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Qatargas wins Djokovic crushes GCCGCC Environment Verdasco to reach Award quarters

THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 • 27 Rabia I 1437 • Volume 20 • Number 6668 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Emir meets US official Alarm as North Tunisia charter a Korea tests key achievement, hydrogen bomb says official Reuters SEOUL: North Korea said it suc- cessfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb yester- day, claiming a significant advance 100,000 job opportunities annually” in its strike capability and setting Challenges remain and this is creating disappointment off alarm bells in Japan and South among the youth, he added. Korea. for democracy in The disappointment was reflected The test, the fourth time the iso- cradle of Arab Spring in the voter turnout in the last election lated state has exploded a nuclear in which only three million people device, was ordered by young leader cast their ballot while eight million Kim Jong Un and successfully con- people had participated in the pre- ducted at 10am local time (0130 vious election, Mansser said. GMT), North Korea’s official KCNA By Mohamed Osman The military’s neutral stance con- news agency said. The Peninsula tributed to the current achievements. “Let the world look up to the The military in Tunisia never inter- strong, self-reliant nuclear-armed fered in politics since independence, state,” Kim wrote in what North Mansser told The Peninsula when Korean state TV displayed as a hand- DOHA: A major achievement of the asked “why the stance of defence written note. Tunisian revolution has been the cur- forces in Tunisia was different from South Korean intelligence offi- rent constitution, yet there are many that in other Arab countries”. Mans- cials and several analysts questioned challenges facing the last candle of ser, who was speaking with four other whether yesterday’s explosion was democracy in the Arab Spring states, panelists at the first seminar of a series indeed a full-fledged test of a hydro- says a senior Tunisian official. organised by Al Jazeera Studies Centre, gen device. After five years of Arab revolution, emphasised that Tunisia has man- The reported nuclear test drew Tunisia is the only lit candle despite aged to establish a system whereby condemnation abroad, including challenges after the overthrow of no one can override a democratically from China and Russia, North the regime. elected regime and so the revolution’s Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Korea’s two main allies. The main achievement of the rev- achievements have been protected. Committee, Senator Bob Corker, at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. olution is the constitution ratified by The constitution addresses the → See also page 9 a vast majority of Tunisians, and it rights of marginalised groups and has was an outcome of a long political strengthened national unity by end- Tunisia premier battle which led to an agreement on ing discrimination based on region the priorities undermining unneces- and also facilitates local governance reshuffles cabinet sary differences, said Adnan Mansser, and political participation. Qatar recalls ambassador to Iran Director of the Presidential Cabinet Mansser added: “There are many and a former official spokesman Western hypocrites who are exploiting TUNIS: Tunisian Premier Habib for the Presidency of the Republic our need for support and investment DOHA: Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign try, Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, Tehran and the consulate in Mash- Essid announced yesterday a major of Tunisia. to impose their conditions which will Affairs recalled yesterday its ambassa- reports QNA. had, which represent a violation of cabinet reshuffle, as his government However, there are major chal- affect our interests, but publicly they dor to Tehran following attacks on the The Ministry also handed a protest the international charters and norms grapples with growing Islamist vio- lenges facing democracy, such as speak in a different way”. Saudi Embassy in Tehran and general note to the Iranian Embassy in Doha. that emphasise the protection of diplo- lence and a feeble economy. The economic difficulties and corrup- consulate in Mashhad, said Director The note was given following matic missions and their staff, a Foreign foreign and interior ministers were tion, which is “making us lose around → Continued on page 2 of Asian Department at the Minis- the attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Ministry statement said, reports QNA. among those replaced. 02 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 HOME

Emir watches Djokovic’s match at Qatar ExxonMobil Open Premier meets US Senator

Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday attended part of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2016 at the Khalifa Thani yesterday met US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator International Tennis and Squash Complex. The Emir watched the match between Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Fernando Bob Corker and his delegation. Talks dealt with cooperation between both Verdasco. Djokovic won 6-2, 6-2 to qualify for the quarter-finals. countries, means of enhancing it and regional developments.

Emir meets Danish Libya ‘conflict based on legitimacy, power and wealth’ Foreign Minister Continued from page 1 components of the revolution failed to 1952 and the media contributed to exclu- QNA manage their differences to combine the sion, oppression and promotion of hatred The second speaker was Awad armed youth and this led to the spread of and extremism. Social media is the only Albaraasi, Chairman, Libyan Organ- weapons, chaos and the country plunged window available for freedom of expres- isation of Policies and Strategies, and into new armed conflicts. sion in Egypt today, she added. DOHA: Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin a former deputy prime minister, who Consecutive governments have failed The situation in Yemen was Hamad Al Thani met Danish Foreign said the current conflict in Libya was to find solution for the over -centrali- highlighted by Waseem Al Qurashi, Officials at a seminar ‘Five Years Into the Arab Spring: Achievements, Minister Kristian Jensen and his del- based on legitimacy, power and wealth sation system to end marginalisation, spokesperson of the Organising Com- Failure and Future scenarios’ at Al Jazeera Media Training and egation at the Emiri Diwan yesterday. and the innocent people were paying a provide services and combat poverty. mittee for the Youth of the Yemeni They reviewed relations between the heavy price. Arab people are patient but they do Revolution in 2011. “We in Yemen under- Development Centre. It will be followed by seminar 2. two countries, means of promoting The armed revolution managed to not like to be taken for a ride by any estimated the situation thinking that them and matters of common concern. remove the regime in a short time as regime and despite challenges that within 15 days of mass demonstrations forces consisting of all Yemenis and free it laid the foundation for the principles Prime Minister and Interior Minis- Libya was the only country which wit- faced Arab Spring revolutions, peo- we will get rid of the regime, and this of tribal, family and sectarian affilia- of democracy and freedom. ter H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin nessed Western military intervention. ple are resisting and revolutions have proved to be wrong,” he said. tions. Abdel Wahab Al Afandi, Professor All segments of society took part in Khalifa Al Thani also held a separate The collapse of the regime created not ended, said Neven Melek, human The regime was deep-rooted in dif- of Political Science and Head of Political the revolutions but some mistakes of the meeting with Jensen and his delega- vacuum in government institutions which rights activist and a former member ferent sectors and to uproot it there was Science and International Relations Pro- revolutionary powers were exploited tion. They discussed relations between were weak and ineffective because of of the Supreme Authority of Al Wasat the need for more time and effort and gramme at Doha Institute for Graduates, by the supporters of the old regimes the two countries, means of enhancing corruption and an over-centralisation Egyptian Party. She said all segments of unity. “Therefore, we took Saleh away but said observers expected that the Arab in many countries, and to achieve the them and regional and international system applied by the former regime. Egyptian people suffered from margin- his regime remained.” He said Yemenis revolution will plunge into a situation goals of the revolutions they need to issues of common concern. Although there are achievements, but alisation under the military rule since are seeking to establish national armed similar to that of Somalia, but instead sink their differences, Al Afandi said. HOME THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 03 Seawater desalination plant on vessel to be studied

meeting yesterday, was briefed on the It approved a proposal to amend Cabinet reviews proposals of the Supreme Council of certain provisions of the Cabinet Reso- Health on the basic health benefits lution No. 32 of 2013 on the nomination report on the package for Qataris, reports Qatar of the president and members of the project to employ News Agency. appeals committee at Qatar Financial The Cabinet decided to approve Markets Authority (QFMA). reverse osmosis the tendering procedures through Under the proposal, the commit- method of seawater which one or several local insur- tee established within QFMA will be ance providers will be selected to re-formed to be headed by a chief of desalination manage the mandatory health cover the Court of Appeals with two judges scheme for Qataris according to the of the court and two experts from the proposed timetable, including fixing field of securities trading as members. the insurance premium for the service The committee shall have the The Peninsula and obligations of the bidder. authority to rule on the grievances Prime Minister and Interior Min- of the penal decisions issued by the ister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser QFMA. Its decisions shall be final. Minister of Public Health H E Abdallah bin Khalid Al Qahtani and Professor Christian Brechot, Director- bin Khalifa Al Thani chaired the Cab- Appeals shall be brought before the General, Institut Pasteur, shake hands after signing the MoU as French Ambassador Eric Chevallier looks on. DOHA: Qatar has plans to study the inet’s meeting at the Emiri Diwan. competent department of the Court feasibility of launching a unique mobile The Cabinet approved a draft of Appeals. seawater desalination plant aboard law on the protection of privacy of The Cabinet also approved a pro- a vessel. personal data and referred it to the posal to amend certain provisions of SCH, Institut Pasteur in deal on infectious If approved, the project will employ Advisory Council. the Cabinet Resolution No. 27 of 2012, the reverse osmosis method of sea- The provisions of the law, once establishing the National Committee water desalination. in force, shall apply to personal data for the International Humanitarian And only Qatari-owned private when it is processed in electronic form Law, appointing Qatar Foundation diseases and immunology research insurance company or companies will or obtained or collected or extracted for Social Action as member of the manage the mandatory health insur- in any other way in preparation to be committee instead of Qatar Foun- ance scheme for citizens. processed electronically, or processed dation for Combating Trafficking in DOHA: The Supreme Council of Health “The SCH is proud of establish- Chevallier said, “I am convinced There are plans to set up logis- by combining electronic and tradi- Human Beings. (SCH) has signed a memorandum of ing an international networking with that the MoU signed today between tics zones (economic free zones) in tional processing. The committee, established within understanding with the prestigious prominent institutes such as Institut the ministry and Institut Pasteur, a Al Ruwais and Al Khor. The provisions of the law shall not the Ministry of Justice, is to be headed Institut Pasteur in France to develop Pasteur and its network that ena- recognised world leader institute in The Cabinet yesterday decided to apply to personal data processed by by the Undersecretary of the ministry, cooperation and research in the areas bles exploration of new horizons for infectious diseases, based in Paris, will approve the formation of a commit- individuals on personal or family with representatives from the author- of infectious diseases and immunology. advancement of knowledge on all lead to synergistic actions in education, tee to be headed by the Ministry of scope and in order to obtain official ities tasked with consolidating the Minister of Public Health H E levels.” research and diagnosis of infectious Finance, with members from state statistical data in accordance with principles of international law and Abdallah bin Khalid Al Qahtani and Prof. Brechot said the signing of disease, a topic of utmost importance agencies, to put necessary procedures the provisions of Law No. 2 of 2011 working to achieve the objectives of Professor Christian Brechot, Direc- the MoU came “at the very moment for the population of Qatar. in place to implement the new health on Official Statistics. international conventions and charters. tor-General of the institute, signed team leaders of the institute are gath- “The MoU is intended to be the first insurance scheme for nationals. The draft law includes provisions The Cabinet reviewed a report by the MoU in the presence of French ering in Paris with the directors of step to further actions to be developed The panel will be responsible for about individuals’ right to protect the the Minister of Energy and Industry and Ambassador to Qatar Eric Chevallier . Qatar Biomedical Research Institute on the long term on investigation into choosing insurance companies in privacy of their personal data, obliga- Chairman of the Standing Commit- The agreement was developed with and Qatar National Research Fund to infectious diseases and other health accordance with approved condi- tions of the controller and processor, tee for Water Resources on its annual inputs from related sectors, includ- define scientific cooperation consist- issues of importance for the region”. tions for the tendering process. personal data of a private nature, and quarterly reports: Q2 and Q3 of 2015 ing the Department of Public health, ent with the epidemiological reality of Founded in 1887, the institute is It will also be responsible for pre- the prohibition of sending any elec- on the work of the committee and Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar the region and the needs of the peo- an international research facility of paring tender documents and offering tronic communication for direct took decisions. Foundation and Qatar University. ple of Qatar.” excellence to advance science, med- tenders to insurance providers quali- marketing to individuals without The report said the committee Al Qahtani said the agreement will “The institute is organising in icine and public health. fied to take part in the bidding. prior consent. looked into issues, including the study strengthen collaboration in health March and June two training sessions, It is a private, non-profit founda- The committee will be responsible The Cabinet also approved granting of the cost of sales and use of treated services by encouraging collabora- accessible not only to physicians but tion with recognised charitable status for evaluating proposals submitted by Economic Zones Company (Manateq) a wastewater, the adoption of its use tive approach in education, training also to all medical staff to mark the entrusted with four core missions of insurance firms and choosing the best licence to usufruct lands for the project in construction, the establishment of and research. urgency of the topics we are tack- public interest – research; education; offer and recommending the company of logistics region in the north (Ruwais), wastewater treatment filling stations, “We are looking for tangible results ling together with the ministry, such public health; and valorisation of sci- to the Cabinet for approval. Al Khor-Industrial Area project and and a project for seawater desalination that benefit both parties as this is a as the MERS-Coronavirus and out- entific research via technology transfer Earlier, the Cabinet, at its weekly the rest of Awamer. reverse osmosis on board a vessel. five-year MoU. break investigation.” and industrial partnerships. 04 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 HOME

Ooredoo portal to provide latest news on Ronaldo

DOHA: Ooredoo has part- nered with TiMWe, the content provider for world famous football star Cristiano Ronaldo. to provide Ooredoo cus- tomers in Qatar the latest Ronaldo content from their mobiles. The CR7 portal for Ooredoo cus- tomers will include the latest content on Ron- aldo, including text alerts, the latest Ronaldo news, Professor Wolfgang Ketterle, winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics, with participants at the ‘Ibn Al Haytham Days’ event. facts, official photos and videos and social media posts. This is the first footballing profile Oore- doo has launched for QNRF organises ‘Ibn Al Haytham Days’ Ronaldo for fans. Customers can also enter the CR7 competition and answer questions day ‘Ibn Al Haytham Days,’ highlighting Manager, QNRF, said, “It’s the right front of three-member panels. Thomas Altman, a US-based high- related to Ronaldo to be the Arab scholar. time for students to revive their inter- Students worked in teams of two school teacher and expert in laser and entered into a weekly The two-day The event was held at the Hamad est in Arab scholar Ibn Al Haytham, to five under the supervision of their light activities, conducted experiments race to win a smart event highlights Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Stu- and the event lets them contribute in physics teachers and coordinators. and hands-on demonstrations of light device, and a monthly the Arab scholar’s dent Centre, in partnership with the their own way.” Om Ayman Secondary Independent phenomena on both days. prize of QR25,000. The Supreme Education Council (SEC), Sidra In line with Qatar Foundation (QF) School for Girls won the first place and Professor Ilham Al Qaradawi of more points a customer contributions and Medical and Research Centre, Qatar mission, QNRF took part in the event Rabea Al Adaweya Secondary Inde- Qatar University, and member of the gains when they answer achievements University, Texas A&M University at to promote awareness about the role pendent School for Girls came second. event organising committee, gave a a question correctly, the Qatar (TAMUQ) and the US embassy. of Arab and Muslim scientists in the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Secondary Inde- presentation on Ibn Al Haytham’ con- higher chance they have It was organised on the sidelines development of modern sciences and pendent School for Boys won the first tributions and achievements. to win. Each reply costs of the Photonics Middle East Confer- positioning Qatar as a hub of research place for boys and Jassim Bin Hamad Professor Al Qaradawi said, “This is QR3. The promotion runs The Peninsula ence (PMEC), co-sponsored by QNRF, excellence. Secondary Independent School for Boys the last event of Qatar marking Interna- for three months. The and was part of Qatar marking the Day one of the event saw the came second. tional Year of Light, and we are proud portal is available for Hala 2015 observance of the United Nations final round of a competition aimed On the second day, the 2001 Nobel to have held around 10 events through- and Shahry users and International Year of Light and Light- to encourage high school students from Laureate in Physics, Professor Wolf- out the year with organisations. can be activated with DOHA: Qatar National Research Fund Based Technologies (IYL). 22 schools to design and develop six- gang Ketterle, gave a presentation ‘The “We were also privileged to have SMS ‘CR7’ to 92292 for (QNRF), of Qatar Foundation Research In his introduction at the event, Dr minute presentations on topics related Coolest Use of Light – How to Make two eminent visitors for the students,” subscription. and Development (QF R&D), held a two- Abdulla Al Kamali, Special Programmes to photonics and the human eye in the Coldest Matter in the Universe’. he added. QU college launches PhD programme

The Peninsula based on the applicants’ obtained score. The candidate should be also qualified TOEFL with minimum score of 550 and IELTS 6.0 for those students whose medium of study was not Eng- DOHA: Qatar University’s College of Business lish. The candidate is also required to submit and Economics (QU-CBE) has launched a doctoral ‘final thesis proposal’ (research proposal) and degree programme in business administra- appear in an interview. tion in English. Dr Hindi said: “The labor market is ripe for The four-year programme comprises five specialists in this field as the demand of the busi- disciplines: information systems, management, ness and finance sector in Qatar increases. In marketing, accounting and finance. The pro- establishing the new PhD programme, CBE is gramme will start with six students from fall committed to providing intellectual and pro- this year. fessional development opportunities to ensure The programme was designed to meet the graduates’ achievement of excellence and prep- needs of the labour market for high-qualified aration for their chosen specializations. As an professionals in the field of business manage- AACSB-accredited college, we are positioned to ment, in line with the country’s ambitions towards offer this new PhD programme that will grad- a knowledge-based economy, CBE Dean Dr uate business scientists who will contribute to Nitham Hindi told a press conference yesterday. the country’s burgeoning economic develop- Decision to establish the programme was College of Business and Economics Dean ment and progress. based on a survey conducted by CBE that engaged Dr Nitham Hindi addressing a press “I expect that it will attract wide interest Temporary closure on signal-controlled working QU graduates, and leaders of various conference yesterday. from students from diverse disciplines.” government and private-sector organizations CBE’ Associate Dean for Research and in Qatar, he added. Priority in admission will be Graduate Studies Dr Belaid Aouni said: “This intersection from tomorrow given to QU’s business management students. website (http://www.qu.edu.qa/students/admis- programme prepares professionals who will add TOEFL with minimum score of 550 and sion/graduate/apply.php). value to the fast-growing business and finance IELTS 6.0 are required for admission for the The programme will require students to professions on the local and international level. The Peninsula temporary two-lane roundabout built at candidates whose language of study was not complete 60 credit hours -30 credit hours for It also aligns with the college’s ongoing efforts to the closure location, as shown in the map. English. Initially six seats are available. The course work and 30 credit hours for final thesis. provide students with opportunities to explore The speed limit will be reduced to 30kmph candidates will have to fight open competi- The candidates are required for admission existing and emerging developments and changes throughout the diversion route to reduce tion and face an interview. to hold master degree in business management in the sector and get a better insight into the DOHA: The Public Works Authority — Ash- risks to road users and the project’s work- The admission process started this month. with a with a minimum GPA of 3 out of 4, for roles and responsibilities they will encoun- ghal — will implement a temporary closure force. The closure is required to carry out Applications could be submitted through QU GMAT -- the minimum score will be considered ter in the labor market in Qatar and beyond.” on the signal-controlled intersection of works on a proposed bridge as part of the Wadi Al Salamiya Street with Al Kharaitiyat North Road enhancement project. Street west of Al Kharaitiyat Interchange Ashghal will install signs to advise (N8) on Al Shamal Road. motorists and has urged road users to The closure begins tomorrow and abide by speed limits and follow signs for Local fish output meets 80% of demand lasts one year. Traffic will be diverted to a their safety.

By Sidi Mohamed Fisheries and Livestock at the Ministry of Envi- The Peninsula ronment, said: “The objective of the workshop is to get acquainted with the latest developments in the field of fisheries and to seek ways and means of facilitating the exchange of experi- DOHA: The annual fish production in Qatar ences among our countries”. is between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes which This regional workshop is organized for an meets some 80 percent of the local demand. ongoing Project for the Sustainable Manage- According to senior officials of the Fisher- ment of Fisheries Resources in Qatar. ies Development Department, the remaining The Database System is very important for 20 percent demand is met through imports. taking decisions to protect fish stock in Qatar, But these imports are of those fish spe- where the programme takes random sam- cies that are actually not found in the Qatari ples of Fishing boats and types of fish to select waters and they include salmon, a cold water fish the quantity and kinds. The system has suc- known for high omega acid content. The peak ceeded in selecting 90 percent of the actual fish production months here are April and May, fish resources in Qatar. said Mohamed Saeed Al Mohannadi, Director The project’s overall aim is to implement of Fisheries Department, in a press statement. an ecosystem approach to fisheries and marine The statement was issued on the sidelines of resources in Qatar by establishing an infra- a workshop here yesterday. The workshop aims structure for effective ecosystem-based fishery at exchanging the experiences of the GCC states management in accordance with the Code of comprising several key variables essential for in implementing fisheries information systems. Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The Infor- effective statistical monitoring of the Qatar The two-day event is being held by the Fish- mation Technology (IT) component of NFIS is fisheries. eries Resources Department of the Ministry of the SamaqWeb database which was first intro- “It is expected that by the end of our work we Environment. Opening the workshop, Dr Sheikh duced in 2012 and it has since been operating shall have reached several points of understand- Faleh bin Nasser Al Thani (pictured), Assist- at full capacity. SamaqWeb regularly collects ing and agreement for short- and medium-term ant Undersecretary for Agricultural Affairs, and analyses statistical information and data follow-up actions,” Dr Sheikh Faleh said. HOME THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 05 Qatar Airways Cargo expands fleet of aircraft

to expand its fleet to 21 freighters by system is installed to maintain pre- Seventh Airbus A330F 2017, demonstrating its commitment to selected temperatures in the flight, develop one of the strongest air cargo supernumerary and main deck cargo and first Boeing 747F fleets in the skies. compartments. The temperatures of the nose loader aircraft “We are delighted to welcome the forward and aft lower deck cargo com- seventh Airbus A330F and our first Boe- partments are controlled separately. take the fleet to 16 ing 747F nose loader to our growing The temperature can be set and main- freighters freighter fleet,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, tained between four and 29 degrees. Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways. QAC recently announced at a packed “The arrival of this aircraft brings press conference in Doha that accord- our total fleet up to 16 freighters and ing to latest IATA international FTK The Peninsula is an important addition to the airline figures, it is now the third largest inter- at a time when we are experiencing national cargo airline in the world. This unprecedented growth. Increasing our is phenomenal growth for the rapidly capacity in tandem with increasing our expanding company, which has risen DOHA: Qatar Airways Cargo (QAC) has network reach is an essential part of The seventh Airbus A330F. to No. 3 position from 16th in five years. welcomed the seventh Airbus A330F and our strategy for the coming years and Further announcements at the press first Boeing 747F nose loader aircraft we expect to have 21 freighters by 2017.” conference included plans to launch to its fleet at its home base in Hamad The new aircraft is scheduled to range capability of up to 4,000 nautical and perishables. The main deck and and is most appropriate for short- to two new speciality products: QR Equine International Airport (HIA). support the airline’s busy network by miles. The range and pay load capabil- lower deck cargo compartments on medium-length international flights. and QR Express. Continuing on its trajectory of rapid increasing frequencies to Bahrain, ity provides flexibility for regional and A330-200F are ventilated and have tem- The B747 freighter has seating for up Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Execu- growth and expansion, the world’s third Brussels, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lon- intercontinental operations. perature control options of five degrees to eight cargo attendants or grooms for tive Akbar Al Baker also revealed plans largest international cargo carrier fea- don Stansted and Mumbai. The A330-200F’s large main-deck Celsius to 25. The B747 freighter is ideal horses. The B747F has a main deck nose for a new multi-deck cargo facility to tures a fleet of 16 freighters, including The A330-200F is the world’s most cargo door allows the aircraft to accept for the requirements of express cargo door and a mechanised cargo handling be opened by 2018 at HIA. When com- seven Airbus A330F, eight Boeing 777F modern mid-size freighter. Powered all commonly-used pallets and con- and industrial freight operators. system. The nose door swings up so that plete, the facility will increase the hub’s and one Boeing 747F. by Rolls Royce Trent 772B engines, the tainers, enabling the transport of a Powered by Pratt & Whitney pallets or containers up to 40 feet can overall capacity to 4.4m tonnes a year QAC is scheduled to receive fur- A330 freighter can carry a maximum full range of cargo from high-value engines, the B747F is capable of fly- be loaded in on motor-driven rollers. with the potential for expansion to 7m ther aircraft next year and expected gross pay load of up to 68 tonnes, with a consumer goods to express packages ing 4,100 nautical miles with full load An automatic temperature control tonnes in the future. Qatar students in US attend annual gathering Little Gandhito be shown at Katara Drama Theatre on Saturday

The Peninsula worldwide. His brutal torture and death on September 10, 2011 at the age of 26 — a few months after his marriage with a DOHA: Little Gandhi, a well-known doc- baby on the way — outraged the interna- umentary on the life of peaceful Syrian tional community and erupted one of the activist Ghiyath Matar, will be screened most violent uprisings in modern history. at Katara Drama Theatre on Saturday. The film was produced to raise aware- Presented by the Cultural Village Foun- ness and educate the world about the grave dation-Katara in collaboration with the human rights situation in Syria, and via Syrian embassy in Doha, the documen- one of the Transitional Justice Programmes tary follows the life of Matar, who became sponsored by the International Develop- internationally known as ‘Little Gandhi’ ment Research Centre and co-produced for his initiative of facing security fire and by the Syrian Centre for Political and Stra- violence with flowers and bottles of water tegic Studies. as a method of establishing a non-vio- Little Gandhi is directed by award- lent dialogue leading to a free democratic winning filmmaker Sam Kadi, who is the society. writer/director of critically acclaimed fea- He was a key organiser of leading ture drama The Citizen, a recipient of five Participants from Qatar Research Leadership Programme during the QRLP meeting in Houston. peaceful protests in his homeland Daraya awards on the international film festival against one of the most vicious regimes circuit, and was named among the Best in the 21st century, inspiring people 10 Films of 2013 by Examiner.com. The Peninsula Institute (QBRI) and Qatar Science programmes. Also, selected PhD their success,” said Dr Marwan and Technology Park (QSTP). students presented their works to Khraisheh, QEERI Representative. The gathering was held in Hou- each institute separately. In line with the capacity-build- ston, Texas. Its objective was for the “Meeting QEERI-affiliated QRLP ing goal of the Qatar National DOHA: The Office of Education, students to learn about research and fellows provides a great opportunity Research Strategy, the gathering Training and Development (OETD), development activities in Qatar and to connect with the fellows, dis- guided and provided advice to stu- 55 contaminated consignments destroyed part of Qatar Foundation Research discuss their academic progress and cuss their academic and research dents, particularly with regard to and Development (QF R&D), organ- career plans. progress and offer advice and sup- their career plans. The Peninsula ised the third annual United States “It was a great gathering in port to their future plans. “It’s inspiring to connect with the quarantine law. The Agriculture gathering for its Qatar Research Houston, where future QF lead- “It also gives QEERI a chance to future leaders in science in Qatar, Quarantine Office at the minis- Leadership Programme (QRLP) stu- ers, bright minds and ambitious present an update on research pro- the QRLP members,” said Ahmed DOHA: The Ministry of Environ- try also seized 5,884 imported dents enrolled in undergraduate scholars came together for scien- grammes and advances and help Abushaikha, a QRLP Post-doctorate ment last month destroyed 55 consignments weighing 85,258 through post-doctoral programmes tific exchange and interaction with them align their studies and research at Stanford University. “I’m grateful shipments of contaminated tonnes and 82 shipments weigh- in the US. the determination to succeed and with Qatar’s national needs. This for QRLP for the great efforts they products weighing 56 tonnes ing 993.8 tonnes for exports. This year saw the attendance build a research culture in Doha,” event provides an opportunity for put together to have these gather- for violating the agriculture Both were in violation of the law. of 31 students and representatives said Dr Walid Qoronfleh from QBRI. the fellows to bond and establish a ings. They not only reduce distances from Qatar Environment and Energy The Qatar entities addressed network that can be very beneficial by updating us on what is going on Research Institute (QEERI), Qatar the students with presentations on to them. The one-to-one meetings back home, they also motivate us to Computing Research Institute overview, objectives, internships, were useful in providing the fellows do our best to achieve excellence,” (QCRI), Qatar Biomedical Research and research and development with a support platform to ensure said Kholoud Saleh, a QRLP Member. Mowasalat holds mock fire exercise

The Peninsula

DOHA: Within the framework of its occupational security, health and safety policy, Mowasalat (Karwa) held a mock drill on its fire preven- tion system during working hours. Mowasalat believes in the importance of training in fire prevention equipment and per- sonnel to ensure security and safety at work place, increase awareness among employees to understand and comply with the policy and periodical advice to be responsible for safety of human life and property from hazards. The PR Department also gathers employees’ comments on the importance of fire exercises. Khalid Nasser Al Hail, CEO, Mowasalat, said implementation of requirements, meas- ures and objectives of occupational security, health and safety is an ethical and legal obliga- tion in accordance with International Labour Organisation standards to avoid injuries, acci- dents, crises and risks. Strict adherence to the occupational secu- A mock fire drill in progress at Mowasalat headquarters in Mesaimeer. rity, safety and health system is the only way to keep employees away from risks, which can occur if measures and requirements are not health, realises the importance of drills and The HSSE team educates employees, imple- implemented. implementation of their objectives in work ments HSSE policy, ensure the work place is Regular training and awareness programmes environment, out of its belief that the human safe and protects the company’s property and about occupational security, safety and health element is the most precious for the company. inventory, said HSSE Manager Idris Said Jaaber. enhance safe working and enrich human con- Khalid Hassan Kafoud, PR and Communi- Mowasalat strives to achieve the principles cepts in the work environment, he added. cations Manager also praised such drills that of occupational health and security and safety Nasser Al Khanji, Director of the Executive enhance outcomes of awareness programmes measures. It has been honoured with OSHA, the Office, praised such drills and said Mowasalat and training planned according to the safety security and safety certificate, indicating its understands occupational security, safety and and fire prevention mission. safe environment to preserve its human capital. 06 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 GULF / MIDDLE EAST

Saudi executions Oil tanks set on fire 26 dead as Syria internal legal regime forces and rebels trade fire matter: Erdogan Damascus: Government and rebel bombardment killed up to 26 civilians and wounded dozens in Al Assad can bring an end to almost the Syrian capital and a Why the world did five years of civil war. nearby opposition bastion Meanwhile, tensions have yesterday, state media not react to the increased between Turkey and and a monitoring group condemnation of mainly Shia Iran, which along said. with Russia is the key remaining Mortar rounds fired thousands of people ally of Assad. from the rebel-held to death following The crisis began at the week- Eastern Ghouta region end when Saudi Arabia executed onto residential areas the ousting in prominent Shiite cleric and activist of Damascus left eight Egypt of former Sheikh Nimr Al Nimr as well as 46 civilians dead and 23 other convicts, prompting a furi- wounded, the offi- president Mohamed A petroleum storage tank burning at Al Sidra oil terminal, near Ras Lanuf in Libya. At least four ous reaction from Tehran. cial Sana news agency Mursi, asks Turkish Iranian protesters then ran- petroleum storage tanks were set ablaze during deadly fighting as the Islamic State group tries to reported. President sacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran. seize coastal export terminals in eastern Libya. The attack came after Riyadh, Bahrain and Sudan sev- the regime fired rockets ered relations with Tehran while onto the Eastern Ghouta Kuwait recalled its ambassador. town of Douma earlier in AFP Erdogan dismissed suggestions the day, killing six civilians, that the executions were aimed at according to the Syrian provoking tensions with Shias and Jordan summons Iran envoy Observatory for Human also said the attack on the Saudi Rights, a British-based ANKARA: Turkish President Recep mission was “unacceptable”. monitor. Tayyip Erdogan yesterday refused “Only three (of those executed) The monitor gave to condemn Saudi Arabia for its exe- were Shias,” said Erdogan. Agencies The staff of the Iranian embassy on state television as saying that anger a slightly different toll cution of 47 convicts including a He also questioned also “why in Riyadh and those of the consulate at Nimr’s execution was natural but of nine dead and 30 prominent Shia cleric, saying it the world did not react” to the con- in Jeddah left “on board a private Ira- the response was not. wounded, some critically, was an “internal legal matter” of demnation of “thousands of people nian plane,” state news agency SPA “Although protest is a civil right, an in the bombardment of the kingdom. to death” following the ousting in AMMAN: Jordan summoned Tehran’s reported. Iran’s official state broad- assault on an embassy and infringing Damascus. “The executions in Saudi Arabia Egypt of former president Mohamed ambassador yesterday to protest week- caster IRIB said the diplomats have commitments can damage the image Ten other civilians, are an internal legal matter. Whether Mursi, an ally of Ankara. end attacks on Saudi missions in Iran arrived in Tehran, showing pictures of of the Islamic republic,” he said. including a child, were you approve or not of the decision is Prime Minister Ahmet Davu- that set off a diplomatic crisis. their plane after it landed at Tehran’s “This move was unacceptable and later killed in government a separate issue,” Erdogan said in a toglu on Monday urged Iran and Amman expressed its “strong con- Mehrabad Airport. wrong and we should learn a lesson so air strikes on the town of televised speech, his first reaction Saudi Arabia to calm tensions, say- demnation” of Saturday’s attacks by It said the plane carried 54 Ira- that, while preserving the right to pro- Hazzeh and one in Mes- to the controversy which has raised ing the hostility between the two key protesters on the Saudi embassy in nian diplomats and their families, who test, such an act should not happen,” raba, east of the capital, tensions between Saudi Arabia and Muslim powers would only further Tehran and its consulate in Iran’s sec- were welcomed by one of Iran’s dep- he added. President Hassan Row- the Observatory said. its regional rival Iran. escalate problems in an explosive ond city Mashhad, a foreign ministry uty foreign ministers. hani asked Iran’s judiciary yesterday Eastern Ghouta, which Erdogan had last month visited region. spokesman told official news agency Saudi diplomats in Iran returned to to urgently prosecute the people who is largely controlled by Riyadh for talks with the Custo- But Erdogan’s comments con- Petra. the kingdom on Tuesday, Saudi media attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran the Jaish al-Islam (Army dian of the Two Holy Mosques King trasted with those Monday by “The attacks on the Saudi embassy reported. Riyadh severed diplomatic in protest at the kingdom’s execution of Islam) rebel group, is Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Ara- Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and consulate constitute a flagrant vio- ties and air links with Tehran after of a prominent Shi’ite cleric. regularly bombarded by bia and the political elite, in a new Numan Kurtulmus, who is also gov- lation of international conventions,” angry crowds set fire to its embassy in Rowhani’s comments appear to government forces. sign of Ankara’s warm ties with the ernment spokesman, that “death the spokesman said. the Iranian capital and its consulate in show his determination to reduce ten- kingdom. penalties, especially ones that are Meanwhile, Iranian diplomats have Mashhad. The weekend protests were sion with Iran’s Sunni Gulf neighbours Turkey and Saudi Arabia, both politically-motivated, are of no help left Saudi Arabia after the kingdom in response to Riyadh’s execution of and continue his attempts to normal- Turkey seizes 13 overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim pow- to making peace in the region.” severed all ties with Tehran fol- leading Shiite cleric Nimr Al Nimr, a ise ties with world powers by speaking ers, share the same vision over the Turkey formally abolished the lowing attacks on its mission in the driving force behind Shia protests in out on a practice that has become a tonnes of drugs conflict in Syria where they believe death penalty in 2004 as part of its Islamic republic, Saudi state media 2011. The Iranian ambassador to Saudi challenge for the Islamic Republic’s from ship off Libya only the ousting of President Bashar bid to join the EU. said yesterday. Arabia Hossein Sadeghi was quoted foreign policy.

ISTANBUL: The Turkish coastguard conducted an Iraq offers unprecedented operation to seize 13 tonnes of mari- Bahrain foils Iran-linked terror plot juana in powdered from a to mediate Bolivia-registered ship off the Libyan port of Tobruk, between Reuters island kingdom’s state news agency cleric Nimr Al Nimr, a move that designated as fugitives, one in Iran. the interior ministry said. BNA reported. triggered protests and the storm- In November, Bahrain said it Turkish coastguards Saudi and Iran “It targeted the security of the king- ing of the Saudi embassy in Shia had arrested 47 members of a group followed the Bolivian ves- dom of Bahrain by (plotting to) carry power Iran. believed to have links to “terrorist sel with a plane and a DUBAI: Bahrain said yesterday it had out a series of dangerous bombings,” Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the base elements in Iran” who it said were ship after receiving a tip- Reuters caught an Iranian-linked cell plotting it added. for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, cut ties planning to carry out attacks in the off, Turkish official media attacks on its territory, days after it Iran has regularly denied accu- response with Iran in response. coming days. said, quoting the interior followed its close ally Saudi Arabia sations in the past of involvement in BNA said a main suspect, Ali Bahrain recalled its ambassador ministry. in cutting ties with Iran. attacks in Bahrain, which has been in Ahmed Fakhrawi, had travelled to to Iran in October after it said security The seizure late Tues- BAGHDAD: Iraq dispatched its There was no immediate reaction political turmoil since protests erupted Lebanon and personally met the head forces discovered a bomb-making day was the first ever foreign minister to Tehran yester- from Iran, caught up in a mounting there in 2011, led by majority Shias of the Shia militant group Hezbol- factory and arrested a number of anti-narcotics operation day with an offer to mediate in an diplomatic dispute with its regional demanding an end to the Sunni mon- lah, who gave him $20,000 to aid suspects linked to the Revolution- by Turkey in international escalating feud between Saudi Ara- rival Saudi Arabia and other Sunni-led archy’s political domination and full the cell. ary Guard. waters, it said. Turkey bia and Iran, reflecting Baghdad’s Gulf states including Bahrain. powers for parliament. Fakhrawi and his twin brother In March, Bahrain’s public pros- received authorisation for fears that new sectarian conflict “A secret terrorist plot aided by Tensions mounted further after were linked to the militant activi- ecutor said it seized bomb-making the operation from the could unravel its campaign against the so-called Iranian Revolutionary Saudi Arabia executed 47 peo- ties of eight other suspects named by equipment being smuggled from Bolivian government, it Islamic State (IS). Guard and the Hezbollah terrorist ple on Saturday, including four BNA, some of whom were arrested as Iraq aboard a passenger bus for use added. Saudi Arabia’s execution of Shia organisation was foiled,” the Gulf Shias, among them prominent early as 2013 and two of whom were in attacks. dissident Nimr Al Nimr on Satur- day has inflamed sectarian anger across the Middle East, infuriating Iran, the region’s main Shia power. After demonstrators sacked the Beirut removes fences Gulen, police chiefs go on trial Saudi embassy in Iran, Riyadh and some of its allies cut off diplomatic ties with Tehran. Iraq, where a Shia-led govern- AFP in detention since September Turkey’s spy chief Hakan Fidan ment is urgently trying to reach out 2014 and were both in court at are among the plaintiffs in the to minority Sunnis as it seeks to the start of the trial. A total of case, along with four former retake territory controlled by IS mil- 69 people including Gulen are ministers who lost their jobs itants, is particularly vulnerable to ISTANBUL: A US-based Turk- on trial, facing terms ranging over the corruption allegations. any upsurge in anger between the ish preacher who has emerged from seven years to 330 years. The top suspects are Muslim sects. as an arch-enemy of President The judge at Istanbul’s charged with plotting to top- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al Recep Tayyip Erdogan went on main courthouse opened the ple the Turkish government Abadi sent Foreign Minister Ibrahim trial in absentia yesterday along proceedings by conducting a with the graft allegations, as Al Jaafari to Tehran to help defuse with several former police roll call of the defendants and well as membership of a “ter- the crisis. chiefs charged over the cor- the plaintiffs, a correspondent rorist group”. Speaking with his Iranian coun- ruption allegations that hit the said. Eight defendants, includ- “There is no concrete evi- terpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, Turkish leader in 2013. ing Saygili and Aksoy, who had dence that my client has been Jaafari said the row could have Fethullah Gulen, a former been remanded in custody were involved in any violence, not a “wide-ranging repercussions”. ally of Erdogan turned chief brought to the courthouse from single document,” Gulen’s law- “We have solid relations with foe, was not present at the start the prison. yer Nurullah Albayrak said. the Islamic Republic (Iran) ... and of the proceedings in Istan- Aside from Gulen, the other “The terms used by pros- also we have relations with our Arab bul, with Washington failing to suspects had been released ecutors such as’ believed’, brothers and therefore we cannot grant Turkish requests for his from custody pending trial. ‘thought’, ‘assumed’ mean that stay silent in this crisis,” Jaafari told extradition from his secluded But Gulen is the only suspect the accusations are all based the joint press conference in Tehran. compound in Pennsylvania. being tried in absentia. on assumptions. We have never There was no immediate reac- He is being tried along with The corruption allegations seen such a murky investigation tion from Saudi Arabia to the Iraqi dozens of former police offic- directly implicated some of in the history of our country.” mediation offer. ers, including the former head Erdogan’s inner circle, including The scandal was seen as In what militia leaders described of Istanbul police Yakup Saygili his son Bilal. The government one of the biggest challenges as only an early taste of the poten- and the city’s ex-deputy crim- denied the claims, which it said to the dominance of then prime tial for street anger, a few thousand A Lebanese policeman looks at workers removing barbed wire erected last year inal police chief Kazim Aksoy, came from Gulen and his aco- minister Erdogan. He survived Shia demonstrators rallied in central during anti-government protests outside the parliament in the capital Beirut, both of whom are said to have lytes in the judiciary and police. the allegations, however, and Baghdad and in smaller numbers yesterday. ordered the graft probe. Erdogan, his son Bilal, son- went on to become president in southern Shia cities. The pair have been held in-law Berat Albayrak and in August 2014. GULF / MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 07 Algeria’s ruler to give up some powers to avoid anarchy

be scrapped, while a long-standing demand you take it for what it is, it’s incrementally posi- The acknowledgment of Tamazight, spo- Under the proposals, for official recognition of the widely-spoken tive,” said Riccardo Fabiani, senior North Africa ken by North Africa’s indigenous Amazigh, the president would be Tamazight language would be met. analyst at Eurasia Group. as an official national language would end a Political uncertainty in Algeria, a bulwark “It’s a country very slowly moving in the source of longstanding tension. restricted to two terms, in the fight against Islamist extremists and right direction.” The Amazigh were only acknowledged reversing a move taken growing regional turmoil, has been com- Plans for an independent body to oversee as a component of Algeria’s national identity pounded by the global slump in oil prices, elections, often criticised for being rigged, and after bloody confrontations in 2001, though in 2008 that allowed which forced the government to dig deep moves to expand the right for peaceful protest their language has been taught in schools Abdelaziz Bouteflika to into its reserves to fund public spending that and press freedom would mark a major shift for since 1995. helps keep the peace. The 78-year-old Boute- one of North African’s most secretive nations, Bouteflika’s health, though, remains a key win a third election flika has suffered two strokes and is rarely where power is traditionally shared with the issue while there’s no clarity over who will seen in public. army and intelligence services. succeed him. “We don’t want Algeria to fall into anar- Some opposition groups, including the party A group of politicians has demanded to chy, we have seen what has happened in other led by the runner-up in the 2014 presidential meet him to ensure he’s still making decisions, countries,” top cabinet bureaucrat and former election Ali Benflis, have dismissed the pro- amid local media reports that suggest Boute- Bloomberg premier Ahmed Ouyahia said during a news posed changes as cosmetic. flika’s brother Said is actually in charge and conference in Algiers as he unveiled the pro- The revisions will be submitted to the cab- creating support for his own potential presi- posed charter changes. inet in January, and then to the constitutional dential ambitions. “This isn’t a project that concerns politics council, which will decide whether they will “The problem of succession remains,” ALGEIRS: Algeria set out plans to reform its only, it also touches the lives of citizens.” put to a lawmakers’ vote or a referendum. Algiers-based political analyst Rachid Grim constitution, including lowering a cap on pres- When unrest spread in Libya and Tuni- The government also pledged to take steps said by phone. “Despite these new measures, idential terms and curbing executive powers, sia after the Arab Spring in 2011, there were to encourage investment and open up the econ- the system will not change by itself.” amid speculation about the health of its ail- riots in Algeria too. The government responded omy, which is facing growing headwinds. Oil Though the political uncertainty is real ing leader and reports of infighting over who with force, and then with increases in subsi- revenue, used to subsidize fuel, food and hous- and potentially destabilising, the situation in will succeed him. dies and wages. ing, fell nearly 50 percent last year and led to Algeria is far from the turmoil of other coun- Under the proposals, the president would be That helped keep Bouteflika’s National Algeria’s first budget deficit in a decade. tries in the region, Fabiani said. restricted to two terms, reversing a move taken Liberation Front, which has ruled since inde- “It’s becoming more and more clear that “Even the regime’s opponents are saying in 2008 that allowed Abdelaziz Bouteflika to pendence from France, firmly in power in the they aren’t going to cut spending during a suc- the same thing, that ‘we want dialogue and we win a third election. The appointment of a prime nation of 39 million, where memories of the cession that is so delicate, their hands are tied,” want reform, but we want to do this gradually minister would need the support of a parlia- civil war may also have deterred would-be Fabiani said, adding that Algeria will proba- — we don’t want to be like Libya or Syria,’” he mentary majority, according to details released revolutionaries. bly have to tap the international bond market said. “This is what keeps the country together, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika yesterday. The post of vice president would “This isn’t going to be a watershed, but if by 2017 as its reserves are depleted. no one is ready to take it to the extreme.”

