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THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 • 28 Safar 1437 • Volume 20 Number 6640 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Unity key to promoting stability: Emir Emir addresses 36th GCC Summit in Riyadh, calls on international community to combat terrorism

DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday said that unity is the key to promoting security and stability in the GCC region as well as achieving economic growth and coopera- tion in all fields. “This is a question of consensus for our people and our communities,” said the Emir in his address to the 36th GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riy- adh yesterday. He raised a host of other issues relevant to the region and the world, including the Syrian crisis, Pales- tine and terrorism, and said they must be resolved. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia delivered the inaugural speech. He expressed his appreciation of the Emir for steering the GCC to further progress and prosperity with his success- ful effort through his chairmanship of the Supreme Council’s previous session. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the 36th GCC Summit in Riyadh. Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who was the Chairman of the forms and manifestations, and eliminate address the root causes of terrorism that last session of the summit, said in his its real causes by all available means and feed on violence against people in condi- address: “We meet today against the capabilities, while taking into considera- tions of despair, lack of any way-out and backdrop of delicate circumstances, rapid tion the difference between terrorism and loss of hope in reform through peaceful changeable conditions and serious chal- Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the legitimate right of peoples to struggle means.” However, those who are lurking lenges facing the world in general and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh, yesterday. against foreign occupation. around with ill-intentions against Islam Middle East in particular, thus putting Terrorism that targets innocent civil- take terrorist groups’ acts as a pretext further responsibilities on us. I am con- lenges facing our world today threaten- ting all peoples and countries without any ians is a real problem that must be con- to attack and distort the image of Islam, fident that our Council is able, with God’s ing international peace and security. Its discrimination between victims, because fronted by all countries, he emphasised. and to hold all Muslims accountable for help, to tackle these challenges, thanks pace has accelerated recently under false of their colour, race, religion or doctrine, “The first and foremost responsibility acts that they have nothing to do with, to our solidarity and joint cooperation in pretexts and slogans. The criminal opera- said the Emir. of a state is to maintain the security of its but rather they are their first victims. all political, economic and security fields.” tions that targeted many countries are The international community is, thus, citizens. But, in order to avoid replacing Continued on page 3 Terrorism, the Emir stressed, had the best proof that this abhorrent lesion required today more than ever to double a form of terrorism with another that become one of the most dangerous chal- is cross-border, and that its danger beset- its effort to combat terrorism in all its is worse than its predecessor, we must THE PENINSULA

Qatar moving ahead to complete 2022 projects: PM Decks cleared for By Sachin Kumar unveiling state tions that regulate economic and order to achieve sustainable from the general objectives of financial practice in the country growth, with the government the Supreme Council for Eco- budget for 2016 DOHA: Prime Minister and and the associated systems, the specifying spending priorities and nomic Affairs and Investment as Interior Minister H E Sheikh premier added. making the necessary initiatives all state bodies work in complete DOHA: The decks are now clear Abdullah bin Nasser bin Kha- He noted that official statistics to boost the participation of the harmony to implement the deci- for unveiling the state budget for lifa Al Thani said yesterday that indicate that inflation was mild private sector in growth. sions and directives of the council 2016 — the first budgetary esti- Qatar is moving ahead to con- this year due to drop in global The Prime Minister pledged that so as to achieve the goals of Qatar mates that will follow the Grego- clude all infrastructure projects commodities, good management of Qatar would make the necessary National Vision 2030. rian calendar. for the 2022 World Cup, mainly financial and monetary policy and arrangements to achieve Qatar Despite this, the Prime Min- The Cabinet yesterday took the railways, new port projects the wise administration of liquid- National Vision 2030, pointing to ister and Interior Minister said, note of the recommendations of and other major projects. In his ity. He expected inflation to keep the great progress made in the GCC states, thanks to their the Advisory Council about the inaugural speech at the Eurom- its moderate trend in the future. implementation of the strategic polices and keenness on boost- draft law and took measures for oney Qatar Conference at Ritz- Qatar is committed to the plan of the financial sector 2013- ing political and economic stabil- its issuance. The Cabinet had ear- Carlton, he said that the key policies of economic diversifica- 16 that is based on the development ity under the wise leadership of lier approved the draft budget and projects are progressing as per tion, supporting investment pro- strategy plan 2011-2016. GCC leaders, have continued to referred it to the Advisory Council the original schedule. grams in all sectors, he added. “We are committed to create an make well-established and well for its review and suggestions. He said Qatar will spare no He expected economic growth to investment-attracting environ- thought steps in order to mini- The Cabinet also approved a efforts to develop the economic witness a noticeable improvement ment while enhancing opportuni- mise the negative effects of falling draft law on biological weapons sector and promote it so as to thanks to expansion and growth ties for local and global investors oil prices. More than 600 finance and decided to refer it to the Advi- play its role efficiently and power- in non-oil activities as investment through issuing the appropriate and banking professionals are sory Council, reports Qatar News Prime Minister and Interior Minister fully and in accordance with best plans and projects continue in all legislations and putting in place taking part in the two-day long Agency. The draft law identifies H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser international practices. Qatar is fields. the convenient rules and regula- high profile conference. the biological and toxic weapons bin Khalifa Al Thani addressing the working to strengthen the infra- He added that programs on tions,” he said. See also pages 17 & 19 as microbial, other biological ele- Euromoney Qatar conference. structure of the economic sector, economic diversification receive He noted that Qatar’s eco- ments or toxins in quantities that especially with regard to legisla- great attention at all levels in nomic and financial policies stem THE PENINSULA are unjustifiable for their use for preventive, immunization or other peaceful purposes wherever their source or means of their produc- Qatar National Day rehearsal tion, and any weapons, equipment or transport means designed for the use of microbial, biological Qatar RMB Centre clears $20bn and or toxin elements for hostile purposes or armed conflicts. By Satish Kanady by volume, an official spokesper- Qatar Renminbi Centre Advisory As per the draft law, any natu- son stated yesterday. Council Meeting. The meeting is ral or legal person shall not be DOHA: The Qatar-based Ren- Qatar RMB Centre was opened seen as a step forward for the Mid- allowed to produce, develop, store, minbi (RMB) clearing centre in June, following a Memorandum dle East & North Africa region’s import, export, re-export, transit, has emerged as the world’s third of Understanding signed in Novem- first RMB clearing centre. possess by any means, maintain largest Chinese currency clear- ber 2014 between the representa- The Centre’s Advisory Council for self or for others, transport ing facility within a span of six tives of the Qatar Central Bank is comprised of representatives of directly or indirectly to any place months. More than RMB131bn and People’s Bank of China. The Qatar’s leading banks and finan- within the state or abroad, or ($20bn) have been cleared Qatar RMB Centre acts as a hub cial sector stakeholders, includ- transform any biological element through the Centre since it was that conducts and facilitates a wide ing Qatar Central Bank,Qatar or toxin into biological or toxic launched in June 2015. variety of financial services denom- National Bank, Masraf Al Rayan, weapon, build, possess or run any The RMB Centre has been inated in RMB. It allows businesses Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial establishment producing such improving ease of transactions in Qatar and the region to settle Bank, Qatar International Islamic weapons, possess or maintain between companies in Qatar their transactions in RMB directly. Bank, Al Khaliji Bank, Standard any equipment for the produc- and across the region and China There are 18 official RMB clearing Chartered, Industrial and Com- tion of such weapons or means of through offering clearing and set- banks worldwide, the Qatar RMB mercial Bank of China (ICBC), their usage or transport, the use tlement services – increasing con- Centre being one of the newest and Qatar Financial Centre Regula- of weapons, start of using them nectivity between markets that the first in the Middle East and tory Authority and Qatar Stock or release biological or toxic ele- have strong economic and com- North Africa region. Exchange. Other institutions will ments with the aim of harming mercial ties. Now, it is the 3rd In a step forward for the Middle also be invited soon. A helicopter carrying a Qatari national flag during a rehearsal for Qatar living beings or terrorising people. largest Industrial and Commer- East & North Africa region’s RMB Continued on page 5 National Day celebrations on the Corniche yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Continued on page 5 cial Bank of China ( ICBC)-man- clearing centre, the Qatar Central aged clearing facility in the world Bank (QCB) has convened the first THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf leaders at the 36th GCC Summit in Riyadh yesterday. RIGHT: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with the Emir of Kuwait H H Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah at Diriyah Palace. The meeting was also attended by H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Personal Representative of the Emir. The Emir also met with Deputy Prime Minister of Oman, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, in Riyadh. Unity among Gulf states need of the hour, says Emir Continued from page 1 of the international community towards and armed opposition groups to Riyadh its national unity and territorial integ- of its legitimate government. “We, the “This requires us to stand up to Israeli occupation will lead to disastrous for consultation on the delegation repre- rity, are of critical importance for us in GCC states, support a peaceful solution address these fallacies and to highlight consequences for the Middle East region senting the Syrian people in the Vienna the Gulf Cooperation Council States and in order to enable Yemen to overcome the genuine spirit and tolerance of Islam and the entire world. negotiations,” said the Emir. for our Arab nation in general, there- the crisis and restore its march towards and its respect for the other, and to edu- “It’s our right, or rather our duty to Through this invitation, the Kingdom fore we call for supporting and backing construction and development,” King Sal- cate the youth of the Ummah that it is call on the international community to provides another proof of its support for it in its war against terrorism, which has man added. not enough to take pride in the attributes obligate Israel to end its occupation of the the Syrian people. become a threat to its security, stability Regarding Syria, he said the Kingdom of our religion, that generally converge Arab territories and not to obstruct the And in these circumstances, under and entity. is hosting the Syrian opposition as a sup- with the human virtues and which are establishment of a sovereign independent which the Syrian people are subjected Regarding the Libyan situation, he port of finding a political solution to guar- synonymous with high ground ethics, but Palestinian State with its capital in East to crimes of displacement and mass said: “We look forward to the brothers antee the unity of the Syrian territory in we are supposed also to exercise them,” Jerusalem on 1967 borders. annihilation, “we call upon the Syrian in Libya to be able to overcome the cur- accordance with the decisions of Geneva the Emir said. About the Syrian crisis, the Emir said opposition parties to live up to the level rent difficulties, achieve comprehensive 1. All the countries of the world must Despite the tireless endeavours made it puts on the international community’s of responsibility and take advantage of national reconciliation and to proceed share responsibility in the fight against by the GCC countries and the interna- shoulders a historical, moral and humani- this valuable opportunity to close their with a political process that achieves extremism and terrorism and elimination tional community to bring about a just tarian responsibility. The repercussions ranks and coordinate their steps to what unity and stability and maintains security of whatever its source. peace in the Middle East and to establish of this crisis have extended beyond the is beyond the formation of a negotiating for the brotherly Libyan people. GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdullatif an independent Palestinian State with its Syrian and the region’s borders to pose delegation”. “There is no solution in Libya except bin Rashid Al Zayani, said in his speech: capital in Jerusalem (Al Quds Al Sharif), threats to global security and stability. Regarding Yemen, the Emir said: “We a political settlement,” emphasised the “We are confident that this session under that has not been achieved so far. “Accordingly, we as Arabs, and as part reiterate our concern about the stabil- Emir. the presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi And the prospects of a just solution of the international community should ity of Yemen, its unity and territorial King Salman, in his speech, noted Arabia will achieve the noble objectives remain completely blocked, because of act to put an end to this disaster, protect integrity, and emphasise our support for that the region was facing difficult chal- sought by the GCC leaders to meet the Israeli intransigence and continued the regional and international peace and the legitimacy and our rejection to all lenges which require us to stand and aspirations and hopes of the citizens of aggressive Israeli practices aiming at security, take all measures and actions to attempts to forcibly impose control by a work together to continue to fortify our the GCC countries”. changing the demographic and geo- spare the blood of the Syrians, ease their faction over Yemen and condemn these countries against foreign threats and “This session is being held while the graphic facts of the occupied Palestinian suffering and strive in earnest to imple- attempts, which will fail, with the will of extending a helping hand to our brothers region is witnessing serious challenges territories, through expanding settlement ment the decisions of Geneva (1) that Allah and by the stance of the Yemeni in order to restore security and stability. that require vigilance and hard work in construction, repeated and systematic fulfil the aspirations of the Syrian people people and solidarity of the Arab coali- In addition, challenges facing our Arab order to preserve GCC achievements and attacks on the Al Aqsa Mosque and the and their hopes and preserve their dig- tion, region must be addressed, including the to seek further integration and solidarity unarmed Palestinian citizens, in addition nity and their right to exercise their free “We stress the need to complete the Palestinian Cause and restoration of the to achieve the hopes and aspirations of to the continued siege on the Gaza Strip will to determine their country’s future political process in accordance with the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people the GCC citizens,” Qatar News Agency and preventing its reconstruction. without coercion or compulsion by a local, Gulf initiative, the outputs of the national to establish their independent state with reported citing Saudi Press Agency It is not acceptable that the Palestin- or regional or an international power.” dialogue conference in January 2014, the Al-Quds as its capital. reports. Later, a closed session was held ian cause remains unresolved and to be “On this occasion, we commend the declaration of Riyadh in May 2015 and Regarding Yemen, he said the coalition by GCC leaders and heads of delegations. held hostage by the Israeli racist policies, invitation of the sisterly Kingdom of the Security Council resolution No. 2216.” countries are keen to achieve security the Emir said. The continued inaction Saudi Arabia for all the Syrian political Also, the security and stability of Iraq, and stability there under the leadership THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

Sheikha Moza meets Tunisia PM

Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received yesterday a written message from President of the Tunisian Republic Beji Caid Essebsi. Deputy Emir H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani was handed over the message as he met yesterday at the Emiri Diwan with Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid. Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani also attended the meeting.

H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser meeting with the Prime Minister of Tunisia, Habib Essid, at the QF headquarters. Their discussions focused on collaboration between QF and Tunisia in the field of Qatar, Tunisia sign research, and on ways to expand the work of Silatech in Tunisia. (AR Al-Baker) QC pays Gaza university fee several agreements DOHA: Qatar Charity’s office able to pay their fees. After study halls at Al Aqsa Univer- in the Gaza Strip has imple- realising that 40 per cent sity in Gaza from which thou- Qatari-Tunisian supreme committee meets for sixth session mented the first phase of a of the university students sands of students are expected QR3.65m project to pay uni- could not pay for studying, to benefit. DOHA: The Qatari-Tunisian tion in human resources and admin- the Tunisian Foreign Ministry’s versity fees of some 800 needy QC sought providing them In addition, QC supports supreme joint committee met for istrative training was signed between Diplomatic Institute for Training students of the Islamic Uni- with their needs and helping Taqat project for Scientific the sixth session yesterday under Qatar’s Ministry of Administrative and Studies. Meanwhile, a grant versity of Gaza. them continue their education. Research at a cost of more the presidency of Prime Minister Development and the Tunisian agreement was signed between the Engineer Mohammed Abu Dr Ahmed Mheisin, Presi- than QR7m. It has also imple- and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Agency for Technical Cooperation governments of Qatar and Tunisia Halloub, Qatar Charity’s Office dent Deputy of Public Affairs mented a project to provide Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al along with an MoU between Qatar on contribution to the funding of Director in the Gaza Strip, at the Islamic University of the schools with solar energy Thani and Tunisian Prime Minister Central Bank and the Central Bank completion of LTE network at the said that the goal of the six- Gaza, commended Qatar and at a cost of more than QR5m. Habib Essid. of Tunisia. Another MoU was signed Interior Ministry. An agreement in month project is to help stu- its people’s role in helping the QC earlier signed three The premier and the Tunisian on cooperation in information tech- security was signed between the gov- dents who live under difficult Palestinian people in education memorandums of under- prime minister witnessed the sign- nology and communications between ernments of Qatar and Tunisia and circumstances. and other fields. standing with the Ministry of ing of agreements, programmes and the two governments. another agreement on traditional “We need to help parents He praised the develop- Education in the Gaza Strip memorandums of understanding. In addition, an MoU was signed industries was also signed. through paying their students’ ment projects Qatar Charity regarding joint cooperation The second executive programme for security cooperation between During the committee meeting, university fees. We should also implements which reinforce to implement educational for cultural and artistic agreement Qatar’s Emiri Guard and Tunisia’s the Qatari Prime Minister said the support the university by help- the scientific potential of the projects. between the governments of Qatar presidential guard, and another meeting gives ties more opportunity ing students continue their Palestinians. The projects will mainly and Tunisia was signed for 2016- MoU on agricultural cooperation to benefit from the capabilities of education,” he said. QC has also implemented a serve primary and higher 2018 as well as the fourth executive between the two governments. both countries so as to push coop- Abu Halloub highlighted project to help around 2,500 education sectors in Pales- programme for media cooperation An MoU on cooperation in dip- eration to the best levels in a way the disastrous economic cir- graduates who could not pay tine at a cost of more than agreement between the countries for lomatic training and studies was that serves the interests of the two cumstances the last aggres- their fees to receive certifi- QR15.5m. the same period. A memorandum of signed between the Qatari Foreign peoples. sion on the Gaza Strip caused. cates. understanding (MoU) on coopera- Ministry’s Diplomatic Institute and QNA The students are no longer QC is currently building THE PENINSULA

Man arrested for booking air tickets with stolen cards Chevrolet Colorado 2013 recalled DOHA: A man who booked air tickets Qahtani, officer at the Cybercrime Com- and they were made to believe that they card used for buying the ticket, which for others using stolen credit cards has bating Centre of the CID, had received (the advertisers) owned travel agencies would be cancelled if the card was not DOHA: The Ministry of Economy been arrested. complaints from Qatar Airways which and were in a position to offer discounted produced. If credit card is not produced, and Commerce, in cooperation with The Criminal Investigation Department said that many customers — citizens fares. In fact, the advertisers were booking cash needs to be paid. The CID has urged Jaidah Automotive, has recalled the (CID) coordinated with the International and expats — were cheated as they were tickets using stolen credit cards. Several citizens and residents not to buy tickets or 2013 model of Chevrolet Colorado Criminal Police Organization (INTER- alleged to have bought tickets using credit victims booked tickets for themselves and items online from unknown or unverified due to a defect in the ‘fuel reverting POL) and took into custody an Arab on cards owned by other people. family members. sources. They should use the website of tube status.’ charges of booking Qatar Airways tickets Al Qahtani said that some Arab nation- They transferred the required amount Qatar Airways or recognised travel agen- The Ministry said the recall is for several people, including Qatari nation- als based outside Qatar were advertising after confirming that the tickets were cies in the country, the CID was quoted as part of efforts to gauge commit- als, using stolen credit cards belonging to on social media offering reductions in valid. Al Qahtani added that while car- saying in a press statement issued by the ment of dealers to follow up vehicle some Qataris. Qatar Airways fares. rying out travel procedures, airline staff Ministry of Interior. defects and repair them. First Lieutenant Mudhawi Saeed Al People enquired with the advertisers would ask a customer to present the credit THE PENINSULA QNA Qatar University, school win educational challenge

DOHA: Park House English School (PHES) given the First Place Aspiring Award for its said: “Healthy living through sport is one of and Qatar University (QU) have won the ‘Diet Movement’ campaign. the main social and human legacies Qatar is 2015 educational challenge initiated by the This year’s challenge included 25 teams putting in place in connection with the 2022 Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy from high schools and universities that FIFA World Cup. Initiatives such as these (SC). were asked to design and implement cam- can help the nation achieve this objective in The campaigns titled ‘It Pays’ and paigns to raise awareness and bring about the lead up to and following the 2022 World ‘Health’ by QU and PHES were announced behaviour change on the theme of ‘Healthy Cup. Significantly, other stakeholders such the best in the university and high school Living Through Sports’. The SC will con- as Aspire, Qatar Olympic Committee, Min- sections respectively. sider implementing innovative ideas from istry of Youth and Sports and Qatar Football The winners won scholarships worth the campaigns of the winners, shortlisted Association are all taking this seriously and QR20,000 each to implement their cam- finalists as well as all 25 participating insti- working hand in hand with the SC towards paigns. The Qatar Leadership Academy tutions and create social awareness about achieving this national goal.” won second place for its ‘Health is Wealth’ healthy living. Nasser Al Khater, SC Assist- campaign while English Modern School was ant Secretary General, Tournament Affairs, THE PENINSULA

Traffic to be diverted on Tilted Roundabout

DOHA: The Public Works centre of the Tilted Rounda- Authority (Ashghal) has bout. announced a traffic diversion The first level encompasses on the Tilted Roundabout con- an underpass along Al Gharrafa necting Al Luqta, Hiwar, and Al Road that extends south from Gharrafa roads from tomorrow. Old Al Rayyan Street rounda- The diversion will be in place bout connecting with Huwar until the third quarter of next Street and reaching Jassim Bin year. Tani roundabout, north of Al The Tilted Roundabout Gharrafa. detour will not affect traffic flow The ground level includes the in the area as there will be no construction of a signal inter- changes in the route except the section. modified roundabout alignment ‘Ashghal’ also announced that connecting with existing roads, the exit ramp (Doha bound) on said a statement. Al Shamal Road leading to Al The diversion is to complete Kharaitiyat Interchange (N8) works on the proposed Dukhan will be closed from tomorrow. Highway East Project. The Traffic will be diverted to a as the existing road and located until the fourth quarter of 2016. works include the construction newly constructed diversion just before the closed exit ramp. of a two-level interchange in the with the same number of lanes The diversion will be in place THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 Deputy Premier Private hospital to open in Al Khor

DOHA: UAE-based Burjeel hos- selected for the hospital consider- pital will open its first branch in ing the high demand because the opens model Qatar in Al Khor. It is expected city currently does not have a pri- to be the first private hospital in vate hospital. “In a later phase, we the northern city. The facility is have plans to open more branches to open in 2018. in other parts of Qatar,” he added. Sheikh Abdullah Ahmed J Al Barjeel Hospital Al Khor will be village in Darfur Thani, heir of Sheikh Ahmed bin a premier healthcare facility that Jasim Al Thani and Dr Sham- will provide world-class, special- sheer Vayalil, Founder and Man- ised medical treatment and serv- Qatar to set up 10 model villages aging Director of VPS Healthcare ices to communities across the yesterday signed an agreement to state. The hospital will have all EL FASHER: Sudanese First needs and aspirations of displaced set up Burjeel Hospital-Al Khor the core medical, paramedical and Vice-President Lt Gen Bakri persons, refugees, ex-combatants at an event at the Doha Marriott support services supplied by well- Hassan Saleh and Qatar’s Dep- and other groups affected by the hotel. The heir of Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Sheikh Abdullah Ahmed J Al trained, accredited and skilled uty Prime Minister and Minister war, in terms of their resettle- The hospital is part of VPS Thani and Founder and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare, Dr Shamseer professionals. It will have clini- of State for Cabinet Affairs H E ment and reintegration in areas Healthcare, an integrated health- Vayalil, shaking hands after signing a contract to build Burjeel Hospital in Al cal teams from prominent hospi- Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid Al which they were displaced as well care provider with network of Khor, at the Doha Marriott Hotel yesterday. Clancey P O (left), CEO, Burjeel tals and universities from North Mahmoud on Tuesday inaugu- as to provide them with basic hospitals, chain of medical cent- Hospital and Engineer Misbah El Dana, VPS Healthcare look on. America, Europe, and other con- rated projects of the integrated services and improve livelihoods ers and pharmaceutical manufac- SALIM MATRAMKOT tinents. “We are extremely hon- service compound in the model for those who wish to return to turing, and pharmacies across the oured to have this opportunity to village of Tabet in North Darfur, their areas. MENA region. the country,” said Sheikh Abdul- initial approval from the Supreme build Burjeel Hospital - Al Khor, Tawila Locality, in North Darfur He said that the focus was on The 88-bed hospital will be lah Ahmed J Al Thani. Council of Health (SCH) to start Qatar. Burjeel Hospital has won State as part of a Qatari initia- early recovery projects as urgent located behind the Lulu Hyper- “With its state-of-the-art tech- construction of the premises. A laurels for its medical services tive. plans aimed at consolidating market in Al Khor. nology and world-class medi- final approval would be issued in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Oman, In a speech on the occasion of peace, preventing return to the “We are looking forward to cal expertise, Burjeel’s launch after the building is ready. and we are confident that the new inauguration of services complex cycle of violence and to assist in have Burjeel Hospital opening in Qatar will indeed propel the “We expect to start work on the medical facility will be recognised for voluntary repatriation of dis- addressing the root causes of the soon in Qatar as this will help healthcare industry to interna- building next month and the hos- as one of the leading hospitals in placed people, the Deputy Prime conflict and encouraging recon- serve the growing need for high tional standards.” pital is expected to open in two- Qatar, said Dr Vayalil. Minister said that under the struction plans as well as stimu- quality healthcare among the An official told this daily yes- and-a-half years,” said the official. leadership of Emir H H Sheikh late partners to contribute to local and expatriate population of terday that the hospital has got He said Al Khor has been THE PENINSULA Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, these projects. Qatar was keen during the nego- Al Mahmoud announced that tiations that preceded the adop- Qatar will establish 10 model tion of the Doha Document for villages in Darfur at a cost of Peace in Darfur (DDPD) and the $70m. stage that followed, to attach top He said that Qatar has pledged Qatar RMB Cabinet reviews Construction Code priority to reconstruction and to establish projects for providing development in Darfur, pointing heath and educational services Continued from page 1 out that the DDPD had secured to nomads in Darfur at a cost of Centre Other issues reviewed and deci- eral strategy. The report said the necessary arrangements for $50m. The Cabinet approved a draft sions taken on included a commit- that the Committee carried out this. He appreciated the efforts of decision of the Minister of Econ- tee established by the Ministry a number of procedures to solve He explained that Qatar organ- the Qatari organisations that clears $20bn omy and Commerce endorsing a of Communications and Infor- the major problems facing Qatar ised the International Donor Con- participated in implementation model document for the establish- mation Technology under the government’s digital programme Continued from page 1 ference for Darfur in Doha from of projects in the voluntary repa- ment of companies with limited chairmanship of the Minister of and the establishment of many April 7 to 8, 2013. triation villages in Darfur. The QCB established the Advi- liabilities (WLL) consisting of one Communications and Information works pertaining to electronic He called on authorities con- He said that Qatar dug water sory Council, with the purpose person. Technology and membership of services. A letter by the Minister cerned to provide clear plans to wells in Darfur, in cooperation of promoting market aware- The Cabinet took necessary two representatives of concerned of Communications on the first focus on the most urgent needs with Qatar Charity Society and ness of the benefits of the RMB measures to endorse an agree- bodies shall follow up the E-gov- quarterly report on the Heavy for the people of Darfur and to signed agreements with inter- Clearing Centre and to propose ment between the governments of ernment’s strategy and to real- Transport Regulation Commit- develop a road map to emerge national partners to implement well-defined market education Qatar and Indonesia on the waiv- ize the rules of coordination and tee on its activities for the period from the humanitarian crises major water projects. initiatives. ing of entry visa requirements for contacts between the Ministry of from January to March 2015. The to achieve long-term develop- Al Mahmoud called on the peo- Speaking about the meeting, holders of diplomatic and special Communications and Information weekly meeting of the Cabinet ment. ple of Darfur to adhere to Doha Kamal Nagi, Director at QCB and service passports. Technology and other ministries was chaired by Prime Minister Al Mahmoud noted that Qatar Document for Peace in Darfur. Chairman of the Advisory Coun- The cabinet reviewed a let- and government bodies to make and Interior Minister H E Sheikh has implemented programmes cil, said, “The region’s first RMB ter by the Minister of Environ- sure that plans and programmes Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa that are designed to meet the QNA centre is on its way to fulfilling ment on the establishment of the of those bodies are consistent Al Thani. its objective of opening the lines Qatari Construction Code. with the E-Government gen- THE PENINSULA of trade more fluidly between the Middle East, North Africa and China. We are pleased to have the support of the leading banks QU law college marks in Qatar as part of the advisory council. This meeting gave us the opportunity to update our part- ners on progress since establish- Anti-Corruption Day ing the Centre and to gather feedback on how we can together DOHA: Qatar Uni- “Anti-corruption” expand its footprint for the ben- versity College of produced by the Col- efit of businesses in the region and Law (QU-LAWC) lege. in China.” marked International It was an oppor- Roger Tang, ICBC Doha rep- Anti-corruption Day tunity for the stu- resentative said, “We are pleased on Sunday to raise dents to gain further to have the opportunity to update awareness on the insight into Qatar’s the participating bank represent- importance of build- anti-corruption poli- atives and get their input on the ing a legal culture cies and contribute to path forward to the bank. Those among various seg- the dialogue on pre- customers who have already ments of society and ventative measures availed of the Centre are seeing individuals to resist and legal processes. increased ease in transactions corruption and its The debate, which with Chinese counterparties, manifestations. was moderated by Dr equating to real savings on the QU President Dr Hassan Al Ansari and LAWC Assistant total cost of transaction. With Rashid Al Derham (pictured), professor of law, Dr Ahmed Samir the support of QCB and Qatar- Qatar Attorney General Dr Ali Hassanein saw 80 per cent in based banks we see room for sig- bin Fetais Al Marri, Chairman of favour (male team) to 20 percent nificant growth positioning Qatar the Administrative Control and opposed (female team). as a hub for RMB transactions in Transparency Authority Saad bin In his remarks, Dr Al Derham the region.” Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, QU VP said: “Raising awareness and dis- As of last year, 10.6 percent of and Chief Financial Officer Dr semination of legal culture among total imports to Qatar were from Humaid Al Midfaa, along with the community are key factors China, second only to the U.S. Chi- other senior QU officials were in preventing all aspects of cor- nese companies are active in the present. ruption. Hence, the collaboration local market, with 15 operating Over 100 students from LAWC between educational institutions in Qatar in addition to the 181 participated in the event which and the various entities across joint ventures with Qatari part- included a male vs female debate the country plays a core role in ners. Earlier this month the IMF on the “Illicit Gains Law: between establishing a legal culture to decided to include the RMB in supporters and opponents”, a raise the community’s awareness the benchmark Special Drawing presentation on “education’s role on this timely issue, and show its Rights basket of currencies, join- in anti-corruption” delivered negative impact on nations and ing the US Dollar,Euro, Japanese by Dr Reem Al Ansari, LAWC societies.” Yen, and British Pound as of next Assistant Professor of Law and October. an animation video screening on THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Fog forecast from tomorrow DOHA: Late nights and early However, offshore warnings for cate that the country will be mornings are likely to be foggy high waves (four to six feet reach- affected again by fresh to strong in some areas of the country from ing up to seven) and high winds northwesterly winds (which may tomorrow until Monday morning. (reaching up to 22 knots) are still at times cause dust) during the According to a special weather in effect for the eastern area until period between Monday evening bulletin issued by the weather today noon. and Wednesday evening. bureau yesterday, increased Temperatures are expected to Wind speed is expected to range humidity will lead to foggy or be around their regular average between 15 and 25 knots reaching misty late nights and early morn- during this period with maximum 35 knots at times, leading to an ings from tomorrow until Monday temperatures expected to range increase in sea wave heights to morning. between 22 and 25 degrees Cel- between six and 10 feet, at times The wind will be northwesterly sius in Doha with relatively cold reaching 12 feet in some places to northeasterly, light to moder- weather conditions at night as in the sea. In addition, low and ate in intensity during the period. minimum temperatures are likely medium level clouds are expected The bureau said weather charts to be 15 to 18 degrees Celsius in tomorrow and on Monday with indicate that the fresh northerly Doha and less in open areas. chances of scattered rains. winds affecting the country has Medium-range numerical weakened in intensity. weather prediction charts indi- THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME 67km of tunnels NHRC, APF sign cooperation agreement By Mohamed Osman line of the event, the director of APF told The Peninsula that the for Doha Metro DOHA: The National Human “training around things such as how Rights Committee (NHRC) and to be good investigator, good educa- the Asia Pacific forum of National tor on human rights, how to change Human Rights institutions (APF) policies, how to make recommenda- completed signed a Memorandum of Under- tions about policy change”. standing (MoU) at NHRC head- In addition, the regional office quarters here yesterday. will also have dialogue with the MD outlines progress of three projects Qatar hosting the sub-regional states which have already created office of Asia Pacific Forum shows human rights commissions, will DOHA: Qatar Rail Managing projects, Al subaie said: “Our that it has become an attractive meet relevant ministries of jus- Director, Eng Abdullah Al Sub- projects are making good progress place for the work of human tice, attorney generals and foreign aie stressed the economic, envi- with 67km of tunnels completed right institutions due to the suit- ministries to encourage them to ronmental, education, human and out of 113km for Doha Metro. able situation, political and social establish human rights institu- social sustainability benefits of the Other countries take 20 years to openness on human rights issues, tions and in the process provide projects at the American Chamber deliver what we are looking to said a senior NHRC official. with drafting advices to those of Commerce in Qatar’s Distin- accomplish in five years.” The Qatari initiative to host the governments. guished Speakers Series yesterday. He said 2016 would be the peak regional office of APF is an added Mariem bint Abdullah Al Attiyah (left) and Kieren Fitzpatrick signing the Asked about the issue of Addressing over 80 members year for construction as work value to Qatar’s previous efforts, agreement as Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri (standing in the background) looks on. migrant workers, Fitzpatrick of the American business com- intensifies. “Our tunneling and including hosting the Arab Net- stated that “the issues on the munity, Al Subaie said the fore- civil works will complete next year work for National Human Rights NHRC in human rights field. ing at the beginning of 2016 and theme which will be looked at cast huge increase in population and we then move on to lay track Institutions, said Mariem bint “Through this office we will try will primarily focus on capacity will include things like migrant of Qatar would require efficient and install the systems. We are Abdullah Al Attiyah, Secretary- to realize the main principles of building of national staffers and workers’ issues, gender, women’s mobility and safety which could already preparing for operational General of NHRC. International Coordinating Com- provide technical support to the rights, rights of children, and dis- be answered by the projects set readiness.” He noted the key role It is an extension of the MOU mittee of National Human Right NHRC, said Al Marri. abilities. It certainly will be one of to provide a world class efficient the local private sector has played signed in 2014 with APF to Institutions and Asia Pacific The sub-regional office will the topics to be covered by this public transport. in the project, with over 700 con- strengthen regional coopera- Forum to enhance cooperation undertake a range of very practi- office”. Explaining the differences He outlined the main features tracts awarded to local companies. tion and coordination in areas of and encourage establishment of cal training and capacity building between this MoU and the one of the three projects namely Doha He also pointed out that there were human rights protection in the human rights institutions,” Al projects for national human rights signed in 2014 Fitzpatrick told Metro, long distance network for a number of business opportuni- region. Speaking at the opening of Marri said. institutions similar to NHRC in this daily that the difference was passengers and freight and the ties for the American infrastruc- the event, Dr Ali bin Smaikh Al He added: “in addition to the countries of West Asia and that this MoU is actually physi- Lusail light rail tram system. ture, retail and real-estate sector Marri, Chairman of the NHRC, improving the performance of North Africa, said Kieren Fit- cal presence of our organization “Two years after operation, we and invited American companies stated that this agreement under- the existing institutions to work zpatrick, Director of the Asia here in Doha to run practical will have 640,000 passengers per to continue active participation in lines the importance of regional in accordance to Paris principles”. Pacific Forum of National Human projects. day using the metro and ten years Qatar Rail tenders. cooperation between APF and The office will start operat- Rights institutions. On the side- THE PENINSULA later we will have 1.65m passen- Robert Hager, Chairman of the gers,” he said, adding the aim is Board of American Chamber of to 75 percent of the population Commerce, reiterated the need in the catchment area use pub- for continued strong business ties lic transport which also includes between the US and Qatar. those provided by Mowasalat. “Many American firms are Less journey time and cut in already a part of the Qatar Rail QC official calls CO2 emissions were among the flagship projects. We hope that the benefits of the projects he men- business opportunities presented tioned, which he said would today will encourage more compa- for more schools reflect on the quality of life. nies from the US to compete for “We will also have 170,000 cars the contracts. Infrastructure and less during peak hours in a day the development of the industries DOHA: Qatar needs more business delegations come to due to the Doha Metro. There supporting it is very important schools, other educational insti- Qatar looking for opportunities. will be more foreign investment for the expansion of our bilateral tutions and training centres to We are looking for serious busi- because of our strong transport trade ties,” said Hager. meet the requirements of the fast ness partners to establish long- infrastructure,” he said. growing population of the coun- term joint ventures here and get Giving an update on the THE PENINSULA try, said a senior official of the advantages provided by the gov- Qatar Chamber (QC). ernment like finance and other He was addressing a visiting facilities,” said Al Obaidly. The commercial educational delega- delegation comprised 40 repre- Simon Bedford (left) of UK Trade and Investment Education and Corporate tion led by Simon Bedford, from sentatives from universities, col- Training and Muhammed bin Ahmed bin Towar Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman the UK-based Trade and Invest- leges and other education centers of Qatar Chamber of Commerce, during the meeting at Qatar Chamber, ment Education and Corporate. in the UK. The visit was intended yesterday. KAMMUTTY V P “Qatar government is keen to study the education and train- to develop education and train- ing opportunities in Qatar. willing to provide quality edu- of the Training Gateway, a UK- ing sector,” said Mohammed bin “Qatar plays a great role in cation and develop potential based firm. “We are looking for- Ahmed Al Obaidly, Board Member education. There are large num- through advanced education,” said ward to working in partnership of Qatar Chamber (QC) and Secre- bers of Qatari students studying Mohammed Bin Twar Al Kuwari, with the firms in Qatar on a long tary-General of Business Council. in UK and there are many UK- Vice President of QC. term basis,” she added. “There is a need to establish more based private firms operating in “Qatar has a potential for She however said her company schools, educational institutions Qatar. Private sector plays a key investments and there are a lot has no plans to set up any insti- and training centres in Qatar to role in education. With a lot of opportunities especially in the tutes here but is interested in keep pace with growing population expansion in educational sector, field of education,” said Amanda providing training to teachers in of the country,” he added. it facilitates an atmosphere for Selvaratnam, Director of Train- educational institutes in Qatar. “QC encourages investments companies to start their busi- ing and Development at Univer- in private education sector. Many nesses. Qatari government is sity of York who is also Director THE PENINSULA

