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Wednesday 8 January 2014 7 Rabial I 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5938 Price: QR2

Oil above $107 Pakistan on US, Mideast hope sun and supply woes spinners shine

Business | 17 Sport | 25

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Premier meets Irish PM Chemical arms Kahramaa ‘powerless’ material shipped out of Syria DAMASCUS: The first ship- ment of chemical weapons to stop water wastage materials left Latakia port yes- terday under a deal to rid Syria of its chemical arsenal, the joint mission overseeing the disar- Inspectors need court order to enter homes mament said. A first quantity of priority DOHA: Public utility and not waste the precious part in the debate said the chemical materials was moved Kahramaa yesterday admitted utilities. House should propose to the from two sites to the port of that it was not able to effec- The official was speaking at authorities concerned that Latakia for verification and was tively implement a law that was the Central Municipal Council once a villa design has been then loaded onto a Danish com- issued a few years ago to help (CMC), which, at a regular approved no alterations should mercial vessel. check the wastage of water and session yesterday, was discuss- be allowed. The ship then sailed into inter- electricity by citizens because ing the issue of locals wasting The members said parti- national waters, eight days after its inspectors need a court water and electricity. tioned villas led to crowding in a December 31 deadline for the order to enter homes. Earlier, the vice-chairman of localities and put the families operation to begin was missed. Fahad bin Saud Al Hanzab, the CMC, Jassem bin Abdullah residing therein at a huge risk Escorted by Chinese, Danish, head of monitoring for the Al Malki, said while taking part due to the immense load put on Norwegian and Russian naval ves- campaign to rationalise the in the discussions that although electricity supplies, especially. sels, the ship will stand offshore use of water and electricity at the rationalisation law banned A third issue the public rep- until more chemicals arrive at Kahramaa, said: “We are doing the use of water for washing resentative body took up for Latakia and then return to col- all we can to help check the cars and watering lawns within discussion related to mush- lect them. waste of the precious utilities, homes, a large number of peo- rooming massage centres in See also page 6 but our inspectors are con- ple were continuing with these the country. strained by the fact that they practices and not respecting The CMC said it was the Obama to meet need a court order to enter a the law. responsibility of the Supreme home to check the waste”. “What we need is more inten- Council of Health to coor- lawmakers on Al Hanzab said since the sified monitoring of homes, dinate with the Ministry law came into force in 2008, especially. These are precious of Municipality and Urban surveillance some 3,000 violations have utilities,” said Al Malki, hint- Planning and the Ministry of WASHINGTON: President been detected. He, however, ing that the law had failed to Economy and Commerce, to Barack Obama is stepping up gave no details of action taken achieve its goal. make sure that qualified physi- consultations with the intelli- against the violators. Water and The other issue the CMC otherapists were employed by gence community this week, as electricity are supplied free to raised related to large-scale these centres. he nears a final decision on rein- citizens. partitioning of villas to make The members said that to do ing in US spy agencies over mass “We are continuing with our small, makeshift, pigeonhole- the above, a separate law was phone-data sweeps. Obama will monitoring,” the official added, like residential units for lower needed that would frame rules meet lawmakers charged with hinting that his department and middle-income expatriate for massage centres and ensure overseeing US espionage agen- was helpless and could only families. their regular monitoring. The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser cies and top intelligence figures urge people to respect the law The CMC members taking THE PENINSULA bin Khalifa Al Thani met visiting Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny yes- as he prepares to unveil his plans terday and reviewed ties. See also page 17 in a speech to the American peo- ple, who have been spooked by the scope of surveillance. First dinosaurs Old Ghanem property sold for record price in region DOHA: A piece of real estate property puts Doha in league London ($42,000 to $46,000), can’t prevent steep price esca- About the QR230m property STOCKHOLM: An interna- covering an area of just 2,167 with global metropolises like Geneva ($29,000 to $32,000) and lations,” said real estate expert sale in Old Ghanem, whose basic tional team of paleontologists square metres in the city has London, Geneva and Singapore, Singapore ($25,000 to $28,000). Khalifa Al Mueslemani. details were part of the real has for the first time identified fetched its owner a record where real estate is third, fourth No GCC or Middle Eastern He said the Old Ghanem prop- estate registration details for last dinosaur species that lived in QR230m, with the rate per and fifth most expensive in the city, including Dubai, Makkah erty deal of QR230m concluded week posted on the justice min- the Arabian peninsula, Swedish square metre being QR106,000 world after Monaco and Hong and Abu Dhabi, find a place last week (December 29, 2013 to istry’s website, he said the land scientists said yesterday. ($29,100) — arguably, the high- Kong. among the top 10. January 2, 2014) should be con- could be used for hotel apart- The researchers found teeth est in the country so far. A quick look at real estate Although real estate prices are sidered one-off because there is ments or for a shopping complex. and bones dating from around 72 The property in question is prices at some of the above loca- not uniform, even in one area in hardly any land or property up “This is an area where prop- million years ago in the north- located in the Old Ghanem area, tions reveals that Monaco is the Doha, the way prices are zoom- for grabs in that area. erties meet most lucrative western part of the region, along near Bank Street in the heart of most expensive in the world, ing the day shouldn’t be far when “It’s a prime locality and the requirements investors look for. the coast of the Red Sea in what Doha, and has a large number of commanding a per square metre the city finds a place among the property is located in a busy People have money to buy such is today Saudi Arabia, Uppsala apartments. rate of $57,000 to $64,000. world’s top 10 cities where prop- commercial area. In this area, real estate but there is a serious University said in a statement. But, according to a real estate With property rates rang- erty is the most expensive. buildings are allowed to have 11 shortage,” he reiterated. The area is now a desert, but expert, the buyer would most ing from $49,000 to $54,000 “Yes, if the demand for land stories, so that must also have Al Muslemani said banks are at the time it was a beach on the likely demolish the buildings and per square metre, Hong Kong’s from cash-rich investors contin- been a factor in its high pric- also readily providing financing African coast. use the land for his own project. real estate market is the sec- ues to grow at today’s pace and ing,” Al Muslemani told this for real estate. See also page 16 The price offered for the above ond most expensive, followed by supplies remain as restricted, you newspaper. THE PENINSULA AGENCIES

Qatar triumph Parts of America Saudi may limit expats’ colder than Mars stay to eight years CHICAGO: A deadly chill had much of the United States and RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian However, expatriate profes- Canada in its grip yesterday, government is mulling over sionals whose degrees have been as a record-breaking cold snap proposals to expand the Nitaqat attested by Saudi authorities will brought temperatures lower system, a labour policy to create be exempted from the salary rule. than on the surface of Mars. jobs for its nationals, in its bid According to the draft law, a It was so cold in Chicago that to reduce the number of foreign Saudi worker who earns a salary the polar bear at the Lincoln Park workers and create more jobs of 4,000 Saudi riyals per month zoo — who admittedly had not with higher salaries for its citi- will account for a full national built up the winter fat stores of zens in the country. employee, while those who receive her wild cousins — was brought Under the proposed law, expa- 2,000 Saudi riyals a month will inside to warm up. triates in the country would be be treated as half a national All of Canada and all the able to stay a maximum of eight employee in the Nitaqat system. US states bar tropical Hawaii years and would be discouraged The ministry said an expatriate recorded temperatures below from bringing their families, Arab who has completed four years in freezing yesterday, even usually News reported on Monday. the lunar calendar will count for temperate Florida and California. Expatriate workers living in 1.5 points in the Nitaqat system. But the most dangerous cold the country with their wives and Those who have completed five — which can cause frostbite in a two children will be considered years will earn two points, while minute and death in a matter of as two foreign workers under the those working for six years will hours — hit the Midwest, dragged proposed system. earn 2.5 points, and those who down as the ‘polar vortex’ brought The couple will accumulate 1.5 have completed seven years will frigid air from the Arctic. points and will incur a quarter of earn three points at the start of The town of Embarrass, a point per child. eighth year since receiving their Minnesota recorded the lowest An expatriate receiving a sal- work permits. temperature in the United States The Qatar team, winner of the eighth West Asia Football Federation Championship, celebrates with the trophy ary of 6,000 Saudi riyals (about According to the new proposed at -37 Celsius. at Al Sadd Stadium in Doha yesterday. The hosts defeated Jordan 2-0 in the final. Boualem Khoukhi scored $1600) and more per month will law, three points are the maxi- AFP both goals. See also page 28 be equivalent to 1.5 points in the mum a foreign worker can earn. See also page 11 new system. IANS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Junior environmental filmmakers honoured Contest recognises schools’ efforts to highlight water conservation

DOHA: ConocoPhillips’ and Best Background Music Global Water Sustainability went to Micheal E Debakey High Centre honoured the win- School. ning schools for its first Junior Best Video Title went to Environmental Filmmakers Mesaieed International School Competition ‘Water, Camera, and Al Andalus School won Best Action!’ yesterday at the Four Actors award. All winning films Seasons Hotel. were screened at the ceremony. Seventeen schools in Doha The highlight of the event was participated in the competition, an interactive performance by and the top 12 were invited to the scientist, teacher and entertainer Awards ceremony. James Soper, known for his shows Ibn Khaldoun Preparatory about subjects that entertain stu- Independent School came in first dents’ imagination. place, followed by Omar Bin Al His shows have reached a quar- Khattab Preparatory School in ter of a million children over the second place and Awsaj Academy past few years. in third. Each winning school Soper performed a bespoke received a trophy and prizes that activity at the ceremony that Students and officials at the awards ceremony. would help students continue explored water using exciting their passion for creating films. demonstrations, multimedia and dedication put into each. “Water is a national priority in done a great job,” said Salem Al Each school had one month to Other schools were awarded help from students. “One of our main goals at Qatar and therefore the theme Halbadi, Director of Government prepare and edit a four-minute for their creativity and efforts to Frank Feghali, Vice-President ConocoPhillips is to raise aware- of the competition was water Affairs, ConocoPhillips. video highlighting water sustain- produce films. and Commercial Manager, ness about water conservation in conservation. Each participat- The Global Water Sustainability ability in Qatar. Park House English School ConocoPhillip, said, “We received Qatar, and what a better way to ing student has made a great Centre launched the contest last The top three films will be received the Best Creative 17 great films and I can honestly promote the cause than getting contribution to water conserva- September in 20 schools as part screened at Environmental Fair Concept award, Doha College was say that we were truly impressed school students actively partici- tion by so eagerly engaging with of its initiatives to promote water 2014. awarded Best Cinematography, by the amount of effort and pate in spreading this awareness.” the competition. And they have conservation in the country. THE PENINSULA

Education series to improve nurse-patient relationship

DOHA: Hamad Medical with communications skills “As a result of these educa- within the healthcare setting,” Corporation’s (HMC) to better understand patient tional sessions, inter-profes- Al Tamimi said. Rumailah Hospital has preferences. sional relations between staff The therapeutic educa- launched an education series “These sessions play a cru- have significantly improved tion series was recognised by to help nurses develop skills cial role in improving nurse- and the role of nurses in the HMC during the 2013 Stars of and professional mechanisms patient relationship as they care and management of their Excellence Awards with a Star to improve the nurse-patient teach nurses how to prioritise patients has become more of Excellence in the category of relationship. and outline patients’ clinical apparent. education. The driving force behind care and provide nurses with “Nurses are now able to The initiative was acknowl- implementation of the series, the appropriate communica- interact confidently with other edged for its contribution to which started in 2011, is to tion skills to empathise with disciplines; their goal is focused improving overall health serv- improve patient satisfaction patient preferences.” on their patients and their ice delivery, enhancing patient and promote a positive caring Ghaya Al Tamimi, Director communication skills are more experience and achieving experience through evidence– of Nursing at the hospital, said efficient in promoting positive HMC’s unifying goal of pro- based practice. the sessions had improved rela- and productive relationship viding the safest, most effective Jasmin Cherian of the hospi- tionship between nurses and with patients, their families and compassionate healthcare A nurse interacts with a patient at Rumailah Hospital. tal said the series equips nurses patients. and staff from other disciplines for patients. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Fifth falcon festival Cold, windy weather to continue DOHA: The cold and windy (in Al Ruwais) and 21 degrees four and eventually nine kilome- weather is here to stay for a (expected in Doha, Al Wakrah tres as the day progresses. while. and Mesaieed). The earlier part of the day The Weather Bureau said In Abdu Samra the noon- could be windy with the wind it’s going to be chilly and windy time temperature forecast is 19 speed (that could reach up to 20 opens in Sealine today again, with northwesterly degrees, whereas in Al Ruwais knots) gradually slowing down. wind from the icy European and Al Khor the maximum tem- Offshore, it is forecast to be regions continuing its spell. perature expected is 20 degrees. a partly cloudy weather with Night temperature in Al Khor The bureau has issued no strong winds and high seas at Hadad Challenge one of the most anticipated contests is likely to fall to 10 degrees warning for today but said it first. Celsius today, while in Doha, would be a windy and slightly The wind speed, that might DOHA: An exciting Hadad Al Wakrah, Mesaieed and Abu dusty day with a partly cloudy peak at 25 knots initially, would Challenge will mark the start Samra, the temperature forecast weather causing haze. gradually come down to between of the fifth Qatar International for tonight is a notch higher at “It would be cold by night,” eight and 15 knots. Falcon and Hunting Festival 11 degrees. said the forecast. The seas wouldn’t be as rough this afternoon at Sabkath Day temperature is likely Visibility is expected to be just as yesterday, said the bureau. Marmah in Sealine, organisers to vary between 18 degrees three kilometres, improving to THE PENINSULA announced yesterday. This category of the competi- tion is one of the biggest and most anticipated, with a huge number of participants, including first Qatar Rail office at Doha Municipality prize winners in Qatar and from neighbouring countries. Nasser Salah Al Ramzani, Vice- Chairman of the Hadad Challenge to provide hassle-free services committee, said the competition will be very challenging and thrill- DOHA: Aiming at providing ing compared with other catego- speedier and hassle-free services The office aims at ries because of the sheer number to people affected by the ongo- of participants. ing Doha Metro project, Qatar facilitating procedures He said the Hadad Challenge Rail has opened an office at the for developing properties has 16 groups which will compete Buildings Permit Compound at throughout the festival days. Doha Municipality. within Qatar Rail’s Each group includes more than The new office aims at facili- projects by establishing 30 participants and the first group This year’s festival has seen an increase in the number of participants. tating all procedures for devel- which will compete today has 35 oping properties located within effective coordination members. until the falcon owner arrives. all participants. The event starts Qatar Rail’s projects by estab- and easy access to the This year’s festival, he said, has Each category carries a cash at 1pm. lishing effective coordination and seen an increase in the number of prize of QR100,000. The owner of Under the patronage of Sheikh easy access to the Ministry of Ministry of Municipality participants from all age groups, the fastest falcon to hunt the dove Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the Municipality and Urban Planning, and Urban Planning. vying for the first prize. also gets a Lexus car. festival promotes falconry and said a press statement yesterday. This contest tests the shaheen Al Ramzani said the committee hunting as a sport and hobby and “Qatar Rail opened this office Engineer Hassan Ahmed Al applications of the properties’ falcon’s ability to hunt the dove is ready with regard to standards highlights an important facet of to facilitate work flow and save Marwani, Director of Permits at owners that are affected by the while in flight, after landing on and criteria of the competition Qatar’s heritage. time for people. Qatar Rail Metro project. the ground or to guard the prey which will be followed to satisfy THE PENINSULA “The office will provide people “Most applications are studied with services, explanations and and approved on the building per- answers to their queries, and without them taking the trouble mit compound”. facilitate procedures in relation of visiting the headquarters of In the coming period, Qatar with status and studies of the Qatar Rail.” Rail will grant tenders, includ- properties people want to develop Engineer Hassan Ahmed Al ing those for civil works for the and are located within the sites of Marwani, Director of Permits Doha Metro elevated and at grade MoUs signed with UK institutions Qatar Rail projects,” Saad Ahmed at Qatar Rail, said: “Since the lines; the metro systems and Al Muhanadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, opening of Qatar Rail Office at trains project management, the said. the buildings permit compound at Lusail Light Rail Transit, as well He said: “The office will facili- Doha Municipality last November, as for executing the first phase of to train Police College students tate services for citizens, resi- we have noticed positive results as the Long Distance Passenger and dents and investors, and provide it facilitated and speeded up the Freight Rail. DOHA: The Ministry of Interior has signed and the institutions. “We are working on finalising them with hassle-free services procedures of buildings permits THE PENINSULA MoUs with three leading military institutions in requirements for establishing the college from the the UK to provide practical training to students academic and scientific aspects,” Al Mal was quoted of the Police College being established in Qatar as saying. and implement its curriculum. During their four-year course, students will spend The MoUs were signed with Manchester the summer months in the UK for training at these Metropolitan University, Greater Manchester Police institutions. Training will start after the second year. and another reputable police college. Students will join the British college patrol team in General Dr Abdullah Yousuf Al Mal, legal consult- Manchester city and participate in football matches ant at the ministry, signed the MOUs on behalf of between Manchester United and other Manchester the college, at a ceremony attended by senior officials city clubs. and representatives of the three institutions. First year, the Manchester University will train The agreements aim at implementing the cur- students in English language and help develop their riculum of police science and teach English language skills in line with the requirements of the college. to students of the college, the Qatar News Agency The curriculum will integrate practical and theo- reported yesterday. retical aspects. Besides Qataris, the college will have Al Mal said the agreements marked the culmina- students from other Arab and GCC states. tion of year-long negotiations between the ministry THE PENINSULA

Participants in a previous camp organised by QRC. QRC to hold fifth disaster control camp DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent disaster management specialists. restoring family links. (QRC) will organise its fifth Rashid bin Saad Al Mohannadi, In the practical session, partici- disaster management camp Director of the camp, said the pants will be divided into evalua- from April 1 to 10 at Al Khor camp is effective not just at a tion and field coordination, health, marina scout camp. national level but regionally as water and sanitation, nutrition, The event is being held in training is held in the Arabic accommodation, registration, coordination with International language to engage the Qatari logistics and media teams. Federation of Red Cross and Red society and increase awareness By the end of the camp, they Crescent Societies, International of the importance of disaster will participate in a disaster Committee of the Red Cross, the preparedness. response drill to be held in coor- UN, GCC Secretariat General Training will cover theoretical dination with partners in Qatar. and governmental and non-gov- and practical aspects; the theo- QRC organised four camps in ernmental organisations in Qatar. retical section will focus on inter- 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2013 that The camp will have partici- national standards and concepts produced hundreds of volunteers pants from more than 20 national in disaster management such who were later instrumental in societies in the GCC and Middle as psychological support, inter- helping it respond to external dis- East and North Africa region and national humanitarian law, and asters. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Premier meets Palestinian Interior Minister Emir receives message from Djibouti’s President

The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday a written message from Djibouti’s President The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday Ismail Omar Guelleh on relations and issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Palestinian Interior Minister Said Abu Ali and reviewed cooperation. Al Attiyah received Guelleh’s Investment Affairs Adviser Fahmy Al Hajj who presented the message. Multi-storey parking Genetic variations found to facility planned for fight hereditary disorders HMC employees DOHA: There is a plan to build Hamad Hospital premises. WCMC study analyses the DNA of Qatar’s native population a multi-storey parking facility The Minister said there is a pro- exclusively for the staff of Hamad posal under consideration to build DOHA: A Weill Cornell Medical Corporation (HMC) to underground parking facilities at Medical College study that address severe parking short- the hospital premises in line with analysed the DNA of Qatar’s age at Hamad General Hospital new developments in the area. native population has discov- premises, the Central Municipal He said there is a need to reas- ered genetic variations that Council (CMC) was told. sess parking areas for visitors and could help doctors in interven- The facility will be located patients to meet growing demand. tions to reduce the prevalence between the Sports Roundabout Reacting to complaints about of a variety of debilitating and HMC’s Human Resources the increasing commodity prices hereditary disorders. Department building. in the country, the Minister said Researchers at Weill This was disclosed in a letter to the special committee set up by Cornell Medical College in the CMC Chairman, Saud Abdullah the Cabinet to monitor prices has Qatar (WCMC-Q) and Weill Al Hanzab, by the Minister of started identifying products (under Cornell Medical College New Municipality and Urban Planning its jurisdiction) and their prices. York (WCMC-NY), working H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin He said the Consumer Protection with colleagues from Cornell Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Department at the Ministry of University in Ithaca and Hamad according to Al Sharq. Economy and Commerce was ready Medical Corporation, identified The minister was responding to have a session with the CMC to 37 genetic variants in 33 genes to proposals put forward by CMC listen to its views and suggestions known to play causal roles in 36 related to the parking issue at the on the issue. THE PENINSULA diseases, including devastating conditions such as cystic fibro- sis, sickle cell anaemia and mus- cular dystrophy. 142 people agree to donate The study points the way to more comprehensive screening for inherited diseases, which Dr Ronald Crystal, Chairman of Genetic Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York and (RIGHT) Dr could significantly reduce their Khalid Fakhro, Postdoctoral Associate in Genetic Medicine at WCMC-Q. their organs after death incidence. DOHA: A 10-day awareness cam- donation stall occupied a considerable The project ‘Exome variations that cause diseases Qatari genome led by Dr Ronald for Qatar is that the structure paign on organ donation held space at the HMC pavilion. Sequencing Identifies Potential among the Qatari population. Crystal, Chairman of Genetic of society encourages a high by Hamad Medical Corporation It aimed at encouraging people to Risks Variants for Mendelian All conditions targeted Medicine at WCMC-NY. The degree of consanguineous mar- (HMC) in connection with National voluntarily register for organ dona- Disorders at High Prevalence in the study were so-called study has been accepted for riage, so the frequency of these Day celebrations had a positive tion after their death, the Qatar in Qatar’ sequenced the DNA ‘Mendelian diseases’. Named publication in the journal monogenic diseases is quite impact, with 142 participants News Agency reported yesterday. of 100 Qataris representing for Gregor Mendel, the 19th Human Mutation, appeared high.” agreeing to donate their organs Some 20,000 students from 16 three major ethnic subgroups century researcher regarded as online in December 2013 and Pre-marital counselling and after death. schools visited the HMC pavilion in of the country – the Bedouin the founder of genetic science, will be printed this month. screening is one method of HMC said 60 of the of donors were Darb El Saai and were briefed on the (termed Q1 for the purposes Mendelian diseases are caused Dr Crystal said, “There are decreasing the likelihood of chil- Qatari men and women. The cam- organ transplant campaign and given of the study), those of Persian- by a single mutated gene and about 3.2 billion letters that dren being born with monogenic paign was organised at Darb El Saai booklets on organ donation in Qatar. South Asian descent (Q2), and are also known as monogenic comprise the human genome diseases. from December 8 to 18. The organ QNA those of African descent (Q3). disorders. and about two percent of these Parents undergo screening By analysing their exomes — Dr Khalid Fakhro, letters form the code for the to see if either or both carry important sections of the DNA Postdoctoral Associate in actual proteins. This two per- genetic variations that cause containing the code translated Genetic Medicine at WCMC-Q, cent is found in regions called disease before having children. into proteins — and comparing and Dr Juan L Rodriguez- exomes. The individuals that carry the them to the genetic data of the Flores of WCMC-NY, were “A Mendelian or monogenic disorder do not necessarily have participants in the worldwide co-lead principal investigators disease is caused by a change in the conditions, but may carry 1000 Genomes Project (1000G), for the study, which is part a single letter out of the 3.2bn. them on recessive genes. the researchers identified of projects investigating the “The reason this is relevant THE PENINSULA QNB Group foresees slowdown in rentals over next six months DOHA: Falling land prices in Qatar might keep Ministry of Justice, noted yesterday that the economy. a lid on the rental inflation. the cost of land had fallen in the last six The research note said the number The QNB Group that analyses land transaction months. of people in Qatar grew by 11.4 percent data based on weekly statistics published by the According to the Group, the funda- year-on-year in December 2013 to reach mental driver for real estate prices is 2.05 milllion. the cost of land. Population growth in recent months The drop in land prices since July 2013 has been driven up by the large ramp-up is a leading indicator for rental inflation in infrastructure spending in prepara- six months ahead. tion for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The increase in rents is therefore QNB estimates an average growth in likely to slow over the next six months. the resident population of 10.9 percent There is already evidence of this as for 2013. annual rental inflation slowed to 5.6 The larger population will lead to percent in November 2013 from 6.7 per- higher economic growth by boosting cent in August 2013, the Group’s Qatar aggregate demand and investment in monthly economic monitor for January housing and services. 2014 said. The report said Qatar’s international The Group expects further pick-up reserves rose to their highest level in in population growth to drive consumer six months in November 2013, up $6.4bn demand, leading to a rise in non-rent since end-2012 to stand at $39.6bn. inflation. The reserves have been steadily rising Planned heavy investments in major over the years on large current-account projects in 2014 are likely to accelerate surpluses. economic growth, which could lead to Going forward, QNB Group expects supply bottlenecks pushing up prices. the reserves to continue rising gradu- The strong inflow of expatriates ally for the remainder of this year and needed to work on projects is likely to in 2015. increase demand pressures throughout THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Katara to host Chinese Cultural HMC to launch two new diplomas Festival tomorrow

DOHA: Katara launches the Auditory Verbal Therapy and Vestibular Rehabilitation programmes are rare specialities Chinese Cultural Festival tomorrow, featuring tradi- DOHA: Hamad Medical tional dragon and lion dances, Corporation’s (HMC) Audiology concerts, acrobatics shows and and Balance Unit will launch an art exhibition. two new study programmes this The three-day festival is being year. organised in collaboration with Rare specialities — Diploma the Chinese Ministry of Culture in Auditory Verbal Therapy and the Chinese Embassy. It and Diploma in Vestibular opens at 8pm with an orchestra Rehabilitation — will be intro- performance at Katara Drama duced, said Dr Khalid Abdul Hadi, Theatre. Head of the unit. Prior to the opening, people “We are also in the process of can visit an art exhibition from expanding the unit as a special 10am in Building 16. There are centre for cochlear implant [a also a range of outdoor activities procedure that involves pre- and from 5pm, including traditional post-surgical implantation of an dances such as the famous lion electronic device that creates and dragon dances, tea cer- sense of sound for the deaf or emony and media expo. those who severely hard of hear- Katara General Manager, Dr ing] and vestibular rehabilitation Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, [a form of therapy to improve bal- expressed happiness to host the ance and inner ear performances] festival that reflects Chinese with state-of-the-art facilities,” culture and civilisation that has Dr Hadi said at the fourth gradu- inspired cultures around the ation ceremony of the Diploma in world. Clinical Audiology programme. He said the event comes with Of 20 students who enrolled in Clinical Audiology diploma graduates with officials at the ceremony. the role Katara plays in promot- the programme, 15 local and expat ing convergence of cultures and staff of HMC and healthcare pro- clinical audiology offered in Qatar Hospital and the University of equip graduates with the appro- million people around the world communication between peoples. fessionals from other Gulf coun- is part of the Qatari-Canadian Toronto, Canada. priate theoretical knowledge and with hearing loss. He said Katara has been tries, including eight Palestinian initiative, established in 2009 in The initiative aims at bring- clinical skills to recognise hearing “Globally, there is a signifi- organising cultural weeks for students sponsored by Qatar Red collaboration between HMC and ing Canadian expertise to train loss early on in a child’s life. cant shortage of health workers many Arab and foreign coun- Crescent, were recognised at the the International Continuing Qatar-based audiologists to Dr Sivakaran, Programme trained in hearing screening and tries, opening its doors to dif- ceremony. Health Education Collaborative, address the need for hearing Director from the University of rehabilitation.” ferent cultures of the world, and The one-year programme in a programme of Mount Sinai healthcare in the country and Toronto, said, “There are over 300 THE PENINSULA is now hosting one of the oldest cultures and civilisations in the world. “We wish that the audience and visitors will find joy and contentment in the coming days, Irish firm wins contracts for three projects Real estate deals worth as culture is the strongest link connecting people to each other, DOHA: International architectural for Qatar Airways Crew Accommodation Managing Director, KCC Architectural. over QR837m registered and makes them interact with product specialist KCC Architectural Village and Aspeter Hospital. Speaking in Doha during his trade confidence and optimism,” he has announced a multiple-contract Having established its Qatari opera- mission to Qatar, Irish Prime Minister DOHA: Real estate sales contracts between added. win with three projects in Doha. tions in November 2011, the Irish con- Enda Kenny said: “The new contract December 29 and January 2 registered at The exhibition is open until It has been appointed to supply door struction specification company has wins are a clear statement of the con- the Ministry of justice were worth about Saturday from 10am to 10pm. hardware and access control solutions become recognised for handling large tinuing success of KCC Architectural QR837,734,184. Outdoor activities will be to the Kempinski Hotel, Lusail Multi- projects, while providing professional since opening its office in Doha. The Real Estate Registration Department at held opposite Building 16 from Purpose Sports Hall and Al Sadd Sports specification, supply and installation Speaking on the mission, the Irish the ministry said in its weekly report that prop- 5pm to 10pm, while visitors can Stadium. services. Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, erties included open plots of land, two-floor villas, watch acrobatic shows and the The announcement was made dur- “We anticipate that these projects will said: “This announcement by KCC annexes, houses and residential buildings. Chengdu group from 8pm to ing the Enterprise Ireland Trade and have a very positive impact on our order Architectural is very welcome and shows These were in Umm Salal, Al Khor, Doha, Al 10pm at Drama Theatre. Investment Mission to Qatar. The con- bank for 2014, leading to the employment what is possible for Irish companies in Rayyan, Al Shamal, Al Daayen and Al Wakrah, THE PENINSULA tracts follow two high-profile projects in of more staff in the Middle East and in this region. the report said. Doha that have recently been completed our Dublin office,” said Chris Kilpatrick, THE PENINSULA QNA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Syria ships out first batch of chemical arms People have decided Assad should run in elections: Minister; Britain accepts 1,500 refugees

DAMASCUSS/BEIRUT: a December 31 deadline for the political order in Syria has been participating in the Geneva talks. Syria has moved the first batch removal of the most deadly tox- a stumbling block to bringing “If we get invited officially then of chemical weapon materials ins from Syria. The OPCW did both sides to a peace conference we will take part at the meeting,” out of the country after trans- not say what percentage of the scheduled to be held in Geneva on he said during a meeting with porting it from two sites to the “most critical” chemicals, includ- January 22. visiting Syrian deputy Foreign port city of Latakia and onto a ing around 20 tonnes of mustard The opposition, represented by Minister Faisal Al Meqdad, Danish vessel, the international nerve agent, were on the Danish a Western-backed coalition, has according to the report. chemical weapons watchdog vessel. demanded that the conference Britain has granted asylum said yesterday. The Syrian government is aim to remove Assad from power, to around 1,500 Syrians fleeing “The vessel has been accompa- responsible for the safe packaging, while Damascus has insisted that the brutal conflict in the last nied by naval escorts provided by transport along roads to Latakia - he stay. year, Deputy Prime Minister Denmark and Norway, as well as including the main highway from In a televised press confer- Nick Clegg revealed yesterday, the Syrian Arab Republic,” the the capital where rebels are still ence, Information Minister as rights groups and even anti- Organisation for the Prohibition active - and removal of chemical Omran Zoabi said Assad’s deci- immigration politicians urged of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) weapons. sion was personal and had not action over the refugee crisis. said in a statement. “It will Meanwhile, Syria’s been announced yet, but that the The British government has remain at sea awaiting the arrival Information Minister said yes- “Syrian street” wanted him to defended its policy of focusing of additional priority chemical terday the people have decided run. on giving aid to help more than materials at the port.” President Bashar Al Assad Last month, a Russian diplomat 2.35 million refugees caught up Syria agreed to abandon its should be nominated for another signalled Assad should refrain in the civil war, rather than offer- chemical weapons by June under term and would pressure him to from statements suggesting he ing a comprehensive resettlement a deal proposed by Russia and stand in elections this year. might seek re-election because programme. hashed out with the United The comments were the it could fuel tension before the But Clegg appeared to surprise States after an August 21 sarin strongest indication yet that planned peace talks. Moscow has opposition politicians when he gas attack that Western nations Assad intends to extend his rule been a vital ally to the Syrian told parliament that Britain had blamed on President Bashar Al and are sure to anger opposition president. in fact given asylum to some 1,500 Assad’s forces. Damascus blames politicians and fighters who have Yesterday, Iranian media Syrian refugees since January rebels for the attack. been waging a nearly three-year reported that Foreign Minister 2013. “We have accepted about A man carries a baby who survived an airstrike by forces loyal to Syrian War, bad weather, bureauc- struggle to end his rule. Javad Zarif said Iran would not 1,500 asylum seekers,” he said. President Bashar Al Assad in the Duma neighbourhood of Damascus, racy and technical issues delayed Assad’s status in any future accept any preconditions for AGENCIES yesterday.

