ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER

QIB profit grows 20pc to QR1.6bn Business | 17

Monday 19 January 2015 • 28 Rabial I 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6315 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

France beat Egypt Israeli strike Oil price plunge in Syria kills causes concern 5 Hezbollah members BEIRUT: An Israeli helicop- among expats ter strike in Syria killed a commander from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the son of the group’s late military leader Unofficial freeze on hiring Imad Moughniyah, sources close to Hezbollah said, in a BY SATISH KANADY qualified lady professionals was major blow that could lead to not a big problem until recently. reprisal attacks. DOHA: An unprecedented But things have changed and I The strike hit a convoy carry- fall in oil prices and reports know many of them, who recently ing Jihad Moughniyah and other of key projects being shelved arrived here with significant years Hezbollah members including com- in the energy sector are caus- of professionals experience in mander Abu Issa, in the Syrian ing some concern among expa- their respective home countries, province of Quneitra, near the triate communities. The price have been desperately looking for Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, slump and its possible impact on a job. Now, QP’s announcement Lebanese sources said, killing five their future plans are hot top- has further dampened the spirit France’s William Accambray in action during the Qatar 2015 24th Men’s Handball World Championship match Hezbollah members in all. ics of discussion in community of expatriate job market,” an between Egypt and France at the Duhail Handball Sports Hall yesterday. France beat Egypt 28-24. It comes just days after Hezbollah forums and family gatherings. Asian community leader told The See also pages 27 & 28 leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah Qatar Petroleum’s (QP) decision Peninsula, requesting anonymity. said frequent Israeli strikes in to scrap its $6.4bn mega project “Yes, the declining oil prices Syria were a major aggression, that has aggravated the concerns. and its possible impact are a the group was stronger than before Industry sources told The serious concern among our com- and that Syria and its allies had the Peninsula that some companies munity. Almost 32 percent of right to respond. in the energy sector have already our compatriots are directly or The Hezbollah-run Al Manar imposed an ‘unofficial freeze’ indirectly working in the energy- Inspector error leads to sale news channel said the attack sug- on hiring. A ‘de-mobilization’ of related fields,” he added. gested “the enemy has gone crazy employees is in place in some There is no doubt that the steep because of Hezbollah’s growing energy companies. Some compa- oil decline will hit corporate budg- capabilities and it could lead to a nies have announced a freeze on ets and the local economy. A sec- costly adventure that will put the hiring in the ‘non-production’ tion of expatriates also fear that a of banned tomato sauce Middle East at stake”. departments. A foreign energy prolonged decline in prices of crude An Israeli security source con- company operating in Qatar has could bring to an end the tax-free DOHA: The Supreme Council last month over concerns that it There is a new mechanism for firmed that the Israeli military shelved nearly a dozen mid-term easy life. Their worry is that the of Health (SCH) said yester- contains red wine. Samples of the monitoring food consignments of had carried out the attack. It was to long-term projects, sources said. government might come out with day that a consignment of Lyod product were taken for laboratory varying types which requires spe- not immediately clear what role Insiders say some big energy a plan to impose some tax on their Grossman tomato sauce that tests. The tests apparently have cial procedures and cooperation of Jihad Moughniyah, in his 20s, was companies are currently busy remittances to balance the dwin- contains a limited quantity of confirmed the presence of red all the bodies concerned especially playing in the fighting in Syria. preparing a restructuring of their dling revenues, an idea some neigh- red wine entered the local mar- wine in the popular sauce from the importers, said the statement. Hezbollah had accused Israel in staff pattern. “There is a fear in bouring GCC countries have been ket due to the fault of an inspec- the UK-based company. The SCH said it is coordinating 2008 of assassinating his father the air of a possible retrench- toying with, of late. tion supervisor. The SCH said it has taken all with the bodies concerned to provide Imad Moughniyah, who was head ment and job cuts. I do not know There are unconfirmed reports Legal action has been taken necessary measures “to ensure sufficient space for inspection at the of the Hezbollah security network whether it is real or the fears that a major energy conference against the erring supervisor, the the highest level of food safety and border check points and for follow up and accused of involvement in would prove wrong in the coming scheduled to be held in Doha in SCH said in a statement. minimize human errors which inspection in the local market. The high-profile attacks on Western months,” a middle-level executive the coming weeks has been can- The consignment was cleared may happen in such cases.” Citing SCH is also conducting an inten- targets. Israel denies any involve- at a leading energy company said. celled after the main sponsor, at the Doha Port before the data, the SCH said that incidents sive training programme for all ment in that killing. UN peace- The decline in oil prices is incidentally a top energy com- product was released to the of products being missed during inspectors to build their technical keepers intensified their patrols giving more worries to families pany, backed out from the event. market for sale. The Ministry of inspections are one in 1000, which capacity and improve efficiency to on the border between Lebanon who joined their spouses recently Continued on page 5 Municipality and Urban Planning it said proves the effectiveness of deal with emerging issues related and Israel yesterday night, local expecting a job. “Getting a job for THE PENINSULA pulled the product off the shelves the monitoring system. to food safety. THE PENINSULA sources said. REUTERS

Camel wrestling Shots fired near Rains and winds likely today

Biden’s Delaware DOHA: Get ready for another wet and windy day as the Qatar Meteorology Department has forecast strong cold winds with chances residence of rains today. Drivers need to drive cautiously as rain and winds may cause poor visibility. The minimum temperature is expected to be in WASHINGTON: Gun shots the range of 11 to 15 degree centigrade while maximum temperature rang out from a passing vehi- is likely to be in the range of 16 to 17 degree centigrade. Many parts cle near US Vice President Joe in Qatar yesterday received rains in the evening leading to sharp fall Biden’s residence in Delaware in the mercury. Strong winds added to the chill and created poor vis- late on Saturday night, but ibility that led to slowdown in the traffic in many areas. the vice-president and his wife were not at home, the US Secret Service said yesterday. Depts to follow new fiscal year The shots were fired on a pub- DOHA: All government institutions are expected to follow the lic road several hundred yards Gregorian calendar (January to December) from 2016 for budget and from the house, outside a security accounting purpose as against the current practice of following fiscal perimeter, at about 0125 GMT. year. The government is planning to issue decision to unify the fiscal Secret Service personnel at the year of all the institutions with the government’s new financial year, residence heard the fire and saw Al Sharq reports. The government had earlier announced to change its the vehicle speeding away. fiscal or budget year to follow the Gregorian calendar from 2016. The Biden and his wife, Jill, were new financial year will begin on January 1 that year. Under the new in Delaware when the shooting system, the new year will begin on January 1 and end on December 31. occurred but were out for the Currently institutions are following fiscal year, which starts on April evening, the Secret Service said. Two wrestling camels fight at the Pamucak arena during the Selcuk-Efes Camel Wrestling Festival in the town 1 and end at the end of March. According to the source, the planned The home, near Wilmington, is of Selcuk, near the western Turkish coastal city of Izmir, yesterday. Hundreds of wrestling camels competed move is aimed at enhancing the financial efficiency of the institutions. not visible from the road, and it in the annual event watched by thousands of enthusiasts in western Turkey. THE PENINSULA was not clear whether the gun- fire was random or aimed in the direction of the residence. Biden, 72, who served as a US senator from Delaware for more than three decades, has resi- dences in New Castle County and Manhunts, death threats as Europe on high terror alert in Washington, DC. The Bidens, and President Barack Obama, BRUSSELS: Europe was on high alert Meanwhile, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, con- Pegida’s most prominent leader Lutz Syria. Anger erupted in a string of majority were briefed about the incident. yesterday as the suspected mastermind sidered the brains behind the cell plotting Bachmann was the target. Also, a French Muslim countries. The worst unrest was in The Secret Service is charged of a jihadist cell in Belgium remained at to kill Belgian police, was still on the run court prevented a rally by anti-Islamist Niger, where at least 10 people were killed with protecting the president large and jittery authorities blocked anti- days after the group was dismantled by groups in Paris on the grounds that they and at least eight churches were torched and vice president. The agency Islamist rallies in Germany and France. intelligence services. were promoting Islamophobia. over two days of rioting. announced last week it would With tensions heightened, Cherif Kouachi, In Germany, police banned a rally by the In the wake of the French attacks and Fresh protests broke out yesterday in remove four senior officials from the second gunman in the Charlie Hebdo anti-Islamic Pegida movement and other the Belgian anti-terror raids, EU foreign Pakistan where thousands gathered in their jobs and retire a fifth, as part magazine attack was buried discreetly in an open-air gatherings planned for today in ministers were to meet in Brussels today to almost all major cities, including Lahore, of a shake-up intended to address unmarked grave near Paris late on Saturday the eastern city of Dresden, saying there discuss ways to boost cooperation to combat Karachi and Islamabad, chanting angry problems in the organisation. in the hope that it would not become a pil- was a “concrete threat” of an attack against the threat posed by radicalised Europeans slogans and burning French flags. AFP REUTERS grimage site for radical Islamists. its leadership. Local media reporting that returning home after fighting in Iraq and See also page 10 MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME DFI to screen Yemen’s maiden feature film at MIA

DOHA: The Doha Film the romance between Tariq, Institute (DFI) will screen the handsome son of a wealthy Yemen’s first feature film A and respected aristocrat, and New Day in Old Sana’a (2005) as a beautiful woman he comes part of the Hekayat Khaleejiya across one night as he wanders showcase on January 29 and 30, the street. He assumes that the 7pm, at the Museum of Islamic lady is Bilquis, the naïve daugh- Art Auditorium (MIA). ter of a powerful judge, to whom Directed by Bader Ben Hirsi’s, he is betrothed. But things are the film is an achingly roman- not quite what they seem and tic tale set amidst the old world the young groom must make the charm of the Yemen’s capital devastating choice between fol- city Sana’a. lowing his heart and protecting The screenings on both days his family’s honour. will be followed by a Q&A Regular tickets are priced session with the director for QR35 and QR25 for students the audience to gain further with valid ID. Tickets can be insights into the making of the purchased online at www.doha- The Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani (right), attends the Global Forum on Innovations in Medical Education held by Weill Cornell movie, which has been screened filminstitute.com or from the Medical College in Qatar at Four Season Hotel yesterday. LEFT: Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q, delivering the opening speech. BAHER AMIN in several international film MIA DFI Ticket Outlet, across festivals. from the MIA Auditorium, on An 83-minute movie in January 29 from 12noon to 8pm English with Arabic subtitles, A and on January 30 from 2pm to Call for health education reforms New Day in Old Sana’a depicts 8pm. THE PENINSULA Experts attend medical and health education forum hosted by WCMC-Q

DOHA: Medical and edu- range of innovations related background on the initiatives of the Four Seasons Hotel, is aimed cational experts yesterday to medical education, assess- Qatar and Qatar Foundation (QF) at a wide and inclusive audi- stressed the need for patient ment, licensing, and programme in the health field. He explained ence, drawing together prima- oriented changes in health accreditation. the audience on initiatives like rycare and specialty physicians, education in the presence of “The world is in need of health the Qatar National Vision 2030, as well as nurses, physician the Minister of Public Health education reform. Reforms Qatar National Health Strategy, assistants, interns and resi- H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al should be globally informed but WCMC-Q Facilitates Medical dents, researchers, educators, Qahtani. locally specific,” said Dr Victor Training Continuum , World and other allied health pro- Experts at the Innovations J Dzau, President of the US Innovation Summit for Education fessionals who are interested in Global Medical and Health based Institute of Medicine and (WISE), World Innovation in innovations and the future Education (IGMHE) Forum, Chancellor Emeritus for Health Summit for Health (WISH) and development of global medical hosted by Weill Cornell Medical Affairs presenting his key note Qatar’s focus on wellness. and health education. College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) speech on Capacity Building for “Qatar has attracted multiple Dr Sheikh said: “As the pace of aimed to identify major trends a Global Health Workforce. world-class institutions to become change becomes ever faster, we in global medical and health “Moving forward let us train a hub for higher education and cannot afford to stand still, but education. health professionals who can con- research. It now has a critical must instead embrace the oppor- Some of the world’s foremost nect with patients, identify prob- mass of policy-makers, scientists tunities offered by innovation and authorities on medical education lems and imagine new solutions and industry leaders working international collaboration to and medical practice with prac- and lead us towards a brighter together in a coordinated fashion ensure we continue to meet the ticing healthcare professionals future,” he added. to transform it into a knowledge- standards of excellence in medi- and researchers to share their Dr Javaid I Sheikh, Dean based society by 2030,” said Dr cal education and practice that A still from the 83-minute movie A New Day in Old Sana’a (2005). expertise and discuss the oppor- of WCMC-Q in his welcome Sheikh. students and patients expect and tunities presented by a wide note shared an overview and The IGMHE Forum, held at deserve.” THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Souq Waqif Rainy evening underground car parking opens today

DOHA: The multi-level Souq Waqif underground car parking facility opens today. With a total area of 113,500sqm, the car park includes three levels and can accommodate up to 2,000 cars at a time. The area is 113,500sqm. The new underground parking facility is equipped with 17 elevators and four entrances and exits. It has three subways, two of which lead to the Souq and one linked to the Corniche. Above the underground parking area there are a number of facilities and serv- ices such as public park, a big open theatre capable to hold events for 1,800 people, res- taurants and fountains as well as entertainment, sport and sitting areas. The facility is located beneath the ground over- looking the Corniche where the headquarters of the Vehicles plying on a Doha street as many parts of Qatar yesterday received rains in the evening leading to a sharp fall in the mercury. The Meteorology Department has forecast strong Capital Police once stood. cold winds with chances of rains today. ABDUL BASIT It was established based on international standards and latest technology to guaran- tee public safety. The opening of the new car parking is seen as an answer Lekhwiya reports 341,170 traffic violations to the dearth of parking space for the thousands of tourists visiting one of the most popu- lar tourist spots in the coun- Majority of violations include stunt driving and overtaking from the right try daily. There already is one under- DOHA: The Internal Security Lekhwiya, told an Arabic daily. Department and the Civil Defence Most of such violations were is prepared accordingly, said Al ground parking facility across Force (Lekhwiya) that gives sup- The violating cars could face department. detected in tourist spots like Mohannadi. Souq Waqif near Emiri Diwan port to the Traffic Department impounding and if it is for one Lekhwiya also sends its patrols Sealine and Al Udaid during Movement of the official del- which can accommodate 750 and other law enforcing sections day the procedures are simple. to animal farms and protected weekends and holidays. egations during conferences will cars at a time. recorded a total of 341,170 traf- However, if a car is impounded areas to curb environmental vio- Lekhwiya works in collabora- also be streamlined based on Besides, there are two fic violations on its own during for more than a day it will be fol- lations. During 2014, it recorded tion with the electronic control traffic data received from the parking slots — one towards last year, a senior official has lowed by other legal procedures, 304 violations of the environment room at Ashghal to monitor traf- Ashghal control room to mini- Musherib, and the other disclosed. said the official. law committed by motorists driv- fic congestions in the city. mize traffic disruptions. Lekhwiya opposite the Fanar Mosque Majority of the violations He said stunt driving on the ing in such areas. Inspectors of During conferences, a traf- has also joined the ongoing cam- — which can together accom- involved in stunt driving and roads has reduced after the the Ministry of Environment fic plan is prepared taking paign against abandoned cars and modate nearly 740 cars at a overtaking from right, Brig Ali authorities allotted a special area would register the violations and into account different factors removed a total of 2085 vehicles time. THE PENINSULA Salman Al Mohannadi, com- in Industrial Area for car sports, forward them to Lekhwiya, said like the timing of schools and during 2014. mander of parades and patrols at under monitoring by the Traffic Al Mohannadi. offices. The conference schedule THE PENINSULA

QRC relief projects for Syrian refugees in Kurdistan under way

DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) continues helping Syrian refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan with ongoing relief projects worth QR8.5m. The projects are being imple- mented through QRC’s perma- nent office there partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef). In Arbat refugee camp, the city of Sulaymaniyah, QRC laid a water pipeline in Block C to reduce the risk of waterborne dis- eases and ensure drinking water for 1,280 refugees for the time being, and for additional 2,560 refugees. The work involved surveying and redesigning the water net- Nasser Al Attiyah (right) in jubilitation after winning the Dakar Rally. work; laying a 3,250m polyethyl- ene pipeline; and procuring and installing a 64m3 water tank. The Ooredoo celebrates victory of brand $260,437 project was co-funded by Unicef (70 percent) and QRC (30 percent). In Qushtapa refugee camp, ambassador Nasser Al Attiyah which accommodates 5,300 Syrian refugees who live in 892 tents, DOHA: Ooredoo has extended Hiroshi Masuoka, René Metge, champion, he is the ideal repre- QRC is building 728 sanitary congratulations to its brand Jean Paul Cottret, Ari Vatanen, sentative of our world-class 4G and facilities, installing 24 20m3 water ambassador Nasser Al Attiyah and Stéphane Peterhansel on the 4G+ services,” said Fatima Sultan tanks, and laying a 2,180m poly- yesterday as he won his second roll call of honour. The sporting Al Kuwari, Director Community & ethylene pipeline for 1,920 Syrian Dakar Rally on Saturday. hero finished ahead of his com- Public Relations, Ooredoo. refugees. When finished next The Qatari hero, who also won petitors by a comfortable distance In an illustrious career, month, the sewerage network will the Rally in 2011, secured his sec- in 2015, winning five stages and Nasser Al Attiyah was the cover the administrative facilities, ond career Dakar title following his finishing the race ahead of his 2006 Production World Rally schools, and other refugee service The water tanks installed at the Arbat refugee camp in Sulaymaniyah. win in Thursday’s Stage 11 from direct competitors. Champion, an eight-time Middle centers of the camp. The cost is Salta to Termas de Rio Hondo, “This victory is for Qatar, for East Rally Champion and the 2011 $1,288,758, 60 percent of which is covered the camp’s school, clinic, refugees, while considering the Argentina, and his successful my supporters and for the whole Dakar Rally winner. paid by Unicef and 30 percent by and administrative units. social culture, available resources, performance in Buenos Aires on community. Our nation is moving He came second and third in QRC, which is also responsible for In Arbat, a pipeline network and accumulated experience from Saturday. For Al Attiyah’s Mini forward quickly, celebrating speed the Dakkar Rallies in 2010 and execution. was built to provide clean drink- previous projects. team, his performance meant a and development, while retaining 2014 respectively. He currently QRC had already finished two ing water for 2,560 refugees, as These projects are part of the fourth successive Dakar title. our connection with our culture competes in the World and Middle water and sanitation projects for well as the school, clinic, and agreement to support Syrian After the success of the race and heritage. I thank Ooredoo for East Rally Championships for the Syrian refugees at Dar Shukran administrative units. refugees in the Kurdish region, Ooredoo aims to release a new their ongoing support, and for Qatar World Rally Team. In shoot- and Arbat refugee camps, with a The executive works were in continuation of QRC’s ongoing series of posters and advertise- providing people with the speed ing, Al Attiyah won the bronze total budget of $792,222 — 70 per- coordinated with Unicef, the humanitarian action in Syria’s ments with Al Attiyah, high- and connectivity they need,” said medal in the men’s skeet event cent from Unicef and 30 percent Office of the United Nations neighboring countries Turkey, lighting the driver’s place as the Nasser Al Attiyah. at the 2012 Summer Olympics in including execution from QRC. High Commissioner for Refugees Jordan, and Lebanon. face of Ooredoo 4G and 4G+, “We congratulate Nasser Al London.Ooredoo’s sponsorship of In Dar Shukran camp, Erbil (UNHCR), the Governor, the According to UNHCR reports delivered on Ooredoo’s bigger, Attiyah on his success in the Nasser Al Attiyah is a part of sev- Governorate, QRC procured and Sulaymaniyah mayor, the Water published early in March, the faster network. Dakar Rally. Ooredoo believes in eral initiatives the company has installed 500 solar-powered water Department, the local refugee number of Syrian refugees in Nasser Al Attiyah becomes good sportsmanship and excellence, undertaken to encourage sports heaters to meet the everyday hot authority in the governorate. Iraqi Kurdistan nearly reached only the seventh driver in his- which is why we have supported education and inspire more young water needs of the camp’s 10,000 Priority was given to water and 227,000 since the beginning of the tory to win the title more than Nasser across a diverse range of people to take up a sport of their inhabitants, providing 50 lit- sanitation services to meet one Syrian crisis. once, joining Jean Louis Schlesser, sports in recent years. As a world own. THE PENINSULA ers per family. The project also of the most vital needs for the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME London to host QF-UK Forum today Implementation of MoI top agenda

DOHA: Qatar Foundation- water applied research, assess- United Kingdom Road Ahead ing and measuring innovation Forum will be held at King’s in education, and open access College London today. information. The Forum implements a The British Ambassador to the Memorandum of Understanding State of Qatar, Nicholas Hopton on Research and Education said: signed by the Qatar Foundation “I am delighted that this large and its United Kingdom partners number of Qatar Foundation (The Department for Business institutions will be visiting the Innovation & Skills, The British UK. This visit reflects the strong Trucks carrying Qatar Charity’s humanitarian aid. Council and Universities UK relationship we share with Qatar International Unit) in September and our commitment to further 2013, and is one of a number of enhance our existing cooperation, activities designed to develop particularly in the research and Before The Freeze campaign raises QR25m closer links between the Qatar education sector. We see Qatar Foundation and the UK. as a strategic partner for the DOHA: Qatar Charity’s ‘Before Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon, and of three trucks carrying 45 tonnes QC continues its ‘Before the The visiting Qatar Foundation UK, and this Forum represents the Freeze’ campaign has raised the Turkish-Syrian border. of humanitarian aid to the Freeze’ campaign in order to delegation will include rep- an excellent opportunity for UK QR25m for displaced and refu- QC urged Qatari benefactors Syrian-Turkish border, in order provide assistance to Syrians, resentatives from Hamad bin institutions to learn about Qatar gee Syrians. The money will be and philanthropists to contrib- to distribute in-kind aid that was including a new relief convoy to Khalifa University (HbKU), Foundation’s priorities and dis- used to help displaced Syrians ute to this campaign with their collected through QC’s ‘Spectrum’ be directed inside Syria at a cost Qatar National Research Fund cuss new partnerships’. inside the country and those donations, either financial or in- (Taif) project, and included blan- of QR 200,000 per truck, and con- (QNRF), Qatar Energy and Martin Hope, Director of living as refugees in neighbor- kind, for the relief of the Syrian kets and clothing, (mostly chil- taining enough aid to support 450 Environment Research Institute the British Council in Qatar ing countries, who are experi- people, whose suffering has dren’s clothing), heaters, shoes families a month. (QEERI), Qatar Biomedical said: encing extreme winter storms intensified in light of the wave and games for children. This aid The convoy will contain 12 Research Institute (QBRI), Qatar “We are delighted to be partner- and snow that has led to loss of of snowstorms that has hit the benefitted thousands of displaced tonnes of flour to be provided Computing Research Institute ing Qatar Foundation in organ- life and property. region. Syrians at home, and those living to the bakery that will go on to (QCRI), Qatar Science and izing the QF-UK Road Ahead QC is attempting to raise QC will also establish a number as refugees in Turkey, particularly distribute free bread to targeted Technology Park (QSTP, Qatar Forum in London. The Forum is QR60m for the implementation of model villages, each is made up those affected by the recent wave households. The convoy also con- National Library (QNL) and the result of our strong partner- of a project to provide caravans of 100 caravans and big enough of snowstorms. tains 450 bags for children includ- World Innovation Summit for ship work with Qatar Foundation to replace the inadequate tents to home a family of six members, “Qatar Charity continues to ing winter clothing. To donate to Education (WISE). over the last few years. This is that are currently home to many and supplied with basic equip- collect in-kind donations for the this convoy, shares vary between The Forum will be both inform- the first time that the leaders of Syrians who are suffering con- ment including six brushes, six benefit of the Syrians, via col- QR1000, QR5000 and QR10,000. ative and interactive, and discus- all QF institutions have had the siderably in light of the current covers, six pillows, carpets and lection points across the state, One can also donate QR9000 for sions will mainly focus on new opportunity to engage with UK bad weather. QC also wishes to tools for cooking. and on the following numbers: a caravan without services and directions for QF-UK partner- ‘s higher education and research distribute blankets and clothing, The families will also benefit 66348510 from Duhail area to QR10,000 with services. ships. The Forum will also include institutions to explore partner- heating and food. from communal services which the north, 66314798 for Ryan and To donate to the convoy and breakout networking discussions ship opportunities. I hope in years This is in addition to a cam- include a collective kitchen tent, its environs, 66448212 for Doha caravans for those affected by on potential research collabo- to come people will look back on paign for emergency support a mosque, a school, baths, sinks, and its suburbs and 66467838 in the snow storms, call the hot- ration in the following areas as this event as a catalyst for even for those affected by the recent playgrounds for children, water Al Wakra and its suburbs,” said lines- 55524646 and 70700792, or computing, biomedical and health closer QF-UK ties.” storms, carried out over the distribution and waste points. Abdullah Al Dosari, QC Director the contact center on 44667711. research, energy, environment & THE PENINSULA last two weeks in the camps for QC has recently sent a convoy of In-kind donations. THE PENINSULA

Doha Institute QU honours 120 employers for supporting students opens admission DOHA: The Career Services Center (CSC) at Qatar for master’s University (QU) held its annual ‘Employer Recognition DOHA: The Doha Institute Ceremony’ to honour companies for Graduate Studies (DI) has and institutions in different announced the opening of admis- sectors who collaborated with sions to Master’s programs in QU colleges to train or sponsor the School of Social Sciences their students during 2014. and Humanities and the School In recognition of their con- of Public Administration and tribution, 120 employers were Development Economics for the presented with trophies by QU Academic Year 2015-2016. President Prof Sheikha Abdulla The ten postgraduate programs Al Misnad in the presence of offered by the School of Social QU leaders, deans, faculty and Sciences and Humanities and the staff. School of Public Administration Prof Al Misnad expressed her and Development Economics will appreciation and gratitude to the be taught in coordination with employers for their essential role the Arab Center for Research in supporting the mission of the and Policy Studies (ACRPS) university and providing invalu- and the Doha Arabic Historical able opportunities to its students Dictionary. This will allow stu- to develop their skills and enrich dents to benefit from the exchange their academic experience. of resources and staff between “This timely event shows the their respective academic and core role of the ongoing collabora- research programs. tions between QU and its partners The DI will welcome approxi- which contribute to achieving the mately 200 students in its pro- goals of Qatar National Vision grams for postgraduate studies; and building a knowledge-based those selected being the best economy. Since its inception, QU Qatar University President Prof Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad with QU leaders, deans, faculty and staff members during the honouring ceremony. applicants in a competitive admis- is committed to providing its stu- sions system based on equal dents with accredited high-quality and abilities that enable them to relations with its partners and is designed to address the increas- the new CMED Dean Dr Egon opportunities. programmes, and with the skills compete at the highest level in the always keen to engage employers on ing need for Qatar-trained physi- Toft who gave a presentation Applications for the academic labour market,” she added. their needs and expectations and to cians, and to support the country’s about the college, updating the year 2015-2016 will be accepted She also respond by developing and enrich- growing healthcare sector and audience on current progress, until March 31. Admissions noted that QU ing its curricula, which is reflected national strategies in healthcare program design, learning out- results will be announced on May is committed to by the establishment of the new and education. comes and future prospects. 28, and the academic year will begin strengthening College of Medicine (CMED) that Prof A Misnad also introduced THE PENINSULA October 4. THE PENINSULA

QIC is official insurer of Qatar Masters golf

DOHA: Qatar Insurance region’s leading international golf Company (QIC), one of the tournaments.” largest insurance service pro- Established in 1964, QIC was viders in the region, yesterday the first domestic insurance announced to be the official company in Qatar. Today, QIC is insurer of the Commercial Bank the market leader in Qatar and Qatar Masters golf tournament a dominant insurer in the Gulf to be held here at the Doha Golf Cooperation Council and wider Club from January 21 to 24, Mena regions. QIC also has a 2015, according to a statement. growing international presence Khalifa Al Subaey (pic- through the Group’s reinsurance tured), QIC Group President arm, Qatar Reinsurance Company and CEO, said: “As the official LLC (Qatar Re), which writes all insurer of this year’s prestigious major property, casualty and spe- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and global profile in support of cialty lines of business from its head- golf tournament, QIC has again the Qatar National Vision 2030. quarters in Doha and branch offices demonstrated its continued com- QIC is delighted to have the in Zurich and Bermuda. Qatar Re mitment to local sporting events opportunity to renew its long- also has a representative office in and to raising Qatar’s regional term partnership with one of the London. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Emir receives Awqaf Minister meets Mufti of Lebanon Macedonian President leaves Doha medal from IOC chief DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at Al Bahr Palace yes- terday with Dr Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the accompanying delegation, who are visiting Qatar to attend the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship. The IOC President presented the Emir with the De Coubertin medal, a commemorative medal from the 1894 Conference, of which five editions were awarded to the Heads of State and the sixth edition was granted to the Emir in recognition of his con- tributions in developing and sup- The President of the Republic of Macedonia Georgi Ivanov being seen off at porting the Olympic movement in Hamad International Airport by the Minister of Youth and Sports H E Salah bin various programs and activities. The Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari with the Mufti of the Lebanese Ghanim Al Ali and Qatar’s Ambassador to Macedonia Zaid Hassan Abdullah QNA Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Daryan and his delegation. Al Mahmoud. Ezdan opens integrated-services Over 200 competitors facility at Sealine Beach

DOHA: Keeping in view the get ready for Dau event growing number of visitors to the Sealine Beach in Mesaieed City’s east coast, Ezdan Holding Two qualified for Hudud final round; win QR100,000 Group has opened an inte- grated-services facility “Ezdan DOHA: More than 200 com- final round of the event. the festival’s Media, Marketing Oasis”, which offers several petitors will take part in the Meanwhile, a group of stu- and PR committee; underlined essential services, including a Dau event which kicks off today dents of the Qatar Society for the the organisers’ efforts to include restaurant, a supermarket, a at Sabkhat Marmi in Mesaieed. Rehabilitation of Special Needs all of society’s groups in the fes- mosque and most importantly The Dau event is a competi- paid a visit to the festival yester- tival, adding it falls within the rest rooms for sea goers. tion in which a falcon is required day, following an invitation sent aim of organisers to promote the The facility, developed and owned to cross a distance of 400 metres by the organisers. They toured country’s cultural heritage. by Ezdan Hotels, a subsidiary of towards its owner, who is signal- the festival grounds, and were Yesterday’s results featured Ezdan Holding Group, also offers ing it to approach the finish line particularly interested in the the qualification of Abdullah bin an attractive play area for children in the shortest time. Young Falconer and Hudud Al Khalid Al Shahwani and Jaber and a heritage tent. In addition, Jassem Al Hudaifi, head of Tahaddi challenge events. Ubaid Al Ghayathin Al Marri for there are further joyful activities the Dau organising committee, Ghaliad Al Dosari, who was the final round of the Hudud Al that include horse and camel rid- explained that the event will fea- supervising the group, said that Tahaddi challenge, in addition to ing. Ezdan Oasis complex, spread ture 242 competitors, subdivided the students’ visit to the heritage winning QR100,000. The Hudud over up to 4,000 square meters, is into two groups. The event’s first festival contributes a great deal al Tahaddi challenge is an event in expected to accommodate about round will be held today, while toward developing their intellec- which falcons seek to obstruct the 50,000 visitors on a monthly basis. the second will be tomorrow, he tual capacities, while increasing flight of homing pigeons especially The Oasis restaurant, offering a added, noting that the ten best their social engagement. trained to fly away, and instead wide-rage of food and beverages, times of each day will qualify the For her part, Malika causing them to land. is able to receive up to 250 people, falcons and their owners for the Mohammed Al Shraim; head of THE PENINSULA noting that at the first hours of its inauguration, the facility has witnessed a large turnout of visi- Ezdan Holding Group CEO Ali Al Obaidly, along with other senior officials tors who were curious to explore of the Group, inaugurating the integrated-services facility, Ezdan Oasis, at the Oasis and enjoy the services the Sealine Beach in Mesaieed City. it offers. The establishment of Ezdan of the project comes as a to reflect of its kind on Al Shamal Road. Oasis came within the frame- Ezdan strategy that aimed at the The hotel has up to 210 rooms and work of Ezdan Hotels’ plans to construction of integrated recrea- suites capacity and will be offer- promote and expand its services. tional and service areas, stressing ing a high level of services, which The project aims at providing Qatar’s keenness to ensure com- will make a quantum leap in the high scale services to citizens and fort to its inhabitants. country’s tourism sector. expatriates, as people in charge of Nasser Mohammed Al Abdulla, Hasib Kayali, General Manager it are keen to allocate a space in Deputy Group CEO, said that of Ezdan Hotels, noted that Ezdan the restaurant to families only to Ezdan Oasis will not be the last Oasis includes several units allo- maintain their privacy. project to be announced by Ezdan cated to families in addition to Despite the small space the Hotels Company, but the company other facilities for different activi- Oasis enjoys, it was able to be plans to announce a surprise huge ties. The project features also a an integrated entity dedicated project during 2015. large shop for purchasing along to ensure happy and pleasant He added that Ezdan is gearing with further areas allocated for moments for families and visi- up to open Ezdan Hotel Palace in kids, where they can be able to play Students from the Qatar Society for the Rehabilitation of Special Needs during a visit to the Qatar Falcon and tors to Sealine Beach. The idea a strategic location and the first and have fun. THE PENINSULA Hunting Festival ground.