Qatar Rail Managing Director Abdulla Al Subaie speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce seminar in Doha yesterday. ABDUL BASIT Aquarium Research Center to be completed by June By Mohamed Osman ment. The project to be run by Research Center yesterday. The started in March 2014 with the the fisheries department at the aim of the visit was to see the aim of creating suitable envi- DOHA: The Aquarium ministry in collaboration with progress of work in the project ronment for development of Research Center in Ras Mat- Qatar University (QU) is being which is under construction. The marine lives, enhance scientific bakh is in the second phase of built on an area of 110,000 sqm at CMC delegation comprised mem- researches, meet economic and construction. Until October a cost of QR230m, said Mohamed bers of Services and Facilities social needs under the current more than 51 percent of the Saeed Al Mohannadi, Director of Committee at the Council and development of the country, in project was completed and it Fisheries Department. Mohan- headed by Eng. Hamad bin Lah- addition to protection of natural is expected to be finalised by nadi was talking to members of dan Al Mahanadi, deputy chair- resources said Al Mohannadi. June 2016, said senior official the Central Municipal Council man and head of the committee. from the Ministry of Environ- (CMC) who visited the Aquarium Implementation of the project THE PENINSULA

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Shabeer Abdullah has been hon- oured by Naseem Al Rabeeh Health Care group for completing ten years of service. A post-graduate in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery from Trivandrum Dental College in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Dr Shabeer joined Al Rabeeh Dental Centre Doha as oral surgeon in 2005. THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 GULF / MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

Syria’s oppn begins unity Syria rebels leaving talks in Riyadh

RIYADH: Representatives from Homs under truce deal Syria’s fragmented opposition began an unprecedented meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia yesterday, Regime forces to take full control of third largest city seeking a united front for poten- tial talks with President Bashar HOMS, SYRIA: Syrian rebels from a submarine on Tuesday. conflict began. Homs saw some of Al Assad’s regime. began evacuating the last opposi- A journalist in Homs saw the largest protests of the early While not all groups were tion-held district in Homs yester- women and children board- uprising against Assad in 2011, invited, the two-day, closed-door day, paving the way for President ing white buses as the evacu- and later some of the fiercest gathering marks the first time a Bashar Al Assad’s regime to take ation began early yesterday. fighting after opposition forces broad range of Syrian political full control of the country’s third- Many appeared haggard but took up weapons in response to a and armed opposition factions largest city. Hundreds of Syrian some smiled, waved and gave the government crackdown. Regain- have come together since the rebels and civilians were leaving thumbs-up from inside the buses. ing total control of the city is an conflict began in 2011. the Waer district under a rare More than 100 opposition fight- important symbolic victory for The goal of the meeting, local ceasefire agreed with the ers, some carrying light weapons, the regime, which has lost large attended by about 100 delegates, regime at the start of December. boarded five green buses further swathes of the surrounding prov- is to form a unified bloc for talks Some 2,000 rebels and their away. Provincial Governor Talal ince to rebels and the IS group. with Assad that world powers families will abandon Waer in Barazi told reporters that some 700 The United Nations has been hope can be held before January 1. Homs — once dubbed the “capital” people — including 400 women and pushing for such localised cease- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel of Syria’s revolution — to travel to children and 300 fighters — would fires as broader efforts have failed Al Jubeir, who has repeat- other opposition-held areas, after be evacuated from the district yes- to end Syria’s war, despite the edly warned that unless Assad enduring a three-year siege that terday. The buses headed to the deaths of more than 250,000 peo- steps down peacefully he could saw the district heavily shelled. northwestern province of Idlib. ple and millions being forced from be ousted militarily, attended The evacuation comes as a Under the deal, Waer’s rebel their homes. The biggest diplo- briefly to welcome the delegates broad range of Syrian opposition forces, who range from secular matic push yet was launched last and express hope for a successful groups, including armed factions, fighters to jihadists including month in Vienna with top diplo- conclusion. hold unprecedented talks in the fighters with Al Qaeda affiliate Al mats from 17 countries — includ- The talks held at a heavily Saudi capital on forming a united Nusra Front, are to completely ing key international backers and secured luxury hotel in Riyadh front for talks with Assad. leave the district by the end of opponents of Assad — agreeing on are chaired by Abdulaziz Sager, a The talks follow a major dip- January. Once the evacuation is a roadmap to set up a transition Saudi who heads the independent lomatic push to resolve Syria’s complete, police, but not troops, government in six months and Fire rises from a building following an air strike by government forces in the Gulf Research Centre in Geneva. nearly five-year civil war, and will reenter the district, where hold elections within 18 months. “The meeting saw a broad par- intensified foreign military action some 75,000 people currently rebel-held region of Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of the Syrian capital ticipation of Syrian opposition including Russia’s first strikes live, down from 300,000 before the AFP Damascus, yesterday. groups inside and outside Syria,” the Saudi Press Agency reported. The first day will focus on political questions, including the general contours of a potential Turkey accuses Russia of pursuing ethnic cleansing settlement, while today would be dedicated to discussing “terror- ISTANBUL: Turkish Prime “Russia is trying to make eth- tected,” he said. “They don’t want operations are not helping to geted “moderate forces” opposed ism, a ceasefire and reconstruc- Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yes- nic cleansing in the northern to see any Sunni Arab or Turkmen clean this region from Daesh,” both to Assad and the jihadists. tion,” said a delegate involved in terday accused Russia of pursuing Latakia region to force out all population in that part of Syria. he said, using the government’s He said the Russian actions organising the meeting. a campaign of “ethnic cleans- Turkmen and Sunni populations That is the purpose,” Davutoglu preferred acronym for IS. were affecting plans for joint By yesterday afternoon the ing” in Syria and strengthen- who do not have good relations said. The region is a stronghold He said Russia was bomb- operations with the US and mod- talks were going “well” and the ing Islamic State (IS) militants, with the (Syrian) regime,” Davu- of Alawite Muslims loyal to the ing Azaz “which is a stronghold erate Syrian rebels to secure the positions were “close”, another in a new escalation of tensions toglu told foreign reporters in Kremlin’s ally President Bashar of moderate opposition against border from jihadists. “Of course delegate said. between Ankara and Moscow Istanbul. al-Assad who Ankara wants to Daesh”. “They are bombing Azaz this this is a new situation. We And Khaled Khoja, the head after the downing of a Russian He said Russia wanted to purge see ousted. to weaken the opposition, who have to assess it with allies about of Syria’s main opposition group, warplane. the northwestern Syrian region Davutoglu also said that Rus- is fighting Daesh. It means they what to do next and when.” the National Coalition, expressed Speaking to foreign report- of unwanted elements to ensure sia’s military strikes in Syria, (Russia) are strengthening Daesh. The shooting-down of the Rus- optimism and said he expected ers at his Istanbul offices in the the security of its air and naval which began in late September, “Who is benefitting from this? sian Su-24 warplane by Turkish the meeting to agree on “form- Ottoman-era Dolmabahce Palace bases in Syria. were “strengthening” IS jihad- Daesh. Not even the regime. fighter jets has led to a crisis in ing a negotiating team and on the on the Bosphorus, Davutoglu said “They want to expel, they want ists by targeting moderate forces Daesh.” ties between Moscow and Ankara principles of negotiations” with he was nonetheless ready to work to ethnically cleanse this area so opposing Assad, especially around Davutoglu said just 10 percent unprecedented since the Cold Assad’s regime. with Moscow to prevent a repeat that regime and Russian bases Azaz in northern Syria. of Russia’s strikes in Syria tar- Wa r. AFP of the November 24 incident. in Latakia and Tartus are pro- “Unfortunately the Russian geted IS whereas 90 percent tar- AFP

Over 170,000 US urges more anti-IS efforts; flee Yemen ready to back Iraq with copters war, says UN BAGHDAD: Washington called the Senate Armed Services Com- retake Ramadi, a key IS hub NAIROBI: More than yesterday for allies to intensify mittee yesterday, referring to a 100km west of Baghdad, and 170,000 people have fled efforts against the Islamic State militant assault with guns and fragment the jihadists’ self- war-torn Yemen for the (IS) group and expressed willing- bombs that killed 130 people. proclaimed “caliphate”. As the Horn of Africa and the ness to support Iraqi forces with Carter outlined increased US counter-terrorism forces that led Gulf, the UN said yester- attack helicopters as they battle military efforts against IS, and said the offensive prepared their next day, as they appealed for the jihadists in Ramadi. Washington is willing to use attack move, local forces from Anbar $94m in aid. Baghdad’s forces have been helicopters to provide air support province moved in to hold recap- “Around 170,000 Yem- fighting for months to close in for Iraqi forces in Ramadi. tured territory. enis, refugees and third around Ramadi, the capital of “The United States is prepared Local police “moved from Hab- country nationals have Anbar province, and took a large to assist the Iraqi army with addi- baniyah to hold the land in Al fled to Djibouti, Ethiopia, part of the key city on Tuesday. tional unique capabilities to help Tameem following its liberation,” Somalia, Sudan and some But as Iraqi forces cemented them finish the job, including a local councillor in the nearby Gulf countries,” the UN their hold on the newly-recap- attack helicopters and accompa- Khaldiyah area, Ali Dawood said. refugee agency (UNHCR) tured Al Tameem area, an IS sui- nying advisers,” Carter said. The force consists of around and International Organi- cide bomber killed at least eight This would be done “if circum- 500 fighters, a military source zation for Migration (IOM) people in Baghdad, illustrating stances dictate and if requested by said. One of the main tasks for said in a statement, after the danger posed by the jihadists Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi,” Iraqi forces now is to clear the area aid meetings in the Kenyan even far from the front lines. he said. Backed by sustained air of bombs planted by IS, a favoured capital. “The international commu- strikes from the US-led coalition, tactic of the jihadists that means The UN said it needed nity — including our allies and elite troops recaptured Ramadi’s they can kill security personnel over $94m to support those partners — has to step up before southwestern area of Al Tameem. and civilians long after they have fleeing the war in 2016. another attack like Paris,” US The advance was hailed as withdrawn from an area. defence chief Ashton Carter told a significant step in efforts to AFP AFP

Ramadi offensive Moroccan authorities recover 11 bodies after migrant boat sinks

RABAT: Moroccan authorities have recovered the bodies of 11 African migrants whose boat sank apparently due to bad weather as they tried to cross to the Canary Islands, officials said yesterday. The bodies were recovered off Boujedor in the south of the country. Local authorities in the town of Layoun said one woman was among the dead, but did not indicate how many other people may have been in the boat. “The boat capsized on Monday afternoon because of bad weather,” a statement from local authorities said. Moroccan rescue services have intensified their search for survivors in the ocean. Morocco is just one of the routes migrants from sub Saharan Africa and asylum seekers use to get to the North African coast in an attempt to reach Europe. Others pass through southern Algeria and on to Libya to take boats northward. Bomb kills policeman, 3 others in Iran

ANKARA: A bomb blast killed one policeman and three civil- Iraqi counter-terrorism forces hold a position in the Tameem district of ians yesterday in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Balu- Ramadi, 100km west of Baghdad, yesterday. Iraqi forces consolidated chistan near the Pakistan border, a local police official told the newly gained positions in Ramadi, after achieving a breakthrough in semi-official Tasnim news agency. their fight against the Islamic State (IS) group by retaking a large part The predominantly Sunni province has been a hotbed of rebel- of the city. lion by militants against Iran’s authorities. AFP THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / AFRICA

Japanese zoo Philippines UN calls on China dismisses 21 policemen over 2009 massacre to end rife torture MANILA: The Philippines’ police force has sacked 21 offic- ers for being “co-conspirators” in Experts tell Beijing to report on progress in one year the country’s worst massacre six years ago, according to an official GENEVA: A United Nations basis for convictions,” the Com- The UN experts said most statement released yesterday. rights watchdog called on China mittee said. cases of alleged torture and ill- The officers were dismissed for yesterday to halt torture of In Beijing, foreign ministry treatment took place during pre- failing to stop the son of a politi- detainees that it said remains rife spokeswoman Hua Chunying said trial and extra-legal detention cal warlord and his bodyguards in police stations and prisons, and she had not seen the report. “But and involved public security offic- shooting 58 people, including to close its secret “black jails”. in recent years China has been ers. Detainees should have access 32 journalists, in the conflict- The UN Committee against promoting the rule of law and has to a lawyer from the very start A Japanese tourist looks at penguins in their enclosure at Asahiyama wracked southern province of Torture voiced deep concern made great efforts in all regards of custody and should be brought Zoo in Asahikawa city, Hokkaido prefecture, yesterday. The zoo is one of Maguindanao in November 2009, about the deaths in custody of including on opposing torture,” before a judge within 48 hours. the most popular tourist destinations for foreign tourists in the northern according to a police statement. several high-profile political pris- she told a daily news briefing, Audio-visual recordings of Japanese island. All but one of the officers were oners and at China’s crackdown speaking ahead of the report’s interrogations should be man- found guilty of grave misconduct. on lawyers. At least 25 of 200 law- release. The UN watchdog said datory and coerced confessions “The 20 respondents were held yers rounded up since July remain it had numerous credible reports inadmissible, they said. liable for opting to become silent in detention, it said. that “document in detail cases of An independent, confidential spectators to a crime unfolding The 10 independent experts torture, deaths in custody, arbi- complaints mechanism for torture before their eyes. Their inaction asked Beijing to report back in trary detention and disappear- victims should be established. EU enhances aid to manifests complicity and unity one year on progress in comply- ances of Tibetans”. China should reduce the 37-day of action to those who commit- ing with an international treaty Human rights activists, law- maximum period of police cus- ted the abduction, and later the banning torture. Their recom- yers, petitioners, political dissi- tody, which includes seven days Philippines to help murders, themselves,” the state- mendations came after examining dents and members of religious before a prosecutor must approve ment said. China’s record at a two-day hear- or ethnic minorities “continue arrests, the report said. The remaining officer, Inspec- ing last month, the first review to be charged, or threatened to Voicing concern at deaths in tor Saudi Matabalao Mokamad, since 2008. be charged, with broadly-defined custody and the alleged lack of sustain peace process was found to have ignored gun- “The Committee remains seri- offences as a form of intimida- prompt medical care, it cited the shots he heard from the crime ously concerned over consistent tion”, it said. At the review, China cases of the activist Cao Shunli MANILA: The European Union life to the (peace process) and to scene and not reporting them to reports indicating that the prac- denied that it held political pris- and Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a announced yesterday said that it the development of the long-term his superiors. He was sacked on tice of torture and ill-treatment oners and said its government prominent Tibetan monk. She was sharply boosting aid to the political, economic and social pil- lesser charges. is still deeply entrenched in the prohibited use of torture, evok- died in jail last year and he in Philippines, largely to help sus- lars that will bring the peace divi- A lawyer for the victims’ fami- criminal justice system, which ing derision from exiled dissidents July 2015. tain a peace process with Muslim dend to the country as a whole,” lies, Harry Roque, said he was overly relies on confessions as the who attended. REUTERS rebels in the south. Jessen said. “very disappointed” with the pace EU ambassador Franz Jessen The EU ambassador said he of the dismissal proceedings. said the bloc was providing 5.5m would be visiting the southern The officers are among more euros ($6m) to five projects for Philippines to meet with key par- than 100 suspects on trial for the Muslim-dominated areas cov- ties in the peace process includ- murder before a criminal court, Congo rains ered by the peace process even as ing Muslim separatist guerrilla a separate proceeding from the US envoy to Thailand faces the grouping more than doubled leaders. dismissal hearing, and involves aid in general to the Philippines. He also said EU aid to the Phil- members of the influential kill 31; 20,000 His announcement comes as a ippines had been increased to Ampatuan clan, which alleg- probe for royal defamation draft law to create the Muslim 325m euros in 2014 to 2020, more edly ordered the slaughter in an families left self-rule area appeared stalled in than double the amount released attempt to crush a rival clan’s BANGKOK: The US Ambassador to nal code, the lese majeste law”. the legislature despite lobbying by from 2007 to 2013, largely to help election challenge. Thailand is facing a police investiga- “The FCCT is cooperating with the homeless President Benigno Aquino. people in the impoverished south. The brutal massacre, one of the tion for royal defamation after criti- police,” the club added in a statement. Aquino had hoped to have the The Muslim minority are world’s deadliest attacks against cising jail terms under the draconian A senior Thai police source con- KINSHASA: Torrential draft law passed this year as a among the poorest people in the media workers, saw some shot in law, as ultra-nationalist sentiment firmed that they had received a rains and flooding have left crucial step in ending decades of strife-torn south, where economic their genitals before they were surges since royalist generals seized complaint and were investigating 31 people dead and 20,000 Muslim separatist violence that development has been hampered buried in a hilltop grave using an power. the ambassador’s comments. In a families homeless in less has claimed more than 100,000 by violence and criminality, often excavator. The clan’s patriarch, Under Thai law anyone convicted wide-ranging talk to the FCCT, Dav- than three weeks in the lives since the 1970s. coming from Muslim armed Andal Ampatuan Snr, died in of insulting the king, queen, heir or ies heaped praise on the revered but Democratic Republic of “I want to reaffirm the impor- groups. hospital last July. regent can face up to 15 years in jail ailing 88-year-old Thai King Bhumi- Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, tance the EU attaches to giving AFP AFP on each count. bol Adulyadej. city authorities said yes- Prosecutions have soared since the But he also expressed concern terday. army, which tags itself as the cham- at the “unprecedented prison sen- Since November 19, “we pion of the monarchy, grabbed power tences handed down by Thai military have recorded 31 deaths last year. courts against civilians” for alleged due to the collapse of Record breaking sentences have lese majeste. homes” in repeated down- Koreas name delegates for key talks been handed down in recent months “We believe no one should be jailed pours hitting the teeming to transgressors, most of whom are for peacefully expressing their views city of 10 million people, regime critics but also include senior and we strongly support the ability of Kinshasa’s Interior Minis- SEOUL: North and South Korea it was insulted by Seoul’s choice Kaesong meeting to prioritise officials swept up in nebulous corrup- individuals and independent organi- ter Emmanuel Akweti said. yesterday named their chief del- of chief delegate. the issue of regular reunions for tion probes. sations to research and to report Most of the deaths egates for rare high-level talks The dialogue finally went ahead families separated by the 1950-53 The Foreign Correspondent’s on important issues without fear of occurred in the city’s later this week, aimed at building in February last year, and Friday’s Korean War, which cemented the Club of Thailand (FCCT) said it retaliation.” particularly impoverished on an accord reached in August talks will mark the first resump- division of the Korean peninsula. had been asked to cooperate in the A video of the speech is available southern and eastern dis- on easing cross-border tensions. tion since then. North Korea, however, wants probe against US Ambassador Glyn on the FCCT’s YouTube site. tricts, notably along the The Unification Ministry in Heading the South side will be the initial focus to be on a T Davies. In Thailand any member of the banks of the giant Congo Seoul said the two sides had Vice Unification Minister Hwang resumption of visits by South Police are probing whether a public can make an allegation of royal river. Saying more heavy exchanged lists of delegates ahead Boo-Gi, while the North will be Korean tour groups to its scenic speech he delivered to interna- defamation and police are duty bound rain was forecast from of the talks that are scheduled represented by a vice director of Mount Kumgang resort. tional media last month at the club to investigate. now until the end of to take place on Friday in the the Committee for the Peaceful The tours, a source of badly “violated article 112 of the crimi- AFP December, Akweti urged Kaesong joint industrial zone Reunification of Korea, Jon Jong- needed hard currency for the people “to leave their -- just inside the North Korean Su. They will each be accompa- cash-strapped North, were sus- homes without delay.” border. Negotiating who will rep- nied by two officials handling pended by the South in 2008 after Kinshasa’s wet season nor- resent each side at such meetings cross-border relations, the min- a female tourist was shot dead by mally runs from October is always a delicate process that istry in Seoul said. a North Korean guard. to May, but this year the has scuppered more than one dia- Although any talks between Friday’s talks are the fruit of rains began only in mid- logue initiative in the past. the two Koreas are generally an accord thrashed out in August November with an aver- In June 2013, the Koreas had welcomed as a step in the right when the two sides sat down to age annual rainfall falling been set to hold what would have direction, precedent suggests defuse a crisis that had pushed in less than three weeks, been the first high-level talks for any significant breakthrough is them to the brink of an armed Akweti said. six years -- only for Pyongyang unlikely. conflict. AFP to cancel the day before, saying Seoul has pushed for the AFP

Cops kill five in Burundi battles NAIROBI: Burundi police said they had shot dead five “insurgents” who hurled grenades at a patrol yesterday, with witnesses saying the suspects were lined up and executed. After shootings and grenade blasts overnight in the capital Bujumbura last Tuesday, in which a police officer and a civil- ian were killed, the latest of near daily gun battles saw a group of men attack a police patrol yesterday, according to police spokes- man Pierre Nkurikiye. But local residents said that after the grenade attacks, police rounded up the men before shooting them at close range. One witness said the bullet wounds showed they had been shot in the head or back. AFP THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 ASIA / PAKISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09

China weighs in Call for Pakistan to help with criticism of Trump’s ban restart Afghan talks comments BEIJING: China weighed in yesterday with its own, albeit Heart of Asia meeting pledges support to Afghanistan indirect, criticism of a proposal by leading US Republican presi- ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s Afghan-owned reconciliation the temptation to use non-state dential candidate Donald Trump foreign minister called on Paki- process”, a reference to the talks, actors as instruments of foreign to ban Muslims from entering the stan to help restart stalled peace hosted by Pakistan, that found- policy,” he told the conference, a United States. talks between his government ered in July after news leaked clear reference to Afghan asser- Trump called for blocking and the Taliban, as he spoke at a that Taliban founder Mullah tions that Pakistan supports the Muslims, including would-be conference yesterday that risked Mohammad Omar had been dead Taliban to maintain influence in immigrants, students, tourists being overshadowed by a major for two years. Afghanistan and block the influ- and other visitors, from entering Taliban attack in Afghanistan. Omar’s deputy, Mullah Akhtar ence of its rival, India. the country following last week’s The “Heart of Asia” meeting, Mansour, took over as leader, Afghanistan and Pakistan California shooting spree by a an annual gathering of countries but violent splits have emerged accuse each other of supporting Muslim couple who authorities to pledge support to Afghanistan, in the militant group, dimming insurgencies across their border, said had been radicalised. being held this year in Pakistan, prospects for negotiations while which they both deny. The Afghan His remarks have already been comes months after the first, Mansour seeks to consolidate his and Pakistani Taliban are sepa- widely criticised both in the US inconclusive talks between the position, analysts say. rate but allied. and around the world. Chinese Afghan government and the Tali- Cooperation between Afghani- Indian Foreign Minister Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif greets Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman ban. stan and Pakistan is essential Sushma Swaraj, also attend- on his arrival at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi yesterday. Hua Chunying said what Trump Afghan Foreign Minister Sala- to ending the insurgency by the ing the conference, said she was said was really an internal issue huddin Rabbani said he hoped to Afghan Taliban, who have bases extending India’s hand to Paki- The nuclear-armed neighbours In response, Ghani pointed out for the US, and she could not see “positive moves in the coming on both sides of the countries’ stan. Swaraj, the first Indian have fought three wars since that an offensive by the Pakistani comment on internal matters. weeks” regarding peace talks. porous border. foreign minister to visit Paki- their independence in 1947, and military against Pakistani Taliban “China opposes all forms of “We very much hope that Paki- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stan since 2012, said it was time their rivalry has spilled over into has sent an influx of Pakistanis terrorism. We uphold that the stan can play a very influential came to power last year vowing to India and Pakistan displayed “the Afghanistan. Sharif also spoke of into Afghanistan. international community should role and very important role in improve relations, but ties cooled maturity and self-confidence to Pakistan’s aim to repatriate the 2 “Unfortunately, recent events make a concerted effort to fight the peace and reconciliation proc- after of a series of bomb attacks do business with each other and million Afghan refugees in Paki- in Pakistan have forced us to host terrorism, and at the same time ess,” he told a news conference in in Kabul this August. strengthen regional trade and stan, some of whom have been in 350,000 to 500,000 refugees from we have always opposed linking the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Ghani blamed “regional and cooperation”. Pakistan for decades. Pakistan ... the refugee issue is terrorism to any specific ethnic Pakistani Prime Minister international terror groups” for “The entire world is waiting “The massive cross-border a common issue, like all issues,” group or religion,” Hua said. Nawaz Sharif stressed his com- the violence in his country. and rooting for a change. Let us movement of refugees constitutes Ghani said. mitment to “an Afghan-led and “In the past, there has been not disappoint them.” a security risk,” Sharif said. REUTERS REUTERS