Fallujah assault delayed as 29 South Sudan rejects killed in Ramadi call to free rebels to RAMADI: Iraqi troops will delay assaulting the militant- held city of Fallujah, an officer help end fighting said yesterday, citing fear of civilian casualties, as fighting and missile strikes in nearby ADDIS ABABA/JUBA: South plot. The rebels had initially Ramadi killed 29 people. Sudan rejected rebel calls for an demanded their release before Parts of Ramadi — the capital of immediate release of detainees the negotiations. Anbar province, west of Baghdad after the two sides met briefly South Sudan’s government — and all of Fallujah have been for the first time yesterday chief negotiator, Nhial Deng outside government control since seeking to end fighting that has Nhial, told a press conference in last week. left the world’s newest state on Juba that Kiir made it clear to It is the first time militants the brink of civil war. a visiting team of east African have exercised such open control “They are destroying the whole envoys that the detainees would in major cities since the height of process,” Yohanis Musa Pauk, not be released immediately. the insurgency that followed the spokesman for the rebel delega- Kiir told the visitors that he 2003 US-led invasion. tion loyal to former vice president would be happy to set the detain- “It is not possible to assault Riek Machar said in Addis Ababa ees free as long as the requisite (Fallujah) now” over concerns Head of the Iran-Britain friendship group at the parliament Abas Ali Mansouri (right) welcomes a British parliamentary where the talks are being held. legal processes have taken place, about civilian casualties, defence delegation headed by former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw (second right) at the parliament office in Tehran “But we will not leave (the Nhial said, without elaborating. ministry spokesman Staff yesterday. talks). We still have hope that Juba has maintained that the Lieutenant General Mohammed they will come to their senses,” he detainees will be investigated and Al Askari said. said after the government refused those found culpable will face the Attacking the Sunni-majority a key rebel demand for the release due process of the law. city would also be extremely polit- British MPs in Iran to boost ties of 11 detained politicians allied to A diplomat close to the talks ically sensitive, as it would inflame Machar. Meetings in neighbour- said the envoys were from the already high tensions between ANKARA: A British par- non-resident charge d’affaires signalled detente on the thorny ing Ethiopia are aimed at broker- Intergovernmental Authority on the Sunni Arab minority and the liamentary delegation led by made Britain’s first diplomatic issue of Iran’s sensitive nuclear ing a ceasefire to halt three weeks Development (IGAD), a regional Shia-led government. former foreign secretary Jack visit to Iran since London down- programme; six world powers of violence that has killed at least grouping of east African nations It would also be a major test for Straw met Iranian Foreign graded ties after hardliners including Britain agreed an out- 1,000 people and driven 200,000 that initiated the talks. The trio of Iraqi security forces, which have Minister Javad Zarif yesterday stormed its embassy in 2011. The line deal in November that will from their homes. The fighting, envoys is led by Seyoum Mesfin, a yet to undertake such a major at the start of the first such two countries’ respective embas- curb the programme in return for often along ethnic faultlines, former Ethiopian foreign minister, operation without the backing of visit in years, Iranian state tel- sies remain closed, however. an easing of economic sanctions. has pitted President Salva Kiir’s the diplomat said. Yesterday’s brief American troops. evision reported. Iranian media said the delega- The other members of the SPLA government forces against meeting between government and Overnight, security forces and Long-strained ties between the tion would also meet parliamen- British delegation are former the rebels loyal to Machar. rebel delegations in Addis Ababa allied tribesmen sought to retake two countries have warmed since tary speaker Ali Larijani and the finance minister Norman Lamont, The talks opened yesterday- was the first face-to-face session, south Ramadi from fighters loyal the relatively moderate Hassan head of the parliament’s National Conservative member of parlia- but quickly took a break for after a formal opening ceremony to Al Qaeda-linked group the Rouhani was elected Iran’s presi- Security and Foreign Policy ment Ben Wallace and Labour consultations in Juba about the on Saturday, due to delays caused Islamic State of Iraq and the dent in June. Committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi. lawmaker Jeremy Corbyn. fate of the 11 detainees, arrested by haggling over the detainees. Levant, but the assault failed. In December, a new Rouhani’s election has also REUTERS last year over an alleged coup REUTERS Tunisia Islamists set to resign after Tunisian doctors protest deal on poll body Israel casts doubt on 9-month TUNIS: Tunisia’s ruling Islamists are preparing to resign target for Palestinian deal in the next few days to make way for a caretaker cabinet once government and opposition par- JERUSALEM: Israel’s defence the future of Palestinian refugees region, Kerry said the two sides ties agree on the makeup of an minister said yesterday wide and the status of Jerusalem — with were making progress but there electoral commission, mediators gaps remain in peace talks details to be filled in later. Before was still a chance no accord would said on Tuesday. with the Palestinians after US wrapping up his 10th visit to the be reached. REUTERS Three years after its uprising Secretary of State John Kerry’s ousted veteran autocratic presi- latest visit and he cast doubt dent Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, over the chances of reaching a Tunisia is in the final stages of final accord by an April target. Palestinian villagers detain, its transition to full democracy Negotiations on Palestinian after months of deadlock between statehood resumed in July after beat alleged settler assailants Islamist and secular parties. a three-year halt, with a nine- Late last year, after a political month target set for a permanent QUSRA, WEST BANK: Palestinian villagers yesterday crisis erupted, the ruling Islamist peace agreement, amid deep scep- detained and beat up a group of Israeli settlers before freeing party Ennahda agreed to hand ticism a deal could be achieved to them, accusing the group of having thrown rocks at farmers over power to a caretaker govern- end the decades-old conflict. tending their fields in the occupied West Bank. ment once a new constitution was “We are attempting to achieve The incident added to simmering tensions between Israeli settlers complete, an election committee a framework for a continuation of and Palestinian villagers in the West Bank with the United States named and a date for elections set. negotiations for a period exceed- struggling to usher forward peace talks that resumed in July after Tunisia’s national assembly last ing the nine months in which a three-year halt. The Israelis, who appeared to be aged between week began voting on the final some thought that we would be 15 and 30, were detained in an uninhabited house on the outskirts parts of the new constitution, and able to reach a permanent agree- of the Palestinian village of Qusra after what Palestinians said was parties on Tuesday were working ment,” Defence Minister Moshe a settler assault on local farmers. out disagreements over composi- Yaalon told reporters. tion of the election commission “It is clear there are big gaps Asylum seekers in third day of protests to oversee a vote later this year. — they are not new — but it is The uneasy compromise definitely in our interest to con- TEL AVIV: Thousands of African asylum seekers demonstrated between Ennahda and the secular tinue the talks,” he said in broad- in Tel Aviv yesterday for a third straight day of protests against opposition in Tunisia’s transition Tunisian doctors hold a national flag and a giant toothbrush shout- cast remarks, without defining the Israel’s immigration policies. Migrants, most of them from contrasts with instability affecting ing anti-government slogans outside the headquarters of the National differences. The United States is Eritrea and Sudan, held banners reading “We are refugees” and Libya, Egypt and Yemen, who also Constituent Assembly in Tunis yesterday against a draft bill that aims trying to broker a “framework” of “No more prison” as they marched on Western embassies and the ousted leaders in the 2011 Arab at forcing them to work in rural areas. general guidelines — addressing offices of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). REUTERS Spring. AFP/REUTERS core issues such as borders, security, WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Turkey clears army over deadly Turkey sacks attack on Kurds

ISTANBUL: Turkish military prosecutors yesterday cleared hundreds of five army officers accused of perpetrating a botched air strike on Kurds in 2011 that killed dozens of people includ- ing children. But the ruling was immediately denounced by police chiefs Kurdish groups and representa- tives of the victims’ families as unacceptable. In December 2011, Move comes amid graft scandal Turkish fighter jets bombed the town of Uludere on the Iraq bor- ANKARA: The Turkish gov- the country, including the power- der, killing 34 smugglers includ- ernment has fired 350 police ful Istanbul police chief. ing 19 children in an attack officers in Ankara, local media Erdogan’s critics accuse him Kurdish politicians described as reported yesterday, the lat- of desperately trying to protect a “massacre” of civilians. est twist in a vast corruption his cronies, and the appointment scandal that has ensnared key of Selami Altinok, a little-known allies of Prime Minister Recep governor with no background in Gas leak caused Tayyip Erdogan. police work, as Istanbul’s new The officers were sacked by a police chief was further seen as balloon crash government decree published at an attempt to shut down the midnight and included chiefs of investigation. CAIRO: A fiery hot air balloon the financial crimes, anti-smug- With the latest round of dis- crash in Egypt last year that gling, cyber crime and organised missals, the total number of police killed 19 tourists was probably crime units, the private Dogan officers removed from their posts caused by a gas leak, an official News Agency reported. has risen to 560 in Ankara alone, Egyptian report released yes- Turkish riot policemen stand guard during a demonstration in Istanbul yesterday. The government dismissed 350 The move comes as the gov- according to media reports. terday. The accident took place ernment is trying to contain the Prominent prosecutor police officers in the capital following an anti-corruption probe which the PM says is targeting his government. on the morning February 26, massive political fallout from Muammer Akkas was also barred soon after the balloon lifted off the graft probe that has become last month from expanding the carrying out further arrests, NTV involvement in the controver- The company, one of those in the southern city of Luxor. A the biggest threat to Erdogan’s investigation — which could also television reported. sial inquiry. His followers were targeted in the graft probe, said fact-finding committee found the 11-year rule ahead of local elec- reportedly target Erdogan’s son The corruption crisis erupted key backers of the AKP when it its Dubai office had covered the “likely cause was a gas leak in the tions in March. Bilal — over allegations he leaked on December 17 when police came to power in 2002 but ten- expenses but the prosecutor upper section of the hose... near The turmoil has added to pres- information to the media. arrested dozens of people includ- sions emerged over last year’s Zekeriya Oz said he paid the bill the burner”, the report said. sures on the already volatile econ- The probe has thrown the spot- ing sons of former ministers and anti-government protests and himself. omy, with the national currency light on a bitter feud between the chief executive of Turkey’s government plans to shut down The Ergenekon trial saw scores plunging to all-time lows as inves- Erdogan’s government and follow- state-run Halkbank. a network of private schools run of army officers including former Iran foreign minister tors become spooked. ers of influential Muslim scholar They are suspected of numer- by the Gulen movement. Erdogan chief of staff Ilker Basbug jailed Erdogan has branded the Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in ous offences including bribery for said on Sunday he would favour on charges of attempting to top- Zarif to visit Beirut investigation a “dirty” plot to try US exile since 1999. construction projects and illicit retrials for hundreds of military ple Erdogan’s Islamic-leaning to topple his government, blaming The so-called Gulenists — once money transfers to sanctions-hit officers jailed for alleged coups government. The graft probe has BEIRUT: Iranian Foreign supporters of a powerful exiled staunch supporters of Erdogan’s Iran. Police have conducted further plots against his government, a also exposed bitter fault lines in Minister Mohammad Javad cleric who wields considerable Justice and Development Party raids in five cities and detained 25 stance interpreted as a bid to Erdogan’s traditional power base Zarif will visit Beirut on influence in the judiciary. (AKP) — hold key positions in people on suspicion of bribery and win army support against Gulen’s and prompted calls from both Monday amid an inquiry into Dozens of leading businessmen various government branches fraud in tenders for construction Hizmet (Service) movement. his own party and the opposition November’s deadly blast at his and political figures — including including the police and judiciary. projects, including civil servants Pro-government media claimed for the resignation of the entire country’s embassy, the Lebanese the sons of three ministers — Turkey’s Supreme Board of from the Turkish rail authority at the weekend that an Istanbul government. foreign ministry said. “Mr Zarif were rounded up in a massive Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), TCDD and the western port of prosecutor in charge of the so- The European Union, which will arrive on a one-day visit, to sweep in Ankara and Istanbul in which appoints senior members Izmir, local media said. called “Ergenekon” trial against Turkey has long sought to join, meet Lebanese officials and dis- December. of the judiciary, decided yester- Erdogan has vowed to battle “a the military had a $35,000 vaca- has urged the authorities to cuss the inquiry into the attack The once-unassailable Turkish day to investigate allegations state within a state”, apparently tion at a five-star Dubai hotel address the graft allegations in on Iran’s embassy and the Majid strongman responded by sacking that the new Istanbul police chief referring to Gulenists in the state paid for by a Turkish construc- an “impartial manner”. Al Majid issue,” a ministry hundreds of police officials across was blocking prosecutors from apparatus. Gulen has denied any tion company. AFP source said. AGENCIES Yemeni colonel shot dead

ADEN: Gunmen shot dead an army colonel and a car bomb injured a senior intelligence officer in Yemen’s main port city of Aden yesterday, a secu- rity official said. Yemen’s armed forces are fight- ing against an Islamist insurgency across southern Yemen after mili- tants took advantage of political chaos during the “Arab Spring” in 2011 to seize control of several towns. Western governments see Yemen’s stability as vital for international security because of the country’s location next to main oil exporter Saudi Arabia and alongside important crude shipment routes. They fear a further descent into The vehicle of a Yemeni intelligence officer that was destroyed by a blast chaos as the country attempts from an explosive device in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden, yesterday. to unite opposing regional and political factions may create more space for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Ministry in which more than 50 before fleeing. The intelligence Peninsula to operate. people were killed last month. officer, Colonel Saleh Al Qadhi Yemen’s Al Qaeda wing last The gunmen in a pickup was driving between two main week claimed responsibility for a truck attacked Colonel Mubarak districts in Aden when a parked suicide attack on a police head- Lashram, an official in military vehicle exploded, seriously injur- quarters, and an offshoot claimed supplies department, killing him ing him, the security official said. an assault on Yemen’s Defence and badly injuring another soldier, REUTERS

New woman minister Libya MPs fail to agree on govt censure motion TRIPOLI: Libya’s General National Congress yes- terday failed to agree on what action to take about the embattled government of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, a member said. His administration has been under fire for failing to tackle security problems and end an oil crisis that has dragged on for months after protesters shut key terminals, accusing the authorities of corruption. “The political groups that met yesterday did not reach a consensus to bring the government down,” Asma Sriba, a member of the GNC, the country’s high- est political authority said. “Tomorrow (Wednesday) the coordinators of the political groupings will meet again to try to reach a common view on wide-reaching reforms concerning not only the government but also the congress,” she said. On December 29, dozens of protesters calling for Zeidan’s resignation blockaded the premier’s office and foreign, agriculture and telecommunications ministries in Tripoli for several hours. The newly appointed Labour and Planning Minister Dozens of demonstrators also gathered outside the Hind Al Sabeeh attending a session at Kuwait’s GNC building yesterday and tried to stop lawmakers National Assembly in Kuwait City yesterday. from leaving until they had withdrawn confidence in the government. AFP WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Police purge Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HE summary dismissal of 350 police officers in Turkey by a government decree has complicated the crisis rocking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Tgovernment. The administration has been lashed by a corruption scandal that has shaken the foundations of his Kerry is right: US troops in Iraq administration as members of his government were found bogged by the graft mire. Erdogan was forced to rejig his cabinet recently after three ministers resigned following the wouldn’t have stopped Al Qaeda arrest of their sons. The AKP leader, largely considered conservative, has BY MICHAEL BOYLE the war across borders, in the hopes of opportunity for Al Qaeda to re-establish since last year found himself to be at the receiving end of creating a greater sectarian Sunni state itself in those regions as a champion of public outrage since huge protests erupted in Istanbul last N SUNDAY, Republican comprised of parts of Iraq and Syria. their cause. year. The Rezi Park demonstrations became the leitmotif Senators John McCain and Due to their activities, 2013 was The question that McCain and of an increasingly dissatisfied youth, a phenomenon which Lindsay Graham blasted the among the bloodiest years on record for Graham raise is whether a US troop underscored the fact that the economic success achieved by OObama administration for Iraq, with 8,868 Iraqis (including both presence would have restrained Maliki Turkey did not preclude the longing for greater freedom. The the return of Al Qaeda to Iraq, arguing civilians and security forces) killed in and prevented the Sunnis from becom- that the withdrawal of US troops in 2011 that year alone. If Syria had not col- ing as disenfranchised as they are park protests were seen as an extension of what was going on created a power vacuum that would be lapsed into chaos and civil war – a fact today. The evidence does not support in the larger Middle East — a movement to replace autocratic “filled with America’s enemies”. They unrelated to the number of US troops this argument: Maliki’s authoritarian rulers with elected governments. claim that if the US had maintained on bases in a neighboring state – it streak was in evidence before US with- The decree to remove the police officers and reassign others even a small military presence in Iraq, is unlikely that Al Qaeda would have drawal in 2011, and there is no evidence to traffic and other less significant positions is being seen as the Al Qaeda would never have gained a mounted such a comeback.The terror- that a token presence of trainers and government’s way of getting even with people involved in the foothold in the western regions of Iraq ist group would have remained a resid- Special Forces would have conveyed and reclaimed Fallujah. It is Obama’s ual force in Iraq, capable of gruesome any additional leverage to American corruption inquiry. abdication of leadership, in their tired attacks, but incapable of threatening to officials in their dealing with Maliki. It The graft scandal brought to light alleged bribery in the Churchillian worldview, that produced grab control of Iraqi territory. is more likely that a larger US pres- allocation of public tenders including controversial building the chaos in Iraq today. Second, the return of Al Qaeda is ence in Iraq would have been seen by projects in Istanbul. This argument reflects a gross sim- a direct function of the increasing Sunnis as an attempt to backstop a Shia Turkey’s removal The current crisis in Turkey has plification of the problem that Iraq authoritarianism of Prime Minister dominated government hostile to their currently faces. Nouri Al Maliki’s government and his interests. With only a small number of a muti-faceted character. The army, of 350 police The resurgence short-sighted marginalization of the troops present, the US would have been officers by a kept confined to its barracks for of Al Qaeda in Sunnis. While Maliki has always been a bystander to Iraq’s authoritarian drift the last few years, may have been Iraq is a product a sectarian figure with suspected links and may have been implicated in this government itching to make its present felt, While Maliki has of two dynamics, to Iran, his authoritarian streak has new sectarian contest as the under- decree undercuts howsoever meekly. neither of which only gotten worse in recent years, as writer of Maliki’s power. It is believed that Erdogan’s always been a is a direct con- he has regularly charged critics of the Moreover, the argument that McCain the process sequence of the government, including prominent offi- and Graham offer overlooks one basic travails emerge from a feud with sectarian figure of democratic absence of US cials, with terrorism. The recent crisis fact: that in an occupation, the occu- Fethullah Gulen, an influential with suspected troops. First, Al was generated by the arrest of promi- pier is often so dependent on the local consolidation of Islamic scholar living in self- Qaeda in Iraq nent Iraqi parliamentarian Ahmed Al government that it can extract little, if links to Iran, his the country. imposed exile in the US. The Gulen has been rescued Alwani on terrorism charges. Iraqi secu- anything, when dealing with them. For movement is devoid of a strong authoritarian streak from near stra- rity forces stormed the home of Alwani, an example of this dynamic, one must structural network but its followers tegic collapse who was known for backing Sunni anti- only look at US efforts to get Hamid has only gotten by the progress government protests, in a bloody inci- Karzai to say yes to anything it wants in command a strong influence and are said to number in millions. worse in recent of Syria’s bru- dent which killed six people, including Afghanistan. After 12 years of fighting, Erdogan has gone on record to say that the judiciary is years, as he has tal civil war. As his brother. and trillions wasted in that country, it out to launch a smear campaign against his government. the war dragged The problem with this attempted is obvious to everyone but McCain and Gulen’s followers are said to be strong in the judiciary and regularly charged on, the incho- arrest – and dozens before this, includ- Graham that the US is more dependent administration. critics of the ate rebel opposi- ing former Vice President Tariq Al on Karzai than he is on them. Missing tion to Bashar Al Hashemi – is that they represent an this point – and rehashing fantasies in After the scandal broke out on December 17, the Turkish government, with Assad has become effort by Maliki to use the charge of which every war is America’s to win, army has tried to assert itself. The generals have asked for the terrorism. increasingly led “terrorism” to eliminate his enemies. and no occupation can ever end – is an retrial of hundreds of officers jailed for plotting a coup against by the jihadi Over time, successive arrests of crit- indulgence that the US can no longer the government. Though the Turkish Army — an assertively forces sympa- ics of the government, and the heavy- afford. secular establishment — and Erdogan were sworn enemies, the thetic to the gen- handed behavior of the Shia-dominated The Obama administration (most crisis apparently shows the two sides coming closer. eral worldview of Al Qaeda. security forces, has inflamed sectarian notably Secretary of State John Kerry) In the eastern regions of Syria, one tensions and convinced more of the is right to refuse to deploy ground troops Erdogan’s troubles — from the Rezi Park protests to the of these prominent jihadi forces, the Sunnis to see the Maliki regime as a in this new round of fighting against Al corruption scandal — are a sign of certain weak links inside Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis), hostile force. Maliki has hardly helped Qaeda. This is a multi-faceted, cross- the government. The situation shows that Turkey’s democracy has become an incubator of terrorist matters by ignoring or repressing pro- border war with militias fighting on has not matured to an extent where institutions of the state violence within Iraq, sending dozens of tests against his government’s policies. both sides; it is ultimately the job of the evolve to find themselves deeply entrenched in the system of suicide bombers into the country and This pattern of politicised arrests has Iraqi government to defeat Al Qaeda government so that it is hard to shake them • turning the entire cross-border region reinforced the sense of political margin- and to restore its legitimacy. into a battlefield. Its goal is to spread alization among Sunnis, and provided an THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Pardon to Snowden the day EWSPAPERS in the United based on Snowden’s leaks, said: of public importance, which were pre- in the US’ interests, as it would only States and Britain on “We hope that calm heads within the viously hidden, or, worse, dishonestly ensure his lasting fame and further Thursday simultaneously present administration are working on concealed. tarnish the US’ public image. In a Npushed the Barack a strategy to allow Mr Snowden to The young American has revealed Christmas message, Snowden called Obama administration to give the return to the US with dignity, and the US malpractices that encroach upon for an end to the US surveillance. whistleblower Edward Snowden a president to use his executive powers the rights of both states and individu- He spoke for people around the The unemployed are pardon. to treat him humanely and in a manner als. His leaks about the insidious and world, especially those victimized not lazy, they are not With Snowden, the former US that would be a shining example about pervasive US surveillance practices by the US surveillance program. In National Security Agency contrac- the value of whistleblowers and of free have prompted countries around the fact, showing leniency to Snowden is lacking in motivation, tor, already being deemed a hero by speech itself.” world to pay unprecedented attention only the first step Washington should they are coping with many in the world arena, offering him Indeed, if the United States wants to enhancing information security as take. clemency would also cater to the US’ to continue with its self-proclaimed an important part of national security. The US still owes the world, its own the aftermath of the interests as it could help mitigate the role as a beacon of democracy and a Given the magnitude of Snowden’s citizens included, an honest account damage done to the US’ image by champion of human rights, it should leaks last year, what he has revealed of its notorious spying programs and worst economic crisis Snowden’s leaks. set an example in respecting and pro- so far may be only the tip of the a solemn pledge that it will increase in generations. An editorial in The Guardian, the first tecting individual rights and privacy. iceberg. But to continue to hound transparency. Barack Obama newspaper that published information Snowden has raised serious issues Snowden as a criminal would not be China Daily US President WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 The perfect storm brewing in Beirut Hariri’s assassination, the failure of Sunni elites to fill the leadership vacuum, the rise of Hezbollah and Assad’s crackdown on the predominantly Sunni opposition have fundamentally changed the dynamics of Sunni political participation and activism.

BY PATRICIO ASFURA-HEIM in the country but now increasingly seen and CHRISTOPHER STEINITZ as a pawn in sectarian politics. Historically, the Sunni community in s the conflict in Syria spills Lebanon has had difficulty mobilising across the border into militarily. Although the country’s other Lebanon, sectarian violence sects have produced militias to protect there has risen to levels their communities’ interests, the Sunnis unseen in recent years. A have been hampered by the absence of a Acar bomb exploded in Beirut’s Hezbollah- dominant party capable of unifying and controlled suburbs on Jan 2, killing at rallying their sect. Instead, Sunni mili- least five people and wounding dozens tancy in Lebanon has traditionally been more. It was just the latest attack in driven by groups with roots in the refugee a shadow war between Sunni and Shia Palestinian communities and the inter- factions that now risks spiralling out of national Salafi-jihadi movement. These control: Less than a week earlier, a top groups, which have carried out most of adviser to an anti-Assad former prime the attacks against Hezbollah and Assad minister was killed in downtown Beirut; supporters so far, have failed to garner in November, a double suicide bombing significant popular support. People gather at the site of an explosion in a Hezbollah stronghold in the suburb of Beirut on Thursday. targeted the Iranian embassy in Lebanon. However, the political, social and mil- The most recent car bombing, as well itary dynamics affecting mainstream In recent years, numerous Islamist growing cross-border cooperation Sunni political participation and activ- as the attack on the Iranian Embassy, Lebanese Sunnis suggests that their cal- groups -- which often receive funding between extremists, Jabhat Al Nusra, ism. The Syrian war has provided new appears to be the work of Sunni extrem- culus for large-scale militia building may from sympathetic networks in the Gulf the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group and dangerous opportunities for mili- ist groups, which are rapidly gaining be changing. The past decade has seen -- have gathered followers by speaking in Syria, has reportedly had a presence tancy: Lebanese Sunnis are now learn- strength across Lebanon. In a microcosm dramatic changes in the Sunni communi- to the concerns of the Sunni street. And in Lebanon since at least December 2012. ing to organise militarily, building bridges of the Syrian civil war, Lebanese Sunni ty’s standing vis-à-vis other confessional while there is growing support for Syrian The epicentre for Sunni militancy in with foreign militant groups, and gain- militants now regularly engage in vio- groups. Perhaps the most important has rebels among the mainstream Sunni com- Lebanon appears to be the northern city ing tactical experience on the battlefield. lent clashes with pro-Assad Shiite and been the failure of the Sunni political munity and its political elites, it has been of Tripoli. The city is the birthplace of Nearly a million refugees from Syria, who Alawite rivals in hotspots such as the cit- agenda following the 2005 assassination of the Salafist militants that have taken the the country’s Salafi movement and many are predominantly Sunnis, have drasti- ies of Saida and Tripoli, and the eastern former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The lead in actual fighting in Syria. The first young men from Sunni neighbourhoods cally altered Lebanon’s confessional Bekaa Valley. Sunni-dominated government that was Sunni rebel group fighting in Syria under have allegedly joined Jabhat Al Nusra, demographics. With the death toll climbing, fears are elected after his death was determined to a Lebanese commander -- and probably according to Lebanese security officials. Thus far, the fragmented nature of the mounting that the fighting could push the root out the vestiges of Syrian influence still the best known -- is Jund Al Sham Tripoli is also a one of the Lebanon’s most Sunni community and the reluctance of increasingly embattled Sunni community and end the militarisation of Hezbollah (“Soldiers of the Levant”). It operates in volatile sectarian fault lines, with Sunnis all parties to become ensnared in an open toward large-scale militia building. The -- but it was ultimately frustrated. The Homs under Khaled Mahmoud, a well- regularly clashing with the city’s small a military confrontation has prevented Lebanese Army recently arrested the government’s disastrous attempt to dis- known militant who fights under the nom Alawite community. civil war. However, as sectarian tensions Saudi leader of the Al Qaeda affiliate in mantle a Hezbollah-operated telecom- de guerre Abu Suleiman Al Muhajer. Over the last two years, the violence grow, the Sunni community may come Lebanon, which claimed responsibility for munications system in May 2008 led the Another Salafi group, led until recently has claimed hundreds of lives. to perceive the current conflict as an the Iranian Embassy attack -- but home- Shiite party to invade predominantly by firebrand Lebanese cleric Ahmad Al The perfect storm now appears to existential threat. In this case, leaders -- grown Sunni militants may be quick to Sunni neighbourhoods in Beirut, leaving Assir, is Kataib Al Muqawama Al Hurr be brewing in Lebanon. Hariri’s assas- moderates and extremists alike -- willing step up and take his place. Sunni groups the Sunni community fragmented and (“The Free Resistance Brigades”). sination, the failure of Sunni elites to to employ violence to protect their com- have already begun to organise in order dispirited. It was formed in April 2013 as a volun- fill the leadership vacuum, the rise of munity’s interests may gain power. Such to funnel aid to Syrian rebels and com- The inability of Sunni politicians to teer force of Lebanese Sunnis committed Hezbollah as a military and political a shift could pose a significant threat bat Hezbollah, and some have even begun protect their community’s interests has to opposing Hezbollah, but was weak- powerhouse and Assad’s crackdown on to the confessional balance of power in to clash with the Lebanese Army, once created space for fundamentalist leaders ened after clashing with the Lebanese the predominantly Sunni opposition have Lebanon and, ultimately, could incite a considered the sole unifying institution to claim the role of community defenders. Army in June 2013. Highlighting the fundamentally changed the dynamics of deadly new civil war. WP-BLOOMBERG Why Snowden won’t, and shouldn’t, get clemency

