Having come through the the players that can win today,” line by American Taylor Phinney. three continents, the elite group Ivan Bravo said: “Each year the 2014 Al Kass International Cup selection process personally, I he said. “At Aspire we want the It was the first time a TTT of 34 youngsters are amongst Aspire Football Dreams project champions, emerging victorious of really enjoyed the gala dinner and players that are going to make it had been included in the race, the most talented on the inter- offers a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- some of the most famous Under-16 the chance to meet some of the tomorrow. and the formula was repeated in national stage. tunity to thousands of young teams in the world including Real new generation of stars that will “During this three week period, 2013 when Bradley Wiggins led All the protégés — aged 13 and athletes across the world to fulfil Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint- be training with us here at the we are not just looking at their Team Sky over the finish line in 14 — received certificates and their footballing potential. Germain and Manchester City. Aspire academies.” performance on day one - the Lienz, Austria to claim the open- gifts including a signed football “The 34 players currently with Meanwhile, over the past year, As part of the three-week ‘boot coaches want to see real evidence ing day’s stage win. Vincenzo from Real Madrid legend Raul us in Doha have been chosen many of the existing Aspire camp’ selection process that the of their progress by the end of the Nibali won the 37th edition of the Gonzalez at the ceremony, pre- from more than 15 countries by International squad members young footballers are currently three weeks. race, before going on to claim his sented by ambassadors and rep- our excellent global scouting net- have had the chance to repre- undergoing, the players will come “This entire project is about maiden Giro d’Italia crown. resentatives of their country of work, and are some of the finest sent their national teams at youth up against local teams based in giving hard-working athletes the The Italian is expected to line origin. young footballing talents in the level, with players from Nigeria, Qatar and also compete in a opportunities they deserve and, up at this year’s Giro, although Following the event, the ath- world today. Gambia and Senegal all receiv- friendly match against an U-15 by next week, we will have the his priority will remain the yel- letes will resume daily training “It was a great pleasure to ing international team call-ups FC Barcelona team. chance to make some people’s low jersey at the Tour de France. sessions at the Aspire Zone in attend the gala dinner and I in 2013. Meanwhile vigorous daily dreams come true.” AFP Doha, where a further rigorous hope it gave those present an These include Nigerian training sessions and medical THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 29

Federer to join Wawrinka F1: Vettel struggles on day in Swiss Davis Cup quest

NOVI SAD, Serbia: Switzerland’s former world two of testing in Jerez number one Roger Federer will join Australian Open cham- pion Stanislas Wawrinka in World champion ends testing with just 11 laps completed their Davis Cup first-round tie against Serbia next weekend. “I can confirm that Roger is in JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Serbia and will play in the Davis Spain: British former Formula Cup,” Swiss Tennis Federation One world champion Jenson spokeswoman Sandra Perez said Button made up for being una- by email yesterday. ble to get out on the track on “He will take part in the press the first day of pre-season test- conference tomorrow (Thursday) ing in the new McLaren MP4- when the draw takes place,” she 29 by setting the fastest time said. yesterday. With Federer renewing his Button’s relief -- after he failed Davis Cup partnership with to make it out of the garage on Wawrinka, the Swiss will start Tuesday -- was in contrast as strong favourites against 2010 to four-time world champion winners and 2013 runners-up Sebastian Vettel, who endured Serbia, who are missing their further frustration with his new top three players including world Red Bull. number two Novak Djokovic. Overnight rain meant that the Federer, the winner of 17 Grand test in wet conditions, originally Slam titles on the men’s ATP McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain drives the new MP4-29 during pre-season testing at the Jerez racetrack in southern Spain, scheduled for Friday, was brought Tour, has never won the Davis yesterday. forward and it was Button who Cup and renewing his partnership made the early running. with Wawrinka should present The 2009 world champion Williams’ Finnish driver Valtteri the German managed only eight two days will be important to get “We did loads of laps and that’s him with a good chance of adding then went even better in drier Botas was third. more, including just one flying some track time to prepare for what you need to do to build the to his jam-packed trophy cabinet. conditions in the afternoon “We had a lot of issues yester- lap, before having to retire for the the tests in Bahrain.” stability, reliability and perform- The 32-year-old Swiss maes- to post a best time of 1min day, so it was nice to see that we afternoon due to an energy store Renault’s engine problems ance of the car,” said Rosberg, tro last played for his country 24.165secs. managed to fix them overnight,” issue in the Renault engine. weren’t just affecting Red Bull who hands the reigns back over to in the 2012 World Group playoff Button had to kick his heels said Button. “We didn’t do a lot of Moreover, it is unlikely that as the Toro Rosso didn’t make it Hamilton for Thursday’s testing. win over the Netherlands and his on Tuesday as the newly mod- laps today, 43, but I think it was a