Home | 5 Business | 17 Sport | 27 Woqod opens fuel Qatar Shell, QDB sign QSL: Al Khor crush station in long-term agreements Al Gharafa, Al Al Rayyan with six Qatari SMEs Kharaitiyat win

The Peninsula Newspaper @PeninsulaQatar @peninsula_qatar

MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 • 3 Rabia I 1437 • Volume 20 Number 6644 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

Emir meets Yemen Vice-President Hi-tech Leabaib Health Katara lines Centre inaugurated By Fazeena Saleem

DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister up events for H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani yesterday inaugurated the Leabaib Health Centre near Khartiyat on Shamal road. It is also among the newly introduced wellness cen- tres in the country, considered the first of its kind in National Day the Arab region. Besides providing medical services, a wellness centre contributes to people’s mental and physical health through diverse facilities and pro- grammes. Parade, entertainments planned The centre features special facilities such as a gym, swimming pool and sauna. Mental health, ophthal- By Sidi Mohamed until 10pm and continue the fol- mology and dermatology services are introduced at lowing day from 10 am until 10pm. the Leabaib Health Centre, besides the regular clinics, DOHA: The Cultural Village, “We are looking forward to a laboratory, pharmacy and radiology units. Also a Medi- Katara, has lined up a number large turnout of visitors from all cal Commission unit offering mandatory health check of events to mark the National walks of life to mark the great up for expatriates will operate at the health centre. Day on December 18 and 19. occasion and take part in the fes- The Prime Minister, Minister of Public Health H E Some 43 activities will be held tivities,” added Al Tamimi. Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Dr Mariam Abdul at Katara as part of its National The National Day activities Malik, Managing Director of the Primary Healthcare Day celebrations. will include parade by the Emiri Corporation (PHCC), Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, Several important government Guard, in addition to participa- President of Ashghal, and other officials toured the institutions, authorities and asso- tion by the Armed Forces through various sections at the health centre. ciations will be taking part in 60 paratroopers. Continued on page 3 these activities. Qatar’s largest national flag This was disclosed by the Gen- will be unfurled as part of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met yesterday with Yemeni Vice-President and THE PENINSULA eral Manager of Katara, Dr Kha- National Day celebrations at the Prime Minister Khalid Mahfuz Bahah. They discussed the latest developments in Yemen. lid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, and the Cultural Village. head of Katara’s National Day Katara opens a ‘Loyalty Book’ Organising Committee, Abdul- every year to collect visitors’ sig- rahman Al Tamimi. natures, and last year the book Al Sulaiti said that they will had collected 10,000 signatures. Qatar-Pakistan T20 cricket match on National Day mark the great occasion of the Many institutions will be tak- National Day by holding events ing part participate in the activi- like parade, cultural and enter- ties. For example, Vodafone Qatar By Sanaullah Ataullah med Rislan, Irshad Umer, Sunet, Indian and Sri Lankan commu- ers from Rajasthan, India. This tainment shows. will be hosting some competitions Shereef and Firoz. nities will be holding cultural pro- event is being sponsored by Satco Katara will also honour the for the visitors and workshops for DOHA: A T20 cricket match will The Ministry of Interior and grammes in the Industrial Area International Group. iconic Qatari singer, Mohammad children. be held between Pakistan and the Qatar National Day Celebra- at the Asian Town amphitheatre. The events of Pakistani and Al Sai, who had first introduced The Childhood Cultural Center Qatar at the Asian Town Cricket tions’ Organising Committee has This venue will host art compe- Bangladeshi communities, with the Qatari Patriotic song ‘My will be participating with a Stadium as part of National Day lined up several other events on titions and cultural shows staged students of PEC School, Bang- Beloved Qatar’. “We will be asking number of poetry competitions, celebrations on December 18. December 17 and 18, to be held by students of MES Indian School, ladesh School, Bhavan’s Pub- one of his sons to attend, in addi- in addition to displaying a small Star Pakistani cricketers and in collaboration with expatri- Pak Shama, Stafford Sri Lankan lic School, TNG, DPS MIS and tion to honouring the song’s musi- museum titled ‘Modern Qatar’ their national team members will ate communities, companies and School, Birla Public School, Doha Noble International Schools will cian Abdulaziz Nasser Al Obaidan which will feature some old pho- be representing Pakistan in the schools. Modern Indian School and Bright be hosted at Wakra Sports Club and the songwriter Abdullah Al tographs about Qatar. match which will be held in the This was announced by Briga- Future School. The events will Indoor Stadium. Hammadi, on December 18 at Katara, in collaboration with evening and entry will be free. dier Abdullah Khalifa Al Muf- start at 4pm on December 17, a The Wakra open stadium will Katara Amphitheatre at 3.30pm, the Emiri Guard, Ooredoo and Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, tah, Director of Public Relations Thursday, and will go on until host a wide variety of cultural Al Sulaiti added. Vodafone Qatar will be distribut- Adnan Akmal, Fuwad Alam, Aizaz Department of the Interior 8pm. fiesta by famous artistes from A number of workshops and ing some gifts to the visitors. Cheema, Thofeeq Umer, Rana Ministry, at a press conference The programme will restart Lahore and Peshawar. Khalid exhibitions were inaugurated at Also, a team of motorcycle rid- Naveed, Ehsan Adil, Mohammed here yesterday. It was attended the following day, December 18, Malik, Waheed Achakzai, Nelo, Katara earlier this month as part ers will be providing some impor- Asif, Saeed Ajmal and Imran Farhat by Captain Nasser al Suwaidi, at 8am and will continue until Afshan Zaibi, Hina Asif, Wafa of preparations to hold National tant tips to people about how to will be part of the Pakistani team. Vice-Chairman of QND Celebra- 10pm with breaks for prayers Afghanistan, Rahim Master, Hani Day celebrations. These events ride motorcycles and they will also The Qatari national team will tions’ Security Committee, and and lunch. Albela, Saleem Albela, Omar Gul have attracted a large number of be putting up a show as part of include players, namely, Iqbal Muhammad bin Ajyan, Chairman The Asian Town amphithea- and Khalida Yasmin are among visitors. National Day celebrations at Katara. Chawdhory, Sarjeel Khan, Nazer of IbinAjayan Trading Group, along tre will witness a ‘Qawwali’ pro- the performers from Pakistan. Al Tamimi pointed out that the Picture on page 7 Jamshed, Rahil Ali, Shahbaz with Asian expatriate community gramme on December, 17 from Continued on page 2 two-day festivities will start on Malik, Taimoor, Kamran Khan, leaders, school representatives and 8pm to 12pm. The programme December 18 from 1pm and last THE PENINSULA Azim Ali, Saad Naseem, Moham- media persons. will be presented by Sabri broth- THE PENINSULA

Qatari cyclist wins GCC event Qatar backs UN 44 killed in Yemen ahead of talks bid to find Libya SANA’A: At least 44 people have rebels were killed when loyalist in the south, killing seven people, solution been killed in air raids and fight- artillery hit two rebel vehicles tribal sources said. ing between Yemeni loyalists and near the city of Damt, which the A truce is much needed in ROME: Foreign Minister H E Dr rebels ahead of a possible cease- Houthis and their allies captured the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah fire, medical and military sources in November, military sources nation where an estimated 80 confirmed support of Qatar to said yesterday. said. percent of the population of 26 the United Nations’ path towards The latest deaths come ahead In the same area, nine rebels million needs aid. finding a political solution in of UN-brokered peace talks set to and four pro-government fight- The United Nations says more Libya. take place between the warring ers were killed in clashes late on than 5,800 people have been killed In a statement to Qatar News parties in Switzerland tomorrow. Saturday. Further west, coalition in Yemen. More than a year after Agency (QNA), on the sidelines “We received the bodies of 12 warplanes struck a rebel military Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels of the International Ministerial civilians and more than 20 oth- convoy between the strategic Taiz swept into Yemen’s capital Sanaa Meeting on Libya in Rome, Al ers were wounded,” an official at a province and Lahj in the south, in the first sparks of civil war, Attiyah stressed that the interna- field hospital in Haradh said. killing seven people, tribal sources none of the fighting factions has tional community should support A pack of riders taking the final bend on the last day of the Qatar leg Haradh, on the border with said. Further west, coalition war- emerged victorious. the upcoming Libyan government of the 14th GCC Cycling Championship, in Dukhan yesterday. Qatar’s Saudi Arabia, is among the planes early yesterday struck a See also page 7 and develop guarantees and create Ahmed Bassam Al Bourdainy won the final stage. The last three days northern strongholds of the Shia rebel military convoy between the a suitable atmosphere for its work. of the championship was organised by Qatar Cycling Federation. Houthi rebels. In the south, 12 strategic Taez province and Lahj AGENCIES The Foreign Minister called See also page 25 on all Libyan parties to sign the draft political agreement, citing the importance of a strong and effective agreement that could overcome challenges experienced by Libya on the ground. It should 17 women win seats in Saudi municipal elections not be an interim agreement that make parties return again RIYADH: Saudi Arabians voted Sabq.org, a news website affili- follows men-only polls in 2005 city of Islam. Lama bint Abdulaziz won seats in Al Ahsa in Eastern to negotiations, Al Attiyah said 17 women into public office in ated with the Interior Ministry, and 2011. Al Sulaiman, Rasha Hafza, Sana Province, but their names were Meanwhile, he expressed his municipal elections in the king- reported that a total of 17 women Huda Al Jeraisy, who as the Abdulatif Abdulwahab Al Hamam not immediately released. Else- concerns about the growing phe- dom on Saturday, the first to had been elected in various parts daughter of a former head of and Massoumeh Al Reda won where in the province, Khadra Al nomenon of terrorism and illegal allow female participation, a of the country. Some results had the chamber of commerce in the seats in Jeddah. Mubarak won a seat in Qatif dis- immigration. Al Attiyah headed state-aligned news site reported been announced on the official central part of the kingdom was In northern Saudi Arabia, Han- trict. In the southern Jazan prov- Qatar’s delegation participating yesterday. Saudi Press Agency, including the seen by some Saudis as imparting ouf bint Mufreh bin Ayad Al Haz- ince, Aisha bint Hamoud Ali Bakri in the International Ministerial The election was the first in victories of four women. an official stamp of approval on imi won a seat in Al Jawf, Mina won a seat. In Qassim two women Meeting on Libya. which women could vote and run However, the election was for women’s candidature, won a seat Salman Saeed Al Omairi and were elected but their names were See also page 8 as candidates, a landmark step only two thirds of seats in munici- in Riyadh. Salma bint Hazab Al Fadhila Afnan Muslim Al Attawi not immediately released. in a country where women are pal councils that have no law- Otaibi won a seat in the Madrika both won seats in the Northern QNA barred from driving. making or national powers, and district of Makkah, the holiest Borders province. Two women REUTERS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

FM meets Turkish counterpart PM hosts luncheon Cuban Hospital opens banquet for Yemeni Vice-President DOHA: Prime Minister and patient recovery hostel Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met here with Yemeni Vice-President and Prime Minis- Nursing team monitors recovery progress round-the-clock ter Khalid Mahfuz Bahah. They reviewed bilateral relations DOHA: The Cuban Hospital in Dukhan has seeking to provide a full spectrum of care and and ways of enhancing them in officially opened a new patient recovery hostel support for patients in the surrounding area,” addition to the latest developments that will be used for patients who need follow said Al Kuwari. in Yemen. Prime Minister hosted a up care and additional recovery time before The opening of this facility follows the Sep- luncheon banquet in honor of the being fully discharged. tember launch of Bayt Al Dhiyafah, Hamad Yemeni Vice-President and his The recovery hostel is part of the existing bin Khalifa Medical City which introduced a accompanying delegation. infrastructure on the Cuban Hospital campus new model care for Hamad, focusing on heal- and has been converted from a staff accom- ing and rejuvenation. modation block. “Expanding our services at the Cuban Kyrgyz President Patients admitted into the 16-bed unit will Hospital is an essential element in our larger require time to fully recover in order to reinte- efforts to develop HMC facilities and services, arrives today grate back into their normal lives. A typical with the ultimate goal of establishing world- stay is expected to last between two to three class healthcare settings for all in Qatar,” Dr Foreign Affairs Minister H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah with Turkish Foreign DOHA: President of Kyrgyzstan weeks while a patient fully recuperates. Al Kuwari added. Minister Mouloud Jawish Ihsanoglu in Rome, yesterday. They discussed bilateral Almazbek Atambayev will arrive The facility is expected to generally be avail- Chief Executive Officer of The Cuban Hos- relations and exchanged views on latest developments in the region, especially Syria, today on a two-day visit to Qatar. able for patients who live and work within pital, Phil Lowen said the new patient recov- Iraq and Libya. Foreign Minister also met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter QNA the Cuban Hospital catchment area through- ery hostel will ensure recovering patients have Steinmeier, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting on Libya, held in Rome. out the western and northern regions of the the best opportunity to regain their health country, and will also allow the hospital to before being discharged from the hospital. free up acute patient beds those who require “The new facility offers a comfortable heal- inpatient medical treatment, said a state- ing environment that provides recovering ment yesterday. patients with a relaxing and peaceful recu- Cultural programmes to start at 8am Hamad Medical Corporation Managing peration space before being discharged,” said Director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari presided over Lowen. The patient recovery hostel is staffed Continued from page 1 the opening ceremony, which included the round-the-clock, and a nursing team monitors unveiling of a wall plaque to commemorate patient recovery progress, ensuring any pre- The Filipino, Indonesian and Malaysian the occasion. scribed medicines are correctly administered. community teams will perform at Al Rayyan “We see the patient recovery hostel as an Doctors are on call and nearby in case of an Sports club Indoor Stadium along with the stu- essential component of healthcare delivery escalation of any clinical issue. dents of the Philippine School Doha, Philippine in the western region of Qatar, where we are THE PENINSULA International School Qatar, Ideal Indian School, Shantiniketan School and Scholars Interna- tional School, where they will be showing their talents in cultural and musical programmes. The events will start at 8 am on December 18 and will continue until 10 pm. The Director of Public Relations Department, Ministry of Interior, Brig The Barwa Workers Recreation Complex Abdullah Khalifa Al Muftah (centre); Vice Chairman of QND Celebrations in Al Khor will host the traditional, cultural Security Committee Capt Nasser Al Suwaidi (right) and Chairman of Ibin and folklore shows and art competitions of Ajayan Trading Group, Muhammad bin Ajyan during the press conference. Nepalese expatriates. The two-day events will SALIM MATRAMKOT start on December 17 at 4 pm and last until 10 pm and will continue on Friday from 8 am Complex in Al Khor will host National Day parade, thematic to 10 pm with breaks for prayer and lunch. football championship, tug of war show and thematic song in addi- The cultural fiesta at each of the four competition and running race. tion to sports items, whereas the venues will start with the Qatar National Besides, Al Khor Barwa Rec- winners in first, second and third Anthem at 8am followed by a colourful parade reation Complex will host cricket, places will be awarded cash prizes by all participating schools , community and volleyball and basketball champi- in all arts and sports competitions company teams in each venue. onships while Al Rayyan Sports at the four venues. The overall Along with cultural events, different sports Club will host basketball as well. champions from school, commu- championships will be held between commu- The participating schools nity and company teams will be nities, company and school teams at the four and the community teams will awarded special trophies. Hamad Medical Corporation Managing Director Dr Hanan Al Kuwari with other officials during the venues. Asian Town, Al Wakra Sports Club, be competing in different cul- opening of patient recovery hostel. Al Rayyan Sports Club, Barwa Recreation tural activities, including Qatar THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Two more centres soon in Nominations open for Umm Salal, Rawdat Al Khail digital excellence award

Continued from page 1 terms of health and preventive DOHA: The Qatar Digital Government (QDG) has opened nomina- Al Qahtani said in statement services, along with other facili- tions for Digital Excellence in the Government Sector Awards — new that Qatar considers spending ties related to awareness, health public sector awards that show how digital government initiatives have on health sector as a priority and education and physical activity,” improved delivery of public services. The Awards aspire to acknowledge the country has a clear long-term he said. and reward government entities that harness communications technol- strategy in this regard. Two more similar centres will ogy and modern information technology to provide the best services to “A master plan was developed open in the near future in Umm all stakeholders. There are seven categories for nominations namely in this framework in line with the Salal and Rawdat Al Khail, in Best Digital Service for Citizens (G2C), needs of the country in the field addition to nine regular primary Best Digital Service for Business (G2B), Best Digital Service for of health, associated with dead- health centres. Government (G2G), Best Digital Project, Best Digital Service through lines and approved financial allo- The Leabaib Health Centre is Mobile Applications, Best Government Website and Best Government cations,” said the minister. equipped with modern facilities Entity in Digital Transformation. To enter, participating government “Leabaib Health Center is an as one of the centers of excellence entities should decide which of the seven categories fits the best, down- added value to the health serv- that also provides routine health load and fill in the entry form available at www.qdg.qa, and then email ices of the country, especially in services in addition to preventive it to [email protected]. Full instructions on how to complete entries, primary health care,” he added. health services, said Dr Abdul the closing date and how to submit are included in the nomination The minister also stressed the Malik. forms. The forms should be submitted in Arabic. Nominations are importance of investing in pri- She said that the centre will now open and only government entities and ministries should submit mary health care “as it’s the first register 50,000 people over the their online applications by January 31, 2016, signed by IT Directors line of defense both in terms of next two years, which will help from their respective organizations. A judging panel will evaluate each prevention and early treatment.” ease the pressure on other health nomination and select those initiatives with the greatest impact on “The model of health and well- centers. Some 3000 people have the delivery of services to the intended audience. The winners will be ness centers will prove success already been registered of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin announced at the Qatar Digital Government Forum 2016 later in the through the opening of Leabaib 10,000, the target number for the Khalifa Al Thani inaugurating the Leabaib health centre near Al Khartiyat year, and the participants will be invited to showcase their solutions Health Center, which is the first first year. on Shamal road, yesterday in the presence of Minister of Public Health H in an exhibition. of its kind in the Arab region in THE PENINSULA E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani. THE PENINSULA DFI, QTA plan movie on Qatar with residents’ contribution ‘DariQatar’ aims at producing documentary based on videos from citizens and residents By Raynald C Rivera Change, Joyful Honesty, Harmony, Day, we embarked on a journey the-art cameras, and could cover Nature and Beauty. with all of our partners to find anything about the nation – from DOHA: Doha Film Insti- A team of professionals and Qatar’s voice. Last month the cul- picturesque views to every-day tute (DFI) and Qatar Tour- filmmakers will be commissioned mination of these efforts came to moments of daily life. ism Authority (QTA) yesterday to develop a storyline from the the fore with the launch of Qatar Those who want to submit announced #DariQatar — a new footage and shape and edit the Destination Brand. It reflects our can read tips on filmmaking and initiative aimed at creating a fea- film, the final cut of which will nation’s persona, goals, actions submission details on www.doha- ture-length documentary based be screened in late 2016, said Al and dreams as defined by its filminstitute.com where they can on video contributions from citi- Rumaihi. people,” said QTA Director of upload the video. Deadline for zens and residents. #DariQatar(‘My Home Qatar’ International Cooperation Saif submission is September 30 next “With the participation of citi- in Arabic) is not a competition but Al Kuwari. year. “In the coming weeks we will zens and residents of Qatar, we a chance for everybody to express The film, Al Kuwari said, would be speaking directly to the pub- will create a cinematic tribute how they feel living in Qatar with reflect the true image of Qatar lic, through social media, televi- to the nation in a feature length their family and friends and tell abroad as it would be made out sion and radio on the criteria and documentary created from foot- the story of Qatar through their of the footage submitted by people other details,” said Al Rumaihi. age where the people of Qatar will eyes, stressed Al Rumaihi. themselves. The initiative is presented by be the heroes and directors,” said Although this is the first of its “There are many wrong stere- DFI and QTA with the support DFI CEO Fatma Al Remaihi at kind project to be undertaken in otypes of the country and his of Occidental Petroleum Corpora- a press conference yesterday at the country, this is not the first movie will be made to reflect tion, The Pearl Qatar and United Fatma Al Remaihi (right), Chief Executive Officer at the Doha Film Institute Katara. time QTA has involved all the what’s really going on in Qatar,” Development Company. and Saif Al Kuwari, Director of International Cooperation at Qatar Tourism The submissions will fall people in its tourism efforts. he added. The video may be shot Authority during the press briefing for DariQatar in Katara yesterday. under six themes namely Family, “Two years ago on National on mobile phones or state-of- THE PENINSULA KAMMUTTY V P MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar, Morocco ink education cooperation protocol

Ooredoo Self-Service DOHA: The Supreme Education Council (SEC) and Morocco’s Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training have signed a cooperation protocol in Machines now sell SIMs the field of attracting Moroccan educational frameworks to teach in Qatar. Multiple services available through QID scannning The Protocol was signed by Minister of Education and Higher DOHA: Ooredoo has announced Education, and Secretary General its new generation of Self-Service of the Supreme Education Coun- Machines (SSMs) are now able to cil H E Mohammed bin Abdul sell pre-paid SIM cards and are Wahid Al Hammadi and Ambas- enabled to do QID scanning. sador of Morocco to Qatar Al The SSMs, which are part of Makki Kwan. Minister of Education and Higher Education H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Ooredoo’s ongoing customer Talks during the meeting Wahid Al Hammadi and Morocco Envoy Al Makki Kwan signing the protocol. convenience initiative, have been focused on aspects of joint coop- launched across selected loca- eration between the two countries comes as part of the implemen- ing and upgrading their existing tions in Qatar and are designed in educational fields and ways of tation of the cultural and artistic cooperation in the educational to redefine Ooredoo’s self-service enhancing them. agreement between the two coun- field. customer experience by allowing The signing of this protocol tries, strengthening, document- QNA customers to access and perform a host of features normally only available via an Ooredoo Shop. The state-of-the-art Self- Service Machines, which are currently available at Hamad RAF sends winter materials for Syrian refugees International Airport, Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, DOHA: Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Foundation for Ezdan Mall and the Ooredoo Humanitarian Services (RAF) has begun sending Airport RoadShop, now enable winter clothing and other materials like blankets all residents across Qatar to and school satchels worth QR3m for Syrian refugees instantly register and purchase based in Jordan and Lebanon. preloaded Hala SIM cards. RAF has signed a contract with an international This is the latest in a series of company to produce 20,000 blankets (each weighing significant upgrades on Ooredoo’s 2.5kg), 80,000 pieces of warm clothing (jackets for network of SSM’s as the company ladies, gents and children) and 20,000 school bags continue to offer more options for (of small and big sizes), said a RAF release. customers to keep up-to-date The initiative is part of a relief drive titled “warm win- with their daily services. ter” launched by the RAF in collaboration with Qatar Yousuf Al Kubaisi, Chief Oper- Ooredoo Self-Service Machine that sells pre-paid SIM cards. Airways at a cost of QR3m ($795,300) which has been ating Officer, Ooredoo Qatar, said: collected through donations from people in Qatar. The “These new and innovative Self- our services are as accessible and Service machines customers can initiative aims to protect Syrian refugees from the harsh Service Machines are designed to easy to use as possible.” also pay Ooredoo Shahry and winter. The manufacturing company has completed the Relief materials from RAF being taken to Jordan and improve our customer experience More Self Service Machines Kahramaa bills, top-up Hala production. The stocks are now being carried to Amman Lebanon for distribution among Syrian refugees. and satisfaction, as they are avail- will be introduced shortly at accounts, purchase vouchers for and Beirut. All materials are expected to be delivered able 24/7. strategic spots around Qatar an incredible range of shopping for distribution to the beneficiaries by early January, Syrian people who have been displaced inside the With features such as passport including the Abu Samra Bor- and dining experiences for popu- 2016. The distribution to the refugees will be organised country as also for the refugees who have taken scanning and e-signature we are der. lar brands in Qatar. in collaboration with the local charity organisations in shelter in neighbouring counties in makeshift making sure Ooredoo stays ahead In addition to registering for both the countries, Lebanon and Jordan. camps. of the competition and ensuring services via the Ooredoo Self- THE PENINSULA RAF has launched several relief drives for the THE PENINSULA

Injaz student teams perform in Oman Texas A&M honours long-time educator and researcher DOHA: Some of the world’s foremost experts in ther- mophysical properties and thermodynamics gathered yesterday at Texas A&M University at Qatar to cel- ebrate the 49-year career of Dr Kenneth “Ken” R Hall (pictured), a giant in the field who will retire from Texas A&M on 1st January. The day-long conference featured 13 speakers from prestigious institutions around the world, including the Georgia Institute of Technology, the U.S. National Insti- Injaz Qatar student teams competed with 14 other regional teams during the 9th Annual Arab Entrepreneurs’ tute of Standards and Technology, Dow Chemical Co., the competition in Oman. Qatar University women team presented ‘Qaho’ a company specialising in high-tech University of California, Berkeley, and Qatar University, tracking systems that seeks to save individuals’ efforts in searching for lost items, while the team from Al as well as universities in Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Ger- Resala Independent School for Girls presented ‘Save Your Self’ a fire-resistant jacket with a hat and gloves many and Finland. attached. Ooredoo sponsored the students’ trip to Oman while Qatar Business Incubation Center gave “This celebration is a genuine and deeply appreciated business support to the team from Qatar University. honor for me,” Hall said. “I am proud to have had the opportunity to call each of these speakers my friend pro- fessionally and personally, and I sincerely thank those who made presentations at this event.” In welcoming the symposium speakers and attendees, Dr Mark H Weichold, dean and CEO of Texas A&M at Qatar, described Hall as a pioneer, a teacher, a mentor and a friend, and spoke of Hall’s commitment, integrity, loyalty and service. “Texas A&M has been very fortunate to have somebody of his stature here at the branch campus in Qatar,” Wei- chold said. “He and I were part of the group that came to Doha on that very first visit, so his roots in Texas A&M at Qatar go back to the very first days. It’s really been valuable to me to have him here with all of his experience, but especially with his knowledge of how we came to be here as a branch campus. THE PENINSULA IAID winter workshop for kids DOHA: IAID, the biggest Performing Arts Academy in Qatar, is set to bring 14th Winter Workshop that will captivate and engage participants starting 3 years and above with fun courses that warms up the season. There is a wide selection of creative courses to choose from dance, music, arts and fitness. With a team of certi- fied and professional instructors the Workshop will help participants discover the best in them in a supportive environment through fun and exciting activities. The Dance department offers a wide and varied selec- tion of high energy courses such as Hip Hop for kids, Jazz Dance, Bollywood Mania, Classical Ballet for kids and many more. Enthusiasts will get pleasure from learning flexible dance moves and routines that will enhance body coordination and flexibility. Alongside, the Music department will excite up the winter season with courses such as Intro to Acoustic Guitar, Keyboard and Piano Ensemble, Little Voices, and more. Aspirant young musicians will soon find that learn- ing chords, notations, sight and rhythm reading, is an easy task after all and playing familiar musical pieces will soon be a natural activity. Reserve a slot now and avail of great discounts and packages. The Academy is open for inquiries and registration from 9am to 9pm (Sat to Thu) 3pm to 7pm (Friday). Participants can call 44320974/ 44411234 or email [email protected] for more details. Visit www.iaid.qa and like us on facebook/ iaid education. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Qatar University QNRF supports over Woqod opens new fuel wins second place DOHA: Qatar University (QU) won second place in the “Most 30 research projects Civically-Engaged University Campus” competition which was station in Al Rayyan held recently in Egypt. on Photonics The competition was organised by Ma’an Arab University Alli- By Jinu Jacob as much on photonics as the 20th Plans to start three new centres for vehicle inspection ance for Civic Engagement. century depended on electronics,” The QU team competed against DOHA: Qatar National Research he added. DOHA: Qatar Fuel (Woqod) four university teams from the Fund (QNRF) has granted PHOTONICS — Middle East opened its 30th fuel station in Al Middle East and North Africa $3m for the National Priori- Conference 2015 is organised to Rayyan area yesterday. Woqod (Mena). Representing QU were ties Research Program (NPRP) mark the International year of CEO Eng Ibrahim Jaham Al focal point for Civic Engagement -Exception Project on the devel- Light and Light-based Technolo- Kuwari opened the facility in the and Director of the Core Curricu- opment of novel exitonic materials gies proclaimed by the United presence of senior Woqod officials lum Program (CCP) and Foun- for solar energy applications, Dr Nations General Assembly in its and representatives from Qatar’s dation Program (FP) Dr Maha Abdul Sattar Al Taie, Executive 68th Session back in December business community. Al Hendawi, College of Phar- Director of QNRF, said yesterday. 2013, which started at the begin- The new service station built macy (CPH) associate dean for He was addressing the PHOT- ning of this year. This is the first at a cost of QR20m is spread over Academic Affairs Dr Mohammad ONICS - Middle East Conference conferences to be held in Qatar an area of 6,000 sqm and has six Issam Diab, CCP curriculum & 2015 which opened yesterday at in photonics. It’s a three-day fuel lanes that will serve the instruction coordinator Dr Abdel- Texas A&M University. event which includes lectures neighbourhoods of New Rayyan, hamid Ahmed, Student Affairs “Qatar’s aim is to realise the and poster presentations that will Rayyan, Wajba, adjoining Ghar- Department community service goals of its ‘Vision 2030’, a strat- continue till tomorrow. rafa area and the Qatar Founda- specialist Majd Al Shibli and CPH egy designed to transform the Featured speakers include Prof tion community. student Nurhan El Shafey. country’s economy from a hydro- W Ketterle, the winner of the The facility will offer round- Their presentation showcased carbon to a knowledge-based Nobel Prize in Physics in 2001; the-clock services including Sidra the wide range of academic and economy. QNRF has supported John D MacArthur, Professor convenience store, Kenar shops extracurricular activities on more than 30 research projects in of Physics at MIT (USA); Prof J and sale of LPG cylinders. and off campus with regard to the field of Photonics addressing M Dudley, past president of the “Opening of the new station Qatar Fuel (Woqod) CEO Eng Ibrahim Jaham Al Kuwari with other officials civic engagement, such as the either basic or applied objectives. European Physical Society and reflects our ambitious plans to after the opening of the fuel station in Al Rayyan area, yesterday. service learning component in “Photonics is not only about Prof P Russell, president of the expand our network and acces- the “UNIV 100 course” — a core physics and basic sciences, but it Optical Society of America. sibility within Qatar, to cater to Bin Derham, Al Lagthafiya, Al total number of service stations curriculum course for first-year is an interdisciplinary research, As a side event to this, Qatar the growing needs from the local Wakra, Wajba, Al Thakhira and operated by the company to 100 students -Al Bairaq Project, Dia- as it crosscuts many fields of sci- University is organising ‘Ibn Al market and ensure that high Lijimiliya service stations. by 2020 given the availability of betes Awareness Week, Breast ences and technology through Haytham Days’ on tomorrow and quality products and services are Woqod plans to have three new land from the authorities. Other Cancer Awareness outreach a variety of applications. Phot- Wednesday at the Hamad Bin available to all our customers centres for vehicle inspection projects that are currently under activities, and many others. They onics underpins technologies of Khalifa University Student Cen- at their convenience across the (Fahes) at Sheehaniya, Al Wukair construction or tendering stages also presented a short video on daily life from smart phones to tre which is open to all teachers country.” and Al Khor by early next year, and will be opened in 2016. community service activities. laptops to the Internet to medical and students. This is the seventh fuel station said a statement. instruments to lighting technol- opened by Woqod this year after Woqod plans to increase the THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA ogy. The 21st century will depend THE PENINSULA