3 female Kurdish Iraq marks Army Day Senior Tunisian ruling activists killed in curfew town party member to form

AFP new movement

DIYARBAKIR: Three female Kurd- Reuters position of influence. “They left us no ish political activists have been choice,” Marzouk told reporters yes- killed in fighting in a curfew-hit terday. “We tried in a positive way to town in southeast Turkey as the reach a consensus, but the dialogue authorities press an offensive against TUNIS: A senior member of Tunisian did not go as it should have.” the outlawed Kurdistan Workers President Beji Caid Essebsi’s ruling He said he would formally Party (PKK), the main pro-Kurd- party said yesterday he plans to break announce the split from Nidaa Tounes ish party said yesterday. away and form a new political move- at a party conference set for Jan. 10 The Peoples’ Democratic Party ment because of a perceived power and launch the new party in March. (HDP) said three of its female play by Essebsi’s son. In the 217-member parliament, campaigners and another as-yet- The rift in Nidaa Tounes, a secu- Nidaa Tounes has 82 seats. A split by unidentified man had been shot lar movement formed after Tunisia’s 30 if its members would leave rival and badly wounded in Silopi town 2011 revolt against Zine Abidine Ben Islamist party Ennahda the strongest in Sirnak province late on Monday, Ali, comes at a delicate time as the single block in the assembly with 69 accusing the authorities of failing North African state struggles to seats. The rest are held by lawmak- to evacuate them despite pleas. contain jihadist violence and spur ers from smaller parties. All four died. “These three women economic growth. With a new constitution and a and the man were shot on Mon- Iraqi soldiers parade during a ceremony marking the Army Day, in Baghdad, yesterday. Iraq marks the Divisions have been growing consensus politics, Tunisia has been day in the evening. They called inside Nidaa Tounes—which means praised as a model of democratic tran- 95th anniversary of the Army Day amid the ongoing fighting between troops backed by Shia militias to say ‘We are wounded and los- Call of Tunisia—since last year after sition since the ouster of Ben Ali. It has and Kurdish forces against the Islamic State (IS). ing blood, so get us out of here’,” a dispute emerged between a wing mostly avoided the violent upheaval Leyla Birlik, the party’s MP for Sir- of the party led by Essebsi’s son and of other states in the 2011 Arab Spring nak province, said. another by Mohsen Marzouk, a left- uprisings. “The HDP asked the authori- ist activist and one of its founders. But after three major attacks by ties to evacuate them (from Silopi) Marzouk leads a group of 30 Nidaa militants last year, Tunisia is strug- but got no response,” she added. Tounes lawmakers who threatened gling with severe security challenges. Silopi has been under curfew Abbas dismisses rumours of to resign over what they said were It needs reforms to help ease public since December 14 as the authori- attempts by Hafhed Caid Essebsi to spending and create the economic ties wage a major military operation change regulations in a bid to exer- opportunities that many Tunisians to crush the PKK in the Kurdish- cise greater control over the party. The hoped their revolution would deliver. dominated southeast of the country. Palestinian Authority collapse president denied those allegations. Nidaa Tounes emerged as a polit- The government says the PKK Marzouk’s backers see an attempt ical force in 2013 to lead protests effectively took over towns by erect- by Essebsi at a hereditary transfer against a government formed by ing barricades and digging trenches. of power and a return to the auto- the Islamist party Ennahda. It beat But Kurdish activists say excessive AFP set up under the 1993 Oslo peace temporary body until a fully inde- cratic style of the Ben Ali era, though Ennahda in elections in 2014 and use of force has killed dozens of accords with Israel , has faced fund- pendent Palestinian state was created, the president’s allies dismiss claims went on to form a coalition with civilians. The HDP identified the ing shortages, and its ongoing security but more than two decades after Oslo they are looking to put his son in a its rival. three women as Seve Demir, Pakize cooperation with the Jewish state has young Palestinians see little hope of Nayir and Fatma Uyar. The man has BETHLEHEM: Palestinian President been heavily criticised. the dream becoming reality — and not been identified because his face Mahmoud Abbas dismissed yesterday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin many do not feel Abbas represents was so badly disfigured, it said. It weeks of rumours that the Palestin- Netanyahu is preparing a contingency their concerns. was not clear under what circum- ian Authority could collapse, saying plan in the event of the PA’s collapse, In a recent poll, two-thirds of Pal- stances they were hit or who fired he would “never give up” on it. according Israeli media reports. estinians said they believed a new the fatal shots. Abbas, 80, was speaking publicly “I have heard a lot of talk in the armed uprising, or intifada, would There was no immediate com- for the first time since rumours sur- past few days about the Authority, the serve “national interests” better than ment on the incident from the faced last week that he was in poor destruction of the Authority, the col- negotiations. authorities. Pro-Kurdish media health, which the PA has categori- lapse of the Authority,” Abbas said. Abbas refused to countenance an insisted they were civilians and cally denied. He did not discuss the “The Authority is an achievement of end to the PA. not combatants. “The targeting of matter and appeared well. ours that we will never give up.” Answering a question about what three women in the vanguard of He also spoke as three months of “Don’t dream of its collapsing, don’t will happen after the PA, Abbas said the resistance was not a coinci- violent attacks by frustrated Pales- even dream,” he told a press confer- “the Authority is here, and after it dence. They targeted the freedom tinian youths on Israeli targets have ence during a lunch to mark Christmas, comes the (Palestinian) state. No struggle of all women,” HDP’s co- made the PA and its leadership appear which some Orthodox churches cel- one has any other scenarios, and we leader Figen Yuksekdag said in a increasingly out of touch. ebrate today. will not accept another scenario from party statement. The PA, the governing authority The PA was meant to be a anyone.” Turkey seizes over 1,200 unsafe life jackets

AFP workshop in the centre of Izmir, a city published harrowing images of the the local police for examination and on the Aegean Sea, the Dogan news corpses of the refugees as they were an investigation has been launched. agency said. found on Tuesday morning, with their AFP correspondents who reported Izmir is a major hub for refugees faces in the sand and wearing life jack- on the wave of migrants heading from ANKARA: Turkish police have seized and migrants seeking to make the risky ets that had apparently been of no use. Turkey to Greece this summer had over 1,200 unsafe life jackets destined crossing in flimsy boats to EU mem- Dogan said that the so-called life seen a booming trade in life jackets for use by migrants trying to reach ber Greece. jackets seized were filled with “pack- in Turkish resorts for sale at suspi- Greece by sea, in a raid on an under- The news of the seizure comes a day aging” rather than the proper material ciously low prices. ground workshop that used Syrian after Turkish authorities announced needed to keep users alive for hours Turkey, which is home to some 2.2 underage labour, a report said yes- that the bodies of 36 migrants had been in the water. million refugees from Syria’s civil war, terday. found on its Aegean coast after their It said that four people were found has become a hub for migrants seek- Secretary-General of the Nidaa Tounes party, Mohsen Marzouk speaks The authorities seized 1,263 life boats sank in bad weather while trying working in the workshop, including ing to move to Europe, many of whom at a press conference in Tunis, yesterday. Marzouk said he is planning jackets that failed to correspond to to cross to the Greek island of Lesbos. two young Syrian girls. The confis- pay people smugglers thousands of to split from the ruling party and form a new one, after what he said safety standards in the raid on the Turkish newspapers yesterday cated life jackets have been sent to dollars for the risky crossing. was ‘deviation from its mission and objectives after the elections’. 08 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Marine convicted US submarine docks at Subic Bay of killing Filipino files appeal

because he surrendered to authori- ties and that he had “no intention to The killing sparked commit so grave a wrong.” anger in the The killing sparked anger in the Philippines and Philippines and reignited calls by left- wing groups and nationalists for an reignited calls by end to America’s military presence left-wing groups in the country at a time when the US is reasserting its dominance in Asia and nationalists for and Manila has turned to Washing- an end to America’s ton for support amid an escalating territorial dispute with China. military presence in Pemberton, an anti-tank missile the country operator from New Bedford, Mas- sachusetts, was one of thousands of American and Philippine military personnel who participated in joint AP & AFP exercises in the country in 2014. He and a group of other Marines were on leave after the exercises and met Laude and her friends at a club in MANILA: A US Marine has asked a Olongapo, a city known for its night- Philippine court to reverse his con- life located outside Subic Bay, a former viction in the killing of a transgender US Navy base. Filipino and sought a bail and a reduc- Pemberton, 21, has been detained tion of his six to 12-year jail term, his at a compound guarded by Philippine lawyer said yesterday. and American security personnel, at Lawyer Rowena Garcia-Flores the main military camp in metropol- said she would insist that her client, itan Manila, and not in an ordinary Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, jail as demanded by Laude’s family. did not kill Jennifer Laude in a motel The emotional case has sparked A US Navy personnel aboard the Virginia-class USS Texas (SSN 775) as the submarine is docked at a port in Subic Bay, Philippines, room after they met in a disco bar in concerns about special treatment for yesterday. The submarine is docked for a routine port call after its tour at the Western Pacific area. October 2014 and that his sentence visiting American forces, and left-wing should be eased because he surren- activists have called on the govern- dered to authorities. ment to fight Pemberton’s appeal. In December a judge convicted Another Marine, Lance Cpl. Daniel Pemberton of homicide, not the more Smith, was found guilty and sentenced serious charge of murder as prose- to life in prison on charges of raping a cutors sought — and sentenced him Filipino woman in 2005. He was held to a lighter jail term than what the at the US Embassy in Manila until a Philippine ‘comfort women’ seek justice victim’s family sought. Philippine appeals court overturned The regional trial court judge in his conviction in 2009, allowing him Olongapo city, northwest of Manila, to leave the country amid anti-US Reuters promised about 1bn yen ($8.43m) for pall on them,” lawyer Harry Roque foreign ministry or president’s office. said she downgraded the charge protests. a fund to help survivors, though many said in a statement. “The victims of The Philippines and Japan are because conditions such as cruelty “If we allow Pemberton’s con- South Koreans were angry a deal had horrendous human rights violations discussing the transfer of military and treachery had not been proven. viction to be reversed or reduce his been made. In a statement, the Philip- should not be used by our government equipment, like surveillance planes The court will start to hear Pember- sentence, this will send a wrong mes- MANILA: A group of Philippine “com- pine comfort women said they feared as a leverage in its talk with Japan for and patrol boats, to help strengthen ton’s appeal today. sage to US soldiers: That they can fort women”, forced to work in Japanese the South China Sea dispute with China support against China over the West the Philippines’ capability to guard “We’re going for an acquittal,” commit crimes and get away with it,” military brothels in the Second World had distracted Manila from seeking Philippine Sea controversy.” its maritime borders as China rap- Flores said by telephone. “He defended left-wing activist Renato Reyes said. War, accused their government yester- justice from Japan, which occupied About 1,000 Philippine women idly expands in the South China Sea. himself because he felt he was being Pemberton’s homicide convic- day of not doing enough to help them the Philippines from 1942-45. were forced into prostitution by Japa- Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Tai- conned but he did not kill Laude.” tion is the first under a visiting forces secure an apology and compensation “Each day that they are ignored nese troops during the Second World wan and the Philippines also have In case the court upholds the agreement between the two coun- from Japan. by their own government, any hope War. The protesting comfort women claims. Tension rose this week when conviction, Flores said she and other tries signed in 1998, covering the legal South Korea and Japan last month of official acknowledgment and repa- belonged to a group called “Malaya China landed a civilian plane on one defence lawyers asked the court to liability of US troops taking part in reached an agreement to resolve the rations grows dimmer as the shadows Lolas”, or freed grandmothers. There of three airstrips it had built on man- consider easing Pemberton’s sentence military operations in the Philippines. issue as Tokyo made an apology and of old age and mortality cast a dark was no immediate comment from the made islands in the Spratlys.

Philippine House Philippine economy scraps budget for Bangladesh upholds contraceptives death sentence for AFP top Islamist leader MANILA: The legislature in the mainly Catholic Philippines has eliminated the government’s AFP at a square in central Dhaka. “This budget for contraceptives, the health verdict brings an end to the long and department said yesterday, despite painful wait for justice for the fami- a law mandating the state provide lies of the victims,” said Imran Sarker, them to the poor. DHAKA: Bangladesh’s top court yes- head of a secular group, showing a Health Secretary Janette Garin terday upheld the death sentence on V-sign to reporters. “We now want has confirmed the department’s the leader of the largest Islamist party his quick execution.” 2016 budget for contraceptives was for crimes during the country’s 1971 Bangladesh came into being after scrapped when it passed through independence struggle, paving the the region called East Pakistan broke Congress, the bureau’s press office way for his execution within months. away from the rest of Pakistan in 1971. said. “This will have a huge effect The Supreme Court dismissed an Prosecutors said Nizami was the since a lot of mothers depend on appeal by Motiur Rahman Nizami, leader of a student wing of Jamaat what the Department of Health pro- head of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, during the war and turned it into the vides,” Garin said. Foreign and local who was convicted of murder, rape Al-Badr pro-Pakistani militia which authorities have long cited the need and orchestrating the killing of top killed top professors, writers, doctors for improved birth control in the intellectuals when he was a militia and journalists in the most gruesome Philippines which has one of Asia’s leader during the conflict. chapter of the conflict. highest birth rates as well as high “The court upheld the death sen- Their bodies were found blind- A Filipino child is reflected in mirrors in a shop selling assorted merchandise in Manila, Philippines, maternal mortality rates. tence in three out of four charges. folded with their hands tied and yesterday. Rising prices for food and energy pushed inflation to 1.5 percent in December 2015 from The country has a population well We’re very happy,” prosecutor Tureen dumped in a marsh on the outskirts 1.1 percent in the previous month, according to the National Economic and Development Authority. over 100 million with about 25 percent Afroz told reporters. “Most impor- of the capital. The killing was car- living in poverty. The government of tantly, the death penalty was upheld ried out based on a hit-list Nizami President Benigno Aquino had allo- for the killings of the intellectuals.” ordered and the aim was to “intellec- cated a sum for contraceptives in the Nizami, 72, Jamaat’s leader since tually cripple” the fledgling nation, 2016 budget but this was removed as 2000 and a minister in a former Islam- prosecutors said. the legislature was debating the bill, ist-allied government of 2001-2006, Security was tight across the coun- Suu Kyi party to join parliament the department said. faces the gallows within months try. Previous convictions of the Jamaat Garin said she only learned unless his case is reviewed by the officials triggered the country’s dead- of the budget cut on Monday. The same court or he is granted clem- liest violence since independence with government and the dominant Cath- ency by the president. some 500 people killed, mainly in AFP the complex political system — it can only be formed after olic church have waged a bruising Three senior Jamaat officials and a clashes between Islamists and police. current President Thein Sein steps down on March 31. struggle over the issue for years. The key leader of the main opposition party “We’ve stepped up security. It is The NLD-dominated legislature replaces the incum- church has long opposed efforts to have been executed since December sufficient to prevent any violence,” bent one of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, make birth-control more available. 2013 for war crimes, despite global deputy police commissioner Maruf YANGON: Members of Aung San Suu Kyi’s victorious a quasi-civilian junta spin-off that has ruled the country It was only in 2014 that the criticism of their trials by a contro- Hossain Sorder said ahead of the pro-democracy party will take their seats in parliament since the end of outright military rule in 2011. Supreme Court finally upheld a versial war crimes tribunal. verdict. However, Jamaat support- on February 1, Myanmar’s speaker said yesterday, begin- First on the MPs’ to-do list is choosing the next pres- “reproductive health” law, striking The court swiftly dismissed pre- ers clashed with police as they staged ning a new era for a nation under army rule for decades. ident. Parliament will select the president from three down more than a dozen petitions vious reviews of those four opposition impromptu protests and marches in Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy to candidates put forward by the upper and lower houses against it from church-backed leaders on death row, leading to their several towns and cities, police and a big majority in landmark elections in November. In a and the military—which holds a quarter of the legisla- groups. The law requires that pub- execution — the latest last November. local media said. statement parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann announced ture’s seat under the constitution. lic health workers receive family Hundreds of people who had cam- Police fired rubber bullets to that “all MPs (are) to start the new parliament at 10am on The junta-drafted constitution bars Suu Kyi from planning training, while medical paigned for the Islamist leaders to be disperse the protesters in the north- Monday February 1, 2016”. the role because she married and had children with a care after an abortion will also be tried for their roles in the 1971 war western city of Rajshahi, local police But the new government will take office slowly under foreigner. legalised. burst into impromptu celebrations chief Golam Saqlaen said. ASIA / AFRICA THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 09 North Korea conducts hydrogen bomb test

test has been successfully performed at the country. The weapons yield was The announcement 10am (0130 GMT),” North Korean state initially estimated at between six and television announced. “We have now nine kilotonnes — similar to the North’s triggered swift joined the rank of advanced nuclear last nuclear test in 2013. The first US international states,” it said, adding that the test was hydrogen bomb test in 1952 had a yield of a miniaturised device. of 10 megatonnes. condemnation but The television showed North Korean Bruce Bennett, a senior defence also scepticism, with leader Kim Jong-Un’s signed order — analyst with the Rand Corporation, said dated December 15 -- to go ahead with if it was an H-bomb that was tested, experts suggesting the test, with a handwritten exhortation then the detonation clearly failed — the apparent yield to begin 2016 with the “thrilling sound at least the fusion stage. “If it were a of the first hydrogen bomb explosion”. real H-bomb, the Richter scale read- was far too low for A hydrogen, or thermonuclear, ing should have been about a hundred a thermonuclear bomb uses fusion in a chain reaction times more powerful,” Bennett said. device that results in a far more powerful South Korea’s defence ministry explosion than the fission blast gen- also told reporters it doubted yester- erated by uranium or plutonium alone. day’s explosion was thermonuclear in Last month Kim suggested nature. There were expressions of con- Pyongyang had already developed such cern but no public panic on the streets AFP a device. The claim was questioned of Seoul, where people have become by international experts at the time largely inured to North Korea’s prov- and there was continued scepticism ocations over the years. over yesterday’s test announcement, Most experts had assumed SEOUL: North Korea said yesterday which took the international commu- Pyongyang was years from developing that it had carried out a “successful” nity by surprise. a hydrogen bomb, while assessments miniaturised hydrogen bomb test — a “The seismic data that’s been were divided on how far it had gone shock announcement that, if confirmed, received indicates that the explosion in developing a miniaturised warhead People watch a news report on North Korea’s first hydrogen bomb test at a railroad station in Seoul yesterday. would massively raise the stakes in is probably significantly below what to fit on a ballistic missile. the hermit state’s bid to strengthen its one would expect from an H-bomb Whatever the nature of the device, nuclear arsenal. test,” said Australian nuclear policy it was North Korea’s fourth nuclear test The announcement triggered swift and arms control specialist Crispin and marked a striking act of defiance international condemnation but also Rovere. The test, which came just two in the face of warnings from enemies scepticism, with experts suggesting days before Kim Jong-Un’s birthday, was and allies alike that Pyongyang would N-test a ‘challenge to peace’ the apparent yield was far too low for initially detected as a 5.1-magnitude pay a steep price for moving forward a thermonuclear device. tremor at the North’s main Punggye- with its nuclear weapons programme. “The republic’s first hydrogen bomb ri nuclear test site in the northeast of The three previous tests in 2006, AFP the safety of our nation”. “This clearly Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip 2009 and 2013 triggered waves of UN violates UN Security Council resolu- Hammond said the test was “a grave sanctions. Their failure to prevent a tions and is a grave challenge against breach of UN Security Council reso- fourth detonation will put the Security international efforts for non-prolifer- lutions and a provocation”. Council under intense pressure to take BEIJING: North Korea’s claim that ation,” he said. Paris labelled the move an “unac- more drastic action this time around. it carried out a successful hydrogen In Washington the White House ceptable violation” of UN resolutions It throws down a particular chal- bomb test yesterday drew swift con- would not confirm the test, but vowed and called for a strong reaction from lenge to US President Barack Obama, demnation from friends and foes alike. to “respond appropriately to any and the international community. who, during a visit to South Korea in China said it “firmly opposes” its all North Korean provocations”. Australian Foreign Minister Julie 2014, vowed sanctions with “more neighbour’s actions while Nato con- Nato head Jens Stoltenberg con- Bishop said her country “condemns in bite” if Pyongyang went ahead with demned the test as a threat to regional demned the test and said North Korea the strongest possible terms” the test, another test. and international security. should abandon nuclear weapons. “The which “confirms North Korea’s status The final response of China, Several governments promised a nuclear weapons test announced by as a rogue state and a continuing threat North Korea’s economic and diplo- firm response as tensions soared, with North Korea undermines regional and to international peace and security”, matic patron, will be key. Beijing has many calling for further action by the international security, and is in clear adding that Canberra would express restrained US-led allies from stronger United Nations against North Korea, breach of UN Security Council reso- its concerns to Pyongyang directly and action against Pyongyang in the past, which is already subject to an array lutions,” Stoltenberg said. call for stronger UN sanctions. but has shown increasing frustration of international sanctions. The foreign ministry of Russia, a UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- with its refusal to suspend testing. South Korean President Park Geun- permanent Security Council member, moon denounced North Korea’s nuclear In an initial reaction the foreign Hye described the test as a “grave denounced the test as a “flagrant vio- test and called on Pyongyang to halt ministry in Beijing said it “firmly provocation” at an emergency meet- lation of international law and existing its nuclear programme. “I condemn opposes” the nuclear test, which was ing of the country’s National Security UN Security Council resolutions”. it unequivocally. I demand the DPRK carried out “irrespective of the inter- Council. “The test is not only a grave “Such actions are fraught with the cease any further nuclear activities,” national community’s opposition”. provocation to our national security possibility of aggravating the situation Ban said. Ban called the underground “Beijing will face increased but also a threat to our future... and on the Korean peninsula, which already nuclear test “deeply troubling” and pressure both domestically and inter- a strong challenge to international has a very high potential for military “profoundly destabilising for regional nationally to punish and rein in Kim peace and stability,” she said, calling and political confrontation,” it said. security.” He stressed that it was in vio- Jong-Un,” said Yanmei Xie, the Inter- for strong sanctions on Pyongyang. Other veto-wielding Security Coun- lation of numerous Security Council national Crisis Group’s senior analyst Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo cil members Britain and France also resolutions barring Pyongyang from for Northeast Asia. Abe slammed it as “a serious threat to joined in the chorus of condemnation. engaging in nuclear activities.

Historic South Korea-Japan deal stumbles Balancing act

AFP a traditional Korean hanbok dress and with her fists Monday that he understood it would be “relocated clasped tight in her lap, the statue is both a sym- appropriately”. But Seoul says it only promised to bol of the suffering endured by so-called “comfort look into the possibility of moving the bronze and women” forced to work in Japanese military brothels called in a senior Japanese embassy official to pro- SEOUL: A landmark deal between South Korea during World War II, and of their struggle to extract test what it called Kishida’s provocative comments. and Japan to end a decades-old feud over wartime a formal apology and compensation from Tokyo. South Korea’s foreign ministry has also stressed “comfort women” slaves is struggling to overcome Last week, Japan offered an apology and a $8.3m that because the statue was put up by civic groups, a diminutive but daunting obstacle in the form of payment to the 46 surviving Korean comfort women. it has no right to order its removal. And the group the small statue of a teenage girl. But the deal has triggered confusion over the that spearheaded the campaign to create and erect “I am here to defend the peace monument,” fate of the comfort woman statue, which has now the bronze is adamant that it isn’t going anywhere. 22-year-old Jung Woo-Ryung defiantly declared, become a focus for South Korean activists who accuse South Korean public sentiment about the over- as she stood guard Tuesday beside the seated bronze the government of selling out to Tokyo. all agreement is evenly divided, but on the specific figure that was erected on the pavement opposite Japan insists the agreement included a clear issue of the statue passions run high, with surveys the Japanese embassy in Seoul in 2011. undertaking from South Korea to remove the statue, showing up to 75 percent of people opposed to the Depicting a young, barefoot woman, dressed in with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida stating slightest relocation.

I Coast govt resigns Woman gets a top post HK on alert after ahead of reshuffle in Zimbabwe’s Air Force China bird flu death

AFP HARARE: A woman has broken through the Reuters glass ceiling of a high-flying profession in Zim- babwe: The Air Force. ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast’s government resigned yes- Ellen Chiweshe, whose title was group cap- HONG KONG: A woman in the southern Chinese terday in a move President Alassane Ouattara said tain, has been promoted to become the southern city of Shenzhen has died after being infected with would bring more “efficiency” to the West Afri- African country’s first female Air Commodore, the highly contagious H5N6 bird flu virus, days after can state just two months after he was re-elected. the No. 3 post in the air force. The state-run Her- she was admitted to hospital, Hong Kong’s Health Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan pre- ald newspaper reported Chiweshe’s new rank Department said. The 26-year-old woman’s death sented his resignation and that of his government in Tuesday’s edition, which included a photo- last week comes ahead of the Chinese New Year at what was to have been the first cabinet meet- graph of Air Force Commander Perrance Shiri holiday in early February when millions of Chi- ing of the year in a move expected observers said fitting a hat onto her head as part of a promo- nese travel to their home towns to celebrate with was expected. tion ceremony. their families, with chicken a popular festive meal. A new cabinet will be “put in place in the coming The newspaper quotes Chiweshe as say- All border check points between Shenzhen and days — targeting greater cohesion and more effi- ing: “It was a man’s world and it was difficult Hong Kong, and the airport, had already introduced ciency of government action,” Ouattara declared. to break in.” Chiweshe, one of the first women disease prevention measures with thermal imaging He did not indicate whether he would retain Kab- officers to work in the finance department of systems in place, a department spokesman said. Members of the Edo Firemanship Preservation Association display lan Duncan, a 73-year-old economist, as premier the air force, was promoted “not because of The department was also notified by the Guang- or select a new head of government as he moulds bias or favour but because of her competency,” dong health authority on January 1 that a 40-year-old their balancing skills atop bamboo ladders during a New Year a “new Ivory Coast” to draw a line under the tur- the Herald quoted Shiri as saying. woman from Zhaoqing city in the same province was demonstration by the fire brigade in Tokyo, Japan, yesterday. moil engendered by the civil war in 2011. infected with H5N6 and was in a critical condition. 10 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 VIEWS

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

CHAIRMAN SHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

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

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EDITORIAL Kim’s provocation Machiavelli’s take on

ORTH Korea never misses an opportunity to shock its neighbours and rivals. This impoverished, reclusive the Republican race communist country made headlines yesterday by testing a hydrogen bomb which invited both condemnation and scepticism – condemnation for its brazen attempt to Nheighten tensions in an already tense region by beefing up its nuclear of a few donors. That’s a prob- Machiavellian of the primary oppressed” and to hope for their arsenal, and scepticism due to doubts over Pyongyang’s claim that it lem, Machiavelli would tell them, candidates. His calculated rise to children’s future success. As a A few powerful adding that in doing so, a leader power looks like the expedient, result it’s much easier to win and has tested a much more powerful hydrogen bomb this time because magnates exert is stuck with “many persons duplicitous realist usually asso- keep their loyalty. many experts are suggesting that the apparent yield was far too low for control over some about him who think they are his ciated with the Machiavelli who If we equate Machiavel- a thermonuclear device. North Korean state television said the republic’s equals, and for this reason he can wrote chapters 15 through 19 in li’s “great” — the wealthy and first hydrogen bomb test had been ‘successfully performed at 10:00am candidates’ platforms. neither command nor manage “The Prince.” Those are the chap- powerful merchant bankers of (0130 GMT)’. The television also showed North Korean leader Kim Jong- That would anger them in his own way.” ters that tell rulers that virtue and Renaissance Florence — with Un’s signed order -- dated December 15 -- to go ahead with the test, with Machiavelli, who A few powerful magnates vice are different in the political today’s party operatives and exert control over some can- arena; politically, what’s good is big donors, then Donald Trump a handwritten exhortation to begin 2016 with the “thrilling sound of the would consider that didates’ platforms. That would what is effective, and what’s bad would seem to be the candi- first hydrogen bomb explosion.” But it was a jarring sound to the whole to be corruption. His anger Machiavelli, who would is what fails. date who’s cultivating Main world. Several countries rushed to condemn the action and expressed primary example of consider that to be corruption. According to this advice, a Street rather than Wall Street. He their deep concern, including China. The foreign ministry in Beijing said His primary example of such new prince — someone who’s thumbs his nose at party elites, it firmly opposed the nuclear test, which was carried out “irrespective such corruption was corruption was Florence’s rich risen to the job rather than inher- says he doesn’t rely on a few big of the international community’s Florence’s rich and and powerful banker, Cosimo ited it — “has greater need of donors, and voices the anger of opposition.” The 15-member UN Security powerful banker, de Medici, who never held pub- acquiring reputation than a the party rank and file. lic office himself, but paid others hereditary one.” Machiavelli sug- Machiavelli praised the Trib- Council met for emergency talks and is Cosimo de Medici, to do so. Over time, Machia- gested making enemies and unes of Rome, plebeians elected said to be considering further sanctions who never held public velli argued, when private power overcoming them to build up to represent the interests of ordi- against Pyongyang. North Korea’s three office himself, but excessively influences politi- a reputation. Cruz has set up nary working people, protecting The testing of a previous tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013 cal decision-making, it subverts enemies by criticising other pol- them from the patricians who paid others to do so. hydrogen bomb had triggered waves of UN sanctions. a free republic. Moreover, Mach- iticians, often those in his own dominated all other government Kim Jong-Un is known to live in a iavelli hated dependence. He party. The media attention has institutions. Trump fashions him- by North Korea advised others to acquire power done wonders for his reputation. self a new tribune of the people, world of his own where international will further ratchet based on their own “arms and But Machiavelli would warn or at least of the blue collar slice rules don’t apply. The threat of further By Alissa Ardito virtue” instead of relying on that that a candidate or hopeful of the Republican electorate. up tension in the sanctions and condemnations are The Washington Post of others — and urged future prince should be cautious when Trump takes the side of the region. unlikely to act as a deterrent in future leaders to become independent as offending, and not overreach. As many against the few who “spit and Kim’s actions are ratcheting up quickly as possible. Machiavelli wrote, “And who- poison at the plebs,” as Machia- tensions in a region already riddled with ever believes, in dealing with velli put it. In this, he’s the most problems. The neighbouring countries lthough we use On mixing political and reli- great personalities, that new ben- Machiavellian of the Republican “Machiavellian” to gious fervour efits makes old injuries forgotten candidates today. are quite capable of competing with mean shrewd duplic- Ben Carson gets the largest deceives himself.” Machiavelli had little positive Pyongyang, but they are not embarking ity, the real Niccolo amount of support from evan- Cruz isn’t well-liked among to say about powerful elites. The on that perilous path because they don’t want to stoke up tension. Machiavelli was a gelical voters, for whom religion party elites or Senate colleagues. richer they were, the more dan- The unfortunate truth is that the world has failed to restrain Kim and politicalA servant and political is a primary factor in political That’s not necessarily bad; Mach- gerous they were to a popular the country’s dangerous military regime. Their frustration is becoming theorist, both realistic and ide- preferences and voting patterns. iavelli famously advises it is republic. But is Trump really the clear in the reaction of the world to the latest test. It is rarely that the alistic. In the late 15th and early Machiavelli would have disap- better to be feared than loved. populist he claims to be? Trump’s 16th centuries he served in Flor- proved. He felt religion ought to But he adds that it’s important to tax plan seems to favour the very world unites in condemnation and the North Korean leader has made ence’s government and advised remain separate from politics — avoid being hated, which is fine prosperous; his anti-immigration this possible again. The reaction of China was especially noteworthy. rulers. How would he advise the mostly because the papacy, which line to walk. “It is useful to seem stance is at odds with Machia- Beijing has indicated that it would support new, punitive UN security candidates and others interested at that time was a bona fide state compassionate, faithful, humane, velli’s long-standing belief that council action as demanded by South Korea. According to reports, Kim in the Republican primaries? Let’s with extensive territory, tended honest, religious,” wrote Machia- open immigration strengthens didn’t inform China of the test in advance. take a look. to muck up world affairs by doing velli, “and to be so,” a leader must republics. It’s not clear why North Korea decided to test a bomb now. But testing such things as calling on foreign be prepared not to be good when bombs is what Kim excels in. North Koreans are living in poverty and On inheriting rather than monarchies to invade Italy. necessary. Cruz fails the first On the difficulties facing the ascending to power He had some respect for half: seeming honest, compas- populist isolation and are forced to watch with intense despair as the rest of the Jeb Bush resembles a gen- Savonarola, a fiery preacher sionate, faithful, and all the rest. But Machiavelli was aware world marches on. The international community too seems to be unable ial hereditary prince, one who whose sermons brought him Machiavelli would not approve. that unless a populist had excep- to do anything. assumed that primary voters political power and prominence Cruz’s strategising may be too tional skill and good luck, he would flock to him by tradi- in Florence. But Savonarola was transparent. would probably fail. At the begin- tion. He doesn’t appear to have a puritanical populist, which was ning of “The Prince,” Machiavelli tried very hard, which Mach- his undoing. On populism as a sound observed that while a heredi- iavelli would have considered Machiavelli would approve political strategy tary prince could lose his state in Quote of the day appropriate, given his status. of the fact that Carson’s platform Machiavelli consistently turbulent times, “whenever the Machiavelli believed it was com- wisely contains nothing to offend advised leaders to “found on the occupier experiences some mis- paratively easy for a hereditary party elites. people,” meaning to embrace hap he reacquires it.” The most prince to govern, writing, “So that a form of populism. He recom- likely to win, in Machiavelli’s North Korea’s nuclear test is a if a prince is of ordinary industry On refraining from foreign mended cultivating support eyes, would be the establish- serious threat to our nation’s he will always maintain himself adventures among the people rather than ment candidate, Bush — or if he is in his state, unless an extraordi- As Rand Paul has found, dis- the elites — because even though knocked out, Rubio. security and we absolutely nary and excessive force deprives suading people from foreign the people have little socio-eco- Machiavelli would not cannot tolerate it. We strongly him of it.” adventure is thankless work. nomic power, they want to be approve of letting the heredi- Machiavelli advised his princes left alone, while “the great desire tary prince succeed by default. He denounce it. On remaining independent that proposing adventures abroad both to command and to oppress advised that while the appear- from wealthy patrons always wins crowds — but that the people.” ance of stability is reassuring, But our times are chaotic, the people never like the taxes Translated for our day, he over time, people accustomed to Shinzo Abe unstable, much like the tumul- required to pay for those foreign meant that if a candidate climbs letting others make their deci- Japanese Prime Minister tuous era in which Machiavelli wars. to power through an alliance sions forget how to reason about wrote. In such times, he wrote, Paul might find Machiavelli with “the great,” he or she will domestic or foreign policy. it is risky to rely on elites or “the sympathetic to his plight. have nothing but trouble; the The result: the people “returns great.” He would caution Ted great will never be satisfied and beneath a yoke that is more Cruz, Bush, Marco Rubio, and On seeming honest, com- will easily transfer allegiance to often heavier than the one it had to a lesser extent Chris Christie, passionate, and loyal another budding prince. People, removed from its neck a little all of whom rely on the largesse Ted Cruz might seem the most by contrast, ask only “not to be before.”

