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Tuesday 25 November 2014 • 3 Safar 1436 • Volume 19 Number 6260 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 Iran nuclear GCC to discuss talks extended for 7 months VIENNA: Iran and six pow- joint tourist ers failed yesterday for a sec- ond time this year to resolve their 12-year dispute over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and gave themselves seven visa system more months to overcome the deadlock that has prevented an historic deal. Western officials said they were Foreign ministers meet in Doha today aiming to secure an agreement on the substance of a final accord by DOHA: On agenda of today’s transpired at the meeting is March but that more time would GCC foreign ministers’ meeting not known. The joint meet- be needed to reach a consensus being held here are a number ing (between GCC and Jordan on the all-important technical of key issues and it includes and Morocco) was chaired by details. the proposed joint tourist visa the Director of GCC Affairs Iranian President Hassan system. Department at Qatar’s Foreign Rowhani, who is trying to win Also on agenda are human Ministry, Ambassador Yousuf Al relief from crippling interna- resource development in the Jabir, Al Sharq reported yesterday. tional economic sanctions by region, water linkage and security As for the Ministerial Meeting patching up relations with the programmes and the proposed being held today, political issues West, said that “many gaps were GCC railway and customs union. on its agenda include efforts to narrowed and our positions with Today’s meeting is being held in restore peace in Gaza (Palestine), the other side got closer” at talks preparation for the GCC Summit, International Alliance against the The Prime Minister and Interior Minister, H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, viewing a model of in Vienna, state TV quoted him which is scheduled to be held here Islamic State (IS), Iran nuclear the Ras Bufontas project yesterday. as saying. on December 9 and 10. issue and its occupation of the US Secretary of State John Yesterday, a committee tasked three UAE islands and situations Kerry gave a more sombre assess- with drafting recommendations in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. ment, saying “real and substantial for the preparatory meeting (of A joint communiqué will be progress had been made but add- GCC Foreign Ministers) met at issued at the end of the meeting. PM launches SEZ project ing that “some significant points the Sheraton Doha Hotel. After this meeting, GCC for- of disagreement” remained. The recommendations drafted eign ministers will meet their DOHA: The Prime Minister over 4.1sqkm. The specialised zone exhibitions and a number of fac- REUTERS by the committee included the Yemeni counterpart. Following and Interior Minister, H E will be dedicated to companies tories. He also highlighted the See also page 7 above issues, among others, and this conclave, H E Dr Khalid bin Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser from communications, infotech, government’s commitment to will be submitted to the Ministerial Mohamed Al Attiyah, Qatar’s bin Khalifa Al Thani, yester- energy, logistics, construction, the private sector, in accordance Hagel quits as US Meeting being held today. Foreign Minister, will be hold- day laid the foundation stone transportation and other sectors, with the directives of the Emir, H These recommendations will ing one-to-one meeting with his for Ras Bufontas project, one with an aim to achieve sustainable H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al defence secretary be finally referred to the GCC Yemeni counterpart. They will dis- of the three Special Economic and diversified economic develop- Thani in the latest speech made leaders to be discussed by them cuss the GCC initiative for Yemen Zones (SEZs) being developed to ment in the energy-rich economy. at the Advisory Council. WASHINGTON: US Defence at their December 9-10 Summit. and the current situation there. achieve economic diversification. The Prime Minister told the The ceremony was attended Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned Meanwhile, the Advisory Board The Advisory Board of the The land plots for the first and media that the new project is by a number of distinguished yesterday, leaving under pres- of the Supreme Council of the Supreme Council of GCC States second phases of development of one of three new economic zones guests, ministers and promi- sure as President Barack GCC States also met today at will then be meeting the GCC for- the project will be delivered to that will represent a big lift to the nent businessmen, including Obama faces critical national the Sheraton Doha headed by eign ministers and take up key investors in the first quarter of economy. Sheikh Abdullah added H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al security challenges, including Abdullah Bishara. regional issues. 2016. that the new zones are in compli- Thani, Minister of Economy and fighting Islamic State in Iraq The Board exchanged views At the end of the day today, The project is being devel- ance with Qatar National Vision Commerce; H E Ahmed Amer and Syria and revising plans to on issues (among them, plans for a press conference will be held oped by Manateq, a state-backed 2030 (QNV-2030). Mohamed Al Humaidi, Minister exit Afghanistan. joint GCC tourist visa system) jointly by Qatar’s Foreign Minister, entity, which was specifically cre- Ras Bufontas, along with two of Environment; Dr Hessa Sultan Hagel had privately expressed that are to be discussed with the H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al ated in 2011 to provide the neces- other SEZs – Abu Nakhla and Al Jaber, Minister of Information frustration to colleagues at the Ministerial Council meeting today. Attiyah, and Dr Abdul Lateef Al sary infrastructure, policies, and Um Alhoul – will serve as the and Communications Technology; administration’s strategy toward Significantly, after the drafting Zayani, GCC Secretary-General. services required by Small and base of a homegrown private Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Iraq and Syria and at his lack of committee meeting, senior offi- They will brief the media about Medium Entreprises (SMEs). sector that comprises a complex Thani, Chairman of Qatari influence over the decision-mak- cials of the GCC met with their the issues discussed at the pre- The ambitious Ras Bufontas yet harmonious web of successful Businessmen Association and ing process, a source familiar with counterparts from Jordan and paratory meet and field questions project, strategically located near SMEs. Fahad Al Kaabi, CEO of Manateq. the situation said. Morocco. on these and other issues. the Hamad International Airport, He said that the new project THE PENINSULA REUTERS However, exactly what THE PENINSULA is being developed in an area of includes storage spaces, Continued on page 4 See also page 11

Tunisia poll heads to run-off QTA offers More recreation and less sky tours work for some in Qatar DOHA: Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) yesterday DOHA: The average Qatari three minutes, or 21 percent of launched a tourism project spends barely a tenth of his day their day on it). called Samana (Our Skies) on income generating activities, Qataris spend one hour and which provides helicopter tours while an expatriate slogs two- eight minutes a day on education to citizens, residents and tour- and-a-half times more. and learning, while this duration ists to some of the most breath- An official survey shows that for expatriates is barely 25 min- taking sights in Qatar. the average Qatari devotes only utes (probably because of large To commence on December 19, two hours and 52 minutes a day number of single workers). Samana provides a 35-minute air to income-generating activi- On household chores like wash- tour aboard a Bell 206L3 helicop- ties, which is 11.9 percent of his ing, cleaning, cooking, shopping ter which can accommodate up 24-hours. On the other hand, and caring for children and eld- to four people. The tour offers this average for the expatriate erly, Qatari men spend two hours 37 scenic views of the Sidra Medical is nearly two-and-a-half times minutes a day. This average for non- Centre, West Bay Lagoon, Zig- more: Six hours and 42 minutes Qataris is two hours and five min- Zag Towers, The Pearl Qatar and (or 27.9 percent of his 24-hours). utes. A Qatari on average devoted Katara among others. On recreation and culture a 49 minutes a day to prayers, while Tunisian election officials prepare charts at a counting centre in Ariana near Tunis yesterday. A run-off was Initially, three flights will Qatari on average spends much expatriates spent almost half that expected as veteran anti-Islamist politician Beji Caid Essebsi looked set to fall short of the 50 percent thresh- be scheduled on Fridays and more time (five hours and 17 min- time (28 minutes) on it. old required to win outright, his campaign team conceded yesterday. See also page 6 Saturdays to take off at 2pm, utes a day, or 22 percent of his However, both the categories 3pm and 3.55pm from the Doha day). The expatriate spends barely of the people spent nearly half Heliport. The route includes Al three hours and 31 minutes a day, their day on sleeping and personal Shamal Road, Sidra Medical or 14.6 percent of his 24-hour rou- care: 11 hours and 18 minutes for and Research Centre, West tine, on recreation and culture. Qataris, and 10 hours and 51 min- Bay Lagoon, The Pearl Qatar, Income-generating activities utes for non-Qataris. 500 more taxis to hit roads Doha Corniche and back to the include working for wage/salary, A ‘Time use’ survey conducted heliport. providing employment to others by the Ministry of Development DOHA: Some 500 new taxis will Mowasalat is set to double its by Earlier, the franchisee had to Each flight, which can take up as well as self-employment. Planning and Statistics reveals the hit the road soon, as a new pri- 2022. In another eight years, the pay QR1,510 per cab. It has been to four passengers, costs QR3,300. Recreation and culture include above and other interesting details. vate company has been granted number of taxis operating in Qatar reduced to QR1,000. Currently, we This special launching price is watching TV, reading books, surf- The survey was carried out for permission by Mowasalat to would be 7000, said Al Hail. do not have problems in getting valid until March 31. ing the Internet, travelling, pursu- the first time in the country from operate taxis on a franchise Currently, a total of 4000 taxis new franchisees,” he said. QTA has created this attrac- ing hobbies and visiting relatives. September 20, 2012 to September basis, a senior Mowasalat offi- are operating in Qatar. An esti- Mowasalat will also addg tion with support from Ministry Qatari men on average spend 19, 2013, said the Ministry in its cial said yesterday. mated 3,500 are on the road on a more buses. Fifty new buses are of Transport and the Qatar a little more time on recreation findings. The survey was carried The new company will start oper- daily basis. expected to be on the road by the Armed Forces. (five hours and 32 minutes, or 23 out on a sample of 16,574 people ations early next year, Mowasalat “Now we have reduced the end of this year, he said. THE PENINSULA percent of their day) than their aged 15 and above. CEO Khalid Nasser Al Hail said. operating fee of franchises. THE PENINSULA Continued on page 4 women (who spend five hours and THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME

PM meets Bank of Morocco Governor SEC invites Seasonal flu applications for EED cases on Awards

DOHA: The Supreme Education Council (SEC) announced that the applications for Education the rise Excellence Day (EED) awards will begin on December 1. The SEC noted the effective Change in weather cited as cause role of the EED awards jury com- mittees which had previously held DOHA: As temperatures go washing are important hygiene several meetings and presenta- down, there is a surge in sea- tools to minimise the risk of tions to explain the conditions sonal flu cases. Workers are spreading infections.” and application requirements for taking time off and clinics are Young children and those over each category of the award. crowded with people suffering 65 and pregnant women should The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani met with Governor The jury committees also com- from influenza-like symptoms protect themselves by getting vac- of the Bank of Morocco, Abdul Latif Jaouahiri, who called on the Prime Minister to greet him on the occasion municated with the interested while teachers are reporting cinated, have a good sleep, take of his participation at the third Global Finance Conference, currently under way in Doha. students to compete for the award students absent from school. flu remedies such as honey and and explained the terms and con- “For those among us unlucky drinking plenty of fluids, he said. ditions for each award category enough to be vulnerable to such For those down with flu, he rec- and answered the inquiries and things, the change of season can ommended a Vitamin C-rich diet, questions of students. mean sickness is inevitable,” said plenty of fluids and paracetamol. Director of the SEC Awadh Omar, a Sudanese resident. Schools were also feeling the Communications Office and “I took two days off when I was effects of winter virus. Yousef Doha Youth Forum from April 7 Chairperson of the Executive down with flu and at least half of Musoke, a parent, said his two of Committee of the EED Awards, my colleagues at office have also his children had missed school at DOHA: Qatar Foundation criminal justice systems; and how there will be a strong response Hassan Abdulla Al Mohammadi, missed a day or two of work with least twice in the last two weeks. together with the Ministry of to identify and combat new types to our call for students, as their said the SEC readiness to receive similar problems.” “There school has sent newslet- Interior and the United Nations and methods of crime. contributions will help to build a all nominations submitted to Health experts say that a rise ters advising parents on how to Office on Drugs and Crime Engineer Jassim Telefat, Group better future for all.” compete for the EED awards. or fall in temperature can affect protect their children. The letters (UNODC) is organising the Executive Director of Qatar The Doha Youth Forum is He noted that the Board of our immune systems. With cold mention that parents should keep Doha Youth Forum from April Foundation Capital Projects and open to students in Qatar of all Trustees has held an introductory and windy weather set to continue their children warm,” he said. 7 to 9 at the Qatar National Facilities Management, said: backgrounds and disciplines. meeting to highlight the Education across the region, people are being People living in the city said Convention Centre (QNCC). “Qatar Foundation is delighted Participants will be organised into Excellence Day (EED) award, its urged to be more vigilant to help they were sometimes unprepared The Forum will be hosted to partner with the Ministry of three groups of 30 to 50 members, mission, vision and the different halt the spread of the winter virus. for the cooler weather and many ahead of the 13th United Nations Interior and the UN Office on and each group will debate and winning categories. Terms and “There has been a rise in the did not expect the change in tem- Congress on Crime Prevention Drugs and Crime on this impor- draw up proposals on the three conditions for eligibility for the number of flu cases especially peratures to be so substantial. and Criminal Justice taking place tant initiative. Improving the designated themes. A specially award were also explained dur- among children,” said one doctor An Egyptian expatriate, Salah in Qatar for the first time in April. quality of life for all is integral to appointed team will be on-hand ing the meeting in addition to the at a private clinic. Ahmed, believed that people were The UN Congress will fea- our mission, and I believe young to provide support, offering del- newly added components. He said there were more cases fooled into thinking that because ture high-level policymakers people in Qatar will make a con- egates expert advice and train- Al Mohammadi also urged all of flu and influenza during winter they lived in a hot climate they and specialists from around the tribution that will benefit people ing, as well as the opportunity to schools, universities and parents months because the heat, which would not get flu. “I usually get sick world, and will focus on current everywhere.” present to UN representatives. to encourage Qatari students to is a natural protector against flu two or three times a year. Right and emerging challenges to gov- Dr Khalid Al Khanji, Student Registration is open for stu- compete for the EED award and and kills most viruses, has gone now, for example, I feel I am devel- ernments and law enforcement Affairs Vice-President, QF’s dents between the ages of 16 and help them overcome all obstacles away. Secondly, the air is dryer oping flu-type symptoms. There is bodies. Hamad bin Khalifa University 26 via the Doha Youth Forum in order to deepen the concepts and this thins the lining of the always at least one person who calls The Forum will follow a paral- (HBKU), said, “Crime is one of website, and the deadline for of excellence and innovation in nose and mouth making people in sick every two days at my work.” lel agenda, addressing three key the greatest threats to our secu- applications is November 30. education. more prone to illnesses. The weather in Qatar was themes including the effectiveness rity and our freedom, and the Selected participants will be The EED award is granted on He recommended that any- predicted to be cloudy with scat- of crime prevention and criminal nature of crime is changing fast required to attend an orientation a competitive basis and aims to one who had flu should rest at tered rain and thundery at some justice systems, both within indi- due to globalisation and techno- event at HBKU Student Centre celebrate and honour outstanding home and avoid going to work. places offshore, according to the vidual countries and globally; the logical developments. It is vital in Education City on January 14 students. The awards include the “Covering the mouth when you Department of Meteorology. responsibilities of the general pub- that the views of young people from 4.30pm to 7pm. Excellence Award for Secondary cough or sneeze and regular hand THE PENINSULA lic and civil society in improving are heard in this debate, I believe THE PENINSULA School Certificate Students, Preparatory and Elementary schools, the Excellence award for University Graduates, the Excellence award for PhD Holders and awards for Excellent Teacher, the Excellent School, and Scientific Research. The award winners are selected by high-level judging commit- tees made up of a group of aca- demics and educational experts. These committees will examine the works of the candidates and interview them. The committees will also visit schools to verify and check all information and documents submitted, before announcing the final results in People at one of the Lulu Hypermarket branches. due transparency and objectivity. Application date close on Lulu, Kulluna launch campaign December 31. THE PENINSULA Financial system DOHA: Lulu Hypermarket Group has collaborated with ‘Kulluna for Health and Safety campaign’ to raise more awareness about child draft law discussed safety. As part of Lulu’s current Baby Promotion Campaign, a team of certified child passenger safety technicians trained by Hamad DOHA: The Advisory Council International Training Center, will visit our outlets from Thursday to held yesterday its regular Saturday to give advice to parents to ensure that they purchase the weekly session under the chair- correct car seat and the seat is fitted in the correct and safe manner. manship of Speaker Mohammed To ensure that as many as people benefit from this collaboration, bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi. The we invite all parents to visit the different Lulu Hypermarket branches Council reviewed a draft law during the campaign to learn how to keep their children safe. The on the state’s financial system. campaign will run until December 3, 2014. The word “Kulluna”, in They agreed to hand it over to Arabic, means ‘all of us’ and is being used for this campaign with the the Financial and Economic belief that all of Qatar can take action to improve health, wellbeing Affairs Committee to study the and safety for ourselves, our families and the community in general. draft law and present its report. THE PENINSULA QNA

Meet on public transport opens today

DOHA: An international con- UITP Secretary-General Alain The summit also aims to pro- ference on public transport that Flausch, Hassan Al Thawadi, mote investments in construction will open at the Qatar National Secretary-General of the of transport networks being the Convention Center (QNCC) this Supreme Committee for Projects most important factors of success evening will discuss safety and and Legacy, will address the for major events. The youth will security issues related to public opening ceremony. Franco Tofu, be represented through 30 stu- transport in large events with Director-General of Ongenier dents from Qatar University and a special emphasis on the 2022 Transportation EBFL Head from other countries including FIFA World Cup in Qatar. CITIC, Geneva, will talk about Kuwait, Oman, Brazil and Europe. The second UITP (International organising big events in Qatar The conference will discuss Association of Public Transport) through the challenges and issues including strengthening Large Events Summit and opportunities of transport. relations between the transport Showcase and the UITP Taxi A number of experts in the sector and other sectors, the Conference and Showcase is being industry will participate in the core role of transport in empow- hosted by Mowasalat. three-day event along with 400 ering major events, the rail and The Prime Minister and delegates, 60 speakers and more metro and other projects inte- Interior Minister H E Sheikh than 40 exhibitors. This year, the grated under the umbrella of the Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa summit will focus on security and Ministry of Transport. Al Thani is expected to attend the safety aspects in major events of The UITP Taxi Conference event. The Minister of Transport transport. It aims at highlight- and Showcase will cover regu- H E Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, ing the importance of public and lation and organisation of taxi Vice-President of UITP and collective transport and its role transport in cities, operation and President of UITP Mena region in realizing sustainable economic maintenance of taxi transport will open the conference in the growth and implementation of and technical specifications of presence of other senior UITP key events, said a statement taxis, among other topics. officials. issued by Mowasalat yesterday. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 03

Attorney General meets Rafsanjani State Encouragement High prevalence Award committee of trustees revised

DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh of food-related Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani yesterday endorsed Cabinet decision No. 71 of 2014 re-form- ing the Committee of Trustees NCDs in country of the State Encouragement Award. According to the deci- sion the committee is to be re- formed under the chairmanship Experts attend Sidra event of the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr. Hamad DOHA: The World Health Investigator in Sidra’s Clinical bin Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari. Organisation estimates that Epidemiology Department. Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Nuaimi Nutrition-Related Non-Commun- “By organising high-quality will be the Deputy Chairman. icable Diseases (NR-NCDs) are educational programsme, such The other committee members presently responsible for 69 as the ‘State-of-the-art nutri- include Dr Aisha Youssuf Al percent of the total number of tion in Qatar: Science Advances Mannai, Dr Al-Harith Mohamed deaths in Qatar, said experts at a and Future Perspectives’ event, Al Khater, Dr Hassan Ibrahim Al symposium yesterday. we seek to make positive contri- Muhannadi, Dr Hamda Hassan International experts in the butions to how the local medi- Abdurrahman Abu Tha’in Al field of nutrition came together to cal community addresses these Sulaiti and Dr. Ahmed Abdullah participate in the Sidra Symposia issues through knowledge shar- Qatar’s Attorney General H E Dr Ali bin Fetais Al Marri met with former Iranian president and Head of Iran’s Al Al Sheikh Al Kuwari. The Series event on nutrigenetics and ing and joint conversations with Expediency Council Hashemi Rafsanjani in Tehran yesterday. Dr Al Marri also met with Iranian Justice Minister Emir’s decision annulled Cabinet the future of nutrition hosted by peers from all over the world. For Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi and his aides. Dr Al Marri gave a briefing on the judicial legislations in Qatar. decision No. 5 of 2011. The deci- Sidra’s Research Department. example, the focus of our current sion shall go into effect as of the The event addressed the strong research is instances where gesta- second day of its publication in ties between food and common tional diabetes mellitus and obes- the official gazette. non-communicable diseases, help- ity have implications not only for ing build awareness about the role the pregnant woman, but for the Decision on pensions, nutrigenetics and nutritional sci- offspring as well.” retirement ences play in understanding eve- During the event, Dr Annalisa Fifth issue of Career released ryday health concerns. Terranegra, Nutrigenetics DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh Health conditions such as dia- Investigator in Sidra’s DOHA: Qatar Career Fair valuable tips on how to write a Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani betes, hypertension, obesity, car- Department of Translational (QCF), a member of Qatar CV and covering letter, how to yesterday endorsed Cabinet diovascular disease, metabolic Medicine, highlighted research Foundation, has released perform well during interviews, decision No. 70 of 2014 enforc- syndrome and some cancers can programmes initiated at the Sidra the fifth issue of its Career and a number of positive steps to ing provisions of law No. 24 of be better understood, and there- Nutrigenetics Unit to address magazine. ensure a continuing and flourish- 2002 on retirement and pen- fore more easily prevented, with some of these conditions. The annual bilingual maga- ing career progression. sions of Qatari employees at the help of nutritional science. “The rising rate of NR-NCDs zine, designed to be used as a The magazine also contains a the Qatar Foundation for Social These conditions, collectively can only be curbed by under- career guide for students and number of interviews with young Work as of 5.8.2013. The deci- referred to as NR-NCDs, are standing how genes and individual professionals, is aligned with Qataris discussing accomplish- sion shall go into effect from the triggered by the complex inter- lifestyles impact the resolution QF’s mission to unlock human ments in their current positions, date of issue and is to be pub- action of genetics, epigenetics, and frequency of these conditions. potential by creating aware- and how participating in the lished in the official gazette. metabolomics, proteomics, mico- The growing field of genetics is ness of education, employment, annual career fair has helped biota and environmental factors helping provide a more nuanced training and career development them gain new skills. New envoy to Sweden and an individual’s diet. view of lifestyle diseases and the opportunities available in differ- Featured in the magazine is DOHA: The Emir H H Sheikh “The Qatari population has a complex interaction between ent sectors in the country. Yasmian Al Sharshani, a female Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani unique genetic background, which, genes and behaviour that is the It contains career information, golfer and entrepreneur who yesterday issued Emiri deci- combined with recent changes in root cause of many conditions but tips and topics of interest from developed her own business after sion No. 87 of 2014 appoint- eating habits, has resulted in a is also the key to treating them,” career development experts, for winning an award in the ‘Invest’ ing Hamad Mohammed high prevalence of NR-NCDs,” said Dr Terranegra. people looking for guidance in fol- competition, organised by QCF to Mubarak Nasser Al Khalifa as said Dr Lars Hedin, Principal THE PENINSULA lowing a suitable career path. promote entrepreneurship among Ambassador Extraordinary and Topics covered in the new issue Qatari youth. Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom include, best careers for differ- Young Qataris looking for containing contact information of of Sweden. The law is effective ent personality types and entre- career and training opportunities a large number of organisations starting from its date of execu- Cockroach in rice! preneurship and great business will also be able to find a compre- and institutions. tion. It is to be published in the ideas. In addition, there are hensive directory in the magazine THE PENINSULA official gazette. QNA

Advisory Council Notice of Road Closure and Diversion Speaker meets US delegation Date: 26 November 2014 until further notice Location: Qatar National Library DOHA: The Speaker of Advisory Council H E Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi met yes- terday with a delegation from US Congress, Department of State and Defence. At the meeting’s outset, the Speaker welcomed the delegation and gave them an The Umm Salal Municipality yesterday closed down a restaurant in overview of the role of the Council Al Kharaitiyat area for 30 days after finding cockroach in rice. The and its history. The meeting then Health Monitoring Department at the Municipality conducted seven dealt with bilateral relations in parliamentary field and ways to inspections and detected six violations and destroyed about 25kg of enhance them. QNA expired food. Researchers build tractor beam that moves particles using light

DOHA: A research team at Texas A&M at Qatar have moved small glass spheres with a laser beam — much like a trac- tor beam sci-fi fans have become Closed Road ninteuted afc accustomed to seeing on movie and television screens. The work is published in Nature Photonics. Due to works related to the upcoming Laser physicist Dr Wieslaw Krolikowski, a professor in the Doha Metro Science Programme at Texas A&M at Qatar, and his research part of the state-of-the-art integrated rail system being team in Qatar and at Australian National University (ANU) has developed by Qatar Rail, completed the project. a section of Shaqab Roundabout The team covered small glass Picture shows optical trapping and manipulation of light-absorbing particles. spheres, about 50 micrometers in will be closed. diameter, with a thin gold coating heat the backside of the sphere,” specimens. This requires deliver- to absorb light. A coated sphere Krolikowski said, “the higher air ing a particle to a very specific was then placed in a special hol- pressure at the back of the sphere spatial location where the laser We apologise for any inconvenience this road closure low-beam laser in which a circle pushed it towards the light. The light will be focused. of light surrounds a dark centre. opposite occurred when we heated Another possible application is may cause. The sphere sat in the dark center the front of the sphere.” to use this tractor beam to cap- of the beam. This tractor-beam effect had ture and move particles produced Please contact Mr. Abdulla Meshal Al Hajri at 5522 1010 Interaction with the light previously only been observed on in an experimental chamber into edges of the beam causes the the microscopic level using plas- a special area for analysis. for more information or inquiries. sphere to absorb energy from tic beads that only moved a few “Nanotechnology is a big deal the laser beam through the spe- nanometers, Krolikowski said. these days,” Krolikowski said, “but cial, thin gold layer coating the But the Texas A&M at Qatar — very often many of these nano- sphere, raising the temperature ANU research team has managed particles are produced from carci- and changing the air pressure to move particles up to 20 cen- nogenic materials such as arsenic, surrounding the sphere. This timeters. Krolikowski said that so we don’t want to touch it. So change in temperature pushes this success has potential in the light could provide the ability to the sphere either toward or away real world, not just Hollywood. In manipulate particles into a spe- from the laser. medicine, doctors can use X-Ray cific location for analysis.” “When we produced light to analysis of viruses and biological THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 04 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com HOME Qatar on fast Katara plans bibliography of intellectual products DOHA: Katara has launched a project to cre- and literary programmes led by Qataris in line ate a bibliography of intellectual products in with the five-year strategy of Katara aimed to Qatar aimed at monitoring and documenting enrich the local, GCC and Arab cultural scene literary pieces and art works created here. and encourage innovative works. Through this initiative, Katara seeks to build Meanwhile, Katara will host “Creative lane in Net a repository of information on Qatari inno- Essentials – Line and Color Workshop” by vation and cultural figures as well as art and Penelope Rolland. The workshop will be held literature produced in Qatar set to provide a from November 29 to December 3 at Katara Art useful reference to researchers. Studios Building 19. It is designed for all levels Katara General Manager Dr Khalid Ibrahim of artistic experience. This intensive five-day connectivity Al Sulaiti (pictured) said the project would pro- course intends to bring out a range of original duce a listing of intellectual products within a Vision 2030 to build a prosperous society and tools and techniques that will strengthen obser- specific geographical location as well as catego- shed light on those who laid the foundations vation and line drawing skills, intensify colour risation of books which address cultural issues of cultural works in Qatar. sensitivity, enhance composition, and propose Internet penetration jumps to 85pc based on their dates and topics. The project, he He stressed the importance of honouring the manufacture of sourcebooks for research said, would make sources easily accessible and their contributions by documenting their body and preparatory work. BY SACHIN KUMAR my smartphone, I make cheaper would save the time and effort of researches. of works which are still influencing the Qatari Also, Katara Art Studios has launched QatArt calls to family members in my The aim of this project is to document the society in different aspects including art, poetry, exhibitions for handicraft which is held twice a DOHA: More people are getting home country, read news, play cultural and innovative works of Qataris, music, novels and fiction, among others. The month. The expos will be held on December 5 connected to online world with games and watch movies. WiFi introduce authors and guide researchers to project, he said, would be implemented in three and 19 during which products including jewel- Internet connectivity rising is free in my office while I have the sources in addition to record the history phases because the area to be covered is vast and lery, paintings, drawings, accessories, clothes, sharply in Qatar. The Internet subscribed to Internet connection of the cultural movement in Qatar, he added. needs to cope with today’s development. house decors, photos, and boxes will be sold. In penetration, for individuals in for using Internet at home,” said Khalid Abdulrahim Al Sayed, General The project comes under the Katara line with these expos handicraft workshops for Qatar, has jumped to 85 percent an Indian expatriate residing in supervisor of the project, said the idea of Cultural Forum, a leading cultural programme children and adults are also held. in 2013 from 69 percent in 2010, Najma. “By using Internet I save this project was derived from Qatar National in Qatar which organises events and cultural THE PENINSULA according to a recent report by money while making calls and the Ministry of Information and entertain myself at home,” he said. Communications Technology WiFi is the preferred mode of (ictQATAR). connecting to the Internet across “The sharp rise in Internet con- the various Internet enabled nectivity in Qatar can be attrib- devices used by people in Qatar, uted to the increase in the usage except desktops Mobile phones are Sky tour to attract leisure travellers of communication devices such now used by nearly 100 percent of as laptops, tablet computers and the population, while smartphone Continued from page 1 and developed the transport sec- smartphones,” a senior official of penetration stands at 65 percent. It will be operated by Gulf tor, the more efficient and devel- ictQatar said. “Internet has many The penetration of laptops also Helicopters. QTA also reached oped the tourism sector becomes. useful services for its users rang- increased from 83 percent in 2012 a partnership agreement with Consequently this boosts Qatar’s ing from making cheaper calls to to 93 percent in 2013. Regency Travels, which will pro- economic development and is in accessing vast information and set- The growth in Internet penetra- mote and sell this experience line with the projected national tling financial transactions. Qatar tion is seen at both the household through its offices. vision 2030,” said Al Sulaiti. has diverse population and every- and individual levels. “Internet Present at the launch ceremony The Minister noted that the one is using Internet and smart penetration is nearing 100 percent yesterday at the headquarters of idea of using helicopters will open devices as per its needs,” he added. with 98 percent of the mainstream Gulf Helicopters at the old Doha up a new tourism avenue, as fly- The usage of communication population having an Internet con- airport were the Minister of ing in helicopters has become an devices has also increased signifi- nection at home compared to 82 Transport H E Jassim Seif Ahmed experience that tourists favour. cantly in Qatar. In 2013, a house- percent in 2010,” said the report Al Sulaiti, Djibouti’s Minister of “The importance of launching hold in Qatar had approximately titled ‘Qatar’s ICT Landscape 2014: Transport and Equipment Moussa this new tourism project lies in nine mobile phones, on average, Households and Individuals’. Ahmad Hassan; Civil Aviation strengthening the partnership compared to nearly four in 2012, People have also migrated to Authority Chairman Abdulaziz between the public and private according to ictQatar data. Laptop higher Internet speeds. The pen- bin Mohammad Al Noaimi, QTA sectors with the aim of intro- The Minister of Transport H E Jassim Seif Ahmed Al Sulaiti with QTA ownership has also increased from etration of connections of less Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al ducing groundbreaking tourism Chairman Issa bin Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Gulf Helicopters CEO 2 to 3.2 laptops per household than 256 Kbps is negligible now, Mohannadi and Gulf Helicopters products that upgrade tourism Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mohannadi and Djibouti’s Minister of Transport over the same time period, while with the 256 Kbps to one Mbps CEO Mohammed Ibrahim Al and turn a visit to Qatar into an and Equipment Moussa Ahmad Hassan at the launch event yesterday. the growth in desktops has been speed connections also decreas- Mohannadi. enriching and special experience SALIM MATRAMKOT relatively flat due to the mounting ing. Higher speed connections are The Minister stressed the by carrying out unique activities,” demand for mobility. increasing. Connections at four important connection that exists said Al Mohannadi. “I use my phone for variety of Mbps and above increased from between the tourism sector and He said Samana project will con- tourism strategy towards 2030, tourism in Qatar from 27 percent purposes and not just for making seven percent in 2010 to 14 per- the transport and communications tinue to attract leisure travellers which seeks to increase the ratio to 60 percent. calls. With the help of Internet on cent in 2013. THE PENINSULA industries. “The more efficient to Qatar, boosting Qatar’s national of visitors who are seeking leisure THE PENINSULA Feedback about Traffic Draft law under review Dept services sought for prioritising DOHA: The Ministry of Interior The one week survey is being projects yesterday launched a customer sat- carried out by the Strategic isfaction survey to collect feedback Planning Department at the min- DOHA: A draft law from the public about services of istry through a questionnaire that being currently reviewed the Traffic Department. focuses on three main areas — by the Advisory Council The survey has been conducted reception, service procedures and seeks to authorise the among visitors at the Traffic work environment. Ministry of Finance to Department headquarters in The public feedback will be used prioritise development Madinat Khalifa and its branches in to upgrade and simplify the serv- projects and make bench- Old Airport, Al Rayyan, Al Mamoura ices, the daily said quoting a min- marks for prioritising and Industrial Area, Al Sharq istry official. these projects with other reported yesterday. THE PENINSULA government agencies and monitor their progress as part of its overall respon- sibility of preparing and monitoring state budgets. The draft legislation has 45 articles divided into seven chapters. It was referred to the Advisory Council by the State Cabinet. The Council has forwarded it to its Financial and Economic Affairs Committee for review and recommendations, QNA reports. The draft is about regulating the state’s finan- cial system (fiscal policies and state budgets). Ras Bufontas land allocation plan Continued from page 1 “Ras Bufontas is a sig- nificant step towards the realisation of one of the four pillars of the Plan (QNV-2030), which is that of Economic Development,” added the Minister. He said that Manateq aims to create further oppor- tunities for business profit- ability and growth through the development and opera- tion of world-class facilities that address the needs of a wide range of businesses, as well as the corresponding ease of doing business. He said that the poten- tial investors’ applications for Ras Bufontas will be received as of the second quarter of 2015, while lands allocation for the first and second develop- ment phases will be made in the first quarter of 2016. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 HOME www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 05 22 receive awards at ARC ’14 Winners given certificates