Vettel will get any more on track out of the garage and Caterham Force India’s Sergio Perez also best result in the competition was elled car, built to comply with a positive start. testing for the rest of the week rookie Marcus Ericsson man- suffered a disappointing end to reaching the 2003 semi-finals. series of new technical regula- “There are no horrible issues with his new Red Bull teammate aged just 11 laps before a techni- the day after a positive start. Although Wawrinka is likely tions, failed to make it onto the with the car or the power unit. Daniel Ricciardo pencilled in to cal issue also caused him to stop. The Mexican -- who was to be exhausted after his celebra- track. The basic car itself is where we drive on Thursday and Friday. Mercedes built on their dropped by McLaren after just tions and a long-haul flight from However, on the day McLaren want it to be. “Obviously we’ve not had a lot encouraging start before Lewis one season at the end of last year Melbourne following his win over announced that former Lotus “The development we are going of running and have a few prob- Hamilton’s minor crash on -- had been running third fast- Spain’s world number one Rafa team principal Eric Boullier to do the car throughout the year lems to sort out, but with such big Tuesday as Nico Rosberg racked est after completing 37 laps, but Nadal in Sunday’s final, the Swiss would be joining as the team’s is massive, so it is good to have rule changes it is usual to have up by far the largest number of his afternoon was brought to an should be too strong for a deci- new racing director, Button com- good base to work from.” some teething problems,” said the laps with 97. The German fin- abrupt end when marshals had to mated Serbian side. pleted 43 laps to finish ahead of Vettel’s problems with the four-time world champion. ished fourth fastest on the day, extinguish a small fire at the back That is, unless world number Ferrari’s 2007 world champion RB10 continued as having com- “That’s what tests are for, to just under one-and-a-half seconds of his car before dragging it back two Novak Djokovic follows in Kimi Raikkonen in second, whilst pleted just three laps on Tuesday, sort those issues out. The next behind Button. to the garage. AFP Federer’s footsteps and makes a last minute U-Turn, having ear- lier pulled out of the tie to focus on the ATP Tour and his bid to wrestle the top ranking spot back Nasser to compete with QMMF Team at from Nadal. If there is to be another twist, Djokovic would have to cut short his skiing holiday in the Serbian resort of Mount Kopaonik, where Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East he has been photographed by local media with friends and family. DOHA: Three Championships The Saudi Falcons driver I can learn a lot from this experi- Serbia will certainly miss the will take place this weekend Abdulaziz AlFaisal is in third ence. I have tested the car yester- injured Janko Tipsarevic, who has under the floodlights of Losail place with 112 points. Race 1 is day and today at the Losail track been sidelined with a heel prob- International Circuit, Porsche scheduled tomorrow at 23:00 and and even this field is different lem since October, and suspended GT3 CUP Challenge Middle Race 2 on Saturday at 21:50. than what I am used to, I know Viktor Troicki who is serving a East, Qatar Challenge and In this fourth of the Porsche I can make a good performance 12-month doping ban for missing Radical Middle East Cup. GT3 CUP Challenge Middle East, and thanks to Nasser bin Khalifa a blood test in April. The fourth round of Porsche there will be a new team taking Al Attiyah for his support, he has REUTERS GT3 CUP Challenge Middle East part in this championship, QMMF really make a good start for this is back to the Qatari track this Team with the 2011 Dakar Rally event and have a proper team for weekend. winner and 9 times Middle East QMMF, Nasser said. Sharapova In the previous round, also at Rally Champion driver, Nasser Meanwhile in the third round Losail International Circuit, the Saleh Al Attiyah. of Qatar Challenge, David Walker cruises in Paris defending champion and leader QMMF Team will also partici- is leading with 48 points with of the championship, Clemens pate in the two coming rounds, his Honda car. The Canadian PARIS: Russian top seed Maria Schmid won Race 1 with a gap of in Dubai and Bahrain with Al driver Peter DeVido is in second Sharapova dished out a 6-0, 6-1 3.384 seconds ahead Ashkanani. Attiyah as the driver. place with 35 points and Pavel defeat to Slovakia’s Daniela In the race 2, under wet condi- “I am really happy for this Nedobity from Czec Republic is Hantuchova in the second round tions, the victory was for the opportunity that Qatar Motor in third place with 30 points. The to cruise into the WTA Paris Saudi Falcons driver Jeffrey and Motorcycle Federation has race for Qatar Challenge will be Open quarter-finals yesterday. Schmidt. given to me to participate in this on Saturday at 20:40. For first A shock fourth-round loser at Clemens from Al Nabooda Championship where the level time, the Radical Middle East the season-opening Grand Slam Racing is leading the champi- and the competition is really high. Cup arrives to Qatar and the Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (right), Middle East Rally Champion driver along the Australian Open in Melbourne onship with 146 points and Zaid I really look forward to race this fifth event of this series will be with Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Nasser earlier this month Sharapova Ashkanani from BuzaidGT is in weekend and although this car is at Losail International Circuit. bin Khalifa Al Attiyah. regained the winning thread at second place with 119 points. completely different to a Rally car THE PENINSULA the Stade Coubertin, serving 10 aces with just two double faults. Sharapova’s