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QIIC bags two regional awards Business | 17

Sunday 23 November 2014 • 1 Safar 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6258 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780

UAE leader invited to summit Iran, powers still far from deal Ashghal in VIENNA: Iran and world pow- ers still appeared a long way off from a nuclear deal late yester- day with US Secretary of State John Kerry and officials on both community sides warning of major gaps two days before a deadline. “We’re working hard,” Kerry said in Vienna, “and we hope we’re making careful progress, but we have big gaps, we still have outreach bid some serious gaps, which we’re working to close.” Kerry met Iranian Foreign Move to help minimise traffic jams Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the afternoon, their fourth DOHA: The Public Works providing safe access to schools in meeting in three days. Authority has launched a com- the area. German Foreign Minister munity engagement programme The audience was briefed about Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in to interact with residents, busi- the project and its future stages by the Austrian capital since mid- ness owners and school manage- Ashghal officials. day yesterday, called this final ments in areas it is executing Present were the manager of weekend of talks, after months of projects in to explain issues the expressway project depart- The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has invited the UAE President H H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed negotiations, a “moment of truth”. like traffic diversions and road ment in Ashghal, Nasser Al Al Nahyan to the GCC summit to be held in Doha next month. The Minister of State H E Abdullah bin Khalifa AFP safety. Kuwari, and Abdullah Saad Al Al Attiyah handed over the invitation to the UAE Vice President and Dubai ruler H E Sheikh Mohammed bin See also page 7 The idea is to seek suggestions Saad, PR manager. Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai yesterday. on how best to minimise the incon- Yesterday’s community event venience caused to people and keep was held by Ashghal in coordina- open channels of communication tion with Al Jabir Transport and with local communities. Contracting Company, which is It is a novel initiative and executing the Rawdat Al Khail launched, arguably, for the first extension project. New SEC rules make parents jittery time. To ensure workers’ safety, Al The Authority (Ashghal) Jabir has launched a novel project DOHA: New enrolment rules being imposed certificates within a few days, it is learnt. marks cards for classes 3, 4 and 5. However, introduced a key expressway pro- — a mobile training centre for by the Supreme Education Council (SEC) on “This rule was introduced last year, but the the marks cards need not be attested. The new gramme to residents and business workers. private schools have made many students SEC has started implementing it strictly from rules apply to students seeking admission to owners of Rawdat Al Khail area A bus has been fully equipped and parents jittery. the current academic year as part of organising Class 2 and above, said the official. yesterday as part of the above ini- with facilities to train workers Parents of several newly enrolled Indian the admission procedures,” said an official from These certificates must be submitted to tiative, a press statement said. and site supervisors on key safety students are running against time to get an Indian school. the SEC, which will verify them and issue an The Rawdat Al Khail Road issues related to working in con- their children’s transfer certificates attested A student moving from a school in India equivalency certificate. A scanned copy of the Extension project, which is part of fined areas or at high altitudes like by authorities in India after the SEC made that follows the Central Board of Secondary equivalency certificate must be provided while Ashghal’s expressway programme, high-rise buildings, and on avoid- this attestation mandatory, say Indian school Education (CBSE) curriculum must get his registering the student on the SEC website. involves construction of an eight- ing sunstroke. sources. transfer certificate attested by the regional “SEC has closed the online registration of kilometre-long road, in both direc- Contacted for comment, a Every student changing school and joining a office of the CBSE and then by the Ministry students for the current academic year. It is not tions, between the Industrial Area prominent Central Municipal private school in Qatar must produce a transfer of External Affairs in India and the Qatari clear what will happen to the new students who Road and Mesaimeer Interchange Council member, Mohamed Saleh certificate from the institution he or she pre- embassy in New Delhi, he explained. have not yet submitted the attested certificates. and Abu Hamour Interchange. Al Khayarin, while welcoming viously studied in. As per the new rules, this If the student is coming from a school fol- We are awaiting a clarification on this issue,” Rawdat Al Khail is the new Ashghal’s move, said a major prob- certificate must be attested by the authorities lowing the curriculum of any of the state edu- said the official. name of the area that was previ- lem with Ashghal was that it was in the home countries as well as the Qatari cation boards in India, he or she must get the He said some parents had approached the ously known as Al Muntazah Park delaying projects, causing incon- embassies there, said the sources. attestation done first by the District Education SEC asking for more time and they had been area. venience to people. Certificates that fail to meet this Officer and then by the Foreign Ministry and given two weeks to produce the attested doc- Schools in the area were also “They must cite the reasons for requirement could be rejected by the SEC the Qatari embassy. uments. Some parents have also complained represented along with local resi- delays in completion of a project,” and the student may be denied admis- Along with the transfer certificate, the stu- about the high fees charged by agencies here dents and businesses. Al Khayarin told this newspaper. sion. Some schools that have temporarily dent must also produce the marks cards for the providing document attestation services. The meeting discussed ways to THE PENINSULA enrolled newly arrived students this year past three years. Suppose a student is seeking THE PENINSULA ensure the safety of students by Continued on page 6 have asked them to produce the attested admission in Class 6, he/she must produce the Continued on page 6

Cold night forecast in Al Khor Two investment funds DOHA: The night could be chilly in Al Khor today as the to be launched at QE minimum temperature forecast is 16 degrees Celsius. The day DOHA: In a first, two investment funds are to be launched at will, however, be hot with the the Qatari bourse and one of them is to be listed as early as the mercury hovering at 30 degrees year-end. Celsius. The CEO of Qatar Exchange (QE) said in a statement to QNA In Doha, the temperature at that the fund to be listed this year was in the final stages of approval. night is expected to be 21 degrees About the second investment fund, titled Al Rayyan Fund, Rashid C, while the day will be hot at 32 Al Mansoori said that negotiations were being held with the regula- degrees C. The day will be rela- tors, Qatar Financial Markets Authority and Qatar Central Bank, tively cool in Al Ruwais, with the to give final touches to the listing plan. maximum temperature forecast The CEO said that after QE’s status was upgraded to Emerging being 27 degrees C. Market, more foreign investment had been flowing into the market. The meteorological department The bourse administration has been getting a good response from said in its forecast for today that small- and medium-sized enterprises for listing on the upcoming there were chances of scattered venture or parallel market. rains at some places. About overhauling the website of QE, Al Mansoori said it was open THE PENINSULA 24 hours and was updated regularly, sometimes every hour. A voter casts his ballot during parliamentary elections at a polling station set up at the Seef Mall shopping centre Shebab execute in Manama yesterday. 28 non-Muslims GCC ministers to discuss GARISSA: Somalia’s Shebab pvt sector jobs for citizens Islamists yesterday seized a Opposition boycott mars Bahrain polls bus in Kenya, executing 28 non- DOHA: Labour ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council Muslim passengers in revenge MANAMA: Bahrain went to rulers to ease their “monopoly” The move came after officials (GCC) member-states are meeting in Kuwait today to discuss, for police raids on mosques in the polls yesterday for its first on power could trigger a surge in said only 10 percent of eligible among other issues, ways to encourage private sectors in their the port of Mombasa. legislative elections since a failed violence. voters had cast ballots two hours respective countries to provide more jobs to locals and GCC The bus headed for the capi- pro-democracy uprising in 2011, In the Shia village of Sanabes, before polling stations were to nationals. tal Nairobi was ambushed after with the opposition boycott- west of Manama, clashes erupted have been closed. On the sidelines of the ministers’ conclave, undersecretaries of departing from Mandera, a town ing the vote in the tiny Gulf between youths and security forces Almost 350,000 Bahrainis have the labour and social affairs ministries in the GCC states will also lying on the border with Somalia. monarchy. in the afternoon, a reporter said. been called to elect a 40-member be meeting. The around 60 passengers on The country remains divided Security forces fired tear gas to parliament, with most of the 266 The meetings and workshops will continue until Tuesday, QNA board were ordered off and the nearly four years after security disperse the demonstrators, some candidates Sunnis. reported. travellers separated by the gunmen forces in the Sunni Muslim-ruled of whom were masked and armed The vote has been denounced by Companies and small and medium-sized enterprises from the region into Muslims and non-Muslims. kingdom crushed Arab Spring- with petrol bombs. critics as a farce. will be awarded for launching social welfare projects as part of their The militants then had the inspired protests led by majority Voting had been due to last 12 After authorities crushed a social responsibility commitments. non-Muslims reboard the bus and Shias. hours until 1700 GMT, but this month-long uprising calling for Former labour ministers of the GCC states will also be honoured, tried to drive off with them, but Al Wefaq, the main opposi- was later extended for two more democratic reform, Al Wefaq for their contribution to social welfare schemes for their country’s the vehicle got stuck so they killed tion group, warned on the eve of hours, according to state media, in withdraw its 18 lawmakers. citizens. them. AFP the vote that failure by Bahrain’s a likely bid to boost turnout. AFP THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME HMC meet highlights Algerian prime minister arrives plight of RTI victims 25 percent of road accident victims need rehabilitation

DOHA: At least 25 percent of their experiences and highlight the victim arrives at the hospital. patients needing rehabilita- how speeding contributed to their “The impact of collisions due tion care are victims of road accidents. to vehicles moving at high speeds traffic injuries (RTIs) at the Abdelrahman, a young Qatari can cause severe and fatal inju- Hamad Medical Corporation said that even though he has been ries,” said Dr Consunji. (HMC)’s Physical Medicine and confined to a wheelchair since his “Requiring seatbelts for all Rehabilitation Department. injury ten years ago, he has man- vehicle passengers, child passen- HMC recently commemorated aged to succeed in life just like any ger restraint laws and reducing the World Day of Remembrance other individual, continuing with speed limits in urban areas are of Road Traffic Victims (WDR), his studies, working, and even all proven methods for reducing raising awareness about preven- competing successfully in sports. injuries and deaths from high- tion of RTIs and deaths on Qatar’s ‘Speed kills – design out speed crashes. Implementing and roads speeding’ was the theme for this enforcing these measures can go While introducing victims year’s WDR, which was organ- a long way towards ensuring the of RTI at the WDR event, ized within the framework of the safety of everyone on the roads.” Dr Somaya Al Molawi from United Nations Decade of Action A study on seatbelt compliance HMC’s Physical Medicine and for Road Safety 2011-2020 and among patients with orthopedic Rehabilitation Department, said its lead agency, the World Health injuries admitted to HGH showed at least one out of four patients Organization. that only 36 percent of all patients Prime Minister of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Abdelmalek Sellal arrived in Doha yesterday. needing rehabilitation care is a Dr Rafael Consunji, Director were using a seatbelt, and that The Algerian Premier and his delegation were welcomed at Hamad International Airport by the Minister of victim of an RTI. of the HIPP cited speeding as a most non-users were young males Finance H E Ali Sherif Al Emadi, Qatar’s Ambassador to Algeria Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Sahlawi and Algeria’s Abdulrahman Al Yafei and consistent contributor to crashes (with an average age of 32 years) Ambassador to Qatar Abdul Fattah Zayyani. Hassan Saleem, victims of crashes that cause severe injury and from a Middle Eastern country, involving a vehicle and a motorcy- death, as demonstrated by the driving a four-wheel vehicle, and cle respectively, and Nel Balquin, fact that more than half of the with a crash that occurred on a a pedestrian who was hit by a car, road deaths in Qatar happen at main road. were present at the event to share the scene of the crash or before THE PENINSULA Booths for CMC polls finalised

DOHA: Polling centres for the been finalised and some had been 29 constituencies of the Central changed. Municipal Council (CMC) have Al Khulaifi told QNA yester- been decided more than five day that he urges eligible voters months ahead of the Council’s to register their names in the next election which is due in voter list which is being prepared May 2015. afresh after the re-demarcation After the re-demarcation of of the constituencies. the constituencies, polling sta- “All eligible voters must regis- tions in some of them (constitu- ter afresh using the Ministry of encies) have been changed. Interior website,” he said. The 29-member CMC has a About eligibility to vote, he said four-year term and it goes to the the person must be originally a polls every four years. The first Qatari national or must be a nat- CMC election was held in early uralised Qatari for 15 years. 1999. The voter must be 18 years of The next election will be the and inspected them. age and must not have been con- fifth for the CMC and will be held Brigadier Majid Ibrahim Al victed of an offense prejudicial to in May 2015. Khulaifi (pictured), director of honor or trust, and he or she must A committee set up at the elections department and chair- be a resident of the constituency Ministry of Interior to super- man of the poll supervisory com- where he or she would cast their vise the next CMC poll said it has mittee, said the polling centres vote. Some of the guests and officials during an event to mark the World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims. decided all the polling stations for all the 29 CMC wards had THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03 Alice Middle East introduced in three schools Software to help computer studies

DOHA: An animation software been taking the lead, by intro- designed to help primary and ducing Alice as a tool to engage secondary school students learn students in computing and also the basics of computer pro- by training teachers in Qatar’s gramming is implemented in schools to implement and inte- three schools as a pilot project. grate the new curriculum. A team of faculty and students “We believe basic program- from Carnegie Mellon University ming skills in a student’s pri- Saquib Razak, Assistant Teaching Professor at CMU-Q, speaking during a demonstration and roundtable discussion on Alice Middle Eeast at the university in Qatar (CMU-Q) has recently mary and secondary education is yesterday. (KAMMUTTY VP) introduced ‘Alice Middle East,’ essential for future areas of study a 3-D interactive educational and programs such as Alice are possibility of developing a version in two independent schools, Ali bin the Middle East. helping bridge what a student has animation software which teach helping then efficiently grasp of Alice for the Middle East. Abi Talib Independent School “The goal of the project is to learned in a school setting with students how to apply logical problem solving skills,” said Ilker Funded by the Qatar National (year 8) and Khalid bin Waleed make it easy for young students their home culture. We have also thinking and problem solving Baybars, dean of Carnegie Mellon Research Fund (QNRF) National Independent School (year 8). to explore computer science con- developed a textbook for Arabic- techniques. University in Qatar yesterday at Priorities Research Programme, Alice was localised with 3D cepts through developing inter- speaking students,” said Razak. In learning to program, many a press conference. ‘Alice Middle East’ was first models relevant to Qatari cul- esting 3-D animations that are Carnegie Mellon faculty are also students struggle with developing Alice was initially developed at implemented in 2012 with an ini- ture making the student learning both fun to create and educa- tracking the students’ progress algorithms and figuring out how the Carnegie Mellon University in tial pilot program in AI Arqam experience smooth. tional. For ‘Alice Middle East’ we through in-depth analysis which to apply problem solving tech- Pittsburg. Academy, a private English- Saquib Razak, assistant teach- developed 3-D models relevant to will measure the impact ‘Alice’ niques. ‘Alice’ enables students H H Sheikha Moza bint speaking school in Doha. ing professor of computer science Qatari culture, including camels, has had upon their performance to learn these skills through 3D Nasser’s keen interest in ‘Alice’ Then the Supreme Education at Carnegie Mellon Qatar was land cruisers and Zubarah fort, in fields such as computing, tech- animations and storytelling. in 2008, has prompted Carnegie Council (SEC) has piloted ‘Alice tasked with the localisation of the making the student learning nology and math. Carnegie Mellon faculty have Mellon faculty to explore the Middle East’ since September 2014 existing US version of ‘Alice’ for experience more contextual and THE PENINSULA

Qatar Red Crescent, Qatar Charity sign pact

DOHA: Qatar Red Crescent of field presence and the size of defined methodology. The annual QC’s Yusuf bin Ahmed said: (QRC)’s Secretary–General the projects in different countries, joint plans will comprise a set of “In QC, we have an outlook. This Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi mutual capacity-building, max- well-considered projects. agreement with QRC will con- and Qatar Charity (QC)’s CEO imisation of resource mobilisa- To ensure the effectiveness and tribute to our joint presence, will Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari tion opportunities, promotion of continuity of the alliance, QRC enhance opportunities for our signed an alliance agreement at opportunities to influence devel- and QC shall allocate QR10m organisations to influence devel- QRC headquarters to push for- opment and humanitarian issues annually as self-financing for opment and humanitarian issues ward their organisations’ coop- relevant to their scope of inter- projects of joint cooperation. at the regional and international eration and help them achieve national and regional work, and QRC’s Al Mohannadi said that level, and will enable both organi- common goals in an integral the development of best practices. the pact culminates joint efforts sations to cope with Qatar’s lead- manner in several humanitar- The agreement provides for and agreements in previous years. ing role in the humanitarian field.” ian and charity projects. the development of jointly coor- He stressed that this strategic The agreement has been put Through this alliance, both dinated annual plans, taking into partnership “will have an impact into action since it was signed Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Kuwari and Saleh bin Ali Al Mohannadi signing the parties aim to achieve goals such account the objectives of this stra- on the agreed humanitarian and and approved by the two parties. agreement. as: the allocation of roles in terms tegic alliance in accordance with a development aspects”. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar Charity opens school, mosque in Mali Ali Bin Ali Group-funded school a boost for Sokaina village

DOHA: Qatar Charity (QC) has particularly in the poorest areas. welfare of children and takes care opened a school and a mosque in The opening of the school was of orphaned children in Bamako the Republic of Mali as part of a attended by a number of ministers and the surrounding areas, aged range of developmental and cul- and officials from the government 3 - 18 years, accommodating the tural projects implemented in of Mali, including the Minister village’s 99 orphaned children, in the country. for Women and Children, the addition to a number of volun- The two projects were opened Minister of Education and the teers and supervisors. by Jassim Abdullah Jassim, Minister of Sports, as well as The village consists of a school Adviser and Representative of international football player and and training centre, a health the QC CEO, during a recent QC Ambassador, Omar Kanoute. centre, a mosque, sports and field trip. The school will benefit a number recreational facilities and family Jassim was briefed on the of orphans and other local homes, each of which can accom- activities of the QC field office children. modate around 11 children with a and he oversaw the opening of a Jassim said that the project nursemaid. number of projects designed to comes in the context of seeking to There is also a farm which sup- improve the standard of living support education in the Republic plies the village with its products, of the people of Mali, including of Mali, especially in areas inhab- carries out agricultural training, schools, mosques, artesian wells ited by the poorest people. in addition to an accommodation and income-generating projects. A mosque in the village of for visiting volunteers. The school named Hamad Adel Sokaina was also opened. The The Ali Bin Ali Group provided Ali bin Ali Al Muslimani was mosque is built on an area of the funding for the construction funded by the Ali Bin Ali Group, 200 square meters, and includes and operation of the village and in Sokaina village in Nagba Cor toilets and full furnishing and this collaboration came after a Jassim Abdullah Jassim opening the Hamad Adel Ali bin Ali Al Muslimani School in Sokaina village in Mali. Dora, a suburb of the Malian equipment. Omar Kanoute also meeting between Kanoute and capital of Bamako. attended this opening. Adel Ali bin Ali, President and Star initiative which was set up first classes of primary school at of announcing its appeal in the The school includes 18 class- Kanoute, Chairman of the Chairman of the Board at Ali this year. the first stage of the project. local newspapers. The mosque rooms and an administration Kanoute Foundation, has over- Bin Ali, in the presence of QC The school will provide free The Qatar Charity’s Stars ini- is of great importance within room, 17 bathrooms and two seen a number of projects in Ambassador Mohammed Saadoun education for the children of the tiative also funded the Sokaina the Orphan’s Village and is also boreholes and comes as part Mali, including the project of Al Kuwari. The collaboration aims Village of Sokaina and its neigh- village’s mosque for orphaned expected to benefit five surround- of QC’s interest in charitable Sokaina Children Village, which to support charitable work in the bouring villages and includes children, raising the funds ing villages. support for education in Mali, was their first project for the framework of the Qatar Charity classes for kindergarten and the (QR175,000) within 24 hours THE PENINSULA

Back to the Future programme open for registration Coast Guard foils bid

DOHA: With two new courses added, the Changers Organisation’s to smuggle bustards annual training programme ‘Back to the Future’ is now open for high- DOHA: Law-enforcement agencies yesterday foiled a school students between the ages bid by some shady elements to smuggle some 70 bus- of 15 and 17 to register for its fifth tards into the country. edition. Bustards are known in Arabic as ‘hubara’, which is the The Changers Organization falls most favourite prey of the falcons, and so they are used under Qatar Foundation’s Reach Out in falconry whose season has begun here. To Asia (Rota). It aims to promote Bustards are expensive and cost a few thousand riyals the culture of work, devotion and depending on its need and who wants to buy it. Falconers continuous development to encour- release bustards into the wild for their falcons to hunt. age the youth to develop their skills, Their meat is eaten. Migratory bustards are few. Qatar abilities, and talents. also has a bustard breeding centre in Rawdat Al Faras. Their annual training program Meanwhile, the 70 bustards that were caught by admits 32 students who pass a per- personnel from the Qatari Coast and Border Security sonality test and interview. These Department were being brought into Qatar in a boat. students will be divided into eight A press statement issued by the Ministry of Interior teams, each assigned a leader who said the General Directorate of the Coasts and Border supervises all activities and ensures Security Guards foiled the bustard smuggling bid early the participation of each member and yesterday. following all rules. The programme The person in the boat was taken into custody and aims to shape high-school students’ the birds have been seized. Legal action is being taken personalities and construct their Community Development Manager at Rota, Abdullah Al Bakri (second right), speaking at a press briefing to announce the against the person. characteristics, and link their talents Back to The Future programme organised by the Changers Organisation. With him from left are, Sarah Al Sabahand Rashid The ministry release said just a few days ago the Coast and abilities to their future paths. Al Kuwari, participants in the last year, Khader Ibrahim Sulyman, Founder and President of the Changers Organisation, and Guards had prevented an attempt to smuggle into the At a press conference held yes- Mukhtar Al Mukhtar, trainer of the project. (SALIM MATRAMKOT) country some 87 bustards through Simaisima coast. The terday at the Governor West Bay case was referred to the Ministry of Environment for Suites and Residences, where the addition of two courses and includ- we focus on a trio in the success of “We will use new delivery meth- further investigation. two week training programme will ing the students’ parents in the this programme: the students, the ods through different technologies THE PENINSULA be held, The Changers Organisation training. “There were no courses trainers, and the parents” explained to ensure the success of the pro- announced the opening of ‘Back to to qualify the parents to be able to Khader Sulyman, founder and pres- gramme,” he said. the Future’ registration, and the qualify their children before… Now ident of the Changers Organisation. THE PENINSULA

The boat which was carrying the bustards.

SIM cards via Ooredoo machines DOHA: Ooredoo will soon launch next generation Self Service Machines (SSMs) that will enable customers to instantly register and purchase preloaded Hala and Shahry SIM cards and pay outstanding bills via cheque, said the company in a press release issued yesterday. These machines will immediately enable customers to access all Ooredoo payment services currently avail- able on the existing network of over 200 SSMs. The new machines will soon be available at strategic spots across Qatar, said the company. THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05

Minister meets US defence official Greetings sent HMC and IHI to to Lebanon

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of greetings to co-host Mideast Lebanon’s Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the occa- sion of his country’s national day. The Deputy Emir H H healthcare meet Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Forum to discuss care quality, safety Khalifa Al Thani sent similar cables to Lebanon’s prime min- DOHA: The 2015 Middle East ister on the same occasion. third Middle East Forum in Doha. Forum on Quality “This Forum is Minister opens and Safety in now a key commu- Healthcare to be nication platform Qatar pavilion held in May 2015 in Qatar and the will focus on themes region. Over the at Expo Milano centred on facilitat- three days, we are ing a multidiscipli- able to exchange MILAN: The Minister of nary approach to our real-world Economy and Commerce H E healthcare. learnings, high- Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Hamad Medical light successes, Thani yesterday inaugurated Corporation (HMC) and challenge Qatar’s pavilion at Expo Milano and the Institute for Healthcare ourselves to learn about the sci- 2015. Improvement (IHI) will jointly ence of improvement to further The Minister noted that Qatar host the leading healthcare qual- develop our healthcare services. participates along 140 countries ity improvement conference in the We have an excellent partnership and will look to share its view on region. with the IHI and their support The Minister of State for Defence Affairs, H E Major General Hamad bin Ali Al Attiyah, with the Director of the issues such as food security and The annual three-day confer- has meant a great deal to a large US Defence Security Cooperation Agency Joseph W Rixey in Washington. They exchanged views on issues measures that the international ence will be held on between May number of healthcare profession- of common interest. community must take to provide 29 and May 31, at Qatar National als, including many of HMC’s own food needs across the globe. Convention Centre. The confer- staff,” said Al Kuwari. He said that Qatar will stress its ence reinforces the partnership “We have proven that HMC is unconditional support to the right between HMC and IHI, a not-for- capable of progressive and trans- to nutrition and clean water dur- profit organisation that is a lead- formative change but are mind- HMC, WCMCQ hold AHS course ing its participation in the event. ing innovator in health and health ful of the opportunities to learn Qatar will look to present its expe- care improvement worldwide. from international best practice rience in the field of food security. The four key themes include to help us make our health service DOHA: Scientific research attended the 24-lecture course, into a fully realized scientific The country will also share its an in-depth review of the latest better and deliver safe, effective, methodologies in the clini- which focused on the fundamen- study that would ultimately add ideas with other participants to knowledge in quality and patient and compassionate care to our cal and biomedical fields have tals of clinical and biomedical to an ever-improving healthcare serve the rest of humanity and the safety practices, the importance of patients. The Middle East Forum been highlighted in the lat- research. landscape,” said Dr Hajjar. international community. patient engagement, improvement allows us to showcase the great est course jointly organised by Dean Emeritus and Professor Themes covered in the course The Minister added that the in clinical interventions, and the strides that have been made in this Hamad Medical Corporation, of Pathology at Weill Cornell featured biostatistics in medi- strong political and economic ties benefits of improving patient flows. important field in the Arab world. Weill Cornell Medical College in Graduate School of Medical cal research, health information with Italy were one of the reasons The world-class programme will It facilitates doctors, nurses and Qatar (WCMCQ), and the Weill Sciences (New York), Dr David technology, translational infor- behind participating. He high- feature presentations by leading allied health professionals to learn Cornell School of Graduate P Hajjar, who presided over the matics, drug development and the lighted the strong trade relations international experts in health and from experts and share their own Studies (New York). course and its development, said role of technology transfer. in particular, with trade volume healthcare over the three days, as experience with peers,” she added. The course, developed as an the course is primarily designed Interdisciplinary community- reaching ¤3bn in 2013. well as guest speakers, interactive Prospective participants can visit Academic Health System (AHS) for those who have recently com- based scientific research, eth- As for the Qatari economy, workshops, and plenary sessions. www.ihimeforum.hamad.qa to reg- initiative, is one of several courses pleted their doctorates or for ics in research, the foundations the Minister said that Qatar Dr Hanan Al Kuwari (pictured), ister their interest. The website will offered which aims to educate people in their first ten years of of clinical research and clinical has maintained a strong growth Managing Director of HMC, be updated to include more details health professionals on the basics research experience. trials, research proposals and of 6.8 percent despite the global expressed her delight that the yearly on the conference program, keynote of conducting clinical and biomed- “Young clinicians, academics, presentations, collaborative sci- economic slowdown. The financial conference is continuing to gain speaker confirmations, workshop ical research. and researchers, gained a clear ence and building a research team and construction sectors in par- momentum in the region and com- session times, and information on Over 300 clinical, academic overview of research procedures, were also highlighted in individual ticular are booming, recording a mented that she expected upwards poster presentation submissions. and research staff from across and how a proposed research lectures. growth rate of 11 percent. of 3,000 attendees to register for the QNA the AHS partner organisations question could be transformed THE PENINSULA QNA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME CMU-Q workshop sheds Tour of Hope docks light on impact of design Outreach programmes to help in university admission