DOHA: Qatar Foundation’s Vice-President of QF’s Research Annual Research Conference and Development. The three cat- (ARC’14) has revealed the egories for recognition included winners of scientific research Student Poster Presentations, awards aligned with Qatar’s Regular Poster Presentations and Grand Challenges — water, Best Research Presentation. energy, cyber security and inte- Qatar National Research grated health care. Fund (QNRF), a centre of QF ARC’14, Qatar Foundation’s R&D undertook peer reviews for flagship research event, is held almost 1,200 submitted abstracts. under the patronage of H H The evaluation process was based Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, on a strict set of criteria, includ- Chairperson of Qatar Foundation ing research quality, originality for Education, Science and and merit, relevance to Qatar, and Community Development (QF). its most pressing research prior- The event supports Qatar ity areas including water, energy Foundation’s Research and and cyber security and integrated Development’s mission to build healthcare. Some of the international researchers and students with their awards. Qatar’s innovation and technol- Dr Zacharia said: “ARC is an ogy capacity through key sciences. excellent forum for local and inter- to build a vibrant ecosystem on Fatemeh Jalali, Mashael Al-Shafai and Rashmi Fotedar in Energy Best Research Presentation were A total of 22 local and interna- national subject-matter experts the journey towards world-class and Shaika Alsowaidi in Health and Environment; Toshikazu Dr Hayat Khalil Nidhar in Social tional researchers and students to come together and exchange research and innovation.” and Biomedical. Ebisuzaki, Bert Calessens and Science, Arts and Humanities; received accolades at the ARC’14 ideas and discuss solutions to Student Poster Presentations Regular Poster Presentations Kamla AlMannai in Computing Ali Elkharbotly in Energy and Gala Dinner, held at the Qatar pressing research challenges in Award winners were Salman Award winners were; Jocelyn and Information Technology; and, Environment; Wassim Drira National Convention Centre. Qatar and around the world. It Ahad Khan in Social Science, Arts Mitchell, Susie Kilshaw and Rayaz Malik , Eman Nasralla and in Computing and Information The winners were presented is an honour to recognise these and Humanities; Umm Kulthum Somaya Al Maadeed in Social Mohamed AlShabrawey in Health Technology; and, Barbara Seliger with certificates and awards by aspiring and pioneering scientists Umlai and Dhabia Al Mohannadi Science, Arts and Humanities; and Biomedical. in Health and Biomedical. Dr Thomas Zacharia, Executive and researchers as we continue in Energy and Environment; and, Deepak Pant, Hanan Farhat The winners in the category for THE PENINSULA

158 products confiscated Doha Giffoni Youth Media Summit on Dec 2

DOHA: The Doha Film Summit to be held at Katara will the constitution for an interna- Bahrain Festival Days and Naqsh Institute (DFI), in partnership be curated by Giffoni’s Festival tional authority aimed at manag- Short Film Festival (Bahrain), with Italy’s Giffoni Experience, Director, Claudio Gubitosi, along ing and promoting cultural events British Film Institute (UK), will host the inaugural Doha with Wassime Moslih Achkar for children and youth. Cairo International Film Festival Giffoni Youth Media Summit from Al Jazeera Media Network. Delegates include programmers for Children (Egypt), Chinh India during the second edition of The goal is to build a year-long and directors of film festivals for Kids Film Festival (India), Dubai Ajyal Youth Film Festival. initiative revolving around two children and youth, and repre- International Film Festival and The Summit to be held on annual events. The first takes sentatives from national screen Children’s International Film December 2 and 3 will gather a place in Doha each December, and agencies with a vested interest in Festival, Dubai, Innovation Films delegation of 30 film industry pro- includes a series of working ses- entertainment content for young (Qatar), International Children fessionals from around the world sions; the second in Giffoni in July, people. Participants from Qatar Film Festival (Iran), Sharjah to exchange views about the state to evaluate the progress of work and the Gulf region who specialise International Children’s Film of cinema for youth, with a focus begun in Doha six months earlier. in working with young people will Festival, Silatech (Qatar), Yabous on how new media and social net- A worldwide network of youth also participate. Productions (Palestine) and the works are affecting it. organisations and individuals will Confirmed delegates include International Documentary Film With the theme ‘Film Festivals be established during the first edi- representatives from Arab Festival in Agadir (Morocco), in the Age of New Media’, the tion with the intention to draft Thought Foundation (Qatar), among others. THE PENINSULA

Masraf Al Rayan Silver Sponsor of transport meet DOHA: Masraf Al Rayan, a leading bank in Qatar, has announced its participation for the 2nd consecutive year, as the silver sponsor for second edition of UITP Large Events Summit & Showcase at the Qatar National Convention Center from November 25 to 27. Adel Mustafawi, Group Chief The Ministry of Economy and Commerce said yesterday that its inspec- Executive Officer at Masraf Al tors have confiscated 158 products ranging from electronic games to Rayan, said: “We are pleased to garments printed with pictures that do not suit the Qatari culture and participate in this very important event. The evolving partnership traditions. The Ministry has warned against importing such products with ‘Mowsalat’ is a clear mani- to the country. festation of the bank’s commitment towards its social responsibility in line with the Qatar 2030 Vision. He said: “Development of an effective public transportation Qatar Airways signs MoU sector is a key pillar of any sus- tainable economic development DOHA: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker process, and the solutions that and its board member and Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority, would come through this event Engineer Issa Al Mohannadi, met with a delegation from the will definitely add value to many ‘Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group’ and signed a innovations that will enable us to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisa- establish an effective and efficient tions. The MoU will integrate the resources of both representative state of the art public transporta- parties to promote and strengthen the benefits of the connectivity tion sector, which will in turn lead that the route provides. to a strong business and economic “Chengdu offers strong cultural and economic opportunities to pas- environment in Qatar. The sum- sengers on our network and I am delighted to have had the opportunity mit will discuss ˜Public Transport this year to meet with the Mayor of Chengdhu, Ge Honglin, and just for Large Events’ addressing cur- this week Yang Chai, Vice-General Manager of the Chengdu Culture rent and future challenges and best and Tourism Development Group,” said Al Baker. practices for a sustained mobility. THE PENINSULA THE PENINSULA

Ambulance emergency orientation training held DOHA: The next generation kindergarten stu- dents got the opportunity to understand differ- ent professions as a part of Profession Week. An ambulance emergency orientation programme was organised by the Hamad International Training Centre for the kindergarten students at The Next Generation Kindergarten School (pic- tured). Instructor Ali Rahimi from the Hamad Ambulance Services displayed the various tools and equipment used by the paramedics for medi- cal emergency procedures. The little ones were A demonstration in progress. thrilled during the interactive session and dem- onstration with the instructor. assist the instructor with the first aid demonstration The kindergarten students chanted in chorus procedure which made the training even more excit- “Call 999”, the purpose of which was to educate ing and engaging. Gifts were distributed to the stu- them about the emergency number in case of any dents to encourage their participation in the session. incident. Students were called up on the stage to THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 06 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MIDDLE EAST Gaza threatens UN chief urges to halt Israeli fruit imports resumption of GAZA CITY: Gaza’s Hamas- run agriculture ministry threatened yesterday to stop importing Israeli fruit to the Palestinian territory in Mideast talks response to what it said was vegetable exports being blocked. The warning came months after a 50-day bloody conflict Step back from the brink, says Ban between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip, leaving the UNITED NATIONS: UN chief parliaments in Europe are moving enclave in humanitarian and eco- Ban Ki-moon urged Israel and toward Palestinian recognition, nomic crisis. the Palestinians yesterday to with France’s National Assembly “If Israel doesn’t reverse its step back from the brink and set to debate a non-binding resolu- decision to halt the export of return to peace talks before tion on Friday followed by a vote Palestinian agricultural produce... time runs out. on December 2. we will ban the entry of fruit” “The Israeli and Palestinian The Palestinians have yet to for- from Israel, a ministry statement people face a shared fate on shared mally submit to the UN Security said. land. There is no erasing the Council a UN draft resolution call- It said Israel on Sunday refused other,” Ban told a UN committee ing for an Israeli withdrawal from to let through the Kerem Shalom on Palestinian rights. all occupied territory in 2016. goods crossing some 12 trucks He called “on the parties to step Despite Palestinian statements destined for the West Bank and back from the brink and find the that the text would come up for a Jordan and carrying 135 tonnes of path of peace before hope and time vote in November, Palestinian rep- vegetables worth $149,000. Tunisian citizens talk about politics as they read the newspaper a day after Tunisia’s first free presidential elections run out.” resentative Riyad Mansour said Gaza has been choked by an since the 2011 revolution, at a cafe in central Tunis, yesterday. His comments reflected inter- no date had been set for the draft eight-year blockade which Israel national alarm over violent attacks to be discussed at the 14-member imposed after Hamas kidnapped in east Jerusalem and the deadlock council. one of its soldiers in a cross-bor- over peace talks that are fuelling France, meanwhile, is leading der raid. fear of another flare-up after the a European initiative to try to The Jewish state controls two 50-day war in Gaza. agree on a new draft resolution of the tiny coastal territory’s Battle for Tunisia run-off begins The lack of peace prospects that would set out parameters three crossings — Kerem Shalom coupled with Israel’s campaign for a return to Israeli-Palestinian in the south and the Erez person- TUNIS: The battle for an The election is a milestone for moderate Islamist party Ennahda to build settlements on occupied peace talks, diplomats said. nel crossing in the north. Egypt expected run-off vote for the the North African nation, whose in 2011. territory are chipping away at It remains unclear whether that controls the third crossing at Tunisian presidency kicked off ouster of long-time strongman The rule of Ennahda, which the stated UN goal of a two-state effort will yield results. Rafah in the south. yesterday even before first round Zine El Abidine Ben Ali set off a came second in the October par- solution in which Israel and a new “We, as the international com- After the Gaza war ended results were in from a landmark chain of revolts that saw several liamentary election, was marred state of Palestine would coexist. munity, must assume responsibil- on August 26, the interna- post-Arab Spring election. Arab dictators toppled by citizens by a surge of radical Islamism Ban said Israelis and ity for what is a collective failure tional community, including the Veteran anti-Islamist politician demanding democratic reform. and the assassination of two left- Palestinians appeared to be “los- to advance a political solution for International Monetary Fund, Beji Caid Essebsi, whose party The expected run-off scheduled ist politicians by jihadist suspects. ing any sense of connection” and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” urged Israel to loosen the block- placed first in a parliamentary for late December is likely to be Essebsi insisted yesterday that that “when that goes, it is not far said Ban. ade to allow in crucial humanitar- election last month, looked set to polarising, with Marzouki’s camp only he could defend Tunisia over the precipice.” “The mindless cycle of destruc- ian aid and to revive the ailing fall short of the 50 percent thresh- portraying him as the last line of against the threat of Islamist With no political solu- tion must end. The virtuous circle economy. old required to win outright, his defence against a return to the extremism. tion in sight, governments and of peace must begin.” AFP Israel has allowed a small campaign team conceded. autocratic ways of the old regime, “The people who voted for amount of construction material He is poised to face off against and his opponent deriding him as Marzouki were the Islamists... that into Gaza to help rebuild some of incumbent Moncef Marzouki, a an Islamist pawn. is to say Ennahda members... but the tens of thousands of homes secular politician who has made In a speech, Marzouki called also the jihadist Salafists,” he told Israeli stabbed in east Jerusalem destroyed by air strikes and artil- common cause with the Islamists on “all democratic forces” to back French radio station RMC. lery, but has not palpably eased against what he says is an attempt him against Essebsi, who served Asked about the likely run- JERUSALEM: An Israeli student of a Jewish seminary was the blockade. at a comeback by former loyalists under both Ben Ali and his pred- off, Essebsi said: “Unfortunately stabbed in the Old City of annexed east Jerusalem late yester- The export of farm produce is of the autocratic regime over- ecessor Habib Bourguiba. there is going to be a split down day, leading to the arrests of three alleged Palestinian assailants, a key source of income for Gaza, thrown in 2011. “I am now calling on all demo- the middle, with Islamists on one police said. home to 1.8 million Palestinians. Wasting no time in relaunch- cratic forces... alongside whom I side and then all the democrats The Israeli suffered serious wounds when he was attacked by Exports from Gaza currently ing the battle after Sunday’s vote, have campaigned for the past 30 and non-Islamists on the other.” several Palestinians at the yeshiva, or seminary, where he studied stand at around two percent Essebsi said his rival was the years for a real democracy, for a If Essebsi wins he will have in the Old City, the police said. of what they were before the candidate of “jihadist Salafists”, break with the past, for a genuine to form a coalition government, “At this stage of the investigation all leads are possible, but it blockade. to which Marzouki countered by civil society and for a separation even with Ennahda, because his points to being a case of a fight between two parties,” said police For the first time since 2006, calling for “a debate on policies... of powers.” Nidaa Tounes party fell short of spokeswoman Luba Samri. Israel recently allowed a tonne of not (a campaign of) insults”. Marzouki argues that only he securing an absolute majority in Another Israeli student of the yeshiva was lightly wounded, fish and crabs and 10 tonnes of Election officials, who can preserve the gains of the October. and three Palestinians suspected of carrying out the attack were cucumbers to be sent to the West announced a turnout of 64 per- uprising, while his critics say he The rival camps disagree over arrested, including two minors, said the spokeswoman. AFP Bank. cent, have until tomorrow to pub- hijacked the spirit of the revolu- their balance of support. AFP lish the official results. tion by allying himself with the AFP

Men, women Turkey governor gets flak not equal, for saying synagogue be says Erdogan ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip turned into museum Erdogan told a meeting on women’s rights yesterday ANKARA: A Turkish regional “Edirne governor Dursun Ali that gender equality was con- governor was accused yester- Sahin must immediately step trary to nature and said fem- day of inciting hatred towards down after delivering a speech inists did not recognise the the country’s Jewish commu- clearly instilling hatred and ani- value of motherhood. nity after suggesting a syna- mosity,” Turkey’s Human Rights Erdogan said women’s “deli- gogue should be turned into Association said in a statement. cate” nature meant it was a museum as a reprisal for “If he does not resign, he impossible to place them on an Israel’s policies over the Al should be dismissed from his equal footing with men. Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. position and face a legal action. “You can’t get a woman to Dursun Ali Sahin, governor If not, the Turkish Republic will work in every job that a man of the northwestern province of also be an accomplice to this does, like they did in communist Edirne, sparked an outcry when crime,” it added. regimes in the past,” he told the he said Friday the ancient Buyuk The Jewish Community of meeting of Turkey’s Women Sinagog (the Great Synagogue) Turkey and the Office of the Chief and Democracy Association. built in 1907 under Ottoman Rabbi said in a joint statement “You can’t put a pickaxe and Sultan Abdul Hamid should only they were “concerned over such a a shovel in their hand and get be used as a museum. statement expressed by a governor them to work.” “While those bandits blow the who represents the state.” He said women should be African Union chief mediator Thabo Mbeki (right) during the opening session of talks between Sudan’s government winds of war and massacre peo- The General Directorate of treated equally in the eyes of ple inside Al Aqsa mosque, we Foundations insisted the syna- the law, but their different role and rebels from Darfur, in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa yesterday. are restoring their synagogues,” gogue would not be turned into a in society had to be recognised. Sahin said. museum. “Our religion gave woman a “I say this with a huge hatred “We intend to keep the building station. What station is this? inside me. We clean the sur- as a worshipping house to serve The station of motherhood ... roundings of their (Jewish) cem- all visitors,” the agency’s general Motherhood is something dif- Plea for truce at Darfur talks eteries and send their projects director Adnan Ertem told the ferent and is the most unob- ADDIS ABABA: Sudan’s gov- conflicts,” said Mbeki, a former Revolutionary Front coalition, to committees. The synagogue official Anatolia news agency. tainable, the highest station,” ernment and rebels from Darfur South African president, speaking accused Khartoum of “atrocities here... will only be registered as Turning a religious building he said. opened talks late on Sunday, as at AU headquarters in Ethiopia. at the level of genocide” and said a museum.” into a full museum in Turkey “There are those who under- mediators pushed for a ceasefire “It is important that everything Sudan is “on the verge of collapse.” After an outcry, Sahin back- robs it of its status as a place of stand this, those who don’t. to end over a decade of war and should be done to end all the vio- Rebel chief Mohamed Gebreil, pedalled and said the final deci- worship. You can’t tell this to feminists, insurgents warned the country lent conflicts around the coun- of the Justice and Equality sion on its future would lie with The most notable example is because they do not accept was close to “collapse”. try... so as to facilitate national Movement said he was doubtful the the government agency for the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, motherhood. They have no such African Union chief mediator dialogue,” Mbeki added. the government really wanted to historical heritage, the General which served as a church in the concerns.” Thabo Mbeki called for a cessation Rebels, who took up arms end the war. Directorate of Foundations. Byzantine Empire, was converted “We know women are not of hostilities between the govern- in 2003, accuse Khartoum’s “Though there are many ele- A far-right Jewish campaign to a mosque after the Ottoman physiologically equal. But equal- ment and two rebel factions, part Arab-dominated government of ments to the conflict in Darfur, the for prayer rights at the Al conquest of Constantinople and ity is about having equal rights, of wider efforts to stem multiple marginalisation. heart of the solution is relatively Aqsa compound in Jerusalem was turned into a museum for equal status and equal opportu- rebellions across Sudan. Government delegation leader simple — government support has angered Palestinians and all in the 1930s. nities,” said Gonul Karahanoglu, Previous years of talks have Amin Hassan Omer stressed for a legitimate peace process,” inflamed sentiment across the Turkey’s tiny Jewish com- president of women’s rights made little if any change to the Khartoum’s “faithful committ- Gebreil said. “Even now, the gov- Muslim world. munity now numbers less than group KA.DER. “He defines conflict in the arid, western region ment... to reach an agreement on ernment continues to define the The synagogue in Turkey — 20,000, many of whom trace women only as mothers. It is that the UN says has killed 300,000 a ceasefire.” problems in Darfur through a which served the Jewish com- their ancestry back to Jews who discriminating against all the and forced two million from their But rebel chiefs were sceptical purely military lens and pursue munity in Edirne until 1983 and took refuge in Turkey in the 15th women who don’t have chil- homes. the government wants peace. only military options to address a few years later suffered a roof century following their expulsion dren. He always says the same “There can’t be anyone in Sudan Minni Minnawi, who coor- issues,” he added. collapse — is being restored as an from Spain. things,” she said. REUTERS who would benefit from these dinates the rebel Sudan AFP active place of worship. AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 MIDDLE EAST www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 07 Nuclear deal will be done, says Rowhani President urges Iranians to keep faith in talks TEHRAN: Iran’s President ensuring Iran will never develop “We will never give up our Hassan Rowhani said yesterday nuclear weapons under the guise rights,” Rowhani said, referring that a nuclear deal with world of its civilian activities. The Islamic to the enrichment process. powers would be done despite a republic denies such intent. “During all this time centri- missed deadline in Vienna that Rowhani urged Iranians to fuges were spinning. I promise the prompted a seven-month exten- keep faith in the talks despite the Iranian nation that those centri- sion in talks. failure so far to strike a deal and fuges will never stop working.” He also pledged that Iran solve key issues, including lift- Rowhani’s comments came would not give up its nuclear pro- ing sanctions and ensuring Iran’s after US Secretary of State John gramme and insisted that seeking future ability to enrich uranium Kerry told reporters “real and an accord with the West had not for peaceful purposes. substantial progress” had been damaged its progress. But he appeared to adopt a made during almost a week of “This path of negotiation will softer line on sanctions. negotiations in Vienna. reach a final agreement,” Rowhani “There is no doubt that sanc- Iran and the five permanent said on state television. tions will be lifted. The question members of the UN Security “Most of the gaps have been is timing,” he said. Council plus Germany will now removed,” he added, referring to “We consider the sanctions to seek to strike an outline deal by Vehicles try to cross a bridge as flash floods hit the southern Moroccan town of Tinghir at the foot of the Anti- major differences that have so far be tyrannical and have to lift them March 1 and to nail down a full Atlas Mountains, yesterday. prevented an interim deal being step by step,” remarks a step back technical accord by July 1, officials turned into a comprehensive from demands made by top parlia- said. settlement. mentary officials that they all be Despite missing yesterday’s A final agreement is aimed at removed at once. deadline, the parties are work- ing on the basis of an agreement Flash floods kill 32 in Morocco struck a year ago that curbs Iran cuts uranium gas stockpile some of Iran’s nuclear activities RABAT: The death toll from Authorities said two people were searching for the missing. in exchange for limited sanctions three days of what residents were missing in the same region, Rescue operations have so far VIENNA: Iran has reduced its stockpile of low-enriched uranium relief. described as the heaviest storms while at least five in total were “saved 214 people, dozens of whom gas and taken other action to comply with the terms of last year’s The talks will resume next to hit southern Morocco in dec- unaccounted for in areas including were evacuated by army and royal interim nuclear agreement with world powers, a UN nuclear month. In view of the difficulties, ades has climbed to at least 32, Ouarzazate and Marrakesh, where guard helicopters”, the interior agency report showed yesterday. many experts long believed the authorities said yesterday. cars and trees were swept away by ministry said. The International Atomic Energy Agency issued a monthly update negotiators would put more time The storms since Saturday the raging waters. Around 100 mud-brick homes on the preliminary accord’s implementation. on the clock. caused flash floods in much of the A girl of nine was among six were partly or totally destroyed The IAEA checks that Iran is living up to its part of the interim Iran will keep receiving around south at the foot of the Anti-Atlas people swept away by the bulging in the south, and 100 roads cut off, agreement, which was designed to buy time for the current talks on a $700m in frozen funds per month, Mountains, but a weather alert Tamsourt River, also in Guelmim. including six national highways. final settlement of a 12-year dispute over Tehran’s atomic ambitions. or $4.9bn by July, adding to some was finally called off yesterday The authorities have set up The head of Ouarzazate prov- Under the accord, Iran agreed to halt its most sensitive nuclear $7bn received since January when afternoon. crisis cells in the affected zones ince’s tourism office, Zoubir work in exchange for some sanctions easing. It also undertook to keep the interim deal was implemented. The interior ministry gave an and the royal palace announced it Bouhout, said two planes were down its stockpile of uranium gas refined to low levels by convert- A final agreement could see updated toll of at least 32 dead and would cover the expenses of vic- chartered late Sunday to fly out ing it into oxide, a form less suitable for processing it further into sanctions that ravaged Iran’s six missing. tims’ funerals and medical treat- 200 tourists, half of them French. weapons-grade material. economy removed, silence talk of Rescue teams earlier recovered ment for the injured. According to the 2M television The IAEA report showed the stockpile now amounted to just under war and deliver a groundbreaking 11 bodies from high waters near On Sunday, the country’s MAP channel, 25 centimetres of rain fell 7,400 kilograms, below the limit agreed with the powers last year. political achievement for Rowhani Talmaadart River in the Guelmim news agency quoted the interior in just a few hours on some areas. Early this month, it had been above the limit. and a foreign policy success for his region on the edge of the Sahara ministry as saying some 130 all- Spain’s government said in a REUTERS US counterpart Barack Obama. desert that bore the brunt of the terrain rescue vehicles and 335 statement it had sent “emergency AFP storms. Zodiac inflatables and other boats aid” to Morocco. AFP

Raid targets Islamic State ordered attack on Shias: Saudi Arabia Libya capital’s DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has arrested the seized a car, killed its owner, and used it four main suspects in an attack on Shia Kurds gain ground from IS in Kobane in the attack. Muslims this month and believes it was The spokesman said that security forces only working ordered by Islamic State militants from BEIRUT: Kurdish fighters gained ground from jihadists of the Islamic State had arrested “everyone who is affiliated to abroad, the state news agency cited an group in fierce battles in the Syrian town of Kobane overnight, a monitoring group this terrorist group, whether those who Interior Ministry security spokesman said yesterday. pledged allegiance to the leader of the airport as saying yesterday. The town on the border with Turkey has become a highly symbolic battleground group, or participants, supporters, finan- Seven members of the Sunni-ruled in the war against IS with the US-led coalition launching near daily air strikes in ciers, or those who provide cover”. TRIPOLI: An air raid claimed kingdom’s Shia minority were shot dead support of its Kurdish defenders. Two Saudis and a Qatari were killed as by a renegade anti-Islamist in the Eastern Province district of Al Ahsa Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) advanced in both the east they resisted arrest, along with two secu- general’s forces targeted the on November 3 as they marked their holy and the northeast of the town, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. rity officers, the ministry said. Libyan capital’s sole opera- day of Ashoura. “At least 18 Islamic State militants were killed in the fighting, as well as a number Authorities had already said that among tional airport yesterday, a day Saudi Arabia put down an upsurge of of Kurdish fighters,” the Britain-based group’s director Rami Abdel Rahman said, the detainees were people believed to have after Islamists were driven out Islamist militancy a decade ago, but fears adding that both sides were using heavy weaponry. fought for Sunni jihadists in Syria or who of a key western town. that jihadist groups such as Islamic State He said control of the town was still almost evenly divided between the Kurds and had previously been jailed for fighting for A low-flying fighter fired two or the Al Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front now the jihadists, who began their assault on Kobane more than three months ago. Al Qaeda. missiles at Mitiga airport, which operating in Syria or Iraq will radicalise The Observatory said the coalition carried out at least five air strikes in Kobane As the birthplace of Islam and a cham- is in an eastern suburb of Tripoli Saudis to mount a new wave of strikes overnight but had no immediate word on casualties. pion of conservative Sunni doctrine, Saudi and held by Fajr Libya, an anti- inside the kingdom. On another front in Syria’s increasingly complex civil war, rebel fighters, including Arabia is an important ally for Western government Islamist militia coa- Last week, the ministry said militants Al Qaeda loyalists, pressed an assault on a Shia village further west, which has held countries battling Islamic State, and its lition which controls the capital, were trying to attack Saudi Arabia, but out against an 18-month siege, residents said. monarchy a symbolic target for the mili- witnesses said. that it was not aware of any evidence that The village of Zahraa is one of two neighbouring Shia communities along with Nubol tant group itself. A security source said the the Al Ahsa attack had been coordinated where the rebels launched an assault late on Saturday. Although Saudi Arabia has backed rebel strike caused no damage to the with Islamic State. The Observatory described the fighting as “the most violent” so far. groups fighting alongside jihadis against terminal or runway, although Yesterday, the ministry spokesman said “They are attacking the southeast from three surrounding villages they hold,” one Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in that flights were temporarily diverted 77 suspects had been arrested so far, and resident said. AFP country’s civil war, the monarchy has to Misrata airport, 200 kilome- that they were believed to include the four also taken steps to stop its citizens join- tres east of Tripoli. main perpetrators. that “the target, as well as those to be the (attack) be carried out in Al Ahsa”. ing militants in Syria or Iraq, or giving Libyan carriers moved civilian He said the leader of the Al Ahsa attack targeted and the timing were all speci- The leader had picked three follow- them money. flights to Mitiga after Tripoli’s had received orders from abroad, and fied for him, as well as the provision that ers, and these had scouted out the target, REUTERS main international airport was damaged by fierce fighting in the capital between state-backed fighters and Fajr Libya in July. Baghdad blast kills eight; Fighting persists between the two sides in western Libya, where pro-government militias are sup- fighting west of capital ported by forces loyal to retired general Khalifa Haftar, and air BAGHDAD: A car bomb in the Al Hooz neighbour- raids frequently target Fajr Libya exploded in a market in hood, just south of a govern- positions. northern Baghdad’s Shaab ment complex in the centre “It was our air forces which neighbourhood yesterday, of Ramadi which houses the carried out the air raid on Mitiga killing eight people and police headquarters and base” held by “terrorist groups”, wounding 22, police and the offices of the Anbar General Saqr Al Jarrushi, a medics said. governorate. spokesman for Haftar, said, Another bomb in the capi- Four Islamic State fighters referring to Fajr Libya. tal’s southeast killed two peo- were killed as well as three More than three years after ple, sources said. men from local tribes opposed dictator Muammar Gaddafi was They were the latest explo- to the group. The tribesmen toppled and killed in a Nato- sions to shake the mainly Shia were killed when they sought backed revolt, Libya is awash city. Many of the bombings refuge in a booby-trapped with weapons and powerful have been claimed by radical house, Fahdawi said. militias, and run by rival govern- Sunni Islamic State fighters Islamic State’s lightning ments and parliaments. who have seized control of capture of territory in June On Sunday, fighters loyal to large parts of north and west plunged Iraq into its worst Libya’s internationally recognised Iraq, as well as a belt of land security crisis since the 2003 government seized the western around Baghdad. US invasion which toppled town of Kekla after more than In Ramadi, capital of the Saddam Hussein. 40 days of clashes with Islamists, western province of Anbar, a Iraqi forces including Shia both sides said. local official reported heavy militia, Kurdish peshmerga Pro-government fighters from clashes between armed forces and the army, supported since the western town of Zintan, and Islamic State militants August by US-led air strikes, backed by parts of the army and who have been fighting for have retaken parts of some air force loyal to Thani, launched four days to take full control provinces but the group has a counter-offensive in October to of the city. continued to seize towns in wrest back control of the strate- Kurdish refugees from the Syrian town of Kobane queue to get food in a camp in Turkey’s southeastern town of Suruc, Athal Al Fahdawi said the Anbar province. gic outpost of Kekla. Sanliurfa province, yesterday. heaviest fighting took place REUTERS AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 08 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