Melbourne cam- paign was just her second event Shooting: Olga Dovgun wins 10m Air Rifle at Heir Apparent Cup since a shoulder injury ended the 26-year-old world number five’s 2013 season in August, a setback which also ruled her out of the US Open. However, Sharapova, the 2012 French Open champion, said that her early exit from the Australian Open -- beaten by Hantuchova’s compatriot Dominika Cibulkova who went on to lose in the final to China’s Li Na -- had its posi- tive side to it with regard to the indoor tournament. AFP WTA Paris Open Results PARIS, France: Results from the third day of the WTA Paris Open yesterday (x denotes seeding): 2nd round Maria Sharapova (RUS x1) bt Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 6-0, 6-1 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) bt Carla Suarez (ESP) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 1st round Kirsten Flipkens (BEL x8) bt Mona Barthel (GER) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA x6) 6-3, 0-6, 7-5 Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) bt Stefanie Vögele Olga Dovgun (back row, centre), winner of the 10m Air Rifle women event at the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) Heir Apparent Cup poses for a picture along with Bahya (SUI) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) Mansur Al Hamad (left), second place winner, Matara Fahad Al Asseiri, bronze medal winner, and officials of QSAA at Losail Shooting Range yesterday. RIGHT: The podium winners in the Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) bt Simona Halep 10m Air Pistol women’s event. (ROM) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 30 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Australia’s Williams facing EPL: Arsenal held at Saints; more World Cup heartbreak

LONDON: Australia defender Liverpool thrash Everton Rhys Williams could miss his second successive World Cup finals after suffering a freak Achilles tendon injury in Mata inspires Man United to win; Gunners slip up in thrilling 2-2 draw Middlesbrough’s 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday. The full extent of the injury was LONDON: Arsenal’s wings not immediately known but his were clipped in a 2-2 draw at English Championship (second Southampton as they missed a tier) club coach Aitor Karanka chance to soar four points clear expressed “deep sympathy” for in the Premier League title the player who missed the 2010 race while Liverpool thrashed World Cup finals after damaging Everton and Manchester United his pelvic area. beat Cardiff on Tuesday night. Williams, expected to be part of With Manchester City and Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the Chelsea playing, Arsenal could finals in Brazil, was carried off on have stolen a march on their a stretcher just before halftime rivals but, like their team bus after twisting his body sharply in that was late arriving after get- the league match at the Riverside ting stuck in traffic, they strug- Stadium. gled to move out of second gear. “They will check him and we Arsene Wenger’s side started will know more soon but it looks slowly and were caught out by like a very serious injury for Jose Fonte’s early goal and Adam Rhys,” the Spanish head coach Lallana’s second-half equaliser told reporters after the game. either side of strikes from Olivier “His face and the doctor’s face Giroud and Santi Cazorla. were not good. He was crying and There was no sluggishness I feel sympathy for him. about Liverpool, whose 15-year “It is very bad injury for him. home hoodoo over rivals Everton I hope he will recover as soon continued with Daniel Sturridge as possible because he had a big scoring twice in a 4-0 win, while chance to play in the World Cup Dutchman Robin van Persie came so that will be a big incentive for back with a bang as Manchester him. United eased past Cardiff 2-0. “All our feelings are with him, Arsenal, who had Mathieu mine, the team’s, the staff’s. He Flamini sent off 10 minutes from will get all the support we can time, are two points ahead of give him.” Manchester City and three above Williams, 25, has played 14 Chelsea but could drop to third times for Australia after repre- if their rivals win at Tottenham senting Wales at Under-21 level Hotspur and home to West Ham Liverpool’s Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring a goal against Everton during their English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool, northern through having mixed parentage. United respectively. England on Tuesday night. RIGHT: Manchester United’s Spanish midfielder Juan Mata looks on during the English Premier League match against Australia are in Group B at the “They have difficult games as Cardiff City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on Tuesday night. World Cup and open their cam- well and we took at least a point,” paign against Chile in Cuiaba on said Arsenal manager Arsene June 13, before matches against Wenger. “It’s not enough but, con- Boruc after turning on a Bacary Midfielder Philippe Coutinho Sturridge together up front, man- Mata had a part to play in Netherlands and defending cham- sidering the situation at halftime Sagna cross before Cazorla buried sent Sturridge racing through ager Brendan Rodgers admitted it United’s opener, giving the home pions Spain. AFP (when Arsenal were losing 1-0), a low shot to put them ahead four unchecked to fire left-footed past was uncertain whether he would fans a taste of his playmaking we have to be content with it.” minutes later. Tim Howard for his first goal repeat the experiment. abilities with a raking crossfield Fourth-placed Liverpool But they could not close the while the England forward’s sec- “It was a gamble to go with two ball to start the move from which English Premier revived their own faint title game out and Lallana turned ond came from a hopeful long ball. strikers