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By Karen DeYoung many-pronged campaign against the mil- The Washington Post itants — coalition air strikes in Syria and Iraq and military assistance to anti-Islamic State local forces; cutting off the group’s financing and stopping the flow of foreign- s President Barack Obama flew ers rushing to join it; counter-messaging to home from Asia aboard Air Force block its online appeal; and humanitarian One in late November, he scolded his aid to the millions fleeing its brutality on aides about how poorly the admin- the ground. Aistration was communicating the US-led All those efforts, along with intelligence strategy against the Islamic State. collection, had already been expanded fol- Throughout the nine-day trip, which had lowing an internal strategy review in the begun less than 24 hours after the terrorist fall; a diplomatic push to end Syria’s civil attacks in Paris, he had listened to critics war was also underway. Counterterror- at home and abroad charge that he had no ism at home had been stepped up in the coherent game plan. Some had even sug- wake of the San Bernardino attack. “Let’s gested that France, with tough talk and a not forget that freedom is more power- series of retaliatory air strikes, was now ful than fear,” Obama said in conclusion. leading the anti-terrorism fight. “America will prevail.” The message they had received on the “The Sunday night address kicked off a road was “jarring,” said a senior adminis- new chapter,” the senior official said. Over tration official who was on the flight. The the next two weeks, Obama would make problem wasn’t the strategy, they agreed. highly publicised visits to the Pentagon and That “was clear to all of us, sitting in the the National Counterterrorism Center for Sit[uation] Room, in briefings every day. anti-terror briefings capped with public We all know what we are doing.” remarks. He began a series of media inter- What they needed was to do a better views and delivered a December 12 radio job of explaining it. Obama ordered what address titled “Standing Strong in the Face the official called an “uptick in our com- of Terrorism.” munications tempo.” In twice-weekly conferences with the File picture of smoke billowing after an explosion following an air strike in central Kobane in Syria. Within days of their return, deputy communications officials across national national security adviser Ben Rhodes had security agencies, Rhodes has emphasised drafted a memo for the president’s approval, the need to step up their messaging activi- outlining specific tasks for officials at all ties. Early attention focused particularly on aspect of the anti-Islamic State campaign near-constant motion, holding overseas levels, starting with the president himself. Defence Secretary Ashton B Carter, whose have been sent to brief in other buildings. meetings with his coalition counterparts. Cabinet secretaries needed to talk more in news conferences were considered lack- After a senior official at the State Depart- As the new communication effort began, public about all elements of the strategy. lustre and who tended to limit substantive ment explained newly ramped-up efforts Obama gave a new title to Robert Malley, The media needed more briefings. Every- media encounters on overseas trips. to destroy Syrian oil facilities that provide who is in charge of the Middle East for the body needed to become more comfortable On a mid-December swing through Iraq, money to the militants, the same official National Security Council. As the president’s with Twitter. Turkey and Afghanistan, Carter was both was sent to the Pentagon to deliver the same newly minted Senior Adviser for the Coun- The campaign, beginning with firm visible and voluble, holding several news talk to reporters there. ter-IS Campaign in Iraq and Syria, Malley’s Attention focused presidential words at a news conference conferences and background briefings. Adam Szubin, acting undersecretary job is to consolidate efforts across depart- particularly on with visiting French President Francois Hol- “It’s fair to say that DOD will be doing of the Treasury for terrorism and financial ments and agencies in charge of the military, lande and a public statement after a White more,” the senior official said of the Defense crimes, was brought to the daily briefing diplomatic, intelligence, financing and other Defence Secretary House meeting with top national security Department. “What you saw of Carter, you for reporters covering the White House to aspects of the strategy. Ashton B Carter, aides, was barely underway when a ter- will continue to see of other Cabinet princi- explain his part of what he called the admin- Because Malley was not known as a whose news meets rorist couple burst into a public building pals. . . . It’s something that we’re all going istration’s “whole of government approach” prolific practitioner of social media, “it’s in San Bernardino, California, and shot to to be focusing on, certainly going into early to countering the Islamic State, also known probably fair to say that Rob Malley was not were considered death 14 people at a holiday party. next year.” as ISIL. itching to launch his own Twitter account,” lacklustre and who So far, there is little evidence the mes- The goal of these efforts, another senior the first senior administration official said. saging campaign is succeeding in changing administration official said, is “cross-polli- But Malley nonetheless inaugurated @rob- tended to limit opinions of the overall strategy. Nationwide nation.” There is a recognition, this official malley44 on December 11. substantive media polls in December showed public approval said, that “a lot of the [media] bureaus and Although officials said Malley approves of Obama’s handling of the Islamic State bullpens in this town follow what their own his own postings, most of what appears encounters on Cabinet secretaries needed to talk threat hovering at around 35 percent, people are doing but don’t get the whole under the handle is compiled by the half overseas trips more in public about all elements unchanged from previous months. The per- picture.” Bullpens refers to the collection of dozen members of the White House Office of the strategy. The media needed ceived “weakness” of the overall effort has reporters assigned to cover a department. of Digital Strategies, which retweets virtu- been the centrepiece of the foreign policy At the same time, this official said, we ally every other tweet, chart, release, speech more briefings. Everybody needed message of Republican presidential candi- “recognise this is a campaign season” in and statement on anti-Islamic State efforts to become more comfortable with dates. Even some Democrats and coalition which political reporters charged with from across the government. Twitter allies believe the administration’s reluc- recounting what is said by candidates may The last week of the year sparked a vir- . The campaign began with tance to become more involved in Syria’s lack a deep knowledge of national security. tual flood of emails, releases, tweets and firm presidential words at a news civil war, to intervene more forcefully in No matter how many departmental brief- retweets from the White House, State and conference with visiting French Iraq’s sectarian squabbles and to put more ings are given to specialised reporters, the Defense departments, and the military and US boots on the ground in both countries official said, “there is a real knowledge gap. coalition allies hailing the Iraqi military’s President Francois Hollande show a hesitation that underestimates the . . . We feel like we repeat things all the time, success in driving Islamic State forces from peril posed by the militants. but it’s not penetrating.” the city of Ramadi. But just as they believe the strategy The lack of comprehensive understand- In case anyone misses any of it, on itself will ultimately pay off, administra- ing of the strategy can also extend beyond December 8, the NSC press office began “With that, obviously, concerns about [the tion planners say they are convinced that US shores, this official said. “Another thing emailing to a long list of reporters a daily Islamic State] came much closer to home for more information will lead others to agree. that became really clear to us is that the roundup it said would “aggregate key devel- many Americans,” said the senior official, Senior military officials have been 65-member” anti-Islamic State coalition is opments across the various lines of effort one of several who spoke on the condition encouraged to hold regular sessions for very different from previous international in our unyielding campaign to degrade and of anonymity about internal administra- reporters, expanding a weekly offering to groupings. The Afghanistan coalition was destroy IS.” tion discussions. Washington-based media via teleconference organised by Nato, which provided a legal “You’re going to see more of all of it in Since then, the new communications by the coalition press operation in Baghdad. and bureaucratic framework. the new year,” the first senior official said. campaign has gone into overdrive. To avoid stovepiping, where journal- “We don’t have a coalition secretariat “You’ll see the president continue to be the On December 6, four days after the Cali- ists who cover one department sometimes that can speak on behalf” of the current chief messenger when it comes to this. He’s fornia attack, Obama made a rare nationwide ignore or are uninformed about what goes coalition, the official said. uniquely suited to tie together the differ- address from the Oval Office to discuss the on elsewhere, officials who manage one Secretary of State John Kerry is in ent streams. Lies, damned lies and predictions in particle physics

By Faye Flam would jump to supposedly obvious one of them at random, there’s only a 1- that, absent any carcinogenic chemical there’s only a 1-in-37 chance his fairy Bloomberg conclusions about statistics. in-20 chance he’s their purse snatcher. spill, a small town would see two dozen godmother doesn’t exist, he’s fallen Physicists say that it’s not quite cor- There’s a similar doctor’s fallacy. cases of some type of leukaemia over a prey to the prosecutors’ fallacy. rect to state that those 1-in-93 odds Many doctors assume that if a test for short time. But physicists aren’t dealing Most sensible players wouldn’t buy refer to the chance of a statistical fluke. a disease is 99-percent accurate, there with sick people. For them, waiting is the the fairy godmother hypothesis even o most of us, 93-to-1 odds would The correct interpretation, says UCLA must be a 99-percent chance that a prudent reaction to uncertainty. They’ve if this player beat 1-in-594 odds to get make for a clear-cut bet. To physicist Robert Cousins, is that the patient testing positive has the dis- been burned before. In 1984, the New four of a kind. It’s easier to see the fal- physicists? Not so much. On odds are just 1-in-93 that scientists ease. Nope. Imagine it’s a disease that York Times ran a story about a possi- lacy when a claim is outrageous. December 15, the New York would see strong evidence of a parti- affects 1 person in 1,000. Assuming the ble game-changing particle called the Now, let’s say the player says he’s Physicists say TTimes reported that Santa may have cle’s presence even if it actually wasn’t test has a 1-percent false-positive rate, Zeta. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard going to channel his fairy godmother to that it’s not quite brought physics a new subatomic particle, there. He refers to a problem of sta- then there will be many more people of it. It never existed. get a royal flush in a five-card hand. If a hitherto unknown entity materialising tistics called the prosecutor’s fallacy. testing positive than there are actual For doctors and lawyers, it’s useful he gets those cards, even savvy players correct to state that in the giant collider at CERN, near Geneva. Take this example, from a web- cases. Only 9 percent of those testing to know the rarity of a disease or the fact start to suspect some kind of interven- those 1-in-93 odds It wasn’t a sure thing, but according to site called Statistics for the Terrified. positive will have the disease. that just one person in London commit- tion, and not the divine sort. The odds the Times, the odds are in the scientists’ It starts with a purse-snatching inci- To understand how this fallacy ted a particular crime. Physicists have of this happening by chance alone are refer to the chance favour, with only a 1-in-93 chance that dent and an eyewitness describing the applies to particle physics, it helps to no equivalent information in estimating not far from those it would take to con- of a statistical the data pointing to the particle repre- thief as a tall man between 20 and 30 consider the way the experiments work. the odds that their new particle exists. vince the physicists of a new particle sent a statistical fluke. years old with red hair and a limp. The Physicists don’t discover new parti- Cousins said that all they can do is get — about 650,000- to-1. fluke. The correct If real, this is the kind of discovery police scour the city, which happens to cles the way scientists might find a a lot more data and wait until they see In a world ruled by uncertainty, how interpretation, says that would alter the course of a scientific be London, and seize the first tall, male new species of dinosaur. They’re too something that’s much more unusual do scientists know when to declare a UCLA physicist field, catapult careers and revolutionise redhead they find limping down the small to see and they last just a frac- — a pattern in the data with less than a discovery? Cousins said that it’s a sub- the world’s understanding of the uni- street. The prosecutor argues that the tion of a second before disintegrating one-in-a-million chance of appearing jective decision, depending on how Robert Cousins, is verse. Focusing on the slim chance of a odds of fitting such a peculiar descrip- into a spray of other particles. if there’s no new particle. easy it is to collect more data, whether that the odds are statistical fluke seems almost as irra- tion are tiny — roughly one in half a Those other particles leave tracks That level of caution is not so coun- a scientist is in danger of being scooped tionally pessimistic as Dick Cheney’s million. So he reasons that there’s only in a detector, but the tracks don’t come terintuitive if you translate the problem and how much someone’s reputation just 1-in-93 that assertion that if there’s even a 1 per- a 1-in-500,000 chance that the man labelled. Deciding whether an unu- to a poker game. Imagine you’re play- will be hurt by being wrong. Certainty scientists would see cent chance that Pakistani scientists they apprehended is innocent. But it’s sual confluence of tracks came from a ing a seven-card game and one player is always a gamble. were helping Al Qaeda develop nuclear wrong. There’s a 1-in-500,000 chance new particle is a little like determining says he’s been blessed by a fairy god- strong evidence of a weapons, the response should be the that someone picked at random would whether leaks from a chemical plant mother who will help him win. Then Opinions expressed on this particle’s presence same as if it were a certainty. fit that description, but that’s not the might be increasing cancer risk among he proceeds to get a full house. The page are the writers’ and do not even if it actually It turns out, though, that the physi- same as the odds of innocence. In a the local population. It might prompt odds, in a seven-card game, are about necessarily reflect the views of cists’ caution is quite rational. And that city of 10 million people, 1-in-500,000 some worry if researchers calculated 37-to-1 without divine intervention. If the newspaper. wasn’t there there’s a lesson in it for others who translates to 20 people. If cops picked that there was only a 1-in-93 chance he claims that his good hand proves 12 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 ASIA / PAKISTAN

Senate proposes drastic Pakistan PM enjoying a buggy ride changes in justice system

be strictly followed which shall not CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Instead of merely exceed two months. The court must (LEGISLATIVE): Section 173 of the examine orally such of the parties to CrPC. shall be amended to ensure proposing changes, the suit appearing in person or present timely completion of investigation. Pakistan’s Upper in court. Interrogation, production The investigation officer must record and inspection of documents are not the evidences in writing in a timely House has decided used frequently. If full use of these manner and on the spot, as the case to legislate on at provisions is made, unnecessary evi- may be.The maximum period for con- dence can be curtailed and trial can cluding a criminal trial should be fixed least eight draft bills be expedited. to be not more than six months in any containing major It shall be mandatory by law for case. judges to conduct preliminary scrutiny Appropriate amendments be made reforms in the justice on the very first hearing, as soon as a in the CrPC to provide for conducting system complaint is placed before a judge. Pre- criminal trials on day to day basis with- trial hearings shall be made mandatory. out any unnecessary adjournment. After filing the complaint, the proc- Cases be allowed to be adjourned ess fee is not paid for a long time due to only in exceptional circumstances and Internews which summons to the defendant are for not more than two days and no not served within time. Rules shall be more than two to three adjournments amended to provide a specific time- be allowed during the whole trial. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (centre) and his wife Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif ride in a buggy line for payment of process fee. Section 182 of the Pakistan Penal during a visit to the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Garden in Kandy yesterday. Sharif is in Sri Lanka on ISLAMABAD: The Senate has pro- The trial court shall pronounce Code shall be amended to enhance a two-day official visit. posed drastic changes in the civil and a judgement within 30 days, failing the punishment for giving false infor- criminal justice system of the coun- which strict disciplinary action shall mation with intent to cause public try to ensure speedy dispensation of be taken against the judge. First appeal servant to use his lawful power to justice to the public. Instead of merely against the decree or order shall be the injury of another person. proposing changes, the Upper House decided within 45 days A new section shall be inserted has decided to legislate on at least eight Revisions are a great source of in the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, to draft bills containing major reforms delays. No such power exists in the provide deterrence for registration of in the justice system. UK and the United States. Revision false information by a police officer. Pakistan to expel Bangladesh The Senate, while setting a new powers as given in section 115 CPC, The case diaries of the investigation parliamentary tradition, constituted 1908, should be altogether abolished. should be produced before obtaining itself into a Committee of Whole and Intra-court appeal within the High remand or its extension. The comple- deliberated on the motion that the Court should be abolished. tion of investigation and submission diplomat as ‘spy’ row escalates House may discuss the steps being LAND ACQUISITION: Section 4 of challans beyond statutory period taken by the government to provide of the Land Acquisition shall be suit- is a matter of grave concern which speedy and inexpensive justice in the ably amended to provide a timeline should be treated as inefficiency on AFP capital within 48 hours. “The political Relations at Dhaka University said. Idris country. of one year for the validity of notifi- the part of station house officer. counsellor and head of chancery in Sheikh, a suspected member of the According to the report of the Com- cation as said notices remain in field Timely submission of the challan Islamabad has been given till today to banned Jamayetul Mujahideen Bang- mittee of Whole, changes have been for indefinite period of time causing within 14 days shall be made an inte- leave the country,” Haque said. ladesh (JMB), told a Dhaka court last recommended in the Civil Procedure prolonged difficulties and hardships gral part of the performance appraisal DHAKA: Pakistan has asked Bangla- On December 23, Islamabad recalled month that he received 30,000 taka Code, Law Reforms Ordinance 1972, for the common people. mechanism for investigation officers desh to withdraw one of its diplomats one of its diplomats from Bangladesh at ($380) from Pakistani diplomat Farina Land Acquisition Act 1894, Criminal The number of judges in the dis- and appropriate disciplinary action be from Islamabad, Dhaka said yester- Dhaka’s request, after she was alleged Arshad, according to police detectives. Procedure Code, Witness Protection, trict judiciary shall be increased in taken against such officers who are day, in apparent retaliation after the to have financed a suspected Islamic A formal statement from Islama- Security and Benefit Act, Arbitration order to bring rationalisation in the found to be involved in causing delay. expulsion of a Pakistani envoy who extremist accused of spying for Paki- bad dismissed the charges “baseless”, and Conciliation Act, Supreme Court judge case ratio. An office of judicial The government must take imme- allegedly funded a suspected Islamic stan. The secretary did not offer any adding: “an incessant and orchestrated (Number of Judges) Act and Anti-Ter- ombudsman shall be established for diate steps to provide foolproof extremist on trial for espionage. reason for Pakistan’s decision to expel media campaign was launched against rorism Act. providing a forum to litigants for mak- security to judges, prosecutors and wit- Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Sha- the diplomat, but experts believe it was her on spurious charges”. Government Regarding the “Civil Justice Sys- ing complaints as to non-adherence nesses, especially in cases of heinous hidul Haque said Islamabad had on a retaliatory move. and police have blamed the JMB for a tem, the Senate has proposed that the of timelines. The Judicial Ombuds- crimes including terrorism cases. It has Tuesday asked Dhaka to recall sen- “It is unsurprising and of course a recent spate of killings of foreigners time limit for filing a written state- man shall send his findings to the also been proposed that the number of ior diplomat Moushumi Rahman from tit-for-tat measure by Islamabad,” Del- and bomb attacks on shrines attended ment specified by the code should concerned chief justice. judges shall be enhanced to 27. its high commission in the Pakistani war Hossain, professor of International by minority Shias.

TTP a major source of Fix it, please! instability in Pakistan Actress indicted Internews Lashkar-i-Islam, the Said Sajna group, in fraud case Jundullah and Islamic State affiliates and supporters. The report attributed 208 attacks Rawalpindi: Pakistani ISLAMABAD: Even though terrorism to Baloch and Sindhi nationalist insur- actress and TV anchor has decreased significantly last year, gents, and 58 terrorist attacks had Mishi Khan was yester- a report has found that the Tehreek- sectarian motives and were largely day indicted in a case i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) remains a perpetrated by banned Sunni and of criminal breach of major source of instability. Shia sectarian outfits. trust. In July 2015, a doc- The report also attributed the The report discussed the emer- tor hired Mishi Khan to National Action Plan’s (NAP) par- gence of new militant dynamics that run an advertising cam- tial success to a lack of coordinated had manifested in increased sectar- paign for her clinic and response, and stated that Sindh, Balo- ian discourse, particularly in urban paid her Rs450,000 by chistan and Fata are critical areas for areas, the emergence of new outfits cheque, Dawn Online internal security. These were the key and the relocation of existing groups. said. The complain- findings of an annual report by the The report said that terrorist ant contended that the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). networks have set up bases across actress took the cheque According to the report, the the border and had the operational but did not do the cam- number of terror incidents in 2015 capacity to launch attacks inside paign. Additional District fell by 48 percent, to a total of 625. Of the country. and Sessions Judge these, around 359 reported attacks It said that while the Karachi oper- Kashif Javed “indicted — 57 percent — were carried out by ation has contributed to reducing the actress for crimi- Vehicles move past a graffiti, depicting the provincial chief executive with the message “Fix It!”, near the Taliban and its affiliates. violent incidents in the city, terror- nal breach of trust”, the TTP was responsible for 212 ist attacks in Jacobabad, Kashmore, an uncovered drain hole along a road in Karachi, Pakistan, yesterday. According to local media, a report said. The actress’ attacks, while the rest were attributed Shikarpur and Sukkur districts indi- group of Pakistani activists launched an idea to promote a campaign-project to draw the attention of lawyers denied the to local Taliban affiliates or simi- cate that terrorist networks are authorities towards civic issues by art, with the spraying of stencil images of lawmakers with messages. charges against her. lar groups, such as Jamaatul Ahrar, penetrating interior Sindh. Facility for old, sick air travelers Afghan Taliban seek leverage in ‘dangerous’ winter surge KARACHI: The Civil Avi- ation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has introduced ‘free of charge CAA help AFP for next week, a precursor to a revived peace dia- But Pakistan is also playing a role, regional dictate foreign and security policy. facility’ for senior citizens, logue between Kabul and the insurgents. analysts said. “The Taliban do not have the author- But Khadim Hussain, a political analyst based in special and unwell pas- Ahmed Rashid, a leading expert on the Afghan ity to decide on peace talks, they are controlled the Pakistani city of Peshawar, said the attack on the sengers at major airports Taliban, said Mansour was tightening his grip on by others,” said Zalmay Wardak, a Kabul-based air base along with a Taliban surge in Afghanistan across the country. A CAA ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban have launched power through the high-profile attacks, after a military analyst, referring to Pakistan. indicated that elements of the Pakistani military spokesman said that ini- an unprecedented winter surge that points to a shootout between rival insurgent command- In recent years Pakistan has officially re-ori- were not on board with the negotiations. “The attack tially the facility had been desire for an upper hand in peace talks, ana- ers in Pakistan in December left him wounded. ented its Afghan policy, disavowing the use of in India and the surge in attacks in Afghanistan introduced at the Karachi, lysts say, while some suggest rogue Pakistani “We’ve never had such a winter offensive surrogate fighters such as the Taliban to achieve could be seen as a joint strategy,” he said, clari- Lahore and Islamabad elements may be bolstering the effort to derail before from the Taliban. That winter is going to its foreign policy goals in Afghanistan, where it fying that it was unclear whether such decisions airports which in the overtures by Islamabad to India. roll into a continuous spring-summer offensive,” is seen as fighting a proxy war with India. were sanctioned at the highest levels. second stage would be Taliban fighting normally quiets down in he said. “That is looking very dangerous. Man- Islamabad and Delhi recently agreed to “It’s not spur of the moment. It’s planned, introduced at other air- winter months with the insurgents resting ahead sour is consolidating his position. If he’s seen as relaunch peace talks and Indian premier Naren- conscious, and the the immediate result is they ports also. The service of an annual spring offensive, but this year has a military success they will remain loyal to him. dra Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistan in would like to derail the peace process,” he said. was in addition to other seen a series of fierce attacks — many focused “Military success also de-legitimises the anti- December, the first by an Indian prime minis- Arif Rafiq, a Pakistan analyst at Middle East Insti- facilities airlines were on Kabul in recent weeks, including three in the Mansour faction that is emerging,” he said, referring ter in 11 years, immediately after his first tour of tute added: “While it’s plausible that the militants offering to their passen- capital since Friday. to the recent formation of a splinter group challeng- Kabul. Observers in Pakistan believe it is nearly responsible for these attacks receive direction gers, he said adding this Some say the ongoing fighting is a bid by Tali- ing his rule. “The insurgents are trying to show to impossible that the prime minister would have from elements in the Pakistani military, it’s also was in accordance with ban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour to consolidate the world that they have presence in the country been allowed to hold a breakthrough meeting quite possible that they are acting on their own, the National Aviation his position ahead of four-way talks between and get more concession in the peace talks,” said with his Indian counterpart last month without attempting to secure a veto power over the proc- Policy 2015. Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China slated Dawlat Waziri, a defence ministry spokesman. the consent of the army, widely understood to ess of Indo-Pak normalisation.” INDIA THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 13 Govt failed to protect country: Congress

were hijackings, attacks on Red Fort, If this government Jammu and Kashmir assembly and parliament. Whenever BJP comes to continues like this, power, terrorism increases,” he said. we may lose our “Last 19 months of Modi govern- ment have seen 900 border ceasefire country to terrorists, violations on India-Pakistan Border says Congress leader with 19 jawans and 34 civilians hav- ing lost their lives,” and former home “Even Border Security Force (BSF) minister Sushil Kumar has admitted that there has been 35 percent hike in infiltrations from Shinde across the Pakistan border in last one year,” he said. He lauded the armed forces for their prompt action in combing opera- IANS tion at the Pathankot base. “The work of our brave soldiers should be lauded.” Shinde said the National Dem- ocratic Alliance government should NEW DELHI: The Congress yesterday send a clear signal to Pakistan that slammed Prime Minister Narendra terrorist attacks would not be toler- Modi over the terrorist attack on the ated. “India can be a friend of Pakistan Pathankot air force base and said but that country should take action the government had failed to pro- against terrorism.” tect the country. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Con- “The Modi government has failed gress yesterday said it will act against to protect the country. If this govern- its MP Idris Ali who accused Prime ment continues like this, then instead Minister Narendra Modi of having of ‘achhe din’, it looks like we may lose links with terrorists who attacked our country to terrorists,” Congress the Pathankot air base. leader and former home minister “I feel Modi has links with terror- Candles are lit during a vigil in front of photos of soldiers killed in an attack on an Air Force base, in Mumbai yesterday. Troops backed by Sushil Kumar Shinde told the media. ists. Why did the attack happen right helicopters searched the base in Pathankot, after a weekend of fierce fighting with insurgents in which seven soldiers and at least six attackers “Modiji used to say UPA ministers after his visit to Pakistan?” Ali asked were killed. served ‘biriyani’ to Pakistan, what at a public meeting in his constituency now? He himself went to meet (Paki- on Tuesday. He said it was his per- stan Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif. sonal opinion. “The comments are What did he discuss there? Were there very unhealthy and crass, and the Army launches search for ‘suspicious’ men any press releases? We are in the dark party doesn’t endorse such views. about what they discussed,” he said. He has been asked to explain in writ- He also said that the NDA govern- ing. The party will take appropriate ment should send a clear signal to action,” Trinamool spokesperson AFP der and about 51 kilometres (32 miles) been on a high alert since the attack paid a surprise visit to Pakistan, the Pakistan that terrorist attacks will Derek O’Brien said. from Pathankot. over the weekend on the air base by first by an Indian premier in 11 years. not be tolerated. The Lok Sabha member from “The local villagers informed us six gunmen with suspected linked to Modi on Tuesday urged his Paki- “India can be a friend of Pakistan Basirhat in North 24 Parganas dis- about two suspicious men in army the Pakistan-based militant group stani counterpart to take “firm and but that country should take action trict also threatened to chop off the NEW DELHI: The Indian army and fatigues close to the army canton- Jaish-e-Mohammed. immediate action” against those behind against terrorism,” he said. Shinde limbs of CPI-M leader and former police launched a search operation ment area,” Gurpreet Singh Toor, All the attackers were killed in the the attack, adding that New Delhi had also said that whenever there was a West Bengal minister Gautam Deb. yesterday near Pathankot where a senior superintendent of Gurdaspur two days of gunbattles. The attack — passed on “specific and actionable Bharatiya Janata Party government at Retaliating to Deb’s comments that weekend attack on an air force base police, said. “We have since launched a a rare targeting of an Indian military information” about the incident. the centre, instances of terrorism go West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata left seven soldiers dead, after villagers search operation along with the army installation outside disputed Kashmir The Pathankot attack coincided up. “In 1999, IC-184 hijack happened. Banerjee deserves to be jailed, video complained about two suspicious men in that area. We haven’t yet come up — threatens to undermine improving with a 25-hour seige near an Indian The then foreign minister accom- grabs quoted him as saying: “I will in the area. The search was focused with anything yet but the search is relations with Pakistan. consulate in Afghanistan that left at panied terrorists to Kandahar and break his back and chop off his limbs in Gurdaspur district in the northern still on,” he added. It came just about a week after least one policeman dead and 11 oth- released them. During NDA-I, there and throw him into jail.” state of Punjab, close to Pakistan bor- Indian security agencies have Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ers wounded.

Speculation rife on Sanjay Dutt’s Parade rehearsal Over 500 jaundice release date cases in Shimla

IANS IANS accused of discharging sewage in the rivulet without treating it. Panwar said the government-run MUMBAI: Speculation was rife yet treatment plant uses an outdated tech- again yesterday over the purported SHIMLA: More than 500 cases of nology for reusing the water. date of release of incarcerated Bol- jaundice have been reported from The Ashwani Khud drinking water lywood actor Sanjay Dutt from the this Himachal Pradesh capital in the scheme supplies water to one-third Yerawada Central Jail in Pune. past few weeks and their number has of Shimla’s population. While Dutt’s lawyer Hitesh Jain been increasing each day, doctors Most of the jaundice cases have claimed the actor will walk free on said yesterday. been reported from Chotta Shimla, February 27, Maharashtra’s Min- Shimla civic authorities suspect Panthaghati, Vikas Nagar, New ister of State for Home Ranjit Patil that mixing of sewage with the pota- Shimla and Kasumpti, a health said “no decision has been taken ble water has caused the spread of officer said. in the matter so far”. the water-borne disease. The state Doctors in the Indira Gandhi Med- “It is wrong to say his jail term high court also took suo motu cog- ical College and Hospital (IGMCH) has been reduced. Sanjay Dutt is nizance in this regard and sought a said on an average 15 to 20 patients coming out after completing his status report from the government suffering with jaundice come to the sentance and his release term has by today. hospital daily. More than 250 patients not been reduced or increased. His Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar have been treated in the IGMCH alone release date was set as February 27 said that effluents from the sewerage so far. Irrigation and Public Health before itself,” Jain said. treatment plant in Malyana, located Minister Vidya Stokes said the gov- This was contrary to what Patil the vicinity of the Ashwani Khud ernment has taken preventive steps to and Additional Director General of drinking water scheme, was mainly check the further spread of jaundice. Police B K Upadhyay had to say. responsible for water contamination. She said water supply from the “The government has not taken He said he lodged a criminal neg- Ashwani Khad has been temporar- any decision to reduce his sentence Soldiers take part in the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade on a foggy winter morning in New ligence complaint with the police ily shut till the mixing of untreated or give remission,” Patil told media Delhi yesterday. against a contractor of the treat- water from the sewerage treatment persons, reacting to reports that ment plant on Tuesday who has been plant is plugged. Dutt’s release was imminent by February-end. Upadhyay, who is inspector gen- eral of police (Prisons), said, “The Air India plane state government has not given any Nepal PM set to visit India in February intimation on the issue so far.” suffers tyre burst He remained non-commit- tal on any probable date of Dutt’s IANS way when he chose China as the first which nation the prime minister would release. destination of his foreign visit after visit first,” Thapa asserted. He said it IANS Last month, a senior police offi- taking over as Nepal’s prime minister was “not good” to compare Nepal’s cial told IANS that Dutt was likely and attended the Beijing Olympics in “independent and sovereign” rela- to be released by March 7, barring KATHMANDU: Nepal Prime Min- 2008. Thapa said preparations were tions with India and China. BHOPAL: As many as 95 passen- any unforeseen last-minute hitches. ister K P Sharma Oli (pictured), will underway in both countries regard- The Madhesis in Nepal’s Terai gers escaped unhurt when an Air The 56-year-old actor was sen- in February embark on his first for- ing Oli’s visit. region have been agitating for the pas India plane’s tyre burst on landing tenced to jail for five years in the eign visit post-assumption of office to Thapa, who has already visited more thant four months against dis- at the airport yesterday, March 1993 Mumbai serial blasts India, Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa India twice in the past three months criminatory provisions of the country’s The tyre burst occurred at Raja case for illegally keeping an AK-47 said yesterday, laying to rest spec- since the new government assumed new Constitution, which was promul- Bhoj airport of Bhopal at 7.30 when assault rifle. ulations that the Communist leader office in the Himalayan nation, said gated four months ago. The unrest has the AI-435 flight arrived from After his sensational arrest would be touring China first instead Oli will visit China after his India tour. led to blockading of the border entry Delhi. Though the burst jolted in 1993, Dutt spent 18 months in of the southern neighbour. Amid hiccups in Nepal-India ties points and held up supply of essen- the passengers, the pilot man- jail and was required to undergo “Prime Minister Oli is visiting India over the Madhesi issue, there was spec- tial items from India souring bilateral aged to bring the aircraft under imprisonment for the remaining first,” Thapa, who is also deputy prime ulation in the Nepali media that Oli relations. Oli had earlier blamed India control and averted a major trag- 42 months. minister, said at an event here. Tradi- would pick China for his maiden for- for the prevailing situation and there edy, sources said. Following a Supreme Court tionally, Nepali prime ministers have eign visit and “snub” a call from India. was speculation that he might choose Arrangements were made for order, he surrendered to police and made it a point to visit India first fol- According to diplomatic sources, to stress that the media should shed China for his first foreign visit. the passengers’ stay at a hotel. No has been in Yerawada jail since May lowing their assumption of office. Oli will visit India in the second or third the mindset of harping on the prime Indian Prime Minister Narendra official of Air India or airport admin- 2013 and was granted parole on Only Maoist Pushpa Kamal Dahal week of February. The dates would be minister’s maiden visit. Modi had twice called Oli and invited istration was willing to immediately four occasions for various reasons. ‘Prachanda’ rubbed India the wrong finalised soon. Thapa endeavoured “We have to shun such a mindset ... him to India. talk to media about the incident. 14 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 INDIA

Shatrughan’s biggest Show car ban cuts smog: Court regret was contesting against Rajesh Khanna The High Court asked

Delhi government IANS to prove that its restrictions on cars were improving air NEW DELHI: Actor-turned poli- quality in the world’s tician Shatrughan Sinha has said that contesting elections against most polluted capital. Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna was his biggest regret and he had apol- ogised to him too. “If there is one regret that I have AFP & IANS in politics, it is that I was made to fight Rajesh Khanna from Delhi in 1991,” Sinha revealed in his biogra- phy Anything But Khamosh. Shatrughan Sinha NEW DELHI: A court yesterday chal- Sinha revealed that losing the lenged the Delhi city government to electoral battle was one of his rare prove that its restrictions on cars were moments of dejection and he had “Only because of the persuasion improving air quality in the world’s apologised to Khanna. of Kalyan Singh, Shanta Kumar, most polluted capital. “For this, in his lifetime, I had Madan Lal Khurana and other The Delhi high court said a trial apologised to Rajesh Khanna both party leaders. ban, that allows most private cars to directly and indirectly. Under no “I had initially resisted all their use the roads only on alternate days, circumstances should I have started overtures but I was finally taken was causing inconvenience to the pub- my active political career with a before Advani ji, and he had said, lic due to inadequate public transport. bye-election. But I couldn’t say no to ‘It’s a question of our prestige and I With pollution levels still running (L.K.) Advani ji, who was my guide, don’t want to hear a ‘No’ from you at 10 times the international safe lim- guru and ultimate leader,” Sinha this time.” its, it ordered the government to submit said in the book. “When I lost that election, it A stream of cars backed up on an exit to a highway in New Delhi. Delhi High Court has challenged the city data for January 1-7 by Friday so the Advani, who had contested and was one of my rare moments of impact of the ban could be assessed. government to prove that its restrictions on cars were improving air quality in the world’s most polluted won the 1991 elections from Gan- dejection,” he said. The Delhi government launched capital. dhinagar and New Delhi, had opted “It was the one time I really the trial ban last Friday in an attempt for his seat in Gujarat. cried. I also felt very let down to thin the toxic blanket of smog that In the bye-election that fol- because Advani ji had not come has settled over the city. the city’s clogged roads and resulted concentration hovering between “very Sen also praised the Delhi gov- lowed for the Delhi seat, then even for one day to campaign for “In these six days you must have col- in less pollution from cars. poor” and “severe” levels since Janu- ernment saying that it takes “political political novice Sinha was brought me.” lected data related to pollution level, we “We have increased the frequency ary 1, with Monday’s reading spiking will” to roll out such an initiative, while in by the BJP to counter the Con- Terming his debut electoral loss think it’s sufficient for you,” the bench of the metro, increased the number to 280, well above the World Health criticising the central government for gress candidate Rajesh Khanna. a “misstep”, Sinha revealed that it of Judges G. Rohini and Jayant Nath of buses, people are carpooling... all Organization safe limit of 25. neglecting the health and education Sinha insisted that he joined the was a terrible time for him. said, according to the Press Trust of of Delhi has come together to support A 2014 WHO survey of more than sector. “The previous government was party and fought the bye-election “Politics showed its ugly pro- India news agency. this campaign,” the city’s transport 1,600 cities ranked Delhi as the most spending less (on education). But the file in many ways. After I lost that “You will have to think about the minister Gopal Rai told news chan- polluted, partly because of the 8.5 mil- current government is spending even election, I was so sharply side- inconvenience caused to public at large,” nels after the court order. lion vehicles on its roads. lesser. This is very unfortunate,” he said lined that I would be made to feel the judges said, responding to a hand- “Vehicular pollution, which is the Meanwhile, Nobel laureate in eco- here at the NDTV-TCS Nobel Solutions distinctly unwelcome at our party ful of petitions against the scheme. Air most harmful of PM 2.5, has come down nomics Amartya Sen on Wednesday Summit, where Nobel laureates from office on Ashoka Road. People quality, which traditionally worsens in significantly in the interior part of praised the odd-even car regulation across the globe gathered to debate, would stop talking when I entered, winter as the cooler air traps pollutants Delhi,” he said. policy rolled out by the Delhi govern- discuss and deliberate on the major or change the topic and make me and people start lighting fires, remains PM2.5 refers to microscopic parti- ment on a trial basis from January 1, challenges being faced by the world uncomfortable. poor despite the trial restrictions which cles that penetrate deep into the lungs saying such a move will bring in con- and India as well. “One day, a party official who are due to last 15 days. and are particularly harmful to health. fidence to conduct more such plans Sen also contended that ‘saffroni- is still with the BJP, came up and Environmentalists, however, say it India’s state-run System of Air to curb pollution. sation’ of education is happening in told me, ‘Shatruji, please sit outside. would be unrealistic to expect a rapid Quality Weather Forecasting and “The fact that it succeeded, it brings India.“To some extent it (saffronisation) We’ll call you when we’re ready improvement and attribute the smog Research showed PM 2.5 concentra- happiness and it brings confidence is certainly happening in education). to talk to you’,” he remembered. to low winds and a fall in daytime tions at a “very unhealthy” 272 level that something like this can be done. The important question is if whether “That went straight to my heart temperatures. on Wednesday and advised against And I hope there will be many more its happening so much that it becomes and hurt me so badly, that for years, The Delhi government defended the going outside. to reduce pollution and other envi- the most important issue,” he said. Rajesh Khanna I never visited the office,” he added. scheme, saying it had helped decongest It recorded Delhi’s PM 2.5 ronmental hazards,” he said. Congress Delhi scraps management quota in private schools expels Amit IANS or admissions given on recommenda- general category students,” he said. schools which do not follow the order,” Conference (NPSC), an association of Jogi for six tions. So, we have decided to scrap this However, he added that schools are he said. privately-managed recognised schools, management quota to make admission free to grant admission to the children Besides, the government has also was guarded in its response, saying it years process transparent and pro-people,” of their employees and can allocate scrapped 62 other criteria for admission will first examine the order. NEW DELHI: Ahead of the new aca- he said at a press conference here. points in their criteria. Currently, the which Kejriwal termed “unreasona- “We would decide our future course demic year, the Delhi government Kejriwal said the existing provi- schools keep 20 percent or even more ble” and “discriminatory”. of action once we receive a copy of the IANS yesterday issued an order scrapping sion of 25 percent seats earmarked seats under the management quota, Giving examples, Kejriwal said that order. Secondly, the matter is already the so-called management quota in for students from poor families will while 25 percent seats are reserved for some schools had put it in their admis- being heard in the Delhi High Court. nursery admissions in the city’s pri- remain in place. EWS students and the rest are open for sion criteria that children whose parents As of now, it would be premature to vate schools. “In accordance with the Delhi High the general category children. were non-vegetarian or were alco- comment on the order,” said Ashok RAIPUR/NEW DELHI: The Con- Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Court order, 25 percent admission Kejriwal said with the new rules in holic, would not be granted admission. Pandey, chairperson of NPSC and prin- gress yesterday expelled its legislator the decision was taken to bring more quota is reserved for EWS (econom- place, the education mafia would have The government order has advised cipal of Ahlcon International School, Amit Jogi, son of former chief minis- transparency in the admission proc- ically weaker sections), while rest of little scope to manipulate the admission schools to make their admission cri- Mayur Vihar. Delhi’s Lt. governor had ter Ajit Jogi, for six years for indulging ess of private schools. seats are mostly wrongfully reserved procedure, and warned that strict action teria “clear, well defined, equitable, in December 2013 issued a notifica- in anti-party activities. “Management quota is the biggest by schools on their own. From now would be initiated against the schools non-discriminatory, unambiguous and tion abolishing management quota in The expulsion came in the wake scandal in the education system. Under onwards, remaining 75 percent will which do not comply with the order. transparent”, an official statement said. nursery admissions but this was chal- of revelations about his alleged role this arrangement, seats are either sold have to be made available to the “We may also de-recognise the The National Progressive Schools’ lenged by the affected schools. in fixing the Antagarh by-election in 2014. The decision was taken dur- ing a meet of the Congress state unit that also approved a proposal to suspend his father and former chief Northeast yet to minister Ajit Jogi. Chhattisgarh Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said the party had learn from disasters acted, and it was now the Bharatiya Janata Party’s turn to act against those involved in the “murder of democracy” in Antagarh. IANS six-storey under-construction building “The proposal to expel Ajit Jogi toppled in Manipur’s capital Imphal was also passed. Since this right where the iconic Mothers’ Market also is beyond the domain of the state took a hit. Congress, the proposal to expel him KOLKATA: Located at the northern- “Arunachal was outside a 50 km will be sent to All India Congress most tip of northeast Indian, Arunachal radius range from the epicentre at Committee (AICC),” he said. Pradesh, was fortunately, shielded from Manipur’s Tamenglong region. In Amit Jogi, a legislator from Mar- major impacts of the deadly Manipur addition, the geology in Arunachal wahi, voiced disappointment. earthquake because of its geography Pradesh is different,” B.K. Rastogi, former “I am hurt. The decision to expel and geology, said experts, cautioning director general of Gandhinagar-based me without proving the allegations against complacency. They say lessons Institute of Seismological Research against me is biased and unfair,” must be learnt from the disaster to build (ISR), said. he said. “I will exercise my right to site-specific quake-resilient structures. The soil in Manipur’s quake-hot A labourer moves debris at the Ima Market in Imphal, yesterday, following an earthquake in the north- appeal under rule 8 of article 9 of Famous for its biodiversity, areas is alluvial which magnified the party’s constitution. I have full faith Arunachal Pradesh, sharing seismic waves, but most of Arunachal eastern state. in the party’s leadership.” international borders with Myanmar, is rocky which doesn’t have similar The Congress had earlier issued China and Bhutan, was perhaps the amplification effects, explained Rastogi. notice to Amit Jogi over purported least affected when a 6.7-magnitude Common principles of geography and Nimasow, a professor in the geography Nagaland where the intensity was But northeast India has not learnt conversations that suggested that temblor along the Indo-Myanmar border energy distribution played a key role in department of the Rajiv Gandhi strong. its lessons yet despite its vulnerability, financial inducement was offered jolted India’s northeast and east and the state escaping the disaster. University, Arunachal Pradesh, said. India’s northeast region is lamented Durgesh C Rai, of IIT- to the party candidate to make him neighbours Myanmar, Bhutan and “As the distance from the epicenter Manipur bore the brunt of the considered the world’s sixth most Kanpur’s National Information withdraw from the fray in the by- Bangladesh. increases there is an equal decrease in temblor, which struck at 4.35 am earthquake-prone belt. In the last 100 Centre of Earthquake Engineering. election to the Antagarh assembly At least nine people were killed and the energy released and subsequently and left a trail of devastation in the years, some 19 other quakes greater “Copying building designs from seat in 2014. It also demanded the more than 120 injured in the Manipur a decrease in the effect. region: at least four people were than magnitude-6 have occurred other cities for modernisation is not resignation of Chief Minister Raman temblor that affected its other northeast “This is one of the factors why injured in southern Assam, walls of within a 250 km range from the site right. Buildings in earthquake prone Singh and a probe into the issue by sisters including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh did not see damage some residences and other buildings of Monday’s temblor. The largest was regions should be according to the a Supreme Court judge. Tripura, Sikkim and Nagaland. A during the Monday’s quake,” Gibji cracked in Tripura, Mizoram and a magnitude-8 quake in 1946. site-specific codes,” Rai said. EUROPE THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 15

Clearing snow from streets Germany records 1.1m asylum seekers in 2015

AFP

BERLIN: Germany registered 1.1 million asylum seekers in 2015, the interior ministry said yesterday, with Syrians fleeing a brutal civil war mak- ing up almost 40 percent of arrivals. The number of Syrians seeking refuge in Europe’s biggest economy hit 428,468 during the year, with Afghans the second-biggest group at 154,046 applicants. The annual arrivals were a record and around five times more than 2014. Acknowledging the enormous effort put in by officials and volun- teers to register, house and feed the German Interior Minister newcomers, Interior Minister Thomas Thomas de Maiziere holds up de Maiziere said the federal govern- the Migration Report at a press ment would put in 4,000 additional confernce in Berlin, yesterday. staff at the migration office alone to manage the massive influx. The government would also make towards sharply reducing the number a monthly contribution of 670 euros of new asylum seekers to Germany,” per asylum seeker to help state and he said. The record migrant influx has local governments cope. split public opinion in Germany, and At the same time, de Maiziere Chancellor Angela Merkel is increas- Snow removers clear the tarmac at Tegel Airport in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. After a period of snowfall, the running and management promised to end the trend of increas- ingly coming under fire, even in her of traffic in the city has seen difficulties. ing asylum seekers. own coalition, for her open-door “We will work in all policy areas stance to those fleeing war and misery.