In his end-of-year news con- Third, whatever Snowden said Unless Snowden changes his ference, President Barack Obama or didn’t say to the Russians, distanced himself from Ledgett’s they must have asked him a lot stripes dramatically, he doesn’t remarks, which were rather vague of questions — if not during his to begin with. (For one thing, it’s mysterious stay in Moscow (or unclear how Snowden would go wherever they’re currently keep- seem inclined to cooperate with about securing the documents.) ing him), then during the month Still, prosecutors make deals with he spent in the transit lounge of his former masters, whom he now criminals all the time in exchange Sheremetyevo Airport. for their help in catching bigger Fourth, Snowden claimed in an fish or solving bigger problems. interview with the Post’s Gellman depicts as threats to world peace. Here are some questions that that he raised concerns about prosecutors or senior officials widespread domestic surveillance BY FRED KAPLAN discussing. But Snowden did much might ask Snowden — hooked with several of his colleagues and more than that. The documents up to a lie detector — as part of superiors in the NSA’s technologi- regard Daniel Ellsberg as that he gave The Washington the preliminary steps in a “con- cal directorate. an American patriot. I was Post’s Barton Gellman and the versation” about a plea bargain NSA spokesmen subsequently one of the first column- Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald have, (which, they’d no doubt make commented that they had “not Iists to write that Director so far, furnished stories about the clear, would still involve several found any evidence” supporting of National Intelligence James NSA’s interception of email traf- years in prison). this contention, but this is hardly Clapper should be fired for lying fic, mobile phone calls and radio First, why did Snowden go to a definitive denial. to Congress. On June 7, two days transmissions of Taliban fighters Hong Kong? Why did he go from Snowden should provide the after the first news stories based in Pakistan’s northwest territo- there to Moscow? (Supposedly he names of those colleagues and on Edward Snowden’s leaks, ries; about an operation to gauge Edward Snowden had planned to catch a connecting superiors, and assurances should I wrote a column airing (and the loyalties of CIA recruits in flight to Havana and, from there, be offered that they not be in endorsing) the concerns of Brian Pakistan; about NSA email inter- disillusioned with the agen- be telling that Snowden did not to Ecuador, but there are many any way punished. If Snowden’s Jenkins, a leading counterterror- cepts to assist intelligence assess- cy’s voraciousness.” In fact, as release — or at least the recipi- ways to get from Hong Kong to claim is true, at least that would ism expert, that the government’s ments of what’s going on inside Snowden himself told the South ents of his cache haven’t yet pub- Havana without going through show he tried to fix things from massive surveillance program had Iran; about NSA surveillance of China Morning Post, he took his lished — any documents detailing Moscow.) the inside before going out in the created “the foundation of a very cellphone calls “worldwide,” an job as an NSA contractor, with the cyber-operations of any other Second, according to the cold. That would offer something oppressive state.” effort that (in the Post’s words) Booz Allen Hamilton, because countries, especially Russia or Russian newspaper Kommersant, in support of his plea for whistle- And yet I firmly disagree with “allows it to look for unknown he knew that his position would China, even though he would have Snowden spent three days at blower status. The New York Times’ Jan 1 edito- associates of known intelligence grant him “access to lists of had access to the NSA’s after- the Russian consulate in Hong But it’s unlikely that any of this rial (“Edward Snowden, Whistle- targets by tracking people whose machines all over the world [that] action reports on the hundreds or Kong before booking his flight to will come to pass. Unless Snowden Blower”), calling on President movements intersect.” the NSA hacked.” He stayed there thousands of hacking campaigns Moscow. Is this true? What did he changes his stripes dramatically, Obama to grant Snowden “some In his first interview with for just three months, enough to that they too have mounted over do there? Snowden later told The he doesn’t seem inclined to coop- form of clemency” for the “great the South China Morning Post, do what he came to do. the years. New York Times’ James Risen that erate with his former masters, service” he has done for his Snowden revealed that the NSA Mark Hosenball and Warren This leads to the ultimate ques- he took no classified documents whom he now depicts as threats country. routinely hacks into hundreds of Strobel of Reuters later reported, tion of what to do with Edward into Russia. Assuming that’s true, to world peace. It is true that Snowden’s computers in China and Hong in an eye-opening scoop, that Snowden should the Russians spit did he give them to Russian offi- Nor, I suspect, would the US revelations about the National Kong. Snowden gained access to his him out when his asylum status cials in Hong Kong? What did he government be inclined to coop- Security Agency’s surveillance of These operations have nothing cache of documents by persuad- expires and no other country talk to the Russians about? Did erate with the likes of Snowden, American citizens — far vaster to do with domestic surveillance ing 20 to 25 of his fellow employ- picks him up. I should note that he request asylum, or did they especially given this administra- than any outsider had suspected, or even spying on allies. They are ees to give him their logins and I do not side with the national- offer it? (Kommersant quoted tion’s intolerance of far less ambi- in some cases vaster than the not illegal, improper, or (in the passwords, saying he needed the security extremists on this mat- some Russian officials claiming tious leakers and — more to the agency’s overseers on the secret context of 21st-century interna- information to help him do his job ter — former CIA Director James the former, others the latter.) point — the deep layers of secrecy FISA court had permitted — tional politics) immoral. Exposing as systems administrator. Woolsey’s thunderous remark on If it turned out that Snowden surrounding everything about the have triggered a valuable debate, such operations has nothing to do Whistleblowers have large egos Fox News that Snowden “should did give information to the NSA. leading possibly to much-needed with “whistle-blowing.” by nature, and there is no crime be hanged by his neck until he is Russians or Chinese (or if intel- My guess is, Snowden will reforms. There are no such extenuat- or shame in that. But one gasps dead” or columnist Max Boot’s ligence assessments show that spend a very long time in Russia, If that were all that Snowden ing circumstances favouring for- at the megalomania and delusion jibe that the only kind of plea bar- the leaks did substantial damage in some other country ruled by an had done, if his stolen trove of giveness of Snowden. The Times in Snowden’s statements, and one gain offered to Snowden should to national security, something even more unpleasantly authori- beyond-top-secret documents editorial paints an incomplete can’t help but wonder if he is a be “one that allows him to serve that hasn’t been proved in pub- tarian regime, or in an American had dealt only with the NSA’s picture when it claims that he dupe, a tool, or simply astonish- life in a maximum-security prison lic), then I’d say all talk of a deal prison. At this point, the choice of domestic surveillance, then some “stole a trove of highly classi- ingly naïve. rather than face the death pen- is off — and I assume the Times where, or for how long, is up to form of leniency might be worth fied documents after he became Along these same lines, it may alty for his treason.” editorial page would agree. him. WP-BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Spain princess Merkel sings carol on crutches BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared publicly on crutches charged with yesterday for the first time since it emerged she had fractured her pelvis in a ski accident, to join children for carol singing. Smiling broadly and looking relaxed, the tax fraud 59-year-old chancellor, dressed in a smart teal jacket and dark trousers, negotiated a few steps to stand, leaning on her two One more slur on royal family crutches, among the 100 or so youngsters from across Germany. MADRID: Princess Cristina, the dictator General Francisco The annual event at the chancellery, in the younger daughter of Franco. He won respect from which youngsters don “Three Wise Men” cos- Spain’s King Juan Carlos, has Spaniards for his role in the tran- tumes and sing carols as part of an Epiphany been charged with tax fraud sition to democracy, notably his fundraising effort for needy children, is one and money-laundering, piling actions in foiling a coup attempt of only a couple of appointments that Merkel further scandal on the once- in 1981. will keep this week. beloved but increasingly unpop- But various scandals, shows of After a fall over the Christmas holidays ular royal family. extravagance, and incidents such while cross-country skiing in Switzerland, Palma de Mallorca Examining as an elephant-hunting trip to Merkel suffered a fractured pelvis and has Magistrate Jose Castro said in a Africa at the height of the crisis been advised by doctors to remain lying 200-page ruling after a lengthy in 2012 have tarnished his stand- down as much as possible for three weeks, investigation that there was evi- ing along with the Urdangarin her spokesman revealed on Monday. dence that Cristina, 48, had com- affair. While they have been under She will work mainly from home while she mitted crimes. investigation, Princess Cristina recovers, he said. He summoned her to appear in and her husband have ceased to Merkel is however also due to lead the first court on March 8, possibly pav- participate in public appearances. cabinet meeting of 2014 of her hard-won, new ing the way for an unprecedented She and the couple’s four children “grand coalition” today, but a scheduled for- German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks on crutches as she receives epiphany singers from each trial of a Spanish royal. moved last year to Geneva where eign trip and meetings with the Polish and of the 27 German dioceses at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin yesterday. The princess’ defence lawyer, she works for a Spanish bank’s Luxembourg prime ministers later this week Miguel Roca, told Spanish tel- charity. Urdangarin remains have been called off. evision he would appeal the sum- in Spain. Merkel, who was reelected chancellor for a mons, saying “I am absolutely The case is centred on third term by deputies in December following Minister hopes to burnish Germany’s image convinced of her innocence”. Urdangarin’s non-profit Noos September’s elections, sang along while a girl Her husband, former Olympic Foundation. He is accused of wearing a costume crown and cloak held the BRUSSELS: New German Foreign after talks in Brussels with the president handball player Inaki Urdangarin, using his connections to win pub- words and music for her to follow. Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier yester- of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, was earlier charged with fraud, lic contracts to put on events in The German leader referred to the fact day said he hoped to rectify his country’s who is also a member of the German Social tax evasion, falsifying docu- Mallorca and elsewhere in Spain. that she cannot stand too well due to her image in Europe, where Berlin is often Democrats. After a meeting on Monday ments and embezzlement of ¤6m Judge Castro has said there is evi- injury and is supposed to lie down more as accused of being behind tough belt-tight- with European Commission president Jose ($8m) in public funds through dence the foundation overcharged she spoke to the youngsters, whose fundrais- ening economic policies. Manuel Barroso, he was also scheduled to his charitable foundation, which for organising conferences and ing will go towards helping refugee children “Communication is very important in poli- meet European Council president Herman put on sports business confer- hid the proceeds abroad. around the world. tics and misunderstandings can be avoided Van Rompuy and EU foreign policy chief ences in Mallorca and elsewhere In his ruling, Castro detailed AFP if people speak to each other often,” he said Catherine Ashton. AFP in Spain. Urdangarin has denied dozens of personal items the prin- any wrongdoing. cess paid for — from Harry Potter The case is one of many high- books to home redecorations — level corruption scandals in Spain out of a shell company the judge that have undermined faith in said was used to launder proceeds public institutions at a time of from the Noos Foundation. Berlin outlets get cocaine with bananas economic crisis marked by deep “These sums were used on cuts in public spending. strictly personal spending...And BERLIN: Boxes filled with estimated black market value of Cocaine was found in seven of said, adding that it is very diffi- Opinion of the royal family in they should have been declared bananas and cocaine were ¤6m, according to police. them, Schremm said. cult to keep track of thousands particular has sunk to its lowest in income tax statements... But delivered to five Berlin super- “We were of course sur- The boxes were eventually of containers which are stored in level ever. it is evident that neither Inaki markets in what police yester- prised,” senior police officer Olaf delivered to five supermarkets in the port of Hamburg for only a A Sigma Dos poll published Urdangarin nor Mrs Cristina de day called a “logistical error” by Schremm, who heads the local the Berlin area, but investigators short time. on Sunday showed almost two Borbon ever did so, which means drug smugglers. drug investigation department, said the intended destination of “At the end of the day, it’s thirds of Spaniards want King they repeatedly defrauded the tax Supermarket staff discovered told reporters. the cocaine was unclear. beyond one’s control,” Schremm Juan Carlos to abdicate after 38 authority,” he wrote in his ruling. the containers with a total of 140 “I don’t know where the mis- Masked officers in bulletproof said. years on the throne and hand over However, the judge also said kg of cocaine on Monday shortly take was in the perpetrators’ vests showed the seized boxes to German authorities say drug to Prince Felipe, who is still well it was not clear whether the before the fruit went on sale to delivery chain.” media. smugglers use air mail or couri- regarded and is not implicated in princess had evaded more than the public, police and customs The banana cartons, part of a The cocaine will be stored and ers to import cocaine more often his sister’s case. ¤120,000 in taxes a year, the divi- investigators said. consignment of 1,134 boxes, were eventually destroyed. than ships. Juan Carlos became king with sion between an infraction and a It was the largest discovery brought by ship from Colombia Drugs are often smuggled In 2012, investigators seized the restoration of the monarchy felony. of cocaine in Germany’s capi- to Hamburg and delivered to in container ships from South 1.26 tonnes of cocaine in total. in 1975 following the death of REUTERS tal in about 15 years and has an a fruit wholesaler in Berlin. America to Europe, the police REUTERS

Miners arrested Pope to name new cardinals Rescue ship breaks in a few weeks free from ice VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis is set to make the most impor- BEIJING: A Chinese ship noted that the biggest floes were tant decisions of his young broke free yesterday from three times thicker than its ice- papacy in the next few weeks Antarctic ice in which it became breaking capacity. by naming new cardinals — the stuck after rescuing passengers The Xue Long’s helicopter last “princes of the Church” who will from a trapped Russian vessel, Thursday ferried 52 passengers help him set its future course state media reported. on the stranded Russian ship and one day elect his successor The Xue Long, or Snow Dragon, Akademik Shokalskiy, which had from their number. “pulled free of the ice and navi- been trapped for 10 days, to the A pope’s choice of cardinals is gated into the open waters”, said safety of an Australian vessel. one of the clearest signals of the the official Xinhua news agency, The 52, who spent Christmas and direction in which he wants the which has a reporter on board the New Year stranded aboard the ship 1.2 billion-strong Roman Catholic vessel. in Antarctica’s Commonwealth Bay, Church to go, and what type of According to state broadcaster were due to arrive at Australia’s man he wants to succeed him. China Central Television, the Xue Casey research base last night, Francis immediately set about Long spent 14 hours working to with a return to Australia expected changing the Vatican’s image with break through the ice and finally in two weeks. his simple style after his election reached the open waters at 6pm “Its performance, especially the last March, so his choice of clerics Beijing time (1000 GMT). success in rescuing all the passen- to elevate on February 22 is more The icebreaker had been gers, has been given the thumbs eagerly awaited than usual. trapped in the thick Antarctic up by global public opinion,” the He is expected to reveal his floes since last Friday, and a west- Global Times said in an editorial choices before the end of January erly wind had been expected to on the Xue Long’s rescue of the so that preparations for the cer- give it its best chance of escap- Shokalskiy passengers. emonial “consistory” can be made, ing, according to the China “China should be proud of it.” but so far there have been few if Daily newspaper. The wind was “Xue Long’s mission is an epit- any whispers of likely names. expected to help push away some ome of China’s attitude toward In the past, it was a fairly safe of the heavy ice surrounding the its international obligations,” bet that archbishops of big dio- ship, according to Xinhua, which it added. AFP ceses or those heading Vatican South African police arrest illegal miners yesterday in Johannesburg. departments traditionally headed by cardinals would get the three- peaked “biretta”, the red ceremo- nial hat that cardinals wear. Hollande supports But Francis, who renounced the spacious papal suite for a mod- Over 100,000 receive aid at CAR airport est apartment in a Vatican guest ban on comedian house, and is driven around in a BANGUI: Aid workers in the helped to ease the situation, wit- Nations says 935,000 have been attended the distribution. simple Ford Focus instead of a Central African Republic finally nesses said. driven from their homes. Families at the sprawling camp PARIS: French President bulletproof Mercedes limousine, delivered supplies yesterday Security for ordinary people “The airport site is very com- have pieced together makeshift Francois Hollande yesterday has shown little regard for prec- to more than 100,000 people has deteriorated sharply amid a plex. It isn’t easy to manage more tents from bedsheets, strips of backed attempts to ban contro- edent or tradition. who have sought refuge at the wave of inter-religious violence than 100,000 people. We tried it cardboard, tarpaulin and even versial comic Dieudonne. “He will feel very free to choose airport outside the capital to that started when a Muslim twice before and each time it was palm leaves to provide some sem- Weighing into a debate that has the people he thinks should be in escape religious violence that group, the Seleka, set off a wave a failure,” Catholic Archbishop blance of privacy and protection gripped France, Hollande urged those positions, regardless of what has gripped the country. of killing and looting in the major- Dieudonné Nzapalainga told from the elements. local officials to take a hard line was done before,” said Father Long lines of people who fled ity Christian nation after seizing Reuters. The UN refugee agency in applying an interior ministry Antonio Spadaro, the editor of their homes queued in hot con- power in March. This time “we dared to say to (UNHCR) gave mosquito nets, circular which authorises city the Jesuit journal Civilta Cattolica ditions for food and other goods. This prompted reprisal attacks people to organise themselves mattresses, blankets and soap mayors or police prefects to can- who interviewed the pope last Two previous aid delivery efforts from militias. The clashes have to respond to the appeal of aid while the UN World Food cel Dieudonne performances on summer. had been aborted, raising tensions killed more than 1,000 people workers and help them to do their Programme gave rice, oil, sugar. public order grounds. REUTERS at the airport, but the delivery since December and the United work,” said Nzapalainga, who REUTERS AFP WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Freeze extends to eastern US, six dead 2,380 US flights cancelled; Amtrak passengers spend chilly night stranded on trains Millions warned

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: of cold risk from A deadly blast of arctic air shat- tered decades-old temperature records as it enveloped the east- wind chills ern United States yesterday, NEW YORK: Millions of cancelling thousands of flights, Americans from Montana down driving energy prices higher to as far south as Alabama are and overwhelming shelters for being warned that their lives homeless people. are at risk if they venture out New York’s Central Park hit a for any length of time into bru- record low temperature for the tally cold conditions that are date — minus 16 degrees Celsius driving temperatures to their — but with winds gusting to 32 lowest in 20 years. miles per hour conditions felt Severe weather warnings far colder, the National Weather from the National Oceanic and Service said. Atmospheric Administration for Authorities have put about half Minnesota and Wisconsin said of the United States under a wind that wind chills caused by gusts of chill warning or cold weather up to 30 mph were causing tem- advisory with the icy conditions peratures to plummet to between snarling air, road and rail travel. -37C and -46C. “Exposed flesh Temperatures were expected to will freeze and cause frost bite in be 14 to 19 degrees Celsius below only five minutes,” the warning normal from the Midwest to the observed. Southeast, the National Weather Twenty six states continue to Service said. The agency that be under federal warnings for oversees the electric grid supply- severe wind chills as bitterly cold ing the mid-Atlantic and parts of air is swept down from the Arctic, the Midwest said electricity sup- with Montana recording a wind pliers were struggling to keep up chill of -52C. with surging demand as the cold As a sign of the extraordinary forced some power plants to shut. nature of the weather pattern, “This particular cold is far- the federal government has even reaching and most of our neigh- issued a wind chill warning for bours are experiencing the Florida. It said that the very cold extreme conditions we are,” said Arctic air mass would drive tem- Michael Kormos, executive vice peratures in the north of the state president for operations at the below zero fahrenheit. agency, PJM Interconnection. In Indianapolis, where thou- Its members include units of Ice builds up along Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach as temperatures dipped well below zero in Chicago yesterday. sands were struggling without American Electric Power Co, power, mayor Greg Ballard raised FirstEnergy Corp, Exelon Corp, minus 17 C and Washington and when the temperature dropped for businesses. He said about 200 flights by midday yesterday. a travel warning to red making it Public Service Electric & Gas Co. Boston minus 9 C. to minus 14 degrees Celsius, while million people in major cities Airlines scrambled to catch up illegal to use the roads unless for In New York and Washington, Schools in Minneapolis and temperatures in northern Florida might face “bill shock” for heat- a day after killer cold caused fuel emergencies. He used his Twitter homeless shelters and other public Chicago were closed. Cleveland also briefly dropped below freez- ing, which could prompt them to supplies to freeze solid, leading feed to inform residents how to buildings took in people who were remained below freezing after ing, though the state’s citrus crop cut back on other spending in the to extensive flight cancellations, find shelter. freezing outside. “My hands were temperatures fell to minus 24 was unharmed, according to a next couple of months. particularly at Chicago O’Hare Forecasters said some 187 mil- frozen like ice picks. I came in here degrees Celsius on Monday, major growers’ group. The deep freeze disrupted International Airport. lion people could feel the effects to get my hands warm. I put them breaking a 130-year-old record. Among the deaths reported morning commutes with icy or The cold took some visitors of the “polar vortex” by the time under the hot water here,” said After running into impassable was a 51-year-old homeless man closed roads and flight delays. to New York by surprise. “It is it spreads across the US. Even Mike Smith, 48, a homeless man snow and ice, three Chicago-bound in Columbus, Georgia, whose body Some 2,380 US flights were can- unbearable. We arrived yesterday the south was startlingly cold. who had been dozing in the lobby of Amtrak trains came to a halt, was found in an empty lot after celled and 2,912 delayed, accord- and came out just to shop for more Temperatures plunged to -13C in Washington’s Martin Luther King stranding more than 500 passen- spending the night outdoors. Four ing to FlightAware.com, which clothes,” said Daniel Bounomie, 25, Atlanta on Monday. Jr. Memorial Library. gers overnight in northwestern cold and storm-related deaths tracks airline activity. a Brazilian tourist who was walk- The polar vortex is a persistent At least six deaths have been Illinois. The passengers were being were reported around Chicago Hardest hit were travellers ing through Times Square arm in area of low pressure, moving anti- reported across the country due taken to Chicago by bus. and an elderly woman was found who had booked trips on JetBlue arm with his shivering sister. clockwise above the north pole, to the polar air mass sweeping At New York’s Bowery Mission dead outside her Indianapolis Airways Corp which on Monday Outside Boston, the cold which sucks warm air up from over North America, producing homeless shelter, the 80-bed dor- home early Monday. halted its flights at New York’s had plumber’s assistant Paul the south. the coldest temperatures in two mitory was full on Monday night The cold snap could cost the US three major airports and Boston Tonnessen, 27, scrambling from Fluctuations in the jet stream decades. Major US cities were and 179 other people slept in the economy up to $5bn, when lost Logan International Airport over- job to job, repairing burst pipes. have led to its pushing cold air in the grip of temperatures well chapel and cafeteria, officials said. productivity and lost retail sales night to allow its crews to rest “Pipes will freeze, heat goes out,” much further south than usual, below freezing, with Chicago and In the normally mild south, are accounted for, estimated Evan after five days of trying to recover he said. “You’ve got to go. You leading to this week’s bitterly cold Detroit seeing temperatures of Atlanta recorded its coldest Gold, senior vice president at from snow- and cold-related can’t leave people without heat conditions. minus 18 degrees C, Pittsburgh weather on this date in 44 years, Planalytics, which tracks weather delays. The carried resumed on days like today.” REUTERS THE GUARDIAN

Scare at Edinburgh Airport Obama presses on jobless benefits Over three quarters WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama made an emo- of Britons want less tional, moral and economic case for extending long term unem- ployment benefits yesterday, kicking off his first skirmish of the immigration: Survey year with Republicans. The spat over prolonging the lifeline to 1.3 million Americans, among millions more also looking for LONDON: Over three quar- work, represents the first political test of wills in Washington at ters of Britons want a reduc- the start of a mid-term election year. “I can’t name a time when tion in immigration, according I met an American who would rather have an unemployment to a survey published yester- check than the pride of having a job,” Obama said, surrounded day, highlighting public concern by people who lost their benefits when Congress failed to act last about a subject being fiercely year. “The unemployed are not lazy, they are not lacking in moti- debated between the country’s vation, they are coping with the aftermath of the worst economic main political parties. crisis in generations,” Obama said at the White House. Immigration has become a key topic heading into a 2015 elec- Former Miss Venezuela shot dead tion, at which increased support for the anti-immigration UK CARACAS: Assailants shot dead a former Miss Venezuela and Independence Party (UKIP) could her ex-husband in the latest high-profile case of violent crime in hamper Prime Minister David the South American nation, authorities said. Monica Spear, 29, Cameron’s Conservative Party. who was also a soap opera actress, and Henry Berry, 39, died in Seventy seven percent of peo- an attempted robbery on the highway between Puerto Cabello ple wanted to see a reduction and Valencia in central Venezuela. The 2004 Miss Venezuela win- in immigration, the survey on ner lived in the United States but was vacationing in Venezuela. Britain’s social attitudes showed, The pair’s 5-year-old daughter survived the attack on Monday, matching the previous high in the but with a bullet wound in her leg. Airline passengers wait at a nearby hotel as they await permission to return to the terminal buildings at 30-year data series from 2008. Edinburgh Airport in Scotland yesterday. The airport reopened after a suspicious item of hand luggage caused The survey also showed a Prince William back at university the temporary closure of Scotland’s busiest airport and the diversion of incoming flights. hardening of sentiment against immigration, with 56 percent, the LONDON: Britain’s Prince William started a 10-week course highest proportion in the history of in agricultural management at Cambridge University yesterday, the survey, wanting a big fall in the in a bid to prepare him for future duties. The 31-year-old Duke number of people coming to Britain of Cambridge arrived at the prestigious institution to begin the rather than just a small reduction. course, which is intended to give him an understanding of agri- One in five kids in US lives in poverty The issue has been brought cultural business and rural communities. Like many students he into sharp relief by the lifting of travelled by train to Cambridge in eastern England from London WASHINGTON: In his first State of the Union wins, such as the programme providing health insur- restrictions on Romanian and for his first day — but unlike others the university’s vice chancel- address, President Lyndon Johnson declared war on ance for the poor and the aged, he said. “If we did Bulgarian citizens’ right to work lor was on hand to greet him. poverty in America. Fifty years later some progress not have any safety net programs, the rate would be in Britain on January 1 — some- has been made but gaping inequality remains. doubled,” he said. By any measure, poverty has gone thing previous polls showed the Nurse jailed over Saudi murder dies “This administration today, here and now, declares down significantly among the elderly, which was one public was worried about, and unconditional war on poverty in America,” John told of Johnson’s priorities. which members of Cameron’s own LONDON: A British nurse jailed in Saudi Arabia over the mur- Congress on January 8, 1964, two months after he Poverty among children has also declined since party tried to prevent. der of her Australian colleague in 1996 died in Scotland yester- succeeded the assassinated John F Kennedy. “We Johnson made his famous call to arms. But one in Polls show Conservative voters day after suffering a brain haemorrhage, her lawyer said. Lucille shall not rest until that war is won,” he declared. five kids in America still lives in poverty and more are increasingly turning to UKIP McLauchlan, 47, was sentenced to eight years and 500 lashes over The US poverty rate has dropped from 26 percent than one in five children in New York, for example, because they welcome the party’s the brutal murder Yvonne Gilford, although she did not receive in 1964 to 16 percent today, thanks in particular to lives in a family that does not have enough to eat, plan to end Britain’s European the lashes and served only 17 months before receiving a royal par- a variety of food aid programmes and tax credits, the Coalition against Hunger says. Union membership and drasti- don. Her British colleague, Deborah Parry, had been sentenced says the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. But A total of 25 major cities also reported that cally cut immigration. UKIP does to death but was also pardoned. When they returned to Britain poverty in the world’s largest economy is far from requests for food assistance or the number of home- not have any elected representa- the women protested their innocence, saying their confessions to being eradicated. less had gone up in the past year, illustrating the tives in parliament, but polls show the murder were extracted under duress. McLauchlan collapsed In 2012 it affected some 47 million Americans, slow pace of progress in the war on poverty. it has around 17 percent of voters’ on Sunday at her home in Broughty Ferry, a suburb of Dundee including 13 million children, which James Ziliak, As for the gap between rich and poor, it is pro- support. Last month, Cameron in Scotland, and was taken to hospital, her lawyer William Boyle director of the Centre for Poverty Research at the gressing at a “dangerous” pace, in the words of rushed in regulations to restrict said. She died early yesterday surrounded by her family. Gilford, University of Kentucky, dubs “a very high number”. President Barack Obama, who said last year that EU migrants’ access to Britain’s 55, was stabbed 13 times, battered and suffocated at a military Some battles have been won, such as that target- the richest 10 percent of no longer take in a third welfare system. hospital in Dhahran on December 11, 1996. AGENCIES ing extreme malnutrition, or have have seen partial of all revenue but rather half. AFP REUTERS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Pressure mounts on Bangla PM after re-election US seeks swift re-run; Ban urges parties to resume meaningful dialogue for an inclusive political process

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s opposi- the new election. The opposition has enforced elected unopposed to the 300-seat Zia, in her first comments to credibly express the will of the tion leader Khaleda Zia accused “I’m calling on the government a 48-hour general strike since parliament. since the election, called the low Bangladeshi people,” said State Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to cancel the farcical polls, step Monday to force Hasina to can- Police arrest senior opposition voter turnout a “silent revolution” Department deputy spokeswoman of “murdering democracy” as down and reach an understanding cel the polls. officials against Hasina, while the Awami Marie Harf. her arch rival faced growing (with the opposition) to organise At least 26 people were killed In a defiant appearance before League had no “moral or consti- “While it remains to be seen calls yesterday to hold fresh a free, fair and neutral election during the election, the bloodi- the press on Monday, Hasina tutional grounds” to hold on to what form the new government polls after a walkover election. under a non-party government,” est vote in Bangladesh’s history, rejected any idea that the elec- power. will take... we encourage the The US led international pres- she said in a statement released while hundreds of opposition sup- tion’s legitimacy had been com- “The people did not participate government of Bangladesh and sure for a swift re-run that would overnight on Monday. porters torched or trashed polling promised by the absence of Zia’s in the murder of democracy,” she opposition parties to engage in include all major parties, brushing “The scandalous election on stations. Bangladesh Nationalist Party said. immediate dialogue to find a way aside Hasina’s insistence that a January 5 not only demonstrated The result was never in doubt, (BNP) and 20 other opposition The US also called for a new to hold as soon as possible elec- boycott by Zia’s opposition did not the people’s lack of confidence in with Hasina’s Awami League and parties. vote that would “credibly express tions that are free, fair, peaceful, undermine her legitimacy. the government but also proved a handful of allies winning all the Police yesterday responded the will” of the people. and credible.” Zia, who has been confined to that free, fair, credible, peaceful seats being contested. swiftly to Hasina’s order to “elim- “With more than half of the UN leader Ban Ki-moon called her home for about two weeks, and participatory elections can- The vote’s credibility had been inate militancy and combat vio- seats uncontested and most of for the two parties “to resume reiterated her calls for Hasina not be held without a non-party undermined even before poll- lence” by arresting three senior the remainder offering only token meaningful dialogue” urgently to stand aside and let a neutral neutral government and credible ing day as 153 Awami League BNP officials, including a close opposition, the results of the just- “for an inclusive political process”. caretaker government organise election commission.” members or allies were declared Zia aide, an officer said. concluded elections do not appear AFP

Scribes press Japanese whalers driven out from hunting ground for freedom YANGON: Journalists in SYDNEY: Anti-whaling activ- on the high seas to disrupt the Myanmar staged a protest ists Sea Shepherd yesterday said harpooners. On Monday it said it yesterday to denounce new Japan’s fleet had been separated had located all five Japanese ves- threats to press freedom and and driven out of its Antarctic sels, releasing photo evidence that demand the release of a fel- hunting ground, declaring an four whales had been killed. low reporter -- the first to be early success in its campaign to Since then the Japanese fleet jailed since junta rule ended. disrupt the annual hunt. has split up and their operations About 150 journalists and The militant group said the have been disrupted, the activist activists marched through five-vessel fleet was “in disarray” group said. “Should the Nisshin Yangon chanting slogans and currently not hunting whales, Maru attempt to return to the including “No threat to press with the harpoon ships separated whaling grounds, Sea Shepherd freedom” and waving placards from each other by hundreds of will be ready to once again inter- which read: “Right to informa- miles and the factory ship Nisshin cept and shut down their illegal tion is the life of democracy.” Maru well outside its kill zone. whaling operations,” it said. The protest was led by the “The Nisshin Maru is on the The commercial hunt- Myanmar Journalist Network run and unable to stop and whale ing of whales is prohibited in in response to a three-month in its self-designated whale- the Southern Ocean Whale prison sentence given last poaching grounds,” Sea Shepherd Sanctuary, which was designated month to a local journalist said in a statement. by the International Whaling arrested during an investigation Japan’s fisheries agency insisted Commission in 1994, but Japan in the eastern state of Kayah. it was business as usual. “We catches the animals there under don’t have information on exactly a “scientific research” loophole in Asylum seekers where the ships are,” said an the moratoriuim. agency official in charge of the Australia has taken Japan to turned down whaling mission. the International Court of Justice “All we can confirm is that the seeking to have its research whal- JAKARTA: Australia last Japanese research has been nei- ing programme declared illegal, Three Minke whales on the deck of the Japanese vessel Nisshin Maru inside what Sea Shepherd Australia says is month turned a boat car- ther suspended nor cut short.” with a ruling due this year. rying asylum-seekers back an internationally recognised whale sanctuary, on Sunday. Sea Shepherd has three ships AFP to Indonesia, the first time Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s government has implemented a new immigration policy and further straining ties between the neighbours. Manila to increase counter-terror team The 47 asylum-seekers were Japan scrambles jets found on Indonesia’s southern- most point, Rote Island in East MANILA: The Philippine gov- Islamist militants who are behind 116,000 people as entire districts Nusa Tenggara province, on ernment is to triple the size of the country’s deadliest attacks as of the city of nearly a million peo- against China plane Dec 19 where their boat had a special forces military unit well as kidnappings of Western ple went up in flames. run aground after being inter- that operates against Islamist targets. “As you have seen, we lost cepted and turned back by the militants responsible for deadly Defence Secretary Voltaire a number of our men in the TOKYO: Japan scrambled the Tokyo-controlled Senkakus, Australian navy, Indonesia’s bombings and kidnappings of Gazmin said the battalion had Zamboanga incident, which led fighter jets yesterday to head which Beijing claims as the Antara news agency quoted Westerners, officials said. taken substantial casualties dur- to a shortage that needed to be off a Chinese government plane Diaoyus, the ministry said. police as saying. The Light Reaction Battalion ing a three-week battle against addressed,” Gazmin said. flying towards disputed islands The aircraft headed back is to be built up to regiment gunmen in the southern port of Neither official gave a time- in the East China Sea, Tokyo’s towards China without entering Ma to visit size, Philippine Army chief Zamboanga in September last year. table, but armed forces spokes- defence ministry said. disputed airspace after Japan’s Lieutenant-General Noel Coballes The gunmen are followers of man Lieutenant-Colonel Ramon It is the first such incident to be military planes became airborne, three allies said, an increase from about 500 former rebel leader Nur Misuari, Zagala said the unit would be announced by the ministry since a defence official said, without soldiers to as many as 1,500. who went into hiding as hundreds bulked up within the year. China created its new air defence confirming further details. TAIPEI: Taiwan’s President “We have seen how effective of his men infiltrated Zamboanga “Based on what happened in identification zone (ADIZ) in China’s ADIZ also covers the Ma Ying-jeou is set to visit they are, so we are strengthen- to oppose a proposed peace treaty Zamboanga, our military leader- November last year, which has disputed islands. Africa and Latin America ing the unit in terms of anti- between the Philippine govern- ship saw a need to increase the stoked tensions in the region. The incident came amid dip- this month to shore up ties terrorism. From a battalion we’ll ment and a rival Muslim guerrilla strength of the Light Reaction The Chinese Y-12 propel- lomatic bickering between Japan with three countries, follow- increase it to a regiment,” he said. faction. Battalion to be able to address ler plane flew into Japan’s own and China, which descended into ing the recent setback of los- The unit is fighting the Abu The fighting left more than 240 contingencies anywhere in the ADIZ, about 160 kilometres (99 name-calling in the British press ing long-time ally Gambia. Sayyaf, a group of several hundred people dead and displaced about country,” Zagala said. AFP miles) from airspace around on Monday. AFP Ma is scheduled to leave for Africa on January 23 to visit Sao Tome and Principe, and Burkina Faso -- two of the Hit by ‘ping-pong bomb’ only three African countries that now officially recognise Textile workers end Taipei after Gambia cut off ties in November. He will also travel to Honduras to attend the inauguration of Juan strike over wages Orlando Hernandez sched- uled for January 27 during the PHNOM PENH: Tens of thou- Its protests and boycott of par- eight-day trip, according to the sands of garment workers have liament in the weeks after the presidential office. returned to work in Cambodia, election achieved nothing but the ending a two-week pay dispute CNRP started another rally on Thai MPs face after authorities used deadly December 15, which gained fresh force to quell a strike and thwart momentum from December 24 graft charges a protest by their political allies when the garment workers came seeking a re-run of a July elec- out to join the protest. The CNRP BANGKOK: Thailand’s tion. A union and the country’s had promised at election time to anti-graft panel said yester- garment factory association esti- double the minimum wage in cloth- day it would press charges mated that between 65 and 70 ing factories to $160 a month. The against hundreds of poli- percent of workers had returned government offered first $95, then ticians, mostly from the to factories as of yesterday. increased that to $100, which would party of Prime Minister About 350,000 had gone on be a 25 percent rise. The unions Yingluck Shinawatra, over a strike, threatening to cripple the rejected that. failed attempt to amend the country’s main export industry, Last Friday, military police constitution. with more than $5bn in revenue a opened fire on workers protest- The ruling adds to the politi- year coming in from big interna- ing outside a factory in the capi- cal uncertainty in the kingdom, tional brands such as Adidas, Gap tal, Phnom Penh, and four people where the main opposition and H&M Hennes & Mauritz. were killed. party is boycotting February Ken Loo, secretary-general The following day, the authori- elections called by Yingluck in of the Garment Manufacturers ties dismantled a CNRP protest an attempt to end anti-govern- Association in Cambodia with 521 camp in a city park and the party ment protests. clothing and footwear factories, effectively ended its protest. The National Anti- put the losses suffered by mem- Chea Mony, president of the Corruption Commission, whose bers at “much more than $200m.” Free Trade Union, told Reuters mandate includes investigating The opposition Cambodia National workers would return to the street abuse of power, cleared 73 pol- Rescue Party (CNRP) says the on January 14 when CNRP leader iticians, including Yingluck, of general election in July was stolen Sam Rainsy and his deputy, Kem A policeman shows the impact on a chicken from a “ping-pong bomb” while demonstrating crowd-control wrongdoing in connection with by the ruling Cambodian People’s Sokha, appear in court to respond techniques as an anti-government rally began in Bangkok yesterday. Police say such bombs were used by a bid to make the senate fully Party (CPP) of longtime premier to charges they incited workers to protesters. elected. AGENCIES Hun Sen and it wants a re-run. strike. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Taliban kill six over Karachi shrine visit People visiting shrines will meet same fate, says note