Taliban siege at Afghan airport kills 37 Tajik parliament votes

KANDAHAR: At least 37 people said. The militants had managed were killed when Taliban insur- to breach the first gate of the to name president gents wearing military uniforms high-security complex and took stormed Kandahar airport, trig- up position in an old school build- gering pitched gun battles in a ing, engaging security forces in lengthy siege as President Ashraf pitched firefights. ‘leader of nation’ Ghani yesterday sought to revive The Taliban posted a picture peace talks at a regional confer- on their website of the militants DUSHANBE: Tajikistan’s lower lished the text of the bill, but one ence. it said were involved in the bra- house of parliament approved a of its authors, parliamentarian The raid on the sprawling com- zen attack. It shows 10 young bill yesterday that strengthens Abdurakhim Kholikzoda, said it plex, which also houses a joint men sporting trimmed beards, President Imomali Rakhmon’s reflected Rakhmon’s status as a Nato-Afghan base, is seen as the Kalashnikovs and identical mili- grip on power by awarding him political institution of his own most serious attack on the largest tary uniforms. The face of one of the title of “Leader of the Nation” and granted him immunity from military installation in southern them is obscured with blue ink for with lifetime immunity from prosecution. Afghanistan in 14 years of war. unknown reasons. prosecution. “The passing of this bill will Witnesses said the assailants It claimed that the assailants Rakhmon, 63, who was a state strengthen the foundations of had taken some families hostage, reported via telephone that some farm boss in the Soviet era, has constitutional order,” Kholikzoda using them as “human shields” 80 Afghan and foreign forces had gradually consolidated his power told Reuters. “People already after storming the complex at been killed and 13 armoured car- during 23 years of rule over the refer to the head of state as the sundown last Tuesday, slowing riers destroyed. The insurgents predominantly Muslim nation saviour and leader of the nation.” down the military’s clearance are regularly known to exaggerate of 8 million that went through a The main opposition group, operation. battlefield claims. The raid comes 1992-97 civil war in which tens of the Islamic Renaissance Party of “The fighting started around after days of fevered speculation thousands died. Tajikistan, failed to win any seats 6pm and intensified over the Afghan National Army soldiers gather after clashes with Taliban militants about the fate of Taliban leader Parliament’s move to enshrine in parliament in the March elec- night,” 30-year-old university at Kandahar Airport yesterday. Mullah Akhtar Mansour follow- Rakhmon’s tenure resembles a tion and has since been outlawed student Izatullah, who lives inside ing reports that he was critically previous decision by lawmakers by Rakhmon’s government, with the complex, said. ministry said nine insurgents It did not offer any breakdown wounded in a firefight with his in Kazakhstan, another ex-Soviet its leaders accused of plotting a “Soldiers were calling on Tali- had been gunned down, one was of the casualties but a Western own commanders in Pakistan. Central Asian state which in 2010 coup. In Turkmenistan, also an ban attackers to let women and injured and another was still official briefed on the matter said The leadership of the insurgent bestowed the same Leader of the ex-Soviet republic, late president children go but attackers declined. holding out against the soldiers. that it included a large number group is once again in question, Nation title on autocratic Presi- Saparmurat Niyazov was officially We could hear children screaming “Unfortunately during the of civilians. after days of frantic conjecture dent Nursultan Nazarbayev. declared “Turkmenbashi” (Head during the fighting.” battle, 37 innocent Afghans were “This is the most serious attack about the fate of Mansour. Western officials and human of all Turkmen), and his successor More than 20 hours after the killed and 35 others injured,” the we’ve witnessed against the (Kan- rights groups accuse the presi- Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is siege began, the Afghan defence ministry added. dahar) installation,” the official AFP dents of Central Asian republics commonly referred to as “Arka- of being among the world’s most dag”, which means “protector”. repressive leaders. US Secretary Kerry avoided direct criti- of State John Kerry visited the cism of human rights records in region in November but tempered the region during his visit amid any criticism given its exposure to mounting Western concerns Bangladesh Islamist militancy. about threats posed by Islamic Sri Lanka not to sign proposed The Tajik bill, entitled “On the State militants and about Rus- makes $6m Founder of Peace and National sia which, fresh from forays into Unity - the Leader of the Nation”, Ukraine and Syria, has been reas- cocaine haul will become law after approval serting its geopolitical influence economic agreement with India by the rubber stamp upper house in competition with Washington. DHAKA: Bangladesh anti-drugs and Rakhmon himself. officers seized $6.2m of cocaine COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan He said the present govern- the new proposed agreement with The lower house has not pub- REUTERS at Dhaka airport and arrested a government yesterday insisted ment was negotiating a new India, youth will get more job Spanish national on suspicion of that it will not sign an economic economic and technology agree- opportunities in Sri Lanka. smuggling, officials said yester- partnership agreement with ment with India. Ranil said the Opposition member Dinesh day, the country’s second-biggest India as proposed by the previ- government hopes to sign a simi- Gunawardena urged the prime Sri Lankan firecrackers haul of the substance. ous Mahinda Rajapaksa admin- lar agreement with China. Ranil minister to have a discussion P J Julian, 47, was arrested at istration. denied claims made by a medical before the new agreement is final- the Bangladeshi capital’s airport Prime Minister Ranil Wick- trade union with regard to the ised with India. on Tuesday evening with three remesinghe told parliament that proposed agreement with India. The prime minister agreed kilos of cocaine hidden inside the the country will not sign the He said the trade union had to the request and said he will lid of his suitcase, the Department Comprehensive Economic Part- attempted to give the impression have a meeting with the oppo- of Narcotics Control (DNC) said. nership Agreement, which was that Indians will get employment sition before December 19 to Cocaine is not a popular drug discussed between the former in Sri Lanka leading to the coun- discuss the new deal. in Bangladesh, but international government and India, Xinhua try’s own work force losing job cartels use it as a “safe route” reported. opportunities. He said that under IANS for smuggling it into Europe and Southeast Asia, seeing the coun- try as less likely to come under suspicion. Julian had travelled to Dhaka from Brazil’s Sao Paulo via Dubai, Taxi app firm Uber takes to Lankan roads before being arrested by offi- cials acting on a tip-off from the COLOMBO: Taxi app company X service. Uber spokesman Karun China to make inroads there. United States about a suspected Uber launched yesterday in Sri Arya said that the company was But it faces stiff competition trafficker. Lanka, a country dominated by helping the government develop from Sri Lanka’s million-odd “The drugs in the suitcase three-wheeler auto rickshaws, as policy in Sri Lanka, where there three-wheeler taxis which have could not be traced in the scan- part of the US start-up’s growing is currently no regulation on taxis traditionally plied the country’s ner, but we knew the tag of the push into Asia. and ride-share services. roads, many of them without fit- suspected luggage,” DNC director Uber said it hopes to snatch “We’re talking to the govern- ted meters. Passengers usually Towfique Uddin said. a large share of the taxi market ment on its vision for transport determine fares via tough on-the- Julian is expected to appear in through its mobile app service in in the future and the potential to spot negotiations with drivers. court today and could face the a country where 20 percent of create a new regulatory frame- One of the world’s largest star- A Sri Lankan worker makes firecrackers in the village of Kimbulapitiya, death penalty if found guilty of the 21 million-strong population work,” he said. tups, operating in dozens of coun- on the outskirts of Colombo, yesterday. Although Sri Lanka’s traditional drug smuggling. owns smartphones. Uber did not Sri Lanka is the latest Asian tries, Uber has faced regulatory New Year is celebrated in April, fireworks are in demand for December Miah, public prosecutor for say how many cars were being country targeted by Uber, hurdles in many areas and furi- a special drug crimes court in used initially in the Sri Lankan which already operates in 22 ous protests from established taxi 31 celebrations, with hotels organising upmarket year-ender parties and Dhaka said. capital Colombo, where it has ini- cities in giant neighbour India operators. Christmas Day celebrations on December 25. AFP tially launched the low-cost Uber and has been spending big in AFP THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 10 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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ERMAN chancellor Angela Merkel has won an award that she truly deserves. Time magazine yesterday named her as its Person of the Year in Grecognition of her contributions and resolve in leading Europe through a difficult period – through this Risk of Brexit deals further summer’s Greek debt crisis and a migration crisis that she handled with courage and mercy, setting an example to the world. It’s a special honour for the German leader because she is only the fourth woman to ever be named Person of blow to EU defence hopes the Year, after Time opened up the contest to women in 1936. Last year, healthcare workers treating the Ebola By Robin Emmott ident Jean-Claude Juncker said when creation of a European Defence Agency epidemic were honoured. In 2013, it was Pope Francis. asked about EU defence during a visit that coordinates military training and The person of the year accolade acknowledges what the n the same day that to Germany in October. the development of equipment. magazine considers to be the world’s biggest newsmaker, or Europe’s defence ministers France’s surprise invocation of arti- Rapidly deployable forces known as influential mover. rallied behind France’s call cle 42.7 of the European Union’s Lisbon ‘EU Battlegroups’ were set up, as well as Time said: “Merkel had already emerged as the for military help follow- Treaty requiring solidarity from other new ministerial and military structures ing the Islamist attacks member states following the killing of for decision-making on issues such as indispensable player in managing Europe’s serial debt Oin Paris, Britain refused to back a tiny 130 people in Paris on November 13 by economic sanctions and deploying EU crises; she also led the West’s response to Vladimir Putin’s increase of ¤3m in the EU’s collective Islamic State militants proved a largely peacekeepers internationally. creeping theft of Ukraine. But now the prospect of Greek defence budget. symbolic gesture that did not involve EU But the momentum soon stalled. EU bankruptcy threatened the very existence of the eurozone. Barely noticed as France invoked defence institutions or missions. Battlegroups, operational since 2007, The migrant and refugee crisis challenged the principle of the EU’s mutual assistance clause for The reasons for the steady waning have yet to be used. No big new Euro- open borders. And finally, the carnage in Paris revived the the first time on November 17, Brit- of EU defence hopes are many: deep- pean military projects are underway ain’s resistance to raising the European rooted British scepticism about Euro- aside from collaboration on drones. reflex to slam doors, build walls and trust no one.” Defence Agency’s budget for a fifth year pean integration; the impact of global Governments work in isolation. The Merkel’s decision to give asylum to thousands of Syrian running underscored how EU defence financial crisis and the woes of the euro- EU’s special adviser on defence, Michel migrants had surprised the world, and her own countrymen. collaboration continues to unravel just zone on national budgets; public trauma Barnier, cites seven separate national It was a decision that requires when it is needed most, officials and over the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; frigate programmes and 23 different Time magazine courage and political will and experts say. and the rise of anti-EU parties across systems of light armoured vehicles. is a noble action that would Nearly two dec- Europe. Defence spending was a casualty of ades after France Added to that mix now is the risk the 2008/2009 global financial crisis and has recognised define her legacy. Germany and Britain, the of “Brexit”. Britain’s increasingly euro- continued to fall among Nato countries the noble announced on Monday that it EU’s main mili- sceptic Conservative government has in real terms in 2015 despite last year’s has welcomed more than 960,000 tary powers, promised an in/out referendum by the pledge to increase spending to two per- contributions asylum seekers in 2015, putting launched plans end of 2017 after renegotiating the cent of economic output by 2024. A it on track for a million arrivals for a common terms of the country’s membership. majority of EU states are also in the “British Prime European Secu- “British Prime Minister David Cam- Nato alliance. of the German this year, as conflicts rage in rity and Defence eron does not want to give any impres- The Ukraine crisis has helped halt leader by Syria, the Middle East and Minister David Policy (CSDP), sion of joining a euro-army ahead of the the budget cuts. Six of the 28 Nato Afghanistan. Cameron does the continent referendum on Britain’s EU member- allies increased spending in 2014 and naming her as Merkel was born in Hamburg faces a growing ship,” said Daniel Koehane at the Centre IHS Jane’s estimates that over 2015- its Person of in 1954, moved to eastern not want to give range of secu- for Security Studies in Zurich. 2019 $50bn will be added to Western Germany as a small child, grew rity threats, from That helps explain why Britain Europe’s defence expenditure, mainly in any impression Islamic State mil- blocked an increase to the European France, Germany and Britain. the Year. up behind a Soviet stockade and itants to a more Defence Agency’s 2016 budget, which But apart from the United States only trained as a quantum chemist. of joining a euro- assertive, hostile needs unanimity, keeping it at ¤30.5m four Nato allies — all EU members — After entering politics in her army ahead of Russia that has and marking a 15 percent fall in real currently hit the two percent target: 30s, she rose through the ranks, and was elected chancellor seized territory terms since 2010. However, several EU Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia. in 2005. This is her 10th year in office. the referendum in Ukraine. countries may increase their own con- The EU is involved in 17 peacekeeping The Time prize is a recognition for the German leader Yet the chal- tributions to the agency unilaterally. and training missions in Africa and the on Britain’s EU lenges — which British scepticism — the flip side of Middle East and has advisory teams in and will bolster her efforts to welcome more refugees also include the its commitment to the US-led Nato alli- Ukraine, but given the bloc’s economic into the country. It will also enhance her stature among membership.” arrival on Euro- ance — has long hampered EU defence might and the scale of its security chal- her opponents at home, especially those who have been pean shores of plans, although it was then-prime min- lenges such achievements seem to many virulently critical of her asylum policy. It will also help about a million ister Tony Blair who helped launch the frustratingly modest. announce to the world her noble initiatives. migrants in 2015 CSDP with France’s Jacques Chirac in “I do not understand why national alone fleeing wars 1998. interests continue to undermine our She has been praised by refugees as ‘Mama Merkel’ and and poverty — have failed to reinvig- The aim was to complement Nato European security,” Dutch Defence derided by others as the eurozone’s ‘austerity priestess’. orate the push for greater EU defence by building up capacity in Europe, long Minister Jeanine Hennes told a recent Her stance on Greek debt had made her immensely cooperation. heavily reliant for its defence on the conference. “We have to protect our unpopular in Greece, and Greeks may not have forgiven her “If I look at the common European United States, which accounts for 70 sovereignty through military means by for stubborn stance. But even they will happily welcome her defence policy, a bunch of chickens percent of all Nato spending. cooperating.” stance on the migration crisis. would be a more unified combat unit in In the early years the Anglo-French contrast,” European Commission Pres- initiative made headway, prompting the REUTERS The other side Quote of Safeguarding Iraq’s national sovereignty the day

ASOUD Barzani, the the forefront of regional challenges. As to a report published this week by the port needed to sufficiently challenge leader of Iraq’s semi- The National reported yesterday, the Soufan Group consultancy. The report extremist groups on the ground. With autonomous Kurdistan Turkish troop build-up has sparked out- found that the number of fighters has Iraqi sovereignty in place, the interna- Regional Government rage from Baghdad, which has labelled nearly doubled and roughly 31,000 tional community can work to increase M(KRG), was in Ankara yesterday to the move a violation of the country’s foreigners have joined groups like ISIL Baghdad’s capabilities to confront The only reason discuss deepening Turkish support national boundaries. Over the past in the past year in Syria and Iraq. For extremism in its midst. for Kurdish fighters in Iraq. For the several years, Turkey has been help- ISIL, it is well known that the extremists Turkey’s forays with the Iraqi Kurds, I wouldn’t go past week, Turkish soldiers have been ing to grow Iraqi Kurdish desires for require a steady flow of fresh fighters to its unwillingness to work with the Kurds in Iraq, supposedly “advising” Kurdish independence by purchasing oil from keep up their control over large areas fighting ISIL in Syria and its violation to some parts fighters as they prepare to wrestle back the autonomous region, exporting it to of land and cities like Mosul. of Iraqi borders is far from the ideal control of Iraq’s second largest city, Mediterranean seaports on the Turkish Now more than ever, there is a seri- role for Ankara. At a minimum, Tur- of New York is Mosul, from ISIL’s grip. coast and filling the KRG coffers. ous need to safeguard and deepen key shouldn’t be fanning the flames of Turkey’s decision to send troops While Turkey has been busy “advis- Baghdad’s waning control over Iraq Iraq’s internal disintegration and should the real risk of and tanks into Iraq without asking for ing” Kurdish forces, the number of for- as a single state. The central govern- fall closer in line with western plans to meeting Donald Baghdad’s permission has brought the eign fighters joining extremist groups ment remains the only institution that return the region to stability. Boris Johnson question of Iraqi sovereignty back to appears to be increasing, according has the capacity and international sup- THE NATIONAL Trump. London Mayor THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 OPINION www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Trump rhetoric crosses a line for many in rival parties

By Sean Sullivan and Jenna Johnson

epublican and Democratic Many Republicans worry that Trump’s leaders levelled their most forceful criticism yet against proposals will do lasting damage to a Donald Trump on Tues- day, widely denouncing the party desperately trying to cast itself as RGOP presidential front-runner’s call to bar Muslims from entering the United more tolerant and open than in previous States and signalling that Trump’s anti- immigrant and anti-Islamic rhetoric has presidential elections. agitated both parties more than ever. At the White House, President Obama’s top spokesman said Trump’s proposal “disqualifies him” from the pres- ing principle of this country,” Ryan told Brody, wrote that Trump’s position is idency, marking a rare administration reporters. “This is not conservatism. likely to resonate with Christian evan- foray into the 2016 race. On Capitol Hill, What was proposed yesterday is not gelicals, as long as he is able to verbalise House Speaker Paul D Ryan and Senate what this party stands for. And more “the underlying theological problems with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said importantly, it’s not what this country Islam and the Quran.” Several prominent the idea was at odds with the values of stands for.” evangelical leaders in Iowa and elsewhere their party and the United States as a McConnell called proposals to bar visi- who are often quick to comment on the whole. tors on the basis of their religion “com- twists and turns of the election declined In the space of a day, Trump’s role as a pletely inconsistent” with American to comment on Trump’s proposed ban on domestic political provocateur expanded values. Muslims entering the country. to international agitator as he sent a But neither Republican said he would After announcing his proposal — which first-of-its-kind signal abroad: The lead- reject Trump if he won the nomination, he said was a response to recent terror- Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (right) and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy leave a news ing presidential contender in the opposi- and GOP senators facing difficult ree- ist attacks in Paris and California — he conference following a GOP caucus meeting, at the Republican National Headquarters tion party wants to keep Muslims out of lections dodged questions about whether was greeted with adoration by his legion on Capitol Hill in Washington. the United States. they would support the provocative of fans on Twitter and at a raucous rally Leaders across the globe condemned businessman if he won the nomina- on Monday night in South Carolina. On will support Trump if he is their nomi- runner Clinton wrote on Tuesday on her Trump as officials at home worried about tion. Almost all Republicans who were Tuesday, Trump conducted a contentious nee. Why? Because they are intimidated website. the long-term implications of his actions. questioned tried to duck that possibility, round of morning news-show interviews by his support and his supporters,” said All of the GOP candidates have called Trump called on Monday for a “total and saying only that they would support the in which he defended the idea against Paul Begala, a strategist with the pro- for at least a pause in the acceptance of complete” ban on Muslims entering the eventual nominee. critics who have deemed it unconstitu- Hillary Clinton super PAC Priorities USA most Syrian refugees. Retired neurosur- United States until we “figure out what is “He knows that a lot of Americans tional, illegal, racist, dangerous and un- Action. “Trump may be the monster, but geon Ben Carson has said that a Muslim going on.” He reiterated his overall view agree, to a certain extent, with things American. the GOP establishment is the Dr Frank- should not be president and has argued on Tuesday. that he says,” conservative radio host Although Trump’s aides had initially enstein who created him.” that accepting Syrian refugees into the It was far from clear whether the Rush Limbaugh said on his show Tues- said no one would be exempt from the Many Republicans worry that Trump’s United States is “a suspension of intel- proposed ban on Muslims would have a day. “He also knows he’s the only one “total” ban, the candidate began listing proposals — which have drawn compari- lect.” negative effect on Trump’s popularity, reaching those people.” exceptions he would make. US citizens sons to those of Adolf Hitler and to the Senator Marco Rubio seen by many which has only grown as he has esca- Senator Ted Cruz wary of alienating who are Muslim and travelling abroad internment of Japanese Americans on US party leaders as the GOP’s best hope for lated his rhetoric against illegal immi- Trump supporters as he tries to consoli- would be allowed to reenter, along with soil during the Second World War — will do cross-party appeal, has equated Muslims grants and a host of other groups. Some date the conservative wing of the party, Muslim members of the US military lasting damage to a party desperately try- with Nazis and dismissed complaints of of his rivals stepped carefully around his emphasized that he differed with that returning from tours overseas. Muslim ing to cast itself as more tolerant and open anti-Muslim bias. remarks, and many of his most vocal crit- specific policy proposed by Trump. leaders of foreign countries would also be than in previous presidential elections. “Where is there widespread evidence ics stopped short of refusing to back him “I disagree with that proposal. I like allowed in, and exceptions would be made Tom Ridge, a former Republican gov- that we have a problem in America with if he is the Republican nominee. Donald Trump. A lot of our friends here for athletes visiting the United States for ernor of Pennsylvania who became the discrimination against Muslims?” Rubio White House press secretary Josh Ear- have encouraged me to criticize and competitions. first secretary of the Department of said on Fox News on Sunday night after nest said Trump’s proposal “disqualifies attack Donald Trump. I’m not interested In the interviews, Trump performed Homeland Security, said on Tuesday he Obama’s address to the nation urging him from serving as president,” declar- in doing so,” Cruz told reporters. as he usually does — deflecting questions, would not vote for Trump. Ridge said tolerance. ing that his rhetoric is “harmful to the Senator Rand Paul, a long-shot candi- avoiding specifics and talking over the that his anger over Trump’s popularity The anti-Muslim rhetoric Trump and country” and makes it harder to “work date near the bottom of the field, told a journalists trying to ask him questions. has been building for months and that he some of his rivals have been using stands in partnership” with American Muslim New Hampshire radio station that it is During an interview on MSNBC’s Morn- was frustrated that many fellow Repub- in stark contrast to the tone struck by leaders to identify potential threats. “a mistake to base immigration or mora- ing Joe that lasted more than 30 min- licans took so long to denounce the can- President George W Bush after the Sep- Earnest said other candidates and toriums based on religion,” but added, utes, host Joe Scarborough told Trump didate’s rhetoric. tember 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Republican leaders “should say right “I’ve called for something similar.” Paul to stop talking so that he could ask the “I think the man is an embarrassment In working to tamp down anti-Muslim now that they will not support him for was referring to a measure that would candidate a question, then cut to a com- to my party,” said Ridge, who supports sentiment that erupted after the attacks, president.” suspend the issuance of visas to refugees mercial. Trump’s rival Jeb Bush. “He’s an embar- Bush repeatedly talked about Islam as a Ryan, who typically stays out of from about 30 countries “that have large On Twitter late on Tuesday, Trump rassment to our country. We deserve bet- peaceful religion and said the terrorists the GOP presidential contest, made a jihadist movements,” pending strict back- reminded his followers that he will jour- ter than this.” did not represent Muslims around the strongly worded exception. ground checks. ney to Israel before the end of the year. Trump’s actions also hold implications world. He quoted the Holy Quran during “Freedom of religion is a fundamen- The Christian Broadcasting Network’s The trip will not include a stop in Jordan, down the ballot. Representative David remarks at the Islamic Centre of Wash- tal constitutional principle. It’s a found- chief political correspondent, David he wrote, despite his “great respect for Jolly (Florida), a centrist Republican ington six days after 9/11. King Abdullah II.” running for US Senate who backs Bush, Three days after that, he spoke directly Corey Saylor, a spokesman for the took to the House floor on Tuesday to call to Muslims during an address before a Council on American-Islamic Relations, for Trump to end his campaign. joint session of Congress. predicted that Trump’s comments would “I think its been a dark day for the “We respect your faith,” Bush said. White House press secretary Josh Earnest make it easier for the Islamic State ter- country,” Jolly said in an interview. He “It’s practiced freely by many millions of rorist group to radicalise potential encouraged other GOP leaders to “speak Americans and by millions more in coun- said Trump’s proposal “disqualifies him recruits. up.” tries that America counts as friends.” “I think that Trump’s statement is a While Trump has gone furthest in his On Tuesday, Trump’s message sounded from serving as president,” declaring that propaganda coup for ISIS,” he said. “No rhetoric and proposals, other candidates much different. “I would want to engage his rhetoric is “harmful to the country”. doubt in my mind about that.” have given voice to views that Democrats the Muslim community, but the Muslim Some Democrats said on Tuesday that have condemned as anti-Muslim. “Their community has to help us,” he said on the Republican Party is partly culpable language may be more veiled than Mr Morning Joe. “They’re not helping us.” in Trump’s rise. Trump’s, but their ideas aren’t so dif- “Republicans today are still saying they ferent,” Democratic presidential front- THE WASHINGTON POST

The radical idea that’s gaining momentum at Paris climate talks By Chris Mooney even better. particularly with respect to the instance, found that while keeping Politically speaking, the number planet’s ice sheets, which seem warming from ever exceeding 1.5 ven as some experts are 1.5 degrees signals the “existen- to be showing troubling signs of degrees may not be possible, ini- questioning the extent to tial threat that islands are fac- Recent research suggests destabilisation. Scientists have tially overshooting that number Ewhich it’s even possible, ing,” explains Jennifer Morgan, also become increasingly vocal and then coming back down more and more voices at the UN climate programme director at that to limit global warming to and critical of the two degrees again might be, assuming future climate change conference are the World Resources Institute. C target, including in a paper technologies that can remove standing up for at least aspiring So “when the developed countries 1.5 degrees C, concentrations published on Monday in Nature carbon dioxide from the air at a to keep global warming below 1.5 move towards it, (it) represents Geoscience contending that “no massive scale. Another scientific degrees Celsius above pre-indus- that they understand that exis- couldn’t exceed about 420 to 440 scientific assessment has clearly group, Climate Analytics, has also trial levels, rather than the more tential threat.” justified or defended the 2°C tar- acknowledged that 1.5 degrees C commonly cited two degrees C. And that’s just what appears parts per million by 2100. get as a safe level of warming, and will require such “negative emis- It’s a dizzying goal: The world to be happening, albeit cautiously indeed, this is not a problem that sions,” but pointedly observes that is already at about one degrees in some cases. In his opening in science alone can address.” the same is true for the 2C limit. Celsius of warming, with about Paris, for instance, French Pres- Granted, not all countries “Because of the delay in substan- 400 parts per million of carbon ident Francois Hollande stated are trying to keep the reference cannot come back without 1.5 appear to be on board at this point. tial global reductions to date, both dioxide in the atmosphere and that “we need to define and mark to 1.5,” says Kyle Ash, senior leg- degrees Celsius,” says Fletcher. One media outlet charged recently limits now rely on negative emis- concentrations growing by around out a credible path that will ena- islative representative for Green- The draft agreement that that some countries sought to sions,” the group notes. two parts per million per year on ble us to contain global warming peace in the US “What’s new is emerged here on Saturday, which “block attempts” to make refer- However, on Monday a group average. And recent research sug- below 2°C or even 1.5°C, if pos- that there are more countries will form the basis of that final ence in the final Paris agreement of scientists strongly critiqued gests that to limit global warming sible.” Other recent supporters making it the priority.” text, currently contains just two to a UN report that explored the the hope of relying on such to 1.5 degrees C, concentrations of either a 1.5C target or at least “The 1.5 degrees C coalition is options when it comes to the tem- issue of holding warming to 1.5 “negative emissions” technolo- couldn’t exceed about 420 to 440 language citing 1.5C include Aus- growing,” said Dr James Fletcher, perature target, both of which are degrees C, and noted that “limit- gies, noting that the leading idea, parts per million by 2100. tralia, Canada — and now, the US. the minister of Public Service, fairly ambitious. The parties to ing global warming to below 1.5 °C bioenergy combined with carbon The position that 1.5 degrees Special envoy on climate change Sustainable Development, Energy, the agreement, it currently reads, would come with several advan- capture and sequestration or should be our planetary tempera- Todd Stern told press on Monday Science and Technology for the will aim “to hold the increase in tages in terms of coming closer to BECCS, would require a stagger- ture target has long been held by that “the goal is to hold tempera- Caribbean island nation of St the global average temperature a safer ‘guardrail.’” ing amount of land if used at a small island nations and a growing tures to I think as far as possible Lucia, on Tuesday. Fletcher is an (below 1.5 °C) (or) (well below “A final decision has not been scale sufficient to really make a number of developing countries - below two degrees or something influential negotiator who is co- 2°C) above preindustrial levels.” made on that yet, but there was difference. Other negative emis- and has now been supported by like that.” But he then added that chairing a key group here charged Either option would go far- some very strong resistance from sions technologies also come with 108 countries in total, according “we are working with other coun- with determining the level of ambi- ther than the 2009 Copenhagen some countries” to citing the doc- major tradeoffs, the report noted. to the Climate Vulnerable Forum. tries on some formulation that tion to be embodied in the final accord, which acknowledged “the ument, Fletcher says. But then, as noted before, many But what’s been striking in Paris would include reference to the climate agreement, and has been scientific view that the increase The deepest problem is that 2 degrees C scenarios also require is that even as more developing 1.5 degrees, all as part of a some- a key party involved in expanding in global temperature should even as 1.5 degrees is gaining negative emissions. “What we’ve nations are supporting the goal, what larger, broader sentence.” support for the 1.5 degree target. be below two degrees Celsius” momentum in the Paris discus- seen is that the technology to major developing country emit- And John Kerry on Tuesday in Throughout the Caribbean, (though it also suggested there sion, at least as a number that get us to 2 degrees Celsius is the ters have also started voicing at Paris made similar remarks, say- Fletcher says, the slogan “1.5 to should be a scientific reassess- might be mentioned in the final same technology that will get us least limited support as well. ing of 1.5 degrees that “I think we stay alive” has caught on, captur- ment of whether 1.5 degrees agreement text alongside two to 1.5 degrees, the only difference The latest line for these coun- should embrace it as a legitimate ing the fear that with any more might be a better target). degrees C, the grim math behind is the deployment,” says Fletcher. tries appears to be that warming aspiration,” although he added warming than that, sea level rise What has changed, of course, the carbon problem raises severe “You will need much more rapid should be held below two degrees that the official target should will swamp much of the territory is the science — dismaying cli- doubts about how achievable the deployment.” C as much as possible, and that if remain two degrees. of low-lying island nations. mate news has been coming fast target really is. it can be below 1.5 as well, that’s “It’s not new that some parties “I left with a mandate that I and furious in the past two years, One study earlier this year, for THE WASHINGTON POST THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / INDIA