WISH 2016 forum to address universal healthcare challenges DOHA: The World Innovation December 12. The day is designed Behavioural Insights, Cardiovas- neering role as an emerging center San Francisco (UCSF), will chair financial protection value of UHC. Summit for Health (WISH), a to urge countries to provide cular Disease, Healthy Popula- for healthcare innovation while the forum. The research will build This Forum is a natural follow-on global initiative of Qatar Foun- affordable, quality healthcare to tions, and Precision Medicine, and also unlocking human potential. on the landmark ‘Global Health to the 2015 Forum on UHC,” Forum dation (QF), announced yesterday every person, worldwide. will be chaired by internationally At the 2016 Summit, WISH 2035’ report by the Lancet Com- Chair Prof Jamison said. The new plans to make a powerful case for The Summit will feature six renowned experts. will present groundbreaking, evi- mission on Investing in Health. research ties in directly with the the economic benefits of invest- groundbreaking research forums WISH brings together thou- dence-based research during the “The WISH economic ben- discussion started at the WISH ing in health with a new WISH that highlight and address some of sands of high-level policymak- ‘Economic Benefits of Investing efits Forum for 2016 provides a 2015Universal Health Coverage Research Forum during its 2016 the world’s most pressing health- ers, academics, and professionals, in Health’ Forum that will show first ever effort to integrate the Forum, which helped guide policy- conference. It will be held on care challenges. In addition to the and has evolved into a significant the impact of improved health 3 key dimensions of health’s eco- makers on national health invest- November 29 and 30 in Doha. Economic Benefits of Investing in platform for the dissemination of on personal and national income. nomic input — the contribution of ments and pathways to achieving WISH made the announcement Health, the forums will generate healthcare innovation and best Dean Jamison, an Emeritus Pro- improved health to personal and universal health coverage. in support of Universal Health interdisciplinary, evidence-based practices. It is aligned with QF’s fessor in Global Health Sciences national income, the intrinsic value Coverage Day(UHC) marked on reports on topics including Autism, mission to reinforce Qatar’s pio- at The University of California, of health improvements and the THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME / GULF

Ministry recalls Darb El Saai gives tips for consumers Dodge Ram pickup 2012-2014 models Consumer awareness campaign at Ministry of Economy and Commerce tents DOHA: Ministry of Economy and Commerce announces DOHA: Making a list before istry are giving to people at the to the public on December 8. The recall of Dodge Ram pickup going shopping can help restrain Ministry’s tent at Darb El Saai Ministry has divided its tent into 2012–2014 models due to pos- compulsive buying and encourage as part of a consumer aware- three parts—one is dedicated to sible defect on steering wheel household spending discipline, ness campaign. Darb El Saai, commerce, the other to economy, wire harness. says the Ministry of Economy in Al Sadd, is the venue of offi- while the third one is for consumer The Ministry of Economy and Commerce. cial National Day celebrations affairs. And this is the part of the and Commerce, in collaboration This is a key tip consumer and has been attracting huge tent which has been attracting with United Cars Almana, dealer behaviour experts from the Min- crowds since it opened its doors people literally in hordes due to the of Dodge vehicles in Qatar, has ongoing consumer awareness announced the recall of Dodge campaign. Ram pickup models of 2012-2014 The tent is operating in due to a possible defect on the two shifts—morning and steering wheel wire harness. evening. Events at Darb The Ministry said the recall El Saai will conclude on campaign comes within the December 20. The Minis- One of the tents set up by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce. framework of its ongoing try’s consumer awareness efforts to protect consumers campaign aims to make consumers aware of their rights and expenditure and restrain and ensure that car dealers fol- people familiar with their and duties. oneself from compulsive shopping. low up on vehicle defects and rights and duties as con- “The consumer has the right The consumer also needs to be repair them. sumers and urge them to to get a good quality product or cautious about promotions and The Ministry said that it will shop responsibly. service,” said the Ministry. It is advertisements promoting vari- coordinate with the dealer to fol- “Read the specifications important that the consumer’s ous products and services. low up on the maintenance and of a product and be sure safety and security are not risked. Exchanging a product is also repair works and will commu- about its quality and also Also, he has the right to live in one of the rights of a consumer, nicate with customers to ensure whether the price is com- a healthy physical environment said the Ministry release, add- that the necessary repairs are patible with quality and which good quality products and ing that the most effective way carried out. then decide to buy it,” say services can guarantee. to make sure that one doesn’t The Ministry has urged all cus- the Ministry’s experts. Consumers also have the right indulge in wasteful shopping is tomers to report any violations According to a press to get compensation if they are to make a list in advance of what to its Consumer Protection and statement issued by the cheated and given poor quality is to be bought. Anti-Commercial Fraud Depart- Ministry, the other objec- products and services. ment. tive of the drive is to make One must balance one’s income THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Bedaya holds Food Business Forum

DOHA: Food business experts in the “We offer the best opportunity for country participated in a Food Business entrepreneurs by highlighting the Forum organised recently by Bedaya importance of food businesses, and also Center for Entrepreneurship and by identifying successful experiences Career Development (Bedaya Center). in this field. This will open the doors Sahar Nasr from the Social Devel- for many others who are interested opment Center focused on food in entering this sector. The forum industry’s legal aspects, while Idriss has been aimed at supporting entre- Bouziani from Elevation Burger gave preneurs to boost their business and Warda Ibrahim receiving QR5,000 award. tips for identifying and selecting the give them a chance to comprehend the best franchise opportunities. Ghanem latest innovations related to the food a catering business for companies and private custom- Al Sulaiti discussed new trends in the industry,” said Al Suwaidi. ers. The jury comprised professionals and social media hospitality industry while Ramzan Al A cooking competition was held to influencers, including Muhammad Najem, Head chef at Nuaimi touched on the importance of choose the best semi-professional cooks Aspetar; Abdalla Salameh, Manager of the Hospitality branding and corporate identities. of 2015. The first prize of QR5,000 was Department at Al Shaya; and Abdulrahman Al Har- Reem Al Suwaidi, General Manager awarded to Warda Ibrahim for her mouzi, a well-known figure in restaurants’ assessments. of Bedaya Center, said that food indus- Tuna Quesadillas with avocado and try in Qatar is growing rapidly. mango sauce. Warda runs La Fuschia, THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 HOME / GULF / MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Katara events for National Day No Russia holidays for Truce likely as Turkey army personnel

ISTANBUL: The Turkish army has banned personnel from taking holidays in Russia, with which Ankara is Yemen rivals embroiled in a bitter dispute over the shooting down of a Russian warplane, state-run media said yesterday. The prohibition, which applies to both personnel and military academy students, was described as a “pre- cautionary measure after the Russian warplane, which set to meet violated (Turkey’s) borders, was downed in accordance with the rules of engagement,” Anatolia news agency said. UN-brokered talks start tomorrow Army personnel are expected to behave in a way that is “worthy” of the Turkish military while on vacation, DUBAI: Yemeni government “Gulf Arab states have reached Anatolia added. Russia and Turkey have been plunged and rebel representatives meet a point where they are convinced in their worst crisis since the Cold War over Turkey’s in Switzerland tomorrow for it is about time a peaceful solution downing of a Russian warplane on the border with Syria UN-brokered peace talks, likely should be given a better chance” on November 24. Moscow has since then unleashed a to be accompanied by a ceasefire, to succeed, he told AFP. raft of sanctions against Ankara, including banning aimed at ending a deadly conflict The option of a political solu- imports of some Turkish foods, stopping the sale of exploited by jihadists. tion was highlighted Thursday in package holidays to the country and reintroducing visas More than a year after Iran- Riyadh during the annual summit Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti (right), General Manager of Katara (cultural village), and for Turkish visitors. backed Shia Houthi rebels swept of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdulrahman Al Tamimi, Head of the organising committee of Katara National Day AFP into Yemen’s capital Sana’a in the states. events, during a press conference at Katara yesterday. KAMMUTTY VP first sparks of civil war, none of Yemen’s conflict has pitted the fighting factions has emerged local forces backed by a Saudi- victorious. led coalition fighting in support And Arab states which inter- of Hadi’s government against the Kuwait court vened militarily in March to back Houthis who have allied with ren- President Abdrabuh Mansur egade troops still loyal to wealthy Children, school principal among Hadi’s government have found ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. upholds death for themselves drawn further into The Houthis and Saleh hail mosque bomber a quagmire in the deeply tribal from the Zaidi Shia community, dozens killed in Syria air strikes country, home to what the United which makes up 30 percent of States considers to be Al Qaeda’s Yemen’s mostly Sunni population KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s deadliest branch, experts say. but is the majority in the BEIRUT: Intense air and missile strikes on a school appeals court yesterday upheld Hopes are high that a renew- northern highlands, including district and other areas in insurgent-held Damascus the death penalty for the main able seven-day ceasefire could Sana’a province. Oman is the only suburbs killed dozens of people yesterday, includ- organiser of the bombing of a Shia begin on the eve of the new round GCC country not in the coalition. ing children, a monitoring group and local rescue mosque claimed by the Islamic of talks which will be open-ended The warring sides have agreed workers said. State group that killed 26 people. and held at an undisclosed loca- to sit at the same table despite The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said The court, however, reduced tion. mutual mistrust, mainly over unidentified war planes hit the town of Douma, 15km the death sentence handed out A truce is much needed in UN Security Council Resolution northeast of the capital, and surface-to-surface mis- to the alleged leader of IS in the Arabian Peninsula’s poorest 2216 which calls for rebels to siles fired by the Syrian army also hit the surround- Kuwait, Fahad Farraj Muhareb, nation where an estimated 80 withdraw from key cities and ing areas, including Eastern Ghouta. to 15 years in prison. A lower percent of the population of 26 surrender their weapons. The The strikes killed at least two children and a court in September issued the million needs aid. resolution is a mainstay of the school principal, it said. death penalty to Muhareb and The United Nations says more position of the government and Syrian Civil Defence, a humanitarian rescue group Abdulrahman Sabah Saud, who than 5,800 people have been killed its Gulf backers. that operates in rebel-held areas, put the death toll drove the suicide bomber to the in Yemen, about half of them “It is difficult to see the Houthis at 35 and said many others were wounded. It posted mosque site on June 26. It also civilians, and more than 27,000 implement this resolution as this a photo of a dead baby with a severe wound to its handed out jail terms of between wounded since March. would signal an acknowledgement head. Issam Al Rayyes, spokesman for the Southern two and 15 years to eight others, Previous UN efforts have failed of their defeat,” said Badrkhan. Front of the insurgent Free Syrian Army, said as including five women, and acquit- to narrow differences between the According to UN envoy to many as 60 people had been killed in strikes on the A Syrian man carries a baby wrapped in a blanket ted 14 others. In yesterday’s rul- factions, and past ceasefires have Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Douma area which started early yesterday. following air strikes on the town of Douma yesterday. ing, the appeals court acquitted failed to hold. Ahmed, talks will focus on four Many of Douma’s residents have fled the nearly one of the five women. There was But this time “there is a real main areas, including the terms five-year conflict, moving to nearby rural areas. bardment in recent months. The Syrian army has tight security for the hearing, chance for a breakthrough”, said of a permanent ceasefire and the Syria’s civil war, which began as an uprising against said its strikes target insurgents that have launched with armoured vehicles outside Emirati analyst Abdulkhaleq withdrawal of armed groups from President Bashar Al Assad, has killed more than attacks on government-held areas. the court complex and helicopters Abdulla, who believes “there will areas they control. 250,000 people and driven more than 10 million from patrolling overhead. be concessions from both sides”. AFP their homes. The areas have been under heavy bom- REUTERS AFP MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com GULF / MIDDLE EAST Italy, US push Libya rebel Protest for getting soldier freed factions to sign peace deal Kerry attends Rome talks; final signing to take place in Morocco

ROME: Italy and the United States cal factions to urge them to reunite their efit of unifying the negotiation process hosted talks yesterday to press Libya’s country. and has the support of the regional pow- divided political factions to quickly sign “We have to demonstrate that the ers supporting rival factions in Libya’s up to a United Nations-backed peace action of governments and diplomacy conflicts. agreement. can be faster and more effective than For these reasons, US and Italian offi- Western capitals fear that unless the threat of terrorism which we face cials believe it is time to end the division Libya forms a united government on here,” Gentiloni said last week. of Libya between two rival governments Wednesday the Islamic State group will “We cannot allow it to develop and and a patchwork of warring factions. strengthen its grip on their new coastal we have to back our ability to stop it But critics of the process warn that territory. with a negotiated approach involving the forcing Libyans into a foreign-mediated And, without a recognised central Libyan parties,” he said, at a regional process could strengthen existing resist- authority and amid ongoing faction- security conference. ance to the pact and undermine future fighting, Libya could once again become After Libyan political representatives peace efforts. a major source of refugees and migrants had agreed to sign a version of the UN- Former Italian foreign minister Emma headed for Europe. mediated deal on Wednesday, he said, Bonino and the head of International Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni wel- the Rome talks are supposed to show Crisis Group Jean-Marie Guehenno comed Secretary of State John Kerry, international solidarity. called the rush towards a Wednesday UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler and 18 A senior US official told reporters signing “an irresponsible bet.” European and Arab ministers to the for- travelling with Kerry that the meeting Writing in Politico, the pair said it is eign ministry in Rome. would “provide framing and momentum “wishful thinking” to believe a majority After the international talks in the for the signing ceremony” to take place of Libyans will back a foreign-backed Wife (right) and relatives of Lebanese soldier Seif Thebian, who is still held by the Islamic morning, the envoys were to meet with in Morocco. sole national authority. State (IS), carry his pictures during a sit-in in front of the government palace in Beirut, representatives of Libya’s divided politi- The United Nations deal has the ben- AFP Lebanon, yesterday. Trump’s name back at Dubai golf complex

DUBAI: A Dubai real estate by DAMAC Properties, were firm has restored Donald removed on Thursday, accord- Trump’s name on a $6bn golf ing to a Reuters photographer. complex it is building with the Two days later they had been US businessman and presiden- restored. DAMAC declined to tial hopeful, days after taking it comment yesterday on the down following his proposal to brief removal. Trump’s com- ban Muslims from entering the ments provoked a backlash in United States. the Gulf, where he has said he Trump prompted an uproar would like to expand business, when he made his comments in and one of the region’s biggest response to deadly shootings in retail groups, Landmark, said it California by two Muslims who was pulling Trump merchandise authorities said were radical- off its shelves. Saudi billionaire ised. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who Gold letters spelling out bought an 85 metre luxury yacht “Trump International Golf from Trump in 1991, called him Club,” affixed to a landscaped a disgrace to all America. The reinstated letters of Trump’s name at the Trump International Golf stone wall at the entrance to Club portion at the AKOYA by DAMAC development in Dubai. the golf complex being built REUTERS

Russian ship shoots to keep Turkish boat away

MOSCOW: A Russian destroyer in the Aegean Sea yesterday used small arms fire to prevent a col- lision with a Turkish ves- sel, Moscow said, adding it had summoned Ankara’s military attache over the incident. “The crew of the Rus- sian patrol ship Smetlivy which was located 22 kilo- metres from the Greek island of Lemnos in the northern part of the Aegean Sea avoided colli- sion with a Turkish seiner,” the Defence Ministry said, adding that the crew had fired small arms to warn the boat. At 0603 GMT the Rus- sian warship, which was at anchor, spotted a Turk- ish fishing boat some 1,000 metres away, the Defence Ministry said, adding the boat had been approaching it from the right. “Despite numerous attempts by the Smetlivy, the crew of the Turkish seiner would not engage in radio contact and did not respond to special vis- ual signals,” the ministry added. Moscow said the crew had to fire small arms in the direction of the boat at “a guaranteed surviva- bility distance” when there were some 600 metres between the two vessels “to prevent the collision of the ships.” “Immediately after that the Turkish vessel drastically changed course and continued its move- ment past the Smetlivy at the distance of 540 metres without engaging in con- tact with the Russian crew,” the ministry said. Deputy defence minis- ter Anatoly Antonov sum- moned a Turkish military attache, it added. AFP MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 ASIA / PAKISTAN / AFRICA www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

Philippines 24 killed in Pakistan braces for typhoon Melor

MANILA: The national disaster market bombing agency yesterday ordered a pre- emptive evacuation in coastal, low-lying and mountainous areas Sectarian group links attack to Shias fighting in Syria in the central Philippines as a category 2 typhoon approached PARACHINAR: A blast killed reported that a Shia unit of day’s blast targeted crowds at a areas hit by the destructive 24 people and injured 70 in the Pakistani fighters known as the market. typhoon Haiyan two years ago. northwestern Pakistani city of Zeinabiyoun were joining the war “The death toll has reached 24 With winds of up to 140 kph, Parachinar yesterday, officials against Islamic State in Syria. and 70 are wounded,” said Amjad typhoon Melor, known locally as said, and a banned Sunni Islam- Many come from Parachinar, Ali Khan, the political head of Nona, is now about 440km to the ist group claimed responsibility which has a large Shia population. Kurram Agency. Parachinar is east of Northern Samar province, for the attack. Regional sources said there the capital of Kurram. People shift injured victims from the scene of a bomb blast in Kurram tribal moving west and due to make “This is revenge for the kill- were hundreds of Pakistanis fight- “Some of the injured are in region, near the Afghan border in Pakistan, yesterday. landfall tonight. ing of Muslims by the Syrian ing in Syria. critical condition,” said Shafiq Alexander Pama, executive president and Iran,” said Ali bin The explicit linkage of the Paki- Hussain, a health worker at the bringing tea from a nearby stall which received widespread con- director of the National Disaster Sufyan, spokesman for Lashkar- stan bombing to the war in Syria Agency Headquarters Hospital when the blast went off. demnation from political leaders Risk Reduction and Management e-Jhangvi (LeJ), an Islamist group will alarm Pakistani officials, who Parachinar. “The explosion was huge, it across the country. Council, said he had advised local whose sectarian ideology is closely are keen to play down reports that Local television footage showed threw me back five feet and “Our resolve to eradicate the emergency teams to take precau- aligned with Islamic State. Islamic State is seeking to estab- hundreds of male marketgoers human flesh and blood hit my face menace of terrorism is getting tionary measures and initiate a “We warn the Shia parents that lish a foothold in their country. fleeing the area, which was strewn and body, I was covered all over,” stronger and stronger with the preemptive evacuation in coastal, if they don’t stop their children The Kurram tribal district with clothing and debris from the he said in Lady Reading Hospi- loss of innocent lives and sacrifices low-lying and mountain slopes. from participating in the war of where the attack took place bomb as police tried to cordon tal Peshawar, where he was being of the officials of Pakistan Army “We will possibly raise a public Bashar Al Assad, they would face is known for sectarian clashes off the location and ambulances treated for shrapnel wounds. and law enforcement agencies,” storm alert in the capital Manila more attacks like this,” Sufiyan between Sunnis and Shias. rushed to the site. Prime Minister Muhammad the statement said. and suspend sea travel and fish- said in a message to the media. Parachinar local government Sajjad Hussain, 43, who owns a Nawaz Sharif’s office issued a ing due to storm surge and up Earlier this week, it was official Riaz Hussain said yester- shop at the market, said he was statement condemning the blast, AGENCIES to four-metre-high waves at the open sea,” he said. Pama said typhoon Melor may bring torrential rains within a 300km diameter and may cause flooding and landslides in the Burundi death Samar and Leyte islands and in the Bicol region at the south- Two dead as violence mars CAR vote toll nearly 90 eastern tip of the main island of BANGUI: Two people were around a PK5 school where voters on December 27 to end more a wave of violence with “anti- Luzon. killed yesterday as heavy weap- were waiting to cast their votes, than two years of conflict between balaka” militias. NAIROBI: Nearly 90 people were AccuWeather, a weather infor- ons fire and clashes in the Mus- prompting UN peacekeepers to Muslim and Christian militias. General Balla Keita, chief killed during Friday’s clashes in mation provider, said Melor would lim district of Bangui, the Central move in to protect residents. Some factions of the mainly of the UN peacekeeping force the Burundian capital, the army further intensify into a category 3 African Republic capital, marred The proposed constitution Muslim Seleka force had threat- MINUSCA, vowed to protect has said. storm, dumping 300 mm of rain, a constitutional referendum would limit presidential tenures ened to block the vote, as had voters. “They (PK5 residents) Blasts and gunfire echoed before weakening to a tropical aimed at ending years of sectar- to two terms, fight institutional some “anti-balaka” Christian and will be able to vote, they will vote around Bujumbura for most of depression and exiting the Phil- ian strife. corruption and crimp the power animist militia supporters. until nightfall if need be,” Keita Friday and residents said officials ippines on Friday. The bodies of two people were of armed militias, blamed for Among the latter were back- pledged. spent the day collecting bullet- Herminio Coloma, a spokesman lying in a mosque in Bangui’s PK5 years of chaos and terror. ers of ousted president Francois Voting in other parts of Bangui riddled bodies from city streets. for President Benigno Aquino, Muslim district, while a hospi- If adopted, it would usher in the Bozize, whose candidacy for the got under way, albeit a couple of Army spokesman Gaspard said the government was pre- tal source said 20 others were sixth republic since independence presidential election was rejected hours late, because staff and vot- Baratuza said on Saturday gun- paring an evacuation plan to wounded there, in clashes pitting from France in 1960 and mark its by the constitutional court. ing material were late to arrive. men had attacked three military avoid loss of life, moving people supporters against opponents of 13th political regime — underlin- The Central African Repub- In other parts of the coun- sites in Bujumbura, kindling a day to higher and safer grounds. the referendum seen as key to a ing the chronic instability under- lic plunged into its worst crisis try, several incidents were also of clashes. He said 79 attackers Typhoon Melor will pass return of normalcy in the divided mining the country. since independence after long- reported, said an unnamed source were killed and 45 captured. Four through the area near where nation. The vote was seen as a test run time Christian leader Bozize was in MINUSCA. police officers and four soldiers Haiyan struck in November 2013. Fire from heavy machine- for presidential and parliamen- ousted by rebels from the Seleka also died. guns and rocket launchers raged tary elections due to take place force in March 2013, triggering AFP REUTERS REUTERS

Nanjing massacre Suu Kyi’s party ‘cleaning up’ Myanmar KAWHMU: Aung San Suu Kyi took to the streets of Myanmar yesterday to pick up rubbish, a rare public appearance since her election triumph in a move aimed at highlighting her party’s com- mitment to public service. Garbage is a huge problem in Myanmar, which lacks regular trash collection and proper land- fill sites. Suu Kyi has seized on the issue to hammer home the NLD’s An elderly man cries as people gather in front of the Nanjing Massacre drive to serve the people. Memorial Hall on the second annual national day of remembrance to The 70-year-old led a team of commemorate the 78th anniversary of the massacre, in Nanjing yester- party members and volunteers day. China says 300,000 people died in a six-week spree of killing, rape through her constituency of and destruction from December 13, 1937 after the Japanese military Kawhmu township on the out- skirts of Yangon picking up trash. entered Nanjing. Clutching a large white garbage bag and wearing protective gloves, Suu Kyi rummaged through the dirt to pick up tangles of old plas- tic bags and other debris. Afghan forces battle She did not speak to reporters, except to tell them to stop taking photographs and start picking up to hold off Taliban in litter. AFP Helmand district

LASHKAR GAH: Afghan forces dahar and the capital Kabul are battling to hold Marjah dis- last week underlined the Islam- Shias killed in trict centre in the volatile south- ist movement’s ability to strike ern province of Helmand that high-profile targets and heaped Nigeria clash Taliban insurgents have cut off pressure on the government of as part of a months-long cam- President Ashraf Ghani. But its KADUNA: Nigerian troops shot paign in which they have taken steady advances in Helmand pose dead seven members of a Shia three districts and threatened the a potentially more serious threat Muslim sect on Saturday when regional capital. to the US-backed government. they tried to block the passage of a Helmand police chief Abdul In a campaign with distinct convoy carrying the army chief of Rahman Sarjang said yesterday echoes of the build-up to Sep- staff in the northern city of Zaria, security forces were holding on tember’s attack on the northern the sect’s spokesman said, and in the governor’s compound and city of Kunduz, their biggest suc- clashes continued into yesterday. police and army headquarters but cess in the 15-year war, Taliban Army chief Lieutenant Colo- that surrounding areas were all in forces have picked off a series of nel Tukur Buratai was passing the hands of the insurgents. districts around the provincial through Zaria, in the state of “Afghan police and army have a capital Lashkar Gah. Kaduna, when members of the presence in Marjah district cen- Over recent weeks, insurgents Muslim sect were conducting their tre and the rest is controlled by have taken the districts of Musa annual Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatul- Taliban,” Sarjang said. Qal’ah and Now Zad in the north lah “Changing of Flags” ritual. Helmand, an arid, semi-desert of the province as well as Kha- An army spokesman, Colonel region and major centre of opium nishin, a significant drug smug- Sani Usman, accused the Shias of cultivation, has long been one of gling hub, to the south as they trying to assassinate Buratai and the Taliban’s heartlands and they have tightened their grip on the said that soldiers were forced to have put increasing pressure on province. shoot in defence when sect mem- security forces since the with- The fighting has been going on bers refused to move out of the drawal of international troops around Marjah for more than a convoy’s way and became violent. from combat last year. month. Major Taliban attacks in Kan- REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

ACTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI [email protected]

ACTING MANAGING EDITOR HUSSAIN AHMAD [email protected]

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

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

SUBSCRIPTION / HOME DELIVERY TEL: 44557809 /839 FAX: 44557819 E-MAIL: [email protected]