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IVEN the available options, or the lack of them, a decision to extend the deadline for resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions was widely Gexpected. Iran and six powers failed for a second time this year to resolve their 12-year dispute over Tehran’s How Bollywood mirrors and nuclear ambitions, and gave themselves seven more months in talks in Vienna yesterday to overcome the deadlock. Under an interim deal reached a year ago in Geneva, Iran halted higher level uranium enrichment in exchange for a limited moulds Modi’s new India easing of the financial sanctions which have badly hurt its economy, including access to some frozen oil revenues abroad. BY PANKAJ MISHRA Monday marked the second time a self-imposed deadline cinematic climax, he machine-guns widespread adoption in the 1990s of for a final settlement has passed without any deal. After an entire Cabinet of ministers. the karva-chauth fast, which dutiful the failure of the talks, British Foreign Secretary Philip ORE than 20 years ago I But Bachchan seemed high-minded Hindu wives had previously kept for Hammond announced that the target date had been extended traveled across India for in comparison to the misogynist their husbands in only some parts of to June 30, 2015. a book on the fresh ener- anti-heroes Khan played in 1993. As India. gies unleashed in small small-town audiences cheered his per- “The more incorrectly they There were sincere and serious efforts in Vienna to M towns by economic liberalization and secution of innocents (a phenomenon present the surface of things,” the reach a deal by today. But the obstacles were too many and Hindu nationalism. India’s first prime much remarked upon at the time), great German-Jewish critic Siegfried significant, according to both sides. There was no alternative minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had pro- Khan seemed to be assaulting the Kracauer wrote about unreal film to extending the deadline. Because scrapping the talks would moted a national ethic of austerity and Nehruvian elite’s claims to virtue just fantasies, “the more correct they mean undoing the gains made so far, and a return to more self-restraint. But as, the year before, Hindu national- become.” The 2001 superhit “Kabhi sanctions and acrimony which both sides are not prepared by the 1990s, his ists had torn down the medieval Babri Khushi Kabhie Gham”(Sometimes project of collec- mosque — a symbol of that elite’s Happiness, Sometimes Sadness) for in the current situation. tive welfare was in fatally compromised secularism. shows a religious Indian family living The question now is whether an agreement can be reached ruins and was rap- Today, as India’s Hindu national- in Blenheim Palace, one of England’s before the new deadline. Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, The many idly being replaced ist government grudgingly observes grandest buildings. Traveling in pri- who is trying to win relief from successful by a culture of pri- Nehru’s 125th birth anniversary, vate jets and helicopters while dis- crippling international economic vate wealth and commentators seem shocked by the daining morally lax white people, sanctions by patching up relations films in which consumption. intense scorn among many Hindus for these ostentatiously devout Hindus I had no more a once-worshiped leader and his legacy. embody a fantasy of global mate- The decision with the West, said the gap Indian values thought-provok- But then, deep and radical alterations rial and moral supremacy that has to extend between the sides had narrowed ing guide on my in Indian self-images since the early increasingly seemed realizable to at talks in Vienna. “It is true that heal the pain journey than the 1990s have made India a hard place many Indians. The tagline of “Pardes” Iran nuclear we could not reach an agreement and confusion two highest-gross- to read. (Foreign Land) sums it up: “American but we can still say that big steps ing Hindi films Bollywood offers one of the clear- Dream: Indian Soul.” of the season. In est windows onto this evolution. As Indeed, Bollywood in many ways talks for seven have been taken,” he told state TV. of wealthy but “Darr” (Fear) Rachel Dwyer shows in her superb prefigured the insistent cultural months is the But US Secretary of State John uprooted Hindus and “Baazigar” book “Bollywood’s India,” popular cin- nationalism of India’s new rulers and Kerry was more realistic and gave (Gambler), Shah ema has tracked more closely than intelligentsia. Modi’s recent claim best option a more sombre obviously set the Rukh Khan, today any artistic or journalistic medium that plastic surgery and reproductive available. assessment, saying “real and stage for Modi’s India’s biggest the public and private lives of the New genetics was practiced in ancient India substantial progress had been film star, famously India, perhaps because it almost com- may not seem outlandish to those who Bollywood-style played a deranged pletely ignores such everyday Indian adored the hit film “Bhul Bulaiyaa” made but adding that “some stalker and a mur- realities as violence against Dalits, (The Maze), in which the Indians of significant points of disagreement” reception in derous avenger, once known as Untouchables. Dwyer the first century B.C. are revealed as remained. “These talks are not breaking all previ- describes a broad range of self- percep- early masters of modern science. going to get easier just because we extend them. They’re recent weeks by ous molds of lead- tions — from class, gender and caste to The many successful films in which tough. They’ve been tough. And they’re Indian immigrants ing men. geopolitics — both recorded and cre- Indian values heal the pain and going to stay tough,” he said. To be sure, the ated by Bollywood’s factory of illusions confusion of wealthy but uprooted in the US and earnestly idealis- since the early 1990s. Hindus obviously set the stage for It’s difficult to say how the future talks will proceed tic India projected A crucial shift had already occurred Modi’s Bollywood-style reception in because global politics keep shifting. But as western officials Australia. by male heroes of in the late 1980s with the nation- recent weeks by Indian immigrants have pointed out, what Iran has to take is a political decision. the 1950s had been wide telecast of the Ramayana and in the United States and Australia. The president must persuade hardliners to make more long dead, killed Mahabharata epics. While recon- Those still puzzling over Modi’s claim concessions. Iran’s neighbours fear a weak deal that fails to by Nehru’s own ruthlessly immoral necting many Indians at home and last week that India is poised to be daughter, Indira Gandhi. My genera- abroad with their cultural heritage, a “world guru” should go out and curtail its nuclear ambitions will be counterproductive. At tion had grown up in the 1970s and these much-revered serials also cre- watch the blockbuster, “Kal Ho Naa the same time, a collapse of talks would encourage Iran to 1980s watching Amitabh Bachchan, ated the basis for a global Hindu iden- Ho” (Whether Tomorrow Comes or become a threshold nuclear weapon state. the “angry young man,” carry the tity built around supposedly “Indian Not). It stars a mellowed Shah Rukh Iran has suffered enough and its leaders must realize that burden of our rage against pseudo- values” of “family, food, religion and Khan, now introducing Indian values a continuation of the stalemate will be against its interests. socialist and hideously venal politicians nationalism.” Dwyer closely analyzes to unhappy white American families. A comprehensive and acceptable deal will open up exciting and bureaucrats: In one memorable the ensuing cultural shifts, such as the WP-BLOOMBERG economic and diplomatic opportunities for Iran. The other side Quote of Combating Taliban the day

HERE is a volte-face in American pay at a time when Washington and will surely cast a negative impact on the West should do for Kabul’s belea- policy on Afghanistan. Classified its allies are engaged in a struggle for nation building and the militants will be guered government is to provide logisti- reports say that the White survival in the Middle East against the back in action with an argument that cal and intelligence support and keep THouse has nodded at combat ISIS. Afghanistan is still not free from foreign itself away from intervening directly. Only During the talks in action against the Taliban and the like. The reported green signal that has forces. What the foreign forces staying then can the local administration and the This is tantamount to renewing the come from the Obama administration behind after 2014 were supposed to political forces be in a better position Vienna many gaps conflict at a time when it was widely allows the US military to directly confront do is to provide air support for Afghan to handle the Taliban in the south and assumed that political option would the Taliban, Al Qaeda and similar outfits missions and let the Afghan Army take other disgruntled elements who come were narrowed. I be exercised by the new president in in case of an attack on them. This will on the mantle of national security. This forward to oppose the order of the day tackling intricate issues of peace and unnecessarily stir the debate on Afghan new policy seems to be an outcome of that is elected and enjoys legitimacy. am certain that security. The United States forces that sovereignty if the foreign forces that restlessness on the part of Pentagon Retaliation on behalf of US and Nato we will reach the are on their way out from the war-weary account for around 20,000, including and will once again plunge the US forces forces on their own will not only weaken country were supposed to maintain a US and Nato, go on take on the militants in hot pursuits. the resolve to exterminate terror but also final accord, if ceremonial presence for the sake of in their personal capacity. The decorum The easiest way out for the Americans provide the militants a new lease of life training and facilitation purposes. But of letting the Afghan armed forces lead in Afghanistan is to stay away from med- to regroup and destabilise the region. not today, then this change of heart will come at a cost from the front in confronting local secu- dling in the conflict and let the local The US plans to combat the Taliban are Hassan Rowhani and that would be too high a price to rity threats will wither in thin air. This authorities confront the militants. All that ill conceived. KHALEEJ TIMES tomorrow. Iranian President TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 09 Britain’s days of stability are numbered The near-certainty that whatever government Scotland leaving Britain. And in this second referendum, the gen- emerges in May will fall within a year or so erally pro-European Scots would almost certainly vote to leave. The raises the most troubling business issue. chaotic breakup of the constitu- tional status quo would then be A snap election in 2016 or 2017 is most complete. An EU exit might, paradoxi- likely to produce an overtly euro-sceptic cally, be even more likely if a Labour-Liberal coalition comes government. to power in May. Though both parties are committed to keeping BY ANATOLE KALETSKY coalition with Liberal Democrats. Britain in Europe, a weak Labour- Conservative-Liberal and Liberal government would face or the past five years, Labour-Liberal majorities may falling business confidence and Britain has been a haven both prove arithmetically impos- possibly a sterling crisis. So it of political and economic sible because of the rise of previ- would be even more likely to fall Fstability amid the turbu- ously insignificant fringe parties. in a snap election than a Tory- lence in Europe. No longer. The Scottish Nationalists look Nationalist coalition. In the years ahead, Britain will able to boost their six seats in Meanwhile, the Tories, forced likely be Europe’s most politically Parliament to anything between into opposition, would undoubt- unpredictable country. This risk, 20 and 50, largely at Labour’s edly replace Cameron as leader first brought to the world’s atten- expense. The United Kingdom with a more hard-line euro-scep- tion by the Scottish independ- Independence Party is threaten- tic — possibly Boris Johnson, the ence referendum in September, ing dozens of Conservative incum- popular and populist mayor of has been confirmed by the defeat bents. Meanwhile, the Liberals London. If so, the snap election in suffered by Prime Minister David are almost certain to lose about 2016 or 2017 would probably result Cameron’s Conservative Party in half their 56-seat representation. in a landslide for radically euro- a special election on Thursday. As a result, a ruling coalition may sceptic Tories in alliance with the Yet the loss of Britain’s safe- have to include not just two par- UK Independence Party. A quick haven status is not yet factored ties but three or four, including referendum mandating the new into asset prices — especially fringe nationalist groups. government to negotiate an exit File photo of Ukip leader Nigel Farage standing before a campaign poster ahead of local council and European sterling. The pound is still near The Scottish National Party is from the European Union would its strongest since 2008 despite sure to demand another Scottish elections earlier this year. then become an odds-on bet. the country’s current-account independence referendum as All these scenarios can, of and budget deficits, the biggest in its price for supporting a coali- minority government, even if it whatever government emerges according to current opinion polls, course, be qualified with numer- Europe relative to gross domestic tion, while the UK Independent can be patched together in post- in May will fall within a year or and time is running out for the ous ifs and buts. Many politi- product. Party will likely insist on Britain’s election haggling, will probably so, raises the third and most trou- surge in support the Tories were cal surprises will surely occur Although Britain faces an withdrawal from the European collapse within a year or two. bling business issue. A snap elec- expecting as a result of economic between now and 2017. In the unpredictable general election Union. It is hard to imagine either Whether the next prime minis- tion in 2016 or 2017 is most likely recovery. end, the instinctive caution of on May 7, most investors and Labour or Conservatives agreeing ter turns out to be Cameron or to produce an overtly euro-sceptic A Tory government supported the British electorate might well businesses are still behaving as if to such terms. Labour’s Ed Miliband, he will be government, committed to tak- by Scottish Nationalists and UKIP prevail — as it did in the Scottish political uncertainty would have This means that a government seen as a short-term caretaker, ing Britain out of the European is a more plausible option. But the referendum — preserving the sta- limited impact on economic con- may have to be formed without passing only non-controversial Union. glue holding together such a coali- tus quo of British membership in ditions. This complacency seems a majority in Parliament. While measures. Since a continuation of the cur- tion would be an EU referendum the European Union. misplaced, for three reasons: minority governments are quite At some point in 2016 or 2017 rent coalition is almost impossi- on membership terms that the But whatever ultimately hap- First, Britain could become common in continental Europe, at the latest, the opposition par- ble because of Tory commitment rest of Europe would be extremely pens, outbreaks of political panic literally ungovernable after the the British Parliament has only ties are almost certain to unite in to an EU referendum, which the unlikely to accept. are near-certain in the six months election, with no single party or once failed to produce a govern- a vote of no confidence on some Liberals oppose, Cameron may UKIP would certainly press for before the general election. Then coalition of parties able to form ment majority — during a brief major issue — bringing down the only be able to lead the next gov- such an impossible negotiating again during the period of turmoil a majority government. Current interlude in 1974 under Harold government. This would force ernment if his party wins an out- mandate and even the Scottish and ungovernability leading up to public opinion polls predict Wilson. It created seismic a new election in spite of the right majority or forms an alliance Nationalists would do so for tac- a snap election and EU referen- that neither the Conservatives upheavals in Britain’s adversarial theoretical requirement that with the Scottish Nationalists, tical reasons. The Scots would dum in 2017. nor the Labour Party will win politics. Parliament should serve a fixed UK Independent Party and other insist that a British vote to exit Investors and businesses in enough seats to form a major- The second reason for concern five-year term. fringe parties. An outright Tory the European Union should be Britain are queuing up for a ity government — even in a is that a multiparty coalition or The near-certainty that majority is out of the question, followed immediately by one on roller-coaster ride. REUTERS War-weary Darfuris see only grim future In US, even perception of BY KHALID ABDELAZIZ added: “Just six kilometres from here, rebels UNAMID’s conclusion that there was “no weather has partisan edge and bandits dominate the region.” evidence” of the rapes triggered an outcry aught in a forgotten war between The Darfur conflict, which erupted in from rights activists. Khartoum had delayed rebels and government forces and 2003 when mainly African tribes took up UNAMID’s first visit to the area in early BY CHRIS MOONEY beset by bandits who roam the law- arms against the Arab-led government in November and denied it permission to visit Cless roads, villagers in Darfur say Khartoum, has killed hundreds of thousands a second time. ast week, as extreme and early winter weather crashed into the conti- their lives can scarcely get any worse if Sudan of people and displaced over two million, “All indicators confirm that the mass rape nental US, it was inevitable that we once again started debating global insists on international peacekeepers leaving according to the United Nations. occurred in the Tabit area. We and human Lwarming. For some conservatives, unusual winter weather seems to their region. Tabit was under rebel control for eight rights organisations have irrefutable evidence spur dismissive comments about climate change — even as liberals tend to UNAMID, the joint United Nations- years of the war, with the government reas- and testimony to prove the crime by govern- explain why a changing climate may see more “stuck” weather (whether cold African Union Mission in Darfur, was serting its authority in 2010. ment forces,” said Jibril Bilal of the Justice or hot) and more powerful snowstorms in some cases, due to greater water deployed seven years ago to stem violence But much of that authority is nominal, and Equality Movement, one of the main vapor in the atmosphere. against civilians during a civil war in which with gunmen stalking dirt roads to attack Darfur rebel groups. Such partisan disagreement about the relationship between climate change the Sudanese government was accused of war military and civilian vehicles alike, pre- Sudan denies its forces were involved in and weather extremes has become pretty routine — but a new study just out crimes and genocide. venting villagers from travelling even for any such incident. in Nature Climate Change puts it in a fascinating new light. The research With fighting still dragging on, UNAMID’s healthcare. Last month, an internal UN review said suggests the climate issue may have become so politicised that our very percep- shortcomings have drawn criticism from the Tabit’s clinic, which catered to 22 villages, UNAMID had failed to provide UN head- tions of the weather itself are subtly slanted by political identities and cues. very people it was deployed to protect and was destroyed in the fighting. quarters with full reports on attacks against The paper — by three sociologists, Aaron McCright of Michigan State Sudan has told it to devise an exit strategy. “There are no vaccines ... here,” said Maha civilians and peacekeepers. University, Riley Dunlap of Oklahoma State and Chenyang Xiao of American Khartoum’s move elicited indifference Adam, 26. “We cannot move outside the vil- The review was ordered after media University — examined people’s perceptions of the winter of 2012, which was rather than opposition in northern Darfur, lage perimeter to collect firewood and we wait reports alleged that UNAMID had covered anomalously warm (the fourth warmest on record for the contiguous US). where much of the violence now rages. for hours every day to buy water at the only up details of deadly attacks to avoid provok- Comparing Gallup polling results from early March 2012 (just after the win- A visit by journalists to the northern well ... We live in fear.” ing the government. ter ended) with actual temperature data from the lower 48 US states, the Darfur village of Tabit — site of recent alle- With officials standing by during the gov- Despite UNAMID’s shortcomings, how- researchers analysed people’s perceptions of the warmth of the winter they’d gations of mass rape — showed how, despite ernment-organised press trip, it was diffi- ever, some observers say a neutral force that just lived through in light of the temperature anomalies that actually occurred. the presence of one of the world’s largest cult to speak freely about the alleged rape of offers some oversight is better than nothing. The first result wasn’t too surprising: In general, people accurately perceived peacekeeping missions, violence blights peo- 200 women and girls by Khartoum’s forces “Even now, in the presence of UNAMID, that their weather had been pretty out of whack. In places where the winter ple’s lives. “Our lives are very difficult since in Tabit, highlighting the hurdles faced by we are scared... So how will it be if UNAMID was super warm, they said as much. “The greater the deviation of winter 2012 the war began. We cannot grow crops except UNAMID investigators. leaves Darfur completely?” a displaced temperatures from the 30-year winter temperature average in respondents’ in a very small area because rebels and gangs Australia’s UN envoy said on November Darfuri said. “UNAMID leaving would mean states, the more likely that respondents report local winter temperatures to come and loot our fields,” said Mohamed 10 that Sudan’s heavy military presence dur- that the world has abandoned the people of be warmer than usual,” notes the paper. Ismail, a resident. ing UNAMID’s interviews of the alleged rape Darfur and left them to die.” But then, things got a little strange. The researchers found that politi- Pointing to nearby mountains, Ismail victims had raised serious concerns. REUTERS cal party affiliation had an effect — “Democrats [were] more likely than Republicans to perceive local winter temperatures as warmer than usual,” the paper reports. And beliefs about global warming also predicted temperature perceptions. People who were more likely to think that scientists agree about climate change, or to think humans are causing the phenomenon, also were more likely to report that the recent winter had been “warmer than usual.” It’s important to underscore how weird this is: Your politics and climate beliefs should not — you would think — change your experience of weather itself. Yet these data suggest that whether people actually physically feel dif- ferently, or whether they remember and reconstruct their weather experi- ences differently, worldview is having a role. “It suggests to me that people have begun to filter their fundamental perceptions of what is going on at least partly through a partisan frame,” explains study co-author Riley Dunlap of Oklahoma State. The influence of partisanship became still more significant when people were asked directly if the warm winter they’d just experienced was due to global warming. Here, not only being a Democrat, but also being a liberal and being a woman, predicted a willingness to blame anomalously warm weather on a changing climate. For Dunlap, what this suggests is that we probably should give up on the idea that warmer temperatures, alone, will wake people up to the reality of a changing climate. Rather, our experiences of the weather — and particularly weather extremes — will be strained through partisan filters. And if a warm winter doesn’t make conservatives more open to climate change, then you can probably forget about trying to explain why certain types of cold extremes — heavier snowfalls, or a loopy jet stream leading to a “stuck” weather pattern — could also have a climate change component. “If you can’t reach the committed conservatives on the fact that a signifi- cantly warmer season might be due to anthropogenic global warming,” says Dunlap, “I think it’s going to be really hard to convince them that the current situation is due to anthropogenic climate change.” Women sit near a vehicle of the special police forces after it arrived in Tabit village in North Darfur. WP-BLOOMBERG TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 10 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INTERNATIONAL Ukraine president to speed up govt formation Western powers see rivalry between Poroshenko and Yatseniuk delaying govt formation

KIEV: Ukraine will take the referring to the first session of countries to provide weapons Russia, Ukrainians showed little Europe and fight “the cancer of to appoint the post, and keep his first steps this week towards the new parliament on Thursday. to help it defend itself against interest in joining Nato, and the corruption”. man Arsen Avakov in situ. forming a new government, Separately, Poroshenko also attacks by well armed Russian- country’s constitution specifies a Poroshenko, elected in May Yatseniuk has steadily taken on President Petro Poroshenko announced that Lithuania would backed separatists who, before a “non-bloc”, unaligned status. after “Euromaidan” street pro- the role of a hawk in Poroshenko’s said yesterday, seeking to provide Ukraine with some mili- ceasefire came into effect, inflicted But since Russia’s annexation tests overthrew Moscow-backed administration with strongly- assuage concern among his tary aid to help Kiev in its fight heavy losses on government forces of Crimea in March and Moscow’s Viktor Yanukovich, did not volun- worded attacks on Russia and Western allies that the delay is against pro-Russian separatists in in their fight to hive off parts of open backing for the pro-Russian teer any explanation for the delay Russia’s Vladimir Putin. holding up reform and imperil- the east of the country. Ukraine’s east. Despite the cease- rebellions, popular support for in forming a government which This contrasts with the ling Western assistance. “We have agreed on supplies fire, three more Ukrainian sol- joining the Alliance has shot up. may now emerge early next week. smoother, more pragmatic style The US and other Western of concrete elements of concrete diers were killed overnight into Last week, US Vice-President But commentators say of Poroshenko who is insisting governments are criticising Kiev’s armaments for the Ukrainian yesterday, the Kiev military said. Joe Biden became the latest Poroshenko wants his candidate that there can be no military solu- tardiness in putting together a armed forces. This is real help,” Kiev says more than 150 gov- Western politician to express con- in the sensitive post of interior tion to the conflict and stresses government following October Poroshenko said standing along- ernment troops have died since cern at Kiev’s slowness in forming minister, though filling this post the validity of the September 5 elections — with suspicions that side Grybauskaite. the truce came into force on a new government team, without falls within the prerogative of the peace deal even though both sides the delay is due to rivalry between It was not clear, however, if September 5. The United Nations which new International Monetary Prime Minister rather than that accuse the other of violating it. Poroshenko and Prime Minister Lithuania was following fellow Nato says more than 4,300 people have Fund credits and other Western of the President. With the country Poroshenko who was elected by Arseny Yatseniuk over control of member the United States in pro- been killed overall in the conflict. assistance cannot be released. at war, this would give Poroshenko, a landslide last May, was on the key portfolios. viding non-lethal military equip- Asked whether Ukraine would “Form a new government as rather than Yatseniuk, control over receiving end of public anger for the “We hope that the process ment or whether it was supplying seek to join Nato, Poroshenko quickly as possible. It should be a post which directs the National first time last Friday when he was (of forming a government) will weaponry — something Nato coun- held out the prospect of a refer- done in days not weeks,” Biden Guard and volunteer battalions heckled by a crowd of aggrieved begin this week,” Poroshenko tries have so far been reluctant to endum in several years’ time, but said in Kiev. He said a new gov- fighting alongside government relatives as he paid his respects to said at a news conference with do in case arming a non-member said attempts to join now would ernment was vitally needed to forces against the separatists. the 100 or so people killed in the visiting Lithuanian President prompts a conflict with Russia. cause “more harm than good”. form stronger democratic insti- Yatseniuk, however, is said to “Euromaidan” upheaval. Dalia Grybauskaite, apparently Ukraine has pressed Nato Before the confrontation with tutions, enhance integration with be insisting that he keep the right REUTERS

Space guests blast off 100 die in new east Renzi wins regional vote, D R Congo massacre low turnout KINSHASA: About 100 people intervention force have been battling were slaughtered last week in the the ADF-NALU since January. sends warning east of the Democratic Republic “We were told that the (FARDC) of Congo in the latest massacre to didn’t want people to go further into ROME: Italian Prime Minister shake the restive region, lawmak- the bush,” where more bodies could Matteo Renzi’s centre-left ers said yesterday. yet be discovered, Baliesima added. Democratic Party (PD) won The carnage took place on Thursday An administrative source in Beni regional elections in Calabria near Beni in the North Kivu prov- said that the killings took place in and Emilia Romagna yesterday ince, where mainly Muslim Ugandan four villages close together between but an exceptionally low turn- rebels have been blamed for killing the market town and the town of out suggested growing disillu- more than 200 civilians in gruesome Mbau, 20km further north. sion among many voters. machete attacks since October. A local resident said that 95 bodies After years of economic crisis “I have a figure of 95 bodies buried picked up in the bush had been bur- that has created hardship among in a common grave,” as well as “nine ied in the village of Tepiomba. a growing number of Italians, the others that were shown to authori- North Kivu’s Governor, Julien lacklustre turnout was a clear ties in a morgue,” opposition member Paluku, said on Friday that nine bod- warning sign for Renzi as he of parliament Juma Balikwisha said. ies had been taken to a morgue. The faces pressure to push through “We still don’t have a definitive Civil Society of North Kivu said that potentially unpopular financial toll. It lies between 70 and 100 people at least 50 people had died, according belt-tightening. killed,” said Albert Baliesima, an MP to “one of the survivors”. The popula- Renzi, who scored a record vic- for the parliamentary majority back- tion of Beni, a major trading centre and tory in European elections in May, ing President Joseph Kabila. stronghold of the Nande ethnic group claimed another win but acknowl- The Civil Society of North Kivu, located 250km north of Goma, has edged that large numbers of vot- an NGO based in Beni, blamed rebels accused the government and soldiers ers had stayed away. “The turnout of the Allied Democratic Forces and of doing nothing to protect local people. was bad, the results were good. National Army for the Liberation of The UN special envoy to the cen- A clear 2-0,” he said in a tweet Uganda (ADF-NALU) for the latest tral African Great Lakes region, Said yesterday. “Slap in the face from in a wave of massacres that began Djinnit, said in a statement Monday abstentions,” read the headline early in October. “that the worsening situation in the Beni in the Corriere della Sera, Italy’s However, regional officials who area ... calls for decisive action towards The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station crew of Anton Shkaplerov biggest daily newspaper. spoke to AFP said they did not neutralising all negative forces in the of Russia, Terry Virts of the US and Samantha Cristoforetti of Italy blasts off from the launch pad at In the central region of Emilia know who carried out the killings DRC, as per the decisions of the regional the Baikonur cosmodrome yesterday. Romagna, traditionally a strong- in a region where the Congolese leaders and the UN Security Council.” hold of the left, PD candidate army (FARDC) and a UN special AFP Stefano Bonaccini won 49 per- cent with the support of the left- ist Left Ecology Freedom party. Italian doctor contracts Ebola in Sierra Leon However, turnout was just 40 percent, down from 65 percent at the previous election, with many ROME: An Italian doctor has contracted “good general condition”. The more serious symp- voters apparently put off follow- Ebola in Sierra Leone and is being flown back toms of Ebola can take weeks to develop. ing the resignation in July of cen- to Rome for specialist treatment, the health The World Health Organization has reported tre-left governor Vasco Errani in ministry said yesterday. a fatality rate of 70 percent in the current out- a fraud scandal. The ministry said the doctor, the first Italian break, the worst ever. But the handful of Western In the southern region of to contract the disease, would arrive in Rome health workers who contracted the disease and Calabria, PD candidate Mario late yesterday or early today and be hospitalised been quickly evacuated have so far all survived. Oliverio won more than 61 per- at the Lazzaro Spallanzani national institute for It has been a different story for local health- cent with the support of smaller infectious diseases. care workers with 337 having died, according to leftist and centrist parties. The doctor was working for the charity WHO figures. Turnout was 44 percent against Emergency at a clinic for Ebola victims when The disease can only be spread through direct almost 60 percent last time. he contracted the disease, which has killed more contact with bodily fluids of an infected parent. In Emilia Romagna, the anti- than 5,000 people in its latest outbreak in west Sweating as a result of fever and vomiting are immigrant, anti-euro Northern Africa. “We can reassure his family that the common amongst patients, putting nurses and League party — which cam- doctor is feeling well,” Health Minister Beatrice doctors treating them at risk. paigned in a centre-right coali- Lorenzin said in a statement. Emergency said all its staff in Sierra Leone had tion including ex-prime minister “He did not have a fever or other symptoms been trained in the meticulous hygiene measures Silvio Berlusconi’s Forza Italia, during the night and this morning he had his required to avoid contamination. “However no did better than expected, win- breakfast.” healthcare in such a serious epidemic can be con- ning nearly 20 percent of the vote, The charity said the doctor had developed sidered completely risk-free,” it said in a statement. while Forza Italia took 8 percent. some unspecified Ebola symptoms but was in a AFP REUTERS

Nato salutes MH17 victims Spain arrests 3 priests, layman in Granada abuse ring MADRID: Three Spanish Catholic priests and a lay person were arrested yesterday, a police source said, in a child sexual abuse case whose victim Pope Francis has reportedly telephoned to offer the Church’s apology. Investigations into the case in the southern province of Granada started “sometime ago,” Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz told reporters, confirming four arrests, but he could not give further details because the issue is sub judice. Granada Archbishop of Granada Francisco Javier Martinez last week removed several priests from their duties after a man wrote to Delegation members observe a one-minute silence for the victims of the downed Malaysia Airlines Pope Francis saying he was abused MH17 passenger jet prior to the Nato Parliamentary Assembly 60th Annual Session, in The Hague, when he was an altar boy. The Netherlands, yesterday. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 INTERNATIONAL www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 11 US defence secretary Hagel resigns President Obama says decision was mutually agreed amid speculation that official was frustrated WASHINGTON: President successes against US allies on the of the drawn-out conflict that leaking, ‘Well he wasn’t up to Barack Obama announced battlefield. ensued. the job.’ Believe me, he was up to the departure of US Defence The White House did not say Hagel’s combat experience as the job.” McCain said the Obama Secretary Chuck Hagel yes- who might be Hagel’s eventual a non-commissioned officer who administration had “no strategy” terday, with the White House replacement at the Pentagon, but was wounded in Vietnam was to fight the Islamic State group under fire over perceived fum- in Washington three candidates seen as a strength as he took on and that Hagel had never been bling in its response to the are widely considered to be in the the job. allowed into a White House inner Islamic State threat. running. But his public appearances have circle making decisions. The former Republican sena- Former under-secretary of often appeared clumsy or under- Hagel had disagreed with the tor, who has been in the job for defence Michele Flournoy, who whelming as the administration administration’s approach to less than two years, was chosen would be the first woman to run struggles to adapt to new conflicts Syria, writing a two-page memo to oversee a shift to a peacetime the Pentagon, is touted as the and articulate its strategies. arguing for a more assertive military with smaller defence most likely choice, followed by Although administration offi- stance towards President Bashar budgets, but found the United former deputy secretary Ashton cials indicated the defence secre- Al Assad, his aides recently States at war again. Carter. tary had been pressured to resign, disclosed. Rapid advances by Islamic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode a senior national security staff Apart from the air war against State jihadists in Syria and Iraq Island — a former army airborne member in Congress told AFP the IS group, the White House forced the Pentagon chief into officer — has also been cited as that was not the case. has also come under criticism managing a complex campaign, a plausible contender, but his “Hagel quit,” the aide said. for its plans in Afghanistan, with and Obama concluded Hagel was spokesman told reporters that “Hagel found himself at odds with some Republicans questioning not the man for the task. Chuck Hagel (centre) with Vice President Joe Biden (right) and President he was not interested in the job. the administration.” a timeline that will have all US The 68-year-old Vietnam Barack Obama at the White House, in Washington, DC, yesterday. Confirmation hearings for Hagel’s experience was similar troops out of the country by the war veteran joined Obama at whoever gets the nomination will to that of his predecessors, Robert end of Obama’s term in two years. the White House to confirm his me to discuss the final quarter of frustrated. At the White House provide Republican critics a plat- Gates and Leon Panetta, who both Speculation about Hagel’s departure. my presidency and determined announcement, Hagel thanked form to slam the Obama admin- complained after they left office of future gathered steam in October, “When I asked Chuck to serve that, having guided the depart- Obama for his “friendship” and istration’s campaign against the meddling by political appointees when anonymous administration as secretary of defence we were ment through this transition, it “leadership,” saying he believed Islamic State group. in the White House, the aide and officials criticised his performance entering a significant period was an appropriate time for him he had put the military and the Some hawks are demanding some lawmakers said. to a high-profile Washington Post of transition: the drawdown in to complete his service.” nation on a “stronger course bolder action, including the use Senator John McCain, an out- columnist, David Ignatius. Afghanistan, the need to prepare Both Obama and Hagel pre- toward stability.” of US ground units to help Iraqi spoken critic of Obama’s foreign Hagel was once considered a our forces for future missions sented the decision as mutually On jihadist websites and and Kurdish forces in their battle policy, said he had spoken to potential Republican presidential and tough fiscal choices to keep agreed, but administration offi- Twitter accounts, Islamic State to contain the jihadist threat. Hagel by phone yesterday. contender but in his current job, our military strong and ready,” cials privately suggested he had supporters celebrated “vic- As a senator, Hagel voted in “I know that he was very, very officials said he often said little Obama said. been pushed out, while Obama’s tory” against Hagel, claiming favour of the 2003 US invasion frustrated,” McCain said. at strategy sessions in the White “Last month, Chuck came to critics said Hagel had become he had been forced out by their of Iraq, but later became a critic “Already the White House are House situation room. AFP