Modi to visit Assam farmers India, Pakistan agree to Pakistan next year: Sushma ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister high-level peace talks Narendra Modi will visit Paki- stan next year, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Dialogue will include peace process, territorial disputes said here yesterday. Modi will participate in the South Asian ISLAMABAD: India and Paki- The breakthrough, which “Both the countries have agreed Association for Regional Coop- stan yesterday agreed to resume raises hopes for a thaw in rela- to resume the stalled talks,” she eration (Saarc) summit, Swaraj high-level ministerial talks tions between the nuclear pow- said, adding, “The foreign secre- told the media. encompassing the peace process ers, came after a meeting between taries of both the countries will This will be the first prime and territorial disputes, accord- Indian Foreign Minister Sushma meet and chart out the agenda ministerial visit from India to ing to joint statement issued by Swaraj and Pakistan’s foreign for the meetings.” Pakistan since Atal Bihari Vaj- both sides. affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz. According to the joint state- payee visited the South Asian ment, the dialogue would com- neighbour in January 2004 to prise peace and security as well attend that year’s Saarc summit. Members of the Tiwa tribe separate grain from sheaves harvested in a as territorial disputes including Sushma Swaraj said she would nearby field, in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam state, yesterday. Tiwa Kashmir, which the two countries accompany Modi during his visit, is a major tribe of Assam that practises ‘jhum’, a form of slash and burn have fought two full-fledged wars Geo TV reported. Sushma Swaraj cultivation on a rotational basis, leaving some lands fallow to rejuvenate over since gaining their independ- is in Islamabad to participate in while other lands are used to produce crops. ence from Britain in 1947. the Heart of Asia Conference on India suspended the dialogue peace and stability in Afghani- process between the two countries stan. Sushma Swaraj’s is the first after Islamist gunmen attacked ministerial visit from India to the Indian city of Mumbai in Pakistan since the visit of then November 2008, killing 166 people. external affairs minister S M Declare Chennai floods The attacks were later found to Krishna in 2012. have been planned from Pakistan. At the Shanghai Cooperation The two countries agreed to Organisation (SCO) summit held a national calamity: resume the peace process in 2011 in Ufa, Russia, in July, Pakistani but tensions have spiked over the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had past two years, with cross-border invited Modi to attend the Saarc shelling over the disputed border summit next year which the lat- Jayalalithaa to Modi in Kashmir claiming dozens of ter had accepted. Both the prime lives since 2014. ministers directed their foreign CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Cuddalore are 39 and 185km away A brief meeting between Sharif secretaries to initiate the process Minister J Jayalalithaa yesterday from the state capital, respec- and his counterpart Narendra of renewing talks, including meet- urged Prime Minister Narendra tively. Modi on the sidelines of the UN ings between the national secu- Modi to declare as a national Jayalalithaa said a supplemen- Climate Change Conference in rity advisors of the two countries. calamity the floods that has hit tary memorandum will be sub- Paris on November 30, followed The two prime ministers again many districts, and also sug- mitted by the state government by a meeting between the two had a meeting on the sidelines of gested schemes for the central listing out the flood damage and Pakistan’s Premier Nawaz Sharif (left) speaks with Foreign Minister Sushma countries’ national security advis- the Conference of Parties (CoP- government to formulate to assist the amount of central assistance Swaraj as Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz (right) looks on ers in Bangkok, appeared to have 21) climate summit in Paris on the affected families. needed. She suggested that the during the first day of the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad yesterday. broken the ice. November 30. In a letter to Modi, the text of central government come out with AFP IANS which was released to the media, schemes whereby the insurance Jayalalithaa said, “You are per- claims are settled fast; morato- sonally aware of the catastrophic rium of housing load installments destruction and devastation and also rescheduling of the loans, caused by the four rounds of soft loans for purchase of con- floods that have overrun numer- sumer durables; education loans ous districts of Tamil Nadu over and sale of consumer durables. Investors bid for ‘Dawood’s properties’ the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Chennai experienced “I request you to immediately intermittent rains after a two- MUMBAI: Though the fear of bid of `40.2m for an eatery, Delhi empowerment. He plans to open We shall not be cowed down by declare this unprecedented, cata- day respite giving a scare to the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim Zaika, a property built on around a computer institute on the prop- threats and shall sacrifice what- strophic and cataclysmic event a citizens who are creeping back to may still keep many on tenter- 500 square feet land in south-cen- erty. ever we have for the nation,” national calamity,” she added. normalcy. hooks, a handful of plucky pro- tral Mumbai. The second highest Balakrishnan said he would Balakrishnan said during the Heavy rains have battered The Met Office has predicted spective investors yesterday came bid for the property was `40.2m appeal to the public for funds to bidding. The property in Pakmo- Chennai, Kanchipuram, Cud- heavy showers till December 11. out to bid for properties allegedly made by a Dawoodi Bohra Trust. fund his endeavour, adding that dia Street had a reserve price dalore and Thiruvallur districts According to the weather office, owned by him at an auction here A former municipal corpora- he proposed to name the institute of `1.1m. A Hyundai Accent car, for the past one month, resulting there might be heavy rains in amidst tight security. tor, Balakrishnan, bid for the after freedom fighter Ashfaqullah having a reserve price of around in floods that have killed over 325 coastal Tamil Nadu, including Despite an SMS threat from prime property on behalf of his Khan. `15,000, was acquired by All India lives and destroying assets worth Chennai, due to low pressure the don’s associate, Chhota non-governmental organisation — “Somebody sitting in Pakistan Hindu Mahasabha president several thousand crores of rupees. formed around the Bay of Bengal. Shakeel, former journalist S Desh Seva Samiti, which works can’t dictate terms to this coun- Swami Chakrapani. Kanchipuram is located 70km Balakrishnan made the highest for child welfare and women’s try. It’s an insult to our country. IANS from Chennai. Thiruvallur and IANS

Manipuri protest Not proved beyond reasonable doubt Surgeon makes device to solve Salman was drunk or driving: Court snorers’ woes MUMBAI: The Bombay High made no mention about Salman police inspector Kishan Shen- KOCHI: A wearable device Court yesterday observed that being drunk, but said this only on gal, the case investigating officer, designed by an ENT surgeon here the prosecution has not been October 1, 2002, after the blood did not send the tyre for forensic is expected to treat sleep apnea able “to prove beyond reasonable sample tests reports were received. examination, that too when foren- and snoring by changing the habit doubt” that Bollywood actor Sal- “Because of anomalies and dis- sic experts had visited the police of sleeping on the back to sleep- man Khan was driving the car or crepancies in his statement, Patil station to inspect the car. ing on the side. Obstructive Sleep was under the influence of alcohol cannot be called ‘wholly reliable’ as Terming Patil “an unreliable Apnea (OSA) is one of the main on September 28, 2002, when the he improved upon this statement witness”, the judge noted that it causes of snoring. vehicle met with an accident. from recording of FIR to his sup- was difficult to accept his answers The wearable device is more of Justice A.R. Joshi also said it was plementary statement (on October that the car tyre “burst due to the a clothing accessory with a ball difficult to rely on the testimony of 1, 2002) in magistrate’s court,” the impact” (of the crash). stitched at the centre. It can be the late Ravindra Patil, the police judge said. “This court has come to the worn across the body, with the bodyguard assigned to Salman Besides, the judge noted that conclusion, that the prosecution ball on the backside. who was in the vehicle that night the prosecution has not been able has failed to bring material on Apnea means a period of ces- when the vehicle mowed down one to establish whether the incident record to establish beyond rea- sation or inability to breathe for pavement dweller and injured four occurred due to bursting of the sonable doubt that the appellant- Members of the Manipur Tribal Forum chant slogans as they try to break a more than 10 seconds, said Rejith. others in Bandra West. vehicle tyre prior to the accident accused was driving and driving police cordon during a ‘coffin march’ in New Delhi yesterday. Thousands “’Sleep on Side’ can be worn The court also observed that or whether the tyre burst after the under influence of alcohol,” Justice of Manipuri tribals in the national capital marked the 100th day since across the body so that the ball in his police statement recorded incident. Joshi said. the death of nine people in violence in the northeastern state after the is at the centre back of the body. hours after the accident, Patil Justice Joshi pointed out that IANS state assembly passed three bills which the tribals say will deprive them It is helpful for sleep position modification, changing the habit of land rights. of sleeping on the back to sleep- ing on the side,” the surgeon said. Priced around `1,000, the new wearable device has been manu- BJP leaders meet Pranab, Rajya Sabha stalled over Herald case factured by Myform, Coimbatore and will be available online. NEW DELHI: The National so this is the best platform to demanding that work on the Pola- seek Virbhadra’s ouster Herald case stalled the Rajya raise the issue, in the temple of varam Dam project be stopped. IANS Sabha for the second day yes- democracy,” he said. Amid the din, Deputy Chair- NEW DELHI: A BJP delega- minister’s house was raided. After terday, with Leader of Opposi- He was countered by Minister man P J Kurien adjourned the tion yesterday met President the raids, it was his moral respon- tion Ghulam Nabi Azad blaming of State for Parliamentary Affairs house till 11.30am. When the Pranab Mukherjee and sought sibility to resign, but he didn’t. the government for misusing the Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who said house reassembled, Congress the removal of Himachal Pradesh That’s why we approached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the opposition should start a dis- and BJD members went close to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, president,” Shanta Kumar said get the case reopened. cussion. the chairman’s podium and again Prime suspect who is an accused in a dispropor- after meeting the President. “ED had shut the case. Subra- Earlier, disruptions started as shouted slogans. tionate assets case. In June, the Central Bureau manian Swamy and the govern- soon as the house met at 11am Congress members were shout- held in idol theft The delegation headed by sen- of Investigation (CBI) initiated a ment got it reopened,” Azad said. when Congress members stormed ing slogans like “Modi teri tan- ior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Preliminary Enquiry against Vir- “We have no charges against the chairman’s podium raising ashahi, nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi”. PATNA: Bihar Police have Shanta Kumar and former chief bhadra Singh and his wife on the the judiciary... It is not the fault the issue of summons to party Meanwhile, Naqvi said, “The arrested a prime suspect from minister Prem Kumar Dhumal charge of acquiring assets dispro- of the court, but of this govern- president Sonia Gandhi and vice Congress party is stalling the Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh over submitted a memorandum to portionate to their known sources ment... which changed the ED president Rahul Gandhi in the development of the country. the theft of the two-millennia-old the President on the corruption of income during his tenure as the who reopened the case. So my National Herald case. Whistleblowers protection bill antique idol of Mahavira, which charges against Virbhadra Singh. union steel minister. charge is that on the direction of Members of the Biju Janata Dal and ST/SC (prevention of atroci- was stolen from a Jain temple “The delegation sought the The case was registered on Sep- the government, the cases against (BJD) also protested against the ties) amendment bill are listed in and later recovered, police said removal of Virbhadra Singh tember 23 under the Prevention all opposition leaders are being ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on today’s business.” yesterday. The black stone idol, because he has refused to resign of Corruption Act against Virb- reopened, even if they are small the Polavaram project, a multi- As the ruckus continued, Kur- weighing some 250kg, was recov- on moral grounds even after fac- hadra Singh, his wife Pratibha cases,” he said. purpose dam in Andhra Pradesh ien adjourned the house till noon. ered in Bihar’s Jamui district. It ing serious charges of corruption. Singh, LIC agent Anand Chauhan Azad’s comments came just whose reservoir spreads into But when the house reassembled, was stolen from a temple in the Investigation is going on, and per- and an associate, Chunnilal. before the house was adjourned parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. similar scenes were witnessed. district on November 27. haps for the first time in the his- for the day around 3.15pm. They trooped near the chair- tory of India, an incumbent chief IANS “Democracy is being murdered man’s podium and held placards IANS IANS THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 EUROPE / AMERICAS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Progress as climate-saving blueprint released at UN talks

LE BOURGET, France: “It is better,” he said, though slash greenhouse gases. Repeated pledges by world lead- agreement would seek to limit their fast-growing economies. French hosts of 195-nation cli- there are “still too many” unde- Decisions on the most divisive ers to take decisive action, as well emissions of greenhouse gases Nations most at risk of being mate rescue talks released a cided sections. arguments are not expected to be as voluntary pledges by nations to driven by burning coal, oil and swamped by higher seas are also crucial new blueprint yesterday, The UN talks have been billed reached until the final moments curb their emissions, have fuelled gas—the backbone of the world’s pushing for a lower warming reporting important progress as the last chance to avert the of the negotiations, being held in a the sense of optimism. energy supply today. ceiling of 1.5C, a goal that would but some sticking points two worst consequences of global sprawling conference venue at Le US President Barack Obama The goal is to limit global require faster emission cuts that days ahead of the deadline for warming: deadly drought, floods Bourget on the northern outskirts joined leaders from more than warming to under two degrees is opposed notably by oil-produc- a UN deal. and storms, and rising seas that of Paris. 150 nations in Paris at the con- Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ing Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Laurent will engulf islands and densely Still, there is optimism among ference venue on November 30 compared with pre-Industrial China is the world’s biggest Fabius said the document populated coastlines. negotiators that there will be in an effort to give the start of Revolution levels. emitter of greenhouse gases, pri- revealed “emerging compromises” Ministers gathered in Paris no repeat of a spectacular fail- the diplomatic process a sense of One of the biggest potential marily because of its reliance on on the way to a historic agree- on Monday with an ambitious ure six years ago in Copenhagen, urgency. deal-busters is money. coal to provide cheap energy for ment to rein in heat-trapping end-of-week deadline imposed the last time a global accord was But campaigning groups say Rich countries promised in its 1.3 billion people as they go greenhouse gas emissions that by France to resolve complex attempted. they are growing increasingly Copenhagen to muster $100bn a through a remarkable economic warm the planet. disputes that have blocked the “Though we have some tough concerned that world powers, in year from 2020 to help developing transformation. After a “long night” of talks, path to a universal climate pact issues in the next few days to their rush for an agreement, have nations make the costly shift to In a dramatic and timely exam- negotiators produced a 29-page for more than 20 years. resolve I am confident that we been compromising far too much clean energy, and to cope with the ple of the world’s fate if rampant draft for the pact, lopping 14 Nations remain divided over have the ability to do it,” US Sec- in Paris. impact of global warming. coal burning goes unchecked, pages off an earlier version and how to finance the costly effort retary of State John Kerry said “It looks like countries are But how the pledged funds will choking smog has descended on removing three-quarters of the by developing countries to cope on Tuesday. appearing to settle for what’s eas- be raised remains unclear — and the Chinese capital of Beijing and hundreds of points of disagree- with the catastrophic impact of Chinese climate negotiator Xie iest to agree to instead of what’s developing countries are pushing surrounding cities this week. ment, said Fabius, who is presid- global warming and what target Zhenhua expressed similar senti- right for their people and the for a promise that the amount A red alert, ordering factories ing over the Paris conference. to set for planetary overheat- ments. planet,” said Oxfam Australia’s will be ramped up in future. to close and recommending chil- “On several topics we are ing. “I believe we can find a compre- executive director Helen Szoke. Meanwhile, rich nations are dren stay at home, was raised in almost at the end of our efforts Faultlines also remain on how hensive, ambitious, legally bind- “Negotiators might be settling insisting that developing giants Beijing for the first time on Mon- thanks to the commitment of the to share the burden between rich ing agreement with no person for the lowest common denomina- work harder to tackle their green- day, followed by 27 other cities on parties,” Fabius told the confer- and poor nations, as well as how left behind. I’m fully confident,” tor in several critical areas.” house gases, noting that much of Tuesday. ence. to review and scale up efforts to Xie said. Taking effect in 2020, the Paris the world’s emissions come from AFP

Tributes from Cameron Merkel named 230,000 Britons sign Time’s Person of the Year NEW YORK: Time magazine petition to ban Trump yesterday named German Chan- cellor Angela Merkel as its “Per- son of the Year 2015,” hailing her Parliament debate, written govt response required leadership for navigating debt and refugee crises that threatened to LONDON: More than 230,000 ing on the government “to refuse Paris that are radicalised, where tear the European Union apart. people had signed yesterday a a visa allowing Donald Trump the police refuse to go. “We have “For asking more of her coun- petition to ban US presidential to visit the UK until Mr Trump places in London... that are so try than most politicians would hopeful Donald Trump from Brit- withdraws his comments”, say- radicalised that the police are dare, for standing firm against ain following his call to bar Mus- ing they were “extremely divisive afraid for their own lives.” tyranny as well as expedience lims from entering the United and will incite discrimination and A spokeswoman for London’s and for providing steadfast moral States. hatred”. Scotland Yard police headquar- leadership in a world where it is Having topped 100,000 signa- Finance minister George ters said: “It’s important to state Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron carries flowers during his visit in short supply, Angela Merkel is tures, the petition now has to be Osborne told parliament that to Londoners that Mr Trump to the Colectiv club in Bucharest, where a fire in late October killed 60 Time’s Person of the Year,” wrote considered for debate by parlia- Trump’s comments “fly in the face could not be more wrong”, add- people, in Romania, yesterday. editor Nancy Gibbs. ment and will require a written of the founding principle of the ing that all US presidential candi- Time described her as de facto government response. United States”. dates were welcome for a briefing leader of the European Union “The UK has banned entry to He said democratic debate was “on the reality of policing Lon- who this year steered the union many individuals for hate speech. “the best way to deal with Donald don”. through two existential crises The same principles should apply Trump and his views rather than London Mayor Boris Johnson Third attacker at Paris — Greek bankruptcy and the to everyone who wishes to enter trying to ban presidential candi- dismissed Trump’s comments as migrant crisis. the UK,” said the petition. dates”. “complete and utter nonsense” Throughout the eurozone crisis, The petition was part of a social Another MP, Tulip Siddiq, said while a spokesman for Prime when a battered continent looked media storm after Trump said Trump’s remarks were “danger- Minister David Cameron called Bataclan identified to Berlin, Merkel preached fiscal that radicalisation meant there ous”. “I would say to him you are the remarks “divisive, unhelpful discipline and kept a tight grip on parts of London where the police not welcome in our country in the and quite simply wrong”. PARIS: A 23-year-old man from spree, the worst of the November the nation’s purse strings, sooth- feared for their lives. same way that you want to ban More than 17,000 had signed the eastern French city of Stras- 13 Paris attacks. ing the angst of a thrifty populace. Tweeting under the ironic people like me going into your another petition, also launched by bourg has been identified as the Most of a group of six men But it was this summer that hashtag #trumpfacts, web users country,” she told BBC radio. Kelly, calling on the Robert Gor- third gunman involved in the from Strasbourg who went to the usually cautious leader took mocked the blustering tycoon. “I don’t think we need some- don University in the Scottish city attack at Paris’ Bataclan music Syria with Aggad were arrested the biggest gamble in her decade One tweet had a picture of one poisonous like Donald Trump of Aberdeen to strip Trump of an hall, police sources said yester- in the Meinau area of the city on in power by throwing open Ger- London’s telecom tower with the in our capital city,” the niece of honorary degree awarded in 2010. day. their return in May last year, but many’s doors to asylum seekers comment: “The world’s tallest Bangladeshi Prime Minister Kelly is one of many Aberdeen Foued Mohamed Aggad went Aggad stayed on, the source said. — owning an issue set to define minaret calls the whole nation to Sheikh Hasina said. residents and environmentalists to Syria with his brother and a Investigators believe two broth- her legacy. prayer in the UK”. Trump, the leading candidate opposed to Trump’s coastal golf group of friends at the end of ers, Mourad and Yassine Boudjel- Another carried an image of for the Republican presidential course and hotel development 2013, according to a source close lal, were killed there fighting with German cabinet Queen Elizabeth II wearing a nomination, called for a “total and outside the city, and a map of the to the investigation. the Islamic State in Iraq and the headscarf with the inscription: complete shutdown of Muslims government petition revealed a The two other attackers Levant (ISIL) before it restyled approves identity “Even the British monarch is now entering the United States until high number of signatories in the involved in the massacre of 90 itself as the Islamic State group. forced to wear a hijab”. our country’s representatives can local area. concertgoers — Omar Ismail When questioned on their The anti-Trump petition was figure out what is going on” fol- Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Mostefai, 29, and 28-year-old return, the men, aged between card for refugees posted late on Tuesday by Scot- lowing recent attacks that left Sturgeon said Trump’s remarks former Paris bus driver Samy 23 and 26, claimed they had been tish resident Suzanne Kelly, a 14 people dead in California and on Muslims were “obnoxious and Amimour — had also been in horrified by what they had wit- BERLIN: Germany’s cabinet long-time critic of the 69-year- killed 130 in Paris. offensive, and have rightly been Syria. nessed in Syria and started to agreed yesterday to introduce old. He later defended his com- condemned by people across the Two of the gunmen blew them- dribble back to France from Feb- an identity card for refugees as Six MPs have also signed a ments on US network MSNBC, political spectrum”. selves up with suicide belts packed ruary 2014. it tries to better control the wave House of Commons motion call- saying: “They have sections in AFP with explosives after the killing AFP of migrants arriving from Syria, Afghanistan and other trouble spots. Around one million refugees are expected to arrive in Germany this year and local authorities Defendant denies role in killing spree have struggled to cope with scale and pace of the influx. The cards will include informa- MUNICH: The main defendant los and Uwe Boehnhardt, who Zschaepe was an NSU member tion on refugees’ date and place in a German neo-Nazi terrorism shot dead eight men with Turk- and aided the crimes, also includ- of birth, nationality and gender, and murder trial denied yester- ish roots, a Greek migrant and ing two bomb attacks and 15 bank as well as a photo and details on day she was involved in a killing a German policewoman between robberies, by covering the men’s height and eye colour. Registra- spree targeting migrants that 2000 and 2007, before they died tracks, handling finances and tion centres will also take finger- claimed 10 lives and apologised in an apparent murder-suicide providing a safe retreat in their prints. to the bereaved families. in 2011. shared home. Beate Zschaepe, 40, breaking After the men’s deaths, Ger- But Zschaepe, who faces a max- Court suspends her silence after some 250 days many was shocked to discover imum sentence of life in jail, in a in the dock, described herself in that the killings — long blamed statement read out by one of her impeachment a statement as a passive, innocent by police and media on migrant lawyers insisted she was involved and horrified bystander to the crime gangs and dubbed the “neither in the planning nor the of Rousseff crimes of the self-styled National “doner (kebab) murders” — were execution” of any crimes, and that Hermann Borchert (left) and Mathias Grasel, lawyers for the main defendant Socialist Underground (NSU). in fact committed by a far-right she was “horrified” to learn about BRASILIA: Brazil’s Supreme Beate Zschaepe, in the courtroom of the higher regional court in Munich, Zschaepe for years lived in hid- cell with xenophobic motives. them afterwards. Court has suspended impeach- Germany, yesterday. ing with neo-Nazis Uwe Mund- Prosecutors charge that AFP ment proceedings against Presi- dent Dilma Rousseff until it can rule on the constitutional validity of the opposition bid to impeach her, a court official said yesterday. Justice Luiz Edson Fachin Venezuela president to veto amnesty law, reshuffle cabinet decided late on Tuesday to sus- pend the appointment of an impeachment committee and all CARACAS: Venezuelan Presi- the government would appoint 12 opposition’s 112 and losing control in 2014 that triggered violence and have to pay.” Venezuela’s its proceedings until the top court dent Nicolas Maduro announced new supreme court judges, among of the National Assembly for the leading to more than 40 deaths. opposition urged Maduro ear- can meet on Dec. 16 to decide on an imminent cabinet reshuffle other “tasks,” before December 31. first time since former President Maduro, though, was defiant lier on Tuesday to stop making the constitutional issue, the offi- after his ruling Socialist Party The new legislature, two-thirds Hugo Chavez took office in 1999. during a three-hour television excuses for his candidates’ defeat. cial said. Fachin’s decision tem- was crushed in legislative elec- of which will be made up of oppo- One of the opposition’s main appearance on Tuesday night. The worst economic crisis porarily stops the process begun tions, but he vowed to veto oppo- sition politicians, is set to begin aims in the new legislature is to “I will not accept any amnesty in the OPEC country’s recent last week by the speaker of the sition plans for an amnesty law work in January. secure the release of jailed poli- law, because they violated human history has Venezuelan staples lower house of Congress, Eduardo for jailed politicians. Venezuela’s government was ticians, most notably Leopoldo rights,” Maduro said. “They can including flour, milk, meat and Cunha, who took up an opposition Current National Assembly stunned by Sunday’s elections, Lopez who was imprisoned for send me a thousand laws but the beans running scarce. request. head Diosdado Cabello added that winning just 55 seats against the leading anti-government protests murderers have to be prosecuted REUTERS AGENCIES THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com FEATURES To be a true intellectual, we need books, not iPad

The 26th Doha International Book Fair is attracting many book-lovers from the region. Feyza Britain for damaging the image of Islam. We have to look at ourselves first, face Gumusluoglu spoke to Iskender Pala, a prominent Turkish Divan (Ottoman) poetry professor our own mistakes. The question is how we are representing Islam. For instance, and author of bestselling novels, about his inspirations and latest work. how many movies, or operas we have made on Islam as Muslims? During the Prophet’s time, “Masjid” (mosque) was a school, a How did your journey start? writer or poet. The key is working hard. person is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). meeting point, a workshop at the same When I was in secondary school, I had Yes, talent is important but it does not I would like him to embrace me when I time. Today people pray at specific times read a Turkish classic by Peyami Safa; take you anywhere if you do not develop meet him, being pleased with what I have and then leave. If you separate the mosque Dokuzuncu Hariciye Kogusu, it is a story it. Actually, Allah gives talent to only done. That is why I consider this book as from all of those, life and religion break of a sick boy. At that time I was sick, and hardworking people. If you think of the a gift for him. When we visit someone, apart from each other. But in reality, reli- I found myself in that book. It was the most talented people in the history, they we bring a gift. Shall we not give him a gion is a vital part of life. first book that had deeply impacted me. are indeed very hardworking. gift in the hereafter? This is my gift. That I came to realise that books are actually is why I like one copy of this book to be Are there a lot of similarities between comforting, a book can even be a cure As an author of over 40 books, you buried with me, symbolically. the Turkish and Arab literature? for an illness. Later on as I went to high should be working extremely hard Art was divine at the beginning. paint- school, I was already a young man who then? How did you overcome the chal- ing, sculpture, poetry, all arts were religion reads a lot. But the thing was, there were I work very hard. I publish a new book lenges you mentioned? oriented, both in the East and the West. It not many books at that time in Turkey. I each year. In order to do so, I work on a It is very hard to write a novel about had been fostered by church, or mosque. was reading whatever I had found. In the regular basis, from 8.30am to 18.30pm the Prophet. Because you need fiction In the modern era, art has become secu- year of 1973, the total number of books in my office. I spend at least 250 days of in a novel, but the life of the Prophet is lar in parallel with the states and people. published in Turkey was only 62. Today, a year without receiving any guest, only so straight and clear that leaves you no Poets or song writers now tend to write 620 books are published on a daily basis. reading and writing. My book comes out space for fiction. But I wanted to write about life, joy, excitement or love, instead in the first week of January each year. As his life as a novel. You need dialogue in of divine subjects. As a result, the Turkish When did you write your first book? I said, talent does not matter for being a novel, but how are you going to do it and Arab literature do not have a lot in After reading a lot by borrowing books a good writer, it is all about hard work. when it comes to the Prophet? Because common today. from public libraries, I attempted to write we know him saying “whoever attributes Iskender Pala my first ever long story, or a short novel, What is your latest book? something to me that I did not say, let Lastly, do you think Internet changes arrogantly, egotistically! Let me tell you It is a biography of the Prophet him take his place in Hell.” In order to prevent is to know and learn more about people’s reading habits? the title of the book and you understand Muhammad (PBUH), but in the form of overcome this challenge, I chose every our Prophet. He is our leader, our guide; I think books are still essential, indis- the rest: So Passed a Life. This was how I a novel. It was extremely challenging for word from the Hadith (narrations) when we learn and know him properly, pensable. But I also think internet is a named the book. I was only 17! me. I had read over 40 books on his life. carefully. I did not directly talk about we will start living a righteous life. When big garbage filled with information. At I did not read or write even one sentence the Prophet, but 40 people around him. we start living a righteous life, harm, ter- the university where I teach, I forbid my What was the story about? without performing ablution. Because it Talking about him is same as looking ror, violence will go away from us. There students from doing their home works by It was a tragic story of a young girl who is not about an ordinary person. When I directly at the sun; your eyes would be is nothing wrong in Islam, the problem using internet. People think finding infor- was kidnapped and forced to be a beggar. write a book based on a historical figure, dazzled if you do so. Through the lives of is with people. In order to have a better mation easily is the same as obtaining that I am glad I did not publish it that time! I always think that way: I will meet this those 40 people, I tried to write the story knowledge of Islam, we should learn more information. No, internet only makes it Apart from this book, I was writing down person one day, in the hereafter. Sultan of the Prophet. from our Prophet as Muslims. easy to reach information, not to obtain all the lyrics of songs that I hear of. I had Salim (Ottoman Sultan), or Yunus Emre it. Information on the internet is differ- lots of poetry notebooks by doing so. (Sufi poet) will be waiting for me. What was your main motivation for Do Muslims work hard enough to ent than information on a book. In order The question is how they will welcome writing this book? fight Islamophobia? to be a true intellectual, we need book in Is writing a natural gift or learned me. If I like to be warmly welcomed, We are living in hard times, as Islam Unfortunately Muslims are so weak in our hands, not iPad! skill? everything I write has to be accurate. has been associated with terrorism and promoting their religion. It will not take Talent is not enough for one to be a It becomes even more sensitive if this violence in the West. The only way to us anywhere to blame the US, France or THE PENINSULA