ISLAMABAD: The bodies of shrines bombed last year in Sindh. Taliban and has been the site of six Pakistanis were dumped at a The six bodies were found outside Taliban-style executions. Sufi shrine in the southern city the shrine in Karachi yesterday Mullah Fazlullah was elected of Karachi yesterday, accom- morning, with a note claiming to head of the Taliban last November panied by a note purporting to be from the Tehreek-e-Taliban and is notorious for directing be from the Taliban saying the Fazlullah Group, a senior police mass beheadings. men were killed for visiting the officer said. Sufism is a non-violent form of shrine, police said. “People visiting shrines will Islam characterised by hypnotic Most Pakistanis are Sufis, a meet the same fate,” he quoted rituals and ancient mysticism that form of worship that empha- the group as saying in the note. has been practised in Pakistan for sises a personal relationship with Two of the men had been centuries, but the insurgents see Allah. The Taliban espouse violent beheaded, while the rest had their Sufis as irredeemable heretics who Wahhabi Islam, which rejects many throats slit, the policeman said, in are deserving to die. traditional forms of Sufi worship, the first such instance of a mass Sufi shrines, and sometimes including worship at shrines. killing at a shrine that he knew of. Sufi mosques, have been damaged Sectarian violence is increas- The violent port city of Karachi or destroyed in many parts of the Media persons gather as bodies are being shifted to a morgue in Karachi yesterday. ing across Pakistan, with two Sufi is heavily infiltrated by the Muslim world. REUTERS

Mulk to take over as Peshawar Afghan police hunt brother of suicide attack girl KANDAHAR: Afghan police been ordered by her brother to dress and red and grey headscarf and then secretly returning home commander who coerced her into High Court yesterday searched for a Taliban undertake the suicide mission but -- spoke briefly about the inci- to put on dry clothes. putting on the vest and walking commander who allegedly had decided at the last minute not dent on Sunday night. “We have She did not explain why the towards the police post. forced his 10-year-old sister to to go through with it. appointed a team to investigate police allowed her home. Female child suicide bomb- Chief Justice wear an explosives-packed vest “I was tired of my stepmother. this,” Omar Zwak, the Helmand The girl, who is now in police ers are extremely rare in for an aborted suicide attack My brother told me to wear the governor’s spokesman said. custody, also told police she Afghanistan, but boys have been PESHAWAR: Change of guard in the southern province of black vest, go to the police check- “They will try to find the did not want to live at home used to evade security and deto- is taking place at a top court Helmand. point and press the button,” she brother and father of the girl, any longer because her brother nate explosives. of Pakistan as Justice Fasihul The interior ministry said the told local reporters. and they will visit the police post and father were Taliban fight- It is also a tactic also seen in Mulk is to replace Justice Dost girl, named as Spozhmai, was “I went past a river and decided and talk to the police who found ers and would kill her, and that Iraq where disabled children Khan as chief justice of the detained before she detonated to drop the vest. My brother fled and detained the girl. We are try- she also did not get on with her were sometimes persuaded to Peshawar High Court. the vest near a police checkpoint and police arrested me. He had ing to find out what exactly has stepmother. carry suicide vests. Khan, who served as the chief in the district of Khanashin, but told me nothing would happen to happened.” Some local media quoted offi- In 2011 President Hamid Karzai justice for 26 months, has been some local officials said the trig- me.” Zwak said the girl gave police cials as saying she was wearing met about 20 would-be boy suicide proposed for appointment as judge ger button did not work when she During the press conference varying versions of the events, the suicide vest when arrested, bombers aged as young as seven of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. pressed it. with local media in the Helmand at one stage saying that she had but it was not produced by police. and ordered their release on com- The recommendations were made Speaking on Monday at a press provincial capital of Lashkar crossed the river alone and got The interior ministry’s account passionate grounds. by the Judicial Commission, offi- conference, the girl said she had Gah, the girl -- wearing a blue cold and wet before being arrested said her brother was a Taliban AFP cial sources said here yesterday. Mulk, who belongs to Charsadda district and was born on April 8, 1952, is presently the Hussain meets senior most judge of Peshawar High Court. He is due to retire Treason court to consider Musharraf’s medical report Saudi FM from service in April 2014 and ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would, therefore, remain the chief ISLAMABAD: A special court of the tribunal who handle his decide whether Musharraf needs previously insisted he wants to President Mamnoon Hussain justice for four months only. He set up to try Pakistan’s former case. a heart bypass operation, said the stay and fight the charges. met Saudi Minister of was elevated to the bench as addi- ruler Pervez Musharraf for Judge Faisal Arab, who heads report signed by AFIC execu- Asked whether there was any Foreign Affairs Prince Saud tional judge on September 7, 2009 treason adjourned yesterday to the three-member bench, told tive director Major General SM truth in speculation about Saudi Al Faisal yesterday and dis- and was confirmed as permanent consider a medical report on his the court yesterday: “We will give Imran Majeed. Arabia and Pakistan negotiating cussed relations and issues judge on September 7, 2011. heart complaint. an opportunity to both sides to Musharraf’s sudden health Musharraf’s departure, Saudi of common interest. Prince As a PHC judge Mulk The 70-year-old was rushed examine (the report) and then we scare was met with scepticism Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal Saud arrived in Islamabad on remained monitoring judge to the Armed Forces Institute of will decide accordingly.” by some observers, and media said: “Absolutely not.” a two-day visit. of Anti-Terrorism Courts, Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi, Ahmad Raza Kasuri, a lawyer speculation that his departure The minister, currently on a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which borders Islamabad, on his for Musharraf, told reporters that as part of a face-saving deal to visit to Pakistan, said Riyadh had US pushes for Administrative Judge of Anti- way to the tribunal last week. owing to the complexity of the avert a civil-military clash could a principle of “non-interference Terrorism Courts at Peshawar, The court adjourned the hear- medical issues the matter could be imminent. in the internal affairs of any deal with Kabul chairman, subordinate judiciary ing until Wednesday to allow time only be debated once both sides Rumours have circulated for country and especially a friendly KP Services Tribunal, chairman to assess the doctors’ report and had been given time to assess the months that a backroom deal country”. KABUL: US officials have KP Labour Appellate Tribunal, said defence and prosecution report. would be struck to whisk him Aside from the treason allega- said the security agree- chairman KP Bar Council teams would receive copies. The report, a copy of which overseas, possibly to Saudi Arabia tions, Musharraf also faces trial ment between Kabul and Enrolment Committee, chairman Musharraf’s camp says the was seen, says the former gen- or the United Arab Emirates, over the assassination of former Washington should be signed Purchase Committee of PHC, and treason allegations, which relate eral is suffering triple-vessel to avoid a destabilising clash prime minister Benazir Bhutto, within the coming weeks if a member Election Tribunal for the to his imposition of emergency coronary artery disease and between the government, which the death of a rebel leader, a contingent of US troops was May 2013 general election. rule in November 2007, and are notes that his father died of the brought the charges, and the pow- deadly raid on a radical mosque to remain in Afghanistan Khan, who was born on March politically motivated and his law- same condition. erful armed forces. and the detention of judges. beyond 2014. 20, 1953, remained in the spotlight yers have challenged the authority Further tests are needed to But the former commando has AFP White House spokesman Jay as he frequently took suo moto Carney warned that the US notice of cases involving violation might completely withdraw of human rights and adopted a Firewood for winter from Afghanistan, unless a deal tough stance on the issue of was reached to keep upwards of missing persons. In the process, 8,000 troops inside the country. he brought into the dock senior Arms licences probe “Our position continues to be government officials and officers that if we cannot conclude an of the security forces and intel- agreement promptly, then we ligence agencies. faces stumbling block will be forced to initiate plan- Several people were released ning for a post-2014 future in due to his directives to authori- ISLAMABAD: A probe into legality of arms licences reviewing which there would be no US ties and more than 1,500 detain- legality of arms licences issued booklets issued before 2002. or Nato troop presence in ees suspected to be militants were so far by the federal and provin- Interior Ministry had directed Afghanistan,” carney said. shifted to the internment centres. cial governments in Pakistan the concerned officials that who- This comes as Afghan To provide free and expeditious faces a stumbling block as ever approached them for exten- President Hamid Karzai set justice to poor and helpless, he no record is available about sion of arms licence issued before new conditions for the signing started the first mobile court in licences issued before 2002 that 2002, they should approach NBP of the agreement despite its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It decided is believed to have been spoiled to verify its authenticity. approval by Loya Jirga, accord- more than 140 cases in three vis- in a massive fire incident which They also claimed that a ing to Afghan online newspa- its to suburban areas and decided took place at Shaheed-e-Millat number of former elected mem- per Khaama Press. Karzai within hours certain cases that Secretariat in December 2011, bers managed to obtain arms also ignored the deadline set had been running for the past sources said here yesterday. licences for their personal guards by Washington for the sign- 10 years in regular courts. The The probe into issuance of who had strong links with banned ing of the agreement by the chief justice also established the arms licences was initiated on outfits during the former Pakistan end of 2013, after protracted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial the directives of Prime Minister People’s Party’s government in negotiations that have strained Academy, which is imparting legal Nawaz Sharif. Now the concerned which a total of 119,667 licences relations. education and training to judges, officials decided to approach dep- for non-prohibited weapons were lawyers, prosecutors and other uty commissioners and admin- astonishingly issued mainly in 16 rebels killed staff related to the judiciary. istration of state-run National violation of rules and procedures. INTERNEWS A man collects dried bushes to use as firewood on the outskirts of Mazar- Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to verify INTERNEWS e-Sharif, Afghanistan, yesterday. The country is experiencing a harsh in Afghan raids winter season with temperatures falling below zero degree. KABUL: At least 16 mili- tants were killed and 15 others were injured during coordination military opera- Pakistan, India ready to upgrade trade infrastructure at border tions by Afghan national security forces across the LAHORE: Pakistan and India Pakistani businessmen of the have improved. He cited the till 2003 when the sharp focus of regularly interact to ensure country. The interior minis- have shown their readiness to Lahore Chamber of Commerce recent successful visit of the the diplomats of the two countries smooth and adequate supply of try of Afghanistan following upgrade infrastructure on both and Industry (LCCI) and they Pakistani Punjab chief minister was political issues,” he said, add- rail wagons for transportation of a statement, said the opera- sides of the border and remove discussed at length the issues to India, increasing people-to- ing that trade was given impor- goods, he said. tions were jointly conducted red tape and technical barri- being faced by the two coun- people contacts between the two tance in 2007. The two sides should also by Afghan army, Afghan ers to trade from the Indian tries in improving trade that has countries and close interaction To resolve these issues, India establish cold storage facilities police and Afghan intelli- side, the top New Delhi envoy to remained stagnant for the last between the businessmen on and Pakistan have agreed to at border posts, he said, add- gence – National Directorate Islamabad has said. three years, The News reported both sides as evidence of better arrange periodic meetings of the ing that containerised exports of Security (NDS) operatives Indian High Commissioner to yesterday. ties. Customs officials. It has also been will enhance the trade volume during the past 24 hours. Pakistan TCA Raghawan said Raghawan said that the rela- “Trade between the two coun- decided that the Railways author- between the two countries. AGENCIES this while exchanging views with tions between the two countries tries was virtually insignificant ities from the two countries will INTERNEWS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Priyanka Vadra War of words over alleged LeT foray into Muzaffarnagar attends Congress LUCKNOW: A war of words September riots in Muzaffarnagar. More than 60 people were killed had hinted at such efforts months MP Naresh Agarwal said. broke out between political par- Delhi Police said they were and thousands fled their homes ago. “What Rahul Gandhi had Uttar Pradesh officials said Delhi meet in Delhi ties yesterday after Delhi Police looking for some LeT operatives following Hindu-Muslim violence said about terrorist groups try- Police had not shared any details of NEW DELHI: A meeting of claimed that a Pakistan-backed after arresting two men from in Muzaffarnagar in September. ing to recruit the Muzaffarnagar the reported arrests made by them. some Congress leaders yes- terrorist outfit allegedly scouted Mewat in Haryana who admit- According to Special riot victims is true and has been Anil Kumar Gupta, the principal terday took a lot of people for recruits among the riot vic- ted to visiting Deoband and Commissioner of Police S N reinforced,” said Congress leader secretary in charge of home affairs, by surprise when Priyanka tims in Uttar Pradesh. Muzaffarnagar. “This is a very Srivastava in Delhi, Md Rashid Digvijaya Singh. State Congress said: “The intelligence agencies in Gandhi-Vadra, sister of party The BJP, the Congress and serious matter that imperils the — one of the two arrested — went president Nirmal Khatri said the the state are not in the know of any vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh’s ruling Samajwadi internal security of the country,” with a LeT member to Deoband state government must take a seri- such developments.” also turned up. A party Party sparred after police sources Bharatiya Janata Party spokes- and met a 58-year-old school ous view of the whole matter and Rahul Gandhi had in an election leader would only say that said they had stumbled upon man Vijay Bahadur Pathak said. teacher. The teacher took Rashid ensure speedy justice to those who speech on October 28 at Indore the meeting was held to dis- evidence about a visit to refu- “What is even more a matter of and his accomplice to another survived the violence. claimed that an intelligence offi- cuss the tour programmes of gee camps in Muzaffarnagar by concern is that security agencies man, Zameer. Rashid told Zameer The Samajwadi Party said it cial told him that the Pakistani Rahul Gandhi and Congress Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists. in the state and in New Delhi do that they wanted to kidnap peo- had not heard of any visit by any intelligence agency ISI was trying President Sonia Gandhi. Delhi Police were not categori- not seem to be in tandem with the ple to raise money to construct a terrorist operative to the riot vic- to recruit people from camps in Congress general secretary cal about the alleged recruitment findings,” he added. Added BJP mosque. But Zameer backed off. tims’ camps. “We have no such Muzaffarnagar. Many, including Janardan Dwivedi said that effort. But police sources said that national president Rajnath Singh: The Congress also billed the reports. In case what Delhi Police Muslim leaders, had then termed Priyanka Gandhi is a member the LeT did try to rope in youth in “The issue should be probed and matter as serious and recalled that is saying is true, action should be the statement as “irresponsible”. of an important political fam- the camps housing victims of the taken very seriously.” its vice-president Rahul Gandhi taken,” the party’s Rajya Sabha IANS ily. “Even if she is not seen taking part in active politics, she is an active member of the Indian National Congress,” he Cold wave continues said. “She has her own views on political issues and talks to party workers from time Strong support to time. If on some issue she has talked to some leaders, what is there to be surprised about? What is new in this?” A Congress leader said that for Modi among Priyanka joined the meeting towards the end. The meeting was held at Rahul Gandhi’s 12 Tughlak Lane residence. It was not clear if Rahul Gandhi US diaspora was present at the meeting. Priyanka Vadra has been look- ing after the constituencies Dynastic politics must go: Delegate of her brother Rahul Gandhi (Amethi) and her mother NEW DELHI: There is major “In 2015, it will be 100 years of Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli). support among the Indian Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India American community for BJP’s (from South Africa), We have not Adolescent health prime ministerial candidate achieved the India of Gandhi’s Narendra Modi, while a grow- dreams. We have not done enough plan launched ing number also support Arvind for the people who sustain our lives. NEW DELHI: The govern- Kejriwal’s Aam Admi Party “The foundation of the pyramid of ment yesterday launched a (AAP), says Indian American India is getting weak. We need to comprehensive programme to Mohan L Jain from Chicago. strengthen the foundations. The improve the health of adoles- Jain, a delegate at the 12th people who live in villages, they are cents, who comprise over 21 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the the life givers. We have to take care percent of the over 121 crore world’s largest annual gathering of them,” Jain said. Passengers push their bus to start it amid dense fog on a cold winter morning on the outskirts of Agartala, population, in the country with of people of Indian origin that “We have lost our values. Our yesterday. Cold wave conditions continue across most parts of north India with temperatures at most places a focus on community-based began here yesterday, said: “We values will tell us we are all one, remaining below normal. interventions. The Rashtriya want a strong leader to come we should work together to solve Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (to power in India). There has our problems. We welcome all the (National Adolescent Health been enough of dynastic politics.. people who want to work for India,” Programme), launched Others should be given a chance said Jain, adding that if the govern- by union Health Minister to rule. Modi has very strong sup- ment had done its work in the past Ghulam Nabi Azad here, will port among the Indian American 65 years for poverty alleviation and comprehensively address the community.” education, then organisations like Kudankulam N-plant has foolproof health needs of the 243 mil- Asked what he felt about the his would not need to have to come lion adolescents. He said so giant-killer AAP, which decimated to work in India. far efforts have been confined the ruling Congress in the Delhi “We are doing the work in safety systems: Russian developer to sexual and reproductive assembly elections and has formed India which the government of health of adolescents that too government, Jain said: “The AAP India has not done for 65 years,” NEW DELHI: The Kudankulam disaster, activists of the People’s reaction (reaction with thermal at select government facilities. phenomenon is very good.. It is he said. “We are telling Indians nuclear power plant in Tamil Movement Against Nuclear energy absorption) begins, which The programme will bring in good to give a jolt. It is good for in the US to come and work for Nadu, whose first 1,000 MW unit Energy have been holding pro- results in solidification of the melt. several new dimensions, like India and for the whole country.” India,” he added. According to is currently in the testing stage, tests against the Kudankulam Besides, the material contains dys- mental health, nutrition, sub- Jain said he met Kejriwal a Jain, there is a groundswell of is equipped with state-of-the-art plant, citing safety and envirom- prosium, which absorbs neutrons, stance misuse, gender based few years ago when the latter support in India too for Modi, safety mechanisms with unique nent concerns. The Supreme and this excludes the possibility of violence and non-communica- was in Chicago to give a talk, more than for Kejriwal. He said features that make them fool- Court had last year rejected a plea a chain reaction,” he said. ble diseases, he said. and has also met AAP leader an auto driver he spoke to said proof, its Russian developer says, against the project but asked the Russia’s concerns over the Prashant Bhushan. “I have met while he had voted for Kejriwal in addressing current concerns on government to put in place strin- operator’s responsibility in India’s Policeman killed in Anna Hazare too. They have a the Delhi elections and during the nuclear safety issues. gent security measures. nuclear liability law have stalled lot of supporters in the US,” said April-May Lok Sabha elections, Denis Kolchinskiy, chief project The key to preventing an agreement on Unit 3 and 4 of the Kashmir gunfight Jain who is trustee and founding his vote would be for the BJP. engineer of SPbAEP, the develop- apocalypse in the event of a core Kudankulam project. “The pas- SRINAGAR: A police officer president of India Development “We are not against (Congress ers of the AES 92 nuclear reac- meltdown, said Kolchinskiy, is the sive emergency protection system was killed and three police- Coalition of America (IDCA) that vice president) Rahul Gandhi, we tor installed at Kudankulam, said “molten-core catcher” - a man- turns on without electricity and men were injured in a fierce works with NGOs to help eradi- have had enough of dynastic rule. modern Russian designs have an datory safety system included in begins cooling by heat to heat gunbattle between secu- cate poverty in India. Whatever work he has done has optimised balance of active and the Kudankulam project’s basic exchanges owing to thrust. It rity forces and guerrillas in Jain’s organisation works with been for the family, for the party, passive safety systems that have supply package. directs heat to the atmosphere Kashmir’s Baramulla district grassroots NGOs in the fields of not for India. If he had taken up a been developed over a decade. To remove heat from the reac- for an unlimited period of time,” yesterday, an official said. education, healthcare, water and position of responsibility and done “Now we implement such tor core which contains nuclear the Russian engineer said. A senior police officer said livelihood in many states, includ- something concrete he would have projects in Russia and offer them fuel, it is necessary to supply Pointing out that nuclear power that an assistant sub-inspec- ing Madhya Pradesh, Andhra proved something.” our foreign partners,” Kolchinskiy water by means of pumps. Should is “most harmless”, sans hazardous tor, who was injured along Pradesh and Rajasthan. Jain, who The three-day Pravasi said. According to Kolchinskiy, the reactor fail to be cooled down emissions into the environment, with three policemen, in migrated to the US 42 years ago, Bharatiya Divas inder way in New the Kudankulam plant is built for some reason, the fuel inside Kolchinskiy said construction at Chankhan locality of Sopore, said his son left his job in the US Delhi, of which FICCI is a partner, with “active” and “passive” safety would not melt down. “The mol- Kudankulam “was preceded by 55km from here, succumbed to form an NGO in India. is aimed at enhancing networking systems to provide two layers of ten core would go to the ‘catcher’, landscaping the surrounding areas, to his injuries. Reports According to him, the “foun- and reinforcing commercial link- protection. While the active layer which would ensure its cool- as a result of which all necessary from Sopore said firing had dation of the pyramid of India”, ages among the diaspora. There requires an electrical actuator, or ing down and prevent release of conditions were created for birds, stopped in the area in the or the people who live in villages are 25 million people of Indian starter, the passive one uses natu- hydrogen,” Kolchinsky said. the pond in which they fish and morning following informa- have been ignored by the Indian origin residing outside India. ral force, like that of gravity. “When the molten matter gets trees where birds build nests.” tion about the presence of a government. IANS Spurred by Japan’s Fukushima into the ‘catcher’, an endothermic IANS group of guerrillas. ‘Rape victim’ gives Paying respects man clean chit NEW DELHI: A Delhi court Italian Marines to appear has acquitted a man of rape charges after observing that the victim had admitted that in Delhi court today they had a consensual physi- cal relationship. Additional NEW DELHI: The two Italian 2013, had said that till such time Sessions Judge Virender Bhat Marines facing trial for mur- as the special court is set up, the held Kamaljeet Singh inno- der of two fishermen have been Marines will be under the custody cent of the accusation made in asked to appear before a court of the Apex Court. a police complaint but which here today. The Marines, posted onboard the young woman withdrew in Additional Sessions Judge oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie on her statement to a magistrate. Dharmesh Sharma last month security duty, had opened fire at The court order came after it issued notice against Marines a fishing boat, suspecting that it went through the statement of Massimiliano Latorre and carried pirates. Two fishermen, the victim made to the mag- Salvatore Girone and asked them Ajesh Binki and Gelastine, were istrate where she gave a clean to appear before him on January killed in the firing. Italian offi- chit to accused, a teacher. 8. The court order came on a plea cials say the Marines merely fired The victim said she knew the filed by the National Investigation warning shots into the sea in the accused for two years and was Agency, which requested the court direction of the fishermen’s boat. in love with him. She told the to take steps for it to get custody The case sparked a diplomatic magistrate that her allegation of the two accused according to row between the two countries made in the First Information directions of the Supreme Court. when Rome refused to return Report against the accused Latorre and Girone were Latorre and Girone to New Delhi was because she feared her arrested for the killing of two after they were allowed home to own mother. The prosecution Indian fisherman off the coast of vote in elections by the Supreme alleged that Singh molested Kerala in February 2012. They Court last year. The two later the victim on July 7, 2012. The Sikh devotees light candles as they pay their respects at the Golden Temple in Amritsar yesterday. Sikhs are are currently on bail pending trial returned to India within the stip- victim’s U-turn before the celebrating the 349th birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. and are living and working at the ulated time limit. A charge sheet magistrate came 16 days later. Italian embassy in New Delhi. The in the case is likely to be filed this IANS Supreme Court, on January 18, month. IANS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

Prithvi-II tested Top matrimonial Diplomat for 30-day website finds tech-savvy men impress women delay in indictment NEW DELHI: Indian women are impressed by men who are technology-savvy and those Visa fraud case: Khobragade’s lawyer files papers who are active on online social networking platforms, accord- NEW YORK: A lawyer for counterproductive to continued Marie Harf said on Monday that ing to a study by a matrimonial Indian diplomat Devyani communications,” Arshack wrote. India’s application to transfer website. Khobragade is seeking to post- Preet Bharara, the US attorney Khobragade’s accreditation to Shaadi.com conducted a study pone proceedings in a visa fraud in Manhattan whose office is han- the Indian mission at the United to understand the influence of case that has created tensions dling the case, however responded Nations, which was made before lifestyle and technology on women between the United States and saying the plea discussions can Christmas, was still under review. looking for a partner. In this India, citing the need to con- continue following the indictment “We’ve received the request for study, women were asked about tinue “meaningful discussions” in the case. change in accreditation, but the things they notice in their pro- with the prosecution. “The government is not seek- process is ongoing and no official spective partner. In a letter to a federal mag- ing an extension of the deadline for decision has been made yet to do Interestingly, women seem to istrate judge in New York, indictment and therefore there is that. So there’s no change in her notice the technology men choose. Khobragade’s lawyer requested no motion for the court to decide. status as of this point,” she told a As much as 48.4 percent of the an extension of the time by which At any rate, as the court knows, the regular news briefing. respondents said that they notice the US government must file an timing under which the govern- Indian media have said the gadgets, especially their phones indictment or commence a pre- ment seeks an indictment is in the request to transfer Khobragade and phone accessories, 27.1 per- liminary hearing. The lawyer, discretion of the government, and to the United Nations was aimed cent said they notice watches and Daniel Arshack, confirmed he the defendant cannot alter that,” at ending the stand-off with the the remaining respondents went filed the letter in court but would Bharara wrote in a letter to a fed- United States in the hopes that her for a man’s shoes. not comment about a possible res- eral magistrate judge in New York. new diplomatic status could allow According to 28.3 percent olution of the case. Bharara added that as recently New Delhi to bring her home with- of the women, Twitter and Khobragade, who was deputy as January 5, the government out- out the prosecution proceeding. Facebook are important medi- consul-general in New York, was lined “reasonable parameters” for According to UN guidelines on ums to analyse social presence, arrested on December 12 and a plea that could resolve the case, diplomatic privileges and immuni- behaviour and psychology of charged with one count of visa to which the defendant has not ties, documents certifying diplo- potential partners. fraud and one count of making responded. matic immunity, if approved, are Commenting on the survey false statements about how much Khobragade’s arrest enraged usually issued by the US Mission results, Gourav Rakshit, chief she paid her housekeeper. The India, which is demanding that to the United Nations within two operating officer, Shaadi.com, case was adjourned until January all charges be dropped against weeks of the initial request. said: “The study indicates that 13 by which time the government her. On the day of her arrest, she A State Department official the Indian woman is now going must commence a preliminary was strip-searched. The arrest- said there was no set time period beyond the conventional part- hearing or file an indictment. ing authority, the US Marshals for the process, and noted that the ner preferences. Previously, the Arshack asked US Magistrate Service, said the strip search was request had been filed just ahead emphasis in matchmaking for a Judge Sarah Netburn to extend the a routine procedure imposed on of a period of government holi- girl was a well-settled man. deadline by 30 days to February 12. any new arrestee at the federal days. Harf said the United States A handout picture provided by the Government of India press informa- “Significant communications have courthouse. Khobragade was hoped to see the case resolved as tion bureau’s defence wing yesterday shows the launch of a surface- COMPATIBILITY FACTOR been had between the prosecu- released on $250,000 bail. soon as possible in the interest of to-surface Prithvi-II missile, with a maximum range of 350km, from the “Today people give a lot of tion and the defense and amongst In the aftermath of her arrest, the bilateral relationship between importance to compatibility. Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about other government officials and it India asked to transfer Khobragade India and the United States, which The poll is part of the constant 230km from Bhubaneswar, yesterday. Prithvi missiles are indigenously is our strong view that the pres- to the United Nations. US State has been strained by the case. research that Shaadi.com con- sure of the impending deadline is Department spokeswoman REUTERS produced and are equipped with improved high accuracy navigation ducts in its attempt to gauge the and manoeuvring system. preferences of its members,” he said in a statement. As many as 45.6 percent of the women surveyed said that French consular they would prefer men who are AAP to contest UP’s all 80 Lok Sabha seats active on Twitter as they are perceived as knowledgeable and official to face well-informed, while 26.1 percent LUCKNOW: The Aam Aadmi Singh said the party will be Congress president and UPA principal secretary-cum com- of women said they would prefer Party (AAP) will contest all the finalising names soon and efforts chairperson Sonia Gandhi from missioner (food and supplies). men who are active on Facebook trial for assault 80 Lok Sabha seats from Uttar would be made to announce the Rae Bareli and Samajwadi Party During the Congress rule, Yadav as they are perceived as trustwor- BANGALORE: A local court Pradesh, party spokesman first list of its Lok Sabha poll can- (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was entrusted the task of imple- thy and reliable. has ordered framing of charges Sanjay Singh said. didates by February 15. in Mainpuri. menting food security scheme — When asked what annoys against French consular official Singh, a close associate of AAP He underlined that the AAP Earlier, Singh said people inter- the UPA government’s flagship them the most, 36.5 percent of Pascal Mazurier and his trial leader and Delhi Chief Minister candidates, like in New Delhi, ested in contesting the Lok Sabha programme. the women women said they for the alleged sexual assault of Arvind Kejriwal, said the party would be common people, the polls can fill forms till January 15 North Delhi’s Municipal don’t like men who are obsessed his minor daughter. was pushing for clean and honest ‘aam aadmi’. He said the national and that the aspirants would have Corporation’s (NDMC) Deputy with taking photos of the food to “Session Court for Offences politics and hoped that issues like executive of the party which met to get the endorsement of at least Commissioner Padmini Singla has update their Facebook, Twitter against Children judge Shubha casteism and communalism will in Delhi on Sunday has decided to 100 people from their probable also been repatriated and posted and Instagram. Gowdar on Monday ordered be relegated to the back burner. field candidates in 20 states. constituencies. as director (education). Now, Around 34.2 percent of those that there is sufficient material He admitted these two issues It was almost certain that poet Meanwhile, the AAP govern- Niharika Rai, who was additional surveyed are annoyed by men for framing charges against the have long stood ground in the state Kumar Vishwas would contest ment in Delhi effected a sec- secretary (food and supplies), will who stare at the TV screen while accused (Mazurier) and to go for and that they were major chal- against Congress vice president ond reshuffle of bureaucrats be NDMC’s deputy commissioner talking and 29.3 percent of them trial in the sexual assault case,” lenges. But, he said, time has come Rahul Gandhi in Amethi constit- after assuming power. Arun on deputation. On the very first day aren’t impressed by those who special public prosecutor B T to change traditional politics and uency, he added. Goyal, who until now was prin- of assuming charge (December 28, constantly look at the phone dur- Venkatesh said yesterday. the common man has embraced The AAP spokesman said the cipal secretary (urban develop- 2013), the AAP reshuffled quite a ing a conversation. Gowdar posted the case Jan development as a major poll plank. party will field candidates against ment), will replace S S Yadav as number of IAS officers. IANS IANS 24 for framing of charges against Mazurier. Mazurier, 40, who is on bail in the sexual abuse case, filed an application in the session court Pro-Telangana protest seeking an order to discharge from the criminal case on the grounds of insufficient evidence against him. SC likely to hear “We, however, argued that there is a prima facie case against the accused to prove his involve- ment in the course of the trial,” Kanimozhi’s plea Venkatesh said. S Mahesh, coun- sel for the accused, argued that the DNA test of the father and NEW DELHI: The Supreme and Ravinder Kumar Chandolia, a the four-year-old child did not Court is likely to hear on former aide of ex-telecom minis- match and projected that it was a January 21 DMK leader ter A Raja — challenging its April one-off incident of sexual assault. Kanimozhi’s plea seeking the 11, 2011 order. “Our contention was that the quashing of charges against her This order had said “...when allegations of sexual assault and in the 2G case being exclusively large public interest is involved, it sodomy were over a period of heard by a special CBI court on is the bounded duty of all, includ- time and the DNA report was day-to-day basis. ing the accused persons, who are inconsequential,” Venkatesh said. A bench headed by Chief Justice presumed to be innocent, until “I am deeply disappointed with P Sathasivam said the 2G bench proven guilty, to co-operate with the order. I will seek justice in a comprising Justice H L Dattu the progress of trial” as “early dis- higher court,” Mazurier said. and Justice K S Radhakrishnan posal of the trial is also to their The criminal case was filed by Police holding shields stand behind barriers to prevent students from the Telangana Joint Action Committee is likely to sit on January 21 and advantage, so that their innocence the consular’s estranged Indian advancing towards the Assembly during a pro-Telangana protest in Hyderabad yesterday. The commit- may hear the matter. could be proved...” wife Suja Jones. tee has called for the ‘Chalo Assembly’ programme to demand legislature to support the Andhra Pradesh Appearing for Kanimozhi, “The nation and the people of IANS senior counsel Abhishek Manu this country are seriously con- Reorganisation Bill 2013 for the creation of Telangana state. Singhvi told the court that the cerned with the outcome of the plea for the quashing of charges is cases involving larger public pending for quite some time while interest, like one concerning 2G the trial in the matter is going on. and this court, as the guardian He told the court that it has not of the constitution, has got duty Kerala solar scam accused led a luxurious life: Report been listed and they want it to be and obligation to see that larger listed for an early hearing. public interest is preserved and KOCHI: Saritha Nair, one of the key The couple allegedly defrauded people by household needs. An amount of Rs1.2 crore A bench of Justice G S Singhvi protected,” the court said then. accused in the solar scam that has rocked offering solar energy solutions at huge dis- went to popular TV and film actress Shalu (since retired) and Justice Kanimozhi had moved the Apex Kerala’s more than two-year-old Oommen counts and lured customers into investing in Menon, also named an accused and who was Radhakrishnan had put on hold the Court July 24, 2012, for the quash- Chandy government, led a luxurious life, their enterprise by citing acquaintance with jailed in one case but is out on bail. hearing on the plea of Kanimozhi ing of charges framed against according to a police report that came out those in high offices in the state government. While police were able to recover Rs1 lakh and others challenging the fram- her by the special court holding in the media yesterday. Telephone call records of the couple revealed from the duo, they have no details of the ing of charges saying that their trial in 2G scam cases and also The police have registered 33 cases against they had been in close touch with influential remaining sum of money. fate would be decided only after it the charge sheet by the CBI. The her, of which she has secured bail in 30. people in Kerala and three of Chandy’s staff Now, all eyes are on Saritha if she will be decides the challenge to its April 11, 2G special court had framed the The detailed report filed by the police says members lost their jobs after it was found they free as just three more cases remain. 2011 order barring the Delhi High charges on October 22, 2011. of the Rs6 crore that Saritha and her live-in had links with Saritha. The Left opposition, after almost six months Court from entertaining any plea She had contended that she partner Biju Radhakrishnan swindled, they The police report mentions she purchased of protest demanding Chandy’s resignation as against the orders of special CBI was one of the directors of the spent Rs5.50 crore. sarees worth Rs0.13 crore, spent Rs0.4 crore his office was involved, recently called it off court hearing 2G cases. Kalaignar TV for only a short The solar panel scam has been making at parties entertaining prominent Malayalam after many felt they had crossed limits. The apex court by its September period of two weeks — from June headlines since June 3, 2013 when Saritha was film personalities and also as fees for movie Chandy has already announced a judicial 3, 2012, order rejected the plea by 6, 2007 to June 20, 2007 — and had arrested and two weeks later, Radhakrishnan stars invited for an award function her com- probe into the case and the report is expected five accused — corporate honchos nothing to do with the channel’s was also taken into custody. Since then, the pany organised. to come out in another three months’ time. Shahid Balwa, Vinod Goenka, financial transactions. two are in jail. She splurged another Rs0.2 crore on her IANS Rajiv Agarwal and Asif Balwa IANS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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MUSCAT 22/15 Clear 23/17 Partly cloudy KUWAIT 16/10 Clear 17/10 Partly cloudy BAHRAIN 18/15 Mostly cloudy 20/15 Partly cloudy A keeper with Lanner Falcons during a photocall for Whipsnade Zoo’s annual stocktake in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, north of London, yesterday. SANAA 24/07 Chance of rain 24/07 Partly cloudy RIYADH 22/10 Partly cloudy 21/13 Partly cloudy DUBAI 22/15 Partly cloudy 24/16 Mostly cloudy BAGHDAD 13/04 Partly cloudy 12/06 Chance of rain

THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW New Zealand director to head Cannes jury HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER PARIS: Oscar-winning New headed the jury last year. “I am festivals has only grown larger,” Harvey Keitel in the movie, best Zealand director Jane Campion truly honoured to join with the she said. Campion lauded Cannes’ actress. ATHENS 16/10 Partly cloudy 16/08 Clear will head the jury for the 67th Cannes Film Festival as president ability to celebrate the glamour Campion, who was born in WASHINGTON -1/-1 Clear 06/01 Partly cloudy Cannes film festival in May, the of the in-competition features for of the film industry with its stars Wellington and originally studied SYDNEY 23/15 Chance of rain 23/16 Partly cloudy festival announced yesterday. 2014,” Campion said in a state- and parties while “rigorously to be an anthropologist, started LONDON 13/10 Mostly cloudy 11/04 Chance of rain Campion, who won an Oscar ment issued by the festival. “In maintaining the festival’s serious- making short films in the 1980s PARIS 15/10 Mostly cloudy 13/06 Chance of rain for best screenplay for her 1993 fact I can’t wait.” ness about the art and excellence and won the top Cannes prize for ISTANBUL 11/05 Partly cloudy 09/04 Partly cloudy film “The Piano” and is the “Since I first went to Cannes of new world cinema”. a short feature in 1986. Her first MANILA 31/22 Partly cloudy 29/21 Mostly cloudy only woman ever to win the top with my short films in 1986 I have In addition to “The Piano” win- feature film was “Sweetie” (1989) DHAKA 23/13 Clear 25/16 Clear Cannes prize, the Palme d’or, had the opportunity to see the ning the Palme d’or in 1993, the followed by “An Angel at My DELHI 17/07 Partly cloudy 16/09 Clear for that same film, succeeds US festival from many sides and my festival that year named Holly Table” (1990) and “The Piano”. ISLAMABAD 16/01 Partly cloudy 16/01 Partly cloudy director Steven Spielberg, who admiration for this queen of film Hunter, who played opposite REUTERS Kung fu film Shark aquarium Dinosaur remains pioneer Run found in Saudi Run Shaw STOCKHOLM: An interna- taxonomically recognisable tional team of paleontologists dinosaurs reported from the has for the first time iden- Arabian peninsula,” Australian dies at 106 tified dinosaur species that paleobiologist Benjamin Kear lived in the Arabian penin- said in the statement. HONG sula, Swedish scientists said “Dinosaur fossils are excep- KONG: Run yesterday. tionally rare in the Arabian Run Shaw The researchers found peninsula, with only a handful of (pictured), teeth and bones dating from highly fragmented bones docu- the billion- around 72 million years ago in mented this far.” aire film the northwestern part of the The finding is very rare pioneer region, along the coast of the because sedimentary rocks hailed as the Red Sea in what is today Saudi deposited in streams and riv- inventor of Arabia, Uppsala University said ers in the region during the the kung fu in a statement. Age of Dinosaurs are quite genre and The area now a desert, but uncommon. who launched a media empire at the time it was a beach on “Similar dinosaurs have that stretched from Hong Kong the African coast, and the been found in North Africa, to Hollywood, died yesterday at Arabian landmass was largely Madagascar and as far away as the age of 106. underwater. South America,” the researchers The colourful mogul, whose The remains are tail verte- said in the statement. flagship Shaw Brothers Studio brae from a titanosaurid sau- The finds, jointly authored by helped shape Asian cinema in the ropod, an herbivore which was Australian, Saudi and Swedish 20th century and influenced the probably longer than 20 metres researchers and under the aus- films of directors such as Quentin (65 feet), and teeth belonging pices of the Saudi Geological Tarantino, passed away at his A Chinese security guard stands outside the entrance of an aquarium specialising in sharks in Beijing yes- to an abelisaurid, a carnivorous Survey, were published in late home in Hong Kong. terday. China is under increasing pressure from marine biologists, animal rights groups and foreign govern- theropod which was around six December on the scientific jour- Hong Kong’s chief execu- ments to stop the practice of killing a huge number of sharks just for their fins - which are used in a traditional metres long. nal PLOS ONE. tive Leung Chun-ying, leader of “These are the first AFP Chinese soup. the city of seven million people, praised Shaw’s legacy. “Sir Run Run Shaw has for a long time promoted the enter- tainment industry in Hong Kong, his philanthropy also has spread Settling down on Mars and no return, any takers? from Hong Kong to China and beyond. He is an elder that we PARIS: A comfortable, mid- planet some 55 million kilometres illusions about the challenge. I would really love to help find very much respect,” Leung told dle-class Parisian life may be away. “We will be trying to survive answers to some of Mankind’s reporters. the envy of many people, but The high cost of the project, on a hostile planet: even breath- existential questions: ‘Who are Shaw, listed by Forbes as a bil- Florence Porcel would give an estimated $6bn, precludes the ing, drinking and eating won’t be we?’, ‘Why are we alive?’, ‘Why lionaire, was also a generous phi- it all up to be among the first option of a return trip. Many experts a given. We will need a lot of hard are we on Earth?’ and ‘How was lanthropist who was knighted by Earthlings to settle on Mars — The trial resettlement is meant scoff at the work, energy and expertise... also the Solar System born?’,” she said. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 1977 even with no option of return. to be mainly funded by a reality- some luck!” she said, sitting on “I am part of a generation that for his public service as a long- “I have always felt a bit cramped TV show about the project. project’s feasibility, the couch in her small apartment hasn’t seen a human set foot on a time backer of the Red Cross. on Earth,” the self-confessed The final 24 would be sent to questioning whether near Paris. celestial body other than Earth,” He co-produced Ridley Scott’s space junkie told AFP, delighted the Red Planet in six separate A world away from the life since the end of the Moon mis- 1982 cult hit “Blade Runner”, to be shortlisted with some 1,000 launches starting in 10 years, the participants that awaits the pioneers — grow- sions in 1972. and his studio’s kung fu films other aspiring voyagers for Mars according to the Dutch-based would survive the ing their own food in air-locked “If Mars One gives me the became genre-defining — but he One — a private project to colo- non-profit group behind the physical perils and pods protecting them from Mars’ chance, I will do it! It will be a famously missed out on signing nise the Red Planet from 2024. endeavour. thin, unbreathable atmosphere first for mankind!” Porcel said, Bruce Lee following failed talks “I have always dreamt of explor- A short-listed 1,058 candi- demands on their and sub-zero temperatures, the adding she had no plans to settle over remuneration. ing other worlds,” the 30-year-old dates from 140 countries were sanity. decor in Porcel’s apartment is down or have children. Lee instead joined Golden journalist said. informed on December 30 they cosy and girly — a cherry-red Mars One counts a Dutch 1999 Harvest, a Hong Kong-based pro- “I am not a pilot, nor a doctor, had made the first cut after going carpet and heart-shaped mirror Nobel Physics winner, Gerard ‘t duction house founded by Shaw’s nor an engineer; I was never going through an online vetting proc- English-speaking. The list will be adorn the lounge. But her life’s Hooft, among its supporters. But former employee Raymond Chow, to become an astronaut through ess that included an extensive finalised next year after further passion is evident from the heavy there are sceptics, too. which propelled the martial arts the normal channels.” questionnaire. medical and psychological tests. sprinkling of space paraphernalia “For now, I am ready to see this icon to international stardom. Porcel is among about 200,000 The criteria, according to Many experts scoff at the in-between — a hanging mobile through. If I make it to the final Shaw and his older brother people from around the world who Mars One, include an “indomi- project’s feasibility, questioning of the Solar System, photos of 24 and find myself on the launch Runme first founded a film pro- volunteered for the extraordinary table spirit”, “good judgement”, whether the participants would the journalist floating in a zero pad... perhaps it will be different... duction house in Shanghai in 1927, project. It would see two dozen and “a good sense of play”. The survive the physical perils and gravity experimental flight, and “ said Porcel. before moving in to Hong Kong pioneers abandon Earth for a new interplanetary pioneers must demands on their sanity. a large collection of books on “I reserve the right to change and Singapore. AFP start on a cold, dry, oxygen-less also be disease-and drug-free and Porcel said she was under no astrophysics. my mind.” AFP Wednesday 8 January 2014 7 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5938 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Irish PM seeks investments from Qatar Qatari businessmen to visit Ireland

DOHA: A group of Qatari Now we are focusing on this part investors is to travel to Ireland of the world, at the same time we in the coming months to explore are looking for opportunities in opportunities in areas such as Qatar as well,” he said. financial services, infrastruc- Enda who said Ireland’s eco- ture, SMEs, innovations and nomic gloom is a thing of past Research & Development, visit- added the country saw a two per- ing Irish Prime Minister Enda cent growth rate and just issued Kenny said here yesterday. a 10-year bond. With a two per- Addressing top Qatari busi- cent growth rate and creating nessmen at an event hosted by over 58,000 new jobs last year, the Qatar Businessmen Association investor confidence is really high (QBA), in the presence of in the country, he said. Qatar’s Minister of Economy and “We see our economy and busi- Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed nesses becoming more competi- bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al tive. There is dynamic growth and Thani, Enda said the “Qatari has a transparent tax regime ….. investment entity” will visit Ireland has world class Research Ireland in March 2014 to look at and Development sector, a trans- The Minister of Economy and Trade H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny, Chairman of Qatar the vast opportunities in Ireland. parent tax regime.” Businessmen Association Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Second Deputy to Chairman of QBA Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of Al Khaliji The Irish premier, who is lead- QBA board member chair- Bank Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and board ing a trade delegation from his man Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal member of Qatar Chamber Adel Abdulrahman Al Mannai at a reception hosted by the QBA for the visiting Irish business delegation. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) country, earlier met with Qatar’s Al Thani noted Qatar’s political Prime Minister and Interior stability, security and economic Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim benefiting from mutual invest- essential oils, cosmetics, and Minister H E Abdullah bin Nasser prosperity has led the country to Thani, Chairman, QBA, and bin Mohamed Al Thani met ment opportunities. pharmaceutical products among bin Khalifa Al Thani, repre- become a major hub and attrac- Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Irish Minister for Enterprise, Exports between the two coun- other products. sentatives of Qatar Investment tive destination for regional and Ireland signed a memoran- Jobs and Innovation Richard tries consisted mainly of plastic Trade exchange between the Authority (QIA) and several international investments. dum of understanding to boost Bruton. They reviewed ways of products, organic chemicals, two countries increased from other agencies, including Qatar Qatar’s preparations to host the the future bilateral business developing investment oppor- iron and steel, aluminium prod- QR291.5m in 2010 to QR334.75m Airways. 2022 World Cup have opened up opportunities. tunities, boosting commercial ucts, while imports comprised in 2013, Qatar News Agency “The doors of Ireland are wide huge opportunities in the country. Earlier yesterday Minister exchange between Qatar and electrical appliances, electronic reported. open for Qatari businessmen. We We invite Irish companies to par- of Economy and Commerce H Ireland as well as means of equipment, cereals, flour, starch, THE PENINSULA do businesses in highest standard. ticipate in those projects, he said. Dublin draws bumper demand for first post-bailout bond Kentz opens new venture DUBLIN/LONDON: Ireland priced at mid-swaps plus 140 basis over 10 years has tumbled from said Ryan McGrath, a Dublin- Stanley, one of the banks leading made a storming return to the points, giving a yield of just over a peak of about 15 percent, hit in based bond dealer with Cantor the deal. international bond market yes- 3.5 percent, and marked a sub- 2011 as the euro zone’s debt crisis Fitzgerald. “This bodes well for Smaller euro zone states some- in Qatar terday, with bumper demand stantial step towards a target of intensified. upcoming issuance by other euro times place bonds via a syndicate for the country’s first debt sale raising ¤6-10bn this year. A test of market confidence zone peripheral countries.” of banks as doing so helps them DOHA: Kentz Corporation since exiting its EU/IMF bail- “This sale shows that Ireland in Ireland’s recovering economy, Yields on Spain’s 10-year to reach a broader range of inves- Limited (Kentz) yester- out helping to drive down yields has fully exited the EU/IMF (bail- which grew 1.7 percent year benchmark bond fell nearly 10 tors than through a traditional day announced to establish across the euro zone’s periphery. out),” Finance Minister Michael on year in the three months to basis points to 3.81 percent, while auction. a new business entity ‘Kentz Investors bid more than ¤14bn Noonan said in a statement. September, the sale also sets a their Greek equivalent fell by 37 Ireland formally exited its 85 Engineering International ($19bn) for the new 10-year bond “The yield of 3.54 percent illus- benchmark for Greece, Portugal basis points. billion euro bailout on December WLL’ in Qatar. The announce- sold via syndication, nearly four trates the strength of Ireland’s and Cyprus, the euro zone states “The deal has attracted a lot of 15, having sought the rescue in ment was made during the times the size of the final ¤3.75bn international reputation and still under sovereign bailout international interest, and with 2010 after a burst property bub- two-day official visit of a high issue, the country’s NTMA debt brings us far closer to the bor- programmes. many of those orders unable to be ble crippled the country’s banks level trade mission accompa- agency said. rowing rates of the strongest “Such extremely heavy demand filled, these investors have had to and blew a hole in the public nying the visiting Irish Prime The bond — the first Dublin European economies.” reinforces the recent positive look elsewhere,” said Dan Shane, finances. Minister Enda Kenny. has sold since last March — was Ireland’s cost of borrowing sentiment towards Ireland,” head of SSA syndicate at Morgan REUTERS This company is a subsidiary of Kentz Engineering International Ireland and was locally registered during December 2013. Audi at CES Kentz is an engineering and construction business serving cli- Oil above $107 on US, ents primarily in the oil and gas, petrochemical and mining and metals sectors. In addition to hydrocarbons Mideast supply woes industry, the company will offer services in the transportation and LONDON: Oil rose above $107 possibility of increased tensions infrastructure markets. a barrel yesterday after five ahead of parliamentary elections “The opening of this new oper- straight declines supported in April have also sparked con- ation in Qatar is a significant by doubts about a recovery in cern about supply from the coun- achievement, underpinning the Libyan output, fighting in Iraq try, the second-largest Middle tremendous success that Kentz and as cold weather across the East oil producer. has had in winning significant central United States threat- US Vice-President Joe Biden contracts to date in Qatar. It is ened production. spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister a clear demonstration of the com- Brent crude had gained 59 Nouri Al Maliki on Monday to pany’s commitment to the mar- cents to $107.32 by 1146 GMT, express support for Iraq’s fight ket and this move will allow them after settling lower in the previ- against al Qaeda-linked militants focus on growing and developing ous five sessions, partly on expec- in Anbar province. further sales in the region”, said tations of rising Libyan exports. Oil was also supported by Taoiseach Enda Kenny during his US crude was 50 cents higher at severe cold weather in the cen- trade mission to Qatar. $93.93. tral United States that threatens Ireland’s Minister for Jobs Brent hit its lowest since to curtail some oil production as Richard Bruton TD said: November 20 on Monday, finding wells were stranded and drill- “Construction and engineering are support just above that day’s low ing and fracking operations were sectors which we have targeted of $106.51. Analysts said the field’s interrupted. for growth as part of our strat- return was unlikely to push prices Still, as of Monday, major US egy. I wish Kentz every success for much lower. oil producers had only reported opening this new venture.” “I think the restart of produc- minor effects on their opera- Kentz initially started opera- tion is priced in by now. Maybe it’s tions. Temperatures were fore- tions in Qatar in 1997 working on Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development, talks about even overshot to the downside,” cast to return to normal levels construction projects. Over the the Audi Quattro Laser light concept vehicle prior to the 2014 International CES at the Cosmopolitan in Las said Tony Nunan, oil risk man- in Texas and North Dakota by last 16 years it has successfully Vegas, Nevada. ager at Mitsubishi Corp in Tokyo. today. completed over 70 projects. Violence in Iraq and the REUTERS THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

USB-powered iris scan Byrne Looby signs Qatar dominates JV deal with Asco Consulting DOHA: Ireland-based interna- tional engineering services pro- Volkswagen’s vider Byrne Looby Partners has announced a joint venture part- nership with Asco Consulting Engineers. Mideast sales With Asco’s 40 years’ experi- ence and licence as a Grade A engineering consultancy in Qatar, the move marks an essential part New showroom to open in February of Byrne Looby Partners’ growth in the Middle East, resulting in a DOHA: Qatar has topped the significant increase of its work- Volkswagen’s sales story in the force in both Ireland and the GCC Middle East with a record 58 region. percent growth in 2013 year-on- Byrne Looby Partners special- year, while the region register- ises in delivering solutions for the ing a 30 percent growth during water, marine, infrastructure and the year. To spruce up its suc- energy sectors. The firm entered cess saga in 2014, the German the Qatari market two years ago automobile giant plans to launch and designed some of the largest Golf R and open new show- tunnelling projects in the country. rooms, including one in Qatar. “Through our joint venture “The Volkswagen Passat was Tony Antolino, Chief Marketing Officer for EyeLock, demonstrates the Myris, a USB-powered iris scan, during with ASCO, we have created the key driver for the outstand- Pepcom’s “Digital Experience” in Las Vegas, yesterday. some solid revenue streams for ing performance in 2013 with 2014, we have grown the team 3,000 cars,” said Thomas Milz and added new skills, and we have (pictured), Managing Director, won world class projects for inter- Volkswagen, Middle East. The national agencies in new areas. total sales figure in 2013 was We are looking forward to a long 14,000 units and Qatar accounted it. We have right network, right US trade gap shrinks to 4-year and fruitful relationship that for 1,300 cars, he said. partners, right people and right will allow our Irish engineering Touareg also does decent sales products to achieve that target,” expertise, together with our local in the region with a sales figure said Milz. technical excellence, to assist in of 3,000 units. In addition to the Volkswagen, the largest pro- low on record exports the development of Qatar and its best-selling Passat, Touareg and ducer of passenger cars in 2012 2030 Vision,’’ said Sam Murdock, the popular Tiguan, the addition with more than 8.5 million cars WASHINGTON: The US Oil import volume fell 12.2 per- $27.2bn, the department said. Water Director, Byrne Looby of the seventh generation Golf made, will launch Golf R, a com- trade deficit shrank sharply cent, underscoring that the US For the January-November Partners. and Golf GTI to the model line- pletely new car with specific needs in November as exports hit economy is growing less depend- period, the US trade gap was up has also contributed to this of the Middle East customers in a record high for the second ent on foreign energy as the $435.1 billion, down 12.3 percent Portugal set for growth. mind towards the latter part of straight month, official data nation ramps up oil production. from the same period in 2012. Volkswagen will open a new the year. showed Tuesday in a positive The government predicted “Looking through the monthly bond issue on road showroom during Qatar Motor It will also bring face-lifts to sign for economic growth. last month that US oil output changes in trade, which are gen- Show, which is scheduled to be the successful Passat and Touareg The foreign trade deficit nar- will continue to surge toward the erally choppy, it appears that to bailout exit held in Doha in February. Qatar this year that will complement rowed 12.9 percent from October, 1970 record high over the next export volumes are strengthening already has a sales showroom on the lifestyle and fun-oriented cus- the second month in a row two years, riding the gains in pro- into year-end while import vol- LISBON: Portugal, rescued Salwa Road and a service and tomers of the region with more of contraction, to a four-year duction from “tight” oil — such as umes are weakening,” said Aaron with EU and IMF bailout fund- parts centre in the Industrial striking and sportier design and low of $34.3bn, the Commerce shale reserves tapped by hydraulic Smith of Moody’s Analytics. ing, is set to borrow on capital Area. power. Department reported. fracturing, or fracking. Analysts said the November markets in the next few days, “We have heavy plans for Qatar. Keeping in mind the region’s That was the smallest trade def- Petroleum exports, crude and trade report suggested estimates seizing the opportunity of the We will be launching quick and SUV-loving customers, icit in goods and services with the products, hit a record $13.3bn in for US economic growth in the lowest interest rates on its express service centres in Qatar Volkswagen is set to launch a rest of the world since September November, while imports fell to fourth quarter need to be revised debt since May, analysts said to deliver better and speedy seven-seater vehicle into the mar- 2009. The deficit was much lower $28.5bon, the lowest level since higher. “Some of the improvement yesterday. services for our customers,” said ket. “This is something that can than expected; analysts had fore- November 2010. The petroleum represented prices rather than “This is the right moment to Kevin Hughes, General Manager, happen in one or two years as we cast $40.4bn. October’s deficit was deficit of $15.2bnn was the lowest volumes but the real (inflation- test the appetite of investors for Q-Auto, Volkswagen. are focusing a long-term plan for $39.3bn. November exports rose since May 2009. adjusted) data were also positive,” Portuguese debt, with improving Volkswagen has also got major the region,” Milz said. 0.9 percent to a record $194.9bn. “Record purchases of foreign Jim O’Sullivan of HFE Economics prospects for growth and a better plans to strengthen its sales and “We have invested heavily for Gains came mainly from air- autos and capital goods point to a said in a research note. situation for the budget,” an ana- service network in the Middle the last two years in the region. craft and aircraft engines, chemi- strengthening consumer, but the “The data look consistent with lyst at Dif Broker Pedro Lino said. East with four new showrooms We invested in facilities, net- cals and finished metal shapes. real story here is oil,” said Jay net exports adding at least a point The newspaper Diario and quick service centres com- work expansion, training people, Imports fell 1.4 percent to Morelock of FTN Financial. to Q4 real GDP growth,” he said. Economico reported that Portugal ing up in Dubai, Sharjah and resources and products. Now, we $229.1bn amid a decline in oil “The energy sector is poised to Economists project that US could launch a five-year syndi- Fujairah. It has also got new plans are harvesting our fruits. We have a prices. create jobs and reduce depend- gross domestic product growth cated loan this week. for Kuwait and Beirut. constant growth in the Middle East Imports of crude oil, which rep- ence on foreign oil, a potential will slow in the final quarter from Under such a procedure, the “We have a market share of two and Qatar contributed in a major resent about 10 percent of total boost to GDP for years to come.” the robust 4.1 percent annual pace government would raise funds to three percent in the Middle way to this growth story,” Milz said. imports, dropped 10.8 percent in Imports of automobiles con- in the third quarter. directly from a few selected East, we really need to double THE PENINSULA November to $21.4bn. tinued to rise, reaching a record AFP banks, thereby reducing the risks of trying to borrow on the open sovereign debt market. The newspaper reported that the government considered that given the current market yield on Portuguese bonds, the Dollar rises in Asian trade after mixed US data country could go to the market immediately. TOKYO: T he dol la r ros e i n A sia yen from 142.02 yen. The Fed last month said it could bring the dollar back to The greenback was mostly At Royal Bank of Scotland, yesterday following a mixed set On Monday, data showed would reduce its bond-buying 102 yen,” Masafumi Yamamoto, higher against other Asia-Pacific analyst Harvinder Sian com- of US economic data, as inves- growth in the US service sector scheme by $10bn to $75bon a chief strategist at Praevidentia currencies Tuesday. mented: “Portugal does not want tors await key jobs figures later slowed last month, although that month in January, citing a healthy Strategy in Tokyo, told Dow Jones It rose to Tw$30.07 from to wait long and could announce in the week and ahead of the was offset by figures pointing to recovery in the world’s number Newswires. Tw$29.99 on Monday, to 1,068.92 a bond issue this week.” release of minutes from the November new factory orders hit- one economy. Eurozone inflation data due for South Korean won from 1,065.30, But some experts, including Federal Reserve’s latest policy ting their highest level in more A strong set of jobs figures on release later Tuesday will be a key to 12,260 Indonesian rupiah from Lino, held that Portugal would meeting. than 20 years. Friday could push the bank to trading peg for the euro, dealers 12,235 and to 62.35 Indian rupees wait first to see the outcome of The greenback fetched 104.46 Eyes are on the release announce a further reduction in said, as the European Central from 62.30 rupees. bond issues by Ireland, which yen in afternoon Tokyo trade, Wednesday of minutes from the the stimulus, in turn pushing the Bank prepares for a policy meet- It also edged up to 33.12 Thai has just emerged from a bailout, up from 104.19 yen but still off US Federal Reserve’s most recent dollar higher. ing this week. baht from 33.11 baht. The dol- and by Spain due this week. They the five-year high of 105.41 yen policy meeting, with analysts “If the (jobs data) outcome Weak inflation figures have lar weakened to S$1.2695 from would also wait for a report due on touched last week. looking for clues about whether meets expectations, the dollar stoked speculation of further eas- S$1.2697 while it was unchanged Friday on the outlook for Portugal The euro bought $1.3621 against policymakers will further cut its should resume rising against the ing moves by the ECB to counter at 44.73 Philippine pesos. by credit rating agency Moody’s. $1.3629, while it gained to 142.29 stimulus programme this month. yen, while a disappointing result... any slowdown in the 17-nation bloc. AFP THE PENINSULA/AFP Samsung sees steep drop in Q4 earnings

SEOUL: South Korea’s Samsung — the world’s top analyst at E* trade Securities smartphone market as of the Samsung said yesterday it maker of mobile phones and TVs in Seoul. third quarter of last year, fol- expected a steep drop in its — posted record net profits for The earnings guidance relates lowed by Apple’s 13.1 percent, operating profit for the fourth the first three quarters of last to overall sales and profits for according to the industry quarter of 2013, as slow- year, largely fuelled by robust the entire company, which pro- research firm IDC survey. ing sales of high-end smart- sales of its popular smart- duces products from memory But intensifying compe- phones and a strong won hit phones. It did not disclose net chips to TVs, but operating tition from budget handset the world’s top technology profit estimates for the fourth profit at the firm’s mobile unit makers has raised questions firm. quarter. is likely to have dropped signifi- over whether Samsung can The company forecast an Its share price inched down cantly, Kim warned. sustain its ever-soaring profits operating profit of 8.3 trillion 0.23 percent to close at 1.3m However, Lee Sun-Tae, an — largely fuelled by its mobile won ($7.8bn) for October- won on Seoul stock market analyst at NH Investment & unit. December, down 18.3 percent yesterday, when the benchmark Securities, said profits had been Consumers gave its much- from the third quarter and KOSPI rose 0.32 percent. hit by one-off spending on mar- heralded Galaxy Gear smart- 6.1 percent lower than a year The latest earnings guid- keting and bonuses for workers watch, launched in September, earlier. ance showed the firm’s annual — estimated to be worth at least a relatively cool reception. Sales will likely reach 59 sales and operating profit for 700 billion won — to mark the And the steady strengthen- trillion won, down 0.1 percent 2013 hit record highs of 228.4 20th anniversary of its key man- ing of the Korean won against from the third quarter but up trillion won and 36.7 trillion agement principles. the US dollar and Japanese yen 5.24 percent from a year earlier, won. “Samsung spent hugely for has dealt a blow to major South according to earnings guidance But the company—which has marketing costs to clear inven- Korean exporters as a stronger released by the firm. dethroned US rival Apple as the tory during the year-end shop- currency hits competitiveness It would mark the first on- world’s top smartphone maker ping season,” he said. and hurts repatriated earnings. quarter drop in Samsung’s in the past two years—saw sales “I see big potential for Hyundai — the world’s fifth- operating profit since the first of high-end devices slow as the improved profits in the first largest automaker — said last three months of 2013 and would market becomes increasingly quarter of this year once such week it expected sales this year be the lowest figure since July- saturated. costs decrease,” Lee added, to grow at their lowest pace in September 2012. “Samsung has constantly saying the firm’s memory more than a decade. It is also the first year-on- expanded sales, but now the chip unit also showed signs of Samsung’s final earnings year drop in the firm’s operat- (handset) market demand improvement. results are due to be released ing profit for more than two appears to have reached a Samsung has a leading share later this month. years. limit,” said Kim Ji-Woong, an of 38.8 percent in the global AFP WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Output from Libya’s Sharara oilfield climbs Western pipelines reopen

TRIPOLI: Output at Libya’s El oil independently, and the gov- Sharara oilfield rose more yes- ernment saying it will use force terday to over two thirds of full against vessels seeking to load at capacity and a pipeline shipping blockaded ports. condensate — very light crude Libya’s armed forces warned — to a western port reopened, they will take more robust action marking progress in govern- against tankers trying to illegally ment efforts to rebuild vital dock at the ports controlled by exports. the autonomy protesters who Negotiations ended a protest by are led by a former fighter in the tribesmen at El Sharara over the 2011 uprising against Muammar weekend with production there Gaddafi. climbing to 277,000bpd yesterday “If a ship docks in one of the and expected to reach full capac- closed ports, and it does not ity of 340,000bpd by today, said a leave the port again, then we will A f actory worker on the production line of Mini cars at the BMW’s plant at Cowley in Oxford, central England. spokesman for the National Oil destroy it,” said Defence Ministry Corp. “I think if we keep up at spokesman Said Abdul Razig al- this level we will reach capacity Shbahi. “We have clear instruc- UK car sales rise to highest level since 2007 by tomorrow,” the spokesman, tions. This is sovereignty of the Mohamed Al Harari, said. state, even the international law The reopening of the El Sharara will be in our side.” LONDON: British new car sales at levels close to those reached with 22 consecutive months of is likely to continue to increase, field in southern Libya, one of The eastern confrontation over rose to their highest level since before the financial crisis. growth,” said Mike Hawes, the however, with the SMMT pre- Libya’s largest, and of the Wafa oil is one of several fronts facing 2007 last year, bucking a weak The data caps a strong year for SMMT’s chief executive. dicting that British car produc- pipeline feeding Mellitah port are Libya’s fragile government two European trend to grow by 10.8 Britain’s economy. The British Car sales were helped by incen- tion will exceed the peak of 1.72 good news for the central govern- years after Gaddafi’s fall. Former percent on the year, industry Chambers of Commerce, which tives in December, said Richard million cars reached in 1972 by ment in Tripoli which is struggling rebels, militia fighters and tribes- data for the continent’s second- conducts the country’s biggest Lowe, head of retail and wholesale 2017. Production data for 2013 to end a six-month-long blockade man often resort to force to make largest car market shows. quarterly business survey, said banking at Barclays. are due on Jan. 23, and will likely of important eastern oil ports that a variety of political demands on a Cheap finance was a major earlier on Tuesday that its lat- He predicted a similarly strong exceed 1.5 million for the first has slashed shipments. state still struggling with a tran- factor in helping to shift 2.265 est figures pointed to 0.9 percent start to 2104, but “a slower and time in six years. El Sharara supplies crude to sition to democracy. million cars in 2013, the Society growth in the last three months steadier rate of growth over the Suppliers are starting to find the western Zawiya export ter- Protesters, who had block- of Motor Manufacturers and of 2013 - potentially delivering the course of the year when compared it easier to get finance for invest- minal and feeds the 120,000-bpd aded the El Sharara field for two Traders said on Tuesday, up from highest annual growth rate since to the dramatic growth seen in ment, though skills shortages Zawiya refinery. months, had been calling for the 2.045 million in 2012 and slightly 2007. 2013.” remain a constraint, Hawes said. Libya’s navy said it opened fire establishment of a local council beating its forecast for sales of Car sales have grown strongly The SMMT sees modest car But he said the government on Sunday after a Maltese flagged and the granting of national iden- 2.25 million. over the past two years after steep sales growth of 1 percent for 2014, should take care that its efforts oil tanker tried to approach and tity cards for tribesmen from the It also said billions of pounds falls in 2008 and 2009, in a trend saying new sales are now close to to reduce Britain’s budget deficit load crude at Es Sider, one of the Tuareg minority. in compensation paid to consum- that pre-dated last year’s rapid their long-run average, though did not sap consumer demand. eastern ports seized by armed The pipeline carrying conden- ers by banks for past insurance economic recovery. Britain over- at the start of 2013 it was simi- Ford was Britain’s top-selling protesters demanding more sates from Wafa oilfield to Mellitah mis-selling had helped some car- took France in 2012 as Europe’s larly cautious about the coming manufacturer in 2013, helped by autonomy. The vessel later headed port, co-operated by Italy’s ENI in buyers fund deposits. second-biggest new car market 12 months. “We expect new car its Fiesta supermini and mid-sized towards Malta. the west, has also been reopened Sales in December alone were after Germany. registrations to remain stable in Focus models, followed by General Negotiations to end that after protesters briefly blocked the 24 percent up on the same month “While the European market is 2014 as customers return to a Motors’ rival Vauxhall Corsa and blockade have gone nowhere line, with output now at around in 2012, though the industry only now showing signs of improve- more regular replacement cycle,” Astra. Volkswagen, Nissan and with eastern federalist protest- 30,000bpd, the NOC said. expects this rate of growth to slow ment, the UK has consistently Hawes said. BMW also recorded strong sales. ers threatening to try to ship REUTERS sharply this year as sales plateau outperformed the rest of Europe Car manufacturing in Britain REUTERS Jarir Marketing Ikea abandons target of Q4 profit rises 16 percent doubling sales in 8 years