Germany Duda to visit Brussels amid EU concerns approves more soldiers pean Commission debate on the rule of place just days after the January 13 The moves have prompted esca- The trip had long law in Poland, whose government has European Commission debate regard- lating warnings from the European for Mali, Iraq sparked concern by pushing through ing the state of the rule of law in Poland. Commission that it could intervene, been on the agenda controversial changes to the judici- The PiS party led by Jaroslaw including two letters from its vice and is unrelated ary and media. Kaczynski has wasted no time since president, Frans Timmermans, ask- AFP to any recent Duda is backed by the conserva- returning to power to introduce leg- ing Warsaw for information. tive and eurosceptic Law and Justice islation reforming the country’s The Council of Europe, the con- developments in the (PiS) party that came to power in Octo- constitutional court and giving the gov- tinent’s top human rights watchdog, BERLIN: The German cabinet has EU member, says ber after eight years in opposition and ernment power to directly appoint the also urged Duda against signing the approved plans to send up to 650 sol- which has alarmed rights watchdogs heads of public broadcasters. proposed media law. diers to Mali, boosting its presence Polish President and the EU’s executive by trying to Under the proposed media law, which Its commissioner for human rights, in the UN peacekeeping mission in take control of any organ that could Duda still needs to sign, senior figures Nils Muiznieks, called on him “to uphold the West African country which is keep it in check. in public radio and television will be the independence of Poland’s pub- beset by Islamist militant violence. In Brussels, Duda will meet with appointed —and sacked —by the treas- lic service television and radio” in a It also agreed to increase AFP European Council president and former ury minister, and no longer hired by the statement on Tuesday. Polish Foreign the numbers of soldiers train- Polish prime minister Donald Tusk as developments in the EU member. National Broadcasting Council. Minister Witold Waszczykowski for ing Kurdish Peshmerga forces well as Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, Instead Duda will discuss this Duda already passed into law late his part told public radio on Tuesday in northern Iraq to up to 150 presidential advisor Krzysztof Szcz- year’s NATO summit in Warsaw with last year a reform of the constitutional that the EU’s representative in Warsaw from 100. WARSAW: Polish President Andrzej erski told the Polish news agency PAP. Stoltenberg, as well as Britain’s poten- court, despite mass protests and claims would be invited for a talk to clarify The majority of the German Duda (pictured) will visit Brussels on He said the trip had long been on the tial departure from the EU and energy by the opposition that the changes the European Commission’s recent forces who will start going to Mali January 18 following a planned Euro- agenda and is unrelated to any recent policy with Tusk. But the visit will take threaten judicial independence. appeals to Polish leaders. in the coming weeks will be sta- tioned in the north of the country which has seen an upsurge of vio- lence by Islamist militants. Ex-Scottish Working with Dutch forces, Broadcaster sorry for slow reporting on assaults which operate a military camp in minister vows the northern city of Gao, they will carry out reconnaissance work and controversy AFP News editors of ZDF’s flagship admitting this was “a clear misjudge- asylum and migration policies”. provide logistical support. “heute” (today) evening news pro- ment”. As the assaults have come to A website said that the ugly inci- Germany’s lower house of par- on radio talk gramme apologised on social media dominate German mainstream media, dents —and the sluggish official and liament is due to decide on both for not reporting on the incidents at more women have come forward in media response —played into the hands missions at the end of January. BERLIN: German public broadcaster least in its Monday evening bulletin, Cologne and other cities about being of groups are colluding to mislead Apart from participating in the ZDF has apologised for delays in report- four days after the attacks. groped and attacked on New Year’s Eve. the public about immigration policy. UN mission in Mali, Germany sent AFP ing on a wave of assaults blamed on men “The news situation was clear The number of criminal complaints “Despite the world’s most expensive troops there in 2013 as part of a of Arab appearance amid accusations enough. It was a mistake of the 7pm in Cologne topped 100 by yesterday. public broadcaster, countless social European Union mission to train yesterday of media self-censorship of ‘heute’ show not to at least report the On social media, furious right- media reactions and online newsrooms local security forces after France LONDON: Former Scottish first the inflammatory issue. incidents,” wrote deputy chief editor wing commentators have blamed the ... it took four long days before national quelled an Islamist uprising in the minister Alex Salmond yesterday The rash of attacks and thefts in Elmar Thevessen on the show’s Face- attacks on Chancellor Angela Mer- media comprehensively reported on north. vowed to “shoot from the hip” as a New Year’s Eve crowd in the west- book page. kel’s government and its welcome to the incidents,” said a commentary on German forces are currently it was announced he would host a ern city of Cologne was only widely Editors had decided to postpone asylum seekers. The right-wing pop- the Meedia service. carrying out missions in around 13 weekly radio phone-in beginning covered by national media early this the news segment to Tuesday, the day ulist Alternative for Germany party “The initial slowness is now being countries, including Afghanistan next week. week, after police had initially reported Cologne’s city hall and police held a seized on the attacks as “the appall- used in some circles to back their claims and Kosovo, as well as conducting “I am looking forward to dis- no major incidents. crisis meeting on the attacks, he wrote, ing consequences of catastrophic about the ‘lying press’.” monitoring in the Mediterranean. cussing all of the issues and taking calls from every corner of these islands,” the former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) said ahead of his debut on LBC, a London- French leader Le Pen Spain celebrations based national talk and phone-in radio station. “When I was first minister of grilled in fraud probe Scotland, there were times when I had to bite my tongue. However, now unburdened from office, I can shoot straight from the hip,” he added. AFP legal system, which means she her- Scottish Conservative deputy self is not formally under investigation leader Jackson Carlaw said that but could still be charged. the current SNP leader and First PARIS: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her father, who founded Minister Nicola Sturgeon “will be Le Pen was questioned by judges prob- the FN, have been dogged by legal listening from behind the sofa in ing her National Front (FN) party for woes, and recently attracted the atten- fear of what embarrassment her fraud, according to sources close to the tion of prosecutors who suspect they predecessor can now cause.” investigation. Le Pen, 47, was ques- undervalued their assets in their tax The first half-hour show will be tioned for several hours after twice declarations. A French financial body, aired on January 13, with LBC prom- previously having refused to appear the High Authority for Transparency ising that “no topic will be off limits”. before judges investigating the FN’s in Public Life, estimates both Le Pens Salmond quit as first minister finances. underestimated their wealth by a third and SNP leader after his party failed The FN and several of the par- -- a figure of about one million euros to gain independence for Scotland ty’s high-ranking members have been ($1.1 million) for Jean-Marie and hun- in a 2014 referendum. However, he charged with misuse of company assets dreds of thousands of euros for Marine. sits in the House of Commons in Lon- and conspiracy to commit fraud over The National Front won a record don after being elected as member the financing of parliamentary and number of votes in regional elections for the Scottish constituency of Gor- presidential elections in 2012. in December, while failing to win any don in last year’s general election. Financial investigators suspect regions, as it continues its rise despite “Alex Salmond is an outspoken the party’s leaders and associated its legal woes. Marine Le Pen, who is politicians, with in-depth knowledge companies of defrauding the state aiming to run in the 2017 presidential of Westminster and Scottish politics, by inflating campaign expenses. election, is also under investigation for FROM LEFT: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Spanish King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and Spanish and we look forward to him joining The FN denies the embezzlement tweeting graphic images of Islamic Minister of Defence Pedro Morenes attend the military celebration of Epiphany Day at the Royal Palace our powerful line-up this year,” said of millions of euros. Le Pen is classified State atrocities, including the behead- in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. LBC managing editor James Rea. as an “assisted witness” in the French ing of US reporter James Foley. 16 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 EUROPE Sweden & Denmark to lift border checks soon

slow migrant flows, the EU said yes- the continent since World War II. terday after emergency talks Europe’s The EU’s cherished passport- EU Migration passport-free Schengen zone. free Schengen area has come under Commissioner called EU Migration Commissioner Dim- huge strain, as many countries have meeting of Danish itris Avramopoulos called the meeting reintroduced border controls to deal after Denmark this week slapped spot with the flow of migrants trying to and Swedish leaders checks on its border with Germany, reach wealthy Germany, Sweden and after Denmark and Sweden imposed its own controls other countries from the main land- on travellers from Denmark. ing point in Greece. Schengen rules slapped checks on “We agreed to keep (the measures) mean checks can be reintroduced for its border. Sweden to a minimum and return to normal as up to six months. Swedish migration soon as possible. This means the flows minister Morgan Johansson said the imposed controls on have to be slowed down,” Avramopou- new checks “should not be put in place Denmark travellers los said following the talks in Brussels longer than we need”. with officials from Sweden, Denmark He said the controls were neces- and Germany. sary because his country has taken in FROM LEFT: Sweden’s Minister for Justice and Migration Morgan Johansson, Danish Immigration and Integration “We all agreed that Schengen and more asylum seekers per capita than AFP free movement must be safeguarded,” any other EU nation -- 160,000 asylum Minister Inger Stojberg and European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos Avramopoulos added. requests last year, including 26,000 address a joint news conference after their meeting in Brussels, yesterday. More than a million refugees and unaccompanied minors, with 115,000 BRUSSELS: Sweden and Denmark migrants arrived in Europe in 2015 -- of them in the last four months. the situation by the hour” but addded thousands of asylum seekers.” that an EU scheme to relocate 160,000 have agreed to lift temporary border many of them fleeing the war in Syria Danish immigration minister Inger that “in Denmark we don’t wish to be German interior ministry official Ole refugees from frontline Greece and Italy checks as soon as possible but must first -- in the worst crisis of its kind to face Stoejberg said they were “monitoring the final destination for thousands and Schroeder said part of the problem was to other member states was not working.

Russia refutes End of season Turkish Britain security under allegations on visa issue fire after militant slips

Reuters Reuters the unhindered travel within Europe of the militants behind the Novem- ber 13 Paris attacks. . MOSCOW/ANKARA: Russia yes- LONDON: Six weeks after a British Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected terday rejected a Turkish accusation militant who is suspected of being an mastermind behind the Paris attacks, that it was refusing to issue visas to Islamic State executioner slipped out had also mocked European frontier crews of the Turkish budget carrier of the country, police sent a letter ask- controls and boasted how easy it Pegasus, saying the airline should ing him to surrender his passport, a was for him to move between Syria have applied for them earlier. security bungle that has drawn crit- to his Belgian homeland and the rest Moscow suspended visa-free icism from opposition lawmakers. of Europe. travel for Turks from January 1 as Though the masked militant who Since the Paris attacks, the Euro- part of a range of sanctions after was shown directing the killing of five pean Union has stepped up checks on a Turkish jet shot down a Russian men in an IS propaganda video has its citizens travelling abroad and is warplane near the Turkish-Syrian not been officially identified, media seeking more data on passenger travel. border in November. including the BBC and the Daily Tele- Still, the flow of foreign fighters Turkish Transport Minister graph have named him as Siddhartha to Syria has so far shown no sign of Binali Yildirim accused Russia of Dhar, a Londoner who once sold inflat- decreasing and the United States has violating international aviation rules able bouncy castle toys. called for better cross-Atlantic infor- by denying visas to Pegasus, which Dhar, 32, left Britain for Syria mation sharing to prevent attacks. suspended flights to and from Rus- in September 2014 while on police The identity of the militant in the sia until January 13. But the Russian bail after his arrest on suspicion of Islamic State film has stoked intense Foreign Ministry said Pegasus had belonging to a banned group and speculation because it revived mem- only applied for visas at the Russian encouraging terrorism. ories of “Jihadi John”, another British consulate in Istanbul on Wednes- “The system has failed because it militant who was shown in the IS vid- A woman pushes a pram past a pile of Christmas trees left out for recycling, following the end of the day afternoon, and Onur Air, which allowed him to abscond to Syria,” Andy eos beheading US and British hostages. Christmas season in London, yesterday. suspended its flights to Russia till Burnham, the home affairs spokes- Jihadi John, unmasked as Lon- January 14, had not applied at all. man for the opposition Labour Party, doner Mohammed Emwazi, was killed said in parliament. by a joint US-British missile strike in “Even if the correct procedures November. were followed, I have evidence that British Home Secretary (interior Belgium rail they were far too weak,” he said. minister) Theresa May, who refused Dutch expert seeks ministerial apology Britain’s independent reviewer to comment about the identity of the of terrorism laws said the main fail- English-accented militant in the IS strike leaves ing in the Dhar case was not asking State video, said Britain had tightened AFP to help teach the students. Similar lectures have been held in him to hand over his travel papers exit controls. “They are now taking travellers Justice Minister Ard Van der Steur the past and the fact that it was in a immediately. place at the various ports of exit and said at the time that it had been “com- lecture hall “on a university campus Burnham cited a police letter to in a variety of ways, according to how stuck pletely inappropriate and in bad taste.” should have guaranteed that this was Dhar dated November 7, 2014 setting the information about someone’s exit THE HAGUE: A Dutch forensics expert But Maat says a police investiga- only meant for medical students” and out bail conditions, including sur- is being held,” she said. who worked on the MH17 air disaster tion, which he was given access to, for educational purposes. rendering his passport, that was sent She added that the decision on AFP demanded a ministerial apology say- has exonerated him, agreeing with his The furor erupted when two six weeks after the militant had left whether to place a suspect on police ing a police probe has cleared him of view that he did not break any confi- reporters from the private television Britain. In the letter, Dhar, who was bail was an operational matter. any wrong-doing in showing medical dentiality and privacy laws. channel RTL Nieuws “had sneaked in said to have fled with his pregnant Syria has become the pre-eminent BRUSSELS: A rail strike in Belgium students photos of the dead. All 298 passengers and crew pretending to be students and had been wife and four children, was urged to global incubator for a new genera- brought train travel to a near stand- University professor George Maat onboard the Malaysia Airlines jetliner publishing” out of context his words. contact police. tion of militants after Islamist groups still in the French-speaking half was reportedly fired from the Dutch —most of them Dutch —died when “It was presented by the broad- Dhar turned up in Syria two weeks more than doubled their recruitment of the country yesterday, while all national forensics team after he gave it was shot down en route to Kuala casting company as if I was releasing after the letter was sent brandishing of foreign fighters to as many as 31,000 services connecting Brussels to Lon- a lecture in Maastricht in April about Lumpur by a BUK Russian-made mis- criminal investigation data, which was a gun and a baby and taunting Britain over the past 18 months, former sen- don and Paris were scrapped. the 2014 Malaysia Airlines disaster. sile over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. not the fact at all.” for its “shoddy” security that allowed ior British intelligence official Richard Only 15 percent of services Organised by a medical students The police investigation into Maat’s Maat has now called on Van de him to “breeze” into Syria. Barrett said last month. were running in the EU capital of association, Maat, Matt showed photos lecture to about 150 people “showed Steur to apologise and to publicly Concerns over the ease with which In the chaos of Syria’s civil war, Brussels and the French-speak- of victims’ body parts and explained nothing unusual had happened,” he acknowledge that he remains a mem- a man suspected of terrorism offences most foreign fighters end up in mil- ing region of Wallonia, compared elements of the identification process told reporters. ber of the national forensics team. could flee Britain add to worries about itant groups including Islamic State. with 68 percent of trains running in the Flemish northern half of the country, the SNCB operator said. Eurostar trains to Brussels from London all stopped at the French Cops identify 3 suspects Clean-up operation border city of Lille, while all Tha- lys services to and from Paris were cancelled for tomorrow. Unions in the Dutch-speaking in attacks on women region of Flanders controversially dropped out of the two-day strike against job cuts, stoking tensions Reuters be of “Arab or North African” ori- with their francophone colleagues gin, prompting right-wing groups who pushed on with the walkout. to condemn the government for its The SNCB rail service is one welcoming stance towards refugees. of the country’s last remaining DUESSELDORF: German police have Government officials have cau- national services and the Flemish identified three suspects in connec- tioned against putting foreigners and N-VA party, the country’s biggest, tion with attacks on women at New refugees under “blanket suspicion” quickly seized the opportunity Year celebrations in Cologne, interior because of the assaults. to urge an outright split of the minister of the state of North Rhine- Police said the attacks occurred train network. Westphalia (NRW) said yesterday. when about 1,000 men split into gangs “If rail workers strike in French- About 90 women reported being as officers cleared a square to stop speaking Liege, the Flemish traveller robbed and threatened at New Year fireworks being thrown from the top going from Ghent to Brussels has celebrations outside the city’s cathe- of steps into the crowd below. a problem,” said N-VA leader Bart dral by young, mostly drunk, men, NRW Interior Minister Ralf Jaeger De Wever. police said on Tuesday, in events they told a news conference no arrests had Car traffic in Brussels, already described as “a new dimension in yet been made. He declined to give one of Europe’s most congested cit- the crime”. further details of the investigation Workers remove fish from the canal Saint Martin in Paris, yesterday, before a drainage and cleaning ies, was markedly heavier yesterday, The police chief in Cologne has but said he expected “a very detailed operation. authorities said. said the perpetrators appeared to report” this week from the police. AMERICAS THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 17 Obama move to have only modest effect on violence

But the new controls probably had illegally purchased a gun from a Currently, many wouldn’t have prevented several of seller he met through Armslist.com, the grisly mass shootings around the an online gun site. The seller was sen- private sellers online country that have led to demands for tenced to prison after pleading guilty and at gun shows tighter gun laws, and may affect only a to an illegal sale. fraction of the nation’s 30,000 annual She and other gun control advo- do not bother to get gun deaths. cates said too many individuals make licences, and weapons The president’s action “has poten- a living selling guns without obtaining tial impact — the degree or the type, the $150 licence and following require- sales over the it’s hard to predict,” said University of ments to conduct background checks, Internet have become Pennsylvania professor Susan Soren- keep detailed sales records and face son, who studies violence prevention. federal inspections. a booming business “And it’s really important to acknowl- Private sales — often carried out edge that we can’t just have one change in person after Internet advertisements and expect that to change things wildly.” connect sellers and buyers — can be For one thing, studies have shown exploited by convicted felons, domestic AP that criminals are more likely to get abusers and others who cannot pass a guns directly from friends or other background check, critics say. social connections than at gun shows Private sales have increasingly gone or flea markets. online over the last decade, but pre- WASHINGTON: President Barack The President also called for the cise data is hard to pin down. Obama’s move to tighten controls on hiring of more than 230 additional GunBroker.com, which calls itself guns could curb the unregulated buy- examiners and other staff to process the the world’s largest online auction site ing and selling of weapons over the millions of background checks received for firearms and accessories, says it Internet and at gun shows. But the over- annually. But even with added man- has grown every year since 1999. It all effect on violence in the US could power, there’s no way to completely now boasts 750,000 active listings on prove to be modest. eliminate human error like the clerical any given day. Armslist claims 7 mil- “It’s not ever going to be difficult mistakes that allowed Dylann Roof, the lion site visits per month. to get a firearm, just like it’s not ever young man charged in the Charleston, One in 20 guns advertised through going to be difficult to get illegal drugs,” South Carolina, church massacre, to Armslist last year was linked to an unli- said James Jacobs, a New York Uni- buy a weapon even though he should censed seller who had listed at least versity law school professor. “What have been disqualified after an ear- 25 guns, according to recent research makes us think that we can now cre- lier drug arrest. published by Everytown for Gun Safety, ate a regime that will make guns hard The White House did not set a a gun control group backed by former to obtain for someone who wants to threshold for the number of guns New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. obtain them?” someone has to sell to be covered by A 2013 investigation by that group’s handgun through an Armslist ad and by a “costly and burdensome” system universal background checks, as 18 The president used his executive the licensing and background check predecessor, Mayors Against Illegal used it to kill his wife and two other that requires them to go to licensed states have done on their own.” authority on Tuesday to clarify that requirement. Guns, found that more than 3 percent women at a salon in suburban Mil- dealers and pay fees. The Obama administration anyone “in the business” of selling fire- But it warned that people can be of potential buyers on Armslist had waukee in 2012. The man, Radcliffe “Further scrutiny of law-abiding appeared determined to tamp down arms must obtain a federal licence and charged with a federal crime punish- criminal records that would bar them Haughton, was able to buy the gun even people will not stop criminals,” he said. expectations, with Obama saying he conduct background checks on pro- able by up to five years in prison for from owning firearms. though a judge had issued a restrain- Everytown president John Feinblatt realizes his actions won’t stop all gun spective buyers, regardless of where selling as few as two firearms when Armslist, which was founded after ing order days earlier that should have called the clarification a welcome if violence. “Obviously the President is not the sales take place. there is evidence they are running a Craigslist banned gun ads in 2007, says made him ineligible. He went online modest step. able to take strong measures because Currently, many private sellers business, such as selling weapons in in a disclaimer on its website that it to say he was “looking to buy ASAP,” “It puts them on notice and, if that’s going to require Congress to act,” online and at gun shows do not bother their original packaging and for a profit. doesn’t get involved in transactions and made the purchase in the parking accompanied with aggressive enforce- said Philip Cook, a Duke University to get licences, and weapons sales over Theresa O’Rourke of Downers and that buyers and sellers must fol- lot of a McDonald’s, the lawsuit says. ment, has the potential to narrow the professor. “But if he is able to disrupt the Internet have become a booming Grove, Illinois, said she hopes Obama’s low all state and federal gun laws. Still, Armslist owner Jonathan Gibbon number of unlicensed dealers who are a relative handful of sales and save a business. The White House and others action will deter illegal transactions guns sold through ads on the site have called Obama’s moves “well-mean- selling without background checks,” handful of lives, that may well be worth- can’t say how many transactions the that have deadly consequences. Her been linked to some fatal shootings. ing but ultimately ineffective.” He said he said. “But even so, millions of guns while.” He added: “What we’re looking step will block or how much blood- best friend, 36-year-old Jitka Vesel, A lawsuit filed in October alleges many private sellers want to conduct will be sold online without background at here is a low-cost intervention with shed it may prevent. was killed in 2011 by a stalker who that an abusive husband purchased a background checks but are discouraged checks unless Congress or states pass the possibility of some payoff.”

Mexico’s ‘Grand El Nino-strengthened storm brings rain and floods to California Warlock’ predicts

Reuters were damaged when large rocks fell Trump defeat from a cliff onto the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu Canyon. The Los Angeles Fire Department AFP LOS ANGELES: An El Nino-strength- said it had made several water res- ened storm brought widespread rain to cues. Southbound lanes of the 101 drought-stricken California, triggering freeway, a major roadway that runs MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s famed flooding that clogged roadways, and the length of California, were also “Grand Warlock” predicted on Tues- authorities warned residents about briefly closed near Santa Barbara day that US presidential hopeful possible mud slides. due to mud and water, officials said. Donald Trump will fail to reach The National Weather Service Police in Glendora, a Los Angeles the White House — but the tycoon (NWS) has issued flash flood watches suburb, closed a road due to flooding shouldn’t worry too much: The fore- for much of the coast from San Diego to and debris flowing onto the street. caster often gets things wrong. San Francisco and said storms would Pictures provided by the department With his tarot cards, white- linger through tomorrow. The service showed a few inches of muddy water bearded Antonio Vazquez also saw forecast widespread rain and moun- snarling traffic. fugitive Mexican drug lord Joaquin tain snow. Further north, the Bay Area county “El Chapo” Guzman getting killed Emily Thornton, a NWS meteorolo- of Santa Cruz saw heavy rainfall, and and Venezuelan President Nicolas gist in Los Angeles, said Tuesday’s storm the San Francisco Chronicle news- Maduro falling from power. was the strongest thus far of the El Niño paper said vehicle accidents were Despite his spotty record, season, which she said is expected to reported across the greater Bay Area. Vazquez has attracted a gaggle of last into spring. “It’s definitely the big- California is in its fourth year of a journalists every year to hear his gest rainmaker we’ve had,” Thornton drought that has cost the state’s agri- predictions, which he has made for said, adding that another storm would cultural economy $1.84bn, according the past two decades. Vazquez, replace it soon. to the University of California, Davis. who wrongly foresaw US President The weather service warned of The El Nino phenomenon, char- Barack Obama losing his re-election flooding on urban roads, as well as acterized by a warming of the Pacific bid in 2012, delved into American flash floods and mud flows that could Ocean that often brings precipitation politics again this year. “Trump won’t hit areas recently ravaged by wildfires. to California, is expected to help ease really become the Republican can- There were no immediate reports the drought over the next few months, didate. He’s flaming out on his own,” of weather-related injuries, but Cali- but experts caution the state’s woes Vazquez said, adding that the real Wind damage by a possible tornado is seen at a commercial building in Vernon, California. fornia Highway Patrol said four cars are far from over. estate magnate and reality TV star would move on to an unsuccessful independent candidacy. In Mexico, the self-styled “Brujo Mayor” said the authorities will kill Republicans blame Obama for N Korea N-test Guzman, who escaped from prison for the second time in his criminal career last July, instead of arresting Reuters should make trade very difficult for China. ... Korean nuke test shows danger of continuing him. “If they find him, and there’s North Korea is totally under their control. With- feckless Obama/Clinton foreign policy.” North a great possibility that they will, out China, they wouldn’t eat,” added Trump, who Korea has carried out three nuclear tests since. they will kill him. The police and called Kim a madman. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a close challenger to army have been advised to kill him. WASHINGTON: Republican US presidential Republican presidential candidates routinely Trump, told a radio interviewer the United States They won’t risk losing him for a third candidates yesterday blamed President Barack call Obama’s foreign policy weak. They have crit- needs a commander in chief with the knowledge, time,” Vazquez said after looking Obama’s “feckless” and “failed” foreign policy icised the agreement to contain Iran’s nuclear judgment and resolve to keep the country safe. at his cards. for allowing North Korea to build its nuclear programme and the US response to Middle East Obama has failed to keep North Korea in Venezuela will fall into chaos arms capabilities, with front-runner Donald crises including Syria’s civil war and Islamic check, Governors Chris Christie of New Jersey and Maduro’s presidency faces a Trump urging China to rein in its ally or face State’s rise. “If this test is confirmed, it will be and John Kasich of Ohio said. harsh end, he said. “I think that his trade repercussions. just the latest example of the failed Obama-Clin- “The Obama administration has been asleep reign ends this year but not with- Trump, leading the race for the Republican ton foreign policy,” Senator Marco Rubio said. at the switch on North Korea, and that inaction out blood. There were will be strong nomination in November’s election, said the United Rubio was referring to Obama’s former secre- has allowed serious and destabilizing actions clashes within the population,” the States was not doing enough to make China more tary of state Hillary Clinton. like this to occur,” Kasich said in a statement. warlock said. “There will be many accountable for North Korea’s actions. “Nobody “I have been warning throughout this cam- Kentucky Senator Rand Paul advocated draw- deaths, many problems. Maduro is talking to them whatsoever, and nobody is paign that North Korea is run by a lunatic who ing on China’s influence with North Korea and won’t go on this year, but I don’t discussing it with China. China has total con- has been expanding his nuclear arsenal while possibly increasing sanctions on the isolated think he stays alive either.” Vazquez trol, believe me. They say they don’t - they have President Obama has stood idly by,” Rubio said. communist state. “There are no easy solutions,” did get it right in 2012 when he cor- Republican presidential candidate Senator total control over North Korea, and China should Jeb Bush, whose brother George W Bush Paul told CNN. “You want me to magically wave rectly predicted that Maduro’s late solve that problem,” Trump said on Fox News. was president when North Korea conducted its a wand and all of a sudden their nuclear weap- Marco Rubio speaks to guests during a rally predecessor, Hugo Chavez, would “And if they don’t solve the problem, we first nuclear test in 2006, said on Twitter: “North ons are gone?” in Marshalltown, Iowa, yesterday. suffer a cancer relapse. 18 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 AMERICAS Final tally: Police shot and killed 984 people in 2015

police in 2015, revealing troubling pat- for a full two minutes and advancing December was the terns in the circumstances that lead even as the officers threatened to shoot. to such shootings and the character- And like an increasing number of fourth-deadliest istics of the victims. police interactions with citizens, the month in 2015 for The project will continue this incident was partially captured on year. Embarrassed federal officials a camera worn by one of the police police shootings, with have announced plans to improve their officers. 88 shootings. There data collection, but the new initiative Two weeks before his death, Las will not be in place until 2017. Already, Vegas police said, Childress failed was only one state The Post has tallied five fatal police to show up for a sentencing hearing without a fatal police shootings in 2016. in Phoenix. In December, a jury had Over the past year, The Post found convicted him of a litany of charges, shooting last year: that the vast majority of those shot including kidnapping and robbery in Rhode Island and killed by police were armed and connection with a 2013 home inva- half of them were white. Still, police sion in which he and several others killed blacks at three times the rate of posed as bounty hunters and robbed whites when adjusted for the popula- a house at gunpoint. The Washington Post tion where these shootings occurred. “Based on the fact that Childress And although unarmed black men rep- was facing a lengthy stay in prison, resent 6 percent of the US population, it appears he skipped the sentencing they made up nearly 40 percent of those and fled to Las Vegas to avoid prison WASHINGTON: On the afternoon who were killed while unarmed. time,” Undersheriff Kevin McMahill of New Year’s Eve, Las Vegas police Regardless of race, about a quarter of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police cornered Keith Childress Jr, who was of those killed displayed signs of mental Department told reporters during a wanted for a number of violent felonies. illness. December was the fourth-dead- briefing this week. They opened fire on the 23-year-old liest month in 2015 for police shootings, About 2pm local time on New after he refused to drop the object in with 88 shootings. There was only one Year’s Eve, two Las Vegas Metropoli- his hands, which turned out not to be state without a fatal police shooting tan Police officers — Robert Bohanon, a gun but a cellphone. last year: Rhode Island. 37, and Blake Walford, 27 — arrived And with that, the nation logged The number of shooting deaths may at the scene. Footage from Bohanon’s LaTisha Jones (left), daughter of Bettie Jones, is comforted by a mourner during the funeral service for her what is likely its final police shoot- yet rise for 2015: The Post is tracking a body-worn camera shows the officers ing death of 2015, a year that saw 984 few cases where it’s unclear whether pulling into a residential neighbour- mother at New Mount Pilgrim MIssionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, yesterday. The US Department of such killings, well more than double police gunfire killed someone or hood and happening upon Childress Justice is investigating the city’s police department over its use of deadly force, especially against minorities. the average number reported annu- whether the person committed sui- as he slowly crossed the street in dark The shooting deaths of two black people — college student Quintonio LeGrier, 19, and Jones, 55, a mother ally by the FBI over the past decade. cide. And new cases that have gone clothing. The right side of his body was of five and grandmother of 10 — by a police officer late last month, have increased tensions in the city. The shooting is the final one to unreported could always emerge. obscured from view. be counted as part of The Washing- Childress’ death in many ways Bohanon drew his gun immediately, ton Post’s year-long project tracking encapsulates the complex nature of aiming the weapon at Childress even about two minutes, Childress ignored years involving an unarmed suspect, not turn his on. Childress’ death has on-duty police killings by firearm, an these incidents. On one hand, the young as he pulled over his car and called for 24 commands by the officers, McMa- McMahill said. Eleven of the shootings provoked outrage from his friends and issue that has taken on new urgency in man was unarmed, carrying nothing the man to put up his hands and sur- hill said, all the while obscuring his last year were fatal. The department’s family, who believe vehemently that the wake of a number of high-profile but a cellphone. At the same time, he render. The footage, a section of which right hand. policy is for officers to turn on their he should not have been killed. The killings of unarmed African Ameri- had a history that suggested a capacity was released publicly by the depart- The shooting was the 16th for the body cameras before every interaction family is preparing to file a wrongful- can men. The Post sought to document for violence, and he behaved suspi- ment this week, offers a partial view Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Depart- with civilians, he said, but for reasons death lawsuit, said Dale K Galipo, the every shooting death at the hands of ciously, ignoring officers’ commands of what transpired. Over the course of ment but the first in more than two still under investigation, Walford did family’s attorney.

Friend of San New York embarks on medical marijuana use today Bernardino AFP square meter plant dedicated to grow- While the New York state assem- Nicholas Vita, CEO of Columbia for medicinal purposes, so its cost must ing marijuana. bly passed the marijuana legislation 18 Care, another healthcare company reg- be met privately. shooter pleads The drug is already grown legally months ago, Bloomfield and the other istered to provide medical marijuana, Vita says it offers help to patients in Denver, Colorado and San Fran- four firms did not officially obtain their estimates that only 0.5 to 1.5 percent of limited funds, but did not disclose not guilty NEW YORK: New York officially cisco but this plant appears to be the licenses until late July. of the state population — 100,000 to precise details of how that might work. launches marijuana as a form of med- first set up in a major US city with a Since then they have been working 300,000 people — will be eligible. Twenty years after cannabis was ical treatment today, becoming the population of more than one million. around the clock to get their products Doctor Stephen Dahmer, chief med- legalized for medicinal use in Cal- 23rd US state to do so as the taboo Bloomfield’s rivals have set up pro- ready in time for Thursday’s launch. ical officer for Vireo Health of New ifornia, 23 states and the capital AFP surrounding its legalised medicinal duction outlets in cheaper and more Twenty dispensaries will even- York, another authorised laboratory, Washington, DC have now followed suit. use starts to shift. discreet locations in the north of New tually open across the state, but the seeks to ease any concerns. In Min- Marijuana and its derivative prod- Under the legislation, five compa- York state. But a spokesperson said the roll-out will be gradual and patients nesota, where Vireo also operates, he ucts do not come under the control of LOS ANGELES: Enrique Marquez, nies are authorised to grow marijuana company did not want to hide away. were only allowed to start register- says marijuana consumption has been the US Food and Drug Administration the man accused of purchasing the for medicinal purposes in the state, but “We felt strongly that we could put ing for treatment from December 23. much lower than expected. and conclusive scientific studies are two assault rifles used in the San only one — Bloomfield Industries — our best team forward with the best Only patients with serious illnesses None of the three firms contacted still up for debate. Bernardino shooting that left 14 has set up headquarters in New York horticulturalists, the best scientists, the such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, by AFP would divulge the cost of treat- “Many of (the studies) surround people dead, pleaded not guilty City itself. Surrounded by other ware- best pharmacists, the best researchers multiple sclerosis or certain forms of ment but it is understood to start at addictions or negative consequences yesterday to terror-related charges. houses, next to the highway and with that we could if we chose to put our epilepsy are eligible. Nor will they be around $200 a month per patient. but we’re starting to see more stud- Marquez, 24, was indicted no security guard nor police officer in facility where our headquarters were, able to buy cannabis to smoke, but At the moment no US health insur- ies related to the positive benefits,” last week by a federal grand jury sight, the building is home to a 23,000 in New York City,” he said. rather take it in pill, oil or drop form. ance company will pay for marijuana said Dahmer. in California of conspiring to pro- vide material support to terrorists, lying about the purchase of the two weapons used in the Decem- ber 2 shooting, marriage fraud and Venezuela oppn launches lying on the visa application for the woman he married. During his brief arraignment in fight to oust government federal court in Riverside yester- day, Marquez, who has been held without bond since his arrest last month, simply said “not guilty” AFP comments broadcast on television: when asked how he wished to “I will be there to defend democracy plead. with an iron hand. They will not make According to the charges against me give ground or waver.” him, Marquez in November 2011 CARACAS: Venezuela’s opposition But he admitted he planned soon bought a Smith & Wesson assault launched an offensive yesterday to announce a reshuffle of ministers rifle and three months later pur- against President Nicolas Maduro in his government. chased another rifle. at its first full session in control of The opposition MUD coalition Both weapons were allegedly the legislature, having vowed to oust holds a majority in the National purchased on behalf of Sayed him within six months. Assembly legislature for the first time Farook. Authorities say he and Opposition lawmakers in the cri- in nearly 17 years after winning elec- his wife Tashfeen Malik used sis-hit oil producer were sworn in tions on December 6. them in the attack at the Inland during a rowdy session late on Tues- The National Assembly swore in Regional Center in San Bernardino day as Maduro vowed to resist them deputies to 163 of the 167 seats, with that wounded 22 along with the with an “iron hand”. four lawmakers — three opposition 14 killed, many of them Farook’s The feared street clashes did not and one pro-government—suspended former co-workers. erupt as supporters of both sides ral- pending a lawsuit over alleged elec- Marquez in 2011 and 2012 also lied peacefully near the congress, kept toral fraud. The Supreme Court allegedly plotted with Farook to at a distance by lines of police. But suspended them on Maduro’s request, carry out terror attacks at an area A sign in support for jailed ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond is seen in Burns, Oregon. inside the chamber the political strug- curbing for the time being the oppo- college that both men had attended gle gripping Venezuela intensified. sition’s power to try to drive him from and on a busy freeway. Lawmakers shouted and scuf- office before his term ends in 2019. Marquez, a long-time friend of fled and the pro-government group The suspensions deprive the Armed group digs in at Oregon reserve Farook — Marquez converted to walked out accusing the opposition opposition of the two-thirds “super- Islam after Farook introduced him of breaking debating rules. majority” it needs to draft a new to the religion—told investigators The new opposition speaker of the constitution — one of the ways to AFP federal government abandons con- “There are a lot of good things that that both plots were abandoned and assembly, Henry Ramos Allup, said his oust Maduro. trol of the reserve to local residents. are happening,” he said. “We have been he eventually distanced himself side would within six months propose With their remaining three-fifths “It is our goal to get the logger back to very active in forwarding our plan, in from Farook. a way “to change the government by majority they can still remove minis- logging, to get the rancher back to ranch- assisting the people of Harney County He also allegedly entered into a constitutional means”—without giv- ters from their posts. That way they BURNS: A small group of armed activ- ing, to get the miner back to mining, the in claiming and using their rights.” sham marriage with a woman linked ing details. “Here and now, things will could hope to grind away at Madu- ists remained holed up at a remote farmer back to farming and to jump- He said once the group’s mission to Farook’s family in November 2014 change,” he said. ro’s government hard enough to force US federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, start this economy in Harney County,” he was accomplished, they would then and lied on her visa application. “We are looking at a change in him out. One of the first measures vowing to leave only if asked by local said. He said his group, which took over go home. He did not specify whether Marquez, who has cooperated outlook, a change in the system, at the opposition wants to pass is an residents. Ammon Bundy, who has the refuge on Saturday in protest at the any local residents had accepted the with authorities, is set to be tried changing what is bad, very bad — amnesty for some 75 political pris- led the revolt at the Malheur National jailing of two local ranchers convicted offer for land, or how his group would on February 23. He faces up to 50 and soon will get worse.” oners, but Maduro has vowed to block Wildlife Refuge since the weekend, of arson, would hold its ground unless go about stripping the federal govern- years in prison if convicted on all Maduro responded later in that move. said the siege would continue until the asked to leave by the local population. ment of ownership. charges.

