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Wednesday 15 January 2014 14 Rabial I 1435 - Volume 18 Number 5945 Price: QR2

Al Sada urges McIlroy and safety of oil, Mickelson gas industry confident

Business | 20 Sport | 24

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 FM appoints New Medical assistant minister DOHA: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, has appointed H E Sheikh Mohamed Commission bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani as Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Affairs. at Ras Laffan QNA Separate section for food handlers Press briefing on DOHA: The Medical expected to reduce the rush at Commission will set up a major the existing units. Also, more units new airport new branch in Ras Laffan City will give options for newcomers to DOHA: The opening schedule of in collaboration with Qatar the country to select and go to the Hamad International Airport is Petroleum by the end of this nearest place,” said Al Shaar. likely to be announced today at year to conduct the manda- He said employers, not the a news briefing at its premises. tory health checks for newly Medical Commission, are respon- Details about the completion of recruited workers, a senior offi- sible for delays in screening of the airport complex and related cial said yesterday. newly recruited workers. issues are likely to be outlined This unit, along with another “Some companies are regis- at the briefing. Media persons branch to be set up in Mesaimeer tering their workers online for will be taken on a tour of the by the year end, will cater to sin- appointments after four months airport on the sidelines of the gle workers. The Ras Laffan unit of their arrival in the country and Egyptian women flash the ‘V for victory’ sign as they wait outside a polling station to vote on the first day of voting briefing. The new airport com- will have a capacity to screen 1,000 they themselves are complaining on a new constitution, in the Abassyia neighbourhood of Cairo, yesterday. plex has 180 buildings. people daily. of delays in the appointment sys- An additional facility is get- tem,” said Al Shaar, adding that 13,000 liquor ting ready next to the Medical no appointment takes more than Commission’s headquarters in three weeks. bottles seized Abu Hamour to conduct annual “We are now working to reduce Egypt votes on new constitution health screening of “food han- the waiting time to less than two DOHA: The Customs Depart- dlers” as well as those working weeks,” he added. CAIRO: Egyptians queued to opened, without causing any casu- turnout in favour of the consti- ment s ei z e d mor e t h a n 13,0 0 0 l iq- in barber shops, beauty salons He urged company representa- vote amid tight security yester- alties, as hundreds of thousands tution will bolster its disputed uor bottles in the second quarter and massage parlours. It is also tives to stay with workers who day in a referendum on a new of soldiers and police deployed to authority, while Sisi will monitor it (April to June) of 2013, besides expected to be ready by the end have problems in communicat- constitution likely to launch a guard polling stations. for an “indicator” of his popularity, making hauls of some quantities of this year. ing with the Medical Commission presidential bid by the army Three people were killed in the an official close to the general said. of narcotics like hashish, heroin, Four health centres and three staff. chief who overthrew Islamist town of Kerdasa, south of Cairo, Interim president Adly cocaine and marijuana as well as full-fledged hospitals exclu- The section for “food handlers” president Mohammed Mursi. and five died in central and south- Mansour called for a big turnout. narcotic pills, Al Sharq reports. sively meant for single workers, that will screen those working in Polling at most stations went ern Egypt when protesters clashed “The people must prove to dark These details were provided as which are expected to be opera- hotels, cafeterias, salons, beauty smoothly, but eight people were with police and civilian opponents. terrorism that they fear nothing,” part of the department’s infor- tional by 2016, will also have parlours and massage centres will killed in clashes outside Cairo Before the voting ended, at he said after casting his vote. mation exchange programme Medical Commission units, the handle around 500 visitors daily. between Mursi supporters and least 140 people, including some “The voting is not only for with its GCC peers. Commission’s director, Dr Ibrahim “People working as food han- police and anti-Mursi groups, Brotherhood members, had been the constitution, but also for the Al Shaar, said at a press confer- dlers and at salons and massage security officials said. arrested for disrupting the poll- road map, so the country can Erdogan ready to ence yesterday. centres need to undergo annual The violence highlighted the ing in some areas, security offi- have an elected president and a The new Medical Commission health screening. They also need government’s precarious grip on cials said. parliament.” withdraw bill units at Mesaimeer, Ras Laffan more specific health tests, like for the most populous Arab nation, Defence minister Abdel Fattah Mansour’s government has Industrial City and at the health dermatology and general health, as still reeling from Mursi’s ouster Al Sisi, the general who overthrew pledged the referendum will be ANKARA: Turkish Prime centres for single workers will be they come in direct contact with and a crackdown on his supporters. Mursi, visited a polling station at followed by parliamentary and Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan operated by Qatar Red Crescent, people and food,” said Al Shaar. An Islamist coalition led by a Cairo school to inspect security presidential elections. said yesterday he was ready according to an agreement signed The Medical Commission’s the former president’s Muslim preparations yesterday. It is unclear how many to withdraw a contentious bill with the Supreme Council of headquarters, which operates Brotherhood had urged protests “Work hard. We need the refer- Egyptians will turn out to vote, aimed at curbing the powers Health. with 420 staff from 7am to 8pm, and a boycott of the two-day vote, endum to be completely secured,” but the constitution appears cer- of the judiciary as he battled to “The number of people coming receives around 3,000 people daily. which ends today. he told soldiers guarding the tain to pass. contain a political crisis. to Qatar is increasing; the new Continued on page 4 A small bomb exploded outside school. See also page 7 See also page 6 Medical Commission units are THE PENINSULA a Cairo court shortly before polls The government hopes a large AFP THE PENINSULA & AFP

Attiyah wins Dakar Rally stage 8 Saudi stops SMS US slams Israeli defence to guardians when women travel minister’s attack on Kerry RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has sus- JERUSALEM: Israel’s defence A State Department official pended a programme that noti- minister accused US Secretary said Washington expected Prime fies the male guardians of female of State John Kerry of an Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to relatives, who may travel abroad “incomprehensible obsession” disavow his minister’s comments. only with their permission, once with Middle East peace, draw- Israel’s top-selling newspaper the women leave the country, it ing a furious response from Yediot Aharonot quoted Yaalon was reported yesterday. the Jewish state’s chief ally as expressing hope that Kerry Since November 2012, Saudi yesterday. would end his peace push and women’s male guardians have The White House described focus his energies elsewhere. been sent a text message inform- Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon’s “The American plan for security ing them when women under reported comments as “offensive,” arrangements that was shown to their custody leave, even if they in a mark of the degree of out- us isn’t worth the paper it was are travelling together. rage in Washington at the latest written on,” Yaalon was quoted The programme, which was public spat between the two allies, as saying in private conversations strongly criticised by women Mini driver Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar competes during Stage 9 of the Dakar Rally 2014 between Calama and which follows a major row over with Israeli officials. rights activists, “has been sus- Iquique, Chile, yesterday. Al Attiyah earlier won the eighth stage ahead of 11-time winner Stephane Peterhansel. Iran policy. AFP pended due to some observations,” See also page 28 passports department spokesman Ahmad Al Laheedan was quoted by Arab News as saying. “It will undergo amendment,” he said, indicating that the system that compounded constraints on Toxic chemicals in top brands of children’s clothing women in the ultra-conservative kingdom, could return as optional. HAMBURG: Leading environment Testing had been carried out as part of unborn children, Greenpeace added. impact the human reproductive, hormonal Men would only receive an SMS group Greenpeace said yesterday that it Greenpeace’s Detox campaign and on prod- “These chemicals can be found and immune systems when released into if they requested to be informed. had found a variety of toxic chemicals in ucts sold by Adidas, Burberry, Disney, GAP, in everything from exclusive luxury the environment. As it is, women must show children’s clothing made by major global Primark and Nike among others. designs to budget fashion,” Greenpeace Under its Detox campaign, Greenpeace immigration authorities a “yel- fashion brands. Every brand tested was found to have chemicals expert Manfred Santen has forged an alliance of 18 fashion brands, low paper” signed by their father, The chemicals don’t pose a direct health products containing hazardous chemicals told a news conference in Hamburg. including Mango and H&M, which have brother, husband or even son in risk but are dangerous when released into , Greenpeace said, including, for example, Noting that there was no difference in promised to stop the use of toxic chemicals the case of divorce or widowhood nature, warned the organisation. Children nonylphenol ethoxylates, which break down levels found in children’s clothing and those in their products by 2020. confirming their permission to are more vulnerable to their adverse effects. in the environment to form hormone-dis- in adult fashion, Santen said that children The organisation has now called on China, travel. Following testing of children’s clothing rupting chemicals, as well as cancer-causing were especially vulnerable to the adverse which is the world’s largest textile producer, Activists welcomed the suspen- and shoes made by 12 global fashion brands, perfluoroctane acid. affects of chemicals. to help facilitate chemical elimination and sion of the SMS programme. several hazardous chemicals had been found In others, traces of phthalates had been He also said that the toxic threads didn’t supply chain transparency for the industry. AFP in 82 pieces. found, which may damage fertility and pose an immediate health risk, but would AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Expat greengrocers on wheels

DOHA: A new trend is being witnessed in some far-off suburbs of the city: Some expatriates have begun vend- ing fruits and vegetables in their cars. This photographer sighted a motorist carrying fruits and locally grown vegetables in the trunk of his car, which he said he was vending. The man was seen taking rounds in the alleys of Duhail early yesterday. He was car- rying stocks of fruits like pomegranates and plums, and vegetables. Initially reluctant to be pho- tographed, the vendor said he had bought stocks from newly- www.swiss-belhotel.com opened vegetable and fruit Tel yards where prices are much lower than those at the Central Fax Market. It seems most patrons of this unique vendor are Qatari households that dominate the Tel locality. There are not many Fax neighbourhood stores in the area and that, obviously, is a factor that is helping the vendor carry out his business profitably. A motorist (not in the photograph) carrying fruits and vegetables in the trunk of his car for sale in Duhail Tel THE PENINSULA suburb of Doha. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH Fax

Tollfree Fax Qatar to show potential of

Tel Fax waste-to-energy technology

Tel Fax EcoWASTE 2014 in Abu Dhabi to focus on waste management sector

DOHA: With the Gulf comprises a state-of-the-art the waste it receives is diverted waste they send to landfill. Cooperation Council (GCC) waste sorting and recycling from landfill.” Sharjah is targeting zero- Tel states having among the high- facility, an engineered landfill, The exhibition, hosted by waste-to-landfill by 2015 and Fax est rates of waste output per a composting plant, and a 1,500 Masdar, in partnership with Abu Dhabi aims at diverting 85 capita in the world, the inau- tonnes per day capacity waste- TADWEER-CWM, is also percent of its waste from dump- www.doha.hilton.com gural EcoWASTE exhibition, to-energy incineration plant. expected to provide a gateway to ing grounds by 2018. from January 20 to 22 in Singaporean company Keppel a multi-billion-dollar industry. Among international suppli- Tel +974 44233333 Abu Dhabi, will illustrate the Seghers designed and built the “The business potential of ers, Swedish company Avfall potential to develop innova- DSWMC complex. sustainable waste manage- Sverige will display its expertise Fax +974 44233000 tive solutions and new busi- “Several Middle East coun- ment is set to be transformed, in the waste-to-energy sector. ness opportunities to promote tries are considering waste- and with the involvement of Around 50 percent of sustainable waste manage- to-energy as a viable and more than 50 local and inter- Sweden’s solid waste is con- ment, including recycling cost-effective means to address national suppliers and 2,000 verted into sustainable energy. infrastructure and waste-to- the mounting problem of munic- industry professionals, the first “Waste management is seen energy technologies. ipal waste output and Qatar has EcoWASTE exhibition is pro- as a public service and there Qatar is leading by example led by example,” said Dr Johan viding a gateway to a multi- is a clear division of roles and with its Domestic Solid Waste De Greef of Keppel Seghers. billion-dollar industry,” said responsibilities that enable Management Centre (DSWMC) “The DSWMC facility is Naji El Haddad, Show Director, necessary investments in infra- showcasing its technology at the entirely self-sufficient in power EcoWASTE. structure, for example,” said Tel exhibition. and exports 35MW of its total In the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Weine Wiqvist, CEO, Avfall Completed in 2011, DSWMC, output of 50MW to the national Sharjah have set bold targets Sverige. Fax the first of its kind in the GCC, grid. What’s more, 95 percent of for reducing the amount of solid THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax Three Qatari films to open DFI’s Hekayat Khaleejiya series DOHA: Three Qatari films will open this (MIA) on Thursday and Friday, at 7pm. village. It premiered at the inaugural Ajyal Tel year’s edition of the Doha Film Institute’s Part of the Official Selection of Al Jazeera Youth Film Festival last November. Fax (DFI) year-round series, ‘Hekayat International Documentary Film Festival, Winner of the Made in Qatar competition Khaleejiya,’ that showcases Khaleeji films Flight 13 presents the experiences of Al at Ajyal Youth Film Festival, My Hero is the within the Doha community. Jazeera Sports Crew, when they boarded a story of a young boy who idolises his busy The films include Flight 13 by Ahmed private aircraft to travel between two cities, father and devises a clever way to spend Bukamal, Al Kora by Amal Al Muftah and but the plane’s wheels failed to unfold in the more time with him. Tel My Hero by Nora Al Subai. air, before it hit the ground. Tickets are priced at QR35 and QR25 Fax The screenings, which also include a Al Kora depicts dedicated efforts of a for students. question-answer session with the filmmak- brother and a sister, and their attempt Visit www.dohafilminstitute.com for ers, will be held at Museum of Islamic Art to retrieve a lost football in an old Qatari details. THE PENINSULA

Tel Fax Preparations for Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2014

Tel Fax

Tel Fax

Tel Fax www.renaissancedoha.com

Tel +974 44195000 Fax +974 44195100

Groundsmen making final preparations for next week’s $2.5m Commercial Bank Qatar Masters 2014 at Doha Golf Club yesterday. World No. 3 Henrik Stenson and former World No. 1 Luke Donald will feature in the championship from January 22 to 25. QASSIM RAHMATULLAH See also page 26 WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Many Al Million drivers Airport launches mobile back to work as rentals dispute ends application, website DOHA: Many Al Million taxi when operations return to nor- drivers who were on strike mal on Wednesday (today),” returned to work yesterday. said Mathew. New services to optimise and enhance airport navigation for passengers Others have not yet decided Al Million, a franchise of to resume work or go home. Mowasalat, has about 650 taxis The dispute over terms of with more than 1,000 drivers. payment with their employers Daily rentals have been was resolved in the afternoon. reduced to QR220 from QR235 Drivers who have been work- (for 12 hours) and full-day (24 ing on a ‘daily rental’ basis hours) from QR300 to QR285. went on a strike on Saturday A driver who returned to in protest against the current work said they had no option system. other than settling for lesser They also demanded that the reduction. management reduce rentals. “The company has only “The issue was resolved in reduced QR15 from daily rent- the afternoon after negotia- als. But we had asked to reduce tions,” Joby Mathew, Human them to QR200 and pay for the Resources Manager at Al fuel or fix rentals at QR180 and Million, told this newspaper. we bear the petrol expenses,” The company has agreed he said. to reduce rentals by QR15 “We had also asked QR300 which is less than what was rentals for 24 hours to be demanded by the drivers. reduced to QR250,” he added. Although many drivers Another driver who has have returned to work, it’s not decided to return to work clear if others will follow suit today said, “I have decided to or decide to leave the job and report to work, but some of my return home. colleagues are unable to make “It’s too early to know if all a decision either to rejoin or have agreed to the new rental go home.” Qatar is fast becoming a major travel and transit hub, making DIA an increasingly busy airport. system. We would know only THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Doha International services. Passengers will be able The application is available on the browser of any smartphone or Airport (DIA) has launched a to access flight information and iPhone and Android-based phones tablet. “In today’s age of informa- new mobile application and a contact details of the airport, air- as a native application and as a tion and communication technol- New US visa not required if Qataris new mobile website to optimise lines and airport authorities. mobile site on smartphones, tab- ogy, airports need to anticipate and enhance airport naviga- “With one-third of the world’s lets and BlackBerry. passenger demands and stay change, renew passports: Embassy tion for passengers travelling population living within a four- Passengers can download the ahead of trends and developments through the airport. hour flight from Doha and two- application “Doha International that will enhance the overall pas- DOHA: The US Embassy has clarified that Qataris travelling to The new services, available in thirds within an eight-hour flight, Airport” from the iPhone or senger experience. the US are not required to obtain a new visa in case they change Arabic and English, will enable Qatar is fast becoming a major Android smartphone app store. “Passengers are encouraged to or renew their passports after stamping the visa as long as the old quick and easy access to handy travel and transit hub, making The application has the capabil- check their app store regularly for visa is valid. information about the airport DIA an increasingly busy airport. ity to work offline and provides updates, as we look at enhancing Responding to a report carried by The Peninsula yesterday on US directly from smartphones and “We are continuously look- information about airport facili- the application bilingually, offering visa procedures for Qataris, the embassy said, “If your visa is still valid tablets. ing at ways to increase effi- ties, contact details and maps even push notifications, point to point you can travel to the US with your old and new passports, as long as The application and website ciency and provide value-added without an Internet connection. navigation, information on events the name and other personal data are the same in both.” features include easy access to benefits to passengers,” said The website can be accessed at the airport and duty- free pro- The report had said applicants are required to obtain a fresh visa if information about facilities and Abdulaziz Abdulla Al Mass, Senior from the free WiFi service pro- motions directly to our passen- they changed their passports after the visa was stamped. services within the airport and Manager, Public Relations and vided by DIA, or by entering gers,” added Al Mass. THE PENINSULA terminal maps to locate these Communications at DIA. m.dohaairport.com directly into THE PENINSULA

Youngsters taking part in a workshop. MasterCard, INJAZ to develop financial literacy among youth

DOHA: INJAZ Qatar, a non- empowered to build a secure Hamza Preparatory School for profit organisation and mem- future for themselves and their Boys. ber of Junior Achievement (JA) families while making a positive “Through this programme, Worldwide, has partnered with contribution to their community,” every student has managed to MasterCard to encourage and said Raghu Malhotra, Division discover their hidden talents develop work readiness, finan- President, Middle East and North and this has resulted in some cial literacy and entrepreneur- Africa, MasterCard. brilliant ideas that demonstrate ship skills among students in The six-session programme their entrepreneurial charac- Qatar through the JA ‘It’s My encompasses an entrepreneur- ter,” said Abdelkhalek Ali from Business’ programme. ship curriculum for students from PricewaterhouseCoopers who The programme will target grades seven to nine and empha- volunteered to teach at Hamza about 100 students during the sises entrepreneurship content Bin Abdul Mutaleb Preparatory 2013-14 academic year. while focusing on social studies, School for Boys. It was launched in 2012 across reading and writing skills. The programme encourages the region as a collaboration Aysha Al Mudahka, Executive students to learn entrepreneurial between INJAZ and MasterCard Director of INJAZ Qatar, said, skills through hands-on activities to promote financial inclusion “Through this programme, stu- and technologies designed to sup- through the power of entre- dents are encouraged to adopt port learning styles. preneurship, and give youth an entrepreneurial skills that sup- It also enables students to gain opportunity to achieve their full port positive attitudes as they a better understanding of the potential. explore and enhance their career relationship between what they “Through our partnership, aspirations.” learn in school activities and their we aim at developing a genera- To date, INJAZ Qatar has participation in a worldwide econ- tion of educated and motivated held seven classes at Roqayaa omy. young individuals who will be Preparatory School for Girls and THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Abu Samra likely to 40 brands to attend Qatar be coldest tonight DOHA: Day temperatures whereas the night would be chilly, could drop to 17 degrees Celsius with mercury levels plummeting International Motor show in Al Ruwais today while in to 11 degrees. In Al Khor, the Doha, the night would be a bit maximum temperature forecast chilly with the mercury dipping is 21 degrees and the minimum to 12 degrees. 11. In Messaieed and Al Wakrah, Expo moved from January to February to maximise global participation The day, on the other hand, temperatures would fall to 11 would likely be warmer in Doha degrees tonight, while day tem- BY RAYNALD C RIVERA with the mercury soaring to 22 peratures would likely be 20 degrees. degrees. DOHA: Over 40 latest auto According to the Weather The bureau has issued no brands are taking part in Bureau, the coldest place in the warning for today and said vis- the fourth edition of Qatar country today would be Abu ibility could be just three kilome- International Motor Show from Samra, with the temperature tres initially (in the morning) and February 21 to 25 at Qatar dropping to 10 degrees at night. would improve to four to eight National Convention Centre. The day would be hotter with km gradually. “This year more than 40 brands sunshine taking the mercury to The wind direction inland are participating, which is 20 per- 20 degrees here. would initially be northwesterly cent more compared to last year,” In Al Ruwais, the night and change to southwesterly said Ricard Zapatero, CEO of wouldn’t likely be as cold as else- later. Offshore, the wind direc- Fira de Barcelona International, where in the country since the tion would be northwesterly, with which is co-organising the expo minimum temperature forecast speed ranging up to 15 knots. with Qatar Tourism Authority for the place is 15 degrees. Inland, the weather would over- (QTA) and q.Media Events. Fira Dukhan would witness day all be fine today, said the bureau. Barcelona is a leading Spanish temperatures of up to 19 degrees THE PENINSULA trade and industrial show organ- iser with a portfolio of over 70 expos. Hamad Alabdan, Director of Mashreq Qatar wins Best Exhibitions, QTA, told a press conference yesterday at the InterContinental Doha that this Internet Bank award year’s show is being organised after consultation with exhibitors DOHA: Mashreq Qatar, one to receive global industry rec- to avoid problems they faced in of the region’s leading finan- ognition for our commitment to the previous edition. cial institutions, was awarded delivering technological inno- As a result, the fee has been The Director of Exhibitions, Qatar Tourism Authority, Hamad Alabdan addressing a press conference to announce the ‘Best Internet Bank’ by the vation combined with a seam- reduced from $270 to $220 per Qatar International Motor Show at the InterContinental Doha yesterday. With him are the Deputy Group CEO, UK-based International Finance less customer experience,” said sqm and the date of the event Entertainment, q.Media, Jaber Al Ansari (left) and the International Director of Fira de Barcelona, Ricard Zapatero. magazine. Niranjan Mendonca, Head of moved from January to February, SALIM MATRAMKOT The awards recognise excel- Retail Banking, Mashreq Qatar. maximising the participation of lence in the banking and finance “These awards are testament exhibitors from around the world. industry in more than 40 coun- to advances we have made as a “In international calendar, date circuit designers from Formula 1 premier events on Qatar’s events provides us with an opportunity tries and were presented in a cer- financial institution in the region is important because there are and teams around the world are calendar,” said Alabdan. to communicate messages such emony in Dubai. and our progressive approach to many events to schedule. So we taking part, Zapatero revealed. “Qatar, a leading MICE desti- as safe driving as well as being This is the second award in the the business of banking. This will are placing ourselves between Expos on sports cars and the nation, will see further growth able to share new technology and same year for Mashreq Qatar, encourage us to continue deliv- Detroit and Geneva (auto shows), best competition images from in the meetings and exhibitions designs with the industry and the which was recently confirmed as ering truly convenient financial so everybody can join ours,” said around the world also other high- industry under the new strategy, public. the ‘Best Internet Bank’ by New solutions across all touch points.” Zapatero. American brands such lights at the expo which expected which brings new focus to our “We are looking forward to a York-based Global Finance maga- The awards-series honours indi- as General Motors, which was to witness around 150,000 visi- efforts to develop all segments of bigger and better show and will zine for the fifth year in a row. viduals and organisations in the not able to take part in previous tors, he added. tourism in the country,” he added. announce details over the next Both awards reflect the suc- international finance industry for editions, is able to take part this “Events such as this show play Jaber Al Ansari, Deputy Group couple of weeks.” cess of the online banking plat- their innovation and performance. year because of the change in an important role in cement- CEO, Entertainment q.Media The show will be free for the form and the level of confidence Considerations for the awards schedule, he said. ing Qatar’s position as a leading said: “We are delighted to part- public from February 21 to 25, of customers in Mashreq Qatar’s include corporate social respon- Among the exciting events is a events destination in the region. ner again with QTA to bring from 4pm to 10pm on weekdays capabilities. sibility, charitable activities, talk show about motor competi- The show combines trade and this event to Qatar and this and 1pm to 10pm on weekends. “To win the title of ‘Best corporate governance and other tion in which engineers, pilots and consumer interests in one of the time joined by Fira Barcelona. It THE PENINSULA Internet Bank’ from two major achievements in the international finance magazines is a tremen- finance community. dous achievement. We are proud THE PENINSULA Number of unfit cases declines Rentals push up annual inflation to 2.7pc Continued from page 1 DOHA: Qatar’s year-on-year of commodities and services percent — followed by ‘Rentals, decline of 0.8 percent and The recently-opened Medical Commission unit at Industrial Area inflation rose to 2.7 percent in except the ‘Miscellaneous Goods Fuel and Energy’ group, up by 4.8 “Transport and Communications’ Health Centre for male workers receives around 500 people everyday. December 2013, mainly due to and Services’ group which percent at the end of December prices fell by 0.2 percent. The units at Shamal, Al Wakrah and Al Khor health centres conduct a consistent rise in rentals and declined by 5.4 percent in 2013 2013. A CPI exclusive of ‘Rentals, tests for families and house maids. Private hospitals — Doha Clinic, partly driven by food, energy since December 2012. Month-on-month basis com- Fuel and Energy’ group has also Al Emadi and Al Ahli — have been permitted by the commission to and entertainment prices, offi- However, the CPI of December parisons show rentals and been calculated. After eliminat- conduct the mandatory screening for white-collar workers. cial data released yesterday 2013 remains unchanged at prices of fuel, energy, gar- ing effects of rentals, the overall The mandatory tests aim at preventing the spread of infectious show. the previous month’s level ments and footwear witnessed index has reached 126.6, show- diseases. Of all people who undergo tests at units, about three percent According to the Consumer (November 2013) of 115.5 (2007 a marginal decline of 0.2 per- ing a marginal fall of 0.1 per- are found with infectious diseases, mainly with tuberculosis and a few Price Index (CPI) released by base prices). cent in December compared to cent compared to the CPI of cases of HIV, according to Al Shaar. Those with such diseases are the Ministry of Development The highest increases were November 2013. November 2013, and a rise of 1.9 sent back home. He said the number of unfit cases had declined after Planning and Statistics, increases recorded in ‘Entertainment, Miscellaneous Goods and percent compared to December check-ups in workers’ countries. THE PENINSULA were recorded in all major groups Recreation and Culture’ — 5.2 Services’ group shows a price 2012. THE PENINSULA Ooredoo and Twitter enhance user security DOHA: Ooredoo has ena- enter their mobile numbers bled an online security into the “Mobile” section of feature for Twitter users “Settings,” then click the to enhance safety and “Security” tab and select security of customers’ “Send Log-in Verification data. It has also launched Request.” a new service which allows Since the launch of two- users to send tweets via step log-in verification SMS, a first for Qatar. service, Twitter has per- By logging into their mitted a limited number Twitter accounts from a of countries and operators laptop or PC, customers to support the feature glo- can enable the Twitter bally and Ooredoo, which login-verification service by had been in discussion with securely registering a veri- Twitter to enable the serv- fied mobile phone number ice since its launch, is the for their website accounts. first in Qatar to offer the This reduces the chances two-step log-in verification. of having personal infor- Ooredoo and Twitter mation in online accounts have also enabled access breached, by offering to Twitter for mobile, another layer of secu- meaning users can now rity, a fixed password and tweet, receive and reply to username. tweets via SMS. Twitter The feature works by for Mobile is available by sending a short code via accessing the “Mobile” sec- SMS whenever someone tion under ‘Settings’ on a tries to log in to the users’ Twitter website account. website accounts, to the Customers can add their number registered in their Ooredoo mobile numbers to accounts, which customers their accounts and verify must respond to in order to the number by sending an complete the log-in proc- SMS to the short code with ess. To activate the feature, the keyword “Go” when Twitter users need to visit prompted the Twitter website and THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Media tours Medical Commission

Dr Ibrahim Al Shaar, Director of Medical Commission, speaking to media persons and (Right) people waiting for their turn for tests at the Medical Commission headquarters yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P Ministry urged to simplify Healthcare providers building licensing procedures asked to implement Advisory Council debates draft law on exterior colour of buildings unified coding system DOHA: The Advisory Council suggests that all buildings in the session of the Council is about asked to leave five metres of has urged the Ministry of country should have their exte- giving one week to house own- space (in length) in front as DOHA: The Supreme Council of the Board of Directors of SCH Municipality and Urban riors painted in colours decided ers who have violated licensing mandated. of Health (SCH) has asked all for diagnosis coding in Qatar since Planning to simplify building by the municipality of the area rules and made alterations. Some people build homes on healthcare providers to imple- 2011. licensing procedures. concerned. Currently, the law (No. 4 of plots admeasuring just about 30 ment the unified coding system — “As such, health service provid- The Council, at its regu- The Council referred the 1985 regulating buildings) pro- metres long and 30 metres wide ICD-10-AM (7th Edition) — in the ers are obliged to implement this lar weekly session on Monday, draft law to its internal serv- vides 24 hours to violators to at costs that can reach QR5m, lead up to expanding the national coding system when coding all passed a proposal to the effect. ices committee, whose recom- rectify the situation. said Al Kabi. health insurance scheme to more inpatient and outpatient services It was passed by 14 votes in mendations were debated by the The Council is likely to ask “So they should not be asked segments of the population. provided in their facilities,” said the favour. Nine members voted Council on Monday. the authorities concerned to leave so much space in front SCH is preparing to launch the circular. against the proposal while two The Council proposed that to give violators at least one of their houses,” said Al Kaabi. second phase of the mandatory The notification didn’t give any abstained. the above rule be applied only week to comply with licensing “The land is so expensive.” insurance scheme by this April, timeframe for implementing the Another key proposal passed to new buildings that would be conditions. But the Council did not which is expected to involve more new coding system. by the Council relates to the constructed after the new law Member Nasser Al Kabi approve the proposal on the hospitals and clinics. The hospitals enrolled in the exterior colour of buildings. is put into force and existing moved a proposal which was ground that the above condition Three public hospitals and as insurance scheme have been follow- A draft law passed by the buildings should be exempted. rejected by the Council. is not specified by the law, and is many private ones are participat- ing this system as a precondition Cabinet and referred to the Another important proposal He said that those building rather a rule set by the ministry. ing in the first phase of the scheme for payment. Council early last September likely to be discussed at the next smaller houses should not be THE PENINSULA launched last September. “Patient Minimum Data Set In a circular to all licensed (MDS) is the ruling document for healthcare providers recently, submission of data to NHIC and SCH said the unified coding sys- SCH and prevails over any other tem has been made mandatory for documents with respect to data all providers, as well as the Qatar requirements,” said the circular. Outpatient Classification Scheme The MDS defines the minimum (QOCS) and Patient Minimum data provided for every patient Vodafone-Media Network SMS Data Set (MDS). encounter for funding the service All clinics and hospitals par- (s) in different healthcare settings, ticipating in the scheme will be it added. required to adopt the unified code The Qatari Outpatient Connect to boost businesses and the MDS while providing data Classification System (QOCS) is about each patient, diagnosis and the ruling system to define the treatment to National Health funding methodology for services DOHA: Vodafone Qatar and Insurance Company (NHIC), the provided for all outpatients as clas- Media Network, a media solu- main insurance provider. sified in six clinic types/categories. tions company, have extended Implementation of the unified Diagnosis coding according to partnership to include SMS code will help standardise and unify ICD-1O-AM is mandatory. Connect which will give busi- the cost of medical treatment in “We look forward to implementa- nesses in the country the the country. tion of coding standards in Qatar ability to communicate with “Use and implementation of ICD- for improved transparency and their customers using text 1O-AM 7th edition has been man- planning of services,” said SCH. messages. dated by the Executive Committee THE PENINSULA Media Network has been using Vodafone’s mobility serv- ices for one year and last May began using Vodafone’s Machine to Machine (M2M) solution to track the location of its com- pany vehicles. The innovations have helped Media Network to increase its operational effi- ciency and improve perform- ance across the company. “We are proud that Media Network relies on Vodafone for FROM LEFT: Nael Jammoul, CEO, Media Network, Abdullah Johar, Owner of Media Network, and Mohammed its telecommunications needs, Al Yami, Vodafone Director of External Affairs, at the event. mobile network, M2M and now SMS connect. We are commit- of businesses in Qatar,” said heart of Vodafone and Media businesses in Qatar meet their ted to ensuring that Vodafone’s Mohammed Al Yami, Director Network, so partnering with present and future require- growing range of business serv- of External Affairs, Vodafone Vodafone is a natural fit for ments,” said Nael Jammoul, ices coupled with our local and Qatar. us. We look forward to grow- CEO, Media Network. global expertise serves the needs “Innovation lies at the ing this partnership to help THE PENINSULA