Rainbow peeks Grand jury reaches FARC rebels set to decision in teen’s shooting case free two hostages FERGUSON: A US grand jury has reached a decision on BOGOTA: Colombia’s FARC promised to release all five cap- whether or not to indict a white guerrillas confirmed they will tives — Alzate, Corporal Jorge police officer for shooting dead release two soldiers today in Rodriguez, army adviser Gloria an unarmed black teenager in a a deal to revive peace talks, Urrego and soldiers Paulo tense suburb, prosecutors said warning the army not to jeop- Cesar Rivera and Jonathan yesterday. ardise the separate release of a Diaz — in order to resume There is no indication yet as captive general. negotiations. to whether or not officer Darren The soldiers’ release, part of But the rebels repeated accusa- Wilson will face charges for an agreement to salvage a peace tions that the army is putting the the death of Michael Brown on process derailed by the cap- deal at risk with aggressive opera- August 9, 2014 in the community ture of General Ruben Alzate, tions in Choco, the jungle-covered of Ferguson, just outside St Louis. has been put in motion in the region where Alzate heads a task He could be indicted with first eastern department of Arauca, force charged with fighting rebels or second degree murder, or man- where the pair were captured and drug traffickers. slaughter — or the grand jury could in combat on November 9, the The FARC accused the army decide that he acted in self-defence rebels said. of bombings, surveillance flights, and that there is no need for him to Operations began yesterday troop landings and clashes go on trial. Brown, an 18-year-old at dawn to transfer the soldiers with its fighters in the remote high school graduate planning to “from a site in the Arauca forest” department. go to technical college, was shot at to a Red Cross-organised human- “The noisy operation deployed least six times by Wilson. itarian mission the following day, by the army on the Atrato River “Yes I can confirm that a deci- the rebels said. in the forgotten and plundered sion has been reached,” a public A snow plough vehicle drives down a street as rainbow forms over a neighbourhood following a massive The FARC said the release of department of Choco, presented relations manager for the Brown the general — who was captured by the defence ministry as a snow storm in West Seneca, New York, yesterday. Emergency workers placed thousands of sandbags as the family’s lawyer said. AFP in a separate incident in the deployment to protect the pop- area around Buffalo in New York braced for potential flooding as higher temperatures began to melt snow. western department of Choco on ulation, is nothing but a risky, November 16 — was still planned mercenary attempt to rescue the for later in the week but hinged general and his companions,” they on the army’s actions. said. “We hope the defence ministry The defence ministry denied UK tries to raise awareness against terror will act with prudence and discre- trying to mount a rescue tion so as not to block the release operation. of General Ruben Dario Alzate,” The army “isn’t creating LONDON: British police yes- British jihadis joining forces with investigations. Interior minister but we do want them to under- the rebels said in a statement any obstacles to the (captives’) terday urged the public to be extremists in Iraq and Syria — Theresa May said yesterday that stand the threat and be vigilant from the Cuban capital Havana, release,” said vice minister for alert to potential terrorist and potentially returning home since the government came to to things that are out of place or where the peace talks had been defence Jorge Bedoya, calling on activity as they said the threat with terror “tradecraft”. power in 2010, a total of 138 peo- suspicious and report it to the taking place. the FARC to hold up their end of of extremist attacks would last “The danger posed by violent ple have been put behind bars for police.” Alzate, the highest-ranking the deal. for several years. extremists has evolved,” said terror-related offences. He said militants target busy, captive taken by the FARC in 50 “They can free them just as Launching Counter-Terrorism Mark Rowley, Britain’s chief She also said she had revoked well-populated places for maxi- years of conflict, was captured easily as they kidnapped them,” he Awareness Week, police said that counter-terror police officer. British citizenship for 27 dual mum impact, so urged businesses along with a corporal and an said. The FARC’s leader, Timoleon even if the violence in Iraq and “They are no longer a problem nationality holders in the same to check their security measures adviser as they travelled by boat Jimenez, said the president’s sus- Syria subsided, the risk of attacks solely stemming from countries period, as well as refusing or can- and train staff to spot potential to visit a civilian energy project. pension of negotiations had dam- in Britain would continue. like Iraq and Afghanistan, far celling 29 passports to prevent threats, as they are often the first The incident caused President aged the peace process. The week of events will include away in the minds of the public. people travelling to fight in Syria to notice when things are amiss. Juan Manuel Santos to call off “He knocked over the board talks with university students, “Now, they are homegrown, in and Iraq. The official terror threat level the two-year-old peace talks, the where we were playing the game, businesses, theatre group per- our communities.” However, “the eyes and ears of in Britain was raised to “severe” most promising effort yet to end he destroyed confidence. Things formances in schools and social He said several attack plots had law enforcement and other agen- in August, the second-highest of the conflict. can’t just resume as they were,” media interaction. been disrupted in 2014 and more cies alone cannot combat the five levels, meaning that an attack Under a deal announced he said in a statement. It comes amid heightened than 270 arrests had been made threat”, Rowley warned. is considered “highly likely”. last Wednesday, the FARC has AFP concerns over the numbers of this year following counter-terror “We don’t want to scare people AFP

Honour for actress Mexican gets 22 years in jail for drug trafficking

CHICAGO: A federal judge “Given the amount, it’s non- prosecutor Michael Ferrara reit- in New York, Washington, sentenced a Mexican drug traf- sensical to think this was this erated the allegation that Vazquez Philadelphia, Cincinnati, ficker to 22 years in prison for defendant’s inaugural voyage into was logistics coordinator for the Columbus, Detroit and Los shipping 276 kilos of cocaine to cocaine trafficking,” Castillo said. Sinaloa cartel run by Joaquin Angeles, testified that Vazquez Chicago hidden in railway cars Vazquez, who lived for decades “Shorty” Guzman, who is in jail in had told them he coordinated in a case that highlighted the in southern California, spoke Mexico. Prosecutors say Vazquez flights of tons of cocaine from city’s role as a hub for distribut- briefly at the hearing to ask for arranged aircraft, submarines, Colombia to Mexico. ing tons of cocaine throughout forgiveness and defence attorney trains and trucks to transport According to their grand jury the United States from 1998 to Paul Brayman emphasised the cocaine from Colombia to Mexico testimony, revealed in court doc- 2008. lack of evidence of any connec- and on to the United States. uments filed in November, the Judge Ruben Castillo said there tions with the Sinaloa cartel. Prosecutors based much of Flores brothers said they began was no proof Alfredo Vazquez Federal prosecutors have their case on testimony from two doing business with Vazquez in Hernandez, 59, was a high-rank- spelled his last name Vasquez, but informants, twin brothers Pedro 2006 and set up a company to ing member of the Sinaloa car- his son Gabriel Vazquez said the and Margarito Flores, who are in import furniture in trains that tel, as prosecutors alleged. But correct spelling was Vazquez. protective custody and also face were also packed with cocaine. in handing down a long sentence Vazquez was arrested in Mexico federal drug trafficking charges. At the height of the business in for a first-time offender who had in 2011 and spent almost two The brothers, who stored 2007 they were distributing up to US actress Meryl Streep is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom pleaded guilty, he said he had years in prison there before being cocaine, heroin and marijuana in 4,400 pounds (2,000 kg) of cocaine by US President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room trouble believing Vazquez had extradited to the United States. a Chicago warehouse for distri- per month. of the White House, in Washington DC, yesterday. never dealt drugs previously. At the hearing, federal bution to 30 wholesale customers REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 12 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com ASIA / PHILIPPINES

Former Awami China blasts US League official to be hanged comments on for war crimes

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s war crimes court yesterday sen- island project tenced a former ruling party official to hang for mass mur- der, the 14th person convicted of atrocities during the 1971 Plan for military airstrip: Jane’s Defence independence struggle against Pakistan, a prosecutor said. BEIJING: Beijing yessterday impose its sovereignty claims over Mobarak Hossain, who was dismissed as “irresponsible” US neighbouring countries that also expelled from the Awami League criticism of its construction of claim the territory. after he was charged with war an artificial island reportedly “This facility appears purpose- crimes in 2012, was found guilty large enough for an airstrip in built to coerce other claimants of heading a militia that rounded a disputed section of the South into relinquishing their claims up and killed scores during the China Sea. and possessions, or at least pro- nine-month conflict. The statement by China’s for- vide China with a much stronger “He was sentenced to death for eign ministry came after a US negotiating position if talks over the murder of 33 people and given military spokesman urged Beijing the dispute were ever held,” the (a) life term for the abduction and to stop what it described as a vast report said. murder of another person,” pros- land reclamation project on the Days after the report, US ecutor Shahidur Rahman said. Spratly Islands. military spokesman Lieutenant A group of Chinese fishermen leave a court in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, yesterday, after they were found The 64-year-old Hossain is the The island chain, which the Colonel Jeffrey Pool called on guilty of poaching. first person connected with the rul- Chinese call Nansha, is also China and other governments to ing party to be given the death pen- claimed in whole or part by the cease such construction. alty by the controversial tribunal, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hua told a regular news brief- Philippines fines Chinese fishermen which has mostly focused on trials Taiwan and Brunei. ing on Monday that no country of officials of the country’s largest “External forces have no right has “a right to make irresponsible Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami. to make irresponsible remarks,” remarks” about the reclamation. PUERTO PRINCESA: A exclusive economic zone, in May. already.” China protested against Hossain, who was in court to foreign ministry spokeswoman She said China has “indisput- Philippine court yesterday Two of the fishermen were sent the arrests and does not recognise hear the verdict, had previously Hua Chunying said at a regu- able sovereignty” over the Spratly fined nine Chinese fishermen home because they were minors. the trial, saying the nine were been an official of Jamaat-e- lar briefing when asked about Islands, which are also claimed by $102,000 each after they were After three months of trial, detained in China’s territorial Islami which opposed independ- Washington’s comments. Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, caught with hundreds of sea Judge Ambrosio de Luna found waters. ence from Pakistan. “The construction activities Vietnam and Brunei. turtles in a disputed shoal in the the fishermen guilty of poaching Del Rosario said the military During the war he was a local China is undertaking are for the Hua said China has insisted South China Sea amid a fester- in Philippine waters and of illegal had been asked to investigate. commander of a notorious pro- improvement of the working and that maritime disputes be ing territorial standoff between possession of endangered green The building work, if con- Pakistani militia in the eastern living conditions of the island-sta- resolved peacefully and through the two sides. sea turtles. firmed, would fly in the face of border town of Akhaura which tioned personnel, so that they can negotiations. China claims almost all of the It was not immediately clear US calls for a freeze in provoca- carried out murders, abductions better fulfil their international Outspoken People’s Liberation entire South China Sea, believed how the fishermen would find the tive activity in the South China and torture, Rahman said. obligations and responsibilities Army Major General Luo Yuan to be rich with minerals and funds to pay the fines, but they Sea, one of Asia’s biggest security In one of the worst episodes of in search and rescue,” she added. also defended the project, which oil-and-gas deposits and one of face six months’ jail if they fail issues. Concern is growing about the war, “Hossain and his associ- A report last week by IHS Jane’s he called “completely legitimate Asia’s biggest possible flashpoints. to pay up, time already served, an escalation in disputes even as ates abducted 132 people and then Defence revealed new details of a and justifiable” in an interview Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, suggesting they could even be claimants work to establish a code murdered 33 of them on the bank of land reclamation project China is with the state-run Global Times Vietnam and Taiwan also have released. of conduct to resolve them. Two a pond”, he said. After Bangladesh undertaking on Fiery Cross Reef, newspaper. “The US is obvi- claims. “We’re merely imposing our Vietnamese frigates were due to gained independence, Jamaat was known as Yongshu in Chinese. ously biased considering that the Philippine police arrested the laws,” Foreign Secretary Albert arrive in the Philippines yester- banned for some years. Hossain Beijing claims nearly all of Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam fishermen and seized their boat del Rosario told reporters. “We day on a goodwill visit, the first eventually switched to the Awami the resource-rich South China have already set up military facili- off Half Moon Shoal, a disputed tried to look for ways to be leni- time Hanoi has sent warships to League, serving as a low-level official Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the ties,” Luo was quoted as saying. territory in the Spratly Islands ent. I think they will credit the archipelago. for 16 years until he was charged. Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam In a separate editorial the within the Philippines’ 200-mile whatever time has been served REUTERS AFP have their own claims, several of newspaper contended that China them also building structures on was building on the reef “mainly reefs or occupying islands. to improve the living standards of According to the Defence report the reef-stationed soldiers”. the artificial island is 3,000 metres “China’s construction on the long and 200-300 metres wide, one Yongshu Reef will not be affected British banker fit to stand trial in HK murders of several reclamation projects by US words,” the paper wrote. being pursued by China in the It added: “The Yongshu Reef region but apparently the first that is becoming a big island, which HONG KONG: A British Rurik Jutting, a former Bank of the two women in his upmarket appeared in court two weeks ago, could accommodate an airstrip. shows China’s prominent con- banker accused of killing two America Merrill Lynch employee, flat, one of them decomposing in Jutting stood impassively in the A harbour has been dug out struction capabilities.” Indonesian women was yes- was mentally fit to face murder a suitcase. In a surprise decision dock as the magistrate made her on the east side of the reef that Tensions have been rising as terday ruled fit to stand trial, charges after two weeks of exami- Chainrai agreed to the prosecu- ruling in a packed but silent court- appears large enough for tankers Beijing has grown more assertive but the case will be delayed for nation at the maximum-security tion’s request to delay the trial room. Prosecutor Louise Wong and naval warships, it said. about its claim over the resource- seven months for analysis of Siu Lam psychiatric centre. until July 6 while investigators told the court that investigators The report said the project rich South China Sea, which is forensic evidence found with the The 29-year-old was charged comb through hundreds of pieces would need 28 weeks to exam- could be China’s first military air- also crisscrossed by shipping victims’ mutilated bodies in his with the murders of Seneng of evidence. ine some 200 pieces of evidence, strip in the Spratly Islands and routes. Hong Kong apartment. Mujiasih and Sumarti Ningsih Dressed in the same black including conducting DNA tests. might be aimed at helping Beijing AGENCIES Magistrate Bina Chainrai said after police found the bodies of T-shirt he had worn when he last AFP Philippines reviews ban Nepal bus crash toll hits 47 KATHMANDU: The toll from a bus crash driving. “The confirmed death toll so far is 47,” on Hong Kong in western Nepal has risen to 47, making it said Jajarkot police chief Dinesh Raj Mainali. one of the country’s deadliest road accidents “We have recovered all the bodies that were in years, police said yesterday, as rescuers trapped inside the bus wreckage. Now we are journalists searched for more bodies. Emergency workers searching for any bodies that may be outside the pulled the bodies of 44 victims from the wreck- bus.” MANILA: The Philippines will age of the overcrowded bus over the weekend Police believe the accident happened when the review its entry ban on nine after it plunged into a deep river in mountain- bus driver saw a tractor approaching from the Hong Kong journalists who ous Jajarkot district on Thursday. opposite direction and swerved to avoid it, send- shouted questions at President The bodies of three other victims had earlier ing the vehicle off the narrow road, Mainali said. Benigno Aquino during a summit been found, and police said rescuers were still There were only 45 people on the official pas- in Indonesia last year, Foreign searching for more victims in the deep, fast- senger list, but police believe the driver stopped Affairs Secretary Albert del flowing river. along the route to pick up extra travellers without Rosario said yesterday. Deadly crashes are relatively common in the registering them. “There are 42 seats inside the The move came after jour- impoverished Himalayan nation because of poor bus so it was somewhat overloaded,” Mainali said. nalists’ groups expressed con- roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless AFP cern over the blacklisting, which threatens to sour ties that the two nations have been trying to repair after eight Hong Kong tourists Wooing minorities were killed in Manila in 2010. “The journalists’ issue will be reviewed,” del Rosario said, when asked if Manila would reconsider the ban on the journalists. The reporters had their credentials withdrawn after they shouted questions at the Philippine leader during an Apec summit in Indonesia last year, and are currently unable to enter the Philippines for any reason. They were blacklisted over “acts committed against the president during a summit in Bali, Indonesia”, Bureau of Immigration spokeswoman Elaine Tan said on Saturday without naming the nine. Quoting intelligence officials, Tan said the journalists were a “threat to public safety”. The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines said the blacklisting sent a “chilling message”. “If the government’s intelligence agency does not like the way you ask questions, you may be labelled a public safety Sri Lankan opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena (centre) at a mosque in Kandy threat and blacklisted from the yesterday. Former agriculture and health minister Sirisena is set to launch his presidential campaign Philippines,” the group said. after visiting religious shrines. AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 PAKISTAN / AFGHANISTAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 13 Vaccine under security Fresh IS graffiti trigger alarm in Pakistan Wall writings seen in all provinces

PESHAWAR: Fresh graffiti in commanders has shown that the support of Islamic State (IS) mili- group might get support from local tants in Pakistan has worried militants. Police in Lahore had filed people, though the government a case against people who wrote graf- had played down reports about fiti supporting IS. In Karachi, wall the existence of the jihadis in the writing in favour of the IS was seen country. withing the jurisdiction of two police Graffiti has appeared in all stations. four provinces of the country. In KP, the graffiti was witnessed Recently, writing in favour of the first in Bannu and then in Peshawar. IS scrawled on walls was seen in The police immediately erased it in Hashtnagri locality in Peshawar, but Sikandarpura locality. It had read, it was immediately erased by the “We are all ISIS”. A Pakistani health worker administers a polio vaccine to children in Karachi yesterday as a policeman stands guard. A record number of polio police. “However, another slogan appeared cases have been detected this year in Pakistan. The government is providing health workers with security after several anti-polio workers, However, it was seen on the wall a couple of days later in the same including women, were killed in a string of gun attacks across Pakistan in recent months. of a local public sector school the locality,” said an official. Unlike next day. Capital City Police Officer Lahore, no action has been taken Ijaz Ahmad said that the IS was against culprits here. a real threat, but this was mere A source said that the Special ‘wall-chalking.’ Branch Police and other agen- “So far, we have no information cies have been directed to submit Christian on death row makes final appeal about the existence of the IS in a detailed report about the graffiti Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said the chief and any existence of the group in the LAHORE: A Pakistani the Prophet (PBUH) during “We expect an early hearing written to Pakistan’s President of the police force of the city that province. Christian woman sentenced an argument with a Muslim of the appeal and hope that the Mamnoon Hussain to ask for suffered the most due to militancy Inspector General of Police Nasir to death for blasphemy filed woman over a bowl of water. proceedings will be over in one her to be pardoned and allowed in the last decade. Khan Durrani recently said the same an appeal in the country’s top “On behalf of Asia Bibi I have year,” he added. to move to France. Federal Interior Minister militants in different areas of the court yesterday, her final legal today filed an appeal in the The allegations against Bibi “We are convinced that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and mili- country changed names with time recourse after being found Supreme Court,” defence attor- date back to June 2009, when Asia will only be saved from tary authorities have already denied to hog the limelight. guilty of insulting the Prophet ney Saiful Malook told AFP. she was labouring in a field being hanged if the venerable the existence of IS in the country. Apart from the ongoing military Mohammed (PBUH) four Malook said that in the peti- and a row broke out with some President (Mamnoon) Hussain Army chief General Raheel Sharif operations, Zarb-e-Azb and Khyber-1 years ago. tion his client has asked the Muslim women she was work- grants her a pardon. No one during his visit to the US assured in the tribal areas, action has been A high court in the eastern court to reconsider deficiencies ing with. should be killed for drinking a the world that no alliance of any taken against militants in some areas city of Lahore confirmed the in the case including allegedly She was asked to fetch water, glass of water,” husband Ashiq local group from Pakistan with the of KP. death sentence of Asia Bibi last manipulated evidence and a but the Muslim women objected, Masih wrote in an open letter IS would be tolerated. But the graf- However, there are still groups that month, dashing hopes the con- delay between the time of the saying that as a non-Muslim she dated November 17 and pub- fiti in support of the IS has already are either operating from tribal areas viction might be overturned or incident and its investigation by was unfit to touch the water lished by the New York Times. caused concern in the public. or across the border in Afghanistan commuted to a jail term. police. Malook added that the bowl. A few days later the Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo The announcement by Shahidullah to pose a threat to law and order in She has been on death row blasphemy allegation was con- women went to a local cleric and has said the couple are welcome Shahid, the former spokesman of the Pakistan in general and Peshawar in since November 2010 after cocted by Bibi’s enemies to tar- put forward the blasphemy alle- in the city. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) particular, say experts. being convicted of insulting get her and had no basis in fact. gations. Bibi’s husband has also AFP to join the IS along with five other INTERNEWS

Survivors recount horrifying tales after suicide blast at match

KABUL: Survivors of a horrific sui- explosives as hundreds of young men and blast rose to 57 after 15 people died of “There were local police and command- insurgents. Afghanistan’s intelligence cide attack which killed 57 people at boys attended a tournament on Sunday their injuries overnight. ers watching the game. I saw some killed agency named the Haqqani network, a a volleyball game in Afghanistan told featuring three local teams in the volatile “The game was about to end when and wounded.” hardline militant group aligned with the yesterday how a bomb packed with eastern province of Paktika. we heard a big bang,” Salaam Khan, 19, The attack underlines the challenges Taliban, as being behind the blast. ball bearings ripped through specta- Separately, two NATO soldiers were told AFP at a military hospital in Kabul facing President Ashraf Ghani, who came The Haqqani network, which was des- tors enjoying the final moments of the killed in an attack in the east yesterday where he was flown for treatment to his to power in September, as US-led NATO ignated a terrorist organisation by the match. morning, the coalition said. injured chest and right leg. troops wind down operations and Afghan US in 2012, has been blamed for large- In the country’s deadliest single attack Paktika provincial spokesman Mukhlis “I was shouting for help. Just beside security forces take over full responsi- scale attacks on government and NATO since 2011, the bomber detonated his Afghan said the death toll from Sunday’s me was a dead army officer,” he said. bility for fighting the Taliban and other targets across Afghanistan. AFP

Colour on wheels Terror suspect held in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Police yester- day arrested a suspected mili- tant in the Pakistani capital and seized suicide bomb making material to be used in a possible terror strike in the city, officials said. “We have arrested a suspect from near Aabpara Market,” a police official told AFP. “The man belongs to South Waziristan and he was carrying two hand grenades, detonators, a switch used in suicide jackets, batteries, wires and explosives,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Islamabad’s Aabpara Market is a busy marketplace close to sensitive Red Zone that houses key government buildings and embassies. According to the initial investigation, the suspect was due to meet another man in the capital to assemble a suicide bombing jacket. AFP Students sit in a colourfully decorated vehicle outside the Psychology Department of the University of Peshawar yesterday. Afghan women excluded from Taliban talks: Oxfam KABUL: Afghan women are two occasions, Oxfam said. far had missed the opportunity Afghanistan. Under the current excluded from efforts to nego- “Negotiations and peace talks to stress the importance of pro- plan, US and other foreign forces tiate peace with the Taliban to date have taken place pre- tecting women’s rights. will stay on throughout 2016. and hard-won rights could be dominantly behind closed doors “It is clear that women’s rights “If invasion is over and bargained away unless more and without Afghan women’s have been a low priority,” the Afghans have a chance to build is done to include them in the knowledge, input or involve- report said. Just nine of 70 mem- their own system, then each process, aid agency Oxfam ment,” the report said. bers of the Afghan High Peace and every individual, man and said in a report yesterday. Under the hardline, Islamist Council are women, and their woman in this country can play In 23 rounds of peace talks Taliban government ousted by role is largely symbolic, accord- a role in it,” Taliban spokes- tracked by Oxfam since 2005, U.S.-led forces in 2001, women ing to Oxfam, which advocates a man Zabihullah Mujahid told not one Afghan woman partici- were banned from education, 30 percent minimum threshold Reuters. While Afghans and pated in discussions between employment and public life. for female inclusion. foreign donors alike are optimis- the Taliban and international Significant gains made over The Taliban said on Sunday tic that new president Ashraf negotiators. more than a decade of foreign it was in favour of including Ghani will do more to protect In talks between the Taliban intervention are now at risk or women in both the talks and women’s rights, there has been and the government, only one have already been rolled back, any future government, but only little obvious improvement Afghan woman was present on Oxfam said, and the dialogue so once all foreign troops had left so far. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 14 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com INDIA Jammu and PM may meet Kashmir polls start today Sharif during JAMMU/SRINAGAR: On the eve of first phase of polling in 15 assembly constituencies of seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir, poll staff and security SAARC summit forces reached all the 1,787 poll- ing stations in these constituen- cies last evening. District election officers told Modi on second visit to Nepal IANS in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Leh, Kargil, Kishtwar, Ramban NEW DELHI: A likely meet- as regional cooperation in South and Doda districts of the state ing between Prime Minster Asia and India’s approach to har- last evening that all polling sta- Narendra Modi and his nessing the development potential tions have been fully secured by Pakistani counterpart Nawaz of the region as a whole”. an adequate number of security Sharif on the sidelines of the India will focus on enhance- forces. “Poll staff, sector magis- SAARC summit has lent added ment of connectivity and people- trates and polling material includ- interest to the meeting of the to-people contacts during the ing EVMs etc have reached all the eight-member bloc of South summit. 1,787 polling stations where voters Asian nations to be held in Modi has already asked will exercise franchise tomorrow. Kathmandu on November 26 the Indian Space Research “The polling staff is staying at and 27. Organisation (ISRO) to develop the polling stations over the night The prime minister leaves a satellite that will serve all the and all these polling stations have today for Kathmandu to attend eight nations. Police in plain clothes search Kashmiri supporters arriving for an election rally by the newly launched Peoples been secured by security forces”, the 18th South Asian Association Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Republician Party (PRP) in Srinagar yesterday. Bollywood actor Anupum Kher is campaigning for the party in the a senior official of the state poll for Regional Cooperation Koirala will host a banquet for all state assembly polls. Voting begins in the five-phase election today, with results due on December 23. panel said. IANS (SAARC) Summit. It will be his the leaders tomorrow evening. On second meeting with nearly all the the following day, the leaders will leaders, except for Afghanistan hold a retreat session at Dhulikhel which has a new president in after which they will adopt the Ashraf Ghani. Kathmandu Declaration. SAARC, founded in 1985, Nepal President Ram Baran Congress leader includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Yadav will host a dinner for all Family of Modi’s estranged wife Bhutan, India, the Maldives, the leaders on the concluding day Murli Deora dies Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. after which Modi returns. A meeting between Modi and For Modi, it will be his sec- DELHI/MUMBAI: President Sharif has not been entirely ruled ond visit to Nepal. He had paid wants first lady status for her Pranab Mukherjee and Prime out during the SAARC summit. a standalone bilateral visit to Minister Narendra Modi yes- The External Affairs Ministry Kathmandu in August, the first AHMEDABAD: The estranged honourable prime minister of low profile and rarely been pho- terday condoled the death of spokesperson said the prime min- such by an Indian prime minister wife of Prime Minister India,” stated the retired school tographed or interviewed. Modi veteran Congress leader and ister will go to Kathmandu “with in 17 years. Narendra Modi sought details teacher in a Right To Information guards his privacy zealously. former federal minister Murli the intention to have a meaning- He had announced a $1bn Line about her security cover yester- (RTI) application filed in west- Her brother, Ashok Modi, said S Deora. ful dialogue with as many SAARC of Credit and also addressed the day, voicing concerns about her ern Gujarat state, where she lives the government should provide Murli Deora died in Mumbai at leaders as possible. This would Constituent Assembly. safety as her family demanded with her brother. her a car and women comman- 3.25am yesterday. mean, taking into account, all During the forthcoming visit, that she be treated as the coun- “I would like to know under dos because she is not comfortable He was 77 and is survived by aspects of our relationship. This the prime minister is expected to try’s “first lady”. what provisions of the law and the with male guards. his wife and two sons, including is a work in progress, in terms of announce the launch of a Delhi The premier, who swept to constitution of India am I being “She is the ‘first lady’ and is former union minister of state scheduling”, he said. Transport Corporation (DTC) power in May as head of the right- provided protection? As wife of entitled to get all the facilities,” Milind M Deora. The president He is being accompanied by Delhi-Kathmandu bus service, wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya the prime minister what are the he was quoted as saying by the said that in his passing, the nation External Affairs Minister Sushma which is expected to boost trade Janata Party, and Jashodaben other benefits I am entitled to?” Hindustan Times newspaper, has lost an eminent leader and Swaraj, National Security Advisor and tourism between the two were wed in an arranged mar- India’s RTI Act, similar to the adding, “She deserves to be with social worker, whose long years in Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary neighbours. DTC has a Delhi- riage as teenagers. Freedom of Information law in (Modi) in Delhi.” public service will be remembered Sujatha Singh. Lahore bus service, which was But his family says it was only the United States, gives citizens Jashodaben stated in her appli- for years to come. Congress presi- During his address at the launched by then prime min- a “formal ritual” as Modi left the right to access information cation that “she travels by public dent Sonia Gandhi called Deora summit tomorrow, Modi “will ister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in her soon after. They were never held by public bodies. transport while her body guards “a symbol of Congress Party in lay out his vision of what he sees March 1999. IANS divorced. “I am the wife of the Modi’s wife has long kept a travel by official vehicle”. AFP Mumbai”. IANS

Navy Week Mamata tears Delhi nurseries told to into Modi, admit poor for free blasts him NEW DELHI: The Delhi High land much below the market rate Court yesterday said play- was allotted to schools. for riots schools in the capital, which The Directorate of Education have been allotted land at con- (DoE) of the Delhi government KOLKATA: Asserting the cessional rates, will have to had refused to take responsibil- BJP does not deserve political admit 25 percent of students ity for ensuring compliance by the courtesies, West Bengal Chief from the weaker sections of the schools. Minister Mamata Banerjee yes- society for free. It had said if the owner of the terday here took a dig at Prime A division bench of Chief land was in breach of any of the Minister Narendra Modi’s self- Justice G Rohini and Justice R S terms and conditions, it was for ies, labelling him as a “selfie Endlaw said that if any school is the DDA to take action. danga guru (riot master)”. found flouting this rule, the Delhi On the other hand, the DDA In a blistering attack at the Development Authority (DDA) had informed the court that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will initiate the process of can- government was the agency to the Trinamool Congress supremo cellation of the lease. check and monitor the activities tore apart the party for fanning The court’s direction came on a of educational institutions. When riots and demanded the return plea filed on behalf of NGO Justice the government has informed it of black money. “Ever since this for All by advocate Khagesh Jha, of violation of admission norms government came to power, seeking directions of admitting for weaker sections, action for riots are happening everywhere 25 percent of students from the cancellation of allotment and — Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra Economically Weaker Sections determination of perpetual lease and even Delhi. We have a ‘selfie (EWS) category in aided and is taken, DDA said. danga guru’. unaided schools that have been It was, however, said that no “The tricks of danga gurus granted land at concessional complaints were received from will not work on the pure soil of rates. the government. Bengal. They have carried out The bench slammed the gov- “The aforesaid demonstrates a many riots in Gujarat. Spare ernment and the DDA for not very unfortunate and sorry state Bengal,” she said at a public devising any mechanism for of affairs,” the court said on the meeting held at the conclusion of ensuring compliance with the conduct of the Delhi government a protest march brought out by Schoolchildren wave during an Indian Navy aerial display being performed as part of Navy Week celebrations condition on the premise where and the DDA. IANS the Trinamool against the fed- at Indian Naval Air Station INS Shikra, in Mumbai yesterday. eral government’s “conspiracies” against West Bengal. The programme was organised in the wake of the arrest of party MP Srinjoy Bose by the Central Bureau of Investigation probing Arrested godman had plans to expand his sect the Saradha scam. Modi and his Australian coun- BARWALA: Just before his and his key aides felt the size of land owners. However, the con- states like Madhya Pradesh, terpart Tony Abbott took an run-in with the law that landed 12-acre Satlok Ashram complex troversy erupted and the deal did Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar autographed selfie together, as a him behind bars with charges of near Barwala in Haryana’s Hisar not materialise. He had settled Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana. mark of their growing friendship, murder and sedition, self-styled district was inadequate. for the deal at almost double the Rampal started big time and exchanged warm hugs during godman Rampal had embarked Sources in the district admin- market rates,” Shyam Lal, a vil- with his first Satlok Ashram at the former’s visit to the country on well-thought out plans for istration told IANS that Rampal lager, told IANS. Karontha in Haryana’s Rohtak last week. expanding his sect. and his aides had already scouted Police officials involved in the district. Banerjee lashed out some Police and district authorities for over 50 acres of land at one investigation about the activities He was forced to vacate the media houses for giving public- are now probing the source of location and another 10 acres at of Rampal and his aides also said Karontha ashram after a big ity to the BJP. “When we give a funds of the controversial sect two nearby locations to set up a that he wanted his sect to grow controversy with Arya Samaj fol- speech, some channels are asked leader that helped him execute bigger and more lavish complex. big not only in Haryana but also lowers in 2006 led to violence and not to telecast it. But when danga his expansion plans. The sources said that Rampal’s in other states. even deaths. gurus (riot masters) speaks, it is Though officials are tight- aides had worked out the price Rampal was building another He then moved to the present shown everywhere. lipped about the actual scale of deal with villagers, close to the ashram in Betul district in south location where he set up the “I know political courtesies. I Rampal’s ambitious plans, there location of the present Satlok Madhya Pradesh. Spread over Satlok Ashram near Barwala, have always visited Atal ji (former are indications that the godman Ashram, to buy nearly 52 acres. nearly 70 acres, this ashram 210km from Chandigarh. prime minister Atal Bihari was investing roughly between “He had worked out the land was to have a super structure to The junior engineer-turned- Vajpayee), Jyoti babu (former Rs1bn to 1.5bn. deal for nearly 52 acres land and house nearly 50,000 followers. The godman’s lavish lifestyle is chief minister Jyoti Basu). Those Seeing the growing popular- was planning to get the regis- ashram was being developed with unfolding now with the Haryana Controversial guru Rampal Maharaj in power today do not deserve it,” ity of his sect and the increas- tration done after November 15. a plan to include two lakes. Police searching every part of his behind bars at a police station in she said. IANS ing number of followers, Rampal An advance had been paid to the Rampal’s followers came from Barwala ashram. IANS Hisar yesterday.

TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 16 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MORNING BREAK

PRAYER TIME Flooded street in Cairo

Fajr (Dawn) 4:37 Shorook (Sunrise) 5:57 Zuhr (Noon) 11:21 Asr (Afternoon) 2:23 Maghrib (Sunset) 4:45 Isha (Night) 6:15

WEATHER

Today Wednesday Thursday Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy Clear Clear Partly cloudy to cloudy with chance for High: 28° High: 29° High: 27° Low: 24° Low: 22° Low: 21° scattered rain.

DOHA - SUN & SEA

SUN TIDE SEA SUNRISE | SUNSET HIGH | LOW WIND 05:57 16:45 07:00 18:00 14:15 00:00 05-15/25 KT

THE REGION TODAY TOMORROW Vehicles drive through a flooded street following heavy rains in Cairo yesterday. Recent rainfalls have flooded parts of Egypt. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER

MUSCAT 31/22 Clear 31/22 Clear MAKKAH 27/18 Clear 27/18 Clear KUWAIT 26/21 Chance of storm 21/10 Clear BAHRAIN 29/21 Partly cloudy 26/19 Clear Underwater robot measures Antarctic sea ice SANAA 23/11 Partly cloudy 23/09 Partly cloudy RIYADH 27/14 Clear 24/14 Partly cloudy WASHINGTON: Measuring remote-controlled submarine’s the climate system,” said sea ice that have been difficult to access,” DUBAI 32/21 Clear 29/20 Clear the thickness of Antarctic sea upward-looking sonar. expert Ted Maksym of Woods Maksym added. The twin-hull BAGHDAD 19/08 Chance of rain 21/09 Clear ice, an important gauge of envi- The measurements, cover- Hole Oceanographic Institution underwater robot, about 6 feet THE WORLD TODAY TOMORROW ronmental conditions in this ing an area of about 5.4 mil- in Massachusetts. long, operated at a depth of 65 to remote polar region in a time lion square feet, were made in Unlike in the Arctic region, 100 feet. HI/LO WEATHER HI/LO WEATHER of global climate change, has 2010 and 2012 using a so-called where large declines in thickness “While we have not measured proven to be a tricky task. But Autonomous Underwater Vehicle have been measured in recent all Antarctic sea ice thickness an underwater robot is provid- dubbed SeaBED launched off a decades, scientists do not really and cannot state if Antarctic sea ATHENS 13/08 Partly cloudy 13/09 Partly cloudy ing a nice solution. British and an Australian ship at have a good handle on the aver- ice is getting thicker, this study WASHINGTON 14/04 Partly cloudy 06/02 Snow Satellite measurements can be three sites around the Antarctic age Antarctic sea ice thickness is a huge step towards the sort SYDNEY 24/17 Partly cloudy 21/15 Chance of showers skewed by surface snow, and some Peninsula. The scientists found or on any possible trends there, of expanded and more routine LONDON 09/07 Chance of rain 09/07 Chance of rain ice floes are simply too difficult to sea ice thickness in some places Maksym said. measurements we will need to PARIS 11/09 Chance of rain 12/08 Chance of rain reach by ship, even icebreakers, up to about 55 feet, with average “By demonstrating that do to truly answer these ques- ISTANBUL 09/07 Rain 09/07 Cloudy to make direct measurements by thickness much less. The find- detailed mapping of the thick- tions,” said polar oceanographer drilling into them. ings indicate the ice cover may ness of the ice over large areas is Guy Williams of the Institute of MANILA 30/25 Partly cloudy 28/25 Rain Scientists on Monday unveiled be thicker in some areas than possible deep in the ice pack, this Marine and Antarctic Studies in DHAKA 27/16 Partly cloudy 28/16 Clear the first detailed, high-resolu- previously thought. represents and important step Australia. DELHI 26/11 Clear 26/12 Clear tion 3-D maps of Antarctic sea “Sea ice thickness and its vari- towards greater understanding The research was published in ISLAMABAD 22/09 Clear 23/11 Clear ice, based on measurements of ability in the Antarctic remains of the processes that control the the journal Nature Geoscience. the underside of ice floes by a one of the great unknowns in ice volume, particularly in areas REUTERS Tuesday 25 November 2014 3 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6260 Price: QR2

www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 44557741 | Advertising: 44557837 / 44557780 Diversification boosts private sector: PM Prime Minister opens QCB-backed Euromoney Conference at the Ritz-Carlton DOHA: The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani has said Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economic activity is a major trigger to boost the country’s private sector. It helps private sector ensure greater partici- pation in the economic activ- ity, he said. Opening the Qatar Central Bank-supported Euromoney Conference here yesterday, the prime minister said Qatar contin- ues to work on updating the legal framework, and noted a number of laws were issued of late related to economic and financial sector. Directives have been issued to review all the systems that have an impact on the investment and business sector in Qatar, in order to improve them further. The gov- ernment has also been working on supporting non-oil sectors by increasing the number of indus- trial areas and storage capacities, The Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurating the Euromoney Qatar Conference at the Ritz-Carlton Doha yesterday. BAHER AMIN as well as supporting medium and small enterprises. global economic, something that the state’s public budget for edu- – and the private sector in par- of Qatar. We have develop a pro- financial crisis, both in Qatar and “Today’s launch of the Ras adds more relevance to today’s cation and health sector in addi- ticular — is set to play a growing gressive, reliable regulatory and around the world. Bufontas Special Economic zone conference. tion to the huge allocations for role in the coming years. legal framework to provide a solid “Qatar Central Bank has project for technology and logis- The premier noted Qatari citi- infrastructure projects and major “Financial stability is a top foundation for our development launched initiatives to promote tics sectors is an example of the zen’s development comes on top development projects in addition priority and at the heart of the strategy,” said the minister. the effectiveness of the finance government’s efforts to support of the priorities and objectives of to the projects associated the 2022 Qatar National Vision 2030. We Qatar Central Bank (QCB) sector in developing capital mar- the private sector,” the prime the Qatar national Vision 2030. FIFA World Cup bid , he said. . are investing in major projects in Governer H E Sheikh Abdullah kets and increasing financial minister said. Hence, the investment in educa- The prime minister’s remarks education, health and transport bin Saoud Al Thani highlighted stability. We have launched a He said the continued eco- tion, health and projects associ- were reinforced by the Minister infrastructure and managing the the key role played by the central strategy for the development of nomic growth of Qatar will be ated with the transition to the of Finance H E Ali Shareef Al development process so that they banks around the world. He noted capital markets with other minis- linked to developments in the glo- knowledge economy bestow a Emadi, who stressed that Qatar’s are rolled-out in harmony, limit- that the work of central banks tries, based on the Qatar National bal economy. As a result, Qatar special attention by the govern- economy is being rebalanced, so ing logistical issues and deliver- had become both more impor- Vision 2030,” he said. remains keen on monitoring the ment. This trend clearly shows in that the non-energy industries ing for the benefit of the people tant and more complex since the THE PENINSULA

Asset Management business still UK confirms young in Qatar: Sheikha Hanadi first F-35 DOHA: Qatar’s Asset said the financial sector is key in On the challenges of Management sector is still the development of non-hydrocar- Qatarisation, she said: young and relatively untapped. bon sector. There is no doubt that “Well, the future of Qatar lies jet orders There is full-scope for greater hydrocarbon is the backbone of on Qatari people. We are a small expansion of this sector, our country’s economy. But non- population and we have large LONDON: Britain yester- Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin oil sector is fast emerging as major opportunities to offer. Qatari day announced it had signed Khaled Al Thani, Founder and contributor to the national GDP. entities are trying to create a a contract with US manu- Chairperson, Amwal, said. Sheikha Hanadi noted: Despite right talent pool of nationals. facturer Lockheed Martin to There is huge potential for making big successes, the SME But I think we need to strike buy the first of 14 F-35B com- growth in the region’s asset stories are going unheard in the a right balance between local bat jets. management sector. It is esti- region. SMEs are the biggest pro- and foreign talents to move The four Lightning II stealth mated that $1.5 to $3 trillion of viders of employment I within the forward. Young Qataris must combat aircraft will operate from wealth pool is available in the region. SMEs accounts for more look for opportunities both in both of the Royal Navy’s forth- region, excluding the sovereign than 87 percent of businesses in Government and private sectors, coming new aircraft carriers and wealth fund (SWF). This is huge the region. There are huge suc- she said. from Royal Air Force land bases, money. There is enough room cess stories in this sector. But we Amwal that won “best asset with another 10 due to be ordered for greater expansion of the sec- don’t hear it. manager in Qatar” award for the over the next five years. tor, she said in an interview at In Qatar, she said, there are fourth consecutive year, is one of The first batch is expected to the opening day of Euromoney multiple institutions that are the best-positioned asset manag- Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, Founder and Chairperson be delivered in 2016 and will take Conference yesterday. committed to promote small busi- ers in the expanding sector, with of Amwal during the Euromoney Qatar Conference 2014. up station in 2018. On the country’s economic nesses. There is lot of initiatives full-scope asset management “The investment we are making diversification programme and for financing as well as creating capabilities. in managing equities, Amwal offers realise their wealth management in the F-35 aircraft will ensure we the positioning of financial sector capitals. Still we need a lot of A leading asset management non-banking financial advice to and asset management aspirations. are securing the skies for decades in this context, Sheikha Hanadi ‘bubbly’ initiatives in this sector. firm with a successful track record Qatari investors and helps them THE PENINSULA to come, providing the UK with the latest stealth technology and multi-role aircraft capability,” said Philip Dunne, minister for defence equipment support and technology. The planes feature short take- Russia loses $140bn from sanctions, oil price off and vertical landing(STOVL) technology and the latest stealth MOSCOW: Russia is los- several rounds of sanctions on businessmen from his inner cir- Russia was still on target for the Union decided not to impose yet and intelligence surveillance, tar- ing up to $140bn (¤113bn) a Russia over its role in the Ukraine cle, saying the decision to impose predicted 0.5 percent growth in another round of sanctions. get acquisition and reconnais- year because of Western sanc- conflict, sending the ruble plung- sanctions on those individuals in 2014, quoted by RIA Novosti. Yesterday at around 1100 GMT, sance (ISTAR) technology. tions over the Ukraine conflict ing and inflation soaring. an attempt to hurt him was based Russia’s finance minister the ruble was trading at 44.80 to The British government has and plunging oil prices, but The embargoes targeting on a “false premise”. sought to play down the impact the dollar and 55.54 to the euro. long planned to provide its air President Vladimir Putin has Russia’s key energy, defence and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of sanctions on the country’s eco- Russia is likely to record capi- and naval forces with F-35Bs and dismissed the economic damage finance sectors have been com- on Saturday accused the West of nomic woes, saying crude prices tal outflows of $130bn, Siluanov signed an agreement in principle as “not fatal”. pounded by the sliding crude attempting to achieve “regime were the key determinant. said, as citizens and businesses to buy the four jets last month. “We are losing around $40 prices. change” in Russia through sanc- “The oil price has fallen 30 per- hedge against the falling ruble by The F-35 should have appeared billion per year due to geopoliti- But Putin insisted that the tions aimed at destroying the econ- cent since the beginning of the converting their savings in the at this year’s Farnborough cal sanctions,” Finance Minister falling ruble would only hurt the omy and rousing public protests. year. By the way, the ruble has Russian currency to foreign ones. International Airshow near Anton Siluanov said in a speech Russian economy “to an extent, Russia has retaliated by impos- also fallen the same 30 percent... I “Sanctions are undoubtedly London, but was grounded by at an economic forum in Moscow, but not (cause) fatal” damage. ing an embargo on most food say look at the oil prices. However a serious threat to the Russian technical problems and could not quoted by RIA Novosti news In Sunday’s interview with products from the United States, they behave, the ruble exchange economy. But Russia, with or cross the Atlantic Ocean. agency. Siluanov added that fall- TASS news agency, he stood firm Canada, Australia, Norway and rate will too.” without sanctions, would have Britain’s navy is currently with- ing oil prices were also causing over the Ukraine issue, saying the European Union. Food prices The ruble has fallen to a series experienced the crisis it is out an aircraft carrier but a new Russia economic damage of “some that Russia is “right” and that its have noticeably risen in recent of record lows against the dollar going through today,” said Igor carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, is $90 to $100bn per year”. “strength comes from the truth”. weeks. Nevertheless Economic and euro during the conflict in Nikolayev, head of the FBK due to go into service in 2020 with The European Union and the Putin also rubbished a Western Development Minister Alexei east Ukraine before rallying a lit- Strategic Analysis Institute. another, HMS Prince of Wales, to United States have imposed blacklist of Russian officials and Ulyukayev said yesterday that tle this month after the European AFP follow. AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 18 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS Banks in UAE close to resolving liability issue Al Etihad bureau a safeguard against credit bubble

ABU DHABI: Banks in the services due to its refusal to expected the pressure on UAE United Arab Emirates are close accept liability for the soundness banks’ profitability from lend- to resolving a liability issue over of the data. “We are close, com- ing would remain in 2015 and information provided by the mercial issues are being sorted that NBAD would continue to Gulf Arab state’s new credit out,” Alex Thursby, chief execu- expand its other product areas bureau, the head of the coun- tive of National Bank of Abu to compensate. try’s largest bank by assets said Dhabi (NBAD) , told reporters on While the Gulf region’s excess yesterday. the sidelines of a company event liquidity makes earning rev- Authorities see the recently- yesterday, without elaborating. enue from lending difficult, it opened Al Etihad Credit Bureau “We have started passing the opens up opportunities for asset as a safeguard against a repeat information over to the credit management. of the credit bubble that under- bureau. I think it is critical for Thursby said his bank has mined the economy at the end of the future success of the banking developed a funds business for the last decade. The state-run industry.” individuals and institutions, hav- bureau collates bank data on It had responded to the bank- ing already attracted large sov- people’s credit histories, aiming ing lobby group’s comments last ereign institutions and pension to give lenders a better picture week by saying that more than 30 funds from the Gulf and Asia. of whether borrowers are likely subscribers including banks and “The day of the western banks to be able to manage their debt. other institutions in the UAE dominating (asset management) However, Abdul Aziz Al were using its services. Its credit is gone,” Thursby said. “It is the Doha Bank CEO Dr R Seetharaman receiving the award from IAIR Group President Guido Giommi in Dubai. Ghurair, head of the Gulf state’s reports had a data accuracy of eastern banks like NBAD that banking lobby group, said last 99.5 percent, higher than inter- have the opportunity, 2008 was week some of the biggest lenders national standards, it said. a change of the world,” he added. were refusing to use the bureau’s Thursby said separately he REUTERS Doha Bank receives ‘Best Bank in Qatar’ award Region must innovate energy strategy DOHA: Doha Bank won the Sustainable development issues. We have launched Green “Best Bank in Qatar” and its involves contribution towards eco- Credit Card. Green Accounts are CEO Dr R Seetharaman won nomic growth, social development Doha Bank’s answer to a proac- “Man of the Year” awards at and environment. The mission tive approach on eco-friendly to remain relevant: Accenture report IAIR Awards 2014 held in Dubai should aim for Poverty eradi- banking towards its drive for a recently. Seetharaman received cation, environmental sustain- cleaner and greener environ- DOHA: With research con- management of logistics, contrac- Accenture in the Middle East. “To the awards from Guido Giommi, ability, sustainable consumption ment by promoting the concept cluding up to 40 percent savings tors and materials. generate the maximum savings President IAIR Group. and production. Some of the key of “Paperless Banking. in operational costs for uncon- For particularly high per- and efficiencies, operators need “The “Best Bank in Qatar” challenges in sustainable devel- Internet banking, SMS bank- ventional wells in the United formers, these could mean costs to carefully balance their invest- award is a recognition for Doha opment include climate change, ing, telephone banking, e- remit- States, the Middle East must reductions of $1.3m to $2.6m, on ments in technology, continuous Bank in its contribution to sus- energy security and increase in tances and bills payments through innovate their energy strategy a $6.5m well, and much more for improvement and people, and in tainable development,” said natural and man-made disasters. online also encourage eco-friendly to remain relevant, according the low performers. Operators can the low-margin environment of Seetharaman. At the G20 meeting in November banking,” he said. to Accenture. achieve these savings by adopting unconventionals, trade-offs will Doha Bank has maintained 2014 US made a commitment Doha Bank also conducted Accenture’s new report, a more integrated planning proc- need to be made. For example: Is a consistent track record on its of $3bn towards Green climate Green Quiz and seminars on Achieving high performance ess, better management of service investment in new rig technol- financial performance in the last fund and Japan pledged it would Global warming and climatic in unconventional operations: contractors, and improved logis- ogy a better choice than offering one decade as part of its sustain- contribute $1.5bn to the climate changes to spread environmental Integrated planning, services, tics and materials management incentives to your service pro- able development philosophy. The fund. awareness in various countries. logistics and materials man- for fresh and reused water and vider to ensure consistency of Bank has maintained a strong Seetharaman said Doha Bank Doha Bank has hosted Green fun agement states that oil and gas installed equipment. crew?” growth trajectory, including total advocates and practices Green run and support tree planting operators in the United States “Our global research team Technological developments asset growth, loan growth, and Banking, which is one of the core activity to generate awareness of can reduce the costs of con- has found that operators of the in unconventional exploration deposit growth year-on-year. Doha business philosophies that would environmental preservation and structing, drilling and complet- Eagle Ford Shale model in the in the United States could also Bank has also achieved one of the support the sustainability into the protecting the natural environ- ing unconventional wells, as well top quartile spend about $6m per have serious consequences for best returns on average equity and future. “We have ECO-Schools ment. Doha Bank has also pro- as the overall time it takes to well, some still struggle to deliver the downstream industry in the return on average assets among the Programme which works with vided funding for district cooling complete them, by up to 40 per- wells for twice that amount,” said Arabian Gulf. banks in the Middle East region educational institutions to build facilities.” cent through better planning and Omar Boulos, managing director, THE PENINSULA over the last decade,” he said. awareness of key environmental THE PENINSULA

HSBC economic ExxonMobil Qatar names roadshow begins in Doha Alistair as new chief DOHA: ExxonMobil Qatar DOHA: The HSBC’s Middle has announced the appoint- East Economic Roadshow kick- ment of Alistair Routledge started here yesterday. At the (pictured), as President and 17th roadshow 130 people gath- General Manager for the com- ered to hear HSBC’s economic pany, effective January 2014. experts discuss the outlook Routledge will succeed Bart for the region. Over the next Cahir, who after four years in month, the Forum will travel to Qatar will move on to a new Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, assignment within ExxonMobil Kuwait and Oman. to a position in its Canadian At the Roadshow, held at the affiliate, Imperial Oil. W Hotel, Stephen King, Chief “It is with great pride that we Economist said: “The next year congratulate Alistair Routledge is likely to see an extraordinary on his appointment as the new tug of war between the major cen- President and General Manager tral banks in the developed world. for ExxonMobil Qatar Inc.,” The US Federal Reserve intends said Bart Cahir, President and with Mobil in Aberdeen, Scotland to raise interest rates. The Bank Qatar District Cooling Company Vice President (Commercial), Mohannad Khader and Vice President, Operation General Manager of ExxonMobil in 1990. Since that time, he has of Japan is already an enthusi- and Services, Nahar Al Mutawah with the awards at the Al Murooj Rotana Dubai. Qatar. “Alistair has been with the undertaken a range of techni- ast for quantitative easing. The company in Qatar since 2012, and cal, supervisory and manage- European Central Bank, faced has played an instrumental role rial assignments for Mobil and with excessively low inflation, is in furthering our local business ExxonMobil (following the merger likely to be converted to the cause Qatar Cool honoured at Climate activities and partnerships. I am in 1999). He has served in various by early 2015. For the developed extremely pleased to hand over the capacities in engineering, opera- world, we expect 2.6 percent US reins to him - I know that I leave tions, planning and commercial growth in 2015 but Japan is prov- Control Awards in Dubai ExxonMobil Qatar in very capable functions while working in the ing to be a major disappointment hands. We all wish Alistair the best United Kingdom, the United and we have reduced our forecast DOHA: Qatar District Cooling Energy Association (IDEA) for Through delivering quality serv- of luck with this new role.” States, Venezuela and Italy. to 1 percent. Eurozone growth Company also known as Qatar the ‘Best District Cooling System icecombined with innovative ideas In his new role, Routledge will be In April 2012, he moved to also trundles along at around 1 Cool, was announced the winner of the Year’ for the Pearl Qatar and initiatives we hope to not only responsible for leading the inter- Qatar to become Vice President, per cent. There are a few bright of the ‘District Cooling Provider District, and was also awarded improve district cooling knowl- face of all ExxonMobil-affiliated Production after spending two spots in the world economy — of the Year Award ’ and the the ‘Best District Cooling System edge that will benefit industrial activities in Qatar in partnership years in Italy as the Managing notably the wealthier parts of the ‘Marketing Initiative’ award dur- of the Year’ in 2012 for the West growth, but more importantly with Qatar Petroleum, as well Director of the Adriatic Liquefied Middle East.” ing the Climate Control Awards Bay District from IDEA. enhance the implementation of as joint ventures between Qatar Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal, Simon Williams, Chief 2014, held at the Al Murooj The theme of the award cer- sustainable products, services and Petroleum International and a joint venture between Qatar Economist, CEEMEA noted Rotana Dubai last week. emony was ‘Responding to the solutions for the environment as ExxonMobil abroad. Petroleum and ExxonMobil. As Qatar’s $200bn economy remains Qatar Cool received the awards nascent economic upturn... vision, well as for end-users.” “I am humbled and thrilled to Vice President, he was responsible insulated from sluggish global for its district cooling service, preparedness and fortitude as Nahar Al Mutawah commented be given this incredible opportu- for all of ExxonMobil’s interests growth thanks to its hydrocarbon energy efficiency, reliability and enablers of a measured approach “Qatar Cool expressed delight at nity to lead ExxonMobil Qatar. in the LNG operating businesses wealth and large public investment overall commitment to the nation and of integrity in upholding best this most recent accomplish- This is a country where big ideas associated with Qatar - RasGas, program designed to accelerate and their customers, through practices in the face of an antici- ment, to win two more signifi- become reality. Thanks to the Qatargas and the three regasifi- economic diversification. The cen- their daily service and market- pated rise in pace of demand’. cant awards from the Climate vision of their Highnesses the cation terminals in Italy, UK and tral government budget continues ing collaterals. Mohannad Khader, Vice Control,and to be recognized Emir and the Father Emir, Qatar USA. Routledge was also General to register large surpluses and the Qatar Cool owns and oper- President Commercial, and Nahar amongst our industry peers for has become the leading global Manager for Al Khaleej Gas outlook remains bright. Public ates three plants two in the West Al Mutawah, Vice President the second time is a great trib- LNG exporter, providing energy (AKG), which provides natural investments are expected to keep Bay district, and one in the Pearl Operation and Services received ute to the dedication of the Qatar to improve the lives of millions of gas for the Qatari market. growth at roughly 6-7 percent Qatar, where the company oper- the award on behalf of Qatar Cool. Cool team. We recently signed a people across the world on a daily Routledge received his Bachelor over the medium term, with non- ates ‘The Integrated District Mohannad commented: “Qatar contract for the construction of basis,” declared Routledge. “I have of Engineering degree (BEng) hydrocarbon growth remaining Cooling Plant’ (IDCP), which is Cool is committed to further fourth plant in Qatar, which is the been blessed to live and work in in Mechanical Engineering about 10 per cent. The extent to the largest district cooling plant developing the understanding third in the West Bay district and Qatar for the last two and a half from Heriot-Watt University, which this public investment will in the world. of the District Cooling industry winningprestigious awards such years. I look forward to contin- Edinburgh in 1990. In 1995, he encourage private sector produc- Qatar Cool earlier this year was and being recognized by such as this only addsmore momentum ued productive collaboration with received an MBA degree from tivity remains the key long-term awarded the prestigious award prestigious awards adds further to our expansion plans.” Qatar – state and people.” Strathclyde Graduate Business question. THE PENINSULA from the International District credibility to our commitment. THE PENINSULA Routledge began his career School. THE PENINSULA TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 BUSINESS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 19 GCC petrochemical revenues hit $89.4bn in 2013 Qatar’s chemical industry generated $11.5bn in sales, report says DOHA: Petrochemicals rev- $6bn between the 2012 and as the region with the second positive growth figures in the near continued Dr Al Sadoun. encouraged informed, thought- enues reached an all-time high 2013, resulting in a 7.3 percent highest rate of sales growth, the future, regional producers must “Growth is assured, but we also ful and open debate on key in 2013 hitting the $89.4bn growth. Chemical sales rev- GCC has demonstrated that its not be complacent, Dr Al Sadoun need to transform our operations industry issues. Initiatives like mark, according to the lat- enue from the Arabian Gulf is petrochemicals industry can com- advised. in a way that will make us rel- the Fact & Figures report and est industry report by the Gulf the second highest of any pet- pete with sector leaders.” “While the emergence of evant and profitable 10, twenty, the Annual Forum are activi- Petrochemicals & Chemicals rochemical producing region, Saudi Arabia, the region’s favourably priced feedstock — an thirty years from now.” ties that we engage in to dem- Association (GPCA). after Asia. largest petrochemical producer, advantage that the GCC chemi- Currently in its third edition, onstrate with audiences across According to the GCC “2013 marked a turning point accounted for 74.9 percent of the cals producers have enjoyed the report provides information different demographics on what Petrochemicals & Chemicals for the worldwide chemicals region’s chemical revenue, roughly over the 30 years — becomes on wide- ranging subjects for the petrochemical industry has Facts and Figures 2013, released industry, signalling a return from $66.9bn in sales. Qatar’s chemi- available in other regions as the region’s chemicals indus- achieved and what it can do yesterday at the 9th Annual the global economic downturn” cal industry generated $11.5bn in shale oil and gas becomes com- try including product capacity, in the future,” concluded Dr Al GPCA Forum, revenues from said Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, sales. monplace, we as an industry employment and trade. Sadoun. GCC petrochemicals grew by Secretary General, GPCA. “And With analysts forecasting need to focus on innovation,” “The GPCA has always THE PENINSULA Muntajat and producing firms represent Qatar at GPCA forum DOHA: Qatar Chemical and Muntajat, commented on the already opened 16 international Petrochemical Marketing participation: offices worldwide. This expansion and Distribution Company “We are delighted to return brought our operation closer to (Muntajat) QJSC, and lead- to the GPCA Annual Forum to our global customers. Our aim at ing producing entities repre- meet and discuss with peers and Muntajat is to broaden the mar- sented Qatar’s chemical and colleagues the strategic direc- ket for the chemicals and petro- petrochemical industry at the tion of the region’s industry. chemicals produced in the State Gulf region’s largest indus- This year’s meeting brought of Qatar, which also serves to try event, the GPCA Annual great discussion on the chal- grow the prominence of the Gulf Forum 2014. lenges and opportunities that lie region on the global marketplace”, The three-day forum, now in ahead for the Gulf’s downstream added Al Abdulla its 9th edition, will conclude in industry. Our participation Commenting on their joint Dubai, UAE today. Recognised as strengthens Muntajat’s position participation with Muntajat in the flagship event of the petro- as a leader in the marketing the GPCA Annual Forum, Dr chemical and chemical industry and distribution of downstream Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, in the Middle East, the GPCA products and demonstrates the CEO and Vice Chairman of Annual Forum brings industry value proposition of Qatar’s Qapco and Qatofin, said: “As the leaders from more than 39 coun- chemical, polymer and ferti- pioneer in petrochemical produc- tries. This year’s forum main liser products to international tion in the GCC and as a found- theme and discussions revolved customers.” ing member of the GPCA, we are around the Strategic Direction of Launching the next stage of its delighted to participate in this the Chemical Industry. commercial activities, Muntajat’s much-anticipated GPCA summit. Muntajat and Qatar produc- global marketing subsidiary is Along with Qatar’s downstream ing entities have represented building its presence through the producing entities, we are proud Qatari delegation at the ninth GPCA Annual Forum in Dubai. and promoted Qatar’s chemical establishment of a network of to represent together the strength and petrochemical industry. The Local Marketing Offices world- of our national petrochemical QChem-II), commented: “The Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari, Chief Forum 2014. It’s a great oppor- Qatar pavilion received many del- wide that will serve both local industry and highlight the magni- GPCA Annual Forum is an impor- Executive Officer, QAFAC, said: tunity to reflect the solid foun- egations who visited the stand to customers and customers in tude of the contribution of “Made tant opportunity for the downstream “Industry peers from the Gulf dations of Qatar’s chemical and enquire about Qatar’s chemical nearby countries. in Qatar” petrochemicals”. industry to come together. By coming region and the world will see the petrochemical industry which and petrochemical sector. “Over the past year, Muntajat Ahmed Al Emadi, General together, we are able to demonstrate strength of Qatar’s chemicals and has built a world-class reputation Abdulrahman Ali Al-Abdulla, has established its global mar- Manager, Qatar Chemical the vast array of products available petrochemicals industry via our over the past four decades.” Chief Executive Officer of keting subsidiary which has Company Limited (QChem, from the State of Qatar.” collaboration at the GCPA Annual THE PENINSULA

FROM LEFT: Mowasalat Corporate Affairs and Communication Manager Khalid Hassan Kafoud, CEO Khalid Nasser Al Hail, International Islamic CEO Abdul Basit Ahmed Al Sheibi and Deputy CEO Jamal Abdullah Al Jamal at the press conference yesterday. BAHER AMIN International Islamic to sponsor UITP summit and exhibition