but that’s the reason we Van Persie found the net at the hopes with their biggest win over in a Jay Rodriguez cross to level Sturridge looked disorientated took the risk. We got four goals second attempt with a close-range League Results Everton since 1982 and now sit six before French midfielder Flamini when Kolo Toure’s punt upfield and could have had six or seven. header. LONDON: English Premier League results on points behind Arsenal, and four was given his marching orders for found its way through to him as It was a brilliant demonstration Perhaps inspired by Mata’s Tuesday night: ahead of their Merseyside rivals, a rash challenge. Everton pushed up for offside, but of how to play under pressure,” arrival, Young found some of his Crystal Palace 1 (Puncheon 16) Hull 0 while United stay seventh a fur- Liverpool captain Steven he regained his bearings to swivel he said. old form to cut in from the left, Liverpool 4 (Gerrard 21, Sturridge 33, 35, ther six points adrift. Gerrard powered in a 21st minute and lob a smart finish past the With record signing Juan Mata beat two men and rifle home from Suarez 50) Everton 0 It is not often Arsenal find header to open the scoring at advancing Howard and into the making his debut for Manchester distance. Manchester United 2 (Van Persie 6, Young themselves chasing possession, Anfield but it was Sturridge who net. United after joining from Chelsea Mid-table Swansea City won 59) Cardiff 0 but Southampton gave the leaders took the game away from their He blotted his copy book some- last week, the champions enjoyed 2-0 at home to lowly Fulham Norwich 0 Newcastle 0 the run-around in the first half Merseyside rivals, showcasing what by scooping a penalty over a double boost as Van Persie made to record their first league vic- and deservedly took the lead after his finishing talents before Luis the bar in the second half after his first appearance since Dec. 10 tory since December 4, while Southampton 2 (Fonte 21, Lallana 54) 21 minutes. Suarez completed the rout. Suarez had run half the length after injury. Norwich City and Newcastle Arsenal 2 (Giroud 48, Cazorla 52) Luke Shaw curled in a delight- Sturridge struck twice in two of the pitch and calmly finished He marked the occasion with United drew 0-0 at Carrow Swansea 2 (Shelvey 61, Flores 75) Fulham 0 ful cross from the left wing to minutes past the half-hour just to make it 4-0, taking his league the first goal before Ashley Young Road with City’s Bradley Spanish Copa del Rey Result pick out Fonte at the far post and as Everton seemed to be gaining tally to 23 for the season to equal wrapped up the points to leave Johnson and United’s Loic MADRID: Spanish Copa del Rey result on he headed home. a foothold in the match, yet both last term’s total. Cardiff bottom after a painful, if Remy sent off after a clash. Tuesday night: Wenger’s halftime team talk his goals would have left Everton After Liverpool had been warmly applauded, return to Old Crystal Palace moved five Quarter-finals, second leg rallied his side and they were manager Roberto Martinez overrun for periods of their 2-2 Trafford for City’s new manager points clear of the relegation zone swiftly level after the restart with scratching his head at his side’s draw with Aston Villa in their and former United forward Ole with a 1-0 win at home to Hull Real Madrid 1 (Jese 8) Espanyol 0 Giroud backheeling past Artur shoddy defending. last home game with Suarez and Gunnar Solskjaer. City. REUTERS Real Madrid win 2-0 on aggregate Biggest spending countries in English clubs help boost 2013 global transfer market Biggest spenders (millions of dollars, percentage increase over 2012 in brackets) 1. England 913 (+51) transfer spending, says FIFA report 2. Italy 475 (+120) 3. France 420 (+74) LONDON: English clubs led performance or past performance, which accounted for 77 percent 4. Spain 319 (+78) the way as worldwide spend- if the players are older,” he told of the total market value. 5. Germany 239 (+1) ing on international transfers reporters. The oldest player to be trans- 6. Russia 214 (-33) shot up by 41 percent last year “Conditions can be represented ferred internationally was aged 7. Ukraine 193 (+168) to reach $3.7bn, FIFA said in a by a number of performance fac- 43 while, at the other end of the 8. Turkey 163 (+50) report published yesterday. tors such as qualification for scale, there were 48 transfers of 9. Portugal 104 (+21) English clubs spent $913m on competitions, relegation, or the players aged 16 and 88 transfers 10. Wales 100 (+96) international transfers in 2013, players’ performance on an indi- of players aged 17. 11. Brazil 73 (-21) an increase of 51 percent over the vidual level. Argentina and Brazil spent less 12. Netherlands 56 (+65) previous year. “Clubs are hedging their bets, on transfer fees last year, with the 13. United Arab Emirates 47 (+88) Surprisingly, they were fol- trying to be more sensible in how former down from $25m to $22m 14. Qatar 46 (+2) lowed by Italian clubs who, much money they put into the and their neighbours more signifi- 15. Belgium 43 (+39) despite widespread reports of guaranteed section and into the cantly from $94m to $73m. 16. Saudi Arabia 40 (+100) financial difficulties, splashed out potential section (of the fee).” “A currency crisis afflicting 17. Mexico 39 (+44) a total of $475m between them, World soccer’s governing body emerging economies has reduced 18. China 28 (-45) a staggering jump of 120 percent said English spending increased Brazilian and Argentine buying 19. Argentina 22 (-12) year-on-year. after the Premier League signed power in the international mar- 20. Switzerland 20 (-5) Spanish clubs were the big- a new television rights deal for ket,” said the report. Biggest sellers gest sellers, which the report three seasons starting with Brazil remained hugely influen- 1. Spain 565 (+166) said was prompted by a push to 2013/14. tial, however, and 13 percent of all 2. Italy 436 (+47) cut their debts, as they received BSkyB and former state tel- transfers, totalling 1,588, involved 3. Portugal 323 (+42) $565m between them. They were ecoms company BT agreed to a players from the 2014 World Cup 4. Brazil 312 (+34) followed by Italy, Brazil, Portugal three-year deal worth £3.018bn host nation. 