Pillion-rider without helmet

A pillion-rider without a helmet and his biker waiting at traffic lights near Airport Area yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST

UAE to boost Kuwait govt to private sector jobs for nationals

DUBAI: The United Arab keep reviewing Emirates wants to increase the number of its citizens employed in the private sector tenfold by 2021, and will intervene in the subsidies labour market if necessary to reach that goal, the prime min- ister said yesterday. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Subsidies must reach right hands: Minister Al Maktoum was listing the gov- ernment’s policy goals for the KUWAIT: Kuwait’s govern- next seven years in a speech to ment will continue a review of more than 300 officials in the its heavy spending on subsidies UAE capital Abu Dhabi. under a new cabinet appointed “Our goal is to increase the this month, the new finance Emiratisation in the private sec- minister said yesterday. tor tenfold. The government will “There should be a decrease in enforce a number of measures if general but they will not be elimi- there is not enough incentive for nated,” Anas Al Saleh, who took working in the private sector,” office last week, told reporters on Sheikh Mohammed said, quoted the sidelines of a session of par- by state news agency Wa m . liament. “It is only to make sure Fewer than 15 percent of the that the subsidies are going to the UAE’s roughly 9 million people right people, that they are not are estimated to be local citi- going to people who do not need zens; most of the rest are foreign Jordan’s King Abdullah with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif before their meeting at the Royal the subsidies. So in other words, workers. More than two-thirds Palace in Amman yesterday. we are not thinking of a decline of the UAE citizens in employ- for people who need subsidies.” ment work in the public sector, The government said last the International Monetary Fund November that it would form a says. Anas Al Saleh Wreath on Hezbollah leader’s special committee to review its Sheikh Mohammed did not sometimes wasteful spending elaborate on what steps the gov- on subsidies for goods and serv- from the ruling Al Sabah family ernment might take. Officials ices, which cost over KD4.5bn hold top posts. have been considering a range grave: US condemns Iran FM ($15.9bn) a year. Saleh, a former minister for of options, including changing Despite Kuwait’s oil wealth, commerce and industry, is part of labour laws to make private sector WASHINGTON: The United in condemning the move that Iran’s nuclear programme. some of its own financial experts, a younger generation of Kuwaiti employment more attractive for States yesterday condemned a Moughniyeh had been responsi- “The decision to commemo- as well as the International ministers. He worked at finan- UAE citizens, and imposing a tax decision by Iran’s foreign min- ble for “heinous acts of terrorism rate an individual who has par- Monetary Fund, have warned cial firms in Kuwait after study- on foreign workers’ remittances ister to place a wreath at the that killed hundreds of innocent ticipated in such vicious acts, and that the state budget could fall ing business administration at of money to their home countries, grave of a former Lebanese people, including Americans.” whose organization continues to into deficit in coming years at the University of Portland in the which could make it more expen- Hezbollah leader accused of “The inhumane violence that actively support terrorism world- current rates of spending growth. United States. sive to hire foreigners. perpetrating attacks that killed Moughniyeh perpetrated — and wide, sends the wrong message But cutting subsidies is politi- He said charging consumers Neighbouring Saudi Arabia hundreds of people. that Lebanese Hezbollah contin- and will only exacerbate tensions cally difficult because of long- more for state utilities was among and Oman are also trying to Iranian Foreign Minister ues to perpetrate in the region in the region,” Hayden said. standing tensions between the the options being considered in push more of their citizens into Mohammad Javad Zarif was with Iran’s financial and mate- Meanwhile, Zarif yesterday cabinet and parliament, where the subsidies review. But he made private sector jobs through steps photographed on Monday laying rial support — has had profoundly met Jordan’s King Abdullah and many lawmakers campaign to clear that he understood the such as labour quotas and finan- a wreath at the grave of assas- destabilizing and deadly effects Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, raise social benefits. political sensitivity of such a step. cial incentives. sinated Hezbollah military com- for Lebanon and the region,” during his trip to Amman. Last week’s cabinet reshuffle “The thought is there and it The UAE government is keen mander Imad Moughniyeh in the Hayden said. Talks during the meeting dealt was triggered by the resignations has to be step by step, and to to move more of its citizens to southern suburbs of Beirut. The condemnation came as the with bilateral ties and ways of of several ministers after friction make sure that there are not sud- the private sector to diversify Caitlin Hayden, spokes- United States works with world enhancing cooperation in various between lawmakers and members den actions — it has to be well- the economy and ease pressure woman for the White House powers to ensure Iran abides by an fields, particularly in economic of the cabinet, in which officials planned.” REUTERS on state finances. REUTERS National Security Council, said interim deal aimed at containing spheres. REUTERS

Bombs and Erdogan offers compromise over judicial bill shootings kill ANKARA: Turkish Prime targeted his inner circle. and purged hundreds of police and including business leaders, civil Organisation (MIT), and blocking Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan His comments came as the prosecutors involved in the inves- servants and the sons of cabinet its efforts to deliver aid to Syria. 24 in Iraq said yesterday he was ready country’s political tumult took tigation, which Erdogan claims ministers. Media reports said 23 people to withdraw a contentious bill yet another twist with police raids is a plot by Gulen supporters to Erdogan is believed to be seek- were arrested in simultaneous BAGHDAD: Sunni militants aimed at curbing the powers against an Islamic charity close to destabilise him ahead of local ing the presidency if the consti- raids in six cities on Tuesday staged coordinated attacks of the judiciary as he battled to the government that is accused of elections on March 30. tution is changed to give the post against Al Qaeda suspects accused near the western Iraqi city of contain the worst crisis of his 11 shipping arms to Syrian rebels. Erdogan offered a compromise US-style executive powers. But of sending fighters to Syria, rais- Fallujah yesterday, destroying years in office. The Humanitarian Relief in the row over the judiciary, say- parliamentary efforts at adopting ing money for Syrian rebels under two army tanks and capturing a But he vowed he would show no Foundation (IHH) branded the ing he could hold off his legisla- a new charter failed late last year. the guise of seeking charitable police station, police said. mercy in the bitter power strug- raids — part of a wider operation tion if the opposition agreed to Erdogan accuses the so-called donations, and providing arms There was no immediate word gle pitting his beleaguereed gov- against Al Qaeda — a “smear consider judicial reforms as part Gulenists — who hold key posts in for Al Qaeda. on the casualty toll from those ernment against supporters of an campaign” and indirectly blamed of changes to the consitution. the police and judiciary — of delib- The IHH, which hit world assaults, which occurred during a influential exiled cleric. members of the movement Erdogan’s comments came a erately acting as a “state within a headlines after Israeli comman- standoff between the army and Al “If you take pity, you’ll become headed by influential Turkish day after President Abdullah state” to topple the government. dos raided one of its aid ships Qaeda-linked militants who over- pitiable,” the defiant Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a onetime Gul — who has emerged as a more Yesterday, he described the headed for Gaza in 2010 and killed ran Falluja two weeks ago. leader thundered. Erdogan ally. conciliatory figure — intervened anti-graft operation as a “black nine activists, said one of its staff Elsewhere, car bombs and “Our democracy escaped the Erdogan, who once held an to try to defuse the crisis over stain” on Turkey’s democracy was arrested in the operation, but shootings killed at least 24 peo- largest, heaviest and wickedest almost unassailable grip on the bill, holding talks with several and rule of law and an “act of denied any Qaeda links. ple, mainly in the capital Baghdad, coup attempt ever,” he told law- power, has been battling on sev- political leaders. treachery”. “This smear campaign is police and medics said. makers from his ruling Justice eral fronts since police launched The legislation was regarded And he also accused the Gulen backed by people inside and out- A suicide bomber in an explo- and Development Party (AKP), the anti-graft raids in December. by critics as a bid to head off the movement of deliberately trying side Turkey,” IHH secretary gen- sives-laden fuel tanker blew it referring to a corruption probe His government has sought to corruption probe that has seen to undermine the Turkish secret eral Yasar Kutluay said. up under a highway bridge near launched in December that has limit the powers of the judiciary the detention of dozens of people service, the National Intelligence AFP the town of Saqlawiya, about 10 km (six miles) north of Falluja, causing the bridge to collapse and destroying one of two army tanks parked on top, police said. Gunmen then attacked and Tunisia marks third anniversary of destroyed the second tank. Simultaneously, dozens of mili- tants stormed a police station in Saqlawiya, forcing its occupants to uprising without new constitution surrender. Army helicopters later attacked the gunmen in the police TUNIS: Tunisians marked the party that was voted to power after an acrimonious debate. station. third anniversary yesterday of after Ben Ali’s downfall, but which “We must prepare the coun- The destroyed bridge lies on the the ending of years of dictator- finally resigned last week under try for the constitution that main highway leading west from ship in the first Arab Spring an agreement to end months of it deserves,” Ennahda official Baghdad across the vast Sunni uprising but political bickering political turmoil. Ajmi Lourimi told Islamist desert province of Anbar towards prevented adoption of a new The failure of Tunisia’s political demonstrators. Syria and Jordan. Police said the constitution by the symbolic factions to adopt the long-delayed “The time for military coups suicide truck bomber had driven target date. new constitution has clouded the is past, because the people will from Ramadi, the provincial capi- Tunisia’s leaders held a low-key celebrations. defend their revolution,” he added, tal of Anbar. ceremony in the Kasbah district Lawmakers previously agreed referring to the military over- Two years after US troops left of the capital, where the govern- to do so by yesterday, but the throw last July of elected Islamist Iraq, violence has climbed back to ment’s headquarters are located, to national assembly, which was due president Mohamed Morsi after its highest levels since the Sunni- commemorate the January 14, 2011, to meet early in the afternoon to a single year in power in fellow Shia bloodshed of 2006-07, when overthrow of veteran strongman continue scrutinising the draft Arab Spring country Egypt. tens of thousands of people were Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. charter, had not convened by 1500 In turn, opposition leaders took killed. President Moncef Marzouki, GMT, and no new deadline has a swipe at Ennahda. No group immediately claimed outgoing prime minister Ali been set for ratification. “Despite the difficulties, the responsibility for the spate of Larayedh and his designated suc- A third of around 150 articles obstacles and the deception of the attacks in Baghdad but the Shia- cessor, Mehdi Jomaa, attended in the text have yet to be exam- people, this revolution was made led government has blamed Al the ceremony along with other ined after nearly two weeks of to succeed,” said Issam Chebbi, a Qaeda-affiliated militants who top officials. Amid tight security, debate, and key provisions have leader of the Republican Party. have regained a strong presence thousands of flag-waving Tunisians been rejected by lawmakers dur- Tunisians are awaiting the in western Iraq, helped by the civil rallied peacefully along Habib ing fractious sessions in parlia- formation of a caretaker govern- war in neighbouring Syria. Bourguiba Avenue, epicentre of ment in recent days. ment of technocrats under Mehdi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki the mass protests that drove Ben These include articles on the Jomaa, the non-partisan former has sworn to eradicate Al Qaeda, Ali from power and inspired revolts eligibility criteria for the head of industry ministry tasked on but has ruled out an army assault across the Arab world. state and the prerogatives of the Friday with leading the country on Fallujah, saying tribesmen and The demonstrators included prime minister. Lawmakers also to fresh elections and getting the Tunisians drag a portrait along the ground of ousted long-time dictator Zine residents must force the militants both supporters and critics of rejected an article on the govern- transition back on track. El Abidine Ben Ali as they attend a rally marking the third anniversary of to leave. Ennahda, the moderate Islamist ment’s role in nominating judges, AFP the uprising against the autocrat in Tunis yesterday. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Mubarak wants to vote for new constitution Released from prison in August, former dictator is at a Cairo military hospital CAIRO: Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt with an iron fist for 30 years before he was ousted, has asked to vote in a constitu- tional referendum, his lawyer said yesterday. Mubarak, who is facing a retrial for his role in the kill- ing of protesters during the 2011 uprising that unseated him, was released from prison in August and is at a Cairo military hospital. Egyptians would have never dreamed of voting in any kind of fair election during Mubarak’s era. Apart from an experiment with more open elections in 2005, polls were mostly described as a 99 percent victory for the former air force commander and his rul- ing party. “He wants to vote,” Mubarak’s lawyer, Fareed El Deeb said in a phone conversation. “Of course it would be yes for the constitution.” Campaign material for the charter has billed the vote as the conclusion of the revolution that toppled Mubarak to try to engage all camps who took to the streets three years ago. In reality, it will strengthen state institutions such as the military, the police and the judiciary that kept him in power and eradicate FROM LEFT: Yasser Al Borhamy, founder and head of the Safalist Call, and Interim President Adly Mansour cast votes on a new constitution at polling stations in Alexandria and Cairo the influence of elected Islamists respectively, yesterday. who succeeded him before they were ousted by the army in July. A judicial source said there are Mursi in July after mass pro- Muslim Brotherhood accuses the intelligence under Mubarak. movement, The Popular Current, It was not immediately clear no legal obstacles to Mubarak tests against his rule, has prom- army-backed government of try- Former leftist presidential said in a statement. whether Mubarak would get voting, but given the security ised that a political roadmap ing to turn the clock back to the candidate Hamdeen Sabahi was The mistake represented to vote. A spokesman for the restrictions around the hospital starting with the constitutional Mubarak era. Army chief General prevented from voting in the ref- evidence that the voter data- Supreme Committee for Elections the logistics could be complicated. referendum will lead to free Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, who ousted erendum because authorities had bases needed revising, the state- said it had not received any The army, which deposed and fair elections for the presi- Mursi, is widely expected to run for registered him at a polling sta- ment quoted Sabahi as saying. requests from Mubarak’s lawyer. Islamist president Mohamed dency and parliament. Mursi’s president and win. He ran military tion in Saudi Arabia, his political REUTERS

Protesters torch Over 200 drown in Nile fleeing violence in S Sudan police vehicle in JUBA: More than 200 women Saturday when fighters loyal single loss of life in South Sudan’s saying they would attack Malakal. of the independent Community and children drowned when to rebel leader Riek Machar two-and-a-half year history, The civilians tried to squeeze Empowerment Progress W Sahara clash their overloaded boat capsized gave a warning that they would adding: themselves out. They over- Organisation, said: on the Nile as they scrambled to attack the town of Malakal. This “This is a real human disaster.” whelmed the boat and it capsized “This is the impact of too RABAT: Young protesters escape fighting in South Sudan, prompted a chaotic mass exodus He was not aware of the identity in the middle of the Nile. Many much delay of the ceasefire by have clashed with Moroccan officials said yesterday. by residents, who are of Shilluk of the ferry owner or whether women and children don’t know the competing parties. The more security forces in Laayoune, the In a disaster shocking even by ethnicity. action will be taken against them. how to swim and they drowned. they delay, the more people suffer main city of Western Sahara, the standards of the month-long “People tried to cross to their “Maybe if the situation is stabi- It’s very heartbreaking.” tragedies. torching a police vehicle, a warfare wracking the world’s villages on the other side of the lised he can be traced.” The death toll highlighted the “It is shameless and meaning- rights activist in the disputed youngest country, only two people, river,” Aguer said. President Salva Kiir’s spokes- human cost of a conflict that less for our politicians to take territory said yesterday. male crew members, are believed “Women and children were man, Ateny Wek Ateny, said a began as a bitter struggle between us back to a situation where we The protesters hurled pet- to have survived. put on board and the boat was condolence message would be politicians in South Sudan’s rul- can’t manage our own independ- rol bombs at the security forces The South Sudanese govern- filled with much more than its issued to the nation. “It’s very ing party and quickly led to the ent state. It is friction between who threw rocks in response and ment described the tragedy as capacity. It sank and between unfortunate, the magnitude of exploitation of ethnic divisions politicians who are taking us back chased them, said Hamoud Iguilid heartbreaking, and was quick to 200 and 300 people died. They what has happened to the women between Dinka and Nuer, drag- to where we don’t want to be as from the Moroccan Association of blame rebel forces for causing the were nearly all women and chil- and children,” he said. ging the fledgling nation towards citizens.” Human Rights. Morocco annexed panicked stampede to the river. dren; there were a few men but “All of this will go to Riek civil war. Up to 10,000 people are believed the former Spanish colony in 1975 Lieutenant-colonel Philip we don’t know how many. Only Machar in terms of trying to use Peace talks in neighbour- to have been killed in the violence, in a move never recognised by the Aguer, a military spokesman, two people survived.” a short cut to power. ing Ethiopia have borne little aid sources and analysts estimate. international community, while said the incident happened last Aguer described it as the worst “The rebels caused panic by fruit. Edmund Yakani, director GUARDIAN NEWS neighbouring Algeria backs the pro-independence Polisario Front and hosts Sahrawi refugee camps. Rabat has vowed to invest heavily in Western Sahara in order to boost development and Protesters fire create jobs. But the government Charities pledge $400m Syria aid has increasingly come in for criti- shots at Libyan cism over human rights violations in the disputed territory, which it KUWAIT: Non-governmental considers an integral part of its parliament organisations have promised territory, and where separatist to donate a combined $400m protests are not tolerated. building for humanitarian aid for Syria Iguilid said the demonstration ahead of an international donor took place on Monday evening TRIPOLI: Protesters fired conference to be held in Kuwait, in the Porco district of the city, shots at Libya’s parliament the Gulf state’s official news with the youths shouting pro- building in Tripoli yesterday, agency Kuna said yesterday. independence slogans when the hitting it several times and The donor conference, which security forces arrived. prompting the session to be sus- opens today, aims to help the The Moroccan prefecture in pended but causing no casual- United Nations raise $6.5bn for Laayoune said the police vehicle, ties, a lawmaker said. Syria and neighbouring countries which was on a routine patrol, Demonstrators have attacked in 2014, the biggest humanitarian was completely destroyed when or broken into the General aid appeal in the organisation’s a petrol bomb landed inside it, National Congress (GNC) build- history. A similar donor confer- and a policeman was hospitalised. ing several times in the past, ence held in Kuwait last year But Iguilid denied that anyone either trying to force the adoption pledged $1.5bn, mainly from Gulf was injured, saying the protest- of laws or to air other grievances. Arab governments, to help pro- ers hit the armoured car with a “We heard the shots before vide food, drinking water, medi- petrol bomb, “which caused a bit the bullets hit the front of the cine and shelter for Syrians inside of fire.” building,” the congresswoman and outside of the country. said on condition of anonym- Syria’s civil war has killed more Saudi beheads ity. Demonstrators calling for a than 100,000 people and forced vote of no confidence in Prime some 2 million to flee abroad, Minister Ali Zeidan’s government according to the United Nations. two Pakistanis fired the shots, she added. Another 4 million have been dis- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits Syrian refugees at Erbil, northern Iraq, yesterday. The visit Security personnel helped law- placed inside the country. comes a day ahead of an international pledging conference in Kuwait organised by the United Nations, where the RIYADH: Saudi authori- makers to evacuate the building. Overall, only 70 percent of cri- UN is seeking about $6.5bn to help displaced Syrians. ties beheaded yesterday two The GNC, the country’s highest sis funding pledged for Syria in Pakistanis for drug smuggling political authority, had been dis- 2013 has been received by the U.N, because of this continuing vio- for the donor conference in Iran and the Gulf states. in the kingdom’s first executions cussing the future of Zeidan’s cab- according to the body’s Financial lence,” he said. Kuwait City, following the UN’s She said it even recently of the year, the interior minis- inet after a no-confidence motion Tracking Service (FTS). largest appeal ever for a single relaxed its sanctions regime try said. Abrar Hussein Nizar was tabled by 72 lawmakers. UN Secretary General Ban EU PLEDGES MORE emergency. “This is most tragic against the Assad government to Hussein was executed in Jeddah Zeidan has been repeatedly crit- Ki-moon, who will chair the The European Union offered an for 225,000 people in besieged enable Damascus if necessary to after being convicted of trying icised for his government’s failure Kuwait conference, has expressed extra ¤165m of aid to victims of areas where there is no way for buy food, medicine or even cook- to smuggle in heroin hidden in to tackle the instability that has regret that not all of the money Syria’s unrelenting civil war yes- help to get in, or for people to ing oil. Inside Syria, “the hard- his stomach, SPA news agency plagued Libya since the ouster has been received, Kuna said last terday while urging world powers get out,” she said in an interview. liners, the Jihadists, they are said. of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in week. The United Nations is expe- to do more to ensure help reaches “Access remains a major hurdle.” those who are most determined Zahid Khan Barakat was October 2011. The embattled pre- riencing “serious funding gaps,” those trapped in the fighting. To get aid where it is needed, to prevent access” to civilians in beheaded in Qatif, in Eastern mier said on Tuesday he would he told Kuna s in an interview “We see the humanitarian sit- the EU’s executive has been in need, by attacking and abducting Province, over a similar charge, resign if the GNC came to a con- about the nearly three-year con- uation going from bad to worse, contact both with the regime of humanitarian workers and pre- a separate statement said. Last sensus on a successor, warning of flict which has inflamed regional we have seen no improvement,” President Bashar Al Assad and venting the vaccination of chil- year, Saudi Arabia executed 78 a power vacuum if he left his post tensions. “There seems to be some EU Aid Commissioner Kristalina with opposition fighters, as well dren against polio, Georgieva said. people. In 2012, the kingdom car- without one. AFP fatigue among donor countries Georgieva said before departing as with interested parties Russia, AGENCIES ried out 76 executions. AFP WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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Springing up Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HREE years ago, Tunisian dictator Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali was forced to relinquish power in the north African country. The momentous event saw Tthe beginning of historic upheavals in the Middle East that would be called the Arab Spring. Weeks ago on Who was Ariel Sharon? Israeli December 17, 2011, Mohammed Bouazizi, a vegetable seller was spat at and insulted by a policewoman who seized his cart. Refused a hearing by local officials in the town of Sidi scribe tries to peel off layers Bouzid, the 26-year-old poured fuel over himself and set himself afire. All the high school Tunisian graduate had BY JONATHAN POWER The Sabra and Shatila massacre wanted was his cart back, and he was ready to pay a fine (Sharon used that word) in Lebanon, to equivalent to $7. But the insult was too much for him to bear. HE Middle East has been living which Sharon referred to in the inter- Bouazizi’s self-immolation act sparked a chain of protests a nightmare, partly because of view given to Amos Oz, occurred between As Amos Oz across the country of 11 million. To tamp down the rage, Ben a man of Russian origin who September 16 and 18, 1982. Between 800 Ali visited the man in hospital, but the public would have Tbecame Israel’s greatest gen- and 3,500 Palestinian civilians in the revealed in his eral and, later, prime minister of Israel: Sabra and Shatila refugee camps were none of it. They were fed up with 23 years of authoritarian Ariel Sharon. What were the inner killed by the Phalangists. The militia- rule and the resulting poverty and grind had steeled up their thoughts of this man? This is what men entered the Palestinian camps and interview, Sharon resolve. The Tunisian leader was forced to step down and Amos Oz, an acclaimed Israeli journal- killed many of the Palestinians including was a man of very fled the country on January 15. ist, writer and novelist, with a world- women and children. The Israeli forces, The rest is history. Nobody had predicted that the wide reputation, helped us to discover given the order by Sharon, then minis- extreme views even Tunisian revolution would be the precursor to longtime in an interview published by the Israeli ter of defence, surrounded the camps, daily, Davar, in December 17, 1982. blocked camp exits and provided logisti- if they became Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak being thrown out and “Call Israel by any name you like, cal support. Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi being lynched after call it a Judeo-Nazi state. Better a live Later that year a commission led by diluted under the sustained protests. Soon Syria would see the beginning of Judeo-Nazi than a dead saint. I don’t the head of the Supreme Court, Yitzhak a mutiny that continues till this care whether I am like Gaddafi. I am not Kahan, established by the Israeli gov- responsibilities of Three years after day. All Bouazizi had wanted was after the admiration of the gentiles. ….I ernment, found that as minister of to continue being the breadwinner will destroy any- defence, Sharon bore “personal respon- government office. the beginning one who will raise sibility” for the massacre . for his family. He would come a hand against my On September 28, 2000, Sharon and of the revolts, home tired after pushing the children, I will an escort of over 1,000 Israeli police offic- the “Greek Affair”, Sharon was accused vegetable cart through all day. destroy him and ers visited the Temple Mount complex, of promising during his term as foreign the Arab Spring The victim of Ben Ali’s misrule During the his children, with site of the Dome of the Rock and the minister to help an Israeli businessman, countries are aspired for a pickup truck that or without our Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site David Appel, in his development project later part of his famous purity of in Islam where the Prophet Mohammed on a Greek island in exchange for large would help him move around trying to put in career, Sharon arms..... (PBUH) ascended to heaven for a night. consultancy payments to Sharon’s town and hawk his wares more “We’ll hear He publicly claimed this as Jewish terri- son, Gilad. place effective easily. was investigated no more of that tory — despite 1,300 years of continuous Sharon was not charged with any governance It is more than symbolic that nonsense about Muslim presence — because down below wrongdoing but the police announced Egypt, one of the marquees of the for alleged the unique Jewish are the remains of the Temple that the that they had found evidence of a 3 mil- structures, but revolts, held a referendum over morality, the Romans destroyed. Sharon declared lion dollar bribe paid to Sharon’s sons. involvement moral lessons of that the complex would remain under Just 24 hours after the announcement, with mixed a new constitution yesterday. in a number the Holocaust or perpetual Israeli control. Sharon suffered a stroke in January success. Talk of military rule led by Army about the Jews How would Christians have felt if 2006, went into a coma, and never chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of financial who were sup- Sharon had strutted across the piazza recovered. His son, Omri, a Knesset notwithstanding, Egypt has posed to have in front of St Peters and made a speech member at the time, who was Sharon’s turned quite a few pages of its post Arab Spring history. scandals. emerged from that slighted Christian claims to that closest advisor, was charged with cor- The polarisation that has set in by the removal of elected the gas chambers piece of earth? How would the Jews have ruption and sentenced later that year pure. As for Eyn felt if the Palestinians had suspended to nine months in prison. President Mohamed Mursi and the military throwing its Hilwe [Lebanon’s largest refugee camp] political banners from the Dome at the It is the Sabra and Shatila massacre weight around the seat of power has led to a quasi-structure it’s a pity we did not wipe out that hor- top of the hill down over the sacred that has been the reason for many to of governance emerging in the nation, which has historically net’s nest completely.” Wailing Wall below? call for a war crimes trial. As Amos Oz lent form to the politics of the Middle East. Sharon first stirred up contro- Sharon was elected Prime Minister in revealed in his interview Sharon was a Tunisia, a former French colony, has been found wanting versy with the massacre at Qibiya, February 2001. Certainly his walk about man of very extreme views even if they a Palestinian village. Troops under near the Al-Aqsa Mosque worked in his became diluted under the responsibili- in providing a stable government since the revolt. The his command attacked the village in favour when Israel went to the polls. ties of government office. relatively liberal Islamist party Ennahda has grappled with October, 1953 as a reprisal for the mur- During the later part of his career, Some say that laying year after year resistance from secular forces in the country. der of a woman and two children in the Sharon was investigated for alleged in his vegetative state, where he was Though Egypt is close to getting a new constitution, Israeli town of Yehud two days earlier. involvement in a number of financial aware enough to have some degree of Tunisians are still clamouring for one three years after the About 45 houses in Qibiya were blown scandals, in particular, the “Greek island human response, as with his son, is revolt. Amid protests and despair, it would be the country’s up with their inhabitants inside. 67 men, affair” and irregularities of fund-raising God’s punishment. He lived in the worst women and children died. during the 1999 election campaign. In of prisons. THE PENINSULA new charter that will decide its future. The other side Quote of Implementing the hope deal the day HE euphoria among the major has promised that he would ensure Atomic Energy Agency, responds as States, and for the first time in more powers, especially the P5+1 that no fresh sanctions on Iran are it avails the unconditional access to than three decades, President Hassan (US, Russia, China, France proposed in the Congress. The terms the enrichment facilities based in Arak. Rohani believes that playing up anti- Tand Britain, plus Germany), is of the deal agreed upon in November As they say, the proof of the pudding American sentiments hasn’t served testimony to the fact that diplomacy says that Tehran will halt enrich- is in the eating. The same principle is national interests. The success of this is working in dealing with a state that ment of uranium above five per cent true as far as implementing the deal hard-earned trust between the West Everyone in their was once dubbed by Washington as purity, and neutralise its stockpiles of is concerned. and Iran is subject to non-interference personal lives can an axis of evil. The note of caution near 20 per cent enriched uranium. Iran’s intention to bargain over its from outside players, especially Israel, by US Secretary of State John Kerry Moreover, Iran’s chief nuclear nego- nuclear programme in its thrust to which has expressed serious griev- go through tough and European Union foreign policy tiator Abbas Araqchi has also vowed reform the economy and save it from ances over the deal. It is here that chief Catherine Ashton underscores that it would halt increasing the facili- the sanctions that had crippled its Ashton has a role to play to keep the times. That is the the sensitivities involved, and none ties at its nuclear sites. It remains to petroleum exports and banking net- members concerned follow the spirit case (for me). want Tehran to go back on its be seen how the interim period of six work serves as the basis of the new of consensus and not get distracted commitments. months — effective from January 20 understanding with the West. The by minor ifs and buts in the process These are painful The most positive input has come — goes and how the United Nations’ good thing is that Tehran has control- of inspections. moments. from US President Barack Obama who nuclear watchdog, the International led its animosity towards the United Khaleej Times Francois Hollande French President WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 You had one job and you blew it India’s Manmohan Singh entered the prime minister’s office as a widely respected former finance minister, known for probity and quiet dignity, and will exit it as a byword for weakness and ineffectual governance.