DOHA: The nature and oppor- 1 admissions deadline. introduce students to the pro- tunities of the field of information Admissions figures show that grams offered and offer insight systems was highlighted to high outreach programmes have a into life at university through school students, at an outreach significant impact on prospec- interactive activities and oppor- programme by the Carnegie tive student applications, with tunities for prospective students Mellon University in Qatar 44 percent of this year’s incom- to interact with Carnegie Mellon (CMU-Q) recently. Ibtikar, was ing students having participated faculty and current students. the first outreach programme of in outreach programmes. Also CS4Qatar is a series of the 2014-2015 academic year. Carnegie Mellon has always workshops designed to inspire The Ibtikar workshop, which taken pride in leading outreach Qatar’s youth to join the excit- focused on human-centred design events that positively impact ing field of computer science and and the impact of design and the local community. This tradi- become creators of innovations technology on the world, was the tion continues in Qatar with the that will make a real impact. To first in a series of three work- steady growth of outreach pro- address the challenge of attract- shops designed to highlight the grams that support the univer- ing women into science and tech- field of information systems to sity’s ongoing commitment to the nology Carnegie Mellon launched high school students in Qatar. nation’s development. CS4Qatar for Women a program Over the coming months, Carnegie Mellon outreach pro- which aims to broaden young Carnegie Mellon Qatar will offer grams are tailor-made for Qatar women’s understanding of com- A Kuwaiti ship ‘Tour of Hope’ with 20 people with special needs has anchored at the ‘Porto Rabia’ zone of the a variety of additional outreach and the region and aim to help puter science, it will be held on Pearl. The ship sailing around the world has reached Qatar from Washington. They were received by Muteb workshops related to its pro- students prepare for admission November 22 and CS4Qatar for Saleh Al-Mutoteh, Kuwait Ambassador to Qatar and Rabia Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of the Qatar Society for grammes in biological sciences, into selective universities like the Students aimed at all prospec- Rehabilitation of Persons with Special Needs. business administration and ones in Education City. tive students will take place on computer science. The events will The outreach programmes February 7, 2015. lead up to the university’s March offered at Carnegie Mellon Qatar THE PENINSULA HMC observes World Prematurity Day

DOHA: With preterm birth history of prematurity, an infec- and silently in many pregnant causing more than one mil- tion related to the urinary tract women. Unfortunately, many lion deaths each year, Hamad and/or affecting the amniotic women do not recognise the signs Medical Corporation (HMC) membrane, excessive amniotic of premature labour.” has joined the rest of the world fluid, abnormalities related to the She noted that the early detec- to observe World Prematurity placenta’s position in the womb, tion of premature labour can Day. This was aimed at rais- some congenital malformations help prevent premature birth ing awareness of deaths and of the baby while in the womb, and possibly enable the affected disabilities due to prematurity, and some cases of a mis-match woman to carry her pregnancy addressing concerns about pre- between the baby and mother’s to term, giving her baby a bet- term babies, and the simple, blood groups. ter chance of survival. According proven, cost-effective measures “The earlier a baby is born, the to Dr Saleh, warning signs of that could prevent them. more severe his or her health preterm labour could include “Prematurity occurs when problems are likely to be. Many contractions, changes in vagi- babies are born before the normal premature babies require special nal discharge, pelvic pressure, term of 37-42 gestational weeks. care and spend weeks or months menstrual-like cramps, and low, So those babies born before 37 hospitalized in a neonatal inten- dull backache. weeks are premature.” said HMC’s sive care unit (NICU). Some of She explained that there are Women’s Hospital Consultant those who survive may face life- precautions a woman can take Paediatric Neonatologist, Dr long problems such as intellec- to improve her health as well as Ahmed Farouk Eldakrouri. tual disabilities, cerebral palsy, lower the risk of having a pre- He said in many cases, the rea- breathing and respiratory prob- mature baby. These include stop- son why babies arrive early could lems, visual problems including ping smoking, alcohol or drugs, be a mother’s pregnancy with retinopathy of prematurity, hear- medical checkups before getting twins or more, which is causing ing loss, and feeding and digestive pregnant, prenatal care, meeting the increase of the prematurity problems,” Dr Eldakrouri said. with a health care provider about rate in Qatar. Other reasons could Dr Huda Saleh, Obstetrician/ controlling diseases such as dia- be some abnormalities existing in Gynaecologist at Women’s betes and high blood pressure, a the mother’s uterus, especially in Hospital said: “Premature labour healthy diet, prenatal vitamins, the cervix, diabetes, hyperten- is a very serious complication of and breastfeeding. sion or other chronic diseases, a pregnancy as it strikes quickly THE PENINSULA

Students during the outreach programme. Jumbo staff celebration

Jumbo Retail staff celebrated the conclusion of the Jumbo Big Sale. During the event, Jumbo Qatar CEO C V Rappai thanked customers for their support and brand loyalty as well as the sales staff for their service. Industrial Area road Regulation could affect to have four lanes new admissions Continued from page 1 each direction, separated by a On the occasion 10 million barrier in the middle with serv- Continued from page 1 man-hours of work without ices and auxiliary lanes running Only few Indian schools have injury were celebrated. Mohamed parallel. admitted new students this year Jawhar, Managing Director of Al As part of the project, four due to a severe space crunch and Jabir, attended the event. multi-level interchanges will be those students could be affected Rawdat Al Khail extension built along the main Industrial by the new regulations. project also involves developing Area Road and one multi-level Official of another Indian 2km of road from the F Ring road interchange along the F Ring school also said that there is some (the road from Jaidah tower via Road which will intersect the confusion over the issue because Apollo Hospital to Al Muntazah Wholesale Market Street. the SEC has not issued an official traffic lights intersection to the The project will also include clarification yet. Industrial Area) as a link between a tunnel providing access to a “The issue was discussed among the Mesaimeer Interchange and new Barwa development in the officials of Indian schools and we Abu Hamour Interchange. south of the Industrial Area, are trying to get a clear reply The main Industrial Area QNA said. . from the SEC,” said the official. Road will have four lanes in THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07

IS militants kill Kiir in Egypt 25 members Iran nuclear of Sunni tribe

BAGHDAD: Islamic State talks may militants have killed at least 25 members of a Sunni Muslim tribe in a village on the eastern edge of the provincial capital Ramadi, local officials said yes- be extended terday, in apparent revenge for tribal opposition to the radical Islamists. Big gaps remain, says Washington They said the bodies of the men from the Albu Fahd tribe were VIENNA: World powers and implemented. They said continu- discovered by the Iraqi army when Iran struggled yesterday to ing the negotiations — which have it launched a counter-offensive overcome the differences pre- dragged on for more than a year, yesterday against Islamic State venting them from ending a accompanied by a partial easing near Ramadi, the capital of Anbar 12-year standoff over Tehran’s of sanctions — was preferable to province. atomic ambitions, raising the letting them collapse and risking “While they were combing the prospect of another extension renewed tension. However, some territories they are liberating, to the high-stakes talks. said an extension could push the security forces found 25 corpses US Secretary of State John talks into a never-ending cycle of in the Shujariya area,” Hathal Kerry said “big gaps” remained rollovers with few prospects of a Al Fahdawi, a member of the with two days to go before a self- final deal. Despite the differences, Anbar Provincial Council, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi (left) and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir reviewing the guard of imposed November 24 deadline a senior US State Department told Reuters. Albu Fahd tribal honour in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. for an accord, despite signs of official said: “We are continuing leader Sheikh Rafie Al Fahdawi some headway. A European source to take steps forward.” said at least 25 bodies had been said the chance of a final deal by “The focus of discussions found and said he expected the tomorrow was “very small”. remains on an agreement, but total to be significantly higher. The negotiations in Vienna we are discussing both internally He said the bodies were found Rowhani’s nominee made minister between Tehran and six world and with our partners a range of scattered around with no signs powers — the United States, options for the best path forward,” of weapons next to them, sug- DUBAI: Iran’s supreme leader conservative-dominated parlia- to the post was impeached Britain, France, Germany, Russia the official added, without elabo- gesting they were not killed dur- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei moved ment rejected his fourth nominee for alleged ties to the ill-fated and China — are intended to rating on whether these included a ing fighting. Last month Islamic yesterday to break a factional to lead universities, which have pro-democracy unrest that fol- remove at least one source of possible extension. The European State fighters killed hundreds of deadlock over the sensitive been centres of ideological battles lowed then-president Mahmoud potential conflict from the Middle source said there had been “no members of the Albu Nimr tribe Ministry of Higher Education between pro-democracy reform- Ahmadinejad’s disputed re-elec- East and its growing turmoil. significant” progress on the main in Anbar in an attempt to break by reinstating President Hassan ers and Islamist hardliners. tion in 2009. Diplomats said a framework stumbling blocks — Iran’s uranium local resistance to their advances Rowhani’s moderate pick as The ministry has been run by a Two other nominees for the accord was still possible, but that enrichment capacity and the lift- in the Sunni Muslim province interim minister, Iranian media caretaker, Mohammad Ali Najafi, post have failed to get a vote of weeks or months would then be ing of the sanctions imposed on they have largely controlled for reported. since August, when a moderate confidence from the assembly. needed to agree on the all-impor- Iran over its nuclear programme. nearly a year. REUTERS On Tuesday, the technocrat appointed by Rowhani REUTERS tant details of how it would be REUTERS US plans to buy weapons for Sunni tribesmen in Iraq WASHINGTON: The United group which has seized control to clear a protest camp in Ramadi States plans to buy arms for of large parts of Syrian and Iraq in December 2013. Sunni tribesmen in Iraq includ- and is gaining territory in Anbar The ensuing Sunni tribal revolt ing AK-47s, rocket-propelled despite three months of US-led prompted the entrance of Islamic grenades and mortar rounds to air strikes. State into Falluja and Ramadi, help bolster the battle against A US official said yesterday where US troops had met fierce Islamic State militants in that the document was posted resistance from Sunni insurgents Anbar province, according to this week. including Al Qaeda during their a Pentagon document prepared It said all US support was occupation of Iraq after the 2003 for Congress. directed “with, by and through” invasion that overthrew Saddam The plan to spend $24.1m rep- Iraq’s government, suggesting Hussein. resents a small fraction of the any weapons would be supplied The United States, which has larger, $1.6bn spending request to through Baghdad, in line with deployed a small number of mili- Congress focusing on training and existing policy. tary advisors to Anbar province, arming Iraqi and Kurdish forces. It noted Iraqi security forces hopes the Sunni tribesmen can But the document underscored were not “not particularly wel- later form part of a more formal the importance the Pentagon come in Anbar and other major- Iraqi National Guard. places on the Sunni tribesmen ity Sunni areas,” citing their poor The Pentagon document also to its overall strategy to dimin- combat performance and sectar- detailed $1.24bn to be spent on ish Islamic State, and cautioned ian divisions. Iraqi forces and $354.8m on Congress about the consequences Iraq’s army has been burdened Kurdish troops. “While the trend of failing to assist them. by a legacy of sectarianism in on the battlefield has been prom- “Not arming tribal fighters Anbar, whose dominant Sunni ising in stemming ISIL gains, will continue to leave anti-ISIL population resented former Prime Iraq lacks the training expertise tribes reluctant to actively coun- Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s Shia and equipment to field the forces ter ISIL,” the document said, majority government and were needed to liberate territory,” the using another acronym for the incensed when he ordered troops document said. REUTERS

Dane shot at in Saudi capital

RIYADH: A Danish citi- “Investigations are ongo- zen was shot and wounded ing,” and the victim is in in the Saudi capital yes- stable condition at hospi- terday, police said, but tal, it said. there was no immediate In October, a Saudi- word on the motive for American former employee the rare attack. of a US defence contractor The shooting occurred shot dead one American at 2:00 pm (1100 GMT) colleague and wounded when the Danish man was another in Riyadh. driving away from his work The suspect had at a company in Riyadh’s recently been fired from Kharj Road area, police his job, officials said. That said in a statement carried was the first deadly attack by the official Saudi Press on Westerners in Saudi Agency. “He was shot in Arabia since several were the shoulder” by someone killed in a wave of Al Qaeda who has not been identi- violence between 2003 and fied, the report said. 2006. AFP

‘Tunisia vote offers hope’

TUNIS: Tunisia’s first presidential election since the 2011 revolution is a ray of hope for Arab Spring coun- tries, Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa said yesterday, on the eve of the historic poll. Today’s first multi-candidate presidential election is seen as the final stage of a post-revolt transition in the birthplace of the Arab Spring, with more than 20 candi- dates vying for the post. The election represents “hope, a big hope for the region,” Mehdi told AFP during a last-minute inspec- tion of polling stations in the region of Beja, west of the capital Tunis. AFP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 08 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL West aiming for Russia regime change: Lavrov Kiev says there are 7,500 Russian troops in Ukraine KIEV: Russia yesterday countries are saying that it’s nec- speaking on condition of anonym- accused the West of seeking essary to introduce sanctions that ity put the number of Russian regime change in Moscow, rais- would destroy the economy and tanks in eastern Ukraine at 140, ing tensions over the Ukraine rouse public protests,” he added in highlighting “pressure” on the conflict in the worst crisis in comments cited by the state-run port city of Mariupol. relations since the end of the TASS news agency. Seizing Mariupol would be Cold War. In Kiev on Friday, Biden vital to any separatist plan to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Russia of failing to hon- create a land corridor between spoke out against Western sanc- our a peace agreement signed the Russian border and Crimea, tions on Russia after US Vice in September, which included a a region which Russia annexed President Joe Biden hinted on now tattered ceasefire for eastern from Ukraine earlier this year. Friday at possible further meas- Ukraine. Ukrainian military spokesman ures over Moscow’s “unaccept- “So long as that continues, Andriy Lysenko said it did not able” role in the former Soviet Russia will face rising costs, have clear figures to corroborate republic. greater isolation,” he added. that number but pointed to the Kiev’s defence minister charged Lavrov’s comments came after presence of a range of other mili- yesterday that there were 7,500 Ukraine’s Defence Minister tary hardware as well. Russian troops in eastern Stepan Poltorak claimed Russia Ukraine’s head of security Ukraine, although Russia denies had thousands of troops in the operations in the east said that claims that it provides military east and vowed that the cash- 20 units of Russian “military support to pro-Moscow separa- strapped country would boost its hardware” had crossed the border tists battling government forces. military capacity. yesterday, adding that they were “The West is showing unam- “The presence of 7,500 rep- en route to the rebel stronghold biguously that they do not want resentatives of Russian armed of Lugansk. to force (Russia) to change policy. forces in Ukraine destabilises the In the past 24 hours, four A man prays in memory of victims of the Holodomor famine during a ceremony at the Holodomor memorial in Kiev. They want to achieve a change of situation and prevents us from Ukrainian soldiers and one civil- Ukraine yesterday marked 81 years since the famine, which took place as harvests dwindled and Soviet leader regime,” Lavrov said in Moscow. stabilising it,” Poltorak said. ian have been killed in eastern Josef Stalin’s police enforced the policy of collectivising agriculture by requisitioning grain and other foodstuffs. “Now public figures in Western A European government source Ukraine, officials said. AFP Farc to free abducted Portugal ex-PM Socrates held in graft probe LISBON: Portuguese police a criminal judge for question- Socrates resigned as prime “The party has to focus on have arrested former Socialist ing yesterday afternoon after his minister in the middle of his sec- mobilising Portugal in affirming prime minister Jose Socrates apartment was searched. The ond four-year term in 2011 as an an alternative to this government general next week and three other people in an prosecutor’s office said the ques- escalating debt crisis forced him to and its policy,” he wrote. investigation of suspected tax tioning and search were part of an request an international bailout, After stepping down, Socrates BOGOTA: Farc guerrillas who precondition for the handover. fraud, corruption and money- investigation of suspicious banking which imposed painful austerity left for Paris, where he attended captured a Colombian general Founded in 1964, the Farc is laundering, the Prosecutor operations and money transfers, on Portugal. a university course. He returned and four others will release the largest of the guerrilla groups General’s office said yesterday. but would not reveal more details. His centre-left Socialist party in 2013 to become a regular com- them next week, president Juan active in Colombia, with about The detention, the first involv- It was not clear if the investiga- leads in opinion polls ahead of next mentator on RTP state television. Manuel Santos said yesterday, 8,000 fighters. ing a former premier in Portugal tion was linked to Socrates’ time year’s general election. During his premiership, paving the way for a return to In a sign the conflict is far from under democracy, follows arrests as prime minister between 2005 Socialist leader Antonio Costa Socrates weathered several inves- peace talks. over, a police officer was killed and of other high-ranking officials and 2011. told party militants in a message tigations, including allegations “I am giving instructions to four others wounded yesterday in or prominent people in separate Police arrested Socrates, 57, at that “we are all certainly shocked” that he misused his position as facilitate their liberation next an attack authorities blamed on inquiries in the past few months Lisbon airport late on Friday as he with the detention, but added that environment minister in 2002 to week,” Santos said in a Twitter the Farc. as prosecutors intensify a fight arrived from Paris. He spent the “feelings of solidarity and personal allow the construction of a shop- message, noting that the Marxist Suspected Farc fighters car- against corruption in a coun- night in a police station, according friendship” should not influence ping mall. He denied wrongdoing guerrillas had already provided ried out a dawn offensive on the try notorious for its slow justice to a police official. The other three the party’s policy or interfere in and faced no formal charges. coordinates of where the captives island of Gorgona off the Pacific system. arrested individuals are linked to any way with the independence of REUTERS would be delivered. coast, Cauca province police chief Socrates was brought before Socrates. the investigation. The November 16 kidnapping Ramiro Perez Manzano said. of General Ruben Alzate in the Three other police officers went Choco region threw peace talks missing during the fighting. between the Revolutionary Armed General Alzate, the head of Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the an army task force charged with government into disarray, with fighting rebels and drug traffickers Bird flu: Dutch to cull 8,000 ducks Polish opposition calls Santos suspending the two-year- in the Choco region, is the highest- AMSTERDAM: Dutch health authorities yesterday were destroy- old negotiations. ranking officer to be captured by ing 8,000 ducks to prevent the possible spread of bird flu, which The two sides have been nego- the Farc in five decades of conflict. has infected three farms in a week in the Netherlands, a leading tiating in Cuba for an end to the He was taken hostage along poultry and egg exporter. for rerun of elections 50-year conflict that has claimed with Corporal Jorge Rodriguez A government statement said ducks were being culled in the central WARSAW: Poland’s largest of the Law and Justice (PiS) more than 220,000 lives and and army adviser Gloria Urrego town of Barneveld as a precaution because authorities want to elimi- opposition party has called for a party, the second largest force in caused more than five million to as they travelled by boat to visit nate all risks after the H5N8 virus spread to three out of 12 provinces rerun of regional elections held parliament, has called for a rep- flee their homes. a civilian energy project in the since last Sunday. last Sunday because a computer etition of the vote, a call joined by Alzate was kidnapped along remote western region. The clearing operation at the duck farm in Barneveld, will increase failure has left the country with the leftist SLD party. with a corporal and an adviser. Farc fighters were already hold- the number of animals destroyed since the first infection was discovered no word of the final results. An exit poll on Sunday showed The Farc is also holding two sol- ing two other soldiers captured in last Sunday to 211,000 birds. President Bronislaw the PiS has taken the lead in the diers who were kidnapped on combat in the eastern department “It is necessary to do everything needed to prevent an outbreak like Komorowski dismissed the sug- vote, signaling a possible shake-up November 9 near the Venezuela of Arauca, Paulo Cesar Rivera and in 2003,” when 30 million chickens were culled, the statement said. gestion as the height of insanity. ahead of a national vote next year. border in Arauca province. Jonathan Diaz. High-intensity Dutch farms house millions of animals — 103 million The state election commission, Komorowski, who postponed The Red Cross, which the gov- Diplomats from Cuba and chickens, 12 million pigs, four million cows and millions more sheep, the PKW, said yesterday it did his official visit to Japan because ernment has asked to assist in Norway, two of the countries act- turkeys, ducks, rabbits and goats. not know when the final results of the problems with the vote, the handover, said on Thursday it ing as guarantors of the peace But health officials fear that the close proximity of the farms and would be announced. The votes said only courts could void the had a “green light” to begin the process, announced Wednesday high numbers of animals per farm make them more vulnerable to are being counted manually. results of the elections. transfer. that a deal had been struck to disease outbreaks. Poland, known in recent years On Wednesday, the PKW said But the operation appeared free all five hostages, but gave few Since 1997, 40 million hens, cows, goats, pigs and sheep have been for its political stability in an oth- someone hacked its web page, but to stall on Friday and there was details. slaughtered to contain outbreaks including swine flu, foot-and-mouth erwise volatile region, has been it said this did not put the results no immediate sign that mili- The defense ministry says and “mad cow” disease. shaken by the failure of the com- of the vote at risk. tary activity had been halted Alzate, 55, was ambushed by A total transport ban for all poultry products and eggs imposed on puter system. The following day, demon- in either of the regions where armed guerrillas on arrival in the the sector last weekend is set to expire on Sunday. “The breakdown of the system strators from a protest organ- the hostages were captured, a village of Las Mercedes. AFP REUTERS for counting votes is a scandalous ized by the far-right party Ruch occurrence, an embarrassment,” Narodowy stormed the head- President Komorowski told state quarters of PKW demanding its television late on Friday. dismissal. Sea of fog “It is the peak of insanity to That forced the PKW to demand that the president take temporarily suspend its work. Plague kills 40 actions that would lead to a Police arrested several of the repeat of the vote,” he said. demonstrators. in Madagascar Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader REUTERS

GENEVA: An outbreak of plague has killed 40 people in Madagascar, the World Health Organisation has said, warning that the disease could spread Spaniards march against abortion rapidly in the country’s densely MADRID: Tens of thousands of Spaniards rallied in Madrid yes- populated capital Antananarivo. terday, threatening to punish the government in elections next year The first victim was identified unless it revives a plan to restrict women’s access to abortion. on August 31 in a district to the Waving white flags with the slogan “Every life counts”, demonstrators west of the capital, and died three of all ages from across the country marched through the capital, whis- days later, the UN health agency tling angrily as they passed the headquarters of the ruling Popular Party. said in a statement on Friday. “Killers! Abortionists!” some yelled. “Yes to life, no to abortion!” By mid-November, some 119 Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had promised before he was elected plague cases had been confirmed, in 2011 to tighten Spain’s abortion law, but he dropped the plan last with two percent of them of the September due to disagreement within his own party. pneumonic strain — one of the The architect of the reform, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, resigned as deadliest infectious diseases with Rajoy’s justice minister. a very high mortality rate. The retreat angered many of the party’s supporters, who threatened Plague mostly affects rats and to abandon him in the general election due a year from now. is spread by fleas, but humans can Ruiz-Gallardon’s reform would have ended a woman’s right to freely also contract the disease if they opt for an abortion up to 14 weeks of pregnancy, standard in much of are bitten by an infected flea. Europe. The situation in Madagascar He proposed to allow abortion only in cases of rape reported to is all the more worrying because the police, or a medically certified threat to the mother’s physical or of a high level of resistance to psychological health. insecticides targeting fleas, the A sea of fog is seen at Lake Lucerne, pictured from Emmetten, central Switzerland, yesterday. The controversy prompted angry street demonstrations by support- UN health agency said. AFP ers and opponents of the reform. AFP

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Oil price crisis Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate

HEN THE going gets tough, sometimes even the tough can’t get going. The current oil price crisis is an example. W The global energy prices have gone through US-style culture wars several ups and downs over decades. Sometimes the price rise has been steep, sending shivers across the consuming countries, and sometimes the plunge has been deep, upsetting the budgets of producing countries. But there was a common have come to Britain pattern about price fluctuations in the past: a certain clarity and certainty on the part of producers about their reaction. BY JONATHAN FREEDLAND What makes the current plunge in prices special is a lack of longer. Britain is now waging a culture gentler, more civic nationalism than war of its own. Ukip. But both mine national solidar- direction and uncertainty on the part of producers on how MILY THORNBERRY may To see how far we’ve come, consider ity and the rising sense that a hated to address the crisis. A major solution in the past used to be be the first politician to quit the year 1992. As it happens, that was and distant capital — Westminster a reduction in production by OPEC countries. But this time, over a single tweeted photo- the year I covered both my first UK in one case, Brussels in the other – is there has been a general consensus that cuts will not help. The graph that was not physi- general election and first US presiden- thwarting the people’s true destiny. reason is that today’s market situation is different. There is a cally intimate, but she is tial contest. The contrast was striking. The context of each is different, to be Enot the first to get into trouble over In Britain the battle was all about tax sure, but the nagging question is the genuine fear that pumping less would result in a loss of market flags and vans. In 2003 the US presi- and public services, with accusations of same. As the Washington Post’s Fareed share, while its impact on prices may not be as significant dential hopeful Howard Dean said, “I a “Labour tax bombshell” and an NHS Zakaria wrote recently, observing this as they would expect. Also, one of the leading players in the still want to be the candidate for guys unsafe in Tory hands. same trend around the world, including energy market now is US, which is driven by its own interests. with Confederate flags in their pickup In the US Bill Clinton’s aides may America’s own Tea Party, the question Russia, the world’s biggest energy exporter, is the latest trucks” – adding that Democrats like have insisted “It’s the economy, stu- posed is “‘Who are we?’ and, more omi- country to say that it would not slash output. Moscow relies him could not hope to win the White pid”, but day-to-day combat frequently nously, ‘Who are we not?’” House if they did not appeal to poorer, focused elsewhere: on Hillary Clinton’s What explains this shift, pushing the on oil and gas exports for about half its federal budget, southern voters as well as those in apparent swipe at stay-at-home mums British public argument away from the and has been hit this year by a fall in prices as well as by affluent, liberal cities and suburbs. His who “bake cookies”, on Bill’s evasion old disputes over pounds, shillings and Western sanctions over its role in the Ukraine’s crisis. Unlike Democratic rivals turned on him, furi- of military service in Vietnam, on pence into the more searching ter- most other producers, Moscow ous that he had embraced “the most the maverick candidateRoss Perot’s rain of identity? A glib answer would What is needed desperately needs high prices. But racially divisive symbol in America”. addressing a black audience as “you point the finger at social media, citing the market forces are working The row passed, Dean lost, and he is people”. Twitter’s role as Thornberry’s execu- is unity among now best remembered for the bizarre And that difference held good for tioner. It certainly acts as an accelerant, OPEC leaders against them. roar he let out on the night of a key many years. While one British elec- turning what would once have been a The traders are pinning hopes defeat: the Dean scream. tion after another was dominated by stumble into a collapse. when they on the forthcoming OPEC meeting. Of course, the two episodes are very tax rates and the like, US elections rou- But the answers lie deeper. Tonight meet this week. Some hope that the November 27 different. The English flag may carry a tinely raised questions that went to the Labour’s Douglas Alexander is due to meeting could result in a reduction residual association with the far-right, heart of the nation’s identity. Witness argue in a speech in Stirling that, “The but it bears nothing like the stain of Barack Obama’s unguarded remark character of 21st century politics is… Bickering will in output. But there is no certainty. slavery attached to the badge of the in 2008, suggesting that poorer voters already defined by contests about both not help. While The producers are already talking Confederacy. More importantly, Dean “cling” to their guns or religion when identity and insecurity, rather than in different tones, and they have was trying to woo those blue-collar vot- times are hard. simply economic interests.” a consensus is been hit differently by the sliding ers his party had lost. Obama was slammed at the time for In a previous generation, people difficult, the prices. Countries like Iran and Even Thornberry’s defenders do showing precisely the sort of snobbish formed their identities in part out of Venezuela are reeling heavily, while not pretend she was trying to recruit disdain towards his party’s core vot- those economic interests, through a alternative is white van drivers who fly the English ers attributed to Thornberry. Which trade union or on the factory floor. Now the Gulf countries have healthy flag from their homes. At best, she illustrates the extent to which what those organised class allegiances have further instability and diversified economies which appeared to express the fascination of a was once a feature of US political life faded. In much of the country, church in the energy have made them immune to the visiting anthropologist for the natives of has made it here (minus the guns and membership has plummeted too. current plunge. But a further slide Rochester and Strood with their curi- religion). But this goes far beyond Others used to identify with one of markets. or a continuation of the current ous cultural customs. At worst, she was an apparent jibe at the habits of the the main parties, making Labour or the level will prove detrimental to dissing them, her tweet tacitly asking: English working class. For these kinds Tories their tribe. But the powerless- “Can you believe these people?” Chalk of cultural arguments are regularly tak- ness of national governments in the face them too. that up as another first for Thornberry, ing the place of what used to be the of the great crash of 2008, to say noth- Benchmark oil prices in New York have dropped more felled for posting an offensively implicit bread-and-butter fare of UK political ing of the myriad scandals that have than 30 percent during the last five months to around $75 a photograph. dispute: namely, clashing economic since discredited the political class, barrel as US crude production reached the highest in more In the US moments like this happen interests and competing visions of the has shaken that faith. It means, says than three decades, driven by shale fields. The cheap oil is also every day of the week. They are often size of the state. Today’s Britain is less Alexander, that “people can look for what politics there is all about. They fixated on “How to spend it?” than on other places to invest their hopes and redrawing the world’s geopolitical landscape, weakening and come under the heading of “culture “Who do we think we are?”. dreams”. Right now, for many of those potentially threatening the legitimacy of some governments wars” and usually relate to matters of Just look at the two surging move- drawn to Ukip or the SNP, or voting while enhancing the power of others. identity, race or sexual equality, with ments in UK politics, the Scottish for Catalan independence or backing What is needed now is unity among OPEC leaders politicians or institutions faulted for National and UK Independence par- nationalist parties across Europe, that when they meet this week. Bickering will not help. While a words or conduct that have, one way ties, the latter now buoyed by winning other place is the most ancient reposi- consensus is difficult, the alternative is further instability in or another, given offence. Here such its second MP in Rochester. The SNP tory of allegiance: the nation. moments used to strike rarely. But no insists that it represents a kinder, THE GUARDIAN the energy markets.• The other side Quote of Accord with Russia the day

HETHER or not the new agreement. Now watching with con- peaceful Afghanistan whose Wakhan unmistakable shift in India’s foreign defence pact between cerns the shape of things to come valley borders China’s Xinjiang prov- policy and its warmer relationship with Russia and Pakistan is in Afghanistan are not only Pakistan ince. Clearly then, Islamabad, Beijing Washington. Wthe ‘milestone’ described and Russia but also China and India. and Moscow have a commonality of No doubt aware of its international One family is by the defence ministry, it does make Questions surround the capability of interest in seeing a stable Afghanistan, isolation, Pakistan is keen to broaden creating a soft eminent sense for the two countries to the new Afghan government. Will it just with China especially keen to make and diversify its economic and defence come closer as the Eurasian landmass survive, buffeted like Hamid Karzai’s a major contribution to Afghanistan’s ties with states that have a dominant dictatorship. There and what Moscow calls its ‘near abroad’ regime, or will it craft bold and imagi- economic development. global role such as Vladimir Putin’s undergo geopolitical convulsions. As native polices to make a success of the Meanwhile, recent aggression at Russia, which has begun to reassert its is corruption, in the past, more so now, Afghanistan democratic process, attempt to recon- the Line of Control and the Working power, as seen in Crimea and Ukraine. remains the linchpin of Russia-Pakistan cile with the Afghan Taliban and launch Boundary as well as the hard-line Modi As evident from Thursday’s agreement, injustice and rule relations as the US prepares to withdraw Afghanistan’s post-war reconstruction? government taking power in New Delhi Russia is willing to help Pakistan in a of law has broken from the war-ravaged country without With American power in the region last May have only enhanced Pakistan’s variety of sectors, including economy, down. We have taken having achieved a mission it never in retreat, Russia would like to know fears vis-à-vis India’s involvement in technology, defence and international Maithripala Sirisena seemed very clear about. where Pakistan stands in post-US Afghanistan. Islamabad thus would security, besides closely cooperating a decision to change Also read: Pakistan, Russia sign Afghanistan — a query Beijing, too, like to strike a deeper understanding in crafting a common counterterrorism General Secretary of Sri landmark defence cooperation may share, because of its interest in a with a Moscow that is mindful of the strategy. DAWN the situation. Lanka Freedom Party SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 Three wrong assumptions about the Mideast colonialism and imperialism, Politics in the Middle East is among the alongside their secularising and modernising agendas. most complex in the world. The nuances Given these contradictory pic- tures, it makes little sense that we in ground realities must be acknowledged still use terms like ‘Western.’ Of course, this is not to dismiss if we are to theorise about why the region all of these categories entirely. Indeed, the terms ‘secular’ and is the way it is. ‘Islamist’ are relevant to the ways in which electoral politics are BY ORIT BASHKIN to the interests of the religious framed in some countries — such groups from which their leaders as Tunisia and Egypt. Tunis, in he West’s understanding came. For example, when Bashar fact, provides a hopeful example of of the Middle East has Al Assad’s regime began to crum- political change through elections.. often been laden with ble, he relied on a Syrian-Iranian However, it is wrong to assume Tmisconceptions — this front to protect him, throwing to that everything in the Middle East has especially been the case in the the wind his previous strategic is connected to battles whose roots years following the Arab Spring. alliance with Sunni businessmen are religious and medieval. Here are three assumptions and professionals. Many of the struggles in the about this part of the world that Many people in the Middle Middle East are the result of need to be challenged. East, especially members of the regional rivalries between Iran Doing so is important as people generation growing up in the and the Gulf monarchies, and of all over the world often perceive post-colonial era, identify with the civil war in Iraq, which have the Middle East as a region in their religious groups. They might brought unprecedented waves of which ancient religious rivalries drink, gamble and otherwise view sectarianism all over the Middle prevent the emergence of secular themselves as very secular, and yet East. And they owe their existence democracies. Among other things, strongly identify as Sunni, Shia or to very modern processes like oil this can wrongly inform foreign Christian, in certain contexts. This politics, the failure of nation-states policy decision-making regarding is largely due to historical develop- to attend to the needs of ethnic ongoing crises in Iraq, Syria, and ments, like the Lebanese civil war, and religious minorities, and global Metro Dubai is seen passing in front of towers in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. elsewhere in the Middle East. the Iran-Iraq war, and the catas- politics. trophe that is Syria today. Being The powers invested in the Assumption no. 1: If leaders are “secular” and “modern,” then, does that we see today in northern Iraq, sing and dance around the house relationships with the United Syria conflict these days include secular, sectarianism will disappear. not mean not being sectarian. in which Christians and Yazidis in my underwear. Doesn’t make States — the investment port- China, Russia, and the United This view sounds plausible, are harshly persecuted, are utterly me Madonna. Never will.” The folios of their leading companies States — in its decisions on inter- but is challenged when we take Assumption no. 2: All Islamist repulsive to the more moderate same can be said about Abu Bakr are deeply intertwined with the vention or and lack thereof. These a quick look at the Levant. The organisations are the same; the end Muslim political organisations. Al Baghdadi and the caliphate. US and European economies. are not exactly powers formed in Ba’ath regimes in Syria, and result is always violent extremism. Moreover, whereas Islamic The US university campuses and 7th century Arabia. previously in Iraq, would have While many of the Muslim State sees itself as an authen- Assumption no. 3: Some Middle Al Jazeera headquarters in Doha Politics in the Middle East is liked us to believe that they were Brotherhood organisations have tic, pre-modern, Islamic state, Eastern countries are ‘Western’ and indicate a desire to play a more among the most complex in the secular — after all, their leaders platforms which are not fully nothing could be further from others aren’t. prominent role on the global stage. world. The nuances in ground pronounced their commitment democratic, there is a world of the truth. Islamic State does not We often read in the media And yet, these regimes are realities — so easily lost when we to the ideas of Arab socialism difference between them and the share the ecumenical vision of the about pro-Western Arab regimes. socially conservative and are not, use terms like ‘Islamist’, ‘secular’ and nationalism, championed brutality of the so-called “Islamic early Muslim community during But does pro-Western actu- by any means, secular. Both Qatar and ‘Western’ — must be acknowl- the integration of women into State”. These organisations are the 7th century and its disdain ally mean secular? And what is and Saudi Arabia are involved in edged if we are to theorise about the labour market, and labelled not the same in the ways they view for the sciences and innovation Western? Is it simply being pro- the Syrian civil war, arming vari- why the region is the way it is their opposition as religious and elections or minority and women’s puts them in polar opposition to American or pro-European? ous Sunni rebel and militia groups. and the possibilities of attaining conservative. Saddam Hussein’s rights. The more moderate organ- the cultural curiosity typical of The regimes in the Gulf can On the other hand, during the a democratic future, the same biography does suggest a man fol- isations are more than ready to medieval Islamic court culture. complicate our thinking on these 1970s and 1980s, the post-colonial future desired by so many young lowing closely the tenets of Islam. have women play a part in their Joan Cusack once said in the matters. Many of the Gulf monar- regimes in Syria and Iraq propa- people who initiated the Arab And yet both regimes were loyal political organisations. The sights film Working Girl: “Sometimes I chies have maintained very good gated daily critiques of Western Spring. REUTERS A US screenplay that changes Progress in Myanmar is not slipping away the world order BY JEAN-MARIE GUEHENNO Myanmar that it has figured so promi- BY MANSOOR PALLOOR and RICHARD HORSEY nently in US foreign policy. American and Western pressure helped strengthen ehind the rise of terrorist group s Myanmar’s reform effort going into the hand of reformers. When Western ISIS and America’s new interven- reverse? sanctions began to produce diminishing Btions in the Middle East is a screen- I Not even close. Yet if international returns, Washington rightly changed tack play that beats Hollywood movies. One support for its political transition seri- and engaged, showing that China was is in awe seeing the story written many ously weakens in the face of recent set- not Myanmar’s only option for a friend. years ago unfold into unbelievable reality backs, the prophecies of Myanmar’s critics Myanmar could even enter into the inter- today. Before we go into the exciting story, may be fulfilled. The international com- national marketplace, whose investors and here is some background. munity needs to show staying power and customers it desperately needed. Making creative reports based on hypo- accept that the road to reform is long. In other ways, however, the US focus thetical situations and releasing them Myanmar is four years into a transi- has been a burden. The opening to as predictions of days to come is a part tion from 50 years of authoritarian rule Myanmar was lauded as a victory for of American foreign affairs strategy to and chronic, grinding civil conflicts. That the Obama administration and perhaps influence international affairs. In 1979, change was never going to be easy. We is former Secretary of State Hillary American spy agency CIA created a sep- should not be surprised that certain areas Clinton’s leading achievement. arate wing called National Intelligence remain problematic or new difficulties But President Barack Obama is now Council for this purpose. Before inter- arise. viewed as a lame-duck, with a surfeit of vening in the internal affairs of various Bad-news stories about Myanmar’s enemies and a resurgent Republican Party countries to subject the world order to transition are easy to find. But the good- controlling both houses of Congress next American interests, it releases such pre- news stories reflect a broader trend. There year. Clinton is a likely Democratic presi- dictions on the future of the world and is now substantial freedom of the press, dential candidate in 2016. Anything she A gunman loyal to Islamic State waves an IS flag in Raqqa, Syria. creates favourable conditions with the for example, when not long ago there was might take credit for — like the opening help of the National Intelligence Council. no space for independent media. Nearly all to Myanmar — will be attacked. By now, the National Intelligence Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, America has The National Intelligence Council political prisoners from the era of military The Myanmar people deserve bet- Council has released several reports on begun a strong offensive against ISIS. report contains a letter from a fictional government have also been released. ter than to have their fates caught up the future of the world order in multiple However, the reality is that the US-created character called Syed Mohammed bin President Thein Sein and senior mili- in Washington’s partisan politics at this stages. The first such report was released ISIS has become a Frankenstein monster Laden, who is Osama bin Laden’s grand- tary officers last month held an unprec- fraught juncture. Transitions take a long in 1997 about the 2010 era. Later in 2000, which has turned against the interests son, to a relative. The imaginary letter, edented conference with opposition leader time. They can require the commitment a report on the 2015 world order and in that created it in the first place. dated June 3, 2020, describes the situa- Aung San Suu Kyi and other political of a generation or more. 2004, 2008, 2012, similar reports on 2020, In the civil war against Bashar Al Assad tion after the establishment of a Caliphate figures. Economic reform is producing Some in Washington are calling for new 2025 and 2030 were released, respec- in Syria, America and the coalition had in the Middle East (Mapping the Global growth, which is starting to deliver genu- sanctions on Myanmar. But remember, tively. These reports are available on stood with ISIS and nurtured them by future, Report of the NIC’s 2020 Project, ine benefits to the population, including Obama and Clinton decided to review the National Intelligence Council’s web- supplying weapons. What is happening page 85). Although the contents of the jobs and inexpensive communications. US policy on Myanmar in his first term site http://www.dni.gov/index.php/about/ in the case of ISIS is a repetition of how letter were not relevant at the time the Elections next year hold the promise of because of bipartisan agreement that iso- organization/national-intelligence-coun- Al Qaeda was created and grown with a report was written, when one watches it deeper democratisation. lation and sanctions were not working. cil-global-trends. clear objective. become a reality, it reminds one of Irving The obstacles are still large. Journalism Something else, they decided, was needed. Islamic State of Iraq and Al Sham The hypothetical story of a new Caliph, Wallace’ novel The Almighty, in which the remains a risky trade. Buddhist chauvin- There was agreement on that. So some- (ISIS), which said that Muslims across Caliphate and everything which is unfold- protagonist manufactures false news using ism continues to threaten the unity of thing new was tried — and it is working. the world must join the ranks of their ing now was written in the 2004 National terrorists to achieve his goals. Myanmar’s diverse polity. The military Sanctions advocates should also con- Caliphate, was a name that began to fill Intelligence Council report on the world One realises how precisely the screen- retains a disproportionate share of par- sider Myanmar’s region. The country is up news in 2013. The terrorist organisa- order in 2020 – years before the birth play to change the world order is being liamentary power while Aung San Suu not surrounded by well-functioning demo- tion born in Iraq was actively involved of ISIS. executed when one reads of the ongoing Kyi is legally prohibited from contesting cratic governments untroubled by domes- in attempts to overthrow the govern- The screenplay leaves one shuddering Shia-Sunni clashes in Iraq, improving the presidency. tic conflict. To some degree, Myanmar, ments in Iraq and Syria. The organisation at the thought of America’s secret goals. US-Iran relations, the rise of a Caliph And then there is Rakhine State, because its recent successes are so associ- which established its presence in stra- Here is a summary of the predictions in Iraq and the establishment of a where Muslim communities, including ated with Western — and especially US tegically important locations and came made in the 10-year-old hypothetical Caliphate. the Rohingya, face persecution and dis- — engagement, faces higher expectations to be known by various names such as report which describes the emergence of ISIS leader Al Baghdadi rose up from crimination from the Rakhine people and than those applied to neighbours, which Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Islamic a new Caliphate, titled Fictional Scenario: the Shia-Sunni clashes in Iraq. According the government. have had a good deal more time to find State of Iraq and the Levant and Islamic A new Caliphate: to military documents from the time of The state has not done a particularly their own ways forward. State (IS) is referred to as Daesh in Arab Widespread requests that inflame reli- Iraq’s invasion by America, he was under good job handling this. Yet it is also true The West has a choice: Whether to media these days. ISIS leader Abu Bakr gious fundamentalism declared under a the custody of the military in 2004. Later, that the problems are exceptionally dif- stand on the sidelines and withholding Al Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed Caliph new Caliphate will spread across the world he was released under suspicious circum- ficult. Rakhine State contains a toxic mix support until there is a perfect outcome in who chose mass murder, kidnapping in the form of the new Caliph’s plea. The stances by the US. of enduring centre-periphery tensions, Myanmar, or to engage in the messy but and torture of minorities as war tac- person who comes forward and proclaims If one reads these facts with the report serious intercommunal and inter-religious vital business of working with Myanmar tics, sought the support of the world’s himself the new Caliph will pose challenges above, the curiosity to know how the conflict with minority Muslim populations, as it changes from a closed authoritarian Muslims last Ramadan. to the traditional governments in Islamic rest of the CIA screenplay materialises extreme poverty and underdevelopment. country to a more open, democratic and However, ISIS and its Caliph were nations as well as become the reason for increases. Let us keep our eyes, ears and The entire Rakhine community has prosperous society. condemned by religious scholars in Arab friction between Muslims and powers like brain receptive to that. been wrongly cast, at least internationally, When Obama offered a hand to countries as well as other nations and America, Russia, Europe and China that Mansoor Palloor is a writer on current as violent anti-Muslim extremists. This Myanmar in 2011, it was the beginning of Muslim organisations. The organisation, are vying for power in the Muslim world. international affairs and trends. His book, narrative ignores the diversity of opinions a long journey. It is one the United States which went against the message of Islam, Like in the Muslim world and Middle East, To whom does the 21st century belong?, that exists and the fact that the Rakhine and the international community would was declared an enemy of the human race. under the influence of the Caliph’s plea, was released in May 2014. are themselves a long-oppressed minority. be best advised to continue. With the support of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Asia and Africa will also turn convulsed. COURTESY VETERANS NEWS NOW In some ways, it has been a blessing for REUTERS SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES Sri Lanka ruling Commemorating a stampede party in purge ahead of polls Dissidents say ruling party split

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s ruling “He projects himself as virtuous, party was set for a purge yesterday but he leads a dictatorial regime,” after a senior minister declared said Sirisena, who also accused the he was challenging President president of nepotism and corruption. Mahinda Rajapaksa in snap elec- Fisheries minister Rajitha tions called for January. Senaratne, who is supporting Rajapaksa’s Sri Lanka Freedom Sirisena, said the ruling party was Party (SLFP) suspended members split and he expected “many more” who pledged support for health to jump ship. minister Maithripala Sirisena who “The SLFP is divided. They can’t on Friday defected and became the suspend or sack us from the party main opposition leader to run against without due process,” Senaratne the president. told AFP. The five senior party members, “There will be more MPs joining including Sirisena, the long-standing our campaign to restore democracy general secretary of the SLFP, were and rule of law.” stripped of their posts, the govern- However, he said the dissidents Cambodian Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong (centre) and his wife (centre-right), pray during a commemoration ceremony at a victim ment information department said. were unlikely to block the national memorial in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, yesterday. The ceremony was being held by the Phnom Penh municipality for victims who died on the “About a dozen MPs (in the budget which comes up for a final Diamond Island bridge in a stampede on November 22, 2010. At least 353 people were killed and 395 injured in the accident. SLFP) have been identified as poten- parliamentary vote tomorrow. tial defectors,” an official close to “The budget contained some con- President Rajapaksa said, asking not cessions to the people and we don’t to be named. “Action will be taken want to block that,” Senaratne said. against them,” he added. Rajapaksa, who is also the finance China building island in disputed zone: Report But to kick out the dissidents, they minister, had raised salaries, reduced will have to be formally expelled from taxes and slashed utility tariffs before the ruling party. announcing on Thursday that he will WASHINGTON: Satellite in the South China Sea for stra- The official said a new party gen- seek an unprecedented third term as images show China is build- tegic reasons. “We need to go eral secretary had been appointed president — a move only made pos- ing an island on a reef in the out, to make our contribution and changes were being made at sible after he pushed through consti- disputed Spratly Islands large to regional and global peace,” the regional level to repair damage tutional changes. enough to accommodate what Jin said. “We need support caused by the dissidents to the party’s He called the election two years could be its first offshore air- like this, including radar and operations. ahead of schedule in an apparent bid strip in the South China Sea, intelligence.” Sirisena, 63, accused his former to seek a fresh mandate before his a leading defence publication The land reclamation project boss of running a corrupt and dicta- party’s popularity tumbles further said on Friday. was China’s fourth in the torial administration and said he was after dropping over 21 percent in The construction has stoked Spratly Islands in the last 12 to confident of toppling him. September local elections. AFP concern that China may be 18 months and by far the larg- converting disputed territory est, IHS Jane’s said. in the mineral-rich archipelago It said Fiery Cross Reef was into military installations, add- home to a Chinese garrison and ing to tensions over waters also had a pier, air-defence guns, claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, anti-frogmen defences, com- Two dead in China earthquake the Philippines, Vietnam and munications equipment, and a Brunei. greenhouse. Beijing has rejected BEIJING: A 5.9 magnitude earth- GMT at a depth of 14 kilometres, the IHS Jane’s said images it had Washington’s call for all parties quake struck China’s southwestern USGS said. obtained showed the Chinese- to halt activity in the disputed province of Sichuan yesterday, the The quake was initially reported built island on the Fiery Cross waters to ease tension, saying it US Geological Survey said, with at 5.8 magnitude at a depth of nine Reef to be at least 3,000 meters This photo released by the Philippine military’s Western Command can build whatever its wants in Chinese state media reporting two kilometres. long and 200-300 meters wide, shows Chinese fishing vessels anchored at Fiery Cross Reef (Kagitingan) the South China Sea. killed and dozens injured. The official Xinhua news agency which it noted is “large enough to on the disputed Spratly Islands. Hong Kong media have The tremor shook buildings, top- reported that a woman in her 70s construct a runway and apron.” reported that China plans to pling household items off shelves and died after being hit in the head by The building work flies in the to establish a code of conduct to it said. build an air base on Fiery Cross sending panicked residents scurrying a glass window that fell during the face of US calls for a freeze in resolve them. Asked about the report at a Reef. In August, the deputy for cover, but no major damage was shaking. provocative activity in the South Dredgers were also creat- defence forum in Beijing yester- head of the Chinese Foreign immediately reported. China’s national CCTV television China Sea, one of Asia’s big- ing a harbour to the east of the day, Jin Zhirui, a colonel with Ministry’s Boundary and Ocean The quake struck 39 kilometres showed footage taken from a mobile gest security issues. Concern is reef “that would appear to be the Chinese air force command, Affairs Departments said he northwest of Kangding in the moun- phone of panicked residents running growing about an escalation in large enough to receive tankers declined to confirm it but said was unaware of any such plans. tainous west of the province at 0855 in the streets. AFP disputes even as claimants work and major surface combatants,” China needed to build facilities REUTERS Philippines bans some Hong Kong journalists

MANILA: The Philippines that risk,” immigration bureau Commercial Radio. stressed it had not specifically said yesterday it had banned spokeswoman Elaine Tan said An Aquino spokesman at the prevented anyone from cover- certain foreign journalists in a statement to AFP. time said the journalists had ing the APEC summit in the from the country over an inci- Hong Kong newspapers “crossed the line” by aggres- Philippines in November next dent last year, when President reported that nine journalists sively questioning Aquino about year. Benigno Aquino was taunted from the Chinese territory have a hostage siege in Manila that Herminio Coloma said the by a group of Hong Kong been banned ahead of the Asia left eight Hong Kong tourists presidential office, which is in reporters during a visit to Pacific Economic Cooperation dead in 2010. charge of accrediting journal- Indonesia. (APEC) summit to be hosted When an individual “shows ists who will cover the summit, The immigration bureau by the Philippines next year. disrespect or makes offen- “has not started the accredita- said the journalists, whom it In October last year APEC sive utterances to symbols of tion process for journalists”. did not name, were blacklisted summit host Indonesia with- Philippine authority”, it is suf- Relations between Hong on the recommendation of the drew the credentials of nine ficient ground to ban him or Kong and the Philippines were intelligence services over “acts Hong Kong journalists for her from the country, immi- strained for years following committed against the presi- shouting questions at the gration spokeswoman Tan said a botched rescue attempt by dent during a summit in Bali, Philippine leader, insisting they yesterday. Manila in 2010 when Hong Indonesia”. had posed a security threat. “If he (or she) submits suffi- Kong tourists were taken hos- “The rationale is that the sub- Hong Kong media said the cient proof to reverse the black- tage inside a bus by a disgraced ject is a threat to public safety journalists and technicians list, it may be lifted accordingly.” ex-Manila police officer. and blacklisting minimises were from Now TV, RTHK and An Aquino spokesman AFP

Poll campaign in Taiwan Ailing Thai king misses meeting BANGKOK: Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej missed a planned meeting with two government minis- ters, palace officials said, amid ongoing public con- cern over the state of the ailing 86-year-old’s health. The two ministers were supposed to accom- pany junta leader General Prayut Chan-O-Cha to meet the world’s longest serving monarch on Friday evening to swear an oath in Supporters of Taiwan’s ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) wave campaign flags near the Taipei 101 front of him before taking skyscraper at a campaign rally ahead of local elections in Taipei, Taiwan, yesterday. Taiwan will hold a nine- up office. in-one local election on November 29 to pick local officials. AFP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13

Obama, Sharif Female Afghan MP defiant after attack discuss ‘evolving Recuperating Barakzai vows to protect and advance women’s rights situation’ in