Sharq Village and Curry Pot opens at Asian Town Spa to celebrate Qatar’s heritage urry Pot, an Indian restaurant worked in hotels across GCC, the USA and providing traditional Indian and Italy, said the unique selling point of Curry on National Day CChinese cuisines, opened its first Pot is its Chef Jayesh Mohan. The chef has outlet at Asian Town on December 5. It a vast experience in preparing a variety of or Qatar National Day, is located inside Plaza Mall, near Grand cuisines for over 10 years. Jayesh has par- Sharq Village and Spa will Mall and Cinema 1, and has ample park- ticipated in TV shows on cookery contests Fjoin the festive celebra- ing space. and has won many awards. tions through weaving together The restaurant was inaugurated by its Curry Pot directors, who have expertise Arabian hospitality and unique Group Chairman Sheikh Abdulrehman in hospitality sector, said they plan to open culinary experiences to create an bin Ahmed Al Thani along with promi- more branches across Qatar. The restaurant authentic Qatari experience in nent members from the Indian community. offers both à la carte and buffet as well as the heart of Doha. Malayalam movie actress Srinda Arhaan catering services. It plans to start home and The luxury resort located on also attended the opening. office deliveries soon. Sheikh Abdulrehman bin Ahmed Al Thani, Group Chairman, cutting a ribbon to inaugurate the beachfront will be decorated Restaurant Manager Anil Jose, who has THE PENINSULA the Curry Pot restaurant at Asian Town. in the colours of the Qatari flag, bringing the spirit of the nation to life. Guests can look forward to experiencing true Qatari hospitality from the moment they arrive, greeted by the staff LG unveils V10 in Qatar of the hotel and an impressive fort display made of biscuits, as G Electronics (LG) took the wraps off its newest smart- well as a 10-metre sized Qatari phone featuring multimedia capabilities never before flag cake. Lseen in a mobile device. The first of its V Series phones, A cake cutting ceremony will the LG V10 was designed to provide a rich multimedia expe- take place at 6:30pm in the lobby rience — both consumption and creation — for today’s social of the hotel, where a Qatari folk- network savvy consumers. Distinctive new features such as lore band will entertain guests a Second Screen, Dual Front Cameras and Manual Video as they enjoy traditional Qatari Mode differentiate the LG V10 from the competition. All this snacks. Further showcasing the comes wrapped in a design that utilizes high-grade stainless heritage of the country, a falcon steel and a durable silicone skin to make the V10 one of the will be present, introducing the rare smartphones to pass drop tests for shock conducted by national bird to guests. In addi- an independent third party. tion to this, a henna artist will be As a special launch offer a HBS500 bluetooth headset is on hand to create unique, tradi- provided free with the V10. Additionally, the first 20 custom- tional henna designs for visitors, ers will also be getting a 200 GB memory card. The V10 is ensuring a memorable celebra- available for QR2,799. tion for local and international The LG V10 will be available in Qatar starting this month at visitors. all Jumbo Electronics showrooms, Spark Lifestyle Electronics Authentic Qatari dishes will and leading hypermarkets. Video Home & Electronic centre also be on offer at the hotels is the sole distributor of the entire range of LG products in Beat Cancer Boot renowned all-day dining restau- Qatar. rant, Al Liwan, through a festive Always pushing the boundaries of smartphone innovation, menu designed specifically for the LG is introducing a Second Screen as an inset display above standard 80 degree selfies or perfect wide angle selfies of Camp Qatar to be momentous occasion by Executive the main 5.7-inch QHD IPS Quantum Display on the V10. 120 degrees, without the need to pan the smartphone which Chef Hassan Abdallah. Working independently, the Second Screen can be set up as increases the likelihood of camera shake. For the wide angle held on Dec 12 Commenting on the festive cel- an “always on” display to enhance the V10’s productiveness shot, the V10 employs a sophisticated software algorithm ebrations, Wael Maatouk, General all without impacting battery life. Set the Second Screen to to combine images from the two separate lenses which are s part of Future 318’s Project Chain Manager of Sharq Village and display the weather, time, date and battery icon when the just far enough apart to provide two different points of view. Reaction Campaign, a Beat Cancer Boot Spa said: “Qatar National Day main display is off. The ability to take group selfies without a selfie-stick has ACamp will be held on December 12 at Dana is an important national com- With the main display on, the Second Screen can be set to never been easier. Multi-view Recording can capture differ- Gardens of Sharq Village & Spa. Beat Cancer Boot memoration of Qatar’s unification convert to a dedicated launching area for shortcuts or your ent angles utilizing all three cameras on the V10. Select and Camp or BC2 is a one day programme designed to and independence celebrated on favorite apps. What’s more, when you’re enjoying a movie or insert the version that looks best in your masterpiece. create awareness on the early detection and pre- December 18 every year. We are game on the V10, the Second Screen will notify you discreetly As the LG G4 did with photography, the LG V10 offers users vention of cancer. A variety of exercise activities proud to be a part of the com- without blocking your view when a call or text comes in. the ultimate in video capturing, editing and sharing. The V10 such as cardio and strength workout, team build- munity in Doha and National Day Ignoring the notification won’t distract you from your enjoy- is the first smartphone to offer manual mode for video. First ing and other exercise styles will be conducted provides the perfect platform for ment or you can pause whatever you’re doing to respond. introduced for still photographs on the G4, the technology has by professional trainers from Six Senses Spa at us to celebrate with our guests”. Wide angle images usually require a large, heavy lens which been enhanced to handle video recordings as well. Sharq Village & Spa . can distort the corners of photographs. The LG V10 features Some of the activities include Tyre Race, THE PENINSULA 5MP Dual Front Cameras with two separate lenses to capture THE PENINSULA Over-Under Infantry Race, Tunnel Rat, Run Race, Landmine Field and the finale challenge is the Treasure Hunt. Supported by Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co and Qatar Cancer Society as it community partner, the BC2 event aims to encourage people to do regular exercises. “Since we started Future 318 (Faisal Al Suwaidi for Events), we have been doing projects with a purpose. We want to be part of the solution we want to see in the world. We want to engage the people in various social and community issues through our events being organised for them,” says Conchita Ponce, Project Chairman for Beat Cancer Boot Camp. Other sponsors include SFQ Sports Academy, McDonald’s Qatar, Nehmeh and Sharq Village & Spa. THE PENINSULA

THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

Prayer Timings Weather Strong wind and high Fajr 04.47 am Zuhr 11.26 am Maghrib 04.46 pm Minimum: 15o C Maximum: 23o C seas to the east at Shorook 06.08 am Asr 02.25 pm Isha 06.16 pm HIGH TIDE 04:45 - 15:15LOW TIDE 11:15 - 21:45 first.

Music streaming Dubai film festival New York begins probe on search engine to shut down Springsteen ticket brokers NEW YORK: Aurous, an upstart music site that described itself as a search engine for the growing NEW YORK: New York has field of streaming, agreed to shut started a crackdown on specula- down after copyright suits from tors who charge exorbitant sums major labels. Aurous, launched in for concerts after Bruce Springs- October by 20-year-old Miami- teen tickets were touted for thou- based coder Andrew Sampson, sands of dollars before they even allows users to search for music went on sale. across all available online platforms In letters to three major ticket and then click on links to listen. resale websites, New York state Sampson had described Aur- Attorney General Eric Schnei- ous as a sort of search engine that derman’s office asked for the could become a one-stop site for removal of so-called speculative music fans, who could also import tickets put up by sellers who do playlists from other platforms. not — at least yet — have them But a court temporarily in hand. stopped the site within days of Tickets go on sale on Friday for its launch after a joint lawsuit a nine-week North American tour by the major record labels, which French actress Catherine Deneuve addresses the audience after receiving by Springsteen and his E Street said that Aurous offered access to a Life Achievement award from the United Arab Emirates’ Sheikh Mansoor Band in which the rocker, leg- pirated material. bin Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum (centre) at the opening ceremony endary for his stamina, plans to AFP of the annual Dubai International Film Festival, yesterday. play his classic 1980 album The River in its entirety along with other hits. Schneiderman voiced alarm Singer Bruce Springsteen performs in Times Square in New York. that resale sites were already Fossils unearthed in 1909 of ‘white whale’ offering tickets for Springsteen’s speculators. Spokespeople for rapidly in recent years as concert two shows at New York’s Madi- the three companies — StubHub, venues increasingly find it pref- WASHINGTON: Scientists yes- honor Melville’s infamous whale,” primarily on other marine mam- son Square Garden at more than TicketNetwork and Vivid Seats erable to work with transparent, terday said fossils unearthed in said researcher Alex Boersma of mals such as smaller whales and $5,000 — dozens of times more — yesterday said that the resale regulated services rather than 1909 in Santa Barbara, California, the Smithsonian Institution’s seals,” Boersma said. “I wouldn’t than the expected list prices. sites were reviewing the letter leave the trade to shady street that had been wrongly catego- Museum of Natural History in have wanted to be a seal in the “Too often, unscrupulous spec- without commenting on specula- scalpers. But speculative tickets rised for decades as belonging to Washington. Albicetus (pro- Miocene oceans,” added Nicholas ulators leave music fans holding tive tickets. have repeatedly caused angst for a group of extinct walruses were nounced al-bee-SEE-tus) was Pyenson, the museum’s curator the bag with bad tickets or no StubHub said it guaranteed artists and fans. the remains of a fearsome sperm around 20 feet long (6 meters) of fossil marine mammals. tickets at all,” Schneiderman said that every ticket sold on the site Prince last month abruptly whale that swam the Pacific and likely weighed about 5 tonnes. This feeding style is uncommon Tuesday. was valid for the desired seat and postponed ticket sales for a tour Ocean 15 million years ago dur- It was a distant relative to among modern whales, limited “We may be in the glory days would arrive on time. of Europe after spotting high- ing the Miocene Epoch. today’s sperm whales but smaller: to killer whales. Modern sperm of music, but many fans feel stuck “If any of these things do not priced speculative attacks. He They named it Albicetus, modern ones reach 60 feet (18 whales feed mainly on squid. in the badlands when scheming occur, we will find comparable later called off the tour following meaning “white whale,” a ref- meters). Its large conical teeth “It was evident to us at first sellers are able to jack up prices or better tickets to the event, the deadly attack on the Bataclan erence to the leviathan in Her- and its jaws were much more look that it was different from for concert tickets they don’t or provide a refund,” it said in a concert hall in Paris. man Melville’s classic 1851 novel robustly built than today’s sperm any other fossil sperm whale we even own,” he said, quoting two statement. Known for challenging music “Moby-Dick,” centering on Cap- whales, indicating Albicetus was had seen, which meant that it of Springsteen’s songs. TicketNetwork described itself industry conventions, Prince has tain Ahab’s obsession with a huge more vicious. may hold the key to important Schneiderman did not explicitly as a “secure online marketplace” fought speculators in part by white sperm whale. “Because the “The presence of large upper tidbits about the evolution of threaten legal action but asked and said it offered 200 percent announcing concerts only hours fossil specimen is a pale white and lower teeth suggests that sperm whales,” Boersma said. the resale sites to offer full expla- back on any illegitimate ticket. before taking the stage. color, and an ancient sperm Albicetus was likely hyper-car- nations of policies toward ticket Ticket resale sites have grown AFP whale, it seemed appropriate to nivorous, meaning that it fed REUTERS Thursday 10 December 2015 28 Safar 1437 Volume 20 Number 6640 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Budget to be based on conservative oil prices New budget will be announced soon: Finance Minister By Sachin Kumar The Minister said that in spite legislative development. of global pressures, Qatar will The Minister added the DOHA: Qatar will use a more achieve good financial growth in new tender and auction law conservative oil price to base its the next phase, due to the on- No.24/2015 will have significant upcoming budget than the pre- going implementation of major role in implementing the prin- viously-used $65 a barrel, due to projects in the field of health, ciple of openness, equity, equal fall in oil prices, said the Minis- education, infrastructure and in chances, freedom of competition ter of Finance H E Ali Sherif Al preparation for the 2022 FIFA and transparency. The new law Emadi yesterday. World Cup. enhances competitiveness in small Delivering a keynote address Qatar will maintain its healthy and medium projects where the at The Euromoney Qatar Con- economic growth rate despite the law exempted small and medium ference, the minister said budget decline in oil prices. The total companies from some financial for new fiscal is getting its final value of major projects in devel- obligations. Tenders and auctions touches and will be announced opment in Qatar is QR261bn and will be announced through differ- soon, as it has been sent to the it does not include projects for the ent media. cabinet and the advisory council oil and gas and private sectors . Over 600 finance and bank- for approval. The country is witnessing ing professionals are taking part He added that the 2016 budget important economic develop- in the two-day conference where will focus on providing required ment as oil and gas production experts are discussing issues on fund allocation for key projects have reached stable levels. The finance and economy. Euromoney in health, education, infrastruc- economic development in current Conference is the leading organiser ture and transportation sectors. period will depend on non oil sec- of financial events in both devel- Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani (third left), Qatar Central It is going to increase efficiency tor. The growth in non oil and gas oped and developing markets for Bank Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani (second left), Minister of Finance H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi in operating expenditure with- sector is likely to be 10 percent in cross-border investment and capi- (fourth left), Minister of Information and Communication Technology H E Dr Hessa Sultan Al Jaber (right), International out affecting the quality of public the coming years, he said. Qatar tal markets. Finance Corporation Vice-President Dimitris Tsitsiragos (left) and Former MI6 chief Sir John Scarlett (second right) services. is undergoing of comprehensive THE PENINSULA at the opening of the Euromoney Conference 2015 in Doha yesterday. SALIM MATRAMKOT Lifestyle chain Qatari economy to remain Qatar to publish margin dumps Trump trading rules in next few products resilient in 2016: Moody’s DUBAI: US presidential candi- DOHA: While lower oil prices days: Rashid Al Mansoori date Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim will negatively affect Qatar’s gov- comments cost him business in ernment revenues, large financial DOHA: Qatar Exchange will the Middle East yesterday, with a assets provide a sizeable buffer, publish rules approving margin major chain of department stores says Moody’s Investors Service trading in the next few days, its halting sales of his glitzy “Trump in report “Government of Qatar”, chief executive said yesterday, a Home” line of lamps, mirrors and published yesterday. tool intended to deepen liquidity jewellery boxes. Although it is unlikely that on the bourse. The real estate mogul and real- Qatar will be able to replicate Margin trading involves inves- ity TV star now makes most of his the strong growth performance tors borrowing money from a bro- money from licensing his name on of 2004-2011, Moody’s forecasts ker to purchase stock. golf courses, luxury developments that average real GDP growth “Margin trading will increase and retail goods, rather than own- will remain robust at around 5 liquidity. It’s very important for 77.67 points, or 0.77 percent when ing buildings. percent until 2017. This will be investors as they’ve been asking it closed at 10,018.84 points yester- On Monday, Trump, who leads driven by growth in the non- for it for some time,” Rashid Al day. The index traded 8.2 million opinion polls in the race to be the hydrocarbon sector and the Bar- Mansoori (pictured) said in an shares yesterday. By comparison, Republican nominee for president zan gas project coming on stream, interview on the sidelines of a markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in an election in November next following which hydrocarbon out- financial conference. “We received which are also constituents of the year, called for a ban on Muslims put will likely flatten. approval from the regulator for MSCI Emerging Markets index, entering the United States, in “Despite the oil price shock, margin trading and will publish traded 187.9 million and 69.8 mil- comments widely repudiated by real GDP growth in Qatar will it [the rules] on the website this lion shares respectively. other US politicians. likely remain relatively strong at fairly high levels.” The rating casts that the government’s fiscal week or next.” It was unclear if Mansoori also said he expected Trump Home products, like a over the next two years. The agency expects lower oil prices in surplus will decline to 6.4 percent margin trading would be allowed two initial public offerings on the “table lamp in antique brass with government’s fiscal buffers and 2015 and 2016 to impact govern- of GDP in 2015, from 16.7 percent straight away or in the future. Qatar bourse in 2016. This follows crystal drops” and a decorative sizeable assets will sustain pub- ment finances and real growth in 2014 and will turn into a small Regulated margin trading has a barren period for the exchange, box with a “brilliant plume of lic investment, which in turn with a lag. This is because LNG deficit of 2.4 percent of GDP in been allowed in United Arab which has seen one listing since a peacock... redecorated in gold will support non-hydrocarbon projects are typically secured with 2016. Emirates since 2012 and Oman 2010. His comments follow on finish for an exclusive look”, have growth,” said Steffen Dyck, a VP- long-term sale and purchase con- Qatar’s debt-to-GDP ratio, since 2013, although Gulf states from Qatar First Bank saying on been on sale at Lifestyle depart- senior analyst at Moody’s. tracts, assuring a degree of pro- projected to reach about 35 per- have been reluctant to introduce Dec ember 6 it planned to list its ment stores in the United Arab “However, we expect low oil tection against the volatility in cent in 2016, is higher than the such products because of the risk shares on the Qatar exchange as Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia prices to lower the government’s spot and short-term markets. median for similarly-rated peers, that retail investors — who domi- early as the first quarter of 2016. and Qatar. But the chain’s par- revenue streams. Qatar Petro- Based on its Brent crude oil although it is significantly lower nate trading — will build up signif- Mansoori said there was one ent firm Landmark, one of the leum’s profits, which accounted price projections of an average than for the UK and France, and icant positions using loaned cash other bank that would also launch region’s biggest retail groups with for 33 percent of total govern- $55 per barrel in 2015 and $53 in at comparable levels to China and and then struggle to cover them a share sale in 2016, but he declined 190 stores in the Middle East, ment revenues in 2014, will likely 2016, and assumptions regarding Korea. when the market turns negative. to name it. Africa and Pakistan, said it was decline, although they will remain spending growth, Moody’s fore- THE PENINSULA Qatar Exchange index dropped REUTERS pulling all Trump merchandise off its shelves. “In light of the recent state- ments made by the presidential candidate in the US media, we have suspended sale of all prod- ucts from the Trump Home décor Qatar Airways unveils new global brand campaign range,” CEO Sachin Mundhwa said in an emailed statement. The DOHA: Qatar Airways yesterday launched recognise that travel itself has changed; Salam Al Shawa, Qatar Airways Sen- the friendly and helpful cabin crew who group did not give any details on its new global brand campaign and tagline it has become a process of enrichment, of ior Vice-President of Marketing and Cor- are hand-picked for their natural ability the value of the contract. — Going Places Together — at a press con- self-discovery, of life-changing moments porate Communications, said, “Our new to make personal connections with every Although there were no other ference in New York. This is a new and and fulfilling ambitions. We hope that our Going Places Together campaign captures passenger they meet. immediate announcements of fresh direction for the airline, which has new campaign will inspire more people the essence of our brand, which is all about The new campaign debuted in Doha business partners breaking with developed a messaging strategy to reflect to embark on their own personal journey, inclusiveness and bringing people together yesterday with print adverts appearing in Trump so far, others made clear its evolution as a brand and its role as a exploring new places and opportunities, for a better future. It also reflects our aims the airline’s home country newspapers, a they were uneasy using his brand leader in the airline industry. together with their friends, family or col- for the future, the ambition we have for sneak peek on its Arabic social media chan- name in the Middle East, where The campaign plays on the theme of leagues.” our airline is the same ambition our pas- nels, and new brand outdoor advertising he has been actively expanding his achieving great things together whether The new campaign captures the essence sengers have for their own lives. We intend on its headquarters building. During the footprint in recent years. In its big- for work, for family or for adventure, and of the Qatar Airways brand, which is all to achieve great things, and we want to be press conference in New York, the airline gest regional partnership to date, encourages passengers to take journeys about inclusiveness and bringing people part of your journey as well.” revealed the new Going Places Together his Trump Organisation is working that will help them achieve their dreams together. One of the fastest growing air- At the heart of the campaign is the con- television and print campaigns, which were with Dubai-based real estate giant and ambitions. lines operating one of the youngest fleets cept of the airline connecting people both very well received by the international DAMAC Properties to build two “Today’s brand launch highlights a new in the world, Qatar Airways has adopted physically and emotionally with any of the media. The new ads went live after the golf clubs — including one with a era in our airline’s journey,” said Qatar the emotive and modern brand campaign 153 places on its global network on board reveal, appearing on platforms such Times course designed by Tiger Woods Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al to reflect its core values as a contempo- one of its 173 state-of-the-art aircraft. The Square Billboards, New York Times, Finan- — and a gated island community Baker. “Whilst it’s true that we are tak- rary and innovative company that is really theme of connectivity extends to the warm cial Times, CNN, Qatar TV, Gulf Times outside the city. ing more people on more aircraft to more going places and wants nothing more than welcome every passenger receives when and more. REUTERS destinations as we continue to grow, we also to inspire its passengers to do the same. they board a Qatar Airways flight from THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS QNB leads in QBA explores contactless payments Tunisian ventures services DOHA: QNB is leading in the Two MoUs signed at the event contactless payment services since its launch in 2012. The new DOHA: Qatari Businessmen Association MoU was signed between the QBA and the service offers customers a Tap (QBA) has expressed its willingness to confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enter- & Pay solution powered by Near discuss potential opportunities with the prises where Sheikh Dr Khalid signed as Field Communication (NFC) Tunisian companies and to create joint QBA representative and Monya Al Saeedy technology. ventures both in Tunisia and in Qatar as signed on behalf of the confederation. The NFC sticker payment long as it is of common interests to both. The second MoU was signed between service allows customers to make Addressing an event held in connection Qatar Chamber and the Chamber of Com- transactions that are less than with a private dinner hosted in honor of merce and Industry in Tunisia. Mohamed QR100 by simply tapping it. The the Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid bin Ahmed bin Tawar Al Kuwari signed as new technology gives customers and his accompanying delegation. the chamber Vice-Chairman and Mounir the convenience of paying without Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, Al Moakher, as the chairman of the cham- having to pull out a card, memo- QBA Second Deputy Chairman, noted the ber of Commerce and Industry in Tunisia. rising a PIN code or fumbling for economic boom that Qatar witnessed has The Tunisian delegation included Reda Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid (left) with Sheikh Dr Khalid (right) and Hussein Al Fardan cash. The innovative technology led the companies and the business insti- Al Ahwal, Minister of Commerce, Tohamy at the event. shares the same level of protec- tutions to a level of maturity which ena- Al Abdouly, Assistant Secretary for Foreign tion and security as a regular chip bled them to compete beyond the local and Affairs, Amal Ashour Al Nafty, Assistant and PIN transaction. regional markets. Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, Soliman Al Haider, Dr Hussein Al Abdul- projected to touch QR3bn soon. Customers can apply to get an Hussein Al Fardan, QBA First Deputy Water Resources and Fisheries; Salah Al lah, Salah Al Jaidah, Saoud Al Mana, Nabil Qatar is the second largest Arab inves- NFC sticker from QNB’s card Chairman, praised the economic relations Salhi, Tunisian Ambassador to Qatar and Abu Issa, MaqboolKhalfan, Abdulbasit Al tor in Tunisia where the country’s exports centre located in West Bay. The between the two countries and stressed the Abdullah bin Nasser Al Hamidi, Qatari Shebi, Ali Al Ebaidley; and Sarah Abdullah to Tunisia amounted to $22.2m during the sticker can be applied to your need for strengthening trade cooperation Ambassador to Tunisia. attended the event. first ten months of this year. smartphone, card, key chain or between the two countries. Shareeda Al Kaaby, Sheikh Ali bin Currently, Qatar’s investments in Tuni- any other object. NFC technology Two MoUs were signed at the event. One Abdullah bin Thani, Khalid Mannai, Nasser sia is estimated at more than QR2bn and THE PENINSULA works by establishing radio com- munication with between the Point of Sale (PoS) and the sticker card when they touch or are into very- close proximity with one another. QNB is always looking to deliver innovative premium prod- Qatar Airways strengthens relationship with CNN ucts and services while reward- ing their customers. QNB has DOHA: Qatar Airways is extending its that descends on a vibrant city to experi- is a complementary pairing of premium person, cultured and learned traveller we recently been ‘Best Transaction commercial relationship with CNN Inter- ence a perfect day’s down time. brands for travellers. The travel experience have a destination network that includes a Bank in Middle East and Africa’ national by embarking on an exclusive From morning until after hours, host offered by Qatar Airways spans diverse wide array of cities to discover, hold confer- by The Asian Banker, ‘The Best international sponsorship campaign of James Williams will every month bring destinations across six continents with one ences in or just relax. With CNN’s travel Bank in the Middle East 2015’ and the network’s new monthly travel series, viewers unique and exclusive experiences of the youngest fleets in the skies. programme ‘in 24 hours’ we feel aligned ‘The Best Bank in Qatar 2015’ by ‘In 24 Hours’. from one of the world’s greatest cities. Rani R Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, with the underlying sentiment, which is the renowned Euromoney. The campaign, launching today, builds on CNN’s audience will get a personal tour of CNN International, said: “The combination to discover, grow and explore. We are all QNB Group’s presence through the long-standing relationship between the each location, finding out what a city has of a smart commercial proposition for a about soaring to new heights and globally its subsidiaries and associate com- two companies which dates back to Qatar to offer beyond the pages of travel guides. strong brand such as Qatar Airways, with connecting the world to the people, and panies extends to more than 27 Airways spot advertising first running on The integrated campaign means that compelling content will engage with rele- people to the world.” countries across three continents CNN International in 2003, and subsequent Qatar Airways is benefitting from the vant audiences across all CNN’s platforms.” Salam Al Shawa, Qatar Airways’ Senior providing a comprehensive range sponsorships such as CNN Weather and an scale of CNN’s TV and digital audiences. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways’ Chief Vice-President of Marketing and Corpo- of advanced products and serv- aviation theme week. The Ipsos Affluent Survey 2014 shows that Executive Officer, said: “With the advent rate Communications, said: “The Qatar ices. The total number of employ- The new integrated multi-media Qatar CNN reaches 69 percent of frequent inter- of the airline’s brand re-launch, we take Airways’ new brand campaign encapsu- ees is more than 15,000 in 635 Airways campaign spans spot advertising, national travellers across TV or Digital the conversation to an entirely different lates the journey and the mesmerising, eye- locations, with an ATM network digital and programme sponsorship. The platforms each month in the EMEA region. level, sharing with our passengers the opening moments that travelling brings of more than 1,350 machines. focal point of the campaign is the TV and The global reach of the CNN network importance of the journey and discovering along with it.” digital sponsorship of ‘In 24 Hours’, a show and the partnership with Qatar Airways new places and moments. For the business THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Yahoo plans ‘reverse spin-off,’ instead of selling Alibaba stake

WASHINGTON: Yahoo said it envisioned to be tax-free but US The company has been seeking would seek a “reverse spin-off” officials said they could not guar- to revive its fortunes under chief that would separate the Internet antee this in advance. executive Marissa Mayer but the company’s core operations from The new plan would trans- core operations are seen as having its holdings in China’s online fer Yahoo’s assets and liabilities little or no value. giant Alibaba. other than the Alibaba stake to a Yahoo’s market value based The Internet pioneer said the newly formed company, the stock on its share price is more than move would create two separately of which would be distributed to $32bn, but most of that is based publicly traded companies includ- Yahoo shareholders. on the value of its Alibaba hold- ing one with the Yahoo core which It was not immediately clear ings. The core business includes has been struggling. Yahoo said what the deal would mean for the company’s Internet search it was suspending its previous the core Yahoo operations. Ana- component and a range of online plan to create a new entity that lysts believe that Yahoo would advertising and digital media would hold its multibillion-dollar need to vastly scale back some operations. stake in Alibaba. That deal was operations or sell the company. AFP

QIB wins Bank of The Year award

DOHA: Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), Qatar’s leading Islamic Bank, has been recognised for the first time as the “Bank of The Year -Qatar 2015” by The Banker magazine — the World’s longest running international banking title and the leading monthly title of the Financial Times Group, as part of their Bank of the Year Awards 2015. The selection process was based, among other factors, on an institution’s progress in the preceding year, and reflects QIB’s outstanding growth and develop- ment. The award ceremony was held in London on December 2 Bassel Gamal, QIB’s Group CEO, with the Banker award. and the award was presented to Bassel Gamal, QIB’s Group Chief senting a growth of 30 percent in the wide range of initiatives Executive Officer. compared to December 2014. This which the bank undertook during During the first nine months outstanding overall growth, along this period. This awards recogni- ending September 30, 2015, QIB with its many technological, com- tion, by the world’s longest running net profit amounted to QR1.4bn munity- and customer-oriented international banking title, is tes- representing a growth of 24.8 per- initiatives, was a key factor in the tament to the strong management, cent over the same period of 2014. Bank’s success at The Banker - sound business model and strategy Total assets have also increased Bank of the year Awards 2015. of QIB,” he said. by 28 percent compared to In a letter to QIB management, Bassel Gamal said: “This award December 2014 and now stands FT Financial publisher said: “The is a reflection of the significant at QR123bn driven by a contin- aim of the awards programme is to progress that QIB consistently ued growth in the core financing reward and promote industry wide made throughout the past few and investing activities. Financing excellence in the global banking years. Over the past year, we have activities now stand at QR82bn community.” outperformed the market both in having increased by QR22bn rep- “The Banker’s judging panel felt terms of balance sheet and profita- resenting 38 percent increase that QIB made the most progress bility growth delivering strong and compared to December 2014. over the 12 months; something sustainable results to our share- Customer deposits have grown by which is not only in terms of the holders.” QR20bn to reach QR87bn repre- bank’s strong financials, but also THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19

Stable Qatar to attract investments Infrastructure and legal enhancements continue to attract more firms By Sachin Kumar