BY SADANAND DHUME and in December a lower court the prime minister’s job descrip- upheld a Supreme Court-ordered tion. (Both Modi and Kejriwal S NEWS flashes investigation that cleared him of deliver powerful speeches and go, Dr Manmohan complicity in the riots.) possess an instinctive under- Singh’s January 3 Unfortunately for Singh, many standing of television.) announcement people view his legacy in less For the United States, the end that he intends charitable terms. The Oxford- of the Singh era also offers an to “hand over educated economist inherited a opportunity for reflection. Before Athe baton to a new prime min- nation filled with hope and leaves India’s economy turned south ister” was hardly earth shatter- it filled with doubt and despair. sharply in 2012, conventional wis- ing. Given his unpopularity after He entered the prime minis- dom in Washington was to take nearly a decade in office — Singh’s ter’s office as a widely respected for granted India’s rise as a peace- favourability rating hovers at former finance minister, known ful, democratic, counterbalance to about 5 percent — the 81-year-old for probity and quiet dignity, and China. During his November 2010 already looked as likely to snag a will exit it as a byword for weak- visit, US President Barack Obama third term as to win India a medal ness and ineffectual governance. declared, “India is not just a ris- for skiing at the Sochi Olympics. The International Monetary ing power, it has already risen”. Nonetheless, his formal Fund (IMF) estimates India’s Now it appears that those words announcement — at only his third economy grew at 3.8 percent may have been spoken prema- press conference since he took in 2013, about a third of its all- turely, especially in relation to office in 2004 — sets the stage for time high of 10.6 percent in 2010. the economy. an epic election showdown, most Despite his best efforts, Singh Indeed, an assessment of India’s Besides a burst of trade lib- four, 4.6 percent, according to In terms of foreign policy, the likely in April and May. failed to produce a breakthrough first economist prime minister eralisation, India achieved pre- IMF estimates. That’s below par prime minister’s most cherished Later this month, the ruling in relations with neighbouring must focus on the economy. As cious little from Singh’s first for a country at India’s stage of achievement, the landmark 2008 Congress Party is likely to name Pakistan or consolidate ties with the finance minister who imple- term (2004-2009). Nonetheless, development, and not nearly fast civil nuclear agreement with the 43-year-old Rahul Gandhi, the fifth the United States. And the stag- mented important reforms in growth received a boost from a enough to create the 15 million United States, has stalled: Not a generation Nehru-Gandhi dynasty gering scale of corruption under 1991, Singh abolished industrial strong global economy awash new jobs the country needs annu- single new reactor has been built scion, as its candidate to replace Singh will likely linger in memory licensing, slashed import duties with surplus cash, and the effect ally to employ a youthful popula- in India under its auspices after Singh as prime minister. Gandhi’s longer than his reputation for and ended government monopo- of a flurry of reforms in taxation, tion. And yet India remains one a tough liability law passed by main rival, 63-year-old Gujarat personal honesty. lies in much of the economy. As telecom, infrastructure and avia- of the world’s toughest large mar- India’s parliament in 2010 made Chief Minister Narendra Modi, The scandals that stained prime minister, however, instead tion that Singh’s predecessor Atal kets in which to do business. It projects commercially unviable. has been crisscrossing the nation Singh’s once spotless reputation of deepening reform Singh pre- Behari Vajpayee had initiated. slipped three places to number And the recent drama over since the opposition Bharatiya underscore the futility of expect- sided over a government that Meanwhile, government spend- 134 on the World Bank’s Ease of the arrest and de facto expul- Janata Party (BJP) anointed him ing a prime minister’s personal lurched to the left by plumping ing helped India emerge from the Doing Business rankings in 2014, sion of Indian diplomat Devyani their candidate in September. integrity to curb graft. In the 2G for redistribution over growth. global financial crisis relatively behind such icons of market Khobragade was preceded by a Polls show Gandhi trailing the scam, the government lost the Among Singh’s first acts in unscathed on the surface. But the friendliness as Ukraine, Paraguay, longer period of drift between pro-business Hindu nationalist; country as much as $40bn by sell- office in 2004 was to scrap the stage for the country’s dramatic and Ethiopia. the two nations. In judging the in December, the BJP pulverized ing mobile licenses at throwaway Ministry of Disinvestment that slowdown had already been set. As for corruption, which Singh prime minister’s legacy, though, Congress in four important state prices to favoured companies. had begun privatising loss-mak- Only after Singh’s comfortable claims his government has worked these are mere asides. elections. And some pundits also Reports of padded contracts — ing state-owned companies. The reelection in 2009 did investors hard to combat, Transparency Singh first built his global repu- expect a strong showing by the $80 toilet rolls and $19,500 tread- flagship economic initiative of begin to lose confidence in India. International ranks India 94 out tation as an economic reformer, year-old Aam Aadmi (Common mills, and a budget bloated many Singh’s first term — an unwieldy They expected the prime minister of 177 countries worldwide, mar- and it is that record that will Man) Party led by anti-corrup- times over the original estimate — “employment guarantee” scheme to unleash long-delayed reform ginally worse than the 88th place be scrutinised most carefully. In tion activist Arvind Kejriwal. tainted the 2010 Commonwealth promising 100 days of work for in banking, insurance and retail. it held in 2005. hindsight, Singh was not an eco- Amid the battle to elect a new Games in Delhi. the rural poor — distorted labour Instead, India began to back- Nor has India’s economic slow- nomic visionary, but a technocrat prime minister — who will almost Of what use is a leader who markets, boosted corruption and slide. The Environment Ministry down forced a serious rethink. In who managed to scurry up the certainly be more charismatic and keeps his own hand out of the helped inflate the fiscal deficit. quickly turned into an immovable 2013, Singh’s government passed greasy pole of power by keeping effective than the incumbent — it cookie jar, ask critics, if he can’t Singh also showed that he could roadblock for large steel, alumi- a law promising subsidized food his head down and his voice low. sometimes seems as though Singh stop others from emptying it pander to voters just as nakedly num and real estate projects. grains to 800 million people, and When he served the reformist has already faded into retirement. before his eyes? as any old-fashioned populist. In In 2012, then finance minis- a land acquisition law that busi- Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha But his lackluster record will Singh’s inability to assert him- 2008, a $15bn loan waiver for- ter Pranab Mukherjee amended nessmen say will halt industriali- Rao (1991-96), Singh delivered frame the upcoming election. self highlights the importance of giving the debts of small farm- the law to introduce retroactive zation by making it exceedingly reform. When he served the On January 3, Singh tried to electing a prime minister by pop- ers placed the Congress Party’s taxation after the government difficult to buy land for factories. populist Sonia Gandhi, he pursued put his best foot forward. He ular vote. In hindsight, Singh — a reelection above fiscal responsi- lost a $2.2bn tax dispute with tel- Businesses have got the mes- “inclusive” growth. Either way, it’s spoke of his government achieving technocrat with no mass follow- bility and fostering a responsi- ecom firm Vodafone. Needing to sage: In the first seven months of not much of a legacy. the country’s highest growth “for ing, whom Italian-born Congress ble culture of credit. Along with increase revenue collection to pay the fiscal year ending March 31, Whoever is sworn in as prime any nine-year period”, delivering President Sonia Gandhi propped lending by state-owned banks to for expansive welfare programs, 2014, foreign direct investment minister later this year will strug- “a New Deal for rural India” by up to sidestep controversy over politically well-connected firms, tax authorities began aggressively declined 13 percent to $18.9bn gle to return India to the path of raising incomes, and pulling 138 her foreign origins — always the waiver weakened the bank- targeting private firms, includ- compared to the same period the high growth and rising global million people out of poverty. lacked the authority to lead ing system. In 2013, Morgan ing foreign ones such as Nokia, previous year. Morgan Stanley stature that so many Indians had He touted new legislation effectively. Stanley estimated problem loans Cadbury, and Royal Dutch Shell. economist Ruchir Sharma blames begun to take for granted. And to check corruption, and older To make matters worse, the accounted for 9 percent of India’s Meanwhile, heavy-handed reg- Singh for India’s swift metamor- they will remain aware that the efforts to boost government media-shy Singh refused to seize total compared to less than 5 per- ulations requiring a greater pro- phosis “from breakout to break- man who once kindled hope that transparency. For good measure, the bully pulpit his office offered. cent five years ago. portion of technology products down nation”. Singh epitomised India would be the next Asian he warned that electing Modi — In the age of 24/7 television news Less tangible, but arguably no sold domestically to be made in the complacency and hubris of tiger left behind the plodding on whose watch in 2002 Gujarat and social media, nobody can hope less damaging, was the Congress India angered firms such as IBM. India, Sharma said, which mis- elephant of old. witnessed anti-Muslim riots that to run India as a recluse. As in Party’s popularisation of the term Unsurprisingly, GDP growth took a buoyant global economy (Dhume is a fellow at the killed more than 1,000 people — most major democracies, a degree “inclusive growth,” which implies plummeted. In the first six years for evidence that it could continue American Enterprise Institute.) would prove “disastrous” for of accessibility to the public and that somehow growth is not a of Singh’s tenure, it averaged a to grow rapidly while focusing on India. (Modi denies wrongdoing, the press needs to become part of good thing in itself. robust 8.6 percent; in the final redistribution rather than reform. WP-BLOOMBERG Gov Christie traps himself on a bridge to nowhere

his own hurt feelings than he did empa- grant to a Rutgers University professor The George Washington Bridge is open thising with those who were truly hurt who supported a redistricting map that by the bridge delays, including children favoured Democrats, and disinvited from again, but for Christie, the way out of New and emergency vehicles. a state event a politician who criticised Obama said the unready health-care his handling of the 2010 blizzard. But the website was “on me.” Would it have been cause of a four-day epic traffic jam in Jersey may be closed for good. better for anyone had the president his state? Not interested. What in the gone on about how “heartbreaking” the world was his staff thinking? He didn’t situation was for him and how he had ask. They lie, they’re gone, he explained. BY MARGARET CARLSON when the governor shoved him under the been “embarrassed and humiliated” and There was no time “to get to the underly- bus while correcting the record on their “betrayed.” Obama brought someone in ing conduct.” ov Chris Christie had the best putative high school friendship? “I was to fix the website (which eventually got Although he has few allies, no one has day he’s going to have for a long the class president and athlete. I don’t up and running), and then hired a new abandoned him yet. Politicians make time on January 9. He had two know what David was doing during that contractor. simple calculations. They’ll wait to see if Ghours to give his side of the period of time.” Presidents can’t afford to lose emo- there’s a smoking traffic cone. The gover- lane closings on the George Washington Suspicion that Christie used funds for tional self-control the way Christie did. nor will give the State of the State address Bridge that gridlocked Fort Lee, NJ, for Hurricane Sandy relief to burnish his own What Christie missed in his presentation Tuesday and go to Florida to raise money four days in September. image is also coming to a head. Federal was the obvious truth that when you fail, as chairman of the Republican Governors With his usual bluster, he described all auditors are examining the governor’s use it isn’t about you but about the people Association over the weekend. the ways that he hadn’t been involved in of $25m in Sandy funds, in particular a who suffer from your mistake. But the Christie brand is compromised. the closing. The abject stupidity of others $4.7m contract to produce tourism ads In the next few weeks, as more emails It’s going to be harder to get away with was to blame and the time he spent on featuring the governor’s family. A bid for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie emerge and investigations proceed, we yelling at teachers or telling stupid people the explanation made him seem forth- work that didn’t show the Christies and will learn what Christie, the self- styled to get the hell off the beach. coming. By the end, he had reassured cost just $2.5m wasn’t selected. Looking at the news conference a sec- hands-on governor, wasn’t curious Rising in politics is easy, resurrec- those who wanted to be that he wasn’t This gets to Christie as presiden- ond time, I would say no. It was almost enough to find out for himself. He knew tion almost impossible. Just ask Newt involved and exhausted the rest of us. tial timber. Any misuse of the disas- laughably Christie, and barely guber- early on there was no traffic study under Gingrich, another Republican would- But he certainly didn’t lay the matter ter funds would be, well, a disaster for natorial, much less presidential. We (I) way that could explain the lane closures. be president. One moment he was rid- to rest. Next come the subpoenas, the Christie whose huge re-election victory criticise President Barack Obama for not He had staff question staff about the inci- ing high, touted on the cover of Time aides with their lawyers, the politicians and tail wind as the Republican presi- emoting enough, but after taking in the dent and, predictably, they knew nothing magazine as “King of the Hill”; the next with their agendas and the skittish who dential nominee are in large part the Full Christie, we find much to be grateful about nothing. Still, it’s a safe bet that thing he knew, he was skulking out of will blurt things out. Mayors all over the result of his perceived handling of the for in Obama’s restraint. Imagine Obama they thought the boss wouldn’t be dis- Washington having shut down the gov- state are looking back at the governor’s storm. Christie’s one-time mentor and saying how sad, sad, sad he was as he pleased to know that they were inflict- ernment because he didn’t like his seat decisions that went against their cities to occasional critic, former New Jersey cycled through multiple stages of grief ing a little gridlock in Fort Lee, whose assignment on Air Force One. see if any were political payback. And the Governor Tom Kean, cut to the chase over the failed rollout of Obamacare. Democratic mayor had refused to endorse The George Washington Bridge is open onetime friends he dissed big time? How with his question about Christie’s han- Christie was emotionally unhinged to Christie in the election. again, but for Christie, the way out of did David Wildstein, who until last month dling of the bridge fracas, “Do you really the point of praising his own contrition. Christie fancies himself a guy who New Jersey may be closed for good. served in the Christie administration, feel want that in your president?” Word for word, he spent more time on sweats the small stuff. He cut off a state WP-BLOOMBERG WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Car bomb kills Painful moments, says Hollande PARIS: French President leader opted to put off a public Francois Hollande admit- announcement of any decision ted yesterday he was going the couple have made about through a painful time in his their future together. 29 in Nigeria private life but refused to say Friends of Trierweiler have whether his relationship with been quoted in French media his long-term girlfriend Valerie as saying she is willing to for- Trierweiler is over after the give her errant partner and try revelation of an affair. to patch up the relationship if Islamist hub Trierweiler, France’s de facto he calls a halt to the fling with First Lady, has been in hospital Gayet. The traditional reticence since Friday with stress linked in France’s media and political Attack a setback for president Jonathan to last week’s revelation that he class over what is seen as prying has been having a liason with into the private lives of public MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA: A car and dastardly acts”. Julie Gayet, a blonde actress 18 figures had ensured that initial bomb killed at least 29 people yes- Borno State Police Commissioner years his junior. reactions to the revelation of terday in Nigeria’s northeastern Lawan Tanko said 17 people were Hollande said that the issue the affair were subdued. city of Maiduguri, the epicentre of confirmed dead but the final death of whether Trierweiler accom- French President Francois Hollande at a news conference at the Elysee But once it became clear an Islamist revolt, witnesses said. toll could be higher. panies him on an official trip to Palace in Paris, yesterday. BELOW: Front pages of leading Italian that his relationship with No one claimed responsibility for “I saw two boys on the ground and Washington next month would newspapers. Trierweiler, who has five staff the blast. But militant sect Boko their bodies cut into pieces, two other be resolved before then. The funded by the taxpayers, could Haram, founded in the city, has cars immediately caught fire and I couple are due to spend a night the former journalist was suf- needs more rest.” be over, it became a legitimate repeatedly attacked schools, churches ran away because there was too much at the White House as guests fering from low blood pressure, Friends and political allies news story for the country’s and government and military targets blood,” city resident Aisha Hassan of Barack and Michelle Obama. exhaustion and a “severe case of Hollande had urged him to media. As well as the position in its four-year-old campaign. told Reuters. At an eagerly anticipated of the blues.” move quickly to clarify the situ- of Trierweiler, the affair has The attack will be a setback for Soldiers fired shots into the air press conference at his official She had initially been ation by stating clearly whether raised questions about whether President Goodluck Jonathan’s mili- to disperse crowds before cordoning residence, the Elysee Palace, expected to be discharged he is still in a relationship with Hollande had taken unnecessary tary crackdown, which had tempo- off roads around the scene, witnesses Hollande, 59, insisted on his after three nights but aides the woman who has been his risks with his own security by rarily succeeded in pushing Boko said. Dozens of youths, some armed right to address his personal announced on Monday that she girlfriend since 2007. But with visiting the actress at a bor- Haram’s assaults into rural areas. with machetes, protested on the problems in private. had been advised to extend her Trierweiler still in hospital, rowed flat close to the Elysee. Boko Haram gunmen stormed street after the attack, accusing poli- Asked directly if Trierweiler stay, saying “doctors believe she the notoriously undecisive AFP the air force base and military bar- ticians of failing to curb Boko Haram. was still France’s First Lady, racks around Maiduguri’s airport on The violence killed thousands last he replied: “I understand your December 2, ending six months of year. Boko Haram fighters continue question and I’m sure you will relative calm in the city. to target military outposts and raid understand my response. The bomb, planted in a three- villages in remote regions near bor- “Everyone in their personal wheel rickshaw taxi, exploded outside ders with Cameroon and Chad. lives can go through tough the state television offices at around The radical Islamist sect says it is times. That is the case (for me). 1.30pm (1230 GMT), witnesses told fighting to create an Islamic state in These are painful moments. Reuters. a country of nearly 170 million, split “But I have one principle: “The attack happened just behind roughly equally between Christians these private affairs are dealt the fence of my office. I counted and Muslims. with in private. This is neither 29 bodies, including two kids and Maiduguri is the capital of Borno the time nor the place to do it so a mother. Lots of others seriously State, where Boko Haram first I will not be responding to any injured,” said Abba Kankami, a jour- launched its uprising in 2009, begin- questions about my private life.” nalist working at the state television ning with drive-by shootings of Trierweiler, 48, was admit- office. policemen and quickly developing the ted to hospital hours after Another witness, Baba Shiek, said scale and sophistication of its attacks. glossy magazine Closer pub- he counted 30 bodies. Yesterday was a public holiday in lished a series of photos showing Military Spokesman Muhammad Nigeria, as millions of Muslims mark Hollande and Gayet, 41, arriv- Dole said in a statement soldiers had the Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) ing separately for trysts at a flat arrested one person suspected of birthday. close to the presidential Elysee being behind what he called “heinous REUTERS Palace. Media reports claimed

Russia bars leading US scribe from country; Washington protests

WASHINGTON: US journalist David 2013 as an adviser for Radio Free Europe/ likely to further strain already tense ties Russia had been rejected, on the grounds Moscow to work but cannot do so with- Satter, a longtime critic of Russian Radio Liberty. between Washington and Moscow. that his presence was “undesirable.” out a visa. President Vladimir Putin, said on The US government-funded broad- Satter had travelled on December 5 “I was told that my presence in Russia “I want the Russians to reverse their Monday he had been banned from the caster said that the US Embassy in to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, where he in the view of the security organs was decision,” added Satter, who also holds fel- country in one of the first such expul- Moscow has been informed of the move reported mass protests against Ukraine’s undesirable. Other than that, no reasons lowship positions at the Hudson Institute, sions since the Cold War. and lodged a formal diplomatic protest. scrapping of an EU pact. were given,” Satter told AFP via email Johns Hopkins University’s Foreign Policy Satter, a former Financial Times and Embassy officials have sought and not But he insisted that the “Kiev report- from London. Institute and the Foreign Policy Research Wall Street Journal correspondent who obtained an explanation from Russian ing was a diary and had nothing to do “My belongings are in Moscow, where Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. published three books on Russia and the authorities. with the Russian decision.” I have an apartment. But without per- He had also been reporting and former Soviet Union, had been living and The move, coming on the eve of the Satter was then told on December mission to enter the country, I cannot providing commentary to RFE/RL’s working in the country since September Sochi Winter Olympics next month, was 25 that his application for a new visa to retrieve them. I would like to return to Russian service. AFP

France population Ukraine threatens to ban growth rate church over services drops sharply PARIS: France’s birth rate fell KIEV: The Ukrainian gov- under the symbolically impor- ernment has threatened to tant bar of two children per outlaw the Ukrainian Greek woman and the country saw Catholic Church for holding its lowest population growth in prayer services for opposition a decade in 2013, data showed protesters occupying Kiev’s yesterday in a blow to one of its central square. economic strengths. The culture ministry on The population reached 66 Monday sent a letter to million inhabitants on January the head of the Ukrainian 1 2014, up by 280,000 residents Greek Catholic Church, or 0.4 percent from the previous Major Archbishop Sviatoslav year. That was its weakest growth Shevchuk, accusing its priests rate since 2000, a census by the of “breaking the law” by hold- INSEE statistics office showed. ing religious services outside a The total fertility rate (TFR) place of worship. fell to 1.99 children per woman The Church’s priests, along in 2013 from 2.01 in 2012 and 2.03 with those of the Orthodox in 2010. A rate of 2.1 children per Church loyal to the Kiev woman is considered necessary Patriarchate, hold open-air to keep the population growing religious services several times excluding migration. a day on Kiev’s Independence A man speaks to riot policemen standing guard in front of the parliament While France remains the Square, known locally as the building in Kiev yesterday, as Ukrainian veterans and those affected second most fertile nation in the Maidan. by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster protest. European Union after Ireland, “The breach of this law could which had a TFR of 2.05 in 2011, lead to legal proceedings to put have been put on our guard. We amended to allow believers to the drop suggests that Europe’s an end to the activities” of the have de facto been warned that pray wherever they like.” number two economy may be los- Church, said a scanned ver- they could deprive our Church The Ukrainian Greek ing what has long been seen as a sion of the letter published by of its legal status,” Shevchuk Catholic Church, also known key strength. the opposition news website told reporters on Monday. as the Uniate Church, follows Unlike EU economic power- Ukrainska Pravda. “We thought that the pros- Orthodox traditions but is loyal house Germany, whose economy is The square has been occu- ecution of priests was a thing to the Vatican. It was banned in heavily oriented toward exports, pied since late November by of the past.” the Soviet era but has become the French model has long protesters who are challenging The government warning has the third largest confession in emphasised domestic consump- President Viktor Yanukovych’s sparked anger among believers. Ukraine since the country’s tion supported by strong popula- U-turn on a landmark pact “It is illegal, it is immoral. independence in 1991. tion growth as the main driver with the European Union Nobody can forbid people to The Church now has around of its economy. Pro-fertility poli- in favour of closer ties with pray. Only Satan does not want 5.5 million followers in Ukraine, cies such as free post-natal care, Russia. people to pray,” said Pavlo, 52, around 12 percent of its popula- subsidised daycare, allowances for Two tents erected on the as he came out of one of the tion of 46 million, most of them each child born and discounts on a square are used as places of tents yesterday. living in the western regions. range of services for large families worship, where protesters pray, Yanukovych, who is accused There are also around 1.5 have held up steady population go for confession and even have by the opposition of being the believers in Ukrainian diaspo- growth in the post-war period. their children christened. initiator of the letter, said in ras in Europe, the United France is currently Europe’s “For the first time since the comments released by his aides States and Australia. second most populous nation independence of Ukraine, we that the current “law should be AFP after Germany. REUTERS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11

Top British soap star goes on trial Canada urged US lawmakers to cut consular services for unveil $1.1 trn dual citizens OTTAWA: The government has been urged to limit consular services for dual citizens who spending bill travel on a foreign passport or who live outside of Canada for prolonged periods, a report said yesterday. Bill leaves out Obamacare reforms The proposal was described in briefing books prepared for Foreign WASHINGTON: Negotiators in any compromise, not everyone Affairs Minister John Baird and the US Congress late on Monday will like everything in this bill, Trade Minister Ed Fast, and unveiled a $1.1 trillion spend- but in this divided government cited by the daily Globe and Mail. ing bill that aims to prevent a critical bill such as this simply “Recent (international) crises have another government shutdown cannot reflect the wants of only highlighted that many Canadian while boosting funding levels one party,” Democratic Senator passport holders have limited con- slightly for military and domes- Barbara Mikulski of Maryland nection to Canada (and) are seen tic programmes — but not for and Republican Representative by some as maintaining a ‘citizen- “Obamacare” health reforms. Harold Rogers of Kentucky said ship of convenience,’” the document With a deadline looming at in a statement. was quoted as saying. midnight today for new spending White House Budget Director The document also report- authority, lawmakers will still Sylvia Mathews Burwell said the edly notes that consular officials need a three-day stop-gap fund- measure will help fund critical had been asked to help Canadian ing extension to ensure enough investments in education and citizens in 50 international cri- time for passage of the spending infrastructure. “This legislation ses in 36 countries in one recent bill this week. adheres to the funding levels in 15-month period alone. The measure eases across-the- the budget agreement enacted in British Actor William Roache (centre) leaves Preston Crown Court flanked by his son Linus (left) and daughter In order to keep a lid on costs, board spending cuts by providing December, unwinds some of the Verity on the first day of his trial, in Preston, Britain, yesterday. Roache is accused of a string of sex offences. it suggests “differentiating lev- an extra $45bn for military and damaging cuts caused by seques- He played Ken Barlow in the British soap “Coronation Street” since it was first broadcast in 1960, had used els of service provided to dual domestic discretionary programs tration,” she said in a statement. nationals who choose not to use his fame to keep his victims silent, prosecution lawyer Anne Whyte told the court. for fiscal 2014, to a total of $1.012 The military avoids about a Canadian passport when travel- trillion. It also provides an addi- $22bn in the across-the-board ling or living abroad.” tional $85.2bn for Afghanistan cuts, with total non-war spending As well, it says the govern- war funding that is typically han- of about $520.5bn under the bill, ment could impose a “residency dled off-budget. while agencies focused on domes- requirement or a tax contribu- The spending measure fills in tic programs will get $491.8bn, tion obligation as a condition to the details of a budget agree- representing an increase of about UK’s World War I diaries go online be eligible for assistance abroad.” ment passed in December in the $22bn over sequester levels. Adria Minsky, spokeswoman aftermath of a 16-day shutdown But some controversial budget LONDON: Britain is recruiting yesterday by Britain’s National from academics to family tree for consular affairs Minister of many government agencies items took a hit. The spending an army of amateur historians to Archives, as part of a project researchers. Lynne Yelich, dismissed the brief in October. The shutdown was measure provides no funds for sift through more than 1.5 mil- that will eventually see some 1.5 Organisers say the work of and said: “Our policy is to provide prompted largely by disputes over high-speed rail projects, and it lion pages of diaries written by million similar documents made these “citizen historians” is cru- consular services to all Canadian funding for “Obamacare” health again denied a funding transfer World War I army officers, pub- available on the Internet. cial because the service records citizens, to the best of our ability.” insurance reforms. needed to pay for critical reforms lished online for the first time 100 “A lot of people think that a of many of the troops mentioned Concerns about dual citizen- Although many programmes to the International Monetary years after the conflict began. unit war diary will only men- in the diaries were destroyed by ship flared up in 2006 when the will get a slight increase over Fund. Spanning the whole of the tion places and dates and activi- bombing during World War II. government was called to rescue 2013 levels and avoid steep cuts But both Republicans and 1914-18 conflict, the diaries are ties, but there are lots and lots Patterson’s own neatly typewrit- Canadian citizens living abroad previously slated for this year, Democrats touted a provision the official record of the war by of different stories amongst these ten diary, recording the movements and with few ties to this country the proposed bill does not provide in the bill that reverses planned British army units — but deeply records,” said William Spencer, of the 1st Battalion South Wales from Lebanon. any increase for implementation military pension cuts for disabled poignant testimony can be found the archives’ principal military Borderers, comes to an abrupt end According to the Senate of the Affordable Care Act, US veterans, a controversial part of among the battalions’ day-to-day specialist. “By digitising them, we on October 25, 1914, when he was Standing Committee on Foreign President Barack Obama’s signa- the December budget deal that accounts of their movements. not only preserve them for future killed just three months into the Affairs, Canada evacuated 14,730 ture healthcare reform law. helped pay for about $6bn in new “I have never spent and imag- generations — we also make them war. His diary had recorded scenes people after fighting broke out According to a House spending. Military retirees of ine that I can never spend a more available in a new way.” “beyond description”. between Hezbollah militants based Republican summary, a pub- working age were to see smaller ghastly and heart-tearing forty- The archives are urging vol- “Poor fellows shot dead are in Lebanon and Israeli soldiers, in lic health fund will be reduced cost-of-living increases in their eight hours than the last,” writes unteers to help them catalogue lying in all directions,” he wrote. the largest mass evacuation the by $1bn to prevent Health and pensions starting in 2015 but it Captain James Patterson in an the contents of the diaries as “Everywhere the same hard, grim, country had ever mounted, at a Human Services Secretary was later discovered that the entry from the French trenches part of “Operation War Diary” pitiless sign of battle and war.” reported cost of Can$85m. Another Kathleen Sebelius from “raid- change was inadvertently applied dated September 16, 1914. (operationwardiary.org), a joint He describes his terror of fir- 25,000 to 35,000 dual citizens living ing” these funds to spend on to disabled veterans and survivors “Swarms of Germans on the project with London’s Imperial ing into the night, writing: “One is in or visiting Lebanon did not seek Obamacare insurance exchanges. of deceased veterans as well. ridge, rather massed. Our guns War Museum and Zooniverse, a very likely to kill one’s own men, Canadian help. The chairs of the Senate While the spending bill will open on them at 1,800 yards, and citizen science project. and from wounds I have seen The think-tank Asia Pacific and House of Representatives reverse the cuts for disabled one can see a nasty sight through Members of the public will since, I am sure some of them Foundation of Canada estimated Appropriations Committees said veterans and survivors, many one’s glasses. Bunches of Germans be able to tag key details men- were hit like this.” in a 2010 report that there are in a joint statement that the Republicans in Congress still blown to pieces.” tioned on the online pages — The diaries also describe lighter 2.8 million Canadians, or roughly deal will eliminate the economic want to cancel the cuts for all The yellowing pages of such as names, places and dates moments among the troops, such eight percent of the total popula- instability caused by Congress’ retired military service members. Patterson’s diary are among — with the aim of making the as rugby matches and tugs-of-war. tion, living abroad. recent funding battles. “As with REUTERS some 2,000 files published online diaries searchable for everyone AFP AFP British phone-hacking trial shown Jackson’s mother loses footage of alleged Brooks cover-up bid for retrial LONDON: The trial of Rebekah LOS ANGELES: A Brooks, who ran Rupert judge has rejected a bid by Murdoch’s British newspa- Michael Jackson’s mother per arm, was shown film foot- for a new trial in her law- age yesterday of her husband suit claiming the pro- involved in what prosecutors say moter of her son’s ill-fated was a botched plan to hide evi- comeback concerts was dence from police investigating negligent in his death. allegations of phone-hacking. Superior court Judge The day Brooks was first quizzed Yvette Palazuelos ruled on by police and before her home was Monday that jurors were searched, her husband, racehorse given proper instructions trainer Charlie, hid a laptop and and there were no errors a bag behind a bin in an under- in her trial rulings that ground car park of their plush would warrant a retrial. London apartment block where it A jury decided in October was picked up by the Brooks’s secu- that AEG Live was not liable rity team, prosecutors say. for Jackson’s June 2009 death After the police completed a despite hiring the doctor who search, the security team returned was convicted of giving the with a bag and left it in the car Charlie Brooks, the husband of Rebekah Brooks, is seen in the garage superstar an overdose of a park. Prosecutors say the plan of his plush London apartment block in this still image taken from video powerful anaesthetic. went awry for the Brooks because released in London yesterday. Katherine Jackson’s law- a cleaner then found the material yers argued that jurors were and it was given to the police. July 17, 2011, at about the same arrived and after a search of the given an improper verdict The alleged intrigue took place time his wife was heading to a apartment lasting some two form that was contrary to in 2011 when News International, police station where she would be hours, they left holding sealed state law and didn’t allow the British newspaper division of arrested. After looking around, bags with computers and other them to consider all the issues Murdoch’s News Corp, became he disappeared from view and possessions. Brooks then con- in the case after five months engulfed in a media firestorm less than a minute later, the tacted Hanna, and at shortly after of testimony last year. and a police inquiry after it was CCTV film showed him return- 9.30pm, following a flurry of calls AEG’s lawyers argued alleged journalists had hacked the ing empty-handed. between the security team, one that there was no mistake phone of a murdered schoolgirl Yesterday, the jury saw Mark arrived at the car park. He gave in the verdict form and the amongst others. Hanna, the ex-head of security a friend of Brooks’s two pizza motion for a new trial should Both Charlie and Rebekah at News International, arriving boxes, removed a large black bag be denied. Attorneys for the Brooks deny conspiracy to per- at the car park about two hours from the car and also vanished Jackson family matriarch say vert the course of justice by hiding later and phone records indicated from view to the bin area before they will appeal to a higher material from detectives. Brooks he had been in regular contact with returning empty-handed. state court. also denies conspiracy to hack Charlie Brooks, the court heard. The following day, while the Jurors decided the case phones and authorising illegal He disappeared out of cam- Brooks go to their lawyer’s office, on a question about whether payments to public officials. era shot, to the same area where a cleaner discovered the black evidence showed former car- Closed circuit television Brooks had been earlier, return- bag, the court heard. On their diologist Conrad Murray was (CCTV) footage shown to the ing with a brown bag and other return, a baffled-looking Charlie unfit or incompetent to serve jury at London’s Old Bailey court material, before driving away. Brooks and members of their as Jackson’s physician while he showed Charlie Brooks emerging Hanna also denies a charge of security team were seen search- prepared for a series of 50 con- from a doorway clutching a bag perverting the course of justice. ing in vain for the bag. certs at London’s O2 Arena. and a laptop on the morning of At about 3pm, seven detectives REUTERS THE GUARDIAN WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Thai protesters plan to capture Premier Belligerent tone reflects air of impunity among leaders