5. England 300 (+27) and England. ($4.70 bn), a 70 percent increase Although agents are widely 6. France 297 (+42) There was a significant increase on the previous agreement, to criticised for pushing up transfer 7. Netherlands 182 (+31) in so-called conditional transfers, show Premier League matches. fees, FIFA said that only seven 8. Ukraine 168 (+379) where part of the fee is fixed and FIFA said that 82 percent of per cent of all transfers involved a 9. Germany 140 (-29) the rest is performance-based. the spending came from nine club intermediary and 14 percent 10. Russia 94 (+151) Fees from such transfers leapt countries, England, Italy, France, involved a players’ intermediary. 11. Uruguay 63 (+7) 73 percent to a total of $525m. Spain, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, 12. Croatia 61 (+261) Mark Goddard, general man- Turkey and Portugal. Saudi Arabia and China all 13. Belgium 60 (-13) ager of FIFA’s Transfer Matching Fifteen percent was spent by appeared in the top 20 spenders, 14. Argentina 60 (+11) System (TMS), said the jump in 14 countries comprising the mar- often buying up well-known older 15. Mexico 52 (+106) conditional transfers could be ket’s middle segment, while the players. “Well-funded leagues 16. Romania 42 (+269) significant. remaining 3 percent was spent with a limited talent pool are 17. Switzerland 42 (-46) “It is a very interesting trend by the bottom segment of 116 increasingly looking for ways to Hull City’s Irish striker Shane Long (right) chases the ball during the 18. Denmark 39 (+3) because the market is becoming countries. raise their competitiveness as well English Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park 19. Serbia 38 (+131) more astute, a lot of the trans- The lion’s share of the money as their global appeal,” said the in London on Tuesday night. 20. Scotland 37 (+39) fers are based on either potential was exchanged within Europe report. REUTERS THURSDAY 30 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 31 Ireland taps Jese strike takes diaspora for Winter Games

DUBLIN: Five athletes from Real into semis Birmingham to far-flung Utah have been handed the responsi- bility of helping Ireland make a Los Blancos to face either Bilbao or Madrid rare mark at the Sochi Games next month. In a country of 4.5 million MADRID: Real Madrid eased the ball quickly and the central being found by a fine long-range people where winters often pass into the semi-finals of the defenders have been playing at a ball by Xabi Alonso. without snowfall, Ireland is for Copa del Rey with a 1-0 win very high level.” Casilla could have done bet- the first time sending a team over Espanyol at the Santiago Real will now face Atletico ter on the goal, but he more than made up exclusively from the esti- Bernabeu on Tuesday night to Madrid or Athletic Bilbao in the redeemed himself for the rest of mated 70 million people with Irish progress 2-0 on aggregate. last four with city rivals Atletico the half as he made a series of heritage who live abroad. Jese Rodriguez got the only goal taking a 1-0 advantage into their saves, most notably from Ronaldo There is the San Diego-born of the game after just eight min- second leg against the Basques. and Angel di Maria. teen snowboarder, the skeleton utes as Madrid set a club record Los Blancos also face high- The visitors began to provide rider from Vancouver, the down- by not conceding for the eighth flying Athletic in the league a threat of their own towards hill skiers who live thousands consecutive game. on Sunday and Ancelotti the end of the half and Pizzi was of miles apart in Utah and the Espanyol keeper Kiko Casilla insisted that despite Jese net- unlucky to see his sweetly-struck British city of Birmingham and managed to keep the score ting the winner in the absence volley fly over the bar a minute the Ontario-based cross country down as he frustrated Cristiano of the injured Gareth Bale, the before the break. skier with Irish and Czech roots. Ronaldo on a number of occasions. Welshman will start at San Casilla denied Ronaldo once “My accent needs a bit of However, it was to no avail as Mames if he is fit. more with another excellent stop work but my grandfather is from the visitors couldn’t find a way “If Bale is fine then he will play, at the beginning of the second Dublin, grandmother is from through and ended with 10 men but that is not to say that Jese period. Drogheda. I’m honoured to com- after Victor Sanchez was sent off isn’t another option because he However, it was Real goal- pete for Ireland, it’s going to be a late on for two bookable offences. is very dangerous at the moment. keeper Iker Casillas who made blast,” 16-year-old snowboarder Real boss Carlo Ancelotti “I don’t care who we meet (in the headlines in the second-half Seamus O’Connor said at the praised the excellent start to 2014 the next round) because both as he broke another club record team’s launch on Wednesday. made by his side’s central defend- teams are in very good form. by extending his own personal run “When Sochi was nominated ers as they sealed an eighth win We all know everything about without conceding a goal past 11 for the 2014 Games my dad in January without conceding a Atletico Madrid, but Athletic are hours. thought it would be quite poetic single goal. playing very well too and it will be And any doubt over the result Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao (right) duels for if an American-born athlete could “I think that the