Editorial

Climate accord Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HERE are howls of celebration all over the world at the signing of the climate deal in Paris after prolonged and tortuous negotiations. On Saturday, the global Tclimate summit produced a landmark agreement that set the course for an historic transformation of the world’s Washington’s wishful fossil fuel-driven economy within decades in a bold bid to check global warming and to make this planet safer for future generations. The deal was agreed by 196 countries and marked the biggest ever meeting of heads of state and government, with thinking on Syria 150 turning up for the start. The main challenge in the fight against climate change is By Frederic C Hof stability; everyone should recognise put the transition of the government slashing or eliminating the use of coal, oil and gas for energy, the incompatibility of uniting Syrians in place, to mobilize the government which has largely powered prosperity since the Industrial resident Obama recently told against the Islamic State with a con- forces together with the opposition to Revolution. The burning of these fossil fuels releases invisible reporters in Manila that he tinuing political role for Assad. all go after (the Islamic State). That’s greenhouse gases, which cause the planet to warm and cannot “foresee a situation No doubt Syrians, Russians and Ira- the most effective way to go after them.” disrupt Earth’s delicate climate system causing floods, rise in which we can end the civil nians would be much better off, and the Lots of “ifs.” But does he really think war in Syria while Assad world a safer place, if the president’s he can convince Iran’s supreme leader in temperature and all the dangers these changes bring. The Premains in power.” But according to the “truths” were taken to heart by their that responsive government in Syria and alternative is a switch to cleaner sources such as solar and president, “it may take some months political leaders. Alas, these truths are a united front against the Islamic State wind energy, and improving energy efficiency. Some nations are for the Russians and the Iranians and not regarded by his adversaries — and, are more important than a reliable cli- pursuing nuclear power which does not emit greenhouse gases. frankly some members of the Syrian yes, they are his adversaries — as true. ent able and willing to do anything he is The Paris accord sets a target of limiting warming of the government and ruling elites within And even if they are objectively true, asked to support Hezbollah? Can he con- planet to “well below” 2.0 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) the regime to recognise the truths that they are not self-actualising. Yet this vince Russian President Vladimir Putin I just articulated.” Syrian President administration sometimes sees the that legitimate governance in Syria compared with the Industrial Revolution, while aiming for Bashar Assad himself told Italian state alpha and omega of foreign policy as and beating the Islamic State trump an even more ambitious goal of 1.5C. Though some countries television that the diplomatic proc- delivering the lecture and hoping the the prospect of humiliating the United and civil society groups had wanted stronger targets, there ess supposedly launched in Vienna to students get it. The approach is not States by preserving Assad? More power was overwhelming support for transition away from him is nonsense. new. Nearly 80 years ago some West- to him if he can. But how he will do the deal as it was a historic step. According to Syria’s barrel-bomber in ern leaders were beginning action-free it with no apparent leverage beyond a The success comes after a string chief, “nothing sentences with the words “Surely Herr smile and a shoeshine is a mystery. The world is can start before Hitler realises...” Assad and his family have no intention of failures, including the Kyoto defeating the Assad processes the fundamental of yielding. All of Kerry’s “ifs” hinge on celebrating protocol of 1997 that was rejected terrorists who truth of the matter differently from Assad doing things he continues to reject the signing by the US, and the Copenhagen occupy parts of Obama. He sees Syria as his personal categorically and contemptuously. Wash- summit of 2009 that ended in So much of Syria.” “Terror- patrimony and constantly reminds the ington will not force his hand. Kerry is of a climate scenes of chaos and bitterness. ist,” according to world he is going nowhere. As for his relying on Iran and Russia to implement Washington’s Assad, is anyone two enablers, it is not as if Moscow and the truth as Washington sees it. What made the current deal deal in Paris opposing him. Tehran are unaware of basic facts. They Kerry deserves a chance to try to pull possible was the determination of Syria policy has So much of know that Assad is the single greatest this off. But he also needs to keep faith that promises all world leaders, from US President rested on wishing Washington’s obstacle to a united Syrian front against with the Syrian people. It is easy for Barack Obama to Indian Prime Syria policy has the Islamic State. They know Assad’s Obama to pontificate about the months to make this Minister Narendra Modi, which and hoping that rested on wishing atrocities create recruits for the group. it may take for some truly bad actors came from a bitter realisation that and hoping that They do not care. Their respective inter- to see the truth about Assad and act planet safer others would others would rec- ests do not attach primacy to the defeat accordingly. The president bears no con- there is no alternative to a deal. ognise objective of the Islamic State in Syria. For their sequences as the faraway dispenser of for future The world is already witnessing the recognise truths and act own reasons, Iran and Russia wish, first cold, disinterested analysis. dangerous consequences of climate objective accordingly. The and foremost, to keep Assad in place. But in Syria-time, months mean generations. change, and it affects every country list goes back One finds it hard to fault the tireless, deaths: thousands of them. Months in the world because we inhabit the truths and act to 2011: Assad relentless and unsinkable John Kerry mean people slaughtered, maimed, same planet. should choose for trying to make something real of the stampeded, starved, tortured and accordingly. to be part of the wishful, almost plaintive emptiness of an raped by Assad’s people. Months mean Developing nations had insisted rich countries must take a solution rather approach that relies on Russia and Iran too many conscripted men dying far majority share of responsibility for tackling climate change as than the problem; to see the truth, acknowledge error and too young for the sake of defending a they emitted most of the greenhouse gases since the Industrial Assad should step sin no more. As Kerry, the Secretary of brutal, thieving family. Months mean Revolution. This had held up progress for a long time, and aside for the good of Syria; Assad should State, recently told France 2, “We have people in leaking, unstable boats, with finally developed countries agreed to collect at least $100bn a not use chemical weapons on his own Iran and Russia at the table for the first survivors disembarking to walk across people lest he cross a bright red line; time. If we can get the political track Europe. Months mean the Islamic State year from 2020 to help developing nations. Assad should read the words of the 2012 moving in the next weeks — not months, planning more foreign operations from Credit also goes to France for its astute diplomacy which Geneva Final Communique and prepare in the next weeks — if we can bring the inside Syria, not having to contend with made this deal possible. The UN chief Ban Ki-moon said the to pack; Moscow should realise its mili- opposition together with Assad’s nego- competent, capable and professional leaders were not well-prepared for the Copenhagen meeting, tary intervention in Syria will alienate tiating team, then we can have a cease- ground forces closing in on it under US and this time he and the French conducted extensive advance it from the Sunni Muslim world; Iran fire. We believe we are weeks away from command. work to get other leaders personally engaged should grasp the chance to become a the possibility of a cease-fire. And then . normal state and a force for regional we have the ability, if we can effectively THE WASHINGTON POST The other side Quote of Posers for trade unions the day RADE unions are usually a thorn Unfortunately, most trade unions distinction between rights and privileges people could decide on changing their on the side of any Government. first resort to the last resort of strikes, – the salary is a right but a car permit is Government - at a General Election. This is a truism that is universally demonstrations etc. first without going a privilege. There is no other way that a democrati- applicable. It is very hard to through a negotiations phase. We have Another obvious feature of most trade cally elected Government could be top- satisfy T trade unions because they seen plenty of such instances over the unions is that they are heavily politicized - pled against the wishes of the people Deliberations come up with new demands once an years. Governments as a whole are even those that are officially not affiliated prior to an election by any political or earlier set of demands are met by the rarely inconvenienced by such strikes to any particular political party. Thus they other force. It is in this context that we at COP21 & authorities. However, there is no denying – it is the public that has to suffer. For look at all issues facing the working class should appraise the Premier’s speech, Paris agreement the importance of the role they play in example, when the doctors stayed away from a purely political angle. Some trade where he stressed that a few demon- a healthy democracy – they point out from work last week over the vehicle unions even strive to go the extent of strations by politically motivated trade demonstrate the any shortcomings of the Government permit issue, it was the poor, innocent holding governments virtually to ransom unions would not deal a blow to the collective wisdom in power in relation to labour issues patients all over the island who suffered. over various issues. government elected by the people. It is and generally have a dialogue with the Ironically, these doctors had no qualms Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, not hard to imagine that most of these of world leaders to authorities on various issues affecting about working in private hospitals the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe machinations emanate from the Mahi- mitigate climate their membership and even issues very same day, attending to the needs alluded to this, saying strikes, pickets, nda Rajapaksa camp and other equally that have repercussions on the whole of more privileged patients. Most trade demonstrations and trade union actions desperate groups. change. Narendra Modi country. unions have also lost sight of the clear could not topple a government. Only the DAILY NEWS Indian Prime Minister MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 OPINION www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 A 21st-century Ellis Island emerges in Greece By Griff Witte

ith its aqua-blue waters, olive-tree-studded hills Separated from the Turkish coast by a and well-preserved ancient ruins, this mere five miles, the island allows refugees jewel in the Aegean WSea can hardly be compared to an island and migrants to arrive here after a journey built of landfill in the mouth of New York Harbour. of hours on flimsy rubber dinghies, Yet in a year of unparalleled migra- tion to Europe, Lesbos has been trans- compared with the weeks people spend on formed from a quietly sublime slice of paradise to a modern-day Ellis Island. giant steamships to reach Ellis Island. It’s the first port of call for a multiethnic, multinational tide of humanity seeking relief from war, persecution and poverty — the funnel through which thousands pass daily in search of a better life. old exulted as he ripped layers of packing the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR. “We In recent months, the extraordinary tape — a crude attempt at waterproofing need to use winter to get ready.” pace of landings here has rivalled the his- — from his cold, skinny legs. That process seems to be underway. toric peaks on the island that for decades But the culmination of Almasalmh’s The island’s two refugee camps have dou- formed the main gateway to the United journey from war-ravaged Syria to the bled in size in recent months, with hun- States and that is still known worldwide peaceful sanctuary of Europe was just dreds of plastic, Ikea-made housing units as a byword for immigration. another Wednesday on Lesbos. As vol- replacing the worn canvas tents that had But unlike Ellis Island, which was unteers tended to a woman shivering offered shade, but little else, through the developed by the US government specifi- uncontrollably from her hours at sea, a summer and fall. cally to process new arrivals, Lesbos’ role local couple walking their dog paused for The new units will soon be equipped has emerged largely by happenstance. a moment, then kept moving. Cars speed- with wood floors and gas heaters to help Migrants hold placards that read ‘we wont eat anything until the borders open’ as they The solutions to the crisis are a patch- ing to the nearby airport hardly braked. ward off the rain and the cold as tem- stage a protest in the premises of a former Olympic Stadium, in Athens, Greece, yesterday. work thrown together by aid organisa- peratures at night dip close to freezing. tions, volunteers and local authorities, Lesbos transforms Bulldozers, meanwhile, are clearing land 26-year-old Greek lifeguard who has been ports. Because of the continent’s visa- with comparatively little evidence of Evidence of Lesbos’ transformation is to make room for more, while plumbers volunteering on Lesbos. “But then I saw free Schengen zone, the Greek islands help from the Greek government or the everywhere. Buses that once ferried tour- install hot showers. there are infants on the boats. There are are effectively a border for all of Europe. European Union. “Who’s in charge?” said ists to quiet coves now zip through the “We don’t have a resort here. We don’t children on the boats. They’re not ter- “The aim is that everyone who arrives Lani Fortier, who leads the International island day and night, transporting asy- have a five-star hotel. But we’re trying,” rorists, as most locals think. They are here is thoroughly checked and reg- Rescue Committee’s efforts in Lesbos. lum seekers from remote landing spots to said Stavros Mirogiannis, the effusively people almost like us who were thrown istered. But we’re not there yet,” said “There’s no answer.” the central registration centre, a barbed- affectionate retired military officer who out of their country by their government Frontex spokeswoman Izabella Cooper. Despite recent improvements that wire-laden colossus set on a rocky hillside was hired by the mayor to run a camp and by ISIS. If that happened in Greece, “The Paris attacks have only underlined have calmed a situation once defined by amid grazing sheep. reserved for Syrian families. “I say to I’d want another country to help us out.” the need to ensure that we know who is chaos and squalor, the infrastructure Lifeguards accustomed to standing everyone who comes here, ‘Welcome to The government of Greece, beset by entering the EU” here for welcoming, screening and reg- watch over sunbathers now wade into Europe.’ All these people are our guests, profound financial woes, is actually doing Another EU initiative, meanwhile, is istering people on their way into Europe the chilly surf in wet suits to ensure no and we have to give them the best hos- relatively little compared with the scale off to a slow start in Lesbos. The island remains inadequate given expectations of one drowns as the heaving rubber boats pitality that we can.” of the problem. The European Union, too, is supposed to be a “hot spot” in which another surge in numbers come spring. motor onto shore. is hardly in evidence here, beyond the authorities sort those deemed eligible for Lesbos’ emergence as a global migra- In the shadow of a bronze Statue of Happy residents occasional visit from a passing dignitary. asylum from those who aren’t. tion centre, officials here say, was no Liberty look-alike — her torch held aloft, The fact that the camp is being man- The burden has instead fallen on local The plan is critical to the EU’s strategy short-term anomaly. her green gaze steady — thousands of aged at all is a relatively new develop- authorities, volunteers and a roll call of of reducing the number of people winding “This will continue for another two asylum seekers gather at the port clutch- ment; for months, it was an anarchic international aid organisations — many of their way through Europe. But there is or three years — at least,” said Marios ing tickets affording them passage on a sprawl of squalor that veteran interna- which have had to divert resources from no infrastructure here to return failed Andriotios, spokesman for a beleaguered mega-ship bound for Athens. tional aid workers said was among the the world’s poorest countries to a crisis asylum-seekers to their home countries, municipal government that has been cry- Of the nearly one million refugees and worst they had seen. on European shores. and there are few takers on the EU’s offer ing out for help for much of this year.” migrants who have arrived in Europe by Now it is relatively clean and orderly, to relocate those deemed eligible to mem- We didn’t choose to be a hot spot in this sea this year, 800,000 have come through and it has won appreciation from its resi- Fontex chips in ber states across the continent. crisis. The smugglers chose Lesbos.” the Greek islands. More than half of dents. “The EU is the richest union on earth. Out of a planned 160,000 relocations, It’s easy to see why: Separated from those have landed on Lesbos. That com- “I’d heard that Greece had many eco- It should be managing this shoulder to just 159 have been completed - and only the Turkish coast by a mere five miles, pares with just over one million arrivals nomic problems. I didn’t expect that they shoulder with Greek authorities,” said 30 from Greece. Although the system the island allows refugees and migrants during Ellis Island’s busiest year, 1907. would treat us like friends,” said Moham- Cheshirkov, the UNHCR spokesman. allows people to bypass the arduous jour- to arrive here after a journey of hours on But the flows to Europe only began to med Abdullah, a 44-year-old who said At least in some areas, the EU’s pres- ney that lies ahead after Lesbos, it can flimsy rubber dinghies, compared with surge in August. In October alone, 135,021 both his home and his electronics shop ence is poised to expand. Following an significantly delay their departure from the weeks people spent on giant steam- people landed here — more than 10 times had been obliterated by bombs in Syria. emergency request from the Greek gov- the island and gives them no control over ships to reach Ellis Island. The new the total from all of last year. “But they’re very nice. They gave us ernment, the European border-security where they end up. arrivals in the early 20th-century United Even now, when winter winds foam the things to eat and a place to sleep. They’re agency Frontex announced on Thursday That wouldn’t work for Abdullah, the States were largely fleeing from Europe; sea, some 2,500 people arrive daily, more treating us like human beings. There are that it would send additional boats to 44-year-old from Syria. His family has today, people are fleeing to Europe, hav- than the number who arrived during all good people in this world.” patrol Greek shores and officers to help already been scattered by war: a wife and ing left behind a broad swathe of man- of December last year. If spring begins on The bus service, too, has dramatically screen and register new arrivals. two children in Jordan, a son in Germany made destruction stretching from South the same scale, officials say the island will changed life here, eliminating the need Frontex had already doubled the and Abdullah himself on an island in the Asia to North Africa. be unprepared to cope. for new arrivals to trek 40 or more miles number of officers deployed to Lesbos Aegean. But not for long. The boat bearing Husam Almasalmh to At the moment, there are accommoda- along twisting mountain roads. since October. But EU member states Only a day after his arrival, he was his new life came ashore in Lesbos soon tions for just 2,800 people. But in October, And the presence of dozens of highly had stalled on a further increase and will preparing to leave, with plans to follow after dawn one recent morning, just as daily arrivals peaked at more than 6,000 trained, professional lifeguards along the now be legally compelled to supply sup- the well-worn path up through the con- the first light arced over the hazily blue — a number that could well be replicated coast has undoubtedly helped to limit a port that Frontex says is badly needed tinent until he reached his destination: Turkish mountains and splashed down in March or April. death toll that had been rapidly climbing at a time of heightened security con- Germany. “My son,” he said longingly, into the crystal-clear waves lapping the “There needs to be a rapid expansion of as the seas turned rougher. cerns. Two of the attackers in Paris last “will be there to meet me on the border.” Greek coast. the island’s capacity,” said Boris Chesh- “I didn’t want these refugees to come month travelled along the migrant trail “My dream is real now!” the 19-year- irkov, the Lesbos-based spokesman for at first,” said Dimitris Amygdalos, a through Greece using fake Syrian pass- THE WASHINGTON POST Paris accord a big win for Obama, but climate dangers loom

By Steven Mufson projects and spur job creation in critical to a positive outcome in way there, and there’s still going those areas. Paris,” said Podesta, who is now to be a big gap to fill.” n an unseasonably mild The president also said that he As negotiators huddled in Paris this chairman of Hillary Clinton’s pres- Many environmental groups December day in Wash- imagined walking with his grand- idential campaign. Obama played and climate experts would call Oington, President Barack children watching a “quiet sunset” past week, Obama was weighing a personal role, too. “It was really that wishful thinking or a magic Obama had reason to bask in the and “knowing . . . that our work the president’s personal energy asterisk to fill in the gap between sun. here and now gave future gen- in by phone with the leaders of and commitment,” Podesta added, Paris commitments and aspira- Across the Atlantic, interna- erations cleaner air and cleaner “and that made the difference.” tions. But it has put Obama tional climate negotiators com- water and a more sustainable France, Brazil, China and India. When it came to the US pledge, firmly in two distinct climate pleted an agreement that owed planet. And what can be more however, Obama made no effort to action camps: one that believes much of its success to the willing- important than that?” introduce a carbon tax, which he that enough action can be taken ness of the US president to take For Obama, the Paris agree- favours but says would never win now using available technology to on both congressional Repub- ment fulfils a personal as well as a support in the current Congress. meet the target temperature and licans and fossil-fuel-industry political goal, one that was delayed This is core stuff for him.” domestic side right,” Podesta said. And his promises of financial assist- one that believes that only tech- executives on an issue that con- at the beginning of his admin- Domestically, Obama has done On the international front, ance to poor developing nations to nological innovation will prevent sistently ranks among the lowest istration because of the acute through regulation what he was Obama displayed some of the adapt to climate change have been climate disaster. priorities for American voters. economic crisis and the political unable to do through legislation. He same political impulses that got modest, and even those could fail to Ted Nordhaus, co-founder of Although the international capital he devoted to overhauling used the bailout of the auto indus- him elected president — a mix of win congressional approval. the Breakthrough Institute and agreement reached in Paris on Sat- the health-care system. By the try to extract concessions on higher idealism, pragmatism and hope. Obama the realist knows that advocate of an Apollo Project-type urday still leaves the world peril- end of 2009, a cap-and-trade bill fuel-efficiency standards. Later, he Obama the idealist tried to even if all the commitments are effort to cultivate new technolo- ously vulnerable to global warming passed by the House had failed in added trucks, and, still later, he rally world leaders to do as much met, they will still fall short of gies, welcomed “the recognition and rising seas, Obama has signifi- the Senate, and the international attacked coal-power-plant emis- as possible with the means avail- what’s needed to stem climate that we do not, in fact, have all cantly advanced the global climate Copenhagen climate summit had sions through the Clean Power Plan. able for the sake of posterity. damage to the planet. the technology we need to achieve agenda and has established a mech- ended in turmoil. Cheap extraction of shale gas as a He pushed China and India So, Obama the hopeful has deep reductions in emissions.” anism that would enable countries “It’s been a frustration of his replacement for coal also helped; to control hydrofluorocarbons, encouraged and applauded the Nordhaus said: “No large to exploit new technology to cut from the beginning, and it was natural gas combustion emits half potent greenhouse gases from efforts of Microsoft co-founder economy in the world has yet greenhouse-gas emissions and, if particularly difficult at the height the carbon dioxide as coal. material used in refrigeration and Bill Gates and more than two succeeded in making a big dent possible, tighten existing pledges of the economic crisis. He knows “We may end up having to do air conditioning. dozen other wealthy investors in emissions with renewables. to reduce those emissions. As nego- that if you poll people on climate it in chunks, as opposed to some Obama the pragmatist dis- seeking to fund a search for an Present-day nuclear has been tiators huddled in Paris this past change, it’s on the bottom of the sort of comprehensive omnibus carded the idea of a grand bar- innovation that would make up taken off the table by most of the week, Obama was weighing in by list,” said David Axelrod, who was legislation,” the president said in gain with top-down, uniform cuts for the shortcomings of the other developed world and is growing phone with the leaders of France, Obama’s chief election strategist a Rolling Stone interview in Octo- in greenhouse-gas emissions. efforts. “Now, Bill has pointed out, too slowly in places like China to Brazil, China and India. and later senior adviser. “People ber 2010. Instead, he embraced an approach and he’s absolutely right, that really move the needle.” “This agreement represents the felt there was a tension with deal- Those chunks were the founda- that relies on a series of individ- we’re also going to have to just And Obama, for all the progress best chance we’ve had to save the ing with climate change and deal- tion of the international agree- ual pledges from countries to do invent some entirely new tech- he helped wrangle from world one planet we’ve got,” Obama said ing with the economy.” ment signed on Saturday in as much as possible within their nologies,” Obama said in Paris leaders, seems to agree. “We don’t on Saturday at the White House Over five years, however, Obama Paris. John Podesta, a former constraints. at an event with Gates, French yet know exactly what’s going to after spending the early afternoon has turned defeat and disarray senior White House adviser who Obama believed that an early President François Hollande and work best,” he said. “But we know playing golf with World Bank Pres- into a political victory that could supported an aggressive climate public pledge from China, which Indian Prime Minister Narendra that if we put our best minds ident Jim Yong Kim. “Together become one of the most enduring policy, said Obama “understood was afflicted with air thick with Modi. “I mean, the truth is, if we behind it and we have the dol- we’ve shown what’s possible when legacies of his presidency. he couldn’t have a successful dip- conventional pollutants, would adapt existing technologies and lars behind it, we’ll discover what the world stands as one.” Obama “felt a moral obligation lomatic outcome without having help bring other developing coun- make them cheaper and faster works. We always have in the past, Obama said the accord would to do something about” climate a really forward-leaning, credible tries on board. “Throughout 2014, and more readily available, if we and we will this time as well.” send a powerful signal, chan- change, Axelrod said. “This is not program in the US.” we viewed getting the Chinese to improve energy efficiency, we’re nel investment into low-carbon just a cosmetic item on his list. “That was his focus, to get the be ambitious and active players as still only going to get part of the THE WASHINGTON POST MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / INDIA Climate agreement draws applause, but concerns remain NEW DELHI: The Paris agreement on The Paris Agreement on climate change the pact could have been more ambitious posed by climate change and give them a responsibility of the developed countries. climate change was largely welcomed by was adopted by 196 countries, committing as the commitment from rich nations was better future.” “The draft Paris agreement continues stakeholders in India and abroad, includ- them to curb global warming to well below “much below” what was expected of them, At the Conference of Parties (CoP), to be weak and unambitious, as it does not ing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- two degrees Celsius and outline a road but the basic concept of ‘common but dif- India provided leadership to the inter- include any meaningful targets for devel- ernment, but there was also the concern map to raise $100bn annually towards a ferentiated responsibilities’ was largely ests of the developing countries and lesser oped countries to reduce their emissions,” that the rich countries could have done green fund for developing nations. addressed. developed countries, Minister of Power said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, more to save the planet from the effects “For the first time, every country in “To achieve big things as there are lan- Piyush Goyal said after the Paris accord in a statement. of global warming. the world has pledged to curb emissions, guages and many issues, when 196 coun- was adopted. Narain added that the agreement did Modi hailed the agreement on climate strengthen resilience and join in common tries are putting their efforts together, “At CoP 21,196 countries assembled to not operationalise equity and that the change as the collective wisdom of world cause to take common climate action. This one needs to be accommodative without tackle the most difficult problem facing term carbon budget did not even find leaders to mitigate the danger, adding that is a resounding success for multilateral- changing the thrust of the agreement. our planet. 1,600 dissent points reduced mention in the text, which would end up there were no winners or losers in the ism,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki- We’ve done everything to maintain that to 0 in 10 days,” Goyal said. furthering “climate apartheid”. outcome of the agreement. Moon. thrust,” Javadekar said. Nirmala Sitharaman, minister for com- CSE analyses that India will be under “Deliberations at the 21st Conference US President Barack Obama called “Today is a historic day. What we have merce and industry, also applauded India’s constant pressure to take more burden of Parties (CoP21) and Paris Agreement the agreement a “turning point for the adopted today is not only an agreement role at the CoP 21 and hoped for climate for mitigating climate change by 2020 and demonstrate the collective wisdom of world” and said it sent powerful signal but a new chapter of hope in the lives of equity and justice for India. beyond, especially when the next review world leaders to mitigate climate change,” that the world was firmly committed to seven billion people,” the minister said at However, environment protection of all the nationally determined contribu- Modi said yesterday. The outcome of the a low-carbon future. the closing plenary in Paris. organisation Centre for Science and Envi- tions of countries takes place. Paris agreement has no winners or losers; Environment, Forests and Climate “Today we reassure our future genera- ronment (CSE) called the deal “weak and climate justice has won, he said. Change Minister Prakash Javadekar said tion that we all will mitigate the challenge unambitious” as it erases the historical IANS

Jayalalithaa seeks `102bn for flood victims

‘All should be CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief support to the state while stress- Metropolitan Area who lost their century — battered Chennai and Minister J. Jayalalithaa yesterday ing that encroachments along the huts in the heavy rains. Kanchipuram, Cuddalore and urged the central government to river banks have to be removed. Citing the extensive damage Thiruvallur districts resulting in sanction `102.5bn towards reha- Jayalalithaa told Naidu that to roads, drinking water, sewer- unprecedented floods. bilitation of the flood-affected in about 50,000 families living along age and storm water drainage The rains and floods killed 347 able to live the state. the banks of the city’s waterways systems, Jayalalithaa urged the people since October 1, and 1.76 Minister of Urban Devel- were affected by the floods and urban development ministry to million people were rescued and opment, Housing and Urban they have to be provided alternate grant a special package of `45bn housed in relief centres. Poeverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah accommodation. for the flood-affected urban local During Prime Minister Naidu met Jayalalithaa at the According to her, the total bodies in Tamil Nadu. Narendra Modi’s visit here, he state secretariat. expenditure will be around `50bn, On November 23, Jayalalithaa announced a relief of `10bn in without fear’ At the meeting, Jayalalithaa and requested Naidu to provide sent a memorandum to Modi ask- addition to the earlier `9.4bn. highlighted certain critical areas financial aid as special grant for ing for central funding of `84.81bn According to Jayalalithaa, the with which the Naidu’s ministry a massive housing project consid- towards flood relief and an imme- `9.4bn included `1.3bn of arrears Pluralism key to unity: President is directly connected in the reha- ering the magnitude of the dev- diate relief of `20bn. from 2014-15 towards the State bilitation of the flood victims, a astation. Subsequently, a central govern- Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) KOLKATA: Averring that lects used in every day practice.” government release said. Jayalalithaa also sought a spe- ment official team surveyed the and `2.5bn towards the second acceptance and belief in pluralism “The inherent chemistry of Later, speaking to reporters, cial package of `7.5bn to build flood damage. instalment of SDRF for the cur- was core to India’s unity amidst this unity amidst diversity is the Naidu said the central govern- a further 50,000 tenements for Even after the team’s visit, rent fiscal. diversity, President Pranab acceptance and belief in pluralism. ment would provide the necessary families living in slums in Chennai heavy rains — the worst in a IANS Mukherjee yesterday said the It is this mosaic of being multi- social fabric would remain strong religious, that makes our nation if every individual irrespective of an oasis of peaceful co-existence caste, creed, language, region and and communal harmony.” Iconic store closing religion can live “without fear and “The fabric of our society would prejudice”. remain strong when every indi- Dilip Kumar presented “India prides itself in is plu- vidual irrespective of caste, creed, ralistic ideas. In India, several language, region and religion can major religions have thrived due live and partake in its progress to its assimilative capacity that without fear and prejudice.” with Padma Vibhushan has come to define our civilisation Praising the country’s Chris- over the centuries,” Mukherjee tian community, he said it is MUMBAI: Legendary actor his actress-wife Saira Bano, said addressing the concluding looked upon with respect for its Dilip Kumar was yesterday hon- Maharashtra Governor C V Rao ceremony of the bicentenary cel- peaceful and humanitarian nature oured with Padma Vibhushan, and Chief Minister Devendra ebration of the Diocese of Cal- and magnanimous contribution the country’s second highest Fadnavis. cutta here. to the process of nation building. civilian award, by Home Minister Born in Peshawar, now in Paki- The president said every reli- Quoting Lord Jesus Christ’s Rajnath Singh. stan, Dilip Kumar, whose real gion preaches the fundamental saying “Love thy neighbour as The 93-year-old cine icon was name is Yusuf Khan, entered the value of humanity. “Forebearance, thy self”, he said everyone should bestowed with the honour at his Indian film industry in the black- respect and acceptance of differ- embrace the teaching in word and residence here just two days after and-white era and became a name ent view form some of the core deed. his birthday. to reckon with in the 1950s and principles of every faith, belief Refering to the Diocese of Cal- His close friend Udaya Tara 1960s. He is credited for films and religion of the world.” cutta, the president congratu- Nayar and compiler of the actor’s like “Aan”, “Daag”, “Madhumati”, Pointing out that in India peo- lated the historic institution for autobiography, “The Substance “Paigham”, “Leader”, “Ram Aur ple professing different faith have its fruitful journey of service and and the Shadow”, said that the Shyam”, and “Mughal-E-Azam.” for long lived in harmony, he said: commitment to the city of Kolk- actor was felicitated yesterday After working for about six “It is a unique experience to have ata and to the society at large. afternoon. decades, he stepped away from under one system, one admin- He also lauded the Diocese’s He was presented the Padma the arclights in 1998. His last Music lovers inspect compact discs at the Rhythm House music store in istration, one constitution, 130 effort to promote inter-faith dia- Vibhushan medallion, a certificate movie was “Qila”. Mumbai. Some 75 years after it opened, the landmark store is downing crore people, 100 languages used logue. and a shawl by Singh. shutters. With music enthusiasts buying tracks online and downloading in every day practice, 1,600 dia- IANS Present on the occasion were IANS tunes from the Internet, the ritual of visiting music stores has died down, sounding the death knell of many an iconic music shop.