DOHA: Despite decline in oil prices, Qatar has a stable economy and the country would continue to attract foreign companies, Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Finan- cial Centre, said yesterday. Minister of Information and Communications Technology H E Dr Hessa “Amid the ongoing instability Sultan Al Jaber at the conference. in the region, Qatar is a stable country and the businesses want stability and market,” he said in a Broadband investments keynote interview at The Eurom- oney Qatar Conference. He said that regulatory frame- work in Qatar is being done. exceed $500m “The regulators in Qatar had FROM LEFT: Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida, Dimitris Tsitsiragos and Dr R Seetharaman at the conference. By Sachin Kumar announced a single regulator in tions that could transform whole 2013. The banking sector, insur- sectors, including the financial ance sector and asset manage- offshore. “We have allowed firms erbated by the increased flow of economic growth in the world, is DOHA: Minister of Informa- sector. Qatar is reviewing the ment sectors are being looked at to integrate with local economy migrants and internally-displaced slowing down after witnessing tion and Communications Tech- potential of mobile payment by all the regulators. There is a lot and contribute to local economy,” people. Tsitsiragos highlighted the growth of around 9-10 percent nology H E Dr Hessa Sultan Al capabilities, online banking serv- of work there to achieve in regula- he added. key role of the private sector, and for a decade. Economies of Rus- Jaber said yesterday that Qatar’s ices and crowd-funding models to tors ambition in terms of a single Speaking on some of the global in public-private partnership in sia and Brazil are also in stress. investment in building broadband support economic growth,” said regulator. We are assisting a lot challenges constraining growth, ensuring these needs are met now He added that compared to has exceeded $500m and work is Dr Hessa Al Jaber. in those regulations,” he added. Dimitris Tsitsiragos, Vice-Pres- and in the future. other economies fundamentals of underway for four smart cities. She said that Qatar is fully He said a lot of infrastructure ident of International Finance Dr R Seetharaman, Group Qatar’s economy is very strong. Speaking at The Euromoney aware of the importance of an and legal enhancement will con- Corporation, looked at the Chief Executive Officer, Doha Ongoing efforts of diversification Qatar Conference, she highlighted advanced communications tech- tinue to attract firms to Qatari requirements for infrastructure Bank presented overview of glo- by the government will further the coordinated strategy Qatar nology sector in view of the role market which will contribute in development. “With some 1.2 bil- bal economic scenario. He said help Qatari economy to grow. is undertaking to provide robust assigned to this sector in build- the development of private sector. lion people in the world lacking the signs of economic recovery He said that advance economies technological foundations, and ing the knowledge economy and It will contribute to the diversifi- access to stable power, and 2 bil- in the United States are still not are reshaping fiscal consolidations outlined the measures being taken improve the quality of life of all cation efforts in the country. lion people expected to move to clearly visible and the world’s big- central banks around the globe to ensure that Information Com- residents. Qatar has made great Speaking about the evolution of urban areas in the next 25 years, gest economy has yet not achieved are trying to reset fiscal focus. munications Technology (ICT) strides in the development of dig- QFC in the past years, he said the shortfalls in infrastructure is sustainable growth momentum. World leaders are talking in plays a key role in the develop- ital potential for the development centre and its team has achieved likely to directly impact economic The world will come to know by UN Paris Climate Conference to ment of Qatar’s knowledge-based of supporting industries to diver- a lot in the past ten years and has growth,” said Tsitsiragos. next week if the Federal Reserve achieve the goal of carbon neu- economy. sify sources of national income, learned many things. In the Mena region, there is will raise rates or not. He said tral world. Other speakers said “We are studying the inter- she said. He said QFC, set up in 2005, an estimated 20 percent short- major economies around the globe Qatar will be less dependent on sections between technology and She added that the contribu- was set as a onshore centre, fall in power generation capacity are showing signs of slowdown. oil and gas sector going forward industry to identify where the tion of telecom and IT sectors has unlike other financial centres in and parallel shortfalls in water, Europe in deviating from US as because of the ongoing diversifica- greatest opportunities for digital doubled during 2010-2013 period. the region. Other financial cen- hospitals, schools and housing — it is continuing its bond buying tion efforts. transformation lie. This includes tres in the region were created issues that are likely to be exac- programme. China, the engine of THE PENINSULA looking at disruptive innova- THE PENINSULA

FROM LEFT: Richard Banks, Consulting Editor, Euromoney Conferences; Ziad Daoud, Michael Greenwald and Milo Jones, Visiting Professor, IE Business School. SALIM MATRAMKOT Experts differ on 2016 global economic outlook By Satish Kanady “Emerging Markets will be ment of the Treasury said he was the drivers of future growth. Yes, optimistic about the US’ contin- DOHA: A variety of narrative the year 2015 witnessed a slow- ued growth. “We are in a very emerged from a panel discus- down in the emerging markets, healthy situation now in the US. sion on the outlook for the global because of China slowdown. But The November figures show we economy for 2016, with experts these markets are expected to added 21,000 jobs in the month. suggesting positive projections grow faster. The nearly 50 per- The hiring is increasing. There is for the US economy being offset cent fall in energy prices will def- a lot of confidence in US economy by more troubling economic fore- initely spur the region’s growth now and we believe the trend will casts for other parts of the world. going forward,” said Ziad Daoud, continue. There are more positive While economists are forecast- Acting head of Economics, Qatar signals that growth is improv- ing approximately 3.0 percent National Bank (QNB). ing. The market continues to see growth in global real GDP in 2016, QNB is very positive on Qatar. growth. We see a lot of positive the benefits will not be felt equally, The country is staying strong and trends in the US”. with Brazil, Canada, Japan, and its future growth will be driven Michael said US is a welcome Russia all facing downward revi- by non-hydrocarbon sector. We destinations for infrastructure sions, and significant concerns have the largest infrastructure investment and real estate. Of emerging about the health of the investment in the pipeline. In the late, it is attracting significant Chinese economy, they said. run up to the FIFA 2022, Qatar amount of Sovereign Wealth For the GCC states, positive is committed to spend $250bn. As Fund(SWF) investment, espe- growth projections are being long as the country maintains the cially in real estate and infra- clouded by the on-going plunge of momentum in its infrastructure structure. You will see the trend the oil market, with prices falling investment, the growth will not continuing. Qatar’s SWF is con- to a seven-year low in December be a problem, he said. tinuously making investments in 2015, following Opec’s decision not Michael Greenwald, United US for good reasons. to constrain production despite States Treasury Attache to global oversupply. Qatar and Kuwait, US Depart- THE PENINSULA THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS VIEWS China needs layoffs as The smartest people much as it does new jobs

By Michael Schuman

CONOMISTS, investors and central bankers around the are really bad investors globe breathlessly awaited last Friday’s US jobs numbers, By Noah Smith knowing the figures will likely determine when and by company called Alpha Simplex Group, but its ter scientist and biologist David Shaw, who Ehow much the Fed decides to raise interest rates. The performance was underwhelming. founded the hedge fund DE Shaw & Co. and world’s second-largest economy can only dream of such excitement. N 1996, Jay Ritter, a finance professor at This phenomenon is not new. Irving Fisher, also became a billionaire. Both of these firms, Officially, the unemployment rate in China’s cities has hovered the University of Florida’s Warrington a macroeconomist whose theories about and many others, hire scholars to design and around 4 percent for years. Even the slowest growth in a quarter College of Business, published a rueful monetary policy and inflation are still hugely carry out their strategies. century hasn’t disrupted this remarkable tranquility. Supposedly, essay in the journal Financial Manage- influential, made a killing when he invented Perhaps those who most successfully make more than 10 million jobs were created in the first three quarters ment, recounting a story of how he lost the rolodex. But he lost his fortune in the the transition from academia to finance of 2015, topping the government’s target for the whole year. Imoney in the markets. It started with a vic- stock market crash of 1929, after making the come from fields like math, applied math, A burgeoning services sector accounts for at least part of the tory: Thinking he had detected a pattern famous, tragic statement that stock prices and computer science, rather than from eco- healthy job growth. China’s statistics may also be understating the in the futures market, he and some other had reached a “permanently high plateau.” nomics and finance. level of joblessness, just as they likely overstate growth. But the professors bet some money on it and won. These are some of the top finance and eco- Economics is a theory-centric field. Until truth is China would be better off with even higher unemployment. Encouraged, they doubled down, only nomics professors in history. Their deep and the last decade or so, theory dominated the That may sound ridiculous. In a January report, HSBC econo- to find that the pattern had disappeared. penetrating research has revolutionised the literature and empirics took a back seat. In mists figured that China must create 14 million new, urban jobs Eventually, Ritter learned that the legen- world of academic finance. To call them bril- the world of engineering and practical appli- each year to keep the labor market stable. At the same time, one dary Fischer Black of Goldman Sachs had liant would be an understatement. So why cation, that is a recipe for trouble. of the biggest problems facing the Chinese economy right now figured out what he and others like him were have they stumbled in the private sector? Theories that have not been rigorously is massive excess capacity in steel, cement, metals and other doing and had traded against him, thus tak- And why do relatively few of their academic tested against data may get papers pub- industries built up during the country’s go-go years. Now that ing his money. colleagues launch their own funds? lished and may win Nobel prizes, but they investment has tapered off, more and more of those mills and Ritter is far from alone. His funny little One possibility is that the kind of think- will not necessarily work when you try to factories are effectively redundant. joke on finance professors has found ech- ing that works for research is not suited to apply them. Suspiciously low unemployment numbers reflect the fact that oes in much bigger arenas, for much bigger the business world. The private sector is That is doubly true in the financial mar- factories aren’t closing or downsizing — and thus laying off work- stakes. Myron Scholes — who won a Nobel fast-paced; academic research is slow and kets, where there are few permanent prin- ers — fast enough. Laura Zhai, a director at rating agency Fitch Prize in 1997 — helped found the hedge fund deep. Businesses rely heavily on teamwork; ciples. Asset prices move not according to in Hong Kong, estimates that China needs to eliminate at least Long-Term Capital Management, which academia is often solitary. Isaac Newton the fixed laws of nature, but according to the twice as much steel capacity as is currently planned for the sec- famously blew up in 1998. After that fiasco, would seem to confirm this theory. After actions of human beings -- market partici- tor to recover. Factories may be losing as much as $50 per ton of Scholes served as chairman of another hedge losing his money in the South Sea Bubble pants, investors, and traders. Human actions steel, according to one recent estimate. fund, Platinum Grove Asset Management. of 1720, Newton reportedly declared, “I can may sometimes obey laws, but often they The damage goes well beyond the financial health of individual Platinum Grove suffered devastating losses calculate the movement of stars, but not the will not, and that is when economic theories companies. A July study of China’s labor market by the Interna- in the financial crisis of 2008, and Scholes madness of men.” will fail. tional Monetary Fund argued that by keeping too many workers retired as chairman in 2011. This explanation overlooks the fact that In other words, the heavy theoretical focus on the payroll, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are holding back Other top academics have fared little bet- many academics do make a killing in the of economics may have hurt Scholes, Merton overall economic progress. In other words, saving jobs today is ter in market ventures. Robert Merton, who financial markets. The most famous example and the rest. That is, of course, just a theory hurting growth tomorrow. shared the Nobel with Scholes and was one is James Simons, founder of the hedge fund on my part. But if it’s true, it means that The fear of layoffs and potential worker unrest is preventing of the most mathematically gifted financial management firm Renaissance Technologies. hedge funds should look for academic talent China from truly reforming the state sector. In the government’s economists of his generation, was also on A legendary geometry professor, Simons in the fields of applied math and computer latest plan to improve SOEs, released in September, some would the Long-Term Capital Management team. was equally successful in the market, and science instead of in economics departments be encouraged to become more efficient. But others would be Andrew Lo, a legendary financial economist is now a billionaire (and a major contribu- and business schools. “dedicated to public welfare,” according to Xinhua, the official and head of MIT’s Laboratory for Financial tor to my university, Stony Brook, where he news agency. The latter “will exist to improve people’s quality of Engineering, founded a money management once worked). Another example is compu- BLOOMBERG life and provide public goods and services” — essentially, to serve as job banks. The need to maintain employment levels also perpetuates China’s unhealthy obsession with GDP growth. At a 2014 press conference, Premier Li Keqiang stressed that the country had to keep growing fast enough “to ensure fairly full employment and realise reasonable increase of people’s income.” Over the past year, the central bank has repeatedly cut interest rates and taken other measures to spur credit, despite China’s burgeoning debt pile. China’s grand plan to rebuild the old Silk Road trading routes is essentially a boondoggle for construction companies, equipment makers and other old-line companies that employ thousands of people. China’s leaders have embraced layoffs before. Millions lost their jobs in a large-scale overhaul of the state sector launched in the late 1990s. Yet at that time, the economy was still booming and replacing jobs lost at state factories with new ones in the pri- vate sector. This time, the economy is transitioning away from its dependence on investment for growth, which means many industrial jobs may vanish permanently and leave laid-off factory workers fewer options. The IMF report estimates that streamlin- ing state companies and industries with surplus capacity more quickly could add half to three-quarters of a percentage point onto the near-term unemployment rate. That may look like a small bump, but in gross numbers, it would add up to plenty of unhappy Chinese with a gripe against their government. Yet something is going to have to give. According to government data, profits at major industrial companies declined 2 percent over the first 10 months of the year compared to the same period in 2014. At state-owned enterprises — which account for much of China’s excess capacity and workers — profits have dropped by 25 percent. To cushion the blow of layoffs, the government needs to move faster to deregulate the service sector to create alternative jobs. Redundant steel and cement workers will require retraining for lives in those new industries. Those too old to switch careers need a strengthened safety net. Otherwise the future for everyone looks grim. The IMF study warns gently that delays in implementing reforms “could cause further distortions, which would weaken medium-term employ- ment prospects.” The question isn’t whether China will suffer widespread job losses, but when. BLOOMBERG Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Friends turn to foes as activists defy equity firms By Michael Flaherty which are increasingly moving as a derivative of private equity, pany that the firm says will drive “A lot of the companies that generated by traditional activism. away from calls for companies to according to people familiar with shares higher over the long term. might have been susceptible to Demands in the sector’s “oper- CTIVIST hedge funds, explore buybacks or mergers, and the matter. Trian declined to buyouts in past cycles are now ational” category are up six-fold once trusted allies to more toward forcing the kind of comment. FRIEND TO FOE hitting price increases because since 2010, according to industry private equity firms in operational changes that private The rivalry has grown more The Barington-Cerberus clash the activists show up and wave data and trade publication Activ- Atheir pursuit of compa- equity firms would have carried pronounced as private equity is a far cry from the historic rela- some proxy cards and therefore ist Insight. But that has coincided nies, are emerging as their rivals. out. firms seek to take minority stakes tionship that activists and buy- action is taken,” Coulter said. with lower investment returns in With the stock market close to “They’re going to be converg- in companies, which in some cases out firms enjoyed. That pairing At the same time, activists are the same category. all-time highs, buyout firms can ing on each other’s turf,” said are under siege from hedge funds. often involved an activist pushing more open to buying companies Going back to 2010, the annual- only offer relatively small premi- Tyson McCabe, senior director Last week, for example, activ- for an under-valued company to outright, albeit of smaller size. ized total return for stocks sub- ums to take companies private, for Nasdaq OMX advisory serv- ist hedge fund Barington Capi- sell itself, the management team Last Monday, for example, activ- jected to operational demands pitting them against activists who ices, which provides shareholder tal Group LP warned cosmetics agreeing to explore a sale, and a ist investor Carl Icahn offered to was negative 2.3 percent from have snapped up stakes in a broad analysis for companies trading on maker Avon Products Inc about private equity firm swooping in buy auto parts company Pep Boys the date of disclosure, compared range of businesses at the fastest the exchange. striking a deal with private for the purchase. - Manny, Moe & Jack for $834m. to 8.3 percent for all activist- pace since 2008. Activist firms such as Trian equity. In a letter, Barington In December 2013, KKR & Co The number of US companies targeted stocks, Activist Insight Activists have historically Partners make the argument said it owns more than 3 percent LP co-founder George Roberts publicly targeted by an activist data show. pushed companies to explore lev- behind the scenes to institutional of the company and cautioned said at a Goldman Sachs finan- this year reached 305 by the end While not necessarily repre- eraged buyouts, a role that dimin- investors and management teams “against any sale of the compa- cial services conference that KKR of October, more than triple the sentative of activists’ actual per- ished as high stock prices put a that they can improve profits, ny’s North America business to wouldn’t have bought industrial total in 2010, Activist Insight data formance, the data is indicative dent in private equity dealmaking. boost value and keep the company private equity or a dilutive sale equipment maker Gardner Den- show. The success of activists is of a more subdued market reac- The gradual shift in the rela- publicly traded to encourage it to of an equity stake on unfavorable ver if an activist investor, which due in part to the growing sup- tion to operational activism, said tionship between private equity seek a partnership with an activ- terms to shareholders.” in this case was ValueAct Capi- port of large institutional inves- Activist Insight Editor Josh Black. firms and activists comes at a ist investor over a private equity Barington did not name the tal, hadn’t called for a sale of the tors such as T Rowe Price, Capital The trend is “perhaps due to challenging time for the buyout firm. That will allow other share- private equity firm, but Avon is company. Group and BlackRock. the successes of funds like Trian industry, which faces aggressive holders to reap the gains from a in talks with Cerberus Capital Sentiment has now changed. The flood of campaigns and ValueAct who have employed corporate buyers, tighter lending company’s turnaround. Management LP, in a deal that In an October interview with counters a drop in private equity these strategies for some time and markets, and lackluster fundrais- Underscoring the point, top may also involve the firm taking technology trade publication The deal volume. To be sure, the chal- perhaps because this is the next ing. executives at Trian, which has a minority stake. Information, TPG Capital co- lenge for activist hedge funds that opportunity set now that the ‘low- Stagnant leveraged buyout long prided itself on its focus on Barington lays out a detailed founder Jim Coulter cited activ- take a private equity approach is hanging fruit’ has been plucked,” volumes are in sharp contrast turning around a business over restructuring plan and lists sev- ists as a reason that $10bn private delivering returns for their inves- Black said. to a surge in activist campaigns, the long term, refer to activism eral proposed changes at the com- equity deals are not happening. tors that are as attractive as those REUTERS THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 MARKET www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

QE Indices Summary QE Index 10,018.84 0.77 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 15,572.85 0.77 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,696.24 1.17 % RATE QE All Share Index 2,669.84 0.83 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 2,744.48 1.48 % GOLD Services Buying Selling QE All Share Industrials 3,000.36 1.24 % All Ordinaries 5129.863 -28.117 -0.55 5963.5 4936.3 QR126.5564 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,376.96 3.70 % Cac 40 Index/D 4666.98 -14.88 -0.32 5283.71 4076.16 QE All Share Real Estate 2,186.57 3.18 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.4539 QR 5.5300 QE All Share Insurance 4,073.8 1.52 % Dj Indu Average 17568 -162.51 -0.92 18351.4 15370.3 QR 1.6783 Euro ...... QR 3.9523 QR 4.0080 QE All Share Telecoms 892.49 2.72 % CA$ ...... QR 2.6622 QR 2.7147 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 5,838.29 2.55 % Hang Seng Inde/D 21803.76 -101.37 -0.46 28588.52 20368.12 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.6470 QR 3.7011 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 6751.33 -4.87 -0.07 6921.44 5072.7 Yen ...... QR 0.0294 QR 0.0300 Aus$ ...... QR 2.6003 QR 2.6525 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 33020.26 228.55 0.7 36471.59 28648.23 CRUDE OIL 09-12-2015 08-12-2015 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0540 QR 0.0551 Index 10,018.84 10,096.51 Nikkei 225 Index 19301.07 -191.53 -0.98 20952.71 16592.57 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0347 QR 0.0354 Change 77.67 321.96 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0764 QR 0.0780 S&P 500 Index/D 2063.59 -13.48 -0.65 2134.72 1867.01 % 0.77 3.09 $ 41.15 SL Re ...... QR 0.0252 QR 0.0257 YTD% 18.45 17.82 Straits Times/D 2895.81 27.07 0.94 3549.85 2808.31 Taka ...... QR 0.0461 QR 0.0471 Volume 8,901,363 8,774,637 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0338 QR 0.0344 Value (QAR) 391,107,666.55 380,544,345.04 Straits Times/D 3324.09 0.44 0.01 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.2479 QR 0.2528 Trades 5,016 5,178 $ 36.29 Up 09 | Down 30 | Unchanged 04 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 09-12-2015

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-Xc/D 159.9 1.1 1431 Chowgule St-T/D 19.15 -1 4650 Goodyear I -B/D 553.75 -11.25 4497 Kalpat Power-B/D 248 -3.05 3226 Orchid Chem-B/D 49.3 -2.3 136233 Bp/D 347.855 -0.05 10739102 A C C-A/D 1315.9 -22.25 22523 Cimmco-B/D 76 -4.85 3816 Hcl Infosys-B/D 55.75 -3.65 1045170 Kalyani Stel-T/D 156.3 -0.3 76061 Orient Hotel-T/D 21.75 -0.55 2214 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3795 -5 719857 Aarti Drugs-B/D 527.5 -16 10376 Cipla-A/D 623.4 -18.85 81657 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 17.1 -1.2 2284412 Kanoria Chem-B/D 70.15 -7.6 119952 Orient.Carb.-T/D 531.75 -15 2428 Bt Group/D 473.6 0.9 3680947 Aban Offs-A/D 209.8 -7.2 265387 City Union Bk-/D 88.75 0.5 13999 Himat Seide-B/D 205.8 -9.2 126354 Kg Denim-B/D 54.85 -2.7 26852 Orient.Carb.-T/D 531.75 -15 2428 Centrica/D 203.1 1.2 2887290 Ador Welding-B/D 311.6 -19.6 6328 Colgate-A/D 964.2 -17.55 15211 Hind Motors-T/D 7.17 -0.5 62568 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 75.25 -0.95 12015 Oudh Sugar-B/D 35.2 0.55 18027 Gkn/D 293.8 1.6 1557983 Aegis Logis-B/D 100.15 -6.75 92002 Container Cor-/D 1339.75 -79.65 6719 Hind Org Chem-/D 14.5 -1.1 24573 Kinetic Eng-B/D 96 -5 34243 Patspin India-/D 7.4 -0.81 27480 Hsbc Holdings/D 513.8 2.2 7251962 Alembic-B/D 41.7 -2.25 204078 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 470.2 -20.4 13033 Hind Unilever-/D 820.2 -5.4 94599 Kopran-B/D 72.05 -5.45 485040 Punjab Chem.-B/D 169.2 -7.8 3638 Imperial Tobac/D 3525 10 537617 Alok Indus-A/D 6.66 -0.17 1005366 Dcm Financia-T/D 1.05 -0.05 3000 Hind.Petrol-A/D 810 -21.7 49411 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 418.9 -3.2 6464 Radico Khait-B/D 102.2 -1.75 75623 Kingfisher/D 331.7 -7.9 6966007 Apollo Tyre-A/D 150.8 -4.95 519344 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 83.1 -9.1 4680 Hindalco-A/D 73.75 -2.15 1125016 Lgb Broth-B/D 492 -22.5 1460 Rallis India-A/D 167.55 -7.8 130194 Land Secs Grou/D 1208 4 558420 Asahi I Glass-/D 145 -4.7 8834 Dhampur Sugar-/D 57.2 -4.25 46292 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1154.6 -16.85 277363 Lloyd Metal-B/D 6.91 0.37 3300 Reliance Indus/D 325.95 -14.5 68775 Legal & Genera/D 265.3 -0.1 2521292 Ashok Leyland-/D 86.55 -3.15 979623 Dr. Reddy-A/D 2997.3 -73.55 125239 I F C I-A/D 25.5 -0.7 789846 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 6.9 -0.63 169502 Ruchi Soya-B/D 28.85 -0.7 40270 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 70.8 -0.51 34196670 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1730.3 10.8 4925 E I H-B/D 122.1 -0.1 52279 Idbi-A/D 84.15 -4.15 723022 Lumax Ind-B/D 440.6 -16.6 5453 Saur.Cem-B/D 64.3 -4.5 108468 Marks & Sp./D 484.7 -0.8 735550 Ballarpur In-B/D 16.3 -0.4 589840 E.I.D Parry-A/D 175.05 -7.9 64261 Ifb Agro-B/D 422.9 -21.7 2137 Lupin-A/D 1761.05 -42.25 119073 Sterling Tool-/D 488.5 -10.25 1993 Next/D 7720 -60 164228 Banaras Bead-B/D 45.5 -2.65 1070 Eicher Motor-A/D 15723.85 -602.2 4140 India Cement-A/D 79.5 -3.15 325481 Lyka Labs-T/D 110.8 -8.5 151020 Tanfac Indust-/D 33.2 -2.05 3461 Pearson/D 751 -13 1636226 Bata India-A/D 480 -15.3 46277 Electrosteel-B/D 19.35 -0.8 326466 India Glycol-B/D 96.3 -4.6 20459 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 245.4 -6.3 2278 Tanfac Indust-/D 33.2 -2.05 3461 Prudential/D 1526 8.5 3906473 Beml Ltd-A/D 1051.15 -26.15 27207 Emco-B/D 29.05 -2.9 53556 Indian Card-B/D 214.9 -6.3 2748 Mah.Seamless-B/D 156.8 -4.6 7720 Thirumalai-B/D 211 -9.6 25231 Rank Group/D 284 3 25945 Bh Electronic-/D 1196.9 -18.95 23996 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.53 -0.54 43834 Indian Hotel-A/D 104.9 -2.55 74552 Mangalam Cem-B/D 200 -10 5099 Til Ltd.-T/D 424 -33.9 5103 Rentokil Initi/D 157 -0.4 562766 Bhansali Eng-T/D 24.7 -1.8 263622 Escorts-A/D 153.85 -6 149641 Indo-Tcount-T/D 985 -12 10412 Maral Overs-B/D 31 -1.6 3201 Timexgroup-T/D 31.3 -2.05 81785 Rolls Royce Pl/D 587 -3 4819107 Bharat Bijle-B/D 713.75 -25.25 5485 Essar Oil-T/D 205.4 -3.05 201890 Indusind-A/D 926.95 -16.8 48313 Mastek-B/D 163.2 -14 67779 Tinplate-B/D 64.8 -1.85 30569 Rsa Insrance G/D 428.6 -1.5 588273 Bharatgears-B/D 84.7 -2.7 2044 Eveready Indu-/D 286.2 -3.7 70081 J.B.Chemical-B/D 257.45 -9.95 40943 Max India L-A/D 515 -12.75 7438 Ucal Fuel-B/D 112 -5.9 18934 Sainsbury(J)/D 244.3 -0.4 2003029 Bhartiya Int-B/D 542.5 -6.75 11768 F D C-B/D 223.9 -6 21898 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 54.55 0.05 4996 Mrpl-A/D 61.55 -1.2 172567 Ucal Fuel-B/D 112 -5.9 18934 Schroders/D 2844 8 55460 Bhel-A/D 168.95 4.3 740477 Federal Bank-A/D 55.05 -2.35 264464 Jagson Phar-B/D 43 -4 98098 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 30 -2.05 6546 Ultramarine-B/D 108.8 -3.8 23605 Severn Trent/D 2164 1 97631 Bom.Burmah-B/D 448.1 -18.15 83775 Ferro Alloys-B/D 4.82 -0.28 25210 Jamnaauto-B/D 115.9 -5.8 885217 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 30 -2.05 6546 Unitech P -A/D 6.45 -0.16 6047418 Smith&Nephew/D 1097 -8 456597 Bombay Dyeing-/D 60.65 -1.9 185265 Finolex-A/D 285 -3.9 6385 Jbf Indu-B/D 212.55 -5.05 87098 Nahar Spg.-B/D 110.5 -1.3 21431 Univcable-T/D 68.7 0.4 17556 Smiths Group/D 973 4.5 255155 Camph.& All-B/D 473 -10 3709 Forbes-B/D 1551.25 -3.25 1096 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.42 -0.02 18993 Nation Alum -A/D 37.8 -1.65 95330 Uppergsugar-T/D 66.05 -2.8 1554 Standrd Chart /D 512.3 -7.3 5740862 Canfin Homes-B/D 993.7 14.4 9053 Gail-A/D 336.85 -2.65 104460 Jct Ltd-B/D 6.67 -0.94 2185097 Navneet Edu-B/D 82.8 -2.9 50347 LONDON Tate & Lyle/D 604.5 -3 282237 Caprihans-Xc/D 87 -2.75 4402 Galada Power-B/D 18.3 -0.2 2770 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 8.16 -1.13 149269 Nepc India-T/D 1.85 0 3800 Tesco/D 154.9246 -1.6 8606306 Castrol India-/D 420.9 -12 43513 Gammon India-T/D 14.4 -0.85 232660 Jik Indust-T/D 0.93 -0.04 22693 Neuland Lab-B/D 699 2.5 3246 Unilever/D 2841 19 1415166 Century Enka-B/D 177 -6.1 9967 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.05 -0.05 6499 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 103.95 -1.75 376115 Nrb Bearings-B/D 143.9 -5.4 7428 3I Group/D 487 3.9 538210 United Util Gr/D 949.14 4 377094 Century Text-A/D 538.15 -16.75 132296 Garden P -B/D 24.4 -1.25 14521 Jmc Projects-T/D 233.7 -11.2 1696 O N G C-A/D 217.15 1.05 385760 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3536 23 99300 Vodafone Group/D 217.175 0.45 8278853 Chambal Fert-B/D 58 -1.35 28597 Godfrey Phil-B/D 1448.9 -49.1 80233 Kabra Extr-B/D 95.15 -5 5539 Oil Country-B/D 26.6 -0.95 4918 Barclays/D 221.05 -1.05 9229646 Whitbread/D 4550 5 172399 Chola Invest-B/D 625.85 -7.2 2338 Goodricke-B/D 169 -7.6 24339 Kajaria Cer-A/D 935 -9.9 1126 Onward Tech-B/D 93.3 -7.6 35215 Bg Group/D 962 0.5 3515781 THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BREAK TIME

EASY SUDOKU CROSSWORD 1234 567891011121314 ITLL CEDE ALOE

15 16 NEAP ACERB CAPT DAYS LARGEMOUTH 17 18 ULT OGRE DARRIN 19 20 21 22 LEO DODGEMONACO GARDEN EARS 23 24 25 EVENS PART I BAH 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 MESA ERN I E DA L I

34 35 36 EST AS IDE WORLD ANTS MARRED 37 38 39 40 41 GRUDGEMATCH I VE 42 43 44 45 46 RESALE SAGS S IN IMAGEMAKER STAG 47 48 49 PAGE SHEBA FETE 50 51 52 53 EXES AROW OREM Yesterday’s answer 54 55 56 57 58 59 ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 60 61 62 63 66 N.C.A.A. team with the 29 Subject of a 1999 Ricky mascot Boss Hog Martin hit 64 65 Easy Sudoku Puzzles: Place a digit from 1 to 67 Part of a schedule 31 Real lowlife 9 in each empty cell so every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains all the digits 1 to 9. 66 67 DOWN 32 Toyota Highlander 1 Going all at once alternative 2 Beach 33 Hill position ACROSS 37 “That’s an order!” 3 A tie-up increases it 38 Bar mitzvah, e.g. 1 Minute bit 39 Facebook listing 4 Certain fisher 40 Coat, in old slang 5 Land bordering western China 41 Jay ___, British singer with the 5 Japanese P.M. executed in 43 Studio with a horse logo 15 Field fraction 2009 #1 hit “Down” 1948 45 Emulate an esne 16 Like the Hulk, typically 42 Yet to be achieved HYPER SUDOKU 6 Over 51 Medicare option 17 One having a ball at the circus? 44 Words before stating plan B 7 Pliers feature 53 Monk in “The 18 A cameo may be seen in it 46 Rule lead-in 8 Cary Grant’s “Penny Da Vinci Code” 19 Tempting words for shopaholics 47 One with a brand name? Serenade” co-star 54 Executor’s concern 21 Called before getting married 48 Soccer legend Maradona 9 Infant rocketed to Earth 55 Literally, “elbow” 22 Squad leader: Abbr. 49 “B.C.” sound effect from Krypton 56 “The Sound” of music 23 Part of summer in 50 Attack like a playful pup 10 “Let’s roll!” 58 You might call it an early Latinoamérica 52 River rising in the Graian Alps 11 Invasive plant night 24 Hold fast at sea 54 O after an X, say 12 They’re sometimes picked 59 An item no more 26 2001 sports flop, for short 57 Paradise in fiction up at bars 61 John who played Sulu in 27 Checked out like a wolf 58 “Sylvia” ballet composer, 1876 13 Twitter-filled “Star Trek” films 30 Library lineup 60 Hoover competitor 14 Queue word? 62 French body of water 34 Repast remnant 63 Strike setting 20 New tablet of 2011 35 Laurence co-starred with him in 64 If so 24 Charity affair “The Matrix” 65 Ski resort that prohibits 25 Motion carriers, at times 36 “Baa! Baa! Baa!” singer snowboarding 28 “Well, lookee there!”