Asian countries monitoring price impact Ex-Thai foreign minister to deliver Continued from page 1 one of the key topics debated at Qatar. The diplomatic missions of According to a popular Indian the just concluded Non-Resident some Asian countries are closely lecture on politics at GU-Q news portal, the decline in oil Kerala meet held in Kochi in watching the dynamics of fast prices and its possible impact on southern India. Indian expatriates declining oil prices. Indian community in the GCC was make up the largest workforce in THE PENINSULA DOHA: Georgetown University The country’s trajectory is of in Qatar (GU-Q), which is cele- tremendous importance for the brating its ten year anniversary future of Asia. So it is a privilege will host the former Minister to be able to welcome Dr Bunnag 54 illegal vendors booked of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to Georgetown’s School of Foreign Dr Tej Bunnag for a special Service in Qatar, enabling our presentation on ‘Thai foreign students, staff and faculty to policy in long-term perspective: engage with someone who has Navigating the regional and the been the country’s most senior global’ on the school’s campus. diplomat and a mentor to many The lecture will begin at 6 pm in the Thai foreign service.” on Wednesday and is open to Until 2008, Dr Bunnag was the public. It is held part of the serving as the Minister of Foreign Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Affairs of Thailand. Currently, series, which brings preeminent he is the Assistant Secretary- thought leaders and renowned General for Administration at the dignitaries to the Doha commu- Thai Red Cross Society. nity. Commenting on the topic, Dr The former minister received Bunnag said: his Masters Degree from “Thailand survived and over- Cambridge University in 1966 and came colonialism and communism Ph D. from Oxford University in to face the challenges of globalisa- 1969. His long career in foreign tion with a practical and reason- service included working at the able foreign policy.” ASEAN secretariat and being The GU-Q dean, Dr Gerd appointed as the Ambassador Former minister of foreign affairs of Nonneman, said: of Thailand to China, North “For many, Thailand’s politi- Thailand Dr Tej Bunnag Korea, United States and France. cal upheaval this past year has Dr Bunnag also served as the competed for attention with the colonised, its record of navigat- Permanent Representative of country’s fame as an exquisite ing the regional and international Thailand at the United Nations tourist destination. But just as system is of particular interest to and Unesco and was an Adviser The Doha Municipality’s General Monitoring Unit, in collaboration with Public Hygiene Project and Al Fazaa, importantly, it is also South-East students of international relations, at the Office of His Majesty’s conducted an inspection drive and booked 54 illegal vendors on streets number 16, 47 and 53 in Industrial Area. Asia’s second largest economy, Asia, and emerging economies Principal Private Secretary. and a key player in Asean. Never more generally. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Israel pushing Sisi in Abu Dhabi for curtailing ICC funding World powers unlikely to relent JERUSALEM/AMSTERDAM: court’s funding comes from the Israel is lobbying member-states advanced economies of Europe and of the International Criminal North Asia. Japan is the largest Court to cut funding for the tri- contributor, giving ¤20.4m in 2014, bunal in response to its launch of followed by Germany which gave an inquiry into possible war crimes 13.5m. in the Palestinian territories, the France, Britain and Italy are also country’s foreign minister said major contributors to the ICC’s yesterday. budget, which will rise 7 percent to The ICC did not immediately 141 million euros in 2015. Canada respond to the news, but experts contributed 5.6 million. thought it unlikely that the lobby- But even countries that were Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the United Arab Emirates Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ing effort was likely to persuade the traditionally close to Israel were and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi yesterday. countries that contribute most to the unlikely to renege on their treaty court to reduce their funding. commitments to fund the ICC, said Israel, which like the United States Kevin Jon Heller, professor of law does not belong to the ICC, hopes to at London’s School of Oriental and dent funding for the court that is African Studies. drawn from the 122 member-states “Germany is probably the least HRW urges release of Bahrain activists in accordance with the size of their likely country in the world to go economies, Foreign Minister Avigdor against the ICC no matter how sup- DUBAI: Human Rights man identified as Abdulazziz calling for charges against him “Who will Bahrain have to Lieberman said. portive of Israel it has traditionally Watch yesterday urged Salman Alsaeed remain unclear to be dropped. detain and on what nonsensical “We will demand of our friends in been,” he added. “It was one of the Bahrain’s Western allies to and authorities have not Prosecutors allege that charges before Bahrain’s allies Canada, in Australia and in Germany very leading states in the creation press the country to release released an official statement. Salman confessed to contact- speak out?” simply to stop funding it,” he told of the ICC.” detained activists, including Witnesses said that mourners ing foreign regimes and political Bahrain, home to the US Israel Radio. Officials told Reuters ICC prosecutors said on Friday a Shia opposition chief whose clashed again with forces after groups abroad, some of whom Fifth Fleet, is among the coun- the lobbying effort would also target they would examine “in full inde- arrest has sparked protests the Sunday funeral. had “expressed readiness” to tries that have joined the inter- Japan, whose Prime Minister Shinzo pendence and impartiality” crimes and condemnation. “When it comes to punishing interfere in Bahrain’s affairs. national coalition against the Abe is visiting Israel. that may have occurred in the Sheikh Ali Salman, the head peaceful critics of the govern- Iran, which condemned Islamic State group in Syria “This body represents no one. It Palestinian territories since June of the influential Al Wefaq bloc, ment or ruling family, Bahrain Salman’s arrest, has been and Iraq. is a political body,” Lieberman said, 13 last year. This allows the court has remained in custody since is a serial offender,” said accused of interfering in Prominent Shia activist adding that he would raise the mat- to delve into the war between Israel authorities arrested him on HRW’s deputy MENA director Bahrain since its administration Nabeel Rajab will stand trial ter with visiting Canadian counter- and Hamas militants in Gaza in December 28 on charges includ- Joe Stork. crushed month-long protests led tomorrow over tweets deemed part John Baird yesterday. July-August 2014 that killed more ing seeking regime change. Salman’s arrest “seems cal- by Al Wefaq in 2011 seeking an insulting to public institutions, A loss of funding would exacerbate than 2,100 Palestinians and 70 Meanwhile, hundreds culated to send a message to elected government in the Shia- in an another case that has been the court’s already serious financ- Israelis. attended the funeral of a man Bahrainis and the world that majority kingdom. criticised by rights groups. ing problems. Last week, Reuters Islamist group Hamas, which is who died from what Al Wefaq political reconciliation and “Bahrain’s allies in London, The United States has reported that the unexpected arrival deemed a terrorist group by Israel said may have been tear gas respect for fundamental rights Paris, and elsewhere have expressed concern over Salman’s of an indicted defector from Joseph and the West, on Saturday welcomed inhalation following Saturday is completely off the table,” said largely stayed silent as Bahrain detention, warning it could only Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army in the ICC inquiry and said it was pre- clashes between protesters and Stork. HRW said that authori- has filled its jails with the people inflame persistent violence that Uganda would put prosecutors under pared to provide material for com- police in the Shia village of Bilad ties have so far “failed” to release who hold the key to the politi- has gripped the kingdom since severe financial strain. plaints against the Jewish state. Al Qadim, where Salman lives. evidence against Salman, urg- cal solution the UK, US claim to 2011. The overwhelming bulk of the REUTERS The cause of the death of the ing his immediate release and support,” Stork said. AFP Iran nuclear talks in Geneva make limited progress GENEVA: Iran and major pow- Mohammad Javad Zarif. by officials from Iran and Britain, China, Tehran. “Time is running short and it’s East war. The new deadline for a final ers made “limited” progress yester- “Substantive progress is limited, France, Germany, Russia and the United the hope of Beijing that all parties will deal is June 30, but officials hope to reach day in narrowing differences over its experts will continue tomorrow morning. States. seize that historical opportunity by racing an understanding on key parameters by nuclear programme, but agreed to step It is fair to say that everybody is commit- Acting Deputy Secretary of State against the time and by doing two things: the end of March. up efforts as the Obama administra- ted to stepping up efforts,” a diplomat Wendy Sherman led the US delegation, first is to adopt a pragmatic and a flexible Under a 2013 accord between Iran and tion lobbied to stave off fresh sanc- told Reuters as deputy ministers began while Iran was represented by deputy approach with wisdom and secondly is the United States, France, Germany, tions against the Islamic Republic, a final session late yesterday afternoon. minister Abbas Araqchi. Neither spoke to demonstrate with possible and maxi- Russia, China and Britain, the Islamic diplomats said. “There is a good atmosphere in the to reporters on arrival. mum political will, with resolute political Republic halted its most sensitive nuclear The Geneva negotiations, held at the sense that we will probably be meeting US President Barack Obama warned decisions,” China’s envoy Wang Qun told activity and took other steps in exchange level of political directors, are the cul- more in the months to come to try to lawmakers on Friday not to trigger new reporters in Geneva yesterday. for some easing of economic sanctions. mination of five days of diplomacy in the make progress.” sanctions against Iran over its nuclear Negotiators failed in November to It was negotiated to buy time for talks Swiss city and Paris, including lengthy Helga Schmid, EU political director, programme, saying such a move would meet a self-imposed deadline for clinch- on the final settlement of a more than meetings between US Secretary of State chaired the closed-door talks at the EU upset diplomatic talks and increase the ing an elusive agreement seen as crucial decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister diplomatic mission in Geneva, attended likelihood of a military conflict with to reducing the risk of a wider Middle programme. REUTERS Hamama buried at Cairo family cemetery

CAIRO: Film fans bid an Arab League chief Nabil Al emotional farewell yesterday Arabi said in a statement. to Egyptian actress Faten Hamama often starred in Hamama, a star of Arabic films with Omar Sharif. Born cinema and ex-wife of Omar a Christian, he converted to Sharif, who was buried at her Islam to marry Hamama and family cemetery in Cairo. described her as the only love Hamama, who made her of his life. screen debut at seven, died The couple appeared on Saturday aged 83, after a together in the 1961 movie career spanning seven decades “River of Love”, based on Leo and almost 100 films alongside Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”. masters of Egypt’s film indus- They divorced in 1974 when try, including Youssef Chahine. Sharif, already famous in his “Egypt says goodbye to homeland, launched a career the lady of the screen,” said in Hollywood. a banner carried by fans, as “The lady of the Arabic Hamama’s body was taken screen,” as she was known, suf- from a mosque in Cairo’s fered “a sudden health prob- October 6 neighbourhood for lem which led to her death,” burial at her family cemetery, Egypt’s official news agency an AFP photographer said. MENA reported Saturday. Some fans took selfies on MENA said she had been their mobile phones with hospitalised weeks earlier due film stars and politicians who to illness but had returned attended the funeral. home. “Egypt and the Arab “Faten Hamama was an world have lost a creative and exceptional ambassador for artistic talent who enriched Egypt... she spread love and Egyptian art with her sophis- beauty wherever she went,” ticated performances,” a state- said former Arab League chief ment from the president’s Amr Moussa, who attended office said. A leading light in the funeral. the golden age of Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim cinema, Hamama’s career Mahlab said Egypt’s arts reached its pinnacle in the scene had “lost one of its 1940s and 1950s. She starred principal pillars”. in romantic movies alongside “Faten Hamama will remain the famed Arab crooner Abdel as one of the icons of Egyptian Halim Hafez as well as in films and Arabic fine arts that has advocating women’s rights and contributed to forming and condemning social injustices. Egyptian actress Faten Hamama with her husband Egyptian born actor elevating Arabic awareness,” AFP Omar Sharif and their son Tariq in Cairo, Egypt in 1961. MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Libyan army Beaufort castle declares truce after UN talks Parleys to resume next week

BENGHAZI, LIBYA: Libya’s first round of UN-brokered peace army announced a ceasefire talks in Geneva last week, during yesterday, joining an Islamist- which Libya’s opposing factions backed militia alliance in declar- agreed on a roadmap to form a ing a truce that the UN hailed unity government and to further as a “significant” step towards discussions. ending months of violence. The army’s announcement “We declare a ceasefire from came after the UN Security midnight (2200 GMT) yesterday,” Council welcomed the Fajr Libya the army said, stressing however ceasefire and threatened to that it would continue to pur- impose sanctions on any party sue “terrorists”, as UN-brokered that obstructed peace efforts. peace talks resume in Geneva “There can be no military solu- next week. tion to the crisis in Libya,” the The army also said it would council said in a unanimous state- monitor the situation on the ment on Saturday. ground “to prevent any change in It warned it was “prepared front lines or transportation of to sanction those who threaten weapons and ammunition,” which Libya’s peace, stability or security it would consider a violation of the or that obstruct or undermine the Lebanese Parliamentary Speaker’s wife Randa Berri at the opening of the newly restored Beaufort castle in Arnoun village, southern Lebanon, yes- truce. successful completion of its politi- terday. The castle, which has survived a millennium of conflict in the area, was damaged during the Israeli-Lebanese conflict and was one of the last Soldiers “have been given the cal transition.” positions abandoned by Israeli forces when it ended its 22-year occupation of Lebanon in 2000. right to defend themselves if they Libya has been sliding deeper come under fire,” the statement into conflict since the 2011 over- added. throw of Muammar Gaddafi, with The UN’s Libya mission wel- rival governments and powerful comed the ceasefire as a “sig- militias battling for control of its nificant contribution” to the main cities and oil wealth. Mursi tears into judges at espionage trial country’s peace process. The internationally-recognised Libyan armed forces spokes- government and elected parlia- CAIRO: Ousted Egyptian people. “I am the president, and not my court,” he told the three- prosecutors had filed charges man Colonel Ahmed Mesmari ment decamped last summer to president Mohammed Mursi I have not been stripped off this member panel. against Mubarak for the deaths said the army was “engaged in the country’s far east after Fajr gave evidence yesterday for the title,” Mursi said during his two- Mursi accused Sisi of killing of protesters, but a court in pursuing its duty to protect the Libya seized Tripoli and set up its first time in his espionage trial, hour appearance in which he some of the roughly 800 pro- November dropped the case Libyan people”. own administration. launching into a tirade against attacked Sisi several times with- testers during the 2011 revolt against the former autocratic He said the military would The militia alliance also holds his successor whom he accused out mentioning him by name. that toppled long-time president leader. “ensure the security and stability the third city, Misrata, and it of removing him in a “coup”. “On 3 July (2013), I was sur- Hosni Mubarak. Mursi is facing a separate trial of the country and combat terror- launched a bloody offensive in Mursi, Egypt’s first freely prised by military chiefs suspend- He said that during his presi- for alleged involvement in the ism” in Libya. December to seize control of key elected president, was toppled ing the constitution and toppling dency investigators had recorded killing of opposition protesters On Friday, the Fajr Libya oil terminals but was repelled by by former army chief and now the president: if this is not a coup, statements from hotel managers in December 2012 when he was (Libya Dawn) militia alliance said the army. President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi then what is?” said the Islamist overlooking Tahrir Square, the president, and a court is to issue it had agreed to a ceasefire in the The UN special envoy to Libya, in July 2013 after mass protests whose ouster was followed by a epicentre of the 2011 protests, its verdict in the case on April 21. North African country on the Bernardino Leon, had warned at demanding the Islamist’s resigna- relentless crackdown on his sup- that “armed personnel from the It will be the first ruling against condition rival factions respected the start of the Geneva talks last tion after just one year in office. porters that left hundreds dead. entity headed by the leader of the the deposed Islamist leader. the truce. week that they were a last-ditch Appearing in a caged dock Mursi also brushed off the coup (Sisi)” had shot demonstra- In the espionage trial, pros- It also pledged to open up “safe effort to prevent all-out chaos. dressed in white prison uniform, authority of the court. tors during the anti-Mubarak ecutors have accused Mursi of passages to channel humanitarian Leon also underscored the Mursi was fired up as he pre- “This court has no jurisdiction uprising. being part of a vast conspiracy to aid”, especially in Libya’s battle- threat of Libya becoming a hotbed sented his own defence for the over me according to the law At the time, Sisi served as the destabilise Egypt involving foreign ground second city of Benghazi. of Islamist insurgency. trial in which he stands accused and the constitution. Gentlemen, chief of military intelligence. powers. Fajr Libya did not take part in a AFP of espionage along with 35 other you are not my judges and this is Months after the 2011 revolt, AFP

Triplets without mom Palestinians hurl Japan PM starts Mideast tour eggs at Canada JERUSALEM: Japanese and other areas in which we can a wave of Islamisation, anti- minister’s car Prime Minister Shinzo Abe flew cooperate,” Netanyahu added. Semitism and anti-Zionism. into Tel Aviv yesterday at the Travelling with Abe is a These waves are washing over it RAMALLAH: Angry start of a visit hailed by Israel 100-strong delegation of govern- and we would like to ensure that Palestinian youths hurled eggs as an opportunity to boost eco- ment officials and top business the State of Israel will have varied at the motorcade of Canadian nomic ties. executives from Japanese firms markets around the world.” Foreign Minister John Baird in The three-day visit to Israel which are world leaders in their Abe, who was re-elected last the West Bank city of Ramallah and the Palestinian territories is field. month, began his trip in Cairo yesterday, an AFP correspond- part of the final leg of a six-day It is the first visit by a Japanese where he pledged $2.5bn in ent said. tour of the Middle East, aimed prime minister to Israel in nine humanitarian and development The incident happened after also at promoting regional stabil- years, and Netanyahu told his aid for countries affected by the Baird left a meeting with his ity and peace. cabinet it was an opportunity to Islamic State jihadist group in Palestinian counterpart, Riyad Al The visit “gives us an historic continue its economic efforts in Iraq and Syria. Malki. Ahead of the visit, several opportunity to bring together the Far Eastern markets, including In Israel, he will hold talks with youth movements, including one great capabilities of the people of China and India. Netanyahu and President Reuven affiliated with the Fatah move- Japan and the people of Israel,” The reach to the east comes due Rivlin today before heading to the ment of Palestinian president Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin to Israel’s desire “to decrease our West Bank to meet Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas, had called for Netanyahu told Abe in Jerusalem. dependence on certain markets in president Mahmoud Abbas demonstrations against the visit “I think there are many eco- western Europe,” Netanyahu said. tomorrow. by Baird. Canada is one of Israel’s nomic areas, technological areas “Western Europe is undergoing AFP staunchest allies and was one of the few countries that opposed a successful Palestinian bid to win upgraded status at the UN. Last year, during a deadly 50-day summer war in Gaza in which nearly 2,200 Palestinians were killed, drawing sharp inter- national condemnation, Canada Syrian refugee Saleh Al Mohammed (centre) holds his 18-day-old son said Israel had the right to defend Khaled, as his mother (left) and sister (right) hold his brothers Ahmed itself and blamed the bloodshed and Riyad at their tent in a refugee camp near Zahle town in the Bekaa on Hamas. AFP Valley yesterday. The mother of the triplets, Amal Asad Al Jassem, 17, died in a nearby hospital while giving birth on January 1. 35 Syria troops killed in plane crash

BEIRUT: At least 35 Syrian “A medium-sized cargo plane Al Nusra claimed it had shot soldiers were killed overnight crashed last night while landing down the plane and posted pho- when an army cargo plane at the Abu Al Duhur military air- tos it said showed some of those crashed in bad weather in the port because of bad weather con- killed in the crash, as well as the northwest of the country, a ditions and heavy fog, killing the remains of the aircraft. monitor said yesterday. crew on board,” state news agency Militant groups have regularly The Syrian Observatory for SANA said. shot down regime planes and heli- Human Rights said the plane It gave no further details on the copters in the country’s civil war. crashed after hitting electricity incident. The Observatory said In December, Islamic State lines in heavy fog in Idlib prov- the planes was carrying troops as group militants captured a ince, a claim echoed by Syrian well as military equipment and Jordanian pilot whose plane state media. ammunition. crashed while participating in But Syria’s Al Qaeda affiliate Al It said regime forces were the US-led coalition against the Nusra Front claimed on Twitter involved in heavy clashes with jihadist group. that it had shot down the aircraft. Al Nusra fighters in a bid to reach IS claimed to have shot down Syrian state media reported and recover the bodies of those the plane, though Jordanian and the crash without giving a death killed in the crash. US authorities say the crash was toll. On one of its Twitter accounts, an accident. AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

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

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

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: ANNUAL QR 675 6 MONTHS QR 340 Editorial Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Slow progress EGOTIATIONS with Iran on its nuclear Germany’s anti-Islamic Pegida programme which resumed last week in Geneva are making limited progress. The news should Ncome as a matter of concern because it shows that both sides aren’t yet willing to make concessions, or in other words, step back from their previously held positions to pave is a vampire we must slay way for a deal. France’s negotiator said the mood was very BY TIMOTHY GARTON ASH good, but he didn’t think “we made a lot of progress.” Echoing elections in 2004. Up to a point, that is legitimate. But this view, Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi And who, may we ask, are the unpat- beyond that point you have to do what said that discussions had been “good” and “extensive”. “We HREE days before a young riotic Europeans? One of Pegida’s Chancellor Merkel has now done and reviewed all subjects on the table and we had very serious Eritrean was murdered in organisers, Thomas Tallacker, posted say: enough – thus far and no further. Dresden, a swastika was daubed on Facebook in 2013: “What should we The messages delivered by politicians and business-like negotiations. We are still trying to bridge Ton the door of his flat. On the do with the 90% uneducated hordes are important. So are those we hear the gap between the two sides,” he said. The negotiations, evening he was stabbed to death, last that milk welfare here and bleed our from religious leaders, and the way these held at the level of political directors, capped five days of Monday, the xenophobic movement social state dry?” And, after a local knife stories are covered by the media. But in diplomacy in Geneva and Paris, including lengthy meetings already known around the world as attack: “Surely it was again a deranged the end, it’s down to us, the citizens. The between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Pegida had held its largest demonstra- or half-starved Ramadan Turk.” For great French historian Ernest Renan tion so far in that lovely city on the River years, Tallacker was a member of the wrote that a nation is a “daily plebiscite”. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the lack of Elbe. And it’s not just Germany. As a city council in the famous porcelain- On the Sunday after the Charlie Hebdo progress after such high-profile meetings points to the foiled Islamist terrorist plot in Belgium manufacturing town of Meissen, rep- attacks, more than 3 million people on challenges ahead. Both sides will meet again next month to follows hard on the heels of the Charlie resenting Angela Merkel’s party, the the streets of Francegave a magnificent try to narrow differences. Hebdo massacre in Paris, politicians on Christian Democratic Union. example of how a great European nation At the same time, those supporting a deal in Iran and the xenophobic, anti-immigration far Back in Paris, Jean-Marie Le Pen – indeed, let me say as an Englishman, the US are fighting to get everybody on their side. The right are looking to pick up votes across last week tweeted, in English: “Keep the quintessential great European nation Europe. There is a real and present dan- Calm and vote Le Pen”. The fact that – responds to such a challenge. Muslim Obama administration is in fact facing a tough challenge as ger of a downward spiral in which radi- the friendly, polite Muslim guy who Frenchmen and Frenchwomen handed opponents to a deal with Iran are pressing ahead with a plan calised minorities, delivered pizza (as one of the Kouachi out white roses to their fellow Jewish, to impose more sanctions against Tehran. Obama reiterated Muslim and anti- brothers did) turns out to be an Islamist Christian and atheist fellow citoyens his opposition to new sanctions Muslim, will drag assassin is bound to increase suspicion andcitoyennes. Then they stood together legislation, which, according anxious majorities, of Muslims among so-called ordinary to sing the Marseillaise, the world’s most to him, could ‘undermine the As suspicion of non-Muslim and people. British mosques and Islamic cen- stirring national anthem. Iran stands Muslim, in the tres have reported a sharp increase in But that was just one Sunday. It is on negotiations’ and isolate the Muslims grows wrong direction. threatening messages. According to a all the other days, the workdays and grey to benefit United States from its allies. “Just Only a conscious, study commissioned by the Bertelsmann days, that the struggle to make a Europe hold your fire,” he urged Congress, in Germany everyday effort by Foundation, a shocking 57 percent of of civic, inclusive nations will be won or more from vowing to veto the bill if it reached each one of us will non-Muslim Germans now see Islam as lost. When he came back from the Paris him. Those who advocate more and France, prevent it. a threat. unity demonstration, David Cameron The Dresden And there are plenty of politicians, singled out a placard he had seen. It read scrapping sanctions against Iran argue that the danger of case is fortunately, journalists and rabble-rousers around to Je suis Charlie, Je suis flic, Je suis Juif (I its nuclear more punishment for an already- a vicious spiral thus far, not typi- stir that suspicion. Ukip’s Nigel Farage am Charlie, I am a copper, I am a Jew). damaged economy would make cal of Germany as has even talked of a “fifth column” amid There is one line missing from that list: programme. the government of Rouhani more is palpable. We a whole. Dresden his English folk. (Or is that Volk?) Je suis Ahmed. For one of the policemen rather than less likely to offer sits at the scenic This in turn will produce more anxi- murdered by the Kouachi brothers was a the concessions necessary for a need to counter heart of a quite ety among European Muslims and, if Muslim Frenchman called Ahmed. #Je unusual corner of we are not careful, more radicalisa- suis Ahmed emerged as a hashtag on deal. This argument is wrong. this xenophobia the former East tion among a small minority of them. Twitter to complement, not to rival, #Je The prospect of more sanctions will only strengthen the now – before it is Germany. Unlike Ironically enough, Monday’s Pegida dem- suis Charlie, and I immediately started hands of Rouhani’s enemies, who argue that America cannot most big west onstration has been called off after what using it as well. be trusted and it wants Tehran to make an unconditional too late. German cities, appears to be a Jihadist threat to one of While never compromising on the surrender. it has a low level its leaders. The symptoms of radicalisa- essentials of an open society, including All sides have agreed to step up efforts to reach a political of immigration, tion include an increase in antisemitic free speech, we non-Muslim Europeans and little experience of living with cul- attacks, which now seem to come more must keep sending these small signals understanding by the end of March with a view to clinching tural difference. In communist times, from extreme Muslims than from old- to our Muslim fellow Europeans, both a full-blown deal by their self-imposed deadline of June this corner was known as the “valley fashioned “patriotic European”, swas- online and in our everyday personal 30. After a few postponement of the deadline, another of the clueless”, because its inhabitants tika-daubing antisemites. It is horrifying interactions. The best signal of all is the postponement looks counter-productive. Any collapse of the could not receive West German televi- to hear French Jews, members of one of one that indicates no explicit signal is talks will have huge consequences and wipe out the progress sion broadcasts. Reports suggest that, the largest and oldest Jewish populations necessary. This is what happens most so far, most of the participants in the in Europe, saying that they no longer of the time in a city like London: you achieved so far. Pegida demos have been middle-aged, feel safe in France. Such antisemitic just take it as given that Muslim British Iran’s interests lie in rolling back its nuclear programme. and therefore shaped by a sheltered life attacks feed into more suspicion and people are as much Brits as anyone else More sanctions will bring more misery to ordinary Iranians in the old East Germany. fear of Muslims, which in turn … – that in truth there is no “they”, just and the country’s economy, which is already reeling under Since unification, Saxony has seen an How do we stop the vicious downward a larger, gloriously mixed and muddled the impact of a huge slump in global oil prices. The country unusually high vote for far-right par- spiral? Traditionally, European parties “us”. That is how we will win the plebi- needs to come out of its isolation and reclaim its position on ties, including a shocking 9.2% for the of the centre-right such as the CDU and scite every day. And that is how we will . NPD (Nationaldemokratische Partei the Conservatives have tacked to the see off a vampire called Pegida. the global map Deutschlands) in state parliament right to win back such voters. THE GUARDIAN The other side Quote of Initiatives for a fairer world the day

ROMOTING global population this year. The Internet gap and climate change. Rules also Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, governance requires more shows that we are a single community needed to be drafted to regulate activi- and the Silk Road Fund proposed deeds rather than words sharing the same destiny. ties in cyberspace, the ocean depths, and supported by China greatly con- Pfrom big countries to ensure But the current level of global gov- polar regions and space. These issues tribute to the global economy. The We will not give emerging market economies and ernance is far from enough to respond directly concern the interests of not BRICS Development Bank and emer- developing countries have their say, to the mounting global challenges only individual countries, but all human gency reserve mechanism developed away one scrap of and the interests of all are guaranteed. that become more complicated. beings. What the international commu- with China’s full support are effective Ukrainian land. We China’s development experience and Geopolitical turmoil, terrorism, finan- nity urgently needs is an efficient coor- additions to the international financial political wisdom can inject vitality into cial market fluctuations, and the other dinating mechanism to come up with system. China does not intend to over- will get back the global governance and bring hope for regional problems can easily evolve solutions to the pressing problems. throw the current world order; it seeks Donbass ... and show improvement. into global concerns. China has been an active advo- to offer new ideas and innovations, so Statistics show the number of Some old international mechanisms cate of and participant in promoting the system better reflects the interests that a very important Internet users around the world hit have proved increasingly unable to global governance. The Silk Road of more countries and makes the glo- aspect of our victory 2.89 billion last year, and the figure adapt to the changes taking place in Economic Belt and 21st Century bal village fairer and more efficient. can rise to nearly half of the global the world, such as the widening wealth Maritime Silk Road initiatives, the China Daily is our unity. Petro Poroshenko Ukrainian President MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Why is Belgium a jihad-recruiting hub?