Parrikar: To stay safe, forgo Hundreds homeless after hutments razed in Delhi NEW DELHI: Hundreds were the demolition violated judicial Arun Arora said the baby died Khatoon said some objects fell on “In Delhi itself, there are 47,000 VIP security rendered homeless in the winter orders, and was carried out with- before the drive started. the girl when they were in a hurry encroachments on railway land chill and a six-month-old baby out informing it. An angry chief minister tweeted to leave the shanty. and because of that there are seri- PANAJI: If someone really died after the authorities demol- Kejriwal, who visited the site yesterday: “A child died. God will “We were asked to vacate... The ous problems in (railway) opera- wants to stay safe, they should ished hutments built on railway at 2 am yesterday, ordered the never forgive them. “Heart rend- children were sleeping. In the tions,” said Arora. not take VIP security cover, land in the national capital, wit- suspension of two sub-divisional ing scenes. How (could) our own hurry to leave, some things fell “There are 22,000 encroach- Defence Minister Manohar Par- nesses and police said. magistrates for failing to provide countrymen do this to our poorest on the baby. We took her to hos- ments which are in the safety rikar said yesterday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal relief to the hutment dwellers. fellow countrymen?” pital but she could not survive,” zone, which is 15 metres on both At a function in Panaji organ- accused the railways of demol- Railway officials who met CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury she said. sides of tracks. There are clear ised by the Goa unit of the ishing some 500 hutments on Kejriwal later said the land was added: “How can authorities A railway official said the hut- instructions that there will be no Bharatiya Janata Party to cele- Saturday, “in such cold”, leaving cleared as the encroachment was resort to mindless demolition ments were built illegally on rail- unauthorised structure. brate the former Goa chief min- hundreds of poor — men, women effecting operations and they had leading to the death of a child, way land and the shanty dwellers “... If there is an accident, the ister’s 60th birthday, Parrikar said and children — shivering in the an order from the National Green leaving slum dwellers to suffer, had been told to vacate the land train will hit these hutments,” he he often pleaded with policemen open. Tribunal. roofless in winter?” to make space for a new railway said. guarding him to keep a distance The Delhi government said Divisional Railway Manager The baby’s grandmother Rubiya line, but they chose not to. IANS from him. “I can say one thing with guar- antee, if one really wants to be safe, then there is no point of tak- Horsing around ing VIP security cover,” he said. Parrikar said VIP movements Former soldiers protest over OROP were relayed in advance. “Because, on wireless, they NEW DELHI: With the protest Minister Arun Jaitley’s state- The protesting ex-servicemen, keep repeating the movement of over ‘One Rank One Pension’ ment that most former soldiers who have been agitating at Jantar Goa 1, Goa 2, Goa 3. And once (OROP) marking its 183rd day were happy with the schemes has Mantar for the last 183 days, claim it is relayed over the wireless, if yesterday, ex-servicemen gave the angered more ex-servicemen. that the OROP scheme announced someone wants to do something, government three weeks’ time to A member of the IESM said by the government was different they know beforehand that Goa 2 resolve the issue, and warned of that they had almost agreed to from its original definition that is going to a particular place. Goa stringent steps after that. tone down the movement, but was agreed upon between the two 2 is the chief minister, Goa 1 is the “We have given the government Jaitley’s statement irked several sides. governor and Goa 3 is the deputy two weeks, after that we will give members. “There is no demand... the chief minister. Those who have one week’s notice. This disciplined Ex-servicemen from across the (OROP) scheme that parliament their ears open know all this,” agitation will change if the gov- country yesterday held a ‘Sainik approved and the notification Parrikar said. ernment does not listen to us,” Akrosh’ rally here to protest the issued are different,” said Major The minister said he kept tell- spokesperson of the Indian Ex- government notification on OROP. General Satbir Singh (retd), who ing police personnel who provide Servicemen (IESM) movement The veterans also said they will is spearheading the ex-service- him security cover to keep some Col. Anil Kaul (retd) said at a rally boycott the Republic Day celebra- men’s agitation. distance, but that they stuck to at Jantar Mantar here. tions on January 26. “There are seven major mis- their jobs because “if someone He said the step was taken fol- The member also said a half- takes. They (government) are attacks the defence minister, it lowing a demand in this regard page advertisement that the telling the nation they have given becomes international news”. A groom trains his horse on a winter morning at an equestrian farm on by ex-servicemen from across the veterans had given in a leading OROP but they have actually fin- the outskirts of Ahmedabad. country. newspaper was stopped after the ished it,” he said. IANS The veteran also said Finance government’s intervention. IANS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Fujimori’s Fire at Russia daughter favourite in mental hospital Peru election LIMA: Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of disgraced ex-presi- dent Alberto Fujimori, remains the clear favourite to win presi- kills 23 patients dential elections in Peru next year, an Ipsos poll showed yes- terday. Patients on tranquillisers inhaled fumes Some 33 percent of those sur- veyed on their intention to vote MOSCOW: Twenty-three psychiatric was located in a place where bedridden chose Fujimori, the leader of patients, most of them elderly, died when patients were.” right-wing populist party Fuerza a fire ripped through their care facility The fire gutted the hospital building Popular, who formally launched in southern Russia Saturday night, in the made of brick and wood, with footage her bid earlier this month. latest tragedy to hit mental health hospi- showing firefighters still combing through She has pledged public invest- tals in the country. the smoking ruins in light snow. ment in infrastructure to kick- “The bodies of 21 people have been It took more than 440 firefighters and start the Peruvian economy, an found, two more died in hospitals,” said the emergency workers around three hours to important metals exporter which emergencies ministry yesterday, adding bring the fire under control. like its Latin American neigh- that a further 23 people were hospitalised. The Investigative Committee, which bours has struggled against the Seventy patients and four nurses were reports directly to President Vladimir backdrop of global weakness in in the Soviet-era ward when the fire broke Putin, said it opened a criminal probe into commodities. out shortly before midnight (2100 GMT) the deaths on suspicion of negligence. Firefighters work among the debris of a psychiatric hospital destroyed by fire in the village of Although Fujimori’s support Saturday at the hospital in the village There was no immediate reaction from Alfyorovka, in the southern Voronezh region of Russia, yesterday. had fallen slightly since the last of Alfyorovka, in the southern Voronezh the Kremlin but Emergencies Minister poll, it was still more than twice region. Vladimir Puchkov went to the scene to the 16 percent obtained by sec- Most of those who perished were aged oversee the response to the tragedy and orovka, investigators said, adding searches “It was hard to step inside these wooden ond-place Pedro Pablo Kuczyn- in their 60s and 70s, although some were conduct a meeting on fire safety. were also being conducted as part of the barracks encircled by a fence. But I would ski, a right-wing economist and in their 40s and 50s, according to a list The blaze was the latest tragedy to hit probe at the regional department for social make tours to such places mandatory for former prime minister. of patients released by the emergencies a psychiatric institution in Russia, where protection. governors,” he wrote on Facebook. Alberto Fujimori ran Peru ministry. outdated Soviet-era infrastructure is still Medical personnel said patients did not A fire at a psychiatric hospital in north- between 1990 and 2000 and is The state-owned Rossiya 24 rolling news in widespread use and managers often have access to matches or lighters. west Russia in September 2013 left 37 currently in jail for human rights channel said patients had been given take a lax approach to fire safety. Nurse Nadezhda Sukhareva said patients people dead, while a blaze in a psychiatric abuses and corruption. tranquillisers as part of their medication Critics say such deadly fires, which were allowed to smoke but staff would light ward near Moscow in April of the same year The only woman in a field before the fire broke out. often claim the lives of some of the most their cigarettes for them outside the build- killed 38. In 2009, 156 people were killed in packed with political old-timers, “They simply did not wake up,” a corre- vulnerable people in Russia, are a source ing. a nightclub fire in the city of Perm, some Keiko Fujimori has said she would spondent reported from the scene, saying of embarrassment for the Kremlin, not- “There’s no way we would give them 1,200 kilometres east of Moscow in one of not hesitate to issue new debt if they choked on noxious smoke. ing authorities have learnt little from past matches,” she said in televised remarks. the deadliest accidents in Russia’s modern needed, as well as dipping into a Igor Kobzev, chief of the Voronezh tragedies. Activist Konstantin Rubakhin, whose history. Scores of people also die in house $10bn emergency fund to finance regional branch of the emergencies min- Experts are looking into what triggered father was born in Alfyorovka, said the fires each year. infrastructure projects. istry, said that “the epicentre of the fire the blaze at the psychiatric ward in Alfy- hospital had been a bleak place. AFP Businessman Cesar Acuna polled 13 percent, while ex- president Alan Garcia was on 8 percent. The election is slated to take place in April 2016. If no can- didate obtains 50 percent in the first round, the election goes to a As Cruz rises in polls, Trump calls him a maniac run-off in June. The poll suggests the election WASHINGTON: Republican But last week he questioned that way.” Trump touted his abil- him behind his back. bombing Islamic State while vot- is likely to go to a second round, presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s judgment at a private ity to get along with liberals and Cruz rose to 31 percent, above ing to cut the military budget. which Fujimori would then win. Trump had a new target yester- fundraiser, according to the New conservatives and said that was Trump’s 21 percent, in an Iowa Rubio was measured in his crit- Approval ratings for current day, calling fellow White House York Times, after the billionaire the hallmark of the “world-class poll released on Saturday by the icism of Trump on NBC’s “Meet centre-left president Ollanta contender Ted Cruz “a little bit businessman advocated tempo- businessman” he is. Des Moines Register and Bloomberg the Press,” saying, “There’s a lot Humala, who beat Keiko Fuji- of a maniac” as the US senator rarily banning Muslims from The front-runner, whose com- News. That’s a 21-point jump from we have a difference of opinion mori in the 2011 election but can- surpassed him in an Iowa poll. entering the United States. ments on Muslims drew wide- October. on, but we can’t ignore that he’s not constitutionally run in 2016, Cruz’s dogged pursuit of con- That got Trump’s attention. spread criticism but may not dent His rise came at the expense of touched on some issues that peo- remain low at around 16 percent, servative Iowa voters has paid “I don’t think he is qualified to his lead in several national pub- retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, ple are concerned about.” according to the Ipsos poll. off in the form of a 10-point lead be president,” Trump said on Fox lic opinion polls, made a sarcas- who dropped to third with 13 per- Trump made the same point His popularity has been over Trump in the state, which News Sunday. tic reference to Cruz’s respectful cent in the poll, while US Senator yesterday, saying Americans are impacted by corruption allega- has one of the earliest presidential “I don’t think he has the right treatment of him. Marco Rubio hovered at 10 per- living in fear of being attacked. He tions against his wife, as well as contests. temperament. I don’t think he’s “He’s been so nice to me. I cent. Jeb Bush was at 6 percent, a linked his proposal to ban Mus- worries about crime. Unlike the other Republicans got the right judgment. When mean I could be saying anything 1 percent increase from October. lims temporarily to his tough-on- The Ipsos poll of 1,846 people in the 2016 White House race, you look at the way he has dealt and he’d say, I agree, I agree,” Rubio, who has seen an uptick immigration ideas, which included was carried out December 5-11. the US senator from Texas has with the Senate, where he goes Trump said on CNN’s “State of in his own poll standings in building a wall at the border with It has a margin of error of plus/ embraced Trump and avoided in there like a, you know, frankly, the Union.” recent weeks, criticised his Sen- Mexico. minus 2.3 percentage points. public criticism of the popular like a little bit of a maniac — you On the Fox programme, he also ate colleague on defence spending, candidate. are never going to get things done criticised Cruz for talking about saying Cruz talked about carpet- REUTERS REUTERS

Impeachment demand Far-right EU border force plan faces fails to win any region in resistance from governments BRUSSELS: A proposal to give sovereignty would be balanced by the bloc, wrecking its cherished France vote the European Union executive the power of a majority of member Schengen free-movement zone, power to send forces unbidden states to block Commission and foster the rise of anti-EU into member states to defend intervention — similar to checks nationalists like France’s PARIS: France’s far-right the common European frontier agreed during the euro debt crisis. National Front. But while big National Front (FN) failed to win will face resistance from some The Commission will set out powers France and Germany a single region in elections yes- countries when it is published the plan tomorrow to reinforce support such EU power, other terday despite record results in this week. its Frontex agency with up to six EU leaders may voice concerns at the first round, as voters flocked The European Commission times more staff, EU officials said, a summit on Thursday. Italy has to traditional parties to keep wants to be able to deploy following a commitment to an EU pushed for a “Europeanisation” them out of power. personnel from a new European border guard in September by of external frontiers to relieve The leader of the anti-immi- Border and Coastguard Agency President Jean-Claude Juncker. the costs on itself and Greece of gration FN, Marine Le Pen, lost without, as currently required, the “We think the current situation policing the Mediterranean. But out to the right-wing opposition consent of the state concerned, justifies a certain ambition,” the the plan may go too far for many in the northern Nord-Pas-de- EU officials told Reuters in early Commission’s chief spokesman leaders. Calais-Picardie region after the December, reflecting frustration said on Friday, expressing “This idea will face opposition ruling Socialists pulled out of the with Greek reluctance to seek confidence about backing from from most member states,” an EU race before the second round. help with migrants. member states. diplomat said. “We believe such Her 26-year-old niece Mar- EU officials call the plan a Failure to strengthen the EU’s a solution would interfere too ion Marechal-Le Pen was also largely theoretical “nuclear external borders, senior officials deeply in member states’ internal defeated by the right-wing Protesters calling for the impeachment of Brazil’s President Dilma option” and stress that any argue, will see more states competencies.” grouping in the southern region Rousseff at Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday. The ban- infringement of national reimpose frontier controls inside REUTERS that includes the glitzy resorts of ner reads, “Impeachment now”. the Cote d’Azur, despite dominat- ing the first round last week. The FN had topped the vote in six of 13 regions on December 6, propelled by anger over the struggling economy and fears Alleged UK robbery gang far from silver screen glitz created by last month’s jihad- ist attacks in Paris that left 130 LONDON: The press has com- A red-haired man known as have already pleaded guilty, while holes in a concrete wall 50 centi- the raid on the first night, having dead. pared the gang alleged to be “Basil”, who allegedly let the men several others still face trial. metres thick. Video surveillance arrived at the scene of the crime But exactly a month on from behind one of Britain’s most into the jewellery vault through Taking advantage of a long recorded the comings and goings by bus using a senior’s free travel those attacks, voters turned out audacious jewellery heists to a fire escape, has not yet been Easter weekend in early April, as 73 safes were emptied to net a pass. in force — some 58 percent took the glamorous thieves of Hol- identified, adding an air of mys- prosecutors told London’s Old booty worth an estimated £14m in He also mentioned his diabetes part — and once again trounced lywood movie Ocean’s Eleven, tery to a story begging for a film Bailey court that the gang broke gold, sapphires, diamonds, jewel- and the insulin injections he had the FN when it came down to but the reality is much less adaptation. into the vault of central London’s lery, luxury watches and cash. to take during breaks in the raid, the wire. The ruling Socialists glamorous. The burglary at Hatton Gar- Hatton Garden Safe Deposit com- As details of the raid crystal- court heard. of President Francois Hollande Rather than George Clooney den, long known as London’s jew- pany. lised, it became clear that the Another alleged gang member, and the centre-right alliance of and Brad Pitt, the group believed ellery quarter, was the “largest Disguised as gas workers and comparison to the sophisticated William “Bill” Lincoln, 60, suffers his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy to be behind April’s daring raid burglary in English legal history”, fitted with hard hats, it is claimed Hollywood heist was not entirely from incontinence and wet him- looked to have won at least five on a London safe-deposit facility prosecutor Philip Evans said. they rappelled down an elevator justified. self when arrested, according to regions each. includes two geriatrics and a man Four of the defendants, includ- shaft then used a diamond-tipped Alleged mastermind Brian police. AFP suffering from incontinence. ing the 76-year-old mastermind, industrial drill to bore three large Reader is believed to have ditched AFP MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com FEATURES Kia rewrites the price of luxury

apid technological progress, Here is my interpretation of Kia’s busi- accompanied by the increas- ness philosophy: Everyone who buys a ing standardisation of what car wants to feel safe in that car and will Ronce was sold as costly optional appreciate any driver-assistance technol- equipment, is upsetting the notion of tra- ogy that enhances their feeling of secu- ditional automotive luxury. rity. Everyone wants to remain safely in I’ve written this before — much to touch with everyone and everything else, the chagrin of many in the car indus- even while driving. Everyone appreciates try, particularly executives who cling flattery, something that visibly “congrat- to the eroding but still profitable idea ulates” them for “having arrived,” or at that “luxury” is reserved for those truly least for making solid progress toward wealthy enough to afford it, or aspirant getting there. Everyone loves a good deal, buyers willing to incur enormous debt something that speaks to their common to acquire it. sense, as opposed to something that pri- I am hereby restating my argument marily strokes their egos while lifting and offering as proof Exhibit A - the 2016 their wallets. Kia Optima SX Limited sedan. In addition, the Kia thinking goes: It carries a starting price of $35,790, Of course, everyone wants a car that which is $13,950 more than the base — moves with authority. The Optima SX but still surprisingly well-equipped — Limited gives them that with a turbo- Optima LX. charged (forced air) 2-litre in-line four- A difference of nearly $14,000 is no cylinder petrol engine (245 horsepower, small thing. Not for me, at least. And, 260 pound-feet of torque). But people I suspect, it isn’t small change for most want everything, assuming they can get of you. But the top-of-the-line, fully it. They want big horsepower in tandem That, to me, is far more important than top-of-the-line SX or SXL Limited — is Cargo capacity with all seats in place is equipped Optima SX Limited is still tens with good fuel economy. The Optima SX sub-five-second 0-to-60-mph acceleration well worth the look for anyone shop- 15.4 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18.5 of thousands of dollars less expensive Limited delivers decently, with 22 miles times, or excessive horsepower that can ping for a nicely done, well-equipped, gallons of petrol. For non-turbo models, than many similarly outfitted traditional per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the safely be exploited only on a racetrack, or reasonably affordable midsize family regular grade is okay. Premium grade is luxury automobiles. highway, with premium fuel needed for “prestige” that becomes less prestigious sedan. recommended for best performance in This is where I usually get the Timex- “best performance.” with each monthly payment. Ride, acceleration and handling: turbocharged versions. Rolex argument. It goes something like I absolutely loved driving the Optima Kia is on to something here. The South The SX Limited gets very good marks Actual mileage: I averaged 32 miles this: Both watches perfectly reflect pass- SX Limited. It is comfortable. The model Korean company understands the future in all three. per gallon in spirited, albeit legal, high- ing seconds and minutes. But the Rolex driven for this column came with optional of the global automobile industry - a Head-turning quotient: Mainstream way driving. is more elegant, expensive, luxurious - quilted Nappa leather seat covering. world in which 99 percent, as opposed attractive. Safety: Standard equipment includes fitting for someone wealthy enough and Standard driver-assistance technology to 1 percent, of the world’s car buyers Body style/layout: This is a front- four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated front, willing to spend the money to acquire the (in the SX Limited) included a premium control the direction of that industry. It engine, front-wheel-drive midsize fam- solid rear), four-wheel anti-lock braking prestige it presumably imparts. onboard navigation system with high- is a world where vehicle safety is not an ily sedan with a traditional notchback system, emergency braking assistance, I used to give that counterargument definition rearview camera; Bluetooth option, low emissions are a universally trunk. stability and traction control, driver-side some credence — until along came Apple wireless technology with hands-free mandated requirement, and the “joy Engine/transmission: The 2016 knee air bag, full-length side curtain air and Kia. connectivity; electronic rear parking of driving” is not limited to those with Optima SX Limited comes standard bags, hill start assist control, tire-pres- The new Apple watches — effective assistance; forward collision warning enough money and horsepower to put a with a turbocharged, 16-valve, petrol- sure monitoring, and lower anchors and wrist computers, smartphones and time- system; lane-departure warning; blind- car on a racetrack. direct-injection 2-litre in-line four- tethers for children. pieces — arguably do more and provide spot detection; rear cross-traffic alert, cylinder engine with variable valve Pricing: The 2016 Kia Optima SX greater service than the most expensive advanced smart cruise control and auton- timing (245 horsepower, 260 pound- Limited (fully equipped with mostly Rolex, for a lot less money. Kia? Put it omous emergency braking. feet of torque). The engine is linked standard advanced electronic safety this way: Kia is doing to the car industry All of this stuff works, consistently Nuts & Bolts to a continuously variable automatic equipment) starts at $35,790 in the US. what Apple has done to the phone, wrist- and reliably. It could mean the difference Bottom line: The 2016 Kia Optima transmission. watch and computer businesses. between a costly crash and no crash at all. — base LX, LX1.6 Turbo, EX, SX, or Capacities: Seating is for five people. THE WASHINGTON POST

Nespresso introduces sweet, spicy and biscuit flavours

espresso has launched paired with Livanto, the Grand of the Livanto Grand Cru for a Each Variation has an intensity new Limited Edition Cru with the optimum profile rounded finish. Intensity: 6 level of six (on a scale of 1 – 12) NVariations range. for complementing different Ciocco Ginger: The daring and is best served as an Espresso Featuring the perfect balance of flavours. These highly refined marriage of the Livanto Grand to capture the evocative aromas sweet, spicy and biscuit flavours, flavour pairings have been tai- Cru’s fragrant roasted notes with at their peak. Lovers of a milk the Variations range was inspired lor made by Nespresso’s sensory a deep dark chocolate flavour is based coffee can indulge with an by the warming aromas of the fes- specialists to create coffees which enlivened with ginger hints, offer- exquisite recipe, bringing even tive period and is set to delight are delicious, indulgent and sen- ing a delightfully festive experi- more choice for coffee connois- the senses with rich dark choco- sual with an added element of ence. Intensity: 6 seurs looking for a moment of late, comforting vanilla, sweet surprise. Vanilla Cardamom: The del- sensual delight. almond, aromatic cardamom and Vanilla Amaretti: With indul- icate harmony between vanilla Available for a limited period, spicy ginger notes. gent almond and vanilla flavours, and cardamom aromas awakens the variations are also on offer in The Variations range com- the aromas are reminiscent of Livanto’s toasted notes for an special gift packs. prises three perfectly balanced sweet amaretti biscuits. Paired extraordinary coffee experience. coffees, each of which has been with the roasted caramel notes Intensity: 6 THE PENINSULA Thatcher’s passion for fashion on show ahead of UK sale

he British public were invited on Friday to Thatcher went to great lengths to ensure she share Margaret Thatcher’s “secret passion” wore colours appropriate to any country she was Tfor fashion ahead of a sale of clothes worn by visiting — green, a symbol of hope, in Poland, and the former premier known as the ‘Iron Lady’. blue and cream in Israel to mirror the country’s London’s Christie’s auction house will put the flag. “It was all very carefully thought-out,” said clothes under the hammer on Tuesday. Etherington-Smith. It is also selling 200 personal items belonging to “At her party conferences, she always wore a very Britain’s only female premier, in an online auction sharp blue suit,” the colour of her Conservative that runs until Wednesday. Party. The lots, owned by Thatcher’s family, could fetch a “She never wore red in the UK because that’s the combined total of around £500,000 ($760,000, 700,000 colour of socialism but she did wear it in America euros), Orlando Rock, president of Christie’s UK, because that’s the colour of Ronald Reagan’s said. The auction house is used to dealing with works Republican party,” the curator said. of art that regularly sell for more than ten times that amount. Feared handbags “It is quite unusual for us that the vast majority Her “special relationship” with US president of lots are affordable to a very, very large number of Margaret Thatcher’s dispatch box. Right: A Christie’s staff arranges clothes owned by Margaret Thatcher on and fellow free-market reformer Reagan is a focal people,” said Rock. display during the sale of Margaret Thatcher’s collection at Christie’s auction house in London. point of the collection. Some of the most famous items, including the Items include a statue of a bald eagle, the sym- dresses she wore when first meeting Nelson Mandela Meredith Etherington-Smith said of Thatcher, a “Every time there was a photo opportunity, she bol of the United States that Reagan gave her as and when dancing with Ronald Reagan, went on dressmaker’s daughter born Margaret Hilda Roberts was beautifully dressed, immaculately coiffured, with a gift, which is expected to sell for between £5,000 public display at Christie’s on Friday. in Grantham, central England, in 1925. a nice handbag, and she looked what she was: a pow- and £8,000. The auctioneer said the collection would give “From a very young age, she and her sister used erful person.” One of the most emblematic pieces is the iconic “unique insights into the ‘Iron Lady’.” to make clothes,” she added. Historic lots include the blue suit she wore in red leather briefcase that contained the prime min- “When she became the first woman prime min- a 1990 parliament debate on the expansion of the ister’s confidential documents, which is expected Fashion diplomacy ister she used clothes as a way of emphasising her European Monetary Union, in which she uttered to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000. “She had a secret passion for clothes,” curator power. the now immortal line: “No. No. No.” Other items include signed copies of some of her most famous speeches, her wedding dress, her handbags — which used to strike fear into col- leagues during cabinet meetings — and jewellery. The items, proceeds of which will go to her chil- dren and grandchildren, were initially offered to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, but they decided against showing them. Thatcher was in power from 1979 to 1990. Her privatisations and deregulation helped turn around Britain’s ailing economy. But she remains a divisive figure, particularly in Britain’s hard-hit working-class heartlands. She died on April 8, 2013, and received a cer- emonial funeral attended by Queen Elizabeth II.

AFP

MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

Prayer Timings Weather Hazy to misty/foggy at places at first becomes Fajr 04.49 am Zuhr 11.28 am Maghrib 04.48 pm Minimum: 16o C Maximum: 25o C partly cloudy to cloudy by Shorook 06.11 am Asr 02.26 pm Isha 06.18 pm HIGH TIDE 07:00 - 18:00LOW TIDE 14:15 afternoon with chance of light scattered rain later. Vast desert sun farm to help light up Morocco

OUARZAZATE: On the edge of the Its start of operations by the end of humans to survive on it comfortably. Sahara desert, engineers make final this month was set to coincide with the But human activities such as burning checks to a sea of metal mirrors turned conclusion of high-stakes COP21 global coal and oil inject additional CO2 into the towards the sun, preparing for the launch climate talks in Paris. atmosphere, leading to global warming. of Morocco’s first solar power plant. “Construction work has finished,” said Humanity’s annual output of green- The ambitious project is part of the Obaid Amran, a board member of Moroc- house gases is higher than ever, totalling North African country’s goal of boosting co’s solar power agency. “We are testing just under 53 billion tonnes of CO2 in its clean energy output with what it says components of the production units with 2014, according to the UN. Morocco, to will eventually be the world’s largest solar a view to connecting them to the national host next year’s COP22, aims to reduce power production facility. grid at the end of the year.” its greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per- Morocco has scarce oil and gas The project’s next phases — Noor 2 and cent by 2030 as it develops renewable reserves, and is the biggest importer of Noor 3 — are to follow in 2016 and 2017, energy production. energy in the Middle East and North and a call for tenders is open for Noor 4. “We have a project to introduce 6,000 Africa. The plant is part of a vision to Once all phases are complete, Noor will megawatts to the existing electricity pro- move beyond this heavy dependency and be “the largest solar power production duction nationwide,” Energy Minister raise renewable energy production to 42 facility in the world”, its developers say, Abdelkader Amara said recently. percent of its total power needs by 2020. covering an area of 30 square kilometres “Two thousand megawatts will come About 20km outside Ouarzazate, half (11.6 square miles). from solar energy and 2,000 megawatts a million U-shaped mirrors — called It will generate 580 megawatts and from wind and hydroelectric power.” “parabolic troughs” — stretch out in 800 provide electricity to a million homes. Morocco started producing electricity at rows, slowly following the sun as it moves The solar power project will also help Africa’s largest wind farm in its southwest- across the sky. reduce the country’s greenhouse gas ern coastal region of Tarfaya last year. Spread over an area equivalent to more emissions. The energy ministry estimates “Things have been going well so far,” the than 600 football pitches, they store ther- that its first solar power plant will allow minister said. “We’re likely to go beyond mal energy from the sun’s rays and use it the country to reduce CO2 emissions by 2,000 megawatts by 2020 in the area of to activate steam turbines that produce 240,000 tonnes per year initially, and A truck driving past solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant, some wind power.” But Rabat has not abandoned electricity. by 522,000 tonnes with the second two 20km outside the central Moroccan town of Ouarzazate. fossil fuels altogether — last December, King Mohamed VI launched construc- phases. Amara announced a multi-billion-dollar tion of the plant, called Noor 1, in 2013, That is equivalent to nearly one percent World Bank figures. ible blanket of gases including small project to step up Morocco’s search for at a cost of ¤600m ($660m) and involving of Morocco’s CO2 emissions of around The so-called “greenhouse effect” amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) — natural gas to produce electricity. roughly 1,000 workers. 56.5 million tonnes in 2011, according to is a natural phenomenon — an invis- that has made Earth warm enough for AFP