DOHA: International Islamic to attain development levels in projects, especially those related yesterday announced its strate- accordance with the ambitious to infrastructure, of which trans- gic partnership with Mowasalat goals of this vision. International port projects are an essential and in sponsoring the three-day Islamic will support and partici- crucial part, such as the Rail and International Association of pate in any efforts to achieve this New Port projects, among others”. Public Transport Summit and goal”, he said. Mowasalat CEO Khalid Exhibition (UITP) opening here Highlighting the importance of Nasser Al Hail appreciated the today. Abdul Basit Ahmed Al the UITP Summit and Exhibition, International Islamic and its Sheibi, CEO, International Al Sheibi noted the latest edition chairman Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Islamic, said the bank’s sponsor- of the Summit supports Qatar’s Thani A Al Thani’s gesture for ship reflects its commitment to orientation toward the reinforce- supporting the mega event. join the force of Qatar’s ongoing ment of various transportation The event will offer a great net- ‘infrastructure revolution’ .. sectors whether land, maritime working opportunity for the bank “The implementation of Qatar or aviation and various projects and support the transportation National Vision 2030 demands in the respective sectors. industry, he said. International all sectors in the country to join “International Islamic always Islamic Deputy CEO Jamal efforts in order to reach the insists on being an active collabo- Abdullah Al Jamal was also best possible performance and rator and supporter to all state present. THE PENINSULA

Kuwait’s KNPC to invest $40bn in new refinery

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait expansion and modernising of the refineries with a combined National Petroleum Co (KNPC) Mina Al Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah capacity of 930,000 bpd. The old- plans to spend $40bn in the refineries, with a focus on producing est, Shuaiba, with a capacity of period to 2022 on projects high-grade products such as diesel 200,000 bpd will be closed after including a new refinery and fuel and kerosene for exports. The Al Zour goes on stream. a clean fuels project, its chief new refinery, al-Zour, which is Under the project, the capac- executive said yesterday. due to be completed in 2019, will ity of the Mina al-Ahmadi refin- Mohammed Ghazi Al Mutairi be the largest in the Middle East ery will drop to 347,000 bpd from said in a speech at a conference in with a capacity of 615,000 barrels 466,000, while Mina Abdullah’s Kuwait city that the Clean Fuels per day (bpd). will rise to 454,000 bpd from Project would also include the Kuwait currently has three 270,000. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 20 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com BUSINESS

Hike in prices Germany’s business US seeks to revive trade confidence boosts eurozone stocks

LONDON: Encouraging with India after WTO row German data helped to lift eurozone stock markets yes- terday, while London dipped $500bn two-way trade targeted as a profit-warning by Petrofac sent the energy-services group’s NEW DELHI: The United Froman said. “Some suggest the since 2010. Resumption of the shares plunging by a quarter. States is keen to expand trade Indian and US breakthrough panel’s deliberations marked an Indices continued to win sup- with India, a US official said (unlocking the global deal) may “important development” and port after the European Central yesterday, after the two coun- have saved the multinational “historic turn in India-US rela- Bank on Friday signalled that it tries settled a bitter row over trading system,” Froman said. tions”, Froman said. Issues on was ready to act quickly to deter food subsidies and President In any event, the compromise the table involve Indian work- deflation and after China cut Barack Obama announced he “could not have been possible ers paying social security in the interest rates for the first time would visit in January. without the personal engagement” US, market access to agricultural in more than two years. US Trade Representative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi products and the thorny topic of Frankfurt’s DAX 30 won 0.93 Michael Froman was speaking in and Obama, said Froman. patents. percent to 9,823.16 points and the New Delhi before the first meet- The two men are said to have Froman said headway in areas CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.78 per- ing in four years of a key trade struck up a good rapport during such as Indian intellectual prop- cent to stand at 4,380.25 in mid- panel on which representatives Modi’s hugely successful US visit erty rights involving drug patents afternoon trading. from the world’s largest economy last month. and entertainment copyright law London’s benchmark FTSE and the emerging market giant “They gave our partnership a was crucial to strengthening com- 100 index meanwhile was down sit. “We believe in the promise of mantra... ‘further together we mercial ties. a slight 0.01 percent at 6,750.08 India,” Froman told a business go’,” Froman said. US-based pharmaceutical points compared with Friday’s audience. “Let’s deliver on that Analysts say the US-India rela- companies often complain about closing value. promise.” tionship is now moving ahead on India’s tough patent laws that Yesterday’s data out of Two-way trade between the all fronts from economic, political do not allow tweaking of inven- Germany gave “reason to be more US and India currently stands to military after plunging to a low tions to win new patent protec- optimistic, as all three indica- at $100bn and the countries aim last year following the US arrest tion and instead demand “genuine tors — business climate, current to boost the figure to $500bn of an Indian diplomat. innovation”. assessment and expectations — but have set no deadline. The The breakthrough over the Last month, medical char- rose on the month and easily nations reached a breakthrough WTO deal cleared the path for ity Medecins Sans Frontieres exceeded expectations”, said Craig earlier this month in a food sub- Obama’s acceptance of Modi’s accused the US of ratcheting up Erlam, market analyst at Alpari sidies spat that threatened to invitation to be “chief guest” at pressure on India to relax patent traders. Business confidence in derail a landmark World Trade India’s Republic Day parade — a conditions that have made the Germany appears to be stabilis- Organization pact to ease global display of military might and eth- country the “world’s pharmacy” ing after recent declines, with the trade barriers. nic diversity. Obama will be the with its lifesaving generic drugs. Ifo business climate index rising By easing the cost of doing first sitting US president to visit But Siddharth Birla, presi- in November for the first time in A Redbox video rental machine at a Walmart store in Broomfield, business, the Trade Facilitation India twice. dent of the Federation of Indian seven months. Colorado, yesterday. Outerwall Inc hiked prices for renting movies Agreement — set to be approved Froman will meet Commerce Chambers of Commerce and US stocks opened higher on the and video games at its Redbox kiosks to help fund improvements in by the WTO’s General Council Minister Nirmala Sitaraman on Industries (FICCI), indicated positive German business confi- its business as streaming sites reduce demand for DVDs. soon — will be “win-win” for Tuesday for the first session of India was not about to relax its dence data, adding to Friday’s developed and developing nations, the US-India Trade Policy Forum patent laws. AFP records. AFP Investing without market analysis is risky, says expert BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB self-manage their portfolios, and long term earnings prospects. investment process. One can be Alghussein, while highlighting usually do it without the type of Those that will be affected by oil lucky and get good results in one some of the key challenges, said DOHA: With only less than proper fundamental analysis that price drop though are stocks to year, but to do it year after year that the availability of right talent five percent investors using the we do. We compare this to buy- stay away from for now as their requires more than luck,” he said. for the execution of projects, ease services of professional com- ing medicine without consulting a stock price is not yet reflecting According to him, investors of doing business, logistic related panies to manage their invest- doctor and without getting proper this drop,” he added. “At Amwal, have now started digging deeper issues such as delays in airports ments in Qatari stock market”, tests.” we invest in companies with good across corporate sectors in terms and seaports, custom clearance, an industry expert has cau- Alghussein, in an interview sustainable earnings potential.” of how to position with regard to dealing with rising prices of raw tioned against the popular prac- with The Peninsula, said: “It (self- Alghussein highlighted that the upcoming 2022 World Cup, materials and wages, cost-push tice of having “self-managed managed portfolios) may work, often companies report strong and which companies and banks inflation and other are some of portfolios” and drew parallel but it is risky to invest without earnings but they are not sustain- will receive the maximum benefit the important issues that the pri- saying “it is as risky as buying a proper analysis. We see many able and when earnings eventu- from the infrastructure spending vate businesses in the region will medicine without consulting a stocks currently that have sig- ally decline, stock price declines and other economic activities. continue to face. doctor”. nificant downside risk because along with it. There have been Providing an overview of the “In general, managing macro- “Professionally managed invest- their current value is much above many such cases in the past. GCC market, he said that major economic fundamentals, avoiding ing only accounts for around less their fair value. In time, we expect that Qatar relatively has a small Commenting on his company’s markets in the region will con- boom-bust growth cycle, licensing than five percent of total invest- more and more investors to go to stock market with few sectors, so performance, he said that Amwal tinue to remain positive with and operations related challenges ments in Qatari stock market,” asset managers for their invest- it was not easy to pick sectors. takes pride in being the only asset Saudi Arabia and the UAE con- also need to be addressed by the said Fahmi Alghussein (pic- ment needs.” “I would say mainly those (sec- manager in Qatar to have outper- tinuing to witness vibrant growth respective governments of the tured), CEO of Amwal, one of On promising industries that tors) not affected by oil price formed the index every year over driven by their strong hydro- region, including Qatar,” he said Qatar’s leading asset management are expected to remain resilient drop, subject to their stock price the last five years. carbons industries and young in his concluding remarks. companies. “Still, many investors and fetch assured returns, he said being attractive relative to their “It is a testament of our population. THE PENINSULA

Oil wobbles as Opec Factory visit moves into focus

LONDON: Global oil prices growing doubts about both diverged yesterday in a sub- global demand and economic dued start to a week that will growth.Crude futures had be centred on the OPEC car- rallied Friday on China’s sur- tel’s output meeting, dealers prise interest rate cuts and said. In late afternoon deals, rising expectations that the Brent North Sea crude for 12-nation Opec cartel could delivery in January fell just decide to reduce its collective two cents to $80.34 a barrel. production ceiling. US benchmark West Texas “Activity (on Monday) looks Intermediate for January to extend the positive moves seen added 25 cents to $76.76 per towards the end of last week as barrel. The Organization of investors position themselves the Petroleum Exporting ahead of OPEC’s meeting in Countries (OPEC) will hold Vienna later on this week,” said one of its most significant analyst Kash Kamal. “Prices meetings in recent years on have found support around Thursday, with members Friday’s close and with spec- under pressure to address ulation among investors that slumping prices and protect Iranian oil minister Bijan their precious revenues. Namdar Zanganeh may pro- The oil market has tum- pose a 1.0 million barrels per bled 30 percent since June day production cut to Opec on the back of plentiful sup- members to Saudi Arabia’s oil French President Francois Hollande in front of a LEAP (Leading Edge plies, the stronger dollar, and minister, Ali Al Naimi. AFP Aviation Propulsion) jet aircraft engine as he visits the Safran and Albany factory in Commercy, Western France, yesterday. Dubai Festival City raising $1.1bn loan DUBAI: Dubai Festival City (DFC), a NBD, First Gulf Bank , Mashreq and offered rate (Libor), the second source said, unit of conglomerate Al Futtaim Group, Union National Bank joining the deal, adding the pricing which DFC was getting is in the process of raising a Dh3.9bn the two sources said, speaking on condi- from lenders was cheap, especially given the ($1.06bn) loan facility from six banks, two tion of anonymity as the information is longer lifespan of the transaction. sources with direct knowledge of the deal not public. Companies in Gulf are enjoying cheaper said yesterday. The Al Futtaim Group is a family-owned borrowing cost as lenders are forced to cut DFC is a 1,300-acre shopping, residen- conglomerate in the United Arab Emirates rates and loosen lending terms to secure tial and hospitality zone, which includes the that employs more than 20,000 people in business as local banks, flush with cash as emirate’s branch of IKEA. The cash will be over 65 companies, according to its website. their balance sheets recover from the global used to refinance existing debt as well as It did not respond to phone and email financial crisis, seek ways to earn a return fund an expansion of the mall, one of the requests for comment. on their money. sources, a Dubai-based banker, said. The interest rate which Dubai Festival The deal could be completed as early as The ten-year loan is being arranged City will pay for the new loan will be 225 the first week of December, the first source by HSBC, with Arab Bank, Emirates basis points over the London interbank said. REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 BUSINESS VIEWS www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 21

E-cigarette boom sparks Opec: Days of easy race for new patents

BY MARTINNE GELLER and BEN HIRSCHLER

LECTRONIC cigarette makers are racing to design and decisions are over buy variations of a technology that has lit a billion-dollar boom, created a new vocabulary, and prompted a backlash BY WAEL MAHDI Efrom health officials worried about the impact of the new to grow. Then what will the mar- by about 2 million barrels out to non-Opec member coun- smokeless devices. ket do?” a day, and global economic tries Mexico, Norway and Research by Thomson Reuters shows that China — with over HE day when Opec Global demand will increase growth is below expectations, Russia to help in the reduction 300 million smokers — is the front runner in the manufacture and members could all this year by the least in five he said. “The US, which was a of global oil supplies,” Harry development of so-called e-cigarette technology, while new versions but guarantee con- years, to 92.4 million barrels a major market for Opec, is no Tchilinguirian, head of com- being patented include a “pay as you go” computer-assisted device sensus when deciding day, before picking up in 2015 as longer welcoming imports. It’s modity markets strategy at and others that can deliver caffeine instead. production levels for economic recovery gathers pace, now striving to become an oil BNP Paribas, said by email from In 2005 just eight e-cigarette inventions were described in pub- Toil are long gone, according to a the International Energy Agency exporter. It’s already exporting London on November 18. lished patents. By 2012 the figure had jumped to 220 and by last veteran of almost two decades of said on November 14. Further condensates.” Supplies from outside Opec year there were over 500 inventions, according to an analysis by the group’s meetings. complicating Opec’s task is the Led by Saudi Arabia’s Ali Al increased by a record of almost 2 the IP & Science business of Thomson Reuters. The global glut of crude, boom in US shale production, Naimi, Opec’s longest-serving million barrels a day in the first So far this year the total has reached 650. (A single invention which has contributed to a 30 which has put the world’s big- minister and the voice of its 10 months of the year, to reach may be covered by several patents.) percent decline in prices since gest economy on course toward biggest producer, officials flew 57.1 million a day in October, The original technology, involving battery-powered heat- June 19, has left the organisa- energy self-reliance. from capital to capital for con- according to the IEA, an adviser ing systems that vaporise nicotine-laced liquid, is credited to tion disunited and dependent US output is expected to grow sultations ahead of this week’s to industrialised nations. Hon Lik, a Chinese medical researcher with a 20-a-day habit, on non-members to shore up 12 percent next year to the meeting. Al Naimi visited Latin In Vienna, ministers and their in 2003. the market, said former Qatari highest since 1970, according America, and his country’s for- delegations will gather in the His invention has since become so popular that the market is Oil Minister H E Abdullah to the US Energy Information eign minister flew to Russia. grand hall of Opec’s secretariat now estimated to be worth $3.5bn. bin Hamad Al Attiyah. The Administration. Opec has ben- Officials from Iraq to Libya building and take turns giving Both big tobacco firms and small entrepreneurs are falling over 12-member Organization of efited from prices averaging $108 visited Saudi King Abdullah, and speeches. The ministers will themselves to find new ways to “vape” — a verb suddenly so main- Petroleum Exporting Countries a barrel since December 2011, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister then meet among themselves in stream the Oxford English Dictionary named it 2014’s Word of is scheduled to meet in Vienna when the group changed its pro- Rafael Ramirez met energy min- a separate room nearby, emerg- the Year. on Thursday. duction target to the current 30 isters from six producers. Iran’s ing only after they reach a unan- Imperial Tobacco last year snapped up the patents owned by the “Opec can’t balance the mar- million barrels a day. Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh imous decision. company Hon co-founded in a deal worth $75m, and is suing rivals ket alone,” Al Attiyah, who par- Prices began sliding in June, is to meet with Al Naimi in “If Opec asked me for an for a range of alleged patent infringements. ticipated in the group’s policy and benchmark Brent crude Vienna about a possible pro- advice, I’d tell them, ‘Look, you Part of the rush to create new devices can be explained by the meetings from 1992 to 2011, dropped below $80 this month, posal to cut Opec output by as can’t do it alone, you need to prospect of stiffer regulation on existing ones after the World said in a November 19 phone threatening the budgets of much as 1 million barrels a day, seek help from non-Opec pro- Health Organisation said it wanted to see this, along with bans interview. Venezuela and Iran. “Opec had state-run Mehr News reported ducers and make everyone share on indoor use, advertising and sales to minors. “This time, Russia, Norway been enjoying easy meetings, and Sunday. Zanganeh also plans to the responsibility,’” Al Attiyah While proponents see e-cigarettes as important tools for harm and Mexico must all come to decisions were taken without a hold talks with Russian Energy said. “Within Opec there are reduction, critics fear the devices may instead fuel a new wave of the table. Opec can make a cut, sweat,” Al Attiyah said. “Now Minister Alexander Novak, no eternal friends, nor enemies. nicotine addiction and cite a lack of long-term scientific evidence but what will happen is that the situation is different.” according to Mehr. There are only shared interests.” to support their safety. non-Opec supply will continue Oil markets are oversupplied “Opec has in the past reached WP-BLOOMBERG Of more than 2,000 e-cigarette inventions tracked by Thomson Reuters, 64 percent originate in China, where over half of men smoke. In second place is the United States, with 14 percent, followed by South Korea with 9 percent. Some patented suggestions target smokers looking to regulate their nicotine intake and their spending. While offerings already on the market include thousands of e-liquid flavours from menthol to marshmallow, and even a smartphone app to show how much you are using, new patents go a step further. Tobacco giant Philip Morris International describes an e-ciga- rette that would allow users to “pay as you go” by buying a cer- tain number of doses via computer application connected to their e-cigarette. Customers could also programme the device to shut off after a certain number of puffs per use to help limit intake. Other smaller players aim to deliver doses of caffeine and other additives instead of nicotine. A unit of mCig Inc sells VitaCigs containing vitamins and sup- plements such as valerian and collagen, while a company called Energy Shisha sells a caffeinated vaping stick. Patents filed by others, including Fuma International, mention tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active chemical in cannabis. In general, e-cigarette patents relate to systems for heat- ing and vaporising liquids, as well as for charging the electronic systems, whether in a “cigalike” device or a larger “tank” system, which doesn’t resemble a cigarette but gives a better “vaping” experience. China’s domination of the market reflects not only its huge number of smokers but also a wider drive by the Chinese govern- ment to forge a knowledge economy. By maximising patents it hopes to replace the ubiquitous “Made in China” label by “Designed in China.” Since 2011, China has been the world’s top patent filer for all inventions, according to the World Intellectual Property Office. Its scientists and companies now lay claim to intellectual property rights on everything from telecoms to medicine. “Patenting globally is rising significantly year on year, driven by Chinese patenting generally,” said Bob Stembridge, senior patent analyst at Thomson Reuters IP & Science. “But I would say the e-cigarette field is growing faster than the general trend, and the bias toward China is greater than in global patenting.” REUTERS Cartoon Arts International / The New York Times Syndicate Why we can’t afford another financial crisis BY LARRY ELLIOTT contemplate this dire possibility. banks to hold a lot more capital goes pear-shaped. In the mid- of the last crisis are still relatively which banks will raise the extra They will deal with it if it happens, against potential losses. Instead 1990s, for example, Barings came fresh, but as the late Hyman capital. The traditional way for LOOK into the future: but are assuming it won’t. of a bailout there would be a “bail to grief as the result of the activi- Minsky explained, stability breeds a bank to hold capital is through David Cameron’s night- More explicit plans have been in” — investors in the big banks ties of one rogue trader, Nick the next crisis. Investors start off retained earnings or financial mare has come true; the drawn up for the big banks. The would take the first hit if things Leeson. It was clearly a one-off, being risk averse but become more holdings that they can turn into Aslowdown in the global concern here is obvious. The bail- went sour. The idea is not just to with no systemic implications. and more emboldened over time. cash quickly. But banks have economy has turned into a second outs last time played havoc with provide the GSIBs with larger In those circumstances, a bail- They take more risks as prices rise. come up with a way of boosting major recession within a decade. the public finances and the still capital buffers; it is also to remove in would work. There would be They believe the only way for mar- their capital ratios without the In those circumstances, there incomplete repair job has required the moral hazard – the sense that no need for the taxpayer to be kets is up. need to hold large amounts of would be two massive policy chal- unpopular austerity. Governments there is an implicit public subsidy involved. They start to utter the fatal cash or equity. They are issuing lenges. The first would be how to are not flush enough to contem- that can be relied on, come what But it would be a different story words: it’s different this time. In bail-in securities, known as cocos prevent the recession turning into plate a second wave of bailouts. may. It is thought the guarantee of if it were 2008 all over again. In those circumstances, it is irrelevant (contingent, convertible, capital a global slump. The second would Even if they had the money, they taxpayer support, even after the those circumstances, it would whether a bank’s capital buffer is instruments) that convert into be how to prevent the financial know just how voters would react sort of crazy lending practices that not just be one bank in trouble, 2 percent or 20 percent of its risk- equity once a bank’s capital falls system from imploding. if there was talk of bailing out the were all too prevalent in the run-up it would be all of them. Finance weighted assets. It won’t be enough below a certain level. Cocos act These are the same challenges bankers a second time. to the crisis of 2008, was an incen- ministers have to confront the when the crisis comes. like an insurance policy that can as in 2008, but this time they As a result, there has been an tive for banks to behave rashly. same decision as the US Treasury A second assumption is that be cashed in at the appropriate would be magnified. Zero inter- attempt to ensure the globally Speaking in Singapore, Carney Secretary, Hank Paulson, faced in the financial sector will accept moment. est rates and quantitative easing systemically important banks said: “We recognise that our September 2008 when he held the the new arrangements in perpe- The hope was that pension have already been used exten- (GSIBs) are better prepared to success can never be absolute. fate of Lehman Brothers in his tuity. History suggests otherwise. funds, which tend to have a long sively to support activity, which ride out a storm than they were Specifically, we can’t expect to hands: do we rescue this bank or Attempts will be made to water term outlook, would be the main would leave policymakers with last time. In 2008, Alistair Darling insulate fully all institutions from not? No matter how big the capital down capital requirements, and buyers of the bail-in bonds. But a dilemma. Should they double felt he had no alternative but to all external shocks, however large. buffers, no government would be the banks will become more so far, they have been snapped down on QE or come up with pump taxpayers money into RBS But we can change the system so prepared to take the risk. willing to flex their muscles as up by hedge funds, private banks more radical proposals – drops of and Lloyds banking group because that systemically important insti- Here’s why. The assumption is memories of the past crisis fade. and retail investors – who tend helicopter money or using QE for they were simply too big to fail. tutions, their shareholders and that the requirement to hold more Controls will be weakened just at to be short-termist in their out- specified purposes, such as invest- Reforms pieced together by the their creditors bear the cost of capital will make banks more risk the moment they are needed most. look and especially prone to herd- ment in green energy? global Financial Stability Board their own actions and the risks averse. The idea is that they will The financial expert, Avinash like behaviour. More and more of For now, the Federal Reserve, under the chairmanship of Mark they take.” be more cautious if they have Persaud, has identified another them are being issued to meet the the European Central Bank and Carney envisage solving the too This might be the case in the more skin in the game. This could serious weakness in the new plans. demand. the Bank of England prefer not to big to fail problem by requiring event that a single big institution well be true today, when memories This has to do with the way in GUARDIAN NEWS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 22 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com MARKET

QE Indices Summary QE Index 13,690.02 0.47 % WORLD STOCK INDICES GOLD & SILVER EXCHANGE QE Total Return Index 20,418.54 0.47 % QE Al Rayan Islamic Index 4,636.16 0.41 % RATE QE All Share Index 3,473.34 0.51 % INDEX Day’s Close Pt Chg % Chg Year High Year Low QE All Share Banks & Financial 3,454.38 0.62 % GOLD Buying Selling Services All Ordinaries 5302.451 -50.003 -0.93 5672.3 5072.7 QE All Share Industrials 4,506.68 0.37 % QR140.4076 US$ ...... QR 3.6305 QR 3.6500 QE All Share Transportation 2,413.31 0.70 % Cac 40 Index/D 4216.71 -49.48 -1.16 4598.65 3789.11 QE All Share Real Estate 2,762.52 0.97 % SILVER UK ...... QR 5.6754 QR 5.7586 QE All Share Insurance 4,048.47 1.38 % Dj Indu Average 17685.73 -2.09 -0.01 17735.7 15340.69 QR 1.9259 Euro ...... QR 4.4910 QR 4.5534 QE All Share Telecoms 1,510.61 1.54 % CA$ ...... QR 3.2106 QR 3.2737 QE All Share Consumer Goods & 7,707.77 0.02 % Hang Seng Inde/D 23349.64 -23.67 -0.1 25362.98 21137.61 Services Swiss Fr ...... QR 3.7759 QR 3.8289 QE Market Summary Comparison Iseq Overall/D 4867.92 5.13 0.11 5195.97 4275.26 Yen ...... QR 0.0306 QR 0.0312 Aus$ ...... QR 3.1089 QR 3.1714 Today Previous day Karachi 100 In/D 31239.04 -517.25 -1.63 32224.79 25273.11 CRUDE OIL 24-11-2014 23-11-2014 Ind Re ...... QR 0.0583 QR 0.0594 Index 13,690.02 13,754.89 Nikkei 225 Index 17300.86 12.11 0.07 17520.54 13885.11 Pak Re ...... QR 0.0355 QR 0.0362 Change 64.87 91.12 BRENT Peso ...... QR 0.0802 QR 0.0818 S&P 500 Index/D 2048.72 -3.08 -0.15 2056.08 1737.92 % 0.47 0.66 $ 80.29 SL Re ...... QR 0.0275 QR 0.0281 YTD% 31.89 32.52 Straits Times/D 3315.6 -18.96 -0.57 3387.84 2953.01 Taka ...... QR 0.0466 QR 0.0477 Volume 11,122,387 7,915,073 DUBAI Nep Re ...... QR 0.0366 QR 0.0373 Value (QAR) 862,568,165.10 599,485,100.05 Straits Times/D 3290.99 -1.82 -0.06 3387.84 2953.01 SA Rand ...... QR 0.3288 QR 0.3355 Trades 7,933 5,673 $ 76.66 Straits Times/D 3274.06 -8.82 -0.27 3291.83 2953.01 Up 08 | Down 28 | Unchanged 05

QATAR EXCHANGE | DAILY TRADING REPORT | 24-11-2014

INTERNATIONAL MARKETS A List of Shares from the world

COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume COMPANY CLOSE NET VOLUME Volume NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED NAME CHG TRADED A B G Infra-T/D 72 4.1 7184 City Union Bk-/D 95.95 2.3 195114 Himat Seide-B/D 89.35 -0.5 30762 Kilburnengg-T/D 43.7 1.3 40297 Radico Khait-B/D 84.1 -0.9 32053 Land Secs Grou/D 1172 11 296300 A C C-A/D 1451.3 -15.5 16358 Cmc Ltd-A/D 1934.55 9.45 8367 Hind Motors-T/D 8.73 -0.11 78600 Kinetic Eng-B/D 52.6 -2.8 9740 Rallis India-A/D 221.15 -2.8 28947 Legal & Genera/D 243.6 -2.2 7105575 Aban Offs-A/D 600.15 15.45 442242 Colgate-A/D 1931.7 37.65 16796 Hind Org Chem-/D 22.55 0.25 17619 Kopran-B/D 57.9 -1.05 145602 Rallis India-A/D 221.15 -2.8 28947 Lloyds Bnk Grp/D 79.04 0.55 47443267 Aegis Logis-B/D 450.6 -17.4 43954 Container Cor-/D 1475.7 31.35 331561 Hind Unilever-/D 750 -4.1 56958 Lakshmi Elec-B/D 509.9 3.4 10110 Reliance Indus/D 526 -4.1 100678 Marks & Sp./D 473.932 -0.2 810831 Ahmed.Forg-B/D 453.15 -43.4 303391 Dai-Tichi Kar-/D 153.65 -2 30973 Hind.Petrol-A/D 529.45 -4.7 78919 Lgb Broth-B/D 656 -7.4 5091 Ruchi Soya-B/D 38 -0.5 64656 Next/D 6755 25 83869 Alembic-B/D 45.85 -0.5 101995 Dcm Financia-B/D 1.32 -0.18 13211 Hindalco-A/D 165.55 5.4 1130279 Lloyd Metal-B/D 10.26 -0.14 4163 S Bk Bikaner-B/D 588.4 -20.8 21260 Pearson/D 1223 0 396497 Alok Indus-A/D 11.14 -0.15 1376137 Dcm Shram Ind-/D 128.65 -2.2 5716 Hous Dev Fin-A/D 1134.2 0.6 69344 Lok.Hous&Con-T/D 14.47 -0.38 47699 Saur.Cem-B/D 50.75 0.3 123381 Prudential/D 1514 11.5 1175755 Apollo Tyre-A/D 226.7 3 356130 Dhampur Sugar-/D 47.95 1.55 36356 I F C I-A/D 39.75 -0.25 629161 Lupin-A/D 1472.45 8.35 73045 Thirumalai-B/D 102 -1.25 7830 Rank Group/D 163.98 0 2011 Asahi I Glass-/D 127.5 -0.45 8448 Dr. Reddy-A/D 3525.05 -5 12041 Idbi-A/D 71.75 0.7 263181 Lyka Labs-T/D 26.05 -0.55 50805 Til Ltd.-T/D 408 -2.05 6053 Rentokil Initi/D 116.7 0.9 655619 Ashok Leyland-/D 51.75 -1.05 1414659 E I H-B/D 108 -0.65 26792 Ifb Agro-B/D 450.65 -8.4 13520 Mafatlal Ind-B/D 159 -1.65 5988 Timexgroup-T/D 15.95 -0.4 33788 Rolls Royce Pl/D 853.5 0 1617951 Bajaj Hold-A/D 1458.85 -8.05 3987 E.I.D Parry-A/D 223 -5.45 23012 Ifb Ind.Ltd.-B/D 499.6 0.6 55145 Mah.Seamless-B/D 311.15 -2.15 12028 Tinplate-B/D 72 -2.25 315955 Rsa Insrance G/D 465.5 0.4 3505614 Ballarpur In-B/D 17.25 0.05 506263 Eicher Motor-A/D 14615.2 100.15 4481 India Cement-A/D 104.4 0.5 160165 Maha Scooter-B/D 965 10 3602 Ub Engineer-Z/D 7.01 0.33 25929 Sainsbury(J)/D 256.125 -3.4 1716562 Banaras Bead-B/D 55.05 0.75 49043 Electrosteel-B/D 21.25 1.2 342597 India Glycol-B/D 120.55 -2.5 17951 Mangalam Cem-B/D 325.15 -6.25 26261 Ucal Fuel-B/D 135.2 -5.8 31888 Schroders/D 2620.1 -14 145821 Bata India-A/D 1288.05 -5.8 8208 Emco-B/D 41.95 0 93539 Indian Hotel-A/D 104.3 -3.5 168346 Maral Overs-B/D 21.7 0.45 54930 Ucal Fuel-B/D 135.2 -5.8 31888 Severn Trent/D 2066 1 91339 Beml Ltd-A/D 717.4 10.3 116679 Escorts Fin-B/D 7.08 1.18 114288 Indo-Tcount-T/D 357.9 -16.4 32203 Mastek-B/D 272 0.7 29902 Unitech P -A/D 19.7 0.45 5129081 Smith&Nephew/D 1090.15 0 414559 Bh Electronic-/D 2307.4 121.4 79165 Escorts-A/D 142.9 -0.95 157923 Indusind-A/D 720.3 6.15 136916 Max India L-A/D 398 -0.15 20398 Smiths Group/D 1191 8 767141 Bharat Bijle-B/D 548.6 -5.05 21520 Essar Oil-T/D 95.95 -4.2 350570 J.B.Chemical-B/D 202.25 -4 17257 Mrpl-A/D 53.35 -0.9 104850 LONDON Standrd Chart /D 941.7 3 2278384 Bhartiya Int-B/D 411.7 -0.45 11860 Eveready Indu-/D 169.35 -0.85 243803 Jagson Phar-B/D 33.6 -2 102090 Nahar Spg.-B/D 92.6 -2.45 20603 Tate & Lyle/D 610.75 -9.5 744732 Bhel-A/D 257.6 4.85 434338 F D C-B/D 147.45 -3.6 6703 Jbf Indu-B/D 174.85 8 227862 Nation Alum -A/D 61.6 1.25 306855 Tesco/D 194.35 -0.05 5449638 Bom.Burmah-B/D 441.5 40.1 339105 Federal Bank-A/D 146.25 -1.25 295340 Jct Elect P -B/D 0.72 0.01 28713 Navneet Edu-B/D 97 -0.25 20887 3I Group/D 429 1 335398 Tomkins/D 0 0 0 Bombay Dyeing-/D 70.65 -1.15 607087 Ferro Alloys-B/D 7.88 0.14 35737 Jct Ltd-B/D 4.04 -0.2 240668 Nepc India-T/D 3.15 -0.12 45140 Assoc.Br.Foods/D 3068 -51 239541 Unilever/D 2676 20 769566 Camph.& All-B/D 309.45 1.4 5656 Finolex-A/D 284.45 -1.7 13869 Jenson&Nich.-B/D 4.29 0.05 35219 Neuland Lab-B/D 412.6 -8.8 3179 Barclays/D 237.9 1.65 10178957 United Util Gr/D 910.5 0.5 365437 Canfin Homes-B/D 498 3.75 3397 Forbes-B/D 1189.2 198.2 8252 Jik Indust-B/D 1.18 -0.12 14996 Nrb Bearings-B/D 127.55 -7.4 506354 Bg Group/D 1071 2 1805602 Vodafone Group/D 226.15 -1.65 21336295 Caprihans-B/D 76 -1.05 5313 Gail-A/D 474.7 -1.05 71361 Jindal Drill-B/D 210.75 3.35 8591 O N G C-A/D 380.7 -2.9 272288 Bp/D 450.35 2.15 7591298 Whitbread/D 4425 13 83970 Cast.Bo/D 462.35 8.2 139735 Gammon India-T/D 33.25 -1.4 145404 Jktyre&Ind-B/D 552.85 38.9 468146 Oil Country-B/D 40.15 0.75 47867 Brit Am Tobacc/D 3719 15 400543 Century Enka-B/D 158.75 -0.85 8860 Gangotri Tex-B/D 1.83 -0.09 4351 Jmc Projects-T/D 168.3 -4.5 11199 Onward Tech-B/D 62.9 1.85 3365 Bt Group/D 390.4 10.4 16612030 Century Text-A/D 550.15 -3.65 63719 Garden P -B/D 34.6 -1 11575 Kabra Extr-B/D 83.2 -0.65 19922 Orchid Chem-B/D 72.75 -0.45 133180 Centrica/D 287.1 -4.9 5449125 Chambal Fert-B/D 65.3 0.35 63189 Goodricke-B/D 175.85 -3.6 12627 Kalpat Power-B/D 176.5 -3.65 20803 Orient Hotel-T/D 24.9 0.9 4506 Gkn/D 336.5 2.7 940870 Chowgule St-T/D 18.15 0.85 21208 Goodyear I -B/D 636.35 2.55 15422 Kalyani Stel-T/D 164.5 2.05 84129 Orient.Carb.-T/D 396.75 18.35 30173 Hsbc Holdings/D 632.1 0.6 6033083 Cimmco-B/D 66.9 8 218003 Hcl Infosys-B/D 70.65 -0.55 337122 Kanoria Chem-B/D 40.9 -0.55 10421 Orient.Carb.-T/D 396.75 18.35 30173 Imperial Tobac/D 2879.1 -5 727779 Cipla-A/D 617.95 -9.15 131455 Him.Fut.Comm-T/D 20.45 -0.8 2164660 Kg Denim-B/D 16.2 0.15 15020 Punjab Chem.-B/D 99.85 -1.6 4215 Kingfisher/D 305.3 -0.2 3143780 TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 23