been ascendent for years. Critics say the Belgium’s division nationalists leave little room for people with different identities. The Flemish between Dutch- part of the country has banned head- scarves in many schools. Compounding the problem, few imams and French- in Belgium speak Dutch — most speak French or Turkish in addition to Arabic. speakers has led So Muslim youth whose first language is Dutch often turn to the Internet to a patchwork if they have questions about their religious identity. On the Internet, “it’s not the Islam we of social policies, have in Western Europe,” Achaibi said, but instead a less inclusive and less toler- and even security ant version. But among 165 mosques in Flanders, he said, only 10 imams speak and policing. At Dutch, a problem that he has been striv- ing to fix. Analysts say that Muslim youth who the entrance to the feel cut off both from broader Belgian society and their ancestors’ cultures are national parliament, especially vulnerable to radicalisation. “The Islamic State is giving them what there are two the Belgian government can’t give them — identity, structure,” said Montasser AlDe’emeh of the University of Antwerp, defibrillators, for who is researching Belgian fighters in Syria. “They don’t feel Moroccan or use in case of heart Belgian. They don’t feel part of either society.” And once some people start attacks — one going to the war, the phenomenon quickly builds on itself. “If you play football every day in labelled in French the park and two of your friends go to Syria, you stay in touch with them on and the other Facebook,” AlDe’emeh said. “They say, ‘It’s boring there in Belgium. Here we have nice rivers and Kalashnikovs. Here Belgian paratroopers patrol outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. in Dutch. in Syria we are somebody.’ In Belgium, they’re nobody.” BY MICHAEL BIRNBAUM and a French-speaking south. That has Authorities said they discovered heavy advertise it was the ultimate place with Initially, analysts say, the Belgian gov- hurt the coherence of the government’s weaponry, explosives, phoney police uni- swimming pools and easy living.” ernment looked the other way when he Belgian teenager was deter- response and exacerbated the difficulties forms and walkie-talkies belonging to the Authorities believe about 100 of the people started going to Syria. That mined to join the jihadist fight that immigrants have had fitting in. group in a safe house near the German Belgians who have gone to fight in Syria was at a different stage of the conflict, in Syria — so much so that, after Belgian troops were deployed across border. Two of the suspects were killed have since returned home. Some of them when it appeared to be an extension of This nation’s authorities rolled up the nation Saturday to protect potential after they opened fire on police moving were among the group of alleged plotters the Arab Spring pro-democracy revolu- an alleged militant cell Friday, he was terrorist targets, a rare measure that in on them. arrested in recent days. tions. Initially, many Europeans travelled speeding up his plans to depart for war. came after authorities arrested 13 people Belgian authorities were already pur- But the problem of disaffected Muslim to Syria not out of a desire for jihad but Belgian security services came for him in nationwide raids that began Thursday suing a major case against members of youth in Belgium goes well beyond one simply because they loathed its longtime at his high school later in the day. Now he aimed at forestalling an attack. Greek a group called Sharia4Belgium, in the underground group. leader, President Bashar Al Assad, and is sitting in detention, waiting for a judge media reported Saturday that authorities country’s largest-ever terrorism trial. Muslims make up 6 percent of Belgian wanted to contribute to his ouster. to determine his fate, authorities say. It there had detained four more people con- Prosecutors allege that 46 people worked society, and some say they have faced Then the conflict evolved, with an was just the latest example of Belgium’s nected to that conspiracy. Belgian inves- as members of a terror organisation to long-standing challenges within the increasing role played by Islamist mili- alarming problem with radicalisation, tigators later said they did not believe funnel fighters to Syria. A verdict in that country’s majority Catholic culture — tants seeking to build a caliphate — but which has put the nation of 11 million at there was a link between the alleged case was pushed to next month in the even those whose families have lived Europeans kept flowing there. Belgian the forefront of Europe’s battle against extremists in the two countries. wake of the Paris shootings. here for generations. Joblessness is far authorities are worried that some will homegrown terrorism influenced by fara- Many frustrated members of Belgium’s Sharia4Belgium is a key factor in higher among Belgians with immigrant come back radicalised and launch vio- way Islamist warriors. Muslim community say that the best Belgium’s emergence as a source of backgrounds, offering scant hope for lent attacks at home. That has prompted Europeans have been shocked by 10 long-term protection for the nation radical fighters headed for the Middle the future. them to take far tougher measures to days of violent drama this month that would come from improved efforts to East. Analysts say it created a logisti- Sharia4Belgium highlighted legal prevent people from heading to the fight. underlined the threat in their midst. It integrate vulnerable immigrant groups, cal glide path for would-be jihadists who measures such as the 2012 ban on the Fears that yet another Belgian youth started when two brothers claiming ties not from added security measures. went from Belgium’s rolling countryside full-face veil as examples of the socie- was about to leave for Syria motivated to Al Qaeda killed 12 people at a Paris They point to such steps as a 2012 to the arid deserts of Syria. Even many ty’s intolerance for Muslims. Religious investigators to swoop in on the teen- satirical newsweekly and continued last ban on the full-face veil as increasing who did not go with the group’s assist- communities have also run into difficul- ager who was detained Friday, said week with the arrests of dozens of peo- alienation. ance were inspired by friends who had ties in being allowed to carry out ritual Hans Bonte, the mayor of Vilvoorde, the ple accused of plotting terror in France, “It’s okay that society has problems travelled with the help of Sharia4Belgium sacrifices of animals during important Dutch-speaking Brussels suburb where Belgium and Germany. with radicalisation. This is correct,” said and stayed in touch through Facebook annual holidays. the 18-year-old went to school. More than 350 Belgians have gone to Mohamed Achaibi, vice president of the and other social networks. A charismatic Belgium’s division between Dutch- and “We saw him radicalising,” Bonte said. Syria to fight, the highest number per Muslim Executive of Belgium, the official street preacher named Fouad Belkacem French-speakers has led to a patchwork “We saw it by following the communica- capita for any European country. Like umbrella organisation for the country’s spearheaded the group’s efforts, prosecu- of policies on education, social welfare tions on the Internet, the way he was other European nations, Belgium is religious community. “But why does soci- tors say. and even security and policing. At the talking on Facebook, in the classroom.” experiencing the consequences of what ety have problems with Muslim symbols? “They were using Facebook, using entrance to the national parliament, “Everything was arranged” for his critics call decades of ineffectiveness in Why does society have problems with pictures of the villa they were living there are two defibrillators, intended for departure,” Bonte said. “It’s clear that the integrating immigrants, including many mosques in regions or in cities?” in” in Syria, said EU Counterterrorism use in case of heart attacks — one labelled things happening in Paris and the things Muslims. But the country faces particu- Prosecutors say members of the cell Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove, who in French and the other in Dutch. happening here accelerated his thinking.” lar challenges because it has long been broken up in recent days were planning said he blamed Sharia4Belgium for Most of those who left for Syria came The detention, he said, “is not the first starkly divided itself, with bitter rival- to kill police officers and possibly were the high rate at which Belgian citizens from Dutch-speaking Flanders, where a one, and I fear it won’t be the last one.” ries between a Dutch-speaking north within hours of carrying out an attack. had departed for Syria. “They tried to right-wing Flemish nationalist party has WP-BLOOMBERG Secret to curing Ebola in West Africa is no secret at all

who receive care at treatment centres: team, Sierra Leoneans among them, did circulating virus? The primary task of What we need — More than 90 percent of those who stay what they would do in Boston or Haiti: the doctors, nurses and others working home perish. They inserted an infusion needle into the in treatment centres is to unlink these what we’ve always A year into the epidemic, with bil- bone marrow of her tibia. It was three two events, infection and death. The qual- lions of dollars pledged to fight Ebola, days before Jariatu was conscious enough ity of care in this part of West Africa what accounts for the extreme variation to show any interest in taking anything — not simply for Ebola but for more com- needed — to in death rates? How can an ambitious by mouth. She’s expected to survive. mon ailments and injuries — must be public-health effort be so unambitious What we need — what we’ve always improved. Improving care means intro- improve survival in clinically? There are many reasons for needed — to improve survival in West ducing capacity to monitor electrolytes, variations in survival, but among the top Africa is the capacity to safely deliver which we’ve recently done in rural Sierra five are not that shipped-home expatri- excellent supportive care. So what’s the Leone, instead of doing a single lab test West Africa is the ates received experimental treatments. debate about? It’s hard to deliver sup- for Ebola. It means cooler units — even What kills most Ebola patients is a mas- portive care here, due to the obvious lack fans would help — and personal protec- capacity to safely sive loss of the body’s vital fluids — up to of staff and stuff and space, and it’s dan- tive gear made for tropical conditions. 10 litres of day — along with proteins and gerous. Though they’re afraid of Ebola, It means improved nutrition and a lot electrolytes, primarily through vomitting as any sane person should be, thousands more support for the public health deliv- deliver excellent and diarrhoea. And that’s not counting of medical professionals, most of them ery system. fluid losses from fever in broiling treat- African, show up for work every day (a Since hospitals with poor infection supportive care. ment centres, whose makeshift appear- Children being taught proper hand-washing lack of electricity makes it hard to make a control have always amplified Ebola’s ance offers a clue to the quality of care techniques in Conakry, Guinea. similar claim about night shifts, which is spread, the two tasks — stopping trans- BY PAUL FARMER within. Clinicians and other staff in the another cause of high mortality). Doctors mission and improving care — are the hot zone can barely stand more than a be able to call themselves “donor nations.” Without Borders deserves special praise, means by which the world’s largest out- couple of hours inside the centres, their Parents from these nations know how since it was the first to sound the alarm break will be halted and proper health ort Loko is not far from Freetown, protective gear sloshing with sweat, rub- difficult it is to get a sick toddler to take and has brought thousands of volunteers systems built. Since the most shock- the capital of Sierra Leone and a ber boots brimming with a foul mix of in Pedialyte; vomiting kids can’t keep and staff into the battle. When I noted to ingly inadequate part of the response Pglobal hub of maritime commerce. perspiration and chlorine. it down even when it’s made to taste The New York Times recently that Doctors has been clinical, the Partners in Health City and town, linked by paved roads, We often hear there’s no treatment like fruit drinks. Here in West Africa, Without Borders wasn’t “doing enough,” team recently signed what we jokingly remain epicentres of Ebola transmission for Ebola or other haemorrhagic viruses. we need swift and better intravenous what I meant was that we all need to called the Port Loko Accords: a pledge and deaths. Getting to zero new infec- That’s not true. What the expatriate access and intraosseous needles, which provide better supportive care to increase to drop case-fatality rates to less than tions is the overarching goal of what is survivors all received was excellent sup- can infuse large volumes of fluid when survival. Double standards between such 10 percent. now the world’s largest public-health portive care, most of it from nurses. In patients arrive at clinics so dehydrated settings as Atlanta and Freetown are We were extremely serious about the undertaking. But it’s still far from an medical parlance, the term “supportive that it’s difficult to find a vein. Three also harming efforts to find all patients number, which is still higher than that in ambitious clinical endeavour. The num- care” does not mean hand-holding but weeks ago, a baby named Jariatu was with Ebola, which hampers efforts to the affluent world. If we try and fail, we’ll bers say it all. Not a single American has the replacement of fluids and electro- found by a burial team, barely alive, in a isolate them from uninfected family keep trying while awaiting new and bet- died of Ebola; the majority of Europeans lytes; treatment of secondary infections house full of dead family members. She members. Could there be a relationship ter ways to treat Ebola and other patho- infected have survived; a Cuban survivor (bacteria escaping from the gut, say, or was taken to Port Loko, where nurses and between poor-quality care and people’s gens far more deadly for some — those is already back here at work. Across West malaria); and, in some cases, renal dialy- doctors were unable to locate a vein for reluctance to seek it in hot and raggedy bereft of decent health systems — than Africa, 70 percent of those afflicted die. sis and assisted ventillation. All of this is an IV; the baby was dying, too unrespon- Ebola units, where patients are interned for others. And that figure applies only to the sick standard practice in countries pleased to sive to drink. So the Partners in Health until death or until blood tests show no WP-BLOOMBERG MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL German police ban rally by Pegida in Dresden Threat made against its 41-year-old founder

DRESDEN: Organisers of a Dieter Kroll, Dresden’s police just a few hundred members, last weekly anti-immigration pro- chief, said that there had been a week it attracted a record 25,000 test in Germany have cancelled call for attackers to mingle with and this week that number would today’s event after a threat was the demonstrators and kill one have risen again. made against its founder. of the protest organisers. He The cancellation happened The far-right Pegida, or said there was no information after a report in Spiegel magazine “patriotic Europeans against the about any specific attacker or said that intelligence sources had Islamisation of the west”, said how exactly an attack might be received information about con- on its Facebook page it was call- carried out, which led officials to crete threats of terrorist attacks ing off the event on the advice conclude that there was no way at Berlin’s and Dresden’s central of police, who had told them of a to safeguard lives other than to railway stations and at a Pegida “concrete threat against a mem- cancel the rally. demonstration. ber of the organisation team”. It Pegida was to hold its 13th The Pegida organiser thought called on its supporters to place a demonstration in as many weeks to be the threat’s target is Lutz candle in their windows and hang and has become the most talked- Bachmann, the 41-year-old out a German flag today evening about protest movement in butcher’s son who established the instead of attending the rally. Germany for years. Its numbers group in November. It has been Police in Dresden confirmed the have been growing each week. reported that he has received Members of the Ukrainian armed forces drive armoured vehicles in Volnovakha, eastern Ukraine, yesterday. there had been a threat against Its central demands are a tight- police protection. one of the leaders of the rally and ening of Germany’s asylum law According to Pegida’s Facebook said it had put a general ban on and a curb on foreigners coming posting, a “concrete murder all public gatherings today. to Germany. Having begun with threat” was made. “[The] execu- tion was ordered by the IS terror- Kiev troops retake airport ists,” it says. Police did not specify where the threat came from, or if KIEV: Ukrainian troops recap- “We succeeded in almost com- Poroshenko addressed a crowd of Mastermind of jihadist cell any group was behind it, but said tured almost all the territory pletely cleansing the territory of several thousand gathered in Kiev it resembled an Arabic-language of Donetsk airport in eastern the airport, which belongs to the for a peace march in memory of in Belgium ‘still at large’ tweet describing Pegida as an Ukraine they had lost to sepa- territory of Ukrainian forces as those killed on the passenger bus. “enemy of Islam”. ratists in recent weeks, even as marked by military separation “We will not give away one BRUSSELS: The presumed mastermind of the jihadist cell dis- Pegida demonstrations have thousands gathered in Kiev for lines,” he told a televised briefing scrap of Ukrainian land. We will mantled this week in Belgium remains at large, a Belgian minis- been springing up across Germany a state-sponsored peace march. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry get back the Donbass ... and show ter said yesterday, after arrests in Greece. as well as in Austria, Switzerland, The offensive brought fight- Peskov said Moscow was con- that a very important aspect of Asked if the suspected leader remained on the run after two Scandinavia and Spain, but ing close to the industrial city of cerned by “escalation” by our victory is our unity,” he said. people were arrested in Athens on Saturday in connection with the Dresden remains the only rally Donetsk itself, centre of a pro- Ukrainian forces. “This state of Rebel leader Alexander Belgian probe, Justice Minister Koen Geens told VRT television: to have got off the ground in a Russian rebellion, while shelling affairs in no way contributes to Zakharchenko blamed the shelling “That is indeed the case. Last night’s arrests did not succeed in significant way. The organisation intensified in other parts of the the implementation of the Minsk around Donetsk on the Ukrainian nabbing the right person. We are still actively looking for him and has drawn huge criticism from region, known as the “Donbass”. agreements and the future search army. “We’re talking about Kiev I presume we will succeed.” German politicians, especially the With attempts to restart peace for a resolution,” the Interfax trying to unleash war again,” Belgian media have named the suspected leader of the cell chancellor, Angela Merkel. talks stalled, pro-Russian rebels agency quoted him as saying. Interfax quoted him as saying. uncovered by police on Thursday in the eastern town of Verviers The decision to cancel the have stepped up attacks in the past Elsewhere in the region, the A ceasefire agreed at the talks as Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a 27-year-old Belgian of Moroccan origin. demonstration was taken amid week and casualties have mounted, Ukrainian Interior Ministry in Minsk, capital of Belarus, in Two suspects were shot dead in a fierce gun battle with police heightened security fears across including 13 civilians killed in an said two brothers aged seven early September has been regu- during the raid, which smashed a cell plotting to kill Belgian police Europe, following the terrorist attack on a passenger bus, which and 16 had been killed and their larly violated since the start by officers on the street and in police stations, local authorities said. attacks in Paris in which 17 people Kiev blamed on the separatists. 8-year-old sister injured when both sides, and fighting has flared According to Belgian media, the group’s suspected leader Abaaoud were killed, and thwarted terror- Military spokesman Andriy a shell struck a house in the up again since plans for peace spent time fighting alongside the Islamic State group in Syria. He ist plots in Belgium. Lysenko said the army’s opera- government-controlled town of talks last week were abandoned. was already known to security forces after appearing in an Islamic The future of Pegida could be tion had returned the battle lines Vuhlehirsk, 60km from Donetsk. In Donetsk, a coal-and-steel State video, at the wheel of a car transporting mutilated bodies to in doubt, commentators said, near the airport to the previous Spokesman Vyacheslav Abroskin city with a pre-war population a mass grave. Belgium’s Flemish-language VTM channel reported if policing such large numbers status quo and, thus not violated said the shelling had come from of almost a million, residents that Abaaoud had made calls from Greece to the brother of one of amid fears of a terrorist attack the 12-point peace plan agreed the direction of Yenakiieve, which reported a sharp intensification the two heavily-armed suspects killed in Verviers. AFP is deemed logistically impossible. with Russia and separatist lead- is controlled by the rebels. of fighting. THE GUARDIAN ers last September in Minsk. Ukrainian President Petro REUTERS

Bomber kills Boko Haram fighters kidnap 80 people in Cameroon 4 at Nigeria YAOUNDE: Suspected Boko among the largest abductions on added. Government spokesman 200 schoolgirls from the town of from Chad arrived in Maroua, Haram Islamist fighters from Cameroonian soil, came as neigh- Issa Tchiroma confirmed the Chibok, in northeastern Nigeria. the main town in Cameroon’s Nigeria kidnapped around 80 bouring Chad deployed troops to attack, in which he said three It has stepped up attacks in the Far-North Region, to support bus station people, many of them children, support Cameroon’s forces in the people had been killed, as well as region as Africa’s biggest econ- the fight against Boko Haram, on and killed three others yester- area. “According to our initial the kidnappings. He was not able omy prepares for a February 14 Saturday, Cameroon defence min- day in a cross-border attack on information, around 30 adults, to say with certainty how many presidential election. In a video istry spokesman Colonel Didier KANO: A suicide bomber killed villages in northern Cameroon, most of them herders, and 50 people had been taken in the raid. posted online this month, a man Badjeck said. four people and wounded dozens army and officials said. young girls and boys aged between “There was a Boko Haram claiming to be Boko Haram leader Chad has a reputation as one yesterday in an attack on a bus The group, which has killed 10 and 15 years were abducted,” attack on several localities in the Abubakar Shekau threatened to of the region’s best militaries station in Potiskum, northeast- thousands and kidnapped hun- a senior army officer deployed to Far North region. The assailants step up violence in neighbouring and helped French forces drive ern Nigeria, police and hospital dreds in its bid to carve out an northern Cameroon told Reuters. burnt down about 80 homes and Cameroon unless it scraps its con- al Qaeda-linked Islamists from sources said. Islamic state in northern Nigeria, He said the early-morning kidnapped several inhabitants stitution and embraces Islam. northern Mali in 2013. Government There was no immediate claim has also targeted Cameroon attack had targeted the village of including women and very young Faced with increased violence officials in N’Djamena say the of responsibility, but the town has and Niger over the past year as Mabass and other villages along children,” he said. along the border, Yaounde has deployment to Cameroon includes often come under attack from it seeks to expand its zone of the porous border. Soldiers inter- In an attack that gained deployed thousands of additional around 2,000 soldiers, armoured Boko Haram militants. operations. vened and exchanged fire with the worldwide attention last year, troops, including elite soldiers, vehicles and attack helicopters. Last Sunday, two female suicide Yesterday’s kidnappings, raiders for around two hours, he its fighters kidnapped around to the area. A convoy of troops REUTERS bombers, one believed to be aged around 15, carried out an attack on a crowded market. Witnesses to the latest assault Malawi floods said the explosion ripped through Top militia chief the bus station at Tashar Kunne, Italy’s housewives ditch on the outskirts of town, at around 10:30am (0930 GMT). arrested in CAR “(The bomber) slowed his car twice... some distance from the BANGUI: A powerful vigilante Renzi for the right: Poll bus station, and he suddenly leader in the Central African increased speed and rammed into Republic, accused of master- ROME: Italian Prime Minister “Housewives, on the one hand buses lined up waiting for passen- minding a massacre of some 300 Matteo Renzi is losing the sup- exposed to the economic crisis, gers,” local trader Umar Sani said. minority Muslims in December port of the country’s housewives on the other more easily dis- A police officer said four bodies 2013, has been arrested, pros- to his rival, the head of an anti- appointed in their (sometimes and 48 injured people had been ecutors said yesterday. immigration party, according to Messianic) expectations towards taken from the scene. A nurse at UN peacekeepers arrested a poll published yesterday. the government, are turning the Potiskum General Hospital Rodrigue Nagibona, alias General The survey by the Ipsos polling towards the right,” it said. The gave a similar death and injury Andjilo, who had been on the run institute for the Corriere della Sera League “is showing a capacity to toll, and said local residents had for several months, on Saturday daily found 34.8 percent of Italians attract voters across the board, rushed to the hospital in search in the northwest of the impover- would vote for Renzi’s centre-left making conquests almost every- of their loved ones. ished country and took him into Democratic Party (PD) if an elec- where, apart from among those She described the suicide bomber custody, the prosecutors said. tion was held now, compared to with higher education,” it added. as a young man. Potiskum has been A Cameroonian contingent of 38.3 percent polled in November. Salvini’s strategy to win over hard hit previously in Boko Haram the UN force known by the acro- At the European elections in southern voters “is bearing fruit attacks. Fifteen people were killed nym MINUSCA arrested Andjilo May, the party took 40.8 percent in terms of his own popularity, in November 2014 during a Shia in the town of Bouca after a fire- of the vote, but the 40-year old doubled from a year ago to second religious procession. A week later fight with “his men”, a judicial premier has since struggled to place behind Renzi, and in terms a suicide bomber blew himself up in source said. “General Andjilo is implement unpopular reforms of voters intentions”. a high school, killing 58 people and wanted for multiple alleged crimes in the eurozone’s third largest Former premier Silvio wounding more than 100. including killings, rebellion, ille- economy, hit hard by recession Berlusconi’s Forza Italia (FI) party, Brutal raids, massacres, suicide gal possession of weapons of war, and high unemployment figures. hit hard by internal bickering and bomb attacks and kidnappings criminal association, rape and pil- The ambitious eurosceptic the legal woes of its veteran leader, by Boko Haram have claimed at lage,” said Maurice Dibert-Dollet, Northern League, led by Matteo drew 14.8 percent of the vote in least 13,000 lives and driven an Bangui’s general prosecutor. Salvini, 41, is gaining ground— the poll, down from 16.1 percent in estimated 1.5 million people from Violence between rival factions with 12.8 percent of Italians ready November and 16.8 percent in May. their homes, mainly in arid north- has plunged the country into an to vote for the party, compared to The anti-establishment Five east Nigeria. Cameroon, Chad and unprecedented political and secu- 8.1 percent in November and 6.2 Star Movement (M5S), Italy’s Niger have launched a regional An aerial view of a flooded area in Chikwawa area in Malawi. Torrential rity crisis. Mostly Muslim Seleka percent in May. second biggest party, led by bid to combat the Islamists, as rains have wreaked havoc across half the impoverished southern African fighters backed by armed Muslim The PD’s losses are down to former comedian Beppe Grillo, their attacks spread beyond country’s 28 districts, washing away homes, crops and livestock and civilians have battled the anti- certain categories of voters losing was more or less unchanged, with Nigeria and concern mounts over balaka, who emerged in mainly confidence in Renzi, particularly 20.6 percent of Italians ready to disrupting power supplies. the failure of Nigerian authorities Christian communities to avenge those with low qualifications and vote for it, compared to 20.8 in to regain control. AFP attacks and atrocities. AFP housewives, the Corriere said. November and 21.2 in May. AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 UK’s anti-terror Welcoming Maduro home laws outdated: Ex-spy chief Tech foxing intelligence: Evans

LONDON: Britain’s ability faced a “very severe threat” of to prevent terrorist attacks is terrorist attack, according to an hampered by outdated laws that excerpt from an interview with are “no longer fit for purpose”, US channel CBS that was to be a former MI5 chief said in an broadcast yesterday. interview published yester- He and US President Barack day, as the government consid- Obama held two days of talks ers new powers to monitor the in Washington last week during Internet. which they vowed to take on the Jonathan Evans, director-gen- “poisonous ideology” of Islamist eral of MI5 from 2007 to 2013, said extremists. laws should allow the intelligence Intelligence agencies must be services to properly monitor pos- allowed to track militants online sible threats to national security. despite privacy concerns, they Islamist gunmen killed 17 peo- said. They agreed to conduct ple in Paris earlier this month, cybersecurity war games and pushing enhanced anti-terrorism establish a joint “cyber cell” to laws up Britain’s political agenda. prepare for and share intelligence Britain is on its second-highest on malicious hacking, weeks after threat level, meaning an attack Sony Entertainment was hacked is considered highly likely. in an incident the FBI has blamed “The legal powers under which on North Korea. Britain also the police and security agencies needs to confront an “appalling” access communications for intelli- spike in anti-Semitism, according A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro waits for him with a sign reading “Maduro is homeland” in Caracas yesterday. Maduro is back gence or evidential purposes have to interior minister Theresa May from a tour in search of financial aid. become outdated; they were not who yesterday gave a speech to designed for the current digital the Jewish community designed to world,” Evans wrote in the Sunday address their security fears after Telegraph newspaper. an Islamist gunman killed four “Technological changes mean French Jews in Paris. that it is much harder than it Britain’s Foreign Secretary Eurostar to resume services today was a decade ago for the police Philip Hammond will meet US or security agencies to find out Secretary of State John Kerry PARIS: Eurostar is set to in service yesterday. the tunnels”. Officials in Pas-de- lot of smoke,” said Denis Gaudin, what terrorists or criminals are and other members of the inter- resume normal services today “Chunnel” operators Calais, at the French end of the an official from Calais. saying among themselves.” national coalition fighting Islamic after a weekend that saw dis- Eurotunnel said on their website tunnel, told AFP that the electri- The fire sparked travel chaos Evans, who in December State (IS) militants in London ruptions caused by a lorry fire that northbound passengers could cal problem had occurred on the in Britain and France with long became a peer in Britain’s une- on Thursday, Hammond told the and an electrical glitch in the face delays of around six hours, English side and that no one was queues for refunds reported at lected upper house of parliament, Sunday Telegraph. Channel Tunnel. while those heading south could injured. Some 400 trains and 1.5 London’s St Pancras station, the cited Facebook, WhatsApp and The meeting, to be attended “The entire tunnel will not be be delayed by four hours. million lorries pass through the Eurostar terminus. Snapchat as examples of online by ministers from around 20 repaired tomorrow, but there Yesterday’s electrical incident, tunnel every day. In November 2012, a fire on a communication channels which other countries, including Arab will be parts which will have which occurred around 1000GMT, Saturday’s fire forced all freight train halted traffic in the were difficult for intelligence states, will discuss the coalition’s been repaired that will facilitate shut down the tunnel for two Eurostar trains already en route tunnel for two hours. agencies to access. progress in tackling Islamic State, more traffic in the tunnel, which hours, adding to passenger woes to turn back to their stations of Four years earlier, a lorry fire British Prime Minister David which controls swathes of Iraq will allow us to operate a normal after Saturday’s fire had already origin, while 42 people were evac- caused major damage in the tun- Cameron has promised laws giv- and Syria, say British officials. service,” Eurostar’s chief execu- forced thousands to rearrange uated through a service tunnel. nel, affecting 650 metres of the ing greater access to online com- “It’s vital that we consider what tive Nicolas Petrovic told AFP. their travel plans. Police in England said the fire structure and halting traffic for munication if he wins a May more we can all do to tackle the Eurostar, which offers passen- Eurostar passengers affected was “at the French end of the 30 hours. general election, but some of issue of foreign fighters, to clamp ger rail services linking London, will be able to either exchange tunnel” and was being dealt with For many passengers on the his rivals oppose the scale of his down on ISIL’s (IS) financing, to Brussels and Paris, had to cancel their tickets or get reimbursed, by the French authorities, add- popular line, the chaos Saturday proposals. step up humanitarian assistance 11 trains, while other traffic faced Petrovic said. ing that there were no reported meant an extended stay in either Cameron, in Washington for and continue our coordinated mil- delays of up to five hours. A Eurotunnel spokesperson injuries. France or Britain — or doing talks with US President Barack itary campaign,” Hammond said. Only one of the two tunnels confirmed to AFP that there Although the incident did not things the old fashioned way and Obama on security, said Britain REUTERS linking Britain and France was were ongoing “inspections in cause major damage, “there was a going by ferry. AFP

Back in time Right to offend Families of missing religion in free sailors cling to hope society, says BUENOS AIRES: The four damage, the hull was intact and Argentine sailors disappeared the crew was all safe. in late August — when a storm “We have not found any evi- Cameron off Brazil’s southern coast dence to the contrary,” in the knocked out their luxury months since, she said, insist- WASHINGTON: British yacht’s mast and rudder — but ing that when a boat sinks some Prime Minister David Cameron their families believe they’re evidence — bottles, a life vest — said there was “a right to cause still alive. turns up. offence about someone’s reli- “You can survive adrift for a But spotting a mast-less sail- gion” in a free society, drawing a year or more,” said Giovanna boat in the vast ocean is like distinction between himself and Benozzi, daughter of one and finding the proverbial needle in Pope Francis in their response girlfriend of another of the four. a haystack. The lack of working to the deadly Islamist attacks in El Tunante II, a 12.5-meter communication devices com- Paris. vessel, “is made to float and pounds the difficulty — and the “I’m a Christian. If someone remains adrift somewhere in the drifting boat could be mistaken says something offensive about south Atlantic,” she told AFP. for simple debris. Jesus, I might find that offen- “We’re calling for all mer- Meanwhile, the clock is sive. But in a free society, I don’t chant vessels, fishermen and ticking. have a right to sort of wreak my sailors around the world to “Food and water are no prob- vengeance on them,” Cameron add their eyes” to the search, lem,” Benozzi insisted. “We have said in an interview with CBS’ Benozzi said. strong hope.” Face the Nation programme aired “It’s been more than four Her father Jorge, a 62-year- yesterday. months, but there are stories old opthamologist, and her boy- “In a free society, there is a right of people who have survived friend Mauro Cappuccio, 35, to cause offence about someone’s longer,” Giovanni said. are both experienced sailors. As religion,” he said in the interview. Her optimism is based on the are the other two on the boat, It was taped on Friday during a last communication from her Alejandro Vernero, a 62-year- visit by Cameron to Washington Foreign tourists wait for a trip in a vintage Oldsmobile car from the 1950s that is decorated with a portrait of father after the storm — when old cardiologist, and Horacio for talks with President Cuban revolutionary Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, in Havana, Cuba, yesterday. he reported that, despite the Morales, also 62. AFP Barack Obama. The previous day Pope Francis said it was wrong to provoke oth- ers by insulting their religion and that one could “expect” a reaction US lawmakers unveil more toned down Iran sanctions to such abuse. “You can’t provoke, you can’t insult the faith of others, you can’t WASHINGTON: Supporters of by Republican Mark Kirk and deadlines passed without a final on November 2, new sanctions the sanctions could be waived make fun of faith,” the Pope said Iran sanctions in the US Senate Democrat Robert Menedez, two agreement. would kick in against foreign after Congress has been in ses- aboard a flight to the Philippines have unveiled a toned down bill senators who have sponsored pre- The calendar proposed by Kirk financial institutions engaged in sion for 30 continuous days — that while on his Asian tour. aimed at gaining enough votes vious sanctions bills. and Menendez would kick in a few transactions with Iran’s Central would likely be in September or In Paris this month, 17 people, to override a presidential veto. Their long-awaited bill was days later, and escalate over sev- Bank or other sanctioned banks. October at the earliest, given the including journalists and police, President Barack Obama has made public Friday but has not eral months. Finally, on December 7, if there summer recess. were killed in three days of vio- argued forcefully against any new been formally introduced in the If there were no deal by July were still no deal, Iran’s automo- But even if there is no com- lence that began with a shooting measures against the Islamic Senate. 6, sanctions that had been frozen bile, construction, engineering, prehensive deal, Obama, every 30 attack on the political weekly Republic, saying Iran was already It would gradually impose sanc- as part of an interim agreement and mining sectors would be days, could block the new sanc- Charlie Hebdo, known for its chafing under existing sanctions tions against Iran if, by July 1, no would be reinstated. They would targetted. tions from taking effect in the satirical cartoons lampooning and imposing new ones could tor- final deal is reached in the talks be followed on August 3 by new “The guillotine cuts into the name of national security and Islam and other religions. pedo ongoing talks on an agree- under way between Tehran and sanctions on the petroleum indus- wallet,” but not in one fell swoop, on the condition that he certifies The attacks triggered a mas- ment to prevent Tehran from the so-called P5+1 group — the try, and on September 7 by new a senior congressional staffer told Iran is respecting the temporary sive security response in Europe developing a nuclear bomb, a goal United States, Britain, China, restrictions on countries that cur- AFP. “It cuts through over the agreement and not re-starting and caused policymakers around it denies having. France, Germany and Russia. rently import Iranian oil. next six months.” forbidden nuclear activities. the world to reconsider their On Thursday, the Senate bank- July 1 is the current deadline On October 5, more Iranian If a final agreement with Iran In December 2013, the two strategies for combating radical ing committee will discuss and for the international negotiations, officials would be targetted by were reached, the president must lawmakers had proposed a much Islamist groups. REUTERS vote on the re-jigged bill proposed at a stalemate after two previous travel and financial sanctions, and inform Congress, at which point more stringent law. AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Pope draws record crowd at Manila mass Francis urges fight against poverty