Are you suffering Box office: In the Heart of the from Angelina Sea flops with $11m debut Jolie syndrome? LONDON: If you pay extra LOS ANGELES: Ron Howard’s unfortunately some movies don’t.” a story well told,” said Goldstein. attention to the probability of In the Heart of the Sea sunk at the In the Heart of the Sea reunites Of course, the whole weekend dangerous diseases that you may box office, mustering up a measly Howard with Chris Hemsworth. was a throat clearing of sorts as suffer in future, you are prob- $11 million after debuting in 3,103 The pair previously collaborated the movie business braces for ably suffering from what is being theatres. on the racing drama Rush. It the debut of Star Wars: The Force termed as ‘Angelina Jolie syn- It’s a painful flop for the direc- centres on the Essex, a whaling Awakens next week. The return to drome’, a study warns. tor behind A Beautiful Mind and vessel that had a violent encoun- a galaxy far, far away is on pace The politicisation and com- Apollo 13. One of the worst of his ter with a sperm whale. The nau- to shatter records for a Decem- mercialisation of health issues in Oscar-winning career. With an tical disaster inspired Herman ber opening and could threaten today’s Western culture have led $100m production budget, the film Melville’s Moby Dick. Outside of Jurassic World’s debut of $208.8m to growing healthism — a per- will likely result in a steep write the Thor movies, Hemsworth has to become the biggest launch in emptory idea of self-preserving down for Warner Bros, the studio struggled to establish himself as history. behaviour. Dark Vader poses with fans at The Star Wars Galactic Experience at LA behind the seafaring epic. a box office draw — Rush and this With In the Heart of the Sea This approach criticises eve- Live, in Los Angeles, California. In the Heart of the Sea’s failure year’s cyber thriller Blackhat flailing, Hunger Games: Mocking- rything that fails to fit into the is the latest in a long string of both fizzled. jay - Part 2 captured first place for glamorous standards of a beau- missteps and disasters for the The film is the latest adult ori- the fourth straight weekend with tiful, young and slim body. “But Star Wars memorabilia company, which is reeling from ented drama to collapse at the box $11.3m. The science-fiction fran- even simple concerns about the a litany of disasters that includes office, joining a list that includes chise capper has earned $244.5m ‘standards’ of physical condition The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Jupiter Steve Jobs, Our Brand is Crisis, and domestically. may provoke hypercorrection, Ascending, and Pan. Burnt. The opening weekend audi- Among holdovers, The Good such as surgery on a healthy fetches over $500,000 The studio did catch a break ence for In the Heart of the Sea Dinosaur nabbed second place body,” said study author Evgenia over Thanksgiving when Creed skewed older. Ticket buyers were with $10.5m, bringing its domestic Golman from National Research NEW YORK: Star Wars super a rare two-piece telescoping light- emerged as a sleeper hit and its 54 percent male and 68 percent total to $89.7m. Creed captured University Higher School of Eco- fans snapped up some of the space saber, was quickly withdrawn financial exposure is softened on over the age of 35. 3D screen- fourth position with $10.1m. The nomics, Russia. film saga’s rarest merchandise on from the market “due to the pro- “In the Heart of the Sea” because ings accounted for 42 percent of boxing drama has earned $79.3m More widespread displays of the planet for more than $500,000 pensity for the lightsaber to snap Village Roadshow was a financial receipts. after three weeks of release. healthism include the boom in at auction on Friday, Sotheby’s off,” Sotheby’s said. partner. Warner Bros hopes it can Krampus dropped 58 percent in diets, fitness, plastic surgery and announced in New York. There was also a strong mar- “We stand behind Ron and make up some ground over the its second weekend of release to organic food, as well as the popu- More than 600 items found ket in helmets. A replica of a Star his vision for the story,” said Jeff holidays, noting that the B+ Cin- round out the top five with $8m. larity of mobile apps for health new homes in the sale organised Wars: A New Hope Stormtrooper Goldstein, Warner Bros. distribu- emaScore means word-of-mouth The Christmas-themed horror monitoring. “Popular health- by Sotheby’s and eBay — just days from 2007 fetched $8,125, the auc- tion executive vice president. “We will be solid. “The adult audience film has earned $28.1m stateside. care policy today often shifts the before the release of Star Wars: tion house said. Sotheby’s consult- believe in him. He’s a terrific film- has been slow to come out and responsibility for health from The Force Awakens, the seventh ant James Gallo says the results maker. But some movies work and that’s frustrating because this is REUTERS healthcare institutions to indi- movie in arguably the world’s big- demonstrated the quality of Nigo’s viduals themselves, and shifts the gest movie franchise. collection and the enduring appeal focus from treatment to preven- The space epics have grossed of the ‘Star Wars’ universe. “We tion, including prevention of even billions of dollars at the box office set a number of benchmark prices purely hypothetical pathologies,” worldwide since the first film came today, reflecting the strength of Golman wrote in her paper. out in 1977 this market,” Preventive medicine undoubt- and spawned he said. Hate Facebook? Learn why edly helps prevent many diseases a pop culture Sotheby’s, and can save a lot of resources for phenom- set up in 18th families and the state. But if ‘cal- enon, draw- century Lon- culation’ of sicknesses and ideali- ing legions don and best sation of beauty and healthy body of hard- known for you meekly log in again standards are understood improp- core fans. selling fine erly, in a purely commercial way, All items in art master- NEW YORK: Have you felt like 99daysoffreedom.com — an online they can lead to mass neurosis and the auction pieces, called walking away from Facebook campaign that encouraged par- a social obsession with complying came from in Gallo or to shut down your account ticipants to log off Facebook for to healthist fashion. the private to value swearing never to return, only to 99 days. “The most dangerous thing is collection Members of a Star Wars fan club reading the collec- meekly log back in a week later? These surveys were intended to that such an approach stigmatises of Japanese a newspaper while dressed as fictional tion, which You are not alone. gauge each user’s mood through- everything that doesn’t fit in with designer characters (from left) Darth Vader, a Jedi, and he spent a Researchers from Cornell Uni- out the Facebook detox. the model of a ‘healthy lifestyle’,” and creative week and versity have found four key rea- mood. In a good mood? You’re less A sampling of this data was the researcher warned. A young, Darth Revan at a Cafe in Hamburg, Germany. entrepreneur a half sort- sons why people make the pledge likely to renege on your pledge to then shared with the Cornell beautiful and slim body is becom- Nigo, who ing through. not to log in to Facebook but ulti- stay off Facebook,” the authors research team. “People who ing not just a ‘glossy’ cult, but a started collecting toys and figures From the United States to Russia mately could not resist the allure noted. The research group also leave social media and then measure for an individual’s socio- decades ago at just six years old. to China, the franchise has a fan of Facebook’s social network. found that Facebook users were return provide the opportunity economic position and even their The online auction netted com- base spanning generations. The “The first reason is perceived less likely to log back in if they to understand better what’s at ‘value’ for society. bined sales of $502,202, Sotheby’s films’ psychology has even found addiction. Those who feel that had other social media outlets like stake when people use — or don’t A person not only obsessively said. The most expensive lot was a its way onto university syllabuses. Facebook is addictive or habitual Twitter, for instance. use — sites like Facebook,” the monitors every bodily manifesta- pristine, unopened packet of seven “It’s merchandised more than were more likely to return,” said Those who reflected on the authors pointed out in a paper tion, but starts detecting signs of action figures from The Empire most,” the Pennsylvania-based lead researcher Eric Baumer. appropriate role for technology in published in the journal Social imaginary sicknesses. Everything Strikes Back which fetched $32,500 Gallo, who owns store Toy and Com- One participant described this their social lives were more likely Media + Society. that doesn’t fit into healthist — three times the estimate. ics Heaven, said last week. “There habitual aspect by saying, “In the to revert. “In many of these cases, “These results show just how dif- standards (from excessive weight Two complete sets of “Power of isn’t much that can compare.” He first 10 days, whenever I opened people returned to Facebook but ficult daily decisions about social to face features) can become an the Force” coins, which were avail- said that Star Wars collectors would up an Internet browser, my fin- altered their use, for example, media use can be,” Baumer added. object for discrimination. able only by special request from proudly display their hard-won gers would automatically go to ‘f.’” uninstalling the app from their “Facebook also serves numer- Golman said such sources of the manufacturer Kenner, sold for memorabilia like anything else — Another reason is privacy and phones, reducing their number of ous important social functions, healthism as “the politicisation of $27,500. A Luke Skywalker doll, and certainly would not snap open surveillance. Users who felt their friends or limiting the amount of in some cases providing the only health” and economic feasibility which hit the market in 1978 as the packets and play with the dolls. Facebook activity was being moni- time spent on the platform,” the means for certain groups to keep of lower health care costs, social a children’s toy, sold for $25,000, “It’s up to each individual how they tored were less likely to revert, authors noted. in touch. These results highlight transformations such as the cult above its upper estimate of $18,000. enjoy the items they have. It’s just while those who use Facebook The team’s findings were drawn the complexities involved in peo- of individualism, as well as “medi- Also never removed from the like anything else, whether it be fine largely to manage how other peo- from more than 5,000 surveys ple’s ongoing decisions about how calisation of everyday life”. The packaging, it is one of only 20 art or sports collectibles,” Gallo said. ple think of them are more likely issued to participants by “Just”, to use, or not use, social media,” study was published in the Journal confirmed examples of the doll, to log back in. the Dutch creative agency. The the team concluded. of Social Policy Studies. Sotheby’s said. The figurine, with AFP “The third reason is subjective survey data was provided by IANS IANS Monday 14 December 2015 3 Rabia I 1437 Volume 20 Number 6644 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar Shell, QDB sign deals with six new SMEs

“The addition of six new Qatari is in comparison to 2013, when Al Sada attends signing ceremony SMEs to the eight local suppli- only 10 local SMEs were qualified ers awarded in 2013 and 2014 is to participate in the tender proc- DOHA: Qatar Shell, in partner- CEO of Qatar Development Bank a clear demonstration of our suc- ess that resulted in the awarding ship with Qatar Development and Michiel Kool Managing Direc- cessful partnership with Qatar of three contracts, all of which are Bank (QDB), signed agreements tor and Chairman of Qatar Shell Shell to bolster a robust private currently performing well. with six new Qatari SMEs in the Companies, who both witnessed sector in Qatar,” said Al Khalifa. This year, more than 150 Qatari presence of Minister of Energy the signings alongside Dr Al Sada. Speaking at the signing, Kool SMEs attended the third annual and Industry H E Dr Mohammed The six Qatari SMEs that said: “In support of our valued ‘Qatari SME Business Opportuni- bin Saleh Al Sada yesterday. The have been awarded contracts are: partner Qatar Petroleum and in ties Workshop’, where more than decision is part of the nationwide Cooper & Turner WLL for the close collaboration with QDB, 60 local SMEs showed their inter- strategy to support local small manufacturing of stud bolts; Fouj we remain committed to support est to compete for the seven busi- and medium enterprises (SMEs). Café for the provision of cafeteria the Qatar National Vision 2030 ness opportunities on offer. More At the signing ceremony four and catering services for staff and by developing local SMEs and than 30 local SMEs were short- new local SMEs were awarded events; Digital Print Centre for the entrepreneurs. As a result of this listed and were invited to partici- with contracts to become the manufacturing of safety boards and successful joint partnership, I am pate in Qatar Shell’s tendering a supplier of choice for Pearl GTL, electric labels; Inspection Tech- extremely proud to officially wel- process. QDB plays an important the world’s largest gas-to liquids nology (I-Tech) for the supply of come six new Qatari SMEs onto role by providing the SMEs and plant delivered by Qatar Petro- onsite welding inspection services; Minister of Energy and Industry H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada the supply roster for Pearl GTL entrepreneurs with management, leum (QP) and Qatar Shell. In Chubb Fire, International Gulf witnessing officials signing the agreement. and Qatar Shell.” advisory and financial support. As addition, two SMEs were awarded Trading for the manufacturing and The annual ‘SME Business the leading development bank in contracts with Qatar Shell at the maintenance of fire extinguishers; said: “Our strategy is to acceler- ish by acquiring contracts that Opportunity’ initiative has been Qatar with a mandate to support signing ceremony. and Social Media Solutions for the ate the growth and development have the potential to elevate their growing year on year. In 2014, 110 Qatari SMEs, QDB works with Amro Ahmed, SME Manager management of Qatar Shell’s social of Qatar’s private sector, and it is future, while global companies and local entrepreneurs participated its wide network of local partner of Qatar Shell, signed the agree- media platforms. through these joint initiatives that their customers get the services in the ‘SME Business Opportuni- banks to attract local SMEs to ments with the CEOs of the Commenting on the initiative, we are able to link local SMEs to they need from a local supplier, ties Workshop’ of which 33 SMEs participate in this initiative. Qatari SMEs, in the presence of Abdulaziz bin NasserAl Khalifa, world-class companies such as which reduces supply chain risk were qualified to tender, and five Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank Shell. Local SMEs grow and flour- and provides quality assurance.” were awarded with contracts. This THE PENINSULA

Real estate QE index falls below 10,000 mark, market down 21.5pc YTD transactions By Satish Kanady the highly anticipated Federal Gulf International, which lost its stocks in Qatar. Price of oil is not around 2.2 percent.” touch QR4.6bn Reserve policy meeting. presence in MSCI emerging mar- only important for government “There could be a small DOHA: Qatar Exchange’s (QE) Investors have broadly sold ket index, tumbled 7.41 percent. revenues but it is also an indicator increase but that is unlikely to DOHA: Qatar’s real estate value benchmark index logged one of banking and industrial shares. QIB and Masraf Al Rayan were that affects investor confidence in have a material impact on long touched QR4.6bn in November, its biggest declines of the year Retail investors were the net the worst hit banking stocks. As the GCC region, Afa Boran, Head term yields and hence stocks. up 35.3 percent, compared to yesterday, on oil slump. sellers and were busy pulling out QIB shed 6.64 percent Masraf of Asset Management, Amwal More important is the health of the previous month. On year-on- The benchmark index fell money from blue chips. The entire Al Rayan declined 6.34 percent. told The Peninsula. US economy. Stock valuations in year basis the transaction value below the psychological barrier of shares in banking and industri- Banking major QNB was down by “Globally, this week’s expected Qatar are cheap but so in many is up 21 percent, Ezdan Holding’s 10,000-mark to finish at 9,643.65, als sectors ended in red. Bank- 2.15 percent. Fed decision on interest rates is other emerging markets. Outlook monthly report noted yesterday. shedding 3.71 percent, or 371.17 ing sector tumbled 3.86 percent A further weakening in oil also an important focus for inves- for oil prices need to improve to According to the Ezdan report, points. as the industrials sector lost prices for the last month or so tors, although I don’t expect a lift stocks in the region in the Qatar’s real estate market gained The market was 21.5 percent 4.07 percent. Industrials sector to below $40, coupled with weak major increase. US Fed rates are short term,” he said. momentum despite drop in oil down year-to-date. heavyweight Industries Qatar equity markets globally are the currently very low at 0.25 percent prices and a 17.1 percent year-on- The tumult came ahead of (IQ) plunged 4.97 percent and key reasons for weakness in compared with 10 year rates of THE PENINSULA year decline in real estate stocks listed on the local bourse. The total traded real estate shares on Qatar Exchange during Novem- ber was 24.2 million, down 56.3 percent compared to the previous Qatar, Russia discuss month. The GCC real estate sec- tor has also showed momentum especially in Saudi Arabia where the housing sector witnessed posi- business cooperation tive activities . Real estate market in UAE was stable in November. DOHA: The joint Russian-Qatari Chairman of the Russian- Business Council held here a Qatar Business Council Umar meeting with participation of a Dzhabrailov said both countries Made in China number of Qatari businessmen have unlimited potential and that and their Russian counterparts the time had come to contribute Expo 2015 in order to set up partnerships to push relations ahead at all eco- and strengthen common coopera- nomic levels, stressing his coun- begins today tion between the two parties. try’s willingness to overcome all Addressing the meeting, Vice- obstacles in order to achieve this DOHA: Over 100 reputable Chairman of Qatar Chamber goal. Chinese companies will display Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Russia’s Ambassador to Qatar products in the Made in China Al Kuwari said relations are wit- Noor Mohammad Julov also Expo 2015, which will take palce nessing a remarkable develop- expressed his happiness to attend in Doha Exhibition Center from ment in many areas, most notably the meeting. today till Wednesday. the economic and sport sectors. QNA Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari (second left), Umar Dzhabrailov (second right) and other officials at the meet. The Expo which will be dis- played in an area of 5,000 sqm will provide with an ideal opportunity to the non-hydrocarbon indus- tries in Qatar said Qatat Chamber (QC). QC yesterday announced that the Qatar Financial Centre Combined profits of Mideast airlines to hit $1.7bn (QFC) will be the golden sponsor. The exhibition which is being By Mohammad Shoeb super-connector operations, and airline industry outlook for 2015 combination of factors, including factors (80.6 percent in 2015, held in Qatar for the first time is regionally-focused airlines which upwards to a net profit of $33bn lower oil prices, strong demand tapering slightly to 80.4 percent hosted by Qatar Chamber under GENEVA: The combined prof- are suffering from the impact of (4.6 percent net profit margin) for passenger travel, stronger eco- in 2016). Capacity is increasing the patronage of Prime Minister its of Middle East airlines in lower oil revenues. from $29.3bn forecast in June. nomic performance in some key and is expected to move ahead of and Interior Minister H E Sheikh 2016 is expected to touch $1.7bn Profit per passenger of $7.97 “This is a good news story. The economies, and efficiency gains. demand growth in 2016. Yields, Abdulla bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al (about QR6.19bn), up by over 21 forecast for 2016 is slightly less airline industry is delivering solid Lower oil prices (forecast to however, continue to deteriorate Thani. The agreement of sponsor- percent compared to the esti- than that expected for Euro- financial and operational per- be $55/barrel Brent in 2015 and amid stiff competition. ing the exhibition was signed by mated combined profits of $1.4bn pean airlines and almost a third formance. Passengers are ben- averaging a lower $51/barrel in In 2016, total passenger num- Saleh Al Sharqi, QC Acting Gen- (about QR5.1bn) in 2015, accord- of what North American airlines efiting from greater value than 2016) are giving airline profits a bers are expected to rise to 3.8 eral Manager, and Sheikh Salman ing to latest figures released by are achieving. The region is still ever with competitive airfares and boost; however, this is strongly billion traveling over some 54,000 bin Hassan Al Thani, Chief Stra- the International Air Transport generating double-digit growth. product investments. Environ- moderated in many markets by routes. North American carriers tegic & Business Development Association (IATA) at the ‘Global Capacity is expected to expand by mental performance is improving. the appreciation of the US dollar. are leading the industry’s per- Officer. Al Sharqi said both QC Media Day’ here recently. 12.1 percent and 12.2 percent in More people and businesses are Strong demand for passenger formance and are expected to and QFC are keen to develop the The region is expected to 2015 and 2016, respectively, largely being connected to more places travel (6.7 percent growth in 2015 generate considerably more than Qatari private sector and enhance recover most of the lost ground, as a result of growth in traffic over than ever. Employment levels are and 6.9 percent in 2016) is mak- half the industry’s total profits national economic diversification. but the collective profits of $1.4bn the region’s modern hubs. rising. And finally our sharehold- ing up for disappointing cargo in both 2015 ($19.4bn) and 2016 Sheikh Salman also paid trib- in 2015 is expected to be 22 per- According to the latest global ers are beginning to enjoy normal demand growth (1.9 percent in ($19.2bn). On a per passenger ute to QC’s efforts in supporting cent lower than the previously airline industry outlook for 2016, returns on their investments,” 2015; strengthening to 3 percent basis, profits of $21.44 in 2016 also and encouraging ecommic part- forecast $1.8bn. the average net profit margin of said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director in 2016). Weak cargo performance places their performance at the nership with other countries. The Middle East is, however, 5.1 percent being generated with General and CEO. reflects sluggish growth in trade. top of the industry. split between strong Gulf air- total net profits of $36.3bn. IATA The strengthening industry Efficiency gains by airlines are THE PENINSULA lines, with successful long-haul also announced a revision to its performance is being driven by a illustrated by record high load THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS GCC real estate Commercial Bank hosts female Sadara clients DOHA: Commercial Bank hosted an exclusive dinner for the Bank’s key female Sadara clients at the Kempinski Marsa Malaz. The to pick up dinner was held to build customer relationships and to thank the Sadara clients for their loyalty. Commercial Bank’s AGM, Head of Sadara Wealth Man- pace: Al Masah agement, Bouchra Sebbata, said: “Commercial Bank is commit- ted to serving the banking needs GCC economy at $1.65 trn in 2014 of valuable customers with VIP treatment. Commercial Bank’s DOHA: Hinting at positive strong performance of the non-oil Sadara service is always keen to growth rates for the real estate sector and the large cash buffers, provide support to our female markets in the GCC; Al Masah which ensured steady levels of customers and this dinner was Capital Ltd, the region’s lead- spending and investment. our way of thanking them using ing investment firm, published Over the last five years, the a personal touch for their loyalty. Key female Sadara clients at the Commercial Bank event. its report announcing a booming GCC economy has grown at an Sadara is a core service offered by GCC economy at $1.65 trillion in average annual rate of 5 percent Commercial Bank and this din- 2014 as compared to $535.7bn a against the world average growth ner was also an opportunity for Khalifa, said: “I would like to Emadi, said: “This Sadara bank- “I always feel valued as a lady decade ago. rate of 2.8 percent. Within the our female customers to provide thank Commercial Bank for the ing ladies dinner is a good exam- customer at Commercial Bank The reports were in compari- GCC region, Qatar recorded the feedback on the exclusive high personal gesture of the ladies ple of how Commercial Bank go and I enjoy the special personal- son with the global real estate highest growth rate of 9.7 per- end banking services provided by dinner and the opportunity talk out of their way to provide me ised treatment that comes with market investments which fell cent, followed by Saudi Arabia each customer’s own Sadara rela- more about my individual banking witha VIP banking experience.” being a Sadara client.” back in 2014 due to policy changes (5.2 percent), Bahrain (4 percent) tionship manager.” needs in a face-to-face way.” Yet another Sadara cus- in China and other Asia-Pacific and the UAE (4 percent), respec- Sadara customer, Dr Batoul Sadara customer, Sharifa Al tomer, Fatema Jassiman, added: THE PENINSULA countries leading to weakening tively. The increased contribution in land sales. Global real estate of the non-oil sector to the econ- investment fell in 2014 for the omy has been the major reason for first time in five years, dropping the relatively better performance 6.3 percent to $1.21 trillion from by the GCC countries, surpassing $1.29 trillion in 2013. While the the growth rates of the developed ExxonMobil holds Tamayoz training programme recent drop in oil prices have countries in the last five years. subdued GDP growth in the Post recession, GCC has short term, the GCC economy is emerged as an attractive desti- DOHA: ExxonMobil Qatar successful Qatari business lead- face and subsurface) and safety, of key commercial drivers. expected to recover on back of nation for global investors and hosted 14 training programmes ers. Each course is relevant to health and the environment. “I am very pleased to have supportive economic policies and the real estate and construction from September to December areas of special interest identified Courses held between September taken part in the Gas Business strong performance in non-oil sectors have become key economic for employees from its valued through extensive discussions,” and December included offerings Fundamentals as it’s so relevant sector. According to IMF, GCC’s barometers for the growth in the partner Qatar Petroleum; joint said Alistair Routledge, President from each of the six key areas. to my work as a commercial ana- economy is estimated to reach $2 region. GCC countries are also ventures RasGas and Qatargas; and General Manager for Exxon- One of the 14 courses held dur- lyst. The course gave me a deeper trillion by 2020, with Saudi Ara- organizing mega events such as Tasweeq and Nakilat. Mobil Qatar. “We’re committed ing this time period, and new to understanding of the various bia contributing $902bn, followed the Dubai World Expo 2020 in the In line with the human develop- to driving human potential from Tamayoz, was Facility Design and facets of the natural gas indus- by the UAE ($502bn), Qatar UAE and the FIFA World Cup ment pillar of the Qatar National classroom to boardroom across Surveillance. The course gives try, from exploration through to ($269bn), Kuwait ($196bn), Oman 2022 in Qatar, which will provide Vision 2030, the ‘Tamayoz’ train- the State of Qatar, in support of participants the tools to design the marketing of products,” said ($81bn) and Bahrain ($40bn). a major boost to the region’s tour- ing programme shares ExxonMo- a competitive workforce that can an oil and gas production facility, Fatma Fadul Al Naimi, Commer- Al Masah also observed that ism as well as real estate industry bil’s technical, commercial and sustain Qatar’s future. We believe and to analyse surveillance data cial Analyst I at Qatargas. the GCC region as a whole is in the coming years. However, the operational expertise with local that such a workforce is the key for effective facility optimisation. Around 140 courses have been still heavily reliant on oil rev- private equity investment in the partners through a structured to a knowledge-based economy, Another course held this fall offered free of charge to Exxon- enues while the non-oil sector GCC real estate is still recovering programme designed to increase as outlined in the Qatar National was Gas Business Fundamen- Mobil partners and joint ventures comprising manufacturing, real from the economic recession in participation of Qatari nationals Vision 2030.” tals, one of the flagship Tamayoz with nearly 2,000 individuals estate, tourism, hospitality, and 2009. The recovery rate has been in the workforce and enhance Tamayoz delivers professional commercial courses that prepares receiving training since the incep- trade, has emerged as the major slow due to cautious investor sen- their capabilities. and personal development oppor- professionals for natural gas com- tion of the programme in 2012. In growth engine, especially in the timents and the industry has a “The Tamayoz training pro- tunities through six targeted crit- mercialisation activities. Partici- 2015 alone, over 40 courses have UAE. Consequently, despite the long way to go before it reaches gramme was developed to cater ical competency areas: leadership pants are equipped with a strong been offered to more than 600 steep decline in oil prices in H2, the pre-2009 levels of investment. to the training needs of our and personal effectiveness; project understanding of the global gas industry professionals. 2014, the GDP growth in GCC industry partners and their peo- management; commercial; opera- value chain, improved business was not severely affected due to THE PENINSULA ple, empowering them to become tions excellence; technical (sur- knowledge skills and discernment THE PENINSULA

Doha Bank IMF must stay, Grexit closes $575m syndicated loan risk not over, says EU DOHA: Doha Bank has signed ATHENS: Greece cannot remove government was forced in July to a new $575m syndicated senior the IMF from its economic bail- back down from its anti-auster- unsecured term loan facility. The out, the head of the EU’s rescue ity electoral pledges and accept a facility, which will be used for fund said yesterday, adding that three-year, €86bn rescue from its general corporate purposes, pays the possibility of a Greek euro- eurozone partners. a margin of 75 bps per annum zone exit remains if reforms are At the time, the threat of over USD LIBOR and has a bullet neglected. Greece being forced to leave the repayment at the end of the two “There has to be a financial eurozone had been broached in year tenor. A one year extension contribution because the IMF, Brussels, and Regling on Sunday option may be exercised by the according to the ESM Treaty said the risk was theoretically Bank at the end of the second and to the agreement in the July still present. year, with participation in any summit, should be part of the pro- “Greece has agreed to imple- such extension at the sole discre- gramme also financially,” Klaus ment reforms which are necessary tion of each lender. Regling, head of the European so that its partners can provide Despite the prevailing chal- Stability Mechanism, told To Vima the financing needed and Greece lenging market conditions in weekly. can return to a sustainable eco- the Middle East, the syndication Greek Prime Minister Alexis nomic situation,” the European transaction was oversubscribed. Tsipras last week argued that the Stability Mechanism chief said. Doha Bank was able to upsize the global lender’s participation was “But ultimately the possibility is facility from the original $500m “not necessary” in the country’s always there, if commitments as amount targeted due to excellent third bailout, highlighting the a member of monetary union are support from its relationship bank IMF’s “unconstructive” position not respected,” he said in refer- group, which is a testimony to the in demanding tough reforms and ence to the so-called Grexit. strong relationship it enjoys with guarantees. But Regling warned: Tsipras’ administration has these international banks and the “If the IMF decides not to par- since July pushed through par- trust and confidence these banks ticipate it could be a big problem.” liament a number of unpopular repose in Doha Bank relationship, “My assumption is that the bailout reforms, losing part of its said Dr R Seetharaman, CEO of IMF will participate,” he said, majority in the chamber to defec- Doha Bank. adding that the contribution “is tions in the process. THE PENINSULA likely to be small.” Tsipras’ leftist AFP

Malabar Gold opens 142nd outlet

DOHA: Malabar Gold & Dia- monds, the leading jewellery retailer, launched its 142nd out- let globally and the 9th outlet in Oman. Famous Omani Footballer Imad Al Hosni inaugurated the show- room on Friday in the presence of Khamis Al Mandhri, Acting Chief of West Asian Depart- ment, Oman; Shamlal Ahamed M P, Managing Director- Inter- national Operations; Abdul Salam K P, Group Executive Director - Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Najeeb K - Regional Head – Mal- abar Gold , Oman, personalities from media and other well wish- ers. The showroom is located at Omani Footballer Imad Al Hosni inaugurating the Malabar Gold & Diamonds Gold Souq Seeb. showroom in the presence of Khamis Al Mandhri, Acting Chief of West Asian Department, Oman, and other group officials. THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Turkmenistan, Diverging policies spell Afghanistan, weaker euro ahead: QNB Pakistan, India launch pipeline