system gives a very difficult and important tie.” of the tie was ended when Sanchez the ball with RCD Espanyol’s Brazilian defender Sidnei during the represent Ireland competing in us confidence. We have good Jese continued his case for was shown a second yellow card Spanish King’s Cup quarter-finals second leg match played at Santiago my mother’s homeland.” defensive balance because the more first team action as he con- for handball 13 minutes from Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on Tuesday night. O’Connor, who holidays in the whole team works to recover fidently fired them ahead after time. REUTERS west of Ireland, represents the best chance of first ever Winter Games medal for Ireland having Qatar Stars turned professional and signed a sponsorship deal with Nike at the Red Bull Salzburg swaps turf League age of just 13, although the Utah- based half pipe and slopeside rider says Sochi may come an Olympics Nations Cup too soon. Tapping into such an expan- for tarmac during Doha trip quarter-finals sive network is nothing new. Jack Charlton, himself a World Cup DOHA: The stars of Austria’s winner with England, famously Red Bull Salzburg football on Friday FC Red Bull Salzburg left the recruited a slew of British-born players are with Saudi familiarity of the football pitch players with Irish ancestry during behind yesterday to join Red Falcons team driver, DOHA: The quarter-final the golden football era of the late Bull athlete and Saudi Falcons Abdulaziz Al Faisal, at stage of the Qatar Stars League 80s and early 90s. team driver, Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Losail International Circuit Nations Cup will commence Ireland’s government has also at Losail International Circuit. yesterday. tomorrow after a winter break. hosted Davos-style conferences Al Faisal, who will race in All matches will be played at to listen to the cream of its this weekend’s Porsche GT3 Cup the Al Rayyan Sports Complex. diaspora while “The Gathering”, Challenge Middle East in Doha, The QSL Nations Cup is aimed a year-long campaign to lure visi- got behind the wheel of the at encouraging the local commu- tors with Irish roots, helped tour- QD-SBG sponsored GT3 Cup car nity to get involved in football, ism figures hit a five-year high to propel the players around the be it as a player or fan. With 16 in 2013. 5.38km track. teams left in the competition and As the economic crisis brings Reaching speeds of up to representing countries from all new waves of emigration, Olympic 240km/h, the players were across the world this event clearly Council of Ireland president Pat treated to the ultimate thrill ride reflects the culturally diverse city Hickey estimated that the influx and given a sneak peek into the of Doha. This year the tourna- of foreign nationals in recent upcoming weekend’s action. ment started out with 24 nation- times means that close to one in Peter Gulacsi, FC Red Bull ality based teams all competing three members of the team that Salzburg player, said: “We are here to be crowned champions, and heads to the Rio Games in 2016 for our training camp in Doha. collect the 15,000 QAR first prize. will have been born in Ireland to This afternoon we came here to After the group stages, the foreign parentage. For one mem- Losail International Circuit to teams have now been whittled ber of the Sochi team, the idea of experience something new with down to the following: England, representing the country he was QD-SBG and Porsche GT3 cars Romania, Pakistan, Syria, born in was never even a con- and I can say on behalf of all of us Portugal, Algeria, Somalia, Chad, sideration. “Ireland’s my home, I that it has been a brilliant expe- Afghanistan, Spain, France, would not consider anywhere else rience. Seeing these car from the Tunisia, Italy, Jordan, Ethiopia as home,” said Utah-based Conor outside is a scary thing but sitting and Egypt. THE PENINSULA Lyne, who in contrast to team inside is just an unbelievable expe- session at Aspire Academy where one of my great passions – second Challenge Middle East and with mate O’Connor speaks in a near rience and feeling. It is a once in the Austrian Bundesliga stars, to motorsport of course. Keeping a podium finish in Doha at the Qatar Stars League pitch-perfect Irish accent. a lifetime experience for all of us. who are currently topping the fit is important to us as drivers so last round, I’m going into the race Like skeleton rider Sean We’ve spent an amazing 10 days in league table, have been training it was great to do something a bit feeling confident. We’ve raced the Nations Cup Fixtures: Greenwood, who spent summers Doha at Aspire Sport Center with this week. different and train with the team track twice this month so every- Friday: Spain vs France (10am), Italia vs working in Dublin restaurants, great facilities.” Abdulaziz Al Faisal, who goes this morning. They work very one is feeling a bit more familiar Pakistan (4pm), Tunisia v Syria 5.15pm), downhill slalom competitor Lyne, The roles were reversed ear- into this weekend’s Porsche GT3 hard and I was really impressed with it and I’m sure there will Ethiopia vs Somalia (6.30pm), Chad v an avid Gaelic Games and rugby lier today when self-confessed Cup Challenge Middle East races by the facilities at Aspire. be some fast times posted this Afghanistan (8pm), Portugal v Jordan (9.15pm). fan, returns to his father’s home- football fan Al Faisal joined FC third in the overall standings, Now my focus is on the next weekend.” Saturday: Egypt vs England (7.30pm), town in county Kerry for a month Red Bull Salzburg for a training said: “Football has always been round of the Porsche GT3 Cup THE PENINSULA Romania v Algeria (9pm). or two every year. AFP Qatar Volleyball Association League Qatar Stars League raises funds for UNICEF