MANILA: Pope Francis con- a fixed roof put in place. The vehi- cluded his trip to Asia yester- cles were then painted with col- day with an open-air Mass for a ourful and Catholic designs. rain-drenched crowd in Manila He stopped often along the route that the Vatican and the gov- to kiss children and bless religious ernment said drew up to seven statues on the day the Philippines million people, the largest ever celebrates the feast of the infant for a papal event. Jesus. The faithful, also wearing Vatican spokesman Father ponchos, held up rosaries in a for- Federico Lombardi said the office est of uplifted arms as he passed by. of the president told the Vatican Some people in the capital of that between six and seven mil- Asia’s only predominantly Catholic lion attended the Mass in Manila’s country had waited all night for Rizal Park and surrounding areas. gates to open at dawn. The gates “We are not able to count all opened nine hours before the start these people, obviously, or to of the Mass, which was due to last verify this, but in any case, we nearly three hours. have seen so many people that In his homily, the pope urged we believe that it is possible,” Filipinos to shun “social struc- Lombardi told a briefing. tures which perpetuate poverty, “If this is true, and we think ignorance and corruption,” a it is, this is the largest event in theme he stressed when he held the history of the popes,” he said, talks with President Benigno noting that Pope John Paul drew Aquino on Friday. Aquino some five million to the same area attended the Mass. in 1995. Francis also took another swipe Pope Francis (left) leads a mass at Rizal Park in Manila yesterday. The 78-year-old pope, wear- at the government’s population ing a transparent yellow poncho control efforts, saying the family over his white cassock, was driven was under threat from “insidious Weeping girl challenges Pope on abandonment through the ecstatic crowd in a attacks and programmes contrary “popemobile” modified from a to all that we hold true and sacred.” jeepney, the most popular mode of The pope’s last full day in MANILA: A weeping 12-year- things to happen to us? The chil- The pope, who is in the pope said. He urged them “to think, transport in the Philippines which the Philippines began with an old Philippine girl, asking how dren are not guilty of anything.” Philippines for a five-day visit, to feel and to do,” asking them to is based on a US military vehicle emotional youth gathering at a God could allow children to Palomar broke down and wept told those in the crowd that they repeat these words in a chorus. used in the Second World War. Catholic university in Manila, become prostitutes, moved Pope profusely, prompting the 78-year- first had to learn to cry with other The pope also asked the crowd The pontiff, standing in the ele- where he was moved by a ques- Francis yesterday to hug her old pontiff with a man-of-the- marginalised and suffering people. to emulate his namesake, Saint vated open body of the uniquely tion posed by a 12-year-old girl and appeal for everyone to show people reputation to take her into He said superficial compassion, Francis. “He died with empty Filipino version of his popemobile, who had been abandoned. more compassion. his arms and hug her for a few which resulted in just giving alms, hands, with empty pockets but a travelled through the streets of “I invite each one of you to ask Glyzelle Palomar, a one-time seconds. shown by many in the world was very full heart,” he said. the capital Manila for the main yourselves, ‘Have I learned how homeless child taken in by a The pope later discarded most not enough. The pope also said the topic event of his five-day visit. to weep ... when I see a hungry church charity, made her emo- of his prepared speech that he “If Christ had that kind of of Palomar’s question showed The rectangular vehicle with a child, a child on the street who tional plea during ceremonies at was due to give in English, revert- compassion, he would have just women were not adequately rep- distinctive giant grille repeatedly uses drugs, a homeless child, a Catholic university in Manila, ing back to his native Spanish to walked by, greeted three people, resented in society. stopped so he could reach into an abandoned child, an abused ahead of a mass by the pope to deliver an impromptu and heart- given them something and moved “Women have much to tell us the cheering masses and pick up child, a child that society uses as millions of faithful. felt response. on,” he said, with his response in today’s society. Sometimes, we babies to kiss and bless them. a slave’?” he said. “Many children are abandoned “She is the only one who has echoed in English by an official are too ‘machista’ and we don’t The pope rode the jeepney Children can be seen living on by their parents. Many children put a question for which there is translator. allow room for the woman,” he popemobile to Rizal Park where the streets of the Philippine capi- get involved in drugs and pros- no answer and she wasn’t even The pope called on them to said. “Women are capable of see- millions had gathered to hear tal, as they often do in many poor titution,” Palomar told the pope able to express it in words but in show tangible, genuine concern ing things with a different angle him celebrate mass, in one of the Asian countries, surviving by beg- as she stood on stage alongside a tears,” the pope told a crowd that for the poor and marginalised. from us. Women are able to pose world’s biggest papal gatherings. ging and picking through garbage 14-year-old boy who also used to organisers said reached 30,000. “(There are) certain realities in questions that we men cannot The bodies of the jeeps were in vast dumps. be homeless. “The nucleus of your question... life, we only see through eyes that understand.” extended, seats were added and AGENCIES “Why does God allow these almost doesn’t have a reply.” are cleansed with our tears,” the AFP

Ex-Sri Lanka Indian spy’s role alleged in Rajapaksa’s poll drubbing leader’s brother COLOMBO/NEW DELHI: reports but cannot confirm them. island nation off its southern said. Sirisena, the new president, main leader of the opposition Sri Lanka expelled the Colombo But several sources in both coast — it sent troops there in has said he will visit New Delhi on and former prime minister Ranil accused of station chief of India’s spy Colombo and New Delhi said India 1987 in a botched effort to broker his first foreign trip next month Wickremasinghe not to contest agency in the run-up to this was asked to recall the agent in peace between the government and has said India is the “first, against Rajapaksa in the election month’s presidential elec- December for helping gather sup- and Tamil Tiger rebels. main concern” of his foreign policy. and stand aside for someone who killing editor tion, political and intelligence port for joint opposition candidate Rajapaksa’s unexpected defeat An Indian official said the RAW could be sure of winning, said sources said, accusing him of Maithripala Sirisena after persuad- after two terms in office coincided agent was recalled after complaints the officer and a Sri Lankan law- COLOMBO: Sri Lankan helping the opposition oust ing him to ditch Rajapaksa’s cabinet. with growing concern in India that that he had worked with Sri Lanka’s maker who also maintains close authorities are investigating a President Mahinda Rajapaksa. A sketchy report in Sri Lanka’s it was losing influence in Sri Lanka usually fractious opposition parties contacts with India. claim that the toppled presi- An Indian foreign ministry Sunday Times newspaper on because of the former president’s to agree on a joint contender for The agent was also in touch dent’s younger brother ran a spokesman denied any expulsion December 28 said that “links with tilt toward regional rival China. the election. Then, he was accused with former president Chandrika “death squad” and ordered a and said that transfers were rou- the common opposition” had cost The concern turned to alarm of facilitating meetings to encour- Kumaratunga, who was a key high-profile newspaper editor’s tine decisions. Rajapaksa, voted India’s Research and Analysis late last year when Rajapaksa age several lawmakers, among them player in convincing Sirisena to assassination, a police spokes- out of office in the Jan 8 election, Wing (RAW) station chief his job allowed two Chinese submarines to Sirisena, to defect from Rajapaksa’s stand, said the officer and the law- man said yesterday. said he did not know all the facts in Colombo. dock in Sri Lanka without warning party, the official said. maker, who also confirmed that Former defence secretary while the new government in India has often been involved in New Delhi as he should have under The agent was accused of the agent had been asked to leave. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ordered the Colombo has said it is aware of the the internal politics of the small a standing agreement, the sources playing a role in convincing the REUTERS hit on Lasantha Wickrematunga in January 2009, ex-public rela- tions minister Mervyn Silva Hong Kong movement probe alleged in a formal complaint lodged with police Saturday, the spokesman said. Nepal Hindu activists Wickrematunga was fatally shot in 2009, just days before he was due to testify in a defamation case Rajapaksa had filed against clash with police his paper, which had been highly critical of the then-ruling family. KATHMANDU: Nepalese wants Nepal to become a Hindu “We have received a complaint police clashed yesterday with state under the new constitution. that Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was activists campaigning for the Alternatively it wants a referen- responsible for abductions, assaults country to be declared a Hindu dum to be held on the 2008 decision and murder,” police spokesman state, as tensions rose before to abolish a 240-year-old monarchy Ajith Rohana said. “Three murders Thursday’s deadline for publica- and usher in a secular republic. have been mentioned and one is tion of a post-war constitution. Deputy superintendent of that of Lasantha Wickrematunga. Thousands of supporters joined police, Posh Raj Pokharel, said He (Rajapaksa) is accused of run- a rally organised by the pro- protesters tried to enter a ning a death squad.” royalist Rastriya Prajatantra restricted area near the assembly. Rajapaksa could not be con- Party-Nepal (RPP-N) near “We cannot allow them into the tacted for comment. Kathmandu’s constituent assem- restricted area,” Pokharel said. Wickrematunga and his Sunday bly building, where top political Nepal’s last king Gyanendra Shah Leader newspaper were vocal critics leaders were meeting to try to stepped down in June 2008 when of Rajapaksa’s administration, and agree on the new constitution. parliament voted to abolish the had accused Gotabhaya of corruption The draft charter is intended to monarchy, after Maoist rebels ended over the purchase of second-hand complete a drawn-out peace proc- their insurgency and joined politics. aircraft and arms for the military. ess following the 1996-2006 Maoist Since then the Himalayan At the time, the government denied insurgency. But political leaders nation has endured prolonged it was behind Wickrematunga’s kill- cannot agree on what it should say. political limbo, with leaders fail- ing, but Saturday’s complaint reo- “The police stopped and ing to agree on the charter. pens the unsolved case. charged at us as soon as we Pressure has been building Since Mahinda Rajapaksa’s reached the area. Four of our before Thursday’s deadline to defeat in the January 8 presiden- cadres were hurt,” RPP-N’s Raja publish the document, with vari- tial elections, complaints have Hong Kong student leader Alex Chow Yong-Kang (centre) arrives at police headquarters to assist investigations Ram Shrestha said. ous groups holding protests and flooded a Sri Lankan anti-graft in relation to the two-month Occupy civil disobedience movement, in Hong Kong yesterday. RPP-N, the fourth largest staging strikes. commission. party in the constituent assembly, AFP AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Fuel crisis brings Schoolchildren still reeling from trauma down power After Peshawar attack, students frightened to see guards; teachers worried about exams generation

ISLAMABAD: A month has increase in the height of bound- examination conducted by the schoolbags at main gates, so stu- the administration resumed by 2,000MW passed since militants mas- ary walls up to 10-13 feet, fixing boards for intermediate and sec- dents asked how long the exercise examinations though teachers sacred students and teachers of barbed wire on them, instal- ondary education. would last. have yet to finish their 30 per LAHORE: The current oil at the Army Public School and lation of closed circuit television A headmaster of the govern- A senior teacher of a semi- cent course. If they pass the crisis in Pakistan has already College in Pakistan’s Peshawar cameras and walk-through gates ment high school in Peshawar government school on Wasrak examinations, their forms to sit brought down electricity gener- on December 16, 2014 but local at entry and exit points of the city said on Friday that 30-40 per Road said: “We’re striving to fin- the board examinations will be ation by over 2,000MW, raising schoolchildren are still reeling premises, increasing the strength cent students had opted to absent ish the SSC course at the earli- sent (to board) with double fee the deficit to 7,000MW and cut- from the trauma. of guards, and provision of metal themselves from classes fearing est but it appears to be a mission or triple fee. ting supplies to half of the total Most government and private detectors them. terrorist attacks. impossible. A worried father complained demand of over 14,000MW. schools, colleges and universities Educationists feel the prolonged “Of the 520 enrolled students, Currently, we are holding home the students didn’t have enough More power plants are likely to had reopened in Peshawar and closure of educational institutions only 390 are present in the school examinations and once they’re time to prepare for the examina- suspend working in a few days other parts of the province on in the wake of the December 16 today,” he said. over, we will be left with no time tions and therefore, both students because they are running out of December 12 after 26 days closure violence will adversely affect “One of our most talented stu- to revise the course. In this light, and their parents were stressed furnace oil, the power sector’s but many students have opted not the academic performance of dents is so traumatised by the there is a high likelihood of stu- out. managers warned yesterday. to attend classes in fear of their students. Army Public School massacre dents not performing very well in Some parents said they To save domestic consumers, life. According to them, the that he has stopped coming to the the upcoming board examination.” expected their children won’t do who are already facing around 12- Some feel very frightened to extended winter vacation cost school,” the school’s headmaster Some private educational insti- well in examinations due to lack hour outages, from further suffer- see guards at the main entrances students 26 precious days during said. tutions have cancelled internal of preparation. “My son, Ali, is in ing, the managers have increased and rooftops of their educational which they would have finished He said he would visit the stu- examinations over the prolonged ninth grade and his studies are load shedding for the industry institutions. and revised course. dent to convince him to begin closure of the campuses. adversely affected by the extended from four to 10 hours. As part of the counter-ter- At many educational institu- attending classes. A father said his sons studied in closure of school. We fear his The four-hour gas supplies to rorism strategy, the provincial tions, teachers have either not “I am much worried about the ninth and 10th grades in Peshawar examination results will be poor the industry, which it got after government has issued security finished course or yet to revise it. student’s future as his SSC exam- Public School and College and that this time around,” a parent said. the prime minister’s intervention, guidelines to schools, colleges Normally, they do the job by inations are at hand ie in March,” they were taking home examina- He asked about the rationale also stopped as the government and universities and sought their this time and thus, helping stu- he said. tions when the massacre took behind the prolonged closure of diverted gas to compressed natu- strict compliance. dents to prepare well for the The headmaster said in place on campus. schools. ral gas (CNG) stations, spelling Among these guidelines are Secondary School Certificate many schools, guards checked “After the school was reopened, INTERNEWS what industrialists called “disas- ter for them.” The government has also asked public sector companies to cut their generation to half because of paucity of fuel. Nationwide protest Yesterday, power companies were generating only 700MW against 1,400MW of a few days ago. The hydel component of the gen- against Charlie Hebdo eration, on average, is already down to 800MW because of canal closure. ISLAMABAD: Protests against the magazine and the French Independent power producers cut French satirical magazine government. their generation to 5,500MW from Charlie Hebdo were held across A delegation visited the resi- 6,500MW a few days ago. Pakistan on Sunday as thousands dence of the French consul- “The overall situation has wors- of people in almost all major general to submit a resolution ened and is deteriorating further,” cities chanted slogans against demanding Paris ban the mag- an official of the Pakistan Electric its printing of cartoons of the azine “for spreading religious Power Company said. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). hatred in the world”, a party The company is struggling to Workers from both religious spokesman said. keep bigger plants like Hubco, and secular political parties In Lahore around 6,000 people Muzaffargarh and Jamshoro gathered in Lahore, Karachi, attended a rally by Islamic groups alive because, if they go down, Islamabad, Quetta, Peshawar, including the hardline Jamaat-ud- the entire system would collapse. Multan and many other cities Dawa. Speakers urged Pakistan to The Guddu power plant has and burnt effigies of French pres- sever relations with France. already been closed. If another ident Francois Hollande and of In the southwestern city of major plant suspends working, it cartoonists at the magazine along Quetta, protesters trampled the would be hard to maintain fre- with French flags. French flag before burning it, quency of the system. It developed More than 2,000 people marched along with pictures and effigies a major fault thrice and triggered in the largest city Karachi, where of the French president. three national breakdowns over the Jamaat-e-Islami party organ- Around 200 people in Islamabad the past few weeks. ised a rally at the mausoleum of gathered outside the national “So, it is now a multidimensional Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founding press club and burnt effigies of struggle for the power managers: father of the nation. the cartoonists. arranging oil for the companies A delegation of Christian In the southern city of Multan lacking funds, keeping the system pastors also took part to show city, protesters shouted “We are balanced under extreme condi- solidarity with their Muslim not Charlie, we are Kouachi” — a tions, constantly watching the countrymen. reference to the “Je Suis Charlie” plants to prevent any fluctuation Elsewhere in Karachi, doz- rallying cry of French protesters, and still taking popular flake for ens of members of the Pakistan and to one of the two brothers who failing to do what people expected Tehreek-e-Insaf party founded killed 12 people at the magazine. of them, the official said. by Imran Khan rallied against AFP People protest against satirical French weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Lahore yesterday. INTERNEWS KP province local polls in June 78 items notified to meet food ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission organised the elections. He said that the of Pakistan (ECP) is geared up to hold local tender for getting paper for ballots has been import standards council elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued. The Awami National Party (ANP) has (KP) in June with the consent of the KP gov- told the ECP that it has challenged in a court KARACHI: The Ministry of ernment if all goes well. of law delimitation of constituencies for local Commerce, through an amend- “Regardless of what any top Pakistan Tehreek- councils, done by the KP government. The ment in the Import Policy Order e-Insaf (PTI) leader claims, local polls are not Supreme Court has held the delimitation of 2013, has notified 78 items, possible before June,” a senior ECP official said.” constituencies done by the KP government which must meet Pakistan The KP government knows this fact very well. valid. Standards at the import stage, KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak was explained The official said that the printing of ballot an official said yesterday. this when he held a meeting with the ECP early papers would take a long time than what was The list of products dated this month,” he said. required for the general elections. In the case of January 8, 2015, mostly comprises The official said that the chief minister real- local polls, ballots for every union council would food products, including beverages, ised that availability of the biometric system was have to be printed, he said. edible oil and confectionary, etc, not possible in such a short time. Then, Khattak He pointed out that the Printing Press of which are imported on a large- agreed that the elections should be organised Pakistan, which prints ballot papers, has 1952 scale without any proper assess- without this system. model machines, which do the job very slowly. ment of the quality and standards. According to the official, the KP would be He said at least one month was needed to print A Customs official said they check the first among the provinces where the local the ballot papers for the KP. The ECP is holding the Pure Foods Laws (PFL) stand- polls will be held before Punjab and Sindh. the local polls for the first time. ards to determine whether an item Balochistan took the lead long time ago and INTERNEWS is deemed importable. The official said the notification had been circu- lated among all the Customs forma- tions for effective implementation. Weapons surrender Food items, which need to meet Pakistan standards at the import stage include apple juice, banaspati, butter, carbonated bev- erages, bottled drinking water, cooking oil, cotton seed oil cake expeller type, chilly powder, con- centrated fruit juice, condensed milk, curry powder, edible sesame oil, food for children and infants, flavoured milk, fruit squash, honey, iodised salt, jams/jel- lies, margarine, mayonnaise and marmalades, milk powder, natu- ral mineral water, orange juice, palm oil, pickles, refined edible oil, sugar, synthetic vinegar, tea black, turmeric and biscuits. Two-wheeler and three- wheeler auto vehicles, balanced feed mixture for livestock, gas appliances polypropylene woven sacks for packing, cement and Former Taliban militants surrender their weapons during a reconciliation ceremony in Ghorian district poultry feed are now subject to of Herat, Afghanistan, yesterday. A group of 10 former Taliban militants laid down their arms and joined meet Pakistan Standards at the the peace process. import stage, the official said. INTERNEWS MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA

Airports India, Lanka pledge to build better ties authority staff Sri Lankan foreign minister visits Indian counterpart; Indian fishermen to be freed threaten strike NEW DELHI: The Airports NEW DELHI: Nine days after A meeting of officials on this is Authority Employees Union President Maithripala Sirisena to be held later this month. (AAEU), opposing the regulator’s took office, Sri Lanka and India The Sri Lankan minister indi- privatisation plan, has threatened yesterday pledged to deepen cated that efforts were underway to renew its stir, including a strike their relations, with New Delhi to release Indian fishermen’s boats call, if the move is not halted. agreeing to work “closely and seized by authorities in Colombo. “If the government does not extensively” with Colombo. An early meeting of the fish- give us a proper hearing, we shall External Affairs Minister ermen’s associations of the two be constrained to take recourse Sushma Swaraj conveyed countries has been proposed to to industrial action and call for a India’s views to her new Sri discuss issues confronting the two general strike in AAI,” the AAEU Lankan counterpart Mangala communities. has said in a letter to Civil Aviation Samaraweera, who arrived here Both India and Sri Lanka feel Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju overnight on his first foreign trip that a longer term solution needs observing that the decision to after Sirisena came to power on to be worked out taking into con- privatise violates the Tripartite January 9. sideration all aspects of the mat- Committee recommendations In three hours of extensive ter, the Indian statement said. accepted by the government. discussions, Sushma Swaraj and The ministers agreed that the Pointing out that travelling Samaraweera covered all issues matter needed to be dealt with from Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai including enhancing bilateral in a humane way as it impacted and Bengaluru airports has cooperation and political recon- the livelihood of thousands in both become very expensive since ciliation efforts in Sri Lanka. countries. these have been handed over to Also discussed were Indian Colombo has accused fisher- private players, the union said: development partnership projects men mainly from Tamil Nadu “The services provided at private in Sri Lanka and issues related to of fishing in Sri Lankan waters, airports come at a high price, as the alleged trespassing of Indian affecting the earnings of its own has been experienced with all the fishermen into Sri Lankan waters. fishermen. The bitter row has existing private airports where An external affairs ministry often led to clashes in the sea and costs borne by the air travellers statement said the two ministers even deaths. are much higher in comparison to “had extremely cordial, positive Samaraweera briefed Sushma the AAI-managed airports, where and substantive discussion”, cov- Swaraj on the constitutional quality service is equally available ering the entire expanse of the reform efforts initiative by the at a much cheaper price.” “close and friendly (bilateral) new government in Colombo Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera (left) and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj shake hands in The letter, also protest- relations”. which has ousted the regime of New Delhi yesterday. ing privatisation plans for the Samaraweera indicated that his Mahinda Rajapaksa. development, operations and choice of New Delhi as his first Sushma Swaraj said India was to visit Colombo. The visit- An Indian spokesperson said: with the Tamil minority in the management of four more air- destination “reflects the priority keen to work “closely and exten- ing minister will call on Prime “The talks have been marked island nation. ports — Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur the new Sri Lankan government sively” with the new Sri Lankan Minister Narendra Modi and by warmth, mutual respect and The government change in and Ahmedabad, has been marked gives to relations between our two government. hold discussions with National understanding, and the substan- Colombo is widely expected to to Prime Minister Narendra countries”. The India-Sri Lanka Joint Security Advisor Ajit Doval tive outcomes demonstrate the improve relations between India Modi, Finance Minister Arun India and Sri Lanka agreed to Commission, which last met in today. desire of India and Sri Lanka to and Sri Lanka that had become Jaitley, the AAI chairman, the re-engage on the issue of repatri- January 2012 in New Delhi, will The two ministers agreed to boost our bilateral ties.” strained over the latter’s increas- chief labour commissioner and ation of Tamil refugees currently meet soon. pave the way for Sirisena’s visit India has repeatedly called for a ing military ties with China. the parliamentary panel for in India. Sushma Swaraj has also agreed to India at an early date. political solution to issues dealing IANS transport, culture and tourism. Process under way on PIA officials’ visa: Ministry Modi’s Muslim aide to link Urdu varsity with industry NEW DELHI: India yesterday HYDERABAD: Prime appointment, the CEO and “My feeling is that this uni- engineering in Urdu but you said it has a key role to play in said that the process relating to Minister Narendra Modi’s close managing director of Parsoli versity needs collaboration with should be proficient in your field. the educational and economic visas of Pakistan International Muslim aide Zafar Sareshwala, Corporation Ltd. silently began universities around the world. Engineering is first and foremost empowerment mission of the Airlines (PIA) staff was under who took over as the chancellor his work after assuming charge. This is the way things are hap- but you also need to be proficient Modi government. way. External affairs ministry of the Moulana Azad National Impressed by the positive pening around the world,” he in English and local languages,” He said that with 10 centres spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin Urdu University (MANUU), is atmosphere at the campus and said while underlining the need said Sareshwala, who is him- in various parts of the country, said that the issues relating to keen to link the institution to the determination of the fac- for faculty and students’ exchange self a mechanical engineering MANUU can help in setting up visas of the PIA staff were part industry. ulty to deliver, the businessman programmes. graduate. Industrial Training Institutes of the normal routine and the The priorities of the 52-year- shared his ideas with the univer- “I will try and connect the uni- An expert in Islamic finance (ITIs) and polytechnics in minor- process was under way. old Gujarati industrialist include sity officials and a group of intel- versity with industry and the cor- and banking, he believes this sec- ity-dominated areas. Last week, the Enforcement linking the Hyderabad-based lectuals, making it clear that he porate. Any university is known tor also needs scholars proficient A central university estab- Directorate has issued summons MANUU with the corporate means serious business. by the research it does and how in English and also in financial lished in 1998 by an act of parlia- to PIA in connection with alleged sector, ensuring regular cam- Looking for an active role as many research papers you pub- world, financial terminology and ment to promote and develop the violation of forex laws in the pur- pus recruitment, more research the chancellor, Sareshwala is of lish. The research connects you financial instruments. Urdu language and impart voca- chase of properties in Delhi. work and tie-ups with universities the view that MANUU should with the corporates,” he said. Sareshwala’s appointment as tional and technical education According to reports, the ED had around the world. strike a balance between promo- As many students with a chancellor has grabbed the atten- in Urdu through conventional found that the Pakistani national “I want to make sure that tion of Urdu, which is its aim, madrassa background come to tion of all. It is being seen as an and distance modes, MANUU carrier had acquired five flats/ this university imparts educa- and employability of its students the university , Sareshwala feels attempt by Modi to reach out to is already running three ITIs offices in Delhi without obtain- tion which is employable. We by making them proficient in they should become proficient in the Muslim community through and three polytechnic colleges. ing necessary clearances from the don’t want ‘factories’ which cre- English. English for better prospects. his trusted aide. The main campus of the uni- Reserve Bank of India. Indian laws ate unemployable graduates,” “My first priority is to see if the “Proficiency of English is fun- His visit to MANUU to assume versity is located on a sprawl- state that no national of Pakistan Sareshwala said in an interview. university’s big platform is work- damental for growth. There is no charge came a few days after ing campus of over 200 acres among some other countries can He said the Modi government ing to its full potential and if not, way out. You may like it or not. Union Minority Affairs Minister in Gachibowli. Its students and acquire or transfer immovable sent him here to do something for why not. What are the solutions? English is lingua franca. Now we Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi visited the teaching and non-teaching staff property in India other than lease, Muslims in the education sector. Are these solutions possible at the are living in a globalised world campus. come from various parts of the not exceeding five years without Unfazed by criticism from level of the university or it needs where horizons are much broader. Speaking at the 17th founda- country. prior permission of the RBI. various quarters over his some more attention?” he said. “I have no problem if you learn tion day of the university, Naqvi IANS IANS

Polio vaccination drive Two militants Delhi fog delays 91 train, killed in Jammu and 60 flight services NEW DELHI: Thick fog yes- Northern Railway said. Kashmir terday morning brought down Rahul Bishnoi, who was wait- visibility to less than 200 ing for the Avadh Assam Express, SRINAGAR: Two Lashkar- metres in the capital, delaying said: “My train’s timing was 5pm e-Taiba (LeT) militants were 91 train services and 60 flights. on Saturday. I have been told that killed yesterday in a gunfight The city later witnessed a warm the train is going to take 12 more between them and security and clear day, as the maximum hours to arrive as it is stuck some- forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s temperature was recorded at where in Uttar Pradesh due to fog.” Sopore town, police said. 21.6 degrees Celsius, a notch Mohinuddin Ahmad, another “Following an information above the season’s average. The passenger waiting for the Duranto about presence of militants, Met department has forecast a Express, blamed the Indian security forces, including the similar today. Railways for not taking any ini- state police, Rashtriya Rifles “Monday morning is also going tiatives to deal with the problem. and (Central Reserve Police to be foggy. The maximum and The IGI airport, in a statement, Force) CRPF yesterday cor- the minimum temperatures are said poor visibility caused delay doned off Saida Pora locality in likely to hover around 21 degrees in 60 services and cancellation of Sopore,” a senior police officer and 6 degrees Celsius, respec- three flights. said here. A health official administers polio drops to newborn babies during Polio Day at a government hospital in Agartala tively,” said an official of the India “Flight operations get affected “Militants started indiscrimi- yesterday. Some 174 million children aged below five years across the country will be given polio drops as part Meteorological Department (IMD). as it becomes difficult for the nate firing when the security of a government drive to maintian ‘polio-free’ status, a Health Ministry statement said. Thick fog accompanied by pilots to fly. All passengers were forces came near their hideout, cold winds yesterday morning informed about the delay and triggering an encounter. Two badly affected commuters. A asked to cooperate as they were militants, Mohammad Ramzan large number of passengers were assured that the flights will start and Assadullah, were killed in the stranded at railway stations and operating according to time encounter,” he said. Kashmir shivers at minus 15 degrees the Indira Gandhi International once visibility improves,” an IGI “The two slain militants were airport, while motorists had a spokesperson said. from the LeT outfit,” the police tough time on roads. Yesterday’s minimum temper- officer added. SRINAGAR: An intense cold The minimum temperature in the minimum temperature. According to the Northern ature settled a notch below the He said, “Asadullah infiltrated wave yesterday gripped Jammu Leh town was minus 15 degrees Rain and snowfall occur during Railway, 63 trains were late while season’s average at 6.4 degrees last year and was an LeT group and Kashmir, with night tem- Celsius and minus 15.6 degrees in winter months in India, Pakistan, 28 were rescheduled and three Celsius. Humidity at 8.30am was commander. He was instrumental peratures touching minus 15 Kargil town. Nepal and Bangladesh because of were cancelled due to the dense 100 percent. Saturday’s maximum in roping cadres into his group. degrees in Leh as well as Kargil. Srinagar’s temperature fell western disturbances. fog in and around the capital. temperature was at a notch above He was active in Kupwara district The weather department said to minus 3.7 degrees Celsius. It Western disturbances is “Among some of the special the season’s average at 21.1 degrees and moved to Sopore last month. that the cold wave was likely to was minus 6.4 in Pahalgam and the term used to describe an trains that got delayed were the Celsius and the minimum was He was planning to activate LeT continue till Wednesday after minus 5.6 in Gulmarg — all in extra tropical storm in the Duranto Express, the Shatabdi recorded at 8.2 degrees Celsius, base in Sopore.” which rain and snowfall were the valley. Mediterranean Sea. Express and the Guwahati also a notch above average. IANS expected. Jammu recorded 5.7 degrees as IANS Rajdhani,” an official with the IANS MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15 Delhi Police Plan for road arrest linking Tripura, three, seize ammunition Bangladesh NEW DELHI: Delhi Police yesterday said it has arrested three people and seized a huge cache of live cartridges. 51km road to have four lanes However, police ruled out the possibility of any terror link AGARTALA: A 51-km four- Quader also held a meet- behind the seizure and arrests. lane road will be developed to ing with the Tripura Transport Police recovered 1,020 live enable carriage of people and Minister Manik Dey here. cartridges from three arms and material for northeast India India has spent millions of ammunition suppliers. via Bangladesh, a visiting rupees to develop the Ashuganj Mohammad Sharik, a Bangladeshi minister said here port over the Meghna river in 42-year-old resident of Meerut yesterday. eastern Bangladesh. in Uttar Pradesh, and Faeeem According to Bangladesh Road Carrying heavy machinery, Miya, a 44-year-old resident Transport and Bridges Minister goods and essentials from vari- of Uttarakhand, were arrested Obaidul Quader, the road, to be ous parts of India and abroad Friday night near the Welcome built as a jointly-funded project, to mountainous northeastern station of Delhi Metro where they will link Tripura’s capital city states via Bangladesh holds were to supply a consignment of of Agartala with Bangladesh’s significance. 920 cartridges. Ashuganj river port. To meet the demands of “There is no terror link to the “Bangladesh has undertaken an Tripura, the Food Corporation of recovery of the cartridges,” a ambitious Rs1,608 crore project India (FCI) recently ferried 10,000 police official said. to develop the highways between tonnes of rice in two phases from “An inter-state gang, indulging Agartala and Ashuganj port,” the Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Police patrol the waters of the river Yamuna behind the historic Taj Mahal in Agra yesterday. US President Barack in illegal arms and ammunition minister told reporters, adding Pradesh via Bangladesh. trade, had procured the ammu- Obama is scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal on January 27. that “of the Rs1,608 crore, Rs1,578 Several ships carried the rice nition from Sitapur in Uttar crore would be provided by the from Visakhapatnam port to Pradesh and tried to sell them Indian government to expand and Kolkata port, then to Ashuganj to criminal elements in the area improve the highways”. port in Bangladesh. Bangladeshi Obama visit to galvanise India-US ties of Delhi and National Capital “The 51-km road would have trucks then ferried the rice to the Region,” Deputy Commissioner four lanes to carry heavy cargo FCI warehouses from Ashuganj of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev and passenger vehicles bound for port to Nandannagar near WASHINGTON: Beyond the It would give them an opportu- India a second time, to do it only Yadav said. Agartala and other northeastern Agartala. symbolism of President Barack nity to check how far they have as an India trip, to be the guest On a tip-off by the arrested states.” The Indian government is also Obama being the first US presi- come on the ambitious road they for Republic Day. The symbolism duo, Mohammad Imran, a There is only a narrow land holding talks with Bangladesh to dent to be the chief guest at charted and put India-US ties of all this is tremendous,” Rossow 32-year-old resident of Sitapur corridor connecting the north- transport another 35,000 tonnes India’s Republic Day, his sec- back on track after months of said expecting to see “some pretty in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested eastern region to the rest of India of rice for Tripura via Bangladesh. ond visit to India in four years drift over the Khobragade affair, big announcements.” with 100 live cartridges Saturday through Assam and West Bengal In 2012, Bangladesh allowed promises to galvanise India-US a stalled nuclear deal, trade issues Officials from both sides have from a roadside eatery near his but this route passes through hilly state-owned Oil and Natural Gas ties. There is also a great deal and a lot more. been scrambling to tick things village. terrain with steep gradients and Corporation (ONGC) to ferry of speculation about who gains “It’s a really big deal,” as Rick outlined in their September Sharik was earlier involved multiple hairpin bends, making heavy machinery, turbines and more from the visit — Prime Rossow, Wadhwani chair in vision statement when Modi in 11 cases of murder, robbery, plying of vehicles — especially over-dimensional cargoes through Minister Narendra Modi who India in US-India policy studies came quickly, seizing the hand of attempt to murder and for crimes loaded trucks — very difficult. Ashuganj port for the 726 MW is said to have staged a diplo- at the Centre for Strategic and friendship extended by Obama, under the Gangster Act. Agartala via Guwahati is Palatana mega power project in matic coup with his invitation International Studies, a leading without begrudging denial of a Faeeem, who is also involved in 1,650km from Kolkata by road southern Tripura. to Obama or a lame-duck US Washington think tank put it at US visa for nearly a decade. 16 cases, is a leader of the Peace and 2,637km from New Delhi. But The train services in Tripura, president half-way through his a media preview of the trip. Underlining the importance of Party of India. the distance between Agartala Manipur, Mizoram and southern second and final term in office. It shows the US officials are the visit, Secretary of State John Imran’s criminal background and Kolkata via Bangladesh is Assam have been suspended from But, the real significance of the again looking at it as a 20, 30-year Kerry at the cost of some inter- was yet to be ascertained by just about 350km. October 1, 2014 for track conver- visit is the fact that Obama would relationship, ready to help India national embarrassment, chose to police. The minister, accompanied sion — from metre gauge to broad be meeting Modi in a formal set- become a stronger friend and skip the Paris unity rally after the Security has been tightened by Indian high commissioner in gauge — work. This work, under- ting less than four months after partner and willing to spend the attack on Charlie Hebdo satirical in Delhi ahead of Republic Day Dhaka Pankaj Saran and other taken by the Northeast Frontier he came calling to Washington time and energy to fix some of the magazine, to keep his date with which will have US President Bangladeshi officials, visited Railways, is scheduled to be com- and the two vowed to “Chalein problems from the past, he said. Modi at the Vibrant Gujarat Barack Obama as the chief guest Agartala to review the road devel- pleted by March 2016. Saath Saath: Forward Together “So it is extremely significant Summit. for the celebrations. opment project. IANS We Go.” for the president to go back to IANS IANS