Vargas retains WBA super lightweight Pacquiao beats Algieri to crown

MACAU: American Jessie Vargas outpointed his Mexican rival Antonio DeMarco on retain welterweight title Sunday to retain his World Boxing Association super light- weight title in a pulsating fight Filipino drops American to the canvas six times during 12-round bout in Macau. The champion from Las Vegas, with legendary fighter Roy Jones MACAU: Filipino ring icon Jr making his debut as a trainer Manny Pacquiao comprehen- Mayweather told in his corner, got the better of his sively dismantled American valiant opponent in a fight which Chris Algieri to retain his World ‘no excuses’, exploded into life from the fifth Boxing Organisation welter- round onwards. weight title at the Cotai Arena fight Pacquiao Both men were heavily marked in Macau yesterday. at the end of a toe-to-toe 12-round Pacquiao dropped Algieri to MACAU: Manny Pacquiao, battle, in which Vargas consist- the canvas six times during the his promoter and his trainer ently landed the better shots to 12-round contest in the south- all threw down the gauntlet to take a unanimous decision 116-112 ern Chinese city to win an over- Floyd Mayweather after the on all three judges’ scorecards. whelming unanimous decision, Filipino boxer comprehensively DeMarco had many moments 119-103, 119-103, 120-102 on the battered the latest challenger when he seemed to be getting judges’ cards. to his world welterweight crown on top, particularly in the ninth Algieri, the unbeaten WBO into defeat on Sunday. when he wobbled Vargas with a light welterweight champion, “It’s been a long time since I’ve fierce straight left which sent him was outclassed from the start, been wanting this fight, it has to reeling back into DeMarco’s own with the eight-division world happen,” said the eight-weight corner. champion Pacquiao knocking the world champion at the Venetian But Vargas showed enough Long Islander down in the second Macau after knocking down Chris craft to step it back up when he round, twice in both the sixth and Algieri six times on his way to a needed to with combinations of his ninth rounds, and finally again in huge points victory. own, even trying a Jones Jr-style the 10th. “The fans deserve it. It’s a good wind-up right “bolo punch” and Pacquiao was landing punches thing that we talk about that the verdict was never in doubt. at will as the quick Algieri tried fight. It’s time to say yes,” added It was the first big fight on to run, slip and hide from the the World Boxing Organization the undercard of the Manny onslaught. welterweight champion. Pacquiao- Chris Algieri clash and But the congressman from His promoter Bob Arum and Pacman’s trainer Freddie Roach Sarangani province really turned trainer Freddie Roach were was in DeMarco’s corner it on when he smashed Algieri to even more direct in calling out “DeMarco was just too patient,” the canvas with a devastating Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (right) punches Chris Algieri of the United States during their World Boxing unbeaten light middleweight Roach told reporters after the straight left in the sixth. Organisation welterweight title bout at the Cotai Arena in Macau on Sunday night. champion “Money” Mayweather, decision was announced. “Too The American only just beat who competes with Pacquiao for many times he was just throwing the count and dropped to one with a left hook. But that was the the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather having arrived at the venue in the the moniker “best pound-for- one punch at a time. I begged him knee moments later as blows only time.” in what could be the first billion- early hours of Sunday to find all pound boxer in the world”. to get busy.” rained in from all angles. Algieri holds a master’s degree dollar fight in history. the tickets gone. Mayweather and his promoters Earlier Hong Kong super fly- He somehow survived and was and an ambition to become a “I really want the fight. The Back in the Philippines, the have previously found reasons to weight Rex Tso was given a knocked down twice more in doctor once his boxing days are fans deserve it,” said Pacquiao nation stopped to watch en masse. avoid the fight, but the 82-year- tougher than expected workout the ninth and then again in the over. All week in the build-up, afterwards, throwing down a “The Filipinos were united in old Arum, who has been trying to over eight rounds against Espinos 10th, with one left sending him his trainer Tim Lane had been challenge by imitating a new TV celebrating the victory of our secure the match for almost four Sabu of Indonesia but came sprawling across the ring and declaring that he would destroy commercial in which he mocks national fist, Congressman Manny years, said “enough is enough”. through on a unanimous decision. head over heels backwards into Pacquiao by “master boxing”. Mayweather. Pacquiao in his fight against Chris “No excuses. Manny knocked And KK Ng — the up and the corner. They proved hollow words and It brought huge cheers from Algieri in Macau,” said President Algieri down six times in one coming “Macau Kid” — thrilled “I’m satisfied with the result,” Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame trainer the sellout 13,202 crowd at the Benigno Aquino’s spokesman fight. That’s twice as many knock- his home town fans by battling said Pacquiao. “I did my best. I Freddie Roach mocked them Venetian Macau venue, where Herminio Coloma in Manila. downs as Mayweather has had in through a six-round super welter- was trying for a knockout but he afterwards. the vast majority appeared to be “His strength, speed and skill all his fights in the last 12 years,” weight contest against Australia’s was fast and keeps moving.” “The master boxer was given Filipinos. were on display on the canvas. he taunted. Stephen Attard to win on a unan- “He’s perfected his style,” said a master class by Professor Many hundreds more of Every punch that scored caused “All they have to do to is pick imous decision despite suffering Algieri. “He’s perfected the art of Pacquiao,” said Roach. Pacquiao’s compatriots were the millions of Filipinos to cheer up the telephone. I’ll be at the an ugly gash to his forehead in a fighting like Manny Pacquiao. He Pacquiao’s victory will inevita- waiting patiently outside for just together in every corner of the phone. Manny will be at his clash of heads. AFP hurt me once when he buzzed me bly heighten calls for him to face a glimpse of their national hero, world.” AFP phone,” added Arum. AFP Heat rally late to sting Hornets Cowboys edge Giants despite

MIAMI: Luol Deng scored 26 Down nine at half-time, points, Chris Bosh and Mario NBA Results Charlotte made that deficit go Chalmers each added 20 and the Memphis 107 LA Clippers 91 away in a hurry. Beckham’s spectacular catch Miami Heat held on in the final Portland 94 Boston 88 An 11-2 run to open the NEW JERSEY: seconds to beat the Charlotte Miami 94 Charlotte 93 third quarter, with Jefferson New York Hornets 94-93 on Sunday night scoring five of those, pulled the receiver Odell Beckham Jr’s Golden State 91 Oklahoma City 86 and snap a three-game home Hornets into a 55-all tie — and ‘catch of the season’ put the slide. Denver 101 LA Lakers 94 Miami’s offense continued to Giants in control against the Kemba Walker missed two sputter. Cowboys on Sunday, but Tony potential go-ahead shots in Working from the right side The Heat scored only 14 points Romo produced another late the final half-minute for the of the lane, Bosh spun free from in the third, Charlotte ended the scoring drive to lead Dallas to a Hornets, and Al Jefferson’s tip- Cody Zeller and scored to give quarter with a 6-0 burst and the 31-28 win at MetLife Stadium. in try bounced off the rim as time Miami a 94-93 lead with 31 sec- Hornets went into the fourth up Trailing 28-24 with three min- expired as Charlotte dropped its onds remaining. 72-67. utes remaining, Romo led the fifth straight game. That’s when the fun really Charlotte’s lead was eight mid- Cowboys on an 80-yard drive and Chalmers had 10 assists for his started. way through the fourth, and the found Dez Bryant for the game- second double-double of the sea- Walker missed with 26 seconds Heat were mired in a stretch winning 13-yard touchdown. son and Shabazz Napier scored 14 left and Charlotte down by one. where they had two field goals in “You gain experience and for the Heat. The Heat got the rebound and the more than 9 minutes. But Miami understand where your mindset Jefferson finished with 22 points Hornets appeared to be trying to put together a flurry, setting up needs to be to win the game,” and 12 rebounds for Charlotte, foul Chalmers near midcourt. the back-and-forth dance to the Romo told reporters. “When which got 17 points from Lance No foul was called, the ball got wire. you’ve been through it you can Stephenson and 16 from Walker. knocked away and after a deflec- Bosh hit a three-pointer, Napier give yourself an advantage, men- The Hornets led by as many as tion out of bounds the Hornets had a pair of free throws after a tally. You go do it.” eight in the fourth, before Miami had possession with 13 seconds steal and then — off a drive-and- The win kept the Cowboys rallied. remaining. Walker went at dish by Chalmers — Napier added (8-3) tied with Philadelphia for Miami was without guard Napier — Connecticut great vs a three-pointer to cap an eight- first place in the NFC East, while Dwyane Wade for the sixth Connecticut great — and missed, point, 43-second burst and give the Giants (3-8) dropped their straight game as he continues to Jefferson got a good try at the tip, Miami an 87-86 lead. sixth straight game. work his way back from a strained and the ball fell harmlessly away There were four more lead The defeat will be hard to swal- left hamstring. as the horn sounded. changes from there. AGENCIES low for the Giants, who started well and led 14-3 early in the second quarter after Beckham’s Palmieri, Maroon put Ducks past Coyotes second touchdown of the game. The rising rookie shrugged Anaheim Ducks’ right-winger off a Cowboys defender who was Kyle Palmieri celebrates after grabbing his shirt, and leapt back- New York Giants’ wide-receiver Odell Beckham (left) pulls in a touchdown scoring a goal against the wards into the end zone to cor- pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the first-half of their NFL game Arizona Coyotes during their ral the ball one-handed from Eli at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday night. NHL game at the Honda Center Manning’s pass. in Anaheim, California. The “I hope it’s not the greatest can make more,” Beckham said. passes on the night, two to Ducks fended off a third-period catch of all time. I hope that I “It really means nothing without Bryant, as the Cowboys remained surge to beat the Arizona a win.” undefeated on the road at 5-0. Coyotes 2-1. Kyle Palmieri NFL Results Beckham finished with 146 The NFL’s leading rusher and Patrick Maroon scored Cleveland 26 Atlanta 24 receiving yards, including the DeMarco Murray added 121 yards for the Ducks (13-4-5), while Chicago 21 Tampa Bay 13 stunning 43-yard scoring catch, behind Dallas’ dominant offensive and his two touchdowns helped line, but still felt as if the rushing defenceman Keith Yandle Cincinnati 22 Houston 13 scored for the Coyotes’ lone the Giants to a 21-10 halftime attack could be better. Indianapolis 23 Jacksonville 3 lead. “We were a little rusty,” Murray goal in the third where Arizona Green Bay 24 Minnesota 21 Dallas rallied, scoring 14 said. “We’ll look at the film and (9-11-2) fired off 17 shots. In the New England 34 Detroit 9 straight points in the third quar- correct those things. It’s always other NHL games, the Canucks Philadelphia 43 Tennessee 24 ter to seize a 24-21 advantage, only tough against a division rival.” beat the Blackhawks 4-1, the San Diego 27 St Louis 24 for New York to respond again, New York quarterback St. Louis Blues edged the Seattle 19 Arizona 3 Manning tossing a one-yard Manning was coming off a five- Winnipeg Jets 4-2 and the New touchdown to Adrien Robinson interception performance last Denver 39 Miami 36 York Rangers easily handled to cap a 93-yard drive with three week against San Francisco, but the Montreal Canadiens 5-0. San Francisco 17 Washington 13 minutes left to play. was better against the Cowboys. Dallas 31 NY Giants 28 Romo had four touchdown REUTERS TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 24 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT

Wawrinka won it for us, says Federer legend grows Federer LILLE: Roger Federer was the toast of Switzerland once again on Sunday as he applied the final touches to his country’s first ever Davis Cup win. with Davis Cup triumph But he was quick to deflect the spotlight onto team-mate Stan Wawrinka, who did not even hit The Grand Slam star adds another title to bulging trophy cabinet a shot in anger on the last day, as the French were vanquished in double-quick time in Lille. LILLE, FRANCE: It’s taken “It’s Stan who put us in this him 16 years as a pro, but Roger great position for Sunday,” he said Federer finally has won all there turning to his countryman and is to win in tennis -- well almost. insisting “You did!” as Wawrinka All four Grand Slam titles -- Swiss shook his head. a record 17 in total -- six ATP supporters react The Australian Open cham- year-end titles, 23 Masters Series, in front of a giant pion, who has spent years playing Olympic gold and now the Davis screen showing in the giant shadow of the man Cup for Switzerland. Switzerland’s many consider to be the greatest The Olympic title of course Roger Federer of all time, was the outstanding was in the doubles with Stan after Switzerland performer in Lille. Wawrinka in Beijing in 2008 and won the Davis Firstly he defeated French he has yet to match great rival Cup final on number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi Sunday at the set the tone of the final on Friday as the only men to have won all fanzone in and then he was the inspiration as four Grand Slam titles, Olympic Geneva. Federer he and Federer won the doubles singles gold and the Davis Cup gave Switzerland to move 2-1 up on Saturday. during the course of their careers. All that was left was for Federer its first Davis But still -- it’s an astonishing to defeat Richard Gasquet in the Cup title in Lille record for a player many consider first of the reverse singles and to be the greatest of all time. by defeating that he did in three rapid sets The Davis Cup win was argu- Richard Gasquet setting off Swiss celebrations. ably the hardest of them all for of France in It was all a long way from a Federer to win, involving as it straight sets in week before when the two Swiss does other players and doubles the first of the stars argued near the end of a action. final’s reverse tough three-setter semi-final of Asked to compare his feelings singles. the ATP Tour finals in London in winning Wimbledon for the and Federer hurt his back in first time in 2003 and what he winning. felt on Sunday after supplying the The French meanwhile had point Switzerland needed to win enjoyed a stress-free, two-week the Davis Cup final over France spell away from it all practicing he replied: “You can’t compare. raised when he lost miserably to -- he won three out of four. By on clay down in Bordeaux. When I won Wimbledon, it was a Luis Horna in the first round of that time Spanish claycourt king ATP Tour Rankings WTA Tour Rankings All was in place for France to total shock, honestly. Davis Cup is the French Open in 2003. Federer Rafael Nadal had come along to win the Davis Cup for the 10th something that I knew was pos- came up alongside a generation of become the player Federer has 1 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 11360 1 Serena Williams (U.S.) 8485 time, but with Federer in doubt, sible at some stage in my career.” young champions who achieved always seen as his greatest rival. 2 Roger Federer (Switzerland) 9775 2 Maria Sharapova (Russia) 7050 Wawrinka stepped up to the plate, He added: “Of course, there was immediate success, like Lleyton Nadal ruled at Roland Garros saying that the French were all 3 Rafa Nadal (Spain) 6835 3 Simona Halep (Romania) 6292 the pressure of being able to man- Hewitt, Andy Roddick and Marat and it took his shock defeat at the words. age all this and make everyone Safin. hands of Robin Soderling in 2009 4 Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland) 5370 4 Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) 5966 “At the end what I meant was happy with all the support we had While his contemporaries were to clear the way for Federer to 5 Kei Nishikori (Japan) 5025 5 Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4820 that they were talking too much for the team and everything. So it shooting up the rankings and finally win the French Open, thus about it, I mean, it was just my 6 Andy Murray (Britain) 4675 6 Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) 4810 is a totally different feeling. Also winning Grand Slam titles, he completing the Grand Slam set. opinion. Everyone does the way I was not alone on the court. This struggled to break through. By that time he had won 7 Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) 4600 7 Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) 4715 they want to do,” he said. changes totally everything.” “I don’t want to say I was frus- Olympic gold with Wawrinka in 8 Milos Raonic (Canada) 4440 8 Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 4625 “In the end we spoke with our Federer’s first tournament as a trated, but I didn’t understand 2008 and by Wimbledon 2012 he racquets on the court. That is the 9 Marin Cilic (Croatia) 4150 9 Angelique Kerber (Germany) 3480 professional was in the Swiss ski why it wasn’t happening for me,” had taken his haul of Grand Slam explanation of the result. We were resort of Gstaad in 1998, where he Federer said last year. “I was far titles to an all-time best of 17. 10 David Ferrer (Spain) 4045 10 Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 3052 better during this weekend. lost in the round of 32. Although enough behind that I was, ‘OK, Still the Davis Cup remained “We saw how fast things could rated as one of best juniors in the let’s push myself a little more’.” out of his grasp and, at 33, time France away in the final was the 14th country to win the Davis turn around. In the beginning of world, there was no real hint at A month after his Paris flop, was clearly running out when he a different prospect, however, Cup. the week many things were writ- that time what tennis was about that change of attitude reaped and Wawrinka decided, after the with players of the calibre of “For me personally, obviously ten about me and Roger, Roger’s to witness as he entered the pro- immediate dividends as Federer latter won the Australian Open Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael I’m unbelievably happy because back. fessional sphere produced a majestic display over at the start of the year, that they Monfils on the other side of the I’ve been playing in this competi- “The French team said they It wasn’t until he defeated the Wimbledon fortnight, defeat- would commit totally to playing net. tion for probably almost 15 years were ready to go to war, if I can Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in ing Mark Philippoussis in straight the Davis Cup this year. A fractious match against now,” he said. quote them. a fourth round match in five sets sets in the final. They swept past a Novak Wawrinka in the semi-finals of “At the end of the day I wanted “What happened was totally in 2001 that his true potential The Federer era had begun in Djokovic-less Serbia in the first the ATP World Tour Finals when it more for the guys and for the opposite. We just stayed became clearer to see. earnest and he dominated tennis round, edged a nervy outing the two argued and Federer dam- (coach) Severin (Luthi) and Stan, calm and prepared well. We did Still, he struggled to make over the next four years winning against Kazakhstan in the quar- aged his back did not help. the staff and everybody involved. our best on the court. We can be much headway in the Grand Slam 10 Grand Slam titles. On two ter-finals and comfortably saw off But all that was swept aside in This is one for the boys,” he said. proud of that,” he said. events and question marks were occasions -- in 2004 and 2007 Italy in the semis. Lille as Switzerland became just AFP REUTERS Champion Hamilton ready for new title fight ABU DHABI: Two-time world absorb it in the way I can today. British press champion Lewis Hamilton said “Being a part of this team is Monday he is determined to definitely a more satisfying feel- British crown Hamilton keep winning Formula One ing. Winning this championship Formula titles with Mercedes after his with this team -- a young team One driver ‘king’ of F1 triumph in Abu Dhabi. that has worked so hard to get to Lewis After a night of partying fol- where we are,” he added. Hamilton of LONDON: The front pages lowing Sunday’s Grand Prix vic- “To be a part of that is some- Mercedes of British newspapers were tory, the 29-year-old Briton said thing really very special. AMG GP splashed with photos of a cham- he would get immediately down to “You see the atmosphere in the celebrates pagne-soaked Lewis Hamilton work improving the car for next team, you see the guys at the fac- with his dubbed the king of Formula One season. tory and what’s gone on with the team after yesterday. “We want to be able to go into partnership with Petronas and all winning the “Tearful Hamilton is crowned next season and compete again the guys back at the factories in Formula king of F1” announced the Daily and be as strong as possible. Brackley and Brixworth putting One Grand Mirror, while the Daily Express “That’s obviously going to be the team together. Prix of Abu chose the back page headline “on the goal and I have absolute faith “Being in a different stage in top of the world”. Dhabi and in the team that we will come my life, it just feels sweeter being With the caption “Sparkling the Formula back very, very strong next year.” a bit older. It’s very special and a moment for Hamilton as he Hamilton’s victory, after humbling experience.” One World clinches F1 title”, The Daily Mercedes teammate and season Having apparently pushed aside title at Yas Telegraph showed a photo of the long rival Nico Rosberg made a their once bitter rivalry, Hamilton Marina champion being sprayed with poor start from pole position and and Rosberg are already favour- Circuit in champagne as he held the cup. then suffered mechanical prob- ites to repeat their duel next year. Abu Dhabi, With a vivid photo of the lems on his way to finishing 14th, “Watching past drivers, that UAE, on driver raising his fist in victory added a second title to the first following year, they seemed to Sunday. in front of a Union Jack flag, The won in 2008. continue getting stronger on a Daily Telegraph’s sports section Mercedes dominated the sea- positive curve and trend, so I hope announced “Hamilton joins the son with a record 16 wins in 19 that’s the case for us next year,” sporting greats by winning his races - 11 to Hamilton and five said Hamilton. them in the right direction.” 2010 to 2013, has left Red Bull to rest in mounting their own revival second world title”. to Rosberg - and produced speed “I’m sure with Petronas we will Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff lead Ferrari’s revival in succession and many paddock observers The Daily Mail punned with the and consistency that left their work very hard to make sure we also insisted he wants to keep the to two-time champion Spaniard believe that the aggressive, fast back page headline “The Wheel rivals stranded. improve our engine and, with the Hamilton-Rosberg team together Fernando Alonso, who is on his and consistent Bottas is a cham- Deal”, while the Daily Star chose The team now appear poised car, the team is going to push and despite their high-profile tensions way to join McLaren’s new adven- pion in the making. Hamilton has “Lew beaut!” with a photo of the to enjoy an era of supremacy we are making positive steps in this year. ture with Honda returning as recognized that and, in pushing champion triumphantly carrying like that of Germans Michael that way. “We are really on a great jour- their engine suppliers. for more power, speed and reli- the British flag. Schumacher, at Ferrari, and “I’m looking forward to going ney, the team like it is now” he That means major changes for ability from Mercedes, knows The Guardian also picked a pun Sebastian Vettel, at Red Bull. back to the factory and download- said. the top three established rivals, what to expect. to illustrate a photo of Hamilton “The first title was an excep- ing every bit of info that I can and Hamilton is “a super important leaving the most improved outfit “I’m really happy for Williams,” as he was lifted up by his team, tional and an incredible feeling for make sure there are areas that man of that group, we want to of 2014, Williams, as the great- said Hamilton. “I grew up watch- with the subtitle “Lapping it up: me,” said Hamilton. I can improve on and take that keep it together,” Wolff added. est threat to Mercedes, as they ing them at the front and I am Hamilton’s second F1 world title.” “That was achieving a life-long away and make sure I improve Hamilton’s main rival is almost showed on Sunday when Brazilian happy for Sir Frank and the team The Sun highlighted Hamilton’s goal of getting to Formula One on them. certain to be Rosberg again as Felipe Massa and Finn Valtteri - and very much looking forward switch to new team Mercedes and winning the world champi- “Also, for the car I want to Mercedes rivals embark on major Bottas finished second and third. to fighting them in the future,” after quitting McLaren, reporting onship. I don’t know if I was in make sure the guys have all the rebuilding. For Williams, it was confirma- the new champion said. that he would “cash in” by open- a place to really embrace it and information possible to steer Vettel, who won four titles from tion that they are ahead of the REUTERS ing talks for a £100m deal. AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 25 UAE to host Clarke in squad for India Afghanistan to prepare for World Cup

DUBAI: United Arab Emirates Test, Hazlewood rewarded coach Aaqib Javed is hoping the series of four one-day inter- nationals against Afghanistan Aussie captain needs to prove fitness first, Watson replaces Maxwell starting this week in Dubai will help prepare his team for next year’s World Cup. SYDNEY: Injured skipper The February-March World Michael Clarke faces a fitness Australia Squad Cup will be UAE’s second after deadline this week to have any Michael Clarke (capt), Brad Haddin, Ryan they featured in the 1996 event chance of playing for Australia Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, held in the subcontinent while in next month’s first Test Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, for Afghanistan it will be their against India, chief selector Rod Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane maiden appearance in a 50-over Marsh said yesterday. Watson. tournament. Clarke was named in a 12-man Javed, a former Pakistan pace- squad subject to a fitness test wickets in the series against man, said he would have liked his on the left hamstring he injured South Africa, which Australia team to compete against a full in the recent one-day series won 4-1 on Sunday to return Test playing nation. against South Africa in Perth. to the top of the International “Look, it would have been ideal He also continues to undergo Cricket Council one-day rankings. had we got a few matches against daily treatment for an ongoing “Josh is a young player of great a top team but all of them are back condition. talent and he thoroughly deserves busy so even playing against a The captain needs to prove by this opportunity,” Marsh said. one-day status team will give us tomorrow that he is ready to play “He has impressed in the good preparation,” said Javed. in a two-day match against the recent one-day series and we are The four one-day matches will tourists in Adelaide, starting on excited to see what he can pro- be played on November 28, 30, Friday. duce if given the opportunity in December 2 and 4 – all at the Should he pad-up and recover Brisbane.” International Cricket Council well, he will take his place in the Veteran paceman Ryan Harris (ICC) academy in Dubai. Brisbane Test side, said Marsh, returns to the national squad fol- UAE is placed in World Cup adding that no risk would be lowing knee surgery and will play Australia’s Michael Clarke avoids a bouncer as he bats during the third Ashes Test against England at Old Group B alongside defend- taken with Clarke’s long-standing in this week’s round of Sheffield Trafford in Manchester, in this August 2013 file photo. ing champions India, Pakistan, troublesome hamstring. Shield matches as part of his the West Indies, South Africa, “With his recent history, we build up to the opening Test from Zimbabwe and Ireland. can’t have him breaking down in December 4. Afghanistan are in Group A the first innings of a Test match,” “If my knee doesn’t feel right with Australia, New Zealand, Sri Marsh told reporters. at all I will tell them (selectors), Aaron stars in first tour game Lanka, England, Scotland and “We would never ever rest the but I will do anything to play that Bangladesh. Australian captain in the first first Test,” Harris told reporters. ADELAIDE: Paceman Varun went to stumps at 55 for one. Harry Conway. Wicketkeeper Javed said his team can still get Test of a series. But if he’s not fit, “I am not trying to unselect Aaron and opener Murali Vijay Opener Shikhar Dhawan was Nielsen finished with an unbeaten to play top teams under an ICC obviously he can’t play.” myself. But I am not going into impressed for India on the open- dismissed for 10, the only Indian 43 from 40 balls, and the pair put High Performance Programme Marsh added that “we can it underdone. You can’t afford to ing day of the tourists’ match wicket to fall in the 16 overs to on a final-wicket stand of 52 runs. likely to be held in Januray next safely assume he won’t be play- drag one bloke into a Test match.” against a Cricket Australia XI the close. Pace and bounce, the same year. ing the Test” if he is not ready by Harris has told the selectors in Adelaide yesterday. Aaron was not given the new issues that have troubled so “The ICC is planning a few Wednesday, with the subsequent he needed one more shield match The CA XI – lacking any big ball but was still the pick of the many Indian batsmen on past matches against Zimbabwe and two-day game essential for him to this week to be ready. names – were dismissed for 219, bowlers. Australian tours, were Aaron’s Bangladesh and may be Pakistan prove his fitness. “I made it clear I wasn’t happy with Aaron taking three for 72 off His opening spell of six overs biggest assets. come here for parctice ahead of No possible Test replacement with where I was at. It’s perfect 17 overs in a bright start to the went for just 15 runs and featured The 25-year-old paceman is the World Cup,” he said. has been named. that I get another game,” Harris tour of Australia. the wickets of CA XI captain playing for the first time since “We can have a few tough While the focus was on Clarke, said. If Harris is fit, Hazlewood Fellow quicks Mohammed Ashton Turner and Nick Stevens. injuring his quad in the opening matches as well but this is yet uncapped New South Wales and Peter Siddle will battle for Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar The right-armer, who clocked clash of India’s recent five-game to be finalised,” said Javed, UAE paceman Josh Hazlewood was the final berth in the Test side, each grabbed two wickets, at 152.1 km/h during a recent ODI series. coach since March 2012. rewarded with a call-up to the with offspinner Nathan Lyon while leg-spinner Karn Sharma one-day international against Sri The visitors are playing a pair Javed played 22 Tests and squad for his strong recent per- expected to be retained. snapped up two for 30. Lanka, returned later to remove of two-day matches to warm up 163 one-day internationals for formances against South Africa Senior batsman Shane Watson India made a positive start Alex Gregory. for the four-Test series., with the Pakistan and was a part of 1992 in the one-day series. returns to replace Glenn Maxwell to their innings in the two-day He did however come in for next starting at Adelaide Oval World Cup winning team, led It is his first inclusion in a Test at No.3, while left-armer Mitchell match with Vijay clipping four some late punishment from Harry on Friday. The opening Test gets by great Imran Khan. He was squad since 2012-13. Starc has been squeezed out of boundaries in his unbeaten knock Nielsen, son of former Australia underway at Brisbane’s Gabba also a coach at Pakistan Cricket Hazlewood, 23, captured nine Australia’s pace attack. AFP of 32 off 50 balls as the tourists coach Tim, and NSW quick ground on December 4. AFP Academy in Lahore. AFP Toss vital in decisive Sharjah Test

SHARJAH: Rival captains Pakistan’s spinners – left armer (last) game and hopefully we can He is due to return to Sharjah Misbah-ul Haq and Brendon Zulfiqar Babar (13 wickets in two improve more.” New Zealand may today. McCullum hope to win the Tests) and leggie Yasir Shah (11) bolster their batting by bringing Misbah wants Pakistan to toss and enjoy a kick-start to – will hold the key. in in-form Luke Ronchi for Jimmy improve their fielding in Sharjah the series-deciding third Test But McCullum said his team Neesham who has struggled with after dropping a number of between Pakistan and New can take confidence from the just 39 runs in four innings. catches in Dubai. Zealand starting in Sharjah improved performance in the Pakistan missed Mohammad “I am pretty pleased with the tomorrow second Test. Hafeez’s all-round skills in the bowling and batting,” said the Pakistan piled up 566-3 in the “We would have loved to second Test as his off-spin pro- Pakistan captain. first Test in Abu Dhabi after win- have won the second Test,” said vides them the option of a fifth “In the field we need to take ning the toss and then spun out McCullum. bowler. our chances because on these sort New Zealand twice for a compre- “But you have to look at what He is likely to recover from a of wickets if you miss chances it hensive 248-run win to take a 1-0 we have done in Dubai, bank the hamstring injury which forced could be really difficult for the lead. confidence and head to Sharjah him out of the second Test and bowlers. Despite the odds New Zealand knowing that we have an oppor- could replace Taufeeq Umar who “Full marks to New Zealand. staged an impressive comeback tunity to win away from home if flopped in Dubai. They really improved after the in the second Test in Dubai, win- we play up a little bit up.” His bowling action was reported first game. They put us under ning the toss and dictating terms “It is satisfying to keep the as suspect after the first Test but pressure.” The two teams also FROM LEFT: Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah before Pakistan, set a target of 261 series alive (after the second he can bowl in Sharjah, pending a play two Twenty20 matches and and Zulfiqar Babar taking part in a net practice session at the Sharjah on the final day, salvaged a draw Test) and it will give us more con- report of a bio-mechanical analy- five one-day internationals after Cricket Stadium in Sharjah yesterday. to set up an intriguing finale. fidence, we learned a lot from the sis to be performed in England. the Tests. AFP