Depreciation of euro could benefit eurozone growth TURKMENISTAN: Leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, DOHA: The depreciation of the eral Reserve (Fed), could push However, the appreciation of Pakistan and India broke ground euro could boost the Euro Area’s the euro down again. The depre- the euro against the US dollar yesterday on a $10bn gas pipeline exports and help inflation in the ciation of the euro could benefit could soon reverse with the rise expected to help ease energy defi- region to creep up to target. This, eurozone growth by boosting its in interest rates in the US. Short- cits in South Asia and stem ten- together with low oil prices and exports. It could also help infla- term movements in currencies sions in the divided region. support from fiscal policy, could tion to rise back to its near 2 per- tend to be dominated by interest Presidents Gurbanguly Berdy- help the region to sustain its cent target. rate differentials. As investors mukhamedov of Turkmenistan recovery in the short term. Why did the ECB feel the need borrow funds from low interest and Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan But growth is still held back by to add another dose of monetary rate countries and invest them attended the ceremony in the Kar- structural issues related to slow stimulus? The recent data from in higher interest rate countries, akum desert outside the south- productivity gains and unfavour- the Euro Area have been broadly the resulting portfolio flows cause eastern Turkmen city of Mary, able demographics. These issues in line with expectations, but the high-yielding currencies to appre- marking the beginning of work still need to be tackled. And for ECB might have been motivated ciate against low-yield ones. on the Turkmenistan-Afghani- these, another episode of mone- by a worsening outlook given the Since the financial crisis of the case since early 2015. maintain the size of its balance stan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) link. tary easing will not be the answer, headwinds facing emerging mar- 2008, short-term interest rates With the imminent rise of sheet at around $4.5 trillion. They were joined by Prime Minis- QNB said in its latest “economic kets (EMs). have fallen to zero in most interest rates in the US, the dif- Meanwhile, the ECB is expected ter Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan and Commentary”. The clouds gathering around advanced economies. ferential between short-term to keep its interest rates near zero Indian Vice-President Mohammad QNB’s weekly analysis noted EMs could lead to disappoint- Investors have therefore interest rates is back as an impor- until late 2018 and to increase Hamid Ansari. the European Central Bank ing growth and a longer period focused instead on the impact of tant driver of the euro-dollar the size of its balance sheet by “Today we were participants (ECB) added another dose of of below-target inflation, and the quantitative easing on the rela- movement in addition to the size €60bn a month, from €2.7trn as and witnesses of a historic event. monetary easing on December ECB decided to act before these tive size of major central banks’ of balance sheets and quantitative of November 2015. Today marks the start of a project 3. The latest measures include risks materialise. balance sheets as an alternative easing. So while the euro-dollar Based on the historical rela- of great scale -- the TAPI pipe- reducing the deposit rate by 10 But markets had had high measure of monetary conditions. movement was driven mainly tionship between interest rate, line,” said Berdymukhamedov dur- basis points, taking it further into expectations which the ECB In particular, the difference in the by the interest rate differential balance sheet differentials and the ing the ceremony, which took place negative territory(-0.3 percent), failed to meet. These expecta- growth rate between the Fed’s pre-2008 and mainly by balance euro-dollar exchange rate, diverg- in a pavilion imitating a traditional and extending the quantitative tions were fuelled by the ECB’s balance sheet and that of the sheet differences in 2009-15, both ing monetary policies should lead Turkmen nomadic dwelling. Turk- easing programme by six months guidance before the meeting, ECB’s has become an important factors are expected to play an to a depreciation of the euro-dol- menistan has said it expects the to March 2017. But that was not including speeches of its presi- driver of the euro-dollar exchange important role in the future. lar to 0.95 by end-2016. Even if gas link with an annual capacity of enough to satisfy markets, which dent, Mario Draghi. And when rate. If the ECB’s balance sheet What does this imply about the we assume a more gradual pace of 33 billion cubic metres to be com- had expected a larger stimulus. the guidance failed to materialise, is growing faster than the Fed’s, euro-dollar going forward? The interest rate hikes in the US (two pleted by the end of 2018. As a result, the euro rose by 3.1 markets responded aggressively investors interpret that as an eas- Fed is expected to raise interest hikes per year), then the euro- Afghanistan, India and Pakistan percent against the US dollar on with equities falling, European ing of monetary conditions in the rates this month and to continue dollar should still fall to near par- have all repeatedly stated their the day. However, diverging global bond yields rising and the euro Euro Area relative to the US. As a raising rates at the pace of four ity by end-2016. commitment to the natural gas monetary policies, with an easing experiencing one of its strongest result, the euro would depreciate 25-basis-point hikes per year. project despite the bilateral ten- ECB and a tightening US Fed- ever rallies. against the dollar. This has been Furthermore, it is expected to THE PENINSULA sions Delhi and Kabul have with Islamabad. The leaders praised the pipeline as a political project that will help bring about better rela- tions in the volatile region. “The TAPI gas pipeline project QPAY joins will help promote peace and QDB hosts workshop to boost exports trade amongst the regional coun- tries,” said Pakistan’s Sharif. The DOHA: Qatar Development said: “Qatar Development Bank’s Indian vice president said TAPI MasterCard Bank (QDB), in collaboration strategy is to stimulate SMEs to was “more than a project” and with the Geneva-based Interna- enter new markets and to encour- described it as “the first step to tional Trade Centre (ITC) and age companies to export their the unification of the region”, in for WPS the General Authority of Cus- products to the world. translated remarks. Afghanistan’s toms in Qatar, recently held a The bank has several initiatives Ghani, for his part, said the project DOHA: QPAY, a Qatari com- workshop to raise awareness of that aim to educate and raise demonstrated the countries’ politi- pany offering Made-In-Qatar the Trade Facilitation Agreement awareness amongst the local SME cal will. electronic payment solutions for by the World Trade Organization community, including our Tasdeer “We are committed to the stable banks and MasterCard, have (WTO) among Qatari companies. initiative which specializes in development of the entire region partnered to introduce Qatar’s The workshop, held on Decem- export support and is considered which will develop in an active and first Wage Protection System ber 3, 2015 discussed the benefits one of the most effective tools in stable manner if we cooperate,” he (WPS) salary card platform of the agreement with repre- raising the competitiveness of said in translated remarks. Energy which complies with the Qatar sentatives from the ITC and their Qatar’s exporting companies.” experts say the project does indeed Central Bank WPS payment role in facilitating two-way trade Al Khalifa added: “As part of have potential to ease relationships regulations regarding low-wage between Geneva and Qatar. our Tasdeer export programme, in the divided region. “TAPI is a immigrant labourers residing in Bakhit Salem Al Abhaq, Head QDB holds regular workshops challenging project, partly because Qatar. of Operations and Support at the to ensure local SME’s are kept of these bilateral tensions,” said QPAY brings to the market the General Authority of Customs informed of important changes in Charles Hendry, Britain’s former lowest cost and most advanced explained their role in facilitat- export regulations and bilateral energy and climate change minister. WPS IBAN platform in the GCC ing trade for local businesses. agreements. We also undertake Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB addressing the event. “But I think it is precisely this kind region. QPAY solutions have Al Abhag provided details on market studies to identify export of big multi-state project that can been used in Qatar, GCC and Al Nadeeb, an automated sys- opportunities and assist Qatari tion about the importers in those the WTO Agreement to facilitate bind countries together geopoliti- foreign markets since 2001, and tem introduced to Qatar in 2013 companies to take part in inter- markets, and arranging and hold- trade, in order to support SMEs cally,” Hendry, chairman of Eurasia are offered to banks and finan- to provide better communica- national fairs and events under ing bilateral meetings between in Qatar capitalise on export mar- Partners consultancy, told AFP at cial institutions as white-labeled tion and integration with the the name of Qatar Pavilion. This exporters and importers. Today, kets.” an energy conference in Turkmeni- products with tremendous rev- trade community. Abdulaziz bin provides logistical and promo- we are spreading awareness about stan last month. enue share opportunities. Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, tional support, supplying informa- the most important advantages of THE PENINSULA AFP The QPAY secure cloud-based WPS IBAN platform is built for white-label or private label to banks, financial institutions, retailers and telecom organisa- tions. Designed to help corporate cli- Barwa Bank announces ents comply with the latest labor payment laws by the Qatar Cen- tral Bank (QCB) and the Qatar Ministry of Labor & Social Serv- winners of Thara’a draw ices (QMLSS). “We have chosen MasterCard as our partner, thanks to its glo- DOHA: Barwa Bank has bal market reach, and because announced the third round of it offers us the ability to design draw winners for Thara’a, the a local Qatari product that pro- bank’s newest profit making motes laborer financial inclusion Shari’ah-compliant savings in Qatar as well as their home account. country. Labourer financial inclu- During the event Ziad sion is very important to the Hesham Muadamani walked Qatar Central Bank and QPAY; away with QR50,000, in addi- as a result, our partnership with tion to Nasser Emair Al Naemi, MasterCard enables us to offer A Mna Jabor Al Attiya, Ahmed the best and most innovative Majid Alsuwaidi, Syed Furqan product, for the lowest cost while Hassan Gilani and Hessa Ibra- maintaining full compliance with him Al Mulla winning cash Qatari Government laws.,” said prizes worth QR25,000 during Nebil Ben Aissa, CEO & Founder the draw that took place at the QPAY International. bank’s headquarters. “Our partnership with Mas- Also, the following custom- A winner of Barwa’s third round of Thara’a draw. terCard helped us design a WPS ers, Mohammad Sayab Khan solution which defends the lab- Ferozuddin Khan, Helmi bin banks in Qatar. Based on sev- granting one customer a grand orers’ human rights and forces Othman, Moun Mustafa Deib eral criteria, Thara’a account prize of QR1,000,000. employers to pay labourers on Albeshtawi, Babiker Ali, Alla holders are eligible for a Coupled with the tactical time and in full, while promot- Hail Marouf, Yousef Abdel- number of periodic draws for cash prizes and reward scheme ing safe and secure electronic pay salam Othman Alaraj, Jamal cash prizes. is a strategically designed bun- which aligns with Qatar’s 2030 Abdu Al Ammari and Ibrahim Totalling QR2,645,000, dle of value-added benefits e-vision,” he added. Abdularhman Al Naimi each Thara’a cash rewards are dis- and services as Thara’a offers Raghav Prasad, General Man- won cash prizes worth QR5,000. tributed on both a monthly and account holders convenience ager for Gulf Countries, Master- The draw was held under the quarterly basis to customers and access to Barwa Bank’s Card said: “We are excited to be supervision of a representative holding a minimum balance of innovative multiple banking collaborating with QPAY on the of the quantitative license and QR10,000. channels, with benefits includ- new salary cards. At Master- market control department at Qualified customers are eli- ing unlimited withdrawals and Card, we strongly believe finan- the Ministry of Economy and gible for a maximum of three deposits, as well as free fund cial inclusion is the foundation Commerce. draws per month for monthly transfers across their accounts for economic growth that’s more Thara’a offers account draws rewarding 44 winners and through all Barwa Bank’s inclusive, equitable, and sustain- holders the chance to ben- in total with cash prizes up to channels. able.” efit from cash rewards up to QR50,000, and for a maximum THE PENINSULA QR1,000,000, a first for Islamic of 11 quarterly draws, each THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS Miners prop up Australia Liquidity cracks grow in as iron ore melts By Michael Heath

HE price of Australia’s top export has been almost slashed Danish bond market in half this year. That makes it all the more surprising economists increasingly see iron ore propping up growth By Frances Schwartzkopff and Peter banks need an ISIN code for each product,” and banks are now allowed to use the most Tas they assemble their 2016 forecasts. Levring Anders Aalund, chief analyst at Nordea liquid mortgage bonds to fill 70 percent of The reason: Australian producers are making up for the price Markets in Copenhagen, said by phone. The their liquidity buffers, compared with the destruction by doubling down on volume, in the process worsening HE governor of the central bank question is “whether the pass-through set- 40 percent cap Basel had intended. a global supply glut. There’s even a new entrant to the market — of Denmark has added his voice up is the way to go,” or “might it be smarter But questions about the health of Den- Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest person, last week oversaw her to the chorus of critics concerned to have, in the short end, a soft version of mark’s mortgage-bond market have per- company’s first shipment of iron ore to South Korea. about the latest developments in the balance principle?” Existing legislation sisted. Ratings companies and the central The surging exports are also papering over a massive drag on the Europe’s biggest mortgage-backed already gives banks the leeway to introduce bank have both criticized risks associated economy from collapsing mining investment and could account for Tcovered-bond market. “some mismatch” in funding and borrowing, with refinancing auctions. Some of the steps most of next year’s growth, according to Citigroup Inc. and Goldman He, like others, is warning that lenders Aalund said. taken by the industry to address those risks Sachs Group Inc. Still, the fall in commodity prices will hurt fiscal have split the $400bn market into too many Jens Peter Soerensen, chief analyst at are now behind the reduction in liquidity, revenue, making it more difficult for the government to pare back smaller security series. Even though the Danske Bank, says the industry is already according to Soerensen at Danske. a deficit and reach its goal for a surplus by the end of the decade. overall market is still big, the development “addressing the issue of making it more liq- The broader issue of financial stability in “We’re running faster to stand still when it comes to national has effectively eroded liquidity. uid.” But “it takes some time.” Ironically, Denmark is one that concerns Rohde. The income,” said James McIntyre, head of economic research at Mac- It would “definitely” help if mortgage liquidity is suffering as a result of efforts to central bank has kept its benchmark deposit quarie Group Ltd. in Sydney. banks did something to reverse that trend, spread refinancing risks across more auc- rate at minus 0.75 percent since February Australia is forecasting an 8 percent rise in the volume of iron Governor Lars Rohde said in an interview tions, which is forcing lenders to generate to defend the krone’s peg to the euro. Most ore exports next year to 824 million metric tons, which would be in Copenhagen. “It’s not a decision for the more ISIN codes. “It started with the best analysts estimate it will take years before almost double the amount the country shipped five years earlier. central bank, it’s a decision for the mortgage intentions,” he said. Denmark’s policy rate is again positive. Coin- Goldman Sachs estimates that the country’s net exports will con- banks to maybe concentrate their issues on To be sure, the chief financial officer at cidentally, Danes’ gross debt is three times tribute 2 percentage points to growth next year without which the very large and liquid series.” Denmark’s biggest mortgage bank, Nykredit, their disposable incomes, which is a rich- economy would stall. Issuers in Denmark’s AAA-rated mort- says there’s no reason to be alarmed. “Mort- world record, according to the OECD. “Exports, mostly mining related, are expected to underpin eco- gage-bond market have added considerably gage banks could reduce their product vari- Rohde says politicians aren’t doing their nomic growth in 2016, leaving a soft underbelly of subdued domestic to an offering that was once dominated by ety, but by far the most volume is highly fair share to cool the housing market. In par- demand,” said Tim Toohey, chief economist at Goldman Sachs in fixed-rate, 30-year bonds. In the 1990s and liquid and that also goes for others than just ticular, he criticizes what he says are pro- Australia. early 2000s, the goal was to attract more Nykredit,” CFO Soeren Holm said by phone. cyclical property tax laws. Denmark’s most The anticipated growth in exports dovetails with an unexpected borrowers with flexible-rate and interest- “I think it’s just a little bit exaggerated.” recent property bubble burst in 2008, with upswing in the labor market that is encouraging traders to pare only securities. More recently, lenders have Denmark’s mortgage-bond market is more real estate prices sinking 20 percent from bets on further interest-rate cuts from the already record-low 2 designed products that help them comply than three times the size of its government peak to trough in the ensuing crisis. percent. The economy recorded its biggest back-to-back monthly with stricter financial regulation. debt market and banks have tended to rely “In our opinion it’s quite urgent” that par- jobs gain since 1988 in the October-November period and unem- Some analysts are questioning whether more on the securities to fill liquidity buffers liament ensure the tax code doesn’t exacer- ployment fell to 5.8 percent, the lowest since April 2014. Denmark’s much-touted balance principle than on the limited supply of sovereign debt bate the risks to the housing market, Rohde Traders were pricing in late Friday a 37 percent chance of a might need to be reviewed. The model means available in kroner. said. “Going back in history we’ve seen that rate cut by June, down from more than 50 percent at the start of that each individual mortgage bond is linked The question of liquidity in Denmark’s the situation on the housing market in the month. to a specific loan, so that the borrower’s mortgage bond market is a particularly Denmark obviously has had negative con- The latest addition to iron ore exports was the first shipment interest costs are passed directly through sensitive one after the country fought Basel sequences for financial stability and also for from Rinehart’s $10bn iron ore mine on December 10, which fulfilled to the investor. The model results in a matu- tooth and nail to prevent the global regu- the overall macroeconomic stability.” her two-decade dream. The Roy Hill project — set to be Australia’s rity match between funding and borrowing. lator from downgrading its home-finance largest-single iron ore mine with annual production of 55 million “A strict balance principle means that securities. In the end, Denmark prevailed BLOOMBERG — will contribute to declining prices, according to Citigroup, which described it in September as “an impending whale.” The producer insists its impact is overstated, noting only about 10 percent of output will enter spot markets. BHP Billiton Ltd. to Rio Tinto Group to Brazil’s Vale SA are also boosting output to protect market share. The price of iron ore fell below $40 a metric ton last week and Axiom Capital Management Inc. reckons the price collapse will extend into the $20 range by 2017, or even sooner, as the export surplus continues to grow. “None of us are thrilled with the ore price,” Rinehart said ear- lier this month in a speech in Sydney, insisting that Roy Hill’s production costs mean it’s better positioned than most competi- tors. “Australia needs to understand that there is nothing we can do about international prices and if we don’t keep our costs down and export competitively, other nations will.” For the government, falling prices hurt revenue. In its annual budget in May, it assumed an iron ore price of $48 a ton and an exchange rate of 77 US cents. But at the current ore price, the exchange rate would need to drop by about 10 cents from its current 72 cent-level to generate the same revenue, according to McIntyre, a former Treasury official. As a result, Treasurer Scott Morrison is likely tomorrow to unveil a deterioration in the budget deficit to A$38bn for the 12 months through June, from the government’s May forecast of A$35bn, a Bloomberg survey of economists showed on Friday. “If 2015 was a challenging year for balancing the transition of economic growth from the non-mining sector then 2016 will likely be worse,” said Toohey, who predicts below- consensus growth of 2 percent next year. “The risk to the view is that anemic domestic demand growth is sufficient to see inflation undershoot expectations and the unemployment rate to reverse recent gains.” Still, there are bright spots. Tourism and education have ben- efited from the weaker currency and have also helped bring down unemployment as they are both labor-intensive industries. Citigroup economist Josh Williamson notes that the other silver lining from the winding down of Australia’s resource investment boom is that there are fewer imports of machinery to build mines, further boosting the contribution of net exports. “The Australian dollar will need to fall further to cushion the loss of income if the terms of trade continue to decline,” Williamson said. “A period below fair value could help supercharge sectors like manufacturing.” BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Junk fund failure shows risks of unsellable assets

By Tim McLaughlin investment officer of Lehmann higher interest rates, some big stein and American Funds, hold any so-called Level 3 assets, US accounting rules, when pric- Livian Fridson Advisors LLC. junk bond funds already are scal- other investment funds such which are generally considered ing is unavailable and their value HE blow-up of Third “Precisely because these ing back exposure to their riski- as BlackRock Inc and Waddell risky and illiquid, or the amounts is set by internal estimates or Avenue Manage- (assets) are hard to price, they est assets. & Reed Financial Inc have junk are less than 1 percent of their quotes from outside vendors. By ment’s junk bond fund won’t necessarily show the full The $17bn American Funds bond funds — staple holdings for portfolios, according to a Reuters contrast, US government bonds Tthis week, the biggest extent of the market decline,” High-Income Trust Fund , which pension funds, retirement plans analysis of fund disclosures. or blue-chip stocks are catego- mutual fund failure since the Fridson said. “That can make a this year realized nearly $200m and mom-and-pop investors — Junk bond portfolio manag- rised as more liquid Level 1 assets financial crisis, show the dangers fund with lots of illiquid security in losses on its most illiquid that hold the largest amount of ers already are navigating a because their value is easily dis- of loading up on risky assets that look better than a fund with big, assets, told Reuters it plans to assets that are so illiquid and so treacherous market featuring covered in the market and they are hard to trade even in good liquid names where the price reduce its current exposure of hard to price that their valua- a meltdown in the energy sec- trade frequently. times. declines are very transparent.” 1.6 percent of securities that are tions are sometimes pegged to tor. Managers say junk-bond Some funds with the highest At least one-fifth of Third AllianceBernstein’s AB High hard to price and trade. assumptions made by the invest- pricing volatility is reminiscent percentage of Level 3 assets also Avenue’s Focused Credit Fund, Income Fund has the biggest An American Funds spokes- ment managers themselves, their of the 2008 financial crisis. And are among the worst performers, with less than $1bn under man- holdings on a percentage basis person said the positions are fund disclosures show. investors have made $5.7bn in according to Lipper. agement, was composed of illiq- this year among the largest junk carefully researched. The illiquid debt favoured by net withdrawals from junk bond Waddell & Reed’s $6.7bn Ivy uid assets, meaning they trade bond funds. At the end of July, High yield, also known as junk, junk bond funds ranges from mutual funds this year, according High Income Fund ranked fifth so infrequently that they don’t the fund reported $1.08bn in illiq- debt issuance has skyrocketed subprime loans bundled into to data from Lipper Inc, a unit of worst with a one-month total have a market price, according to uid assets, or 15 percent of the from $147bn in 2009 to more than mortgage-backed bonds by Wall Thomson Reuters. return of negative 3.33 percent. a Reuters analysis. That’s one of securities in a $7.3bn portfolio, $300bn in each of the last three Street banks on the eve of the DoubleLine Capital bond star The fund’s Level 3 assets were the highest percentages of expo- according to a Reuters analysis years. Record-low interest rates credit crisis to bank loans to dis- Jeffrey Gundlach this week pre- almost $260m at the end of Sep- sure in the junk bond sector. of the 10 largest US junk bond have encouraged investors to tressed companies in the energy dicted “real carnage” in the junk tember, or 4 percent of the port- Meanwhile, some of the most funds. The Third Avenue fund take on more risk, including the and chemical industries. bond market as the Federal folio. The company did not return popular US junk bond funds isn’t in the top ten. debt of less creditworthy issuers, Fund managers favour illiquid Reserve leans toward raising messages seeking comment. also have made large bets on AllianceBernstein did not to get a higher return. assets because they may pay 50 interest rates for the first time BlackRock declined to com- assets considered the hardest respond to questions seeking Tom Lapointe, portfolio man- cents on the dollar to buy them, in nearly a decade. ment about its holdings. to trade and value in the indus- comment. ager of the Third Avenue fund, for example, and they get a yield The sector is losing 3.01 percent “For stuff that’s illiquid even try, and their portfolios may With the $236bn junk bond said in an October 2014 interview premium for carrying the extra this year, compared with 2008 under ordinary conditions, anyone not reflect the full extent of the mutual fund sector on course for with Reuters that “any company risk, said Sumit Desai, an analyst when junk funds lost 25.5 percent, who sells under present conditions current downturn in the junk its worst performance in seven with a pulse has been able to refi- at fund research firm Morning- according to Lipper Inc data. will take a bath,” Fridson said. bond market, said junk-bond years due to a rout in commod- nance.” star Inc. Fund assets are typically cat- analyst Marty Fridson, chief ity prices and expectations of In addition to AllianceBern- Most junk bond funds don’t egorised as Level 3, according to REUTERS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 9,643.65 3.71 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 14,989.68 3.71 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,539.77 4.19 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,575.79 3.55 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,615.53 3.86 % GOLD Services Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 2,880.04 4.07 % All Ordinaries 5087.495 -42.367 -0.83 5963.5 4936.3 QR126.1879 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,321.4 4.06 % Cac 40 Index/D 4637.49 0.04 0 5283.71 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,161.62 2.88 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.5081 QR 5.5886 QE All Share Insurance 3,919.39 2.10 % Dj Indu Average 17492.3 -75.7 -0.43 18351.4 15370.3 QR 1.6675 Euro ...... QR 3.9639 QR 4.0441 QE All Share Telecoms 885.06 2.74 % CA$ ...... QR 2.6220 QR 2.6818 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,653.33 2.74 % Hang Seng Inde/D 21704.61 -99.15 -0.45 28588.52 20368.12 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6658 QR 3.7586 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6728.99 15.03 0.22 6921.44 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0297 QR 0.0303 Aus$ ...... QR 2.5875 QR 2.6532 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33211.92 191.66 0.58 36471.59 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 13-12-2015 10-12-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0536 QR 0.0548 Index 9,643.65 10,014.82 Nikkei 225 Index 19046.55 -254.52 -1.32 20952.71 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0347 QR 0.0351 Change 371.17 4.02 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0755 QR 0.0779 S&P 500 Index/D 2047.62 -15.97 -0.77 2134.72 1867.01 % 3.71 0.04 $ 40.50 SL Re ...... QR 0.0252 QR 0.0257 YTD% 21.51 18.48 Straits Times/D 2895.81 27.07 0.94 3549.85 2808.31 Taka ...... QR 0.0461 QR 0.0464 Volume 6,910,161 7,039,401 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0340 QR 0.0346 Value (QAR) 262,143,381.56 256,232,636.42 Straits Times/D 3324.09 0.44 0.01 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2389 QR 0.2437 Trades 4,226 4,125 $ 35.50 Up 01 | Down 40 | Unchanged 00 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 13-12-2015

ANZ’s new boss has a big task: Remodel Asian business

SYDNEY: Australia & New Zealand his focus on improving Asian returns in on their domestic businesses, at a time South Wales state, which has Sydney as the transaction. Elliott may not have the Banking Group Ltd’s incoming Chief October, when the bank reported its slow- when property prices in Australia and its capital, he said. direct approach of Smith — who in 2010 Executive Officer Shayne Elliott likes est growth in annual profit since 2008. New Zealand have surged, the contrast In elevating an internal candidate, the said the then opposition Treasurer Joe to spend his weekends renovating his ANZ said October 29 it would cut about in terms of share-price performance and board “felt we were in a position where we Hockey was “taking economic lessons” five-bedroom home in the affluent A$9bn ($6.5bn) of low-yielding trade returns has become sharper. were happy overall with the strategy that from Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez — but he Melbourne suburb of Toorak. finance exposures in Asia by not extend- ANZ shares are down 18 percent this bank is taking,” Gonski said. “That doesn’t has shown he can turn around a business. When he takes over the bank in ing some loans that have matured, and year, outpacing Commonwealth Bank of mean that the strategy doesn’t need to be First hired by ANZ in 2009 as head of January, the 52-year-old New Zealander will look to reduce its corporate loan book Australia’s 7.4 percent drop and the 10 worked, be made flexible and so on, but on institutional banking, Elliott took over will need to roll up his sleeves for some- in the region. Instead, the bank will aim percent slide in the country’s bank index. the other hand, what it does mean is the a division plagued by an equities lend- thing else — a re-modeling job on ANZ’s to expand its cash transaction business Exchange filings show that ANZ posted general direction, we are happy with that.” ing scandal that had cost some senior underachieving Asian business, which has in areas such as cross-border payments, a return on equity for the year ended Smith, who joined ANZ in October executives their jobs. The University of been a drag on the bank’s profits and share collections and investment services for Sept. 30 of 14 percent. By contrast, larger 2007 after almost three decades at HSBC Auckland graduate refocused the business price in recent years. clients. Elliott may also look to sell some competitors Commonwealth Bank and Holdings Plc, had set a target of doubling on transaction banking and trade, boost- Elliott is expected to trim, rather than of the company’s shareholdings in Asian Westpac Banking Corp. garnered ROEs of the profit contributions from businesses ing underlying profits by 82 percent in his exit, the overseas operations, which con- banks to release capital. 18.6 percent and 15.8 percent, respectively, outside Australia and New Zealand to as first year on the job. “If there’s someone sumed nearly a third of the bank’s capital The recent plunge in commodities in their most recent financial years. “ANZ much as 30 percent of total earnings by who can work through to extract better in the year to September, while account- prices and the slowdown in China have needs to have a glorious Asian exit,” said 2017. The figure stood at 17.1 percent as of returns from the invested capital, he is ing for less than one- fifth of profits. But hurt trade finance and other ANZ opera- Brett Le Mesurier, a Sydney-based analyst September, and the target could either be one of the better candidates out there,” he is seen as much less wedded to the tions in Asia, and raised questions over at APP Securities. “The institutional busi- abandoned or “dialed back,” according to said David Ellis, a Sydney-based analyst aggressive Asian expansion strategy pur- Smith’s expansion plans, which more than ness in Asia has an extremely low return Above the Index’s Burge. at Morningstar. Elliott has a “strong expo- sued by his predecessor, the outspoken doubled the number of Asian corporate way below the cost of capital. I always Elliott may consider selling the ANZ’s sure” to Asia and institutional lending, Mike Smith, who has run the bank for the clients in the past seven years and almost thought they had an insufficient strategic stakes in regional banks, which impose and is one of the few individuals who has past eight years. “Once Smith’s gone, it’s tripled the number of employees in the advantage to generate the return.” higher capital requirements to hold, a grasp of ANZ’s business and the chal- Shayne Elliott’s right to change it,” said region to 21,000. “We’ve taken some hard ANZ’s Chairman David Gonski according to Above the Index’s Burge. lenges it faces, he said. Simon Burge, chief investment officer of decisions around the trade business in acknowledged in a December 3 interview Those holdings, which include shares Elliott’s career began on Citigroup Inc’s Above the Index Asset Management, who particular, which is a really competitive that Elliott will have to work out whether of PT Bank Pan Indonesia, Malaysia’s derivative trading desk in Auckland in oversees A$450m including ANZ shares. business in Asia,” Elliott told reporters on capital is being efficiently used in some AMMB Holdings Bhd., Shanghai Rural the mid-1980s. He spent about 20 years “He’s not the bastion for the theme of ‘let’s an October 29 conference call, about four areas of the bank including in Asia. Still, Commercial Bank and Bank of Tianjin, with the US bank, working in cities go to Asia regardless of what it costs.’ I weeks after his promotion was announced. Gonski said ANZ over the next three to were valued at A$5.4bn as of September from London and New York to Cairo and wouldn’t be surprised if he dials back in “From time to time, it’s a great business, five years should take advantage of what 30, according to its annual report. eventually Hong Kong, where he led the Asia.” and when we have excess liquidity, we can it has established in the region and look to ANZ is seeking bidders for its 39 lender’s Asia Pacific transaction-banking Elliott, who has been the bank’s chief participate.” build it into a pan-Asian enterprise. The percent stake in Bank Pan Indonesia, business. financial officer since 2012, already flagged As ANZ’s rivals maintained their focus bank would also seek to expand in New according to people with knowledge of BLOOMBERG MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BREAK TIME

EASY SUDOKU CROSSWORD 12345 6789101112 IPAD IVS SCAUP

13 14 15 MOSE NET CHEESE HOT FUDGE BURGER 16 17 I CECREAM STA I RS 18 19 20 21 THROATS GTO SSE

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 INLA REVUP MAS S I MON T AC I T 29 30 31 32 ONKP L EPEW WAVE 33 34 35 36 37 38 POSSE METAL NYE 39 40 41 42 ASNER TOTO

43 44 45 46 47 ADA POS REGALER LOGJAM MAR INARA 48 49 50 51 ON I ONS R I GATON I 52 53 54 55 HOTDOG EDU R I I S

56 57 58 59 60 61 62 ATAI L SSN ALEE ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE Yesterday’s answer 63 64 65 66

67 68 69 70 71 72 67 Quick quip 24 Mideast royal house 71 So far 26 See 3-Down Easy Sudoku Puzzles: Place a digit from 1 to 73 74 73 Vertical strip on a map 27 Bygone component in 9 in each empty cell so every row, every column luminous paint and every 3x3 box contains all the digits 1 to 9. 75 76 74 Grow tired of 75 Takes up the slack? 28 Onetime home of the Huns 76 Failed to 30 Dude ACROSS 39 Like virgin soil DOWN 33 Often-idle thought 1 Pushed 41 Hot Japanese bowlful 1 ___ manual 34 How about one in three pro 6 Charming 42 Slight downturn 2 Stage offering soccer games ends 13 Vacillate 43 Yolk container 3 Actor who refused a 36 Cut (off) 15 Hardly luxury cars 44 Home of the elves known as 26-Down in 1971 37 See 5-Down HYPER SUDOKU huldufólk: Abbr. 16 Develop over time 4 Class for a future citizen, for 40 Big A.T.M. maker 17 Scrutinizes 46 Join the conversation short 45 Big ___ 18 1921 play that introduced the 48 “How was ___ know?” 5 Rock star who refused a 47 Faceful for a clown word “robot” 49 Wipe, as a hard drive 37-Down in 2003 50 Poker game? 19 Rombauer of cooking 51 “I want that … NOW!” 6 Direction 53 Apartment hunter’s option 21 Struck (out) 52 Lousy eggs? 7 Holly tree 57 See 15-Down 22 Part of a geom. line 54 Easy April Fools’ victim 8 See 15-Down 59 Pulls the trigger, so to speak 23 ___ list 55 Casual greeting 9 Black suit 61 Finger 25 Some jets 56 “Out of bed!” 10 Big Alaska resource 62 Council site of 1545 29 Decline, as in popularity 58 Dog biscuit, e.g. 11 With 67-Down, Polo 64 Not long from now 31 Mother’s Day destination, 60 Surprising discovery at the Grounds star 67 See 11-Down maybe Lascaux cave that’s 17,000 12 Suffix with count 68 Long of Showtime’s “House years old 32 Riff, vocally 14 “___ back” of Lies” 63 Supporter of a sort 33 Modern prefix with aggression 15 Playwright who refused an 69 Bird with calf muscles 65 Programming pro, e.g. 35 Certain sealant 8-/57-Down in 1964 70 Type units 66 Word with cry or crime 38 Hot weather cooler 20 Like some Fr. nouns 72 Some bad P.R. for a celeb

Yesterday’s answer

How to play Hyper Sudoku: A Hyper Sudoku Puzzle is solved by filling the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. A Hyper

Sudoku has unlike Sudoku 13 regions (four regions overlap with the nine standard regions). In ZITS all regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like a normal Sudoku.