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia retailer STOCKHOLM: Swedish fur- Last year, Ikea founder Ingvar Jarir Marketing posted a 16 niture giant Ikea said yesterday Kamprad, known for his reluc- percent rise in fourth-quarter it had dropped its target of dou- tance to talk to the media, criti- net profit yesterday, slightly bling sales between the 2012- cised the company’s project to above estimates as sales of 2013 fiscal year and 2020. open 25 stores per year as being smart phones, tablets and office “Our goal has so far proved too ambitious. supplies increased. to be too aggressive,” Goeran Kamprad, aged 87 and suffer- The company made a net profit Grosskopf, Chairman of the Ingka ing from health problems, is still of SR160m ($42.66m) in the three Holding parent company that listened to in Ikea, even though months to December 31, it said comprises all of the Ikea busi- he has left his various functions in a bourse statement yester- nesses, told Swedish financial within the company. day. This compares with a profit daily Dagens Industri. Last June, he announced he of SR137.9m in the year-earlier “Sales haven’t developed as fast intended to leave Switzerland to period. Analysts polled by Reuters as we thought.” re-settle in Sweden by the end of on average forecast Jarir’s quar- Ikea posted sales of ¤27.9bn 2013 or the beginning of 2014, still terly profit would be SR157.9m. ($36.5bn) in the fiscal year to the a pending plan in early January. The company said the profit end of August, only 3.1 percent Grosskopf denied that increase was due to an “increase more than a year earlier. Kamprad’s move had been delayed in the sales of most of sections In the 2011-2012 period, growth due to the tax shock that could especially smart phones, compu- reached 9.8 percent, the highest await him in his homeland accord- ter supplies, office supplies, tab- for six years. ing to some local media reports. lets and books”. The company blamed the “Those are hypothetical specu- Jarir’s full-year profit for 2013 slowdown on the global economic lations,” he told Dagens Industri. was SR653.3m, up 14.7 percent from context. “The main reason is that “And his plan is still to move 2012’s profit of SR569.8m. It plans the world economy hasn’t evolved back home in 2014.” to launch six new shops in 2014, of as strongly as we expected,” Founded in 1943, Ikea owns which four will open in the first half Grosskopf said. “Especially the 303 stores in 26 countries and of the year, the statement said. development in southern Europe employs 139,000 people. REUTERS is very far from what we thought.” AFP

Premier’s business address

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) delivers a speech before business leaders and the heads of Japan’s three economic organisations, Chairman of the Japan and Tokyo Chambers of Commerce and Industry Akio Mimura (third right), Chairman of Keidanren (the Japan Business Federation) Hiromasa Yonekura (second right) and chairman of Keizai Doyukai (the Japan Association of Corporate Executives) Yasuchika Hasegawa (right) in Tokyo yesterday. WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

EU official Qatari bourse says China’s financial sector index adds largely closed BEIJING: China’s financial sector is not open enough to foreign participation and key 14.20 points obstacles remain to investment, a top European Union official said yesterday. Investors start shifting from Dubai “Chinese banks are some of the biggest and most powerful banks DOHA: Qatar Exchange pur- from November. It is develop- in the world,” Michel Barnier, sued its upswing trend yes- ing a negative 14-week momen- European commissioner for terday adding 14.20 points, tum divergence, which suggests internal market and services, told or 0.13 percent to advance to the possibility of a sizeable pull- reporters. “They shouldn’t and do 10,798.69 points from 10,784.49 back. Minor supports lie at 3,325 not fear competition,” he added. on Monday. and 3,216 points, the highs in Barnier spoke at the end of a The volume of the shares traded December, but there is no major visit to China for talks with offi- fell to 15,135,635 from 17,021,858 on support before the 2,900-3,000 cials, including Finance Minister Monday and the value of shares point area, which was strong Lou Jiwei. decreased to QR701,704,290.94 resistance between October and The 28-nation EU and China from QR770,414,333.28 on Monday. early December. announced in late November the Among the top gainers were Among the biggest losers yes- launch of negotiations for a land- Commercial Bank of Qatar which terday was property developer mark investment agreement, even was up 1.51 percent to QR73.90, Emaar, which dropped 3.8 per- as they clashed bitterly last year Qatar Islamic Bank gained 2.49 cent after saying on Monday it over commercial disputes rang- percent to QR74.10, Industries would redeem the $237.5m out- ing from Chinese solar panels to Qatar added 0.76 percent to standing on a convertible bond on Employees of the Goodyear tyre factory of Amiens leave the plant with documents yesterday. European wine. QR172.30 and Doha Bank up by February 6. The conversion price Barnier complained that for- 2.44 percent to QR63. will be Dh4.38. eign banks take up a mere two The Banking and Financial The conversion is expected to French unionists hold Goodyear percent of the Chinese market. sector index was up 0.56 per- dilute the existing share base only “So there is definitely room for cent while Consumer Goods and marginally. But some investors progress,” he said, adding that Services sector index dropped 0.73 are still worried about selling of more openness in China’s bank- percent. The industrial sector fell newly received shares from Feb. 6 executives for 24 hours ing sector is in its own interest. 0.43 percent while insurance sec- and so are themselves selling now, “We hope that European banks tor lost 0.98 percent. said Mohab Maher, a senior sales can be welcomed in China as Meanwhile, Dubai’s stock index trader at Mubasher. PARIS: French trade unionists a regional prefect ordered their intervene by force if necessary. we welcome Chinese banks in fell for a third consecutive session Dubai’s pull-back spread to released two executives yester- rescue. Goodyear did not imme- Tough labour tactics have Europe,” he said. yesterday after the local regula- neighbouring Abu Dhabi, which day after holding them for more diately respond to a request for declined under Socialist President Barnier cited as obstacles tor tightened margin lending also outperformed the Gulf last than 24 hours at the country’s comment. Francois Hollande. But the situ- restrictions on investment levels rules and some investors started year and hit a fresh multi-year Goodyear tyre plant to demand French Industry Minister ation in the factory, where the in joint ventures and the difficulty shifting into markets which saw high on Monday, but fell 1.4 per- higher pay-outs for more than a Arnaud Montebourg, who has hardline CGT has majority staff in obtaining licences for banking slower growth last year, such as cent yesterday. thousand planned layoffs. tried to broker a takeover of the backing, creates a dilemma for or insurance activities. Kuwait and Oman. At the same time, investors are Workers at the idled factory in Goodyear plant, told parliament the left-wing government wary “It’s difficult to get licences,” he Dubai’s index, which hit a five- eyeing Gulf markets which lagged the northern city of Amiens have minutes earlier that he wanted of cracking down too hard on pro- said. “There are many difficulties year peak last week and more the regional leaders last year. been trying to negotiate redun- the two men to be released. tests by its blue-collar voters. for foreign companies because of than doubled in 2013, fell 1.5 per- “Investors want to reposition dancy terms with management “We strongly condemn this “We’re ready to go all the way,” these controls or restrictions. cent, extending a pull-back that themselves,” said Henin. “They for nearly a year, after Texan tyre behaviour,” Montebourg said CGT union delegate Franck Jurek These are obstacles to the par- began after the Securities and have had a very good year in the tycoon Maurice Taylor withdrew during weekly question time. had said. ticipation in the Chinese market.” Commodities Authority said it United Arab Emirates and now a potential rescue bid on the “I am asking from the National The boss-napping may be the Barnier, however, praised as would crack down on unlicensed they want to allocate some money grounds that French workers Assembly that these two men be final chapter in a dispute which progress an emphasis on “rule of margin lending. to Kuwait, where valuations look were lazy — triggering a political set free.” started in 2009 when Goodyear law” in decisions taken by China’s That prompted some brokers to relatively well now, and Oman, storm. France 2 TV showed the management said the plant in ruling Communist Party at a key ask clients to sell shares to lower which qualifies as a safe bet and After a court rejected their Goodyear executives seated at a France was not competitive meeting in November, that made margin levels. “I think the mar- is less volatile.” most recent appeal against the table staring straight ahead as enough to keep running and commitments to various social, ket was very stretched and it is Oman’s index gained 0.8 per- plant’s closure, members of the workers shouted in their ears. needed modernisation to produce economic and legal reforms. completely natural to see some cent and Kuwait’s bourse was hard-left CGT union locked up One director had a bed pan thrust the sort of tyres now required on “This is a very good thing,” he profit-taking now,” said Sebastien up 0.7 percent. In Saudi Arabia, production and human resources in his face. The unionists said the the market. Goodyear workers said, also praising China’s open- Henin, portfolio manager at The retailer Jarir Marketing rose 2.5 directors Michel Dheilly and two men were being amply sup- rejected plans to tighten costs and ing of its auto insurance market National Investor. percent after reporting a fourth- Bernard Glesser on Monday. plied with food and water. labour conditions while across the to European and other foreign “I am expecting more selling quarter profit up 16 percent, A CGT source said yesterday The so-called “boss-napping” street workers at the Dunlop tyre companies. EU trade chief Karel pressure in the coming session.” in line with analyst forecasts the union had decided to release was the first serious case since a plant owned by the same Dunlop- De Gucht in November urged the The Dubai index closed at 3,378 but exceeding its full-year 2013 the two men. A police source spate of them in 2009 prompted Goodyear parent accepted new bloc to defend itself more aggres- points, on top of minor techni- growth rate of 14.7 percent. said the captives were escorted conservative ex-President Nicolas conditions. sively against China. cal support on its uptrend line REUTERS out of the plant by officers after Sarkozy to give police powers to REUTERS AFP

QATARI MARKET Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Turkey sees impact of graft probe on economy Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 101.25 0.09% Aa2 AA Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 104.94 1.45% Aa2 AA ISTANBUL: Uncertainty but we think this will not be long- sons of three cabinet ministers, investigations as an attempted Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 118.88 2.67% Aa2 AA caused by Turkey’s corrup- lived,” Simsek said in an interview risks damaging him in the run-up “judicial coup” by forces seeking Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 112.00 3.05% Aa2 AA tion scandal could hit economic on CNN Turk television. to local and presidential elections to undermine his government, Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 105.88 3.65% Aa2 AA growth in the near term, Finance “There could be a slowdown this year. and hundreds of police officers Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 153.50 4.95% Aa2 AA Minister Mehmet Simsek said to some extent in the first Fitch said that while the cri- have been removed from their Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 115.00 5.33% Aa2 AA yesterday, while ratings agency quarter. But according to our sis had no immediate impact on posts. Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 104.94 5.41% Aa2 AA Fitch warned that a prolonged base scenario, I believe that as its ‘BBB-‘ sovereign rating for “These factors are not incom- crisis could weaken the coun- uncertainty lessens and the envi- Turkey, prolonged uncertainty patible with a ‘BBB-‘ rating, but Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 103.88 0.94% Aa2 AA try’s creditworthiness. ronment calms ... growth could could prove more damaging. they have the capacity to weaken Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 109.63 3.35% Aa2 AA A wide-ranging graft investi- still be around four percent (this “If the corruption scandal drags sovereign creditworthiness,” Fitch Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 103.50 0.88% A1 A- gation, cast by Prime Minister year).” on, it could weaken the govern- said in its statement. Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 103.50 2.25% A1 A- Tayyip Erdogan as a plot to Erdogan’s ruling AK Party has ment and undermine its ability to The economic and political QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.13 1.45% NR NR undermine his government, is built its reputation on its record take timely policy measures that pressures caused by the scandal QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.14% Aa3 A+ shaking investor confidence in for economic management and would maintain economic stabil- may delay for many more months QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 103.50 2.21% Aa3 A+ Turkey when the lira is languish- an avowed commitment to fight ity,” it said. a tightening of monetary policy ing around record lows, inflation corruption. The scandal, which It noted that tensions between that would stabilise inflation Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.50 2.35% A2 A- rising and growth slowing. exploded on December 17 with the government and judiciary had and stop the lira from plumbing Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 105.25 1.43% A2 A “We are facing a significant the detention of businessmen strained institutions in Turkey. record lows. Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 123.19 3.18% A2 A challenge in the political arena close to the government and the Erdogan has cast the corruption REUTERS Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 105.38 3.88% A2 A Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 100.13 4.98% A2 A Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 103.25 0.97% Aa3 A Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.75 3.22% Aa3 A Chinese growth slows Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 107.38 4.03% Aa3 A Sri Lanka raises SOVEREIGNS Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P $1bn in debt sale Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 101.38 -0.12% Aa2 AA Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.38 2.39% Aa2 AA COLOMBO: Sri Lanka said yesterday it had raised $1bn Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.25 1.85% NR NR through a sovereign bond Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 106.38 2.87% NR NR issue despite a warning by the Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 119.63 4.36% NR NR International Monetary Fund Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.06 4.68% NR NR against increasing its foreign Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 103.38 0.70% Aa2 AA borrowing. Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.25 3.30% NR BBB The central bank said the five- Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 103.63 4.82% NR BBB year bond, offering an annual six percent yield, was more than Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 95.50 6.63% Caa1 B- three times oversubscribed within Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 101.63 4.21% NR BBB- hours of opening on Monday. *Periodic Distribution Amount IMPORTANT NOTE: The bank said 62 percent of the Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which bonds were bought by US inves- is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services tors and Europeans took 26 per- Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary cent while Asian investors made data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising up the remainder of the buyers. out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds Sri Lanka went ahead with can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant the issue despite a warning by liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not the IMF late last year that its a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and external debt was too high and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. repayments were becoming a big burden. The IMF said the island’s short-term external debt was equivalent to over half its foreign A labourer works on the roof of a new building in Beijing yesterday. China’s annual economic growth slowed reserves. a touch in the fourth quarter. AFP WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Cash for connections: What is predatory capitalism? BY ADITYA CHAKRABORTTY only taking him back after he’d undergone who works with problem gamblers, drove therapy for addiction. After she smilingly me along his local high street in a suburb The duplicity of a city idway through our chat, hands out cups of tea, I’m told she’s still on of north London. In a five-minute drive, we Abbas Marasli rolls off the pills for depression. counted eight betting shops: multiples of BY CHARLES LANE sofa, yanks up his shirt and Who should bear the blame for the destruc- William Hill and Ladbroke’s and others in a shows me a six-inch scar tion of one man and his family? Abbas, surely, recessionary mirror image of the way coffee his is a tale of a city that is really two cities. In some running up his chest. It is but not only him. After all, when he first chains used to sprout up. parts of town, gleaming office-retail complexes rise, home Mseven months old; a permanent reminder of arrived from Turkey, he was the archetypal This is what predatory capitalism looks prices reach into the millions and people routinely spend a double heart bypass. Abbas is only 46, but good boy: no booze, no fags and only the occa- like: betting shops with machines designed Ttens of thousands of dollars per year to send their chil- could easily be mistaken as 10 years older. sional go on a slot machine. Things changed to suck cash out of communities, run by dren to private schools. The father of three has lost two businesses, when he was introduced to what the industry FTSE firms employing staff on miserly Yet within this same municipality, about one in five households racked up tens of thousands in additional calls fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT), wages, while doing their best to avoid pay- lives in poverty. Many single parents go to bed worrying about debts, been shunned by brothers and sisters, and what nearly everyone else refers to as the ing tax. Sick of seeing their high streets how to feed their children or protect them from crime and sub- and gone through a divorce. The root cause “crack cocaine of gambling”. These hi-tech destroyed, anxious about the spikes in standard public-school educations. of all this stress and misery, he says, is a machines have been shown to be four times theft and violence, local councils, such as This is not Bill de Blasio’s New York. It is Washington, DC, machine that’s spreading across high streets. more addictive than anything else available Liverpool and Brighton and Newham in east where the gap between top earners and everyone else is actu- Until last spring, Abbas was addicted in a bookmakers. In effect, Abbas has been London, try their best to resist the spread ally greater than that in New York, according to a 2011 Census to betting terminals. That phrase used to preyed upon by a multibillion-pound gambling of FOBTs – but are too weak and poor to Bureau report. mean fruit machines: clunky things with a industry, which was let loose upon him and take on the gambling companies. Indeed, Washington’s Gini coefficient, a widely used measure lever and a coin slot and loud music. Not hundreds of thousands of others by a Labour This Wednesday, Ed Miliband will call of income inequality, is the largest of any US city with more than anymore. Games terminals are now highly government. It was Tony Blair and Tessa a debate aimed at giving councils greater 500,000 residents except for Atlanta. sophisticated devices for sucking up custom- Jowell who pushed through the Gambling powers to block new gambling shops. Not a Certainly the politicians returning to the nation’s capital for ers’ cash. Walk into a bookie today and you’ll Act in 2005, which took nearly all the caps bad start, but it will do nothing about the an election-year debate over income inequality should spare some be offered virtual roulette or blackjack, the off the betting industry. At the time, the big ones that are already there. Better would be time and attention for the maldistribution going on right outside chance to bet £100 every 20 seconds and worry was of an imminent wave of super- simply to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs the doors of Congress. Not only is the gap between rich and poor easy payment by credit card. casinos. The fear was completely misplaced. from £100 to the norm for gaming machines, worse in the District of Columbia than almost anywhere else, it It was virtual roulette that Abbas discov- What happened instead was a tsunami of which is £2. The big bookmakers claim to is arguably less defensible and more instructive. ered about eight years ago. It soon swallowed FOBTs: 33,000 of them across the country offer normal entertainment. “We’re no dif- Americans generally, and quite properly, don’t resent rich people up his life. On his way to work, he’d duck into now, earning £1.5bn profit each year for the ferent to Gregg’s,” an industry spokesman just for being rich. We distinguish between those who exploit connec- a bookies. Any breaks would be spent running bookmakers. claimed on ITV last autumn. If that’s the tions or insider knowledge to make money and those who get rich by into a William Hill or a Ladbroke’s; likewise Forget those cosy images of putting a case, why don’t the bookies allow independ- developing extraordinary artistic talents, starting new businesses or on the way home. By the end of one day, he tenner on a nag at Cheltenham or guess- ent researchers to assess the evidence on inventing useful products. The former earn our contempt. The latter could have spent his week’s wages, then bor- ing when Walcott will score his second goal: FOBTs? Instead, most of the research is earn our admiration: Even President Obama, launching his campaign rowed from friends and family. He once lost the modern face of betting is FOBTs. The sponsored – or, rather, neutered – by the against income inequality last month, paused to acknowledge that £2,000 in 10 minutes; burned through £10,000 games that ensnared Abbas are one of the industry. “we expect them to be rewarded handsomely.” of savings in two days. After a bad streak, he’d big growth areas for the industry: walk into In my talk with Abbas, his son Yusuf has A large number of Washington’s top earners fit into the less attack the terminals or bash his head against a bookies and you’ll see men staring at an been translating some of the trickier bits. productive category. Many of them specialise in trading on their a wall. At night, “these machines would be in electronic roulette wheel. Because the act At the end, I ask how the 14-year-old feels connections to DC’s biggest “industry,” the federal government. my dreams”. perversely limited the number of terminals about what his father has said. Sat next to As of 2012, lobbying for tax breaks, contracts, exclusive licenses, He describes all this sat under a photo per shop, but allowed betting companies his bear of a dad, he looks very small. “How subsidies and the like was a $3.3bn-a-year industry, according to of a daughter’s wedding. How did his fam- almost total freedom to set up wherever do I explain? Sad and angry. All that money the Center for Responsive Politics. ily manage? “No holidays, no social life.” they wanted, Coral, Betfred and all the rest is my family’s future gone. My parents The average salary of the CEOs — chief lobbyists — of the 30 big- They’d borrow cash from relatives just to now set up within yards of each other. Just divorced, and why? Because of a machine.” gest industry trade associations, including incentives and deferred buy groceries. Abbas’s wife divorced him, before Christmas, Shevket Gul, a therapist REUTERS compensation, was $2.34m in 2010, according to Bloomberg News. More than a few of these people used to be governors, senators or members of the House, where they acquired the access that they now sell to the highest bidder. They are accompanied by a small army of former executive and legislative branch staffers who have gone through the revolving door from government to what Washingtonians euphemistically call “the private sector.” Economists have a name for this sort of behaviour: rent-seeking. In economic parlance, “rent” means the profit from gaining control over existing sources of wealth as opposed to creating new ones. Washington lobbying, and the government-sponsored privileges it secures for various interest groups, is rent-seeking in its purest and most pernicious form. Various societies have grown free and prosperous by many different methods; dividing up existing wealth according to political connections is not one of them. Washington’s revolving door is hardly the only example of rent- seeking in our society, to be sure. A good deal of Wall Street activity fits the definition. Rent-seeking is not necessarily unproductive. One reason inven- tors create new products is to patent them, a form of government protection that entitles one to years of royalty payments. Still, too many of our public institutions — from Congress to big- city school systems — have been captured by rent-seeking inter- est groups. Wall Street hedge funds have their carried-interest exemption in the tax code. Farmers are making record incomes yet still benefit from government incentives to grow corn for etha- nol. Real estate agents defend the mortgage-interest deduction, even though the benefits go disproportionately to upper-income homeowners. Green-energy subsidies and tax credits generally favour the well-to-do. The good news is that, entrenched as special interests and their various special subsidies may be, it is probably more realistic to resist or undo rent-seeking than it is to undo the global forces of trade and technology that have increased income inequality in every developed nation. Americans neither want nor need to guarantee a low Gini coefficient. What we do have a right to expect, however, is that, to the greatest extent possible, this society’s opportunities and rewards are distributed according to what individuals can do, not whom they know. Instead of worrying about how much money rich people make, we should focus more on how they make it. WP-BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate How will risk perform this year after a strong 2013? he New Year begins with the previous week, the Labour which requires that the aid pro- level since August 2007 when the decades on signs the slump is the Federal Reserve Department said Thursday. gram be concluded with success. financial crisis first started to spurring demand. According to having begun tapering Last week’s figure, the lowest in The latest manufacturing indi- take hold in the UK. some analysts, physical buyers Tits Quantitative Easing a month, was in line with econo- cators showed France lagging well After China’s disappointing are viewing the $1,200 level as an programme, the 10-year treasury mists’ forecasts and indicated behind its partners in otherwise official PMI figures that came attractive entry point for gold as yields at around 3 percent, and moderate job growth. The four- Weekly Money Market Review encouraging recovery in the euro- over the weekend, not helping demand appeared to be robust for the great debate begins whether week average on the other hand zone. While Germany and Italy market sentiment was the final December. the trends of 2013 would continue remained somewhat elevated last If the Euro strengthening does showed expansion, France showed HSBC manufacturing PMI that Turkey’s gold imports on the or we see a sustained Dollar rally week at 357,250, up 8,500 from the continue, it may cause the ECB decline to seven-month lows. slipped to a three-month low of other hand increased 64 percent into the new trading year. The previous week to cut refi rate by end-1Q to 0.10 After the widespread belief 50.5 in December from 50.8 in in December, according to official most important question analysts According to the Institute for percent. that the French economy is fun- November. data. Emerging market physical are debating now is how markets Supply Management, the ISM Spain’s Economic Minister damentally flawed, the news in House prices have surged in demand has been robust from would perform in 2014 after the Manufacturing PMI Index edged Guindos said, “2014 will see the the beginning of the year raises the past year, in part due to a China and South East Asia as S&P moved up almost 30 percent slightly lower to 57.0 in December net creation of jobs, higher even the flag that the country could be view that property remains one the festive gold buying Lunar New in 2013 and the Nikkei almost 60 from 57.3 in November. This was than we predicted in September in jeopardy of a further reduction of the best investments. That Year is less than a month away on percent. roughly in line with the median in the budget, and the jobless rate in its credit rating. has prompted the government 31 January. Tapering the Fed QE pro- forecast of 56.8 for December. will fall.” He also mentioned that The UK manufacturing index to try to head off bubbles in the West Texas Intermediate crude gramme has proven to be a real The New Orders Index increased labour reform would make the remains comfortably over the market without damaging one of traded near a month low amid concern last year when it relates in December by 0.6 percentage market more dynamic, adding 50 level despite coming in less the pillars of growth in a slowing concerns amongst market players to emerging market currencies. point to 64.2 percent, which is its that recovery would take place than expected on Thursday. Last economy that the Fed will accelerate their As we have seen strong demand highest reading since April 2010 due an expected tax reform, month’s reading of 58.4 was the Bank of Japan Governor rate of tapering after signs of for Euro, Pound and the Swiss when it registered 65.1 percent. which would look to reverse a highest since February 2011. Kuroda said the central bank improvement in the US economy. Franc into the year-end, all three The Employment Index regis- personal income tax rise imple- However this has since been won’t necessarily end or scale Gains were also capped amidst have seen a start of trend reversal tered 56.9 percent, an increase mented in 2011. revised to 58.1. The market con- back its stimulus programme in expectations for a rise in Libyan into the first two trading days of of 0.4 percent compared to Portugal’s President Cavaco sensus expected us to match this 2 years, and will continue it until supply and speculation of a the year. The Euro closed the November’s reading of 56.5 per- Silva said there were reasons to figure at around 58.0 but we came inflation stabilises at 2 percent. buildup in US stockpiles capped week at 1.3589 while the Sterling cent. December’s employment believe that Portugal would not in less than expect at 57.30. He added that while economic gains. The US could also tighten Pound at 1.6418. The Yen remains reading is the highest since June need a second rescue, although On the other hand, Britain’s growth rate will probably drop regulations on crude-by-rail ship- on the weak side at 104.86 2011 when the Employment Index a precautionary program was construction industry had its sec- in the April-June quarter when ments after an explosion in North The number of people filing registered 59 percent. a “different reality”. He added ond fastest month of growth in the consumption tax rate will be Dakota in the beginning of the for first-time unemployment The Euro strength not only that they had reasons to count more than six years in December. raised to 8 percent from 5 per- week. This may lead to higher benefits dropped to 339,000 in threatens to hinder the fragile on the support of their European The Construction PMI fell to 62.1 cent, it will improve after that. transportation costs and create the week ended Saturday, from recovery, it may push inflation partners to access financial mar- in December from November’s Gold extended its rally from supply gluts that could depress US an upwardly revised 341,000 further below the ECB targets. kets at reasonable interest rates, reading of 62.6, the index’s highest the biggest annual loss in three crude prices. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 10,798.69 0.13 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 15,428.85 0.13 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,158.51 0.51 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,670.86 0.03 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,533.13 0.56 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5318.809 -8.866 -0.17 5383.4 5318.809 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,043.9 0.73 % QR145.5188 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4243.54 16 0.38 4312.59 4221.71 QE All Share Industrials 3,598.15 0.43 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9466 QR 6.0294 QE All Share Insurance 2,459.67 0.98 % Dj Indu Average 16425.1 -44.89 -0.27 16588.3 13293.1 Euro ...... QR 4.9413 QR 5.0099 QE All Share Real Estate 2,010.26 1.37 % QR 2.3590 CA$ ...... QR 3.3735 QR 3.4409 QE All Share Telecoms 1,493.53 0.41 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,918.62 0.25 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.9965 QR 4.0530 Hang Seng Inde/D 22712.78 28.63 0.13 24111.55 19426.36 Yen ...... QR 0.0346 QR 0.0352 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2190 QR 3.2818 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4621.19 25.6 0.56 4604.32 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 07-01-2014 06-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0579 QR 0.0591 Index 10,798.69 10,784.49 Karachi 100 In/D 26259.57 89.74 0.34 26299.69 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0349 Change 14.20 120.33 BRENT Nikkei 225 Index 15814.37 -94.51 -0.59 16164.01 15864.44 Peso ...... QR 0.0807 QR 0.0823 % 0.13 1.13 $ 107.14 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 4.04 3.90 S&P 500 Index/D 1826.77 -4.6 -0.25 1849.44 1451.64 Taka ...... QR 0.0462 QR 0.0477 Volume 15,135,635 17,021,858 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0364 QR 0.0371 Value (QAR) 701,704,290.94 770,414,333.28 Straits Times/D 3120.88 -2.94 -0.09 3187.8 3119.7 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3370 QR 0.3470 Trades 7,850 7,248 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 103.86 Up 22 | Down 18 | Unchanged 00