BANGKOK: Thai opposition to curb the political dominance Suthep himself faces an arrest protesters occupying central of her billionaire family. warrant for insurrection for his Bangkok threatened yester- Her supporters say the rallies role in the seizure of government day to take the prime minister are a threat to the country’s frag- ministries in November, as well captive and close down all gov- ile democracy and want the dis- as a murder charge in connec- ernment offices in an increas- pute to be settled at the ballot box tion with a military crackdown ingly bold bid to force her from but the opposition is boycotting a on opposition protesters that left office. February 2 election. dozens dead when he was deputy While well known for their blus- Demonstrators marched on premier in 2010. tery rhetoric, the belligerent tone several key government minis- But there has been no attempt reflects an air of impunity sur- tries yesterday to stop officials to detain him and police have rounding rally leaders who travel from going to work as part of been largely invisible during the freely around the city despite war- what they are calling a “shut- “shutdown.” rants for their arrest for their role down” of Bangkok. Demonstrators also tempo- in civil unrest that has left eight Their firebrand leader Suthep rarily surrounded the ministries A convoy of Thai military vehicles drives past barricades during anti-government rallies in Bangkok yesterday. dead and hundreds injured. Thaugsuban -- a former opposi- of commerce, labour and infor- The protesters, backed by the tion MP -- vowed from a rally mation and communications kingdom’s royalist establishment, stage in the heart of Bangkok’s technology. forcing Yingluck from office. a possible delay to the election as trying to preserve democracy.” want Prime Minister Yingluck commercial district to “capture” It is a tactic they have A defiant premier urged the a way out of the deadlock. But the number of demonstra- Shinawatra to resign to make way the premier and her cabinet min- deployed several times during opposition -- whose MPs resigned “I am not clinging to office or tors on the streets appeared to for an unelected “people’s coun- isters “one by one” if they do not the months-long protests, which en masse from parliament last consolidating my political posi- have declined as some returned cil” that would oversee reforms quit within days. have so far failed in their goal of month -- to join talks today about tion,” she told reporters. “I am to work. AFP Cambodian opposition leaders questioned in court over rallies

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s unrest that led to a bloody police supporters rallied outside of He reiterated yesterday that vowed to stay in power until he is killing at least four civilians. opposition leaders were ques- crackdown on striking garment the court to show their support he would not resign, and told 74, has faced mounting criticism Security personnel armed with tioned in court yesterday in workers. for the pair, who told a cheer- the opposition party to wait for over his rights record as well as shields and batons also chased connection with recent pro- No charges have been brought ing crowd they would continue the next election in five years’ accusations of excessive force opposition protesters -- includ- tests against strongman against them. their struggle for justice after time. against demonstrators. ing monks, women and children premier Hun Sen -- a case “The problem is a political one. alleged vote fraud in July 2013 “Step down? Never. It will Earlier this month police -- from their rally base in a park they denounced as politically As long as there is no political elections. be in a long time,” Hun Sen opened fire on striking garment in Phnom Penh. motivated. solution yet, there will be a judi- The opposition Cambodia said in a national radio speech, factory employees demand- The government says the Prosecutors at Phnom Penh cial issue pending,” Rainsy said National Rescue Party has boy- adding that he was elected ing a minimum wage of $160 rallies were illegal and has Municipal Court spent several at a press conference after the cotted parliament since the polls, constitutionally. per month for their work in an indefinitely banned opposition hours grilling Sam Rainsy and closed-door hearing. but Hun Sen appears unfazed by The 61-year-old premier, who industry which supplies brands demonstrations in the capital. his deputy Kem Sokha about A few thousand opposition the political deadlock. has ruled for 28 years and has including Gap, Nike and H&M, AFP

16 die in shoe S Korea, US to discuss Marcos jewels are ill-gotten: Court factory blaze MANILA: A jewellery collec- It is one of three collections He died in exile after fleeing to BEIJING: Sixteen peo- North’s nuclear plan tion owned by former first lady seized from the Marcos estate, Hawaii with his family. ple died yesterday in a fire Imelda Marcos was “ill-gotten”, including a 60-piece set featuring Imelda was known for her at a shoe factory in eastern SEOUL: South Korea and the American nuclear umbrella on a Philippine court has ruled, a 150-carat Burmese ruby. extravagant lifestyle and love of China, state media reported, United States will hold a senior- the Korean Peninsula in light of potentially paving the way for The two sets are already in jewels, art and shoes, and the a blaze which highlights poor level defence meeting to discuss Pyongyang’s third nuclear test in an auction of millions of dollars’ government hands, but the rul- Marcos family still stand accused workplace safety standards ways to counter threats posed February 2013. worth of seized treasures. ing is significant because previous of stealing billions from state in the country. Twenty peo- by North Korea’s nuclear pro- South Korea’s Deputy Defence The anti-graft Sandiganbayan attempts to auction off the entire coffers. ple were rescued from the gramme and weapons of mass Minister Ryu Se-seung will meet court decided on Monday that the haul have been derailed by legal The two other collections fire at the Dadong Shoes destruction. with his American counterparts, Malacanang Collection, the small- issues. Officials said the court rul- include 60 pieces of jewel- factory in Taizhou, Zhejiang The Extended Deterrence including Elaine Bunn, deputy est of three confiscated from the ing on its forfeiture meant that an lery seized from Demetriou province, China Central Policy Committee will hold its assistant secretary of defence for Marcos estate and worth some auction could now proceed. Roumeliotes, a Greek friend of Television said in a post on its third table-top exercise at the nuclear and missile defence policy, $150,000, was rightfully owned An assessment made by the Marcoses as he was leaving site on Sina Weibo, a Chinese US Pacific Command in Hawaii and David Helvey, deputy assist- by the government. Christie’s in 1991 put the value of the country amid the “people version of Twitter. The blaze, to discuss how to apply a bilateral ant secretary of defence for East “Partial judgement is hereby three collections at $8.5m, though power” revolt. which started in the after- strategy for tailored deterrence Asia, to enhance interoperability. rendered declaring the pieces more than two decades on it is Among the more expensive noon engulfed an area of against North Korean weapons During the bilateral summit of jewellery, known as the likely to be substantially higher. pieces in the entire collection are 800 square metres, said the programme. in November, US Secretary of Malacanang Collection, as ill- The pieces in the smallest an antique sapphire and diamond report, which did not give The move comes after defence Defence Chuck Hagel pledged to gotten, and are hereby forfeited collection were seized from the necklace worth $220,000 and a details on what caused the ministers of the allies last year support deterrence capabilities in favour of petitioner Republic of presidential palace after the 1986 Persian-style necklace made from fire. signed the tailored deterrence with the full range of its military the Philippines,” read the 33-page “people power” revolution ended more than 100 carats of yellow Philippine strategy to strengthen the capabilities. AGENCIES ruling released yesterday. the two-decade Marcos regime. and pink diamonds. AFP floods toll 22 Tortoise beats rabbit MANILA: Twenty-two people have been killed Indonesia jails rebel over and nearly 200,000 evacu- ated as floods and landslides hit a southern Philippine embassy bombing plot region still recovering from a deadly 2012 typhoon, the JAKARTA: An Indonesian sentenced to seven-and-a-half- government said yesterday. court has sentenced an Islamic years jail last week. Torrential rain struck the extremist to six years in jail for Rokhadi is one of several men eastern section of Mindanao conspiring to hit the Myanmar who have gone on trial over the island at the weekend, embassy in Jakarta to avenge May bomb plot, which came unleashing a fresh round the killing of Rohingya Muslims. amid anger in Muslim-majority of misery for survivors of The South Jakarta district Indonesia at persecution of the Typhoon Bopha. “Major riv- court on Monday found Rokhadi, stateless Rohingya in mainly ers overflowed, causing peo- alias Shiro, guilty of “evil con- Buddhist Myanmar. ple to drown,” civil defence spiracy” for plotting the bomb- Police foiled the plan the night operations officer Franz Irag ing as well as owning explosives before it was due to take place. said. Typhoon Bopha struck to be used to blow up the front Rokhadi had also attended a the region in December, 2012. of the embassy, Okto Rikardo, a bomb-assembling class with other “Many victims had not man- prosecutor who attended the trial, members of group, the court aged to rebuild homes and said yesterday. added. were staying in temporary The court added that Rokhadi His deeds, the judges said, had shelters when they were hit kept pipe bombs in his house tainted Indonesia’s reputation as by fresh flooding,” Irag said. for three days before he passed a safe country and disrupted its A tortoise beats a rabbit in a skiing competition for pets and their owners in northern China yesterday. Cats and them to another member of the efforts in combating terrorism. Torture of maid dogs faced off against a menagerie, including a rooster and a yellow duck, in a race to the finish line on snowy group, Achmad Taufiq, who was AFP sparks anger slopes in Hebei province. HONG KONG: Migrant worker groups in Hong Kong yesterday expressed anger over the alleged torture of an Doctor gets suspended death sentence for selling babies Indonesian maid after reports police was not pursuing the BEIJING: A Chinese court for as much as 21,600 yuan professional and social ethics, had The other six infants were res- traditional bias for male offspring, case. Erwiana Sulistyaningsih yesterday handed down a sus- ($3,600) each between 2011 and an extremely bad social impact, cued by police and returned to seen as the main support for returned home on January 10 pended death sentence on a 2013, the court in Weinan city and the circumstance of the crimes their families. elderly parents and heirs to the after allegedly abused and doctor who sold seven newborn said. were grave,” the court said. The official Xinhua news agency family name, and have resulted tortured by her employer babies to human traffickers, a Zhang tricked the parents to A trafficker threw one sick said it was unclear if Zhang, who in abortions, killings or abandon- over eight months. Local case that sparked widespread give up their newborns by con- child into a garbage ditch, pre- was detained in August and stood ment of girls. migrant worker groups said anger in a country where child vincing them the infants had suming she was dead, the state- trial in December, would appeal. The imbalance has created the 23-year-old remained in trafficking is rampant. incurable diseases or deformities, ment said. Zhang was not Suspended death sentences are criminal demand for abducted hospital in central Java, with Zhang Shuxia, 55, an obstetri- the court said in a statement on convicted in connection with the typically reduced to life in prison. or bought baby boys, but also for her condition improving. cian in northwestern Shaanxi its website. child’s death, but the court ruled Child trafficking is widespread baby girls destined to be future AGENCIES province’s Fuping county, was “Though Zhang Shuxia con- she was partly responsible. The in China, where population con- brides attracting rich dowries. found guilty of selling the babies fessed, her behaviour violated both baby was never found. trol policies have bolstered a REUTERS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Obama defends Afghanistan strategy ‘I continue to have faith in the US mission,’ says the president after drawing flak from ex-Pentagon chief

WASHINGTON: Barack “Duty” -- published yesterday troops and their performance in business of politics. Still, Obama who also once headed the CIA, for the vice president, whom he Obama insisted on Monday that -- that Obama became disil- some of the most difficult situa- said that Gates did an “outstand- made a distinction between wrote was wrong about every he had faith in the Afghan war lusioned with the troop surge tions imaginable,” the president ing job” as secretary of defence Obama and the rest of the White major foreign policy issue over mission after former Pentagon strategy launched in 2009 by early said. “And that job is not yet done.” and remained a good friend. House. While his criticism of the past four decades. chief Robert Gates charged that 2011, and lost confidence in his After an exhaustive policy In an interview broadcast Obama is coupled with praise and The former Pentagon chief said the president lacked passion for troop commanders and Afghan review, Obama announced a Monday, the former Pentagon respect, Gates makes no apolo- he had long disagreed with Biden military action and soured on President Hamid Karzai. 30,000-strong troop surge in chief complained that the con- gies for his blunt criticism of Vice on issues dating back to the 1970s. his troop surge. While praising Obama for his December 2009 designed to check tents of his book, leaked to some President Joe Biden and of the As a senator, Biden was wrong In his first public comments integrity and intellectual approach the momentum of the Taliban, to newspapers, had been hijacked by White House staff. to vote against aid for South on criticisms of his role as com- to matters of state, Gates is disrupt and dismantle Al Qaeda those with a political axe to grind. “Well, I had a lot of battles Vietnam in the 1970s, portrayed mander-in-chief in new memoirs reported to have written that the and to train the Afghan army. “I think the book is very even- with those folks,” he told NPR, the Shah’s fall in Iran as a boost by Gates, Obama said he had a president showed less zeal for mili- He stipulated however that the handed, I don’t vilify anybody,” he referring to members of Obama’s to human rights and wrongly duty to constantly question US tary engagements than his pred- surge would begin to be drawn told NBC’s “Today Show.” National Security Council staff. opposed the defence buildup military tactics and “sweat the ecessor George W Bush. down in 2011. Nato nations later “I make it clear, I have a lot of Having worked in such posi- under ex-president Ronald details” when sending young men “One quality I missed in Obama agreed to end all combat opera- respect for both president Bush tions under four previous presi- Reagan, Gates said. and women to war. was passion, especially when it tions after a 13-year war by the and President Obama,” said Gates. dents, Gates said the meddling “I, frankly, over a long period But the president declined to came to the two wars,” Gates end of this year. He said that “what has been behaviour of the young staff mem- of time felt that he had been... say whether he had been irked by wrote, according to Fox News. The frank criticism from Gates, lost in the news media is that bers -- including making calls to wrong,” he added. The White the publication of the book while Obama, however, said that he who served both Bush and Obama I actually agreed with virtually four-star generals -- would have House has vigorously defended he was still in office and American “continued to have faith” in the as defence secretary, was all the every decision President Obama constituted “a firing offense” in Biden, who was in Israel on forces remained on the battlefield. US mission in Afghanistan. more surprising considering he is made” on how to handle the US previous administrations. Monday at former prime minis- Gates sparked a Washington “Most importantly I’ve had known in Washington for loyalty war in Afghanistan. Gates also made no effort to ter Ariel Sharon’s funeral, as a firestorm when he suggested in unwavering confidence in our and disdaining the often grubby Gates, a Washington veteran back away from his harsh words statesman. AFP Milad-un-Nabi US Talon robots Pakistani lawmaker held to defuse IEDs ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been allowed by the US to buy Talon robots, the for running a dungeon unmanned ground vehi- cles used by ground forces QUETTA: A Pakistani legisla- The prisoners had been mis- to track bombs, improvised tor has been arrested for run- treated, Marri said, adding that explosive devices (IEDs) and ning a private dungeon at his police had also seized a truck filled other explosive materials home in which five people were with ammunition and weapons at used by terrorists. found chained up, two of them the premises. The decision has been made for several years, police said on Khetran told local reporters even though relations between Monday. the arrests were politically moti- Washington and Islamabad The dungeon only came to light vated and that it was illegal for remain tense over the issue of after private guards working for police to enter his house. non-stop drone attacks. the lawmaker, Abdul Rehman Khetran is a legislator for The US has assisted Khetran, attacked police at a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, a con- Pakistan in equipping its mili- checkpoint on Sunday, beat them servative, religious party, and a tary with this modern tech- up and stole their weapons. former provincial minister for nology to effectively counter The police then raided the law- special education. His wife is also the terrorists of Al Qaeda and maker’s fortified home in lawless a lawmaker. Taliban. Baluchistan province, freed the The mineral-rich western The US Navy has reportedly prisoners, including one woman, region of Baluchistan is deeply facilitated a $7.8m sole-source and arrested Khetran, his son and impoverished and a haven for firm-fixed-price contract six private guards, said Barkhan smugglers, drug lords, Taliban between Pakistan and a British district police chief Abdul Ghafoor insurgents and separatist rebels. defence technology firm to Marri. REUTERS acquire 100 UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), which are called Talon robots. These highly-sophisticated robots, which Pakistan is buying for $73,000 each, will 8,000 on death row await provide explosive ordnance dis- posal (EOD) mission support to the Pakistani armed forces. execution in Pakistan Predominantly, these robots are used to replace humans in KARACHI: Around 8,000 con- whether the country - plagued by hazardous situations. victs on death row languish in militancy, criminal and sectarian Pakistanis take part in a religious procession to mark Milad-un-Nabi in Lahore yesterday. AGENCIES jails in Pakistan as the govern- - should uphold the death penalty ment enforced a temporary stay and carry out executions. against executions in August The stay was granted report- last year. edly because Taliban militants After a long lull, the federal threatened to target the new gov- Divergent orders by government has sought “legal” ernment led by Prime Minister opinion from the provinces about Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim the abolition of capital punish- League-N if it would send their ment, official sources here said men to the gallows. courts on gas supply yesterday. Since 2008, none of the jail- Officials said that while the ers across Pakistan had to shed federal government temporarily a red handkerchief, because the spark confusion stayed the hangings, it sent let- then president Asif Zardari ters last month to the provinces had granted a stay on execu- to suggest a solution. tions in exercise of his power ISLAMABAD: Two diver- able to get stay orders from “The Sindh provincial govern- under Article 45 of the 1973 gent decisions on gas sup- the IHC against disruption in ment has also received a letter Constitution. ply to CNG stations by the gas supply even though they wherein it has been urged to The article says: “President Lahore High Court (LHC) fell in the jurisdiction of LHC, assist the Centre on the delicate shall have the power to grant par- and Islamabad High Court which had a permanent bench issue by providing legal opinion,” don, reprieve and respite, and to (IHC) have put the state in Rawalpindi. said an official. remit, suspend or commute any gas giant Sui Northern Gas “We are also seeking advice The renewal of the stay on sentence passed by any court, tri- Pipelines (SNGPL) and its from lawyers and guidance executions through a presidential bunal or other authority.” domestic consumers in a from the federal government, moratorium sparked debate about INTERNEWS tight spot. but nobody is in a position The LHC disallowed last to state something with cer- week a petition seeking res- tainty,” he said. Drug haul toration of supply to CNG The lawyers are also exam- stations and held that the gov- ining whether the IHC has ernment’s gas load manage- territorial jurisdiction in ment policy was on the right Rawalpindi and if so, what track. On a similar petition, would be the status of the the IHC ordered interrupted LHC and the questions are supply to compressed natural likely be taken by the govern- gas stations for three days a ment to the Supreme Court. week. The sources said the An official of the SNGPL SNGPL staff had been asked said yesterday it had become unofficially to try to close difficult for the company to down CNG stations wherever take a clear stance. “There possible, but when they faced are chances of violation of resistance from owners with court orders in either case. If influence at different levels, we provide gas for CNG, it is they had to back out. contempt of the LHC and if The reason behind such a we don’t it is contempt of the casual policy, the official said, IHC,” he said. was not to confront any court He said the SNGPL’s but keep the gas going to regional general managers domestic consumers as they in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were the top priority of the had sought guidance from government under its load the company headquarters management policy. in Lahore because many “The gas pressure is already CNG stations were located in not up to the mark these days areas bordering the twin cit- due to harsh winter, but when ies, but no guidelines could be a CNG station gets opened the provided. supply to most of the domestic He said the problem was consumers stops in the adjoin- Afghan police with one of the suspects (centre) inspect packs of heroine that owners of CNG stations ing areas,” he said. confiscated during a raid in Kushan district of Herat, yesterday. as far as Gujar Khan had been INTERNEWS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA UK ‘role’ in Operation Blue Star shocks nation Politicians demand Cameron statement on claims British forces were consulted before storming of Golden Temple

LONDON/AMRITSAR: The Golden Temple is a rare place Cameron orders probe of genuine calm in a chaotic, crowded country. Yet just under 30 years ago this complex of LONDON: Britain’s Prime SAD is understood to be a typo- glittering shrines in Punjab was Minister David Cameron has graphical error for SAS, which a scene of horrific violence when asked the cabinet secretary, Sir is referred to later in the letter. it was stormed by Indian secu- Jeremy Heywood, to conduct Fall wrote that Britain’s rity forces. an urgent investigation into a involvement in advising the The temple had been occupied by decision by the government of Indian authorities should be kept militants under the command of a Margaret Thatcher to send an secret to avoid inflaming tensions seminary student turned extrem- SAS officer to Delhi in 1984 to within the Indian community ist, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, advise the Indian government on in Britain. He wrote: “We have who called for an independent the expulsion of militants from impressed upon the Indians the homeland for the Sikh minority of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. need for security; and knowledge predominantly Hindu India. The prime minister’s spokes- of the SAS officer’s visit and of Many hundreds, possibly thou- man said that the investigation his plan has been tightly held in sands, were killed in the assault would examine two issues: The India and in London. The foreign in June 1984. They included British action in 1984 and the secretary would be grateful if Bhindranwale himself as well as decision to release such a sensi- the contents of this letter could Sikh and Hindu pilgrims caught tive government papers. Heywood be very strictly limited to those in the crossfire. The temple was will want to examine why the who need to consider the possible badly damaged. papers were not marked sensi- domestic implications.” The botched operation, in which tive and held back when papers The other letter released is 136 Indian soldiers also died, led from 1984 were released under from Robin Butler, Thatcher’s to the assassination of the prime the annual 30-year-rule. private secretary, who later minister, Indira Gandhi, by her The prime minister intervened became the cabinet secretary. Sikh bodyguards, which in turn after the recent explosive release On February 6, 1984 he wrote to provoked massacres of Sikhs. A file picture of David Cameron visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar last year. of papers from 1984 which showed Fall saying Thatcher was content About 3,000 were stabbed, burned that the then foreign secretary, for Howe to allow India to receive or beaten to death by mobs in The difficulties encountered by Sir Geoffrey Howe, responded help, and that Brittan expected to Delhi, the capital, alone. the Indian security forces as they “favourably” to a request from be warned if India looked likely Nor did the violence stop there. advanced into the temple com- Blogger broke the news Delhi for help in drawing up plans to go ahead with a raid. Butler Gandhi’s Operation Blue Star plex have long been attributed to to launch a military operation to wrote on 6 February 1984: “The horrified moderate Sikhs and in limited intelligence on the num- LONDON: Phil Miller, an independent researcher and journal- remove militants from the Golden prime minister is content that the its aftermath, Punjab, the north- bers, defences and firepower of ist behind the scoop, went to the National Archives in Kew seek- Temple. Cameron’s spokesman foreign secretary should proceed western state that is their historic the militants. The high civilian ing information on SAS involvement in Sri Lanka, a topic he has said that Heywood would conduct as he proposes.” homeland, was plunged into a vio- death toll has been blamed on the written extensively on since the government started to deport a his enquiry as quickly as possible. According to the Stop lent insurgency that lasted almost speed with which the operation larger number of Sri Lankans from the UK in 2011. Downing Street acted after Deportations blog, three other a decade. was planned once negotiations Instead he found letters revealing the then foreign secretary, Stop Deportations published a letters in the sequence between “The operation changed every- with the extremists failed. Sir Geoffrey Howe, responding favourably to a request from Delhi letter, dated February 23, 1984, Butler and Fall were not released, thing. So much of what unfolded “Most Sikhs, even in India, will for help to remove militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. from Howe’s private secretary, nor was any other file from after in India afterwards can be traced concede that [the operation] was Hundreds lost their lives in a six-day operation codenamed Blue Brian Fall, to Hugh Taylor, his March that year. The decision is back to Blue Star,” said Hartosh necessary but badly botched. We Star. The correspondence was published on Monday on the Stop counterpart under the home sec- likely to inflict severe damage on Bal Singh, a political journalist thought it was all done in a hurry. Deportations blog. retary of the time, Leon Brittan. the government’s relations with in Delhi. The news that the UK But if they were thinking about it After discovering the Amritsar letters, he checked with a Sikh It warned about “the possibility the Sikh community. Cameron could somehow have been involved in February what were they doing activist, who told him this was the confirmation they had waited of repercussions among the Sikh reached out to Sikhs last year in the operation has shocked over the following four months?” 30 years to receive about the fateful event. It is often referred to as community in this country” over when he visited the Golden many in India. “We are shattered Singh said. one of the darkest episodes in Sikh history. THE GUARDIAN a possible military operation to Temple last year and the nearby and numbed. We never believed Arun Jaitley, of the opposition remove from the Golden Temple Jallianwala Bagh where he wrote the British government were Bharatiya Janata party, wrote that Sikh militants, who had seized it of the “deeply shameful” Amritsar helping in suppressing the Sikh the new information “only lends court for a knife attack in London at any stage of a British officer several years earlier. massacre of 1919 when at least movement. We thought it was the credence to the fact that the gov- on the 78-year-old general who who had come and advised. It was Fall wrote that India had 379 innocent Indians died after USSR who might have helped. ernment of India neither believed led the bloody assault on the tem- a last-minute operation because sought British advice over a plan British troops opened fire. We are very disappointed,” said in nipping the problem at the initial ple 30 years previously. the prime minister was negotiat- to remove the militants from the The head of the Sikh Council Kanwar Pal Singh, of the once- stage nor in exploring alternative The general, Kuldip Singh Brar, ing with the Sikh leaders to arrive complex. “The foreign secretary UK, Gurmel Singh said he was proscribed Dal Khalsa radical methods of evacuating the extrem- said yesterday that allegations that at an amicable solution. As a last decided to respond favourably “shocked and disappointed” at the Sikh organisation. ists from the Golden Temple”. the British government secretly resort, she ordered the operation.” to the Indian request and, with idea the government of Margaret Singh said he was writing to the The perceived martyrdom of helped Gandhi plan the Amritsar A spokesman for India’s exter- the prime minister’s agreement, Thatcher may have been involved. British high commission in Delhi militants and civilians during mission were fictitious. “All the nal affairs ministry said the an SAD officer has visited India The Labour MP Tom Watson, to call for a full statement from Operation Blue Star remains a plans [for Operation Blue Star] Indian government had no infor- and drawn up a plan which has whose West Bromwich constitu- David Cameron. The possibility rallying call for Sikh hardliners were laid and executed by Indian mation other than news reports been approved by Mrs Gandhi,” ency is home to many Sikhs, has that British special forces were in India and for many in the large military commanders,” he said. about the claims but would be he wrote. “The foreign secretary demanded that the Foreign Office consulted four months before the diaspora in the UK and the US. “There was no question of get- seeking further information from believes that the Indian govern- release further papers about any assault raised important new ques- Last year three men and a ting help from the British govern- British counterparts. ment may put the plan into oper- British role. tions, said Singh, the journalist. woman were jailed by a British ment and no suggestion or mention THE GUARDIAN ation shortly.” The reference to THE GUARDIAN AAP minister in trouble, Diplomat case: US in damage control mode BJP seeks resignation WASHINGTON: In damage control mode, the US has sought to distance itself from anti- NEW DELHI: Delhi Law India comments attributed to a Minister Somnath Bharti yes- 10 lakh join party US diplomat expelled from New terday came under fire from Delhi in retaliation of Indian political quarters over his in four days diplomat Devyani Khobragade’s indictment by a court for “tam- GHAZIABAD: Around 10 expulsion. pering with evidence” in a case lakh people have joined the “Those comments absolutely which he handled last year. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) do not reflect US Government While the Congress criticised since it launched a free mem- policy, nor were they made on Bharti, the BJP demanded the bership drive four days ago, any official US Government resignation of the minister who party leader Gopal Rai said social media account,” State defended himself, saying it was an here yesterday. Department spokesperson Marie “absolute lie”. Rai told the media that while Harf told reporters in response “The report indicting me for 4.5 lakh people joined the AAP to a question. tampering with evidence is an after giving missed calls to the “Again, I would underscore absolute lie and I don’t under- party, some 4.5 lakh enrolled that these do not in any way stand what was the urgency for through web application. represent the US Government him (reporter) to go ahead with- Another 1 lakh sent SMSes to position,” she said referring to out cross verifying the facts with join the AAP, which now rules media reports about comments me as this news pertains to Aug Delhi, Rai said. “Apart from attributed to Wayne May, who 2013,” Bharti told reporters here. this, membership drive is on in headed the US embassy’s secu- According to a media report, an 300 districts of the country,” he rity team in New Delhi. order was passed by then Central said. Rai expressed confidence Harf, however, declined to Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that the AAP would be able to confirm “due to privacy consid- Special Judge Poonam A Bamba enrol one crore members by erations” whether it was indeed Diplomat Devyani Khobragade (right), accompanied by her father Uttam Khobragade, gives a traditional greeting in which she pulled up Bharti and January 26. IANS May who had been asked to leave on her arrival at the domestic airport in Mumbai yesterday. his client Pawan Kumar - facing by India after the US sought the prosecution on corruption charges withdrawal of Khobragade from Harf said. “I think we’re increas- Gottemoeller “stressed that it domestic terminal. The assembled - after the CBI accused them of case but still was hauled up by the US following India’s refusal to ingly getting towards that point, is critical that both sides refocus activists shouted slogans in her influencing a prosecution witness both the BJP and the Congress. waive her immunity to face visa and that together we will now take our attention on the broad agenda support and condemned the US by speaking to him on phone and “People in this country respect fraud charges. significant steps with the Indian before us,” and “underscored the for the recent incidents. discussing the case. the judiciary the most. Our judi- Wayne May and his wife Alicia Government to improve our rela- importance of increasing bilateral “I thank the people of Mumbai Delhi Chief Minister Arvind ciary is independent and nothing Muller May, who worked as the tionship and return it to a more cooperation on non-proliferation, for their love and support to me,” Kejriwal also defended Bharti. can be more serious than raising US embassy’s community liaison constructive place,” she added. defence, and arms control” she said outside with her hands “Somnath Bharti was trying to questions on it,” said Congress officer, both made snide remarks Harf would not spell out the Last week, two senior US offi- folded in a namaste, after nearly save a junior level officer and the Delhi chief Arvinder Singh in social media about “holy cows” planned steps saying: “I think on cials, assistant secretary of state a month long ordeal in which sting operation that has been done Lovely. “Whether a department blocking roads,”No eating the all sides, we have to take signifi- Nisha Desai Biswal and Energy her family, including father, is being called tampering of evi- like law should be headed by a sacred cows” and vaious Indian cant steps. It’s not just the US, it’s secretary Ernest Moniz, were retired senior bureaucrat Uttam dence by the judges,” Kejriwal said. person who is himself accused of local customs. the Indians as well. We just want forced to cancel their scheduled Khobragade fully supported her. “We are ready to give the breaking the law is a matter of The spokesperson also hoped to get back to business and we visits to New Delhi because of the Khobragade had reached New recording and then you can see concern,” he added. that Khobragade’s return would want to put this behind us, and we Khobragade affair. Delhi last Friday from the US and tell where has the tampering The BJP demanded Bharti’s bring “closure” to the “challeng- want both sides to work together Meanwhile, hundreds of after she was publicly arrested been done. I have told Somnath resignation. “AAP (Aam Aadmi ing times” in India-US relations to move the relationship forward.” Republican Party of India-A and later indicted by a jury for that the recording be played to Party) talks about honesty and and the two sides would take “sig- Indian ambassador to the activists gave a rousing welcome an alleged visa fraud. the media,” he added. their own minister is trying to nificant steps” to put their rela- US, S Jaishankar met Rose E to Khobragade who arrived in Since she has not yet been given The law minister said it was shield an accused in a fraud case. tions back on track. Gottemoeller, acting under sec- Mumbai yesterday. any posting so far, Khobragade “erroneous on the part of the We demand his resignation and “Clearly this has been a chal- retary of state for arms control Khobragade, 39, appeared is likely to spend time with her judge to call it tampering of evi- this incident has exposed the real- lenging time in the US-India rela- and international security, at the relaxed and cheerful as she family in their Mumbai suburban dence” and that he was instead ity of the AAP,” said its Delhi unit tionship. We expect that this time State Department Monday to dis- stepped out of the Chhatrapati home for the next few days. “strengthening evidence” for the chief Vijay Goel. IANS will come to a closure, though,” cuss bilateral cooperation. Shivaji International Airport’s IANS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 INDIA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 15