NOVO How to play Kakuro: SCREEN 1 Aladin (2D/Comedy) 12:15, 4:45 & 9:30pm SHOWING AT The kakuro grid, unlike in sudoku, can be of any KAKURO Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 10:00am, 2:15, 7:00 & 11:45pm VILLAGGIO & CITY CENTER size. It has rows and columns, and dark cells SCREEN 2 The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 10:00am, 12:00noon. 4:00, 8:00 & 11:55pm TEL: 444933989 / 444517001 like in a crossword. And, just like in a crossword, 3D 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm some of the dark cells will contain numbers. Some SCREEN 3 No Tears For The Dead (2D/Action) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00 & 11:55pm cells will contain two numbers. Close Range (2D/Action) 10:20am, 2:20, 6:15 & 10:20pm However, in a crossword the numbers reference SCREEN 4 Larry Gaye: Renagade Male Flight Attendant (2D) 10:00am, 2:00, 6:00 & 10:00pm clues. In a kakuro, the numbers are all you get! Howl (2D/Horror) 12:00noon, 4:00, 8:00pm & 12:00midnight They denote the total of the digits in the row or SCREEN 5 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay 2 (2D/Adventure) 12:30, 4:50 & 9:10pm column referenced by the number. Bus 657 (2D/Action) 10:40am, 3:00, 7:20 & 11:50pm Within each SCREEN 6 In The Heart of The Sea (2D/Adventure) 4:00 & 9:30pm Spectre (2D/Action) 1:00, 6:30 & 11:50pm collection of cells SCREEN 7 Bridge of Spies (2D/Drama) 1:00, 6:30 & 11:55pm - called a run - any Creed (2D/Drama) 10:15am, 3:45 & 9:15pm of the numbers 1 SCREEN 8 A Second Chance (2D/Tagalog) 10:15am, 1:00, 3:45, 6:20, 9:00 & 11:40pm to 9 may be used SCREEN 9 Spectre (2D IMAX/Action) 10:15am, 3:35 & 9:00pm but, like sudoku, In The Heart of The Sea (3D IMAX/Adventure) 1:10, 6:30 & 11:50pm each number may SCREEN 10 Close Range (2D/Action) 1:30, 5:45 & 10:00 only be used once. Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 11:00am, 3:10, 7:20 & 11:50pm MALL Yesterday’s answer SCREEN 1 The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 3:00, 4:45 & 6:30pm Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate A Second Chance (2D/Romantic) 8:15pm Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 10:30pm SCREEN 2 Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) 2:15pm Zinzana (2D/Arabic) 4:30pm Howl (2D/Horror) 6:15 & 9:30pm Close Range (2D/Action) 8:00pm No Tears For The Dead (2D/Action) 11:15pm SCREEN 3 Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 2:00pm ALL IN THE MIND Aladin (2D/Comedy) 5:00pm Bus 657 (2D/Action) 7:00pm Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) 8:45pm Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 11:00pm vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards. LANDMARK

SCREEN 1 Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) 2:15 & 8:15pm No Tears For The Dead (2D/Action) 4:15pm Aladin (2D/Comedy) 6:15pm Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 10:30pm SCREEN 2 The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00pm Howl (2D/Horror) 9:00 & 11:00pm SCREEN 3 Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 2:15pm Hoy en la Historia A Second Chance (2D/Romantic) 5:00pm Zinzana (2D/Arabic) 7:15pm December 14, 2000 Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 9:15pm Russian president Vladimir Close Range (2D/Action) 11:30pm Putin met Fidel Castro in the first ROYAL PLAZA visit to Cuba by a Russian leader since the collapse of the Soviet SCREEN 1 The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 2:30, 4:15 & 6:00pm Union in 1991 Close Range (2D/Action) 7:45pm 1900: £   No Tears For The Dead (2D/Action) 9:15pm Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 11:30pm    SCREEN 2 Aladin (2D/Comedy) 3:00pm       Howl (2D/Horror) 5:00 & 11:15pm 1970: The first tenants moved into A Second Chance (2D/Romantic) 7:00pm the newly constructed twin towers of Zinzana (2D/Arabic) 9:15pm the World Trade Centre in New York AMAZON, ARKANSAS, COLORADO, CONGO, 1995:   ! ASIAN TOWN DANUBE, ELBE, EUPHRATES, GANGES, HUDSON, "  "   Anarkali (2D/Malayalam) 5:00pm INDUS, JORDAN, LIMPOPO, LOIRE, MEKONG, #  Amar Akbar Anthony (2D/Malayalam) 7:00pm MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, MURRAY, NILE, ORINOCO, 2014: Police in Hong Kong cleared Pathemari (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 2:30, 8:00 & 10:30pm Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) RHINE, RIO GRANDE, SEINE, SHANNON, THAMES, the main protest site 10 weeks after 12:45, 3:00, 4:00, 5:30 & 8:00pm Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) 9:45 & 10:30pm TIBER, TIGRIS, VOLGA, YANGTZE, YUKON, mass pro-democracy protests began ZAMBEZI. Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 1:00, 4:00, 6:30 & 9:30pm  $#   '&'#()!*+, MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Felix setting Federer to start afresh with Ljubicic the stage for The Swiss Grand Slam star hopes his ‘new-generation’ coaching staff will click in 2016 200-400m

NEW DELHI: World number “My coaches in the past have Olympic bid three Roger Federer said he is all been players from a differ- looking forward to working with ent generation. I think Ivan can NEW YORK: Top American his new-generation coaching bring something very exciting sprinter Allyson Felix will dou- team, after parting with 1980s to my team, (including) motiva- ble up at July’s US trials in hopes champion Stefan Edberg. tion.” of competing in both the 200 and Federer announced this week Sweden’s Edberg, a former 400 metres at the Rio Olympics, he was shaking up his coaching world number one, won his six her coach said. team for 2016, with “childhood Grand Slam titles in the 1980s The Olympic 200m gold med- idol” Edberg leaving after two and early 1990s. allist and world 400m champion years of working as assistant The change constitutes has long wanted to challenge the coach to the 17-time Grand Slam another throw of the dice for rare Olympic double but will need winner. Federer, 34, as he bids to prolong a schedule change to make it pos- “The idea was only to do one his stay at the top of men’s ten- sible in 2016. year. I couldn’t believe it when nis and add to his all-time record “The Olympic Trials schedule is he (Edberg) said yes in the first haul of Grand Slam titles. fine and I am working with USA place,” Federer said in New Delhi, The Swiss champion has said Track & Field on the Olympic after taking part in the Inter- Severin Luthi will continue to schedule,” her coach, Bob Kersee, national Premier Tennis League be his main coach, continuing a said in a telephone interview. (IPTL). partnership that began in 2008. The current Rio schedule “We had a great split in (the) Federer said he was excited would make the double a daunt- sense that we’ve known for 10 about teaming up with fellow ing challenge. Felix would need months that it was going to end Grand Slam star Martina Hingis to compete in the first round of at the end of the year.” for Switzerland in the mixed dou- the 200m 75 minutes before the Federer said Edberg’s replace- bles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. 400m final. ment, Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, a “We are a little bit rusty after UAE Royals’ Roger Federer (left) of Switzerland and Indian Aces’ Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for pictures after “That’s unfair,” Kersee said. former world number three, 15 years of not playing together their men’s singles match in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) in New Delhi, India. “Hopefully they will look at that.” would offer a new perspective as (but) hopefully we have some Only twice has a female athlete part of the current generation of time.” won both the 200m and 400m at players. He said it was likely he would Federer and Wawrinka part- iard seemingly in top form in tional format. The IPTL, which the Olympics. Kersee-coached “It’s the first time that I’ve had also partner with countryman nered to win gold at the 2008 front of a roaring Indian crowd. began in Japan this month, was Valerie Brisco-Hooks claimed someone within my team whose and world number four Stan Olympics. The IPTL promotes a shortened, held in Manila earlier this week the double at the 1984 Games actually played on tour against Wawrinka in the men’s doubles, Federer lost 5-6 to Rafael speeded-up version of the game and will also have stops in Dubai and France’s Marie-Jose Perec the players that I’ve played saying they would discuss it early Nadal in the Delhi IPTL leg on that organisers say is more tel- and Singapore. won both at the 1996 Olympics. against,” he said. next year. Saturday night, with the Span- evision-friendly than the tradi- REUTERS “Adjusting the schedule in my opinion does not hurt anybody,” said Kersee, who has frequently proposed 200-400 metres run- ners be given the same chance that 100-200m sprinters have in the Olympics. USA Track & Field has been in NBA: Bucks hand weary discussions with the International Association of Athletics Federa- tions (IAAF) concerning a change and will be filing a formal request, a spokeswoman said. Warriors their first loss The IAAF did not respond to a query and Kersee said he had not LOS ANGELES: The Golden NBA RESULTS season, a hard-fought 124-119 win talked with the governing body. State Warriors suffered their first over the Celtics in Boston. “All our training is toward her defeat of the season on Saturday LA Clippers 105 Brooklyn 100 Forward Draymond Green said doing both,” he said. “We are with a shocking 108-95 loss to Boston 98 Charlotte 93 he feels like a weight has been going to double at our Olympic the last-place Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit 118 Indiana 96 lifted off his shoulders now that trials and try and make the team halting their season-opening win San Antonio 103 Atlanta 78 the streak is over. in the 4 and the 2.” streak at 24 games. Chicago 98 New Orleans 94 “I am not happy it is over If a schedule change does not The stunning defeat came at Houston 126 LA Lakers 97 because at the end of the day come through, he and Felix will the end of a grueLling seven- what we did was pretty cool. But decide after the July trials what Washington 114 Dallas 111 game road trip for the weary it is almost like a sense of relief,” to do, Kersee said. Warriors, who needed a double Milwaukee 108 Golden State 95 Green said. Regardless, Felix, who has won overtime marathon to beat the NY Knicks 112 Portland 110 “When you turn on the TV and 20 Olympic and world champion- Boston Celtics on Friday and all you see is Warriors streaking, ship medals, would like to com- extend the streak to 28 straight 16-0. In a strange twist of flash- Warriors making history. Who is pete in the 4x100m and 4x400m regular season wins dating back back fate, the Bucks were also going to stop them? You start to relays in Rio, as she did at the to last season. the team that ended the Lakers’ believe that. 2012 Olympics and 2015 worlds. “Losing sucks even if you are streak with a 120-104 victory on “Through all this you get caught Portland Trail Blazers’ guard Damian Lillard looks to pass around New She has tried the 200-400m 24-1,” said Warriors interim head January 9, 1972. up and trapped inside of what is York Knicks’ centre Robin Lopez (8) during their NBA game at Moda double once on the global scene, coach Luke Walton of the loss to Reigning NBA MVP Curry going on. Now we can focus on Centre at the Rose Quarter. finishing second in the 400m and the lowly Bucks. paced the Warriors’ attack with what we need to focus on.” third in the 200m at the 2011 The Warriors fell just five wins a team high 28 points in front of Curry said they can be proud world championships. shy of equaling the NBA all-time a crowd of 18,700 at Harris Bra- of their achievement, but now it 10-15 on the season as they sit in recorded a triple-double for the Felix, 30, wanted to attempt the record of 33 straight victories set dley Center arena in Milwaukee, is time to move on. last in the Cental Division. Brewers, which shot as a team double at the 2015 Beijing worlds, by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Wisconsin. “Nobody wanted it to end,” he Centre Greg Monroe tallied just a shade under 50 percent but she and Kersee decided the 1971-72 season. Both clubs were playing the said. “We wanted every night to 28 points and 11 rebounds for from the field and drained six- schedule would be too difficult. “Nobody wanted to see it come back end of consecutive Friday- put another notch in belt of that the Bucks, who looked surpris- of-14 three-point attempts. She instead blazed to victory to an end,” said Golden State Saturday contests. streak. ingly fresh after losing 90-83 in Milwaukee will have now have in the 400m with Dutch sprinter guard Stephen Curry. “Thirty But Bucks were able to battle “But tonight it didn’t go our Toronto on Friday. two days off before beginning Dafne Schippers claiming the three wins was within our grasp.” through the fatigue better than way. We ended up with our first “We wanted to come out with a four-games-in-six-days trip 200m. Golden States’ win streak Golden State, who were hoping loss but we can appreciate what a lot of effort and energy,” said that includes a visit to Califor- stands as the second longest in to become the first NBA team to we were able to accomplish.” Monroe. nia, where the Warriors will get REUTERS league history, and the longest to sweep a seven-game road trip. The Warriors shot just 40.9 “We were at home, a packed a chance to avenge the loss next start a season. It has been 2 1/2 Golden State knew it wouldn’t percent from the field and only house. It was a great opportunity Friday at Oracle Arena. weeks since they set the record be easy as they were coming off six-for-26 from beyond the arc. for us.” for the best start in history at their most trying contest of the The Bucks improved to just Giannis Antetokounmpo REUTERS Joshua wins heavyweight title in London LONDON: Olympic champion Anthony Joshua defeated former Early lead gives Montreal Canadiens win kick-boxer Dillian Whyte to take the British heavyweight title on NEW YORK: The Montreal NHL RESULTS cut inside and lifted a hard wrist Saturday with a bruising seventh- Canadiens jumped out to an shot into the left corner of the net round knockout and edge closer Boston 3 Florida 1 early lead and never trailed in a while falling to the ice. to a possible shot at the world 3-1 win over the Ottawa Sena- Buffalo 2 Los Angeles 1 Jamie McGinn also scored for crown. tors at the Bell Centre. The win Montreal 3 Ottawa 1 the Sabres (12-15-3) while goalie The 26-year-old took his record snapped Montreal’s four-game Washington 2 Tampa Bay 1 Linus Ullmark made 20 saves. to 15 knockouts from 15 fights losing streak. Brian Flynn, Max NY Islanders 3 Columbus 2 Avalanche 3, Predators 2 since turning pro after winning Pacioretty and Jeff Petry scored St Louis 3 Dallas 0 The Colorado Avalanche 2012 Olympic gold in London. for Montreal. Colorado 3 Nashville 2 started a three-game road trip Joshua’s latest win raises the Capitals 2, Lightning 1 against a Central Division rival on prospect of a clash with WBO Carolina 5 Arizona 4 The Washington Capitals Saturday night with a solid outing and WBA heavyweight champion bounced back from a rare loss, Calgary 5 NY Rangers 4 by goalie Semyon Varlamov. Tyson Fury if his fellow British jumping out early on the Tampa Minnesota 2 San Jose 0 Making 34 saves, including 13 fighter beats Wladimir Klitschko Bay Lightning and holding on for in the third period, Varlamov in their world title rematch. a 2-1 victory at Amalie Arena. Jackets in Nationwide Arena. backstopped Colorado to a 3-2 “Yes I enjoyed it, more because Goaltender Braden Holtby Okposo, who also had the pri- win over the Nashville Predators it was about bragging rights,” said stopped 34 Tampa Bay shots as mary assist on the Islanders’ third at sold-out Bridgestone Arena. Joshua who had lost to Whyte Washington (20-6-2) beat the goal, scored at 2:16 of overtime to Blues 3, Stars 0 in 2009 during their amateur Lightning (14-13-3) for the sec- extend their point streak to nine David Backes scored one goal Michael Ferland of the Calgary Flames checks Dylan McIlrath of the careers. “There had been a lot ond time in 15 days. What ended games (7-0-2) and assisted on another, and New York Rangers during their NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome of talking, all the way back since up the winning goal was a high- Bruins 3, Panthers 1 goalie Jake Allen posted his fourth in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 2009. We’d been patiently waiting light-reel trick of a shot, with Ryan Spooner scored two twice shutout of the season, to carry the for this moment and I enjoy being Evgeny Kuznetsov fooling Tampa to lead Boston to a 3-1 victory St Louis Blues to a 3-0 win over victorious and showing that talk Bay goalie Ben Bishop by looping over the Florida Panthers. the Dallas Stars. The loss was give the Hurricanes a 5-4 victory New York Rangers rally on Satur- is cheap, you have to back it up around the net but scoring from Sabres 2, Kings 1 (overtime) only the second in regulation for over the Arizona Coyotes at Gila day and won 5-4 on T J Brodie’s when you’re in the ring. behind him inside the near post Ryan O’Reilly scored 3:19 into the Stars since November 10 and River Arena on Saturday. Rask oal at 2:09 of overtime. The Rang- “He was tough, there were in the second period. overtime to lead the Buffalo snapped a seven-game streak of weaved into centre ice and put ers came back from a 4-1 deficit in times when I hurt him in the first Islanders 3, Blue Jackets 2 Sabres to a 2-1 win over the Los earning at least one point, having his ninth goal of the season past the third period and forced over- round and he hurt me in the sec- (overtime) Angeles Kings. gone 5-0-2 during that stretch. Anders Lindback, giving Carolina time with a power play goal with ond. It was a matter of who had Kyle Okposo scored two goals, On the game winner, O’Reilly Hurricanes 5, Coyotes 4 their fourth win in 5 games. 1:12 left when a point-shot went that little more grit, determina- including the overtime winner, to faked a shot from the left circle, (overtime) Flames 5, Rangers 4 (over- in off Mats Zuccarello. tion and skill.” lead the New York Islanders to a sending Kings defenceman Alec Carolina centre Victor Rask time) 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Martinez to the ice. O’Reilly then scored 53 seconds into overtime to The Calgary Flames survived a REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Sri Lanka under pressure in Dunedin New Zealand grab three Sri Lankan wickets as visitors chase 405 to win the first Test

DUNEDIN: Wicketkeeper BJ their first innings, did not seem Watling took a record-equalling too pressed to take any unneces- ninth catch as New Zealand sary risks as they set about their inched their way to a probable run chase with openers Dimuth victory over Sri Lanka in the first Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis Test as they reduced the visitors taking 23 overs to reach 50. to 109 for three at the close of the Karunaratne (29) was the first fourth day’s play yesterday. batsman to fall when he tried to Wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandi- lift a short ball from Tim Southee mal was on 31 at University Oval, over the slips to be caught by which had weathered heavy, but Watling, before Neil Wagner had brief, rain and hail showers that Udara Jayasundera caught down Marsh or forced the players from the field the leg side by the wicketkeeper three times. for three to leave them 69-2 at Khawaja could The last shower forced them off tea. the ground with 20 overs remain- Mendis, who was dropped by open batting, ing and umpires abandoned play Martin Guptill at second slip at 1745 (0445 GMT) with captain on 13 and by Watling on 25, was Angelo Mathews scheduled as the within sight of his first Test half says Lehmann next man in. century on 46 when he nicked a He will join Chandimal today, Southee delivery to Watling, who HOBART: Shaun Marsh or the when they have almost 98 overs took his ninth catch of the test. returning Usman Khawaja (pic- to score an additional 296 runs. Rain and hail then forced the tured) are in the frame to open “If we can get a good partner- players off. Australia’s innings in the Boxing ship in the morning session, the The catch equalled the record Day Test against the West Indies, game is on,” left-arm spinner for most dismissals in a test by coach Darren Lehmann said yes- Rangana Herath told reporters. a New Zealand wicketkeeper. terday. “We need to play our brand of Watling also made nine dismissals Dimuth Karunaratne (right) and Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka run as a storm hits during day four of the first Test Khawaja, who scored 174 and cricket and I’m sure Angie and against India in 2014, while Bren- cricket match against New Zealand in Dunedin at University Oval yesterday. 121 batting three against New Chandimal will do that.” don McCullum had nine against Zealand before he injured a The visitors, who batted for 117 Pakistan in 2009. hamstring, has been included in overs in their first innings, had McCullum, no doubt aware The six, the second of his short on 109 not out having scored his a 13-man squad for the second been given 160 overs to score the of possible disruptions with innings, also moved him into a tie first Test century in New Zealand. Pietersen’s Test starting in Melbourne on 405 needed for an improbable vic- expected poor weather in Dun- with former Australian wicket- His previous two Test centuries December 26. tory after New Zealand captain edin throughout yesterday, had keeper Adam Gilchrist with 100 were scored in the UAE last year South Africa Khawaja’s replacement, Marsh, Brendon McCullum had made a surprisingly declared before lunch career sixes, the most in Test in November against Pakistan. has made a strong case for his surprise declaration at 267-3 just when he was on 17, having hit a cricket. campaign ends retention with his highest Test before lunch. Sri Lanka, just like six to take their lead past 400. Opener Tom Latham was left REUTERS score of 182 in Australia’s innings in defeat and 212-run win over the West Scoreboard MOST SIXES IN TEST CRICKET Indies in Hobart. Player Career Tests 6s While the expectation is that New Zealand (I innings): ...... 431 52-0 (2nb); Herath 11.4-1-62-2; Siriwardana AC Gilchrist (Aus) 1999-2008 96 100 CENTURION: Kevin Pietersen’s either Marsh or Khawaja will miss Sri Lanka (I innings): ...... 294 8-0-32-0; Jayasundera 2-0-12-0. BB McCullum (NZ) 2004-2015 98* 100 South African Twenty20 foray out in Melbourne, coach Lehmann New Zealand (II innings): Sri Lanka (II innings): CH Gayle (WI) 2000-2014 103 98 ended in failure on Saturday raised the prospect of one of them when his Dolphins franchise team M Guptill b Herath ...... 46 D Karunaratne c Watling b Southee ...... 29 JH Kallis (ICC/SA) 1995-2013 166 97 playing as opener, possibly at the were beaten by the home side, the T Latham (not out) ...... 109 K Mendis c Watling b Southee ...... 46 V Sehwag (ICC/India) 2001-2013 104 91 expense of Joe Burns. Titans, in the final of South Afri- K Williamson b Chameera...... 71 U Jayasundera c Watling b Wagner ...... 3 BC Lara (ICC/WI) 1990-2006 131 88 “I would be comfortable with R Taylor b Herath ...... 15 ca’s franchise competition. D Chandimal (batting) ...... 31 CL Cairns (NZ) 1989-2004 62 87 Khawaja opening the batting, but B McCullum (not out) ...... 17 The former England batsman Total (for 3 wkts) ...... 109 IVA Richards (WI) 1974-1991 121 84 the captain (Steve Smith) might Extras (B-3, LB-1, NB-5) ...... 9 made only 10 off 11 balls before A Flintoff (Eng/ICC) 1998-2009 79 82 not want that, so we have to work Total (for 3 wkts decl) ...... 267 Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-64, 3-109. hitting a steepling catch to deep ML Hayden (Aus) 1994-2009 103 82 that out,” Lehmann told report- Fall of wickets: 1-79, 2-220, 3-247. Bowing: Boult 7-2-18-0 Southee 10.1-3-16- midwicket in a Dolphins total of ers. Bowling: Lakmal 13-0-40-0; Mathews 4-1-4- 2; Bracewell 12-5-21-0; Santner 12-2-26-0; KP Pietersen (Eng) 2005-2014 104 81 159 for five. “Shaun’s probably more com- 0; Chameera 14-0-61-1 (3nb); Pradeep 13-1- Wagner 9-2-28-1. MS Dhoni (India) 2005-2014 90 78 Fellow overseas professional, fortable (batting at five) but if we RT Ponting (Aus) 1995-2012 168 73 West Indian Dwayne Bravo, top- need him to play and we need an scored with 53 off 30 balls. opener then he can do that job The Titans, who started as as well. favourites after topping the “It gets down to the make-up round-robin table, cruised to vic- of the side, what we go with. If Fast bowler Pattinson ditches tory by seven wickets with 19 balls he’s in that and he has to open to spare. then you’d rather that than not Former South African Under- playing.” 19 player Mangaliso Mosehle Marsh played a crucial second thrashed 87 off 39 balls for the innings knock of 49 in difficult new action to destroy Windies winners. conditions to help Australia beat In a television interview before New Zealand in the Adelaide day- HOBART: Paceman James the match, Pietersen described night Test and then he shared Pattinson said yesterday he did England set to his seven-match stint with the in record fourth-wicket game- away with his remodelled bowl- Dolphins, based in his boyhood changing partnership of 449 runs ing action and returned to his old decide on No.3 home town of Durban, as “really with Adam Voges in Hobart. approach to spearhead Australia special to me.” “That’s what we have to work to an emphatic innings victory spot soon Pietersen, who will now fly to out in two weeks. We have to wait over the West Indies in Hobart. Melbourne to play in Australia’s to see if Usman is fit first, then we The recalled fast bowler failed POTCHEFSTROOM: The Big Bash T20 league, praised the have the dilemma,” Lehmann said to take a wicket in the West warm-up matches for England set-up at the Durban-based fran- yesterday. Indies first innings with his new before the first Test against chise. “If he’s fit, then he’s made two more front-on style but made South Africa will go a long way “The guys have been absolutely hundreds in his previous two Test adjustments and claimed five for to determining who bats in the brilliant with their work ethic and matches so you’d think he’d been 27 in the second innings to trigger No. 3 spot, coach Trevor Bayliss the way the team have gelled,” he in form to play. a batting collapse. said yesterday. said. “We certainly need him playing The West Indies were routed “Probably in my mind, I’ve got Pietersen made 401 runs in the and with the hamstring we don’t for 148 and were crushed by an a little thought who it might be tournament at an average of 80.20 want him playing Test match innings and 212 runs in the first but we’ve got two very important with a strike rate of 172.84. cricket if he’s not fully fit. Test, raising fears about their practice matches before the first “He will have to be sharp in competitiveness in the remain- Test which could go a long way to REUTERS those Big Bash League T20 games ing two Tests against Australia us finalising that position,” he said he’s playing and get through those in Melbourne and Sydney. of the battle between Nick Comp- then we’ll make a decision from Pattinson was brought into the ton and Gary Ballance to follow there. Australian side for the sidelined the openers in the Test team. Holder, Windies “But if he comes back in then Mitchell Starc and made minimal “We don’t know our best XI someone’s going to miss out and impact bowling in the first innings quiet yet which is an indication cop fines for we just have to work out who that with no wicket for 68 off 15 overs. of where we are as a side in terms is.” He reviewed video of his bowl- of the inconsistency, so there are slow over rate Burns scored 71 and 129 in the ing and spoke with team bowling a lot of things up for grabs and first Test against the Kiwis in coach Craig McDermott and skip- a lot of (opportunity) for people HOBART: West Indies captain Brisbane, but has since struggled. per Steve Smith before ripping to make a name for themselves,” Jason Holder’s week went from Lehmann said bowling all- through the Caribbean tourists in captain Alastair Cook said. bad to worse yesterday when he rounder Mitch Marsh would not the second innings. “The net sessions over the next was fined 60 percent of his match be making way for Khawaja in “There were a little bit of Australian paceman James Pattinson speaks to the media after Australia days will be particularly intense fee for a slow over rate during the Melbourne. nerves and I didn’t put it together defeated the West Indies in under three days in the first cricket Test with everyone trying to put them- first Test loss to Australia and Lehmann said the West Indies in the first innings which was match, in Hobart yesterday. Pattinson said he did away with his remod- selves forward,” Cook said. could face a ban if the tourists needed their senior players to disappointing,” Pattinson told elled bowling action and returned to his old approach to spearhead Bayliss confirmed that Alex reoffend. stand up and help the inexperi- reporters. Australia to an emphatic innings victory over the West Indies taking Hales will open with Cook, add- Australia won in Hobart by an enced team members. “But to get another chance and ing that Ben Stokes will be fit for innings and 212 runs inside three “It’s disappointing the way they to take that chance was pretty the Test after recovering from a days on Saturday, going 1-0 up in played this particular game more exciting and a relief after being thing. So I did a little bit of work cerned that by moving away from shoulder injury. “He’s been bat- a three-match series. so with the ball than the bat,” he out of the picture for a couple of on it in the morning to get my his remodelled bowling action ting and bowling for a few weeks “(Match referee) Chris Broad said. years. wrist behind the ball a bit more he would risk another physical now,” added Bayliss. Steven Finn, imposed the fine after Jason “They have some issues they “I ran in and wanted to bowl and get it good for outswing.” breakdown which has plagued his playing for England A against Holder’s side was ruled to be three have to sort out, they are going fast like I did when I first came The effect was devastating 14-Test career. Pakistan in the United Arab overs short of its target when through a young group and they on to the scene.” as Pattinson removed Rajendra “I have gone back a little bit Emirates after recovering from time allowances were taken into are going through a rebuilding Pattinson, 25, playing in his Chandrika (0), first-innings cen- now. injury, could also be called over for consideration,” read an Interna- phase. first Test since March last year tury-maker Darren Bravo (4), “It’s hard because when you’re the series in South Africa. tional Cricket Council statement “They have got some great after recovering from back and Marlon Samuels (3), Jermaine running in to bowl you don’t want “There are one or two small released yesterday. people around them and I’m sure hamstring issues, said he stud- Blackwood (0) and skipper Jason to think about your action so I hurdles to get over but the signs Each West Indies player was they will bounce back,” Lehmann ied what he was doing wrong and Holder (17) to rip the heart out made the change to stop injuries,” are looking good,” Bayliss said. “If fined 10 percent of their match said. came back a changed bowler to of the tourists’ innings. he said. he can get through pain free and fee for each over they were short, “You want to see that Calypso skittle the Windies. “In the second innings I was “Hopefully now that I am back bowling well, I’d expect to see him while Holder, as captain, forfeited style getting to the forefront of “I looked at a bit of vision on running in straight lines and I in the team and I’m getting a bit here at some stage.” double the amount. their cricket in a few years but the night before and I wasn’t had my wrist behind the ball and older my body will hold up and I England play their first warm- If the West Indies are found at the moment they’ve got a bit of releasing the ball where I wanted it felt pretty easy,” he said. can go back a little bit to where I up match against an Invitation XI guilty of falling behind in their inexperience and they need their to in the right position,” he said. “It’s all got to do with my arm was when I first started playing, in Potchefstroom from December over rate again in Melbourne or senior players to stand up,” Leh- “I thought if I bowled like I did pass, it’s not much, but little bits because that’s when I thought I 15-17 and face in Pietermaritz- Sydney, Holder would be forced to mann told reporters yesterday. in the first innings then I wouldn’t I can see on video and pick up and was bowling at my best.” burg from December 20-22. sit out a Test match. be getting too many games, so I try to change.” REUTERS thought I better change some- Pattinson said he wasn’t con- REUTERS REUTERS REUTERS MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 Cycling: Qatar’s Al Bourdainy wins stage on home turf Qatar’s veteran rider wins the Dukhan stage in a time of 2:25:09