Children who took part in the special charity day to raise funds for children’s charity UNICEF pose for a picture An Al Ahli player secures a point in their Qatar Volleyball Association League match against Al Khor at Al Arabi at Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Centre in Doha recently. Qatar Stars League continued their excellent Indoor Stadium in Doha yesterday. Al Ahli won 3-0 (25-21, 26-24 and 25-23). In another match, Al Arabi defeated work in the community by raising $4,000 for the cause on the day. The QSLGOALZ team joined forces to help Al Wakra 3-0 (25-14, 25-16 and 25-16) PICTURE BY: KAMMUTTY VP the American School of Doha and the prestigious Sheraton resort to deliver a highly successful family fun day. Thursday 30 January 2014 29 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5960 Sport Price: QR2

Howard’s Arsenal held Rockets stun at Saints; the Spurs Liverpool win

Sport | 27 Sport | 30

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Foreign Jayawardene’s double ton clubs show insatiable appetite for floors Bangladesh in Dhaka Brazilians Veteran right-hander becomes Test cricket’s sixth-highest run-getter LONDON: Foreign clubs are still showing an insatiable appe- tite for Brazilian players while DHAKA: Mahela Jayawardene of 498 runs, Sri Lanka reduced Argentines appear to be going become Test cricket’s sixth- Bangladesh to 35-1 in nine overs out of fashion, according to a highest run-getter with a glo- before stumps to step closer to an FIFA report on the global trans- rious unbeaten double-century overwhelming victory in the first fer market published yesterday as Sri Lanka compounded match of the two-Test series. The report said that of 12,309 Bangladesh’s misery in the first Left-arm spinner Rangana international transfers registered Test in Dhaka yesterday. Herath, brought on after three worldwide last year, 13 percent, The veteran right-hander made overs, struck with his third deliv- or 1,558, involved Brazilian play- 203 not out, his seventh double- ery when he forced Tamim Iqbal ers, either leaving their coun- century in 33 three-figure knocks, to mistime a catch to point. Sri Lanka’s Mahela try, returning home or moving as the tourists piled up 730-6 Shamsur Rahman was Jayawardene between other nations. declared on the third day at the unbeaten on nine and Marshall plays a shot “No nationality in the global Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Ayub was on 11 at close, with against transfer market is more mobile Having gained a mammoth lead Bangladesh still trailing by 463 Bangladesh dur- than the Brazilian nationality,” runs. ing the third day the report said. Scoreboard Jayawardene leapfrogged of their first Test “What is striking is the diver- Allan Border (11,174 runs) and sity of Brazilian players’ mobility match of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11,219) patterns. By now, most countries Bangladesh (I innings): ...... 232 series in Dhaka, to move behind record-holder appear to have some sort of affin- Sri Lanka (I innings): yesterday. D Karunaratne c Robiul b Shakib ...... 53 Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, ity for engaging Brazilian players.” K Silva lbw Shakib...... 139 Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid and Portugal (106 players), Japan K Sangakkara c Nasir b Al-Amin ...... 75 Brian Lara in the all-time list. (50), the United Arab Emirates M Jayawardene (not out) ...... 203 The 36-year-old former cap- (34), South Korea (30) and D Chandimal b Shakib ...... 40 tain, who now has 11,236 runs Hungary (28) were the most pop- S Lakmal c Nasir b Gazi ...... 0 in 142 matches, equalled team- ular destinations for Brazilians, A Mathews c Ayub b Gazi ...... 86 mate and close friend Kumar rather than the traditional mar- K Vithanage (not out) ...... 103 Sangakkara’s Sri Lankan record kets such as Spain and Italy. Extras (B-12, W-12, NB-7) ...... 31 of 33 Test centuries. Poland was also becoming Total (for 6wkts decl) ...... 730 Jayawardene said he was not popular with 20 Brazilian players Fall of wickets: 1-118, 2-273, 3-302, aware of the personal milestones, moving there last year following 4-374, 5-375, 6-554. insisting the team’s needs always “We have two days to go, so I Bangladesh struggled to con- seventh wicket, before Mathews a change in that country’s citizen- Bowling: Robiul 29-2-109-0 (nb3, w2); Al- took precedence. hope that is enough time. We will tain the runs on the even-paced closed the innings. ship laws. Amin 32-3-118-1 (nb1, w5); Rubel 20-0-84- “It probably feels good, but at wait and see.” wicket after Sri Lanka resumed The only time Jayawardene Meanwhile, 672 Brazilian play- 0 (nb3, w5); Gazi 39-5-130-2; Shakib 43-6- the end of the day what matters Jayawardene smashed 16 the day on 375-5. appeared in trouble was when ers returned home from foreign 159-3; Mominul 6-0-20-0; Nasir is that we put up a decent score boundaries and four sixes in a Sri Lankan captain Angelo he survived a loud appeal for leg- clubs last year, again the highest 10.5-0-60-0; Ayub 8-0-38-0. on the board,” he said. “Along the typically elegant innings, reach- Mathews partnered Jayawardene before on 119 as he attempted to of any country. Bangladesh (II innings): way if you achieve those things it ing 203 with a six over mid-wicket in a sixth-wicket stand of 179, reverse-sweep Sohag Gazi. “This shows not only that the Tamim Iqbal c Perera b Herath ...... 11 gives a tremendous feeling.” off Nasir Hossain. himself making 86 before being Television replays favoured the volume of transfers involving Shamsur Rahman (batting) ...... 9 Jayawardene refused to take Kithuruwan Vithanage joined dismissed before tea. bowler, but the Decision Review Brazilian players is high, but that Marshall Ayub (batting) ...... 11 victory for granted despite his the run-spree with an unbeaten Mathews missed his third cen- System is not being used in the Brazilian clubs’ rising revenues Extras (B-4) ...... 