CAT 2013 results Rahul hints at declared

NEW DELHI: Eight students with engineering background have scored 100 percentile in PM role if party the Common Admission Test (CAT) results declared yes- terday for admission to top B-schools, an official said. wins elections “The eight are all boys with an engineering background,” CAT convenor Rohit Kapoor said. There are 10 who have ‘I am ready to assume responsibility’ scored 99.99 percentile, one of whom is a girl. “The CAT NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, “We are a democratic organisa- results will be available for the scion of a dynasty that has tion and we have faith in democ- access until December 31, led India for most of its history, racy. People of India would choose 2014 on the CAT website and suggested in an interview pub- who will be their prime minister the candidates are advised to lished yesterday he was ready through their elected representa- retain a printed copy of their to be prime minister if his party tives,” he said. score card,” added Kapoor. A won forthcoming elections, his To another query he said: “See, total of 1,74,000 sat for CAT, first indication that he wants I am a soldier of the Congress. conducted at 76 test centres the job. Whatever order I will get, I will across 40 cities over a 20-day Shedding any doubts about abide by that. Whatever Congress testing window from October his “reluctance” to become the tells me, I will do that.....” 16 to November 11, 2013. Congress party’s prime minis- There is a growing chorus in Candidates sit for the CAT to terial candidate for the general the Congress to name Gandhi the enter the 13 Indian Institutes election, Rahul Gandhi said he prime ministerial candidate at the of Management, the Faculty will abide by the party’s orders meeting of the AICC tomorrow of Management Studies and a and discharge “whatever respon- to improve the party’s prospects few other institutions. sibility” the organisation gives in the Lok Sabha polls expected him “with all my sincerity”. April-May. Suchitra Sen on In an interview to Dainik Party leader Ambika Soni said A traditionally dressed woman reacts to the camera during a community function on the occasion of Pongal, in Bhaskar published yesterday, a there was an “overwhelming view” Mumbai yesterday. oxygen therapy rare media interaction by the that Gandhi should lead the battle rising leader, Gandhi said he did for 2014 Lok Sabha polls, while KOLKATA: Described as not agree with some of the ways Information and Broadcasting Onset of harvest season celebrated “critically ill”, legendary of the Aam Aadmi Party. He hit Minister Manish Tewari said the Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, out at the Bharatiya Janata Party party has consistently held that who is suffering from serious and its prime ministerial candi- Gandhi was its natural leader. NEW DELHI/MUMBAI/ swing northward in northern decorated, kite flying, cockfights, respiratory problems, remains date Narendra Modi for wanting On the perception of his reluc- CHENNAI: India yesterday hemisphere of the earth — was bull-fights and other rural sports. on oxygen therapy, a medical “personality-oriented power” in tance for responsibility and the celebrated the beginning of its celebrated with thousands of Farmers decorated their bullocks, bulletin said. Her oxygen satu- this year’s Lok Sabha polls. “power is poison” remark at harvest season, with prayers, youth and families gathering in thanking them for their contribu- ration level is satisfactory and Gandhi’s remarks about accept- Congress’s Jaipur conclave last singing, dancing and feasting. open grounds and parks or pack- tion to the harvest. cardiac status remains stable. ing any responsibility are being year, Gandhi said: “Power is poi- Skies were dotted with kites ing themselves on building ter- The day also saw copies of the “She is conscious and slowly considered significant in political son does not mean that I am not marking Makar Sankranti of races to fly kites and play aerial Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation communicating. Her feeding circles as they come days ahead of keen to assume responsibility. Maharashtrians and Uttarayan kite games. Bill, 2013, being burnt in the continues through feeding the All India Congress Committee “There is no word like reluc- of Gujaratis, and south Indians The south Indian states and Bhogi fire in Seemandhra as tube. Although still critically (AICC) meeting where there tance in my life. Power is poi- churned up Pongal dishes. The communities elsewhere in the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra ill, her condition has not dete- is expected to be clamour for son is an observation that when night before, Punjabis and north country also celebrated the day as are together known. riorated over last 24 hours,” appointing him prime ministe- power comes how to deal with Indians danced around Lohri Pongal and the north-east Indians In Tamil Nadu, people cele- claimed the latest report rial candidate. the threats that come with it. It fires, and north-east Indians cel- feasted on their Bhogali Bihu. brated Pongal by getting up early, released by the Belle Vue In the interview, Gandhi, 43, means that power should be used ebrated Bhogali Bihu. Bollywood celebrities like donning new clothes and visiting Clinic where she is kept in the described himself as a soldier of for welfare of people. Don’t use it The celebrations coincided with Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi, temples. The festival is celebrated Intensive Therapy Unit. the party and refuted the per- to make yourself powerful, big.” Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday Madhur Bhandarkar and Vivek to thank the sun, rain and farm ception that he was a reluctant “Whatever task the Congress of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Oberoi conveyed their best wishes animals. Tiger kills three politician. He contended that wanted me to do, I completed The Muslim-dominated areas of to the fans and people. The state of Odisha saw people Congress should return to power that. Whatever responsibility is Delhi, Mumbai and other cities as Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: taking a holy dip in ponds, tanks NEW DELHI: A wild tiger in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections given to me, I will complete it.” also the large tracts of Suarashtra “A very happy and prosperous and rivers and visiting temples has killed three people in “in the interest of the country” On BJP prime ministerial candi- in Gujarat were decked up with Makar Sankranti and a happy as they too celebrated Makar southern India this month, and said the party needs to con- date Narendra Modi’s “popularity”, flags, flowers and buntings. Pongal. May all that you wish Sankranti. More than three lakh forcing dozens of schools nect with the youth more. He also Gandhi said that power should not Qawwali programmes were fructify. Love and affection, ever.” devotees converged on the pilgrim and a tourist resort in the said his sister Priyanka Gandhi be exercised through the thinking organised and special prayers held Sridevi said in a tweet: town of Puri. area to shut down. The tiger Vadra will not have “an election- of one person or his ways. “The in mosques to mark the day. “Greetings to all on the occa- Tribal groups lit bonfires, danced killed a woman working on a related role.” future of 120 crore (1.2 billion) peo- Across the length and breadth sion of Pongal. Hope this festival and organised feasts on the eve of tea plantation in Tamil Nadu “In national interest, it is nec- ple can be improved only by tak- of the country, the mood was brings you happiness, peace and Makar Sankranti in various places last week, the animal’s third essary that Congress comes to ing everybody along. Congress is festive. Maharashtrian families good luck to your lives.” of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Keonjhar victim since January 4. After power (at the centre). And, for in the DNA of this country. BJP is distributed the traditional sweet- In Andhra Pradesh, harvest and Sundergarh districts. the latest incident, the Tamil that, whatever responsibility talking of a Congress-free India. It meat tiee-gul laddoos among rela- festival Makar Sankranti was cel- Braving the bitter cold, thou- Nadu government closed 45 organisation has given me or will does not understand that Congress tives, friends, neighbours and the ebrated with fervour and gaiety sands of devotees across Himachal schools in Nilgiris district and give to me in the future, I will dis- is the only political force that has casual festival visitors. though the Telangana issue left Pradesh took a dip in rivers to a resort on Doddabetta hill. charge it with all my sincerity,” he kept the people together,” he said. In Gujarat, the festival, also its impact. The countryside wore mark Makar Sankranti. IANS was quoted as saying by the paper. REUTERS/IANS known as Uttarayan — the sun’s a festive look with houses being IANS Salman, Modi at kite festival Technopark of Kerala to be India’s largest IT facility THIRUVANAN- THAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will officially inaugurate an additional one million sq. ft. of space at the Technopark Phase III here today, making it the country’s largest such IT facility with a built-up area of 7.2 million sq.ft. The new twin-tower campus, developed in 92 acres of land has been named Ganga and Yamuna. Technopark Phase III has the Smart Business Centres set up to attract youngsters for their entre- Actor Salman Khan (right) prepares to fly a kite as Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP prime ministerial candidate, preneurial ventures. Narendra Modi (second left) looks on at a kite festival in Ahmedabad. Khan was in the city to promote his Space has already been forthcoming film, Jai Ho. allotted to 30 companies who will be setting up their operations shortly, said Technopark senior business development manager M. Vasudevan. “We are already Another ancient varsity’s remains found in Bihar having discussions with various developers to set PATNA: Remains of an ancient history, Verma said that remains He said that remains of this up commercial complexes, university have been discov- of “Tiladhak” ancient university ancient university were found hotel facilities, convention ered in Bihar, which is home to are spread in a big area and will during excavation of a 45-foot centre and a multiplex Nalanda and Vikramshila uni- take more time for full excava- high mound. “We have also found here. This phase has been versities, officials said yesterday. tion—just like Nalanda where the a huge floor, statues of bronze and developed as both Special “We have discovered remains excavation took years. stone and over 100 seals,” he said. Economic Zone as well of another ancient university at “It is a positive development in The excavation at Telhara site as Non Special Economic the Buddhist monastery site of the field of excavation in Bihar. was started in 2009 after Chief Zone,” said Vasudevan. Telhara in Nalanda district,” Atul After discovery of remains of 4th Minister Nitish Kumar took spe- The twin towers are the Kumar Verma, director of state century ancient Nalanda and 8th cial interest in it. Nitish Kumar has first LEED Gold Rated IT archaeology, said. century Vikramshila university, announced that specimen from the Space of the government. Telhara was visited by Chinese this is the discovery of remains site would be housed in the pro- “We hope to generate traveller Heuen Tsang in the 7th of third ancient university in the posed International Museum in more than 40,000 direct century AD, and it was men- state,” Verma said and added that Patna. Last week Nobel laureate and over 1.6 lakh indirect tioned as “Teleadaka” in his Tiladhak ancient university was Amartya Sen visited Telhara exca- employment opportuni- account, Verma said. Describing set up in 5th century during the vation site and was impressed by ties,” said Technopark CEO it as a major discovery for Bihar’s Gupta period. the discovery, Verma said. IANS K G Girish Babu. IANS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME New rotavirus  News in Numbers    vaccines seem CHART: 1 31 9 Fajr (Dawn) 5:01 3 Shorook (Sunrise) 6:21 safer: Studies Zuhr (Noon) 11:43 NEW YORK: Newer vaccines Asr (Afternoon) 2:45 against rotavirus, a severe diarrhoeal disease in children, Maghrib (Sunset) 5:06 slightly raise the risk of a rare Isha (Night) 6:36 bowel problem that doomed an earlier vaccine, new stud- ies show. But researchers say the modern vaccines are much WEATHER safer and well worth this very small risk. Weather Rotavirus kills more than Today Thursday Friday Conditions: 400,000 young children a year, Overall reinsurance capacity growth Partly cloudy Partly cloudy Clear mostly in poor countries. In the Partly cloudy. United States, good medical care usually keeps it from being fatal, Pics by: VP Kammutty but it used to cause as many as High: 22° High: 20° High: 21° Low: 12° Low: 14° Low: 15° 1 in 10 hospitalisations of young Some 50pc of survey participants believe that total reinsurance capacity deployed to kids. the MENA countries will increase further, down from 54pc expressing the same view The first rotavirus vaccine came out in 1998 but was with- a year ago. Those participants who expect a further inflow of capacity cite the region’s drawn a year later after it was continued attractiveness as a perceived high growth, non-catastrophe market with DOHA - SUN & SEA linked to intussusception, a beneficial effects on overall portfolio diversification. Those who expect a reduction of rare and serious twisted bowel SUN TIDE SEA condition. Doctors hoped that capacity point to the continued retrenchment of some major (European) reinsurers SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND two newer versions — Merck’s resulting in a decrease in proportional treaty capacity. Some 50pc (compared with RotaTeq and GlaxoSmithKline’s 06:21 17:06 05:00 & 15:45 12:15 & 21:45 03-12 KT Rotarix, which came out in 2006 41pc in 2012) of participating executives believe that the share of regional and Asian and 2008 — would avoid that (non-Western) capacity will continue to increase at the expense of more traditional THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW problem. sources from Continental Europe, Bermuda and London. Research in other countries HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER suggests that some risk persists, Outlook on split between though. Two large studies out Outlook on overall MUSCAT 22/16 Clear 23/16 Partly cloudy yesterday are the first to look Western versus non-Western KUWAIT 17/10 Mostly cloudy 18/09 Clear capacity development at this in the US. The studies, capacity BAHRAIN 18/15 Clear 19/14 Clear sponsored by the federal govern- SANAA 24/08 Chance of rain 24/08 Partly cloudy ment, are being presented at a Increase RIYADH 24/13 Partly cloudy 22/11 Partly cloudy health conference and were pub- by more Higher share DUBAI 21/16 Partly cloudy 22/16 Partly cloudy lished online by the New England than 10pc to of Western capacity BAGHDAD 16/07 Partly cloudy 17/06 Clear Journal of Medicine. 18pc 16pc One, led by Harvard University THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW researchers, looked at nearly 1.4 million doses of either of the new HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER vaccines given to babies in three large health plans. Researchers ATHENS 16/13 Chance of rain 15/13 Chance of rain Increase by Higher share of estimate there would be one to less than 10pc to WASHINGTON 09/-1 Chance of rain 04/01 Partly cloudy Stable Stable mix non-Western capacity two extra cases of the bowel 42pc 32pc 50pc SYDNEY 29/19 Clear 29/18 Clear 34pc problem beyond what occurs LONDON 13/09 Chance of rain 12/08 Mostly cloudy naturally for every 100,000 recip- PARIS 11/09 Rain 10/06 Chance of rain ients of the first dose. (Two or ISTANBUL 13/09 Mostly cloudy 13/07 Chance of rain three doses are given, depending MANILA 28/20 Partly cloudy 29/20 Mostly cloudy on which vaccine is used, starting Decrease DHAKA 25/16 Partly cloudy 26/16 Clear around two months of age). by up to 10pc to DELHI 19/07 Clear 20/10 Mostly cloudy The other study, led by the fed- 8pc ISLAMABAD 20/04 Clear 20/07 Partly cloudy eral Centers for Disease Control Source : http://www.qfc.com.qa and Prevention, involved children in six managed care plans given more than 1.5 million doses of either vaccine. Researchers esti- mate there would be about five Fisherman regrets extra cases for every 100,000 kids vaccinated. New theatre offers Both estimates are half or less of the number seen with the harming giant squid older vaccine. “The rarity is striking,” Dr TOKYO: As they hauled in The squid, a male weighing Roger Glass of the Fogarty tragedy by candlelight their net on the frigid seas 163 kg (360 pounds), died shortly International Center at the of northern Japan, Shigenori after being pulled to the surface National Institutes of Health LONDON: London has a new Goto and the crew of his boat last Wednesday and was trucked said of the bowel problem under theatre lit entirely by candles, were hoping for a good catch of to a research institute. the new vaccines. “The benefits transporting audiences back 400 yellowtail. Instead, what slowly Experts said the squid, which are tremendous compared to the years to the kind of perform- appeared was a mammoth lost its super-long tentacles dur- risks.” ances seen on winter nights in squid, still alive. ing the capture, was likely to He wrote a commentary Shakespeare’s time. Giant squid, mysterious crea- have been around 8 metres (26 accompanying the studies’ Constructed mainly of oak, the tures thought to have inspired the feet) in total, since the tentacles publication. building sits alongside the open-air myth of the monstrous “kraken”, usually equal the rest of the body Dr Frank DeStefano, head of Globe theatre on the south bank of make occasional appearances in length. the CDC’s Immunization Safety the Thames — but it offers a very near the Japanese archipelago. Still, it was relatively small by Office, and a leader of that agen- different experience by replicating Last year, a Japanese-led team giant squid standards. The larg- cy’s study, said it’s not known an indoor playhouse of the early made history when it released est ever caught measured some how the vaccines might raise 17th century. the first live images taken of one, 18 metres from tail to tentacle the risk of the bowel problem, While the Globe’s thatched nearly 1km beneath the surface. tip. but agreed the new vaccines are amphitheatre is breezy and holds “We were about 30 minutes Goto, who has been besieged by well worth using. more than 1,500 people, the new into our day when this large, calls from the media since word Twisted bowel can occur natu- Sam Wanamaker Playhouse — reddish-brown thing came swim- of his unusual haul became pub- rally, and the peak age is six to 10 named after the American actor ming up from the depths,” Goto, lic, said he regretted the rough- months, he said. and director who came up with 44, told Reuters about the fish- ing up the squid had suffered. “Parents need to be alert about the idea for both venues — is inti- ing expedition off the coast of “I wish we’d been able to make signs and symptoms,” which can mate, with just 340 seats. Niigata, northwest of Tokyo. it more presentable,” he said. “If include severe crying because of Stepping inside is like entering “I was surprised - there’s no I’d known it was going to be such abdominal pain, vomiting, blood an antique marquetry box, with other word for it. We all started a big deal, I’d have treated it with in the stool or listlessness, he the flickering candlelight illumi- shouting ‘giant squid, giant squid’ more respect.” said. nating woodwork and a painted all at once.” REUTERS AP ceiling that make a fine setting for the inward-looking psychological dramas of the Jacobean period. In many ways the small indoor space is an “anti-Globe,” accord- ing to artistic director Dominic Lescure named Actors perform Shakespeare’s ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ at the Sam Wanamaker Dromgoole, whose production of Playhouse at the Globe Theatre in London yesterday. president of Cannes Mass whale stranding John Webster’s dark tragedy “The Duchess of Malfi” opened there on Film Festival January 9. Shakespeare and his peers - as although a certain amount of on New Zealand coast Modelled on drawings that fell would the choice of play. artificial electric light does leak NEW YORK: Pierre Lescure NELSON: At least 13 pilot the stranded whales in the incom- out of an old book in the library at “The Duchess of Malfi” was in through internal windows in has been named president of the whales were beached yester- ing tide tonight,” conservation Worcester College, Oxford, in the first performed by the King’s some scenes. Cannes Film Festival, succeed- day on a remote New Zealand ranger Gregg Knapp said. 1960s, the new playhouse offers a Men acting company to which The effect is unique, with the ing Gilles Jacob. coastline and conservation offi- “We are hoping we can get wintertime option for Dromgoole Shakespeare belonged at a similar candlelight reflecting off the The French festival said cials were desperately battling them afloat and further out to sea and his team. indoor theatre across the river at actors’ white neck ruffs and glit- Lescure was elected in a board to prevent another 50 from before dark when it would become The second venue builds on Blackfriars in 1613 or 1614. tering from the golden dress worn of directors meeting yesterday. reaching the shore. unsafe for people to work in the the outdoor success of the Globe, It is a tale of corruption, mur- by Gemma Arterton, who plays He will take office in July. The It is the second mass stranding sea trying to refloat the whales.” which has been putting on shows der and madness that exposes the doomed duchess. 83-year-old Jacob is stepping in a week at the remote Farewell Pilot whales are the most com- since 1997 and had its first trans- the dark side of human nature, The play will have its press down after more than three dec- Spit, at the top of the South mon species of whale seen in New fer to Broadway in November. prompting the poet TS Eliot night today but the show, which ades with the festival and 13 years Island, which has become notori- Zealand waters. Given the British weather, the famously to describe Webster as also includes period music, is as president. ous as a whale graveyard. Last week, a pod of 39 died Globe can operate only from April a dramatist who “saw the skull already getting rave write-ups on The 67th Cannes Film Festival Department of Conservation after a mass stranding in the to October, beneath the skin”. Twitter from those who have seen in May will be Jacob’s last as officials said they were alerted to same Farewell Spit area, about The sketches that form the basis With a macabre scene of wax- it, with visitors describing the set- president. the latest stranding late yesterday 150km from the tourist city of for the £7.5m ($12.4m) project are work corpses and a grave-digging ting as “gorgeous” and “amazing”. The 68-year-old Lescure co- morning and were using a boat to Nelson. the earliest surviving evidence of semi-werewolf duke, Webster piles Dromgoole is preparing next to founded French pay-tv opera- try to shepherd the whales still Mass pilot whale strandings what an indoor Jacobean theatre on a surreal horror that gains a present other works from more tor Canal Plus in 1984 and later afloat out to sea. are common in New Zealand, would have looked like, although claustrophobic immediacy in the of Shakespeare’s contemporaries served as president. He joins fes- Volunteers were protecting the particularly at Farewell Spit, with the final building is not a copy of small candle-lit theatre. — including Francis Beaumont tival director Thierry Fremaux, stranded whales from the sun scientists unclear about why the any particular historical venue. The show burns through dozens and John Marston — as well as an who oversees the official selection until an attempt to refloat them marine mammals swim ashore in The idea of heading inside in of beeswax candles to illuminate opera by Francesco Cavalli and of the festival. at the next high tide. large groups. the winter months would have the action, some in candelabras several concerts. AP “We plan to attempt to refloat AFP been very familiar to William and others held by the actors, REUTERS Wednesday 15 January 2014 14 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5945 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QNB Group records QR9.5bn net profit for 2013 Loans see 20.9 percent growth rate; assets reach QR443bn; Group proposes 70pc dividend

DOHA: QNB Group, the October Reg S issues generated region’s largest lender, has strong interest from investors recorded a strong 13.7 per- around the world. cent growth in its net profit Total equity increased by 12 to QR9.5bn for the full-year percent from December 2012 to 2013, on the back of core reach QR54bn as at December earnings. 31, 2013. On the strong financial results Earnings per share reached for the year, the group proposed a QR13.5, compared to QR11.9 in 70 percent cash dividend, means December 2012. The capital ade- QR7 per share, subject to the quacy ratio stood at 15.6 percent approval of the general assembly as at December 31, 2013, higher and Qatar Central Bank (QCB). than the regulatory requirements Driven by strong growth of QCB and the Basel Committee. rate in loans and advances, the The group revealed that these group’s total assets increased results include the financial a historic high by 20.9 percent results of QNB ALAHLI in Egypt, from December 2012 to reach in which the group concluded the QR443bn. Loans grew at a rate acquisition of a controlling stake of 24.3 percent and advances amounting to 97.12 percent in reached QR311bn. March 2013. The Group’s prudent cost con- As a result of the group’s high trol policy and strong revenue credit ratings and outstand- generating capability allowed it to ing asset quality, it was selected maintain an efficiency ratio (cost East and Africa, reflecting the 24.3 percent to QR336bn. This this programme a $1.0bn tranche in the international capital mar- as one of the world’s 50 safest to income ratio) of 20.4 percent, high quality of the group’s loan led to the group’s loan to deposit was issued on April 22, 2013 with kets. Under this programme, two financial institutions by Global which is considered one of the book and the effective manage- ratio to reach 93 percent. a seven-year maturity and an tranches were issued on October Finance. Based on the group’s best ratios among financial insti- ment of credit risk. The group’s In order to diversify its source attractive coupon rate of 2.875 23, 2013. One tranche of $750m continuous strong performance tutions in the region. conservative policy in regard to of funds, in April QNB Group percent. In October, QNB Group with a three-year maturity, at a and the expanding international The group was able to maintain provisioning continued with the announced the successful com- announced the completion of its coupon rate of 3-month Libor + presence, the bank is currently the ratio of non-performing loans coverage ratio reaching 123 per- pletion of a bond issuance under highly successful dual tranche 1.25 percent and another tranche ranked as the most valuable to gross loans at 1.6 percent, a cent in December 2013. its Euro Medium Term Note US dollar bond amounting to of $750m with a five-year matu- brand in the MENA region, with level considered one of the low- At the same time QNB Group (EMTN) programme in the inter- $1.5bn under its Euro Medium rity, at a fixed coupon rate of 2.75 a world ranking of 120. est amongst banks in the Middle increased customer funding by national capital markets. Under Term Note (EMTN) programme percent. Both the April and the THE PENINSULA

WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatari bourse extends bull run to 11th day Cairo’s index climbs 1.1 percent

DOHA: Qatar Exchange (QE) resistance unbroken. index witnessed another up day Presidential elections will fol- yesterday, as the benchmark low if the two-day referendum index extended the bull-run to approves a new constitution as the 11th straight day, but with a expected, and a positive result lowest gain in the week. With could lead to a presidential bid by the support of the Industrials army chief General Abdel Fattah and Banks & Financial Al Sisi. Services, the benchmark meas- The market’s sizeable intra- ure was up 0.29 percent to close day pull-back, however, sug- 11,051 points. The gain was led gested the political euphoria may by QNB, Al Khalij Commercial be close to running its course for Bank and Gulf International. now, with the market up about Market capitalisation rose over 50 percent since Islamist presi- QR583bn against the prior trad- dent Mohammed Mursi was over- ing session’s QR580bn.Traded thrown last July. The Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada with the awardees during the 2nd Operational Safety Challenges Forum for volume crossed 11 million shares, “The market has had a good the Oil and Gas Industry at Four Seasons Hotel yesterday. (SHAIVAL DALAL) valued at QR642m. run in the past six months and Of the 41 traded companies, 23 has largely priced in the politi- stocks declined, 12 advanced and cal transition that we’re going Al Sada stresses safety of oil, gas industry six remained unchanged. to see in the next few months,” Yesterday’s relatively smaller said Simon Kitchen, director of gain may be an indication that regional strategy and research at DOHA: The Minister of Energy adherence to the highest inter- effective crisis management. the bourse’s forward momentum EFG-Hermes in Cairo. and Industry and Chairman of national safety regulations and The speakers on the first day Dukhan project is slowing down, analysts said. Kitchen said further gains Qatar Petroleum (QP) H E Dr standards in all aspects of our of the forum came from QP’s Four out of seven sector indices would depend more on improve- Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, industry.” Industrial Cities Directorate, likely by 2017-18 ended in red yesterday with the ment of the economy than on yesterday laid emphasis on Organised by the Best Practice Gas Operations, Drilling Insurance dropping the most by political developments. Qatar’s strong commitment to Technical Committee (BPTC) of Department and Offshore DOHA: The first phase of 0.69 percent. Consumer goods lost Trade in the Egyptian market safety of oil and gas industry. QP’s Dukhan Operations, the Operations as well as from Dukhan Field’s enhanced oil 0.27 percent and Transportation was very heavy though volume Delivering the opening address Forum has brought together RasGas, Qatargas, Total E&P recovery (EOR) project is 0.45 percent. Telecoms dropped was down slightly from Sunday’s at 2nd Operational Safety over HSE professionals and rep- Qatar, and Qatar Fuel Additives expected to be implemented 0.32 percent. level, which was the highest since Challenges Forum yesterday, Dr resentatives from all major oil and Company (QAFAC). by the year 2017-18. “A steer- Industrials sector was up by September 2012. Al Sada noted Safety is a core gas and petrochemical companies Dr Al Sada presented a token ing committee has been con- 1.15 percent and the Banks and In Dubai, shares in builder constituent of Qatar’s oil and operating in Qatar. of appreciation to various QP stituted and we are working Financial Services added 0.40 Arabtec jumped 5.5 percent to gas industry and the businesses. In his welcome address, Ahmad departments as well as to oil & gas on the roadmap,” Ahmad percent. Real Estate was up by Dh3.09, a 63-month high, after It is also an organisational com- Saif Al Sulaiti, Operations companies and organisations for Saif Al Sulaiti, Operations 0.05 percent. the firm said one of its units was mitment that is aligned with the Manager-Dukhan Fields and their participation in the forum Manager-Dukhan Fields Meanwhile, Egypt’s stock mar- awarded a Dh2.59bn ($705b) con- holistic vision pursued by the gov- Chairman of the Organising and for their contributions in said here yesterday. ket rose for a fourth consecutive struction contract on Abu Dhabi’s ernment, he said. Committee, said: “This forum promoting a safety culture within Giving an update on the session yesterday, to levels last Al Reem Island. The Minister added: “It is cru- provides an excellent opportunity Qatar’s oil and gas industry. The project, Ahmad said the seen before the 2011 revolution, Investors have been hoping cial to work for and enhance a to exchange knowledge and expe- awardees included QP’s Drilling Dukhan Field’s EOR project as the country voted on a refer- that Arabtec will win more Abu safety culture that will constitute riences on a safety culture, cri- Department, Corporate HSE would be a milestone in Qatar’s endum that is a key step in its Dhabi business after the com- the backbone of all our operations sis management and emergency Department, Gas Operations energy sector. However, the planned transition back to civilian pany replaced its chief executive – be they offshore or onshore, response, personal safety, hazards and Dukhan Operations, RasGas, project implementation is a rule. Gulf markets were mixed as last year in a shake-up led by upstream or downstream. A and reducing risks at our facilities Qatargas, QAFAC, Exxonmobil, long-term process, he added. some investors took profits. Abu Dhabi fund Aabar, its larg- consistent safety and opera- and it will help identify the way Shell, Maersk Oil, Total, The EOR project underway Cairo’s benchmark index est shareholder, which has been tions culture among all workers, forward to promote the same in Occidental Petroleum, Honeywell, at Dukhan Oil Field is aimed climbed 1.1 percent to close at tightening its control of the group. in all organizations in this vital other organizations.” Qatar University, and Texas A&M to lift the field’s output over 7,196 points, a fresh three-year The stock faces major technical industry, is a precondition to suc- The three-day event, which University at Qatar. the next few years. high. During the day it rose as resistance in the Dh2.97-3.16 area, cess. This principle is the driving is scheduled until January 16, The second day of the 2nd THE PENINSULA high as 7,258 points, eclipsing the peaks in February 2012 and force behind the Government of consists of plenary sessions and Operational Safety Challenges the January 2011 peak of 7,248 November 2009; an initial test of Qatar’s multi-faceted approach presentations focusing mainly Forum today will feature presen- day of the event on Thursday will points, but it fell back before the this area last week failed. to safety. This is why we imple- on promoting a safety cul- tations on effectively promoting have a leadership plenary session. close, leaving that major technical THE PENINSULA/REUTERS ment and promote the strictest ture, emergency response and a safety culture, while the final THE PENINSULA