KABUL: Afghan women’s was led away to safety, and she from Islamist groups, including she said. “I would be very sur- discrimination and violence. the region rights campaigner Shukria appeared to have not been seri- Taliban insurgents. prised if Pakistan supports my “It’s ok when the president Barakzai speaks in a tired whis- ously injured. “I had lots of threats, but activities.” visits a hospital at midnight. But ISLAMABAD: US President per as she recovers in hospital But the huge impact of the this one was (nearly) success- Whoever was to blame, for me it’s (only) symbolism,” she Barack Obama telephoned from an assassination attempt blast, which killed three nearby ful,” she said on Friday, sit- Barakzai said she is determined said. “He needs to take stronger Pakistani Prime Minister that nearly killed her a week civilians, took its toll and she is ting up in her bed with her to protect and advance women’s steps, very serious steps. I encour- Nawaz Sharif to discuss the ago, but her message is strong being treated for shock as well as outstretched hand covered in rights even as the multi-billion- age his team.” “evolving situation” in the and clear. for burns on her left hand. medical gauze. dollar international development For now, Barakzai is counting region, the Pakistani foreign “I don’t want the women of Barakzai is one of the most “Am I such threat to them? I’m effort since 2001 declines in the her luck and wondering how she ministry said. Afghanistan to be scared,” she prominent female activists in just a women working for wom- coming years. will keep herself and her five chil- “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said at her bedside in Kabul. Afghanistan, where women’s en’s rights in Afghanistan. “I’m optimistic for the future of dren safe. expressed satisfaction at the “I am waiting for my recovery rights have been at the centre of “I’m surprised that the Taliban the country. I believe things will Her twins, Usman and Toran, direction of Pakistan-US rela- and I will go back (to work). And radical changes during 13 years of didn’t claim responsibility (for the get back on track,” she said. bound into the hospital room to tions which were on an upward this time I will work even harder international intervention since attack)... It’s someone else.” Barakzai ran a secret girls see their mother for the first time trajectory” and “President Obama than before. the fall of the Taliban regime in She says she doesn’t know who school when the Taliban regime since the attack, sitting on her noted Pakistan-US relations were “This attack was an attack on 2001. targeted her, but wonders if it outlawed female education, and bed and kissing her. strong and robust” during their all women in Afghanistan — this Women, who were confined could be related to her support she has criticised any plan to open They will turn four on Monday. conversation on Friday evening is not only on me.” to the home and forced to wear for some US troops staying in peace talks with the group that is “When you see my vehicle, you the ministry said in a statement. Barakzai, a 41-year-old member all-encompassing burqas under Afghanistan after Nato combat now waging a bloody war against see how very powerful the bomb Obama informed Sharif of his of parliament, staggered from the the Taliban, have secured more operations finish at the end of the the Kabul government. was,” she reflects. forthcoming trip to India and said wrecked remains of her car after freedoms, but Barakzai’s pro- year. She has already been push- “God protected me. God wants he would visit Pakistan as soon it was hit by a suicide bomber on equality stance has earned her a Or perhaps it might be ele- ing the new president, Ashraf me to do more in my job. as the situation normalises in the a main road near the parliament lot of enemies. ments in neighbouring Pakistan, Ghani, to come good on his cam- “We want children to go to country, the ministry said, follow- last Sunday. She has faced hostility from which is often accused of fuelling paign promises of improving the school. We want a normal life for ing Sharif’s earlier invitation to She was still carrying her many conservative Muslim men violence in Afghanistan. status of women in Afghanistan, everyone.” the president. mobile phone and handbags as she and received regular death threats “I’m outspoken, I’m very clear,” where they endure routine AFP Sharif referred to his visit to India earlier this year, which was aimed at taking Pakistan-India relations forward. Nato supplies However, “subsequent unfor- tunate steps on India’s part, SC wants to extend including cancellation of foreign secretary level talks and the unprovoked firing across the Line of Control/Working Boundary (in jurisdiction to Fata Kashmir) resulting in civilian cas- ualties, indicated that India was ISLAMABAD: The Supreme suitable amendments in the averse to normalisation of rela- Court of Pakistan has taken Constitution. tions with Pakistan”, the state- up the row over extending The three-judge bench of the ment quoted Sharif as saying. superior court jurisdiction to apex court, headed by Chief justice He said “while we remain open the Federally Administered Nasirul Mulk took up on Friday to the resumption of bilateral dia- Tribal Areas (Fata), official the appeal of the federal govern- logue, the onus is on India to cre- court sources confirmed here ment against the PHC’s April 7 ate a conducive environment in yesterday. verdict on court jurisdiction in the this regard.” Seven month earlier in April tribal areas. Recent exchanges of fire across 2014, the Peshawar High Court The high court had observed the de facto border between India (PHC) had recommended that that denial of fundamental rights and Pakistan in Kashmir, which lawmakers introduce necessary of tribesmen, which were available both countries administer in part amendments in the Constitution to other citizens, had caused the but claim in full, have killed at to give tribal people greater access tribal areas to become the most least 20 civilians and forced thou- to justice. dangerous region. sands to flee their homes. The tribal areas are governed A five-member bench headed by The nuclear-armed neighbours, by the colonial British ruler’s the then PHC chief justice Mian have traded blame for the upsurge Frontier Crimes Regulation Fasihul Mulk on April 7, had recom- in firing and shelling which (FCR), which denies many fun- mended the parliament to amend started on October 6. India called damental rights to tribesmen. Article 247 (7) of the Constitution off peace talks in August after The federation has moved the with regard to extending the juris- Pakistan first consulted Kashmiri Supreme Court against PHC diction of Supreme Court and high separatists, a move some saw as a recommendation contend- court in Fata. sign of a tougher stance by Prime ing that “the high court can- The Article 247(7) reads: Minister Narendra Modi’s new not issue specific directives to “neither the Supreme Court right-wing government. parliament.” nor a high court shall exer- “The two leaders agreed to stay The apex court has sought cise any jurisdiction under the engaged to further strengthen legal assistance of Khyber Constitution in relation to a Pakistan-US relations in their Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General tribal area, unless Majlis-e- Trucks carrying logistic supplies for the Nato forces in Afghanistan wait for clearance near the Afghan bor- common desire to promote peace Latif Yousafzai over the exten- Shoora (Parliament) by law oth- der in Chaman, Pakistan, yesterday. Several trucks transporting logistic supplies of Nato forces cross into and prosperity in South Asia,” the sion of the jurisdiction of supe- erwise provides.” Pakistan on a regular basis, heading to Karachi for shipment back home. ministry statement said. rior courts in Fata after making INTERNEWS AFP PAF seeking Chinese stealth fighters Sharif may consult national ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force that several countries have expressed interest (PAF) has expressed interest in procur- in the aircraft believed to be comparable to US leaders on PTI’s ing fourth generation stealth fighter aircraft F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. FC-31 from China. A prototype of the aircraft, designated as J-31, Minister for Defence Production Tanveer has been flown by the Chinese aircraft research Nov 30 rally Hussain was yesterday quoted by Dawn news- and development firm Shenyang Aviation paper as telling it that the matter was being Company for a couple of years now. ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister discussed with Chinese authorities. What particularly interests the PAF is that Nawaz Sharif is likely to consult It is for the first time that a senior govern- FC-31 prototype (J-31) and JF-17 use the same with senior leaders of parlia- ment functionary has confirmed talks with China Russian Klimov RD-93 engines. Pakistan is mentary parties about handling over purchase of the longer-range stealth air- increasingly relying on China as a reliable source Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik- craft an issue that has been a subject of specu- for its defence procurements. Hussain said that e-Insaf (PTI) show of agita- lation in defence circles since the 10th edition of Pakistan was also interested in Chinese attack tional strength in Islamabad on the Zhuhai Air Show (China) held earlier this helicopter Z-10. China and Pakistan had earlier November 30. month, when the aircraft was unveiled. co-produced JF-17 Thunder. Pakistan has been “We are constantly in touch The Jane’s Defence Weekly had quoted an eagerly trying to market this fighter aircraft. with the parliamentary heads unnamed Pakistani official as saying that the PAF “We have nearly confirmed orders from seven on various key issues,” a cabinet was holding talks with China for the purchase of countries for JF-17,” Hussain said. Pakistan, which member has told The News daily. 30 to 40 of the Shenyang FC-31 fighter planes and is at present producing Block-2 of JF-17 at the “We will certainly discuss with that discussions had gone beyond initial inquiries. Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, is eyeing them the strategy on how to deal The FC-31 is being developed by China prima- orders from countries in the Middle East and Africa. with the PTI show in a lawful rily for the export market. Chinese officials claim INTERNEWS manner.” Sharif will have sessions with the top leaders of Asif Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Foggy day Sirajul Haq’s Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Fazlur Rehman’s Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), Asfandyar Wali’s Awami National Party (ANP), Hasil Bizenjo’s National Party (NP), Mahmood Achakzai’s Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP), and others. All of them share the gov- ernment’s view that the public activity should be peaceful and should not disturb normal life. The source said that the gov- ernment’s decision about the November 30 public meeting was clear: the PTI is welcome to organise its show while remain- ing within confines of the law; any violence will not be tolerated. He said that terms of conditions that the PTI would follow while holding its rally would be finalised in consultation with it. They will be in black and white and circu- lated publicly so that there is no A man rides a bicycle to work as fog covers the surroundings in Phool Nagar, Pakistan, yesterday. ambiguity about them, he said. INTERNEWS SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Muslims have Nobel vision ignored call to join IS: Official ‘Country has inherent strength’

NEW DELHI: National the IS and the Al Qaeda and their Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit wish to bleed India, “the inher- Doval yesterday said there ent strength of the country is were fewer than 10 cases of so strong that it is not going to Indian youth wanting to join degrade the country”. the Islamic State and Muslim “Indian society has taken it in leaders in India had unani- its stride. They can bleed us, but mously come out against the if anyone thinks India has been jihadist group. degraded, it is mistaken, India’s Addressing the HT Leadership inherent strength is beyond phys- Summit, Doval also said Pakistan ical,” he said. was “using terrorism as an instru- Mentioning Pakistan and ment of state policy” and that China, he said “the two are India will have to prepare for a nuclear powers, both do not have “two-front war” — one engaged any representative democratic diplomatically and economically form of government, both have Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi speaks to activists and children during a protest against child slavery in New Delhi yesterday. The activist was with the two nuclear-armed adversity towards India”. recognised for decades of doggedly championing children’s rights in his home country and worldwide and argues that poverty should not be an neighbours, China and Pakistan, He said the focus was on excuse for child labour. and also build up its deterrence. increased economic engagement On cases of Indian youth being with China and Pakistan, and also drawn to the IS, he said: “We to use soft power, without losing know for certain at least five out in national security interest. or six cases where some youth He said the electioneering in showed inclination, but their par- Kashmir for the assembly polls J&K suffering due to dynastic rule: Modi ents went to police and the intel- was peaceful and there has been ligence agencies and sought their least violence in the state so far. KISHTWAR: Prime Minister themselves. “I appeal to you to “I have a vision for Jammu and is the fastest developing district help to prevent their wards from “Pakistan is using terrorism as Narendra Modi yesterday unshackle yourselves from the Kashmir and that vision is based of the country”. joining the IS.” an instrument of state policy. We exhorted people in this Jammu yoke of this dynastic rule,” said on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision “It produces more electric He said there were two con- have to prepare for a situation of and Kashmir town to unshackle Modi while addressing a well- of Insaniyat, Jumhooriyat and power than the entire state of firmed cases including one of a two-front war. The challenge is to themselves from the yoke of attended Bharatiya Janata Party Kashmiriyat. J&K. If Kutch can prosper, so can youth who died. But the total engage them diplomatically, cre- dynastic rule and promised (BJP) poll rally here. “There were times when Kutch Kashmir. I have come to seek your number was below 10. ate economic interdependence, to make the state the “ulti- He asked people to vote for district in Gujarat was the most cooperation to realise that dream Doval said the most important and engage in various other fields, mate tourist destination in the BJP in large numbers so that backward area of the country...I for Kashmir.” factor was that Muslim lead- and at the same time build our the world”. the next government in the state learnt a great thing by visit- The prime minister said that ers unanimously denounced the deterrence capability.” Modi said that Jammu and is formed by the BJP on its own ing Kutch. I had then recently development is his mantra for the jihadist group. To a question on construction Kashmir had been held hos- strength. taken over as the chief minister entire country. “Not even one Muslim religious activities by China in Pakistan- tage by two families for over 50 The state will see a staggered of Gujarat. I met people there Noting that the fastest grow- leader has supported the IS. All of administered Kashmir, he said years — without naming either five-phase elections that begins who told me they were fed up of ing industry in the world today them have issued fatwas against India has taken up the issue the Congress or the National November 25 and ends December repeated speeches by politicians is tourism industry, he said: “I it, saying it is wrong and given a with both countries from time Conference. 20. The votes will be counted about the looming threat from have to bring back Bollywood very, very strong message against to time, “and the government “One family rules and robs the December 23. across the border.” to Kashmir. I have to bring it, and that it should not be done,” should prepare itself for related sate for five years and then after Modi spoke of former prime He added that “people there back tourism to the state and I he said. consequences”. it becomes unpopular, it gives minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s wanted me to speak to them about have to make J&K the ultimate The former top intelligence He said cyber space was the power to rob the state to the vision for the state, asserting he development and progress in their tourist destination in the official said he very strongly feels increasingly becoming the new other family. They have done a would use all his power to realise lives. I learnt there that power of world.” that despite the threat posed by front for war. IANS political match fixing between that dream. this vision in Kutch. Today Kutch IANS

Dismantling warship Bukhari’s Mamata furious as MP son anointed deputy Imam sent to CBI custody KOLKATA: Trinamool fingers at us?” of Jama Masjid Congress MP Srinjoy Bose “If we are hit, we will hit back. was yesterday sent to CBI cus- Don’t show us red eyes. We are tody for his alleged complicity not dependent on you. NEW DELHI: Shaban in the Saradha scam, as West “We are not slaves of power. We Bukhari, the 19-year-old son of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata are not weak. We will pay them Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Banerjee lashed out at the fed- back politically for every action. Ahmed Bukhari, was yester- eral government for its “divisive They can impose Article 356 if day formally anointed the Naib politics” and dared it to impose they want,” the chief minister Imam (deputy Imam) of the President’s rule in the state. said, referring to the article that 17th century mosque at a cer- Banerjee, also the Trinamool deals with failure of the consti- emony here. chief, said she would not be cowed tutional machinery of the state, The anointment, which was down by the intimidating tactics which leads to President’s rule. attended by religious leaders from of the Bharatiya Janata Party “Other political leaders like India and abroad, comes in the (BJP) led government but would (Congress president) Sonia face of objection by the Indian retaliate. Gandhi are silent because they government and the Wakf Board, She questioning the Central are afraid. However, you can- which termed the ceremony Workers dismantle the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at a ship breaking yard in Mumbai yesterday. The ship, Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) not keep me silent. I fear no “illegal”. which was built during WWII and named HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy, was bought from Britain credibility and called for its one. I cannot be silenced,” she “I announce Shaban Bukhari as as an umcompleted carrier in 1957. The ship was decommissioned in 1997 and turned into a museum at the reconstitution. said, announcing that her party the Naib Imam of Jama Masjid. I Mumbai harbour after some 10 years. Even as Banerjee hit out at the would hold a rally in the city hope he will live up to the expec- federal government and the CBI, November 24 against the federal tations,” Syed Ahmed Bukhari Governor K N Tripathi justified government’s “conspiracy against said during the ceremony held at Bose’s arrest, saying the probe Trinamool”. the red-stone mosque near the agency “must have reasons” Questioning the integrity of the Red Fort. Kerala govt suspends bureaucrat over graft to do so. CBI, which Friday arrested Bose, The senior Bukhari performed Addressing party activists here, Banerjee said: “About the CBI, I ‘dastarbandi’ (the ceremony) by KOCHI: The Kerala govern- Chief Minister Oommen not a vindictive move. Banerjee said: “Just because I don’t have to say anything, the tying a scarf around Shaban’s ment yesterday suspended Chandy told reporters that the Meanwhile, Sooraj told the went to Delhi to attend a con- Supreme Court has already said head who was dressed in a white PWD secretary T O Sooraj for law would take its course in the media that he accepted the clave of secular parties, they took enough about its credibility.” customary gown. possessing assets dispropor- case. The stern action by Chandy decision. revenge by arresting our MP.” “Our fight against political He will be the 14th Naib Imam tionate to his known sources of appears to be the first such “I will from now on deal with Ridiculing Prime Minister vendetta has started. They have after his father who was anointed income. instance recently when a senior this case legally. Moreover, I have Narendra Modi’s “frequent for- attacked us, we will reply politi- in 1973 and who became the chief His suspension came after vigi- IAS official has been suspended. been a government official for eign visits”, she said “the man in cally. They want to silence all custodian of the country’s largest lance officials raided five places Home Minister Ramesh 35 years and I also know lots of charge of the nation... how much voices of dissent. They are afraid mosque in 2000. early this week and questioned Chennithala Friday confirmed things. At the appropriate time, I time has he spent in India? People of me, hence engaging in conspir- Shaban, who is pursuing Sooraj for several hours Friday that there was strong evidence will react and reveal. who have several cases of rioting acies,” she added. his bachelor’s degree in social in Kochi. against the bureaucrat and it was IANS against them, how can they point IANS work at Amity University, is now in line to become the next Shahi Imam. “I will try to fulfil all the responsibilities to the best of my ability,” Shaban said, standing atop a canopy-shaped structure Plan to build world’s tallest tower in Hyderabad on the mosque’s premises. The Bukharis, originally from HYDERABAD: The Telangana At the five-hour long review prescribed by the Supreme Court. the sewerage lines joining the the lake to turn Hyderabad into a central Asia, have been the tra- government yesterday decided meeting, the chief minister decided The sewage from the towers will lake, said a statement from the city like Kuala Lumpur. He plans ditional custodians of the Jama to build the world’s tallest to construct skyscrapers in the not be released into the lake. chief minister’s office. to develop 60- to 100-storeyed Masjid since it was built dur- tower and other skyscrapers first phase on 100 acres at 40 places The world’s tallest tower is Stating that immersion of skyscrapers to house government ing the Mughal era in the 17th at 40 places around Hussain around the lake. Rao said there the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The Ganesh idols is polluting the office, business establishments, century. Sagar lake in the heart of would be no hurdles in the projects 828 metres high tower has 163 lake, KCR said a lake will be entertainment centres and other The ceremony courted contro- Hyderabad. as the lands at all the places are floors. KCR, as the chief minis- created at Indira Park near public and private institutions. versy after the federal govern- A meeting presided over by owned by the government. ter is popularly known, directed Hussain Sagar to allow annual The government will consider ment and the Wakf Board told Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Allaying the apprehension of officials to launch on war footing immersion of idols. proposals like building the tow- the Delhi High Court that the Rao decided to build the world’s the environmentalists, he said the works for cleaning and beau- Last week, the city minister ers and giving them on lease or anointment was “illegal” and had tallest tower in Sanjeevaiah Park the projects will be undertaken tification of Hussain Sagar. He mooted the idea of building a entrusting the construction to no legal sanctity. IANS abutting the picturesque lake. within the environmental norms announced Rs1bn for diverting necklace of skyscrapers around private developers. IANS

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

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THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW Wild elephants along with newborns cross a tea garden to enter a paddy field in Sonitpur district of Assam, about 300km from Guwahati city in India yesterday. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 32/23 Clear 32/24 Clear MAKKAH 32/22 Thunderstorm 31/20 Chance of storm KUWAIT 24/12 Partly cloudy 23/17 Chance of showers BAHRAIN 28/21 Partly cloudy 28/22 Chance of storm Indonesia president flies economy class SANAA 23/08 Clear 24/08 Clear RIYADH 26/19 Chance of storm 24/18 Chance of storm JAKARTA: Indonesia’s new Southeast Asia’s biggest economy slept in an expensive hotel.” travelling for personal reasons. DUBAI 31/20 Clear 32/21 Clear President Joko Widodo caused last month. The presence of the Widodo stayed in a five- “I am going for family matters, BAGHDAD 21/08 Partly cloudy 21/11 Partly cloudy a stir this weekend by opting to president, known by his nickname star hotel on Orchard Road, a private agenda, not a state visit THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW fly economy class to watch his Jokowi, caused a buzz at Jakarta’s Singapore’s shopping mecca, an — so why should I use the facil- son’s high school graduation in airport as passengers shouted and Indonesian embassy spokesman ity?” Widodo told reporters. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER Singapore, drawing both praise clamoured to shake his hand, in Singapore told AFP. The president and his wife were and criticism online. with some taking selfies on their But his choice to fly economy in Singapore to see their young- Skipping the usual heavy secu- phones. Some, though, thought it also won widespread praise, with est son, 19-year-old Kaesang ATHENS 14/10 Partly cloudy 14/09 Partly cloudy rity protocol for heads of state, was a publicity stunt. many urging other government Pangarep, graduate from the WASHINGTON 14/17 Chance of rain 22/10 Chance of showers Widodo and his wife Iriana “Why should he go through the officials to follow suit. Anglo-Chinese International SYDNEY 38/19 Chance of storm 22/17 Clear queued for check-in at Jakarta metal detector, join the queue, “Jokowi sets a good example by School on Friday evening. The LONDON 11/01 Rain 08/02 Clear airport like ordinary passengers etc? Sir, stop polishing your image, flying economy. Hopefully other couple have two other children. PARIS 16/11 Chance of showers 12/09 Chance of showers before taking their economy seats. just act natural,” Rangga Aditya officials can follow in his foot- Widodo had breakfast with ISTANBUL 09/08 Chance of rain 11/08 Chance of showers Widodo is known for his commented on news portal Detik. steps,” tweeted Anita Tobing. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee MANILA 31/25 Partly cloudy 30/25 Partly cloudy common touch, and his family com. Harry Azet tweeted: “Living Widodo said he did not use Hsien Loong before flying back DHAKA 28/17 Clear 28/17 Partly cloudy have maintained a modest life- a fake life is difficult: Jokowi went the presidential private jet or to Jakarta on Saturday morning. DELHI 26/11 Clear 26/12 Clear style since he became leader of to Singapore flying economy but the VIP terminal because he was AFP ISLAMABAD 21/08 Clear 22/11 Clear Chinese movies Life no easier with dominate nominations at Oscars, says Waltz Taiwan film fest LOS ANGELES: For nearly three decades, Austrian-born TAIPEI: Chinese-language Christoph Waltz (pictured) was cinema A-listers and stars from a jobbing actor in Europe. He Japan and Hollywood gath- finally came to Hollywood in ered in Taiwan yesterday for 2009, and in the next four years this year’s Golden Horse Film he won two Oscars. Awards, with movies from On December 1 he will receive mainland China dominating the his star on the storied Hollywood nominations. Walk of Fame. Touted as the Chinese-language Not bad for a boy from Vienna. equivalent to the Oscars, the cer- But despite his evident suc- emony will see Chinese star Gong cess, the 58-year-old insists life Li, Hollywood actress Lily Collins is no simpler now he’s on the and Japanese actor Masatoshi Tinseltown A-list. Nagase among the famous “This is a fight ... life isn’t eas- names on the red carpet ahead ier now with two Oscars,” he told of a glamorous ceremony in the AFP in an interview, while pro- capital Taipei. moting his latest film “Horrible The mainland is traditionally a Bosses 2,” out next Wednesday. strong contender at the awards, Cultivated, attentive, and with but has faced increasing competi- a piercing gaze, Waltz is none- tion from Taiwan and Hong Kong theless enjoying the fruits of his in recent years. success. This time Chinese cop thriller His career began in 1979 in his do, with the people you like to do “Black Coal, Thin Ice” leads the native Austria, after catching the it with. And this place is here, pack. acting bug from his parents: his of course,” he said, speaking in Directed by China’s Diao Yinan mother Elisabeth was a costume Hollywood. it has eight nods and already took The watercolour painting which was supposedly painted by Adolf Hitler, is shown at an auction house in Nuremberg designer and father Johannes a His most important new the Golden Bear award for best in East Germany. The work was auctioned yesterday. stage builder. friend in Hollywood was Quentin film in Berlin in February. His grandparents had been Tarantino, the director of “unor- The film tells the story of a actors, and he followed them by thodox methods of navigation” as washed-up ex-cop investigating studying at the Max Reinhart Waltz describes him. a series of grisly murders and Seminar at the University of The “Reservoir Dogs” and is nominated for best film, best Adolf Hitler’s painting sold for Music and Performing Arts in “Pulp Fiction” filmmaker gave director, best leading actor and Vienna, followed by the cele- Waltz the “gift” of his two most best leading actress. brated Lee Strasberg institute in famous roles so far: Colonel Hans Two other mainland movies — New York. Landa in “Inglourious Basterds” “A Fool” and “Blind Massage” are €130,000 to Mideast buyer His small-screen debut was in (2009) and doctor King Schultz in also up for the coveted best film TV movies and German-language “Django Unchained” (2012). title, competing against Chinese- BERLIN: A 1914 watercolour auction whether it was taste- Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts. series like “Tanz Mit Dem Teufel” In both cases he won the Oscar Hong Kong co-production “The by Adolf Hitler fetched ¤130,000 less to auction the Nazi dictator’s Five other Hitler paintings (“Dance with the Devil”) or and Golden Globe for best sup- Golden Era” and Taiwanese base- ($161,000) at an auction in the works, generally considered to have fetched between ¤5,000 and “Feuer und Schwert” (“Fire and porting actor, prizes which cata- ball drama “Kano”. Germen city of Nuremberg yes- be of only limited artistic merit, ¤80,000 euros at auction. Sword”) based on the legend of pulted him into the Hollywood “Blind Massage,” directed by terday, the auctioneers said. Weidler said complaints should Weidler said the original Tristan and Isolde. stratosphere. China’s Lou Ye, has seven nomi- The buyer was a private per- be addressed to the sellers — two handwritten bill of sale, dated Over the following years he Winning the prizes “is an hon- nations for its portrayal of blind son from the Middle East who unidentified German sisters in September 25, 1916, had come combined work in film, TV and our, it’s flattering, and a won- massage therapists, featuring attended the sale in person, said their 70s. with the painting and was a rar- theatre. “I really was constantly derful thing to be awarded,” he some blind amateur actors. Kathrin Weidler, head of the auc- Weidler said the vendors ity for Hitler’s art. moving from countries, places, said. “But yet you have to keep “Kano” follows closely with six tion house. She said there had had decided to donate around That also explained the rela- mentalities, languages,” he said. doing what you do, and try to do nods. also been inquiries from Asia 10 percent of the proceeds to a tively high selling price, she said. “You move out as a young man, it well. Keep fighting for getting For best director, three and America. charity that helps disabled But that has raised doubt you conquer this and conquer good roles. Chinese nominees — Diao, Wang The painting, entitled children. among critics about the painting’s that.” Conscious that the German “That’s all it is about,” he added. Xiaoshuai (“Red Amnesia”) and “Standesamt und Altes Rathaus Hitler’s Nazi party held mass provenance. language was limiting his range, He added that he keeps his Lou (“Blind Massage”) are vying Muenchen” (Civil Registry Office rallies in Nuremberg between They recall how hoaxer Konrad he decided to leave for London golden statuettes in a corner. “If against Myanmar-born, Taiwan- and Old Town Hall of Munich), 1933 and 1938. In his autobiog- Kujau used supposed certifica- and Paris, where he said he “dis- you don’t put it somewhere and based Midi Z (“Ice Poison”) and is one of about 2,000 works that raphy “Mein Kampf”, he wrote tions of authenticity to trick some covered tourism of a very, very leave it there, if you always carry Hong Kong’s Ann Hui (“The Hitler painted between about that, as a young man, his hopes historians when he marketed high level.” it in front of you, you will end hav- Golden Era). 1905 and 1920 as a struggling of becoming an artist had been what proved to be bogus “Hitler “I discovered the place to live ing a problem,” he said. AFP young artist. Asked before the dashed by repeated rejection by Diaries” in 1983. REUTERS really is where you do what you AFP Sunday 23 November 2014 1 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6258 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 QIA building top-end hotel portfolio worldwide Fund confirms interest in ‘trophy assets’, says report DOHA: Qatar’s sovereign wealth assets”, as its investment in lux- investment in the Doha Investment fund, Qatar Investment Authority ury brands and retailers continues Corporation. (QIA), is building a global top- unabated. QIA’s subsidiary Qatar “After spectacular records of end hotel portfolio. QIA displayed Holding took full control of French last year, one could hardly figure strong interests in global hotels department store Printemps. Qatar out that QIA’s could gain further and tourism facilities last year, Holding bought a controlling stake prominence as direct equity inves- according to a new report. from the real estate investment tor amongst SWF. Yet in 2013 QIA “QIA confirmed its appetite for division of Deutsche Bank’s Asset not only leads the ranking by deal trophy-assets and luxury brands Management division via its spe- value, but it has also increased its by acquiring via its specialised cialised Luxemburg-based operating share of total investment from 26 Officials at the award-giving ceremony. subsidiary Constellations Hotels arm Divine Investment, outbidding percent to 30 percent, thanks to 26 Holding nothing less than the the French competitor Galaries acquisitions with $14.9bn.” InterContinental flagship hotels Lafayette. QIA also increased its The report said global SWF’s in London and New York; l’Hotel stake in Tiffany & Co to 11.3 percent, appetite for big international banks du Louvre in Paris; and the Four with the acquisition of an additional did not vanish completely in 2013. QIIC bags two awards Seasons Hotel in Florence. In a 3.2 million shares of the retailer. Indeed, one of the most significant separate 100m pounds deal it also “After Harrods, LVMH, Porsche, deals of the year is the $1bn invest- DOHA: Qatar Islamic Insurance Company Qatar as a whole since we are the only Qatari acquired the freehold from the and some of Europe’s leading lux- ment in Bank of America by QIA, (QIIC) was awarded the “Family Takaful company among the winners in fourteen cat- Crown Estate, the property com- ury hotels, the extent of Qatar’s an example of the fund’s strategy to Company of the Year” and “General Takaful egories”. He added: “These awards shall act as a pany that controls the assets of the Investment Authority involvement acquire minority stake in major glo- Company of the Year” at the 1st Middle East catalyst to help improve and spread our services Crown in the UK. in the luxury industry this year bal companies. In the past, QIA has Insurance Industry Awards 2014 held recently to our varied client base and shall help raise the “Indeed, QIA is building a glo- has become even more impressive, gained exposure to Western finan- in Dubai, said a press statement yesterday. industry standards”. bal top-end hotel portfolio, and perhaps not surprising given that cial institutions through a stake in The awards were received by Jamal The selection was made by a judging panel of this year’s $2.4bn purchases mark Qatar is, by some metrics, the rich- Credit Suisse, acquired in 2008, and Abdullah Al Jamal, Board Member, on behalf 25 prominent local and international insurance another landmark in the proc- est country in the world.” three capital injections into Barclays of Sheikh Abdullah bin Thani Al Thani, professionals on the basis of the most construc- ess,” the “Sovereign Wealth Fund In 2013, the share of domestic in the same year. QIA currently Chairman of the Board of Directors, in the tive, efficient and effective Shariah-compliant Annual Report 2013” released by the investments remained in the same holds also interests in the financial ceremony attended by a large number of products and quality services to meet the finan- International Forum of Sovereign range of the previous year, with sector in Greece, after investments insurance executives of the Middle East and cial risks faced by individuals, families and Wealth Funds (IFSWF) noted. SWFs purchasing domestic assets in the now merged Alpha Bank and North Africa (Mena) region. businesses. Qatar Islamic Insurance is the only The report noted that QIA worth $7.7bn in 33 deals. The biggest Eurobank, the report said. Jamal said: “It is a proud moment not only double winner in the competition. confirmed its interest in “trophy spender was QIA, due to the sizeable THE PENINSULA for Qatar Islamic Insurance but for the State of THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Qatar banks’ New Hyundai Sonata loan book dips in Oct Private sector deposits rise: Report