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 07-01-2014

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 1084.5 0.6 9067 Cimmco-T/D 21 0.05 22462 Hcl Infosys-B/D 23.9 2.35 1962574 Kalpat Power-B/D 88.05 -0.8 17325 Patspin India-/D 7.25 -0.35 4159 Land Secs Grou/D 973 11.5 461988 Aban Offs-B/D 424.05 21.7 2135304 Cipla-A/D 390.45 -1.15 87135 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 10.23 0.35 2591761 Kalyani Stel-B/D 54.4 -1.25 28687 Radico Khait-B/D 141 -1.7 18312 Legal & Genera/D 230.5 4.6 6382610 Ador Welding-B/D 137.15 -2.55 2550 City Union Bk-/D 50.45 -0.05 26439 Himat Seide-B/D 60.75 4.45 172945 Kanoria Chem-B/D 27.3 -0.25 7260 Rallis India-B/D 179.65 4.4 127992 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 81.95 1.84 82523206 Aegis Logis-B/D 173.65 -2.05 5102 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1689.95 -44.5 35805 Hind Motors-B/D 8.19 0.17 301708 Kg Denim-B/D 17 -0.15 44739 Reliance Indus/D 368.9 -4.8 85557 Marks & Sp./D 444.4 4.1 1528445 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 111.4 -1.9 8735 Colgate-A/D 1341 -10.45 7724 Hind Org Chem-/D 11.22 -0.48 14536 Kilburnengg-T/D 17.25 0.75 5800 Ruchi Soya-B/D 38.3 3.3 299407 Next/D 6165 -5 140708 Alembic-B/D 14.91 -0.15 148083 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 52 -1 1523 Hind Unilever-/D 559.3 -4.45 76946 Kopran-B/D 28.8 1.7 865929 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 318.35 -0.45 5208 Pearson/D 1317 -1 309569 Alok Indus-B/D 8.55 -0.05 593048 Dcm Financia-B/D 0.73 -0.03 1372 Hind.Petrol-A/D 220.7 -5.6 290884 Lakshmi Mach-B/D 2733.3 62.15 3700 Thirumalai-B/D 101.6 1.15 2862 Prudential/D 1349.075 12 629911 Andhra Paper-B/D 266.5 -0.75 5975 Dhampur Sugar-/D 34.05 0.9 19068 Hindalco-A/D 116 -2.2 604275 Lloyd Metal-B/D 9.5 0.01 6455 Til Ltd.-B/D 144.9 3.85 1830 Rank Group/D 142.664 -2.5 17060 Apollo Tyre-A/D 106.3 0.35 5774683 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2485.15 12.75 20538 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 797.65 2.65 97506 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 15.3 0.2 20868 Timexgroup-B/D 11.55 -0.31 16858 Rentokil Initi/D 119.2 0 429103 Asahi I Glass-/D 45.3 0.8 6265 E I H-B/D 56.55 -1.5 20460 I F C I-A/D 25.1 -0.25 986685 Lupin-A/D 932.6 -5.1 85943 Tinplate-T/D 47.7 -1 23031 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1277 -12 1011424 Ashok Leyland-/D 18.35 -0.3 1258903 E.I.D Parry-B/D 138.05 -1.65 28875 Idbi-A/D 64.2 -1.5 229236 Lyka Labs-B/D 13.24 -0.23 73730 Ultramarine-B/D 43.05 -0.95 2043 Rsa Insrance G/D 98.0425 0.2 8644742 Bajaj Hold-A/D 892.05 -9.1 2014 Eicher Motor-A/D 4976.45 31.3 1391 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 75.6 -0.85 9605 Maral Overs-B/D 20.3 0.9 26478 Unitech P -A/D 14.9 -0.3 4806178 Sainsbury(J)/D 365.5 -2.3 4850370 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.33 -0.21 938160 Electrosteel-B/D 14.76 -0.14 148368 India Cement-B/D 59.15 -0.1 152375 Mastek-B/D 183.05 2.5 197991 Schroders/D 2632 8 81295 Bata India-A/D 1023.7 -3.25 12020 Emco-B/D 28.9 0.5 191823 India Glycol-B/D 106.4 0.5 27211 Max India L-A/D 207.95 -0.6 6781 LONDON Severn Trent/D 1669 -35 448069 Beml Ltd-B/D 223.5 1.55 120386 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.3 0.2 3200 Indian Hotel-A/D 59.2 -0.7 60809 Mrpl-A/D 43.2 -0.35 82251 Smith&Nephew/D 864 -3.5 273170 Bh Electronic-/D 1010 -11.05 2224 Escorts-B/D 121.95 -2.5 374339 Indo-Bcount-B/D 39.3 0.2 5690 Nahar Spg.-B/D 118.5 4.75 106907 3I Group/D 388.1 -0.9 186773 Smiths Group/D 1480 10 140352 Bhel-A/D 165.25 0.85 641248 Essar Oil-A/D 56.3 2.6 1362029 Indusind-A/D 418.8 5.5 242923 Nath Seeds-B/D 4.86 0.23 2580 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2530 -6 102692 Standrd Chart /D 1320.5 -13 1870284 Bom.Burmah-B/D 111.05 -1.1 19365 Eveready Indu-/D 37 0.55 44918 J.B.Chemical-B/D 133.5 -2.1 42115 Nation Alum -A/D 37.2 0 85662 B Sky B/D 844.075 8 990633 Tate & Lyle/D 792.5 0.5 362797 Bombay Dyeing-/D 67.7 0.05 275041 F D C-B/D 135.45 -1.95 131653 Jagson Phar-B/D 11.31 1.02 11860 Navneet Edu-B/D 57.75 0.7 14797 Barclays/D 279.85 2.35 14445896 Tesco/D 330.85 -1.35 4515551 Cable Corp.-B/D 18.7 0.2 100492 Federal Bank-A/D 82.15 -2.65 332764 Jbf Indu-B/D 80 0.55 16640 Nepc India-B/D 2.95 0.49 301080 Bg Group/D 1306.5 6 1387082 Unilever/D 2453 12 288243 Camph.& All-B/D 135.45 6.45 1079 Ferro Alloys-B/D 5.75 0.06 17467 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.5 0.04 10010 Neuland Lab-B/D 337.9 3.4 3067 Bp/D 493.6 4.65 3725124 United Util Gr/D 670.5 -2 584128 Canfin Homes-B/D 173.1 -1.5 7171 Finolex-B/D 166.05 0 9384 Jct Ltd-B/D 2.04 -0.01 42738 Nrb Bearings-B/D 42.3 -0.65 82460 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3209.5 4 668594 Vodafone Group/D 237.426 1.6 11335155 Castrol Ind-A/D 299.9 -4.15 41500 Gail-A/D 339.5 3.65 17758 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.5 0 3405 O N G C-A/D 276.15 -4.95 216293 Bt Group/D 386.2 0.9 2601357 Whitbread/D 3802.7334 15 175168 Century Enka-B/D 154.35 -0.4 5675 Gammon India-B/D 14.64 0.17 21253 Jik Indust-T/D 0.72 0.03 10711 Ocl India-B/D 178 1.95 14371 Centrica/D 338.2 -4.3 3660622 Century Text-A/D 311.3 5.3 296963 Gangotri Tex-T/D 1.29 0.06 1231 Jindal Drill-B/D 192.6 0.95 8261 Oil Country-B/D 36.45 -0.1 4024 Gkn/D 381.7945 2.7 662161 Chambal Fert-B/D 39.95 -0.05 124991 Garden P -B/D 39.85 1.8 10777 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 171.5 -0.9 259900 Onward Tech-T/D 50.75 0.5 2129 Hsbc Holdings/D 670.1 10.1 10715666 Chola Invest-B/D 234.45 5.4 13891 Goodricke-B/D 137.4 -3.9 12465 Kabra Extr-B/D 34.4 -1.15 19228 Orchid Chem-T/D 56.15 -2.85 121668 Imperial Tobac/D 2325 -22 420779 Chowgule St-B/D 13 0.2 4560 Goodyear I -B/D 365 2.75 4767 Kajaria Cer-B/D 301 5.9 7793 Oudh Sugar-B/D 18 0.65 13225 Kingfisher/D 390.8 -0.7 975635 WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Nets prevail over Atlanta Hawks Joe Johnson scores game-high 23; Love, Pekovic help Minnesota beat Philadelphia

NEW YORK: The Brooklyn Love went 4-for-7 from three- Nets matched their season high point range, part of a 16-for-26 for consecutive victories when barrage by Minnesota from dis- Deng traded from they recorded a third triumph tance. Kevin Martin, who fin- in a row with a hard-fought win ished with 18 points, sank three over the Atlanta Hawks. three-pointers, as did Corey Joe Johnson scored a game-high Brewer and J.J. Barea. Bulls to Cavaliers 23 points and Mirza Teletovic Minnesota (17-17), who led by added 16 points off the bench as many as 33 points in the sec- CLEVELAND: Britain’s Luol Deng, an NBA All-Star forward, for the Nets, who also won three ond half, beat Philadelphia for was traded by the Chicago Bulls to the Cleveland Cavaliers yes- straight games from Dec. 7-12. the fifth straight time. terday in a deal for Andrew Bynum and draft picks, the teams Guard Jeff Teague and forward Thaddeus Young, just named announced. Paul Millsap each had 16 points Eastern Conference Player of the Deng, a 28-year-old playmaker born in what is now South Sudan, and five assists for Atlanta, whose Week, paced Philadelphia with has averaged a career-best 19.0 points in 23 starts for the Bulls this third consecutive loss equals the 20 points but the Sixers (12-22) season, also grabbing 6.9 rebounds and making 3.7 assists a game team’s worst run of the season. turned the ball over 23 times. and connecting on 45.2 percent of his shots from the court. Brooklyn (13-21) guard Deron The Los Angeles Clippers Deng would have become a free agent at the end of the season. Williams remains sidelined with tightened up on defence, allowing The Chicago Tribune reported he had rejected an extension with a sprained left ankle, meaning the Orlando Magic to hit just one the Bulls worth $10m a year for three or four seasons. Alan Anderson made his 14th of their first 12 shots and routing The Cavaliers sent Chicago three future NBA Draft picks and the start of the season, matching his the visitors. right to swap 2015 first-round draft picks with Cleveland as well as total for the previous two cam- The Magic shot just 35.7 per- center Bynum, who is likely to be released before Tuesday’s deadline paigns combined. cent in the game and had eight of to have the second half of his $12.3m deal become guaranteed. Atlanta (18-17) pulled within their shots blocked by DeAndre That will save the Bulls, who have already lost star Derrick Rose two points in the final minute Jordan. The Clippers center for the season to a knee injury, more than $10m in luxury tax pay- but Johnson got the ball out to added 14 points and 17 rebounds. outs and give them more chances at top young talent in the draft Teletovic, who buried the game- Making his second start at for long-term rebuilding. clinching three-pointer. point guard in place of injured All “The moves made today will put us in a better position to make Kevin Love scored 26 points Star Chris Paul, Darren Collison the entire roster stronger for the future and to compete for a cham- while Nikola Pekovic had 16 was flawless in orchestrating the pionship,” said Bulls general manager Gar Forman. points and 14 rebounds as the first-half runaway. For the Cavaliers, it will combine Deng with 21-year-old power forward duo helped Collison hit his first eight shots Australian-born star guard Kyrie Irving to make Cleveland more Minnesota roll to a lop-sided and had 19 of his team-high 21 formidable in a weak Eastern Conference. victory that ended Philadelphia’s points by halftime. “Luol reflects all that we are striving for in building our team. season-high four-game winning The Magic got centre Nikola He’s a tremendous defensive player that can impact the game on streak. Vucevic back in their starting both ends of the court with a ‘team first’ mentality and is a high lineup after the seven-footer character leader,” said Chris Grant, the team’s general manager. missed two games with an ankle The Bulls obtain the first-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft NBA Results injury. However, Vucevic hit just of Sacramento, which the Cavaliers had owned from a 2011 trade, Minnesota 126 Philadelphia 95 one of his seven shots and left the Brooklyn Nets small forward Paul Pierce (34) drives to the basket past as well as Portland’s second round picks in the 2015 and 2016 NBA game after taking a hard fall in Draft, obtained by Cleveland from the Trail Blazers last year. Brooklyn 91 Atlanta 86 Atlanta Hawks power forward Mike Scott (32) and Hawks shooting guard the third quarter. Louis Williams (3) during the fourth quarter of a game at Barclays Center. AFP LA Clippers 101 Orlando 81 REUTERS

Clermont’s injury worries mount Calgary Flames beat Colorado Avalanche as King ruled out NEW YORK: Mike Cammalleri scored a power- ahead of Quins play goal late in the third period PARIS: Clermont received and the Calgary Flames broke fresh injury concerns yes- out of an offensive drought to terday ahead of Saturday’s beat the Colorado Avalanche. crunch European Cup clash Joe Colborne and Jiri Hudler with Harlequins as New had two points each and scored Zealander centre Regan goals 2:28 apart. Center Sean King and France No.8 Monahan also scored and goal- Damien Chouly were both tender Karri Ramo stopped 22 ruled out. shots for Calgary (15-21-6), who The news comes just a day had lost four straight. after captain Julien Bonnaire With the game tied at three- and scrum-half Thierry all and the Flames on the power Lacrampe were also ruled out play, Hudler sent a pass to the of the Pool 4 encounter. front of the net to Cammalleri. Former All Black interna- He one-timed it past goalie tional King, who will return Jean-Sebastien Giguere for the to Welsh region Scarlets next game-winner. season, pulled a calf muscle Center Paul Stastny had a last week and will be out for goal and two assists and centre six weeks, Clermont said. Nathan MacKinnon had two Clermont said shoulder goals for the Avalanche (26-12- injury victim Chouly would 4), who had their three-game also miss the game, although winning streak ended. the player himself took to Brian Gionta scored the Twitter to reveal “nothing is tie-breaking goal in the sec- broken”, and added that he ond period, and the Montreal hoped to recover in time for Canadiens beat the Florida Saturday. Panthers. New York Islanders defenceman Brian Strait (37) scores a goal on Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the third period at Nassau Veterans On top of those absences, At 15:46 of the middle period, Memorial Coliseum. The New York Islanders won the game 7-3. and that of regular first-choice Plekanec intercepted a pass scrum-half Morgan Parra, behind the Florida net and fed a Clermont are also sweating streaking Gionta in the left circle first time since Dec. 28 against four-goal second period to a win earlier this season with a groin shootout for Columbus (19-20-4) on the fitness of lock Julien for the winning score. the Lightning in Tampa. over the Dallas Stars. injury. who got goals in regulation from Pierre, who has a back injury, David Desharnais also Canadiens goaltender Carey The seven goals were also a Jamie Benn, Erik Cole and Brandon Dubinsky, Atkinson and and prop Daniel Kotze, who scored for Montreal (25-14- Price made 26 saves. season high for the Islanders, Valeri Nichushkin scored for the defenseman James Wisniewski. suffered a partial shoulder dis- 5), who held their opponent Left winger Sean Bergenheim who trailed 2-0 after one before Stars (20-15-7), who have lost Left winger Rick Nash scored location during Sunday’s 19-12 to two goals or fewer for the scored for the Panthers (16-21-6). mounting their third multi-goal three in a row. twice and centre Brian Boyle defeat at Toulouse. Goalie Tim Thomas, facing the comeback in their last five games. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky added a goal for New York (21- Clermont said a decision Canadiens for the first time since New York’s (15-22-7) backup made 40 saves in regulation and 20-3). Henrik Lundqvist made 36 will be taken on Pierre and NHL Results February 15, 2012, when he was goaltender Kevin Poulin made 15 overtime, then stopped both saves for the Rangers. Kotze’s fitness at the end of NY Islanders 7 Dallas 3 with the Boston Bruins, stopped saves in earning the win in relief shots he faced in a shootout as After New York entered the the week. Columbus 4 NY Rangers 3 33 shots. of Evgeni Nabokov, who left less the Columbus Blue Jackets beat third period trailing 3-1, Boyle On the plus side, Clermont John Tavares scored his fifth than seven minutes into the first the New York Rangers. and Nash scored goals in a span are set to welcome back Montreal 2 Florida 1 career hat-trick as the New York period due to a lower-body injury. Cam Atkinson and centre of 2:02 to tie the game. from injury centre Aurelien Calgary 4 Colorado 3 Islanders rode a season-high Nabokov missed 12 games Ryan Johanssen scored in the REUTERS Rougerie (ribs), Portugal flanker Julien Bardy (ribs), Samoan back-rower Fritz Lee (chest), Canada lock Jamie Cudmore (knock) and flanker Alexandre Lapandry (ankle). Cuts show depth of Team USA’s men’s roster Clermont top the pool ahead of Quins by four points but the NEW YORK: Bobby Ryan won’t be going 2010 hero Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres). The On defence, there’s a nice mix of skill, size for their offensive skills, but they’ve shown two sides meet in their penul- to Sochi. Neither will Keith Yandle, Ben MVP of the Vancouver Olympic tournament and poise, along with some young legs to key this season that they can play a responsible timate game at Twickenham Bishop or Jack Johnson. might be playing even better hockey coming the transition game on the big ice. game in their own zone as well. Stoop. Those are the type of talents that would into this year’s event, and he gives Team Ryan Suter (Minnesota Wild) is in a class Up front, the Americans have probably With only the group win- have been no-brainer choices as recently as USA a confident, veteran presence with a by himself. He could be paired with Kevin the deepest group they’ve ever iced. It’s ners assured of qualifying for eight years ago, core players around which proven ability to steal games. The health of Shattenkirk (St. Louis Blues), a potent loaded, albeit small, on the right side with the European Cup quarter- a US Olympic team would have been built. Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings) makes weapon in transition, or Ryan McDonagh Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks), Phil finals, neither side can afford So the fact that they weren’t among the 25 him a wild card, but his Stanley Cup expe- (New York Rangers), whose game is more Kessel (Toronto Maple Leafs) and T.J. Oshie to lose this match. players who were named today to the 2014 rience from 2012 secured his spot. Jimmy well-rounded. Paul Martin (Pittsburgh (St. Louis Blues), which probably made Clermont’s final pool match team that heads to Russia next month high- Howard (Detroit Red Wings) was a surpris- Penguins) is still rehabbing an injury, but 6-foot-5 Blake Wheeler (Winnipeg Jets) a will be at home to Top 14 rivals lights how far American hockey has come ing choice, given that he was sidelined most he and Brooks Orpik (Pittsburgh Penguins) more appealing choice to play a depth role. Racing-Metro on January 19 over the past decade … and how difficult the of December and wasn’t playing particularly have proven chemistry. They’ll be expected He’s quick, too, and is coming off a 10-goal while Quins will travel to decisions were for general manager David well when healthy, but his body of work gave to handle a shutdown role. December, which makes him America’s hot- Scarlets. Poile and his staff. him the edge over the relatively inexperi- John Carlson (Washington Capitals) and test sniper. AFP In net, the Americans are likely to rely on enced Bishop. Cam Fowler (Anaheim Ducks) are known AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT McLaren to present 2014 Peterhansel bounces back car online Qatar’s Nasser crashes three times on the dirt and dunes course LONDON: McLaren will show off their 2014 Formula One car, the MP4-29, in an online-only SAN RAFAEL, Argentina: digital launch on January 24, the Defending champion Stephane Dakar 2014 Second team said yesterday. Peterhansel bounced back yes- The decision follows a recent terday to move into the lead of Stage Results trend in the sport of virtual the 36th Dakar Rally following SAN RAFAEL, Argentina: Results on Sunday launches, partly to cut costs but the second stage from San Luis from the second stage of the 2014 Dakar also to minimise disruption at a to San Rafael in Argentina. Rally, a 433km timed car run and 359km time when all the factory is work- Peterhansel, in a Mini, was timed motorcycle run from San Luis to San ing flat out to be ready for the Rafael, Argentina: down in sixth at 4min 21sec from new season. overnight leader Carlos Sousa of Auto This year sees major rule Portugal after suffering a punc- 1. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA/Mini) 3h changes, with a new V6 turbo- ture on Sunday’s opening stage. 52min 05sec, 2. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Smg) charged engine and energy recov- The Frenchman, looking for a at 46sec, 3. Giniel De Villiers (RSA/Toyota) ery systems replacing the old V8, 12th Dakar title following six in 5:34, 4. Nani Roma (ITA/Mini) 7:25, 5. and teams have considerable the motorcycles and five previ- Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT/Mini) 7:44, 6. technical challenges to overcome. ous ones in cars, prevailed after Orlando Terranova (ARG/Mini) 12:41, 7. The first of three pre-season 433km in temperatures reaching Ronan Chabot (FRA/Smg) 14:03, 8. Christian tests will start in Jerez, southern 40 degrees Celsius in 3hr 52min Lavieille (FRA/Haval) 19:38, 9. Lucio Alvarez Spain, on January 28 with the 05sec, 46sec ahead of Spain’s (ARG/Ford) 26:00, 10. Reinaldo Marques first race in Australia on March Varela (BRA/Mitsubishi) 28:06 Carlos Sainz and 5min 34sec 16. from South Africa’s Giniel De Overall Standings McLaren marked the 50th Villiers. 1. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA/Mini) 6h anniversary of their founding by He now leads Buggy SMG 17min 02sec, 2. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Smg) 28, New Zealander Bruce McLaren driver Sainz by 28sec in the over- 3. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT/Mini) 4:10, 4. Nani last year but had little else to all standings with his Mini team- Roma (ITA/Mini) 4:19, 5. Orlando Terranova celebrate. mate Qatari Nasser Al Attiyah, (ARG/Mini) 8:31, 6. Giniel De Villiers (RSA/ The Woking-based team went who crashed three times on the Toyota) 17:10, 7. Christian Lavieille (FRA/ through the entire championship dirt and dunes course, in third at Haval) 20:59, 8. Reinaldo Marques Varela without a single podium finish, 4min 10sec. (BRA/Mitsubishi) 36:00, 9. Krzysztof their worst performance since Peterhansel was far chippier Holowczyc (POL/Mini) 37:08, 10. Marek 1980. Dabrowski (POL/Toyota) 38:08 than he had been after Sunday’s Mini’s driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar and Lucas Cruz of Spain, compete during the Stage 2 of the Dakar Since then, Mexican Sergio stage. Rally 2014 between San Luis and San Rafael, in Argentina, yesterday. Moto Perez has left and been replaced “It was a nice stage, really fast 1. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Honda) 3h 42:10, alongside 2009 world champion at the beginning because the aver- 2. Francisco Lopez Contardo (CHI/Ktm) 39, Jenson Button by 21-year-old age was more than 100kph,” he “I think it was a good stage. We “There weren’t so many dunes, up to third at 2min 33sec. 3. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP/Honda) 2:00, 4. Danish rookie Kevin Magnussen. said. didn’t have any problems and we maybe 50km or so, but it was Barreda said he’d had a trou- Ruben Faria (POR/Ktm) 4:07, 5. Alain Duclos Lotus have decided to skip “It was a mix with a lot of fast just went through very fast,” said definitely a lot of fun and a big blesome ride in the final part. (FRA/Sherco) 5:51, 6. Ben Grabham (AUS/ Formula One’s first pre-season tracks, then it was rios (river- the former World Rally champion. mixture of terrains and different “After one corner without vis- Ktm) 7:15, 7. David Casteu (FRA/Ktm) 7:27, test in Jerez this month to give beds) with a lot of rocks and the “Some parts were very fast, type of riding -- some techni- ibility, there were a lot of boulders 8. Paulo Goncalves (POR/Honda) 7:45, themselves more time to work on risk of getting a puncture. there were some difficult dunes cal stuff, then some really high and I hit one,” he said. 9. Marc Coma (ESP/Ktm) 8:23, 10. Cyril their new car, the team said on “At the end there were also very as well, but everything was ok. We speed stuff,” said Dubai-based “It’s possible that I broke some- Despres (FRA/Yamaha) 8:43 Monday. nice dunes, but the navigation was didn’t have any punctures. I was a Sunderland. thing. The bike is not so badly Overall standings “We’re going to keep our car easy in the dunes because there little bit careful to stop the tyres “The bike was awesome. broken at all, but part of the navi- 1. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP/Honda) 6h 09:41, under wraps a little longer than were a lot of people everywhere wearing.” Hopefully I can carry on in this gation system had a big impact 2. Francisco Lopez Contardo (CHI/Ktm) 2:03, some other teams,” technical in the dunes. At the top of each Briton Sam Sunderland won direction and have a good overall on the boulder so it’s completely 3. Sam Sunderland (GBR/Honda) 2:33, 4. director Nick Chester said in a dune, it was necessary to follow the day’s 359km motorcycle stage finish.” broken. Alain Duclos (FRA/Sherco) 5:47, 5. Marc team release. the public, so it was easy to do the on a Honda in 3hr 42min 10sec Barreda maintained his overall “So I had to ride to the finish Coma (ESP/Ktm) 7:00, 6. Ruben Faria (POR/ “We’ve decided that attend- navigation.” ahead of Chile’s Francisco Lopez lead, 2min 03sec ahead of Lopez with one eye on the road-book. Ktm) 7:18, 7. Paulo Goncalves (POR/Honda) ing the Jerez test isn’t ideal Sainz moved up after starting on a KTM, at 39sec, and Spain’s with 24-year-old Sunderland, tak- I lost a little bit of time, but it’s 8:10, 8. Cyril Despres (FRA/Yamaha) 8:23, for our build and development the day in fifth at more than 4min Joan Barreda, also on a Honda, ing part in only his second Dakar an incredible job and I’m really 9. Ben Grabham (AUS/Ktm) 10:05, 10. David programme. down. at 2min. Rally having abandoned last year, happy.” AFP Casteu (FRA/Ktm) 10:59 AGENCIES Johnson wins Woods to launch Tournament of 2014 campaign Champions at Torrey Pines

MAUI, UNITED STATES: consecutive birdies on 17 and 18. NEW YORK: World number “Of course. I mean I’ve come off of Zach Johnson won the “I want to put myself in these one Tiger Woods (pictured) will long breaks. “I’ve come off of sur- Tournament of Champions positions because it was fun launch his 2014 campaign at one geries, you know, whatever it may after rolling in seven birdies en today,” said Spieth, who is one of of his favourite venues, having be. I’ve had my share of off-sea- route to a bogey-free 66 in the 13 first time winners from 2013 committed yesterday to play in sons, and I can tell you one thing, final round at Kapalua Resort that competed in the event. “It is this month’s Farmers Insurance I’m looking forward to this one.” yesterday. fun to feel the pressure and put Open at Torrey Pines, tourna- Woods comes off a highly suc- The 37-year-old American tied your name beside some of the ment organisers said. cessful 2013 campaign, having Billy Horschel for the low round best players in the world on the Woods won the event there for won a season-high five times on of the day to win the USPGA leaderboard. a record seventh time last year, the PGA Tour and earning the Tour tournament by one shot. “I take away a lot of positives. ending a week of mainly dominant circuit Player of the Year acco- “Today was a grind but I felt at This is the first time I have slept golf by clinching his 75th PGA lade, as voted upon by his peers. ease,” Johnson said. on a 54-hole lead. My putter just Tour title by four shots. The only blemish on an oth- “I was comfortable. Yesterday, didn’t hold up. It got a little cold It was the third different PGA erwise impressive resume was I didn’t score that well. on me. Tour event where he has achieved his failure to add another major “Today I just tried to stay une- “But it was a great experience the feat, hav- title to his motional and remain athletic.” feeling the nerves and battling,” ing previously career tally of Jordan Spieth, who is the said Spieth who placed 17th at the piled up seven 14, which has reigning Tour rookie of the year, World Golf Championships-HSBC wins apiece stalled since shot 69 and took second place Champions in his only other start at the WGC- his remark- at 18-under 274. Spieth shared of the 2013-14 season. Bridgestone able playoff the overnight lead with Dustin His first career victory came Invitational victrry for the Johnson and Webb Simpson. at the John Deere Classic and he and the 2008 US Open Zach Johnson finished the went on to post nine top 10 fin- Arnold Palmer at Torrey event at 19-under-par 273 and ishes last year. Invitational. Pines. earn his 11th USPGA Tour title. The Kapalua event, which is Woods had “Pretty Johnson said his putting was the comprised of the winners from been widely damn good key. the previous season, was the first expected year,” Woods “I hit some quality shots that tournament on the USPGA Tour to officially said of his helped and some quality putts after an extended break. Because commit to 2013 season. that helped even more,” Johnson of the Tour’s new wraparound his title “Five wins, said. “What I have learned when schedule it is also the seventh defence at the and you know, I am in contention, and I haven’t event of the 2013-14 season. January 23-26 on some pretty come through, it is because I am The Tour remains in the Aloha Farmers good ven- not doing what I was doing to get State next week for the Sony Zach Johnson celebrates with the trophy after winning the Hyundai Insurance ues, so very in contention. So the key is to just Open in Hawaii, which Russell Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Open after pleased with keep doing what you are doing.” Henley won in 2013. Club in Lahaina, Hawaii, yesterday. being asked the year. I’m Former US Open winner AFP by reporters really excited Simpson carded a 70 and tied for last month about the third at minus-17. He finished Tournament of Champions Scores World Rankings whether he major champi- alongside Kevin Streelman, who expected to start the new sea- onships (in 2014). MAUI, United States: Scores after the fourth round of the $5.7m Tournament of Champions 1. (1) Tiger Woods (US) 11.48 birdied four of his last five holes yesterday at the Plantation Course at Kapalua (par 72) 2. (2) Adam Scott (Australia) 9.42 son with more or less confi- “I’ve won at three of the four for a final-round 67. 273 Zach Johnson 67-66-74-66 3. (3) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 9.06 dence than before. venues - Augusta National, Jason Dufner (69) grabbed 274 Jordan Spieth 66-70-69-69 4. (4) Justin Rose (Britain) 7.03 “Well, I’ve done well at Torrey Valhalla Golf Club (PGA fifth at 15-under, while Dustin 5. (5) Phil Mickelson (US) 6.93 Pines,” he replied, after losing a Championship) and Royal 275 Webb Simpson 66-71-68-70, Kevin Streelman 67-71-70-67 Johnson (73), Adam Scott (69), 6. (6) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 6.35 playoff to fellow American Zach Liverpool (British Open) - and 277 Jason Dufner 67-72-69-69 Matt Kuchar (67) and Horschel 7. (9) Zach Johnson (US) 6.24 Johnson for the Northwestern on Pinehurst No. 2 (US Open), shared sixth at minus-14. Dustin 278 Matt Kuchar 68-68-75-67, Adam Scott (AUS) 70-70-69-69, Billy Horschel 72-72-68-66, 8. (7) Matt Kuchar (US) 6.20 Mutual World Challenge which I’m trending the right way, having Dustin Johnson 70-66-69-73 9. (8) Steve Stricker (US) 5.61 Johnson, last year’s champion, he hosts. “I’ve done pretty good. finished third and second. 10. (10) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 5.23 mixed five bogeys and five birdies 279 Ryan Moore 67-71-72-69 That’s my first tournament “But I still need to practise, 280 Brandt Snedeker 70-69-69-72, Harris English 70-71-70-69 11. (11) Jason Day (Australia) 5.22 during the final round. 12. (12) Ian Poulter (Britain) 5.16 back.” work, grind and prepare, and have Spieth also had a bogey-free 281 Woody Austin 72-70-68-71, Brian Gay 70-76-65-70, Gary Woodland 71-70-67-73 13. (15) Jason Dufner (US) 5.09 Pressed on whether he ever my game come together those round Monday that included 282 Ken Duke 70-69-71-72, Chris Kirk 66-75-68-73, Michael Thompson 66-71-73-72, 14. (13) Brandt Snedeker (US) 5.08 experienced doubts heading into four times a year. And I hope that four birdies. He closed with Patrick Reed 70-72-67-73 15. (14) Graeme McDowell (Britain) 4.91 a fresh campaign, Woods replied: will happen.” REUTERS WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Selection consistency Pakistan hope sun hints at New Zealand World Cup squad