QATARI MARKET Eni pulls plug Bond Coupon Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Qatar Govt 5.15% 4/9/2014 USD 101.18 (0.01 %) Aa2 AA Al Jaber picks finance chief, Qatar Govt 3.125% 1/20/2017 USD 104.88 1.47 % Aa2 AA on Polish shale Qatar Govt 6.55% 4/9/2019 USD 119.38 2.57 % Aa2 AA gas exploration Qatar Govt 5.25% 1/20/2020 USD 112.38 2.99 % Aa2 AA pushes to close debt deal Qatar Govt 4.5% 1/20/2022 USD 106.50 3.56 % Aa2 AA WARSAW: Italian energy Qatar Govt 9.75% 6/15/2030 USD 153.50 4.95 % Aa2 AA giant Eni will follow in the foot- ABU DHABI/DUBAI: Abu The company confirmed the the new fields, the weight of debt Qatar Govt 6.4% 1/20/2040 USD 115.88 5.27 % Aa2 AA steps of other energy companies Dhabi conglomerate Al Jaber appointment of Sam Deeb as CFO raised to achieve the expansion Qatar Govt 5.75% 1/20/2042 USD 106.75 5.29 % Aa2 AA and abandon its shale gas explo- Group has appointed a new but declined comment on any tar- and a slowdown in the local con- ration in Poland, a Polish busi- chief financial officer (CFO) as get to complete its debt renegotia- struction sector. Qatari Diar 3.5% 7/21/2015 USD 103.88 0.92 % Aa2 AA ness daily reported yesterday. it pushes to close a long-awaited tions. Deeb was previously CFO at Despite agreeing a five-year Qatari Diar 5% 7/21/2020 USD 109.75 3.32 % Aa2 AA “The decision has already been $4.5bn restructuring before the Lebanon-based consumer goods plan to repay obligations in Comqat 5% 11/18/2014 USD 103.63 0.64 % A1 A- made at Milan headquarters .... end of the first quarter, three firm Transmed and is a former March with a creditor committee Comqat 3.375% 4/11/2017 USD 103.63 2.21 % A1 A- Eni is abandoning Polish shale sources with knowledge of the financial head of telecoms opera- appointed to head talks on behalf QIB 3.856% 10/7/2015 USD 104.25 1.36 % NR NR gas,” the Puls Biznesu daily said, matter said yesterday. tors Zain and Mobinil, according of the lenders involved, no deal QNB 3.125% 11/16/2015 USD 103.63 1.12 % Aa3 A+ citing anonymous sources. Al Jaber, a family-owned group to his LinkedIn page. has been done with the full group QNB 3.375% 2/22/2017 USD 103.75 2.12 % Aa3 A+ Eni did not immediately with operations in aviation, con- He takes over from Robert as some banks refused to sign up. respond to a request for comment. struction and retail, has been Palazzo, who served as interim Citigroup and International Doha Bank 3.5% 3/14/2017 USD 103.75 2.27 % A2 A- Poland, one of Europe’s lead- in talks with bank creditors to CFO after Richard Hollands Bank of Qatar were holdouts, Qtel 3.375% 10/14/2016 USD 104.88 1.55 % A2 A ers on shale gas, has made tap- renegotiate its obligations since resigned in April. sources said in October, while two Qtel 7.875% 6/10/2019 USD 123.38 3.14 % A2 A ping its deposits a priority in the 2011 and has seen a number of Like many family-owned sources told Reuters on Tuesday Qtel 4.75% 2/16/2021 USD 105.50 3.86 % A2 A hopes that it will ensure energy management changes during that groups in the Gulf, Al Jaber that Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Qtel 5% 10/19/2025 USD 100.25 4.97 % A2 A independence from Soviet-era time, as it looks to revamp after looked to expand beyond its core Banking Corp had yet to sign up. Rasgas 5.5% 9/30/2014 USD 103.19 0.95 % Aa3 A master Moscow. The European overextending during a regional business — in Al Jaber’s case Sumitomo Mitsui had no immedi- Rasgas 5.832% 9/30/2016 USD 106.88 3.16 % Aa3 A Union member currently imports economic boom which peaked in construction — but was dragged ate comment. about two-thirds of the 14 million 2009. down by poor performances in REUTERS Rasgas 5.298% 9/30/2020 USD 107.25 4.05 % Aa3 A cubic metres of natural gas it uses SOVEREIGNS annually from Russia. Bond PDA* Maturity Currency Mid-Price Yield Moody’s S&P Poland’s shale gas reserves are Abu Dhabi Govt 5.5% 4/8/2014 USD 101.13 0.49 % Aa2 AA estimated at between 800 and Printemps shop at Louvre Abu Dhabi Govt 6.75% 4/8/2019 USD 121.75 2.31 % Aa2 AA 2,000 billion cubic metres. But the shale sector has suf- Dubai Govt 6.7% 10/5/2015 USD 108.13 1.87 % NR NR fered a string of setbacks, as glo- Dubai Govt 4.9% 5/2/2017 USD 107.00 2.67 % NR NR bal energy groups Exxon Mobil, Dubai Govt 7.75% 10/5/2020 USD 120.13 4.27 % NR NR Marathon Oil and Talisman Dubai Govt 6.45% 5/2/2022 USD 112.75 4.58 % NR NR Energy have scrapped Polish shale Qatar Govt 4% 1/20/2015 USD 103.25 0.76 % Aa2 AA gas exploration. Bahrain Govt 6.273% 11/22/2018 USD 113.88 3.17 % NR BBB These firms “did not find the Bahrain Govt 5.5% 3/31/2020 USD 104.63 4.63 % NR BBB shale gas deposits they expected,” sector expert Andrzej Szczesniak Egypt Govt 5.75% 4/29/2020 USD 97.25 6.28 % Caa1 B- said. Eni has three concessions in Morocco Govt 4.5% 10/5/2020 EUR 102.75 4.03 % NR BBB- Poland, of which one has already

*Periodic Distribution Amount expired and the others are due IMPORTANT NOTE: to expire soon. The firm will not Published by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, P O Box 57, Doha, Qatar which seek to renew them, according to is licensed and regulated by Qatar Central Bank and Jersey Financial Services Puls Biznesu’s report. Commission. Information quoted is from publicly available sources or proprietary Anna Miazga, a government data and subject to change. HSBC accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or part of this material. This information is general and does not mediator between supporters and take into account individual circumstances, objectives or needs. The price of bonds opponents of shale gas, said that can and does fluctuate. The secondary market for bonds may not provide significant Eni’s concession in the north- liquidity or may trade based on prevailing market conditions. Past performance is not ern town of Mlynary expired on a reliable indicator of future performance. You should consider these matters and consult your financial advisor prior to making any investment decisions. January 5. “Eni informed us that they would no longer take part in a local dialogue with residents because the group decided to not A general view of the ground floor of the new Printemps department store in the Louvre Museum’s Carrousel renew its Mlynary concession,” du Louvre shopping mall in Paris yesterday. Printemps will open its first new outlet for 32 years just down the she said. road from the Mona Lisa. AFP WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21 Shell to sell UK inflation $15bn of assets including some falls to Bank of North Sea fields

LONDON: Royal Dutch Shell could look to sell $15bn worth of England target assets over the next two years including some North Sea fields, said a media report yesterday, expanding on its existing guid- Lowest rate since late 2009 ance that divestments would accelerate this year. LONDON: British inflation fell UK could push up wage costs and Shell, whose new chief execu- to the Bank of England’s target a rebound in the global economy tive Ben van Beurden took over level in December for the first is likely to push up energy, food two weeks ago, will sell some of time in over four years, backing and commodity prices once again,” its North Sea oil fields as well its case to keep interest rates at said Andrew Sentance, a vocal as parts of its refining portfolio a record low and giving the gov- advocate of tighter monetary and some early-stage projects, ernment a boost ahead of elec- policy. reported the Financial Times, cit- tions next year. Economists in a Reuters poll ing a person close to the company. Consumer prices rose two per- had expected inflation to stay The oil company, the world’s cent on the year in December, the at 2.1 percent, the same rate as number-three among investor- Office for National Statistics said, November. controlled energy firms, declined the slowest increase since late Compared with the previous to comment on the report. 2009 and down from 2.1 percent month, the consumer price index Shell and its peers in the indus- in November. in December was up 0.4 percent, try are facing increasing investor Sterling wiped out most of its the ONS said. pressure to hold down spending earlier gains as the unexpected The BoE said in August it would The media surrounds several models of the new Ford F150s at its introduction at the 2014 North American as costs rise and prospects for oil fall in inflation pushed back bets only think about raising record- International Auto Show in Detroit. prices wane. The Anglo-Dutch on when the BoE might raise low interest rates once unemploy- company said in October that it rates. British 10-year government ment falls to 7 percent, unless would step up divestments “signif- bond yields hit their lowest level inflation threatened to get out of icantly” in 2014 and 2015 to keep since December 3. control. GM wins awards, Ford turns cash flowing in, after forecasting Prime Minister David Cameron, Since then, unemployment has that 2013 capital expenditure facing a concerted attack from the fallen quickly as Britain unexpect- would peak at about $45bn. opposition Labour party over fall- edly outpaced almost every other Analysts and bankers say that ing living standards, welcomed the rich economy. But policymakers heads at Detroit auto show some of the company’s Nigerian figures. Labour highlighted how have said they are still in no rush to oil blocks plus Shell’s 23.1 per- wages were still growing by less raise rates and Tuesday’s inflation DETROIT: General Motors’ little third-generation Fit showed, Alan Batey said, hailing its wins. cent stake in Australian group than half the rate of inflation. reading is likely to help their case. Chevrolet unit swept car and consumers are getting more Eyes were on Ford, however, as Woodside Petroleum — worth Inflation peaked above five per- Simon Wells, an economist at truck of the year honours but amenities, from connectivity to it gambled with a major change over $6bn at current prices — cent in 2011, pushed up by soar- HSBC, expects rates to remain on Ford’s use of aluminium in its power to comfort, in the lower for the best-selling F150 pickup, could be put on the block. ing gas and electricity bills, and hold for some time but said grow- F150 sparked new debate on ranges of the automakers’ fleets. replacing steel body panels with “It wouldn’t surprise me if the consumer price index had ing employment and stagnating the first day of the Detroit auto “There’s a tremendous amount aluminium to drastically lower Shell were to sell some North Sea exceeded the central bank’s two productivity are probably raising show. of innovation taking place in the body weight and boost fuel econ- assets,” Santander analyst Jason percent target every month since concerns at the BoE about the Automakers paraded their industry right now,” said Robert omy. The move, which helped Kenney said.“In the North Sea, December 2009. potential for future inflation. newest models, many with more Carter, senior vice president for Ford slash the truck’s weight by something like 80 percent of its Economists said the days of “If the recovering labour mar- horsepower, more aggressive pro- automotive operations at Toyota. up to 317 kilos is seen as a big risk, production comes from 20 percent inflation way above the BoE’s tar- ket starts to feed through to files and ever-swankier cockpits, Automakers, after a hugely because truck buyers tend to focus of its asset base so there’s a long get looked over and they predicted stronger pay growth, tightening almost in celebration of the US successful 2013, forecast more on sturdiness and power. tail of smaller positions.” further falls in 2014. Citi expected could occur much earlier,” Wells market, now close to its pre-crash growth and unveiled powerful Toyota, meanwhile, revved up its Since Van Beurden began work- consumer price inflation to slow to said in an email to clients. highs and girding for more solid new trucks, sexy sports cars and design credentials with a provoca- ing alongside outgoing boss Peter 1.7 percent by March. However, a The ONS said the biggest negative growth this year. With some four luxury models. tive new concept for a sports car, Voser at the beginning of the recovering labour market could contribution to headline inflation in dozen new models on offer, con- General Motors logged an early with a race car pit crew opening fourth quarter, the company has boost consumer demand and add December was from food, especially sumers were spoiled for choice — win after its Chevrolet brand a shiny red box to reveal the FT-1 cancelled plans to build a gas-to- to price pressures. fruit and meat, and recreational if not overwhelmed. swept the car and truck of the sports concept — Future Toyota 1. liquids (GTL) plant in the United At two percent, British inflation goods such as computer games. Already last year the industry year awards with the Corvette Chrysler unveiled its hotly States, raising investor hopes of a is above that of all other mem- An ONS official said the data offered some 340 models, a sharp Stingray sports car and the Chevy anticipated revamp of the 200 tighter spending regime. bers of the Group of Seven rich was collected early in the month increase since the early 2000s, Silverado pickup truck. sedan, which aims to bring a new Kenney said he expected Shell economies. to capture discounting by retail- according to Jessica Caldwell of “Chevrolet is in the midst of the level of luxury and styling to its under Van Beurden to focus on A former BoE policymaker ers in the days immediately before industry analysts Edmunds.com. most aggressive product transfor- midsized offering with a low entry capital discipline, better returns warned against complacency. Christmas. But as cars from Mercedes mation in the brand’s more than price of $21,700. and selling peripheral assets. “Stronger growth here in the REUTERS Benz’s new C-Class and Honda’s 100-year history,” Chevy chief REUTERS REUTERS

UK watchdog JPMorgan posts 7pc to force cement industry sell-offs drop in Q4 earnings LONDON: Britain’s competi- tion regulator is to force two NEW YORK: US banking the third quarter when a $9.15bn of the country’s biggest cement giant JPMorgan Chase reported charge on legal expenses pushed producers to sell off produc- a 7.2 percent drop in fourth- the company into the red for the tion plants following a two-year quarter earnings yesterday as it first time in nearly a decade. investigation which found a lack eyes an improving US economy JPMorgan has spent about of competition that had pushed and potential new regulatory $20bn on settlements with US up prices. problems. regulators since the beginning The Competition JPMorgan, the largest US bank, of 2013. The company yester- Commission, in its final said earnings were $5.3bn in the day announced another charge report on the case yes- fourth quarter, down from $5.7bn for legal expenses, this time for etrday, said it would require a year ago. Revenues of $24.1bn $1.1bn, including for settlements HeidelbergCement’s Hanson to were down 1.2 percent from the announced last week with the sell off one of three plants to year-ago period. The results Department of Justice related to increase competition in ground translated into earnings of $1.30 poor oversight of accounts by con- granulated blast furnace slag cents per share. Excluding charges victed fraudster Bernard Madoff. (GGBS), a substitute for, and and other items, adjusted earnings JPMorgan’s chief executive ingredient for cement. came in at $1.40 per share, beating Jamie Dimon said he was pleased In October, the watchdog had analyst expectations by five cents. the company had decided “to told rival Lafarge Tarmac to sell Net earnings for full-year 2013 accept responsibility, resolve these one of its cement plants in Britain were $17.9bn, down nearly 16 per- issues and move forward.” in a bid to introduce a fifth player cent from $21.3bn in 2012. But bank officials stopped short to that market. On the positive side, the quar- of saying they were home free on The watchdog criticised cur- terly results returned JPMorgan the regulatory front. rent cement market conditions to profitability after a rare loss in AFP in the country, where Lafarge People walk by the JP Morgan & Chase Co building in New York. Tarmac, Cemex and Hanson rank as the three largest producers. The cement industry globally suffered from the economic down- Bleak start for French winter sale amid economic torpor turn that followed the 2008 finan- cial crisis which led to a slowdown in construction. PARIS: French shoppers amid high unemployment and Francois Hollande has pledged. left shoppers with no room to luxury goods — sales were flat, “Despite falling demand and shunned the start of the win- dwindling purchasing power. “It’s not good. Consumption keep on spending in January,” said Claude Boulle, head of the increasing costs during the last ter clearance sales season this France has some of the strictest remained sluggish and the said retail analyst Aude de UCV union that represents stores few years, profitability among GB year against a background of a trading laws in Europe, limiting weather did not help,” said Jean- Moussac from research firm such as Galeries Lafayette and Le (British) producers has been sus- stalled economy, unseasonably sales to two five-week long periods Marc Genis, head of the FEH Kurt Salmon. Printemps. tained and their respective mar- mild weather and competition in winter and summer, in an effort clothing retail federation, which Mild weather in December At the Printemps Haussmann kets shares have changed little,” from year-round promotions. to protect smaller retailers. represents chains including and early January also lowered department store, where 40 per- Professor Martin Cave, Deputy Retailers interviewed by The eurozone’s second big- Etam, Zara and H&M. demand for heavy clothing, such cent of sales come from wealthy Chairman of the Competition Reuters said clothing sales fell 10 gest economy is showing tenta- Five-day revenue was down 5-10 as coats and jackets. tourists from China and Russia, Commission, said. percent in the first week of the tive signs of improvement, but percent on the year, he said. Bernard Morvan, head of sales were “ok, nothing more,” “This is not what you would five-week winter ritual that began mixed data releases suggest it The sales traditionally provide the Federation Nationale de Printemps group CEO Paolo de expect to see in a well-func- on Jan. 8 and typically sees hopeful is recovering less quickly than an important boost for clothing l’Habillement, which represents Cesare said. tioning market, under these shoppers queue on the first day some other European countries, stores, which often have a stock nearly 45,000 independent cloth- The Bank of France estimated circumstances.” outside big department stores like such as Germany and the United of winter clothes to sell. ing stores, said sales in the wom- this month that the economy The regulator said it believed Galeries Lafayette in the early Kingdom. Discounts offered in the first en’s ready-to-wear sector fell rebounded in the final quarter a lack of competition in the morning before the main doors Consumer spending, which on days of sale were as high as 50 per- more than 10 percent year-on- of 2013 after a slight contraction industry has cost customers are thrown open. manufactured goods rose just cent but year-round promotions year in the first week. in the previous three months. £30m ($49m) a year, prompt- The sales, whose timing is 0.1 percent in November, is an have also taken the shine off the At French department stores However, monthly purchasing ing it to rule that greater choice strictly regulated in France and important motor of the French clearance season. — which in big cities are more managers surveys suggest the pri- was the only way to bring down which run through February 12, economy. France is set to eke out “Since September, retail- resilient to the bleak climate due vate sector is still seeing business prices. will test consumer confidence as growth too weak to get unem- ers have been beefing up their to their attractiveness to for- activity weaken. REUTERS households avoid big purchases ployment falling as President revenue with promotions. This eign tourists and their focus on REUTERS WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 11,051.48 0.29 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 15,790.04 0.29 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,218.47 0.31 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,734.34 0.39 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,619.02 0.40 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5327.458 8.798 0.17 5383.4 5306.4 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 6,061.77 0.27 % QR144.1574 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 Services Cac 40 Index/D 4269.24 8.28 0.19 4312.59 4215.59 QE All Share Industrials 3,692.13 1.15 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.9311 QR 6.0178 QE All Share Insurance 2,441.23 0.69 % Dj Indu Average 16462.74 -68.2 -0.41 16588.3 13293.1 Euro ...... QR 4.9301 QR 5.0299 QE All Share Real Estate 2,019.73 0.05 % QR 2.2991 CA$ ...... QR 3.3106 QR 3.3810 QE All Share Telecoms 1,504.92 0.32 % Egypt Cma Gn Idx 1026.29 32.57 3.28 999.95 312.38 QE All Share Transportation 1,960.71 0.45 % Swiss Fr ...... QR 4.0030 QR 4.0942 Hang Seng Inde/D 22787.33 -209.26 -0.91 23469.33 22567.77 Yen ...... QR 0.0348 QR 0.0356 QE Market Summary Comparison Aus$ ...... QR 3.2521 QR 3.3346 Today Previous day Iseq Overall/D 4772.3 69.73 1.48 4716.64 4522.4 CRUDE OIL 14-01-2014 13-01-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0584 QR 0.0597 Index 11,051.48 11,019.86 Karachi 100 In/D 26373.24 32.16 0.12 26428.11 25273.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0342 QR 0.0348 Change 31.62 97.50 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0801 QR 0.0826 Nikkei 225 Index 15880.33 -241.12 -1.5 16164.01 15784.25 % 0.29 0.89 $ 106.91 SL Re ...... QR 0.0276 QR 0.0281 YTD% 6.47 6.17 S&P 500 Index/D 1837.49 -0.39 -0.02 1849.44 1451.64 Taka ...... QR 0.0464 QR 0.0471 Volume 11,515,039 17,438,223 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0377 Value (QAR) 642,346,176.73 826,032,608.58 Straits Times/D 3145.41 -5.24 -0.17 3187.8 3119.7 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3338 QR 0.3405 Trades 5,640 7,201 Straits Times/D 2971.47 22.7 0.77 3035.78 2657.77 $ 103.38 Up 12 | Down 23 | Unchanged 06

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 14-01-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

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

A C C-A/D 1054.95 -32.8 74968 Chola Invest-B/D 247.65 7.35 3919 Gangotri Tex-T/D 1.41 0.06 3350 Jik Indust-T/D 0.75 0.03 44510 Ocl India-B/D 189 2.95 4672 Land Secs Grou/D 981.5 3 468569 Aarti Drugs-B/D 225.75 7.2 11842 Chowgule St-B/D 14.33 0.68 6596 Garden P -B/D 39.95 -1.05 1209 Jindal Drill-B/D 194.9 2.25 19953 Oil Country-B/D 37.85 0.15 52580 Legal & Genera/D 227.9 0.8 3045504 Aban Offs-B/D 416.1 -16.05 687213 Cimmco-T/D 20.2 -0.8 7908 Goodricke-B/D 137.55 -1.95 5047 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 169.15 -2.9 80788 Orchid Chem-T/D 51.3 -2.65 193043 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 84.8559 1.08 61284684 Ador Welding-B/D 141.2 -4.15 30243 Cipla-A/D 403.15 -0.5 112609 Goodyear I -B/D 371 -9.8 12710 Jmc Projects-B/D 92.7 11.5 93367 Orient.Carb.-B/D 126.25 0.25 1392 Marks & Sp./D 455.5 10.6 10354793 Aegis Logis-B/D 167.95 -5.4 6545 City Union Bk-/D 50.45 -0.15 40935 Hcl Infosys-B/D 25 -1.15 2441004 Kabra Extr-B/D 33.55 -0.1 7610 Radico Khait-B/D 138.95 -3.7 34581 Next/D 6105 -65 137152 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 110 -3.15 5407 Cmc Ltd-B/D 1647.95 -8.85 17018 Him.Fut.Comm-B/D 9.49 -0.5 1138703 Kajaria Cer-B/D 296 -0.75 7333 Rallis India-B/D 179.05 2.5 18087 Pearson/D 1303 4 308715 Alembic-B/D 14.93 -0.16 55356 Colgate-A/D 1319.95 -16.25 14142 Himat Seide-B/D 58.65 -3.45 148319 Kalpat Power-B/D 87.55 1 34486 Rallis India-B/D 179.05 2.5 18087 Prudential/D 1362.84 4 763956 Alok Indus-B/D 8.43 -0.01 1123028 Container Cor-/D 750.75 -3.35 5778 Hind Motors-B/D 8.18 -0.13 140953 Kalyani Stel-B/D 55.95 1.05 127461 Reliance Indus/D 365.9 -9.2 81257 Rank Group/D 136.6 -0.4 2349 Andhra Paper-B/D 267.6 -14.15 37101 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 53.85 0.1 2630 Hind Org Chem-/D 11.01 -0.33 3116 Kanoria Chem-B/D 26.6 -0.2 9033 Ruchi Soya-B/D 36.8 -0.75 313464 Rentokil Initi/D 119.8 1.3 506264 Apollo Tyre-A/D 110.65 -1.9 2586077 Dhampur Sugar-/D 34.5 0.85 7549 Hind Unilever-/D 554.75 -4.4 103671 Kg Denim-B/D 16.35 -0.7 13416 Samtel-B/D 2.09 0.09 10015 Rolls Royce Pl/D 1274 -12 2098083 Asahi I Glass-/D 49.8 2.1 79097 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2587.95 56 22649 Hind.Petrol-A/D 219.85 2.75 124082 Kinetic Eng-B/D 44.15 2.05 2809 Ub Engineer-B/D 15.52 0.73 12823 Rsa Insrance G/D 96.5 -4.2 12898492 Ashok Leyland-/D 17.9 -0.35 852219 E I H-B/D 57 -0.05 35039 Hindalco-A/D 112.8 -2.55 962963 Kopran-B/D 27.85 -0.75 167327 Ub Engineer-B/D 15.52 0.73 12823 Sainsbury(J)/D 351.4056 -8.5 9847268 Bajaj Hold-A/D 917.95 14.5 4948 E.I.D Parry-B/D 138.8 -0.45 4160 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 800.5 -3.95 60497 Lgb Broth-B/D 277 1.95 8882 Unitech P -A/D 14.65 -0.25 2746959 Schroders/D 2629 12 59130 Eicher Motor-A/D 5033.2 -43.2 1064 I F C I-A/D 24.35 -0.7 1101994 Lupin-A/D 934.35 -4.05 30723 Severn Trent/D 1643.7252 6 198208 Ballarpur In-B/D 13.65 -0.31 867608 LONDON Banaras Bead-B/D 26.25 -0.85 1113 Electrosteel-B/D 14.85 -0.35 74573 Idbi-A/D 64.7 -2.05 259052 Lyka Labs-B/D 12.75 -0.22 22930 Smith&Nephew/D 879 10.5 688262 Bata India-A/D 1024.25 -16.2 8971 Emco-B/D 25.8 -2.15 185929 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 74.4 -1.4 8985 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 138 5.05 2183 Smiths Group/D 1488 -4 107070 Beml Ltd-B/D 207.75 -4.7 78720 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.73 0.22 7816 India Cement-B/D 57.1 -1.2 100889 Mah.Seamless-B/D 182.7 8.5 8032 3I Group/D 379.2 -1.1 324341 Standrd Chart /D 1265.8366 -46.5 7615915 Bh Electronic-/D 1005 -12.75 1258 Escorts-B/D 119.45 -2.5 274928 India Glycol-B/D 103.2 -2.95 15485 Maha Scooter-B/D 421 -5.6 17764 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 2547 29 132772 Tate & Lyle/D 765.5 -7.5 655366 Bharatgears-B/D 47.55 2.55 1331 Essar Oil-A/D 54.4 -0.3 447407 Indian Hotel-A/D 58.5 0 37046 Mangalam Cem-B/D 106.3 -2.75 4593 B Sky B/D 840.5 -2.5 796670 Tesco/D 324.222 -4.05 17462785 Bhartiya Int-B/D 165.1 -8.8 1225 Eveready Indu-/D 37.95 -0.55 63943 Indo-Bcount-B/D 41.2 -0.8 11814 Maral Overs-B/D 22.2 -0.35 26916 Barclays/D 288.75 5.05 20733716 Unilever/D 2378 -31 960384 Bhel-A/D 162.55 -0.5 370491 F D C-B/D 129.45 -3.3 58623 Indusind-A/D 416.8 -4.9 136109 Mastek-B/D 201.55 2.55 590471 Bg Group/D 1315 2 1323392 United Util Gr/D 659 -0.5 570144 Bom.Burmah-B/D 108.1 -2.85 10796 Federal Bank-A/D 81.75 -1.35 279106 J.B.Chemical-B/D 133.95 -2.3 396256 Mrpl-A/D 44.7 1.7 207106 Bp/D 498 5.15 5774846 Vodafone Group/D 238.3 2.3 12128957 Bombay Dyeing-/D 69.3 0.15 799434 Ferro Alloys-B/D 6.3 0.57 132647 Jagatjit Ind-B/D 41.8 -0.65 1240 Nahar Spg.-B/D 122.95 -4.4 39203 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3145.5 -9 692374 Whitbread/D 3871 33 105622 Camph.& All-B/D 149.25 7.1 2261 Fgp Ltd-B/D 2.22 0.1 1000 Jagson Phar-B/D 11.75 -0.45 5020 Nation Alum -A/D 36.8 -0.45 23524 Bt Group/D 383.4 4.3 2581555 Canfin Homes-B/D 170.25 -1.85 4070 Finolex-B/D 160.3 -3.2 14749 Jamnaauto-B/D 73 0.15 1250 Navneet Edu-B/D 57.4 -0.65 19135 Centrica/D 332 1.9 3223579 Castrol Ind-A/D 298.45 -1.25 21626 Forbes-B/D 540 -10 1416 Jbf Indu-B/D 79.1 -1.1 2867 Nepc India-B/D 3.56 0.32 263058 Gkn/D 380.898 2.1 1494329 Century Enka-B/D 147 -2.35 7464 Gail-A/D 347.25 0.9 37335 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.6 0.05 18223 Neuland Lab-B/D 327 -7.55 1628 Hsbc Holdings/D 670.875 -3.7 13310022 Century Text-A/D 308.15 -2.55 435824 Galada Power-T/D 5 0.2 5784 Jct Ltd-B/D 2.3 0.08 217944 Nrb Bearings-B/D 40.15 -3.35 32091 Imperial Tobac/D 2239 -8 532331 Chambal Fert-B/D 39.6 -0.35 243944 Gammon India-B/D 14.65 -0.3 20175 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 2.73 0.32 3008 O N G C-A/D 280.3 7.15 366603 Kingfisher/D 392.1 4.2 1377535 WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Arsenal reclaim top spot in EPL Gunners are one point ahead of Manchester City after a win against Aston Villa