DOHA: Qatar’s Ahmed Bassam Al Bourdainy yesterday won the third stage of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Men’s Senior Cycling Championship after a pulsating stage. One of Qatar’s finest riders, Al Bourdainy topped the 98.4km stage in a time of 2 hours 25 minutes 09 seconds. He finished ahead of UAE duo of Khayam Al Balooshi and Abdullah Ali Al Hasanni. The third stage started and fin- ished in Dukhan. Yesterday’s stage win was Qatar’s second win out of three days. On Saturday, Qatar’s Abdu- lah Afif won the second stage. Qatar’s Abdul Hakim retained the white jersey for emerging as the top rider in the U-23 category. UAE’s Yousef Mohammed Mirza nailed the red jersey while compa- triot Ahmed Yousef Al-Mansouri Al Sadd’s Xavi Hernandez greets Al Rayyan’s Sergio Garcia after Al bagged the green jersey. Sadd won their Qatar Stars League match on December 10, 2015 in Mohammed Yousef Al Man- Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF) official Ahmed Hamaidi hands over the 14th GCC Cycling Championship Doha. souri of the UAE emerged as the trophy to the members of the UAE cycling team in Dukhan yesterday. overall winner, grabbing the lead-

er’s yellow jersey. The event was Qatar coach Tariq Ismail said General of QCF, yesterday told Xavi ‘happy with changes’ staged by Qatar Cycling Federa- his riders ‘did well’. He confirmed media: “This was a memorable tion (QCF). Now QCF will turn his riders will be ready for this stage for the riders who provided made by new coach Ferreira focus on the 3rd Tour of Zubarah week’s Tour of Zubarah. immense thrill throughout the which will be held from December More than 32 riders from championship.” DOHA: Al Sadd captain and Barcelona legend Xavi yesterday said he 16 to 19. across the region featured over He added: “The riders from the was ‘happy with the changes made’ by new coach Jesualdo Ferreira Al Bourdaniny said he will fea- three days of competitions. UAE were very competitive. They (pictured). ture in the Tour of Zubarah that The GCC cycling family provided attacking riding most of Al Sadd roped in experienced Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira starts later this week. applauded QCF for their hospi- the times. It was the same on the to replace Hussain Amutah a little over two Qatar’s team will include Kha- tality at the three-day event that last stage also.” weeks. lil Abdul Rahman Jinan, Khalfa began on Friday. In the first game under Ferreira, Al Sadd Musa and Abdullah Afif. Ahmed Hamidi, Secretary THE PENINSULA were stunned by Al Sailiya but the Doha giants turned the tide with a major win in last week’s ‘Qatar Classico’ when his side beat Al Rayyan 2-1 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday. “I am happy to work under this famous coach. I would like to thank the coach for all what he said about me,” Xavi said yes- terday as his side prepared to take on El Jaish today. “The coach is well experienced and as players we are very happy to work with him. We are happy with the changes made by the coach. And we believe that we will see the fruits of those changes in the matches to come,” the seasoned midfielder said. “The results of the new coach’s effect on the team are seen. Progressively coach will understand the players and their roles in a better way,” Xavi said. When asked about his team’s match against Al Rayyan - witnessed by a packed Al Sadd Stadium - Xavi said he was look at future games. “Now we have to forget about the Al Rayyan match. We have to focus on winning the next game. The gap between us and Rayyan is 9 points and we have to work on reducing that,” the former Spain international said. “I was very happy to participate in this Qatar Classico, specially with the presence of the huge crowd. I was very happy to see Al Sadd fans coming to the stadium to support us,” he added. LEFT: Qatar’s Ahmed Al Bourdainy yesterday wins the third stage of the Qatar leg of the 14th GCC Cycling Today’s clash at Al Gharafa Stadium starts at 6:30pm. Championship in Dukhan. ABOVE: The top three riders are seen on the podium after the end of yesterday’s stage. THE PENINSULA

Stallions Cricket Academy to tour Golf: Uber offers free trip to 26 teams for Pinoy Dubai this month Qatar Masters ticket holders Basketball of Qatar

DOHA: After very successful DOHA: Commercial Bank Qatar DOHA: The Pinoy Basketball of their presence felt with a sense tours of England in 2014 and Sri Masters partner Uber is offering Qatar (PIBAQ), the foremost Fili- of pride and honour to be part of Lanka in August 2015, Qatar’s all ticket holders in Doha a free pino basketball league in Qatar, this highly competitive tourna- leading cricket academy, Stal- roundtrip to the tournament. formally opened its 19th Men’s ment this season. lions CA is all set to embark on its The 19th edition of the prestig- Basketball Cup on Friday packed Pat Carido, PIBAQ chairman, third international cricket tour to ious golf tournament will be held with a renewed commitment for has made good to their commit- the UAE on December 18. at the iconic Doha Golf Club from a much exciting season for all the ment to make the new season a The tour is scheduled to be for January 27 to 30. avid aficionados of this popular much bigger edition with new for- four days from December 18 to 21 Commercial Bank Qatar Mas- sport in their community at home mats to make each team get an during which Stallions CA’s play- ters has partnered with Uber to and abroad. equal chance to play exuded with ers will participate in the Gulf enhance the overall event experi- All the 26 teams from differ- deep passion and fair competition Cup tournament, playing more ence for visitors. ent four divisions along with their especially that the ball club is cel- than 10 matches against com- With Uber, visitors to the four hundreds of supporters came ebrating this year its decade of petitive opponents from various day tournament will be able to in full force to jam-pack the Al fruitful anniversary. cricket academies in the UAE. enjoy a hassle free journey to and Gharafa Training Gym to have THE PENINSULA The tour party consists 50 par- from the event without having to ticipants that include 27 players worry about parking at the Doha who are playing in the age groups Golf Club. of U-11 and U-14. During the tour, “We continuously endeavour to the teams will be managed by the provide our visitors with a unique qualified Stallions senior coaches and memorable experience at the Manoj Arthanat, Ashan Perera, Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Sachin Kanvinde, Mohammad and that starts from the moment Mostain and head coach Sidath they leave their homes. Provid- Tennakoon. The players will get ing visitors with a free roundtrip the opportunity to play on pro- aims to help make our visitor The Public Village at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. fessional grass grounds, on turf experience as enjoyable as pos- pitches in Dubai, Sharjah and sible, allowing them to focus on Ajman during the tournament having a fantastic time with their has a different promotional code ney to and from the tournament. and will play two friendly games friends and family,” said Abdulla that will be given to ticket holders Tickets are available to buy now against ICC Cricket Academy at Al Raisi, CEO of Commercial when they purchase tickets. at Virgin Megastores (Online and the world class ICC Cricket oval Bank. To redeem their complimentary in-store in Doha), Ticket Mas- in Dubai. In its efforts to give The free roundtrip to and from ride during event week, ticket ter, Time Out Tickets, Q Tickets, more options to children Stal- the Doha Golf Club during the holders must download the Uber Doha Golf Club and more (full list lions have started Badminton and 2016 Commercial Bank Qatar app, enter the designated promo below). Tickets are priced as fol- Basketball academies in October Masters will be available daily for code and the number allocated to lows, starting at QR150. Pat Carido, Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (PIBAQ) Chairman, speaking dur- 2015. all visitors. the ticket based on the day (e.g. ing the opening ceremony of the 19th Men’s Basketball Cup on Friday. THE PENINSULA Each day of the tournament CBQM1234) and enjoy their jour- THE PENINSULA MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Al Rayyan raring to go after Al Sadd blip We have looked into our mistakes, worked on them and now we are preparing ourselves for next game: Fossati

DOHA: Points leaders Al Rayyan have regrouped and reworked at their game after their unexpected El Jaish aim to bounce back loss to Al Sadd, coach Jorge Fos- sati said ahead of today’s clash against Al Ahli. Al Sadd handed Al Rayyan after two successive defeats their first loss of the season on Thursday when the hosts pro- DOHA: El Jaish coach Sabri “As a coach I can say that the duced a 1-0 win at Jassim Bin Lamouchi (pictured) has a clear players have understood my style Hamad Stadium. message for his team ahead of of working. We need to have “We have looked into our mis- today’s key clash against Al Sadd. the same enthusiasm which we takes, worked on them and now Placed second just 10 days ago, showed last week. We have to we are preparing ourselves for Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants look to play better than we did next game,” Fossati said yester- El Jaish (23 points) have now last week. I think now the team day. slipped to third spot after defeats is better and we will get more “We have a very tough game. against Qatar SC and Umm Salal. results,” Al Sadd coach said. We are working from the moment Al Sadd (24) are in second place Ferreira reminded media that we finished the last game to behind Al Rayyan (33). Al Sadd remained a threat in recover the players and get them “We will be playing this match, Qatar football. to be in the best condition tomor- in what is a difficult period for “Al Rayyan is a great team and row. We have high confidence in us. We have to stop losing points,” the start of the league was won- our team,” Fossati added. Lamouchi said yesterday. derful for them. But we have to Fossati he differs from people “We have to find solutions for remember that Al Sadd is also a who think every game has to be Al Rayyan’s Sergio Garcia Fuente (second right)celebrates with his team- that,” the Tunisian said. great team and our history is as judged on results only. mates after scoring a goal against Al Sadd during their Qatar Stars “Only a collective effort will get great if not bigger than that of Al “For us the defeat hasn’t League match on Thursday. us out of this situation,” he added. Rayyan,” Ferreira said yesterday. changed in the way we prepare. Lamouchi said El Jaish has “So we, at Al Sadd, shouldn’t The feeling cannot be same. We analysed it’s edgy performances consider other teams to be big- cannot be happy when we don’t said playing creative football could sport. “It is not surprising that Al in the last two weeks. ger or more important than us. win,” Fossati said. be the way forward for his side Rayyan lost a game. Every good “When we analyse our last few Al Sadd is a great team and that’s “People analyse the games only place 9th on the points table. run comes to an end someday,” results, we can clearly see the But against some other teams, the why the ambition of the team by the results. But that is some- “We did not achieve what has Kranjcar said. issues we have had,” Lamouchi level of the players could have should be to win all the games,” thing that we never do. We have been expected of us so far. How- “However, they are still very said. dropped a bit. That has cost us a he said. to analyse the performance too,” ever, the big games are the best competitive. They have been pre- Lamouchi said El Jaish’s clash few points,” he said “We have to know that there is he added. way to reply and change that,” paring every game to win and am against Al Sadd means his team “I am optimistic about my team no impossible game in this league With a tally of 33 points from Kranjcar said yesterday. sure will do the same this time meeting a side with a rich history considering the quality that we and for Al Sadd there’s noth- 12 games, Al Rayyan still won’t “This match is between two too,” he added. in Qatar football. have. I am confident that they will ing impossible. I am saying that take Al Ahli lightly, Fossati said. teams who have a big tradition “We will approach the game in “We are playing a big team give their best and get the result,” because we are working hard with “It’s true that Al Ahli haven’t here. We are expecting a good the same way. Big games usually with a big history, a team that Lamouchi concluded. the players - the starting 11 and had good results so far in the game. Our team is in a bit of dif- bring something different but I plays only for titles,” Lamouchi Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Fer- also those on the bench. league but we know their play- ficult situation right now. I am am sure our players will do their said. “We are in a difficult situa- reira said Al Sadd will continue “I am very happy to be accom- ers have good quality. And they sure that my players will respond best to get a positive result. tion is when we have to show our to aim for wins. panied by Xavi today. I am happy have had very good games,” Fos- positively and get a good result. “Injuries and lack of scoring quality, our personality and our “Today is a special day for me to be work with this great star sati said. “Al Rayyan is at the top of the from clear chances are the two big strengths,” he added. because we are coming off a great everyday. As Xavi said, there’s no “Sometimes the final result table and they have had a great issues that are affecting us. We “But the circumstances are victory against Al Rayyan. We yesterday in football. We have to don’t mirror the game. We believe season so far. But there’s always show a lot of quality during the also because we have had some don’t have any choice but to con- start focussing on the next match. that there were games which a possibility to surprise them and game and create many chances key injuries in the defensive line. tinue looking for wins,” Ferreira We are pleased with the win but Al Ahli deserved to win. So we we will look to do that,” Kranjcar but we don’t score off them,” he But we have to have confidence in said yesterday. as a great team we have to con- respect them as a team while hav- said. said. our quality,” he explained, “And that is why we have to tinue to have the motivation and ing confidence in our players,” he Kranjcar said Al Rayyan’s The game starts at 4:00pm. “When you play teams Al like play with the same level of per- the determination,” he said. said. unexpected loss last week is not Rayyan and Al Sadd, the players formance which we showed in the Al Ahli coach Zlatko Kranjcar a new occurrence in professional THE PENINSULA know that have to give it their all. last match,” he added. THE PENINSULA Mourinho’s Lekhwiya plan ‘all-out assault’ against Mesaimeer Chelsea faith DOHA: Defending champions because of the short gap between have won three titles in the last Lekhwiya will adopt an attacking the matches,” Oliveira said. four seasons and are playing very faces Leicester game-plan against bottom-placed “We are happy because we well right now. We will have to Mesaimeer in their round 13 clash don’t have a lot of injuries. Nam go in with a defensive strategy today. Tae-Hee will miss this match and look to get a draw out of this test today Fifth-placed Lekhwiya have because of injury and Khalid Muf- game. picked up six points from their tah is suspended because he had “But we will still take our LEICESTER, United King- two games in which they smashed received four yellow cards. chances,” he said. dom: Jose Mourinho’s claim that 10 goals. Al Rayyan (33), Al Sadd “But we don’t have too many “Lekhwiya are in good form. Chelsea’s season is finally head- (24), El Jaish (23) and Al Arabi missing players which was a prob- They will play attacking football ing in the right direction will face (23) are above Lekhwiya. lem which we had earlier in the and have players with a lot of a stern test when the Premier “I have seen how Mesaimeer season,” he added. individual quality. We don’t even League champions visit unex- play. They will defend with six “Mesaimeer will be motivated have our full squad. So the result pected pace-setters Leicester players and an additional two and will do their best in order will be depend on what Lekhwiya City today. players will drop back,” assistant to get a good result against a does during the game,” Gacanin Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester will coach Bruno Oliveira said yester- big team. We are now looking to said. go into the game having been dis- day. continue changing the image of “In matches like there is a big lodged from the head of the table “They don’t have good individ- Lekhiwya which was there at the difference in quality between the by Manchester City, who moved ual players but as a group they start of the season,” he said. squads, we have to focus on our top on goal difference following play well. So we will have to be Mesaimeer coach Rodion defence and on closing the gaps. Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Swan- ready to play an attacking game Gacanin said his side is only half “The result will depend on how sea City. and convert our chances when we fit for the clash. long we can keep the score at 0-0. But their form this season has get them,” Oliveira said. “This is a very difficult match But it depends on how much con- been in stark contrast to that of Oliveira said Lekhwiya wont at this moment. We have 5-6 centration that our players show Mourinho’s Chelsea, whose last be able to field their strongest XI players who will miss this match and for how long they can sustain Defending champion Lekhwiya assistant coach Bruno Oliveira during league outing ended in a shock today. due to injuries and yellow cards,” it,” Gacanin explained. a press conference ahead of their Qatar Stars League match against home defeat by Bournemouth. “The preparation was more Gacanin said yesterday. Mesaimeer. Right: Mesaimeer coach Rodion Gacanin. That result left the Blues man- about recovery of the players “We are playing a team that THE PENINSULA ager stunned and appeared to have undone the progress made by the Stamford Bridge outfit since the last international break. Fortunately for Mourinho -- Paulinho earns Guangzhou dream Barcelona tie who succeeded Ranieri as Chel- sea manager when he first took OSAKA, Japan: Former Spurs substitute Zheng Long to equalise free kick onto the bar in the pick charge of the club in 2004 -- the midfielder Paulinho snatched an against the run of play for Luiz of his many saves. latest emerging crisis was stalled injury-time winner as China’s Felipe Scolari’s side 10 minutes At the other end, ex-Real by the mid-week Champions Guangzhou Evergrande stunned from time. Madrid striker Robinho went League defeat of FC Porto, which Mexico’s Club America 2-1 yes- Paulinho, the architect for close from distance but in truth ensured that Chelsea advanced terday to set up a Club World Cup Zheng’s classic sucker punch after Guangzhou offered little until to the last 16 as winners of their semi-final against Barcelona in a swift counter-attack, then sent their late salvo. group. With their European Japan. Chinese fans wild as he put Ever- Mazembe, surprise finalists five future assured, the club can con- Japanese champions Sanfrecce grande through to a dream tie years ago, used to employ witch- centrate on improving a disas- Hiroshima upset Congolese side with European champions Bar- doctors while wizards behind the trous domestic campaign that Mazembe 3-0 in the second quar- celona in Yokohama on Thursday. goals would break eggs to boost sees them currently lying 15th, ter-final in Osaka, sending the It was all too much for the the team’s attacking potency, perilously close to the relegation local favourites through to face fanatical America fans who according to the FIFA website. places. The expectation ever since Argentina’s Libertadores Cup braved the cold, many of them However, luck deserted the the opening weeks of the season holders River Plate. bare-chested and wearing col- African champions, who domi- was that Chelsea would soon turn Paulinho climbed to head in ourful Mexican “lucha libre”- nated for long periods against things around and resume their a corner with virtually the last style wrestling masks. Numbed Hiroshima but lacked a killer challenge for a top-four finish. touch of the game, completing an by the abrupt turnaround, they touch. But with 14 points separating improbable comeback for Asian stared in silence as the Chinese Defender Tsukasa Shiotani, them from the Champions League champions Guangzhou and celebrated. who scored in the 2-0 win over qualification places, the manager’s leaving dazed America players “We were magnificent!” gushed Auckland City on Thursday, belief that his side are back on sobbing on the turf at the final Scolari. “Why not dream now of poked home a Yusuke Chajima track must be justified soon if whistle. beating Barcelona? We know we corner to give Hiroshima the lead they are to launch a charge up “I play the game for moments are small but we want to achieve just before halftime. the table. Right-back Branislav like that,” Paulinho told report- great things. That’s what we will Centre-back Kazuhiko Chiba Ivanovic is convinced, however, ers. work for and I need my players headed a second 11 minutes that Chelsea can now transfer Paulinho of China’s Guangzhou Evergrande celebrates after scoring “You never know what will hap- aware that it is possible.” after the break to put the newly their European form to the Pre- against Mexico’s Club America during their Club World Cup quarter-final pen in football so it’s better not to The former Brazil and Portugal crowned J-League champions mier League. match in Osaka, western Japan, yesterday. Asian champions Guangzhou talk too much before the match.” coach was indebted to his goal- firmly in control before substitute “The Champions League is a Evergrande scored twice in the last 10 minutes, including a stoppage Veteran striker Oribe Peralta keeper Li Shuai, who manfully Takuma Asano added a third. different style of football, differ- time winner from midfielder Paulinho, in a stunning 2-1 win over America had ended Guangzhou’s resist- kept America at bay until Per- Hiroshima face River Plate in ent completely,” said the Serbian. ance with a diving header five alta struck, acrobatically tipping Osaka on Wednesday. in the Club World Cup. minutes after the break, only for defender Paolo Goltz’s whipped AFP AFP 27 MONDAY 14 DECEMBER 2015 Sport www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Al Khor crush Al Gharafa as Al Kharaitiyat hammer Umm Salal Bottom placed sides register convincing wins in Round 13 of QSL DOHA: Bottom sides Al Khor opening goal.With relegation fears The first half was a tense affair QSL RESULTS & and Al Kharaitiyat celebrated on the minds, Al Khor and Al Al Gharafa enjoyed 62 per cent huge wins yesterday as both sides Kharaitiyat produced the goods of the possession but no goals to SCHEDULE picked up points in their Qatar when it mattered most and in the show for that domination. DOHA: Stars League (QSL) battles. best manner possible - by scoring Al Khor, on the contrary, were The Qatar Stars League (QSL) results and schedule for Al Khor, placed 12th, yester- goals. content to sit back and absorb the week 13. The players of Al Sailiya celebrate their win over Al Arabi in Round 13 day crushed former champions Al Al Khor played a great counter pressure and look to attack on the of the Qatar Stars League (QSL). Gharafa 2-0 after goals by Julio attacking game to defeat fancied counter. Yesterday’s Results Cesar (58) and Madson (84) at Al Gharafa 2-0 at the Hamad bin Al Gharafa could have taken Qatar SC 2 Al Wakrah 2 Al Ahli Stadium. Khalifa Stadium yesteray. the lead in the first half but Con- In the other game at Suhaim Al Gharafa were clearly the golese star Alain Dioko - still Al Sailiya 2 Al Arabi 0 Al Sailiya continue win Bin Hamad Stadium, 11th-placed side with the majority possession recovering from injury - had a Al Khor 2 Al Gharafa 0 Al Kharaitiyat saw off Umm Salal but they couldn’t convert their shot palmed away by Khor goal- Umm Salal 0 Al Kharaitiyat 3 through captain Yahia Kebe’s chances while Al Khor were able keeper Baba Kane. brace (77 and 94) and Hassan to score off the few chances that Masoud Shojaei also saw his Today’s Matches streak, Qatar SC draw Abdel-Fatteh Mahmoud’s (29) they created. free-kick punched away in similar 4:00pm Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli at Al fashion a few minutes later. Gharafa Stadium DOHA: Qatar Sports Club yesterday relied on a Mohsine Lajour The best chance of the first brace to draw against Al Wakrah while Al Sailiya stitched their fourth half fell to Dioko again. In the 6:30pm El Jaish vs Al Sadd at Al successive win with a 2-0 card against Al Arabi. Gharafa Stadium 34th minute he found himself Hosts Qatar SC, who have picked up points from their last two inside the box and tried to beat 6:30pm Mesaimeer vs Lekhwiya at clashes, yesterday survived a scare to share Qatar Stars League (QSL) the ‘keeper with his right foot Al Arabi Stadium points with Al Wakrah at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium. but Kane was up to the task and In the day’s other clash, Al Sailiya saw influential striker Fawzi denied Dioko. Khor were level on points with Mubarak Aaish produced two goals (45 and 86) in each of the halves. The second half saw a similar Qatar SC who are in 13th place Al Sailiya now have a tally of 19 points from 13 games. script but then a defensive lapse in the standings. Al Wakrah yesterday had come into this match on the back of a saw Al Khor take the lead. In the With yesterday’s win, they have gritty 1-0 win over Al Kharaitiyat and were the team that took an 59th minute, Waleed Ahmad ran managed to put a three-point gap early lead. In the ninth minute of the match, striker Sebastian Saez down the left flank and delivered between them and the relegation flicked on a great ball to Ahmed Fadel inside the box who was able to a cross into the centre where zone. put it past the goalkeeper to give his team the lead. Cesar was left unmarked. Meanwhile Al Kharaitiyat yes- But nine minutes later, Al Wakrah conceded the equaliser through The Brazilian had the time to terday also clinched a valuable a defensive gaffe inside the box. Shaheen Ali sent a long cross into the fire in an acrobatic volley to give win over Umm Salal. box and Yajour, who had a free run into the box, calmly headed one in. his team the lead. Al Kharaitiyat’s Jordanian The first half ended with the teams on par. The second half started Al Gharafa did create more striker Abdel-Fattah scored the with Al Wakrah getting a fortuitous goal. chances but then in the 82nd first goal on a cross pass by Jaral- Barely three minutes into the half, Wakrah’s Mohsine Moutaouali minute, Aden Ali brought down lah Al Marri from the right wing. fired in a long cross but his shot deflected off Ismael Benamalem substitute Lassina Diaby. Kebe, in the 77th minute, and nestled into the back of the net. Qatar SC goalkeeper Mohamed Referee Khamis Mohammed calmly accept a pass from Anwar Mubarak miscalculated his charge and found himself far off to the right pointed to the spot and Mad- Diba to score his side’s second in anticipation of the cross. Mubarak couldn’t get back in time to save son had no trouble in sending goal from close range. the deflection. Al Wakrah were ahead and would have felt the three Al Gharafa ‘keeper Abdulaziz Minutes later, Kebe finished off points in their grasp. But then in the 57th minute, Al Wakrah skipper Action from Round 13 match of the Qatar Stars League (QSL) between Abdulla to double the lead for Al Umm Salal with his injury-time Ali Hussain Arhema conceded a penalty. Yajour made no mistake from Al Gharafa and Al Khor yesterday. Al Khor won 2-0. Khor. strike. the spot to score his second goal of the match. Before the result yesterday, Al THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Own goal EPL: Arsenal go top, Perez hands Neville’s late show ends Spurs run Valencia point

LONDON: Arsene Wenger said consistency.” Arsenal’s fans’ hap- his former mentor Wenger, who at Eibar that Arsenal had enjoyed a “per- piness at seeing their side go top signed him as a player at Arsenal, fect week” after they won 2-0 at was enhanced hours later when but his team remain eight points MADRID: A late own goal sal- Aston Villa yesterday to supplant arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur’s adrift of safety at the foot of the vaged a point for Valencia in Gary Manchester City at the Premier 14-game unbeaten run was ended table. Neville’s first taste of La Liga League summit. by a 2-1 home defeat at the hands Arsenal went a point clear action yesterday as Los Che bat- Arsenal reached the Champi- of Newcastle United. of City and Leicester and three tled back with 10 men to draw 1-1 ons League last 16 on Wednesday Meanwhile, substitute Divock points above fourth-place Man- at Eibar. by winning 3-0 at Olympiakos, Origi scored a 96th-minute equal- chester United, who lost 2-1 at Sergi Enrich deservedly opened Olivier Giroud scoring all three iser as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool Bournemouth on Saturday. Marseille’s Portuguese defender Jorge Pires de Fonseca Rolando (left) the scoring for Eibar with the last goals, and the Frenchman set the drew 2-2 at home to West Brom- Tottenham would have moved vies with Ajaccio’s French goalkeeper Clement Maury during the French kick of the first half. London side on their way at Villa wich Albion. above United had they beaten L1 match against Ajaccio at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, south- However, the turning point Park with an early penalty. At Villa Park, Giroud sent Brad Newcastle, but they remain fifth, ern France, yesterday. came midway through the second Aaron Ramsey doubled Arse- Guzan the wrong way from the three points below the Cham- period when Valencia goalkeeper nal’s lead before half-time, penalty spot in the eighth minute pions League berths, after late Jaume Domenech saved Saul Ber- starting and finishing a swift after Alan Hutton was penalised goals from substitutes Aleksandar jon’s penalty after Lucas Orban counter-attack, as Wenger’s men for holding back Theo Walcott, Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez took Marseille slip at home, had been very harshly sent off for leapfrogged both City and former which gave the France striker his Steve McClaren’s side out of the supposedly elbowing Dani Garcia. leaders Leicester City, who host 50th Arsenal league goal. relegation zone at Norwich City’s And Valencia got the slice of champions Chelsea today. Ramsey made it 2-0 seven expense. luck they needed when David “It was a perfect week for us,” minutes before half-time, tack- Eric Dier’s glancing header Monaco into top three Junca turned the ball into his own Wenger told the BBC. “We spent ling Idrissa Gueye in midfield from Christian Eriksen’s corner net five minutes from time. a lot of energy away in the Cham- and sparking a move that saw the gave Spurs a 39th-minute lead, PARIS: Monaco moved into the place of the unfit Danijel Subasic. A point leaves Valencia seven pions League on Wednesday, but ball pass from Walcott to Mesut but Mitrovic poked home an top three in Ligue 1 for the first “Our objective remains the points off the top four in eighth. found the resources to win again Ozil, who squared the ball for the equaliser two minutes after com- time since the opening weekend same, to bring through young “The last 20 minutes is the here today (Sunday), in another Welshman to roll home. ing on as a substitute in the 72nd of the season as a Fabinho pen- players and get results at the minimum that Valencia should away match. In keeping Villa at bay, Arse- minute before Perez squeezed a alty gave them a 1-0 win against same time,” added Jardim. show every week,” said Neville. “This season is so unpredictable nal goalkeeper Petr Cech equalled winner beneath Hugo Lloris in Saint-Etienne yesterday. Monaco are behind second- “We wanted to win, a draw is that you just focus on yourself and former England international the third minute of added time. The Brazilian international placed Angers only on goal dif- not ideal, but it is positive given try to play well in the next game. David James’s Premier League Newcastle had started to turn netted from the spot eight min- ference after the promoted club the circumstances.” You know if you are consistent record of 169 clean sheets. a corner by beating Liverpool last utes from time to settle a dour came from behind to draw 1-1 at Neville had suffered a night- then you have a chance. This is Villa manager Remi Garde weekend and Klopp’s men needed game in the principality club’s home to Bordeaux, Romain Tho- mare debut as a head coach an opportunity for us to find that had been hoping to get one over a last-gasp intervention from favour as they bounced back from mas cancelling out Diego Rolan’s in midweek as Valencia were Origi to avoid a second consecu- 4-1 hiding away to Tottenham opener. dumped out of the Champions tive defeat against West Brom. Hotspur on Thursday that saw Both clubs sit 14 points adrift League in a defeat to Lyon, and Liverpool captain Jordan them eliminated from the Europa of runaway leaders Paris Saint- the former Manchester United Henderson marked his first start League. Germain, who defend their defender made four changes for since August with a 21st-minute Helder Costa had struck the unbeaten domestic record this the trip to the Basque country. opener, but Craig Dawson pun- bar in the first period for the season when they host Lyon on However, his decision to rest ished an error by goalkeeper hosts at the Stade Louis II before Sunday evening. Jose Luis Gaya in favour of Orban Simon Mignolet to equalise on the visitors were reduced to 10 Meanwhile, Marseille’s home backfired as the Argentine was the half hour before Jonas Ols- men on 64 minutes when Kevin woes continued as they had to routinely beaten by Eibar winger son headed the visitors in front Malcuit was shown a second yel- settle for a point in a 1-1 draw Keko before seeing red just after in the 73rd minute from Chris low card. with Gazelec Ajaccio. the hour mark. Brunt’s corner. Leonardo Jardim’s men then Jacques Zoua put the Corsicans Valencia were lucky to escape Liverpool centre-back Dejan won the crucial penalty when in front from the penalty spot but conceding a penalty on 13 min- Lovren had to be stretchered off Pierre-Yves Polomat was penal- Michy Batshuayi equalised before utes when Keko’s first dangerous with a nasty knee injury, but the ised for handball. half-time with his 11th league delivery was met by Borja Bas- eight minutes of injury time that “It was a positive match. goal of the season. Gazelec had ton at the near post and deflected ensued enabled Origi to rescue We controlled the opposition a Mohamed Larbi goal wrongly just wide by the hand of Shkodran the hosts with a deflected equal- and they didn’t have many disallowed for offside just after Mustafi. iser. Liverpool rise one place to chances,” said Jardim, whose the break before the hosts saw Moments later, Domenech ninth, five points off the top four, side are now unbeaten in five Abdelaziz Barrada harshly shown made an incredible save to turn Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Olivier Giroud applaud the supporters with Tony Pulis’s West Brom four Ligue 1 games. a straight red card for following Enrich’s effort onto the post from during the English Premier League match against Aston Villa at Villa points further back in 13th. Jardim also saw young goal- through in a challenge on John point-blank range from another Park Stadium in Birmingham, Great Britain, yesterday. keeper Paul Nardi keep a clean Tshibumbu. Keko cross. AFP sheet on his top-flight debut in AFP AFP