Avoid parallel trial on sub Ahead of Delhi elections, Maken takes on Dixit NEW DELHI: Their mutual been reined in,” Maken said. The AAP government accused the ideally,” he said. In a city of about rate gone up in Delhi? Haven’t judice matters, animosity was not unknown. It was Dikshit who privatised companies of colluding with the 17 million, as many as four million rape incidents gone up?” Now, after becoming the distribution of power in Delhi, previous Congress government in live in what is known as unau- He questioned the Bharatiya Congress face for the assembly ending the monopoly of the state. hiking electricity rates. thorised colonies — heavily popu- Janata Party over its failure says Jaitley polls here, former union min- While the decision was widely Maken, who will contest from lated areas which are deprived of to fulfil its Lok Sabha election ister Ajay Maken has hit out welcomed then, many problems Sadar Bazar in central Delhi, also many civic amenities. pledge to bring back black money NEW DELHI: Information at former Delhi chief minister cropped up later, chiefly over high blamed the Dikshit government Asked about Dikshit’s com- stashed abroad by rich Indians. and Broadcasting Minister Sheila Dikshit. power bills. for delays in giving certificates to ment that the Congress might “Have they fulfilled the prom- Arun Jaitley yesterday asked Faced with two formidable foes “Power theft was reduced from people living in irregular colonies again back an AAP govern- ise of bringing back the black the media to avoid conducting in the BJP and the AAP, Maken 54 percent to 13 percent and — once the Congress vote bank. ment in Delhi if needed, Maken money?” Most BJP promises had parallel trials while reporting now admits that Dikshit’s 15 long power discoms got a surplus rev- “The (Dikshit) government retorted: “That’s not the official fallen flat, he added. sub judice matters. years as chief minister — once a enue to the tune of Rs4,000-5,000 could have expedited the process party line. I am the general sec- Maken said the Congress Delivering the first Justice matter of pride for the Congress crore annually. But the benefit of handing over the certificates of retary of the AICC (All Indian would tell voters how both the J S Verma memorial lecture — were not without major faults. did not reach the consumer,” the regularisation. Naturally, people Congress Committee) and its BJP-led central government in on “Freedom and responsibil- In an interview, Maken said he 50-year-old ambitious politician, were unhappy. chief spokesperson. The Congress the last seven months and the ity of media” here, Jaitley said was not in agreement with all the who also managed the Congress “When I was the union urban line comes through me. I give AAP during its 49-day stint in contours of censorship have decisions taken by Dikshit dur- party’s communication wing development minster in 2007, the the Congress line to other party Delhi failed to live up to people’s been defied by technological ing her three terms. “The way before the general election, said. cabinet had passed the order of spokesperson.” expectations. developments. private power companies should The Aam Aadmi Party govern- regularising unauthorised colo- Maken said he was confident Maken faces a mighty chal- “Technological developments have been kept in check, either ment that succeeded Dikshit in nies (in Delhi). that the Congress would win the lenge. Like elsewhere, the have defied the contours of cen- by some regulatory mechanism or December 2013 and ruled the cap- “The notification was issued in Feb 7 Delhi election. Congress has been on a steady sorship and the challenges for the by someone else, was not done. ital for 49 days ordered an audit February 2008. (The entire work) One reason, he felt, was the decline in Delhi too. media lie within, in the context These companies should have of private distribution companies. should have been done in one year, crime graph. “Hasn’t the crime IANS of ownership patterns, financial sustainability and financial mod- els which lead to aberrations such as paid news,” he said. Dharm Sansad “...constructive deliberations on all issues relating to media free- CPM demands arrest dom and responsibility need to be initiated among all stakeholders,” he said. Talking about challenges the of graft accused Mani media faces these days, the min- ister said that in the last two dec- KOTTAYAM: The Communist owners gave him a Rs.1 crore bribe ades, the conventional contours Party of India-Marxist (CPM) to re-open the bars that were closed of issues pertaining to freedom yesterday demanded arrest of under the state’s new liquor policy. and responsibility of media had Kerala’s Finance Minister K M Whistleblower bar owner Biju changed “due to changes in the Mani over the charges that he Ramesh said in October that Rs10m nature and content of media and had received a Rs10m bribe to re- was given to Mani as the first instal- the definition of news”. open the closed bars in the state. ment of the Rs50m he demanded for “The challenge before the CPM politburo member helping the reopening of the bars. media is to ensure quality and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said: “The Kottayam is the home dis- credibility along with the respon- vigilance should arrest Mani.” trict of Mani, who has won every sibility to play the role of an “They should have conducted a assembly elections since 1965 from educator in handling sensitive raid in the homes of Mani. Senior the Pala assembly constituency. issues,” he said. Congress leader A K Antony and the Biju Ramesh said it appears Jaitley said the challenge for Congress high command are fully strange to him that statements the media also lay in maintain- aware of the bar graft case,” he told given by a few of the bar owners ing high ethical standards on the reporters on the sidelines of a party to the vigilance have been leaked. issue of conflict of interest “where meeting here. Balakrishnan said: “Two members of our association it needs to be very careful”. “The CPM demands that the ongo- have been pressurised by Water Media responsibility was criti- ing vigilance probe should be super- Resources Minister P.J. Joseph cal in addressing matters related vised by the Kerala High Court.” (Mani’s party colleague) to retract. to security, social tension, privacy The Vigilance and Anti- I have documentary evidences to of the individual and issues that Hindu religious leaders take part in a Dharm Sansad (religious conference) at the annual Magh Mela festival Corruption Bureau have filed a case prove that money was demanded involved subjudice connotation, on the banks of the Sangam in Allahabad yesterday. They discussed issues related to pollution in the River at a special vigilance court against and I will hand it to the vigilance he said. Ganges, religious conversion, and cow slaughter among others. 81-year-old Mani over allegations tomorrow (Monday),” Ramesh said. IANS that the state association of bar IANS MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME

Fajr (Dawn) 5:01 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 Zuhr (Noon) 11:44 Asr (Afternoon) 2:47 Maghrib (Sunset) 5:09 Isha (Night) 6:39

WEATHER

Today Tuesday Wednesday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Clear Clear Cloudy with chance of rain,

High: 24° High: 20° High: 20° may be thundery Low: 18° Low: 13° Low: 13° at places at first becomes partly cloudy and relatively cold daytime. DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 06:21 17:09 04:30 & 15:00 11:30 & 21:30 20-30/35 KT Tsuyoshi Takato displays an artificial ear, made of polylactic acid and designed by a 3D printer at his laboratory in Tokyo. THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Japan scientists target 3D-printed body parts MUSCAT 23/18 Chance of storm 23/17 Clear MAKKAH 30/18 Clear 32/19 Clear TOKYO: Japanese scientists Using a 3D printer, they are body’s growth. The main hurdle previous project on the custom- KUWAIT 18/06 Partly cloudy 19/06 Clear say they are on their way to working on “mimicking the struc- was the heat generated by con- made “CT-Bone”, developed with BAHRAIN 17/11 Partly cloudy 18/11 Clear being able to create custom- ture of organs” — such as the ventional 3D printers, which Tokyo-based firm Next 21 and SANAA 23/04 Chance of rain 23/04 Partly cloudy made skin, bone and joints using hard surface and spongy inside damages living cells and protein. governmental institutions, gave RIYADH 16/05 Clear 18/05 Clear a 3D printer. for bones, Takato said. “We haven’t fully worked out a hint to this latest study. That DUBAI 19/14 Rain 21/13 Chance of rain Several groups of researchers In just a few hours, the printer how to avoid heat denaturation technique uses calcium phos- BAGHDAD 17/06 Clear 16/04 Partly cloudy around the world have devel- crafts an implant using data but we already have some models phate, the substance that makes oped small masses of tissue for from a Computer Tomography and are exploring which offers the up real bones, but does not con- THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW implants, but now they are look- (CT) scan. These implants can fit most efficient method,” he said. tain stem cells. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER ing to take the next step and neatly into place in the body, and The artificial protein Takato CT-Bone implants are inserted make them functional. can quickly become assimilated by and his team use was devel- into broken bones, or places where ATHENS 17/11 Chance of rain 17/12 Partly cloudy Tsuyoshi Takato, a professor at real tissue and other organs in the oped by Fujifilm, which has been the bone is missing, to act as a the University of Tokyo Hospital, patient, the plastic surgeon said. studying collagen used in photo- scaffolding for new bone growth. WASHINGTON 08/00 Partly cloudy 09/03 Chance of showers said his team had been working “We usually take cartilage graphic films. Since it is modelled That new growth can overtake the SYDNEY 26/20 Chance of showers 28/21 Thunderstorm to create “a next-generation bio or bone from the patient’s own on human collagen and does not implant after two years, with the LONDON 04/-2 Clear 06/-2 Mostly cloudy 3D printer”, which would build up body (for regular implants), but derive from animals, it can be eas- host bone serving as an incubator. PARIS 05/-1 Chance of rain 04/00 Snow thin layers of biomaterials to form these custom-made implants will ily assimilated in human bodies, Animal tests have suggested ISTANBUL 11/08 Clear 12/08 Partly cloudy custom-made parts. mean not having to remove source reducing the risk of infections regeneration could be even quicker MANILA 31/23 Partly cloudy 31/22 Partly cloudy His team combines stem cells material,” Takato said. such as mad-cow disease. for implants that use collagens, — the proto-cells that are able to The technology could also offer Takato said the team aims to stem cells and growth stimulus, DHAKA 26/15 Clear 27/14 Clear develop into any body part — and hope for children born with bone start clinical tests of 3D-printed Takato said. Japanese medical DELHI 17/10 Clear 19/07 Partly cloudy proteins that trigger growth, as or cartilage problems, for whom skin in three years and then authorities are expected to grant ISLAMABAD 18/09 Mostly cloudy 12/08 Rain well as synthetic substance simi- regular synthetic implants are no proceed to bones, cartilages and approval for putting CT-Bone to lar to human collagen. good because of the rate of their joints. Researchers say their practical use this year. AFP Monday 19 January 2015 28 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6315 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Oil’s rebound, QIB profit grows 20pc to QR1.6bn earnings lift Gulf markets; QE index Board proposes 42.5pc dividend; Assets up 24pc up 53.91 points DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank’s stand at QR67bn, allowing the the bank reached QR12.5 bil- (QIB) net profit attributable to bank to improve its financing to lion, an increase of 5 percent DOHA: Gulf stock markets the shareholders touched an deposit ratio to 90 percent. as compared to December 2013. rose yesterday after companies impressive QR1.6bn for the full- Total income for the year ended Total capital adequacy of the published mostly positive quar- year 2014, up 20 percent from a December 31, 2014 was QR3.63bn, bank under Basel III guidelines terly earnings and oil prices year ago. registering a 16 percent growth is 14 percent, against the mini- extended gains. Earnings per share reached compared to QR3.14bn for 2013. mum limit of 12.5 percent pre- Oil ended last week higher QR6.78, compared to QR5.65 Income from financing and scribed by Qatar Central Bank. after seven successive weeks of in December 2013. In line with investing activities has grown by To further strengthen the capi- losses, with Brent slightly above the improved profitability, QIB 10 percent to reach QR3.09bn tal base and support the future $50 a barrel. Board of Directors proposed a at the end of 2014 compared to business growth, the Board has A report by the International profit distribution to sharehold- QR2.8bn for 2013, reflecting a proposed to issue Basel III com- Energy Agency said there were ers of 42.5 percent of the nominal healthy growth in the bank’s core pliant Additional Tier 1 Sukuk up signs that lower prices had begun share value (QR4.25 per share) operating activities. to a maximum amount of QR2bn, to curb production in some areas, compared to 40 percent last QIB was able to maintain the subject to approval of QCB and including North America. year, subject to approval of Qatar ratio of non-performing financ- General Assembly. Qatar Exchange index gained Central Bank and QIB’s General ing assets to total financing assets Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad 53.91 points, or 0.45 percent, as Assembly. at 1 percent, one of the lowest in bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani it closed yesterday at 11,916.42 Total Assets of the bank has the industry, reflecting the qual- (pictured), Chairman of Qatar He added, “QIB remains through its support to a number points up from the previous clos- increased by 24 percent com- ity of the bank’s financing assets Islamic Bank, said: “these positive committed to support the local of social initiatives.” ing of 11,862.51. pared to 2013 and now stands portfolio and its effective risk financial results reflect success- economy through its innova- Sheikh Jassim expressed his QNB gained 0.54 percent to at QR96bn, driven by a robust management framework. QIB ful implementation of the bank’s tive Shari’ah-compliant solu- deep gratitude to QIB’s share- touch QR205.10 and Doha Bank growth in the financing activities continues to pursue the conserva- strategy to grow its financing tions offered to its large number holders and clients for their trust was up 1.79 percent to cloase that have now reached QR60bn tive impairment policy with the and investment activities during of corporate customers who are in the bank, and his appreciation at QR57. Masraf Al Rayan was having added QR13bn, represent- coverage ratio for non-performing 2014. The bank has also managed handling major national projects to the board of directors and up 1.35 percent to QR45.15 and ing a 27 percent growth over 2013. financing assets reaching 101 per- to strengthen the key perform- across different sectors. The bank employees for their contribution Industries Qatar gained 0.76 per- Customer deposits have regis- cent as of December 2014, up from ance and risk metrics through continues to recruit and invest in and continuous efforts towards cent to QR146.10. tered a strong growth of 32 per- 94 percent as of December 2013. proactive financial and risk local talent and fulfil its respon- achieving positive results. Marsaf Al Rayan will report cent compared to 2013 and now Total shareholders’ equity of management.” sibility as a corporate citizen THE PENINSULA earnings next week and analysts expect its foruth-quarter profit to rise 18.4 percent. Industries Qatar, the Gulf’s second-largest petrochemicals firm, said on Thursday it was con- Dubai real Credit Suisse to charge firms for franc deposits sidering increasing production to use excess feedstock left by the cancellation of a joint project by estate markets ZURICH: Credit Suisse said Qatar Petroleum and Shell. yesterday it planned to start In Saudi Arabia, equities bench- peaking: JLL charging institutional and mark rose 0.9 percent as Saudi large corporate clients for Basic Industries (Sabic) climbed DUBAI: Dubai’s markets Swiss franc accounts following 1.1 percent to SR79.25 after fall- for residential real estate a move by the Swiss National ing as much as 1.1 percent in the and hotel properties are Bank to introduce negative opening minutes. Sabic, one of the peaking as lower oil prices interest rates. world’s largest petrochemicals dampen sentiment, though The Swiss central bank groups, reported a 29 percent drop strong government spending announced in December that in fourth-quarter net income. and the emirate’s diversified it would charge banks for franc Dubai’s bourse added 1.5 per- economy mean a sharp pull- deposits from January 22, in a cent as Emirates NBD, Dubai’s back is not expected, con- bid to stem a flight to the safe- largest bank, jumped 2.2 percent sultants JLL said in a report haven currency driven by con- in thin trade after it reported an yesterday. cerns over the eurozone and 82 percent leap in fourth-quarter The residential market Russia’s deepening crisis. net profit, broadly in line with surged early last year on the Last week, the central bank analysts’ forecasts. back of a strong economy, with said it would increase the inter- Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 1.7 rents up 15 percent and selling est charge by a further 0.5 per- percent as shares in National prices up 20 percent in 2014 centage points to -0.75 percent. Bank of Abu Dhabi surged 4.2 as a whole. But activity cooled “In view of current develop- percent. The bank is forecast to considerably in the fourth ments, commission on credit report a 20 percent rise in fourth- quarter, JLL said. balances is being introduced in quarter profit. “Dubai’s real estate sector the case of institutional clients Egypt’s index slipped 0.3 per- ended the year on a quiet note and large corporate clients,” cent to 9,531 points after failing as nearly all segments of the Credit Suisse spokeswoman for a second straight day to break market witnessed subdued Daniela Haesler said in an through major technical resist- growth levels in the fourth emailed statement, adding cli- ance at 9,572-79 points, the peaks quarter,” it said. ents were being informed indi- in November and December. “Average prices and rentals vidually about the measure. The Kuwait index added 0.8 in the residential sector appear She declined to comment on The Barclays logo is lit on their building in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, yesterday. Barclays has lost ‘tens percent to 6,651 points, while the to have stabilised over recent the size of the interest charge of millions’ of dollars after Switzerland’s central bank scrapped its currency ceiling against the euro. Oman index rose 1.1 percent to months, with some locations and when it would be intro- close at 6,591 points. The Bahrain registering marginal declines.” duced. She added, however, that rate on savings accounts. of negative interest rate on the from hoarding the safe-haven index edged up 0.4 percent to REUTERS Credit Suisse currently had no The bank, along with local franc accounts of financial insti- unit. 1,433 points. plans to levy a negative interest rival UBS, introduced a form tutions in 2012 to deter rivals REUTERS QNA/REUTERS ECB poised to pull QE trigger on deflation

FRANKFURT: The stage is priming the markets for action. January 22, he said, even if it was Weidmann believes such a pro- can aid confidence, depress yields set this week for the European Draghi said the bank had few “not 100-percent certain” that it gramme takes the ECB outside its and spreads, boost asset prices, Central Bank to unleash its big- other options at its disposal to would do so just yet. remit and is effectively a licence and lift growth,” he said. gest weapon yet in the battle counter the risk of deflation, a QE is the biggest gun yet in the to print money to get govern- Nevertheless, the eurozone was against deflation in the euro- dangerous downward spiral of ECB’s anti-deflation arsenal. ments out of debt. a more bank-based economy than zone, analysts said. falling prices. And ECB executive The central bank has already Nevertheless, such objections the United States, and QE does Financial markets and ECB board member Benoit Coeure said cut its interest rates to new all- received a setback last week when not actually boost bank lending watchers are betting that central in multiple interviews that the time lows, made unprecedented the top lawyer of the European much, the analyst warned. bank chief Mario Draghi (pic- central bank’s governing council amounts of cheap loans available Court of Justice said that the “That, as well as distrust of the tured) will unveil a programme of would debate the size of such a to banks via its LTRO and TLTRO ECB’s previous bond-buying tool in core Europe, could cut the sovereign bond purchases known programme this week. programmes, and embarked programme, Outright Monetary effectiveness of asset purchases in as quantitative easing (QE) at the “The ECB will no doubt make on asset purchase programmes Transactions or OMTs, was in the eurozone relative to the US first policy meeting of this year good its promises and announce (ABSs and covered bonds) to line with European treaties. and UK,” he said. on Thursday. broad-based government bond pump liquidity into the financial For many, that was effectively The real risk was not that QE With area-wide inflation turn- purchases,” said Commerzbank system. But QE — a policy used a green light for a programme of failed to work, “but rather that ing negative in December — con- economist Michael Schubert. by other central banks to stimu- QE as well. Berenberg Bank econ- the ECB does not do enough of it sumer prices fell by 0.2 percent IHS Global Insight analyst late their sluggish economies — omist Rob Wood said the experi- in deference to the hawks,” Wood across the single currency region Howard Archer agreed. has many critics in Europe, not ence of quantitative easing in the said. However, many observers, — the alarm bells have been The inflation numbers “sus- least the German central bank, United States and Britain showed including Draghi himself, insist ringing, and Draghi and other tain the massive pressure on the or Bundesbank. that such a programme could that QE is not the be-all and top ECB officials have been busy ECB to pull the QE trigger” on Bundesbank chief Jens work. “Central bank bond-buying end-all. AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Banks struggle to fight speculation on Denmark euro peg Uber CEO

COPENHAGEN: Banks in Oestergaard a day later sought Bank A/S and other Nordic banks to the euro — a regime that was kroner ($80bn) 2-1/2 years ago. vows jobs to Scandinavia are joining the to silence doubts surrounding have been urged to consider that presented as temporary back in Governor Lars Rohde said last Danish government in trying Denmark’s currency peg, which Denmark’s peg has existed for 2011 — the Swiss currency’s value month “there’s still some way woo mayors to persuade offshore investors he said remains “secure.” more than three decades and is surged by a third. Denmark’s to go” before Denmark tests the that the Nordic country isn’t Carl Hammer, chief currency backed by the European Central krone, which is tied to the euro limit of its monetary tool box. about to copy Switzerland and strategist at SEB in Stockholm, Bank, unlike the SNB’s former in a 2.25 percent band around a “There’s no point in speculat- in Europe tour drop its euro peg. says he’s been trying to make regime. “Obviously, we think target of 7.46038, appreciated to ing that the currency peg will SEB AB, the Nordic region’s clear to callers that it’s “highly it’s completely unrealistic” that its strongest since June 2012. fall,” Arne Lohmann Rasmussen, largest currency trader, said unlikely” Denmark will alter its Denmark will abandon its peg, Denmark cut its benchmark head of fixed-income research MUNICH: Uber Technologies it’s been fielding calls from exchange-rate regime. Jan Stoerup Nielsen, an econo- deposit rate to minus 0.05 per- at Danske in Copenhagen, said. Inc Chief Executive Officer hedge funds wondering whether Speculation Denmark may fol- mist at Nordea Markets, said by cent in September, compared Denmark’s biggest bank has also Travis Kalanick vowed his Denmark might be next after low the SNB has forced bankers phone. “But that doesn’t seem to with a low of minus 0.2 percent received calls from hedge funds company’s car-sharing service the Swiss National Bank shocked across Scandinavia to provide be stopping the speculation.” at the height of Europe’s debt seeking to profit from interest- will create jobs in Europe and markets by exiting a three- offshore investors with a crash The day the SNB jettisoned crisis in July 2012. Its currency rate bets following the SNB’s reduce traffic jams as he sets year-old euro cap on January course in Danish monetary policy. a cap that had prevented the reserves are about 13 percent move, he said. He’s advising them out to win over mayors from 15. Economy Minister Morten Hedge funds calling SEB, Danske franc strengthening beyond 1.20 lower than their peak of 514.4bn to prepare for cuts. BLOOMBERG Munich to Madrid. Kalanick said he’ll seek out partnerships with European cit- ies this year. Uber’s approach to Schlumberger to cut 9,000 jobs governments as it seeks to allevi- ate regulatory pressure could help the region gain 50,000 jobs this year, he said. Indian billionaires face “We want to make 2015 the year where we establish partner- ships with new European cities,” Kalanick said at the Digital Life Design Conference in Munich huge debt costs on oil yesterday. “If we can find a regu- latory framework that makes this a reality, we can promise jobs and Pressure on Vedanta, JSW Steel, Reliance Industries less congestion. The impact we can bring to cities is huge.” MUMBAI: A drop in oil that “have to face the reality of getting highest since February last year. Actions from regulators around spurred the best Indian sov- less money for what they’re doing “This has heightened the the globe have threatened to halt ereign debt rally in six years and paying a higher price for cap- refinancing risk for Vedanta,” the San Francisco-based com- wasn’t such good news for ital,” said Michael Ganske, the Nomura Holdings Inc. Hong pany’s expansion. Investors last resource bonds. London-based head of emerging Kong-based credit analyst year valued the startup at $40bn, Dollar notes of Vedanta markets at Rogge Global Partners Abhimanyu Talwar said. “We partly based on Uber’s growth Resources Plc, controlled by Plc, which manages about $55bn reiterate our underweight call prospects worldwide. Kalanick’s Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, of notes. “That’s a normal cyclical given the sharper-than-expected main challenge will be to win are the worst performing this pattern, it just came very quick decline in oil prices.” allies in Europe, one of the larg- month in a Bank of America and sharp this time, and investors Nomura said Vedanta’s dollar est transportation markets. Merrill Lynch index of Indian have no clue where oil is going in bonds are structurally subordi- The company was banned in high-yield securities and Standard the coming months.” nate to the about $9bn of debt at Spain last month and its serv- & Poor’s put the nation’s biggest Crude’s fall is a boon for India, its unit Sesa Sterlite Ltd, which ices have been suspended amid onshore oil producer on negative which satisfies 80 percent of its has high funding needs and weak legal challenges in several US credit watch. Debt due in 2019 demand overseas. The slide will cash flow. “Vedanta’s financial states as well as in countries of JSW Steel Ltd, owned by the cut the annual oil import bill by ratios will weaken because of the from India to Germany. The lat- Jindal family, are at 92.4 cents on about $50bn, reports say. fall in crude oil prices,” Mehul est setback came last week, when the dollar from par when they Earnings as a percentage of Sukkawala, a Singapore-based the European Union’s top court were sold in November. Perpetual sales Vedanta makes from oil analyst at S&P, said. “It’s more denied non-traditional cabs the dollar bonds of Mukesh Ambani’s and gas before interest, depre- about the cash flows that are use of bus lanes in London. Reliance Industries Ltd lost 1.4 ciation, taxes and amortisation affected as a result of the drop.” Uber has responded by adjust- percent last month. may tumble to about 40 percent Earnings from regular opera- ing its services and setting up Vedanta’s potential downgrade in the 12 months to March 2015, tions of state-owned producers new ones, in some cases sacrific- and a spike in its default risk to from about 52 percent, and any such as Oil & Natural Gas Corp ing its main business model. For an 18-month high could make it recovery in the company’s weak and Oil India could be about 15 instance, its software now also harder for the company to raise financial ratios will be “materially percent lower this financial year, allows customers to find taxis in funds and it may have to curb delayed,” S&P said. according ICRA Ltd, the Indian several countries, even though expenditure, S&P said. With Credit-default swaps on arm of Moody’s. Refiners includ- that’s a far less profitable busi- Societe Generale and Bank of Vedanta surged to 619 basis ing Reliance will face higher losses ness. Kalanick, who will meet America saying oil could reach points on January 15, the most on the value of inventories, lead- representatives of the European $40-a-barrel and below, fund since November 2012, according ing to negative or very low gross The Schlumberger Corporation building in West Houston. Schlumberger, Commission as he continues managers including Aquila & Co to data provider CMA. Swaps on refining margins in the quarter the world’s No.1 oilfield services provider, said it will cut 9,000 jobs as his European tour, must also say it isn’t yet time to buy Indian Reliance Industries touched 215.8 ended December 31, ICRA said. it focuses on controlling costs amid plummeting oil prices. try to bring the shine back to resource bonds. These companies basis points on December 16, the BLOOMBERG Uber’s name. BLOOMBERG