BIRMINGHAM: Arsenal English Premier returned to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 vic- League Results tory at Aston Villa courtesy English Premier League result on Monday: of two goals within 60 seconds Aston Villa 1 (Benteke 76) Arsenal 2 from Jack Wilshere and Olivier (Wilshere 34, Giroud 35) Giroud yesterday. It was a fourth consecutive Played Sunday victory for Arsene Wenger’s side Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2 (Dzeko 8, and continued Villa’s poor run on Negredo 90) their home ground, where they Stoke 3 (Crouch 39, Adam 45, Walters 85) have failed to win in their last Liverpool 5 (Shawcross 5-og, Suarez 32, five matches and only twice in the 71, Gerrard 51-pen, Sturridge 87) league all season. Played Saturday Christian Benteke’s first goal in Cardiff 0 West Ham 2 13 matches prompted a late burst (C. Cole 42, Noble 90) of Villa pressure, but it was too Everton 2 (Barry 23, Mirallas 59) Norwich 0 late to rescue a draw. Fulham 1 (Sidwell 52) Sunderland 4 Arsenal are now one point clear (Johnson 29, 69, 85-pen, Ki 41) of second placed Manchester City, with Chelsea a further point Hull 0 Chelsea 2 (Hazard 56, Torres 87) behind the leaders, as the title Manchester United 2 race hots up. (Valencia 47, Welbeck 59) Swansea 0 Villa opted to play five at Southampton 1 (Lallana 66) West Brom 0 the back in an attempt to Tottenham 2 (Eriksen 50, Defoe 73) keep Arsenal quiet after Paul Crystal Palace 0 Lambert’s low on confidence side lost 2-1 at home to League One after substitute Kieran Gibbs had team Sheffield United in their last crossed from the touchline. game. Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud (second left) scores his team’s second goal during an English Premier League match against Aston Villa at But it was Villa who set up But France striker Giroud Villa Park in Birmingham yesterday. an exciting finale as Benteke at made his return for Arsenal fol- last grabbed his first goal since lowing injury and illness and came September, heading home from close to heading Arsenal into an on a stretcher with an oxygen as they went close to taking the season. The Gunners scored a claims for a penalty waved Lowton’s 76th-minute cross after early lead. mask and did not appear to move lead as Karim El Ahmadi fired second just a minute later after away by referee Neil Swarbrick Arsenal had carelessly surren- Villa could have taken the lead after being down on the pitch for over after a promising ball from Wilshere capitalised on a Delph after tangling with Laurent dered possession. when Benteke capitalised on treatment for six minutes. Delph. error and passed to Giroud, who Koscielny. Villa came close to a dramatic a mistake by Wilshere and fed Lambert brought on Leandro However, Arsenal had plenty of clinically fired in his 12th goal of Chances came at both ends as equaliser when Delph’s drive Fabian Delph, who fired just wide Bacuna for the stricken Baker possession and they went ahead in the campaign. Santi Cazorla’s left footed volley from the edge of the area was from 20 yards. Lambert’s side and it was later confirmed that the 34th minute. Villa had a lively start to the from the edge of the area was well kept out by Szczesny. Arsenal’s were hit by a worrying injury to the young defender had suffered Mesut Ozil found Nacho second half with Bacuna shooting handled by Guzan before Szczesny nerves were jangling when Tomas defender Nathan Baker who took mild concussion. Monreal down the left and he left footed at Wojciech Szczesny saved well from Ashley Westwood Rosicky, a substitute himself, was the full force of a Serge Gnabry The change meant Villa were crossed for England midfielder from Matt Lowton’s pass. in a similar position at the other forced off with an injury to his free kick in the face. forced back to a 4-4-2 formation Wilshere, who coolly beat Brad Benteke, who put in a much end. Arsenal continued to come at nose, but they did enough to see The centre half was taken off but initially it did them no harm Guzan for his fifth goal of the improved performance, had Villa with Giroud firing just wide the game out. AFP Ancelotti surprised by Ronaldo’s work ethic

BARCELONA: Carlo “I knew the quality he had as I Pirlo as they help to improve not always at the maximum.” home as well, as do all teams Ancelotti never expected had seen him play and score goals its image. Real go into the second leg of as it isn’t easy to win matches,” Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano but what has surprised me to “In football today you need their last-16 King’s Cup clash said the Real coach. Ronaldo (left), to have the an extent is his professionalism talent and effort. Ability and with Osasuna holding a 2-0 “We had a 1-0 victory over strong work ethic he possesses on and off the pitch,” Ancelotti having the genetics to be able to lead. Espanyol (on Sunday) where when he first became coach of told a news conference ahead of play is not enough as you have to Ancelotti’s side have some- we had a lot of chances to score Real Madrid, the Italian said Real’s King’s Cup return tie at combine it with hard work,” said times struggled in away games more goals. yesterday. Osasuna today. Ancelotti. this season and could only draw “The team is concentrated The Portugal winger ended “He is also an example “Ronaldo is a great profes- 2-2 at El Sadar when the two and motivated for what will be a Lionel Messi’s four-year reign as of fair play, he doesn’t pro- sional. There have been a lot of teams met last month in the difficult game. We had problems FIFA World Player of the Year test. Football needs players examples of players that have league. there before and we are prepared on Monday night after a dazzling like Messi, (Franck) Ribery, have had the talent but not suc- “We have problems away from for a tough match as Osasuna 2013 with club and country. (Thiago) Silva and (Andrea) ceeded because their effort was home but we have problems at will try to win.” REUTERS

Parker shines Broncos lose as Spurs stop injured Harris Pelicans for play-off run NEW ORLEANS: Tony DENVER: Denver Broncos Parker scored at team-high cornerback Chris Harris will 27 points and Manu Ginobili miss the remainder of the bagged 14 in his return from National Football League play- injury as the San Antonio Spurs offs with a torn left knee liga- beat the New Orleans Pelicans ment, Broncos coach John Fox 101-95 yesterday. said yesterday. Tim Duncan finished with 18 Harris suffered the injury in the Sergei Bobrovsky (centre) of the Columbus Blue Jackets stops a points before fouling out and third quarter of Sunday’s 24-17 shot from Nate Thompson (right) of the Tampa Bay Lightning as Jack Parker chipped in another seven home playoff victory over San Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks to clear the rebound assists for the Spurs at New Diego, setting up a home meeting during their NHL match. Orleans Arena. Ginobili missed with the New England Patriots two games with a hamstring in the American Conference final problem. next Sunday with the winner pro- “When I saw TD (Duncan) gressing to Super Bowl 48. go out, I knew I was going to be An MRI exam revealed the Fourth consecutive aggressive and try to create for extent of the injury to the 24-year- myself or for my teammates,” old defensive back, who made 65 Parker said. tackles, broke up 13 pass attempts win for Columbus Kawhi Leonard finished with 13 and intercepted three throws this points with six rebounds for the season. It will leave the Broncos’ Spurs, who have won five straight defensive unit without one of its top LOS ANGELES: Paul Maurice Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had and eight of their last nine games. players as it prepares to be tested won his first game as Winnipeg’s 25 saves. The win was the fourth Anthony Davis had 22 points, by New England star quarterback new coach as the Jets handled straight for Columbus, a season 11 rebounds, three steals and two Tom Brady in what is expected to Phoenix in a big victory in their high. blocks but it wasn’t enough to be a showdown against Denver National Hockey League Match Alex Killorn and defenseman prevent the Pelicans from losing quarterback Peyton Manning. yesterday. Victor Hedman had goals for the their sixth consecutive game. “We have faced so much The Jets (20-23-5) received Lightning (27-15-4), while goal- “We had our chances tonight adversity all year with injuries,” goals from Olli Jokinen, Eric O’Dell, tender Anders Lindback made 25 and we just didn’t execute down Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Blake Wheeler, Michael Frolik saves. the stretch,” New Orleans head Knighton said. “The next guy has and Devin Setoguchi. Setoguchi Mikael Backlund and rookie coach Monty Williams said. Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls shoots against the Washington got to step up and play.” snapped his 18-game goalless skid center Sean Monahan scored, and Brian Roberts scored 19 points, Wizards at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, in their NBA match Quentin Jammer replaced with a third-period, power-play journeyman goalie Karri Ramo yesterday. Harris on Sunday and he and blast. Phoenix (21-15-9) suffered recorded his first career shutout NBA Results inside cornerback Champ Bailey its third consecutive loss. as the Calgary Flames defeated are the likely players to take over Defenceman Jack Johnson the Carolina Hurricanes. Toronto 116 Milwaukee 94 while Eric Gordon added 12 points with the Spurs leading 89-87. for Harris in the Denver defensive scored on a power-play point shot REUTERS Houston 104 Boston 92 and Austin Rivers came off the But the Pelicans failed to take backfield. “Gonna work extremely with 2:38 remaining, completing NY Knicks 98 Phoenix 96 bench to score 11 for New Orleans. advantage of the departure. hard and come back a Monster the Columbus Blue Jackets’ rally NHL Results Washington 102 Chicago 88 San Antonio ended the third With the score 94-93 in favour next year,” Harris posted on his for a win over the Tampa Bay Calgary 2 Carolina 0 San Antonio 101 New Orleans 95 quarter with an 8-0 surge to take of the San Antonio, Ginobili Twitter page. “Blessed to be able Lightning. Ryan Johansen and Columbus 3 Tampa Bay 2 Dallas 107 Orlando 88 a 76-73 lead into the final quarter. drove and passed to Leonard, who to help the team get this far and Nathan Horton also scored for the Winnipeg 5 Phoenix 1 Duncan fouled out with just drained a three pointer from the will still do my part in meeting Blue Jackets (21-20-4) who trailed Utah 118 Denver 103 Los Angeles 1 Vancouver 0 over six minutes left in the fourth corner with 2:05 left. AFP room to help my guys out.” AFP 2-1 after the second period. WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Farah braces for London Marathon McIlroy and Mickelson ordeal

LONDON: Double world and Olympic champion Mo Farah admitted yesterday that he will confident in Abu Dhabi face a gruelling challenge when he runs the London Marathon for the first time this year. McIlroy eyes best ever season after winning Australian Open Having claimed victory in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at both the 2012 London Olympics and last ABU DHABI: Former world year’s World Championships, the number one Rory McIlroy and 30-year-old Briton is now turning British Open champion Phil his sights to the marathon. Mickelson start their season He ran half of last year’s London at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Marathon and will complete the Championship this week, con- full race in April, when he will fident 2014 will be one of their come up against some of the biggest best ever seasons. names in marathon running. World- That won’t be such a tough task record holder Wilson Kipsang, for world number seven McIlroy, Olympic and world champion whose struggles in 2013 are well Stephen Kiprotich, reigning cham- documented with troubles on and pion Tsegaye Kebede and course off the golf course. record-holder Emmanuel Mutai But world number five will all be in the field for the April Mickelson won three times, 13 race. Ethiopia great Kenenisa including an Open win at Bekele was the only notable absen- Muirfield that he described as the tee from the elite men’s start list finest achievement of his career announced on Tuesday, as he has so far. elected to run the Paris Marathon It was with much fanfare in a week earlier instead. Despite the the same city exactly one year strength of the field, Farah is look- ago that McIlroy was announced ing forward to the challenge. as a Nike ambassador follow- “I gained a lot of valuable expe- ing a world record sponsorship rience running part of the course contract. alongside the top guys last year But the 24-year-old went on and can’t wait to race over the to miss the cut that week, and full distance this April,” he said. then did not win any tournament “The London Marathon always for 11 months before closing the attracts the world’s best runners season with a superb come-from- to its elite fields and this year will behind win over Adam Scott at be no different. I am expecting it the Australian Open. to be one of my toughest races McIlroy, who got engaged to and a real learning experience. girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki “I had another great year on the over the New Year, said all the track in 2013, but the marathon is things happening around him my main focus for this year. As a last year caused “instability” in young boy growing up in London his life, but he is in a “good frame it has always been my ambition of mind” and looking forward to to run the London Marathon and 2014. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, and US golfer Phil Mickelson on stage during a photo call with a traditional Emirati Al Ayala dance troupe, two days to be able to make my marathon “I’m really looking forward it. I before the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, yesterday. debut in my home town is very feel like I’m much better prepared special.” heading into the first event of the didn’t let me focus 100 percent on as I can.” Mickelson said his con- me very excited about 2014; and straighter with my driver than I London Marathon race direc- season than I was last year. what I needed to do which was to fidence stems from the fact that as I look back on 2013, I played did with my 3?wood. It’s a whole tor Hugh Brasher said: “We are “The swing is in a much better try to play the best that I could. he seems to have finally found a some of my best golf and had some different weapon in my arsenal delighted to announce another place. I’ve done some really good “This year is polar opposite. driver that suits his game best. huge breakthroughs. now. superb elite men’s field for the work on that, the end of last year, Things are really looking good. There have been several tour- “But I did most of it without a “And if I drive the ball well, like 2014 Virgin Money London and just in the couple of weeks I’m in a really good frame of naments in the past few years driver,” said the five-time Major I have been in practise and I have Marathon, a line-up containing that I’ve had here leading into mind. Everything seems to have where the American has played champion. “And this year, we been this off?season, heading into the usual array of record-break- this tournament,” said McIlroy. just fallen into place nicely, and I without any driver in his bag, have the best driver I’ve ever hit this 2014 season, could be the best ers, global champions and world- “There was just loads of stuff can just go out there and focus on relying mostly on his three-wood. that lowers my spin rate just like year of my career for that simple wide marathon winners.” AFP going on around me and that my golf and try and play it as well “There’s one thing that makes my 3?wood. I drive it longer and reason.” AFP

Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani (left) con- firmed the signing of a deal with the Florida- QSL eyes Lee looks to fend off based Cigarette Racing. Sudanese Chen in Malaysia community KUALA LUMPUR: “Everyone is dangerous.” Malaysia’s top-ranked bad- “What happened in Korea DOHA: Qatar Stars League minton star Lee Chong Wei is over. My target is to win club Al Ahli is continuing their is determined to bounce back 10 times. I know I am the quest to bring football to com- on home turf this week after hunted. munities in Qatar during this a weekend loss in Korea to “That is why I can’t just weekend’s match with Al Sadd. hard-charging world number think of Chen Long. Everyone The high-flying QSL side is two Chen Long of China. is dangerous,” he told reporters focusing on the Sudanese popula- The Malaysian Open kicks yesterday. tion, with a host of festivities and off today with the 31-year-old Lee had earlier said that entertainment to attract sup- hometown hero smarting from he will adopt a calm and cool porters to their mouth-watering his loss to Chen on Sunday in strategy to win tournaments match with current league lead- the singles final of the Korean this year. ers Sadd. The main event will be Open. “I will turn my attention to a special international friendly The top two seeds are the Malaysia Open and then between Sudan Premier League expected to cruise through take it a little easy. I will plan side Al Hilal v Al Merrikh, which their respective halves of the my tournaments carefully this comes straight after the QSL draw in Malaysia and could year as there are many big action, which kicks off at 4.15pm clash again in the final in Kuala tournaments,” Lee said. at Al Arabi Stadium. Lumpur. “My target for 2014 There will also be two differ- Lee has dominated world will be the All England US firm to build new boat ent cultural displays before kick- badminton, holding the top and of course the World off with one of the most popular ranking nearly uninterrupted Championships.” bands in Sudan. since 2008 and winning seven The prestigious All-England It’s a great chance for the large titles last year. championships take place in Sudanese community in Qatar to But Chen, 25, is mounting March, while the worlds are for Spirit of Qatar Team experience a QSL match, tradi- a challenge to the Malaysian in August. tional entertainment and a derby two-time Olympic silver med- The women’s singles com- DOHA: Sheikh Hassan bin USA and I think it will work well venues.” Hector Rodrigues, chief between two of their country’s allist, beating Lee in their last petition, meanwhile, is a more Jabor Al Thani yesterday con- for both the QMSF and Cigarette operation officer of Cigarette biggest teams. Doors open at four meetings and holding open race among five key firmed that the Qatar Marine Racing,” enthused Sheikh Hassan, Racing — which has been build- 2.30pm at Al Arabi Stadium for an 8-7 edge in head-to-head contenders. Sports Federation (QMSF) the president of the QMSF. ing high-performance boats since the match, where the fans will be competition. From China, they include has signed an agreement with “QMSF requires a VIP boat to 1969 — said: “We are delighted to treated to performances by popu- For all his dominance, Lee’s Olympic champion and current Florida-based Cigarette Racing take out sponsors on race day be a part of this exciting venture lar acts Fulkhore and Koora. career has been defined in world number one Li Xuerui, to build a VIP boat to support and Cigarette offered their skills and look forward to working with The international Sudani part by his struggles against former world champion Wang the Spirit of Qatar Team’s 2014 and know-how to build the boat Sheikh Hassan and the Qatar band will then play the first part China’s Lin Dan, who defeated Yihan, as well as Wang Shixian. American racing programme. to cater for our needs.” Marine Sports Federation.” of their set, before Al Ahli v Al Lee in the last two Olympic World champion Ratchanok Located in the small town of Sheikh Hassan has yet to final- Sheikh Hassan added: Sadd kicks-off at 4.15pm. At half- gold-medal matches and Intanon of Thailand and Opa-Locka, Cigarette Racing ise the exact programme of events “Cigarette is one of the best brand time players from Al Hilal and the two most recent World Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying also are is in the process of building a Stateside, but admitted that the names in the boating industry and Al Merreikh will walk round Championship finals. in the hunt. 38’ Top Gun VIP Edition for the Spirit of Qatar Team will continue I am sure that they will deliver a the pitch and greet their fans, Chen has since emerged as Wang Yihan defeated Spirit of Qatar Team to use as to race in SBI and, of course, at Key top class boat that will reflect the before fans get the chance to win China’s strongest men’s player, Ratchanok on Sunday for the a support boat for VIP guests, West. “We gained a huge fan base image of Qatar and the goals of QR1000 in the Golden Goal com- though he has struggled with Korean Open title. sponsors and media at rounds of in America through our race pro- the QMSF.” petition. Tickets for the big event injuries. In doubles, women’s champi- Super Boat International (SBI) gramme in 2013 and we are proud The new 38’ Top Gun VIP can be bought at the Sudanese Lee vowed to regroup at ons Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang in 2014 and at November’s Key of that. We will continue to build Edition will be powered by twin Cultural Centre. All you have to home and spend 2014 focusing have withdrawn as the latter West World Championships. The the relationship with the American Mercury Racing V8 engines. The do is call 33508561. Alternatively on the sport’s biggest prizes. has yet to recover from an new boat will be unveiled at the fans. We hope to maintain our suc- opening round of Super Boat tickets can be purchased from Determined to win the injury she suffered during the Miami International Boat Show cesses there and inform the fans International will be the 1st Annual the official QSL Ticket Booth Malaysia Open for the 10th BWF World Superseries Finals in February. about Qatar. We will continue Charlotte Harbour Super Boat in Landmark Mall, or simply go time, the Malaysian star said: last month. AFP “This is a new partnership that to distribute publicity literature Grand Prix in Florida on April online at https://tickets.qsl.com. we have gained from racing in the and brochures at each of the race 12-14th. THE PENINSULA qa/. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

Zenit, Red Bull Salzburg to Real Madrid hit clash in Doha

DOHA: Zenit St Petersburg will train in Qatar for 10 days ahead of their Champions League round of 16 match Porto for six against Borussia Dortmund, the Russian club has announced on its website. Aspire Qatar douse Chicago Fire in Doha Zenit will host the German giants on February 25 at Petrovsky Stadium in the DOHA: Free-scoring Real however, for his attacking team- penalty area, Oscar Rodriguez Champions League match. Madrid handed a footballing mate Daniel Alcon, who managed struck well to put the game Doha is one of the twin win- lesson to opponents Porto with to miss three clear goalscoring beyond the Portuguese side. To ter training stops for the Blue- a classy 6-2 victory in yester- opportunities in the space of five their credit, the Portuguese side White-Sky Blues as they gear up day’s opening game of the Al minutes following the opening continued to compete strongly, for the second half of the season. Kass Cup. goal. and received a belated reward Israel will be the second one. Just 24 hours after suffering The second goal owed much to on 65 minutes when midfielder Luciano Spalletti’s team will a grueling defeat at the hands of the tenacity of midfielder Gregorio Miguel De Sousa fired home to begin their winter training at the Aspire International, Los Blancos Teruel, who fended off challenges make the score 4-1. state-of-the-art Aspire Academy took to the field knowing that from at least five defenders at However, any hope of a fight from today. a second successive loss would the edge of the Porto box before back was short-lived as, three Zenit will remain in Doha until see them eliminated from the squaring to his teammate. minutes later, a superb 25-yard January 23, and will play four tournament. Nestor Gonzales made no mis- free kick from Madrid’s Oscar friendly matches during training Yet they betrayed no signs take, scoring his second goal of the Rodriguez arced into the top left camp, one which will be against of early nerves, displaying a game with a sweet shot directed corner, leaving Porto keeper Tiago Red Bull Salzburg on January 23. quiet determination from the into the bottom right corner of Martins with no chance. Red Bull are in Qatar as part of kick off. the net. Rodriguez’ strike was his first their winter training programme. Porto, making their debut in With Madrid now two ahead, of the tournament, and he did not “We will play on the 18th the competition, were quickly Porto began to drift. waste the opportunity to show off Aspire Qatar’s player Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, receiving the Man-of-the- of January a friendly game in placed under pressure, with Industrious midfield player his impressive dance moves at the Match award from an official at the end of the Aspire Qatar and Chicago Salzburg against Bayern Munich. the ball seldom out of their half Madiu Bari and striker Idrisa corner flag. Fire match at Aspire Academy in Doha yesterday. Aspire Qatar won 1-0. The day after we will leave to for the first few minutes as the Sambu showed flashes of real The engrossed spectators had Doha and stay there till the 29th. Spaniards looked to press high up talent but the Portuguese outfit already been treated to a six- During that period we will have the pitch and impose themselves failed to provide much threat goal fiesta, yet there were more victory over US side Chicago Fire beat the Aspire Qatar right back two games: on 23rd against Zenit on the game. going forward. to come. On the 70-minute mark in the Group D game. Khalifa Almanaseer with his elec- St Petersburg and on the 27th Real attacker Nestor Gonzalez And in the game’s 38th minute, it was Porto’s turn to add to their Abdulrasheed Ibrahim scored tric pace. against Al-Merrikh SC of Sudan,” provided a real threat going for- it was no surprise to see Porto goal tally. Twisting and turning the only goal of the match in the And, in the final minutes of an official of Red Bull Salzburg ward from the get-go and made punished again. inside the Madrid penalty area, 18th minute shooting past the the first half, the 15-year-old told The Peninsula. an early impact in the game’s Firing Madrid’s third, and his substitute Michael Da Silva broke American keeper Raymon Leon came close to pulling his team Red Bull has won the Austrian sixth minute. second, goal of the game, Alvaro past two defenders before firing Jr. level when he broke through national championship seven Pouncing on a poor pass along Alcantara volleyed home follow- a fine strike past goalkeeper and For much of the first half both and went one-on-one with the times, and came in second place the Porto back line, the 15-year- ing a lobbed pass from teammate captain Luca Zidane. sides played some attractive pass- Aspire keeper. Fortunately for the last year. This year Red Bull is old made a clever interception on Nestor Gonzalez. Real completed the tally with and-move football, with the teams Doha team, a last-minute sliding leading the Austrian Bundesliga the edge of the box before getting The half-time break did little seconds remaining with Nestor looking to the wings for much challenge from defender Khalid by 11 points over its nearest com- his shot away to open the scoring, to disturb Madrid’s momentum, scoring the sixth goal, his strike of their creativity. Chicago Fire Mubarak Al-Naimi was enough to petitors after 20 rounds. albeit via a lucky deflection off a who went further ahead within completing a superb piece of midfielder Malik Johnnson was prevent the American from get- Furthermore, Red Bull, Porto defender. five minutes of the restart. team play from the Spanish side. an industrious presence along the ting his shot away. coached by the German Roger There was less fortune, Finding the ball inside the Porto Aspire Qatar resulted in a narrow left flank, constantly looking to THE PENINSULA Schmidt, has advanced to the Europa League round of 32, where it will play Ajax Amsterdam. Zenit is one of the several lead- ing European football clubs who Seedorf confirms he’s new Milan coach have been training in Qatar for the last few weeks. RIO DE JANEIRO: Dutch in Rio.“When the chairman deal allowing him to leave for a His next challenge is sizeable, Paris St Germain (PSG), the veteran Clarence Seedorf (pic- asked me, I couldn’t say no,” said top coaching post. however. Ligue 1 defending champions, tured) confirmed yesterday he Seedorf, who said he made up His performances in midfield After Sunday’s reverse to spend six days in Qatar as part is taking over as coach of AC his mind Monday but pondered helped Botafogo to qualify for Sassuolo, Milan stand just 11th in of their winter training camp Milan, replacing Massimiliano overnight the wrench of retir- the Copa Libertadores, the South the table, 30 points behind leaders which culminated with a friendly Allegri. ing from playing -- a sensation American equivalent of Europe’s Juventus and 20 behind Napoli, match against La Liga giants Real The seven-times European which brought a “flashback” of Champions League, which starts who occupy the third and last Madrid, with Real winning the champions sacked Allegri after a his career. on January 29, for the first time qualifying spot for the Champions January 2 match 1-0. shock weekend loss to Sassuolo Seedorf said now was not the in 17 years. League. Two other European giants, and have turned to Seedorf, who time to talk about how he would Botafogo had been hoping he A four-goal salvo from Bayern Munich and FC Schalke won a host of honours in Milan instruct Milan to play but did would stay on for that event -- Sassuolo’s 19-year-old star- 04, both from the Bundesliga, as a player. reject any idea he would find the but finally allowed him to move let Domenico Berardi sealed chose Qatar as a venue for the Seedorf, 37 and the first man transition from pitch to dugout on with their blessing as Milan Allegri’s fate -- club vice-presi- winter training camp this year. to win the Champions League difficult. plumped for him ahead of former dent Barbara Berlusconi launched Zenit St Petersburg squad to with three different clubs after “Being in charge of former striker Filippo Inzaghi, the club’s a verbal attack on the team after- Qatar: stellar spells with Ajax, Real teammates won’t cause a prob- youth coach. wards and demanded change in Goalkeepers: Yury Lodygin, Madrid and Milan, has spent the lem -- on the contrary, I know “There is a feeling of sadness,” the dugout. Vyacheslav Malafeev and Egor past 18 months with Rio-based them,” he said. said Botafogo chairman Mauricio Allegri took over Milan in time Baburin. Botafogo. “I am very happy to have this Assumpção, who saluted Seedorf for the 2010/2011 season and won Defenders: Cristian Ansaldi, But he said now was the time dream chance to go back,” he for his efforts. the title in his first season in Domenico Criscito, Nicolas to take up a new challenge -- and added. “It is sad to see you stop play- charge. Lombaerts, Luis Neto, Tomas hang up his boots. As a player for the Rossoneri ing, yet there is pleasure that the Milan finished runners-up Hubocan, Igor Smolnikov, “I am going to stop playing after at the San Siro, Seedorf was a footballing world is gaining you as the following season but Allegri Alexander Anyukov, Aleksandar 22 years. It was a difficult night figurehead, making more than a coach. The others will now have saw his side decimated as a host Lukovic and Jamal Khodjaniyazov. -- but I am satisfied with what I 400 appearances and winning the to chase after Milan,” Assumpcão of key players -- among whom Midfielders: Danny, Roman have achieved in my career,” said Serie A title twice as well as a pair predicted. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva Shirokov, Oleg Shatov, Konstantin Seedorf, who will return to Italy of Champions League crowns. Seedorf said he was sure and Seedorf himself -- all left Zyryanov, Victor Fayzulin, Andrey on a two-and-a-half year deal. The Surinam-born star had and 2007. Seedorf, who added a Botafogo would survive and pros- the club. Arshavin, Axel Witsel, Vladimir “This experience of a year and his first taste of European glory Rio league crown to his stellar per in his absence. Despite the overhaul needed Bystrov, Anatoly Tymoshchuk a half (with Botafogo) helped with Ajax in 1995, a second suc- CV last year, had been expected “I had a great time with and the club’s poor first half of and Ivan Solovyov. me grow and will help me in the cess with Real Madrid three years to prolong his stay in Brazil but Botafogo and I am sure they will the campaign, Seedorf professed Forwards: Hulk, Alexander next stage of my life -- as coach later and he then won club foot- was widely believed to have had a acquit themselves very well in the himself “calm about the challenge Bukharov and Alexander of Milan,” Seedorf told reporters ball’s top prize with Milan in 2003 clause inserted into his Botafogo Libertadores,” he predicted. which awaits me.” AFP Kerzhakov. THE PENINSULA South Africa trounce Ireland to reach ODI final

DOHA: South Africa reached the final of the trian- gular One-day women series by routing Ireland here yesterday. Irealnd batting first were bowled out for a paltry 53 runs and South Africa reached the target by losing just two wickets. Ireland thus have lost three of their four matches, with the fourth being abandoned. South Africa’s decision to field paid off as they dismissed Ireland’s top six for 15 runs. After Ireland lost the first two wickets for 13, Chloe Tryon and Dane van Niekerk shared the next four wickets to reduce Ireland to 17 for 6. Melissa Scott-Hayward and Mary Waldron halted the collapse for a bit, surviving for the next nine overs. But Marizanne Kapp took two quick wickets to leave them at 38 for 8. The last two batsmen also resisted for a bit before Scott- Hayward became the last wicket to fall, for 71-ball 20. Van Niekerk finished with 3 for 8 from 5.3 overs and Tryon, Kapp and Shabnim Ismail took two each. South Africa openers Lizelle Lee and Trisha Chetty started slow in their chase before both fell in quick succes- sion in consecutive overs for 15 and 24 respectively. Mignon du Preez and Kapp took them home in the 14th over for their first win of the series. Table-toppers Pakistan and South Africa will play the Action from the tri-nation women’s cricket tournament One -Day International match between Ireland last league game today before the series final on Friday. and South Africa at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha yesterday. South Africa Brief Scores: South Africa: 54 for 2 (Chetty 24) bt Ireland defeated Ireland by eight wickets to reach the final. In the final on Friday, south Africa will take on 53 all out (Van Niekerk 3-8, Ismail 2-5, Tryon 2-10) by eight Pakistan. PICTURES BY: ABDUL BASIT wickets. THE PENINSULA WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Stenson, Donald confirmed for Commercial Bank Qatar Masters I think it’s a great way to start the season in Doha for me, says the 37-year-old Swede