DOHA: The loan book of banks percent (+9.1 percent YTD 2014). in Qatar decreased by 2 percent, On the private sector front, the while deposits declined by 0.3 companies & institutions’ seg- percent in October 2014, com- ment increased by 1.0 percent pared to the previous month, MoM (+8.1 percent YTD 2014) the QNB Financial Services while the consumer segment (QNBFS) monthly banking sec- posted a growth of 1.1 percent tor update noted. MoM (up 10.1 percent YTD). Public sector (down 5.7 per- The overall loan book declined cent) was the primary driver of by 2.0 percent MoM vs. a 4.0 per- the overall decline in the loan cent growth MoM in September Hyundai Motor Co’s new Sonata model, designed specifically for the Chinese market, displayed at the China Guangzhou International Automobile book (public sector loans were 2014. Total domestic public sec- Exhibition, in Guangzhou, China. up 3.9 percent in September). tor loans decreased by 5.7 per- Moreover, deposits also fell cent (also down 5.7 percent slightly by 0.3 percent in October. YTD). The government seg- Thus, the loan to deposit ratio ment’s loan book went down by (LDR) declined to 105 percent as 16.8 percent (up 1.6 percent YTD against 107 percent in September. 2014). Moreover, the government “Going forward, we expect institutions’ segment declined by French business delegation to arrive today increased activity in the sector. 1.5 percent and is down 11.8 per- We continue to expect improve- cent YTD. DOHA: A French business del- visit to Qatar of the President of represented in the delegation. such as the ministers in charge ment in the public sector, in Furthermore, the semi-gov- egation, representing 32 com- the French Republic, François Some have already a long-stand- of the economic development of addition to large corporate loan ernment institutions’ segment panies, led by Yves-Thibault Hollande. ing presence in Qatar. Other the country. growth followed by the SMEs and declined by 0.5 percent (+11.4 per- de Silguy, Co-chairman of According to the statement, companies are actively prospect- The French business commu- consumer lending to be the pri- cent YTD). Hence, all the three the French-Qatari Business this visit will be a concrete fol- ing and would like to develop or nity sees Qatar as a major partner mary drivers of the overall loan public sector segments pulled the Council, Vice-Chairman of low-up of the Qatari-French invest in the country. in the Middle East, not only for book in 2014 and 2015. Our view overall loan book down for the Medef International and Vice- Business Forum co-organised in During the three-day long pro- its economic weight that attracts is based on the expected uptick in month of October 2014. Private Chairman and Senior Director of Paris in June 2014 by the French gramme, a particular focus will foreign investors, but also thanks project mobilizations in the com- sector loans gained by 0.3 percent Vinci is expected to arrive today Ministry of Foreign Affairs and be put on two main sectors which to its political stability. ing months”. and are up 13.8 percent YTD. for a three-day visit, said a press Medef International on the occa- are the smart city and sports M Yves-Thibault de Silguy, The public sector deposits Consumption & others statement issued yesterday. sion of the official visit to France infrastructures and sports event said: “Qatar has long been a decreased by 3.3 percent (+ 6.3 increased by 0.9 percent (+16.9 The initiative is led by Medef of the Emir of Qatar, H H Sheikh management. This business del- very strong partner for French percent year-to-date 2014) for the percent YTD). The Real Estate International (the French Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. egation will therefore meet with companies and we are expecting month of October 2014. Delving segment grew by 2.1 percent Business Confederation which That business delegation will top Qatari institutions such as to strengthen our already strong into segment details, the gov- (+5.7 percent YTD). However, the represents 800,000 French com- be compounded with 32 French Public Works Authority (Ashghal) business relationships by con- ernment institutions’ segment Services segment posted a decline panies abroad), with the sup- companies, all with cutting-edge and the Supreme Committee for tributing to the economic diver- improved by 0.5 percent (+11.4 of 7.2 percent but is still up 11.8 port of the Qatari authorities, technologies and representing Delivery and Legacy, particularly sification of the Emirate, in line percent YTD 2014). Moreover, percent in the first ten months the French Embassy in Doha a wide range of industries such in charge of the 2022 Qatar World with Qatar National Vision 2030. the semi-government institu- of 2014. and particularly its Economic as energy, transportation, event Cup. Medef International has also long tions’ segment posted a growth Overall, the segments repre- Department. management, public works, French companies will also been convinced that French large of 10.1 percent (up 0.1 percent senting general trade (+27.1 per- Medef International has long urban, sports infrastructure and have the unique opportunity companies should now pave the YTD 2014). However, the govern- cent YTD) and contractors (+23.0 been active in Qatar and has environmental services. to meet with the main Qatari way for innovative SMEs to also ment segment decreased by 15.4 percent YTD) are the best per- developed a very fruitful part- Top French companies such as business leaders, gathered for a enter the very promising Qatari percent month-on-month (+0.3 forming segments in the private nership with the Qatar Chamber. Alstom, Bouygues Construction, Forum at the Qatar Chamber, market. That’s the main objective percent YTD). sector YTD. On the other hand, The Qatari-French Business Dassault Aviation, GDF Suez, Medef International counterpart of Medef International business On the other hand, private the industry segment is flat YTD. Council was created in June 2013 Groupe SNCF, Thales and Vinci in Qatar, as well as with top rep- delegation to Qatar.” sector deposits increased by 1.0 THE PENINSULA on the occasion of the official and innovative SMEs will be resentatives of the government, THE PENINSULA

Masraf Al Rayan Barwa Bank net profit rises RBS admits European to sponsor Euromoney Qatar DOHA: Barwa Bank, Qatar’s stress test blunder fastest growing Shariah- compliant banking service pro- LONDON: The Royal Bank RBS’s initial calculations ini- Conference 2014 vider, recorded a net profit of of Scotland has accepted that tially resulted in a level of 6.7 per- QR641m, up 43 percent for the it got its sums wrong over the cent being reported. However, the DOHA: Masraf Al Rayan, a third quarter of 2014, compared European Banking Authority Edinburgh-based bank has now leading bank in Qatar, will with QR447m for the same stress tests last month. admitted that part of its mod- sponsor the Euromoney Qatar period in 2013. Revised figures revealed on elling had been wrong and this Conference 2014 to be held at The group’s balance sheet Friday showed that instead of should have been 5.7 percent — Ritz-Carlton Hotel on November recorded significant growth in passing the test easily as initial barely above the minimum. 24 and 25. The event is organised most line items, with total assets results from the exercise showed, The error related to a ¤4.2bn by Euromoney Global. growing to 36.6bn, a 28 percent the state-owned RBS had nar- ($3.3bn) overstatement of its cap- The conference will be held increase over the same period in rowly scraped through and was ital strength under the scenario. under the patronage of the 2013, a 31 percent increase in the the weakest performer among Shares fell nearly one percent on Prime Minister and Interior group’s financing assets to QR22bn, Britain’s banks. Friday following the disclosure. Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah as well as 30 percent growth in cus- The crunch audit was aimed The worst results from the bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani. tomer deposits to QR22.1bn. Sheikh Mohamad bin Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani and Khalid Yousef Al Subeai at preventing a repeat of the cri- stress tests were concentrated Finance Minister H E Ali Shareif Earnings-per-share improved sis that nearly led to the euro’s in Italy, where some nine banks Al Emadi, Qatar Central Bank to QR2.12 compared to QR1.49 for Group; expertise which is lead- processes and management prac- collapse. failed, as well as Greece and Governor H E Sheikh Abdullah the same period last year. ing the Group to position itself at tices which has led to greater effi- The stress tests ran the banks Cyprus with three each. bin Saud Al Thani, a number of Sheikh Mohamad bin Hamad the forefront of Islamic financial ciency, improved profitability and through two different economic The RBS revelation came the regional and international central bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman, service providers.” increasing returns on our share- scenarios to see whether their day after British financial regu- bank governors and global econ- Barwa Bank Group, said: “In Khalid Yousef Al Subeai, holders’ investment in the Bank. balance sheets were healthy lators fined the bank a combined omy experts representing various only four years, Barwa Bank Barwa Bank’s Acting Group “We are keen to continue and enough to withstand further eco- £56m ($87.6m) for a series of IT economic bodies will be present. Group has managed to increase Chief Executive Officer, said: accelerate this positive perform- nomic shocks. failures that left customers una- The conference agenda includes its market share in the Qatari “The Group’s strategy, focused ance in future, to meet the expec- ble to access services. issues of domestic economy amid Islamic banking industry to 15 on across-the-board expansion, tations of both our customers and BASELINE SCENARIO The bank is about 80-percent global economic crisis, the benefits percent coupled with a signifi- service excellence and robust risk shareholders alike. I would like Under a baseline scenario, a owned by the British govern- and incentives offered by Qatar cant increase in customer num- management, has improved both to thank all Group employees for bank’s core capital ratio, a meas- ment after it was rescued with to increase growth opportuni- bers, both corporate and personal. the breadth and quality of earn- their dedication and perseverance urement of financial strength, £45.5bn of taxpayers’ cash dur- ties and increase local incomes, The Board of Directors, strongly ings. The impressive growth of the which has resulted in — with the must not fall below 8 percent. In ing the global financial crisis, plans and infrastructure projects supports the expertise of the Group continues to be associated grace of God — these excellent the adverse scenario, it must not making it the world’s biggest- in Qatar including 2022World management and staff of the with progressive improvement in results.” THE PENINSULA fall below 5.5 percent. ever banking bailout. AFP Cup projects, investment in key sectors, foreign investment and expansion plans during the com- ing years. Adel Mustafawi, the Group Chief Executive Officer at Masraf Egypt hopes to attract up to $12bn at investment summit Al Rayan, confirmed Masraf Al Rayan frequent participation in view of the importance of the con- CAIRO: Egypt hopes to attract invest- categories: PPP, private and public,” Naglaa Ahwany brushed aside concerns about Mehleb announced yesterday that it would ference and the immense oppor- ment of $10bn-$12bn in 20 projects, Al Ahwany said, referring to private-public security, saying Egypt’s military campaign take place on March 13-15 in the Red Sea tunities available to local, regional including in energy, transport and water, partnerships. against Islamist militants in restive north- resort town of Sharm El Sheikh. and global investments operating at a major conference in mid-March, the “Most of them are in the areas of energy, ern Sinai was far from the conference site No date for elections has yet been set but in the Qatari market. minister for international cooperation transport, water, grain storage,” she said on the southern tip of the peninsula. Ahwany suggested investors were not con- Masraf Al Rayan is one of the said yesterday. in an interview with Reuters. “We plan to “We cannot say that unless you have cerned about the timing of the vote, which high ranking performing banks in The conference is seen as a critical part have projects worth from $10bn-$12bn.” 100 percent security you will not be able was originally expected before the year end. Qatar and the region. The bank of the government’s economic reform plan Ahwany said the conference would also to organise a conference,” she said. “We cannot say that investors will not has maintained strong growth that has resulted in slashed energy subsi- showcase master plans for the development President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi told visit- come unless the elections have been done. rates over the years and recently dies and raised taxes. of an industrial and logistics hub near the ing US businessmen last week that Egypt It’s enough that we will announce that the announced its 9-month financials The government has also resolved dis- Suez Canal, which was announced this year, would hold parliamentary elections before process is ongoing,” said Ahwany, leaving for the period ended September putes with existing investors as it seeks and for the development of a mining zone the conference, trying to reassure them that open the possibility that they might not 30, 2014. The bank’s net profit to revive an economy battered by political in southeastern Egypt. a delayed poll would not be put off indefi- happen until the end of March. Global amounted to QR1.426bn, an turmoil since a 2011 uprising. However, investment opportunities in nitely amid a crackdown on political dissent. investment bank Lazard and WPP, a mul- increase of 14.1 percent compared “For the time being we have around those mega-projects were not expected to The conference was originally slated tinational public relations firm, have been to the same period of 2013. 20 projects and divided between three be ready in time for the meeting, she said. for February, but Prime Minister Ibrahim hired to organise the event. REUTERS THE PENINSULA SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 Aviva in $8.8bn deal to buy Friends Life UK insurance firms under pressure

LONDON: British insurer Asian rival AIA, joined Aviva Aviva said on Friday that it as chief executive two years ago had agreed terms on a possible and has pushed a restructuring deal to buy rival Friends Life agenda across the group, selling for £5.6bn ($8.8bn) as British off businesses, cutting costs and pension reforms put pressure improving profitability. on insurance companies to find Created in 2008 by entre- new business. preneur Clive Cowdery as Pension providers are rushing Resolution, Friends Life was to reinvent themselves after the known for buying up closed government in March unexpect- books of business from other edly removed obligations for peo- insurers and using its scale to ple to buy an annuity, or income make cost savings in managing for life, at retirement, sharply them as they gradually expire, cutting annuity sales. or “run off”, rather than writing A man dusts the rear window of a 2015 Nissan Juke on display at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles. Aviva’s all-share offer of 0.74 new business itself. shares for every Friends Life share implies a 15 percent pre- STRONG PRESENCE mium to the closing price on Friends Life has a stronger SUVs take the upper hand at LA Auto Show Friday. The board of Friends has presence in the growing “bulk indicated it will recommend the annuity” market, in which insur- LOS ANGELES: With US fuel long way since its early days, when Bill Fay, vice-president of and ordinary motorists, SUV mak- offer, which equates to 399 pence ers take on the risk of part or all prices at historic lows and ever- SUVs were huge things mounted Toyota in the United States, ers also want to reach the so-called per Friends share, the companies of a company’s pension scheme. more economical engines, sport on a truck chassis, guzzling gas said October sales were the best 0.1 percent. Porsche has led the said in a statement. “The transaction would...more utility vehicles (SUV) increas- and equipped with four-wheel monthly results in 10 years, fueled charge for that wealthy segment The deal would strengthen than double Aviva’s corporate ingly rule the road — and not drive for rough terrains. by a strong demand for SUVs. with its highly successful Cayenne. Aviva’s balance sheet and reduce pension assets under administra- only in the United States. In 2008, when gas prices were at Mid-sized 4x4s are the biggest The German carmakers’ top- its leverage, as well as boosting its tion and create new opportuni- At least that’s the message their peak, the market appeared segment of the US car market, tier rivals are also trying to assets under management, it said. ties,” the statement said. from the Los Angeles Auto Show, permanently stalled. But these and there is a growing demand for muscle in on the action, such as Brokerage Panmure Gordon & Co Friends Life posted a 7 per- which opened to the public on days SUVs — or crossovers — are compact SUVs, said Jack Nerad, an Jaguar which unveiled a prototype downgraded Aviva following the cent drop in operating profit in Friday. “Customers feel the idea rarely seen off road and are fre- analyst for the Kelley Blue Book, crossover, the CX17, a year ago. announcement. the first half, while Aviva saw a 4 of freedom,” said Jim Farley, vice- quently built on a car chassis. which surveys US auto prices. “The reception was phenomenal,” “Whilst there will be some cost percent rise. president of global sales at Ford, There is a whole range of for- The spacious vehicles are also Jaguar North American product synergies and it could accelerate The two companies combined presenting the US carmaker’s mats, from the biggest including wooing motorists with their prac- manager Tim Philippo said. Aviva’s dividend paying capability would have a stock market valu- new Explorer at the LA show, the Ford Escalade, Toyota Sequoia ticality: high driver seat for good The high-end brand has ben- it is also at odds with manage- ation at Friday’s London market which runs until November 30. or Jeep Grand Cherokee to the visibility, comfortable and big efited from the experience of ment’s previous comments about close of around £20.5bn. “We have reached a tipping most compact like the Mazda enough even for larger families its British sister company Land Aviva being too UK-centric,” Under the terms of the offer, point,” where SUVs are more popu- CX-3, the Honda CRV 2016 and the with hefty luggage. In some coun- Rover, which has long specialized Panmure analyst Barrie Cornes Friends Life shareholders would lar than sedans and have entered Volvo 2015 XC90, all unveiled in LA. tries, such as China where SUVs in luxury 4x4 vehicles. Maserati wrote in a research note. own around 26 percent of the the mainstream, Farley — whose US car sales rose by six percent are also in high demand, they are and Bentley are also developing The brokerage cut its target combined group. company is the biggest SUV maker year-on-year in October, led by a symbol of success. “In China it their own versions. Bentley’s web- price to 505 pence per share from They would also receive an in America — said. Nearly one SUVs: specialist brand Jeep (part is less about utility, more about site depicts its new vehicle head- 585p previously and downgraded amount in cash equal to any vehicle in five sold globally is an of the Fiat Chrysler group) is up status. Bigger is better,” Jessica ing off into desert dunes, saying: its recommendation to “Hold” Friends Life final dividend for the SUV, while in the United States 52 percent, but the trend extends Caldwell, an analyst with car web- “The new Bentley SUV is chang- from “Buy”. 2014 financial year. the figure is one in three. to others, including Honda, Toyota site Edmunds.com said. ing how people think about all- Mark Wilson, former boss at REUTERS The car category has come a and General Motors. But besides seducing families terrain vehicles.” AFP QNB receives four awards DOHA: QNB, ‘one of the world ’s The awards reflect the contin- Poors, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings strongest banks’, has recently ued successful expansion strat- and the total assets of the 500 received an impressive total of egy and breadth of offering being largest banks worldwide. 4 awards and recognitions from extended to QNB customers. QNB Group is amongst the the leading financial publication While all of the awards received highest rated of regional banks Global Finance Magazine head- were prestigious, of particular with credit ratings of Standard quartered in New York, includ- significance was the recognition & Poor’s (A plus), Moody’s (Aa3) ing: “One of The World’s Top of once again being considered and Fitch (A plus). The Group’s 50 Safest Commercial Banks “One of the World’s Top 50 Safest net profits for the 9-month in 2014”, “Best Bank in Qatar Commercial Banks in 2014”. period ending September 30, 2014 2014”, “Best Investment Bank This is an annual survey and topped QR8bn and total assets Qatar 2014” and “One of The the findings are based around both were QR475bn, the highest ever World’s Best Foreign Exchange the evaluation of long-term credit achieved by the Group. Providers (Middle East) 2014”. ratings provided by Standard & THE PENINSULA

Turkey keeps interest rates on hold ISTANBUL: The Turkish cen- tral bank kept interest rates on hold and said it would keep monetary policy tight until the inflation outlook improves sig- nificantly, hinting that no cuts are likely until next year. The central bank said it expects consumer prices to start falling in 2015. It left its one-week repo rate at 8.25 percent, as forecast by 15 of 16 economists polled by Reuters. One economist had expected a cut Officials posing for a group picture. in the main rate to 7.75 percent. After hiking rates sharply in January to halt a slide in the lira, Sony holds conference in Doha the central bank cut rates in May, June, July and August before leav- DOHA: Sony held its quarterly business planning conference ing them on hold in September here. The conference gathered senior Sony executives from across and October. “We think the bank the region to outline the direction and strategy of the company’s will be patient before cutting regional operations for the fiscal year 2014/15. rates and it will wait for inflation Hosted in Doha for the very first time in conjunction with Sony’s to fall in the first quarter of 2015,” exclusive distributor in Qatar, Darwish Technology, the business said Tufan Comert, a strategist at planning conference took advantage to better understand Darwish Garanti Securities. Technology’s contribution in maintaining Sony’s number one market Businesses and economists now share and sales in the local market. expect a year-end consumer price Satoru Arai, Head, Sony Middle East, said: “Our choice of Qatar inflation rate of 9.22 percent, a for this conference endorses our strong and continuous relationship central bank survey showed last with Darwish Technology and the tech savvy and loyal customers in week, creeping up from its previ- the country.” ous poll and well above its target Bader Al Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director, Darwish rate of 5.3 percent. Holding, said: “We are proud to host this high level meeting in Qatar Turkish inflation is the highest which will help us align our strategy with the long term objectives of among leading emerging markets Sony. The selection of Qatar as the venue reiterates the importance and is embarrassingly far above of this market and its relationship with Sony. The meeting offered a target, according to Nicholas platform to interact with Sony’s senior management as well as gain Spiro of Spiro Sovereign Strategy insights into future technologies.” THE PENINSULA in London. REUTERS SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS ‘Double dose’ of stimulus boosts commodities All eyes on November 27 Opec meeting in Vienna; gold, silver jump; cocoa prices weaken over Ebola fears

LONDON: Commodity mar- to 2.75 percent and reduced the hopes that the OPEC cartel will from $1,169 a week earlier. Silver Three-month lead gained to sugar for March eased to 15.96 US kets mostly rallied this week one-year lending rate by 0.40 of overcome internal resistance to jumped to $16.30 an ounce from $2,063 a tonne from $2,020. cents a pound from 15.99 US cents as China cut interest rates for a percentage point to 5.6 percent. trim output. $15.35. On the London Platinum Three-month tin rebounded to a week earlier. the first time in more than two Traders also focused on Despite a drop of more than 25 and Palladium Market, platinum $20,295 a tonne from $19,830. COFFEE: Futures pushed years, boosting the demand out- whether the Organisation of the percent in oil prices since June, rallied to $1,230 an ounce from Three-month nickel rallied to lower on optimism over output look in the Asian powerhouse. Petroleum Exporting Countries Opec remains divided on whether $1,178. Palladium increased to $16,463 a tonne from $15,392. from key producer Brazil. “The Prices also won support after was likely to cut output to tackle to take action at its November 27 $794 an ounce from $760. Three-month zinc increased to Arabica coffee price fell ... after European Central Bank chief recent heavy price falls. Prices meeting in Vienna. BASE METALS: Base or $2,302 a tonne from $2,242.75. a US Department of Agriculture Mario Draghi signalled readiness began the week on the back foot, By Friday on London’s industrial metal prices also hur- COCOA: Prices weakened as (USDA) attache upwardly revised to act quickly to deter deflation, sinking on data showed Japan Intercontinental Exchange, Brent tled higher on the news from concerns over the Ebola outbreak his estimate for this year’s sparking fresh stimulus hopes. sank back into recession and on North Sea crude for delivery in Beijing. “Copper alongside other continued to dim in key producing Brazilian coffee crop by 1.7 mil- “Markets in Europe took a double scepticism that Opec will reach a January stood at $79.56 a bar- industrial metals surged on the nations Ivory Coast and Ghana. lion to 51.2 million bags,” said dose of stimulus on Friday; Mario deal to cut output. rel compared with $78.77 one back of the Chinese rate hike,” By Friday on LIFFE, London’s Commerzbank analysts. Draghi again implied the ECB is Japan, the world’s third larg- week earlier. On the New York said Lawler at CMC Markets. futures exchange, cocoa for deliv- By Friday on ICE Futures US, moving towards full quantitative est economy, shrank 0.4 per- Mercantile Exchange, West Texas “Lower borrowing costs could ery in March fell to £1,869 a tonne Arabica for delivery in March easing and shortly afterwards cent in the third quarter. That Intermediate or light sweet crude act to reflate the Chinese hous- from £1,877 a week earlier. On the stood at 188.85 US cents a pound China cut interest rates for the decline followed a revised 1.9 for December rose to $75.80 a ing market that had been on the ICE Futures US exchange, cocoa compared with 195.80 cents one first time in two years sending percent contraction in the pre- barrel from $74.92 for the expired decline in recent months, cop- for March eased to $2,821 a tonne week earlier. On LIFFE, Robusta commodities and risky assets fly- vious three months. Weak eco- December contract a week earlier. per and iron ore are primary from $2,822 a week earlier. for January slid to $2,070 a tonne ing,” said CMC Markets analyst nomic data from China, Japan and PRECIOUS METALS: Gold materials used in housing and SUGAR: Prices fell on the back from $2,083 a week earlier. Jasper Lawler. other regions has stoked fears of soared on China’s rate hike and construction.” of favourable growing conditions RUBBER: Kuala Lumpur rub- OIL: Crude oil raced higher a growing oil glut. reports of Russian stockpiling, By Friday on the London Metal in Brazil, with additional pressure ber prices fell on the back of ris- after the People’s Bank of China Oil rebounded on Thursday fol- as the market rebounded from Exchange, copper for delivery from the rising US currency. By ing regional currencies. unexpectedly moved Friday to lowing strong economic reports recent four-year lows and dragged in three months increased to Friday on LIFFE, the price of a The Malaysian Rubber Board’s prop up flagging growth in the from the United States that off- other metals higher. $6,739.75 a tonne from $6,616.50 tonne of white sugar for delivery benchmark SMR20 declined to world’s second-largest economy. set disappointing data from China By late Friday on the London a week earlier. in March reversed to $417.50 from 153.30 US cents a kilo from 155.20 The PBoC cut its one-year deposit and the eurozone. And the market Bullion Market, the price of gold Three-month aluminium rose $420.40 a week earlier. On ICE US cents the previous week. rate by 0.25 of a percentage point also pushed higher on Friday on rebounded to $1,203.75 an ounce to $2,061.25 tonne from $2,016. Futures US, the price of unrefined AFP