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 all regions the numbers from 1 to 9 can appear only once. Otherwise, a Hyper Sudoku is solved like a normal Sudoku. BABY BLUES BABY

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) 2:15 Bus 657 (2D/Action) 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 Zinzana (2D/Arabic) 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 10, 1520 Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 9:15pm German theologian Martin Close Range (2D/Action) 11:30pm Luther, leader of the Protestant ROYAL PLAZA Reformation, publicly burned the papal bull excommunicating him SCREEN 1 The Good Dinosaur (2D/Animation) 2:30, 4:15 & 6:00pm for refusing to recant his beliefs Close Range (2D/Action) 7:45pm 1845:       No Tears For The Dead (2D/Action) 9:15pm Hyena Road (2D/Drama) 11:30pm        SCREEN 2 Aladin (2D/Comedy) 3:00pm 1920: Mamie Smith’s Crazy Blues Howl (2D/Horror) 5:00 & 11:15pm was the first record by a black A Second Chance (2D/Romantic) 7:00pm singer; it sold over a million copies Zinzana (2D/Arabic) 9:15pm QUACK, QUADRANGLE, QUADRANT, QUADRATIC, 1990:   QUADRUPED, QUAINT, QUALIFY, QUANDARY,          ASIAN TOWN QUANTIFY, QUANTUM, QUARREL, QUARRY, QUART,       Anarkali (2D/Malayalam) 5:00pm QUARTER, QUARTZ, QUASH, QUOTATION, QUAVER, 1995: NASA scientists received the Amar Akbar Anthony (2D/Malayalam) 7:00pm QUAY, QUEEN, QUEER, QUELL, QUENCH, QUERY, first data from the space probe Pathemari (2D/Malayalam) 12:30, 2:30, 8:00, 10:30pm & 01:00am Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) Galileo, a message beamed over 2.3 12:45, 3:00, 4:00, 5:30 & 8:00pm QUEST, QUESTION, QUEUE, QUIBBLE, QUICK, Salt Mango Tree (2D/Malayalam) 9:45, 10:30pm, 12:15 & 01:00am QUICKSAND, QUICKSTEP, QUIET, QUILL, QUILT, billion miles (3.7 billion km) Bengal Tiger (2D/Telugu) 1:00, 4:00, 6:30 & 9:30pm QUINCE, QUIP, QUIRKY, QUIT, QUITE, QUIVER,   !" #  '% &'(" )* QUIZ, QUOTA, QUOTE, QUOTIENT. THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 James signs ‘lifetime’ deal with Nike A source close to the NBA star says contract worth ‘significantly higher’ than $500m

NEW YORK: LeBron James will with 32 points, but it was guard be in the Nike stable for the rest NBA RESULTS Russell Westbrook’s overall per- of his basketball career -- and Cleveland 105 Portland 100 formance -- 13 points, 16 assists beyond. Golden State 131 Indiana 123 -- that impressed the first-year The world’s largest sporting Brooklyn 110 Houston 105 NBA coach. goods company on Monday signed Oklahoma City 125 Memphis 88 Westbrook played an efficient the four-time NBA MVP to an Orlando 85 Denver 74 25 minutes, making five of seven unprecedented lifetime contract. shots, grabbing five rebounds and Sacramento 114 Utah 106 Terms of the deal weren’t committing only three turnovers. released, but sports agent David Brand, which continues to release “I can’t say enough about what Falk, who represented Michael new shoes. Sales of Air Jordan Russell did,” Donovan said. Jordan for most of his playing brand shoes topped $2.6bn last “In my opinion, he’s one of the Golf: Energised career, estimated its value at year, according to Forbes. rare guys in the league that can $400m to $500m. Athlete endorsement contracts dominate a game without scoring. by wins A source close to James who is have exploded in the past few “What he did tonight -- setting familiar with the contract said it years. In 2014, after a bidding war up his team mates, the 16 assists Watson, Garcia is “significantly higher.” with Under Armour Inc, Nike and the unselfishness -- started Nike in a statement said the extended Oklahoma City Thunder with him and Kevin.” 30-year-old Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Durant on a 10- Westbrook had 12 of his assists hunting for forward provides “significant year, $300m deal. Houston Rock- by halftime, when the Thunder value to our business, brand and ets guard James Harden left Nike had surged ahead 59-47, and he Thai title shareholders.” before the season for a 13-year, added several more in the open- Nike signed James after going $200m contract with Adidas AG. ing minutes of the third quarter CHONBURI, THAILAND: pro out of high school in 2003. His Such an open-ended deal is very when Oklahoma City pulled away. Two-time Masters champion first contract spanned seven years rare. Soccer star David Beckham The 16 assists tied a season high. Bubba Watson (pictured) and and was worth $90m, according to reportedly has a lifetime deal with “I try to set the table for guys Spanish star Sergio Garcia, both ESPN, with a seven-year exten- Adidas, according to ESPN. and try to find ways to get eve- fresh from exhilarating recent sion in 2010. Allen Iverson at one time rybody going, especially on the wins, are hungry for victory at Nike has released at least 13 signed with Reebok in what the road,” Westbrook said. “We just today’s $1m Thailand Golf Cham- versions of James’s signature Associated Press called a “lifetime kept the pace hot. pionship. shoes. deal,” although those sometimes “They kind of like to rough you World number four Watson James this year let lapse his refer to a player’s career, not his up a little bit. I thought we did played superbly last week to claim endorsement deal with McDon- mortality. A former NBA rookie a good job of setting the tone on the Hero World Challenge in the ald’s Corp, instead throwing his of the year, James has averaged both ends of the floor.” Bahamas. weight behind the Blaze Pizza 27.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.9 Serge Ibaka added 17 points for Meanwhile Garcia held his chain, in which he is an investor. assists per game in his 13-year the Thunder, who shot 56 percent nerve in a thrilling four-way play- Last week James’s multimedia career. He’s won two NBA titles, and had 31 assists on the 47 field off in the Asian Tour’s Ho Tran venture, called Uninterrupted, been to four other Finals, and won goals. They were 13 of 26 from Open in Vietnam -- his first win secured a $15.8m investment from two Olympic gold medals. three-point range. The Thun- in nearly two years. Warner Bros. Entertainment and Meanwhile, Oklahoma City der, who needed a late jumper by The Thai tournament offers Turner Sports. coach Billy Donovan was looking Durant to beat the Sacramento Watson the chance to break his His lifetime deal with Nike beyond the box score after the Kings on Sunday, spent the duck at the Amata Spring Coun- could eventually become some- Thunder overpowered the Mem- majority of the game against the LeBron James (23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives down the court try Club, while Garcia is return- thing similar to Michael Jordan’s. phis Grizzlies 125-88 on Tuesday Grizzlies with a double-digit lead. during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Quicken Loans ing to a course that has been good Jordan, 52, is officially the chief at FedExForum. Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. to him -- he won here in 2013. executive officer of the Jordan Kevin Durant led the Thunder AGENCIES In a strong field, defending champion Lee Westwood also returns, hunting a third win in this fifth edition of the Asian Tour’s flagship event. It is the big-hitting Watson’s fourth appearance in the tourna- ment and he is desperate to add NHL: Kings edge past Blue Jackets 3-2 the trophy to his impressive haul -- which includes taking the cel- NEW YORK: Kings defenceman Capitals 3, Red Wings 2 for the Maple Leafs (10-13-5). ebrated Green Jacket in 2012 and Alec Martinez scored with 26.5 (shootout) Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau and 2014. seconds remaining in overtime T J Oshie and Evgeny Kuznet- James van Riemsdyk scored for “I love playing this course and I to give Los Angeles a come-from- sov scored shootout goals on the Maple Leafs. love Thailand,” said Watson, who behind 3-2 win over the Columbus Washington’s first two attempts Blues 4, Coyotes 1 last year gave his prize-winnings Blue Jackets. and the Capitals defeated the St Louis continued their dom- to a local charity. The Kings, who have won Detroit Red Wings 3-2. ination over Arizona with a 4-1 “The golf course is beautiful five straight, also got goals from Oshie beat Detroit goalie Jimmy come-from-behind win over the and the fans treat us nice.” Christian Ehrhoff and Jeff Carter, Howard with a wrist shot to open struggling Coyotes at Scottrade Coming back on statements he while goaltender Jonathan Quick the session and Kuznetsov used a Centre. The Blues, winless in four made in the Bahamas that if he finished with 20 saves. deke to elude Howard on his turn. of their previous five, won their became took top spot he would Islanders 4, Flyers 3 (shoot- Washington goalie Braden sixth successive game against Ari- quit playing, the affable Watson out) Holtby stopped Gustav Nyquist zona. They outscored the Coyotes said he would probably stop play- The New York Islanders and Pavel Dutsyuk as the Capitals 24-6 during the run. ing on the PGA Tour if that hap- extended their points streak to (19-5-2) won for the seventh time Blackhawks 4, Predators 1 pened and just enter occasional eight games by taking down the in their last eight games. Chicago winger Patrick Kane tournaments. Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in a shoot- Maple Leafs 3, Devils 2 extended his point streak to 23 But he quickly played down the out at the Wells Fargo Center. (shootout) games and recorded his 600th prospect saying: “let’s be honest, Kyle Okposo was the lone Nazem Kadri scored the deci- career NHL point in a 4-1 vic- I don’t think it is very likely that scorer in the skills competition sive goal in the shootout and the tory over the Nashville Predators I will become No 1.” to win it for the Islanders. Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the at the United Center. Calgary Flames’ right wing Michael Frolik (67) controls the puck against Garcia who is currently ranked Senators 4, Panthers 2 New Jersey Devils 3-2. Kane finished off the Black- the San Jose Sharks during the third period of their NHL game at 12th in the world was pleased Senators winger Mike Hoffman It was the second win in a row hawks’ scoring with an empty-net Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-2. with his improved form after a scored the game-winning goal goal with 1:36 remaining. He has relatively dry spell. with 5:37 left as Ottawa rallied NHL RESULTS 14 goals and 23 assists during the winner with 19 seconds remain- Mikael Backlund had a goal He said the nail-biting win in to beat the Florida Panthers 4-2 Los Angeles 3 Columbus 2 streak, which began on October ing on a slap shot that went in and an assist for the Flames (11- Vietnam, secured on the second at the BB&T Center. NY Islanders 4 Philadelphia 3 27. through Hurricanes backup 14-2), who extended their home playoff hole, was a big confidence Hoffman, who leads Ottawa Washington 3 Detroit 2 Stars 6, Hurricanes 5 goaltender Eddie Lack, who had winning streak to seven games. boost going into Thailand. with 15 goals, has seven markers Toronto 3 New Jersey 2 Stars winger Jamie Benn replaced starter Cam Ward to Markus Granlund, Sean Mon- The formidable line-up also in his past six games. Set up in Ottawa 4 Florida 2 scored a goal and added three begin the second period. ahan and Michael Frolik also includes former US Open cham- front of the Panthers goal, Hoff- assists and Tyler Seguin had a Flames 4, Sharks 2 scored for the Flames, while Mark pion Martin Kaymer of Germany St Louis 4 Arizona 1 man got a deflection that came goal and four helpers to lead Dal- The Calgary Flames remained Giordano and Dennis Wideman and England’s Ryder Cup star Chicago 4 Nashville 1 back to him and calmly deposited las past the Carolina Hurricanes hot on home ice thanks to a 4-2 chipped in with two assists each. Westwood, who has soaked up the it past Florida goaltender Roberto Dallas 6 Carolina 5 6-5 at American Airlines Center. win over the San Jose Sharks at success in Thailand. Luongo. Calgary 4 San Jose 2 Patrick Sharp scored the game- the Scotiabank Saddledome. REUTERS “I always seem to play well in Asia,” said Westwood. “I love this course which is in great condition again and I am really looking for- ward to this tournament.” Kaymer was runner-up to Westwood last year and plans to go one better this time. “I’m really Carolina are even with determined to take the silverware home with me this time,” he said. Also in the field is European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke, who won the 2011 Open, Patriots in latest odds and Denmark’s most successful golfer Thomas Bjorn. NEW YORK: Undefeated Caro- O’Leary, the grandson of golf The Bears also signed quar- Leading the strong Asian lina is even with the New Eng- legend Jack Nicklaus, was selected terback Matt Blanchard to the challenge is the evergreen Thai land Patriots in the latest odds by the Bills in the sixth round of practice squad and terminated Thongchai Jaidee who at the age released on Super Bowl 50. the 2015 NFL Draft out of Florida the practice squad contract of of 46 has enjoyed a terrific year The 12-0 Panthers are up to State. quarterback Justin Worley. In during which he won his seventh 4-1 odds, as are the Patriots, to ** The San Francisco 49ers addition, offensive tackle Tayo European title, rising to a career- win the February 7 game in Santa put tight end Garrett Celek on Fabuluje was removed from the high 28th in the world rankings. Clara, California, pulling into a tie injured reserve and re-signed commissioner’s suspended list. “This is a great event and it’s with New England. linebacker Shayne Skov to a two- ** Green Bay running back tremendous to see all the stars The Patriots beat the Seat- year contract. Celek sustained a Eddie Lacy lost his starting job here,” said the popular Thai. “I tle Seahawks to win Super Bowl high ankle sprain against the Ari- after missing curfew before last would love to win this event in XLIX in Glendale, Arizona, but zona Cardinals two weeks ago and week’s game against the Detroit front of my home crowd.” opened 2015 behind Seattle at sat out last Sunday’s win over the Lions, but he will get the chance Another rapidly-improving most Las Vegas sportsbooks. Chicago Bears. to reclaim the job, Packers coach Thai, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who Arizona moved to 9-2 ahead of ** The Chicago Bears made a Mike McCarthy said. won two European titles this year, the Denver Broncos (6-1), with series of roster moves involving The Packers also announced will also be a player to watch. the Cincinnati Bengals, Green tight end Martellus Bennett and several roster moves, signing wide There is also an impressive Indian Bay Packers and Seahawks at 8-1. quarterbacks. Bennett (ribs) was receiver Jamel Johnson and run- representation led by veteran star Washington Redskins’ running back Chris Thompson (25) is tackled by ** The Buffalo Bills elevated placed on season-ending injured ning back Ross Scheuerman to Jeev Singh who captains Asia at Dallas Cowboys’ free safety J J Wilcox (27) in the fourth quarter of their tight end Nick O’Leary to the reserve and tight end Rob Hou- the practice squad. the EurAsia Cup next month. NFL game at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 19-16. 53-man roster and released tight sler was signed to fill the roster end Matthew Mulligan. spot. REUTERS REUTERS THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Ponting urges day-night Test Windies upbeat about Australia series for struggling Frank Worrell Trophy: It’s a fresh series for us so we have to be positive, says Jason Holder

Hobart HOBART: Skipper Jason Holder pressure on their middle order.” yesterday said his embattled West TEAMS Holder said the reinstatement of HOBART: Former Australia Indies players must focus on their Australia: Steve Smith (captain), Phil Simmons as coach, after he captain Ricky Ponting yesterday individual gameplans if they want David Warner, Joe Burns, Adam was suspended for the October- said a day-night match could help to pull off a stunning win against Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, November Sri Lanka tour in a secure Hobart’s status as a Test Australia in the first Test in Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, James row over selection, was also a big host and rounded on “unfair” crit- Hobart. Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan plus. icism of the Tasmanian capital. Amid incredulity that the West Lyon “It makes a significant differ- Speculation has risen over Indies have a chance against Steve ence. He is implementing his ways West Indies (from) - Kraigg Hobart’s future as a Test venue Smith’s Australians, after a run of and I think the guys have really Brathwaite, Rajendra Chandrika, amid fears that just 10,000 fans woeful results, Holder challenged bought into what he has brought,” Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, will attend the first four days of his young team to get their heads Holder said. “Losing him during Jermaine Blackwood, Denesh the first Test against the West down and fight. Ramdin, Jason Holder (capt), Car- the Sri Lanka series was a very Indies, starting today. It looks a tall order for the los Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, big loss especially at that stage Hobart has hosted 11 Tests once-mighty Caribbeans to turn Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor, Shan- as I was practically on my way to since its first against Sri Lanka things around when the first of non Gabriel. the airport when I got the news in 1989, but the city is not on the three Tests gets underway today. he was not going to be joining us. annual rota of Test venues like The West Indies are ranked “That really shattered the the mainland Australian capital above only Bangladesh and Zim- warm-up game. dressing room so it’s just very cities. babwe. They have won just four of Ambrose rebuked the team in good to have him back and I’m Ponting, who was honoured by their last 20 Tests and last won a the wake of the defeat and Holder sure he will be on the guys to put the unveiling of a statue at his Test in Australia in 1997. said the players have taken his things in place and get ready for West Indies’ cricket captain Jason Holder (left) and his Australian coun- old Bellerive Oval home ground But Windies pace great and stinging words to heart. this game.” terpart Steve Smith hold the Frank Worrell Trophy ahead of the first yesterday, said that criticism now team bowling consultant “Curtly shed a lot of light on Meanwhile, James Pattinson cricket Test match in Hobart yesterday. of Hobart as a Test venue was Curtly Ambrose has predicted where we are at this current time will replace fellow quick Mitchell unjust. a shock victory, and Holder said and how we played that warm-up Starc in the Australia team for “I think some of the criticism that is possible if they execute game,” Holder said. “We’re in that this week’s opening Test against son to 13 Tests in the four years he has been bowling really well, he has been a little unfair. What I their plans. situation where we have to just West Indies, captain Steve Smith since his debut but he has taken deserves an opportunity,” Smith would like to see happen here is “We are very upbeat about this put that behind us.” said yesterday three five-wicket hauls in that said. “I think he just needs to go that Hobart and Tasmania get a series. It’s a fresh series for us, so Holder also tried to turn the Pattinson, who played his last time, including 5-51 against New out there and do what he does Test match every year,” Ponting we have to be positive going into heat back on to the Australians, test in March 2014, was preferred Zealand at Hobart in 2011. well -- that’s bowl fast, swing the told reporters. it,” Holder said. “If we realistically by highlighting some perceived to Nathan Coulter-Nile and joins The 25-year-old right-armer ball and get it up there and get it “It’s really hard to make do what we have to do in terms of weaknesses. Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle was a surprise call-up to the moving “He is similar to Hazle- assumptions on Tasmanian executing our roles then anything “If we can get into their middle in the pace attack at Bellerive squad for the day-night test in wood the way he bowls. Hopefully cricket or people watching Test is possible on any given day. order as quickly as possible, that Oval in Hobart, where the three- Adelaide but missed out when he can have a successful come- cricket in Australia when there “The onus has to be upon each will be better off for us,” he said. match series starts today. Siddle was preferred. back into the test team.” is no continuity where the games player to perform their role and “Davey Warner is coming off Starc will miss the series after His Victoria coach David Saker Smith also confirmed that all- are. execute their plans. Once we do a very good series against New sustaining an ankle injury dur- questioned whether Pattinson’s rounder Mitchell Marsh, who “The Tasmanian public are that we can put together a strong Zealand, and (with) Steve Smith ing the recent 2-0 win over New body was up to the rigours of struggled for runs against New being judged on Test matches collective effort.” they scored the bulk of the runs Zealand, further depleting Aus- test cricket after playing so lit- Zealand, would remain at number against lower-ranked teams. Let’s Doubts about the Windies in the last series played. tralia’s pace bowling stocks after tle since returning from his latest six in the batting order ahead of have an Ashes Test here, let’s redoubled after they were humili- “So if we can target them in the retirements of Mitchell John- back problem, but Smith was not wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. have Tests against South Africa ated by a rookie Cricket Australia a sense of getting them out as son and Ryan Harris. concerned. and India here and then we can XI by 10 wickets in their only early as possible then we can put Injuries have restricted Pattin- “I think he has played enough, AGENCIES start making some judgments and comparisons about other venues around Australia.” After 123,000 fans flocked to India’s Dhawan hauled up for the first ever day-night Test in Adelaide last month, Ponting was suspect action Doping, Cairns questions asked if a Test under floodlights would reinvigorate Hobart. NEW DELHI: India’s Shikhar Dhawan has been reported for a sus- “If that is what it’s going to pect bowling action and will need to undergo tests within 14 days, the take down here, then absolutely,” International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. he said. Dhawan, 30, an opening batsman who rarely bowls, was reported shroud Test build-up “If the attendances are down after the fourth Test against South Africa in New Delhi on Monday over the next few days down here, when the defiant tourists were attempting to salvage a draw. AUCKLAND: A positive doping it might be what Hobart needs As the South Africans stonewalled the Indian bowlers on the final test and questions over a conten- and it’s already got unbelievable day, frustrated skipper Virat Kohli brought on Dhawan who bowled tious criminal trial in London world-class facilities and lights.” just three overs for nine runs. India eventually won the match by 337 have threatened to overshadow Ponting, who is a member of runs and sealed the four-Test series 3-0. the first test between New Zea- the MCC World Cricket commit- “Dhawan’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the land and Sri Lanka, which begins tee, said the future of Tests was ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions,” the ICC said today. one of the big questions facing the in a statement. The match in Dunedin was sport. The ICC launched a crackdown against suspect actions in June last supposed to contain the storyline “I’ve been talking for the last year, leading to several leading bowlers being reported. of a Sri Lanka side in transition few weeks with the World Cricket Other bowlers who have been up hauled up include Pakistan’s Saeed and a New Zealand team looking committee about Test match Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, Bangladesh’s Sohag Gazi, New Zealand’s to build on the momentum from attendances around the world and Kane Williamson, Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake and Tharindu their series in Australia before a how they are starting to fall away, Kaushal, and Zimbabwe’s Prosper Utseya and Malcolm Waller. return clash at home next Feb- which is why we saw a day-night ruary. Test match in Adelaide,” he said. REUTERS Instead, news broke on Tues- “Australia is strong, but when day that Sri Lankan wicketkeeper we go to places like Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera had tested positive India and the West Indies that’s Philander to miss two England earlier this year for a banned sub- New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum is seen in this October 30, when you start to see those num- stance and was forced to return 2015, file photo at Blacktown Sports Park in Sydney. bers drop off,” he added. home. Ponting said a contributing fac- Tests but Steyn may return Coach Jerome Jayaratne told tor was the recent retirement of reporters that Perera had taken in Dunedin yesterday. “I was one he repeated. Despite suffering a some of cricket’s leading stars. JOHANNESBURG: South Africa paceman Vernon Philander will medication for an insect bite on of a number of witnesses who 2-0 loss to Australia, McCullum’s “The other thing we have to miss the first two Tests against England because of injury, team officials his foot, with the belief that the gave evidence. For me it’s not side head into the Sri Lankan fix- think about is the real star play- said as the squad returned from their 3-0 hiding in India. treatment was not on the banned about whether someone is guilty tures as heavy favourites, having ers that were around the game Philander suffered a freak injury in a warm-up game of soccer before list of substances. or not guilty. My role was to give been unlucky not to have snatched five or six years ago have all the second Test in Bangalore, going over on his left ankle and tear- Then yesterday, home captain evidence in the trial. People will a share of the spoils across the retired at once,” he said. ing ligaments. South Africa are hoping fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn Brendon McCullum was sub- have their own opinions on what Tasman as they improved the “There’s no (Jacques) Kallis, will be fit for the first Test against England in Durban that starts on jected to questions concerning the unfolded. I was comfortable with longer the series progressed. there’s no (Brian) Lara, there’s no December 26. Steyn suffered a groin strain midway through the second recent Chris Cairns criminal trial, it, and as I say it’s time to move As well as the dashing stroke- (Sachin) Tendulkar. These guys Test in India and did not bowl again in the series. where the former all-rounder was on and focus on a bit of cricket.” play of Perera at number seven, have all left the game in a quite “We’re all optimistic the bowlers will get their confidence back and acquitted of perjury and pervert- The 34-year-old McCullum, the visitors have also lost pace recent period of time,” Ponting the batters will do the job against England,” said captain Hashim Amla. ing the course of justice charges. who will play his 98th Test at Uni- bowler Dhammika Prasad to said yesterday. South Africa meet England in a four-Test series. McCullum was one of two versity Oval, did his best to tone a back injury after their only REUTERS REUTERS former team mates, along with down the outcome of the trial and warm-up match in Queenstown self-confessed match-fixer Lou his role as a witness. ended in a draw. Vincent, who gave evidence “It was quite a big deal in New The side were already in transi- against Cairns in the trial, accus- Zealand cricket but I think it’s tion after the international retire- ing him of twice asking him to fix time to move on,” McCullum told ments in the last 12 months of two matches. reporters in Dunedin. of the game’s all-time greats in “I was very comfortable with “This isn’t the time or place to Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar the evidence I gave in London dive into those types of discus- Sangakkara. and I stand by that evidence as sions, that was the court room in well,” McCullum told reporters London and it’s time to move on,” REUTERS Pakistan hopes ‘dashed’

LAHORE: Pakistan’s cricket ister Nawaz Sharif and his for- The first series, originally chief said yesterday his hopes for eign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz, due to be played in United Arab a bilateral series with arch-rivals while she made no reference to Emirates in December-January, India had been dashed after a visit the series in a brief statement was comprised of two Tests, to Islamabad by India’s external yesterday evening. five one-day and two Twenty20 minister failed to yield any break- Any chance of a series is “over”, matches, but it ran into trouble through. PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan over strained relations between The Pakistan Cricket Board said, adding that the foreign office the two countries since the start (PCB) had hoped Sushma had conveyed to him that without of 2015. Accusations of ceasefire Swaraj’s visit to Pakistan for the talks on the cricket it would be violations led to the cancellation Heart of Asia regional conference “difficult” to arrange any series. of a meeting between their secu- on Tuesday and yesterday would The two cricket boards agreed rity advisers in Delhi in August. open the way for a limited short to break the deadlock by sign- Khan said the series could have over series, agreed between the ing a Memorandum of Under- netted Pakistan $50m (Rs5bn). Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting (centre) chats with opening batsman David Warner (left) and PCB and the Indian cricket board standing last year under which “We are disappointed that current captain Steve Smith before Ponting unveiled a statue of himself as Australia prepares for the first cricket and due to be played in Sri Lanka. they were due to play six series India did not honour their com- Test match against the West Indies in Hobart. Ponting appeared in 168 Test matches for Australia before retiring But Pakistan media reported between 2015-2023, all subject to mitment,” he said. in 2012. Ponting played four World Cup finals (1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007), winning three. cricket was not discussed during clearance from their respective Swaraj’s talks with Prime Min- governments. AFP THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