PRAYER TIMINGS WEATHER Minimum: 15o C Maximum: 23o C

FAJR 05.00 am ZUHR 11.40 am MAGHRIB 05.01 pm HIGH TIDE 04:00 - 13:45 Hazy to misty at first becomes moderate tem- SHOROOK 06.21 am ASR 02.39 pm ISHA 06.31 pm LOW TIDE 10:30 - 20:45 perature daytime and relatively cold by night.

20 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 MORNING BREAK

ONLINE CHART BUST Passengers stung by delay www.thepeninsulaqatar.com due to bee on Jakarta plane MOST READ JAKARTA: A bee delayed an Indone- ISIS detonates Ramadi hospital in sian passenger plane for four hours 1 Western Iraq after getting stuck in vital equip- ment and causing a problem with UAE economy resilient to low oil the aircraft’s controls, the airline 2 prices: Minister said yesterday. The flight, operated by Indo- North Korea conducts ‘successful’ H-bomb nesian flag carrier Garuda, was 3 test scheduled to take off on Tuesday morning from the western island of Sumatra and head for Jakarta. But the pilot of the Boeing 737, TWEET OF THE DAY which was carrying 156 passen- gers, decided not to take off after noticing a problem with the con- trols, according to Garuda. “An investigation found that the incident occurred because the plane’s electronic engine control suffered a technical problem after an insect got into a pitot tube,” air- Members of the cast of a new touring production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet perform during a line spokesman Benny Butarbutar said in a statement. “Due to safety photocall at the Globe theatre in London. concerns, Garuda Indonesia decided to delay the flight.” Another Garuda official con- firmed it was a bee that became Wonder Season marks 400th trapped in the pitot tube, a vital piece of equipment which meas- ures airspeed. The airline did not say whether the bee survived the anniversary of Shakespeare ordeal. After being repaired, the plane took off and landed safely in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. LONDON: Shakespeare’s Globe The- Shakespeare’s circular, wooden thea- top actors performing scenes from Butarbutar insisted the incident atre in London is marking the 400th tre on the banks of the River Thames. Shakespeare plays, shot in the place was beyond the airline’s control, anniversary of the bard’s death with a Opened in 1997, theatre-goers can they were set in. but said that passengers had nev- “Wonder Season” of some of his most stand in the open air to watch the plays. “Imagine Cleopatra in front of the ertheless been given money as famous plays. From September 17, associate Pyramids, Shylock in Venice’s Jewish compensation. “I’m really seeing the 400th anni- director Matthew Dunster will be ghetto, Hamlet on the rocks of Elsi- It is not the first time an errant versary, the whole season, being a staging “Imogen”, a “reclaimed and nore. The Complete Walk will be an bee has caused an aviation incident. celebration of wonder and reminding renamed” version of “Cymbeline” tell- interactive journey through Shake- INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY Last June, British budget airline us how brilliant Shakespeare was,” ing the story from point of view of the speare’s life and work,” The Globe said. Flybe was forced to abandon a flight said Emma Rice, the theatre’s new eponymous king’s daughter. A two-year world tour of “Hamlet” shortly after take-off when a bee artistic director and the first woman Acclaimed actor Jonathan Pryce will be coming home to perform at The became lodged in an instrument. to hold the post. will reprise his role as Shylock in “The Globe on the anniversary weekend, Organics The latest bee delay emerged The English language’s foremost Merchant of Venice” in October. after a final run of shows in Tehran, vegetables as beleaguered carrier Malaysia playwright died aged 52 on April 23, The season also features The Tam- Lahore in Pakistan, San Marino and displayed in Airlines announced it was revers- 1616 and the anniversary is being ing of the Shrew, Macbeth and The Vatican City. Marwan Club ing a decision to restrict check-in marked with a host of events in Britain. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Meanwhile The Royal Mint will from Chef’s luggage for some Europe-bound The Globe season opens on April The wider celebrations include issue three different £2 coins to mark Garden flights due to “unseasonably strong 30 with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Complete Walk on April 23 and 400 years of Shakespeare’s literary in Educa- headwinds”. directed by Rice. 24, featuring 37 screens along a 4km legacy since his death. tion City al The U-turn came after the move, “It brings great joy, great accept- stretch of the Thames riverbank in The coins celebrate his tragedies, Shaqab. announced Tuesday, baffled avia- ance, and is about everything I care London. comedies and histories with a designs Kammutty VP tion analysts, with one describing about: magic, identity and love,” she Each of the 37 separate short films featuring a skull, a jester’s hat and a it as “ludicrous”. said. The Globe is the re-creation of on show will feature some of the world’s crown and dagger respectively. Djimon back in Benin Australian giant Shhhh..... don’t disturb monitor lizards to film ‘true’ voodoo trained to avoid eating toxic toads AFP file through the streets, resplendent in white robes and draped with mul- ticoloured beads, Hounsou’s crew AFP films everything. HEVE, BENIN: As the drumming By mid-morning, the heat in Benin, rumbles on, Hollywood actor Dji- a country of more than 10 million SYDNEY: Australian scientists mon Hounsou walks shirtless with people, is already intense. As tech- yesterday said they had devised a voodoo procession making its way nicians set up equipment in the town an “innovative method of con- through the dusty streets of Heve in square, girls draw water from a tap. servation” through feeding giant his native Benin. The village, with its devoted voodoo monitor lizards small cane toads “I am like an African who has cult, was not chosen at random. so they won’t be killed by larger- come home, who needs to know and In the wake of the slave trade, sized amphibians. learn about his culture,” says Houn- voodoo practices spread from west Cane toads, an invasive species sou, who has starred in blockbusters Africa to the West Indies, Brazil and from Central and South America like “Blood Diamond” alongside Leon- the United States. that were introduced to Australia ardo DiCaprio and “Gladiator” with According to the last census in in 1935, are so toxic they can kill Russell Crowe. 2002, 17 percent of Benin’s popula- predators that try to eat them and The American-Beninese actor is tion practises voodoo — an official are continuing to spread across now making and starring in his own religion in the country — while 27 northern Australia at an estimated film documenting his quest to under- percent are Catholic and 24 percent 40-60km a year. stand voodoo in this west African are Muslim. Scientists have said the spread of state where it was born, before his- However, such figures mask the the cane toads — which an Austral- tory spread it overseas. reality that many Beninese, whether ian university study found numbered “The practices here are not bad they go to church or attend else- about 200 million on the island con- and they aren’t savage,” says the tall where, have voodoo shrines in their tinent — was causing catastrophic 51-year-old with a shaved head and homes. “After spending so much time population declines in predators. a salt-and-pepper goatee, decrying in Europe and the US, seeing Afri- But researchers from the Uni- the negative image often depicted on can diaspora traditions that resemble versity of Sydney said they were the silver screen of back-alley sorcer- ours, I began to ask questions,” says able to teach free-ranging goan- ers casting malicious spells. Hounsou, dabbing sweat off his brow. nas in the Kimberley wilderness in One classic is the 1973 James Bond Working with Hounsou on his bid northwestern Australia to avoid eat- film “Live and Let Die” where a Carib- to document voodoo in Benin is co- ing the toxic toads about to invade bean dictator uses voodoo to frighten director and star Sorious Samura, a the remote floodplain. and manipulate his island. well-known journalist from Sierra The scientists offered small, But Hounsou says such images Leone. non-lethal cane toads to the wild undermine the religion. “That concept The two met nine years ago on the yellow-spotted monitors—which dates back to slavery. That is why we set of “Blood Diamond”, a film that have experienced a 90 percent need to clarify what defines voodoo,” was based on Samura’s documentary plunge in population following toad Hounsou tells AFP, explaining that “Cry Freetown” which dealt with the invasions—with further trials con- racism in the past is still perpetuating civil war gripping his country. firming “just one or two toad meals negative stereotypes about voodoo. In “Voodoo is a story that is very were enough to convince a goanna the village of Heve, which lies at the badly told, full of witchcraft, magic not to eat another toad”. western edge of Benin’s coastline, the and evil — even Africans believe The goannas quickly learnt to people have long practised voodoo, that,” says Samura, adding that such avoid the adult cane toads in the wild celebrating air god Dan and water ideas have been “buried deep in our A blue tit sits on a coconut shell serving as a birdhouse in Essen, western Germany, yesterday. after being exposed to the younger, god Mami Wata. As the worshippers psyche.” smaller toads. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

PAGE | 22 QE 10,070.89 + 111.22 PTS PAGE | 23 Lulu moves ahead DOW 16,953.55 -205.11 PTS Intel Corp buys with Bahrain FTSE100 6,073.38 -63.86 PTS Ascending Tech expansion plans. BRENT $34.48 -$1.94 in drone push.

THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 • 27 Rabia I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

Oil prices to hit GCC sukuk market

S$P said in “The Global Sukuk Mar- Global issuance to ket: The Correction Is Here To Stay.” BNM’s pullback in 2015 saw total reach $50bn-$55bn sukuk issuance shrink by 45 percent in 2016, compared compared with the same period a year earlier. In 2014, BNM alone issued about with $63.5bn in 2015 $50bn out of total sukuk issuance of and $116.4bn in 2014. $116.4bn. We understand that BNM withdrew from issuing sukuk as they were attracting significant interest from investors across the board and By Satish Kanady not only the Malaysian Islamic finan- The Peninsula cial institutions that BNM sukuk were primarily targeting. BNM has decided to switch to shorter-term instruments reserved to banks. HE Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Humaidi, Minister of Environment, DOHA: The global market for sukuk Te report noted oil prices will con- will remain at below-peak levels in tinue to take their toll this year.” Oil presents the award to Qatargas CEO Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani as Dr 2016, Standard & Poor’s said yes- prices could dampen the market fur- Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the GCC, looks on. terday. The ratings services expects ther if they continue to slide and push issuance to reach $50bn-$55bn in 2016, some GCC countries and Malaysia to compared with $63.5bn in 2015 and reduce their investment spending. “In our view, three main factors drain liquidity from global and local $116.4bn in 2014. The drop in oil prices is also reduc- will shape the performance of the markets. We think that if oil prices The correction started last year, ing deposits and therefore liquidity at sukuk market in 2016: monetary policy remain weak, some governments of Qatargas wins GCC mainly because the central bank of banks, including Islamic banks. Gov- developments in the US and Europe, oil-exporting countries in the GCC and Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia; BNM) ernments and their related entities are the drop in oil prices, and the possi- Malaysia may have no other choice — the largest issuers of sukuk world- among the top depositors in some of ble lifting of sanctions on Iran,” said than to reduce investment spending, wide — stopped issuing. Excluding the the core markets for Islamic finance, S&P’s global head of Islamic Finance, resulting in lower financing needs and Environment Award BNM effect, sukuk issuance dropped with a share of 15 percent to 40 per- Mohamed Damak. potentially lower issuances by con- by around 5 percent in 2015 from 2014, cent for GCC banks.” The first two factors are likely to ventional and Islamic. The Peninsula In a ceremony held in Doha, H E Ahmed Amer Mohamed Al Humaidi, Qatar’s Minister of Environment, pre- sented the award to Khalid bin Khalifa QNB’s Finansbank deal has not DOHA: Qatargas has won the pres- Al Thani, Qatargas’ Chief Executive Oil slides below tigious Gulf Cooperation Council Officer. Also present on the occa- (GCC) Environment Award for 2015 sion were Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid $35 first time affected ratings and outlook: S&P in the category of the “Best Indus- Al Zayani, Secretary General of the trial Establishment that Complies GCC, and senior officials from the with Environmental Regulations and ministries of environment of the GCC since 2004 Standards.” Qatargas is a joint winner states. Qatargas CEO, Khalid Bin Kha- The Peninsula 2016, subject to regulatory approval Qatar or reduce the likelihood of sup- in this category along with Bahrain’s lifa Al Thani said:“We are delighted to LONDON: Oil prices fell from Turkish and Qatari authorities. port from the State of Qatar it would Gulf Petrochemicals Company. win this prestigious award, which is below $35 per barrel for the Given the transaction’s size and our only lower the ratings on QNB if the The award follows a series of a testament to Qatargas’ robust envi- first time since 2004 yester- view that Turkey has higher economic bank’s stand-alone credit profile (SACP) regional and international rec- ronmental performance and its total day, tumbling more than 5 DOHA: Standard & Poor’s Ratings risk than Qatar, if the transaction goes were to decline by two notches to ‘bbb-‘. ognitions Qatargas has received compliance with the international percent as the row between Services said yesterday that its ratings through, we expect a significant dete- “We don’t anticipate that this trans- recently for its strong performance and local environmental standards Saudi Arabia and Iran and outlook on Qatar National Bank rioration of QNB’s risk-adjusted capital action will weaken the SACP to such in areas related to environment and and regulations.” made any cooperation (QNB; A+/Stable/A-1) are not affected ratio unless QNB chooses to raise addi- an extent over the next two years. We sustainability. “This recognition underscores between major exporters by the bank’s announcement that it tional capital and manage its dividend have determined, based solely on the The GCC Environment and Wildlife once again the effectiveness of the on cutting output even more has entered into a definitive agree- payout more conservatively.” developments described herein, that Award is one of the most prestigious sustainability strategy we follow in unlikely. ment with National Bank of Greece Nevertheless, the ratings agency no rating actions are currently war- recognitions in the region aimed at all our actions while helping to meet Benchmark Brent futures SA for the acquisition of Turkey-based considesr QNB a government-related ranted,” it said. encouraging individual and collective the global demand forreliable and were traded at $34.48 a bar- Finansbank AS. entity (GRE) with a very high likeli- “Only a rating committee may initiatives undertaken to preserve the cleaner sources of energy,” he said. rel at 1606 GMT, down $1.94 QNB has agreed to purchase the hood of extraordinary government determine a rating action and, as environment and wildlife, inspiring He added: “As a leader in the glo- on the day, and at their lowest Greek bank’s entire stake of Finans- support from the State of Qatar (AA/ these developments were not viewed innovation and creativity to contrib- bal energy industry, Qatargas has level since early July 2004. bank, comprising 99.81 percent, for a Stable/A-1+). Given S&P’s criteria for as material to the ratings, neither they ute towards sustainable development made significant contributions to a total consideration of €2.7bn ($2.94bn). factoring in government support for nor this report were reviewed by a while raising awareness on key envi- sustainable future for our country “We expect the transaction to close in GREs, unless it lowers the ratings on rating committee,” it said. ronmental topics in the GCC states. and the world at large. beIN and Turner sign exclusive partnership for Mena region

The Peninsula available on beIN Pay TV DTH networks The agreement comes into effect positioned us at the top of our game. across the MENA region, highlighting from January 2016 and is available to We look forward to collaborating with the network’s commitment to diver- existing and new subscribers of the beIN the beIN Media Group on other initi- sify its entertainment offering. network across packages launched in atives that will add more value and DOHA: To further strengthen its pres- Speaking at the event, Al Khelaifi- November 2015, in line with the planned further enhance the regional Pay TV ence in the entertainment space, beIN said, “We closed last year with thelaunch expansion of the network’s entertain- landscape.” beIN’s expects significant has entered into a strategic partner- of our entertainment portfolio and are ment platforms to further strengthen its subscriber growth on the back of their ship with Turner, a division of Time excited to bring in the New Year with this position as the leading Pay TV enter- strategic expansion plans and is plan- Warner, to exclusively air Turner-owned exclusive partnership. Our agreement tainment player in the region. ning to launch more entertainment channels in the Middle East and North with Turner reiterates our commitment Highlighting the importance of the channels of full HD quality. The com- Africa region. to provide our audiences with the best partnership and its intended benefits pany is determined to keep expanding The exclusive partnership was for- in global entertainment on our network, to Middle East & North Africa audi- its sports, movies and entertainment mally executed at a signing ceremony and ensures a wider reach and cov- ences, Stock said, “Both organisations content portfolio. at the beIN Media Group headquarters erage of these channels to their fans share a vision to provide easy and beIN intends to differentiate itself in Qatar yesterday, in the presence of in the Middle East and North Africa. convenient access to our loyal con- from other regional pay TV operators NasserAl Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO These channels have earned the trust sumers who expect only the best from by offering entertainment content that of beINMedia Group and President of and loyalty of viewers across the globe us. Our combined efforts will not only is appropriate regionally and is fit for Turner EMEA, Giorgio Stock. and we look forward to entertaining strengthen the reach of these popu- family viewing. beIN decoders also Turner’s popular channels including our subscribers with exclusive access lar branded destinations but will also have advanced feature of “Parental Nasser Al Khelaifi, Chairman and CEO of beINMedia Group, with Giorgio Cartoon Network, Boomerang, TCM, to their award-winning programmes allow our viewers to enjoy unlimited Control” that will give parents ability to Stock, President of Turner EMEA, at the partnership signing ceremony. HLN and CNN HD will now be solely and premium content.” access to quality programming that has determine what their family can watch. 22 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS QBX-Expo 2016 to kick Fischer says four off from January 10 rate hikes in 2016 ‘in the ballpark’

and discoveries in the field of business the objectives of our ‘Economic Devel- solutions and the techniques used with opment’, which is one of the four pillars WASHINGTON: US Over 10,000 people the modern management systems. of the Qatar National Vision 2030.” Federal Reserve Vice- are expected to visit The first of its kind event in Qatar, The Expo is expected to be a major Chairman Stanley Fischer the Expo being held under the patronage of the source of information to know all said yesterday that four Ministry of Economy and Commerce, is about trade and investment entities rate hikes by the US cen- organised by Sedeer Media in partner- requirements in terms of distinctive tral bank this year is close ship with Manateq (Special Economic solutions, support services and invest- to his expectations, but Zones) and other important govern- ment requirements in Qatar. added that global uncer- By Mohammad Shoeb ment organisations. He added that since the event is tainty could still veer this The Peninsula QBX-Expo is expected to attract directed to all economic and commer- path off course. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, General Manager of Sedeer Media, and Wael Moini, over 10,000 visitors, whether local or cial sectors and investment institutions, “My view is that those foreigner as investors, business people, it is an appropriate opportunity to bet- Executive Manager of Sedeer, during the press conference yesterday numbers are in the ball- and everyone looking for new invest- ter know the culture of Qatar and its in Doha. Pic: Abdul B/The Peninsula park,” Fischer, the Fed’s DOHA: Over 150 business experts spe- ment opportunity and interested in achievements in the field of business second in command, cialising in providing support services latest updates of business solutions and to explore the investment opportu- international companies that are spe- mixture of seasoned business people said in an interview with and business solutions from around the procedures and developments. nities in such fast and parallel economic cialised in the field of support services and young upcoming entrepreneurs; broadcaster CNBC. world, including the Middle East, the Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Nasser growth. “We have put all the requested and business solutions.” combining the wisdom of the past and The Fed raised inter- US, Canada and Australia, are expected AI Attiyah, Chairman of Sedeer Media, efforts to make this event a success He added: “What makes this show the cutting edge ideas of the present to est rates last month for to participate at the First International said: “This exhibition comes as a prom- and to achieve all its goals, and on top highly significant is the fact that it present innovative and creative way the first time in nearly a Exhibition— QBX-Expo 2016 —to be ising start for the New Year to be full of all to highlight the position of the includes a wide range of business sec- of thinking. decade. held from January 10 to 12 at Doha of major events and activities that will State of Qatar as the most desirable tors and government sectors such as Wael Moini, Executive Manager of His view is in step with Exhibition and Convention Centre. contribute to the development and and distinctive business events des- marketing services, information tech- Sedeer, added: “QBX-Expo 2016 was the median of Fed offi- The exhibition will be accompa- progress of our beloved country. As tination in the Gulf, the Arab world nology, human resources, banking and able to attract a large number of spe- cials’ latest forecasts, nied by a comprehensive conference these events have reached a high degree and all over the world.” financial solutions, communications cialized major companies in business which is for four rate and lecture programme and work- of organisation and sophistication.” Ahmed Al Nuaimi, General Man- technology solutions, and real estate solutions from different countries such hikes this year. shops on the three days consecutively. AI Attiyah said: “This shows that we ager of Sedeer Media, said: “As it and tourism services.” as the UAE, Bahrain, Canada, Australia, However, Fischer said All topics will tackle the latest research are on the right path towards achieving attracts the best and most sophisticated Sedeer Media is composed of a the UK and the USA to name a few.” that uncertainty had risen due to economic news out of China and other geopolitical events. Lulu moves ahead with Bahrain expansion plans Credit Suisse to restate results

The Peninsula Isa Al Khalifa, HRH Prince Khalifa bin since 2011 Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and First DOHA: Middle East retail major Lulu Deputy Premier for their transforma- ZURICH: Credit Suisse Group which is on a vast expansion tive leadership and the government said yesterday it would mode and opened its fifth hypermarket for its transparency, accessibility and restate its results from in the Kingdom of Bahrain at Juffair. effectiveness.” 2011 through to the third The 120th Lulu Hypermarket of “Lulu Hypermarket has built its quarter of 2015 to reflect the group was inaugurated by Shaikh brand on the quality promise and we the Swiss bank’s new Khaled bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Dep- are very happy that the people of Bah- structure. uty Prime Minister of Bahrain in the rain have responded so warmly to the “On January 8, 2016 presence of Zayed Al Zayani, Minis- range of products, the cost-effective- at 0900 CET (0800 GMT), ter of Industry & Commerce, Jameel ness and top quality of Lulu. Bahrainis Credit Suisse will pub- Humaidan, Labour Minister, Shaikh have excellent people skills and have lish its detailed historical Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa, Presi- been the backbone of our business financial information, dent of Crown Prince Court, Shaikh growth. We are proud of their partici- which has been restated Ahmed Khalifa Al Khalifa, Crown pation in our multi-cultural employee to reflect the new divi- Prince Court, and other senior Govt force” he added. sional reporting structure officials and various ambassadors The new 120,000 sqft Lulu hyper- and management respon- at Juffair Mall. market will serve the residents of sibilities announced on Prominent dignitaries present Juffair, Hoora, Gudaibiya, Adliya and October 21, 2015,” the during the inauguration included Umm Al Hassam areas with its widest bank said in a statement. Shaikh Khaled bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain inaugurating the 120th branch Alok Kumar Sinha, Indian Ambas- range of products from all over the In October, Zurich- sador to Bahrain, William Roebuck, world. As always Lulu hypermarket of Lulu hypermarket at Juffair Mall in Bahrain in the presence of Zayed Al Zayani, Minister of Industry & based Credit Suisse US Ambassador, Simon Martin CMG, provides the widest range of qual- Commerce, Jameel Humaidan, Labour Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Daij Al Khalifa, President of Crown Prince outlined plans to UK ambassador and other promi- ity and value-for-money products all Court, Shaikh Ahmed Khalifa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Court. Also seen are Lulu Group Chairman Yusuffali raise 6bn Swiss francs nent industry and business leaders . under one roof. It has separate sections MA, Executive Director Ashraf Ali and other dignitaries. ($5.95bn) from investors, Speaking to media after the inau- for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat slim down its invest- guration, Yusuffali MA, Chairman and poultry, dairy products, ready- ment bank and cut jobs of Lulu Group said: “The success of to-eat products and a state-of-the-art freshness. Speaking about the group’s stress currently there are more than 1,100 as new chief Tidjane Lulu Hypermarket in Bahrain, since live bakery and Hot Foods kitchen. “As announced earlier, we are fully on providing training and employ- Bahrainis who work with us not only Thiam embarked on the it opened its doors here in 2007 has The product mix in Lulu Juffair committed to our Bd100m invest- ment opportunity to the educated here but in other GCC countries also. bank’s biggest overhaul in been due to the leaders and the people will also include a wide selection of ment plans for Bahrain and our sixth Bahraini youth, Yusuffali said: “we Our goal is to provide employment to almost a decade. of the country. I take this opportunity premium UK and US goods, includ- hypermarket will open soon at Galleria have always believed that its our another 500 people with the open- to thank His Majesty King Hamad bin ing special products air-flown for Mall, Ahli Club, Zinj,” added Yusuffali. duty to nurture the local talent and ing of our new projects”.

Lexus International opens its first Huawei exports Verizon launches luxury brand outside Japan in Dubai over 100m auction to sell data smartphones centres; eyes $2.5bn The Peninsula HONG KONG: Huawei Tech- nologies Co became the first Chinese handset vendor to Reuters The sources asked not to be DOHA: Lexus International opened ship more than 100 million identified because the auction is the first INTERSECT BY LEXUS lux- smartphones in a year when confidential. Verizon and Citigroup ury brand experience space outside its 2015 shipments defied declined to comment. of Japan in Dubai, UAE, with an open- a market slowdown and NEW YORK: Verizon Communica- Verizon initially explored a sale ing ceremony yesterday to mark the jumped 44 percent, thanks tions Inc has started a process to sell of a larger portion of its enterprise occasion. to strong sales domestically its data centre assets, hoping to fetch business, including the former MCI INTERSECT BY LEXUS is a unique- and in Western Europe. more than $2.5bn, people familiar with assets, but could not reach an agree- luxury space for the Middle East region Shenzhen-based Huawei the matter said, as the US telecom- ment with a buyer. It held discussions where visitorscan experience Lexus disclosed yesterday it shipped munications conglomerate focuses with wireline provider CenturyLink without getting behind a steering 108 million smartphones last on its core business. Inc last year for its enterprise business. wheel. Neither a dealership, nor a year, as it sought to shed its A sale would represent the latest The enterprise telecommunica- traditional retail space, guests can budget supplier image to tar- effort by Verizon, the No. 1 US wire- tions industry has had to adapt in engage with Lexus while “connect- get higher-margin premium less carrier, to streamline its portfolio recent years to corporate custom- ing with the city, and intersecting models. In comparison, the following a divestment last year of a ers seeking more sophisticated and with other people and cars”. The global industry is expected to chunk of its landline business and a cheaper offerings to manage their first INTERSECT BY LEXUS opened have grown at a single-digit portfolio of wireless towers. data. Verizon joins a host of its rivals in Tokyo’s Minami-Aoyama district rate in 2015 for the first time. It would also mark a reversal of its in telecommunications who are shed- in August 2013. Huawei’s upbeat per- strategy to expand in hosting and colo- ding their data centers. INTERSECT BY LEXUS is located formance comes at a time cation services after it acquired data AT&T Inc has been exploring a at the heart of the Dubai International when industry leaders Sam- centre operator Terremark World- sale of its data centre assets since last Financial Center (DIFC). Takayuki Yos- sung Electronics Co and wide Inc in 2011 for $1.4bn. year, while CenturyLink announced hitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle Apple Inc are potentially The so-called ‘colocation’ portfo- in November 2015 that it was explor- East and North Africa Representative facing a tough year ahead. lio up for sale includes 48 data centres, ing strategic alternatives for its data Office, Toyota Motor Corporation,said, Samsung said it expected and generates annual earnings before centres. Windstream Holdings Inc “We are very pleased to inaugurate a difficult business environ- interest, tax, depreciation and amor- also sold its data center business for INTERSECT BY LEXUSwhere peo- ment in 2016 due to a weak tization of around $275m, one of the $575m to TierPoint last year. ple from across the region have the global economy. people said. Citigroup Inc is advis- Verizon has been facing stiff opportunity to be part of a distinc- ing Verizon on the possible sale of competition from companies such tive experience.” Library lounge and eatery at the INTERSECT BY LEXUS. its data centres, the people added. as T-Mobile US Inc and Sprint Corp. BUSINESS THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 23 Al Shaqab Hotel opens unique boutique hotel

Hotel in the Education City will promote healthy, active lifestyles with a special focus on physical activities and a balanced diet.

The Peninsula

LEFT: Karim Abdelhamid, Corporate Director of Operations and the General Manager of Al Shaqab Hotel, speaking during the launch of Al Shaqab Hotel (right) at Marwan Club Al DOHA: Designed to redefine Qatar’s Shaqab yesterday. Pic: Kammutty VP/The Peninsula boutique hotel experience, Al Shaqab Hotel yesterday formally launched its experience with its innovative Stay, excellence in Qatar. In addition, the hotel offers eques- equestrian facilities at Al Shaqab and access to the fitness zone as well as ‘unique hotel’ in the Education City. Ride, Swim package. This new offer- In line with this vision, Al Shaqab trian riding packages and facility tours. cool off in the sparkling pool at Mar- steam and sauna rooms. Marwan Club Ensconced in lush natural sur- ing enables guests to stay at the hotel, Hotel, managed by AMLAK, was created Marwan Club’s name is inspired by wan Club. Moreover, the Al Shaqab Kids Zone offers families peace of mind roundings — in Al Shaqab’s sprawling enjoy the exceptional equestrian facil- to offer guests a relaxing, invigorating Marwan Al Shaqab, the award-win- Hotel team will arrange for tours of as they are able to leave their little ones and scenic equestrian complex in Edu- ities at Al Shaqab and cool off in the experience — one that captures the ning 2000 bay Arabian stallion; today, Al Shaqab stables and paddocks for in the care of well-trained childcare cation City — Al Shaqab Hotel will sparkling pool at Marwan Club. essence of Al Shaqab’s storied history the venue boasts a fitness zone, swim- its guests. Within the walls of Marwan specialists, who ensure that all children promote healthy, active lifestyles with Guided by passion for preserving and steadfast dedication to healthy ming pool, as well as steam and sauna Club, one will find beauty, class and are well taken care of with profession- a special focus on physical activities and perpetuating the Arabian horse living. rooms and Kids Zone that offers fam- elegance, carefully-crafted to create a ally-organized activities that give kids and a balanced diet. in Qatar, Al Shaqab was founded in The hotel features a total of 70 ilies peace of mind as they leave their unique oasis. Marwan Club is equipped a unique experience. Addressing the media, Karim 1992 at Al Shaqab battle site — where guest rooms and 24-hour in-room little ones in the care of well-trained with state-of-the art facilities in tran- To complete the experience, guests Abdelhamid (pictured), Corporate Bedouins had fought a pivotal battle dining facilities, provides guests with childcare specialists. quil surroundings. The guests will enjoy have the option of dining at Chef`s Director of Operations and the General that led to Qatar’s independence more unlimited access to an array of hotel In parallel, Al Shaqab Hotel offers access to the sparkling blue swim- Garden, the hotel also offer farm- Manager of Al Shaqab Hotel, said the than a century ago. amenities including the use of Marwan guests a unique experience with its ming pool, in an area surrounded by to-table restaurant concept. Chef’s hotel’s health-driven goals will reflect Today, Al Shaqab stands as an Club — an exclusive private-members innovative Stay, Ride, Swim package. luscious lawns and fauna, giving the Garden focuses on healthy and deli- the very vision of Al Shaqab. Al Shaqab enduring tribute to the Arabian club equipped with state-of-the-art This new offering enables guests to whole area a relaxing desert oasis feel. cious food with locally-sourced and Hotel will also offer guests a unique horse and the tradition of equestrian facilities. stay at the hotel, enjoy the exceptional In addition, our guests will have organic produces. Intel Corp acquires Ascending Land Rover Tax reform fast climbs to Technologies in further drone push the top of approaching in record US GCC, says Deloitte Bloomberg car market SAN FRANCISCO: Intel Corp has NEW YORK: With bulldog tenac- signed a definitive agreement to ity and a savvy shift down-market, DOHA: Tax reform in the Gulf Cooper- examples of how these impact com- acquire Krailling, Germany-based Land Rover came out on top of the ation Council (GCC) region is a matter panies doing business in Saudi Arabia. drone company Ascending Technol- US auto market in 2015, the indus- of when, not if. The application of Zakat on GCC ogies GmbH, as the semiconductor try’s busiest year since the horse Measures are currently on foot taxpayers was also discussed, includ- manufacturer tries to spur the devel- and buggy. for a reform of its taxation system ing recent clarifications and circulars opment of new products that use The blue-blood British brand, with the proposed introduction of for- issued by the Department of Zakat its chips. Ascending Technologies owned by Tata Motors, sold 70,582 mal transfer pricing rules and other and Income Tax and the appel- makes drones and drone technolo- vehicles in the US last year, a 37 per- changes to the tax system such as late orders issued by the relevant gies to be used by researchers and in cent increase over its 2014 tally. No the potential introduction of Value authorities. commercial endeavours. The pur- other major carmaker accelerated Added Tax (VAT) in the GCC coun- The Deloitte speakers highlighted chase follows Intel’s investment as quickly, as the industry overall tries, speakers attended the Deloitte that formal Zakat regulations are of $60m last August into Shang- notched a 5.2 percent increase in Saudi Arabian Income Tax & Zakat currently being formulated by the hai-based drone and aerospace vehicles sold. seminar in Al-Khobar, Jeddah and authorities. company Yuneec International Co. “I think cool Britannia, to some Riyadh noted. From an international tax per- The Santa Clara, California- degree, is coming back again,” said Intel Corp. CEO Brian Krzanich (left) speaks with composer AR Rahman The seminars were attended by spective the seminar covered double based chip company and rival Joe Eberhardt, chief executive officer over 300 regional heads of tax, finance tax treaties and the practical implica- Qualcomm Inc, are investing in who wears Intel Curie smartbands on his wrists to make music using of Jaguar Land Rover North America. directors, CFOs, bankers and lawyers. tions for entities when dealing with drone companies as the success gestures during Krzanich’s keynote address at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, With a line of boxy SUVs, Land Deloitte speakers included trans- the DZIT on withholding tax and other of their products could expand Nevada. Rover got some help last year from fer pricing specialists who detailed treaty interpretation issues. the market for semiconductors. low interest rates and relatively the impact that transfer pricing and Key speakers from Deloitte Intel has also made investments cheap gas, though household income BEPS will have on multinational included Nauman Ahmed, Head of in drone companies Airware and work with other teams at Intel to makes Intel’s Chief Executive Officer of the average buyer was $450,000, groups operating in Saudi Arabia Tax for Deloitte Middle East and Saudi PrecisionHawk. its drones “fly with more awareness of Brian Krzanich showed off drones the company says — so dollars saved and other Saudi entities with cross Arabia Tax Leader, Farhan Farouk, Ascending Technologies their environments,” Josh Walden, gen- from Ascending Technologies during at the pump weren’t likely the key border transactions. Senior Tax Director, Jeddah, Wissam already uses Intel technology called eral manager of Intel’s New Technology his keynote address last year at the Inter- factor. Given its wealthy custom- The Deloitte seminar covered Merhej, Senior Tax Director, Riyadh, RealSense to add depth-sensing Group, wrote in a blog post Monday national Consumer Electronics Show ers, the brand also didn’t have to do recent changes and updates to the and Adil Rao Transfer Pricing Lead capabilities to its flying machines. announcing the acquisition. Financial in Las Vegas. Krzanich is scheduled to much in the way of incentives, so tax law and its by-laws with practical for Deloitte Middle East. Post-acquisition, the company will terms of the deal were not disclosed. speak Tuesday at CES 2016. the sales jump should correlate to a healthy gain in profit, which isn’t always the case in the car business. Also, Land Rover found itself in the sweetest spot of the car mar- Macron urges France to deregulate faster ket, as drivers clamoured for SUVs Apple reports of all sizes in 2015. It debuted the Discovery Sport, a relatively small over $1.1bn in SUV that can be had for $37,455, far Reuters less than other Rovers. “It allowed App Store sales us to attract an all-new customer to the Land Rover brand,” Eber- PARIS: France’s economy minister hardt said. NEW YORK: Apple Inc said urged his own left-wing government About 10 percent of Land Rovers customers spent over $1.1bn yesterday to do far more to liberalise rolling out of dealerships in the US on apps and in-app purchases the economy, arguing that Presi- last year were Discovery Sports. The in the two weeks ending Jan- dent Francois Hollande’s Socialists similarly sized Range Rover Evoque uary 3, setting a record for had failed to reform fast enough accounted for about 20 percent of holiday season sales. and bring down stubbornly high business, while the top-of-the-line On New Year’s day alone, unemployment. Range Rover, with a starting sticker customers spent more than Speaking out at a moment when price of $85,000, lured about 25 $144m, breaking the previ- his government is focusing on secu- percent of buyers. ous single-day record set on rity in the wake of the deadly attacks To be sure, we aren’t talking Christmas Day. of early and late 2015, Macron said about massive numbers here. Even Customers bought apps France was one of just a few EU coun- in its recent hot streak, Land Rov- for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple tries where the jobless rate had not er’s entire 2015 tally is equal to Watch and Apple TV worth fallen last year. “We should have roughly one month of Jeep sales. over $20bn on the App Store moved with greater speed, force and But that scarcity also played into the in 2015, Philip Schiller, daring,” Macron, a former investment marque’s success. Bloomberg Intel- Apple’s senior vice president banker whose free-market stance ligence analyst Kevin Tynan said a of worldwide marketing, said irks many fellow Socialists said. growing fleet of SUVs from Audi, in a statement yesterday. With Hollande and Prime Min- BMW, and Mercedes has customers The App Store has ister Manuel Valls concentrating on looking for a less ubiquitous ride. brought in nearly $40bn for security fears that have boosted the “They all start to bleed into each developers worldwide since popularity of the far-right National other and people want something a 2008, with over one-third Front party, Macron’s comments little different,” Tynan said. “Land generated in 2015, the com- were clearly intended as a warn- Rover has also gone through a rea- pany said. Meanwhile some ing to his own camp not to neglect sonable resurgence in the perception reports said, Foxconn, which a need for more aggressive liberal- of quality.” assembles latest iPhones, will isation ahead of elections in 2017. Tata Motors now turns its atten- cut working hours. “We have to rise to the chal- tion to Jaguar. The sports car brand French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron visits at a shopping centre in Paris on the first day of the lenge ... now is the moment for major sold 8 percent fewer vehicles last reform.” winter sales in France yesterday. year as its model line grew dated. 24 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS Volkswagen unveils ‘smart’ electric revamp of minivan

the hippie movement of the 60s and infotainment systems and is compat- It charges up to 80 70s--and idol of surfers and families ible with almost any smartphone, and percent in just 30 -- known as the Kombi or Bulli. can also be charged wirelessly. You can Volkswagen officially stopped pro- also use a smartwatch to unlock the minutes and can travel duction of the microbus about two years car, turn on the heat or air condition- up to 600km on a full ago. The new version is filled with tech- ing from a distance while the vehicle nology that makes it “intelligent” and is still charging, or receiving notifi- charge -- equivalent “social,” with a new electronic interface cations when someone else -- say a to today’s average car that is both intuitive and interactive. teen -- is driving the car and is driving “Door handles are so 2016,” Diess too fast or exiting a predefined zone. running on a full tank. proclaimed, as he noted how the model Although the firm was present- responds to verbal commands or ges- ing electric vehicles at CES, Diess said tures. BUDD-e can also communicate Volkswagen was determined to resolve with connected devices at home. the scandal over pollution test cheat- AFP So you can check from the com- ing in its diesel cars. fort of your van if there’s enough beer The automaker is embroiled in a left in the fridge before inviting friends massive lawsuit filed by the US gov- over to watch a soccer match or to see ernment after it was found to have LAS VEGAS: Meet the revamped who’s come knocking at your door to installed software in 11 million engines Volkswagen Kombi. Once a hippie let them in or ward them off. It’s also worldwide that intentionally subverted favorite, the minivan has been trans- based on the future modular produc- clean-air regulations. formed into an electric, connected tion platform for VW electric vehicles, “The current issue with the die- vehicle of the future. with a more efficient battery that is sel engine is certainly nothing to be BUDD-e, unveiled late on Tuesday located under the floor. proud of. We disappointed our cus- in Las Vegas, is “a new concept for long- It charges up to 80 percent in just tomers and the American people, for The Volkswagen BUDD-e electric vehicle is displayed during Herbert Diess’ keynote address at the 2016 distance electric vehicles,” explained 30 minutes and can travel up to 373 which I’m truly sorry and for which I VW brand chief Herbert Diess on the miles (600 kilometres) on a full charge CES trade show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. apologise,” Diess said. eve of the official opening of the Con- -- equivalent to today’s average car “We are committed to make things sumer Electronics Show. running on a full tank. end of the decade,” Diess said. touch, which is due to hit the mar- “smartphone on wheels,” with verbal right and we are focused on ensuring The electric minivan is rather mod- Although it’s just a prototype for The auto group also presented a ket within a year, according to VW’s commands and gestures replacing but- that something like this can never hap- ern but clearly a nod to that symbol of now, “BUDD-e could be a reality by the second electric prototype, the e-Golf Volkmar Tanneberger. He called it a tons, which has a new generation of pen again at Volkswagen.” Miners drag down Britain’s FTSE Standard Chartered among banks in China forex ban Reuters 2.5, with BHP Billiton, Antofagasta, Dutch Shell retreating 0.2 and 0.7 per- said that it had successfully tested a Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo Ameri- cent respectively as the price of oil miniaturised hydrogen nuclear device Reuters latest bid to stem capital fleeing the can down between 1.1 and 3.8 percent. slipped below $36 a barrel on con- on Wednesday, reigniting geopoliti- country in the face of a weakening “We are in a new world - China’s cerns over growing supply and rising cal tensions. yuan. The notices sent to banks did LONDON: UK shares tumbled yester- not growing (in) double digits, demand stock levels. The FTSE 350 Aerospace and SHANGHAI: Standard Chartered is not give a reason for the suspension, day as commodity-related companies for raw materials has fallen through Also in negative territory was chip- Defence index advanced 0.6 percent, among three lenders that China’s cen- but the sources for that story said their were hit by fresh worries over weakness the floor and it’s both a supply and maker ARM Holdings, down 3 percent with BAE Systems the top gainer, up tral bank last week suspended from banks might have been targeted due in China, the world’s largest consumer demand side problem,” Mike van and hitting its lowest level in over two 1.8 percent. conducting some foreign exchange to the large scale of their cross-border of metals, while North Korea’s nuclear Dulken, head of research at months after Nikkei reported that Also among the top gainers was business until the end of March, two forex businesses. One of the sources test dented wider confidence. Accendo Markets, said. The blue- Apple is expected to cut production Royal Mail, rising 1.6 percent after sources with direct knowledge told for the involvement of Standard Char- The People’s Bank of China set a chip FTSE 100 index was down 0.8 of its iPhone 6S and 6S plus models Barclays upgraded its price target on yesterday. tered, said the bank has asked the weaker midpoint for the yuan, and a at 6,090.23 points at 0926 GMT, slightly by around 30 percent in the January the stock. Reuters reported on December People’s Bank of China to shorten the private survey showed that activity in underperforming the broader Euro- to March quarter. Analysts said that the company 30 that China’s central bank had sus- suspension. A spokesman for Stand- China’s services sector expanded at its pean market. Investor sentiment was cooled fur- was in period of transformation with pended Deutsche Bank and two other ard Chartered declined to comment. slowest rate in 17 months in December. Oil and gas shares were also under ther after North Korea, which has been higher growth than its postal peers lenders from conducting some of their When contacted by Reuters last week, The FTSE 350 Mining Index fell pressure, with BG Group and Royal under U.N. Security Council sanctions, on the cards for the next few years. foreign exchange business, China’s Deutsche Bank declined to comment. China sets yuan currency level near five-year low