Barwa’s Hutchison may buy O2 Emirates NBD Q4 profit up 82pc, sale of in UK from Telefonica reclassifies Dubai World loans two plots LONDON: Hutchison out after the former U.K. phone DUBAI: Emirates NBD ENBD is Dubai World’s big- ENBD’s earnings have been Whampoa Ltd is exploring a monopoly chose EE. (ENBD), Dubai’s largest bank, gest creditor with exposure of given a lift in recent quarters by purchase of Telefonica SA’s Li is consolidating his hold- yesterday reported an 82 per- Dh8.54bn, according to its third- a resurgence of the Dubai econ- completed wireless unit O2 in the UK as ings, which range from Asian cent leap in fourth-quarter quarter investor presentation. omy, which has been boosted by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s com- real estate to telecommunications net profit, broadly in line with Last week Dubai World said a strengthening property market DOHA: Barwa real estate pany weighs expansion in businesses across Europe, and is analysts’ forecasts, because of it had won 73 percent credi- and an easing of debt troubles announced that it has con- Europe, according to people making more acquisitions out- strong growth across its busi- tor consent for a $14.6bn debt after a financial crisis. cluded the sale of two land familiar with the matter. side his home market. Last year, ness as the emirate’s economy restructuring deal that would “It is important to note that plots in Mesaimeer area for Other options Hong Kong- Hutchison completed the takeo- boomed. involve early repayment of some each part of the business deliv- a total sale price of QR5.3bn based Hutchison is studying ver of Telefonica’s Irish unit for as The lender, 55.6-percent debt and extension of a big 2018 ered year-on-year revenue to the Qatari Company include merging its Italian mobile much as $980m to combine with owned by state fund Investment repayment to 2022. growth,” Hesham Abdulla Al for Land Reclamation and unit with a local competitor, the Three Ireland. Corp of Dubai, made a net profit The Dubai bank said its net Qassim, vice chairman of ENBD, Construction. people said, asking not to be Representatives for Hutchison of Dh1.23bn ($335m) in the three profit for all of 2014 rose 58 per- said in the statement. This deal was previously identified because the delibera- and Madrid-based Telefonica months to December 31, com- cent to Dh5.14bn. ENBD’s board of directors rec- announced to Qatar Financial tions are private. The UK plans declined to comment. pared to Dh673m in the same For the year, net interest ommended an annual dividend of Market Authority (QFMA) are at an early stage and no deal Telefonica has hired invest- period of 2013. income climbed 17 percent to 0.35 dirham per share for 2014, and the market on December is imminent, said the people. ment bank UBS AG to explore An average of four analysts Dh9.5bn as the bank focused up from 0.25 dirham in the year- 2, 2014, a Barwa press release Hutchison, which owns the Three options for O2, people familiar polled had forecast a profit of on growing its assets within earlier period. said yesterday. mobile network, may pay as much with the matter have said. Dh1.25bn for the quarter. higher margin retail and Islamic Total revenues at its Egyptian Barwa has completed all as £9bn ($13.6bn) for O2 UK, the The phone company, which is The bank said its balance sheet businesses. operations last year rose 16 per- legal and regulatory require- Sunday Times reported yesterday. looking for ways to exit the UK in 2014 was strengthened by its Non-interest income reached cent to Dh706m, while depos- ments for the sale and transfer The UK is primed for more to help pay off debts, may also reclassification of exposure to Dh4.9bn, up 33 percent, because its also climbed 16 percent to of the first plot to the buyer deals after wireless-market consider selling shares of O2 to state-controlled conglomer- of higher income from trade Dh10.2bn and net profit totalled in December of 2014, and the leader EE began exclusive talks the public, according to the Times. ate Dubai World, which has finance, foreign exchange and Dh232m. second plot on 15 January 2015. last month to be acquired by BT Hutchison has hired boutique been restructuring its debt, as brokerage businesses and asset It was ENBD’s first full year Barwa has received the Group Plc, leaving smaller carri- investment bank Moelis & Co to performing. management, as well as gains of ownership of its Egypt opera- agreed upon sale price in cash, ers looking for ways to compete. look for possible deals in the U.K., This helped its coverage ratio from property and investment tions, after it bought the business part of which was used to O2 had also been in talks about a the newspaper said. for bad loans reach 100.3 percent sales. from BNP Paribas for $500m in finance the purchase of the 50 combination with BT, and was left BLOOMBERG at the end of 2014. Like other Dubai banks, 2013. REUTERS percent shareholding in Lusail Golf Development Company which was announced to QFMA and the market on January 6, 2015, while the rest of the received amount Madagascar’s economy shows signs of recovery, says IMF will be used to finance the current development projects in Barwa. As a direct result ANTANANARIVO: nation is still struggling to impose for solid economic growth,” the pension fund were also imposing Ravelonarivo’s government of this transaction, Barwa will Madagascar’s economy showed stable government and economic International Monetary Fund budgetary pressures. The IMF will have the task of dealing with record in its financial state- early signs of recovery in 2014 reforms. The cabinet resigned last said in a report on its website. called for “an acceleration of eco- mounting complaints about black- ments for the year ending with growth estimated at 3 week and a new prime minister, “There are early signs of an nomic and structural reforms to outs, mainly because the govern- December 31, 2014, a sale profit percent, which could rise to 5 Jean Ravelonarivo, an air force economic recovery in 2014, with unleash Madagascar’s significant ment cannot afford to pay for fuel, of QR2.6bn for the first plot, percent in 2015, but political commander and businessman, growth estimated at 3 percent potential”, a demand that will be and other problems that forced and a sale profit of QR2.7bn in instability, weak institutions was sworn in on Saturday. But his and December inflation under difficult to meet as long as politi- his predecessor to quit. its financial statements for the and weak governance are hurt- appointment faces a legal chal- 7 percent,” it said, projecting cians are haggling over who will The IMF welcomed a previ- period ending March 31, 2015 ing prospects, the IMF said. lenge, which could prolong efforts growth of 5 percent in 2015. be in the next cabinet. ously stated commitment by for the second plot. The Indian Ocean island’s econ- to pick new ministers. But the IMF said weak tax Miners particularly eye min- Madagascar to phase out fuel These profits are calculated omy was battered after a 2009 “In a fragile environment, revenue meant spending on vital eral reserves in Madagascar, one subsidies, as well as steps to stop after deducting the book value coup that drove away donors and the uncertainty linked to politi- areas such as health and edu- of the world’s poorest nations. transfers to loss-making state of the mentioned lands and investors. cal instability, weak institu- cation was constrained, adding The country boasts reserves of firms and other measures to other related expenses. QNA A peaceful 2013 election has tions, and weak governance has that funding fuel subsidies and nickel, cobalt, gold and uranium, improve financial management. brought back some aid, but the been eroding the foundation the under-funded civil service and has oil and gas prospects. REUTERS MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 China growth hit 24-year low in 2014: Survey Further deceleration projected China new BEIJING: China’s annual GDP growth slowed to its weak- est rate in more than two dec- Economy to home prices ades in 2014, according to an AFP survey, projecting further deceleration in the world’s sec- grow 7.3pc slip in Dec ond-largest economy this year. The median forecast in a poll BEIJING: China’s economic BEIJING: China’s new home of 15 economists saw the Asian growth may be as high as 7.3 prices fell significantly in giant’s gross domestic product percent in 2015, partly due to December for a fourth straight (GDP) expanding 7.3 percent lower cost for growth from month even as year-end sales last year, down from 7.7 percent dropping commodity prices, volumes surged, a sombre in 2013. That would be the worst an expert with the central omen for fourth-quarter 2014 full-year result since the 3.8 per- bank said. economic growth data due out cent recorded in 1990 — the year Song Guoqing, an academic later in the week. after the Tiananmen Square advisor for the People’s Bank Falling property prices are crackdown. of China’s (PBOC’s) mon- likely to keep pressure on poli- The National Bureau of etary policy committee, said cymakers to head off a sharper Statistics (NBS) releases the at a forum that the consumer slowdown this year. With real- official GDP figures for the fourth price index may rise by about estate investment accounting quarter and the whole of 2014 1.6 percent mainly due to low for about 15 percent of China’s tomorrow. commodity prices. The sharp GDP growth, a 9 percent decline For this year, the economists decline in the prices of com- in new floor space under con- see growth slowing further to a modities, including crude oil, struction in the first 11 months median 7.0 percent, as Chinese iron ore and copper, presents of 2014 could take a heavy toll. leaders proclaim a “new normal” to be a large bonus for the “We expect China’s GDP of slower expansion and empha- China’s economy due to sub- growth to slow further in 2015 sise economic reforms. sequent lower costs. QNA to 6.8 percent, as the ongoing “China may introduce many Employees assemble electronic components along a production line at a factory in Hefei, Anhui province, yesterday. property downturn leads to fur- restructuring and reform meas- ther weakness in construction ures this year and this may have result since the first three months Japan and South Korea, as well expecting further monetary pol- country’s second most senior and industrial production, and some negative impact on eco- of 2009, when growth logged a 6.6 as Europe and the United States, icy tinkering this year, but say the official, has repeatedly dismissed related investment,” Tao Wang, nomic growth,” ANZ economist percent expansion during the glo- could stand to benefit from the focus will be on structural reforms concerns about undershooting the China economist at UBS, wrote Liu Li-Gang said. bal financial crisis. remodelling of the economy. over the temptation of stimulus. benchmark, emphasising instead in a note. He said that they might include Authorities appeared to take But the implications of slowing “This would be similar to eco- the importance of indicators such China’s real estate market changes to state-owned enter- last year’s performance largely in Chinese growth for the rest of the nomic policy making in the late as job creation — a key factor in has been plagued by falling prises, financial reforms such their stride, sticking to a scenario world are already visible. 1990s, which resulted in a dec- supporting consumer confidence. prices and high inventories as interest rate liberalisation whereby the country’s consum- Commodity exporters such as ade-long reform dividend,” Brian “Slower growth is not a prob- in recent months, crimping and looser restrictions on pri- ers take the lead in underpin- Australia have suffered, after Jackson, Beijing-based econo- lem as long as the quality is high, demand in 40 economic sectors vate banks. China, a main driver ning expansion in coming years, profiting immensely from China’s mist with IHS Economics, said which means for the same growth ranging from steel to cement to of global growth, was beset last emphasising in public statements boom years when expansion aver- in a research note. “Put together, rate, more jobs are created while furniture. The National Bureau year by problems ranging from the quality of growth rather than aged 10 percent, hitting 14.2 per- that points to weakening growth income distribution imbalances of Statistics (NBS) data showed weakness in manufacturing and its size. “China has entered a new cent as recently as 2007. in 2015.” are reduced,” Shen Jianguang, December’s new home prices fell trade to financial worries over normal of economic growth,” Li There were limits to official An official expansion target of economist at Mizuho in Hong an average 4.3 percent year- rising debt levels and falling real Baodong, a vice foreign minister, nonchalance in Beijing, however, “about” 7.5 percent was set for Kong, said. But ANZ’s Liu said on-year in 68 of the 70 major estate prices, which have sent told reporters on Friday, repeat- as a series of measures dubbed last year. The goal is tradition- that 2014 had shown it was now cities it monitors. But in some- shockwaves through the key prop- ing a newly favoured phrase of “mini-stimulus” by economists ally pegged at a level that is easily “relatively difficult” for China to thing of a policy success for erty sector. the country’s leaders. “That is to were put in place from April, achieved, and is usually approxi- achieve 7.5 percent growth. Beijing, property sales volumes For October to December 2014, say we are going through struc- while in November the central mated to provide wiggle room for “Premier Li will likely lower in December in 70 major cit- the survey saw GDP as having tural adjustment and the struc- People’s Bank of China cut inter- positive spin just in case. the growth target to 7.0 percent ies hit the highest level seen in risen a median 7.2 percent year- tural adjustment is progressing est rates for the first time in more It has not missed its mark since in March,” he said. “Seven per- 2014, up nearly 9 percent from on-year. That would be marginally steadily.” than two years to try to put a 1998 and the Asian economic cri- cent is a fairly good growth target, November, according to data weaker than the third quarter’s 7.3 Purveyors of high-quality con- floor on the slowdown. sis, but Premier Li Keqiang, who given China’s huge economic base from the NBS. REUTERS percent, and the worst quarterly sumer goods such as neighbours Economists are broadly oversees the economy and is the and scale.” AFP Sri Lanka to review China projects

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new at benchmarks for Chinese infra- issues “at the highest level of the government will review Chinese structure costs using independent government” and the new govern- infrastructure projects awarded audit firms. ment would work on a project by under the previous administra- “We will certainly do that project basis. tion, a junior minister said, a because we want to show the peo- A Chinese embassy official in move bound to please Indian ple the true cost of these projects Colombo, however, said all the and Western powers concerned as well as what they are paying projects implemented had parlia- about Beijing’s access in the for these projects,” De Silva told ment approvals. island state. reporters. “The new government can The government said it He said the government would review the projects, but it has no would review a $1.5bn port deal consider legal action against right to stop any project already with China Communication people involved in over-priced implemented. If it goes before Construction Co Ltd over con- projects. international law, the government cerns about the Chinese company Former President Mahinda will have to lose and pay all the getting land on a freehold basis in Rajapaksa, who was unseated on debts,” the official said on condi- a high-security zone. January 8, heavily depended on tion of anonymity. That port project had been of China for infrastructure in the Rajapaksa’s opponents and particular concern for India, the wake of a devastating civil war. some independent economists destination for the majority of He has borrowed over $6bn for have said some of the projects the transshipment cargo through mega projects since the end of a have given very low returns on Colombo. India was furious with 26-year conflict in May 2009. investment, including a $277m the last government after it Sri Lanka has a $76bn economy. airport in Rajapaksa’s home con- allowed to a submarine to dock Opponents during the election stituency of Hambantota. there twice. campaign last month said many State-run Sri Lankan Airlines Harsha De Silva, deputy min- of the projects financed with will stop flight operations to the ister for Policy Planning and Chinese loans were over-priced, airport from Feb. 9 to “improve Economic Affairs, said on Saturday an allegation that helped Sirisena its bottom line by $18m annually”, that President Maithripala to victory. De Silva said China had the firm said in a statement. Sirisena’s government would look already started to discuss the REUTERS

Protest against TTIP

German farmers and consumer rights activists take part in a march to protest against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The banner on the right reads “We have enough”. MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Asia-Pacific consumer confidence Consumers are less confident about the prospects for the region’s economy StanChart eyes stake sales and their livelihoods in the first half of 2015, just six months after confidence hit its highest level in more than a decade.

Master Economy Quality Regular Stock Employment Index index of life income market Lender selling off Asian bank stakes as it tries to boost capital 100

HONG KONG: Standard commodities loans that could Permata could attract interest with the bank’s thinking added. Chartered’s abrupt move to mean it needs $4.4bn in extra from Asian banks, especially Other divestment, aside from 75 shut its global equities business provisions. Japanese lenders, bankers who bank stakes, could also be on the last week could be a prelude “It was an easy decision to get have worked on similar deals cards. Standard Chartered has to the lender selling off stakes rid of the equities business but said. Japanese banks have been already sold a bundle of invest- 50 in a number of Asian banks as there are other things the bank aggressively expanding into ments made by its private equity it looks to boost capital, peo- could be doing,” said a former Indonesia amid sluggish growth arm worth about $530m, a source ple familiar with the lender’s Standard Chartered executive. at home. Standard Chartered with direct knowledge of the 25 Global thinking said. The change in the banks for- teamed up with Indonesian matter said. financial The most likely potential sale tunes reflects the fact its focus trading firm Astra International That deal was concluded at the crisis 0 is Standard Chartered’s $621m on emerging markets and com- to buy a controlling stake in end of last year, the source added, 2000’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 holding in Agricultural Bank of modities has flipped from being Permata in 2004. Any sale could declining to be identified as the China Ltd (AgBank), a person a strength to a weakness in the be complicated though by the deal was not public. SENTIMENT IN with direct knowledge of the current economic climate. agreement that binds Standard Standard Chartered’s leasing THE REGION situation said. “The tailwinds that benefited Chartered with Astra. unit Pembroke, which it bought According to survey Japan The bank’s 45 percent stake Standard Chartered from 2008- Standard Chartered also owns in 2007 and which operates a index in H2 ’14 China in Indonesia’s PT Bank Permata, 2013 became headwinds in 2014,” a 15.4 percent stake in Vietnam’s fleet of 98 aircraft according to South Korea valued at around $638m, could Jefferies analysts said in a note. Asia Commercial Joint Stock the company website, could also Taiwan also be sold, though that deal Having minority stakes Bank valued at about $105m, be put up for sale. The bank’s India Hong Kong would probably come after an in other banks has become while in China it holds a 20 aircraft and ship leasing portfo- Vietnam AgBank stake sale, people close less attractive to lenders like percent stake in unlisted China lio was worth $4.9bn at the end Thailand to the bank said. Standard Chartered as new rules Bohai Bank for which it paid of 2013, according to the bank’s Bangladesh Philippines Early this month Standard mean they now have to hold more $123m in 2005. annual report. Myanmar Chartered moved aggressively capital against those holdings. However any sale of stakes Selling more sizeable units Range Malaysia to reverse its flagging fortunes Bankers cautioned though that in Chinese banks are likely to such as the profitable aircraft Optimistic Singapore by closing the bulk of its global there is no active sale process for be handled discreetly for fear of leasing business would be pain- (60-100) Indonesia equities business and axing 4,000 any of these assets. upsetting the authorities and giv- ful for Standard Chartered, but Neutral jobs in retail banking. A spokeswoman for Standard ing off the impression the bank may ultimately prove necessary. (40-60) But Chief Executive Peter Chartered declined to comment. is exiting the country. “They need to take some big Pessimistic New Sands is under pressure to cut Sources were not authorised to That means Standard decisions, this band-aid approach (0-40) Australia Zealand costs and bolster capital lev- speak publicly about the matter Chartered may choose to exit will not fix the problem,” one per- els further, as the bank grap- due to client confidentiality. Bohai bank by listing it on the son close to the bank said. Source: MasterCard Index of Consumer Confidence. ples with potential losses from The stake in Indonesia’s Bank stock market, the people familiar REUTERS F. Chan, 16/01/2015

Egypt pound touches Almarai meets Sabic profit dips 29pc on low oil

forecasts, Q4 RIYADH: Saudi Basic Industries on our business,” Al Mady said said. Sabic will probably outper- weakest level since ’12 Corp (Sabic), the world’s biggest at a press conference in Riyadh. form other Saudi chemical com- profit up 14.7pc petrochemical maker by sales, Petrochemicals demand is “good.” panies this year, Iyad Ghulam, an CAIRO: The central bank let determined by the results of cen- reported a 29 percent drop in Saudi Arabia, which depends on analysts at NCB Capital in Riyadh, the Egyptian pound depreciate tral bank sales, giving the central DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s fourth-quarter profit as lower oil crude sales for most of its govern- said by phone. “The advantage of on the official market for the bank effective control over offi- Almarai, the Gulf’s larg- prices reduced returns from its ment income, is seeking to expand Sabic is the diversity of its product first time since July, allowing it cial exchange rates, though there est dairy company, reported own products. output of petrochemicals and portfolio,” he said. to reach 7.19 pounds per dollar, remains an active black market a 14.7 percent increase in Net income dropped to SR4.36bn refined fuels to diversify its econ- Its shares have dropped 5.1 per- its weakest level since auctions in the pound. fourth-quarter net profit ($1.16bn) from SR6.16bn a year ear- omy. Sabic wants to diversify from cent in Riyadh trading this year began in December 2012. The pound was changing hands yesterday, in line with ana- lier, the Riyadh-based company said products that are closely linked to while Saudi Kayan Petrochemical The bank offered $40m and at 7.84 to the dollar in the unof- lyst forecasts, as sales during in a statement. Sales slipped 10 per- crude to protect itself from price Co gained 3.5 percent and Yanbu sold $38.5m at a cutoff price of ficial market, one trader said, the quarter accelerated. cent to SR43.4bn. Sabic gained 0.8 swings, Al Mady said. National Petrochemicals Co 7.19 pounds per dollar, weaker weaker than levels around 7.75 Almarai made a profit of percent in Riyadh trading. Sabic gained to SR79 at 1:12pm declined 11 percent. than previous sales’ rate of 7.14 quoted on Thursday. SR428m ($114m) in the three Brent crude dropped 48 per- in Riyadh, the third consecutive Sabic’s operating profit fell 26 pounds, the central bank said. “The depreciation could be a months to December 31, up cent last year as rising produc- advance. Oil jumped 3.9 percent on percent to SR7.56bn, it said. Sabic The move comes days after the step by the central bank to move from SR373.3m in the year- tion from North America and January 16 when Riyadh trading appointed Yousef Al Benyan as bank surprised with a cut to its the rate towards the black market earlier period, according to a the Organisation of Petroleum was closed. Chief Financial Officer last month benchmark interest rates of 50 price,” the Egyptian banker said. statement to Riyadh’s bourse. Exporting Countries swelled supply. Declining oil prices hurt Sabic after Mutlaq Al-Morished left to basis points. The bank introduced a fourth The firm said fourth-quar- Sabic will push ahead with plans to since falling revenue cuts the com- head National Industrialisation Co. The central bank did not give weekly dollar auction in December ter sales rose 10.7 percent as a build investments even with low oil pany’s profit margin on products “Oil prices have deteriorated in a reason for the move and could as part of efforts to curb the result of continuous growth in prices, and is in the “final stages” made with natural gas, Al Mady a short time, so, hopefully, they will not be immediately reached for flourishing currency black market the poultry, dairy and juices seg- of talks to expand in the US, Chief said. Sabic uses gas, which it buys come back up in a short time as comment. “We can safely describe after the gap between the official ment, which offset a decline in Executive Officer Mohammed Al at a fixed price, as one of its main well,” Al Mady said. “If you go to this as a surprise,” said a banker and unofficial rates widened. its bakery business. Almarai last Mady said in an interview. feedstocks, he said. Production costs the fundamentals, it will be man- at an Egyptian lender. The move has so far failed to month proposed a cash dividend “Fourth-quarter results are not for chemicals made from petroleum aged when the inventory level goes The rates at which banks narrow the gap substantially. of SR1 per share. REUTERS a surprise for us, we have foreseen products decline along with crude, down and people start buying.” are allowed to trade dollars are REUTERS the effects of the drop in oil prices in part helping the company, he BLOOMBERG IMF chief hails UK economic recovery

WASHINGTON: The head of the International Monetary Fund has handed David Cameron a helpful pre-election gift last week, hailing the British economic recovery as “exactly the sort of result” she would like to see. The prime minister warmly welcomed the remarks by the IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, who said that Britain’s economic performance was providing “eloquent and convincing” leadership for the rest of the EU. Her remarks, which were made during a round-table discus- sion about the global economy at the IMF in Washington, will be particularly sweet for George Osborne, who the IMF strongly criticised in 2013 over his deficit reduction plan. Its chief economist Olivier Blanchard said Osborne was “playing with fire”. Lagarde admitted last June that the IMF’s forecasts had been wrong, after the UK economy started to recover. Lagarde warned at the round table on Thursday of the dangers of global economic stagnation and the poor levels of growth. But she said that two economies — the UK and the US — stood out. IMF chief Christine Lagarde speaks at a forum in Washington. In a discussion also attended by the prime minister and by Blanchard, Lagarde said: “The UK is leading in a very eloquent and Lagarde said and I thought it was strong can decrease the speed of fiscal consolida- convincing way in the European Union. testament to the fact that the British tion maintaining the credibility … when “A few countries, only a few, are driv- economy is recovering strongly and Britain growth is close to zero I think yes it’s worth ing growth: America and the UK. From a and America are the two fastest growing considering.” global perspective we see growth that’s too of the major western economies. That gives Ed Balls, the shadow chancellor, who was low, too fragile.” us the opportunity to set the agenda on also in Washington for the launch of a report Speaking about prospects for 2015, these things like trade deals and structural on inclusive prosperity with the former US Lagarde said she expected it to be a good reforms and the other things to encourage treasury secretary, Larry Summers, took year for the US, which is experiencing strong growth in the world economy. I thought it issue with Lagarde’s comments. growth. She offered a strong endorsement was a very good session at the IMF.” He said: “What our report says is across for the British chancellor, adding: “And the Lagarde’s words in Washington contrasted all these countries across the last 15 years UK, where clearly growth is improving, the with her call in April 2013 for Osborne to you have a common pattern, which is where deficit has been reduced, and where the moderate his deficit reduction plan when the I disagree with Christine Lagarde’s com- unemployment is going down. British economy was struggling. She made ments, which is you can have growth but liv- “Certainly from a global perspective this the remarks days after Blanchard warned ing standards have been flat for most people, is exactly the sort of result that we would in a Sky News interview that Osborne had been stagnating. like to see … More growth, less unemploy- wrongly assumed that private demand would “A short period, or even a longer period, ment, a growth that is more inclusive, that pick up the slack after he accelerated the where wages stay low but the oil price falls is better shared, and a growth that is also deficit reduction plan. doesn’t get over that fundamental problem sustainable and more balanced.” In famous remarks, Blanchard said: “I of wages not rising. The challenge is about The prime minister said after the meet- think you’re playing with fire when you productivity and wages. That is where the ing: “I was delighted by what Christine get to very low growth rates so … if you solution has got to come.” THE GUARDIAN MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Supermarkets brace for battle as Tesco comes out fighting Swiss Alps in shock

BY NEIL MAIDMENT and JAMES DAVEY

OUR months into the job, Tesco boss Dave Lewis has wasted no time imposing a range of price cuts and customer service improvements designed to regain the initiative in a tough over franc’s rise market. There are already signs customers are noticing. F BY TOM MILES and Despite the series of shocks Tesco suffered in the past year, It is unlikely to dampen the spending of Even before the decision to allow the CAROLINE COPLEY famously prompting billionaire investor Warren Buffett to admit the many well-heeled attendees at Davos, franc to surge, Europe’s economic woes had buying into the stock was a huge mistake, it remains clear leader although it will be noticeable. Anyone want- seen the number of German travellers to in its home market, lending it the clout to squeeze its “big four” HE Swiss Alps already looked ing to pick up a copy of the Economist maga- Switzerland drop 19 percent over five years rivals as well as upstart discounters Aldi and Lidl. pricey before the Swiss zine during their stay in Davos, for example, to 1.9 million by 2013, according to the latest Given the success of those two brands, price is a key part of National Bank dropped its cur- will find they have to part with 10 Swiss available German tourism association data. Lewis’s revival strategy. “Lewis will find a way to knock the life out rency bombshell on Thursday. francs, 70 percent more than in Germany In Alpine ski resorts, the economic of those discounters and it may feel like carnage for the next two Now Swiss tourism fears being where it sells for ¤5.80. chill has worsened in the past year as the years, but Tesco has too many powerful tools in its tool kit not to frozen out altogether. As the The main worry of Swiss tourism officials number of Russian visitors fell sharply due come out fighting,” said an ex-Tesco UK director. Tcentral bank’s shock decision to scrap a cap is that a country already struggling with a to Moscow’s standoff with the West over While Tesco probably won’t beat discounters on a full basket of on the Swiss franc pushed the currency up reputation for being expensive will find it Ukraine and because of a weaker Russian goods, it can narrow the gap and match some items, and become more nearly 30 percent, some businesses were harder to attract visitors further down the rouble. Tourism from Japan has also been competitive. Lewis will hope shoppers will be prepared to spend a little already reporting cancellations as visitors scale, delaying a recovery in the sector. hit as the yen weakened. more overall so they can benefit from Tesco’s bigger ranges, superior rushed to rearrange their plans for the busy “The original forecasts predicting growth An even bigger test for the mainly small service and online options not found at the discounters. winter season. once again in the Swiss tourism industry businesses in the hotel and restaurant industry Tesco has already followed pre-Christmas price cuts on staples Swiss hoteliers vented their fury on social over the next two years probably won’t stand could come during the summer. In the busiest like vegetables with January reductions averaging 25 percent on media and politicians urged the Swiss to sup- up any more,” Christoph Juen, CEO of the summer months 2.5 million nights per month 380 branded products. The price of a pack of 80 Tetley teabags port the country’s tourism industry, while Swiss hotel association hotelleriesuisse, said. are booked by foreigners at Swiss hotels, 70 for example was cut to £1.99 from £2.29, working out at 2.49p per resorts across the French border cheered That is an “existential threat” to some hotel- percent more than during the peak ski season, bag. Aldi charges £2.25 for a bag of 120 Tetley teabags, equating as they looked forward to new Swiss clients. iers, he said. says Eurostat. Not everyone, though, is feeling to 1.88p per bag. Other cuts were more competitive. The price of a “Swiss people! Take your holidays in Tourists from Europe accounted for 37 sore about the SNB’s decision. 750 gram pack of Kellogg’s cornflakes was cut to £1.98 from £2.48 Switzerland!,” said Swiss tourist office percent of overnight stays in 2013, accord- In Geneva, long queues formed outside , equating to 26.4p per 100 grammes, slightly undercutting Aldi chief Juerg Schmid on a twitter account. ing to latest data from the Swiss statistics foreign exchange bureaux as foreign workers which charges £2.65 for a 1kg pack, or 26.5p per 100g. In Gstaad, hotelier Thomas Frei tweeted: office, but the country will be out of reach and others sought to cash in their francs. “Great, first rejections, wanting to know the for many after ‘SNB Day’. “For me, it’s good news: It is giving me the OMINOUS SIGN euro rate and whether we can do a better The price of a six-day ski pass in Verbier, a opportunity to have more euros for the same While all of the big players’ sales declines were less than some rate. While I’m at it, does anyone want to resort popular with Europeans, rose to ¤347, amount in Swiss francs,” said Alexandre, a expected over Christmas, it was Tesco’s steadier showing that buy my hotel?” from ¤296 before the franc’s surge. A cordon Frenchman who works in the watchmaking caught investors’ eyes and delivered an ominous sign for rivals as it Tourism contributes 3 percent of Swiss bleu schnitzel in Zurich’s Zeughauskeller, industry, adding he was nonetheless worried bids to recover from four profit warnings and an accounting scandal. GDP and hotels and restaurants employ a popular tourist hangout, costs an extra about what the future held. Having dropped 4.4 percent in the previous three months, its 5 percent of the labour force. The franc’s ¤4 at ¤27. “I’m glad I’m just here for one Over in France, Clement Marie, co-man- UK underlying sales fell just 0.5 percent in the Christmas period, abrupt surge comes weeks before European day,” said Amit Raj, 29 from Seville in Spain, ager of the Savoyarde Hotel in Val d’Isere, a helping its shares make their biggest one-day gain since 1988 after school half-term breaks which mark the admiring the watches in the shop Beyer on ski resort less than three hours by car from sliding by almost 50 percent in 2014. height of the ski season, and a week ahead Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich’s luxury shopping Geneva, saw the franc’s appreciation as a Lewis’s move to complement price cuts with more shop floor of the World Economic Forum, the annual street. “I’m definitely going to be a lot more chance to attract Swiss customers. “This staff, which meant better-stocked shelves, shorter queuing times meeting of rich and powerful in the Swiss cautious won’t withdraw any more money,” could be great for business,” he said. at the tills and tidier stores, helped deliver the better performance. ski resort of Davos. he said. REUTERS Tesco’s fresh food volumes were positive over Christmas for the first time in five years, while industry data showed it outperformed the market in all product areas on a volume basis. Cost savings, including head office job cuts and store closures, will help fund Lewis’ plans. More complex work such as a further prun- ing of Tesco’s sprawling product categories is also on his agenda. “We gleaned a small insight into a massive programme of work that can make Tesco sell more at a lower cost from a leaner supply chain,” analyst Clive Black at brokerage Shore Capital said. For its rivals, Tesco’s more aggressive stance is increasing the pressure in an already tough market. Britain’s big four grocers, including Sainsbury, Wal-Mart’s Asda and Morrison as well as Tesco, have been hit by seismic shifts in recent years. The German discounters have raced to a combined market share of about 8.3 percent, sparking the big four to spend billions lowering the prices of staple items. But with anaemic overall growth in a £175bn ($267bn) market, someone must lose. And for all its recent disasters, Tesco is still by far the biggest player with a market share of around 30 percent, a position perhaps recognised by a stock market rating of 20 times forecast earnings, a 39 percent premium to its UK sector, accord- ing to Reuters data. Sainsbury by contrast trades on just 12 times. “It’s a zero-sum game ... Numbers two, three and four are going to be hit with any Tesco resurgence,” Fraser McKevitt at market researcher Kantar Worldpanel said of the big four, which hold a combined 75 percent of the UK market. Even stellar growth at Aldi and Lidl, whose no- frills ranges have chimed with shoppers, may slow as their appeal is reduced by tumbling prices elsewhere. Yet Lewis’s strategy is not just about price. In Tesco’s toilet paper aisles, products and lines have nearly halved to increase space for top sellers. A subsequent mix of savings on storage, staff hours spent re-stocking shelves and simpler supplier deals have led to an 11 percent price cut for customers. Volumes sold have since jumped. Price cuts on own-brand products are expected to follow, with savings in IT and logistics and 100 million pounds from a wage freeze. Small loss-making stores are being shut and expansion is slowing. Tesco has even switched ad agencies to help rebuild its brand, though it has not yet said if it will ditch its dated red- and-blue logo and its “Every Little Helps” slogan used since 1992. Lewis acknowledges he still has his work cut out. “The period to Christmas was an encouraging first step,” he said. REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Oil price plunge could leave helicopters sputtering BY LEWIS KRAUSKOPF some warning signs are emerging. spokesman T R Reid, adding that Group. Military helicopter sales are more vulnerable to cuts, more innovative and modern During United Technologies’ CHC remained optimistic about are worth about $16bn a year. Groeschel said, because they are helicopters.” UMBLING oil prices annual outlook meeting last long-term demand. “The indus- To be sure, helicopters are only tied to projects that could be But analysts are more cau- are starting to ripple month, Sikorsky president Mick try is moving further and further part of the business for diversified cancelled. tious. “Since a component of sales through the helicop- Maurer said falling oil prices offshore,” Reid said. aerospace and industrial manufac- Helicopters that service oil and is to the oil and gas industry, it’s ter industry, which would “put some short-term pres- Bristow, in an emailed state- turers, and other product lines, gas companies are generally larger unfortunate for the timing of the depends on oil compa- sure on our commercial business.” ment, said: “While our growth including United Tech’s aerospace and more expensive than those roll-out,” said Brian Foley, an Tnies that shuttle their crews to Oil and gas represents two-thirds rate may be impacted by the cur- parts unit and Textron’s Cessna used for search-and-rescue mis- independent aviation consultant. off-shore sites for a big chunk of of Sikorsky’s non-military busi- rent market environment, Bristow jet business, stand to benefit from sions or executive travel because A United Technologies spokes- its business. ness, Maurer said last March. is in good position to weather the cheaper fuel. they carry large crews and may man declined to comment when Off-shore oil drilling and produc- The oil slide has already taken downturn in oil prices.” But the oil industry has been need to make long trips out to sea. asked this week about the impact tion in regions such as the North its toll on shares of helicopter An Era Group spokeswoman by far the biggest growth market from low oil prices, citing the Sea and Gulf of Mexico have been transport firms, which along declined to comment, citing “quiet for non-military helicopter sales PAUSE IN NEW ORDERS “quiet period” close to an earn- a key source of demand for heli- with leasing companies are major period” rules. While oil transport and many new products have “What we may see is a pause ings release. Finmeccanica did not copter makers including United customers of the manufacturers. firms are more likely to be hit been developed for this market, in new orders being placed,” said immediately respond to a request Technologies’ Sikorsky unit, With their own fleets, these com- initially if exploration projects said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst Chris Seymour, head of mar- for comment. Finmeccanica’s AgustaWestland panies fly crews and material to get cancelled, leasing companies at the Teal Group. “If (oil) prices ket analysis for consulting firm Airbus, which says its helicop- and Airbus Helicopters. Textron’s offshore sites for oil companies. could also suffer. stay around $50, there could be Ascend Flightglobal. ters represent about a fourth of Bell Helicopter could soon become a Their helicopters are also used for Leasing companies include some real damage to these pro- Newly developed helicopters the estimated 2,300 rotorcraft bigger player with a new helicopter. search-and-rescue missions and Waypoint Leasing, Macquarie grams,” he said. expected to serve the oil industry used today for oil and gas mis- The oil and gas industry now other purposes. Rotorcraft Leasing and Milestone Brent crude traded at $48.69 include Airbus’ EC175, and Bell’s sions, is not seeing any cancel- accounts for as much as 40 per- Since oil turned south in mid- Aviation Group, which in October a barrel on Wednesday, near 525 Relentless, which is due to lations as a result of falling oil cent of the roughly $6bn (£4bn) 2014, shares in the big transport agreed to be bought by General six-year lows, despite a rare 4.5 make its first flight early this year. prices, said Christopher Grainger, annual sales of helicopters for firms have followed. CHC Group Electric Co for $1.78bn. All percent spike. Between 20 to 30 Mike Suldo, oil and gas market vice president for oil and gas sales civil use, making it the biggest has dropped 70 percent, Era declined to comment. percent of the demand for off- specialist for Bell Helicopter, said at Airbus Helicopters. non-military segment, according Group has slumped 29 percent shore helicopter crew transport in an email the company was not Grainger said in an email that to aerospace research firm Teal and Bristow Group is down 24 OIL-RICH MARKET is tied to drilling for exploration, seeing any slowdown or expecting Airbus expected “things to remain Group. percent. By contrast, the S&P 500 Sales of rotorcraft for the oil while the rest covers traffic to a marked dent in its business. relatively stable” in 2015, but While manufacturers have not index has gained about 3 percent and gas industry have more than already-producing facilities, said “We do not anticipate a sig- remained in close contact with its indicated that the plunging price over that time. doubled since 2006, outpacing Amy Groeschel, an analyst at nificant letup, as many energy customers and the oil companies. of crude has led to cancelled “It’s a pretty unsettled time in growth in the broader non-mili- IHS Energy. companies, operators and “We all have to adapt accordingly.” orders or reduced production, our industry right now,” said CHC tary market, according to the Teal Exploration and development national governments are seeking REUTERS MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,916.42 0.45 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 17,773.23 0.45 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,012.02 0.77 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,057.65 0.33 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,173.85 0.60 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5310.597 -21.642 -0.41 5447.6 5301.2 QE All Share Industrials 3,742.49 0.01 % QR147.0973 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,311.75 1.49 % Cac 40 Index/D 4180.81 -42.43 -1 4311 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,219.58 1.05 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5209 QR 5.5990 QE All Share Insurance 3,735.47 0.26 % Dj Indu Average 17427.09 -186.59 -1.06 18103.4 15340.69 QR 2.0010 Euro ...... QR 4.2387 QR 4.2983 QE All Share Telecoms 1,390.71 0.68 % CA$ ...... QR 3.0134 QR 3.0726 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,964.2 0.08 % Hang Seng Inde/D 24350.91 238.31 0.99 24326.7 23312.5 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.1263 QR 3.1842 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 5178.1 -2.5 -0.05 5278.86 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0310 QR 0.0316 Aus$ ...... QR 2.9620 QR 3.0213 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33765.61 179.86 0.54 33628.22 32134.82 CRUDE OIL 18-01-2015 15-01-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0582 QR 0.0593 Index 11,916.42 11,862.51 Nikkei 225 Index 17108.7 312.74 1.86 17540.92 16770.56 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0358 QR 0.0366 Change 53.91 14.92 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0809 QR 0.0825 S&P 500 Index/D 2011.27 -11.76 -0.58 2093.55 1737.92 % 0.45 0.13 $ 47.36 SL Re ...... QR 0.0274 QR 0.0280 YTD% 3.01 3.45 Straits Times/D 3338.84 12.68 0.38 3375.13 3267.89 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0473 Volume 6,572,595 7,604,162 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0364 QR 0.0371 Value (QAR) 312,295,997.30 1,014,775,783.69 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3136 QR 0.3200 Trades 4,519 5,259 $ 44.14 Up 22 | Down 16 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 18-01-2015

