Tag Archives: business
Gutsy Stephen Gallacher grabs Dubai double
Gutsy Stephen Gallacher grabs Dubai double (AFP) / 2 February 2014 The 39-year-old Scot became the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday. Stephen Gallacher birdied two of the last three holes on Sunday to become the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic. Starting the day two strokes clear of the field, the 39-year-old Scot was reeled in by the time he walked off the second green as he strayed off the tee. But instead of going under after four bogeys in nine holes, he battled back and, on a day of high drama, emerged in front again on the back nine and held his nerve over the last three holes. The target of 15 under was set by Argentinian upstart Emiliano Grillo, who sunk a 40-footer for eagle at the par-five last after his over-cooked second outrageously rebounded back onto the green off an hospitality tent. Gallacher drew level with a birdie at 16 and then a sublime chip from the greenside rough for birdie at the next eased him back ahead. He needed to par the last to win and he managed that by sinking an edgy three-footer after his third shot had spun back too far to the edge of the front of the green. The title defence was something that other former winners such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Seve Ballesteros were unable to accomplish and it revived Gallacher’s hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup in Scotland in September. “It took everything I had after the poor front nine, but I just tried to build on yesterday (63) and stay patient,” he said. “I was quite fortunate that no-one ran away with it and I just tried to hit every shot at a time, just like yesterday. “I knew a five was going to win it and it’s the only time that I’ve hit a back spin like that all week and it’s nearly gone in the water. “But yesterday was the key – to be 10 under through 10 holes. “I wish I could play this course every week.” Grillo was solo in second for the biggest prize of his fledging career so far with France’s Romain Wattel and Brooks Koepka of the United States a further stroke back on 14 under after a 66 and 70 respectively. Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy endured a torrid final day and could only manage a 74 and a tie for ninth. Woods, meanwhile, finished with a flourish, birdieing his final three holes for a closing 71. But he was already, at the start of the day, too far behind to have any say in the proceedings as he left Dubai tied for 41 st and still looking to kick his 2014 season into full gear. “Unfortunately I turned it around too late,” he commented. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Shaikh Khalifa stands for democracy, says Fujairah Ruler
Shaikh Khalifa stands for democracy, says Fujairah Ruler (Wam) / 3 February 2014 Shaikh Hamad said Emirati citizens have the right to be proud of their country as day after day the country is achieving high records. His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has underlined that the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, contributes effectively to deepen the concept of political participation for Emiratis through fostering awareness of the new generation regarding application of international practices in the field of democracy. In an interview with Deraa Al Watan (Nation’s shield) magazine, Shaikh Hamad said Emirati citizens have the right to be proud of their country as day after day the country achieves high records in the development, prosperity and decent living conditions, not only compared to the region but also at the international level. Shaikh Hamad praised the comprehensive plan of the Emirate of Fujairah, which focuses on keeping pace with the urban growth and promoting the economic growth of the emirate and directing investment towards the construction of roads and the long term development of urban services. Shaikh Hamad referred to the role of the Cabinet led by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and ministers in its pursuit to inculcate the concept of political work, achieve social justice, care for talented and sponsor human rights through observing international conventions in accordance with the directives of the President. He noted that the Federal National Council (FNC) has a four-decade experience, adding that it is on course tackling the nation’s and citizens’ issues. He hoped for greater role of the FNC to match the state’s greater role in addressing humanitarian issues and countering terrorism. Higher education Regarding higher education, Shaikh Hamad said: “Our country enjoys high quality higher education given the best educational and academic experience,” referring to UAE University, Higher Colleges of Technology, higher institutions affiliated to world’s prestigious universities and others. Shaikh Hamad added that the health services in the UAE have been accredited by international organisations in terms of quality excellence and appropriate services. “The health system gauges quality of life in any country.” He said the humanitarian role shouldered by the UAE stems from “religious teachings, authentic Arab traditions and social norms”, citing the legacy of the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan on extending help to the needy people worldwide. He added that the “legacy is being followed up by Sheikh Khalifa.” For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Syrian sides break ice in peace talks
Syrian sides break ice in peace talks (Reuters) / 31 January 2014 Opposing sides in Syria’s civil war stand together to observe a minute of silence at talks in Geneva. Opposing sides in Syria’s civil war stood together to observe a minute of silence on Thursday in honour of the tens of thousands killed in the three-year conflict, a rare symbol of harmony a week into peace talks that have so fare yielded no compromise. The first talks between President Bashar Al Assad’s government and his foes have been mired in rhetoric since they began last Friday. The two sides took a first tentative step forward on Wednesday by agreeing to use the same 2012 roadmap as the basis of discussions to end the civil war, although they disagreed about how talks should proceed. UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Wednesday he does not expect to achieve anything substantive in the first round which ends on Friday, but hopes for more progress in a second round starting about a week later. Opposition delegate Ahmad Jakal said his delegation’s head, Hadi Al Bahra, proposed the minute of silence and all sides stood up, including Assad’s delegation and Brahimi’s team. “All stood up for the souls of the martyrs. Symbolically it was good,” Jakal said. Diplomats said there had been no progress on humanitarian issues and that a UN aid convoy has been waiting fruitlessly to enter the rebel-held Old City of Homs, where the United States says civilians are starving. If there is no breakthrough on Homs this week, it would give the opposition delegation, mostly comprised of exiles, little to show for their decision to participate. Other factions with more power on the ground in Syria are opposed to the talks. The 2012 plan sets out stages to end the conflict, including a halt to fighting, delivery of aid and agreement on setting up a transitional government body by mutual consent. US and Russian officials, co-sponsors of the conference, are in Geneva advising the opposition and Syrian government delegations, their respective allies. Syrian deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad, one of the most influential players, was meeting with Russian officials later in the day in Geneva, diplomatic sources said. While the opposition wants to start by addressing the question of the transitional governing body, the government says the first step is to discuss terrorism. Damscus uses the word “terrorist” to describe all rebel fighters. There was still no sign of a breakthrough in attempts to relieve the suffering of thousands of besieged residents of the rebel-held Old City of Homs. UN trucks must be able to enter besieged areas with security guarantees and the distribution of goods must be carried out in a safe way for the beneficiaries, he said. “The UN convoys are ready, we are waiting for clearances so we can provide this aid in a secure manner,” Jens Laerke, spokesman of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said on Thursday. Syria’s biggest city Aleppo took some of the heaviest aerial bombardment of the conflict in the past week, including the dropping of indiscriminate “barrel bombs” – crude drums of high explosives tossed from helicopters – that killed and wounded dozens, opposition delegate Ahmed Ramadan told Reuters. New York based watchdog Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that the Syrian authorities had flattened seven residential districts for no apparent military objective other than to punish civilians living among rebels who had already fled. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