AFP shock devaluation of the currency falling two percent on either side of in August, when it guided the unit the reference rate. down nearly five percent in a week. The central bank intervened in “Market forces are exerting strong the domestic market on Tuesday to SHANGHAI: China’s central bank pressure on the yuan to depreciate push up the yuan by buying through yesterday set the value of the yuan against the US dollar,” senior inter- state-owned banks and selling dol- currency against the US dollar at its national economist for PNC Financial lars, the Wall Street Journal reported. lowest since April 2011, according to Services Group, Bill Adams, said in a In offshore trading, the yuan the national foreign exchange mar- research note yesterday. declined to 6.6964 to $1 by late ket, raising worries over the health of “Chinese economic growth is afternoon yesterday in Hong Kong, the world’s second-largest economy. weak, Chinese foreign trade is con- Bloomberg News reported. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) tracting, the PBoC has cut interest China has pledged to make the set the daily reference rate at 6.5314 rates six times since November 2014, value of the yuan more flexible and to $1 yesterday, down by 0.22 percent US interest rates are rising and market-oriented, and the Interna- from the previous day, according to capital is flowing out of China,” he said. tional Monetary Fund has announced the China Foreign Exchange Trade At 4:30pm (0830 GMT), the the unit will join its elite reserve cur- A yuan banknote is displayed next to a US dollar banknote (back) at a money changer inside the Taoyuan System. It was its weakest for nearly onshore yuan was quoted at 6.5575 rency basket. According to analysts International Airport in this file photo. Chinese authorities are starting to police the nation’s foreign exchange five years. The move marked the sev- to $1, down 0.58 percent from the devaluation of domestic currency market in a way currency traders have rarely seen before, levying penalty payments for aggressive trading enth session the PBoC has weakened same time on Tuesday. improves the Balance of Payment and prompting some banks to turn down business. the yuan, reviving concerns over a China limits the yuan to rising or position. Malaysia bans bauxite mining for 3 months amid pollution

AFP industry is unable to mitigate the pol- Pahang’s Chief Minister Adnan Yaa- lution hazard. “If it (the industry) is not kob urged residents to stay calm about able to manage the situation in three pollution. months, then we will extend the mor- “We are doing everything to assist KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia yester- atorium,” the minister said. them,” he told the press conference, day announced a three-month ban When AFP visited Kuantan recently, adding that authorities were working on bauxite mining in its rural state of red dust swirled around the pits and on a “grand plan” to overcome problems Pahang from mid-January amid mount- along the roads on which bauxite-laden permanently and get a better grip on ing concern over hazardous dust and trucks rumbled towards Kuantan for illegal miners. Kuantan’s opposition pollution. shipment to China. Residents com- member of parliament Fuziah Salleh Demand for bauxite, which is used plained of a rise in respiratory problems hailed the temporary ban. in aluminium production, is soaring -- and skin rashes. “The 700,000 people living in fuelled by heavy demand from China. There are also fears of heavy met- Kuantan are exposed to pollution. The “Everything will come to a com- als entering the water supply or the rivers, a source of drinking water are plete stop on January 15,” Environment food chain. polluted, the air is filled with red dust Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar Bauxite mining took off in Malaysia and fish in the rivers have died,” she said. told a press conference, adding that shortly after Indonesia, a top producer, “We must stop the destruction of current stockpiles would be cleared banned mineral ore exports in Janu- Mother Nature.” within the next three months. ary 2014 to encourage the domestic Adnan said he was not concerned He also said new measures would processing of metals. about a drop in revenue during the ban, be put in place such as a better drainage This left major consumers like saying the moratorium would help push system in the port at Pahang’s capital China short of the commodity. Malaysia, up prices later on. Malaysian bauxite Kuantan to prevent bauxite contami- previously an insignificant producer output more than quadrupled year-on- nation which has turned the sea red. of bauxite, helped fill the gap with a year in 2014 to nearly 963,000 tonnes, Malaysia’s Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (right) smiles to Pahang’s Chief Minister Adnan The ban would be extended if the sharp rise in mining—most of it illegal. according to government figures. Yaakob after a special press conference on bauxite mining activities in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. BUSINESS THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 25 Gold hits 4-week high on China concerns

rebounding from the $1,045 area in setting off alarm bells in Japan and World stocks fell for December, technical analysts said. Spot South Korea. Relations between Saudi a fifth day yesterday gold was up 0.6 percent at $1,083.76 Arabia and Iran collapsed over the an ounce at 1047 GMT, while US gold weekend after the Kingdom’s exe- as China fuelled fears futures for February delivery were up cution of a Shi’ite cleric, a prominent about its economy $5.10 an ounce at $1,083.50. Earlier it critic of Saudi policy, set off a storm reached its highest since December of protests in Tehran. by allowing yuan to 7 at $1,085.60. “The metals are likely to continue weaken further “Some risk aversion prompting to take direction from moves in equi- safe haven flows has helped gold to ties, developments in China, US dollar stabilise and now test resistance,” Soci- swings and to a lesser extent geopo- ete Generale analyst Robin Bhar said. litical factors in the short term,” MKS REUTERS “Physical demand has been pretty said in a note yesterday. strong at the lower levels.” Traders will examine the minutes “As we go higher, we could see of the Federal Reserve’s last meet- some of that physical demand begin- ing when they are released later on LONDON: Gold hit a four-week high ning to slow. Now we need investors to Wednesday for clues about the US cen- yesterday, extending gains for a third jump back in and look to hedge some of tral bank’s plans for interest rate hikes. session, as persistent concerns over the uncertainties over global growth, Gold fell 10 percent last year on the Chinese economy battered stock over China, with positioning in gold.” fears higher US rates would lift the markets, while tensions simmered in World stocks fell for a fifth day opportunity cost of holding non-yield- the Korean peninsula and the Mid- yesterday as China fuelled fears about ing bullion. The Fed raised rates for dle East. its economy by allowing the yuan to the first time in nearly a decade last The metal is closing in on key weaken further, and a nuclear test by month and is expected to hike rates chart levels, including the Decem- North Korea added to a growing list further this year. Silver was up 0.3 ber high at $1,088.70. A push above of political worries. North Korea said percent at $13.98 an ounce, while $1,088 would indicate that gold may it successfully tested a miniaturised platinum was down 0.3 percent at A Chinese saleswoman waits for customers at a jewellery shop in Shanghai. have bottomed out for now after twice hydrogen nuclear device yesterday, $883.75 an ounce. Loans and IPOs offset Turkish lira Lagarde tells Nigerian lawmakers falls to three IMF does not back forex curbs falling EM bond sales and month low ease default risk: analyst

ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira weakened to a three-month Reuters source for emerging borrowers, are low against the dollar yes- recovering after the 2008-2009 glo- terday as fears about China’s bal crisis caused a sharp fall in bank stalling economy and North lending. The loans are mostly taken Korea’s nuclear test shook LONDON: Emerging governments from banks. “When we eliminate Asia investors already concerned and companies raised $1.64 trillion from the numbers, we can see that about the independence of on global capital markets last year, EMs relied heavily on loan markets Turkey’s monetary policy. up 13 percent from 2014, and their to offset declines in capital access The lira broke through growing use of alternative financing elsewhere,” Spegel said. “The overall the symbolic threshold of 3.0 such as loans may mitigate fears of picture is not so negative, therefore.” against the dollar for the first widespread defaults, a veteran ana- Capital raised via share IPOs and time since early October, and lyst said. secondary offerings rose 50 percent weakened as far as 3.0145 Borrowers turned to IPOs and from 2014. Equity placements in Latin before edging back to 3.0085 loan markets to offset falling sales America, one of the emerging regions at 0928 GMT. of conventional bonds, David Spegel hit hardest by the commodity price The main BIST 100 share estimated in a note received yesterday. retreat, were buoyant. index fell 0.25 percent in Spegel, who made his name tracking With $34bn in equity placements early trading. The bench- the emerging bond sector between and $45bn in loan financing, Latin mark 10-year government 1995-2014 at ING Bank in New York, American issuers more than made bond yield rose to 11.27 per- compiles some of the most widely used up for a $40bn fall in bond issuance, cent from a spot close of 11.07 data on emerging debt trends. He is his data shows. Appetite for emerg- percent on Tuesday. currently head of global EM strategy ing markets is likely to stay subdued Global pressures on at ICBC Standard Bank in London. in 2016, a clear headwind for com- emerging currencies added Spegel said the revival of alterna- panies and governments looking to to domestic concerns about IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde (left) and Nigerias Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun (left) meeting tive financing options could ease fears refinance debt. Spegel predicts bond political interference in with women leaders for dinner at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. of defaults across emerging markets issuance at $429bn this year, $40bn monetary policy and polit- in 2016. Many economists, includ- below 2015. ical uncertainties which ing at multilateral organisations such As a result, emerging defaults pushed the lira 20 percent Reuters after prices for its oil exports collapsed. up or down, can help soften the impact as the International Monetary Fund, should rise in 2016 to $27bn of defaults lower against the US cur- During Nigeria’s worst economic of external shocks, make output and have highlighted emerging debt as a from $18bn in 2015, Spegel predicts, rency last year. crisis in years, the central bank has employment less volatile, and help key risk for coming years, predicting or nearly 4 percent of all outstanding Turkey’s central bank resisted calls by investors to devalue build external reserves,” said Lagarde. a sharp increase in defaults by com- debt. This could rise to over 9 per- shocked markets by failing ABUJA: International Monetary Fund the naira, which has been allowed to “It can also help avoid the need for panies unable to meet repayments. cent should Venezuelan state oil firm to hike interest rates despite chief Christine Lagarde told Nigerian fall about 20 percent since the start costly foreign exchange restrictions, Spegel’s data showed a 22 percent PDVSA be forced to default. But that stubbornly high inflation. lawmakers yesterdasy the Fund does of 2014. which we don’t really support, and if fall in conventional bond issuance is far below the 13.75 percent default not support foreign exchange restric- Measures imposed by the cen- they exist they should remain tempo- in 2015 and even those numbers rate in 2009 and 33 percent in 2002. tions and that any such measures tral bank to restrict access to foreign rary by nature,” she added. were boosted by gains in Asia which Spegel also expects that challeng- should be temporary. exchange have been backed by Pres- On Tuesday the IMF manag- accounted for 65 percent of corpo- ing bond markets will be offset by Starboard urges She made the comments inan ident Muhammadu Buhari but have ing director, who has held meetings rate debt sales. alternative financing options. “We address to senior Nigerian parlia- been unpopular with investors and with Buhari, Finance Minister Kemi But he noted that loan origination continue to be encouraged by the Yahoo to change mentarians during a four-day visit highlighted Nigeria’s dependence on Adeosun and Central Bank Governor in emerging markets had accelerated broader global EM origination data, to Africa’s most populous nation, which crude oil exports, which account for Godwin Emefiele, said she was not in by 31 percent year on year, bringing which reveals the ability of compa- management has introduced foreign exchange curbs more than half of state revenues. “Addi- the country to negotiate a loan. She 2015 loan total to $686bn. That would nies and sovereigns to tap alternative and allowed only limited devaluation tional exchange rate flexibility, either will travel to Cameroon today. indicate that loans, once a key capital markets for new capital,” he said.

BENGALURU: Activist inves- tor Starboard Value LP said yesteday Yahoo Inc should change its management, UK services growth slows slightly in December board and its business strat- egy, putting more pressure on Chief Executive Marissa Mayer and raising the possi- Reuters which compares with a sub-par 0.4 activity among firms were the low- bility of a proxy battle. percent recorded in the third quar- est since 2013. Shares of Yahoo, which ter of 2015. Williamson said factors such as owns a 15 percent stake in “The relapse in the services PMI government spending cuts, a potential Chinese e-commerce giant LONDON: Growth in Britain’s domi- adds to evidence showing the recov- interest rate hike, uncertainty about Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, nant services industry slowed slightly ery lost further momentum towards the global economy and the prospect were down 1.5 percent at in December, suggesting the econ- the end of 2015,” Pantheon Macroeco- of a referendum on Britain’s mem- $31.71 in premarket trading. omy expanded only modestly ahead nomics chief UK economist Samuel bership of the European Union posed In a letter to Yahoo’s of a new year in which it faces signif- Tombs said. “significant downside risks” to eco- board, Starboard said the icant risks, a closely watched survey Financial markets showed little nomic growth this year. Internet company should showed yesterday. reaction to the news, which left Britain The Bank of England is expected to separate its Asia assets - its British economic growth slid to its still in a better position than most of its raise interest rates in the second quar- stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo joint-weakest in nearly three years in euro zone peers. Despite recent down- ter of 2016, according to a Reuters poll Japan Corp - through either the three months to September, and ward revisions to its growth numbers of economists. But with inflation close a sale or spin-off of the core financial data company Markit said for 2015, Britain is expected to have to zero and earnings growth sluggish, search and advertising busi- its December survey of purchasing headed the pack of major economies. it may find this difficult and financial nesses. “We are confident managers pointed to only a margin- But it has relied heavily on the serv- markets only price in a move around that both of these objec- ally faster expansion in late 2015. ices industry for growth, frustrating the end of the year. tives are achievable, but will The Markit/CIPS UK services pur- hopes for a more balanced recovery. Input prices and prices charged require a change in leader- chasing managers’ index edged down “The services sector remained rose marginally in December, the PMI ship and strategy,” Starboard to 55.5 last month from 55.9 in Novem- the key driver of the UK’s economic survey showed, but were both below Managing Member, Jeffrey ber, broadly in line with economists’ upturn ... (but) a rosy outlook is by long-run averages.Separate figures Smith wrote in a letter to forecasts in a Reuters poll, while a no means assured,” Markit’s chief UK from the British Retail Consortium, Yahoo’s board. Yahoo could broader composite measure dipped economist Chris Williamson said.A also released on Wednesday, showed not be immediately reached to a three-month low. solid measure of new business was shop prices in December were 2.0 per- for comment. Markit lowered its estimate of offset by the weakest pace of job cre- cent lower than a year earlier, almost fourth-quarter GDP growth to 0.5 per- ation in the sector since July, while matching November’s joint-record 2.1 A pedestrian walks past the Bank of England in London. cent from 0.6 percent a month ago, long-term expectations for business percent decline. 26 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS

QE INDICES SUMMARY QATAR STOCK EXCHANGE QE Index 10,070.89 1.12 % QE Total Return Index 15,653.75 1.12 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 3,696.74 0.76 % QE All Share Index 2,683.36 1.01 % QE All Share Banks & Financial Services 2,701.31 1.03 % QE All Share Industrials 3,053.46 0.40 % QE All Share Transportation 2,399.27 0.64 % QE All Share Real Estate 2,239.22 1.49 % QE All Share Insurance 4,009.17 0.54 % QE All Share Telecoms 985.97 4.44 % QE All Share Consumer Goods & Services 5,798.58 0.23 %

QE MARKET SUMMARY COMPARISON 06-01-2016 Today 05-01-2016 Previous day Index 10,070.89 9,959.67 Change 111.22 82.03 % 1.12 0.82 YTD% 3.44 4.5 Volume 3,506,895 3,481,577 Value (QAR) 143,944,547.18 129,196,314.02 Trades 2,852 2,783 Up 25 | Down 11 | Unchanged 03

WORLD STOCK INDICES Index Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year low All Ordinaries 5178.01 -61.239 -1.17 5379.6 5239.2 Cac 40 Index/D 4464.9 -72.73 -1.6 4586.11 4481.7 Dj Indu Average 17158.66 9.72 0.06 18351.4 15370.3 Hang Seng Inde/D 20980.81 -207.91 -0.98 21794.84 21095.9 Iseq Overall/D 6657.28 -78.82 -1.17 6791.68 6668.15 Karachi 100 In/D 32968.26 -15.21 -0.05 33304.4 32515.05 Nikkei 225 Index 18191.32 -182.68 -0.99 18951.12 18327.52 S&P 500 Index/D 2016.71 4.05 0.2 2134.72 1867.01

EXCHANGE RATE Currency Buying Selling US$ QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 UK QR 5.3047 QR 5.3799 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS - A LIST OF SHARES FROM THE WORLD Euro QR 3.8901 QR 3.9441 COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME CA$ QR 2.5619 QR 2.6123 NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED Swiss Fr QR 3.5866 QR 3.6394 Yen QR 0.0305 QR 0.0311 A B G Infra-Xc/D 151.7 -7.3 8857 Escorts Fin-B/D 4.95 0.81 606161 Kalpat Power-B/D 252 -0.7 13903 Sterling Tool-/D 526 8 3231 Aus$ QR 2.5541 QR 2.6054 A C C-A/D 1326.55 -17.05 15450 Escorts-A/D 166.7 -3.1 249677 Kalyani Stel-T/D 175.9 -9.3 84516 Tanfac Indust-/D 39.8 1.1 4928 Aarti Drugs-B/D 586.6 -3.9 4801 Essar Oil-T/D 260.05 0.25 63834 Kanoria Chem-B/D 76.9 -1.1 34060 Thirumalai-B/D 211.2 -3.2 11818 Ind Re QR 0.0540 QR 0.0551 Aban Offs-A/D 225.5 -4.95 374112 Eveready Indu-/D 315 5.25 34423 Kg Denim-B/D 59.65 -1.9 20658 Timexgroup-T/D 37.3 0.05 97414 Pak Re QR 0.0344 QR 0.0351 Ador Welding-B/D 316.2 -0.8 1853 F D C-B/D 228.6 0.8 12788 Kilburnengg-Xd/D 84 0.85 16473 Tinplate-B/D 72.75 -0.35 120383 Peso QR 0.0767 QR 0.0782 Aegis Logis-B/D 104.05 -5.45 35940 Federal Bank-A/D 55 -0.8 144973 Kinetic Eng-B/D 112 -5.6 10174 Ucal Fuel-B/D 135.5 -2 67896 Alembic-B/D 49.75 -0.4 622704 Ferro Alloys-B/D 7.81 0.78 497993 Kopran-B/D 76 -0.5 250507 Ucal Fuel-B/D 135.5 -2 67896 SL Re QR 0.0250 QR 0.0256 Alok Indus-A/D 6.66 0.02 2630784 Finolex-A/D 303.75 0.95 4455 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 425 -7.4 2595 Ultramarine-B/D 124 1.6 40955 Taka QR 0.0460 QR 0.0469 Apollo Tyre-A/D 155.7 -1.5 127068 Forbes-B/D 1621.75 -164.75 2886 Laxmi Prcisn-B/D 56.95 -1.15 1496 Unitech P -A/D 7.02 0.17 11757048 Asahi I Glass-/D 166 1.25 15207 Gail-A/D 372.15 -0.7 136410 Lgb Broth-B/D 508.75 0.75 1877 Univcable-T/D 90.65 3.9 43874 Nep Re QR 0.0338 QR 0.0344 Ashok Leyland-/D 92.55 -0.55 906121 Galada Power-B/D 17.75 -1.25 20743 Lloyd Metal-B/D 10.04 0.96 237075 Uppergsugar-T/D 78.35 1.9 6274 SA Rand QR 0.2284 QR 0.2330 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1650 -11.55 3269 Gammon India-T/D 20.45 1.3 765534 Lok.Hous&Con-B/D 8.73 -0.66 292464 Ballarpur In-B/D 20.1 -0.75 741525 Gangotri Tex-T/D 2.08 0.09 12575 Lumax Ind-B/D 462 -4.5 2250 LONDON Banaras Bead-B/D 48.6 -0.3 1442 Garden P -B/D 30.65 -0.85 23897 Lupin-A/D 1754.15 -28.55 130128 GOLD AND SILVER Bannari Aman-B/D 1080.25 -55.75 1491 Godfrey Phil-B/D 1369.1 -21.95 56167 Lyka Labs-T/D 123 -2.8 103444 Bata India-A/D 502.85 2.1 58458 Goodricke-B/D 204.5 -4.9 37923 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 343.8 -12.4 8497 3I Group/D 462.9 -8.9 605013 GOLD QR127.4014 per gram Beml Ltd-A/D 1256.35 -14.6 20589 Goodyear I -B/D 562 -2.75 12952 Mah.Seamless-B/D 166 -7.4 3941 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3200 -50 187055 Bh Electronic-/D 1352.15 -12.85 24414 Hcl Infosys-B/D 58.05 -1.65 636835 Maha Scooter-B/D 1410.25 24.75 1948 Barclays/D 211.86 -3.4 7168043 SILVER QR1.6466 per gram Bhansali Eng-T/D 24.35 -0.4 311827 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 22.35 -1.35 4992859 Mangalam Cem-B/D 198.7 2.8 5429 Bg Group/D 962.4 -14.7 2389468 Bharat Bijle-B/D 880.5 32.25 67955 Himat Seide-B/D 231.75 12.8 458541 Maral Overs-B/D 39.3 2.7 102118 Bp/D 342.3 -5.85 8861018 Bharatgears-B/D 93 -2.1 8563 Hind Motors-T/D 7.9 -0.4 188089 Mastek-B/D 193.5 0.7 91665 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3685 -24 749197 Bhartiya Int-B/D 536.25 0.25 12596 Hind Org Chem-/D 19.9 -0.65 108630 Max India L-A/D 511 -3.85 13052 Bt Group/D 461.5 -2.95 3122834 Bhel-A/D 165.4 -1.05 4274783 Hind Unilever-/D 841.4 -6.4 43319 Mrpl-A/D 68.8 2.05 231708 Centrica/D 212 -2.8 2419353 Bhuwalka Stl-X/D 7.87 0.37 1350 Hind.Petrol-A/D 882.2 25.4 145424 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 41.5 1.2 8756 Gkn/D 286.2 -7.6 1065253 Europe’s bonds Bom.Burmah-B/D 487.45 -4.4 7088 Hindalco-A/D 80.5 -2.3 927193 Nagreeka Ex-B/D 41.5 1.2 8756 Hsbc Holdings/D 507.7 -14.9 15218332 Bombay Dyeing-/D 64.85 -0.6 464170 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1208.45 -0.65 33953 Nahar Spg.-B/D 132.2 -3.1 55911 Imperial Tobac/D 3572 33 832748 Camph.& All-B/D 618 3.5 5808 I F C I-A/D 28.4 -0.85 1302102 Nation Alum -A/D 38.55 -0.3 141230 Kingfisher/D 328.9 1.2 2783691 Canfin Homes-B/D1063.25 -6.7 2016 Idbi-A/D 83.1 -1.1 758494 Navneet Edu-B/D 95.05 -1.6 17503 Land Secs Grou/D 1176 -10 405205 extend gains Caprihans-Xc/D 98.5 3.65 66295 Ifb Agro-B/D 500 16.6 8257 Nepc India-T/D 2.33 0.11 24597 Legal & Genera/D 256.6 -5 2672773 Castrol India-/D 441.35 -5.45 17059 India Cement-A/D 98.15 -3.4 480338 Neuland Lab-B/D 790 8.5 10378 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 70.91 -0.66 45390007 Century Enka-B/D 197.7 -1.9 15433 India Glycol-B/D 104.8 0.9 12913 Nrb Bearings-B/D 142.5 3 6116 Marks & Sp./D 437 2 2187964 Century Text-A/D 589.05 -8.5 133149 Indian Card-B/D 309.5 7 19825 O N G C-A/D 237.4 -4.4 171768 Next/D 6830 -30 422083 Bloomberg Chambal Fert-B/D 65.1 0.95 127317 Indian Hotel-A/D 117.95 -0.6 56840 Ocl India-B/D 515 17.35 2612 Pearson/D 716.5 -9.5 694685 Chowgule St-T/D 21.8 0.05 10101 Indo-Tcount-T/D 1083.1 16.1 8239 Oil Country-B/D 31.75 -0.2 10682 Prudential/D 1430 -46 1776035 Cimmco-B/D 84.3 -2.85 16501 Indusind-A/D 947.35 11.9 37829 Onward Tech-B/D 108.3 -9 36462 Rank Group/D 282.4 -0.1 17113 Cipla-A/D 652.4 11.25 73697 J.B.Chemical-B/D 278.5 -0.45 11896 Orchid Pharm-B/D 62.1 -1.05 402569 Rentokil Initi/D 155.9 -1.1 351938 City Union Bk-/D 90.5 -0.25 12809 Jagatjit Ind-X/D 65.45 3.1 1382 Orient Hotel-T/D 27.7 -1.65 31694 Rolls Royce Pl/D 557.5 -7 1483261 LONDON: Euro-region government bonds gained, push- Colgate-A/D 948.6 -24.3 37725 Jagson Phar-B/D 57.25 -3.6 147660 Orient.Carb.-T/D 585.5 4 12576 Rsa Insrance G/D 417.4 2.6 1415066 ing the yield on 10-year German debt to the lowest in Container Cor-/D 1288.95 -23.2 28513 Jamnaauto-B/D 145.2 1.8 979084 Orient.Carb.-T/D 585.5 4 12576 Sainsbury(J)/D 241.7 -0.4 4103420 more than a month, as signs of slowing global growth Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 456.7 -11.1 4033 Jbf Indu-B/D 225.55 -2.65 44831 Oudh Sugar-B/D 38.3 0.4 37402 Schroders/D 2815 -62 127908 and a further drop in oil boosted demand for fixed- Dcm Financia-T/D 1.26 0.06 6123 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.46 0.02 145210 Patspin India-/D 13.7 0.32 10869 Severn Trent/D 2135.7035 -19 157215 income assets. Dcm Shram Ind-/D 101 4.6 11763 Jct Ltd-B/D 9.83 -0.69 3259104 Punjab Chem.-B/D 184.1 -1.2 10559 Smith&Nephew/D 1162 -17 569296 Italian bonds rose for a fourth day, extending an Dhampur Sugar-/D 73.8 2.4 331562 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 12.91 -0.52 87554 Radico Khait-B/D 111.6 -3.7 49004 Smiths Group/D 904 -18.5 278700 advance Tuesday when data showed euro-zone infla- Dr. Reddy-A/D 3047.35 -19.3 20214 Jik Indust-T/D 0.9 -0.04 5500 Rallis India-A/D 172.9 -3.2 22875 Standrd Chart /D 513.4 -18.9 2861606 tion unexpectedly stalled near zero in December. Debt E I H-B/D 129.7 -1.05 28765 Jindal Drill-B/D 136.7 2.9 3383 Rallis India-A/D 172.9 -3.2 22875 Tate & Lyle/D 580.5 -8.5 218647 securities stayed supported even after a report Wednes- E.I.D Parry-A/D 193.45 -3.7 106121 Jktyre&Ind-A/D 114.9 -0.9 476294 Reliance Indus/D 502 -19 201346 Tesco/D 141.15 -3.25 10017457 Eicher Motor-A/D 17550.15 380.65 8331 Jmc Projects-T/D 258 -4.3 9667 Ruchi Soya-B/D 31.65 1.15 483940 Unilever/D 2797 -53.5 776792 day showed manufacturing and services activity in the Eimco Elecon-T/D 490.2 -7.7 1631 Kabra Extr-B/D 104 -5 3557 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 524.15 4.05 2466 United Util Gr/D 932 -8.5 438105 19-nation bloc expanded more than economists pre- Electrosteel-B/D 24.85 0.95 838842 Kajaria Cer-A/D 966.05 1.25 7377 Salora Inter-B/D 60 -2.3 3810 Vodafone Group/D 219.95 0.25 19230678 dicted. European Central Bank Executive Board member Emco-B/D 34.6 0.5 424187 Kakatiya Cem-B/D 156 2.8 5981 Saur.Cem-B/D 72.7 -1.75 296361 Whitbread/D 4211 -95 164277 Peter Praet said officials are ready to take all measures necessary to bring inflation to 2 percent as Brent crude prices fell to an 11-year low of about $35 a barrel. Bonds have rallied at the start Bonds have rallied of 2016 as a rout in Chinese stocks and QE gains 111 points while Asian stocks fall at the start of deteriorating rela- 2016 as a rout in tions between Saudi Arabia and Iran Chinese stocks prompted investors at 10,070.89 points yesterday. mostly fell yesterday but Chi- also set its daily yuan reference ended 2.3 percent higher. “There’s and deteriorating to seek out havens. Stocks in Asia The daily turnover increased nese markets rallied, with reports rate against the dollar at its lowest word spreading in the market that While North Korea’s to QR144m with a volume of over Beijing had spent billions buying level in almost five years, accord- state funds are buying, but the relations between claim that it suc- hit by another 3m shares from 2,852 compared shares after a more than seven ing to Bloomberg News. idea is to hold up the market, not Saudi Arabia and cessfully detonated round of weak with QR129m with a volume of percent decline in the first two But analysts warned the moves to bolster it by a large margin,” Iran prompted its first hydrogen over 3m shares from 2,783 deals trading days of the year. would cause more problems down said Dai Ming, a fund manager bomb was disputed Chinese economic on Tuesday. The South Korean won sank the line as China’s economy, the at Hengsheng Asset Management investors to seek by some experts, indicators, sinking Indices of seven sectors ended against the dollar after North world’s second biggest and a key Co in Shanghai. out havens news of the test sup- in the green yesterday. Trans- Korea announced it had conducted driver of global growth, heads for “The market has basically ported government oil prices and rising portation sector ended in the its fourth nuclear test, although its worst annual performance in stabilised after the tumble and securities, while tensions in the green, gained +0.64% to 2,399.27 there was little wider impact on a quarter of a century. investors are waiting for further speculation built that points. Banks & Financial Serv- regional equities - with one ana- Stocks in Asia, which swung policies that will boost sentiment,” the ECB will extend Middle East ices sector index increased +1.03% lyst saying dealers were looking wildly Monday and Tuesday, he added. its debt-purchase plan to get consumer prices rising. to 2,701.31 points. QSE Al Rayan at “more serious issues”. extended a miserable start to Regulators had closed trad- “We’ve started this year in a funk,” said Richard Kelly, Islamic Index closed +0.76% to Shanghai finally chalked up 2016 - hit by another round of ing early Monday because a seven head of global strategy at Toronto-Dominion Bank in 3,696.74 points. some gains as the country’s central weak Chinese economic indica- percent fall triggered a new circuit London. “You had the big liquidity shock out of China the Qatar News Agency/ AFP QSE All Share Index up +1.01% bank pumped cash into the belea- tors, sinking oil prices and rising breaker put in place during the first day back, and from that perspective fixed income to 2,683.36 points. From the 43 guered financial system. Experts tensions in the Middle East. summer to prevent sharp losses is still prone to rallying.”. companies listed on QE, 39 saw said it was used to shore up stocks Tokyo sank one percent as or gains. Germany sold debt due in December 2017 with an trading yesterday. Of these, 25 to avert a repeat of last summer’s exporters were hurt by a strong Investors were partly spooked average yield of minus 0.38 percent, matching the record- DOHA: Qatar Exchange (QE) index gained, 11 closed lower and three rout that saw trillions of dollars yen, Hong Kong lost one percent, by this Friday’s expiration of a low set in November and compared with minus 0.32 gained 111.22 (1.12 percent) points remained unchanged. wiped off valuations. Sydney shed 1.2 percent and Taipei ban imposed in July on certain percent at a December 9 auction. when the bourse closed trading Elsewhere, Asian shares The People’s Bank of China dropped 1.1 percent. But Shanghai investors selling stocks. BUSINESS VIEWS THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 27

Tough stance by US Holidays a distant regulators deepens VW’s diesel crisis memory for investors

By Jeff Plungis,Alan Katz require hardware. Software and David Welch upgrades are less expensive. Bloomberg But the EPA so far isn’t play- ing ball, saying on Monday that talks with the company on a recall haven’t produced he road Volkswagen AG “an acceptable way forward.” must travel to get out of “US regulators have taken Tits US legal and regulatory a tougher stance on this than morass just got rougher. in Europe, partly because The US government emission regulations for die- erected a pair of roadblocks sel cars are tougher,” said this week against the auto- Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt- maker, which admitted in based analyst for Bankhaus September that it had rigged Metzler. “In Europe the focus the software of its diesel cars is more on carbon dioxide.” to pass emissions tests. The The automaker is facing Environmental Protection lawsuits from state attorneys Agency said on Monday that general in the US and inves- VW’s proposals to bring its tigations in at least seven diesels into compliance with countries as well as hundreds emissions standards have of private lawsuits. The Jus- been inadequate. At the same tice Department’s lawsuit time, the Department of Jus- filed on Monday outlines pen- tice sued, raising the specter alties that could reach $46bn, of multibillion-dollar fines. according to a Bloomberg The message to VW: It’s Intelligence estimate. The going to take creative pro- actual penalties aren’t likely posals to fix hundreds of to be that high. thousands of cars, accord- In some ways, the govern- ing to environmental lawyers ment is following a strategy and automotive analysts. It that won it billions of dol- may take more money than lars in settlements from BP Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York. expected to settle US envi- Plc over the 2010 well explo- ronmental claims. And even sion in the Gulf of Mexico that so, VW may yet face criminal unleashed the worst offshore charges, said people familiar oil spill in US history, said By Adam Haigh and Jonathan Burgos added cash to the financial system, intervened with the US investigation. David Uhlmann, a University Bloomberg to buy equities and postponed the end of a ban “They have to show the of Michigan law professor and on major shareholders selling stakes. Yester- government that they’re former head of the Justice day, the People’s Bank of China cut its yuan trying to do some good, oth- Department’s environmental fixing to the lowest since April 2011, reignit- erwise they run the risk of crimes section. o much for easing into 2016. At AMP ing concern about the outlook for the world’s getting pounded on the fines,” With BP, the U.S. sued Capital Investors in Sydney, Nader second-biggest economy, and North Korea said Daniel Riesel, a part- the company in December Naeimi’s diary is filling with meet- conducted its first nuclear test since 2013. ner at Sive, Paget & Riesel, 2010 over pollution law vio- ings and his inbox is clogged with The MSCI gauge of global equities fell 0.5 an environmental law firm in lations, settling Clean Water recommendations to sell equities. percent at 7:04 am in New York, extending Volatility was a feature New York that isn’t involved Act claims last year for $5.5bn. SInstead of relaxing in a post- holiday lull, Hans its lowest level in three months. It’s lost 2.5 of 2015 too, with the in the case. “They have to sat- That was part of a $20.8bn Goetti at Banque Internationale a Luxem- percent so far in 2016. isfy the EPA.” global settlement of state bourg SA in Dubai is trying to assess whether “The Chinese currency is a bit worrying,” number of days in which In all, it’s clear the Ger- and federal civil claims. China’s sinking currency will unleash capi- said Goetti, Dubai-based head of investment the Standard & Poor’s man carmaker is facing a That case didn’t preclude tal outflows that the economy can’t sustain. for Asia at Banque Internationale a Luxem- much steeper climb in the criminal charges against BP. A flight from risky assets has defined the bourg, which has $35bn in assets. “This 500 Index rose or fell 1 US than on its home con- The US filed a criminal action first days of the new year, with volatility surg- could lead to further capital outflows and percent or more almost tinent. The company won against BP in November 2012, ing on concern about turmoil in China and that could be a problem. If this gets to a pro- clearance for relatively sim- almost two years after the escalating tension in the Middle East. Even portion that’s uncontrollable, this could be doubling from 2014. ple repairs from German civil complaint. BP’s agree- as the MSCI All-Country World Index’s bull a black swan event.” regulators last month, using ment to pay $4bn and plead market extends to more than 1,500 days, inves- Stocks have shown resilience for years, software upgrades for some guilty to 14 charges, including tors are facing a difficult start to 2016 after bouncing back after the Ukraine crisis, engines and, in others, install- one misdemeanor count of losing money on global stocks, high-yield Greece’s debt woes and the collapse in oil ing a pipe capped by a piece violating the Clean Water Act, bonds and commodities prices. But concern over China’s economy of mesh to regulate air flow. was announced the same day in 2015. and the repercussions for global markets a year, while investors in Asia suffered their Volkswagen estimated that the criminal case was filed. “It’s like the holiday have kept surfacing, weighing on equities worst first day since 1988. Global equities repair would take less than The Justice Department never happened,” said throughout 2015. The nation’s shock cur- erased more than $1.9 trillion on Monday. an hour to complete. is seeking an order requir- Naeimi, a fund manager rency devaluation roiled markets in August, Volatility was a feature of 2015 too, with “We are confident we will ing Volkswagen to take at AMP Capital, which and the steady slide that’s now under way the number of days in which the Standard find good solutions for the “appropriate steps,” includ- oversees about $110bn. is a sign that policy makers are becoming & Poor’s 500 Index rose or fell 1 percent affected US vehicles,” Herbert ing mitigating nitrogen-oxide “Everyone is chasing shad- more tolerant of depreciation as interven- or more almost doubling from 2014. Glo- Diess, the head of Volkswa- emissions. Such steps might ows. What’s adding to the tion costs rise and economic growth slows. bal equities snapped a three-year rally gen’s namesake brand, said include forcing Volkswa- The storm of selling nervousness is that we’ve “Last summer we had the China devalua- as a slowdown in the Chinese economy at the Consumer Electronics gen to install equipment to that greeted equity been in this extended tion shock, but the yuan is now even cheaper” fueled the biggest retreat in raw materi- Show in Las Vegas. “In recent reduce pollution or buy back bull market since 2009 and it’s unclear how much further it could go, als prices since 2008 just as the Federal weeks we’ve made significant vehicles from owners. investors returning — we’ve had really, really Tsutomu Yamada, a market analyst at Kabu. Reserve ended its zero interest-rate policy. progress.” “We disappointed our cus- from their holiday strong gains. Everyone’s com Securities Co., said by phone. “There’s Market watchers entered the new year Volkswagen is propos- tomers and the American nervous.” a stronger sense of not knowing what will with optimism. In the US, 14 strategists ing that some US cars can be people, for which I am truly break saw a US Investors returned happen compared to last summer.” surveyed by Bloomberg in mid-December fixed with a simple software sorry and for which I apolo- volatility measure post Monday to a 7 percent rout The storm of selling that greeted equity predicted the S&P 500 will climb more than upgrade, while others will gize,” Diess said. its biggest first-day in Chinese equities. Chi- investors returning from their holiday break 8 percent this year. Forecasters in Europe na’s policy makers were saw a US volatility measure post its biggest were looking for a 13 percent jump in the jump in history. in focus on Tuesday, with first-day jump in history. The Stoxx Europe Stoxx 600, while Japan’s Topix index was stocks seesawing as they 600 Index had the biggest-ever drop to start to seen advancing 16 percent. China’s thirst for fun fuels IPOs doubling money