UEFA CHAMPIONS Manchester United’s night of shame LEAGUE RESULTS PARIS: UEFA Champions League Champions League: The EPL giants and former winners crash out after shock 3-2 defeat results on Tuesday: Group A PARIS: Manchester United saw a first-half effort ruled out Stadium but Julian Korb levelled At Paris crashed out of the Champions for offside, added: “Over the three minutes later before Raffael Paris Saint Germain (FRA) 2 (Lucas League on Tuesday after a 3-2 whole course of the competition, turned home before the break to 57, Ibrahimovic 86) Shakhtar defeat at Wolfsburg, as the Ger- we haven’t done well enough to put the Germans ahead. Donetsk (UKR) 0 mans punched their ticket to the qualify.” However, two quick-fire goals last 16 along with Group B rivals There were unsettling scenes from England international At Madrid PSV Eindhoven. after the final whistle in Wolfs- Raheem Sterling put City back Real Madrid (ESP) 8 (Benzema 12, Louis van Gaal’s United made burg, though, as fans were forced on track with Wilfried Bony seal- 24, 74, Ronaldo 39, 47, 50, 59, a promising start at the Volkswa- to stay inside the ground until the ing the win. Kovacic 70) Malmo (Swe) 0 gen Arena as Anthony Martial all-clear was given after a suspect “It’s brilliant (to top the group), Group B handed them a 10th-minute lead package was found in the stadi- we worked hard, we deserve it. but the Red Devils’ poor defend- um’s car park. The most important thing was At Wolfsburg, Germany ing at set-pieces cost them dearly In the Netherlands, it had trying to avoid the big teams and Wolfsburg (GER) 3 (Naldo 13, 84, with Naldo equalising shortly looked for a short time as if CSKA getting a fair draw,” said Sterling. Vieirinha 29) Manchester United after. Moscow could spare United’s In Seville, Fernando Llorente’s (ENG) 2 (Martial 10, Guilavogui Julian Draxler set up Vieirinha blushes when Sergey Ignashevich 65th-minute goal guided the 82-o.g.) to round off a sublime team move converted a 76th-minute penalty Spaniards past Juve and enabled and put Wolfsburg 2-1 ahead just to put CSKA 1-0 up against PSV. them to pip Gladbach into third, At Eindhoven, Netherlands before the half hour. But the Dutch side hit back ensuring Unai Emery’s men will PSV Eindhoven (NED) 2 (L. de Jong But United clawed their way just two minutes later through have a chance to land a third con- 78, Propper 85) CSKA Moscow back into the game eight min- Luuk de Jong and completed the secutive Europa League crown. (RUS) 1 (Ignashevich 76-pen) utes from time when Josuha Gui- turnaround with five minutes to Cristiano Ronaldo smashed his Group C lavogui headed into his own net. play as Davy Propper earned the own pool stage scoring record as However, Naldo grabbed his home side a 2-1 victory, ensuring he netted four times in a crush- At Istanbul second of the night shortly after they went through as runners-up ing 8-0 victory over Malmo in Galatasaray (TUR) 1 (Inan 64) Astana as he headed home a corner to behind Wolfsburg. Group A. (KAZ) 1 (Twumasi 62) consign United to a third-place Manchester City wrested away The Portuguese star’s tally of finish and a spot in the last 32 of top spot from Juventus in Group 11 goals in this season’s group At Lisbon, Portugal the Europa League. D as Manuel Pellegrini’s side campaign surpassed the previ- Benfica (POR) 1 (Mitroglou 75) “We’re disappointed. But if you claimed a thrilling 4-2 victory ous mark of nine set by himself Atletico Madrid (ESP) 2 (Níguez 33, look back we should have won over Borussia Moenchengladbach, in 2013/14 and Luiz Adriano for Vietto 55) our last game at home to PSV,” while last year’s finalists suc- Shakhtar Donetsk last season. lamented midfielder Marouane cumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla. Troubled French striker Karim Group D Fellaini, talking to BT Sport. David Silva had given City a Benzema also scored his first hat- At Manchester, England Winger Jesse Lingard, who 16th-minute lead at the Etihad trick for five years, while Mateo Manchester City (ENG) 4 (Silva 16, Kovacic added his first goal for Sterling 80, 81, Bony 85) Borussia the Spanish giants. Moenchengladbach (GER) 2 (Korb “Five victories in a row, we are 19, Rafael 42) on a good run and need to con- tinue like this,” said Ronaldo. Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal walks down the tunnel at At Seville, Spain “On a personal level, I am the end of the match as fans gesture at Volkswagen-Arena, Wolfsburg, Sevilla (ESP) 1 (Llorente 65) Juventus happy for another record.” Germany, on Tuesday night. (ITA) 0 Paris Saint-Germain eased to a 2-0 victory at home to Shakhtar Donetsk with second-half goals Benfica with a 2-1 victory in Lis- from Lucas and Zlatan Ibrahi- bon. Saul Niguez’s first-half strike Galatasaray’s movic at the Parc des Princes. put Diego Simeone’s men in front Selcuk Inan Laurent Blanc’s popular side before Luciano Vietto netted a celebrates his were already guaranteed to finish second on 55 minutes, with Kostas goal against second in the group behind Real, Mitroglou grabbing a consolation Astana in exposing the French champions to for the hosts. Istanbul on the possibility of facing European Galatasaray denied Astana a Tuesday. champions Barcelona or Bayern famous first group stage win and Munich when the draw for the the chance to continue their con- last 16 is made next Monday. tinental adventure in the Europa The draws will be made at League as Selcuk Inan cancelled Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic warms up UEFA headquarters in Nyon. out Patrick Twumasi’s opener in prior to a UEFA Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk Atletico Madrid wrapped up a 1-1 draw in Turkey. at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris. first place in Group C as they avenged an earlier home loss to REUTERS FIFA medical chief backs Schweinsteiger ‘not the player he was’ Carneiro WOLFSBURG: Louis van Gaal experience to cope with a slump said the popular Dane, who won has repeated his criticism that in form at United. “I believe Basti five Premier League titles, three President Putin calls for Germany captain Bastian Sch- has experienced so much in his FA Cups and the 1999 Champions in Chelsea weinsteiger is not the player he career that he can cope with this League with United. “It is clear was at Bayern Munich in the easily,” said Draxler. “I have abso- that for a certain period of time, reforms to Russian game case-report wake of Manchester United’s lutely no concerns about that.” while he is rebuilding the team, Champions League exit. Draxler sent Schweinsteiger we have to accept playing in a cer- MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin called for reforms to Russian LONDON: The head of FIFA’s United crashed out of Europe’s the wrong way in the build up tain way which perhaps isn’t the football at Tuesday’s meeting of the president’s council for sports and medical committee Michel top domestic competition on for his side’s second goal scored Manchester United way. the 2018 World Cup organising committee. D’Hooghe has stated his support Tuesday with a 3-2 defeat at by Portugal’s Vieirinha, which “The objective of Van Gaal’s Putin criticised the existing system of football administration and for Chelsea’s former club doctor Wolfsburg, which left them third put the hosts 2-1 ahead. “We first season in charge was to get called on the national squad to represent the country at the 2018 World Eva Carneiro, who has brought in the group to drop into the talked about it during the game, back into the Champions League Cup with dignity. a legal case against the club for Europa League. because he went the wrong way,” and he achieved that. This season, “Of course we should perform with dignity in 2018,” the R-Sport constructive dismissal, the BBC In the wake of the defeat, Van said Draxler. “It was good for us.” the goal was to do better and the agency quoted the president as saying. reported. Gaal reiterated his pre-match team are doing better. “People in Russia love football. Young and old all play the game. Chelsea manager Jose Mour- comments that Schweinsteiger, Van Gaal needs “Although the fans keep asking “Of course Russian football is not without the government’s atten- inho, named a respondent in the 31, is not playing as well as he did the team to attack, attack, attack, tion and the private investors’ support. case, is also the subject of an indi- during his 14 years at Bayern, who time to prove they understand that they need to “That means that the problems are in the game’s system of admin- vidual legal action. he left for Old Trafford before the give Van Gaal time.” istration, the system of selection of young players, the methods and “Of course I support Eva Car- start of the season. his worth, says Schmeichel was speaking at an forms of interaction with coaches and players.” neiro,” D’Hooghe was quoted as Schweinsteiger was taken off event to mark the second anni- The president also offered to prepare a nation-wide development saying by the BBC. “She did her with twenty minutes to go in Schmeichel versary of United’s partnership strategy through to 2030. job, she did her duty - when some- Wolfsburg. with Eurobank Serbia. “It’s obvious that a clear-cut programme of actions is needed,” Putin body is medically in trouble she “I took him off and I don’t take BELGRADE: Manchester “Not being in the Champions said. has to intervene. Of course she players off for nothing, but we are United manager Louis Van Gaal League last season was very hurt- “In this connection I propose to work out the nation-wide strategy has my support and the whole all human beings and so is Bastian needs to be given more time so ful, as it’s a massive incentive for until 2030.” medical committee’s. I have had Schweinsteiger,” said Van Gaal. that the club can reap the rewards this club to always be among the The president called for radical changes in the system of financing email contact with her and she “He wants to play at the high- of allowing him to develop his own best in the world,” he said. the country’s football clubs. is very happy with the global est level, especially in Germany, ideas, former United goalkeeper United, who are fourth in the “It’s a pity but sometimes the contest between football clubs looks support of the medical world in to show his qualities, but I can’t Peter Schmeichel said yesterday. Premier League, three points like the battle of cash-boxes,” Putin said. football.” say he was the Bastian Schwein- Speaking at a news conference behind surprise leaders Leices- “Many of the clubs get funding from the regional budgets. They waste Mourinho called Carneiro steiger I saw during my Bayern in Belgrade, Schmeichel defended ter City, missed out on Europe’s the money assigned for sports development in the country’s regions. “impulsive and naive” and Munich days. I’m sure he will Van Gaal’s style, which has been premier club competition last “Meanwhile, around the world football clubs make a lot of money removed her from first team show his strengths this season,” criticised by many fans and pun- term after finishing seventh in by selling the broadcasting rights, advertising, the club symbols and duties after she went on the pitch added the Dutchman. dits as boring. 2014 under David Moyes. other things. to treat Eden Hazard during the Wolfsburg midfielder Julian “When we picked someone like Schmeichel emphasised the “I ask the sports ministry to work out their concrete proposals opening match of the Premier Draxler stuck up for his Ger- Louis Van Gaal, who has a very enormity of the task United faced for the creation of an adequate system of financial activities for the League season against Swan- many team-mate and says Sch- big ego and personality, we also when Alex Ferguson, who steered country’s professional clubs.” sea City at Stamford Bridge on weinsteiger has more than enough picked his way of playing football,” the club to 13 league titles, five REUTERS August 8. FA Cups and two Champions Chelsea were already down to League trophies, retired in 2013 10 men after goalkeeper Thibaut after 27 years as manager. Barca star Neymar suffers leg injury Courtois was sent off and, with “Ferguson’s interaction with LEVERKUSEN: European champions Barcelona suffered an injury Hazard having to leave the pitch individuals was his priority. He blow as Brazil star Neymar (pictured) limped out of training ahead after treatment, they were tem- made it his mission to under- of his side’s Champions League clash at Bayer porarily left with nine players. stand each and every person he Leverkusen. The match finished 2-2. worked with, whether they were “During training this evening, Neymar suffered a D’Hooghe said Carneiro might players or staff,” he said. “He small muscle injury in the abductor of his left leg,” find it difficult to get another job always knew what buttons to Barcelona said in a statement ahead of yesterday’s in football but added he would push to get the maximum out of match. “The development of the injury will determine help her if required. “I can imag- every individual. “Also, he always his availability for the upcoming games.” ine that in the short term she understood the big picture. Dur- The 23-year-old is expected to sit out against might have some problems with ing his 27 years in charge, the Leverkusen, but of more concern for Barca is whether that,” he said. “But with her per- world kept changing and while he will be ready for the Club World Cup with the Cat- sonality and her competence she he was part of the reason world alans set to play their semi-final in Japan on Decem- must certainly have a great future football had changed, he had the ber 17. Neymar has been in sensational form this season, scoring 16 and if I can help her I will do it.” Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal (third left) and assistant unique ability to adapt to all goals in 18 appearances. On Tuesday he was crowned La Liga’s player manager Ryan Giggs (second right) look dejected on Tuesday. changes.” of the month for November. REUTERS AGENCIES REUTERS THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Lekhwiya crush Al Ahli to continue win streak Qatar SC and Al Gharafa share spoils in goalless draw; Nam, Youssef, Muntari and Weiss score for the winners

DOHA: Lekhwiya yesterday crushed Al Ahli 4-0 to continue QSL giants ready their win streak in the Qatar Stars League (QSL). for battle royale Yesterday’s commanding show was Lekhwiya’s fourth successive win. With this result Lekhwiya DOHA: Al Sadd’s resolve to have accumulated 22 points while reduce the gap against Qatar Al Ahli stay put with 14 points. Stars League (QSL) points Lekhwiya settled the match leaders Al Rayyan will be put early during the first half when to the test when the two sides they scored three goals starting play their annual ‘Classico’ clash with the Korean Nam Tae Hee in today. the 7th minute. Youssef Mesakny Al Rayyan, who have stitched scored in the 11th minute while 12 wins in a row, are leading the Mohamed Muntari fired one standings table with a tally of 33 home in the 38th minute. points. Substitute Vladimir Weiss Action from El Jaish and Umm Salal match. Al Sadd, who are now playing scored Lekhwiya’s fourth goal in under a new coach, are in third the 81st minute. spot behind second-laced El Jaish The first half witnessed a rare occurrence in the QSL this as he could. Abdulla who got the with a tally of 21 points. decent number of attempts from season. nod ahead of regular goalkeeper Coached by former Al Sadd Al Ahli players who tried draw There have only three occa- Qasem Burham did a good job coach Jorge Fossati, Al Rayyan level. sions this season so far that a there to justify his selection. have demolished all before them Congolese striker Ndombe match has ended with neither The second half belonged com- this season, remaining unbeaten Mubele missed an opportunity team being able to get on the pletely to Al Gharafa. In the in 12 matches so far. to score in the 13th minute. In score sheet. 62nd minute Dioko had the first Star striker and captain Rod- 29th minute, Mubele came close The previous time it happened of his two clear chances. Fahid rigo Tabata last week scored his to scoring but fumbled with his was in the Round 7 encounter Al-Shammari passed to Dioko 12th goal of the season in a game shot in the 29th minute. between Al Gharafa and Umm in the centre but the Congolese against Al Gharafa. Lekhwiya, however, were never Salal. striker couldn’t connect with the Tabata’s digits are the best for in doubt when they fired home Al Gharafa had the better ball, which was slightly behind the 2015-16 season so far. two goals in the first 11 minutes chances and should have come out him, and the chance was wasted. Al Sadd, who brought in Jesu- of the match and closed the first of this match with three points Then there was a long hold aldo Ferreira a little over a week half with a 3-0 card. but striker Alain Dioko missed a up because Qatar SC goalkeeper ago, must produce the goods after Al Ahli players weren’t able to couple of clear chances. Mohamed Mubarak was involved losing their last two games. put any pressure create a move The Congolese striker would in a collision with Gharafa’s Yasin Al Sadd were upset by Al Sailya that would put prtessure on have easily found the back of the Shekaoui and needed lengthy last week. Lekhwiya’s goalkeeper Claude net if this were last season but medical attention. Mubarak con- The game at Jassim Bin Hamad Amine. Dioko still has to find the form tinued to play with a bandaged Stadium today is expected to draw Al Ahli head coach made which saw him win the Mansour jaw. a full house and fans wanting to three substitutions with the aim Muftah award last year. In the 82nd minute Al Gharafa be part of the ‘Classico’ clash have of rectifying things, but it was The first clear chance of the had what would be their best been urged by QSL to arrive early Lekhwiya who scored the fourth match came late in the first half chance of the match. Al Sham- for the 6:30pm kick-off. goal late in the second half. and it fell to Qatar SC when mari provided a incisive pass into Family entertainment zones With this huge win over Al Mousa Allaq latched onto a great the box but Dioko was again off- have been arranged for at the Ahli, Lekhwiya has proved that through pass and had an open target. There were eight minutes venue, organisers said on Mon- they are determined to narrow goal with only the Al Gharafa of added time, which saw Sheka- day. the gap on the top three sides in goalkeeper Abdulaziz Abdulla to oui sent off with a second yellow The match - the biggest QSL QSL. beat. but neither team could find a goal spectacle this season - will be tel- Umm Salal players celebrate their win over El Jaish in the Qatar Stars In another match, Qatar SC But Allaq’s chip shot ended and the match ended in a stale- ecast live on national television. League (QSL) match yesterday. Umm Salal won 3-2. yesterday were able to hold Al up being deflected by Abdulla mate. Gharafa to a goalless draw, a who had made himself as wide THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA Umm Salal stun El Jaish, Al Arabi win

DOHA: In a dominating show of attacking enjoying a similar share of possession in the football, Umm Salal yesterday beat El Jaish first half, all the goals came in the second half. to pick up three valuable points in the Qatar It started with Yusef Ahmed Ali putting the Stars League (QSL) title race. ball in the back of the net, only to be flagged Despite leading the match 3-0 at one offside. But two minutes later Sergio Paulo time, Umm Salal managed to hold on to scored the first goal for this team, finally their defence and closed the match 3-2 at Al breaking down the gritty Mesaimeer defence. Gharafa Stadium. Mosaab Elhassan provided the cross and the Welinton Souza Silva (8), Yannick Anister Brazilian made no mistake this time. Latte (15) and Jermie Ali Adiere (63) scored The second goal came off a penalty with for the winners. Abdullrahman Said adjudged to have brought El Jaish, placed second on the QSL points down Yusef Ahmed. Al Arabi skipper Boualem table, hit back through Sardor Rashidov (74). Khoukhi scored from the spot in the 66th Romario Ricardo Silva (77) scored El Jaish’s minute. second goal of the high-scoring clash. This goal seemed to awaken Mesaimeer and Top Qatar Stars League (QSL) officials met with representatives of Al It was El Jaish’s second successive loss fol- they started making regular forays into the Sadd and Al Rayyan clubs at a special meeting called in ahead of the lowing their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Qatar Al Arabi half. ‘Classico’ clash today. SC last week. Erivelto Silva had a chance in the 76th Al Rayyan continue to lead the points table minute when he found himself one on one with with 33 points from 11 matches going into the the Al Arabi ‘keeper Rajab Kassim but the QATAR STARS LEAGUE Round 12 calsh with Al Sadd today. Brazilian’s shot was straight at the ‘keeper. QSL holds a El Jaish and Al Arabi, both have 23 points Mesaimeer enjoyed a brief period of ball Yesterday’s Results from 12 matches. possession but Arabi wrestled back control Umm Salal 3 El Jaish 2 coordination Umm Salal are in the sixth spot with 21 with a Sergio Dutra Junior goal in the 80th Al Arabi 4 Mesaimeer 1 Action from Qatar Stars League match points from 12 matches. minute. Al Arabi got their icing on the cake Lekhwiya 4 Al Ahli 0 meeting ahead Elsewhere, Al Arabi yesterday produced a between Al Arabi and Mesaimeer. when Seyed Mohammad scored in the 91st dominant performance to defeat Mesaimeer minute to wrap up a commanding perform- Qatar SC 0 Al Gharafa 0 4-1 at Lekhwiya Stadium. ance by Gianfranco Zola’s boys. Mesaimeer Today’s match of ‘Classico’ This win also saw Al Arabi jump to third in the match, ending up with 66 per cent pos- have just four points from 12 matches. Al Rayyan vs Al Sadd at Jassim Bin Hamad the QSL standings. session and having had 22 shots on goal with DOHA: Top Qatar Stars League Stadium at 6.30pm The Dream Team had complete control over a whopping 15 of them on target. But despite THE PENINSULA (QSL) officials met with rep- resentatives of Al Sadd and Al Rayyan clubs at a special meeting called in ahead of the ‘Classico’ clash today. The coordination meeting was Classico promises to be tough and exciting called to engage all stakeholders about ticket sales, entry points for DOHA: Al Rayyan is taking We need them to stick with us “We will be playing to win this spectators and presence of VIPs nothing for granted ahead of this throughout the season as we aim game,” he said. Al Briek added at the clash set to take place at week’s Qatar Classico againstAl for success.” fans are anticipating the ‘Clas- Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Sadd, Rashed Al Khalifah Vice- Meanwhile, Al Sadd team sico’ to be a memorable one. The meeting was attended by President of the club said here manager Abdullah Al Briek “I expect the Jassim Bin Hamad Hassan Rabia Al Kuwari, Events yesterday. said yesterday he was confident Stadium to draw a full house with Manager QSL, Ahmed Al-Adsani, Al Khalifah said both sides of a positive performance from fans of both the sides,” Al Briek Director of Competitions, Ahmed were capable of winning the game. his side against arch-rivals Al said. Shammari, marketing repre- He also urged Lions fans not to Rayyan today. Commenting on whether the sentative of Al Rayyan Club, and think they had already secured QSL giants Al Sadd are set recent defeats against Lekhwiya Ahmed Masool of Sadd Club offi- the Qatar Stars League title, to host Al Rayyan at Jassim Bin and Al Sailiyah would effect the cial. The officials confirmed that despite sitting ten points clear at Hamad Stadium in their annual performance today, Al Briek the entry gates at Jassim Bin the top after winning their open- ‘Classico’ clash. said:“There will be no negative Hamad Stadium will be thrown ing 11 games. “ “The match will be very diffi- impact on the team’s perform- open at 16:00, at least two and The Classico is always tough cult for both the side, but I am ances. This is a different game half hours before the scheduled and exciting,” said Mr Khalifah. Rashed Al Khalifah (left) Vice-President of Al Rayyan club and Al Sadd confident that our players will from other clashes. We just hope kick-off. The main gate will only “Thursday’s match is no fore- team manager Abdullah Al Briek. do well on our home ground,” Al we don’t make silly mistakes in be given access to guests with VIP gone conclusion. We cannot say Briek said yesterday. such a big game.” entry passes whereas gates 1 and that Al Rayyan or Al Sadd will “It doesn’t matter that we have “I don’t think the title has “We have confidence in Al Sadd “I urged Al Sadd fans to come 2 are reserved for families, offi- win, as both sides are capable of won 11 games in a row, while Al already been won. We are obvi- players because we have experi- out in large numbers and support cials said yesterday. earning the three points. Sadd have lost their last two. The ously very happy with our start ence on our side,” he added. the teams,” he said. Fans can enter the stadiums “We know that Al Sadd will be Classico is always different – the and feel very confident, but there Al Briek said Al Sadd players “Their presence will make a through gate numbers 6 7 and 8. desperate to bounce back from best team on the day will win. I’m is a long way to go. We have only will not back down from a tough difference,” Al Briek said. People with special needs can also their recent defeats. However, expecting an exciting and open played 11 games so far, so we are challenge. “The fans will know that we use the same channels to enter we also want to keep our win- game with plenty of goals.” not even halfway through the “Al Sadd team is capable of are aiming at three points and the stadium. Special areas have ning run going. It promises to Al Khalifah went on to say he season.” Al Khalifah also thanked winning this game. We enter each we have the players to get the job been designated for Al Rayyan be a really exciting game – I disagreed with pundits who said the Rayyan fans for their sup- and every game with only one aim done,” Al Briek said. fans, officials said. expect a full stadium and bril- the QSL title race was effectively port. and that is to win and gain the liant atmosphere. over. “The fans have been amazing. three points,” he said. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA 27 THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER 2015 Sport www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Federer splits Qatar set for weekend with Edberg, action of Endurocross hires Ljubicic PARIS: World number three Roger Federer has shaken up Sealine to host the second round of Endurocross his 2016 coaching team with six- time Grand Slam champion Ste- DOHA: The second round of “I had a great start in the sharing the first position in the fan Edberg leaving and Croatian Qatar International Enduro- championship but I have to be standing with 47 points. Ivan Ljubicic drafted in to replace cross will take place this Satur- well prepared and strong for this Paul Holmes is leading in the the Swede. day at Sealine with Mohammed season as the competition and the Quads with 47 points and the Federer, the 17-time Grand Jaffar, Ross Runnalls and Tomi level is higher, I had a fierce battle Qatari rider Mohammed Abu Slam winner, issued a statement Sarivaara leading in their respec- with Meshari last round and for Issa is second with 43 points. In on his website Tuesday saying tively bike categories while the sure this coming round we will the opening round, Holmes won that “his childhood idol” Edberg British rider Paul Holmes is lead- compete again for the lead’ says the first moto as Abu Issa had had originally signed up as an ing in the Quads. Jaffar. some problems with his quad assistant coach only for 2014. In the E1 class, the Kuwaiti The newcomer in this champi- and finished in fourth place. In “After two very successful KTM rider Mohammed Jaffar onship in the E2 class, the South the second moto, the Qatari rider years, I would like to thank Ste- leads his class with 47 points and African Ross Runnalls, won both finished in first place and Holmes fan Edberg, my childhood idol, for his compatriots Meshari Abou races in the opening round and is second. The Kuwaiti rider Fahad agreeing to join my team,” Fed- Shaibah and Moaath Al Ansari leading with 50 points. The Emi- Al Musallam is third in the stand- erer said on www.rogerfederer.com. are second and third respectively rati rider Mohammed Al Balo- ings. Free practice starts at 9:05 “It was a dream come true. in the E1 standings with 42 and oshi came second in both races and the first race for bikes is Although it was supposed to only 38 points. and with 44 points is second in scheduled at 10:35 and the sec- be for 2014, Stefan was great and Jaffar, who was competing in the standings. Michael Anderson ond one at 12:25. For the Quads, agreed to extend the partnership the E2 class last year and changed also from South Africa is in third the first race will be at 11:30 and through this year which I really to E1 this season, is very confident position in the E2. the second one at 13:20. Podium Mohammed Al Balooshi and Ross Runnalls in action in this file picture. appreciated. with his start of the season and Regarding the veterans class, ceremony will be at 14:15. The second round of Qatar International Endurocross will take place “He taught me so much and his looking forward to the coming Tomi Sarivaara from Finland this Saturday at Sealine. influence on my game will remain. round. and Luc Dubois from Canada are THE PENINSULA He will always be a part of my team.” The change constitutes another throw of the dice for Federer, 34, as he bids to prolong his stay at the top of men’s tennis and add to his all-time record haul of Grand Qatar Masters offers free golf coaching to juniors Slam titles. Federer said that Severin Luthi DOHA: The 2016 Commercial Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. to come down to the Commer- will continue to be his main coach, Bank Qatar Masters is back in International certified coaches cial Bank Qatar Masters to have continuing a partnership that January with an even bigger focus will be there to offer golf coach- fun, try out the sport and have a began in 2008. on family entertainment, with a ing tips in a bid to encourage great time with their family and Edberg said he had a “won- range of activities organised by children to try out and enjoy the friends.” derful two years” with Federer the Qatar Golf Association for sport. The Qatar Golf Academy United Through Golf aims to but made it clear that he always children with United Through boasts a team of highly qualified provide children with an interac- planned to walk away at the end Golf. PGA professionals - Pete Cowen tive platform to learn more about of this season. The European Tour tourna- and Mike Walker, who coach the golf in a fun and social environ- “After an amazing 2014, I ment, which takes place at the likes of Henrik Stenson and Lee ment. The Family Zone will give decided to continue on for another Doha Golf Club from January 27 Westwood – who will be avail- children of all ages the opportu- year, but with a clear understand- to 30, will offer free golf coach- able during the tournament to nity to try out a range of sports ing that it would be my last year ing amongst other activities for put children through their paces. including mini and soft golf with given the time commitment,” he children of all ages in the event’s “Golf is a great sport for chil- their friends and family. said in a statement on the ATP Family Zone as well as trick shot dren of all ages both socially and Tickets are available to buy now website. shows and a range of entertain- physically,” said Andy McCor- at Virgin Megastores (Online and “I believe Roger still has a lot ment in the Public Village. mick, Director of Qatar Golf in-store in Doha), Ticket Mas- left to give to the sport of tennis Qatar Golf Association and Academy. ter, Time Out Tickets, Q Tickets, and is capable of winning the big United Through Golf, the com- “The sport focuses on individ- Doha Golf Club and more (full list events... I will always feel part of munity development initiative ual skills, yet is played in a very below). Tickets are priced as fol- the Federer team.” Free golf coaching for kids to be offered during the 2016 Commercial at the Qatar Golf Academy, will social platform that teaches chil- lows, starting at QR150. Ljubicic, a former world Bank Qatar Masters. have coaches on hand at various dren to respect one another. We number three, had been working times throughout the week at the continuously encourage children THE PENINSULA as Canadian Milos Raonic’s coach since 2013 but will now be a key part of Federer’s travelling back- room entourage. Federer will make his 2016 ATP Tour debut at the Brisbane International which Aspire Zone to host a number of begins on January 3. Fury stripped sports activities in December of IBF title DOHA: Aspire Zone is organis- tition demonstrates the strength In addition, Aspire Park hosts ing plenty of fun-filled sport and of ties between the various a number of different activities LONDON:World heavyweight community activities throughout embassies and diplomatic posts including the second phase of champion Tyson Fury’s uncle and December with emphasis on fit- in Qatar, and is a fine example of the Aspire Run in the Park on trainer says the decision to strip ness and health. the important role sport plays in December 12 at 8:00am and the the British fighter of one of his The Aspire Banks League – building and strengthening rela- “Kids Art in the Park” activity three titles is “absolutely scan- organised in collaboration with tionships between different world every Saturday from 10:30am to dalous”. the Qatar Central Bank – contin- states. 12:30pm. The 27-year-old, whose com- ued for a seventh week at Aspire Aspire Zone is also continu- Families and children are able ments about homosexuality and Dome. ing with the Splash & Dash pro- to enjoy activities such as paddle women have provoked almost as The league has continued to gramme until December 26. The boating in the lake at Aspire Park, many headlines as his feats inside witness exciting competition programme involves activities pony rides around Aspire Park, Qatar’s Thamer Al Darwish and Mohamed Al Heidus will be looking the ring, was relieved of his IBF between the participating banks. such as running and swimming and more. to win the Runabout GP1 world title for Qatar at Sharjah Grand Prix. belt after agreeing to a con- Qatar National Bank is currently that are held in Aspire Dome, Aspire Zone Foundation organ- tracted rematch with the Ukrain- in the lead, followed closely by where participants can utilise ises a number of community ian Wladimir Klitschko instead Qatar Central Bank and Barwa the venue’s swimming pool and events and activities throughout of fighting the IBF’s mandatory Bank. air-conditioned indoor athletics the year, providing access to its Qatari pair eyes world challenger. Aspire Dome is also hosting the track to improve their fitness state-of-the-art venues and facili- “It’s true he’s been stripped of Aspire Embassies’ Futsal Tour- and health. The programme takes ties for all members of the com- his IBF belt,” Lindsey Tucker, IBF nament, which takes place every place every Saturday from 3:30pm munity. championships chairman, told the Friday and Saturday. The compe- until 5:30pm. THE PENINSULA title at Sharjah GP BBC on Tuesday. “Our challenger was Vyacheslav DOHA: Thamer Al Darwish title race after the penultimate Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and Mohamed Al Heidus will be round in China, but he has failed and signed a rematch clause with Engineers Forum Doha Cable Tennis tourney held looking to win the Runabout GP1 to win in his last four outings, was Wladimir Klitschko.” world title for Qatar for the first outgunned by the UAE’s Belse- In an interview in Boxing News, time in the sport’s 21-year his- lah in Italy and by Al Heidus in Peter Fury said: “It’s absolutely tory at the final Grand Prix of the China, who grabbed his first race scandalous. I’ve not spoken to season in Sharjah on December win and GP title last time out to Tyson yet but we’re dealing with 19 and 20. With two races to run put himself into contention. it.“But we’ve got a rematch that and with 50 points on offer Al Qatar Sailing and Water Sports we’re tied to. We have to take that Darwish has the upper hand and Federation (QSWF) announced fight. A fight of this magnitude, leads the title race on 89 points, here yesterday that the team will the IBF should only be too happy 16 ahead of France’s Jeremy Perez depart to Dubai a week before the to be involved in such a meg- and a further three in front of race to get use to the local condi- afight.” Fury, who still holds the Jean-Baptiste Botti. tions and as part of the training. WBA and WBO versions of the Al Heidus, however, has work The team consists of the Aqua- title, has been shortlisted for the to do if he is to close the gap to bike team manager and QSWF BBC’s prestigious Sports Person- his countryman and sits in sixth Board Member Salah Al Mannai, ality of the Year award -- a move spot on 61 points behind Middle besides mechanics Bader Al Zaini widely criticised after his con- The players and officials, who took part in the Engineers Forum Doha Cable Tennis tournament organised by East rivals Khalifa Belselah and and Rashid Al Mannai. The two troversial comments on a range Engineers Forum Qatar, pose for a picture at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha 2013 World Champion Youssef Al riders will also undergo physical of topics. An online petition call- recently. About 30 players participated in the Singles and Doubles matches. In the singles final, Daniel of QGET Abdulrazzaq. training besides the technical ing on the BBC to deselect him defeated Joseph Joy of TKMCE in straight sets to take the title for the second year in a row. In the Doubles After becoming the first Qatari training in regards to their aqua- because of comments widely seen final, QGET team consisting of Daniel & Rajeev Menon saw off a spirited opposition from Shabeer Ahamed & to win a UIM-ABP tour race and bikes in order to be fully prepared as homophobic has now gathered Jamsheed of KEF. The trophies were distributed by Engineers Forum Chairman, Engineer E J John and senior GP title, appropriately doing it on for the final round. close to 100,000 signatures. member Engineer Alichen M Thomas. home waters in Doha in March, Al Darwish hit the front in the THE PENINSULA AGENCIES