DOHA: World No. 3 Henrik and finishing runner-up the pre- Abdulla Al Raisi (third Stenson (pictured below) and vious week. left), Chief Executive former World No. 1 Luke Donald “It’s always nice to come back Officer, Commercial are the latest star players to to tournaments where you’ve confirm their participation at won, especially when you won and Bank and Hassan Al next week’s $2.5m Commercial played well. You have a nice feel- Nuaimi (third right), Bank Qatar Masters, which will ing about the golf course and the President, Qatar Golf be held at Doha Golf Club from whole place, and that normally Association (QGA) January 22 to 25. helps you have further success,” shake hands after sign- Both players were announced Stenson said. ing an agreement at at a pre-event press conference Hassan Al Nuaimi, President, Doha Golf Club yes- held yesterday at Doha Golf Club, Qatar Golf Association, was terday. Also seen are which has hosted the event since thrilled to announce the latest Mohammed Faisal Al its inauguration in 1998. two stars to sign up for the tour- Nuaimi (left), Head of Stenson, who lived in Dubai for nament, especially with both in Media, Commercial a decade before moving to the US winning form. Bank Qatar Masters, in early 2012, will compete in his “Henrik Stenson is arguably Hamad Al Marwani 14th straight Qatar Masters, hav- the world’s most in-form golfer, (second left), Chief ing played every year since joining while Luke Donald has been one Admin Officer, QAFCO The European Tour in 2001. of the world’s best for the past Fahad Nasser Al The popular Swede has enjoyed few years, so we’re absolutely Nuaimi (second right), great success in Doha and delighted that both will be com- famously won the title in 2006 – peting in the 2014 Commercial General Secretary of Commercial Bank’s first year as Bank Qatar Masters,” Al Nuaimi QGA and Chris Myers, title sponsor – and also finished said. Tournament Manager runner-up in 2005, 2008 and 2009. “Henrik and Luke join a field and General Manager, Now, buoyed by the best sea- already featuring the likes of Doha Golf Club (DGC). son of his career during which Ernie Els, John Daly, Miguel The $2.5m Commercial he was arguably the world’s best Ángel Jiménez and defending Bank Qatar Masters will player for the second half of 2013, champion Chris Wood, so spec- be held at DGC from the 37-year-old father-of-two is tators are in for a treat this year, January 22 to 25. hoping to become the especially as we’re still PICTURES BY: QAS- event’s third two-time to confirm a couple SIM RAHMATULLAH winner and again more big names.” get his hands on the Abdulla Al Raisi, iconic Mother of Pearl Chief Executive Commercial Bank Trophy. Officer, Commercial “I think it’s a great Bank, was also Qatar Masters past way to start the sea- delighted with the field QAFCO signs new deal son, for me. I’ve played for the 17th edition of Champions: in the desert every the tournament. 2013 Chris Wood year since I came out “Commercial Bank 2012 Paul Lawrie on Tour and I made has been a proud 2011 Thomas Björn the Middle East my sponsor of the Qatar with Qatar Masters home for close to 10 Masters since 2006 2010 Robert Karlsson years. I’ve had great and we’ve always 2009 Alvaro Quiros DOHA: Qatar Fertiliser success there, winning both in taken pride in helping produce 2008 Adam Scott Company (QAFCO) has con- Hamad Al Qatar and Dubai,” said Stenson, the best tournament possible for 2007 Retief Goosen firmed a landmark three year Marwani an eight-time winner on The golf fans. This year’s field is sensa- partnership with Commercial 2006 Henrik Stenson (left), Chief European Tour. tional and spectators are set for a Bank Qatar Masters, Qatar’s 2005 Ernie Els Admin Officer, “I’ve been second three times fantastic four days,” Al Raisi said. flagship golf event. and won it once. It would be nice “The chance to see Henrik 2004 Joakim Haeggmann The new partnership will see QAFCO, to get my hands on that lovely Stenson in the form of his life, 2003 Darren Fichardt QAFCO support the brand new Abdulla Saleh trophy. I think it’s one of the former World No. 1 Luke Donald, 2002 Adam Scott ‘Kids Zone’ during the four-day Al Raisi, Chief most beautiful trophies in golf. It’s multiple major champions Ernie 2001 Tony Johnstone European Tour sanctioned event. Executive heavy, I know that much! I held it Els and John Daly, 20-time 2000 Rolf Muntz The partnership contract Officer, once and I wouldn’t mind holding European Tour winner Miguel was signed between QAFCO and Commercial 1999 Paul Lawrie it again.” Angel Jimenez and Chris Wood Commercial Bank following the Bank, Ranked as high as World No. 5 defend his title after his memora- 1998 Andrew Coltart official pre-event press conference exchanging in 2007 and No. 4 in 2009, the two- ble win last year is a special treat at Doha Golf Club yesterday. documents time Ryder Cup player showed he for golf lovers and sports fans.” Hamed Al Marwani, Chief during a con- was back to his best last summer The 2014 Commercial Bank Administration Officer, QAFCO, tract signing by finishing runner-up at The Qatar Masters runs from January and CEO of Commercial Bank, ceremony. Open Championship and third at 22 to 25. Abdulla Raisi, signed the agree- the PGA Championship, the year’s Meanwhile the organisers said ment, marking QAFCO’s first third and fourth majors. the season tickets provide excep- venture into golf sponsorship. The Swede’s game then soared tional value, offering access to all Back for the 17th consecu- QAFCO’s sponsorship of the popular public village, the organis- to a new level as two PGA Tour four days of golf action, the public tive year and with a new look brand new Kids Zone on the lawn ers said. Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, victories in September earned village and all evening entertain- for 2014, the Commercial Bank beside clubhouse during the tour- CEO Commercial Bank, com- him the FedEx Cup, before he ment for just QR325, more than Qatar Masters will bring together nament will expand the event’s mented, “With QAFCO support- secured the Race to Dubai by 40% less than four single-day the world’s leading golfers from family offering. It will allow kids ing the brand new Kids Zone at winning The European Tour’s tickets. January 22-25, for four days of of all ages to have fun trying out a Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, season-ending DP World Tour Single-day and season tickets top-class sporting action at Doha number of different sports during it really is an event for the whole Championship in November. for the 2014 Commercial Bank Golf Club. the four day event. family and reaches out to a wide As he looks to continue this Qatar Masters are available to Watched by an audience of Families are encouraged to audience locally, regionally and form in the new season, Stenson purchase online at www.vir- The names of defending cham- millions around the world and come along and enjoy every- globally. We look forward to says Doha Golf Club remains a ginmegastore.me and in-store pion Chris Wood is seen on joined by tens of thousands of thing the tournament has to working together further to con- favourite hunting ground, espe- from Virgin Megastore shops in the Commercial Bank Qatar event spectators each year, the offer, with world-class golf on tinue to raise Qatar’s profile on cially as his 2006 win provided ‘a Villagio Mall and Landmark Mall, Masters trophy along with other Commercial Bank Qatar Masters the Championship Course and the world’s sporting stage. These double revenge’ after being over- Doha, as well as Doha Golf Club. past winners. is one of the Middle East’s most a wide range of family activities are exciting times for both of us.” taken by Ernie Els a year earlier THE PENINSULA prestigious sporting events. in the brand new Kids Zone and THE PENINSULA Federer out to prove critics wrong

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer which didn’t go well for me,” the Duckworth.“I’m happy I man- to the next round. “Conditions says he’s ready to prove he’s not 32-year-old said. aged to beat the heat easily today, were playing pretty quick, so we a spent force after making a “I think the way I entered this and I’ve entered the tournament, didn’t have much rhythm, much winning start under new coach tournament now is very differ- which is most important, first rallies,” he said. Stefan Edberg at the Australian ent. I’m looking into the future, week as a whole. Hopefully I can “I kept missing some opportuni- Open yesterday. I have worked hard, so there’s no move on from there,” he said. ties, which made it harder on me, The Swiss 17-time Grand Slam regrets there. The Swiss great is bidding to because I think I could have been title winner made light work “For me I want to show, prove become only the second man after in a more comfortable lead early.” of Australian wildcard James to myself that I can bring it every Australia’s Roy Emerson to win Meanwhile, Czech veteran Duckworth, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 match. I’m really excited. It’s a five Australian Opens. He has Radek Stepanek was furious in one hour 46 minutes in heat- tough draw, but I’m open for it never lost in the first round in 15 Tuesday after being forced out of wave conditions on Rod Laver and I’m ready to go.” appearances. the Australian Open with a severe Arena. He said it had been fun playing “It was okay. There was not headache while leading his first- Federer has more Grand Slam in front of Edberg. much rhythm out there. It was round match with Blaz Kavcic, titles than any other player but “It’s been a dream come true a matter of getting the job done Stepanek, 35, who is the first only one, Wimbledon 2012, in the for me,” said Federer, the latest and not getting broken,” he said player to win two decisive fifth last four years. He is currently star to tap a former Grand Slam of his match played in scorching rubbers for his country in two ranked at world number six. title-winning player as a coach. temperatures hovering around 40 consecutive Davis Cup finals, was He said he was excited team- “I used to watch his matches Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). leading 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 1-6, 0-2 at ing up with former world number and get inspired to play this great He will next play Slovenia’s the time of his retirement in heat- one and six-time major champion game so to have him in my corner Blaz Kavcic, who got through wave conditions in Melbourne. Edberg and was ready to prove to through the year and this tourna- after his Czech opponent Radek Stepanek, who is the second himself and others he could redis- ment is very special and I can’t be Stepanek retired while leading. oldest player behind Tommy cover his best form. thankful enough.” Federer broke Duckworth’s Haas in the men’s top-50, said “I feel good, I’m excited. I’m not Federer said he was delighted service four times and only faced he experienced headaches as Maria Sharapova of Russia during her first round match against thinking about Wimbledon or the to get his 57th record consecu- one break point in his 14 service he battled to see out the match Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the US at the Australian Open Grand Slam US Open so much, even though tive Grand Slam off to a secure games. He hit 30 winners with 17 only to be forced to call it quits. tournament in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. those were my last two slams start against the 133rd-ranked unforced errors to ease through AGENCIES WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Olympics: Pakistan look to pitch to With no kit, equipment, India’s level Sri Lanka series athletes face Captain Misbah-ul Haq hoping wicket will take spin in the final Test exit NEW DELHI: Two Indian ath- SHARJAH: Pakistan will be letes could be forced to pull out desperate to get a helpful pitch of next month’s Sochi Olympics for a series-levelling win against because promised state funds Sri Lanka in the third and for kit and equipment have not final Test starting in Sharjah Sri Lankan cricketer been released, India’s Winter tomorrow. Kumar Sangakkara Games chief said yesterday. Captain Misbha-ul Haq was (right) speaks with Winter Games Federation of frustrated over the two unre- India (WGFI) president Surendra Pakistan cricket sponsive pitches, the first in Abu Singh Patwal said time was run- team coach Dav Dhabi where Sri Lanka batted ning out for two of India’s three resolutely to salvage a draw and Whatmore (centre) competitors who each need then in Dubai where a first-day and cricketer Saeed about $7,500 to take part in the seaming pitch undid Pakistan’s Ajmal during a Olympics. batting and later blunted their practice session “We are still awaiting funds bowling. at the Sharjah from the government because we Sri Lanka, helped by their International Cricket do not have money to buy expen- new-look pace attack and a Stadium in Sharjah sive clothing and equipment,” fighting century from their old yesterday. Sri Lanka Patwal said. campaigner Mahela Jayawardne and Pakistan are “Each equipment has to meet recorded their biggest-ever win due to play the third Olympic specifications. We do of nine wickets over Pakistan to and final Test match not get them in India, they have take a 1-0 lead. starting at the same to come from abroad. Unless The lack of spin on the pitches venue tomorrow. the funds come, we can’t even reduced Pakistan’s match-win- place orders for clothing and ning bowler Saeed Ajmal into a equipment. mere-runner with only five wick- “Besides, our athletes need time ets in two Tests so far and the to train with the new equipment look of the Sharjah stadium pitch and there is hardly any time left. suggests it will only turn on the We were due to be in Sochi by last two days. February 4” for the Games start- Sri Lanka posted a big 413-run ing on the 7th, he added. “We do total when the two teams played not get sponsors. So unless the the last Test at the venue in Wicket-shy Ajmal vows to government gives us funds, we November 2011 in a match which may have to withdraw at least two Pakistan only saved because of of the three qualifiers.” heavy rain on the final day on Funding is the latest blow for their way to a 1-0 series win. the athletes who were earlier this Misbah admitted Pakistan’s bounce back in series decider month deprived of competing chances of levelling the series under the national flag in Sochi. largely depend on the pitch. SHARJAH: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed “I have been playing in Dubai for the last having played in all three formats since his WGFI secretary Roshan Lal “It will totally depend on the Ajmal yesterday promised to bounce back six years, but haven’t seen such a bad response international debut in 2008. Thakur said that luger Shiva conditions and what kind of a after his below-par performances in the two as here,” said Ajmal, who took 18 wickets to “We don’t play that much Test cricket so Keshavan, preparing for his fifth pitch we get,” said Misbah, who Tests against Sri Lanka, saying he had never help Pakistan win 1-0 in the last three-match there’s no workload on me,” Ajmal said. Winter Olympics, was safe since criticised the Dubai stadium had such a bad response from the pitches. series against Sri Lanka in 2011. “No there’s no pressure, it’s cricket and he has raised money through pitch. “Obviously, we didn’t get Ajmal managed just five wickets in the two Ajmal went wicketless in his 49 overs in the there are ups and downs, they (Sri Lankan sponsors for his equipment. support from the pitch as per our Tests, much below his five-wicket per match second innings of the first Test in Abu Dhabi, batsmen) are relaxed while facing me and But the fate of the two other strength, which is our spin bowl- ratio, having taken 164 wickets in 32 Tests. where Sri Lanka came away with a draw after that’s why they are playing me well.” qualifiers, alpine skier Himanshu ing, and that is a worry for us,” The performance of the 36-year-old, conceding a 179-run lead. Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore also agreed Thakur and cross-country skier said Misbah, whose team has lost regarded as Pakistan’s main weapon, is the He took three wickets in the two innings of Ajmal had struggled to get any response Nadeem Iqbal, rested on getting four of their last 13 Tests against main reason Pakistan are 1-0 down with the the Dubai Test, which Sri Lanka won by nine from the pitches, but added that he should the money in time. “We have been Sri Lanka with only one win and final Test starting in Sharjah from tomorrow. wickets on Sunday. not be judged solely on the basis of two bad told the matter is being proc- eight draws. “I don’t feel that if the performance is not “I did a lot of hard work but couldn’t get performances. essed,” said Thakur. “I just hope Pakistan will be forced to bring good in the last two matches I should be disap- a good result. But I have never been disap- “Ajmal will always need to be managed they do it fast.” in a bowler in place of paceman pointed,” Ajmal told reporters. pointed with cricket and will try to perform properly, as all match winning bowlers Sports ministry officials were Bilawal Bhatti who injured his “I am doing the hard work and will bounce good in this (coming) match and help the team do. Both Ajmal and (Sri Lankan spinner) not immediately available for hamstring during the second Test. back. The ball isn’t spinning and they are play- to win it,” said Ajmal, who also has 171 one-day Rangana Herath found the pitches in Abu comment. He will either be replaced with ing cautiously, if I had got some spin the result international and 81 Twenty20 wickets. Dhabi and Dubai unresponsive,” Whatmore Last week, the athletes lost fast bowler Mohammad Talha would have been different. Ajmal denied he was feeling overworked, said. REUTERS all hope of competing under the or left-armer Abdul Rehman, if flag in Sochi after the suspended Pakistan decide to play with two Indian Olympic Association (IOA) spinners. insisted on holding elections two Pakistan are also likely to India’s Ravichandran days after the Games open. tinker with their top-order bat- Ashwin (left) signs The IOA last month bowed to ting with opener Ahmed Shehzad autographs for fans pressure from the International and Mohammad Hafeez --- who as he arrives with the Olympic Committee to keep both failed in Dubai -- making tainted officials out of key posts team at Auckland way for Shan Masood or Azhar -- the reason India’s membership International Airport Ali. was frozen in December 2012. Sri Lanka will have no such for the cricket problems, hoping Jayawardene series against New recover from a finger injury which Zealand. India Ageing ex-PM did hamper his batting in the sec- will play five one- ond Test. day internationals to head Tokyo “Unless the pitch is very differ- between January ent, I don’t think we need to make 19 and 31, followed 2020 Games any changes. When we go into a by two Tests in Test match we take our best bowl- Auckland and committee ers, so if someone gets injured, we Wellington in can always bank on a back-up,” February. RIGHT: TOKYO: An ageing former said Mathews who registered his India’s Shikhar prime minister who predicts he first overseas win as captain in Dhawan poses for a might not live until 2020 was Dubai. photo with a fan. formally appointed head of the Both the teams will also try committee organising Tokyo’s to give their coaches -- Dav Olympic Games yesterday. Whatmore of Pakistan and Yoshiro Mori, a 76-year-old Graham Ford of Sri Lanka -- a rugby enthusiast, had already winning farewell as both leave accepted an informal offer from their post after the match. Japan’s education minister after Teams (from): Pakistan: England skittle out PM’s XI for first win initially rejecting overtures on the Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), grounds of his age. Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed CANBERRA: England’s bowlers ripped rival captain and former Test quick Brett Lee outside off, leaving England on four for 98. “I am going on 77 this year,” he Shehzad, Khurram Manzoor, through the Australian Prime Minister’s XI knocked him over for just one, edging a full Bopara wasted no time and made 18 off 17 told a seminar hosted by Kyodo Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad for a morale-boosting first tour victory of length ball to the wicketkeeper. balls but an attempted drive off Muirhead flew News. “I am destined to live five Shafiq, Younis Khan, Sarfraz 172 runs ahead of Friday’s second one-day The 37-year-old Lee was in vintage form head height to Michael Spaseski in the slips. or six more years if I am lucky. Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Saeed international. and had Joe Root lbw to leave England on two Bresnan put up 36 useful runs before the This will be my one last service Ajmal, Bilawal Bhatti, Abdul Chasing 265 to win in the Australian capital, for 12 runs in the day-night 50-over game at McDermott brothers combined with Ben tak- to the country.” said Mori, who Rehman, Rahat Ali, Mohammad the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals and the Manuka Oval. ing the catch off Alister’s bowling. has been president of the Japan Talha. were all out for 92 in the 26th over yesterday. The thermometer topped 37 Celsius (99 Veteran Brad Hodge top-scored for the Rugby Football Union since 2005. Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews Ravi Bopara grabbed four wickets for three Fahrenheit), but Lee still returned figures of PM’s XI with 28. His age stands in sharp con- (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, runs in just three overs to wrap up the match two wickets for 22 runs off seven overs, includ- He kept looking for the big shot but swung trast with that of two-time Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela and end a winless streak going back to the first ing a maiden. England began to rally from high at spinner James Tredwell straight to Olympic 1,500-metres gold med- Jayawardene, Kaushal Silva, Ashes Test in Brisbane back in November. yet another disastrous start when Lee went Carberry at deep mid-wicket. allist Sebastian Coe, now 57, who Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Skipper Alastair Cook admitted his relief off after a four-over burst and finally set the The first three wickets fell rapidly as led London’s bid for the 2012 Perera, Prasanna Jayawardene, after a run of poor performances which saw an PM’s XI a target of 265, at a run rate of 5.28. England ran through promising youngsters Summer Olympics and headed Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Ashes whitewash and dour, drawn tour games. Opener Michael Carberry found some form Peter Handscomb, Luke Pomersbach and Ben the event’s organising committee. Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, “It’s great to win. It’s been a long-time com- in his 47 off 50 balls, including five bounda- McDermott for 24 runs. Carlos Arthur Nuzman, 71, a Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana ing,” Cook said. ries, before skiing Ben Cutting to Lee. But it And they never let go with Canberra young- Brazilian lawyer and a former vol- Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Vishwa “We needed to start winning and winning was Man-of-the-Match Jos Buttler, batting at ster Spaseski making the second highest score leyball player, is president of the Fernando. puts you in the right frame of mind and gives number seven, who top-scored with 61. of just 13. He pulled Bresnan high to deep fine organising committee for the 2016 Umpires: Richard you a little bit of confidence. England’s danger man was clean bowled by leg where Joe Root took an easy catch. Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro. Kettleborough (ENG) and “We know we’ve got a huge amount of work Jackson Bird before the final overs slog. Lee tried to fight back and hit a huge six Mori, who served as prime Sundaram Ravi(IND) to do,” he added. Coming in at four, Gary Ballance clipped a before Bopara clean bowled him for 12. minister from 2000-2001 with TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford The tourists had however laboured to 264 decent 56 off 71 balls but was caught at point The second of five ODIs will be played at his tenure shortened by a series (AUS) for eight off 50 overs on what was thought to off spinner James Muirhead, who snared three the Gabba on Friday. Australia won Sunday’s of gaffes, is still a member of the Match referee: Javagal be a good batting wicket, if a little slow. for 52. Eoin Morgan had looked to leave a rip- opening tie in Melbourne by six wickets fol- lower house of parliament. Srinath (IND) REUTERS Cook won the toss and decided to bat but per from Muirhead that took big spin from lowing the 5-0 Ashes debacle. AFP REUTERS Wednesday 15 October 2011 14 Rabial I 1435 Volume 18 Number 5945 Sport Price: QR2

Arsenal go top Pakistan look of EPL with 2-1 to pitch for win win over Villa in final Test

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Mini’s driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah of Qatar competes during the 2014 Rally Dakar Stage 8 between Salta, Argentina and Calama, Chile, yesterday. The 2011 Dakar Rally champion won the stage.

Al Attiyah wins Dakar Rally stage We will try to push and make a really better time every day: Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah

CALAMA, CHILE: Qatari a waypoint on last week’s fifth of pressure. Behind him, we have driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, stage. nothing to lose...” Dakar Rally Results in a Mini, took the honours in “I’m still a bit disappointed In the motorbike section CALAMA, Chile: Results of yesterday’s Dakar Adam Malysz (POL/Toyota) 3hr 27:35, 10. the Dakar Rally’s eighth stage about the penalty,” said Al France’s Cyril Despres, a five time Rally eighth stage from Uyuni in Bolivia to Guilherme Spinelli (BRA/Mitsubishi) 4hr 05:16. which crossed through the Attiyah, who won a bronze medal winner of the toughest challenge Calama in Chile: Bikes - 462km timed: 1. Cyril Despres (FRA/ Andes from Bolivia into Chile in the men’s skeet shooting at the in motorsport, emerged the win- Auto - 302km timed: Yamaha) 05hr 23m 20sec, 2. Joan Barreda (ESP/ yesterday ahead of 11-time win- 2012 London Olympics. ner as the 2014 edition paid its 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT/Mini) 2hr 32min Honda) at 02min 9sec, 3. Marc Coma (ESP/ ner Stephane Peterhansel. “But now we will try to push first visit to Chile after stages in 57sec, 2. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA/Mini) at KTM)02:15, 4. Helder Rodriguez (POR/Honda) Carlos Sainz, winner of stages and make a really better time Argentina and Bolivia. 1min 12sec, 3. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Smg) 2:36, 4. 06:38, 5. Olivier Pain (FRA/Yamaha) 10:40, 6. four and seven, took third in every day.” He was followed across the line Orlando Terranova (ARG/Mini) 6:40, 5. Krzysztof Michael Metge (FRA/Yamaha) 12:58, 7. Riaan Van the 302km timed run from the Peterhansel said he’d found it by Spanish pair Joan Barreda and Holowczyc (POL/Mini) 7:49, 6. Nani Roma (ESP/ Niekerek (RSA/KTM) 13:15, 8. Daniel Gouet (CHI/ Bolivian town of Uyuni to Calama. difficult to keep tabs during the Marc Coma. Despite claiming this Mini) 9:19, 7. Giniel De Villiers (RSA/Toyota) 9:21, Honda) 13:23, 9. Kuba Przygonski (POL/KTM) Spanish driver Nani Roma was stage with Al Attiyah and Sainz. 499km stage the Yamaha rider 8. Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS/Mini) 11:59, 9. Bernhard 13:29, 10.Jordi Viladoms (ESP/KTM) 13:34 sixth and he retains a 24 minute “That said, in the end it’s not and defending champion is still Ten Brinke (NED/Hrx) 13:07, 10. Christian Lavieille Overall: 1. Marc Coma (ESP/KTM) 32hr 06min advantage over Peterhansel with such a bad result at all, because way off the pace in the overall (FRA/Haval) 16:56 19sec, 2. Joan Barreda (ESP/HONDA) at 38min South African Giniel De Villiers Nani Roma had two punctures so standings, almost two and a half Overall: 1. Nani Roma (ESP/Mini) 29hr 46:08, 2. 08sec, 3. Jordi Viladoms (ESP/KTM) 1hr 27:22, 4. placed third. we’ve gained some time back on hours behind Coma. Stephane Peterhansel (FRA/Mini) at 23min 46sec, Alain Duclos (Sherco/FRA) 1hr 49:09, 5. Jeremías Al Attiyah, who won the race him and have put some pressure Today’s ninth stage takes the 3. Giniel De Villiers (RSA/Toyota) 48:25, 4. Orlando Israel (CHI/Speedbrain) 1hr 52:05, 6. Olivier Pain in 2011, is in fifth overall, 1hr on him,” he added. 2014 Dakar caravanserai from Terranova (ARG/Mini) 51:55, 5. Nasser Al-Attiyah (FRA/Yamaha) 1hr 59:07, 7. Kuba Przygonski (POL/ 5min adrift, the bulk of that “It’s never easy to be in the Calama across 150 kilometres of (QAT/Mini) 1hr 09:05, 6. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Smg) KTM) 2hr 6:06, 8. Helder Rodriguez (POR/Honda) deficit coming from a one hour lead, I know all about it, and being Chile’s Atacama desert with a fin- 1hr 43:59, 7. Krzysztof Holowczyc (POL/Mini) 2hr 2hr 12:41, 9. Cyril Despres (FRA/Yamaha) 2hr 23:58, penalty he picked up for missing in front for Nani is an extra bit ish in Iquique. REUTERS 29:22, 8. Christian Lavieille (FRA/Haval) 3hr 14:43, 9. 10. Daniel Gouet (CHI/Honda) 2hr 38:51 Nadal, Federer, Murray through in ‘inhumane’ heat

MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal got a free pass conditions. “Just deal with it, because it’s the into the second round of the Australian same for both. Open when Bernard Tomic retired injured “That’s basically it,” Federer said. yesterday, a welcome reprieve from stifling Wimbledon champion Murray had other heat that led one player to describe condi- things on his mind besides the weather and tions at Melbourne Park as “inhumane”. was clearly delighted with his clinical victory Australian Tomic, booed off Rod Laver over Saeda in just his third competitive match Arena by his compatriots, blamed a groin since returning from four months on the side- injury for withdrawing having lost the opening lines after back surgery. set 6-4, leaving top seed Nadal to join fellow “I maybe didn’t expect to play as well as “Big Four” players Roger Federer and Andy I did today, but the signs have been good in Murray in securing his passage. practice,” the fourth seed said. “I started the Defending champion Victoria Azarenka led match off very well and did everything solid.” third seed Maria Sharapova and former world Juan Martin Del Potro, the fifth seed, had number one Caroline Wozniacki over the first considerably more difficulty with his first- Switzerland’s hurdle in the women’s draw, but there was round opponent, and needed more than three Roger only one topic of conversation on day two of hours to get past American qualifier Rhyne Federer plays the championships. Williams 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. a shot during “Every single person that I saw coming in That Lleyton Hewitt was involved in one of his singles from practice or going out to play a match the longest matches of the day surprised no match or coming back from a match, everyone just one, but the former world number one ended said like, ‘It’s really hot today’,” Murray told Spain’s Rafael Nadal (left) comforts Australia’s up a 7-6(4) 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 7-5 loser to Italian against Bernard Tomic after his retirement from their Australia’s reporters after beating Go Soeda 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. Andreas Seppi despite coming back from two Azarenka said being on court was like singles match on day two of the 2014 Australian sets down to hold a match point. James Open. Duckworth “dancing in a frying pan” and Wozniacki Azarenka made a stuttering start to her bid thought her water bottle was going to melt, for a third straight title when Swede Johanna on day two but for some players the impact of the extreme up and vomit and she had to be helped from Larsson kept her out in the sun for 106 min- of the 2014 heat, forecast to continue until Friday, was the court after her 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 defeat to utes before succumbing 7-6(2) 6-2 in the first Australian more serious. Japan’s Kurumi Nara. match on Rod Laver Arena. Open in Frank Dancevic slammed organisers for Organisers said temperatures peaked at Former Melbourne Park champion Melbourne forcing players to compete in “dangerous” con- 42.2 degrees Celsius (108 degrees Fahrenheit) Sharapova, also on the comeback trail after a yesterday. ditions after he collapsed on court and passed in the early evening but, taking into account shoulder injury, took on American Bethanie out for a minute in his match on one of the the low humidity, the threshold for calling off Mattek-Sands in the final match of the day more exposed outer courts. play had not been reached. on the main showcourt. “I think it’s inhumane, I don’t think it’s “There were a few players who experienced Mattek-Sands retained her distinctive knee fair to anybody, to the players, to the fans, to heat-related illness or discomfort, but none socks, and Sharapova’s progress was not as the sport, when you see players pulling out required significant medical intervention after slick as her own sleek dress, but the Russian of matches, passing out,” the Canadian told they had completed their match,” said tourna- wrapped up a 6-3, 6-4 victory in one hour 39 reporters after his defeat to Benoit Paire. ment doctor Tim Wood. minutes. “I’ve played five-set matches all my life and Federer, watched by the newest member Tomic’s retirement, one of nine in the first being out there for a set and a half and passing of his coaching team, Stefan Edberg, kept his round, left Nadal with less time on court than out with heatstroke, it’s not normal. usual cool in the hot conditions and eased into he would have liked, but the Spaniard said “Until somebody dies, they’re just keep the second round with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 drubbing he would not be training any harder today to going on with it and putting matches on in of local wildcard James Duckworth. compensate. this heat.” “It can become just a very mental thing and “Days like today, tomorrow that will be very A ballboy also fainted, while China’s Peng you just can’t accept that it’s hot,” the 17-times hot, it’s better to save little bit of energy,” he Shuai said the heat had caused her to cramp Grand Slam champion said of coping with the said. REUTERS