By Annie Lee that went public in Hong Kong last year, lin- growth. Recreation currently accounts for 9 to invest as much as $20m in two Chinese Bloomberg gerie-maker Regina Miracle International percent of personal consumption spending in movies a year, according to data provided Holdings Ltd and cinema operator Imax China China, compared with 16 to 18 percent in the by the company. Imax has “lots of capital” Holding Inc highlight a shift in Chinese buy- US, Japan and Korea, Goldman Sachs Group looking for more opportunities, Gelfond said. ing habits. They returned 102 percent and Inc. analysts wrote in a September report. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which s a boy in China in the 1970s, Jason 76 percent respectively on the index of Hong Millennials — typically born after 1980 opens in China including on Imax screens Zhuang Xiangsong was captivated by Kong IPOs with at least $50m in market value — grew up in a more stable China than their Saturday, could gross as much as 1.5bn yuan comics based on the legendary Mon- tracked by Bloomberg. As Beijing’s three-year parents and are exposed to Western culture, ($230m) in the country, according to Nomura key King and dreamed of creating a austerity and anti-graft campaigns curb dis- which “will make them the prime consumer Holdings Co. China Animation’s growth plan AChinese version of Astro Boy — a renowned plays of wealth, rising average wages over group to drive spending on leisure,” the report focuses on developing animated characters, Japanese animated character who flies through three decades have spawned a working and said, citing sports, travel, media and online both for screen and amusement parks. It cur- the air on rocket-propelled feet. Now Zhuang, middle-class with more discretionary cash. gaming as key areas to monetise. rently derives more than 90 percent of sales chief executive officer of China Animation “Anti-corruption campaigns hurt high-end Box office takings in the country are making toys for Japanese animators, and about Characters Co, has managed to soar high him- luxury consumption, but mid-end luxury is expected to grow 20 percent a year over the 9 percent from an amusement park it opened self. His company had the best-performing more affordable for the middle class, and it will next five years to reach $18.8bn in 2020, over- a year ago in a Shanghai shopping mall. initial public offering in Hong Kong last year, gain traction in China,” said Larry Hu, head taking the US market in 2017, according to Revenue rose 21 percent to HK$259m Box office takings in the returning more than 125 percent to investors of China economics at Macquarie Securities Credit Suisse Group AG. That’s benefiting large- ($33m) in the six months ended September between its March debut and the end of the year. Ltd in Hong Kong. “Investors won’t neglect the screen cinema operator Imax Corp’s China 30, the latest period reported. The company country are expected to “We are very confident in our business big trend of moving towards a more service- unit. “We’re very bullish on how the Chinese is targeting its sales contribution from the grow 20 percent a year model,” Zhuang, 46, a native of Chaozhou and consumption-driven economy.” movie industry is going to evolve,” Richard theme parks and virtual reality businesses in Guangdong province who in 2013 started China Animation fell 1.8 percent by the close Gelfond, CEO of the Ontario, Canada-based to rise to 50 percent by the end of this year, over the next five years his company making toys based on cartoons of Hong Kong trading on Monday, trimming parent company, said in an interview. “I think Zhuang said. Licensed from Tokyo-based to reach $18.8bn in 2020, licensed from Japan and has been diversifying the stock’s gain since its debut to 108 percent there are less entertainment options in China video game-maker Sega Sammy Holdings overtaking the US market into animation-focused amusement centers in amid a broader sell-off in Chinese markets. than in the US, for example, meaning sports Inc, its Joypolis indoor theme park touts a malls, film-making and virtual reality games. Regina Miracle slipped 0.9 percent, while Imax leagues, concerts and other things like that.” digital aquarium and is scheduled to add a in 2017. Along with China Animation, the next two China declined 4.1 percent. The Hang Seng Imax currently has 268 screens in China, roller coaster featuring animation charac- top-performing consumer-focused companies Index retreated 1 percent. There’s room for plans to open more than 200 more, and expects ters and virtual reality machines. 28 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 BUSINESS BACK TO BUSINESS

GCC to display its yachting sight aspirations in Phuket Qatar’s LNG

The Peninsula strategy: Biggest

ward-winning yacht and boat is no longer best builder, Gulf Craft, is once again making a strong pres- ence at Thailand’s premier Bloomberg will expire around 2020,” Chung Aboating event, celebrating its 25th year Yangho, South Korea’s deputy in Asia with the Majesty 105, the larg- minister of energy and resources est superyacht on display at the Phuket DOHA: For Qatar, the world’s policy, said on November 9 in International Boat Show (PIMEX 2016). largest exporter of liquefied nat- Doha. “If the oversupply contin- The pioneering shipyard contin- ural gas, preparing for a looming ues, we hope to see there will ues to redefine sea travel for South glut of the fuel isn’t about being be less rigid market conditions.” East Asia’s boat enthusiasts, who are the biggest seller. It’s about being Qatar shipped 76.4 million not only growing in number, but also the most efficient. tons of the fuel in 2014, or 32 per- increasingly looking for new experi- Global LNG output is expected cent of global supply, according ences on water, according to Erwin to rise by a third to about 330 mil- to the International Group of Liq- Bamps, Gulf Craft CEO. lion metric tons annually by 2018, uefied Natural Gas Importers. “We are witnessing an emerging according to Sanford C. Bern- “Spending billions to build desire for spending more quality time stein & Co. Most of the new fuel new LNG plants doesn’t make on water, a trend that has been bol- will come from the US and Aus- sense as new supplies come stered by increased spending power, tralia. Unlike Saudi Arabia, the online,” said Allison Wood of more leisure time, and a rich seafar- largest oil shipper, Qatar won’t consultants Control Risks Group ing heritage,” says Bamps. be fighting for market share at Ltd. “The fact that Qatar owns the “South East Asia is home to beau- the expense of earnings. value chain from start to finish tiful waterfront destinations and Instead, the country will con- allows it to have a level of effi- promising seaside developments, tinue as one of the most profitable ciency that is going to be tough making the region a favorable mar- Majesty 105 entering Royal Phuket Marina in Thailand LNG sellers by taking advantage of f o r o t h e r p r o d u c e r s t o m a t c h . ” ket for water leisure,” he said. “Yachting the industry’s lowest production Instead of fighting expanding is more than an ostentatious display costs and a control over supply U.S. producers head-on, Qatar has of wealth, it is a memorable journey dozen persons from its viewing decks, a merit it has achieved through con- routes that lets it redirect LNG joined them. It has a 70 percent that can be shared with friends and and even more inside the cabin, as tinuous investment in research and quickly between continents to stake in Golden Pass Products family, and our aim is to make that well as the Majesty 48, a full-option development. exploit opportunities, said Ibra- LLC, a venture with Exxon Mobil experience accessible to everyone world-class yacht expressly designed Founded in the Emirates in 1982, him Ibrahim, vice chairman of Corp. that’s seeking US regulatory through our wide variety of craft.” for leisure cruising. Gulf Craft continues to redefine the Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas approval to export from Texas. The Majesty 105 has been designed Gulf Craft will also be presenting on-water living experience with Co., known as RasGas. Qatar is already the biggest pro- to fulfill the evolving yachting aspi- the Silvercraft 36 HT and the Silver- its wide variety of premium craft, “A lot of people have gas, but vider of LNG on the spot market, rations of the region’s passionate craft 34, part of the Silvercraft range ranging from 27 feet to 155 feet in we have an integrated project,” a departure from its traditional seafarers, offering sweeping views of fishing boats and family cruisers, length. Deploying advanced tech- he said in an interview in Doha. focus on long-term contracts. of the sea through its panoramic win- which has proven to be a widely pop- nology, powerful engineering, and “We are not trying to maintain Qatar took 10 years to become dows, expansive outdoor entertaining ular choice among Thailand’s charter timeless design, Gulf Craft builds “Yachting is more a leadership role.” the fuel’s largest producer in 2006 and lounging areas, including a spa- companies and private owners. each creation to meet the diverse than an ostentatious Qatar faces a challenge sim- and even less time after that to cious aft deck, and a large hard-topped The successful Silvercraft series requirements of its discerning cli- ilar to the one Saudi Arabia has build a $250 bn sovereign wealth sun deck. The Majesty 105 is the per- recently welcomed a remodeled edition entele, transforming travel by sea display of wealth, grappled with in oil markets, as fund. With a population of 2.4 fect superyacht for those who relish of the beloved Silvercraft 31 HT, offer- into a journey worth indulging in. it is a memorable competitors take market share million people, it tapped the third- spending time admiring the coast while ing owners a contemporary design, With an expanding portfolio that and drive down prices, accord- biggest gas reserves to become island-hopping, or for holidaymakers increased engine capacity, ample stor- includes the enchanting Majesty Yachts, journey that can be ing to a November. 13 report by the wealthiest nation per capita. looking to catch all the action moored age space, and an overall pleasant the oceangoing Nomad Yachts, Silver- shared with friends the Arab Gulf States Institute in Qatar’s gross domestic product in alongside the waterfront. And with cruising experience. craft fishing boats and family cruisers, and family, and Washington, a research center. 2014 was $134,182 for each resi- five en-suite staterooms that accom- Guests of PIMEX 2016, which runs and Oryx sport yachts and cruisers, Prices for LNG delivered to Asia dent compared with $49,537 in modate up to 10 guests, and two crew until 10 January, can visit Gulf Craft at Gulf Craft has built an enduring legacy. our aim is to make have plunged more than 60 per- neighboring Saudi Arabia, with cabins, passengers staying on board Marina Stand D1 at the Royal Phuket The 13th Phuket International Boat that experience cent from a record in 2014. a population 12 times as large, the Majesty 105 are sure to enjoy a Marina. Gulf Craft, the world’s inno- Show presented by Thailand Elite, is Buyers such as Tokyo Elec- according to the World Bank. comfortable journey. vative builder of luxury yachts and fully booked and will offer a stun- accessable to tric Power Co. and South Korea’s The country is currently the The impressive display at PIMEX leisure boats, has served the aspi- ning display of yachts in-the-water everyone through Chubu Electric Power Co. are hag- lowest-cost and most profitable 2016 also includes the Majesty 56, rations of passionate seafarers for and marine equipment, cars, luxury gling for better terms. producer of LNG, according to Neil Gulf Craft’s beautiful 17-meter lux- more than three decades. The award- property and lifestyle goods in the our wide variety of “Most of the long-term prices Beveridge, an analyst at Bernstein. ury fly-bridge motor yacht, which can winning manufacturer is one of the waterside Exhibition Hall at Royal craft” comfortably entertain more than a world’s leading superyacht shipyards, Phuket Marina.

For more than 60 years Volkswagen has been at home Capital in the US. The issue with diesel engines is nothing to be proud of, we disappointed…the American people, for Dr. Herbert Diess, Comment which I am truly sorry. Head, VW passenger brand

TOP TWEETS BLOGS AND VIEWS Market Talk Aviva ride-sharing Christine Lagarde@ Bankrupcy Beat (Wall Street insurance in Feb Lagarde Journal) NAME IN THE MARKET: GLOBAL DEBT Productive 1st day Reuters while they did so. in Nigeria topped A new settlement with Aviva said it will protect ride- off by meeting w/ sharing drivers from the moment dynamic women lead- one of Bernard Madoff’s TORONTO: Aviva Canada will they make themselves available ers. Impressed by investors will add another offer ride-sharing insurance to to passengers through the col- their commitment to Ontario drivers who use their own lecting and dropping off of those change. $25m to the billions of vehicles to carry paying passen- passengers. dollars recovered following gers next month, a service that Cab drivers typically pay World Bank@WorldBank could solve a major headache for between C$4,000 and C$12,000 the collapse of his Ponzi ride-hailing company Uber Tech- a year for commercial coverage, Net debt flows in scheme. nologies Inc [UBER.UL]. depending on driving history. #MENA concentrated in The Canadian subsidiary of Many have complained that #Morocco: $2.3 billion, Aviva plc (AV.L) said the cover- the UberX service undercuts taxis #Egypt: $0.5 billion age is the first time it will offer on price by avoiding costly licens- The Buttonwood’s notebook ride-sharing insurance anywhere ing and insurance. Private Equity on@ in the world. Aviva said it will work with It will be available to existing regulators across the country to PrivateEquityon Aviva personal auto policyhold- make the product more widely ers for drivers that spend up to available in coming months. Private Equity Firms 20 hours a week driving paying “We’re excited to offer a sim- Were Busy in 2015, Almost every results season, passengers and costs a small por- ple and affordable solution within but Not as Much as the markets go through tion of the income earned by the a driver’s existing personal auto Corporates driver. policy, thereby providing driv- an elaborate ritual. The Credit Suisse@ Insurance was a major bone ers and passengers with absolute analysts declare the results of contention in a raucous debate peace of mind..” said Greg Somer- CreditSuisse at Toronto city hall in late Sep- ville, chief executive of Aviva a «success» even though the tember, when the council voted Canada. When land is scarce reported profits are lower to write new transportation rules The move by Aviva pre-empts and expensive, just that would apply to Uber and its a similar product planned by rival build upwards. But it’s than their eariler forecasts . ilk and asked the Silicon Valley- Intact Financial Corp’s (IFC.TO) not that simple... based company to stop operating insurance arm. www.thepeninsulaqatar.com PAGE | 31 PAGE | 36 Starc S writes off Msakni wins WorldWo Twenty20 Player of the chances Month honourur

THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 • 27 Rabia I 1437 thepeninsulaqatar @peninsulaqatar @peninsula_qatar

DAKAR RALLY 2016 STANDINGS CARS 1: Sebastien Loeb (FRA)/Elena Daniel (MCO) Al Attiyah clings onto overall third Peugeot 2: Stephane Peterhansel (FRA)/Jean Paul Cottret (FRA) Peugeot 3: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Mini as Peterhansel wins fourth stage 4: Leeroy Poulter (ZAF)/Robert Howie (ZAF) Toyota 5: Carlos Sainz (ESP)/Lucas Cruz (ESP) Peu- geot Argentina. Yesterday’s fourth stage of 38th DAKAR RALLY 2016 World Rally legend Dakar covered a distance of 429 kilome- 6: Giniel De Villiers (ZAF)/Von Zitzewitz Dirk Sebastien Loeb overall tres with different types of terrain and (DEU) Toyota its all-time most successful competitor early in the stage to outpace his fellow 7: Mikko Hirvonen (FIN)/Michel Perin (FRA) leader in the gruelling Peterhansel held off team-mates Carlos World Rally champion by 16 seconds. Mini Dakar Rally 2016 Sainz and World Rally legend Sebast- That put Sainz second on the day. 8: Cyril Despres (FRA)/David Castera (FRA) ien Loeb by 11 seconds and 27 seconds. Sainz’s performance moved him up to Peugeot This was the veteran Frenchman’s 66th fifth in the overall standings. 9: Bernhard Ten Brinke (NLD)/Tom Colsoul stage win, a record tally split equally Al-Attiyah managed to prevent Peu- (BEL) Toyota Agencies between cars and bikes. geot’s four cars locking out the top Peterhansel made a flying start to of the order by finishing the stage 10: Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Konstantin yesterday’s stage, passing the first check- fourth-fastest, nearly five minutes off Zhiltsov (RUS) Toyota point more than one minute faster than the pace, edging out the 2008 DKR of MOTORBIKES SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY, Argen- Loeb and Qatari legend Nasser Al-Atti- Cyril Despres. The Qatari driver currently 1: Paulo Gonçalves (PRT) Honda tina: The defending champion and the yah, who were tied on the same time at holds third overall, 11 minutes and nine 2: Kevin Benavides (ARG) Honda Qatari rally king Nasser bin Saleh Al Atti- that point. seconds behind Loeb and more than one yah (Mini) finished fourth but currently While Al-Attiyah’s Mini soon fell fur- minute clear of Leeroy Poulter’s Toyota 3: Barreda Bort Joan (ESP) Honda is occupying the third slot in the overall ther adrift, Loeb fought back, getting in fourth. Spain’s Joan Barreda Bort won 4: Stefan Svitko (SVK) KTM standings at the end of the fourth the gap down to 39 seconds by the third yesterday’s 429 kilometre fourth Dakar 5: Ruben Faria (PRT) Husqvarna stage of the gruelling Dakar Rally yes- checkpoint, finishing the stage having lost Rally motorcycling stage around Jujuy 6: Matthias Walkner (AUT) KTM terday. just 27 seconds to his team-mate to lead in Argentina to place the Honda rider 7: Toby Price (AUS) KTM Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel the event by 4 minutes and 48 seconds. atop the overall standings. kept afloat his bid for a 12th Dakar Rally However, the rally’s top two were split Today’s fifth stage of the marathon Qatar's Nasser Al-Attiyah and French Matthieu Baumel, of Mini, 8: Pablo Quintanilla (CHL) Husqvarna crown, leading a Peugeot clean sweep in by their Peugeot team-mate Carlos Sainz, two-week rally is a 327 kilometre ride in action during the third stage of the Dakar Rally 2016 between 9: Antoine Meo (FRA) KTM yesterday’s fourth stage around Jujuy in who starred after losing three minutes from Jujuy to Uyuni in Bolivia. Termas de Rio Hondo and Jujuy, Argentina on Tuesday. 10: Alain Duclos (FRA) Sherco TVS 30 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 SPORT Djokovic crushes Verdasco to reach quarters

inside three days as the Serbian crushed TENNIS: QATAR OPEN Rafael Nadal eases Verdasco 6-2, 6-2 in only 69 minutes past Dutchman Robin on the Centre Court at Khalifa Ten- nis Complex. Haase to reach last Arch-rival and a possible opponent beat or Daniel Munoz De La Nava 5-7, eight at Qatar Open in the title clash on Saturday, world 6-3, 7-6 in 2 hours 25 minutes number five Rafael Nadal also advanced It was Djokovic’s second successive with a clinical performance against straight set win after his demolition Dutchman Robin Haase yesterday. of German qualifier Dustin Brown on By Rizwan Rehmat Nadal, the 2014 champion, won Monday. The Peninsula 6-3, 6-2 in 65 minutes to book a quar- Today, Djokovic will meet eight ter-finals date with Russia’s Andrey seed Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in Kuznetsov who yesterday beat Lithua- the quarter-finals. Earlier yesterday, nia’s Ricardas Berankis 7-6, 6-1, in 85 Mayer beat Spain’s Pablo Andujar 6-2, DOHA: World number one Novak minutes. 6-4 in 71 minutes. Djokovic of Serbia relied on a ‘solid’ In the last match of the day on Cen- “He (Verdasco) is a dangerous baseline game to beat Spain’s Fernando tre Court, third seed Tomas Berdych of player. I tried to ensure he doesn’t settle Verdasco to reach the quarter-finals of the Czech Republic hammered Damir down,” Djokovic said after his match. the Qatar ExxonMobil Open yesterday. Dzumhur 6-0, 6-4 in 65 minutes. “Now the pressure is off me because Djokovic, the top seed this week, In the quarter-finals today, Berdych I have reached another quarter-final in Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their second picked up his second successive win will meet Britain’s Kyle Edmund who Doha. Now I will play with less pressure. round match of the Qatar Open tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha yesterday. I love coming here. This tournament Pictures by Salim/The Peninsula has been there for more than 20 years,” the Serbian added. When asked about ‘special tips from performance.” The star of the 2015 sea- my fans who have come here to sup- RESULTS coach Boris Becker’, Djokovic jokingly son with 11 titles and more than $21m port me. I feel good playing in Qatar,” Second Round said: “He’s told me that I have to win in prize money, Djokovic capitalised he said. Novak Djokovic (SRB x1) bt Fernando this tournament.” on a wayward Verdasco to break the “He (Haase) is an aggressive Verdasco (ESP) 6-2, 6-2. He added: “I am playing really well. Spaniard in game four of the first set. player. I think he played well in the Leonardo Mayer (ARG x8) bt Pablo Andujar You never know how you are going to In game eight, a couple of unforced end of the first set and at the start (ESP) 6-2, 6-4. start the season so I will take these two errors gave Djokovic the edge as the in the second,” Nadal said. “I played wins. Tonight I had a tough opponent Serbian served broke the Spaniard a great match. He is an opponent I Tomas Berdych (CZE x3) bt Damir Dzumhur who has been around for a long time.” again to take the first set at 6-2 in respect so much. (BIH) 6-0, 6-4. Djokovic said: “He’s a power- just 31 minutes. When asked about his quarter- Kyle Edmund (GBR) bt Daniel Muñoz (ESP) ful player and if he has time, he can With momentum on his side, Djok- finals opponent, Nadal said he is 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3). be a very dangerous player. To take ovic supplemented his 3-2 lead in the expecting a ‘tough’ game Jeremy Chardy (FRA x7) bt Paul-Henri the time away from his is a very solid second set by breaking Verdasco in “He (Kuznetsov) hits the ball so Mathieu (FRA) 6-2, 6-4. game six after the Spaniard ended strong from the baseline. I need to Illya Marchenko (UKR) bt Teimuraz ORDER OF PLAY his serve with a double fault follow- keep playing like this. I hope I can Gabashvili (RUS) 6-4, 6-2. ing a couple of unforced errors. have my chances,” the Spaniard said. Centre court start 3:30 pm Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) bt Ricardas Djokovic held his serve in game Earlier yesterday, Jeremy Chardy Berankis (LTU) 7-6 (8/6), 6-1. [7] J Chardy (FRA) vs seven but broke the Spaniard one France wasted little time to crush I Marchenko (UKR) Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Robin Haase more time in game eight. Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu in (NED) 6-3, 6-2. A Kuznetsov (RUS) vs Verdasco returned poorly, firing straight sets to reach the quarter- [2] R Nadal (ESP) a couple of long returns before Djok- finals at the season-opener. Quarter-finals line-up Novak Djokovic vs Leonardo Mayer [1] N Djokovic (SRB) vs ovic - on match point - unleashed a Seeded seven, Chardy won 6-2, 6-4 [8] L Mayer (ARG) powerful forehand from the baseline in 66 minutes on the Centre Court at Tomas Berdych vs Kyle Edmund to signal a ticket to the quarter-finals. Khalifa Tennis Complex. It was Chardy’s [3] T Berdych (CZE) or D Dzumhur Jeremy Chardy vs Illya Marchenko It was Djokovic’s eighth win over third win over Mathieu in five meet- Rafael Nadal vs Andrey Kuznetsov (BIH) vs [Q] K Edmund (GBR) or D Verdasco in 12 matches. ings on the ATP Tour. Muñoz de la Nava (ESP) Nadal, who is seeking his second “I am very happy to win today. It Court 1 start 4:00 pm trophy triumph in Doha, seemed to be was a tough match and I played with Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-4, 6-2 on court [1] J Rojer (NED) / H Tecau (ROU) vs in a hurry as he demolished Haase. confidence,” Chardy, who reached number one. [4] P Petzschner (GER) / A Peya (AUT) “Yes, it is a nice feeling. The play- semi-finals in Montreal 1000 event On Tuesday, Marchenko stunned [3] F Lopez (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) vs ing conditions are great here. I feel last year, said. defending champion David Ferrer in good because I played a tough oppo- In other matches yesterday, giant- three sets. The Ukrainian will now meet Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Robin Haase of Netherlands. [2] J Murray (GBR) / B Soares (BRA) nent,” Nadal said. “I want to thank act Illya Marchenko crushed Russia’s Chardy in the quarter-finals today. Wawrinka reaches Chennai Open last eight

AFP with Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. bye he got off to a emphatic start, hitting overcame a slow start to cruise past Fifth seed Garcia-Lopez had earlier six aces and breaking his 18-year-old Mikhail Kukushkin and move into the defeated Croatian qualifier Ante Pavic Russian opponent on three occasions quarter-finals of the Brisbane Inter- CHENNAI, India: Defending cham- 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in their second-round tie in yesterday’s clash. national yesterday. pion Stanislas Wawrinka breezed into at the Nungambakkam Tennis Sta- Elsewhere in the last 16 yester- Nishikori lost his opening serve to the quarter-finals of the ATP Chen- dium yesterday. day, number eight seed Borna Coric go 2-0 down in the first set but soon nai Open yesterday as the Swiss got Two-time Grand Slam winner of Croatia defeated American Austin recovered to get on top of Kukushkin his bid for a third consecutive title in Wawrinka, who is the top seed in Krajicek 6-2, 7-5, while fourth seed and ease to a 6-3, 6-4 win. southern India off to a perfect start. India, is seeking to get his name on Roberto Bautista Agut defeated John Nishikori, who reached the The world number four took just the Chennai Open trophy for the Millman 6-4, 6-1. final of the US Open in 2014, was Boris Becker (right), coach of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, watches the 52 minutes to dispatch Russian wild- fourth time after victories in 2011, The final of the Chennai Open takes below his best in his first match of card Andrey Rublev in straight sets 2014 and 2015. place on Sunday. the season, particularly during the second round match between Djokovic and Fernando Verdasco of 6-3, 6-2 to set up a last-eight clash And after receiving a first-round Meanwhile, Japan’s Kei Nishikori opening set. Spain at the Qatar Open. Falcons Festival picks pace in Doha QFA supports QF Schools and

The Peninsula College Football League

DOHA: The seventh Qatar Interna- tional Falcons and Hunting Festival The Peninsula (Marmi the Challenge) continued yesterday with two groups of par- ticipants competing in the Free Da’u DOHA: The American Community competition, one of the exciting cat- School Doha (ACS) football team won egories in which falcons compete the QF Schools and College Football in speed. League while Mesaieed Interna- With a similar competitive tional School (MIS) and Sherborne atmosphere to the Hadad El Tahadi Qatar School came in second and competition held earlier this week, third place respectively. Free Da’u witnessed a thrilling The Qatar Football Association competition as every fraction of a (QFA) provided support to Qatar second counts. A sensor is installed Foundation’s QF Schools and College to measure the falcon’s speed within Football League U19 by offering gen- a distance of 400 metres from the erous cash prizes for the first, second starting point till the spot where and third place winners. it lands. The first, second, and third teams Mohammed bin Abdulatif Al received cash prizes of QR 30,000, QR Missned, the vice president of Marmi 20,000, and QR 10,000 respectively. festival and deputy chairperson The ACS Doha football team will of Al Gannas society, announced play an exciting match against QFA’s that five cars will be awarded to School League champion later this American Community School Doha (ACS) football team, winners’ of the second place winners of the year, QFA announced. the QF Schools and College Football League. local and international Da’u com- QFA’s School League kicked off petitions this year. on November 23 last year and brings Held under the patronage of H E together 20 Qatari high schools from broader objective of spreading foot- The competition took place on Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, across the country. ball in Qatar and instilling its direct pitches 3 and 4 in Qatar Foundation’s the Festival started on Monday at QFA’s provision of prizes to the positive impact on the different seg- Awsaj Recreation Centre and featured Sealine and will continue till the league demonstrates QFA’s CSR com- ments of the community. a total of 8 teams playing competi- end of this month. The festival was mitment to continuously support The action-packed tournament tive matches against each other, in Action from the seventh Qatar International Falcons and Hunting launched with the aim of preserv- football initiatives at the community kicked-off on October 11 last year and aim to win the grand cash prize of ing the heritage of Qatari ancestors. Festival (Marmi the Challenge), at Sealine. and youth levels, while focusing on the ran until January 5, 2016. QR 30,000. SPORT THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 31 Starc writes off World Twenty20 chances

CRICKET: The fearsome INJURY CONCERNS 25-year-old paceman unlikely to recover before the World Cup that strength. Make sure everything is 100 percent before I go again.” Tournament Starc said the operation had gone well but it would be a while before he was bowling in excess of 150 kilome- tres per hour as he did in the second Reuters Test against New Zealand in Perth in November, when one delivery was clocked at 160 kph. “Everything had felt great on that SYDNEY: Fast bowler Mitchell Starc day, so I think it just comes back to the has all but written-off his chances of rhythm and smoothness in my action making a faster-than-expected recov- on any given day,” said Starc, sporting ery from ankle surgery and playing a a ‘moon boot’ to stabilise the injured part in Australia’s bid for a first World joint. “It’s going to take a while to get Twenty20 title. back to my bowling workload and get The 25-year-old left-arm quick had that rhythm back after spending some surgery on ankle spurs after sustain- time out. It always takes some time to ing a stress fracture in his foot during get that pace back. You obviously are the inaugural day-night Test against not going to bowl at full pace soon as New Zealand last November. you come back, it takes a bit of time, Starc, the player of the tournament so I’m not sure how it’s going to go.” at last year’s 50-overs World Cup, was Starc will miss Australia’s one-day always an outside shot to make the series against India, February’s two- March 11-April 3 World Twenty20 in test series in New Zealand and is not India due to the estimated recupera- even certain he will be fit to play in the tion period and he was unable to offer Indian Premier League in April and a better prognosis yesterday. May. It was probably modesty, how- “It’s very unlikely,” he told reporters ever, that led him to question whether at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “Eve- Australia’s main strike bowler would rything would have to go perfectly to not ease straight back into the national be any chance. I won’t know until I side once he was fit again. can start doing some stuff on it. I don’t “I don’t think you can ever say 100 want to rush it. I want to make sure it’s percent that you’ve cemented a spot,” 100 percent because I’ve rushed back he said. I’m still going to have to work before and been dropped after a game. my butt off when I get back to bowling Australian bowler Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc walking onto the field with I’ve played probably non-stop for two to get my spot back. But I’d like to think Mitchell Starc years and the silver lining is I get to give in the last 10-12 months I’ve come a crutches at the end of first day-night Test cricket match against New the body a bit of a break and rebuild long way in all forms of cricket.” Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in this November 29, 2015 file photo. Yadav looking for more pace

Reuters Indian right-arm fast bowler Umesh Yadav. MUMBAI: Umesh Yadav belongs to the rare breed of Indian bowlers who can bowl consistently quick and the 28-year-old is not ready to sacrifice pace to gain more control on his line and length. The right-arm fast bowler has failed to cement his place in the Indian bowling line-up since making his debut in an one-day international against Zimbabwe in May, 2010. Security personnel stand guard as rain delays play on the fourth day of the third cricket Test match between Yadav, who has an economy of Australia and the West Indies in Sydney yesterday. 5.84 in the 50-over format, has played 17 tests and 52 ODIs for India but has often been panned for being way- ward while striving for extra pace. “I am here because of my pace,” Rare double washout casts Yadav told reporters on the eve of the team’s departure for a limited-overs series in Australia. “Whenever I come on to the shadow over Sydney Test ground or the pitch (to bowl) I always think about my pace. I do not think about my line and length.” AFP CRICKET: SCOREBOARD Yadav’s words would delight AUSTRALIA VS WEST INDIES cricket fans in the country who West Indies (I innings): often bemoan the tendency among K Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon 85 the Indian pacemen to drop pace once SYDNEY: A second consecutive day’s that two consecutive days of play have S Hope c Nevill b Hazlewood 9 they have made the team, apparently play was washed out yesterday con- been lost to rain, and the first time in to prolong their career. Yadav has signing the third Australia-West Indies almost 26 years. D Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson 33 often lost his place in the team to Test to an unwelcome postscript in The rain-hit Test joins Australia’s M Samuels (run out-Hazlewood) 4 fellow right-arm fast bowler Varun Australian cricket. matches against South Africa at the J Blackwood b Lyon 10 Aaron and with India slated to play a Play was abandoned at lunch on the Gabba in Brisbane in 1931-32, India D Ramdin (not out) 30 lot of cricket this year on spin-friendly rain-sodden fourth day at the Sydney at the SCG 1947-48, England at the J Holder c Burns b O’Keefe 1 tracks at home, they are likely to vie UMESH YADAV

Cricket Ground (SCG) amid forecasts SCG in 1954-55 and Pakistan at the with each other for a spot. The fast the downpour would continue for the SCG 1989-90. Australia have already C Brathwaite b Pattinson 69 bowler accepts it is difficult to bowl INTERNATIONAL CAREER rest of the day. won the series and retained the Frank K Roach (not out) 0 fast while also sticking to the line and Competition Test ODI The stands were near empty for a Worrell Trophy after huge wins in the Extras (B-5, LB-1, NB-1) 7 length to keep the runs down. Matches 17 49 second day with only a handful of die- Hobart and Melbourne Tests. Total (for 7 wkts) 248 While Yadav is working with the Runs scored 109 46 hard fans hoping to see some cricket Only 86.2 overs have been bowled support staff on identifying the best Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-104, 3-115, 4-131, Batting average 7.78 9.20 in the 50,000-capacity SCG and four so far in the final Test with the West 5-158, 6-159, 7-246. spot to land his deliveries, he is also security guards under umbrellas stand- Indies remaining at 248 for seven since keen to bowl even faster. Top score 30 17 Bowling: Hazlewood 15.2-5-37-1; Pattin- ing around the covered pitch area. Monday. Denesh Ramdin was on 30 “I have just been focussing on I can swing the ball easily. “Some- Wickets 53 69 son 16-3-67-2 (1nb); Lyon 35-12-78-2; The weather has now claimed the with Kemar Roach yet to score. Marsh 4-1-15-0; O’Keefe 16-5-45-1. keeping my line and length closer times you will have bad days and you Bowling average 36.05 31.37 third and fourth days of the forlorn The SCG has recorded more than to the off-stump,” he said. miss your length and give away easy 5 wickets in innings 1 0 Sydney Test, making a draw inevitable. 100mm (4in) of rain since the Test began “I also try to swing the ball. I scoring opportunities. But I am trying Best bowling 5/93 4/53 It is only the fifth time in Australia on Sunday. know if my wrist position is good, to build more pace in my bowling.” Simmons still wants best available playing for West Indies

Reuters an inexperienced Test side has suc- from the tour of India in 2014 contin- from West Indies playing all formats to play test cricket anymore. pick of the top talent, Simmons has cumbed to two heavy defeats on their ues to resonate. of the game,” he told reporters at the “So when we get to that solution been encouraged by the performances current tour of Australia, a string of sea- There have been suggestions by Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. between the parties that are involved of some of the younger players, with soned West Indies players are starring some in the Caribbean that West Indies “If we can get that, then we will then we can see where that takes us.” the bat at least, in Australia. SYDNEY: Coach Phil Simmons has not in the local Twenty20 Big Bash League. should write off the older generation have an organisation that is moving Simmons, who took over as coach Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and given up on any West Indies players Some, like opener Chris Gayle, and concentrate on developing the forward. That is my hope now. at the end of last year’s World Cup, was Rajenda Chandrika, all-rounder Carlos and still wants the best talent available say they are not currently fit to play existing squad, but Simmons would still “At the end of the day we might have suspended from his role last year for Brathwaite as well as Dwayne Bravo’s to represent the region in all formats the longest format but others, like all- like to welcome them back to the fold. a solution but we still might have play- complaining publicly about not having brother Darren have batted well enough of the game. rounder Dwayne Bravo, remain exiled “I still have the feeling that it will ers that might not think they can play the best players available for a tour of to give their coach confidence there is It has not gone unnoticed that while as the fallout from the costly withdrawal always be good to get the best players test cricket, or might not really want Sri Lanka. Despite still not having his light at the end of a very dark tunnel. 32 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 SPORT

Surprise announcement: Amla quits SA captaincy to focus on batting

Reuters batsman and senior player at this time his stoical performance rescued his or rebuilding our team,” Amla told side from the possibility of going 2-0 reporters. down in the series. “I will continue to give my all to “We respect Hashim’s decision and CAPE TOWN: Hashim Amla said yes- the team.” the manner in which he thought about terday he was stepping aside as South Amla said he had been considering it and then communicated with me. He Africa’s Test captain with immediate quitting over the last fortnight, even still has a huge role to play in shaping effect, a day after a double century res- before the start of the series against the success of our team without the cued his country from possible defeat England and the loss of the first Test need for a leadership title. He is just in the second Test against England. by 241 runs in Durban last week. that type of a person and we are very The 32-year-old made the surprise “It’s a bit of relief,” he said. fortunate to have him in our stable,” announcement just minutes after the Amla captained South Africa for Cricket South Africa chief executive Test at Newlands ended in draw and 14 Tests with four wins, six draws and officer Haroon Lorgat said. after Amla had led a fight back to haul four defeats. South Africa, despite being South Africa lost the first Test his team from a precarious position. the top-ranked Test nation, have not against England last week by 241 runs AB de Villiers will take over as won in their last eight Tests sketching and play the next two in Johannes- captain for the last two Tests against back to more than a year and Amla’s burg and Pretoria. The third Test at England. form has suffered. the Wanderers starts on January 14. “Naturally this decision is not an He scored 251 Test runs in 2015 but “It’s a bit of a shock. I haven’t got easy one but the more I think about it seemed to have got right the balance of anything to say,” England captain South Africa’s Hashim Amla celebrates his double century during day 4 of the second Test against England the more I believe I can be of greater making runs and captaining the team Alastair Cook said reacting to the news at Newlands Stadium on Tuesday in Cape Town, South Africa. value to the Proteas as a fully focused with a double century on Tuesday as after the match.

Pakistan blasts England stutter before Test ends in draw Australia for skipping Junior CRICKET: ENGLAND’S TOUR OF World Cup Bairstow, Ali hold SOUTH AFRICA on after tourists lose AFP quick wickets on final when they held a precarious lead of 118. Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali day curtailed by bad negotiated the rest of the afternoon KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket chief light in Cape Town and England were on 159 for six when said yesterday Australia should be play was called off for bad light 15 min- fined after they pulled out of the jun- utes after tea and abandoned 45 minutes ior World Cup over security fears in later. England will take a one-lead into host country Bangladesh, blasting AFP the third Test of the four-match series, officials for creating a potentially starting in Johannesburg on January 14 “anarchic” situation in world cricket. but South Africa will take heart from On Tuesday Australia withdrew a strong fightback with both bat and from the U-19 World Cup due to CAPE TOWN: England were given a ball after taking a battering in Eng- start in Bangladesh from January scare before the second Test against land’s first innings. 27, citing security concerns. They South Africa ended in a draw on the Inspired by Ben Stokes’ 258, Eng- had also refused to tour the South fifth and final day at Newlands yes- land made 629 for six declared but Asian country in October last year terday. South Africa batted solidly to reply with for a bilateral series. On what had been expected to be 627 declared, led by captain Hashim The International Cricket Coun- a low-key day after high scoring in the Amla’s 201. cil (ICC) said the event will go ahead first innings, England lost six second The flurry of wickets yesterday was as scheduled and invited Ireland to innings wickets by mid-afternoon, in complete contrast to the first four replace Australia in the biennial days when both teams scored more tournament. Pakistan Cricket Board than 600 runs in their first innings chairman Shaharyar Khan criti- SCOREBOARD and 1272 runs were scored for the loss cised Cricket Australia’s decision. of only 13 wickets. After four days of “I see no obvious reason to take England (I innings): 629-6 decl unrelenting sunshine, the sky was such a drastic step,” Khan told media South Africa (I innings): 627-7 decl partly overcast yesterday. in Lahore. England (II innings): The fast bowlers, led by Morne Mor- “I fear a chaotic situation is A Cook c De Kock b Rabada 8 kel, gained some movement, while developing in the ICC after Aus- off-spinner Dane Piedt obtained some tralia’s refusal to send their team A Hales c Morris b Morkel 5 turn from a pitch which had previously for the event.” N Compton c Du Plessis b Piedt 15 offered no assistance to the bowlers. Khan said he will raise the issue J Root b Morris 29 Piedt was the most successful in the ICC meeting next month, add- South African bowler Dane Piedt (centre) celebrates after dismissing England’s batsman Benjamin Stokes J Taylor c Bavuma b Piedt 27 bowler, taking three for 38. ing he feared it could “ultimately

Alastair Cook and Alex Hales fell during day five of their second Test at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town yesterday. lead to divisions and cause an anar- B Stokes c Morkel b Piedt 26 within the first three overs of the day, chic situation in the ICC”. J Bairstow (not out) 30 both without adding to their overnight He said that competitors should M Ali (not out) 10 scores of eight and five respectively, diving low to his right, off Morne Morkel. defensive innings in making 15 off 60 258 with some more solidly-hit strokes. rely on the ICC’s security assessment. Extras (LB-4, NB-5) 9 while Joe Root was bowled just before Root made 29 off 29 balls before he balls. It came as a surprise when he But he went for a big hit against “Australia should be fined” for Total (for 6 wkts) 159 the mid-morning drinks break. Nick was bowled by Morris’ first ball of the went on the drive against a full deliv- Piedt and was caught by Morkel on the decision, he said. Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-19, 3-55, 4-85, Compton fell shortly before lunch. innings, a full delivery which swung ery from off-spinner Dane Piedt and the midwicket boundary for 26. “Last year they didn’t go for the 5-115, 6-116. Cook, who has scored only 42 runs late to take out his off stump. hit a catch to Faf du Plessis at a short Taylor followed in Piedt’s next over, bilateral tour when just one Italian in four innings during the series, was Root had an escape on 17 when mid-on position. gloving a catch to Temba Bavuma at was killed, nothing more.” Bowling: Morkel 16-7-26-1 (3nb); Rabada caught down the leg side by wicket- he edged a catch to AB de Villiers at England seemed to be heading to short leg after making 27. At 116 for Cricket Australia has apolo- 13-2-57-1 (2nb); Morris 12-4-24-1; Piedt keeper Quinton de Kock off Kagiso second slip off Morkel, only for a tele- safety after lunch as Taylor and Stokes six, less than midway through the day, gised to the ICC and the Bangladesh 18-8-38-3; Elgar 6-2-10-0. Rabada and Hales fell to an outstand- vision review to show it was a no-ball. added 30 for the fifth wicket, with England were in trouble when Cricket Board (BCB) over the ing catch by Chris Morris at third slip, Compton dug in and played a solid Stokes following up his first innings of Bairstow and Ali came together. no-show.