Commodities shaken by the Swiss depeg from euro

WEEK of exceptional oil moved towards unchanged on in US supply. slowdown in non-Opec growth volatility culminated on the week but not before having Weekly Commodity Update The cartel sees 2015 demand would trigger an increase in AThursday with the shock- experienced another week with for its crude falling to 28.8 mil- demand from Opec. The statement ing move by Switzerland’s central extreme volatility. lion barrels per day, a decrease also said: “A price recovery, barring bank. The removal of the Swiss The agriculture sector reached BY OLE S. HANSEN of 100,000 barrels compared to any major disruption, may not be franc’s peg to the euro triggered a three-month low as the outlook last month. This clearly highlight imminent, but signs are mounting (Head of Commodity an unbelievable rush of buy orders for ample supply triggered selling the market’s current obsession in that the tide will turn”. Strategy, Saxo Bank) into the currency, pushing it as across key crops, such as soybeans, focusing on oversupply with Opec A major round of quantitative much 40 percent higher against wheat and corn. A drop in beef alone according to its own projec- easing by the European Central the euro before settling back to a prices back to September levels well as raised expectations that to November dollar-driven selloff tions will be producing at least one Bank next week may also raise 19 percent gain. By then, however, also help drive the sector lower. a full-scale quantitative easing at $1,264 stands in the way of a million barrels per day more than expectations for a quicker recov- the damage to market confidence Copper tumbled almost 9 per- programme will be announced by move to test trendline resistance the global market require. ery in growth and thereby demand had been done and a major risk-off cent on Tuesday after being hit by the European Central Bank next at $1,300. Support is now the Putting all one’s eggs in a single in Europe. This expectation also move had swept across most asset a double dose of bad news. First Thursday. Adding to the mix is December high at $1,238 followed basket and hoping for a reduction helped lift Brent crude back above classes, including commodities. we had the technical break below the continued uncertainty about by $1,229. in US crude production is a very the price of WTI crude after it Precious metals saw the biggest $6,000/tonne on the London Metal the outcome of the Greek election After reaching another almost risky game at this stage. US pro- briefly traded at a discount for gains of the week with both silver Exchange which was followed by on January 25 and collapsing bond five-year low early on both Brent duction has just risen to the high- the third time since 2010. Back and gold dislocating further from a global economic downgrade yields. Gold has now climbed to and WTI crude oil spent the rest est level since at least 1983. This then, increased US production the ongoing rise of the dollar. The from the World Bank. The bank nearly a four-month high. of the week trading wildly with 10 has occurred during a time when combined with insufficient infra- Swiss move has been interpreted explicitly mentioned a slowdown in The SPDR Gold Trust, the world percent price swings in both direc- the US rig count has seen a 12 per- structure to transport crude oil as a precursor for the full scale China as one of the reasons for the largest gold-backed exchange- tions. As the week came to a close cent reduction. While it shows that triggered a build up of inventories introduction of quantitative eas- downgrade. This highlights cop- traded fund, said its holdings the price of both had moved back marginal producers are currently in the wrong places and prompted ing by the European Central Bank per’s vulnerability, as more than rose 1.35 percent to 717.2 tonnes towards unchanged. being hurt by the slump, we have a dislocation between the two glo- next Thursday. This, combined 40 percent of global output ends Thursday, which is the biggest Conflicting news and data from yet to see a major impact on US bal benchmarks. with another astonishing drop in up in China. jump in holdings since August 2011. the market means that the uncer- shale producers’ ability to produce. One of the major investment government bond yields, had fur- The rout seen among other com- But the big winner at the moment tainty is nowhere near over yet and China, the world’s biggest banks this week put out a bold call ther reduced expectations for how modities during the past six months is XAUEUR, which has risen 10 at the moment the outlook for a importer of crude oil, increased as it saw the potential of an end of aggressive the US Federal Reserve — not least in crude oil but also iron percent this month to its highest sustained recovery may still be imports by almost one million bar- Q1 price for Brent crude of $31/ can be in hiking interest rates. ore and some agriculture products level since May 2013. weeks or even months away. Opec rels per day during December as bbl. The reasoning is the ongoing Overall, the Bloomberg — has now spread to industrial met- Once again the yellow metal highlighted the current problem they continue to take advantage of failure of producers to respond to Commodity Index was heading als. This sector (just like crude oil) has reconnected to its 200-day in the market quite clearly in lower prices to increase its strate- rising supplies and we agree that for a sixth consecutive weekly loss has seen supplies rise in response moving average where it spent its monthly report released on gic reserves. while crude oil can easily have with the index hovering at levels to the high prices that prevailed up most of the time trading last year. Thursday. This saw less demand The International Energy some major recoveries we remain not seen for the past 12 years. until a few years ago. Having broken the October high for Opec crude this year and also Agency in its monthly report in an overall bear trend from Industrial metals led by copper had Gold benefited both from the at $1,255, only the 68.2 percent predicted that slumping crude oil Friday struck a slightly more opti- which it is currently very difficult their own mini crash while crude fallout from the Swiss move as Fibonacci retracement of the July prices will eventually curb growth mistic tone by forecasting that a to escape. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Qatar Masters: Celebrating 18 years of success DOHA: This year, the was barely recognised by many and the Senior Management at Commercial Bank Qatar Qataris. Commercial Bank, have enabled Masters celebrates 18 years as “But you have to start some- us to elevate the tournament to one of the most remarkable and where. Indeed, it was a fledg- one of the European Tour’s flag- unique golf tournaments in the ling event, but there was great ship events for both players and world. potential.” spectators.” The prestigious event, which “Since then there has been a Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, Chief has been hosted at the Doha Golf major and steady growth in the Executive Officer of Commercial Club since its inception in 1998, popularity of golf - an increasing Bank, believes that one of the sits at the heart of the European appetite for the sport which also Bank’s most important contribu- Tour’s ‘Desert Swing’, flanked has grown exponentially in the tions as title sponsor has been to by the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf region. Needless to say, Qatar’s use the tournament as a vehicle to Championship and the Omega strategic vision to become a sport- support the socio-economic devel- Dubai Desert Classic. ing hub in the region, culminating opment of Qatar. For more than 12 years, Chris in 2022 with the hosting of the “We are proud to be part of Myers has been General Manager FIFA World Cup, has benefited a Qatari event that enjoys such of the Doha Golf Club, and for the tournament in many ways.” international distinction,” says the past eight he has also served The first Qatar Masters tour- Al Raisi. “Our partnership with as the Commercial Bank Qatar nament was played in 1998 with the Qatar Masters has grown Masters Tournament Director. prize money of US$1m, eight stronger with every tournament, Few people, therefore, are better years after the foundation of the and every year we look at new placed to chronicle the evolution Qatar Golf Association. ways to give back to the commu- of this unique tournament over Having proved a major suc- nity”. “ the past decade. cess, it wasn’t long before the So it is about much more than Myers sits on the tourna- Qatar Masters attracted major just business. The tournament’s ment organising committee, an new partners, most notably the partnership with Commercial The 2015 edition of Commercial Bank Qatar Masters celebrates 18 years as one of the most remarkable and organisation with a twin vision to Commercial Bank of Qatar who Bank has helped the organisers unique golf tournaments in the world. orchestrate an annual golf tour- shared the organiser’s ambition, maintain their key goal: to keep nament of world-class pedigree and eventually the two organisa- the tournament as a local, com- whilst also maintaining a uniquely tions formed a partnership that munity event whilst maintaining desire to maintain its Qatari iden- than many other European Tour sponsor of the event. The tourna- Qatari sporting experience. has sustained for 10 years. the highest calibre of interna- tity and has grown organically tournaments.” ment’s esteemed list of champions “It all began with a revolution- Myers says: “We were so lucky tional sporting competition. through the leadership of a local That strategy has certainly includes former world number ary decision,” remembers Myers. that Commercial Bank showed an Another reason that the tour- organising committee made up of paid off as many of the world’s ones Ernie Els (2005) and Adam “Tami Al Hajri, the President of interest in the tournament and nament has been able to main- the Qatar Golf Association, the best golfers, including the likes of Scott (2002 and 2008), Ryder the Qatar Golf Association (QGA) shared our ambition at an early tain its unique identity lies in its Doha Golf Club, and Commercial Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjørn and Cup stars Sergio Garcia (2014), at the time, had a visionary plan stage. As a result of Commercial management set-up. Whilst many Bank. Henrik Stenson, return year on Thomas Bjørn (2011), Henrik to build one of the first grass golf Bank’s sponsorship we are European Tour events employ “Our partnership with year to play. Stenson (2006), Paul Lawrie (1999 courses in the Middle East. It was now one of the major stops on external overseas event manage- Commercial Bank has enabled “They love it,” says Myers with and 2012) and Robert Karlsson a bold move because at the time The European Tour. The com- ment companies to organise their us to keep the Qatar Masters hint of pride. (2010), and two-time US Open the sport was much less popular mitment of the current QGA tournaments, the Qatar Masters local, friendly and accessible,” says In 2015 Commercial Bank is Champion Retief Goosen (2007). in the region than it is today, and President, Mr. Hassan Al-Nuaimi, has remained steadfast in its Myers. “Perhaps much more so marking its 10th year as title THE PENINSULA

Frenchman Stal claims Tatar shines in Wings’ victory over Predators

NEW YORK: Tomas Tatar and Cole’s 11th of this season. unlikely Abu Dhabi win Canadiens 6, Islanders 4 had two goals and an assist to lead the Detroit Red Wings to Tomas Plekanec scored two a 5-2 win over the Nashville goals and added two assists to lead Kaymer stumbles, World No.1 Mcllroy finishes as runner-up Predators. the Montreal Canadiens to vic- The loss snapped Nashville’s tory over the New York Islanders. ABU DHABI: France’s Gary 22, told reporters. “When I saw five-game winning streak. AGENCIES Stal dispatched a final round my name on the leader board I Gustav Nyquist opened the 65 to snatch an unlikely vic- thought “it’s possible, so take that scoring 57 seconds in with the tory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC chance and go get it”.” fastest goal to open a game this NHL Results Golf Championship yesterday Stal’s previous best Tour per- season for Detroit (25-11-9). Columbus 3 Boston 1 as overnight leader Martin formance was fifth at last week’s Nashville (30-10-4) goaltender Philadelphia 4 Buffalo 3 Kaymer blew a mid-round 10 South Africa’s Open, a result he Gary Stal Carter Hutton was pulled in favor Montreal 6 NY Islanders 4 stroke lead. said gave him confidence to excel of Marek Mazanec after allowing of France Carolina 3 Ottawa 2 Stal, ranked 357th in the world, in Abu Dhabi. three goals on the first four shots. looks on after Detroit 5 Nashville 2 earned a first European Tour vic- “I will celebrate with my friends Stars 5, Capitals 4 tory and a cheque for $450,000 and my dad,” Stal added. delivering a Erik Cole and centers Tyler Tampa Bay 3 Colorado 2 after a stunning turnaround on For US Open champion speech as Seguin and Jason Spezza each Edmonton 3 Florida 2 the National course. Kaymer, yesterday’s capitulation he carries contributed goals and an assist for St Louis 3 Toronto 0 He captured the win with a must rank among the 30-year- the trophy the Dallas Stars in a win against Dallas 5 Washington 4 of the Abu total of 19 under 269, ahead of old’s worst days in golf. the Washington Capitals. Minnesota 3 Arizona 1 world number one Rory McIlroy Starting six strokes clear of Dhabi Golf Dallas (20-17-7) led 2-0 after Anaheim 3 Los Angeles 2 (66), who ended on 270, and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters, the Championship one thanks to Seguin’s NHL- Calgary 4 San Jose 3 Kaymer (75) on 271. German’s unlikely nearest chal- in the capital leading 27th goal of the season “I played very good today and lenger, he sunk three birdies in of the I’m very happy to win,” Stal, the opening four holes to move United Arab to 23-under, one adrift of the Emirates, event record he set in winning yesterday. Abu Dhabi the Falcon Trophy in 2011. Yet Kaymer’s early-tourna- Championship Scores ment brilliance with the putter ABU DHABI: Complete had masked sometimes untidy fourth-round scores in approach play and those flaws the $2.7m Abu Dhabi Golf returned as he bogeyed the sixth, Championship yesterday at double-bogeyed nine and tripled- the par-72 Abu Dhabi Golf bogeyed 13 after being forced to Club: take penalty drops at the latter earlier, four-times major winner up another shot on the 16th and 269 Gary Stal (FRA) 68-69-67-65 two. McIlroy, 25, had dismissed his when McIlroy failed with an eagle 270 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 67-66-71-66 That dragged him back to chances of catching Kaymer after chip that shaved the hole on the 271 Martin Kaymer (GER) 64-67-65-75 17 under -- he was 10 strokes a dismal outing with the putter final green the title was all but ahead after five holes -- and put left the Northern Irishman eight Stal’s. 272 Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 69-72-64-67, his hopes of a fourth Abu Dhabi strokes behind. A shaken Kaymer, who had Thomas Pieters (BEL) 65-67-70-70 crown in jeopardy. Yet he mounted his now cus- gone the 47 holes without drop- St. Louis Blues’ David Backes (left) and Detroit Red Wings’ Henrik 274 James Morrison (ENG) 68-67-72-67, Meanwhile, Stal, who began tomary late birdie surge, and a ping a shot until the bogey on Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 66-71-70-67, Zetterberg of Sweden shake hands after a ceremonial puck drop with yesterday eight adrift of Kaymer, sixth of the round at 15 put him ninth hole, had no response, fail- Jincy Dunne of O’Fallon, in St. Louis, in this January 15 file photo. Bernd Wiesberger (AUT) 72-65-66- sunk six birdies from holes four within a shot of the summit. ing to birdie any of the last 14 71 to 11, jumping to 18 under. A day But Stal responded by picking holes. REUTERS Walker surges clear in Honolulu Hawks hunt down Bulls HONOLULU: Defending sit another shot further back. champion Jimmy Walker seized Thomas was the story of the for 12th straight win control of the Sony Open on tournament in the second round Saturday with a third-round where he blitzed the field for a 62 that gave him a two-stroke Jimmy Walker holds course record-tying 61. However, NEW YORK: The Atlanta Meanwhile, Klay Thompson advantage and a shot at redemp- up his ball after in the follow up, the unsung Hawks matched their second- produced a brilliant two-way tion at the Waialae Country making a birdie on youngster struggled with swing longest winning streak in fran- performance and the Golden Club in Honolulu, Hawaii. the 18th hole during issues and could only manage an chise history night by beating State Warriors turned a pair of Walker blew a golden chance the third round of even-par 70. the Chicago Bulls for their 12th scoring runs into a victory over of capturing last week’s Hyundai the Sony Open In Walker used a red-hot putter straight victory. the Houston Rockets. Harden Tournament of Champions in Hawaii at Waialae to nose in front as he amazingly Bulls guard Kyle Korver hit finished with 12 points, 15 off his neighbouring Kapalua, where he Country Club on finished the day with 11 straight 7-of-9 from the three-point line average for Rockets. AGENCIES led eventual winner Patrick Reed Saturday. one-putts. He has enjoyed quite and scored 24 points to lead four by four strokes with four holes to the run in Hawaii, where he is a Hawks in double figures. NBA Results play before losing in a play-off. collective 54-under-par in his last Al Horford scored 22 points Charlotte 80 Indiana 71 One week later and Walker has 11 competitive rounds there. and grabbed nine rebounds for positioned himself to defend his “It’s awfully impressive what Atlanta (33-8), which never Detroit 107 Philadelphia 89 title after Saturday’s surge put Jimmy has been doing. I’m look- trailed. Atlanta 107 Chicago 99 him on 16-under for the tour- have to because you have to play challengers snapping at Walker’s ing forward to playing with him The Bulls (27-15) played with- Golden State 131 Houston 106 nament with four birdies on the the next day,” said Walker. heels in final round. tomorrow and seeing if I can push out injured starters Joakim Noah Memphis 102 Portland 98 front nine and six on the back off- Second round co-leader Matt Americans Brian Harman and him,” said Kuchar, who enjoyed and Mike Dunleavy, but were led Washington 99 Brooklyn 90 setting a couple of bogeys. Kuchar is two strokes off the Troy Merritt are at 13-under, a second-round 63 but was not by Derrick Rose who finished Minnesota 113 Denver 105 “I was pretty bummed (about lead at 14-under following a two- while South African Tim Clark quite as on form in round three with 23 points, 10 assists and LA Clippers 117 Sacramento 108 last week) but I got over it. You under 68 and will lead a host of and 21-year-old Justin Thomas of the event. REUTERS eight rebounds. MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Spanish tennis players Rafael Nadal (left) and David Ferrer arrive at the Annual Tennis Players Party held on the eve of the Australian Open at the Crown Casino in Melbourne yesterday. CENTRE: Russia’s Maria Sharapova arrives at Annual Tennis Players Party. RIGHT: China’s Li Na (left) poses next to a waxwork figure of her after it was unveiled on court at the Rod Laver Arena yesterday. Bouchard imposes Grand Djokovic, Federer vie for Slam Twitter ban MELBOURNE: Rising star Eugenie Bouchard (pictured) has begun a self-imposed Twitter ban for the Australian Open as she seeks to limit dis- five Aussie Open crowns tractions during the season- opening Grand Slam. The world number seven, a Serena chasing her 19th Grand Slam crown in the year’s first major prolific social media user, said she appreciated the opportunity that platforms such as Twitter, MELBOURNE: Novak Facebook and Djokovic and Roger Federer Instagram gave begin their quest for five to interact Australian Open titles while with her fans. Serena Williams is chasing But the her 19th Grand Slam crown in 20-year-old the year’s first major starting said she needed today. to concentrate World number one Djokovic on her game looms as the player to beat in the during major men’s draw having won four of events. the last seven Australian editions, “Especially in a tournament, and he holds an affinity with the I try to turn everything off. If I hardcourts in Melbourne. have something funny or picture, “There are so many players maybe I’ll put something,” she who are contenders to win the said, adding that her agent may title,” said the Serb. also make posts to her accounts “Considering the success that I during the tournament. had in my career in this tourna- “I think it was (US basket- ment gives me enough reason and baller) LeBron James who says confidence to believe I can go far.” he turns off his phone during While Djokovic has never lost the play-offs. Maybe I should do a final in Melbourne, Federer something like that,” she added. will be again be the sentimental “It’s a little extreme. But it’s favourite at 33 years old, pursu- really important to stay in your ing his 18th major title having not bubble.” won one since Wimbledon 2012. Bouchard has 400,000 Twitter “I would hope that over the Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a shot during a practice session ahead of the 2015 Australian Open, in Melbourne yesterday. Switzerland’s Roger Federer followers and almost a million years I’ve always improved. I watches the ball during a training session at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park yesterday. likes on Facebook but has a long think I’m serving more consistent way to go to match Roger Federer and stronger than I ever have,” Berrer on the way to Australia. Defending champion World number one Williams is Adding spice to the women’s and Rafael Nadal. Federer said. “I am doing lot of practice and Wawrinka, who shocked Djokovic tied with Chris Evert and Martina side of the draw is that the top Nadal has 14.9 million likes on “I definitely think the racquet doing the things that we believe in the quarter-finals on the way Navratilova with 18 Grand Slams four seeds — Williams, Maria Facebook, just ahead of Federer’s has helped me with that as well, we have to do to recover our to winning last year, is a last start behind all-time leader Margaret Sharapova, Simona Halep and 14.8 million. my concentration I do believe is level,” Nadal said. winner, having captured back-to- Court (24) but hasn’t won in Petra Kvitova — all have the Bouchard also arrived at there, better than it’s ever been “Is true that having a Grand back Chennai Opens on the way Australia since 2010, something chance to end the tournament as Melbourne Park without a per- and I think my backhand is work- Slam this early in the season after to Australia. she is determined to fix. world number one. manent coach having parted ways ing better than it has in the past injury like I’ve had is not the ideal “I feel great coming here. Been “It would be really great. I’ve “There’s a lot of players that with Nick Saviano, who she had as well.” thing. But here we are.” getting a lot of confidence, win- been going for number six for a have an opportunity to get worked with for eight years. There are question marks Nadal has won 14 Grand Slams, ning the first tournament of the number of years now,” Williams there, and I’m one of them,” However, Bouchard and over Rafael Nadal’s match fit- but only won one of them in year,” the Swiss said. said. said Sharapova. “I am, of course, Saviano gave no reasons for their ness after playing few matches Australia where he also had two “I know I can do it, that’s not “It would be really special for determined to do that,” the split. AGENCIES since Wimbledon last July fol- runner-up finishes, including in the question. For me the most me. I would be really happy. I Russian added. lowing a wrist injury and later last year’s final to Stan Wawrinka. important is to be ready for the want it I think more than any- China’s Li Na won the wom- an appendectomy. Britain’s Andy Murray has lost first match. one else here. en’s crown last year, battling Australian Open Nadal suffered a shock defeat three finals in Melbourne and “You have to be ready, take “But that doesn’t mean I’m past surprise package Dominika in his first match of the season in will have to get past Federer and match after match, and see where going to get it, so I’ll have to fight Cibulkova of Slovakia, but has Order of Play Doha to German qualifier Michael Nadal to make his fourth. you can go.” hard to get it.” since retired. AFP Order of play on the main showcourts on day one of the Australian Open today (prefix denotes seeding; play begins at New guard ready to step up at Aussie Open: Raonic 0000 GMT on all courts) Rod Laver Arena: Karin Knapp (Italy) vs MELBOURNE: Big-serving Australian Open in Melbourne. “I think we’re believing more 3-Simona Halep (Romania); 5-Ana Ivanovic Milos Raonic is tipping one of “I think we can step up and give also. So I think there’s a lot of (Serbia) vs Lucie Hradecka (Czech Republic) his new generation to step up ourselves a possibility to win at factors to it. You can’t pinpoint Not before 0300: Mikhail Youzhny (Russia) vs and topple the established guard the bigger tournaments,” Raonic one thing.” 3-Rafa Nadal (Spain) and win this month’s Australian said. Dimitrov lost to Federer in Not before 0800: Lu Yen-hsun (Taiwan) vs Open. “But I don’t think there’s going Brisbane in the lead-up to the 2-Roger Federer (Switzerland) Petra Martic Marin Cilic beat Kei Nishikori to be somebody stepping up like Australian Open but said he is (Croatia) vs 2-Maria Sharapova (Russia) in last year’s US Open final, while Roger, Rafa and Novak did a few far from discouraged going into Stan Wawrinka was another times winning three out of four the year’s first major. Margaret Court Arena: Jarmila Gajdosova first-time Grand Slam winner slams. “It was a tough match that I (Australia) vs Alexandra Dulgheru (Romania); beating Novak Djokovic and “I think there will be an oppor- lost last week,” the Bulgarian said. 6-Andy Murray (Britain) vs Yuki Bhambri (India); Rafael Nadal at the previous tunity for one of us to step up and “Definitely didn’t perform the Irina-Camelia Begu (Romania) vs 9-Angelique Australian Open. have an opportunity to win their way I wanted to. Kerber (Germany) Nishikori, Raonic and Grigor first slam.” “But that doesn’t necessar- Not before 0800: 7-Eugenie Bouchard Dimitrov have been hailed as Raonic said it wasn’t necessar- ily mean that I’m discouraged to (Canada) vs Anna-Lena Friedsam (Germany); the flag-bearers of the next gen- ily the case of the big three get- keep trying and keep believing Federico Delbonis (Argentina) vs Nick Kyrgios eration beneath the old order ting older or suffering a greater that any of us is going to make it (Australia) of Djokovic, Roger Federer and incidence of injuries for the rise through, so to speak. Hisense Arena: Julia Goerges (Germany) vs Nadal. of the younger brigade. “But on the other hand, the 32-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland); 28-Sabine Raonic, the 24-year-old “No. I just think we’re getting year has just began. We have Lisicki (Germany) vs Kristina Mladenovic (France); Tobias Kamke (Germany) vs Bernard Japan’s Kei Nishikori watches the ball during a practice session ahead of Canadian serve-volleyer, said better,” he said. already the Australian Open, Tomic (Australia) the 2015 Australian Open, in Melbourne yesterday. RIGHT: Milos Raonic Sunday he believes the time was “We’re all getting older. We’re anything can happen out here,” Not before 0400 Sam Groth (Australia) vs Filip of Canada addresses a news conference in Melbourne. ripe for the new guard to make all getting closer and closer to the 10th seeded Dimitrov added an impact, starting with today’s peak maturity. yesterday. AFP Krajinovic (Serbia) MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Reactions to De Villiers scoring the De Villiers shatters record fastest ODI century Reaction to South African AB de Villiers smashing the fastest ever one-day century in 31 balls against the West Indies at The Wanderers on Sunday. De Villiers’ batting partner Hashim Amla, and Windies in second ODI who hit 153 not out: “He said he was going to have a look for one over but hit his first six balls for 24. He is an South African smashes fastest century in one-day international history amazing player.” Former England captain Bob Willis: “AB de Villiers’ record ODI hundred off 31 JOHANNESBURG: AB de balls could make him the best batsman of Villiers hit the fastest century Scoreboard all time. in one-day international history “I’ve been saying for the last 30 years that as South Africa overwhelmed SOUTH AFRICA L Johnson lbw Philander ...... 1 Viv Richards has to be the best batsman of the West Indies in the second H Amla (not out) ...... 153 M Samuels c Behardien b Philander ...... 40 all time — even better than Sir Don Bradman one-day international at the R Rossouw c Benn b Taylor ...... 128 D Ramdin c Du Plessis b Morkel ...... 57 in my book — but I’m going to have to Wanderers in Johannesburg A de Villiers c Carter b Russell ...... 149 J Carter c (sub-Parnell) b Steyn ...... 40 reassess because this guy is something yesterday. D Miller (not out) ...... 0 A Russell c Du Plessis b Imran Tahir ...... 0 extraordinary.” De Villiers raced to his century Extras (LB-4, NB-1, W-4) ...... 9 D Sammy (not out) ...... 25 Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi, who is off 31 balls — five balls fewer than Total (for 2 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 439 J Holder (not out) ...... 21 third in the list of fastest ODI centuries -- the previous record — on the way Fall of wickets: 1-247, 2-439. Extras (B-4, LB-8, NB-2, W-10) ...... 24 hitting 100 off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in to an astonishing 149 off 44 balls. Bowling: Taylor 10-0-95-1 (1w); Holder 9-0- Total (for 7 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 291 1996. With opening batsmen Hashim 91-0; Benn 10-0-49-0; Russell 10-0-78-1; Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-63, 3-122, 4-148, “Happy new year AB de Villiers. Well played Amla and Rilee Rossouw also hit- Sammy 4-0-26-0; Samuels 3-0-28-0; Smith 5-231, 6-232, 7-253. mate.” ting centuries in a South African 4-0-68-0 (1nb, 1w). Bowling: Morkel 10-0-43-2 (2nb; 3w); Philan- record first wicket stand, South WEST INDIES der 10-0-69-2 (5w); Steyn 10-0-29-1 (2w); Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Africa piled up a massive 439 for D Smith c Duminy b Behardien ...... 64 Duminy 4-0-39-0; Imran Tahir 10-0-60-1 (1w); Gibbs: two. C Gayle c Behardien b Morkel ...... 19 Behardien 6-0-39-1. “AB showing why he’s simply the best.” The West Indies were never Former India batsman Aakash Chopra: likely to chase down a world fewer than Sanath Jayasuriya’s from us,” said West Indian cap- “I demand a DNA test of AB DeVilliers... this record target but managed a previous record for the fast- tain Jason Holder. “The ball went game is only for humans. #superhuman respectable 291 for seven to give est half-century, for Sri Lanka everywhere, that’s what excep- #WhatAPlayer” South Africa a 148-run win and a against Pakistan in 1995/96, tional players do.” Former England captain Michael Vaughan: 2-0 lead in the five-match series. then powered his way past Corey South Africa went past their “Have to say AB de Villiers is the definition The target was never likely to Anderson’s record for the fastest own previous highest total - of a cricketing genius. Absolutely incredible. be within the reach of the West century. the 438 for nine they scored “When I watch him bat it reminds me that I Indies, especially after big-hitting He took five balls fewer than in a record run chase against really wasn’t that good in comparison.” Chris Gayle was caught at deep Anderson’s hundred for New Australia on the same ground in Zimbabwe batsman Brendan Taylor: midwicket off Morne Morkel for Zealand against the West Indies 2005/06 - and Sri Lanka’s world “Not the worst entertainment from AB right 19 in the fifth over. in 2013/14. record of 443 for nine against the now. Best in the world without a doubt.” Dwayne Smith, caught off a The South African captain’s Netherlands in 2006 seemed set Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock: Morkel no-ball in the first over innings included 16 sixes, equal- to fall. “World record fastest ODI century — when he had four, made 64 off 65 ling the world record set by Rohit But De Villiers hit the fourth Congrats AB de Villiers!” balls and Denesh Ramdin contrib- Sharma when he hit 209 for India ball of the final over from Andre uted 57 off 55 deliveries. against Australia in Bangalore in Russell to deep cover and Amla De Villiers gave credit to Amla 2013/14. could not score off the final two Fastest ODI Centuries and Rossouw for building a foun- He also hit nine fours in an deliveries. Statbox on the fastest centu- dation. He said he had planned innings which had a near-capac- Amla’s 153 not out was scored ries in one-day international to send in David Miller for the ity crowd at the Wanderers ?bull- off 142 balls with 14 fours, while cricket after South African AB closing overs but was persuaded ring? roaring in approval. Rossouw hit his 128 off 115 balls de Villiers smashed the record by coach Russell Domingo to go West Indian players rushed to with 11 fours and two sixes. against the West Indies at The in himself. congratulate him and Gayle, who It was a maiden century for the Wanderers yesterday. “There was always going to be played a match-winning Twenty20 left-handed Rossouw, who had 1) AB de Villiers (South Africa) - 31 balls a lot of aggressive batting around innings at the Wanderers a week the dubious distinction of having against West Indies in Johannesburg on Hash at the end,” said De Villiers. earlier, bowed in salute as De made five ducks in his previous Jan.18, 2015. “It just came off for me. I did a Villiers walked past him. ten one-day international innings. lot of walks up and down in the “AB really took the game away AFP 2) Corey Anderson (New Zealand) - 36 balls change room thinking about how against West Indies in Queenstown on Jan.1, I should be playing. 2014. “I got fired up in the change 3) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 37 balls against room, I sort of played my Sri Lanka in Nairobi on Oct.4, 1996. knock before I came out to bat. 4) Mark Boucher (South Africa) - 44 balls Aggression was probably the main against Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom on thing for me, I just wanted to go Sept.20, 2006. from the word go.” 5) Brian Lara (West Indies) - 45 balls against Amla (153 not out) and Bangladesh in Dhaka on Oct.9, 1999. Rossouw (128) put on 247 for the 6) Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 45 balls against first wicket — a record partner- India in Kanpur on April.15, 2005. ship for any wicket for South 7) Jesse Ryder (New Zealand) - 46 balls Africa. against West Indies in Queenstown on Jan.1, Rossouw was dismissed off 2014. the third ball of the 39th over. 8) Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 48 balls De Villiers promoted himself to against Pakistan in Singapore on Apr.2, number three and struck the ball South African players celebrate the dismissal of Andre Russell of the 1996. out of the middle of his bat from West Indies during the second ODI at The Wanderers in Johannesburg the first delivery he faced, which 9) Kevin O’Brien (Ireland) - 50 balls against South Africa’s AB de Villiers plays a shot during the second one- yesterday. The Wanderers was a sea of pink as part of the third annual England in Bangalore on Mar.2, 2011. day international match against the West Indies, at the Wanderers in he thrashed for four past bowler Pink Day, an initiative partnering with Momentum, Bidvest and the 10) Virat Kohli (India) - 52 balls against Johannesburg yesterday. Jerome Taylor. PinkDrive to raise awareness and support for breast cancer. He went to fifty off 16 balls, one Australia in Jaipur on Oct. 16, 2013. Sorensen fills in Starc scripts Australian win despite Sharma ton for hurt Murtagh MELBOURNE: Paceman six balls to spare. He received disappointed the finish was so Mitchell Starc took 6-43 to help great support from the in-form close. in Ireland squad Australia to a four-wicket vic- Steve Smith (47). The pair put “Would have been nice if we tory over India yesterday, their on 101 for the third wicket as the hadn’t left it up to Faulkner,” he LONDON: Max Sorensen has second in succession in the one- home side appeared to be coasting said. “We dragged it back really replaced injured Middlesex day international tri-series, to victory. well with the ball. We had the seamer Tim Murtagh in despite a brilliant Rohit Sharma However, Finch fell when a cen- momentum when we came off Ireland’s squad for the upcom- century. tury beckoned, caught behind by the field.” ing World Cup, team officials Sharma’s 138 at the Melbourne Indian captain Mahendra Singh In a blow to India, paceman announced yesterday. Cricket Ground enabled India to Dhoni from the bowling of Umesh Mohammed Shami was forced Murtagh suffered a foot frac- post a competitive total of 267 for Yadav, as the tourists made an off the field with a leg problem ture during an Ireland training eight after winning the toss and unlikely late bid to snatch victory. after bowling the first ball of the camp in Dubai, where the squad electing to bat. In an unexpectedly tense finish, 47th over. are based ahead of the World Cup, However, on a placid pitch it Brad Haddin and James Faulkner Dhoni sought to stress the posi- on January 7 and underwent sur- always appeared slightly less than got the Australians home with an tives for his team, particularly the gery in Britain the following week. required and Australian opener unbroken 21-run stand. way they had responded when the Medical advice said Murtagh Aaron Finch countered Sharma’s Australian captain George game appeared lost. “That (atti- would not be fit in time for the century with a match-winning Bailey, who faces a one-match tude) will win us tournaments,” World Cup in Australia and New knock of his own. suspension for slow over rates he said. Zealand, which starts on February Finch made 96 as Australia rat- after his second breach in under India’s innings was dogged by 14, and the Irish management tled up 269 for six, winning with 12 months, admitted he was a poor start and a disappointing decided to call up 29-year- finish. old Sorensen, also a right-arm Scoreboard Beaten by the host nation 2-0 seamer in his place. in the recent four-Test series, Australia’s Mitchell Starc shows the ball to the crowd after taking his fifth Sorensen just missed out on INDIA 1; Watson 8-0-33-0; Maxwell 2-0-14-0. they found themselves in early wicket for the innings during a tri-series ODI match against India at the selection for Ireland’s original R Sharma c Maxwell b Starc ...... 138 AUSTRALIA trouble at 59 for three. Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. 15-man World Cup squad but S Dhawan c Finch b Starc...... 2 A Finch c Dhoni b Yadav ...... 96 As was the case in Australia’s has been working with the senior A Rahane c Haddin b Sandhu ...... 12 D Warner c Raina b Yadav ...... 24 big win over England in the series he was caught off the bowling of not distracted and the pair put side in Dubai, where the team are V Kohli c Bailey b Faulkner ...... 9 S Watson b Patel ...... 41 opener on Friday, left-arm pace- Faulkner. on 126 before Raina (51) holed involved in a triangular warm- S Raina c Maxwell b Starc ...... 51 S Smith c Ashwin b Shami ...... 47 man Starc claimed a wicket in the Suresh Raina, who made a out to mid-on to give Starc his up series with fellow tourna- M Dhoni b Starc ...... 19 G Maxwell c&b Kumar ...... 20 first over of the match -- Shikhar pair when recalled for the fourth second scalp. ment qualifiers Afghanistan and A Patel lbw Starc...... 0 G Bailey c Dhoni b Ashwin ...... 5 Dhawan caught by Aaron Finch Test against Australia earlier Sharma continued to lead the Scotland. AFP R Ashwin (not out) ...... 14 B Haddin (not out) ...... 13 at second slip for just two. this month, then went out to way, gliding Starc to third man B Kumar b Starc ...... 0 J Faulkner (not out) ...... 9 Fellow paceman Gurinder join Sharma and they rebuilt the for a single a few minutes later M Shami (not out) ...... 2 Extras (LB-3, W-11) ...... 14 Sandhu, born in Australia to innings. for his sixth one-day international World Cup Squad Extras (B-1, LB-3, W-15, NB-1) ...... 20 Total (for 6 wkts in 49 overs) ...... 269 Indian parents, then made a Once again the tension between century, from 109 balls. Ireland: William Porterfield (capt), Andrew dream debut when he claimed the the sides briefly boiled over, when He eventually fell late in the Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 267 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-115, 3-216, 4-219, Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in just Australian opener David Warner innings as Starc put the brakes Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-33, 3-59, 4-185, 5-230, 6-248. Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John 5-237, 6-237, 7-262, 8-262. Bowling: Kumar 9.5-0-44-1; Yadav 10-1-55- his second over. and Sharma exchanged words on the Indian innings again. Virat Kohli could not summon after the Indians ran an over- Sharma faced 139 balls during Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Max Bowling: Starc 10-2-43-6; Cummins 10-0- 2; Shami 8.1-0-44-1; Patel 10-0-45-1; Ashwin Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary 52-0; Sandhu 10-0-58-1; Faulkner 10-0-63- 9-0-54-1; Raina 2-0-24-0. up his incredible form of the Test throw in the 23rd over. his innings, hitting nine fours and series, making just nine before But the Indian batsmen were four sixes. AFP Wilson, Craig Young. MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Team Qatar seeks consolation win PSG recover from bad start to snatch victory