WELLINGTON: New Nathan McCullum, who is and spinners shine Zealand’s planning for next also an accomplished lower- year’s World Cup further order aggressive batsman, is crystallised yesterday with the first-choice spinner while the decision to maintain 12 of Williamson, and now Ryder, will Captain Haq counting on Ajmal and Rehman in Dubai their one-day side for their two provide valuable back-up options Twenty20 matches against when New Zealand co-host the DUBAI: Pakistan are hop- West Indies. World Cup in early 2015. ing that both the sun and their Only pace bowler Kyle Mills Anderson appears to have the two spinners shine in Dubai to and top-order batsman Kane all-rounder role as his to lose, give them an edge in the second Williamson were released from while Jimmy Neesham and Colin Test against Sri Lanka starting the 14-man one-day squad, who Munro are likely to contest the today. conclude their series against backup position in the World Persistent rain in the emirate the visitors in Hamilton on Cup squad. forced the teams to cancel their Wednesday, for the Twenty20 The only questions appear to practice yesterday. But the fore- clashes in Auckland and be whether test wicketkeeper cast is clear for the next five days. Wellington. BJ Watling will get a run in the “Hopefully it will be better “We are keen to keep this limited-overs side with Luke on Wednesday and we can have group together but are mind- Ronchi looking to establish a proper five-day game,” said ful of the strong performances himself and should the raw pace Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq. from a number of other play- of Adam Milne be given more “I haven’t seen the wicket ers,” national selection manager opportunity to develop. because it is covered but usually Bruce Edgar said. Former captain Daniel it’s a good Test in Dubai.” “We are fortunate to be in a Vettori could also come back Misbah is counting on spinners position to have a range of qual- into contention, should he Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman ity players to choose from.” decide to continue his interna- to give Pakistan a series lead, after New Zealand hold a 2-1 lead tional career after his Twenty20 the first of three Tests ended in a over the visitors in the one- commitments in Australia draw in Abu Dhabi last week. day series after two impressive conclude. Ajmal toiled for 49 wicket- batting displays that included “We’ve got a good side at the less overs in Sri Lanka’s second a world record for the fastest moment and a strong base of innings in the first Test, as skipper international century by Corey players - even the guys who Angelo Mathews hit a career best Anderson. aren’t playing at the moment 157 not out. The 23-year-old Anderson know their role when they come His fighting knock helped Sri blasted a century off 36 balls as into the side and that makes Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq (right) walks to the dressing room after rain stopped a practice session Lanka erase Pakistan’s 179-run New Zealand smashed 283-4 it a lot easier,” Anderson told at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai yesterday. lead and set them a 302-run vic- in 21 overs in Queenstown to reporters in Hamilton ahead tory target. They finished on 158-2. win the rain-effected third one- of the fifth one-day match at It was the first time in Ajmal’s likely to replace fast bowler Rahat have not sought a replacement for was delighted with his own form. dayer, while a more balanced Seddon Park. 31-Test career that the 36-year- Ali, who went wicketless in the paceman Nuwan Kulasekara, who “I was a little bit under pressure approach saw them score 285-6 “There’s a lot of talented guys old had bowled more than 17 overs first Test. returned home with a hamstring and I am happy that I justified my in 50 overs in the fourth match sitting on the sidelines. That’s in a second innings and finished Despite centuries from Misbah injury. place,” he said. in Nelson. always healthy - if you’re not without a wicket. and Younis Khan last week, Sri Lanka will be counting on Teams (from): The victories were cemented performing, then someone will Ajmal has taken 24 wickets at Pakistan will also look to bolster the vastly experienced Mahela Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq with a core nucleus of players come in and have a crack. Dubai stadium, including seven their batting after they slumped Jayawardene to come good after (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed all combining to produce when “I think we’re all pushing each against England which helped from 329-4 to 383 all out in their he failed in the first Test, manag- Shehzad, Khurram Manzoor, Shan it was required. other and it’s a good culture; Pakistan inflict a 3-0 series defeat first innings in Abu Dhabi. ing just five and nought. Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, The New Zealand batting line- we’re all happy when someone on the then-world number one “We need to work on our bat- Spinner Rangana Herath will Younis Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, up is ultra aggressive with Jesse succeeds. team in 2012. ting more as we should have got also look for a better return after Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Ryder and Martin Guptill open- “We’ve got India around the Misbah is expecting a spin- 450-odd runs on the board to have getting only four wickets in Abu Rehman, Rahat Ali, Mohammad ing, while Kane Williamson’s corner, so if we can dominate friendly pitch. a big lead to put pressure on the Dhabi. And off-spinner Sachithra Talha. patient approach will allow against the West Indies and then “If you look at the history of opposition,” said Misbah. Senanayake will try to secure his Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews the side to build their innings put in a really good perform- this ground, this pitch slows Pakistan have the option place in the side after winning (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, around him before Ross Taylor, ance against India then that’s a down and gives something to of replacing opener Khurram support from his skipper. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela captain Brendon McCullum and massive step towards the World the spinners. Especially, both our Manzoor with Shan Masood. The “We all know Sachithra is a Jayawardene, Kaushal Silva, Anderson take over in the mid- Cup.” spinners had really good success recalled Sarfraz Ahmed will keep good spinner. Playing in his first Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal dle order. New Zealand T20 squad: here,” he said. wicket after Adnan Akmal had to Test, it was not easy playing on Perera, Prasanna Jayawardene, Swing bowler Mills provides Brendon McCullum (cap- Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by nine return home following a fractured a pitch like this,” said Mathews Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda the anchor role to restrict the tain), Corey Anderson, Martin wickets in Dubai on their way to a finger in the first Test. after Senanayake went wicketless Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, scoring in the opening power- Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, 1-0 series win in 2011. Sri Lanka have summoned in Abu Dhabi. Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana play, while left-arm quick Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, In that game Ajmal took eight one-day opener Kusal Perera Mathews, who scored 91 Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa Mitchell McLenaghan’s job is to Colin Munro, James Neesham, wickets and Rehman four. after Lahiru Thirimanne failed to in the first innings before his Fernando. take wickets, even if his econ- Luke Ronchi, Jesse Ryder, Tim Rehman, a left-arm spinner, is recover from an ankle injury. They unbeaten century in the second, AFP omy rate is more than 5.6 runs Southee, Ross Taylor. an over. REUTERS Pietersen rules Proteas ripe for the picking: Warner SYDNEY: Australia plan to a 1-0 home victory over world Peter Siddle yesterday joined past and had success,” he said. use the same intimidatory tac- number two India, in a two-match captain Michael Clarke in declar- “I think we are (the best tics that unravelled England series where Hashim Amla (aver- ing the Australian fast bowling attack). It shows through the in next month’s tour of South age 14) was the only star batsman attack better than South Africa’s consistency we’ve had against out retirement Africa, opening batsman David to consistently struggle. vaunted trio of Dale Steyn, Morne England here throughout a five- LONDON: England batsman and so it should be. It does feel Warner said yesterday. However, Australia sense a vul- Morkel and Vernon Philander. Test series. Kevin Pietersen has ruled out like the end of some type of era.” Warner claims members of nerability in the South African However, he said the challenge “The way we worked together retirement after the 5-0 Ashes Former captain Michael South Africa’s top-ranked team ranks following the retirement of now was to prove it. at different stages broke partner- loss to Australia and wants to Vaughan wanted England to make are “on the back foot as play- all-rounder Kallis. With Johnson fresh from tak- ships and didn’t let partnerships help regain the urn when they Pietersen more responsible by ers” and will miss newly-retired “It’s a big loss for them,” said ing 37 wickets at 13.9 in the Ashes, get big on us. host the series in 2015. naming him vice-captain. Jacques Kallis in the three-Test Warner. “They’ve counted on him Siddle said Australia plan to pep- “That’s what caused all the col- The whitewash has led to “I have my fingers crossed and tour in the republic. a couple of times when bowlers per South Africa with another lapses so that’s what we’re look- calls by pundits for an overhaul hope England do not take the easy He said a combination of sledg- have been asked to come back in all-out assault. ing to do over there and it could of the England team and set-up way out of this mess by making ing and thunderbolts from express different spells, so it will be inter- “I can’t see why not. I think the be a very good year for us if we and coach Andy Flower declined Kevin Pietersen the victim for the paceman Mitchell Johnson esting to see how they are without way we’ve played, we’ve played continue to do that.” to confirm whether Pietersen, Ashes whitewash,” Vaughan, who unhinged England’s experienced him.” like that against them in the AFP England’s fourth highest run in 2005 became the first England batsmen in the Ashes, with scorer of all time and second in skipper to win the Ashes since Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Kevin the lost series, was safe. Mike Gatting in 1986-87, wrote in Pietersen all averaging under 30 The South Africa-born bats- his column for the Daily Telegraph. in the 5-0 series annihilation. man, however, said he had no plans “I accept something has to Even though the Proteas fea- to walk away. give. Either Kevin is given more ture some of the most estab- “Very disappointed to lose 5-0, responsibility, and I suggested at lished and successful run-scorers and not to score more runs per- the weekend that he should be in cricket, Warner believes the sonally. Tough tour against a top made vice-captain, or he has to South Africans are ripe for the class team,” Pietersen, who scored go. There is no point keeping him picking. 294 runs at an average of 29.40 on as a peripheral figure. “We know a couple of their during the five tests, wrote on his “Alastair Cook needs to use blokes are probably on the back Twitter page. Pietersen properly and ask him foot,” Warner told reporters at a “I want to thank all the England how he sees his own future, and reception for Australia’s Ashes fans for their terrific support. And his view on the style of cricket the team at Sydney’s Opera House. I’m determined to help regain the team have to play to become No. 1 “We’ve got to work out how Ashes in 2015.” in the world again. to get their players out as well. I Spinner Graeme Swann “I fear England will not do that know our bowlers are ready to go announced his retirement after and decide to get rid of Pietersen. over there and give it to them.” the urn was lost following the That would be a sad loss for He added that sledging would third test, while batsman Jonathan English cricket, the game cannot play a part in their approach, but Trott quit after the first match afford for that to happen. He is too the team would not go too far. because of a stress-related illness good a player.” “Apparently I said some rude which is expected to keep him out Vaughan felt England could things on stump mic (micro- for the foreseeable future. become successful again and that phone) that they couldn’t (broad- Flower said everyone in the set- Pietersen was talented enough cast during the Ashes), but I don’t up would be evaluated. to retain his place until the next recall anything,” he said. “This was a bad loss for the Ashes series. “On the field you don’t cross England cricket team and as part “It would be a huge loss if this that line. We nudged that line of our review, we’ll be looking at England management cannot get a couple of times but I think we playing personnel and support two more years out of Pietersen really got into their heads. staff and making sure we have the and let him lead them to playing “Especially with Johno right people in place,” Flower told the brand of cricket we want to (Johnson) and the pressure of the Australia’s cricket team members pose for pictures in front of Sydney’s iconic Opera House during a ceremony reporters on Monday. see,” Vaughan added. other bowlers up the other end.” to celebrates their Ashes Test series victory against England with the public, yesterday. “But this will be a new start, REUTERS South Africa are fresh from WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Sydney International Radwanska and Wozniacki Results Collated results of matches played at the Sydney International tennis tournament yesterday (x denotes seed): Women’s singles Second round Angelique Kerber (GER x5) bt Kaia Kanepi crash out early in Sydney (EST) 6-3, 6-4 Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) bt Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x1) 7-5, 6-2 Madison Keys (USA) bt Ajla Tomljanovic Mattek-Sands upsets top seed; former World No.1 loses to Safarova (CRO) 6-0, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3) Petra Kvitova (CZE x2) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-1, 6-0 SYDNEY: The Sydney story. You start over and over slam. “At the moment it’s just all International continued to be again. about recovery for me,” Hewitt Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) bt Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 a graveyard for some of the “Every tournament isn’t the told reporters yesterday. top names in women’s ten- same thing. You’re not win- “When you get older it gets a Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) bt Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 6-3, 6-2 nis with champion and top ning every week every match. bit tougher than when you were seed Agnieszka Radwanska Normally you just to have to start 16. Lucie Safarova (CZE) bt Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x6) 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) and former world number one again, not really think what was “We’re going into the first Caroline Wozniacki both losing happening in the last week.” major and you’ve got to do what’s Sara Errani (ITA x3) bt Lauren Davis (USA) 7-5, 6-2 in the second round yesterday. Mattek-Sands will now face absolutely right for you.” Men’s champion Bernard fellow American Madison Keys His place in the eight-man Men’s singles Tomic, however, followed up in the quarter-finals. field will be taken by compa- 1st round the exploits of fellow Australian Former Wimbledon champion triot Jordan Thompson, who will Marin Cilic (CRO x7) bt Jan-Lennard Struff Marko Matosevic, who earlier Petra Kvitova will play Safarova play world number nine Richard (GER) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 beat Florian Mayer 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, in the quarter-finals after the Gasquet in their first matches on Nicolas Mahut (FRA) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) to demolish eighth seed Marcel second seed smashed American Wednesday. World number eight 7-6 (7/2), 7-5 Granollers 6-3, 6-0 in just under qualifier Christina McHale 6-1, Tomas Berdych opens the tour- Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) bt Carlos Berlocq an hour. 6-0 in a little over an hour. nament against Spain’s Fernando (ARG) 6-3, 6-4 Radwanska and Wozniacki Wozniacki, who missed the Verdasco. Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Samuel Groth (AUS) followed grand slam cham- Brisbane tournament last week Verdasco’s compatriot David 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 pions Svetlana Kuznetsova with a sore shoulder, said she was Ferrer was given a traditional Blaz Kavcic (SLO) bt Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) and Francesca Schiavone and feeling fine on Tuesday but had Maori welcome at the Auckland 6-4, 6-3 former world number one Jelena failed to win the crucial points in Open yesterday in recogni- Albert Ramos (ESP) bt Sam Querrey (USA) Jankvoic as early evictees from the clash against Safarova. tion of his contribution to the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 the tournament. “I felt like it was pretty good tournament. Marinko Matosevic (AUS) bt Florian Mayer Radwanska’s title defence today. It was small things that I Ferrer will be making his 10th (GER) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 lasted just 92 minutes when didn’t win,” the Dane said. appearance at the tournament, Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) bt Edouard Roger- she was dumped out 7-5, 6-2 “I don’t feel anything in my having won four titles, including Vasselin (FRA) 6-3 retired by American qualifier Bethanie shoulder anymore. It’s great. I’ve the last three in succession. Bernard Tomic (AUS) bt Marcel Granollers Mattek-Sands, while Wozniacki, felt good for the last few days. “Thank you very much for (ESP x8) 6-3, 6-0 who struggled in her first round “I played two matches here everything,” the world number match on Monday, was beaten 6-4, then I get a few days over there three told the packed crowd at WTA Hobart 7-6 (9-7) by Czech Lucie Safarova. (Melbourne) and get to play a few the Auckland Tennis Centre after World number five Radwanska sets as well with some of the girls being presented with a manaia International had won the Sydney title last and with different types players. (Maori carving). Results year as part of a 13-match “I should be ready for “This tournament is very spe- HOBART, Australia: Collated results from unbeaten streak that ended in the Melbourne.” cial. I hope to come back for a lot the Hobart WTA International yesterday (x Australian Open quarter-finals Australian Lleyton Hewitt took more years and try to win one denotes seeding): said she was not overly concerned a different approach to being more time.” Singles with her early loss. ready for the Australian Open by Ferrer will meet qualifier 1st round “I really had a lot of good withdrawing from the invitational Donald Young in the second matches last week,” the 24-year- Kooyong Classic tournament in round on Wednesday after the Elena Vesnina (RUS x3) bt old Pole added in reference to Melbourne. American beat Argentina’s Monica Puig (PUR) 6-4, 6-4 winning all three matches at the The 32-year-old caused a Federico Delbonis 7-5, 6-2. Storm Sanders (AUS) bt Hopman Cup in Perth last week. major upset at the Brisbane Former champion Philipp Peng Shuai (CHN) 6-2, 6-2 “It’s not like I’m playing bad. International defeating Roger Kohlschreiber also advanced to 2nd round I’m not worried about that. I just Federer in the final on Sunday the second round with a tough Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic reacts to her win against Caroline Alison Riske (USA) bt Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 think not my day (and)... some- and he said he felt he would need 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Spain’s Wozniacki of Denmark in their second round match at the Sydney Bojana Jovanovski (SRB x8) bt Olivia times you have to lose. the week off to recover properly Pablo Carreno Busta. International, yesterday. “I think every week is different for the season-opening grand REUTERS Rogowska (AUS) 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 Auckland ATP Results AUCKLAND: Results from day two of the No limits for Serena: Navratilova Auckland Open yesterday (x denotes seed): 1st Round SYDNEY: World number one injuries get worse and it’s much knee injury in 2010 and cut foot Williams poignantly saluted Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x5) bt Pablo Serena Williams shows no sign easier to have an off day. that forced her to miss almost compatriot Billie Jean King when Carreno Busta (ESP) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 of slowing down with age and “But still, she is in her 30s ... a year on the tennis circuit in she won her fifth, and latest, Donald Young (USA) bt Federico Delbonis should win more than 20 grand she is eager and winning is very 2010-2011. Australian Open title in 2010 to (ARG) 7-5, 6-2 slam singles titles, former great contagious - once you get really Paradoxically it was those join King on 12 grand slam titles Lukas Lacko (SVK) bt Martina Navratilova has said. used to it, you don’t want to let injury-enforced layoffs that saying at the time that she had Rubin Statham (NZL) 6-3,6-1 The 57-year-old Navratilova go of it.” could be helpful in prolonging her told King ‘I tied you’ after her vic- Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) bt Daniel Gimeno- who won 18 grand slam singles Australia’s Margaret Court career, Navratilova suggested. tory over Justine Henin. Traver (ESP) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 titles, and 41 in women’s and holds the overall record of 24 “At age 30, she had played about “I love the fact that she’s Benoit Paire (FRA x6) bt Michal Przysiezny (POL) 6-4, 6-2 mixed doubles, is also confident grand slam singles titles, while half the tournaments than I had 32 years old and still seems Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) bt Igor Sijsling (NED) 7-5, the 32-year-old Williams will Germany’s Steffi Graf won 22 played at 30, so she is fresh in ten- to be as hungry, if not hun- 7-6 (9/7) equal her singles haul at the titles in the Open era. nis terms,” she said. grier, than she has ever been,” Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) bt Robin Haase Australian Open, which begins Williams is widely considered “She seems to be playing her Austin said. (NED x8) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) next week in Melbourne. the best player of her generation best tennis right now.” “At 32, and realising that she “If she can stay healthy there is and has been virtually unchal- Former world number one is towards possibly the end of no doubt she can go into the 20s, lenged in the modern era, with Tracy Austin echoed Navratilova’s her career, she is now playing for Kohlschreiber Serena Williams of the USA the sky is the limit,” Navratilova her powerful game proving dif- sentiments and said she felt history. poses with the Brisbane told reporters in Adelaide where ficult to defuse for many counter- Williams, who beat rivals Maria “Serena likes to be the best at grinds out International winner’s trophy at she will play in the World Tennis parts on the WTA tour. Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka everything and I think she wants the Queensland Tennis Centre in Challenge exhibition. The American, however, has to win last week’s Brisbane to be the greatest player of all Brisbane, Australia on January 4. “I know how hard it is once you also been hampered by a number International, was being moti- time on the women’s side.” Auckland win get to 30, all those little niggling of serious injuries, including a vated by the record books. REUTERS

AUCKLAND: Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber held off a gutsy fightback from Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta to Father just the Tomic in Sydney despite ban reach the second round of the Auckland Open yesterday. SYDNEY: The presence of his to eight month’s imprisonment Fifth seed Kohlschreiber, who banned father watching from by a Spanish court for assault won the Auckland tournament in courtside boosted Bernard last September though was not 2008 and was a finalist last year, Tomic’s game as he opened required to serve jail time because had to dig deep for a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 the defence of his Sydney his sentence was under two years win over Carreno Busta. International title with a 6-3 in length. The German looked to be cruis- 6-0 demolition of eighth seed While he is banned from receiv- ing as he took the first set, before Marcel Granollers yesterday. ing accreditation, which entitles Bernard Tomic Carreno Busta’s serve found its “Having my dad there is a very him into official areas, he was range and Kohlschreiber found good feeling,” Tomic told report- allowed to buy a ticket as a mem- of Australia himself in a dogfight as his error ers after the victory over his ber of the public at the discretion serves to Marcel rate climbed. Spanish opponent. of the tournament director. Granollers of The world number 22 was frus- “Obviously winning my first “The ATP has banned John France dur- trated at his inconsistent per- title here gives a lot of memories Tomic - as is public knowledge ing their first formance but pleased to book a to me. I’m happy the way I played - which excludes him from get- round match second round berth. today. Having my dad there for ting credentials and being in at the Sydney “It was pretty tough, it wasn’t the first time in a while, it’s good. other accreditable areas,” Sydney International, the best match either of us have “I know his ban will finish International director Craig yesterday. played,” he said. “It was a bit very soon, in a few months, and Watson told Australian media. tricky with the wind and the back to helping me. I’m happy. I “There is nothing that pro- tension. played very good. Felt very good. hibits the events agreeing to “I’m just happy I could use my I’m happy to be back playing like John being in public areas of the legs and the slice to mix it up. this.” ground and I’ve agreed to allow He’s very young and I maybe had Former taxi driver John Tomic that to happen.” a little bit more experience at the has not watched his son play since Australian Open organisers end.” he was banned last May from all have already said he would not Earlier, Slovak Lukas Lacko ATP events, which includes next be entitled to purchase a ticket demolished hometown favourite week’s Australian Open, after he for Melbourne Park, though the home. If there is anything I need spend with no one in my life. his new co-coach while his Rubin Statham 6-3, 6-1 to extin- was charged with head-butting younger Tomic said that would to hear, he’ll tell me. It’s very “He knows me the best.” father serves the remainder of guish New Zealand’s presence in his son’s former training partner not be a problem. good. The lanky 21-year-old, who the ban. the main draw. The top four seeds Frenchman Thomas Drouet and “Obviously he can’t come in (at “He’s the one that you taught won his first ATP Tour title The ATP is expected to con- in the tournament have a bye into breaking his nose. Melbourne),” Tomic said. me to play like this. Spent hours at Sydney last year, has taken sider whether to lift the ban in the second round. AFP He was convicted and sentenced “But that’s fine. I’ll see him at with him that I probably won’t Croatian Velimir Zovko on as May. AFP WEDNESDAY 8 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27

Messi cleared Ronaldo double to return to action

MADRID: Lionel Messi is expected to make his return seals win for Real from a hamstring injury when Barcelona host Getafe in the Copa del Rey today after being Striker scores his 400th career goal included in coach Gerardo Martino’s 18-man squad for the game. BARCELONA: A late dou- Bale came on during the second The four-time World Player of ble from Cristiano Ronaldo put Spanish La Liga half to inject some life into Real’s the Year hasn’t played since tear- some gloss on a stuttering per- attack but it was Charles who ing his hamstring in Barca’s 4-1 formance from Real Madrid as Results again came close for Celta, firing win over Real Betis on November they beat Celta Vigo 3-0 to cut MADRID: Spanish La Liga results on Monday wide with only Lopez to beat. 10. the gap at the top of La Liga to night: It was another substitute, Jese After beginning his treat- five points. Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 67, Ronaldo 82, Rodriguez, who crafted the opener ment for the injury in Barcelona, The pressure was on Real with 90+3) Celta Vigo 0 with a cross that Benzema slid Messi then returned to his native leaders Barcelona and Atletico Rayo Vallecano 2 (Castillo 66, 90-pen) home from close range. Ronaldo Argentina to continue his recov- Madrid having won their first Villarreal 5 (Uche 10, 56, 64, Perbet 12, 41) then came alive, pouncing to con- ery process during December. matches of the year. wasn’t easy but we should have vert from Daniel Carvajal’s pass. However, he returned to However, with Ronaldo unu- been more balanced when we Then, in stoppage time, he com- Barcelona last week to begin sually quiet and record signing pressed.” bined with Bale to give the final training with his teammates once Gareth Bale only fit enough for Victory kept Real in pursuit of scoreline a flattering look. more and Martino admitted it the bench Real were frustrated Barcelona and Atletico Madrid Elsewhere, Ikechuwku Uche had been difficult to leave him out by a Celta side who had several who are on 49 points after beating scored a hat-trick and Jeremy of Saturday’s 4-0 win over Elche. chances to score before Karim Elche and Malaga respectively. Perbet struck twice as Villarreal “I have spoken with him and he Benzema broke the deadlock mid- Real survived an early scare piled the pressure on relegation- is in the squad,” Martino told a way through the second half. when keeper Diego Lopez was threatened Rayo Vallecano with a press conference yesterday. Ronaldo poked in Real’s sec- forced into an excellent save from 5-2 away win that took them up “We are happy for him and I ond after 82 minutes and then Charles after a long ball from to sixth in the table on 31 points. am especially happy to have all thumped in his second of the Augusto Fernandez had sent him Nery Castillo pulled two goals the players available. night from substitute Bale’s cross clear of a napping defence. back, the second from the penalty “There was a lot of pressure for his 400th career goal. The hosts dominated posses- spot after Uche fouled Roberto for him to play against Elche, “It was not a good perform- sion but they lacked precision Trashorras, but it was a sorry that would have been the normal ance and we need to learn how and finesse and Celta’s rearguard night for Rayo who are in 19th thing to do. However, the differ- to be tighter at the back,” Real defended doggedly. place and three points from safety. ence now is that he has had more coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news Benzema had a shot deflected “We all worked hard and it training sessions with the team. conference. just wide by David Costas and made it easier scoring early on. “Tomorrow we will see if he “We lacked balance as we had along with speculative strikes The plan was to be solid and wait Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal against plays from the start or not.” a lot of players going forward and from Luka Modric and Angel Di for our chances to come which Celta Vigo during their Spanish First Division football match at Santiago The news comes also as a huge were open to the counter-attack.” Maria they were all that Real is what happened,” Uche told Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Monday night. boost for Martino’s men as they “Celta defended deeply and it could offer in the first half. reporters. REUTERS travel to face Atletico Madrid in a top of the table clash in La Liga on Saturday. Both sides are locked on 49 Walcott’s World Cup injury blow saddens Hodgson points after 18 games having dropped just five points each so LONDON: England manager six months. As well as missing wanted to express my disappoint- had the mentality not to let this devastating. I missed out on a far this season. Roy Hodgson spoke of his dis- the rest of the season, it means ment to him,” current England injury define his career. World Cup in ‘98 through injury Meanwhile, West Ham United appointment yesterday after Walcott has also been ruled boss Hodgson told www.TheFA.com “Having worked with him for and it’s something that you never manager Sam Allardyce on Arsenal forward Theo Walcott out of the World Cup in Brazil, yesterday. two years as England manager I truly get over. “In the end I didn’t Tuesday expressed his gratitude was ruled out of this year’s which begins in June, barring an “It is a blow for him personally know the character he has, and actually get to play in any, but for after receiving a public vote of World Cup with a serious knee extraordinary recovery. of course, and for both Arsenal I know he will come back even someone like Theo who has been confidence from co-chairmen injury. It is the latest chapter in a and England. stronger from this setback.” there but not played -- but he has David Sullivan and David Gold. Walcott, 24, damaged the story of World Cup misery for “We had quite a lengthy con- But former Arsenal and been there -- for this one I feel he The east London club are cur- anterior cruciate ligament in Walcott, who was called up for the versation and it is such a shame England striker Ian Wright would have been ready.” rently second from bottom in the his left knee during Arsenal’s 2006 tournament at the age of 17 that we have lost a player of his was less certain. Earlier yes- Former England striker Premier League table and saw a FA Cup victory over Tottenham but did not play and was then left calibre for the World Cup, he has terday, Wright, who sat out the Michael Owen, who sustained a second-string team thrashed 5-0 Hotspur at the weekend, with out for the 2010 tournament by been incredibly unfortunate and 1998 World Cup in France due serious knee injury during the by second-tier Nottingham Forest his club announcing on Monday coach Fabio Capello. we wish him a speedy recovery.” to a hamstring injury, told BBC 2006 World Cup in Germany, also in the FA Cup on Sunday. he will be unavailable for around “I spoke with Theo and just However, Hodgson said Walcott Radio Five Live: “As a player, it’s voiced support for Walcott. AFP AGENCIES

Steyn recovering from fractured Ticket sales for the tri-nation women’s rib ahead of Australia series cricket championship begin in Doha

CAPE TOWN: Fast bowler DOHA: Ticket sales for the the Dale Steyn (pictured) will triangular women’s One-Day undergo rehabilitation on a and Twenty20 cricket champi- fractured rib but will be fit onship have began, West End for the home series against Park the organisers of the event Australia which begins next announced here yesterday month, Cricket South Africa The women’s championship. (CSA) said yesterday. will be held from January 10 to 24 Steyn was injured two weeks at West End Park Stadium under ago while fielding in the second the patronage of His Excellency test against India but played on Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al to take nine wickets as South Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports, Africa claimed a series win with Qatar. a 10-wicket victory. Addressing a press conference “Dale dived while fielding a ball yesterday, chairman of West End on day one of Park, Mana Ibrahim Al Mana said the second preparations at the 12,500-capac- test against ity cricket stadium located at the India in West End Park are complete. Durban and He said sale of tickets for the complained Championship started yester- of slight pain day and are available at all lead- of his right ing shopping malls in Doha and anterior Industrial Area, as well at the chest region,” West End Park. Mana Ibrahim Al Mana (centre), Chairman West End Park, launching the ticket sales of the triangular women’s cricket championship along with Syed Proteas team He said tickets are available in Bobby Refair (third left) Executive Director Pakistan Cricket Board, Manzoor Ahmed (second left) General-Secretary of Qatar Cricket Association manager Dr four categories to meet the budg- and other officials during a press conference in Doha yesterday. The triangular women’s one-day and Twenty20 Championship will be held from Mohammed ets of all income groups. January 10 to 24 at the West End Park Stadium. PICTURE BY: ABDUL BASIT Moosajee “We are delighted to host this said in a CSA statement. Championship which will put “He continued playing and Qatar on the cricket map. The Mana said ticket reservations support received from all institu- Triangular T20 bowling with mild discomfort for triangular series will be a delight have been very encouraging for tions and local bodies. The event Qatar International the rest of the test. When the for all cricket loving fans in the opening ceremony, which will be a perfect opportunity for Women's Championship Tournament discomfort persisted after the Qatar,” Mana said. will be graced by His Excellency cricket lovers in Qatar to enjoy match, a scan was performed Single entry tickets will be Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al some entertaining cricket in a fes- Date Country Start Time Pakistan vs South 1:00 PM 19/01/2014 Africa which detected a small undis- priced at QR10, while the organ- Ali, Minister of Youth and Sports, tive atmosphere,” he added. 10/01/2014 Pakistan vs Ireland 1:00 PM placed fracture to his right eighth isers will also be issuing a silver ambassadors of participating Mana said the tournament Pakistan vs Ireland 5:00 PM rib. ticket worth QR50 which will countries and senior officials of will provide world class competi- 11/01/2014 South Africa vs 1:00 PM “He will follow a strict rest and allow multiple entries. Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket tion between the three countries Ireland rehabilitation programme for the The other two types of tickets South Africa and Cricket Ireland. from the three continents of Asia, South Africa vs Ireland 1:00 PM next three to four weeks and we are VVIP and VIP, the organierts The Century 21 & West End Africa and Europe. 12/01/2014 Pakistan vs South 1:00 PM 20/01/2014 Pakistan vs Ireland 5:00 PM are confident he will be fit for the said. Park Chairman noted that the Expressing confidence at Africa tour against Australia.” According to Mana, the man- hosting of this tournament in Qatar becoming a cricket hub, 21/01/2014 Rest Day Steyn’s injury is likely to agement of West End Park has Doha is a huge achievement and Mana said: “The cricket stadium 13/01/2014 Pakistan vs Ireland 1:00 PM rule him out of entire domestic exerted all efforts to ensure a fun- a historic moment for the sport at West End Park is clear evi- 14/01/2014 Ireland vs South 1:00 PM South Africa vs Ireland 1:00 PM Twenty20 competition, where he filled tournament for the cricket in the State of Qatar, this is the dence of the great efforts made Africa 22/01/2014 would have turned out for the lovers of Qatar. first championship ever to be by the State of Qatar to develop Pakistan vs South Africa 5:00 PM Cape Town-based Cobras. He said the company expects sanctioned by the International cricket in Qatar. The hosting of 15/01/2014 South Africa vs 1:00 PM 23/01/2014 Rest Day South Africa will play three large turnout for the triangular Cricket Council (ICC). the Qatar International Women’s Pakistan tests and three Twenty20 interna- championship, which will see “This is the first time Qatar Championship demonstrates 24/01/2014 Final 5:00 PM tionals against Australia, starting teams from South Africa, Ireland has hosted a major cricket tour- Qatar’s commitment in patron- 16/01/2014 Rest Day Venue: West End Park International Cricket with the first Test in Centurion and Pakistan in action. nament for women, and we are izing the growth of the sport in 17/01/2014 Final 1:00 PM Stadium on Febraury 12. REUTERS Talking about ticket sales thankful for the tremendous Qatar.” THE PENINSULA Wednesday 8 January 2014 7 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5938 Sport Price: QR2

Nets prevail Dakar Rally: over Atlanta Peterhansel Hawks bounces back

Sport | 23 Sport | 24

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar win WAFF Championship Koukhi double helps hosts clinch maiden title, down Jordan 2-0 in the final

DOHA: Two Second half goals from Boualem Koukhi helped Qatar to down Jordan 2-0 and win the maiden West Asia Football Federation (WAFF) Championship here at the Al Qatar’s Ali Asad Sadd Stadium here yesterday. (back) challenges After a goalless first half, hosts Jordan’s Hatem Qatar took the lead in the 55th Aqel during minute thorugh Kouki and the their 8th West midfielder put the issue beyond Asian Football doubt by scoring the second one in the 87th minute. Federation This was the third consecu- (WAFF) champi- tive double by the hard work- onship football ing Algerian born. He scored final match at Al twice against Saudi in the group Sadd Stadium in stage and repeated the ame feat Doha, yesterday. against Kuwait in the semi-final Qatar won 2-0. to emerge as teh highest scorer of RIGHT: The West the tournament. Asian Football “I am happy for the team as Federation we won the title. It was a good trophy. tournament for the growth of the football in the region as it PICTURES BY: has provided a platform to the MOHAMMED young talent,” Qatar coach Djamel FARAJ Belmadi said. The former Algerian interna- tional said the boys showed their true potential by winning the tournament. “At the moment my future is not that important. The most important thing was to perform to our best of the abilities and we did it.” Qatar took the lead as Kouki’s curling free kick sailed over the defensive wall and eluded a leap- ing Jordan keeper and lodged into the right corner of the goal. The second one for the 23-year- old midfielder came about when he tapped a cross from Mohammed Ismail past the rival keeper. “He is the best player of the side and he performed to the level and the expectations,” Belmadi said in response to his consist- ent performance throughout the championship. Qatar’s striker Ali Asad was declared best player of the tournament, while Boualem Koukhi was adjudged best goal scorer. Bahrain goal-keeper Syed Mohammed Abbas was adjudged best goal-keeper of the championship. Earlier in the day Bahrain defeated Kuwait 3-2 in a penalty shout out to finish third in the championship. Bahrain finished fourth in the last edition of the championship. Both the teams failed to scored in the regular Qatar’s team coach Djamel Belmadi reacts after his team scores a goal. RIGHT: Qatar’s goalkeeper Saud Al Khatter (left) celebrates with the national flag after winning their final match time and the extra time was also of WAFF. goalless. THE PENINSULA Schumi’s wife urges media to leave family alone GRENOBLE, France: Michael “Please support our shared said they would give no details Schumacher was wearing a or signage. They are also examin- Schumacher’s wife pleaded yes- fight with Michael. It is impor- of the treatment he is receiving camera strapped to his helmet ing whether the safety releases terday with journalists to leave tant to me that you take the in order to protect his right to when he fell, and a source close on Schumacher’s skis operated her family and doctors alone, in pressure off the doctors and the privacy. to the probe said yesterday that properly. her first comments since a ski hospital so they can do their The German Federation of footage from the device could be A German flight steward had accident in the French Alps left work,” Corinna Schumacher said Journalists yesterday also ech- used. also told Germany’s Der Spiegel her famous husband in a coma. in a statement addressed “to the oed Corinna Schumacher’s plea, It had been unclear until now magazine that he had acciden- Scores of reporters, televi- media”. urging reporters to use restraint whether the camera was work- tally filmed Schumacher at the sion crews and photographers “Please have faith in their while covering the German ing at the time of the accident, time of the accident and that have besieged the hospital in the statements and leave the hospi- former racer’s plight. or whether the footage would be the racing champion had been French Alpine city of Grenoble tal. Please also leave our family The focus has diverted onto the clear enough to use, and it could going at a maximum speed of where the Formula One legend in peace,” she said. circumstances of Schumacher’s be vital in helping investigators about 20 kilometres (12 miles) is in stable but critical condi- News that Schumacher was fall on an off-piste section determine the speed. per hour. tion following the December 29 in a medically-induced coma in between two slopes at the “It’s an important document”, He had told the magazine he accident. after falling and slamming his Meribel resort, which French said the source, who wished to would hand over the footage to Last week, Schumacher’s man- head on a rock while skiing sent investigators are probing to try remain anonymous. French police, which he has not ager Sabine Kehm deplored the shockwaves round the sporting and determine responsibility for Prosecutors are also look- done so far, the source said. tactics used by some journalists world, and journalists are anx- the accident. ing at whether the limits of the Schumacher dominated to try and catch a glimpse of iously waiting for any update on They are looking at the speed ski runs next to the accident Formula One before retiring in the seven-time world champion his condition. at which he was going at the time site were correctly marked and 2012, winning more titles than Corinna Schumacher, the wife in his room, reporting that one Following a flurry of specu- of the accident and are due to whether the rock in question was any other driver and enjoying of German Formula One world had dressed up as a priest to try lation about his health, doctors brief the press on their findings lying close enough to the piste to 91 Grand Prix victories between champion Michael Schumacher. and get in. looking after the 45-year-old so far on today morning. require some kind of protection 1994 and 2004. AFP