Al Mafiar Cup at QREC

Action from the 23rd race meet Al Mafiar Cup at Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) yesterday. RIGHT: My Sharona, winner of Al Mafiar Cup in action. SPORT THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 33

Ireland’s O’Donovan banned FIFA judges extend Valcke’s eight weeks for head-butt

AFP in 2008. O'Donovan pleaded guilty to violent conduct. Muscat was earlier banned for two matches for his part in suspension by 45 days the confrontation. The Mariners said SYDNEY: Irish striker Roy O'Donovan they were "extremely disappointed" was slapped with an eight-week ban and may appeal against the decision. yesterday for head-butting, one of the "The disparity in sanctions issued longest suspensions ever handed out for this match highlights the flaws The former Secretary by Australia's A-League. in the system," club chief executive The 30-year-old, who plays for Shaun Mielekamp said. General also ordered Central Coast Mariners, was cited "The media circus around the inci- to pay a fine of for his attack on Wellington Phoe- dent has a high impact on the result $99,000 nix player Manny Muscat over the and we will look at our avenues for New Year period. appeal." Only former Mariners goalkeeper O'Donovan is in his first season Danny Vukovic has received a bigger with the Mariners after stints with suspension in the A-League with a Sunderland, Coventry City, Blackpool AFP nine-month ban for striking a referee and Northampton Town in England.

ZURICH: FIFA ethics judges yesterday Palace targeting silverware agreed to extend secretary general Jer- ome Valcke’s temporary suspension for 45 more days, after investiga- with FA Cup triumph: Mutch tors urged them to take more time to weigh corruption allegations against the organisation’s former second-in- Reuters couple of draws then who knows.” command. Mutch was also looking to feature “The adjudicatory chamber of the more in Palace’s games and said he Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans- was constantly in talks with manager Joachim Eckert has decided to extend LONDON: Crystal Palace have much Alan Pardew in determining his best the suspension of Mr Jerome Valcke to play for in the FA Cup and will target position in the team. Former FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke attends a news conference after the meeting of the Ethics by 45 days.” the tournament to land some silver- The Englishman, who was “The extension of the suspension Committee at the Home of FIFA in Zurich in this November 18, 2010 file photo. FIFA recommended a nine- ware this season, midfielder Jordon Pardew’s first permanent signing starts from today,” it said in a statement. year ban for Valcke over alleged corruption involving the sale of World Cup tickets, among the dozens of Mutch has said. as Palace manager, has seen lim- Valcke’s initial suspension began in scandals rocking football's crisis-plagued governing body. The Eagles have made the com- ited game time this season, starting mid-September and officially expired petition’s final just once, losing 1-0 to just three matches in all competitions. at midnight. Manchester United in the 1990 replay “I want to play more, every player The investigatory chamber of FIFA’s FIFA ETHICS COMMITTEE would not have been able to return his long tenure as Secretary General,” - a win that gave Alex Ferguson his does, but we have got a lot of players ethics committee had called for the DECISIONS to work as he has also been banned Barry Berke added in a statement. first major trophy as manager at Old in that central area and I want to be extension on Tuesday, requesting more indefinitely by FIFA’s management, a He insisted that the demand for Trafford. playing in that number eight or 10 time for evaluating the evidence against penalty that is separate from the eth- a nine-year-ban was “nothing more “The FA Cup is the traditional role,” Mutch added. Valcke. selling Brazil World Cup tickets on the ics committee suspension. than a self-serving public relations cup, maybe some clubs do not take “As the season goes on, hopefully, Ultimately, they said, they want to black market at above their face value. Valcke’s lawyer on Tuesday blasted effort to wrongly attack Mr. Valcke it as seriously, but for me it is special I can keep my fitness up and when see the suspended secretary general He had previously been accused the FIFA investigators, insisting that his in a desperate attempt to try to prove and I know the manager will be tak- the opportunity does come to make banned from football for nine years. of being party to a potential $10-mil- client “did absolutely nothing wrong that FIFA can police itself.” ing it seriously,” Mutch was quoted as an impression, I will take it.” The investigators also called for the lion (9.25-million-euros) bribe paid as any independent and fair review Valcke’s potential downfall is only saying by the club’s website (www. Palace take on Southampton in 55-year-old Frenchman to pay a fine to former head of the North and Cen- of the facts would establish.” the latest in world football. cpfc.co.uk). the FA Cup third round on Saturday, of 100,000 Swiss francs ($99,000). tral America football governing body “The Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA president Sepp Blatter, 79, and “As a team, we want some silver- following which they have away trips Valcke’s suspension followed alle- CONCACAF, Jack Warner. FIFA Ethics Committee has chosen to UEFA chief Michel Platini, 60. were ware and I think the FA Cup is a great in the league to relegation-threat- gations of involvement in a ticketing Even if the adjudicatory chamber ignore Valcke’s exemplary conduct and last month banned from football for chance to win something. If we can ened Aston Villa and title contenders scam, in which he was accused of had not extended his suspension, he extraordinary contributions during eight years. get past Southampton and get a good Manchester City.

Sampdoria’s Roberto Soriano in a jubilant mood Liverpool have edge after Ibe heroics after scoring his second goal

AFP FOOTBALL: ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP Liverpool also caused a couple of though, Liverpool were soon in front, LIVERPOOL VS STOKE CITY nervous moments from Alberto Moreno as Lallana broke down the right on to corners, albeit without managing to a through pass, and delivered a cross trouble Butland further. that Joe Allen helped on for Ibe to blast STOKE-ON-TRENT: Substitute Jordon strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock After coming on for Coutinho, Ibe beyond Butland. Ibe’s first-half strike gave Liverpool the Origi, and centre-back Martin Skrtel. wafted an ambitious shot over the bar The lead could have been extended advantage in their League Cup semi- Despite yet more injury setbacks, from 25 yards, before shooting straight within moments, as Firmino was denied final, first leg at Stoke on Tuesday. Klopp will have been pleased with the at Butland when Lallana’s cross found by a Ryan Shawcross challenge as he Ibe drilled a shot past Jack But- resilience his side showed after their him unattended in the penalty area. sprinted towards goal, and Ibe bent a land to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a 1-0 disappointing display in losing 2-0 Stoke were gaining traction, shot just wide, although Marko Arnau- victory on a night when their injury at West Ham in the Premier League though, and should have gone in front tovic glanced weakly wide with a clear jinx struck again. on Saturday. themselves when Bojan Krkic found header at the other end after being Soriano nets a double Playmaker Philippe Coutinho and Klopp’s response to that defeat was himself free 12 yards out following found by Glen Johnson’s cross. central defender Dejan Lovren both to drop his only available out-and-out Shaqiri’s clever low corner, only to Liverpool might have built up a as Samp edge Genoa limped off in the first 35 minutes with striker Christian Benteke, and go with a produce an air shot. greater advantage to take back to what appeared to be hamstring injuries. false nine, giving Roberto Firmino the Then Liverpool suffered a further Anfield for the second leg in three Coutinho was injured while task of unsettling the home back line. injury setback as Lovren appeared weeks’ time, as Allen had a penalty attempting to deliver a cross, while Klopp’s side had more of the play to pull a hamstring when sliding in appeal rejected after receiving a shove AFP FOOTBALL: ITALIAN SERIE A Lovren was hurt while sliding into a in the early stages as they attempted to to challenge Shaqiri, forcing Klopp from Whelan, while Firmino almost GENOA CFC VS UC SAMPDORIA challenge on Xherdan Shaqiri. impose themselves, managing a cou- to move Lucas Leiva to centre-back scored one of the most bizarre goals It remains to be seen how long they ple of long-range efforts from Firmino and bring on James Milner, only just of the season, as Butland’s clearance will be out for, but both players look set and Adam Lallana, with Butland fum- fit again after four matches out with hit the Brazil international and looped MILAN: Roberto Soriano struck twice won back possession in his own half to be added to a long casualty list that bling and then gathering the first, then a calf strain. back towards the net, with the Stoke as visitors Sampdoria edged Genoa to power down the right. Carbonero’s includes captain Jordan Henderson, beating away the second. Despite their injury problems, keeper reacting just in time to catch. 3-2 in a thrilling city derby on Tuesday cutback was poorly cleared and fell to that was delayed on two occasions Eder, who sidestepped his marker to due to fans throwing smoke flares. slot the ball inside Perin’s near post. Genoa had won only one of the Genoa’s woes deepened only four previous six editions of the ‘Derby minutes after the restart, Cassano della Lanterna’ and Gian Piero Gasp- providing an assist for Soriano that erini’s men were again left second the forward swept easily into the net best at the clubs’ shared Luigi Fer- to claim his second, prompting the raris ground as Sampdoria held on ire of the home fans. amid an exciting finale. The fixture had already been Sampdoria only claimed their first delayed by several minutes before win under new coach Vincenzo Mon- kick-off because of the poor visi- tella prior to the festive break, but the bility caused by smoke flares, and visitors fully deserved their 2-0 lead Soriano’s second prompted Genoa at the interval thanks to Soriano’s fans to throw several flares onto the opener and Eder’s 39th-minute strike. pitch, prompting the intervention of Soriano struck again just after the firemen. break, but Sampdoria were lucky to Yet the incident appeared to fire claim all three points after Leonardo up the hosts, who launched a rousing Pavoletti twice reduced arrears late comeback only to be denied a share in the second half to claim his first of the points at the death. brace in Serie A and inspire the hosts Pavoletti reduced the arrears in to a grandstand finish. the 69th minute when he rose above The win moved Sampdoria up the Samp defence to fire a header into to 11th place ahead of the remaining the net, and moments later Darko midweek fixtures yesterday, while Lazovic saw his low drive inch just Genoa remain in 17th, just one point wide of the post. above the drop zone. Pavoletti grabbed his second nine Veteran striker Antonio Cassano, minutes from time when he headed making a rare start for the visitors, into an empty net from a yard out played a role in all three of Samp- after Emiliano Viviano mistimed his doria’s goals. attempted interception after rushing The former Italy international’s out of his goal. through ball was deflected into Sori- Genoa spurned several chances for ano’s path, and the latter smashed a late leveller, Viviano blocking Serge a low volley past Mattia Perin for Gakpe and Pavoletti before palming Liverpool's English midfielder Jordon Ibe (left) strikes the ball past Stoke City’s goalkeeper Jack Butland (centre) to score the opening goal an 18th-minute lead. Cassano was the ball off the line when a shot rico- involved again when Carlos Carbonero cheted dangerously in front of goal. during their English League Cup semi-final first leg football match at Britannia Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on Tuesday. 34 THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 SPORT Murray suffers loss to Kyrgios at Hopman Cup

TENNIS: HOPMAN CUP Results from the mixed- World number two teams Hopman Cup goes down in straight Round robin - Group B sets to local favourite coming off a contentious 2015, includ- Germany bt France 2-1 Kyrgios ing his infamous on-court spat with Women’s singles: Stanislas Wawrinka, but has looked Caroline Garcia (FRA) bt Sabine Lisicki in impressive form in his two singles (GER) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) matches in Perth. Men’s singles: AFP He beat rising German star Alexander Zverev (GER) bt Kenny de Alexander Zverev on Sunday, and Schepper (FRA) 6-2, 6-2 overcame a verbal clash with a fan in the second set against Murray to Mixed doubles: PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Controversial notch his first win in five matches Lisicki/Zverev (GER) bt Australian Nick Kyrgios recorded one against the Scot. Garcia/De Schepper (FRA) 6-4, 6-7 of the best wins of his career to upset It also ended Murray’s 11-match (6/8), 10-6 (match tiebreak) world number two Andy Murray and winning streak in team’s tennis, includ- lead Australia Green to victory over ing last year’s Davis Cup final, and the Great Britain at the mixed teams Hop- world number 30 said it was one of against Watson in the women’s singles. man Cup in Perth yesterday. his best wins. However, Watson produced a stun- Although Heather Watson then lev- “It’s up there,” he said. ning finish to take the last four games elled the tie with a brave comeback “One hundred per cent he wanted and square the tie with her 6-7 (2/7), victory against newly naturalised Aus- to win that tonight. 6-2, 7-5. tralian Daria Gavrilova, the home team “I actually was a little bit nervous Earlier, Germany kept their hopes secured the tie when they won a thrill- going out there, I’ve lost to him the last alive with a thrilling 2-1 win over Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns the ball to Andy Murray of Britain during their men’s singles match between ing mixed doubles encounter in a tense four times I played him. France. Australia Green and Great Britain in session 8 of the Hopman Cup at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia, match tiebreak, 6-2, 6-7 (0/7), 11-9. “I knew it was going to be tough The tie was level at 1-1 after the sin- yesterday. Unbeaten in their first two group today, I thought I executed well under gles rubbers were split, but the German matches, the pairing of Kyrgios and pressure today.” pairing of Sabine Lisicki and Zverev pre- Gavrilova only need to beat France, Murray said the fast-paced nature vailed in the deciding mixed doubles, It was a dramatic mixed doubles set points before the French eventu- Zverev then levelled the tie with a who are out of contention after losing of the match was to his detriment. beating Caroline Garcia and Kenny de rubber, with the Germans winning the ally won the tiebreak 8-6 to force the commanding win over French jour- both their ties, on Friday to advance “There were a lot of quick points Schepper, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 10-6. first set and holding a match point at deciding match tiebreak. neyman Kenny de Schepper. to Saturday’s final. in the match,” he said. It was a make-or-break tie for both 6-5 in the second. In the women’s singles match, the The teenager looked a class act as Fittingly, it was Kyrgios who served “I wasn’t able to extend as many teams and the result ended the Hop- Lisicki thought she had served an emerging Garcia took early control. he dismantled the 28-year-old French- an ace to seal the mixed doubles win, of the rallies as usual, and as I would man hopes of the French after defeats ace to take the set, match and tie, but Lisicki started to show more signs man in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, to set up after the 20-year-old notched a break- have liked.” in their first two ties. it was called a let and she then served of the form that took her to the 2013 the deciding mixed doubles. through win over Murray in the singles, The British then appeared down However, Germany can still reach a double fault to enable the French to Wimbledon final in the second set, but World number one Serena Williams 6-4, 7-6 (7/5). and out when Gavrilova served for the Saturday’s final if they beat Great Brit- force it to a tiebreak. Garcia steadied to win the match in a officially withdrew from the event yes- The richly-talented Kyrgios is match, and the tie, at 5-3 in the third set ain on Friday and Australia Green loses. The Germans then saved three tiebreaker 6-2, 7-6 (7/5). terday due to a knee problem.

Broady prevails after racquet Azarenka moves into Brisbane quarter-finals row in Auckland AFP TENNIS: BRISBANE Results Reuters INTERNATIONAL Men 2nd round BRISBANE, Australia: Former world Dominic Thiem (AUT x8) bt Denis AUCKLAND: A fired up Naomi number one Victoria Azarenka moved she said. Kudla (USA) 6-3, 6-2 Broady let her racquet do the talking into the quarter-finals of the Brisbane “Especially since I haven’t played Kei Nishikori (JPN x2) bt Mikhail Kuku- as she stormed back to beat Jelena International when she downed little- in a while. So it’s good to go through shkin (KAZ) 6-3, 6-4 Ostapenko in an ill-tempered Auck- known Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure those moments.” Marin Cilic (CRO x3) bt Chung Hyeon land Classic clash marred by an 6-3, 6-2 yesterday. Azarenka will play 2015 US (KOR) 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) on-court row after the Briton called Bonaventure, who had lost in the Open runner-up Roberta Vinci in for the Latvian to be disqualified. final qualifying round, gained a main the quarter-finals. Bernard Tomic (AUS x7) bt Radek Tensions boiled over in the draw spot when top seed Simona Halep “She’s been playing really well and Stepanek (CZE) 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) second set of the low key second pulled out with a leg injury on Tuesday. showing some great results,” Azarenka Women round clash when, after a winner She pushed the two-time grand said of the eighth-seeded Italian. 2nd round by Broady, the 18-year-old Ostap- slam winner hard, particularly in the “I think you can see improvement Samantha Crawford (USA) bt Belinda enko’s racquet came out of her hand, 56-minute first set when she blasted in her game. I think she’s just on the rise Bencic (SUI x7) 7-5, 7-5 bounced off the blue hard court and 18 clean winners. and she feels really good, confident.” against the back wall towards the But once Azarenka weathered Fourth-seeded German Angel- Angelique Kerber (GER x4) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 6-3, 6-0 ball boy. the storm she was able to master the ique Kerber was impressive in her 6-3, “She threw the racquet and hit 21-year-old Belgian and was never 6-0 demolition of American Madi- Andrea Petkovic (GER) bt Ekaterina the ball boy, no way was that acci- really troubled thereafter. son Brengle. Makarova (RUS) 7-5, 6-4 dental,” the 25-year-old Broady “I think the beginning definitely The world number 10 will now take Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Ysaline complained to the umpire. was really tough,” said 26-year-old on Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenk- Bonaventure (BEL) 6-3, 6-2 Play was delayed as the umpire Azarenka. ova in the quarter-finals. Varvaro Lepchenko (USA) bt Gar- and ball boy had a conversation. “She played very well. You know, Little-known American Saman- bine Muguruza (ESP x2) 7-6 (11/9), The umpire opted for a code vio- it’s always a little bit of a moment of tha Crawford upset seventh-seeded 1-0 retired lation over a disqualification after adaptation when you don’t know who Swiss Belinda Bencic 7-5, 7-5 in 90 the Latvian wildcard argued the you play, so it’s an adjustment. minutes. racquet slipped from her hand but “But I’m glad I could stay strong The qualifier from Florida will a clearly upset Broady called for in the beginning and turn it around, now take on Germany’s Andrea Petk- Lepchenko yesterday. another official to adjudicate. because it wasn’t going my way at ovic, who ousted Russia’s Ekaterina Lepchenko won a thrilling first “I asked for the tournament ref- first for sure.” Makarova 7-5, 6-4. set 7-6 (11/9) and was leading 1-0 in eree to come down onto the court Azarenka spent 51 weeks as world Petkovic conceded she knew noth- the second when Muguruza pulled to give his opinion,” Broady was number one in 2012 but suffered a ing of the 20-year-old Crawford. out with blisters on her feet. quoted as saying by local media. severe foot injury in 2014, finishing “I don’t know anything -- it’s going Muguruza had called for the trainer “But as he isn’t the chair umpire, the year at 32. to be classic YouTube stalking from after the first set to have her left foot he goes by what the chair umpire She was then hampered by a left my side,” she said. bandaged but her movement was ham- says and his opinion was that it had thigh problem in 2015, which affected “I don’t know if I’m going to find a pered in the first game of the second set slipped from her hand, as Jelena her climb back to the top 10. lot, but she must be playing tremen- and she decided she couldn’t continue. had said, so it was just a code viola- Azarenka started the year at dously well to beat Bencic and win Sharapova and Halep both with- tion and move onto the next point.” number 22 and is unseeded this week. three qualifying rounds.” drew from the tournament before Broady, who knocked out former She said she was pleased with how Meanwhile, second seed Garbine their opening matches, Sharapova world number one Ana Ivanovic in she had been able to take control of the Muguruza joined defending champion with an arm injury and Halep with the first round on Tuesday, settled match midway through the first set. Maria Sharapova and world number a sore Achilles. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Ysaline quicker to take the tiebreak and “I think just to feel the momentum two Simona Halep on the Brisbane Their withdrawals mean fourth Bonaventure of Belgium on day 4 of the Brisbane International Tennis force a deciding set but she looked shift in the match was important, you International sidelines after retiring seed Angelique Kerber is the highest Tournament in Brisbane, yesterday. down and out as she trailed 5-1 in know, in the beginning of the year,” hurt in her match against Varvara ranked player left in the tournament. the third. But the British qualifier saved a second match point as she stormed back to prevail 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5, helped by 21 aces, and book a spot in the quarter-finals where she will Radwanska marches through in Shenzhen face American fifth seed Sloane Stephens. Both players shook hands at the Agencies Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam, hav- Auckland Classic yesterday while tour Nao Hibino of Japan. to him that it slipped from her hand, end of the contest but bad blood ing lost the first 7-5. battlers continued to shine. Fourth seed However, Naomi Broady followed so he said it was just a code violation remained with Broady clearly angry Begu’s compatriot, fourth Kuznetsova was beaten in straight sets up from her upset victory over Ivanovic or something.” about the incident and repeating her seed Monica Niculescu, was also by Austrian qualifier Tamira Paszek to come from one set down to beat Paszek, ranked 172, and fellow accusation that Ostapenko inten- BEIJING: Polish top seed Agnieszka eliminated from the $500,000 while seventh seed Barbora Strycova Latvian Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 7-6 qualifier Kirsten Flipkins, who turns tionally threw her racquet in the Radwanska breezed through the sec- tournament in the southern Chi- went down to German Julia Goerges. (7/4), 7-5 in a spiteful match. 30 on Sunday and is ranked 85, have second set. ond round of the WTA Shenzhen Open nese boom town, with Hungary’s Going into the quarter-finals today, During the second-set tie-break, emerged as two of the strongest The umpire attempted to quell yesterday in straight sets, leaving her Tímea Babos, ranked 70 in the world, third-seed Caroline Wozniacki and Broady appealed for Ostapenko to be underdogs but are set to clash in the the trouble as the players contin- one of only two seeds left in the tour- beating her 6-1, 6-4. fifth-seed Sloane Stephens are the disqualified after the Latvian threw quarter-finals. ued their verbal volleys. nament. The world number five and Aside from Radwanska, the only only seeded players remaining and her racket and it appeared to hit a ball- Flipkins made the final eight with a “Jelena commented that my winner of the WTA Finals in Singapore other seed to reach Thursday’s quarter- both are in the same half of the draw. boy, however the umpire allowed play 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 win over American Irina behaviour was terrible,” Broady said. in November sent her home opponent finals was Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard, The exit of the big names began in to continue. Falconi. “Which I thought was a bit out Zhang Shuai packing 6-1, 7-5 in an the number six seed beating Nicole the first round when Venus Williams “It was quite clear that she threw “Anything could happen from here. of order, considering the events that hour and 10 minutes. Gibbs of the US 6-4, 6-2. and Ana Ivanovic were both beaten. her racket and it hit a ball kid, which Paszek will be a tough opponent. She had gone on in the match. I don’t But Romanian third seed Irina- Meanwhile, Svetlana Kuznetsova Williams conqueror, Daria Kasat- should be straight disqualified,” beat Kuznetsova quite easy. I saw a think I did anything disrespectful Camelia Begu went out, retiring joined the growing list of seeded play- kina, could progress no further, beaten Broady said. little bit of the match and she was on to her, or anyone else on the court. half-way through the second set against ers making an early exit from the WTA in her second match by 66th-ranked “The chair umpire said Jelena said fire,” Flipkins said. SPORT THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 35 In-form Butler leads Bulls to fifth straight win

Star produces another BASKETBALL: NBA ROUND-UP fiery show to score 32 points as Bulls stretch lead earlier in the contest. winning streak The Knicks have now won two straight and three of their last four. Afflalo, who scored 38 against the Hawks on Sunday, shot nine-for-16, AFP including two-for-two on three-point- ers. He added seven rebounds and four assists. Anthony made eight-of-22 with 11 LOS ANGELES: Jimmy Butler scored rebounds and seven assists. 32 points as the Chicago Bulls stretched Forward Kristaps Porzingis scored their winning streak to a season-high 17 points and added 11 rebounds, while five games with a 117-106 victory over Derrick Williams scored 15 off the the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. bench. The Bulls opened the first quarter Deron Williams rattled in a three on a 10-0 run and never trailed, despite pointer from the corner at the buzzer the Bucks pulling to within one point to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 117- twice in the game in front of a crowd 116 win over the Sacramento Kings of 21,600 at the United Center arena. in double overtime. Butler, who was coming off a Williams game winner capped an 42-point performance against Toronto 8-0 run for the Mavs at American Air- on Sunday, continued to have the hot lines Center. hand on Tuesday. The Mavericks ended a two-game He scored 12 points in the first losing streak and beat the Kings for the quarter and had 20 points by halftime. 22nd straight time in Dallas. Butler shot 11-of-21 from the field, Guard Klay Thompson scored 36 eight-of-eight from the free-throw line points and Stephen Curry tallied 17 and dished out 10 assists on the night. before heading to the locker room with “I am used to playing with talent, a recurring leg injury as the Golden USA Basketball, the select team. The State Warriors beat the Los Angeles way Jimmy is playing now is unreal and Lakers 109-88. it is fun to watch,” said Bulls guard Der- The reigning league MVP Curry rick Rose.The Bulls improved to 21-12 took another blow in the third quar- on the season and have scored 100- ter Tuesday on his sore left leg that plus points in their last eight games. kept him out of two games last week. Butler said they have started to really He missed all of the fourth quarter on believe in each other. Tuesday. “We got a real good team,” said Los Angeles star Kobe Bryant Butler. Jimmy Butler (second right) of the Chicago Bulls drives between Milwaukee Bucks players during their NBA game at the United Center on missed his third consecutive game “But if we don’t play for one another, Tuesday. RIGHT: New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half fo their NBA with a sore right shoulder. don’t stick together, we’re not a really basketball game at Philips Arena in Atlanta, on Tuesday. The Lakers also had their three- good team.” game win streak halted. The Bucks have struggled away from home all season and dropped Rose, who had missed the previ- in the win. The Bucks twice pulled to 23-17 in the fourth quarter. as the New York Knicks beat the Atlanta to 5-16 on the road. ous three games with right hamstring within just a single point. Bucks guard Khris Middleton scored Hawks 107-101. NBA RESULTS They also lost at home to the San tendinitis, returned to score 16 points The final time occurred when they a team-high 26 points, while guard The Knicks nailed down the win NY Knicks 107 Atlanta 101 Antonio Spurs on Monday. on eight-of-17 shooting and six assists. got to 90-89 with just under a minute Michael Carter-Williams finished with with 18 seconds remaining, when Jose Chicago 117 Milwaukee 106 Bulls centre Pau Gasol had 26 Forward Taj Gibson finished with 11 left in the third quarter. 20 points and 12 assists. Calderon scored on a driving layup. Dallas 117 Sacramento 116 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and points, 14 rebounds and six blocks and The Bulls closed the quarter on a Guard Arron Afflalo and forward They allowed the Hawks to get within three blocks. forward Nikola Mirotic added 14 points 5-0 run and then outscored the Bucks Carmelo Anthony each scored 23 points two points after building a 16-point Golden State 109 LA Lakers 88 Blackhawks edge out Penguins

Agencies Fargo Center. After dropping three in ICE HOCKEY: NHL ROUND-UP a row -- all on the road while being outscored 10-5 -- the Flyers (16-15- 7) received multi-point efforts from NEW YORK: Artemi Panarin’s second Goalie Roberto Luongo made 31 Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier and goal of the game came in overtime and saves. Shayne Gostisbehere to pick up their gave the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 Wild 4, Blue Jackets 2 first victory since Dec. 21. victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Zach Parise recorded his first For the Canadiens (22-16-3), their Jonathan Toews also scored for hat-trick of the season, leading the disappointing eight-game road swing Chicago. Minnesota Wild to a 4-2 win over the came to a conclusion as they went 2-6-0 Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang had Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday at on the trip and were outscored 33-18. scored for the Penguins, who erased Nationwide Arena. Flames 3, Lightning 1 a 2-0 deficit. Parise, who increased his season Flames goaltender Karri Ramo Rangers 6, Stars 3 total to 14 goals, was set up on both of stopped 30 of 31 shots he faced to Derek Stepan scored twice to help his first two goals by Mikael Granlund. backstop Calgary to a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers to an easy 6-3 Capitals 3, Bruins 2 the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Sco- victory against the league-leading Dal- The Washington Capitals took tiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. las Stars at Madison Square Garden over top spot in the standings with Looking for his second straight on Tuesday night. a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins shutout, Ramo gave up a late goal to Derick Brassard, Viktor Stalberg, on Tuesday. Lightning center Steven Stamkos with Jayson Megna and Keith Yandle also Evgeny Kuznetsov scored one just 1:39 left in the third period. scored for the Rangers, who are 3-2-0 goal and set up another and Braden in their past five games after a 3-9-2 Holtby stopped 25 shots for the Cap- NHL RESULTS stretch. itals, who are 10-1-1 in their last 12 Washington 3 Boston 2 Panthers 5, Sabres 1 games. Washington (29-7-3) passed Florida 5 Buffalo 1 Five Florida players scored, lead- the Dallas Stars, who lost Tuesday to ing the Panthers to a 5-1 win over the the New York Rangers, for No. 1 in the NY Rangers 6 Dallas 3 Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Jaromir overall standings. Chicago 3 Pittsburgh 2 Jagr, Derek Mackenzie, Corban Knight, Flyers 4, Canadiens 3 Minnesota 4 Columbus 2 Jonathan Huberdeau and Brandon The Philadelphia Flyers came Philadelphia 4 Montreal 3 Pirri scored for Florida (24-12-4), who home and their scuffling offense came The Chicago Blackhawks players celebrate a game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Winnipeg 4 Nashville 1 extended their franchise-best win- to life in a 4-3 victory over the Mon- their NHL game at Consol Energy Center on Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ning streak to 10 games. treal Canadiens on Tuesday at Wells Calgary 3 Tampa Bay 1 NFL: Tom Coughlin’s willingness to change led to Super Bowl

Reuters approach after he took charge of the So I’ve done that. I’m better for it.” brought this up was with our ‘07 team, is our duty to equip these men with team in 2004 and three of them filed Facing pressure from ownership is there’s a higher ground. There’s a the virtues that will last a lifetime, the grievances against him for fining them in 2006 to right the ship after an 8-8 greater purpose. That purpose is team. values like honesty, trust, responsibil- for being less than five minutes early season, Coughlin established a players’ “Winning, losing, playing hard, playing ity, respect, service and integrity...,” EAST RUTHERFORD: Tom Coughlin to scheduled meetings. council to serve as a sounding board well, doing it for each other, winning he added. (pictured) turned an expansion team Even his Hall of Fame defensive and improved communication helped the right way. Winning the right way is Coughlin, who led the Jaguars to into a contender then found Super Bowl end Michael Strahan bristled at a fine bond team and coach in a charge to a a very, very important thing to me and the AFC title game in only his second glory with the New York Giants after for being just three minutes early to Super Bowl title in 2007. all of our coaches. That’s what moti- season as an NFL head coach, leads ditching his authoritarian approach a meeting. The Giants’ championship victory vates and inspires us.” by example. for a more inclusive style. But Coughlin softened his approach, ruined the New England Patriots’ bid Coughlin, whose 170 regular sea- “What’s next for this guy Coughlin? Coughlin remarkably had the in some respects, and went on to achieve to record the NFL’s first 19-0 season. son wins puts him in a share of 11th I don’t know exactly what is next for Jacksonville Jaguars one win away Super Bowl glory. Four years later the Giants again place on the NFL’s all-time list, said me,” said Coughlin, who left the door from a Super Bowl berth in their sec- The 69-year-old Coughlin, who beat the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady- teaching life lessons was most impor- open to a return to coaching. ond National Football League season resigned on Monday after 12 years in led Patriots with a late Super Bowl tant to him. “Championships are won “But I do know ... we will devote a but it wasn’t until he joined the Giants charge of the Giants, gave a rousing touchdown drive. by teams who love one another, who lot of our energy to the Jay Fund Foun- that he reached the top of the coach- farewell address to a packed news con- “In professional football, the goal love and respect one another, who play dation,” he said, referring specifically ing profession. ference on Tuesday that appropriately I’ve developed and I’ve learned,” Cough- is to win. We all know that,” Cough- for and support one another,” he said. to the ‘Be There’ campaign for the New He faced a near mutiny from began five minutes before the schedule. lin said about his tenure with the Giants. lin said. “While it is the job of the head coach York, New Jersey area, to help families Giants players disgruntled by his strict “I’ve changed and I’ve grown and “You better do that or you’re dead. “But my contention is, when I first to get the technical football right ... it with cancer-stricken children. THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 36 Al Rayyan register huge win as Saad stars in Al Sadd’s victory

Al Sadd thrash Qatar Sports Club 96-72 while Al Rayyan surpass Al Ahli 110- 53 to earn winning points

The Peninsula

DOHA: Abdulrahman Saad, Suliman Abdi and Anthony Raffa topped the 20 mark as Al Sadd recorded a con- vincing 96-72 win over Qatar Sports Club in the Qatar Basketball League on Tuesday. Saad top-scored for the winners with 24, including 18 from three-point- ers, while Abdi and Raffa posted 21 each in yet another one-side game in the competition. Al Sadd were off to an 8-4 lead in the first five minutes and kept on increasing their advantage with the result that by the time the teams entered the final quarter at the Qatar Sports Action during a match at the Qatar Basketball League in Doha on Tuesday. Club were trailing by 23 points (46-69) with very little chance of catching up. Al Sadd scored 15 fast break points and also recorded 21 points from turn- QATAR BASKETBALL took them off the mark to 15-0 within Hassan Mohamed (14), Abdelrahman overs while Qatar Sports Club were LEAGUE MATCHES the first couple of minutes, was too Abdelhaleem (11) and Tanguy Alban way behind. much for Ahli to handle. Ngombo (10) were the others in dou- For Qatar Sports Club, Anthony James Dominic Davon led the ble figures. White scored 25, while Jefferson Con- Rayyan scoresheet on points with For Ahli, Roberson Lamar Demond stevous and Faraj Aman had 18 and With as many as seven players in 22 of those, while Alexander Quintin and Jimmy D Williams scored 16 points 14 respectively. double figures, Rayyan never let go Immanuel adding 20, besides notch- each, while Ndoye Elhadj Seydou con- In the second match of the day, a off the lead in the 40 minutes, even- ing up 14 rebounds. tributed a total of 13 points against Action during a match at the Qatar Basketball League in Doha on team effort helped Al Rayyan brush tually winning by a 57-point margin. Malek Salem Abdulla (15 points), Al Rayyan. Tuesday. aside Al Ahli 110-53. Rayyan’s free-flowing game, which Yasseen Ismail Musa (14), Mohamed Djamel named QSL Coach of the Month

The Peninsula comprehensive 6-2 victory over Al exhibited considerable flair dribbling Wakrah. the ball on average 20 times a game, Lekhwiya have been resurgent almost double the average of 11 drib- DOHA: Lekhwiya Head Coach Djamel in recent weeks, returning their title bles for a QSL side. Belmadi has been announced as the winning best. Powered by the dynamic midfield QSL Coach of the Month for Decem- The statistics provided by Pro- of Yousef Msakni, Vladimir Weiss and ber 2015. zone form the basis of the judgement Nam Tae Hee the current QSL champi- The Algerian tactician has guided criteria for the player and coach of ons have had an impressive unbeaten his side to five consecutive wins, the month. period, which now stretches back to including impressive 4-0 victories This is reflected in the average seven QSL games. over Al Ahli and Al Gharafa. amount of passes by the side over the Lekhwiya’s impressive month was Whilst during the five game period, five week period. topped off with Belmadi scooping the Lekhwiya have registered 18 goals. The Red Knights averaged 496 QSL coach of the month award. Lekhwiya midfielder Youssef Msakni has been announced as the QSL player of the month for It’s not only in front of goal that the passes per game, which is way above The Red Knights will be looking December. Red Knights have been impressive. the 400 pass average for QSL sides. now to maintain this good run of form They have only conceded three Whilst controlling the ball was as they remain in the hunt for silver- goals, two of which came in the crucial for the side, Lekhiwya also ware this season. Msakni wins Player of the Month honour

The Peninsula of 218 meters per game. QATAR BASKETBALL Whilst the technical statis- LEAGUE UPDATES tics also suggest that the tricky DOHA: Lekhwiya midfielder Youssef midfielders average of 3.2 shots Msakni has been announced as the per game inside the penalty area, QSL player of the month for Decem- which dwarfs the QSL positional ber. racked up an Impressive perform- average of 0.4 per match. Such a The Tunisian international ance ranking of 92.5 over the five high number of shots in the area picked up the award at his sides games. Not only this, but Msakni also would have contributed to his haul training ground. The award caps contributed five goals and had five of five goals, including two goals a fantastic month for the current assists during the period for his side. in the 4-0 humbling of rivals Al QSL Champions, after head coach Physical statistics which are Gharafa. Djamel Belmadi picked up coach provided by Prozone also suggest Lekhwiya are currently in third of the month award for December. that Msakni excelled over the five spot in the QSL, they will be hop- Statistics provided by Prozone games. In terms of sprinting dis- ing that this good vein continues form the basis of the judgement cri- tance, the midfielder ran a total of into the second half of the season, teria for the player and coach of the 302 meters per game this eclipses as they look to chase for honors month. The creative midfielder the QSL positional average distance domestically. Lekhwiya Head Coach Djamel Belmadi has been announced as the QSL Coach of the Month for December.

Qatar to vie at Austria 2017 Thais arrive in Doha for AFC U-23 Championship

The Peninsula Sunday morning, the Thais flew out of defence, both play for Thai Premier “We had our last training session DOHA: Around 14 participants including 8 athletes (male and female) that same evening for Qatar, where League outfit BEC Tero Sasana and today (Sunday) to review all the tac- will represent Qatar Paralympic Committee (QPC) in the Special Olym- the AFC U23 Championship will be have emerged as key players for the tics for one last time before heading pics World Winter Games which will run from March 17 to 25, 2017 DOHA: There was plenty for Thai- held from January 12 to 30. senior national team, which Kiatisuk off to Doha,” said Kiatisuk, according in Austria. In 2017, Austria will welcome almost 3,000 Special Olym- land to smile about as they arrived in Last week, Thailand coach Kiatisuk is also in charge of. to Bangkok Post. pics athletes from 110 nations to compete in nine Olympic-type winter Qatar in preparation for the upcom- Senamuang had finalised his 23-man Speaking ahead of their depar- “Our only problem now is that we sports. The Special Olympics World Winter Games returns to Austria, ing AFC U-23 Championship, after it squad for the tournament, although ture from Bangkok on Sunday night, haven’t had enough warm-up matches the location of the fifth Special Olympics World Winter Games in 1993 was confirmed that Tanaboon Kesarat there were lingering doubts over the the War Elephants coach assured that to test our team. in Salzburg and Schladming. 1,600 athletes from 63 nations competed and Tristan Do have both returned to availability of centre-back Tanaboon the duo will both be 100 per cent ready After their game against the Sau- in five sports in these Games, which were the first World Games held full fitness. Kesarat and full-back Tristan Do. for the tournament, and also provided dis, Thailand face off against giants outside the United States. After completing their final training Tanaboon (pictured, centre), who insight into their final preparations Japan onJanuary 16 before finishing session on home soil at the Rajaman- can also play in midfield, and Do, who ahead of their opening Group B game their Group B campaign against DPR gala National Stadium in Bangkok on is usually deployed on the right side against Saudi Arabia on January 13. Korea three days later.