PARIS: Javier Pastore and break, made all the difference. Edinson Cavani scored late It was a relief for the champi- Qatari players attend a as Paris St Germain (PSG) ons after their star man Zlatan training session ahead of ignored their fans’ boos and Ibrahimovic had been largely their final group C game recovered from a shaky start to responsible for their poor start. against Bahrain today at beat visiting strugglers Evian After a bad clearance by the the Asian Cup. Qatar, who Thonon Gaillard 4-2 yesterday. Swede, Adrien Thomasson headed have lost their previous Argentine playmaker Pastore, the ball into the path of Barbosa, matches (against the UAE with a 74th minute goal, and who slotted the ball past Salvatore and Iran) are without a Uruguay striker Cavani, with Sirigu to give the 18th placed side point and will be playing another two minutes from time, their shock lead. for pride against Bahrain. ensured that the recently mis- Luiz levelled on the half hour firing champions claimed their with a powerful header from a first win in their last four Ligue corner, his first Ligue 1 goal since 1 games. the Brazil centre back joined from It was a crucial win for PSG, Chelsea during the close season. moving them up to third with 41 Verratti then fired a half-volley points from 21 games and keeping past Benjamin Leroy in the 38th them in touch even though they minute to put PSG ahead. remain four points behind lead- But Evian hit back when full- ers Olympique Lyonnais, who beat back Van der Wiel headed Daniel RC Lens 2-0 on Saturday. Wass’s long-range free kick into Evian had opened the scoring his own net. through Cedric Barbosa after 14 The Parisians were booed by Uzbeks oust Saudis in minutes before two quick goals the Parc des Princes crowd, who from David Luiz and Marco quickly found something to cheer Verratti put the hosts ahead about again when Pastore scored before halftime. his team’s third from Lucas’s Gregory van der Wiel’s own cross. goal restored parity in the 64th Second-half substitute Cavani minute before Pastore and Cavani, put the result beyond doubt Asian Cup, enter last 8 who had been left out of the squad two minutes from time from for three games as punishment for close range after being set up by China beat North Korea to advance in knockout stage coming back late from the winter Ibrahimovic. REUTERS

MELBOURNE: A late dou- from the spot but Mohammed Al ble strike rescued Uzbekistan’s Sahlawi made no mistake as he Asian Cup campaign and ousted fired the equaliser which would three-time champions Saudi have taken his team through. Arabia yesterday as Sun Ke’s But Shodiev rose for a bril- brace enhanced China’s growing liant headed goal to restore reputation. Uzbekistan’s lead, before Rashidov Sardor The Uzbeks were headed out at converted a terrific cross 11 min- Rashidov of 1-1 in Melbourne before Vokhid utes from time to secure the 3-1 Uzbekistan Shodiev’s header and Sardor win. (centre) Rashidov’s second of the night Tempers flared on the touchline celebrates steered them into the quarter- as over-exuberant Uzbek substi- a goal finals with a thrilling win. tutes danced for joy in front of the The 2011 semi-finalists are now Saudi bench, bringing the game to with Jasur into a quarter-final against South an acrimonious close. Khasanov Korea but the result condemns “Saudi Arabia will have to make (right) the Saudis, winners in 1984, 1988 changes and start building some- and Odil and 1996, to a second straight thing solid for the future,” said Akhmedov group stage exit. Olaroiu, the Romanian manager (left) during “I can’t say this is a big trag- of Dubai-based Al Ahli, hired on the Group Paris Saint-Germain’s Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore (second left) edy,” said Saudi caretaker coach a part-time basis to lead the side B Asian celebrates after scoring a goal with his team-mates during the French L1 Cosmin Olaroiu, pressed to through the Asian Cup. Cup match match against Evian yesterday at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris. explain the Gulf side’s recent fall “We conceded a very silly against from grace. goal after one minute and that Saudi “It is a big disappointment, but forced us to play a different way. Arabia in it’s too much to call it a tragedy,” Uzbekistan fought hard and Melbourne, Ronaldo’s brace takes he said. deserved to go through.” yesterday. Away from the fireworks in In Canberra, China were ahead Melbourne, Sun scored in just after just 45 seconds – close to 45 seconds and then grabbed his Thursday’s Asian Cup-record, Madrid 4 points clear third of the tournament as China 14-second goal by UAE’s Ali beat North Korea 2-1 in Canberra Mabkhout – when Sun raced MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo the break when he rattled the to seal their best ever start. through a static defence. rounded off a week where he crossbar from long range. Uzbekistan also made a light- North Korean defender Jang was named World Player of the Codina continued to frustrate ning start and Saudi goalkeeper Song-Hyok let an incoming high Year for the third time scoring Madrid at the start of the sec- Waleed Abdullah was left red- ball glance off his head and it fell when Jong Il-Gwan’s shot rico- team, they are the hosts and I’m a double as Real Madrid opened ond period with good saves from faced when Rashidov raced clear perfectly for Sun, who jabbed it cheted off Guangzhou Evergrande sure the next match will be very up a four-point lead at the top of Benzema and James Rodriguez. and slotted through his legs in home with his right boot. striker Gao Lin and into the net difficult for us,” said Sun. “We just La Liga with a 3-0 win away to However, his resistence was only the second minute. The North Korean rearguard for an own goal. need to make sure we prepare Getafe yesterday. finally broken just before the hour The White Wolves needed were again at fault for Sun’s sec- The victory means China have well and stand tall.” The visitors had to wait 63 min- mark with a brilliant team goal as a win to qualify behind China ond, when a corner bounced in the won all three group games for Today, Group C concludes with utes to make the breakthrough Isco and Rodriguez combined to in Group B but there was dis- six-yard box giving the unmarked the first time, earning a perfect three-time winners Iran and UAE before he fired home from Karim free Benzema and the Frenchman may when referee Ben Williams midfielder an easy header at the nine points and a boost ahead fighting it out for top spot – a Benzema’s wonderful assist to set produced an exquisite piece of pointed to the spot for a soft back post. of Thursday’s quarter-final with position which makes them likely them on the road to victory. skill on the byline to cut the ball penalty on the hour-mark. The But the Chollima (“Thousand- hosts Australia. to dodge holders Japan in the last Gareth Bale then doubled the back for Ronaldo to slam home. Saudis had already missed twice Mile Horse”) grabbed one back “Australia are a very strong eight. AFP visitors’ lead before Ronaldo Just four minutes later it was rounded off the scoring with a 2-0 as this time Rodriguez was trademark header from James the provider with a fine low cross Rodriguez’s cross. that Bale prodded past Codina Barcelona can cut Madrid’s with the outside of his left foot. Cazorla stars as Arsenal stun City lead back to a solitary point The winning margin could even when they travel to Deportivo la have been greater for Ancelotti’s MANCHESTER: Santi by introducing forward Stevan Coruna. men as Ronaldo outfoxed Codina Cazorla scored one goal and Jovetic in place of midfielder Perhaps suffering from the with a free-kick that whistled made another as Arsenal dam- James Milner at the break and after effects of their Copa del Rey inches past the post with the aged Manchester City’s Premier his side flew out of the traps. elimination to Atletico Madrid in ‘keeper beaten. League title challenge with a Aguero and Fernandinho midweek Madrid started slug- Ronaldo wasn’t to be denied brilliant 2-0 victory at a chilly both had shots deflected behind, gishly, but were rarely threatened his second of the afternoon 11 Etihad Stadium yesterday. Arsenal’s Santi while Jesus Navas warmed David by a goal-shy Getafe. minutes from time, though, as The Spanish midfield scored Cazorla (left) Ospina’s palms with a rising drive. The European champions another sumptuous cross from a 24th-minute penalty and teed It took a timely touch from finally started to get going after Rodriguez allowed the Portuguese celebrates up Olivier Giroud for a second- Koscielny to prevent either 20 minutes as Marcelo drove to plant a firm header past the his goal from half header to re-energise Arsene Aguero or Jovetic from polish- a fierce effort just over on his helpless Codina to register his Wenger’s side’s push for a top- a penalty ing off a cross from Navas, but weaker right foot before Benzema 36th goal of the season. four finish, and maybe more. with team- Arsenal remained a threat on the was denied by Jordi Codina. Getafe failed to force Iker It was City’s first defeat in 15 mate Olivier break, with Aaron Ramsey shoot- Isco then tested the Getafe Casillas into a single save, but did games and gave Arsenal a first Giroud during ing over. ‘keeper with a piledriver from the come within inches of a consola- win at the Etihad since a 3-0 suc- their English Frank Lampard entered the edge of the box which Codina did tion goal when Alvaro Vazquez cess in October 2010, which was Premier League fray for City in the 63rd minute, well to turn over and Toni Kroos fired against the post from Alex the last time the home side had match against but he had been on the pitch for came even closer a minute before Felip’s low cross late on. AFP lost by a two-goal margin on their Manchester only three minutes when Arsenal own turf in the league. City at the added a second. Vincent Kompany and Sergio Etihad Stadium After Sanchez won a central Aguero both made their first in Manchester, free-kick, Cazorla flighted a cross Real Madrid’s City starts since December after yesterday. into the box and Giroud stole in Cristiano Ronaldo injury, but though much had been behind Fernando to nod a close- (right) congratulates made of the anticipated show- range header past a flat-footed his team-mate down between Aguero and Alexis Hart for his seventh goal this Gareth Bale after Sanchez, it was Kompany who season. scoring a goal unwittingly took centre-stage. City missed the impetus of against Getafe City were quick to force Arsenal Yaya Toure, on international duty during their Spanish back, with Laurent Koscielny with Ivory Coast, and the injured first division match booked for felling Fernandinho, Samir Nasri, and their attempts at Colisseum but with five players strung across Kompany prevented Giroud from of the campaign. With City’s fans at the other end lacked precision. Alfonso Perez midfield, the visitors were content testing Joe Hart with a near-post indignant, the home side began Ospina saved comfortably Stadium in Getafe, to soak up pressure and attack on header. to apply pressure, but a meek from Navas and substitute Edin outside Madrid, the break. Referee Mike Dean pointed header from Aguero that drifted Dzeko, while Arsenal’s biggest yesterday. Sanchez gave City a warning to the spot and Cazorla coolly harmlessly wide was the best they scare came when Monreal sliced with a dart to the edge of the box, placed a shot inside Hart’s left- mustered before half-time. an attempted clearance over his before an alert intervention from hand post to claim his sixth goal Pellegrini showed his intent own bar. AFP MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Qatar a win away from last 16 Hosts to meet unbeaten Slovenia, defending champions Spain eye Chile scalp today

DOHA: Hosts Qatar’s per- fect record at the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship will put to a severe test when they take on unbeaten Slovenia in the Group A match at Lusail Mutlipurpose Hall here today. Both the teams have won the two matches so far in the six- team group and a third victory will secure them a place in the pre-quarter-finals knockout stage of the championship. “Slovenia are very strong opponents, they reached the semi-finals in the previous World Championship. We need to prepare well and play our best game if we want to beat them,” said Qatar right back Abdulla Al Karbi. But Qatar Spanish coach Valero Rivera knows that his boys have a difficult task at hand. But the Spaniard can take solace from the fact that he was at the helm of affairs at the Spanish team when Slovenia lost the semi-final match of the 2013 championship. “We are going to play against number four from the last World Slovenia’s Zorman Uros (centre) scores a point against Chile beating goalkeeper Barrrientos Felipe during their Championship, where Qatar fin- 24th Men’s World Championship 2015 match on Friday. LEFT: Qatari player Hassan Alla M attacks Chile’s goal ished 23rd. I believe that gives during their match at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall on Saturday. PICTURES BY: KAMMUTTY VP/ABDUL BASIT you a bit of a clue to the chal- lenge we are facing,” Rivera said after Qatar’s win over Chile on lot of hope. Qatar finished their “Even though we are now on strongest teams. We are definitely If they take their third con- and that will also be our approach Saturday. final preparations unbeaten after two wins, we cannot relax in any still in contention,” hopes Siarhei secutive win, they’ll have secured to the match against Spain.” The 61-year-old from Zaragoza they had already proved their match, but will have to start on Rutenka, the Belarusian top star. a spot in eighth-finals. In the other matches, Croatia is targeting a place in the quar- ambitions for the international our next task right away.” “Nothing is lost so far, we still “At a World Championship with two wins are in with a chance ter-finals for his team, the best stage by winning both the Asian “We have won twice so far, but have two matches ahead. If we you never have easy opponents, remain on top of the Group B and result till date for Qatar for any Championship and the Asian against Qatar it will be a totally win two, including the one against but still we can and we need to to qualify for the pre-quarter- World Championships. Games handball tournament, different game,” Slovenian goal- Belarus, we should be in the next improve,” said Spanish coach finals if they win against Iran. The hosts have not been able each for the first time in 2014. keeper Gorazd Skof said. round,” Brazilian top scorer Felipe Manuel Cadenas, who is “fully Meanwhile, Bosnia- to make it to the quarter-finals The hosts won against Brazil The other Group A clash Ribeiro said. confident” that his team can go Herzegovina and FYR Macedonia in the previous four World 28-23 on Thursday and on between Brazil and Belarus will In the third match of Group A, all the way again, at least to the clash of Group B will be the first Championships. Saturday defeated Chile 27-20. be a do or die battle, as both the defending champions Spain are semi-finals. of three Ex-Yugoslav duels in this The best performance came in The next two are against world teams have lost the two matches outright favourities to win against On the other hand, Chile twice group. Portugal where they picked up champions Spain on January 21 they have played so far. Chile and a secure a place in the had not a glimpse of a chance Macedonia are on the verge the 16th spot, in 2005 they came and Belarus in the concluding The duel is a crucial one as the last sixteen. against either Slovenia and Qatar. of qualification after wins over a distance 21st and in 2007 and group match on January 23. winner will keep their hopes alive The defending world champi- So coach Luis Capurro sees the Tunisia and Iran. in 2013 picked up the 23rd and Slovenian coach Boris Denic of qualifying for the last sixteen ons had two shaky, but victori- unequal duel against the world Bosnia are in a tricky situation 20th places. on the other hand said his team stage of the event. ous matches against Belarus and champions as “another chance to after their defeat against Austria However, recent form and will seek to maintain the winning “It’s still possible to qual- Brazil and are the clear favourites learn for our young team. Our aim and face a must-win situation in good results have given the hosts tempo. ify, since we lost to the group’s against Chile. to play better from game to game, the game. THE PENINSULA ‘Special Exhibition’ adds colours to World Handball Championship

DOHA: Legends and top stars Nikola Karabatic, Mikkel Hansen, “I am very proud that the of both past and present will Magnus Wislander, Yoon Kyung- Organising Committee, the congregate at the 24th Men’s shin, Talant Dujshebaev and Qatar Handball Federation and Handball World Championship Jackson Richardson, are all part the Museum of Sport, have rec- in Doha this week. of the collection. ognised my work and dedication Some of them have already hit The exhibition focuses on the in preserving handball memora- the court while others either act numerous successes of these great bilia,” he said. as commentators and experts for names from winning Olympic and And that’s not all! handball lov- the numerous TV networks or are World titles to European silver- ers have a chance to take a close here to simply enjoy this unique ware. The collection is owned by look at some iconic handball med- handball experience in Qatar. Qatar’s national team physiother- als up close. One can get a glimpse of hand- apist Boris Vrhovac Vrle. Among the collection are ball throughout the years on the Boris who was born in Banja Yugoslavia’s gold medal from the first floor of Lusail’s Multipurpose Luka, a city famous for its hand- Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 Arena, where a Special Exhibition ball tradition, is now a citizen and Croatia’s gold from Athens has been set for the duration of of Doha and has been collecting in 2004. the tournament. various jerseys from the greatest There are also French World Valuable jerseys, pictures handball players for years. Championship gold medals from A ‘Special Exhibition’ at the 24th Men’s World Handball Championship where fans can find merchandise including and information on some of the His handball collection consists 2001 and some most important jerseys, pictures and information on greatest handball stars ever. PICTURE BY: SALIM MATRAMKOT greatest handball stars ever of 450 jerseys of the greatest play- Asian medals from various com- like Arpad Sterbik, Ivano Balic, ers from different generations. petitions. THE PENINSULA Fan fiesta at Qatar 2015

Supporters of the Danish national team cheer during the Qatar 2015 24th Men’s Handball World Championships preliminary round Group D match between Saudi Arabia and Denmark at the Lusail Sports Arena in Lusail oustide Doha yesterday. RIGHT: Supporters of Iceland during their match against Algeria at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd in Doha, yesterday. Monday 19 January 2015 28 Rabial I 1436 Volume 19 Number 6315 Sport Price: QR2

SRI LANKA’S WEEKLY NEWS UPDATES Australian De Villiers    Open 2015 stuns all with begins today 31-ball ton LANKADEEPA MIDDLE EAST WEEKLY PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY DAR AL SHARQ                  !"#$%&'()#*#+,'-*,)# Sport | 24 Sport | 25

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780

A French player jumps with the ball during a Group C match against Egypt at the Duhail Handball Sports Hall in Doha yesterday. CENTRE: An Argentinian player tries to block his Polish counterpart during a 24th Men’s Handball World Championship preliminary round match at the Duhail Handball Sports Hall. RIGHT: Russia’s Konstantin Igropulo in action against Germany during a preliminary round match of the 24th Men’s Handball World Championship at Lusail Multipurpose Hall near Doha yesterday. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP AND SALIM MATRAMKOT French overcome fighting Egyptians Olympic and European champs win 28-24

BY ARMSTRONG VAS Today’s Order of Play DOHA: Olympic and European champions France defeated a Group A: Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain fighting Egypt 28-24 yesterday Day Time Match Venue to register their second suc- 5.00pm Belarus vs Brazil Lusail cessive win at the 24th Men’s January 19 7.00pm Slovenia vs Qatar Lusail Handball World Championship 5.00pm Spain vs Chile Duhail and keep themselves in the hunt Group B: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Iran, Tunisia for a triple crown, while former champions Germany won a 7.00pm Croatia vs Iran Duhail thriller against Russia. January 19 7.00pm Bosnia vs Macedonia Al Attiyah Yesterday in a Group C clash 9.00pm Austria vs Tunisia Al Attiyah at the Duhail Sports Complex, Egypt, backed by a vociferous hesitation and began to gain the unexpected defeat at the hands crowd, tried to unsettle their upper hand. Nikola Karabatic of neighbours Germany. more famed rivals but in the end was leading Les Bleus by per- Having drawn with mighty Les Blues stood tall. sonal prowess and example while Denmark in their opening game, Two of the loudest and most Mohamed Amer was crucial for Argentina were eager to keep the colorful sections of support- the Egyptian scoring. good form going. But the Poles ers were actively cheering their It looked as if the French were had different ideas. respective teams during Group C kick starting their engine by the The Polish side didn’t impress clash. end of the first period as the half in their first game against the The majority of fans who came finished 14-11 to the French. And Germans and were very keen to to Duhail Sports Hall were sup- there was no stopping them in prove a point. porting the Egyptian team using the second half as they kept the The game started quite cau- a wide selection of drums, pipes, North African side at bay with a tiously on both sides. At the songs and flags. However, the consistent four or five goal gap. 20-minute mark, the Poles French fans did not lag behind The closest Egypt came was a enjoyed a 10-9 lead. despite the overall numeric three goal difference on the 54th In the second half, Diego advantage of the vociferous and minute. Simone got a red card seven melodic Egyptian supporters. Despite lagging behind, the minutes before the end with the The Egyptians were almost Egyptians maintained their South Americans trailing 22-20. constantly in the lead during the enthusiasm but couldn’t match This affected Argentina’s scoring first-half and this was reflected by the French in both defence and potential. the singing and dancing of their attack. All their moves were dealt In the end Poland won by a one- fans in the stands. with accordingly by the French goal difference. Diego Simone top- However, towards the end of players. scored with five goals. Lujewski the first-half the French team Despite the French playing and the Jurecki brothers with seemed to get over their initial without one of their key players, five goals each did the bulk of the Daniel Narcisse who was injured, scoring for the Poles. th Les Bleus were the confident win- At Lusail Multipurpose Hall, 24 Men’s Handball ners in the end. Germany defeated Russia 27-26 Amer top-scored for Egypt in a Group D encounter to reg- World Championship with five goals whereas Nikola ister their second successive win. Karanbatic netted a match-high Russia had an easy opening Results six goals for France. game against the Saudis, while Poland bt Argentina 24-23 In another match at Duhail, Germany proved their mettle in Germany bt Russia 27-26 Argentina, after their draw with a strong performance beating the Iceland bt Algeria 32-24 Denmark in the first match, Poles in their first match. Sweden bt Czech Republic 36-22 again faltered, narrowly losing to Uwe Gensheimer top-scored for Poland 24-23. the Germans with nine goals while France bt Egypt 28-24 For Poland, it was the tour- Konstantin Igropulo scored six for Denmark bt Saudi Arabia 38-18 nament’s first victory after an Russia. THE PENINSULA