Men’s World Rankings Ko wins Tour Championship, 1. (1) Rory McIlroy (Britain) 11.97 2. (4) Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 8.26 season crown in Naples 3. (2) Adam Scott (Australia) 8.18 4. (3) Bubba Watson (US) 7.62 NAPLES, United States: New top-three finish, but had another Lydia Ko of 5. (6) Sergio Garcia (Spain) 7.03 Zealand teen Lydia Ko parred LPGA Scores fight to win the season-ending New Zealand 6. (5) Jim Furyk (US) 7.02 the fourth play-off hole to beat 278 Lydia Ko (NZL) 71-71-68-68, Julieta event. poses with 7. (7) Justin Rose (Britain) 6.99 Carlota Ciganda and win the Granada (PAR) 66-71-70-71, Carlota All three parred the first play- the CME Tour Ciganda (ESP) 70-67-71-70 8. (8) Jason Day (Australia) 6.14 LPGA Tour Championship, off hole but Granada lipped out Championship completing a $1.5m haul yes- 280 Morgan Pressel 72-66-70-72 a three-foot par putt on the sec- 9. (9) Rickie Fowler (US) 5.70 trophy terday that included a season 281 Michelle Wie 72-67-72-70, Sandra Gal ond extra trip to the 18th, leaving following the 10. (10) Matt Kuchar (US) 5.56 points crown. (GER) 68-71-70-72 Ko and Ciganda to fight for the final round 11. (11) Phil Mickelson (US) 5.04 Ko tapped in for par on the 283 Park Hee-Young (KOR) 70-73-71-69, crown. of the CME 12. (12) Martin Kaymer (Germany) 4.83 final extra hole after her Spanish Ryu So-Yeon (KOR) 70-70-70-73 On the third extra visit to the Group Tour rival buried her approach under course’s second-hardest hole of 13. (13) Billy Horschel (US) 4.69 Championship a bush, giving the Seoul-born the week, Ciganda dropped her 14. (14) Jordan Spieth (US) 4.64 at Tiburon 17-year-old her third title of her filled with money. “It’s amazing. approach six feet from the hole. 15. (15) Graeme McDowell (Britain) 4.46 first full LPGA season. I’ve never seen that much cash in Ko came up inches short from 30 Golf Club, 16. (20) Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) 4.42 “This has been a big year, a one place before,” Ko said. “This feet but Ciganda missed right of yesterday 17. (22) Victor Dubuisson (France) 4.40 roller coaster ride,” Ko said. year has been awesome.” the cup and both parred to extend in Naples, 18. (16) Dustin Johnson (US) 4.15 “I’ve learned so much this year. Ko, Paraguay’s Julieta Granada the drama. Florida. 19. (17) Zach Johnson (US) 4.10 Winning these playoffs I’ve and Ciganda each finished 72 On the fourth playoff hole with 20. (18) Chris Kirk (US) 4.00 learned a lot. I think it’s going to holes on 10-under par 278 to force sunset approaching, Ciganda’s 21. (19) Jimmy Walker (US) 3.96 be even better next year.” a playoff, staged entirely on the approach trickled down a slope It will be hard for Ko to top 18th hole at Tiburon Golf Club. and under a lakeside bush in a 22. (21) Hunter Mahan (US) 3.89 the richest payday in women’s Ko had already clinched the hazard beyond the green. She 23. (24) Jamie Donaldson (Britain) 3.75 golf history, the $500,000 tourna- LPGA season points bonus prize, took a drop and was well short 24. (23) Tiger Woods (US) 3.60 ment top prize and the $1m sea- edging American Stacy Lewis for with a chip. Ko then two-putted 25. (25) Patrick Reed (US) 3.47 son points bonus, an actual box the big pay-off by virtue of her from 25 feet for the title. AFP TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 26 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com SPORT PSG battle injuries ahead of clash against Ajax

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain games in Europe and are still for his club for the first time in coach Laurent Blanc continues unbeaten in 19 games in all com- two months after a heel injury. to struggle with a raft of injury petitions this season after a 3-2 Ibrahimovic, who spent three problems as his side prepare to win at Metz in Ligue 1 on Friday. years with Ajax before joining Paris Saint- entertain Ajax at the Parc des A late goal by Ezequiel Lavezzi Juventus in 2004, will now be Germain’s French Princes in Champions League against Metz clinched a seventh looking forward to facing his old head coach Group F today. straight win for Laurent Blanc’s club, while full-backs Gregory van Laurent Blanc (left) The French champions are side, but the PSG coach saw his der Wiel and Maxwell will also and goalkeeper already through to the last 16 for injury worries increase in that face their former side. Salvatore Sirigu the third season running after fol- match as midfield duo Yohan “It is always special for me attending a press lowing up a 1-1 draw away to Ajax Cabaye and Thiago Motta both to play against Ajax. I learnt so conference at the in September with three consecu- came off prematurely. many things there. My time in Parc des Princes tive wins. “Motta came off at half-time Amsterdam allowed me to become Stadium in Paris They come into their penulti- with a calf problem. Yohan Cabaye a man,” said Maxwell, who made yesterday, on mate group game a point clear of also had a calf problem. That is his name in Europe during a five- the eve of the Barcelona, who have also quali- what happens to clubs who have year spell with Ajax. fied, and their trip to the Camp a lot of international players. You Ajax have lost only two of their UEFA Champions Nou on December 10 is set to need to be able to deal with it,” last 15 games but both defeats League football decide who goes through to the conceded Blanc. came against Barcelona and their match against Ajax knockout stage as winners of the David Luiz, Lucas and Marco 2-0 home loss to the Catalans Amsterdam. section. Verratti all missed that game and three weeks ago condemned them However, in the seemingly the latter is expected to be on the to another premature exit from unlikely event that Barcelona sidelines once more against Ajax, the Champions League. should lose to APOEL in Cyprus, so young midfielder Adrien Rabiot They have mustered just two PSG would be guaranteed top could again feature after start- points from four games so far but the Cypriots to come. Ajax came They have appeared vulnerable showing in France. “I am not wor- spot by beating already-elimi- ing for the first time this season remain a point clear of APOEL in from behind to beat Heerenveen defensively at times this season ried about my defence. Obviously, nated Ajax in the French capital. against Metz. the battle to claim the consolation 4-1 on Saturday and sit second in but coach Frank de Boer, who is we cannot allow ourselves any Few would bet against PSG, The weekend win also saw tal- of a place in the Europa League, the Dutch Eredivisie, two points without the banned Joel Veltman, lapses in concentration against a who are unbeaten in 31 home isman Zlatan Ibrahimovic start with a home encounter against behind leaders PSV. hopes his team can put up a good team like Paris,” he said. AFP Champions League Group City face ruthless Bayern Stage Fixtures Fixtures from the Champions League Group Stage matches this week: (All Times in GMT) in must-win League game Group Stage - Group A Tomorrow Atletico Madrid (Spain) vs Olympiakos Depleted Pellegrini’s side to play with ‘nothing to lose’ approach Piraeus (Greece) (1945) Malmo (Sweden) vs Juventus (Italy) (1945) LONDON: Manchester City Group Stage - Group B are teetering on the brink of a Tomorrow third Champions League group- Basel (Switzerland) vs Real Madrid (Spain) phase elimination in four sea- (1945) sons ahead of Bayern Munich’s visit to the Etihad Stadium Ludogorets (Bulgaria) vs Liverpool (England) today. (1945) City’s dismal 2-1 loss at home to Group Stage - Group C CSKA Moscow in their previous Tomorrow outing left them bottom of Group E with only two points and they Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) vs Benfica will be knocked out if they fail to (Portugal) (1700) beat Bayern and there is a winner Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) vs Monaco in the Russian champions’ home (France) (1945) game with Roma. Manuel Pellegrini’s side can Group Stage - Group D draw some solace from the Tomorrow fact that Bayern, who shaded Anderlecht (Belgium) vs Galatasaray (Turkey) September’s reverse fixture 1-0 (1945) thanks to a last-minute goal by former City player Jerome Arsenal (England) vs Borussia Dortmund Boateng, are already guaranteed (Germany) (1945) to qualify as group winners. Group Stage - Group E City will also take inspira- Today tion from their 3-2 win away to Bayern in the group phase of last FROM LEFT: Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben, defender Jerome Boateng and midfielder Franck Ribery joke during a training session CSKA Moscow (Russia) vs AS Roma (Italy) season’s competition, although the in Munich, Southern Germany, yesterday on the eve of the UEFA Champions League second-leg Group E match against Manchester City. RIGHT: (1700) circumstances then were quite Manchester City’s manager Manuel Pellegrini scratches his head during a training session at the Manchester City Football Academy in Manchester Manchester City (England) vs Bayern Munich different, with the visitors hav- yesterday. (Germany) (1945) ing already secured a place in the Group Stage - Group F last 16. City’s hand has been weakened “Now is our chance. We have Bundesliga summit to seven “With Philipp (Lahm), David both unavailable for City, Today by suspensions to Yaya Toure and to take it and play with nothing points by crushing Hoffenheim (Alaba), (Javi) Martinez and Fernando, James Milner and APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus) vs Barcelona (Spain) Fernandinho, both of whom were to lose. We can take a lot (from 4-0 at the Allianz Arena on Thiago (Alcantara) out, we now former Chelsea veteran Frank (1945) sent off – the former for a petu- beating Swansea), but a game Saturday. have a super midfielder back, but Lampard are all in contention to lant shove – during the defeat by against Bayern Munich will not Bastian Schweinsteiger made he has only trained for a week start in central midfield. Paris St Germain (France) vs Ajax Amsterdam CSKA Moscow on November 5. be the same as a game against his first competitive appearance with us. Captain Vincent Kompany (Netherlands) (1945) And although City came from Swansea. since starring for Germany in the “He’s not ready for 90 min- made his return from a calf Group Stage - Group G behind to beat Swansea City “No disrespect to Swansea, World Cup final, coming on as a utes, but he has huge amounts complaint against Swansea, but Today 2-1 in the Premier League on who are a great team, but Bayern late substitute, and Guardiola has of experience. But for this period Spanish playmaker David Silva Saturday, midfielder Samir Nasri Munich have world-class players hinted that he could feature again now until Christmas with the is not expected to feature after Schalke 04 (Germany) vs Chelsea (England) knows that Pep Guardiola’s ruth- in every position.” at City. Bundesliga and Champions missing City’s last four games (1945) less Bayern side will be a very dif- Bayern have gone 18 games “It’s good news for him and for League, he will of course be a with a knee problem. Sporting (Portugal) vs Maribor (Slovenia) ferent proposition. without defeat since losing us. I have seen how important big help to us.” Schweinsteiger’s Recent form does not favour (1945) “We are really lucky to still to Borussia Dortmund in the Bastian is for the club and the return will help to ease Bayern’s City. The English champions Group Stage - Group H be in with a chance of qualify- German Super Cup on August 13, fans,” said Guardiola, who is bid- problems in midfield, particularly have won only two of their last ing because, with two points and winning all four of their games to ding to win his third Champions in light of the fractured ankle nine Champions League home Today two games left, normally you date in the Champions League. League title as a coach after that is expected to keep Lahm matches, while Bayern have lost BATE Borisov (Belarus) vs Porto (Portugal) are out,” said the former France The 2013 European champi- two previous successes with out for three months. just one of their last 13 away (1700) international. ons extended their lead at the Barcelona. With Toure and Fernandinho games in the competition. AFP La Liga Results MADRID: Collated Spanish Another record awaits Messi in Nicosia La Liga results on Sunday: NICOSIA: Fresh from becom- performance of the season so far which saw Barca lose to Real Rayo Vallecano 1 (Bueno 20) Celta Vigo 0 ing the all-time leading goals- in crushing Europa League hold- Madrid and Celta Vigo in con- Levante 2 (Casadesus 57, Morales 74) corer in La Liga, Lionel Messi ers Sevilla 5-1 at the weekend, secutive games before struggling Valencia 1 (Parejo 73) will have his sights on more his- with the Argentine scoring his to overcome Almeria 2-1 ahead of Elche 2 (Lomban 63-pen, Jonathas 75) tory as he looks to repeat that 27th hat-trick for the club along the international break. Cordoba 2 (Fidel 12, Cartabia 60) feat in the Champions League with goals from Neymar and Ivan The Croatian is likely to team when Barcelona visit APOEL Rakitic. up with Xavi Hernandez in mid- Villarreal 2 (Gaspar 38, Moreno 43) Getafe Nicosia today. Luis Suarez’s attempts to break field as Andres Iniesta has been 1 (Lacen 61) Messi’s double in the Catalans’ his Barcelona duck were frus- left out of the 22-man squad. Played Saturday 2-0 win at Ajax three weeks ago trated once more but Enrique has Three narrow defeats from four took him level with Real Madrid no concerns over the Urguayan’s matches mean APOEL cannot Atletico Madrid 3 (Tiago 12, Griezmann 42, legend Raul’s record tally of 71 ability to find the back of the net repeat their remarkable run to Godin 83) Malaga 1 (Santa Cruz 63) goals in the competition and as he again proved his worth with the Champions League quarter- Eibar 0 Real Madrid 4 (Rodriguez 23, ensured Barca’s progress to the a fourth assist in as many games. finals in the 2011/12 season, but Ronaldo 43, 83-pen, Benzema 70) last 16 for an 11th consecutive “It will come. To have a goals- they too still have the prospect Barcelona 5 (Messi 21, 72, 77, Neymar 49, season. corer of that quality and generos- of European football into the new Rakitic 65) Sevilla 1 (Alba 47-og) However, Luis Enrique’s men ity is marvellous,” said the Barca year to fight for. still need at least a point in manager. Giorgos Donis’s men trail Ajax Deportivo La Coruna 0 Real Sociedad 0 Cyprus to ensure they can win “They are all playing for by just a point and face the Dutch Friday Group F with victory over Paris each other. No one doubts that champions in two weeks time in Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (top) is thrown into the Saint-Germain at home in their Suarez will score many goals for Amsterdam in what is likely to Athletic Bilbao 3 (Aduriz 29, Viguera 44, Iturraspe 78) Espanyol 1 (Sánchez 84) air by his team-mates as they celebrate his new record after he scored final group match early next Barcelona.” be a decisive match to decide who during the Spanish League match against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou month. Rakitic also hailed the impor- claims third place and the conso- Monday Stadium in Barcelona on Saturday. Messi’s latest record feat over- tance of such a resounding win lation prize of dropping into last shadowed arguably Barca’s best after a difficult couple of weeks 32 of the Europa League. AFP Granada vs Almeria (1945GMT) TUESDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2014 SPORT www.thepeninsulaqatar.com 27 Market Street to liven up FINA worlds

DOHA: Fans attending the Association and Executive 12th FINA World Swimming Director of Doha 2014, Khalil Al Championships (25m) are in for Jaber, said: “As well as hosting a a bonus treat. Not only will they world-class event and support- Qatari sailors get to see the world’s best swim- ing the athletes that have trained practise ahead mers at the Hamad Aquatic hard all year to get to this point, of the 47th World Centre between December 3 and one of the most important ele- Military Sailing 7, but they will also get to enjoy ments of any live sporting event Championship, themselves at the FINA Market is to create a unique experience which got off Street, an interactive fan zone. for spectators. Through FINA to a colourful This fan zone will be set up Market Street, the community start at Katara at the entrance of the Hamad will have the chance to enjoy Beach in Doha Aquatic Centre here and will all of the action of the pool in a yesterday. give fans an opportunity to relaxed and fun environment with soak up the unique atmos- their friends and family, and cre- phere of the World Swimming ate special memories thanks to Championships. the sport of swimming. With the Activities at the fan zone will support of fans, events like these include live performances by tra- wouldn’t be possible and we look ditional and contemporary artists forward to welcoming them all to from the region, appearances by Hamad Aquatic Centre.” star swimmers and chances for FINA Market Street will start fans to pose for selfies with the daily at 9am and stay open till 45 official mascot of the champi- minutes after the last race during onships, Bahoor — the Arabian the five days of the event. seahorse. Fans can also get henna In just one week, Doha will tattoos, go on camel rides or have open its doors to 1,100 top athletes fun in Zorb balls. from 171 countries, including the Visitors will also be able to likes of Olympic gold medallists experience the flavours of Qatar at Ryan Lochte, Chad Le Clos and an Arabian-themed Chill Out and Daniel Gyurta. World Military Sailing Food and Beverage Zone that will Tickets for the 12th serve a variety of international FINA World Swimming and Arabic dishes and showcase Championships (25m) are avail- traditional Arabic entertainment. able at Virgin Megastores and Speaking ahead of the open- can also be purchased online at ing of FINA Market Street, the virginmegastores.qa. Championship kicks off President of the Qatar Swimming THE PENINSULA 100 sailors from 17 nations to compete in six-day event

DOHA: The 47th World Officer Fahad Abdullah Al Malki, Military Sailing Championship, 47th World Military Sailing Championship Sergeant Jassim Mohamed Al organised by the Qatar Emiri Sulaiti and Staff Sergeant Waleed Naval Forces, got off to a colour- Female Sailors Mahmoud Al Sharshani. ful start at Katara Beach here Russia: Oxana Sorokina, Alisa Kiriliuk, Liudmila. Indonesia: Dani Despitasasi, Siti Mudawwamah, Lika Lt (Sea) Hamad Juma Al yesterday. Mandalasari. USA: Trisha Kutiwicz, Keisha Pearson. Ukraine: Anna Kyselova, Anastastsiya Krasko. Sulaiti is the Team Manager The championship was declared France: Sophie DE Turckheim, Camille Lecointre. Germany: Jurczok Victoria Isabel, Lorenz Anika. and Gasper Strahovnik is the open by Major General Thamer Poland: Katarzyna Tylinska, Aleksandra Tulodziecka. coach. bin Ali Al Mehshadi, Inspector Male Sailors Sailors from Canada, Sri Lanka, General of Qatar Armed Forces. Finland: Sami Tamminen, Henri Kaski. Indonesia: Yanuar Luckyto, Abdul Wahab Rauf. Norway: Pal Germany, Pakistan, Denmark, Staff Major General Braibak, Avdels Joilamsen, Petter Avrsnes. Turkey: Ozden Koral, Serdar Kizilkaya, Yucemert Koseoglu. France, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Mohammed bin Nasser Al Denmark: Soren Christensen, Thomas Jensen. USA: Samuel Ingham, Sean Kelly. Sri Lanka: Roshil Finland, Tunisia, India, Turkey, Mohannadi, Commander of the Nisantha Weerathunga, Chaminda Marambe, Muditha Gnanawardhana. India: Posmarajan Pandian the USA, Indonesia and Qatar Qatar Emiri Navy and chairman Mottu, Norender Singh Rajput, Sanoip Patankr. Canada: Patrick Mardon, Trevor Young. Ukraine: will be competing in the men’s of the organising committee, wel- Pavlo Matsuyer, Borys Shvets, Iuri Onufrienko. France: Vincent Delleur. Germany: Baldewein Dustin, section. A crowd cheers at the Hamad Aquatic Centre in Doha. FINA Market Street comed the guests. Wagner Jan–Jasper. Pakistan: Najeeb Ullah Khan, Qasim Abbas. Khalid Hussain. Qatar: Fahad Al In the women’s section, Russia, will bring spectators closer to action and give them a chance to interact “We welcome all the sailors Malki, Jassim Al Sulaiti, Waleed Al Shashani. Poland: Marcin Czajkowski, Piotr Przybylski. Tunisia: Indonesia, USA, Ukraine, France, with some of the swimmers. and officials from different coun- Naji Jbali, Rafik Welhazi, Salem Mzoughi. Germany and Poland will see tries for the 47th World Military action. Sailing Championship. We wish teams took part in a march past from today at 9am for the next Originally, 18 nations had con- them success,” Al Mohannadi while the military band was in two days while Thursday is rest firmed but Brazil withdrew their said. attendance during the opening day. sailors. China’s Sun serves A representative of the ceremony. The final round of races will The international jury for International Military Sports The six-day championship will take place on Friday and the the championship will consist Council (CISM) also spoke dur- see 100 sailors from 17 countries curtains will come down on the of Rafael Iturrioz Lozano, Luca ing the inauguration, which saw a taking part, including hosts Qatar, championship on Saturday with Babini, John Brownrigg, Teo Wee silent doping ban weapons show by Qatari military with races beginning today. a closing ceremony. Tee, Jagdish Singh, Leif Rolsted personnel and a fireworks display. The organisers said three races The hosts challenge in the and Haluk Suntay. BEIJING: Chinese swimming jailed briefly last year for driving Sailors from the participating will be held every day starting event will be lead by Warrant THE PENINSULA sensation Sun Yang (pictured) offences, waived his right to have served a three-month doping his B-sample tested after failing ban this season before returning the initial test. to competition, officials revealed At a hearing he said the tri- yesterday in the country’s big- metazidine was in a prescription McIlroy eyes gest drugs case in years. drug he sometimes takes for heart 16th Qatargas Open draws The double Olympic champion palpitations, and he did not know green jacket and 1,500m world record-holder, it had been added to the list of a superstar who is also known for banned substances at the start of after stellar year his brushes with authority, won this year. to a close at Doha Golf Club three gold medals at the Asian Sun “proved with sufficient DUBAI: As he picked up the Games after serving the previ- evidence that he did not intend DOHA: The 16th edition of European money list trophy for ously unannounced ban. to cheat”, said Zhao Jia, deputy the annual Qatargas Open was the second time in three seasons Chinese officials denied a director of CHINADA, according held at the Doha Golf Club last on Sunday, Rory McIlroy had cover-up and said the suspen- to Xinhua. Friday and Saturday. two words to say when asked sion was unusually short because Zhao said CHINADA had The popular tournament for his goals for 2015: “Green Sun, 22, had convinced them he been too busy with other tests attracted over 350 golfers, Jacket”. did not mean to take to announce Sun’s including players of the Qatar To golfers, that phrase means the banned stimulant case earlier. Six other Golf Association, employees one thing — winning the US trimetazidine. positive cases were of Qatargas, its stakeholders, Masters, the only major cham- “I have taken many revealed in the agen- companies based in Ras Laffan pionship to elude the Northern doping tests during cy’s second and third- Industrial City, banks and Irishman. years of training and quarter reports, both embassies. “It’s not something I thought competition and I released yesterday. Parallel to the main event, a possible, I will work hard and had never failed one “Sun is the most competition of juniors was also make sure I’m ready for that,” before,” the official famous athlete in held at the Academy Course in McIlroy told reporters after Xinhua news agency China and is known which nearly 30 young golfers tying for second at the DP World quoted Sun as saying. in the world, which participated. Tour Championship in Dubai, the “I was shocked and means we need to The tournament concluded European Tour season-ender. depressed at that handle his case very with an awards ceremony and din- Winning in Augusta will be time, but at the same time it cautiously,” he told Xinhua. ner at Doha Golf Club. Ghanim Al tough — no European has done it made me cherish my sporting “This is huge bad news but we Kuwari, Qatargas Chief Operating since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999 life even more. I will take it as will not cover it up.” Officer — Administration, and — yet world number one McIlroy a lesson and be more careful in The Olympic Council of Asia, Alaa Abujbara, Qatargas Chief is well equipped to end the the future.” which runs the Asian Games, Operating Officer — Commercial Ghanim Al Kuwari (right), Qatargas Chief Operating Officer — drought after a season in which Chinese swimmers were noto- said it had no plans to strip Sun and Shipping, presented the Administration, presents the overall winner’s trophy to Somposch Sang he claimed a maiden British Open rious for doping in the 1990s, of his Asiad gold medals despite prizes to the winners. Orn at Doha Golf Club. PICTURE: KAMMUTTY VP title, a second U.S. PGA crown partly explaining the innuendo also being unaware of the doping Following two days of excit- and two other European Tour that swirled after Ye Shiwen’s incident. ing competition, Somposch Sang for the wonderful participation. is a key element of Qatargas’ victories. jaw-dropping women’s 400m “Incheon Asian Games anti- Orn claimed the overall winner’s Year after year, the tournament corporate social responsibility “In terms of ball striking, I’ve individual medley win at the 2012 doping tests haven’t shown the trophy with 40 points countback is gaining in popularity, as evident programme, in alignment with driven it better, which is a huge London Olympics. positive case so this has nothing while Mary Jensen secured the from the huge number of people the objectives of the Human part of my game,” McIlroy said. Xinhua said Sun’s suspension to do with OCA,” a spokesman top prize in the ladies category. who have expressed their inter- Development pillar of the Qatar “When I drive it well I can give was imposed in July but back- said. Mani Atwal was declared the est to participate. The Qatargas National Vision 2030.” he added. myself shorter irons into greens dated to May 17, when he tested It was only the latest incident top player among the Qatargas Open is the oldest and one of the Also for the fourth year run- and more opportunities for bird- positive for trimetazidine at the to embroil Sun, who has fre- employees. The team made up most popular corporate golfing ning, Qatargas organised a char- ies. My mid-range putting has Chinese national championships. quently battled with authority, of Arnav Jain, Austin Tan and events in Qatar, eagerly awaited ity sale on the sidelines of the been very good this year.” He was stripped of his 1,500m leading to jail time and prolonged Cameron Morrice took home the by Qatar’s golfing community. I tournament. Proceeds from the The 25-year-old admitted the national title and fined 5,000 yuan suspensions from the swimming winner’s trophy in the Academy would like to thank the Doha Golf two-day charity sale will be dou- pressure of being the world’s best ($800). The suspension ended on pool. juniors scramble. Club for their support over the bled with an additional contribu- had been difficult to handle. August 17, a month before the In 2013 he was suspended from Addressing the players and years in making this tournament tion from Qatargas and presented “I used to be uncomfortable. Asian Games in Incheon, South commercial activities and warned guests present at the ceremony, Al a success year after year.” to one of the local charity organi- There’s added scrutiny and there’s Korea. about his behaviour after a battle Kuwari, said: “Congratulations to “Our continued commitment to sations in Qatar. added criticism,” said McIlroy. The China Anti-Doping with his coach over a relationship the winners and thank you to all promoting and supporting sports THE PENINSULA REUTERS Agency (CHINADA) said Sun, with an airline stewardess. AFP Tuesday 25 November 2014 3 Safar 1436 Volume 19 Number 6260 Sport Price: QR2

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In-form Qatar gear up for Gulf Cup final

Qatari team players flexing their muscles ahead of their Gulf Cup final against hosts Saudi Arabia, to be played at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium tomorrow. The Djamel Belmadi’s side cruised into the final after a resounding 3-1 victory over Oman in the semi-final on Sunday. The Maroons, having drawn all their group matches are yet to be defeated in the high-profile tournament. It may be recalled that Qatar entered the Gulf Cup with four successive wins in friendly games including an impressive 1-0 victory over Australia in Doha, last month. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand overcame UAE 3-2 in hard-fought semi-final. The eagerly-awaited final will kick-off at 7:45pm local time. RIGHT: Qatari coach Belmadi (right) giving instruction to a player during a training session. QMSF to launch Qatar Cup Top teams to take part in mega event to be held in Doha next February

DOHA: The Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF) and the recently-formed Offshore Powerboat Grand Prix (OPGP) will jointly promote and run Iker Casillas the brand new Qatar Cup, a four-day powerboat racing fes- tival, to be held in Doha Bay on February 4-7, 2015. Casillas Speaking during last weekend’s Oryx Cup in Doha, H E Sheikh shortlisted for Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani, President of the Qatar Marine Sports Federation (QMSF), said: keeper award “Everyone knows that we wanted to expand the power boating and LONDON: Iker Casillas was we wanted to do it the right way the surprise inclusion on the and grow with it as much as we goalkeeping shortlist for FIFA’s can. The Qatar Cup idea was born 2014 World XI yesterday after last year, but we couldn’t get the enduring a difficult year for American teams here last time. both Real Madrid and Spain. “This time the formula is com- Bayern Munich’s Manuel pletely different and we have Qatar Marine Sports Federation President H E Sheikh Neuer, who won the World signed with a number of teams Hassan bin Jabor Al Thani (left) and Jason Miller, General Cup with Germany in Brazil, who will come here in February. Manager of OPGP, have agreed on terms for the new Qatar has also been nominated, along This will be a stand-alone cham- Cup in Doha recently. RIGHT: The SOS Venezuela Cat with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, pionship approved by the UIM owned by Chris Schoenboom will be making its way to Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo and and APBA. This will create bigger Juventus’s Gianluigi Buffon. the Qatar Cup. recognition, both here and abroad, The 33-year-old Casillas suf- and we are confident it will grow. fered a poor World Cup with It is also a perfect opportunity owners in other classes. The idea all year and have the final race coming. These are very simi- the shorter ones. A handicap will Spain and has made only 12 league for our up-and-coming racers in is to make this a big event with in Qatar. We could, perhaps, have lar to XCats - where we hope be determined to put the racing appearances for Real throughout Qatar to compete alongside inter- as many classes as possible” said a National Championship and a to have 8 to 10 boats competing. on a level playing field and they 2014, although he did captain national rivals.” Curtis. Qatar Cup title at stake. It’s pre- Mohammed Al Nasser (Qatar’s will use the same chequered flag. them to Champions League glory. Sheikh Hassan’s racing part- “We will also run the Pro mature to go into details about XCat driver) has also been invited, This format was used before in a Courtois makes the list after ner and throttleman Steve Curtis Class Championship category this, but this could be the good but the engine rules are slightly series called Offshore 2000 in the helping Atletico Madrid to the has been appointed as the Interim for the local boats in Qatar and aim for 2016 onwards.” different so he will need to do 1990s and was very successful.” Spanish title last season during President of OPGP and confirmed the Turkish boats in a separate It’s only a three-week sail time some work with his engines. The precise timetable of the his loan spell, then impressing that the Qatar Cup will feature Offshore 225 class,” added Sheikh from Australia to Qatar, so we “Super Cats, with around 2015 Qatar Cup has yet to be for Belgium in their run to the exciting classes for Super Cat, Hassan. “It will be a full week of hope to see other teams here 800hp, is the main class we are finalised, but Curtis confirmed World Cup quarter-finals. Neuer, Super Vee Light, Super Vees and a racing activities with some addi- as well in February,” added the bringing over, but we also have that February 3 would be the who was in the 2013 team, was in new handicap racing-type format. tional jet-ski racing and I am sure QMSF President, who also con- the V hulls and we will try a new set-up day on Doha Corniche goal as Germany won the tourna- Race craft will be shipped from these classes will attract a lot of firmed that Ali Al Neama and handicap system that is used in and qualifying and practice would ment in Brazil and also won the the USA on December 8 aboard a support from the region. Billy Moore will represent the sailing to have all the boats on the take place the following day. domestic double with his club. vessel arranged by GAC Pindar. “If things look good for 2016 host nation at the helm of Spirit course at the same time. The first of the races are sched The nominees for the other “Some boats will also come - with a new five-race series in of Qatar 20 in the Super Cat class. “This has never been done for February 5 and further test- positions on the world XI are yet from New Zealand and maybe the United States - we could Curtis also enthused about before. Basically there will be two ing would be carried out the next to be announced, with the selected Australia and we have been talk- maybe do the same thing as we another boat class for the Qatar laps on the course – the fastest daybefore the main races take team to be unveiled at the Ballon ing to some of the XCat racers do with H1 and the Oryx Cup, Cup: boats may do 10 of the longer laps centre stage on February 7. d’Or Awards on January 12 next from Dubai and some of the boat whereby you accumulate points “We also have the Cat Lights and the smaller boats may do 10 of THE PENINSULA year. AGENCIES