UK retailers enjoy rising sales Ineos in $1bn Greece battles lenders bid to become over budget gap UK’s biggest ATHENS: Greece’s government on its ¤240bn ($301bn) bailout. fracking firm Friday pushed ahead with plans for The government is in talks with a near-balanced budget next year, lenders to exit its bailout package LONDON: Swiss-based ignoring objections from its inter- at the end of 2014, more than a year petrochemical firm Ineos national lenders who say Athens is ahead of schedule. It wants to wrap launched plans to become set to miss its deficit forecast. up the current bailout review by the biggest player in The government and the European December 8, but says talks are “tough”. Britain’s fracking sector Union and IMF have been at logger- After nearly five years on aid that with a $1bn investment heads over the projected 2015 deficit, has come at the price of painful cut- in the nation’s shale gas with the lenders arguing Greece will backs, Greece has made progress in industry. miss the 0.2 percent of economic out- getting its finances in order and its “Ineos has today put target because of a new payback economy has begun to expand again. announced it is planning plan for austerity-hit Greeks who The budget reiterated the economy to invest $1bn (£640m) owe the state money. would grow 0.6 percent this year and in UK shale gas explora- The government, however, stuck to 2.9 percent in 2015. tion and appraisal,” it said the forecast in its updated 2015 budget It also predicted the budget deficit in a statement that how- plan that was submitted to parliament for this year would be larger than ever sparked anger from without the approval of the lenders, previously estimated, standing at 1.3 environmentalists over marking its first near-balanced budget percent from 0.8 percent forecast in the controversial energy in more than three decades. “We are the October draft budget. extraction method. fighting for it,” Finance Minister Gikas Athens also lowered its target for a The company added that Shoppers on Oxford Street in London yesterday. UK retailers enjoyed rising sales in October. The Office for Hardouvelis told reporters. “There is primary surplus this year to 1.8 per- “substantial further invest- National Statistics said that the quantity of goods sold increased by 4.3 percent on the year before. some convergence, but they are push- cent from 2 percent previously and ment would follow if the ing us on the budget.” slightly raised the target for next company moved into devel- Athens — which says it has no year to 3 percent from 2.9 percent. opment and production”. more room for punishing Greeks with Fitch maintained Greece’s ‘B’ junk Ineos already has austerity — has struck an increas- rating and stable outlook, citing the fracking licences near its ingly defiant tone as it haggles with “remarkable budgetary adjustment” plant at Grangemouth in China’s rate cut may hurt banks the EU/IMF inspectors on what is by Athens in recent years. Scotland, but is applying expected to be the final review under REUTERS for more in Scotland and the north of England. SHANGHAI: China’s latest shrinking for second-tier lend- conference in Beijing yesterday. “If Ineos wins all the interest rate cut is set to dent ers, which have been squeezed by The People’s Bank of China said Shale gas licences it has the profitability of domestic competition from online finan- in announcing the rate cut that it applied for, Ineos will be lenders, especially mid-sized ciers and a rise in funding costs wanted to help smaller firms gain the biggest player in the banks, which are already suffer- stemming from an industry tussle access to credit. While the meas- UK shale gas industry,” the ing from higher bad loans and a for deposits. ures may ease the financing costs statement added. slowdown in profit growth. Fitch Ratings downgraded its of these firms’ existing loans, it In order to extract The central bank unexpectedly credit rating of China Guangfa is unlikely to encourage banks to shale gas, a high-pressure cut rates late on Friday, stepping Bank, a medium-sized lender, write new loans to lower-rung blend of water, sand and up efforts to support small and two days before the rate-cut borrowers, bankers said. chemicals is blasted deep medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) announcement, and said the level Smaller companies are consid- underground to release which are struggling to repay loans of off-balance-sheet lending among ered high risk and banks do not hydrocarbons trapped and access credit, as the economy second-tier banks was a concern. want to increase their exposure between layers of rock. slides to its slowest growth in The squeeze on profits will to weaker borrowers, they said. Campaigners argue nearly a quarter of a century. make it tougher for lenders to “At the moment banks have a lot the controversial proc- It slashed the one-year bench- raise capital to meet new inter- of problems with them, they have ess — known as fracking, mark lending rate by 40 basis national rules designed to protect higher rates of default ... we’re or hydraulic fracturing points to 5.6 percent while low- depositors from banking collapses. suspicious of their creditworthi- technology—causes water ering the one-year benchmark Retained profits are one way in ness, so we’re very careful about pollution and earth trem- deposit rate by 25 basis points to which banks can build up regula- lending to them,” said a senior ors, but energy groups say 2.75 percent. tory capital. loan officer at a top-10 bank. it drives down gas prices, The narrowing of interest rate “In the past when Chinese Among China’s five largest creates jobs and boosts eco- margins will eat into lenders’ prof- banks disburse loans, they mainly banks, lending will continue to nomic growth. itability, with Cinda Securities’ relied on profits from their own favour China’s state-controlled “I want Ineos to be the chief strategist, Jiahe Chen, pre- capital to replenish their capi- companies, state-invested enter- biggest player in the UK dicting it will cut profits by up to tal,” Jiang Jianqing, Chairman of prises and those involved with shale gas industry,” said 5 percent. China’s biggest commercial bank, large projects overseen by the Chairman Jim Ratcliffe. Interest margins generated the Industrial and Commercial government, bankers added. AFP from lending have already been Bank of China Co Ltd, told a REUTERS

Islamic finance body to revise four standards

MANAMA: The Bahrain-based Accou- Sukuk issuance is increasing worldwide On takaful, AAOIFI is considering how to nting and Auditing Organisation for but the structures used to create the instru- extend its guidance to retakaful, the issue Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) ments aren’t uniform, which limits their of fixing agency fees rather than linking the will revise four of its standards in the cross-border acceptance by investors and fees to profits or performance, and clarify- first half of next year while expanding its trading in the secondary markets. ing the definition of benevolent loans (qard guidance for Islamic bonds, the industry Year-to-date, sukuk issuance totals hassan), a conference document showed. body said. $110.9bn through 665 deals globally, up from For ijara, a sale and lease-back contract, Earlier this month, AAOIFI issued two $97.3bn through 703 deals a year earlier, AAOIFI wants to clarify distinctions between new standards and revised three others as according to Zawya, a Thomson Reuters operating and financing leases. Industry prac- it takes a more proactive approach under company. AAOIFI is also revising its tice is currently not aligned with the ijara its new secretary general, Hamed Hassan accounting standards covering investment standard, known as FAS 8; proposed changes Merah. AAOIFI held its annual conference accounts, takaful (Islamic insurance), and would cover income recognition, balance sheet this week, after which it said it would seek ijara and murabaha financing structures. classification, depreciation, amortisation and either to revise or supplement its existing A revised investment accounts standard disclosures, according to a separate document. standard for sukuk, to provide the industry is to be released by the end of 2014, impor- AAOIFI’s murabaha standard will be with more extensive guidance. tant for Islamic banks which are seeking redesigned to stipulate the use of collateral “We are...looking at the possibility of greater clarity on how to classify their for the recovery of receivables, while speci- developing clearer guidance on sukuk that deposits. Consultations on takaful, ijara and fying accounting treatment and disclosure will incorporate accounting, legal, technical murabaha will be conducted in the first half requirements, a third document showed. and tax-related aspects,” Merah said. of 2015, AAOIFI said. REUTERS SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

Russian assets dangerous Opec watchers more divided but not untouchable BY SUJATA RAO and SAM WILKIN than ever before meeting

ANCTIONS-HIT Russian assets, weighed further by this BY GRANT SMITH year’s collapse in energy prices and subsequent rouble Oil collapsed into a bear market last month Energy Information Administration said. slide, remain dangerous territory for many global inves- as US drillers pumped at the fastest pace in Back in 2007, production of oil from shale tors but they are not seen as untouchable and some are O UNDERSTAND just how more than three decades and global demand rock formations that’s driving the current scouting opportunities. contentious next week’s Opec growth slowed. Opec, responsible for about 40 boom had barely started. North Dakota’s Effectively an investor pariah since the March annexa- meeting will be, take a look percent of global oil output, needs to reduce Bakken formation, one of the biggest shale Stion of Ukraine’s Crimea led to Western sanctions on several com- at the confusion it’s created production by 1 million to 1.5 million barrels oil producers in the US, pumped just 33,000 panies and individuals, Russian bonds, stocks and currency have among professionals paid to a day to better balance supply and demand, barrels a day in December 2007, barely 3 performed worse this year than most other markets. predict the outcome. Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity mar- percent of the 1.12 million barrels a day it That, to many, seems justified, given the risk of more sanctions TThe 20 analysts surveyed last week by kets strategy at BNP Paribas, said. produced in September, data from the North that could lead to fresh market falls, economic recession and even Bloomberg are perfectly divided, with half The group faced the opposite situation Dakota Industrial Commission shows. corporate debt defaults. But some fund managers attending Reuters’ forecasting the Organisation of Petroleum when analysts were at odds about Opec’s There’s only a “remote possibility” Global Investment Outlook Summit this week also see opportunities, Exporting Countries (Opec) will cut supply intentions seven years ago. Brent futures Opec will agree to a cut in Vienna, Seth regardless of political risk. on November 27 in Vienna to stem a plunge had climbed about 55 percent in the 11 Kleinman, Citigroup’s head of European They note Russian share prices measured against future earnings in prices while the other half expect no months up to the December 2007 meeting, energy research, said. Members including are among the world’s cheapest, and one-year government bond change. In the seven years since the surveys putting pressure on the group to increase Algeria, Nigeria and Venezuela are unwilling yields of 10 percent. began, it’s the first time participants were its production target. At the same time, the to reduce their own production while Saudi Such valuations are “compelling”, Anne Richards, CIO of Aberdeen evenly split. The only episode that created a US economy was on the verge of its worst Arabia, the group’s biggest producer, will Asset Management told the summit in London. “We are more likely similar debate was the Opec meeting in late recession since the 1930s, following a collapse refuse to do so alone, he said. buyers than sellers,” Richards said. Richards acknowledged risks 2007, when crude was soaring to a record. in the housing market. Saudi Arabia plans to let US shale produc- to the Russian trade but said investors needed to look closely at The split now reflects the difficult choice Before the meeting on December 5, 2007, ers be the first to cut in the face of slumping companies’ business models to gauge whether they would survive Opec nations have to make. They could cut 23 of 42 people surveyed by Bloomberg pre- prices, Jeffrey Currie, head of commodities the political crisis. output to revive crude prices from a four- dicted Opec would maintain its production research at Goldman Sachs, said. “People still wash their clothes and need washing powder, people still year low, at the risk of losing more mar- target, while the others forecast an increase “With prices below $80, and the recent sig- wash their hair and need shampoo. There are lots of things people ket share to rival suppliers, including US of between 500,000 and 750,000 barrels a day. nal that the Kingdom is doing what it can with will still do regardless of whether Russia invades Ukraine,” she added. shale drillers. Or they could do nothing On the day that the group decided to main- other producers to ensure stability, the mar- Bulls will note that returns on Russian stocks and bonds since and allow prices to fall low enough to deter tain output, Brent crude futures slumped ket should not rule out an Opec cut entirely,” 2000 far exceed those in most other markets. growth in US output, a move that would as much as 1.9 percent, before settling 1.2 Amrita Sen, chief analyst at London-based con- And even sceptics reckon Moscow will not want to escalate the also squeeze the finances of poorer members percent higher. sultants Energy Aspects, said. Saudi Arabia is Ukraine crisis further. So risk/reward on rouble assets is “more bal- like Venezuela and Nigeria. With half the “If Opec does nothing, I think we’re seeing committed to seeking a “stable” oil price and anced than three months ago”, according to Andrew Wilson, Europe analysts in the market headed for a sur- this market get really trashed, another $10 speculation of a battle between crude produc- CIO for Goldman Sachs Asset Management. prise, prices will be volatile after the meet- from where it is,” Hakan Kocayusufpasaoglu, ers “has no basis in reality” Oil Minister Ali There is also the danger of missing out on any recovery — Russia’s ing, according to BNP Paribas. chief investment officer at Archbridge bin Ibrahim Al Nuaimi said at a conference in dollar-denominated equity index jumped 40 percent between March “It’s going to be a critical day,” Doug Capital, a Zug, Switzerland-based hedge Acapulco, Mexico, on November 12. and July when some calm returned to Ukraine. Wilson said he was King, chief investment officer of the $200m fund, said. The group’s decision is made more Of the 10 analysts anticipating no formal cautious about adding to Russian positions but he is currently neu- Merchant Commodity Fund, said. “If there’s difficult by the size of the supply cut needed change from Opec on November 27, three tral, meaning his fund’s holdings equal Russia’s weight in debt and no action from the meeting, one of the most to offset growth in production outside Opec, said it would pledge to bring output in line equity indexes. important Opec meetings in the last 10 to Kocayusufpasaoglu said. with the current target of 30 million barrels Bond investors will point to Russia’s public debt levels of 10 percent 15 years, then the market will test them on US crude production will surge 800,000 a day. The group would need to trim about of annual economic output - among the world’s lowest - and hundreds the downside. If they cut 1.5 million barrels barrels a day to a 43-year high of 9.4 mil- 250,000 barrels from the 30.25 million a day of billions of dollars in reserves as a reason why current bombed-out a day, you could get the Brent market back lion in 2015, adding to 1.1 million barrels a it pumped in October, data from the organi- valuations make no sense. up into the $80 to $90 range.” day of growth projected for this year, the sation shows. WP-BLOOMBERG Russia pays a far higher yield premium over US Treasuries on its dollar bonds than Brazil or Turkey whose credit ratings are lower and debt levels much higher. Its debt spreads have blown out 1.7 percentage points this year, more than five times the move in the underlying emerging bond index. “We still like Russia believe it or not,” Greg Peters, who helps manage over $534 billion at Prudential Fixed Income told the summit in New York. “They have very little external debt, and you really have to see the current account crater in a way that’s hard to foresee. It’s going to be volatile for sure, but I still think it’s money good, and we still like it.” Rouble debt is a more risky proposition but 10 percent yields may prove tempting, especially if the currency stabilises after its free- float earlier this month. Asset manager Lombard Odier for instance is overweight Russia in a fundamental-focus benchmark, based on criteria such as debt levels, balance sheet strength and political stability. “It’s time to do math on Russian fundamentals and think less on geo-politics,” Lombard Odier global fixed income strategist Salman Ahmed said. “Almost everything is in the price.” To be sure there are many who will balk at buying into such a volatile market, which remains driven by geo-politics rather than valuations or fundamentals. Hedge fund star Michael Hintze of CQS, for instance, branded Russia an investment “black hole”. But index-tracking funds must remain invested in Russia, which comprises around 5 percent of MSCI’s emerging equity index and nearly 10 percent of debt benchmarks run by JPMorgan. Given sanc- tions affect only some new securities, existing Russian bonds and stocks continue in passive portfolios. Northern Trust for instance holds Russian assets in passive funds, Wayne Bowers, the asset manager’s Europe and Asia CIO said, though he said the state of the economy would make him cautious about actively adding exposure. The biggest deterrent, especially for more conservative managers, is the prospect of a deeper crisis that leads to more sanctions, potentially trapping them in a free-falling market. George King, portfolio strategist at RBC Wealth Management said the mid-year bounce had led clients to question if another rebound could be in the offing should political noise abate. “We have had people ask us about it....is it time to play for a positive bounce in Russia?” he said. “Our answer is: It’s a very dangerous game to play.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate SEC director with big stock holdings stirs debate BY SARAH N LYNCH and regulations. The law already depository shares and one special- ability to perform his responsibili- waivers, such as one that lets to recuse himself due to his finan- protects against conflicts by pro- ised product that gives sharehold- ties as the Director of the Division larger, well-known companies cial holdings. Some of the stocks EITH Higgins, who hibiting government officials from ers certain rights after a merger. of Corporation Finance. He has conduct capital-raising deals in Higgins’ disclosures, such as runs the office that working on matters that could Collectively, these investments and will continue to provide his without prior SEC approval. Google and Apple, were listed for reviews public com- benefit them financially. ranged in value from a little less sound judgement and expertise Former SEC officials say multiple accounts, including an panies’ books at the But Higgins’ large holdings, and than $2m to just under $6m. in making decisions on the sig- Higgins’ job typically involves IRA retirement account. US Securities and the volume of trading he reported From those holdings, Higgins nificant matters in the division.” higher-level policy decisions, In addition to stocks, Higgins’ KExchange Commission, reported during 2013 and 2014, may stoke reported between about $53,000 Higgins declined to comment for and directors rarely get involved 53-page 2013 year-end disclosure stock holdings worth between debate about whether it’s proper to about $185,000 in dividends this story. in company-specific disclosures lists corporate bonds, mutual about $2m and $6m last year for the Director of Corporation and/or capital gains for calendar and decisions. They also said the funds and exchange-traded funds, and the sale of stocks throughout Finance or other top SEC offi- year 2013. An SEC spokesperson ROPES & GRAY agency is careful about managing municipal bonds, bank accounts 2014, according to SEC disclosures cials to be active stock market said that the agency has a strong Higgins, 63, joined the SEC in conflicts through recusals. and real estate investments. Since viewed by Reuters. participants and whether the SEC conflict-of-interest policy and June 2013, after spending about An SEC spokesperson said that the beginning of 2014, Higgins col- Higgins disclosed holdings in needs to tighten its ethics policies that Higgins’ holdings have not 30 years at the Boston-based law some of the stocks reported by lectively reported about 60 stock about 90 public companies during to further reduce the appearance resulted in many recusals. He’s firm of Ropes & Gray LLP where Higgins last year are in a trust transactions that in total ranged his SEC tenure in 2013, making of potential conflicts. complying with the conflicts rules, he handled numerous initial public that belongs to his mother-in-law. in value from a little over $600,000 him the biggest investor in indi- “The SEC should explain how the spokesperson said. offerings. Higgins reported a part- She relies on the trust for finan- to as high as over $2m, according vidual stocks among the agency’s and why its procedures allowing “The SEC’s stock ownership nership income of about $1.1m for cial support, and Higgins’ wife is to more recent disclosures Higgins top officials last year. top officials to hold individual stock rules are one of the most, if not his work in 2013, according to his the contingent beneficiary. filed throughout this year. Since the beginning of the year, are adequate to prevent the appear- the most, stringent of any federal disclosures. At the SEC, Higgins Under federal ethics laws, the Of all the top SEC directors or he has reported about 60 trans- ance of a conflict of interest,” said government agency and go well oversees the division that reviews financial interest of these holdings commissioners, Higgins reported actions involving sales of stocks Iowa Republican Senator Charles beyond the standard prohibitions,” thousands of potentially market- would be imputed to him as well. holding the most individual stocks such as Dollar Tree, Apple, Abbott Grassley, responding to questions the spokesperson said. “A number moving company disclosures each Richard Painter, a professor at in 2013. Coming in second last year Laboratories and Raytheon, with posed by Reuters. Grassley is a fre- of safeguards are in place in order year and gives companies feedback the University of Minnesota Law was Norman Champ, the director about two-thirds of those occur- quent SEC watchdog and is due to to avoid even the appearance of on their compliance with SEC dis- School and former White House of the Investment Management ring in late September in a flurry become the next chairman of the a potential conflict of interest, closure rules. ethics lawyer, said family trusts Division, the unit tasked with of sales. Higgins may no longer be Senate Judiciary Committee. including the requirement that The division also decides when are a common problem when regulating asset managers. Champ the biggest stock holder among the A Reuters review of finan- all transactions be approved in companies can exclude share- trying to navigate conflicts, and reported holdings in about 50 indi- top SEC officials Reuters reviewed cial disclosures provided by the advance and reported to the agen- holder proposals from corporate sometimes the only way to resolve vidual company stocks, as well as a because of these sales. agency show that while work- cy’s ethics office. ballots, and can determine when it is through recusals. variety of corporate and municipal Such stock holdings are permit- ing for the SEC in 2013, Higgins “Higgins’ limited number of companies that break the law can The SEC declined to say how bonds and mutual funds. ted by federal and SEC ethics laws reported holding stocks, American recusals has had no impact on his be granted certain regulatory many times Higgins has needed REUTERS SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com GECM & TENDERS

GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS MAP (GECM) Every Sunday Canada inflation rises to China manufacturing shows UK Inflation ticks up to 2.4pc weakness in November 1.3pc OTTAWA: Canadians paid 2.4 Germany’s manufacturing BEIJING: Chinese factory activity LONDON: UK inflation ticked up Japan trade deficit narrows in percent more for goods and fell to its lowest level in six months to 1.3pc in October, according to employment rises in September services in October than a year in November, according to one early October as exports rise figures just released by the Office PARIS: Germany’s manufacturing earlier, with transportation gauge, increasing pressure on Beijing TOKYO: The drop in oil prices for National Statistics. Analysts employment rose in September from and clothing costs leading the a year ago, provisional figures from to do more to spur growth as the helped trim Japan’s trade deficit had expected inflation to come rise in prices, the government Destatis showed Monday. The number world’s second-largest economy in October, as exports of cars, in at 1.3pc, up from September’s statistical agency said on Friday. of employed persons increased by continued to weaken in the fourth ships and steel picked up pace. 1.2pc reading. The core figure, around 63,000, or 1.2 percent in quarter. The overall trade deficit fell 36 which strips out the most volatile September from last year. per cent from a year earlier to 710 prices, like food and tobacco, billion yen ($6bn). came in slightly higher at 1.5pc. Nigeria’s economy grew by 6.23pc in Q3 2014 LAGOS: Nigeria’s economy grew India’s inflation plunges to by 6.23 percent in the third quarter 5-year low of 2014, up from 5.17 percent in NEW DELHI: India’s wholesale inflation the same period last year, lifted by cooled to a fresh five-year low as fuel its services sector, the statistics and food prices fell, firing hopes the office said on Sunday. hawkish central bank could finally start cutting interest rates and spur stumbling economic growth. The Wholesale Price Index, India’s inflation measure with the biggest goods basket, slipped to a ASX dips into the red better-than-expected 1.77 per cent in for the year October from a year earlier. SYDNEY: The Australian Brazil’s real drops to nine-year sharemarket fell to a four week low as Petrobras delays report low and back into the red for BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s the year as the large cap miners economy shrank slightly in succumbed to iron ore weakness September as high inflation and and the retail giants were also declining purchasing power curbed hammered. sales and industrial production. A proxy for economic growth published by the government fell 0.2pc on the year, the national statistics agency Indec reported Friday.