4 team being in such a command- 103 as Bangladesh conceded their tury when he mistimed a drive series. are able to lure many players back Total (for 1 wkt) ...... 35 ing position. highest ever total, surpassing against spinner Sohag Gazi and Jayawardene and Vithanage to Brazil,” the report said. Fall of wicket: 1-15. “Cricket is a funny game and I the 648-9 by the West Indies in was caught at short mid-on by joined opener Kaushal Silva as The paper added that Brazilians Bowling: Lakmal 3-0-8-0; Eranga 1-0-5-0; have played enough to realise that Khulna in November 2012. Marshall Ayub. the three century-makers in off all ages were involved and only Herath 3-2-8-1; D Perera 2-0-10-0. nothing happens easily,” he said. Vithanage, a 22-year-old left- That turned out to be the innings, while Sangakkara, eight percent were under 21. Bangladesh trail by 463 runs with nine wick- “We just need to be patient, create hander playing his third Test, Bangladesh’s lone success in Dimuth Karunaratne and “Brazil does not function simply ets in hand. pressure and grab those opportu- hit 12 fours and two sixes in his the day as Vithanage helped Mathews chipped in with half- as a type of youth academy for nities that come our way. maiden century. Jayawardene add 176 for the centuries. AFP other leagues,” it said.REUTERS Van Basten Australia down England by 13 runs in T20 to quit HOBART, Australia: England lost the opening Twenty20 Scoreboard international in Hobart yes- Heerenveen AUSTRALIA L Wright b Henriques ...... 9 terday after narrowly failing to C White lbw Wright...... 75 J Root c Finch b Coulter-Nile ...... 32 chase down Australia’s massive LONDON: Marco van Basten A Finch c Hales b Broad ...... 52 E Morgan b Maxwell ...... 4 214-run target. is to leave his job as Heerenveen G Maxwell c Bresnan b Bopara ...... 20 J Buttler c Muirhead b Coulter-Nile ...... 20 The Australians were always in coach at the end of the sea- G Bailey c Bresnan b Dernbach ...... 14 R Bopara (not out) ...... 65 the box seats, with the tourists son, the Dutch club announced C Lynn (not out) ...... 37 T Bresnan b Muirhead ...... 11 on 176 for nine with an over left. yesterday. D Christian (not out) ...... 6 S Broad b Coulter-Nile ...... 13 But some prodigious late hit- “He has told the club that he Extras (B-1, W-6, NB-2)...... 9 J Dernbach (run out-Finch/Wade) ...... 5 ting by Ravi Bopara got England has decided not to extend his Total (for 4 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 213 D Briggs (not out) ...... 0 to within 13 runs of the target at contract and that he will be Fall of wickets: 1-106, 2-134, 3-157, 4-200. Extras (LB-3, W-7) ...... 10 the finish. leaving at the end of the sea- Bowling: Broad 4-0-25-1, Dernbach 4-0-50-1 Total (for 9 wkts in 20 overs) ...... 200 Bopara smashed seven sixes son,” Heerenveen said on their (1nb), Bresnan 4-0-40-0 (2w), Bopara 3-0-26- Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-44, 3-45, 4-51, 5-98, and two fours in his unbeaten website (www.sc-heerenveen. England’s 1 (1w), Briggs 4-0-53-0 (3w), Wright 1-0-18-1 6-100, 7-147, 8-162, 9-176. 65 off 27 balls but paceman nl). batsman Ravi (1nb). Bowling: Maxwell 3-0-30-1, Coulter-Nile 4-0- Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled the The club made several efforts Bopara plays ENGLAND 30-4, Hazlewood 4-0-46-0 (2w), Henriques Australians to victory with four to discuss a contract extension a shot against A Hales lbw Henriques...... 22 3-0-36-2, Muirhead 4-0-34-1 (1w), Christian for 30 off his four overs. with the 49-year-old former Australia during M Lumb c Lynn b Coulter-Nile ...... 9 2-0-21-0. the first cricket Joe Root scored 32 off 24 balls Netherlands striker, a three- T20 interna- and opener Alex Hales hit 22 off time European Footballer of 12 balls for the beaten tourists, Cameron White was named “It’s a nice feeling to be back the Year and later national team tional series who have only won one limited- man-of-the-match for his 75 off and it’s something I’ve worked coach. match in Hobart, over international on their hap- 43 balls as Australia set England hard for, to get the opportunity “In recent weeks, at the request yesterday. less tour of Australia. 214 to win. playing for Australia since I last of the club, there were several dis- Australia won the Ashes Test England’s previous highest T20 played,” White said. cussions held between club man- series 5-0 and the ODI series 4-1 run chase was 181 against India “England are a dangerous side agement and Marco van Basten before the three-game T20 series in 2012 so their 200 for nine was and they bat really deep in the about the possibility of extending began. their highest score in the format. order, and with the short bound- his contract. “Ravi’s performance was a posi- White, recalled by Australia for aries here at Bellerive the game “But he told the club he did not tive, but if you lose three wickets the first time since 2012, smashed was never really won. Ravi batted have the same feeling. The club in the first six overs you rarely six boundaries and four sixes to really well.” management regrets his decision win,” said England skipper Stuart set the platform for the home Finch hit three sixes and five but, at the same time, naturally Broad. side’s 213 for four after they won fours as the pair reached a cen- respects it,” the Heerenveen “We’ll reflect and consider the toss. tury partnership off 59 balls. statement added. changes, but I err on the side White put on 106 with opening He was caught in the deep in Van Basten signed a two-year of consistency and back these partner Aaron Finch (52 from 31) the 11th over, while it took the deal with the club in 2012. Last players to come back strong in as the Australians came out with most eventful over of the innings season they finished eighth and Melbourne.” all guns blazing. to claim White. AFP they are now fifth. AFP