TENDERS

TENDER TENDER CLOSING TENDER TENDER CLOSING No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT No. COMPANY TENDER NO. SUBJECT BOND FEES DATE BOND FEES DATE

Supply of PE/PP coated 6D, 90DEG, LR 25/11/2014 92 Supply of sportswear and accessories for Monday 1 ST14MT0104 QR 22,000 Free 21 QR 15,000 QR 250 Metal bends 6” to 24” (12:00hrs) 2014-2015 the Police College 08/12/2014 Fusion bonded Epoxy (FBE) internal pipe coating for tubulars of onshore & offshore 17/12/2014 93 Production of security and traffic Mionday 2GT14MT0025 QR 250,000 QR 1,000 22 QR 30,000 QR 500 drilling operations on a call-off basis for a (12:00hrs) 2014-2015 awareness items 08/12/2014 period of three (3) years

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Price agreement for miscellaneous 14/12/2014 4GT14MT0034 QR 435,000 Free instrumentation spares (origin: Europe) (12:00hrs) Ministry of 9 5 Supply of consumable materials for Police Monday 24 QR 25,000 QR 250 Interior 2014-2015 clinic and dental clinic 08/12/2014 Supply, install, commission of custom 24/12/2014 5LT14MT0086 QR 60,000 QR 500 build VT cell (vapor liquid equilibium unit) (12:00hrs)

Epic of precast dust barriers in Dukhan 12 Renting one printing office (female) at Monday 6GT14113800 QR 600,000 QR 500 30/11/2014 25 QR 1,500 QR 100 fields 2014-2015 Airport Al Mater Dept. for (3) years 01/12/2014

Epic for extension of metallurgical QR 7 GT14114000 QR 500 30/11/2014 Renting one location for installing ATM laboratory building at QPAA, Dukhan 180,000.00 13 Monday 26 machine at New Traffic court Madinat QR 10,000 QR 100 2014-2015 01/12/2014 Khalifa for (3) years 8 GT14113700 Charter of wellhead maintenance vessel QR 750,000 QR 500 23/11/2014

Miscellaneous instrumentation PCRs at 01/12/2014 Replacement of 48v battery chargers in Not later 9GT14113600RG and FAHAHIL sector plants in Dukhan QR 400,000 QR 500 23/11/2014 27 LTC 831/2014 QR 100,000 QR 500 fields primary substations than 11:00am PWA/ Motor Control centers-upgrading AA/ 10 QR 60,000 QR 1,000 7/12/2014 ITC/027/14-15 DOM/14-15/OM/1673/I 30/11/2014 LTC Provision of consultancy services for Not later 28 QR 50,000 QR 1,000 Barwa STP facilities (improvement works 857/2014 metering works three years contract than 12:00 for Barwa City STP, Barwa Al Baraha PWA/ noon 11 STP)-O&M miscellaneous electrical QR 350,000 QR 1,500 9/12/2014 GTC/050/14-15 purchase & work orders AA-D/14-15/ OM/1627-9/G PWA/ Supply of ductile iron manhole cover and 29 QR 39,000 QR 500 25/12/2014 STC/029/14-15 Gully grating AA-DOM/14-15/M/1686/S Post contract consultancy services for Modification and additional works to PWA/ 12 existing schools and kindergartens ( Fire QR 430,000 QR 1,000 2/12/2014 GTC/051/14-15 life safety code compliance-phase four) Road improvement works in Al Dayeen PWA/ BA/14-15/S/013/G 30 and Umm Salal Zone 70 & 71 Phase -5 QR 1,750,000 QR 3,000 23/12/2014 GTC/058/14-15 IA/14-15/C/078/G PWA/ Supply, install & upgrade symantec 13 QR 42,000 QR 500 4/12/2014 STC/028/14-15 Netbackup appliances ISD/14-15/SS/16/S PWA/ Road safety improvement program, stage Operation and maintenance of CCTV 31 QR 1,750,000 QR 3,000 16/12/2014 PWA/ GTC/059/14-15 2A AA-R/14-15/OM/045C1/G 14 system throughout Qatar AA-R/14-15/ QR 110,000 QR 1,000 7/12/2014 ITC/029/14-15 OM/042C1/I Plant maintenance data acquisition & IDB Monday 08 32 ST14103000 QR 12,500 QR 200 25/11/2014 CVF/TC/ Cashier manpower and services at Katara of December population services 15 QR 35,000 QR 300 AB/001/2014 beach 2014 at 12:00 pm Purchase and m&S of etap electrical 33 LT14109600 QR 40,000 N/A 1/12/2014 Solar lighting Design, Supply, installation system analysis software & commissioning for Al Barzan Tower, 16 QMA-2014-144 QR 14,000 QR 500 27/11/2014 Umm Salal Ali (companies specified in QR Qatar Museums 34 GT14115100 Epic for EOC and CRC at Ras laffan QR 500 14/12/2014 solar lighting system to participate 4000,000.00

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08 Monday 19 Bid for selling boat (Fath No. 9142) QR 5,000 QR 100 2014-2015 1/12/2014 PWA/ Interim upgrade of E-Ring road and Najma Ministry of Bidding for renting a studio at the General 37 QR 5,250,000 QR 6,000 16/12/2014 11 Monday GTC/057/14-15 street IA/14-15/C/080/G 20 Interior directorate of passport & Expatriates QR 10,000 QR 100 2014-2015 01/12/2014 Affairs-for (3) years SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23 Struggling Cavaliers fall again NBA: LeBron James scores 22 points in losing cause, Wizards notch comfortable win

WASHINGTON: Struggling James, who ranks second in to come together with consist- NBA Results the league in scoring with just ent teamwork around superstar Orlando 105 Charlotte 100 under 26 points a game, encour- LeBron James, the Cleveland Phoenix 122 Philadelphia 96 aged Blatt’s idea of self-reflec- Cavaliers suffered their third Atlanta 99 Detroit 89 tion “if you need that” but also consecutive NBA defeat yester- Toronto 124 Milwaukee 83 lamented 19 turnovers that led to day, falling to the Washington 24 Wizards points. Memphis 117 Boston 100 Wizards 91-78. “That was a big part of it,” Even with 22 points each from San Antonio 121 Minnesota 92 James said. “It has been a prob- James and Australian star guard Brooklyn 94 Oklahoma City 92 lem for us in our losses. We have Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers pro- Washington 91 Cleveland 78 to do better. duced their lowest game total of Dallas 140 LA Lakers 106 “We can’t worry about indi- the season and fell to 5-6 while Denver 117 New Orleans 97 viduals. We’ve got to improve as the Southeast division-leading a team. It’s for us to get out of it. Golden State 101 Utah 88 Wizards improved to 8-3, paced It’s a winning league. We’ve got to by 28 points from Bradley Beal. Portland 105 Chicago 87 figure out what needs to be done “It’s going to be a challenge,” it. I still trust these guys. We have to win.” James said. “We have some work to come out with better fight and The Wizards went on a 15-2 to do. it starts with me as one of the run over a 5:08 span late in the “Right now I’m frustrated. leaders.” first quarter and early in the Tomorrow I’ll be OK. That’s who After cracking 120 points in second to seize a 32-23 lead and I am. Tomorrow is a new day.” wins over Boston and Atlanta last never trailed again. Wall and Otto James, a four-time NBA Most week, the inconsistent Cavaliers Porter each had four points in the Valuable Player, left Cleveland for blew several fast break chances key run. Miami in 2010 and won two titles and struggled in key stretches of At times, the Cavaliers were with the Heat before returning to the second half. lethargic on offense, a problem the Cavaliers last July, teaming “I’m concerned about eve- that has hampered Love, whose with Irving, big man Kevin Love rything right now,” Blatt said. power forward play has resulted and new coach Dave Blatt to try “We’re struggling. We’re a little in twice as many 3-point shots as and bring his home region team bit in the dark. Ten days ago we’re normal just to find a steady place its first NBA crown. scoring the heck out of it. It’s not in the attack. So far, it’s still a work in a different group of guys. “We just get stagnant at some progress. “First thing is guys have to take points,” Love said. “When the “We’ve got to fix this. We have a good look in the mirror and ask other team scores on us we might got to get together as a team,” themselves where and how they hang our heads and slow down. Irving said. “The most impor- can impact things positively. When we play with pace we play a tant thing for us to do is keep our You’ve got to make a change or lot better. When we play for each Xavier Henry (7) of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Brandan Wright (34) of the Dallas heads up and keep working. two but not recreate the wheel. other, set screens and roll hard, Mavericks and team-mate Farouq Aminu during the third quarter of their NBA game at American Airlines Center “We have to figure things out You have to stay in there and we usually free up a great shot on in Dallas, Texas, yesterday. pretty quickly. We’re going to fix show grit.” the inside.” AFP Frenchman Lavillenie and Kiwi Adams win top IAAF awards

MONACO: France’s Renaud been physically challenging but Lavillenie and New Zealand’s I’m proud to be here for New Valerie Adams were named the Zealand and Oceania,” com- male and female World Athletes mented Adams. of the Year for 2014. “There’s been a lot of pain The pair received their tro- but I love what I do, I love phies at on Friday night at IAAF competing. I’m mentally strong World Athletics Gala held at the and I’ve a high pain threshold Chapiteau de Fontvieille. so that makes it easier,” she The awards were hosted added, with her delight evident Pittsburgh Penguins’ centre Brandon Sutter (16) clears the puck from by International Athletics for all to see. the defensive zone as New York Islanders centre Frans Nielsen (51) pres- Foundation (IAF) Honorary Other awards were given away sures during the third period of their NHL game at the CONSOL Energy President HSH Prince Albert II including the IAAF Distinguished Center yesterday. The Islanders won 5-4 in a shoot-out. of Monaco and IAAF President Career Award to Virgilijus Alekna Lamine Diack, who presented the of Lithuania, IAAF Rising Star trophies to the male and female Award to Wilhem Belocian of winners. France and Morgan Lake of Penguins fight back but It was the first time in the his- Great Britain, IAAF Coaching tory of the awards that field event Achievement Award to Tom Tellez athletes had won both accolades of USA, IAAF Women In Athletics and was also the first time that Shot putter Valerie Adams of New Zealand poses with her 2014 IAAF Award to Evie Garrett Dennis of lose to Islanders 5-4 a male pole vaulter or a female USA, IAAF World Journalist Athlete of the Year trophy during the IAAF Gala in Monte Carlo on Friday thrower had won the World night. RIGHT: World-record pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie of France Award to Marc Ventouillac of PITTSBURGH: Kyle Okposo Athlete of the Year award. poses with his 2014 IAAF Athlete of the Year trophy. France, Masters’ Male Athlete scored in the third round of NHL Results Lavillenie, 28, had an almost Of The Year to Guido Muller of the shoot-out, sending the New NY Islanders 5 Pittsburgh 4 perfect season which included Germany and Masters’ Female York Islanders to a 5-4 victory Boston 4 Columbus 3 setting a pole vault world record to the whole athletics family,” global title to her collection when Athlete Of The Year to Lavinia over the Pittsburgh Penguins New Jersey 2 Edmonton 0 of 6.16m in the Ukrainian city of reflected Lavillenie. she successfully defended her Petrie of Australia. yesterday. Donetsk. “I think the world record con- world indoor crown in Sopot and The IAAF also inducted a Sidney Crosby and New York’s games of the season, held an early The Frenchman won 21 of his tributed to the award, but I won triumphed at the Commonwealth dozen athletics legends, the ‘class Frans Nielsen scored in the sec- lead before Pittsburgh rallied for 22 competitions in 2014, a series other competitions too. I wasn’t Games. of 2014’, into the IAAF Hall of ond round and Islanders goal- a two-goal victory. which included victories in the as good as Valerie, I lost one com- She was the only athlete in the Fame including Valeriy Brumel, tender Chad Johnson stopped The Penguins played their first Diamond Race as well as at the petition, but 21 out of 22 is not world to win at all seven IAAF Glenn Davis, Heike Drechsler, Brandon Sutter. Okposo deked game without veteran winger European Championships and too bad in an event which is quite Diamond League fixtures in any Hicham El Guerrouj, Marita to his forehand, slipping a shot Pascal Dupuis, who will miss the IAAF Continental Cup. unpredictable,” he joked. discipline and was a clear winner Koch, Robert Korzeniowski, that hit off Marc-Andre Fleury’s rest of the season after blood clots “This season couldn’t have Adams, 30, may have thrown of the women’s shot put Diamond Janis Lusis, Bob Mathias, Wilma pad and into the net for the win. were found in his lungs. been better. This is really the farther in previous seasons than Race. Rudolph, Shirley Strickland de la Fleury, who was seeking his Sutter opened the scoring dream season for me. I can only she did in 2014, but the Olympic “This is the icing on the cake Hunty, Lasse Viren and Cornelius 300th career win, had 29 saves. just 1:13 into the game, but the enjoy this and be very grateful champion added a ninth senior for 2014. It’s been a year that’s Warmerdam. AGENCIES Matt Martin, Nikolay Kulemin Islanders controlled the next two and Ryan Strome scored in an periods as Pittsburgh appeared impressive flurry in the first, sluggish without its emotional helping the Islanders to the early leader, twice falling behind by two InterContinental Hotel Bay club juniors excel in QAFCO tennis lead. goals. The Islanders, who allowed The Islanders have won seven the first goal for the fourth straight of eight. Patric Hornqvist forced game, scored three times in 1:35, overtime with his 10th goal of the taking command midway through year for the Penguins, who had the first. Martin started the surge, won three in a row. beating Fleury with a short-side InterContinental Hotel Bay Club Kris Letang nearly ended it wrist shot during a rush down the tennis players pose with coach in overtime for Pittsburgh, but left wing. Kulemin followed 29 sec- Cliff Acaso (right) after the victory Johnny Boychuk stopped the wrap- onds later, forcing a Paul Martin ceremony at the QAFCO tennis around attempt when he got his turnover at the blue line before tournament in Doha recently. The stick on the puck before it crossed working past Letang and beating Bay Club trainees won the Under- the goal line. New York carried Fleury with a wrist shot from the 12, Under-14 and Under-16 titles. a 4-3 lead into the third period, slot. Thomas Hickey’s shot from Taym Al Azmeh finished as winner but Hornqvist tied it with seven the point deflected off Strome’s in the Under-12 section while Joud minutes left, finishing a one-timer skate, making it 3-1. Al Azmeh was crowned the Under- from Evgeni Malkin. Casey Cizikas Pittsburgh pulled within one 14 winner, Siddharth Ramesh nearly put the Islanders ahead, when Comeau, while circling finished runner-up in Under-18 but his one-time redirect hit the around the net, threw a center- section. In Under-10, Zaid Al post to the right of Fleury. The re- ing pass in front that hit Matt tooled Islanders entered with their Martin’s skate and trickled across Mashni from the Bay Club finished best start since the 1987-88 season. the goal line. Nick Leddy briefly as runner-up. In the Under-16 cat- The Penguins handed the reclaimed the Islanders’ two-goal egory both the top places were Islanders their first loss of the lead at 5:42 of the second with a won by the Bay Club players. season last month during the ini- one-timer from the faceoff dot, tial meeting between the teams but Spaling got it back when he in Pittsburgh. In that game, New tapped a rebound behind Johnson. York, which won its first four AGENCIES SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Golden jubilee celebrations of Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF)

Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, President of Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) and other office bearers of QBF pose for a picture during the golden jubilee celebrations of QBF held on Friday night. The QBF was founded on September 26, 1964. The QBF honoured players, administra- tors, coaches and referees for their role in promoting basketball in Qatar. Clubs and age group teams which won laurels in local and international com- petitions were also honoured.

Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, President of QBF and General Secretary of Qatar Olympic Committee speaking during the golden jubilee celebrations. RIGHT: QBF officials pose for a group picture.

Ciganda shares Stenson goes three clear in Dubai lead at Tour Double-bogeys blunt McIlroy’s charge at DP World Tour Championship Championship NAPLES, United States: DUBAI: World number four difficult day. The 2012 champion, four-footer putt, the 38-year-old shots out there but all in all, I’ll Carlota Ciganda, who made a Henrik Stenson is on track who is already assured of becom- shifted gears and made three take that round. I am still in the DP World Tour move up the leaderboard in the to successfully defend his ing the European number one for birdies coming in for his 68. race.” middle of her round, jumped title at the DP World Tour the season by winning the Race to Stenson, who is yet to win a Cabrera-Bello, who needed just Championship Scores into a share of the lead after 36 Championship, but he will have Dubai, made rare back-to-back tournament this year despite a 21 putts to go through his round, DUBAI: Leading third-round holes of the windy LPGA Tour to shake off the red-hot Rafael double bogeys en route to a two- solid season, said: “It’s a great finished with four birdies in his scores in the $8m DP World Championship. Cabrera-Bello after yesterday’s under par 70. championship, this one, and of last five holes. Tour Championship yesterday The 24-year-old Spanish golfer third round. McIlroy will start the final course it would mean a lot to me And the Spaniard said his at the par-72: fired a five-under 67 yesterday The Spanish world number 104 round four shots behind Stenson to defend, and to get a win this strong short game saved what to join first round leader Julieta 202 Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 73-64-65, shot a seven-under par 65 - the and Cabrera-Bello, tied for fourth season. could have been an ugly round. Henrik Stenson (SWE) 68-66-68 Granada at seven-under-par 137. low round of the day for a second on 10-under par with Frenchman “It’s still been a good one, but “It’s been a little crazy round, Paraguay’s Granada, a one-time successive day - and finished on Victor Dubuisson (67), England’s still at the end of the year when because I haven’t felt I’ve played 205 Justin Rose (ENG) 71-66-68 winner on the US Tour, carded a 14-under par 202 after 54 holes, Tyrell Hatton (68) and Denmark’s we assess it, we will always look perfect at all. I had to work really, 206 Victor Dubuisson (FRA) 71-68-67, Tyrrell one-under 71. the same as Stenson, who shot a Thorbjorn Olesen (69). at the trophies and there has not really hard, especially at the Hatton (ENG) 70-68-68, Thorbjorn Ciganda is seeking her first bogey-free round of 68. It was a bit of a battle for been any yet. beginning. Olesen (DEN) 67-70-69, Rory McIlroy win on the US Tour. She has four It was the Swede’s 12th con- Stenson early in the day, when “We’ll try and make it happen, “I just managed to hang in (NIR) 66-70-70 international victories, includ- secutive round in the 60s on the he three-putted for par from 20 but there are a lot of strong play- there,” said Cabrera-Bello, winner 207 Marc Warren (SCO) 71-71-65, Joost ing three on the European Tour Earth course of Jumeirah Golf feet on the par-5 second, and then ers out there and Rafa seems to of the 2012 Desert Classic. Luiten (NED) 70-69-68, Branden Grace which named her rookie of the Estates. needed to make and up-and-down be on fire. We’ll see if we can hold “I end up shooting three?under (RSA) 72-67-68, Robert Karlsson year in 2012. The leading duo are now three for par on the third before a chip- him off tomorrow. on the front nine and I could have (SWE) 71-68-68, Danny Willett (ENG) “It wasn’t an easy day out clear of Englishman Justin Rose, in for his first birdie of the day on “I struck it nicely today. I would easily shot two or three over, 69-67-71 there,” said Ciganda of the breezy who leads the chasing pack at 205 the fourth. say I was back to hitting it really which was very good. And short 209 Ross Fisher (ENG) 69-73-67, Jamie conditions at the Tiburon Golf following a round of 68. After another missed birdie good and had quite a few chances, game and putting has been unbe- Donaldson (WAL) 72-70-67, Andy Club course. World number one Rory chance on the par-5 seventh but wasn’t as hot on the greens lievable, probably the best day of Sullivan (ENG) 73-69-67, George “It was pretty windy. I’ve been McIlroy once again endured a hole, where he failed to make a as I was yesterday. Left a couple my life for short game.” AFP Coetzee (RSA) 70-70-69 playing good the last couple of months and today my putting was really good. So I’m very happy Australian Masters Spargo leads by one with my game and really looking forward to the weekend.” Third Round Scores Morgan Pressel shot a six- under 66 to vault into sole pos- SYDNEY: Leading scores after the stroke in Melbourne session of third place at six-under third round of the Australian Masters at the Henrik Stenson of Sweden 138. US Women’s Open champion Metropolitan course (par-72) in Melbourne MELBOURNE: South the tournament. “All the signs Michelle Wie carded a 67 and is studies the yesterday (Australia unless stated): Australian journeyman Paul were good and my swing felt the tied for fourth with Sarah Jane green on the 208 Paul Spargo 70-67-71 Spargo will take a one-stroke best of any today,” the 34-year-old Smith (69) and Sandra Gal (71). 8th hole dur- 209 Michael Wright 67-68-74 lead into the final round of the told reporters after mixing four World number two Stacy Lewis ing the third 210 Lucas Herbert (Am) 75-70-65, Nick Australian Masters after shoot- bogeys with five birdies. struggled to a two-over 74 and day of the DP Cullen 73-71-66, James Nitties ing a one-under 71 yesterday, “The front nine is so key ... she is tied for 15th with defend- World Tour 72-71-67 with double defending champion turning in five or six-under is ing champion Feng Shanshan, of Adam Scott lurking four strokes really possible and I just need to Championship, China, at one-under 143. Feng 211 Geoff Ogilvy 69-71-71, Josh Younger behind. make it happen. the final round shot a three-under 69. 70-70-71 World number two Scott rued a “I need to turn somewhere near of the EPGA Lewis, world number one Park 212 Chris Campbell 72-74-66, Nick O’Hern bogey-strewn front nine but made the leaders.” Tour, at the In-Bee (74) and 17-year-old Lydia 76-69-67, Adam Bland 75-68-69, Kim up ground with four birdies after Spargo, who started the day two Jumeirah Ko (71) are the only players who Felton 71-70-71, Adam Scott 73-68-71, the turn during a hot and windy strokes behind overnight leader Golf Estates control their own destiny and can Aron Price 68-73-71, Matthew Griffin afternoon at Metropolitan Golf and playing partner Michael take home the season-ending $1 71-69-72, Matthew Guyatt 70-69-73 in Dubai, Club. Wright, wobbled in the back nine yesterday. million Tour bonus with an out- 213 Rohan Blizard 74-71-68, Matthew Millar Today is expected to bring with bogeys on the 12th and 14th right win this week. 74-70-69, Brett Rumford 74-68-71, more of the fluky winds that but held firm thereafter, draining Ciganda began her round four Daniel Valente 72-70-71, Jarrod Lyle have made low scores rare at the a clutch putt for par on the last to shots adrift of first-round leader 72-70-71, Bryden Macpherson 70-71- sandbelt course and Scott said a hold the Queenslander off. Granada and it took her some 72, Peter Wilson 70-71-72, Mathew good start was key to winning an His 71 put him on an eight- time to make up ground. Goggin 71-69-73 unprecedented third trophy in under total of 208. AFP AFP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25

FIM General Assembly 2014

Top FIM officials including apex motorcycling body’s Vice-President and Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) President Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah (second right) attending the FIM Annual General Assembly in Jerez, Spain yesterday. The agenda of the meeting included the launching of the new championships in the Middle East region, Asia, Africa and Latin America, taking into account the increased popularity of two-wheeler sport all over the world. RIGHT: Al Attiyah addresses the conference.

Kelly seals second Oryx Cup title Shane clinches 2014 National High Points victory, Phipps prevails in 3B contest

DOHA: 1 Graham Trucking’s “The move worked out,” said a J Michael Kelly held off a fierce delighted Kelly, who completed a challenge from National High sweep of four heat wins and vic- Points champion Jimmy Shane tory in the final. to snatch a dramatic win in a “The Oberto had a little bit thrilling five-lap Oryx Cup UIM more speed than we had and that World Championship final in early move into the inside helped The top three finishers of Doha Bay yesterday. us come away with the win. I the Oryx Cup final pose Kelly, from Bonney Lake in missed out on the National High Washington State, stole the inside Points title to Jimmy but it’s a for a group photo along line in pre-race milling and man- great feeling to win the race here with the officials in Doha, aged to edge clear of the newly- in Doha.” yesterday. J Michael crowned National High Points Jon Zimmerman rounded off Kelly claimed his second champion, Shane, over five high- the podium in the 9 Team Red Oryx Cup final victory. octane fuelled laps of the Doha Dot hydroplane, but 96 Spirit of Jimmy Shane was second course. Qatar’s Jean Theoret pulled out while Jon Zimmerman He maintained his composure just as the race was about to start finished third in the event. throughout to reach the cheq- with fuel control issues. BOTTOM: Action during uered flag and seal a second Oryx J Michael Kelly had maintained the stiff competition at the Cup win. his 100pc heat success rate with Oryx Cup final. a comfortable win over Shane in heat 3A and Cal Phipps benefited Oryx Cup Results from steering issues on 96 Spirit of Qatar to propel 7 Graham Oryx Cup – UIM World Trucking II to victory in 3B. Championship – H1 Unlimited A start-to-finish win for Shane Heats results, yesterday in Doha in Heat 4A was sufficient for the Bay Maryland driver to confirm the 3A National High Points title regard- 1. J Michael Kelly 1 Graham Trucking 400 points less of Kelly’s performance in 4B 2. 6 Jimmy Shane Oberto Beef Jerky 300 or the Oryx Cup final. Kelly didn’t points disappoint either and led from the start to secure the win in 4B. 3. 9 Jon Zimmerman Team Red Dot/Les Schwab The final round of the H1 Tires 225 points Unlimited Championship has 3B been organised by the Qatar 1. 7 Cal Phipps Graham Trucking II 400 points Marine Sports Federation 2. 11 Tom Thompson Peters & May 300 points (QMSF), under the presidency 3. 22 Mike Webster Webster Racing 225 points of H E Sheikh Hassan bin Jabor 96 Jean Theoret Spirit of Qatar DNF Al Thani and in conjunction with H1 Unlimited, since 2009. 21 Dave Villwock Miss Seattle DNS Shane and Kelly clashed for 4A the first time in the opening heat 1. 6 Jimmy Shane Oberto Beef Jerky 400 points of the day and were joined at the 2. 9 Jon Zimmerman Team Red Dot/Les Schwab flying start by Zimmerman, Dave Tires 300 points Warren and Jesse Robertson. 3. 7 Cal Phipps Graham Trucking II 225 points Kelly made a perfect start and 4B edged clear of Shane and began 1. 1 J. Michael Kelly Graham Trucking 400 to pull away. The 1 Oberto Beef points Jerky driver was not able to close and looked to be heading for a lane two to pass Zimmerman on maximum points and Theoret a slender lead through the first Kelly down and the heat devel- comfortable heat win, but he pow- the outside. finished well clear of Webster. few turns. Zimmermann slotted 2. 96 Jean Theoret Spirit of Qatar 300 points oped into a comfortable one for ered down the boat and turned The Heat 4B saw Kelly made Robertson pulled up at the end into third and Phipps headed 3. 22 Mike Webster Webster Racing 225 points the 1 Graham Trucking driver. into the infield at the start of the an excellent start and managed of the first lap and retired. Thompson and Webster, but 12 Jesse Robertson Miss DiJulio DNF In Heat 3B, Dave Villwock was final lap when the steering wheel to hold off the Theoret chal- In the Oryx Cup, Kelly, Shane, fuel control issues had sidelined Oryx Cup UIM World Championship final not able to make the start of 3B detached from the shaft. lenge through the opening turns, Phipps, Theoret, Zimmerman and Theoret before the flying start. 1. 1 J. Michael Kelly Graham Trucking 400 after his turbine engine ingested At the Heat 4A event, Victory although the Qatar driver had Thompson made the five-lap final, Shane was no match for the fly- points water on Friday and this left the or second place would have been suffered a scare during he milling with Webster offered the role of ing Kelly as the race progressed, 2. 6 Jimmy Shane Oberto Beef Jerky 300 door open for Theoret, Phipps, sufficient for Shane to clinch for lanes when his turbine bogged trailer boat at the rear of the field. however, and the 1 Graham points Mike Webster and a struggling the 2014 National High Points down and he had to fight back to Kelly got his tactics just right Trucking driver thundered 3. 9 Jon Zimmerman Team Red Dot/Les Schwab Tom Thompson to vie for top spot. title and the 6 Oberto Beef Jerky gain his starting lane. in the milling – ‘the race before through the remaining laps to Tires 225 points Theoret controlled the early driver made the perfect start Kelly held on to take the cheq- the race’ – and stole the inside seal his second Oryx Cup success stages of the race from the inside using additional boat speed from uered flag and a fourth haul of lane from Shane and maintained in Doha. THE PENINSULA Australia look to grab top ODI spot

SYDNEY: Australia may have in Sydney, where another win “South Africa are a very good for Australia at the moment and already clinched the series will ensure they reclaim No.1 line-up,” he said. “To play the way we’ve got to make sure our plans against South Africa but they spot from World Cup champions we have and beat them 3-1, it’s are in place when we play against have the incentive of top spot India on the International Cricket been very satisfying for us. him,” Domingo said. on the world ODI rankings in Council’s ODI rankings. “It will be perfect to finish it off Proteas captain AB de Villiers today’s fifth game in Sydney. “It adds a lot,” Smith told with a 4-1 victory and take back looked in pain in the final stages The Australians reeled in South reporters after Friday’s win. “We that No.1 spot. of Australia’s innings on Friday, Africa’s 267 for eight with a thrill- pride ourselves on that. We try to “It’s going to be nice playing the constantly feeling his ribs, but ing century from Steve Smith to get to No.1 in every form of the World Cup in our own backyard... Domingo is hopeful he will play claim a three-wicket win over the game. To win in Sydney would be hopefully, that (form) continues in Sunday’s final ODI. Proteas with an over to spare in great and to take that No.1 man- going into the World Cup.” “He just fell badly on his rib and Melbourne on Friday to take an tle back would be outstanding.” South African coach Russell I think he took a blow there in unassailable 3-1 lead in the five- Smith added that Australia’s Domingo said taking Smith’s one of the games earlier in the Australia’s Pat Cummins (centre) celebrates with team-mates after taking game series. one-day form augurs well for the wicket would be key to his side series,” Domingo said. the wicket of South Africa’s AB de Villiers during their fourth ODI at the While Australia have wrapped World Cup in Australia and New finishing their limited-overs tour “Maybe just a bit of bad bruis- MCG in Melbourne on Friday. up the series, Smith said the home Zealand in February, especially of Australia with a win. ing. I think he should be ok (for side won’t be short of motivation given the quality of the opposition. “He’s obviously a big player Sunday).” AFP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT Swiss just one win away from Davis Cup glory

LILLE, Switzerland: Roger a set up, but, after a quick visit towards a famous victory and, Federer and Stan Wawrinka to the locker room to regroup, even though the home pair saved gave Switzerland a 2-1 lead the French pair came back out a match point on Benneteau’s over France in the Davis Cup re-energised. serve at 3-5 down, Federer made final with a commanding dou- They briefly looked the likelier no mistake in serving to love for bles win over Julien Benneteau to move back into contention, but the match and what could turn and Richard Gasquet in Lille failed to convert any of five break out to be the pivotal point of the yesterday. points that came their way in the final. The world number two and four second, fourth and eighth games. In Friday’s opening singles, were in charge from the start They were made to pay a heavy Wawrinka defeated Tsonga in and bossed the rubber from the price as, with a tie-break looming, four sets and Monfils stunned net and the baseline to win 6-3, Gasquet’s serve collapsed under Federer in three. 7-5, 6-4. The win means that the the weight of some magnificent After his defeat, Federer Swiss are just one victory away returns from both of the Swiss. insisted that his injured back was from capturing the first Davis A Federer backhand winner on the mend and that he would Cup title in their history. secured the break and Wawrinka be fit for action at the weekend. That could come today when had no trouble serving out for a He and Wawrinka won the reverse singles are held, with two sets to love lead. Olympic doubles gold in Beijing Wawrinka and Federer highly The French pair had a moun- for Switzerland in 2008, but they likely to play again against Gael tain to climb and they had to had lost the last four Davis Cup Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. hold on grimly to Gasquet’s serve doubles they had played together. Watched by another huge early in the third set to stay in By putting an end to that dire crowd of around 27,000 in the the match. run of defeats they have put their roofed over Lille football sta- Two games later it was country on the brink of one of its dium, including French President Benneteau’s turn to feel the Swiss greatest ever sporting achieve- Francois Hollande, the Swiss pair pressure and, after the French ments. It would also be a conse- knuckled down quickly to their pair saved two break points, cration for Federer, who has won task, pocketing the first break of they succumbed on the third, an all-time best of 17 Grand Slam Switzerland’s Roger Federer (right) and Stanislas Wawrinka celebrate after winning the doubles match against the match in the sixth game on Wawrinka splitting them with a titles, but, unlike his great rival France yesterday, the second day of their Davis Cup final in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France. the Benneteau serve. forehand drive. Rafael Nadal, he has yet to win That was enough to edge them The Swiss were coasting the Davis Cup. AFP

Springboks’ Rosberg takes pole position great Botha calls time on Test career for Formula One shootout PADUA, Italy: Springbok great Bakkies Botha retired from international rugby yesterday, German hopes for a ‘lot of luck’ to stop Hamilton winning his second title saying he was going out on “my terms”. His announcement came after ABU DHABI: Nico Rosberg South Africa’s 22-6 win over Italy defeated Lewis Hamilton to Abu Dhabi Grand in Padua, a match second row star pole position for the Abu Dhabi Botha watched from the stands. Grand Prix but admitted it was Prix Grid Botha, 35, made his debut for only a “small step” in his desper- Revised starting grid for today’s South Africa in 2002 against ate battle to stop his arch-rival Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand France and went on to win 85 team-mate taking the Formula Prix after Red Bull’s demotion caps, with the lock one of the key One drivers’ title today. for using illegal parts in final (From left to right) figures in the Springboks’ 2007 Rosberg produced a lap 0.386 qualifying yesterday: Mercedes Formula World Cup success. seconds faster than Hamilton to 1st row One driver Lewis His decision to call time on extend Mercedes’ record breaking Hamilton of Britain, his international career came Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes); Lewis Hamilton domination of the season going ahead of South Africa’s tour (GBR/Mercedes) his team-mate Nico into the double points finale. Rosberg of Germany finale against Wales in Cardiff 2nd row The 29-year-old German pro- and Williams next Saturday and less than a Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams); Felipe Massa duced his best lap of the weekend Formula One driver year from the 2015 World Cup in (BRA/Williams) when he most needed it, clocking Valtteri Bottas England. 3rd row 1min 40.480sec to finish ahead of of Finland wave Botha has winners’ medals from Hamilton with Valtteri Bottas the Tri-Nations, series against Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso); Jenson Button after the qualifying third for Williams. (GBR/McLaren) the British and Irish Lions, Super session of the Abu “It’s only one step, a very small 4th row Rugby, Currie Cup, Vodacom Cup step,” said Rosberg after claim- Dhabi F1 Grand Prix as well as the European Cup and Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari); Fernando Alonso at the Yas Marina ing his 11th pole of the season and (ESP/Ferrari) France’s Top 14. 14th of his career. Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Now with French club Toulon, 5th row “This weekend is about the yesterday. Botha is the seventh most-capped championship, not about pole Kevin Magnussen (DEN/McLaren); Jean-Eric Springbok of all time and holds position. It would have been Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso) the world record for the most great if there was a Williams in 6th row Tests as a lock combination in between us, but that can always Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India); Nico Hülkenberg the starting line-up with Victor happen tomorrow!” (GER/Force India) Matfield (63). But Rosberg knows he will need 7th row “The news of my retirement a lot of luck to stop Hamilton tak- Adrian Sutil (GER/Sauber); Esteban Gutierrez will probably be described as ing his second world title on the (MEX/Sauber) sudden and unexpected, but it decisive day. 8th row session,” said a calm Hamilton. in his last race for Ferrari. After Ahead of them, out went is a decision that I’ve been mull- The Briton leads the title race “Tomorrow is going to be a spe- a hot, dry day, the session began Frenchman Romain Grosjean and ing over since 2011,” said Botha Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus); Kamui by 17 points and Rosberg can cial day.” at sunset. Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in in a South Africa Rugby Union Kobayashi (JPN/Caterham) only overtake by winning the Asked about how he will The track temperature was 32 16th and 18th places, sandwich- statement. race, or come second, and hope 9th row approach the first corner of the degrees Celsius but was falling as ing Mexican Esteban Gutierrez “When I limped off the field that Hamilton suffers a setback Will Stevens (GBR/Caterham); Romain Grosjean race, Hamilton said: “Same as twilight approached. of Sauber, who was 17th. during the Rugby World Cup in or fails to score in a race where (FRA/Lotus) every time.” Both Mercedes drivers were In the next session, Hamilton 2011 with an Achilles injury, I double points are being awarded 10th row Brazilian Felipe Massa was out swiftly on super-soft tyres, became the first driver to go knew that I did not leave on my for the first time. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull); Sebastian fourth fastest in the second evidence of their need to confirm below 1min 41sec with a 1:40.920 terms and that I didn’t say good- Whatever the result, Mercedes Vettel (GER/Red Bull) Williams, ahead of Australian the handling feedback on a circuit lap. Rosberg had to abort his lap bye to the Bok jersey like I had are already celebrating. Daniel Ricciardo and his outgo- that was cooling rapidly. after running off the circuit at wanted to,” Botha added. The team have a record-equal- at the end of the final run when ing Red Bull team-mate four- Hamilton was quickest by one- Turn Nine, at the end of a long “What was ‘my terms’? I ling 18th pole of the year and their Hamilton, who had clocked a time champion German Sebastian tenth of a second, despite two straight, and when he returned wanted to leave the jersey behind 12th front row lockout and eighth best time of 1:40.920 in the sec- Vettel. errors, before the flag fell to signal for another lap, he was 0.539 sec- knowing I honoured the men in succession. ond session made minor errors as Russian Daniil Kvyat was sev- an early exit for the bottom five. onds off Hamilton’s time. who wore it before me, as well The German firm are also the he clocked a final lap of 1:40.866. enth for Toro Rosso ahead of That meant farewell to the Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff as the people who had supported first engine supplier to take every It was not enough to overhaul Briton Jenson Button, who may two Caterhams of Japan’s Kamui said Hamilton had a “messy” me throughout my career,” he pole position in a season since Rosberg. be in his last race for McLaren, Kobayashi and rookie Briton Will qualifying lap, but did not expect explained. Ford in 1969. “I generally didn’t have the best Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari Stevens, who were 19th and 20th it to influence his race perform- “I recovered fully from my The most intense drama came of laps but I enjoyed the qualifying and Spaniard Fernando Alonso respectively. ance. AFP injury and was privileged enough to be involved with a world-class French club. I had wonderfully supportive team-mates and sup- porters at Toulon in France, but ‘Illegal parts’ send Red Bull to back of grid deep inside, I still had a burning desire to play just one more time Red Bull’s F1 driver ABU DHABI: Outgoing The stewards summoned a Red for the drivers’ crown on Sunday for South Africa. Sebastian Vettel drives Formula One champion Bull representative and subse- and starting on the front row. “When Coach Heyneke during the qualifying Sebastian Vettel and Australian quently ruled that the cars should Red Bull said they would accept (Meyer) selected me for the session of the Abu Dhabi F1 team-mate Daniel Ricciardo be excluded from the qualifying the decision but were disap- end-of-year tour last November, Grand Prix, yesterday. were sent to the back of the results. pointed to have been “singled out” to mentor young players and to grid at the season-ending Abu Neither driver is in contention for punishment. possibly spend one more minute Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday for the title but Ricciardo is the Meanwhile, Sergio Perez will on the field in Green and Gold after stewards ruled Red Bull only driver other than Mercedes stay with the Force India team in with the leaping springbok on had used an illegal front wing. pair of championship leader Lewis 2015 after agreeing a “multi-year” my chest, I knew that my prayers FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer Hamilton and team-mate Nico contract with the Silverstone- had been answered,” explained the had referred the matter to the Rosberg to have won this season. based outfit, it was announced great player. race stewards after post-qualify- Ricciardo had qualified fifth, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix “Earlier this year, I was blessed ing checks indicated the cars were with Vettel sixth. Today’s race will yesterday. yet again to be involved with the not in compliance with technical be Vettel’s farewell to Red Bull, Mexican Perez joined the team Springboks. I felt I was at my best regulations. with the quadruple world cham- this year after a difficult period playing for Toulon as we won the He reported that the front wing pion joining Ferrari next season. with McLaren and he will stay to Heineken (European) Cup and flaps were designed to flex under Mercedes have already made partner German Nico Hulkenberg the French Top 14 titles, but I aerodynamic load, in a breach of sure of both championships, with next season in an unchanged line- wasn’t expecting a Springbok the rules. Hamilton and Rosberg fighting up. AGENCIES call-up. AFP SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Man United edge Arsenal, Chelsea beat West Brom

Man City recover to beat visiting Swansea 2-1; Newcastle win again Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger warms up during the Bundesliga match against LONDON: A Kieran Gibbs own Victory saw Chelsea set a new 1899 Hoffenheim in Munich goal and a Wayne Rooney strike Premier League club record of 12 unbeaten games yesterday. saw Manchester United return from the start of the season. to the Premier League’s top four Mourinho’s side are now seven with a bruising 2-1 victory at Results points clear of second-place Arsenal yesterday. Arsenal 1 (Giroud 90) Manchester United 2 Southampton, who visit Aston Bayern maul Arsenal subjected United’s (Gibbs 56-og, Rooney 85) Villa on Monday, and remain eight makeshift back-four to heavy Chelsea 2 (Costa 11, Hazard 25) West Brom 0 points above defending champions pressure throughout the game at Everton 2 (Lukaku 26, Osman 73) West Ham Manchester City, who won 2-1 at Hoffenheim, the Emirates Stadium, but Gibbs’s 1 (Zarate 56) home to Swansea City. unwitting intervention gave the Leicester 0 Sunderland 0 Wilfried Bony put Swansea visitors a 56th-minute lead before ahead in the ninth minute, but Schalke hold Manchester City 2 (Jovetic 19, Toure 62) Rooney added a late second. Stevan Jovetic equalised for the Swansea 1 (Bony 9) Arsenal substitute Olivier home side 10 minutes later and Newcastle 1 (Sissoko 78) QPR 0 on for win Giroud marked his comeback Yaya Toure strode through to from a broken leg by slamming Stoke 1 (Walters 32) Burnley 2 (Ings 12, 13) score the winner early in the sec- BERLIN: Undefeated champi- home in the 95th minute, but Today’s Matches ond half. ons Bayern Munich continued United held on to leave their Crystal Palace vs Liverpool (1330GMT), Hull “We played very well and had a their seemingly unstoppable rivals 15 points adrift of leaders vs Tottenham (1600 GMT) lot of chances to score the third charge towards the Bundesliga Chelsea in eighth place. Tomorrow’s Match goal, and we defended well,” title, crushing Hoffenheim 4-0 To compound matters, Arsene Aston Villa vs Southampton (2000GMT) said City manager Manuel yesterday to extend their lead at Wenger’s side lost key midfielder Pellegrini. the top. Jack Wilshere and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez coming on, “It was a difficult start because With second-placed VfL Wojciech Szczesny to injury, and the Argentine was a virtual they scored with their only chance Wolfsburg losing 3-2 at Schalke four days before an important spectator until Angel di Maria in the first half,” he said. 04, Bayern are now seven points Champions League home game freed Rooney to run through and It was only City’s second win in clear, having yet to lose in any of with Borussia Dortmund. chip home in the 85th minute. seven games. Pellegrini’s side host the three competitions they are An injury blight obliged United Giroud fired into the top-left Bayern Munich in the Champions in this season. coach Louis van Gaal to deploy corner from 20 yards mid-way League on Tuesday, when even Mario Goetze drilled in from a three-man defence of Chris through eight minutes of stoppage victory may not spare them from 23 metres with Bayern’s first Smalling, Paddy McNair and time, but United survived to give a third group-stage exit in four shot on goal in the 23rd minute Tyler Blackett, and the visitors Van Gaal the first away win of his seasons. and Poland international Robert then saw left-back Luke Shaw tenure. Elsewhere, in-form Newcastle Lewandowski headed in his sixth limp off after turning his ankle. Earlier, Diego Costa scored United climbed to fifth after of the campaign from a pin-point Arsenal peppered the visi- again as Chelsea established a Moussa Sissoko’s 78th-minute cross by Arjen Robben. tors’ goal with shots, but United seven-point lead at the summit by strike earned them a 1-0 win at The Dutchman then added goalkeeper David de Gea kept comfortably beating 10-man West home to Queens Park Rangers — a third late in the game with them at bay, notably thwarting Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Stamford their fifth consecutive victory. a fine chip for the Bavarians, Wilshere and Danny Welbeck, Bridge. West Ham United dropped out who welcomed back Bastian Manchester United’s who was making his first appear- Costa scored his 11th goal of the of the top four after losing 2-1 at Schweinsteiger as a second-half Wayne Rooney ance against the club he left in season in the 11th minute, chest- Everton, with Leon Osman slid- substitute for his first appearance celebrates after September. ing down Oscar’s cross and vol- ing in the winner on his 400th since the World Cup final having Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs Wilshere was forced off in the leying home, with Eden Hazard club appearance after Mauro recovered from a niggling knee 55th minute after turning his adding a second before Claudio Zarate had cancelled out Romelu injury. (not pictured) scores right ankle in a challenge with Yacob was sent off for a two- Lukaku’s opener. Substitute Sebastian Rode an own goal during an McNair, and United struck barely footed challenge on Costa. Burnley climbed off the foot of completed the rout three minutes English Premier League a minute later. “It was comfortable, but I the table after Danny Ings scored from time from a Schweinsteiger match at the Emirates Szczesny collided with Gibbs as thought in the first half we played twice in two first-half minutes to assist to lift Bayern to 30 points. Stadium in London he came for Ashley Young’s left- amazingly well. In the first half we earn the promoted club a 2-1 win Hoffenheim finished with 10 men yesterday. wing cross and when Antonio have to be 3-0, 4-0, 5-0 up,” said at Stoke City, who replied through following the late dismissal of Valencia drilled the ball back into Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. Jon Walters. Adam Szalai. the box, the prone Gibbs instinc- “But the quality of our football Burnley are now level on points Fellow Champions League club tively stuck out a leg, only to send was there. I don’t remember see- with fourth-bottom Leicester Bayer Leverkusen eased past the ball into his own net. ing many times football of that City, who drew 0-0 at home to Hanover 96 3-1 with forward Szczesny had to go off, with dimension.” Sunderland. AFP Stefan Kiessling scoring his first league goal since August. Leverkusen are fourth on 20 points, level with third-placed Messi breaks La Liga record Late Lavezzi goal Borussia Moenchengladbach, who slumped to a 3-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. Schalke exploded into action with hat-trick as Barca romp sends PSG to top against in-form Wolfsburg, scor- ing three times in the opening 25 MADRID: Lionel Messi became PARIS: Champions Paris St Carrasso at the end of a sharp minutes as they prepare to meet the all-time top goalscorer in La Germain went top of Ligue 1 counter attack to put PSG ahead Chelsea in the Champions League Liga history with a hat-trick as for the first time this season after nine minutes. on Tuesday. Barcelona swept aside Sevilla when Ezequiel Lavezzi’s late Seven minutes later Bussmann But Wolfsburg cut the deficit 5-1 yesterday to remain two goal earned a 3-2 win at Metz deflected Lavezzi’s free kick into with goals from Ivica Olic and points adrift of league leaders on Friday, the club’s first victory his own net with his knee. Nicklas Bendtner and Naldo Real Madrid. there in 11 years. PSG coach Laurent Blanc hit the bar in stoppage time as Messi moved level with legen- The Argentine forward struck had to make an early substi- Schalke hung on to move up to dary Basque striker Telmo Zarra seven minutes tution when sixth on 17. when he opened the scoring with from time to give French Ligue 1 Yohan Cabaye Last season’s runners-up a trademark free-kick to register PSG 30 points limped off and Borussia Dortmund, who visit his 251st goal in his 289th appear- from 14 games, Results he was replaced Arsenal in the Champions League ance in the Spanish top flight. two ahead of Friday’s Matches by Clement on Wednesday, squandered a two- A Jordi Alba own goal briefly Olympique de Metz 2 (M. Maiga 49-pen, 53-pen) Paris SG 3 Chantome. goal lead to draw 2-2 at promoted brought Sevilla level early in the Marseille who (Pastore 9, Bussmann 16-o.g., Lavezzi 83) Maiga reduced Paderbon, continuing their erratic second-half, but Neymar swiftly take on Girondins the arrears four season. Yesterday’s Matches restored Barca’s advantage before de Bordeaux minutes into the There was further bad news Ivan Rakitic made the game today. Bastia 0 Lyon 0 second half after for last season’s runners-up as safe when he headed home Luis PSG were Playing later Siargai Krivets Marco Reus, who had only just Suarez’s enticing cross against his 2-0 up after 16 Lorient vs Lens, Guingamp vs Rennes, was brought down returned to the side, was taken old club. minutes fol- Monaco vs Caen, Nice vs Reims by Adrien Rabiot. off midway through the second Messi then took over as he Barcelona’s forward Lionel Messi (top) is thrown into the air by his team- lowing Javier Today’s Matches Metz then half with yet another injury after slid in to convert Neymar’s low mates after scoring the record-breaking goal against Sevilla FC at the Pastore’s opener Nantes vs Saint-Etienne (1300GMT), benefited from a rough challenge. cross to set a new record mark Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona yesterday. and Gaetan Montpellier vs Toulouse (1600GMT), Marseille another success- Dortmund are in 14th place on and extended it moments later Bussmann’s own vs Bordeaux (2000GMT) ful Maiga penalty 11 points, two above last-placed with a precise low finish to seal of a giant-killing thanks to a as Barca ended the half strongly goal but they con- after Gregory van VfB Stuttgart. REUTERS and round off a fine evening for Cristiano Ronaldo double to reg- as Nico Pareja slid in to prevent ceded two penalties in four min- der Wiel handled before Lavezzi Luis Enrique’s men against a side ister their 14th consecutive win Suarez his first Barca goal after utes early in the second half, both rounded off his man-of-the-match that started the evening just two in all competitions with a 4-0 Alba had nutmegged Beto and the converted by Modibo Maiga. performance with his late goal German League points adrift of the Catalans. victory. Portuguese ‘keeper showed smart Argentine midfielder Pastore to give unbeaten PSG their fifth Earlier, Real Madrid saw off And champions Atletico reactions to deny Neymar from flicked the ball past Cedric league win in a row. REUTERS Basque minnows Eibar’s dreams Madrid remain four points off the the resulting corner with an out- Results top as they overcame Malaga 3-1 stretched leg. Bayern Munich 4 (Goetze 22, Lewandowski at the Vicente Calderon, thanks All of Barca’s good work in 39, Robben 82, Rode 87) Hoffenheim 0 La Liga Results to goals from Tiago, Antoine the first 45 minutes was undone Schalke 3 (Choupo-Moting 10, 22, Fuchs 25) Griezmann and Diego Godin. just over 60 seconds after the Wolfsburg 2 (Olic 37, Bendtner 74) Atletico Madrid 3 (Tiago 12, Griezmann 42, Sevilla were expected to pose a restart, though, as Vitolo eased Borussia Moenchengladbach 1 (Nordveit 6) Godin 83) Malaga 1 (Santa Cruz 63) serious threat to a Barca side that past Gerard Pique down Sevilla’s Eintracht Frankfurt 3 (Stendera 54, Meier 57, Eibar 0 Real Madrid 4 (Rodriguez 23, Ronaldo has struggled in recent outings. left and his low cross was bundled Inui 73) 43, 83-pen, Benzema 70) However, the hosts had complete into his own net by the unfortu- Mainz 2 (Junior Diaz 27, Bell 88) Freiburg 2 Barcelona 5 (Messi 21, 72, 77, Neymar 49, control of the game in the first- nate Alba. (Schmid 31, Mehmedi 58) Rakitic 65) Sevilla 1 (Alba 47-og) half and could have been in front It took the hosts just two min- Hanover 96 1 (Gulselam 60) Bayer Playing later (all times GMT) before Messi’s historic strike as utes to make amends, however, as Leverkusen 3 (Kiessling 46, Son 58, Bellarabi Deportivo La Coruna vs Real Sociedad (2100) the Argentine’s first effort of the Xavi’s free-kick was headed low 72) match was smothered by Beto. into the far corner by Neymar. Today’s Matches Paderborn 2 (Rupp 60, Saglik 81) Borussia Messi’s moment came midway Suarez’s search for his first Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo (1100), Levante Dortmund 2 (Aubameyang 12, Reus 45+1) through the first-half as his free- Barca goal will stretch into a fifth vs Valencia (1600), Elche vs Cordoba (1800), Cologne 1 (Ujah 58) Hertha Berlin 2 (Beerens kick curled perfectly into Beto’s game, but the Uruguayan did pro- Villarreal vs Getafe (2000) 28, Ndjeng 86) top right-hand corner to register vide his fourth assist in four out- Friday’s Match Today’s Matches his 12th goal of the season. ings with a great run and cross Paris Saint-Germain’s players celebrate after scoring a goal against Metz Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz 29, Viguera 44, Hamburg vs Werder Bremen (1430 GMT), VfB Only some frantic defending which left Rakitic with a simple during a Ligue 1 match at the Saint Symphorien Stadium on Friday night. Iturraspe 78) Espanyol 1 (Sanchez 84) kept the Andalusians in the game task to make it 3-1. AFP Stuttgart vs Augsburg (1630 GMT) Sunday 23 November 2014 1 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6258 Sport Price: QR2

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www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Qatar ready for Oman in today’s semi Al Annabi focused on Gulf Cup clash, defending champions UAE face Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Coach Djamel of this competition. We’re one Belmadi has banned players Gulf Cup game away now from the final, so from speaking to the media and Today’s Matches our sole focus is on the Gulf Cup,” the Qataris have been train- said UAE coach Mahdi Ali Oman vs Qatar at the King Fahd International ing behind closed doors ahead “In general, I’m very happy Stadium from 5pm of their Gulf Cup semi-final with what has been achieved so against Oman today. Saudi Arabia vs UAE at the King Fahd far. However, having qualified for Karim Boudiaf, Ibrahim Majid International Stadium from 9pm the semi-final, we should be pre- and Hassan Al Haidos were all We’ve got a group of enterprising pared and ready to fight in this rested from yesterday’s train- young players and we have carried match for a place in the final and ing session after playing all out our customary drills without we will be,” he said. three group-stage games while hassles,” he said. Ali also expects that play- Almahdi Ali was expected to cap- Qatar were the second side ing in front of a partisan crowd tain the Qatari side today in place from Group A to qualify for the at the King Fahd International the injured Bilal Mohammed. semi-finals after three succes- Stadium may also bring out the Meanwhile, Mohammed Musa sive draws against Saudi Arabia, very best in his players as well as was likely to return to his right- Yemen and Bahrain. Oman topped Juan Ramon Lopez Caro’s Falcons back position. Group B by thrashing Kuwait 5-0 XI. “The Saudi public are number The Qataris are certainly not after draws against UAE and Iraq. one,” he said. “It has been like taking their opposition lightly, In today’s other semi-final, playing in front of 85,000 people especially after Oman’s impres- defending Gulf Cup champions in the United Kingdom or South sive 5-0 victory against Kuwait United Arab Emirates have the Korea for us. The audience will be on Thursday. tough task of taking on Group a great motivation for the players “I think everybody understands A-toppers and hosts Saudi Arabia. and we hope that there will be a the importance of this match. Ali Mabkhout scored twice full house inside the ground.” Oman put up a classy show two against Iraq on Thursday — giving The final will be held at the days ago and we are ready to UAE the chance to defend their King Fahd International Stadium counter that,” said the Qatari title, as three-time holders Iraq on Wednesday while the third- national team’s assistant coach, exited the tournament with only place play-off will be held on Sergio Romano, yesterday. one point. Tuesday at the Prince Faisal bin Qatari players pose for a team photo prior to their Gulf Cup Group A match against Bahrain at the Prince Faisal “In terms of preparation, we “We hope to produce a great Fahd Stadium. bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh on Thursday. are ready and we are feeling good. game and a performance worthy THE PENINSULA